On September 14, 2016 Array BioPharma (Nasdaq: ARRY) reported that it has reached agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) related to BEACON CRC, a global Phase 3 trial of encorafenib and Erbitux (cetuximab), with or without binimetinib, versus standard of care in patients with BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer (CRC) who have previously received first-or second-line systemic therapy (Press release, Array BioPharma, SEP 14, 2016, View Source [SID:SID1234515134]). Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! "Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women in the United States and BRAF-mutant CRC represents a high unmet medical need, as there are currently no targeted treatment options available for patients with this form of the disease," said Scott Kopetz, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and BEACON CRC investigator. "The SPA agreement between Array and the FDA represents a welcome next step for the CRC community and, as a physician, I look forward to exploring these novel treatment combinations."
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
The SPA provides agreement that the design and planned analysis of BEACON CRC adequately address the objectives necessary to support a regulatory submission for the approval of the doublet regimen of encorafenib and Erbitux. The FDA also communicated that sharing evidence from the study that the triplet regimen (encorafenib, Erbitux and binimetinib) both met its primary endpoint (Overall Survival) as compared to the control arm, and demonstrated a clinically meaningful benefit as compared to the doublet regimen, would provide support for approval of the triplet regimen.
Trial Design
BEACON CRC is a randomized, open-label, global study evaluating the efficacy and safety of encorafenib and Erbitux, with or without binimetinib, in patients with BRAF-mutant metastatic CRC who have previously received first-or second-line systemic therapy. The study includes a safety lead-in with approximately 30 patients. With appropriate results from the lead-in, approximately 615 patients are expected to be randomized 1:1:1 to receive triplet therapy (encorafenib, Erbitux and binimetinib), doublet therapy (encorafenib and Erbitux) or the control arm (irinotecan-based therapy and Erbitux). The primary endpoint of the trial is OS of the triplet therapy compared to the control arm. Secondary endpoints address efficacy of the doublet therapy compared to the control arm, and the triplet therapy compared to the doublet therapy. Other secondary endpoints include progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), duration of response, safety and tolerability. Health related quality of life data will also be assessed.
Array is conducting BEACON CRC in partnership with Pierre Fabre and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany at over 250 investigational sites in North America, South America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. Patient enrollment is expected to be completed in 2018.
About BRAF-mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women in the United States, with more than 134,000 new cases and nearly 50,000 deaths from the disease projected in 2016. In the United States, BRAF mutations occur in 8 to 15 percent of patients with colorectal cancer and represent a poor prognosis for these patients. Historical published PFS and OS results after first-line treatment range from 1.8 to 2.5 months and 4 to 6 months, respectively, and published response rates from various studies for EGFR-based therapy in this population range from 6 percent to 8 percent.
About Binimetinib & Encorafenib
MEK and BRAF are key protein kinases in the MAPK signaling pathway (RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK). Research has shown this pathway regulates several key cellular activities including proliferation, differentiation, survival and angiogenesis. Inappropriate activation of proteins in this pathway has been shown to occur in many cancers, such as melanoma, colorectal and thyroid cancers. Binimetinib is a late-stage small molecule MEK inhibitor and encorafenib is a late-stage small molecule BRAF inhibitor, both of which target key enzymes in this pathway.
Binimetinib and encorafenib are being studied in Phase 3 trials in advanced cancer patients, including the COLUMBUS trial studying encorafenib and binimetinib in combination in patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma and the recently initiated BEACON CRC trial that will study encorafenib in combination with Erbitux, with or without binimetinib, in patients with BRAF V600E-mutant colorectal cancer. On September 1, 2016, Array announced that the FDA has accepted its New Drug Application (NDA) for binimetinib with a target action date under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) of June 30, 2017. Array completed its NDA submission of binimetinib in late June 2016 based on findings from the pivotal Phase 3 NEMO trial in patients with NRAS-mutant melanoma.
About a Special Protocol Assessment
A Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) is a process by which sponsors ask the FDA to evaluate a protocol to determine whether it adequately addresses scientific and regulatory requirements for the purpose identified by the sponsor. A SPA agreement indicates concurrence with the adequacy and acceptability of specific critical elements of protocol design and analysis. To review the FDA’s complete SPA guidance, please click the following link:
View Source
Year: 2016
10-K – Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405]
Nabi Biopharmaceuticals has filed a 10-K – Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405] with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Filing, 10-K, Nabi Biopharmaceuticals, SEP 13, 2016, View Source [SID1234515123]).
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
Siamab Therapeutics Presents Promising Preclinical Data at 2016 AACR Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium
On September 13, 2016 Siamab Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company developing novel cancer immunotherapies, reported new pre-clinical data that showed its novel ST1 antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) target chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells and demonstrate strong efficacy in ovarian cancer models (Press release, Siamab Therapeutics, SEP 13, 2016, View Source [SID:SID1234515130]). These data were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper)’s 11th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium 2016 in Seattle, Wash., on Monday, Sept. 12, 2016.
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
"The preclinical results are exciting and show the potential of our antibody approach to target chemoresistant tumors in ovarian cancer"
Siamab’s ST1 ADCs target the cancer associated antigen, sialyl-Tn (STn) with high specificity and affinity. STn is present on multiple solid tumors including ovarian, pancreatic, prostate and colon, while showing little normal tissue expression, and has been implicated in immune suppression, metastasis, and a cancer stem cell phenotype.
"The preclinical results are exciting and show the potential of our antibody approach to target chemoresistant tumors in ovarian cancer," said Jeff Behrens, president and chief executive officer of Siamab Therapeutics. "We have developed multiple anti-glycan antibodies and ADCs with unprecedented cancer specificity and efficacy in animal models. These findings hold promise for developing new cancer therapeutics for ovarian cancer patients with disease recurrence who have limited treatment options."
The preclinical data were presented in a poster titled "Targeting a chemoresistant ovarian cancer cell population via the carbohydrate antigen sialyl Tn." The findings showed that Siamab’s ST1 ADCs significantly reduce tumor volume in a sustained fashion in ovarian cancer models. In addition, Siamab’s ST1 target, STn, demarks a population of cells that display a cancer stem cell phenotype as demonstrated by colony- and sphere-forming assays. The findings also showed that following platinum- and taxane-based cytotoxic chemotherapy, STn+ cancer cells are significantly enriched, further supporting their cancer stem cell and chemoresistant phenotype.
Siamab collaborated with Bo Rueda, Ph.D., director of the Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital on this research, funded by a National Cancer Institute SBIR Phase I contract. The collaboration explored the potential of Siamab’s anti-glycan antibodies to target populations of chemoresistant cancer cells. This research also looked at the relationship between tumor associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) and chemoresistant cancer cells that demonstrate a cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype.
"We know chemoresistant cancer cells play a central role in disease recurrence and are particularly challenging to target," said Dr. Rueda. "Siamab’s ADCs targeted STn positive cells, demarking a chemoresistant population, and were effective in shrinking ovarian tumors in animal models. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Siamab as they move this program toward clinical development."
Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2016
On September 2016 Oxford BioMedica plc (LSE: OXB), ("OXB" or "the Group") a leading gene and cell therapy group, reported interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2016 (Press release, Oxford BioMedica, SEP 13, 2016, View Source [SID:SID1234515125]).
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
HIGHLIGHTS (including post-period end):
OPERATIONAL
State-of-the-art bioprocessing facilities
Capacity expansion of bioprocessing and laboratory facilities now complete and approved for GMP vector manufacture
Partnering activities continuing to build
Novartis contract progressing well, contributing to 184% growth in first half Group revenues – multiple confirmed purchase orders through to Q2 2017
Second CAR-T programme for undisclosed indication underway with Novartis
New IP licence and expanded collaboration agreement signed with Immune Design
R&D collaboration signed with Green Cross LabCell to identify and develop gene modified natural killer (NK) cell-based therapeutics
Good progress across product development programmes
OXB to capture value of clinical products via out-licensing or spin out approach
OXB-102 and OXB-202 will be ready to start Phase I/II studies within next 6-9 months, subject to successfully out-licensing or spinning out these products
OXB-302 pre-clinical studies expected to complete by end of 2016
SAR422459 (for Stargardt Disease), licensed to Sanofi, has entered Phase IIa development
Novartis still on course to file CTL019 BLA in early 2017, with approval expected mid-2017 due to Breakthrough Therapy designation
FINANCIAL
Revenue increased by 184% to £12.5 million (H1 2015: £4.4 million) due in large part to Novartis contract
R&D, bioprocessing and administrative costs of £16.1 million (H1 2015: £11.7 million)
Operating loss of £6.9 million (H1 2015: £8.3 million)
Capital expenditure £6.0 million (H1 2015: £4.6 million)
Cash of £11.9 million (31 December 2015: £9.4 million) which includes the $10 million (£7.6 million) ring-fenced under the Oberland loan agreement
Fundraising of £10.0 million net of expenses announced separately today. In February 2016, the Group also raised a net £7.5 million through a 5% placing
Commenting on today’s announcement, John Dawson, Chief Executive Officer at Oxford BioMedica, said: "With world-class facilities, expertise and a broad intellectual property position, Oxford BioMedica is a leading gene and cell therapy company. Our unrivalled expertise in the bioprocessing and production of lentiviral vector makes us an ideal partner for the increasing number of potential companies wishing to use this exciting technology in clinical studies and, in due course, commercial therapeutics.
"Oxford BioMedica’s wholly-owned priority product programmes have progressed well during the period. In order to advance the clinical assets as expeditiously as possible whilst still capturing value for shareholders, the Group has decided to employ an external funding approach, via spin outs or out-licensing partnerships. Based on this approach, the proceeds raised in today’s fundraising will enable us to build upon our strong position by furthering the development and enhancement of our proprietary lentiviral vector delivery platform technology as we look to maximise bioprocessing revenues."
Cellceutix Corporation Provides Business Update and Timeline of Upcoming Milestones
On September 13, 2016 Cellceutix Corporation (OTCQB: CTIX) ("the Company"), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies with dermatology, oncology, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory applications, reported a fiscal year-end business update including a timeline of key upcoming milestones (Filing, Annual, CellCeutix, 2015, SEP 13, 2016, View Source [SID:SID1234515120]).
Leo Ehrlich, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are extremely pleased with the tremendous progress that we have made, especially within the last 12 months. We have assembled an attractive portfolio of three unique compounds, each of which addresses very large markets and is supported by strong IP protection. To date, we have met all of the primary endpoints in each of our clinical trials, and we have a number of very important milestones upcoming during the course of the next 12 to 18 months. Many of these milestones have the potential to create a substantial inflection (turning) point in our market cap."
Upcoming Milestones
Drug Candidate
Event
Description
Period
Year
Brilacidin
Kevetrin
Prurisol
Clinical Update
Ulcerative Proctitis- Interim analysis Ph2a trial
4Q
2016
Trial Progress
Ovarian Cancer- Initiation Ph2a trial
4Q
2016
Trial Progress
Psoriasis- Initiation Ph2b trial
4Q
2016
Clinical Update
Oral Mucositis- Interim analysis Ph2
1H
2017
Clinical Update
Psoriasis- Interim Analysis Ph2b
1H
2017
Clinical Update
Ulcerative Proctitis- Complete Ph2a trial
1H
2017
Clinical Update
Oral Mucositis- Complete analysis Ph2 trial
2H
2017
Clinical Update
Ovarian Cancer- PoC p53 modulation (Ph2a)
2H
2017
Trial Progress
ABSSSI- Start Ph3 trial
*
2017
____________
*Timetable dependent on reaching SPA agreement with FDA
Arthur P. Bertolino, MD, PhD, MBA, President and Chief Medical Officer at Cellceutix, commented, "We are making progress advancing Prurisol through the clinical pathway. We completed a Phase 2a trial of Prurisol in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic plaque psoriasis in May 2016. The trial successfully achieved its primary endpoint, further validating Prurisol’s potential as a novel oral treatment for psoriasis. On the heels of these data, we are now planning our Phase 2b trial of Prurisol for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in order to better define appropriate dosing to achieve greatest clinical responses and we expect to have our interim analysis top-line results in the second quarter of 2017. We believe that the potential safety profile of Prurisol may make this an attractive alternative to Celgene’s OTEZLA, which is on its way to achieving $1 billion in sales within just three years of its launch."
"We are also making headway with our Kevetrin asset, which has shown potent anti-tumor activity. Following our Phase 1 clinical trial at Harvard Cancer Centers’ Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, we are now preparing for a Phase 2a trial of Kevetrin for treating late stage ovarian cancer. We anticipate that this trial will start in the fourth quarter of this year. Our plan is to conduct a small trial that will provide the critical data necessary to forge a partnership with a large pharmaceutical company that could potentially fund development of Kevetrin through FDA approval. We are encouraged by the guidance and feedback that we have received from potential partners which are incorporated in our Phase 2a trial design."
"Lastly, we completed our Phase 2b trial of Brilacidin for Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections, or ABSSSI, and are moving forward with our Phase 2 clinical trial with Brilacidin-OM for the prevention of Oral Mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer. Brilacidin has a novel mechanism of action– robust anti-bacterial as well as anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, a single dose of Brilacidin has been shown to deliver comparable clinical outcomes to the FDA-approved seven-day dosing regimen of daptomycin. Moreover, we believe that it will demonstrate a broad spectrum of activity in infectious diseases, gastrointestinal and inflammatory diseases, and a variety of dermatological diseases."
Mr. Ehrlich concluded, "To wrap up, the consistent theme across all of our compounds is strong supporting clinical data and a clear path to delivering a meaningful return on investment. We had previously been largely under the radar of Wall Street and institutional investors, but given our success to-date, we are now engaging in a much more aggressive outreach effort. We have a number of important upcoming milestones, that if successful, we believe will drive meaningful value for shareholders."
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!