New Phase II Study Data from Lytix Biopharma’s Partner Verrica Pharmaceuticals to be Presented at SID 2026 Highlight Potential Abscopal Effects of Ruxotemitide in Basal Cell Carcinoma
Oslo, Norway, May 6, 2026 – Lytix Biopharma ASA (“Lytix” or the “Company”) today announced that new Phase II clinical data on ruxotemitide, also known as VP-315, will be presented by its partner Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Verrica”) at the 2026 Society for Investigative Dermatology SID) Annual Meeting, taking place May 13–16, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois.
The data suggests a potential abscopal effect of VP-315 in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), as evidenced by reductions in the size of untreated, non-injected lesions.
The Phase II data to be presented by Verrica showed: • 14 untreated non-target lesions in 9 subjects demonstrated an overall 67% reduction in lesion size following treatment of treated lesions • Reductions ranged from 50–100% in superficial lesions and 25–100% in nodular lesions • Complete histologic clearance was observed in 21% of non-target lesions, corresponding to 3 of 14 lesions • Reductions in tumor size were observed in all non-target lesion locations, including proximal, distal and contralateral to treated lesions • No skip lesions were observed • Non-serious local skin reactions were reported in 1 non-target lesion
The findings suggest that the therapeutic effects of VP-315 extended beyond treated lesions. Reductions in untreated non-target lesions suggest a potential abscopal effect consistent with broader immune activation within the tumor microenvironment of remote non-target lesions.
“These new data from Verrica further support the unique immune-activating mechanism of ruxotemitide,” said Øystein Rekdal, PhD, CEO of Lytix Biopharma. “The observed reductions in untreated non-target lesions are highly relevant to the broader clinical rationale for ruxotemitide, including its potential to target the cancer disease beyond the injected lesion.”
The SID data build on prior findings from Verrica’s Phase II BCC study, which has further validated ruxotemitide’s two-step mode of action: 1. Direct tumor cell disruption with release of tumor antigens and danger signals. 2. Subsequent immune activation, converting “cold or immunosuppressed” tumors into “hot,” immune-responsive lesions.
The data also support Lytix’s broader development strategy for ruxotemitide, including treatment settings where local tumor destruction and immune activation before surgery or other definitive intervention may provide meaningful clinical value.
Verrica is advancing VP-315 toward pivotal Phase III studies in BCC, while Lytix continues its broader oncology development strategy for ruxotemitide, including the NeoLIPA Phase II study in neoadjuvant melanoma with top line results expected 2H 2026.
Presentation details: Poster title: VP-315 Demonstrates a Potential Abscopal Effect in Untreated Non-Target Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) Lesions Poster number: LB1190 Category: Non-Melanoma Cancers and UV Biology/Injury Presenter: Noah Rosenberg, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Verrica Pharmaceuticals Poster session: Friday, May 15, 2026, 4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Location: Salons B, C, D – Lower Level, Hilton Chicago
About ruxotemitide Ruxotemitide is an investigational, first-in-class, oncolytic immunotherapy administered intratumorally, to disrupt tumor cell membranes, release tumor antigens, and activate local and systemic anti-tumor immune responses irrespective of tumor heterogeneity or PD-L1 status. Ruxotemitide is being studied in various tumor settings, including as a neoadjuvant therapy in resectable solid tumors, both as a monotherapy and in combination therapies.
About Lytix Biopharma Based in Oslo, Norway, Lytix Biopharma is a clinical-stage biotech company with a highly differentiated oncolytic molecule platform based on world-leading research in host-defense peptide-derived molecules. Lytix Biopharma’s lead product, ruxotemitide, formerly LTX-315, is a first-in-class oncolytic molecule representing a new approach to maintaining durable anti-cancer immunity. Lytix Biopharma has a pipeline of molecules that work across multiple cancer indications and treatment settings, both as mono- and combination therapy. Lytix is listed on Euronext Growth Oslo under the ticker LYTIX. Visit www.lytixbiopharma.com.
For further information, please contact: Gjest Breistein, CFO +47 952 60 512 gjest.breistein@lytixbiopharma.com