EpimAb Biotherapeutics Announces IND Filing for EMB01 in China and the US

On September 14, 2018 EpimAb Biotherapeutics, an emerging Shanghai-based biopharmaceutical company specializing in bispecific antibodies, reported that it has filed an IND for its most advanced therapeutic development candidate EMB01 (Press release, EpimAb Biotherapeutics, SEP 14, 2018, View Source [SID1234529512]). The applications were simultaneously submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China to investigate the treatment of solid tumors with EpimAb’s novel bispecific antibody.

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"Advancing our first compound into the clinic just three years after founding the company is a significant and transformational milestone for EpimAb," commented Chengbin Wu, PhD, CEO and founder of EpimAb Biotherapeutics. "This achievement proves that our FIT-Ig technology delivers bispecific antibodies with drug-like properties and manufacturing efficiency that can rapidly be advanced into clinical trials. We are now eager to learn how these novel drug candidates can impact patients’ lives."

EMB01 is a bispecific antibody based on EpimAb’s proprietary FIT-Ig (Fabs-In-Tandem Immunoglobulin) technology to generate bispecific molecules with superior properties. EMB01 simultaneously targets two receptors, which are widely expressed on cancer cells, EGFR and cMET, with a unique and synergistic mechanism and has shown significant and long-lasting activity in multiple preclinical solid tumor models. EpimAb initiated formal preclinical development in May 2017 and since then successfully completed all requirements for IND filing.

While EMB01 is progressing towards the clinic, EpimAb is advancing several biologics creating a proprietary pipeline based on its FIT-Ig platform. These earlier-stage assets are focused on immuno-oncology approaches in areas of high medical need in cancer.

US FDA approves Lumoxiti (moxetumomab pasudotox-tdfk) for certain patients with relapsed or refractory hairy cell leukaemia

On September 14, 2018 AstraZeneca and MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lumoxiti (moxetumomab pasudotox-tdfk) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) who have received at least two prior systemic therapies, including treatment with a purine nucleoside analog (Press release, AstraZeneca, SEPT 14, 2018, View Source [SID1234529431]). Lumoxiti is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl ≤ 29 mL/min).2 The Phase III trial results demonstrated 75% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 64, 84) of patients receiving Lumoxiti achieved an overall response; 30% (95% CI: 20, 41) had a durable complete response.2,3

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Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice-President, Global Head Oncology Business Unit, said: "Today’s FDA approval of Lumoxiti represents a significant milestone for people living with hairy cell leukaemia, a rare blood cancer that can result in serious and life-threatening conditions. For patients, this approval provides the first FDA-approved medicine for this condition in more than 20 years."

Robert J. Kreitman, MD, Senior Investigator, Head of Clinical Immunotherapy Section, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, and Principal Investigator of the Phase III clinical trial, said: "While many patients with hairy cell leukaemia experience a remission with current treatments, 30% to 40% will relapse five to ten years after their first treatment.4 With subsequent treatments, durations of response diminish and toxicities accumulate, and few approved treatment options exist.5,6 Moxetumomab pasudotox represents a promising non-chemotherapeutic agent for HCL, addressing an unmet medical need for physicians and their patients."

Lumoxiti was approved under FDA Priority Review.7 The approval is based on data from the Phase III single-arm, open-label ‘1053’ trial of Lumoxiti monotherapy in 80 patients who have received at least two prior therapies, including a purine nucleoside analog.3 The primary endpoint of the trial was durable complete response.3 Summary of key results from the trial, as determined by a blinded independent central review:2

Efficacy measure

Result %, (95% CI)

Durable complete response ratea,b

30% (20, 41)

Overall response ratec

75% (64, 84)

Complete response rated

41% (30, 53)

Partial response ratee

34% (24, 45)

Haematologic remission rateb

80%

a Durable complete response is defined as patients who achieved complete response with haematologic remission for a duration of more than 180 days

b Haematologic remission is defined as haemoglobin > 11g/dL, neutrophils > 1500/mm3, platelets > 100,000/mm3 without transfusions or growth factor for at least 4 weeks

c Overall response rate is defined as best overall response of complete response or partial response

d Complete response is defined as clearing of the bone marrow of hairy cells by routine haematoxylin and eosin stain, radiologic resolution of pre-existing lymphadenopathy and/or organomegaly, and haematologic remission

e Partial response is defined as ≥ 50% decrease or normalisation (< 500/mm3) in peripheral blood lymphocyte count, reduction of pre-existing lymphadenopathy and/or organomegaly, and haematologic remission

The median time to haematologic remission was 1.1 months (range: 0.2 to 13).2 At data cut-off, the median duration of complete response was not yet reached after a median 16.7 months of follow-up.2

Capillary leak syndrome (CLS) and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), including life-threatening cases of each, have been reported among patients treated with Lumoxiti. In the combined safety database of 129 HCL patients treated with Lumoxiti, Grade 3 or 4 CLS occurred in 1.6% and 2% of patients, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 HUS occurred in 3% and 0.8% of patients, respectively.2

In the ‘1053’ trial of 80 patients, the most common Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions (reported in at least ≥ 5% of patients) were hypertension, febrile neutropenia, and HUS. HUS was the most common adverse reaction leading to discontinuation (5%). The most common adverse reactions (≥ 20%) of any grade were infusion related reactions (50%), oedema (39%), nausea (35%), fatigue (34%), headache (33%), pyrexia (31%), constipation (23%), anaemia (21%), and diarrhoea (21%). The most common laboratory abnormalities (≥ 20%) of any grade were creatinine increased, ALT increased, hypoalbuminaemia, AST increased, hypocalcaemia, hypophosphataemia, haemoglobin decreased, neutrophil count decreased, hyponatreamia, blood bilirubin increased, hypokalaemia, GGT increased, hypomagnesaemia, platelet count decreased, hyperuricaemia, and alkaline phosphate increased.2

The recommended dose of Lumoxiti is 0.04 mg/kg administered as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes on days 1, 3, and 5 of each 28-day cycle up to 6 cycles, disease progression, or unacceptable toxicity.2

Notes to Editors
About hairy cell leukaemia

Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) is a rare, chronic, and slow-growing leukaemia in which the bone marrow overproduces abnormal B cell lymphocytes.8,9 HCL can result in serious and life-threatening conditions, including infections, bleeding and anaemia.10 Approximately 1,000 people are diagnosed with HCL in the US each year.11 While many patients initially respond to treatment, 30% to 40% will relapse five to ten years after their first treatment.4 With no established standard of care and very few treatments available, there remains significant unmet medical need for people with relapsed or refractory HCL.4,8

About Lumoxiti

Lumoxiti (moxetumomab pasudotox, formerly CAT8015 or HA22) is a CD22-directed cytotoxin and a first-in-class treatment in the US for adult patients with relapsed or refractory hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) who have received at least two prior systemic therapies, including treatment with a purine nucleoside analog. Lumoxiti is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl ≤ 29 mL/min).2 It comprises the CD22 binding portion of an antibody fused to a truncated bacterial toxin; the toxin inhibits protein synthesis and ultimately triggers apoptotic cell death.2 Lumoxiti has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA for the treatment of HCL.

About the ‘1053’ Phase III trial

The ‘1053’ trial is a single-arm, multicentre Phase III clinical trial assessing the efficacy, safety, immunogenicity and pharmacokinetics of moxetumomab pasudotox monotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory HCL who have received at least two prior therapies, including one purine nucleoside analog. The trial was conducted in 80 patients across 34 sites in 14 countries. The primary endpoint was durable complete response (CR), defined as CR with haematologic remission (blood count normalisation) for >180 days. Secondary outcome measures included overall response rate, relapse free survival, progression-free survival, time to response, safety, pharmacokinetic and immunogenic potential.7

Early discovery of moxetumomab pasudotox was led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The collaboration between NCI and MedImmune, AstraZeneca’s global biologics research and development arm, is an example of how scientific partnerships can lead to important advances for cancer patients.

INSYS Therapeutics to Present at Janney Healthcare Conference

On September 14, 2018 INSYS Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: INSY), a leader in the development, manufacture and commercialization of pharmaceutical cannabinoids and spray technology, reported that Saeed Motahari, president and chief executive officer, will present at the upcoming Janney Montgomery Scott 2018 Healthcare Conference as follows (Press release, Insys Therapeutics, SEPT 14, 2018, View Source [SID1234529432]):

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Date: Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018
Time: 9:05 a.m. Eastern Time
Location: New York, N.Y.
The presentation will be webcast live at the aforementioned time, and archived for 90 days thereafter, via the Investors section of company’s website at View Source, under Presentations & Events. Accessible at the same webpage, the presentation slides will be available during and after the conference.

Phase 2b STORM Data Evaluating Selinexor in Patients with Penta-Refractory Multiple Myeloma Presented at the Society of Hematologic Oncology 2018 Annual Meeting

On September 13, 2018 Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:KPTI), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, reported that updated clinical data from the Phase 2b STORM (Selinexor Treatment of Refractory Myeloma) study evaluating selinexor, the Company’s lead, oral Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) compound, in heavily pretreated patients with penta-refractory multiple myeloma, were presented during an oral session at the Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO) 2018 Annual Meeting on September 13, 2018, in Houston (Press release, Karyopharm, SEPT 13, 2018, View Source [SID1234529418]). Sundar Jagannath, MD, Director of the Multiple Myeloma Program, Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology) at Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and principal investigator of the STORM study, presented the data in a session entitled, "Phase 2b Results of the STORM Study: Oral Selinexor plus Low Dose Dexamethasone (Sd) in Patients with Penta-Refractory Myeloma."

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"The additional Phase 2b clinical results presented today are very encouraging for the patients suffering from penta-refractory multiple myeloma and their families. Most notably, the overall response rate (ORR) for patients treated with oral selinexor and dexamethasone (dex; Sd) was 26.2% with median duration of response (DOR) of 4.4 months based on the Independent Review Committee (IRC) assessment, along with a median overall survival (OS) across the entire study of 8.6 months," said Dr. Jagannath. "Of particular significance, for the nearly 40% of patients who had a minimal response (MR) or better, the median survival was 15.6 months, which provided the opportunity for a meaningful clinical benefit for patients on the STORM study with advanced penta-refractory myeloma that is difficult to treat."

Dan Vogl, MD, MSCE, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, commented, "The results from the Phase 2b STORM study showed that selinexor resulted in a meaningful clinical benefit in this heavily pretreated patient population. This includes patients treated with the most modern combination therapies and most exciting experimental therapies. For example, the overall response rate was 29.1% in patients who had previously been treated with daratumumab combination regimens, and the two patients on the STORM study who had previously received investigational CAR-T cell therapy both achieved partial responses on selinexor and dexamethasone. These results provide further evidence that selective inhibition of nuclear export could be an effective strategy for myeloma therapy and of selinexor’s potential to be a new option for patients with penta-refractory multiple myeloma."

"Patients with highly resistant myeloma have very few treatment options available, which underscores the urgent need for the advancement of therapies with novel mechanisms, like selinexor," said Sharon Shacham, PhD, Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Karyopharm. "The 26.2% ORR from the STORM study is particularly meaningful considering that 96% of the patients had myeloma refractory to Kyprolis, Pomalyst and Darzalex, and nearly 70% of patients had disease that was confirmed to be refractory to all five of the standard of care myeloma drugs, Revlimid, Velcade, Pomalyst, Kyprolis, and Darzalex. These results reinforce the potential of selinexor in this difficult to treat patient population. Following our recent submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for selinexor with low dose dexamethasone, we are making great strides in building our key commercial capabilities as we prepare for a potential initial market launch, which could be as early as the first half of 2019. We also remain on track to submit a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the first quarter of 2019 for conditional approval in the same disease indication."

Karyopharm has submitted an NDA to the FDA, with a request for accelerated approval for oral selinexor with low dose dexamethasone as a new treatment for patients with penta-refractory multiple myeloma. Selinexor has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in multiple myeloma and Fast Track designation for the patient population evaluated in the STORM study. The Company also plans to submit a MAA to the EMA in the first quarter of 2019 with a request for conditional approval. In parallel, Karyopharm is conducting the pivotal, randomized Phase 3 BOSTON study evaluating selinexor in combination with the proteasome inhibitor Velcade and dex (SVd) for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have had one to three prior lines of therapy. The Company expects to complete enrollment in the BOSTON study by the end of 2018, with top-line data anticipated in 2019. Assuming a positive outcome, Karyopharm plans to use the results from the BOSTON study to support an application for full approval of selinexor in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Development of selinexor in other disease indications, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, liposarcoma, endometrial cancer and other malignancies remains on track.

Phase 2b STORM Results

These clinical results are from Part 2 of the international, multi-center, single-arm Phase 2b STORM (Selinexor Treatment of Refractory Myeloma) study, which enrolled 122 heavily pretreated patients (median of seven prior treatment regiments) with penta-refractory myeloma. Each patient started 80mg oral selinexor twice weekly in combination with low-dose dexamethasone (dex; 20mg twice weekly). Patients with penta-refractory myeloma have previously received the two proteasome inhibitors (PIs), Velcade (bortezomib) and Kyprolis (carfilzomib), the two immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), Revlimid (lenalidomide) and Pomalyst (pomalidomide), and the anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody Darzalex (daratumumab), as well as alkylating agents, and their disease is refractory to glucocorticoids, at least one PI, at least one IMiD, Darzalex and their most recent therapy.

For the STORM study’s primary objective, oral selinexor achieved a 26.2% ORR, which included two stringent complete responses (sCRs), six very good partial responses (VGPRs) and 24 partial responses (PRs) in these patients with penta-refractory myeloma. The two sCRs were negative for minimal residual disease, one at the level of 1×10-6 and one at 1×10-4; this is particularly significant in this penta-refractory population. The ORR in patients who had previously received Darzalex combination therapy (n=86) was 29.1%. The Disease Control Rate for patients who had achieved stable disease or better was 78.6%. All responses were confirmed by an IRC. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.7 months and the median DOR was 4.4 months (range <1 to 9.9 months). Median OS across the study was 8.6 months. Median OS in the ~40% of patients with at least a MR on selinexor + dex was 15.6 months compared to a median OS of 1.7 months in patients whose disease progressed or were not evaluable (p<0.0001). The short median OS of patients with no response to selinexor is consistent with the lack of available effective therapies for the very heavily pretreated population who entered the study.

Across the relevant patient population, side effects of oral selinexor were generally predictable and often managed with dose adjustments and/or supportive care, with safety results that were consistent with those previously reported from Part 1 of this study (Vogl et al., J Clin Oncol, 2018) and from other selinexor studies. As anticipated, the most common non-hematologic treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were largely Grade 1/2 and included fatigue (70%), nausea (69%), anorexia (52%) and weight loss (47%). The most common Grade 3/4 AEs were cytopenias (thrombocytopenia (54%) and anemia (29%)) and were generally not associated with clinical sequelae. No significant major organ toxicities were observed, and bleeding and infection rates were low.

Conference Call Information

Karyopharm will host a conference call tomorrow, Friday, September 14, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time, to discuss the Phase 2b STORM clinical data presented at the SOHO 2018 Annual Meeting. The call will feature recognized myeloma experts Drs. Sundar Jagannath and Dan Vogl, along with members of the Karyopharm executive leadership team. To access the conference call, please dial (855) 437-4406 or (484) 756-4292 (international) at least five minutes prior to the start time and refer to conference ID: 8474737. The call will also be webcast live on the Company’s website, View Source An audio recording of the call will be available under "Events & Presentations" in the "Investors" section of Karyopharm’s website approximately two hours after the event.

Helix BioPharma Corp. Initiates Enrollment of the Second Last Cohort in U.S. Combination Treatment Study of Its Lung Cancer Drug Candidate L-DOS47

On September 13, 2018 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 that the Safety Review Committee ("SRC") reviewed safety data from the fifth dosing cohort of the Company’s LDOS001 study and recommended that Helix begin enrollment of patients into the sixth dosing cohort (Press release, Helix BioPharma, SEP 13, 2018, View Source [SID1234530408]). LDOS001 is a dose escalation study of L-DOS47 with pemetrexed and carboplatin in recurrent or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Patients enrolled in the sixth dosing cohort will receive the next L-DOS47 dose level which is 9.0 micrograms of L-DOS47 per kilogram of patient body weight. Cohort 6 and Cohort 7 are the final two dose escalation groups in the approved protocol.

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"The Company has made good progress in advancing this trial, the FDA approved amendment helped to accelerate dose escalation and the completion of the last two cohorts will provide additional important clinical data " said Heman Chao, Helix’s Chief Executive Officer.