I-Mab Announces Givastomig Abstract Accepted for Oral Presentation at ESMO GI 2025

On April 30, 2025 I-Mab (NASDAQ: IMAB) (the "Company"), a U.S.-based, global biotech company, focused on the development of precision immuno-oncology agents for the treatment of cancer, reported that an abstract for a combination study of givastomig plus nivolumab and chemotherapy has been accepted for a mini-oral presentation at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress 2025, which will be held July 2-5 in Barcelona, Spain (Press release, I-Mab Biopharma, APR 30, 2025, View Source [SID1234652388]).

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"We are very pleased to receive confirmation that new clinical data for givastomig has been accepted as an oral presentation at the upcoming ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress 2025. As more information becomes available from the conference, we look forward to providing further details about the presentation," said Phillip Dennis, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of I-Mab.

About Givastomig

Givastomig (TJ033721 / ABL111) is a bispecific antibody targeting Claudin 18.2 ("CLDN18.2")-positive tumor cells. It conditionally activates T cells through the 4-1BB signaling pathway in the tumor microenvironment where CLDN18.2 is expressed. Givastomig is being developed for first line ("1L") metastatic gastric cancers, with further potential in other solid tumors. In Phase 1 trials, givastomig has shown promising anti-tumor activity attributable to a potential combined effect of proximal interaction between CLDN18.2 and 4-1BB, while minimizing toxicities commonly seen with other 4-1BB agents.

The Phase 1b study is evaluating givastomig for the treatment of gastric cancer in the 1L setting in combination with standard of care, nivolumab (an anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor) plus chemotherapy in dose escalation and dose expansion cohorts. Dose escalation is complete, and enrollment in the first dose expansion cohort (n=20) finished ahead of schedule. Enrollment is progressing well in the second dose expansion cohort (n=20). The study builds on positive Phase 1 monotherapy data.

Givastomig is being jointly developed through a global partnership with ABL Bio, in which I-Mab is the lead party and shares worldwide rights, excluding Greater China and South Korea, equally with ABL Bio.

Guardant Health Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Increases 2025 Revenue Guidance

On April 30, 2025 Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 (Press release, Guardant Health, APR 30, 2025, View Source [SID1234652387]).

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First Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2025, as compared to the same period of 2024:
•Reported total revenue of $203.5 million, an increase of 21%, driven by:
◦Oncology revenue of $150.6 million, an increase of 20%, and approximately 59,000 oncology tests, an increase of 25%
◦Screening revenue of $5.7 million, and approximately 9,000 Shield screening tests
◦Biopharma & Data revenue of $45.4 million, an increase of 21%
•Increased Guardant360 ASP to a new range of $3,000 to $3,100 per test
•Achieved positive gross margins for both Guardant Reveal and Shield

Recent Operating Highlights

•Received ADLT status from CMS for Shield, increasing the Medicare pricing to $1,495
•Received first Shield payor coverage for average-risk individuals age 45 and older from the VA Community Care Network, representing over 9 million beneficiaries
•Presented Shield multi-cancer data across ten cancer types at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2025, demonstrating 60% overall sensitivity, 98.5% specificity, and 89% accuracy for cancer site of origin prediction
•Launched upgraded Guardant360 Tissue, representing the first broad multiomic tissue CGP test to incorporate DNA, RNA, AI-powered PD-L1, and genome-wide methylation
•Announced a multi-year global collaboration with Pfizer to support development and commercialization of new cancer therapies utilizing the Infinity smart liquid biopsy platform
•Announced first publication of Reveal breast cancer data in Clinical Cancer Research demonstrating 83% sensitivity and 99.5% specificity for triple-negative breast cancer patients
"We started the year with very strong momentum across our portfolio, fueled by ground-breaking product upgrades and new tests introduced in 2024 which leverage our smart liquid biopsy platform," said Helmy Eltoukhy, co-founder and co-CEO. "Earlier this week, we were excited to launch our upgraded Guardant360 Tissue, a first-of-its-kind multiomic CGP product with expanded genomic and epigenomic breadth that complements our industry-leading Guardant360 liquid products. We are also very pleased to achieve positive gross margins for both Reveal and Shield in the first quarter due to significant reductions in testing costs."
"We were pleased by the robust traction for Shield during the first quarter and are excited by the positive impact we are having on patient lives," said AmirAli Talasaz, co-founder and co-CEO. "We meaningfully raised our full year screening revenue guidance given our increased expectations for both salesforce productivity and ASP now that Shield has received ADLT status. In addition, we were excited to share strong data for Shield multi-cancer in partnership with the National Cancer Institute, which we believe establishes Guardant as a leader in the field of multi-cancer detection."

First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Revenue was $203.5 million for the first quarter of 2025, a 21% increase from $168.5 million for the corresponding prior year period. Oncology revenue grew 20% to $150.6 million for the first quarter of 2025, from $125.7 million for the corresponding prior year period, driven primarily by an increase in oncology test volume, which grew 25% over the prior year period. The increase in oncology revenue was also attributable to an increase in reimbursement for our Guardant360 and Reveal tests, partially offset by a reduction in revenue related to performance obligations satisfied in prior periods. Screening revenue was $5.7 million for the first quarter of 2025, generated from approximately 9,000 Shield screening tests. Biopharma and data revenue grew 21% to $45.4 million for the first quarter of 2025, from $37.6 million for the corresponding prior year period, driven primarily by an increase in tests performed for biopharmaceutical customers. Licensing and other revenue was $1.9 million for the first quarter of 2025, compared to $5.2 million for the corresponding prior year period.

Gross profit, or total revenue less cost of revenue, was $128.7 million for the first quarter of 2025, an increase of $25.6 million from $103.2 million for the corresponding prior year period. Gross margin, or gross profit divided by total revenue, was 63%, as compared to 61% for the corresponding prior year period.
Non-GAAP gross profit was $131.3 million for the first quarter of 2025, an increase of $26.0 million, from $105.3 million for the corresponding prior year period. Non-GAAP gross margin was 65% for the first quarter of 2025, as compared to 63% for the corresponding prior year period.
Operating expenses were $239.8 million for the first quarter of 2025, as compared to $202.9 million for the corresponding prior year period. The year-over-year increase in operating expenses was primarily related to commercial team expansion and marketing activities to support existing products and the Shield product launch, as well as an increase in stock-based compensation expense. Non-GAAP operating expenses were $199.6 million for the first quarter of 2025, as compared to $176.5 million for the corresponding prior year period. The year-over-year increase in non-GAAP operating expenses was primarily related to commercial team expansion and marketing activities to support existing products and the Shield product launch.
Net loss was $95.2 million for the first quarter of 2025, as compared to $115.0 million for the corresponding prior year period. Net loss per share was $0.77 for the first quarter of 2025, as compared to $0.94 for the corresponding prior year period.
Non-GAAP net loss was $61.1 million for the first quarter of 2025, as compared to $56.4 million for the corresponding prior year period. Non-GAAP net loss per share was $0.49 for the first quarter of 2025, as compared to $0.46 for the corresponding prior year period.
Adjusted EBITDA loss was $58.5 million for the first quarter of 2025, as compared to a $61.1 million loss for the corresponding prior year period.
Free cash flow for the first quarter of 2025 was $(67.1) million, as compared to $(37.2) million for the corresponding prior year period. The year-over-year difference was due to a change in timing of the payout of the company’s annual bonus, which was made in the first quarter of 2025 and in the second quarter of 2024.
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash were $803.9 million as of March 31, 2025.
2025 Guidance
Guardant Health now expects full year 2025 revenue to be in the range of $880 to $890 million, representing growth of 19% to 20% compared to full year 2024. This compares to the prior range of $850 to $860 million, representing growth of 15% to 16%.
Within this revenue range:
•Oncology revenue is now expected to grow approximately 18% year over year in 2025, compared to prior guidance of approximately 15% year over year growth. Oncology volume is now expected to accelerate to greater than 25% growth in 2025 compared to 20% growth in 2024.
•Screening revenue is now expected to be in the range of $40 to $45 million, driven by Shield volume of 52,000 to 58,000 tests. This compares to the prior range of $25 to $30 million, driven by Shield volume of 45,000 to 50,000 tests.
•Guardant Health continues to expect biopharma & data revenue growth to be in the low double-digit range.
Guardant Health continues to expect full year 2025 non-GAAP gross margin to be in the range of 62% to 63%, compared to 62% in 2024. Guardant Health now expects total non-GAAP operating expenses to be in the range of $830 to $840 million, an increase compared to the prior range of $815 to $825 million due to the reinvestment of incremental Screening gross profit to accelerate the Screening commercial infrastructure build out. Guardant Health continues to expect free cash flow burn to be in the range of $225 to $235 million, an improvement compared to $275 million for the full year 2024. This includes approximately $200 million of screening net cash burn. Guardant Health continues to expect the remainder of the business excluding screening to reach free cash flow breakeven in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Webcast Information
Guardant Health will host a conference call to discuss the first quarter 2025 financial results after market close on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 1:30 pm Pacific Time / 4:30 pm Eastern Time. A webcast of the conference call can be accessed at View Source The webcast will be archived and available for replay for at least 90 days after the event.

GSK makes strong start to 2025 with growth in sales, profits and earnings

On April 30, 2025 GSK reported strong start to 2025 with growth in sales, profits and earnings (Press release, GlaxoSmithKline, APR 30, 2025, View Source [SID1234652386]).

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Specialty Medicines growth drives Q1 performance:

Total Q1 sales £7.5 billion +2% AER; +4% CER

Specialty Medicines sales £2.9 billion (+17%); Respiratory, Immunology and Inflammation £0.8 billion (+28%); Oncology £0.4 billion (+53%); HIV sales £1.7 billion (+7%)
Vaccines sales £2.1 billion (-6%); Shingrix £0.9 billion (-7%); Meningitis vaccines £0.4 billion (+20%); and Arexvy £0.1 billion (-57%)

General Medicines sales £2.5 billion (stable); Trelegy £0.7 billion (+15%)

Total operating profit +50% and Total EPS +56% driven by lower CCL charges

Core operating profit +5% and Core EPS +5% reflecting strong Specialty Medicines performance and disciplined
increased investment in R&D portfolio progression, new asset launches and growth assets
Cash generated from operations exceeded £1 billion with free cash flow of £0.7 billion
Q1 2025
£m % AER % CER
Turnover 7,516 2 4
Total operating profit 2,216 49 50
Total operating margin % 29.5% 9.2ppts 9.0ppts
Total EPS 39.7p 55 56
Core operating profit 2,533 4 5
Core operating margin % 33.7% 0.5ppts 0.3ppts
Core EPS 44.9p 4 5
Cash generated from operations 1,301 16
Pipeline progress and investment delivering future growth opportunities:
5 major new FDA product approvals expected in 2025:
Q1 2025 approvals: Penmenvy, meningitis vaccine; Blujepa, first-in-class antibiotic treatment for uUTIs
Positive ACIP recommendations for Penmenvy (and Arexvy (adults 50-59))
Further approvals expected for: Nucala (COPD); Blenrep (multiple myeloma); and depemokimab (severe asthma and nasal polyps)
14 key opportunities expected to launch 2025-2031 each with PYS potential above £2 billion
Data presented at CROI for VH184, VH499 and N6LS support development plans for ULA HIV regimens
Breakthrough designation granted for GSK’227 B7H3 ADC for 2L osteosarcoma
Pivotal/Phase III trials expected to start in 2025 for: Respiratory (depemokimab COPD programme – ENDURA); Oncology (GSK’227 B7H3 ADC ES-SCLC; IDRx-42 2L GIST; Ojjaara (MDS)); and HIV (Q4M treatment)
Investment in targeted business development continues
Acquisition of IDRx completed
New partnership with ABL Bio in neurodegenerative diseases; and novel research collaboration with UK Dementia Research Institute & HDRUK to investigate shingles vaccination with prevention of dementia
Continued commitment to shareholder returns
Dividend declared of 16p for Q1 2025; 64p expected for full year 2025
£273 million of shares bought back as part of the £2 billion share buyback programme commenced in Q1 2025
Confident for delivery of 2025 guidance
Continue to expect 2025 turnover growth 3% to 5%; Core operating profit growth 6% to 8%; Core EPS growth 6% to 8%

Emma Walmsley, Chief Executive Officer, GSK:
"GSK continues to make strong progress, demonstrating the quality, strength and resilience of our portfolio. Specialty Medicines, our largest business, delivered strong sales contributions in the quarter and R&D progress continued, with two of the five FDA product approvals expected this year now secured, and the acquisition of a promising new oncology asset.
We are very focused on preparing for launches of Blenrep, Nucala and depemokimab, and pivotal trials for potential new medicines in respiratory, oncology, HIV and hepatitis. This momentum, together with the strength of our portfolio and proven ability to drive operating leverage, underpin our confidence in guidance for the year and our longer-term outlooks."

Genprex Collaborators Report Positive Preclinical Data on the Use of Reqorsa® Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Ras Inhibitor Resistant Lung Cancer at the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting

On April 30, 2025 Genprex, Inc. ("Genprex" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: GNPX), a clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies for patients with cancer and diabetes, reported that its research collaborators presented positive preclinical data for Reqorsa Gene Therapy (quaratusugene ozeplasmid), for the treatment of KRASG12C mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (Press release, Genprex, APR 30, 2025, View Source [SID1234652385]).

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This data were presented at the 2025 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting being held April 25-30, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

"We are pleased to have this positive preclinical data presented before an audience of the world’s leading cancer researchers, which provides further support for the therapeutic potential of REQORSA both alone and in combination with targeted therapies in NSCLC," said Ryan Confer, President and Chief Executive Officer at Genprex. "We believe REQORSA could be a potential therapeutic treatment for Ras inhibitor resistant lung cancer either alone or in combination with Ras inhibitors, and these studies support the potential expansion of future clinical studies in our pipeline."

The featured Genprex-supported poster presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2025:

Title: Overcoming sotorasib acquired resistance in KRASG12C mutant NSCLC by TUSC2 gene therapy

Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics

Session Title: Drug Resistance in Molecular Targeted Therapies 3

Session Date and Time: Tuesday, April 29 from 2-5 p.m. CT

Location: Poster Section 17

Poster Board Number: 12

Abstract Presentation Number: 5517

In the poster, entitled, "Overcoming sotorasib acquired resistance in KRASG12C mutant NSCLC by TUSC2 gene therapy," researchers demonstrated that TUSC2 gene therapy (REQORSA) effectively overcomes sotorasib (LUMAKRAS) acquired resistance (AR) in KRASG12C mutant NSCLC mouse xenografts. The data indicate that TUSC2 transfection significantly reduced colony formation and markedly increased apoptosis in two AR cell lines. Re-expression of TUSC2 in AR PDXOs significantly decreased the viability of organoids compared with the empty vector. The H23AR tumors exhibited significantly lower sensitivity to sotorasib than their parental counterparts. However, treatment with REQORSA was highly effective in controlling tumor growth compared to treatment with sotorasib alone or the control groups. REQORSA alone also exhibited a strong antitumor effect on TC314AR PDXs. Sotorasib alone showed no significant antitumor activity in these models. However, a synergistic antitumor effect was observed when TC314AR PDX tumors were treated with the combination of REQORSA and sotorasib. In conclusion, researchers demonstrated that REQORSA, alone or in combination with sotorasib, induced apoptosis, inhibited colony formation, and showed significant antitumor efficacy in KRASG12C mutant sotorasib-acquired resistant xenograft and PDX tumors.

This AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) poster has been made available on Genprex’s website at www.genprex.com.

About Reqorsa Gene Therapy

REQORSA (quaratusugene ozeplasmid) consists of a plasmid containing the TUSC2 gene encapsulated in non-viral lipid-based nanoparticles in a lipoplex form (the Company’s Oncoprex Delivery System), which has a positive charge. REQORSA is injected intravenously and specifically targets cancer cells. REQORSA is designed to deliver the functioning TUSC2 gene to negatively charged cancer cells while minimizing uptake by normal tissue. Laboratory studies conducted at MD Anderson show that the uptake of TUSC2 in tumor cells in vitro after REQORSA treatment was 10 to 33 times the uptake in normal cells.

FORE Biotherapeutics to Present Plixorafenib Abstract at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting

On April 30, 2025 FORE Biotherapeutics, a registration stage biotherapeutics company dedicated to developing targeted therapies to treat patients with cancer, reported that a plixorafenib abstract has been selected for poster presentation at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper), taking place May 30-June 3, 2025 in Chicago (Press release, Fore Biotherapeutics, APR 30, 2025, View Source [SID1234652384]).

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At ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2025, Karisa Schreck, M.D., Ph.D., from the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University, will present a trials-in-progress poster highlighting the study design of the global registration-intended FORTE Master Protocol, which includes four sub-protocol baskets evaluating plixorafenib in distinct patient populations. The three monotherapy indications currently under evaluation are BRAF V600 Recurrent Primary Central Nervous System Tumors, Rare BRAF V600 Mutated Solid Tumors and Solid Tumors with BRAF Fusions.

Poster Presentation Details:

Title: FORTE: A phase 2 master protocol assessing plixorafenib for BRAF-altered cancers
Poster Session: Central Nervous System Tumors
Date and Time: Saturday, May 31, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT
Abstract Number: TPS2091
Presenter: Karisa Schreck, M.D., Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University