Resolve Biosciences Announces Appointment of John Stark as Chief Executive Officer

On March 15, 2023 Resolve Biosciences, a company pioneering Molecular Cartography technology, reported that it has appointed John Stark as Chief Executive Officer (Press release, Resolve Biosciences, MAR 15, 2023, View Source [SID1234628858]). As part of this transition, Resolve Biosciences’ previous CEO, Jason Gammack, will be leaving the company.

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Mr. Stark brings more than 20 years of experience commercializing early-stage technologies, scaling organizations, and navigating capital markets for some of the most innovative life sciences companies. Most recently, Mr. Stark was Chief Executive Officer of Quantum-Si (NASDAQ: QSI), a next-generation, single-molecule protein sequencing platform company. Prior to that, he served as CEO of Celsee, a novel single-cell genomics platform company that was acquired by Bio-Rad (NYSE: BIO) in 2020. Earlier in his career, Mr. Stark held senior leadership positions at Life Technologies (acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific, NYSE:TMO), Pacific Biosciences (NASDAQ: PACB), and Affymetrix (acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific).

"The Board is excited to welcome John to Resolve Biosciences to lead our next chapter of growth and success," said Peer M. Schatz, co-founder and Chairman of the Board. "John brings an impressive track record of execution, operational excellence, and successful team building to drive innovation. Throughout his career, John has consistently delivered high-growth results for numerous industry-defining platforms. We look forward to working with him on our quest to shape the future of spatial biology and realize the massive opportunities and vast applications in science and medicine."

Mr. Schatz added, "We deeply appreciate Jason Gammack for his contributions and leadership of the company as former CEO, including shepherding the company through the COVID-19 pandemic and initial launch of our commercial platform and service offering."

"I am honored to join Resolve Biosciences as its next Chief Executive Officer," said Mr. Stark. "It is rare to find an opportunity like this to lead a growing company with a transformative technology and a brilliant and passionate team. I’m looking forward to empowering our global partners and customers with the ability to realize the full potential of our Molecular Cartography technology. We are dedicated to delivering best-in-class products that will enable the understanding of the molecular causes of disease and associated immune response."

Nuvation Bio Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

On March 15, 2023 Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE: NUVB), a biopharmaceutical company tackling some of the greatest unmet needs in oncology by developing differentiated and novel therapeutic candidates, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022, and provided a business update (Press release, Nuvation Bio, MAR 15, 2023, View Source [SID1234628857]).

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"In the fourth quarter, we dosed the first patient in both dosing regimens of our Phase 1b study of NUV-868 in combination with olaparib or enzalutamide. This milestone sustains the program’s strong momentum, which we expect to continue in 2023. As we advance the Phase 1 monotherapy and combination studies of NUV-868, we look forward to more deeply understanding how this therapy may be able to improve the lives of patients with advanced solid tumors," said David Hung, M.D., Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Nuvation Bio. "We also expect to submit an IND for the first clinical candidate from our DDC platform by the end of the year."

Recent Business Updates

NUV-868, BD2-Selective BETi: Advanced solid tumors

Dosed the first patient in both dosing regimens of the Phase 1b combination study. In December 2022, Nuvation Bio initiated a Phase 1b study of NUV-868 in combination with olaparib in patients with ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), triple negative breast cancer, and other solid tumors, and in combination with enzalutamide in patients with mCRPC.
Dosing underway in the Phase 1 monotherapy study. The Company continues to enroll the Phase 1 monotherapy study in advanced solid tumors.
Drug-Drug Conjugate Platform: Solid tumors

Nominated first clinical candidate. Nuvation Bio expects to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for an undisclosed DDC candidate with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by year end 2023.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results

As of December 31, 2022, Nuvation Bio had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $661.0 million.

For the three months ended December 31, 2022, research and development expenses were $16.9 million, compared to $22.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to a $3.7 million decrease in third-party costs related to research services and manufacturing, as well as a $1.5 million decrease in personnel-related costs driven by the termination of the NUV-422 program offset by a $0.1 million increase in miscellaneous expenses. Research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 were $87.8 million compared to $69.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

For the three months ended December 31, 2022, general and administrative expenses were $7.4 million, compared to $7.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to a $0.4 million decrease in legal fees, a $0.2 million decrease in professional fees, and a $0.2 million decrease in miscellaneous expenses offset by a $0.5 million increase in personnel-related costs driven by an increase in headcount and stock-based compensation and a $0.1 million increase in taxes. General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2022 were $31.9 million compared to $24.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

For the three months ended December 31, 2022, Nuvation Bio reported a net loss of $20.8 million, or $(0.10) per share. This compares to a net loss of $25.1 million, or $(0.12) per share, for the comparable period in 2021. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $104.2 million compared to $86.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

OSE Immunotherapeutics to Present Preclinical and Clinical Research Updates from its Pipeline and Platforms in Immuno-Oncology

On March 15, 2023 OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (ISIN: FR0012127173; Mnemo: OSE) (Paris:OSE) reported it will be presenting five posters at the 2023 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (Press release, OSE Immunotherapeutics, MAR 15, 2023, View Source [SID1234628856]). AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) will be held in person in Orlando (Florida) on April 14-19.

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Four communications will feature the latest research on pre-IND programs for the pioneering Myeloid and BiCKI platforms, namely presentations on CLEC-1 (new myeloid immune checkpoint) and BiCKI-IL7 (new bifunctional therapy targeting PD-1 and IL-7), and OSE-127 (anti-IL-7 receptor antagonist) hematology program. A fifth communication will feature biomarker analyses on BI 765063 (anti-SIRPα monoclonal antibody on CD47/SIRPα pathway) from the ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial in advanced solid tumors.

Nicolas Poirier, Chief Executive Officer of OSE Immunotherapeutics, comments: "We are very pleased to have several poster presentations at the prestigious AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) annual meeting. This selection by the international scientific community underlines the recognition and the interest in the quality of our R&D engines with preclinical and clinical innovative research programs. It further highlights our long-term commitment to fight against debilitating cancer and chronic diseases through the development of first-in-class innovative immunotherapies."

Poster presentation details:

Poster CLEC#1*

Title: ""CLEC-1 inhibitory myeloid checkpoint blockade enhances antitumor responses and tumor phagocytosis by macrophages""
Session Category: Immunology
Session Title: Immune Checkpoints
Session Date and Time: April 19, 2023 – 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Section 23
Poster Board Number: 2

Poster CLEC#2*

Title: "TRIM21 is a novel endogenous partner of the inhibitory myeloid checkpoint CLEC-1 involved in tumor antigen cross-presentation"
Session Category: Immunology
Session Title: Immune Checkpoints
Session Date and Time: April 19, 2023 – 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Poster Section 23
Poster Board Number: 9

Poster BiCKI-IL-7

Title: "Anti-PD-1/IL-7v bispecific antibody promotes TCF1+ stem like CD8 T cells expansion and long-lasting in vivo efficacy"
Session Category: Immunology
Session Title: Therapeutic Antibodies 3
Session Date and Time: April 17, 2023 – 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Poster Section 24
Poster Board Number: 2

Poster OSE-127

Title: "CD127 is expressed by acute lymphoblastic leukemias and is efficiently targeted by the IL7R-antagonist OSE-127 through macrophage-mediated antibody dependent phagocytosis"
Session Category: Immunology
Session Title: Therapeutic Antibodies 3
Session Date and Time: April 17, 2023 – 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Poster Section 24
Poster Board Number: 4

In parallel, OSE-127 is currently being developed in clinical stage in partnership with Servier. Two clinical studies are ongoing in inflammatory diseases: a phase 2a study conducted in primary Sjögren’s syndrome by Servier, for which completion of patient enrollment has been announced in November 2022, and a Phase 2 study conducted in ulcerative colitis by OSE Immunotherapeutics.

Poster BI 765063

Title: "Predictive response biomarkers from Phase I clinical trial of a SIRPalpha inhibitor BI765063, stand-alone and in combination with ezabenlimab, a PD1 inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors"
Session Category: Clinical Research Excluding Trials
Session Title: Biomarkers of Therapeutic Benefit 2
Date & Time: April 17, 2023 – 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Poster Section 39, Poster Board 3
Poster Number: 2129

BI 765063 is being evaluated in combination with Ezabenlimab in a Phase 1 expansion clinical trial in patients with microsatellite stable (MSS) advanced colorectal cancer and MSS advanced endometrium cancer whose disease relapsed after standard of care and who received no prior anti-PD-L1 inhibitors.

This Phase 1 clinical trial with BI 765063 is conducted by OSE Immunotherapeutics as part of a collaboration and license agreement under which Boehringer Ingelheim obtained exclusive rights to BI 765063.

* Collaborative academic program between OSE Immunotherapeutics and Dr Elise Chiffoleau’s research teams (Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology (CR2TI), UMR1064, INSERM, Nantes University at Nantes University Hospital, View Source).

Adicet Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results and Highlights Recent Company Progress

On March 15, 2023 Adicet Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACET), a clinical stage biotechnology company discovering and developing allogeneic gamma delta T cell therapies for cancer, reported financial results and operational highlights for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2022 (Press release, Adicet Bio, MAR 15, 2023, View Source [SID1234628855]).

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"In 2022, Adicet demonstrated strong execution in advancing our gamma delta T cell therapy pipeline and clinical proof of concept for our therapeutic approach that may provide significant benefit for people living with cancer. Following the Phase 1 clinical update in December evaluating ADI-001 for relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, we are continuing to track and enroll patients in the study and expect to report additional efficacy, durability, and safety data in the second quarter of 2023. We plan to discuss the design of our first potential pivotal study with the FDA in the second quarter of this year and initiate the pivotal portion of the study in the second half of the year, potentially in the third quarter," said Chen Schor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Adicet Bio. "In addition, we plan to build on the preclinical data presented at ISCT, SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) and our R&D event, to expand our pipeline of first-in-class allogeneic, off-the-shelf gamma delta CAR T-cell product candidates, and in the second half of 2023, expect to submit an IND for ADI-925, our novel CAd gamma delta T cell product candidate."

Fourth Quarter 2022 and Recent Operational Highlights:

Announced Safety & Efficacy Data from Ongoing Phase 1 Study of ADI-001. In December 2022, Adicet reported interim safety and efficacy data from its ongoing Phase 1 study of ADI-001, Adicet’s investigational therapy targeting CD20 for the potential treatment of relapsed or refractory B-cell NHL. As of a December 5, 2022 data-cut date, treatment with ADI-001 demonstrated a 75% overall response rate (ORR) and a 69% complete response (CR) across all dose levels with a favorable safety and tolerability profile. Additionally, in 5/5 large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) patients that previously relapsed after prior autologous anti CD-19 CAR T-cell therapy, treatment with ADI-001 demonstrated a 100% ORR and CR rate. Enrollment in the trial is currently ongoing to provide additional durability data and further support the recommended Phase 2 dose. In the second quarter of 2023, Adicet plans to discuss the design of its first potential pivotal clinical study evaluating ADI-001 in post CAR T LBCL patients with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and initiate the study in the second half of the year, potentially in the third quarter.
Presented Preclinical Data for Four New Pipeline Programs at SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. In November 2022 at SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper), Adicet presented four posters highlighting preclinical data for four differentiated CAR and CAd gamma delta T cell programs targeting several hematologic and solid malignancies.
Hosted R&D Pipeline Event Highlighting Preclinical Candidates. In November 2022, Adicet hosted an R&D event to provide additional detail regarding its emerging pipeline of allogeneic CAR and CAd gamma delta T cell therapy product candidates for a variety of cancer indications, including solid tumors. Adicet expects to submit an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) to the FDA for its lead preclinical candidate, ADI-925, in the second half of 2023.
Appointed Nancy Boman, M.D., Ph.D., as Senior Vice President and Chief Regulatory Officer of Adicet. In November 2022, Adicet announced the appointment of Dr. Nancy Boman, M.D., Ph.D., as Senior Vice President and Chief Regulatory Officer. Dr. Boman brings nearly 30 years of industry experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry with expertise in regulatory, clinical development, chemistry, manufacturing and quality, leading more than 15 drug marketing applications.
In-House Manufacturing Capacity Established in Redwood City Facility. In the fourth quarter of 2022, Adicet’s new in-house manufacturing capabilities in its Redwood City facility became operational. The facility is designed to enable drug product and vector manufacturing operations for early clinical development of Adicet’s pipeline candidates.
Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022:

Three months Ended December 31, 2022

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $25.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022, compared to $14.7 million during the same period in 2021. The $10.3 million increase is primarily driven by a $3.4 million increase in payroll and personnel expenses, a net increase of $2.8 million for expenses related to contract manufacturing drug organizations (CDMO), contract research organizations (CRO) and consultant costs related to our lead product candidate ADI-001, and a $2.7 million increase in facility allocation. There was also a $1.0 million increase in lab expenses. Payroll and personnel expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2022, includes $1.9 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense compared to $1.6 million during the same period in 2021.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $6.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022, compared to $6.4 million during the same period in 2021. The $0.2 million increase is primarily driven by an increase of $0.5 million of professional fees as well as a $0.2 million increase of payroll and personnel expenses. This increase was partially offset by a decrease of $0.1 million in recruiting fees. Payroll and personnel expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2022, includes $2.4 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense compared to $2.7 million during the same period in 2021.
Net Loss: Net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2022 was $29.9 million, or a net loss of $0.72 per basic and diluted share, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $4.3 million, as compared to a net loss of $15.8 million during the same period in 2021, or a net loss of $0.47 per basic and diluted share, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $4.3 million.
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $71.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to $48.9 million for year ended December 31, 2021. The increase of $22.3 million in R&D expenses year-over-year was primarily due to a $9.9 million increase in payroll and personnel expenses resulting from an increase in overall headcount, a net $4.4 million increase in expenses related to CDMOs, CROs and consultant costs related to our lead product candidate ADI-001, a $4.2 million increase in facility and other expenses and a $2.3 million increase in lab expenses. The increases in facilities and lab expense are primarily due to the move to new facilities in Redwood City and setup activities.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $26.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $22.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase of $4.1 million was primarily due to a $4.8 million increase in payroll and personnel expenses, which includes an increase in stock-based compensation of $2.1 million, salaries and benefits of $2.0 million and contractor fees of $0.5 million and an increase in professional fees of $0.4 million. These increases were primarily due to increased headcount for the period. These increases were partially offset by a net $1.2 million decrease in facilities and other related expense.
Net Loss: Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $69.8 million, or a net loss of $1.70 per basic and diluted share, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $17.1 million, as compared to a net loss of $62.0 million during the same period in 2021, or a net loss of $2.00 per basic and diluted share, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $12.5 million.
Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents were $257.7 million as of December 31, 2022 as compared to $277.5 million as of December 31, 2021. During fiscal year 2022, the Company received $43.4 million of net proceeds from the sale of common stock through an "at-the-market" offering and $20 million from the exercise of an option by Regeneron related to ADI-002. The Company expects that current cash and cash equivalents securities as of December 31, 2022 will be sufficient to fund its operating expenses into the first half of 2025.

Scholar Rock Reports New Employee Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

On March 15, 2023 Scholar Rock (NASDAQ: SRRK; "The Company"), a Phase 3, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of serious diseases in which protein growth factors play a fundamental role, reported that the company granted inducement equity awards covering an aggregate of 26,250 shares of its common stock to 1 newly hired employee, consisting of inducement stock options to purchase an aggregate of 15,000 shares of common stock and inducement restricted stock units, ("RSUs"), covering an aggregate of 11,250 shares of its common stock (Press release, Scholar Rock, MAR 15, 2023, View Source [SID1234628854]).

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The awards are subject to all terms and conditions and other provisions set forth in the Company’s 2022 Inducement Equity Plan ("The Plan") and form of stock option agreement thereunder.

The Plan, which was adopted by the Company’s board of directors on June 16, 2022, is used exclusively for the grant of equity awards to individuals who were not previously employees of Scholar Rock, or following a bona fide period of non-employment, as an inducement material to such individuals entering into employment with Scholar Rock, pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

The options have an exercise price of $9.52, which is equal to the closing price of Scholar Rock’s common stock on March 13, 2023. The stock option award will vest with respect to 25% of the shares of common stock underlying the award on the first anniversary of the employee’s start date, and the remaining 75% of the shares of common stock underlying the Stock Option Award will vest in 12 equal quarterly installments thereafter. Vesting for RSUs will be in four equal annual installments. All vesting related to inducement awards is subject to the employee’s continuing service at the Company through the applicable vesting date.