SOTIO Secures €280m of Funding to Expand and Advance Clinical Pipeline

On December 2, 2021 SOTIO Biotech, a clinical stage immuno-oncology company owned by PPF Group, reported that is has secured €280m of funding to significantly expand and advance its clinical pipeline, including its lead asset SOT101, an IL-15 superagonist, and three new clinical programs until end of 2023 (Press release, SOTIO, DEC 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234596442]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The funding will be used to advance SOT101 through two multi-indication phase 2 clinical trials: The phase 2 AURELIO-03 study tests SOT101 as monotherapy in patients with melanoma, squamous skin carcinoma and kidney cancer, and a planned phase 2 AURELIO-04 study will evaluate the combination of SOT101 with a checkpoint inhibitor.

This funding will also be used to advance three novel programs through phase 1: BOXR1030 is the company’s lead CAR-T program for the treatment of various solid tumors expressing GPC3. It’s based on the proprietary BOXR platform that aims to enhance the fitness of T cells in the hostile tumor microenvironment. The study is scheduled to start early 2022. SOT102 is a novel ADC with a best-in-class potential for Claudin 18.2 targeting therapies. A phase 1 dose escalation in patients with gastric and pancreatic cancer shall start in March 2022. Finally, SOTIO plans to initiate a phase 1 study with our first IL-15 based immunocytokine using a PD-1 inhibitor as the targeting arm by the end of 2022.

"We are very excited and grateful for the continued strong support we’ve received from PPF Group today and since our inception," said Radek Spisek, Ph.D., CEO of SOTIO. "This very significant funding will allow us to advance a broad pipeline of unique clinical stage programs to key value inflection points."

"Over the last several years SOTIO has created an attractive pipeline of programs based on multiple differentiated modalities," said Ladislav Bartonicek, CEO and shareholder of PPF Group. "We appreciate the successful track record of execution by the Company to this point and are confident that this funding will further enable SOTIO to continue building a unique, privately financed oncology company with a mature and diversified pipeline. It will be an important step to achieve our long-term goal of building a fully integrated oncology business."

The funding is contingent on the achievement of certain development and regulatory milestones.

Omeros Announces Agreement to Sell OMIDRIA® Franchise to Rayner Surgical in a Transaction Valued in Excess of $1 Billion

On December 2, 2021 Omeros Corporation (Nasdaq: OMER) reported that it has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of OMIDRIA to Rayner Surgical Group Limited (Press release, Omeros, DEC 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234596430]). Expected to close on or before December 31, 2021, the transaction includes an upfront payment of $125 million with an additional $200 million in a commercial milestone payment . Omeros will also retain its accounts receivable balance at the closing, which was $34 million at the end of last quarter. Together with substantial royalties to be paid by Rayner to Omeros on net sales of OMIDRIA, the transaction is valued in excess of $1 billion.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Rayner will pay Omeros royalties on both U.S. and ex-U.S. net sales of OMIDRIA. In the U.S., the royalty rate will be 50 percent of U.S. net sales until the earlier of either January 1, 2025 or payment of the $200-million commercial milestone, after which Omeros will receive royalties of 30 percent of U.S. net sales for the life of OMIDRIA’s U.S. patent estate. The commercial milestone payment is triggered if separate payment for OMIDRIA is secured for a continuous period of at least four years. Outside of the U.S., Omeros will receive a 15-percent royalty rate on OMIDRIA net sales throughout the applicable patent life on a country-by-country basis.

OMIDRIA will become a key product in Rayner’s ophthalmology franchise, which includes intraocular lenses, ophthalmic viscoelastic devices and dry eye treatments. As part of the agreement, Rayner will acquire the OMIDRIA commercial organization, including the OMIDRIA sales force. In addition, Rayner plans to expand the sales force in both the U.S. and ex-U.S., further strengthening its commercial presence internationally and further accelerating U.S. market growth of OMIDRIA.

"OMIDRIA will be an important part of our ophthalmic product portfolio internationally and a key strategic focus for Rayner," said Tim Clover, chief executive officer of Rayner. "Our new OMIDRIA business and commercial team of seasoned industry professionals are an ideal fit for Rayner as we focus on broadly serving ophthalmic surgeons with our pipeline of innovative products, including the recently FDA-approved RayOne EMV intraocular lens. We look forward to continue growing U.S. sales of OMIDRIA and the rest of our portfolio and to launching EMA-approved OMIDRIA throughout Europe and other regions of the world, consistent with our mission of offering superior products and outcomes for surgeons and their patients."

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

"We are immensely proud of our OMIDRIA team and its achievements over the last seven years," said Gregory A. Demopulos, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of Omeros. "OMIDRIA has become an important part of cataract surgery, de-risking the procedure for surgeons and improving patient outcomes. This transaction recognizes both the current and future value that OMIDRIA brings to cataract surgery, affording Omeros a significant ongoing economic interest in the expected growth of OMIDRIA, while allowing us to focus our efforts primarily on our complement franchise of large- and small-molecule MASP-2 and MASP-3 inhibitors as well as on the rest of our innovative pipeline. We believe that Rayner, with its expertise and increasingly strong international presence in ophthalmology, represents a great home for OMIDRIA and the product’s commercial team, and Omeros is committed to assist Rayner, throughout the transition and beyond, to maximize OMIDRIA utilization and revenues."

Conference Call Details

Omeros’ management will host a conference call to discuss today’s announcement. The call will be held today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time; 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time. To access the live conference call via phone, please dial (844) 831-4029 from the United States and Canada or (920) 663-6278 internationally. The participant passcode is 9080996. A telephone replay will be available for one week following the call and may be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 from the United States and Canada or (404) 537-3406 internationally. The replay passcode is 9080996.

To access the live or subsequently archived webcast of the conference call on the internet, go to the company’s website at View Source

About OMIDRIA

Omeros’ OMIDRIA (phenylephrine and ketorolac intraocular solution) 1% / 0.3% is the first and only FDA-approved product of its kind and is marketed in the U.S. for use during cataract surgery or intraocular lens replacement to maintain pupil size by preventing intraoperative miosis (pupil constriction) and to reduce postoperative ocular pain. OMIDRIA also is the only NSAID-containing product FDA-approved for intraocular use. In post-launch studies across conventional and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, OMIDRIA has been shown to (1) prevent intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) and iris prolapse, (2) significantly reduce complication rates (including sight-threatening cystoid macular edema and breakthrough iritis), use of pupil-expansion devices, and surgical times, (3) significantly reduce intraoperative use of the opioid fentanyl and postoperative prescription opioids, (4) enable performance of surgery and postoperative care without the use of steroids, and (5) significantly improve uncorrected visual acuity on the first day following cataract surgery. While OMIDRIA is broadly indicated for use in cataract surgery, the post-launch outcomes cited above are not in its currently approved labeling.

Important Safety Information for OMIDRIA Systemic exposure of phenylephrine may cause elevations in blood pressure. In clinical trials, the most common reported ocular adverse reactions at two percent or greater are eye irritation, posterior capsule opacification, increased intraocular pressure, and anterior chamber inflammation; incidence of adverse events was similar between placebo-treated and OMIDRIA-treated patients. OMIDRIA must be added to irrigation solution prior to intraocular use.

Lupin Partners with TTP plc UK for Soft-mist Inhalation Technology Platform

On December 2, 2021 Lupin Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of global pharma major, Lupin Limited (Lupin) reported that it has entered into an agreement with TTP plc (The Technology Partnership plc) to acquire the exclusive worldwide rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize inhalation products using TTP’s soft-mist inhalation technology platform (Press release, Lupin, DEC 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234596429]). By leveraging this technology, Lupin expects to provide healthcare professionals with alternative solutions for delivering affordable inhaled medicines to patients across the globe.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Soft-mist inhalation (SMI) technology allows for delivery of inhalation drugs from a small, portable hand-held inhaler device without the use of propellants. The individual doses are delivered using a precisely engineered nozzle system to produce a slow-moving and long-sustaining aerosol cloud. Lupin anticipates applications across respiratory care.

Lupin and TTP will jointly develop the device. Lupin will commercially manufacture the device through its network of in-house and external manufacturing locations. Lupin will also develop and manufacture formulations to be delivered through the device, obtain the necessary regulatory approvals, and commercialize the products globally.

Commenting on the development Vinita Gupta, Global CEO, Lupin said, "Inhalation is a strategic pillar of Lupin’s growth story, as we strive to bring affordable medicines to patients across the globe. The partnership with TTP for SMI technology platform is a strategic addition to our broad Inhalation capabilities."

Alok Sonig, CEO – US Generics & Global R&D Head, Lupin added, "Lupin is excited to be partnering with TTP. The organizations will work together to develop products using TTP’s SMI technology that complement Lupin’s portfolio of complex inhalation products."

Commenting on the development, Sam Hyde, Managing Director, TTP said, "We are excited to be partnering with Lupin to commercialize our SMI technology so that it can benefit patients suffering with chronic respiratory conditions. TTP has deep expertise in aerosol science, and we have been working with our clients for over 30 years in complex drug delivery device development – this partnership represents an exciting next step for us in this innovative area of respiratory drug delivery."

IMMUTEP REPORTS GOOD SAFETY FROM FIRST FIVE PATIENTS IN TRIPLE COMBINATION THERAPY EFTI STUDY, INSIGHT-003

On December 2, 2021 Immutep Limited (ASX: IMM; NASDAQ: IMMP) ("Immutep" or "the Company"), a biotechnology company developing novel LAG-3 related immunotherapy treatments for cancer and autoimmune disease, reported the first five patients have been treated in the INSIGHT-003 study (Press release, Immutep, DEC 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234596428]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

No additional safety signals have been observed in the study which is the first time a triple combination therapy consisting of eftilagimod alpha ("efti") and an existing approved standard of care combination of chemotherapy (carboplatin) and an anti-PD-1 therapy has been administered.

Lead investigator, Prof. Dr. Salah-Eddin Al-Batran of the Institute of Clinical Cancer Research IKF said: "The INSIGHT-003 study has commenced well. We are very pleased with the safety of the triple combination so far and all patients are still participating in the study. This is important as it is the first time patients have received a triple combination therapy with efti. Patient recruitment is advancing in line with our projections."

INSIGHT-003 is evaluating a triple combination therapy consisting of efti in conjunction with an existing approved standard of care combination of chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 therapy. The study will continue to recruit up to 20 patients with various solid tumours and additional results are expected in calendar year 2022.

About INSIGHT-003

INSIGHT-003 is an investigator-initiated study conducted by the Institute of Clinical Cancer Research IKF at Krankenhaus Nordwest in Frankfurt. It is being run as the third arm (Stratum C) of the ongoing Phase I INSIGHT trial with Prof. Dr. Salah-Eddin Al-Batran as lead investigator. The study is evaluating a triple combination therapy consisting of efti in conjunction with an existing approved standard of care combination of chemotherapy (carboplatin) and anti-PD-1 therapy.

Up to 20 patients with solid tumours will be recruited to participate in the trial. Patients will receive 30 mg subcutaneous doses of efti every two weeks in conjunction with standard of care chemotherapy plus anti-PD-1 therapy. The trial will assess the safety, tolerability and initial efficacy of the combination.

MingMed Biotechnology Announces U.S. FDA Approval for IND Application of HPK1 Small Molecule Inhibitor PRJ1-3024, and Completion of Phase I Clinical Trials for Dry AMD Treatment Drug QA102

On December 2, 2021 MingMed Biotechnology, a clinical stage company dedicated to developing first-in-class pharmaceutical products, reported the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for PRJ1-3024, a HPK1 small-molecule inhibitor for cancer immunotherapy (Press release, MingMed Biotechnology Co, DEC 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234596425]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Dr. Xuebin Liao, a professor of Pharmaceutical Science at Tsinghua University and a member of the board of directors at MingMed Biotechnology, said, "HPK1 plays a key role in controlling immune responses against various cancers. Targeting HPK1 effectively regulates several important immune cells, activating their synergistic anti-tumor effects."

"MingMed’s scientists have built a solid foundation around the molecular mechanism underlying how HPK1 functions in promoting the exhaustion of local anti-tumor immunity," Liao introduces. "Additionally, our HPK1 inhibitor PRJ1-3024 has showed very good selectivity as a drug candidate and FDA approval is a crucial milestone announcing MingMed as a potential key player in the competition to find novel cancer immunotherapeutics. We will continue to push our clinical studies for the benefits of cancer patients around the world."

Meanwhile, MingMed also announced completion of Phase I clinical trials for their dry age-related macular degeneration (dry AMD) drug QA102 in the US.

Mr. Yan Zhang, CEO of MingMed Biotechnology, commented, "QA102 is a new drug to treat dry AMD, a blinding eye disease with currently no cure that attracts enormous clinical demand with broad market prospects. Successful completion of Phase 1 clinical trials for QA102 in the US represents the first endeavor from a Chinese R&D team to develop a first-in-class ophthalmic drug," Zhang continues. "The progress achieved by our scientists in the development of PRJ1-3024 and QA102 demonstrates that MingMed Biotechnology has built a solid foundation to make breakthrough scientific innovations, and is also capable of designing and managing the development of multiple product pipelines in an effective and efficient manner. It is our hope to develop more innovative medicines for human health."