On February 25, 2025 Novita Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Novita"), a privately held, clinical-stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing novel cancer drugs through its proprietary fascin inhibitor technology, reported additional results from its Phase 2 study (NCT05023486) evaluating NP-G2-044 in combination with SOC anti-PD-1 therapy in patients with advanced solid tumors resistant to prior anti-PD-1 therapy at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Immuno-oncology (AACR IO) Annual Meeting (Press release, Novita Pharmaceuticals, FEB 25, 2025, View Source [SID1234650555]). The data was presented in a poster presentation titled "Phase 2 Study of NP-G2-044, a Novel Fascin Inhibitor, in Combination with Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Patients with Solid Tumors Resistant to Prior Anti-PD-1 Therapy." Findings indicate that NP-G2-044 provides a novel therapeutic opportunity when combined with ICIs.

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"We are very pleased with the findings generated to date in our Phase 2 trial of NP-G2-044 both as a monotherapy and in combination with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in ICI-resistant patients with advanced and metastatic solid tumors," said Jillian Zhang, Ph.D., President & Chief Scientific Officer of Novita. "The strong safety and durable efficacy we have observed with our first-in-class fascin inhibitor further support the simultaneous inhibition of metastasis and enhancement of cancer immunotherapy as a promising and innovative approach in cancer treatment with broad applications for many solid tumors. We look forward to sharing additional data from the Phase 2 expansion cohort of NP-G2-044 in combination with ICI in the second half of 2025."

Among the 45 patients treated with NP-G2-044 as of the last data cutoff (Oct. 2024), 80% had progressed on prior anti-PD-(L)1 therapies. The anti-PD-1 Combination RP2D for NP-G2-044 was 1600 mg QD with 4-week cycles. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR), and secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), metastasis-free interval (MFI), overall survival (OS), safety, and tolerability.

Key highlights include:

A Disease Control Rate of 76% (includes patients with Stable Disease and Objective Responses)
An ORR of 21% (95% CL 9-38.9%) including 4 patients with Partial Response (PR) and 3 patients with Complete Responses (CR) including Pathologic Complete Response
Results indicate durable responses and tumor control in a significant proportion of patients across at least seven cancer types, including cases converted from ICI-non-responsive to ICI-responsive.
Long lasting objective responses have been observed.
Notable outcomes include a CR in a cervical cancer patient, target lesion CR in an endometrial cancer patient, pathological CRs in a pancreatic cancer patient and a patient with gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma and PRs in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma.
Seven patients are still on treatments, with the longest duration of 18+ months in an endometrial cancer patient and a patient with pancreatic cancer.
An amendment to the study is underway to open additional cohorts. These new cohorts aim to further evaluate the combination of NP-G2-044 with anti-PD-1 therapy across patient populations and solid tumor subtypes, providing a broader understanding of its therapeutic potential. Future analysis will also explore biomarkers for response prediction and mechanisms of resistance, guiding personalized approaches in treatment-resistant cancer. Novita is on track to begin enrollment in its pivotal Phase 3 study of NP-G2-044 + PLD in platinum resistant ovarian cancer in the third quarter of 2025.

On February 25, 2025 BeiGene, Ltd. (NASDAQ: ONC; HKEX: 06160; SSE: 688235), a global oncology company that intends to change its name to BeOne Medicines Ltd., reported that the Company will participate in fireside chats at two upcoming investor conferences (Press release, BeiGene, FEB 25, 2025, View Source [SID1234650518]):

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TD Cowen 45th Annual Health Care Conference on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 9:10 am ET; and
Leerink Partners Global Biopharma Conference on Monday, March 10, 2025 at 1:00 pm ET
Live webcasts of these events can be accessed from the investors section of BeiGene’s website at View Source, View Source, View Source Archived replays will be available for 90 days following the events.

On February 25, 2025 Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, reported the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for priority review a new supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) seeking approval for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, for the treatment of patients with resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC) as neoadjuvant treatment, then continued as adjuvant treatment in combination with standard of care radiotherapy with or without cisplatin and then as a single agent (Press release, Merck & Co, FEB 25, 2025, View Source [SID1234650538]). The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), or target action, date of June 23, 2025.

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The sBLA is based on data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-689 trial. Results from a pre-specified first interim analysis, which will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting, showed that in patients with resectable LA-HNSCC, the KEYTRUDA perioperative treatment regimen demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in event-free survival (EFS) compared to adjuvant radiotherapy (with or without cisplatin) alone. The study also showed a statistically significant improvement in major pathological response (mPR), a key secondary endpoint, for patients in the KEYTRUDA arm compared with adjuvant radiotherapy alone. The safety profile of KEYTRUDA was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies; no new safety signals were identified.

"The standard of care for patients with resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma has remained the same for over two decades, representing a significant unmet need for new treatment options," said Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories. "Based on the compelling results of the KEYNOTE-689 trial, we hope to reduce the risk of recurrence and disease progression in earlier stages of disease. We look forward to working with the FDA to potentially bring KEYTRUDA to these patients as soon as possible."

This review is being conducted under Project Orbis, an initiative of the FDA Oncology Center of Excellence that provides a framework for coordinated submission and review of oncology drugs among its international partners. Health authorities in Israel, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Brazil and Switzerland will review this application as part of Project Orbis.

KEYTRUDA is currently approved as monotherapy and in combination regimens for appropriate patients with metastatic or with unresectable, recurrent HNSCC in the U.S., Europe, China, Japan and other countries around the world. For more information, please see the "Selected KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) Indications in the U.S." section below.

About KEYNOTE-689

KEYNOTE-689 is a randomized, active-controlled, open-label Phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03765918) evaluating KEYTRUDA as neoadjuvant treatment and KEYTRUDA in combination with standard of care radiotherapy (with or without cisplatin) as adjuvant treatment in treatment-naïve patients with newly diagnosed, stage III or IVA resectable, locally advanced, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Efficacy outcomes are classified by programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) combined positive score (CPS) status. The primary endpoint is EFS, and key secondary endpoints include overall survival, major pathological response, pathological complete response and safety. The study enrolled an estimated 704 patients who were randomized (1:1) to receive either:

KEYTRUDA (200 mg intravenously [IV] every three weeks [Q3W] for two cycles) as neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery, followed by either KEYTRUDA (200 mg IV Q3W for 15 cycles) plus standard of care radiotherapy with cisplatin (100 mg/m2 IV Q3W for three cycles) as adjuvant therapy following surgery for high-risk patients or KEYTRUDA (200 mg IV Q3W for 15 cycles) plus standard of care radiotherapy without cisplatin as adjuvant therapy following surgery for low-risk patients; or
No neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery, followed by either standard of care radiotherapy with cisplatin (100 mg/m2 IV Q3W for three cycles) as adjuvant therapy following surgery for high-risk patients or standard of care radiotherapy without cisplatin as adjuvant therapy following surgery for low-risk patients.
About head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer describes a number of different tumors that develop in or around the throat, larynx, nose, sinuses and mouth. Most head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas that begin in the flat, squamous cells that make up the thin surface layer of the structures in the head and neck. Locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC) is cancer that has grown outside the original location, but has not yet spread to distant parts of the body. There are several factors that greatly increase the risk of developing head and neck cancer, including tobacco and alcohol use and human papillomavirus (HPV). It is estimated there were more than 891,500 new cases of head and neck cancer diagnosed and over 458,100 deaths from the disease in 2022 globally. In the U.S., it is estimated there will be more than 58,450 new cases of head and neck cancer diagnosed and more than 12,230 deaths from the disease in 2024.

On February 25, 2025 Enliven Therapeutics, Inc. (Enliven or the Company) (Nasdaq: ELVN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule therapeutics, reported that management will participate in a fireside chat at the TD Cowen 45th Annual Health Care Conference on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. ET (Press release, Enliven Therapeutics, FEB 25, 2025, View Source [SID1234650556]).

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The fireside chat will be webcast live and can be accessed by visiting the investor relations section of the Company’s website at View Source The webcast will be archived for a period of 90 days following the conclusion of the live event.

On February 25, 2025 Bicycle Therapeutics plc (NASDAQ: BCYC), a pharmaceutical company pioneering a new and differentiated class of therapeutics based on its proprietary bicyclic peptide (Bicycle) technology, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024, and provided recent corporate updates (Press release, Bicycle Therapeutics, FEB 25, 2025, View Source [SID1234650519]).

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"In 2024, the significant progress across our pipeline and business continued to validate our approach to developing next-generation precision-guided therapeutics. We believe that zelenectide pevedotin’s promising anti-tumor activity and differentiated safety profile could transform the treatment landscape not only for patients with metastatic urothelial cancer but also NECTIN4 gene-amplified solid tumors. Additionally, our encouraging first human imaging data for MT1-MMP demonstrates the potential of our technology platform to produce radiopharmaceutical medicines to novel targets," said Bicycle Therapeutics CEO Kevin Lee, Ph.D. "With a clear strategy to build on this foundation and financial runway into the second half of 2027, we are strongly positioned for another year of execution across our research and development pipeline of oncology, radiopharmaceuticals and partnered programs as we work to bring innovative therapies to cancer patients."

Fourth Quarter 2024 and Recent Events

Announced updated topline combination data for zelenectide pevedotin plus pembrolizumab in first-line metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC). As of Jan. 3, 2025, updated topline results from the ongoing Phase 1 Duravelo-1 trial evaluating zelenectide pevedotin 5 mg/m2 weekly plus pembrolizumab 200 mg once every 3 weeks in 22 first-line cisplatin-ineligible patients with mUC continued to show promising anti-tumor activity and a differentiated safety profile.
Among 20 efficacy evaluable patients, a 65% overall response rate (ORR) (13/20) was achieved, and a 50% ORR (10/20) was reached among patients with confirmed responses. Of the 3 unconfirmed responses, 1 patient remained on treatment at the time of the reported clinical results.
Median duration of response (mDOR) is not yet mature, with 12 patients still on treatment at the time of the reported clinical results.
The safety and tolerability profile continues to be broadly consistent with other Phase 1 zelenectide pevedotin monotherapy and combination cohorts. Adverse events of clinical interest such as peripheral neuropathy, skin reactions and eye disorders were primarily low grade. All cases of Grade 3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of clinical interest were reversible, and there were no Grade 4 or Grade 5 TRAEs of clinical interest.
Bicycle Therapeutics is currently conducting the Phase 2/3 Duravelo-2 registrational trial evaluating zelenectide pevedotin plus pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy in first-line mUC (Cohort 1), and zelenectide pevedotin monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab in late-line mUC (Cohort 2). In each cohort, two doses of zelenectide pevedotin – 5 mg/m2 weekly and 6 mg/m2 two weeks on, one week off – are being assessed before a planned final dose selection in 2H 2025.

Announced development strategy leveraging NECTIN4 gene amplification for zelenectide pevedotin in breast cancer, lung cancer and multiple tumor types. During the 2024 San Antonio Breast Conference Symposium, Bicycle Therapeutics presented data from post-hoc analyses of late-line breast cancer and lung cancer patients enrolled in the Phase 1/2 Duravelo-1 trial evaluating zelenectide pevedotin 5 mg/m2 weekly. Results showed enhanced anti-tumor activity of zelenectide pevedotin monotherapy in patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification and/or polysomy.
Among 38 breast cancer patients enrolled, 35 patients were efficacy evaluable. Additionally, 23 breast cancer patient samples were available for NECTIN4 testing, of which 8 demonstrated NECTIN4 gene amplification or harbored NECTIN4 polysomy. Results showed a 62.5% ORR (5/8) in patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification and/or polysomy versus 14.3% ORR (5/35) in efficacy-evaluable patients. All responses were seen in patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification and/or polysomy.
Among 32 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients enrolled, 30 patients were efficacy evaluable. Additionally, 19 TNBC patient samples were available for NECTIN4 testing, of which 7 demonstrated NECTIN4 gene amplification or harbored a NECTIN4 polysomy. Results showed a 57.1% ORR (4/7) in patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification and/or polysomy versus 13.3% ORR (4/30) in efficacy-evaluable patients. All responses were seen in patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification and/or polysomy. Notably, all 3 patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification who responded to zelenectide pevedotin had prior treatment with sacituzumab govitecan.
Among 40 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients enrolled, 34 patients were efficacy evaluable. Additionally, 19 NSCLC patient samples were available for NECTIN4 testing, of which 6 demonstrated NECTIN4 gene amplification. Five out of 6 patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification were efficacy evaluable. Results showed a 40.0% ORR (2/5) in patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification versus 8.8% ORR (3/34) among efficacy-evaluable patients. Of the 3 partial responses, 2 were confirmed and 1 was unconfirmed. Two out of 3 responses were seen in patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification.
Zelenectide pevedotin was generally well tolerated, demonstrating a safety and tolerability profile consistent with data from other Duravelo-1 cohorts, and TRAEs were primarily low grade, further supporting the potential for NECTIN4 gene amplification to serve as a biomarker for therapy stratification. Based on these data, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation to zelenectide pevedotin for the treatment of adult patients with previously treated, NECTIN4 gene-amplified, advanced or metastatic TNBC and NSCLC.

Bicycle Therapeutics has continued to build a robust patent estate related to the use of NECTIN4 gene amplification as a biomarker for patient selection. The company plans to initiate several additional Phase 1/2 trials evaluating zelenectide pevedotin in NECTIN4 gene-amplified cancer, including breast cancer (Duravelo-3) in 1H 2025 and lung cancer (Duravelo-4) and multi-tumor (Duravelo-5) in 2H 2025.

Announced first human imaging data for a Bicycle Radionuclide Conjugate (BRC) targeting MT1-MMP and outlined strategy for leadership in next-generation radiopharmaceuticals. Data presented at the European Association of Nuclear Medicine 2024 Congress validate the potential of MT1-MMP as a novel target in the treatment of cancer, demonstrate the translatability of BRC preclinical data and highlight the potential of Bicycle molecules for targeted radionuclide therapy.
In an oral presentation, the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) shared results of fluorine-18-labelled FDG-PET/CT imaging and gallium-68-labelled BRC MT1-MMP PET/CT imaging in a 65-year-old male diagnosed with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most common type of NSCLC, in the lung and lymph nodes. MT1-MMP imaging demonstrated tracer uptake in the primary tumor in the lung and lymph node and bone metastases, consistent with FDG imaging. Additionally, the MT1-MMP BRC tracer showed renal excretion, with all other organs showing only a negligible tracer uptake.
Preclinical data presented by Bicycle Therapeutics demonstrated the suitability of Bicycle molecules to deliver indium to tumors in vivo due to their favorable properties, including specific tumor uptake, rapid tumor penetration and rapid renal elimination. Additionally, imaging showed how the biodistribution profile of BRCs can be optimized to maintain high tumor uptake and retention while significantly reducing kidney levels.
Bicycle Therapeutics continues to advance its emerging BRC pipeline, with additional MT1-MMP human imaging data anticipated in mid-2025 and initial EphA2 human imaging data expected in 2H 2025. The company is targeting clinical trials for its first radiotherapeutic program to begin in 2026.

Expanded Clinical Advisory Board with the appointment of three distinguished oncology experts to further support the advancement of the company’s clinical programs. Bicycle Therapeutics welcomed Howard A. "Skip" Burris, III, M.D., president and chief medical officer of Sarah Cannon Research Institute; Markus Eckstein, M.D., a board-certified senior consultant pathologist at the University Hospital Erlangen (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg); and Niklas Klümper, M.D., senior consultant for Urology & Genitourinary Oncology at the University Hospital Bonn.
Participation in Upcoming Investor Conferences

Bicycle Therapeutics management will participate in a fireside chat at the TD Cowen 45th Annual Health Care Conference on Tuesday, March 4, at 9:50 a.m. ET. A live webcast of the fireside chat will be accessible from the Investor section of the company’s website at www.bicycletherapeutics.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived and available following the event.

Fourth Quarter and Year End 2024 Financial Results

Cash and cash equivalents were $879.5 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $526.4 million as of December 31, 2023. The increase in cash and cash equivalents is primarily due to net proceeds from the company’s private investment in public equity (PIPE) financing in May 2024 and share option exercises, offset by the repayment of the company’s debt facility with Hercules Capital, Inc. in July 2024 and cash used in operating activities.
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $49.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and $173.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $44.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and $156.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increases in expense of $5.1 million and $16.5 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, were primarily due to increased clinical program expenses for zelenectide pevedotin development and increased personnel-related expenses, including incremental share-based compensation expense of $2.2 million and $3.8 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, offset by decreased clinical program expenses for Bicycle Tumor-Targeted Immune Cell Agonist molecule development, lower discovery, platform and other expenses, and higher U.K. R&D tax credits period over period.
General and administrative expenses were $21.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and $72.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $14.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and $60.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increases of $6.7 million and $11.8 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, were primarily due to increased personnel-related expenses, including incremental share-based compensation expense $0.3 million and $1.8 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, as well as increased professional and consulting fees.
Net loss was $51.9 million, or $(0.75) basic and diluted net loss per share, for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and net loss was $169.0 million, or $(2.90) basic and diluted net loss per share, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to net loss of $49.1 million or $(1.16) basic and diluted net loss per share, for three months ended December 31, 2023, and net loss of $180.7 million or $(5.08) basic and diluted net loss per share, for the year ended December 31, 2023.