KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., May 12, 2026
Phio Pharmaceuticals announced that company leadership will participate in a virtual fireside chat titled “Innovations in Skin Cancer Treatment and Prevention” on May 19, 2026, highlighting the growing clinical potential of its INTASYL® gene-silencing platform and lead investigational therapy PH-762. The discussion will feature Phio CEO Robert Bitterman, Force Family Office CEO Steven Saltzstein, and dermatologist Dr. Mary Spellman, who will examine emerging prevention and treatment strategies in dermatologic oncology. The event comes as Phio advances PH-762 through clinical development for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma, positioning the therapy as a potentially differentiated non-surgical immunotherapy approach for difficult-to-treat skin cancers.
PH-762 Demonstrates Encouraging Clinical Responses in Skin Cancer Patients
Phio’s lead investigational candidate, PH-762, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1b clinical trial involving patients with several forms of aggressive skin cancer. According to the company, 22 patients completed treatment across five dose-escalation cohorts, with the therapy demonstrating a favorable safety profile and no dose-limiting toxicities or serious adverse events reported to date. Most notably, Phio disclosed that PH-762 achieved an approximate 65% pathological response rate in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma patients across all dosing cohorts, including an 85% pathological response rate in the highest-dose cohort, representing one of the strongest early efficacy signals reported by the company so far.
The therapy is designed to silence the PD-1 immune checkpoint gene using Phio’s proprietary INTASYL® siRNA technology. By directly suppressing PD-1 expression within immune cells at the tumor site, PH-762 aims to enhance the body’s natural anti-tumor immune response without relying on systemic checkpoint inhibitor exposure. Unlike traditional intravenous immunotherapies, PH-762 is being developed as a localized intratumoral treatment, potentially reducing systemic toxicity while preserving anti-cancer activity. The approach reflects growing interest across oncology in targeted RNA interference therapies capable of modifying immune signaling pathways with greater precision.
INTASYL® Technology Expands Interest in RNAi-Based Immunotherapy
Phio’s INTASYL® platform represents the company’s broader effort to establish a new category of siRNA-based immuno-oncology therapies. The platform is engineered to deliver self-delivering RNA interference compounds capable of entering cells and silencing disease-driving genes without requiring complex delivery systems. Company executives believe this could provide advantages in accessible tumors such as skin cancers, where localized administration may trigger potent anti-tumor immunity while limiting widespread immune-related side effects often associated with systemic therapies.
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During the upcoming fireside discussion, company leadership is expected to highlight how RNAi technologies may reshape future treatment strategies in dermatologic oncology. The discussion will also explore the growing need for non-surgical treatment options in skin cancer patients, particularly elderly individuals or patients with tumors located in cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas. Current treatment standards for advanced cSCC, melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma frequently involve surgery, radiation, or systemic immunotherapy, all of which may present significant complications or quality-of-life concerns for patients.
The company stated that PH-762 is being developed not only as a potential anti-cancer therapy but also as part of a broader strategy to advance precision immunotherapies capable of targeting specific genetic pathways involved in immune suppression and tumor progression.
FDA Engagement and Future Development Plans
Phio also confirmed that discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding the next stage of PH-762 clinical development are expected during the second quarter of 2026. These interactions could help define future trial design, expansion opportunities, and potential regulatory pathways for the therapy. In addition, the company reported that current cash and cash equivalents are projected to support operations into the first half of 2027, providing financial runway for continued advancement of its oncology pipeline.
As competition intensifies across the immuno-oncology sector, Phio is attempting to differentiate itself through localized gene-silencing therapies that directly modify immune checkpoint biology inside the tumor microenvironment. Industry analysts continue to monitor whether intratumoral RNAi therapies like PH-762 can demonstrate durable efficacy and scalability in larger clinical studies.
The fireside chat announcement reflects broader momentum surrounding next-generation precision oncology technologies, particularly therapies combining RNA interference, immunotherapy, and localized delivery approaches to improve treatment outcomes in solid tumors. If future studies confirm the early clinical activity observed in Phase 1b testing, PH-762 could emerge as a promising new treatment option in the rapidly evolving skin cancer therapy landscape.
Source: Phio Pharmaceuticals press release
