C4 Therapeutics to Advance CFT8919, A Selective Degrader of EGFR L858R, Into IND-enabling Studies

On May 26, 2021 C4 Therapeutics, Inc. (C4T) (Nasdaq: CCCC), a biopharmaceutical company pioneering a new class of small-molecule medicines that selectively destroy disease-causing proteins through degradation, reported that it has decided to advance CFT8919, a novel degrader of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), into investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies and anticipates filing an IND for this program by mid-2022, with the goal to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial by year-end 2022 (Press release, C4 Therapeutics, MAY 26, 2021, View Source [SID1234580610]).

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"The ongoing progress we have made across our portfolio reflects our goal of transforming patient care through the development of novel protein degraders," said Andrew Hirsch, chief executive officer of C4 Therapeutics. "We are excited to announce that we recently determined we will advance CFT8919, a BiDAC degrader targeting EGFR in NSCLC, into IND-enabling studies and now expect to submit an IND for this program in mid-2022 to enable the initiation of a clinical trial by year-end 2022. We are also looking forward to sharing the first preclinical data for CFT8919 at the upcoming Keystone Symposium for Targeted Protein Degradation in early June. These efforts are part of our ongoing efforts to advance treatments for patients through targeted protein degradation and, with the advancement of this program, we remain on track to achieve our goal to have four product candidates in the clinic by year-end 2022."

CFT8919, a Potent and Mutant-Selective BiDAC Degrader of EGFR L858R
The preclinical data C4T will present at the upcoming Keystone Symposium establish CFT8919 as a potent and selective degrader of EGFR L858R that is based on an allosteric EGFR binding motif. As a single agent, CFT8919 is active in both in vitro and in vivo models of EGFR L858R-driven NSCLC without resistance-causing secondary mutations in EGFR, as well as in similar models that harbor secondary resistance mutations such as EGFR T790M and C797S. Additionally, CFT8919 demonstrates intracranial activity, indicating that it has the potential to treat brain metastases. Together, these data suggest CFT8919 may be active, as single agent, in patients with resistance to EGFR inhibitors due to secondary mutations in EGFR, including T790M and C797S, as well as in the front-line setting with the potential to avoid the emergence of resistance-causing secondary EGFR mutations seen with currently approved EGFR inhibitors.

Progress to 2021 Key Milestones:

Initiate patient dosing for CFT7455 in 1H 2021. The Company’s first-in-human Phase 1/2 clinical trial of CFT7455 is open for enrollment and clinical sites have begun to screen patients. The program remains on track to begin dosing patients in 1H 2021. The Phase 1/2 clinical trial is an open-label, two-part, dose-escalation and expansion study evaluating CFT7455 across multiple hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma and various non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, including peripheral T cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma. More information about this trial may be accessed at www.clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT04756726).
Submit an IND application for CFT8634 in 2H 2021. CFT8634 is an orally bioavailable BiDAC degrader targeting BRD9 for the treatment of synovial sarcoma and SMARCB1-deleted solid tumors.
Advance the BRAF program into IND-enabling studies in 2021. The objective of the BRAF program is to develop an orally bioavailable BiDAC degrader targeting BRAF V600E mutations for the treatment of genetically defined solid tumors, including locally advanced or metastatic melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The BRAF program is partnered with Roche.
Continue lead optimization activities for the RET program through 2021. The objective of the RET program is to develop an orally bioavailable BiDAC degrader targeting genetically altered RET for the treatment of solid tumors, including relapsed or refractory NSCLC and sporadic medullary thyroid cancers that are resistant to RET inhibitors.
Upcoming Events

May 26, 2021 – C4T will participate in a Fireside Chat at 8:00 am ET at the UBS Global Healthcare Conference. Details of this event are available on the Investors section of the C4T website, under Events & Presentations.
June 1, 2021 – C4T will participate in a Fireside Chat at 10:30 am ET at the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference. Details of this event are available on the Investors section of the C4T website, under Events & Presentations.
June 6-9, 2021 – C4T will present preclinical data from CFT8919 in a virtual poster presentation at the Keystone Symposium, Targeted Protein Degradation: From Small Molecules to Complex Organelles.
June 7, 2021 – C4T will host a live webcast at 8:00 a.m. E.T. to discuss the CFT8919 preclinical data presented at the Keystone Symposium. Details of this event are included below.
June 18-22, 2021 – C4T will present preclinical data on CFT7455 in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) at the 16th Annual ICML meeting. CFT7455 is a novel, IKZF1/3 MonoDAC degrader that has demonstrated potent tumor regression in a spectrum of NHL xenograft models.
Investor Event and Webcast Information
C4T will host a live webcast on Monday, June 7, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. E.T. to discuss the CFT8919 data presented at the Keystone Symposium. The webcast can be accessed through the Events and Presentations page on the Investors section of C4T’s website at www.c4therapeutics.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on C4T’s website for 30 days following the event.

BioLineRx Reports First Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

On May 26, 2021 BioLineRx Ltd. (NASDAQ: BLRX) (TASE: BLRX), a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology, reported its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 and provides a corporate update (Press release, BioLineRx, MAY 26, 2021, View Source [SID1234580609]).

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Significant events and achievements during the first quarter 2021 and subsequent period:

Announced positive topline results from GENESIS Phase 3 trial of Motixafortide in stem-cell mobilization (SCM). The data demonstrate that the study successfully met all primary and secondary endpoints with an exceptionally high level of statistical significance (p<0.0001).
88.3% of patients receiving Motixafortide + G-CSF underwent transplantation after only ONE administration of Motixafortide and in only ONE apheresis session, compared to 10.8% for G-CSF alone; potentially supports Motixafortide on top of G-CSF as new standard-of-care mobilization agent in autologous bone-marrow transplantation.
The Company is proceeding with activities in support of an NDA submission in this indication anticipated in the first half of 2022, including a pre-NDA meeting with the FDA planned for the second half of this year.
Presented data at the 2021 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting analyzing results by liver metastasis status from the Company’s Phase 2a COMBAT/KEYNOTE-202 triple combination study testing Motixafortide in metastatic pancreatic cancer. The analysis further strengthened the results reported from the study in December 2020, since not only were substantially all patients initially diagnosed with stage 4 disease, but the vast majority (~80%) of the patients had liver metastases, emphasizing the extremely difficult patient population in this study.
Strengthened balance sheet with underwritten public offering resulting in gross proceeds of $34.5 million.
"Subsequent to the end of the first quarter, we were extremely excited to announce positive topline results from our GENESIS Phase 3 trial of Motixafortide in stem-cell mobilization for autologous bone marrow transplantation in multiple myeloma patients," stated Philip Serlin, Chief Executive Officer of BioLineRx. "The results demonstrated, with a high degree of statistical significance, a meaningful clinical benefit from adding Motixafortide to the current standard of care, G-CSF, for the mobilization of the targeted number of stem cells required for transplantation. While this was not a head-to-head study, our results compare very favorably to the registrational study of plerixafor.

"Importantly, almost 90% of patients in the treatment cohort underwent transplantation after only one administration of Motixafortide and in only one apheresis session, compared to 10.8% for G-CSF alone. We believe this positions Motixafortide to become the new standard of care in this indication, with a clear clinical benefit of ‘one dose, one apheresis, 90% mobilization success rate.’ We are working diligently to submit a New Drug Application to the FDA in the first half of next year. If approved, this would be transformative for BioLineRx, and a huge milestone in the Company’s history.

"Regarding our PDAC program, the compelling liver metastases data that we recently presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) further strengthen an already robust case for continued development in this very challenging indication. We continue to engage in discussions with potential partners regarding future development.

"To support these and other initiatives, including continued advancement of our second clinical candidate, the anti-cancer vaccine AGI-134, we raised $34.5 million in January that we believe will finance the Company through multiple potentially value-creating milestones," concluded Mr. Serlin.

Upcoming Significant Expected Milestones:

Initial results from Part 2 of the Phase 1/2a trial of AGI-134 in solid tumors in the second half of 2021;
Pre-NDA meeting with the FDA for SCM in the second half of 2021;
NDA submission for SCM in the first half of 2022.
Financial Results for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2021

Research and development expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 were $4.3 million, a decrease of $1.1 million, or 21.1%, compared to $5.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The decrease resulted primarily from lower expenses associated with the Motixafortide COMBAT clinical trial, as well as lower expenses associated with the AGI-134 study.

Sales and marketing expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 were $0.2 million, similar to sales and marketing expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 were $1.0 million, a decrease of $0.2 million, or 18.2% compared to $1.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The decrease resulted primarily from a decrease in share-based compensation.

The Company’s operating loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 amounted to $5.5 million, compared to an operating loss of $6.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

Non-operating expenses amounted to $4.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, compared to non-operating income of $0.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. Non-operating income (expenses) for both periods primarily relate to fair-value adjustments of warrant liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet.

Net financial expenses amounted to $0.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, compared to net financial expenses of $0.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. Net financial expenses for both periods primarily relate to interest paid on loans, offset by investment income earned on bank deposits.

The Company’s net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 amounted to $10.2 million, compared with a net loss of $6.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

The Company held $58.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits as of March 31, 2021.

Net cash used in operating activities was $6.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, compared with net cash used in operating activities of $6.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The $0.5 million decrease in net cash used in operating activities between the two periods was primarily the result of a decrease in research and development expenses.

Net cash used in investing activities was $36.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $6.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The changes in cash flows from investing activities relate primarily to investments in, and maturities of, short-term bank deposits.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $41.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $0.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The cash flows in 2021 primarily reflect the underwritten public offering of the Company’s ADSs in January 2021, warrant exercises and net proceeds from an ATM facility, offset by repayments of a loan from Kreos Capital. The cash flows in 2020 primarily reflect the net proceeds from an ATM facility, offset by repayments of a loan from Kreos Capital.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

BioLineRx will hold a conference call today, Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. To access the conference call, please dial +1-866-744-5399 from the US or +972-3-918-0610 internationally. The call will also be available via webcast and can be accessed through the Investor Relations page of BioLineRx’s website. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download any necessary software to listen to the live broadcast.

A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after completion of the live conference call on the Investor Relations page of BioLineRx’s website. A dial-in replay of the call will be available until May 28, 2021; please dial +1-888-295-2634 from the US or +972-3-925-5904 internationally.

BioCryst to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences

On May 26, 2021 BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX) reported that the company will present at the Jefferies Virtual Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. ET and the JMP Securities Life Sciences Conference on Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. ET (Press release, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, MAY 26, 2021, View Source [SID1234580608]). Both are being conducted as virtual conferences.

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Links to a live audio webcast and replay of these presentations may be accessed in the Investors section of BioCryst’s website at http://www.biocryst.com.

Anixa Biosciences Announces Support from the National Cancer Institute for Ovarian Cancer Vaccine Developed by Cleveland Clinic

On May 26, 2021 Anixa Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANIX), a biotechnology company focused on the treatment and prevention of cancer and infectious diseases, reported that its ovarian cancer vaccine technology is part of an award from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) (Press release, Anixa Biosciences, MAY 26, 2021, View Source [SID1234580607]). Anixa Biosciences holds an exclusive worldwide license from Cleveland Clinic for this vaccine technology.

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The award from the NCI, part of the National Institutes of Health, was made to Cleveland Clinic through the NCI-PREVENT program.

The PREVENT program is a peer-reviewed agent development program designed to support preclinical development of innovative interventions and biomarkers for cancer prevention and interception towards clinical trials. The scientific and financial resources of the PREVENT program will be allocated to four general milestones as follows:

Milestone 1: Immunogenicity and efficacy testing of the vaccine in mouse model
Milestone 2: Development of the expression vector for optimal vaccine production
Milestone 3: cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) manufacturing of vaccine and pre-IND (Investigational New Drug) meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration
Milestone 4: IND enabling cGLP (current Good Laboratory Practice) studies and IND filing
All of this work will be performed at NCI facilities, by NCI scientific staff with NCI financial resources. Milestone 1 will begin shortly after execution of contracts and design of experiments. Milestones 2-4 will be performed successively as progress is achieved.

The technology subject to the application titled, Immunoprevention of Human Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma (EOC), was invented by a research team led by Dr. Vincent Tuohy of Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute. Dr. Tuohy stated, "This peer-reviewed collaboration will provide us the vast laboratory and financial resources of the NCI to aid in the development of our vaccine. Our vision with this technology is to eliminate ovarian cancer worldwide, especially since women who suffer from ovarian cancer tend to have poor outcomes."

Dr. Amit Kumar, President and CEO of Anixa Biosciences, stated, "This technology along with Dr. Tuohy’s breast cancer vaccine have the potential to eliminate two of the most common malignancies in women. We continue to be pleased to be collaborating on these programs."

AIM ImmunoTech Announces Positive Safety Data from the Third Cohort of Its Phase 1 Intranasal Clinical Trial

On May 26, 2021 AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE American: AIM) reported that it has completed dosing of Cohort 3 in a Phase 1 clinical study to assess the safety, tolerability and biological activity of Ampligen as an intranasal therapy, reporting no serious adverse events (Press release, AIM ImmunoTech, MAY 26, 2021, View Source [SID1234580606]).

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This is consistent with results in the first two cohorts of the study and at escalating doses.The study protocol called for a total of 40 healthy subjects to receive repeated administration of either Ampligen or a placebo. Subjects in Cohort 1 received 75 μg of Ampligen, subjects in Cohort 2 received 200 μg of Ampligen and subjects in Cohort 3 received 500 μg. The study is already proceeding with Cohort 4, with subjects receiving 1250 μg.

The Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR), an independent institute located in Leiden in the Netherlands, is conducting the Phase 1 clinical study AMP-COV-100 (CHDR2049), titled "A Phase I, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Activity of Repeated Intranasal Administration of Ampligen (Poly I:Poly C12U) in Healthy Subjects." AIM is sponsoring and funding the clinical study.