On May 10, 2022 OncoHost, a global leader in next-generation precision oncology for improved personalized cancer therapy, reported the completion of a $35 million Series C funding round (Press release, OncoHost, MAY 10, 2022, View Source [SID1234614149]). The funding will go towards expanding OncoHost’s ongoing multicenter PROPHETIC trial which utilizes PROphet, the company’s machine learning-based host response profiling platform, and supporting the imminent U.S. commercial launch of the precision oncology diagnostic solution.

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Leveraging advanced proteomic analysis and AI-based host response science, OncoHost’s PROphet platform is a personalized, real-time, dynamic ‘disease navigator’ that provides early identification of an individual’s responsiveness to cancer therapy, analysis of treatment resistance mechanisms, and potential available strategies to overcome this resistance. Clinical trial results have shown PROphet to have remarkably high accuracy in assessing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient response at three months, six months and one year. Through one blood test pre-treatment, the company’s multi-patented platform also provides clinicians with potential combination strategies to overcome treatment resistance.

The funding round, which was upsized and oversubscribed, was led by ALIVE Israel HealthTech VC, a pioneer mid-to-late stage healthtech fund. Additional investors included leading Israeli financial firm Leumi Partners, Israel’s largest pension fund Menora Mivtachim, OurCrowd and other existing investors. ALIVE’s co-founder and general managing partner, Prof. Ari Shamiss, was recently named a new member of OncoHost’s board.

"OncoHost provides significant value to both cancer patients and their clinicians and it is an honor to have led this transformational funding round," said Prof. Ari Shamiss, "With promising and significant clinical results, OncoHost’s unique approach can create a brighter and better future for the world of precision oncology, maximizing the likelihood of selecting the correct therapy combinations and dramatically improving therapeutic results for cancer patients. We are confident that Oncohost is set to become a pivotal proteomics market leader in personalized oncology treatment."

"This is OncoHost’s third and most significant investment round to date, demonstrating the company’s maturity, credibility and scalability," said Dr. Ofer Sharon, CEO of OncoHost. "We are honored to be supported by leading local and global investment funds that understand and support our vision to shift the landscape of oncology to a truly personalized approach and want to be part of our journey in revolutionizing cancer care."

OncoHost continues to open additional clinical trial sites around the world and will be expanding its research to further cancer indications. PROphet is set to commercial launch in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2022.

On May 10, 2022 CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 2171.HK), a company focused on innovative CAR T-cell therapies for the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, reported that the phase I trial interim results of an investigator-initiated trial of CT041 have been published in Nature Medicine (View Source), which is one of the top international medical journals in the Nature Portfolio (2-year Impact Factor of 53.44) (Press release, Carsgen Therapeutics, MAY 10, 2022, View Source [SID1234614148]).

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The publication, titled "Claudin18.2-specific CAR T cells in gastrointestinal cancers: phase I trial interim results" presented results from a multi-center, open-label Phase I clinical trial conducted in China to explore the safety, efficacy, and cellular pharmacokinetics of CT041 in patients with advanced CLDN18.2-positive gastrointestinal cancers. The interim trial results showed that among 37 patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancers, CT041 was well tolerated with a manageable safety profile including no dose-limiting toxicity in 28 days post infusion, no grade ≥3 cytokine release syndrome, no neurotoxicity, and no treatment-related death. The objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) in patients with gastrointestinal cancers were 48.6% and 73.0%, respectively. In patients with gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJ), the ORR and DCR reached 57.1% and 75.0%, respectively.

As of the date of this announcement, CT041 is the world’s first and only CAR T-cell candidate for the treatment of solid tumors entering a confirmatory Phase II clinical trial.

The corresponding author for the article, Professor Lin Shen of Beijing Cancer Hospital, said, "CAR T-cell therapy has successfully treated a variety of hematologic malignancies, while few breakthroughs have been made in solid tumors. CT041 is the first-in-class CAR T-cell product candidate against Claudin18.2. In this clinical trial, CT041 showed promising efficacy and manageable safety for patients with gastrointestinal cancers, particularly gastric cancer, who have failed prior lines of conventional therapies. As the largest clinical trial for solid tumors to date, the CAR T-cell therapy showed unprecedented efficacy against solid tumors. The publication of the interim trial results in Nature Medicine enables us to better share the results with our peers and advance CAR T-cell therapy in solid tumors. It also demonstrates the potential for more innovative, China-developed medicines to reach and benefit patients in global markets."

"This study is made possible by the joint efforts of CARsgen’s research and development team and our investigators, as well as the support and trust from the patients and their families. For CT041, the world’s first solid tumor CAR T-cell product candidate that has entered a confirmatory Phase II clinical trial, we will spare no efforts to advance the clinical trials and benefit patients as soon as possible," added Shen.

Dr. Zonghai Li, Founder, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Scientific Officer of CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings Limited, said, "Congratulations to the research team led by Prof. Shen. We thank the patients participating in the trial for their trust and thank all the researchers for their dedication. Publication of the interim CT041 trial results in Nature Medicine demonstrates the high quality and value of this trial. The development of innovative therapies has always been an arduous journey, particularly for effective CAR T-cell therapies against solid tumors. Despite these challenges, we started to collaborate with our investigators in 2015 for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and glioblastoma. Since then, we have continued to explore innovative technologies and products. I am very glad to see the breakthrough interim results of CT041 in the research led by Prof. Shen. We will continue the joint efforts with our investigators in the global CT041 clinical development."

About CT041

CT041 is an autologous CAR T-cell product candidate against the protein CLDN18.2 that has the potential to be the first-in-class globally. CT041 targets the treatment of CLDN18.2-positive solid tumors with a primary focus on GC/GEJ and pancreatic cancer (PC).

In addition to the investigator-initiated trials in China, CARsgen has initiated a Phase Ib clinical trial for advanced GC/GEJ and PC, confirmatory Phase II clinical trial for advanced GC/GEJ in China and initiated a Phase 1b clinical trial for advanced gastric or pancreatic adenocarcinoma in North America. CARsgen also intends to initiate a pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial in North America in 2022.

CARsgen plans to submit an NDA to the NMPA in China in the first half of 2024 and to submit the BLA to the U.S. FDA in 2024.

In 2020 and 2021, CT041 received Orphan Drug designation from the U.S. FDA for the treatment of GC/GEJ and Orphan Medicinal Product designation from the EMA for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. In November 2021, CT041 was granted PRIME Eligibility by the EMA for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. In January 2022, CT041 was granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) Designation by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma with CLDN18.2-positive tumors.

As of the date of the announcement, CT041 is the only CLDN18.2-targeted CAR T-cell product candidate globally that is being studied in clinical trials with IND/CTA approvals from the FDA, the NMPA, and Health Canada.

On May 10, 2022 Bridge Biotherapeutics Inc. (KQ288330), a South Korean clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel drugs for cancer, fibrosis and inflammation, reported it will deliver an oral presentation highlighting the analysis data from the first-in-patient study of BBT-176[1] at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 2022 World Conference on Lung Cancer (IASLC 2022 WCLC) (Press release, Bridge Biotherapeutics, MAY 10, 2022, View Source [SID1234614147]).

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At its latest presentation to investors, Bridge Biotherapeutics shared interim Phase 1 study data of BBT-176 in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) showing that the drug candidate was well-tolerated and demonstrated efficacy against EGFR-mutation positive NSCLC, including C797S containing EGFR triple mutations. According to the company’s presentation, BBT-176 has shown anti-tumor efficacy with two partial response cases, one in the 160 mg QD cohort (51 percent tumor shrinkage) and the other in the 320 mg QD cohort (30 percent tumor shrinkage).

Pharmacokinetics data show that BBT-176 exhibits dose-dependent exposure. In addition, safety data have shown that adverse events (AEs) typically associated with EGFR inhibitors have been found but were limited to Grade 1-3 adverse events. The Phase 1 dose escalation study will be continued through an exploratory cohort to determine the maximum tolerable dose (MTD) and recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D).

Sang-Yoon Lee, M.D., Bridge Biotherapeutics’ chief medical officer, said, "We are encouraged by these interim results from our Phase 1 trial of BBT-176, a fourth-generation EGFR TKI. In addition to continuing the trial, Bridge Biotherapeutics is promoting innovation by exploring the potential clinical value of liquid biopsies for both diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic responses in NSCLC. We believe this will be another innovative aspect of our clinical development of BBT-176. Bridge Biotherapeutics remains focused on delivering novel treatment options to address the high unmet medical needs of advanced NSCLC patients."

The company’s oral presentation on BBT-176 is expected to be held on August 8, during IASLC 2022 WCLC, in Vienna, Austria.

On May 10, 2022 Celsius Holdings, Inc., (Nasdaq: CELH), maker of the leading global fitness drink, CELSIUS reported preliminary financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 (Press release, Celsius Therapeutics, MAY 10, 2022, View Source [SID1234614146]). Management will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results with the investment community.

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A PDF containing our first quarter 2022 results and full financial tables is available at:
View Source

To participate in the conference call, please call one of the following telephone numbers at least 10 minutes before the start of the call:

Webcast: View Source

An audio replay of the call will be available on the Company’s website at:
View Source

On May 10, 2022 Arcellx, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACLX), a biotechnology company reimagining cell therapy through the development of innovative immunotherapies for patients with cancer and other incurable diseases, reported that the first patient has been dosed in its open-label, multicenter ACLX-001 Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT04155749) to evaluate the company’s novel ARC-SparX program in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (r/r MM) (Press release, Arcellx, MAY 10, 2022, View Source [SID1234614145]). ARC-SparX is a universal cell therapy platform comprised of SparX (soluble protein antigen-receptor X-linkers) proteins engineered to target BCMA on myeloma cells together with ARC-T (Antigen Receptor Complex-T) cells that are dosed separately and are engineered to activate only when engaged with a SparX protein bound to a myeloma cell. Both the ARC-T cells and SparX proteins utilize the company’s proprietary novel synthetic binding scaffold called the D-Domain.

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"Our ARC-SparX platform, powered by our proprietary D-Domain technology, has the potential to yield transformative therapies that can unleash the full potential of CAR-Ts to treat challenging conditions, including solid tumors. By addressing antigen heterogeneity and dose limiting toxicities, ARC-SparX could help many patients and address significant unmet clinical needs," said Rami Elghandour, Arcellx’s chairman and chief executive officer. "ACLX-001 is intended to demonstrate the advantages for our ARC-SparX platform technology and may potentially enable rapid development of future ARC-SparX programs in our portfolio. We look forward to enrolling additional patients in this study and evaluating the clinical outcomes."

"We are excited to be participating in this clinical trial to evaluate ACLX-001 in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma," said Binod Dhakal, M.D., M.S., associate professor of medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, and clinical investigator on both Phase 1 trials of CART-ddBCMA and ACLX-001. "ARC-SparX provides physicians with the ability to control the dose and frequency of SparX administration. This may allow the physician to better manage toxicities associated with traditional CAR-T therapies, potentially increasing patient access to this treatment option."

Initial data from the ACLX-001 Phase 1 study is expected in 2023. For more information about the clinical trial program, visit ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04155749).

About the ARC-SparX Platform Technology
The ARC-SparX platform is designed to allow for controllability and adaptability to potentially reduce toxicities that are often associated with serious dose-limiting adverse events and to overcome tumor heterogeneity. It is a modular therapy which utilizes a universal ARC-T cell combined with an off-the-shelf SparX protein to separate the tumor-recognition and tumor-killing functions. SparX (soluble protein antigen-receptor X-linkers) proteins utilize our D-Domain technology engineered to recognize antigens on the surface of diseased cells and flags those cells for detection by the ARC-T cells. ARC-T cells express a D-Domain-based CAR engineered to specifically recognize a unique TAG in the SparX protein. ARC-T cells are dosed separately and only activated to kill the target cell when they encounter a SparX protein bound to the target antigen and thus are controlled through SparX dose modulation. Arcellx has developed a collection of SparX proteins that bind different antigens on the surface of diseased cells. Multiple SparX proteins with different antigen specificity can be administered to potentially address antigen heterogeneity or antigen escape that contribute to relapsed and refractory disease.

About the Phase 1 Study Evaluating ACLX-001 for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (NCT04155749)
The Phase 1 study evaluating ACLX-001 in adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (r/r MM) is a first-in-human, open-label, multicenter, dose escalation clinical trial designed to evaluate ARC-SparX, in which a matrix escalation of either ARC-T cells or SparX-001 or both may be escalated based on clinical correlative data, including pharmacokinetics of SparX-001 and ARC-T expansion. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ARC-SparX. A secondary objective is to identify a dosing strategy associated with ARC-T cell expansion kinetics that results in the best mix of efficacy, as determined by International Myeloma Working Group response criteria, and safety profile.