On May 11, 2021 Kronos Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: KRON), a company dedicated to transforming the lives of those affected by cancer, reported recent business progress and first quarter financial results (Press release, Kronos Bio, MAY 11, 2021, View Source [SID1234579668]).

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"With continued progress in our preclinical and clinical programs and significant milestones expected this year, we look forward to hosting a research and development day to present our pipeline and unveil our development strategy for both of our clinical-stage SYK inhibitors entospletinib and lanraplenib," said Norbert Bischofberger, Ph.D., president and CEO. "We recently showcased progress with our CDK9 program at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) annual meeting in April, where we presented preclinical data indicating that KB-0742 could have utility in the treatment of MYC-amplified cancers. We look forward to sharing more about our development plans for this compound at our research and development day."

Dr. Bischofberger added: "I would also like to take this opportunity to reflect on the recent passing of our Board Member, Dr. John C. Martin, a dear friend and mentor, and to convey our deepest sympathies to John’s family and everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him."

Recent Highlights

Presented preclinical data for KB-0742, the company’s potent oral, highly selective cyclin dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitor, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. The data showed that CDK9 inhibition on an intermittent dosing schedule with KB-0742 resulted in sustained inhibition of tumor growth in multiple types of solid tumors, and suggested that genomic amplification of MYC, a well-characterized transcription factor and a long-recognized driver of cancer, is a key feature in defining sensitivity to CDK9 inhibition.

Announced the appointment of Taiyin Yang, Ph.D., to its board of directors. Dr. Yang currently serves as the executive vice president of Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing at Gilead Sciences, Inc., and has more than four decades of experience developing and manufacturing medicines in a variety of therapeutic categories.

Announced a positive End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor entospletinib. Kronos Bio will proceed with its plan to assess measurable residual disease (MRD) negative complete response (CR) as the primary endpoint in a registrational Phase 3 trial to support potential accelerated approval of entospletinib in patients newly diagnosed with NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The company plans to initiate the Phase 3 trial in mid-2021, with MRD negative CR data expected in the second half of 2023.

Announced the first patient was dosed in the Phase 1/2 clinical trial of KB-0742, which is being developed to treat MYC-amplified solid tumors.
Pipeline updates planned at upcoming Virtual R&D Day on May 25, 2021

Unveil the development strategy for the company’s SYK inhibitors entospletinib and lanraplenib in AML. Kronos Bio executives will be joined by Eytan M. Stein, M.D., assistant attending physician and director, Program for Drug Development in Leukemia, Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who will provide an overview of AML and the current treatment landscape.

Highlight the opportunity to target MYC through CDK9 inhibition with KB-0742, including a review of preclinical data, expectations for initial safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2021 and potential populations for the expansion cohorts in the second stage of the company’s Phase 1/2 clinical trial.

Provide an overview of the company’s differentiated drug discovery platform and potential future pipeline programs.
The live webinar will begin at 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, and will conclude at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET. Registration is accessible on the Investors & Media section of the company’s website at www.kronosbio.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived and available following the event.

First Quarter Financial Highlights

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments: As of March 31, 2021, cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $440.6 million.

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $17.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, which includes $2.5 million in non-cash stock-based compensation expense. R&D expenses for the quarter were primarily driven by costs associated with initiating and conducting the company’s clinical trials.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $8.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, which includes $2.7 million in non-cash stock-based compensation expense.

Net Loss: Net loss for the first quarter of 2021 was $26.1 million, or $0.48 per share, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $5.2 million.

On May 11, 2021 Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: NBIX) reported that it will present at the 2021 RBC Capital Markets Healthcare Conference at 10:55 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday May 18, 2021 (Press release, Neurocrine Biosciences, MAY 11, 2021, View Source [SID1234579667]). Matt Abernethy, Chief Financial Officer, and Eiry Roberts, Chief Medical Officer, will present at the conference.

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The live presentation will be webcast and may be accessed on the Company’s website under Investors at www.neurocrine.com. A replay of the presentation will be available on the website approximately one hour after the conclusion of the events and will be archived for approximately one month.

On May 11, 2021 Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Syndax," the "Company" or "we") (Nasdaq: SNDX), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing an innovative pipeline of cancer therapies, reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021. In addition, the Company provided a clinical and business update (Press release, Syndax, MAY 11, 2021, View Source [SID1234579666]).

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"We are excited to provide an update on the positive interim Phase 1 data from the ongoing AUGMENT-101 trial of SNDX-5613 in patients with mixed lineage leukemia rearranged (MLLr) and nucleophosmin (NPM1c) mutant acute leukemias," said Briggs W. Morrison, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Syndax. "As Dr. Eytan Stein indicated in his presentation, complete eradication of leukemia need not occur simultaneously with complete recovery of blood cell counts, and today we are able to share that two prior responders have advanced from complete response with incomplete platelet recovery (CRp) to a complete response (CR). The benefit we observe in AUGMENT-101 support our strong conviction that SNDX-5613 has the potential to meaningfully shape the treatment paradigm for these patients who are in desperate need of improved therapeutic options. As previously announced, we have identified a candidate recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) and look forward to commencing the pivotal Phase 2 portion of the trial."

"In addition, we continue to make progress with axatilimab in patients with chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD). We are pleased to announce today that we have completed enrollment of 23 patients in the Phase 2 expansion portion of the Phase 1/2 trial. We look forward to sharing full updated results from the Phase 1/2 trial later this year, with top-line data from the ongoing pivotal AGAVE-201 trial expected in 2023. Supported by emerging data, we firmly believe that axatilimab has the potential to benefit many of the more than 10,000 patients diagnosed with cGVHD in the U.S. each year."

Recent Progress and Anticipated Milestones

SNDX-5613

The Company reported new data from the ongoing Phase 1 dose escalation portion of the Phase 1/2 AUGMENT-101 trial of SNDX-5613, a highly selective oral menin inhibitor, in patients with MLLr and NPM1c mutant relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute leukemias. The new data reported today, showed two prior responders have improved from CRp to CR with no evidence of minimal residual disease (MRD-). With the addition of these two patients, a total of 7/31 patients (23%) have achieved CR/CRh.

Syndax previously announced positive data from the Phase 1 portion of the AUGMENT-101 trial in April 2021 and hosted a conference call featuring Eytan M. Stein, M.D., Assistant Attending Physician and Director, Program for Drug Development in Leukemia, Department of Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. As of the data cutoff date, the overall response rate (ORR) among evaluable patients was 48% (n=15), with 67% (n=10) of these responders achieving MRD- status, and four proceeding to receive stem cell transplant. The ORR in evaluable patients harboring an MLL-rearrangement (n=24), was 54% (n=13), and in evaluable patients harboring an NPM1c mutation (n=7), was 29% (n=2). Across all patients enrolled in the trial as of the data cutoff date (n=43), SNDX-5613 was generally well-tolerated, with no discontinuations due to treatment-related adverse events observed in heavily pretreated patients.

Syndax remains on track to initiate the pivotal Phase 2 portion of the trial this quarter.

Axatilimab

Syndax reported that enrollment is now complete in the Phase 2 expansion portion of the Phase 1/2 trial of axatilimab, its anti-CSF-1R monoclonal antibody, in patients with cGVHD. The Company anticipates reporting updated results later this year for 40 patients, including the 17 in the Phase 1 portion and 23 from the Phase 2 expansion portion, which evaluated 1 mg/kg of axatilimab every two weeks. Syndax reported preliminary data from the Phase 1 portion of the trial during an oral presentation at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in December 2020 which highlighted the tolerability and high response rate of axatilimab in cGVHD patients refractory to multiple therapeutic agents.

The Company’s pivotal Phase 2 AGAVE-201 trial of axatilimab in patients with cGVHD is ongoing, with topline data expected in 2023. The trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of three doses and schedules of axatilimab. The primary endpoint will assess objective response rate based on the 2014 NIH consensus criteria for cGVHD, with key secondary endpoints including duration of response and improvement in modified Lee Symptom Scale score.

Earlier this year, the Company announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Orphan Drug Designation to axatilimab for the treatment of patients with cGVHD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

As of March 31, 2021, Syndax had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $271.3 million and 51.6 million shares and share equivalents issued and outstanding. This includes 3.3 million pre-funded warrants.

First quarter 2021 research and development expenses increased to $21.9 million from $9.6 million. The increase was primarily due to increased clinical trial activities and increased CMC activities.

General and administrative expenses for the first quarter 2021 decreased to $5.7 million from $5.9 million. The decrease is primarily due to decreased pre-commercialization expenses for entinostat.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, Syndax reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $27.7 million or $0.54 per share compared to $19.1 million or $0.56 per share for the prior year period.

Financial Update and Guidance

For the second quarter of 2021, research and development expenses are expected to be $30 to $35 million, and total operating expenses are expected to be $35 to $40 million. For the full year of 2021, research and development expenses are expected to be $90 to $100 million, and total operating expenses are expected to be $110 to $120 million.

Conference Call and Webcast

In connection with the earnings release, Syndax’s management team will host a conference call and live audio webcast at 4:30 p.m. ET today, Tuesday, May 11, 2021.

The live audio webcast and accompanying slides may be accessed through the Events & Presentations page in the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.syndax.com. Alternatively, the conference call may be accessed through the following:

For those unable to participate in the conference call or webcast, a replay will be available for 30 days on the Investors section of the Company’s website, www.syndax.com.

On May 11, 2021 Incyte (NASDAQ:INCY) and MorphoSys AG (FSE:MOR; NASDAQ:MOR) reported that the first patient has been dosed in the pivotal Phase 3 frontMIND study evaluating tafasitamab and lenalidomide in addition to rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) compared to R-CHOP alone as first-line treatment for high-intermediate and high-risk patients with untreated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (Press release, Incyte, MAY 11, 2021, View Source [SID1234579665]). Tafasitamab is a humanized, monoclonal antibody designed to effectively target the B-cell specific antigen CD19 and to induce immune cell activation.

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"While more than half of DLBCL patients can be cured with an aggressive chemotherapy regimen, current outcomes for high-risk patients are poor," said Mike Akimov, M.D., Ph.D., Head of Global Drug Development, MorphoSys. "We believe we may be able to make a difference for those DLBCL patients by adding the combination of tafasitamab and lenalidomide to R-CHOP, a current standard of care."

Each year, approximately 30,000 patients are diagnosed with DLBCL in the U.S. alone1,2. R-CHOP is a current standard of care for patients with previously untreated DLBCL, but about 40% of patients do not respond to R-CHOP or relapse – particularly those with high-intermediate and high-risk disease3.

"Despite improvements in treatment for patients with DLBCL, there continues to be a significant medical need for additional therapies with improved outcomes," said Peter Langmuir, M.D., Group Vice President, Oncology Targeted Therapeutics, Incyte. "We are pleased to have initiated the frontMIND study as we seek meaningful, new options for newly diagnosed, high-risk patients with DLBCL."

In December 2020, encouraging preliminary data from firstMIND, the ongoing Phase 1b, open-label, randomized study on the safety and efficacy of R-CHOP plus either tafasitamab or tafasitamab plus lenalidomide for patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL, were presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. The data showed a preliminary response rate of 91.1% across both arms in a patient population that overall had a poor prognosis, and that the combination of tafasitamab, lenalidomide and R-CHOP has an acceptable tolerability profile. These results informed and supported further investigation of the tafasitamab combination in the frontMIND study.

In July 2020, the FDA approved Monjuvi (tafasitamab-cxix) in combination with lenalidomide for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from low grade lymphoma, and who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s)4.

The FDA decision represented the first approval of a second-line treatment for adult patients with DLBCL who progressed during or after first-line therapy.

About Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
DLBCL is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in adults worldwide5, characterized by rapidly growing masses of malignant B-cells in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow or other organs. It is an aggressive disease with about 40% of patients not responding to initial therapy or relapsing thereafter, leading to a high medical need for new, effective therapies, especially for patients who are not eligible for an autologous stem cell transplant in this setting6.

About frontMIND
The frontMIND (NCT04824092) trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, global Phase 3 clinical study in previously untreated high-intermediate and high-risk DLBCL patients that is conducted in partnership with the German Lymphoma Association (GLA), the Italian Lymphoma study group and the US Oncology Network.

The study aims to enroll approximately 880 DLBCL patients to receive either tafasitamab plus lenalidomide in addition to rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) or R-CHOP alone. The primary endpoint is investigator-assessed progression-free survival, according to Lugano 2014 criteria, and key secondary endpoints include event-free survival by investigator, overall survival, metabolic complete response rate by a Blinded Independent Review Committee, and overall response rate.

For more information about the frontMIND trial, visit View Source;draw=2&rank=1.

About Tafasitamab
Tafasitamab is a humanized Fc-modified cytolytic CD19 targeting monoclonal antibody. In 2010, MorphoSys licensed exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize tafasitamab from Xencor, Inc. Tafasitamab incorporates an XmAb engineered Fc domain, which mediates B-cell lysis through apoptosis and immune effector mechanism including antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP).

Monjuvi (tafasitamab-cxix) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in combination with lenalidomide for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from low grade lymphoma, and who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).

In January 2020, MorphoSys and Incyte entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement to further develop and commercialize tafasitamab globally. Monjuvi is being co-commercialized by Incyte and MorphoSys in the United States. Incyte has exclusive commercialization rights outside the United States.

A marketing authorization application (MAA) seeking the approval of tafasitamab in combination with lenalidomide in the EU has been validated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and is currently under review for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL, including DLBCL arising from low grade lymphoma, who are not candidates for ASCT.

Tafasitamab is being clinically investigated as a therapeutic option in B-cell malignancies in a number of ongoing combination trials.

Monjuvi is a registered trademark of MorphoSys AG.

XmAb is a registered trademark of Xencor, Inc.

Important Safety Information

What are the possible side effects of MONJUVI?

MONJUVI may cause serious side effects, including:

Infusion reactions. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for infusion reactions during your infusion of MONJUVI. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get chills, flushing, headache, or shortness of breath during an infusion of MONJUVI.
Low blood cell counts (platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells). Low blood cell counts are common with MONJUVI, but can also be serious or severe. Your healthcare provider will monitor your blood counts during treatment with MONJUVI. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or above, or any bruising or bleeding.
Infections. Serious infections, including infections that can cause death, have happened in people during treatments with MONJUVI and after the last dose. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or above, or develop any signs and symptoms of an infection.
The most common side effects of MONJUVI include:

Feeling tired or weak
Diarrhea
Cough
Fever
Swelling of lower legs or hands
Respiratory tract infection
Decreased appetite
These are not all the possible side effects of MONJUVI.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before you receive MONJUVI, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

Have an active infection or have had one recently.
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. MONJUVI may harm your unborn baby. You should not become pregnant during treatment with MONJUVI. Do not receive treatment with MONJUVI in combination with lenalidomide if you are pregnant because lenalidomide can cause birth defects and death of your unborn baby.
You should use an effective method of birth control (contraception) during treatment and for at least 3 months after your final dose of MONJUVI.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think that you may be pregnant during treatment with MONJUVI.
Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if MONJUVI passes into your breastmilk. Do not breastfeed during treatment for at least 3 months after your last dose of MONJUVI.
You should also read the lenalidomide Medication Guide for important information about pregnancy, contraception, and blood and sperm donation.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

On May 11, 2021 Ashvattha Therapeutics, a clinical stage biotech company focused on novel hydroxyl dendrimer therapeutics (HDTs) targeting unmet medical needs in neuro-oncology, neurology and ophthalmology, reported that it will present at the Sachs 7th Annual Immuno-Oncology Innovation Forum, held virtually, May 18-20, 2021 (Press release, Ashvattha Therapeutics, MAY 11, 2021, View Source [SID1234579664]).

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Jeffrey Cleland, Ph.D., Chairman, CEO and President of Ashvattha Therapeutics will provide an overview of the company, and its pipeline enabled by a proprietary hydroxyl dendrimer (HD) technology platform – a differentiated, superior approach to targeted intracellular therapy.

"We are excited to present our strategy in neuro-oncology therapeutics for the first time at the Sachs Immuno-Oncology Forum," said Jeffrey Cleland, Ph.D., Chairman, CEO & President at Ashvattha Therapeutics. "There remains a significant unmet need in treating primary and metastatic brain cancers with therapeutic agents that can cross the blood brain barrier and precisely target tumor associated macrophages. We are developing an HD imaging agent, D6-B483, to demonstrate uptake of HDs in gliomas and brain metastases. This agent will also be used as a radiotherapeutic. HDTs currently in preclinical studies are designed to manipulate the tumor microenvironment toward a pro-inflammatory state increasing innate immune responses to the tumor."

Ashvattha’s technology platform consists of HDs that selectively target regions of inflammation within the body. Current cancer treatments have dose-limiting toxicity reducing efficacy, and even precision medicine and targeted therapies lack sufficient specificity to tumors. Most cancer drugs do not cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to treat brain cancer. In addition, current immune therapies do not target tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Ashvattha’s HDTs widen the therapeutic window and increase the maximum tolerated dose, for better patient outcomes. Its proprietary compounds also target and treat brain tumors with durable effects inside TAMs for up to 30 days. Ashvattha is currently on track to initiate a D6-B483 Phase 1 study in patients with glioblastoma multiforme or brain metastases by end of 2021.

The 7th Annual Immuno-Oncology Innovation Forum is designed to bring together thought leaders from cancer research institutes, patient advocacy groups, pharma and biotech to facilitate partnering, funding and investment. Members of the management team will be available for virtual meetings at the conference. For more information, visit the conference website: View Source