Lumicell Announces Initial Data Demonstrating LUMISIGHT™’s Ability to Detect Tumors Metastasized to Multiple Organs in the Peritoneum

On February 20, 2024 Lumicell, Inc., a privately held company focused on innovative fluorescence-guided imaging technologies for cancer surgery, reported promising initial data from its ongoing feasibility study for lead candidate LUMISIGHT to detect peritoneal malignancies during surgical debulking (Press release, Lumicell Diagnostics, FEB 20, 2024, View Source [SID1234640305]). The ongoing study is utilizing the investigational LUMISIGHT optical imaging drug and accompanying imaging device to distinguish tumor metastases to organs within the peritoneum. The initial results from adult patients were shared in a podium presentation by James C. Cusack, Jr. MD, Associate Professor of Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, at the Advanced Cancer Therapies meeting organized by the Society of Surgical Oncology.

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"This data advances the potential for image-guided surgery to detect small tumors and metastases to organs in the peritoneal cavity which could provide better outcomes for our patients," said Dr. Cusack. "Further innovation is desperately needed to improve the benefits of cytoreductive surgery for this invasive and elusive cancer. We look forward to continuing the clinical development program with Lumicell and advancing patient care."

The presence of peritoneal metastases has a significant negative impact on survival for patients. One of the most important determinants of treatment success and long-term overall survival is the ability to achieve removal of all visible cancer during initial surgery prior to the heated chemotherapy for a complete cytoreduction.2-5

"We are highly encouraged by this initial data in a promising new indication, as we continue to expand the development of LUMISIGHT across the spectrum of solid tumors. Everything we do at Lumicell is focused on improving surgical outcomes for patients," said Howard Hechler, President of Lumicell.

About Peritoneal Surface Malignancies and Metastasis

Peritoneal surface malignancies include primary peritoneal malignant mesothelioma and tumors that have spread from different organs, referred to as peritoneal metastases. These metastases can originate from organs such as appendiceal, colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers, and affect more than 75,000 patients each year in the United States.1

The presence of disease and the extent of disease are often difficult to be fully evaluated by conventional non-invasive imaging techniques such as CT scan, PET scan, or MRI. Small peritoneal surface nodules are often detected at the time of surgical exploration by the surgeon’s eyes versus conventional imaging techniques.

One of the most important determinants of treatment success and overall survival is the ability to achieve complete cytoreduction (CCR).2-5 While patients with no residual disease (CCR0) or minimal residual peritoneal surface tumor nodules less than 2.5 mm in maximum diameter (CCR1) have significantly better survival than those with residual nodules more than 2.5 mm in maximum diameter (CCR2), patients with CCR0 have experienced the best clinical outcomes.

WuXi Advanced Therapies Receives FDA Approval to Manufacture Iovance’s AMTAGVI™ (lifileucel) for Advanced Melanoma

On February 20, 2024 WuXi Advanced Therapies (WuXi ATU), a wholly owned subsidiary of WuXi AppTec, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its Philadelphia site to begin the analytical testing and manufacturing of AMTAGVI for Iovance, which received FDA accelerated approval of its Biologics License Application (BLA) on February 16, 2024 (Press release, WuXi AppTec, FEB 20, 2024, View Source [SID1234640304]).

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AMTAGVI is a tumor-derived autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma previously treated with a PD-1 blocking antibody, and if BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor with or without a MEK inhibitor. AMTAGVI is also the first and only one-time, individualized T cell therapy to receive U.S. FDA approval for a solid tumor cancer.

With this announcement, WuXi ATU’s Philadelphia site becomes the first U.S. external manufacturing site and the first third-party contract testing, development, and manufacturing organization (CTDMO) to be approved by the FDA to support the commercial manufacturing and release of an individualized T cell therapy for a solid tumor cancer.

"We congratulate Iovance on this major milestone in their quest to address unmet patient needs in the treatment of advanced melanoma. WuXi ATU has partnered with Iovance since 2015, and we are thrilled to help them through each step of the drug development pipeline – from research to clinical manufacturing to FDA approval," said Edward Hu, Chief Executive Officer of WuXi ATU and Vice Chairman of WuXi AppTec. "We are proud of our track record of enabling healthcare innovators to advance medical discoveries and deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients globally."

Iovance, (NASDAQ: IOVA) is headquartered in San Carlos, California with an FDA-approved built-to-suit custom manufacturing facility, the Iovance Cell Therapy Center (iCTC), adjacent to WuXi ATU in the Navy Yard Philadelphia. The company is committed to innovating, developing, and delivering tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cell therapies, including gene-edited cell therapies, for patients with cancer.

"The accelerated approval of AMTAGVI is the first step in realizing Iovance’s ambition to usher in the next generation of cell therapy by bringing this breakthrough to patients with advanced solid tumors," said Frederick Vogt, Ph.D., J.D., Interim Chief Executive Officer and President of Iovance. "Given the significant unmet needs in the advanced melanoma community, we are proud to offer a personalized, one-time therapeutic option for these patients. WuXi ATU has partnered with us to manufacture this cell therapy for close to a decade. It is a great benefit to both Iovance and the healthcare community to have a contract testing, development, and manufacturing partner adjacent to our facilities. Working together, our teams can make a meaningful difference for patients."

FDA and EMA Accept Vorasidenib Regulatory Submissions for the Treatment of IDH-mutant diffuse glioma

On February 20, 2024 Servier, a global leader in oncology focused on delivering meaningful therapeutic progress for the patients it serves, reported the FDA filing acceptance and priority review for a New Drug Application (NDA) for vorasidenib, as well as the EMA granting accelerated assessment for the vorasidenib Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) (Press release, Servier, FEB 20, 2024, View Source [SID1234640303]). This innovative targeted therapy is an oral, selective, highly brain-penetrant dual inhibitor of mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) enzymes for the treatment of IDH-mutant diffuse glioma. If approved, vorasidenib would become a first-in-class targeted therapy for patients with IDH-mutant gliomas and would mark Servier’s sixth approval across IDH-mutant cancers. The FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of August 20, 2024, and the European Commission approval is anticipated in the second half of 2024.

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"In the realm of glioma treatment, innovation has been stagnant for nearly a quarter-century, posing challenges for patients who, post-surgery, may opt to defer treatment due to concerns around potential toxic side effects. As a drug specifically designed to be highly blood-brain barrier penetrant, vorasidenib has demonstrated clinically meaningful efficacy in patients with IDH1/2 mutant gliomas alongside a consistently manageable safety profile," said Susan Pandya, M.D., Head of Cancer Metabolism Global Development Oncology & Immuno-Oncology, Servier. "This promising outcome brings hope to patients grappling with IDH-mutant diffuse gliomas, offering a potential breakthrough for those eagerly awaiting a new therapeutic option."

Adult-type diffuse gliomas represent approximately 81% of primary malignant brain tumors. Of those, approximately 20% harbor an IDH mutation, including 100% of grade 2 and grade 3 adult-type diffuse gliomas, as well as a much smaller portion of the grade 4 tumors.1,2 Testing for IDH mutations is essential for the accurate diagnosis of adult-type diffuse gliomas and can offer more information on the pathogenesis and prognosis of the disease.3 The 2021 WHO Classification includes disease defining histologic and molecular features, including IDH mutation status, to diagnose adult-type diffuse gliomas.4 Additionally, the National Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) recommend IDH mutation testing in all patients with glioma, noting IDH mutation status impacts diagnosis, prognosis and treatment recommendations.5

"As the pioneer in the field of mutant IDH inhibition, Servier has consistently spearheaded the development of cutting-edge treatment options for various cancer types characterized by IDH mutations. The compelling efficacy results observed with vorasidenib in the INDIGO study underscore its full potential to emerge as the benchmark treatment for patients grappling with IDH-mutant diffuse glioma harboring IDH1/2 mutations," stated Claude Bertrand, Executive Vice-President of Research & Development and Chief Scientific Officer at Servier. "The submission of global regulatory filings for vorasidenib serve as validation of Servier’s global oncology commitment while marking a possibly significant milestone for patients who have endured more than two decades without access to new therapeutic solutions."

The submissions are based on results from the pivotal Phase 3 INDIGO clinical trial, which met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) per blinded independent review committee (BIRC) and key secondary endpoint of time to next intervention (TTNI) at the prespecified second interim analysis. The primary endpoint, PFS per BIRC, was statistically significant and clinically meaningful in favor of the vorasidenib arm (Hazard Ratio [HR], 0.39; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 0.27 to 0.56; 1-sided P=0.000000067), median PFS for vorasidenib and placebo was 27.7 and 11.1 months, respectively. TTNI was also statistically significant (HR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.43; 1-sided P=0.000000019). Median TTNI was not reached for vorasidenib and was 17.8 months for placebo. Vorasidenib was also shown to reduce the tumor volume by a mean of 2.5% (TGR of –2.5%; 95% CI: -4.7% to -0.2%) every 6 months, while tumor volume increased by a mean of 13.9% (TGR of 13.9%; 95% CI: 11.1% to 16.8%) every 6 months for patients randomized to the placebo arm, as measured by a blinded independent radiology committee.

The INDIGO study showed that vorasidenib was well-tolerated, and its safety profile was consistent with results from the Phase 1 studies.

The results of INDIGO were presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The results of additional secondary endpoints, including vorasidenib’s impact on tumor growth rate (TGR) of IDH-mutant gliomas, were presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) among other presentations including results on health-related quality of life, seizure control, neurocognition, and preliminary molecular translational analyses.

Priority Review is granted to FDA applications for medicines that, if approved, would provide significant improvements in the effectiveness or safety of the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of serious conditions.6 Vorasidenib was granted Fast Track Designation by the FDA in February 2023 and Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the FDA in August 2023.

The EMA’s accelerated assessment is granted if the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) decides the new medicine is expected to be of major public health interest, particularly from the viewpoint of therapeutic innovation.7

Servier has also submitted an application for project Orbis member countries, including Brazil, Canada, Australia, Israel and Switzerland. In addition, Servier plans to submit a Marketing Application in the United Kingdom if a positive CHMP opinion is received. More information about Project Orbis can be found on the FDA website.

In its ongoing commitment to addressing patient’s needs, Servier recognizes that patients and their physicians may believe that a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease could benefit from Servier’s investigational drugs. An Expanded Access Program, also known as "compassionate use," is a potential pathway for a patient with an immediately life-threatening condition or serious disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product for treatment outside of clinical trials. More information about Servier’s expanded access program can be found at clinicaltrials.gov.

About the INDIGO Phase 3 Trial (NCT04164901)

INDIGO was a registration-enabling Phase 3 global, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study of vorasidenib in patients with residual or recurrent grade 2 glioma with an isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 (IDH1/2) mutation who have undergone surgery as their only treatment. Results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

About Glioma8

Adult-type diffuse gliomas represent approximately 81% of primary malignant brain tumors. Of those, approximately 20% harbor an IDH mutation, including 100% of grade 2 and grade 3 adult-type diffuse gliomas, as well as a much smaller portion of the grade 4 tumors.1,2 Establishing the IDH mutation status of these tumors is essential to both diagnosis and prognosis, per the 2021 WHO classification of CNS tumors and the NCCN treatment guidelines, respectively. As of 2021, adult-type diffuse gliomas are sub-divided into only three categories:

Astrocytoma, IDH-mutant (CNS WHO grades 2-4)
Oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant and 1p19q-codeleted (CNS WHO grades 2-3)
Glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype (CNS WHO grade 4)

Elephas to Collaborate with Mayo Clinic to Advance Development of Oncology Imaging Diagnostics Platform

On February 20, 2024 Elephas Biosciences Corporation (Elephas), a biotechnology company, reported that it will collaborate on the development of an oncology imaging diagnostics platform to predict response to immunotherapy with Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center (Press release, Mayo Clinic, FEB 20, 2024, View Source [SID1234640302]). The Elephas platform utilizes live patient biopsies with intact native tumor architecture and treats them with potential immunotherapies to predict response to treatment. The basis of the platform is to visualize immune cell activity including T cell activation and cytotoxic mediated killing.

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This collaboration brings together the Elephas team and Mayo Clinic researchers and medical oncologists to advance the Elephas platform. The multi-year research agreement includes an observational study to demonstrate that a patient’s clinical response to immunotherapy is correlated to the response data obtained by the platform. The primary goal of the collaboration is to validate that the data generated from the platform can be used to predict response. In addition, researchers will collaborate on translational research utilizing Elephas’ proprietary instruments, which are essential components of the diagnostic platform.

"We are excited to be working with Mayo Clinic, an organization that shares our commitment to improving outcomes for patients fighting cancer," stated Maneesh Arora, founder and CEO of Elephas.

Mabwell Receives IND Approval from FDA for Novel B7-H3 ADC 7MW3711

On February 20, 2024 Mabwell (688062.SH), an innovative biopharmaceutical company with entire industry chain, reported that its clinical trial application of B7-H3 targeting ADC (R&D code: 7MW3711) for advanced malignant solid tumor was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Press release, Mabwell Biotech, FEB 20, 2024, View Source [SID1234640301]). 7MW3711 is developed by Mabwell’s next-generation antibody-drug conjugate platform IDDC. The clinical trial of 7MW3711 has been initiated in China.

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The next generation antibody-drug conjugate 7MW3711 with proprietary intellectual property right is composed of innovative antibody molecule, novel linker, and novel payload (topoisomerase I inhibitor). When 7MW3711 enters human body, it specifically binds to antigens on the tumor cell membrane surface, be internalized and trafficked to the lysosome, release cytotoxic drug, and induce the apoptosis of tumor cells.

7MW3711 is pharmaceutical characterized as stable structure, homogeneous composition, high purity, and it is suitable for industrial scale-up. Compared with drugs in the same class at home and abroad, 7MW3711 has shown better tumor killing effects in multiple animal tumor models. In the safety evaluation model of animals including cynomolgus monkeys, 7MW3711 shows good safety profile and pharmacokinetic properties. The above research results indicate that 7MW3711 has clinical differentiation characteristics and a promising future of clinical development.

About B7-H3

B7-H3 is a member of the B7 ligand family and is overexpressed in most cancer types but expressed at a low level in normal tissues. In malignant tissues, B7-H3 inhibits tumor antigen-specific immune responses, resulting in a protumorigenic effect. Additionally, B7-H3 promotes migration and invasion, angiogenesis, chemotherapy resistance, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and affects tumor cell metabolism.

About next generation antibody-drug conjugate platform IDDC

Mabwell has developed multiple ADC technology platforms. Phase III clinical study of novel Nectin-4-targeting ADC (R&D code: 9MW2821) for the treatment of Urothelial Carcinoma is ongoing.

IDDC is a next generation ADC site-specific conjugate technology platform independently developed by Mabwell. It is composed of multiple systematized core patent technologies including site-specific conjugate process DARfinity, special designed linker IDconnect, novel payload Mtoxin, and conditional release structure LysOnly, which improves structural homogeneity, quality stability, pharmacodynamics and tolerability of the ADC products.

Currently, the advantage of the IDDC platform has been validated in multiple products under development. Mabwell received IND approval of Trop-2 targeting ADC (R&D code: 9MW2921) from Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) in China in July, 2023, and initiated the clinical trial for the treatment of advanced solid tumor. It is expected that multiple ADC products will be in the stage of clinical development in 2024.