Source: www.masshightech.com
Author: James M. Connolly

Woburn-based biotech company BioVex Inc. today said that it has launched a Phase 3 study of its OncoVEXGM-CSF as a treatment for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

The study will be conducted at sites in the U.S. and U.K., and will enroll 528 previously untreated patients. The goal is to demonstrate a statistically significant increase in two-year, event-free survival for patients treated with chemoradition and with OncoVEXGM-CF.

BioVex founder and chief technology officer Robert Coffin said in a press release, “The start of a second pivotal Phase 3 study is part of a broad planned development program for OncoVEX GM-CSF beyond our lead indication of metastatic melanoma.”

BioVex has an operational commercial scale manufacturing facility in Woburn. It is developing biologics for the treatment of cancer and prevention of infectious disease. In addition to OncoVEXGM-CSF, the company has a second development program, ImmunoVEXHSV2, a vaccine for genital herpes that displayed complete protection in animal models. That vaccine is currently undergoing clinical testing in the U.K.