On November 21, 2022 TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: TCON), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company utilizing a cost-efficient, CRO-independent product development platform to advance its pipeline of novel targeted cancer therapeutics and to partner with other life science companies, reported dosing of the first patient in a Phase 1/2 trial evaluating the Company’s CTLA-4 antibody, YH001, in combination with its PD-L1 antibody envafolimab and with doxorubicin in front line therapy in patients with sarcoma (NCT 05448820) (Press release, Tracon Pharmaceuticals, NOV 21, 2022, View Source [SID1234624271]).

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The Phase 1/2 trial will assess the safety and efficacy of the triplet combination of YH001, envafolimab and doxorubicin in the common sarcoma subtypes of leiomyosarcoma and dedifferentiated liposarcoma. In addition, the trial will assess the safety and efficacy of the doublet combination of YH001 and envafolimab in patients with the rare sarcoma subtypes of alveolar soft part sarcoma and chondrosarcoma.

"At the time in 2024 when we expect to seek accelerated approval from the FDA for envafolimab in the refractory sarcoma subtypes of UPS and MFS based on data from our ongoing ENVASARC clinical trial, we expect to be enrolling a Phase 3 trial for the full approval of envafolimab with YH001 in front line sarcoma patients," said Charles Theuer, M.D., Ph.D., TRACON’s Chief Executive Officer. "Dosing the first patient in a trial that studies envafolimab with YH001 in front line sarcoma patients, including in combination with standard of care doxorubicin, is an important step to inform us as to the subtypes of sarcoma which should enroll in the front line Phase 3 trial."

For more information on the Phase 1/2 trial of YH001 in combination with envafolimab and doxorubicin in advanced or metastatic sarcoma, please visit ClinicalTrials.gov and reference Identifier NCT05448820.

About YH001

YH001 is an IgG1 antibody against CTLA-4 that has shown enhanced antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement dependent cytotoxicity in vitro. In preclinical studies YH001 demonstrated superior T cell activation and superior tumor growth inhibition activity compared to ipilimumab. YH001 also demonstrated superior activity compared to ipilimumab in human transgenic mouse tumor models when combined with a PD-(L)1 antibody. In these models, single agent YH001 depleted regulatory T cells and increased CD8+ T cells in tumor tissue. YH001 is being studied with envafolimab and doxorubicin in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial sponsored by TRACON (NCT05448820), and in multiple Phase 1 trials in China and Australia sponsored by TRACON’s corporate partner Eucure, a division of Biocytogen.

About the Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of YH001, envafolimab and doxorubicin (NCT05448820)

The Phase 1/2 clinical trial is a multicenter, open label study of YH001 initially given in combination with envafolimab, and then given in combination with envafolimab plus doxorubicin in patients with advanced or metastatic sarcoma, followed by Phase 2 cohorts of patients with select histologies of advanced or metastatic sarcoma, including treatment naive patients. The primary objective of the Phase 1 portion of the trial is to determine the recommended phase 2 dose of YH001 in combination with envafolimab and in combination with envafolimab with doxorubicin. The primary objective of the Phase 2 portion is to determine the objective response rate (ORR) of the combination of YH001 and envafolimab in patients with alveolar soft part sarcoma and chondrosarcoma and the ORR of the combination of YH001, envafolimab and doxorubicin in patients with leiomyosarcoma and dedifferentiated liposarcoma.

About Envafolimab

Envafolimab (KN035), a single-domain antibody against PD-L1 invented by Alphamab Oncology, is the first approved subcutaneously injected PD-(L)1 inhibitor. Envafolimab was approved by the Chinese NMPA in November 2021 in adult patients with MSI-H/dMMR advanced solid tumors who failed systemic treatment and have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. In December 2019, Alphamab Oncology, 3D Medicines and TRACON entered into a collaboration whereby TRACON has the right to develop and commercialize envafolimab in soft tissue sarcoma in North America. Envafolimab is currently being studied in the pivotal ENVASARC Phase 2 trial in the United States sponsored by TRACON and a Phase 3 pivotal trial in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in advanced biliary tract cancer patients as well as multiple Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials in China sponsored by TRACON’s corporate partners, Alphamab Oncology and 3D Medicines.

On November 21, 2022 Athenex, Inc., (NASDAQ: ATNX), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer and related conditions, reported the closing of the sale of its equity interests in its China subsidiaries, which primarily represent the Company’s ownership of its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing business in China, to Chongqing Comfort Pharmaceutical Inc. (Chongqing Comfort) (Press release, Athenex, NOV 21, 2022, View Source [SID1234624270]). Chongqing Comfort was assigned the rights and obligations under the Equity Purchase Agreement (Agreement) entered into in July 2022 by TiHe Capital (Beijing) Co. Ltd, pursuant to the terms of the Agreement.

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Gross proceeds from the sale amount to approximately $18 million. At the Closing, Athenex received from Chongqing Comfort approximately $11 million in cash, net of PRC withholding tax and stamp duty, and will receive the remainder of the sale proceeds in two tranches within three and six months of Closing, respectively, pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. The Closing was effective on November 16, 2022.

"We are pleased to have completed the sale of our China API operations, demonstrating our continued progress on the execution of our strategy to monetize non-core assets," said Dr. Johnson Lau, Chief Executive Officer of Athenex. "This incremental step will allow us to remain focused on advancing our NKT cell therapy platform and creating value for our shareholders."

Athenex also entered into a long-term supply agreement with entities controlled by Chongqing Comfort for the supply of APIs needed for Athenex’s small molecule drug products.

On November 21, 2022 Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC) reported the publication of two abstracts for poster presentations at the upcoming San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), to be held at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas from December 6 – 10, 2022 (Press release, Oncolytics Biotech, NOV 21, 2022, View Source [SID1234624267]).

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One poster will feature interim results from a bridging clinical trial being conducted by Oncolytics’ partner, Adlai Nortye, to evaluate pelareorep-paclitaxel combination therapy in Chinese patients with advanced or metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer. The second poster, in collaboration with SOLTI-Innovative Cancer Research, will include data from the AWARE-1 window-of-opportunity study in early-stage breast cancer patients.

Additional details on the upcoming posters and corresponding abstracts are shown below. Full texts of the abstracts are available on the SABCS website here.

Results published in the SABCS abstract indicate that pelareorep in combination with paclitaxel was safe, well tolerated, and showed anti-tumor activity in Adlai Nortye’s single-arm bridging clinical trial in Chinese patients with advanced or metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer. As of the abstract’s data cut-off date (June 2, 2022), ten patients had been treated in the trial, with four achieving a partial response (two confirmed, two unconfirmed) and five showing stable disease (SD). Eight of the nine patients achieving a partial response (PR) or SD remained on study and continued to receive treatment as of the cut-off date. Updated and additional data from the trial will be presented in the poster corresponding to the abstract in accordance with the SABCS embargo policies.

The bridging trial is designed to accelerate Adlai Nortye’s development of pelareorep in China by allowing future regulatory submissions to include data from Oncolytics’ North American metastatic breast cancer trials, IND-213 and BRACELET-1. Results from IND-213 showed a statistically significant near doubling of median overall survival in HR+/HER2- breast cancer patients treated with pelareorep plus paclitaxel compared to those treated with paclitaxel monotherapy. BRACELET-1 remains ongoing, with a readout on overall response rate, progression-free survival, and evolving overall survival data from the randomized phase 2 trial expected in the first half of 2023.

Described in this abstract are the results of gene expression analyses from cohorts 1 and 2 of AWARE-1, a collaborative window-of-opportunity study in patients with early-stage breast cancer that was conducted by Oncolytics Biotech and SOLTI-Innovative Cancer Research. Cohorts 1 and 2 of AWARE-1 exclusively enrolled patients with the HR+/HER2- breast cancer subtype who were treated with pelareorep and letrozole without (cohort 1) or with (cohort 2) the PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab. Results published in the abstract showed that the studied combinations altered tumor microenvironments to induce and enhance anti-tumor immunity. Additional details on the analyses and results described in the abstract will be provided during the SABCS poster presentation in accordance with symposium embargo policies.

About Adlai Nortye
Adlai Nortye is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative cancer therapies, with its R&D centers in both China and the U.S. With a strategic emphasis on oncology, the Company has built a global pipeline through collaborations and internal discovery with seven drug candidates in development, including (i) Buparlisib (AN2025), which was in a global Phase III clinical trial in combination with paclitaxel for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC after anti-PD-1 treatment; (ii) Palupiprant (AN0025), an oral EP4 antagonist which is undergoing Phase Ib trial in combination with Keytruda in patients with multiple solid tumors; and (iii) AN4005, an oral small molecule PD-L1 inhibitor which was currently in Phase Ia trial. Adlai Nortye is also conducting a Phase I clinical trial in collaboration with Roche to evaluate the triple combination of AN2025, AN0025 and atezolizumab (PD-L1 inhibitor) for a variety of PIK3CA mutant solid tumors in the U.S. In addition, Adlai Nortye owns the exclusive rights to Pelareorep (AN1004) in greater China, Singapore, and South Korea, and is conducting a bridging trial in China to assess the safety and tolerability of AN1004 in combination with paclitaxel for the Chinese patient population with metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer.

Adlai Nortye has assembled an experienced management team, built its proprietary immuno-oncology platforms and partnered with multiple top pharmaceutical companies to promote innovation. Adlai Nortye is committed to becoming an innovative biopharmaceutical company with global vision and strives to benefit patients worldwide. The mission of the Company is to transform deadly cancer into a chronic and eventually a curable disease. For more information, please visit: www.adlainortye.com.

About AWARE-1
AWARE-1 was an open-label window-of-opportunity study in early-stage breast cancer. The study combined pelareorep, without or with atezolizumab, and the standard of care therapy according to breast cancer subtype. Tumor tissue was collected from patients as part of their initial breast cancer diagnosis, again on day three following initial treatment, and finally at three weeks following treatment, on the day their tumor is surgically resected. Key objectives of the study were to confirm that pelareorep is acting as a novel immunotherapy, to evaluate potential synergy between pelareorep and checkpoint blockade, and to collect biomarker data. The primary endpoint of the translational study was overall CelTIL score (a measurement of cellularity and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes). Secondary endpoints for the study included safety and tumor and blood-based biomarkers.

On November 21, 2022 Vivesto AB ("Vivesto" or the "Company") reported that the Board of Directors of the Company has appointed Erik Kinnman as CEO of the Company (Press release, Vivesto, NOV 21, 2022, View Source [SID1234624266]). Erik Kinnman will assume the position as CEO no later than 20 May 2023.

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Erik Kinnman is a physician, Ph.D., with specialist training in neurology and pain management, a Doctor of Medicine and an associate professor at Karolinska Institutet, and holds an Executive MBA from the Stockholm School of Economics. Erik has 25 years of experience from senior positions within Life Science and is currently a Board member of Stayble Therapeutics and Immune System Regulation and the CEO of Sprint Bioscience. He has previously been the CEO of Abliva AB (formerly Neurovive) and has held senior positions at AstraZeneca and Sobi, among others, and worked as a financial analyst at Danske Bank. Erik does not own any shares or share-related instruments in Vivesto.

Peter Zonabend, Chairman of the Board of Vivesto, says: "Erik has a robust industry experience and high academic competence. Erik has also, for many years held senior positions in listed Life Science companies, which has given him the expertise to lead Vivesto. The Board is therefore very pleased that Erik is joining us, and we look forward to the future with confidence."

On November 21, 2022 AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for priority review the Biologics License Application for epcoritamab (DuoBody-CD3xCD20), an investigational subcutaneous bispecific antibody, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy (Press release, AbbVie, NOV 21, 2022, View Source [SID1234624265]).

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The application is supported by previously announced results from the LBCL cohort of the EPCORE NHL-1 open-label, multi-center Phase 1/2 trial evaluating the safety and preliminary efficacy of investigational epcoritamab in adult patients with relapsed, progressive or refractory CD20+ mature B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).

"We are committed to the research and development of innovative therapies to provide important treatment options for people living with blood cancer such as large B-cell lymphoma, which has limited treatment options in the relapsed/refractory setting," said Mohamed Zaki, M.D., Ph.D., vice president and head, global oncology development, AbbVie. "This milestone signals an early step in our hope to develop a core therapy for people living with B-cell malignancies."

Additionally, the European Medicines Agency recently validated a Marketing Authorization Application for epcoritamab for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) – a major subtype of LBCL – after two or more lines of systemic therapy.

Epcoritamab is being co-developed by AbbVie and Genmab as part of the companies’ oncology collaboration. The companies will share commercial responsibilities in the U.S. and Japan, with AbbVie responsible for further global commercialization. The companies are committed to evaluating epcoritamab as a monotherapy, and in combination, across lines of therapy in a range of hematologic malignancies. This includes an ongoing Phase 3, open-label, randomized clinical trial evaluating epcoritamab as a monotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL (NCT: 04628494) and a Phase 3, open-label clinical trial evaluating epcoritamab in combination in patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma (NCT: 05409066).

About Large B-Cell Lymphoma (LBCL)
LBCL is a fast-growing type of NHL, a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system and affects B-cell lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.1 There are an estimated 150,000 new LBCL cases each year globally.1 LBCL includes DLBCL, which is the most common type of NHL worldwide and accounts for approximately 30 percent of all NHL cases.1

About the EPCORE NHL-1 Trial
EPCORE NHL-1 is an open-label, multi-center safety and preliminary efficacy trial of epcoritamab including a Phase 1 first-in-human, dose escalation part; a Phase 2 expansion part; and an optimization part. The trial was designed to evaluate subcutaneous epcoritamab in patients with relapsed, progressive or refractory CD20+ mature B-cell NHL, including LBCL and DLBCL. Data from the dose escalation part of the study, which determined the recommended Phase 2 dose, were published in The Lancet in 2021. In the Phase 2 expansion part, additional patients are treated with epcoritamab to further explore the safety and efficacy of epcoritamab in three cohorts of patients with different types of relapsed/refractory B-cell NHLs who had limited therapeutic options.

The primary endpoint of the Phase 2 expansion part was overall response rate as assessed by an Independent Review Committee. Secondary efficacy endpoints included duration of response, complete response rate, progression-free survival, overall survival, time to response, time to next therapy, and rate of minimal residual disease negativity.

About Epcoritamab
Epcoritamab is an investigational IgG1-bispecific antibody created using Genmab’s proprietary DuoBody technology. Genmab’s DuoBody-CD3 technology is designed to direct cytotoxic T-cells selectively to elicit an immune response towards target cell types. Epcoritamab is designed to simultaneously bind to CD3 on T-cells and CD20 on B-cells, and induces T-cell mediated killing of CD20+ cells.2 CD20 is expressed on B-cells and a clinically validated therapeutic target in many B-cell malignancies, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.3,4 Epcoritamab is being co-developed by AbbVie and Genmab as part of the companies’ oncology collaboration.

About AbbVie in Oncology
At AbbVie, we are committed to transforming standards of care for multiple blood cancers while advancing a dynamic pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of cancer types. Our dedicated and experienced team joins forces with innovative partners to accelerate the delivery of potentially breakthrough medicines. We are evaluating more than 20 investigational medicines in over 300 clinical trials across some of the world’s most widespread and debilitating cancers. As we work to have a remarkable impact on people’s lives, we are committed to exploring solutions to help patients obtain access to our cancer medicines. For more information, please visit View Source and our Blood Cancer Press Kit page.