Scancell's new CEO takes the helm of a cancer immunotherapy specialist in rude health

Dr Phil L’Hullier begins his tenure as CEO of Scancell Holdings PLC (AIM:SCLP, OTC:SCNLF) at a pivotal moment, coinciding with significant clinical progress for its lead asset, SCIB1.

This DNA-based cancer vaccine has shown promise in treating advanced melanoma, but Scancell’s investment story goes beyond a single treatment.

The company is pioneering immunotherapies, including cancer vaccines and antibodies, through its proprietary platforms ImmunoBody and Moditope.

ImmunoBody powers SCIB1 and its enhanced successor iSCIB1+, while Moditope targets stress-induced tumour neoantigens. Both platforms aim to stimulate robust immune responses with off-the-shelf products that are more accessible and cost-effective than personalised therapies.

SCIB1 and the SCOPE trial

SCIB1 is being evaluated in the ongoing SCOPE trial for advanced melanoma. In combination with checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and ipilimumab, the vaccine has demonstrated an 80% progression-free survival (PFS) rate at six months, significantly higher than the 65% achieved with standard treatments.

Complete remission has been observed in 20% of patients, with 84% showing disease control. The vaccine also boasts a favourable safety profile.

Chief scientific officer Professor Lindy Durrant emphasised the importance of the PFS data, explaining that it predicts the long-term benefit for patients and will serve as the primary endpoint for the upcoming registration study.

“First, it predicts how long responses will last and the long-term benefit for patients,” she told Proactive.

“Second, it will be the endpoint for our registration study. While overall survival is the ultimate goal, progression-free survival is a good predictor in immunotherapy trials. If we achieve durable tumour control, patients tend to live longer, which is the aim.

“Our triple combination is showing better efficacy compared to the double checkpoint alone. Considering advanced melanoma was almost a death sentence five years ago, achieving 84% disease control is a massive step forward.”

Modi-1 and the ModiFY study

Another vaccine in Scancell’s pipeline, Modi-1, is targeting renal cell carcinoma, and ovarian, and triple-negative breast cancers. Early trials indicate a 60% stable disease rate, with studies underway to combine Modi-1 with checkpoint inhibitors to enhance responses.

“[It] is showing promising results, with stable disease in head, neck, and renal cancers. We’re adding checkpoint inhibitors to enhance responses, similar to SCIB1,” Durrant said.

“For our antibody platform, we’re progressing internally and collaborating with a company to determine the best path forward. All programmes are advancing, but SCIB1 remains our primary focus.”

GlyMab antibody platform

Scancell’s antibody portfolio includes GlyMab candidates, which target tumour-specific glycans—a novel class of cancer markers. This unique approach has drawn interest from a major biotechnology company.

Competitive differentiation

Scancell’s off-the-shelf therapies provide a key advantage, offering faster treatment deployment and reduced costs compared to personalised cancer vaccines. These attributes are particularly critical for aggressive cancers such as melanoma, where rapid treatment is essential.

The company has also partnered with PharmaJet to integrate needle-free vaccine delivery technology into the SCIB1 trial. The Stratis system improves patient compliance and simplifies vaccine administration.

What's next?

Scancell is funded through to the third quarter of 2025, supported by a recent £11.9 million fundraising. Additional financial runway may come from potential licensing agreements, including the ongoing evaluation of GlyMab antibodies by a leading biotech.

The company plans to initiate a pivotal phase II/III trial for SCIB1 in 2025. If successful, it could set a new benchmark in first-line treatment for advanced melanoma. The global market for melanoma therapies, valued at over $1 billion annually, represents a significant commercial opportunity.

Challenges and opportunities

Funding requirements for large-scale global trials could prompt Scancell to seek additional partnerships or financing. However, L’Hullier’s leadership is expected to sharpen the company’s focus on business development and strategic alliances, complementing the scientific expertise of Durrant.

In a note on the latest SCIB1 data, Panmure Liberum described the results as "very positive" and noted that the vaccine “significantly outperformed” standard treatments.

“The growing awareness of the potential in the cancer vaccine field is translating to a rise in the profile of Scancell,” the investment bank said. “We believe positive data has the potential to trigger a re-rating.”

The shares, currently trading at around 16p, have a target price of 23.2p according to Panmure Liberum.

This combination of innovative science, encouraging clinical data, and experienced leadership positions Scancell as a rising player in the cancer immunotherapy field, with the potential to reshape treatment options for patients facing some of the most challenging diseases.