On January 13, 2023 Aesther Healthcare Acquisition Corp (NASDAQ: AEHA) ("Aesther"), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) and Ocean Biomedical, Inc. ("Ocean"), a next-generation biopharma company reported that AEHA has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a definitive proxy statement ("Definitive Proxy Statement") in connection with its proposed business combination (the "Business Combination" or the "Transaction") with Ocean and with respect to the special meeting of Aesther’s stockholders ("Special Meeting") scheduled to be held on February 3, 2023 (Press release, Aesther Healthcare Acquisition, JAN 13, 2023, View Source [SID1234626389]).

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The proposed Transaction was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of all parties and is expected to be completed on February 7, 2023, subject to, among other things, the approval by Aesther stockholders, governmental, regulatory and third party approvals, satisfaction of minimum closing net tangible asset and cash requirements, and the satisfaction or waiver of other customary closing conditions. The Definitive Proxy Statement and related materials will be mailed to the stockholders of Aesther on or about January 13, 2023. Aesther’s stockholders will have until February 1, 2023 (two (2) business days before the Special Meeting) to have their shares of Class A Common Stock redeemed for cash in connection with the matters to be voted on at the Special Meeting, as described in the Definitive Proxy Statement.

A link to the Definitive Proxy Statement, as well as other information related to the Transaction can be found via AEHA’s filings with the SEC at www.sec.gov.

On January 13, 2023 Equillium, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQ), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapeutics to treat severe autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, reported that an abstract was accepted for oral presentation at the Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Meetings of the American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, and the Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research (Press release, Equillium, JAN 13, 2023, View Source [SID1234626231]). The Hybrid meetings will take place virtually and in person at the Orlando World Center Marriott, Orlando, Florida, February 15 – 19, 2023.

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Title: Final Safety and Efficacy Results from EQUATE, an Open-Label Study Evaluating Itolizumab, a Novel Targeted anti-CD6 Therapy, in Newly Diagnosed Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease
Presenting Author: Dr. John Koreth, associate professor of medicine, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School
Abstract ID Number: 36
Assigned Session: Oral Abstract – Session E: GVHD – Clinical
Date and Time: Thursday, February 16, 2023, 2:30 PM

The abstract highlights positive final study results, including long-term follow-up data for up to one year, from EQUATE (NCT03763318), a Phase 1b study of itolizumab in combination with corticosteroids (CS) to treat subjects with newly diagnosed severe acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). The data demonstrate promising outcomes in subjects with severe aGVHD, and Equillium has since initiated EQUATOR (NCT05263999), a Phase 3 study of itolizumab as a potential initial therapy for aGVHD in combination with CS.

About Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD)

GVHD is a multisystem disorder that is a common complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (allo-HSCT) caused by the transplanted immune system recognizing and attacking the recipient’s body. Symptoms of GVHD include rash, itching, skin discoloration, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice, as well as eye dryness and irritation.

GVHD is the leading cause of non-relapse mortality in cancer patients receiving allo-HSCT, and its risk limits the number and type of patients receiving HSCT. GVHD results in high morbidity and mortality, with five-year survival of approximately 53% in patients who respond to steroid treatment and mortality as high as 95% in patients who do not respond to steroids. There are no approved treatments for first-line aGVHD. Published literature (MacMillan et al., 2015) describes background response rates to high-dose steroid administration in severe high-risk patients as 43% overall response and 27% complete response.

About the EQUATE Study

The EQUATE study is a Phase 1b/2 trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical activity of itolizumab for first-line treatment in patients who present with aGVHD (NCT03763318). The Phase 1b part of the trial is an open-label dose escalation study in adult patients who present with high-risk aGVHD and typically respond poorly to steroids. The Phase 1b data will inform selection of the dose to be used in the next phase of development for the program.

About Itolizumab

Itolizumab is a clinical-stage, first-in-class anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody that selectively targets the CD6-ALCAM signaling pathway to selectively downregulate pathogenic T effector cells while preserving T regulatory cells critical for maintaining a balanced immune response. This pathway plays a central role in modulating the activity and trafficking of T cells that drive a number of immuno-inflammatory diseases.

On January 13, 2023 Kezar Life Sciences, Inc., (Nasdaq: KZR), a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing breakthrough treatments for immune-mediated and oncologic disorders, reported that the Compensation Committee of the company’s Board of Directors granted two employees nonqualified stock options to purchase 65,000 shares of its common stock with an exercise price of $6.84 per share, which is equal to the closing price of Kezar’s common stock on January 6, 2023, the grant date of the awards (Press release, Kezar Life Sciences, JAN 13, 2023, View Source [SID1234626230]). The stock options were granted as an inducement award material to the individuals entering into employment with Kezar, in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

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The stock options will vest over a four-year period, with 25% of each option vesting on the first anniversary of the employee’s start date, and 1/48th of the total shares vesting monthly thereafter, subject to continued employment on each vesting date. The options are subject to the terms and conditions of Kezar’s 2022 Inducement Plan and the stock option agreement covering the grants.

On January 13, 2023 QT Imaging, Inc., a medical imaging company focused on the development and clinical adoption of novel products for breast cancer imaging ("QT Imaging"), reported participation of John Klock, MD, Chief Executive Officer, in the Third Annual B. Riley Securities Oncology Conference, on January 18th and 19th (Press release, QT Imaging, JAN 13, 2023, View Source [SID1234626228]). The event will feature one-on-one discussions, fireside chats, and presentations regarding cancer treatment, testing, and monitoring modalities with public and private healthcare companies.

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The live and archived webcast of the presentation will be accessible from the company’s website at View Source The replay of the webcast will be available for 30 days.

On January 13, 2023 Immix Biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMMX) ("ImmixBio", "Company", "We" or "Us"), a biopharmaceutical company pioneering Tissue-Specific Therapeutics (TSTx)TM targeting oncology and immuno-dysregulated diseases, reported dosing of an additional patient in its ongoing Phase 1b/2a IMX-110 monotherapy clinical trial (Press release, Immix Biopharma, JAN 13, 2023, View Source [SID1234626221]). Positive safety data enabled continued dosing of previously enrolled patients. In January 2023, the seventeenth patient was dosed with IMX-110 to-date. IMX-110 clinical trial data is expected to be released on a rolling basis beginning in Q1 2023; once dosing begins, patients undergo CT scans every 8 weeks to assess tumor response to IMX-110. "We are delighted with continued robust IMX-110 clinical trial enrollment," said Ilya Rachman, MD PhD, CEO of ImmixBio. "We continue to accumulate valuable clinical data for first-in-class IMX-110 therapy. In Q1 2023 we plan to share clinical data from our IMX-110 monotherapy and IMX-110 combination trial with Beigene/Novartis’ anti-PD-1 Tislelizumab."

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About IMX-110

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") approved orphan drug designation ("ODD") for IMX-110 in soft tissue sarcoma. The FDA also approved Rare Pediatric Disease Designation ("RPDD") for IMX-110 for the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma, a life-threatening form of cancer in children. RPDD qualifies Immix Biopharma to receive fast track review, and a priority review voucher ("PRV") at the time of marketing approval of IMX-110. PRV holders can benefit from an expedited six-month review of a new drug application for any disease by the FDA. IMX-110 is currently being evaluated in a phase 1b/2a clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumors. Learn more at www.immixbio.com/iMX-110