On March 2, 2021 Wugen Inc., a biotechnology company developing novel, universal allogeneic cell therapy platforms, reported that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with US-based HCW Biologics Inc. (HCW) for the use of their proprietary fusion molecules to manufacture Wugen’s cellular therapeutics for the treatment of cancer (Press release, Wugen, MAR 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234576331]). HCW will oversee the manufacturing and supply of these proteins to Wugen. Wugen will research, develop, and commercialize cell therapeutic products on a world-wide basis.

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"Through this agreement and collaboration with HCW Biologics, a transformative immunotherapy company, we will advance and expand Wugen’s development of innovative, game-changing, off-the-shelf NK and T cell therapies for a wide range of cancers," said John McKearn, Ph.D., CEO of Wugen. "This collaboration will allow us to reach more patients with our unique and effective treatment approaches, aiming to improve their quality and quantity of life."

Hing Wong, Ph.D., CEO of HCW Biologics notes "HCW has developed first-in-kind immunotherapeutics using its proprietary platform technology to enhance and support cell-based therapies against cancer. We are thrilled to have Wugen incorporate our products into their leading portfolio of innovative cellular therapies, advancing us into this emergent field. This partnership leverages Wugen’s expertise in cellular therapy and HCW’s expertise in protein fusion immunotherapies, enabling HCW to focus on accelerating lead product candidates for inflamm-aging."

CAR-T and NK cells have shown remarkable activity in the clinic in the treatment of cancer, but significant challenges remain with regard to generating sufficient numbers of highly active, robust immune cells. The patented molecules generated by HCW Biologics allow for the robust activation and expansion of immune cells to significantly lower the cost of goods, enabling greater patient access to these important cellular therapies.

On March 2, 2021 Evelo Biosciences (Nasdaq:EVLO), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing a new modality of orally delivered medicines, reported that it will host a conference call and live webcast at 8:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 to report its fourth quarter and full year 2020 financial results and discuss business highlights (Press release, Evelo Biosciences, MAR 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234576195]).

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To access the live conference call, please dial 866-795-3242 (domestic) or 409-937-8909 (international) and refer to conference ID 3094547. A live webcast of the event will also be available under "News and Events" in the Investors section of Evelo’s website at View Source The archived webcast will be available on Evelo’s website approximately two hours after the completion of the event and will be available for 30 days following the call.

On March 2, 2021 Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq: ABUS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on developing a cure for people with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, as well as therapies to treat coronaviruses (including COVID-19), reported that William Collier, Arbutus’ President and Chief Executive Officer, will present at the H.C. Wainwright Global Life Sciences Conference held virtually from March 9-10, 2021 (Press release, Arbutus Biopharma, MAR 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234576184]).

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A webcast of the virtual presentation will be available starting at 7:00 am (EST) on March 9, 2021, and can be accessed through the Investors section of Arbutus’ website at www.arbutusbio.com or directly at Webcast. An archived replay of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website after the conference.

On Mach 2, 2021 Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CALA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer and other life-threatening diseases, reported that Susan Molineaux, Ph.D., the company’s founder, president and chief executive officer, will present at the H.C. Wainwright Virtual Global Life Sciences Conference (Press release, Calithera Biosciences, MAR 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234576172]). The presentation will be available on March 9, 2021, at 7:00 a.m. EST, and a webcast for replay for up to 30 days at www.calithera.com in the Investor Relations section.

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On March 2, 2021 Pfizer reported its Ibrance has held a strong lead in market share—and sales—over Eli Lilly’s Verzenio (Press release, Eli Lilly, MAR 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234576169]).

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But on the heels of Verzenio’s strong showing in HR+/HER2- early breast cancer—and Ibrance’s miss—one influential analyst figures the Lilly drug will quickly pick up steam. The upshot? About $4.6 billion in sales at the peak, significantly more than most pharma watchers now expect from the med.

Since its launch in 2017, Verzenio’s share of the market in metastatic breast cancer has been "steadily growing," from 12% early last year to 20% now, Bernstein analyst Ronny Gal wrote in a Monday note to clients. And with a potential launch in HR+/HER2- early breast cancer, the drug’s sales are set to ramp up considerably, he said.

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Lilly is "showing success with arguing for differentiation from Ibrance, and the growth will continue when the drug gains approval" in early breast cancer, the analyst wrote. The prediction comes after Verzenio posted impressive data in HR+/HER2- early breast cancer—and after Ibrance failed two studies in early breast cancer.

RELATED: Lilly’s Verzenio pressures Pfizer with practice-changing win in early breast cancer

Pfizer’s drug won an FDA approval in 2015 and generated $5.4 billion in sales last year. Verzenio, for its part, scored an FDA approval in 2017—giving Pfizer a considerable head start—and brought in $913 million last year.

While Pfizer’s drug is already on a strong sales trajectory, Gal says Lilly can expect Verzenio to not only pass the $1 billion blockbuster threshold but gin up billions more than that each year.

Ibrance will "retain market leadership" in metastatic breast cancer, Gal wrote, but he sees Verzenio snagging 28% of that market by 2024. With those share gains plus a potential FDA nod in early breast cancer, Bernstein analysts project $4.6 billion in Verzenio sales in 2024, significantly higher than consensus Wall Street estimates of $3.2 billion.

RELATED: Pfizer’s Ibrance kisses early breast cancer hopes goodbye with 2nd study failure

Last summer, Lilly’s drug—added to standard endocrine therapy after surgery—showed it could significantly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence by 25.3% in patients with high-risk HR-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer.

One expert said the findings would "change practice." The company filed the data with regulators in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to its recent annual SEC filing.

Meanwhile, Pfizer’s Ibrance has failed two studies in early breast cancer. After the second failure, SVB Leerink analyst Geoffrey Porges wrote that there’s "no saving adjuvant for Ibrance."