GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing immunotherapies and vaccines, today announced the formation of its Oncology Advisory Board, appointing three internationally recognized leaders in immuno-oncology, translational medicine, and clinical development. The advisory board will guide the scientific and clinical advancement of Gedeptin, the company's gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapeutic (GDEPT), particularly in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for solid tumors.
The advisory board includes Chas Bountra, PhD, OBE, Professor of Translational Medicine at the University of Oxford; Marc S. Ernstoff, MD, Director of Experimental Cell Therapy at Dartmouth Health; and Anthony J. Olszanski, MD, RPh, Professor of Medicine and Vice Chair for Clinical Research at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Their expertise spans translational medicine, cytokine therapy, checkpoint inhibitors, and early-phase oncology drug development, which will be critical as GeoVax plans a Phase 2 trial with Gedeptin in the neoadjuvant setting combined with an ICI in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Gedeptin is an intratumorally delivered GDEPT that uses a non-replicating viral vector to encode purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP). After systemic prodrug administration, the enzyme converts the prodrug into a cytotoxic agent selectively within the tumor microenvironment, destroying tumor cells and promoting immune recognition. This mechanism is designed to enhance antigen release and immune activation, potentially complementing systemic checkpoint blockade. The company intends to evaluate Gedeptin + ICI combinations across additional solid tumor indications.
David A. Dodd, Chairman & CEO of GeoVax, stated, “The addition of these three exceptional oncology leaders significantly strengthens our scientific and clinical foundation as we advance Gedeptin into its next stage of development.” Kelly T. McKee, MD, Chief Medical Officer, added, “Gedeptin sits at the intersection of localized tumor control and systemic immune activation. Expert guidance on trial design, patient selection, and translational endpoints is critical as we move into clinically consequential combination strategies.”
Gedeptin has completed a multicenter Phase 1/2 clinical trial in advanced head and neck cancer and has received Orphan Drug Designation for oral and pharyngeal cancers. The formation of the advisory board reflects GeoVax’s increasing focus on Gedeptin as a differentiated immune-sensitizing platform. More information about GeoVax and its programs is available at www.geovax.com.
This announcement underscores the strategic importance of combining localized tumor debulking with systemic immunotherapy, a promising approach to improve outcomes in solid tumors where checkpoint inhibitors have limited efficacy. The advisory board’s guidance will be instrumental in designing trials that leverage Gedeptin’s unique mechanism to sensitize tumors to ICIs, potentially expanding the therapeutic landscape for patients with head and neck cancer and other solid malignancies.
