On May 17, 2018 Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) reported that the European Commission (EC) has approved Cabometyx (cabozantinib) 20, 40, 60 mg for the first-line treatment of adults with intermediate- or poor- risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) (Press release, Ipsen, MAY 17, 2018, View Source [SID1234650566]). This approval allows for the marketing of Cabometyx (cabozantinib) in this indication in all 28 member states of the European Union, Norway and Iceland.

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"Today’s EC approval is a step forward for advanced kidney cancer patients in Europe who will be able to access a new oral first-line treatment option that offers significant improvement over the standard of care", said Harout Semerjian, Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer, Ipsen. "Ipsen remains committed to improving patients’ lives by continuing to develop new therapies and expanding the potential of Cabometyx across different indications."

Giuseppe Procopio, M.D., Head of the Genitourinary Unit at Fondazione Istituto Nazionale Tumori Milan, stated: "The value of treatment with Cabometyx has been corroborated by the data generated in clinical trials, and since 2016 physicians have also witnessed the potential of it when treating patients following VEGF-targeted therapy. For both of these reasons, physicians will be pleased to soon have access to this new first-line treatment option for intermediate- or poor- risk advanced RCC patients."
Today’s decision is based on the CABOSUN trial, which demonstrated that cabozantinib significantly prolongs progression-free survival (PFS) compared to sunitinib in treatment-naive aRCC patients with intermediate- or poor-risk. Cabozantinib is the first and only monotherapy to demonstrate superior clinical efficacy over sunitinib in treatment-naïve aRCC patients with intermediate- or poor-risk.
The detailed recommendations for the use of this product are described in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), available here (View Source).
About the CABOSUN study
On May 23, 2016, Exelixis announced that CABOSUN met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared with sunitinib in patients with intermediate- or poor-risk aRCC per IMDC (International Metastatic RCC Carcinoma Database Consortium) criteria as determined by investigator assessment. CABOSUN was conducted by The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology as part of Exelixis’ collaboration with the NCI-CTEP. These results were first presented by Dr. Toni Choueiri at the meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2016, and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (Choueiri, JCO, 2018).i
On June 19 2017 Exelixis announced that the analysis of the review by a blinded independent radiology review committee (IRC) has confirmed the primary efficacy endpoint results of investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) from the CABOSUN randomized phase 2 trial of cabozantinib as compared with sunitinib in patients with previously untreated advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with intermediate- or poor-risk disease per the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) criteria. Per the IRC analysis, cabozantinib demonstrated a clinically meaningful and statistically significant reduction in the rate of disease progression or death as measured by PFS. The incidence of adverse events (any grade) and the incidence of grade 3 or 4 adverse events between cabozantinib and sunitinib were comparable.
CABOSUN is a randomized, open-label, active-controlled phase II trial that enrolled 157 patients with aRCC determined to be intermediate- or poor-risk per IMDC criteria. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive cabozantinib (60 mg once daily) or sunitinib (50 mg once daily, four weeks on followed by two weeks off). The primary endpoint was PFS. Secondary endpoints included overall survival and objective response rate. Eligible patients were required to have locally advanced or metastatic clear-cell RCC, ECOG performance status 0-2, and had to be intermediate- or poor-risk per IMDC criteria (Heng, JCO, 2009).ii Prior systemic treatment for RCC was not permitted.
About advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma
With the incidence predicted to rise 22% by 2020, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) threatens to become one of the fastest growing cancers in the world.iii Targeted therapies including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of the VEGF receptor (VEGFR) introduced a decade ago, significantly transformed the treatment landscape of aRCC.iv
The American Cancer Society’s 2017 statistics cite kidney cancer as one of the top ten most commonly diagnosed forms of cancer among both men and women in the U.S.v Clear cell RCC is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults.vi If detected in its early stages, the five-year survival rate for RCC is high. For patients with advanced- or late-stage metastatic RCC, however, the five-year survival rate is only 12% with no identified cure for the disease.vii Approximately 30,000 patients in the U.S. and 68,000 globally require treatment.viii
The majority of clear cell RCC tumors have lower than normal levels of a protein called von Hippel-Lindau, which leads to higher levels of MET, AXL, and VEGF.ix–x These proteins promote tumor angiogenesis (blood vessel growth), growth, invasiveness, and metastasis.xi, xii, xiii, xiv MET and AXL may provide escape pathways that drive resistance to VEGFR inhibitors. xii – xv
About CABOMETYX (cabozantinib)
Cabometyx is an oral small molecule inhibitor of receptors, including VEGFR, MET, AXL and RET. In preclinical models, cabozantinib has been shown to inhibit the activity of these receptors, which are involved in normal cellular function and pathologic processes such as tumor angiogenesis, invasiveness, metastasis and drug resistance.
In February of 2016, Exelixis and Ipsen jointly announced an exclusive licensing agreement for the commercialization and further development of cabozantinib indications outside of the United States, Canada and Japan. This agreement was amended in December of 2016 to include commercialization rights for Ipsen in Canada. On April 25, 2016, the FDA approved Cabometyx tablets for the treatment of patients with advanced RCC who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy and on September 9, 2016, the European Commission approved Cabometyx tablets for the treatment of advanced RCC in adults who have received prior vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy in the European Union, Norway and Iceland. Cabometyx is available in 20 mg, 40 mg or 60 mg doses. The recommended dose is 60 mg orally, once daily.
On December 19, 2017, Exelixis received approval from the FDA for Cabometyx for the expanded indication of treatment of advanced RCC.
On May 17, 2018, Ipsen announced that the European Commission approved Cabometyx for the first-line treatment of adults with intermediate- or poor- risk advanced renal cell carcinomain the European Union, Norway and Iceland.

On May 17, 2018 Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX:ONC) (OTCQX:ONCYF), currently developing REOLYSIN (pelareorep), an intravenously delivered immuno-oncolytic virus turning cold tumors hot, reported an investigator sponsored study (IST) supported by Merck Inc (Press release, Oncolytics Biotech, MAY 17, 2018, View Source [SID1234534183]). (Merck), Northwestern University (Northwestern) and Oncolytics. This study is an extension of the previously reported phase 1 study (REO 024) that will investigate pelareorep in combination with Merck’s anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibitor Keytruda, to treat second line pancreatic cancer patients. The study, run by the principal investigator of REO 024, Dr. Devalingham Mahalingam, will plan to enroll approximately 40 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and will be conducted at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

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"This study using Merck’s Keytruda is our second I-O combination in human trials after our multiple myeloma study in combination with Celgene’s Imnovid and Revlimid," said Dr. Matt Coffey, President and CEO of Oncolytics Biotech. "We’re very happy with Merck’s increased involvement in our pancreatic studies and believe combining pelareorep with Keytruda poses an exciting opportunity to lay additional groundwork towards our ultimate goal – to expand the use of check point inhibitors as anti-cancer agents by promoting an inflamed phenotype in the tumor, or turning cold tumors hot."

"REO 024, a phase 1b study combining pelareorep and Keytruda in second line pancreatic patients, was designed to evaluate safety and tolerability of the combination," said Dr. Mahalingam, Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Oncology), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "The results from that study demonstrated that the combination is safe, but also that there was early evidence of clinical activity, including one patient that had a partial response lasting 17.4 months and two with stable disease of 126 days and 277 days. This new phase two study will enroll patients with advanced pancreatic cancer failing front line chemotherapy and will primarily evaluate overall response rate of the combination therapy. The study will also provide important biomarker data determined by analysis of pre- and post-treatment biopsies and blood-based immune markers."

Final study design and other details will be announced upon enrollment of the first patient, expected in the third quarter 2018.

On May 17, 2018 Cotinga Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX Venture:COT) (OTCQB:COTQF) ("Cotinga" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company advancing a pipeline of targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer, reported that the Company and its collaborators from MD Anderson Cancer Center will present data on COTI-2, Cotinga’s lead compound currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial, at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting taking place June 1-5, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois (Press release, Cotinga, MAY 17, 2018, View Source [SID1234533154]).

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Abstract Title: COTI-2, a potent orally available small molecule targeting mutant p53, with promising efficacy as monotherapy and combination treatment in preclinical tumor models
Session Date and Time: Saturday, June 2nd, 2018 1:15 PM – 4:45 PM Central Time
Session Location: McCormick Place South, Hall A, Poster Board 28

Phase 1b/2a Trial of COTI-2
The ongoing Phase 1 trial of COTI-2 is currently evaluating COTI-2 as a monotherapy for the potential treatment of gynecological malignancies and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma ("HNSCC"). In 2017, the Company announced top-line data from the gynecological malignancies arm of the trial demonstrating COTI-2 was generally safe and well-tolerated. COTI-2 also exhibited an encouraging pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile and signals of efficacy. In March 2018, the Company submitted a protocol amendment to the FDA for to expand the trial to evaluate COTI-2 in combination with various standard of care chemotherapy regimens in a wide spectrum of cancers. Primary outcome measures will evaluate safety and tolerability and determine the maximum tolerated dose and recommended Phase 2 dose for COTI-2 as a combination therapy. Secondary and exploratory outcome measures will evaluate pharmacodynamics and various signals of efficacy. Pending regulatory approval, the Company expects to implement the protocol amendment mid-calendar 2018.

On May 17, 2018 Celyad (Euronext Brussels and Paris, and NASDAQ: CYAD), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of specialized CAR-T cell based therapies, reported the pricing of a global offering of 1,800,000 ordinary shares, comprised of 523,913 ordinary shares in the form of American Depositary Shares (ADSs) offered in the United States, Canada and certain countries outside of Europe at a price per ADS of $26.28, and 1,276,087 ordinary shares in Europe and certain countries outside of the United States and Canada in a concurrent private placement at a price per share of €22.29 (the "global offering") (Press release, Celyad, MAY 17, 2018, View Source [SID1234532516]). Each ADS represents the right to receive one ordinary share. The price per ADS was determined based on an exchange rate of $1.1789 per euro. The gross proceeds to Celyad from the global offering are expected to be approximately $47.3million (approximately €40.1 million), before deducting underwriting commissions and estimated offering expenses.
In addition, Celyad has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 270,000 ordinary shares, which may be in the form of ADSs, on the same terms and conditions. The closing of the global offering is expected to occur on May 22, 2018, and is subject to customary closing conditions.

Celyad’s ADSs are currently listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "CYAD" and Celyad’s ordinary shares are currently listed on Euronext Brussels and Euronext Paris.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Bryan, Garnier & Co. are acting as joint bookrunning managers for the offering. Bank Degroof Petercam NV is acting as a co-manager for the private placement and LifeSci Capital LLC is acting as a co-manager for the global offering. Kempen & Co NV is Celyad’s advisor in connection with the offering.

The securities are being offered pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement that was previously filed with, and declared effective by, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A preliminary prospectus supplement dated May 15, 2018 relating to and describing the terms of the offering was filed with the SEC on May 16, 2018. The final prospectus supplement relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. When available, copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to these securities can also be obtained for free from Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, 375 Park Avenue, New York, New York, 10152, at (800) 326-5897 or email a request to [email protected] or Bryan, Garnier & Co., Beaufort House, 15 Saint Botolph Street, London EC3A 7BB, United Kingdom, or by telephone at +44 20 7332 2500, or by email at [email protected].

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale is or would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

On May 17, 2018 Veru Inc. (NASDAQ: VERU), a urology and oncology biopharmaceutical company, reported the publication of data from preclinical studies of VERU-111, a novel oral alpha and beta tubulin inhibitor, showing potent activity in a highly resistant model of human prostate cancer (Press release, Veru, MAY 17, 2018, View Source [SID1234529113]). An abstract of the data was published as part of the upcoming 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in Chicago.

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Oral VERU-111 was evaluated in the 22Rv1 prostate cancer model, which represents a highly resistant and aggressive form of the disease possessing androgen receptor splice variants that are commonly found in prostate cancer resistant to hormonal approaches like abiraterone and enzalutamide. In the same model, docetaxel administered by injection did not have significant effect on tumor growth. Animals receiving docetaxel lost weight on the study, a surrogate for toxicity, whereas those on VERU-111 either maintained or gained weight while receiving the drug.

"The findings in this clinically relevant model of prostate cancer provide us with additional support and enthusiasm for evaluating VERU-111 in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial, which is scheduled to commence later this year. This is an animal model in which few drugs have been shown to be active. In addition, VERU 111 may be effective against other tumor types known to be sensitive to taxanes that are already FDA approved," said Mario Eisenberger, MD, the Dale Hughes Professor of Oncology at The Johns Hopkins University.

"Oral VERU-111 has shown positive and encouraging signs to become an important therapeutic option for a particularly challenging form of prostate cancer. We are studying VERU-111 in multiple other cancers, the data of which is also being published at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) this year. We have begun performing the required toxicity studies and our IND submission and first clinical studies are planned for later this year," said Mitchell Steiner, M.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Veru.

About VERU-111
VERU-111 is a novel oral therapy targeting alpha and beta tubulin for the treatment of metastatic prostate, breast, endometrial, ovarian, and other cancers. In 2017, there were approximately 161,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the U.S. and about 25% of these men will die from the disease. In the U.S., 5% of men with prostate cancer will have metastatic cancer and up to 30% of men with high-risk, localized prostate cancer will develop metastatic cancer following initial therapy. The median survival of patients with metastatic prostate cancer ranges from 3.2 to 4.5 years. For these men, the 1st line therapy is androgen deprivation therapy, or medical castration. Although most will initially respond, nearly all these patients will progress to metastatic castration resistant prostate and have a poor prognosis with an average survival of 1.5 years. New 2nd line hormonal agents, like XTANDI (enzalutamide) and ZYTIGA (abiraterone/prednisone) have resulted in an additional four to five months of average survival, but nearly all men on these agents will develop progressive metastatic prostate cancer.

Drugs like VERU-111 that target tubulin, the subunits of microtubules, have been shown to be the most effective targeted cytotoxic chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. Microtubules are critical for cancer cell replication to stimulate genes for cancer cell proliferation. Docetaxel and cabazitaxel are examples of FDA-approved chemotherapy drugs that are given intravenously (IV) that target tubulin to treat metastatic prostate cancer. Although effective, the challenges for this class of chemotherapy drugs, also known as taxanes, include that they must be given intravenously (IV) and that the cancer cells develop resistance to taxanes. There are also serious safety concerns with IV taxanes which include serious hypersensitivity reactions, myelosuppression and neurotoxicity such as peripheral neuropathy and muscle weakness.

Unlike taxanes which bind to just the beta subunit of tubulin, VERU-111 binds strongly to both the alpha and beta subunits of tubulin. VERU-111 has: high oral bioavailability; less resistance as it does not interact with multiple drug resistance proteins so it cannot be pumped out of the cancer cell; minimal drug to drug interactions and high activity against many tumor types including: prostate cancer resistant to drugs like enzalutamide, AR-V7 positive and taxanes, as well as triple negative breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma. In preclinical studies, VERU-111 appears to have less toxicity and less suppression of white blood cells compared to taxanes and other chemotherapy agents.

Production of the VERU-111 active pharmaceutical ingredient and preclinical safety toxicology studies required for an IND are expected to be completed in 2018. We anticipate filing an IND in 2018 and Phase 1/2 studies are planned for late 2018. Phase 1 studies of VERU-111 are planned in men who have metastatic prostate cancer that has progressed while taking androgen deprivation therapy and abiraterone or enzalutamide as well as in patients with metastatic breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. In the U.S., there is a $5 billion annual market for 2nd line hormone therapies for prostate cancer and a $4.8 billion annual market for IV-given taxanes and vinca alkaloids chemotherapies (docetaxel $1 billion and cabazitaxel $500 million in prostate cancer) per Decision Resources Group and Allied Market Research. Second line hormonal therapies like enzalutamide and abiraterone/prednisone have almost complete cross-resistance and should not be used in sequence for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. VERU-111 could be substituted for IV given docetaxel and cabazitaxel antitubulin chemotherapies. VERU-111 could also be developed as an oral dosing alternative to chemotherapies for the treatment of metastatic breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers as these tumors that responded to IV taxane chemotherapies.