Johnson & Johnson to Participate in Bernstein’s 35th Annual Strategic Decisions Conference

On May 17, 2019 Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) reported that it will participate in Bernstein’s 35th Annual Strategic Decisions Conference on Thursday, May 30, at the Grand Hyatt, New York (Press release, Johnson & Johnson, MAY 17, 2019, View Source;johnson-to-participate-in-bernsteins-35th-annual-strategic-decisions-conference-300852402.html [SID1234536464]). Alex Gorsky, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will represent the Company in a session scheduled at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

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This webcast will be available to investors and other interested parties by accessing the Johnson & Johnson website at www.investor.jnj.com.

A webcast replay will be available approximately two hours after the live webcast.

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals to Present at the RBC Capital Markets Global Healthcare Conference

On May 17, 2019 Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:AUPH / TSX:AUP) (the "Company") reported that Mr. Peter Greenleaf, Chief Executive Officer, will present a corporate overview at the RBC Capital Markets Global Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 6:30am PT (9:30am ET) in New York, NY (Press release, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, MAY 17, 2019, View Source [SID1234536463]).

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The presentation will be webcast live and can be accessed via the investor section of the Aurinia website, www.auriniapharma.com. A replay of the presentation will also be archived on the Company website following the event.

MEDIGENE TO PRESENT INTERIM DATA ANALYSIS FROM PHASE I/II DC-VACCINE TRIAL AT THE EHA CONFERENCE 2019

On May 17, 2019 Medigene AG (FSE: MDG1, Prime Standard), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company focusing on the development of T cell immunotherapies, reported that it will present data from the interim analysis of the ongoing Phase I / II clinical trial with Medigene’s DC vaccine during the annual congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) taking place from 13 – 16 June in Amsterdam (Press release, MediGene, MAY 17, 2019, View Source [SID1234536462]).

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Medigene will present a poster on June 15 from 17:30-19:00 entitled "Interim Analysis of a WT-1 and PRAME ` Fast-DC´ vaccine shows safety as active immunotherapy for the prevention of AML relapse".

For the full abstract of the poster, please follow this link:
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Ligand Licenses VER250840 to Cumulus Oncology

On May 17, 2019 Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: LGND) reported the signing of a license agreement granting Cumulus Oncology exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize VER250840, a novel, oral, selective, preclinical Chk1 Kinase Inhibitor discovered using Ligand’s Vernalis Design Platform (VDP) (Press release, Ligand, MAY 17, 2019, View Source [SID1234536461]). Under the terms of the agreement, Ligand will receive an upfront license fee, and is eligible to receive over $76 million of milestone payments and tiered royalties in the mid-to-high single digit range, depending on revenue. In addition, Ligand is eligible to receive an additional fee, payable in cash or Cumulus equity, upon Cumulus achieving specified financing-related events.

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"We are pleased to be partnered with Cumulus to continue to advance the development of this important kinase target," said John Higgins, Chief Executive Officer of Ligand. "Since Ligand’s acquisition of Vernalis in October of last year, the business in Cambridge has been successfully integrated and is significantly contributing to the advancement of Ligand’s Shots-on-Goal business model. VDP consists of a team of accomplished scientists servicing the needs of partners to design molecules addressing highly-challenging targets, and we expect additional partnered programs to result from their efforts over the coming months and years."

About VER250840

VER250840 is a novel oral, selective Chk1 kinase inhibitor discovered using the Vernalis Design Platform (VDP). Chk1 is an important target within the DNA Damage Response (DDR) network and has been shown to play a key role in maintaining genomic integrity of cancer cells. Inhibition of Chk1 blocks cell cycle arrest and DNA repair, forcing cancer cells to undergo cell division with substantial DNA damage that results in their death. In both in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies, VER250840 has demonstrated an ability to target Chk1 in a range of different tumor types, as a single agent and in combination with several different cytotoxic agents. The clinical utility of DDR inhibitors for the treatment of cancer has recently been validated by the approval of inhibitors of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The opportunity to select patients most likely to respond to Chk1 inhibitors exists.

About the Vernalis Design Platform (VDP)

Vernalis (R&D) Limited is a Ligand subsidiary based in Cambridge, UK, and is a world leader in structure-guided drug discovery. The Vernalis Design Platform (VDP) integrates protein structure determination and engineering, fragment screening and molecular modeling, with medicinal chemistry, to enable success in novel drug discovery programs against highly-challenging targets. A key element to the success of VDP is establishing a robust platform for drug discovery for each target to validate hit identification using multiple proprietary assay and biophysical systems. Vernalis has collaborations across many therapeutic areas, including oncology, CNS, anti-infectives and inflammation, with global partners and a heritage of successful internal drug discovery in oncology and anti-infectives.

AbbVie Provides Update on Depatuxizumab Mafodotin (Depatux-M), an Investigational Medicine for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma, an Aggressive Form of Brain Cancer

On May 17, 2019 AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, reported the Phase 3 INTELLANCE-1 study of depatuxizumab mafodotin (Depatux-M, previously known as ABT-414) in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM), whose tumors have EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) amplification, demonstrated no survival benefit for patients receiving Depatux-M at an interim analysis (Press release, AbbVie, MAY 17, 2019, View Source [SID1234536457]). An Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) recommended the study be stopped due to lack of survival benefit for patients receiving Depatux-M compared with placebo when added to the standard regimen of radiation and temozolomide. No new safety findings were observed. Enrollment in all ongoing Depatux-M studies has been halted.

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"Glioblastoma patients and their caregivers face a devastating disease for which there are few therapeutic options. While we are disappointed that Depatux-M did not demonstrate a survival benefit in the INTELLANCE-1 study, we remain committed to discovering and developing therapies to address some of the most debilitating cancers," said Michael Severino, M.D., vice chairman and president, AbbVie.

The INTELLANCE-1 trial was conducted in collaboration with the RTOG Foundation, an independent, non-profit cancer research organization. Results from INTELLANCE-1 will be submitted for presentation at a medical conference and for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

"The highly collaborative partnership between RTOG Foundation’s scientific and physician leaders, under the leadership of Andrew Lassman, M.D., the study principal investigator, and the AbbVie team facilitated the early completion of this important international clinical trial. The RTOG Foundation’s outstanding glioblastoma experts will continue to vigorously investigate new approaches to this very challenging malignancy," said Walter J. Curran Jr., M.D., F.A.C.R., F.A.S.C.O., RTOG Foundation Board Chair and Executive Director of the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.

About the Phase 3 INTELLANCE-1 Trial and Depatuxizumab Mafodotin (Depatux-M; ABT-414)
The randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Depatux-M versus placebo when administered with concurrent radiation and temozolomide and with adjuvant temozolomide in subjects with newly diagnosed EGFR-amplified GBM.1 The primary endpoint was overall survival, and the interim analysis was based on data from 639 patients. Depatux-M is not approved, and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by regulatory authorities.

About AbbVie in Oncology
At AbbVie, we strive to discover and develop medicines that deliver transformational improvements in cancer treatment by uniquely combining our deep knowledge in core areas of biology with cutting-edge technologies, and by working together with our partners – scientists, clinical experts, industry peers, advocates, and patients. We remain focused on delivering these transformative advances in treatment across some of the most debilitating and widespread cancers. We are also committed to exploring solutions to help patients obtain access to our cancer medicines. With the acquisitions of Pharmacyclics in 2015 and Stemcentrx in 2016, our research and development efforts, and through collaborations, AbbVie’s oncology portfolio now consists of marketed medicines and a pipeline containing multiple new molecules being evaluated worldwide in more than 300 clinical trials and more than 20 different tumor types. For more information, please visit View Source