First T cell therapy for a solid tumor cancer and first treatment option approved in Australia for advanced melanoma after anti-PD-1 and targeted therapy
SAN CARLOS, Calif., June 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: IOVA), a commercial biotechnology company focused on innovating, developing, and delivering novel polyclonal tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapies for patients with cancer, today announced that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia granted approval with conditions of Amtagvi® (lifileucel), a tumor-derived autologous T cell immunotherapy, for previously treated advanced (metastatic or unresectable) melanoma. Amtagvi is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma previously treated with a PD-1 blocking antibody, and if BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor with or without a MEK inhibitor.
“This approval in Australia is our third marketing authorization for Amtagvi and marks a significant step forward for Iovance in the country with the highest rate of melanoma globally,” said Frederick Vogt, Ph.D., J.D., Interim Chief Executive Officer and President of Iovance. “We are in the process of authorizing our first Australian treatment center as we advance our expansion strategy for Amtagvi in additional markets with a high prevalence of advanced melanoma.”
Australia has the highest rate of melanoma globally, with an estimated 17,000 new cases diagnosed each year and more than 1,500 deaths annually.1,2 Similar to the U.S. and other global markets, there is a significant need for new therapies for patients with advanced melanoma.
TGA granted approval based on safety and efficacy results from the global, multicenter C-144-01 trial investigating Amtagvi in patients with advanced melanoma previously treated with anti-PD-1 therapy and targeted therapy, if applicable.
About the C-144-01 Clinical Trial
C-144-01 is a global, multicenter Phase 2 study in which patients received lifileucel monotherapy. The study enrolled patients with metastatic melanoma who were previously treated with at least one systemic therapy, including a PD-1 blocking antibody, and, if BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor or a BRAF inhibitor with a MEK inhibitor. Efficacy was established on the basis of objective response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DOR) by Independent Review Committee (IRC) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1. The detailed results of C-144-01 were published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer in 2022. A five-year analysis of C-144-01 was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2025.
Iovance is investigating Amtagvi in frontline advanced melanoma in the Phase 3 trial, TILVANCE-301 (NCT05727904), as well as in additional solid tumor types.
About Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. aims to be the global leader in innovating, developing, and delivering tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapies for patients with cancer. We are pioneering a transformational approach to cure cancer by harnessing the human immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy diverse cancer cells in each patient. The Iovance TIL platform has demonstrated promising clinical data across multiple solid tumors. Iovance’s Amtagvi® is the first FDA-approved T cell therapy for a solid tumor indication. We are committed to continuous innovation in cell therapy, including gene-edited cell therapy, that may extend and improve life for patients with cancer. For more information, please visit www.iovance.com.
Amtagvi ® and its accompanying design marks, Proleukin®, Iovance®, and IovanceCares™ are trademarks and registered trademarks of Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
1. Cancer Australia, Melanoma of the Skin Statistics, https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/melanoma-skin/melanoma-skin-statistics (Accessed March 2026)
2. Melanoma Institute Australia, Melanoma Facts, https://melanoma.org.au/about-melanoma/melanoma-facts/ (Accessed March 2026)
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Any financial guidance provided in this press release assumes the following: no material change in our ability to manufacture our products; no material change in payor coverage; no material change in revenue recognition policies; no new business development transactions not completed as of the period covered by this press release; and no material fluctuation in exchange rates.
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