On January 22, 2025 bioAffinity Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIAF; BIAFW), a biotechnology company focused on the need for noninvasive tests for the detection of early-stage lung cancer and other lung diseases, reported that the Australian Patent Office (IP Australia), has accepted bioAffinity’s patent application for the method of predicting the likelihood of lung cancer used by the CyPath Lung diagnostic test for early-stage lung cancer (Press release, BioAffinity Technologies, JAN 22, 2025, View Source [SID1234649840]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The Australian patent application, titled "Detection of Early-Stage Lung Cancer in Sputum Using Automated Flow Cytometry and Machine Learning," will be an important addition to bioAffinity Technologies’ patent portfolio, which includes 17 awarded U.S. and foreign patents and 38 pending patent applications related to its diagnostic platform and cancer treatment therapeutics. Once issued, the Australian patent will expire in 2042 and will be the second awarded for the CyPath Lung flow cytometry test as a stand-alone assay for the detection of lung cancer.

"Lung cancer is a global problem that requires global solutions like our noninvasive diagnostic CyPath Lung that detects the leading cancer-killer at early stage when treatment can lead to cures. The Australian patent is another milestone that increases our market and strengthens our potential to improve the outcome for lung cancer patients around the globe through earlier detection," bioAffinity Technologies President and CEO Maria Zannes said. "Strong intellectual property protection for CyPath Lung benefits not only patients and their physicians, but also our shareholders and our Company."

The Australia patent will be automatically issued three months after the acceptance date unless a third party files an opposition and proves to IP Australia why the patent should not be issued.

About CyPath Lung

CyPath Lung uses proprietary advanced flow cytometry and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify cell populations in patient sputum that indicate malignancy. Automated data analysis helps determine if cancer is present or if the patient is cancer-free. CyPath Lung incorporates a fluorescent porphyrin that is preferentially taken up by cancer and cancer-related cells. Clinical study results demonstrated that CyPath Lung had 92% sensitivity, 87% specificity and 88% accuracy in detecting lung cancer in patients at high risk for the disease who had small lung nodules less than 20 millimeters. Diagnosing and treating early-stage lung cancer can improve outcomes and increase patient survival. For more information, visit www.cypathlung.com.

On January 22, 2025 Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB; HKEX: 9688) reported the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to ZL-1310, a potential highly active first-in-class DLL3 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), for the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (Press release, Zai Laboratory, JAN 22, 2025, View Source [SID1234649838]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Receiving an Orphan Drug Designation for ZL-1310 recognizes its potential to treat patients with SCLC. These patients have an urgent need for innovative treatment options with improved efficacy, safety and ready access in tertiary care and community settings," said Rafael G. Amado, M.D., President, Head of Global Research and Development, Zai Lab. "ZL-1310 has demonstrated promising objective response rates and a favorable safety profile from the ongoing Phase 1 trial in patients with recurrent SCLC recently disclosed. We look forward to continuing to advance the clinical development of this promising asset across lines of therapy in SCLC and other DLL3-expressing tumors."

ZL-1310 will be eligible for certain development incentives, including a waiver of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act registration application fee, tax credits for certain clinical trials and the potential to receive a seven-year U.S. market exclusivity period granted upon product approval.

This important regulatory designation follows promising data from the ongoing global Phase 1a/1b study in patients with previously treated extensive-stage SCLC (ES-SCLC) after at least one prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen, which was presented at the EORTC-NCI-AACR (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) (ENA) Symposium 2024 in October 2024.

About ZL-1310

ZL-1310 is a novel ADC in Zai Lab’s growing, global oncology pipeline that targets Delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3), an antigen that is overexpressed in many neuroendocrine tumors, is typically associated with poor clinical outcomes, and is a validated therapeutic target for SCLC. ZL-1310 comprises a humanized anti-DLL3 monoclonal antibody linked to a novel camptothecin derivative (a topoisomerase 1 inhibitor) as its payload. The compound was designed with a novel ADC technology platform called TMALIN, which leverages the tumor microenvironment to overcome challenges associated with first-generation ADC therapies, including off-target payload toxicity.

The ongoing Phase 1a/1b clinical trial is evaluating ZL-1310 as monotherapy and in combination with atezolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, for the treatment of ES-SCLC.

About Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

SCLC is one of the most aggressive and lethal solid tumors, accounting for ~15% of approximately 2.5 million patients diagnosed with lung cancer worldwide each year1,2. Two-thirds of all SCLC patients are diagnosed at extensive stage3, which is associated with high rates of relapse and poor prognosis. The outcomes of the patients with ES-SCLC are dismal, with median survival of approximately 12 months following initial therapy4 and a 5~10% overall five-year survival rate5. Treatment options are limited when patients progress, with the current standard of care resulting in limited clinical benefit. Despite recent advancements, new readily available treatment options with improved efficacy and manageable safety are needed.

On January 22, 2025 GI Innovation (KQ:358570) reported that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with LaNova Medicines (LaNova) for the development of GI-102 and ADC pancreatic cancer combination therapy (Press release, GI Innovation, JAN 22, 2025, View Source;adc-pancreatic-cancer-combination-therapy-302356896.html [SID1234649837]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

This MOU was held on January 15th, local time, during JP Morgan Healthcare Conference (San Francisco, USA).

From the left, Rhee Byung-geon, Chairman and CEO of GI Innovation, Dr. Crystal Quin, CEO of LaNova Medicines, and Jang Myoung-ho, CSO of GI Innovation. (Source: GI Innovation)
From the left, Rhee Byung-geon, Chairman and CEO of GI Innovation, Dr. Crystal Quin, CEO of LaNova Medicines, and Jang Myoung-ho, CSO of GI Innovation. (Source: GI Innovation)
The two companies have been conducting combination therapy study of the immuno-oncology drug GI-102 and ADC LM-302 targeting Claudin18.2 and recently observed excellent anticancer activity in a preclinical pancreatic cancer model.

Both substances are in the clinical stage. GI-102 has completed phase 1 clinical trial in the US and Korea and can quickly enter phase 2. LM-302 is currently in phase 3 clinical trial for 3L and above gastric cancer in China. Pancreatic cancer has no approved immunotherapy, and the only approved treatment is a chemotherapy cocktail, but its treatment efficacy is low and its toxicity is high. Through this agreement, both companies will conduct clinical trial targeting patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Myoung Ho Jang, CSO said, "We are delighted to be conducting a combination study with LaNova, which is recognized by global pharma companies. LaNova’s ADC, which directly destroys tumor cells to increase the response rate, and GI-102, which can enhance immune memory to increase overall survival, are expected to be a combination therapy that can change the pancreatic cancer treatment paradigm."

"GI-102 exemplifies GI Innovation’s robust R&D capabilities in immunotherapy. We are excited to explore its combination with LaNova’s Claudin18.2 ADC, LM-302, which holds the potential to provide a novel therapeutic option for pancreatic cancer patients" Dr. Crystal Qin, LaNova CEO emphasized.

On January 22, 2025, Akeso Inc. (9926.HK) reported that it had received payment from Sichuan Kelun Pharmaceutical Research Institute Co., Ltd. ("Sichuan Kelun") for their collaboration on the development of tagitanlimab, an innovative humanized monoclonal antibody targeting PD-L1, following its recent marketing approval by China’s National Medical Products Administration (Press release, Akeso Biopharma, JAN 22, 2025, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/akeso-received-payment-for-the-development-collaboration-on-tagitanlimab-302357079.html [SID1234649835]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

In 2014, Akeso signed a cooperation agreement with Sichuan Kelun for the development of tagitanlimab. Under the terms of the agreement, Akeso will receive royalties from the commercial sales of tagitanlimab in addition to the development payment.

Tagitanlimab marks Akeso’s second oncology product to yield commercial royalties, following pucotenlimab, a PD-1 monoclonal antibody developed in collaboration with Lepu Biopharma in 2016.

Dr. Yu Xia, founder, chairwoman, president, and CEO of Akeso, said: "Congratulations to our partners. We are thrilled about continuously successful approval of our innovative products, and truly anticipate their outstanding commercialization performance. This achievement highlights Akeso’s strong R&D capabilities and our commitment to innovation. Since its inception, Akeso has established multiple external collaborations, including ivonescimab with Summit Therapeutics, quavonlimab with Merck and pucotenlimab with Lepu Biopharma. These partnerships not only benefit patients but also deliver significant returns for both Akeso and our collaborators. Looking ahead, Akeso will continue to pursue a diversified strategy for new drug development, leveraging global resources to drive the high-quality commercialization of our independently developed innovative therapeutics."

On January 22, 2025 Tyra Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: TYRA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation precision medicines that target large opportunities in Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR) biology, reported that two abstracts were accepted for presentation at the 2025 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO GI), taking place January 23-25, 2025, in San Francisco, CA (Press release, Tyra Biosciences, JAN 22, 2025, View Source [SID1234649834]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Details of the poster presentations are below:

Title: "A multicenter, open-label, first-in-human study of TYRA-200 in advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and other solid tumors with activating FGFR2 gene alterations (SURF201)"
Abstract: TPS646
Presenting Author: Robin Kate Kelley, MD, University of California San Francisco
Session: Trials in Progress Poster Session B: Cancers of the Pancreas, Small Bowel, and Hepatobiliary Tract
Date/Time: January 24, 2025, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM PST, Level 1, West Hall

Title: "TYRA-430: First reversible FGFR4/3 inhibitor designed to overcome current challenges in FGF19-driven hepatocellular carcinoma treatment"
Abstract: 583
Presenting Author: Ronald Swanson, Ph.D., Tyra Biosciences
Session: Poster Session B: Cancers of the Pancreas, Small Bowel, and Hepatobiliary Tract
Date/Time: January 24, 2025, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM PST, Level 1, West Hall

The abstracts related to these posters and additional information can be found on the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI website.

About TYRA-200

TYRA-200 is an oral, investigational, FGFR1/2/3 inhibitor with potency against activating FGFR2 gene alterations and resistance mutations. The Phase 1 clinical study of TYRA-200, SURF201 (Study in PrevioUsly treated and Resistant FGFR2+ Cholangiocarcinoma and Other Advanced Solid Tumors) (NCT06160752), is a multi-center, open label study designed to evaluate the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the recommended Phase 2 dose of TYRA-200, as well as to evaluate the preliminary antitumor activity of TYRA-200. SURF201 is currently enrolling and dosing adults with advanced/metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and other advanced solid tumors with activating alterations in FGFR2.

About TYRA-430

TYRA-430 is an oral, investigational FGFR4/3-biased inhibitor for FGF19+/FGFR4-driven cancers. The US Food and Drug Administration has cleared Tyra’s Investigational New Drug application to proceed with a Phase 1 clinical study of TYRA-430. The Phase 1 study will be a multicenter, open-label, first-in-human study of TYRA-430 in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other solid tumors with activating FGF/FGFR pathway aberrations (SURF431).