UK Grants Innovation Passport to Promising Drug for Throat Disease

INO-3107 Receives Special Recognition

In a significant development, the UK government has awarded INO-3107, a medicine aimed at treating Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP), an Innovation Passport. This designation is part of the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP), which seeks to fast-track promising new medicines to market.

INO-3107, developed by biotechnology company INOVIO, targets a rare and chronic disease that affects the respiratory tract, which is caused by HPV types 6 and 11. This recognition highlights the potential of INO-3107 to be the first therapeutic option available in the UK for patients suffering from this debilitating condition.

Benefits of the Innovation Passport

The Innovation Passport offers a streamlined process for regulatory approval, enabling promising drugs to reach patients more swiftly. ILAP provides a structured development and approval roadmap, featuring multiple support tools and expedited regulatory pathways.

For INO-3107, this means access to an accelerated 150-day Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) assessment, ongoing review, and continuous benefit-risk assessment. These measures are intended to ensure that patients can access crucial treatments as soon as possible.

Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: A Closer Look

RRP is a rare disease marked by wart-like growths in the airway, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). While often benign, these growths can obstruct airways and significantly impact a patient’s quality of life, affecting their ability to speak and breathe.

The current standard treatment involves repeated surgical removal of these growths, but they frequently recur, necessitating multiple surgeries that carry risks of complications.

Clinical Trial Insights

INO-3107 has shown promising results in clinical trials. A Phase 1/2 trial demonstrated that 81.3% of patients experienced a reduction in the number of surgical interventions needed after treatment. This includes 28.1% of participants who required no surgeries during the treatment period.

The trial also reported a strong immune response, with the drug activating specific T cells that target and kill HPV-infected cells. The drug was well-tolerated by patients, with adverse effects mainly being mild, such as injection site pain and fatigue.

Potential Impact on RRP Treatment

The Innovation Passport designation could lead to quicker availability of INO-3107 for patients in the UK, offering a much-needed alternative to the current surgical treatments.

INOVIO’s INO-3107 aims to transform the treatment paradigm for RRP by reducing the frequency of surgeries and minimizing disease progression, ultimately enhancing patient quality of life.

About INOVIO

INOVIO is a biotechnology company specializing in DNA medicines designed to treat HPV-related diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases. Their innovative platform uses DNA plasmids alongside a proprietary delivery device to ensure targeted treatment.

For more information about INOVIO and their range of DNA medicines, visit their official website.