Turning Point Therapeutics Reports Early Interim Data From Registrational Phase 2 Trident-1 Study of Repotrectinib, Provides Regulatory Update

On August 19, 2020 Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TPTX), a precision oncology company developing next-generation therapies that target genetic drivers of cancer, reported early interim data from the registrational Phase 2 TRIDENT-1 study of lead drug candidate, repotrectinib, and announced recent regulatory feedback from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the TRIDENT-1 trial design (Press release, Turning Point Therapeutics, AUG 19, 2020, View Source [SID1234563897]).

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"We are very encouraged by the early interim data from the Phase 2 TRIDENT-1 study as they reaffirm our belief that repotrectinib has the potential to be the best-in-class treatment for patients with ROS1- or NTRK-driven tumors, including patients who are TKI-naïve and TKI-pretreated," said Athena Countouriotis, M.D., president and chief executive officer. "Additionally, we recently received FDA feedback that may provide a faster path to potential approval, including pooling of patients from the Phase 1 portion of the study treated at the recommended dose of repotrectinib with patients treated in the Phase 2 portion, and cohort sample size modifications. Hence, we are modifying the TRIDENT-1 study sample sizes and adding new interim analyses that may support approval into two of our ROS1-positive TKI-pretreated patient cohorts. We now anticipate providing an update in early 2021 on the overall study timelines."

Early Interim Phase 2 Data from TRIDENT-1 Study
The early Phase 2 TRIDENT-1 dataset utilizing a July 10, 2020 data cutoff includes the first 39 treated patients who have had at least one post-baseline scan. Responses were confirmed with a subsequent scan at least 28 days later per RECIST 1.1 and were determined by physician assessment. Patients were enrolled across six countries.

Phase 2 Preliminary Efficacy Analysis (n=39)

Across all cohorts reported, median follow-up was 3.6 months (range: 0.4 – 7.4+), and median duration of treatment was 3.7 months (range: 0.7-8.2+)

In the ROS1-positive TKI-naïve non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) population (EXP-1: n=7):

Six patients achieved a confirmed response for an Objective Response Rate (ORR) of 86 percent. The duration of response ranged from 0.9+ to 2.0+ months and all patients who achieved a response remained in a response at the time of the data cutoff.

Since the July 10 data cutoff, the seventh patient in this cohort has achieved an unconfirmed partial response and remains on treatment awaiting a confirmatory scan.

In the ROS1-positive NSCLC population pretreated with one prior TKI with prior chemotherapy (EXP-2: n=5):

Two patients achieved a confirmed response for an ORR of 40 percent. The durations of response were 4.5 and 5.6+ months at the time of the data cutoff.

In the ROS1-positive NSCLC population pretreated with one prior TKI without prior chemotherapy (EXP-4: n=6):

Four patients achieved a confirmed response for an ORR of 67 percent. The duration of response ranged from 1.0+ to 5.7+ months with all four patients remaining in a response at the time of the data cutoff.

In the ROS1-positive NSCLC population pretreated with two prior TKIs with prior chemotherapy (EXP-3: n=10):

No objective responses were observed within this heavily pretreated fourth-line patient population, yet five patients achieved stable disease.

The company recently recommended to the study’s data monitoring committee (DMC) that expansion cohort three (EXP-3) be modified to remove the requirement for prior chemotherapy based on limited activity to date in this fourth-line patient cohort. The company’s intent is to only support third-line patients in this cohort going forward and to preserve the opportunity to evaluate these patients as the treatment landscape changes with less chemotherapy use. The DMC recommended the study proceed and agreed with the recommended change to cohort three.

In the ROS1-positive NSCLC population pretreated with two prior TKIs without prior chemotherapy (patients enrolled under the initial protocol and analyzed for efficacy in a separate cohort, EXP-Other: n=5):

Two patients achieved a confirmed response for an ORR of 40 percent. Both patients remained in a response with a duration of 1.9+ months at the time of the data cutoff.

In the NTRK-positive TKI-pretreated solid tumor population (EXP-6: n=6):
Three patients achieved a confirmed response for an ORR of 50 percent. The duration of response ranged from 1.7+ to 3.6+ months with all three patients remaining in a response at the time of the data cutoff.
Data from the Phase 1 (at all doses studied) and Phase 2 of the TRIDENT-1 study are summarized in the table below.

TRIDENT-1 Study of Repotrectinib
(Phase 2 Cohorts) Phase 1
July 22, 2019
Data Cutoff
All doses studied, BICR Phase 2
July 10, 2020
Data Cutoff
Phase 2 Dose, PI assessment

ORR
95% CI
ORR
95% CI

ROS1+ TKI-Naïve
(EXP-1)

91%
(10/11)

(59-100)

86%1
(6/7)

(42-100)

ROS1+ TKI-Pretreated 1-prior TKI, with prior platinum-based chemotherapy
(EXP- 2)

36%
(5/14)

(13-65)

40%
(2/5)

(5-85)

ROS1+ TKI-Pretreated,
without prior platinum-based chemotherapy
(EXP-4)

50%
(2/4) (7-93) 67%
(4/6) (22-96)

ROS1+ TKI-Pretreated 2-prior TKIs, without prior platinum-based chemotherapy 2
(EXP- Other)

0%
(0/1)

NA

40%
(2/5)

(5-85)

NTRK TKI-Pretreated
(EXP-6)

33%
(1/3)

(1-91)

50%
(3/6)

(12-88)
1 Since the July 10th data cutoff, the seventh patient in this cohort has achieved an unconfirmed partial response and remains on treatment awaiting a confirmatory scan.
2 Represents the planned modified EXP-3 cohort of patients previously treated with 2 prior TKIs without prior chemotherapy. In EXP-3 (Two prior TKIs with prior chemotherapy; N=10): No objective responses observed.

Data pooled from the Phase 1 (patients dosed at or above the Phase 2 dose) and Phase 2 portions of the TRIDENT-1 study are summarized in the table below.

TRIDENT-1 Study of Repotrectinib
(Phase 2 Cohorts) Phase 1 + 2 TRIDENT-1 Data Combined
(Phase 1 patients dosed at or above the Phase 2 dose)

ORR

95% CI

ROS1+ TKI-Naïve
(EXP-1)

86%1
(12/14)

(57-98)

ROS1+ TKI-Pretreated 1-prior TKI, with prior platinum-based chemotherapy
(EXP-2)

50%
(6/12)

(21-79)

ROS1+ TKI-Pretreated 1-prior TKI without prior platinum-based chemotherapy
(EXP-4)

67%
(6/9) (30-93)

ROS1 TKI-Pretreated 2-prior TKIs, without prior platinum-based chemotherapy 2
(EXP-Other)

33%
(2/6)

(4-78)

NTRK TKI-Pretreated (EXP-6)

43%
(3/7)

(10-82)
1 Since the July 10th data cutoff, one additional Phase 2 patient achieved an unconfirmed partial response and remains on treatment awaiting a confirmatory scan.
2 Represents the planned modified EXP-3 cohort of patients previously treated with 2 prior TKIs without prior chemotherapy. In EXP-3 (Two prior TKIs with prior chemotherapy; N=10): No objective responses observed.

Preliminary Safety Analysis (n=39)

A total of 39 ROS1- and NTRK-positive patients were treated with repotrectinib at a starting dose of 160 mg daily (QD), with 90 percent of patients escalating after 14 days to 160 mg twice daily (BID) per the study defined dose titration approach.

Repotrectinib was generally well tolerated. The majority of treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were Grade 1 or 2. The TEAEs (any Grade) found in greater than 25 percent of patients were dizziness (62%), fatigue (39%), constipation (33%), dysgeusia (33%), and dyspnea (28%). There were no Grade 3 cases of dizziness and no cases of dizziness leading to treatment discontinuation.

Additionally, the majority of treatment related adverse events (TRAEs) were Grade 1 or 2. There were no Grade 4 or Grade 5 TRAEs.
Regulatory and Study Updates:
Turning Point also announced recent feedback received from the FDA and modifications the company is making to the study design that may accelerate the timelines to potential approval for repotrectinib. The FDA reiterated that the adequacy of the data to support approval will depend upon the observed ORR and the duration of response assessed in the context of available therapy in a risk-benefit analysis during NDA review.

These updates include:

Phase 2 cohort sample sizes to support potential approval may include Phase 1 patients treated at the recommended Phase 2 dose. The pooling of Phase 1 and Phase 2 data may shorten timelines to potential regulatory submission based on fewer patients from the Phase 2 portion of the study.

EXP-2 Cohort (ROS1 TKI-Pretreated with one prior TKI and one platinum-based regimen): The company plans to decrease the sample size from current target of 100 patients to 60 total patients with one formal interim analysis after approximately 30 patients. FDA provided guidance that 6 months of follow up may be sufficient to support approval.

EXP-4 Cohort (ROS1 TKI-Pretreated with one prior TKI and no prior chemotherapy): The company plans to increase the sample size to a target of 60 patients with one formal interim analysis after approximately 30 patients. Previously, EXP-4 was an exploratory cohort in this patient population. FDA provided guidance that 6 months of follow up may be sufficient to support approval.

EXP-5 and EXP-6 Cohorts (TRK TKI-Naïve and TKI-Pretreated): FDA provided guidance that 9 months and 6 months of follow up, respectively, from the last response may be sufficient to support approval. Previous guidance was 12 months for both patient cohorts.
Based on this FDA feedback and the subsequent sample size changes, the company is reviewing its timelines for when it expects the top-line interim analysis data sets will be achieved, and anticipates sharing those timelines as it gets closer to achieving full site activation in early 2021.

Webcast and Conference Call
Turning Point will host a webcast accompanied by a slide presentation to discuss the results at 8:00 a.m. EDT/5:00 a.m. PDT. Dr. Countouriotis will host the call, which will be accessible through the "Investors" section of tptherapeutics.com or by dialing (877) 388-2118 (in the United States) or (470) 495-9489 (outside the U.S.) using conference ID 5077833. A replay will be available through the "Investors" section of www.tptherapeutics.com.

Takeda Continues to Shed OTC Business Offerings with $2.3 Billion Deal

On August 19, 2020 Takeda reported to divest its over-the-counter business operations and has struck a deal for its U.S. offerings with The Blackstone Group, a U.S.-based investment fund valued at $2.37 billion (Press release, Takeda, AUG 19, 2020, View Source [SID1234563886]).

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Over the past several months, Takeda has struck multiple deals for its over-the-counter offerings in different markets. Most recently, the Japan-based pharma giant struck a deal with Celltrion Inc. for its non-core assets, prescription and over-the-counter, sold in the Asia Pacific market. South Korea-based Celltrion paid $278 million for the portfolio that includes prescription drugs Nesina, a diabetes treatment, and hypertension drug Edarbi. The portfolio generated net sales of $140 million in 2018.

This morning, Reuters reported that Takeda reached an agreement with Blackstone for Takeda Consumer Healthcare and its portfolio, which includes the Alinamin line of energy drinks. Takeda, which placed the business unit up for sale earlier this Spring, has not confirmed the finalized sale, Reuters reported. Japanese media first broke the story. According to Nikkei Asian Review, Blackstone acquired Ayumi Pharmaceutical, the producer of painkiller Calonal, in 2019.

Takeda has been selling off non-core assets as it pares down debt from its $62 billion acquisition of Shire. The acquisition of Shire placed about $30 billion of debt on the back of Takeda. The company has been looking to pare down that debt as it adjusts to the new size and scope of its portfolio from the Shire deal. Since the Shire acquisition, Takeda has been looking to sell off about $10 billion worth of non-core assets.

As Takeda sheds those non-core assets and pares down its debt, the company will preserve funds to remain focused on its five key business areas of gastroenterology, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology and neuroscience. The company has also been building its presence in the gene therapy space. In June, Takeda and Carmine Therapeutics inked a deal to develop and commercialize non-viral gene therapies for two rare diseases. In March, Takeda entered a multi-target partnership with Evox Therapeutics to develop protein replacement and mRNA therapies for rare diseases.

Last month, Takeda and Twist Bioscience forged an agreement to expand biologics discovery capabilities and discover, validate and optimize new antibody candidates for a number of different indications. Takeda will have access to Twist’s "Library of Libraries," a large phage display library created using precisely defined synthetic DNA sequences to discover unique antibodies to important therapeutic targets including GPCRs. Target indications include oncology, rare diseases, neuroscience and gastroenterology.

Lannett To Report Fiscal 2020 Fourth-Quarter, Full-Year Financial Results, Host Conference Call On Wednesday, August 26

On August 19, 2020 Lannett Company, Inc. (NYSE: LCI) reported that it will report financial results for its fiscal 2020 fourth quarter and full year on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, after the market closes (Press release, Lannett, AUG 19, 2020, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lannett-to-report-fiscal-2020-fourth-quarter-full-year-financial-results-host-conference-call-on-wednesday-august-26-301114557.html [SID1234563882]). Lannett management will host a conference call that same afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to review the company’s performance and answer questions.

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The conference call will be available to interested parties by dialing 800-447-0521 from the U.S. or Canada, or 847-413-3238 from international locations, passcode 49903262. The call will be broadcast via the Internet at www.Lannett.com. Listeners are encouraged to visit the website at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the scheduled presentation to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A playback of the call will be archived and accessible on the same website for at least three months.

SimonMed Announces the Integration of CorTechs Labs’ Latest AI Software for Prostate Cancer Detection

On August 19, 2020 SimonMed Imaging reported that it has reached an agreement with CorTechs Labs to onboard RSI-MRI+ for Prostate across many of its North American imaging sites (Press release, SimonMed Imaging, AUG 19, 2020, View Source [SID1234563881]).

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SimonMed, one of the largest outpatient medical imaging providers and largest physician radiology practices in the United States, announced its implementation of RSI-MRI+ for Prostate to support improved detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa) using an advanced diffusion MRI technique.

"The arrival of RSI-MRI+ for Prostate into the SimonMed network marks an important step in our ability to accurately detect prostate cancer using the latest AI capabilities," said Dr. John Simon, MD, Chief executive officer of SimonMed. "I expect RSI-MRI+ to become standard technology across U.S. imaging centers, and transform prostate cancer detection and patient care."

RSI-MRI+ for Prostate is FDA-cleared advanced imaging software that supports improved PCa detection for a more accurate diagnosis. Using a patented advanced diffusion MRI technique called Restriction Spectrum Imaging (RSI) and artificial intelligence, RSI-MRI+ for Prostate significantly improves standard prostate imaging methods for cancer detection by making it easier for radiologists to identify areas of restricted diffusion, a hallmark characteristic of aggressive cancer.

"This integration of our latest AI software expands the already-extensive deployment of our other AI solutions throughout the SimonMed network of imaging centers," said Chris Airriess, Ph.D., chief executive officer of CorTechs Labs. "This is a big milestone for CorTechs Labs as we continue to deploy new AI tools in the oncology market. We look forward to growing our role in helping physicians in the U.S. and worldwide gain access to cutting-edge technology that helps improve patient care."

According to research published in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, RSI has demonstrated both superior differentiation of PCa from normal tissue and prediction of PCa aggressiveness, compared to conventional MRI. When put in the hands of radiologists, a follow-up study in the same journal demonstrated that RSI-MRI with mpMRI improves PCa detection (85% accuracy) compared to mpMRI alone (79% accuracy), and RSI-MRI with T2WI achieves similar PCa detection (80% accuracy) as mpMRI alone (79% accuracy), which exemplifies its potential to support bi-parametric imaging. That same study also demonstrated improved inter-reader agreement amongst radiologists when using RSI-MRI.

"I expect that RSI-MRI+ for Prostate will support more accurate detection of prostate cancer for our patients, and improve the PI-RADS workflow for our radiology staff," added Dr. Simon.

Puma Biotechnology Announces Publication of Interim Results of Phase II CONTROL Trial in Annals of Oncology

On August 19, 2020 Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBYI), a biopharmaceutical company, reported the publication of interim results from its Phase II CONTROL trial of neratinib in the September 2020 Issue (Volume 31, Issue 9) of Annals of Oncology (Press release, Puma Biotechnology, AUG 19, 2020, View Source [SID1234563879]). The publication entitled, "Improved Tolerability of Neratinib in Patients with HER2+ Early-Stage Breast Cancer: Diarrheal Toxicity in the CONTROL Trial," can also be accessed online here.

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Previous studies of neratinib in HER2-positive early stage breast cancer showed that diarrhea was the most common adverse event (AE) associated with neratinib treatment.

The international, open-label, sequential-cohort Phase II CONTROL trial is investigating several strategies to improve neratinib tolerability. Researchers used data on incidence, duration and onset of diarrhea in the pivotal, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III ExteNET trial as a historical comparison. In the ExteNET trial, prophylactic use of anti-diarrheal medication was not mandatory.

The interim results of the CONTROL trial discussed in this publication demonstrate that neratinib tolerability can be significantly improved using a variety of anti-diarrheal strategies. The most significant impact was seen using a dose escalation strategy with loperamide as needed, which included utilizing a lower dose of neratinib during the first two weeks of a 52-week treatment period. In the dose escalation cohort, of which patients completed one year of treatment or had the highest median treatment duration compared to other cohorts, grade 3 diarrhea was reduced by over 60% (CONTROL 15% versus ExteNet 40%), discontinuations by over 80% (CONTROL 3% versus ExteNet 17%), the need to dose reduce by almost 90% (CONTROL 3% versus ExteNet 26%) and no patients were hospitalized.

"Achieving a balance between treatment benefit and adverse events is an important clinical consideration in breast cancer, and the CONTROL trial demonstrates that neratinib tolerability can be most optimally improved with dose escalation, which can ultimately improve patient adherence to treatment," said Carlos H. Barcenas, M.D., M.S., associate professor in the department of breast medical oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "These results, and specifically the lessened discontinuation of patients in early neratinib treatment, suggest that managing diarrhea during neratinib treatment allows more patients to receive the potential efficacy benefits of extended adjuvant neratinib therapy."

Alan H. Auerbach, Chief Executive Officer and President of Puma Biotechnology, said, "We are pleased with the marked reduction in both the incidence of grade 3 diarrhea and the decrease in discontinuation of therapy demonstrated in the dose-escalation cohort of the CONTROL trial. We believe these are important results and should lead to improved tolerability for neratinib in early stage breast cancer patients. We remain committed to the fight against breast cancer, both in the early stage as well as in the metastatic setting."

The CONTROL trial initially tested high-dose loperamide prophylaxis given for the first two cycles (56 days) of adjuvant treatment (12 mg on days 1-14, 8 mg on days 15-56 and as needed thereafter). The CONTROL trial was then expanded to include four additional cohorts. One cohort received the combination of loperamide and budesonide, the second cohort received the combination of loperamide plus colestipol, the third cohort received colestipol plus loperamide as needed and the fourth cohort did not use any antidiarrheal drugs as mandatory prophylaxis but instead used a dose escalation schedule plus loperamide as needed during the first month of neratinib treatment. Budesonide is a locally acting corticosteroid that Puma believes targets the inflammation identified in a preclinical model of neratinib-induced diarrhea, and colestipol is a bile acid sequestrant that Puma believes targets potential bile acid malabsorption that could result from such inflammation. The dose escalation schedule involved treating with neratinib with loperamide as needed at 120 mg per day for the first week, 160 mg per day for the second week and 240 mg per day starting at week three and until the end of treatment.

About HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Up to 20% of patients with breast cancer tumors over-express the HER2 protein (HER2-positive disease) and in the ExteNET study, 57% of patients were found to have tumors that were hormone-receptor positive. HER2-positive breast cancer is often more aggressive than other types of breast cancer, increasing the risk of disease progression and death. Although research has shown that trastuzumab can reduce the risk of early stage HER2-positive breast cancer recurring, up to 25% of patients treated with trastuzumab experience recurrence within 10 years, the majority of which are metastatic recurrences.