HUYABIO International, a China-based biopharma company, on Friday declared the final evaluation of data from a phase two study assessing HBI-8000 in combination with nivolumab (anti-PD1 therapy), a novel combination intended for the treatment of advanced and metastatic melanoma.

The results were revealed by Study Chair, Dr Nikhil Khushalani, senior member and vice chair, Department of Cutaneous Oncology from Moffitt Cancer Center, at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 2024 Annual Meeting on 9 November 2024.

HBI-8000 is an oral drug which, when combined with nivolumab, has indicated encouraging efficacy signals in treating patients with advanced and metastatic melanoma. The company says that the therapy has clinically meaningful benefits over traditional double immune checkpoint inhibitor combinations, providing patients with an oral treatment in combination with nivolumab that has improved efficacy and decreased toxicities.

Dr Mireille Gillings, HUYABIO president, CEO & executive chair, said: "The promising results from the HBI-8000 and nivolumab combination represent a significant advancement in treating advanced melanoma. Coupling oral convenience with a reduction in immune-related toxicities will give clinicians new tools to improve patient outcomes. We are proud to contribute to this new era of immunotherapy that prioritises both efficacy and patient well-being."