Emplicure AB and Quotient Sciences Announce an Integrated Manufacturing and Clinical Testing Partnership for Emplicure’s First Clinical Pharmacokinetic Study for EMPLI03

On November 29, 2022 Quotient Sciences, a global drug development and manufacturing accelerator, reported a partnership with Emplicure, a Swedish pharmaceutical company focused on chronic pain and abuse-deterrent formulations (Press release, Quotient Sciences, NOV 29, 2022, View Source [SID1234624569]).

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The partnership will see Quotient Sciences support the GMP manufacture and first clinical pharmacokinetic (PK) study for EMPLI03 using its unique Translational Pharmaceutics platform.

Emplicure is developing EMPLI03 as an oral buccal tablet with extended-release properties intended for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. The formulation is also designed to limit the potential for manipulation of the tablet for abuse.

Quotient Sciences’ integrated Translational Pharmaceutics platform has been used to establish the GMP manufacturing process for EMPLI03 and to perform the first clinical PK study. Dosing in the PK study has been successfully completed, and top-line data will be available at the beginning of 2023.

"We have achieved one of our milestones in the development of a Buprenorphine product for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. With properties that limit abuse, EMPLI03 may contribute to a safer medical treatment", said Håkan Engqvist, CEO of Emplicure.

Mark Egerton, PhD, CEO of Quotient Sciences, added, "We are delighted to partner with Emplicure on the development of a potential treatment for moderate to severe pain. Using our unique Translational Pharmaceutics platform, the GMP manufacturing and first PK study for EMPLI03 has been fully integrated, which is a proven approach to accelerate development timelines."

Quotient Sciences introduced its Translational Pharmaceutics platform in 2008 as a fully integrated drug development and clinical testing platform.

The platform integrates drug substance, drug product, and clinical testing activities under one organization to break down industry silos and accelerate molecules through development.

Tyra Biosciences Initiates SURF301 Phase 1/2 Clinical Study and Doses First Patient with TYRA-300

On November 29, 2022 Tyra Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: TYRA), a precision oncology company focused on developing purpose-built therapies to overcome tumor resistance and improve outcomes for patients with cancer, reported the initiation of its SURF301 Phase 1/2 clinical study, with first patient dosed with TYRA-300 (Press release, Tyra Biosciences, NOV 29, 2022, View Source [SID1234624568]). TYRA-300, the Company’s lead product candidate stemming from its SNÅP platform, is an oral, FGFR3-selective inhibitor for the treatment of metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and urinary tract.

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"We are pleased to dose our first patient with TYRA-300 in the SURF301 study, which represents an important milestone for TYRA and marks our transition into a clinical-stage company," said Todd Harris, CEO of TYRA. "The SURF301 study was designed to enable a potential path for rapid development of TYRA-300. Importantly, we believe that TYRA-300 represents an outsized opportunity in bladder cancer with the potential to address important unmet needs in FGFR resistant and FGFR naïve populations, and the desire for a tolerable, targeted oral drug is very high."

The Phase 1/2 clinical study of TYRA-300, SURF301 (Study in Untreated and Resistant FGFR3+ Advanced Solid Tumors), is a multi-center, open label study designed to determine the optimal and maximum tolerated doses (MTD) and the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of TYRA-300, as well as to evaluate the preliminary antitumor activity of TYRA-300.

Hiroomi Tada, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of TYRA, added, "We are excited to initiate SURF301 and evaluate the therapeutic potential of TYRA-300, which we thoughtfully designed to overcome tumor resistance and improve clinical outcomes. We intend to report progress from SURF301, including initial efficacy, PK/PD and biomarker results as mature data becomes available."

The SURF301 study is currently enrolling adults with advanced urothelial carcinoma and other solid tumors with FGFR3 gene alterations. For more information on the SURF301 study, please visit the Patients page of our website or visit www.clinicaltrials.gov and search for NCT05544552.

"The treatment paradigm for patients with bladder cancer remains complex. First-line therapeutic options have initial efficacy, but significant gaps remain to treat the thousands of patients whose cancer recurs due to intrinsic and acquired resistance," commented Jonathan E. Rosenberg, MD, Chief of the Genitourinary Medical Oncology Service, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology and the Enno W. Ercklentz Chair at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).

Dr. Rosenberg has a consulting relationship with TYRA.

Conference Call & Webcast Information

TYRA will host a conference call and webcast today, November 29, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. ET. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-888-317-6003 for domestic callers and 1-412-317-6061 for international callers. Please provide the operator with the passcode 8739737 to join the conference call. The conference call will also be available via webcast under the "For Investors" section of TYRA’s website at www.tyra.bio. An archive of the teleconference and webcast will also be made available on TYRA’s website following the call.

Foresight Diagnostics Announces Three Presentations Highlighting Clinical Studies Using Patented PhasED-Seq® MRD Platform at the 64th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition

On November 29, 2022 Foresight Diagnostics, a leader in minimal residual disease (MRD) detection technology, reported that three studies utilizing their patented PhasED-Seq technology will be presented at the 64th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition (ASH 2022) taking place December 10-13, 2022, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA (Press release, Foresight Diagnostics, NOV 29, 2022, View Source [SID1234624566]).

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The Foresight Diagnostics MRD platform is based on the sequencing of phased variants (PVs) for ultrasensitive and highly specific tumor-derived cell free DNA (ctDNA) detection from solid tumors and B-cell malignancies. PhasED-Seq enhances specificity by requiring the concordant detection of two or more distinct mutations within a single DNA molecule. This enables PhasED-Seq to more accurately distinguish ctDNA from healthy cell free DNA. PhasED-Seq detects ctDNA at levels below one part-per-million (<.0001%), which enables the detection of cancer relapse up to 200 days earlier than other commercial ctDNA detection methods*. The PhasED-Seq platform has been validated in hundreds of real-world patient samples.

"Results show that PhasED-Seq used for EOT detection of ctDNA MRD is more sensitive than PET/CT and highly prognostic for DLBCL outcomes."

Mark Roschewski, MD, of the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, will present data, generated in collaboration with MorphoSys AG, demonstrating that PhasED-Seq’s sensitivity exceeded that of PET/CT scans and was highly prognostic for outcomes when used to measure MRD at the end of treatment in five clinical trials of patients with DLBCL.

David M. Kurtz, MD PhD, of Stanford University School of Medicine, has authored a poster presenting data, generated in collaboration with MorphoSys AG, on the use of PhasED-Seq to accurately track therapeutic response and predict clinical outcomes of first line therapy combinations in de novo DLBCL.

Dr. Kurtz will also give an oral presentation of data, generated in collaboration with Tessa Therapeutics, from the CHARIOT phase 2 clinical trial that supports PhasED-Seq ctDNA detection as a viable biomarker to assess risk, monitor response, and predict outcomes in patients with recurrent classic Hodgkin Lymphoma treated with CD30.CAR-T therapy.

"We are very pleased to have been selected by the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Program Committee to share these impactful clinical studies utilizing Foresight’s PhasED-Seq MRD technology for guiding lymphoma treatments and furthering clinical trials," said Jake Chabon, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Foresight Diagnostics. "Our goal is to provide industry leading MRD sensitivity that can provide actionable information to physicians and pharmaceutical companies to enhance a personalized approach to cancer treatment. We are very grateful to our partners at MorphoSys AG and Tessa Therapeutics for including our PhasED-Seq technology in their clinical trials and demonstrating its superior MRD sensitivity and utility for predicting clinical outcomes. We are also grateful to Dr. Roschewski, Dr. Kurtz, and their teams for presenting this important work at the 2022 ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting."

Podium Presentations:
Abstract Number: 322
Abstract Title: MRD-Negativity as a Potential Surrogate Endpoint after Frontline DLBCL Therapy: Pooled Analysis of Trials & Implications for Clinical Trial Design
Presenting Author: Mark Roschewski, MD, Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
Session Date: Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at 4:45 PM CT; session 627, Theater AB
Abstract Summary: Studies were conducted to compare the predictive value of ctDNA MRD detection to radiographic response and ultimate outcomes including progression free survival (PFS) in patients with DLBCL. Cell-free DNA was profiled using Foresight Diagnostics’ PhasED-Seq to identify tumor-associated phased variants (PVs) and these PVs were used to monitor MRD at various interim timepoints and at end of treatment (EOT) in 5 prospective studies including investigational combinations of CHOP or EP[O]CH with acalabrutinib, lenalidomide, obinutuzumab, polatuzumab, and tafasitamab. Results show that detection of ctDNA MRD at EOT using PhasED-Seq is more sensitive than PET/CT and highly prognostic for outcomes in DLBCL. Studies suggest that PhasED-Seq’s ultrasensitive 1ppm limit of detection may serve as a surrogate clinical endpoint at EOT and should be routinely used in the analysis of MRD in clinical trials for DLBCL.

Abstract Number: 984
Abstract Title: Ultrasensitive Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) Dynamics after Autologous CD30.CAR-T Cell Therapy for Relapsed or Refractory (r/r) Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (CHARIOT Trial)
Presenting Author: David M. Kurtz, MD Ph.D., Division of Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Session Date: Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, 5:45 PM CT; session 704, Hall E
Abstract Summary: The Phase 2 multicenter study, CHARIOT, is investigating the use of CD30.CAR-T cells in cHL patients with progression following 3 lines of therapy. Foresight Diagnostics’ PhasED-Seq MRD assay was used to measure ctDNA levels as a possible biomarker at multiple timepoints, including at baseline (pre-treatment), at day 42 post-CD30.CAR-T infusion (D42), and upon progressive disease (PD). Data showed that ctDNA responses correlated with radiographic responses, suggesting that pre-treatment ctDNA levels could be predictive of patient response to CAR-T therapy. Researchers also determined that PhasED-Seq ctDNA analysis is a viable biomarker to assess risk, monitor responses, and predict outcomes in patients with r/r cHL treated with CD30.CAR-T therapy.

Poster Presentations:
Abstract Number: 1519
Abstract Title: Ultrasensitive MRD Profiling Predicts Outcomes in DLBCL after Frontline Therapy with tafasitamab in Combination with lenalidomide and R-CHOP
Presenting Author: David M. Kurtz, MD PhD, Division of Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
Session Date: Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, 5:30 PM-7:30 PM CT; session 621, Hall D
Abstract Summary: Studies were conducted to determine if ultrasensitive detection of ctDNA MRD levels could accurately track response and predict curative outcomes following experimental first line (1L) therapy. Serial blood specimens were evaluated from patients enrolled in a randomized Phase Ib study in de novo DLBCL treated with tafasitamab in combination with lenalidomide & R-CHOP (T/LR-CHOP). Cell-free DNA was profiled using Foresight Diagnostics’ PhasED-Seq assay, prior to treatment, to genotype each patient’s tumor for phased variants (PVs). PV detection was used to monitor MRD in blood specimens collected following 1 cycle, 3 cycles, 6 cycles/end-of-treatment (EOT), and 6-months post-treatment. MRD positivity at each timepoint was associated with likelihood of future progression or death. The results showed that the absence of ctDNA MRD as measured by PhasED-Seq, strongly correlated with durable responses to T/LR-CHOP in DLBCL.

*Kurtz, D.M., Soo, J., Co Ting Keh, L. et al. Enhanced detection of minimal residual disease by targeted sequencing of phased variants in circulating tumor DNA. Nat Biotechnol 39, 1537–1547 (2021)

First Patient dosed in a Head-to-Head First-Line Bridging Study of HANSIZHUANG for ES-SCLC treatment in the US

On November 29, 2022 Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc. (2696.HK) reported that the first patient was dosed in NCT05468489, a bridging head-to-head trial in the United States comparing HANSIZHUANG (serplulimab), an innovative anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) independently developed by the company to standard of care Atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1 mAb) (Press release, Shanghai Henlius Biotech, NOV 29, 2022, View Source [SID1234624565]). Based on the positive feedback of FDA Biologics license Application (BLA) submission for HANSIZHUANG for the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) and the discussion results of the FDA’s Class C consultation meeting, Henlius plans to recruit 100 pairs of US patients with ES-SCLC to evaluate the efficacy of HANSIZHUANG.

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In April 2022, the company announced that US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan-Drug Designation (ODD) for HANSIZHUANG for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The ODD granted by the FDA is beneficial for the continuous development of HANSIZHUANG and the enjoyment of certain policy support in terms of registration and commercialization in the United States. In China, the New Drug Application (NDA) of HANSIZHUANG in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of ES-SCLC has been accepted by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). At present, there is no anti-PD-1 mAb approved for the first-line treatment of SCLC worldwide. HANSIZHUANG is expected to become the world’s first anti-PD-1 mAb for the first-line treatment of SCLC and to fill the clinical gap in the next five years.

Innovate to further advance

SCLC is the most aggressive subtype of lung cancer, accounting for 15% to 20% of all lung cancer cases. SCLC exhibit high malignancy, strong invasiveness, early metastasis, fast disease progression, and a poor prognosis. At present, anti-PD-L1 mAbs combined with chemotherapy have been recommended by clinical practice guidelines abroad as the first-line treatment for ES-SCLC, but there is no anti-PD-1 mAb approved worldwide, suggesting the need for more effective treatments in this patient population.

Henlius has conducted an international multi-centre phase 3 study of HANSIZHUANG plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with ES-SCLC. The study has set up a total of 128 sites in various countries including China, Turkey, Poland, and Georgia, and enrolled 585 subjects who were screened from 114 sites, among whom 31.5% were White. The results of ASTRUM-005 were presented for the first time in an oral report at the 2022 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) annual meeting, and ASTRUM-005 went on to become the first immunotherapy clinical study of SCLC to be published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA, impact factor of 157.3), one of the top four medical journals in the world. As of data cutoff for the interim analysis (October 22, 2021), median overall survival (OS) was significantly longer in the serplulimab group (15.4 months) than in the placebo group (10.9 months), forming a new world record. In addition, the study showed good safety and consistent efficacy over time.

Comprehensive Layout

HANSIZHUANG is the first innovative mAb developed by Henlius. Up to date, 2 indications are approved for marketing in China, 2 NDAs have been accepted by the NMPA. Since launched in March 2022, HANSIZHUANG has been approved by the NMPA for the treatment of MSI-H solid tumours and squamous non-small cell lung cancer, benefiting more than 9,700 Chinese patients. Its synergy with in-house products of the company and innovative therapies are forging ahead. It has successively obtained clinical trial licenses in China, the United States, the European Union and other countries and regions to initiate 11 clinical trials on immuno-oncology combination therapies in a wide variety of indications, such as lung cancer, esophageal carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and gastric cancer, etc., and covering the full range of first-line treatments of lung cancers. As of now, HANSIZHUANG has enrolled more than 3,100 subjects around the world, and the proportion of White is over 30% in two MRCTs including ASTRUM-005. Such a large amount of global clinical data is also expected to bolster the marketing approval of HANSIZHUANG in overseas markets such as the European Union and to lay a foundation for global clinical application. The bridging trial carried out in the United States will also further promote the global development of HANSIZHUANG.

In the future, the company will continue to emphasize unmet clinical needs, actively promote the progress of this bridging study and the combination immunotherapy of serplulimab, offering high-quality, affordable, and innovative medicines to patients worldwide.

About NCT05468489

This randomised, open-label clinical study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of serplulimab with atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1 mAb) when combined with chemotherapy (carboplatin-etoposide) in previously untreated US patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Eligible patients will be randomised 1:1 to receive intravenous infusion of either serplulimab (300 mg) or atezolizumab (1200 mg) in combination with chemotherapy every 3 weeks. The primary objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of the two treatment regimens in previously untreated US ES-SCLC patients. Secondary objectives are to evaluate the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity of serplulimab in combination with chemotherapy. The primary endpoint is overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival (PFS), PFS2, objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), safety, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and immunogenicity.

BostonGene to Present at the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

On November 29, 2022 BostonGene reported that four abstracts have been accepted for poster presentations for the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), which will be held December 6 – 9, 2022, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas (Press release, BostonGene, NOV 29, 2022, View Source [SID1234624564]). BostonGene will also exhibit at booth 107.

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"The data we will present at SABCS demonstrates the clinical utility of BostonGene‘s AI-based molecular and immune profiling and analytics to advance and optimize outcomes for cancer patients," said Nathan Fowler, MD, Chief Medical Officer at BostonGene. "Our findings highlight the importance of a multifaceted approach to understand the composition and activity of the tumor and the microenvironment."

Details about the abstracts selected for presentation can be found below:

Abstract Number: 1304759
Title: A molecular classification system for basal-like breast cancer based on the tumor microenvironment is prognostic for survival
Date and Time: Thursday, December 8 | 7:00 AM – 8:15 AM
Location: Poster Session 4 – Hall 1
Poster Number: P4-09-02
Speaker: Nikita Kotlov, BostonGene

Using whole-transcriptome data clustering techniques, BostonGene uncovered five distinct basal-like breast cancer molecular functional portraits prognostic for survival using gene signatures from the tumor microenvironment.

Abstract Number: 1310282
Title: An HRD scoring system based on long-focal copy number alterations predictive of PARP inhibitor response
Date and Time: Thursday, December 8 | 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
Location: Poster Session 5 – Hall 1
Poster Number: P5-02-45
Speaker: Nikita Kotlov, BostonGene

BostonGene developed and validated a new homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) scoring system for breast cancer patients. This novel HRD score, which uses long-focal copy number alterations and ploidy rather than relying on germline mutations in the homologous recombination pathway, was predictive of PARP inhibitor response.

Abstract Number: 1310386
Title: AI-based prediction of tertiary lymphoid structures and lymphocyte immune infiltration in breast carcinomas
Date and Time: Friday, December 9 | 7:00 AM – 8:15 AM
Location: Poster Session 6 – Hall 1
Poster Number: P6-04-15
Speaker: Ekaterina Postovalova, PhD, BostonGene

Leveraging a convolutional neural network, BostonGene trained and validated an image analysis platform capable of detecting tertiary lymphoid structures and the lymphocyte immune-infiltrated area on breast carcinoma H&E slides. This AI-based approach may be used to automate the traditional pathology workflow.

Abstract Number: 1310481
Title: TRK inhibitor in a patient with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer and NTRK fusions identified via cell-free DNA analysis.
Date and Time: Thursday, December 8 | 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM
Location: Poster Session 5 – Hall 1
Poster Number: P5-02-13
Speaker: Jennifer C. Keenan, Mass General Cancer Center

In this case report, BostonGene’s Tumor Portrait next-generation sequencing test provided orthogonal validation for two NTRK fusions, including one novel fusion, detected by cell-free DNA analysis in a metastatic triple-negative breast cancer patient.

Research conducted with Mass General Cancer Center

For more information, please visit the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium website. The abstracts will be published in the Abstracts2View online database at the conclusion of the symposium.