Biofrontera announces conference call to be held on August 27, 2020 to discuss half-year 2020 financial results

On August 19, 2020 Biofrontera AG (NASDAQ: BFRA; Frankfurt Stock Exchange: B8F) (the "Company"), an international biopharmaceutical company, reported that it will be releasing its financial results for the first six months ended June 30, 2020 on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 (Press release, Biofrontera, AUG 19, 2020, View Source [SID1234568550]).

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Conference calls for shareholders and interested investors will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2020, at the following times:

Please dial in 10 minutes ahead of time to ensure a timely start of the conference call.

Prescient Therapeutics is developing novel personalised therapies against a range of cancers – Small Caps

On August 19, 2020 Prescient Therapeutics (ASX: PTX) reported Chief Executive Officer Steven Yatomi-Clarke joins Small Caps to discuss the company’s novel approach to treating cancer using targeted and cellular therapy (Press release, Prescient Therapeutics, AUG 19, 2020, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=prescient-therapeutics-is-developing-novel-personalised-therapies-against-a-range-of-cancers-small-caps [SID1234565490]).

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Prescient Therapeutics is the only ASX-listed company developing CAR-T technology, which is a type of cellular therapy that reprograms a cancer patient’s immune cells to recognise and destroy cancer.

The clinical stage oncology company recently announced it will be teaming up with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to advance its cell therapy research, including next generation CAR-T.

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.