Third Dosing Cohort to be initiated in MAGE-A4 SPEAR T-cell Basket Study After Favorable Review of Safety from One Billion Cell Dose Cohort

On August 15, 2018 Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq:ADAP), a leader in T-cell therapy to treat cancer, reported a favorable review of safety data from the second dose cohort of patients who received one billion transduced SPEAR T‑cells targeting MAGE-A4 in the ongoing basket study in nine solid tumor indications (Press release, Adaptimmune, AUG 15, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2363723 [SID1234528864]). Based on these data, the Safety Review Committee (SRC) has endorsed dose escalation to the third dose cohort of 1.2 to 6 billion cells.

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To date, three patients have received 100 million transduced MAGE‑A4 SPEAR T-cells in the first dose cohort, and three patients received one billion cells in the second cohort. No evidence of toxicity related to off-target binding or alloreactivity has been reported. Most adverse events were consistent with those typically experienced by cancer patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy or other cancer immunotherapies.

"In Cohorts 1 and 2, we have observed cell expansion consistent with the doses administered. We are initiating dosing with 1.2 to 6 billion cells in the MAGE-A10 and MAGE-A4 studies. We have a number of patients whose cell products have been manufactured and these cells can be used when patients are ready for therapy. We remain on track to deliver initial data on response assessments from these cohorts during the second half of 2018," said Rafael Amado, Adaptimmune’s President of Research & Development.

Overview of Study Design MAGE-A4 Pilot Study

This is a first-in-human, open-label study utilizing a modified 3+3 design in up to 36 patients with escalating doses of 100 million (Cohort 1), 1 billion (Cohort 2), and 1.2‑6 billion (Cohort 3) transduced SPEAR T-cells to evaluate safety, including dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) followed by a possible expansion phase with doses of up to 10 billion SPEAR T-cells
This active trial is being evaluated across nine solid tumor indications including urothelial, melanoma, head and neck, ovarian, NSCLC, esophageal, and gastric cancers; as well as synovial sarcoma and myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (MRCLS)
Patients are screened under a separate protocol (Screening Protocol: NCT02636855) to identify those who have the relevant HLA-A*02 alleles and MAGE-A4 tumor expression
There was a 21-day stagger between patients in Cohort 1, with this stagger dropping to 7 days in Cohorts 2, and 3. There is no pre-determined stagger in the potential expansion phase
Cohorts 1-3 were intended to enroll 3 patients each with an expansion to 6 patients if DLTs were observed
The expansion phase can enroll up to 30 patients
The lymphodepletion regimen are:
Cohorts 1 and 2 – fludarabine (flu) (30mg/m2/day) and cyclophosphamide (cy) (600 mg/m2/day) for 3 days
Cohorts 3 and expansion phase – flu (30mg/m2/day) for 4 days and cy (600 mg/m2/day) for 3 days
Efficacy is assessed by overall response rate, time to response, duration of response, progression-free survival, and overall survival at weeks 4, 8, and 12, month 6, and then every 3 months until confirmation of disease progression
Adaptimmune’s Pipeline
Adaptimmune’s proprietary technology enables the Company to consistently generate affinity enhanced T-cell receptors (TCRs) that address intracellular targets on solid tumors that may not be accessible to certain other immunotherapy treatment modalities. Adaptimmune has three wholly owned SPEAR T‑cells in active clinical trials, with additional first and next generation SPEAR T‑cells being evaluated by means of Adaptimmune’s proprietary preclinical testing platform in advance of proceeding to the clinic.

Adaptimmune’s wholly owned SPEAR T-cells targeting MAGE‑A10, MAGE‑A4, and AFP are being evaluated in four active clinical trials across ten solid tumor indications:

MAGE-A10: Two active trials, one in NSCLC, and a triple tumor study in urothelial (bladder), melanoma, and head & neck cancers
MAGE-A4: One active trial across nine solid tumor indications including urothelial, melanoma, head and neck, ovarian, NSCLC, esophageal, and gastric cancers; as well as synovial sarcoma and myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (MRCLS)
AFP: One active study in hepatocellular (liver) cancer
Patients are receiving doses of 1.2-6 billion SPEAR T-cells across all the MAGE-A4 and MAGE‑A10 trials as there has been no evidence of off-target toxicity, to date, which has supported dose escalation

GT BIOPHARMA ANNOUNCES GTBP CEO, DR. RAYMOND URBANSKI, TO MAKE PRESENTATION AT THE 2018 WEDBUSH PACGROW HEALTHCARE CONFERENCE

On August 14, 2018 GT Biopharma Inc. (OTCQB: GTBP) and (Euronext Paris: GTBP.PA), an immuno-oncology biotechnology company focused on innovative treatments based on the company’s proprietary platforms, reported the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Raymond W. Urbanski, will present at the Wedbush PacGrow Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, August 15, at 1:50pm (Press release, GT Biopharma , AUG 14, 2018, View Source [SID1234539525]).

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Dr. Urbanski’s presentation will provide a corporate overview and highlight the company’s proprietary technology platforms. These innovative platforms include the tri- and tetra-specific natural killer cell engagers (TriKEs and TetraKEs) as well as their bi-specific antibody drug conjugates. In addition, Dr. Urbanski will provide an update to their current clinical and preclinical programs.

Dr. Urbanski said, "We are very excited to present at the Wedbush PacGrow Healthcare Conference. Conferences such as this gives us the opportunity to engage with leading institutional investors and interact with other global companies. It also allows us to further demonstrate that GT Biopharma is at the forefront of immune-oncology therapeutics."

A webcast of the conference presentation will be available on the company website at gtbiopharma.com after the conference.

Cytori Reports Q2 2018 Business and Financial Results

On August 14, 2018 Cytori Therapeutics (NASDAQ: CYTX) ("Cytori" or the "Company") reported Q2 2018 financial results and provided updates on corporate activities (Press release, Cytori Therapeutics, AUG 14, 2018, View Source [SID1234529752]).

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Q2 2018 net loss was $3.7 million, or $0.59 per share. Operating cash burn for Q2 was approximately $2.7 million. Cytori ended Q2 with approximately $3.1 million of cash and cash equivalents, or approximately $8.8 million pro-forma at June 30, 2018, when considering $5.7 million in net cash proceeds received from a public rights offering which closed on July 25, 2018.

Cytori is developing for manufacture its lead chemotherapeutic drug, ATI-0918, a generic version of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride, with the goal of demonstrating bioequivalence to the European reference drug. Our Nanomedicine team in San Antonio, Texas continues to complete activities in support of a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to be filed with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) next year. The Company also continues to engage potential commercial partners for ATI-0918 in Europe, Middle East, North Africa, North America, and Asia Pacific. Furthermore, for Cytori’s ATI-1123 chemotherapy drug product candidate, an albumin-stabilized pegylated liposomal docetaxel, the Company has requested an orphan drug designation from FDA for small cell lung cell cancer and is evaluating the FDA’s 505(b)(2) new drug application (NDA) pathway in the U.S. which may offer accelerated and lower cost development.

Our Cell Therapy team is awaiting data readouts from clinical trials in scleroderma and urinary incontinence and is actively conducting a clinical trial in thermal burns. 6 month data from the 40 patient, French SCLERADEC II clinical trial (scleroderma) is expected before the end of 2018 and 1 year data from the 45 patient, Japanese ADRESU clinical trial (urinary incontinence) is expected in early 2019. Finally, U.S. FDA has approved a protocol amendment for the RELIEF thermal burn injury trial sponsored by BARDA intended to facilitate enrollment. Cytori completed a successful In-Process Review meeting with BARDA this past June. Thus far, Cytori and BARDA have initiated 2 of 8-10 anticipated U.S. clinical sites.

In Japan, Cytori continues to see favorable growth trends in the use of its commercially approved cell therapy products in the aesthetic and orthopedic markets. The Company remains on track to see continued double digit year over year growth in consumable utilization.

"Our primary corporate objective is to file for European market approval for ATI-0918, our lead oncology drug product. We have also expanded the development of our pipeline drug, ATI-1123, in the U.S. and we are priming it for phase II evaluation." said Dr. Marc Hedrick, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cytori. "We are also pleased with the quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year results of our commercial Cell Therapy efforts in Japan that are primarily focused on consumable utilization. This provides a growing business and infrastructure in anticipation of the SCLERADEC-II and ADRESU trials, in 2018 and 2019, respectively."

Q2 2018 and year-to-date Financial Performance

Q2 2018 and year-to-date operating cash burn was $2.7 million and $6.8 million, compared to $5.0 million and $9.9 million for the same periods in 2017, respectively.
Q2 2018 and year-to-date total revenues were $1.6 million and $3.2 million, compared to $1.5 million and $3.1 million for the same periods in 2017, respectively.
Q2 2018 and year-to-date consumable utilization in Japan grew by over 70% and 60%, when comparing to the same periods in 2017, respectively.
Cash and debt principal balances at June 30, 2018 were approximately $3.1 million and $13.0 million, respectively.
Q2 2018 net loss was $3.7 million or $0.59 per share, compared to a net loss of $6.0 million or $1.94 per share for Q2 2017.
Year-to-date net loss was $8.1 million or $1.32 per share, compare to an adjusted net loss of $13.6 million or $5.04 per share for the same period in 2017, respectively.
Selected Key Anticipated Milestones:

Complete ATI-0918 development and manufacturing required to prepare and file a MAA with the EMA.
Receive Orphan Drug Designation and 505(b)(2) pathway feedback from the U.S. FDA for ATI-1123.
Enroll burn patients in BARDA-funded U.S. RELIEF clinical trial.
Report 3 and 6 month French SCLERADEC II clinical trial data for scleroderma hand dysfunction.
Report 1 year Japanese ADRESU clinical trial data for post-surgical male stress urinary incontinence.
Management Conference Call Webcast

Cytori will host a management conference call at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time today to further discuss its progress. The webcast will be available live and by replay two hours after the call and may be accessed under "Webcasts" in the Investor Relations section of Cytori’s website. If you are unable to access the webcast, you may dial in to the call at +1.877.402.3914, Conference ID: 4075028.

CLEVELAND BIOLABS REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2018 FINANCIAL RESULTS AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS

On August 14, 2018 Cleveland BioLabs, Inc. (NASDAQ:CBLI) reported financial results and development progress for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 (Press release, Cleveland BioLabs, AUG 14, 2018, View Source [SID1234529749]).

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Cleveland BioLabs reported a net loss of $(0.85) million, excluding minority interests, for the second quarter of 2018, or $(0.08) per share, compared to a net loss, excluding minority interests, of $(5.6) million, or $(0.50) per share, for the same period in 2017. The decrease in net loss was primarily due to a decrease in the non-cash adjustment to our warrant liabilities, increased revenues, and reduced operating costs aligned with our streamlined focus primarily on pursuing a pre Emergency Use Authorization with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") and a Marketing Authorization Application with the European Medicines Agency ("EMA") for entolimod as a medical radiation countermeasure.

As of June 30, 2018, the Company had $6.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, which, based on the Company’s current operational plan, is expected to fund operations for at least one year beyond the filing date of our Form 10-Q.

Yakov Kogan, Ph.D., MBA, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The pursuit of regulatory approval and commercialization for entolimod as a medical radiation countermeasure remains our top priority."

Further Financial Results

Revenue for the second quarter of 2018 increased to $0.4 million compared to $0.2 million for the second quarter of 2017. The net increase was primarily attributable to increased revenue from our service contract with Incuron and increased revenue from our Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program ("JWMRP") contract from the Department of Defense ("DoD") for the continued development of the entolimod as a medical radiation countermeasure.

Research and development costs for the second quarter of 2018 decreased to $0.9 million compared to $1.2 million for the second quarter of 2017. The reduction in research and development costs is due to a $0.6 million reduction in spending for biodefense applications of entolimod partially offset by a $0.3 million increase in expenses related to the oncology applications of the entolimod family of compounds.

General and administrative costs for the second quarter of 2018 decreased to $0.55 million compared to $0.59 million for the second quarter of 2017. This decrease was primarily attributable to reductions in personnel and other operating costs in connection with cost savings efforts to streamline operations.

Aradigm Announces Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

On August 14, 2018 Aradigm Corporation (NASDAQ: ARDM) (the "Company") reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2018 (Press release, Aradigm, AUG 14, 2018, View Source [SID1234529247]).

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Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

The Company recorded $256,000 in revenue in the second quarter of 2018 compared with $7.7 million in revenue in the second quarter of 2017. The Company recognized $96,000 in contract revenue – related party, $95,000 in government contract revenue and $65,000 in government grant revenue for the second quarter of 2018, as compared to $7.5 million in contract revenue – related party, $196,000 in government contract revenue and $7,000 in government grant revenue for the second quarter of 2017.

Total operating expenses for the second quarter of 2018 were $3.0 million, compared with total operating expenses of $5.7 million for the second quarter of 2017. The decrease in research and development expenses of $2.1 million was due to a decrease in spend in support of the Linhaliq regulatory process towards US and EU approvals for market authorization and lower employee-related expenses due to a reduction in headcount. The decrease in general and administrative expenses of $0.5 million was primarily related to lower legal expenses, lower expenses for Board of Director fees and lower employee-related expenses due to a reduction in headcount.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2018 was $3.8 million or $(0.25) per share, compared with a net income of $1.0 million or $0.07 per share in the second quarter of 2017. For the quarter ended June 30, 2018, the shift to a net loss from net income resulted primarily from a decrease in revenue of $7.4 million and a decrease in operating expenses of $2.7 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources and Related Matters

As of June 30, 2018, the Company reported cash and cash equivalents of $2.1 million.

In January, Aradigm received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the FDA regarding the New Drug Application (NDA) for Linhaliq as a treatment for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis NCFBE patients with chronic lung infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa).

The CRL states that the FDA has determined that it cannot approve the NDA in its present form and provides specific reasons for this action along with recommendations needed for resubmission; the areas of concern include clinical data, human factor validation study and product quality. We remain confident in the efficacy, safety and quality of Linhaliq (now named Apulmiq for the FDA) and are formally interacting with the FDA to discuss the topics covered in the CRL with the goal of developing plans to move towards resubmission of the Linhaliq NDA as soon as possible. We are committed to continuing to work on obtaining regulatory approval of Linhaliq in the US for NCFBE patients who suffer from this very severe disease which carries a burden of high morbidity and mortality with no treatment options.

The Aradigm Board of Directors approved temporary measures on February 9, 2018 intended to preserve the Company’s cash resources.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2018 Aradigm raised $4.0 million through the issuance of bridge notes and obtained commitments for additional monthly funding through September of 2018 totaling approximately $3.0 million. This $3.0 million along with the cash balance of $2.1 million will be sufficient to fund operations through the third quarter of 2018.

Aradigm is pursuing potential alternatives to resolve our cash position in the short term as well as developing strategic options that would provide for our long term viability. We feel it is very important to bring Linhaliq to commercialization in as many countries as possible to allow patients suffering from (NCFBE) to receive the benefits of Linhaliq. Patients, patient advocacy groups and key opinion leaders have expressed support for regulatory approval of Linhaliq as we work towards this goal. The MAA was filed on March 8, 2018 followed by the EMA validation of the MAA. The EMA review of the MAA for Linhaliq will be according to standard timelines, with an opinion of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) expected within 210 days from the formal procedural start date of March 29, 2018. The time needed by us to respond to EMA questions during the MAA review will trigger formal clock-stops of the procedure and may add several months to the nominal 210 day duration, until the final CHMP opinion will be issued.

About Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

NCFBE is a severe, chronic and rare disease characterized by abnormal dilatation of the bronchi and bronchioles, frequently associated with chronic lung infections. It is often a consequence of a vicious cycle of inflammation, recurrent lung infections, and bronchial wall damage. NCFBE represents an unmet medical need with high morbidity and mortality that affects more than 150,000 people in the US. and over 200,000 people in Europe. There is currently no drug approved for the treatment of this condition.