Gilead Demonstrates Strength Of Oncology Portfolio Across Diverse Tumor Types At ESMO Congress 2022

On August 29, 2022 Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) reported that new data to be presented across its oncology pipeline at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2022 (Press release, Gilead Sciences, AUG 29, 2022, View Source [SID1234618737]). Nine abstracts, including a late-breaking presentation and two additional oral presentations, showcase new analyses from pivotal results in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer and highlight studies across metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC), metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

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"To deliver the best possible outcomes for people with cancer, Gilead Oncology is building a robust pipeline. Our foundational asset Trodelvy, is strengthened with opportunities for unique combinations to span tumor types and lines of therapy," said Merdad Parsey, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Gilead Sciences. "Our data at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper), including overall survival results in advanced breast cancer, demonstrate Gilead’s continued efforts to grow our pipeline and impact people living with cancer who face some of the greatest gaps in care."

Highlights include a late-breaking presentation of the secondary endpoint of overall survival from the Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 study investigating Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) in people with pre-treated HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer. Earlier in August 2022, Gilead announced these data to be statistically significant and clinically meaningful for a patient population that currently has limited treatment options once tumor resistance to endocrine-based therapies develops. The safety profile for Trodelvy was consistent with prior studies, and no new safety signals emerged in this patient population. Gilead has submitted a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based on data from TROPiCS-02. These data will also be shared with health authorities outside the U.S.

Two additional oral presentations will examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and efficacy by HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) status from the TROPiCS-02 study. Additional posters illustrate Gilead’s differentiated development approach, with investigational combination studies of Trodelvy in mTNBC and mCRPC and magrolimab in mCRC.

Summary of Presentations

Accepted abstracts at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2022 include (all times CEST):

Abstract Disposition

Abstract Title

Breast Cancer

Presentation #LBA76 (Oral Proffered Paper Presentation)

Friday, September 9, 16:20

4.B – Brest Auditorium

Overall survival (OS) results from the Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 study of sacituzumab govitecan (SG) vs treatment of physician’s choice (TPC) in patients (pts) with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (mBC)

Poster #253P

Saturday, September 10, 11:00

Poster Area, Hall 4

Unmet need in heavily pre-treated patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (mBC) in the US: a ConcertAI analysis

Presentation #214MO (Mini Oral)

Saturday, September 10, 15:40

7.2.E – Évry Auditorium

Sacituzumab govitecan efficacy in hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2–) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) by HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) status in the Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 study

Presentation #1553O (Oral Proffered Paper Presentation)

Sunday, September 11, 09:20

7.3.U – Urval Auditorium

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 trial of sacituzumab govitecan (SG) vs chemotherapy in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (mBC)

Collaborative Studies – Breast and Prostate Cancer

Poster #248P

Saturday, September 10, 11:00

Poster Area, Hall 4

Sacituzumab govitecan (SG) in Chinese patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer who received at least two prior treatments

Poster #1406P

Sunday, September 11, 15:00

Poster Area, Hall 4

Interim results of a Phase 2 trial of sacituzumab govitecan (SG) in patients (pts) with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) progressing on androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSI)

Trials in Progress (TiP) – Breast and Colorectal Cancer

Poster #275TiP

Saturday, September 10, 11:00

Poster Area, Hall 4

ASCENT-03: Phase 3 study of sacituzumab govitecan (SG) vs treatment of physician’s choice in first-line metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC)

Poster #276TiP

Saturday, September 10, 11:00

Poster Area, Hall 4

ASCENT-04/KEYNOTE-D19: Phase 3 study of sacituzumab govitecan (SG) plus pembrolizumab vs treatment of physician’s choice plus pembrolizumab in first-line programmed death-ligand 1-positive (PD-L1+) metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC)

Poster #439TiP

Sunday, September 11, 12:00

Poster Area, Hall 4

A Phase 2, randomized study of magrolimab with bevacizumab and FOLFIRI in previously treated patients with advanced inoperable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)

Trodelvy has not been approved by any regulatory agency for the treatment of HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer. Its safety and efficacy have not been established for this indication. Trodelvy has a Boxed Warning for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea; please see below for additional Important Safety Information.

Magrolimab is an investigational compound not approved by any regulatory agency.

About HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer

Hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer and accounts for approximately 70% of all new cases, or nearly 400,000 diagnoses worldwide each year. Almost one in three cases of early-stage breast cancer eventually become metastatic, and among patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic disease, the five-year relative survival rate is 30%. As patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer become resistant to endocrine-based therapy, their primary treatment option is limited to single-agent chemotherapy. In this setting, it is common to receive multiple lines of chemotherapy regimens over the course of treatment, and the prognosis remains poor.

About the TROPiCS-02 Study

The TROPiCS-02 study is a global, multicenter, open-label, Phase 3 study, randomized 1:1 to evaluate Trodelvy versus physicians’ choice of chemotherapy (eribulin, capecitabine, gemcitabine, or vinorelbine) in 543 patients with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer who were previously treated with endocrine therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors and two to four lines of chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) for participants treated with Trodelvy compared to those treated with chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, overall response rate, clinical benefit rate and duration of response, as well as assessment of safety and tolerability and quality of life measures. In the study, HER2 negativity was defined per American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) criteria as immunohistochemistry (IHC) score of 0, IHC 1+ or IHC 2+ with a negative in-situ hybridization (ISH) test.

More information about TROPiCS-02 is available at View Source

About Magrolimab

Magrolimab is a potential, first-in-class investigational monoclonal antibody against CD47 and a macrophage checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to interfere with recognition of CD47 by the SIRPα receptor on macrophages, with the goal of blocking the "don’t eat me" signal used by cancer cells to avoid being ingested by macrophages. Magrolimab is being developed in several hematologic cancers, including MDS, AML as well as solid tumor malignancies.

More information about clinical trials with magrolimab is available at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About Trodelvy

Trodelvy (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) is a first-in-class Trop-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate. Trop-2 is a cell surface antigen highly expressed in multiple tumor types, including in more than 90% of breast and bladder cancers. Trodelvy is intentionally designed with a proprietary hydrolyzable linker attached to SN-38, a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. This unique combination delivers potent activity to both Trop-2 expressing cells and the microenvironment.

Trodelvy is approved in more than 35 countries, with multiple additional regulatory reviews underway worldwide, 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. Trodelvy is also approved in the U.S. under the accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (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.

Trodelvy is also being developed for potential investigational use in other TNBC and metastatic UC populations, as well as a range of tumor types where Trop-2 is highly expressed, including hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC), head and neck cancer, and endometrial cancer.

U.S. Indications for Trodelvy

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. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.
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.

Cardiff Oncology to Host Webcast and Conference Call to Provide a Clinical and Corporate Update on September 12, 2022

On August 29, 2022 Cardiff Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRDF), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging PLK1 inhibition to develop novel therapies across a range of cancers, reported that it will host a webcast and conference call to provide a clinical and corporate update on Monday, September 12, 2022 (Press release, Cardiff Oncology, AUG 29, 2022, View Source,-2022 [SID1234618736]). The event will feature discussions on the planned development pathway for onvansertib in KRAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer and updates on other development programs. In addition, company management will provide data updates from ongoing clinical trials.

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A replay of the webcast will be available by visiting the "Events" section of the Cardiff Oncology website after its conclusion.

Cardiff Oncology management will also participate in two upcoming investor conferences in New York.

The Baird Global Healthcare Conference on September 13th
The H.C. Wainwright 24th Annual Global Investment Conference on September 14th.
Conference details will be made available in the coming weeks.

Plus Therapeutics Announces Summary of FDA Meeting on Company’s cGMP Manufacturing Process for Lead Drug Candidate

On August 29, 2022 Plus Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PSTV), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing innovative, targeted radiotherapeutics for rare and difficult-to-treat cancers, reported an update following receipt of formal minutes from a Type C meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specific to Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) (Press release, PLUS THERAPEUTICS, AUG 29, 2022, View Source [SID1234618735]). The meeting focused on the Company’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) clinical and commercial manufacturing process for its lead investigational targeted radiotherapeutic, BMEDA-chelated Rhenium-186 NanoLiposome (186RNL), for recurrent glioblastoma (GBM).

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The FDA indicated agreement with the Company’s proposed application of cGMP guidance for radiotherapeutics, small molecule drug products and liposome drug products for Plus Therapeutics’ novel 186RNL in support of ongoing and future glioblastoma clinical trials, manufacturing scale up and commercialization. Alignment with the FDA includes support of the Company’s proposed controls and release strategy for the new drug substance and new drug product. The Company expects that this FDA feedback will apply to 186RNL used in other clinical development programs, including leptomeningeal metastases and pediatric brain cancer.

"We had a constructive and detailed discussion with the FDA and obtained clarity on various key CMC requirements to mitigate the risk of future delays for potential Investigational New Drug and New Drug Applications," said Marc H. Hedrick M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Plus Therapeutics. "The Company remains on track, on time and on budget to have cGMP 186RNL available in the second half of 2022 for all ongoing and planned ReSPECT clinical trials."

BIO-TECHNE TO PRESENT AT THE 2022 WELLS FARGO HEALTHCARE CONFERENCE

On August 29, 2022 Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH) reported that Jim Hippel, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will present at the 2022 Wells Fargo Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 9:10 a.m. EST (Press release, Bio-Techne, AUG 29, 2022, View Source [SID1234618734]). A live webcast of the presentation can be accessed via the IR Calendar page of Bio-Techne’s Investor Relations website at View Source

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Aeterna Zentaris Set to Regain Full Rights to Macrilen™ (Macimorelin) in U.S. and Canada from Novo Nordisk

On August, 29, 2022 Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ: AEZS) (TSX: AEZS) ("Aeterna" or the "Company"), a specialty biopharmaceutical company commercializing and developing therapeutics and diagnostic tests, reported that Novo Nordisk Healthcare AG ("Novo Nordisk"), has exercised its right to terminate the amended development and commercialization license agreement (the "Commerical License") previously entered into between Aeterna’s wholly-owned subsidiary and Novo for Macrilen (macimorelin), the first and only U.S. FDA and European Commission approved oral test indicated for the diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) (Press release, AEterna Zentaris, AUG 29, 2022, View Source [SID1234618732]). Following Novo’s 270-day notice period, Aeterna will regain full U.S. and Canadian rights to the product. Under the terms of the Commercial License, Novo Nordisk will return the regulatory approvals, the intellectual property and provide certain other assistance in order to aid in an orderly transition of Macrilen (macimorelin) rights to the Company. Until the end of that 270-day period, Commercial License requires Novo Nordisk to continue selling and promoting Macrilen (macimorelin) in the U.S., and Novo Nordisk’s financial support of the pivotal safety and efficacy DETECT-trial remains unchanged until the end of that notice period.

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"We are delighted to regain full control over macimorelin in the US and Canada. We have always strongly believed in the value of macimorelin and remain fully committed to our plans to continue commercialization in the U.S. and Canada as well as continuing the pediatric development in our ongoing DETECT-trial. As the only U.S. FDA and EU approved diagnostic product for adult growth hormone deficiency, we continue to believe macimorelin remains a compelling opportunity," commented Dr. Klaus Paulini, Chief Executive Officer of Aeterna. "Additionally, we believe that macimorelin’s value has the potential to substantially increase as we plan for success with its potential expanded use in CGHD. As a result, our priority and focus is on identifying a strong partner who shares our vision for the expansion of this important product to maximize the global opportunity for macimorelin in AGHD as well as in CGHD in the near and long term."

Macimorelin has been marketed in the U.S. by Novo Nordisk under the trade name Macrilen. Under the Commercial License, Novo Nordisk was granted an exclusive license for the development, manufacturing, registration and commercialization of Macrilen (macimorelin) in the U.S. and Canada. In light of Novo Nordisk’s decision, Aeterna plans to engage in robust business development efforts to identify and secure a new development and commercialization partner.

"Over the past 18 months, we have made notable progress in building a pre-clinical development pipeline with the goal of diversifying our opportunities. Our growing pipeline, in what we believe are high-value indications with significant unmet medical need, is expected to hold great promise for patients and ultimately our shareholders. Accordingly, we believe regaining the U.S. and Canadian rights to macimorelin provides the Company with additional optionality to drive value creation. Our strong balance sheet as of June 30, 2022, included $58.2 million in cash, allows us to continue the DETECT-trial, invest as we consider prudent in our pipeline, and consider strategic opportunities as we strive to build shareholder value," concluded Dr. Paulini.