On March 28, 2022 Clarity Pharmaceuticals (ASX: CU6) ("Clarity"), a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company developing next-generation products to address the growing needs in oncology, reported that the diagnostic 64Cu SAR-bisPSMA trial (COBRA NCT052491271) for patients with prostate cancer is open for recruitment (Press release, Clarity Pharmaceuticals, MAR 28, 2022, View Source [SID1234611025]).

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COBRA (COpper-64 SAR-BisPSMA in Biochemically Recurrent prostAte cancer) is a Phase I/II Positron Emission Tomography (PET) trial of participants with biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer following definitive therapy. It is a multi-centre, single arm, non-randomised, open-label trial of 64Cu-labelled SAR-bisPSMA in up to 50 participants. The primary objectives of the trial are to investigate safety and tolerability of 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA as well as its ability to correctly detect recurrence of prostate cancer.

Clarity’s Executive Chairman, Dr Alan Taylor, commented, "We are excited to commence recruitment into the COBRA study with our first trial site, Urology Cancer Center and GU Research Network (GURN) in Omaha, Nebraska, actively recruiting patients just a few weeks after receiving the FDA Study May Proceed letter. The pace with which Clarity is able to open and progress the new trials of our optimised SAR-bisPSMA agent is indicative of the interest among the clinicians in the U.S. for this product and the benefits it could deliver to the patients and their treating staff."

Prostate cancer is a key focus of Clarity’s Targeted Copper Theranostics (TCT) program where COBRA is one of the four clinical trials employing the SAR-bisPSMA agent. Most recently, Clarity announced a collaboration with GURN on a diagnostic 64Cu SAR-bisPSMA investigator-initiated trial (IIT), X-Calibur (NCT05286840)2, sponsored by Dr Luke Nordquist. The US-based theranostic 64Cu/67Cu SAR-bisPSMA trial, SECuRE (NCT04868604)3, has been able to successfully image patients with metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer from 1 hour to 72 hours post-injection. The diagnostic 64Cu SAR-bisPSMA trial in Australia, PROPELLER (NCT04839367)4, is well underway, with over 50% of participants recruited in untreated, confirmed prostate cancer patients (i.e. pre-radical prostatectomy). Clarity has previously received advice from the FDA that its prostate diagnostic clinical program with 64Cu SAR-bisPSMA is addressing the two relevant patient populations for registration: pre-prostatectomy/pre-definitive treatment as well as patients with suspected biochemical recurrence.

Dr Neal Shore MD, FACS (CMO – Urology/Surgical Oncology, GenesisCare, US and the Medical Director of Carolina Urologic Research Centre), Lead Principal Investigator in the COBRA trial, commented, "We are very excited to initiate patient accrual for the COBRA trial which will explore and validate the clinical benefits associated with the novel SAR-bisPSMA agent. The preliminary data from Clarity’s SECuRE and PROPELLER trials as well as preclinical data, indicate high uptake of Copper-64 SAR-bisPSMA, which suggests improved prostate cancer detection, inclusive of very low volume disease, which is especially important for patients with suspected disease recurrence. Importantly, the logistical advantages of central manufacture and the on-demand delivery of this novel imaging agent will provide enhanced accessibility to treatment facilities in the U.S. I look forward to expanding the trial U.S. sites and generating additional data for this next-generation technology which could ensure both ease of access and improved diagnostic accuracy for BCR patients."

Dr Taylor said, "Opening the recruitment into the COBRA trial is an exciting step in our prostate cancer program as it signifies the growing appetite for novel radiopharmaceutical treatments that can replicate the "big pharma" centralised manufacture model in the oncology field. TCT products can be delivered to clinical trial cancer patients and their treating staff on time and at a convenient location, with minimal delays and in sufficient quantities to meet the demand and address the backlog of patients waiting for these important diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals. We look forward to imaging prostate cancer patients in the COBRA trial and gathering further evidence of the clinical and logistical benefits of our optimised SAR-bisPSMA agent in pursuit of our ultimate goal of improving treatment outcomes for cancer patients."

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Executive Chairman.

On March 28, 2022 AstraZeneca reported that it will present new data underscoring the breadth of the Company’s early oncology portfolio at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in New Orleans, 8 to 13 April 2022 (Press release, AstraZeneca, MAR 28, 2022, View Source [SID1234611023]).

Data from 60 presentations, including 5 oral and 3 mini-oral presentations, will feature the Company’s next wave of potential cancer medicines spanning its immuno-oncology (IO), DNA Damage Response (DDR) and Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) scientific platforms. This includes key data shared from three potential new medicines that illustrate the Company’s innovative approach to designing molecules that address key challenges in treating cancer, including the ability to target different, complementary mechanisms.

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Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: "We are serious about leading a revolution in oncology, which is why we continue to pioneer new ways to target cancer earlier and with greater precision, for the benefit of patients. Our data at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) from next-wave Immuno-Oncology medicines, PARP inhibitors and antibody drug conjugates demonstrate the potential of our diverse portfolio and reflect our vision to target cancer from every angle."

Introducing the next wave of IO therapies
The first clinical results will be shared for MEDI5752, a novel bispecific antibody, that simultaneously targets the immune checkpoint proteins PD-1 and CTLA-4, in solid tumours. Bispecific antibodies are a promising IO approach that combines the potential benefits of two medicines in one. MEDI5752 was engineered to achieve combined blockade of CTLA-4 and PD-1, to improve the therapeutic index when compared to targeting these proteins using two separate medicines.

A presentation from the NeoCOAST randomised Phase II trial in resectable, early-stage non-small cell lung cancer will highlight improved disease responses with novel Imfinzi (durvalumab) combinations including with oleclumab, an anti-CD73 monoclonal antibody, and with monalizumab1, an anti-NKG2A checkpoint inhibitor, when compared to Imfinzi alone.

Additionally, four presentations will describe novel molecules targeting interleukin-12 (IL-12) and leukaemia inhibitor factor (LIF) and illustrate the potential of targeting non-redundant mechanisms to modulate the immune tumour microenvironment.

Building the next generation of PARP inhibitors
The first data will be presented from the PETRA Phase I clinical trial investigating AZD5305, a next-generation PARP1-selective inhibitor, in patients with tumours harbouring specific homologous recombination repair gene mutations. AZD5305 is designed to selectively target PARP1, killing cancer cells by targeting tumour cell DNA damage repair mechanisms. This approach could allow PARP inhibitors to expand into new settings and offer new opportunities for combinations with DNA damage pathway activating agents such as ADCs. Preclinical data will be presented that support this hypothesis showing the activity of Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) in combination with DDR agents including PARP1-selective inhibitors.

Additionally, four presentations will describe the discovery of AZD9574, a novel PARP1 selective inhibitor designed to cross the blood brain barrier to enable the targeting of primary and secondary brain malignancies.

Innovative approaches to deliver a next-wave ADC
The first preclinical data will be shared on AZD8205, a novel ADC targeting B7-H4, a protein overexpressed in a range of solid tumours. This molecule is the first ADC to incorporate AstraZeneca’s proprietary linker technology, demonstrating the Company’s progress in establishing in-house ADC expertise and building leadership in this field.

Key AstraZeneca presentations during AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2022

Presenting author

Abstract title

Presentation details

IO
Tran, B

MEDI5752, a novel PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific checkpoint inhibitor for advanced solid tumors: First-in-human study

Abstract #CT016

Oral

Session CTPL04 – Combination Immunotherapy Clinical Trials

12 April 2022

11:46 – 12:01 CDT

Cascone, T

NeoCOAST-2: a randomized, open-label, phase 2 study of neoadjuvant durvalumab plus novel immunotherapies and chemotherapy (CT) followed by adjuvant durvalumab plus novel agents, in patients with resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Abstract #CT124 / 6

Poster – Trial in progress (TiP)

Session PO.CT02.03 – Phase II Trials in Progress

11 April 2022

09:00 – 12:30 CDT

Cascone, T

NeoCOAST: open-label, randomized, phase 2, multidrug platform study of neoadjuvant durvalumab alone or combined with novel agents in patients (pts) with resectable, early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Abstract #CT011

Oral

Session CTPL03 – Neoadjuvant and Perioperative Immunotherapy Clinical Trials

11 April 2022

11:16 – 11:31 CDT

Shrestha, P

Durvalumab (D) + platinum-etoposide (EP) in 1L extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC): Exploratory analysis of SCLC molecular subtypes in CASPIAN

Abstract #CT024

Mini-oral

Session CTMS01 – Biomarker Advances in Clinical Trials

10 April 2022

15:50 – 160:00 CDT

Reinmuth, N

Durvalumab (D) plus tremelimumab (T) in platinum-refractory/resistant extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC): Efficacy, safety and ctDNA dynamics from Arm A of the phase 2 BALTIC study

Abstract #CT533

Poster – Clinical Trial

Session OPO.CT02.01 – Phase II Clinical Trials

8 April 2022

12:00 – 13:00 CDT

Fayette, J

INTERLINK-1: A phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, global study of monalizumab in combination with cetuximab in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma previously treated with an immune checkpoint inhibitor

Abstract #CT236 / 7

Poster – TiP

Session PO.CT03.02 – Phase III Trials in Progress

12 April 2022

13:30 – 17:00 CDT

Carneiro, BA

First-in-human study of MEDI1191 (mRNA encoding IL-12) plus durvalumab in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors

Abstract #CT183 / 8

Poster – Clinical Trial

Session PO.CT01.02 – Phase I Clinical Trials 2

12 April 2022

09:00 – 12:30 CDT

O’Kane, G

A phase 2 trial of first-line AZD0171 + durvalumab and chemotherapy (CT) in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and CD8+ T cell infiltration

Abstract #CT126 / 9

Poster – TiP

Session PO.CT02.03 – Phase II Trials in Progress

11 April 2022

09:00 – 12:30 CDT

Purroy, N

First-in-human trial of intravenous MEDI9253, an oncolytic virus, in combination with durvalumab in patients with advanced solid tumors

Abstract #CT218 / 18

Poster – TiP

Session PO.CT01.03 – Phase I Trials in Progress 1

12 April 2022

09:00 – 12:30 CDT

Candido, J

AZD0171 (anti-LIF) combines productively with chemotherapy and anti-PD-L1 in mouse models of cancer

Abstract #1293 / 3

Poster

Session PO.IM02.08 – Immune Mechanisms Invoked by Other Therapies

11 April 2022

09:00 – 12:30 CDT

DDR
Yap, TA

PETRA: First in class, first in human trial of the next generation PARP1-selective inhibitor AZD5305 in patients (pts) with BRCA1/2, PALB2 or RAD51C/D mutations

Abstract #CT007

Oral

Session CTPL02 – Clinical Trials Targeting the DNA Damage Response and KRAS

10 April 2022

16:01 – 16:16 CDT

Pike, A

Evaluation of the CNS penetration of a next generation PARP inhibitor, AZD9574, in cynomolgus monkey using positron emission tomography

Abstract #5076

Poster

Session OPO.CH01.01 – Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery

8 April 2022

12:00 – 13:00 CDT

Davies, BR

AZD9574 is a novel, brain penetrant PARP-1 selective inhibitor with activity in an orthotopic, intracranial xenograft model with aberrant DNA repair

Abstract #2609 / 22

Poster

Session PO.ET04.02 – DNA Damage Response and Repair

12 April 2022

09:00 – 12:30 CDT

Ghosh, A

Structure-based and property-based drug design of AZD9574, a CNS penetrant PARP1 selective inhibitor and trapper

Abstract #6302

Poster

Session OPO.CH01.01 – Drug Discovery, Design, and Delivery

8 April 2022

12:00 – 13:00 CDT

Schou, M

Discovery and preclinical validation of [11C]AZ3391: A first in class blood-brain barrier permeable, subtype selective PARP-1 PET radioligand

Abstract #5977

Poster

Session OPO.TB07.01 – In Vivo Imaging

8 April 2022

12:00 – 13:00 CDT

Shapiro, GI

Ceralasertib and olaparib in the treatment of homologous recombination repair (HRR)-deficient platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer after progression on PARP inhibitors

Abstract #CT201 / 1

Poster – TiP

Session PO.CT01.03 – Phase I Trials in Progress 1

12 April 2022

09:00 – 12:30 CDT

ADCs
Kinneer, K

Discovery and first disclosure of AZD8205, a B7-H4-targeted antibody-drug conjugate utilizing a novel topoisomerase I linker-warhead

Abstract #1765 / 17

Poster

Session PO.ET01.04 – Antibody-Drug Conjugates

11 April 2022

13:30 – 17:00 CDT

Wortmann, P

Development and implementation of image analysis-based Quantitative Continuous Score (QCS) for B7-H4 IHC to understand AZD8205 pharmacodynamics

Abstract #452 / 3

Poster

Session PO.BCS02.02 – Artificial Intelligence and Digital Pathology

10 April 2022

13:30 – 17:00 CDT

Wallez, Y

Activity and tolerability of combinations of trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) with inhibitors of the DNA damage response in preclinical models

Abstract #5298

Poster

Session OPO.ET07.01 – Biological Therapeutic Agents

8 April 2022

12:00 – 13:00 CDT

Mettetal, J

Activity and tolerability of combination of trastuzumab deruxtecan with the next generation PARP1-selective inhibitor AZD5305 in preclinical models

Abstract #1142 / 6

Poster

Session PO.ET05.02 – Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology

11 April 2022

09:00 – 12:30 CDT

1AstraZeneca obtained full oncology rights to monalizumab from Innate Pharma in October 2018 through a co-development and commercialisation agreement initiated in 2015

Notes

AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.

The Company’s focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyse changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.

AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.

On March 27, 2022 Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKEX:1672) reported that the latest preclinical research results of the company’s two novel anti-cancer drug candidates, ASC61, an oral PD-L1 inhibitor and ASC60, an oral fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitor have been selected for presentations at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2022 (the "2022 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting"), and the abstracts have already been published on AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)’s official website (Press release, Ascletis, MAR 27, 2022, View Source [SID1234611019]).

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The AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) annual meeting is one of the world’s largest and long-standing scientific gatherings in the field of cancer research. Covering some of the most cutting-edge advances in all areas of oncology research and innovation, the annual event attracts tremendous interest from the global cancer research community. The AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) annual meeting for this year will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 8 to 13, 2022 CDT.

The abstracts selected for poster presentations at the 2022 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting are as follows:

（1） ASC61

Abstract Title: In vivo efficacy evaluation of ASC61, an oral PD-L1 inhibitor, in two tumor mouse models

Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Abstract Number: 5529
Session Category: Immunology
Session Title: Preclinical Immunotherapy
Presentation time: April 8, 2022, 12:00PM – 1:00 PM CDT
Presenter/Authors: Jinzi J. Wu, Handan He. Ascletis BioScience Co., Ltd.
ASC61 is an oral potent and highly selective PD-L1 small molecule inhibitor and blocks PD-1/PD-L1 interaction through inducing PD-L1 dimerization and internalization. Preclinical studies showed that ASC61 demonstrated significant antitumor efficacies and were well-tolerated in both syngeneic and humanized tumor mouse models. ASC61 was found to have favorably comparable antitumor activities as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved PD-L1 therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb), Atezolizumab. The Phase I study of ASC61 in advanced solid tumors has received the U.S. IND approval by FDA, and the first patient is planned to be enrolled in the second quarter of 2022.

（2） ASC60

Abstract Title: Efficacy of ASC60, an oral fatty acid synthase inhibitor, in two tumor mouse models

Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Abstract Number: 5466
Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session Title: Small Molecule Therapeutic Agents
Presentation time: April 8, 2022, 12:00PM – 1:00 PM CDT
Presenter/Authors: Jinzi J. Wu, Handan He. Ascletis BioScience Co., Ltd.
ASC60 is a potent, selective and safe oral small molecule inhibitor of FASN. ASC60 can disrupt metabolism and tumor-associated signal transduction in tumor cells through inhibition of de novo lipogenesis (DNL). Preclinical studies showed that ASC60 could suppress tumor growth and enhance the antitumor activities of mPD-1 antibody in tumor mouse models. The application of the Phase I study of ASC60 in patients with advanced solid tumors has been submitted to the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the National Medical Products Administration of China (NMPA).

"It is our great pleasure to have the research results of our drug candidates selected by the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) annual meeting," said Dr. Jinzi J. Wu, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Ascletis. "ASC61, an oral PD-L1 inhibitor, and ASC60, an oral FASN inhibitor, have better patient compliance and are easier to be combined with other oral anti-tumor drugs. These studies deepened our understanding of our drug candidates’ mechanism of actions and anti-tumor activities in animal models as well as advanced our clinical development of Company’s oncology pipelines. As we are advancing the Phase III clinical trial of ASC40, another FASN inhibitor, in combination with Bevacizumab for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM), we are exploring opportunities for all-oral combinations between ASC61 and ASC40 (or ASC60) as well as other oral anti-tumor drugs from our business partners."

On March 27, 2022 Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent", HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of cancer, metabolic, autoimmune and other major diseases, and Eli Lilly and Company ("Lilly",NYSE: LLY) reported that in light of both parties’ shared commitment to continue bringing innovative medicines to benefit Chinese patients and to leverage the strengths of each party in a win-win manner, parties will now expand the strategic partnership through (Press release, Innovent Biologics, MAR 27, 2022, View Source [SID1234611017]):

i) an agreement for Innovent to obtain the sole commercialization rights to import, market, promote, distribute and detail Cyramza (ramucirumab) and Retsevmo (selpercatinib) once approved in Mainland China, and
ii) a right of first negotiation granted to Innovent for potential future commercialization of Pirtobrutinib in Mainland China.

Cyramza (ramucirumab) was the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatment for patients with advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma with disease progression on or after prior chemotherapy and the first FDA approved biomarker-driven therapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In China, Cyramza (ramucirumab) in combination with paclitaxel was approved by National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for second-line treatment in patients with advanced or metastatic GEJ adenocarcinoma in March 2022, making it the first and only drug approved for the second-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer in China. The New Drug Application (NDA) for Cyramza (ramucirumab) as second-line treatment in patients with HCC with baseline alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥400ng/mL following first-line sorafenib was accepted by NMPA in September 2021. Gastric cancer and liver cancer are the third and fifth largest cancers in terms of incidence with a total of approximately 900,000 new cases yearly in China. Most of the patients experience disease progression on or after first-line treatment. There is an unmet medical need for new treatment options to improve outcomes in these patients.

Retsevmo (selpercatinib) is a highly selective and potent rearranged during transfection (RET) inhibitor. It was approved by FDA, under the brand name Retevmo, as the first therapy specifically indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) who require systemic therapy, and adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate). In China, the NDA for Retsevmo (selpercatinib) for the above indications was accepted by NMPA and granted priority review in August 2021.

According to the agreement, Innovent has the sole commercialization rights for both Cyramza and Retsevmo, once approved in China, of which Innovent will be fully responsible for the pricing, importation, marketing, distribution and detailing of these two products. With a further expanded oncology product portfolio, Innovent intends to use its experienced oncology commercial team to leverage its broad commercial coverage in hospitals and pharmacies at various tiers to make these novel treatment options available to cancer patients in China.

In addition, Lilly has granted a right of first negotiation to Innovent for the potential future commercialization of pirtobrutinib in China. Pirtobrutinib is an investigational, oral, highly selective, non-covalent (reversible) Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor being studied globally for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Under the terms of the agreement, upon regulatory approvals of Cyramza in the hepatocellular carcinoma indication and Retsevmo in the non-small lung cancer indication, Innovent will make payments of US$45 million in total and then intends to commercialize Cyramza and Retsevmo in China.

Dr. Michael Yu, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Innovent, stated, "With our long-term strategic partnership with Lilly as a strong foundation, we are excited to further expand our productive relationship through this agreement. Innovent has built up a robust oncology pipeline of over 20 clinical stage assets, an industry-leading medical operations and regulatory affairs team, a broad commercial channel and a professional commercial team of about 3,000 people. Lilly and Innovent have jointly launched and marketed TYVYT (sintilimab) and HALPRYZA (rituximab biosimilar) successfully in China. The addition of Cyramza and Retsevmo, two potential differentiated products, will potentially further expand our oncology portfolio to seven commercialized products by this year, enabling us to provide integrated patient solutions with strong portfolio synergies while enhancing our franchise in large cancer indications including NSCLC, GC and HCC, and potentially in hematological malignancies as well. With Innovent and Lilly’s joint commitment and effort, we hope to make these new treatment options available to benefit more cancer patients in China as soon as possible."

Julio Gay-Ger, President and General Manager of Lilly China, said, "We are very proud of this agreement with Innovent, which is a key long-term strategic partner in China. Oncology is one of Lilly’s core therapeutic areas globally, in which the partnership between the two parties has seen rich fruits in the past several years. We are very confident that through this agreement, Innovent can bring forward Lilly’s innovative medicines to potentially be able to benefit Chinese patients with gastric cancer and lung cancer, helping them live better lives and help realize the ‘Healthy China 2030’goals."

On March 25, 2022 Aucentra Therapeutics (View Source) reported the appointment of Mr. Joe Bayer as Chief Executive Officer to lead the company in its growth and commercial phase (Press release, Aucentra, MAR 25, 2022, View Sourceaucentra-therapeutics-appoints-joe-bayer-as-chief-executive-officer/ [SID1234611024]). Aucentra Therapeutics is a clinical stage Australian Biotech company with a pipeline of innovative therapeutics targeting the most difficult to treat cancer types including brain tumor and pancreatic cancer.

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Joe has 30 years’ experience in senior executive roles in the healthcare, consumer products and pharmaceutical industries both in domestic and international markets. He brings to the Aucentra team extensive experience in global executive leadership and corporate governance. His wide skillset covers expertise in business strategy, M&A activity and business operations with a specialized focus in the commercialisation of healthcare and pharmaceutical products.

He has acted in a wide variety of CEO and Board positions with listed and private companies. Prior to his appointment at Aucentra, Joe worked with a number of SME’s to assist in capital funding and strategic advice. He also served as Executive Chairman at Innovaderma Plc, a London Stock Exchange listed healthcare company where he oversaw the development of the business from its early stages through to acquisitions and the UK listing and prior as CEO of Kain Lawyers, a leading Adelaide corporate and commercial law firm. Joe has previously held the positions of Executive General Manager at Faulding and Mayne Pharma responsible for Australia and Southeast Asia, and general management positions at Fletcher Building and CSR based throughout Australia and Asia.
Joe is graduate of the University of South Australia, Fellow Certified Practising Accountants (FCPA), graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and alumni of the Australian Graduate School of Management.

Professor Shudong Wang, Founder and Director, Aucentra Therapeutics, said
"With his impressive track record in global executive leadership, corporate governance, and commercialisation, Joe brings valuable expertise and knowledge to the company. His appointment as CEO will help Aucentra to realize its potential and progress towards the commercialisation of our pipeline drug programs"

Joe Bayer, said
"I am delighted to be leading Aucentra at this exciting stage of the company’s development. The company is extremely well placed with Professor Wang and the world class research group complimenting a great commercial team. The robust pipeline of cancer drugs in both pre-clinical and clinical phases positions Aucentra to be a world leader in providing therapies for difficult to treat cancers, something of which I have great passionate for"