Myriad’s BRACAnalysis CDx® Test Effectively Identified Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients with Improved Outcomes from Pfizer’s PARP Inhibitor, Talazoparib

On December 12, 2017 Myriad Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MYGN), a leader in molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine, reported that data from the EMBRACA trial showed Myriad’s BRACAnalysis CDx test successfully identified patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who responded to Pfizer’s investigational PARP inhibitor, talazoparib (Press release, Myriad Genetics, DEC 12, 2017, View Source [SID1234522582]).

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The EMBRACA trial (NCT01945775) data were presented last week at the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). The study included approximately 400 patients, all of whom tested positive for germline BRCA mutations as determined by Myriad’s FDA-approved BRACAnalysis CDx test. As presented at SABCS, the results demonstrated that patients with gBRCA+ locally advanced and/or MBC demonstrated superior progression-free survival (PFS) in patients treated with talazoparib, compared to patients who received physician’s choice standard-of-care chemotherapy. Additionally, the PFS benefit was consistent across metastatic BRCA-positive patients, including those with hormone receptor-positive and triple negative disease.

"BRACAnalysis CDx is the only germline companion diagnostic test approved by the FDA to identify patients with BRCA1/2 mutations, and we are excited to support Pfizer’s clinical development program and help identify patients who are most likely to benefit from talazoparib," said Mark C. Capone, president and CEO, Myriad Genetics. "As the pioneers in companion diagnostics for PARP inhibitors, we are excited that more patients may benefit from these novel drugs in the future."

It is estimated there are approximately 60,000 patients with metastatic breast cancer, two thirds of whom are not currently eligible for BRCA testing based upon family and personal history alone or current testing criteria.

Myriad first announced its collaboration to develop a novel companion diagnostic test for talazoparib on Oct. 1, 2013. Under that agreement (originally with BioMarin; now Pfizer), Myriad plans to submit a supplementary premarket approval (sPMA) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under its existing PMA for BRACAnalysis CDx to include talazoparib.

About BRACAnalysis CDx
BRACAnalysis CDx is an in vitro diagnostic device intended for the qualitative detection and classification of variants in the protein coding regions and intron/exon boundaries of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes using genomic DNA obtained from whole blood specimens collected in EDTA. Single nucleotide variants and small insertions and deletions (indels) are identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. Large deletions and duplications in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are detected using multiplex PCR. Results of the test are used as an aid in identifying ovarian cancer patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA variants, who are or may become eligible for treatment with Lynparza (olaparib). Detection of deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA variants by the BRACAnalysis CDx test in ovarian cancer patients is also associated with enhanced progression-free survival (PFS) from Zejula (niraparib)maintenance therapy. This assay is for professional use only and is to be performed only at Myriad Genetic Laboratories, a single laboratory site located at 320 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108. Learn more at: View Source

Oscotec shares rebound on launch of US clinical trial

On December 11, 2017 Oscotec reported that shares of Oscotec rebounded on the company’s announcement that it has launched a clinical trial in the U.S. on SKI-G-801, a treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (Press release, Oscotec, DEC 11, 2017, View Source [SID1234573544]).

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The biotech company said in a public regulatory filing on Monday that its phase-1 clinical trial on SKI-G-801 will begin at six U.S. hospitals.

Oscotec’s shares, which had slid since Dec. 4, rebounded to 10,250 won ($9.4) as of noon on Monday, up 150 won from the previous trading day. Compared with early this year’s stock price of 7,390 won per share, it was up 38 percent.

SKI-G-801 is a treatment that selectively inhibits fms-like tyrosine receptor kinase 3 (FLT3). The company hopes that the new drug candidate will lower side effects and recurrence rate, compared to existing chemotherapies.

The U.S. study will check safety and drug tolerance, after administering SKI-G-801 to recurring or non-reacting AML patients and raising doses in a phased way. The trial will also test the drug’s appropriate doses and efficacy in AML patients with FLT3 mutations.

"Compared to the existing FLT3 inhibitors, SKI-G-801 has excellent pharmacologic activation and long-acting efficacy. Besides, we confirmed its efficacy on FLT3 mutations, which existing inhibitors had no effectiveness, as well as in the drug-resistant environment," Oscotec said.

It went on to say,"If we confirm the safety, drug tolerance, and oncolytic efficacy in the clinical trial, we expect that we will be able to transfer our technology to a multinational pharmaceutical company."

In July 2015, Oscotec transferred its investigational non-small cell lung cancer therapy YH25448 to Yuhan Corp. under an income-sharing contract.

Oscotec’s revenue reached 3.25 billion won ($2.99 million) in the first three quarters this year, with an operating loss of 992 million won.

Its flagship product is InduCera, a material for bone transplant, which takes up about 30 percent of the total sales.

Oasmia Pharmaceutical receives marketing approval for Paclical® in Kazakhstan

On December 11, 2017 Oasmia Pharmaceutical AB (NASDAQ: OASM), a developer of a new generation of drugs within human and veterinary oncology, reported that it has received marketing approval for Paclical in Kazakhstan (Press release, Oasmia, DEC 11, 2017, View Source [SID1234556571]). Paclical is the first water-soluble cancer drug with paclitaxel to receive a market authorization. Paclical will be sold through Hetero Group and is planned to be launched during the first half of 2018.

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Paclical, which has the name Apealea in Europe, is a novel formulation of paclitaxel based on Oasmia’s proprietary XR17 technology. It was approved for treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer. XR17 is non-toxic and forms water soluble nanoparticles with paclitaxel.

"The relationship established this year with Hetero Group grows further according to our plan with this approval," says Julian Aleksov, Executive Chairman at Oasmia Pharmaceutical. "We are pleased to see this expansion into Kazakhstan, a country that we are confident will benefit from an additional and high-quality treatment now made available to physicians and patients. We look forward to Hetero’s work in generating sales in the region, and most importantly to Paclical making a difference in the lives of patients and their families."

10-Q/A [Amend] – Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)]

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10-Q/A [Amend] – Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)]

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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

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