Diakonos Oncology Corporation (“Diakonos”), a pioneer in immuno-oncology, announced today that its dendritic cell vaccine (DCV) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This recognition highlights the potential of Diakonos’ innovative immunotherapy in combating one of the deadliest forms of cancer.
Dr. Daniel D. Von Hoff, Distinguished Professor at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and City of Hope, renowned for his work in pancreatic cancer research, joins Diakonos’ Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Von Hoff’s expertise and leadership will guide Diakonos as it advances its clinical development efforts for the pancreatic cancer vaccine.
“We are delighted with this FDA Fast Track designation for our autologous dendritic cell vaccines targeting pancreatic cancer,” said Mike Wicks, CEO of Diakonos. “Dr. Von Hoff’s invaluable insights will be pivotal as we continue to progress towards offering new treatment options for this devastating disease.”
Previously, Diakonos received Fast Track designation for its lead vaccine for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), demonstrating promising outcomes in Phase 1 trials. This designation underscores the potential of Diakonos’ immunotherapies in enhancing patient survival rates beyond conventional treatments.
Dr. Von Hoff, internationally recognized for his contributions to cancer therapy development, expressed optimism about collaborating with Diakonos. “The need for effective treatments in pancreatic cancer is urgent,” he stated. “I look forward to leveraging Diakonos’ targeted technology to advance therapies that could significantly benefit patients.”
About FDA Fast Track: FDA Fast Track designation accelerates drug development and review for severe or life-threatening conditions, aiming to expedite access to promising treatments. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, with its low survival rates and increasing incidence, presents a critical challenge in oncology.
About Diakonos’ DCV Technology: Diakonos’ DCVs utilize a patient’s own dendritic cells and tumor sample to activate potent immune responses against cancer cells. This approach, which avoids genetic modification of immune cells, streamlines manufacturing and reduces costs compared to traditional cell therapy methods.
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers in the U.S., with a bleak prognosis and limited effective treatments. Diakonos Oncology’s commitment to advancing innovative immunotherapies underscores its dedication to transforming outcomes for patients facing this challenging disease.
