Castle Biosciences Awarded U.S. Federal Supply Schedule Contract for DecisionDx-Melanoma

On August 24, 2021 Castle Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSTL), a dermatologic diagnostics company providing personalized genomic information to inform treatment decisions, reported that it has been awarded a five-year U.S. Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for its DecisionDx-Melanoma gene expression profile test (Press release, Castle Biosciences, AUG 24, 2021, View Source [SID1234586852]).

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The VHA is a component of and implements the healthcare program for U.S. veterans through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The contract became effective on Aug. 15, 2021, and provides greater access to DecisionDx-Melanoma for veterans being treated through the VHA, the largest integrated health care system in the U.S., as well as active-duty service members and their families seeking medical treatment through the Military Health System (MHS).

"At Castle, we are committed to improving the lives of patients with skin cancer," said Derek Maetzold, president and chief executive officer of Castle Biosciences. "We believe that adding the personalized genomic information provided by our DecisionDx-Melanoma test to traditional clinical and pathology factors can help clinicians make improved treatment decisions for their patients. This contract provides veterans and active-duty service members treated in VA and MHS medical centers greater access to our test, allowing them to incorporate DecisionDx-Melanoma into their management plans."

Melanoma is the most frequently diagnosed and most deadly form of skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Additionally, according to a 2017 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD) titled "Skin cancer in the military: A systematic review of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer incidence, prevention, and screening among active duty and veteran personnel," active-duty military personnel and veterans are at increased risk of developing melanoma due to occupational sun exposure.

In early-stage melanoma, reliance upon clinicopathologic staging factors alone has been shown to result in a significant overuse of sentinel lymph node biopsies and miss patients with aggressive tumor biology. DecisionDx-Melanoma uses an individual patient’s tumor biology to predict the risk of cutaneous melanoma metastasis or recurrence, as well as sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity, independent of traditional staging factors, to improve patient outcomes and inform disease management decisions.

About Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,293 health care facilities, including 171 VA Medical Centers and 1,112 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy.

About Military Health System

The Military Health System (MHS) is one of America’s largest and most complex health care institutions, and the world’s preeminent military health care delivery operation. The MHS saves lives on the battlefield, combats infectious disease around the world, and is responsible for providing health services through both direct care through military treatment facilities and private sector care to approximately 9.6 million beneficiaries, composed of uniformed service members, military retirees and family members.

About U.S. Federal Supply Schedule

The U.S. Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), also known as the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule and the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), is a long-term government-wide contract with commercial companies that provide access to millions of commercial products and services at fair and reasonable prices to the government. MAS makes buying easy and efficient with the use of modern technology to connect government buyers and industry.

About DecisionDx-Melanoma

DecisionDx-Melanoma is a gene expression profile test that uses an individual patient’s tumor biology to predict individual risk of cutaneous melanoma metastasis or recurrence, as well as sentinel lymph node positivity, independent of traditional staging factors, and has been studied in more than 5,700 patient samples. Using tissue from the primary melanoma, the test measures the expression of 31 genes. The test has been validated in four archival risk of recurrence studies of 901 patients and six prospective risk of recurrence studies including more than 1,600 patients. To predict likelihood of sentinel lymph node positivity, the Company utilizes its proprietary algorithm, i31-GEP, to produce an integrated test result. i31-GEP is an artificial intelligence-based neural network algorithm (independently validated in a cohort of 1,674 prospective, consecutively tested patients with T1-T4 cutaneous melanoma) that integrates the DecisionDx-Melanoma test result with the patient’s traditional clinicopathologic features. Impact on patient management plans for one of every two patients tested has been demonstrated in four multicenter and single-center studies including more than 560 patients. The consistent performance and accuracy demonstrated in these studies provides confidence in disease management plans that incorporate DecisionDx-Melanoma test results. Through June 30, 2021, DecisionDx-Melanoma has been ordered 78,277 times for use in patients with cutaneous melanoma.

Seneca Therapeutics, Inc. Announces Issued U.S Patents for Tumor Endothelial Marker 8 (TEM8) Technology to Enable Better Patient Selection for SVV-001 Therapy

On August 24, 2021 Seneca Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of oncolytic immune-therapeutics based on Seneca Valley Virus (SVV-001), reported the issuance and allowance of several U.S. patents for TEM8 (also known as ANTXR1) licensed from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) (Press release, Seneca Therapeutics, AUG 24, 2021, View Source [SID1234586851]). TEM8 may enable pre-screening of solid tumors to determine if SVV-001 might be effective in that patient. This discovery is based on research from Charles Rudin, MD, PhD., Chief, Thoracic Oncology Service at MSK and his team.

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U.S. Patent No. 11,096,972 B2 for Seneca valley virus (SVV) cellular receptor targeted oncotherapy, was issued today by the U.S. Patent Office. This patent covers combination therapies with Seneca Valley Virus (SVV) in patients who have a normal or an elevated expression level of ANTXR1 and a decreased expression level of IFN-I in a cancerous tissue.

That patent follows U.S. Patent No. 10,537,599 B2 for Seneca valley virus (SVV) cellular receptor targeted oncotherapy which issued on January 21, 2020 and broadly covers methods for treating cancer, comprising: determining an expression level of anthrax toxin receptor 1 (ANTXR1) in a cancerous tissue from a patient, and administering to the patient an effective amount of Seneca Valley Virus (SVV) if a normal expression level or an elevated expression level of ANTXR1 is detected in the cancerous tissue.

Patent applications protecting these inventions are also pending throughout the world in Europe, China, Australia, Canada, Israel and India. This adds to the growing body of issued intellectual property that broadly covers SVV, SVV analogues, and methods of killing cancer cells using SVV and related analogues, to which Seneca Therapeutics owns exclusive rights.

Dr. Paul Hallenbeck, Founder, President, and Chief Scientific Officer at Seneca Therapeutics commented "We are very pleased with the progress of these patents in the U.S. Patent Office. Our exclusive license to these patents, with rights to sublicense, will help to maintain Seneca Therapeutics’ leadership in treating cancers using SVV."

Clovis Oncology Announces Availability of and Reimbursement for Rubraca® (rucaparib) Tablets for Women with Relapsed Ovarian Cancer in Switzerland

On August 24, 2021 Clovis Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLVS) reported that Rubraca (rucaparib) is now available and reimbursed in Switzerland (Press release, Clovis Oncology, AUG 24, 2021, View Source [SID1234586850]). The Swiss authority responsible for the authorization and supervision of therapeutic products (Swissmedic)i gave a positive recommendation for Rubraca as maintenance treatment for recurrent platinum sensitive ovarian cancer.2 Rubraca is indicated for eligible patients regardless of BRCA status, which means it can be prescribed for women who harbor a BRCA mutation or who are BRCA wild-type.2

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"PARP inhibition is the major improvement of the last years in the treatment of ovarian cancer," said Prof. Dr. med. Viola Heinzelmann-Schwarz, Head of the Department of Gynaecology and Gynaecological Oncology at the University Hospital Basel.

Approximately 600 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Switzerland every year, which equates to 1 to 2 new diagnoses every day.3 It is the third most frequent gynecological cancer in Switzerland.4 In addition, up to approximately 25 percent of patients harbor a germline BRCA1/2 mutation correlating to responsiveness to therapy, while the majority of women who are diagnosed are BRCA wild-type will have a worse prognosis and limited therapeutic options.5,6 Despite advancements in treatment and care, on average 500 women in Switzerland still die each year.7

The Swissmedic authorization is based on data from the pivotal phase 3 ARIEL3 clinical trial, which found that Rubraca significantly improved PFS in all ovarian cancer patient populations studied.1 ARIEL3 successfully achieved its primary endpoint of extending investigator-assessed PFS versus placebo in all patients treated (intention-to-treat, or ITT), population, regardless of BRCA status (median 10.8 months vs 5.4 months).1,2 In addition, it successfully achieved the key secondary endpoint of extending PFS by independent radiological review versus placebo in all patients treated (ITT), regardless of BRCA status (median 13.7 months vs 5.4 months).2 The overall safety profile of Rubraca is based on data from 937 patients with ovarian cancer treated with Rubraca monotherapy in clinical trials.2

"We are pleased to make Rubraca available in Switzerland and offer a new maintenance treatment option for eligible women with relapsed ovarian cancer," said Patrick J. Mahaffy, President and CEO of Clovis Oncology. "There has been a significant need for additional treatment options for women with relapsed ovarian cancer, and we are proud that women who may benefit will have access to rucaparib. We remain committed to making rucaparib available to eligible patients in the US and Europe."

About Rubraca (rucaparib)

Rubraca is an oral, small molecule inhibitor of PARP1, PARP2 and PARP3 that is being developed in multiple tumor types, including ovarian and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), as monotherapy, and in combination with other anti-cancer agents. Exploratory studies in other tumor types are also underway.

Click here and search for Rubraca to access the Swiss PI.

Healthcare professionals should report any suspected adverse reactions via their national reporting systems. Click here to access the Swiss national reporting system.

Rubraca (Rucaparib) 200mg, 250mg and 300mg film-coated tablets:

▼This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected new or serious adverse reactions. Active substance: rucaparib. Composition: film-coated tablet containing 200 mg, 250 mg or 300 mg rucaparib as rucaparib camsylate. Excipients: Tablet coating: polyvinyl alcohol (E1203), titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 4000 (E1521), talc (E553b), brilliant blue FCF aluminium lake (E133), indigo carmine aluminium lake (E132). Indications/Uses: Rubraca is indicated for the maintenance therapy of adult patients with advanced, platinum-sensitive, relapsed, high-grade serous ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer, who are in complete or partial remission following a platinum-based chemotherapy. Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients listed under Composition. Breastfeed during treatment with Rubraca and for 2 weeks following the last dose. Undesirable effects: Very common: anaemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, decreased appetite, blood creatinine increased, dysgeusia, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, alanine aminotransferase increased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, photosensitivity reaction, fatigue, pyrexia. Common: myelodysplastic syndrome / acute myeloid leukaemia, leukopenia, lymphopenia, febrile neutropenia, dehydration, hypercholesterolaemia, dyspnoea, transaminases increased, rash maculo-papular, palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome, erythema. Prescription status: prescription. Other information: see product information. Marketing authorisation holder: Clovis Oncology Switzerland GmbH, Seefeldstrasse 69, 8008 Zurich. Medical information: Email: [email protected]. Toll-free phone line: +41 (0)800677526. Date of revision: November 2020.

PureTech Health 2021 Half-Year Report

On August 24, 2021 PureTech Health plc (Nasdaq: PRTC, LSE: PRTC) ("PureTech" or the "Company") reported its half-yearly results for the six months ended June 30, 2021 (Press release, PureTech Health, AUG 24, 2021, View Source [SID1234586847]). PureTech is a clinical-stage biotherapeutics company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing highly differentiated medicines for devastating diseases, including inflammatory, fibrotic and immunological conditions, intractable cancers, lymphatic and gastrointestinal diseases and neurological and neuropsychological disorders, among others. The Company has created a broad and deep pipeline through the expertise of its experienced research and development team and its extensive network of scientists, clinicians and industry leaders. This pipeline, which is being advanced both internally and through PureTech’s Founded Entities3, is comprised of 25 therapeutics and therapeutic candidates, including 15 that are clinical stage and two that have received both U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance and European marketing authorization. The following information will be filed on Form 6-K with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and is also available at View Source

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1. PureTech Level Cash and Cash equivalents as of June 30, 2021 represent cash and cash equivalents held at PureTech Health plc and its wholly-owned subsidiaries only. Please refer to the Financial Review section of this report for additional detail.

2. Consolidated Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2021 represent cash and cash equivalents of $439.8 million as shown on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

3. While PureTech maintains ownership of equity interests in its Founded Entities, the Company does not, in all cases, maintain control over these entities (by virtue of (i) majority voting control and (ii) the right to elect representation to the entities’ boards of directors) or direct the management and development efforts for these entities. Consequently, not all such entities are consolidated in the Company’s financial statements. Where PureTech maintains control, the entity is referred to as a Controlled Founded Entity in this report and is consolidated in the financial statements. Where PureTech does not maintain control, the entity is referred to as a Non-Controlled Founded Entity in this report and is not consolidated in the Company’s financial statements. As of June 30, 2021, PureTech’s Controlled Founded Entities included Follica Incorporated, Vedanta Biosciences, Inc., Sonde Health, Inc. and Entrega, Inc., and PureTech’s Non-Controlled Founded Entities included Gelesis, Inc., Karuna Therapeutics, Inc., Akili Interactive Labs, Inc. and Vor Biopharma Inc. Relevant ownership interests for Founded Entities were calculated on a diluted basis (as opposed to a voting basis) as of June 30, 2021, including outstanding shares, options and warrants, but excluding unallocated shares authorized to be issued pursuant to equity incentive plans. Vedanta ownership was calculated on a diluted basis as of July 16, 2021. For each of Karuna and Vor, ownership was calculated on an outstanding voting share basis as of June 30, 2021.

Webcast and conference call details

Members of the PureTech management team will host a conference call at 9:00am EDT / 2:00pm BST today, August 24, 2021, to discuss these results. A live webcast and presentation slides will be available on the investors section of PureTech’s website under the Events and Presentations tab. To join by phone, please dial:

United Kingdom: 0800 640 6441
United Kingdom (Local): 020 3936 2999
United States: 1 855 9796 654
United States (Local): 1 646 664 1960
All other locations: +44 20 3936 2999
Access code: 499281

For those unable to listen to the call live, a replay will be available on the PureTech website.

Commenting on PureTech’s half-yearly results, Daphne Zohar, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of PureTech, said:

"This has been another strong period for PureTech. We have made exciting clinical progress across both our Wholly Owned Pipeline and our Founded Entities, and substantial financial momentum leaves us in an excellent position to continue delivering on our promise to patients and to creating value for shareholders.

"Our Wholly Owned Programs have rapidly accelerated and grown, with six therapeutic candidates now in development to potentially address serious patient needs. LYT-100 is being evaluated in two ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials in Long COVID and breast cancer-related lymphedema, and we have also initiated three additional Phase 1 clinical trials to further inform the development of LYT-100 in these indications as well as in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We look forward to sharing our potentially registration-enabling development plans in IPF in the fourth quarter of this year following discussion with the FDA and other regulatory bodies. Additionally, the Phase 1 portion of a Phase 1/2 trial of LYT-200 for the potential treatment of difficult-to-treat solid tumors is expected to read out in the fourth quarter of this year, and – pending the results – a Phase 2 trial is planned to evaluate LYT-200 both alone and in combination with BeiGene’s tislelizumab or chemotherapy.

"Our Founded Entities have also had a productive period. Gelesis’ merger agreement with Capstar Special Purpose Acquisition Corp., upon completion, will make it the third of PureTech’s Founded Entities to become publicly traded. Along with Vor (Nasdaq:VOR) and Karuna (Nasdaq:KRTX), these three entities will have a combined value of over $5.4 billion as of June 30th, including the expected valuation of Gelesis following the completion of its Capstar merger. In addition to our equity holdings across all of our Founded Entities, we are also due royalties on potential product sales from Gelesis, Karuna and Follica. Royalties due to us from each of those programs could potentially be worth as much as – or more than – our equity in each program, depending on the extent of future product sales.

"Our pioneering hub and spoke model of developing new medicines has yielded 25 therapeutics and therapeutic candidates to date with clinical development success rates that significantly outperformed biopharma industry averages. The common theme underlying all of these programs has been to start with a tremendous patient need and to identify or invent a solution based on signals of human efficacy and clinically validated biology. In many cases, this approach has enabled us to advance a new candidate with a significantly de-risked profile, resulting in what we believe are differentiated treatments for devastating diseases.

"I remain proud of and energized by the progress our team has made this year, and I look forward to the many milestones ahead throughout the remainder of 2021 and into 2022. "

Operational Highlights

Wholly Owned Programs4

PureTech’s team, network and insights and expertise in the biology of the brain, immune and gut, or BIG, systems and the interface between those systems, referred to as the BIG Axis have enabled the rapid advancement and growth of the Company’s Wholly Owned Programs. Focused on the lymphatic system and related immunological and inflammatory disorders, PureTech’s Wholly Owned Pipeline currently consists of six therapeutic candidates including:

· LYT-100 (deupirfenidone), a clinical therapeutic candidate that the Company is pursuing for inflammatory and fibrotic conditions and disorders of lymphatic flow;

· LYT-200, a clinical therapeutic candidate targeting a foundational immunosuppressor, galectin-9, that the Company is developing for the potential treatment of a range of cancer indications;

· LYT-210, a preclinical therapeutic candidate targeting immunomodulatory gamma delta-1 T cells that the Company is developing for a range of cancer indications;

· LYT-300 (oral allopregnanolone), a preclinical therapeutic candidate derived from PureTech’s GlyphTM platform that the Company is developing for a range of neurological and neuropsychological conditions;

· LYT-500, a preclinical, orally-administered therapeutic candidate derived from PureTech’s AlivioTM platform that the Company is developing for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); and

· LYT-503/IMB-150, a preclinical therapeutic candidate derived from PureTech’s Alivio platform that is being advanced in collaboration with Imbrium Therapeutics as a potential non-opioid treatment for interstitial cystitis or bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).

PureTech’s Wholly Owned Programs also include four lymphatic and inflammation platforms: Glyph – a synthetic lymphatic targeting chemistry platform – and OrasomeTM – an oral biotherapeutics platform – both of which leverage the absorption of dietary lipids to traffic therapeutics via the lymphatic system, Alivio – an inflammation-targeting immunomodulation platform for the potential treatment of a range of chronic and acute inflammatory disorders – and a meningeal lymphatics research program to develop potential treatments for neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases.

Key developments and progress during the period across PureTech’s Wholly Owned Programs include:

· In the first half of 2021, PureTech progressed two ongoing Phase 2 clinical trials of LYT-100 including 1) a global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of LYT-100-COV in adults with Long COVID5 respiratory complications and related sequelae. Topline results from this trial are expected by the end of 2021, and 2) a Phase 2a proof-of-concept study of LYT-100-LYMPH in patients with breast cancer-related, upper limb secondary lymphedema. Topline results from this trial are expected in 2022.

· PureTech has also initiated a three-month, open-label extension of the LYT-100-COV Phase 2 trial in adults with Long COVID respiratory complications and related sequelae who completed the first portion of the trial. The primary endpoint of the extension trial is to assess the longer-term safety and tolerability of LYT-100-COV through up to 182 days of treatment.

· In the first half of 2021, PureTech initiated three additional Phase 1 clinical trials of LYT-100 to explore further the pharmacokinetic (PK), dosing and tolerability in healthy volunteers. One of these trials is an extension of the previously completed multiple ascending dose (MAD) study of LYT-100 and is designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose of LYT-100 in healthy volunteers. Results from these trials are anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2021 and are expected to provide additional data to inform future clinical development of LYT-100 across multiple indications.

· In April 2021, PureTech announced the formation of its Clinical Advisory Board for IPF and other progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (PF-ILDs). Comprised of physicians and researchers with deep expertise in the clinical development of novel therapies in PF-ILDs, the Clinical Advisory Board will work closely with PureTech as it advances LYT-100-ILD. PureTech is planning the trial design that will potentially enable registration of LYT-100-ILD for the treatment of IPF and potentially other PF-ILDs. PureTech expects to provide additional guidance in the fourth quarter of 2021, following discussion with regulatory agencies and which may also be informed by additional ongoing Phase 1 studies of LYT-100.

· In the August 2021 post-period, PureTech presented the results of the Phase 1 multiple ascending dose and food effect study of LYT-100 at the virtual European Respiratory Society International Congress.

· In the July 2021 post-period, PureTech announced a clinical trial and supply agreement with an affiliate of BeiGene, Ltd. to evaluate BeiGene’s tislelizumab, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, in combination with PureTech’s LYT-200, an investigational monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting galectin-9, for the potential treatment of difficult-to-treat solid tumors that are associated with poor survival rates. Under the terms of the agreement, PureTech will maintain control of the LYT-200 program, including global R&D and commercial rights, and BeiGene has agreed to supply tislelizumab for use in combination with LYT-200 for the planned study. LYT-200 is currently being evaluated as a single agent in the Phase 1 portion of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial. The primary objective of the Phase 1 portion of the trial is to assess the safety and tolerability of escalating doses of LYT-200 to identify a dose to carry forward into the Phase 2 portion of the trial. The Phase 1 portion will also assess the PK and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles of LYT-200. Results from the Phase 1 portion of the study are anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2021. Pending these results, PureTech intends to initiate the Phase 2 expansion cohort portion of the trial, which is designed to evaluate LYT-200 both alone and in combination with BeiGene’s tislelizumab or chemotherapy.

· In the first half of 2021, PureTech continued to advance LYT-300, its most advanced Glyph candidate, towards the clinic. LYT-300 is an oral form of allopregnanolone, an IV version of which is approved by the FDA and administered over 60 hours, and PureTech believes LYT-300 may be applicable to a range of neurological and neuropsychological conditions. PureTech expects to initiate a clinical trial of LYT-300 by the end of 2021. The initial objective of the clinical program is to characterize the safety, tolerability and PK of orally administered LYT-300 in a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers. This study may also explore the impact of LYT-300 on ß-EEG, a marker of GABAA target engagement. Data from this study will be used to define a potential range of future studies and planned indications.

· In February 2021, a preclinical proof-of-concept study for the Glyph technology was published in the Journal of Controlled Release. The results demonstrate the ability of this platform to directly target gut lymphatics with an orally dosed small molecule immunomodulator.

· In June 2021, PureTech announced its acquisition of the remaining 22 percent of shares outstanding in its Founded Entity, Alivio Therapeutics (Alivio). Alivio’s therapeutic candidates, in development for inflammatory disorders including IBD, have been integrated into PureTech’s Wholly Owned Pipeline, and the underlying Alivio technology platform, which is designed to enable inflammation-targeted immunomodulation for the potential treatment of a range of chronic and acute inflammatory disorders, and related undisclosed anti-inflammatory candidates, have been added to PureTech’s discovery programs. The lead candidate from within the Alivio technology platform is LYT-500, which is a preclinical, orally-administered therapeutic candidate in development for IBD. PureTech expects preclinical proof-of-concept data for LYT-500 in the first half of 2022.

· In the August 2021 post-period, PureTech announced that Imbrium exercised a license option under the companies’ research and development collaboration agreement to develop PureTech’s LYT-503/IMB-150 for the potential treatment of IC/BPS. In connection with the option exercise, PureTech received an upfront payment of $6.5 million and is eligible to receive up to $53 million in additional development milestone payments for this program as well as royalties on product sales. An IND application for LYT-503/IMB-150 is planned to be filed in early 2022.

· In April 2021, PureTech announced the publication of preclinical research in Nature around its meningeal lymphatics research program, suggesting that restoring lymphatic flow in the brain, either alone or in combination with passive immunotherapies such as antibodies directed at amyloid beta, has the potential to address a range of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and the associated neuroinflammation. The work also uncovered a link between dysfunctional meningeal lymphatics and damaging microglia activation in Alzheimer’s disease, which potentially impairs the efficacy of passive immunotherapies such as amyloid beta-targeting antibodies. This suggests another route by which restoring healthy drainage patterns could improve clinical outcomes.

· In the first half of 2021, PureTech also progressed its Orasome technology platform, which is a novel programmable and scalable approach for the oral administration of nucleic acids and other biologics. Preclinical proof-of-concept data is expected in 2021.

· In the August 2021 post-period, PureTech announced the appointment of Julie Krop, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Krop will oversee all clinical development, regulatory, CMC, and medical affairs for the Company’s advancing Wholly Owned Pipeline.

4. References in this report to "Wholly Owned Programs" refer to the Company’s six therapeutic candidates (LYT-100, LYT-200, LYT-210, LYT-300, LYT-500 and LYT-503/IMB-150), four lymphatic and inflammation platforms and potential future therapeutic candidates and platforms that the Company may develop or obtain. References to "Wholly Owned Pipeline" refer to LYT-100, LYT-200, LYT-210, LYT-300, LYT-500 and LYT-503/IMB-150. On July 23, 2021, Imbrium Therapeutics exercised its option to license LYT-503/IMB-150 pursuant to which it is responsible for all future development activities and funding for LYT-503/IMB-150.

5. Long COVID is a term being used to describe the emerging and persistent complications following the resolution of COVID-19 infection, also known as post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS).

Founded Entities

In 2021, PureTech’s Founded Entities have made significant progress advancing 19 therapeutics and therapeutic candidates, of which two have been cleared for marketing by the FDA and granted marketing authorization in the European Economic Area (EEA), and 13 are clinical stage.

PureTech’s Founded Entities have also made significant progress during the period, including:

Founded Entities in which PureTech has a controlling interest or the right to receive royalties, in order of development stage

· Gelesis, Inc. (PureTech’s ownership as of June 30, 2021 was 19.2%. PureTech’s ownership will be updated following completion of the Capstar merger announced in the July 2021 post-period. PureTech also has a right to royalty payments as a percentage of net sales.)

− In the July 2021 post-period, Gelesis and Capstar Special Purpose Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: CPSR) (Capstar) a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by affiliates of Capstar Partners, LLC and certain private funds managed by PIMCO announced that they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement. Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company’s securities are expected to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol "GLS." The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions.

− In the first half of 2021, Gelesis made progress towards the full U.S. commercial launch of Plenity6 in the second half of 2021. Gelesis also plans to seek FDA input on the requirements for potentially expanding the Plenity label for treating adolescents.

− In May 2021, Gelesis presented a scientific poster at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) 2021 Annual Virtual Meeting. The post-hoc analysis showed that treatment for weight management with Plenity decreased a marker for liver fibrosis (the NAFLD fibrosis score) compared to placebo.

− In April 2021, Gelesis announced the appointment of marketing executive Jane Wildman to its Board of Directors. Ms. Wildman has extensive experience as a board member, President and Chief Marketing Officer across Fortune-25, mid-sized and start-up companies, including having spent over 25 years at Procter & Gamble.

· Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. (PureTech ownership: 8.1%; PureTech also has a right to royalty payments as a percentage of net sales)

− In the August 2021 post-period, Karuna announced all Phase 3 trials in the EMERGENT clinical program evaluating KarXT (xanomeline-trospium) for the treatment of psychosis in adults with schizophrenia are enrolling. Karuna anticipates reporting topline data from the Phase 3 EMERGENT-2 trial in mid-2022.

− In the August 2021 post-period, Karuna also announced it is on track to initiate the Phase 3 ARISE trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of KarXT compared to placebo as an adjunctive treatment in adults with schizophrenia who have an inadequate response to their current antipsychotic therapy in the second half of 2021.

− In June 2021, Karuna announced data from its completed Phase 1b trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of KarXT in healthy elderly volunteers, which followed a preliminary analysis of data from the first two cohorts in the trial announced earlier this year. The results suggest that KarXT can be administered to elderly volunteers at doses which achieve xanomeline blood levels similar to those reported in the Phase 2 EMERGENT-1 trial in adults with schizophrenia while maintaining a favorable tolerability profile. Data from the trial also suggest that a lower dose ratio of trospium to xanomeline, compared to the ratios used in Phase 1 trials in healthy adult volunteers and in the Phase 2 EMERGENT-1 trial evaluating KarXT in adults with schizophrenia, was better tolerated by healthy elderly volunteers. Karuna plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial evaluating KarXT in dementia-related psychosis in the first half of 2022.

− In March 2021, Karuna completed a follow-on public offering of its common stock, from which it received gross proceeds of $269.8 million, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses.

− In February 2021, Karuna announced that results from the EMERGENT-1 Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating KarXT for the treatment of schizophrenia were published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

− In February 2021, PureTech sold one million shares of Karuna common stock for cash consideration of approximately $118 million.

· Follica, Incorporated (PureTech ownership: 76.0%. PureTech also has a right to royalty payments as a percentage of net sales)

− In January 2021, Follica announced the appointment of two leaders in aesthetic medicine and dermatology to its Board of Directors. Tom Wiggans, former CEO of Dermira, joined as Executive Chairman with over 30 years of experience leading biopharmaceutical companies from the start-up stage to global commercialization, and Michael Davin, former CEO of Cynosure, joined as an Independent Director with over 30 years of experience in the medical device industry.

· Vedanta Biosciences, Inc. (PureTech ownership: 41.4%)

− In June 2021, Vedanta presented additional results from a Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers of VE202, Vedanta’s 16-strain defined bacterial consortium candidate for IBD, at the International Human Microbiome Consortium Congress 2021 (IHMC). The data summarized the long-term safety and colonization dynamics of the 16-strain version of VE202 in 31 healthy volunteers. Vedanta plans to move this consortium forward to a Phase 2 study in patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis in the second half of 2021. The study will be partially funded with proceeds from a $25 million investment from Pfizer, as part of the Pfizer Breakthrough Growth Initiative, which was announced in January 2021.

− In the July 2021 post-period, Vedanta announced the closing of a $68 million Series D financing and provided a pipeline update. As part of the announcement, Vedanta stated it is nearing completion of Stage 1 of an open-label Phase 1 study to evaluate the safety and initial clinical activity of VE800 in combination with Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (nivolumab) in 54 patients across select types of advanced or metastatic cancers. To date, VE800 has demonstrated an acceptable safety and tolerability profile, though the observed response rates did not meet the prespecified criteria to expand into the next stage of the study. Vedanta plans to present the results at a future medical conference and will continue work to identify cancer settings and patient populations that might benefit from microbiome manipulation with its defined bacterial consortia.

− In February 2021, Vedanta announced the appointment of Mark Mullikin as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Mullikin brings 25 years of experience raising and deploying capital for life sciences companies, and most recently held leadership roles in finance and investor relations at publicly-traded Editas Medicine and Novartis.

· Sonde Health, Inc. (PureTech ownership: 44.6%)

− In the July 2021 post-period, Sonde announced that it will collaborate with leading chipmaker Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (Qualcomm) to optimize use of Sonde’s vocal biomarker technology on the flagship and high-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 and 778G 5G Mobile Platforms to help bring native, machine learning-driven vocal biomarker capabilities to mobile and IoT devices globally. The optimization has the potential to unlock several native health screening and monitoring applications on up to the hundreds of millions of mobile devices that use these Snapdragon mobile platforms.

· Entrega, Inc. (PureTech ownership: 72.9%)

− Entrega continued to advance its platform for the oral administration of biologics, vaccines and other drugs that are otherwise not efficiently absorbed when taken orally. As part of its collaboration with Eli Lilly, Entrega has continued to investigate the application of its peptide administration technology to certain Eli Lilly therapeutic candidates. The partnership has been extended into 2021.

Founded Entities in which PureTech has an equity interest, in order of development stage:

· Akili Interactive Labs, Inc. (PureTech ownership: 23.4%)

− In May 2021, Akili announced the closing of a $160 million combined equity and debt financing. With the completion of the oversubscribed Series D financing, the funding is expected to accelerate commercialization of EndeavorRx7, enable expansion of core technologies to treat acute and chronic cognitive disorders and drive further research and development of potential new digital therapeutics.

− In April 2021, Akili announced collaborations with Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Vanderbilt University Medical Center to evaluate Akili digital therapeutic AKL-T01 as a treatment for patients with cognitive dysfunction following COVID-19 (also known as "COVID brain fog"). Under each collaboration, Akili will work with research teams at each institution to conduct two separate randomized, controlled clinical studies evaluating AKL-T01’s ability to target and improve cognitive functioning in COVID-19 survivors who have exhibited a deficit in cognition.

− In March 2021, Akili announced the publication of full data from a multi-site open-label study (the STARS Adjunct study) evaluating the impact of EndeavorRx (AKL-T01) on symptoms and functional impairments in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Statistically significant improvement was demonstrated in all predetermined endpoints of the study, which included parent and clinician ratings of children’s ADHD symptoms and related impairments in daily life. The results have been published in the international peer-reviewed journal, Nature Digital Medicine.

− In the July 2021 post-period, Akili introduced new gaming features and functionalities to its EndeavorRx treatment. Akili is releasing these new gameplay features as it expands its go-to market approach to bring EndeavorRx to families and healthcare professionals at scale.

− In the August 2021 post-period, Akili and Australian digital health company TALi (ASX:TD1), completed an agreement for Akili to license TALi’s technology designed to address early childhood attention impairments. The companies plan to work together to execute clinical trials of the TALi technology in pediatric ADHD in the United States and pursue FDA regulatory clearance. Under the terms of the agreement, Akili will lead potential U.S. commercialization and roll-out.

· Vor Biopharma Inc. (PureTech ownership: 8.6%)

− In February 2021, Vor announced the pricing of its initial public offering of common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "VOR". The aggregate gross proceeds to Vor from the offering were approximately $203.4 million, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by Vor.

− In January 2021, Vor announced that the FDA had accepted Vor’s investigational new drug application (IND) application for VOR33.

− In June 2021, Vor announced it has entered into a multi-year strategic collaboration and license agreement with Abound Bio to research both single- and multi-targeted CAR-T treatments to be used in combination with Vor’s engineered HSC (eHSC) platform, with the goal of generating novel treatment systems for patients fighting acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other devastating forms of blood cancer.

− In June 2021, Vor announced the appointment of Matthew R. Patterson as Chairman of its Board of Directors.

− In the July 2021 post-period, Vor announced the formation of a collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Janssen), one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. The agreement was facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation. Under the terms of the collaboration, Vor will investigate the combination of these two technologies into a treatment solution, pairing Vor’s "invisible" eHSC transplant platform with one of Janssen’s bi-specific antibodies in development for AML. The collaboration agreement provides that each company retains all rights and ownership to their respective programs and platforms.

− In the August 2021 post-period, Vor announced it expects to enroll the first patient in a Phase 1/2a clinical trial for VOR33 in AML in the next few months. Vor remains on track to report initial clinical data from this trial in the first half of 2022. Additionally, Vor expects initial VCAR33 monotherapy clinical data in 2022, depending on investigator’s timing of data release. Vor also expects to file an IND for the VOR33/VCAR33 Treatment System in the second half of 2022.

6. Important Safety Information: Patients who are pregnant or are allergic to cellulose, citric acid, sodium stearyl fumarate, gelatin, or titanium dioxide should not take Plenity. To avoid impact on the absorption of medications: For all medications that should be taken with food, take them after starting a meal. For all medications that should be taken without food (on an empty stomach), continue taking on an empty stomach or as recommended by your physician. The overall incidence of side effects with Plenity was no different than placebo. The most common side effects were diarrhea, distended abdomen, infrequent bowel movements, and flatulence. Contact a doctor right away if problems occur. If you have a severe allergic reaction, severe stomach pain, or severe diarrhea, stop using Plenity until you can speak to your doctor. Rx Only. For the safe and proper use of Plenity or more information, talk to a healthcare professional, read the Patient Instructions for Use, or call 1-844-PLENITY.

7. EndeavorRx is a digital therapeutic indicated to improve attention function as measured by computer-based testing in children ages 8-12 years old with primarily inattentive or combined-type ADHD, who have a demonstrated attention issue. Patients who engage with EndeavorRx demonstrate improvements in a digitally assessed measure, Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) of sustained and selective attention and may not display benefits in typical behavioral symptoms, such as hyperactivity. EndeavorRx should be considered for use as part of a therapeutic program that may include clinician-directed therapy, medication, and/or educational programs, which further address symptoms of the disorder. There were no serious adverse events; 9.3% of subjects experienced side effects, including frustration, headache, dizziness, emotional reaction, nausea or aggression. EndeavorRx is only available to your patients through a prescription, and is not intended as a stand-alone therapeutic or a substitute for your patient’s medication.

Upcoming Milestones (next 12 to 24 months)

Multiple important milestones are anticipated over the next 12 to 24 months:

· PureTech is planning the trial design that will potentially enable registration of LYT-100-ILD for the treatment of IPF and potentially other PF-ILDs. PureTech expects to provide additional guidance in the fourth quarter of 2021, following discussion with regulatory agencies and which may also be informed by additional ongoing Phase 1 studies of LYT-100.

· PureTech expects topline results from the Phase 2 trial of LYT-100-COV in adults with Long COVID respiratory complications and related sequelae by the end of 2021.

· PureTech expects topline results from the Phase 2a proof-of-concept study of LYT-100-LYMPH in patients with breast cancer-related, upper limb secondary lymphedema in 2022.

· PureTech expects topline results from three additional clinical trials of LYT-100 in the fourth quarter of 2021. These additional studies are designed to explore further the PK, dosing and tolerability in healthy volunteers. One of these trials is an extension of the previously completed MAD study and is designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose of LYT-100 in healthy volunteers. Results from these trials are expected to provide additional supportive data to support clinical development of LYT-100 across indications.

· PureTech expects results from the Phase 1 portion of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of LYT-200 in metastatic solid tumors in the fourth quarter of 2021. Pending these results, PureTech intends to initiate the Phase 2 expansion cohort portion of the trial, which is designed to evaluate LYT-200 both alone and in combination with BeiGene’s tislelizumab or chemotherapy for the potential treatment of difficult-to-treat solid tumors.

· PureTech will continue to explore additional biomarker studies for LYT-210 in 2021. LYT-210 is a preclinical therapeutic candidate targeting immunomodulatory gamma delta-1 T cells that is in development to potentially treat a range of cancer indications.

· PureTech expects to initiate a clinical trial of LYT-300 by the end of 2021. The initial objective of the clinical program is to characterize the safety, tolerability and PK of orally administered LYT-300 in a Phase 1 clinical trial in healthy volunteers. This study may also explore the impact of LYT-300 on ß-EEG, a marker of GABAA target engagement. Data from this study will be used to define a potential range of future studies and planned indications.

· PureTech expects preclinical proof-of-concept data for LYT-500 in the first half of 2022. LYT-500 contains a unique combination of IL-22 and an anti-inflammatory drug, which is designed to address the two key underlying causes of IBD pathogenesis and progression, namely mucosal barrier disruption and inflammation.

· An IND application for LYT-503/IMB-150 is planned to be filed in early 2022. LYT-503/IMB-150 is being advanced in collaboration with Imbrium Therapeutics as a potential non-opioid treatment for IC/BPS.

· PureTech expects preclinical proof-of-concept data for its Orasome technology platform in 2021. The proof-of-concept study is designed to observe the presence of therapeutic serum levels of biotherapeutics (peptides and proteins, such as antibodies) produced by the body following the oral administration of designer payloads. This work could lay the foundation for IND-enabling clinical studies for one or more additional therapeutic candidates to be included in the Company’s Wholly Owned Pipeline.

· Gelesis anticipates the full commercial U.S. launch of Plenity in the second half of 2021.

· Gelesis expects topline results from a Phase 2 study of GS200 in weight management and glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes in 2021. Data from a pilot study of GS200 demonstrated that administration of GS200 ten minutes prior to a meal increased fullness throughout the entire day (P=0.012).

· Gelesis expects topline results of a pilot study of GS300 in NASH/NAFLD in the fourth quarter of 2023.

· Gelesis expects topline results from a pivotal study of GS500 in functional constipation in the second quarter of 2023.

· Karuna is on track to initiate the Phase 3 ARISE trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of KarXT compared to placebo as an adjunctive treatment in adults with schizophrenia who have an inadequate response to their current antipsychotic therapy in the second half of 2021.

· Karuna plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial evaluating KarXT in dementia-related psychosis in the first half of 2022.

· Karuna anticipates reporting topline data from the Phase 3 EMERGENT-2 trial in mid-2022.

· Follica plans to initiate a Phase 3 registration program in male androgenetic alopecia in 2022.

· Vedanta anticipates topline results from the Phase 2 clinical trial of VE303 in patients at high risk of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in the third quarter of 2021 and to initiate a Phase 3 trial of VE303 in mid-2022.

· Vedanta expects to complete the build-out of its Phase 3 and commercial launch cGMP manufacturing facility for supply of VE303 by the end of 2021.

· Vedanta expects to initiate a Phase 2 study of VE202 in patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis in the second half of 2021.

· Vedanta expects topline data from the Phase 1/2 clinical trial of VE416 for food allergy in 2022, subject to investigator timelines.

· In the third quarter of 2021, Sonde plans to announce the launch of Sonde Mental Fitness.

· Sonde expects to expand outside of respiratory indications, beginning with mental fitness.

· Sonde plans to launch key pilot programs in the employer wellness, health system and provider space in 2022.

· Akili expects a scaled approach to the commercial launch of EndeavorRx in the second half of 2021.

· Akili is exploring geographic expansion opportunities as part of its global strategy with a near-term focus on launching the EndeavorRx prescription treatment in the U.S. first.

· Vor expects to enroll the first patient in a Phase 1/2a clinical trial for VOR33 in AML in the next few months.

· Vor remains on track to report initial clinical data from the VOR33 Phase 1/2a clinical trial in the first half of 2022.

· Vor expects initial VCAR33 monotherapy clinical data in 2022, depending on investigator’s timing of data release.

· Vor expects to file an IND for the VOR33/VCAR33 Treatment System in the second half of 2022.

Financial Highlights:

· PureTech Level Cash and Cash Equivalents as of June 30, 2021 were $409.7 million1 (December 31, 2020: $349.4 million)

· Consolidated Cash and Cash Equivalents as of June 30, 2021 were $439.8 million2 (December 31, 2020: $403.9 million)

· Founded Entities also strengthened their collective balance sheets by attracting $636.2 million8 as of June 30, 2021 in equity investments and non-dilutive funding, including $634.6 million from third parties. The balance of the funding is between PureTech and its Founded Entities. Since July 2018, Founded Entities have raised over $1,636 million, of which $1,566 million (96%) was from third parties.

· Operating Loss for the period was $68.1 million (June 30, 2020: 52.8 million).

8. Funding figure includes private equity financings, loans and promissory notes, public offerings, or grant awards. Funding figure excludes future milestone considerations received in conjunction with partnerships and collaborations such as with, Boehringer Ingelheim, Imbrium Therapeutics L.P., Shionogi & Co Ltd, or Eli Lilly

PerkinElmer to Present at 2021 Baird Global Healthcare Conference

On August 24, 2021 PerkinElmer, Inc. (NYSE: PKI), a global leader committed to innovating for a healthier world, reported that the Company will present at the virtual Baird Global Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 10:50 a.m. ET (Press release, PerkinElmer, AUG 24, 2021, View Source [SID1234586846]).

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Steve Willoughby, vice president of investor relations of PerkinElmer, will provide an update on the Company and its strategic priorities during a fireside chat at this year’s virtual conference.

A live audio webcast will be available on the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.perkinelmer.com. A replay of the presentation will be posted on the PerkinElmer website after the event and will be available for 90 days following.