Unum Therapeutics Announces US Patent Protection for ACTR Technology

On December 6, 2018 Unum Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: UMRX), reported that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued US patent 10,144,770, entitled "Chimeric Receptors and Uses Thereof in Immune Therapy." The ‘770 patent covers design and use of the chimeric Antibody-Coupled T-cell Receptor (ACTR) platform technology that enables an engineered immune cell to be targeted via an antibody to attack certain cell types, including cancer cells (Press release, Unum Therapeutics, DEC 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234531923]). An ACTR-expressing T cell offers a number of potential advantages over alternative cell therapy approaches and clinical proof-of-concept for the ACTR technology has been demonstrated in two independent clinical trials sponsored by Unum Therapeutics. ACTR therapeutic programs targeting non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and HER2+ advanced cancers are currently in early stages of clinical testing.

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The initial ACTR construct was developed by Dr. Dario Campana, a well-renowned cancer researcher recognized as an inventor of the chimeric antigen receptor that forms the basis for tisagenlecleucel, the world’s first approved CAR-T therapy. Working initially at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and later at the National University of Singapore, Dr. Campana and his team were able to demonstrate in mouse studies that ACTR-expressing T cells exhibit potent anti-tumor activity. Researchers at Unum Therapeutics extended upon this work, demonstrating that a wide range of functional ACTR receptors could be constructed using different building blocks derived from various human immune cell receptors.

Under the terms of a 2014 three-way license agreement between Unum Therapeutics, the National University of Singapore, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Unum Therapeutics controls exclusive, world-wide rights to develop and commercialize ACTR therapies covered by the ‘770 patent. Unum has continued to build a broad patent portfolio encompassing further enhancements to and novel applications of the ACTR technology. In addition to the ‘770 patent covering ACTR in the United States, previously granted patents protect the technology in Europe, Japan, and other important territories. The full text of the ‘770 patent is available from the US Patent and Trademark Office website at View Source;Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=10144770.PN.&OS=PN/10144770&RS=PN/10144770.

Helix BioPharma Corp. Closes First Trench of Private Placement

On December 6, 2019 Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX, FSE: "HBP") ("Helix" or the "Company"), an immuno-oncology company developing innovative drug candidates for the prevention and treatment of cancer, reported it has closed a first tranche of a private placement financing for gross proceeds of CAD871,200. The Company expects to complete a second tranche of the private placement financing before the end of December.

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The terms of the placement are for the purchase of units at $1.20 per unit. Each unit is comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each common share purchase warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one common share at an exercise price of $1.50 and have an expiry of five years from the date of issuance. Helix intends to use the net proceeds of the private placement for working capital and research and development activities.

ACM Alpha Consulting Management AG provided financial advisory services to Helix in connection with the private placement.

Stemline Therapeutics Recaps Key Clinical Data Presentations from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting

On December 6, 2018 Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: STML), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and potential commercialization of novel oncology therapeutics, reported that updated data from multiple ELZONRISTM (tagraxofusp; SL-401) clinical trials at the 2018 ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (Press release, Stemline Therapeutics, DEC 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234531924]). Presentations are now available on the Stemline website, www.stemline.com, under the Scientific Presentations tab.

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Key Outcomes from Pivotal Trial of ELZONRIS in Patients with Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN)

Across all 3 stages, 42 patients received ELZONRIS (12 ug/kg/day)
• In first-line patients with BPDCN, ELZONRIS (12 ug/kg/day)
– 90% (26/29) overall response rate (ORR)
– 72% (21/29) rate of CR + CRc (complete response + clinical CR [CR with residual skin abnormality])
– 45% (13/29) of patients were bridged to stem cell transplant (SCT)
• In relapsed/refractory patients with BPDCN, ELZONRIS (12 ug/kg/day)
– 69% (9/13) ORR
– 38% (5/13) CR + CRc + CRi rate
– 1 patient was bridged to SCT
• Median overall survival (OS) was not yet reached in first-line patients treated with ELZONRIS at 12 ug/kg/day across all stages. Median follow up time is 23.0 months (range of 0.2 – 41+ months)
• Most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) in all patients treated across all trials at 12 ug/kg/day dose (N=148) were: alanine aminotransferase increase (43.9%), aspartate aminotransferase increase (43.9%), hypoalbuminemia (43.9%), and thrombocytopenia (26.4%). TRAEs included capillary leak syndrome (CLS) (16.9%) which was grade 5 in 1.5% (3/202) of patients across all trials and doses and 0.6% (1/166) of patients across all trials at 12 ug/kg/day; a myocardial infarction, grade 5, occurred in a patient (12 ug/kg/day) with grade 4 CLS, as previously reported.

Stage 3 pivotal cohort (13 first-line BPDCN patients treated with SL-401 at 12 ug/kg/day):
• Met its primary endpoint with a 54% (7/13) CR + CRc rate (95% CI: 25.1, 80.8)
• 77% (10/13) ORR
• 46% (6/13) of patients were bridged to SCT
In the U.S., the ELZONRIS biologics license application (BLA) is under Priority Review, with a February 21, 2019 PDUFA action date

In the E.U., the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted accelerated assessment to the planned Marketing Authorization Application (MAA), which is expected to be submitted in the first quarter of 2019
Key Outcomes from Ongoing Clinical Trial of ELZONRIS in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML)

ELZONRIS demonstrated efficacy (spleen and bone marrow responses), with a manageable safety profile, in patients with relapsed/refractory CMML, an area of unmet medical need

100% of evaluable patients had reduction in baseline splenomegaly
– 80% had reduction by ≥50%
– 67% with baseline spleen size ≥5cm had reduction by ≥50%

3 bone marrow complete responses (BMCRs)

1 patient bridged to stem cell transplant in remission on ELZONRIS

Most common TRAEs include hypoalbuminemia (35%), thrombocytopenia (35%), nausea (30%) and vomiting (30%). Most common TRAEs, grade 3+, include thrombocytopenia (35%) and nausea (5%). CLS was reported in 15% of patients, with no cases of grade 3 or higher observed

Splenomegaly has historically been associated with serious sequelae including early satiety and intractable pain, as well as poor transplant outcomes and a higher propensity for AML transformation

Targeting the proliferative component of CMML, namely alleviation of splenomegaly, could result in meaningful clinical benefit and address a key unmet medical need
Next Steps

Patient enrollment and follow up continues, and additional updates are planned in 2019

Based on the encouraging results seen in this trial, a registrational trial design, or pivotal cohort, is being designed
Key Outcomes from Ongoing Trial of ELZONRIS in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Myelofibrosis

ELZONRIS monotherapy demonstrated efficacy (improvements in splenomegaly), with a manageable safety profile, in patients with relapsed/refractory MF, an area of unmet medical need; Patient enrollment and follow up continues

100% of evaluable patients with monocytosis and baseline spleen size ≥5cm, had reduction in baseline splenomegaly
– 80% had reduction by ≥29%; 40% had reduction by ≥45%
– Historically, monocytosis has been associated with poor prognosis in certain MF patients

57% of evaluable patients, with baseline spleen size ≥5cm, had reduction in baseline splenomegaly
– 43% had reduction by ≥29%; 21% had reduction by ≥45%

6 patients with spleen response had treatment duration of 6+ months; 5 patients ongoing
– 5 patients with baseline thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100K) had treatment duration of 6+ months; 4 ongoing
– 3 patients with baseline monocytosis (>1×109/L) had treatment duration of 8+ months; 2 patients ongoing

Initial quality of life (QOL) assessments appear promising; full symptom score analyses are ongoing

Most common TRAEs include headache and hypoalbuminemia (each 22%), and alanine aminotransferase increased and thrombocytopenia (each 17%). The most common TRAE, grade 3+, was thrombocytopenia (8%). There was one case of CLS, which was grade 3.
Next Steps

Patient enrollment and follow up continues, and additional updates are planned in 2019

Based on these encouraging results, next steps are being evaluated including single agent, combination, and registration-directed trials in patients with relapsed/refractory MF, including in poor-prognosis MF patients with monocytosis, an area of unmet medical need
Ivan Bergstein, M.D., CEO of Stemline, commented "The ELZONRIS clinical presentations showcased at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) demonstrate a broad clinical potential in a wide range of malignancies. In particular, we believe that our data in relapsed/refractory CMML and MF provides important clinical proof-of-concept in two indications with unmet medical need, and underscores just two of the many potential expansion opportunities that targeting CD123 offers. At ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper), we continued to ramp-up our disease awareness campaign for BPDCN ahead of the upcoming FDA decision on the ELZONRIS BLA. Also, our sales force is prepared and poised to launch ELZONRIS, should approval be obtained. In parallel, our clinical development team is moving forward with plans to expand efforts, including initiating one or more registration-directed trials in indications beyond BPDN, while also continuing to pursue novel entry points in CD123+ acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other malignancies."

About BPDCN
To learn more about BPDCN, please visit the disease awareness website at www.bpdcninfo.com.

RedHill Biopharma Announces Pricing of $20 Million Underwritten Offering

On December 6, 2018 RedHill Biopharma Ltd. (Nasdaq:RDHL) (Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange:RDHL) ("RedHill" or the "Company"), a specialty biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on proprietary drugs for gastrointestinal diseases, reported the pricing of its previously reported underwritten public offering for a total number of 2,857,143 American Depositary Shares ("ADSs"), each representing ten of its ordinary shares, at a public offering price of $7.00 per ADS (Press release, RedHill Biopharma, DEC 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234531941]).

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Gross proceeds from the sale of the ADSs before underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses are expected to be approximately $20 million. The offering is expected to close on or about December 11, 2018, subject to customary closing conditions. The Company has also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the number of ADSs offered to the public at the public offering price, less underwriting discount.

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE American: LTS) and Nomura Securities International, Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers. H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC is acting as lead manager and LifeSci Capital LLC, Ascendiant Capital Markets, LLC, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. and WBB Securities LLC are acting as co-managers for the offering. Roth Capital Partners is acting as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the offering.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering, together with its existing cash and cash equivalents, to fund preparations for TALICIA (H. pylori) commercial launch and commercialization activities, clinical development programs, including initiation of a pivotal Phase 3 study with RHB-204 for NTM, preparations for a second Phase 3 study with RHB-104 for Crohn’s disease and for acquisitions and general corporate purposes.

The ADSs described above will be issued pursuant to shelf registration statements that were previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and declared effective by the SEC on March 11, 2016 and July 31, 2018, respectively. A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus related to the offering has been filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov. Before you invest, you should read the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus and other documents we have filed with the SEC for more complete information about us and this offering. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained by contacting Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., Prospectus Department, 277 Park Avenue, 26th Floor, New York, New York 10172, by calling (212) 409-2000, or by email at [email protected]; or Nomura Securities International, Inc., Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, Worldwide Plaza, 309 West 49th Street, New York, NY 10019-7316, or by telephone at 212-667-9000, or by email at [email protected].

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Molecular Partners’ R&D Day in New York highlights progress of pipeline of DARPin® therapeutic candidates and dedicated research focus areas

On December 6, 2018 Molecular Partners AG (SIX: MOLN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the use of DARPin therapeutics* to treat serious diseases, reported the continued progress of its pipeline of proprietary therapeutic product candidates in oncology and immuno-oncology, as well as in ophthalmology together with its partner Allergan (Press release, Molecular Partners, DEC 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234531925]).

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On its R&D Day in New York, entitled "Building Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs," the company elaborates on its refined development plans for its most advanced proprietary candidate MP0250 in multiple myeloma (MM). In particular, the company announces its intention to initiate a second phase 2 trial for MP0250 in MM. This complementary trial will recruit patients with relapsed or refractory MM who have failed at least two lines of therapy including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) and in whom the most recent therapy was IMiD-based. Patients will be treated with MP0250 in combination with Pomalidomide and dexamethasone. The design of the initial phase 2 trial for MP0250 in MM will be updated to recruit patients with a proteasome inhibitor (PI) based regimen as the most recent therapy. Those patients continue to be dosed with MP0250 in combination with Velcade and dexamethasone.

Molecular Partners also presents additional preclinical data on MP0310, its most advanced multi-specific (FAP x 4-1BB) DARPin immuno-oncology compound, which is expected to move into the clinic in 2019. In addition, data on FAP x CD40, a second multi-specific preclinical DARPin therapeutic in immuno-oncology, will be presented.

"I am pleased to report on our progress in oncology and our efforts to build a sustainable pipeline of DARPin therapeutics," said Patrick Amstutz, Chief Executive Officer of Molecular Partners.

Pamela A. Trail, Chief Scientific Officer of the company, added: "Our unique DARPin designs have the potential to translate into novel therapeutics across the landscape of oncology. Going forward, we will focus on several key areas of therapeutic intervention which are in the sweet spot of our DARPin technology."

In addition to an overview of the Molecular Partners clinical and preclinical pipeline, the R&D Day will feature presentations by the following experts:

Dr. Robert Orlowski, Chairman, Ad Interim, Director of Myeloma, Professor of Medicine Departments of Lymphoma/Myeloma and Experimental Therapeutics, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Dr. Yehia Hashad, Vice President and Global Head of Clinical Development, Ophthalmology, Allergan
Logistics
The R&D Day for institutional investors, sell-side analysts, investment bankers, and business development professionals will take place at The Yale Club, 50 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York City, from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm EST. To RSVP email Susan A. Noonan at [email protected].

Attendees are invited to check at 11:30 am EST. The presentations will begin at 12:00 pm, followed by a Q&A session. Lunch will be served.

Audio webcast
A respective audio webcast will be accessible, both live and as a replay, on the investors section of the company’s website, along with the accompanying presentation slides.

Financial Calendar
November 1, 2018 – Q3 2018 Management Statement
December 6, 2018 – R&D Day in New York
February 7, 2019 – Publication of Full-year Results 2018 (unaudited)
March 15, 2019 – Expected Publication of Annual Report 2018
April 16, 2019 – Annual General Meeting
May 9, 2019 – Interim Management Statement Q1 2019
View Source

About the DARPin Difference
DARPin therapeutics are a new class of protein therapeutics opening an extra dimension of multi-specificity and multi-functionality. DARPin candidates are potent, specific, safe and very versatile. They can engage more than 5 targets at once, offering potential benefits over those offered by conventional monoclonal antibodies or other currently available protein therapeutics.
The DARPin technology is a fast and cost-effective drug discovery engine, producing drug candidates with ideal properties for development and very high production yields.

With their good safety profile, low immunogenicity and long half-life in the bloodstream and the eye, DARPin therapeutics have the potential to advance modern medicine and significantly improve the treatment of serious diseases, including cancer and sight-threatening disorders. Molecular Partners is partnering with Allergan to advance clinical programs in ophthalmology, and is advancing a proprietary pipeline of DARPin drug candidates in oncology and immuno-oncology. The most advanced global product candidate is abicipar, a molecule currently in phase 3, in partnership with Allergan. Several DARPin molecules for various ophthalmic indications are also in development. The most advanced DARPin therapeutic candidate wholly owned by Molecular Partners, MP0250, is in phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of solid tumors and hematological tumors. MP0274, the second-most advanced DARPin drug candidate owned by Molecular Partners, has broad anti-HER activity; it inhibits HER1, HER2 and HER3-mediated downstream signaling via Her2, leading to induction of apoptosis. MP0274 is currently in phase 1. Molecular Partners is also advancing a growing preclinical pipeline that features several immuno-oncological development programs. DARPin is a registered trademark owned by Molecular Partners AG