The Phase 2 study revealed a 48% objective response rate for the combination therapy, significantly outpacing the 27% rate observed in patients treated with pembrolizumab monotherapy. Beyond higher response rates, the combination arm yielded a 14% complete response rate, whereas the control group recorded none. Progression-free survival also shifted markedly, reaching a median of 9.6 months compared to 4.9 months for the standard treatment.

Following these results, the company plans to enroll 50 additional patients specifically with HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Chief Executive Mark Lappe indicated that the data provides a clear path to expand the program, with potential applications for other immunogenic tumors and future combinations involving cancer vaccines as the firm pursues an accelerated regulatory timeline.