On October 20, 2021 Targovax ASA (OSE: TRVX), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing immune activators to target hard-to-treat solid tumors, reported the appointment of Dr. Erik Digman Wiklund as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (Press release, Targovax, OCT 20, 2021, View Source [SID1234591574]). Dr. Wiklund has intimate knowledge of the company and its technology having served as Chief Business Officer (CBO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Targovax since 2017.

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Dr. Erik Digman Wiklund said: "I am very excited to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead Targovax into the next stage of development. The ONCOS-102 program has set us up with a unique, clinically validated platform system, and I believe we are in a great position to expand beyond ONCOS-102 to build a pipeline of novel, cutting edge product candidates. I am especially excited to explore the potential for utilizing ONCOS as a delivery tool for novel RNA concepts, where we intend to move into the emerging space of circular RNA that has recently attracted significant interest from both industry and investors. In parallel, we continue planning for the ONCOS-102 platform trial in anti-PD1refractory melanoma, and we are in active discussions with prospective collaboration partners who have complementary therapeutics that may act synergistically with ONCOS-102".

Targovax’s current CEO, Øystein Soug, will remain with the company following the appointment of Dr. Wiklund. Mr. Soug will act as a special advisor and also serve as interim CFO providing important strategic and management continuum for the company.

Damian Marron, Chairman of the Board, commented the transition: "Øystein Soug has effectively led the company through an important period executing the phase 1/2 development program of ONCOS-102, and we would like to place on record our profound thanks for Øystein´s leadership and contribution to Targovax. Øystein´s tenure has culminated in a strong data package for the lead asset ONCOS-102 demonstrating promising clinical efficacy and powerful immune activation in several cancer forms and treatment combinations. We believe that these data confirm the tremendous potential of ONCOS as a versatile delivery vector for targeted anti-cancer payloads, and we wish to pursue this opportunity by expanding our pipeline repertoire. With his deep scientific expertise and intimate knowledge of Targovax and our technology, Erik is the ideal CEO to capture this opportunity and lead the company into the future".

The Board of Directors of Targovax has initiated a search process for a new CFO, a position Øystein Soug will fill in the interim period. Mr. Soug was the CFO of Targovax in 2015-2016, before he was appointed CEO, and has previously held the position as CFO of Algeta ASA.

Øystein Soug commented: "It has been a privilege to lead Targovax through an exciting and rewarding period. I fully support the Board’s decision to increase the scientific focus and expand our pipeline to fully exploit the potential in the ONCOS platform, and I am delighted that Erik has accepted to take over as CEO to execute this vision. In my view, Erik, with his blend of deep scientific competence and commercial experience, is the best candidate to lead Targovax into the future."

On October 20, 2021 Patrys (ASX:PAB) reported that it has published its Quarterly Activities Report and 4C Quarterly Cash Flow Report, for the quarter ended 30 September 2021 (Press release, Patrys, OCT 20, 2021, View Source [SID1234591573]).

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Key highlights from this period include:

Studies confirm full-sized IgG deoxymab antibody, PAT-DX3 is able to cross the blood brain barrier in animal model of primary brain cancer
PAT-DX1 significantly improves survival in animal model of pancreatic cancer
Preclinical data highlights the potential for using PAT-DX3 as a targeting agent in antibody drug conjugates (ADCs)
Our Company had a cash and short-term investment balance of A$9.8M at 30 September 2021.

On October 20, 2021 Herantis Pharma Plc ("Herantis or the Company"), focusing on disease modifying therapies for debilitating neurodegenerative diseases reported that it will October 26th, 2021 host an R&D Update Webinar (Press release, Herantis Pharma, OCT 20, 2021, View Source;2021,c3436290 [SID1234591571]). Herantis’ CEO Dr. Craig Cook and CSO Dr. Henri Huttunen will share progress in advancing Herantis’ HER-096 and rhCDNF programs.

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The R&D update will cover:

Information about Herantis’ novel biomarker focused development program
Data on efficient blood brain barrier (BBB) crossing
Results from pre-clinical experiments showing potent neuroprotective effects
Update on progress of its programs including non-invasive routes of administration
Registration Details:

Herantis Pharma’s R&D Update Webinar

Registered Here

The webcast will also be available under "Company Live Presentations" in the Investors section of the Herantis’ website at www.herantis.com/news-events/video-presentations/. There will also have an opportunity to ask questions in a live Q&A session with speakers. A replay of the webcast will be archived on Herantis’ website following the presentation.

About the Speakers

Dr. Craig Cook, MD, CEO of Herantis

Dr. Craig Cook, MD, is a medical doctor with an MBA from the London Business School and brings more than 20 years of experience in the international pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. Dr. Cook’s career has included increasingly senior roles in drug development and commercialization at major life science companies such as Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis and EMD Serono, as well as entrepreneurial success in several healthcare initiatives. He was CEO of Midatech Pharma PLC, a dual Nasdaq and AIM listed biotech company, before deciding to join Herantis Pharma in 2020. He has worked across several therapeutic areas including neurology, immunology, and oncology.

Dr. Henri Huttunen, CSO of Herantis

Henri Huttunen co-founded Herantis Pharma Plc. in 2008 and served as the company’s founding CEO for the first two years. Dr. Huttunen is currently the Chief Scientific Officer of Herantis. Dr. Huttunen has previously held research positions at the University of Helsinki, Orion Pharma, and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School (USA). Dr. Huttunen has a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Helsinki and 25 years of experience in neuroscience research. While he was an adjunct professor, Dr. Huttunen lead an academic research group focusing on molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases at the Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki.

On October 20, 2021 Roche reported strong growth in the first nine months – outlook for 2021 raised (Press release, Hoffmann-La Roche, OCT 20, 2021, View Source [SID1234591570])

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Group sales up 8%1 at constant exchange rates (CER); 6% in Swiss francs
Pharmaceuticals Division sales grow 5% in the third quarter and are now in line with the prior year for the first nine months; continued strong growth of newly launched medicines
Diagnostics Division sales grow 18% in the third quarter and 39% in the first nine months due to high demand for COVID-19 tests, a strong recovery in the base business and the newly launched diagnostics platforms
Highlights in the third quarter:
FDA approves cancer immunotherapy Tecentriq (early-stage lung cancer) and grants Priority Review for eye medicine faricimab
Positive study results for Polivy (blood cancer) and Ronapreve (COVID-19)
FDA grants Breakthrough Therapy Designation to gantenerumab (Alzheimer’s disease); final study results expected in second half of 2022
Share purchase agreement with long-term partner TIB Molbiol to expand molecular diagnostics portfolio
Outlook raised
*Asia-Pacific, EEMEA (Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa), Latin America, Canada, others
CEO Severin Schwan on the results: "The demand for coronavirus tests remained high in the third quarter due to the Delta variant. Together with the recently launched medicines and diagnostics platforms they contributed to the strong sales growth. We also made significant progress in our product pipeline in the third quarter, including with Polivy, the first medicine in 20 years to significantly improve outcomes in a form of aggressive blood cancer. Based on the results achieved so far, we are raising our outlook for the full year."

Outlook raised for 2021
Sales are now expected to grow in the mid-single digit range, at constant exchange rates (before: in the low to mid-single digit range). Core earnings per share are targeted to grow broadly in line with sales, at constant exchange rates. Roche expects to increase its dividend in Swiss francs further.

Group results
Group sales increased by 8% (6% in CHF) to CHF 46.7 billion in the first nine months of the year.

Pharmaceuticals Division sales remained stable at CHF 33.4 billion. Since summer there have been signs of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the biosimilar impact is slowing down as expected (Pharma sales: -9% in the first quarter, +4% in the second quarter and +5% in the third quarter).

In the United States, sales declined by 5% over the first nine months, with stable year-on-year sales since the summer.

Competition from biosimilars for the established cancer medicines MabThera/Rituxan, Avastin and Herceptin led to an overall decline, partly offset by sales of Actemra/RoActemra, Hemlibra, Ocrevus and Tecentriq, as well as for Evrysdi (spinal muscular atrophy) and Phesgo (breast cancer), which were launched only last year.

Sales in Europe increased by 3%. Sales growth of new medicines (Ronapreve, Ocrevus, Hemlibra and Kadcyla) more than offset the impact of biosimilars.

In Japan, sales increased by 20%. Growth was driven by the new medicines Ronapreve, Tecentriq, Enspryng and Hemlibra. This more than offset the impact of biosimilars and government price cuts.

Sales in the International region grew 2%, driven by strong demand for Perjeta and Ronapreve. Sales growth in China (+2%) resulted from continued strong uptake of Perjeta, Alecensa and other innovative cancer medicines.

The Diagnostics Division achieved strong sales growth of 39% to CHF 13.3 billion in the first nine months. Growth was 18% in the third quarter compared to the already very strong third quarter last year. Demand for COVID-19 testing remained high in the third quarter, driven primarily by the Delta variant. As a result, Roche’s industry-leading portfolio of COVID-19 tests again contributed significantly to the division’s overall sales growth.

The base business, still heavily impacted by the pandemic in 2020, showed strong growth in the first nine months of 2021: after a significant recovery in the first half of the year (+17% in the first quarter, 31% in the second quarter), strong growth of 11% was also achieved in the third quarter.

Sales grew strongly in all regions: Europe, Middle East and Africa +54%, Asia-Pacific +35%, North America +18% and Latin America +63%.

In September Roche signed a definitive share purchase agreement with TIB Molbiol. Roche and TIB Molbiol have been working together for more than 20 years on tests and reagents for pathogens such as SARS, anthrax, MERS, the novel H1N1 swine flu virus and, most recently, the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants. This acquisition will add a range of infectious disease tests to Roche’s broad portfolio of molecular diagnostic solutions.

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Third Quarter Sales 2021 Webinar
There will be a live webinar for investors and analysts today, Wednesday, 20 October at 2:00 pm CEST. To access the webinar, please click here.

On October 20, 2021 Decibel Therapeutics (Nasdaq: DBTX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to discovering and developing transformative treatments to restore and improve hearing and balance, reported that Laurence Reid, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Decibel, will participate in a fireside chat at the Jefferies Gene Therapy/Editing Summit on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 10:30 am ET (Press release, Decibel Therapeutics, OCT 20, 2021, View Source [SID1234591569]).

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A live webcast of the fireside chat may be accessed by visiting the Investors section of the Decibel Therapeutics website at View Source An archived replay of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website for approximately 90 days following the fireside chat.