Nuvation Bio Announces Expanded Access Program in the U.S. for Taletrectinib in Advanced ROS1-positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

On February 3, 2025 Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE: NUVB), a global biopharmaceutical company tackling some of the greatest unmet needs in oncology, reported it has initiated an Expanded Access Program (EAP) for taletrectinib in the U.S. for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1-positive (ROS1+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available (Press release, Nuvation Bio, FEB 3, 2025, View Source [SID1234650010]).

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"We are committed to working with the ROS1-positive NSCLC community, and the healthcare providers who serve them, to ensure this EAP provides eligible patients in the U.S. with efficient access to taletrectinib outside of our clinical trials."

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"This EAP reflects our unwavering dedication to patients with ROS1-positive NSCLC," said David Hung, M.D., Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Nuvation Bio. "We are committed to working with the ROS1-positive NSCLC community, and the healthcare providers who serve them, to ensure this EAP provides eligible patients in the U.S. with efficient access to taletrectinib outside of our clinical trials."

The EAP, as authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), allows patients with serious or immediately life-threatening ROS1+ NSCLC to access taletrectinib outside of the ongoing pivotal Phase 2 TRUST-II study.

"ROS1-positive NSCLC is a rare form of lung cancer with a unique patient journey to navigate," said Janet Freeman-Daily, Co-Founder and President of The ROS1ders. "At The ROS1ders, we are constantly working toward our goal of improving survival and quality of life for the ROS1-positive cancer community by encouraging the research, development, and commercialization of effective treatments. Despite recent progress, there are times when approved therapies have not provided sufficient benefit or when patients are not eligible for a clinical trial. EAPs represent an opportunity for patients and their families to access investigational drugs that would not have otherwise been available to them."

In December 2024, the U.S. FDA accepted Nuvation Bio’s New Drug Application (NDA) for taletrectinib for the treatment of advanced ROS1+ NSCLC (line agnostic). The U.S. FDA granted the application Priority Review and assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of June 23, 2025. The NDA is based on the pooled results from the pivotal Phase 2 TRUST-I and TRUST-II studies of taletrectinib, which were presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress in September 2024.

About Expanded Access to Taletrectinib

EAPs are intended to serve as a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical treatment outside of clinical trials and before it is approved by the U.S. FDA. The EAP for taletrectinib may be available for patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1+ NSCLC who, in the opinion of the treating clinician, are not appropriate candidates for approved ROS1 targeted therapies and ongoing taletrectinib clinical studies. For additional information on Nuvation Bio’s clinical trials and EAP, please visit View Source or contact [email protected].

About Taletrectinib

Taletrectinib is an oral, potent, central nervous system-active, selective, next-generation ROS1 inhibitor specifically designed for the treatment of patients with advanced ROS1+ NSCLC. Taletrectinib is being evaluated for the treatment of patients with advanced ROS1+ NSCLC in two Phase 2 single-arm pivotal studies: TRUST-I (NCT04395677) in China, and TRUST-II (NCT04919811), a global study.

Based on pooled results of the TRUST-I and TRUST-II clinical studies, the U.S. FDA has accepted for Priority Review Nuvation Bio’s NDA for taletrectinib for the treatment of patients with advanced ROS1+ NSCLC (line agnostic, full approval) and assigned a PDUFA goal date of June 23, 2025. The U.S. FDA previously granted taletrectinib Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1+ NSCLC who either have or have not previously been treated with ROS1 TKIs, and Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of patients with ROS1+ NSCLC and other NSCLC indications. In January 2025, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved taletrectinib for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1+ NSCLC.

About ROS1+ NSCLC

Each year, more than one million people globally are diagnosed with NSCLC, the most common form of lung cancer. It is estimated that approximately 2% of patients with NSCLC have ROS1+ disease. Up to 35% of patients newly diagnosed with metastatic ROS1+ NSCLC have tumors that spread to their brain, increasing up to 55% for those whose cancer has progressed following initial treatment. Despite recent progress for patients with ROS1+ NSCLC, there remains a need for more effective and tolerable treatment options.

TriSalus Life Sciences Announces Drawdown of $10 Million Tranche Under Credit Agreement with OrbiMed

On February 3, 2025 TriSalus Life Sciences Inc. (Nasdaq: TLSI), a biomedical technology company seeking to transform outcomes for patients with solid tumors by integrating its innovative delivery technology with standard-of-care therapies and its investigational immunotherapy, reported that it has requested a drawdown of $10 million under its previously announced $50 million credit agreement with OrbiMed, a healthcare investment firm (Press release, TriSalus Life Sciences, FEB 3, 2025, View Source [SID1234650009]).

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Pursuant to the to the Agreement, OrbiMed agreed to provide a term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $50 million. The $10 million drawdown became available to TriSalus upon achievement of product revenue-based milestone of $30 million for the trailing 12-months ending on January 31, 2025. With the closing of the $10 million tranche, the company has drawn a total of $35 million under the credit agreement with OrbiMed.

CHMP Issues Positive Opinion for Subcutaneous RYBREVANT®(amivantamab) Co-Formulated with ENHANZE® for the Treatment of Patients with Advanced EGFR-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

On February 3, 2025 Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALO) (Halozyme) reported that Janssen-Cilag International NV, a Johnson & Johnson company, received a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency recommending an extension of marketing authorisation for a subcutaneous (SC) formulation of RYBREVANT (amivantamab) in combination with LAZCLUZE (lazertinib) for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations, and as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with advanced NSCLC with activating EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations after failure of platinum-based therapy (Press release, Halozyme, FEB 3, 2025, View Source [SID1234650008]).

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"We are pleased that the subcutaneous formulation of amivantamab, which was developed with our ENHANZE drug delivery technology, was recommended for approval in Europe," said Dr. Helen Torley, president and chief executive officer of Halozyme. "The data that support the recommendation could represent a very compelling proposition for patients with the approximate five-minute administration time and five-fold reduction in infusion related reactions."

The CHMP positive opinion is supported by positive results from the Phase 3 PALOMA-3 study (NCT05388669). For more information on the study and its findings, please view Johnson & Johnson’s press release issued today.

Subcutaneous amivantamab is co-formulated with recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 (rHuPH20), Halozyme’s ENHANZE drug delivery technology.

1 Leighl NB et al. Subcutaneous Versus Intravenous Amivantamab, Both in Combination With Lazertinib, in Refractory Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor–Mutated Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: Primary Results From the Phase III PALOMA-3 Study. ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2024;42(3):3593-3605.

2 Leighl NB, et al. Subcutaneous Versus Intravenous Amivantamab, Both in Combination With Lazertinib, in Refractory Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Primary Results From the Phase III PALOMA-3 Study. J Clin Oncol. 2024 Oct 20;42(30):3593-3605.

3 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Lazertinib With Subcutaneous Amivantamab Compared With Intravenous Amivantamab in Participants With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-Mutated Advanced or Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (PALOMA-3). View Source Accessed January 2025.

Imfinzi recommended for approval in the EU by CHMP as first and only immunotherapy for limited-stage small cell lung cancer

On February 3, 2025 AstraZeneca reported that Imfinzi (durvalumab) has been recommended for approval in the European Union (EU) as monotherapy for the treatment of adults with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) whose disease has not progressed following platinum-based chemoradiation therapy (CRT) (Press release, AstraZeneca, FEB 3, 2025, View Source [SID1234650007]).

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The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) based its positive opinion on the results from the ADRIATIC Phase III trial, which were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Results showed Imfinzi reduced the risk of death by 27% versus placebo (based on an overall survival [OS] hazard ratio [HR] of 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57-0.93; p=0.0104). Estimated median OS was 55.9 months for Imfinzi versus 33.4 months for placebo. An estimated 57% of patients treated with Imfinzi were alive at three years compared to 48% for placebo.

Imfinzi also reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 24% (based on a progression-free survival [PFS] HR of 0.76; 95% CI 0.61-0.95; p=0.0161) versus placebo. Median PFS was 16.6 months for Imfinzi versus 9.2 months for placebo. An estimated 46% of patients treated with Imfinzi had not experienced disease progression at two years compared to 34% for placebo.

SCLC is a highly aggressive form of lung cancer.1 LS-SCLC typically recurs and progresses rapidly, despite initial response to standard-of-care chemotherapy and radiotherapy.2-3 The prognosis for LS-SCLC is particularly poor, as only 15-30% of patients will be alive five years after diagnosis.4

Suresh Senan, PhD, Professor of Clinical Experimental Radiotherapy at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers, The Netherlands, and principal investigator in the trial, said: "ADRIATIC was the first Phase III trial in decades to demonstrate a survival benefit in limited-stage small cell lung cancer, reducing the risk of death by 27 per cent in patients treated with durvalumab versus placebo. Today’s positive recommendation from the CHMP means that our patients in Europe are one step closer to gaining access to this practice-changing treatment regimen."

Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology Haematology, R&D, AstraZeneca, said: "With 57 per cent of patients still alive at three years in the ADRIATIC trial, Imfinzi has the potential to transform treatment for people with limited-stage small cell lung cancer. If approved, these patients will have access to immunotherapy for the first time, redefining expectations of survival outcomes in this setting."

The safety profile for Imfinzi was generally manageable and consistent with the known profile of this medicine. No new safety signals were observed.

Imfinzi is approved in the US and several other countries in this setting based on the ADRIATIC results. Regulatory applications are currently under review in Japan and several other countries in this indication.

Notes

Small cell lung cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, accounting for about one-fifth of all cancer deaths.5-6 Lung cancer is broadly split into non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and SCLC, with about 15% of cases classified as SCLC.7

LS-SCLC (Stage I-III) is classified as SCLC that is generally only in one lung or one side of the chest.8 LS-SCLC accounts for approximately 30% of SCLC diagnoses, with an estimated 8,000 people treated for LS-SCLC across the five major European countries each year.9-10 The prognosis for patients with LS-SCLC remains poor despite curative-intent treatment with standard-of-care concurrent CRT (cCRT).9

ADRIATIC
The ADRIATIC trial is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre global Phase III trial evaluating Imfinzi monotherapy and Imfinzi plus Imjudo (tremelimumab) versus placebo in the treatment of 730 patients with LS-SCLC who had not progressed following cCRT. In the experimental arms, patients were randomised to receive a 1500mg fixed dose of Imfinzi with or without Imjudo 75mg every four weeks for up to four doses/cycles each, followed by Imfinzi every four weeks for up to 24 months.

The dual primary endpoints were PFS and OS for Imfinzi monotherapy versus placebo. Key secondary endpoints included OS and PFS for Imfinzi plus Imjudo versus placebo, safety and quality of life measures. The trial included 164 centres in 19 countries across North and South America, Europe and Asia.

Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour’s immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.

In addition to its indication in LS-SCLC, Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy and the global standard of care in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III NSCLC in patients whose disease has not progressed after CRT. Additionally, Imfinzi is approved as a perioperative treatment in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in resectable NSCLC; in combination with chemotherapy (etoposide and either carboplatin or cisplatin) for the treatment of extensive-stage SCLC; and in combination with a short course of Imjudo and chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC.

Imfinzi is also approved in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) in locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer and in combination with Imjudo in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Imfinzi is also approved as a monotherapy in unresectable HCC in Japan and the EU.

Imfinzi is also approved in combination with chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) followed by Imfinzi monotherapy in primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) in the US. In the EU, Imfinzi plus chemotherapy followed by Lynparza (olaparib) and Imfinzi is approved for patients with mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer, and Imfinzi plus chemotherapy followed by Imfinzi alone is approved for patients with dMMR disease. In Japan, Imfinzi plus chemotherapy followed by Imfinzi monotherapy has also been approved as 1st-line treatment in primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer, and Imfinzi plus chemotherapy followed by Imfinzi and Lynparza has been approved for patients with pMMR disease.

Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 374,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi. As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, breast cancer, several gastrointestinal and gynaecologic cancers, and other solid tumours.

Bavarian Nordic Reports Preliminary 2024 Financial Results in Line with Upgraded Guidance and Guides for 2025

On February 3, 2025 Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA) reported preliminary, unaudited financial results for 2024 and provided its financial guidance for 2025 (Press release, Bavarian Nordic, FEB 3, 2025, View Source [SID1234650006]).

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The preliminary revenue in 2024 was DKK 5,716 million and was comprised of the following:

Revenue from Public Preparedness was DKK 3,206 million, reaching the midpoint of the guided interval of DKK 3,000 – 3,400 million. This is more than 1,000 million above the projected base business and reflects another spike year of sales, as the Company addressed the second public health emergency for mpox.
Revenue from Travel Health increased by 22% to DKK 2,287 million, compared to a guidance of DKK 2,200 million. The strong performance was in particular driven by Rabipur/RabAvert and Encepur.
Other revenue totaled DKK 223 million.
The preliminary operating result (EBITDA) was a profit of DKK 1,603 million, corresponding to an EBITDA-margin of 28%, in line with the guided interval of DKK 1,450 – 1,700 million and a margin of 27-29%.

"We delivered strong results in 2024 after an extraordinary performance in our Travel Health business, demonstrating a 22% growth year-over-year, combined with additional mpox vaccine orders, as we made significant strides in strengthening the public health response in Africa and other regions during the current outbreak. Thus, we exceeded our base projections for the Public Preparedness business, which will continue into 2025," said Paul Chaplin, President and CEO of Bavarian Nordic. "Our portfolio continues to grow, and we are truly excited to launch our chikungunya vaccine for travelers over 12 years in both Europe and the US later this year, while also continuing to expand our partnerships to improve access to critical vaccines for vulnerable populations around the globe. Looking into 2025, we have other important milestones in sight, including the completion of the tech transfer of the rabies and TBE vaccines, as well as the payment of the final considerations for our recent acquisitions, which will further strengthen our financial position and flexibility going forward."

The consolidated, audited financial results for 2024 will become available on March 5, 2025, in connection with the publication of the Company’s Annual Report for 2024.

DKK million

FY 2024 guidance
original, 21-Feb-2024

FY 2024 guidance

latest, 26-Sep-2024

FY 2024 actuals
preliminary, unaudited

Revenue

5,000 – 5,300

5,400 – 5,800

5,716

EBITDA

1,100 – 1,350

1,450 – 1,700

1,603

2025 financial guidance
For 2025, Bavarian Nordic expects revenue of DKK 5,700 – 6,700 million and an EBITDA-margin of 26-30%.

DKK million

FY 2025 guidance

Revenue

5,700 – 6,700

EBITDA-margin

26% – 30%

The expected revenue is comprised of DKK 3,000 – 4,000 million from Public Preparedness vaccines, of which DKK 2,500 million have already been secured by contracts. Furthermore, approximately DKK 2,500 million from Travel Health vaccines, and approximately DKK 200 million from contract work are expected.

Travel Health revenue includes DKK 50 – 100 million from the sale of chikungunya vaccines, which is expected to be launched in the US and key European markets later in 2025, pending regulatory approval.

As communicated in early 2024, Bavarian Nordic expects an average annual growth of 10-12% in Travel Health during 2023-2027, and a Public Preparedness base business of DKK 1,500 – 2,000 million annually. With 22% growth in 2024 and the additional growth expected in 2025 for Travel Health combined with the current order book for Public Preparedness, the Company is currently ahead of these ambitions.

The normal seasonality of the Travel Health business and the timing of revenue recognition of orders from Public Preparedness will cause variability in revenue and EBITDA throughout the year, with the first quarter of 2025 being light.

Research and development costs of approximately DKK 900 million are expected, which include cost for life-cycle management of the growing commercial portfolio, including additional studies of the chikungunya vaccine as agreed with the regulatory authorities as well as the advancement of early-stage pipeline assets.

CAPEX is expected at approximately DKK 250 million whereas inventory levels are anticipated to be relatively unchanged.

The outlook is based on the following assumptions on currency exchange rates of DKK 7.00 per 1 USD and DKK 7.45 per 1 EUR.