Alpha Tau Medical Ltd. ("Alpha Tau", or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:
DRTS, DRTSW), the developer of the innovative alpha-radiation
cancer therapy Alpha DaRT®, announced today positive interim data
from multiple clinical trials, including safety and feasibility
studies treating patients with pancreatic cancer, a combination
study with pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent unresectable or
metastatic HNSCC, and other clinical trials. The data will be
shared during an R&D Update Day to be held today at 11am ET;
registration for the event and further information are available at
https://alpha-tau-medical-2025-rd-day.open-exchange.net/registration.
Pancreatic Cancer Trials – Interim Data as of Jan 8, 2025
Across three ongoing feasibility and safety trials, two in
Canada and one in Israel, 41 patients with pancreatic cancer had
been treated with Alpha DaRT in Canada (n=24) and Israel (n=17),
including the first five patients for whom interim data was already
released in late 2023. A 100% success rate was achieved in
delivering the Alpha DaRT sources (feasibility), and strong safety
results were observed: 151 adverse events were reported in total,
of which 38 were possibly, probably or definitely associated with
Alpha DaRT treatment, of which three were deemed serious adverse
events (SAEs). Two of three SAEs required brief hospitalizations
and all patients were discharged or recovered.
Among the 41 patients across the three trials, 33 patients had a
measured objective response and were examined for survival
metrics.
Using best overall response (BOR) in patients with a measured
response, the findings from a pooled analysis include:
- 18% objective response rate, or ORR
(either a complete response or partial response) and 91% disease
control rate, or DCR (complete response, partial response or stable
disease)
- Excluding the first two patients,
who were deliberately given low dosages in order to determine
feasibility and safety only, analysis demonstrated a 19% ORR and
97% DCR– with only one patient experiencing progressive
disease
Using Kaplan-Meier statistics for measurement of overall
survival (OS), median OS across all 33 patients was 18.6 months
after diagnosis or initiation of the previous round of
chemotherapy, or 10.9 months after treatment with Alpha DaRT.
Ad-hoc analyses of key sub-populations evaluated in the
Company’s pancreatic cancer trials vs. results from relevant
third-party clinical studies illustrate the potential benefit of
Alpha DaRT for patient populations with generally poor prognoses,
though caution should be exercised in comparing results from
unrelated clinical studies due to differences in study designs,
patient populations and other relevant factors. Findings from the
Company’s ad-hoc analyses include:
- For patients who could not or would
not receive chemotherapy (n=8), patients treated with Alpha DaRT
demonstrated median OS of 7.5 months after diagnosis, with four of
eight treated patients still alive, compared to third-party
studies1,2 suggesting that expected baseline survival with
untreated pancreatic cancer is approximately 3 – 3.5 months.
- For metastatic patients whose cancer
progressed after receiving first-line FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy
(n=10), median OS was not yet reached after 15.1 months of median
overall follow-up since the initiation of FOLFIRINOX, with eight of
ten treated patients still alive, compared to historical
studies3,4,5 demonstrating median OS of 10.1 – 11.1 months from the
initiation of first-line FOLFIRINOX in metastatic patients.
- For patients whose cancer progressed
after receiving second-line Gemcitabine-Abraxane chemotherapy
(n=7), findings show a median OS of 23.0 months since the
initiation of Gemcitabine-Abraxane, and a median OS of 9.0 months
since being treated with Alpha DaRT, with three of seven treated
patients still alive, compared to historical studies6,7,8
demonstrating median OS of 7.6 – 9.9 months from the initiation of
second-line Gemcitabine-Abraxane.
In today’s presentation, the clinicians will discuss the
clinician and patient experience with Alpha DaRT for pancreatic
cancer, and will also review the case study of a patient who was
treated with Alpha DaRT concurrently with chemotherapy for
pancreatic adenocarcinoma with liver metastases and who had a
complete resolution on PET scan at 90 days of both the primary
tumor and the liver metastases.
Approval for pancreatic cancer clinical trials in U.S. and
France
The Company has also announced the receipt of an IDE from the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to conduct a clinical
study examining the combination of Alpha DaRT and first-line
chemotherapy in 12 patients with newly diagnosed metastatic
pancreatic cancer, as well as the receipt of regulatory approval
from France’s Ministry of Health to initiate a French multi-center
study examining the use of Alpha DaRT alongside capecitabine in
treating locally advanced pancreatic cancer in 40 patients who have
responded or had stable disease with first-line FOLFIRINOX.
Pembrolizumab combination trial in patients with HNSCC – Interim
Data as of Jan 9, 2025
The Company also announced interim data showing strong systemic
responses in its safety and efficacy study combining Alpha DaRT
treatment with pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent
unresectable or metastatic HNSCC, targeting a similar population as
evaluated in Merck’s KEYNOTE-048 study9 and with a Combined
Positive Score (CPS) of at least 1. As of Jan 9, 2025, eight
patients were treated with Alpha DaRT and pembrolizumab in the
study. Of the eight patients treated, three demonstrated a systemic
complete response, three demonstrated a systemic partial response,
and two patients died before being evaluated, demonstrating:
- 37.5% systemic complete response
rate, compared to a systemic complete response rate of 5% observed
in this population in the KEYNOTE-048 study
- 75% systemic ORR, compared to a
systemic ORR of 19% observed in a comparable population in the
KEYNOTE-048 study
An abstract entitled “Management of Metastatic Head and Neck
Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Elderly Patients Using Diffusing
Alpha-Emitter Radiation Therapy in Combination with Pembrolizumab,”
with interim data from this clinical study, has been accepted for
presentation at the 11th European Congress on Head and Neck
Oncology on March 26-29, 2025 in Amsterdam.
In addition, no SAEs related to Alpha DaRT treatment were
reported in these patients as of the data cutoff date of January 9,
2025.
In today’s presentation, the clinicians will also review the
case of a patient with HNSCC in the alveolar ridge and lip as well
as dermal involvement, who underwent Alpha DaRT treatment of the
neck alongside pembrolizumab, and has experienced a complete
resolution of all tumors and no measurable disease over two years
since treatment.
Following these strong results, the Company intends to discuss
with the FDA a potential U.S. trial exploring the combination of
Alpha DaRT and pembrolizumab in patients with head and neck
cancer.
Additional Case Studies
During today’s R&D Update Day, clinicians will also present
case studies from the first patients treated with Alpha DaRT in a
number of other internal organs:
- In the first Alpha DaRT treatment of
a patient with liver metastases from colorectal cancer, conducted
as part of a two-stage hepatectomy, the clinicians observed a
reduction of 18% in dimension of a treated lesion after one week,
and at the same time also saw a reduction of over 25% in dimension
of an untreated lesion elsewhere in the liver. The patient was
discharged as planned and had an uneventful recovery.
Histopathological analysis suggested a pronounced adaptive immune
response in the treated lesion.
- In the first Alpha DaRT treatment
delivered into a lung tumor, ten Alpha DaRT sources were delivered
into a lymph node metastasis in the mediastinum, leading to a 41.6%
reduction in volume after one month, and a 52.7% reduction in
volume after two months, as well as a reduction in SUV uptake, with
no treatment-related adverse events as of Jan 15, 2025.
- In the first Alpha DaRT treatment of
rectal adenocarcinoma, a patient who declined to undergo
abdominoperineal resection (APR surgery) and who instead received
Alpha DaRT treatment, had a complete resolution of the tumor, with
no self-reported bowel or bladder issues, and no treatment-related
adverse events as of Jan 15, 2025.
Commentary
“Today is truly a momentous day for Alpha Tau,” noted Alpha Tau
CEO Uzi Sofer. “With these fantastic clinical results observed
across a number of difficult cancers, we are now able to
demonstrate the broader Alpha Tau vision: Beyond our historical
activities treating patients with localized and unresectable
tumors, we are now expanding our focus on treating internal organ
tumors of high unmet need, as well as tumors in metastatic
patients, by harnessing the potential systemic immune benefits of
Alpha DaRT. We are incredibly excited to pursue treatment of these
cancers further across a number of future clinical trials, with
increased attention to launching U.S. clinical trials investigating
Alpha DaRT treatment of the pancreas, the brain, and in combination
with checkpoint inhibitors. We aim to continue to generate
incredible results and hope for these patients of high unmet
need.”
Alpha Tau Virtual R&D Update Day
Alpha Tau will host a Virtual R&D Update Day featuring Prof.
Aron Popovtzer, MD (Hadassah Medical Center), Corey Miller, MD, MSc
(McGill University), Philip Blumenfeld, MD, MPH (Hadassah Medical
Center), and Robert Den, MD (Alpha Tau) to discuss newly released
data and case studies on Monday, January 27th, 2025 at 11:00am ET.
To register for the event, click here. A live question and answer
session will follow the formal remarks.
About Alpha Tau Medical Ltd.
Founded in 2016, Alpha Tau is an Israeli oncology therapeutics
company that focuses on research, development, and potential
commercialization of the Alpha DaRT® for the treatment of solid
tumors. The technology was initially developed by Prof. Itzhak
Kelson and Prof. Yona Keisari from Tel Aviv University.
About Alpha DaRT ®
Alpha DaRT® (Diffusing Alpha-emitters Radiation Therapy) is
designed to enable highly potent and conformal alpha-irradiation of
solid tumors by intratumoral delivery of radium-224 impregnated
sources. When the radium decays, its short-lived daughters are
released from the sources and disperse while emitting high-energy
alpha particles with the goal of destroying the tumor. Since the
alpha-emitting atoms diffuse only a short distance, Alpha DaRT®
aims to mainly affect the tumor, and to spare the healthy tissue
around it.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. When used herein, words including "anticipate," "being,"
"will," "plan," "may," "continue," and similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any
statements or information that refer to expectations, beliefs,
plans, projections, objectives, performance or other
characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any
underlying assumptions, are forward-looking. All forward-looking
statements are based upon Alpha Tau's current expectations and
various assumptions. Alpha Tau believes there is a reasonable basis
for its expectations and beliefs, but they are inherently
uncertain. Alpha Tau may not realize its expectations, and its
beliefs may not prove correct. Actual results could differ
materially from those described or implied by such forward-looking
statements as a result of various important factors, including,
without limitation: (i) Alpha Tau's ability to receive regulatory
approval for its Alpha DaRT technology or any future products or
product candidates; (ii) Alpha Tau's limited operating history;
(iii) Alpha Tau's incurrence of significant losses to date; (iv)
Alpha Tau's need for additional funding and ability to raise
capital when needed; (v) Alpha Tau's limited experience in medical
device discovery and development; (vi) Alpha Tau's dependence on
the success and commercialization of the Alpha DaRT technology;
(vii) the failure of preliminary data from Alpha Tau's clinical
studies to predict final study results; (viii) failure of Alpha
Tau's early clinical studies or preclinical studies to predict
future clinical studies; (ix) Alpha Tau's ability to enroll
patients in its clinical trials; (x) undesirable side effects
caused by Alpha Tau's Alpha DaRT technology or any future products
or product candidates; (xi) Alpha Tau's exposure to patent
infringement lawsuits; (xii) Alpha Tau's ability to comply with the
extensive regulations applicable to it; (xiii) the ability to meet
Nasdaq's listing standards; (xiv) costs related to being a public
company; (xv) changes in applicable laws or regulations; and the
other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors"
in Alpha Tau's annual report filed on form 20-F with the SEC on
March 7, 2024, and other filings that Alpha Tau may make with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These and other
important factors could cause actual results to differ materially
from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this
press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent
management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While
Alpha Tau may elect to update such forward-looking statements at
some point in the future, except as required by law, it disclaims
any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause its views
to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied
upon as representing Alpha Tau's views as of any date subsequent to
the date of this press release.
Investor Relations Contact: IR@alphatau.com
1 Zijlstra, M. et al (2018). Patient characteristics and
treatment considerations in pancreatic cancer: a population based
study in the Netherlands.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0284186X.2018.1470330#abstract2
https://pancreatica.org/pancreatic-cancer/pancreatic-cancer-prognosis/3
Thierry Conroy et al., FOLFIRINOX versus Gemcitabine for Metastatic
Pancreatic Cancer. New England Journal of Medicine (2011). DOI:
10.1056/NEJMoa10119234 Singhal MK, et al. A phase III trial
comparing FOLFIRINOX versus gemcitabine for metastatic pancreatic
cancer. Ann Oncol. 2014;25(suppl 4):iv210–53.5 Laetitia Dahan et
al., Randomized Phase II Trial Evaluating Two Sequential Treatments
in First Line of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: Results of the
PANOPTIMOX-PRODIGE 35 Trial. JCO 39, 3242-3250(2021).
DOI:10.1200/JCO.20.033296 Mita N, Iwashita T, Uemura S, Yoshida K,
Iwasa Y, Ando N, Iwata K, Okuno M, Mukai T, Shimizu M. Second-Line
Gemcitabine Plus Nab-Paclitaxel for Patients with Unresectable
Advanced Pancreatic Cancer after First-Line FOLFIRINOX Failure. J
Clin Med. 2019 May 29;8(6):761. doi: 10.3390/jcm8060761. PMID:
31146420; PMCID: PMC66168797 Huh G, Lee HS, Choi JH, Lee SH, Paik
WH, Ryu JK, Kim YT, Bang S, Lee ES. Gemcitabine plus Nab-paclitaxel
as a second-line treatment following FOLFIRINOX failure in advanced
pancreatic cancer: a multicenter, single-arm, open-label, phase 2
trial. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2021 Nov 10;13:17588359211056179. doi:
10.1177/17588359211056179. PMID: 34790261; PMCID: PMC8591648.8
Portal A et al. Nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine for metastatic
pancreatic adenocarcinoma after Folfirinox failure: an AGEO
prospective multicentre cohort. Br J Cancer. 2015 Sep
29;113(7):989-95. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2015.328. Epub 2015 Sep 15.
PMID: 26372701; PMCID: PMC4651133.9 Burtness, B. et al (2019).
Pembrolizumab alone or with chemotherapy versus cetuximab with
chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of
the head and neck (KEYNOTE-048): a randomised, open-label, phase 3
study. The Lancet. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(19)32591-7
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