NetScientific plc

("NetScientific", the "Group" or the "Company")

PDS Phase 2 Clinical Trial Update

PDS Biotech Provides Recruitment update for National Cancer Institute-Led Phase 2 Clinical Trial of PDS0101-Based Combination

London, UK - 06 December 2021 - NetScientific plc (AIM: NSCI), the international life sciences and sustainability technology investment and commercialisation Group,  announces that its portfolio company, PDS Biotechnology Corporation (Nasdaq: PDSB), has announced the reopening of recruitment in the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-led Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT04287868) evaluating PDS0101 (Versamune®-HPV16) in combination with two investigational immune-modulating agents in advanced HPV cancers.

The suspension of recruitment was administrative in nature and was unrelated to any specific safety or efficacy concerns associated with the triple combination being studied. As a result, during the recruitment suspension, patients already enrolled in the study continued to receive scheduled treatment. The timing of clinical results from this trial is not expected to be affected by the pause in recruitment of new patients.

The trial is evaluating the novel triple combination in two groups of patients. Firstly, in second line treatment of recurrent or metastatic HPV-positive cancers including anal, cervical, head and neck, penile, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in patients who are naïve to checkpoint inhibitors and have not responded to at least one standard of care therapy. Secondly in third line treatment of the above recurrent or metastatic HPV-positive cancers in patients who have not responded to at least two standard of care therapies including checkpoint inhibitor treatment.

Dr. Lauren V. Wood, PDS Biotech's Chief Medical Officer commented: "We are pleased that the NCI, part of the National Institutes of Health, quickly obtained IRB approval to resume recruitment in this important trial. We believe the interim data demonstrated that this combination has the potential to significantly improve clinical outcomes for patients with advanced, refractory HPV16-positive cancers who have limited treatment options. Our approach of treating multiple types of cancer based on their molecular profiles rather than tissue location, may have the potential to provide safe Versamune®-based treatment options to an expanded population of patients suffering from multiple types of cancer and at different stages of disease."

Ilian Iliev, CEO of NetScientific, commented: "As anticipated in our announcement dated 21 October 2021, this temporary suspension in the recruitment for patients for one of the PDS Biotech Phase 2 clinical trials has now been restarted. The suspension was administrative in nature, unrelated to any specific safety or efficacy concerns, and has not affected the timing of expected clinical results from this trial. Alongside this NCI trial, PDS is continuing to make progress in the other Phase 2 trials and other projects underway. We look forward to clinical data and the next milestones, and remain supportive of PDS' management."

Full details of the announcement from PDS can be viewed here: https://www.pdsbiotech.com/investors/news-center/press-releases/press-releases1/113-2021-news/576-iotechrovidesecruitmentupdateforationalancer20211206

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About NetScientific

NetScientific plc (AIM: NSCI) is a holding company, that invests in, develops, commercialises and realises shareholder value in life sciences/healthcare, sustainability and technology companies, which offer significant growth potential predominately in the UK and USA, as well as globally. 

With the acquisition of EMV Capital in August 2020, the Group doubled its portfolio from 8 to 17 companies, either through direct subsidiary, balance sheet investment or capital under advisory, varying from start-up private companies to publicly listed equities. 

NetScientific delivers shareholder returns through a proactive and hands-on management approach to their portfolio companies; identifying, investing in, and helping to build game-changing companies. The Group targets value inflection points and the release of value through partial or full exits from trade sales, public listings, or equity sales. The Company has a strong transatlantic and growing international presence, providing attractive expansion prospects. 

NSCI can deploy a capital-light investment structure; utilising the power of the PLC Brand, and the NetScientific balance sheet to anchor future investments and achieve a multiplier effect by attracting 3rd party investment for the portfolio companies. 

NetScientific is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, and was admitted to trading on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange, in 2013 (website: www.netscientific.net).