On June 1, 2020 AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV), a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, and Jacobio Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, reported a global, strategic collaboration to develop and commercialize SHP2 inhibitors, which target a key node in cancer and immune cells (Press release, AbbVie, JUN 1, 2020, View Source [SID1234558778]).

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SHP2 is an important protein mediator of cellular signaling through RAS/MAP kinase pathway. Many tumors have genetic mutations, driving abnormal cancer cell growth which relies on SHP2 activity. SHP2 also plays a key role to control cytokine production and immune cell response. Therefore, inhibition of SHP2 is believed to have dual effects by potentially reducing cancer cell growth and modulating immune responses to generate anti-tumor activities. Jacobio’s early clinical stage SHP2 assets, JAB-3068 and JAB-3312, are oral small molecules designed to specifically inhibit SHP2 activity.

"Identifying promising new targeted approaches for solid tumor patients is a high priority for us," said Mohit Trikha, Ph.D., vice president and head, early development oncology and Bay Area site head, AbbVie. "Jacobio’s SHP2 program has the potential to treat cancer patients across many tumor types. By targeting a key node in both cancer and immune cell signaling pathways, SHP2 inhibition, both as a monotherapy and potentially in combination with other agents, may rapidly advance new treatment options for cancer patients."

"We are excited to expand our efforts in global development of delivering breakthrough innovation to not just Chinese, but global patients with cancer," said Yinxiang Wang, Ph.D., CEO and Chairman, Jacobio. "We look forward to a productive collaboration with AbbVie focused on rapidly advancing this novel SHP2 first-in-class therapy as a new approach for multiple cancer types. I am confident that this partnership will strengthen our R&D capabilities and ultimately bring benefits to cancer patients."

Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie will be granted an exclusive license to the SHP2 portfolio. Jacobio will continue to conduct early global clinical trials of JAB-3068 and JAB-3312 with AbbVie covering R&D expenses. Upon completion, AbbVie will assume global development and commercialization responsibilities. Jacobio has an option, exercisable before the initiation of registrational trials, to exclusively develop and commercialize the SHP2 program in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Financial terms were not disclosed and the transaction is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

On June 1, 2020 Oncopeptides AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: ONCO) reported that patients in the OCEAN study stay on treatment longer than previously estimated (Press release, Oncopeptides, JUN 1, 2020, View Source [SID1234558777]). As a consequence, top-line results are estimated for H1 2021 instead of previously communicated Q4 2020. Patient recruitment in OCEAN will remain open to ensure that the 339 disease progression events needed to complete the study can be reached within a reasonable timeframe.

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OCEAN is a randomized, comparative study between melflufen and pomalidomide in patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). The patients enrolled in the study have previously been treated with at least an immunomodulator (IMiD) and a proteasome inhibitor (PI) and have all developed resistance to their last line of therapy and to lenalidomide (IMiD), the most commonly used drug for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The primary endpoint of the phase 3 study is Progression Free Survival (PFS). The results will be evaluated once 339 patients have progressed in their disease.

"A recent analysis indicates that patients enrolled in the OCEAN-study continue treatment for a longer period of time than originally estimated, which speaks to the potential benefit patients can have by participating in this trial", says Jakob Lindberg, CEO of Oncopeptides. "However, this most likely increases the time required to reach the number of disease progression events needed to complete the study. We will continue patient enrollment to enable an analysis of results within a reasonable timeframe."

Oncopeptides is preparing an application for accelerated approval in Q2 2020 based on the results from the ongoing pivotal phase 2 study HORIZON, evaluating melflufen in RRMM patients. Data from the pivotal phase 3 study OCEAN, will form the basis for a submission of a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to the US FDA in H2 2021, followed by a submission of a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) in Europe.

The information in the press release is information that Oncopeptides is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person above, on June 1, 2020 at 08.00 (CET).

About melflufen
Melflufen (melphalan flufenamide) is a first-in-class anti-cancer peptide-drug conjugate that rapidly delivers an alkylating payload into tumor cells. Melflufen is rapidly taken up by myeloma cells due to its high lipophilicity and is immediately cleaved by peptidases to deliver an entrapped hydrophilic alkylator payload. Peptidases play a key role in protein homeostasis and feature in cellular processes such as cell-cycle progression and programmed cell death. In vitro, melflufen is 50-fold more potent in myeloma cells than the alkylator payload itself due to the increased intracellular alkylator concentration. Melflufen displays cytotoxic activity against myeloma cell lines resistant to other treatments, including alkylators, and has also demonstrated inhibition of DNA repair induction and angiogenesis in preclinical studies.