Cellipont Bioservices and Diakonos Oncology Corporation Collaborate to Develop Groundbreaking Therapy for Glioblastoma

On October 10, 2023 Cellipont Bioservices, a leading CDMO in cell therapy development and manufacturing and Diakonos Oncology, reported that they have entered into an agreement for the Process Development & cGMP Manufacturing of DOC1021, an autologous dendritic cell vaccine being manufactured for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and other cancer indications (Press release, Diakonos Oncology, OCT 10, 2023, View Source [SID1234635832]).

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Dendritic Cells represent one of the most underutilized cells in Immunotherapy. With a first of its kind approach, Diakonos’ DOC1021 activates a natural anti-viral immune response against a patient’s tumor. Due to the promising results in both safety and efficacy in its phase 1 trial, Diakonos recently received Fast Track designation by the FDA.

Glioblastoma is the most common and deadliest type of primary brain tumor in adults. It originates in the brain’s glial cells, which are supportive cells that surround and protect nerve cells. Despite considerable research and development, the current 7% five-year survival rate has seen limited improvement.

"We are deeply honored to have been chosen as Diakonos’ partner in this critical endeavor," stated Darren Head, Chairman of the Board of Cellipont Bioservices. "With our extensive expertise in cell therapy development and manufacturing, coupled with our purpose-built Woodlands facility, we are confident that our collaboration will pave the way for bringing this life-saving therapy to countless glioblastoma patients."

"As DOC1021 is personalized to each patient, it was critical to find a CDMO partner that could not only help commercialize this incredibly promising treatment but exceed our quality standards for each and every patient," said Mike Wicks, Chief Executive Office of Diakonos. "We could not be happier to find that partner in Cellipont, and we look forward to changing patient outcomes in GBM as well as other cancer indications."

The SparX Group Enters into a Collaboration with Arovella Therapeutics for the Development of CLDN18.2-CAR-iNKT Cell Therapy

On October 10, 2023 Signifying a monumental step forward in the domain of powered antibody therapies, the SparX Group reported its strategic alliance with Arovella Therapeutics Ltd (ASX: ALA) (Press release, Arovella Therapeutics, OCT 10, 2023, View Source [SID1234635831]). This collaboration emphasizes the utilization of SPX-101, an innovative monoclonal antibody (mAb) that targets the Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) tumor specific antigen, as an exciting component in Arovella’s CLDN18.2-CAR-iNKT cells as a leading off-the-shelf CAR-iNKT cell therapy.

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Dr. Gui-Dong Zhu, CEO of the SparX Group, elucidated on the significance of this collaboration: "Our partnership with Arovella represents a transformative phase in advancing mAb-based therapies. Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells, distinguished by their recognition of lipid antigens via the CD1d molecule, have emerged as potent therapeutic vectors. Arovella’s cutting-edge CAR-iNKT platform, encapsulating advanced techniques for in-vitro expansion and post-infusion persistence of iNKT cells, underscores their leadership in this domain. We profoundly acknowledge CLDN 18.2-iNKT cell therapy as a groundbreaking paradigm in oncological therapeutics."

Echoing the enthusiasm, Dr. Michael Baker, CEO of Arovella, remarked, "Licensing the CLDN18.2 mAb sequence from SparX represents a seminal phase in our therapeutic trajectory. SparX’s sophisticated work, spotlighting the unparalleled attributes of their CLDN18.2 monoclonal antibody, coupled with its safety and specificity, accentuates the global attention this molecular target is garnering. We’re uniquely positioned as the only global entity developing a CAR-iNKT cell therapy aimed at CLDN18.2. The synergistic combination of iNKT cells with the CLDN18.2 CAR paves an exciting avenue to develop novel cancer therapeutics."

CLDN18.2 manifests predominantly in gastric cancers (GC), gastroesophageal junction cancers (GEJC), pancreatic cancers (PC), and a spectrum of other solid tumors. Both GC and GEJC represent formidable clinical challenges, registering over a million new cases annually worldwide and culminating in 770,000 fatalities. This places them as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Spearheaded by SparX, SPX-101 embodies a pinnacle of molecular engineering, stemming from SparX’s sophisticated SAILINGTM discovery platform. This mAb is designed for optimized therapeutic efficacy, offering the potential to be recognized as a best-in-class molecular entity targeting claudin 18.2.

Expounding on the cellular dynamics, Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells are a specialized T cell subset known for recognizing lipid antigens via the CD1d molecule. These cells possess inherent attributes like tissue infiltration capabilities, counteracting tumor-promoting cells such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and orchestrating a robust immune response by recruiting auxiliary immune cells against tumor sites. The pathological architecture of tumor development often exposes the CLDN18.2, rendering it accessible to novel treatments such as CAR-iNKT cell therapies. Preliminary clinical findings indicate that iNKT cell therapies might proffer a superior safety profile relative to alternative T cell therapies, notably displaying a reduced propensity for cytokine release syndrome, a prevalent and potential adverse reaction observed in certain cell therapies.

XNK Therapeutics receives funding from Sweden’s innovation agency Vinnova

On October 10, 2023 XNK Therapeutics AB ("XNK") reported that it has applied for and been granted funding by Sweden’s innovation agency Vinnova (Press release, XNK Therapeutics, OCT 10, 2023, View Source [SID1234635830]). The grant consists of SME support through the Competence Center for Next-generation NK Cell-based Cancer Immunotherapy (NextGenNK). The competence center is coordinated by the Karolinska Institutet and XNK has been a member since the center’s inception in 2020. The funding amounts to up to 1.7 million SEK over two years and will be used in a specific preclinical program in XNK’s project portfolio.

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Shuttle Pharma to Participate in the Lytham Partners Fall 2023 Investor Conference

On October 10, 2023 Shuttle Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: SHPH), a discovery and development stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on improving the outcomes of cancer patients treated with radiation therapy (RT), reported that Dr. Anatoly Dritschilo, Chief Executive Officer, will present and host one-on-one meetings with investors at the Lytham Partners Fall 2023 Investor Conference, taking place virtually on October 17, 2023 (Press release, Shuttle Pharmaceuticals, OCT 10, 2023, View Source [SID1234635828]).

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Company Webcast

The Company’s webcast presentation will be available for viewing at 7:00am ET on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, on the Company’s website at View Source or View Source The webcast will also be archived and available for replay.

1×1 Meetings

Management will be participating in virtual one-on-one meetings throughout the event. To arrange a meeting with management, please contact Lytham Partners at 1×[email protected] or register at View Source

Scorpion Therapeutics and Pierre Fabre Laboratories Announce First Patient Dosed in Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of STX-721, a Mutant-Selective EGFR Exon 20 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

On October 10, 2023 Scorpion Therapeutics, Inc. ("Scorpion"), a pioneering clinical-stage oncology company redefining the frontier of precision medicine through its Precision Oncology 2.0 strategy, and Pierre Fabre Laboratories reported that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 1/2 first-in-human dose escalation and expansion clinical trial evaluating STX-721, Scorpion’s highly differentiated, orally bioavailable, irreversible highly selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor ("TKI") targeting epidermal growth factor receptor ("EGFR") and ERBB2 (HER2) Exon 20 insertion ("ex20ins") mutations, well-known, clinically validated oncogenic drivers in non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC") (Press release, Scorpion Therapeutics, OCT 10, 2023, View Source;301949595.html [SID1234635827]). The Phase 1/2 clinical trial will evaluate STX-721 as a monotherapy in participants with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC harboring EGFR ex20ins mutations.

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NSCLC is the most common sub-type of lung cancer and various EGFR mutations are the most frequent drivers of NSCLC, occurring in up to 38% of tumors, depending on geography.[1],[2],[3] Of this population, up to 10% have ex20ins mutations.[4]

"We are excited to begin the clinical evaluation of STX-721, our mutant-selective EGFR ex20ins inhibitor with a potentially best-in-class profile, for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer," said Axel Hoos, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Scorpion. "The initiation of our second clinical trial this year underscores our research team’s productivity and execution, as well as the confidence that Scorpion and Pierre Fabre Laboratories have in the quality, selectivity, and potential clinical differentiation of this compound. Based on preclinical data to-date, we believe that STX-721 is more selective and can provide a wider therapeutic window than other therapies currently on the market or in development and, as a result, has the potential to deliver superior efficacy to this highly underserved patient population."

"We are pleased to see STX-721 enter the clinic, and the overall progress we’ve achieved since we announced the partnership with Scorpion six months ago," said Eric Ducournau, Chief Executive Officer of Pierre Fabre Labor­­­­­­atories. "Our two teams have been working closely on both of the EGFR candidates and we look forward to seeing how patients may benefit from this targeted therapy."

STX-721 is an oral treatment designed to be mutant-selective and optimized for tolerability and efficacy when compared to currently available commercial treatments. Existing therapeutic options face significant limitations that are associated with the inhibition of wild-type EGFR in healthy tissues, including serious adverse events often leading to dose reductions or interruptions.

"STX-721 is a wild-type-sparing, oral inhibitor of EGFR ex20ins mutations with a compelling preclinical selectivity profile," said Michael Streit, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Scorpion. "In this Phase 1/2 trial, we will aim to demonstrate how these unique qualities translate into a potentially best-in-class product profile that increases response rates as a result of its optimized design. We look forward to partnering with study investigators, as well as our colleagues at Pierre Fabre Laboratories, to evaluate STX-721 in patients with EGFR ex20ins-mutated NSCLC."

About STX-721 Phase 1/2 Trial

Scorpion’s Phase 1/2 clinical trial, in collaboration with Pierre Fabre Laboratories, is a multi-center, open-label study designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of STX-721 in multiple ascending doses for patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC driven by EGFR mutations. The goal of the trial is to characterize the safety profile of STX-721 and determine a maximum tolerated dose or a lower optimal-biologically active dose, if appropriate, as the recommended Phase 2 dose ("RP2D") as a monotherapy for NSCLC driven by EGFR exon20ins mutations. Once the RP2D is established, Scorpion intends to continue to evaluate the safety, tolerability and overall efficacy of STX-721. Secondary objectives for this Phase 1/2 trial include assessing the pharmacokinetic profile, pharmacodynamic effects and clinical response as measured by Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors ("RECIST") version 1.1. To learn more about the first-in-human trial of STX-721, please visit this page.