NeuVax



NeuVax, developed by Galena Biopharma, Inc., is a peptide-based vaccine aimed at preventing or delaying the recurrence of breast cancer in cancer survivors who achieve remission after standard of care treatment (e.g., surgery, radiation, chemotherapy). It consists of the E75 synthetic peptide initially isolated from HER2/neu proto-oncogene combined with the immune adjuvant, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF from yeast). NeuVax works by harnessing the patient’s own immune system to seek out and attack any residual cancer cells that express HER2/neu, a protein associated with tumors in breast, ovarian, pancreatic, colon, bladder and prostate cancers.

Clinical trials
NeuVax has been studied in nearly 200 breast cancer patients over a total of 5 years, and has shown to be safe and effective in Phase 2 trials. As a result, two additional NeuVax trials underway are: (1) a 700 patient Phase 3 trial for FDA approval and (2) a 300 patient Phase 2 trial studying the combination of NeuVax and Herceptin® (trastuzumab).