On May 10, 2024 SN Bioscience Co. Ltd. (CEO Park Young-hwan) reported that the FDA has granted Fast Track Designation for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) for SNB-101 (API: SN-38), a new drug for polymer nanoparticle anticancer under clinical trial (Press release, SN BioScience, MAY 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234643095]). SNB-101 was designated as an orphan drug for small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer in July of last year and February of this year, respectively. By receiving fast-track designation this time, it is evaluated that it has laid the groundwork that can be commercialized immediately after completion of phase 2 clinical trials.

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Despite a long period of research and development, SCLC still remains a field with high medical unmet needs. Currently, the first-line standard treatment is a combination therapy of cisplatin and etoposide, a classic cytotoxic anticancer drug, and ‘clinical trials’ are included as second-line treatments in the NCCN guidelines.

Fast track is a process designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. The Fast Track designation facilitates the interactions with the FDA and allows a rolling review for the submission package so it can be reviewed in each section, rather than waiting until every section of the NDA is completed. Additionally, it may be possible to apply for accelerated approval after the completion of phase 2 clinical trials and priority review immediately after the completion of phase 3 clinical trials when qualified.

SNB-101 is the world’s first nanoparticle anticancer drug that has been developed extremely insoluble SN-38 into polymer nanoparticles. The nano micelle technology, a core platform technology of SN Bioscience, has been applied. Preclinical and phase 1 clinical results showed that it significantly reduced digestive system adverse events (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) compared to existing anticancer drugs, and especially showed excellent efficacy in patients related to lung cancer through lung targeting. The phase 1 clinical trial has been completed, IND for phase 2 has been approved in Korea, and global clinical trials are scheduled to begin after IND approval for phase 2 in the US and Europe in the second half of this year. Following small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer, attempts are being made to expand its indications to other solid cancers such as colon cancer, gastric cancer, and biliary tract cancer, and will be verified through phase 2 clinical trials.

On May 10, 2024 WestGene, a biotech company dedicated to mRNA technology, reported a historic milestone with the FDA IND approval of its mRNA therapeutic cancer vaccine, WGc-043 (Press release, WestGene Biopharma, MAY 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234643094]). This landmark achievement marks the world’s first approval of an EB virus-related mRNA therapeutic cancer vaccine.

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Founded by renowned Dr. Yuquan Wei, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Dr. Xiangrong Song, WestGene has become a driving force in mRNA technology research and innovative drug development. With a relentless pursuit of scientific excellence, WestGene’s latest milestone underscores its commitment to advancing the frontiers of biomedicine.

The FDA approval of WGc-043 represents a significant advance in cancer treatment, offering new hope to patients with advanced EB virus-related cancers. EB virus is highly correlated with more than ten malignancies, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), natural killer T-cell lymphoma (NKTL), gastric cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. These are potential indications for WGc-043.

WGc-043 shows promising efficacy, low toxicity, broad applicability, efficient scalability, and cost effectiveness. WGc-043 has already completed investigator-initiated trials (IIT) in NPC and NKTL, demonstrating superior safety and efficacy compared to other publicly available mRNA therapeutic cancer vaccines. Once successfully launched, WGc-043 will provide a new treatment option for patients with advanced EB virus-positive solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.

As WestGene moves forward, its strategic focus on global collaboration underscores its vision for commercial expansion and market penetration. With a diverse pipeline of over 20 mRNA-based therapeutic products targeting a spectrum of diseases, WestGene is poised to reshape the biopharmaceutical landscape. WestGene has made significant breakthroughs in the three key technologies of mRNA drug development: mRNA sequence design, delivery vectors, and manufacturing. And the patent for ionizable lipids has been granted in countries and regions such as China, the United States and Europe.

The FDA approval of WGc-043 marks a turning point in the fight against cancers and underscores WestGene’s commitment to mRNA technology. As WestGene continues to push the boundaries of scientific discovery, its pioneering spirit promises to open new frontiers in cancer therapy and beyond.

On May 10, 2024 Intensity Therapeutics, Inc. ("Intensity" or "the Company") (Nasdaq: INTS), a late-stage clinical biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of proprietary, novel immune-based intratumoral cancer therapies designed to kill tumors and increase immune system recognition of cancers, reported that the Company executed a collaboration agreement with The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research SAKK ("SAKK") to conduct a Phase 2 randomized, (one to one), controlled trial evaluating clinical and biological effects of intratumoral INT230-6 followed by the standard of care ("SOC") immuno/chemotherapy vs. SOC immune/chemotherapy alone in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer ("TNBC") in 54 patients in Switzerland and selected countries in Europe (the "INVINCIBLE-4 Study") (Press release, Intensity Therapeutics, MAY 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234643093]). The INVINCIBLE-4 Study is an open-label randomized two-cohort phase 2 clinical trial.

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SAKK shall undertake the trial as the "Legal Sponsor" of the study, with the regulatory agencies in Switzerland and the European Union as described in the study protocol. SAKK will also ensure that all investigators and personnel who participate in the study are informed and trained. Intensity shall fund the study, provide the investigational drug product, and other necessary information to conduct the trial. The primary efficacy endpoint of the INVINCIBLE-4 Study is pathological complete response (pCR) in the primary tumor (ypT0/Tis) and affected lymph nodes (ypN0). Additional key research questions include the immune landscape of the tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes predictive for pCR, and adverse events according to National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0.

"We are excited to be working with SAKK on our INVINCIBLE-4 Study in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer," said Lewis H. Bender, Founder, President and CEO of Intensity Therapeutics, Inc. "TNBC poses significant challenges due to its aggressiveness, high relapse rates, and increased mortality especially in patients with large tumors. Achieving pathological complete response (pCR) and clearing positive lymph nodes are crucial prognostic factors for event-free survival. Results from our first INVINCBLE-2 study showed that INT230-6 could cause greater than 95% necrosis in large breast cancer tumors following a single dose with the induction of an immune response. By adding up to 2 doses of our unique drug before the standard of care, we hope to increase the rate of patients’ pCR, which is an FDA-approved endpoint for accelerated approval. The pCR data from this study, which we expect in the second half of 2025, should provide the information needed to size our Phase 3 trial in presurgical TNBC."

About INT230-6

INT230-6, Intensity’s lead proprietary investigational product candidate, is designed for direct intratumoral injection. INT230-6 was discovered using Intensity’s proprietary DfuseRx℠ technology platform. The drug is composed of two proven, potent anti-cancer agents, cisplatin and vinblastine, and a penetration enhancer molecule (SHAO) that helps disperse potent cytotoxic drugs throughout tumors for diffusion into cancer cells. These agents remain in the tumor resulting in a favorable safety profile. In addition to local disease control, direct killing of the tumor by INT230-6 releases a bolus of neoantigens specific to the patient’s malignancy, leading to engagement of the immune system and systemic anti-tumor effects. Importantly, these effects are mediated without immunosuppression that so often occurs with systemic chemotherapy.

About Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Approximately 11-17% of breast cancers test negative for estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and excess human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein, qualifying them as triple negative. TNBC is considered to be more aggressive and has a poorer prognosis than other types of breast cancer, mainly because there are fewer available targeted medicines. Most patients with local TNBC typically receive immune/chemotherapy before surgery.

On May 9, 2024 Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: FUSN), a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing next-generation radioconjugates (RCs) as precision medicines, reported that the first patient has been dosed in the Phase 2 portion of the AlphaBreak trial evaluating FPI-2265 (225Ac-PSMA I&T) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) (Press release, Fusion Pharmaceuticals, MAY 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234643092]).

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"Actinium-based PSMA targeting RCs have demonstrated compelling safety and clinical activity, which is supported by Fusion’s encouraging data from the Phase 2 TATCIST trial reported recently at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. We believe FPI-2265 represents an important potential new treatment option for patients with mCRPC, and with the initiation of the AlphaBreak trial we are pleased to move forward," said Chief Medical Officer Dmitri Bobilev, M.D.

"Despite recent advances in the field, we see many patients with mCRPC still in need of additional treatment options, especially after progressing on lutetium-based radiotherapy. It is encouraging to see the promising clinical activity and good safety profile demonstrated by FPI-2265. The initiation of the AlphaBreak trial brings us a step closer to addressing the gap for patients and providing this needed treatment option," said investigator Luke Nordquist, M.D., FACP, XCancer Chief Executive Officer.

The AlphaBreak trial is a Phase 2/3, randomized, open-label, multicenter study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of FPI-2265 in patients with mCRPC previously treated with 177Lu-PSMA radiotherapy. The Phase 2 dose optimization portion is designed to evaluate whether there are added safety and/or efficacy benefits of two alternative dosing regimens in comparison to the previously studied regimen of 100 kBq/kg every eight weeks. The Phase 2 portion of the AlphaBreak trial is expected to complete enrollment of approximately 60 patients by the end of 2024. Following analysis of the Phase 2 data and an end of Phase 2 meeting to determine the recommended Phase 3 dosing regimen with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Phase 3 global registration portion of the AlphaBreak trial will enroll approximately 550 patients and is expected to begin in 2025.

About FPI-2265

FPI-2265 is an actinium-225 based PSMA targeting RC, for mCRPC, currently in a Phase 2 trial. Actinium-225 emits alpha particles and holds the promise of being a next-generation radioisotope in cancer treatment. By delivering a greater radiation dose over a shorter distance, alpha particles such as actinium-225 have the potential for more potent cancer cell killing, and targeted delivery, thereby minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

On May 10, 2024 BioVaxys Technology Corp. (CSE: BIOV) (FRA: 5LB) (the "Company") reported that it has closed the second tranche (the "Second Tranche") of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") with the issuance of 4,301,923 units (the "Units") of the Company at a price of $0.065 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $279,625.00 (Press release, Biohaven Pharmaceutical, MAY 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234643090]).

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Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Share") and one whole common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"), whereby each Warrant is convertible into one additional Share at an exercise price of $0.15 until May 10, 2026, being the date that is 24 months from the date of issue.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Private Placement for general working capital purposes, including, enabling the Company to fund and advance its business plans in regard to its successful recent acquisition on February 16, 2024, of the entire portfolio of discovery, preclinical and clinical development stage assets in oncology, infectious disease, antigen desensitization, and other immunological fields based on the DPX immune educating platform technology, developed by the former Canadian biotechnology company, IMV Inc., Immunovaccine Technologies Inc., and IMV USA.

All securities issued pursuant to the Second Tranche are subject to a statutory hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws expiring September 11, 2024, being the date that is four months and one day from the date of closing of the Second Tranche.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities offered have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, unless an exemption from such registration is available.