Precision BioSciences Announces Dosing of First Patient in Off-The-Shelf CAR T Cell Therapy Phase 1/2a Clinical Trial

On April 17, 2019 Precision BioSciences (Nasdaq: DTIL) ("Precision"), a genome editing company dedicated to improving life (DTIL) through its proprietary ARCUS genome editing platform, reported it has dosed the first patient in the Phase 1/2a clinical trial of PBCAR0191, its first gene-edited allogeneic anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell product candidate (Press release, Precision Biosciences, APR 17, 2019, View Source [SID1234535181]). Precision is developing PBCAR0191 in collaboration with Servier, an international pharmaceutical company. PBCAR0191 is made from donor-derived T cells that are modified using Precision’s ARCUS genome editing technology. These edits are designed to generate CAR T cells that specifically recognize CD19, an important target in several B-cell cancers, and to prevent graft-versus-host disease, a significant complication associated with existing donor-derived cell-based therapies. This CAR T cell product candidate is being evaluated in adult patients with relapsed or refractory ("R/R") non-Hodgkin lymphoma ("NHL") or R/R B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) as an off-the-shelf cell therapy. The first patient dosed in this trial is being treated for R/R NHL, and Precision believes this is the first U.S.-based clinical trial to evaluate an allogeneic CAR T therapy for NHL.

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This multi-center, open label study of PBCAR0191 is expected to enroll up to 80 patients and several dose levels of PBCAR0191 will be investigated. Clinical sites include City of Hope, Moffit Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and MD Anderson Cancer Center. The primary objective of the trial is to evaluate the safety of PBCAR0191 and determine the maximum tolerated dose. Secondary objectives include evaluating the anti-tumor activity of PBCAR0191. Precision will also evaluate the expansion, trafficking and persistence of PBCAR0191 in treated patients. Lymphodepletion will be conducted several days prior to PBCAR0191 infusion. Patient outcomes will be collected for up to one year.

Celyad to Present Update on allogeneic and autologous NKG2D-based CAR-T Candidates in Refractory mCRC at ESMO 21st World GI Congress

On April 17, 2019 Celyad (Euronext Brussels and Paris, and Nasdaq: CYAD), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of CAR-T cell-based therapies, reported that clinical data from the SHRINK and alloSHRINK Phase 1 trials, evaluating the safety of NKG2D-based autologous and allogeneic CAR-T candidates, CYAD-01 and CYAD-101, respectively, will be presented at the upcoming European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 21st World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer (WCGIC) to be held on July 3-6, 2019, in Barcelona, Spain (Press release, Celyad, APR 17, 2019, View Source [SID1234535199]).

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"We are delighted for the opportunity to present updated data at the upcoming WCGIC from both our autologous and allogeneic NKG2D-based clinical candidates for the treatment of refractory metastatic colorectal cancer" noted Frédéric Lehmann, Head of Global Clinical Development and Medical Affairs at Celyad. "We continue to build upon our clinical experience in the treatment of solid tumors with these novel immunotherapies and the oral presentation at WCGIC represents a special milestone to highlight preliminary data from the industry’s first trial investigating an ‘off-the-shelf ‘ CAR-T candidate for the treatment of solid tumors. In addition, the comparable trial designs between SHRINK and alloSHRINK as well as the similar CAR constructs provide insight into autologous and allogeneic approaches in an advanced solid tumor indication."

Presentation Details:

Abstract #631: Phase 1 studies assessing the safety and clinical activity of autologous and allogeneic NKG2D-based CAR-T therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer

Session: Short Oral Presentation

Background on CYAD-01 and CYAD-101

CYAD-01 is an investigational CAR-T therapy in which a patient’s T cells are engineered to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) based on NKG2D, a receptor expressed on natural killer (NK) cells that binds to eight stress-induced ligands expressed on tumor cells. CYAD-101 is an investigational, non-gene edited, allogeneic (donor derived) CAR-T therapy that co-expresses the NKG2D CAR of CYAD-01 and the novel inhibitory peptide TIM (T cell receptor [TCR] Inhibiting Molecule). The expression of TIM reduces signalling of the TCR complex which is responsible for Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD).

Background on SHRINK and alloSHRINK Trials

SHRINK is an open-label, dose-escalation Phase 1 trial assessing the safety and activity of CYAD-01 administered concurrently with FOLFOX (combination of 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin) chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Patients will receive six cycles of FOLFOX chemotherapy every two weeks and three administrations of CYAD-01 every two weeks.

alloSHRINK is an open-label, dose-escalation Phase 1 trial assessing the safety and clinical activity of CYAD-101 administered concurrently with FOLFOX chemotherapy in patients with refractory mCRC. Similar to the SHRINK trial for CYAD-01, patients will receive six cycles of FOLFOX chemotherapy every two weeks and three administrations of CYAD-101 every two weeks.

Smith & Nephew Completes Acquisition of Osiris Therapeutics, Inc

On April 17, 2019 Smith & Nephew plc (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN), the global medical technology business, reported completion of the acquisition of Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. for $19.00 per share in cash, representing a total equity value of approximately $660 million. Osiris is a fast growing company delivering regenerative medicine products including skin, bone graft and articular cartilage substitutes.

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The acquisition is expected to accelerate growth from Smith & Nephew’s Advanced Wound Management franchise.

Osiris delivered revenue of $142.8 million for the year ended 31 December 2018, a 20.5% increase over the prior year.

(Press release, Osiris Therapeutics, APR 17, 2019, View Source [SID1234670337])

Diplomat to Release First-Quarter 2019 Operating Results May 7, Participate in Bank of America Merrill Lynch Healthcare Conference May 14

On April 17, 2019 Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc. (NYSE: DPLO), reported that it will release its first-quarter 2019 operating results before market open Tuesday, May 7. A conference call and live webcast will be held at 8:30 a.m. ET (Press release, Diplomat Speciality Pharmacy, APR 17, 2019, View Source [SID1234535182]).

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Shareholders and interested participants can listen to a live broadcast by calling 833.286.5805 (647.689.4450 for international callers) and entering participation code 7747209, starting about 15 minutes before the call. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the investor relations section of Diplomat’s website at ir.diplomat.is. The site will host an audio recording and supplemental investor information for 90 days.

Diplomat executives Brian Griffin, chairman and CEO, and Dan Davison, chief financial officer, will also participate in the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Healthcare Conference in Las Vegas on May 14.

Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Announces Proposed Public Offering of Common Stock and Warrants

On April 17, 2019 Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: ATNM) ("Actinium") reported that it intends to offer and sell, subject to market and other conditions, shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase additional shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering (Press release, Actinium Pharmaceuticals, APR 17, 2019, View Source [SID1234535200]). There can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering. Actinium intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the common stock and warrants to fund its ongoing pivotal, Phase 3 SIERRA trial for its lead product candidate Iomab-B and progress Phase 1 trials from its refocused CD33 program to the proof of concept stage. Actinium will also use the proceeds to support its Antibody Warhead Enabling technology platform, including its Iomab-ACT program, research and development and general working capital needs.

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William Blair & Company, L.L.C. is acting as sole bookrunner for the offering.

The shares and warrants are being offered pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement (including a prospectus) on Form S-3 (File No. 333-216748) filed with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). A preliminary prospectus supplement, dated April 17, 2019 and accompanying prospectus, dated October 24, 2017, relating to the offering have been filed with the SEC. To obtain a copy of the preliminary prospectus supplement, dated April 17, 2019, and the final prospectus supplement (when available) for this offering, please contact William Blair & Company, L.L.C., Attention: Prospectus Department, 150 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606, or by calling (800) 621-0687, or emailing [email protected].

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