Evotec enters partnership with Hannover Medical School to create molecular patient database in autoimmune diseases

On October 25, 2022 Evotec SE (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, MDAX/TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809; NASDAQ: EVO) reported that the Company has entered a partnership with Hannover Medical School ("MHH"), one of the leading German universities, to generate a molecular patient database for Sjögren’s syndrome ("SjS") and systemic lupus erythematosus ("SLE") (Press release, Evotec, OCT 25, 2022, View Source [SID1234622330]).

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The strategic partnership between Evotec and MHH aims at achieving a better disease understanding of SjS and SLE by creating a unique longitudinal PanOmics database from the analysis of patient material. Biospecimens from several hundred SjS and SLE patients will be collected by MHH and analysed on Evotec’s PanOmics platform, which includes genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics as well as single-cell sequencing technologies. Together with supplementary pseudonymised patient data, these PanOmics data will feed into Evotec’s proprietary translational molecular patient data platform E.MPD, which serves as the central data repository for molecular patient data.

For academic research, MHH will receive access to the data generated within the partnership by working with Evotec’s AI-driven analytics software PanHunter. Evotec has the exclusive right to exploit the data commercially with its unique capabilities in the field of data-driven precision medicine. No financial terms of the collaboration were disclosed.

Dr Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec, commented: "We are excited to enter this partnership with MHH and expand Evotec’s E.MPD database into autoimmune diseases. The conventional symptomatic description of many diseases stands in the way of both diagnosis and effective treatment. By leveraging PanOmics data, we are taking a deeper dive into underlying disease mechanisms. A better understanding of molecular disease mechanisms guides the identification of key disease drivers and ultimately supports the identification of new targets and the development of effective medicine."

Prof. Dr Torsten Witte, Professor of Rheumatology and Head of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology at MHH, added: "So far, there are no efficacious anti-inflammatory therapies for Sjögren’s syndrome and only few for SLE. The identification of inflammatory pathways contributing to the pathogenesis of the disorders would help to establish novel therapies. Since these pathways may differ interindividually, the research project by MHH and Evotec may even pave the road to individualised treatments of Sjögren’s syndrome and SLE. We are therefore excited about the possibilities of the collaboration that combines the expertise of the partners from MHH in the exact clinical characterisation of the patients and from Evotec in the application of multi-omics technologies."

Celaid Therapeutics, developer of novel cell therapies, announces 500 million yen Series A financing

On October 24, 2022 Celaid Therapeutics Inc. (Head office: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President: Nobuyuki Arakawa) reported a third-party allotment of new shares with The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners Co., Ltd. as the lead investor, Tsukuba Institute of Research, Ltd. and SBI Regional Revitalization Support Corporation, and Techno Science Co (Press release, Celaid Therapeutics, OCT 24, 2022, View Source [SID1234649813]). The total amount of funds raised is approximately 500 million yen.

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With this financing, Celaid will further accelerate the development of cell therapy products for blood cancers such as acute leukemia.

Sauvie Inc. Enters into an Exclusive Worldwide License Agreement to Develop and Commercialize a Nanobody-based NK Cell Engager

On October 24, 2022 Sauvie Inc., a mission-driven biopharmaceutical company focused on sustainably building an immuno-oncology company, reported Sauvie’s subsidiary, Sauvie BiKE LLC, has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey ("Rutgers") for the development and worldwide commercialization rights of a bi-specific natural killer (NK) cell engager technology in the field of oncology (Press release, Sauvie, OCT 24, 2022, View Source [SID1234627526]).

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The licensed technology is based on discoveries and invention by Arash Hatefi, PhD, Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics at Rutgers’ Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, who has over 20 years of experience in developing new cancer therapeutics and more than 50 original, peer-reviewed publications in this field.

"As an emerging biopharma organization focused on developing and commercializing critical cancer therapies, Sauvie is truly honored and excited to have this opportunity to advance the primary inventor, Dr. Hatefi’s discovery to offer great hope for people with cancer and position Sauvie to be a key player in the NK cell area," said Ken Suh, CEO of Sauvie Inc.

"We are excited by the broad potential the NK cell engager platform can offer to fight multiple tumors and help many people throughout the world," said Dr. Brian E. Jahns, Chief Operating Officer of Sauvie Inc.

"I am thrilled with the agreement and collaboration between Rutgers and Sauvie to advance my research into new nanobody formats such as bispecific natural killer cell engagers that are capable of stimulating the NK cells, amplifying not only their direct role in tumor eradication, but also their function in inducing multicellular immune responses ultimately resulting in enduring tumor control," said Dr. Arash Hatefi.

The exclusive license granted to the Company relates to a camelid nanobody that has demonstrated high affinity and high specificity to NK cells and has the potential to target multiple antigens of solid and hematologic tumors. NK cell engagers are designed to harness the power of NK cells that are present within the innate immune system and link the NK cells to receptors specific to a tumor. Several clinical research programs around the world have demonstrated the potential effectiveness of safely harnessing the NK cells to attack tumor cells.

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On October 24, 2022 Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc ("Adaptimmune") reported to have received notice of termination of the Collaboration and License Agreement ("Collaboration Agreement") between Adaptimmune Limited and GlaxoSmithKline Intellectual Property Development Ltd ("GSK") dated May 30, 2014 (Press release, Adaptimmune, OCT 24, 2022, View Source [SID1234625433]). On December 19, 2022 and as a result of such termination, Adaptimmune and GSK entered into Amendment Agreement No. 8 (the "Amendment") further amending the Collaboration Agreement. The Amendment deleted Section 13.6.9 of the Collaboration Agreement relating to GSK’s post termination manufacturing and supply obligations in consideration for the payment of £5 million by GSK to Adaptimmune and clarified that no additional milestones are due under the Collaboration Agreement. The Amendment also clarified the allocation of responsibilities between GSK and Adaptimmune with respect to the transfer of information relating to the manufacturing process for the collaboration product targeting NY-ESO (lete-cel) and information relating to the collaboration program directed to the PRAME target to Adaptimmune. Further elements of the transfer of the NY-ESO and PRAME programs and any remaining payments are subject to further negotiation and a future agreement between the parties.

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Maxinovel Raises $14 Million for Novel Small Molecule Portfolio

On October 24, 2022 Guangzhou Maxinovel Pharmaceuticals reported that closed a $14 million Series C+ round to support its portfolio of eight small molecule targeted and immunotherapy candidates (Press release, Maxinovel Pharmaceiticals, OCT 24, 2022, View Source [SID1234622466]). Maxinovel’s lead product is a small molecule PD-L1 inhibitor that matched the efficacy of Durvalumab in a human PD-1 knock-in mice model. The company is developing products for hematological tumors, solid tumors and autoimmune diseases using its oral, radiotherapy imaging and transdermal platforms. The C+ round funds were raised from LAPAM Capital, Zhongxin Capital and Deyi Runrong Venture Capital.

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