Immunowake raises $3M in Financing

On August 22, 2019 Immunowake reported the company has raised $3M in financing, led by Changchun High-tech Industries Group Inc (SZSE: 000661) (Press release, Immunowake, AUG 22, 2019, View Source [SID1234656118]). This investment will be used to accelerate the research, development, and commercialization of Immunowake’s portfolio.

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Immunowake is a pre-clinical company focused on the development of antibody-based therapeutics against cancer. Immunowake’s CEO and founder Xiaoyun Wu said, "This financing will allow us to advance our pipeline and further improve our antibody platform, which will be critical in identifying and developing future products. This investment symbolizes a high level of confidence in our technology."

Five Prime Therapeutics to Present at Upcoming Healthcare Conference

On August 22, 2019 Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FPRX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing innovative immuno-oncology protein therapeutics reported that Aron Knickerbocker, Chief Executive Officer, is scheduled to present at the following healthcare conference (Press release, Five Prime Therapeutics, AUG 22, 2019, View Source [SID1234538944]):

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The 2019 Wells Fargo Healthcare Conference on Thursday, September 5th at 9:10am ET / 6:10am PT.
The presentations will be webcast and may be accessed at the "Events & Presentations" section of the Company’s website at: View Source Five Prime will maintain an archived replay of the webcast on its website for 30 days after the conference.

CStone announces data from trials of CS1001, CS1002 and CS1003 to be released for the first time at 2019 CSCO Annual Meeting

On August 22, 2019 CStone Pharmaceuticals ("CStone" or the "Company", HKEX: 2616) reported that the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO, 2019 CSCO Annual Meeting) has accepted three abstracts on the clinical trials of CS1001 (Anti-PD-L1 antibody), CS1002 (Anti-CTLA-4 antibody), and CS1003 (Anti-PD-1 antibody), the Company’s three backbone immunotherapy candidates. Meanwhile, three late-breaking abstracts on the CS1001-101 Phase Ib clinical trial have also been submitted for presentation (Press release, CStone Pharmaceauticals, AUG 22, 2019, View Source [SID1234538945]).

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CS1001-101 Trial

The CS1001-101 trial is a Phase Ia/Ib open-label, multiple-dose, dose-escalation, and dose-expansion study assessing the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and anti-tumor efficacy of CS1001 in Chinese patients with advanced solid tumors or lymphomas. Currently, CS1001 is being investigated in multiple clinical trials in China and the U.S., and over 650 patients have been enrolled in these studies.

The results that will be released in poster presentation at the 2019 CSCO Annual Meeting include:

The safety data from the CS1001-101 Phase Ia/Ib clinical trial, and the efficacy data from the Phase Ib trial in cholangiocarcinoma (Abstract #4763).
Three late-breaking abstracts have also been submitted for oral presentation at the meeting include:

The safety and efficacy data from the CS1001-101 Phase Ib trial in patients with esophageal carcinoma.
The safety and efficacy data from the CS1001-101 Phase Ib trial in patients with gastric cancer.
The safety and efficacy data from the CS1001-101 Phase Ib trial in patients with MSI-H cancers.
CS1002-101 Trial

The CS1002-101 trial is an open-label, multiple-dose, dose-escalation, and dose-expansion study conducted in Australia assessing the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary anti-tumor efficacy of CS1002 in patients with advanced solid tumors. At present, the study has completed the dose-escalation stage of CS1002 monotherapy. The dose-escalation of combination with CS1003 in solid tumors and the dose-expansion of the combination in selected tumor types have been planned.

The data that will be released in oral presentation at the 2019 CSCO Annual Meeting includes:

Preliminary safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics results from a Phase Ia study of CS1002 in patients with advanced solid tumors (Abstract #4756).
CS1003-102 Trial

The CS1003-102 trial is a multi-center Phase I study evaluating the safety, tolerability, and preliminary anti-tumor activity of CS1003 in Chinese patients with advanced solid tumors and lymphomas. CS1003 is currently undergoing Phase I clinical studies in China and Australia, and received an Investigational New Drug (IND) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2018.

The results that will be released in oral presentation at the 2019 CSCO Annual Meeting include:

Preliminary safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy results from a phase I study of CS1003 in Chinese patients with advanced solid tumors or lymphoma (Abstract #4847).
About CS1001

CS1001 is an investigational monoclonal antibody directed against PD-L1 being developed by CStone. Authorized by the U.S. based Ligand Corporation, CS1001 is developed by the OMT transgenic animal platform, which can generate fully human antibodies in one step. As a fully human, full-length anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, CS1001 mirrors natural G-type immune globulin 4 (IgG4) human antibody, which can reduce the risk of immunogenicity and potential toxicities in patients, potentially representing a unique advantage over similar drugs.

CS1001 has completed a Phase I dose-escalation study in China, in which CS1001 showed good tolerability and produced sustained clinical benefits during the Phase Ia stage of the study.

CS1001 is being investigated in a number of ongoing clinical trials, including one Phase I bridging study in the U.S. In China, its clinical program includes one multi-arm Phase Ib study, two pivotal Phase II studies, and three Phase III studies for several tumor types.

About CS1002 and the CTLA-4 pathway

CS1002 is an investigational anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody being developed by CStone.

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), also known as CD152, is a transmembrane protein encoded by the CTLA-4 gene that can down-regulate the activity of T cells when binding with its ligand, B7, a pathway also used by tumor cells to avoid T lymphocyte attack. Consequently, blockade of the CTLA-4 pathway can stimulate T cell activation and proliferation to induce or enhance anti-tumor immune responses. CTLA-4 provides a new immuno-therapeutic approach to a number of diseases, including tumors.

Presently, Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Yervoy (ipilimumab) is the only anti-CTLA-4 antibody to gain a market approval worldwide, although Yervoy has not yet been approved in China. Pre-clinical tests have shown that CS1002 has a relatively strong affinity to CTLA-4 and is expected to match Yervoy in terms of efficacy.

About CS1003 and the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway

CS1003 is a humanized anti-PD-1 IgG4 monoclonal antibody developed by CStone using an internationally leading hybridoma platform. CS1003 has shown good tolerability and efficacy profile in preclinical in vivo studies. Unlike other anti-PD-1 mAbs, CS1003 recognizes both human and murine PD-1, providing a unique competitive advantage during efficacy testing in syngeneic mouse tumor models particularly for development of effective combination therapies.

PD-1, or programmed death-1, is an inhibitory checkpoint receptor expressed on T cells. Under normal circumstances, it binds with its ligands, programmed death ligand-1 or ligand 2 (PD-L1/PD-L2), inhibiting T cell and cytokine activation, serving to dampen the immune response in order to prevent damage to healthy tissues. However, studies have shown that PD-L1 can be abundantly expressed on the surface of many solid tumors as well as hematological malignancies. Cancer cells can therefore make use of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway to successfully avoid immune system recognition. Targeting of the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint by anti-tumor drugs can block the "tumor immune evasion mechanism" and restore anti-cancer immune ability in patients.

Genmab Announces Approval of DARZALEX® (daratumumab) in Frontline Multiple Myeloma in Japan

On August 22, 2019 Genmab A/S (Nasdaq: GMAB) reported that the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) in Japan has approved the use of DARZALEX (daratumumab) in combination with bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) (Press release, Genmab, AUG 22, 2019, View Source [SID1234538928]). DARZALEX is being developed under an August 2012 agreement in which Genmab granted Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Janssen) an exclusive worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize the product. Genmab will receive a USD 7 million milestone payment from Janssen in connection with the approval and first commercial sale of DARZALEX under the newly expanded label. The approval and related milestone do not impact the financial guidance issued by Genmab on August 14, 2019.

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"Multiple myeloma remains one of the most common forms of blood cancer in Japan and as such, we are encouraged that patients in Japan newly diagnosed with this disease now have the option to receive a DARZALEX containing regimen," said Jan van de Winkel, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.

The approval is based on data from the Phase III ALCYONE study that showed a reduction of the risk of disease progression or death by 50 percent in newly diagnosed ASCT ineligible multiple myeloma patients when daratumumab is combined with bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone. This data was presented as a Late-Breaking Abstract at the 2017 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and published in The New England Journal of Medicine in December 2017.

About the ALCYONE study
This Phase III study (NCT02195479) is a randomized, open-label, multicenter study that included 706 newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma who are ineligible for ASCT. Patients were randomized to receive 9 cycles of either VMP [bortezomib (a proteasome inhibitor), melphalan (an alkylating chemotherapeutic agent) and prednisone (a corticosteroid)] combined with daratumumab, or VMP alone. In the daratumumab treatment arm, patients received 16 mg/kg of daratumumab once weekly for six weeks (cycle 1; 1 cycle = 42 days), once every three weeks from cycles 2 to 9, once every four weeks from cycle 9 until disease progression. The primary endpoint of the study is progression free survival (PFS).

About multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow and is characterized by an excess proliferation of plasma cells.1 Approximately 6,313 new patients were expected to be diagnosed with multiple myeloma and approximately 4,338 people were expected to die from the disease in Japan in 2018.2 Globally, it was estimated that 160,000 people were diagnosed and 106,000 died from the disease in 2018.3 While some patients with multiple myeloma have no symptoms at all, most patients are diagnosed due to symptoms which can include bone problems, low blood counts, calcium elevation, kidney problems or infections.4

About DARZALEX(daratumumab)
DARZALEX (daratumumab) intravenous infusion is indicated for the treatment of adult patients in the United States: in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant; in combination with bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant; in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, or bortezomib and dexamethasone, for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy; in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies, including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor (PI); and as a monotherapy for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least three prior lines of therapy, including a PI and an immunomodulatory agent, or who are double-refractory to a PI and an immunomodulatory agent.5 DARZALEX is the first monoclonal antibody (mAb) to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) approval to treat multiple myeloma. DARZALEX is indicated in Europe in combination with bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant; for use in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, or bortezomib and dexamethasone, for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy; and as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, whose prior therapy included a PI and an immunomodulatory agent and who have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy. The option to split the first infusion of DARZALEX over two consecutive days has been approved in both Europe and the U.S. In Japan, DARZALEX is approved in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, or bortezomib and dexamethasone, for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and in combination with bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant. DARZALEX is the first human CD38 monoclonal antibody to reach the market in the United Stated, Europe and Japan. For more information, visit www.DARZALEX.com.

Daratumumab is a human IgG1k monoclonal antibody (mAb) that binds with high affinity to the CD38 molecule, which is highly expressed on the surface of multiple myeloma cells. Daratumumab triggers a person’s own immune system to attack the cancer cells, resulting in rapid tumor cell death through multiple immune-mediated mechanisms of action and through immunomodulatory effects, in addition to direct tumor cell death, via apoptosis (programmed cell death).5,6,7,8,9

Daratumumab is being developed by Janssen Biotech, Inc. under an exclusive worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize daratumumab from Genmab. A comprehensive clinical development program for daratumumab is ongoing, including multiple Phase III studies in smoldering, relapsed and refractory and frontline multiple myeloma settings. Additional studies are ongoing or planned to assess the potential of daratumumab in other malignant and pre-malignant diseases in which CD38 is expressed, such as amyloidosis, NKT-cell lymphoma and B-cell and T-cell ALL. Daratumumab has received two Breakthrough Therapy Designations from the U.S. FDA for certain indications of multiple myeloma, including as a monotherapy for heavily pretreated multiple myeloma and in combination with certain other therapies for second-line treatment of multiple myeloma.

Universal Health Services, Inc. To Present At September Healthcare Conferences

On August 22, 2019 Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE: UHS) reported that Steve Filton, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer will present at the following conferences (Press release, Universal Health Services, AUG 22, 2019, View Source [SID1234538946]):

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Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 10:50 a.m. (ET) at the Baird’s 2019 Global Healthcare Conference in New York, New York.

Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 9:45 a.m. (ET) at the 2019 Wells Fargo Healthcare Conference in Boston, Massachusetts.

Live audio webcasts of the presentations will be available on the Company’s website (www.uhsinc.com). For those unable to listen to the live webcast, replays of the presentations will be available on the Company’s website for 90 days following the conferences.

Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has more than 87,000 employees and through its subsidiaries operates 350 inpatient acute care hospitals and behavioral health facilities and 37 outpatient and other facilities located in 37 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. It acts as the advisor to Universal Health Realty Income Trust, a real estate investment trust (NYSE:UHT). For additional information on the Company, visit our web site: View Source