Presentation

Medivir is a Swedish company that develops innovative drugs with a focus on cancer. The proprietary lead asset fostroxacitabine bralpamide (fostrox) is a pro-drug designed to selectively treat liver cancer cells and to minimise side effects, and is currently in a Ph1b combination study with both anti-PD-1 and TKI. Collaborations and partnerships are important parts of Medivir’s business model, and the drug development is conducted either by Medivir or in partnership. Birinapant, a SMAC mimetic, is exclusively outlicensed to IGM Biosciences to be developed in combination with IGM-antibodies for the treatment of solid tumours.

Recent highlights
In February, Medivir presented liver biopsy biomarkers data of the Ph1 study with fostroxacitabine bralpamide at the EASL Liver Cancer Summit, which showed evidence of selective, drug-induced, DNA damage in tumour tissue including hypoxic regions of the tumour and no impact in healthy liver tissue. Also in February, Medivir announced that a subgroup post-hoc analysis of MIV-711 Ph2 study for osteoarthritis (OA) showed statistically significant OA pain reduction in a subgroup of patients with pain predominantly in one knee, following previous results of insignificant pain reduction but reduced bone and cartilage progression compared to placebo with a reassuring safety profile.

Outlook
The company aims to complete the selection of combination dose and decision to move into Ph2a expansion of the fostroxacitabine bralpamide combination treatment in liver cancer patients in 2022. The company also aims to focus on value added partnering opportunities for remaining assets.