On November 29, 2018 Clinical Genomics, a leading provider of cancer diagnostic solutions including liquid biopsy tests, reported its partnership with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance in a yearlong collaboration for the Life After Cancer mission (Press release, Clinical Genomics, NOV 29, 2018, View Source [SID1234531709]). The Alliance is the largest US-based nonprofit patient advocacy group for colorectal cancer patients, providing resources and education to patients in their fight against this disease. The Life After Cancer initiative focuses on helping patients navigate their survivorship path by creating awareness about recurrence monitoring as part of their follow up care, allowing those who have overcome the disease to become an advocate of their long-term health and well-being. This expanded partnership between Clinical Genomics and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance builds upon an existing relationship to continue the mission to support this patient community.

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Clinical Genomics is the sole provider of COLVERA, a unique blood test for patients who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) that identifies circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for early detection of residual and recurrent disease, at a stage when more treatment options are available for these patients. COLVERA is currently marketed in the USA and available through our CLIA-certified laboratory in Bridgewater, NJ.

"Early detection has been shown to improve overall survival from this deadly disease. Colorectal cancer affects a wide range of ages with increasing incidence in younger patients. Partnerships like this with Clinical Genomics are critical in order to make an impact on this devasting disease and provide patients with cutting edge tools and resources they need in order to navigate their choices," stated Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

"We had the great pleasure to meet patients and their circle of support at the Alliance’s National Conference in Houston this year. Working with the Alliance on Life After Cancer, we can contribute to providing important education and awareness resources to this community. Colorectal cancer screening is an important focus in the US and now we must emphasize the importance of follow-up care surveillance monitoring of CRC with tests like COLVERA, for patients who have been diagnosed with the disease," said Betsy Hanna, Chief Commercial Officer of Clinical Genomics.

About Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States, with more than 140,000 people per year expected to be diagnosed with CRC and as many as 50,000 succumbing to the disease. For patients who survive, 30-50% will experience a recurrence, most within the first two to three years of primary treatment. On average, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about one in 23 for men and women combined, however, this varies widely according to individual risk factors.

On November 29, 2018 Hutchison China MediTech Limited ("Chi-Med") (AIM/Nasdaq: HCM) reported that it has entered into four collaboration agreements to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Chi-Med’s surufatinib (HMPL-012 or sulfatinib) and fruquintinib in combination with checkpoint inhibitors (Press release, Hutchison China MediTech, NOV 29, 2018, https://www.chi-med.com/a181129/ [SID1234531708]). It is an important part of Chi-Med’s strategy to explore the potential synergies of its drug candidates in combination with other anti-cancer treatments. These four new immunotherapy collaborations add to our ongoing studies combining savolitinib, Chi-Med’s highly selective c-Met inhibitor, with AstraZeneca PLC’s checkpoint inhibitor, durvalumab (Imfinzi).

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Today, Chi-Med is announcing the first steps to develop its vascular endothelial growth factor receptor ("VEGFR") inhibitors, surufatinib and fruquintinib, in combination with various programmed cell death protein-1 ("PD-1") monoclonal antibodies in several solid tumor settings:

A global collaboration to evaluate the combination of surufatinib with toripalimab (JS001), a PD-1 monoclonal antibody being developed by Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co. Ltd.;
A global collaboration to evaluate the combination of fruquintinib with sintilimab (IBI308), a PD-1 monoclonal antibody being developed by Innovent Biologics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd.;
A collaboration in China to evaluate the combination of surufatinib with HX008, a PD-1 monoclonal antibody being developed by Taizhou Hanzhong Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; and
A collaboration in China to evaluate the combination of fruquintinib with genolimzumab (GB226), a PD-1 monoclonal antibody being developed by Genor Biopharma Co. Ltd.
The global market for angiogenesis inhibitors was over US$18 billion in 2017, based on their use in around 30 different tumor settings. Each of the agreements announced today will pursue different initial indications within the field of solid tumors.

"Recent innovations in solid tumor drugs have focused on targeted therapies and immunotherapies which, as monotherapies, have both provided improved patients outcomes," said Christian Hogg, Chief Executive Officer of Chi-Med. "We believe that the future of oncology treatments increasingly lies in combining therapies, utilizing multiple mechanisms of action ("MOA") to confront tumors. Our unique next-generation anti-angiogenesis VEGFR inhibitors, with high selectivity and tolerability, make them ideal candidates for such combinations with immunotherapy agents such as PD-1/L1 monoclonal antibodies to prolong and expand the benefits of these therapies to more patients."

Chi-Med’s proof-of-concept studies have already demonstrated the benefits of combinations with other kinase inhibitors or with chemotherapy.

Surufatinib (HMPL-012 or sulfatinib) is a novel, oral angio-immuno kinase inhibitor that inhibits VEGFR and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) which both inhibit angiogenesis, and colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) which regulates tumor-associated macrophages, promoting the body’s immune response against tumor cells. This dual angiogenesis-checkpoint inhibitor’s MOA may be very suitable for combination use with other immunotherapies. Surufatinib, as a monotherapy, is in late-stage clinical trials in China and began proof-of-concept clinical trials in the United States in July 2018.

Fruquintinib is a highly selective and potent oral inhibitor of VEGFR. Its unique kinase selectivity has been shown to reduce off-target toxicity thereby allowing possible use in combination with other agents. It was first approved for colorectal cancer in China in September 2018. It is in several late-stage clinical trials for lung and gastric cancer, including in combination with chemotherapy such as paclitaxel (Taxol) and other kinase inhibitors such as gefitinib (Iressa), and is in a Phase I clinical trial in the United States.

On November 29, 2018 Tocagen Inc. (Nasdaq: TOCA), a late clinical-stage, cancer-selective gene therapy company and NRG Oncology, a member of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) National Clinical Trial Network (NCTN), reported that the NCI Cancer Therapy and Evaluation Program (CTEP) Brain Malignancies Steering Committee has approved a concept to develop a clinical trial utilizing the investigational therapeutic regimen Toca 511 (vocimagene amiretrorepvec) & Toca FC (flucytosine, extended-release) for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) (Press release, Tocagen, NOV 29, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2378701 [SID1234531707]).

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NRG Oncology, as one of the four adult group members of the NCI NCTN, conducts practice-defining, multi-institutional Phase 2 and 3 trials funded primarily by the NCI. The proposed Phase 2/3 trial (NRG-BN006) is expected to begin enrollment in 2019 and will be conducted by NRG Oncology under its NCI-funded grant, with Tocagen supplying investigational drug and supplemental financial support. Additional information about the trial will be provided in 2019.

Standard of care (SOC) for newly diagnosed GBM, the most common and deadly form of primary malignant brain tumor, involves surgical removal of as much of the tumor as possible followed by radiation therapy and temozolomide with use of tumor treating fields in a select group of patients. The proposed NRG-BN006 trial is designed to assess the benefit of adding Toca 511 & Toca FC to chemotherapy and radiation compared to SOC alone.

"The Brain Tumor Committee at NRG Oncology elected to conduct and sponsor the Toca 511 & Toca FC clinical trial in patients with newly diagnosed GBM based on the merits of published clinical data, which show extended overall survival compared to historical controls, durable complete responses and a favorable safety profile in patients with recurrent high grade glioma along with preclinical data that support a novel immune-activating mechanism of action, synergy with radiation therapy and additive efficacy in combination with temozolomide," said Minesh P. Mehta, chair of the Brain Tumor Committee at NRG Oncology.

Added Manmeet Ahluwalia, Principal Investigator of the proposed study, "Glioblastoma remains a very high unmet need and there is excitement among the NRG Oncology membership to explore the potential of Toca 511 & Toca FC to enhance standard treatment to achieve greater tumor response and extend survival of patients with this aggressive type of cancer."

Tocagen is currently studying Toca 511 & Toca FC for the treatment of recurrent high grade glioma (HGG) in the ongoing Phase 3 trial (Toca 5) which has enrolled approximately 400 patients, equally randomized to receive either Toca 511 & Toca FC or standard of care. Across three ascending-dose Phase 1 trials, Tocagen has treated 127 patients with recurrent HGG with Toca 511 & Toca FC. In these trials, Tocagen observed potential benefits, including ongoing durable complete responses, extended overall survival and a favorable safety profile. The proposed NRG-BN006 trial will be the first clinical trial of the Toca 511 & Toca FC regimen in the newly diagnosed GBM setting.

On November 29, 2018 GlycoMimetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLYC) reported that it will host and webcast an investor/analyst meeting and update at the 60th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in San Diego, on December 3 at 6 a.m. PT. Daniel J. DeAngelo, MD, PhD,Director of Clinical and Translational Research, Adult Leukemia Program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, who served as lead investigator of the GlycoMimetics’ recently completed Phase 1/2 clinical trial of uproleselan in acute myeloid leukemia patients, will recap and provide perspective on his December 2 oral presentation at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting, highlighting the trial’s findings (Press release, GlycoMimetics, NOV 29, 2018, View Source [SID1234531706]). GlycoMimetics management will review additional posters from the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting.

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The investor/analyst event will be webcast beginning at 6:15 a.m. PT. The dial-in number for the event is (844) 413-7154 (U.S. and Canada) or (216) 562-0466 (international) with passcode 9779654. To access the live audio webcast, or the subsequent archived recording, visit the "Investors – Events & Presentations" section of the GlycoMimetics website at www.glycomimetics.com. The webcast will be recorded and available for replay on the GlycoMimetics website for 30 days following the call.

Investors/analysts are requested to pre-register for the private in-person event at [email protected]. The event will be held at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego in the Celebrate Room, 207 Fifth Avenue, San Diego. On-site inquiries will be handled by Shari Annes, (650) 888-0902, by text or phone.

On November 29, 2018 Athenex, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATNX), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer and related conditions, reported that it has entered into an agreement with PharmaEssentia Corporation (Taipei Exchange:6446) to license the rights to develop and commercialize Athenex’s Oradoxel in Taiwan, Singapore and Vietnam (Press release, Athenex, NOV 29, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2378678 [SID1234531705]). The existing licensing agreement for Oraxol (oral paclitaxel) and Oratecan (oral irinotecan) with PharmaEssentia is being expanded to account for additional considerations, including milestone payments, for Oradoxel (oral docetaxel). In December 2013, Athenex and PharmaEssentia entered into a license agreement, pursuant to which PharmaEssentia was granted a license to develop and commercialize Oraxol and Oratecan in Taiwan and Singapore. The agreement was amended in December 2016 to also include Vietnam in the territories covered by the license.

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Under the terms of the expanded agreement, which includes Oradoxel, Athenex will receive a cash payment as well as the potential to receive additional milestone payments for certain development and regulatory milestones of Oradoxel in the territories. PharmaEssentia will be responsible for all activities and expenses relating to clinical development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of Oradoxel in the territories.

Docetaxel is an anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agent that is used widely in the treatment of breast, prostate, gastric, head and neck, and lung cancers. Oradoxel is an oral formulation of Docetaxel combined with HM30181A, a novel gastrointestinal tract specific P-glycoprotein pump inhibitor. Oradoxel is currently in Phase I clinical studies in the U.S. and New Zealand, and is ready to advance to Phase II with studies expected to begin in the first half of 2019.

Dr. Kochung Lin, Chief Executive Officer of PharmaEssentia, commented, "We are excited with the encouraging results so far from clinical trials of Athenex’s Orascovery drug candidates, particularly Oraxol. The potential of oral chemotherapy drugs to improve efficacy and safety, and improve patients’ quality of life, cannot be overstated. Athenex has generated promising Phase I data with both Oratecan and Oradoxel, and we are pleased to participate in the development of these exciting products in Taiwan, Singapore and Vietnam to help realize the full potential of this platform. We have been impressed by the Athenex team in their execution and are delighted to continue and expand our excellent partnership with the addition of Oradoxel."

Dr. Johnson Lau, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Athenex, stated, "This agreement builds on our longstanding relationship with PharmaEssentia. PharmaEssentia has demonstrated strong commitment to cancer drug research and development, and we are confident they have the capabilities for successfully delivering Oradoxel to patients in the licensed territories."

The Orascovery platform was initially developed by Hanmi Pharmaceuticals and licensed exclusively to Athenex for all major worldwide territories except Korea, which is retained by Hanmi.