On March 7, 2022 Kinnate Biopharma Inc. (Nasdaq: KNTE) ("Kinnate"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule kinase inhibitors for difficult-to-treat, genomically defined cancers, reported the presentation of findings from a collaborative study with Tempus investigating the prevalence of Class II and Class III alterations among patients with BRAF-mutated solid tumors (Press release, Kinnate Biopharma, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234609596]). These findings were presented as an e-Poster at the virtual European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Targeted Anticancer Therapies Congress (TAT), taking place March 7-9, 2022.

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"Advances in genomic profiling have significantly increased our ability to define emerging patient populations, and enable the development of effective targeted therapies for patients who do not currently benefit from precision medicine approaches," said Richard Williams, MBBS, Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer at Kinnate. "Through our collaboration with Tempus, and other leading precision medicine companies, we have found that there is a substantial number of cancer patients with BRAF Class II or Class III alterations, none of whom have access to approved targeted cancer therapies. We appreciate the opportunity to share insights on this urgent unmet need with the clinical research community gathered for the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) TAT 2022 conference."

This study utilized a de-identified clinico-genomic database of more than 55,000 cancer patients whose tumors were profiled using the Tempus xT next generation sequencing assay, a 648-gene DNA panel coupled with transcriptome RNA sequencing. A cohort of more than 1,100 patients was identified with BRAF Class II or Class III oncogenic alterations representing approximately 2% of patients. Among the patients with BRAF Class II or Class III alterations, those diagnosed with melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were most commonly treated with immunotherapy or chemotherapy +/- immunotherapy, respectively. At least 70% of patients with BRAF alterations had stage IV (metastatic) disease, and the distribution of cancer stages was similar across BRAF classes. Compared to BRAF Class I alterations, BRAF Class II and Class III alterations were more likely to co-occur with other gene alterations in the MAPK pathway such as NRAS, KRAS and NF1. Within the NSCLC and melanoma cohort, tumors with BRAF Class II or Class III alterations had a higher tumor mutation burden (TMB) than BRAF wild-type tumors. Additionally, patients with NSCLC and Class II or Class III alterations experienced shorter time to treatment discontinuation in first line and second line of therapy compared to patients with NSCLC and BRAF Class I alterations which is suggestive of inferior treatment outcomes.

"These findings are of particular interest given that BRAF Class II and Class III alterations are prevalent oncogenic drivers with no approved targeted therapy. Tumors with BRAF Class II or Class III alterations have been shown to be associated with unique tumor characteristics, including higher TMB and more frequent co-occurrence with other MAPK pathway alterations. Our real-world data study indicates that patients with NSCLC and BRAF Class II or Class III alterations experience shorter time to treatment discontinuation relative to patients with NSCLC and BRAF Class I alterations," said Paul Severson, Ph.D., Senior Director of Translational Medicine and Bioinformatics at Kinnate.

The e-Poster (Presentation #40P), titled "Real-World Clinical Genomic Analysis of Patients with BRAF Mutated Cancers Identifies BRAF Class II and III as a Population of Unmet Medical Need," will be presented by Dr. Severson and is available to registered attendees for on-demand viewing at: www.esmo.org/meetings/esmo-tat-2022.

On March 7, 2022 Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGS: SPPI), a biopharmaceutical company focused on novel and targeted oncology therapies, reported the presentation of safety and efficacy results from Cohort 4 of the ZENITH20 clinical trial (Press release, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234609595]). This data is from 70 first-line patients with non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) with HER2 exon 20 insertion mutations who received 16 mg daily, given as 16 mg once daily (48 patients) or 8 mg twice daily (22 patients) of oral poziotinib. These results showed a confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of 41% (95% CI:30%-54%), as evaluated centrally by an independent image review committee using RECIST 1.1 criteria. The evaluable patient population showed an ORR of 50%. The study met its primary endpoint as the observed lower bound of 30% exceeded the pre-specified lower bound of 20%. The safety profile was consistent with the TKI class. The data is part of an oral presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology Targeted Anticancer Therapies (ESMO TAT) Congress 2022 being held virtually March 7-8, 2022.

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"Cohort 4 from our ZENITH 20 study demonstrated positive results for treatment naïve lung cancer patients harboring HER2 Exon 20 insertion mutations. There is currently no approved treatment for NSCLC patients with these mutations," said Francois Lebel, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Spectrum. "We are encouraged by these findings and look forward to further discussions with the FDA on the regulatory path forward."

The presentation is available on the Spectrum Pharmaceuticals website at: View Source

Safety and Efficacy Data for Cohort 4 of the ZENITH20 Clinical Trial

Cohort 4 enrolled treatment-naïve NSCLC patients with HER2 exon 20 insertion mutations. This cohort investigated the efficacy of poziotinib and included patients dosed either with a QD or BID dosing strategy. Poziotinib 16 mg was administered orally once daily for the first 48 patients followed by an additional 22 patients dosed at 8 mg twice daily. Both dosing regimens allowed dose reductions/interruptions for toxicity. The primary endpoint was ORR evaluated centrally by an independent image review committee using RECIST 1.1 criteria. Secondary endpoints included disease control rate (DCR), duration of response (DoR), progression-free survival (PFS) and safety.

The primary endpoint of ORR was 41% (95% CI:30-54%) in the 70 treated patients including one complete response. The DCR was 73% (95% CI:61-83%). DoR was 5.7 months (range 1.2-19.1+). Median progression free survival (PFS) was 5.6 months (range 0-20.2+). 90% of patients had dose interruptions and 79% had reductions from the 16 mg QD starting dose, while 64% had reductions from the 8mg BID starting dose. The most common treatment related Grade ≥ 3 adverse events were rash (30%), stomatitis (19%), diarrhea (14%), and paronychia (7%). In addition, the incidence of Grade ≥ 3 pneumonitis was low at 3%. The safety profile was consistent with the TKI class and tolerability, dose reductions and interruptions were less frequent with BID dosing.

About the ZENITH20 Clinical Trial

The ZENITH20 study consists of seven cohorts of NSCLC patients. Cohorts 1 (EGFR) and 2 (HER2) in previously treated NSCLC patients with exon 20 mutations, Cohort 3 (EGFR) in first-line patients and Cohort 4 (HER2) in first-line NSCLC patients with exon 20 mutations have completed patient enrollment. Cohorts 1-4 are each independently powered for a pre-specified statistical hypothesis and the primary endpoint is ORR. Cohort 5 includes previously treated or treatment-naïve NSCLC patients with EGFR or HER2 exon 20 insertion mutations. Cohort 6 includes NSCLC patients with classical EGFR mutations who progressed while on treatment with first-line osimertinib and developed an additional EGFR mutation. Cohort 7 includes NSCLC patients with a variety of less common mutations in EGFR or HER2 exons 18-21 or the extracellular or transmembrane domains.

On March 7, 2022 AnaptysBio, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANAB), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class antibody product candidates focused on emerging immune control mechanisms applicable to inflammation and immuno-oncology indications, reported operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2021 and provided pipeline updates (Press release, AnaptysBio, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234609594]).

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"We advanced our wholly-owned antibody product pipeline and completed a $250 million royalty monetization transaction during 2021," said Hamza Suria, president and chief executive officer of AnaptysBio. "We look forward to multiple clinical data readouts during 2022 and remain focused on developing first-in-class therapeutic antibodies using a capital-efficient business model."

Imsidolimab (Anti-IL-36 Receptor) Program

Following an end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA, we initiated our GEMINI-1 Phase 3 trial of imsidolimab in generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) where the primary endpoint is the proportion of patients achieving a score of clear (0) or almost clear (1) skin on the Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Physician’s Global Assessment (GPPPGA) at week 4 in 45 patients randomized against placebo. These same patients will subsequently be enrolled into GEMINI-2, which will assess 6 months of monthly subcutaneous dosing and safety follow-up.
We anticipate top-line data from the ACORN Phase 2 trial of imsidolimab in moderate-to-severe acne in H1 2022 and from the HARP Phase 2 trial in moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa in H2 2022.
Rosnilimab (Anti-PD-1 Agonist) Program

We announced positive top-line data from a randomized placebo-controlled healthy volunteer single and multiple ascending dose Phase 1 trial of rosnilimab, our investigational wholly-owned anti-PD-1 agonist therapeutic antibody, previously known as ANB030. Top-line data demonstrated favorable safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic results, which supported initiation of our Phase 2 AZURE clinical trial of rosnilimab in alopecia areata.
ANB032 (Anti-BTLA Modulator) Program

We are advancing ANB032, our wholly-owned BTLA modulator antibody, in a healthy volunteer Phase 1 single and multiple ascending dose clinical trial where top-line data is anticipated during the first half of 2022.
GSK Partnered Programs

We completed a royalty monetization agreement with Sagard Healthcare Royalty Partners where AnaptysBio received a $250 million payment in exchange for JEMPERLI royalties due to AnaptysBio on annual commercial sales below $1 billion and certain future milestones starting October 2021. The aggregate JEMPERLI royalties and milestones to be received by Sagard under this Agreement is capped at certain fixed multiples of the upfront payment.
Fourth Quarter Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $615.2 million as of December 31, 2021, compared to $411.2 million as of December 31, 2020, for an increase of $204.0 million. The increase relates primarily to cash received from the royalty monetization transaction with Sagard Healthcare Partners offset by cash used for operating activities.
Collaboration revenue was $1.0 million and $63.2 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021. The $1.0 million earned during the fourth quarter primarily relates to royalty revenue earned for sales of JEMPERLI (dostarlimab) and Zejula by GSK, compared to $60.0 million and $75 million of milestone revenue for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020.
Research and development expenses were $26.8 million and $98.5 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $21.6 million and $80.0 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020. The increase was due primarily to continued advancement of the Company’s clinical programs.
General and administrative expenses were $5.4 million and $21.5 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $5.1 million and $18.9 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020. The increase was due primarily to personnel-related expenses, including share-based compensation.
Net loss was $32.5 million and $57.8 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021, or a net loss per share of $1.18, and $2.11, compared to net income of $33.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020 or net income per share of $1.23 and a net loss of $19.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, or net loss per share of $0.73.

On March 7, 2022 Oncternal Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ONCT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel oncology therapies, reported that it will report fourth quarter and full year 2021 financial results after the U.S. financial markets close on Thursday, March 10, 2022 (Press release, Oncternal Therapeutics, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234609593]). Oncternal’s management will host a webcast at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET) to provide a comprehensive business update and discuss the Company’s financial results.

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The live webcast of the call will be available online at investor.oncternal.com and the call will be archived there for at least 30 days.

On March 7, 2022 Evaxion Biotech A/S (NASDAQ: EVAX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of AI-driven immunotherapies, reported that now finalized recruitment for Phase 1/2a clinical trial of EVX-02 in adjuvant melanoma patients (Press release, Evaxion Biotech, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234609592]).

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The Company already conducts the successful EVX-01 program with clinical testing in Australia, Europe and the US, where app. 100 patients suffering from malignant melanoma (metastasized skin cancer) will be treated with EVX-01 therapy in combination with Keytrudaâ from Merck. In the EVX-02 program, Evaxion treats patients with adjuvant melanoma, meaning that their tumors have been successfully removed (surgically), and in the study the focus of the therapy is to avoid relapse.

In the EVX-02 study encouraging preliminary findings around its potential clinical benefit now allows Evaxion to accelerate the development program. Following the finalization of recruitment, Evaxion will advance into a dedicated Phase 2b clinical trial using its patented DNA-based immunotherapy.

For the patients enrolled in the Phase 1/2a clinical trial, Evaxion’s proprietary PIONEERTM AI technology identified a sufficient number of mutations to design a personalized treatment and so far, no serious side effects have been reported.

Lars Wegner, CEO of Evaxion, said:

"Completion of recruitment for the Phase 1/2a clinical trial of EVX-02 is an important milestone, which supports our belief that the Evaxion approach is feasible. EVX-02 appears to be well tolerated and shows encouraging signs as a treatment for adjuvant melanoma patients. The T-cell activation is promising, which allows us to take data and insights from this clinical trial and move into a dedicated Phase 2 clinical trial."

About the EVX-02 Program:

1.Evaxion Biotech has completed recruitment of 16 patients and will now move directly into a dedicated phase 2b clinical trial in adjuvant melanoma.

2.Final data from the current phase 1/2a clinical trial are expected to be announced and reported second quarter of 2023, which is earlier than previously communicated.

3.Expected milestones for the EVX-02 phase 2b study are: Regulatory filing in H1 2022, First patient first visit in H2 2022 and an interim readout in 2023.