Investing.com -- Shares of Portage Biotech Inc (NASDAQ: PRTG ) soared 33.9% in premarted trading following the announcement of confirmatory preclinical efficacy data for PORT-7, a potential new treatment for mesothelioma. The data, which supports the advancement to first-in-human trials, was presented by Dr. Luciano Mutti, a renowned mesothelioma expert. The results indicated that PORT-7, when used alone, outperformed the anti-PD1 antibody, a current treatment option. Furthermore, the combination of PORT-7 with anti-PD1 showed superior efficacy compared to either treatment alone.

The study, which utilized a murine mesothelioma model, also revealed the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures and an increase in immune effector cells in mice treated with the combination therapy. These findings suggest that PORT-7 could play a significant role in improving immune responses against mesothelioma, a cancer with few effective treatments available.

In addition to PORT-7’s progress, Portage Biotech is conducting a dose escalation of PORT-6, another promising compound targeting the A2A adenosine receptor. The company’s strategy involves the eventual combination of PORT-6 with PORT-7 in the ADPORT-601 trial, aiming for a comprehensive blockade of adenosine-induced immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment. This innovative approach may enhance anti-tumor responses and expand the efficacy of immunotherapy in solid tumors.

The preclinical results were highlighted at the AACR Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on April 28, 2025, drawing attention to Portage’s advances in immuno-oncology. The company is now preparing to commence a first-in-human clinical trial with PORT-7, marking a significant milestone in the development of new cancer treatments.

Investors have responded positively to the news, as the promising results from the preclinical studies suggest a potential breakthrough in the treatment of mesothelioma. Portage Biotech’s innovative approach to overcoming immune resistance in aggressive cancers continues to show promise, with the combination of PORT-6 and PORT-7 representing a novel therapeutic strategy in the field of immuno-oncology.

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