Cantargia's Nadunolimab: Advancing Cancer Therapies with Promising Results

Cantargia AB, a Swedish biotech company, has reported encouraging results from clinical studies investigating its lead asset, nadunolimab, in various forms of cancer. These findings support the company's ongoing strategies and have the potential to expand nadunolimab's use in combination therapies.

Nadunolimab, an antibody targeting IL1RAP, has shown promising efficacy and safety profiles in pancreatic, lung, and head and neck cancer patients. In a phase IIa trial, nadunolimab in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel demonstrated a median overall survival of 13.2 months in pancreatic cancer patients, surpassing historical data for chemotherapy alone. Notably, patients with high tumor levels of IL1RAP experienced even more pronounced benefits, with a median overall survival of 14.2 months.


In lung and head and neck cancer patients who relapsed on PD1 inhibitors, nadunolimab combination therapies showed encouraging median survival times. The CANFOUR trial in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients reported an overall response rate (ORR) of 71% and a median overall survival (OS) of 15.7 months in second-line patients. The CIRIFOUR trial in heavily pretreated patients demonstrated a median survival of 19.7 months and a disease control rate of 60%.


Cantargia has also initiated a new randomized controlled phase IIb trial in pancreatic cancer, building on the strong interim phase IIa efficacy results. This trial will evaluate two different dose levels of nadunolimab in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel, with the chemotherapy serving as an active control arm. The trial is expected to enroll 150-200 patients in Europe and the US, with top-line data anticipated in 2025.

Cantargia's partnership with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) will continue, with the potential participation of nadunolimab in PanCAN's adaptive phase II/III trial Precision Promise on hold until results from the new phase IIb trial are available.

The market size and growth potential for each cancer indication where nadunolimab has shown promising results are significant. Pancreatic cancer, for instance, has a high unmet medical need, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. Lung and head and neck cancers also present substantial market opportunities, given their prevalence and the need for effective therapies.

Nadunolimab's pricing strategy will likely be competitive with existing treatments in these cancer indications, considering its potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce side effects. Sales projections for nadunolimab in the next 5-10 years are expected to be substantial, given its potential approval in multiple cancer indications and the growing demand for effective cancer therapies.

Cantargia's partnerships and collaborations, such as with PanCAN, are expected to impact nadunolimab's revenue streams by increasing visibility, facilitating patient access, and potentially accelerating regulatory approvals. The company's ongoing clinical development and promising results position nadunolimab as a potential game-changer in cancer therapies, with the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and expand market access.