corporate presentation

On August 21, 2019 Anixa Biosciences, Inc presented the corporate presentation (Presentation, Anixa Biosciences, AUG 21, 2019, View Source [SID1234538929]).

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Onco360® Selected to Dispense Nubeqa® (darolutamide)

On August 21, 2019 Onco360, the nation’s largest independent Oncology Pharmacy, announced today that it was selected to be a specialty pharmacy network partner for Bayer’s new product Nubeqa (darolutamide) for the treatment of patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) (Press release, Onco360, AUG 21, 2019, View Source [SID1234538913]).

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"Onco360 is honored to be selected as a specialty pharmacy provider for Nubeqa patients," said Paul Jardina, President and CEO, Onco360. "The recent approval of Nubeqa provides another treatment option for patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). As a provider of this key treatment, Onco360 will utilize its expertise in service delivery, clinical, healthcare professional and community engagement, insurance and billing, and ongoing customer service to support the highly specialized needs of CRPC patients and their physicians."

Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed malignancy and fifth leading cause of cancer in men worldwide. In 2018, an estimated 1.2 million men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 358,000 died from the disease worldwide. Prostate cancer results from the abnormal proliferation of cells within the prostate gland, which is part of a man’s reproductive system. It mainly affects men over the age of 50, and the risk increases with age. Treatment options range from surgery to radiation treatment to therapy using hormone-receptor antagonists (i.e. substances that stop the formation of testosterone or prevent its effect at the target location.) However, in nearly all cases, the cancer eventually becomes resistant to conventional hormone therapy.

CRPC is an advanced form of the disease, where the cancer keeps progressing even when the amount of testosterone is reduced to very low levels in the body. The field of treatment options for castration-resistant patients is rapidly evolving. However, until two years ago, there have been no FDA-approved treatment options for nmCRPC patients with prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body with rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels despite a castrate testosterone level. About one-third of men with nmCRPC go on to develop metastases within two years. In men with progressive nmCRPC, a short PSA doubling time is correlated with shortened time to first metastasis and death.

Manufactured by Bayer, Nubeqa was approved by the U.S. FDA on July 30, 2019 Phase III ARAMIS trial, evaluating Nubeqa plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which demonstrated a highly significant improvement in the primary efficacy endpoint of metastasis-free survival (MFS), with a median of 40.4 months versus 18.4 months for placebo plus ADT (p<0.0001). Nubeqa was approved under the FDA’s Priority Review designation, which is reserved for medicines that may provide significant improvements in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment for serious conditions.

Constellation Pharmaceuticals to Participate in Two Investor Conferences

On August 21, 2019 Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNST), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company using its expertise in epigenetics to discover and develop novel therapeutics, reported that the Company will participate in two investor conferences on September 5. Jigar Raythatha, CEO, will meet with investors at the Citi 14th Annual Biotech Conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston (Press release, Constellation Pharmaceuticals, AUG 21, 2019, View Source [SID1234538930]). Emma Reeve, CFO, will present at the Baird Global Healthcare Conference at the InterContinental Hotel in New York at 11:25 am EDT. A live audio webcast of Ms. Reeve’s presentation and an archive for replay will be available on the Investor Relations section of Constellation’s website at View Source The audio webcast replay will be available for 90 days following the live presentation.

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U.S. FDA Grants XTANDI® (enzalutamide) Application Priority Review for the Treatment of Men with Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer

On August 21, 2019 Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., "Astellas") and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the filing of a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for XTANDI (enzalutamide) to add an indication for the treatment of men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) (Press release, Astellas, AUG 21, 2019, View Source [SID1234538914]). The application has also been granted Priority Review, a designation given to those applications for drugs that, if approved, may offer significant improvements in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of serious conditions when compared to standard applications. XTANDI is currently indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

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The submission is based on results from the Phase 3 ARCHES trial presented at the 2019 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU) in February and published in The Journal of Clinical Oncology in July 2019. The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of XTANDI plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) versus ADT plus placebo in men with mHSPC. The primary endpoint of radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) was met in the study.

Additionally, the submission is supported by data from ENZAMET, an Astellas-supported, investigator-sponsored Phase 3 research study led by the Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP) and sponsored by the University of Sydney. The ENZAMET trial evaluated XTANDI plus ADT versus ADT plus a standard nonsteroidal antiandrogen therapy (bicalutamide, nilutamide or flutamide) in men with mHSPC to provide an active control. The results were presented during the Plenary Session at the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in June and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) was met in the ENZAMET trial. The safety analyses of the ARCHES and ENZAMET trials appear consistent with the safety profile of enzalutamide in previous clinical trials in CRPC.

"We are pleased to receive the Priority Review designation, which reflects the need for more treatment options for men living with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer," said Chris Boshoff, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Development Officer, Oncology, Pfizer Global Product Development. "The submission is supported by a strong data package, including two Phase 3 trials investigating XTANDI in men living with this form of prostate cancer."

"The complementary data from the ARCHES and ENZAMET trials in men with mHSPC take us another step closer to understanding XTANDI’s full potential in helping address unmet needs in prostate cancer," said Andrew Krivoshik, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Oncology Therapeutic Area Head at Astellas. "XTANDI is a current standard of care in castration-resistant prostate cancer and we look forward to working with the FDA to potentially make XTANDI available to men earlier in their prostate cancer journey."

Data from the ARCHES and ENZAMET studies have also been submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) in Japan to potentially support an indication for XTANDI that includes men with mHSPC.

The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date, or target action date, in Q4 2019.

About Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer

In men with prostate cancer, the disease is considered metastatic once the cancer has spread outside of the prostate gland to other parts of the body, such as the bones, lymph nodes, bladder and rectum.1 Men are considered hormone (or castration) sensitive if their disease still responds to medical or surgical treatment to lower testosterone levels.2 The prevalence of mHSPC in the U.S. in 2019 is estimated to be just over 40,000.3

About XTANDI (enzalutamide) capsules

XTANDI (enzalutamide) is an androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Important Safety Information for XTANDI for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC)

Warnings and Precautions

Seizure occurred in 0.4% of patients receiving XTANDI in clinical studies. In a study of patients with predisposing factors for seizure, 2.2% of XTANDI-treated patients experienced a seizure. Patients in the study had one or more of the following pre-disposing factors: use of medications that may lower the seizure threshold; history of traumatic brain or head injury, cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack, Alzheimer’s disease, meningioma, or leptomeningeal disease from prostate cancer, unexplained loss of consciousness within the last 12 months, history of seizure, presence of a space occupying lesion of the brain, history of arteriovenous malformation, or history of brain infection. It is unknown whether anti-epileptic medications will prevent seizures with XTANDI. Advise patients of the risk of developing a seizure while taking XTANDI and of engaging in any activity where sudden loss of consciousness could cause serious harm to themselves or others. Permanently discontinue XTANDI in patients who develop a seizure during treatment.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) In post-approval use, there have been reports of PRES in patients receiving XTANDI. PRES is a neurological disorder which can present with rapidly evolving symptoms including seizure, headache, lethargy, confusion, blindness, and other visual and neurological disturbances, with or without associated hypertension. A diagnosis of PRES requires confirmation by brain imaging, preferably MRI. Discontinue XTANDI in patients who develop PRES.

Hypersensitivity reactions, including edema of the face (0.5%), tongue (0.1%), or lip (0.1%) have been observed with XTANDI in clinical trials. Pharyngeal edema has been reported in post-marketing cases. Advise patients who experience any symptoms of hypersensitivity to temporarily discontinue XTANDI and promptly seek medical care. Permanently discontinue XTANDI for serious hypersensitivity reactions.

Ischemic Heart Disease In the placebo-controlled clinical studies, ischemic heart disease occurred more commonly in patients on the XTANDI arm compared to patients on the placebo arm (2.7% vs 1.2%). Grade 3-4 ischemic events occurred in 1.2% of patients on XTANDI versus 0.5% on placebo. Ischemic events led to death in 0.4% of patients on XTANDI compared to 0.1% on placebo. Monitor for signs and symptoms of ischemic heart disease. Optimize management of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Discontinue XTANDI for Grade 3-4 ischemic heart disease.

Falls and Fractures In the placebo-controlled clinical studies, falls occurred in 10% of patients treated with XTANDI compared to 4% of patients treated with placebo. Fractures occurred in 8% of patients treated with XTANDI and in 3% of patients treated with placebo. Evaluate patients for fracture and fall risk. Monitor and manage patients at risk for fractures according to established treatment guidelines and consider use of bone-targeted agents.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Safety and efficacy of XTANDI have not been established in females. XTANDI can cause fetal harm and loss of pregnancy when administered to a pregnant female. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with XTANDI and for 3 months after the last dose of XTANDI. XTANDI should not be handled by females who are or may become pregnant.

Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%) that occurred more frequently (≥ 2% over placebo) in the XTANDI patients from the randomized placebo-controlled trials were asthenia/fatigue, decreased appetite, hot flush, arthralgia, dizziness/vertigo, hypertension, headache and weight decreased. In the bicalutamide-controlled study, the most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%) reported in XTANDI patients were asthenia/fatigue, back pain, musculoskeletal pain, hot flush, hypertension, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, and weight loss.

In the placebo-controlled study of metastatic CRPC (mCRPC) patients taking XTANDI who previously received docetaxel, Grade 3 and higher adverse reactions were reported among 47% of XTANDI patients and 53% of placebo patients. Discontinuations due to adverse events were reported for 16% of XTANDI patients and 18% of placebo patients. In the placebo-controlled study of chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC patients, Grade 3-4 adverse reactions were reported in 44% of XTANDI patients and 37% of placebo patients. Discontinuations due to adverse events were reported for 6% of both study groups. In the placebo-controlled study of non-metastatic CRPC (nmCRPC) patients, Grade 3 or higher adverse reactions were reported in 31% of XTANDI patients and 23% of placebo patients. Discontinuations with an adverse event as the primary reason were reported for 9% of XTANDI patients and 6% of placebo patients. In the bicalutamide-controlled study of chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC patients, Grade 3-4 adverse reactions were reported in 39% of XTANDI patients and 38% of bicalutamide patients. Discontinuations with an AE as the primary reason were reported for 8% of XTANDI patients and 6% of bicalutamide patients.

Lab Abnormalities: In the two placebo-controlled trials in patients with mCRPC, Grade 1-4 neutropenia occurred in 15% of XTANDI patients (1% Grade 3-4) and 6% of placebo patients (0.5% Grade 3-4). In the placebo-controlled trial in patients with nmCRPC, Grade 1-4 neutropenia occurred in 8% of patients receiving XTANDI (0.5% Grade 3-4) and in 5% of patients receiving placebo (0.2% Grade 3-4).

Hypertension: In the two placebo-controlled trials in patients with mCRPC, hypertension was reported in 11% of XTANDI patients and 4% of placebo patients. Hypertension led to study discontinuation in <1% of patients in each arm. In the placebo-controlled trial in patients with nmCRPC, hypertension was reported in 12% of patients receiving XTANDI and 5% of patients receiving placebo.

Drug Interactions

Effect of Other Drugs on XTANDI Avoid strong CYP2C8 inhibitors, as they can increase the plasma exposure to XTANDI. If co-administration is necessary, reduce the dose of XTANDI. Avoid strong CYP3A4 inducers as they can decrease the plasma exposure to XTANDI. If co-administration is necessary, increase the dose of XTANDI.

Effect of XTANDI on Other Drugs Avoid CYP3A4, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index, as XTANDI may decrease the plasma exposures of these drugs. If XTANDI is co-administered with warfarin (CYP2C9 substrate), conduct additional INR monitoring.

Please see Full Prescribing Information for additional safety information.

About the Enzalutamide Development Program

As part of Pfizer and Astellas’ ongoing commitment to the clinical development of enzalutamide, XTANDI is also being evaluated in the EMBARK trial, in men with high-risk non-metastatic HSPC. Details about EMBARK (NCT02319837) are available on www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Agenus to Manufacture Clinical Supply of GS-1423 for Gilead

On August 21, 2019 Agenus Inc. (NASDAQ: AGEN), an immuno-oncology (I-O) company with a pipeline of immune checkpoint antibodies, adoptive cell therapies1 and cancer vaccines, reported a manufacturing agreement with Gilead for the supply of GS-1423, a bi-functional molecule licensed to Gilead (Press release, Agenus, AUG 21, 2019, View Source [SID1234538899]). This supply represents a second clinical batch for an ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of GS-1423. Agenus is providing clinical supply at standard industry rates.

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"Our state-of-the-art facility in Berkeley, California and experienced staff have delivered more than 50 antibodies into the clinic2," said Al Dadson, Chief Manufacturing Officer of Agenus. "In the last 18-20 months, we have set path-breaking records with the development and manufacture of 8 compounds including two bi-specific compounds with 7 accepted INDs and one pending acceptance."

The collaboration between the two companies was announced in December 2018. Under the terms of the agreement, Agenus received $150 million in an upfront cash payment and equity investment and is eligible for approximately $1.7 billion in potential future fees and milestones.

GS-1423 is an investigational agent that has not been approved for any uses. Efficacy and safety have not been established.