Innovent Announces the NMPA Granted Marketing Approval for BYVASDA® (Bevacizumab Biosimilar) in China

On June 19, 2020 Innovent Biologics, Inc. (Innovent) (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high quality medicines for the treatment of cancer, metabolic, autoimmune and other major diseases, reported that BYVASDA (bevacizumab biosimilar), a recombinant humanized anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody drug independently developed by Innovent, has been officially approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic colorectal cancer in China (Press release, Innovent Biologics, JUN 19, 2020, View Source [SID1234561254]). BYVASDA is Innovent’s second monoclonal antibody drug approved by the NMPA following TYVYT (sintilimab injection, officially approved for treatment of patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December 2018).

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In recent years, the cancer burden in China has been continuously increasing. According to the report of Cancer Today from the WHO’s International Agency for Cancer Research, there were 4.285 million newly diagnosed cancer patients and 2.865 million deaths from cancer in China in 2018. Among the malignant tumors in China, lung cancer ranks first both in incidence rate (0.774 million newly diagnosed patients) and mortality rate (0.691 million deaths). Colorectal cancer ranks second in incidence rate (0.517 million newly diagnosed patients) and fifth in mortality rate (0.245 million deaths). Since the launch of bevacizumab, it has been approved for the treatment of patients with multiple malignant tumors globally, including non-small cell lung cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer, glioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, cervical cancer, and epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, and in China it was approved for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic colorectal cancer. The efficacy and safety of bevacizumab have been well recognized worldwide. Currently there still remains huge unmet clinical demand for bevacizumab treatment in China, as many ordinary Chinese patients cannot afford for it. BYVASDA is an anti-VEGF humanized monoclonal antibody and a bevacizumab biosimilar independently developed by Innovent. The launch of BYVASDA will provide Chinese patients with high-quality and relatively more affordable bevacizumab biosimilar injection.

Dr. Hui Zhou, Vice President and Head of Oncology Strategy and Medical Sciences of Innovent, stated: "BYVASDA is another example of our success with the National Major New Drug Innovation and Development Projects and the second monoclonal antibody drug approved by the NMPA following TYVYT (sintilimab injection). We hope to bring this high-quality and cost-saving drugs to more patients in need in China as soon as possible. In January 2020, Innovent out-licensed the commercial rights of BYVASDA in the United States and Canada to Coherus BioSciences, a leading biosimilar company, demonstrated an international recognition of the quality of BYVASDA. We are looking forward to working together to make BYVASDA benefit more patients globally."

About BYVASDA

BYVASDA is a bevacizumab biosimilar and a recombinant humanized anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody drug. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important factor in angiogenesis that is highly expressed by the endothelial cells in most human tumors. An anti-VEGF antibody binds VEGF selectively with high affinity and blocks its binding to VEGF receptors on the surface of vascular endothelial cells, thereby inhibiting signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt/PKB and Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK. BYVASDA produces anti-tumor effects by inhibiting the growth, proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells, blocking angiogenesis, reducing vascular permeability, blocking blood supply to tumor tissues, inhibiting the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells and inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. Since the launch of bevacizumab, it has been approved for the treatment of patients with multiple malignant tumors globally, including non-small cell lung cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer, glioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma, cervical cancer, and epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. The efficacy and safety of bevacizumab have been well recognized worldwide.

TumorCube, a New Unit within DiscoveryBioMed, Will Use 3D Biogel-based Platforms to Perform 384-Well Plate-based Bioassays and 3D Bioreactor-driven Studies to Discover, Validate and Profile Anti-cancer Therapeutics on Human Cancer Cells

On June 19, 2020 DiscoveryBioMed, Inc. (DBM, www.discoverybiomed.com) reported a new unit of its contract research organization (CRO) services business called TumorCube that is formed based upon our growing expertise in 3D Biogel-driven bioassays on diseased and normal human cell platform technologies (Press release, DiscoveryBioMed, JUN 19, 2020, View Source [SID1234561256]). A trademark application has been filed.

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"DBM has a growing CRO services business in 3D Biogel-driven bioassays of diseased and normal human kidney cells. It is showcased prominently on our website, and we are proud to have many biotechnology companies and BioPharmaceutical organizations globally as our clients," explained Dr. Erik Schwiebert, Ph.D., CEO of DBM. "We have now extended those offerings to include the assay of human urological cancers and endocrine-driven cancers such as ovarian cancers and breast cancers." DBM is also assessing the feasibility of our 3D platforms for the assay of neurological and other cancers at present. DBM is utilizing existing human cancer cell lines in our initial technology optimization.

"Interestingly, diseased human kidney cells and existing human cancer cell lines respond differently to specific lead therapeutic drugs or industry standard anti-cancer drugs when grown in 3D versus the traditional 2D tissue culture plastic-based assays," explained Dr. Deborah Mai, DBM’s Chief Biological Officer. "DBM focuses on more physiological 3D growth formats as its preferred assay platforms and methods."

Not only does DBM wish to offer higher-throughput 3D assay platforms for hit-to-lead and lead oncology therapeutic profiling, DBM is optioning and licensing 3D bioreactor technology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) that was invented by Dr. Joel Berry, Ph.D. in the Department of Biomedical Engineering to be a future platform for our TumorCube unit. "It has been exciting to collaborate with DBM on this commercial-academic partnership, and we are also excited to see TumorCube realized," declared Dr. Berry. "We and DBM are also collaborating with investigators within the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB on this platform development, which is an additional value add."

DBM is also pleased about continuing its local collaboration with UAB. "DBM has several current and past UAB-derived scientists that have contributed to the establishment and growth of our life sciences and biotechnology company, myself included," explained Dr. Grace Salzer, a Senior Scientist and Business Development specialist. "DBM is fortunate to be collaborating with UAB scientists and technology transfer on this venture."

Ultragenyx and Kyowa Kirin Announce U.S. FDA Approval of Crysvita® (burosumab) for the Treatment of Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia (TIO)

On June 19, 2020 Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: RARE), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel products for rare and ultra-rare diseases, and Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. (Kyowa Kirin, TSE: 4151), a global specialty pharmaceutical company creating innovative medical solutions using the latest biotechnology, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Crysvita (burosumab) for the treatment of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23)-related hypophosphatemia in tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) associated with phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors that cannot be curatively resected or localized in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older (Press release, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, JUN 19, 2020, View Source [SID1234561221]). Crysvita is a human antibody that blocks excess activity of FGF23, a hormone that causes phosphate urinary excretion and suppresses active vitamin D production by the kidney.

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"For approximately half of all individuals with TIO, surgical removal of the tumors is not possible, leaving these patients with no other treatment options. The FDA approval of Crysvita marks the first treatment option that addresses the cause of the severe hypophosphatemia and osteomalacia resulting from these rare tumors," said Camille L. Bedrosian, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Ultragenyx. "We plan to leverage our experience and existing infrastructure with Crysvita in X-linked hypophosphatemia to bring this important medicine to patients living with the rare, painful and debilitating disorder of TIO."

"Since its approval, Crysvita has meant a great deal to patients and families that previously had no other treatment options. We are proud of the work that has been done to advance this discovery from our labs, through a robust clinical research program, and through the FDA’s priority review process, to make this treatment available to patients with TIO," said Gary Zieziula, President, North America for Kyowa Kirin. "Our commitment to meeting the needs of patients with rare and serious diseases remains steadfast and we will continue to partner with the Ultragenyx team to address these needs with urgency."

TIO is a rare disease caused by typically benign, slow-growing tumors that produce excess levels of FGF23, which is involved in phosphate reabsorption. Patients with TIO can experience

symptoms including severe hypophosphatemia (low levels of phosphate in the blood), osteomalacia (softening of the bones), muscle weakness, fatigue, bone pain and fractures. There are an estimated 500 to 1,000 people in the United States with TIO, and approximately half of all cases are believed to be inoperable. In patients for whom the tumor or lesion is inoperable, the current treatment consists of oral phosphate and/or active vitamin D replacement. Efficacy of this management is often limited, and its benefits must be balanced with monitoring for potential risks.

This is the second FDA-approved indication for Crysvita, which was first approved in April 2018 for the treatment of X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) in adult and pediatric patients one year of age and older. The XLH indication was expanded in September 2019 to include infants as young as six months of age.

The FDA approval of Crysvita for TIO was based on data from two single-arm Phase 2 studies, a 144-week study in 14 adult patients conducted by Ultragenyx in the United States and an 88-week study in 13 adult patients conducted by Kyowa Kirin in Japan and South Korea. In both studies, Crysvita was associated with increases in serum phosphorus and serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels. Increased phosphate levels led to improvements in osteomalacia. Additionally, whole body bone scans demonstrated reduced tracer uptake with long-term treatment suggesting healing of bone lesions. Most common adverse reactions (>10%) in TIO patients are: tooth abscess, muscle spasms, dizziness, constipation, injection site reaction, rash, and headache.

The FDA granted Priority Review designation for the supplemental BLA for TIO, which is reserved for drugs that treat a serious condition and, if approved, would provide a significant improvement in safety or effectiveness.

To support access, Ultragenyx has a program called UltraCare, which helps patients and caregivers understand insurance coverage and assists them in finding financial support for Ultragenyx medicines including Crysvita, and for the administration of them. Dedicated in-house UltraCare Guides are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time at 888-756-8657.

About Crysvita
Crysvita (burosumab-twza) is a recombinant fully human monoclonal IgG1 antibody, discovered by Kyowa Kirin, against the phosphaturic hormone FGF23. FGF23 is a hormone that reduces serum levels of phosphorus and active vitamin D by regulating phosphate excretion and active vitamin D production by the kidney. Phosphate wasting in TIO and other hypophosphatemic conditions, including XLH, is caused by excessive levels and activity of FGF23. Crysvita is designed to bind to and thereby inhibit the biological activity of FGF23. By blocking excess FGF23 in patients with TIO and XLH, Crysvita is intended to increase phosphate reabsorption from the kidney and increase the production of active vitamin D, which enhances intestinal absorption of phosphate and calcium.

Crysvita is approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) in adult and pediatric patients six months of age and older and FGF23-related hypophosphatemia in

tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) associated with phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors that cannot be curatively resected or localized in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older, and by Health Canada and Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) for the treatment of XLH in adult and pediatric patients one year of age and older. In Japan, it is approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) for the treatment of FGF23-related hypophosphatemic rickets and osteomalacia. In Europe, Crysvita has received European conditional marketing authorization for the treatment of XLH with radiographic evidence of bone disease in children 1 year of age and older and adolescents with growing skeletons, and an application for the expanded use in adults with XLH is currently under review by the European Medicines Agency.

Kyowa Kirin and Ultragenyx have been collaborating in the development and commercialization of Crysvita globally based on the collaboration and license agreement between the parties.

U.S. INDICATION

Crysvita (burosumab-twza) is a fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23)-blocking antibody indicated for the treatment of:

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) in adult and pediatric patients 6 months of age and older.

FGF23-related hypophosphatemia in tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) associated with phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors that cannot be curatively resected or localized in adult and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS

With oral phosphate and/or active vitamin D analogs (e.g., calcitriol, paricalcitol, doxercalciferol, calcifediol).

When serum phosphorus is within or above the normal range for age.

In patients with severe renal impairment or end stage renal disease.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Hypersensitivity

Discontinue Crysvita if serious hypersensitivity reactions occur and initiate appropriate medical treatment.

Hyperphosphatemia and Risk of Nephrocalcinosis

For patients already taking Crysvita, dose interruption and/or dose reduction may be required based on a patient’s serum phosphorus levels.

Patients with TIO who undergo treatment of the underlying tumor should have dosing interrupted and adjusted to prevent hyperphosphatemia.

Injection Site Reactions

Discontinue Crysvita if severe injection site reactions occur and administer appropriate medical treatment.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Pediatric XLH Patients

Adverse reactions reported in 10% or more of Crysvita-treated pediatric XLH patients across all studies are: pyrexia, injection site reaction, cough, vomiting, pain in extremity, headache, tooth abscess, dental caries, diarrhea, vitamin D decreased, toothache, constipation, myalgia, rash, dizziness, and nausea.

Post-marketing experience reported in pediatric XLH patients receiving Crysvita – blood phosphorus increased.

Adult XLH Patients

Adverse reactions reported in more than 5% of Crysvita-treated adult XLH patients and in at least 2 patients more than placebo in one study are: back pain, headache, tooth infection, restless legs syndrome, vitamin D decreased, dizziness, constipation, muscle spasms, and blood phosphorus increased.

Spinal stenosis is prevalent in adults with XLH, and spinal cord compression has been reported. It is unknown if Crysvita therapy exacerbates spinal stenosis or spinal cord compression.

Adult TIO Patients

Adverse reactions reported in more than 10% of Crysvita-treated adult TIO patients in two studies are: tooth abscess, muscle spasms, dizziness, constipation, injection site reaction, rash, and headache.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

There are no available data on Crysvita use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes. Serum phosphorus levels should be monitored throughout pregnancy. Report pregnancies to the Kyowa Kirin, Inc. Adverse Event reporting line at
1-888-756-8657.

There is no information regarding the presence of Crysvita in human milk or the effects of Crysvita on milk production or the breastfed infant.

PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

Advise patients not to use any oral phosphate and/or active vitamin D analog products.

Instruct patients to contact their physician if hypersensitivity reactions, injection site reactions, and restless leg syndrome induction or worsening of symptoms occur.

AVEO Announces Closing of Public Offering of Common Stock and Partial Exercise of Option to Purchase Additional Shares

On June 19, 2020 AVEO Oncology (Nasdaq: AVEO) reported the closing of its previously announced underwritten public offering of 9,725,000 shares of its common stock, which includes the partial exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase an additional 1,225,000 shares, at a price to the public of $5.25 per share (Press release, AVEO, JUN 19, 2020, View Source [SID1234561259]). The aggregate gross proceeds to AVEO from the offering were approximately $51.1 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by AVEO.

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The net proceeds of the offering are expected to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including funding commercialization activities relating to tivozanib.

SVB Leerink and Stifel acted as joint bookrunning managers for the offering. Baird and H.C. Wainwright & Co. acted as co-lead managers for the offering.

The shares were offered by AVEO pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on November 30, 2017 and declared effective by the SEC on December 15, 2017.

A final prospectus supplement relating to, and describing the terms of, the offering has been filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to this offering may also be obtained from SVB Leerink LLC, Attention: Syndicate Department, One Federal Street, 37th Floor, Boston, MA 02110, by telephone at (800) 808-7525, ext. 6218 or by email at [email protected]; or Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Attention: Syndicate, One Montgomery Street, Suite 3700, San Francisco, CA 94104, by telephone at (415) 364-2720 or by email at [email protected].

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

Roche’s IPATential150 study evaluating ipatasertib in combination with abiraterone and prednisone/prednisolone met one of its co-primary endpoints

On June 19, 2020 Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) reported that the phase III IPATential150 study met its co-primary endpoint of radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and whose tumours had PTEN loss (Press release, Hoffmann-La Roche, JUN 19, 2020, View Source [SID1234561240]). In this patient group, ipatasertib in combination with abiraterone and prednisone/prednisolone provided a statistically significant reduction in the risk of disease worsening or death, compared to current standard of care (abiraterone and prednisone/prednisolone) plus placebo. The other co-primary endpoint of rPFS in the overall study population (ITT) was not met. The safety profile for the combination of ipatasertib and abiraterone was consistent with previous analyses and known risks. The results of the IPATential150 study will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.

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While initial data are encouraging, overall survival benefit and additional secondary endpoints are not yet mature. The trial will continue until the next planned analysis and data will be shared with health authorities.

"Prostate cancer remains a leading cause of death in men worldwide and patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer can be difficult to treat," said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "The early results of the IPATential150 study are encouraging in our ongoing mission to develop new treatment options for people with advanced prostate cancer."

Ipatasertib is an oral, highly specific, investigational medicine designed to target and bind to all three isoforms of AKT (protein kinase B), which blocks the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway – a key driver of cancer cell growth and proliferation in prostate cancer.1,2 The PI3K/AKT pathway has also been implicated in resistance to anti-androgen therapy as androgen receptor (AR) inhibition is associated with an increase in AKT pathway activation.2,3 Functional loss of the tumour suppressor protein PTEN within the tumour, seen in approximately 40-60% of mCRPC patients, results in hyperactivation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and is associated with adverse outcomes such as increased tumour grade and stage, earlier biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy, metastasis, prostate-cancer-specific death, and androgen-independent progression.4,5

Roche’s clinical development programme for ipatasertib focuses on tumours that are frequently found to have activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. In addition to prostate cancer, ipatasertib is being studied in certain types of breast cancer including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and hormone-receptor positive (HR+), HER2- negative breast cancer. Results are anticipated later in 2020.

About the IPATential150 study6
IPATential150 is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised phase III study assessing ipatasertib in combination with abiraterone and prednisone/prednisolone, compared to placebo plus abiraterone and prednisone/prednisolone, in adult male patients with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, previously untreated mCRPC.

The co-primary endpoints of the study are investigator-determined rPFS in the overall study population, as well as a subpopulation whose tumours have PTEN loss, as assessed by immunohistochemistry (Ventana assay). PFS in the study is defined as the time from date of randomisation to the first occurrence of disease progression or death from any cause, whichever occurs earlier. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, safety, time to pain progression, time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy and time to function deterioration.

About ipatasertib
Ipatasertib is an oral, highly specific, investigational medicine designed to target and bind to all three isoforms of AKT, which blocks the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway and may prevent cancer cell growth and survival.1,2

Ipatasertib is being studied in tumours that are frequently found to have activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, including breast and prostate cancers. Clinical studies are ongoing to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ipatasertib and the opportunity it may provide to address significant unmet needs for patients with these diseases.

Ipatasertib was discovered at Genentech in partnership with Array BioPharma Inc. (acquired by Pfizer Inc. on July 30, 2019).

About metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)
Prostate cancer is the second most frequent cancer and the fifth leading cause of death in men.7 Metastatic prostate cancer refers to prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate to other parts of the body (metastasised).8 Although most men are cured with treatment of localised disease, recurrent or newly diagnosed metastatic disease is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.9,10,11

Primary treatment of advanced prostate cancer is androgen deprivation therapy (ADT); however, up to one-third of patients will progress despite reduction in serum testosterone levels to castrate levels (<50 ng/dL), either through surgical or medical castration.12,13 Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is defined by disease progression, as measured by prostate specific antigen (PSA) or radiographic measures, despite adequate suppression of serum testosterone levels.14,15 Despite the current availability of life-extending therapies for mCRPC, the majority of men will die of their disease: the median life expectancy in this population is less than three years.16,17

Prostate cancer growth and survival is driven by abnormal AR signalling. In CRPC, cell growth and proliferation is also commonly driven by activation of the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway.1,2 In particular, functional loss of the tumour suppressor protein PTEN within the tumour, seen in approximately 40-60% of people with mCRPC, results in hyperactivation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.4 PTEN loss is associated with adverse outcomes such as increased tumour grade and stage, earlier biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy, metastasis, prostate-cancer-specific death, and androgen-independent progression.5 The PI3K/AKT pathway has also been implicated in resistance to anti-androgen therapy as AR inhibition is associated with an increase in AKT pathway activation, suggesting that the tumour compensates for the loss of one pathway with another.2,3

About Roche in prostate cancer
For more than 50 years, Roche has been developing medicines with the goal of redefining treatment in oncology. Our research and development aim is to provide effective cancer therapies through the discovery and development of novel therapeutics that target the specific molecular pathways associated with cancer. Roche is expanding into additional areas of unmet need, working to find innovative solutions for diseases such as prostate cancer, the most prevalent cancer in men and fifth leading cause of cancer-related male death worldwide.5 Roche is committed to research into genitourinary cancers, including bladder and renal cancers, and to providing life extending treatment options for these patients.