The stock value of Portage Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: PRTG) skyrocketed following the release of promising preclinical results. PRTG stock was selling at $9.64 as of the most recent pre-market check, representing a startling 103.81% rise.
Innovation in the Treatment of Mesothelioma
Portage Biotech presented fresh preclinical results on PORT-7 (TT-4), a selective Adenosine A2B receptor inhibitor, at the 2025 European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC), which took place in Paris from March 26 to 29. Dr. Luciano Mutti of Gruppo Italiano Mesotelioma e Oncologia Ambientale conducted the study, which showed encouraging anticancer activity.
Results showed that PORT-7 significantly suppressed tumors when taken alone. More significantly, in a mouse mesothelioma model, it suppressed tumor development by over 90% when paired with an anti-PD1 antibody.
Furthermore, immunohistochemical examination of treated tumors revealed a significant infiltration of immune effector cells that are CD3 and CD45 positive. These results demonstrate PORT-7’s potential in tackling immune resistance pathways, which is important given the aggressive nature of mesothelioma and the lack of viable treatment alternatives.
Advancements in Strategic Clinical Practice
PORT-7’s first-in-human clinical study is currently being prepared by Portage Biotech. At the same time, the business is developing PORT-6, a strong and specific A2A adenosine receptor inhibitor, in its dose escalation phase.
As part of the ADPORT-601 study, plans are underway to co-administer PORT-6 and PORT-7, which would be the first time that patients would receive both highly specific A2A and A2B antagonists. By completely preventing adenosine-induced immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment, this dual-inhibitor approach may improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy in solid tumors.
PORT-6 Clinical Trials Resuming
Following a brief halt due to financial limitations, Portage Biotech has reopened patient recruitment in the fourth and final cohort of its Phase 1b ADPORT-601 study for PORT-6. The continuance of the experiment demonstrates faith in the therapeutic potential and safety of PORT-6.
In order to advance its immunotherapy pipeline, PRTG will evaluate the feasibility of expanding the research to include PORT-7 and combo arms when this phase is over. These recent advancements put Portage Biotech at the forefront of immuno-oncology innovation and reinforced its dedication to developing cutting-edge medicines for tumors that are difficult to cure.