Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
February 23, 2026
Phio's Skin Cancer Therapy Shows 85% Response, Gains B2i Digital Spotlight
TLDR
- Phio Pharmaceuticals' PH-762 shows 85% pathological response at maximum dose, positioning it as a promising investment ahead of FDA guidance in Q2 2026.
- Phio's Phase 1b trial of PH-762 in cSCC used five dose-escalation cohorts, achieving 65% pathological response with no serious adverse events.
- PH-762's high response rates and safety profile offer new hope for treating skin cancers, potentially improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
- Phio's siRNA technology silences PD-1 to enhance immune cells against cancer, with cash extending to 2027 and leadership team strengthened for upcoming milestones.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it highlights a significant advancement in cancer immunotherapy, specifically for difficult-to-treat skin cancers like cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. The reported 65% overall pathological response rate and 85% response at the highest dose, coupled with no serious adverse events, suggest PH-762 could offer a safer, more effective treatment option compared to existing therapies. For patients, this represents hope for improved outcomes with fewer side effects. In the biotech investment landscape, Phio's strong safety profile, planned FDA engagement in 2026, and cash runway into 2027 position it as a compelling clinical-stage company, potentially attracting further investment and accelerating development. The broader impact includes advancing siRNA technology in oncology, which could pave the way for similar treatments in other cancers, benefiting both healthcare and biopharmaceutical innovation.
Summary
B2i Digital, Inc. has selected clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NASDAQ: PHIO) as a B2i Digital Featured Company, highlighting Phio's promising progress with its proprietary INTASYL® siRNA gene-silencing technology. The company's lead candidate, PH-762, is an intratumoral immunotherapy being evaluated for skin cancers like cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma. Key data from a Phase 1b trial involving 22 patients across five dose-escalation cohorts showed no serious adverse events or dose-limiting toxicities. Most notably, at the maximum dose concentration, 6 out of 7 patients responded, achieving an 85% pathological response, while the overall pathological response rate for cSCC across all dosing cohorts was approximately 65%, with no disease progression reported among all treated patients.
Phio is strategically positioning itself for the next phase of development, targeting an FDA submission for guidance in the second quarter of 2026 and advancing Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) and Toxicology work to support future clinical registration trials. Financially, the company is on solid ground, reporting approximately $21.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, which is projected to fund operations into the first half of 2027, bolstered by recent warrant inducement financings. Leadership has also been strengthened with key promotions and appointments, including Lisa Carson as Chief Financial Officer and Jennifer Phillips, Pharm.D., as Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, to support upcoming regulatory engagements and clinical milestones for PH-762 and another candidate, PH-894.
The selection by B2i Digital, which connects investors and companies through its digital marketing and conference platforms, underscores the market's recognition of Phio's potential. David Shapiro, CEO of B2i Digital, praised Phio's "differentiated intratumoral immunotherapy platform" and encouraging data, while Phio's CEO, Robert Bitterman, emphasized the company's readiness for the next development stage, citing favorable safety data and extended financial runway. A dedicated Featured Company profile will be available on the B2i Digital website, and the original release can be viewed on www.newmediawire.com. This partnership aims to enhance investor outreach as Phio advances toward critical regulatory milestones in the competitive oncology space.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, Phio's Skin Cancer Therapy Shows 85% Response, Gains B2i Digital Spotlight
