Iovance Biotherapeutics Announces Clinical Data for LN-145 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

• 21.4% Overall Response Rate (ORR) in Relapsed/Refractory Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (mNSCLC) Patients Following One or More Prior Systemic Therapies Including Immunotherapy
• First Patient Dosed in Registration-Supporting IOV-LUN-202 Study in Second Line mNSCLC

SAN CARLOS, Calif., June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: IOVA), a late-stage biotechnology company developing novel T cell-based cancer immunotherapies, today announced clinical data for its tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy LN-145 in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) who enrolled in Cohort 3B of the ongoing basket study IOV-COM-202. Cohort 3B enrolled patients that had progressed on prior immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, including patients with oncogene-driven tumors who received prior tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy. The initial clinical results are available in a slide presentation on the Iovance website here.

The overall response rate (ORR) by investigator per RECIST 1.1 was 21.4% (n=28, one complete response and five partial responses) and the disease control rate (DCR) was 64.3% following one-time treatment with LN-145 monotherapy, including two responders with PD-L1 negative tumors. Median duration of response was not reached at a median study follow up of 8.2 months. The treatment-emergent adverse event profile was consistent with the underlying disease and known adverse event profiles of non-myeloablative lymphodepletion and IL-2. All patients treated in Cohort 3B received prior anti-PD-1/L1 therapy and all six responding patients also received prior chemotherapy. Historically, ORRs of approximately 20% were reported with ICIs as second-line therapy in ICI-naïve patients who progressed on front-line chemotherapy. Iovance anticipates presenting additional Cohort 3B data at a medical meeting in the second half of 2021.

Friedrich Graf Finckenstein, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Iovance, stated, “There remains a very significant unmet need to increase response rates and prolong survival in the second line non-small cell lung cancer treatment setting. The initial data for LN-145 in this difficult to treat patient population is very promising.”

The Cohort 3B data using Iovance’s TIL cell therapy are the first reported clinical data on TIL administered as a one-time monotherapy in mNSCLC from a prospective, multi-center study, and add significantly to the existing scientific data previously reported by Iovance’s collaborator H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center.

Iovance also announced today that it dosed the first patient in IOV-LUN-202. Iovance previously opened the IOV-LUN-202 trial to investigate LN-145 in second-line mNSCLC where patients have progressed on one prior ICI and chemotherapy. This trial is designed to be supportive of registration.

Dr. Graf Finckenstein also stated: “We are excited to share our initial results for LN-145 in non-small cell lung cancer, a new potential indication for Iovance TIL cell therapy, which show positive outcomes in patients with high unmet medical need. We see a substantial opportunity to advance LN-145 in the post-ICI setting for patients with lung cancer. These data also have the potential to drive momentum with enrollment in our registration supporting study, IOV-LUN-202, as well as in two additional non-small cell lung cancer cohorts in IOV-COM-202, and we move ahead with great enthusiasm.”

About Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Iovance aims to improve patient care by making T cell-based immunotherapies broadly accessible for the treatment of patients with solid tumors and blood cancers. Tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cell therapy uses a patient’s own immune cells to attack cancer. TIL are extracted from a patient’s own tumor tissue, expanded through a proprietary process, and infused back into the patient. Upon infusion, TIL reach tumor tissue, where they attack cancer cells. The company has completed dosing in pivotal programs in patients with metastatic melanoma and cervical cancer. In addition, the company’s TIL cell therapy is being investigated in a registration-supporting study for the treatment of patients with locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Clinical studies are also underway to evaluate TIL in earlier stage cancers in combination with currently approved treatments, and to investigate Iovance peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) T cell therapy for blood cancers. For more information, please visit www.iovance.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
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CONTACTS

Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc:
Sara Pellegrino, IRC
Vice President, Investor Relations & Public Relations
650-260-7120 ext. 264
Sara.Pellegrino@iovance.com

Solebury Trout:
Zara Lockshin
646.378.2960
zlockshin@soleburytrout.com