Arcellx to Participate at the H.C. Wainwright 2nd Annual Cell Therapy Virtual Conference

On March 20, 2024 Arcellx, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACLX), a biotechnology company reimagining cell therapy through the development of innovative immunotherapies for patients with cancer and other incurable diseases, reported that management will participate in a fireside chat at the H.C. Wainwright 2nd Annual Cell Therapy Virtual Conference on Tuesday, March 26, at 1:00 p.m. ET (Press release, Arcellx, MAR 20, 2024, View Source [SID1234641304]).

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A live webcast of this discussion will be accessible from Arcellx’s website at www.arcellx.com in the Investors section. A replay of the webcast will be archived and available for 30 days following the event.

BerGenBio Announces Initiation of Phase 2a in First Line Non-Small Lung Cancer Patients with a STK11 mutation

On March 20, 2024 BerGenBio ASA (OSE: BGBIO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, selective AXL kinase inhibitors for severe unmet medical needs, reported that it has initiated the Phase 2a portion of the BGBC016 clinical study of its selective AXL inhibitor bemcentinib in combination with standard of care therapy in first-line Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring a STK11 mutation (STK11m) (Press release, BerGenBio, MAR 20, 2024, View Source [SID1234641303]).

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The initiation of Phase 2a follows a positive recommendation by the independent Drug Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) which evaluated the safety of the combination of bemcentinib with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and doublet chemotherapy in first-line (1L) NSCLC patients enrolled in the Phase 1b portion of the study.

Patients with STK11m NSCLC have a significantly poorer response to current therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, when compared with patients with wild-type (non-mutated) STK11. AXL plays a significant role in the survival and spread of cancer and STK11m NSCLC patients have a high expression of AXL suggesting that AXL is an important target to prevent disease progression and resistance to existing therapies. Bemcentinib’s selective inhibition of AXL has been shown to improve the response to immune checkpoint inhibition in STK11m patient-derived preclinical models and in early clinical studies. There are currently no targeted therapies available for the STK11m NSCLC patient population, which represents up to 20% of 1L NSCLC patients.

Cristina Oliva, Chief Medical Officer of BerGenBio commented, "We are very pleased that no new safety signals have been identified and are encouraged by the recommendation of the DSMB to continue the study as planned. We have therefore, opened the Ph2a portion of the study with the goal of reporting initial efficacy data as the next step in validating the benefit of bemcentinib in combination with standard therapies in 1L NSCLC."

Martin Olin, Chief Executive Officer of BerGenBio added, "The high unmet medical need in 1L STK11m NSCLC patients is widely recognized. Bemcentinib represents a novel treatment modality which may significantly improve the outcome for patients, and we are pleased to have achieved this important milestone."

Innovent Announces 2023 Annual Results and Business Updates

On March 20, 2024 Innovent Biologics, Inc. (Innovent) (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune, ophthalmology and other major diseases, reported its 2023 annual results and major business updates (Press release, Innovent Biologics, MAR 20, 2024, View Source [SID1234641302]).

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Dr. Michael Yu, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Innovent, stated:"2023 marked a transformative year for Innovent with material progress. We delivered strong revenue growth, improved operational efficiency and financial performance, and enhanced ESG management practices that underline our sustainable business model. Concurrently, we have achieved material innovation progress in both late- and early-stage R&D development, advanced pipeline portfolio across oncology and general biomedicine, and broadened our global pipeline development scope, reinforcing our global innovation strategy. These achievements underscore the dedication to our strategic goals in the second decade – sustainable growth and global innovation. We will continue our high-quality business growth and advance global innovation progress, and create sustainable value for patients, employees, shareholders and society."

Solidified business operations with strong revenue performance and improved financials

Strong revenue growth: total revenue RMB6,206.1 million in the year of 2023, an increase of 36.2% compared with the year of 2022; product sales revenue RMB5,728.3 million in the year of 2023, an increase of 38.4% compared with the prior year, reflecting robust demand for our innovative portfolio and the advantage of our sustainable business model.
Enhanced operational efficiency and financial performance : EBITDA Loss was significantly narrowed, whose key drivers include strong revenue growth, enhanced operational efficiency and remarkable financial improvement.
The selling and marketing expenses of total revenue was 49.3%, a year-over-year decrease of 7.3 percentage points
The administration and expenses of total revenue was 8.8%, a year-over-year decrease of 5.3 percentage points
R&D expenses was RMB1974.9 million; cash and short-term financial assets was RMB10969.6 million, or approximately USD1.5 billion, which enables us to focus on the long-term sustainable development
EBITDA loss was RMB600.1 million, a notable year-over-year decrease of 73.0%
Note: The financial numbers mentioned above were based on non-IFRS measure. Detailed disclosure can be found at the Company’s 2023 annual results announcement.

Solidify oncology leadership; build CVM commercialization capability

Expansion of commercial portfolio into new approved products, new indications and broader NRDL coverage[1],[2] and patient access:
Ten approved products: TYVYT, BYVASDA, SULINNO, HALPRYZA, PEMAZYRE, Olverembatinib, CYRAMZA, Retsevmo, FUCASO (new product, for the treatment of RRMM) and SINTBILO (new product, for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia).
All seven approved indications of TYVYT (sintilimab injection) were included in the NRDL. It is also the only PD-1 inhibitor in the NRDL for the treatment of GC and EGFR-mutated NSCLC. As for market expansion, TVYVT (sintilimab injection) was newly approved in the Macau market in February 2024.
Olverembatinib’s first indication was included in the NRDL; and its second indication was newly approved to benefit broader CML patients.
All indications of BYVASDA (bevacizumab injection), HALPRYZA (rituximab injection) and SULINNO (adalimumab injection) were also included in the NRDL.
Oncology and general biomedicines as key growth pillars of the company:
Oncology: we have launched eight products including TYVYT (sintilimab injection), established a mature commercial presence of nearly 3,000 employees, nationwide patient access and a well-recognized brand image. We will continue to solidify leadership and expand business in oncology.
General biomedicine: we have made considerable progress in past years advancing and expanding our pipeline in general biomedicine, including cardiovascular and metabolism (CVM), autoimmune, and ophthalmology, which we believe will result in substantially increased commercial opportunities and diversified long-term growth.
Therefore, as part of the strategic plan, we have been steadily establishing our commercialization capability in the CVM field with systematic approaches. We plan to implement a comprehensive structure and form strategies for key factors, such as patient access, distribution channels, and marketing activities, to ensure all capabilities, personnel and strategies are in place to facilitate effective operations of our business, and to foster long-term brand image and competitive advantage in this new area.
Material innovation progress in both late- and early-stage clinical development

8 assets are in NDA review or pivotal registrational clinical trials, and 18 assets are in early Phase 1/2 clinical studies

Oncology: robust leadership spanning all phases of R&D and novel modalities

Deepened synergies of product portfolio with two target therapies for lung cancer under NDA priority review, which are anticipated to launch in 2024:
IBI344 (ROS1, taletrectinib): 1L and 2L ROS1 positive NSCLC
IBI351 (KRAS G12C, fulzerasib): 2L KRAS G12C mutated NSCLC
Encouraging progress in the next wave innovation of "IO+ADC"
TYVYT (sintilimab): multiple clinical trial collaborations to explore potential of combination therapy with various ADCs for solid tumors
IBI310 (CTLA-4):plan to initiate a Phase 3 clinical trial for IBI310 in combination with sintilimab in treating neoadjuvant colon cancer
IBI343 (CLDN18.2 ADC):preparing for a MRCT Phase 3 clinical trial for IBI343 in 3L GC, subject to regulatory communications; a PoC trial in PDAC is ongoing
Advancing multiple bi-/tri-specific antibodies and ADCs with global potential in early-stage clinical trials
IBI363 (PD-1/IL-2) : preliminary PoC signals in multiple IO resistant/unresponsive cancer types; plan to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial in the U.S.
Multiple programs ongoing including IBI389(CLDN18.2/CD3), IBI334 (EGFR/B7H3), IBI3003 (GPRC5D/BCMA/CD3), IBI3001(EGFR/B7H3 ADC), IBI130 (TROP2 ADC), IBI133 (HER3 ADC)
CVM : multiple new-generation product candidates achieved substantial R&D milestones

SINTBILO (tafolecimab injection): the first domestic self-developed anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody, approved for the treatment of hypercholesteremia and mixed dyslipidemia
Mazdutide (GLP-1R/GCGR): globally the first GLP-1R/GCGR dual agonist in the NDA stage. First NDA of mazdutide was accepted for chronic weight management. Five Phase 3 registrational trials and more clinical trials are underway.
IBI128 (XOI): potential best-in-class XOI for the treatment of hyperuricemia in gout patients. It is undergoing overseas Phase 3 clinical trials conducted by our partner LG Chem. We plan to initiate Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials in China in pace with the global registrational progress.
IBI3016(AGT siRNA): a new-generation siRNA drug candidate to address unmet need in hypertension. We will collaborate with SanageneBio and plan to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial in 2024.
Next-generation projects will enter into IND-enabling stage in 2024, underscoring our dedication to expanding our strategic presence in the CVM field
Autoimmune: address global unmet needs in various autoimmune diseases

IBI112 (IL-23p19) : potential long-lasting efficacy advantage and convenient extended dosing intervals for psoriasis. We anticipate completing the Phase 3 registrational clinical trial in support of an NDA submission in 2024.
IBI353 (PDE4): the multi-regional Phase 2b clinical study (led by UNION) of IBI353 in psoriasis attained positive topline results.
IBI355 (CD40L) , IBI356 (OX40L) and IBI3002 (IL-4Rα/TSLP): innovative autoimmune molecules entered into first-in-human studies to explore other unmet medical needs in various types of autoimmune diseases, such as primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma.
Ophthalmology: a long-standing commitment to elevate standard-of-care

IBI302 (VEGF/C): Phase 3 study initiated for the treatment of nAMD, based on the observed stable and robust visual benefit under extended dosing interval and potential inhibition effect in macular atrophy in two Phase 2 studies.
IBI311 (IGF-1R): Phase 3 clinical trial met the primary endpoint, demonstrating favorable safety and excellent efficacy; we plan to submit an NDA in 2024
IBI324 (VEGF-A/ANG-2) and IBI333 (VEGF-C/VEGF-A) : both are in the Phase 1 stage to explore the potential differentiation clinical values versus existing therapy.
Global innovation as unwavering long-term strategic priority

Innovent Academy as the innovation powerhouse:
In 2023, Innovent Academy has successfully delivered eight high quality novel molecules into IND enabling stage.
A significant portion of preclinical programs lies in key non-oncology areas, including CVM, ophthalmology and autoimmune diseases, forming another important growth pillar of global innovation as oncology counterparts.
Research innovation published in high-impact scientific journals and medical conferences, such as:
Preclinical results publication of IBI363 in Nature Cancer
Preclinical results of IBI334 (EGFR/B7H3), IBI343 (CLDN18.2 ADC), IBI3001 (EGFR/B7H3 ADC) are accepted as Late-breaking Researches by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2024
Manufacturing capacity adhering to high-standard quality:
Suzhou manufacturing site: 60,000L antibody production capacity and ADC production lines in operation
Hangzhou manufacturing site: 170,000L production capacity (first phase of 80,000L completed construction, second phase of 90,000L in plan) to secure global supply
Shanghai R&D center will be operational in 2024
Devoted to responsible business practices and enhancing ESG management practices

Innovent has been upgraded to ‘A’ level in MSCI ESG rating, ranking at the forefront of the biotechnology industry.
In active support of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs) and in fulfilling our social responsibilities, we continued to enhance ESG management across several key dimensions, including: "Excellent governance", "Enjoying good health", "High-quality as key", "People first" and "Green ecology".

Antengene Initiates Phase II Dose Expansion Study of Claudin 18.2 ADC ATG-022 in China and Australia

On March 20, 2024 Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene" SEHK: 6996.HK), a leading innovative, commercial-stage global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class and/or best-in-class therapeutics in hematology and oncology, reported that it has initiated the dose expansion portion of the Phase II CLINCH study of ATG-022 (Claudin 18.2 antibody-drug conjugate[ADC]) in China and Australia (Press release, Antengene, MAR 20, 2024, View Source [SID1234641301]). Prior to this, the CLINCH trial has already produced promising preliminary clinical results with partial response (PR) and compete response (CR).

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The CLINCH trial, consists of a dose escalation portion and a dose expansion portion, is a multi-center, open-label Phase I/II study of ATG-022 monotherapy in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ATG-022 and to determine important dosing parameters including maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended Phase II dose (RP2D) of ATG-022 monotherapy. The secondary objective is to characterize the pharmacology and evaluate the preliminary efficacy of ATG-022.

The dose expansion portion of the study will enroll patients with gastric cancer or other solid tumors. In May 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consecutively granted two Orphan Drug Designations (ODDs) to ATG-022 for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and gastric cancer, separately.

Dr. Amily Zhang, Antengene’s Chief Medical Officer, said, "We are excited that the dose expansion portion of the Phase II study of ATG-022 in China and Australia. The Phase I/II CLINCH trial is supported by strong preclinical data and has already made encouraging early observations with one PR and CR in two patients with metastatic gastric cancer. With the trial entering its next critical phase, we will continue working closely with regulators and investigators to fully explore the clinical potential of ATG-022."

About ATG-022

ATG-022 is an antibody-drug-conjugate targeting Claudin 18.2. Claudins are cell adhesion molecules normally expressed within the tight junctions between cells to form a barrier that regulates cell permeability. In cancer, Claudins are expressed at the cell surface due to changes in cell polarity. The Claudin 18.2 is often overexpressed in various primary malignant tumors including gastric, esophageal, cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic cancers.

Data from preclinical studies, including results from gastric cancer-patient derived xenograft models presented at the 2022 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) (2022 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)), showed that ATG-022 binds to Claudin 18.2 with low nanomolar affinity and demonstrated potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects, including in vivo efficacy demonstrated in Claudin 18.2 low expression models. This could pave the way for broad clinical utility of ATG-022 in gastric cancer patients with a wide range of Claudin 18.2 expression levels. ATG-022 demonstrated an excellent safety profile in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) toxicology studies.

Phanes Therapeutics’ PT886 granted Fast Track designation for the treatment of patients with metastatic claudin 18.2-positive pancreatic adenocarcinoma by the FDA

On March 20, 2024 Phanes Therapeutics, Inc. (Phanes), a clinical stage biotech company focused on innovative drug discovery and development in oncology, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to PT886 for the treatment of patients with metastatic claudin 18.2-positive pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Press release, Phanes Therapeutics, MAR 20, 2024, View Source [SID1234641300]). PT886 was also granted orphan drug designation for the treatment of pancreatic cancer by the FDA in 2022.

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PT886, a first-in-class native IgG-like bispecific antibody (bsAb) targeting claudin 18.2 and CD47, is being developed for the treatment of patients with gastric, gastroesophageal junction and pancreatic adenocarcinomas. PT886 was assembled using Phanes’ proprietary bispecific antibody platforms PACbody and SPECpair.

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive form of cancer characterized by high mortality rates and significant morbidities. For patients who present with metastasis at the time of diagnosis, the 5-year survival rate is only 3%. Projections for 2024 estimate that approximately 51,000 Americans will die of pancreatic cancer this year and by 2030, is projected to exceed breast, prostate, and colorectal malignancies as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US.

"PT886 has the potential to be a transformative treatment option for patients with metastatic claudin 18.2-positive pancreatic adenocarcinoma, for which current standard of care is insufficient," said Ming Wang, Founder and CEO of Phanes Therapeutics. "PT886 is a product of Phanes’ ingenious innovation in creative design of both novel therapeutic approaches and practical technologies."

The multi-center Phase I clinical trial of PT886 (NCT05482893), known as the TWINPEAK study, is currently evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary efficacy of PT886 in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gastric, gastroesophageal junction and pancreatic cancers that have progressed after all available standard therapy or for which standard therapy has proven to be ineffective, intolerable, or is considered inappropriate.