On June 3, 2020 BostonGene Corporation, a biomedical software company focused on defining optimal precision medicine-based therapies for cancer patients, reported that three abstracts were selected for poster presentations at the 2020 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Virtual Annual Meeting II, which will be conducted from June 22 – 24, 2020 (Press release, BostonGene, JUN 3, 2020, View Source [SID1234560803]).

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The presentations describe findings obtained by using BostonGene’s technologies and analytical tools designed to improve diagnosis and treatment decisions for cancer patients. Results include validation of bulk RNAseq utility for accurate reconstruction of tumor microenvironment and identification of four prominent microenvironment types conserved among solid tumors. Application of BostonGene computational tools lead to better understanding of the role of microenvironment compartments in tumor pathogenesis and supporting clinical decision making for the treatment of cancer.

"We are excited to present at the 2020 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Virtual Annual Meeting to share the clinical utility of the BostonGene solution and demonstrate how it improves diagnosis and treatment decisions for cancer patients," said Andrew Feinberg, President and CEO of BostonGene.

Details of the poster presentations are as follows:

Abstract Number: 6168
Title: Integrated whole exome and transcriptome analyses of the tumor and microenvironment provide new opportunities for rational design of cancer therapy
Session: Tumor Heterogeneity and Microenvironment: Next-Generation Sequencing, Single Cell, and Imaging
Poster: 4418
Presenter: Alexander Bagaev, BostonGene

BostonGene developed and validated a new analytic platform for multi-parametric analyses of malignant and nonmalignant tumor compartments using genomic and transcriptomic sequencing data. Application of BostonGene platform to more than 8,500 patient data sets revealed four types of tumor microenvironment (TME) that are conserved across cancer types and demonstrate high prognostic significance and differential response to immunotherapy. This novel Molecular-Functional (MF) portrait platform, involving analytic and visualization methods, provides a robust tool for prediction of response to immunotherapy and for future tailoring of personalized therapeutic combinations.

Abstract Number: 6997
Title: Novel machine learning based deconvolution algorithm results in accurate description of tumor microenvironment from bulk RNAseq
Session: Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Omics, Imaging, and Diagnostics
Poster: 853
Presenter: Alexander Bagaev, BostonGene

BostonGene developed a novel machine learning-based algorithm for cellular deconvolution of tumor microenvironment (TME) from bulk RNAseq data. This tool accurately reconstructs proportions of major immune and stromal cell populations, as well as T cell subtypes and M1 and M2 macrophages. Validation of BostonGene algorithm performance by comparison of flow cytometry, single cell RNAseq and bulk RNAseq analysis performed on samples from different tissues will be presented. The result demonstrates utility of bulk RNAseq for accurate and robust reconstruction of TME composition and paves the road for application of the BostonGene computational tool for support of clinical decision making for the treatment of cancer.

Research conducted with Massachusetts General Hospital

Abstract Number: 7544
Title: HER2 expression and M2-like tumor infiltrating macrophages associated with Cabazitaxel activity in gastric cancer
Session: Predictive Biomarkers for Treatment Efficacy 1
Poster: 2011
Presenter: Sandipto Sarkar, Weill Cornell Medicine

In the clinical study of cabazitaxel efficacy in gastric cancer, comprehensive whole exome sequencing (WES) and RNAseq data analysis identified genetic aberrations and tumor microenvironment signatures associated with favorable response. In particular, this analysis resulted in identification of two novel biomarkers, HER2 overexpression and M2-high tumor macrophage signature, both of which associated with improved outcomes. RNAseq-based deconvolution demonstrating M2 macrophages enrichment in patients with improved PFS, was further validated by immunohistochemistry using M1 and M2 macrophage-specific markers.

Research conducted with Weill Cornell Medicine

The e-poster website will be launched June 22, 2020, the first day of the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Virtual Annual Meeting II. All e-posters will be made available for browsing on this date.

Additionally the abstracts will be published in an online-only Proceedings supplement to the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) journal Cancer Research after the completion of the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Virtual Annual Meeting II.

On June 3, 2020 Maverick Therapeutics, Inc., a private biopharmaceutical company pioneering conditionally active bispecific T cell targeted immunotherapies, reported pipeline updates for its robust set of Conditional Bispecific Redirected Activation (COBRATM) programs at the Jefferies Virtual Healthcare Conference taking place June 2-4, 2020 (Press release, Maverick Therapeutics, JUN 3, 2020, View Source [SID1234560802]).

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By nature of its elegant and innovative design, the COBRATM platform is the most mature bispecific T cell engaging platform in its class that can safely target solid tumors with highly specific and potent activity. COBRA molecules are prodrugs selected to bind to specific targets, which may be expressed in both tumor and healthy tissue. However, COBRAs are engineered to take advantage of the tumor’s unique microenvironment for T cell activation; triggering T cell mediated killing only at the site of the tumor while sparing damage to patients’ healthy tissues.

"As we continue to advance our pipeline, we look forward to initiating the clinical development of our lead first-in-class COBRA programs, MVC-101 and MVC-280, both of which have generated promising pre-clinical data designed to validate the COBRA mechanism of action and be predictive of translation to patients. Our pipeline reflects our single focus on developing potent and conditionally active T cell engaging therapies for solid tumor cancers. Beyond our two lead programs, we have also generated compelling in vivo data for two additional COBRA molecules," said Jim Scibetta, Chief Executive Officer, Maverick Therapeutics. "The first patient who is safely and effectively treated for a solid tumor cancer with any form of T cell therapy, whether CAR T cell therapy or redirected T cell engagers like our COBRAs, will serve as a major breakthrough in the field of cancer immunotherapy. For us at Maverick, this is an incredibly important and humbling mission."

"Although evidence of anti-tumor activity has been observed in patients with solid cancers, the full potential of T cell engaging therapies against solid tumor cancers continues to be hindered by unacceptable toxicity," said Jim Vasselli, M.D., Senior Vice President, Clinical Development, Maverick Therapeutics. "Underpinning the pre-clinical development of COBRA technology is Maverick’s commitment to using gold standard in vivo and in vitro models to maximize our understanding of the molecules. We are encouraged by the early results generated by these first two programs and are excited to continue development towards the clinic."

MVC-101 Is a Highly Potent COBRA Targeting Tumors that Express EGFR

Maverick Therapeutics’ lead program candidate, MVC-101, is a proprietary COBRA molecule designed to target Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), a protein expressed on both malignant and healthy tissues. MVC-101 regressed established human tumors in several preclinical models. Exposures of MVC-101 at efficacious relative to tolerated doses in safety studies demonstrates an increased therapeutic index compared to standard T cell engagers. MVC-101 is designed to be a universal solution for patients with EGFR expressing solid tumor cancers. EGFR is expressed on a wide range of solid tumor cancers, including but not limited to colorectal, head & neck, renal, pancreatic, cervical and non small cell lung cancers. Maverick expects to initiate a Phase 1 trial in Q1 2021.

MVC-280 Is a Highly Potent COBRA Targeting Tumors that Express B7H3

Maverick Therapeutics’ second program candidate, MVC-280, is a proprietary COBRA molecule designed to target B7H3 (CD276). B7H3 is expressed in a broad range of malignant and healthy tissues, similar to EGFR. MVC-280 regressed established tumors in several preclinical models. It is cross-reactive to its target protein expressed on mouse tissues, creating an opportunity to measure both efficacy and relative safety in the same preclinical model and use that data to calculate a therapeutic index. MVC-280 is designed to be a universal solution for patients with B7H3 expressing solid tumor cancers. B7H3 is expressed on a wide range of solid tumor cancers, including but not limited to prostate, renal, triple negative breast, head & neck, ovarian and urothelial cancers. Maverick expects to initiate a Phase 1 trial in H2 2021.

About the COBRATM Therapeutics Platform

Maverick Therapeutics’ COBRATM platform is the most mature conditionally active bispecific T cell engaging platform designed to safely target a broad range of solid tumors with highly specific and potent activity while limiting on-target toxicities in normal tissues. By nature of its highly innovative design, the COBRA platform reflects a novel approach to T cell engaging immunotherapies where T cell activation and resulting cell killing only take place where it is needed – in tumors. This unique design delivers the long sought after trifecta in cancer care; high specificity, high potency and reduced toxicity.

On June 3, 2020 Aldeyra Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALDX) (Aldeyra) reported that Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, will present at the Jefferies Virtual Healthcare Conference at 1:00 p.m. ET Thursday, June 4, 2020 (Press release, Aldeyra Therapeutics, JUN 3, 2020, View Source [SID1234560801]).

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A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the investor relations page of the company’s corporate website at View Source After the live webcast, the even will remain archived on the Aldeyra Therapeutics website for 90 days.

On June 3, 2020 Horizon Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: HZNP) reported that it issued a notice of redemption for all $400 million of its 2.50% exchangeable senior notes due 2022 (Press release, Horizon Therapeutics, JUN 3, 2020, View Source [SID1234560800]). The redemption date is August 3, 2020. The exchangeable senior notes may be exchanged by holders at any time before 5 p.m. (Eastern time) on July 30, 2020. Each $1,000 principal amount of the notes is exchangeable into 34.8979 ordinary shares of the Company, plus cash in lieu of fractional shares.

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"The redemption of our $400 million in exchangeable senior notes is an additional step in successfully executing our strategy to improve our capital structure to be in line with that of our biopharma peers," said Paul Hoelscher, executive vice president, chief financial officer, Horizon. "We began to execute on this strategy about a year ago, and inclusive of this redemption, we will have reduced our gross debt by about $1 billion, while maintaining a strong cash balance. In addition, through our refinancing and debt reduction initiatives, we have lowered our annualized cash interest expense by more than 40 percent versus a year ago and extended the maturity of our senior secured term loans and senior notes out to 2026 and 2027, respectively."

As of March 31, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $754.6 million. In addition, the total principal amount of debt outstanding was $1.418 billion, consisting of $418 million in senior secured term loans due 2026, $600 million of senior notes due 2027 and $400 million of exchangeable senior notes due 2022. Following the exchange or redemption of the exchangeable senior notes, the total principal amount of debt outstanding will be $1.018 billion. The Company has no maintenance covenants on its debt.

On June 3, 2020 Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) reported that management will participate in a fireside chat during the virtual Goldman Sachs 41st Annual Global Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 11:20 a.m. Eastern Time (Press release, Seattle Genetics, JUN 3, 2020, View Source [SID1234560799]). The presentation will be webcast live and available for replay from Seattle Genetics’ website at www.seattlegenetics.com in the Investors section.

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