The Results of Phase II Clinical Study of KN046 in Combination with Nab-paclitaxel in TNBC were Published in Nature Communications

On February 6, 2024 Alphamab Oncology (stock code: 9966.HK) reportedKN046-203 is a phase II, open label, multi-center, multi-cohorts clinical study, evaluating the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of KN046 in combination with nab-paclitaxel in patients with TNBC as first-line treatment. A total of 27 female patients who were systemic treatment naïve for locally advanced inoperable or metastatic TNBC were enrolled.

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As of August 21, 2022, based on the Independent Review Committee (IRC) evaluation, the objective response rate (ORR) from 25 efficacy evaluable TNBC patients was 44.0% (95% CI: 24.4~65.1%), the disease control rate (DCR) was 96.0% (95% CI: 79.7~99.9%), the clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 52.0% (95% CI: 31.1~72.2%) and the median DOR was not mature. The progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was analyzed on intention-to treat (ITT) population. The median PFS was 7.33 months (95%CI: 3.68~11.07 months). Among the patients with PD-L1 expression ≥1%, the median PFS was 8.61 months (95%CI, 1.61 – NE months). The median OS result was 30.92 months (95% CI, 14.75 – NE months), and the 2-year OS rate was 60.1% (95%CI, 37.2~76.9%). Both PD-L1 negative and positive patients could derive OS benefit from the therapy.

Among the 27 evaluable patients, Grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 18 patients (66.7%). Treatment-related serious adverse events (TRSAEs) occurred in 6 patients (22.2%). Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) occurred in 13 patients (48.1%). Most irAEs were Grade 1 or 2. Grade ≥3 irAEs were reported in 3 patients, 2 patients with Grade 3 immune-mediated liver disease, and 1 patient with Grade 3 rash.

Conclusion: KN046 combined with nab-paclitaxel in the first-line treatment of TNBC showed encouraging PFS and OS. Patients received combination therapy were well tolerated and the safety profile was manageable.

About KN046

KN046 is PD-L1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody independently developed by Alphamab. Its innovative designs include: a novel mechanism – CTLA-4 fused with PD-L1 single domain antibody; engineered to target the tumor microenvironment with high PD-L1 expression, and Treg (suppress tumor immunity) clearing function.

There are about 20 clinical trials of KN046 in different stages covering more than 10 types of tumors including NSCLC, pancreatic cancer, thymic cancer, HCC, ESCC and TNBC in Australia, the US and China. The results of these clinical trials have shown an advantage in survival for patients. Alphamab Oncology has received FDA clearance to enter phase II trial of KN046 based on the clinical results in China and Australia. Moreover, KN046 has obtained the U.S. FDA’s orphan drug designation for thymic epithelial tumor in September 2020. Several pivotal clinical trials are currently being conducted, among which the interim analysis of the phase III clinical study of KN046 combined with chemotherapy as the first-line treatment of NSCLC successfully met the prespecified PFS endpoint. that the phase Ⅱclinical research results of anti- PD-L1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody KN046 in combination with nab-paclitaxel as first-line treatment in advanced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) were published online in the renowned journal Nature Communications (IF: 16.6, JCR Q1). Professor Binghe Xu from Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College is the corresponding author of this paper.

(Press release, Alphamab, FEB 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234657016])

Consolidated Financial Results for the Nine-Month Period Ended December 31, 2023

On February 6, 2024 reported its Consolidated Financial Results for the Nine-Month Period Ended December 31, 2023 (Presentation, Eisai, FEB 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234642346]).

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Triumvira Immunologics Pivots to Claudin 18.2-Targeted Cell Therapy, Pauses HER2 Program

On February 6, 2024 Triumvira Immunologics on Monday reported it began dosing patients in a Phase I/II trial or an autologous T-cell antigen coupler (TAC) therapy, TAC101-CLDN18.2, targeting claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2)-positive solid tumors (Press release, Triumvira Immunologics, FEB 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234639946]).

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At the same time, in an effort to optimize finite resources, the Austin, Texas-based company has paused clinical development of its HER2-targeted TAC agent, TAC 100-HER1 (formerly TAC01-HER2), and is focusing instead on the CLDN18.2 program, said Robert Williamson, Triumvira’s president and chief operating officer.

Vividion Therapeutics starts Phase I clinical trial in advanced solid and hematologic tumors with oral STAT3 inhibitor

On February 6, 2024 Vividion Therapeutics, Inc. (Vividion), reported that it has initiated dosing of patients in a Phase I clinical trial evaluating VVD-130850, an investigational oral STAT3 inhibitor for the treatment of advanced solid and hematologic tumors (Press release, Vividion Therapeutics, FEB 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234639895]). Vividion is a biopharmaceutical company, and a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of Bayer AG, utilizing innovative discovery technologies with the potential to unlock high value, traditionally undruggable targets with precision therapeutics for devastating cancers and immune disorders. The start of the trial represents another major milestone for Vividion’s innovative chemoproteomics platform.

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"The initiation and dosing of the first clinical trial with our STAT3 inhibitor program marks a major inflection point for Vividion as this is the second program from our platform that we have advanced into the clinic in just a few months. We are proud of the progress we have made in a relatively short amount of time with a pipeline consisting of previously undruggable protein targets for prominent oncology and immunology diseases," said Aleksandra Rizo M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Vividion.

"We are leveraging Vividion’s innovative chemoproteomics drug discovery technology to develop new therapies that are addressing high profile cancer targets with the potential to stop or reverse the progression of disease," said Christian Rommel, Ph.D., Member of the Executive Committee of Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division and Head of Research and Development. "For millions of patients and their families, cancer continues to be a devastating disease, and new treatments are needed to address key drivers of tumor cell survival and growth. The start of the clinical development of Vividion’s STAT3 inhibitor program takes us one step closer to a potentially meaningful new treatment for cancer patients."

VVD-130850 is an oral small molecule inhibitor of STAT3 binding to a novel allosteric pocket leading to direct inhibition of DNA binding and expression of STAT3 target genes in cancer cells. The Phase I clinical trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and preliminary anti-tumor activity of VVD-130850 in patients with advanced solid and hematologic tumors as a single-agent and in combination with immune checkpoint inhibition.

"We are excited to announce the initiation and dosing of this highly selective STAT3 inhibitor," said Jenna Goldberg, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Vividion. "What makes this clinical candidate really outstanding in our minds is that it binds to STAT3 to inhibit the expression of downstream target genes without affecting the STAT3 protein levels. We believe the STAT3 pathway holds promise to shift the treatment paradigm for cancer patients and look forward to advancing VVD-130850 through clinical development."

The company is advancing multiple novel drug discovery programs toward the clinic and has more than a dozen similar pipeline opportunities emerging in early discovery in the fields of oncology and immunology. Following the company’s acquisition by Bayer in August 2021, Vividion is operating at arm’s length in a best-of-both-worlds’ model, preserving its innovative, entrepreneurial culture while also leveraging Bayer’s deep expertise in small molecule drug development, global capabilities and financial strength.

About STAT3

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a key regulatory protein, which become hyperactivated in certain human cancers where it can promote tumor progression, metastasis, and decreased immune responses. Owing to its role in tumor formation, metastasis as well as drug resistance and immunosuppression, the STAT3 pathway is recognized as a promising therapeutic target in a wide range of cancers.

FibroBiologics Announces Three Japanese Patents on Fibroblast Technology

On February 6, 2024 FibroBiologics (Nasdaq: FBLG) ("FibroBiologics"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of therapeutics and potential cures for chronic diseases using fibroblasts and fibroblast-derived materials, reported the issuance of three patents from the Japan Patent Office (JPO) to add to its portfolio (Press release, FibroBiologics, FEB 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234639894]).

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Issued Patents:

Japanese Patent 7333272, (Inventor: Pete O’Heeron) METHODS OF ENHANCING FIBROBLAST THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY
Japanese Patent 7386162, (Inventor: Pete O’Heeron) AUGMENTATION OF FIBROBLASTS REGENERATIVE ACTIVITY
Japanese Patent 7387603, (Inventor: Pete O’Heeron) INTERACTION OF FIBROBLASTS AND IMMUNE CELLS FOR ACTIVATION AND USES THEREOF
"Incorporating this additional patent protection into our portfolio reinforces our leadership in this space," said Pete O’Heeron, Chief Executive Officer of FibroBiologics. "Japan holds significant importance in the field of cell therapy, and we remain committed to expanding and strengthening our protections within this pivotal market."