Clinical-stage immuno-oncology company Portage Biotech Inc (NASDAQ:PRTG) on Monday reported confirmatory preclinical efficacy data for PORT-7 (TT-4), a selective adenosine A2B receptor inhibitor, in a murine mesothelioma model.

Data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting demonstrated that PORT-7 outperformed single-agent anti-PD1 therapy and showed enhanced results when combined with anti-PD1.

Tumour analysis revealed the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures and an increase in immune effector cells in mice treated with the combination, suggesting a strong immune response. Based on these results, Portage Biotech is preparing to initiate a first-in-human clinical trial with PORT-7.

In parallel, Portage Biotech is advancing dose escalation for PORT-6, a selective A2A receptor inhibitor, with plans to co-administer PORT-6 and PORT-7 in the ADPORT-601 trial. This combination will represent the first clinical use of dual A2A and A2B antagonists aimed at fully blocking adenosine-mediated immunosuppression in solid tumours.