Simcere Zaiming will Present 8 Research Abstracts at the 2023 AACR Annual Meeting

On April 13, 2023 Simcere Zaiming (Company), a pharmaceutical company focused on developing drugs to address unmet clinical needs for cancer patients around the globe, and subsidiary of Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Limited (2096.HK) (Simcere), a global pharmaceutical company, reported that two oral and six poster presentations will be presented on the Company’s preclinical programs at the 2023 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, taking place April 14-19, 2023, in Orlando, FL (Press release, Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Company, APR 13, 2023, View Source [SID1234630061]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) annual meeting is one of the most influential oncology conferences of the year and attracts tens of thousands of scientists and clinical experts to share and discuss the latest progress in basic research, translational research, clinical research and prevention research in the field of oncology.

Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone for the company as it will be the first time Simcere Zaiming will participate in an international academic conference as an independent oncology entity with multiple studies, including on-site oral presentations. The eight studies cover several targets including SMARCA2, CBL-b, Polθ, SOS1, MUC17, USP1, SIRPα, GPRC5D, and involve multiple novel technologies such as targeted protein degradation, mutant fusion proteins, bispecific T engager and others.

Oral Presentations:

Title: Identification of a high selective SMARCA2 degrader which effectively suppresses the SMARCA4-deficient tumors M vitro and in Wvo
Session Type: Minisymposium
Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session Title: Innovative Therapeutic Approaches
Session Date/Time: Sunday Apr 16, 2023 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Room W331
Abstract Presentation Number: 1137

Presenter: Dr. Zhengtao Li, Vice President, Simcere Zaiming

Targeting the "synthetic lethal" partner proteins SMARCA2/4 (human chromatin SWI/SNF- Related, Matrix-Associated, actin-dependent regulatory factor subfamily A member 2 and 4), SCR-9140 selectively degrades SMARCA2 to precisely kill SMARCA4-deficient tumors in preclinical studies while preventing damage to normal cells, thus exhibiting strong antitumor efficacy and favorable safety profile.

Title: Identification of the selective CBL-b inhibitors which effectively prevent T cells from exhaustion and demonstrate synergistic anti-tumor activity in combination with an anti-PD1 antibody
Session Title: Immune Checkpoints at Tumor Beds
Session Date/Time: Monday Apr 17, 2023 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Abstract Presentation Number: 3474

Presenter: Dr. Tamas Oravecz, Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer, Simcere Zaiming

The E3 ubiquitin ligase CBL-b (Casitas B-cell lymphoma protein b) negatively regulates immune function and is considered a potential novel intracellular immune checkpoint. In preclinical studies, a group of Cbl-b inhibitor candidate drugs developed by Simcere Zaiming have demonstrated strong immune activation capabilities and synergistic effects with PD-1 inhibitors, suggesting strong potential for clinical application.

Poster Presentations:

Title: Identification of SS008871, a novel Polθ inhibitor that effectively inhibits tumors with homologous recombination deficiency in vitro and in vivo
Session Title: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics, Novel Antitumor Agents 2
Session Date and Time: Sunday Apr 16, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Poster Section 18
Poster Board Number: 12
Abstract Number: 512

DNA polymerase θ (Polθ) is a key enzyme for DNA double-strand break repair and cell survival in homologous recombination-deficient tumors, and it is also a potential synthetic lethal new therapeutic target. The small molecule inhibitor of Pol θ, SS008871, has shown significant anti-tumor effect and good safety in various preclinical models.

Title: SCR-8388, a potent and selective SOS1::KRAS inhibitor, is effective in KRAS-addicted cancers
Session Title: Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor, Genes as Targets for Therapy 2
Session Date and Time: Monday, Apr 17, 9 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Poster Section 20
Poster Board Number: 21
Abstract Number: 1724

The most common oncogene, KRAS, was once regarded as the most difficult drug target, and there was a large unmet clinical need. SCR-8388 is a selective SOS 1 protein inhibitor that acts on the upstream pathway of KRAS and prevents KRAS activation. Preclinical studies have shown that SCR-8388 can significantly inhibit the growth of KRAS mutant tumors in both in vitro and in vivo models, and has a synergistic effect with EGFR antagonists.

Title: SCR-9171, a MUC17-targeted bispecific T cell engager molecule for gastrointestinal cancer
Session Title: Immunology, Therapeutic Antibodies 1
Session Date and Time: Monday Apr 17, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Poster Section 25
Poster Board Number: 21
Abstract Number: 1882

MUC17 is a transmembrane mucin that is often overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues and is also a potential target for gastric cancer therapy. SCR-9171 is a MUC17/CD3 bispecific T cell engager that precisely inhibits MUC17 expressing tumors with optimal CD3 affinity. In preclinical studies, SCR-9171 induces T cell activation, thereby potently killing MUC17-positive tumors, while releasing low level of cytokines that can lead to better treatment tolerability.

Title: A novel T cell engager targeting BCMA and GPRC5D showed promising preclinical activity with low toxic risk for multiple myeloma treatment
Session Title: Immunology, Therapeutic Antibodies 1
Session Date and Time: Monday Apr 17, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Poster Section 25
Poster Board Number: 22
Abstract Number: 1883

SCR-8572, a T-cell engager developed against two specific targets in multiple myeloma, BCMA and GPRC5D, demonstrated potent tumor-killing effects in preclinical in vitro and in vivo models, with preliminary good safety results. It is expected to become a candidate drug for clinical development.

Title: Identification of SP-002, a highly selective USP1 inhibitor effectively inhibits HRD tumor growth and displays low hematotoxicity risk
Session Title: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics, DNA Repair / Molecular Classification of Tumors for Diagnostics, Prognostics, and Therapeutic Outcomes / Others
Session Date and Time: Wednesday Apr 19, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Poster Section 18
Poster Board Number: 3
Abstract Number: 6201

USP1 (ubiquitin-specific peptidase 1) is a synthetic lethal protein of HRD (homologous recombination deficient) tumors. As a highly selective USP1 inhibitor, SP-002 has significant anticancer activity against HRD tumors as a single drug or in combination with PARP inhibitors in preclinical in vitro studies. Furthermore, no significant hematological toxicity was observed.

Title: Generation of a mutant SIRPa fusion protein with highly-improved affinity and favorable safety profile
Session Title: Immunology, Immune Checkpoints
Session Date and Time: Wednesday Apr 19, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Poster Section 23
Poster Board Number: 1
Abstract Number: 6357

Interaction of the transmembrane glycoprotein CD47 with signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) triggers "don’t eat me" signaling to the macrophage, thereby serving as a key immune checkpoint in a variety of hematological malignancies. SCR9168 is a SIRPα mutant protein fused with Fc, which has significantly improved CD47 affinity, and has good safety in various animal models including cynomolgus monkeys and has best-in-class potential of SIRPα mutant protein in the treatment of hematological tumors.

Bold Therapeutics to Present Best-in-Class Phase 2 Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Data at AACR 2023

On April 13, 2023 Bold Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class oncology therapeutics, reported that it will present two posters – a clinical poster (#CT149) and a translational research poster (#2259) – at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2023 on April 14 – 19, 2023 in Orlando, Florida (Press release, Bold Therapeutics, APR 13, 2023, View Source [SID1234630060]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The clinical poster (#CT149) is entitled "BOLD-100-001 (TRIO039): a Phase 1b/2a Dose-Escalation Study of BOLD-100 in Combination with FOLFOX Chemotherapy in Patients with Pre-treated Advanced Colorectal Cancer: Interim Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability Analysis," and will be presented April 17, 2023 at 1:30PM.

The translational research poster (#2259) is entitled "Novel Metallotherapeutic BOLD-100 Induces Circulating Cytokine Changes When Administered in Combination with FOLFOX in Advanced Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients," and will be presented April 17, 2023 at 9:00AM.

"We are thrilled to share these posters, showcasing the profound progress we’ve made with BOLD-100 over the last year," said Jim Pankovich, EVP Clinical Development. "This robustly positive interim clinical data is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, collaborators, clinical sites, investigators and patients. We look forward to continuing development of this innovative therapeutic."

Bold Therapeutics’ BOLD-100 is a first-in-class ruthenium-based small molecule therapeutic that (1) alters the unfolded protein response (UPR) through selective GRP78 inhibition; and (2) induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) which causes DNA damage and cell cycle arrest. Collectively, these effects result in cell death in both sensitive and resistant cancers, giving BOLD-100 the potential to significantly improve outcomes in a wide range of both solid and liquid tumors in combination with other anticancer therapies ranging from traditional chemotherapies to targeted therapies and immuno-oncology agents. Earlier preclinical data showed that BOLD-100 has potential immune modulating capabilities, including the induction of immunogenic cell death pathways. The translational data to be presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) shows that BOLD-100 in combination with FOLFOX induced short-term plasma level changes in multiple cytokines, including IL-10 and IL-27.

BOLD-100 is currently being studied in a global Phase 1b/2 trial for the treatment of advanced gastrointestinal cancers, with more than 100 patients successfully treated to date. Previous Phase 1b trial results, presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2022, demonstrated that BOLD-100 in combination with FOLFOX was generally safe and well-tolerated. This data release expands on the prior data with a much larger sample size and includes progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and overall response rate (ORR) data that positions BOLD-100 as a potentially best-in-class therapy for mCRC.

Additional Phase 2 safety and efficacy results in advanced gastric and bile duct cancer have been accepted for presentation at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2023 in June.

Menarini Silicon Biosystems new CELLSEARCH® data presented at AACR 2023 annual meeting highlights trailblazing contributions of liquid biopsies for cancer research

On April 13, 2023 Menarini Silicon Biosystems (MSB), a pioneer of liquid biopsy and single cell technologies, reported the data from two posters to be presented at the April 14-19, 2023 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) (Press release, Menarini Silicon Biosystems, APR 13, 2023, View Source [SID1234630059]). Among them, one demonstrated the benefit of an AI algorithm for automated, reliable, and reproducible CELLSEARCH CTC identification, while the other focused on the additional information available through the parallel immunomagnetic enrichment of tumor derived extracellular vesicles and CTCs from a single blood sample.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

According to Ralf Schoenbrunner, Ph.D., Chief Global R&D Officer at MSB "these two posters underline the multiple opportunities that our technologies can provide for the retrieval of enhanced qualitative and quantitative information in liquid biopsies." Findings were made possible thanks to the use of the company’s gold standard CELLSEARCH technology for CTC capture and enumeration, and the use of CellMag for manual immunomagnetic enrichment of CTCs and tumor derived extracellular vesicles (tdEVs).

The posters are scheduled for Monday the 17th of April between 1:30 and 5:00 PM in Session PO.CL01.16 – Liquid Biopsies: Circulating Nucleic Acids and Circulating Tumor Cells 3.

● 3373 /16 – Deep learning for circulating tumor cell (CTC) identification with the CELLSEARCH system: achieving top human-level performance

● 3364 / 7 – Combined enrichment of plasma EpCAM-positive extracellular vesicles (EVs) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from a single tube of cancer patient blood samples, for subsequent molecular analysis

The first poster shows the benefit of an AI-based tool (for research use) that removes human subjectivity and automates the process of CTC identification with CELLSEARCH. The AI was trained to identify CTCs using anonymized CELLTRACKS ANALYZER II images acquired over several years, for a total of 13.469 CTCs and 35.792 non-CTC examples from cancer patients’ samples. The performance of the AI-based tool on a separate set of 55 patient samples was compared to that of experienced human reviewers. The results overwhelmingly support the use of AI for which performance surpassed 4 out of 5 expert reviewers.

The second poster opens the door to the clinical utility of a simultaneous assessment of multiple analytes from the same blood sample. The parallel enrichment of tumor-derived Extracellular Vesicles (tdEVs) and CTCs from the same blood sample, by means of CellMag EpCAM-based immunomagnetic capture, enabled additional molecular analyses and led to the identification of oncogenic miRNAs (microRNAs) in cancer patients’ blood samples resulting in additional insight into the molecular mechanism of cancer.

Additional posters will be presented during the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2023 annual meeting using the CellSearch and DEPArray technologies.

3385 / 28 – A pipeline for mRNA analysis on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) collected and stored in preservative tubes
2463 / 3 – Protein folding chaperonin as biological indicator for cancer progression and metastasis
1031 / 8 – Specific gene alterations of HER2 positive single circulating tumor cell (CTC) compared to autologous leukocytes in metastatic breast cancer (MBC)
5595 / 19 – Serial monitoring of circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor DNA in metastatic lobular breast cancer identifies intra-tumor heterogeneity and precision and immuno-oncology biomarkers of therapeutic importance
3370/ 13 – Liquid Biopsy approaches to determine tumor cell heterogeneity in advanced prostate cancer
For Fabio Piazzalunga President and CEO of MSB "both our posters and those presented by our partners highlight our never-ending efforts to gather clinically relevant information from blood to develop needed assays for both clinical research as well as improved patient prognosis and care". Indeed, over time, MSB’s liquid biopsy assays aim to improve cancer care with respect to early detection, identification of residual disease, assessment of treatment response and monitoring of tumor evolution with the ultimate goal to support clinicians in treatment decisions.

More information on the unique and comprehensive MSB offering is available at the company’s commercial booth, #100, within the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) exhibit center. During your visit, you will be able to discover new tests available, and those under development, for user defined biomarker assays for CTCs through the MSB biopharma global laboratory service. Most importantly, two new biomarkers, ARV7 and DLL3, coupled to CTC enumeration, will be available, for research use, in May 2023.

Pyramid Biosciences Expands Oncology Pipeline with In-Licensing of GQ1010, a Potential Best-in-class TROP2 Targeted Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC), from GeneQuantum Healthcare

On April 13, 2023 Pyramid Biosciences, Inc., a privately-held, clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing transformative medicines for patients with cancer, reported that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with GeneQuantum Healthcare (Suzhou) Co. Ltd, a privately-held biotechnology company based in China, to develop and commercialize GQ1010, a potential best-in-class antibody drug conjugate (ADC) targeting TROP2, worldwide except for Greater China (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) (Press release, Pyramid Biosciences, APR 13, 2023, View Source [SID1234630058]). GQ1010 has shown a highly differentiated preclinical profile, and is anticipated to enter a first-in-human trial within the next 12 months.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"We are thrilled to be partnering with GeneQuantum in bringing this exciting asset, GQ1010, into the clinic," said Brian Lestini, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Pyramid Biosciences. "By leveraging the unique features of the GeneQuantum bioconjugation platform and Pyramid’s deep expertise in oncology drug development, this partnership significantly expands our growing oncology portfolio. This highly differentiated program has the potential to address substantial limitations of current ADCs and unmet needs for patients with TROP2-expressing tumors, a clinically validated target in oncology."

"GeneQuantum was founded with the goal of addressing critical unmet needs in global healthcare through the development of innovative technologies. GQ1010 highlights its best-in-class potential through GeneQuantum’s cutting-edge technology in the development of differentiated bioconjugate drugs such as GQ1001, an anti-HER2 ADC, which has demonstrated a differentiated profile in Phase 1 data. We believe this agreement between GeneQuantum and Pyramid Biosciences represents the ideal partnership to rapidly advance the worldwide development of GQ1010, and to help patients overcome their cancer," said Qin Gang, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of GeneQuantum. "Our collaboration with Pyramid for global development of the GQ1010 program brings together the best of GeneQuantum’s proprietary technology and Pyramid’s extensive capabilities and track record of success in delivering transformative medicines to patients with cancer."

GQ1010 utilizes a unique site-specific conjugation technology and incorporates a novel linker-payload which may lead to improved stability, safety and potency of the ADC. Preclinical data suggests GQ1010 has a broader therapeutic margin compared to more advanced TROP2 ADCs, that may translate to an improved efficacy and safety profile for GQ1010. TROP2 is a cell surface glycoprotein that is highly expressed in a variety of tumors including breast, lung, pancreatic, ovarian, and prostate cancer, and plays a role in tumor cell proliferation.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pyramid Biosciences will develop and commercialize GQ1010 in exchange for an upfront payment of $20 million and up to an additional $1 billion of milestone payments. GeneQuantum would also be eligible to receive tiered royalties ranging from mid-single digit to low double digits on net sales.

Adcendo ApS to Present Data on the Expression of the Novel ADC target uPARAP in Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma at the 2023 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting

On April 13, 2023 Adcendo ApS ("Adcendo"), a biotech company focused on the development of breakthrough antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of cancers with a high unmet medical need, reported that it will be presenting novel data evaluated in co-operation with the Laboratory of Experimental Oncology at KU Leuven/Leuven Cancer Institute on the expression of the novel ADC target uPARAP in Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS) and Bone Sarcoma at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, being held in Orlando, Florida on the 14-19 April, 2023 (Press release, ADCendo, APR 13, 2023, View Source [SID1234630057]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Details of the conference and presented poster are as follow:

Presentation title: 1457 / 27 The urokinase plasminogen activator receptor-associated protein (uPARAP) is an attractive target for the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for treatment of mesenchymal malignancies

Session: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics, Chemistry

Session Title: Antibody Drug Conjugates

Authors: Pernille Barkholt (1), Agnieszka Wozniak (2), Chao-Chi Wang (2), Che-Jui Lee (2), Lore De Cock (2, 3), Lars Henning Engelholm (1), Carmel Lynch (1), Dominik Mumberg (1), and Patrick Schöffski (2, 3)

Date & Time: 17 April at 09:00am – 12.30pm CDT

Abstracts will be published on 04 April, and can be accessed at View Source

uPARAP is a novel ADC target overexpressed by mesenchymal cancer cells including soft tissue and bone sarcomas and may play an important role in shaping the tumor microenvironment.

The presentation entitled "The urokinase plasminogen activator receptor-associated protein (uPARAP) is an attractive target for the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for treatment of mesenchymal malignancies" demonstrates that uPARAP is strongly over-expressed by cancer cells in multiple soft-tissue & bone sarcoma subtypes, with limited expression in healthy tissues.

Based on its differentiated expression profile, uPARAP is an attractive novel target for development of uPARAP-targeting ADCs in a broad range of sarcoma subtypes. Additionally, uPARAP receptor levels may serve as a potential biomarker for patient enrichment in clinical studies of such uPARAP-targeting ADCs.

Dominik Mumberg, Chief Scientific Officer of Adcendo, said: "We are excited to share data on the expression of uPARAP in soft tissue and bone sarcoma. In addition to its differentiated expression profile in multiple sarcoma subtypes uPARAP is a constitutively recycling endocytic receptor with unique internalization properties, making it a highly attractive ADC target."

Patrick Schöffski, Head of the Department of General Medical Oncology at the University Hospitals and the Laboratory of Experimental Oncology at the Catholic University in Leuven, commented: "Due to its significant morphological and biological heterogeneity, treatment progress and therapeutic options in soft tissue and bone sarcoma have so far been quite limited. We are extremely encouraged by the data highlighted in this study, which provides further evidence on the potential utility of uPARAP as a novel target for drug development across multiple sarcoma subtypes. We are looking forward to continuing to explore the molecular epidemiology of uPARAP in various types of sarcoma and to investigate uPARAP-directed ADCs in patient-derived xenograft models of sarcoma.