On October 13, 2016 TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:TGTX) reported that it has filed with the FDA an amended protocol for the GENUINE Phase 3 trial (Press release, TG Therapeutics, OCT 13, 2016, View Source [SID:SID1234515796]). Prior to the amendments, the GENUINE study consisted of two parts: Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! Part I to evaluate the effect of the addition of TG-1101 to ibrutinib on overall response rate (ORR) in approximately the first 200 patients enrolled, to support a filing for accelerated approval of TG-1101; and
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Part II to evaluate the effect of the addition of TG-1101 to ibrutinib on progression-free survival (PFS) in all study patients (approximately 330), to support a filing for full approval of TG-1101.
The amended protocol contains the following substantive changes:
Part II of the study has been eliminated, and accordingly, the study’s sole primary endpoint will be ORR as originally contemplated in Part I; and
Target enrollment has been reduced to approximately 120 randomized patients.
At the new study size, the study is 90% powered to show a statistically significant improvement in ORR, with the minimal detectable difference of approximately 20% (absolute difference between the arms). Additionally, patients will be followed until progression, but the study will no longer be powered for PFS.
The Company expects that it will complete enrollment in the revised trial by year end 2016, and will have topline data available in the first half of 2017. If the results of the study are positive, the Company plans to request a pre-BLA meeting to discuss the data and a filing strategy with the FDA. The Company has communicated with the FDA regarding its intention to file a BLA for accelerated approval if the results are positive and the FDA has agreed that a pre-BLA meeting can be requested based on ORR data from the GENUINE study. Assuming a positive outcome of a pre-BLA meeting, targeted to occur in the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company believes it could file a BLA in the first half of 2018.
Michael S. Weiss, the Company’s Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Today’s announcement marks an important milestone for the Company. Given the GENUINE enrollment challenges we’ve faced to date, we are very excited to accelerate the trial to a rapid conclusion, while also maintaining the ability to potentially file the data for accelerated approval. The GENUINE study, as amended, remains a robust, randomized clinical trial, which we believe, if positive, could support accelerated approval for patients with relapsed/refractory high-risk CLL. Moreover, we believe the amended study and revised regulatory strategy is consistent with the recent accelerated approvals for novel agents in CLL, which notably were not pursuant to an SPA but occurred after the finding of positive ORR results. Importantly, with completion of enrollment now expected by year end, we and our clinical trial sites can focus our resources on completing our UNITY-CLL Phase 3 trial as quickly as possible. Early enrollment in UNITY-CLL is very encouraging and we anticipate that study will be fully enrolled before filing a BLA for the GENUINE study. UNITY-CLL remains unchanged and unaffected by the amendments to the GENUINE study, and if positive, could support full approval for both TG-1101 and TGR-1202 based on its primary endpoint of PFS." Mr. Weiss continued, "We have greatly appreciated all of the guidance and counsel from the FDA in designing our clinical programs and we look forward to continuing our collaborative working relationship as we accelerate toward the conclusion of enrollment into the GENUINE study this year and ORR data in the first half of 2017."
Author: [email protected]
OncoGenex Announces Results from the Phase 3 ENSPIRIT Trial of Custirsen in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
On October 13, 2016 OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: OGXI) reported results from the final analysis of the Phase 3 ENSPIRIT trial of custirsen in patients whose non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has progressed following initial treatments (Press release, OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, OCT 13, 2016, View Source [SID:SID1234515793]). The trial did not meet the primary endpoint of demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in overall survival for patients treated with custirsen in combination with docetaxel compared to docetaxel alone. The median overall survival for the custirsen arm was 9.0 months versus 7.9 months for the control arm with a hazard ratio of 0.915 (one-sided p=0.178). Safety results were consistent with those observed in previous trials of custirsen in combination with chemotherapy. Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! "Following the negative results of previous custirsen trials, an early final analysis of the ENSPIRIT trial was conducted in an effort to conserve capital and extend our cash runway," said Scott Cormack, President and CEO of OncoGenex. "We will continue to take appropriate steps to realize the most value for our shareholders once we receive the results of our apatorsen Phase 2 Borealis-2 bladder cancer trial which are expected by the end of October."
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OncoGenex is continuing to work with MTS Health Partners who has been advising the company in the exploration of strategic alternatives since mid-August.
"OncoGenex is grateful to the patients who participated in the ENSPIRIT trial and their families for their support, as well as our investigators and our employees for their commitment to improving cancer care for those who need it most," Cormack continued.
About the Phase 3 ENSPIRIT Trial
The Phase 3 ENSPIRIT trial is an international, randomized, open-label trial designed to evaluate custirsen for the treatment of advanced or metastatic NSCLC in patients who have progressed after initial chemotherapy treatment. The trial investigated if combining custirsen with docetaxel, a standard second-line NSCLC chemotherapy, has the potential to improve survival outcomes compared to docetaxel alone in these patients. The trial enrolled 664 patients at approximately 50 sites globally.
For more information on the ENSPIRIT trial, please visit View Source
About the Borealis-2 Trial
Borealis-2 is an investigator-sponsored, randomized Phase 2 trial evaluating a survival benefit with apatorsen in combination with docetaxel treatment compared to docetaxel treatment alone in approximately 200 patients with metastatic bladder cancer who have disease progression following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. The trial is being coordinated by the Hoosier Cancer Research Network at 27 sites across the United States.
Aptose Provides Update on FDA Clinical Hold of APTO-253
On October 13, 2016 Aptose Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ:APTO) (TSX:APS), a clinical-stage company developing new therapeutics and molecular diagnostics that target the underlying mechanisms of cancer, reported that it received a response from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the clinical hold of Aptose’s Phase 1b clinical trial of APTO-253 in patients with hematologic cancers requesting additional information and informing Aptose that the hold would not be removed until this information is submitted and reviewed (Press release, Aptose Biosciences, OCT 13, 2016, View Source [SID:SID1234515790]). The FDA response to Aptose focused exclusively on the request to provide the FDA with complete Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC) information on the final GMP drug substance and drug product intended for the clinic. Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! "Data provided to the FDA in our response to their clinical hold questions were collected using prototype batches of API and drug product. As the drug substance was changed from a salt to a free base, and thus modifying the drug product formulation, the FDA has requested additional information on the GMP-grade drug substance and drug product that is proposed for use in the clinic prior to making a decision on the hold and approval for the re-initiation of the clinical trial," commented William G. Rice, Ph.D., Chairman, President and CEO. "We continue to believe that we are on the correct path to resolve the clinical hold questions. There is an opportunity to create new intellectual property related to the new formulation of APTO-253, a drug that has demonstrated in vitro inhibition of c-Myc expression in AML cells without toxicity to normal bone marrow cells, a powerful differentiator in the treatment of AML."
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The Company believes its has now developed a drug product that does not cause filter clogging or pump stoppage during simulated infusion studies. The new formulation offers the potential for improved handling characteristics for administration by infusion. Generation of the additional data requested by FDA is underway, and once available the data will be submitted for FDA review, after which time FDA will make a decision on the clinical hold. Enrollment of patients in the trial may resume only following FDA removal of the clinical hold and Investigational Review Board (IRB) approvals at the participating clinical trial sites.
Alligator Bioscience informs that dosing has started in a second clinical phase I study with the CD40 Agonistic Immuno-Oncology Antibody ADC-1013
On October 12, 2016 Alligator reported dosing in the first clinical phase I dose escalation study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02379741) in April 2015 (Press release, Alligator Bioscience, OCT 12, 2016, View Source [SID1234538691]). The study was later expanded to include both intratumoral and intravenous dose escalation. An additional clinical phase I study (ClinicalTrials: NCT02829099) started dosing on 9 October 2016. The second study is sponsored by Janssen Research & Development, LLC and includes dose escalation with ADC-1013 (JNJ-64457107) administered intravenously. The Alligator sponsored trial continues to enroll patients for intratumoral dose escalation, while further enrollment for intravenous dose escalation will take part in the Janssen study.
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Per Norlén CEO at Alligator says that "The start of the Janssen trial is very exciting. ADC-1013 now enters a phase of development where Janssen assumes responsibility for all future clinical studies."
For further information, please contact:
Per Norlén, CEO, e-mail: [email protected]
Rein Piir, VP Investor Relations, e-mail: [email protected]
Office number: +46 46 2864280
About ADC-1013
ADC-1013 is an agonistic fully human monoclonal antibody targeting CD40, an immuno-stimulatory receptor found on antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells. The functional activity of ADC-1013 has been investigated in human and murine in vitro models. In in vitro models, stimulation of CD40 on dendritic cells initiates a process leading to a dramatic increase in T effector cells attacking the tumor. In addition, it is believed that once a tumor-specific memory is established, it may lead to long-term immunity to the cancer. Alligator granted Janssen Biotech, Inc., an exclusive, worldwide license to ADC-1013 in an agreement entered in August 2015.
Transgenomic and Precipio Diagnostics Announce Planned Merger
On October 12, 2016 Transgenomic, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBIO), and privately-held Precipio Diagnostics, LLC reported entry into a merger agreement, pursuant to which Precipio will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Transgenomic, and Transgenomic will be renamed Precipio, Inc (Press release, Transgenomic, OCT 12, 2016, View Source [SID:SID1234515801]). In connection with the merger, it is anticipated that the original Precipio security holders will receive between 62% and 80% of the outstanding shares of the combined company, depending on the relative amount of outstanding liabilities of the parties at closing and prior to the investment of new capital. The merger is expected to close in 2016, pending approval by Transgenomic shareholders and other closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement. Simultaneous to the merger, the combined company will receive an investment of up to $7 million from a syndicate led by BV Advisory Partners in a private placement of preferred convertible securities, and $3.0 million of outstanding debt of each company is expected to convert into this same class of preferred convertible securities. This comprehensive transaction will provide the Company with a clean balance sheet and sufficient capital to achieve its planned expansion.
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Transgenomic has filed to complete a reverse stock split of between one-for-ten and one-for-thirty before the merger closes, and the company’s outstanding debt is expected to convert into common and preferred shares. The companies expect that shares of the combined company will be listed on the NASDAQ exchange and trade under the "PRPO" ticker (subject to filing and approval by NASDAQ). The merger agreement provides that, Ilan Danieli, Precipio founder and Chief Executive Officer, will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the combined company. BV Advisory Partners is acting as advisor to the transaction.
Paul Kinnon, Transgenomic President and Chief Executive Officer, said "In recent years we have transitioned from a provider of conventional life science tools and diagnostic services into an innovative biotechnology enterprise focused on advancing precision medicine. We have done this through our revolutionary ICE COLD-PCR (ICP) technology, which enables accurate, non-invasive tumor profiling using circulating DNA in patient plasma. We have established a solid platform for commercialization of ICP, with leading global distributors and a solid pipeline of potential agreements with partners and customers. This is a good time to join forces with Precipio, which shares our commitment to accurate and timely advanced cancer diagnostics and has established an impressive infrastructure of academic experts and a growing customer base, validated by successful case studies. I look forward to working with my new colleagues to ensure a successful transition."
Ilan Danieli, Precipio founder and Chief Executive Officer, said "We are proud of Precipio’s progress in building a growing platform that provides unique services to cancer patients and their physicians by providing a demonstrated superior level of diagnostic accuracy, ensuring that patients receive the best possible treatment. Cancer misdiagnosis is an all too common and underappreciated problem, which frequently has a negative impact on patient treatment, and may cause needless loss of life. We provide both primary and second opinion screening, and our network of leading academic cancer researchers and advanced diagnostic technologies have proven to be an invaluable resource for patients and physicians. Our entire team is committed to ensuring that our services are made widely available. To that end we will continue building out our sales team to accelerate adoption and revenue growth. We believe Transgenomic’s ICP technology and commercial infrastructure fit well with our values and our business model, and look forward to this next stage of growth, as we work together to integrate our teams, technologies and services."
Keith Barksdale, Founder of BV Advisory Partners, commented, "Transgenomic and Precipio have complementary strengths with the potential to be a dynamic and strong competitor in the rapidly growing market for advanced cancer diagnostics. ICP is a revolutionary mutation detection technology that is now available through global distributors, and adoption by drug researchers and developers is ramping up. The technology is also available to help guide cancer diagnosis and treatment through Transgenomic’s CLIA laboratory. Precipio’s platform of leading academic cancer experts provides superior diagnostic accuracy level to oncologists and their patients; it represents a unique resource that can benefit from and leverage the power of ICE COLD-PCR. We look forward to working with the combined company going forward to help assure its growth and success."
Transgenomic’s ICE COLD-PCR offers major advantages over current sequencing technologies. It delivers at least a 100-fold improvement in sensitivity compared to standard methodologies, allowing detection of both known and previously unknown genetic alterations in any exon of any gene using a single assay. It is robust, easy to use and easily implemented, requiring minimal disruption to established sequencing workflows. It is available as ICEme Kits that deliver up to a 500-fold increase in mutation detection compared to most current methods, with levels of detection routinely achievable down to 0.01%. This ultra-high sensitivity enables detection of low level mutations and allows accurate patient monitoring as well as stratification of cancer sub-populations. ICEme Kits are compatible with most patient samples, including tissue, blood, plasma, urine and other biofluids. The kits are simple to use and work with most of the genomic analysis platforms available in laboratories today. They are easily customizable for use with single mutations or multiple mutations in combination. The current menu includes approximately 20 clinically relevant, actionable mutations that are associated with important cancers. The ICP range of mutation targets is being expanded on an ongoing basis.
ICE COLD-PCR was originally developed by the laboratory of Dr. Mike Makrigiorgos at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which has exclusively licensed rights to the technology exclusively to Transgenomic.