Firm reports progress on cancer treatment delivery system

Specialist pharmaceuticals firm N4 Pharma has reported “very encouraging” progress on a new delivery system for cancer treatments and vaccines.

The firm is currently developing the system, called Nuvec, and is conducting cutting-edge research in the use of nanoparticles as delivery systems in oncology.

The firm said it was now “proceeding carefully” to ensure that it gains the maximum understanding of the cellular processes involved.

In an R&D and strategy update to investors, the firm said: “The work to date is very encouraging and is demonstrating that Nuvec has considerable potential to be able to knockdown two independent pathways leading to more effective cancer treatments by reducing the ability for tumour escape.”

According to N4 Pharma, current chemotherapy treatments for cancers are “broad stroked” and have very high toxicity, which has led to the emergence of alternative immuno-oncology treatments.

These have had success for some cancers but have proven ineffective in curbing the progression of numerous other cancers.

It said that single pathway treatments can have an initial effect, but many see the post treatment emergence of cancer cells that have developed “immune escape” pathways, leaving retreatment as futile.

Nigel Theobald, chief executive at N4 Pharma, said: “The work we have done so far is extremely encouraging and is demonstrating that Nuvec has considerable potential to be able to knockdown two independent pathways leading to more effective cancer treatments by reducing the ability for tumour escape.

“This is a highly desirous and innovate approach in developing novel cancer treatments.”