On January 16, 2020 Syndivia, a biotechnology company focused on the development of new therapeutic modalities for solid cancers based on specific targeting of the tumor microenvironment and anatomical hallmarks, reported that it has been granted an exclusive, worldwide sublicense by SATT Sud-Est to the immunoconjugates of the anti‑CD146-ts antibody (excluding diagnosis), which binds a tumor-specific form of CD146 found on a number of solid cancers (Press release, Syndivia, JAN 16, 2020, View Source [SID1234553294]). CD146-ts has a central role in the mechanism of tumorigenesis and has the potential to address a current unmet need in cancer therapy. The development of novel biologic entities (NBE) targeting CD146-ts will be undertaken by Syndivia in Strasbourg, France.

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Commenting on this deal, Dr. Sasha Koniev, Syndivia’s CEO, said "We are excited to have been granted the sole and exclusive sublicense to commercialize the immunoconjugates against this tumor-specific form of CD146. We are enthusiastic about the addition of this candidate to the Syndivia discovery pipeline and will leverage our expertise in bioconjugation to rapidly progress its preclinical development."

"We are extremely pleased that Syndivia shares our excitement for the CD146-ts mAb project and look forward to the next stages of development with great enthusiasm," said Dr. Marcel BLOT-CHABAUD, inventor of anti-CD146-ts antibody and leader of the "New Molecular Targets" team at C2VN, Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, INRA, Marseille, France.

"We could not be any happier when transferring such a first-in-class opportunity for the treatment of solid cancers, with the sole aim of transforming the invention into an innovation – especially when the nature of the identified target makes it possible to identify a relevant lead for the most aggressive and refractory forms to current treatments," concluded Laurent BALY, President of SATT Sud-Est.

Syndivia will undertake further development and commercialization of anti-CD146-ts immunoconjugates in exchange for undisclosed upfront, milestone and royalty payments to SATT Sud-Est.

About CD146-ts

CD146-ts represents a novel target in a number of the deadliest therapeutic indications in oncology, including melanoma and pancreatic cancer. Due to its important role in tumorigenesis and confirmed tumor-specific expression in patient-derived samples, anti-CD146-ts immunoconjugates have the potential to become new therapeutic modalities in a number of solid cancer indications.

About C2VN (Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, INRA)

The Cardiovascular and Nutrition Research Centre (C2VN, UMR_S 1263, UMR 1260, Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, INRA) shows expertise in all pathways and targets involved in pathologies with a vascular component, including cancer pathology, with the aim of identifying innovative biomarkers and biotherapies. To support its studies, the C2VN has developed many platforms, tools and experimental models related to the targeted pathologies. For more information, visit View Source

About SATT Sud-Est ­| From dream to reality, from lab to market

A researcher and his/her team make an extraordinary discovery. But how can an idea be transformed into a solution, and how can an invention be turned into an innovation? This is the start of a race against time to find the partner company capable of upholding that ambition. Fortunately, SATT Sud-Est is there to help in this undertaking and make this great story come true. Transforming an invention into an innovation is a wonderful experience. And we’re fortunate, it is our job. Find out how SATT Sud-Est accelerates technology transfer by bringing together research and business players. From the patent to the operating license agreement, SATT Sud-Est stands out in France’s South and Corsica regions as an essential innovation player. Visit www.sattse.com and Twitter @SATTse_.

On January 16, 2020 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE:CFBI), a biopharmaceutical company with a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address inflammatory, cancer and liver diseases, reported new findings in its collaboration with Univo Pharmaceuticals (TASE:UNVO) characterizing the effects of cannabinoids on diseases mediated through the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) (Press release, Can-Fite BioPharma, JAN 16, 2020, View Source [SID1234553257]). Joint research shows that certain cannabinoid-based formulations exert a highly potent beneficial effect on diseased cells by binding to A3AR, and these findings present new opportunities for the development of cannabinoids in the treatment of a variety of diseases in which there is an overexpression of A3AR. Can-Fite filed a patent application titled "Cannabinoids for use in treating A3 adenosine receptor-associated conditions" based on these findings, and covering all the clinical indications in which A3AR is overexpressed.

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Can-Fite, a global leader in discovering and developing drugs which target A3AR, is collaborating with Univo Pharmaceuticals and utilizes its platform technology within the framework of this collaboration to develop cannabinoids for the treatment of large unmet medical needs. Can-Fite announced a strategic partnership with Univo Pharmaceuticals, a medical cannabis company, in September 2019, and Univo’s CEO Golan Bitton joined Can-Fite’s Board of Directors in December 2019.

Dr. Ilan Cohen, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board at Can-Fite, and a senior partner of Reinhold Cohn & Partners the largest IP firm in Israel, stated, "This new patent application is an important addition to the different patent families containing issued patents and pending patent applications relating to the use of ligands that target the A3 adenosine receptor and which bind and activate the target to yield different therapeutic effects. If issued, we expect this patent will be a very valuable addition to Can-Fite’s patent portfolio. We believe Can-Fite and Univo together are ideally positioned to lead in the invention and development of cannabinoid-A3AR drugs and the companies are establishing foundational IP assets for these inventions."

Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman added, "Our unique approach to developing cannabis derived pharmaceuticals, utilizing the A3 adenosine receptor as a filter, serves as an additional barrier of protection of our innovative findings for the use of cannabinoids for a variety of clinical applications. As the medical community is now recognizing the opportunities within this exciting area, it is important that we protect our innovative approach and the investments that we made along the way. In addition to our small molecule drugs, Piclidenoson and Namodenoson, which are currently in Can-Fite’s advanced stage clinical pipeline, we now have the opportunity to develop a whole new class of cannabinoid-A3AR drugs in partnership with Univo."

Golan Bitton, Univo’s CEO commented, "We are very pleased with the first success from the strategic partnership between Univo and Can-Fite. The new discovery and its potential is a testament to the research and development capabilities of both companies. We look forward to accelerating our collaboration to develop promising cannabinoid-based drugs."

According to Adroit Market Research, the medical cannabis market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 29% to $56.7 billion by 2026.

On January 16, 2020 WuXi Biologics ("WuXi Bio") (2269.HK), a leading global open-access biologics technology platform company offering end-to-end solutions for biologics discovery, development and manufacturing, and Bayer reported an acquisition agreement that WuXi Biologics Germany GmbH will take over the operations of one of Bayer’s final drug product manufacturing plants in Leverkusen, Germany, and purchase the associated equipment, in combination with a long-term lease contract for the building (Press release, WuXi Biologics, JAN 16, 2020, View Source [SID1234553277]).

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Based on a manufacturing agreement to be negotiated, the plant would be operated by WuXi Biologics and serve as a back-up site for the final product manufacturing of Kovaltry, an antihemophilic factor (recombinant). The transaction is expected to be concluded in the coming months subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Financial details were not disclosed.

"We are excited to sign this acquisition agreement with Bayer, allowing us to have quick access to high quality drug product manufacturing capacities and capabilities," said Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics. "Our business in EU, US and China market has experienced robust growth in the past few years. This additional drug product plant further confirms our commitment to ‘Global Dual Sourcing within WuXi Biologics’ strategy. WuXi Biologics will continue to expand our worldwide capacity, providing global partners with a robust and premier-quality supply chain network to benefit patients worldwide."

On January 16, 2020 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW), the global leader in patient-focused innovations for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring, reported its operating results for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 after the market closes on Thursday, January 30, 2020, and will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET that day to discuss those results (Press release, Edwards Lifesciences, JAN 16, 2020, View Source [SID1234553295]).

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To participate in the conference call, dial (877) 704-2848 or (201) 389-0893. For 72 hours following the call, an audio replay can be accessed by dialing (877) 660-6853 or (201) 612-7415 and using conference number 13697863. The call will also be available via live or archived webcast on the "Investor Relations" section of the Edwards web site at ir.edwards.com.

On January 16, 2020 BioTheryX, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company creating new classes of compounds based on multi-kinase inhibition and targeted protein degradation, reported the initiation of patient dosing in its first clinical program (Press release, BioTheryX, JAN 16, 2020, View Source [SID1234553296]). The Phase 1 study of BTX-A51, a small molecule, oral multi-kinase inhibitor will evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and tolerability of BTX-A51 in patients with relapsed/refractory AML, as well as high risk myelodysplastic syndrome patients.

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BTX-A51 appears to block a specific leukemic stem cell target (CK1-alpha) as well as super enhancer targets (CDK7/CDK9) preventing transcription of key oncogenic genes. BTX-A51 has demonstrated remarkable preclinical animal efficacy implying the eradication of AML stem cells and the potential for use in multiple malignancies.

"As I stated when the Investigational New Drug application for BTX-A51 was accepted by the FDA, the novel mechanism of BTX-A51 may become one of the most important new treatments for AML in the last 40 years, and has the potential to significantly improve the lives of AML patients and their families," said David Stirling, Ph.D., CEO of BioTheryX.

In addition to its multi-kinase inhibition program, BioTheryX’s other technology platform is in the field of targeted protein degradation. This technology utilizes the body’s own protein disposal system to selectively degrade and remove disease-causing proteins. It has potential applicability to a very broad range of disease targets, including a wide range of targets that have to date been considered "undruggable."

In this area, BioTheryX’s preclinical assets include a large and growing library of novel, small molecule, orally available, cereblon-binding targeted protein degraders which BioTheryX has termed Protein Homeostatic Modulators ("PHMs"). These IP-protected compounds are biologically active against a number of high value therapeutic targets in oncology, inflammation and other diseases. In addition to the therapeutic potential of these "molecular glue" molecules in their own right, these compounds also have a broad range of molecular orientations when bound to cereblon, providing a new level of structural control in the creation of bifunctional chimeric molecules that degrade high-value targets with great specificity. Recognizing this potential, BioTheryX has created a library of PHM-linked, biologically active chimeric molecules, including several that degrade the oncogenic targets of BTX-A51, thus dovetailing BioTheryX’s two major programs.