Epic Sciences Appoints Lloyd Sanders as Chief Executive Officer

On March 25, 2019 Epic Sciences, Inc. (Epic) reported that Lloyd Sanders has joined the company as president and chief executive officer (Press release, Epic Sciences, MAR 25, 2019, View Source [SID1234534614]). After serving nearly six years in the role, Murali Prahalad, Ph.D., has stepped down to pursue new opportunities and has been appointed to Epic’s board of directors.

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"Under Murali’s leadership, the Epic team has made substantial progress in advancing our proprietary Functional Cell Profiling platform and successfully launching and obtaining Medicare coverage for the world’s first predictive test for metastatic prostate cancer," said Gregory T. Lucier, chairman of Epic Sciences. "As Murali continues to advise the company in his role as a director, we welcome Lloyd to the team to capitalize on our solid foundation. The trajectory has been set for significant commercial growth through Epic’s portfolio of high-value liquid biopsy tests and expansion into breast cancer, immuno-oncology and global markets. Lloyd and the leadership team, board, investors and Epic employees are highly motivated to take Epic to the next level."

Mr. Sanders joins Epic with 20 years of diagnostics and pharmaceutical industry experience, much of it focused on oncology. Prior to Epic, he served as president of the oncology segment of the molecular diagnostics company Myriad Genetics, overseeing the oncology, urology and dermatology commercial organizations. While at Myriad, he was responsible for the sales, marketing and laboratory operations of numerous commercial products. Previously, Mr. Sanders served as chief operating officer at Dey Pharma, a division of Mylan, overseeing sales, marketing and medical affairs, including the EpiPen flagship brand. Prior to Dey Pharma, he ascended from vice president of marketing to chief operating officer of oncology biotech Genta. He also held several leadership positions and was responsible for the commercial success of several oncology products at Sanofi-Synthelabo, subsequently Sanofi-Aventis, and Pharmacia (now Pfizer).

"Epic has established an impressive position in the prostate cancer liquid biopsy market and I am eager to work with the team to advance the mission of providing very powerful predictive, actionable information to physicians and patients that can extend lives," said Mr. Sanders. "By expanding the breadth and depth of Epic’s portfolio of reimbursed products, and building our thriving biopharma solutions business that supports our pharmaceutical partners’ development of next-generation immunotherapies and targeted cancer agents, we can play an important role in changing cancer from a lethal to a chronic, manageable disease."

EpiVax Oncology To Present Latest Research On The Importance Of Identifying And Removing, Using Machine-Learning Based Advanced Computational Tools, Inhibitory Neoantigens From Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines, At AACR Annual Meeting 2019

On March 25, 2019 EpiVax Oncology, Inc., a precision cancer immunotherapy company, reported that its abstract has been selected for an oral presentation, at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2019, taking place on March 29th – April 3rd in Atlanta, Georgia (Press release, EpiVax, MAR 25, 2019, View Source [SID1234534613]). It will present data highlighting how inhibitory neoepitopes uncovered using advanced computational tools affect immune responses to therapeutic cancer vaccines.

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Ancer is a Superior Neoantigen Prediction Platform, Powered by Machine Learning Based Algorithms.

Self-like Treg Cancer Neoepitopes Uncovered Using Ancer.

"While it is extremely important to select both Class I and Class II neoantigens in order to induce an effective anti-tumor response, we have shown that including computationally predicted inhibitory Class II T cell neoepitopes in neoantigen-based vaccines, can significantly suppress the immune response," said EpiVax Oncology CEO, Gad Berdugo, MSc Eng., MBA. "Current neoantigen selection methods are non-validated and may select neoantigens that are non-immunogenic, that potentially trigger immune-related adverse events, or that lead to immunosuppression via the induction of regulatory T cells. Our neoantigen discovery platform, Ancer, is powered by machine-learning based algorithms that have been used commercially for 20 years and have shown superior accuracy at predicting not only CD8 T cell neoepitopes, but also the much more challenging CD4 T cell neoepitopes. Furthermore, we are thrilled to bring to the immuno-oncology field advanced algorithms that have been able to predict inhibitory T cell epitopes since 2013. We will show at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) that it is critical to identify and filter out these inhibitory Class II neoepitopes in order to improve the immune response generated by cancer vaccines."

ORAL PRESENTATION:
Abstract: 943
Presenter: Guilhem Richard, PhD, Lead Computational Immunologist, EpiVax Oncology Inc.
Title: "Filtering out self-like neoantigens improves immune response to cancer vaccines"
Date: Sunday, March 31, 2019
Session: MS.IM02.03 – Cancer Vaccines and Intratumoral Immunomodulation
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Location: Georgia Ballroom 3 – Building C – GWCC
Session Link: View Source!/6812/session/830

Ascentage Pharma Announces Nine Abstracts To Be Presented at the 2019 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting

On March 25, 2019 Ascentage Pharma, globally-focused, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel small molecule therapies for cancers, hepatitis B and age-related diseases, reported that research results of its pipeline of small molecule therapeutics will be presented at the 2019 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) annual meeting in Atlanta, March 29-April 3, 2019 (Press release, Ascentage Pharma, MAR 25, 2019, View Source [SID1234534612]).

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AACR abstracts include:

Title: Predicting Drug Sensitivity to A Novel BCL-2 and BCL-xL Dual Inhibitor In Solid Tumor PDX TrialsSession Title: BCL-2 Family ProteinsSession Date and Time: Monday, April 1, 2019 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDTPoster Number: 2503
Title: MDM2 Inhibitor APG-115 Synergizes With CDK4/6 Inhibitors In A Patient Derived Xenograft Model of Dedifferentiated LiposarcomaSession Title: Credentialing of Molecular TargetsSession Date and Time: Monday, April 1, 2019 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDTPoster Number: 1253
Title: Activation of P53 In the Tumor Microenvironment by MDM2 Inhibitor APG-115 Synergizes With PD-1 Blockade Independently of P53 Status of Tumor CellsSession Title: Combination Immunotherapies 2 Session Date and Time: Tuesday, April 2, 2019 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDTPoster Number: 3192
Title: BCL-2 Selective Inhibitor APG-2575 Synergizes with BTK Inhibitor in Preclinical Xenograft Models of Follicular Lymphoma and diffuse Large B-cell LymphomaSession Title: Apoptosis, Necrosis, and Cancer Cell SurvivalSession Date and Time: Monday, April 1, 2019 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDTPoster Number: 2058
Title: Synergistic Effect of BCL-2 Inhibitor APG-2575 and CDK9 Inhibitor in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and DLBCL Preclinical Tumor ModelsSession Title: Novel Antitumor Agents 1Session Date and Time: Tuesday, April 2, 2019 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDTPoster Number: 3068
Title: FAK Blockade Enhances Antitumor Effect of BTK Inhibitor In Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma via EGFR-ERK-Akt Pathway InhibitionSession Title: Combination Approaches to Novel TherapiesSession Date and Time: Sunday, March 31, 2019 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDTPoster Number: 309
Title: A Novel Bcl-2/Bcl-XL Inhibitor APG-1252-12A as A Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Gastric CarcinomaSession Title: Apoptosis, Necrosis, and Cancer Cell SurvivalSession Date and Time: Monday, April 1, 2019 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDTPoster Number:2054
Title: FAK Inhibition Reduces Tumor Infiltration of Tregs Via Restricting CCL5 Release and Boosts the Present Therapeutic Regimen for BRAFV600E -mutated Colorectal CarcinomaSession Title: Immunomodulation by Chemotherapy and Targeted AgentsSession Date and Time: Tuesday, April 2, 2019 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDTPoster Number: 3958
Title: Novel FAK/ALK/ROS1 Inhibitor APG-2449 Synergizes with Osimertinib in Preclinical Xenograft Models of EGFR-mutant NSCLCSession Title: Tyrosine Kinase and Phosphatase Inhibitors 2Session Date and Time: Monday, April 1 2019 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDTPoster Number: 2204

Onxeo will present new data demonstrating the interest of AsiDNA ™ through 5 posters at the 2019 Annual Conference of the American Association for Research Against Cancer (AACR)

On March 25, 2019 Onxeo SA (Euronext Paris, NASDAQ Copenhagen: ONXEO), (" Onxeo " or "the Company "), a clinical stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of innovative oncology drugs targeting tumor DNA damage response mechanisms (DDR), in particular to fight against rare or resistant cancers, reported that information on the five study presentations presenting important data on AsiDNA , its most advanced candidate, which will be presented in the form of posters in Congress American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting , March 29 – April 3, 2019, Atlanta, Georgia, United States (Press release, Onxeo, MAR 25, 2019, View Source [SID1234534611]).

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Françoise Bono, Scientific Director of Onxeo, says :"We are very pleased that these five studies have been accepted for presentation at the prestigious AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Conference. This recognition illustrates the interest, quality and diversity of translational research that we are currently conducting with AsiDNA . Our data once again demonstrate the singularity of our lead compound and its unique properties, particularly to prevent the emergence of treatment resistance, one of the most troubling issues in oncology today. All these data complement and reinforce our arguments for the further clinical development of AsiDNA , which is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, now that we know the doses for which AsiDNA activates its cellular targets and confirmed its favorable safety profile, in the phase 1 study, DRIIV. We look forward to presenting the very promising results we have achieved and discussing them at this conference. "

Details of the sittings of April 1st and 2nd, 2019:

Abstract 2095 / Poster 2 – AsiDNA , a targeted treatment with no acquired resistance

Session: PO.ET03.03. Drug Resistance 3
Date: Monday 1 st April
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. AND
Location: Section 11

AsiDNA is the first antitumor drug in the field of DDR acting as an agonist 1. It causes a strong warning signal of the presence of DNA damage. This study demonstrates that long-term exposure of cancer cells to this warning signal does not promote the emergence of AsiDNA resistance. In contrast, repeated exposure downregulates the targeted repair pathways, a condition that persists for several months after AsiDNA treatment. This property is due to the singular mechanism of action of AsiDNA , which simulates a signal of DNA damage through over-activation (agonist effect) of the DNA-PK and PARP enzymes. This property is not observed with other DNA repair inhibitors such as PARP inhibitors olaparib and talazoparib which all eventually induce resistance. Long-term treatment with AsiDNA instead decreases the "vigilance" of the tumor cells, which improves the effectiveness of the product. These results indicate that agonist drugs such as AsiDNA may induce tumor cell evolution with a reduction in their ability to respond when signaling lesions on their DNA.

Abstract 2130/7 – Development of a biomarker-based patient selection strategy for AsiDNA treatment (collaboration with Institut Curie)

Session: PO.ET04.04 – Molecular Classification of Tumors
Date: Monday 1 st April
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Section 12

_______________
1 Agonist: who has the property to activate

It remains very difficult to accurately assess and predict the response to cancer treatment. Stratification biomarkers are a valuable aid in identifying the patients most likely to respond to a particular drug, or even to distinguish between early and delayed responses. In this study, we identified a genetic signature that predicts the efficacy of AsiDNA treatment in patients. AsiDNA is currently in clinical trial and rapid validation of the most sensitive gene cluster is possible, with a view to developing a biomarker-based patient selection strategy for AsiDNA treatment.

Abstract 2918/6 – Molecular analysis of the mechanism of action of AsiDNA provides new clues to the regulation of DNA damage response

Session: PO.TB09.01 – Tumor Radiosensitivity or Resistance
Date: Tuesday, April 2
Time: 8:00 – 12:00
Location: Section 8

In this study, the different stages of AsiDNA activity were analyzed. The data show that AsiDNA inhibits the joining of non-homologous ends of DNA (NHEJ) and the repair of DNA double-strand breaks by homologous recombination by preventing the recruitment of key enzymes at the site of the break. Inhibition of recruitment of proteins involved in NHEJ is the first event and requires the activity of PARPs. Inhibition of homologous recombination proteins occurs late and depends on the activation of DNA-PK. PARP activation induces a metabolic change that could participate in the antitumor activity of AsiDNA .

Abstract 2865/6 – AsiDNA , a novel DNA repair inhibitor for sensitizing aggressive subtypes of medulloblastoma (Institut Curie)

Session: PO.TB09.01 – Targets and Therapies in Pediatric Cancer
Date: Tuesday, April 2
Time: 8:00 – 12:00
Location: Section 6

Medulloblastoma is a tumor of the cerebellum, and is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. There is often significant treatment-related mortality. It is therefore important to improve treatment efficacy for the most aggressive subgroups and to reduce treatment-related mortality for all subgroups. In this study, no increase in post-irradiation toxicity was observed with AsiDNA . In vivo, AsiDNA alone significantly improves survival rates (p = 0.005) and the effectiveness of radiotherapy. In combination with radiation therapy, AsiDNA can delay tumor growth and improve survival compared to radiotherapy alone.

Abstract 3797/2 – AsiDNA abrogates acquired resistance to PARP inhibitors

Session: PO.ET03.05 – Drug Resistance 5
Date: Tuesday, April 2
Time: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Section 10

PARP inhibitors (PARPi) are approved for the treatment of cancers with a deficient homologous recombination pathway. Despite the success of this approach, resistance to these drugs remains a clinical problem. In this study, long-term exposure of cancer cells to PARPi showed resistance in all independent populations tested, raising the question of the clinical benefits of long-term continuation of PARPi monotherapy. Interestingly, populations treated with AsiDNA (2.5 μM – low non-cytotoxic dose) in combination with talazoparib or olaparib had a significantly lower probability of resistance. Furthermore, AsiDNA partially blocks resistance to talazoparib in resistant populations. The results indicate that AsiDNA may be able to abrogate and reverse the acquired resistance to PARPi by normalizing the expression and activity of the proteins involved.

CIRCULOGENE’s Precision Genomic Profiling Technology Featured in Three AACR 2019 Abstracts

On March 25, 2019 CIRCULOGENE, advancing precision medicine through personalized molecular genetics testing, reported that it will be presenting three abstracts at the 2019 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, March 29 – April 3, 2019, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta (Press release, Circulogene, MAR 25, 2019, View Source [SID1234534610]). The poster sessions demonstrate CIRCULOGENE’s rapid, powerful and full-spectrum diagnostics capabilities using proprietary sample preparation coupled with next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques to assess tumor mutation load at the patient level, even from low-yield, poor quality samples.

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The three posters accepted for presentation are:

Abstract No. 437 / 9: "Combining circulating stromal cells with cell free DNA for increased sensitivity in profiling oncogenic mutations and indicates highly aggressive non small cell lung cancer," investigating the clinical potential of CIRCULOGENE’s Patient Mutation Load (PML) analysis from matched cfDNA, cancer-associated macrophage-like cells (CAMLs), and tumor tissue to evaluate progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
March 31, 2019, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Section 18.
Presenter: Daniel L. Adams, Creatv MicroTech Inc., Monmouth Junction, NJ
Abstract No. 1368 / 7: "Simultaneous cell-free RNA PD-L1 expression and MSI from the same single-tube of blood in solid tumors" investigates the feasibility of simultaneous cfRNA PD-L1 and MSI testing from the same single tube of blood in a liquid biopsy.
April 1, 2019, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Section 19.
Presenter: Glen J. Weiss, M.D., MBA, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
Abstract No. 4227 / 17: "Salvage genetic testing on buccal swab samples using liquid in situ amplification identifies genetic mutations from previous test failures" presents findings on the application of liquid in situ amplification (LISA) followed by hereditary testing on previously failed buccal swab samples to yield a genetic testing result.
April 2, 2019, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Section 28.
Presenter: Glen J. Weiss, M.D., MBA, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
CIRCULOGENE is one of very few liquid biopsy laboratories with preliminary data on the clinical application of cfDNA patient mutational load. Built upon its current 50-gene targeted panel and bioinformatics, CIRCULOGENE’s PML analysis showed promising prognostic value in terms of PFS and OS in NSCLC patients. CIRCULOGENE is looking forward to conducting further studies to unlock the full potential of the PML to improve patient care.

"We’re particularly excited about the potential for using cfDNA (in conjunction with CAMLs) for identification of highly aggressive forms of NSCLC with unfavorable prognosis," said CIRCULOGENE Chief Scientific Officer Chen-Hsiung Yeh, Ph.D. "This research uses our Personalized Gene Profile (CGP) 50-gene panel to determine PML from a single blood sample with increased sensitivity and specificity compared to tumor biopsy. CIRCULOGENE’s unique sample preparation technology was exclusively selected for this study. Given the rarity of CAMLs in the blood, the starting material usually has just a few to several hundred purified CAMLs."

All poster sessions take place in Exhibit Hall B. The full text of Regular Abstracts accepted for presentation are posted on the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Online Itinerary Planner.

The highly accurate, automated and scalable cell-free DNA and RNA technology platform from CIRCULOGENE enables comprehensive genomic testing services. These capabilities help oncologists and pathologists select the right clinical trials and the most effective cancer therapies available for their patients, as well as monitoring patient responses, drug resistance, minimal residual disease and relapse.

CIRCULOGENE is the only company that provides circulating DNA, RNA (somatic and germline), and MSI cancer immunotherapy testing from a single tube of blood. Industry-leading turnaround times ensure that complete testing results are available to physicians and their patients within one week, all from a single 4 mL tube of blood, no matter which test or how many tests are ordered.

CIRCULOGENE is a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified and College of American Pathologists (CAP) accredited laboratory and is registered as a verified U.S. federal contractor. For more information, visit our website, connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, email us at [email protected] or call 855-614-7083. Clinicians interested in ordering tests may visit the Contact page on CIRCULOGENE’s website.