Harpoon Therapeutics Announces Appointment of Natalie R. Sacks, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer

On October 3, 2018 Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing a new class of T cell engaging therapeutics, reported that it has appointed Natalie R. Sacks, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer (Press release, Harpoon Therapeutics, OCT 3, 2018, View Source [SID1234529726]).

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"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sacks as our new Chief Medical Offer. Natalie brings a strong record of accomplishment in the development and commercialization of oncology therapeutics, which will be instrumental as we advance our pipeline in the clinic," said Jerry McMahon, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Harpoon.

"As an oncologist, I look forward to joining a company that is pioneering new ways to treat cancer and impact the lives of patients in need," says Dr. Sacks. "I am excited about the potential of Harpoon’s clinical programs and its novel TriTAC platform to redirect a patient’s own T cells to attack tumor cells."

Dr. Sacks most recently served as Chief Medical Officer of Aduro Biotech, a company focused on the advancement of novel immuno-oncology technologies. Previously, she was Vice President of Clinical Development at Onyx Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Amgen) where she played a key role in the development and approval of Kyprolis, an FDA-approved therapy for the treatment of multiple myeloma, and in business development strategy. Prior to that, she served as Vice President of Clinical Research for Exelixis where she directed the development of a portfolio of small molecules, with responsibilities ranging from IND filings to late-stage development, including development of Cometriq. Earlier in her career, Dr. Sacks served as Vice President of Clinical Development at Cell Genesys, a company focused on the development of cancer vaccines and engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells. She received her M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, her M.S. in Biostatistics from the Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health and her B.A. in Mathematics from Bryn Mawr College. Dr. Sacks was an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, San Francisco, and served as volunteer Attending Physician in Hematology-Oncology at San Francisco General Hospital for more than a decade. She serves as a board member for Zymeworks Inc. and Caribou Biosciences.

Clovis Oncology to Highlight Results from Rubraca® (rucaparib) TRITON Prostate Program at ESMO 2018 Congress

On October 3, 2018 Clovis Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLVS) reported that four posters featuring data and highlighting studies from the Rubraca clinical development program will be presented at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2018 Congress (European Society for Medical Oncology), 19-23 October, 2018, in Munich, Germany (Press release, Clovis Oncology, OCT 3, 2018, View Source [SID1234529725]). These posters include the first presentation of initial results from the Phase 2 TRITON2 clinical trial of Rubraca, an oral, small molecule PARP inhibitor, in advanced mCRPC, as well as genomic profiling data based on tumor tissue and plasma cfDNA samples from patients who were screened following progression on prior therapy for enrollment in TRITON2 or the Phase 3 TRITON3 clinical study. Both datasets from the TRITON clinical program have been selected for inclusion in a poster discussion session that will be led by invited discussant Dr. Joaquin Mateo, of the Prostate Cancer Translational Research Group, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain.

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"We look forward to presenting a first look at the TRITON2 prostate cancer data at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper), with a primary focus on the BRCA mutant population"

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TRITON2 is an international, multicenter, open-label, Phase 2 study of Rubraca in men with advanced prostate cancer with BRCA gene mutations (germline or somatic) or other deleterious mutations in other homologous recombination (HR) repair genes in the metastatic castration-resistant setting. The study is currently recruiting at approximately 100 sites worldwide. On October 2, 2018, Clovis announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for Rubraca for the treatment of adult patients with BRCA1/2-mutated mCRPC who have received at least one prior androgen receptor (AR)-directed therapy and taxane-based chemotherapy. The FDA granted this designation based on the initial efficacy and safety results from TRITON2 that will be shared at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2018 Congress.

"We look forward to presenting a first look at the TRITON2 prostate cancer data at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper), with a primary focus on the BRCA mutant population," said Patrick J. Mahaffy, President and CEO of Clovis Oncology. "The data and updates we will share at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) emphasize our commitment to developing Rubraca beyond its initial ovarian cancer indications."

The four Rubraca abstracts from Clovis Oncology that have been accepted for poster presentation at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2018 Congress are:

Title: ARIEL3: Subgroup analysis of rucaparib in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian carcinoma: effect of prior chemotherapy regimens (abstract 947P)
Presenter: Dr. Domenica Lorusso, Unità di Ginecologia Oncologica, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori and MITO, Milan, Italy
Session: Poster session
Date/Time: Saturday, 20 October, 12:30–13:30 CEST
Location: Hall A3

Title: Preliminary results from TRITON2: a phase 2 study of rucaparib in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) associated with homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene alterations (abstract 793PD)
Presenter: Dr. Wassim Abida, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
Session: Poster discussion session, genitourinary tumors, prostate
Date/Time: Sunday, 21 October, 09:15–10:30 CEST
Location: Room 14b
As the subject of a poster discussion session, this poster will be on display for the duration of the congress beginning at 9:00 CEST on Saturday, 20 October 2018.

Title: TRITON: Genomic profiling of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) and tumour tissue for the evaluation of rucaparib in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) (abstract 795PD)
Presenter: Dr. Simon Chowdhury, Guy’s Hospital & Sarah Cannon Research Institute, London, UK
Session: Poster discussion session, genitourinary tumours, prostate
Date/Time: Sunday, 21 October, 09:15–10:30 CEST
Location: Room 14b
As the subject of a poster discussion session, this poster will be on display for the duration of the congress beginning at 9:00 CEST on Saturday, 20 October 2018.

Title: ATLAS: a phase 2, open-label study of rucaparib in patients with locally advanced (unresectable) or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (abstract 928TIP)
Presenter: Dr. Simon Chowdhury, Guy’s Hospital & Sarah Cannon Research Institute, London, UK
Session: Poster session
Date/Time: Monday, 22 October, 13:15–14:15 CEST
Location: Hall A3

Specific program times and locations are subject to change by ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper).

Clovis’ Rubraca poster presentations will be available online at clovisoncology.com at 07:30 CEST on Saturday, 20 October, 2018.

About Rubraca (rucaparib)

Rubraca is an oral, small molecule inhibitor of PARP1, PARP2 and PARP3 being developed in multiple tumor types, including ovarian, metastatic castration-resistant prostate, and bladder cancers, as monotherapy, and in combination with other anti-cancer agents. Exploratory studies in other tumor types are also underway. Clovis holds worldwide rights for Rubraca. Rubraca is an unlicensed medical product outside of the U.S. and Europe.

Rubraca EU Authorized Use

Rubraca is licensed for adult patients with platinum sensitive, relapsed or progressive, BRCA mutated (germline and/or somatic), high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, who have been treated with two or more prior lines of platinum-based chemotherapy, and who are unable to tolerate further platinum-based chemotherapy.

Click here to access the current Summary of Product Characteristics. Healthcare professionals should report any suspected adverse reactions via their national reporting systems.

Rubraca U.S. FDA Approved Indications and Important Safety Information

Rubraca is indicated as monotherapy for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy.

Rubraca is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with deleterious BRCA mutations (germline and/or somatic) associated epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who have been treated with two or more chemotherapies and selected for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for Rubraca.

Select Important Safety Information

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) occur uncommonly in patients treated with Rubraca, and are potentially fatal adverse reactions. In approximately 1100 treated patients, MDS/AML occurred in 12 patients (1.1%), including those in long-term follow-up. Of these, 5 occurred during treatment or during the 28-day safety follow-up (0.5%). The duration of Rubraca treatment prior to the diagnosis of MDS/AML ranged from 1 month to approximately 28 months. The cases were typical of secondary MDS/cancer therapy-related AML; in all cases, patients had received previous platinum-containing regimens and/or other DNA-damaging agents. Do not start Rubraca until patients have recovered from hematological toxicity caused by previous chemotherapy (≤ Grade 1).

Monitor complete blood counts for cytopenia at baseline and monthly thereafter for clinically significant changes during treatment. For prolonged hematological toxicities (> 4 weeks), interrupt Rubraca or reduce dose (see Dosage and Administration [2.2] in full Prescribing Information) and monitor blood counts weekly until recovery. If the levels have not recovered to Grade 1 or less after 4 weeks, or if MDS/AML is suspected, refer the patient to a hematologist for further investigations, including bone marrow analysis and blood sample cytogenetic analysis. If MDS/AML is confirmed, discontinue Rubraca.

Based on its mechanism of action and findings from animal studies, Rubraca can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Apprise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months following the last dose of Rubraca.

Most common adverse reactions in ARIEL3 (≥ 20%; Grade 1–4) were nausea (76%), fatigue/asthenia (73%), abdominal pain/distention (46%), rash (43%), dysgeusia (40%), anemia (39%), AST/ALT elevation (38%), constipation (37%), vomiting (37%), diarrhea (32%), thrombocytopenia (29%), nasopharyngitis/upper respiratory tract infection (29%), stomatitis (28%), decreased appetite (23%) and neutropenia (20%).

Most common laboratory abnormalities in ARIEL3 (≥ 25%; Grade 1–4) were increase in creatinine (98%), decrease in hemoglobin (88%), increase in cholesterol (84%), increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (73%), increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (61%), decrease in platelets (44%), decrease in leukocytes (44%), decrease in neutrophils (38%), increase in alkaline phosphatase (37%) and decrease in lymphocytes (29%).

Most common adverse reactions in Study 10 and ARIEL2 (≥ 20%; Grade 1–4) were nausea (77%), asthenia/fatigue (77%), vomiting (46%), anemia (44%), constipation (40%), dysgeusia (39%), decreased appetite (39%), diarrhea (34%), abdominal pain (32%), dyspnea (21%) and thrombocytopenia (21%).

Most common laboratory abnormalities in Study 10 and ARIEL2 (≥ 35%; Grade 1–4) were increase in creatinine (92%), increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (74%), increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (73%), decrease in hemoglobin (67%), decrease in lymphocytes (45%), increase in cholesterol (40%), decrease in platelets (39%) and decrease in absolute neutrophil count (35%).

Co-administration of Rubraca can increase the systemic exposure of CYP1A2, CYP3A, CYP2C9, or CYP2C19 substrates, which may increase the risk of toxicities of these drugs. Adjust dosage of CYP1A2, CYP3A, CYP2C9, or CYP2C19 substrates, if clinically indicated. If co-administration with warfarin (a CYP2C9 substrate) cannot be avoided, consider increasing frequency of international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breast-fed children from Rubraca, advise lactating women not to breastfeed during treatment with Rubraca and for 2 weeks after the last dose. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Clovis Oncology, Inc. at 1-844-258-7662.

Ophthotech Corporation to Present at Chardan’s 2nd Annual Genetic Medicines Conference

On October 3, 2018 Ophthotech Corporation (Nasdaq: OPHT) reported that Keith Westby, Chief Operating Officer, will present an overview of the Company at Chardan’s 2nd Annual Genetic Medicines Conference, on Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (Press release, Ophthotech, OCT 3, 2018, View Source [SID1234529723]).

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Investors and the general public are invited to listen to a live webcast of the presentation on the Events & Presentations section on the Ophthotech website at www.ophthotech.com. An archived replay of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website immediately following the conference.

Seattle Genetics to Host Conference Call and Webcast Discussion of Third Quarter Financial Results on October 25, 2018

On October 3, 2018 Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) reported that it will report its third quarter financial results on Thursday, October 25, 2018 after the close of financial markets (Press release, Seattle Genetics, OCT 3, 2018, View Source;p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2370040 [SID1234529722]). Following the announcement, company management will host a conference call and webcast discussion of the results and provide a general corporate update. Access to the event can be obtained as follows:

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LIVE access on Thursday, October 25, 2018
1:30 p.m. Pacific Time / 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Telephone 877-260-1479 (domestic) or +1 334-323-0522 (international); conference ID 3537888
Webcast available at www.seattlegenetics.com in the Investors section
REPLAY access

Telephone replay will be available beginning at approximately 4:30 p.m. PT on Thursday, October 25, 2018 through 5:00 p.m. PT on Monday, October 29, 2018 by calling 888-203-1112 (domestic) or +1 719-457-0820 (international); conference ID 3537888
Webcast replay will be available on the Seattle Genetics website at www.seattlegenetics.com in the Investors section

Immutep Announces Presentations at Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 2018 Annual Meeting

On October 3, 2018 Immutep Limited (ASX: IMM; NASDAQ: IMMP) ("Immutep" or "the Company"), a biotechnology company developing novel immunotherapy treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases, reported that clinical data on the company’s lead product candidate eftilagimod alpha ("efti" or "IMP321"), a soluble LAG-3Ig fusion protein based on the LAG-3 immune control mechanism, will be presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) Annual Meeting being held November 7-11, 2018, in Washington, D.C (Press release, Immutep, OCT 3, 2018, View Source [SID1234529718]).

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Abstract titles and authors are:

Title: Results from a Phase I dose escalation trial (TACTI-mel) with the soluble LAG-3 protein (IMP321, eftilagimod alpha) together with pembrolizumab in unresectable or metastatic melanoma

Authors: Victoria Atkinson; Frederic Triebel; Christian Mueller; Chrystelle Brignone; Melissa Eastgate; Amitesh Roy; Adnan Khattak; Andrew Haydon

Title: A multicenter, phase II study in patients with first line NSCLC, or recurrent PD-X refractory NSCLC or with recurrent HNSCC receiving Eftilagimod Alpha in combination with Pembrolizumab (TACTI-002)

Authors: Martin Forster; Frederic Triebel; Christian Mueller; Chrystelle Brignone; Tatsiana Skrahina

The exact time of Immutep’s presentation and further details will be available closer to the conference date.