Jemperli (dostarlimab) plus Zejula (niraparib) combination significantly improved progression-free survival in primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer in RUBY Part 2 Phase III trial

On December 18, 2023 GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) reported positive headline results from a planned analysis of Part 2 of the RUBY/ENGOT-EN6/GOG3031/NSGO phase III trial investigating Jemperli (dostarlimab) plus standard-of-care chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel), followed by dostarlimab plus Zejula (niraparib) as maintenance therapy, in adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer (Press release, GlaxoSmithKline, DEC 18, 2023, View Source [SID1234638646]). The trial, which evaluated this combination against placebo plus chemotherapy followed by placebo, met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS), with a statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit observed in both the overall patient population and in a subpopulation of patients with mismatch repair proficient/microsatellite stable (MMRp/MSS) tumours.

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Hesham Abdullah, Senior Vice President, Global Head Oncology, R&D, GSK, said: "Patients with MMRp/MSS primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer have few approved treatment options. Today’s positive topline results reinforce our approach of building combination therapies with dostarlimab as the backbone in an effort to improve patient outcomes and options."

Analysis of the full trial data, including the key secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS), is ongoing. OS data is immature and will continue to be followed.

The safety profile of dostarlimab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by dostarlimab plus niraparib, was generally consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual agents.

Full results from this analysis will be presented at an upcoming scientific meeting, published in a medical journal, and shared with regulatory authorities.

About endometrial cancer
Endometrial cancer is found in the inner lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecologic cancer in developed countries, with approximately 417,000 new cases reported each year worldwide1, and incidence rates are expected to rise by almost 40% between 2020 and 2040.2 3 Approximately 15-20% of patients with endometrial cancer will be diagnosed with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis.4

About RUBY
RUBY is a two-part global, randomised, double-blind, multicentre phase III trial of patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Part 1 is evaluating dostarlimab plus carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by dostarlimab versus carboplatin-paclitaxel plus placebo followed by placebo. Part 2 is evaluating dostarlimab plus carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by dostarlimab plus niraparib versus placebo plus carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by placebo.

In Part 1, the dual-primary endpoints are investigator-assessed PFS based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours v1.1 and OS. The statistical analysis plan included pre-specified analyses of PFS in the mismatch repair deficient/microsatellite instability-high (dMMR/MSI-H) and overall populations and OS in the overall population. Pre-specified analyses of PFS and OS in the MMRp/MSS population and OS in the dMMR/MSI-H populations were also performed; however, they were not part of the hypothesis testing strategy. RUBY Part 1 included a broad population, including histologies often excluded from clinical trials and had approximately 10% of patients with carcinosarcoma and 20% with serous carcinoma.

In Part 2, the primary endpoint is investigator-assessed PFS in the overall population, followed by PFS in the MMRp/MSS population, and OS in the overall population is a key secondary endpoint. Additional secondary endpoints in Part 1 and Part 2 include PFS per blinded independent central review, overall response rate, duration of response, disease control rate, patient-reported outcomes, and safety and tolerability.

RUBY is part of an international collaboration between the European Network of Gynaecological Oncological Trial groups (ENGOT), a research network of the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) that consists of 22 trial groups from 31 European countries that perform cooperative clinical trials, and the GOG Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to transforming the standard of care in gynaecologic oncology.

About Jemperli (dostarlimab)
Jemperli is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)-blocking antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor and blocks its interaction with the PD-1 ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2. 5

In the US, Jemperli is indicated in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by Jemperli as a single agent for the treatment of adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer that is dMMR, as determined by a US FDA-approved test, or MSI-H, and as a single agent for adult patients with dMMR recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer, as determined by a US FDA-approved test, that has progressed on or following a prior platinum-containing regimen in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation. The supplemental Biologics License Application supporting the new indication in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the US FDA. Jemperli is also indicated in the US for patients with dMMR recurrent or advanced solid tumours, as determined by a US FDA-approved test, that have progressed on or following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. The latter indication is approved in the US under accelerated approval based on tumour response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication in solid tumours may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).

Jemperli was discovered by AnaptysBio, Inc. and licensed to TESARO, Inc., under a collaboration and exclusive license agreement signed in March 2014. Under this agreement, GSK is responsible for the ongoing research, development, commercialisation, and manufacturing of Jemperli, and cobolimab (GSK4069889), a TIM-3 antagonist.

Important Information for Jemperli in the EU
Indication
Jemperli is indicated:

in combination with carboplatin-paclitaxel, for the treatment of adult patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer and who are candidates for systemic therapy;
as monotherapy for treating adult patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer that has progressed on or following prior treatment with a platinum-containing regimen.
Refer to the Jemperli EMA Reference information (www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/jemperli) for a full list of adverse events and the complete important safety information in the EU.

About Zejula (niraparib)
Zejula is an oral, once-daily poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated in the US for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy; and for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-mutated recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy and who have been selected based on a US FDA-approved companion diagnostic for Zejula.

Zejula is currently being evaluated in multiple pivotal trials. GSK continues to build a robust clinical development programme by assessing activity across multiple tumour types and evaluating several potential combinations of Zejula with other therapeutics. Aiming to address the unmet medical needs of patients, the ongoing development programme includes several combination studies, including the FIRST phase III trial assessing niraparib in combination with dostarlimab as a potential treatment for first-line ovarian cancer maintenance and the phase III ZEAL trial assessing niraparib in combination with standard of care for the maintenance treatment of first-line advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Important Information for Zejula in the EU
Indication
Zejula is indicated:

as monotherapy for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial (FIGO Stages III and IV) high-grade ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in response (complete or partial) following completion of first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.
as monotherapy for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed high-grade serous epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in response (complete or partial) to platinum-based chemotherapy.
Refer to the Zejula EMA Reference Information (www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/zejula) for a full list of adverse events and the complete important safety information in the EU.

Lilly Extends Tender Offer to Acquire POINT Biopharma to Dec. 22, 2023

On December 18, 2023 Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) reported the extension of the expiration of the tender offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares ("Shares") of common stock of POINT Biopharma Global Inc. (NASDAQ: PNT), for a purchase price of $12.50 per share in cash, without interest and less any applicable tax withholding (Press release, Eli Lilly, DEC 18, 2023, View Source [SID1234638645]).

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The tender offer, which was previously scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Dec. 15, 2023, has been extended until 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Dec. 22, 2023, unless the tender offer is further extended or earlier terminated, in order for the parties to satisfy the minimum tender condition. All regulatory approvals necessary for the consummation of the transaction have been obtained.

Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the depositary and paying agent for the tender offer, has advised Lilly that, as of 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Dec. 15, 2023, approximately 24,338,647 Shares have been validly tendered and not properly withdrawn in the tender offer, representing approximately 22.81% of the issued and outstanding Shares, as of such date and time. Holders that have previously tendered their Shares do not need to re-tender their Shares or take any other action in response to the extension of the tender offer. Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to Georgeson LLC, the information agent for the tender offer, by calling toll free 1-800-932-9864 or via email to [email protected].

CymaBay Announces Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

On December 18, 2023 CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBAY), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for liver and other chronic diseases with high unmet need, reported the grant of inducement awards to four employees on December 15, 2023 (the "Grant Date") in connection with the employees’ commencement of employment at CymaBay (Press release, CymaBay Therapeutics, DEC 18, 2023, View Source [SID1234638644]). The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of CymBay approved the grant of non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 176,000 shares of CymaBay common stock as inducements material to the employees entering into employment with CymaBay in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), and are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable award agreement covering such grants.

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These stock option grants have an exercise prices of $22.03 per share, which was equal to the closing price of CymaBay’s common stock on the Grant Date. The stock options will vest and become exercisable as to 25% of the underlying shares on the first anniversary of the Grant Date, and will vest and become exercisable as to the remaining 75% of the underlying shares in 36 equal monthly installments from the first anniversary of the Grant Date, subject to the applicable employee’s continued employment with CymaBay on such vesting dates.

CNS Pharmaceuticals Announces Successful Interim Analysis of Efficacy and Safety Data in Potentially Pivotal Study of Berubicin

On December 18, 2023 CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) (CNS or the Company), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of novel treatments for primary and metastatic cancers in the brain and central nervous system, reported the recommendation of the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) that the Company’s ongoing global, potentially pivotal trial of the investigational agent, Berubicin for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) continue without any modification (Press release, CNS Pharmaceuticals, DEC 18, 2023, View Source [SID1234638643]). The recommendation follows the DSMB’s pre-specified futility analysis of unblinded (to the DSMB only) efficacy and safety data in the Company’s trial of Berubicin versus Lomustine, a standard of care in patients with recurrent GBM. More specifically, the DSMB reviewed the primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) and secondary efficacy measures progression-free survival (PFF) and overall response rate (ORR), as well as safety data in evaluable patients. In order to support continuing the trial, Berubicin’s efficacy had to be at least comparable to Lomustine’s on the primary endpoint (OS).

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"Having successfully reached this milestone, we believe that this recommendation reflects Berubicin’s acceptable efficacy and safety profile, as defined in the trial protocol, as of the interim analysis. Building on the foundation of strong enrollment laid by our team, our investigators and their patients, the independent findings of the DSMB add to the Phase 1 trial data, where 44% of treated patients received a clinical benefit of stable disease or better," said John Climaco, CEO of CNS Pharma. "Finding an effective treatment for GBM remains one of the great challenges in oncology, and more meaningful options for the many patients who fail first-line therapy are still desperately needed after decades of research. With this recommendation to continue the study, our long-held belief that Berubicin will ultimately address the unmet clinical need of GBM patients now moves closer to becoming reality."

The potentially pivotal study of Berubicin is a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled study in adult patients with recurrent GBM (WHO Grade IV) after failure of standard first-line therapy and compared to Lomustine. Overall Survival is a rigorous endpoint that the FDA has recognized as the basis for approval of oncology drugs when a statistically significant improvement can be shown relative to a randomized control arm.

For more information about this trial, visit clinicaltrials.gov and reference identifier NCT04762069.

The FDA has granted CNS Pharmaceuticals Fast Track Designation for Berubicin, which enables more frequent interactions with the agency for guidance on expediting the development and review process. Additionally, the Company has received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for using Berubicin to treat malignant glioma, which may provide seven years of marketing exclusivity upon approval of a New Drug Application (NDA).

About Berubicin

Berubicin is an anthracycline, a class of anticancer agents that are among the most powerful chemotherapy drugs and effective against more types of cancer than any other class of chemotherapeutic agents. Anthracyclines are designed to utilize natural processes to induce deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in targeted cancer cells by interfering with the action of topoisomerase II, a critical enzyme enabling cell proliferation. Berubicin treatment of brain cancer patients appeared to demonstrate positive responses that include one durable complete response in a Phase 1 human clinical trial conducted by Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Berubicin was developed by Dr. Waldemar Priebe, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Recruitment successfully closes early for a diagnostic Phase II trial in neuroendocrine tumours

On December 18, 2023 Clarity Pharmaceuticals (ASX: CU6) ("Clarity", "the Company"), a clinical stage radiopharmaceutical company with a mission to develop next-generation products that improve treatment outcomes for children and adults with cancer, reported the early recruitment closure for its Phase II diagnostic 64Cu-SARTATE trial, DISCO (NCT04438304)1, for patients with known or suspected neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) (Press release, Clarity Pharmaceuticals, DEC 18, 2023, View Source [SID1234638642]). A total of 45 patients have been enrolled in the trial and all of the participants have now been administered and imaged with 64Cu-SARTATE. All trial participants have now progressed to or have completed the follow-up stage.

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The trial was originally planned for up to 63 patients based on an expected discordance level between imaging with Clarity’s 64Cu-SARTATE and the current standard of care, 68Ga-DOTATATE. The sample size was adjusted to 45 patients based on the pre-planned assessment of the images to generate sufficient evidence to plan for a Phase III trial in this indication, enabling recruitment to successfully close early.

DISCO, which derives from "Diagnostic Imaging Study of 64COpper-SARTATE Using PET on Patients with Known or Suspected Neuroendocrine Tumours", is assessing the performance of Clarity’s SARTATE imaging product as a potential new way to help diagnose and manage NETs. The DISCO trial recruited participants with Gastroenteropancreatic NETs (GEP-NETs) across four sites in Australia, comparing the diagnostic performance of 64Cu-SARTATE at 4 and 20 hours post-administration to 68Ga-DOTATATE at one hour.

The trial aims to build on earlier work with SARTATE2 which demonstrated that imaging at later time points, enabled by a longer half-life of 64Cu in comparison to 68Ga, may lead to better identification of disease.

Clarity’s Executive Chairperson, Dr Alan Taylor, commented, "We are very pleased with the progress of our SARTATE product and the DISCO trial. Whilst the main focus for this product is on neuroblastoma in children, for both therapy and diagnosis, which includes two Rare Pediatric Disease Designations and two Orphan Drug Designations in this indication, the initial imaging data looks highly encouraging in NETs. We are optimistic the final trial results will underscore the diagnostic capability of 64Cu-SARTATE for patients with NETs, and we eagerly anticipate the comprehensive analysis from the DISCO trial.

"Unfortunately, misdiagnosis and delays in diagnosis are prevalent in this patient population, but we believe that SARTATE has the potential to play a vital role in improving NETs diagnosis and treatment outcomes for these patients. We are confident the clinical advantages of SARTATE, combined with the logistical benefits of Targeted Copper Theranostics (TCTs), will ensure timely and convenient diagnosis and access to critical treatments for cancer patients.

"The Clarity TCT platform comprises of products not only focused on NETs, but also on other malignancies with high unmet need. Regarding our diagnostic portfolio, we were pleased to recently announce the recruitment closure of one of our studies in Gastrin Releasing Peptide Receptor (GRPR)-positive biochemically recurrent prostate cancer using SAR-Bombesin (SABRE, NCT05407311)3,4 and the activation of the first site for our Phase III registrational study in pre-prostatectomy patients with SAR-bisPSMA (CLARIFY, NCT06056830)5,6. We are also eagerly awaiting to receive the data and initial analysis of the results from the COBRA study (biochemically recurrent prostate cancer using 64Cu-SAR-bisPSMA, NCT05249127)7 from our partnering contract research organisation, and at this stage we expect to share these results in early 2024".

About SARTATE
SARTATE is a next generation, highly targeted theranostic radiopharmaceutical. It is being developed for diagnosing, staging and subsequently treating cancers that express somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2), including neuroblastoma and neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Like all Clarity products, the SARTATE product can be used with copper-64 (64Cu) for imaging (64Cu-SARTATE) or copper-67 (67Cu) for therapy (67Cu-SARTATE).

64Cu-SARTATE and 67Cu-SARTATE are unregistered products. Individual results may not represent the overall safety and efficacy of the products. The data outlined in this announcement has not been assessed by health authorities such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A clinical development program is currently underway to assess the efficacy and safety of these products. There is no guarantee that these products will become commercially available.

About NETs
NETs, also known as well-differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasms or carcinoids, represent a heterogeneous group of malignant transformations of cells of the diffuse neuroendocrine system8. They most commonly occur in the gastrointestinal tract (48%), lung (25%), and pancreas (9%), but may also originate in other areas, including the breast, prostate, thymus and skin9. NETs can either be benign or malignant, as well as non-functional and functional10. NETs traditionally have been considered uncommon; however, the incidence has been increasing as a worldwide phenomenon11. This increase is thought to be mostly related to improvements in the way NETs are diagnosed, including better imaging tests and endoscopy, and increased awareness of these tumours12.

Overall, it is estimated that more than 12,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with a NET each year, and approximately 175,000 people are living with this diagnosis12. Patients with GEP-NETs present with subtle clinical symptoms, which can lead to a delay in diagnosis of up to 5–7 years or result in inappropriate management13. As such, about 30-75% of NET patients have distant metastases at the time of diagnosis14. A 10-year relative survival rate for patients with metastatic GEP-NETs is 3–36%.