On April 27, 2018 Bolder BioTechnology, Inc. reported that it has completed a Phase 1 clinical trial of BBT-015, a proprietary long-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) analog, in healthy human volunteers (Press release, Bolder BioTechnology, APR 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234525790]). BBT-015 is being developed as a treatment for chemotherapy-related neutropenia in cancer patients and for Acute Radiation Syndrome. Demonstration that the drug is safe in healthy volunteers is one of the requirements for Food and Drug Administration approval of the drug to treat Acute Radiation Syndrome.

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Joe Cox, Ph.D., Bolder BioTechnology’s President said, "We are very pleased with the results of this trial, which appear to confirm the increased potency of BBT-015 compared to other approved G-CSF products. The trial studied the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety and tolerability of single subcutaneous administrations of three different dose levels of BBT-015 (0.01, 0.04, and 0.1 mg/kg), and a single dose level (0.1 mg/kg) of a comparator drug, pegfilgrastim (Neulastaâ, Amgen, Inc.). There were 5 male subjects per treatment group. The clinical trial was conducted by Celerion, Inc. (Lincoln, NE), and we are grateful for their rapid patient recruitment and excellent study performance."

"BBT-015 plasma levels were dose-dependent, being highest in subjects receiving the 0.1 mg/kg dose; at this dose, mean peak BBT-015 plasma levels were about two-fold higher than mean peak pegfilgrastim plasma levels. All BBT-015 doses stimulated long-lasting increases in circulating neutrophils. Mean peak neutrophil levels reached a maximum in subjects treated with 0.04 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg BBT-015, and were higher in these subjects than in subjects treated with 0.1 mg/kg pegfilgrastim."

"BBT-015 also stimulated dose-dependent increases in circulating peripheral blood progenitor cells (CD34+ cells), which are used in hematopoietic stem cell transplants. Mean peak CD34+ cell numbers were about 50% higher in subjects treated with 0.1 mg/kg BBT-015 compared to subjects treated with the 0.1 mg/kg pegfilgrastim."

"All BBT-015 doses were well tolerated and all subjects completed the trial. All adverse events attributed to BBT-015 were rated as mild, while adverse events attributed to pegfilgrastim were rated as mostly mild, with a couple moderate. Musculoskeletal pain and headaches were the most frequent adverse events for both drugs. Subjects treated with the 0.01 and 0.04 mg/kg BBT-015 experienced fewer than half as many adverse events as subjects treated with 0.1 mg/kg BBT-015 or 0.1 mg/kg pegfilgrastim. None of the 15 subjects treated with BBT-015 reported feeling nauseous or vomiting, which are common side effects of other G-CSF drugs. None of the subjects developed antibodies to BBT-015 or pegfilgrastim."

"Although subject numbers in this trial are small, the data are very promising and warrant further study of BBT-015 in additional clinical trials."

About BBT-015

BBT-015 is a long-acting G-CSF analog that stimulates production of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell important for fighting infections. G-CSF has a short half-life in humans and typically is administered to patients by daily injection. BBT-015 has been selectively modified with the polymer polyethylene glycol at a unique site in the protein, which allows the protein to last longer in patients, reducing the need for frequent administration and increasing the protein’s ability to stimulate long-lasting production of neutrophils.

On April 27, 2018 Sterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE MKT:AST), a biotechnology company dedicated to developing cell-based therapeutics to treat neurological conditions associated with demyelination and cellular immunotherapies to treat cancer, reported that Nate Manley, Asterias’ Associate Director of Neurobiology, will present an AST-OPC1 program update at the American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair INTR-15 Conference, which is being held during April 25-28, 2018 in Clearwater Beach, Florida (Press release, Asterias Biotherapeutics, APR 27, 2018, View Source;date=April+27%2C+2018&title=Asterias+Biotherapeutics+to+Present+AST-OPC1+Program+Update+at+the+Upcoming+American+Society+for+Neural+Therapy+and+Repair+Conference [SID1234525789]).

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The details of the presentation are as follows:

Title: ESC-Derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells (AST-OPC1): Clinical Update and Preclinical Progress in Spinal Cord Injury
Date: Saturday, April 28, 2018
Time: 10:00 am – 11:15 am Eastern Time

On April 27, 2018 The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency reported that it has adopted a positive opinion, recommending a change to the terms of the Marketing Authorisation for Tagrisso (osimertinib) to include the 1st-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations (Press release, AstraZeneca, APR 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234525785]). The recommendation is based on results from the Phase III FLAURA trial, which were presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2017 Congress and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Sean Bohen, Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer at AstraZeneca, said: "This positive recommendation acknowledges Tagrisso’s potential as a new 1st-line standard of care for patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC in Europe. It reflects the strength of the FLAURA data that show Tagrisso delivered a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in progression-free survival over the EGFR-TKI comparator arm across all pre-specified patient subgroups, including those with or without central nervous system metastases."

Safety data for Tagrisso were in line with those observed in prior clinical trials. Tagrisso was well tolerated, with fewer Grade 3 or higher adverse events (AEs) than with standard EGFR-TKIs (34% vs. 45%). In all patients, the most common adverse reactions were rash (58% [1.1% Grade ≥3] for Tagrisso vs. 78% [6.9% Grade ≥3] for the comparator arm), diarrhoea (58% [2.2% Grade ≥3] for Tagrisso vs. 57% [2.5% Grade ≥3] for the comparator arm) and dry skin (36% [<1% Grade ≥3] for Tagrisso vs. 36% [1.1% Grade ≥3] for the comparator arm).

The positive opinion from the CHMP will now be reviewed by the European Commission, which has the authority to approve medicines for the 28 EU member countries plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Earlier this month, Tagrisso was approved in the US for the 1st-line treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumours have EGFR mutations (exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations). In addition to the EU, Tagrisso is under regulatory review in Japan for use in the 1st-line treatment setting with a decision anticipated in the second half of 2018. Other global health authority reviews and submissions are also ongoing.

Notes to Editors
About NSCLC

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, accounting for about one-fifth of all cancer deaths, more than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined. Approximately 10-15% of patients in the US and Europe, and 30-40% of patients in Asia have EGFR-mutated (EGFRm) NSCLC. These patients are particularly sensitive to treatment with EGFR-TKIs, which block the cell-signalling pathways that drive the growth of tumour cells. Tumours almost always develop resistance to EGFR-TKI treatment, however, leading to disease progression. Approximately half of patients develop resistance to approved EGFR-TKIs such as gefitinib, erlotinib and afatinib due to the EGFR T790M resistance mutation. There is also a need for medicines with improved CNS efficacy, since approximately 25% of patients with EGFRm NSCLC have brain metastases at diagnosis, increasing to approximately 40% within two years of diagnosis.

About Tagrisso

Tagrisso (osimertinib) is a third-generation, irreversible EGFR-TKI designed to inhibit both EGFR-sensitising and EGFR T790M-resistance mutations, with clinical activity against CNS metastases. Tagrisso 40mg and 80mg once-daily oral tablets have been approved in the US and Brazil for 1st-line EGFRm advanced NSCLC, and in more than 75 countries, including the US, EU, Japan and China for patients with EGFR T790M mutation-positive advanced NSCLC. Tagrisso is also being tested in the adjuvant setting and in combination with other treatments.

About the FLAURA trial

The FLAURA trial assessed the efficacy and safety of Tagrisso 80mg once daily vs. standard-of-care EGFR-TKIs (either erlotinib [150mg orally, once daily] or gefitinib [250mg orally, once daily]) in previously-untreated patients with locally-advanced or metastatic EGFRm NSCLC. The trial was double-blinded and randomised, with 556 patients across 29 countries.

About AstraZeneca in Lung Cancer

AstraZeneca is committed to developing medicines to help every patient with lung cancer. We have three approved medicines and a growing pipeline that targets genetic changes in tumour cells and boosts the power of the immune response against cancer. Our unrelenting pursuit of science aims to deliver more breakthrough therapies with the goal of extending and improving the lives of patients across all stages of disease and lines of therapy.

About AstraZeneca in Oncology

AstraZeneca has a deep-rooted heritage in Oncology and offers a quickly-growing portfolio of new medicines that has the potential to transform patients’ lives and the Company’s future. With at least six new medicines to be launched between 2014 and 2020, and a broad pipeline of small molecules and biologics in development, we are committed to advance Oncology as a key growth driver for AstraZeneca focused on lung, ovarian, breast and blood cancers. In addition to our core capabilities, we actively pursue innovative partnerships and investments that accelerate the delivery of our strategy, as illustrated by our investment in Acerta Pharma in haematology.

By harnessing the power of four scientific platforms – Immuno-Oncology, Tumour Drivers and Resistance, DNA Damage Response and Antibody Drug Conjugates – and by championing the development of personalised combinations, AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer treatment and one day eliminate cancer as a cause of death.

On April 27, 2018 IntelGenx Technologies Corp. (TSX VENTURE:IGX) (OTCQX:IGXT) (the "Company" or "IntelGenx") reported that its President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Horst Zerbe, is scheduled to present at the 2018 Bloom Burton & Co. Healthcare Investor Conference on Thursday, May 3 at 3:00 p.m. EasternTime at the Sheraton Centre Hotel Toronto (Press release, IntelGenx, APR 27, 2018, View Source;Co-Healthcare-Investor-Conference/default.aspx [SID1234525779]).

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Dr. Zerbe will provide an overview of IntelGenx’ business during the presentation and, along with the Company’s Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, Andre Godin, will be available to participate in one-on-one meetings with investors who are registered to attend the conference.

The presentation will be webcast live and archived for 90 days on the Company’s website, at www.intelgenx.com, under "Investors"

On April 27, 2018 Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AGIO), a leader in the field of cellular metabolism to treat cancer and rare genetic diseases, reported that the company will webcast presentations from its Investor Day, including first quarter financial results, on Friday, May 4, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. ET in New York (Press release, Agios Pharmaceuticals, APR 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234525778]).

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Presentations will be given by members of Agios’ leadership team and external speakers including:

David Schenkein, M.D., Chief Executive Officer
Scott Biller, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer
Chris Bowden, M.D., Chief Medical Officer
Andrew Hirsch, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Corporate Development
Steve Hoerter, Chief Commercial Officer
Darrin Miles, Vice President, IDH Program Management
Susan Pandya, M.D., Senior Medical Director, Clinical Development
Kevin Marks, Ph.D., Senior Director, Head of Cancer Biology
Maeve Lowery, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O, Trinity College Dublin
A live webcast of the presentations can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investors section of the company’s website at www.agios.com. The presentations are scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. ET and conclude at 12:00 p.m. ET. A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Agios website for at least two weeks following the presentation.