On January 8, 2020 Veracyte (Nasdaq: VCYT) reported a multi-year partnership with Acerta Pharma, the hematology research and development arm of AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/NYSE: AZN), to provide genomic information that will support the biopharmaceutical company’s development of oncology therapeutics (Press release, Veracyte, JAN 8, 2020, View Source [SID1234552870]). Financial and other terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.

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"We are excited to partner with Acerta Pharma and AstraZeneca, global leaders whose innovative medicines are benefitting millions of patients worldwide"

The agreement marks Veracyte’s first biopharmaceutical partnership since the company announced its acquisition of the exclusive diagnostics rights to the NanoString nCounter platform and genomic tests in breast cancer and lymphoma on December 3, 2019. That transaction positions Veracyte to expand globally using a distributed platform and comprehensive menu of advanced genomic tests.

"We are excited to partner with Acerta Pharma and AstraZeneca, global leaders whose innovative medicines are benefitting millions of patients worldwide," said Bonnie H. Anderson, Veracyte’s chairman and chief executive officer. "This collaboration reflects the significant value we can bring to biopharmaceutical companies through our expanding global footprint, as well as our ability to potentially inform diagnosis and treatment decisions in new oncology indications."

On January 8, 2020 Targovax ASA (OSE: TRVX), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing oncolytic viruses and cancer vaccines to target hard-to-treat solid tumors, reported that it has entered into an exclusive option agreement with IOVaxis Therapeutics of Nantong, China, for clinical development and licensing of the Targovax mutant RAS vaccines TG01 and TG02 in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore (Press release, Targovax, JAN 8, 2020, View Source [SID1234552888]).

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IOVaxis, a spin-off from ImmuOn Therapeutics, has secured an exclusive option to develop and license the TG01 and TG02 mutant RAS neoantigen vaccines in the above mentioned territories. The option can be exercised into an exclusive license by the earlier of i) the first regulatory approval to start a clinical trial in the territory, or ii) one year from the effective date of the Option Agreement. IOVaxis will pay Targovax USD 250.000 for this exclusive option. The milestone payment for the exercise of the option to license TG01/02 is USD 3 million.

Under the Option Agreement, IOVaxis and Targovax will jointly define a development plan in the territory, and IOVaxis will be responsible for all local regulatory filings and be the sponsor of clinical trials. The full License Agreement remains to be finalized, but the parties have pre-agreed the key commercial and operational terms in the Option Agreement. If exercised, the total potential development and commercial milestones for the TG01/02 license may reach up to USD 100 million, plus tiered royalties on net sales up to mid double digits.

On January 8, 2020 Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: STML), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel oncology therapeutics, reported that management will present at the 38th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 9:30 AM PT at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, CA (Press release, Stemline Therapeutics, JAN 8, 2020, View Source [SID1234552935]). A live webcast of the presentation can be viewed on the company’s website at www.stemline.com.

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About ELZONRIS
ELZONRIS (tagraxofusp), a CD123-directed cytotoxin, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and commercially available in the U.S. for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients, two years or older, with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). For full prescribing information in the U.S., visit www.ELZONRIS.com. In Europe, a marketing authorization application (MAA) is under review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). ELZONRIS is also being evaluated in additional clinical trials in other indications including chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), myelofibrosis (MF), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

About BPDCN
BPDCN is an aggressive hematologic malignancy with historically poor outcomes and an area of unmet medical need. BPDCN typically presents in the bone marrow and/or skin and may also involve lymph nodes and viscera. The BPDCN cell of origin is the plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) precursor. The diagnosis of BPDCN is based on the immunophenotypic diagnostic triad of CD123, CD4, and CD56, as well as other markers. For more information, please visit the BPDCN disease awareness website at www.bpdcninfo.com.

About CD123
CD123 is a cell surface target expressed on a wide range of myeloid tumors including blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), certain myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) including chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and myelofibrosis (MF), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (and potentially enriched in certain AML subsets), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). CD123 has also been reported on certain lymphoid malignancies including multiple myeloma (MM), acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), hairy cell leukemia (HCL), Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL), and certain Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL). In addition, CD123 has been detected on some solid tumors as well as autoimmune disorders including cutaneous lupus and scleroderma.

On January 8, 2020 Adagene, Inc., a clinical-stage, leading-edge oncology immunotherapy company driven by a powerful antibody discovery and engineering platform, reported the completion of a $69 million Series D financing, including $50 million from lead investor General Atlantic (Press release, Adagene, JAN 8, 2020, View Source [SID1234553209]). Adagene has raised more than $150 million from private financings since 2014.

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"Strong support from our new and existing investors endorses Adagene’s technology platform and strategy to develop differentiated immunotherapies in areas where others have failed," said Peter Luo, Ph.D., Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Adagene. "This financial commitment enables us to continue developing our lead clinical programs, ADG106 and ADG116, while extending the frontiers of our novel technology. We look forward to advancing our clinical pipeline and exploring strategic and synergistic opportunities to facilitate long-term sustainable growth."

"We believe China is a rising, vibrant hub for global life sciences innovation. Adagene represents a new-generation biotechnology company that is driving global innovation. Its cutting-edge Dynamic Precision Library platform, combined with its dedicated founders and management team, allows Adagene to advance assets of true novelty to the value inflection point," said Lefei Sun, Managing Director and Head of Healthcare for China at General Atlantic. "We are proud to partner with Adagene as we increase our commitment to the life sciences industry in China."

"Adagene demonstrates that some of the world’s most exciting life sciences developments are now happening in China. We look forward to working closely with Dr. Luo and the entire Adagene team to support the company’s vision to bring innovative therapeutics to patients around the world," said David Hodgson, Vice Chairman of General Atlantic.

About Adagene’s Lead Clinical Programs

ADG106
Adagene’s lead agonist program, ADG106, is a fully human agonistic anti-CD137 monoclonal IgG4 antibody that targets a unique conserved epitope of CD137 and is cross-reactive across human, monkey and mouse. ADG106 has a novel mechanism of action for CD137 agonism (which activates CD137 in a native ligand-like fashion), CD137 ligand antagonism (which blocks reverse signaling of CD137 ligand), and potent cross-linking via Fc receptor. ADG106 is being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial in the U.S. and China in patients with advanced or metastatic solid and liquid tumors. ADG106 has demonstrated a superior safety profile and no dose-dependent liver toxicity has been observed to date. Early efficacy signals and significant biomarker response demonstrating T-cell proliferation have also been observed.

ADG116
Adagene’s lead antagonist program, ADG116, is a fully human and cross-reactive antagonistic anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal IgG1 antibody that binds to a unique conserved epitope on CTLA-4. ADG116 has a novel mechanism of action including dynamic modulation of CTLA-4 by soft ligand blocking and highly effective depletion of regulatory T cells. ADG116 has demonstrated a superior safety profile and efficacy in pre-clinical studies. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Adagene’s IND application for ADG116

On January 8, 2020 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services, reported that it will report fourth quarter and full year 2019 results on Thursday, January 30, 2020, before the market opens (Press release, Quest Diagnostics, JAN 8, 2020, View Source [SID1234552854]). It will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss the results beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on that day.

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The conference call can be accessed by dialing 888-455-0391 within the U.S. and Canada, or 773-756-0467 internationally, using the passcode: "Investor." The earnings release and live webcast will be posted on www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor. The company suggests participants dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call.

A replay of the call may be accessed online at www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor or by phone at 866-357-4210 for domestic callers or 203-369-0125 for international callers; no passcode is required. Telephone replays will be available from approximately 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on January 30, 2020 until midnight Eastern Time on February 13, 2020.

Anyone listening to the call is encouraged to read the company’s periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion of risk factors and historical results of operations and financial condition in those reports.