University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Grants GlycoMantra Exclusive License to Advance the Company’s Therapeutic Pipeline

On March 7, 2022 GlycoMantra, a University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) startup company developing therapeutics for unmet medical needs in prostate cancer, NASH liver fibrosis, and type 2 diabetes, reported that has been granted worldwide, exclusive rights to a UMB technology to advance the company’s pipeline of therapeutics for treating drug-resistant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) (Press release, GlycoMantra, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234614714]).

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According to the American Society of Cancer Oncology, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the U.S., totaling about 53,000 deaths per year. Drug resistance to CRC is a primary challenge and mCRC remains a lethal disease. Although 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)—one of the current standards of care for patients with mCRC—exerts clinical benefit, all patients have acquired resistance to the drug over time.

To address drug resistance, GlycoMantra is developing a novel combination therapy, using two natural bioingredients that are expected to treat mCRC and 5-FU-resistant mCRC in multiple pathways: inhibition of the neoangiogenesis to reduce cancer stem cells (CSCs) and increasing apoptosis (cell death). Aditi Banerjee, PhD, of the University of Maryland School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, is the lead inventor of the technology.

"The combination therapy we’re pursuing is anticipated to be a significant advancement in the arsenal against mCRC. By exerting multiple and prolonged attack on tumors, our goal would be to achieve longer survival of mCRC patients with use of this approach," said Hafiz Ahmed, PhD, Founder, President, and CEO of GlycoMantra. "This licensing agreement with the University of Maryland, Baltimore will allow us to advance our very important research and development."

So far, the efficacy of the combination drug has been demonstrated in a preclinical model. IND-enabling experiments such as toxicity and PK/PD are the next steps prior to beginning human clinical trials.

Phil Robilotto, DO, MBA, associate vice president of UMB’s Office of Technology Transfer and director of UM Ventures at Baltimore said, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Dr. Ahmed, an experienced scientist who has successfully implemented both short and long-term strategic R&D programs focused on cancer and metabolic disease. I’m excited to see what the future holds for his team and for patients."

Arctoris and Evariste Technologies form a Joint Venture to Identify Novel Small Molecule cMET Inhibitors for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

On March 7, 2022 Arctoris, a tech-enabled biopharma company, and Evariste Technologies, an AI-drug discovery company, reported they have formed a joint venture to identify novel small molecule kinase inhibitors for treatment of patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (Press release, Arctoris, MAR 7, 2022, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=arctoris-and-evariste-technologies-form-a-joint-venture-to-identify-novel-small-molecule-cmet-inhibitors-for-non-small-cell-lung-cancer [SID1234612705]).

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Current treatment options for NSCLC are limited, especially in advanced stages. It has been shown that the proto-oncogene cMet is mutated or upregulated in approximately 5% of all NSCLC cases. While cMET has been successfully targeted by two recently approved drugs (Tepotinib, Capmatinib), rapid development of resistance has been reported and there is a clear need for improved second-generation cMET inhibitors to overcome resistance.

The two companies are combining their platforms for AI-guided and robotics-powered drug discovery to develop a set of novel kinase inhibitors against cMET. The partnership will bring together two highly synergistic approaches – quantitative decision making and state-of-the-art generative chemistry, combined with real-time biological and biochemical profiling and data generation, to significantly accelerate the design-make-test-analyze cycle. The two companies will also use their strong links to leading centres for NSCLC treatment to leverage clinical insights, inform their discovery and development efforts and directly address clinically relevant liabilities limiting the effectiveness of currently available therapies.

"We are really excited to be working with Arctoris on this project. There is a huge need for next generation cMET inhibitors for NSCLC. This is a cancer that affects millions globally, and we hope that we can bring meaningful benefit to some of these lives in the near future," shares Dr. Nicholas Firth, CEO of Evariste Technologies.

Arctoris CEO Martin-Immanuel Bittner MD DPhil FRSA commented on the joint venture, "Together with our partners at Evariste, we are developing novel treatment options in NSCLC against a fully validated target, where first generation inhibitors can be improved on in a clinically meaningful way. Combining patient-derived insights on resistance and toxicity patterns with AI-powered molecule design and our robotic platform, Ulysses, we aim to develop superior next generation inhibitors within a significantly accelerated time frame."

The collaboration between Arctoris and Evariste is already underway and has identified novel, active chemical matter. "We look forward to keeping our community updated about the progress we are making within the joint venture between Evariste Technologies and Arctoris. We have had an incredible start already, and we look forward to continuing our work to develop better treatments options for patients worldwide", shares Bittner.

Oasmia to present at Aktiedagen Stockholm on March 14

On March 7, 2022 Oasmia Pharmaceutical’s CEO, Dr Francois Martelet reported that it will present at Aktiespararna’s Aktiedagen Stockholm on March 14, 2022 (Press release, Vivesto, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234611839]). The presentation starts at 11:00 CET and will be broadcast live as a webcast at: www.aktiespararna.se/tv/live.

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The presentation will be available online the following day on www.aktiespararna.se/tv/evenemang and on Oasmia Pharmaceutical’s website www.oasmia.com.

Oasmia expands the intellectual property portfolio of its core technology platform in key territories

On March 7, 2022 Oasmia Pharmaceutical AB, an oncology-focused specialty pharmaceutical company, reported a significant expansion of its intellectual property (IP) portfolio associated with its core drug delivery technology platform XR-17 (Press release, Vivesto, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234611838]).

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XMeNa patents have been granted in Japan, Singapore, Russia and in several other jurisdictions, protecting an improved method for the manufacturing of the unique XR-17 components.

The XMeNa patent adds to Oasmia’s broad IP portfolio and provides patent protection for the XR‑17 technology and Oasmia’s lead product Apealea (paclitaxel micellar) to 2036.

Apealea is about to be commercialized in key markets around the world and is due to be launched in the UK and Germany in H1 2022. Oasmia is committed to expanding its intellectual property portfolio which covers its existing XR-17 platform and future enhancements of the platform.

Reinhard Koenig M.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Oasmia, commented "The approval of these XMeNa patents provides protection for our XR-17 technology platform in many key territories and also provides protection for our lead product Apealea and Docetaxel Micellar in any future developments that will use the XR-17 platform."

In addition to these recently granted patents, the XMeNa patent is already approved in several major pharmaceutical markets including Europe, the US, India, and Australia.

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On March 7, 2022, Propanc Biopharma, Inc. (the "Company") reported that it entered into a securities purchase agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with Sixth Street Lending, LLC ("Sixth Street"), pursuant to which Sixth Street purchased a convertible promissory note (the "Note") from the Company in the aggregate principal amount of $68,750, such principal and the interest thereon convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at the option of Sixth Street (Filing, 8-K, Propanc, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234609875]). The transaction contemplated by the Purchase Agreement is expected to close on or about March 12, 2022. The Company intends to use the net proceeds ($65,000) from the Note for general working capital purposes.

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The maturity date of the Note is March 7, 2023 (the "Maturity Date"). The Note shall bear interest at a rate of 8% per annum, which interest may be paid by the Company to Sixth Street in shares of common stock, but shall not be payable until the Note becomes payable, whether at the Maturity Date or upon acceleration or by prepayment, as described below. Sixth Street has the option to convert all or any amount of the principal face amount of the Note, starting on September 5, 2023 and ending on the later of: (i) the Maturity Date and (ii) the date of payment of the Default Amount (as defined below), each in respect of the remaining outstanding amount of this Note, to convert all or any part of the outstanding and unpaid amount of this Note into common stock at the then-applicable conversion price. The conversion price for the Note shall be equal to the Variable Conversion Price (as defined herein) (subject to equitable adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends or rights offerings by the Company relating to the Company’s securities or the securities of any subsidiary of the Company, combinations, recapitalization, reclassifications, extraordinary distributions and similar events). The "Variable Conversion Price" shall mean 65% multiplied by the Market Price (as defined herein) (representing a discount rate of 35%). "Market Price" means the average of the lowest three (3) Trading Prices (as defined below) for the common stock during the ten (10) Trading Day period ending on the latest complete Trading Day (as defined below) prior to the conversion date. "Trading Price" means, for any security as of any date, the closing bid price on the OTCQB, OTCQX, Pink Sheets electronic quotation system or applicable trading market (the "OTC") as reported by a reliable reporting service designated by Sixth Street (i.e. Bloomberg) or, if the OTC is not the principal trading market for such security, the closing bid price of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded or, if no closing bid price of such security is available in any of the foregoing manners, the average of the closing bid prices of any market makers for such security that are listed in the "pink sheets". "Trading Day" shall mean any day on which the common stock is tradable for any period on the OTC, or on the principal securities exchange or other securities market on which the common stock is then being traded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sixth Street shall be restricted from effecting a conversion if such conversion, along with other shares of the Company’s common stock beneficially owned by Sixth Street and its affiliates, exceeds 4.99% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.

The Note may be prepaid until 180 days from the issuance date. If the Note is prepaid within 60 days of the issuance date, then the prepayment premium shall be 110% of the face amount plus any accrued interest, if prepaid after 60 days from the issuance date, but less than 91 days from the issuance date, then the prepayment premium shall be 115% of the face amount plus any accrued interest, if prepaid after 90 days from the issuance date, but less than 121 days from the issuance date, then the prepayment premium shall be 120% of the face amount plus any accrued interest, if prepaid after 120 days from the issuance date, but less than 151 days from the issuance date, then the prepayment premium shall be 125% of the face amount plus any accrued interest, and if prepaid after 150 days from the issuance date, but less than 181 days from the issuance date, then the prepayment premium shall be 129% of the face amount plus any accrued interest. So long as the Note is outstanding, the Company covenants not to, without prior written consent from Sixth Street, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets outside the ordinary course of business which would render the Company a "shell company" as such term is defined in Rule 144. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Company paid Sixth Street’s fees and expenses in the aggregate amount of $3,750.

Other than as described above, the Note contains certain events of default, including failure to timely issue shares upon receipt of a notice of conversion, as well as certain customary events of default, including, among others, breach of covenants, representations or warranties, insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation and failure by the Company to pay the principal and interest due under the Note. Additional events of default shall include, among others: (i) failure to reserve at least five times the number of shares issuable upon full conversion of the Note; (ii) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or liquidation proceedings or other proceedings, voluntary or involuntary, for relief under any bankruptcy law or any law for the relief of debtors shall be instituted by or against the Company or any subsidiary of the Company; provided, that in the event such event is triggered without the Company’s consent, the Company shall have sixty (60) days after such event is triggered to discharge such event, (iii) the Company’s failure to maintain the listing of the common stock on at least one of the OTC markets (which specifically includes the quotation platforms maintained by the OTC Markets Group) or an equivalent replacement exchange, the Nasdaq National Market, the Nasdaq Small Cap Market, the New York Stock Exchange, or the American Stock Exchange, (iv) The restatement of any financial statements filed by the Company with the SEC at any time after 180 days after the issuance date for any date or period until this note is no longer outstanding, if the result of such restatement would, by comparison to the un-restated financial statement, have reasonably constituted a material adverse effect on the rights of Sixth Street with respect to this note or the Purchase Agreement, and (v) the Company’s failure to comply with its reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), and/or the Company ceases to be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.