Cygnal Therapeutics to Present Two Posters at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2021

On March 19, 2021 Cygnal Therapeutics, the first company to build a platform to develop drugs in the new field of exoneural biology, reported that it will present two posters at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2021, which will take place virtually from April 10-15 and May 17-21, 2021. The posters will describe insights into exoneural biology discovered via Cygnal’s Exoneural Medicine Platform (EMP).

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Poster Title: Neural communication to peripheral tumors regulates cancer cell activity
Number: 1450
Presenter: Monica Thanawala, Ph.D.

Poster Title: Novel mechanisms of Neuropilin-1 inhibition result in improved tumor growth inhibition in vivo
Number: 526
Presenters: Shalini Sethumadhavan, Ph.D., and Eric Zhu, Ph.D.

Both posters will be offered virtually, and Cygnal’s presenters will be available to answer questions via the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)’s online system during and after the event. The posters will be available for viewing by registered attendees from April 10 until June 21, 2021.

Ampio Pharmaceuticals to Present at Benzinga Biotech Small Cap Conference

On March 19, 2021 Ampio Pharmaceuticals (NYSE American: AMPE), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the advancement of immunology-based therapies for prevalent inflammatory conditions, reported that it has been invited to present at the Benzinga Biotech Small Cap Conference being held virtually on March 24 & 25, 2021 (Press release, Ampio, MAR 19, 2021, View Source [SID1234576914]).

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Details are as follows:

Corporate Overview
Title: Ampio – Business & Pipeline Update
Date: March 24, 2021
Time: 2:00-2:20pm EDT on Track 2
Registration Link: View Source

Isofol receives recommendation from iDSMB to complete the global Phase III AGENT study for market registration as planned with 440 patients

On March 19, 2021 Isofol Medical AB (publ) ("Isofol"), (Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market: ISOFOL) reported that the independent Data Safety and Monitoring Board (iDSMB) has recommended continuation of the global Phase III AGENT study with 440 patients, in accordance with the study design for the drug candidate, arfolitixorin (Press release, Isofol Medical, MAR 19, 2021, View Source [SID1234576913]). Isofol expects the top line results for the AGENT study to be available during H1 2022.

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The iDSMB recommendation follows a pre-scheduled interim analysis as part of the study design and was initiated when the 330th patient had been treated for 16 weeks and had two tumor evaluations. iDSMB evaluated safety and efficacy (ORR and PFS). The Company remains blinded to the interim analysis results.

"The recommendation from iDSMB is encouraging in many ways; first, it does not require us to recruit additional patients which enables us to keep our current timeline with the goal to submit a New Drug Application to FDA & EMA in H2 2022. Second, it is an additional confirmation that arfolitixorin shows no signs of increased toxicity which in combination with previous efficacy data strengthens our belief in arfolitixorin’s potential. Thirdly, we may be on the market in the US already in 2023", said Ulf Jungnelius, M.D, CEO of Isofol.

Arfolitixorin is evaluated in the AGENT study for the treatment of patients with first-line metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The study is currently being conducted in Australia, Europe, Japan, Canada and the US in more than 90 clinics and includes a total of 440 patients.

This information is information that Isofol Medical AB (publ) is obliged to make 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 18:10 CET on March 19, 2021.

About arfolitixorin

Arfolitixorin is Isofol’s proprietary drug candidate being developed to increase the efficacy of standard of care chemotherapy for advanced colorectal cancer. The drug candidate is currently being studied in a global Phase III study, AGENT. As the key active metabolite of the widely used folate-based drugs, arfolitixorin can potentially benefit more patients with advanced colorectal cancer, as it does not require complicated metabolic activation to become effective.

GSK to highlight scientific research in ovarian and endometrial cancer at SGO 2021 Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer

On March 19, 2021 GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) plc reported that it will present new data across its growing women’s oncology portfolio at the upcoming Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) 2021 Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer to be held 19-25 March 2021 (Press release, GlaxoSmithKline, MAR 19, 2021, View Source [SID1234576911]).

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GSK, a leader in synthetic lethality and immuno-oncology research, will present seven abstracts at SGO that reflect the increasing depth and breadth of the company’s oncology portfolio in these research areas. There will be a plenary presentation of the results from the phase III NOVA trial that highlight the long-term follow up of secondary endpoints, including safety and survival results of ZEJULA (niraparib) in women with recurrent ovarian cancer. This research builds on the body of evidence supporting poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor use for maintenance treatment. GSK will also share data from the phase II OVARIO trial underscoring the potential of niraparib maintenance in combination with bevacizumab in first-line ovarian cancer.

In endometrial cancer, updated results from cohorts A1 and A2 of the phase I GARNET trial will be presented that showcase the potential of dostarlimab in women with recurrent or advanced mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) endometrial cancer.

Dr Axel Hoos, Senior Vice President and Head of Oncology R&D, GSK said: "For women with gynaecologic cancers, our priority is to continue to evaluate niraparib and dostarlimab in conditions where new treatment options are needed most. Over the last few years, data supporting the use of PARP inhibitors for ovarian cancer has grown, and data presented at SGO demonstrate the potential benefits of niraparib combination therapies and sequencing. We also believe there is significant treatment potential for dostarlimab, which may enhance the anti-cancer immune response in women with endometrial cancer and patients with other types of cancer."

Leadership in advanced ovarian cancer

Niraparib is the only oral, once-daily PARPi approved as a monotherapy maintenance treatment for women with first-line platinum-responsive advanced ovarian cancer regardless of biomarker status in both the US and EU. GSK is committed to fully exploring and maximising the potential of niraparib through a robust clinical development programme evaluating it both as a monotherapy and in combination with other therapies to further improve outcomes for women with ovarian cancer.

GSK will present updated data from three trials at SGO that demonstrates niraparib’s potential regardless of biomarker status as a monotherapy, doublet-therapy and triplet-therapy. In addition to the OVARIO and NOVA trial results, data from cohort A of the phase II OPAL trial, evaluating the triple combination therapy of niraparib (PARPi) and dostarlimab (anti-PD-1) in combination with bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) for women with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, including several patients with primary platinum resistant disease, will be presented.

GSK also will share a post-hoc analysis from the phase III PRIMA trial on the efficacy of timing of surgery and residual disease, along with results of another study on the factors affecting PARPi use as maintenance treatment in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer.

Transforming treatment for patients with endometrial cancer

GSK will present new data from the GARNET trial at SGO, demonstrating clinically meaningful results that reinforce the potential of dostarlimab in endometrial cancer. GARNET represents the largest dataset of an anti-PD-1 monotherapy treatment in this disease.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency adopted a positive opinion last month recommending dostarlimab for use as monotherapy for women with dMMR/MSI-H recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer who have progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. The application is based on data from the GARNET study, which was originally presented at SGO in 2019.

Dostarlimab is also being evaluated in combination with other therapeutic agents for people with advanced solid tumours or metastatic cancer, including combinations with niraparib, and other immuno-oncology agents. It is currently under review with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of women with recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer who have progressed on or following platinum-based chemotherapy and whose tumours are dMMR. The FDA is also currently reviewing dostarlimab for the treatment of adult patients with dMMR recurrent or advanced solid tumours. Dostarlimab is not currently approved for use anywhere in the world.

Key GSK presentations during the SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer include:

Niraparib

Abstract Name

Presenter

Presentation Details

Long-term safety and secondary efficacy endpoints in the ENGOT-OV16/NOVA phase III trial of niraparib in recurrent ovarian cancer

Matulonis, U.

Oral Presentation #11139

Phase 2 OVARIO Study of Niraparib + Bevacizumab Therapy in Advanced Ovarian Cancer Following Front-Line Platinum-Based Chemotherapy With Bevacizumab

Hardesty, M.

Oral Featured Poster #10408

Efficacy of Niraparib by Timing of Surgery and Residual Disease: A Post-Hoc Analysis of Patients in the PRIMA/ENGOT-OV26/GOG-3012 Study

O’Cearbhaill, R.

Featured Poster #10381

Factors Affecting PARP Inhibitor Use as Maintenance Treatment in Platinum-Sensitive Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Valentine, M.

Poster #10410

An Open-Label Phase 2 Study of Dostarlimab (TSR-042), Bevacizumab (bev), and Niraparib Combination in Patients (pts) with Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer (PROC): Cohort A of the OPAL Trial

Liu, J.

Oral Featured Poster #10415

Dostarlimab

Abstract Name

Presenter

Presentation Details

Interim Analysis of the Immune-Related Endpoints of the Mismatch Repair Deficient (dMMR) and Proficient (MMRp) Endometrial Cancer Cohorts From the GARNET Study

Oaknin, A.

Oral Featured Poster #10417

ENGOT-EN6/GOG-3031/NSGO-RUBY: A phase 3, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study of dostarlimab + carboplatin-paclitaxel versus placebo + carboplatin-paclitaxel in recurrent or primary advanced endometrial cancer (EC)

Mirza, M.

Trial in Progress Poster #10418

About ZEJULA (niraparib)

Niraparib is an oral, once-daily PARP inhibitor that is currently being evaluated in multiple pivotal trials. GSK is building a robust niraparib clinical development programme by assessing activity across multiple tumour types and by evaluating several potential combinations of niraparib with other therapeutics. The ongoing development programme for niraparib includes several combination studies.

Indication and Important Safety Information for ZEJULA

ZEJULA is indicated:

for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy
for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy
for the treatment of adult patients with advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who have been treated with three or more prior chemotherapy regimens and whose cancer is associated with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) positive status defined by either:
a deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA mutation, or
genomic instability and who have progressed more than six months after response to the last platinum-based chemotherapy
Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for ZEJULA.
Important Safety Information

Myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia (MDS/AML), including some fatal cases, was reported in 15 patients (0.8%) out of 1785 patients treated with ZEJULA monotherapy in clinical trials. The duration of therapy in patients who developed secondary MDS/cancer therapy-related AML varied from 0.5 months to 4.9 years. These patients had received prior chemotherapy with platinum agents and/or other DNA-damaging agents including radiotherapy. Discontinue ZEJULA if MDS/AML is confirmed.

Hematologic adverse reactions (thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia, and/or pancytopenia) have been reported in patients receiving ZEJULA. The overall incidence of Grade ≥3 thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia were reported, respectively, in 39%, 31%, and 21% of patients receiving ZEJULA in PRIMA; 29%, 25%, and 20% of patients receiving ZEJULA in NOVA; and 28%, 27%, and 13% of patients receiving ZEJULA in QUADRA. Discontinuation due to thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia occurred, respectively, in 4%, 2%, and 2% of patients in PRIMA; 3%, 1%, and 2% of patients in NOVA; and 4%, 2%, and 1% of patients in QUADRA. In patients who were administered a starting dose of ZEJULA based on baseline weight or platelet count in PRIMA, Grade ≥3 thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia were reported, respectively, in 22%, 23%, and 15% of patients receiving ZEJULA. Discontinuation due to thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia occurred, respectively, in 3%, 3%, and 2% of patients. Do not start ZEJULA until patients have recovered from hematological toxicity caused by prior chemotherapy (≤Grade 1). Monitor complete blood counts weekly for the first month, monthly for the next 11 months, and periodically thereafter. If hematological toxicities do not resolve within 28 days following interruption, discontinue ZEJULA, and refer the patient to a hematologist for further investigations.

Hypertension and hypertensive crisis have been reported in patients receiving ZEJULA. Grade 3-4 hypertension occurred in 6% of patients receiving ZEJULA vs 1% of patients receiving placebo in PRIMA, with no reported discontinuations. Grade 3-4 hypertension occurred in 9% of patients receiving ZEJULA vs 2% of patients receiving placebo in NOVA, with discontinuation occurring in <1% of patients. Grade 3-4 hypertension occurred in 5% of ZEJULA-treated patients in QUADRA, with discontinuation occurring in <0.2% of patients. Monitor blood pressure and heart rate at least weekly for the first two months, then monthly for the first year, and periodically thereafter during treatment with ZEJULA. Closely monitor patients with cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, and hypertension. Manage hypertension with antihypertensive medications and adjustment of the ZEJULA dose if necessary.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) occurred in 0.1% of 2,165 patients treated with ZEJULA in clinical trials and has also been described in postmarketing reports. Monitor all patients for signs and symptoms of PRES, which include seizure, headache, altered mental status, visual disturbance, or cortical blindness, with or without associated hypertension. Diagnosis requires confirmation by brain imaging. If suspected, promptly discontinue ZEJULA and administer appropriate treatment. The safety of reinitiating ZEJULA is unknown.

Embryo-fetal toxicity and lactation: Based on its mechanism of action, ZEJULA can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months after receiving their final dose of ZEJULA. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from ZEJULA in breastfed infants, advise lactating women to not breastfeed during treatment with ZEJULA and for 1 month after receiving the final dose.

Allergic reactions to FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine): ZEJULA capsules contain FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), which may cause allergic-type reactions (including bronchial asthma) in certain susceptible persons. Although the overall incidence in the general population is low, it is frequently seen in patients who also have aspirin hypersensitivity.

First-line Maintenance Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in ≥10% of all patients who received ZEJULA in PRIMA were thrombocytopenia (66%), anemia (64%), nausea (57%), fatigue (51%), neutropenia (42%), constipation (40%), musculoskeletal pain (39%), leukopenia (28%), headache (26%), insomnia (25%), vomiting (22%), dyspnea (22%), decreased appetite (19%), dizziness (19%), cough (18%), hypertension (18%), AST/ALT elevation (14%), and acute kidney injury (12%).

Common lab abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in ≥25% of all patients who received ZEJULA in PRIMA included: decreased hemoglobin (87%), decreased platelets (74%), decreased leukocytes (71%), increased glucose (66%), decreased neutrophils (66%), decreased lymphocytes (51%), increased alkaline phosphatase (46%), increased creatinine (40%), decreased magnesium (36%), increased AST (35%) and increased ALT (29%).

Maintenance Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in ≥10% of patients who received ZEJULA in NOVA were nausea (74%), thrombocytopenia (61%), fatigue/asthenia (57%), anemia (50%), constipation (40%), vomiting (34%), neutropenia (30%), insomnia (27%), headache (26%), decreased appetite (25%), nasopharyngitis (23%), rash (21%), hypertension (20%), dyspnea (20%), mucositis/stomatitis (20%), dizziness (18%), back pain (18%), dyspepsia (18%), leukopenia (17%), cough (16%), urinary tract infection (13%), anxiety (11%), dry mouth (10%), AST/ALT elevation (10%), dysgeusia (10%), palpitations (10%).

Common lab abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in ≥25% of patients who received ZEJULA in NOVA included: decrease in hemoglobin (85%), decrease in platelet count (72%), decrease in white blood cell count (66%), decrease in absolute neutrophil count (53%), increase in AST (36%), and increase in ALT (28%).

Treatment of Advanced HRD+ Ovarian Cancer

Most common adverse reactions (Grades 1-4) in ≥10% of patients who received ZEJULA in QUADRA were nausea (67%), fatigue (56%), thrombocytopenia (52%), anemia (51%), vomiting (44%), constipation (36%), abdominal pain (34%), musculoskeletal pain (29%), decreased appetite (27%), dyspnea (22%), insomnia (21%), neutropenia (20%), headache (19%), diarrhea (17%), acute kidney injury (17%), urinary tract infection (15%), hypertension (14%), cough (13%), dizziness (11%), AST/ALT elevation (11%), blood alkaline phosphatase increased (11%).

Common lab abnormalities (Grades 1-4) in ≥25% of patients who received ZEJULA in QUADRA included: decreased hemoglobin (83%), increased glucose (66%), decreased platelets (60%), decreased lymphocytes (57%), decreased leukocytes (53%), decreased magnesium (46%), increased alkaline phosphatase (40%), increased gamma glutamyl transferase (40%), increased creatinine (36%), decreased sodium (34%), decreased neutrophils (34%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (29%), and decreased albumin (27%).

Please see Prescribing Information for ZEJULA.

About Dostarlimab

Dostarlimab is a humanised PD-1 monoclonal antibody that binds with high affinity to the PD-1 receptor and blocks its interaction with the ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2.[1] In addition to GARNET, dostarlimab is being investigated in other registrational enabling studies, including the phase 3 RUBY study for patients with recurrent or primary advanced endometrial cancer in combination with standard of care (SOC) chemotherapy [2] and the phase 3 FIRST study of platinum-based therapy with dostarlimab and ZEJULA versus SOC platinum-based therapy as first-line treatment of stage III or IV non-mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer. It is also being evaluated in combination with other therapeutic agents for patients with advanced solid tumours or metastatic cancer.

Dostarlimab was discovered by AnaptysBio and licensed to TESARO, Inc., under a Collaboration and Exclusive License Agreement signed in March 2014. The collaboration has resulted in three monospecific antibody therapies that have progressed into the clinic. These are: dostarlimab (GSK4057190), a PD-1 antagonist; cobolimab, (GSK4069889), a TIM-3 antagonist; and GSK4074386, a LAG-3 antagonist. GSK is responsible for the ongoing research, development, commercialization, and manufacture of each of these products under the Agreement.

GSK in Oncology

GSK is focused on maximising patient survival through transformational medicines. GSK’s pipeline is focused on immuno-oncology, cell therapy, cancer epigenetics and synthetic lethality. Our goal is to achieve a sustainable flow of new treatments based on a diversified portfolio of investigational medicines utilising modalities such as small molecules, antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates and cell therapy, either alone or in combination.

Purple Biotech Announces Initiation of Phase 1b/2 Clinical Trial of CM24 for Treatment of Multiple Advanced Cancers

On March 19, 2021 Purple Biotech Ltd. ("Purple Biotech") (NASDAQ/TASE: PPBT), a clinical-stage company developing first-in-class, effective and durable therapies by overcoming tumor immune evasion and drug resistance, reported the initiation of a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial evaluating CM24, a monoclonal antibody blocking CEACAM1, in advanced cancer patients, with expansion cohorts in subjects with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pancreatic cancer (Press release, Purple Biotech, MAR 19, 2021, View Source [SID1234576909]). The trial will be conducted in clinical collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb.

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"The initiation of this Phase 1b/2 clinical trial represents an important milestone for our CM24 development program," said Michael Schickler, Ph.D., Head of Clinical Operations and Regulatory Affairs of Purple Biotech. "In a Phase 1a monotherapy study, CM24 demonstrated good safety and a signal of efficacy, with a 33% disease control rate with up to 10mg/kg dosing. Moreover, pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic modelling demonstrated target saturation expected at higher doses of CM24 on a two-week schedule. The Phase 1b/2 study will be conducted in multiple countries, with sites anticipated in the U.S., E.U. and Israel, and we expect preliminary data from the first part of the study in the second half of this year."

"CEACAM1 levels are prognostic in a number of cancers, and relate to multiple mechanisms of action in neoplastic disease, from oncogenesis to influencing the tumor microenvironment," said Bertrand Liang, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Purple Biotech. "Based on its profile and the compelling Phase 1a data, we believe this study, which will evaluate CM24 at higher doses in combination with nivolumab in NSCLC patients and in combination with nab-paclitaxel and nivolumab in pancreatic cancer patients, will provide important data on blocking CEACAM1 in these critical unmet medical needs."

CM24 will be dose escalated from 10mg/kg, targeting the 20mg/kg dose, in combination with nivolumab in Phase 1b, in patients with NSCLC, pancreatic cancer, ovarian carcinoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma, melanoma or thyroid carcinoma, with the primary objective of evaluating safety, PK and determining the recommended Phase 2 dose. In the Phase 2 component, patients with NSCLC will be treated with CM24 and nivolumab after first-line immuno-oncology failure, and patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma will be treated with CM24, nivolumab and nab-paclitaxel after first-line therapy failure, with study endpoints being safety and preliminary efficacy. CEACAM1 level of expression, as well as a number of other immune and adhesion-related molecules, will be evaluated as potential biomarkers in the study.