Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the deadliest forms of cancer in medicine, affecting over 74,000 people each year worldwide. GBM entails highly malignant brain tumors that consist of many different cell types, making it easier for the cancerous cells to invade the brain and more difficult for the immune system to recognize and attack the foreign cells. Additionally, the tumors can be difficult to remove entirely due to the intricate structure of the brain. These tumors account for approximately 15.4% of all brain tumors and result in a patient median overall survival of 6 to 7 months.
Ziopharm Oncology Inc. (NASDAQ:ZIOP) has been working on a gene treatment to fight GBM, specifically on patients with recurrent or progressive diagnoses. Recent Phase 1 clinical trials with the Ad+RTS-hIL-12 + Veledimex treatment have produced positive and promising results, encouraging the FDA to allow Ziopharm to surpass Phase 2 and begin with a Pivotal trial. Despite the manufacturing obstacles, we believe that Ziopharm's accelerated path to approval regarding the Ad-RTS-hIL-12 treatment and the Intrexon (NYSE:XON) partnership allowing use of the Rheoswitch technology presents Ziopharm as an undervalued company with the opportunity of robust growth.
