On November 17, 2021 Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) reported the successful completion of its acquisition of Trillium Therapeutics, a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer (Press release, Pfizer, NOV 17, 2021, View Source [SID1234595750]).

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As Trillium becomes part of Pfizer, it brings an impressive portfolio that includes biologics that are designed to enhance the ability of patients’ innate immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells. Its two lead molecules, TTI-622 and TTI-621, block the signal-regulatory protein α (SIRPα)–CD47 axis, which is emerging as a key immune checkpoint in hematological malignancies. TTI-622 and TTI-621 are novel SIRPα-Fc fusion proteins that are currently in Phase 1b/2 development across several indications, with a focus on hematological malignancies. Both molecules are also being tested to evaluate clinical potential in solid tumors.

"We are proud to bring Trillium’s leading scientific talent and pipeline into Pfizer," said Chris Boshoff, MD, PhD, Chief Development Officer, Oncology, Pfizer Global Product Development. "Today’s announcement combines Pfizer’s research and global development capabilities with Trillium’s innovative discoveries, allowing us to accelerate breakthroughs that change patients’ lives."

Hematological malignancies are cancers that affect the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. This classification includes various types of leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma. More than 1 million people worldwide were diagnosed with a blood cancer in 2020, representing almost 6% of all cancer diagnoses globally. In 2020, more than 700,000 people worldwide died from a form of blood cancer.

Additional Transaction Details

Pfizer has completed its acquisition of all outstanding shares, warrants, options, and deferred share units of Trillium not already owned by Pfizer for $18.50 per share, in cash, representing an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2.22 billion. The acquisition was completed by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) and, as a result of the acquisition, Trillium became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pfizer. In connection with the acquisition, Trillium’s common shares will be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market. Trillium’s common shares will be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange on or before November 19, 2021.

For additional background on the acquisition, please read the announcement press release here.

About Pfizer Oncology

At Pfizer Oncology, we are committed to advancing medicines wherever we believe we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with cancer. Today, we have an industry-leading portfolio of 24 approved innovative cancer medicines and biosimilars across more than 30 indications, including breast, genitourinary, colorectal, blood and lung cancers, as well as melanoma.

On November 17, 2021 Guided Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCQB: GTHP), the maker of the LuViva Advanced Cervical Scan, based on its patented biophotonic technology, reported that enrollment and testing of patients has begun at the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University located in Shanghai (Press release, Guided Therapeutics, NOV 17, 2021, View Source [SID1234595749]).

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The data will be submitted to the Chinese National Medical Products Administration (NMPA; formerly known as the Chinese FDA). Upon such submission, $620,000 is due to Guided Therapeutics from the Company’s Chinese co-manufacturing partner and distributor for China, Shandong Yaohua Medical Instrument Corporation (SMI). The balance of the $2.5 million purchase order from SMI (i.e., $1,880,000) will be due and payable upon marketing approval from NMPA.

"Starting the pivotal clinical trial in China is a key milestone in our international commercialization strategy," said Gene Cartwright, CEO of Guided Therapeutics. "The study is very reasonable in terms of number of women to be tested and it is a pleasure to be working with thought leaders in the Chinese Gynecological and Obstetrics community."

According to the World Health Organization, cervical cancer is one of the most frequent cancers in women in the world and in China it is the second most common cancer among women. China has a population of approximately 560 million women above 15 years of age, who are at risk of developing cervical cancer. Current estimates indicate approximately 100,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year and 30,000 deaths occur annually due to cervical cancer in China. It is believed mortality due to cervical cancer has been increasing in China. In response, China has increased efforts to screen more women, especially in rural areas where the laboratory infrastructure for traditional screening tests is lagging. Because LuViva does not require a laboratory infrastructure and produces an immediate result at the point of care, it is well suited to screening women for cervical cancer in these environments.

On November 17, 2021 Lucid Diagnostics Inc. (Nasdaq: LUCD) ("Lucid") a commercial-stage, cancer prevention medical diagnostics company, and majority-owned subsidiary of PAVmed Inc. (Nasdaq: PAVM, PAVMZ) ("PAVmed"), reported that Dennis McGrath, Chief Financial Officer, will present a corporate update at the Canaccord Genuity Virtual MedTech, Diagnostics and Digital Health & Services Forum on November 18, 2021, at 4:00 PM EST (Press release, Lucid Diagnostics, NOV 17, 2021, View Source [SID1234595748]). For more information on the conference, visit View Source

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On November 17, 2021 Abintus Bio, Inc. (Abintus), a company pioneering first-in-class, off-the-shelf medicines that reprogram cells directly in vivo, reported that it has entered into an agreement with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for the use of its next generation signaling technology ("1XX") in Abintus’ In Vivo CAR-X products (Press release, Abintus Bio, NOV 17, 2021, View Source [SID1234595747]). These products have the potential to overcome the challenges of ex vivo CAR technologies and dramatically improve outcomes and access for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.

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"Having the opportunity to directly reprogram the innate and adaptive immune cell subsets with retroviral vectors, while also extending CAR immune cell function and persistence with 1XX, is an advantage for Abintus’ approach and has the potential to establish potent anti-tumor immune responses," said Michel Sadelain, M.D., Ph.D., MSK’s Director of the Center for Cell Engineering and inventor of 1XX signaling technology. "I look forward to our continued support as these products advance towards clinical investigation."

1XX signaling technology is designed to improve the persistence of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered cells by sustaining cellular effector functions without exhaustion. To date, 1XX CARs have demonstrated superior preclinical activity compared to conventional CAR technologies in certain hematologic and solid tumors including B-cell malignancies, mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. 1XX CARs are currently under clinical evaluation in multiple cancers. In Vivo CAR-X products are designed to simultaneously target both adaptive and innate immune effector cells, including active T cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells, to produce a potent and durable immune response against hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, and improve patient outcomes and access.

"For in vivo reprogramming to have a profound impact, it will require safe and well tolerated gene delivery and functional expression as well as manufacturing that can scale to meet the patient need," said Malcolm Brenner, M.D., Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, Director of the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at the Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Houston Methodist Hospital and advisor. "Abintus’ retroviral technology is an ideal platform for in vivo reprogramming because it addresses these key criteria, and has a compelling precedent for safety, tolerability and proof of principle in patients with intravenous administration. Adding 1XX signaling technology further strengthens Abintus’ differentiated approach."

Abintus’ initial products targeting hematologic and solid tumors are poised to enter clinical evaluation as early as 2023.

"One of the most exciting and impactful areas of research is the reprogramming of cells directly inside a patient. Inspired by nature, Abintus’ in vivo reprogramming technology is designed to empower patients with a diverse team of living drugs that can launch a coordinated attack against their cancer," said Nicholas A. Boyle, Ph.D., CEO and cofounder of Abintus. "The insights gained from our historical observations with in vivo reprogramming in patients, combined with 1XX technology and our commercial-ready manufacturing process, positions our company with the knowhow, technology and experience to make in vivo genetic medicines a reality for patients."

On November 17, 2021 Boundless Bio, a next-generation precision oncology company developing innovative therapeutics directed against extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) in aggressive cancers, reported that the Chief Executive Officer of Boundless Bio, Zachary Hornby, will present at the Piper Sandler 33rd Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference and the Evercore ISI 4th Annual HealthCONx Conference (Press release, Boundless Bio, NOV 17, 2021, View Source [SID1234595746]). Presentation details are as follows:

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Piper Sandler 33rd Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference
Date: Pre-recorded presentation accessible on Monday, November 22, 2021
Time: 10:00 a.m. ET / 7:00 a.m. PST

Evercore ISI 4th Annual HealthCONx Conference
Date: Live presentation on Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Time: 1:50 p.m. ET / 10:50 a.m. PST