ImmunityBio Announces First Dosing of Recombinant BCG (rBCG) in the U.S. and 60 Sites Are in the Process of Launching
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U.S. Urology Partners is one of the first providers to offer patients ImmunityBio’s recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (rBCG) -
The FDA recently authorized ImmunityBio’s EAP for rBCG to address
U.S. shortages and provide an alternative source of BCG, a critical standard-of-care in bladder cancer -
Multiple urology centers across the
U.S. are in the process of activating their sites to administer rBCG
“The shortage of BCG has real consequences, especially in many rural communities across the country where supply shortages have impacted the treatment of patients with bladder cancer,” said Christopher M. Pieczonka, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and Director of Clinical Research, Associated Medical Professionals, an affiliate of
Supply shortages of TICE BCG in the
“It is gratifying to see the rapid uptake and interest in the rBCG Expanded Access Program, which was authorized by the FDA just recently,” added Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Founder, Executive Chairman and Global Chief Scientific and Medical Officer of ImmunityBio. “Participation by a major national provider like
“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to expand the BCG supply to allow more patients to receive the full course of their cancer treatment, saving bladders and extending lives,” said Dr. Eugene B. Cone, Co-Director of Clinical Research, Urology of
The Serum Institute of
“Constrained BCG supply has improved stewardship of a limited resource but has come at a high cost to our patients,” said Dr. Chad Reichard, Co-Director of Clinical Research, Urology of
About Recombinant BCG (rBCG)
BCG is a benign bacterium originally developed as a live vaccine against tuberculosis (TB). It is based on the well-known Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) strain. It has been in use since 1921 and administered to more than 4 billion individuals worldwide. BCG given via intravesical instillation (delivery to the bladder via a catheter) has been the standard of care for patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) since 1977. BCG induces an immune response in the bladder in proximity to the cancer cells, leading to clearance of the cancer in many patients.
Two gene modifications have been implemented in rBCG to improve its immunogenicity and safety in comparison to earlier strains and formulations of BCG. Recombinant rBCG has completed Phase 1/2 human clinical studies in
Supportive clinical data of rBCG as a TB vaccine are available from four clinical trials. Two studies in healthy adult volunteers and one Phase IIa study in healthy newborn infants were performed with rBCG. Additionally, a Phase II clinical trial was conducted with rBCG in HIV-unexposed and HIV-exposed, BCG-naïve newborn infants for clinical bridging. Clinical trials have also been conducted to assess the effect of rBCG vaccination on TB recurrence and on the susceptibility or severity of respiratory diseases during the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.
BCG is one of the most widely used vaccines worldwide. However, because BCG is a biologic drug that uses benign bacteria, it is more complicated to manufacture than many other types of drugs. Serum Institute of
ImmunityBio has been awarded multiple patents covering the composition and methods of use for the combination of BCG plus ANKTIVA in bladder cancer (US 11,173,191 Β2; US 11,679,144 Β2; US 11,890,323 B2).
About ANKTIVA®
The cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) plays a crucial role in the immune system by affecting the development, maintenance, and function of key immune cells—NK and CD8+ killer T cells—that are involved in killing cancer cells. By activating NK cells, ANKTIVA overcomes the tumor escape phase of clones resistant to T cells and restores memory T cell activity with resultant prolonged duration of complete response.
ANKTIVA is a first-in-class IL-15 agonist IgG1 fusion complex, consisting of an IL-15 mutant (IL-15N72D) fused with an IL-15 receptor alpha, which binds with high affinity to IL-15 receptors on NK, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells. This fusion complex of ANKTIVA mimics the natural biological properties of the membrane-bound IL-15 receptor alpha, delivering IL-15 by dendritic cells and drives the activation and proliferation of NK cells with the generation of memory killer T cells that have retained immune memory against these tumor clones. The proliferation of the trifecta of these immune killing cells and the activation of trained immune memory results in immunogenic cell death, inducing a state of equilibrium with durable complete responses. ANKTIVA has improved pharmacokinetic properties, longer persistence in lymphoid tissues, and enhanced anti-tumor activity compared to native, non-complexed IL-15 in-vivo.
ANKTIVA was approved by the FDA in 2024 for BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer CIS with or without papillary tumors. For more information, visit ImmunityBio.com (Founder’s Vision) and Anktiva.com.
About
About ImmunityBio
ImmunityBio is a vertically-integrated biotechnology company developing next-generation therapies and vaccines that bolster the natural immune system to defeat cancers and infectious diseases. The Company’s range of immunotherapy and cell therapy platforms, alone and together, act to drive and sustain an immune response with the goal of creating durable and safe protection against disease. Designated an FDA Breakthrough Therapy, ANKTIVA is the first FDA-approved immunotherapy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer CIS that activates natural killer cells, T cells, and memory T cells for a long-duration response. The Company is applying its science and platforms to treating cancers, including the development of potential cancer vaccines, as well as developing immunotherapies and cell therapies that we believe sharply reduce or eliminate the need for standard high-dose chemotherapy. These platforms and their associated product candidates are designed to be more effective, accessible, and easily administered than current standards of care in oncology and infectious diseases. For more information, visit ImmunityBio.com (Founder’s Vision) and connect with us on X (Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements regarding participation in the EAP, the expectation that the EAP will enable ImmunityBio to reliably bring an alternative source of BCG to patients in the
Indication and Important Safety Information
INDICATION AND USAGE: ANKTIVA is an interleukin-15 (IL-15) receptor agonist indicated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for the treatment of adult patients with BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS: Risk of Metastatic Bladder Cancer with Delayed Cystectomy. Delaying cystectomy can lead to the development of muscle invasive or metastatic bladder cancer, which can be lethal. If patient with CIS do not have a complete response to treatment after a second induction course of ANKTIVA with BCG, reconsider cystectomy.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: For lntravesical Use Only. Do not administer by subcutaneous or intravenous routes. Instill intravesically only after dilution. Total time from vial puncture to the completion of the intravesical instillation should not exceed 2 hours.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS: Pregnancy: May cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception.
ADVERSE REACTIONS: The most common (≥
For more information about ANKTIVA, please see the Full Prescribing Information at www.anktiva.com.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to FDA.
Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-332-1088. You may also contact lmmunityBio at 1-877-ANKTIVA (1-877-265-8482).
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ImmunityBio Contacts:
Investors
Hemanth Ramaprakash, PhD, MBA
ImmunityBio, Inc.
+1 858-746-9289
Hemanth.Ramaprakash@ImmunityBio.com
Media
Sarah Singleton
ImmunityBio, Inc.
+1 415-290-8045
Sarah.Singleton@ImmunityBio.com
Sarah Faisal, Vice President of Research,
sarah.faisal@us-uro.com
Source: ImmunityBio, Inc.