On March 20, 2025 RenovoRx, Inc. ("RenovoRx" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: RNXT), a life sciences company developing innovative targeted oncology therapies and commercializing RenovoCath, a novel, FDA-cleared drug-delivery device, reported that it will host a fireside chat with Shaun Bagai, Chief Executive Officer, on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. ET (Press release, Renovorx, MAR 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234651335]).

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Mr. Bagai will discuss RenovoRx’s continued momentum of its RenovoCath commercial efforts, including new purchase orders and reorders received from cancer center customers, and the realization of initial revenues.

Mr. Bagai will also discuss progress on RenovoRx’s ongoing Phase III TIGeR-PaC clinical trial. TIGeR-PaC is evaluating the Company’s lead drug-device combination product candidate (intra-arterial delivery of gemcitabine via the RenovoCath catheter), known as IAG which uses the proprietary Trans-Arterial Micro-Perfusion (TAMP) therapy platform for the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). The combination product candidate (IAG), which is enabled by the FDA-cleared RenovoCath device, is currently under investigation and has not been approved for commercial sale.

Fireside Chat Details:
Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Webcast: View Source

A question and answer session will occur at the end of the call, and a link to the recording of this presentation will be available on RenovoRx’s Investor Relations website after the event.

On March 20, 2025 Kairos Pharma, Ltd. (NYSE American: KAPA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, reported a peer-reviewed publication highlighting a potentially significant breakthrough in addressing drug resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients (Press release, Kairos Pharma, MAR 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234651334]). Recent findings published in Drug Resistance Updates highlight the critical role of CD105 (endoglin) in mediating resistance to osimertinib, a frontline treatment for EGFR-mutant NSCLC. The study, titled, "CD105 blockade restores osimertinib sensitivity in drug-resistant EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer," demonstrated that CD105 expression is upregulated as a mechanism of therapy resistance, correlating with poor prognosis in patients.

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"We believe our latest findings represent a paradigm shift in overcoming resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies in NSCLC," said Neil Bhowmick, Ph.D., Kairos Pharma Chief Scientific Officer. "Revealing this mechanism-of-action underscores our commitment to advancing precision oncology and bringing innovative therapies to patients in need."

In preclinical models, targeting CD105 with ENV105 (carotuximab), a CD105-neutralizing antibody successfully restored treatment sensitivity to EGFR-targeted therapies. Notably, combining osimertinib with ENV105 reinstated susceptibility to EGFR inhibition through metabolic reprogramming and enhanced chromatin accessibility. These findings confirm the efficacy of this novel combination therapy strategy in overcoming drug resistance in this model of non-small cell lung cancer.

Dr. John Yu, CEO, stated, "These findings in lung cancer corroborate data in prostate cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer, that point to CD105 being a central mechanism of cancer drug resistance. We believe ENV105 can reverse this resistance in cancer models, and our clinical trials are designed to definitively demonstrate its potential impact."

The global NSCLC treatment market is projected to reach $45 billion by 2030, driven by advancements in targeted therapies. However, drug resistance remains a major challenge. The ability of ENV105 to enhance EGFR-targeted therapy effectiveness positions it as a high-value asset in next-generation oncology treatment. Kairos Pharma is currently evaluating this transformative cancer therapy in ongoing clinical trials for EGFR-driven lung cancer patients. The study can be accessed here.

On March 20, 2025 BPGbio, Inc., a leading biology-first, AI-powered, clinical stage biopharma focused on mitochondrial biology and protein homeostasis, reported its participation in the 5th Annual TPD and Induced Proximity Summit, taking place March 25-27, 2025, in London, UK (Press release, BPGbio, MAR 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234651333]). BPGbio executive Vivek K. Vishnudas, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer and R&D Site Head, will present a session titled "Pioneering a Differentiated Approach to Targeted Protein Degradation Using the Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzyme (E2) Family." Dr. Vishnudas will speak on March 26 as part of the conference’s Pre-Clinical and Translation track, highlighting the latest advancements in BPGbio’s protein homeostasis program and the potential of E2-based therapeutics in oncology and neurology.

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"Our innovative approach to targeted protein degradation via the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) family represents a breakthrough in drug development, allowing us to address previously undruggable targets and overcome resistance mechanisms inherent in traditional E3-based strategies," said Dr. Vishnudas. "We look forward to sharing our progress in developing E2-based bifunctional and glue degraders for oncology and neurodegenerative disorders."

In addition to its E2-focused approach, BPGbio’s protein homeostasis program incorporates a proprietary library of over 1,000 Ro3 fragments identified as potential ligands and seed compounds for E2 targets. The program also features proprietary ternary structures, a computational toolkit for E2 ligand design, and advanced assays designed to optimize selectivity and specificity.

BPGbio’s therapeutic pipeline includes drug candidates for glioblastoma (orphan drug), pancreatic cancer (orphan drug), primary CoQ10 deficiency (rare pediatric disease designated), epidermolysis bullosa (EB, orphan drug), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC, orphan drug), sarcopenia, solid and liquid tumors, Huntington’s disease (orphan drug), and Parkinson’s disease. The company’s diagnostic pipeline includes its prostate diagnostic test (pstateDx), as well as tests in development for the detection of Parkinson’s disease (parkinsonDx), pancreatic cancer (pancDx), breast cancer, and liver disease.

On March 20, 2025 MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., (NYSE American: MAIA) ("MAIA", the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer, reported the publication of preclinical data for its lead proprietary telomere-targeting THIO dimer in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology (Press release, MAIA Biotechnology, MAR 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234651332]).

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In a preclinical study, THIO and its new described dimer form were found to be potent inhibitors of Glutathione S-transferase Pi (GSTP1), a key enzyme implicated in cancer progression and chemoresistance and a highly important factor for the detoxification of cancer cells. The findings suggest that the dimerized form of THIO could enhance chemotherapeutic efficacy by effectively targeting GSTP1 and reducing drug resistance. The article, titled "Investigation of the inhibitory effects of the telomere-targeted compounds on glutathione S-transferase P1," was published on February 15, 2025.

"The esteemed Archives of Pharmacology has published our first peer-reviewed paper about the unique potential of the lead molecule in our second-generation THIO program," said Vlad Vitoc, M.D., CEO of MAIA. "Preclinical findings illuminate the superior GSTP1 binding affinity and inhibitory potency of this novel prodrug and support continued development of this new strategy for cancer therapy."

MAIA’s second generation research and discovery platform seeks to identify new telomere-targeting THIO-like compounds with potentially improved specificity towards cancer cells relative to normal cells and with potentially increased anticancer activity. More than 80 THIO-like compounds have been developed as part of the second-generation telomere targeting program.

"Our manuscript highlights the potential of THIO’s dimer as a potent GSTP1 inhibitor and a promising new strategy for enhancing cancer treatment and overcoming drug resistance," said Chief Scientific Officer Sergei Gryaznov, Ph.D. "Further exploration of the combinatorial effects of THIO with standard chemotherapeutic agents could provide valuable insights for optimizing standard cancer treatment protocols. These efforts could pave the way for novel, targeted strategies in cancer therapy, offering new hope in the fight against drug-resistant cancers."

About Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology

Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology, founded in 1873, is the oldest existing pharmacological journal and a dedicated platform for new and significant information on drug action and toxicity of chemical compounds. The peer-reviewed scientific journal covers all fields of experimental and clinical pharmacology as well as toxicology and includes studies in neuropharmacology and cardiovascular pharmacology and those describing drug actions at the cellular, biochemical and molecular levels.

About Ateganosine

Ateganosine (THIO, 6-thio-dG or 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine) is a first-in-class investigational telomere-targeting agent currently in clinical development to evaluate its activity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Telomeres, along with the enzyme telomerase, play a fundamental role in the survival of cancer cells and their resistance to current therapies. The modified nucleotide 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine induces telomerase-dependent telomeric DNA modification, DNA damage responses, and selective cancer cell death. Ateganosine-damaged telomeric fragments accumulate in cytosolic micronuclei and activates both innate (cGAS/STING) and adaptive (T-cell) immune responses. The sequential treatment with ateganosine followed by PD-(L)1 inhibitors resulted in profound and persistent tumor regression in advanced, in vivo cancer models by induction of cancer type–specific immune memory. Ateganosine is presently developed as a second or later line of treatment for NSCLC for patients that have progressed beyond the standard-of-care regimen of existing checkpoint inhibitors.

On March 20, 2025 IceCure Medical Ltd. (Nasdaq: ICCM) ("IceCure", "IceCure Medical" or the "Company"), developer of minimally-invasive cryoablation technology that destroys tumors by freezing as an alternative to surgical tumor removal, reported it is in continued discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") regarding its De Novo marketing authorization request for ProSense in early-stage low risk breast cancer with endocrine therapy (Press release, IceCure Medical, MAR 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234651331]). The Company now expects the FDA’s marketing authorization decision to be reached after the first quarter of 2025.

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"Given the novelty of our product and the importance of breast cancer in public health, the FDA has included many stakeholders in the discussion of the De Novo marketing clearance for ProSense for the treatment of early-stage, low-risk breast cancer with endocrine therapy" stated IceCure’s Chief Executive Officer, Eyal Shamir.

"We appreciate the attention of many at the FDA despite the evolving situation at the agency as we work productively together towards a decision on marketing authorization," Shamir added.

Due to the public health importance of breast cancer, the FDA convened a Medical Device Advisory Committee Panel ("Advisory Panel") in November 2024 to obtain independent non-binding expert advice on scientific, technical and policy matters related to the potential granting of marketing authorization of ProSense for treating patients with early-stage low risk breast cancer with endocrine therapy. The Advisory Panel, which included breast surgeons, interventional radiologists, breast oncologists, and representatives from the patient, consumer, and regulatory communities, voted in favor of ProSense’s benefit-risk profile in early-stage low risk breast cancer.