Kitov Pharmaceuticals Holdings Ltd., an innovative biopharmaceutical company, announced results of a pre-clinical study demonstrating that NT-219, the lead drug candidate of its subsidiary TyrNovo Ltd., in combination with Keytruda, converted non-responding tumors to responders and blocked tumor progression in an immune-oncology preclinical model.

The study, conducted in collaboration with researchers at Bar Ilan University and Rabin Medical Center, assessed NT-219's ability to overcome cancer drug resistance in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of immune-deficient mice, in which a tumor originated from an esophagus cancer biopsy was implanted. The mice were supplemented with immune cells from the same patient (double autologous). While no response was observed with Keytruda alone or with NT-219 alone, and the tumors aggressively progressed, mice treated concomitantly with a combination of Keytruda and NT-219 demonstrated complete blockage of tumor progression.

"We are excited with these initial results obtained with NT-219 in combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda)," stated Dr. J. Paul Waymack, Chairman of Kitov's board and chief medical officer. "Previous results obtained with NT-219 demonstrated its efficacy in overcoming drug resistance in a variety of cancers and in combination with various pharmacologic cancer therapies. We are focused on advancing this highly promising therapeutic candidate to clinical trials as quickly as possible in order to provide enhanced treatment options to cancer patients."

TyrNovo Ltd., a Kitov Pharmaceuticals company, is developer of novel small molecules in the oncology therapeutic field. TyrNovo is developing NT-219, an oncology product designed to be used in combination with other oncology drugs. NT-219 is a small molecule that presents a new concept in cancer therapy. In combination with various approved oncology drugs, NT-219 has demonstrated potent anti-tumor effects and increased survival in various cancer models, including sarcoma, melanoma, pancreatic, lung, ovarian, head & neck, prostate and colon cancers.