JOHNSON & JOHNSON REPORTS 2023 FIRST-QUARTER RESULTS

On April 18, 2023 Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) reported results for first-quarter 2023 (Press release, Johnson & Johnson, APR 18, 2023, View Source [SID1234630244]). "Our first quarter results demonstrate strong performance across all three segments of our business and reflect the dedication of Johnson & Johnson colleagues around the world," said Joaquin Duato, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. "With this momentum, I look forward to the remainder of the year, one filled with exciting catalysts that will create both near- and long-term value for patients and all of our stakeholders."

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OVERALL FINANCIAL RESULTS:
overallresultsupdatedformat.jpg
1 Non-GAAP financial measure; refer to reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures included in accompanying schedules
2 Excludes the impact of translational currency
3 Excludes the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures and translational currency
4 Excludes intangible amortization expense and special items
5 Basic shares are used to calculate loss per share as use of diluted shares when in a loss position would be anti-dilutive
Note: values may have been rounded

REGIONAL SALES RESULTS:
updatedregionalsales.jpg
1 Non-GAAP financial measure; refer to reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures included in accompanying schedules
2 Excludes the impact of translational currency
3 Excludes the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures and translational currency
Note: values may have been rounded

SEGMENT SALES RESULTS:
updatedsegmentsales.jpg
1 Non-GAAP financial measure; refer to reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures included in accompanying schedules
2 Excludes the impact of translational currency
3 Excludes the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures and translational currency
Note: Values may have been rounded

FIRST QUARTER 2023 SEGMENT COMMENTARY:
Adjusted operational sales* reflected below excludes the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures and translational currency.

Consumer Health
Consumer Health worldwide adjusted operational sales increased 11.3%* largely driven by over-the-counter (OTC) products. Major contributors to growth in OTC were TYLENOL and MOTRIN analgesics, upper respiratory products, IMODIUM in digestive health products and international smoking cessation products. Additional contributors to growth were NEUTROGENA and AVEENO in Skin Health/Beauty products and JOHNSON’s in Baby Care products.

Pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical worldwide adjusted operational sales grew 7.2%*, driven by DARZALEX (daratumumab), a biologic for the treatment of multiple myeloma, STELARA (ustekinumab), a biologic for the treatment of a number of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, ERLEADA (apalutamide), a next-generation androgen receptor inhibitor for the treatment of patients with prostate cancer, CARVYKTI (ciltacabtagene autoleucel), a BCMA-directed CAR-T immunotherapy for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, and XARELTO (rivaroxaban), a direct oral anticoagulant. Also contributing to growth were sales of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine (Ad26.COV2.S) for the prevention of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus. This growth was partially offset by declines in sales of REMICADE (infliximab), a biologic approved for the treatment of several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib), an oral, once daily therapy approved for use in treating certain B-cell malignancies, a type of blood or lymph node cancer, and ZYTIGA (abiraterone acetate), an oral, once daily medication for use in combination with prednisone for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

MedTech
MedTech worldwide adjusted operational sales grew 6.4%*, driven primarily by electrophysiology products in Interventional Solutions, contact lenses in Vision, wound closure products in General Surgery, and knees in Orthopaedics. MedTech worldwide operational sales grew 11.0%*, with the acquisition of Abiomed contributing 4.6%.

NOTABLE NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE QUARTER:
The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with Johnson & Johnson’s other disclosures filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Current Reports on Form 8-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. The reader is also encouraged to review all other news releases and information available in the Investors section of the company’s website at news releases, as well as www.factsabouttalc.com, www.factsaboutourprescriptionopioids.com, and www.LTLManagementInformation.com.

Regulatory
Janssen Receives Positive CHMP Opinion for AKEEGA (Niraparib and Abiraterone Acetate Dual Action Tablet) Plus Prednisone or Prednisolone for the Treatment of Adult Patients with BRCA1/2 Gene-Mutated Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer
Press Release
Janssen Submits New Drug Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Seeking Approval of Niraparib and Abiraterone Acetate Dual-Action Tablet, Plus Prednisone, as a First-Line Targeted Treatment for Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer with BRCA Gene Mutations
Press Release
Data Release
Janssen Announces Unblinding of Phase 3 CARTITUDE-4 Study of CARVYKTI (cilta-cel) as Primary Endpoint Met in Treatment of Patients with Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Press Release
Late Breaking Data on Pulmonary Vein Isolation with HELIOSTAR Balloon Ablation Catheter Presented at AF Symposium 2023
Press Release
First Look at Data on Biosense Webster’s Investigational Pulsed Field Ablation Platform Presented at AF Symposium 2023
Press Release
Janssen Reports Positive Topline Phase 2 Results for Nipocalimab in Pregnant Individuals at High Risk for Severe Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN)
Press Release
Janssen Data at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GU Support Ambition to Transform Treatment of Prostate and Bladder Cancer Through Precision Medicine and Early Intervention
Press Release
TREMFYA (guselkumab) Demonstrates a Differentiated Binding Mechanism from Risankizumab in In Vitro Studies
Press Release
New STELARA (ustekinumab) Long-Term Data Support its Established Safety Profile in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Durable Efficacy in Ulcerative Colitis
Press Release
Late-Breaking Phase 3 A DUE Data Show Investigational Single Tablet Combination Therapy of Macitentan and Tadalafil Significantly Improves Pulmonary Hemodynamics versus Monotherapy in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
Press Release
TREMFYA (guselkumab) Real-World Data Analyses Show Greater Treatment Persistence Than IL-17s in Both Bio-naïve and Bio-experienced Patients Living With Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis
Press Release
New RYBREVANT (amivantamab-vmjw) Data Showed Long-Term Clinical Response and Safety in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutations Who Have Failed Prior Platinum-Based Chemotherapy
Press Release
Other
Johnson & Johnson Subsidiary LTL Management LLC ("LTL") Re-Files for Voluntary Chapter 11 to Equitably Resolve All Current and Future Talc Claims1
Press Release
Johnson & Johnson Appoints Dr. John Reed as Executive Vice President, Pharmaceuticals, R&D
Press Release
Johnson & Johnson Names Dr. Paula A. Johnson, President of Wellesley College, to its Board of Directors
Press Release
Johnson & Johnson Announces Pricing of $7.75 Billion of Senior Notes Issued by Kenvue Inc.
Press Release
Janssen Provides Portfolio Update
Press Release
ERLEADA (apalutamide), First-and-Only Next-Generation Androgen Receptor Inhibitor with Once-Daily, Single-Tablet Option, Now Available in the U.S.1
Press Release

1 Subsequent to the quarter

FULL-YEAR 2023 GUIDANCE:

Johnson & Johnson does not provide GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis because the company is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of legal proceedings, unusual gains and losses, acquisition-related expenses and purchase accounting fair value adjustments without unreasonable effort. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could be material to Johnson & Johnson’s results computed in accordance with GAAP.

($ in Billions, except EPS)
April 2023
January 2023
Adjusted Operational Sales1,2,5
Change vs. Prior Year / Mid-point
4.5% – 5.5% / 5.0%
3.5% – 4.5% / 4.0%
Operational Sales2,5/ Mid-point2,5
Change vs. Prior Year / Mid-point
$97.9B – $98.9B / $98.4B
5.5% – 6.5% / 6.0%
$96.9B – $97.9B / $97.4B
4.5% – 5.5% / 5.0%
Estimated Reported Sales3,5/ Mid-point3,5
Change vs. Prior Year / Mid-point
$97.9B – $98.9B / $98.4B
5.5% – 6.5% / 6.0%
$96.9B – $97.9B / $97.4B
4.5% – 5.5% / 5.0%
Adjusted Operational EPS (Diluted)2,4/ Mid-point2,4
Change vs. Prior Year / Mid-point
$10.50 – $10.60 / $10.55
3.5% – 4.5% / 4.0%
$10.40 – $10.60 / $10.50
2.5% – 4.5% / 3.5%
Adjusted EPS (Diluted)3,4 / Mid-point3,4
Change vs. Prior Year / Mid-point
$10.60 – $10.70 / $10.65
4.5% – 5.5% / 5.0%
$10.45 – $10.65 / $10.55
3.0% – 5.0% / 4.0%

1 Non-GAAP financial measure; excludes the net impact of acquisitions and divestitures
2 Non-GAAP financial measure; excludes the impact of translational currency
3 Calculated using Euro Average Rate: January 2023 = $1.08 and April 2023 = $1.10 (Illustrative purposes only)
4 Non-GAAP financial measure; excludes intangible amortization expense and special items
5 Excludes COVID-19 Vaccine
Note: percentages may have been rounded

Other modeling considerations will be provided on the webcast.

WEBCAST INFORMATION:
Johnson & Johnson will conduct a conference call with investors to discuss this earnings release today at 8:30 a.m., Eastern Time. A simultaneous webcast of the call for investors and other interested parties may be accessed by visiting the Johnson & Johnson website. A replay and podcast will be available approximately two hours after the live webcast in the Investors section of the Company’s website at events-and-presentations.

Immunocore presents new KIMMTRAK data confirming association between early ctDNA reduction and longer overall survival

On April 18, 2023 Immunocore Holdings plc (Nasdaq: IMCR), a commercial-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of a novel class of T cell receptor (TCR) bispecific immunotherapies designed to treat a broad range of diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmune conditions, reported four posters with KIMMTRAK (tebentafusp-tebn) data in HLA-A*02:01 patients with metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM), at the 2023 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2023 (Press release, Immunocore, APR 18, 2023, View Source [SID1234630241]).

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"KIMMTRAK is now approved in over 30 countries and delivering benefit to hundreds of patients. The Phase 3 trial data presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) confirms that ctDNA reduction from tebentafusp is strongly associated with survival benefit," said David Berman, Head of Research and Development of Immunocore. "We are also proud to share the almost 4-year follow-up from the Phase 2 trial, which now represents the largest and longest follow-up on survival and safety from any TCR therapy to date."

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) reduction by week 9 was observed in 88% of mUM patients treated as first-line (Phase 3 trial) and 71% in previously treated patients (Phase 2 trial); in both trials, this reduction was associated with longer overall survival (OS). ctDNA clearance was also higher in first-line patients (37%) compared to second-line patients (13%). ctDNA clearance in the Phase 3 trial was associated with 84% 1-year OS. In both trials, the association between ctDNA reduction and longer OS was also observed in patients with best RECIST response of progressive disease (PD), indicating that RECIST responses underestimate tebentafusp’s clinical benefits, and that ctDNA may be a better predictor of long OS than radiographic response.

The final analysis from the Phase 2 trial in previously treated mUM, after 46 months of follow-up, showed a median OS of 16.8 months – consistent with previous data updates. The landmark OS rates from the trial were approximately double historical rates in this patient population, as reported in two meta-analyses1,2. Later in 2023, the Company intends to provide an OS update from the Phase 3 trial. At the time of primary analysis in 2020, the median OS was 21.7 months for patients treated with KIMMTRAK, versus 16.0 months for those treated with investigator’s choice.

1 Rantala ES, Hernberg M, Kivela TT. Overall survival after treatment for metastatic uveal melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Melanoma Res. 2019; 29:561-568.
2 Khoja L, Atenafu EG, Suciu S, et al. Meta-analysis in metastatic uveal melanoma to determine progression free and overall survival benchmarks: an international rare cancers initiative (IRCI) ocular melanoma study. Ann Oncol. 2019; 30:1370-1380

The third poster provides a pooled analysis from 3 clinical trials in 12 mUM patients with orbital disease. Tebentafusp demonstrated preliminary signals of activity in intra-ocular lesions, supporting KIMMTRAK’s use in patients with unresectable uveal melanoma.

The fourth poster shares in vitro data potentially explaining how tebentafusp may lead to OS benefit even in tumors with heterogenous gp100 expression.

Poster details

Title: Early ctDNA reduction is associated with better overall survival in the Ph 3 trial of tebentafusp in previously untreated metastatic uveal melanoma
Presenting author: Ryan Sullivan
Session: Liquid Biopsies: Circulating Nucleic Acid and Circulating Tumor Cells 1

Title: Long-term survival follow-up of tebentafusp in previously treated metastatic uveal melanoma
Presenting author: Joe Sacco
Session: Phase II Clinical Trials 2

Title: Evidence of tumor response in orbital lesions treated with tebentafusp in metastatic uveal melanoma patients
Presenting author: Marcus Butler
Session: Late breaking research: clinical research 1/ Endocrinology

Title: Melanoma patients with high and low target-expression can benefit from TCR-CD3 bispecifics through direct and indirect mechanisms of tumor control
Presenting author: Esra Güç
Session: Combination Immunotherapies 2

About KIMMTRAK
KIMMTRAK is a novel bispecific protein comprised of a soluble T cell receptor fused to an anti-CD3 immune-effector function. KIMMTRAK specifically targets gp100, a lineage antigen expressed in melanocytes and melanoma. This is the first molecule developed using Immunocore’s ImmTAC technology platform designed to redirect and activate T cells to recognize and kill tumor cells. KIMMTRAK has been approved for the treatment of HLA-A*02:01-positive adult patients with unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma in the United States, European Union, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

About Phase 2 IMCgp100-102 Trial
IMCgp100-102 (NCT02570308) was an open-label, multi-center, single-arm trial of the safety and efficacy of tebentafusp in patients with previously treated mUM. The trial included 127 HLA-A*02:01+ 2L+ mUM patients, treated with tebentafusp at the recommended Phase 2 dose of 68mcg following intra-patient dose escalation of 20 mcg (week 1) and 30 mcg (week 2). The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR), with secondary objectives being overall survival (OS) and safety in 127 patients who had enrolled after progressing on one or more prior therapies.

About Phase 3 IMCgp100-202 Trial
IMCgp100-202 (NCT03070392) is a randomized pivotal trial that evaluated overall survival (OS) of KIMMTRAK compared to investigator’s choice (either pembrolizumab, ipilimumab, or dacarbazine) in HLA-A*02:01-positive adult patients with previously untreated mUM. KIMMTRAK demonstrated an unprecedented OS benefit with a Hazard Ratio (HR) in the intent-to-treat population favoring KIMMTRAK, HR=0.51 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.71); p< 0.0001, over investigator’s choice (82% pembrolizumab; 13% ipilimumab; 6% dacarbazine).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), which may be serious or life-threatening, occurred in patients receiving KIMMTRAK. Monitor for at least 16 hours following first three infusions and then as clinically indicated. Manifestations of CRS may include fever, hypotension, hypoxia, chills, nausea, vomiting, rash, elevated transaminases, fatigue, and headache. CRS occurred in 89% of patients who received KIMMTRAK with 0.8% being grade 3 or 4. Ensure immediate access to medications and resuscitative equipment to manage CRS. Ensure patients are euvolemic prior to initiating the infusions. Closely monitor patients for signs or symptoms of CRS following infusions of KIMMTRAK. Monitor fluid status, vital signs, and oxygenation level and provide appropriate therapy. Withhold or discontinue KIMMTRAK depending on persistence and severity of CRS.

Skin Reactions

Skin reactions, including rash, pruritus, and cutaneous edema occurred in 91% of patients treated with KIMMTRAK. Monitor patients for skin reactions. If skin reactions occur, treat with antihistamine and topical or systemic steroids based on persistence and severity of symptoms. Withhold or permanently discontinue KIMMTRAK depending on the severity of skin reactions.

Elevated Liver Enzymes

Elevations in liver enzymes occurred in 65% of patients treated with KIMMTRAK. Monitor alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total blood bilirubin prior to the start of and during treatment with KIMMTRAK. Withhold KIMMTRAK according to severity.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
KIMMTRAK may cause fetal harm. Advise pregnant patients of potential risk to the fetus and patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with KIMMTRAK and 1 week after the last dose.

The most common adverse reactions (≥30%) in patients who received KIMMTRAK were cytokine release syndrome, rash, pyrexia, pruritus, fatigue, nausea, chills, abdominal pain, edema, hypotension, dry skin, headache, and vomiting. The most common (≥50%) laboratory abnormalities were decreased lymphocyte count, increased creatinine, increased glucose, increased AST, increased ALT, decreased hemoglobin, and decreased phosphate.

For more information, please see full Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) or full U.S. Prescribing Information (including BOXED WARNING for CRS).

HUTCHMED Announces NDA Acceptance in China for Fruquintinib in Second-Line Gastric Cancer

On April 18, 2023 HUTCHMED (China) Limited ("HUTCHMED") (Nasdaq/AIM:​HCM; HKEX:​13) reported that its New Drug Application ("NDA") for fruquintinib in combination with paclitaxel for the treatment of second-line advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma in China has been accepted for review by the China National Medical Products Administration ("NMPA") (Press release, Hutchison China MediTech, APR 18, 2023, View Source [SID1234630240]).

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Dr. Michael Shi, Head of R&D and Chief Medical Officer of HUTCHMED said, "The NMPA acceptance of our NDA for fruquintinib is a positive step towards addressing the significant unmet medical need for gastric cancer patients. Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers globally, with the highest incidence and mortality rates found in Asian populations. China alone accounts for over 40% of all new gastric cancer cases in the world. Despite recent advancement in the first line setting, there are few treatments available for patients whose disease progressed on initial therapy. Fruquintinib has demonstrated clinically meaningful benefit for patients in the Phase III FRUTIGA study, and we are excited by the possibility of providing a potential new oral treatment option for patients in China."

The NDA is supported by data from the FRUTIGA study, a randomized, double-blind, Phase III study in China to evaluate fruquintinib combined with paclitaxel compared with paclitaxel monotherapy, for second-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer.

In China, fruquintinib is approved under the brand name ELUNATE and is included in the China National Reimbursement Drug List ("NRDL"). HUTCHMED markets fruquintinib in China in partnership with Eli Lilly and Company.

In March 2023, HUTCHMED and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502, NYSE:TAK) closed an exclusive license agreement to further the global development, commercialization and manufacture of fruquintinib outside China.

About the Phase III FRUTIGA Trial

FRUTIGA is a randomized, double-blind, Phase III study in China to evaluate fruquintinib combined with paclitaxel compared with paclitaxel monotherapy, for second-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer. The study enrolled approximately 700 patients. Its dual-primary endpoints were progression-free survival ("PFS") and overall survival ("OS"). The trial met the PFS endpoint at a statistically and clinically meaningful level. While there was an improvement in median OS, the OS endpoint was not statistically significant per the pre-specified statistical plan. Fruquintinib also demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in secondary endpoints including objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and duration of response (DoR). The safety profile of fruquintinib in FRUTIGA was consistent with previously reported studies. Additional details may be found at clinicaltrials.gov, using identifier NCT03223376.

About Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer is a cancer that starts in the stomach. It is the fifth most common cancer worldwide, estimated to have caused approximately 770,000 deaths in 2020.1 In China, an estimated 478,000 people were diagnosed with gastric cancer and 373,000 people will have died from gastric cancer in 2020.2

About Fruquintinib

Fruquintinib is a highly selective and potent oral inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor ("VEGFR") -1, -2 and -3. VEGFR inhibitors play a pivotal role in blocking tumor angiogenesis. Fruquintinib was designed to improve kinase selectivity with the intention of minimizing off-target toxicities, improving tolerability and providing more consistent target coverage. Fruquintinib has been generally well tolerated in patients to date and is being investigated in combinations with other anti-cancer therapies.

Fruquintinib was approved for marketing by the NMPA in September 2018 and commercially launched in China in November 2018 under the brand name ELUNATE for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer ("CRC") who have been previously treated with fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin and irinotecan, including those who have previously received anti-VEGF therapy and/or anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy (RAS wild type). It has been included in the NRDL since January 2020.

The safety and efficacy of fruquintinib for the following investigational uses have not been established and there is no guarantee that it will receive health authority approval or become commercially available in any country for the uses being investigated.

Filing of a rolling submission of NDA to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") was completed in March 2023. Submissions to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Japan Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) are expected to be completed in 2023. The submission to the FDA is supported by positive results from FRESCO-2 study, a global double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase III study in 691 patients with refractory metastatic CRC.3 Additional details of the study may be found at clinicaltrials.gov, using identifier NCT04322539.

HUTCHMED is also developing fruquintinib for the treatment of multiple solid tumor cancers in combination with PD-1 monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of endometrial and other solid tumors.

Independent Researchers Find That TUSC2, the Gene Delivered by Genprex’s REQORSA®, Functions as a Novel Tumor Suppressor for Glioblastoma

On April 18, 2023 Genprex, Inc. ("Genprex" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: GNPX), a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies for patients with cancer and diabetes, reported that independent researchers recently presented preclinical data on the tumor suppressor gene, TUSC2, reporting that it functions as a novel tumor suppressor for glioblastoma (Press release, Genprex, APR 18, 2023, View Source [SID1234630239]). TUSC2 is the tumor suppressor gene that is reexpressed in tumors using REQORSA Therapy treatment, Genprex’s lead drug candidate. Genprex has no affiliation with these researchers.

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The independent researchers presented their abstract, titled, "Investigating TUSC2 for its tumor suppressive functions in glioblastoma and its role in gliomagenesis," at the 2023 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting on April 17. The abstract reports TUSC2 protein expression, but not mRNA expression, to be significantly decreased in glioblastoma as compared to normal brain. TUSC2 protein is destabilized in glioblastoma due to polyubiquitination by E3 ligase, neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated gene 4 (NEDD4), and degradation by the proteasome. The researchers determined that NEDD4 targets TUSC2 on lysine residue K71.

The researchers also reported that TUSC2 overexpression reduced colony formation and neurosphere formation and promoted apoptosis of glioblastoma cells in vitro, and suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Further, glioblastoma cells with CRISPR-mediated knockout (KO) of TUSC2 were highly aggressive in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating the role of TUSC2 as a novel tumor suppressor for glioblastoma.

In the study, researchers performed immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry analysis to identify TUSC2-interacting proteins in both normal human astrocytes and glioblastoma cell lines. Results showed 95 and 88 TUSC2-interacting proteins in astrocytes and glioblastoma cell lines respectively, and 27 proteins were found to interact with TUSC2 in both astrocytes and glioblastoma.

"This research supports the growing body of studies evaluating TUSC2 as a target in oncology, and potentially an effective treatment, for many types of cancer," said Rodney Varner, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Genprex. "We are encouraged by the increasing number of research institutions and independent researchers producing positive data on TUSC2, which provide additional support for REQORSA and its therapeutic potential against cancers."

REQORSA Therapy is currently in development for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). REQORSA consists of the TUSC2 gene expressing plasmid encapsulated in non-viral nanoparticles made from lipid molecules (the Company’s ONCOPREX Nanoparticle Delivery System) with a positive electrical charge. REQORSA is injected intravenously and specifically targets cancer cells, taking advantage of leaky tumor vascularity, increased tumor pinocytosis, and attraction of positively charged lipid nanoparticles to negatively charged cancer cells. REQORSA is designed to deliver the functioning TUSC2 gene to cancer cells while minimizing their uptake by normal tissue.

According to the National Brain Tumor Society, glioblastoma is one of the most complex, deadly, and treatment-resistant cancers. More than 13,000 Americans were expected to receive a glioblastoma diagnosis in 2022. Glioblastoma accounts for 49.1 percent of all primary malignant brain tumors. There have only been five drugs and one device ever approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration for the treatment of glioblastoma.

Other independent researchers and studies have found that TUSC2 therapy may benefit other types of cancer, including head and neck, breast (including triple-negative breast cancer), renal cell (kidney), thyroid, and soft tissue sarcoma, as well as NSCLC and SCLC. For more information and additional studies supporting TUSC2, please refer to our Bibliography Page.

Genmab Announces Net Sales of DARZALEX® (daratumumab) for First Quarter of 2023

On April 18, 2023 Genmab A/S (Nasdaq: GMAB) reported that worldwide net trade sales of DARZALEX (daratumumab), including sales of the subcutaneous (SC) product (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj, sold under the tradename DARZALEX FASPRO in the U.S.), as reported by Johnson & Johnson were USD 2,264 million in the first quarter of 2023 (Press release, Genmab, APR 18, 2023, View Source [SID1234630238]). Net trade sales were USD 1,191 million in the U.S. and USD 1,072 million in the rest of the world. Genmab receives royalties on the worldwide net sales of DARZALEX, both the intravenous and SC products, under the exclusive worldwide license to Janssen to develop, manufacture and commercialize daratumumab.

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