On May 29, 2020 IMV Inc. (Nasdaq: IMV; TSX: IMV), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering a novel class of targeted cancer immunotherapies and vaccines against infectious diseases, reported updated clinical response and translational data from DeCidE1, its Phase 2 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of DPX-Survivac with intermittent low-dose cyclophosphamide (CPA) in patients with recurrent, advanced platinum-sensitive and -resistant ovarian cancer (Press release, IMV, MAY 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234558686]).

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Results from the ongoing study showed prolonged durable clinical responses, alongside favorable tolerability, and strong translational data linking the observed clinical benefit with DPX-Survivac’ mechanism of action. Oliver Dorigo, M.D., Ph.D., Principal Investigator of the DeCidE1 study, is presenting these results in a poster presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2020 (ASCO20) Virtual Scientific Program.

"IMV’s targeted T-cell therapy continues to elicit a rapid and robust immune response with survivin-specific T cells infiltrating tumors as soon as 56 days post-treatment. These results validate DPX-Survivac’s unique mechanism of action and support the hypothesis that survivin-specific T cells can translate into clinical benefits when sustained over an extended period of time," said Dr. Dorigo associate professor and director of gynecologic oncology at Stanford University. "These results support DPX-Survivac as a new and much-needed treatment option, with potential to improve the quality of life in women with recurrent late-stage ovarian cancer, a hard-to-treat indication where other immunotherapies have so far had limited success."

"With these results, DPX-Survivac continues to exhibit significant and durable anti-tumor activity, paving the way for targeted T cell therapies in advanced recurrent ovarian cancer and other solid tumors. In particular, we are quite pleased to observe an additional patient with stable disease (SD) convert to partial response (PR), implying the potential for responses to deepen over time

with ongoing therapy. Additionally, DPX-Survivac continues to be well tolerated, which is especially meaningful compared to single-agent chemotherapy and other approaches in development," said Joanne Schindler, M.D., D.V.M., Chief Medical Officer at IMV. "We believe these results highlight DPX-Survivac’s potential to alter the treatment landscape in advanced ovarian cancer and support its continued development. We look forward to providing updates from other studies evaluating DPX-Survivac, in multiple solid tumors and r/r DLBCL, later this year."

Updated Results from DeCidE1

As of data cut-off date, May 2, 2020, 19 patients were evaluable for efficacy with four patients (21%) still receiving treatment. Notably, 18/19 evaluable patients had stage 3 or 4 disease at time of diagnosis, the majority of whom had received >3 lines of prior therapy and were platinum resistant. Key findings on the safety and efficacy of DPX-Survivac/CPA are outlined below:

5/19 patients (26%) achieved a PR with tumor regression >30% on target lesions

15/19 patients (79%) achieved disease control, defined as Stable Disease (SD) or Partial Response (PR) on target lesions

Tumor shrinkage of target lesions was observed in 10 patients (53%)

Overall, treatment was well-tolerated. The majority of treatment-related adverse events reported were Grade 1 events and related to reactions at the injection site.

Durable clinical benefits lasting ≥ 6 months were observed in seven patients (37%)

5/7 patients (71%) have now reached duration of clinical benefit > 10 months including three patients with PR and two patients with SD

The two patients with SD are about to reach the 1-year mark

Translational analyses on longitudinally collected peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and tumor tissue samples link observed clinical benefit and survivin-specific T cells, supporting DPX-Survivac’s unique mechanism of action. Key translational findings are outlined below:

Treatment generated a survivin-specific CD8+ T cell response in PBMC samples of 14/16 (87%) evaluable patients.

Treatment induced infiltration of survivin-specific T cell clones into the tumors as early as day 56 following treatment, which was shown in an analysis of the TCR² repertoires in five subjects who achieved stable disease.

These data are presented in a poster session (Abstract Number: 6075) at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)20 Virtual Scientific Program, available on-demand to ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)20 participants beginning at 8:00 am ET on Friday, May 29, 2020. A copy of the poster is available under "Scientific Posters" in the "Events, Webcasts & Presentations" section of IMV’s website.

About the DeCidE1 Study

"DeCidE1" is a Phase 2 multicenter, open-label study evaluating the safety and effectiveness of DPX-Survivac, with intermittent low-dose cyclophosphamide (CPA) used as an immunomodulator to increase the level of survivin-specific T cells. This Phase 2 arm enrolled 19 evaluable patients with recurrent, advanced platinum-sensitive and –resistant ovarian cancer. Except for one patient, all patients had stage 3 or 4 disease at time of diagnosis. 12 patients had received 3 or more lines of prior therapy.

Patients received 2 subcutaneous injections of DPX-Survivac three weeks apart and every eight weeks thereafter, and intermittent low dose CPA one week on and one week off for up to 1 year. Paired tumor biopsies were performed prior to treatment and on treatment.

Primary endpoints of this study are overall response rate, disease control rate and safety. Secondary endpoints include cell mediated immunity, immune cell infiltration in paired biopsy samples, duration of response, time to progression, overall survival and biomarker analyses.

About DPX-Survivac

DPX-Survivac is the lead candidate in IMV’s new class of targeted immunotherapies designed to elicit antigen-specific functional, robust and sustained de novo T cell response. IMV believes this mechanism of action is key to generating durable solid tumor regressions. DPX-Survivac consists of five unique HLA-restricted survivin peptides formulated in IMV’s proprietary DPX drug delivery platform and known to induce a cytotoxic CD8+ T cell response against survivin expressing cancer cells.

Survivin, recognized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a promising tumor-associated antigen, is broadly over-expressed in most cancer types and plays an essential role in antagonizing cell death, supporting tumor-associated angiogenesis and promoting resistance to chemotherapies. IMV has identified over 20 cancer indications in which survivin can be targeted by DPX-Survivac.

DPX-Survivac has received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as maintenance therapy in advanced ovarian cancer, as well as orphan drug designation status from the U.S. FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the ovarian cancer indication.

On May 29, 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) reported updated results from a single-arm, open-label Phase 1b trial of magrolimab, an investigational anti-CD47 monoclonal antibody, in combination with azacitidine in previously untreated patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and previously untreated patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy, including patients with TP53-mutant AML, a high unmet need population (Press release, Gilead Sciences, MAY 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234558703]). Results continue to support the clinical activity of magrolimab and azacitidine. The data were presented during an oral session at the 2020 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting held from May 29-31 (Abstract #7057).

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At the time of the data cut-off, 68 patients had been treated with magrolimab plus azacitidine, including 39 patients with previously untreated higher-risk MDS and 29 patients with previously untreated AML. Of 33 MDS patients who were evaluable for efficacy, 91 percent (n=30/33) achieved an objective response (response assessments per 2006 IWG MDS criteria) including 42 percent (n=14/33) with a complete response (CR). Responses to magrolimab and azacitidine also deepened over time, as the CR rate with at least six months of follow-up was 56 percent in MDS patients.

In AML, 64 percent (n=16/25) of patients evaluable for efficacy achieved an objective response (response assessments per 2017 AML ELN criteria), including 56 percent (n=14/25) with a CR or a CR with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi). Notably in TP53-mutant AML (n=12), a treatment refractory and poor prognosis population, 75 percent achieved a CR or CRi.

Median duration of response and median overall survival have not yet been reached in MDS, AML or TP53-mutant AML, with a median follow-up of 5.8 (range: 2.0-15.0 months), 9.4 (range: 1.9-16.9 months) and 8.8 months (range: 1.9-16.9 months), respectively.

The safety profile of the combination of magrolimab plus azacitidine was generally consistent with prior reports with no maximum tolerated dose reached. Common all-grade treatment-related adverse events (AEs) among 68 patients with MDS or AML were anemia (38 percent), fatigue (21 percent), neutropenia (19 percent), thrombocytopenia (18 percent) and infusion reaction (16 percent). Treatment-related febrile neutropenia occurred in 1.5 percent of patients. Only one patient (1.5 percent) discontinued the trial due to a treatment-related AE.

"We continue to be encouraged by the response rates observed with magrolimab and azacitidine in first-line, high-risk MDS and AML," said David Sallman, MD, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, an investigator for the clinical trial. "Particularly impressive are the responses in some of the most difficult-to-treat patients, including AML patients with a TP53 mutation. This patient group suffers from a lack of effective treatment options. These results support further study in these patients and provide hope for a potentially meaningful clinical advance."

"Results presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) reinforce the clinical potential of CD47 inhibition with magrolimab in high risk, difficult-to-treat hematologic malignancies," said Merdad Parsey, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Gilead Sciences. "We look forward to initiating additional trials in MDS and TP53-mutant AML, which will be a significant step forward for this exciting next-generation cancer immunotherapy."

Magrolimab is investigational and not approved anywhere globally. Its efficacy and safety have not been established. More information about clinical trials with magrolimab is available at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03248479).

About Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a type of cancer caused by poorly formed or dysfunctional blood cells in the bone marrow. Approximately 15,000 people are diagnosed with MDS in the U.S. each year, and no new treatments have been approved in 14 years.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer which begins in the bone marrow and can quickly move to the blood and other parts of the body. AML most often develops from cells that would turn into white blood cells, but can also develop from other types of blood-forming cells. Cancers such as MDS can also develop into AML. Approximately 20,000 Americans will be diagnosed with AML each year.

About the Phase 1b Trial

The Phase 1b trial, which is being funded in part by the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of magrolimab in combination with azacitidine in untreated patients with higher-risk MDS or with AML who are ineligible for induction chemotherapy. All patients in the trial received a 1 mg/kg priming dose of magrolimab, coupled with intrapatient dose escalation, to mitigate on-target anemia. Patients were then treated with full doses of azacitidine and a magrolimab maintenance dose of 30 mg/kg once weekly (QW) or every two weeks (Q2W). Based on pharmacokinetics and CD47 receptor occupancy data in the bone marrow from the ongoing trial, Q2W dosing has been selected to optimize patient convenience.

This trial, which is ongoing, aims to enroll up to a total of 257 patients.

About Magrolimab

Magrolimab is an investigational monoclonal antibody against CD47 that is designed to interfere with recognition of CD47 by the SIRPα receptor on macrophages, thus blocking the "don’t eat me" signal used by cancer cells to avoid being ingested by macrophages. Forty Seven, Inc. developed magrolimab and was recently acquired by Gilead. Magrolimab is initially being studied in patients with MDS and AML, and additional studies are ongoing in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and solid tumors. Magrolimab has been granted Fast Track designation by the FDA for the treatment of MDS and AML, and for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma, two forms of B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Magrolimab has also been granted Orphan Drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for AML and MDS and by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of AML.

On May 29, 2020 Silverback Therapeutics ("Silverback"), a biopharmaceutical company advancing a pipeline of therapies that are systemically delivered, but locally active, reported that preclinical data for its lead ImmunoTAC candidate, SBT6050, will be presented at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Virtual Scientific Program at 8:00 a.m. ET on May 29, 2020 (Press release, Silverback Therapeutics, MAY 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234558721]).

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The presentation, titled "SBT6050, a HER2-Directed TLR8 Therapeutic, is a Systemically Administered, Tumor-Targeted Human Myeloid Cell Agonist," shows that SBT6050 potently activates human myeloid cells in a HER2 dependent manner in vitro, and that an SBT6050 mouse surrogate exhibits potent anti-tumor efficacy as a single agent and in combination with trastuzumab in vivo.

Robust, durable single agent activity is observed with the SBT6050 mouse surrogate in multiple tumor models, including a human xenograft model lacking T, B, and NK cells, demonstrating the potential of myeloid cells to mediate strong anti-tumor activity. In a HER2-positive human xenograft model, a combination of low dose SBT6050 mouse surrogate with trastuzumab greatly enhanced the anti-tumor activity observed with either agent alone. These data demonstrate the potential for clinical activity with SBT6050 as a single agent and in combination with trastuzumab in the setting of moderate or high HER2-expressing malignancies.

"SBT6050 was designed to elicit a broad spectrum of anti-tumor immune responses through localized and potent activation of human myeloid cells," said Valerie Odegard, Ph.D., Silverback’s chief scientific officer. "Our preclinical data continue to highlight the potential for single agent clinical activity with SBT6050 even in tumors with diminished or absent T-cell infiltrates, and the opportunity for enhanced activity in combination with trastuzumab. We are encouraged by the preclinical data and plan to initiate clinical investigation of SBT6050 later this year."

On May 29, 2020 Rakuten Medical, Inc. (Rakuten Medical), a global biotechnology company developing precision, cell-targeting investigational therapies on its Illuminox technology platform, reported that established a strategic cancer research alliance network, the Illuminox Alliance Institutes (IAI), in order to advance the development of new cancer therapies (Press release, Rakuten Medical, MAY 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234558737]). The National Cancer Center Japan (NCC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to become the first institution to join the IAI network. Rakuten Medical will expand the IAI network to include premier cancer centers from around the world.

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NCC is currently conducting clinical trials with ASP-1929, Rakuten Medical’s first investigational drug developed on the Illuminox platform. Under the signed MOU, NCC and Rakuten Medical will pursue multiple avenues to advance Illuminox-based cancer therapies. NCC will designate a lead principal who will act as an Illuminox Advisor. The Illuminox Advisor will, based on their expertise, actively participate in various research plans and Advisory board meetings, support identification of additional investigators from the IAI and assist with education and training related to the use of Illuminox platform therapies.

Hiroshi Mikitani, Chairman and CEO of Rakuten Medical, remarked, "There are no international borders in the mission to conquer cancer. Through the Illuminox Alliance, we attempt to advance novel cancer therapies with speed and agility to provide options to patients in need."

On May 29, 2020 Gracell Biotechnologies Co., Ltd. ("Gracell"), a clinical-stage immune cell and gene therapy company, reported that two presentations were accepted at the 2020 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Virtual Scientific Program (Press release, Gracell Biotechnologies, MAY 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234558770]).

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Both presentations can be found in the Development Therapeutics – Immunotherapy session, central on Gracell’s TruUCAR GC027 in relapsed or refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r T-ALL) patients and EnhancedCAR GC008t in patients with advanced mesothelin-positive solid tumors.

"We are delighted to report on both TruUCAR GC027 in T-ALL and EnhancedCAR GC008t in solid tumors" said Dr. Martina Sersch, CMO of Gracell. "and glad to share safety and preliminary efficacy data on two of our exciting new CAR-T platform therapies with the scientific community at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) annual meeting." Dr. William CAO, CEO of Gracell, added "Thanks to our highly efficient gene editing capability, CAR-T cells with PD-1 gene edited are generated to have enhanced capability of tumor control in inhibitory tumor microenvironment. We believe this strategy will improve CAR-T/TCR-T’s potency against solid tumors. Gracell carried out this strategy as early as 2017, upon our foundation. With two years’ preclinical and clinical investigations, we are very glad to see it showing first encouraging results in an effort to enhance CAR-T cells to combat solid tumors".

Session type: poster discussion
Abstract Title: Safety and efficacy results of GC027: The first-in-human, universal CAR-T cell therapy for adult relapsed/refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r T-ALL)
Abstract ID: 3013
Link: View Source

Session type: poster
Abstract Title: Phase I study of CRISPR-engineered CAR-T cells with PD-1 inactivation in treating mesothelin-positive solid tumors
Abstract ID: 3038
Link: View Source

About TruUCAR

TruUCAR is Gracell’s proprietary and patented platform technology, with selected genes being edited to avoid GvHD and immune rejection without using strong immunosuppressive drugs. In addition to T-ALL antigen, the platform technology can also be implemented for other targets of hematological malignancies.

About GC027

GC027 is an investigational, off-the-shelf CAR-T cell therapy, redirected to CD7 for the treatment of T cell malignancies. GC027 was manufactured from T cells of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) unmatched healthy donors using TruUCAR technology, which is expected to improve efficacy and reduce production time, available for off-the-shelf use in a timely manner.

About EnhancedCAR

EnhancedCAR is Gracell’s proprietary and patented platform technology, with selected genes edited to enhance immune cell performance in terms of killing efficiency, in vivo persistence, including selected PD-1 and TCR mediations. The technology can be implemented to many other targets with high editing precision and efficiency.

About GC008t

GC008t is an investigational, autologous CAR-T cell therapy, redirected to mesothelin with PD-1 disruption for the treatment of mesothelin-positive solid tumors. With PD-1 knocking out, GC008t is expected improve persistence and clinical efficacy.

About T-ALL

T – Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, with a diffuse invasion of bone marrow and peripheral blood. In 2015, T-ALL affected around 876,000 people globally and resulted in 110,000 deaths worldwide. T-ALL compromises about 15%-20% of all children and adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia[1]. Current standard of care therapies for T-ALL are chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. 40-50% of patients will experience relapse within two years following front line therapy with limited treatment options available[2][3]. Treatment of relapsed and refractory T-ALL remains a high unmet medical need.

About Mesothelin-positive Solid Tumors

Mesothelin, a cell surface antigen, has high expression to a broad spectrum of solid tumors while express low levels on normal cells. Mesothelin is believed as a good target for multiple solid tumors. The GC008t study enrolled patients with advanced solid tumors, including pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and colorectal cancer, of which clinical outcome of standard of care remains poor.