On January 3, 2019 Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc. (PGDx), a leader in cancer genomics, reported that its 500+ gene pan-cancer tumor profiling tissue assay is being used in Merck’s Phase 2 precision oncology KeyImPaCT study of biomarker-directed, pembrolizumab-based combination therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (KEYNOTE-495) (Press release, Personal Genome Diagnostics, JAN 3, 2019, View Source [SID1234532419]). This study will investigate the utility of biomarker-based triage for study participants with previously untreated advanced NSCLC. The PGDx elioTM tissue complete assay is being used during the enrollment process for the analysis of tumor mutational burden (TMB) status.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Study participants within groups defined by a biomarker-based classifier (gene expression profile [GEP] and TMB) will be randomized to receive pembrolizumab in combination with MK-4280 or lenvatinib. The study will involve more than 70 clinical sites worldwide.

"We are proud to collaborate with Merck on this trial. Merck is a leader in immune oncology and we view their selection of PGDx as a testament to our capabilities around TMB," said Doug Ward, Chief Executive Officer at PGDx. "With the kitted approach for the PGDx elio portfolio, we aim to expand patient access to comprehensive, local genomic testing and reduce turn-around time for results that inform critical treatment decisions for patients worldwide."

PGDx provides genomic solutions from biomarker discovery to companion diagnostic development through its CAP/CLIA certified laboratory and is developing a portfolio of regulated tissue-based and liquid biopsy genomic products to enable local next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing in laboratories worldwide.

On January 3, 2019 Compass Therapeutics, a biotechnology company committed to the ambitious goal of comprehensively drugging the human immune system, reported that it will discuss its novel approach to antibody discovery and development and present data on its leading programs in a presentation at the 37th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco next week (Press release, Compass Therapeutics, JAN 3, 2019, View Source [SID1234532418]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Thomas Schuetz, MD, PhD, co-founder and chief executive officer of Compass, will describe the company’s focus on drugging the broadest possible array of epitopes for each candidate target; its StitchMabs technology that identifies novel combination biology and enables the discovery of next-generation bispecific antibody drug candidates; and the company’s unbiased approach to drug discovery which empowers the identification of the most promising therapeutic for each tumor type and application.

CTX-471, a fully human monoclonal antibody which targets a unique epitope on the costimulatory receptor CD137, is Compass’ lead candidate, and it has the potential to become a best-in-class CD137 agonist. It is expected to enter the clinic in the first quarter of 2019 where it will be tested in patients with various solid tumors. In preclinical models, CTX-471 induces remodeling of the tumor microenvironment and can completely eradicate extremely large tumors in animals. In IND-enabling monkey toxicology studies, CTX-471 has an excellent safety profile.

The proprietary StitchMabs platform was used to discover Compass’ second clinical candidate which is a first-in-class bispecific NK cell engager that lowers the activation threshold of NK cells and directs NK cells to kill selected cells, including tumor cells with low target antigen expression.

The presentation details are:

Date: Tuesday, January 8
Time: 3 PM Pacific Time
Location: Westin St. Francis Hotel, San Francisco, Elizabethan C Room

On January 3, 2019 bluebird bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLUE) reported that members of the management team will present at the 37th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, Tuesday, January 8, at 2:30 p.m. PT at the Westin St. Francis Hotel, San Francisco, followed by a question and answer breakout session at 3:00 p.m (Press release, bluebird bio, JAN 3, 2019, View Source [SID1234532417]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

To access the live webcast of bluebird bio’s presentation and breakout session, please visit the "Events & Presentations" page within the Investors & Media section of the bluebird bio website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be available on the bluebird bio website for 90 days following the conference.

On January 3, 2019 Tarveda Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing a new class of potent and selective miniature drug conjugates (Pentarins) for the treatment of patients with a wide range of solid tumors reported that Drew Fromkin, President and Chief Executive Officer, reported that it will present at the 11th Annual Biotech Showcase, occurring January 7-9, 2019 at the Hilton Union Square in San Francisco (Press release, Tarveda Therapeutics, JAN 3, 2019, View Source [SID1234532416]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The presentation will take place at 2:30pm Pacific Time on Monday, January 7 in Franciscan – D.

In the presentation, Mr. Fromkin will provide an overview of the Company’s two clinical programs including PEN-221, which is currently in clinical evaluation for the treatment of patients with somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) positive neuroendocrine tumors and PEN-866, the first miniature drug conjugate from Tarveda’s HSP90 binding conjugate platform, which is being developed for the treatment of patients with solid tumors including but not limited to small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and sarcomas.

On January 3, 2019 Peloton Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company advancing first-in-class oral medicines for cancer and other serious conditions, reported that it will be presenting at the 37th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference (Press release, Peloton Therapeutics, JAN 3, 2019, View Source [SID1234532415]). John A. Josey, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, will present at 3:30 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, California.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!