ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. ("ImmunoCellular") (NYSE MKT: IMUC) announced today that it has reached agreement with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) for the phase 3 registrational trial of its cancer immunotherapy ICT-107 to treat patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The phase 3 trial is designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of about 400 HLA-A2 positive subjects, which will be conducted at about 120 sites in the US, Canada and the EU. The primary endpoint in the trial is overall survival, which the FDA and EU regulators have stated is the appropriate endpoint for registrational clinical studies in glioblastoma. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival and safety, as well as overall survival in the two pre-specified MGMT subgroups. Patient enrollment is anticipated to begin in the late third quarter or early fourth quarter of 2015.
A Special Protocol Assessment is a written agreement between the sponsor company and the FDA on the design, clinical endpoints, size and statistical design of a clinical trial intended to form the primary basis of an efficacy claim in the marketing application, such as a biologic licensing application (BLA) or a new drug application (NDA). Final marketing approval depends upon the safety and efficacy results demonstrated in the phase 3 clinical program.
Andrew Gengos, ImmunoCellular's Chief Executive Officer Commented: "We are pleased to have achieved this important milestone, and think that successful completion of the SPA process adds meaningful validation to the ICT-107 phase 3 program and design, especially the use of the gold standard primary endpoint of overall survival. With this SPA in place, we think that ICT-107 is uniquely positioned in the field of immuno-oncology approaches being tested in glioblastoma. We are making significant progress toward establishing our clinical site network and obtaining the necessary institutional review board approvals. We are confident that we are on track to begin patient enrollment in the late third quarter or early fourth quarter of this year."
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