On June 11, 2019 TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TGTX), reported that the Company has confirmed its path to submit umbralisib for accelerated approval based on data from the marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) cohort of the UNITY-NHL Phase 2b trial (Press release, TG Therapeutics, JUN 11, 2019, View Source [SID1234536991]). The Company recently had a productive Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss the MZL submission strategy. Based on this meeting, the Company anticipates initiating a New Drug Application (NDA) submission for patients with previously treated MZL by year-end 2019.

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Michael S. Weiss, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TG Therapeutics stated, "Marginal zone lymphoma is an incurable disease for which there are limited available therapies. As a non-chemotherapy, orally active, once daily medication, we believe umbralisib could represent a meaningful new treatment option for patients with MZL. Defining a path to a regulatory submission for umbralisib for this patient population marks an important step forward for the Company and we appreciate the guidance we have received from the FDA. We look forward to beginning the NDA process later this year, as we work expeditiously to bring umbralisib to the patients who need it." Mr. Weiss continued, "With our MZL NDA moving forward, and Phase 3 read-outs for CLL and MS targeted over approximately the next six to twelve months, we believe TG is well positioned for success."

ABOUT THE UNITY-NHL PHASE 2b STUDY—MARGINAL ZONE LYMPHOMA COHORT
The multicenter, open-label, UNITY-NHL Phase 2b study – Marginal Zone Lymphoma (MZL) cohort was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of single agent umbralisib, in patients with MZL who have received at least one prior anti-CD20 regimen. The primary endpoint is overall response rate (ORR) as determined by central Independent Review Committee (IRC) assessment.

The MZL cohort completed enrollment in August 2018 with a total of 69 patients enrolled and receiving at least one dose of umbralisib. In February of 2019, the Company announced that the MZL cohort met its primary endpoint of ORR as determined by central IRC for all treated patients (n=69). While the study has already met the Company’s target guidance of 40-50% ORR, the final analysis of ORR will be conducted when all treated patients have had at least 9 cycles (cycle = 28 days) of follow-up. Secondary endpoints include safety, duration of response, and progression-free survival (PFS).

ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH THERAPY DESIGNATION
The Company announced in January of 2019 that the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) for umbralisib for the treatment of adult patients with MZL who have received at least one prior anti-CD20 regimen.

The FDA’s Breakthrough Therapy Designation is intended to expedite the development and review of a drug candidate that is planned to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement on one or more clinically significant endpoints over available therapies.

On June 11, 2019 Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval to Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin-piiq) in combination with bendamustine plus Rituxan (rituximab) (BR) for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), who have received at least two prior therapies (Press release, Hoffmann-La Roche, JUN 11, 2019, View Source [SID1234536990]). Accelerated approval was granted for this indication based on complete response rates observed in a randomised, controlled clinical trial. The FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program allows conditional approval of a medicine that fills an unmet medical need for a serious condition. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.

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"Despite meaningful progress in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, treatment options are very limited when the disease is refractory to or recurrent after multiple regimens," said Sandra Horning, MD, Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "Today’s approval of this Polivy combination will provide a novel treatment that is both immediately available and very much needed for people with this aggressive disease."

The accelerated approval of Polivy was based on the results from the phase Ib/II GO29365 study. This is the first and only randomised pivotal clinical trial to show higher response rates over BR, a commonly used regimen, in people with R/R DLBCL who are ineligible for a haematopoietic stem cell transplant. Results of the study showed that 40% of people treated with Polivy plus BR achieved a complete response (n=16/40; 95% CI: 25-57), meaning no cancer could be detected at the time of assessment, compared to 18% with BR alone (n=7/40; 95% CI: 7-33). Complete response rates were assessed by independent review committee. The study also showed that 45% of people on Polivy plus BR achieved an objective response at the end of treatment (n=18/40; 95% CI: 29-62), compared to 18% of people treated with BR alone (n=7/40; 95% CI: 7-33). Of the people treated with Polivy plus BR who achieved a complete or partial response, 64% (n=16/25) had a duration of response (DOR) lasting at least six months as compared to 30% (n=3/10) of people treated with BR alone. Additionally, 48% (n=12/25) of people treated with Polivy plus BR had a DOR lasting at least a year as compared to 20% (n=2/10) of people treated with BR alone. Adverse reactions occurring in at least 20% of patients, and at least 5% more frequently in patients treated with Polivy plus BR compared to BR alone, included low white blood cell count, low platelet levels, low red blood cell count, numbness, tingling or pain in the hands and feet, diarrhoea, fever, decreased appetite and pneumonia.

The US FDA granted Priority Review for the company’s Biologics License Application for Polivy in February 2019. Priority Review designation is granted to medicines that the FDA considers to have the potential to provide significant improvements in the safety and effectiveness of the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of a serious disease. In addition, Polivy was granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the FDA and PRIME (PRIority MEdicines) designation by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of people with R/R DLBCL in 2017. Breakthrough Therapy Designation is designed to expedite the development and review of medicines intended to treat a serious condition with preliminary evidence that indicates they may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies.

About the GO29365 study
GO29365 is a global, phase Ib/II randomised study evaluating the safety, tolerability and activity of Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin-piiq) in combination with bendamustine and Rituxan (rituximab) (BR) or Gazyva (obinutuzumab) in relapsed or refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Eligible patients were not candidates for haematopoietic stem cell transplant at study entry. The phase II part of the study randomised 80 patients with heavily pre-treated R/R DLBCL to receive either BR, or BR in combination with Polivy for a fixed duration of six 21-day cycles. Patients enrolled had received a median of two prior therapies (a range of 1-7 prior therapies in the Polivy arm and range of 1-5 prior therapies in the BR alone arm). The primary endpoint was complete response (CR) at the end of treatment, as measured by positron emission tomography and assessed by an independent review committee (IRC). Secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR; CR and partial response) by investigator assessment and best ORR at the end of treatment by investigator and IRC assessment. Exploratory endpoints included duration of response (DOR), progression-free survival, event-free survival and overall survival.

About Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin-piiq)
Polivy is a first-in-class anti-CD79b antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). The CD79b protein is expressed specifically in the majority of B-cells (an immune cell impacted in some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)), making it a promising target for the development of new therapies.1,2 Polivy binds to CD79b and destroys these B-cells through the delivery of an anti-cancer agent, which is thought to minimise the effects on normal cells.3,4 Polivy is being developed by Roche using Seattle Genetics ADC technology and is currently being investigated for the treatment of several types of NHL.

About diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), accounting for about one in three cases of NHL.5 DLBCL is an aggressive (fast-growing) type of NHL, which is generally responsive to treatment in the frontline.6 However, as many as 40% of patients will relapse, at which time salvage therapy options are limited and survival is short.1,4 Approximately 150,000 people worldwide are estimated to be diagnosed with DLBCL each year.7

About Roche in haematology
Roche has been developing medicines for people with malignant and non-malignant blood diseases for over 20 years; our experience and knowledge in this therapeutic area runs deep. Today, we are investing more than ever in our effort to bring innovative treatment options to patients across a wide range of haematologic diseases. Our approved medicines include MabThera/Rituxan (rituximab), Gazyva/Gazyvaro (obinutuzumab), Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin-piiq), Venclexta/Venclyxto (venetoclax) in collaboration with AbbVie, and Hemlibra (emicizumab). Our pipeline of investigational haematology medicines includes idasanutlin, a small molecule which inhibits the interaction of MDM2 with p53; T-cell engaging bispecific antibodies targeting both CD20 and CD3, and Tecentriq (atezolizumab), a monoclonal antibody designed to bind with PD-L1. Our scientific expertise, combined with the breadth of our portfolio and pipeline, also provides a unique opportunity to develop combination regimens that aim to improve the lives of patients even further.

On June 11, 2019 Genmab A/S (Nasdaq Copenhagen: GEN) reported it has entered into an exclusive worldwide license and option agreement with Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Janssen) to develop and commercialize HexaBody-CD38, a next-generation human CD38 monoclonal antibody product incorporating Genmab’s proprietary HexaBody technology (Press release, Genmab, JUN 11, 2019, View Source [SID1234536987]). Under the terms of the agreement, Genmab will collaborate exclusively with Janssen on HexaBody-CD38, with Genmab funding research and development activities until completion of clinical proof of concept studies in multiple myeloma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Based on the data from these studies, Janssen may exercise its option and receive a worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize HexaBody-CD38. Should this occur, Janssen will pay Genmab a USD 150 million option exercise fee and up to USD 125 million in development milestones, as well as a flat royalty rate of 20% on sales of HexaBody-CD38 until a specified time in 2031, followed by 13-20% tiered royalties on sales thereafter. Should Janssen not exercise its option, the terms of the agreement allow Genmab to continue to develop and commercialize HexaBody-CD38 for DARZALEX-resistant patients, and in all other indications except those multiple myeloma or amyloidosis indications where DARZALEX is either approved or is being actively developed.

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The agreement is the outcome of pre-clinical research on novel CD38 targeting concepts conducted by Genmab. For HexaBody-CD38, Genmab obtained promising pre-clinical data in a panel of multiple myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia models.

"With this agreement, we hope to build upon the successful and productive relationship that we have established with Janssen. As a result of our collaboration, DARZALEX has dramatically improved outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma, yet there are still unmet needs for patients. We are excited that Genmab’s world-class antibody expertise and passion for innovation has led to the novel HexaBody-CD38 product concept. Encouraging pre-clinical data suggest that HexaBody-CD38 could be superior to daratumumab for certain tumor cell types and may expand and extend the promise of CD38-targeted therapies for more patients with multiple myeloma, lymphoma, leukemia, and potentially beyond," said Jan van de Winkel, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.

Additional details of the collaboration are not being disclosed and this news does not materially impact Genmab’s 2019 Financial Guidance.

On June 10, 2019 Sosei Group Corporation ("the Company"); (TSE: 4565) and its strategic alliance partner Pfizer reported that a new clinical candidate from their multi-target drug discovery collaboration was nominated to advance into clinical development (Press release, Sosei Heptares, JUN 10, 2019, View Source [SID1234552773]). Sosei Heptares will receive a $3 million milestone payment from Pfizer for this achievement. The first clinical candidate under this collaboration was nominated by Pfizer in May 2019.

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Dr. Malcolm Weir, Executive VP and Chief R&D Officer of Sosei Heptares, said: "We are very pleased to reach this development milestone for another candidate in our partnership with Pfizer so soon after nominating the first clinical candidate last month. The teams at Sosei Heptares and Pfizer have worked well together to generate and advance a novel molecule against a difficult GPCR target, highlighting again the power and potential of this approach and the combined capabilities being deployed."

The multi-target drug discovery collaboration between Sosei Heptares and Pfizer was signed in November 2015 to research and develop potential new medicines directed at up to ten GPCR targets across multiple therapeutic areas. Many of these targets have clinical or biological validation as key points for therapeutic intervention potentially targeting a range of diseases but have proven difficult to address with conventional discovery approaches because of inherent technical challenges.

In an effort to address these challenges, Sosei Heptares and Pfizer scientists worked closely together to leverage their respective complementary expertise in enabling GPCR-focused structure-based drug design (SBDD) and development initially directed to the GPCR targets selected by Pfizer. Pfizer will be responsible for developing and commercialising any potential therapeutic agents (small molecules or biologics) for each target and will have exclusive global rights to any potential resulting agents.

Sosei Heptares has delivered multiple stabilized receptors (StaR proteins), X-ray structures and biophysical data on certain programs, triggering milestone payments from Pfizer, including the US$3 million announced today, as well as $3 million in May 2019, both resulting from the nomination of new clinical candidates. Further possible milestones payments are contemplated under the agreement, with potential for royalties also payable provided the criteria under the agreement are satisfied.

Pfizer also made a US$33 million equity investment in Sosei Heptares in 2015. In the future, Pfizer and Sosei Heptares anticipate publication of select research findings from their collaboration.

On June 10, 2019 GT Biopharma, Inc. (OTCQB: GTBP) (OTCQB: GTBP.PA) an immuno-oncology company focused on innovative treatments based on the Company’s proprietary NK cell engager (TriKE) platform and Multi-Target Directed Bispecific Drug Conjugate (MTBDC) platform, reported an update of the company’s drug development programs (Press release, GT Biopharma , JUN 10, 2019, View Source [SID1234539512]).

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GT Biopharma continues to move forward with its development of the HIV TriKE. On April 24th GT Biopharma announced the elimination of HIV infected cells using its Tri:Specific Killer Engagers (TriKEs) in Preclinical Testing at the University of Minnesota. Which could represent a possible cure to HIV which now has over 35 million infected people worldwide.

About the HIV TriKE

In preclinical testing led by Dr. Jeffrey Miller, M.D., Deputy Director Masonic Cancer Center and Dr. Timothy Schacker, M.D., Medical School and Director, Program in HIV Medicine, the research team designed a series of Bispecific and Trispecific Natural Killer Cell Engagers (BiKE and TriKE) constructs to direct Natural Killer cell mediated cytotoxicity against an HIV infected target. The data demonstrate that a BiKE construct can eliminate HIV infected targets expressing the HIV envelope on their surface. Based on the success of the BiKE data, GT Biopharma is planning to develop a TriKE version by incorporating IL-15 into the BiKE scFv construct to increase the level of NK cell killing of targeted HIV infected cells.

Additional TriKEs (Trispecific NK cell engagers) which target hematological malignancies (liquid tumors), and solid tumor cancers, are also progressing under the TriKE platform. The TriKE platform’s ability to expand into solid tumors (80% of the cancer market) allows for a much more economical and wider approach then CAR-T. Most recently KITE Pharma was bought by Gilead Sciences, Inc. for $12 Billion (NASDAQ: GILD) and Juno Therpeautics was accuried ($9 Billion) by Celegene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG). These highly expensive cell therapies are limited to only liquid tumors (20% of the cancer market). The TriKE off the shelf technology is a protein (drug) version of CAR-T using the TriKE’s ability to employ NK (Natural Killer) cells from the immune system as the catalyst to target, attack and kill specific cancers.

GTB-3550 (OXS-3550) is the Company’s first Tri-specific NK cell Engager (TriKE) product candidate being initially developed for the treatment AML. GTB-3550 (OXS-3550) is being readied to begin enrolling patients with advanced Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in a Phase I/II expansion clinical trial starting mid- July 2019.

About GTB-3550 Trispecific NK cell Engager (TriKE)

GTB-3550 is a single-chain, tri-specific scFv recombinant fusion protein conjugate composed of the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of anti-CD16 and anti-CD33 antibodies and a modified form of IL-15. The natural killer (NK) cell stimulating cytokine human IL-15 portion of the molecule provides a self-sustaining signal that activates NK cells and enhances their ability to kill. We intend to study GTB-3550 in CD33 positive leukemias such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and other CD33+ hematopoietic malignancies.

GTB-1550 (DT2219) top-line Phase I/II expansion clinical trial results have been promising; two patients exhibited a complete remission (CR) with one patient currently disease-free at 50 months post completion of the study. A Phase 2 study is being planned.

About GTB-1550 Multi-Target Directed Bispecific Drug Conjugate

GTB-1550 targets cancer cells expressing the CD19 receptor or CD22 receptor or both receptors thereby maximizing cancer cell recognition by binding to CD19+, CD22+ and CD19+/CD22+ cancer cells. When GTB-1550 binds to cancer cells, the cancer cells internalize GTB-1550, and are killed due to the action of drug’s cytotoxic diphtheria toxin payload.

Mr. Anthony Cataldo, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GT Biopharma, commented, "­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­We are pleased with the progress of our clinical development programs." The HIV TriKE’s possibility to kill the HIV virus would solve a massive economic burden as well as stop infected patients from spreading the disease. Mr. Cataldo also noted that the Company has two key platform technologies to attack cancer: the TriKE platform, and the Multi-Targeted Directed Bispecific Cytotoxic Payload platform. Mr. Cataldo stated, "We believe that these Platform technologies present first-in-class therapeutic opportunities for the Company, and will be the main focus going forward."