BLISS BIOPHARMACEUTICAL ENTERS INTO A CLINICAL TRIAL COLLABORATION AGREEMENT WITH AN OPTION OF STRATEGIC COLLABORATION WITH EISAI FOR BB-1701

On May 7, 2023 Bliss Biopharmaceutical (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd, ("BlissBio") a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing differentiated antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapeutics, reported a clinical trial collaboration agreement with option for strategic collaboration with Eisai Co., Ltd. ("Eisai"), for BB-1701, eribulin-payload based ADC directed against Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) for the treatment of cancers (Press release, Bliss Biopharmaceutical, MAY 7, 2023, View Source [SID1234631112]).

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This collaboration with Eisai is an important advancement in BlissBio’s corporate development plan to further develop BB-1701 globally and help advance BB-1701 toward late stage of development. BB-1701 is currently in Phase I/II studies in the US and China with over one hundred patients dosed in various types of cancers.

Under the terms of the agreement, BlissBio will receive upfront and milestone payments, and BlissBio and Eisai will conduct co-development activities related to BB-1701 through an option period. Upon Eisai’s exercise of its option to enter into a strategic collaboration license of BB-1701, BlissBio will receive an option exercise payment and be eligible for development and commercial milestone payments up to an aggregate of $2 billion, as well as royalties on sales. Upon the exercise of the option, Eisai will receive worldwide (excluding Greater China) rights to develop and commercialize BB-1701.

"This clinical collaboration with Eisai, one of a leading Japanese pharmaceutical company with strong oncology R&D capability worldwide, is a significant accomplishment for BlissBio, as it allows us to further develop this promising compound, BB-1701", stated Dr. Ziping Wei, Chief Executive Officer of BlissBio. "Through this important partnership we will commit to working with Eisai to advance the development of BB-1701 for the benefit of patients worldwide."

About BB-1701

BB-1701 is an innovative ADC developed by BlissBio consisting of anti-HER2 antibody and eribulin. It is designed to provide a safer and more effective treatment regimen for patients with locally advanced/metastatic HER2 expressing solid tumors and expected to have multiple market prospects for application in various tumor indications. BB-1701 has unique mechanism of action (MOA) including potent bystander effect and immunogenic cell death (ICD) activity. BB-1701 is conducting Phase I/II international clinical trials both in China and US.

Innovent Updates the Results from the ORIENT-31 Study of Sintilimab Plus Chemotherapy With or Without Bevacizumab in Patients with EGFR-TKI failed EGFR-mutated Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine

On May 7, 2023 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, ophthalmology and other major diseases, reported that second interim analysis and survival analysis results of the ORIENT-31 study (NCT03802240) have been published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(23)00135-2/fulltext) (Press release, Innovent Biologics, MAY 7, 2023, View Source [SID1234631111]). This randomized, double-blinded, multi-center Phase 3 study evaluated TYVYT(sintilimab) with or without anti-VEGF antibody therapy (BYVASDA [bevacizumab injection]) combined with chemotherapy (pemetrexed and cisplatin) in patients with EGFR-mutated non-squamous non-small cell lung-cancer (NSCLC) who progressed after EGFR-TKI therapy. The first interim analysis has been published in the Lancet Oncology in 2022i.

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In the second interim analysis (data cutoff date: March 31th, 2022), the main purpose is to analyze the median progression-free survival (mPFS) of the preset sintilimab plus chemotherapy group (Arm B) versus chemotherapy group (Arm C) in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population, update the results of sintilimab plus bevacizumab plus chemotherapy group (Arm A) and report the overall survival results of the study for the first time. The median follow-up duration of progression-free survival (PFS) were 12.9 months, 15.1 months, and 14.4 months in Arm A, Arm B and Arm C, respectively. Based on the assessment by the Independent Radiographic Review Committee (IRRC), the median PFS were 7.2 months (95%CI: 6.6, 9.3) in Arm A, 5.5 months (95%CI: 4.5, 6.1) in Arm B, and 4.3 months (95%CI: 4.1, 5.3) in Arm C. Arm B demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared to Arm C, with a HR of 0.72 (95%CI: 0.55, 0.94, P=0.016), which reached pre-specified superiority boundary value. Significant PFS benefit was sustained in Arm A compared to Arm C with a HR of 0.51 (95%CI: 0.39, 0.67, p<0.0001).

As of data cutoff July 4th, 2022, a trend towards overall survival (OS) benefit with Arm A was observed although the median OS for Arm C was prolonged due to crossover after progression in Arm C. The median OS for Arm A and Arm C were 21.1 months vs 19.2 months, HR=0.98. After adjusting for crossover, the OS HR ranged from 0.79 to 0.84. In the exploratory analyses of quality of life, Arm A showed longer median time-to-deterioration of the Global Health Status Dimension Score of EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) compared with Arm C.

The safety results were generally consistent with those in the first interim analysis; in particular, treatment-related adverse events of grade ≥3 were 56% in Arm A, 41% in Arm B and 49% in Arm C. The safety profile of this study was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies of sintilimab and bevacizumab, without new or unexpected safety signals.

Globally, ORIENT-31 is the first multi-center, double-blind, prospective Phase 3 study to demonstrate significant PFS benefit of combination therapy of an anti-PD-1 antibody with chemotherapy in patients with EGFR mutated nsqNSCLC that progressed on prior EGFR-TKI therapy. Sintilimab and chemotherapy group showed significant improved PFS with an optimal safety profile. With the extension of follow-up time, sintilimab plus bevacizumab and chemotherapy group continued to show a durable, clinically meaningful PFS benefit.

The principal investigator of the ORIENT-31 Study, Prof. Shun Lu from the Oncology Department of Shanghai Chest Hospital, stated, " ORIENT-31 is globally the first prospective, randomized, double-blind Phase 3 study that demonstrated significant PFS benefit of combination therapy of anti-PD-1 antibody and chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab in patients with EGFR mutated non-squamous NSCLC that progressed on prior EGFR-TKI therapy, which was revolutionary in immunotherapy. I am pleased to witness the first and second interim analysis results of the ORIENT-31 study were published in international authoritative and influential journals. Besides, I hope that the recent approval of sintilimab in combination with bevacizumab and chemotherapy in treatment of patients with EGFR mutated non-squamous NSCLC that progressed on prior EGFR-TKI therapy can bring a new treatment option benefiting more cancer patients."

Dr. Hui Zhou, Senior Vice President of Innovent, stated, "the ORIENT-31 study is the first Phase 3 study that met primary endpoints in the world evaluating efficacy of PD-1 inhibitor and chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab in patients with EGFR mutated non-squamous NSCLC that progressed on prior EGFR-TKI therapy. The results of first and second interim analysis were published in the Lancet Oncology and the Lancet Respiratory Medicine, respectively. That represents the international academia’s recognition of high quality, innovative clinical trial conducted by investigators in China, and is also a milestone marking Innovent’s solid and outstanding capabilities in new drug development. Meanwhile, we look forward to the approval of sintilimab in combination with bevacizumab and chemotherapy based on the results of the ORIENT-31 study can bring new hope to patients with EGFR mutated non-squamous NSCLC that progressed on prior EGFR-TKI therapy. Innovent endeavors to advance innovative drug development targeting unmet medical needs, to bring more effective and affordable treatment options to patients in China and the world."

BeiGene Receives New Approvals for BRUKINSA® (zanubrutinib) in China

On May 6, 2023 BeiGene (NASDAQ: BGNE; HKEX: 06160; SSE: 688235), a global biotechnology company, reported the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved four applications for BRUKINSA (zanubrutinib), the company’s Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi), including two Supplemental New Drug Applications for treatment-naïve adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) and Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM), and two Supplemental Applications for conversions from conditional approval to regular approval (Press release, BeiGene, MAY 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234631108]).

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"These approvals further support BRUKINSA as the BTKi of choice in China for the treatment of B-cell malignancies such as CLL and WM," said Lai Wang, Ph.D., Global Head of R&D at BeiGene. "We look forward to bringing people living with CLL and WM a new first-line treatment option as we work to support the Healthy China initiative and reduce global health inequity."

BRUKINSA previously received conditional approvals from NMPA for the treatment of adult patients with CLL/SLL and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy (R/R CLL/SLL and R/R MCL) in June 2020, and conditional approval for the treatment of adult patients with WM who have received at least one prior therapy (R/R WM) in June 2021. NMPA converted these conditional approvals to regular approvals for R/R CLL/SLL and R/R WM in April 2023.

"CLL/SLL and WM patients are predominantly populated in the elderly, and there are increasing needs for improved efficacy and safety in CLL/SLL and WM treatments," said Professor Ma Jun, Director of the Harbin Institute of Hematology & Oncology, Chief Supervisor of Supervisory Committee at the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology. "BRUKINSA has been recommended as the preferred regimen of multiple subtypes of lymphoma in both national and international guidelinesi,ii,iii,iv,v. With these important approvals, BRUKINSA now becomes the only approved new-generation BTK inhibitor in China for the first-line treatment of adult CLL/SLL and WM patients, bringing healthcare providers in China with a new standard of care for their patients."

The new approvals of BRUKINSA for CLL/SLL are supported by data from SEQUOIA (NCT03336333), in patients with previously untreated CLL/SLL. The new approvals of BRUKINSA for WM are based on data from ASPEN (NCT03053440), the first and only global Phase 3 head-to-head clinical trial of BTK inhibitors in WM.

About Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) / Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL)

A slow-growing, life-threatening and incurable cancer of adults, CLL is a type of mature B-cell malignancy in which abnormal leukemic B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells) arise from the bone marrow and flood peripheral blood, bone marrow, and lymphoid tissuesvi,vii ,viii. CLL is one of the most common types of leukemia, accounting for about one-quarter of new cases of leukemiaix. CLL and SLL are considered different manifestations of the same disease. Approximately 180 of every 100,000 people in China have CLL/SLL, accounting for 1% to 3% of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma casesx.

About Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia (WM)

WM is a rare, slow-growing lymphoma that occurs in less than two percent of patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)xi. The disease usually affects older adults and is primarily found in the bone marrow, although it may also impact lymph nodes and the spleenxii. In China, there are an estimated 88,200 patients diagnosed with lymphoma each year. Approximately 91% of these cases are classified as NHL, amounting to ~1,000 newly diagnosed WM patients per year in Chinaxiii, viii.

About BRUKINSA (zanubrutinib)

BRUKINSA is a small molecule inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) discovered by BeiGene scientists that is currently being evaluated globally in a broad clinical program as a monotherapy and in combination with other therapies to treat various B-cell malignancies. Because new BTK is continuously synthesized, BRUKINSA was specifically designed to deliver complete and sustained inhibition of the BTK protein by optimizing bioavailability, half-life, and selectivity. With differentiated pharmacokinetics compared to other approved BTK inhibitors, BRUKINSA has been demonstrated to inhibit the proliferation of malignant B cells within a number of disease relevant tissues.

Araris Biotech AG supported with CHF 2.5M Swiss Accelerator Grant from Innosuisse to Develop Antibody-Drug Conjugate Candidates

On May 5, 2023 Araris Biotech AG ("Araris" or "the Company"), a company pioneering a proprietary antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)-linker technology, reported that, Innosuisse, the Swiss innovation agency committed to promote science-based innovation in the interest of the economy and society in Switzerland, has supported Araris with CHF 2.5M non-dilutive grant funding through the Swiss Accelerator program for the development and advancement of its ADC candidates (Press release, Araris Biotech, MAY 5, 2023, View Source [SID1234651281]).

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The Innosuisse Swiss Accelerator grant provides an opportunity for Swiss SMEs and start-ups to receive direct financial support for innovation projects with significant potential. Innosuisse received 752 project applications. Out of those, 53 projects were selected for approval after a three-stage assessment process. The Swiss Accelerator program’s total funding grant amounted to CHF 112M (~$125 million) with support per project amounting to a maximum of CHF 2.5M (~$2.8 million).

"We are honored to have been selected for the Swiss Accelerator grant and grateful to receive this support from Innosuisse," said Philipp Spycher, Ph.D., chief executive officer and co-founder of Araris Biotech. "This non-dilutive funding will be beneficial as we continue to develop and advance our pipeline of next-generation ADC candidates, developed using our proprietary linker technology, towards the clinic."

Araris’ ADC linker technology enables payload attachment to off the shelf antibodies without needing to re-engineer or reduce antibodies, resulting in highly homogenous, stable and potent ADC therapies. It also has the potential to address challenges associated with current ADCs, including unstable linkage, which can result in toxicity issues or lack of efficacy.

2023 First Quarterly report

On May 5, 2023 Fosun Pharma reported its 2023 first quarterly report (Filing, 3 mnth, MAR 31, Fosun Pharma, 2023, MAY 5, 2023, View Source [SID1234633096]).

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