Innovent Announces First Patient Dosed with CD73 Antibody in Phase 1a/1b Clinical Trial for Advanced Solid Tumor

On February 23, 2022 Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, metabolic, autoimmune and other major diseases, reported that the first patient has been successfully dosed in the phase 1, first-in-human clinical trial of its proprietary CD73 antibody (development code: IBI325) in patients with advanced solid tumor (Press release, Innovent Biologics, FEB 23, 2022, View Source [SID1234608915]).

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The open-label, dose escalation phase 1a/1b study (NCT05119998) will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and preliminary efficacy of IBI325 as a single agent and in combination with sintilimab in patients with advanced solid tumors. The recommended dose for further clinical studies will also be determined.

CD73 is an ecto-enzyme expressed on stromal cells and tumors that converts extracellular adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to adenosine. Adenosine binds adenosine A2A andA2B receptors on immune cells and inhibits immune responses directed against tumors. IBI325, as a differentiated, humanized antibody against CD73, is expected to relief the immunosuppressive tumor micro-environment and to work in combination with other cancer therapies such as PD-1 or PD-L1 antibodies. A complete inhibition to CD73 both soluble and on cell surface has been well demonstrated in preclinical studies. And the anti-tumor activities of IBI325 were observed in various tumor models.

Professor Jinming Yu, member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of Shandong Cancer Hospital & Institute, stated, "CD73 is one of the most important targets in the adenosine pathway. Preclinical studies and preliminary clinical data from drugs in the same class has demonstrated the modulation effect of anti-CD73 in immune microenvironment. This new clinical trial will further evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of IBI325 alone and in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody and other immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced tumors."

"Our preclinical data suggested that IBI325 could completely inhibit the activity of CD73 molecule with no ‘hook effect’ compared with the other candidates in the same class. An outstanding synergistic effect of combination with IBI325 and sintilimab was also demonstrated," said Dr. Zhou hui, senior VP of Innovent, "IBI325 has the potential to become the best-in-class molecule. The new combination therapy of IBI325 and sintilimab would potentially address the existing unmet medical needs left by current immunotherapies. We are excited that IBI325 has come to the clinical development stage, and are committed to develop new safe and efficacious treatment option for patients with advanced tumor."

About IBI325

IBI325 is a differentiated, humanized antibody against CD73, an ecto-enzyme expressed on stromal cells and tumors that converts extracellular adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to adenosine. Adenosine binds adenosine A2A andA2B receptors on immune cells and inhibits immune responses directed against tumors. IBI325 is expected to relief the immunosuppressive tumor micro-environment and to work in combination with other cancer therapies such as PD-1 or PD-L1 antibodies. A complete inhibition to CD73 both soluble and on cell surface has been well demonstrated in preclinical studies. And the anti-tumor activities of IBI325 were observed in various tumor models.

Personalis to Present at the Cowen 42nd Annual Health Care Conference

On February 23, 2022 Personalis, Inc. (Nasdaq: PSNL), a leader in advanced genomics for cancer, reported that its management team will present at the Cowen 42nd Annual Health Care Conference on Monday, March 7, 2022 at 2:10 p.m. Eastern Time (Press release, Personalis, FEB 23, 2022, View Source [SID1234608914]).

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Quanterix Corporation to Release Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results on March 1, 2022

On February 23, 2022 Quanterix Corporation (NASDAQ: QTRX), a company digitizing biomarker analysis with the goal of advancing the science of precision health, reported that it will release its financial results for fourth quarter 2021 before the start of trading on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 (Press release, Quanterix, FEB 23, 2022, View Source [SID1234608913]). Company management will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. EST to discuss Quanterix’ financial results and provide a business update. The call will be hosted by Kevin Hrusovsky, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Quanterix.

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Individuals interested in listening to the conference call may do so by dialing (833) 686-9351 for domestic callers, or (612) 979-9890 for international callers. Please reference the following Conference ID: 5230769. A live webcast will also be available at: View Source You may also access the live webcast by visiting the News & Events page within the Investors section of the Quanterix website at www.quanterix.com. The webcast will be available on the Company’s website for one year following completion of the call.

Alvotech and Fuji Pharma Expand Partnership for Additional Biosimilar Candidate in Japan

On February 23, 2022 Alvotech Holdings S.A. ("Alvotech"), a global biopharmaceutical company focused solely on the development and manufacture of biosimilar medicines for patients worldwide, and Japanese pharmaceutical company Fuji Pharma ("Fuji," Tokyo Stock Exchange: 4554) reported that they have agreed to add to their strategic partnership for the development and commercialization of biosimilar medicines in Japan (Press release, Alvotech, FEB 23, 2022, View Source [SID1234608912]).

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Under terms of the agreement, Fuji will be granted exclusive commercial rights to an undisclosed biosimilar currently in early phase development. Alvotech will receive an upfront payment and be eligible for subsequent milestone payments tied to development progression, as well as a share of the in-market sales. The new agreement adds another biosimilar candidate to the partnership between Alvotech and Fuji, first announced in 2018, bringing the total number of proposed biosimilar products that the companies are partnering on to six. The Japanese market ranks third in overall pharmaceutical spending globally (source: IQVIA Institute).

"Fuji has a been a pioneer in biosimilars in the Japanese market," said Takayuki Iwai, Fuji’s President & CEO. "This expansion in our partnership with Alvotech demonstrates our commitment to patients and our focus on healthcare sustainability."

"A global approach to biosimilars is fundamental to our story," said Robert Wessman, Founder and Chairman of Alvotech. "We believe the dynamics in the Japanese market will favor biosimilars in the long-term as the health care system balances cost and patient access."

On December 7, 2021, Alvotech and Oaktree Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE: OACB.U, OACB, OACB WS) ("OACB"), a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., announced they had entered into a definitive business combination agreement. Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company’s securities are expected to be traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "ALVO."

Moderna and Thermo Fisher Scientific Announce Long-Term Strategic Collaboration

On February 23, 2022 Moderna, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRNA), a biotechnology company pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines, and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO), the world leader in serving science, reported a 15-year strategic collaboration agreement to enable dedicated large-scale manufacturing in the U.S. of Spikevax, Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, and other investigational mRNA medicines in its pipeline (Press release, Moderna Therapeutics, FEB 23, 2022, View Source [SID1234608911]).

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"Thermo Fisher continues to be a trusted partner, bringing a full range of products and services that have enabled us to deliver innovative medicines at an unprecedented speed and scale," said Juan Andres, Moderna’s chief technical operations and quality officer. "We are pleased to further expand our collaboration with Thermo Fisher as a long-term manufacturing partner that will enable us to continue to build on our mRNA platform and pipeline."

Over the past several years, Thermo Fisher has been partnering with Moderna to support its development pipeline with both clinical research and contract manufacturing services. This included the quick scale-up of aseptic fill-finish services and packaging of its COVID-19 vaccine. As part of this expanded agreement, Thermo Fisher will now provide dedicated capacity for a range of aseptic fill-finish services including lyophilized and liquid filling. In addition, the company will provide inspection, labeling and final packaging services.

"Moderna’s innovation in mRNA technology has been pivotal in the global response to the pandemic and we are proud and privileged to support Moderna over the last decade," said Michel Lagarde, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. "In expanding our strategic partnership, Moderna will further leverage our scale and depth of capabilities to continue to transform its mRNA platform and bring new breakthrough medicines to patients around the world."