Marengo Therapeutics Enters Multi-Year Collaboration With University of Pennsylvania Institute for Immunology and Immune Health to Advance Next Wave Precision T Cell Immunology Research in Oncology and Autoimmune Diseases

On March 20, 2025 Marengo Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering novel discovery of reprogramming T cell repertoire for precision immunotherapy in oncology and autoimmune diseases, reported a multi-year research collaboration in oncology and autoimmune diseases with E John Wherry, Ph.D., Director of the Institute for Immunology and Immune Health (I3H) at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine (Penn) (Press release, Marengo Therapeutics, MAR 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234651328]).

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The research collaboration with Dr. Wherry and his laboratory will provide deeper insights into the mechanism of action of Marengo’s selective dual T cell agonists in oncology, while also accelerating the development of its novel precision T cell depletion platform (M-STAR) through translational research investigating the use of germline TCR regions in autoimmune diseases.

"By targeting germline-encoded regions of the TCR, Marengo’s foundational platform enables the generation of new classes of selectively targeted T cell therapeutics that we believe will reprogram the T cell repertoire and unlock new therapeutic applications across a range of disease areas," said Andrew Bayliffe, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Marengo. "Partnering with the Wherry lab will improve our understanding of our selective T cell agonists in oncology and expand our pipeline of game-changing precision T cell depleters for autoimmune diseases."

Dr. Wherry, the Richard and Barbara Schiffrin President’s Distinguished Professor and chair of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics at Penn, is a leading expert in T cell research. As demonstrated by his seminal work in characterizing mechanisms of T cell exhaustion and T cell checkpoint inhibition in oncology, Dr. Wherry’s research focuses on high-dimensional immune profiling to identify targets that harness the immune system’s ability to fight diverse immunological diseases.

"My team is dedicated to advancing innovative T cell therapies," said Professor Wherry, "The ability to selectively promote activation or depletion of T cell subsets has great potential in oncology and autoimmune diseases, respectively. Further understanding the disease association of these germline TCR regions compared to in healthy populations is relatively understudied and can identify valuable opportunities for precision immunology therapies in a range of diseases."

RYBREVANT® (amivantamab-vmjw) plus LAZCLUZE™ (lazertinib) significantly outperforms standard of care in first-line EGFR-mutated lung cancer with compelling new data at ELCC 2025

On March 20, 2025 Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) reported that new data from its industry-leading oncology pipeline will be presented at the 2025 European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC), including overall survival (OS) results from the Phase 3 MARIPOSA study evaluating RYBREVANT (amivantamab-vmjw) plus LAZCLUZE (lazertinib) versus osimertinib in the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions (ex19del) or L858R substitution mutations (Press release, Johnson & Johnson, MAR 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234651327]).

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"Patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer deserve to live longer and with more hope than current treatments provide," said Yusri Elsayed, M.D., M.H.Sc., Ph.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. "These newest and compelling overall survival data for first-line treatment with RYBREVANT and LAZCLUZE are fundamentally changing treatment discussions and transforming expectations for how long patients can live."

Additional presentations will feature the first data from the Phase 2 COCOON study, evaluating a simple to use and widely accessible dermatologic regimen given prophylactically to patients receiving the RYBREVANT combination, and new results from the Phase 2 PALOMA-2 study evaluating the feasibility of switching to subcutaneous (SC) amivantamab.

"We are redefining the way EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer is treated with therapies that improve survival and give patients more time," said Henar Hevia, Ph.D., Senior Director, EMEA Therapeutic Area Lead, Oncology, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine. "The chemotherapy-free regimen of RYBREVANT plus LAZCLUZE represents a major breakthrough, offering an innovative and life-extending option that can meaningfully impact lives."

ELCC 2025 Presentation Highlights:

OS results from the Phase 3 MARIPOSA study comparing RYBREVANT plus LAZCLUZE versus osimertinib in first-line EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC (Proffered Paper Abstract #4O).
First presentation of data from the Phase 2 COCOON study evaluating an easy-to-use, readily available prophylactic regimen for the prevention of dermatologic reactions in the first-line treatment of EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC in patients receiving RYBREVANT plus LAZCLUZE (Mini Oral Abstract #10MO).
Initial results from the Phase 2 PALOMA-2 study evaluating switching to SC amivantamab among patients benefitting from IV delivery in advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC (Poster Abstract #58P).
Insights from the Phase 1/1b CHRYSALIS-2 study comparing RYBREVANT plus LAZCLUZE to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) monotherapy in a matched real-world cohort of atypical EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC (Poster Abstract #59P).
Preliminary results from a Phase 1 study evaluating the safety and feasibility of JNJ-1900 (NBTXR3), a novel radioenhancer activated by radiation therapy, in combination with anti-PD1 treatment for patients with advanced solid tumors and lung metastases (Poster Abstract #255P).
A complete list of Johnson & Johnson-sponsored abstracts is available on JNJ.com.

About RYBREVANT

RYBREVANT (amivantamab-vmjw), a fully-human bispecific antibody targeting EGFR and MET with immune cell-directing activity, is approved in the U.S., Europe and other markets around the world as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, whose disease has progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.1 In the subcutaneous formulation, amivantamab is co-formulated with recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 (rHuPH20), Halozyme’s ENHANZE drug delivery technology.

RYBREVANT is approved in the U.S., Europe and other markets around the world in combination with chemotherapy (carboplatin and pemetrexed) for the first-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test.

RYBREVANT is approved in the U.S., Europe and other markets around the world in combination with LAZCLUZE (lazertinib) for the first-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test.

RYBREVANT is approved in the U.S., Europe and other markets around the world in combination with chemotherapy (carboplatin-pemetrexed) for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletions or L858R substitution mutations, whose disease has progressed on or after treatment with an EGFR TKI.

In February 2025, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended the approval of SC amivantamab and LAZCLUZE in Europe for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced NSCLC with 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.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for NSCLC§ prefer next-generation sequencing–based strategies over polymerase chain reaction–based approaches for the detection of EGFR exon 20 insertion variants. The NCCN Guidelines include:

Amivantamab-vmjw (RYBREVANT) plus lazertinib (LAZCLUZE) as a Category 1 recommendation for first-line therapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations.2 †‡
Amivantamab-vmjw (RYBREVANT) plus chemotherapy as a Category 1 recommendation for patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations who experienced disease progression after treatment with osimertinib.2 †‡
Amivantamab-vmjw (RYBREVANT) plus chemotherapy as a Category 1 recommendation for first-line therapy in treatment-naive patients with newly diagnosed advanced or metastatic EGFR exon 20 insertion mutation-positive advanced NSCLC.2 †‡
Amivantamab-vmjw (RYBREVANT) as a Category 2A recommendation for patients that have progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy with or without an immunotherapy and have EGFR exon 20 insertion mutation-positive NSCLC.2 †‡
RYBREVANT is being studied in multiple clinical trials in NSCLC, including:

The Phase 3 MARIPOSA (NCT04487080) study assessing RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE versus osimertinib and versus LAZCLUZE alone in the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR ex19del or substitution mutations.3
The Phase 3 MARIPOSA-2 (NCT04988295) study assessing the efficacy of RYBREVANT (with or without LAZCLUZE) and carboplatin-pemetrexed versus carboplatin-pemetrexed alone in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletions or L858R substitution mutations after disease progression on or after osimertinib.4
The Phase 3 PAPILLON (NCT04538664) study assessing RYBREVANT in combination with carboplatin-pemetrexed versus chemotherapy alone in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations.5
The Phase 3 PALOMA-3 (NCT05388669) study assessing LAZCLUZE with subcutaneous (SC) amivantamab compared to RYBREVANT in patients with EGFR-mutated advanced or metastatic NSCLC.6
The Phase 2 PALOMA-2 (NCT05498428) study assessing SC amivantamab in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors including EGFR-mutated NSCLC.7
The Phase 1 PALOMA (NCT04606381) study assessing the feasibility of SC amivantamab based on safety and pharmacokinetics and to determine a dose, dose regimen and formulation for SC amivantamab delivery.8
The Phase 1 CHRYSALIS (NCT02609776) study evaluating RYBREVANT in patients with advanced NSCLC.9
The Phase 1/1b CHRYSALIS-2 (NCT04077463) study evaluating RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE and LAZCLUZE as a monotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC with EGFR mutations.10
The Phase 1/2 METalmark (NCT05488314) study assessing RYBREVANT and capmatinib combination therapy in locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC.11
The Phase 1/2 swalloWTail (NCT06532032) study assessing RYBREVANT and docetaxel combination therapy in patients with metastatic NSCLC.12
The Phase 1/2 PolyDamas (NCT05908734) study assessing RYBREVANT and cetrelimab combination therapy in locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC.13
The Phase 2 SKIPPirr study (NCT05663866) exploring how to decrease the incidence and/or severity of first-dose infusion-related reactions with RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE in relapsed or refractory EGFR-mutated advanced or metastatic NSCLC.14
The Phase 2 COPERNICUS (NCT06667076) study combining developments in treatment administration and prophylactic supportive care in representative US patients with common EGFR-mutated NSCLC treated with SC amivantamab in combination with LAZCLUZE or chemotherapy.15
The Phase 2 COCOON (NCT06120140) study assessing the effectiveness of a proactive dermatologic management regimen given with first-line RYBREVANT and LAZCLUZE in patients with EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC.16
For more information, visit: View Source

About LAZCLUZE

In 2018, Janssen Biotech, Inc., entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Yuhan Corporation for the development of LAZCLUZE (marketed as LECLAZA in South Korea). LAZCLUZE is an oral, third-generation, brain-penetrant EGFR TKI that targets both the T790M mutation and activating EGFR mutations while sparing wild-type EGFR. An analysis of the efficacy and safety of LAZCLUZE from the Phase 3 LASER301 study was published in The Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2023.17

About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Worldwide, lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, with NSCLC making up 80 to 85 percent of all lung cancer cases.18,19 The main subtypes of NSCLC are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.20 Among the most common driver mutations in NSCLC are alterations in EGFR, which is a receptor tyrosine kinase controlling cell growth and division.21 EGFR mutations are present in 10 to 15 percent of Western patients with NSCLC with adenocarcinoma histology and occur in 40 to 50 percent of Asian patients.18,19,22,23,24,25 EGFR ex19del or EGFR L858R mutations are the most common EGFR mutations.26 The five-year survival rate for all people with advanced NSCLC and EGFR mutations treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is less than 20 percent.27,28 EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations are the third most prevalent activating EGFR mutation.29 Patients with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations have a real-world five-year overall survival (OS) of eight percent in the frontline setting, which is worse than patients with EGFR ex19del or L858R mutations, who have a real-world five-year OS of 19 percent.30

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION1,31

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Infusion-Related Reactions

RYBREVANT can cause infusion-related reactions (IRR) including anaphylaxis; signs and symptoms of IRR include dyspnea, flushing, fever, chills, nausea, chest discomfort, hypotension, and vomiting. The median time to IRR onset is approximately 1 hour.

RYBREVANT with LAZCLUZE

RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE can cause infusion-related reactions. In MARIPOSA (n=421), IRRs occurred in 63% of patients treated with RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE, including Grade 3 in 5% and Grade 4 in 1% of patients. The incidence of infusion modifications due to IRR was 54% of patients, and IRRs leading to dose reduction of RYBREVANT occurred in 0.7% of patients. Infusion-related reactions leading to permanent discontinuation of RYBREVANT occurred in 4.5% of patients receiving RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE.

RYBREVANT with Carboplatin and Pemetrexed

Based on the pooled safety population (n=281), IRR occurred in 50% of patients treated with RYBREVANT in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed, including Grade 3 (3.2%) adverse reactions. The incidence of infusion modifications due to IRR was 46%, and 2.8% of patients permanently discontinued RYBREVANT due to IRR.

RYBREVANT as a Single Agent

In CHRYSALIS (n=302), IRR occurred in 66% of patients treated with RYBREVANT. Among patients receiving treatment on Week 1 Day 1, 65% experienced an IRR, while the incidence of IRR was 3.4% with the Day 2 infusion, 0.4% with the Week 2 infusion, and cumulatively 1.1% with subsequent infusions. Of the reported IRRs, 97% were Grade 1-2, 2.2% were Grade 3, and 0.4% were Grade 4. The median time to onset was 1 hour (range 0.1 to 18 hours) after start of infusion. The incidence of infusion modifications due to IRR was 62% and 1.3% of patients permanently discontinued RYBREVANT due to IRR.

Premedicate with antihistamines, antipyretics, and glucocorticoids and infuse RYBREVANT as recommended. Administer RYBREVANT via a peripheral line on Week 1 and Week 2 to reduce the risk of infusion-related reactions. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infusion reactions during RYBREVANT infusion in a setting where cardiopulmonary resuscitation medication and equipment are available. Interrupt infusion if IRR is suspected. Reduce the infusion rate or permanently discontinue RYBREVANT based on severity. If an anaphylactic reaction occurs, permanently discontinue RYBREVANT.

Interstitial Lung Disease/Pneumonitis

RYBREVANT can cause severe and fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis.

RYBREVANT with LAZCLUZE

In MARIPOSA, ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 3.1% of patients treated with RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE, including Grade 3 in 1.0% and Grade 4 in 0.2% of patients. There was one fatal case (0.2%) of ILD/pneumonitis and 2.9% of patients permanently discontinued RYBREVANT and LAZCLUZE due to ILD/pneumonitis.

RYBREVANT with Carboplatin and Pemetrexed

Based on the pooled safety population, ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 2.1% treated with RYBREVANT in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed with 1.8% of patients experiencing Grade 3 ILD/pneumonitis. 2.1% discontinued RYBREVANT due to ILD/pneumonitis.

RYBREVANT as a Single Agent

In CHRYSALIS, ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 3.3% of patients treated with RYBREVANT, with 0.7% of patients experiencing Grade 3 ILD/pneumonitis. Three patients (1%) permanently discontinued RYBREVANT due to ILD/pneumonitis.

Monitor patients for new or worsening symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis (e.g., dyspnea, cough, fever). For patients receiving RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE, immediately withhold both drugs in patients with suspected ILD/pneumonitis and permanently discontinue if ILD/pneumonitis is confirmed. For patients receiving RYBREVANT as a single agent or in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed, immediately withhold RYBREVANT in patients with suspected ILD/pneumonitis and permanently discontinue if ILD/pneumonitis is confirmed.

Venous Thromboembolic (VTE) Events with Concomitant Use of RYBREVANT and LAZCLUZE

RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE can cause serious and fatal venous thromboembolic (VTE) events, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The majority of these events occurred during the first four months of therapy.

In MARIPOSA, VTEs occurred in 36% of patients receiving RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE, including Grade 3 in 10% and Grade 4 in 0.5% of patients. On-study VTEs occurred in 1.2% of patients (n=5) while receiving anticoagulation therapy. There were two fatal cases of VTE (0.5%), 9% of patients had VTE leading to dose interruptions of RYBREVANT, and 7% of patients had VTE leading to dose interruptions of LAZCLUZE; 1% of patients had VTE leading to dose reductions of RYBREVANT, and 0.5% of patients had VTE leading to dose reductions of LAZCLUZE; 3.1% of patients had VTE leading to permanent discontinuation of RYBREVANT, and 1.9% of patients had VTE leading to permanent discontinuation of LAZCLUZE. The median time to onset of VTEs was 84 days (range: 6 to 777).

Administer prophylactic anticoagulation for the first four months of treatment. The use of Vitamin K antagonists is not recommended. Monitor for signs and symptoms of VTE events and treat as medically appropriate.

Withhold RYBREVANT and LAZCLUZE based on severity. Once anticoagulant treatment has been initiated, resume RYBREVANT and LAZCLUZE at the same dose level at the discretion of the healthcare provider. In the event of VTE recurrence despite therapeutic anticoagulation, permanently discontinue RYBREVANT and continue treatment with LAZCLUZE at the same dose level at the discretion of the healthcare provider.

Dermatologic Adverse Reactions

RYBREVANT can cause severe rash including toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), dermatitis acneiform, pruritus, and dry skin.

RYBREVANT with LAZCLUZE

In MARIPOSA, rash occurred in 86% of patients treated with RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE, including Grade 3 in 26% of patients. The median time to onset of rash was 14 days (range: 1 to 556 days). Rash leading to dose interruptions occurred in 37% of patients for RYBREVANT and 30% for LAZCLUZE, rash leading to dose reductions occurred in 23% of patients for RYBREVANT and 19% for LAZCLUZE, and rash leading to permanent discontinuation occurred in 5% of patients for RYBREVANT and 1.7% for LAZCLUZE.

RYBREVANT with Carboplatin and Pemetrexed

Based on the pooled safety population, rash occurred in 82% of patients treated with RYBREVANT in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed, including Grade 3 (15%) adverse reactions. Rash leading to dose reductions occurred in 14% of patients, and 2.5% permanently discontinued RYBREVANT and 3.1% discontinued pemetrexed.

RYBREVANT as a Single Agent

In CHRYSALIS, rash occurred in 74% of patients treated with RYBREVANT as a single agent, including Grade 3 rash in 3.3% of patients. The median time to onset of rash was 14 days (range: 1 to 276 days). Rash leading to dose reduction occurred in 5% of patients, and RYBREVANT was permanently discontinued due to rash in 0.7% of patients.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis occurred in one patient (0.3%) treated with RYBREVANT as a single agent.

Instruct patients to limit sun exposure during and for 2 months after treatment with RYBREVANT or LAZCLUZE in combination with RYBREVANT. Advise patients to wear protective clothing and use broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen. Alcohol-free (e.g., isopropanol-free, ethanol-free) emollient cream is recommended for dry skin.

When initiating RYBREVANT treatment with or without LAZCLUZE, administer alcohol-free emollient cream to reduce the risk of dermatologic adverse reactions. Consider prophylactic measures (e.g. use of oral antibiotics) to reduce the risk of dermatologic reactions. If skin reactions develop, start topical corticosteroids and topical and/or oral antibiotics. For Grade 3 reactions, add oral steroids and consider dermatologic consultation. Promptly refer patients presenting with severe rash, atypical appearance or distribution, or lack of improvement within 2 weeks to a dermatologist. For patients receiving RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE, withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue both drugs based on severity. For patients receiving RYBREVANT as a single agent or in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed, withhold, dose reduce or permanently discontinue RYBREVANT based on severity.

Ocular Toxicity

RYBREVANT can cause ocular toxicity including keratitis, blepharitis, dry eye symptoms, conjunctival redness, blurred vision, visual impairment, ocular itching, eye pruritus, and uveitis.

RYBREVANT with LAZCLUZE

In MARIPOSA, ocular toxicity occurred in 16% of patients treated with RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE, including Grade 3 or 4 ocular toxicity in 0.7% of patients. Withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue RYBREVANT and continue LAZCLUZE based on severity.

RYBREVANT with Carboplatin and Pemetrexed

Based on the pooled safety population, ocular toxicity occurred in 16% of patients treated with RYBREVANT in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed. All events were Grade 1 or 2.

RYBREVANT as a Single Agent

In CHRYSALIS, keratitis occurred in 0.7% and uveitis occurred in 0.3% of patients treated with RYBREVANT. All events were Grade 1-2.

Promptly refer patients with new or worsening eye symptoms to an ophthalmologist. Withhold, reduce the dose, or permanently discontinue RYBREVANT based on severity.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on its mechanism of action and findings from animal models, RYBREVANT and LAZCLUZE can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to the fetus.

Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose of RYBREVANT.

Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with LAZCLUZE and for 3 weeks after the last dose. Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with LAZCLUZE and for 3 weeks after the last dose.

Adverse Reactions

RYBREVANT with LAZCLUZE

For the 421 patients in the MARIPOSA clinical trial who received RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE, the most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were rash (86%), nail toxicity (71%), infusion-related reactions (RYBREVANT, 63%), musculoskeletal pain (47%), stomatitis (43%), edema (43%), VTE (36%), paresthesia (35%), fatigue (32%), diarrhea (31%), constipation (29%), COVID-19 (26%), hemorrhage (25%), dry skin (25%), decreased appetite (24%), pruritus (24%), nausea (21%), and ocular toxicity (16%). The most common Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities (≥2%) were decreased albumin (8%), decreased sodium (7%), increased ALT (7%), decreased potassium (5%), decreased hemoglobin (3.8%), increased AST (3.8%), increased GGT (2.6%), and increased magnesium (2.6%).

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 49% of patients who received RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE. Serious adverse reactions occurring in ≥2% of patients included VTE (11%), pneumonia (4%), ILD/pneumonitis and rash (2.9% each), COVID-19 (2.4%), and pleural effusion and infusion-related reaction (RYBREVANT) (2.1% each). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 7% of patients who received RYBREVANT in combination with LAZCLUZE due to death not otherwise specified (1.2%); sepsis and respiratory failure (1% each); pneumonia, myocardial infarction, and sudden death (0.7% each); cerebral infarction, pulmonary embolism (PE), and COVID-19 infection (0.5% each); and ILD/pneumonitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and cardiopulmonary arrest (0.2% each).

RYBREVANT with Carboplatin and Pemetrexed

For the 130 patients in the MARIPOSA-2 clinical trial who received RYBREVANT in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed, the most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were rash (72%), infusion-related reactions (59%), fatigue (51%), nail toxicity (45%), nausea (45%), constipation (39%), edema (36%), stomatitis (35%), decreased appetite (31%), musculoskeletal pain (30%), vomiting (25%), and COVID-19 (21%). The most common Grade 3 to 4 laboratory abnormalities (≥2%) were decreased neutrophils (49%), decreased white blood cells (42%), decreased lymphocytes (28%), decreased platelets (17%), decreased hemoglobin (12%), decreased potassium (11%), decreased sodium (11%), increased alanine aminotransferase (3.9%), decreased albumin (3.8%), and increased gamma-glutamyl transferase (3.1%).

In MARIPOSA-2, serious adverse reactions occurred in 32% of patients who received RYBREVANT in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed. Serious adverse reactions in >2% of patients included dyspnea (3.1%), thrombocytopenia (3.1%), sepsis (2.3%), and pulmonary embolism (2.3%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 2.3% of patients who received RYBREVANT in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed; these included respiratory failure, sepsis, and ventricular fibrillation (0.8% each).

For the 151 patients in the PAPILLON clinical trial who received RYBREVANT in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed, the most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were rash (90%), nail toxicity (62%), stomatitis (43%), infusion-related reaction (42%), fatigue (42%), edema (40%), constipation (40%), decreased appetite (36%), nausea (36%), COVID-19 (24%), diarrhea (21%), and vomiting (21%). The most common Grade 3 to 4 laboratory abnormalities (≥2%) were decreased albumin (7%), increased alanine aminotransferase (4%), increased gamma-glutamyl transferase (4%), decreased sodium (7%), decreased potassium (11%), decreased magnesium (2%), and decreases in white blood cells (17%), hemoglobin (11%), neutrophils (36%), platelets (10%), and lymphocytes (11%).

In PAPILLON, serious adverse reactions occurred in 37% of patients who received RYBREVANT in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed. Serious adverse reactions in ≥2% of patients included rash, pneumonia, ILD, pulmonary embolism, vomiting, and COVID-19. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 7 patients (4.6%) due to pneumonia, cerebrovascular accident, cardio-respiratory arrest, COVID-19, sepsis, and death not otherwise specified.

RYBREVANT as a Single Agent

For the 129 patients in the CHRYSALIS clinical trial who received RYBREVANT as a single agent, the most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were rash (84%), IRR (64%), paronychia (50%), musculoskeletal pain (47%), dyspnea (37%), nausea (36%), fatigue (33%), edema (27%), stomatitis (26%), cough (25%), constipation (23%), and vomiting (22%). The most common Grade 3 to 4 laboratory abnormalities (≥2%) were decreased lymphocytes (8%), decreased albumin (8%), decreased phosphate (8%), decreased potassium (6%), increased alkaline phosphatase (4.8%), increased glucose (4%), increased gamma-glutamyl transferase (4%), and decreased sodium (4%).

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 30% of patients who received RYBREVANT. Serious adverse reactions in ≥2% of patients included pulmonary embolism, pneumonitis/ILD, dyspnea, musculoskeletal pain, pneumonia, and muscular weakness. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 2 patients (1.5%) due to pneumonia and 1 patient (0.8%) due to sudden death.

LAZCLUZE Drug Interactions

Avoid concomitant use of LAZCLUZE with strong and moderate CYP3A4 inducers. Consider an alternate concomitant medication with no potential to induce CYP3A4.

Monitor for adverse reactions associated with a CYP3A4 or BCRP substrate where minimal concentration changes may lead to serious adverse reactions, as recommended in the approved product labeling for the CYP3A4 or BCRP substrate.

Linnaeus Therapeutics Announces Publication of Seminal Paper on LNS8801 in Cancer Research Communications

On March 20, 2025 Linnaeus Therapeutics, Inc. ("Linnaeus"), a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel, small molecule oncology therapeutics, reported that seminal data describing Linnaeus’s clinical candidate, LNS8801, was published in Cancer Research Communications (Press release, Linnaeus Therapeutics, MAR 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234651326]). This paper characterizes LNS8801 as a developable pharmaceutical drug candidate, demonstrating its activity in cancer and highlighting a predictive biomarker.

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 manuscript, entitled "LNS8801: An enantiomerically pure agonist of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor suitable for clinical development," was authored by Natale et al. The publication can be viewed at: View Source

This new study highlights the potential of LNS8801, a first-in-class, oral compound targeting the G protein estrogen receptor (GPER), to be used as a novel cancer therapy. Linnaeus researchers and collaborators discovered that LNS8801 is the active component of the widely studied GPER agonist, G-1. In preclinical models, LNS8801 demonstrated potent, oral, GPER-dependent anticancer effects. This study also demonstrates that a common genetic variant of GPER may influence patient response, offering a potential mechanism-linked biomarker for patient selection and personalized therapy. These findings complement the data generated in ongoing clinical trials of LNS8801 for cancer.

"The validation of our science by the acceptance of this paper in Cancer Research Communications underscores the importance of GPER as a therapeutic target," said Patrick Mooney, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Linnaeus. "This data demonstrates that using LNS8801 to target GPER has therapeutic effects in melanoma and other GPER-positive cancers and is the appropriate molecule for clinical development. We are excited by the data we have seen in our clinical phase 1/2 study, and we are poised to open enrollment in a randomized, controlled study in the near future."

Linnaeus anticipates initiating a randomized controlled clinical trial testing LNS8801 in unresectable, treatment-refractory, cutaneous melanoma patients this year. This study will randomize 135 biomarker-positive patients to receive either LNS8801 monotherapy, LNS8801 in combination with pembrolizumab, or physician’s choice therapy. The study will assess progression-free survival and overall survival between the groups.

About LNS8801

LNS8801 is an orally bioavailable and highly specific and potent agonist of GPER whose activity is dependent on the expression of GPER. GPER activation by LNS8801 rapidly and durably depletes c-Myc protein levels. In preclinical cancer models, LNS8801 displays potent antitumor activities across a wide range of tumor types, rapidly shrinking tumors and inducing immune memory.

In the ongoing clinical study in humans, LNS8801 has been safe and well tolerated. Additionally, LNS8801 has demonstrated target engagement, c-Myc protein depletion, and clinical benefit in patients with advanced cancers, and a predictive biomarker has been identified.

ImmunoGenesis to Present in Innovation Track of the 2025 NeauxCancer Oncology Conference in New Orleans

On March 20, 2025 ImmunoGenesis, a clinical-stage biotech company developing innovative, science-driven immunotherapies, reported its participation in the 2025 NeauxCancer Conference organized by the Cancer Advocacy Group of Louisiana (CAGLA), being held March 27 – 29, 2025 in New Orleans (Press release, ImmunoGenesis, MAR 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234651325]).

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!

President and CEO James Barlow will discuss how ImmunoGenesis plans to transform immuno-oncology with its pipeline of products designed to overcome immune resistance. He will provide an update on the active Phase 1a/1b study of their lead compound, IMGS-001, including preliminary data on enrolled subjects. IMGS-001 is a novel dual-specific PD-L1/PD-L2 antibody with killing function designed to treat immune-excluded, cold tumors that are resistant to existing immunotherapy. Mr. Barlow will also discuss the recently initiated phase 2 trial for the company’s second clinical asset, IMGS-101 (evofosfamide), a hypoxia reversal agent being studied in combination with checkpoint inhibition.

Attendees at the conference will include oncologists and other clinicians interested in learning and discussing the latest practices for treating and taking care of cancer patients. The Innovation Track will enable the medical professionals attending the conference, as well as regional investment professionals, to learn about emerging technologies for cancer treatment and prevention.

"We are excited to have ImmunoGenesis as a new presenter in this year’s Innovation Track. The company has recently expanded the Phase 1a/1b clinical trial of its lead candidate, IMGS-001, to Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center in southeastern Louisiana. This is an excellent opportunity for clinicians and investors to hear their story."
— Chadwick K. Landry, Portfolio Manager at Poydras Capital Partners and President of CAGLA

Registration and attendance at the conference for investors is complimentary. Investors can register via the link below.

Innovation Track Details:

ImmunoGenesis Presentation

Friday, March 28 2:00PM CST

Conference Registration

View Source

complimentary registrations are available for investors

The 2025 NeauxCancer Conference has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Ochsner Clinic Foundation and CAGLA. The Ochsner Clinic Foundation is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

About CAGLA
The Cancer Advocacy Group of Louisiana is a nonprofit corporation organized and operated to advocate for state legislation and administration regulations that facilitate cancer research and education, and foster the well-being and care of cancer patients, survivors, and their families.

Akeso’s Cadonilimab Combined with Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Demonstrates Promising Efficacy in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: Data Published at the 2025 SGO Annual Meeting

On March 20, 2025 Akeso Inc. (9926.HK) reported promising phase III safety run-in results from the COMPASSION-18/AK104-305 study, at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) (Press release, Akeso Biopharma, MAR 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234651324]). The study evaluates the global first-in-class PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody, cadonilimab (AK104), in combination with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer.

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!

Currently, CCRT is the standard of care for locally advanced cervical cancer, but approximately 30%-40% of patients experience relapse or disease progression within five years. Cadonilimab, with its unique dual-target mechanism, is designed to simultaneously inhibit the PD-1 and CTLA-4 immune checkpoint pathways. It has received approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China for use in patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer who have failed prior platinum-based chemotherapy. The Phase III COMPASSION-16 study further confirmed that cadonilimab, when combined with platinum-based chemotherapy (with or without bevacizumab), significantly improves progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer. Based on these compelling results, the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for cadonilimab as a first-line treatment for persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer is currently under regulatory review.

At this year’s SGO, data from the COMPASSION-18 study highlighted the exceptional efficacy seen in patients receiving cadonilimab in combination with CCRT during the safety run-in phase. The results demonstrate the considerable therapeutic potential of cadonilimab combined with CCRT for locally advanced cervical cancer. The study included a more challenging patient cohort, with a notably higher proportion of patients having PD-L1 CPS <1 (38.2%) and an ECOG performance status of 1 (52.9%) compared to other similar studies.

Overall Response Rate (ORR): The evaluable patients achieved a remarkable ORR of 100%, with a complete response (CR) rate of 84.8% and a partial response (PR) rate of 15.2%, which significantly outperformed data from other comparable studies. The median duration of response (DoR) has yet to be reached.
Progression-Free Survival (PFS): While the median PFS has not been reached, the 12-month PFS rate was 74.9%.
Subgroup Analysis: Patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥1, ECOG 0, and those not infected with COVID-19 derived even greater benefit from the treatment, with 12-month PFS rates of 85%, 87.5%, and 81.3%, respectively.
Safety Profile: Cadonilimab combined with CCRT exhibited a favorable safety profile, demonstrating good tolerability and manageable adverse events. Notably, there were no treatment-related deaths (TRAE) and no new safety concerns were identified.
Cadonilimab is making significant progress in treating both recurrent/metastatic and locally advanced cervical cancer, establishing a comprehensive therapeutic approach. The positive results from the COMPASSION-18 study reinforce its potential in a broader patient population. As clinical development continues, cadonilimab is set to redefine cervical cancer treatment, offering long-term survival benefits to more patients.