Gamida Cell Initiates Rolling Submission of Biologics License Application for Omidubicel

On February 9, 2022 Gamida Cell Ltd. (Nasdaq: GMDA), an advanced cell therapy company committed to cures for cancer and other serious diseases, reported that it has initiated the Biologics License Application (BLA) rolling submission process with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for omidubicel, a potentially life-saving treatment for patients with blood cancers in need of stem cell transplant (Press release, Gamida Cell, FEB 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234607926]). The company remains on track to complete the BLA submission in the second quarter of 2022.

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"We are pleased to reach this important milestone for omidubicel and bring this potential therapy one step closer to reaching patients in need," said Julian Adams, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Gamida Cell. "In the Phase 3 study, omidubicel achieved a statistically significant reduction in time to neutrophil engraftment, reduced hospitalization time, decreased risk of infection and shorter time to platelet engraftment. Based on this positive data, we believe omidubicel has the potential to address the existing unmet needs in allogeneic transplant, offering a new standard of care and the opportunity to treat even more patients."

Omidubicel has the potential to be the first FDA approved advanced cell therapy product for allogeneic stem cell transplant. For patients with hematologic malignancies that are deemed eligible for an allogeneic stem cell transplant, the procedure is their best chance for a potential cure. In the U.S., there are approximately 8,000 patients above the age of 12 with hematologic malignancies who undergo an allogeneic stem cell transplant each year and we believe that number of patients may grow over time1. Unfortunately, there are approximately 1,000 patients each year, who are above the age of 12 and are deemed eligible for an allogeneic stem cell transplant but cannot find an appropriate donor2. Based on its encouraging clinical data and less stringent matching criteria, omidubicel has the potential to improve outcomes for allogeneic stem cell transplant patients compared to other donor sources and expand access for patients who cannot find a suitable donor.

About Omidubicel

Omidubicel is an advanced cell therapy under development as a potential life-saving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (bone marrow) transplant solution for patients with blood cancers. Omidubicel is the first stem cell transplant donor source to receive Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. FDA and has also received Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and EU. Gamida Cell has completed an international, multi-center, randomized Phase 3 study (NCT0273029) evaluating the safety and efficacy of omidubicel in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplant compared to a comparator group of patients who received a standard umbilical cord blood transplant. That study achieved its primary endpoint, demonstrating a highly statistically significant reduction in time to neutrophil engraftment, a key milestone in a patient’s recovery from a stem cell transplant. The Phase 3 study also achieved its secondary endpoints of reduced time to platelet engraftment, reduced infections and shorter days of hospitalization. For more information about omidubicel, please visit View Source

Omidubicel is an investigational therapy, and its safety and efficacy have not been established by the FDA or any other health authority.

Aura Biosciences to Participate at the 11th Annual SVB Leerink Global Healthcare Conference

On February 9, 2022 Aura Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: AURA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a novel class of virus-like drug conjugate (VDC) therapies for multiple oncology indications, reported that Elisabet de los Pinos, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Aura, will participate in a fireside chat at the 11th Annual SVB Leerink Global Healthcare conference taking place on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at 8:40 a.m. Eastern Time (Press release, Aura Biosciences, FEB 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234607925]).

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A live webcast of the fireside chat will be available on the "Investors & Media" page under the "Events & Presentations" section of the Company’s website at View Source, where a replay of the webcast will be archived for 90 days following the presentation date.

Elpiscience Announces CDE Clearance of IND Application for Anti-CD39 Monoclonal Antibody ES002

On February 9, 2022 Elpiscience Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Elpiscience"), a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing next-generation cancer immunotherapies, reported that the Center of Drug Evaluation (CDE) has cleared Elpiscience’s Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for ES002 to initiate a Phase I clinical trial in China (Press release, Elpiscience, FEB 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234607924]).

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ES002 is a proprietary anti-CD39 monoclonal antibody (mAb), which has demonstrated highly potent single-agent anti-tumor activity showing a significant reduction in tumor size in in vivo pharmacology studies.

"We are delighted that our IND application for ES002 is approved by the CDE, which follows the earlier IND and Phase I clinical study initiation in the US," said Dr. Steve Chin, CMO of Elpiscience. "Robust preclinical data suggests that our anti-CD39 mAb has a potential best-in-class profile, including a strong effect on T cell function and superior enzymatic inhibition. We look forward to initiating the study in China and potential clinical benefits ES002 may offer for patients with solid tumors worldwide."

About ES002:

ES002 is an anti-CD39 mAb designed to promote anti-tumor immunity. CD39 is a key enzyme regulating the production of adenosine, a critical immune suppressor. By blocking CD39 function, ES002 also stabilizes pro-inflammatory extracellular ATP (eATP) and restores anti-tumor immunity within the tumor microenvironment. ES002 demonstrated highly potent single-agent anti-tumor activity in in-vivo pharmacology studies and is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial in the US (NCT05075564).

Quanterix to Participate in the SVB Leerink Global Healthcare Conference

On February 9, 2022 Quanterix Corporation (NASDAQ: QTRX), a company digitizing biomarker analysis with the goal of advancing the science of precision health, reported that its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Hrusovsky, will present virtually at the SVB Leerink Global Healthcare Conference on Feb. 16 at 4:20 p.m., EST (Press release, Quanterix, FEB 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234607923]). To register for the live webcast, please visit View Source;page=qtrx&url=View Source

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A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the investor section of the Quanterix website at View Source Replays of the webcast will be available on the Quanterix website for 90 days following the conference. Hrusovsky will also host virtual one-on-one meetings with institutional investors on Feb. 18.

EdiGene and Neukio Enter Collaboration to Develop Next-Generation Immune Cell Therapies

On February 9, 2022 EdiGene, Inc., a global biotechnology company focused on translating gene-editing technologies into transformative therapies for patients with serious genetic diseases and cancer, and Neukio Biotherapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of allogenic iPSC-CAR-NK cell therapies, reported an R&D collaboration to develop next-generation immune cell therapies (Press release, EdiGene, FEB 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234607922]).

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The collaboration will leverage EdiGene’s expertise in high-throughput genome editing screening and Neukio’s strength in the development and manufacturing of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and natural killer cell (NK Cell).

"Our proprietary, high-throughput genome-editing screening platform enables genome-wide exploration of key genes in the growth and differentiation of specific cells, promotes the establishment of causality between genetic variation and therapeutic development, and has unique advantages in mechanism exploration, target screening and translation," said Dong Wei, Ph.D., CEO of EdiGene. "By leveraging our expertise in the application and translation of gene editing technologies, we are able to facilitate the development of innovative iPSC-NK immune cell therapies to bring more treatment options to patients."

"The first autologous CAR-T cell therapy was launched in China in 2021, providing hope to cancer patients that they will be able to benefit from the next generation of cell therapies as soon as possible. Our collaboration with EdiGene will explore new therapeutic mechanisms and targets, so that our NK cells can be used for allogenic therapies to treat solid tumors, which is beneficial for our intellectual properties systems and for patients’ accessibility," said Dr. Richard Wang, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Neukio. "This new screening method supplements known targets, laying a solid foundation for Neukio’s pipeline and sustainable development."

Under the agreement, Neukio will develop cell therapies in certain undisclosed indications and pay EdiGene milestone payments for clinical development upon its clinical progress, and royalties after its commercialization.