Inhibrx said Tuesday that its experimental immunotherapy targeting a protein called OX40 showed responses in patients with head and neck cancer. But the most striking results were in a small subset of patients with HPV-positive tumors, which could significantly limit the drug’s use. 

The results are notable as a legion of drugmakers — including Pfizer, Genentech, GSK, and AstraZeneca — previously tried and failed to use OX40 as a weapon against tumors over the past 15 years.

“It’s just really gratifying for us,” said CEO Mark Lappe. “Pushing this is like a rock up a hill, because there’s been so much failure in the space.”

Continue to STAT+ to read the full story…