On June 27, 2018 AstraZeneca and Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., US (Merck: known as MSD outside the US and Canada) reported positive results from the randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, Phase III SOLO-1 trial of Lynparza (olaparib) tablets (Press release, AstraZeneca, JUN 26, 2018, View Source [SID1234527478]).

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Women with BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) advanced ovarian cancer treated 1st-line with Lynparza maintenance therapy had a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in progression-free survival compared to placebo. The safety and tolerability profile of Lynparza was consistent with previous trials. Based upon these data, AstraZeneca and MSD plan to initiate discussions with health authorities regarding regulatory submissions.

Sean Bohen, Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer at AstraZeneca, said: "For the first time, we see a significant and clinically-impactful improvement in progression-free survival in the 1st-line maintenance setting for women with BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer treated with a PARP inhibitor. The SOLO-1 data reinforce the importance of knowing BRCA status at diagnosis, as this may enable women with BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer to receive Lynparza earlier. We would like to thank the investigators, hospitals and most of all the patients who took part in this trial, without whom medical advancements would not be possible."

Roy Baynes, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Clinical Development, Chief Medical Officer, MSD Research Laboratories, said: "Building on the strong data we’ve seen with Lynparza to date, the data from SOLO-1 reinforces Lynparza’s ability to provide meaningful disease control with a well-characterised safety and tolerability profile. We look forward to presenting the full data set for SOLO-1 at a future medical meeting and working with regulatory authorities to bring Lynparza to women with ovarian cancer in the 1st-line maintenance setting as quickly as possible."

Additionally, the ongoing GINECO/ENGOTov25 Phase III trial, PAOLA-1, is testing the effect of Lynparza in combination with bevacizumab as a 1st-line maintenance treatment in women with newly-diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer, regardless of their BRCA status. Results are expected in 2019.

NOTES TO EDITORS
About SOLO-1

SOLO-1 is a Phase III randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Lynparza tablets as 1st-line maintenance monotherapy compared with placebo, in patients with BRCAm advanced ovarian cancer. The trial randomised 391 patients with a deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation who were in clinical complete or partial response following platinum-based chemotherapy. Eligible patients were randomised (2:1) to receive Lynparza 300mg tablets twice daily or placebo tablets twice daily. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival and key secondary endpoints included time to second disease progression or death and overall survival.

About ovarian cancer

Worldwide, ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer and the eighth leading cause of cancer death in women. The five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer worldwide is 30-40%. In 2012, there were nearly 239,000 new cases diagnosed and around 152,000 deaths. For newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer, the primary aim of treatment is to delay progression of the disease for as long as possible and maintain the patient’s quality of life with the intent of achieving complete remission or cure.

About BRCA mutations

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are human genes that produce proteins responsible for repairing damaged DNA and play an important role in maintaining the genetic stability of cells. When either of these genes is mutated, or altered, such that its protein product either is not made or does not function correctly, DNA damage may not be repaired properly and cells become unstable. As a result, cells are more likely to develop additional genetic alterations that can lead to cancer.

About Lynparza
Lynparza (olaparib) was the first-in-class PARP inhibitor and the first targeted treatment to potentially exploit DNA damage response (DDR) pathway deficiencies, such as BRCA mutations, to preferentially kill cancer cells. Specifically, in vitro studies have shown that Lynparza-induced cytotoxicity may involve inhibition of PARP-enzymatic activity and increased formation of PARP-DNA complexes, resulting in DNA damage and cancer cell death. Lynparza is being tested in a range of DDR-deficient tumour types.

Lynparza, which is being jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and MSD, is approved for advanced ovarian cancer and metastatic breast cancer and has been used in over 20,000 patients worldwide. Lynparza has the broadest and most advanced clinical trial development programme of any PARP inhibitor and AstraZeneca and MSD are working together to deliver it as quickly as possible to more patients across multiple cancer types. Lynparza is the foundation of AstraZeneca’s industry-leading portfolio of potential new medicines targeting DDR mechanisms in cancer cells.

On June 26, 2019 Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AGIO), a leader in the field of cellular metabolism to treat cancer and rare genetic diseases, and CStone Pharmaceuticals, a privately-held biopharmaceutical company devoted to developing a new generation of innovative drugs, reported an exclusive collaboration and license agreement for the development and commercialization of ivosidenib (TIBSOVO; AG-120) in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan ("Territory"), either as a monotherapy or in combination with other therapies (Press release, Agios Pharmaceuticals, JUN 26, 2018, View Source [SID1234537653]). Discovered and developed by Agios, ivosidenib is an investigational, first-in-class, oral, targeted inhibitor of the mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) enzyme. CStone Pharmaceuticals will be responsible for conducting the development and commercialization activities for ivosidenib in hematologic and solid tumor indications in the Territory, with an initial focus in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and cholangiocarcinoma. Agios will retain all rights to ivosidenib in the rest of the world.

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"CStone Pharmaceuticals brings together a highly experienced leadership team and drug development capabilities that will enable us to reach patients with IDH1 mutant cancers in Greater China who could benefit from ivosidenib," said David Schenkein, M.D., chief executive officer at Agios. "In addition to the clinical development activities that CStone will be leading, we also have the opportunity to leverage CStone’s network to expand our ongoing and future global clinical trials of ivosidenib into Greater China."

Subject to the terms of the agreement, Agios will receive an upfront payment of $12 million and will be eligible to receive up to $412 million in milestone payments, of which $147 million are related to development and regulatory events and $265 million to the achievement of certain sales levels. Approximately half of the milestone payments are related to the development and commercialization of ivosidenib in AML, cholangiocarcinoma and other potential indications. The other half are payable only if development and commercialization of ivosidenib in brain cancer indications, including glioma, are pursued as part of the collaboration at a later date. In addition, CStone Pharmaceuticals will pay Agios tiered royalties ranging from the mid to high-teens as a percentage of annual net sales of ivosidenib in the Territory. CStone Pharmaceuticals will be responsible for all costs associated with development and commercialization activities for ivosidenib conducted in the Territory under the agreement.

"We’re very pleased to partner with Agios to advance the global development of ivosidenib, which has clearly demonstrated significant benefit to patients with AML as well as potential utility in other IDH1m cancers," said Frank Jiang, M.D., Ph.D., chief executive officer at CStone Pharmaceuticals. "Given ivosidenib is currently under U.S. FDA priority review for IDH1m relapsed or refractory AML patients, it is the most advanced program in our pipeline. The partnership will also allow us to explore ivosidenib in combination with other products in our portfolio."

About Ivosidenib (TIBSOVO / AG-120)
Ivosidenib is an investigational first-in-class, orally available, selective, potent inhibitor of the mutated IDH1 protein and is a highly targeted investigational medicine for the treatment of patients with cancers that harbor an IDH1 mutation. IDH1 is a metabolic enzyme that is mutated in a wide range of cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia, cholangiocarcinoma and glioma. Ivosidenib is currently under U.S. FDA priority review for IDH1m R/R AML patients with a PDUFA action date of August 21, 2018. The following clinical trials of ivosidenib are ongoing:

Phase 1 trial of ivosidenib or enasidenib in combination with 7+3 in patients with newly diagnosed IDHm AML who are eligible for standard-of-care chemotherapy
Phase 3 AGILE trial of ivosidenib in combination with azacitidine in patients with newly diagnosed IDH1m AML who are not eligible for standard-of-care chemotherapy
Phase 3 ClarIDHy trial of ivosidenib in advanced IDH1m cholangiocarcinoma
Perioperative study comparing ivosidenib and AG-881 in IDH1m low-grade glioma

On June 26, 2018 Oncology Venture US Inc., Oncology Venture AB (OV:ST) ("OV") and Medical Prognosis Institute A/S (MPI:ST) reported dosing of the first patient in a Phase 2, open-label clinical trial to investigate the anti-tumor effect and tolerability of 2X-121 in patients with metastatic breast cancer selected by a novel drug response predictor (DRP) mRNA-driven multiple biomarker, the 2X-121 DRP (Press release, 2X Oncology, JUN 26, 2018, View Source [SID1234527477]). The drug is being developed by Oncology Venture US Inc. (formerly 2X Oncology Inc.).

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"This targeted Phase 2 study will enable us to rapidly evaluate the efficacy of our Tankyrase and PARP inhibitor in heavily pre-treated metastatic breast cancer patients, using the 2X-121 DRP to prospectively select likely responders to this differentiated therapy," said George Elston, CEO of Oncology Venture US Inc.

2X-121 is an orally-available small molecule PARP and tankyrase inhibitor. This clinical trial is designed to enroll 30 metastatic breast cancer patients regardless of hormone receptor, HER2 status and BRCA1 or 2 status, who have relapsed on two or more different prior therapies and who are identified by the 2X-121 DRP as highly likely to respond to treatment with 2X-121.

The 2X-121 DRP is a novel, tumor-agnostic (i.e. independent of tumor site) molecular biomarker based on expression of 414 genes predictive of response to 2X-121. In a study presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), the 2X-121 DRP correctly identified responders and non-responders to treatment irrespective of BRCA mutation status. Although a patient’s BRCA status is used to identify potential responders for treatment with approved PARP inhibitors, other likely responders are excluded. The 2X-121 DRP biomarker is expected to identify those patients who are likely responders while excluding the likely non-responders.

In this clinical trial, patients will receive oral treatment with 600 mg of 2X-121, as a single agent, in a 21-day cycle. The primary endpoint of this study is clinical benefit rate, defined as complete response, partial response, or stable disease at greater than 24 weeks post-treatment using the RECIST criteria. Secondary endpoints include progression free survival, duration of response (from first response to progression), and overall survival.

2X-121 Phase 2 study in metastatic Breast Cancer (mBC)
2X-121 is an investigational, orally-available small molecule targeted inhibitor of Poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), a key enzyme involved in DNA damage repair in cancer cells. The drug candidate has a novel dual-inhibitory action against both PARP 1/2 and Tankyrase 1/2. The molecule is also active in P-glycoprotein expressing cells, suggesting it may overcome PARP inhibitor resistance. Patients will receive oral treatment with 600 mg 2X-121, as a single agent, in a 21-day cycle. The primary endpoint of this study is clinical benefit rate defined as complete response, partial response, or stable disease at greater than 24 weeks post-treatment using the RECIST criteria. Secondary endpoints include progression free survival, duration of response (from first response to progression), and overall survival.

Separate, targeted Phase 2 studies of 2X-121 are planned using the validated DRP biomarker in recurrent ovarian cancer, castration resistant prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer to identify patients likely to respond to and benefit from treatment with the drug.

About the Drug Response Predictor – DRP Companion Diagnostic
Oncology Venture uses the Medical Prognosis Institute (MPI) multi gene DRP to select those patients who by the genetic signature of their cancer are found to have a high likelihood of responding to the drug. The goal is developing the drug for the right patients, and by screening patients before treatment the response rate can be significantly increased. The DRP method builds on the comparison of sensitive vs. resistant human cancer cell lines, including genomic information from cell lines combined with clinical tumor biology and clinical correlates in a systems biology network. DRP is based on messenger RNA from the patient’s biopsies.

The DRP platform, i.e. the DRP and the PRP tools, can be used in all cancer types and is patented for more than 70 anti-cancer drugs in the US. The PRP is used by MPI for Personalized Medicine. The DRP is used by Oncology Venture for drug development.

DRP is a registered trademark of Medical Prognosis Institute A/S.

On June 26, 2018 Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (Nasdaq: PBYI) reported that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has adopted a positive trend vote recommending the approval of the Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) for neratinib for the extended adjuvant treatment of early stage HER2-positive hormone receptor positive breast cancer (Press release, Puma Biotechnology, JUN 26, 2018, View Source [SID1234527476]). Today’s decision follows a reexamination of the negative opinion announced by the CHMP at its formal meeting with the Company to discuss the MAA on February 23, 2018. The CHMP communicated its intention to hold a final vote at its next meeting.

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About HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Approximately 20% to 25% of breast cancer tumors over-express the HER2 protein. HER2-positive breast cancer is often more aggressive than other types of breast cancer, increasing the risk of disease progression and death. Although research has shown that trastuzumab can reduce the risk of early stage HER2-positive breast cancer returning after surgery, up to 25% of patients treated with trastuzumab experience recurrence.

On June 26, 2018 Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MACK), a clinical-stage oncology company focused on biomarker-defined cancers, reported top-line results from the CARRIE study, a randomized Phase 2 trial evaluating the addition of MM-141 (istiratumab) to standard-of-care treatment in patients with previously untreated metastatic pancreatic cancer and high serum levels of free Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) (Press release, Merrimack, JUN 26, 2018, View Source [SID1234527475]). The study did not meet its primary or secondary efficacy endpoints in patients who received MM-141 in combination with nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine, compared to nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine alone. These results were consistent in all subgroups analyzed. Based on these results, Merrimack will not devote additional resources to the development of MM-141.

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Merrimack plans to present the complete data from this Phase 2 study at an upcoming medical oncology meeting.

"Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the Unites States and a very difficult cancer to treat," said Sergio Santillana, M.D., MSc., Chief Medical Officer of Merrimack. "Although we were unsuccessful in our effort to improve the standard of care for these patients, we want to express our gratitude to our investigators and our team, and, of course, to the patients and their families for their support and participation in the CARRIE study."

"While these results are disappointing, looking forward our focus remains on the continued development of our deep, wholly-owned pipeline, including two clinical programs, MM-121 and MM-310, with data readouts expected in 2018," said Richard Peters, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of Merrimack.

MM-121 (seribantumab), a monoclonal antibody targeting the HER3 (ErbB3) receptor, is being tested in combination with standard-of-care treatment in two randomized Phase 2 studies: SHERLOC, in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, and SHERBOC in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Both studies are enrolling patients with high tumor expression of heregulin, the signal for the HER3 receptor. Top-line results from the SHERLOC study are expected in 2H 2018.

MM-310, an antibody-directed nanotherapeutic targeting the EphA2 receptor, is currently being tested in a Phase 1 study in solid tumors, with safety data and the maximum tolerated dose expected in 2H 2018.