On March 16, 2023 Aptamer Sciences, an aptamer platform company, reported that it will present research results on the ‘CD25-ApDC’ immunotherapy (IO) at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) (AACR 2023), which will be held from April 14th (Press release, Aptamer Sciences, MAR 16, 2023, View Source;idx=236 [SID1234641620]).

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Aptamer Science’s theme at this AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) is ‘Human CD25-targeted aptamer-drug conjugate (CD25-ApDC) depletes and blocks regulatory T cells’. The research results will be announced.

Aptamer Science’s CD25-ApDC immunotherapy is a concept that specifically binds to CD25 on regulatory T cells (Treg) in tumors to prevent cancer cells from evading the body’s immune system.

In particular, CD25-ApDC not only selectively suppresses the function of Tregs, but also promotes immune function by inducing the activation of cytotoxic T cells (effector T cells, Teff) and antigen presenting cells that prevent tumor growth. The company explains that it also does this.

According to the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) abstract of Aptamer Science CD25-ApDC, Tregs suppress anti-tumor immune responses and promote tumor development and progression.

Additionally, in various cancer types, high infiltration of Tregs is associated with poor survival rates. Aptamer Science is developing CD25-ApDC as a strategy to target Tregs associated with tumor promotion.

In this study, Aptamer Science evaluated the binding affinity, internalization rate, and antagonist effect on CD25 of the CD25-specific aptamer.

In addition, the in vitro cytotoxicity of CD25-ApDC prototype-ApDC was evaluated.

As a result of the evaluation, the binding affinity of the aptamer to CD25 was confirmed to be 4.64nM. In the Treg-like cell line (Karpas299), the internalization half-time of the aptamer was found to be 9.9 minutes (95% CI: 8.2~12.6).

In addition, it was confirmed that it functions as an antagonist for CD25, as the IL-2R-STAT5 signaling pathway was inhibited by aptamer treatment.

When prototype-ApDC was treated with a Treg-like cell line and a T-cell lymphoma cell line (HuT78) in co-culture, the Treg-like cell line was shown to be specifically depleted.

The CD25-ApDC immune anti-cancer drug research presented at this conference has been selected as a research project to expand the new drug base of the National New Drug Development Project hosted by the Korea New Drug Development Foundation (KDDF), and mechanism research and animal model evaluation are currently in progress at the lead material stage.

Lee Dae-gyeon, head of Aptamer Science Research and Development Division, said, "I believe that the presentation at this global conference will be an opportunity to verify the feasibility and competitiveness of aptamer-based immunotherapy research."

"Based on this, we plan to secure momentum for developing treatments and speed up development to conclude early partnerships in the future."

Meanwhile, Aptamer Science has been developing an aptamer-drug conjugate (ApDC) anticancer drug based on aptamer platform technology, and is preparing to enter the clinical stage within the year for ‘AST-201’, a GPC3 ApDC being developed as a liver cancer treatment.

In addition to GPC3, Aptamer Science is developing follow-up pipelines for targets such as Trop2 and EGFRvIII.

Go to article: Aptamer Science, ‘CD25-ApDC’ IO "AACR announcement"

On March 17, 2023 Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN) reported that it has granted non-statutory stock options to purchase an aggregate of 490,630 shares of Geron common stock as inducements to newly hired employees in connection with commencement of employment with the Company (Press release, Geron, MAR 16, 2023, View Source [SID1234628985]).

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The stock options were granted on March 15, 2023 at an exercise price of $2.62 per share, which is equal to the closing price of Geron common stock on the date of grant. Stock options representing an aggregate of 460,000 shares have a 10-year term and vest over four years, with 12.5% of the shares underlying the options vesting on the six-month anniversary of commencement of employment for the respective employees and the remaining shares vesting over the following 42 months in equal installments of whole shares, subject to continued employment with Geron through the applicable vesting dates. Stock options representing an aggregate of 30,630 shares have a 10-year term and vest in full upon achievement of certain regulatory milestones, subject to continued employment with Geron through the applicable vesting dates. All of the stock options were granted as material inducement to employment in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and are subject to the terms and conditions of the stock option agreements covering the grants and Geron’s 2018 Inducement Award Plan, which was adopted December 14, 2018 and provides for the granting of stock options to new employees.

On March 16, 2023 Exscientia plc (Nasdaq: EXAI) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022 on Thursday, March 23, 2023 before the open of U.S. markets (Press release, Exscientia, MAR 16, 2023, View Source [SID1234628970]). The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 12:30 p.m. GMT / 8:30 a.m. EDT to provide a business update and review financial results.

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A webcast of the live call can be accessed by visiting the "Investors and Media" section of the Company’s website at investors.exscientia.ai. Alternatively, the live conference call can be accessed by dialing +1 (888) 330 3292 (U.S.), +44 203 433 3846 (U.K.), +1 (646) 960 0857 (International) and entering the conference ID: 8333895. A replay will be available for 90 days under "Events and Presentations" in the "Investors and Media" section of the Exscientia website.

On March 16, 2023 IPA (IMMUNOPRECISE ANTIBODIES LTD.) (the "Company" or "IPA") (NASDAQ: IPA), an AI-driven biotherapeutic research and technology company, reported financial results for third quarter fiscal year 2023, which ended January 31, 2023 (Press release, ImmunoPrecise Antibodies, MAR 16, 2023, View Source [SID1234628969]).

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"We are thrilled to announce that this quarter has been a foundational one for our company. Our project revenue has experienced a significant increase, thanks to our recognized best-in-class platform of function-first B cell. In addition, our clients have shown a noticeable trend of moving away from transgenic animals, which may limit genetic diversity of outputs, and towards animals with diverse B cell repertoires and rapid, cost-effective next-generation humanization technologies – capabilities that IPA is again unique positioned to provide," stated Dr. Jennifer Bath, CEO of IPA.

She added, "In addition to our established success, we have ventured into the promising field of modern artificial intelligence, expanding our revenue streams, and providing the first revenue for our subsidiary, BioStrand. Our newest, unique AI-powered research collaboration may also allow us to tackle previously undruggable targets within the cellular context, and we are excited about the unparalleled value proposition that this could offer our investors.

We are equally excited about our ongoing efforts to finalize another AI-driven research collaboration for a complex oncology program with a leading global oncology therapeutics company. These strategic initiatives have been critical in driving growth, innovation, and shareholder value, and we remain confident in our ability to continue to deliver exceptional results. As a company, we are proud of our achievements, and we look forward to the continued success that these initiatives will bring."

Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Summary*

(All comparisons are to the period ended January 31, 2022)

IPA achieved revenue of $5.2 million during the three months ended January 31, 2023, an increase of 7.4% compared to the three months ended January 31, 2022. Project revenue increased 16.7% compared to the prior year. For the nine months ended January 31, 2023, total revenue growth of 10.9% when adjusting for the effect of currency translations.
Gross profit increased 14.6% to $3.0 million for the three months ended January 31, 2023 as compared to the same period last year.
IPA held cash of $11.4 million as of January 31, 2023.
*Expressed in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Financial Results

Revenue & Gross Profit

IPA achieved revenue of $5.2 million during the three months ended January 31, 2023, a 7.4% increase from the three months ended January 31, 2022. Project revenue increased 16.7% compared to the prior year, driven by growth in the Company’s B cell Select platform and protein manufacturing services. Gross profit increased 14.6% to $3.0 million from the same period last year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of January 31, 2023, IPA held $11.4 million of cash, as compared to $30.0 million as of April 30, 2022, and had working capital of $12.2 million. IPA does not hold cash at Silicon Valley Bank and has not seen any impact on our business from the collapse and subsequent take-over of the bank.

PolyTope TAXT-03 antibody combination therapy

Talem, IPA’s subsidiary, has experienced unanticipated delays in the production of its anti-COVID therapeutic drug product, PolyTope, and has adjusted its milestones accordingly, having yet to receive the drug product from its CDMO partner, ChemPartner.
Talem is working closely with ChemPartner to negotiate a mutually beneficial outcome.
Due to these circumstances, the decision has been made to significantly reduce further investment in Talem’s COVID program, while still recognizing the ongoing significance of COVID-19 globally.
IPA will continue to provide updates on Talem’s progress with ChemPartner and appreciates the support and patience of its investors during these discussions.
Conference Call:

Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023
Time: 10:30 am Eastern time

Participant Info:

Conference ID: 9236374
Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number: 1 (888) 550-5658
Participant Toll Dial-In Number: 1 (646) 960-0289

Attendee URL: View Source

The conference call will be webcast live and available for replay via a link provided in the Events section of the company’s IR pages at View Source

Please call the conference telephone number five minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization

On March 16, 2023 Agendia, Inc., a leader in gene expression profiling for early-stage breast cancer, reported the first patient has been enrolled in the PROOFS Registry trial (Press release, Agendia, MAR 16, 2023, View Source [SID1234628968]). In partnership with the West German Study Group (WSG), the study aims to determine whether premenopausal women with early HR+ breast cancer, originally defined as clinically high-risk and classified as MammaPrint Low Risk, can avoid chemotherapy, and maintain strong outcomes by opting instead for temporary ovarian function suppression (OFS) in combination with endocrine therapy. By determining the drivers behind a young woman’s response to chemotherapy, the trial’s results could empower young women with the ability to safely forgo chemotherapy toxicities and preserve their fertility and quality of life.

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Breast cancer uses estrogen to grow, and chemotherapy suppresses the ovaries’ production of estrogen to cut off the cancer’s fuel source. While MINDACT study data found a small 3-5% chemotherapy benefit in premenopausal women with MammaPrint Low Risk tumors, the authors later concluded it is likely due to the chemotherapy-induced ovarian function suppression (OFS), rather than the effect of chemotherapy on the cancer itself. The PROOFS Registry trial intends to show this perceived benefit is merely a side effect of chemotherapy-induced OFS, deeming chemotherapy unnecessary and replaceable by temporarily suppressing the ovaries. Every young woman with early-stage breast cancer deserves the right to make truly informed treatment decisions tailored to her unique biology.

"Several studies have shown chemotherapy can have an irreversible impact on fertility, therefore the right treatment decision is critical in a woman’s potential family planning," said PD Dr. Oleg Gluz, Scientific Director of the WSG and leader of the Breast Center Niederrhein, Ev. Hospital Bethesda, Mönchengladbach and PD at the University of Cologne. "This study could potentially show that young women with breast cancer could be treated with endocrine therapy and OFS without compromising outcomes and without the risk of permanently affecting their fertility – all based on insights from her tumor’s unique gene expression profile."

"While chemotherapy is often assumed to be necessary for all young women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer, we have been able to harness the power of gene expression profiling to understand the biology of each breast cancer beyond the effects of age and standard pathology, and better define the true benefit of treatment. These insights could allow some young women with breast cancer to forgo chemotherapy and avoid unnecessary toxicity," said William Audeh, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Agendia. "If their small chemotherapy benefit indeed stems from OFS as the PROOF Registry trial seeks to prove, more young women can forgo the potentially serious and sometimes life-threatening effects of chemotherapy. We’re proud to partner with WSG on this important step to advance personalized treatment planning, reduce overtreatment, and help more women with breast cancer maintain their quality of life."

The PROOFS Registry trial intends to enroll 1,500 patients via 100 sites in Germany by January 2025. Right now, it is critical young women with early breast cancer be afforded the opportunity for shared decision-making when weighing the small perceived chemotherapy benefit against its impact on their future fertility and quality of life. By the close of the PROOFS Registry study, providers may be in a position to confidently recommend OFS as an alternative to toxic chemotherapy and preserve a woman’s fertility while maintaining the best chance at survival. Together with WSG, Agendia continues to enable more personalized treatments in breast cancer care.