On May 13, 2024 Circio Holding ASA (OSE: CRNA), a biotechnology company developing circular RNA-based gene therapy, reported that it has presented two posters that demonstrate in vivo proof-of-concept for its powerful and differentiated circVec platform approach to gene therapy (Press release, Circio, MAY 13, 2024, View Source [SID1234643139]). The two posters were presented at the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) 2024 annual meeting 7-11 May in Baltimore, USA

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"Circio has generated results demonstrating that the circVec 2.1 design performs very well in vitro. We have now confirmed this in vivo with statistically significant higher expression level and durability for circVec 2.1 DNA vectors compared to standard linear mRNA-based expression. These results provide an important technical proof-of-concept for Circio´s technology platform in an animal model. We now have confirmation for our expectation that this could translate into improved gene therapies for patients in the future," said Dr. Thomas B Hansen, CTO at Circio. "In recent experiments, Circio has observed up to four months circVec durability in vivo. This substantially outperforms mRNA vector expression. Following these results, we can rapidly advance to design and test circVec in several AAV and DNA-based vectors. This will validate these very promising data in therapeutically relevant formats."

At ASGCT (Free ASGCT Whitepaper), Circio also presented the dual-function ‘remove-&-replace’ concept for Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). This genetic disease causes severe symptoms in the lung and liver. There are currently no satisfactory therapeutic options available for this indication and AATD still represents a major unmet medical need. There are over 200,000 AATD patients affected in the USA and EU alone. With the technologically differentiated circVec remove-&-replace format, Circio has developed a unique gene therapy concept that can deal with both the lung and liver-associated symptoms in one single therapeutic.

"AATD is a challenging genetic disease to treat. This is in part due to the two distinct pathologies in the liver and lung," said Dr. Victor Levitsky, CSO at Circio. "We have now established and technically validated circVec constructs that can both replenish functional wild-type AAT and specifically remove more than 90% of the mutated protein. This is challenging to achieve because the functional and mutant forms are very similar. By using circular RNA-based AAT expression, Circio is uniquely able to separate the two species for mutant-specific knockdown, thereby solving two problems with one single product."

Optimization and In Vivo Performance of circVec, a Vector-Based Circular RNA Expression Platform; O´Leary et al. ASGCT (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) 2024

Expressing AAT from circular RNA-encoding vectors as a promising gene therapy approach for Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency; O´Leary et al. ASGCT (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) 2024

On May 13, 2024 Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. ("Checkpoint") (Nasdaq: CKPT), a clinical-stage immunotherapy and targeted oncology company, reported that James Oliviero, President and Chief Executive Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at the H.C. Wainwright 2nd Annual BioConnect Investor Conference at NASDAQ, taking place on Monday, May 20, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. ET (Press release, Checkpoint Therapeutics, MAY 13, 2024, View Source [SID1234643138]). Checkpoint will also attend in-person one-on-one meetings during the conference.

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A webcast of the fireside chat will be available on the News & Events page, located within the Investors section of Checkpoint’s website, View Source, for approximately 30 days after the meeting.

On May 13, 2024 Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: CNTA), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company that aims to discover and develop medicines that are transformational for patients, reported financial results and business highlights for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (Press release, Centessa Pharmaceuticals, MAY 13, 2024, View Source [SID1234643137]).

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"2024 is off to a strong start for Centessa. Following clearance of our IND, we recently initiated the Phase 1 first-in-human, clinical trial of ORX750, a highly potent and selective orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonist for the treatment of narcolepsy, and remain on track with our goal to share proof-of-concept data in acutely sleep-deprived healthy volunteers in the second half of this year," said Saurabh Saha MD PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Centessa. "We believe this study has the potential to deliver robust translational results that could lay the foundation for an orexin agonist clinical development program targeting narcolepsy Type 1 and Type 2 with the potential to expand into other sleep-wake disorders including idiopathic hypersomnia, as well as broader neurological indications. Additionally, the PRESent registrational studies for SerpinPC for the treatment of hemophilia B are progressing, and we plan to conduct an interim analysis of the PRESent-2 study later this year."

Dr. Saha continued, "We are thrilled to now be progressing all three of our most advanced pipeline programs in clinical studies focused on areas with significant unmet need, including hemophilia B, sleep-wake disorders, and solid tumors. With our recently strengthened balance sheet, we believe we are well positioned to execute on our clinical plans through multiple clinical readouts."

Recent Highlights
•In April and May, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 12,390,254 American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") in the aggregate, at a price to the public of $9.25 per ADS, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $107.2 million, which included the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares.
•In April, the Company announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the Investigational New Drug application (IND) to initiate a Phase 1 first-in-human (FIH), clinical trial of ORX750 for the treatment of narcolepsy.
•In February, the Company presented data from the third year (Part 5) of the ongoing Phase 2a study of SerpinPC, an investigational subcutaneously administered novel inhibitor of activated protein C (APC) for the treatment of hemophilia, during an oral presentation at the European Association for Haemophilia and Allied Disorders (EAHAD). Part 5 data from the Phase 2a study showed a continued favorable safety and tolerability profile for SerpinPC, as well as sustained long-term efficacy results, as measured by a 96% reduction in the median all-bleed annualized bleeding rate (ABR) from the prospective baseline measured during the pre-exposure observation period. To date, there have been no thromboembolic events and no treatment-related sustained elevations of D-dimer observed throughout the Phase 2a study.

Anticipated Upcoming Program Milestones
•Hemophilia Program – The registrational PRESent-2 (moderately severe to severe hemophilia B without inhibitors, and severe hemophilia A with or without inhibitors) and PRESent-3 (hemophilia B with inhibitors) studies of SerpinPC are ongoing. For PRESent-2, the Company plans to review Part 1 data in 2024 (interim analysis) with the goal of confirming a dose and advancing to Part 2 of the study. The primary endpoint of the PRESent-2 study is the rate of treated bleeds (expressed as ABR) during the first 24 weeks of treatment with SerpinPC (Part 2) compared to the observation period. The Company plans to share Part 1 data at a medical conference in late 2024 or early 2025.
•Orexin Agonist Program – The Phase 1 FIH clinical study of ORX750, which is being progressed for the treatment of narcolepsy, has been initiated. The Company expects to share clinical proof-of-concept data in acutely sleep-deprived healthy volunteers in 2H of 2024.
•LockBody Technology Platform – The Phase 1/2a FIH clinical study of LB101 (PD-L1xCD47 LockBody) for the treatment of solid tumors is ongoing.

Where applicable, the Company plans to provide updates on preclinical assets including follow-up orexin agonists and LB206, a PD-L1xCD3 LockBody, when they advance toward clinical studies.

First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
•Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments: $230.2 million as of March 31, 2024. The Company expects its cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of March 31, 2024, in combination with approximately $107.2 million in aggregate net proceeds from our offering of ADSs completed in April and May 2024, will fund operations into mid-2026, without drawing on the remaining available tranches under the Oberland credit facility.
•Research & Development Expenses: $22.7 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to $32.8 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.
•General & Administrative Expenses: $13.4 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to $16.1 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.
•Net Loss Attributable to Ordinary Shareholders: $38.0 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to $50.7 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.

On May 13, 2024 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE:CANF), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address oncological and inflammatory diseases, reported that it held a conference for 75 oncologists and coordinators who are conducting the pivotal Phase 3 advanced liver cancer study, to accelerate patient enrolment (Press release, Can-Fite BioPharma, MAY 13, 2024, View Source [SID1234643136]).

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The participants have been presented with the drug chemical and biological profile and the study protocol as well as study procedures. Dr. Lencioni, a key opinion leader in radiology of liver tumors, Department of Radiology, Pisa University School of Medicine Italy, educated the oncologists on the way to measure tumor lesion size prior and post namodenoson treatment. The difference in tumor growth or regression defines progression free survival (PFS) and the objective response rate (ORR) to the drug, serving as part of the study objectives. US experts presented to the participants the electronic data entry of the patients’ data during the trial.

"The conference was very successful and we are very pleased with the enthusiasm of the participants with respect to the drug characteristics. They are looking forward to complete patient enrolment and conclude the data of this very promising anti-cancer drug," said Dr. Pnina Fishman, Can-Fite CSO and Executive Chairperson.

Can-Fite has received agreement from both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) on a pivotal Phase 3 clinical study which is now enrolling patients is Israel, Europe and the US. The study is designed to perform an interim analysis by an Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) upon enrollment of 50% patients. Namodenoson will be evaluated as a 2nd or 3rd line treatment for CPB7 patients in whom other approved therapies have not been effective.

Namodenoson has Orphan Drug status with both the FDA and EMA, as well as Fast Track Status with the FDA for the treatment of HCC. A compassionate use program has been ongoing in Israel and Romania.

According to the American Cancer Society, liver cancer accounts for more than 700,000 deaths globally each year. HCC is commonly aggressive with poor survival rates. As new drugs that effectively and safely treat HCC are developed and approved, the market for HCC treatments is estimated by Delveinsight to reach $6.1 billion by 2027 for the G8 countries.

About Namodenoson

Namodenoson is a small orally bioavailable drug that binds with high affinity and selectivity to the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR). Namodenoson was evaluated in Phase II trials for two indications, as a second line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, and as a treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A3AR is highly expressed in diseased cells whereas low expression is found in normal cells. This differential effect accounts for the excellent safety profile of the drug.

On May 13, 2024 Boundless Bio (Nasdaq: BOLD), a clinical-stage oncology company interrogating extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) biology to deliver transformative therapies to patients with previously intractable oncogene amplified cancers, reported financial results for the first quarter of 2024 and highlighted recent progress (Press release, Boundless Bio, MAY 13, 2024, View Source [SID1234643135]).

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"It has been an exciting quarter at Boundless Bio. The Phase 1/2 POTENTIATE trial of BBI-355, our potentially best-in-class, oral, selective CHK1 inhibitor, advanced into initial combination therapy modules evaluating BBI-355 together with an EGFR inhibitor or an FGFR inhibitor in patients with tumors harboring EGFR or FGFR oncogene amplifications, respectively. We also dosed the first patient with our second ecDNA-directed therapy (ecDTx), BBI-825, a first-in-class, oral, selective RNR inhibitor, which marks the company’s rapid growth and transition into a multi-asset, clinical-stage oncology company" said Zachary Hornby, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boundless Bio. "With the completion of our recent IPO, we have the capital to take the next steps toward delivering on the promise of our ecDTx, a potential new vertical in cancer therapeutics."

Recent Highlights

BBI-355, a novel CHK1 inhibitor and the first ecDTx in development

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Patient enrollment is ongoing in Part 1 of the Phase 1/2 POTENTIATE (Precision Oncology Trial Evaluating Novel Therapeutic Interrupting Amplifications Tied to ecDNA) trial, which evaluates BBI-355 as a single agent in patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors with oncogene amplifications.

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Initiated dose escalation in Part 2 of the Phase 1/2 POTENTIATE trial, which evaluates BBI-355 in combination with the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib and BBI-355 in combination with the FGFR inhibitor futibatinib in patients with tumors harboring EGFR or FGFR oncogene amplifications,

respectively, to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary antitumor activity of each combination regimen.

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Presented preliminary preclinical and clinical pharmacodynamic data on BBI-355 at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2024. Findings further support the development of BBI-355 as a differentiated single agent and combination treatment approach for oncogene amplified cancers.

BBI-825, a novel, selective RNR inhibitor targeting ecDNA assembly and repair

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Dosed the first patient in the STARMAP (Study Targeting Acquired Resistance: MAPK Amplifications) trial, a first-in-human, Phase 1/2 study of BBI-825 as a single agent and in combination with select targeted cancer therapies, for patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer with resistance gene amplifications.

First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

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Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $104.9 million as of March 31, 2024. In addition, Boundless Bio completed its IPO in early April 2024 in which it sold 6,250,000 shares of its common stock for gross proceeds of $100.0 million. Boundless Bio expects its current cash position to fund operations into the second half of 2026 and through key clinical data milestones.

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R&D Expenses: Research and development (R&D) expenses were $13.1 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $9.5 million for the same period in 2023. The increase in R&D expenses was primarily due to a $1.8 million increase in the direct program costs for BBI-355, BBI-825, and other development programs, a $0.5 million increase in personnel-related costs resulting from an increase in headcount and salary increases, $0.3 million of additional stock-based compensation, and a $1.0 million increase in third-party services and other miscellaneous R&D costs.

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G&A Expenses: General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $3.8 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $2.6 million for the same period in 2023. The increase in G&A expenses was primarily due to a $0.3 million increase in personnel-related costs due to an increase in headcount and salary increases, $0.5 million of additional stock-based compensation, an increase in professional service fees of $0.2 million, and a $0.2 million increase in other G&A costs.

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Net Loss: Net loss totaled $15.4 million and $11.7 million for the first quarters of 2024 and 2023, respectively, with non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $1.3 million and $0.6 million for the first quarters of 2024 and 2023, respectively.

About BBI-355

Boundless Bio’s lead ecDNA-directed therapy (ecDTx), BBI-355, is a novel, oral, selective small molecule inhibitor of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) being studied in the ongoing, first-in-human, Phase 1/2 POTENTIATE clinical trial (NCT05827614) in patients with oncogene amplified cancers. CHK1 is a master regulator of cells’ response to replication stress (RS). RS is elevated in ecDNA-enabled oncogene amplified cancer cells and, because of this, represents a key vulnerability of those cells. BBI-355 was designed to exploit the elevated RS in ecDNA-enabled oncogene amplified cancer cells by disrupting proper CHK1 function in regulating RS and thereby facilitating catastrophic RS to preferentially kill cancer cells relative to healthy cells.

About BBI-825

Boundless Bio’s second ecDTx, BBI-825, is a novel, oral, selective small molecule inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) being studied in the ongoing, first-in-human, Phase 1/2 STARMAP clinical trial (NCT06299761) in cancer patients with resistance gene amplifications. In preclinical studies, BBI-825 demonstrated low double digit nanomolar RNR inhibition and tumor growth inhibition, including regressions, in both the prevention and treatment of amplification-mediated resistance in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway-activated tumors. RNR is the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for cellular de novo synthesis of deoxynucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs), the building blocks of DNA, and is essential to the assembly and repair of ecDNA. BBI-825 was shown to dysregulate ecDNA-reliant cancer cell dNTP pools, deplete ecDNA, and was synthetic lethal in multiple oncogene amplified preclinical cancer models.