Imugene's CMO John Byon on latest cancer trial data

Imugene Ltd earlier this week provided updates on its advancing oncology pipeline following the appointment of Dr John Byon as chief medical officer and activation of the first site in the Phase 2 trial of PD1-Vaxx.

Highlights

• Dr John Byon appointed chief medical officer of Imugene.
• Byon brings 11+ years of biopharma experience.
• Azer-cel showing durable responses in patients who failed prior CAR-T therapy.
• Azer-cel expansion into rare haematologic malignancies is underway.
• First site activated in Australian Phase 2 Neo-POLEM trial.
• Investigator-sponsored PD1-Vaxx study keeps cost low but data in Imugene’s control.
• CF33 program progressing toward recommended Phase 2 dose.
• onCARlytics advancing with higher dosing and potential increased CD19 expression.
• Company actively pursuing partnership and out-licensing opportunities.
• Imugene highlights second half of 2025 as key period for data and development.

Durability of response

Dr Byon, who joined Imugene nearly two years ago, has over a decade of experience in industry roles across Fate Therapeutics, Lyell Immunopharma, Juno Therapeutics and Genentech. He was credited with progressing Azer-cel, which is showing early signs of durable response in patients previously treated with autologous CAR-T cell therapy.

Byon said the durability of response was particularly meaningful. He stated, “We are starting to see not just responses but durable responses.” He added that this improves patient quality of life and creates new hope for those with few remaining treatment options.

Trial begins

Imugene also announced that the Phase 2 trial of its Neo-POLEM trial, expanding the clinical investigation of its PD1-Vaxx immunotherapy for a difficult-to-treat form of colorectal cancer, had commenced at its first Australian site. This is an investigator-sponsored study, with the company contributing limited resources but maintaining ownership of both patents and resulting data.

CEO Leslie Chong said the company is also advancing CF33 and exploring partnership and licensing opportunities. She added that the onCARlytics program may benefit from higher dosing strategies, potentially increasing CD19 expression and combination efficacy.

The company highlighted that it views Azer-cel as its highest near-term value driver, with a focus on generating pivotal data in the second half of 2025.