RhoVac’s Prostate Cancer Drug Candidate, RV001, is granted Fast Track Designation by the FDA

On November 25, 2020 RhoVac, a clinical stage company reported that the American FDA has granted Fast Track Designation to the company’s drug candidate, RV001 (Press release, RhoVac, NOV 25, 2020, View Source [SID1234571761]). Fast Track Designation is granted to investigational drugs for expedited review by the FDA, to facilitate development of drugs aimed at treating serious or life-threatening conditions and fill unmet medical needs .

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The granted Fast Track Designation means that Rhovac and RV001 are eligible for the following:

More frequent meetings with FDA to discuss the drug’s development plan and ensure collection of appropriate data needed to support drug approval
More frequent written communication from FDA about such things as the design of the proposed clinical trials and use of biomarkers
Eligibility for Accelerated Approval and Priority Review, provided relevant criteria are met·
Rolling Review, which means that a drug company can submit completed sections of its Biologic License Application (BLA) or New Drug Application (NDA) for review by FDA, rather than waiting until every section of the NDA is completed before the entire application can be reviewed. BLA or NDA review usually does not begin until the drug company has submitted the entire application to the FDA
RhoVac filed its Fast Track Designation application at the end of September, and the company is pleased to learn less than 60 days later that the FDA has granted Fast Track Designation to RhoVac’s drug candidate, RV001. The drug candidate is currently engaged in a phase IIb clinical trial in prostate cancer, a study that aims to recruit more than 175 patients and that involves centres both in Europe and in the US. The study aims to conclude in the beginning of 2022. In prostate cancer there is currently no other therapy available for patients to prevent cancer recurrence. Currently, these patients undergo only surveillance and have no access to preventive therapy. Only when patients are diagnosed with recurring and now metastatic cancer, are they again eligible for therapy such as hormone therapy. The aim of RV001 development is to ensure that fewer patients will have to experience recurring cancer and that progression is delayed in those that do. If a Proof of Concept (PoC) for the use of RV001 in prostate cancer is obtained, it is highly likely that the drug will also be tried in other cancer forms, as there is nothing prostate specific about the scientific rationale for the drug candidate per se.

RhoVac’s CEO, Anders Månsson, comments: "We are extremely pleased and proud that our drug candidate, RV001, has earned Fast Track Designation by the FDA. We obviously appreciate the benefits that this might entail in terms of access to FDA advice and an accelerated approval process. But also the fact that the FDA has reviewed our data, and found our drug candidate worthy of this level of priority, obviously sends a clear signal of recognition of the drug’s potential to all our would-be partners, which is something of great importance to us."

This disclosure contains information that RhoVac is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (EU nr 596/2014). The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person, on 25-11-2020 08:20 CET.

Karyopharm Announces Ongoing Phase 3 SIENDO Study of XPOVIO® (Selinexor) in Patients with Endometrial Cancer Passes Planned Interim Futility Analysis: Data and Safety Monitoring Board Recommends the Study Should Proceed as Planned Without Any Modifications

On November 25, 2020 Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: KPTI), a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company pioneering novel cancer therapies, reported that following a pre-specified interim futility analysis for the ongoing Phase 3 SIENDO study, the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) has recommended that the study should continue, as previously planned, without the need for adding additional patients to the trial or amending the study protocol (Press release, Karyopharm, NOV 25, 2020, View Source [SID1234571760]).

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"We are very excited that the SIENDO study has passed its planned futility analysis and that the study will continue as planned," said Sharon Shacham, PhD, MBA, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Karyopharm. "We believe this is an encouraging development for the study, and more importantly, for patients and families in need of novel treatment options for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. There are currently no approved therapies in the maintenance setting for patients with advanced endometrial cancer, making the future trial results from the SIENDO study, particularly important. We expect to report top-line data from this study in the second half of 2021."

The SIENDO study is an ongoing multicenter, blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized Phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety for front-line maintenance therapy with XPOVIO in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Participants with primary stage IV or recurrent disease who had a partial or complete response after a single line of at least 12 weeks of standard taxane-platinum combination chemotherapy are randomized in a 2:1 manner to receive either maintenance therapy of 80mg of XPOVIO taken once per week or placebo, until disease progression. The study is expected to enroll approximately 248 patients. The primary endpoint in the study is progression free survival (PFS) with the goal of the study demonstrating a hazard ratio of 0.6. As of the date of the planned futility analysis, approximately 109 patients had been enrolled in the trial.

About XPOVIO (selinexor)

XPOVIO is a first-in-class, oral Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) compound. XPOVIO functions by selectively binding to and inhibiting the nuclear export protein exportin 1 (XPO1, also called CRM1). XPOVIO blocks the nuclear export of tumor suppressor, growth regulatory and anti-inflammatory proteins, leading to accumulation of these proteins in the nucleus and enhancing their anti-cancer activity in the cell. The forced nuclear retention of these proteins can counteract a multitude of the oncogenic pathways that, unchecked, allow cancer cells with severe DNA damage to continue to grow and divide in an unrestrained fashion. Karyopharm received accelerated U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of XPOVIO in July 2019 in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least four prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least two proteasome inhibitors, at least two immunomodulatory agents, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. Karyopharm has also submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) with a request for conditional approval of selinexor in this same RRMM indication. Karyopharm’s supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) requesting an expansion of its current indication to include the treatment for patients with multiple myeloma after at least one prior line of therapy has been accepted for filing by the FDA. In June 2020, Karyopharm received accelerated FDA approval of XPOVIO for its second indication in adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma, after at least 2 lines of systemic therapy. Selinexor is also being evaluated in several other mid-and later-phase clinical trials across multiple cancer indications, including as a potential backbone therapy in combination with approved myeloma therapies (STOMP), in liposarcoma (SEAL) and in endometrial cancer (SIENDO), among others. Additional Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies are ongoing or currently planned, including multiple studies in combination with approved therapies in a variety of tumor types to further inform Karyopharm’s clinical development priorities for selinexor. Additional clinical trial information for selinexor is available at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

For more information about Karyopharm’s products or clinical trials, please contact the Medical Information department at:

Tel: +1 (888) 209-9326
Email: [email protected]

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Thrombocytopenia: XPOVIO can cause life-threatening thrombocytopenia, potentially leading to hemorrhage. Thrombocytopenia was reported in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and developed or worsened in patients with DLBCL.

Thrombocytopenia is the leading cause of dosage modifications. Monitor platelet counts at baseline and throughout treatment. Monitor more frequently during the first 3 months of treatment. Institute platelet transfusion and/or other treatments as clinically indicated. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of bleeding and evaluate promptly. Interrupt, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction.

Neutropenia: XPOVIO can cause life-threatening neutropenia, potentially increasing the risk of infection. Neutropenia and febrile neutropenia occurred in patients with MM and in patients with DLBCL.

Obtain white blood cell counts with differential at baseline and throughout treatment. Monitor more frequently during the first 3 months of treatment. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of concomitant infection and evaluate promptly. Consider supportive measures, including antimicrobials and growth factors (e.g., G-CSF). Interrupt, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction (AR).

Gastrointestinal Toxicity: XPOVIO can cause severe gastrointestinal toxicities in patients with MM and DLBCL.

Nausea/Vomiting: Provide prophylactic antiemetics. Administer 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and other anti-nausea agents prior to and during treatment with XPOVIO. Interrupt, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of ARs. Administer intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and replace electrolytes as clinically indicated.

Diarrhea: Interrupt, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of ARs. Provide standard anti-diarrheal agents, administer intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration, and replace electrolytes as clinically indicated.

Anorexia/Weight Loss: Monitor weight, nutritional status, and volume status at baseline and throughout treatment. Monitor more frequently during the first 3 months of treatment. Interrupt, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of ARs. Provide nutritional support, fluids, and electrolyte repletion as clinically indicated.

Hyponatremia: XPOVIO can cause severe or life-threatening hyponatremia. Hyponatremia developed in patients with MM and in patients with DLBCL.

Monitor sodium level at baseline and throughout treatment. Monitor more frequently during the first 2 months of treatment. Correct sodium levels for concurrent hyperglycemia (serum glucose >150 mg/dL) and high serum paraprotein levels. Assess hydration status and manage hyponatremia per clinical guidelines, including intravenous saline and/or salt tablets as appropriate and dietary review. Interrupt, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of the AR.

Serious Infection: XPOVIO can cause serious and fatal infections. Most infections were not associated with Grade 3 or higher neutropenia. Atypical infections reported after taking XPOVIO include, but are not limited to, fungal pneumonia and herpesvirus infection.

Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection, and evaluate and treat promptly.

Neurological Toxicity: XPOVIO can cause life-threatening neurological toxicities.

Coadministration of XPOVIO with other products that cause dizziness or mental status changes may increase the risk of neurological toxicity.

Advise patients to refrain from driving and engaging in hazardous occupations or activities, such as operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery, until the neurological toxicity fully resolves. Optimize hydration status, hemoglobin level, and concomitant medications to avoid exacerbating dizziness or mental status changes. Institute fall precautions as appropriate.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: XPOVIO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.

Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with a female partner of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with XPOVIO and for 1 week after the last dose.

ADVERSE REACTIONS
The most common adverse reactions (ARs) in ≥20% of patients with MM are thrombocytopenia, fatigue, nausea, anemia, decreased appetite, decreased weight, diarrhea, vomiting, hyponatremia, neutropenia, leukopenia, constipation, dyspnea, and upper respiratory tract infection.

The most common ARs, excluding laboratory abnormalities, in ≥20% of patients with DLBCL are fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, appetite decrease, weight decrease, constipation, vomiting, and pyrexia. Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities in ≥15% of patients included thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia, anemia, and hyponatremia. Grade 4 laboratory abnormalities in ≥5% were thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia.

In patients with MM, fatal ARs occurred in 9% of patients. Serious ARs occurred in 58% of patients. Treatment discontinuation rate due to ARs was 27%. The most frequent ARs requiring permanent discontinuation in ≥4% of patients included fatigue, nausea, and thrombocytopenia.

In patients with DLBCL, fatal ARs occurred in 3.7% of patients within 30 days, and 5% of patients within 60 days of last treatment; the most frequent fatal AR was infection (4.5% of patients). Serious ARs occurred in 46% of patients; the most frequent serious AR was infection. Discontinuation due to ARs occurred in 17% of patients.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
In MM, no overall difference in effectiveness of XPOVIO was observed in patients >65 years old when compared with younger patients. Patients ≥75 years old had a higher incidence of discontinuation due to an AR than younger patients, a higher incidence of serious ARs, and a higher incidence of fatal ARs.

Clinical studies in patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients.

ESSA Pharma to Participate at Evercore ISI 3rd Annual HealthCONx Conference

On November 25, 2020 ESSA Pharma Inc. (Nasdaq: EPIX) ("ESSA" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapies for the treatment of prostate cancer reported the Company will be presenting at the Evercore ISI 3rd Annual HealthCONx Conference (Press release, ESSA, NOV 25, 2020, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/essa-pharma-to-participate-at-evercore-isi-3rd-annual-healthconx-conference-301180096.html [SID1234571759]).

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Dr. David. R. Parkinson, Chief Executive Officer, will present a corporate overview of the Company’s business. Dr. Parkinson along with ESSA’s Chief Operating Officer, Peter Virsik, and Chief Financial Officer, David S. Wood will be available for one-on-one meetings from December 1 – 3, 2020.

The presentations will be webcast live and can be accessed through the Investor Relations page at www.essapharma.com. A replay of the presentations will be available on the Company’s website for 90 days.

Protagonist Therapeutics to Present at the Virtual Piper Sandler 32nd Annual Healthcare Conference

On November 25, 2020 Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTGX) reported that Dinesh V. Patel, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at the virtual Piper Sandler 32nd Annual Healthcare Conference taking place November 30 to December 3, 2020 (Press release, Protagonist, NOV 25, 2020, View Source [SID1234571758]).

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The presentation will be available for registered attendees via the Piper Sandler conference site until December 3, 2020, and will also be available November 30, 2020, by visiting the Investors section of the Protagonist Therapeutics website at View Source

Sirtex Medical and China Grand Pharmaceutical announce SIR-Spheres® Y-90 resin microspheres milestone

On November 25, 2020 Sirtex Medical ("Sirtex"), a leading manufacturer of targeted liver cancer therapies, reported that Sirtex with the support of its shareholder, China Grand Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Holdings Limited (CGP), has been notified of the acceptance by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of the People’s Republic of China of its new drug application (NDA) of SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres (Press release, Sirtex Medical, NOV 25, 2020, View Source [SID1234571757]).

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With the NDA acceptance and according to relevant regulations on the review period for NDAs by the NMPA, Sirtex expects to receive a decision on the approval of SIR-Spheres for commercialization in China in the fourth quarter of 2021. However, the duration of approval procedures and final approval is subject to various factors. The indication included in the NDA is for the treatment of unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in combination with fluorouridine adjuvant chemotherapy. In August this year, CGP and Sirtex received approval to file the NDA based on existing clinical trial data.

"We celebrate this achievement in our journey to provide a valuable treatment option to people with liver tumors from mCRC in China," said Kevin R. Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Sirtex. "We express deep thanks to the members of CGP, Sirtex China and our Global Regulatory, Quality Assurance, Operations and Medical teams as they navigated the regulatory process and secured acceptance of the NDA by the NMPA."

According to China’s cancer statistics in 2015, the number of new cases of colorectal cancer in China is 376,300, of which more than half of the patients (around 188,000) are likely to have liver metastasis. In addition, the broader liver cancer treatment market is even larger, as according to the World Health Organization statistics in 2018, there were 841,000 new cases of HCC worldwide, of which 400,000 occurred in China, accounting for 47.6% of the total cases. This demonstrates the long-term prospects for the Sirtex entry of SIR-Spheres in China.