Scorpion Therapeutics Reveals Highly-selective Lead Programs Targeting Mutant PI3Kα and EGFR Exon 20, Two Established Cancer Drivers with Broad Therapeutic Applicability

On November 29, 2021 Scorpion Therapeutics, Inc. ("Scorpion"), a next-generation oncology company pioneering Precision Oncology 2.0 to develop best- and first-in-class medicines for patients with cancer, reported its two lead programs, both targeting well-known, clinically validated, mutated oncogenes (Press release, Scorpion Therapeutics, NOV 29, 2021, View Source [SID1234596210]). The first program, STX-H1047-PI3Kα, targets the H1047X-mutant form of phosphoinositide 3-kinase alpha ("PI3Kα"), a cancer driver associated with a wide variety of solid tumors. The second program, STX-EGFR-EXON20, selectively targets exon 20 insertion mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor ("EGFR"), which drives non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC").

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"Scorpion was founded with a bold vision: to broaden the reach of precision oncology by developing exquisitely selective, optimized drug candidates with enhanced profiles, against high-impact targets, each with the potential to deliver transformational outcomes to patients, a strategy we call Precision Oncology 2.0," said Axel Hoos, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of Scorpion. "Today, we are excited to unveil our initial programs against mutant PI3Kα and EGFR Exon 20, two potentially best-in-class programs internally developed in less than two years, each with the opportunity to improve the treatment of certain patients living with solid tumors. We look forward to progressing these programs towards the clinic while continuing to advance our broader portfolio with urgency, including additional programs targeting historically "undruggable" or novel cancer targets."

The rapid discovery of both STX-H1047-PI3Kα and STX-EGFR-EXON20 was enabled by Scorpion’s fully integrated, fit-for-purpose drug-hunting platform, which integrates more than 20 years of cutting-edge advances across cancer biology, medicinal chemistry, and data sciences with the aim to redefine the frontier of precision medicine. Scorpion leverages its platform to address a wider array of targets with higher quality medicines than previously possible and to fill therapeutic white spaces of underserved patient populations. Scorpion is focused on three categories: (1) best-in-class molecules targeting validated oncogene targets; (2) first-in-class molecules for previously undruggable targets, including a number of transcription factors and validated synthetic lethal targets; and (3) first-in-class molecules for novel cancer target classes. The PI3Kα and EGFR programs fall into the first category.

STX-H1047-PI3Kα: PI3Kα is an established cancer target and one of the most highly mutated targets in cancer, particularly in solid tumors. The mutations at the H1047 residue represent the highest frequency of mutations in PI3Kα. More than 55,000 people in the United States annually are diagnosed with cancers driven by mutations at this residue. Approved therapies targeting PI3Kα are limited by inhibition of the normal, or wild-type, version of PI3Kα in healthy tissues, leading to significant metabolic side effects that hinder the ability of patients to tolerate these therapies, and by an inability to treat tumors that have progressed into the central nervous system.
Using its drug-hunting platform, Scorpion discovered a novel allosteric binding pocket that allows for specific targeting of the mutant over the wild-type form of PI3Kα with a small molecule. This may allow for maximal inhibition of the mutant protein in cancer cells compared to normal tissues, to avoid the off-target effects – such as metabolic dysfunction – that are associated with wild-type inhibition by commercially available options. STX-H1047-PI3Kα is designed to be a central nervous system-penetrant, oral pill. In preclinical studies, STX-H1047-PI3Kα has demonstrated exquisite in vitro selectivity and dose-dependent anti-tumor activity, without evidence of hyperglycemia in multiple model systems. Scorpion expects to submit an IND for STX-H1047-PIK3α in 2023.

STX-EGFR-EXON20: NSCLC is the most common form of lung cancer and EGFR mutations are one of the most common mutations in NSCLC. NSCLC tumors that express EGFR with Exon 20 insertion mutations have an incidence of approximately 3,400 patients per year in the United States. Commercially-available therapies for NSCLC patients with EGFR Exon 20 insertion mutations are limited by significant toxicities associated with the inhibition of wild-type EGFR protein in healthy tissues such as the skin and gut, leaving a significant unmet need for those patients.
Leveraging its discovery platform, Scorpion identified highly differentiated chemical matter that provides exquisitely selective inhibition of Exon 20 insertion mutations compared to the wild-type form of the protein. This may allow for maximal inhibition of the mutant protein in cancer cells compared to normal tissues, thereby reducing the toxicities – often gastrointestinal or skin-related – that lead to dose limitations or reductions with existing EGFR exon 20 inhibitors. STX-EGFR-EXON20 is designed as an oral pill, which in preclinical studies demonstrated best-in-class selectivity and dose-dependent anti-tumor activity in xenograft models at well-tolerated doses. Scorpion expects to submit an IND for STX-EGFR-EXON20 in 2023.

Avacta Announces FDA Approval of its Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for AVA6000

On November 29, 2021 Avacta Group plc (AIM: AVCT), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative cancer therapies and powerful diagnostics based on its proprietary Affimer and pre|CISION platforms, reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for AVA6000 (Press release, Avacta, NOV 29, 2021, View Source [SID1234596209]). This will allow the Group to expand its Phase I clinical trial, ALS-6000-101, into clinical trial sites in the United States.

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AVA6000 is a novel form of doxorubicin that has been modified with Avacta’s pre|CISION platform to improve its safety and therapeutic index. Anthracyclines such as doxorubicin, a generic chemotherapy for which the market is expected to grow to $1.38bn by 20241, are widely used as part of standard of care in several tumour types, but their use is limited by cumulative toxicity. AVA6000 has been designed to limit cell penetration of the drug, and therefore its cell killing effect, until it is specifically activated by fibroblast activation protein α (FAP) which is in high concentration in many solid tumours compared with healthy tissues. The resulting reduced exposure of healthy tissues to active doxorubicin has the potential to significantly increase its therapeutic index by reducing the incidence of adverse effects, including cardiotoxicity and myelosuppression.

The FDA has completed its 30-day review of Avacta’s IND application, which was submitted ahead of schedule in October 2021, and has concluded that the Group may proceed with its proposed clinical investigation. This allows Avacta to enroll eligible patients into US clinical trial sites for the company’s Phase I multi-centre study, ALS-6000-101. As previously announced in August 2021, the Company has begun recruiting and dosing patients for this study at several clinical trial sites in the UK, and continues to expect the dose escalation phase for this trial to complete by Q2 2022 followed by completion of the dose expansion phase around mid-2023. Enrollment in US clinical trial sites is expected to begin in early 2022.

Dr. Alastair Smith, Chief Executive of Avacta Group, commented: "We are delighted to have received approval from the FDA to add clinical trial sites in the United States as part of the Phase I study for AVA6000. This is a major milestone in our development of pre|CISION chemotherapies and is testament to the performance of our clinical development team and the quality of the pre-clinical data for AVA6000.

Provided that the study shows that the pre|CISION technology is effective in reducing systemic toxicity of Doxorubicin, then that would open up an extensive and proprietary pipeline for Avacta of next-generation pre|CISION chemotherapies with significant clinical and commercial advantages in a chemotherapy market that is expected to exceed $74 billion by 20272.

We now look forward to opening up clinical trial sites in the United States and additional clinical trial sites in the UK."

Neil Bell, Chief Development Officer of Avacta Life Sciences, commented: "We are excited to bring the first FAP-activated chemotherapeutic to the clinic in the US, which has the potential to meaningfully impact patients with difficult-to-treat tumours. The clearance of the AVA6000 IND by the FDA enables the opening of key US sites to support the ALS-6000-101 clinical trial which is currently recruiting patients across clinical sites in the UK."

EDAP to Participate in the Piper Sandler 33rd Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference

On November 29, 2021 EDAP TMS SA (Nasdaq: EDAP) ("the Company"), the global leader in robotic energy-based therapies, reported that the company will participate in a fireside chat and host investor 1×1 meetings at the Piper Sandler 33rd Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference, which is being held November 29 – December 2 (Press release, EDAP TMS, NOV 29, 2021, View Source [SID1234596207]).

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EDAP will be participating in investor meetings on Tuesday, November 30.

A video replay of the fireside chat will be available on the Investors section of the EDAP website following the conclusion of the event.

VYANT BIO TO PRESENT AT THE BENCHMARK COMPANY DISCOVERY ONE-ON-ONE INVESTOR CONFERENCE

On November 29, 2021 Vyant Bio, Inc. ("Vyant Bio", the "Company") (Nasdaq: VYNT), an emerging global drug discovery company, reported that it is rapidly identifying small and large molecule therapeutics to treat central nervous system (CNS) and oncology-related diseases (Press release, Vyant Bio, NOV 29, 2021, View Source [SID1234596206]). Today, Vyant Bio announced that it will be participating in The Benchmark Company Discovery One-on-One Investor Conference. The event is being held virtually on Thursday, December 2, 2021.

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Conference Date: December 2, 2021 (Thursday)
1:1 Availability: 8:00am-4pmET
Vyant Bio’s Chief Executive Officer, Jay Roberts, will be discussing key highlights from the Third Quarter 2021, the recent addition of Chief Scientific Officer – Dr. Robert Fremeau, and the business and strategic outlook for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022.

If you are an investor and would like to schedule a one-on-one meeting with Vyant Bio during the Discovery One-on-One Investor Conference, please contact your Benchmark representative.

Vyant Bio will also be available for virtual outside 1:1 meetings after The Benchmark Company Discovery One-on-One Investor Conference. Please contact Jennifer K. Zimmons, Ph.D. at [email protected] or +1 917.214.3514 for scheduling.

Gilead’s Bold Ambition of Transforming Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment to Be Highlighted With New Data at SABCS

On November 29, 2021 Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) reported that it will present additional data from the Phase 3 ASCENT study of Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) during the upcoming San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) being held from December 7-10 (Press release, Gilead Sciences, NOV 29, 2021, View Source [SID1234596205]). These data reinforce the benefits of Trodelvy and the importance of Gilead’s transformative science in cancers with high unmet need. In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.

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"Our data at SABCS add to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of Trodelvy for people with metastatic TNBC," said Merdad Parsey, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Gilead Sciences. "We continue to advance the treatment of TNBC and are actively exploring the potential of Trodelvy across the breast cancer landscape."

Highlights at the meeting include an ASCENT analysis examining outcomes for Black patients with metastatic TNBC who were treated with Trodelvy compared to those receiving physician’s choice of chemotherapy. Additional ASCENT analyses will explore health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures by clinical response and post-progression treatment and survival of patients who experienced continued disease progression.

Accepted abstracts are as follows:

Assessment of Sacituzumab Govitecan in Black Patients from the Phase 3 ASCENT Study in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (Poster #P5-16-07)
Post-Progression Therapy Outcomes in Patients from the Phase 3 ASCENT Study of Sacituzumab Govitecan in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (Poster # P5-16-15)
Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life by Clinical Response from the Phase 3 ASCENT Study in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (Poster #P5-16-01)
The presentations will be made available in-person and on-demand as part of Poster Session 5 beginning Friday, December 10 at 7:00 a.m. CT.

For more information, including a complete list of abstract titles at the meeting, please visit: View Source

The Trodelvy U.S. Prescribing Information has a BOXED WARNING for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; see below for Important Safety Information.

About Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

TNBC is the most aggressive type of breast cancer and accounts for approximately 15% of all breast cancers. TNBC is diagnosed more frequently in younger and premenopausal women and is more prevalent in Black and Hispanic women. TNBC cells do not have estrogen and progesterone receptors and have limited human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Due to the nature of TNBC, effective treatment options are extremely limited compared with other breast cancer types. TNBC has a higher chance of recurrence and metastases than other breast cancer types. The average time to metastatic recurrence for TNBC is approximately 2.6 years compared with 5 years for other breast cancers, and the relative five-year survival rate is much lower. Among women with metastatic TNBC, the five-year survival rate is 12%, compared with 28% for those with other types of metastatic breast cancer.

About Trodelvy

Trodelvy is a first-in-class antibody and topoisomerase inhibitor conjugate directed to the Trop-2 receptor, a protein overexpressed in multiple types of epithelial tumors, including metastatic TNBC and metastatic urothelial cancer (UC), where high expression is associated with poor survival and relapse. Trodelvy is approved for adults with metastatic TNBC in the United States, the European Union, Australia, Canada, Great Britain and Switzerland. Trodelvy is also under multiple regulatory reviews worldwide, including in Singapore and China through our partner Everest Medicines. Trodelvy continues to be developed for potential use in other TNBC and metastatic UC populations and is also being developed as an investigational treatment for hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Additional evaluation across multiple solid tumors is also underway.

In the United States, Trodelvy is indicated for the treatment of:

Adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic TNBC who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
Adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) or programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor.
U.S. Important Safety Information for Trodelvy

BOXED WARNING: NEUTROPENIA AND DIARRHEA

Severe or life-threatening neutropenia may occur. Withhold Trodelvy for absolute neutrophil count below 1500/mm3 or neutropenic fever. Monitor blood cell counts periodically during treatment. Consider G-CSF for secondary prophylaxis. Initiate anti-infective treatment in patients with febrile neutropenia without delay.
Severe diarrhea may occur. Monitor patients with diarrhea and give fluid and electrolytes as needed. Administer atropine, if not contraindicated, for early diarrhea of any severity. At the onset of late diarrhea, evaluate for infectious causes and, if negative, promptly initiate loperamide. If severe diarrhea occurs, withhold Trodelvy until resolved to ≤Grade 1 and reduce subsequent doses.
CONTRAINDICATIONS

Severe hypersensitivity reaction to Trodelvy.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Neutropenia: Severe, life-threatening, or fatal neutropenia can occur and may require dose modification. Neutropenia occurred in 61% of patients treated with Trodelvy. Grade 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 47% of patients. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 7%. Withhold Trodelvy for absolute neutrophil count below 1500/mm3 on Day 1 of any cycle or neutrophil count below 1000/mm3 on Day 8 of any cycle. Withhold Trodelvy for neutropenic fever.

Diarrhea: Diarrhea occurred in 65% of all patients treated with Trodelvy. Grade 3-4 diarrhea occurred in 12% of patients. One patient had intestinal perforation following diarrhea. Neutropenic colitis occurred in 0.5% of patients. Withhold Trodelvy for Grade 3-4 diarrhea and resume when resolved to ≤Grade 1. At onset, evaluate for infectious causes and if negative, promptly initiate loperamide, 4 mg initially followed by 2 mg with every episode of diarrhea for a maximum of 16 mg daily. Discontinue loperamide 12 hours after diarrhea resolves. Additional supportive measures (e.g., fluid and electrolyte substitution) may also be employed as clinically indicated. Patients who exhibit an excessive cholinergic response to treatment can receive appropriate premedication (e.g., atropine) for subsequent treatments.

Hypersensitivity and Infusion-Related Reactions: Serious hypersensitivity reactions including life-threatening anaphylactic reactions have occurred with Trodelvy. Severe signs and symptoms included cardiac arrest, hypotension, wheezing, angioedema, swelling, pneumonitis, and skin reactions. Hypersensitivity reactions within 24 hours of dosing occurred in 37% of patients. Grade 3-4 hypersensitivity occurred in 2% of patients. The incidence of hypersensitivity reactions leading to permanent discontinuation of Trodelvy was 0.3%. The incidence of anaphylactic reactions was 0.3%. Pre-infusion medication is recommended. Observe patients closely for hypersensitivity and infusion-related reactions during each infusion and for at least 30 minutes after completion of each infusion. Medication to treat such reactions, as well as emergency equipment, should be available for immediate use. Permanently discontinue Trodelvy for Grade 4 infusion-related reactions.

Nausea and Vomiting: Nausea occurred in 66% of all patients treated with Trodelvy and Grade 3 nausea occurred in 4% of these patients. Vomiting occurred in 39% of patients and Grade 3-4 vomiting occurred in 3% of these patients. Premedicate with a two or three drug combination regimen (e.g., dexamethasone with either a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist or an NK1 receptor antagonist as well as other drugs as indicated) for prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Withhold Trodelvy doses for Grade 3 nausea or Grade 3-4 vomiting and resume with additional supportive measures when resolved to Grade ≤1. Additional antiemetics and other supportive measures may also be employed as clinically indicated. All patients should be given take-home medications with clear instructions for prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting.

Increased Risk of Adverse Reactions in Patients with Reduced UGT1A1 Activity: Patients homozygous for the uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyl transferase 1A1 (UGT1A1)*28 allele are at increased risk for neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, and anemia and may be at increased risk for other adverse reactions with Trodelvy. The incidence of Grade 3-4 neutropenia was 67% in patients homozygous for the UGT1A1*28, 46% in patients heterozygous for the UGT1A1*28 allele and 46% in patients homozygous for the wild-type allele. The incidence of Grade 3-4 anemia was 25% in patients homozygous for the UGT1A1*28 allele, 10% in patients heterozygous for the UGT1A1*28 allele, and 11% in patients homozygous for the wild-type allele. Closely monitor patients with known reduced UGT1A1 activity for adverse reactions. Withhold or permanently discontinue Trodelvy based on clinical assessment of the onset, duration and severity of the observed adverse reactions in patients with evidence of acute early-onset or unusually severe adverse reactions, which may indicate reduced UGT1A1 function.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on its mechanism of action, Trodelvy can cause teratogenicity and/or embryo-fetal lethality when administered to a pregnant woman. Trodelvy contains a genotoxic component, SN-38, and targets rapidly dividing cells. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Trodelvy and for 6 months after the last dose. Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Trodelvy and for 3 months after the last dose.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

In the ASCENT study (IMMU-132-05), the most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥25%) were fatigue, neutropenia, diarrhea, nausea, alopecia, anemia, constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (SAR) (>1%) were neutropenia (7%), diarrhea (4%), and pneumonia (3%). SAR were reported in 27% of patients, and 5% discontinued therapy due to adverse reactions. The most common Grade 3-4 lab abnormalities (incidence ≥25%) in the ASCENT study were reduced neutrophils, leukocytes, and lymphocytes.

In the TROPHY study (IMMU-132-06), the most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥25%) were diarrhea, fatigue, neutropenia, nausea, any infection, alopecia, anemia, decreased appetite, constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain, and rash. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (SAR) (≥5%) were infection (18%), neutropenia (12%, including febrile neutropenia in 10%), acute kidney injury (6%), urinary tract infection (6%), and sepsis or bacteremia (5%). SAR were reported in 44% of patients, and 10% discontinued due to adverse reactions. The most common Grade 3-4 lab abnormalities (incidence ≥25%) in the TROPHY study were reduced neutrophils, leukocytes, and lymphocytes.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

UGT1A1 Inhibitors: Concomitant administration of Trodelvy with inhibitors of UGT1A1 may increase the incidence of adverse reactions due to potential increase in systemic exposure to SN-38. Avoid administering UGT1A1 inhibitors with Trodelvy.

UGT1A1 Inducers: Exposure to SN-38 may be substantially reduced in patients concomitantly receiving UGT1A1 enzyme inducers. Avoid administering UGT1A1 inducers with Trodelvy.