V2ACT Therapeutics™, LLC Announces FDA Clearance of an IND Application to proceed with a Phase 1/2a Study of V2ACT for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

On December 11, 2020 V2ACT Therapeutics, LLC reported that the Company has obtained permission from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on an Investigational New Drug (IND) application and may proceed with the clinical investigation of V2ACT in a Phase 1/2a trial for the treatment of newly diagnosed surgically-resectable pancreatic cancer patients (Press release, V2ACT Therapeutics, DEC 11, 2020, View Source [SID1234572777]).

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"We are pleased the FDA cleared the IND for V2ACT for the treatment of pancreatic cancer within the initial 30-day review period," said Thomas Zindrick, J.D., President and CEO of V2ACT Therapeutics. "There is a serious unmet medical need for safer, more effective treatments to address this devastating disease and we believe that V2ACT has the potential to help patients in their fight."

"It is generally accepted there is no effective monotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, a devastating disease," said Gary Wood, Chief Science Officer of V2ACT Therapeutics. "V2ACT provides complementary immunotherapies in a unique process designed to transform non-immunoreactive pancreatic cancer into an immunoreactive ‘hot spot’ with cancer neoantigen-specific T cell infiltration and cancer cell killing. Therefore, V2ACT has the potential to effectively treat any type of cancer, even those considered to be resistant to immunotherapy."

Medivir strengthens its business development possibilities through a renegotiated agreement with TetraLogic regarding birinapant

On December 11, 2020 Medivir AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: MVIR) announced today that Medivir AB ("Medivir" or "the Company") has renegotiated its agreement with TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals Corporation ("TetraLogic") regarding financial obligations for birinapant, a SMAC mimetic, for the treatment of solid cancer tumors (Press release, Medivir, DEC 11, 2020, View Source [SID1234572709]). The purpose of the new agreement is to create improved business development opportunities.

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Medivir acquired birinapant from TetraLogic in 2016. The original agreement between Medivir and TetraLogic included milestone payments with predetermined amounts as well as royalty obligations to TetraLogic if and when Medivir develops, markets or out-licenses birinapant further. The original agreement has been dissolved and renegotiated so that the compensation Medivir is obliged to pay in a potential future transaction is now based solely on the distribution of actual future revenues to Medivir.

"It is very satisfying that we have now dissolved the previous agreement and negotiated a new agreement which is entirely based on the distribution of potential future revenues. This aligns and benefits both parties as the new agreement creates significantly improved conditions for a potential out-licensing or sale in our continued business development efforts with birinapant," says Yilmaz Mahshid, CEO Medivir AB.

Medivir AB is obliged to make this information public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 08.40 CET on 11 December, 2020.

About birinapant
Birinapant is being developed to enhance responses, and extend survival, of patients with solid tumors where existing treatments do not provide sufficient survival benefit, or where patients no longer have treatment options. Based on its unique design and mechanism, birinapant has the potential to enhance patients’ responses in combination with other treatments.

PharmaBlock Enters Strategic Partnership with Ascentage Pharma

On December 11, 2020 PharmaBlock Sciences (Nanjing), Inc. (300725.SZ), a leading innovative chemistry product and service provider throughout the pharmaceutical R&D process, reported the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with Ascentage Pharma (6855.HK), a globally-focused, clinical-stage biotechnology company engaged in developing novel therapies for cancer, chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and age-related diseases (Press release, PharmaBlock Sciences, DEC 11, 2020, View Source [SID1234572708]). The partnership aims to strengthen the strategic cooperation between the two companies in drug development and manufacturing.

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As a long-term CDMO partner of Ascentage Pharma, PharmaBlock has witnessed many of its development projects advancing quickly from discovery to preclinical and clinical manufacturing. Under the terms of the agreement, PharmaBlock becomes the preferred CDMO partner of Ascentage Pharma, and the two parties will continue to advance and expand CDMO cooperation for current and future projects. PharmaBlock will fully support Ascentage Pharma to accelerate its novel drug development pipeline with the most sufficient R&D input and manufacturing capacity, along with its innovative technological solutions.

Ascentage Pharma focuses on developing therapeutics that inhibit protein-protein interactions to block apoptosis or programmed cell death. The company has built a pipeline of eight clinical drug candidates, including novel, highly potent Bcl-2, and dual Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitors, as well as candidates aimed at IAP and MDM2-p53 pathways, and next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Ascentage Pharma is also the only company in the world with active clinical programs targeting all three known classes of key apoptosis regulators. The company is conducting more than 40 Phase I/II clinical trials in the US, Australia, and China. HQP1351, the company’s core drug candidate developed for the treatment of drug-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), has been granted an Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) and a Fast Track Designation (FTD) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and an NDA for the drug has been submitted in China. To date, Ascentage Pharma has obtained a total of eight ODDs from the FDA for four of the company’s investigational drug candidates.

Dr. Ming GUO, Co-founder and CEO of Ascentage Pharma, said: "PharmaBlock is a reliable and trusted business partner of Ascentage. We appreciate the dedication and professionalism of the PharmaBlock team. I believe that the strategic partnership between the two companies will definitely help us accelerate the new drug development pipeline towards the commercial stage."

Led by an experienced management and core technical team, PharmaBlock has been providing top-standard development and manufacturing solutions of RSMs, intermediates, and APIs for both the drug development and commercial stages. Taking full advantage of its building block capabilities, along with its know-how in chemistry, process development, analytical development, manufacturing and engineering technologies etc., the team has distinguished itself by showing great skill in tackling challenging chemistry, securing reliable supply, controlling costs, and maintaining full compliance of quality and EHS, etc. To further realize safe, efficient and green process development and manufacturing, PharmaBlock has developed an advanced chemistry and engineering technology platform, featuring flow chemistry, micropacked bed hydrogenation, biocatalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, crystallization, solid state chemistry, etc. Their technology platform has enabled more innovative solutions, with shortened lead time and reduced overall costs for development and manufacturing projects.

"With a rich pipeline of assets with first- and best-in-class potentials, Ascentage Pharma is a leading innovative biotechnology company in China with a global footprint. We are so proud to support companies like Ascentage to discover and develop next generation of medicines much needed by the patients," commented Dr. Haijun Dong, CEO of PharmaBlock.

Cipla Announces Settlement of REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) Capsules Patent Litigation

On December 11, 2020 Cipla Limited (BSE: 500087) (NSE: CIPLA) ("Cipla") reported the settlement of its litigation with Celgene Corporation, and wholly owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) relating to patents for REVLIMID (lenalidomide) (Press release, Cipla, DEC 11, 2020, View Source [SID1234572707]). As part of the settlement, the Parties will file Consent Judgments with the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey that enjoin Cipla from marketing generic lenalidomide before the expiration of the patents-in-suit, except as provided for in the settlement, as described below.

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In settlement of all outstanding claims in the litigation, Celgene has agreed to provide Cipla with a license to Celgene’s patents required to manufacture and sell certain volume-limited amounts of generic lenalidomide in the United States beginning on a confidential date that is some time after the March 2022. For each consecutive twelve-month period (or part thereof) following the volume-limited entry date until January 31, 2026, the volume of generic lenalidomide sold by Cipla cannot exceed certain agreed-upon percentages. The specific volume-limited license date and percentages agreed-upon with Cipla are confidential.

In addition, Celgene has agreed to provide Cipla with a license to Celgene’s patents required to manufacture and sell an unlimited quantity of generic lenalidomide in the United States beginning no earlier than January 31, 2026. Cipla’s ability to market lenalidomide in the U.S. will be contingent on its obtaining approval of an Abbreviated New Drug Application.

Mr. Arunesh Verma, CEO, Cipla North America, said, "This is an important step forward for us and is in line with our pursuit of improving access to high quality life-saving treatments."

Karyopharm Announces National Comprehensive Cancer Network® Adds Three XPOVIO® (selinexor) Treatment Regimens to Its Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Multiple Myeloma

On December 11, 2020 Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:KPTI), a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company pioneering novel cancer therapies, reported that the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) added three different XPOVIO (selinexor) combination regimens to its Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for previously treated multiple myeloma (Press release, Karyopharm, DEC 11, 2020, View Source [SID1234572706]). The XPOVIO regimens added to the NCCN guidelines, include: (i) selinexor / bortezomib / dexamethasone (once-weekly) (SVd); (ii) selinexor / daratumumab / dexamethasone (SDd); and (iii) selinexor / pomalidomide / dexamethasone (SPd), which is an all-oral treatment regimen. Importantly, the once weekly SVd regimen received a Category 1 recommendation, which represents the highest designation assigned by NCCN indicating the recommendation is based upon high-level evidence and that there is uniform NCCN consensus that the intervention is appropriate.

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"We are honored to have XPOVIO receive this important recognition through its addition to the NCCN Guidelines," said Michael G. Kauffman, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Karyopharm. "The NCCN Guidelines are utilized by healthcare providers across the country to inform optimal treatment decision making. The inclusion of three different XPOVIO combination regimens into these guidelines further validates the importance XPOVIO may have in the future multiple myeloma treatment landscape."

The NCCN is a not-for-profit alliance of 30 leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. The NCCN Guidelines are a comprehensive set of guidelines detailing the sequential management decisions and interventions that currently apply to 97% of cancers affecting patients in the U.S and are intended to ensure that all patients receive preventive, diagnostic, treatment, and supportive services that will most likely lead to optimal outcomes.

Karyopharm’s supplemental New Drug Application requesting approval for XPOVIO as a treatment for patients with multiple myeloma who have received one prior line of therapy has been assigned an FDA action date of March 19, 2021 under the Prescription Drug User-Fee Act.

About XPOVIO (selinexor)

XPOVIO is a first-in-class, oral Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) compound. XPOVIO functions by selectively binding to and inhibiting the nuclear export protein exportin 1 (XPO1, also called CRM1). XPOVIO blocks the nuclear export of tumor suppressor, growth regulatory and anti-inflammatory proteins, leading to accumulation of these proteins in the nucleus and enhancing their anti-cancer activity in the cell. The forced nuclear retention of these proteins can counteract a multitude of the oncogenic pathways that, unchecked, allow cancer cells with severe DNA damage to continue to grow and divide in an unrestrained fashion. Karyopharm received accelerated U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of XPOVIO in July 2019 in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least four prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least two proteasome inhibitors, at least two immunomodulatory agents, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. Karyopharm has also submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) with a request for conditional approval of selinexor in this same RRMM indication. Karyopharm’s supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) requesting an expansion of its current indication to include the treatment for patients with multiple myeloma after at least one prior line of therapy has been accepted for filing by the FDA. In June 2020, Karyopharm received accelerated FDA approval of XPOVIO for its second indication in adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma, after at least 2 lines of systemic therapy. Selinexor is also being evaluated in several other mid-and later-phase clinical trials across multiple cancer indications, including as a potential backbone therapy in combination with approved myeloma therapies (STOMP), in liposarcoma (SEAL) and in endometrial cancer (SIENDO), among others. Additional Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies are ongoing or currently planned, including multiple studies in combination with approved therapies in a variety of tumor types to further inform Karyopharm’s clinical development priorities for selinexor. Additional clinical trial information for selinexor is available at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

For more information about Karyopharm’s products or clinical trials, please contact the Medical Information department at:

Tel: +1 (888) 209-9326
Email: [email protected]

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Thrombocytopenia: XPOVIO can cause life-threatening thrombocytopenia, potentially leading to hemorrhage. Thrombocytopenia was reported in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and developed or worsened in patients with DLBCL.

Thrombocytopenia is the leading cause of dosage modifications. Monitor platelet counts at baseline and throughout treatment. Monitor more frequently during the first 3 months of treatment. Institute platelet transfusion and/or other treatments as clinically indicated. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of bleeding and evaluate promptly. Interrupt, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction.

Neutropenia: XPOVIO can cause life-threatening neutropenia, potentially increasing the risk of infection. Neutropenia and febrile neutropenia occurred in patients with MM and in patients with DLBCL.

Obtain white blood cell counts with differential at baseline and throughout treatment. Monitor more frequently during the first 3 months of treatment. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of concomitant infection and evaluate promptly. Consider supportive measures, including antimicrobials and growth factors (e.g., G-CSF). Interrupt, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of adverse reaction (AR).

Gastrointestinal Toxicity: XPOVIO can cause severe gastrointestinal toxicities in patients with MM and DLBCL.

Nausea/Vomiting: Provide prophylactic antiemetics. Administer 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and other anti-nausea agents prior to and during treatment with XPOVIO. Interrupt, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of ARs. Administer intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and replace electrolytes as clinically indicated.

Diarrhea: Interrupt, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of ARs. Provide standard anti-diarrheal agents, administer intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration, and replace electrolytes as clinically indicated.

Anorexia/Weight Loss: Monitor weight, nutritional status, and volume status at baseline and throughout treatment. Monitor more frequently during the first 3 months of treatment. Interrupt, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of ARs. Provide nutritional support, fluids, and electrolyte repletion as clinically indicated.

Hyponatremia: XPOVIO can cause severe or life-threatening hyponatremia. Hyponatremia developed in patients with MM and in patients with DLBCL.

Monitor sodium level at baseline and throughout treatment. Monitor more frequently during the first 2 months of treatment. Correct sodium levels for concurrent hyperglycemia (serum glucose >150 mg/dL) and high serum paraprotein levels. Assess hydration status and manage hyponatremia per clinical guidelines, including intravenous saline and/or salt tablets as appropriate and dietary review. Interrupt, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue based on severity of the AR.

Serious Infection: XPOVIO can cause serious and fatal infections. Most infections were not associated with Grade 3 or higher neutropenia. Atypical infections reported after taking XPOVIO include, but are not limited to, fungal pneumonia and herpesvirus infection.

Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection, and evaluate and treat promptly.

Neurological Toxicity: XPOVIO can cause life-threatening neurological toxicities.

Coadministration of XPOVIO with other products that cause dizziness or mental status changes may increase the risk of neurological toxicity.

Advise patients to refrain from driving and engaging in hazardous occupations or activities, such as operating heavy or potentially dangerous machinery, until the neurological toxicity fully resolves. Optimize hydration status, hemoglobin level, and concomitant medications to avoid exacerbating dizziness or mental status changes. Institute fall precautions as appropriate.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: XPOVIO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.

Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with a female partner of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with XPOVIO and for 1 week after the last dose.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions (ARs) in ≥20% of patients with MM are thrombocytopenia, fatigue, nausea, anemia, decreased appetite, decreased weight, diarrhea, vomiting, hyponatremia, neutropenia, leukopenia, constipation, dyspnea, and upper respiratory tract infection.

The most common ARs, excluding laboratory abnormalities, in ≥20% of patients with DLBCL are fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, appetite decrease, weight decrease, constipation, vomiting, and pyrexia. Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities in ≥15% of patients included thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia, anemia, and hyponatremia. Grade 4 laboratory abnormalities in ≥5% were thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, and neutropenia.

In patients with MM, fatal ARs occurred in 9% of patients. Serious ARs occurred in 58% of patients. Treatment discontinuation rate due to ARs was 27%. The most frequent ARs requiring permanent discontinuation in ≥4% of patients included fatigue, nausea, and thrombocytopenia.

In patients with DLBCL, fatal ARs occurred in 3.7% of patients within 30 days, and 5% of patients within 60 days of last treatment; the most frequent fatal AR was infection (4.5% of patients). Serious ARs occurred in 46% of patients; the most frequent serious AR was infection. Discontinuation due to ARs occurred in 17% of patients.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

In MM, no overall difference in effectiveness of XPOVIO was observed in patients >65 years old when compared with younger patients. Patients ≥75 years old had a higher incidence of discontinuation due to an AR than younger patients, a higher incidence of serious ARs, and a higher incidence of fatal ARs.

Clinical studies in patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients.

The effect of end-stage renal disease (CLCR <15 mL/min) or hemodialysis on XPOVIO pharmacokinetics is unknown.