NewLink Genetics Describes the Differentiated Mechanism of Action of Indoximod in AACR Poster Presentation

On April 17, 2018 NewLink Genetics Corporation (NASDAQ:NLNK) reported that it presented a poster entitled "Indoximod modulates AhR-driven transcription of genes that control immune function" in the Immunomodulatory Agents and Interventions session at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2018 Annual Meeting in Chicago (Press release, NewLink Genetics, APR 17, 2018, View Source [SID1234525425]).

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"The data demonstrate that indoximod has a unique mechanism of action, remarkably differentiated from IDO enzymatic inhibitors. This different mechanism may contribute to antitumor immune responses in the IDO pathway and through activity independent of IDO," said Charles J. Link, Jr., M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

The data suggest that indoximod regulates the differentiation of helper T cells toward an immuno-stimulatory helper function and downregulates genes that control the differentiation of T cells into immuno-suppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) in an AhR dependent manner. This leads to an increase in the ratio of helper T cells to Tregs. Additionally, it was shown that indoximod reduces the level of IDO protein in dendritic cells in vitro, leading to increased stimulation of CD8 T cell proliferation and reduced production of kynurenine. Moreover, indoximod stimulation of mTOR in T cells appears to increase the proliferation of effector T cells in an IDO and TDO-independent manner. Through this mechanism, indoximod may be able overcome the effects of Trp degradation mediated by both IDO and TDO. Thus, in addition to opposing immunosuppression mediated by the IDO pathway, indoximod may drive antitumor immune responses independent from IDO.

In summary, indoximod has immunostimulatory effects involving 4 main cell types: CD8+ T cells, T helper cells, T regulatory cells, and dendritic cells. Indoximod appears to function through three main mechanisms to inhibit the IDO pathway:

Reversing the effects of low tryptophan by increasing proliferation of effector T cells

Increasing the ratio of T helper to T regulatory cells by both favoring differentiation of activated CD4 T cells into helper T cells and directly reprogramming T regulatory cells into helper T cells

Downregulating IDO expression in dendritic cells

About Indoximod

Indoximod is an investigational, orally available small molecule targeting the IDO pathway. The IDO pathway is a key immuno-oncology target involved in regulating the tumor microenvironment and immune escape. Indoximod is being evaluated in combination with treatment regimens including anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents, cancer vaccines, radiation and chemotherapy across solid and liquid tumors.

Myriad to Announce Fiscal Third-Quarter 2018 Financial Results on May 8, 2018

On April 17, 2018 Myriad Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MYGN), a leader in molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine, reported that it will hold its fiscal third-quarter 2018 sales and earnings conference call with investors and analysts at 7:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 (Press release, Myriad Genetics, APR 17, 2018, View Source [SID1234525424]). During the call, Mark C. Capone, president and CEO and Bryan Riggsbee, CFO, will provide an overview of Myriad’s financial performance for the fiscal third-quarter and provide a business update. Additionally, Dr. Bryan Dechairo, executive vice president of Clinical Research, will discuss the data from the GeneSight randomized controlled trial. The clinical study data will first be presented as a late breaking poster in the exhibit hall at the American Psychiatric Association annual meeting on Monday, May 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. ET, and will be presented by the study principal investigator the same day at a satellite symposium at 6:30 p.m. ET at Hudson Mercantile at 500 W. 36th Street in New York City.

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To listen to the earnings call, interested parties in the United States may dial 800-699-0623 or +1 303-223-4362 for international callers. All callers will be asked to reference reservation number 21887258. The conference call also will be available through a live webcast and a slide presentation pertaining to the earnings call will also be available under the investor section of our website at www.myriad.com. A replay of the call will be available two hours after the end of the call for seven days and may be accessed by dialing 800-633-8284 within the United States or +1 402-977-9140 for international callers and entering reservation number 21887258.

Johnson & Johnson Reports 2018 First-Quarter Results:

On April 17, 2018 Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) reported sales of $20.0 billion for the first quarter of 2018, an increase of 12.6% as compared to the first quarter of 2017 (Press release, Johnson & Johnson, APR 17, 2018, View Source [SID1234525423]).

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Operational sales results increased 8.4% and the positive impact of currency was 4.2%. Domestic sales increased 6.1%. International sales increased 19.9%, reflecting operational growth of 10.9% and a positive currency impact of 9.0%. Excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures, on an operational basis, worldwide sales increased 4.3%, domestic sales increased 1.3% and international sales increased 7.6%.*

Net earnings and diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2018 were $4.4 billion and $1.60, respectively. First-quarter 2018 net earnings included after-tax intangible amortization expense of approximately $1.0 billion and a charge for after-tax special items of approximately $0.3 billion. First-quarter 2017 net earnings included after-tax intangible amortization expense of approximately $0.2 billion and a charge for after-tax special items of approximately $0.4 billion. Excluding after-tax intangible amortization expense and special items, adjusted net earnings for the current quarter were $5.6 billion and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $2.06, representing increases of 11.8% and 12.6%, respectively, as compared to the same period in 2017.* On an operational basis, adjusted diluted earnings per share also increased 5.5%.* A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures is included as an accompanying schedule.

"We are pleased with the strong and consistent performance delivered by our colleagues around the world, demonstrated by our sales and EPS growth in the first quarter," said Alex Gorsky, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Our Pharmaceutical business continues to deliver robust growth and we are pleased with the improvement in our Consumer business. In our Medical Devices businesses, we have areas of leadership and continue to make investments and portfolio choices to improve performance."
Mr. Gorsky continued, "The U.S. tax legislation passed late last year is creating the opportunity for us to invest more than $30 billion in R&D and capital investments in the U.S. over the next four years, which is an increase of 15%."
The Company increased its sales guidance for the full-year 2018 to a range of $81.0 to $81.8 billion, reflecting expected operational growth in the range of 4.0% to 5.0%. Additionally, the Company reaffirmed its adjusted earnings guidance for full-year 2018 to a range of $8.00 to $8.20 per share, reflecting expected operational growth in the range of 6.8% to 9.6%.

Segment Sales Performance
Worldwide Consumer sales of $3.4 billion for the first quarter 2018 represented an increase of 5.3% versus the prior year, consisting of an operational increase of 1.3% and a positive impact from currency of 4.0%. Domestic sales increased 1.6%, international sales increased 8.2%, which reflected an operational increase of 1.2% and a positive currency impact of 7.0%. Excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures, on an operational basis, worldwide sales increased 2.0%, domestic sales increased 1.6% and international sales increased 2.3%*.
Worldwide operational results, excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures, were driven by beauty products primarily NEUTROGENA, AVEENO, and Dr. Ci Labo, and international analgesics in over-the-counter products, partially offset by the negative impact of domestic baby care products.
Worldwide Pharmaceutical sales of $9.8 billion for the first quarter 2018 represented an increase of 19.4% versus the prior year with an operational increase of 15.1% and a positive impact from currency of 4.3%. Domestic sales increased 9.9%; international sales increased 33.1%, which reflected an operational increase of 22.5% and a positive currency impact of 10.6%. Sales included the impact of Actelion Ltd which contributed 7.6%, to worldwide operational sales growth. Excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures, on an operational basis, worldwide sales increased 7.5%, domestic sales increased 2.2% and international sales increased 15.3%.*

Worldwide operational results, excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures, were driven by new products and the strength of core products. Strong growth in new products include DARZALEX (daratumumab), for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma, IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib), an oral, once-daily therapy approved for use in treating certain B-cell malignancies, a type of blood or lymph node cancer and TREMFYA (guselkumab), for the treatment of adults living with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Additional contributors to operational sales growth included ZYTIGA (abiraterone acetate), an oral, once-daily medication for use in combination with prednisone for the treatment of metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer, STELARA (ustekinumab) and international SIMPONI/SIMPONI ARIA (golimumab), biologics for the treatment of a number of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, XARELTO (rivaroxaban), an oral anticoagulant, and INVEGA SUSTENNA/XEPLION/TRINZA/TREVICTA (paliperidone palmitate), long-acting, injectable atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.

During the quarter, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an additional indication for ZYTIGA (abiraterone acetate), in combination with prednisone for the treatment of patients with metastatic high-risk castration-sensitive prostate cancer and ERLEADA (apalutamide) an oral androgen receptor inhibitor for the treatment of patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. In addition, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use issued a positive opinion recommending marketing authorization for JULUCA (rilpivirine and dolutegravir), the first, single-pill, two-drug regimen for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection.

Also in the quarter, a marketing authorization application was submitted to the European Medicines Agency for apalutamide, an oral androgen receptor inhibitor for the treatment of patients with high-risk non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Worldwide Medical Devices sales of $6.8 billion for the first quarter 2018 represented an increase of 7.5% versus the prior year consisting of an operational increase of 3.2% and a positive currency impact of 4.3%. Domestic sales increased 2.2%; international sales increased 12.7%, which reflected an operational increase of 4.2% and a positive currency impact of 8.5%. Sales included the partial quarter impact of the recently acquired surgical vision business which contributed 3.1%, to worldwide operational sales growth. Excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures, on an operational basis, worldwide sales increased 1.1%, domestic sales decreased 0.2% and international sales increased 2.4%.*

Worldwide operational results, excluding the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures, were driven by ACUVUE contact lenses in the Vision Care business; electrophysiology products in the Interventional Solutions business; endocutters in the Advanced Surgery business; and trauma products in the Orthopaedics business, partially offset by declines in the Diabetes Care business and spine products in the Orthopaedics business.
During the quarter, the acquisition of Orthotaxy S.A.S., a privately-held developer of software-enabled surgery technologies, including a differentiated robotic-assisted surgery was completed. In addition, the Company announced a binding offer from Platinum Equity, a private investment firm, to acquire its LifeScan business for approximately $2.1 billion, subject to customary adjustments.

Subsequent to the quarter, ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions received 510(k) clearance from the FDA and is indicated for vision correction and the attenuation of bright light.
Additionally, Johnson & Johnson plans to implement actions across its global supply chain that are intended to enable the company to focus resources and increase investments in critical capabilities, technologies and solutions necessary to manufacture and supply its product portfolio of the future, enhance agility and drive growth. The Company expects these supply chain actions will include expanding our use of strategic collaborations, and bolstering our initiatives to reduce complexity, improving cost-competitiveness, enhancing capabilities and optimizing our network. Discussions regarding specific future actions are ongoing and are subject to all relevant consultation requirements before they are finalized.

In total, the Company expects these actions to generate approximately $0.6 to $0.8 billion in annual pre-tax cost savings that will be substantially delivered by 2022. The Company expects to record pre-tax restructuring charges of approximately $1.9 to $2.3 billion, which will be treated as a special item.

Celgene Corporation to Webcast at Upcoming Investor Conferences

On April 17, 2018 Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) reported to present at three upcoming investor conferences where Celgene management will provide an overview of the Company (Press release, Celgene, APR 17, 2018, View Source [SID1234525421]). The conferences will be webcast live and will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.celgene.com.

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Tuesday, May 8, 2018, Celgene will present at the Deutsche Bank 43rd Annual Health Care Conference in Boston at 12:50 pm ET
Wednesday, May 16, 2018, Celgene will present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Health Care Conference in Las Vegas at 1:00 pm ET
Wednesday, May 30, 2018, Celgene will present at the Sanford C. Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference in New York City at 3:00 pm ET

ArQule and Basilea Enter into Exclusive License Agreement for Derazantinib in the US, EU, Japan and Rest of World Excluding Greater China

On April 17, 2018 ArQule, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARQL) reported that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Basilea Pharmaceutica International Limited(Basilea, SIX: BSLN) to develop and commercialize derazantinib, a pan-FGFR (fibroblast growth factor receptor) inhibitor in the US, EU, Japan and rest of the world excluding the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, where Sinovant Sciences Ltd., a Roivant Sciences Ltd. subsidiary, has rights to develop and exclusively commercialize the drug (Press release, ArQule, APR 17, 2018, View Source [SID1234525419]).

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Under the terms of the agreement, ArQule will receive an upfront payment of $10 million and is eligible for up to $326 million in regulatory and commercial milestones. ArQule is also entitled to receive staggered single-digit to double-digit royalties on net sales upon commercialization. Basilea will be responsible for all costs and expenses of development, manufacture and commercialization in its territory. Under certain circumstances, ArQule may have the opportunity to promote derazantinib in the US directly.
ArQule is currently conducting a registrational trial for derazantinib in the United States, Canada and Europe as a potential treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), a form of biliary tract cancer. As part of the exclusive license agreement, Basilea intends to continue this trial and the further development of derazantinib in iCCA and other tumor types with FGFR dysregulation.

Ronald Scott, Chief Executive Officer of Basilea, said: "We are very excited about this partnership with ArQule. Derazantinib is an ideal match for our existing clinical oncology portfolio. It is a targeted therapy building on a solid biomarker approach in an area where patients currently have limited treatment options. This transaction underscores our continued commitment to expand our R&D portfolio with novel compounds focused on overcoming the clinical problem of resistance in oncology and infectious diseases. Our clinical oncology portfolio now includes three drug candidates in different stages of development. We continue to focus on further broadening our R&D portfolio through internal and external innovation."

"Partnering with Basilea, a company with global drug development experience and expertise, will propel the advancement of derazantinib in ways we could not have achieved independently," said Paolo Pucci, Chief Executive Officer of ArQule. "Basilea will bring a wealth of skills to the expansion of the derazantinib development plan at a time when it will benefit most from these resources, allowing it to reach its full potential in iCCA and beyond."
ArQule will hold a conference call to discuss this agreement tomorrow, April 18, beginning at 9 a.m. EDT. Paolo Pucci, Chief Executive Officer of ArQule, will lead the call. As a result of entering into the exclusive license agreement, ArQule will be updating its financial guidance on the call.

The details of the call are as follows:
Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 9:00 AM EDT
Audio connection numbers:
US: 1 877-868-1831
Outside US: 1 914-495-8595 PIN: 4089669
A replay of the call will be available two hours after the completion of the call and can be accessed in the "Investors and Media" section of our website, www.arqule.com, under "Events and Presentations." The ArQule investor conference call will be archived and can be accessed in the "Investors and Media" section of ArQule’s website, www.arqule.com, under "Events and Presentations."
About Derazantinib
Derazantinib is a potent, orally administered inhibitor of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) family, a key driver of cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. In a Phase 1/2 study in patients with iCCA harboring FGFR2 gene fusions, treatment with derazantinib resulted in an objective response rate of 21%, nearly 3 times higher than standard-of-care chemotherapy. ArQule is currently conducting a registrational study with derazantinib in patients with FGFR2 fusion-positive second-line iCCA. The open-label single-arm trial is recruiting in the United States, Canada and Europe with objective response rate as the primary endpoint. More information on that program is available here.
About Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the most common biliary malignancy and the second most common hepatic malignancy after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).1 Depending on the anatomic location, CCA is classified as intrahepatic (iCCA), perihilar (pCCA), and extrahepatic (eCCA). iCCA originates from the intrahepatic biliary ductal system and forms an intrahepatic mass. iCCA is an aggressive cancer, with a median 5-year survival rate of 15% for patients diagnosed with early-stage disease.2 In China, the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma is more than 7 cases per 100,000 people, and the majority of cases are intrahepatic.3