Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
January 29, 2026
BioVaxys' Cancer Immunotherapy Shows Promise in Overcoming Treatment Resistance
TLDR
- BioVaxys' Phase 2 results for MVP-S in bladder cancer show complete responses in checkpoint-refractory patients, creating a strategic advantage as major anti-PD1 therapies near patent cliffs.
- MVP-S combines survivin-derived peptides with pembrolizumab using BioVaxys' DPX platform, which employs a lipid-in-oil formulation to promote antigen uptake and generate targeted T-cell responses against tumors.
- This immunotherapy offers new hope for patients with advanced cancers by overcoming treatment resistance and achieving durable responses, potentially improving survival and quality of life.
- BioVaxys' therapy activates survivin-specific T cells to fight bladder cancer, with one patient remaining on treatment beyond 18 months, demonstrating remarkable durability.
Impact - Why it Matters
This development represents a significant advancement in cancer immunotherapy, particularly for patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. The ability of MVP-S to potentially overcome resistance to checkpoint inhibitors in refractory bladder cancer patients addresses a critical unmet medical need, as many cancer patients eventually develop resistance to these therapies. The broader implications extend to multiple solid tumor types where survivin is overexpressed, including ovarian, breast, and other cancers. As major anti-PD1 drugs approach patent expiration, novel combination therapies like MVP-S could reshape treatment paradigms and provide new options for patients facing limited alternatives. The demonstrated safety profile and durable responses suggest this approach could become an important addition to the oncology arsenal, potentially improving survival outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients worldwide.
Summary
BioVaxys Technology Corp., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has announced promising Phase 2 clinical results for its immunotherapy maveropepimut-S (MVP-S) in combination with pembrolizumab and low-dose cyclophosphamide for treating advanced or metastatic bladder cancer. The study, led by Dr. Oliver Rix of Quantum Santa Fe and the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, demonstrated significant clinical activity, including two confirmed complete responses and three partial responses among 17 evaluable patients. Notably, three responders—including both complete responders—had previously progressed on prior checkpoint inhibitor therapy, suggesting MVP-S may help overcome treatment resistance in refractory settings. The regimen was well-tolerated and showed immunological evidence of increased survivin-specific T cells, consistent with BioVaxys' DPX™ platform mechanism that promotes targeted cytotoxic T-cell responses.
The findings reinforce the synergistic potential of combining MVP-S with anti-PD1 therapy and expand opportunities beyond ovarian cancer, where the company recently reported positive Phase 1B/2 data. Kenneth Kovan, President & COO of BioVaxys, highlighted that these results strengthen the rationale for advancing MVP-S toward Phase 3 development in ovarian cancer and exploring broader partnering opportunities across additional indications. The timing is particularly significant as major anti-PD1 therapies like Merck's Keytruda and Bristol Myers Squibb's Opdivo approach patent cliffs by 2028, creating substantial market opportunities for novel combination approaches. BioVaxys continues to advance its oncology pipeline, with MVP-S demonstrating consistent tolerability and immune activation across multiple cancer types including breast cancer, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, and lymphoma.
BioVaxys' DPX™ platform employs a novel lipid-in-oil formulation that promotes efficient antigen uptake and enables in vivo immune programming, resulting in robust T-cell activation without systemic release at the injection site. The company's clinical pipeline includes multiple DPX-based immunotherapies targeting various cancers, infectious diseases, and allergies. For more information about the company and its technology platform, visit www.biovaxys.com. The original news release can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com, where BioVaxys reported these positive Phase 2 data for its innovative cancer immunotherapy approach.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, BioVaxys' Cancer Immunotherapy Shows Promise in Overcoming Treatment Resistance
