On March 3, 2025 Chemomab Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq: CMMB), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics for fibro-inflammatory diseases with high unmet need, reported financial and operating results for the full year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024, and provided a corporate update (Press release, Chemomab, MAR 3, 2025, View Source [SID1234650827]).

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"The past year has been a transformative period for both Chemomab and the PSC field," said Adi Mor, PhD, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Chemomab. "Following rapid enrollment in our nebokitug (CM-101) Phase 2 SPRING trial in patients with PSC, we were able to report topline results in July, approximately six months ahead of schedule. We and our PSC expert advisers view these Phase 2 data as the strongest in PSC to date. Nebokitug achieved the SPRING trial primary endpoint, demonstrating a favorable safety profile. Additionally, patients treated with nebokitug who had moderate/advanced disease showed improvements in multiple secondary efficacy endpoints encompassing the fibrotic, inflammatory and cholestatic aspects of PSC. This is the first time that an investigational drug for PSC has shown improvements across such a wide range of highly relevant disease markers. These promising results set the stage for our FDA End-of-Phase 2 meeting. We recently reported the positive results of that meeting and outlined the design for a single pivotal Phase 3 trial for nebokitug in PSC, which provides us with a clear and streamlined pathway to potential regulatory approval."

Dr. Mor continued, "We were very pleased by FDA’s positive and collaborative spirit at the meeting and their stated commitment to facilitating the advancement of effective new therapies for PSC. We aligned on a full regulatory approval program for nebokitug using a single pivotal Phase 3 trial based on well-characterized clinical events that are associated with disease progression in PSC. Neither liver biopsies nor additional confirmatory studies will be needed. The design is similar to the approach used in oncology trials and is both feasible and efficient. Importantly, use of a clinical event-driven endpoint helps derisk the Phase 3 trial, since key publications have linked the type of improvements in PSC biomarkers seen in nebokitug-treated patients in the SPRING trial with decreases in clinical events."

Dr. Mor added, "We continue to assess a variety of potential strategic paths forward. The recent positive developments have been of keen interest to potential strategic partners and active discussions are advancing following FDA’s regulatory guidance. At the same time, we are laying the foundation for beginning the Phase 3 trial, leveraging the strong relationships our clinical team developed with global PSC centers during the SPRING study. We believe that nebokitug could become the first FDA-approved therapy for PSC, addressing the tremendous unmet need in this devastating, often lethal disease. We look forward to reporting data from the SPRING trial Open Label Extension later this quarter."

2024 and Recent Highlights:

On February 19, 2025, Chemomab reported that the International Nonproprietary Names (INN) program of the World Health Organization had assigned the INN designation nebokitug to the company’s lead product candidate CM-101.
On February 19, 2025, Chemomab announced the successful completion of its End-of-Phase 2 Meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and alignment with FDA on the design of a Phase 3 registration study for nebokitug for the treatment of PSC. The design provides clarity on a streamlined path to full regulatory approval based on a single pivotal trial that does not require liver biopsies or confirmatory studies. The primary endpoint measures time-to-first clinical event and encompasses multiple clinical events associated with disease progression. Key publications have shown that the reductions in PSC biomarkers seen in the nebokitug Phase 2 SPRING trial are associated with reductions in clinical events, increasing confidence in the relevance of this approach for the nebokitug Phase 3 trial. The company is sharing the Phase 3 design in active discussions with potential strategic partners while laying the groundwork for initiating the Phase 3 program.
On January 13, 2025, a new peer-reviewed publication in the journal Cells further confirmed the key role of the soluble protein CCL24 in driving the fibro-inflammatory pathologies underlying PSC, systemic sclerosis and other fibrotic diseases. The review describes the pivotal role CCL24 plays in initiating and advancing fibrotic processes, highlighting its impact on fibrotic, immune and vascular pathways. It also presented preclinical and clinical evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of blocking CCL24 with agents like nebokitug in diseases that involve excessive inflammation and fibrosis.
On November 19, 2024, Chemomab reported that data from its Phase 2 SPRING trial in patients with PSC was presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) The Liver Meeting 2024. In an oral, late-breaking presentation, Professor Christopher Bowlus, MD, a SPRING trial investigator and Professor and Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of California Davis School of Medicine, discussed data from the double-blind, placebo-controlled portion of the Phase 2 trial.
On July 30, 2024, Chemomab announced the closing of a private placement that resulted in gross proceeds of approximately $10 million to the company. Existing investors such as OrbiMed and new investors including HBM Partners and Sphera Biotech Master Fund participated in the financing.
On July 25, 2024, Chemomab reported positive topline results from the nebokitug Phase 2 SPRING trial in patients with PSC. Nebokitug met the primary study endpoint, demonstrating a favorable safety profile and nebokitug-treated patients with moderate/advanced disease showed improvements on a wide range of disease-related secondary endpoints, including liver stiffness, liver fibrosis biomarkers, such as the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) score and PRO-C3 levels; total bilirubin and liver function tests; pruritus (itch) and markers of inflammation. Dose-dependent responses were observed for multiple disease-related biomarkers. A consistent pattern of greater improvement on the secondary endpoints was observed in the study arm receiving the 20mg/kg dose of nebokitug. This dose has been selected for the active treatment arm of the Phase 3 trial.
On June 18, 2024, Chemomab announced new scientific publications had been published in the peer-reviewed journals International Journal of Molecular Science and Drug Safety that reinforced the clinical potential of nebokitug in PSC.
On June 6, 2024, Chemomab presented new scientific and clinical data at EASL 2024 and at a Gordon Research Conference supporting the clinical potential of nebokitug as a novel treatment for PSC. The findings helped elucidate nebokitug’s mode of action in liver fibrosis and could help in characterizing its anti-fibrotic drug effects.
On April 18, 2024, Chemomab announced the publication of a new study in the journal Arthritis Care and Research that confirms the key role of CCL24 in systemic sclerosis. The longitudinal study of more than 200 SSc patients showed that elevated levels of serum CCL24 are associated with increased mortality and disease severity across the fibrotic and vascular manifestations of the disease.
On April 10, 2024, Chemomab hosted an expert PSC webinar featuring Christopher Bowlus, MD, of UC Davis Health; Ricky Safer, founder and CEO of PSC Partners Seeking a Cure and Massimo Pinzani, MD, PhD, of the UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health and UPMC ISMETT.
In March, 2024, Chemomab reported that the European Patent Office had granted a new patent for nebokitug, covering the use of nebokitug and sequence-related anti-CCL24 antibodies for the treatment of liver diseases, such as PSC. In February, new patents were granted in Brazil and Israel.
On January 30, 2024, Chemomab reported publication of new proteomics research in the peer-reviewed journal Cells. The proteomic analyses of human samples highlighted the unique role of CCL24 in activating key PSC-related disease mechanisms and further confirmed the potential of nebokitug as a promising treatment for PSC.
On January 3, 2024, Chemomab announced early completion of patient enrollment in the nebokitug Phase 2 PSC SPRING trial and moved up the expected topline data readout to midyear 2024.
Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights:

Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits were $14.3 million as of December 31, 2024 compared to $19.9 million as of December 31, 2023. The current cash runway is expected to take the Company through the first quarter of 2026.
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $2.4 million for the fourth quarter and $ 11.3 million for the full year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $3.1 million and $18.4 million for the respective periods in 2023. The decrease in R&D expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 primarily resulted from decreased clinical costs as the company’s nebokitug Phase 2 PSC trial was nearing completion.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $0.8 million for the fourth quarter and $3.4 million for the full year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $0.8 million and $7.1 million for the fourth quarter and full year in 2023. The decrease in G&A expenses reflected selected reductions in headcount and reductions in share-based payments and recruitment costs.
Net Loss: Net loss was $3.0 million, or a net loss of less than $0.01 per basic and diluted Ordinary Share, for the fourth quarter and $13.9 million, or a net loss of $0.04 per basic and diluted Ordinary Share, for the full year ended December 31, 2024, compared to a net loss of $3.4 million, or a net loss of $0.01 per basic and diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2023, and $24.2 million, or a net loss of $0.10 per basic and diluted Ordinary Share, for the full year ended December 31, 2023.
The weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding, basic and diluted was 324,649,751 (equal to 16,232,489 ADSs) for the year ended December 31, 2024, and 234,998,859 (equal to 11,749,943 ADSs) for the year ended December 31, 2023, respectively.

For further details on the company’s financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024, please refer to the company’s annual report on Form 20-F, which will be filed with the SEC in March, 2025.

On March 3, 2025 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE: CANF), a biotechnology company developing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs targeting oncological and inflammatory diseases, reported that the European Society of Medicine Journal published an innovative article titled: "The Neuro- Cardio- and Hepato- Protective Effects of Namodenoson are Mediated by Adiponectin" (Press release, Can-Fite BioPharma, MAR 3, 2025, View Source [SID1234650826]). The study is the result of a collaboration between Can-Fite scientists and leading hepatologists from the Department of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases at Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel.

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The article presents compelling preclinical and clinical data demonstrating Namodenoson’s potent anti-ischemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and anti-toxicity effects across multiple body tissues including the liver, central nervous system, and cardiovascular system. The study highlights Namodenoson’s ability to increase adiponectin levels, a key cytokine known to drive multi-organ protective effects. Importantly, the manuscript underscores Namodenoson’s dual role as both an anti-cancer therapy and a protective agent for normal tissues, setting it apart from conventional chemotherapy and other oncology treatments with significant toxicity.

Dr. Pnina Fishman, CSO & Chairperson of Can-Fite BioPharma, commented: "The data published in this journal further supports Namodenoson’s unique profile as an anti-cancer drug that simultaneously safeguards healthy body systems. This critical distinction positions Namodenoson as a potential breakthrough therapy, unlike traditional chemotherapy, which is often associated with severe toxicity.

Namodenoson is currently being evaluated in LiverationTM, a pivotal Phase III study for advanced liver cancer that has been approved by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The drug has an Orphan Drug status with both FDA and EMA and a Fast Track status with the FDA.

About Namodenoson

Namodenoson is a small orally bioavailable drug that binds with high affinity and selectivity to the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR). Namodenoson is currently being evaluated in a pivotal Phase III trial for advanced liver cancer, a Phase IIb trial for the treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), and in a Phase IIa study in pancreatic cancer. A3AR is highly expressed in diseased cells whereas low expression is found in normal cells. This differential expression may be one of the important factors that accounts for the excellent safety profile of the drug.

On March 3, 2025 Be Biopharma, Inc. ("Be Bio"), a clinical-stage company pioneering the discovery and development of engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs), reported the appointment of Susan Abu-Absi, Ph.D., as Chief Operating Officer (Press release, Be Biopharma, MAR 3, 2025, View Source [SID1234650825]). With over 20 years of experience in strategic operations, product development and manufacturing in the biotechnology industry, Dr. Abu-Absi brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role, positioning Be Bio for continued growth and operational excellence.

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Dr. Abu-Absi’s career has been marked by her leadership in the development and manufacturing of biologics and cell and gene therapies, contributing to the approval of several key products, including Abecma, Zynteglo, Skysona, Yervoy and Opdivo. Dr. Abu-Absi most recently served as Chief Technology Officer at 2seventy bio, where she built the global manufacturing and supply infrastructure and managed strategic partnerships with academics, partner innovator companies and suppliers to enable the translation of four novel cell therapies into the clinic. Prior to that, she held leadership roles in technical and product development at bluebird bio, Bristol Myers Squibb and Bayer Healthcare. Dr. Abu-Absi holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toledo.

"Susan is an outstanding leader and accomplished executive whose experience will further strengthen our leadership team as we solidify our position as a multi-program, clinical-stage company," said Joanne Smith-Farrell, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer. "She joins Be Bio at an ideal time, with enrollment now underway in the BeCoMe-9 trial for BE-101 in Hemophilia B, and with our development candidate, BE-102, progressing toward IND as a potential breakthrough for patients with Hypophosphatasia. We look forward to leveraging Susan’s expertise as we pioneer our B Cell Medicines to potentially transform the treatment landscape for a wide range of diseases."

In conjunction with the appointment of Dr. Abu-Absi, Be Bio announced the departure of President & Chief Operating Officer Krishnan Viswanadhan, Pharm.D., who is leaving Be Bio to pursue another leadership position in the biotechnology industry.

"I would like to thank Krishnan for his invaluable contributions to Be Bio, especially his leadership in advancing our lead program, BE-101, to the clinic as a potentially game-changing therapy for people with Hemophilia B," continued Dr. Smith-Farrell. "His dedication and impact have helped shape who we are today, and we are deeply grateful for his time with us. We wish him all the best in his next chapter."

About Engineered B Cell Medicines – A New Class of Cellular Medicines
The B cell is a powerful cell that produces thousands of proteins per cell per second at constant levels, and over decades. Precision genome editing can now be used to engineer B Cells that produce therapeutic proteins of interest, driving a new class of cellular medicines – Engineered B Cell Medicines (BCMs) – with the potential to be durable, allogeneic, redosable, and administered without pre-conditioning. The promise of BCMs could transform therapeutic biologics with broad application — across protein classes, patient populations and therapeutic areas.

On March 3, 2025 ArriVent BioPharma, Inc. (Company or ArriVent) (Nasdaq: AVBP), a clinical-stage company dedicated to accelerating the global development of innovative biopharmaceutical therapeutics, reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024, and highlighted recent Company progress (Press release, ArriVent Biopharma, MAR 3, 2025, View Source [SID1234650824]).

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"This has been a productive year for ArriVent that included strong achievement across our firmonertinib clinical programs and significant execution of our company strategy through the expansion of our ADC portfolio. The differentiated potential of firmonertinib to address classical and uncommon EGFR mutations was reinforced by the robust anti-tumor activity in NSCLC patients with EGFR PACC mutations reported at the World Conference on Lung Cancer, and the preclinical data presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)" said Bing Yao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ArriVent. "We also bolstered our ADC portfolio with the recent in-licensing of ARR-217 (MRG007) and research collaboration with Alphamab, underscoring our commitment to further expand our pipeline and develop new innovative therapies to potentially treat cancer patients with unmet medical need."

Dr. Yao continued, "We have achieved our target enrollment of 375 patients in our global, pivotal Phase 3 monotherapy study of firmonertinib in first-line NSCLC patients with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations. In addition, we plan to provide an update on our plans to investigate firmonertinib as monotherapy in first line NSCLC patients with EGFR PACC mutations in the first half of 2025. For our ADC portfolio, we selected our next-generation ADC candidate, ARR-002, for IND-enabling activities. Our focus continues to be on executing across our near-term catalysts and we are poised for an impactful year ahead."

Recent and Full Year 2024 Highlights

Firmonertinib

● Achieved target enrollment for the global pivotal Phase 3 monotherapy study of firmonertinib in first-line NSCLC EGFR exon20 insertion mutations (FURVENT; NCT05607550). Earlier this year, ArriVent reached its target enrollment in the FURVENT study. Firmonertinib, an oral, highly brain-penetrant, and broadly active mutation-selective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation in this patient population.
● Positive proof-of-concept data in EGFR PACC mutant NSCLC. In September 2024, ArriVent presented interim Phase 1b clinical data for first-line firmonertinib monotherapy in NSCLC patients with EGFR PACC mutations (FURTHER; NCT05364043) during the Presidential Symposium at the

2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer and hosted a virtual webinar. Firmonertinib demonstrated robust systemic and CNS anti-tumor activity with a manageable safety profile consistent with previous trials in what we believe to be the first clinical dataset testing an EGFR inhibitor in a prospectively defined population of EGFR PACC mutant NSCLC.
● Presentation of preclinical data for firmonertinib at the 2024 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. In April 2024, ArriVent presented data evaluating firmonertinib in preclinical models with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations and with P-loop and alpha-c helix compressing (PACC) mutations at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. In the preclinical study, firmonertinib was observed to be broadly active across a wide range of uncommon mutations including PACC and exon 20 insertion mutations.
● Initiated Phase 1b combination study with firmonertinib and SHP2 allosteric inhibitor ICP-189. In March 2024, ArriVent’s clinical collaboration partner Beijing InnoCare Pharma Tech Co., Ltd., dosed the first patient in the Phase 1b combination study targeting advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients with EGFR classical mutations.
Pipeline

● Added ARR-217 (MRG007) to our pipeline from Lepu Biopharma. In January 2025, ArriVent entered into a collaboration with Lepu Biopharma Co., Ltd. for ARR-217, an ADC with the potential to target several GI cancers. Under the agreement, ArriVent obtained the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize ARR-217 worldwide outside of greater China, which includes mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
● Selected a next-generation antibody drug conjugate (ADC) candidate. In late 2024, ArriVent and its partner, Aarvik Therapeutics, Inc., selected a multi-target multivalent ADC candidate, ARR-002, for the treatment of solid tumors. ArriVent has initiated IND-enabling studies for ARR-002.
● Entered into an ADC collaboration agreement with Alphamab. In June 2024, ArriVent entered into a collaboration agreement with Jiangsu Alphamab Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (Alphamab), a wholly owned subsidiary of Alphamab Oncology, to discover, develop and commercialize novel ADCs for the treatment of cancers. Under the agreement, both companies leverage Alphamab’s proprietary linker-payload platform and glycan-conjugation technology to identify novel ADCs for oncology indications. The collaboration agreement grants ArriVent exclusive rights to develop and commercialize ADCs globally, except greater China, which includes mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
Upcoming Milestones

● EGFR PACC plans. Data from the FURTHER Phase 1b (NCT05364043) trial continues to mature for first-line firmonertinib monotherapy in NSCLC patients with EGFR PACC mutations. ArriVent expects to provide an update on our plans to develop firmonertinib in EGFR PACC mutant NSCLC in the first half of 2025.

● First IND Filing for ADC Program. ArriVent and its partner, Lepu BioPharma, plan to file the first IND for ARR-217 in the first half of 2025.

● Top-line pivotal Phase 3 data. Firmonertinib has reached its target enrollment in the FURVENT study. ArriVent anticipates having top-line data in 2025 and expects to provide an update on timing of the top-line Phase 3 data release in Q2 2025.
2024 Financial Results

● As of December 31, 2024, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, and short and long-term investments of $266.5 million, which is expected to fund operations into 2026. Net cash used in operations was $70.2 million and $55.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. During 2024, ArriVent completed an IPO raising net proceeds of $183.2 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions, and other offering expenses.

● Research and development expenses were $79.0 million and $64.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in expense was primarily due to increased headcount and clinical expense related to firmonertinib.

● General and administrative expenses were $15.3 million and $9.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in expense was primarily due to expenses related to expanding the infrastructure necessary for operating as a public company.

● Net loss was $80.5 million and $69.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

On March 3, 2025 Biosciences, Inc. ("Anixa" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: ANIX), a biotechnology company focused on the treatment and prevention of cancer, reported Dr. Pam Garzone, Chief Development Officer of Anixa, will be attending the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT) Summit 2025 and participating as a panelist on the Gynecologic and Breast Cancers panel (Press release, Anixa Biosciences, MAR 3, 2025, View Source [SID1234650823]). The Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy Summit 2025 is being held on Wednesday and Thursday, March 19 – 20, 2025, at the Alexandria Center for Life Science in New York City.

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Dr. Garzone will join leading experts in the field to discuss advancements in cell and gene therapy, including Anixa’s CAR-T therapy for ovarian cancer, and its potential impact on gynecologic and breast cancers. The panel is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM ET.

Dr. Amit Kumar, Chairman and CEO of Anixa, stated, "We are pleased that Anixa and Dr. Garzone were invited to share insights at the ACGT Summit. Our discussions and contributions to the development of novel cancer therapies will help drive meaningful discussions on the future of gene-based treatments for gynecologic and breast cancers."

The Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy Summit 2025 will bring together leading physician scientists advancing research to develop curative cell and gene therapies for solid tumor cancers.

For more information about the conference, visit Alliance for Gene Therapy Summit 2025.