On August 18, 2021 The National Cancer Institute reported that it has awarded Van Andel Institute a five-year, $1.7 million grant to establish a cutting-edge training program for postdoctoral fellows in cancer epigenetics, a growing field with untold potential to impact human health (Press release, Van Andel Institute, AUG 18, 2021, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=t32-award-cancer-epigenetics-training-program [SID1234586725]).

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The new Cancer Epigenetics Training Program combines extensive professional development with comprehensive, interdisciplinary research training by VAI’s internationally recognized cadre of experts. Postdoctoral trainees also will have access to the Institute’s state-of-the-art shared scientific resources and technologies as well as opportunities to participate in established translational research programs and partnerships led by VAI investigators.

Epigenetic abnormalities are universally found across cancers and serve as major drivers for malignancy, making them promising new targets for the development of novel cancer therapies. As such, the field — and its capacity for producing breakthroughs — is rapidly expanding.

"In the past few years, VAI has become a global destination for groundbreaking, collaborative cancer epigenetics research," said VAI Chief Scientific Officer Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc. (hon). "Postdoctoral trainees will emerge from our Cancer Epigenetics Training Program with extensive, rigorous training and a solid foundation from which to launch their independent research careers."

Jones and VAI Associate Professor Scott Rothbart, Ph.D., will lead the program in collaboration with Erica Gobrogge, Ph.D., program director of VAI’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. The program also benefits from the guidance of its advisory committee, which includes renowned scientists from across the U.S.

VAI’s Cancer Epigenetics Training Program is now accepting applications from candidates who are near completion of a Ph.D., M.D. or other appropriate terminal degree. For a full list of eligibility criteria, please visit vari.vai.org/cancer-epigenetics-training-program.

The Cancer Epigenetics Training program is supported by a National Cancer Institute T32 training grant (no. T32CA251066). The content is solely the responsibility of VAI and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

On August 18, 2021 ProMIS Neurosciences Inc. ("ProMIS" or the "Company") (TSX: PMN), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, reported it has upsized its public offering (the "Offering") of units ("Units") to US$17.5M from US$15M at a price of US$0.16 per Unit. If the Agent’s Option (as defined below) is exercised in full, the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering will be approximately US$20.1M (Press release, ProMIS Neurosciences, AUG 18, 2021, View Source [SID1234586724]).

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Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one quarter of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of US$0.21 per Warrant Share at any time up to 60 months following the issuance date thereof, subject to acceleration.

The Offering will be conducted on a commercially reasonable efforts basis pursuant to the terms and conditions of an agency agreement to be entered into between the Company and Leede Jones Gable Inc. (the "Agent"). The Company will also grant the Agent an option (the "Agent’s Option"), exercisable, in whole or in part, at the sole discretion of the Agent, to increase the size of the Offering by up to 15%. The Agent’s Option is exercisable, in whole or in part, at any time until the date that is two business days prior to the Closing Date (as defined herein).

The Offering is expected to close on or about August 24, 2021, or such other date as may be mutually agreed to by the Company and the Agent (the "Closing Date"), subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX").

The Offering is being made pursuant to a prospectus supplement to the Company’s short form base shelf prospectus dated June 30, 2021 (the "Base Prospectus"), which the Company will file with the securities commissions or other security regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada (other than Québec). Additionally, the Offering is expected to be conducted by way of private placement in other jurisdictions where the Offering can lawfully be made.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering (including additional proceeds from the possible exercise of the Agent’s Option) to advance its lead Alzheimer’s therapy PMN310 to the filing of an Investigational New Drug application to enable a first clinical trial, expanding the ProMIS portfolio of antibodies and patents, and general corporate purposes, as more fully described in the preliminary prospectus supplement of the Company dated August 17, 2021 (the "Preliminary Prospectus Supplement").

The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and such securities may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or U.S. persons (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

On August 18, 2021 Prescient Therapeutics and University of Pennsylvania (Penn) reported that thay are developing a new way for cancer-fighting CAR-T cells to overcome the resistance present in some types of B-cell driven cancers (Press release, Prescient Therapeutics, AUG 18, 2021, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=university-of-pennsylvania-finds-solution-for-war-weary-car-t-cells [SID1234586723]).

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Although CAR-T treatments have proven effective against numerous cancer types, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has so far proven difficult to treat.

But new research from researchers at Penn – who pioneered CAR-T technology – could provide a solution.

Penn researchers found that by inhibiting ‘bromodomain and extra terminal’ (BET) proteins, they could improve CAR-T cell function by fighting ‘T-cell exhaustion’ – a phenomenon that hinders genetically-engineered T-cells from fully fighting certain cancers.

It’s a significant finding, as many CLL patients undergo aggressive chemotherapy before receiving CAR-T treatments, and this chemotherapy process can leave many T cells exhausted.

Using a small-molecule drug called JQ1 to inhibit BET proteins during the cell engineering process, Penn researchers were able to lessen T-cell exhaustion and increase the production of CAR-T cells.

"Treating these ‘war weary’ T cells during the CAR T cell engineering process has the potential to boost responses, we’ve shown here," senior author and assistant professor of microbiology at Penn Joseph A. Fraietta said.

"It’s setting the stage for a very promising set of next steps that rationalize further studies, including clinical trials, to prove this approach is safe and feasible."

Prescient Therapeutics advances separate Penn technology
While the Penn research team have been fighting T-cell exhaustion, ASX-listed biotechnology company Prescient Therapeutics has partnered with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to advance OmniCAR – a next generation CAR-T platform built using technology licensed from Penn.

OmniCAR is designed to give medical practitioners greater control over traditional CAR-T treatments – which genetically re-engineer a patients’ own immune system to identify and attack cancerous cells.

The platform is also designed to make treatment safer for patients and to be able to direct the CAR-T cells against a variety of cancer targets.

In July, immunogenicity testing on OmniCAR provided positive safety results. The in-silico tests (meaning they were conducted by complex computer algorithms) found two binding components used in OmniCAR treatments, SpyTag and SpyCatcher, are unlikely to trigger adverse immune responses in patients.

Join Prescient Therapeutics CEO Steven Yatomi-Clarke for a special investor briefing next Wednesday, 25th August at 11am (AEST), where he will discuss the encouraging progress through clinical trials of Prescient’s foundational assets PTX-100 and PTX-200, provide an introduction into the amazing field of CAR-T, and how Prescient’s next gen CAR-T platform, OmniCAR, is seeking to take this burgeoning cancer field to the next level. Click here to book in.

Reach Markets have been engaged by PTX to help manage their investor communications

Sources:

Fierce Biotech: Novartis-backed Penn study proposes boosting CAR-T responses in CLL by waking up ‘war weary’ T cells
Penn Medicine: Existing Drug May Help Improve Responses to Cellular Therapies in Advanced Leukemias
ASX: PTX announcement 5 July 2021
PTX: Technology

On August 18, 2021 Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) reported that it has acquired GRAIL, a healthcare company focused on life-saving early detection of multiple cancers, but will hold GRAIL as a separate company during the European Commission’s ongoing regulatory review (Press release, Illumina, AUG 18, 2021, View Source [SID1234586722]).

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Illumina, the global leader in DNA sequencing, first announced its intention to acquire GRAIL nearly a year ago, reuniting Illumina with GRAIL four years after it was spun off. GRAIL’s Galleri blood test detects 50 different cancers before they are symptomatic. Illumina’s acquisition of GRAIL will accelerate access and adoption of this life-saving test worldwide.

Regulators in the EU are reviewing the transaction, but a decision is projected after the deal expires. GRAIL has no business in the EU, and the company believes that the European Commission does not have jurisdiction to review the merger as the EU merger thresholds are not met, nor are they met in any EU member state. The General Court of the European Union will hear Illumina’s jurisdictional challenge later this year. By holding GRAIL separate while proceedings are ongoing, Illumina is positioned to abide by whatever final decision is reached in these legal processes.

There is no legal impediment to acquiring GRAIL in the US. Illumina is committed to working through the ongoing FTC administrative process, and as always, will abide by whatever outcome is ultimately reached in the US courts.

The reasons to reunite the two companies are compelling:

The deal will save lives. Cancer kills around 10 million people annually worldwide and 600,000 people in the US alone. Cancers responsible for nearly 71% of cancer deaths have no recommended early detection screening, and most cancers are detected when chances of survival are lower. Illumina feels there is a moral obligation to have the deal decided by a thoughtful and full review by the EU regulators and the US courts. This can only be done if Illumina acquires GRAIL now. Otherwise, the company is locked into a situation where the deal terms will expire before there is a chance for full review; the clock will just run out.

Right now, the Galleri test is available but costs $950 because it is not covered by insurance. Reuniting the two companies is the fastest way to make the test broadly available and affordable. Illumina’s expertise in market development and access has resulted in coverage of genomic testing for over 1 billion people around the world already. This experience will help lead to coverage and reimbursement for the Galleri test.

GRAIL and Illumina have a long history. Illumina formed GRAIL and spun it out in 2016. GRAIL’s first employees were part of Illumina, which still owns 12 percent of the company. GRAIL and Illumina are not competitors—this is a vertical acquisition.

Based on past experience, when Illumina enters a market, the market expands. When Illumina entered the non-invasive prenatal testing space, prices dropped, reimbursement expanded, the number of providers increased, and more expectant parents had access to testing.

Illumina’s acquisition of GRAIL is driven by the belief that this test should be available to as many people as possible as quickly as possible. From fighting the COVID-19 pandemic to matching cancer patients to therapies, Illumina’s mandate is to save lives and transform healthcare. The first COVID-19 viral sequence was on an Illumina machine and now genomic surveillance has emerged as a critical tool in the global fight against the pandemic, with over 70 countries now using Illumina platforms for COVID-19 variant tracking.
"Just as we are now able to screen for early-stage diabetes and high cholesterol, we will soon be able to conduct multi-cancer early detection with a simple blood test in your doctor’s office," said Francis deSouza, Chief Executive Officer of Illumina. "Since early detection of cancer saves lives, this new genomic test will be nothing short of transformational for human health and the economics of healthcare."

"The merger with Illumina will get the Galleri test to people far faster. We aim to accelerate this process so the test will be available in doctors’ offices everywhere, fully reimbursed," said Hans Bishop, Chief Executive Officer of GRAIL. "A one-year acceleration of access to the Galleri test for the US population has the potential to save 10,000 lives over a 9-year period."

"The decision to make the acquisition and hold the companies separate permits the regulatory processes to proceed while safeguarding the life-saving, pro-competitive benefits of this vertical transaction without the deal expiring. We will abide by any outcome ultimately reached by the courts," said Charles Dadswell, General Counsel of Illumina.

On August 18, 2021 Exscientia, a clinical-stage, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven pharmatech company, reported that Bristol Myers Squibb has elected to in-license an immune-modulating drug candidate created by Exscientia (Press release, Exscientia, AUG 18, 2021, View Source [SID1234586721]). Exscientia has two active collaborations with Bristol Myers Squibb, which together focus on multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology and immunology. A significant expansion of the relationship was announced earlier this year.

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The in-licensed candidate targets a critical immunological kinase that historically has proven difficult to target due to the need for a combination of potency, selectivity, and overall drug-like properties. To design a novel candidate that overcame these issues, Exscientia utilized its end-to-end platform to drive the discovery process, including AI-driven design, structural biology, chemistry, and pharmacology, as well as late-stage preclinical studies. Exscientia’s precision design approach focused on solving, in parallel, parameters important to overall therapeutic performance for the target, such as potency, selectivity, safety, and physicochemical characteristics. Exscientia’s platform is ideally suited for solving multi-objective design problems to efficiently and rapidly discover novel drug candidates with superior properties.

Andrew Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer of Exscientia commented, "We are focused on using our patient-first AI technology to design precision engineered drugs against challenging drug product profiles. We are seeing great efficiency from our platform. This drug candidate molecule was just the 150th novel compound to be designed and tested and it was identified within 11 months of starting drug design. In partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb and its world-class research, clinical and commercialization capabilities, we look forward to advancing this candidate into the next stage of development."

Rupert Vessey, President of Research & Early Development at Bristol Myers Squibb said, "We are pleased to in-license our first drug candidate resulting from our strategic collaboration with Exscientia. Artificial intelligence and machine learning continue to play important roles in drug discovery and Exscientia has delivered a promising development candidate in the field of immunology. We look forward to our continued collaboration and further advancing this candidate for the potential benefit of patients with unmet medical need."

Bristol Myers Squibb will be responsible for clinical and commercial development of the drug candidate. Under the terms of the agreement, Exscientia will receive a $20 million option exercise fee with the potential for additional development milestones as well as tiered royalties on any product sales.