On June 2, 2025 Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) reported new Phase 1 data showing that its folate receptor alpha (FRα) antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) (LY4170156) demonstrated an encouraging safety profile and anti-tumor activity across dose and FRα expression levels in women with heavily pre-treated platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, including patients previously treated with mirvetuximab soravtansine (Press release, Eli Lilly, JUN 2, 2025, View Source [SID1234653604]). A preliminary overall objective response rate (ORR) of 55% was observed at the potential recommended Phase 2 dose of 4 mg/kg. Lilly’s FRα targeting ADC is composed of an Fc-silent, FRα specific humanized monoclonal antibody linked to exatecan, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, via a proprietary cleavable polysarcosine linker. These data will be presented today in a poster presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

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"ADCs have begun to change the treatment paradigm for some women with ovarian cancer, but a large proportion of patients still have a significant need for new therapies that improve outcomes regardless of FRα expression level," said Isabelle Ray-Coquard, M.D., Ph.D., president of the ENGOT (European Network of Gynecological Oncology Trial) group, medical oncologist at the Centre Léon Bérard Lyon France and principal investigator for the trial. "These initial data show activity across all doses and levels of FRα expression, including in patients previously treated with a FRα targeting treatment. Taken together with the emerging safety and tolerability profile, these data demonstrate early potential to meaningfully improve outcomes for women living with advanced ovarian cancer."

As of the March 9, 2025 data cutoff, the study enrolled 95 participants with high-grade serous ovarian cancer across four dose levels (2 – 6 mg/kg). Patients received a median of five prior systemic regimens (range 1-10), and 15% were previously treated with mirvetuximab soravtansine. Among the 95 patients, 51% had tumors with FRα expression less than 75%, 34% had FRα expression of 75% or higher, and 16% had expression results pending. Key endpoints were safety, pharmacokinetics, and anti-tumor activity per RECIST v1.1.

Efficacy results demonstrate responses at all dose levels, across all FRα expression levels, including in patients who progressed on prior mirvetuximab soravtansine. In the 58 efficacy-evaluable patients (37 patients remain ongoing prior to first response assessment and were therefore not yet efficacy-evaluable at the time of the data cutoff), the ORR was 45% (26/58 patients), and the disease control rate was 74% (43/58). At the potential recommended Phase 2 dose of 4 mg/kg, the ORR was 55% (11/20 patients). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events across all dose levels included nausea (64%), anemia (40%), fatigue (32%), vomiting (32%), diarrhea (28%), and neutropenia (27%). Treatment-emergent neuropathy and ocular toxicity has not been observed to date. No maximum tolerated dose has been established.

"We are excited to share these first clinical data for our FRα targeting ADC, demonstrating a promising tolerability and efficacy profile across all FRα expression levels," said David Hyman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Lilly. "Based on these results, we believe there is the potential to significantly expand the number of ovarian cancer patients who could benefit from a FRα ADC. We are now focused on rapidly advancing this potential new medicine into registrational Phase 3 clinical trials."

For more information on Lilly’s oncology pipeline click here.

About LY4170156
LY4170156 is an investigational, next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting folate receptor alpha (FRα). FRα is a cell-surface glycoprotein encoded by the gene FOLR1 that binds to the essential nutrients folic acid and reduced folates, bringing them into cells to facilitate cell division and growth.1,2 FRα is overexpressed in many solid tumors such as ovarian, non-small cell lung, and colorectal cancers.1,3,4

LY4170156 was designed to target FRα across expression levels with an improved therapeutic index. LY4170156 is composed of an Fc-silent, FRα specific humanized monoclonal antibody linked to exatecan, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, via a proprietary cleavable polysarcosine linker (PSARlink). PSARlink’s unique structure "masks" the cytotoxic molecules enabling them to stay in the body longer, providing the potential to broaden the therapeutic index of ADCs. LY4170156 is currently being studied in patients with ovarian cancer as well as other FRα-expressing solid tumors, NCT06400472.

On June 2, 2025 Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) reported it will participate in the Goldman Sachs 46th Annual Global Health Care Conference on June 10, 2025. Lucas Montarce, Lilly executive vice president and chief financial officer, will take part in a fireside chat at 8 a.m., Eastern time (Press release, Eli Lilly, JUN 2, 2025, View Source [SID1234653603]).

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A live audio webcast will be available on the "Webcasts & Presentations" section of Lilly’s investor website at View Source A replay of the presentation will be available on this same website for approximately 90 days.

On June 2, 2025 Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated (NASDAQ: CORT), a commercial-stage company engaged in the discovery and development of medications to treat severe endocrinologic, oncologic, metabolic and neurologic disorders by modulating the effects of the hormone cortisol, reported data from its pivotal Phase 3 ROSELLA trial of relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer in a late-breaking oral presentation at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2025 (American Society of Clinical Oncology) Annual Meeting (Press release, Corcept Therapeutics, JUN 2, 2025, https://ir.corcept.com/news-releases/news-release-details/corcept-presents-pivotal-clinical-data-asco-late-breaker [SID1234653602]).

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The presentation abstract can be found here and the presentation slides here. The data have been simultaneously published in The Lancet, titled "Relacorilant and nab-paclitaxel in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (ROSELLA): an open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial."

ROSELLA met its primary endpoint of improved progression-free survival as assessed by blinded independent central review (PFS-BICR). Patients who received relacorilant in addition to nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy experienced a 30 percent reduction in risk of disease progression compared to patients who received nab-paclitaxel monotherapy (hazard ratio: 0.70; p-value: 0.0076). Median PFS-BICR was extended to 6.5 months, compared to 5.5 months in patients who received nab-paclitaxel alone. In addition, PFS assessed by investigators was consistent with PFS-BICR, with a hazard ratio of 0.71 (p-value: 0.0030). An interim analysis of overall survival (OS), showed that the addition of relacorilant reduced the risk of death by 31 percent, substantially lengthening patients’ lives. Median OS for patients who received relacorilant was 16.0 months, compared to 11.5 months for patients who received nab-paclitaxel alone (hazard ratio: 0.69; p-value: 0.0121). These benefits were seen in all clinically relevant subgroups, including those with poor prognoses.

Relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel was well-tolerated, with a comparable safety profile between treatment arms. The addition of relacorilant did not increase patients’ safety burden. In addition, patients treated with relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel had a lower incidence of ascites (5.3 percent), than did patients who received nab-paclitaxel alone (10.5 percent). The occurrence of abdominal paracenteses during treatment was also lower for patients treated with relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel (7.4 percent), compared to nab-paclitaxel alone (13.2 percent).

"For many patients with advanced, recurrent ovarian cancer, the tumor eventually becomes resistant to chemotherapy, and oncologists have few good treatment options. Relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel may provide a powerful tool for improving progression-free and overall survival in patients with this disease," said Alexander B. Olawaiye, M.D., Director of gynecological cancer research at Magee-Women’s Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh and Principal Investigator in the ROSELLA trial. "The data presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2025 and published in The Lancet support this regimen becoming a new standard-of-care treatment."

"These data show that treatment with relacorilant can help patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer live longer, without adding to their safety burden. We plan to bring this treatment option to patients as quickly as possible and are working on our regulatory applications in the U.S. and Europe. We want to thank all the patients and investigators who participated in this trial," said Bill Guyer, PharmD, Corcept’s Chief Development Officer. "These data also illustrate the benefits of modulating cortisol activity in patients whose tumors express the glucocorticoid receptor. We have initiated a trial evaluating the benefit of adding relacorilant to a regimen of nab-paclitaxel and bevacizumab (BELLA Trial), and are considering additional clinical trials."

ROSELLA enrolled 381 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer at sites in the United States, Europe, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and Australia; biomarker selection was not required. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel alone. ROSELLA has dual primary endpoints — PFS-BICR and OS. A positive outcome is achieved if either endpoint is met.

The ROSELLA trial is being conducted in collaboration with The GOG Foundation, Inc. (GOG-F), the European Network of Gynaecological Oncological Trial groups (ENGOT), the Asia-Pacific Gynecologic Oncology Trials Group (APGOT), the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group (LACOG), and the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG).

About Relacorilant

Relacorilant, an oral therapy, is a selective glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist that modulates cortisol activity by binding to the GR but not to the body’s other hormone receptors. Corcept is studying relacorilant in a variety of serious disorders in addition to ovarian cancer, including endogenous hypercortisolism (Cushing’s syndrome) and prostate cancer. Relacorilant is proprietary to Corcept and is protected by composition of matter, method of use and other patents. It has been designated an orphan drug by the FDA and the European Commission (EC) for the treatment of hypercortisolism and by the EC for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

About Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in women. Patients whose disease returns less than six months after receiving platinum-containing therapy have "platinum-resistant" disease. There are few treatment options for these women. Median overall survival following recurrence is approximately 12 months with single-agent chemotherapy. Approximately 20,000 women with platinum-resistant disease are candidates to start a new therapy each year in the United States, with at least an equal number in Europe.

On June 2, 2025 Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc. (NYSE American: CLDI) ("Calidi"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of systemic oncolytic targeted immunotherapies with the ability to deliver genetic payloads, reported the presentation of its lead RedTail platform candidate, CLD-401, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (Press release, Calidi Biotherapeutics, JUN 2, 2025, View Source [SID1234653601]).

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Calidi has previously demonstrated its pioneering efforts in developing an enveloped form of its proprietary oncolytic virus that is significantly more resistant to immune clearance than non-enveloped forms, allowing for systemic delivery and efficacy in syngeneic tumor-bearing pre-clinical models. Calidi has further advanced this technology with CLD-401, its first therapeutic candidate from the RedTail platform. New data presented at the meeting demonstrate a novel genetic modification in which a chimeric CD55 receptor is incorporated into the envelope shielding the virus. Because CD55 receptor expression acts as a robust inhibitor of complement, this modification further enhances the virus’s resistance to rapid clearance by the humoral immune system following intravenous administration.

In addition, the RedTail viral platform also allows for the delivery of potent genetic payloads directly into the tumor microenvironment. CLD-401 expresses an IL-15 superagonist, a next-generation cytokine known to activate and expand natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells—key components of the immune system with demonstrated clinical efficacy.

"The integration of CD55 into our RedTail platform marks a major advancement in systemic virotherapy," said Antonio F. Santidrian, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and Head of Technical Operations at Calidi. "By improving the shielding of the virus from complement-mediated destruction, we enhance its stability in circulation and enable the in situ expression of immune-activating payloads—such as the IL-15 superagonist—directly within the tumor microenvironment, where they can stimulate a robust antitumor immune response."

"RedTail is the result of over a decade of focused innovation at Calidi," added Eric Poma, PhD, Chief Executive Officer. "Our systemic approach overcomes the limitations of traditional intratumoral oncolytic viruses and enables the treatment of metastatic cancers through intravenous administration. The use of a chimeric CD55 enhancement is a critical enabler of this vision."

Calidi is currently conducting IND-enabling studies for CLD-401 and anticipates submitting an Investigational New Drug (IND) application in the second half of 2026. The company is also actively pursuing strategic partnerships to accelerate clinical development and broaden the impact of its RedTail platform

A copy of the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) poster featuring the CD55 data is available.

On June 2, 2025 BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. (Nasdaq: BCTX, BCTXW, BCTXZ), (TSX: BCT) (" BriaCell " or the " Company "), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care, reported clinical data in three clinical poster presentations and one publish-only abstract at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (Press release, BriaCell Therapeutics, JUN 2, 2025, View Source [SID1234653600]). BriaCell has featured robust survival and clinical benefit data from its Bria-IMT Phase 2 clinical study, clinical progress data from its ongoing pivotal Bria-IMT Phase 3 study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06072612 ), and Phase 1/2 study of Bria-OTS (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06471673 ) in metastatic breast cancer.

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"Prolonging survival and providing meaningful clinical benefit for patients whose disease has demonstrated resistance to multiple treatment options remains a critical unmet need in breast cancer. These Bria-IMT regimen results are promising for individuals with metastatic breast cancer," said Sara A. Hurvitz, MD, FACP, Senior Vice President, Director of the Clinical Research Division, and Smith Family Endowed Chair in Women’s Health at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, as well as Professor and Head of the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of Washington, Seattle, WA, and co-author of one of the clinical posters. "The low incidence of all grade and grade 3/4 adverse events is particularly notable."

"We are thrilled with our Phase 2 overall survival and clinical benefit data which meets and exceeds those of FDA approved drugs — even in very heavily pre-treated patients in our study," noted Dr. William V. Williams, BriaCell’s President & CEO. "We look forward to further confirming these impressive results in our ongoing pivotal Phase 3 study with the ultimate goal of bringing novel treatments to cancer patients in need."

The details of the poster presentation sessions and publish-only abstract are listed below.

Poster Title: Update on phase III pivotal trial of Bria-IMT + CPI vs physician’s choice in advanced metastatic breast cancer (BRIA-ABC)
Session Date and Time: June 2, 2025 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT
Abstract Number for Publication: TPS1138
Poster Board Number: 108a
Session Type and Title: Poster Session – Breast Cancer—Metastatic

"Trial in Progress" poster presents early enrollment data and the overall design of the Phase 3 pivotal trial along with updated clinical outcomes from the Phase 2 Bria-IMT study.

Poster Title: Bria-IMT + checkpoint inhibitor: Phase I/II survival results compared to benchmark trials in metastatic breast cancer
Session Date and Time: June 2, 2025 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT
Abstract Number for Publication: 1096
Poster Board Number: 75
Session Type and Title: Poster Session – Breast Cancer—Metastatic

In the Phase 2 study of Bria-IMT combined with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) in 54 heavily pre-treated metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients (median of six prior systemic therapies; range 2–13), Bria-IMT demonstrated promising efficacy and safety. Notably, 44% of patients had failed a prior antibody-drug conjugate, and 20% had failed a prior CPI. Among these patients, the overall clinical benefit rate (CBR; defined as CR, PR, or SD) was 55%, with CBRs of 100% in HER2+, 55% in HR+/HER2-, and 45% in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subgroups, indicating antitumor activity across MBC subtypes. Additionally, patients treated with the selected Phase 3 formulation (without IFNγ; N=37) experienced significantly improved overall survival (13.9 vs. 6.93 months; P=0.01) compared to those receiving the alternate formulation, highlighting the potential of Bria-IMT for advancing in clinical development.

Table 1. Median overall survival (OS) in BriaCell Phase 2 Study patients who were treated with Phase 3 formulation (without IFNγ) compared with comparable patients in the literature

N = 54 Breast Cancer
Types Median Prior
Lines of Therapy Median (months)
Phase 3 formulation
(without IFNγ) 61% HR+
33% TNBC
6% HER2+ 6 17.3*
13.9
Cortes et al. 1 57% HR+
18-19% TNBC
18-20% HER2+ 4 9.1-9.3
Kazmi et al. 2 51-52% HR+
25-29% TNBC
9-24% HER2+ 2 7.2-9.8
* Patients treated since 2022
1. Cortes J, et al. Annals of Oncology 2018
2. Kazmi S, et al. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2020
Table 2. Median overall survival (OS), and clinical benefit rate (CBR) in TNBC patients treated with Bria-IMT Phase 3 formulation compared with pivotal Phase 3 ASCENT 1 study results (Trodelvy (SG) vs. Treatment of Physicians Choice (TPC) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC))
Trial (Cohort) Age (Median,
Range) Prior
Therapies
(Median) Prior ADC/CPI
(%) CNS
Mets OS
(Median,
Months) CBR
(%)
TNBC Bria-
IMT (Phase 3
Formulation) 62 (44-80) 6 (2-13) 20/19 4 11.4 45 %
ASCENT (SG) 54 (27-82) 4 (2-17) 27/None Listed None
Listed 11.8 40%
ASCENT (TPC) 53 (27-81) 4 (2-14) 27/None Listed None
Listed 6.9 8%

1 Bardia, A., et al Journal of Clinical Oncology, 42(15), 1738–1744.
As shown in table 2, both OS and CBR values were in line or higher than those reported in the treatment arm of the ASCENT study for TNBC patients treated with Phase 3 formulation of Bria-IMT regimen but were almost 2 times higher than those shown in the TPC comparator arm.
Table 3: Median overall survival (OS), and clinical benefit rate (CBR) in HR+/HER2- patients treated with the Bria-IMT (Phase 3 formulation) compared with pivotal Phase 3 TROPiCS-02 2 study results (SG or Chemo in Hormone Receptor +/HER2- MBC)
Trial (Cohort) Age
(Median,
Range) Prior
Therapies
(Median) Prior
ADC/CPI
(%) CNS
Mets OS
(Median,
Months) CBR (%)
HR+/HER2-
Bria-IMT (Phase 3
Formulation) 62 (44-80) 6 (2-13) 17/2 1 17.3 60 %
TROPiCS (SG) 57 (49-65) 3 None
Listed None
Listed 14.4 34%
TROPiCS (Chemo) 55 (48-63) 3 None
Listed None
Listed 11.2 22%

2 Rugo, H. S., et al. The Lancet, 402(10411), 1423–1433.
As shown in table 3, both OS and CBR values for patients treated with Phase 3 formulation of the Bria-IMT regimen were higher than those reported in both arms of the TROPICS study.
Favorable tolerability profile: Bria-IMT was well-tolerated with no treatment-related discontinuations. 22% of patients are still in active survival follow up with one patient remaining on study now for over 18 months.
The efficacy data and favorable safety profile of the Phase 3 formulation support the continued evaluation of Bria-IMT in BriaCell’s ongoing pivotal Phase 3 trial ( NCT06072612 ), which compares Bria-IMT to the treatment of physician’s choice. The ongoing patient subset analysis in this trial aims to identify the patients who may derive the greatest benefit from Bria-IMT treatment.

Poster Title: Trial in progress: A study of Bria-OTS cellular immunotherapy in metastatic recurrent breast cancer
Session Date and Time: June 2, 2025 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT
Abstract Number for Publication: TPS1136
Poster Board Number: 107a
Session Type and Title: Poster Session – Breast Cancer—Metastatic

In a dose-escalation Phase 1/2 study, heavily pre-treated MBC patients received Bria-OTS monotherapy (single agent Bria-OTS cells only). The Phase 1 segment enrolled and treated 3 patients with the first patient achieving a confirmed resolution of a breast cancer lung metastasis and remaining on study with single agent Bria-OTS. Following successful completion of safety evaluations, BriaCell has initiated the combination cohort dosing the first patient with Bria-OTS plus checkpoint inhibitor (CPI).

Publish-Only Abstract Title : Impact of HLA Matching on Clinical Outcomes in a Phase 2 Trial of Bria-IMT Plus Anti PD1 in Advanced Breast Cancer

Following the presentations, copies of the presentations will be posted on View Source