On March 1, 2021 Window Therapeutics reported that in March, 2020, the company in conjunction with the Johnson Lab at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology was awarded the prestigious Assay Cascade Grant, for its Window-Bortezomib program for Multiple Myeloma, from the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL), a division of the National Cancer Institute and the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (Press release, Window Therapeutics, MAR 1, 2021, View Source [SID1234609535]). The NCL accepts the most promising cancer nanomedicine candidates into its Assay Cascade characterization and testing program.
Nanomedicines accepted into the program undergo a rigorous evaluation ranging from sterility and endotoxin testing, physicochemical characterization, in vitro hemato- and immunotoxicity, and in vivo studies to evaluate safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics. The studies are tailored to each individual nanomedicine and are designed to promote the clinical translation of these novel therapies. All studies are conducted free of charge for Awardees. Initiation of the evaluation of the Window-Bortezomib program began in the first half of 2021 with developmental research currently in progress.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

On March 1, 2021 Oasmia Pharmaceutical AB, an innovation-focused specialty pharmaceutical company, reported that it signed an agreement with Kazia Therapeutics, an Australian oncology-focused biotechnology company, to acquire exclusive global development rights for Cantrixil, a product candidate in development intended for the treatment of ovarian cancer (Press release, Oasmia, MAR 1, 2021, View Source [SID1234575806]). The agreement is the first in a series of planned in-licensing deals and acquisitions to expand Oasmia’s oncology portfolio, leveraging its proven development and regulatory capabilities.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Oasmia will acquire the license for an upfront cash consideration of $4m, development milestones worth up to $42m and cumulative sales-based royalties. In addition to its promise as stand-alone therapy, Cantrixil has the potential to complement Oasmia’s lead product for ovarian cancer, Apealea, through treatment protocols to be developed. It may also offer synergies with Oasmia’s XR-17 technology platform, which could enhance solubility in various routes of administration.

François Martelet, M.D., CEO of Oasmia, commented: "This agreement is the first step in our transformative ‘string of pearls’ strategy designed to achieve critical mass in Oasmia’s oncology portfolio. Cantrixil is an exciting addition and builds on our development expertise in ovarian cancer. Acquiring rights to Cantrixil, which has established clinical proof of concept, is a major step forward in executing our strategy, and we will continue to leverage our development and partnering expertise to expand our oncology pipeline."

Cantrixil consists of the active molecule, a potent and selective third generation benzopyran SMETI inhibitor named TRXE-002-01, encapsulated in a cyclodextrin. It is believed to target a wide spectrum of cancer cells, including chemotherapy-resistant tumor-initiating cells that are thought to be responsible for disease relapse. In December 2020, Kazia released the top-line results of a Phase I open-label study (NCT02903771) conducted at sites in the USA and Australia. The Phase I study met its primary endpoints, establishing clinical proof of concept, subject to further clinical evaluation and confirmation.

A Phase II study with Cantrixil is expected to be initiated in 2022.

James Garner, CEO and Managing Director at Kazia Therapeutics added: "We are excited by the potential of this novel candidate to target and kill tumor-initiating cells responsible for cancers originating, metastasizing, and relapsing. These slower-growing tumor-initiating cells are often resistant to other types of chemotherapies. Cantrixil has the potential to become a standard front-line agent, complementing the use of platinum therapy in Ovarian cancer patients. Oasmia’s expertise and track record in developing oncology drugs through to approval makes them ideally placed to continue the development of Cantrixil forward to benefit patients who currently have limited treatment options."

Conference call
The company will hold a conference call and an online presentation on March 1, 2021 at 14.00 CET. The call will be hosted by CEO Francois Martelet, and Acting CSO Reinhard Koenig. The presentation will be in English.

On March 1, 2021 The board of directors of Targovax ASA (OSE:TRVX) ("Targovax" or the "Company") reported that it has resolved to increase the share capital of the Company following the completion of an exercise period for vested share options under the Company’s long-term incentive program for employees (Press release, Targovax, MAR 1, 2021, View Source [SID1234575837]). The exercise period for the LTI program commenced on 19 February 2021 at 10:00 hours (CET) and ended on 1 March 2021 at 10:00 hours (CET).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

1. Exercise of options

In total, 29,788 options were exercised, giving the option holders the right to subscribe for 29,788 shares, each with a par value of NOK 0.10, of which:

– 13,000 options were exercised at a subscription price of NOK 5.77 per share;

– 6,250 options were exercised at a subscription price of NOK 6.58 per share; and

– 10,538 options were exercised at a subscription price of NOK 7.74 per share.

2. Resolutions to increase the share capital in Targovax ASA

The Company’s board of directors has on 1 March 2021, in accordance with the authorisation granted by the general meeting on 29 April 2020, resolved to increase the share capital with NOK 2,978.80 by the issuance of 29,788 new shares, each with a par value of NOK 0.10 in order to facilitate the exercise of options.

Accordingly, the new share capital of the Company is NOK 8,656,110.60, divided into 86,561,106 shares, each with a par value of NOK 0.10. The share capital increase will be registered with the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises (Nw. Foretaksregisteret) as soon as practically possible after the share contribution has been fully paid.

On March 1, 2021 VBL Therapeutics (Nasdaq: VBLT) reported that patient dosing has been initiated in a Phase 2 clinical trial investigating ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111) for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (rGBM) (Press release, VBL Therapeutics, MAR 1, 2021, View Source [SID1234575855]). The study is sponsored by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and is being conducted through a collaboration between VBL and seven leading neuro-oncology medical centers in the U.S.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"This new study builds upon our previous successful Phase 2 trial of VB-111 in recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM) while incorporating lessons learned from the GLOBE study," said Dror Harats, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of VBL Therapeutics. "It will use the same VB-111 treatment regimen that induced significant survival benefit in our prior Phase 2 study, this time in patients that go through a second tumor resection. I believe that our perseverance could lead to renewed hope for rGBM patients who are in desperate need of therapies that may change their disease course and prolong life."

The Phase 2 study is enrolling patients with rGBM who are scheduled to undergo a second surgery. VB-111 will be administered either before and after surgery (neo-adjuvant and adjuvant therapy) or after surgery only (adjuvant therapy) and each arm will be compared to a standard of care control arm. In addition to endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months and overall survival (OS), collection of tumor specimens will allow important analysis of the activity of VB-111 within the tumor and will evaluate its effect on the immune system in this immunologically `cold` tumor. Additional information about the new VB-111 study can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04406272).

About VB-111 (ofranergene obadenovec)
VB-111 is an investigational, first-in-class, targeted anti-cancer gene-therapy agent that is being developed to treat a wide range of solid tumors. VB-111 is a unique biologic agent that uses a dual mechanism to target solid tumors. Its mechanism combines blockade of tumor vasculature with an anti-tumor immune response. VB-111 is administered as an IV infusion once every 6-8 weeks. It has been observed to be well-tolerated in >300 cancer patients and demonstrated activity signals in an "all comers" Phase 1 trial as well as in three tumor-specific Phase 2 studies. VB-111 has received an Orphan Designation for the treatment of ovarian cancer from the European Commission. VB-111 has also received orphan drug designation in both the U.S. and Europe, and fast track designation in the U.S. for prolongation of survival in patients with rGBM. VB-111 successfully demonstrated proof-of-concept and survival benefit in Phase 2 clinical trials in radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer (NCT01229865) and recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (NCT01711970).

On March 1, 2021 AngioDynamics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANGO), a leading provider of innovative, minimally invasive medical devices for vascular access, peripheral vascular disease, and oncology, reported that Jim Clemmer, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Stephen Trowbridge, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will present at the Barclays Virtual Global Healthcare Conference at 8:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 (Press release, AngioDynamics, MAR 1, 2021, View Source [SID1234575871]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

A live webcast of the presentation will be accessible through the "Investors" section of the Company’s website at www.angiodynamics.com and will be available for replay following the event.