NEWS
NHS expands trial of skin cancer vaccine
Patients with advanced skin cancer in England are set to be fast-tracked into trials of a new cancer vaccine, following the expansion of a world-leading NHS programme.
The NHS has partnered with UK life-sciences company Scancell to widen access for patients at hospitals across the country, with seven sites initially registered and more to follow. The first patients are expected to be referred in May 2025. The needle-free injection, which is given for up to two years, works by boosting the immune system’s response and helping it recognise, attack and ‘remember’ cancer cells, to help stop the disease returning.
The trial is the latest part of NHS
England’s Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP), a world-first programme to fast-track eligible patients to studies developing vaccines against different cancers at their nearest participating hospital. The Launch Pad has already begun helping thousands of patients to access trials of a personalised vaccine against bowel cancer, with more than 350 patients fast-tracked for consideration, and has now expanded to include a trial for melanoma.
The new DNA vaccine, known as iSCIB1+ (Immunobody), is not personalised to a patient’s tumour, but aims to improve the recognition of cancer cells by the immune system to boost response to immunotherapy. It is being trialled by needle-free injection into the skin (intradermal) or muscle (intramuscular).
The phase II trial, known as SCOPE, is underway and the NHS CVLP – co- ordinated by the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit – is aiming to expand the number of patients able to take part and recruit dozens of patients by October. The vaccine targets biomarkers specific to melanoma tumours acting as a flag to alert the immune system. This triggers the activation of T cells, which seek out, attack and destroy the cancer cells, inducing a lasting response by creating an immune ‘memory’ that may prevent the cancer from returning.
8
Roche announces US investment in diagnostics
Roche has announced an investment of US $50 billion into the United States of America in the next five years across its pharmaceutical and diagnostics divisions. As part of this investment, Roche will
increase its existing footprint of more than 25,000 employees in 24 sites across eight US states. The investment will include: n Expanded and upgraded US manufacturing and distribution capabilities for its innovative medicines and diagnostics portfolio in Kentucky, Indiana, New Jersey, Oregon and California.
n A state-of-the-art gene therapy manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania.
n A new 900,000 square foot manufacturing centre to support Roche’s expanding portfolio of next generation weight loss medicines (location to be announced).
n A new manufacturing facility for continuous glucose monitoring in Indiana.
n A new R&D centre in Massachusetts, conducting cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) research and serving as hub for new cardiovascular, renal and metabolism research and development efforts.
n Significant expansion and upgrading of existing pharmaceuticals and diagnostics R&D centres in Arizona, Indiana and California.
“Roche is a Swiss company with a strong heritage in more than 130 countries globally. Today’s announced investments underscore our long-standing commitment to research, development and manufacturing in the US,” said Thomas Schinecker, Roche Group CEO. “We are proud of our 110-year legacy in the United States which has been a key driver for jobs, innovation and the creation of intellectual property in the US, across both our Pharmaceutical and Diagnostics Divisions. Our investments over the next five years will lay the foundation for our next era of innovation and growth, benefiting patients in the US and around the world.” Once all new and expanded manufacturing capacity comes on-line, Roche will export more medicines from the US than it imports. Today, its diagnostics division already has an export surplus from the US to other countries.
New Chair elected at BIVDA
Richard Hames, General Manager of Werfen UK, has been elected Chair of the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA). Richard, a longstanding member of BIVDA’s board, brings extensive experience in the diagnostics industry. His leadership will be fundamental as BIVDA continues to advocate for the sector at the highest levels and delivering on strategic goals its members. The announcement was made at BIVDA’s recent AGM, and Richard will serve in this role until 2028.
Helen Dent, Chief Executive of BIVDA, commented: “Richard’s deep expertise and commitment to the diagnostics industry makes him the perfect Chair for BIVDA at this time. His leadership will help us champion market access, innovation,
provide greater visibility for the industry, and drive meaningful change for our members and the wider healthcare sector.” Richard is taking over from
Helen Tucker of Thermo Fisher Scientific, who served as Chair for the past three years. After more than 40 years in the diagnostics industry, Helen is also set to retire in the coming
months. Her tenure as Chair coincided with a period of significant transformation at BIVDA.
BIVDA Chief Executive, Helen Dent, added: “Helen’s contributions to BIVDA and the wider diagnostics industry have been outstanding. She has been a driving force for positive change, and her leadership will leave a lasting impact. We wish her every happiness in this next exciting chapter of her life.”
MAY 2025
WWW.PATHOLOGYINPRACTICE.COM
National Cancer Institute
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