PDS Biotechnology Submits Protocol Amendment for VERSATILE-003 Trial to FDA
PDS Biotechnology announced that the Company has submitted a protocol amendment to the U.S. FDA for its Phase 3 VERSATILE-003 clinical trial. The proposed amendment to the VERSATILE-003 Phase 3 trial changes the PFS endpoint to a primary endpoint that can be evaluated earlier with significant statistical power, potentially providing the basis for accelerated approval of PDS0101. Median overall survival remains the primary endpoint for full approval as originally recommended by FDA. The submission follows a constructive Type C meeting held with the FDA in December 2025 to discuss the proposed accelerated approval pathway for PDS0101 in HPV16-positive recurrent and/or metastatic Head and Neck Cancer. The amendment is supported by positive final results from the Company's VERSATILE-002 trial, which showed promising mOS and durable PFS.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Analyst Views on PDSB
About PDSB
About the author

- Clinical Data Breakthrough: Oncolytics Biotech's pelareorep demonstrated a 29% objective response rate in anal cancer during the GOBLET Cohort 4, significantly exceeding the historical benchmark of 10%, indicating its crucial clinical value in a setting with no FDA-approved treatment options.
- Duration of Response: Among 14 evaluable patients, the median duration of response for pelareorep reached approximately 17 months, far surpassing the standard treatment's 9.5 months, showcasing the drug's durable efficacy in heavily pretreated patients and addressing a critical unmet medical need.
- FDA Accelerated Approval Plans: Oncolytics plans to hold a Type C meeting with the FDA in Q1 2026 to discuss advancing pelareorep into a registration-directed clinical study, paving the way for potential accelerated approval if the data is validated.
- Strategic Investment and Expert Support: The company expanded its Scientific Advisory Board by adding three globally recognized experts from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center, further strengthening its strategic positioning in the gastrointestinal oncology field.
- Clinical Data Breakthrough: Oncolytics Biotech's pelareorep demonstrated a 29% objective response rate in anal cancer patients during the GOBLET Cohort 4 study, significantly surpassing the historical benchmark of 10%, indicating the therapy's substantial potential in a patient population with no FDA-approved options.
- Duration of Response: The study also revealed a median duration of response of approximately 17 months, far exceeding the standard treatment's 9.5 months, suggesting that pelareorep offers durable efficacy in heavily pretreated patients, addressing a critical unmet medical need.
- FDA Accelerated Approval Plans: Oncolytics plans to hold a Type C meeting with the FDA in Q1 2026 to discuss advancing pelareorep into a registration-directed clinical study, paving the way for accelerated approval if the observed data can be replicated.
- Strategic Investment and Expansion: The company is enhancing its strategic positioning in gastrointestinal oncology by expanding its Scientific Advisory Board, further solidifying its market presence in anal cancer and other indications.

- Clinical Trial Advancement: PDS Biotech has submitted an amended protocol to the FDA for the VERSATILE-003 trial, aiming to change the progression-free survival (PFS) endpoint to a primary measure, potentially accelerating the approval process for PDS0101 and enhancing the company's competitive position in cancer immunotherapy.
- FDA Meeting Outcomes: The submission follows a constructive meeting with the FDA in December 2025, where the accelerated approval pathway for PDS0101 in HPV16-positive recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck cancer was discussed, reflecting strong communication with regulators and boosting investor confidence.
- Clinical Data Support: Positive final results from the VERSATILE-002 trial provide data backing for this amendment, demonstrating promising median overall survival (mOS) and durable PFS, which may attract additional investment by validating the therapeutic potential of PDS0101.
- Clear Strategic Goals: CEO Frank Bedu-Addo, PhD, stated that the amendment retains mOS and safety as requirements for full FDA approval while offering a significant opportunity to shorten the duration of VERSATILE-003, highlighting the company's long-term strategic positioning in cancer treatment.
Zacks Rank Upgrade: PDS Biotechnology (PDSB) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which are crucial for stock price movements.
Earnings Estimate Revisions: The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PDSB has increased by 9.4% over the past three months, reflecting analysts' growing confidence in the company's earnings potential.
Correlation with Stock Performance: There is a strong correlation between earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, suggesting that PDSB's upgrade could lead to higher stock prices.
Zacks Rating System: The Zacks rating system maintains a balanced approach to stock ratings, with only the top 20% of stocks receiving a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating, positioning PDSB favorably for potential market-beating returns.

- FDA Meeting Approval: PDS Biotechnology's request for a Type C meeting with the FDA has been accepted, scheduled for this month to discuss the accelerated approval pathway for PDS0101 in HPV16-positive recurrent head and neck cancer, marking a significant advancement in the company's cancer immunotherapy efforts.
- Clinical Trial Results: The final results from the VERSATILE-002 trial demonstrated promising median overall survival and durable progression-free survival, providing data support for the accelerated approval of PDS0101, potentially shortening the regulatory approval timeline.
- Trial Design Change: The company plans to amend the VERSATILE-003 Phase 3 trial to change the progression-free survival endpoint to a surrogate primary endpoint that can be evaluated earlier, enhancing statistical power and laying the groundwork for accelerated approval, thereby increasing market competitiveness.
- Strategic Outlook: PDS Biotechnology's CEO stated that the positive progression-free survival data offers a crucial opportunity to shorten the duration to a primary endpoint, which is expected to expedite treatment availability, meet patient needs, and enhance the company's position in the cancer treatment market.
VTI Overview: The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) offers broad exposure to the U.S. equity market with a low expense ratio of 0.03%, making it a cost-effective investment option.
Recent Performance: VTI has experienced a 2.74% decline over the past week but is up 13.0% year-to-date, with a recent gain of 0.33% and an additional 1.14% in pre-market trading.
Top Holdings and Analyst Consensus: VTI's top holdings include Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple, with a Moderate Buy consensus from analysts and a price target suggesting a 19.5% upside.
Potential Upside and Downside: The ETF's holdings with the highest upside potential include Jupiter Neurosciences and Cibus, while those with the greatest downside risk include LXP Industrial Trust and iHeartMedia.








