Stemline Therapeutics Recaps Felezonexor (SL-801) Clinical Data Presentation From ESMO 2019 Congress

On October 1, 2019 Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: STML), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel oncology therapeutics, reported updated clinical data on the felezonexor (SL-801) Phase 1 trial in patients with advanced solid tumors at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2019 Annual Congress in Barcelona, Spain (Press release, Stemline Therapeutics, OCT 1, 2019, View Source [SID1234539973]). The presentation is now available on the Stemline website, www.stemline.com, under the Scientific Presentations tab.

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Felezonexor is a novel, oral, small molecule that reversibly inhibits Exportin-1 (XPO1), a nuclear export protein, overexpressed in a variety of solid and hematologic malignancies. XPO1 is a mediator of nuclear-cytoplasmic transport of nuclear proteins and has been associated with aggressive tumor behavior and poor prognosis. XPO1 is a clinically validated target in oncology, and the FDA recently approved an XPO1 inhibitor drug, in combination with other agents, for the treatment of certain oncology patients (with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma). Felezonexor has demonstrated potent in vitro and in vivo preclinical activity. Interim results from the ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial reported at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) are summarized below.

Key Felezonexor Highlights from Ongoing Phase 1 Trial in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors

Partial response (PR) achieved with single agent felezonexor in a 4th line patient with KRAS-positive, microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer (18+ weeks, ongoing)
– PR (RECIST 1.1 criteria) reported after 2 cycles of felezonexor (70mg then 65mg due to elevated creatinine), with the patient demonstrating serial reductions in the two target lesions (liver and spleen)
– Treatment with felezonexor ongoing (cycle 6); Next staging pending

Stable disease (SD) achieved in 12 patients, with 11/12 of these patients 3rd line or greater

Five patients had SD for 4 and 11 months, including 1 patient with basal cell carcinoma with SD for ~11 months
– 20% disease shrinkage noted in one patient with heavily pre-treated neuroendocrine tumor

Pharmacokinetic (PK) analyses suggest dose-dependent increases in exposure

Dosing regimen previously adjusted (Schedule B) to improve tolerability while maintaining dose intensity; 1 patient in Schedule B (n=7) experienced grade 3 weakness, the 75mg cohort has been expanded and enrollment continues

Ideal therapeutic dose and regimen not yet determined, and dose escalation ongoing

Further updates expected as Phase 1 trial continues to enroll

Ivan Bergstein, M.D., CEO of Stemline, commented, "We are very encouraged to witness evidence of clinical activity in a patient with a heavily pretreated and highly mutated solid tumor with poor prognostic features with single agent felezonexor in a regimen and dose that has potentially not yet been fully optimized. We continue to enroll patients with the goal of refining the ideal dose and schedule to take forward into a focused and abbreviated Phase 2 program, and plan to provide periodic updates as the Phase 1 progresses."

About ELZONRIS
ELZONRIS (tagraxofusp-erzs), a CD123-directed cytotoxin, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and commercially available in the U.S. for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients, two years or older, with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). For full prescribing information in the U.S., visit www.ELZONRIS.com. In Europe, a marketing authorization application (MAA) is under review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). ELZONRIS is also being evaluated in additional clinical trials in other indications including chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), myelofibrosis (MF), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

About BPDCN
BPDCN is an aggressive hematologic malignancy with historically poor outcomes and an area of unmet medical need. BPDCN typically presents in the bone marrow and/or skin and may also involve lymph nodes and viscera. The BPDCN cell of origin is the plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) precursor. The diagnosis of BPDCN is based on the immunophenotypic diagnostic triad of CD123, CD4, and CD56, as well as other markers. For more information, please visit the BPDCN disease awareness website at www.bpdcninfo.com.

About CD123
CD123 is a cell surface target expressed on a wide range of myeloid tumors including blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), certain myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) including chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and myelofibrosis (MF), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (and potentially enriched in certain AML subsets), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). CD123 has also been reported on certain lymphoid malignancies including multiple myeloma (MM), acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), hairy cell leukemia (HCL), Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL), and certain Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL). In addition, CD123 has been detected on some solid tumors as well as autoimmune disorders including cutaneous lupus and scleroderma.

Replimune to Present at Chardan’s 3rd Annual Genetic Medicines Conference

On October 1, 2019 Replimune Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: REPL), a biotechnology company developing oncolytic immuno-gene therapies derived from its Immulytic platform, reported that Robert Coffin, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Director of Replimune, will present and host one-on-one meetings at Chardan’s 3rd Annual Genetic Medicines Conference being held in New York City (Press release, Replimune, OCT 1, 2019, View Source [SID1234539972]). The Company is scheduled to present on Monday, October 7, 2019 at 4:15 PM ET.

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Oncolytics Biotech(R) Announces Abstract to be Presented at the 34th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer

On October 1, 2019 Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ:ONCY) (TSX:ONC), currently developing pelareorep, an intravenously delivered immuno-oncolytic virus, reported the acceptance of an abstract highlighting data from the AWARE-1 study to be presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) (Press release, Oncolytics Biotech, OCT 1, 2019, View Source [SID1234539971]). The 34th Annual SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) Meeting will be held November 6-10, 2019 at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

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The abstract, A window-of-opportunity Study of pelareorep in Early Breast Cancer (AWARE-1), was authored by AWARE-1 principal investigator, Aleix Prat, et al. Dr. Prat is Head of Medical Oncology at the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Associate Professor of the University of Barcelona and the Head of the Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group at August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS) and member of Oncolytics’ Scientific Advisory Board.

Abstracts will be published on the SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) 2019 website at 8:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.

The poster will be presented on Friday, November 8 between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET.

About Pelareorep

Pelareorep is a non-pathogenic, proprietary isolate of the unmodified reovirus: a first-in-class intravenously delivered immuno-oncolytic virus for the treatment of solid tumors and hematological malignancies. The compound induces selective tumor lysis and promotes an inflamed tumor phenotype through innate and adaptive immune responses to treat a variety of cancers and has been demonstrated to be able to escape neutralizing antibodies found in patients.

Merck to Hold Third-Quarter 2019 Sales and Earnings Conference Call on October 29

On October 1, 2019 Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, reported that it will hold its third-quarter 2019 sales and earnings conference call with institutional investors and analysts at 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, Oct. 29 (Press release, Merck & Co, OCT 1, 2019, View Source [SID1234539970]). During the call, company executives will provide an overview of Merck’s performance for the quarter.

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Investors, journalists and the general public may access a live audio webcast of the call on Merck’s website at View Source A replay of the webcast, along with the sales and earnings news release and supplemental financial disclosures, will be available at www.merck.com.

Institutional investors and analysts can participate in the call by dialing (706) 758-9927 or (877) 381-5782 and using ID code number 5635157. Members of the media are invited to monitor the call by dialing (706) 758-9928 or (800) 399-7917 and using ID code number 5635157. Journalists who wish to ask questions are requested to contact a member of Merck’s Media Relations team at the conclusion of the call.

Immunomic Therapeutics Assumes Sponsorship of ATTAC-II IND for ITI-1000, a Dendritic Cell Vaccine in Phase 2 for the Treatment of GBM

On October 1, 2019 Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc. reported that it has assumed sponsorship of the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for ITI-1000 from the University of Florida (UF) (Press release, Immunomic Therapeutics, OCT 1, 2019, View Source [SID1234539969]). ITI-1000 is currently being investigated in a Phase 2 ATTAC-II trial at UF and Duke. The Phase 2 protocol will remain active, the existing Principal Investigators (PIs) from UF and Duke will remain in place, and the existing relationships with the pioneers of this cancer immunotherapy, Drs. Duane Mitchell, M.D., and John Sampson, M.D., Ph.D., will stay intact.

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ITI-1000 is an investigational dendritic cell vaccine therapy currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial (ATTAC-II) for the treatment of the aggressive brain tumor, Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). ITI-1000 is designed to target the pp65 viral antigen of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) that is expressed in GBM, but not in normal brain cells. In the ongoing ATTAC-II study (NCT02465268), some of the GBM patients’ white blood cells are removed, matured into dendritic cells and vaccinated against the pp65 viral protein, then returned to the patient. The company believes this approach may harness the body’s immune system to recognize, attack and destroy tumor cells that express CMV, which is over-expressed in GBM.

"We are very excited to lead the clinical development of ITI-1000 and assume responsibilities of the ATTAC-II study in GBM," said Dr. William Hearl, CEO of Immunomic Therapeutics. "We look forward to building upon the research momentum and exciting data generated with this program from our academic partners at Duke and the University of Florida. Our development plans will involve continuing to support the progress of the current study and potentially opening other clinical studies employing ITI-1000 in GBM. Importantly, this will add more data to our programs for GBM and supports our ongoing efforts to apply our novel UNITE platform in oncology."

About ITI-1000 and the Phase 2 (ATTAC-II) Study

ITI-1000 is an investigational dendritic cell vaccine therapy currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial (ATTAC-II) for the treatment of GBM. ITI-1000 was discovered using Immunomic’s proprietary investigational lysosomal targeting technology, UNITE, in the context of cell therapy. In May 2017, Immunomic exclusively licensed a patent portfolio from Annias Immunotherapeutics for use in combination with UNITE and ITI-1000, allowing Immunomic to combine UNITE with a patented and proprietary CMV immunotherapy platform. The ATTAC-II study (NCT02465268) is a Phase II randomized clinical trial enrolling patients with newly diagnosed GBM that will explore whether dendritic cell (DC) vaccines, including ITI-1000, targeting the CMV antigen pp65 expressed as fusion protein with UNITE improves survival. This study will enroll up to 120 subjects at 3 clinical sites in the United States. Immunomic expects to report interim data from this study. For more information on the ATTAC-II study, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About UNITE

ITI’s investigational UNITE platform, or UNiversal Intracellular Targeted Expression, works by fusing pathogenic antigens with the Lysosomal Associated Membrane Protein, an endogenous protein in humans, for immune processing and MHC-II presentation to helper T-cells. In this way, ITI’s vaccines (DNA or RNA) have the potential to utilize the body’s natural biochemistry to develop a broad immune response including antibody production, cytokine release and critical immunological memory. This approach could put UNITE technology at the crossroads of immunotherapies in a number of illnesses, including cancer, allergy and infectious diseases. UNITE is currently being employed in Phase II clinical trials as a cancer immunotherapy. ITI is also collaborating with academic centers and biotechnology companies to study the use of UNITE in cancer types of high mortality, including cases where there are limited treatment options like glioblastoma and acute myeloid leukemia. ITI believes that these early clinical studies may provide a proof of concept for UNITE therapy in cancer, and if successful, set the stage for future studies, including combinations in these tumor types and others. Preclinical data is currently being developed to explore whether LAMP nucleic acid constructs may amplify and activate the immune response in highly immunogenic tumor types and be used to create immune responses to tumor types that otherwise do not provoke an immune response.