Interim report, May-October 2020/21

On November 26, 2020 In Elekta reported that second quarter, we managed to perform better than the overall radiotherapy market both in terms of orders and revenue despite continuous challenging circumstances (Press release, Elekta
, NOV 26, 2020, View Source [SID1234571802]). We also improved margins and stabilized cash flow. The launch of our new Harmony linac and regulatory clearances enhanced our product portfolio and strengthened our ability to deliver on our strategy of Precision Radiation Medicine.

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!

Gustaf Salford
President and CEO

Second quarter

Covid-19 continued to have a negative impact on Elekta’s growth in the quarter
Gross order intake amounted to SEK 3,627 M (4,036), corresponding to a 2 percent decrease in constant currency
Net sales were SEK 3,534 M (3,709), corresponding to a 3 percent growth in constant currency
Gross margin amounted to 40.9 (41.0) percent
EBITA increased by 39 percent to SEK 752 M (539), corresponding to an EBITA margin of 21.3 percent (14.5)
Earnings per share was SEK 0.98 (0.58) before/after dilution
Cash flow after continuous investments improved by SEK 128 M to SEK 362 M (234)
Launch of a new linac solution, Harmony
First six months

Gross order intake amounted to SEK 8,078 M (8,426), corresponding to a 1 percent growth in constant currency
Net sales were SEK 6,515 M (6,937), corresponding to a 1 percent decrease in constant currency
Gross margin amounted to 43.2 (41.7) percent
EBITA amounted to SEK 1,303 M (987), corresponding to an EBITA margin of 20.0 percent (14.2)
Earnings per share was SEK 1.55 (0.96) before/after dilution
Cash flow after continuous investments improved by SEK 939 M to SEK 389 M (-550)
Significant events after the quarter

The Board of Director has appointed Gustaf Salford as Elekta’s President and CEO with immediate effect.
Introduction of Elekta Studio with the ImagingRing providing a complete image-guided brachytherapy workflow to a single room.
1 After continuous investments.
2 Before / after dilution.
3 Based on constant currency.

Breakthrough in AML Treatment: GoldenBiotech Reports New Drug Trial of Antroquinonol -Outperforms Listing Drugs in Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia

On November 26, 2020 Golden Biotechnology Corp.(GoldenBiotech, 4132.TWO), a leading Taiwanese biopharmaceutical company, reported that its new drug Antroquinonol (HOCENA) outperforms the other listing drugs for the treatment of relapsed AML (acute myeloid leukemia) patients in its Phase 2 clinical study conducted in Russia (Press release, Golden Biotechnology, NOV 26, 2020, View Source;outperforms-listing-drugs-in-relapsed-acute-myeloid-leukemia-301181008.html [SID1234571803]). The outcome measures demonstrated higher remission rates (50%, CR/Cri) and survival rates guaranteeing fewer patients will require blood transfusions. This has made high safety possible during breakthroughs for AML treatment with remarkable monotherapy without combined chemotherapy. The new drug Antroquinonol has been granted orphan drug designation (ODD) by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of AML in 2015. GoldenBiotech has achieved excellent breakthrough in the unmet medical needs in AML therapy which many global pharmaceutical companies are targeting.

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!

Breakthrough in AML Treatment! GoldenBiotech’s new drug clinical trial of Antroquinonol.
Clinical Results Summary:

*Primary Outcome Measure- overall remission rate (CR/CRi): 50%

*Secondary Outcome Measures

80% of patients showed that their blasts count were less than 5%
90% of patients did not need blood transfusion during trial period
100% of patients were all alive during trial period (6 months)
No serious side effect
The primary efficacy indicator results exhibit that the overall remission rate (CR/CRi) of patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia reaches 50%. This is higher than those of other listing drugs in their Phase 2 trial ranging approximately from 21%~33% in (CR/CRi). 80% of patients’ abnormal blasts counts in bone marrow or blood were decreased to be less than 5% after treatment. For the secondary outcome measures results the overall survival rate of patients with relapsed AML reached 100% by the 6th month after treatment. This amplifies the possibility of patients receiving bone marrow transplantation. Furthermore, 90% of patients do not need to undergo blood transfusion during treatment with Antroquinonol (Hocena). Oral treatments and the decrease in blood transfusions have greatly improved the quality of life of AML patients. There is no significant side effect (SAE) that has occurred during the 6-month treatment period. The dose trial is administered orally at home by taking 200 mg twice a day.

The trial of Antroquinonol (HOCENA), Protocol No. GHAML-2-001, was an open-label, non-randomized, Phase 2a study to evaluate efficacy and safety/tolerability profiles in adult patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or at initial diagnosis when no intensive treatment is possible.

There is no standard treatment for relapsed/refractory adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Based on the confidence achieved in the trial results for the treatment of second-line and recurrent AML patients, GoldenBiotech will apply the clinical trial (IND) to the U.S. FDA for the Phase 2 clinical trials as the first-line treatment of AML and continue to expand the spectrum of indications of Antroquinonol in other leukemia treatment fields including multiple myeloma (MM), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and pediatric leukemia.

The majority of AML patients need to undergo blood transfusions and chemotherapy to kill cancer cells due to abnormal differentiation of blood cells and proliferation of myeloblasts. Current therapies are combined with chemotherapy often causing serious side effects resulting in poor prognosis of treatment for relapsed AML patients. AML ranks the second highest incidence in all leukemia but it has the highest mortality rate and the lowest five-year survival rate (about only 25%).

It is estimated that there will be about 62,000 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 2020. According to the reports from GlobalData and other institutions, the global AML therapeutic drug market is expected to increase from USD 1.4 billion in 2019 to 5.1 billion in 2029 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.6%.

About Antroquinonol

Antroquinonol was discovered in 2006 by Golden Biotechnology Corp..Its compound structure, preparation methods and applicable indications have been protected with patents worldwide. The recent approved by FDA and undergoing clinical trial of new drug Antroquinonol is a Phase 2 clinical trial for mild to moderate COVID-19 hospitalized patients in the USA. This is the first Taiwanese new drug approved by FDA for the Phase 2 clinical trial in Covid-19. Antroquinonol has shown anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic characteristics in past animal studies, suggesting high likelihood in becoming successful treatment option for coronavirus-induced pneumonia.

Learn more about the trial and contact information: Antroquinonol – Covid-19 Clinical Trial.

Other pipelines include non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), pancreatic cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia, atopic dermatitis and hepatitis. Research on neurogenic disorders like Alzheimer’s disease (AD) treatment and prevention are also in good process. Antroquinonol has received ODD (Orphan drug designation) approval by US FDA for treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia(AML), Hepatocelluar carcinoma (Liver cancer, HCC) and Pancreatic Cancer in 2015. For ODD in Pancreatic cancer has also received approval by European EMA in 2017.

NICE backs use of new treatment for multiple myeloma

On November 26, 2020 Sanofi reported that Patients with a difficult to treat form of multiple myeloma will now gain access to a new treatment on the NHS in England and Wales, after cost regulators issued final guidance on the use of Sarclisa (isatuximab) (Press release, Sanofi, NOV 26, 2020, View Source [SID1234571827]).

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!

Sarclisa, administered as an intravenous infusion, plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone, is recommended for use within the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) as an option for treating relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma in adults.

Routine NHS funding was not approved at this stage "because the cost-effectiveness estimates are uncertain as there are limitations in the clinical data" the Institute said.

However, its green light via the CDF will allow doctors to offer the treatment as an option for people who have had lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor, and whose disease has progressed from their last treatment if they have had three previous forms of treatment, while more data is collated.

"Our independent appraisal committee has recognised more treatment options are needed for those with difficult-to-treat multiple myeloma," said Meindert Boysen, deputy chief executive and director of the Centre for Health Technology Evaluation at NICE.

"Some of the data our committee has already seen shows promise that isatuximab plus pomalidomide and dexamethasone delays the disease from progressing and increases how long people live compared with current treatment options.

"Its use via the Cancer Drugs Fund will add a fourth line treatment option while data from an on-going clinical trial and from NHS use is collected to establish whether it is cost effective."

The guidance is dependent on conditions laid out in a confidential managed access agreement for the treatment combination.

Around 500 people a year could benefit from treatment with the combination.

Arvinas to Participate in Upcoming Virtual Investor Conferences

On November 25, 2020 Arvinas, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARVN), a clinical-stage biotechnology company creating a new class of drugs based on targeted protein degradation, reported that management will participate in two upcoming virtual investor conferences (Press release, Arvinas, NOV 25, 2020, View Source [SID1234571717]):

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!

Piper Sandler 32nd Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. A pre-recorded fireside chat held with John Houston, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, and Ian Taylor, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, is available here and on the Events + Presentations section of the Company’s website.

3rd Annual Evercore ISI HealthCONx Virtual Conference on Thursday, December 3, 2020. Ian Taylor, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, and Randy Teel, Ph.D., Vice President of Corporate Development, will participate in a fireside chat at 8:50 a.m. ET. A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available here and on the Events + Presentations section of the Company’s website.

IsoPlexis to Present at Evercore ISI’s 3rd Annual HealthCONx Conference on December 2, 2020

On November 25, 2020 IsoPlexis, the leader in single-cell functional proteomics, reported that Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Sean Mackay, will present at Evercore ISI’s 3rd Annual HealthCONx Conference on Wednesday, December 2nd at 9:40 a.m. ET (Press release, IsoPlexis, NOV 25, 2020, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/isoplexis-to-present-at-evercore-isis-3rd-annual-healthconx-conference-on-december-2-2020-301180662.html [SID1234571756]).

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 fireside chat will be made available on the company’s website at isoplexis.com.