On April 20, 2020 Compugen Ltd. (NASDAQ: CGEN), a clinical-stage cancer immunotherapy company and leader in predictive target discovery, reported the publication of a peer reviewed paper titled "Characterization of BAY 1905254, a novel immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting the immunoglobulin-like domain containing receptor 2 (ILDR2)" describing BAY 1905254’s ability to trigger an anti-tumor immune response in mice, supporting its clinical evaluation as a cancer immunotherapy (Press release, Compugen, APR 20, 2020, View Source [SID1234556444]). The preclinical studies, published in Cancer Immunology Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper), were conducted in collaboration between Compugen and Bayer AG, with data demonstrating BAY 1905254 in vitro T cell activation and in vivo anti-tumor activity.

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ILDR2 is a novel therapeutic target in immuno-oncology discovered computationally by Compugen and licensed to Bayer under a research and development collaboration and license agreement. ILDR2 is expressed by a specialized stromal cell subset so called fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) located in the lymph node where T cell priming and initiation of local T cell responses occur. Therefore, the hypothesis on the mode of action of BAY 1905254 is that the blockade of the immunosuppressive function of ILDR2 in the lymph node results in enhanced T cell priming, allowing for enhanced anti-cancer immune responses. BAY 1905254 is currently being evaluated by Bayer in a Phase 1 study as monotherapy and in combination with Keytruda in patients with advanced solid tumors.

"This publication further supports and extends our prior published studies on ILDR2, offering additional validation to Compugen’s ability to discover computationally untapped drug targets. It also further substantiates ILDR2’s role as a new immune checkpoint with possible applications in oncology and autoimmune diseases," said Anat Cohen-Dayag, Ph.D., President and CEO of Compugen. "ILDR2’s differentiated mode of action suggests that BAY 1905254 has the potential to expand treatment options for cancer patients unresponsive or refractory to existing immunotherapies."

"Bayer has been an excellent partner to us and we are very pleased with their continued commitment and investment in the clinical development of BAY 1905254," added Dr. Cohen-Dayag.

The paper was co-authored by scientists at Bayer and Compugen.

On April 20, 2020 Insmed Incorporated (Nasdaq:INSM), a global biopharmaceutical company on a mission to transform the lives of patients with serious and rare diseases, reported that it will release its first quarter 2020 financial results on Thursday, April 30, 2020 (Press release, Insmed, APR 20, 2020, View Source [SID1234556443]).

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Insmed management will host a conference call for investors beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, April 30, 2020 to discuss the financial results and provide a business update.

Shareholders and other interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing (888) 317-6003 (domestic) or (412) 317-6061 (international) and referencing conference ID number 2121512. The call will also be webcast live on the company’s website at www.insmed.com.

A replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately one hour after its completion through May 14, 2020 by dialing (877) 344-7529 (domestic) or (412) 317-0088 (international) and referencing replay access code 10142785. A webcast of the call will also be archived for 90 days under the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at www.insmed.com.

On April 20, 2020 Transcenta Holding Limited. ("Transcenta"), a global biotherapeutics company that fully integrates antibody-based biotherapeutics discovery, R&D and manufacturing, reported that its subsidiary Mabspace Biosciences (Suzhou) Co., Limited has received clearance of its IND from FDA for its novel humanized Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) monoclonal antibody (internal project number TST001) (Press release, Transcenta, APR 20, 2020, View Source;301043268.html [SID1234556442]). It is developed jointly by Mabspace Biosciences and HJB, another Transcenta’s subsidiary focusing on CMC and manufacturing.

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The unique expression profile of Claudin 18.2 in normal tissue and its aberrant expression in multiple tumor types make Claudin 18.2 an attractive anti-cancer therapeutic target. TST001 is a humanized high affinity anti-Claudin 18.2 antibody and kills tumor cells via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Through bioprocess engineering, TST001 is produced with reduced fucosylation and results in significant enhancement in its ADCC inducing activity against Claudin 18.2 expressing tumors. In preclinical studies, TST001 is efficacious in multiple tumor animal models, and well tolerated in GLP toxicology studies. As of today, TST001 has received clearance from both FDA and China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to initiate clinical trials in patients with metastatic solid tumors.

"The FDA’s clearance of our IND is an important milestone for TST001 project transition into clinical-stage. Our team is very excited to have the opportunity to test this differentiated Claudin 18.2 antibody in cancer patients. Our ongoing development of companion diagnostic antibody will help us to identify patients with Claudin 18.2 expression. We hope to expedite the development of this agent to bring potentially more efficacious treatment options to cancer patients around the world," said Dr. Xueming Qian, Transcenta’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

On April 20, 2020 Sutro Biopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: STRO), a clinical-stage drug discovery, development and manufacturing company focused on the application of precise protein engineering and rational design to create next-generation oncology therapeutics, reported that it will host a conference call and live audio webcast on Monday, April 27, at 8 a.m. EDT to discuss updated dose escalation safety and efficacy data from the company’s ongoing Phase I study of STRO-002 in ovarian and endometrial cancer that is being presented as a virtual poster at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Virtual Annual Meeting (Press release, Sutro Biopharma, APR 20, 2020, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sutro-biopharma-to-host-conference-call-on-april-27-2020-to-provide-clinical-update-on-its-stro-002-antibody-drug-conjugate-301043688.html [SID1234556441]). The virtual poster will be accompanied by a video presentation from Dr. Wendel Naumann of The Levine Cancer Institute.

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STRO-002 is a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting the clinically validated folate receptor-α (FolRα), an antigen known to be overexpressed in ovarian cancer. Sutro discovered, developed and manufactures STRO-002 using its proprietary XpressCF+ cell-free protein synthesis technology.

Conference Call Information:

To access the conference call and live audio webcast on Monday, April 27, at 8 a.m. EDT, please dial (833) 729-4781 (domestic) or (830) 213-7705 (international) and refer to conference ID 2699785.

The conference call will be webcast via the Investors page on the Company’s website at ir.sutrobio.com. Approximately two hours following the live event, a webcast replay of the conference call will be available through the Company Presentation page of the Investor section of the company’s website at www.sutrobio.com for approximately 30 days.

Poster Presentation Details:

STRO-002-GM1, a First in Human, Phase 1 Study of STRO-002, an anti-Folate Receptor-alpha (FRα) Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC), in Patients with Advanced Platinum-Resistant/Refractory Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (OC), including Fallopian Tube or Primary Peritoneal Cancers

Date & Time:

Monday, April 27, 2020, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT

Location:

The AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Virtual Meeting at aacr.org

Poster Number:

CT125

The submitted abstract and the virtual poster presentation will also be accessible through the Clinical/Scientific Presentation and Publication Highlights page of the News section of the company’s website at www.sutrobio.com on the day of the presentation.

On April 20, 2020 McKesson Corporation (NYSE:MCK) reported that it will release its fourth quarter fiscal 2020 financial results before market open on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 (Press release, McKesson, APR 20, 2020, View Source [SID1234556440]). The company will host a conference call for investors at 8:00 AM Eastern Time to review its financial results.

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A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available on McKesson’s Investor Relations website at View Source, along with the company’s earnings press release, financial tables and slide presentation. The conference call can also be accessed by dialing 786-815-8297. The password is ‘McKesson’.