On March 19, 2019 Nurix Therapeutics, Inc., a private company discovering drugs that harness the body’s natural process to control protein levels, reported an upcoming oral presentation at the 2019 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting from March 29 – April 3, 2019 at the Georgia World Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia (Press release, Nurix Therapeutics, MAR 19, 2019, View Source [SID1234534497]).

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ORAL PRESENTATION DETAILS
Presentation Title: Genetic and pharmacologic evaluation of the ubiquitin ligase CBL-B as a small-molecule, tumor immunotherapy target
Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session Title: Preclinical Drug Development
Date: Monday, April 1, 2019
Time: 3:50 p.m.-4:05 p.m. EDT
Location: Georgia World Conference Center, Room B206

On March 19, 2019 Novavax, Inc., (Nasdaq: NVAX) reported its financial results and operational highlights for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 (Press release, Novavax, MAR 19, 2019, View Source [SID1234534516]).

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"In 2018, we committed to focus on our two lead programs, ResVax and Nanoflu, and reflecting on last year’s activities, I am proud to say we have achieved significant results for both," said Stanley C. Erck, President and CEO of Novavax, Inc. "Although we were disappointed to miss the primary endpoint of our Prepare trial, ResVax is the first RSV vaccine to demonstrate efficacy for the prevention of RSV disease in a Phase 3 clinical trial. In addition, the successful Phase 2 results for our NanoFlu vaccine provide an opportunity to now confirm with the FDA the use of accelerated approval for licensure. We are now prepared to make meaningful advances on these programs during 2019."

Fourth Quarter 2018 and Subsequent Operational Highlights

ResVax Program

·In February 2019, Novavax announced top-line data from the Prepare trial, which was initiated in December 2015 to determine the efficacy of ResVax against medically significant RSV-positive lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in infants. Although the Prepare trial results did not meet the pre-specified primary efficacy endpoint, they demonstrate efficacy against a secondary objective (RSV LRTI hospitalizations). In addition, other pre-specified exploratory endpoints and post-hoc analyses highlight ResVax’ potential to improve global health against serious RSV disease.

NanoFlu Program

·In January 2019, Novavax announced positive top-line results of its Phase 2 clinical trial of NanoFlu comparing various quadrivalent formulations, with or without Novavax’ Matrix-M adjuvant, with two U.S.-licensed influenza vaccines in older adults. These results show that NanoFlu with Matrix-M generated enhanced immune responses compared to the unadjuvanted formulation, and importantly, showed superior hemagglutination inhibition antibody (HAI) responses against wild-type A(H3N2) viruses, including drifted strains, when compared to Fluzone High-Dose, the leading flu vaccine in older adults.

Key Upcoming Events

·Continue ongoing discussions with the FDA, European regulatory agencies, and potentially other national regulatory agencies, to assess opportunities for submission of marketing license applications for ResVax.
·Reach agreement with the FDA during the second quarter of 2019 on a proposed Phase 3 study design for NanoFlu utilizing accelerated approval criteria.
·Present ResVax Phase 3 trial data at the 37th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID) on May 7, 2019.

Financial Results for the Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018

Novavax reported a net loss of $49.3 million, or $0.13 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to a net loss of $50.8 million, or $0.16 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2017. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, the net loss was $184.7 million, or $0.50 per share, compared to a net loss of $183.8 million, or $0.63 per share, for the same period in 2017.

Novavax revenue in the fourth quarter of 2018 was $6.1 million, compared to $10.4 million in the same period in 2017. This 41% decrease was driven by the completion of enrollment of participants in the Prepare trial in the second quarter of 2018.

Research and development expenses decreased 13% to $43.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $49.7 million for the same period in 2017. This decrease was primarily due to decreased development activities of ResVax and lower employee-related costs, partially offset by increased development activities of NanoFlu.

General and administrative expenses increased 8% to $9.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared to $8.5 million for the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher professional fees.

Interest income (expense), net for the fourth quarter of 2018 was ($2.8) million, compared to ($3.1) million for the same period of 2017.

As of December 31, 2018, Novavax had $103.9 million in cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted cash, compared to $186.4 million as of December 31, 2017. Net cash used in operating activities for the fourth quarter of 2018 was $45.3 million, compared to $43.4 million for same period in 2017.

Conference Call

Novavax will host its quarterly conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET. The dial-in numbers for the conference call are (877) 212-6076 (Domestic) or (707) 287-9331 (International), passcode 9559037. A replay of the conference call will be available starting at 7:30 p.m. ET on March 18, 2019 until 7:30 p.m. ET on March 25, 2019. To access the replay by telephone, dial (855) 859-2056 (Domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (International) and use passcode 9559037.

A webcast of the conference call can also be accessed via a link on the home page of the Novavax website (novavax.com) or through the "Investor Info"/"Events" tab on the Novavax website. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Novavax website until June 18, 2019.

About RSV in Infants

Globally, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is the leading viral cause of severe lower respiratory tract disease in infants and young children.1 It is the second leading cause of death in children under one year of age.2 Estimated annual hospitalizations of 1.4 million and an estimated 27,300 in-hospital deaths were due to RSV acute lower respiratory infection in children under six months of age.3 RSV results in a total global economic burden of $6.2 billion annually.

In the U.S., RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization of infants.4 Estimated annual hospitalizations are up to 76,000.5,6 While RSV can impact all infants, babies under six months of age are among those at highest risk, as approximately 77% of all first-year RSV infections occur before six months. In the U.S., the total economic burden is $2.7 billion annually.

About ResVax

ResVax is an RSV fusion (F) protein recombinant nanoparticle vaccine with aluminum phosphate as an adjuvant. It is being developed to protect infants from RSV disease via maternal immunization, which may offer the best method of protection from RSV disease in infants through the first months of life. In February 2019, Novavax announced top-line data from Prepare, a global Phase 3 clinical trial in 4,636 pregnant women, at least 3,000 of whom have received the vaccine, and their infants. Prepare is supported by an $89.1 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

About Influenza

Influenza is a world-wide infectious disease that causes illness in humans with symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening or even death. Serious illness occurs not only in susceptible populations such as infants, young children and older adults, but also in the general population largely because of infection by continuously evolving strains of influenza which can evade the existing protective antibodies in humans. An estimated one million deaths globally each year are attributed to influenza.7 Current estimates for seasonal influenza vaccine growth in the top seven markets (U.S., Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK), show a potential increase from approximately $3.2 billion in 2012-13 season to $5.3 billion by the 2021-22 season.8

1 Nair, H., et al. (2010) Lancet. 375:1545-1555

2 Losano R., et al. (2012/Dec15) Lancet. 380: 2095

3 Ting S/Nair H. Lancet. 2017/Sep2;390:946

4 Leader S., et al. (2003) J Pediatr. 143: S127

5 Hall CB. N Engl J Med 2009;360:588

6 CDC-Stockman LJ. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2012;31:5

7 Resolution of the World Health Assembly. (2003) WHA56.19.28

8 Influenza Vaccines Forecasts. Datamonitor (2013)

About NanoFluand Matrix M

NanoFlu is a recombinant hemagglutinin (HA) protein nanoparticle influenza vaccine produced by Novavax in its SF9 insect cell baculovirus system. NanoFlu uses HA protein amino acid sequences that are the same as the recommended wild-type circulating virus HA sequences. NanoFlu contains Novavax’ patented saponin-based Matrix-M adjuvant, which is potent and well- stimulates both high quality and durable antibody responses as well as multifunctional CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses. In January 2019, Novavax announced positive top-line data from its Phase 2 clinical trial in older adults of quadrivalent formulations of NanoFlu in 1,375 healthy older adults across clinical sites in the U.S.

About Accelerated Approval

Accelerated approval may be granted for certain biological products that have been studied for their safety and effectiveness in treating serious or life-threatening illnesses and that provide meaningful therapeutic benefit over existing treatments. Such an approval will be based on adequate and well-controlled clinical trials establishing that the biological product has an effect on a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit. For seasonal influenza vaccines, the hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) antibody response may be an acceptable surrogate marker of activity that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit. To be considered for accelerated approval, a biologics license application for a new seasonal influenza vaccine should include results from one or more well-controlled studies designed to meet immunogenicity endpoints and a commitment to conduct confirmatory post-marketing studies of clinical effectiveness in preventing influenza.

On March 19, 2019 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) reported that it has filed a new investor presentation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in connection with its previously announced definitive merger agreement with Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) (Press release, Bristol-Myers Squibb, MAR 19, 2019, View Source [SID1234534470]).

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The investor presentation is available on the SEC’s website at www.SEC.gov and on Bristol-Myers Squibb’s website at View Source Highlights of the presentation include:

The Celgene acquisition is a financially and strategically compelling transaction.
Enhanced product leadership and pipeline: The combined company will be #1 in oncology, #1 in cardiovascular, and top 5 in immunology and inflammation with nine current products over $1 billion in annual sales, six near-term launches, and robust early-stage pipeline and cutting edge technologies and discovery platforms;
Attractive value: Value of approximately $55 billion from marketed products and in excess of $20 billion from synergies implies that the Celgene pipeline was acquired for a highly attractive price when compared to the aggregate purchase price of $90 billion;
Ideal timing: Trading ratio at two-year lows and Celgene P/E near an all-time low when deal was announced;
Sustainable financial strength: Sales and earnings projected to grow every year through 2025; Significant margin improvement of approximately 800 basis points to 36% on a 2018 pro forma basis before the impact of cost synergies compared to 28% on a standalone basis.
Bristol-Myers Squibb has generated a track-record of financial and operational outperformance.
Strong operating performance drives long-term value creation: Five year CAGRs for net revenue and adjusted EPS of 7% and 17%, respectively, both in excess of peer median, with adjusted operating margin up 725 basis points over that time period. Bristol-Myers Squibb has met or exceeded top line and EPS guidance and estimates on an annual basis each year since 2013;
Industry-leading commercialization: Opdivo is one of the most successful commercial oncology launches and has a leadership position in 16 FDA approved indications and delivered $6.7 billion in 2018 sales, up 36% year-over-year. Additionally, Eliquis is the #1 world-wide novel anti-coagulant despite being the third entrant to market and generated $6.4 billion in 2018 sales, up 32% year-over-year;
Portfolio transition success: Transitioned portfolio through multiple Losses of Exclusivity over the last five years, with approximately 60% of 2018 sales coming from new products launched during that period.
The transaction is the result of a robust process characterized by strong oversight, extensive diligence and focused planning.
Comprehensive process: Prioritized more than 20 transformational and ‘string-of-pearls’ opportunities, and Celgene selected as most attractive opportunity;
Thorough Board oversight: Consistent Board involvement throughout process, with eight meetings to discuss Celgene opportunity;
Extensive diligence: Six-month deep-dive analysis and five subsequent weeks of confidential due diligence provided comprehensive view of Celgene’s opportunities and risks;
Focused and committed to a successful integration: Complementary nature of businesses, strong team in place to manage integration and rigorous planning approach.
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Board unanimously recommends that Bristol-Myers Squibb shareholders vote their shares "FOR" the approval of the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock in connection with our proposed acquisition of Celgene prior to the Special Meeting, which will be held on April 12, 2019. All Bristol-Myers Squibb shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 1, 2019 will be entitled to vote their shares.

Bristol-Myers Squibb urges shareholders to discard any blue proxy cards and disregard any related solicitation materials sent to you by Starboard Value LP, which is soliciting proxies from Bristol-Myers Squibb shareholders against approving the merger. Irrespective of whether shareholders previously submitted a blue proxy card pertaining to the proposals contained in Bristol-Myers Squibb’s definitive proxy statement, the Company urges shareholders to cast their vote on the WHITE proxy card "FOR" the proposal to approve the transaction.

On March 19, 2019 SOTIO, a biotechnology company owned by the PPF Group, reported results from SOV02, its Phase II clinical trial evaluating DCVAC/OvCa, an active cellular immunotherapy product, in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer at 2019 SGO’s 50th Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer today (Press release, SOTIO, MAR 19, 2019, View Source [SID1234534471]). Final analysis of SOV02 shows that DCVAC/OvCa decreased the risk of death significantly compared to patients who did not receive DCVAC/OvCa. Clinical trial results were presented during today’s SGO 2019 Plenary Session by SOV02 principal investigator David Cibula, MD, PhD from General University Hospital in Prague (Czech Republic).

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In the randomized, open label SOV02 clinical trial, patients with recurrent ovarian cancer received DCVAC/OvCa in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy. Compared to patients who did not receive DCVAC, it decreased the risk of death by 62%. The combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy corresponded with 73% survival at two years, compared to 41% survival when chemotherapy was used alone. Overall survival results are statistically significant with a p-value of 0.0032. Progression Free Survival (PFS) increased from 9.5 to 11.3 months. Treatment with DCVAC/OvCa was very well tolerated and did not lead to any treatment discontinuation.

"Results from final data analysis of SOV02 clinical trial show that patients with recurrent ovarian cancer treated with DCVAC/OvCa are living significantly longer than patients in the control group. This outcome stands out very positively in this highly competitive clinical development landscape," said David Cibula, MD, PhD, General University Hospital (Prague, Czech Republic), Past-President of European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), principal investigator of SOV02 study.

Radek Spisek, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of SOTIO commented: "We are very happy that the results of SOV02 study in the second line treatment of ovarian cancer confirm the promising data of SOV01 trial in the first line, reported at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018. In cooperation with ENGOT, we are now setting up the design of the pivotal trial that will build on the results of the Phase II program. With the development of DCVAC/OvCa and the latest result we are addressing the medical need in this harmful disease."

More information and details about the SOV02 clinical trial results can be found in the slides from the oral presentation at SGO 2019 posted on SOTIO’s webpage.

About SOV02 clinical trial:
SOV02 is a randomized, open-label, parallel-group, multi-center Phase II clinical trial evaluating the effect of adding DCVAC/OvCa to standard chemotherapy (carboplatin and gemcitabine) in women with first relapse of platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer.

On March 19, 2019 Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tecentriq (atezolizumab), in combination with carboplatin and etoposide (chemotherapy), for the initial (first-line) treatment of adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) (Press release, Hoffmann-La Roche, MAR 19, 2019, View Source [SID1234534499]). This approval is based on results from the Phase III IMpower133 study, which showed that Tecentriq in combination with chemotherapy helped people live significantly longer compared to chemotherapy alone (median overall survival [OS]=12.3 vs. 10.3 months; hazard ratio [HR]=0.70, 95% CI: 0.54–0.91; p=0.0069) in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population.[1] The Tecentriq-based combination also significantly reduced the risk of disease worsening or death (progression-free survival, PFS) compared to chemotherapy alone (PFS=5.2 versus 4.3 months; HR=0.77, 95% CI: 0.62-0.96; p=0.017). Safety for the Tecentriq and chemotherapy combination appeared consistent with the known safety profile of Tecentriq.

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"Tecentriq is the first cancer immunotherapy approved for the initial treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, which is especially difficult to treat," said Sandra Horning, M.D., Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "Until now, there have been limited treatment advances for this disease, and we are excited to bring a potential new standard of care to patients that has been shown to improve survival compared to chemotherapy.

Results from the Phase III IMpower133 study were simultaneously presented at the 2018 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

In the US, Tecentriq is approved in combination with Avastin (bevacizumab), paclitaxel and carboplatin (chemotherapy), for the initial (first-line) treatment of adults with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumour aberrations. In Europe, the Tecentriq and Avastin combination is approved for the initial treatment of people with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC, including people with EGFR mutant or ALK genomic tumour aberrations after failure of appropriate targeted therapies. Tecentriq is also approved by the FDA to treat adults with metastatic NSCLC who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumour aberrations should have disease progression on FDA approved therapy for NSCLC harbouring these aberrations prior to receiving Tecentriq.

About the IMpower133 study
IMpower133 is a Phase III, multicentre, double-blinded, randomised placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Tecentriq in combination with chemotherapy (carboplatin and etoposide) vs. chemotherapy (carboplatin and etoposide) alone in chemotherapy-naïve adults with ES-SCLC.

The study enrolled 403 people who were randomised equally (1:1) to receive:

Tecentriq in combination with carboplatin and etoposide (Arm A), or
Placebo in combination with carboplatin and etoposide (Arm B, control arm)
During the treatment-induction phase, people received treatment on 21-day cycles for four cycles, followed by maintenance with Tecentriq or placebo until progressive disease (PD) as assessed by the investigator using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours Version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1). Treatment could be continued until persistent radiographic PD or symptomatic deterioration was observed.

The co-primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) as determined by the investigator using RECIST v1.1 and OS in the ITT population.

A summary of the ITT data from the IMpower133 study that support this approval is included below.[1]

Tecentriq in combination with chemotherapy helped people live significantly longer compared to chemotherapy alone (OS=12.3 vs. 10.3 months; HR=0.70, 95% CI: 0.54-0.91; p=0.0069) in the ITT population.
The Tecentriq-based combination also significantly reduced the risk of disease worsening or death compared to chemotherapy alone (PFS=5.2 vs. 4.3 months; HR=0.77; 95% CI: 0.62-0.96; p=0.017).
Safety for the Tecentriq and chemotherapy combination appeared consistent with the known safety profile of Tecentriq. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 37% of people receiving Tecentriq plus chemotherapy compared to 35% of people receiving chemotherapy alone. The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) in people receiving Tecentriq plus chemotherapy were feeling tired or weak (fatigue/asthenia; 39%), nausea (38%), hair loss (alopecia; 37%), decreased appetite (27%) and constipation (26%) and vomiting (20%).
About SCLC
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death globally.[2] Each year 1.76 million people die as a result of the disease; this translates into more than 4,800 deaths worldwide every day.[2] Lung cancer can be broadly divided into two major types: NSCLC and SCLC, with SCLC accounting for approximately 15% of all lung cancer cases.[3]

About Tecentriq
Tecentriq is a monoclonal antibody designed to bind with a protein called PD-L1 expressed on tumour cells and tumour-infiltrating immune cells, blocking its interactions with both PD-1 and B7.1 receptors. By inhibiting PD-L1, Tecentriq may enable the activation of T cells. Tecentriq has the potential to be used as a foundational combination partner with cancer immunotherapies, targeted medicines and various chemotherapies across a broad range of cancers. Currently, Roche has nine Phase III lung cancer studies evaluating Tecentriq alone or in combination with other medicines.

In the United States Tecentriq in combination with nab-paclitaxel is approved for treatment of PD-L1-positive metastatic triple-negative breast cancer; and in combination with Avastin and chemotherapy for the initial treatment of people with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC. In the Europe Union, the non-squamous NSCLC indication includes people with EGFR mutant or ALK genomic tumour aberrations after failure of appropriate targeted therapies. Tecentriq is also approved in the European Union, United States and more than 85 countries for people with previously treated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and for certain types of untreated or previously treated metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are not eligible for cisplatin chemotherapy, or who have had disease progression during or following platinum-containing therapy.

About Roche in cancer immunotherapy
For more than 50 years, Roche has been developing medicines with the goal to redefine treatment in oncology. Today, we’re investing more than ever in our effort to bring innovative treatment options that help a person’s own immune system fight cancer. By applying our seminal research in immune tumour profiling within the framework of the Roche-devised cancer immunity cycle, we are accelerating and expanding the transformative benefits with Tecentriq to a greater number of people living with cancer. Our cancer immunotherapy development programme takes a comprehensive approach in pursuing the goal of restoring cancer immunity to improve outcomes for patients.

To learn more about the Roche approach to cancer immunotherapy please follow this link: View Source