Xilio remains afloat

After being rescued twice in the past 12 months, Xilio has secured a fresh $17.5m milestone from its deal with Gilead, nudging its cash runway into 2027. The payment came as Xilio began phase 2 dosing in the ongoing phase 1/2 trial of efarindodekin alfa (XTX301), a tumour-activated IL-12 being tested as monotherapy in advanced solid tumours. Under the terms of the agreement Xilio is responsible for running the trial, while Gilead can take over after this study for a $75m fee. Xilio also shared limited efficacy data: there have been two partial responses, one confirmed and one unconfirmed, but the company didn’t give the number of patients evaluable, or disclose in which cancers the responses came, or at which dose(s). A spokesperson told ApexOnco that more details would come at a future medical meeting. The company added that the “majority” of adverse events were grade 1 or 2, but again didn’t give any figures. The group also declined to disclose the go-forward dose. Still, the news marks another positive development for the biotech, following its deal this year with AbbVie to develop masked T-cell engagers. After a period of uncertainty the company’s outlook appears a little brighter.