Journal of Clinical Oncology Publishes Clinical Data for Cohort 2 in Iovance C-144-01 Study of Lifileucel TIL Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma

On May 12, 2021 Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: IOVA), a late-stage biotechnology company developing novel T cell-based cancer immunotherapies (tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte, TIL, and peripheral-blood lymphocyte, PBL), reported that the Journal of Clinical Oncology has published a manuscript of clinical data for Cohort 2 in the C-144-01 study of lifileucel TIL therapy in metastatic melanoma (Press release, Iovance Biotherapeutics, MAY 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234579787]). Online open access to the publication is available at View Source

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Amod Sarnaik, Associate Professor of Cutaneous Oncology and Immunology at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center stated, "Effective treatment options are limited for patients with advanced melanoma who progress after immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies. Lifileucel represents a significant improvement in the treatment of advanced melanoma, particularly in the expanding post-immune checkpoint inhibitor patient population. The results from the C-144-01 clinical study, as well as the advancement of lifileucel using a centralized TIL manufacturing process, offer a new opportunity for accessible treatment for the most challenging to treat patients with metastatic melanoma."

"With this publication we have summarized several years of our clinical development and TIL manufacturing as we strive to make TIL a broadly accessible cell therapy for patients with advanced melanoma," said Maria Fardis, PhD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of Iovance. "At the time of the data extract for publication, the overall response rate (ORR) was 36%, median duration of response (DOR) had not been reached at 18.7 months of median study follow up and median overall survival (OS) was 17.4 months. As a reference, patients treated with chemotherapy are expected to have an OS of approximately 7 months. I believe these results demonstrate the durability of one-time treatment with lifileucel. Importantly, durable responses were seen across all patient subgroups regardless of prior treatment or mutation status, including patients who were primary refractory to anti−PD-1 therapy. I would like to thank the investigators who contributed to this manuscript as well as the patients who participated in Cohort 2 of the C-144-01 clinical study."

Publication Summary
In Cohort 2 of the C-144-01 clinical study, 66 patients received a mean of 3.3 prior therapies. As of the data extract for the publication (April 23, 2020), the ORR was 36% (2 complete responses and 22 partial responses), meeting the study primary endpoint in a patient population that had failed frontline anti−PD-1 therapy, the current standard of care. The median DOR was not reached after a median of 18.7 months of study follow-up (range 0.2 to 34.1 months) and 69% of patients had DOR of at least one-year. The median OS was 17.4 months, and one-year survival was 38% in patients with stable disease and 92% in patients with a partial or complete response.

Lifileucel also demonstrated similar ORR across Cohort 2 subgroups, including patients who were primary refractory to anti−PD-1 or anti−PD-L1 therapy (41%); patients who received anti−PD-1 or anti−PD-L1 combination as a frontline therapy (33%) or after failing frontline therapy (32%); and patients with primary resistance or acquired resistance to anti−PD-1 plus anti−CTLA-4 combination therapy (35% and 27%, respectively).

Responses to lifileucel were agnostic of PD-L1 status, BRAF mutation status, or prior anti−CTLA-4 therapy. Safety profile was consistent with known adverse events associated with advanced disease, non-myeloablative lymphodepletion, and IL-2

Inventiva reports first quarter 2021 financial information and updates on the collaboration with AbbVie in auto-immune diseases

On May 12, 2021 Inventiva (Euronext Paris and Nasdaq: IVA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of oral small molecule therapies for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) and other diseases with significant unmet medical need, reported its cash position as of March 31, 2021 and its revenues for the first quarter of 2021, and provided an update on its collaboration with AbbVie in auto-immune diseases (Press release, Inventiva Pharma, MAY 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234579786]).

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Cash Position

As of March 31, 2021, Inventiva’s cash and cash equivalents stood at €107.8 million compared to €113.0 million as of December 31, 2020.

Net cash used in operating activities amounted to €7.8 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared to €3.6 million for the same period in 2020. R&D expenses for the first quarter, mainly driven by the development of lanifibranor in NASH, were up 22% compared to the first quarter of 2020. This increase in cash used is due to the preparation for the initiation of NATIV3, a Phase III clinical trial evaluating lanifibranor in NASH, while the first quarter of 2020 had been positively impacted by the receipt of a €4.2 million non-recurrent late payment of the 2018 research tax credit.

Net cash from investing activities for the first quarter of 2021 amounted to €1.1 million, as compared to no net cash from investing activities generated in the first quarter of 2020.

No net cash from financing activities was generated over the first quarter of 2021 while Inventiva recorded €14.6 million of net cash from financing activities for the same period in 2020, notably related to the issuance of €15 million (gross proceeds) of ordinary shares in February 2020.

Over the first quarter of 2021, the Company recorded a positive exchange rate effect on cash and cash equivalent of €3.7 million.

Considering its current R&D and clinical development programs, and excluding additional financial resources, Inventiva has adjusted its projected cash runway by one quarter, allowing the Company to finance its operating activities through the third quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 as previously communicated.

Revenues

The Company’s revenues for the first quarter of 2021 amounted to €0.1 million, similar to the amounts received in the first quarter of 2020.

Update on the collaboration with AbbVie in auto-immune diseases2

Cedirogant, a clinical stage RORγ inverse agonist co-discovered by Inventiva with potential in several auto-immune diseases, demonstrated promising activity as an oral psoriasis agent during a Phase Ib clinical trial3 led by AbbVie. Following these results, AbbVie has decided to move the drug candidate into a Phase IIb dose-ranging study, planned to be initiated in the second half of 2021.

As part of this collaboration, Inventiva is eligible to receive development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments as well as royalty payments. As such, the Company expects to receive another milestone payment upon the initiation by AbbVie of the Phase IIb clinical trial with cedirogant.

Next key milestones expected

Initiation of NATIV3 Phase III clinical trial evaluating lanifibranor in NASH – planned for the first half of 2021
Initiation by AbbVie of a Phase IIb clinical trial with cedirogant – expected in the second half of 2021
Strategy update on the development of odiparcil – planned for 2021
Publication of the results of the Phase II clinical trial evaluating lanifibranor for the treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) – planned for the first half of 2022

Upcoming investor conference participation

Jefferies Virtual Healthcare Conference, June 1-4, 2021
SVB Leerink CybeRx Series: Liver Disease Day, June 17, 2021
Citi’s 16th Annual BioPharma Conference 2021, September 8-9, 2021
H.C. Wainwright 23rd Annual Global Investment Conference, September 13-15, 2021
Portzampac Health Biotech Seminar 2021, October 6, 2021
Stifel Healthcare Conference 2021, November 16-17, 2021
Jefferies 2021 London Healthcare Conference, November 16-18, 2021

Upcoming scientific conference participation

International Liver Congress 2021, June 23-26, 2021
Paris NASH Meeting, October 22-23, 2021
AASLD The Liver Meeting, November 12-15, 2021

Next financial results publication

Revenues and cash position for the first half of 2021: Wednesday, July 28, 2021 (after U.S. market close)

Data From Incyte’s Oncology Portfolio Accepted for Presentation at the 2021 EHA Virtual Congress

On May 12, 2021 Incyte (Nasdaq:INCY) reported that multiple abstracts highlighting data from its oncology portfolio will be presented during the upcoming European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2021 Virtual Congress, held virtually from June 9-17, 2021 (Press release, Incyte, MAY 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234579785]).

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"We are pleased that data highlighting the strength of Incyte’s oncology portfolio and partner-sponsored programs will be presented at this year’s EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) Virtual Congress," said Peter Langmuir, M.D., Group Vice President, Oncology Targeted Therapeutics, Incyte. "In particular, data being presented at the congress – including the first presentation of data from our Phase 2 study of parsaclisib, our PI3kδ inhibitor, in autoimmune hemolytic anemia; an oral presentation on real-world data for ruxolitinib, our JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor; and an ePoster from our Phase 2 combination study of ruxolitinib and parsaclisib in patients with myelofibrosis – reinforce our commitment to finding solutions for patients with significant unmet medical needs."

Key abstracts accepted by EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) include:

Oral Presentations

Ponatinib

OPTIC Primary Analysis: A Dose-Optimization Study of 3 Starting Doses of Ponatinib (PON)1(Abstract #S153. Session: Response, Resistance and Treatment-Free Remission in CML.)

Ruxolitinib

Efficacy and Safety of Ruxolitinib in Patients with Steroid-Refractory Acute Graft-Vs-Host Disease After Crossover in the Phase 3 REACH2 Study2(Abstract #S236. Session: Stem cell transplantation – GvHD.)

Impact of Ruxolitinib on Survival of Patients with Myelofibrosis in Real World – Update of ERNEST (European Registry for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms) Study2(Abstract #S158. Session: Population based studies in myeloid disorders.)

ePosters

Parsaclisib

Efficacy and Safety Results from an Open-Label Phase 2 Study of Parsaclisib for the Treatment of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) (Abstract #EP685. Session: Enzymopathies, Membranopathies and Other Anemias.)

Pharmacologic Inhibition of PI3kδ Reduces Autoantibody Formation and is Efficacious in a Preclinical Model of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (Abstract #EP693. Session: Enzymopathies, Membranopathies and Other Anemias.)

FACIT-Fatigue Subscale Outcomes from an Ongoing Phase 2, Open-Label Study of the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Delta (PI3Kδ) Inhibitor Parsaclisib in Patients with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) (Abstract #EP706. Session: Enzymopathies, Membranopathies and Other Anemias.)

Ponatinib

French Real-Life Observational Study "TOPASE" Evaluating Safety and Efficacy of Ponatinib Confirms Induction of Deep Molecular Responses in 110 Resistant or Intolerant CML Patients (Abstract #EP679. Session: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia – Clinical.)

Ruxolitinib

An Epidemiological Study of the Cardiovascular Health and Thrombotic Risk Profiles of Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms in Primary Care Across the United Kingdom2 (Abstract #EP1090. Session: Myeloproliferative Neoplasms – Clinical.)

Impact of Bone Marrow Fibrosis Grade on Response and Outcome in Patients with Primary Myelofibrosis Treated with Ruxolitinib: A Post-Hoc Analysis of the JUMP Study2 (Abstract #EP1092. Session: Myeloproliferative Neoplasms – Clinical.)

Healthcare Resource Utilization in Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: A Nationwide Matched Cohort Study2 (Abstract #EP1107. Session: Myeloproliferative Neoplasms – Clinical.)

Ruxolitinib-Parsaclisib Combination Studies

Add-On Parsaclisib (a PI3kδ inhibitor) in Patients with Myelofibrosis and Suboptimal Response to Ruxolitinib: Interim Analysis from a Phase 2 Study (Abstract #EP1075. Session: Myeloproliferative Neoplasms – Clinical.)

Tafasitamab

Estimation of Long-Term Survival with Tafasitamab + Lenalidomide in Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma3(Abstract #EP553. Session: Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma – Clinical.)

First-MIND: A Phase 1b, Open-Label, Randomized Study to Assess Safety of Tafasitamab or Tafasitamab + Lenalidomide in Addition to R-CHOP in Patients with Newly Diagnosed DLBCL3(Abstract #EP496. Session: Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma – Clinical.)

Lenalidomide-Induced Effects on Cell Surface Expression of CD19 and CD20 in DLBCL Cell Lines and Functional Impact on Antibody-Mediated Cytotoxicity3(Abstract #EP879 . Session: Lymphoma Biology & Translational Research.)

In addition to the presentations noted above, more than 10 publications highlighting data from Incyte’s portfolio will be made available by EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) as publications. Notably, these publications include bioequivalence and bioavailability data for ruxolitinib’s once-daily extended release (XR) formulation – Bioequivalence of 50 mg Once-Daily Ruxolitinib Extended Release (XR) Tablets Compared to 25 mg Twice-Daily Ruxolitinib Immediate Release (IR) Tablets (Abstract #PB1706) and Relative Bioavailability and Dose Linearity of Five Strengths of Ruxolitinib Extended Release (XR) Tablets (Abstract #PB1717).

Full listings for oral presentations and ePoster sessions are available on the EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) website: View Source Oral, poster discussion and poster sessions, as well as track-based clinical science symposia, accepted for presentation at EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) will be available on demand for registered attendees beginning Friday, June 11, 2021, through Sunday, August 15, 2021.

IGM Biosciences to Present at the 2021 RBC Capital Markets Global Healthcare Conference

On May 12, 2021 IGM Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: IGMS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on creating and developing engineered IgM antibodies, reported that Fred Schwarzer, Chief Executive Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at the 2021 RBC Capital Markets Global Healthcare Conference on May 19, 2021 at 1:55 p.m. EDT (Press release, IGM Biosciences, MAY 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234579784]). The conference will be held in a virtual meeting format.

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A live webcast of the event will be available on the "Events and Presentations" page in the "Investors" section of the Company’s website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Company’s website for 90 days following the presentation.

HOOKIPA Pharma Reports First Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Recent Highlights

On May 12, 2021 HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOK, ‘HOOKIPA’), a company developing a new class of immunotherapeutics based on its proprietary arenavirus platform, reported financial results and business highlights for the first quarter of 2021 (Press release, Hookipa Pharma, MAY 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234579783]).

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"We had a strong start to the year as we drive our pipeline forward to deliver a new class of arenavirus-based immunotherapeutics. As we shared at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper), one initial dose of our lead oncology candidates, HB-201 or HB-202, each induced a robust increase in antigen-specific T cells, including an increase of up to 8% of antigen-specific circulating CD8+ T cells, in people with advanced Human Papillomavirus 16-positive (HPV16+) cancers," said Joern Aldag, Chief Executive Officer at HOOKIPA. "We believe these data are impressive, and they are consistent with the pre-clinical data published in Cell Reports Medicine in March. Both data sets highlight the potential of our engineered arenavirus platform to redefine success in cancer immunotherapy. As our clinical programs progress, we’re excited about the oral abstract presentation at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) (#2502) and other future data presentations at upcoming conferences."

Program Highlights

In April 2021, HOOKIPA announced positive preliminary Phase 1 immunogenicity data for its lead oncology candidates, HB-201 and HB-202, for the treatment of advanced HPV16+ cancers, reinforcing the promising anti-tumor activity reported from the Phase 1/2 clinical trial in December 2020. The preliminary immunogenicity data demonstrated a robust increase in HPV16+-specific T cells, including an increase of up to 8% of antigen-specific circulating CD8+ T cells, after one dose of HB-201 or HB-202. Early HB-201 monotherapy data also highlighted immune system activation of increasing interferon-gamma and other immune stimulatory cytokines with a single dose. The data were presented at a late-breaker poster session at the virtual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

In March, Cell Reports Medicine published pre-clinical data on HOOKIPA’s arenaviral therapeutics. The peer-reviewed article showed that intravenous HB-201 administration induced single digit percentage of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, while alternating administration of HB-201 and HB-202 induced a potent CD8+ T cell response, exceeded 50% of the circulating T cell pool. The two-vector cancer therapeutic approach also resulted in tumor cures and long-term immunity in a pre-clinical setting.

HOOKIPA’s prophylactic Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, vaccine candidate, HB-101, continued to enroll patients awaiting kidney transplantation in a Phase 2 clinical trial. We expect to conclude trial enrollment in mid-2021 and to report additional safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy data from evaluable patients in the second half of 2021.
Upcoming Milestones

Oral abstract presentation at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) (#2502 at 3:00pm EDT on June 7): First report of the safety/tolerability and preliminary antitumor activity of HB-201 and HB-202, an arenavirus-based cancer immunotherapy, in patients with HPV16+ cancers
Initial HB-201/HB-202 Phase 1/2 efficacy data in HPV16+ cancers in mid-2021
Additional HB-101 CMV Phase 2 efficacy data in H2 2021
Advancing our HB-300 to IND for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer
HBV and HIV collaboration with Gilead Sciences advancing towards clinical studies
First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Cash Position: HOOKIPA’s cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of March 31, 2021 was $128.1 million compared to $143.2 million as of December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to cash used in operating activities.

Revenue was $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, and $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to higher cost reimbursements received under the Collaboration Agreement with Gilead and the recognition of cost reimbursements initially recognized as deferred revenue.

Research and Development Expenses: HOOKIPA’s research and development expenses were $20.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $11.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

The primary drivers of the increase in direct research expenses were an increase in clinical trial expenses of $1.5 million and an increase in manufacturing and quality control expenses of $4.6 million.

The increase was mainly due to the progress in our HB-201 and HB-202 clinical trial, the increased patient recruitment in our HB-201 and HB-202 clinical trial, monitoring and testing activities and manufacturing and quality control work in preparation of a further extension of the trial. Manufacturing and quality control expenses were also driven by the progress towards clinical development in our Gilead partnered programs. This increase in HB-201/HB-202 and Gilead related direct expenses was partially offset by a decrease in direct costs related to our HB-101 program due to slower patient recruitment as a result of the COVID pandemic.

The increase in internal research and development expenses was mainly due to an increase of personnel-related research and development expenses, resulting primarily from a higher headcount, while stock-based compensation expenses included in personnel-related research and development expenses decreased. In addition, an increase in facility related costs and an increase in other internal costs contributed to the overall increase in internal research and development expenses.

General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 were $4.3 million, compared to $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in personnel-related expenses, partially offset by an increase in professional and consulting fees. The decrease in personnel-related expenses resulted from decreased stock compensation expenses, partially offset by increased salaries and a growth in headcount in our general and administrative functions.

Net Loss: HOOKIPA’s net loss was $17.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to a net loss of $10.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. This increase was due to an increase in research and development expenses, partially offset by an increase in revenues from collaboration and licensing, a decrease in general and administrative expenses, and an increase in grant income.