TG Therapeutics to Present at the Jefferies 2019 Healthcare Conference

On June 4, 2019 TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TGTX), reported that Michael S. Weiss, the Company’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will present at the Jefferies 2019 Healthcare Conference, being held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City (Press release, TG Therapeutics, JUN 4, 2019, View Source [SID1234536895]). The presentation is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at 9:00 AM ET.

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A live webcast of this presentation will be available on the Events page, located within the Investors & Media section, of the Company’s website at View Source

Array BioPharma to Present at the Goldman Sachs 40?? Annual Global Healthcare Conference

On June 4, 2019 Array BioPharma Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRY) reported that its Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Robbins, will speak at the Goldman Sachs 40th Annual Global Healthcare Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, California (Press release, Array BioPharma, JUN 4, 2019, View Source [SID1234536863]). The public is welcome to participate in the conference through a webcast on the Array BioPharma website.

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Event:

Goldman Sachs 40th Annual Global Healthcare Conference

Presenter:

Andrew Robbins, Chief Operating Officer, Array BioPharma

Date:

June 11, 2019

Time:

3:20 p.m. Pacific Time / 6:20 p.m. Eastern Time

Webcast:

https://cc.talkpoint.com/gold006/061119a_as/?entity=45_2CLGG3P

Asuragen NGS System Streamlines Detection of NSCLC-associated DNA Mutations, Gene Fusions, and RNA Expression Targets in Single Workflow

On June 4, 2019 Asuragen, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company delivering easy-to-use products for complex testing in genetics and oncology, reported publication of a study demonstrating a single next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflow for the sensitive and accurate detection of DNA and RNA variants associated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the journal Translational Oncology (View Source) (Press release, Asuragen, JUN 4, 2019, View Source [SID1234536880]). The article, titled "An Integrated Next-Generation Sequencing System for Analyzing DNA Mutations, Gene Fusions, and RNA Expression in Lung Cancer," describes the targeted analysis of 190 loci from low-input and low-quality NSCLC specimens using a rapid and standardized NGS procedure that is compatible with existing laboratory instrumentation.

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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and NSCLC accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases. A number of targeted therapies for DNA and RNA variants in NSCLC are now available, but their timely detection is complicated by segregated NGS methods for DNA versus RNA and by limitations in biopsy tissue and nucleic acid quality to support split workflows. To address these challenges, the publication describes a unified DNA/RNA NGS assay that covers hotspot mutations in 20 genes, including EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA, as well as 107 RNA fusion variants recurrent in NSCLC, such as ALK, RET, ROS1, and NTRK1, and MET exon 14 skipping events. RNA quantification also includes 23 transcripts with prognostic and theranostic value, such as PD-L1, PD-L2, INFG, and CTLA4 that are important in assessing T-cell-inflamed phenotypes and the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. Analysis is achieved using proprietary software to automate variant calls from total nucleic acid, resulting in quantification of SNVs, INDELs, CNVs, fusions, splice variants, and expression targets – all within a single, harmonized NGS run. By querying functional input copies, sequence quality, sample-specific error rates, local sequence complexity, and coverage depth, the software is an essential component of the overall system and helps ensure robust and accurate results.

In the study, over 200 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) surgical resections and core needle biopsies provided by collaborators at MD Anderson Cancer Center were tested. The results were consistent with variant prevalence established by large, international consortia such as TCGA, demonstrating mutual exclusivity between driver events and distinct molecular subtypes for adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Sequence variants in fine needle aspirate (FNA) smears from BATTLE-2 clinical trial subjects were in 97% agreement with matched FFPE specimens tested by the FoundationOne NGS Assay, even though the FNA biopsies had substantially fewer cells available for analysis.

"Our study with Asuragen demonstrates the continued evolution of NGS methods to reliably quantify different types of cancer-associated variants across both DNA and RNA that are relevant to precision medicine," commented Ignacio I. Wistuba, MD, professor and chair, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "This integrated and rapid approach may help clinicians and laboratories maximize the actionable information they can recover from small patient biopsies, and accelerate turnaround times for results and decision-making."

This study was funded in part by a Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) Product Development Research grant.

VBI Vaccines Reports Data from Part A of the Ongoing Phase 1/2a Study of VBI-1901 in Recurrent Glioblastoma (GBM) Patients at ASCO 2019

On June 4, 2019 VBI Vaccines Inc. (NASDAQ: VBIV) ("VBI"), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation infectious disease and immuno-oncology vaccines, reported a poster on Sunday, June 2, 2019, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting that exhibited expanded clinical data from Part A of the Phase 1/2a study of VBI-1901 in recurrent Glioblastoma (GBM) patients (Press release, VBI Vaccines, JUN 4, 2019, View Source [SID1234536896]).

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The poster presented data on a total of 18 patients enrolled in Part A of the study, which was a multi-center, open-label, dose-escalation study across three dose cohorts of VBI’s vaccine immunotherapeutic, VBI-1901 – 0.4 µg, 2.0 µg, and 10.0 µg. Part A was designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of VBI-1901, and to define the optimal immunogenic dose level to test in the Part B extension phase of the study, which is expected to initiate enrollment mid-year 2019. Part B of the trial will further assess immunologic responses and potential correlations with tumor and clinical responses.

Andrew B. Lassman, M.D., Chief of Neuro-oncology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Associate Director for Clinical Infrastructure at Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, and principal investigator of the study commented, "Though early, the data we’ve seen to-date in this Phase 1/2a study of VBI-1901 are intriguing, yet of course require confirmation in later phase and additional trials. The patients in this study, and more generally in the recurrent GBM setting, are immunocompromised and have very few effective treatment options available to them. Any treatment that could demonstrate even some benefit would be incredibly meaningful for these patients and their families. I look forward to seeing additional data from Part B of the study."

Highlights from Poster Presentation (Poster #237, Abstract #2048)

Safety:

The vaccine immunotherapeutic was well-tolerated at all doses, with no safety signals observed
Grade 2, 3, or 4 adverse events occurred in 66%, 22%, and 11% of participants, respectively – none were related to the vaccine immunotherapeutic

Immunogenicity and Tumor/Clinical Responses:

Six (6) patients immunologically responded to VBI-1901, with evidence of robust boosting of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific immune responses against both glycoprotein B (gB) and pp65 antigens.
Median progression-free survival (PFS) was longer among responders (14.5 weeks) vs. non-responders (6 weeks).
Three out of six (3/6) patients in the high-dose, 10 µg, cohort had evidence of stable disease (SD) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), compared to one out of six (1/6) in the low-dose cohort and zero out of six (0/6) in the intermediate-dose cohort.

"The tumor responses seen in three of the six patients in the high-dose cohort are promising, with all three having immunologic responses to VBI-1901 as well," said David E. Anderson, Ph.D., VBI’s Chief Scientific Officer. "In Part B of the study, we are narrowing the enrollment criteria to ensure a more homogenous patient population that may better assess the potential correlation between immunogenicity and tumor and clinical responses to VBI-1901. Enrollment of 10 patients in Part B, all first-recurrent GBM patients, is expected to initiate mid-year this year, 2019."

The full poster can be viewed on the "Events/Presentations" page in the Investor Section of the VBI Vaccines website.

VBI Press Release

About the Phase 1/2a Study Design

VBI’s two-part Phase 1/2a study is a multi-center, open-label, dose-escalation study of VBI-1901 in up to 28 patients with recurrent GBM:

Part A: Dose-escalation phase to define the safety, tolerability, and optimal dose level of VBI-1901 in recurrent GBM patients. This phase enrolled 18 patients across three dose cohorts.
Part B: A subsequent extension of the optimal dose level, as defined in the dose escalation phase. This phase is expected to enroll an expanded cohort of approximately 10 additional patients.

VBI-1901 is administered intradermally and is adjuvanted with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a potent adjuvant that mobilizes dendritic cell function. Patients in both phases of the study will receive the vaccine immunotherapeutic every four weeks until tumor progression.

Additional information, including a detailed description of the study design, eligibility criteria, and investigator sites, is available at ClinicalTrials.gov using identifier NCT03382977.

Sierra Announces FDA Regulatory Clarity for Momelotinib & Design of the MOMENTUM Phase 3 Clinical Trial

On June 4, 2019 Sierra Oncology, Inc. (SRRA), a late-stage drug development company focused on advancing targeted therapeutics for the treatment of patients with significant unmet needs in hematology and oncology, reported that it has obtained regulatory clarity with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerning the design of a Phase 3 clinical trial for momelotinib intended to support potential registration of this differentiated drug candidate for the treatment of previously JAK inhibitor treated myelofibrosis patients (Press release, Sierra Oncology, JUN 4, 2019, View Source [SID1234536864]). Following receipt of this clarity, Sierra also announced the design of the MOMENTUM Phase 3 clinical trial in myelofibrosis, planned for launch in Q4 2019.

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"We have held productive discussions with regulators in the US and EU, presenting a holistic analysis of momelotinib’s compelling array of positive efficacy and safety data observed in the two previously completed SIMPLIFY Phase 3 clinical studies, along with our strategy to conduct an additional Phase 3 trial intended to support momelotinib’s potential registration," said Dr. Nick Glover, President and CEO of Sierra Oncology. "We have been exceedingly pleased with the collaborative nature of these discussions which have culminated in alignment on the path to potential registration for momelotinib. Moreover, we have received constructive input that ensures that the design of the MOMENTUM Phase 3 study has the potential to generate compelling and persuasive clinical data capable of satisfying regulatory requirements."

"Momelotinib has consistently demonstrated clinically relevant benefits on the three hallmarks of myelofibrosis: symptoms, anemia and spleen enlargement," noted Dr. Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD, Professor in the Department of Leukemia at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. "I have been involved in the development of momelotinib for many years, and I am very pleased to be named Chief Investigator of the MOMENTUM Phase 3 study. In my opinion, a good proportion of myelofibrosis patients in the second line setting would be candidates for momelotinib treatment due to its potential ability to improve both quality of life and anemia in a significant number of patients. As a myelofibrosis clinician, I can attest that we desperately need more treatment options that offer an array of distinct benefits for our patients. I look forward to momelotinib potentially becoming an important addition to the armamentarium in the treatment of myelofibrosis."

"We have designed MOMENTUM in order to generate highly persuasive clinical data with the potential to convincingly demonstrate momelotinib’s meaningful benefits on symptoms, anemia and spleen in the population of patients previously treated with a JAK inhibitor, as supplemented by both top-line and post hoc analyses of the prior SIMPLIFY Phase 3 datasets," said Dr. Barbara Klencke, Chief Development Officer, of Sierra Oncology. "We have outlined a robust, tractable study that we plan to launch in Q4 2019 and that we anticipate will yield top-line clinical data in Q4 2021."

About MOMENTUM Phase 3 Clinical Trial:
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Activity of Momelotinib (MMB) versus Danazol (DAN) in Symptomatic, Anemic Subjects with Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF), Post-Polycythemia Vera (PV) Myelofibrosis, or Post Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) Myelofibrosis who were Previously Treated with JAK Inhibitor Therapy.

Sierra plans to launch the MOMENTUM Phase 3 clinical trial in Q4 2019. The randomized double-blind trial is designed to enroll 180 myelofibrosis patients who are symptomatic and anemic and have been treated previously with a JAK inhibitor. Patients will be randomized 2:1 to receive either momelotinib or danazol. Danazol has been selected as an appropriate treatment comparator given its use to ameliorate anemia in myelofibrosis patients, as recommended by NCCN and ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) guidelines. After 24 weeks of treatment, patients on danazol will be allowed to crossover to receive momelotinib.

The Primary Endpoint of the trial is the Total Symptom Score (TSS) response rate of momelotinib compared to danazol at Week 24 (99% power; p-value < 0.05). Secondary and exploratory endpoints include:

Transfusion Independence (TI) rate at Week 24 (key secondary: > 90% powered; p-value < 0.05),
Splenic response rate (SRR) at Week 24 (> 90% powered; p-value < 0.05),
Duration of TSS response to Week 48,
Other measures of anemia benefit, including Transfusion Dependence response rate and various measures of cumulative transfusion burden,
Patient Reported Outcome measures of fatigue and physical function.
About Dr. Srdan Verstovsek, Chief Investigator of the MOMENTUM Phase 3 trial:
Dr. Srdan Verstovsek is Chief, Section for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston. Dr. Verstovsek is a world-renowned physician-scientist, and a leading global authority on the treatment of myelofibrosis. His clinical and translational research is focused on understanding the biology of and developing new therapies for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). He has been Principal investigator for more than 50 clinical trials testing novel therapies for patients with MPNs, and has published more than 400 peer-reviewed manuscripts. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Celgene 2010 Young Investigator Award, 7th Annual Irwin H. Krakoff Award for Excellence in Clinical and the Distinguished Lecturer Award from the Society of Hematologic Oncology and the Otis W. and Pearl L. Walters Faculty Achievement Award in Clinical Research by MD Anderson Cancer Center. He was made a Member of The American Society for Clinical Investigation in recognition of his contributions as a physician-scientist.

Momelotinib Analyst & Investor Conference Call
The company will be hosting an Analyst and Investor conference call at 6:00am ET on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, to discuss next steps for momelotinib.

Domestic (Toll Free- US): 1-800-239-9838
International (Toll): 1-323-794-2551
Conference ID: 8101895
Webcast Link: www.sierraoncology.com
Direct Link: View Source

Event registration and webcast information are available through the Sierra Oncology website at www.sierraoncology.com. An archive of the presentation will be accessible after the event through the Sierra Oncology website.

About Momelotinib
Momelotinib, Sierra’s lead drug candidate, is a potent, selective and orally-bioavailable JAK1, JAK2 & ACVR1 inhibitor with a differentiated therapeutic profile in myelofibrosis encompassing robust constitutional symptom improvements, a range of meaningful anemia benefits, including eliminating or reducing the need for frequent blood transfusions, and comparable spleen control to ruxolitinib. More than 1,200 subjects have received momelotinib since clinical studies began in 2009, including more than 800 subjects treated for myelofibrosis. Momelotinib is covered by patents anticipated to provide potential exclusivity to 2040 in the U.S.