On September 3, 2020 Kite, a Gilead Company (Nasdaq: GILD), and HiFiBiO Therapeutics announced the companies reported that they have entered into a two-year research collaboration and license agreement in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (Press release, HiFiBiO Therapeutics, SEP 3, 2020, View Source [SID1234564393]). Through this collaboration, HiFiBiO will use its proprietary technology platforms to identify novel AML targets and anti-AML specific antibodies for Kite’s use in cell therapies.

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"Kite is committed to pursuing novel cell therapies for people living with AML," said Peter Emtage, PhD, Senior Vice President of Research at Kite. "To date, most efforts to identify AML-specific targets have focused on mining proteomic datasets, as opposed to individual AML patient samples. We are excited to partner with HiFiBiO, whose innovative technology platform allows for screening of novel targets in AML patient samples, as well as the potential identification of anti-AML antibodies to be harnessed for use in cell therapies for patients."

"We look forward to working with Kite to identify disease-relevant targets directly from AML patient samples," said Liang Schweizer, PhD, President and CEO of HiFiBiO Therapeutics. "This is another novel target discovery application that complements our current antibody and biomarker capabilities and showcases the versatility of our platform."

Under the terms of the agreement, HiFiBiO will receive an upfront payment and will be eligible for additional payments based on the achievement of certain research milestones. Kite will have an exclusive option to opt in on any targets discovered through the collaboration, for which HiFiBiO will receive an additional payment and will be eligible for additional development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, as well as royalty payments.

About HiFiBiO Therapeutics
HiFiBiO Therapeutics is transforming the field of immunotherapy by combining proprietary single-cell profiling technologies with advanced data intelligence and deep knowledge of immune system biology.

This approach enables the development of novel antibody therapies that are paired with biomarkers to predict patient response. HiFiBiO Therapeutics is working actively to address unmet medical needs around the world through its own innovative pipeline programs and open-innovation partnerships with world-renowned industry and academic researchers. The company’s strong global footprint features cutting-edge laboratories on three continents, in Cambridge, Mass., Paris, Shanghai and Hong Kong. To learn more, please visit www.hifibio.com.

On September 3, 2020 CRISPR Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CRSP), a biopharmaceutical company focused on creating transformative gene-based medicines for serious diseases, reported that Samarth Kulkarni, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of CRISPR Therapeutics, is scheduled to present at the Wells Fargo 2020 Virtual Healthcare Conference on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at 11:20 a.m. ET (Press release, CRISPR Therapeutics, SEP 3, 2020, View Source [SID1234564392]).

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A live webcast of the event will be available on the "Events & Presentations" page in the Investors section of the Company’s website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Company’s website for 14 days following the presentation.

On September 3, 2020 Molecular Templates, Inc. (Nasdaq: MTEM, "Molecular Templates" or "MTEM"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of the company’s proprietary engineered toxin bodies (ETBs), which are differentiated, targeted, biologic therapeutics for cancer and other serious diseases, reported that it will deliver presentations at the Cantor Fitzgerald Virtual Global Healthcare Conference and the Morgan Stanley 18th Annual Global Healthcare Conference (Press release, Molecular Templates, SEP 3, 2020, View Source [SID1234564391]). In addition, management will be available for virtual 1on1 meetings at the Citi 15th Annual BioPharma Virtual Conference and Oppenheimer Fall Healthcare Life Sciences & MedTech Summit.

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Citi 15th Annual BioPharma Virtual Conference
Conference Dates: September 8 – 11
Available for 1on1 meetings on September 9

Cantor Fitzgerald Virtual Global Healthcare Conference
Conference Dates:
Presentation Date:
Time: September 15 – 17
September 15
2.40pm ET

Morgan Stanley 18th Annual Global Healthcare Conference
Conference Dates:
Presentation Date:
Time: September 14 – 18
September 17
11.45am ET

Oppenheimer Fall Healthcare Life Sciences & MedTech Summit
Conference Dates: September 21 – 23
Available for 1on1 meetings
The Cantor Fitzgerald and Morgan Stanley presentations will be webcast live and may be accessed via a link on the Molecular Templates website in the Investors section under Events. Additionally, replays of the webcasts will be available on the corporate website following the conferences.

On September 3, 2020 Rain Therapeutics Inc., a privately-held, clinical stage biotechnology company focused on targeted therapies for patients with cancer, reported that it has closed a $63 million Series B financing (Press release, Rain Therapeutics, SEP 3, 2020, View Source [SID1234564390]). The financing was led by Boxer Capital and followed by new investors Cormorant Asset Management, Samsara BioCapital, Janus Henderson Investors and Logos Capital, with continued support and participation by existing investors BVF Partners L.P., Perceptive Advisors and other investors. In conjunction with the financing, Boxer Capital will appoint a representative to the Rain board of directors.

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"We view this lineup of extraordinary investors as validation of the opportunity of the Rain pipeline across a range of cancers leveraging a precision oncology strategy," said Avanish Vellanki, cofounder and chief executive officer of Rain Therapeutics.

Rain plans to use the proceeds to advance its pipeline of targeted cancer therapies and general corporate purposes. These programs include RAIN-32, a potent and selective small molecule MDM2 inhibitor recently licensed from Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited that has been evaluated in clinical trials for certain solid and hematological malignancies.

Rain is also pursuing the development of a selective RAD52 inhibitor, which represents a potential synthetic lethal strategy for tumors with BRCA1/2 mutations. Rain’s initial program, tarloxotinib, a pan-HER inhibitor, is currently being evaluated in Phase 2 clinical trials.

On September 3, 2020 Invitae (NYSE: NVTA), a leading medical genetics company, reported enrollment has begun for a nationwide study to better understand the role of current genetic testing guidelines in ensuring prostate cancer patients receive testing to identify clinically relevant genetic variants that can inform prognosis and support access to targeted therapies (Press release, Invitae, SEP 3, 2020, View Source [SID1234564389]). The study is supported by Invitae and is part of the company’s ongoing work to increase access to genetic information for men with prostate cancer.

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Invitae’s (NVTA) mission is to bring comprehensive genetic information into mainstream medical practice to improve the quality of healthcare for billions of people. www.invitae.com (PRNewsFoto/Invitae Corporation)

"Currently, germline testing guidelines for patients with prostate cancer have evolved from more than one set of NCCN guidelines and some may still find these guidelines difficult to implement in everyday practice," said Neal D. Shore, M.D., F.A.C.S. from the Carolina Urologic Research Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and the principal investigator of the study. "Guidelines were established when testing was both more expensive and less accessible and don’t address newer therapeutic approvals and trial literature for expanding therapeutic options, missing many patients whose clinical care and treatment choices could benefit from genetic information. Our study is intended to provide a deeper understanding of how these issues impact the care of men with prostate cancer so that we might improve how genetic information can be assessed and utilized for their cancer care and potentially inform their family members."

The use and importance of genetic information in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer has been growing, particularly as the development of targeted treatments continues to accelerate. Despite its utility, guidelines governing testing among prostate cancer patients remain restrictive, and genetic information is underutilized in prostate cancer care. The study will determine whether guidelines are adequate in identifying patients who may benefit from genetic testing.

"Simplifying and possibly expanding current testing guidelines would provide benefits for medical management of men with prostate cancer and offer opportunities for targeted therapies, including PARP inhibitors and qualification for clinical trials," said Robert Nussbaum, M.D., chief medical officer of Invitae. "In addition, the genes involved in prostate cancer include BRCA1 and 2, which as we all know also play an important role in breast and ovarian cancer, and MSH6 and other genes involved in hereditary colon cancer. Widespread testing among men with prostate cancer could have an important role in not only improving their care but also the health of their relatives."

The study will enroll men across the country who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Both men who meet and don’t meet current testing guidelines will be included to gather data on whether genetic testing results change treatment and recommendations. In addition, the study will also gather data on the patient’s experience with genetic testing.

A study presented recently by Invitae at the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) underscored the frequency of actionable variants expanded testing can help uncover. The study of 2,252 men found an overall positive rate of 13% with no statistical differences in rates among stages of disease. Only half of patients with an actionable variant reported a family history suggestive of increased risk. Nearly three-quarters (71%) of positive patients were eligible for management guidelines and/or potentially eligible for approved precision therapies or clinical trials.

An estimated three million men are living with prostate cancer in the U.S., and just under 200,000 are newly diagnosed each year.