On February 5, 2019 Bolt Biotherapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on unleashing the power of the immune system to achieve anti-tumor immunity in patients, reported the completion of a $54M Series B financing led by Pivotal bioVenture Partners with additional participation from Nan Fung Life Sciences (Press release, Bolt Biotherapeutics, FEB 5, 2019, View Source [SID1234533829]). Existing investors Novo Holdings and Vivo Capital also participated in the financing. The funds will be used to advance the company’s lead Boltbody Immune-Stimulating Antibody Conjugate (ISAC) into the clinic as well as to build the company’s pipeline and further develop its technology platform.

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"We have made significant progress with our Boltbody ISAC platform that harnesses the ability of toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists to convert cold tumors into immunologically hot tumors following systemic administration. We are well positioned to bring this novel technology into clinical development and look forward to sharing more about our lead program, pipeline and platform in the months ahead," stated Peter Moldt, Ph.D., of Novo Ventures and executive chairman of the board of Bolt Biotherapeutics. "We are pleased that this group of world-class biotech investors has chosen to join us on this important mission of developing a unique class of cancer immunotherapies."

"The rapid development of Bolt’s promising targeted therapeutic platform has been very impressive," noted Ash Khanna, Ph.D., venture partner at Pivotal bioVenture Partners. "Bolt’s proprietary ISAC technology is differentiated from other immuno-oncology approaches as evidenced by the strength of the preclinical safety and efficacy data, including durable systemic anti-tumor immunity and I look forward to working with the experienced team and investors to advance the company’s programs into the clinic."

On February 5, 2019 Exicure, Inc. (OTCQB: XCUR), the pioneer in gene regulatory and immunotherapeutic drugs utilizing spherical nucleic acid (SNA) constructs, reported four of the clinical trial sites for the Company’s Phase 1b/2 trial of AST-008 (Press release, Exicure, FEB 5, 2019, View Source [SID1234533074]).

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"Exicure is thrilled to announce the four initial sites for the Phase 1b/2 clinical trial to evaluate our immune system activating spherical nucleic acid in combination with Keytruda for the treatment of solid tumors," said Dr. David Giljohann, Chief Executive Officer of Exicure. "We are encouraged by the results of our Phase 1 clinical trial, which demonstrated that our drug is well-tolerated and activates key immune cells and signals. Eligible patients will be able to enroll in trial sites in the US."

The open-label Phase 1b/2 trial will begin with a dose finding Phase 1b stage in combination with the anti-PD-1 therapy pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA), followed by a Phase 2 expansion stage. In the Phase 1b, Exicure will enroll patients with superficial injectable tumors and will prioritize those with Merkel cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Preliminary data from the Phase 1b stage of the trial are expected in late 2019.

The clinical trial sites are as follows:

Dana Farber Cancer Institute (Boston, Massachusetts)
Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa)
John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence St. John’s Health Center (Santa Monica, California)
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami (Miami, Florida)
AST-008 is a toll-like receptor nine (TLR9) activator being developed by Exicure. More information on the Phase 1b/2 trial of AST-008 can be found at clinicaltrials.gov, under identifier number NCT03684785.

KEYTRUDA (Pembrolizumab; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.) is an anti-PD-1 therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.

On February 5, 2019 The Mundipharma network of independent associated companies reported the launch of Pelmeg (pegfilgrastim), a biosimilar of Neulasta following European Commission (EC) approval in November 2018 (Press release, Mundipharma, FEB 5, 2019, View Source [SID1234533075]).2 Pelmeg is the fourth biosimilar medicine to be commercialised by Mundipharma, expanding its portfolio and commercial footprint across Europe. It was developed by Cinfa Biotech which was acquired by Mundipharma and announced in October 2018.

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Now available in Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland, Pelmeg is indicated for the reduction of the duration of neutropenia and the incidence of febrile neutropenia in adult patients treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignancy (with the exception of chronic myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes).1

"We are delighted that Pelmeg is now available in these countries. The launch of the treatment builds on our proven commercial excellence in biosimilars over the past four years. Pelmeg has the potential to play an important role in improving the lives of patients affected by chemotherapy induced neutropenia and febrile neutropenia," said Philippe Bastide, Head of Biosimilars, Europe. "Through our partnership with Celltrion, we estimate Remsima and Truxima have already saved European healthcare systems approximately €330m.3* If all patients currently being treated with the reference product are offered access to Pelmeg, further significant savings can be realised for the healthcare community."

The acquisition of Cinfa Biotech provides Mundipharma with global reach and expanded development capabilities. Mundipharma will continue to leverage partnerships to develop its expanding portfolio of Biosimilars, reinforcing its leadership in Europe and extending its geographical footprint.

*Figures relate to data from 2015-2017

Notes to editors

About the clinical data

A comprehensive analytical, biofunctional, preclinical and clinical comparability programme has demonstrated a high degree of similarity between Pelmeg and Neulasta.4 Its biosimilarity has been studied in healthy volunteers who have no comorbidities, require no co-medication and are immunocompetent.5,6,7

The data:

Confirmed biosimilarity to Neulasta in sensitive clinical study settings
Demonstrated pharmacokinetic comparability to Neulasta at the clinical dose of 6 mg
Demonstrated pharmacodynamic comparability to Neulasta at the clinical dose of 6 mg and at the reduced dose of 3 mg
Did not show any clinically meaningful differences in the safety and immunogenicity profile compared to Neulasta
About Pelmeg

It is a pegfilgrastim biosimilar.1 Pegfilgrastim is a pegylated version of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) that works by stimulating the bone marrow to produce more neutrophils, thereby reducing the duration of neutropenia and the incidence of febrile neutropenia. It is administered as a subcutaneous injection once per chemotherapy cycle, at least 24 hours after cytotoxic chemotherapy.1

The approval of Pelmeg was based on a robust regulatory submission of rigorous analytical, biofunctional, preclinical and clinical studies to demonstrate biosimilarity in terms of its quality, safety and efficacy profile compared with the reference pegfilgrastim.4 As such, it is indicated in the exact same way as subcutaneous (pre-filled syringe) Neulasta.

Most standard-dose chemotherapy regimens are associated with 6–8 days of neutropenia, and febrile neutropenia is observed in approximately 8 cases per 1000 patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. People with febrile neutropenia caused by chemotherapy treatment for cancer are at increased risk of severe infection and death.8

About neutropenia and febrile neutropenia

People taking chemotherapy for cancer are at risk of dangerously low levels of a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. Neutrophils play an important role in the immune system guarding against infection. Febrile neutropenia is a low level of neutrophils in the blood accompanied by a fever.9

On February 5, 2019 Sensei Biotherapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing precision immuno-oncology therapies, reported that John Celebi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sensei Biotherapeutics, will present a company overview at the BIO CEO & Investor Conference on Monday, February 11, 2019, at 3:45 p.m. ET in New York, NY (Press release, Sensei Biotherapeutics, FEB 5, 2019, View Source [SID1234533076]).

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On February 5, 2019 BerGenBio ASA (OSE:BGBIO), reported that it will announce its results for the fourth quarter and full year 2018 on Tuesday, 12 February 2019 (Press release, BerGenBio, FEB 5, 2019, View Source [SID1234533060]). A presentation by BerGenBio’s senior management team will take place at 10:00 am CET at:

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Hotel Continental
Stortingsgaten 24/26
0117 Oslo

The presentation will webcast live and the link will be available at www.bergenbio.com in the section Investors/Financial Reports. A recording will be available shortly after the webcast has finished.

The results report and presentation will be available at www.bergenbio.com in the section: Investors/Financial Reports from 7:00 am CET the same day.