On February 24, 2025 CytoDyn Inc. (OTCQB: CYDY) ("CytoDyn" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company developing leronlimab, a CCR5 antagonist with the potential for multiple therapeutic indications, reported encouraging survival outcomes among a group of patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer ("mTNBC") treated with leronlimab (Press release, CytoDyn, FEB 24, 2025, View Source [SID1234650470]). Although mTNBC typically has a poor prognosis, observed survival rates at 12, 24, and 36 months after treatment with leronlimab compare favorably with reported life expectancy after treatment with currently approved therapies. In addition, the Company confirmed that a small group of patients who failed treatment after developing metastatic disease survived more than 36 months after receiving leronlimab, are alive today, and currently identify as having no evidence of ongoing disease.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Following the resolution of the Company’s dispute with its former CRO, CytoDyn obtained follow-up records from patients treated with leronlimab during the Company’s prior clinical trials in oncology. After confirming these patient outcomes, CytoDyn worked with consultants and key opinion leaders to summarize the findings and submit an abstract to the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Breast Cancer meeting taking place in Munich, Germany, from May 14 to 17, 2025.

"We are encouraged by the longer-term survival data to pursue this potentially paradigm-shifting therapeutic pathway for patients suffering from metastatic triple-negative breast cancer," said Richard Pestell, MD, PhD, AO, the Company’s Lead Consultant in Preclinical and Clinical Oncology. "As a cancer therapeutic, leronlimab was well tolerated with remarkably infrequent treatment-related adverse events. These promising results suggest further studies with leronlimab are warranted to expand oncology treatment options and improve patient care."

Dr. Jacob Lalezari, CEO of CytoDyn, added: "These provocative observations of improved survival in patients with mTNBC and prior treatment failure in the metastatic setting, including reported clearance of disease in a group of long-term survivors, provides early clinical evidence of leronlimab’s potential impact in the treatment of TNBC and other solid tumors. I expect the Company’s oncology efforts to accelerate in the coming months, with further announcements in both mTNBC and colorectal cancer."

Based on these survival observations, the Company has initiated two pre-clinical studies in mTNBC that will evaluate possible treatment synergies between leronlimab, an antibody-drug complex treatment (sacituzumab govitecan), and an immune checkpoint inhibitor (pembrolizumab). The Company will also continue to perform follow-up testing on the group of mTNBC survivors who currently identify as having no evidence of ongoing disease.

On February 24, 2025 CStone Pharmaceuticals ("CStone", HKEX: 2616), an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of anti-cancer therapies, reported the publication of the GEMSTONE-303 study results for sugemalimab (brand name: Cejemly) in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) (Press release, CStone Pharmaceauticals, FEB 24, 2025, View Source [SID1234650487]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

GEMSTONE-303 is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the efficacy of sugemalimab in combination with capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CAPOX) compared to placebo plus CAPOX as first-line treatment for patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic G/GEJ adenocarcinoma with PD-L1 CPS ≥5. The dual primary endpoints were OS and investigator-assessed PFS. Key secondary endpoints included PFS assessed by the Blinded Independent Central Review Committee (BICR), objective response rate (ORR), and duration of response (DoR).

The GEMSTONE-303 article published in JAMA highlights the following key efficacy and safety findings:

In patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥5, the sugemalimab group showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in both OS and PFS compared with the control group.
Median OS was 15.6 months in the sugemalimab group compared with 12.6 months in the control group, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.61-0.92), P=0.006, indicating that sugemalimab plus CAPOX could reduce the risk of death by 25%.
Median PFS was 7.6 months in the sugemalimab group versus 6.1 months in the control group, with a HR of 0.66 (95% CI, 0.54-0.81), P<0.001.
Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAE) occurred in 53.9% of patients in the sugemalimab group and 50.6% in the control group, indicating that the safety of this combination regimen was manageable.
Subgroup analyses demonstrated consistent clinical benefits across all pre-defined subgroups, including patients with varying PD-L1 expression levels:

Sugemalimab plus CAPOX significantly prolonged OS in patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥10; median OS was 17.8 months in the sugemalimab group compared with 12.5 months in the control group, with a HR of 0.64 (95% CI, 0.48-0.85), P=0.002.
In patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥10, median PFS was 7.8 months in the sugemalimab group compared with 5.5 months in the control group, with a HR of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.43-0.77), P<0.001.
In patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥10, ORR was 71.4% in the sugemalimab group compared with 48.6% in the control group.
Dr. Jason Yang, CEO, President of R&D, and Executive Director at CStone, stated: "We are honored to see the GEMSTONE-303 study results published in JAMA. This study establishes sugemalimab in combination with chemotherapy as the new standard first-line treatment for patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥5 G/GEJ adenocarcinoma. To date, sugemalimab has been approved for five indications in China. Internationally, we have expanded its regulatory pathways and forged commercialization partnerships in various global markets. The compelling clinical data from GEMSTONE-303 reinforce our confidence in advancing the global registration and commercialization of sugemalimab. We are committed to unlocking its full clinical potential and providing greater survival benefits to patients worldwide."

Professor Lin Shen, Peking University Cancer Hospital, the leading principal investigator of the GEMSTONE-303 study, said: "Before the availability of PD-1 monoclonal antibodies, chemotherapy was the standard first-line treatment for unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic G/GEJ adenocarcinoma, with median OS rarely exceeding one year. The combination of anti-PD-1 antibodies and chemotherapy has significantly extended survival for these patients. The GEMSTONE-303 study builds on this progress. As the first anti-PD-L1 antibody approved for this patient population, sugemalimab specifically targeted the PD-L1-expressing population in its pivotal study, achieving significant efficacy with a manageable safety profile. The acceptance and publication of these results in JAMA affirm the innovation of GEMSTONE-303 and the valuable contributions of all researchers and participants involved."

About Sugemalimab

The anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody sugemalimab was developed by CStone using OmniRat transgenic animal platform, which allows creation of fully human antibodies in one step. Sugemalimab is a fully human, full-length anti-PD-L1 immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) monoclonal antibody, which may reduce the risk of immunogenicity and toxicity for patients, a unique advantage over similar drugs.

The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China has approved sugemalimab for five indications:

In combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment of patients with metastatic squamous and non-squamous NSCLC;
For the treatment of patients with unresectable Stage III NSCLC whose disease has not progressed following concurrent or sequential platinum-based chemoradiotherapy;
For the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma;
In combination with fluorouracil and platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment of patients with unresectable locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic ESCC; and
In combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy as first-line treatment for unresectable locally advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) adenocarcinoma with a PD-L1 expression CPS ≥5.
The European Commission (EC) has approved sugemalimab (brand name: Cejemly) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC with no sensitizing EGFR mutations, or ALK, ROS1 or RET genomic tumor aberrations.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom has approved the marketing authorization application for sugemalimab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for first-line treatment of metastatic NSCLC with no sensitizing EGFR mutations, or ALK, ROS1 or RET genomic tumor aberrations.

On February 24, 2025 Exact Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq: EXAS), a leading provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, reported that company management will participate in the following conferences and invited investors to participate by webcast (Press release, Exact Sciences, FEB 24, 2025, View Source [SID1234650471]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

TD Cowen Health Care Conference, Boston
Fireside chat on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. ET
Raymond James Institutional Investors Conference, Orlando
Presentation on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 1:05 p.m. ET
The webcasts can be accessed in the investor relations section of Exact Sciences’ website at www.exactsciences.com.

On February 24, 2025 Akeso, Inc. (9926.HK) ("Akeso" or the "Company") reported that its partner on ivonescimab, Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SMMT) has entered into a clinical trial collaboration with Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) to evaluate ivonescimab, a novel, investigational PD-1 / VEGF bispecific antibody, in combination with several of Pfizer’s antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) across multiple solid tumor settings (Press release, Akeso Biopharma, FEB 24, 2025, View Source [SID1234650488]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Rapidly developing novel mechanisms that go beyond what is currently available to patients and physicians is what we believe will make the most significant impact for those facing the greatest challenges from cancer today," noted Bob Duggan and Dr. Maky Zanganeh, Summit’s Co-CEOs. "As we seek to accelerate the development of our potentially transformative ivonescimab across non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumor settings, this collaboration will allow us to quickly advance beyond our promising late-stage development plan to evaluate ivonescimab in combination with some of the most innovative ADCs from Pfizer."

The goal of the collaboration is to evaluate ivonescimab, in combination with several unique Pfizer ADCs across multiple solid tumor settings to accelerate the advancement of potentially landscape-changing combinations, which seek to improve the standards of care for patients facing serious unmet needs. Each study intends to evaluate ivonescimab plus one of Pfizer’s vedotin ADCs in individual, distinct solid tumor settings to determine the safety profile and potential anti-tumor activity of the combinations.

"We are excited to partner with Summit Therapeutics to explore the clinical synergy of our therapies," said Megan O’Meara, M.D., Head, Oncology Early Stage Development, Pfizer. "Together, we are advancing the exploration of our ADCs in rational, differentiated combinations with a bispecific antibody designed to address the unique complexities of tumor biology. This collaboration represents the next wave of investigational targeted combinations with the potential to transform treatment options for people living with cancer."

Under the terms of the agreement, Summit will provide ivonescimab for use in the proposed studies, and Pfizer will be responsible for conducting the operations of the studies. The studies will be overseen by both Summit and Pfizer. Both parties retain their respective rights to their products. The studies combining ivonescimab with Pfizer’s vedotin ADCs are planned to begin in the middle of this year. Further details on the clinical trials will be announced at a later date by Summit.

About Ivonescimab (AK112/SMT112)

Ivonescimab is a novel global first-in-class PD-1/VEGF bi-specific immunotherapy drug independently developed by Akeso. Ivonescimab is known as SMT112 in Summit Therapeutics’s license territories, including the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, Central America, South America, the Middle East and Africa. Ivonescimab was granted marketing approval by NMPA for the treatment of EGFR mutated locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC patients who have progressed after EGFR TKI treatment. Currently, ivonescimab’s first indication has been approved in China, and Akeso is conducting 6 registrational trials versus anti-PD-1/L1 therapeutics. Akeso is also conducting multiple clinical trials of ivonescimab covering 17 indications including gastrointestinal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal cancer.

On February 24, 2025 Galapagos NV (Euronext & NASDAQ: GLPG), a global biotechnology company dedicated to transforming patient outcomes through life-changing science and innovation, reported that its management will present at the following investor conferences in March (Press release, Galapagos, FEB 24, 2025, View Source [SID1234650473]):

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

TD Cowen 45th Annual Healthcare Conference
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Location: Boston, MA
Corporate Presentation: 1:50 – 2:20 PM ET / 7:50 – 8:20 PM CET
Live Webcast Link: Here

Barclays 27th Annual Global Healthcare Conference
Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Location: Miami, FL
Corporate Presentation: 11:00 – 11:25 AM ET / 5:00 – 5:25 PM CET
Live Webcast Link: Here

A live webcast of the presentations can also be accessed on the Investors page of the Company’s website at www.glpg.com/investors. Replays of the webcasts will be available following the completion of the event and will be archived for up to 90 days.