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Classified in: Health
Subject: TRI

Tocagen Announces Early Completion of Enrollment in Toca 5 Pivotal Phase 3 Brain Cancer Trial


SAN DIEGO, Sept. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Tocagen Inc. (Nasdaq: TOCA), a clinical-stage, cancer-selective gene therapy company, today announced that it has completed the planned enrollment of 380 patients in the global Toca 5 pivotal Phase 3 trial approximately three months ahead of schedule. Toca 5 is a randomized, multi-center study evaluating the safety and efficacy of Toca 511 & Toca FC compared to standard of care in patients undergoing resection for recurrent high grade glioma (HGG). The principal investigator is Timothy Cloughesy, M.D., director of the University of California, Los Angeles Neuro-Oncology Program.

Tocagen Inc. (PRNewsfoto/Tocagen Inc.)

"Achieving our enrollment goal ahead of schedule is a testament to the enthusiasm and dedication of our investigators and study coordinators as well as the participating patients, families and patient advocates," said Asha Das, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer of Tocagen. "Achieving this enrollment goal takes us one step closer towards a potentially transformative new treatment option for patients with brain cancer."

"Completing enrollment in Toca 5 is the latest example of our recent progress as we continue to execute against our goals," said Marty Duvall, chief executive officer of Tocagen. "This important milestone also triggers the next milestone payment of $2 million from ApolloBio, our licensor of Toca 511 & Toca FC within the greater China region."

On August 23rd, Tocagen announced the Toca 5 study would continue without modification after an Independent Data Monitoring Committee completed the first interim analysis. Tocagen estimates the second interim analysis in the first half of 2019 and the final planned safety and efficacy analyses by the end of 2019. More information about Toca 5 can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov using the clinical trial identifier NCT02414165.

About High Grade Glioblastoma

Recurrent HGG is among the most common and aggressive primary brain cancers and often strikes in the prime of life. The two most common forms of HGGs are glioblastoma and anaplastic astrocytoma. The total number of new diagnoses of HGG expected in 2018 is about 188,000 worldwide. Unfortunately, HGG recurs in most patients after frontline treatment, and standard of care treatment typically offers a median survival of only seven to nine months.

About Toca 511 & Toca FC

Tocagen's lead product candidate is a two-part cancer-selective immunotherapy comprised of an investigational biologic, Toca 511 and an investigational small molecule, Toca FC. Toca 511 (vocimagene amiretrorepvec) is a retroviral replicating vector (RRV) that selectively infects cancer cells and delivers a gene for the enzyme, cytosine deaminase (CD). Through this targeted delivery, infected cancer cells carry the CD gene and produce CD. Toca FC is an orally administered, extended-release formulation of the prodrug, 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), which is converted into an anti-cancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), when it encounters CD. 5-FU kills cancer cells and immune-suppressive myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment resulting in anti-cancer immune activation and subsequent tumor killing.

About Tocagen Inc.

Tocagen is a clinical-stage, cancer-selective gene therapy company developing first-in-class, broadly applicable product candidates designed to activate a patient's immune system against their own cancer. Tocagen's lead investigational product candidate, Toca 511 & Toca FC, is under evaluation in a pivotal Phase 3 trial for recurrent high grade glioma (HGG), a disease with significant unmet medical need. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Toca 511 & Toca FC Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of recurrent HGG and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted Toca 511 PRIME (PRIority MEdicines) designation for the treatment of glioma. For more information about Tocagen, visit www.tocagen.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our business plans and objectives and expectations regarding the enrollment, timing and success of our clinical trials. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: the success, cost and timing of our product candidate development activities and planned clinical trials; our ability to execute on our strategy; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; and our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue and capital requirements. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Tocagen's filings and reports with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Tocagen undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Media Contact:
Pam Lord
Canale Communications
(619) 849-6003
[email protected]

Investor Contact:
Elizabeth Broder
Endurance Advisors
[email protected]

 

SOURCE Tocagen Inc.


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