Genentech’s TECENTRIQ in Combination With Pemetrexed and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Reduced the Risk of Disease Worsening or Death in a Type of Previously Untreated Advanced Lung Cancer

On September 24, 2018 Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), reported results from the Phase III IMpower132 study of TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) plus pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin) for the initial (first-line) treatment of people with non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (Press release, Genentech, SEP 24, 2018, View Source [SID1234529536]). This interim analysis showed that TECENTRIQ and chemotherapy reduced the risk of disease worsening or death (progression-free survival, PFS) by 40 percent compared with chemotherapy alone (PFS=7.6 versus 5.2 months; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.60, 95 percent CI: 0.49-0.72; p<0.0001). While a numerical improvement of 4.5 months for the co-primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) was observed, at this interim analysis statistical significance has not yet been met (median OS=18.1 versus 13.6 months; HR=0.81, 95 percent CI: 0.64-1.03; p=0.0797). The study will continue as planned, with final OS results expected next year. Safety for the TECENTRIQ and chemotherapy combination appeared consistent with the known safety profile of the individual medicines, and no new safety signals were identified with the combination.

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"This is our third Phase III trial in non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer demonstrating that a TECENTRIQ-based regimen can help reduce the risk of disease progression for people living with this disease," said Sandra Horning, M.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. "We will discuss these results with health authorities globally."

Data will be presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) 2018 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) on Monday, September 24 at 2:35 – 2:45 p.m. EDT (Abstract OA05.07 Oral) and featured in the official WCLC press conference at 9:45 – 10:30 a.m. EDT.

About the IMpower132 study

IMpower132 is a Phase III, open-label, randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety of TECENTRIQ plus chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin and pemetrexed) versus chemotherapy alone in chemotherapy-naïve patients with NSCLC. The study enrolled 578 people who were randomized equally (1:1) to receive:

TECENTRIQ in combination with cisplatin or carboplatin and pemetrexed (Arm A), or
Cisplatin or carboplatin and pemetrexed (Arm B, control arm)
During the treatment-induction phase, people received TECENTRIQ, pemetrexed and investigator’s choice of either cisplatin or carboplatin on Day 1 of every three weeks for a dosing period of four or six cycles. People who experienced clinical benefit during the induction phase began maintenance therapy until disease progression.

Safety for the TECENTRIQ and chemotherapy combination appeared consistent with the known safety profile of the individual medicines, and no new safety signals were identified with the combination. Grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were reported in 53.6 percent of people receiving TECENTRIQ plus chemotherapy compared to 39.1 percent of people receiving chemotherapy alone.

About lung cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that more than 234,000 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018, and NSCLC accounts for 85 percent of all lung cancers. It is estimated that approximately 60 percent of lung cancer diagnoses in the United States are made when the disease is in the advanced stages.

About TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab)

TECENTRIQ is a monoclonal antibody designed to bind with a protein called PD-L1. TECENTRIQ is designed to bind to PD-L1 expressed on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, blocking its interactions with both PD-1 and B7.1 receptors. By inhibiting PD-L1, TECENTRIQ may enable the re-activation of T cells. TECENTRIQ may also affect normal cells.

TECENTRIQ U.S. Indication (pronounced ‘tē-SEN-trik’)

TECENTRIQ is a prescription medicine used to treat:

A type of bladder and urinary tract cancer called urothelial carcinoma.

TECENTRIQ may be used when your bladder cancer:
has spread or cannot be removed by surgery, and if you have any one of the following conditions:
you are not able to take chemotherapy that contains a medicine called cisplatin, and your doctor has tested your cancer and found high levels of a specific protein on your cancer called programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), as determined by an FDA-approved test, or
you are not able to take chemotherapy that contains any platinum regardless of PD-L1 status on your cancer, or
you have tried chemotherapy that contains platinum, and it did not work or is no longer working
The approval of TECENTRIQ in these patients is based on a study that measured response rate and duration of response. There is an ongoing study to confirm clinical benefit.

A type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

TECENTRIQ may be used when your lung cancer:
has spread or grown, and
you have tried chemotherapy that contains platinum, and it did not work or is no longer working
If your tumor has an abnormal EGFR or ALK gene, you should have also tried an FDA-approved therapy for tumors with these abnormal genes, and it did not work or is no longer working.

It is not known if TECENTRIQ is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information about TECENTRIQ?

TECENTRIQ can cause the immune system to attack normal organs and tissues and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become serious or life threatening and can lead to death.

Patients should call or see their healthcare provider right away if they get any symptoms of the following problems or these symptoms get worse.

TECENTRIQ can cause serious side effects, including:

Lung problems (pneumonitis)–signs and symptoms may include new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain
Liver problems (hepatitis)–signs and symptoms of hepatitis may include yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, severe nausea or vomiting, pain on the right side of the stomach area (abdomen), drowsiness, dark urine (tea colored), bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, and feeling less hungry than usual
Intestinal problems (colitis)–signs and symptoms of colitis may include diarrhea (loose stools) or more bowel movements than usual, blood or mucous in the stools or dark, tarry, sticky stools, and severe stomach area (abdomen) pain or tenderness
Hormone gland problems (especially the thyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas, and pituitary)–signs and symptoms that the hormone glands are not working properly may include headaches that will not go away or unusual headaches, extreme tiredness, weight gain or weight loss, dizziness or fainting, feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual, hair loss, changes in mood or behavior (such as decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulness), feeling cold, constipation, the voice gets deeper, urinating more often than usual, nausea or vomiting, and stomach area (abdomen) pain
Problems in other organs–signs and symptoms may include severe muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, confusion, blurry vision, double vision, or other vision problems, changes in mood or behavior, extreme sensitivity to light, neck stiffness, eye pain or redness, skin blisters or peeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, or swelling of the ankles
Severe infections–signs and symptoms of infection may include fever, cough, flu-like symptoms, pain when urinating, and frequent urination or back pain
Severe infusion reactions–signs and symptoms of infusion reactions may include chills or shaking, itching or rash, flushing, shortness of breath or wheezing, swelling of the face or lips, dizziness, fever, feeling like passing out, and back or neck pain
Getting medical treatment right away may help keep these problems from becoming more serious. A healthcare provider may treat patients with corticosteroid or hormone replacement medicines. A healthcare provider may delay or completely stop treatment with TECENTRIQ if patients have severe side effects.

Before receiving TECENTRIQ, patients should tell their healthcare provider about all of their medical conditions, including if they:

have immune system problems (such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupus); have had an organ transplant; have lung or breathing problems; have liver problems; have a condition that affects the nervous system (such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barre syndrome); or are being treated for an infection
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TECENTRIQ can harm an unborn baby. Patients should tell their healthcare provider right away if they become pregnant or think they may be pregnant during treatment with TECENTRIQ. If patients are able to become pregnant:
A healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before they start treatment with TECENTRIQ.
They should use an effective method of birth control during their treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose of TECENTRIQ.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TECENTRIQ passes into the breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose of TECENTRIQ
Patients should tell their healthcare provider about all the medicines they take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of TECENTRIQ in people with urothelial carcinoma include:

feeling tired
decreased appetite
nausea
constipation
urinary tract infection
diarrhea
fever
The most common side effects of TECENTRIQ in people with non-small cell lung cancer include:

feeling tired
decreased appetite
muscle pain
cough
shortness of breath
TECENTRIQ may cause fertility problems in females, which may affect the ability to have children. Patients should talk to their healthcare provider if they have concerns about fertility.

These are not all the possible side effects of TECENTRIQ. Patients should ask their healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information. Patients should call their doctor for medical advice about side effects.

CymaBay Therapeutics to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences in October

On September 24, 2018 CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBAY), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for liver and other chronic diseases with high unmet need, reported that management will participate in upcoming investor conferences, including the 2018 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference, the LEERINK Partners Roundtable Series: Rare Disease & Oncology, and the ROTH Battle of the NASH Thrones Investor Conference (Press release, CymaBay Therapeutics, SEP 24, 2018, View Source [SID1234529535]).

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2018 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference
Date: Monday, October 1
Time: 8:55am Eastern Time
Location: Intercontinental Barclay New York Hotel
Webcast: View Source

LEERINK Partners Roundtable Series: Rare Disease & Oncology
Date: Tuesday, October 2
Time: 8:30am Eastern Time
Location: Lotte New York Palace Hotel
Webcast: View Source

ROTH Battle of the NASH Thrones Investor Conference
Date: Wednesday, October 17
Time: Panel discussions and 1-on-1 meetings
Location: Park Hyatt New York Hotel

ArQule to Present at the Leerink Partners Roundtable Series: Rare Disease & Oncology on October 2, 2018

On September 24, 2018 ArQule, Inc. (Nasdaq:ARQL) reported that Peter Lawrence, President and Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Brian Schwartz, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research and Development, and Marc Schegerin, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Communication and Finance, will present at the Leerink Partners Roundtable Series on October 2, 2018, at 8:00am ET at the Lotte New York Palace in New York City (Press release, ArQule, SEP 24, 2018, View Source [SID1234529534]).

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The live webcast of the presentation will be available via the "Investors & Media" section of ArQule’s website, www.arqule.com, under "Events & Presentations." A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the conclusion of the presentation.

ArQule to Present at the Cantor Global Healthcare Conference on October 1, 2018

On September 24, 2018 ArQule, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQL) reported that Paolo Pucci, Chief Executive Officer, and Marc Schegerin, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Communication and Finance, will present at the Cantor Global Healthcare Conference on October 1, 2018, at 2:55pm ET at the InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel in New York City (Press release, ArQule, SEP 24, 2018, View Source [SID1234529533]).

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The live webcast of the presentation will be available via the "Investors & Media" section of ArQule’s website, www.arqule.com, under "Events & Presentations." A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the conclusion of the presentation.

DelMar Pharmaceuticals Announces Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Financial Results

On September 24, 2018 DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: DMPI) ("DelMar" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of new cancer therapies, reported its financial results for the year ended June 30, 2018 (Press release, DelMar Pharmaceuticals, SEP 24, 2018, View Source [SID1234529527]). DelMar executive management will host a business update conference call for investors, analysts and other interested parties on September 25, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

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"This past fiscal year has been an instrumental period for the Company on both corporate and clinical development fronts," commented Saiid Zarrabian, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Moving forward, we are now a streamlined organization well positioned to advance VAL-083’s two Phase 2, biomarker-driven, clinical trials for MGMT-unmethylated GBM while evaluating combination therapies for this novel, first-in-class, DNA-targeting, small molecule, and in concert, ramping-up efforts to explore strategic opportunities to enhance shareholder value."

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

Continued enrolling patients in Phase 2, open-label, second-line, Avastin-naïve, MGMT-unmethylated, recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) study being conducted at the MD Anderson Cancer Center (the "MDACC study").
As of September 21, 2018, forty patients have been enrolled in the MDACC study, which continues accelerated enrollment rates observed since spring, 2018
The dosing levels used in the MDACC study have continued to demonstrate a safety profile well within the existing safety monitoring guidelines described in the present study protocol
Similar to prior clinical experience, myelosuppression has been the most common adverse event observed
Continued enrolling patients in Phase 2, open-label, first-line temozolomide-naïve, MGMT-unmethylated GBM study at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center.
As of September 21, 2018, nine patients have been enrolled in this study
Observed increased enrollment rates in the recent quarter
Engaged Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. as advisor to help manage the exploration and evaluation of a wide range of strategic opportunities
Strengthened Board of Directors and corporate governance by appointing world-renowned molecular biologist Dr. Napoleone Ferrara and Robert E. Hoffman as independent chairman
Appointed Saiid Zarrabian as full-time President and Chief Executive Officer
Based on overall clinical and corporate development progress achieved to date, expect to have cash available to fund planned operations into the middle of calendar 2019
For further details on the Company’s operating and financial results, as well as more detail about its updated strategy, refer to DelMar’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on September 24, 2018: View Source

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

DelMar will host a conference call to discuss its financial results for the year ended June 30, 2018 and provide a corporate update on September 25, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. For both "listen-only" participants and those who wish to take part in the question and answer portion of the call, the telephone Dial-in Number is 1-877‑876‑9177 (toll free) with Conference ID DELMAR.

A replay of the conference call will be available on the IR Calendar of the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.delmarpharma.com and will be archived for 30 days.

SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2018

At June 30, 2018, the Company had combined cash and cash equivalents and clinical trial deposits on hand of approximately $6.9 million.

For the year ended June 30, 2018, the Company reported a net loss of $11,138,312 or $0.54 per share, compared to a net loss of $8,081,764, or $0.74 per share, for the year ended June 30, 2017.

The following represents selected financial information as of June 30, 2018. The Company’s financial information has been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and this selected information should be read in conjunction with DelMar’s consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis, as filed.

Research and development expenses increased to $7,132,952 during the year ended June 30, 2018, compared to $5,003,640 for the year ended June 30, 2017. The increase was partially due to manufacturing costs for drug product as well as ongoing study costs for the Company’s two Phase 2, biomarker-driven clinical studies. During the year ended June 30, 2018, the Company undertook site initiation and enrollment for its now parked STAR-3, Phase 3 study in GBM. During the year ended June 30, 2018, the Company recognized certain costs related to the parking of the trial.

General and administrative expenses increased in the year ended June 30, 2018 to $4,041,711 from $3,317,189 for the year ended June 30, 2017, largely due to an increase in professional fees and personnel costs.