Intensity Therapeutics Highlights INT230-6 Data in Advanced Solid Tumors at Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s (SITC) 33rd Annual Meeting

On November 8, 2018 Intensity Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing proprietary immune cell-activating cancer treatments, reported additional data from a Phase 1/2 clinical study of INT230-6, the Company’s novel lead product candidate designed for direct intratumoral injection, and preclinical research highlighting the Company’s proprietary DfuseRxSM technology were presented in a poster session at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper)’s (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 33rd Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C (Press release, Intensity Therapeutics, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234530971]). INT230-6 is comprised of two proven, potent anti-cancer agents and a unique molecule that causes rapid drug dispersion throughout tumors and diffusion into cancer cells.

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The presenting author and a study investigator, Anthony Olszanski, MD, Vice Chair of the Department of Hematology/Oncology and Director of the Phase 1 Developmental Therapeutics Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center, said, "We are pleased to share post-treatment imaging of a patient with heavily pretreated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma who had two deep tumors in the upper arm. Following treatment with INT230-6, scans revealed increased tumor necrosis. In addition, a patient with a chordoma achieved excellent tumor reduction, with some non-injected lesions also decreasing in size, following treatment with INT230-6 as monotherapy, even when administered at low doses. These encouraging results, in addition to a very promising safety profile, support the continued evaluation of INT230-6 in patients with advanced solid tumors."

INT230-6 was discovered using Intensity’s DfuseRxSM technology platform. Preclinical research demonstrated the enhanced ability of INT230-6 to saturate murine pancreatic cancer tumors, compared to the drug alone.

"Our preclinical animal data of INT230-6 shows its ability to disperse and saturate a tumor with drug when administered at the proper dose-to-tumor volume ratio," said Lewis H. Bender, Founder and CEO of Intensity Therapeutics. "When dosing intratumorally, proper drug dispersion is critical in order to treat the entire tumor effectively, especially in regions away from the blood vessels that are hypoxic. Data also show that our highly efficient tumor-killing product, INT230-6, induces a strong adaptive immune response to attack untreated lesions and metastases."

Ian B. Walters, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Intensity, added, "The latest data from Intensity’s clinical study evaluating INT230-6 in patients with different types of solid tumors continues to indicate that INT230-6 can be safely injected, even into deep tumors. The vast majority of the active components of INT230-6 stay inside the tumor, and most reports are limited to mild to moderate local discomfort from the injection."

Intensity plans to add more North American clinical sites, as well as international sites, to the Phase 1/2 clinical study of INT230-6. The Company also plans to move into combination arms with an anti-PD-1 antibody and begin Phase 2 expansion cohorts in specific tumor types next year.

About INT230-6

INT230-6, Intensity’s lead product candidate designed for direct intratumoral injection, is comprised of two proven, potent anti-cancer agents and a penetration enhancer molecule that helps disperse the drugs throughout tumors and diffuse into cancer cells. INT230-6 is being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical study (NCT03058289) in patients with various advanced solid tumors. In preclinical studies, INT230-6 eradicated tumors by a combination of direct tumor kill and recruitment of dendritic cells to the tumor micro-environment that induced anti-cancer T-cell activation. Treatment with INT230-6 in in vivo models of severe cancer resulted in substantial improvement in overall survival compared to standard therapies. Further, INT230-6 provided complete responder animals with long-term, durable protection from multiple re-inoculations of the initial cancer and resistance to other cancers. In mouse models, INT230-6 has shown strong synergy with checkpoint blockage, including anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA4 antibodies. INT230-6 was discovered from Intensity’s DfuseRxSM platform.

About the Phase 1/2 Clinical Study

INT230-6 is being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical study in patients with different types of advanced solid tumor malignancies. The study’s primary objective is to assess the safety and tolerability of multiple intratumoral doses of INT230-6. Secondary assessments are the measurement of injected and bystander tumor responses, and determination of the systemic pharmacokinetic profile of multiple doses of INT230-6’s drug substances after single and then multiple intratumoral injections. Exploratory analysis will characterize patient outcome, as well as evaluate various tumor and anti-tumor immune response biomarkers that may correlate with response. The study includes several adaptive components that will allow for adjustments in patient groups, dosing schedule and dose volumes administered. Data will be used to assess the progression free and overall survival in patients receiving INT230-6. For more information, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03058289).

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Reports Third Quarter 2018 Pipeline Update and Financial Results

On November 8, 2018 Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NasdaqGS: SPPI), a biotechnology company with fully integrated commercial and drug development operations with a primary focus in hematology and oncology, reported financial results for the three-month period ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234530968]).

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"In Q3 at the World Conference on Lung Cancer, MD Anderson presented poziotinib interim data in a heavily pre-treated population with exon 20 mutations, which demonstrated strong anti-tumor activity against this difficult-to-treat mutation," said Joe Turgeon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals. "We also actively expanded the poziotinib clinical program on multiple fronts including the initiation of two first-line cohorts in our pivotal ZENITH20 trial and the opening of study sites in Europe. Closing out the year, we expect to receive a response on the poziotinib BTD request and file a BLA with the FDA for our novel G-CSF, ROLONTIS."

Clinical Program Overview:

Poziotinib, an irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting EGFR and HER2 mutations:

Updated interim data from the MD Anderson Phase 2 trial in heavily pre-treated, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with exon 20 mutations were presented at the World Conference on Lung Cancer in September.
In evaluable patients with EGFR exon 20 mutations, the confirmed overall response rate (ORR) was 43% and disease control rate was 90%. Median progression free survival (PFS) was 5.5 months (ITT).
In evaluable patients with HER2 exon 20 mutations, the confirmed overall response rate (ORR) was 42% and disease control rate was 83%. Median progression free survival (PFS) was 5.1 months (ITT).
EGFR-related toxicities (including rash, diarrhea, and paronychia) were manageable and required dose reductions in 60% of patients. Discontinuation due to poor tolerance was rare (approximately 3% of patients).
Spectrum submitted a request for Breakthrough Therapy Designation for poziotinib in previously treated metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 mutations and expects a response from the FDA by the end of 2018.
Spectrum’s Phase 2 ZENITH20 trial studying poziotinib in NSCLC patients with EGFR or HER2 exon 20 insertion mutations is well underway and enrolling in four distinct cohorts.
First-line cohorts in both EGFR and HER2 were initiated in the third quarter of 2018.
Enrollment in the EGFR, previously treated cohort is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2019.
ROLONTIS (eflapegrastim), a novel long-acting G-CSF:

Spectrum had a positive pre-BLA meeting with the FDA in the third quarter of 2018 and expects to file for a BLA in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Data from the RECOVER Phase 3 study will be presented in a poster session at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in early December 2018.
Financial Guidance

Spectrum is refining its full year 2018 revenue guidance and is now between $100-$110 million, revised from $95-$115 million. Additionally, Spectrum currently anticipates that its current cash and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund operations into 2020.

Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2018 (All numbers are approximate)

GAAP Results

Total product sales were $24.6 million in the third quarter of 2018. Product sales in the third quarter included: FOLOTYN (pralatrexate injection) net sales of $11.3 million, EVOMELA (melphalan) for injection net sales of $6.9 million, BELEODAQ (belinostat) for injection net sales of $3.2 million, ZEVALIN (ibritumomab tiuxetan) net sales of $1.5 million, MARQIBO (vinCRIStine sulfate LIPOSOME injection) net sales of $1.1 million, and FUSILEV (levoleucovorin) net sales of $0.6 million.

Spectrum recorded net loss of $68.7 million, or $0.66 loss per basic and diluted share, in the three-month period ended September 30, 2018, compared to net loss of $18.3 million, or $0.22 loss per basic and diluted share, in the comparable period in 2017. Total research and development expenses were $21.1 million in the quarter, as compared to $13.8 million in the same period in 2017. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $19.8 million in the quarter, compared to $18.5 million in the same period in 2017.

Non-GAAP Results

Spectrum recorded non-GAAP net loss of $17.5 million, or $0.17 loss per basic and diluted share, in the three-month period ended September 30, 2018, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $9.2 million, or $0.11 loss per basic and diluted share, in the comparable period in 2017. Non-GAAP research and development expenses were $20.2 million, as compared to $13.2 million in the same period of 2017. Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses were $16.6 million, as compared to $16.1 million in the same period in 2017.

Conference Call

Thursday, November 8, 2018 @ 4:30 p.m. Eastern/1:30 p.m. Pacific


Domestic: (877) 837-3910, Conference ID# 3075918

International: (973) 796-5077, Conference ID# 3075918
This conference call will also be webcast. Listeners may access the webcast, which will be available on the investor relations page of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals’ website: www.sppirx.com on November 8, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern/1:30 p.m. Pacific.

Castle Biosciences to Present at the 2018 Canaccord Genuity Medical Technologies & Diagnostics Forum

On November 8, 2018 Castle Biosciences, Inc., the skin cancer diagnostics company providing molecular diagnostics to improve cancer management decisions, reported that Derek Maetzold, President and CEO, will present at the Canaccord Genuity Medical Technologies & Diagnostics Forum on Thursday, November 15th, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. in New York City (Press release, Castle Biosciences, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234530967]).

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Caladrius Biosciences Reports 2018 Third Quarter Financial Results

On November 8, 2018 Caladrius Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLBS) ("Caladrius" or the "Company"), a late-stage therapeutics development biopharmaceutical company with multiple technology platforms targeting select cardiovascular indications and autoimmune disease, reported its financial results for the three ended September 30, 2018, and provides a business update (Press release, Caladrius Biosciences, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234530965]).

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Highlights of the 2018 third quarter and early fourth quarter include:

Continued enrollment in a Phase 2 (SAKIGAKE designated and eligible for early conditional approval) clinical trial in Japan of CLBS12 for the treatment of no-option critical limb ischemia ("CLI"), including completion of enrollment of the five patient Buerger’s disease cohort;

Continued enrollment in a Phase 2 clinical trial using the CD34 cell therapy CLBS14-CMD for the treatment of coronary microvascular dysfunction ("CMD");

Continued follow-up analysis of The Sanford Project: T-Rex Study Phase 2 clinical trial of CLBS03 in type 1 diabetes after completing enrollment and reporting six-month results on 50% of trial subjects in the first quarter of 2018 that concluded the treatment is well-tolerated and non-futile for therapeutic effect; and

Conducted a Type B meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") under the provisions of the RMAT designation for CLBS14-RfA for the treatment of refractory angina to define remaining steps to registration.

"We are pleased with the advancement of our clinical programs during the third quarter. We maintain our previous guidance regarding development milestones and continue to demonstrate efficient management of cash spend," stated Dr. David J. Mazzo, President and CEO. "The fully-enrolled T-Rex Study of CLBS03 in type 1 diabetes remains on track for top-line data in early 2019. Our programs studying our CD34 cell therapy platform for CMD here in the United States and CLI in Japan continue to enroll with a target for top-line data in the second half of 2019 and early 2020, respectively.

"We are also pleased to announce that we recently completed our Type B meeting with the FDA pertaining to CLBS14-RfA for the treatment of refractory angina. This meeting was conducted to obtain FDA guidance and to define the remaining requirements for registration of this product under the terms of its RMAT designation. We believe that the meeting was both collaborative and positive and our assessment of the conversation is that FDA is demonstrating maximum flexibility afforded under the RMAT designation as we work together to establish the development steps necessary to bring this product to registration. We will be working with FDA to finalize the next development steps and to formalize the minutes of the meeting. We look forward to providing further information once these actions are completed."

Third Quarter Financial Highlights

Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $1.7 million, a 47% decrease compared with $3.2 million for the third quarter of 2017. The current quarter expenses were principally comprised of costs in our ischemic repair programs for CLBS12 and CLBS14-CMD, as well as initial planning for our CLBS14-RfA

program. Conversely, the prior year quarter expenses were primarily focused on our T-Rex study for CLBS03, which completed enrollment in December 2017 and is now in the follow-up phase of the study.

General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $2.1 million, a 30% decrease compared with $2.9 million for the third quarter of 2017, due to lower general and administrative headcount and corporate-related activities compared with the prior year period.

The net loss from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2018 was $3.5 million, or $0.36 per share, compared with $3.5 million, or $0.38 per share, for the third quarter of 2017.

Nine Month Financial Highlights

Research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $6.1 million, a 46% decrease compared with $11.2 million for the nine months of 2017. The current year expenses were principally comprised of costs in our ischemic repair programs for CLBS12 and CLBS14-CMD as well as initial planning for our CLBS14-RfA program. Conversely, the prior year expenses were primarily focused on our T-Rex study for CLBS03, which completed enrollment in December 2017 and is now in the follow-up phase of the study.

General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $7.1 million, a 22% decrease compared with $9.1 million for the nine months of 2017. The decrease was due to lower general and administrative headcount and corporate-related activities compared with the prior year period, along with the sale of our counter-flow centrifugation system to Hitachi in the second quarter of 2018, which resulted in a one-time $1.4 million gain included in general and administrative expenses.

The net loss from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $12.6 million, or $1.31 per share, compared with $25.8 million, or $1.37 per share, for the nine months of 2017.

Balance Sheet Highlights

As of September 30, 2018, Caladrius had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $46.1 million, compared with $60.1 million as of December 31, 2017. Based on existing programs and projections, the Company continues to remain confident that its cash balances and additional grant funding, along with continued disciplined expense management, will allow it to fund its current business plan beyond 2019.

Conference Call

Caladrius management will host a conference call for the investment community today beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time to review financial results, provide a Company update and answer questions.

Stockholders and other interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing (866) 595-8403 (domestic), or (706) 758-9979 (international), and providing conference ID: 9490459. The call will also be broadcast live on the Internet via the Company’s website at www.caladrius.com/investors/news-events.

For those unable to participate on the live conference call, a replay will be available through November 15, 2018, and can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406. All listeners should provide the following replay access code: 9490459.

The webcast replay will be archived on the Company’s website for 90 days at www.caladrius.com.

Tarveda Therapeutics to Present at EORTC-NCI-AACR Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics Symposium

On November 8, 2018 Tarveda Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing Pentarins as a new class of potent and selective medicines to treat a wide range of cancers, reported that the company will present at the European CanCer Organisation (ECCO) EORTC-NCI-AACR (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics Symposium occurring November 13-16, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland (Press release, Tarveda Therapeutics, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234530961]).

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Samantha Perino, from Tarveda, will present at the Molecular Targeted Agents – PART II poster session from 10:00-2:00 PM GMT on Friday, November 16. The poster is entitled, "Leveraging the Pentarin Platform to Selectively Deliver PI3K Inhibitors to Solid Tumors Leading to Superior Efficacy in Preclinical Models."

"Our presentation at the Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics Symposium will detail how we are leveraging our HSP90 binding conjugate platform to mask the activity of the conjugated payloads in the circulation while accumulating HSP90 binding conjugates in the tumors. The resulting sustained release of active anti-cancer payloads in the tumor, such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors, then drives the efficacy," said Richard Wooster, Ph.D., President of Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer at Tarveda. "The power of targeting potent therapies to tumors is exemplified by our first HSP90 binding conjugate, PEN-866, which carries the topoisomerase I inhibitor SN-38 as its payload. PEN-866 is currently in a Phase 1/2a trial to assess safety and efficacy across a range of tumor types. The data with a PI3K inhibitor in our presentation demonstrates the potential to significantly enhance kinase inhibitor performance using our HSP90 binding conjugate platform."

About Pentarins

Tarveda is developing Pentarins, potent and selective miniature drug conjugates with high affinity for specific cell surface and intracellular targets. Pentarins are engineered to bind to their tumor cell targets and provide sustained release of their potent therapeutic payloads deep into solid tumor tissue. Comprised of a targeting ligand conjugated to a potent cancer cell killing agent through a tuned chemical linker, Pentarins are designed to overcome the deficits of both larger antibody drug conjugates and small molecules that limit their therapeutic effectiveness against solid tumors. Together, the components of Tarveda’s Pentarins have distinct, yet synergistic, anticancer attributes: the small size of Pentarins allows for rapid and deep penetration into the tumor tissue, the ligand’s targeting ability allows for specific binding and retention in tumor cells, and the chemical linker is tuned to optimize the release of the potent, cell killing payload inside the cancer cells for efficacy.