On December 3, 2018 GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) and TESARO Inc (NASDAQ: TSRO) reported that the Companies have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which GSK will acquire TESARO, an oncology-focused company based in Waltham, Massachusetts, for an aggregate cash consideration of approximately $5.1 billion (£4.0 billion) (Press release, TESARO, DEC 3, 2018, View Source [SID1234531813]). The proposed transaction significantly strengthens GSK’s pharmaceutical business, accelerating the build of GSK’s pipeline and commercial capability in oncology.

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TESARO is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, with a major marketed product, Zejula (niraparib), an oral poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor currently approved for use in ovarian cancer. PARP inhibitors are transforming the treatment of ovarian cancer, notably demonstrating marked clinical benefit in patients with and without germline mutations in a BRCA gene (gBRCA). Zejula is currently approved in the US and Europe as a treatment for adult patients with recurrent ovarian cancer who are in response to platinum-based chemotherapy, regardless of BRCA mutation or biomarker status.

Clinical trials to assess the use of Zejula in "all-comers" patient populations, as a monotherapy and in combinations, for the significantly larger opportunity of first line maintenance treatment of ovarian cancer are also underway. These ongoing trials are evaluating the potential benefit of Zejula in patients who carry gBRCA mutations as well as the larger population of patients without gBRCA mutations whose tumours are HRD-positive and HRD-negative. Results from the first of these studies, PRIMA, are expected to be available in the second half of 2019.

GSK also believes PARP inhibitors offer significant opportunities for use in the treatment of multiple cancer types. In addition to ovarian cancer, Zejula is currently being investigated for use as a possible treatment in lung, breast and prostate cancer, both as a monotherapy and in combination with other medicines, including with TESARO’s own anti-PD-1 antibody (dostarlimab, formerly known as TSR-042).

In addition to Zejula, TESARO has several oncology assets in its pipeline including antibodies directed against PD-1, TIM-3 and LAG-3 targets.

Emma Walmsley, Chief Executive Officer, GSK, said: "The acquisition of TESARO will strengthen our pharmaceuticals business by accelerating the build of our oncology pipeline and commercial footprint, along with providing access to new scientific capabilities. This combination will support our aim to deliver long-term sustainable growth and is consistent with our capital allocation priorities. We look forward to working with TESARO’s talented team to bring valuable new medicines to patients."

Hal Barron, Chief Scientific Officer and President, R&D, GSK, said: "Our strong belief is that PARP inhibitors are important medicines that have been under appreciated in terms of the impact they can have on cancer patients. We are optimistic that Zejula will demonstrate benefit in patients with ovarian cancer beyond those who are BRCA-positive as front-line treatment. We are also very excited that through this transaction, we will have the opportunity to work with an outstanding Boston-based oncology group with deep clinical development expertise and together we will explore Zejula’s efficacy beyond ovarian cancer into multiple tumour types to help many more patients."

Lonnie Moulder, Chief Executive Officer, TESARO, said: "This transaction marks the beginning of a new global partnership that will accelerate our oncology business and allow our mission of delivering transformative products to individuals living with cancer to endure. Our Board and Management team are very pleased to announce this transaction, and we are grateful to the management team at GSK for their tremendous vision and the opportunity to preserve and build upon the impact we have had in the cancer community to date."

Mary Lynne Hedley, President and Chief Operating Officer, TESARO, said: "This partnership marks an evolution in the way we live out the TESARO mission and will allow us to more rapidly deliver on our commitment to patients. I am excited to be partnering with our new colleagues at GSK as together we advance innovative scientific and drug development strategies that ultimately enable us to provide more time for more patients."

Financial highlights
The acquisition price of $75 per share in cash represents a 110% premium to TESARO’s 30 day Volume Weighted Average Price of $35.67 and an aggregate consideration of approximately $5.1 billion (£4.0 billion) including the assumption of TESARO’s net debt.

Zejula’s revenues in its current approved indication as second-line maintenance treatment for ovarian cancer were $166 million for the 9 months ended 30 September 2018.

GSK expects the acquisition of TESARO and associated R&D and commercial investments will impact Adjusted EPS for the first two years by mid to high single digit percentages, reducing thereafter with the acquisition expected to start to be accretive to Adjusted EPS by 2022.

GSK’s guidance for full-year 2018 Adjusted EPS growth remains unchanged at 8 to 10% at CER. GSK continues to expect to deliver on its previously published Group Outlooks to 2020, but following the acquisition of TESARO now expects Adjusted EPS growth at CER for the period 2016-2020 to be at the bottom end of the mid to high single digit percentage CAGR range.

Guidance and Group Outlooks are given on the bases set out on pages 37 and 38 of GSK’s Q3 2018 results, including definitions of CER growth and Adjusted results.

GSK confirms no change to its current dividend policy and continues to expect to pay 80p in dividends for 2018.

GSK expects to fund the acquisition from cash resources and drawing under a new acquisition facility.

Structure and Terms of the Transaction
Under the terms of the merger agreement between GSK and TESARO, unanimously approved by TESARO’s Board of Directors, a subsidiary of GSK will commence a tender offer within the next 10 business days to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of TESARO common stock for a price of $75 per share in cash upon completion of the offer. The transaction is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2019, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the tender by TESARO stockholders of at least one share more than 50% of the issued and outstanding shares of TESARO and required regulatory approvals, including clearance by the US Federal Trade Commission. Following closing of the tender offer, GSK will acquire any shares of TESARO that are not tendered in the tender offer through a second-step merger under Delaware law at the tender offer price.

The value of the gross assets of TESARO to be acquired (as at 30 September 2018) is $711 million (£555 million at the rate of £1 = $1.28, being the 30 November spot rate). The net losses of the business were $466 million for the 9 months ended 30 September 2018 (£345 million, at the rate of £1 = $1.35, being the average rate for the 9 months ended 30 September 2018).

GSK is in discussions with several key executives of TESARO to ensure their continued employment with the company.

Additional information and where to find it
This press announcement is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer or a recommendation to sell securities, nor is it a substitute for the tender offer materials that GSK and its indirect subsidiary will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The tender offer for the outstanding shares of TESARO’s common stock described in this press announcement has not commenced. At the time the tender offer is commenced, GSK and Adriatic Acquisition Corporation will file, or will cause to be filed, a Schedule TO Tender Offer Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and thereafter TESARO will file a Schedule 14D-9 Solicitation/Recommendation Statement with the SEC, in each case with respect to the tender offer. The Schedule TO Tender Offer Statement (including an offer to purchase, a related letter of transmittal and other offer documents) and the Schedule 14D-9 Solicitation/Recommendation Statement will contain important information that should be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the tender offer. Those materials (once they become available) will be made available to TESARO’s stockholders at no expense to them by the information agent for the tender offer, which will be announced. In addition, those materials and all other documents filed by or caused to be filed by TESARO or GSK with the SEC will be available at no charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition to the Schedule 14D-9 Solicitation/Recommendation Statement and Schedule TO Offer Statement (once each becomes available), TESARO and GSK file or furnish, as applicable, annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports or other information filed by TESARO at the SEC public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-0330 for further information on the public reference room. TESARO’s and GSK’s filings with the SEC are also available to the public from commercial document-retrieval services and at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014. The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of GSK is V.A. Whyte, Company Secretary.

Analyst conference call details
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TESARO portfolio and pipeline
Zejula is an orally active and potent poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor. PARP is a family of proteins involved in many functions in a cell, including DNA repair, gene expression, cell cycle control, intracellular trafficking and energy metabolism. PARP proteins play key roles in single strand break repair through the base excision repair pathway. PARP inhibitors have shown activity as a monotherapy against tumours with existing DNA repair defects, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, and as a combination therapy when administered together with anti- cancer agents that induce DNA damage or activate the immune system.

TESARO’s development pipeline also has a number of novel oncology candidates that modulate the function of the immune system via different mechanisms. By blocking the interaction of PD-1, TIM-3 and LAG-3 with their respective ligands, antibodies to these targets aim to restore immune anti-cancer function in patients across a variety of tumour types.

Compound Indication Phase
Niraparib Ovarian cancer maintenance (PRIMA) Phase 3
Niraparib + dostarlimab (anti-PD-1 mAb) First-line ovarian cancer treatment (FIRST) Phase 3
Niraparib + anti-PD-1 mAb Advanced NSCLC, squamous cell carcinoma of the lung Phase 2
Niraparib + bevacizumab First-line ovarian cancer maintenance (OVARIO) Phase 2
Niraparib + bevacizumab Recurrent ovarian cancer (AVANOVA) (in collaboration with ENGOT, the European Network for Gynaecological Oncological Trial groups) Phase 2
Niraparib + pembrolizumab Triple negative breast or ovarian cancer (TOPACIO) Phase 2
Dostarlimab (anti-PD-1 mAb) MSI-H tumours including metastatic endometrial cancer (GARNET) Phase 1
Niraparib + chemotherapy Ewing’s sarcoma (in collaboration with SARC, the Sarcoma Alliance for Research through Collaboration) Phase 1
Dostarlimab (anti-PD-1 mAb) Various tumour types Phase 1
Dostarlimab +/- bevacizumab + niraparib or carboplatin-paclitaxel Advanced or metastatic cancer Phase 1
TSR-022 (anti-TIM-3 mAb) Various tumour types (AMBER) Phase 1
TSR-033 (anti-LAG-3 mAb Various tumour types (CITRINO) Phase 1
Anti-LAG-3/PD-1 bispecific antibody Various tumour types Discovery
Undisclosed small molecule and antibody I-O candidates Various tumour types Discovery

Advisors
GSK is being advised by PJT Partners and additionally by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, who is also acting as corporate broker. Legal advice is being provided by Shearman & Sterling LLP, with Slaughter and May advising on the acquisition facility.

Citi is serving as TESARO’s lead financial advisor, with Centerview Partners also providing financial advice. Legal advice is being provided by Ropes & Gray LLP, and Hogan Lovells.

On December 3, 2018 GlycoMimetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:GLYC) reported that new data on uproleselan-treated high risk patients with both relapsed/refractory and newly diagnosed AML were presented at an oral session during the 60th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition (Press release, GlycoMimetics, DEC 3, 2018, View Source [SID1234531812]). An analysis of clinical outcomes from the Phase 1/2 clinical study showed that uproleselan (GMI-1271) resulted in the majority of evaluable patients achieving a stringent level of measurable residual disease (MRD) negativity, an effect which translated into extended overall survival relative to matched, historical controls.1-4

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Additionally, an analysis of E-selectin ligand expression on leukemic cells demonstrated that detectable levels are present in every patient tested, providing strong clinical evidence of biological relevance in this disease setting. In bone marrow blasts, leukemic stem cell expression of E-selectin ligand correlated with leukemic blast E-selectin ligand expression (p<0.0001), consistent with the hypothesis that E-selectin-mediated interactions are a mechanism of chemoresistance. Additionally, investigators assessed the association between baseline E-selectin ligand expression and clinical outcomes using a log-rank test. In the R/R cohort of patients (n=22), this analysis demonstrated that ≥10% E-selectin ligand expression at baseline is correlated with prolonged survival (p<0.01) for patients treated with uproleselan. This observation is important since separately Chien et al. (Abstract 1513) report that high levels of E-selectin ligand in patients not treated with uproleselan correlate with worse clinical prognosis.

"The new MRD and correlative efficacy data in difficult-to-treat patients, when combined with the already encouraging response rate and survival results from this trial, further demonstrate the potential of uproleselan to be an important new treatment option in AML," said Daniel J. DeAngelo, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Division of Leukemia at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the trial’s lead investigator. "The fact that more than half of the evaluable patients achieved a stringent level of MRD negativity is particularly noteworthy as uproleselan’s mechanism of action is to selectively disrupt the relationship between leukemic cells and the bone marrow microenvironment."

"It is now clearly established that patients with AML who express E-selectin ligands on their leukemic cells have more infiltrative, aggressive disease and significantly worse clinical outcomes when not treated with uproleselan," said Helen Thackray, M.D., FAAP, GlycoMimetics Senior Vice President, Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer. "While we would expect patients with R/R AML and >10% E-selectin ligand expression on their leukemic blasts to do very poorly, it is extremely exciting to see that the addition of uproleselan is resulting in statistically significant improvements in clinical outcomes in these high-risk patients. This is completely counterintuitive to what you would expect and provides robust scientific evidence suggesting that uproleselan is exerting biologic activity."

The ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) presentations referenced above include:

Publication Number: 331
TITLE: Uproleselan (GMI-1271), an E-Selectin Antagonist, Improves the Efficacy and Safety of Chemotherapy in Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) and Newly Diagnosed Older Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Final, Correlative and Subgroup Analyses

Publication Number: 1513
TITLE: E-Selectin Ligand Expression by Leukemic Blasts Is Associated with Prognosis in Patients with AML

References
1 Feldman et al, J Clin Oncol. 2005 Jun 20;23(18):4110-6.
2 Greenberg et al, J Clin Oncol. 2004 Mar 15;22(6):1078-86.
3 Lowenberg et al, N Engl J Med. 2009 Sep 24;361(13).
4 Lancet et al, Blood. 2014 May 22;123(21):3239-46.

About Uproleselan (GMI-1271)

Uproleselan (yoo’ pro le’sel an) is designed to block E-selectin (an adhesion molecule on cells in the bone marrow) from binding with blood cancer cells as a targeted approach to disrupting well-established mechanisms of leukemic cell resistance within the bone marrow microenvironment. In a Phase 1/2 clinical trial, uproleselan was evaluated in both newly diagnosed elderly and relapsed/refractory patients with AML. In both populations, patients treated with uproleselan together with standard chemotherapy achieved better than expected remission rates and overall survival compared to historical controls, which have been derived from results from third party clinical trials evaluating standard chemotherapy, as well as lower than expected induction-related mortality rates. Treatment in these patient populations was generally well tolerated, with fewer than expected adverse effects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted uproleselan Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of adult AML patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) disease. GlycoMimetics is currently implementing a comprehensive development program across the clinical spectrum of AML. This includes a company sponsored Phase 3 trial in R/R AML and two consortia-sponsored trials in newly diagnosed patients. One consortium trial is being sponsored by the NCI and will enroll newly diagnosed patients fit for intensive chemotherapy. The other trial is sponsored by the HOVON group in Europe and will enroll newly diagnosed patients unfit for intensive chemotherapy.

On December 3, 2018 Aduro Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADRO) reported preclinical data in two abstracts for its first-in-class anti-APRIL antibody BION-1301 supporting its potential use as a treatment for multiple myeloma (MM) at the 60TH American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego, CA (Press release, Aduro Biotech, DEC 3, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2379030 [SID1234531808]). Data from the studies demonstrated that therapies blocking a proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) from binding to B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and transmembrane activator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) may simultaneously target MM cells and APRIL-induced immunosuppression.

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"Our newest findings from the data presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) indicate that combining an anti-APRIL antibody such as BION-1301, which inhibits APRIL binding to TACI and BCMA, with a BCMA-targeted therapy may have the potential to augment anti-myeloma activity," commented Dr. Kenneth C. Anderson, director of the Lebow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics and Jerome Lipper Myeloma Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. "These studies support the rationale for use of the investigational agent, BION-1301, in the treatment of multiple myeloma."

Moreover, studies showed patient serum levels of APRIL were elevated at all stages of MM investigated, suggesting a role for APRIL in early development and pathogenesis. In addition, APRIL was found to induce production of key chemokines with osteolytic capacity. Blocking APRIL could modulate the tumor microenvironment more broadly, illustrating the potential of BION-1301 as a therapeutic agent for MM, particularly in combination therapies.

"We are encouraged by the data we presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper), which support our ongoing clinical evaluation of BION-1301," said Andrea van Elsas, Ph.D., chief scientific officer of Aduro. "We believe BION-1301 could represent a first-in-class therapy for the treatment of multiple myeloma and that its differentiated approach to blocking APRIL may have further potential in combination strategies."

Aduro is currently conducting a Phase 1/2 multi-center, open-label study (see www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT03340883) designed to evaluate the safety and activity of BION-1301 in patients with relapsed or refractory MM whose disease has progressed after at least 3 prior systemic therapies, including immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors, chemotherapies, or monoclonal antibodies.

The abstract, "APRIL Is Significantly Elevated at All Stages of Multiple Myeloma (MM) and Interferes with Anti-BCMA Monoclonal Antibody-Mediated Cytolysis, Supporting the Clinical Evaluation of BION-1301 As a Novel Therapeutic Approach in MM," was presented in a poster session titled "652. Myeloma: Pathophysiology and Pre-Clinical Studies, excluding Therapy: Poster II" and is available online at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting Website.

The abstract, "BION-1301 Blocks APRIL-Induced Anti-Apoptotic Signaling, Immune Suppressive Phenotype, and Chemokine Production Associated with Multiple Myeloma," was presented in a poster session titled "651. Myeloma: Biology and Pathophysiology, excluding Therapy: Poster I" and is available online at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting Website.

About APRIL
APRIL is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily and is primarily secreted by bone marrow and/or myeloid cells. APRIL is overproduced in patients with MM and binds to BCMA and TACI to stimulate a wide variety of responses that promote MM growth and survival and suppress the immune system so that the tumor cells are protected and sustained in the bone marrow.

About BION-1301
BION-1301 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical study in patients with relapsed or refractory MM. Aduro also plans to explore BION-1301 as a potential treatment for IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Despite new treatments recently approved in MM, this disease remains incurable as patients relapse, or become resistant to, currently-available therapies. In prior preclinical studies, Aduro established APRIL plays a crucial part in the protective bone marrow tumor microenvironment. In these studies, APRIL, through BCMA, was shown to be critically involved in the survival, proliferation and chemoresistance of MM, and upregulates mechanisms of immunoresistance, including PD-L1 upregulation. BION-1301, a humanized antibody that blocks APRIL from binding to its receptors, has been shown in preclinical studies to halt tumor growth and overcome drug resistance. In addition, BION-1301 also demonstrated the ability to inhibit immune suppressive effects of regulatory T cells via TACI but not BCMA in MM blood and bone marrow

On December 3, 2018 BerGenBio ASA (OSE: BGBIO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a pipeline of first-in-class AXL kinase inhibitors to treat multiple cancer indications, reported that it presented a comprehensive analysis of monotherapy data from its BGBC003 clinical trial (NCT02488408) with selective AXL inhibitor bemcentinib in patients with relapsed/refractory Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) or high-risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) (Press release, BerGenBio, DEC 3, 2018, View Source [SID1234531807]).

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In a poster presentation at the 60th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) in San Diego entitled: "Comprehensive Analysis of the Dose Escalation, Expansion and Correlates in the Ph I/II Trial BGBC003 with the Selective Oral AXL Inhibitor Bemcentinib (BGB324) in Relapsed/Refractory AML and MDS", Professor Sonja Loges, attending physician at the University Hospital in Hamburg-Eppendorf and lead investigator of the BGBC003 trial, detailed the following:

14 of 26 (54%) of patients found to be AXL positive (denoted by low serum AXL, sAXL, levels at start of treatment).
Response rate of 43% CR/Cri/CRp to bemcentinib monotherapy in AXL positive patients and 22% overall.
Mild and manageable side effect profile with a low incidence of Grade 3/4 events and low incidence of haematological toxicity.
Furthermore, the Company announces that enrolment is complete into the phase II combination cohort of bemcentinib and decitabine in first line AML. Analysis of the activity of the combination will be submitted for presentation at a future medical congress.

Richard Godfrey, Chief Executive Officer of BerGenBio, commented: "I am very encouraged by the data presented today, we are consistently seeing AXL positive patients report a superior response to bemcentinib therapy alone or in combination with standard of care therapy. The value of our biomarkers to identify patients most likely to benefit from bemcentinib is tremendous. Based on our clinical data, more than 50% of AML/MDS patients are AXL positive, of which 43% reported complete response within the first few weeks of starting bemcentinib monotherapy treatment. Bemcentinib is very well tolerated by patients as a single agent and in combination with other drugs, which is an important feature supporting bemcentinib’s broad utility. We are making excellent progress recruiting the chemotherapy combination arms of this study and look forward to reporting the data from these patients in the coming months".

END

About AML
AML is the most common form of acute leukaemia in adults where malignant AML blasts interfere with the normal functioning of the bone marrow leading to a multitude of complications like anaemia, infections and bleeding. AML is diagnosed in over 20,000 patients in the US annually and is rapidly lethal if left untreated. Successful treatment typically requires intensive therapy or bone marrow transplantation, and relapse and resistance are common. Consequently, there is an urgent need for effective novel therapies in relapsed/refractory patients, particularly those that are ineligible for intensive therapy or bone marrow transplant.

About the BGBC003 trial
The BGBC003 trial is a phase Ib/II multi-centre open label study of bemcentinib as a single agent in patients with AML or high risk MDS or in a combination with cytarabine and decitabine in AML patients. Up to 75 patients will be enrolled at centres in the US, Norway, Germany and Italy.

For more information please access trial NCT02488408 at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About the 60th ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in San Diego, California
The 60th American Society of Haematologist Annual Meeting and Exposition is the most comprehensive haematology conference worldwide and attracts more than 25,000 haematology professionals from every subspecialty.

On December 2, 2018 Aprea Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel anticancer therapies targeting the p53 tumor suppressor protein, reported the closing of a EUR 50 million Series C financing round led by the Redmile Group, with participation by new investor Rock Springs Capital and existing investors 5AM Ventures, Versant Ventures, HealthCap, Sectoral Asset Management and Karolinska Development AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: KDEV) (Press release, Aprea, DEC 3, 2018, View Source [SID1234531806]). A representative from Redmile Group will also be appointed as Director to the Aprea Therapeutics Board of Directors.

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"We are thrilled to close this financing, initiate a Phase III clinical study in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with our lead compound, APR-246, and drive the company toward its next value inflection point," said Christian S. Schade, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aprea. "The addition of Redmile and Rock Springs to our investor group broadens the US investor base and we believe positions the company for future strategic opportunities. We are committed to bringing this important new therapy to cancer patients with limited therapeutic options."

Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance the clinical development of APR-246, a first-in-class anticancer agent that reactivates mutated p53 tumor suppressor protein. Aprea is planning to begin a Phase 3 clinical study in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and is nearing completion of a Phase Ib/II clinical trial in p53 mutated high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and oligoblastic acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with APR-246 and azacitidine. The Phase II part of the study is ongoing, with updated data to be presented at the 2018 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) annual meeting.

About Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) represents a spectrum of hematopoietic stem cell malignancies in which bone marrow fails to produce sufficient numbers of healthy blood cells. Approximately 30-40% of MDS patients progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor protein is thought to contribute to disease progression. Mutations in p53 are found in up to 20% of MDS and AML patients and are associated with poor overall prognosis.

About p53 and APR-246

The p53 tumor suppressor gene is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer, occurring in approximately 50% of all human tumors. These mutations are often associated with resistance to anti-cancer drugs and poor overall survival, representing a major unmet medical need in the treatment of cancer.

APR-246 has been shown to reactivate mutant and inactivated p53 protein – by restoring wild-type p53 conformation and function – and thereby induce programmed cell death in human cancer cells. APR-246 has demonstrated pre-clinical anti-tumor activity in a wide variety of solid and hematological (blood) tumors, including MDS, AML, and ovarian cancer, among others. Additionally, strong synergy has been seen with both traditional anti-cancer agents, such as chemotherapy, as well as newer mechanism-based anti-cancer drugs and immuno-oncology checkpoint inhibitors. In addition to pre-clinical testing, a Phase I/II clinical program with APR-246 has been completed, demonstrating a favorable safety profile and both biological and confirmed clinical responses in hematological malignancies and solid tumors with mutations in the TP53 gene.