On May 8, 2023 Transcenta Holding Limited ("Transcenta") (HKEX: 06628), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company with fully-integrated capabilities in discovery, research, development and manufacturing of antibody-based therapeutics, reported that two posters for clinical trials of its ADCC enhanced anti-CLDN18.2 monoclonal antibody Osemitamab (TST001) in combination with CAPOX or CAPOX plus Nivolumab for first-line G/GEJ cancer will be presented at 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) ("ASCO") Annual Meeting (Press release, Transcenta, MAY 8, 2023, View Source [SID1234631191]).

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The first poster is an update of the clinical results (TranStar102) for the combination of Osemitamab (TST001) with CAPOX in first-line G/GEJ cancer patients with CLDN18.2 expression (membranous staining ≥1+ intensity in ≥10% of tumor cells) as assessed centrally using IHC 14G11 LDT assay: long term endpoints such as progression free survival ("PFS") and duration of response ("DOR") will be presented. The second one is a trial in progress (TranStar101), including the chemotherapy-free combination of Osemitamab (TST001) and Nivolumab, and the triple combination of Osemitamab (TST001), Nivolumab and mFOLFOX6 in G/GEJ caner. This year’s meeting will take place both online and in-person from June 2, 2023 to June 6, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

The ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting showcases the most cutting-edge research in clinical oncology and state-of-the-art advanced cancer therapies and is the world’s most influential and prominent scientific gathering of the clinical oncology community.

A brief summary of the presentations is as follows:

Abstract#: 4046
Poster Bd#: 367
Title: Osemitamab (TST001) in Combination with Capecitabine and Oxaliplatin (CAPOX) as a First-line Treatment of Advanced G/GEJ Cancer: Updated Data of Cohort C from a Phase I/IIa, Multi-center Study (TranStar102/TST001-1002)
Session Title: Gastrointestinal Cancer – Gastroesophageal, Pancreatic, and Hepatobiliary
Session Date and Time: Monday June 5, 2023 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM (EDT)
First Author: Prof. Lin Shen, Beijing Cancer Hospital

Abstract#: TPS4176
Poster Bd#: 494b
Title: A Multi-cohort Phase I/IIa Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Osemitamab (TST001) Administered as a Monotherapy, with Nivolumab or Standard of Care in Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors (TransStar101/TST001-1001)
Session Title: Gastrointestinal Cancer – Gastroesophageal, Pancreatic, and Hepatobiliary
Session Date and Time: Monday June 5, 2023 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (EDT)
First Author: Dr. Yelena Janjigian, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

About Osemitamab (TST001)

Osemitamab (TST001) is a high affinity humanized anti-CLDN18.2 monoclonal antibody with enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity ("ADCC") and complement-dependent cytotoxicity ("CDC") activities and potent anti-tumor activities in tumor xenograft models. Osemitamab (TST001) is the second most advanced CLDN18.2 targeting antibody being developed globally. Osemitamab (TST001) is generated using Transcenta’s Immune Tolerance Breaking Technology (IMTB) platform. Osemitamab (TST001) kills CLDN18.2 expressing tumor cells by mechanisms of ADCC and CDC. Leveraging advanced bioprocessing technology, the fucose content of Osemitamab (TST001) was significantly reduced during the production, which further enhanced NK cells mediated ADCC activity of Osemitamab (TST001). Multiple clinical trials for Osemitamab (TST001) are ongoing in the U.S. and China (NCT05190575, NCT04396821, NCT04495296, NCT05608785 / CTR20201281). Osemitamab (TST001) was granted Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. by FDA for the treatment of patients with gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) and pancreatic cancer.

On May 8, 2023 Biosion USA, Inc. (Biosion), a global R&D biotechnology company, reported the upcoming presentation of discovery and development data for BSI-038, an anti-CD40 agonistic antibody at the PEGS Boston conference to be held from May 15 to 19, 2023 (Press release, Biosion, MAY 8, 2023, View Source [SID1234631190]).

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BSI-038 is an anti-CD40 agonistic monoclonal antibody, discovered through Biosion’s H³ antibody discovery platform. BSI-038 exhibits enhanced binding affinity and bioactivity when compared to Selicrelumab analog. It exhibited potent and dose-dependent anti-tumor activity in animal models. It was well tolerated in pre-clinical studies with the highest non-severely toxic dose (HNSTD) established at 150 mg/kg in non-human primates.

Biosion has a licensing agreement with Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group (CTTQ) in which CTTQ has an exclusive license to develop and commercialize BSI-038 (also referred to as TQB2916 by CTTQ) in Greater China. CTTQ is currently conducting a Phase 1 clinical study of BSI-038 in advanced tumors in China. Learn more about clinical trials of CD40，please visit View Source

About PEGS Boston Conference & Expo

PEGS Boston is the world’s largest gathering of protein engineering and biotherapeutics experts. PEGS is the leading biologics event with comprehensive programming covering all aspects of biologic drug development with in-depth presentations on protein and antibody engineering, immunotherapy, oncology, expression, analytics, immunogenicity, and more. Please visit www.PEGSUMMIT.com for more information.

On May 8, 2023 Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRTX), a commercial stage biotechnology company, and Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI), one of the world’s leading oncology research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials, reported a strategic partnership aimed at increasing diversity in clinical study recruitment practices (Press release, Mirati, MAY 8, 2023, View Source [SID1234631189]).

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According to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper), nearly 85 percent of patients living with cancer are treated in community centers1. Ensuring equitable access to and participation in clinical studies requires improved awareness and targeted efforts to remove systemic barriers that may limit access to clinical studies for underrepresented patient groups.

As part of this partnership, Mirati and SCRI will implement practices and programs focused on removing obstacles to clinical study participation, including expanding physician and patient education and increasing access to community-based clinical trials. Initiatives will be focused on reducing complexities associated with activating clinical trials thereby enabling a greater number of community practices to participate in research studies.

"The opportunity to partner with SCRI enables Mirati to advance diversity in our clinical studies, which is a key pillar of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. We are excited about the opportunity to leverage the expertise and scale of SCRI as we collaborate on a range of initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes for a broad range of patients." said Alan Sandler, M.D., chief medical officer, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. "By focusing on community-based sites, we can better understand the health needs of patients living with cancer and provide more tailored, patient-centered care. This partnership will allow us to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges patients face to enable us to better design our clinical studies to be representative of all patient communities."

SCRI’s research network brings together more than 1,300 physicians who are actively accruing patients to clinical trials at more than 250 locations in 24 states across the U.S. Mirati will work directly with Development Innovations, SCRI’s full-service, oncology-focused contract research organization (CRO), to execute the collaboration initiatives across the SCRI network. Through SCRI’s Personalized Medicine Program, the partnership will utilize robust clinical trial matching data to better understand barriers to trial participation and ultimately design protocols to address challenges.

"SCRI is uniquely positioned to advance diversification strategies given our national reach, physician expertise and personalized medicine capabilities," said Howard A. "Skip" Burris, III, MD, president, SCRI. "Through our collaboration with Mirati, we can advance our goals to design and deliver clinical trials that can be accessed by more patient populations and accelerate drug development."

On May 8, 2023 Citius Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: CTXR) ("Citius" or the "Company"), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class critical care products, reported the closing of its previously announced registered direct offering with certain healthcare-focused and institutional investors for the purchase of an aggregate of 12,500,001 shares of its common stock and accompanying warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 12,500,001 shares of its common stock, at a purchase price of $1.20 per share and accompanying warrant.

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H.C. Wainwright & Co. acted as the exclusive placement agent for the offering.

The warrants have an exercise price of $1.50 per share, are exercisable six months from the date of issuance, and will expire five years from the date of issuance.

The aggregate gross proceeds to the Company from the offering were approximately $15 million, before deducting the placement agent fees and other offering expenses payable by the Company. Citius currently intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including pre-clinical and clinical development of its product candidates and working capital and capital expenditures.

The securities described above were offered pursuant to a "shelf" registration statement (File No. 333-255005) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and declared effective on April 16, 2021. The offering was made only by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of the effective registration statement. A final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the securities offered was filed with the SEC and is available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the securities offered may also be obtained by contacting H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC at 430 Park Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10022, by calling (646) 975-6996 or emailing [email protected].

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

On May 8, 2023 Astrazeneca reported that Koselugo (selumetinib) has been approved in China for the treatment of symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas (PN) in paediatric patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) aged three years and above (Press release, AstraZeneca, MAY 8, 2023, View Source [SID1234631187]).

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The approval by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China was based on positive results from the SPRINT Stratum 1 trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP). The trial showed Koselugo, an oral treatment option, reduced the size of inoperable tumours in children.1,2

NF1 is a rare, progressive genetic condition affecting one in 3,000 individuals worldwide, most commonly diagnosed in children under the age of 10.3,4 In 30-50% of patients, tumours develop on the nerve sheaths (plexiform neurofibromas) and cause clinical issues such as disfigurement, motor dysfunction, pain, airway dysfunction, visual impairment and bladder or bowel dysfunction.2,5-8

Li Qingfeng, Vice President of Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Chairman of Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, said: "Children living with NF1 PN may face physical challenges and significant disruption to their daily lives, and early intervention is essential as tumour growth is often progressive and rapid, especially in the first decade of life. The approval of Koselugo in China has the potential to change the treatment trajectory of this debilitating genetic condition, providing a new option for addressing inoperable tumours by targeting the underlying cause of tumour growth through MEK inhibition."

Marc Dunoyer, Chief Executive Officer, Alexion, said: "Koselugo offers hope for children whose quality of life and overall well-being is impacted by the growth of painful, debilitating tumours throughout the body. We are proud to bring forward a new, innovative treatment option to the NF1 community in China, delivering on Alexion’s commitment to reach more people living with rare diseases in China, and transform the lives of patients and caregivers across the globe."

Results from the SPRINT Stratum 1 Phase II trial were published in The New England Journal of Medicine and showed that Koselugo demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 66% (33 of 50 patients, confirmed partial responses) in paediatric patients with PNs in NF1 when treated with Koselugo as twice-daily oral monotherapy.1,2 ORR is defined as the percentage of patients with confirmed complete (disappearance of PNs) or partial response (at least 20% reduction in tumour volume).1 The most common adverse reactions in the SPRINT trial were vomiting, blood creatine phosphokinase increase, diarrhoea and nausea.1

In addition to China, Koselugo is also approved in the US, EU, Japan and several other countries for the treatment of paediatric patients with NF1 and symptomatic, inoperable PNs.

Notes

NF1
NF1 is a debilitating genetic condition that is caused by a spontaneous or inherited mutation in the NF1 gene.9 NF1 is associated with a variety of symptoms, including soft lumps on and under the skin (cutaneous neurofibromas) and skin pigmentation (so-called ‘café au lait’ spots) and, in 30-50% of patients, tumours develop on the nerve sheaths (plexiform neurofibromas).5,9 These plexiform neurofibromas (PNs) can cause clinical issues such as disfigurement, motor dysfunction, pain, airway dysfunction, visual impairment and bladder or bowel dysfunction.2,5-8 PNs begin during early childhood, with varying degrees of severity, and can reduce life expectancy by up to 15 years.5,8-10

SPRINT
The SPRINT Stratum 1 Phase II trial was designed to evaluate the objective response rate and impact on patient-reported and functional outcomes in paediatric patients with NF1-related inoperable PNs treated with Koselugo (selumetinib) monotherapy.2 This trial sponsored by NCI CTEP was conducted under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between NCI and AstraZeneca with additional support from Neurofibromatosis Therapeutic Acceleration Program (NTAP).

Koselugo
Koselugo (selumetinib) is the first and only approved therapy by China’s NMPA for the treatment of symptomatic, inoperable PNs in paediatric patients with NF1 aged three years and above.1 Koselugo blocks specific enzymes (MEK1 and MEK2), which are involved in stimulating cells to grow.1 In NF1, these enzymes are overactive, causing tumour cells to grow in an unregulated way. By blocking these enzymes, Koselugo slows down the growth of tumour cells.1

Koselugo is approved for use in the US, EU, Japan and China and has received Orphan Drug Designation in the US, EU, Russia, Switzerland, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia, and health authorities worldwide are reviewing regulatory submissions.