SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Aston Sci. is proud to announce that it has received Phase 2 Clinical Investigational New Drug (IND) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its innovative cancer vaccine, AST-201, designed specifically for ovarian cancer. This milestone achievement, known as the CornerStone-004 program, marks a significant step forward in Aston Sci.'s fight against women's cancers.
Study Highlights and the Primary Objective:
The study is a randomized controlled trial designed to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of the plasmid-based DNA vaccine AST-201 when administered alongside standard adjuvant chemotherapy (Paclitaxel/Carboplatin), for patients with newly diagnosed Stage III advanced ovarian cancer following surgical intervention. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of AST-201 compared to a placebo, as measured by the progression-free survival (PFS) rate.
Aston Sci.'s Pipeline Expansion:
With this milestone, Aston Sci.'s pipeline has expanded to include two drug candidates in multinational Phase 2 clinical trials: AST-201 for ovarian cancer and AST-301 for breast and gastric cancer. This milestone underscores Aston Sci.'s position as a frontrunner in the field, with a total of four drugs in advanced clinical stages. Aston Sci. is currently conducting or planning four CornerStone clinical programs in the United States, Taiwan, Korea and Europe.
"In a global environment where approved immunotherapies for ovarian cancer remain scarce, our dedicated efforts are focused on delivering a safer and more advanced treatment option for ovarian cancer patients. We are committed to sharing our results at the earliest opportunity," said Dr. Hun Jung, Head of R&D Division at Aston Sci. Inc. "We will expand clinical research across various indications and reaffirm our expertise in the field of cancer vaccine development."
Aston Sci. Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company led by a team of global pharmaceutical experts. Specializing in innovative immunotherapies, including therapeutic cancer vaccines, Aston Sci. focuses on enhancing T-cell immune responses against specific antigens, triggering cancer cell apoptosis. Central to our mission is the Th-Vac® platform. This platform, grounded in immune informatics, facilitates continuous epitope discovery, serving as the cornerstone of our ongoing efforts in therapeutic vaccine development.
Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, with a U.S. office in Seattle, Washington, Aston Sci. is deeply committed to delivering advanced treatments and preventing cancer recurrence, ultimately striving for safer and more effective options for cancer patients worldwide.