Antengene Announces First Patient Dosed in the Phase I/II SWATCH Study of XPOVIO® (Selinexor) for the Treatment of B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas

On May 22, 2022 Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene" SEHK: 6996.HK), a leading innovative, commercial-stage global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class and/or best-in-class medicines for cancer, reported that the first patient has been dosed in the single-arm Phase I/II SWATCH Study (the "SWATCH" study), designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of XPOVIO (selinexor) in combination with the R2 regimen of lenalidomide plus rituximab for the treatment of relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) and relapsed/refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R iHNL) (Press release, Antengene, MAY 22, 2022, View Source [SID1234614929]).

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"Antengene is dedicated to making selinexor widely available for patients in China. Formal launch of the product, inclusion in practice guidelines and conduct of additional studies in new indications and with new treatment regimens are all essential parts of our plan. We are very pleased to initiate the SWATCH study in China," said Dr. Kevin Lynch, Antengene’s Chief Medical Officer. "While there have been promising advances in patient care for hematologic malignancies, including R/R DLBCL and R/R iNHL, these cancers are among the top-10 cancer types worldwide and there is still a major need for improved treatments. We are hopeful that the results of the SWATCH study will pave the way to further improve the care of patient with R/R DLBCL and R/R iNHL, in China."

About the SWATCH Study

This open-label, multicenter, single-arm Phase 1/2 SWATCH study is comprised of a dose-escalation phase and a dose-expansion phase. It is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of selinexor in combination with lenalidomide and rituximab (R2) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) and relapsed/refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R iNHL).

The primary endpoints of the SWATCH study are the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and/or the recommended Phase II dose (RP2D) of the SR2 regimen determined by the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) in patients with R/R DLBCL in the dose-escalation phase, as well as the safety and tolerability of the SR2 regimen determined by the key safety measures including adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs (SAEs). Secondary endpoints include the objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and duration of response (DOR) of the SR2 regimen as assessed per the Lugano 2014 criteria for the assessment of lymphoma (Cheson, 2014).

About Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy and the most common subtype of lymphoma in China1. It accounts for 60% of B-cell lymphoma in East Asia2.

While there have been promising medical advances, treatment options are still limited and there remains an enormous unmet medical need in patients with DLBCL. It is estimated that about half of patients with DLBCL will not achieve complete remission after receiving first-line treatment, and approximately 60% of patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) continue to lack effective treatment options.

About Indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (iNHL) is a hematological malignancy that accounts for 21% of all NHL incidences in China3.

Although the first-line treatment with rituximab in combination with various chemotherapies can deliver significant improvement to the overall survival (OS) of patients with iNHL, the majority of patients with R/R iNHL would still relapse and eventually become refractory, thus presenting an urgent need for novel drugs and combination therapies that can effectively improve treatment comes for patients with R/R iNHL.

About XPOVIO (selinexor)

XPOVIO is the first and only oral XPO1 inhibitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) and relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL). By blocking the nuclear export protein XPO1, selinexor can promote the intranuclear accumulation and activation of tumor suppressor proteins and growth regulating proteins and down-regulate the levels of multiple oncogenic proteins. Based on its novel mechanism of action, selinexor is being evaluated for use in multiple combination regimens in hematological and solid tumor cancers to improve treatment efficacy.

Antengene secured approval of selinexor in China in December 2021 for R/R MM. Antengene has also secured approval for XPOVIO in South Korea for use in R/R MM and R/R DLBCL, in Singapore for use in R/R MM and R/R DLBCL and in Australia for use in R/R MM. Antengene is conducting 10 clinical studies in mainland China (3 in collaboration with Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. [Nasdaq:KPTI]) for relapsed/refractory hematological malignancies and advanced solid tumors.

Guardant Health Presents New Data Showing Blood Test Accuracy in Detecting Colorectal Cancer in First-of-its Kind Prospective Study at Digestive Disease Week 2022

On May 21, 2022 Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, reported data showing its blood-based multimodal test achieved clinically significant thresholds of sensitivity and specificity in detecting colorectal cancer (CRC) (Press release, Guardant Health, MAY 21, 2022, View Source [SID1234614928]). These data were presented during an oral presentation at Digestive Disease Week 2022.

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The assay used in this analysis integrates genomics and epigenomics for CRC detection. An updated version of this assay that incorporates the use of proteomics, Shield, is now available as a laboratory developed test for eligible individuals by prescription only through healthcare professionals.

"Colorectal cancer is curable if detected early, and yet many adults are not up to date with recommended colorectal screening. Offering eligible individuals a blood-based test could help overcome many barriers associated with currently available methods, such as a colonoscopy or a stool-based test," said Paloma Peinado, MD, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain. "These data are the first from a prospective study to suggest that this blood-based multimodal test demonstrates the sensitivity and specificity needed to make it a screening option for colorectal cancer."

The ongoing prospective observational study is being conducted at four hospitals in Spain. The data presented include 557 individuals who had a complete colonoscopy and results from the blood-based multimodal CRC test. The median age was 55 years (range 45-84 years; 21% age 45-49, 75% age 50-74, 4% age 75+), and 52% of the cohort was female. Sensitivity (detection rate) for colorectal cancer was determined at 90% and 95% specificity (true negative rate).

At 90% specificity the assay achieved 100% sensitivity (8/8; Stage I,1/1; Stage II,3/3; Stage III,2/2; Stage IV,2/2). At 95% specificity, the assay achieved sensitivity for CRC at 88% (7/8): Stage I (1/1), Stage II (2/3), Stage III (2/2), Stage IV (2/2).

"We are pleased to report these prospective data further illustrate the promise of our multimodal assay as a highly sensitive blood-based screening test for colorectal cancer," said AmirAli Talasaz, Guardant Health co-CEO. "Though curable if caught early, colorectal cancer remains the third most common cancer worldwide. As a convenient screening tool that only requires a simple blood draw, our multimodal assay has the potential to help increase adherence to recommended screening guidelines to save lives."

Aclys Bio to Attend BIO 2022 Convention

On May 21, 2022 Aclys Bio reported that it will be attending the 2022 BIO International Convention in San Diego June 13 – 16 (Press release, Aclys Bio, MAY 21, 2022, View Source [SID1234614926]). Aclys will be scheduling meetings with a number of potential partners to discuss Aclys’s pipeline of antibody-based therapeutics for Precision Oncology.

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NetVation DL Medicine Announces Research Collaboration with Pfizer Inc.

On May 20, 2022 NetVation DL Medicine ("DL Medicine"), a privately held biotechnology company based in Chengdu, China, and focused on the discovery and development of novel drug candidates, reported that it has entered into a two-year research collaboration with Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) (Press release, Pfizer, MAY 20, 2022, View Source [SID1234615153]). Under the terms of the agreement, DL Medicine will screen and collaborate with Pfizer in producing new chemical entities against preselected targets from multiple therapeutic areas. As part of the collaboration, Pfizer has taken a financial stake in DL Medicine.

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DL Medicine utilizes resources, funding and emerging technologies from the expanding biotechnology capabilities of the growing life sciences industry in China and employs novel approaches to identify and develop new drug candidates.

Research conducted under this collaboration will utilize HitGen’s DNA-encoded libraries to validate early targets, identify novel chemical matter, and conduct lead optimization. . Compounds that meet specific requirements will be advanced further in the discovery process. Additional screening technology platforms will also be utilized.

Dr Wei Chen, CEO of DL Medicine, said: "We are delighted to announce this collaboration with Pfizer, and we look forward to working together to potentially discover new chemical entities for the treatment of diseases that negatively impact the health of patients worldwide."

"New target ideas and novel chemical matter are critical to our success in bringing new therapies to patients around the world," said Yuan-Hua Ding, Executive Director, External Science & Innovation, Pfizer. "This collaboration represents our worldwide commitment to partnering with companies that are doing innovative scientific work to help enhance our portfolio across multiple disease areas."

Grant From Research to Prevent Blindness and Castle Biosciences Supports Medical Student Research in Ocular Cancer

On May 20, 2022 Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) and Castle Biosciences reported that they are partnering to increase opportunities for medical students to gain research experiences, specifically in the field of ocular cancer (Press release, Castle Biosciences, MAY 20, 2022, View Source [SID1234614924]). Ocular cancers, such as uveal melanoma (UM), are rare, affecting approximately 2,000 people per year in the U.S., but can be particularly devastating in terms of their effect on sight and on overall health. For these reasons, it is important to incentivize new research in this area and to bring new talent into the ocular cancer field.

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"As a company founded on the desire to improve care for patients impacted by cancers with unmet clinical need, like uveal melanoma, this research fellowship is particularly meaningful to us at Castle"

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RPB and Castle Biosciences are providing funding for the RPB/Castle Biosciences Medical Student Eye Research Fellowship in Ocular Cancer, which allows medical students to take a year off from medical school to devote time to the pursuit of a research project within an RPB-supported department of ophthalmology (see list at end of document). The award application is now open; nomination forms are due June 15, 2022, and applications are due July 1, 2022.

"Effective treatment options are critical because, while not common, ocular cancer has such profoundly negative effects. We are so pleased to partner with Castle Biosciences to bring new talent into this area of research," said Brian F. Hofland, Ph.D., president of Research to Prevent Blindness. "Not only will medical student researchers be conducting high quality, meaningful ocular cancer research under the guidance of a senior scientist—therefore leading to opportunities for new knowledge in this area—they will gain invaluable experience and skills that they will take with them into their future careers."

In 2022, the RPB/Castle Biosciences Medical Student Eye Research Fellowship in Ocular Cancer will award one fellowship to a medical student focusing on a research project related to ocular cancer. The fellowship, which must take place prior to the student’s third or fourth year of medical school, will be funded for one year with a $30,000 grant that will provide financial support in furtherance of the recipient’s ocular cancer research activities.

"As a company founded on the desire to improve care for patients impacted by cancers with unmet clinical need, like uveal melanoma, this research fellowship is particularly meaningful to us at Castle," said Derek Maetzold, president and chief executive officer of Castle Biosciences. "While the types of cancers that our diagnostic tests address have expanded over the years, our commitment to patients, research and innovation has remained the same, which is why we are proud to partner with RPB to offer this grant to a deserving student interested in making a difference in the field of ocular cancer."

The ophthalmology departments (by state) that are eligible to nominate students for this award are located at the following medical schools:

California

David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles
Stanford University School of Medicine
University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine
University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine
Colorado

University of Colorado School of Medicine
Florida

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Illinois

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
Indiana

Indiana University
Iowa

University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Maryland

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Massachusetts

Harvard Medical School
Michigan

The Regents of the University of Michigan School of Medicine
Wayne State University School of Medicine
Missouri

Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine
New York

Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Weill Cornell Medical College
New York University Langone Eye Center
North Carolina

Duke University School of Medicine
Ohio

Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of CWRU
Oklahoma

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oregon

Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Tennessee

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Texas

Baylor College of Medicine
Utah

University of Utah Health Sciences Center
Washington

University of Washington School of Medicine
Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine & Public Health