Upstate researcher lands five-year NIH grant for $2.2 million to study proteins linked to cancer

On March 25, 2021 An Upstate Medical University researcher and professor reported that it has received a five-year $2.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the chaperone code, which plays an important role in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases (Press release, SUNY Upstate, MAR 25, 2021, View Source [SID1234577139])

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Mehdi Mollapour, PhD, vice chair for translational research for the department of urology, received a highly prestigious Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA or R35) award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), which is part of NIH. The $2.2 million, five-year MIRA/R35 grant focuses on decrypting the chaperone code. Mollapour, a professor of urology, biochemistry and molecular biology, has studied the chaperone code for nearly 20 years.

The MIRA program supports investigators’ overall research programs through a single, unified grant rather than individual project grants. The goal is to provide investigators with greater stability and flexibility, thereby enhancing scientific productivity and the chances for important breakthroughs.

Mollapour’s work for the past two decades has been aimed at understanding and deciphering the chaperone code. Molecular chaperones are a group of proteins that are involved in looking after other proteins that play an essential role in health and maladies, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. One such chaperone, Hsp90, is a guardian of cancer that can be targeted by small molecule inhibitors. These drugs are currently being evaluated in Phase III clinical trials in cancer patients.

"While the genetic code specifies how DNA makes proteins, the chaperone code controls how proteins are folded to produce a functional proteome," Mollapour said. "Deciphering or cracking the code is important in understanding how chaperones work in normal cells as well as cancer cells. It will also allow us to improve the efficacy of chaperone drugs (Hsp90 drugs) in treating cancer patients."

Mollapour credits the work of everyone in his lab as well as department leadership for help obtaining this grant. "This kind of work is only possible in a department like ours because Gennady Bratslavsky, MD, the chair of Urology, has created a research environment that allows us to conduct high-level research." The Journal of Biological Chemistry recently published an invited review by Mollapour on this subject.

In 2020, Mollapour and his colleague, Dimitra Bourboulia, PhD, an assistant professor of urology, biochemistry and molecular biology at Upstate, and Andrew Truman, assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, organized a first-ever International Symposium on The Chaperone Code. The event was held virtually and more information can be found here: www.chaperonecode.com/past-meetings.

"Because of the COVID-19 pandemic we were forced to hold this meeting virtually, but the good news was that we had more than 300 attendees," he said. "We also have a speaker every month presenting their research via webinar. This is exciting as the chaperone code has attracted so many researchers."

Thu, 25 Mar, 2021, 18:00 – English – Diamyd Medical AB intends to carry out a directed share issue of B-shares

On March 25, 2021 Diamyd Medical reported its intention to carry out a directed new share issue corresponding to a value of approximately SEK 60 million, directed at qualified investors, with deviation from existing shareholders’ preferential rights, based on the authorisation granted by the Annual General Meeting held on 26 November 2020 (the "Directed Share Issue") (Press release, Diamyd Medical, MAR 25, 2021, View Source;ClipID=3928930 [SID1234577138]). Diamyd Medical has engaged G&W Fondkommission to investigate the possibilities to conduct the Directed Share Issue.

The subscription price for the new shares in the Directed Share Issue is to be determined through an accelerated bookbuilding procedure, which will begin immediately after the announcement of this press release. The Directed Share Issue is contingent on a resolution by the Board of directors, which, alongside pricing and allocation of shares, is expected to occur prior the commencement of trading on Nasdaq First North Growth Market on 26 March 2021. The Board of directors may at any time choose to cancel the bookbuilding procedure, close earlier or later and refrain from executing the Directed Share Issue, in part of in full.

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The proceeds from the Directed Share Issue will be used for a pivotal Phase 3 trial with the diabetes vaccine Diamyd. The study is designed to confirm the efficacy and safety of Diamyd in individuals recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes that carry the genetic HLA haplotype DR3-DQ2. Approximately 330 patients will be recruited for the study and the trial will be carried out at approximately 50 clinics in Europe and in the United States.

The reason for the deviation from the shareholders’ preferential rights is to perform a capital raise in a time and cost-effective manner and to raise capital at favorable conditions for the Company’s continued expansion, as well as to diversify the shareholder base with institutional investors.

Adviser
G&W Fondkommission has been appointed Financial adviser in connection with the Directed Share Issue. Aktieinvest FK AB is the issuing agent.

Roche commences tender offer for all shares of GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. for $24.05 per share in cash

On March 25, 2021 Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) reported that it has commenced a cash tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of common stock of GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. (NASDAQ: GNMK) at a price of $24.05 per share (Press release, Hoffmann-La Roche, MAR 25, 2021, View Source [SID1234577137]). The tender offer is being made pursuant to the previously announced merger agreement dated as of March 12, 2021 among Roche Holdings, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Roche Holding Ltd, Geronimo Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Roche Holdings, Inc., and GenMark.

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The tender offer period will expire at 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time, at the end of the day on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, unless the offer is extended.

Roche has filed a tender offer statement on Schedule TO with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Geronimo Acquisition Corp. is the acquirer in the tender offer. The Offer to Purchase contained within the Schedule TO sets out the terms and conditions of the tender offer.

GenMark has also filed a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement with the SEC on Schedule 14D-9, which includes the unanimous recommendation of the GenMark board of directors that GenMark stockholders tender their shares in the tender offer. Closing of the tender offer is conditioned upon customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, and there being validly tendered and not validly withdrawn a majority of the outstanding shares of GenMark common stock. The offer is not subject to any financing condition. Following successful completion of the tender offer, any shares not acquired in the tender offer will be acquired in a second step merger at the same price of $24.05 per share. The closing of the transaction is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2021.

The complete terms and conditions are set out in the Offer to Purchase, which was filed with the SEC today, March 25, 2021. GenMark stockholders may obtain copies of all of the offering documents, including the Offer to Purchase, free of charge at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) or by directing a request for the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 to GenMark’s website at www.genmarkdx.com or the Offer to Purchase and the other related materials to MacKenzie Partners, Inc., the Information Agent for the offer, toll free at (800) 322-2885 (or please call (212) 929-5500 if you are located outside the U.S. or Canada) or via email at [email protected].

Before making any decision with respect to the Offer, investors are urged to read the Offer to Purchase and related documents, as well as the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, because they contain important information about the Offer.

About GenMark Diagnostics
GenMark Diagnostics is a leading provider of multiplex molecular diagnostic solutions designed to enhance patient care, improve key quality metrics and reduce the total cost-of-care. Utilizing GenMark’s proprietary eSensor detection technology, GenMark’s eSensor XT-8 and ePlex systems are designed to support a broad range of molecular diagnostic sample-to-answer tests with compact, easy-to-use workstations and self-contained, disposable test cartridges. GenMark’s ePlex: The True Sample-to-Answer Solution is designed to optimize laboratory efficiency and address a broad range of infectious disease testing needs, including respiratory, bloodstream and gastrointestinal infections.

Thu, 25 Mar, 2021, 17:31 – English – Quarterly Report II 20/21

On March 25, 2021 Diamyd Medical reported that B-share is traded on Nasdaq First North Growth Market under the ticker DMYD B (Press release, Diamyd Medical, MAR 25, 2021, View Source/docs/pressClip.aspx?section=investor&" target="_blank" title="View Source/docs/pressClip.aspx?section=investor&" rel="nofollow">View Source;ClipID=3928886 [SID1234577136]).
Further information is available on View Source

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Figures in parentheses relate to the corresponding period previous financial year.

September 1, 2020 – February 28, 2021

Net result: MSEK 120.0 (30.3), second quarter 15.1 (37.1). The increase compared to previous year is a one-off effect of corresponding MSEK 144.4 due to profit from divestment of shares in Companion Medical, Inc.
Result per share: SEK 1.7 (0.4), second quarter SEK 0.2 (0.5)
Cash flow from operating activities: MSEK -28.9 (31.1), second quarter: MSEK -14.8 (37.2)
Cash and cash equivalents at February 28, 2021: MSEK 165.5 (88.3)
Significant events second quarter, December 1, 2020–February 28, 2021

Diamyd Medical announced investment in MainlyAI
Positive safety evaluation of Remygen in high dose and in combination with Alprazolam gave the go-ahead for the continuation of the ReGenerate-1 trial
Meta-analysis updated with DIAGNODE-2 results provided further support for a precision medicine approach using Diamyd
Immunological analysis of Phase IIb trial with Diamyd showed differences between genetically defined patient groups
Diamyd Medical and Critical Path Institute announced data sharing collaboration to develop advanced drug development tools in type 1 diabetes
Diamyd Medical with MainlyAI and KTH were awarded VINNOVA funding for AI driven sustainable production
An additional USD 3.2 million related to the divestment of Companion Medical were received
Significant events after the reporting period

Diamyd Medical selected Cytiva’s FlexFactory platform to make precision medicine type 1 diabetes vaccine
Diamyd Medical updated on the design of a Phase III Precision Medicine trial with Diamyd

Comments by CEO Ulf Hannelius

After advice from the European Medicinal Authority EMA and the US FDA, we are now in the process of initiating a pivotal Phase 3 trial with our therapeutic vaccine Diamyd for type 1 diabetes. The trial is based on the notion of Precision Medicine, where only individuals that we know beforehand to have a high likelihood of benefitting from the treatment will be enrolled.

Approximately 330 individuals from the US and Europe with recent onset type 1 diabetes carrying the HLA DR3-DQ2 haplotype, a set of associated genetic variants present in up to half of all type 1 diabetes patients, will be enrolled in the trial which is designed to confirm the efficacy and safety of three injections of Diamyd directly into a lymph node. Intralymphatic administration of Diamyd, for which we have been granted patent protection in Europe, Japan, Australia, Russia, and Israel, with additional countries including the US pending, has shown to further increase the efficacy of the treatment compared to subcutaneous injections.

The trial is designed around the co-primary endpoints Change in endogenous insulin production measured as stimulated C-peptide and Change in long-term average blood glucose measured as HbA1c evaluated at 24 months from baseline. These two endpoints, supported by the EMA and FDA, incorporate both the biological and clinical effect measures to support the approval of the therapy. Importantly, the trial design provides, based on the comprehensive clinical effect data in the HLA-restricted patient population, a high statistical power that the trial will reach its co-primary endpoints.

On the data analytics side we are excited to have acquired a 20% ownership of MainlyAI AB. Both on the manufacturing side and on areas such as drug development and Precision Medicine applications, MainlyAI’s expertise in artificial intelligence may become of substantial value to its future customers. Besides our recent investment in MainlyAI, we have also employed our first data scientist to further strengthen our capabilities in this area. Precision Medicine is sure to advance in the coming years.

In parallel with Phase 3, we continue to work with the establishment of our manufacturing facility in Umeå. Using the FlexFactory platform from Cytiva, a global provider of technologies and services for acceleration of development and manufacture of therapeutics, we will obtain the required flexibility and scalability to serve our needs in manufacturing, for GAD, the active ingredient in Diamyd, but also for potential new internal and external assets. In these times, pharmaceutical manufacturing has become a top priority, and there may be important and exciting opportunities that our facility in Umeå will be able to serve.

Stockholm, March 25, 2021
Ulf Hannelius, President and CEO

Significant events during the second quarter

December 1, 2020 – February 28, 2021

Investment in MainlyAI
Diamyd Medical’s investment will give a 20% ownership and a board seat in MainlyAI. The investment of SEK 1.2 million will facilitate MainlyAI’s strategic focus on applying artificial intelligence, where the first project is sustainable production within the pharmaceutical sector.

Positive safety evaluation of Remygen in high dose and in combination with Alprazolam gave the go-ahead for the continuation of the trial
Following evaluation of safety data, an independent safety committee (DSMB) recommended the continuation of the investigator-initiated clinical trial ReGenerate-1, where Diamyd Medical’s GABA-based study drug Remygen is administered in combination with the GABA receptor modulator Alprazolam.

Meta-analysis updated with DIAGNODE-2 results provided further support for a precision medicine approach using Diamyd
The large-scale meta-analysis, previously published in August 2020, based on data from Phase III and Phase II trials in Europe and in the United States with the type 1 diabetes vaccine Diamyd (GAD/alum), was updated with data from the European Phase IIb trial DIAGNODE-2. The meta-analysis comprises data from 627 individual patients and provided further support for a positive and statistically significant dose-dependent treatment response on the preservation of endogenous insulin production in individuals with type 1 diabetes that carry the HLA DR3-DQ2 haplotype.

Immunological analysis of Phase IIb trial with Diamyd showed differences between genetically defined patient groups
The first immunological results from DIAGNODE-2 showed that the immune response differed significantly between genetically defined patient groups for several immunological parameters following treatment with the diabetes vaccine Diamyd (GAD-alum). The results were in line with the earlier observed difference in clinical response (announced in September 2020) between individuals positive or negative for HLA type DR3-DQ2.

Diamyd Medical and Critical Path Institute announced data sharing collaboration to develop advanced drug development tools in type 1 diabetes
Diamyd Medical and the Critical Path Institute (C-Path) announced their collaboration to significantly improve the scientific community’s insight into type 1 diabetes (T1D) through Diamyd Medical’s contribution of fully anonymized data from a European Phase III trial to the Trial Outcome Measures Initiative (TOMI) T1D integrated database.

Diamyd Medical with MainlyAI and KTH were awarded VINNOVA funding for AI driven sustainable production
The project will design, test and build a sustainability framework powered by artificial intelligence (AI) for Diamyd Medical’s production facility in Umeå, Sweden.

Diamyd Medical received additional USD 3.2 million in connection with divestment of Companion Medical
A milestone was achieved in connection with the acquisition of Companion Medical, Inc. by Medtronic plc. As previous shareholder in Companion Medial, Diamyd Medical received a part of the milestone payment, approximately USD 3.2 million, corresponding to approximately SEK 28 million.

Significant events after the reporting period

Diamyd Medical selected Cytiva’s FlexFactory platform to make precision medicine type 1 diabetes vaccine
Diamyd Medical will install a new Cytiva FlexFactory platform in Umeå, Sweden. Once up and running, the clinical stage biopharmaceutical company will begin manufacturing its precision medicine vaccine. The first of its kind, the type 1 diabetes vaccine works to reprogram immune cells to prevent the destruction of pancreatic insulin producing beta cells.

Phase III Precision Medicine trial with the Diabetes Vaccine Diamyd
The upcoming Phase III trial with Diamyd in new-onset type 1 diabetes will be based on the first precision medicine approach in the field. The trial is designed to confirm the effect and safety of Diamyd in individuals recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes who carry the genetic HLA DR3-DQ2 haplotype.

Two drugs in clinical development
Diamyd and Remygen are drugs in clinical development that focus on the underlying disease mechanisms of diabetes; the dysfunction and loss of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

Diamyd is an antigen-specific immunomodulating precision medicine diabetes vaccine for the treatment and prevention of autoimmune diabetes (type 1 diabetes and LADA, Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults).

Clinical data indicate the potential of the diabetes vaccine Diamyd to halt or stop the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in individuals that carry the HLA DR3-DQ2 haplotype. The effect is achieved by antigen-specific reprogramming of immune cells by administration of low doses of Diamyd in superficial lymph nodes. By maintaining the endogenous insulin production, Diamyd has the potential to make a significant difference in the daily life of patients as well significantly reduce the complications of type 1 diabetes. Topline results from the Phase IIb trial DIAGNODE-2 has demonstrated a significant treatment effect of Diamyd in the predefined genetic patient group.

Remygen is an oral regenerative and immunomodulatory drug candidate for the treatment of autoimmune- and type 2 diabetes. By stimulating the growth of insulin-producing cells, Remygen has the potential to reverse the disease progression in autoimmune- and type 2 diabetes. Based on clinical data, Remygen has also the potential to protect against hypoglycemia by improving the hormonal response. Remygen is now being investigated in a clinical Phase I/II trial (ReGenerate-1), where clinical efficacy is evaluated with the aim of optimizing the treatment regimen ahead of registration-based trials.

Ongoing clinical trials

Type 1 diabetes is a devastating disease which requires daily treatment with insulin to sustain life. The importance of finding a drug that improves the prospects for patients with diabetes is of utmost importance. The effect of intralymphatic administration of Diamyd, an antigen-specific precision medicine immunotherapy aimed at stopping the immune system’s attack on insulin-producing beta cells in autoimmune diabetes, is evaluated in the Phase IIb trial DIAGNODE-2 and in the Phase II trial GADinLADA.

Remygen, which aims to stimulate the growth of beta cells in patients with diabetes, is evaluated in patients in a Phase I/II trial.

Trials with Diamyd in lymph node

DIAGNODE -2 – DIAMYD IN LYMPH NODES WITH ORAL SUPPLEMENTATION OF VITAMIN D
A follow-up double-blind randomized clinical trial where Diamyd is administered directly into a lymph node with oral supplements of vitamin D. The trial encompasses 109 patients from Sweden, the Czech Republic, Spain and the Netherlands, aged 12–24 years who have recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The 15-month results were presented on September 14, 2020, demonstrating a significant treatment effect of Diamyd in a predefined patient group. As of autumn 2019, patients who had not yet completed their last visit at 15 months were offered to participate in an extension of the trial for another 9 months. 53 patients agreed to participate in the extension trial and 15 of these patients have already been followed for 24 months. Results of this extended trial should be available in Q3 2021. Coordinating Investigator is Professor Johnny Ludvigsson at Linköping University, Sweden. Diamyd Medical is the Sponsor of the trial.

GADinLADA – DIAMYD IN LYMPH NODES WITH ORAL SUPPLEMENTATION OF VITAMIN D
An open-label, investigator initiated clinical trial where Diamyd is administered directly into a lymph node with oral supplements of vitamin D. The trial, conducted in Norway and in Sweden, encompasses 15 patients aged 30-70 years diagnosed with LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) and not yet on inulin treatment. The aim with the trial is to evaluate the safety of intralymphatic treatment with Diamyd in LADA patients and to continuously evaluate the immunological and clinical response during a one-year period. Sponsor of the trial is the Norwegian University of Science and Technology with Ingrid K Hals as sponsor representative.

Trial with Remygen (GABA)

REGENERATE-1 – REMYGEN /ALPRAZOLAM
An open-label, investigator initiated clinical trial with Remygen. The trial includes approximately 36 patients aged 18-50 who have had type 1 diabetes for more than five years with low to non-existing insulin production. Safety and initial efficacy results from the dose escalation section of the trial have paved the way to initiate the main trial and have also demonstrated a potential effect of Remygen to improve the hormonal response to hypoglycemia. The main trial evaluates whether the insulin-producing cells can be regenerated and if the hormonal response to hypoglycaemia can be improved using Remygen and the combination of Remygen and Alprazolam. The trial is led by Professor Per-Ola Carlsson at Uppsala University, Sponsor of the trial.Manufacturing of GAD65 in Umeå
A new facility for vaccine manufacturing is being set up in Umeå, the Capital of Västerbotten County in Sweden, for the manufacture of recombinant GAD65, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in the therapeutic diabetes vaccine Diamyd currently in late-stage clinical development. The 10 000 square feet site, comprising of clean rooms, laboratory facilities and office space, will facilitate full control, predictability and scalability of the manufacturing technology of the active ingredient. Diamyd Medical has chosen Cytiva’s configurable single-use bioprocess manufacturing platform FlexFactory for the process.

Israeli FemTech Company MobileODT, Engaged in Large Scale Government Cervical Cancer Screening Project.

On March 25, 2021 MobileODT, an Israeli Digital Health FemTech company that is producing the latest innovation in cervical cancer screening, reported that their Visual Check AI technology is supporting a large-scale government cervical cancer screening project in the Dominican Republic (Press release, MobileODT, MAR 25, 2021, https://www.mobileodt.com/press-releases/israeli-femtech-company-mobileodt-engaged-in-large-scale-government-cervical-cancer-screening-project/ [SID1234577135]). This proof of concept project was initiated as part of the company’s strategic direction in providing cervical cancer screening at scale, utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities.

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The project is currently run by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Health in cooperation with MobileODT. In the past three months, 9,000 women were screened for cervical cancer with the EVA Visual Check AI technology. Due to the initial success of the project, it was decided to expand this program to cover another 50,000 women who are due to be screened over the next 6 months. VisualCheck, provides non specialists with an AI clinical decision support tool, predicting how highly trained colposcopists would determine positive or negative cervical cancer diagnosis.

With a high cervical cancer rate among the Dominican Republic women population, early prevention can make a huge impact on women’s lives. Furthermore, it can help the health system save significant funds that would have been otherwise directed to treatment.

"Many cervical cancer cases happen due to a lack of timely follow-up" says Dr. Alfredo Levy, MD, OBGYN , one of the leading physicians involved in this project, "the ability to receive the results immediately at the point of care, is a complete game changer. The EVA VisualCheck system is quick and easy to use, allowing us to screen more patients, and predict results with a high accuracy ".

Visual Check AI is the first step in the company’s long-term strategy to develop groundbreaking AI solutions that will transform the FemTech market. "We are the only company in the world with an AI capability in cervical cancer screening " says Leon Boston, MobileODT’s CEO, " our unique AI algorithm, allows an unprecedented screening scale, that can be life saving for so many women around the world. We are currently in the midst of a funding round, to support our long-term strategy and expand to broader areas in women’s health with AI technology".