Oncopeptides present updated interim data from the ongoing HORIZON trial with Ygalo® at the 23rd Congress of The European Hematology Association (EHA)

On June 15, 2018 Oncopeptides AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: ONCO) reported that they are presenting updated interim data with Ygalo (melflufen) from the ongoing HORIZON trial at the 23rd EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) congress in Stockholm (Press release, Oncopeptides, JUN 15, 2018, View Source [SID1234527353]).

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The updated phase II-data show a clinical data set with an Overall Response Rate (ORR) of 32.1% and a Clinical Benefit Rate (CBR) of 39.3% with Ygalo in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients refractory to pomalidomide and/or daratumumab after failing on immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) and proteasome inhibitors (PIs).

The data are presented in a poster that can be found at: www.oncopeptides.se/presentations/EHA

CEO comments

"In HORIZON, we are studying the activity of Ygalo in myeloma patients that have failed on all, or the majority of, treatments that are currently in use. In addition, half the patients in HORIZON are ISS stage III and half the patients have high-risk cytogenetics. This means that the patients are very ill, since both parameters are strong predictors of poor treatment outcome. To our knowledge this is the highest combined number in any study in myeloma to date. Despite all this, we see a tumor response in 32% of patients, disease stabilization in 84% of patients, positive initial indication of the duration of the treatment effect as well as a manageable safety profile for Ygalo. We have made the decision to expand the HORIZON trial to further understand the efficacy of Ygalo in this very difficult to treat patient population", said Jakob Lindberg, CEO of Oncopeptides.

Professor Paul G. Richardson comments

"With an increasing number of patients with highly resistant myeloma there is a real need for additional treatment options based on new mechanisms of action. Ygalo, a peptidase-enhanced compound, with its potent activity, manageable tolerability and lack of shared resistance mechanisms with other modalities, is a promising molecule that is making encouraging progress in clinical development" said Professor Paul Richardson, Harvard Medical School at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA.

About the HORIZON study

The study recruitment is ongoing. The interim data presented at the EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) congress are based on a data cut-off dated May 10th 2018 with 62 patients treated. The patients in the study should be refractory to pomalidomide and/or daratumumab after failing on IMiDs and PIs.

Conclusions regarding HORIZON

The study continues to develop positively in this heavily pretreated patient group that is refractory to pomalidomide and/or daratumumab after failing on IMiDs and PIs with few remaining treatment options.

54% of patients in the study had high-risk cytogenetics, 46% of patients were ISS stage III, the median number of prior lines of therapy was 5.5 and the median time since initial diagnosis was 6.1 years.
100% of patients were refractory to pomalidomide or daratumumab, 98% had disease progression on or within 60 days of completion of the last therapy, 89% were double-refractory to IMiD:s and PI:s and 56% were refractory to both pomalidomide and daratumumab.
Analysis of the preliminary efficacy results showed an ORR of 32.1%, a CBR of 39.3% and that 84% of the patients achieved disease stabilization (SD or better).

Subgroup analysis suggests that response does not vary across refractory subsets but rather with the underlying disease and health status of the patient (in line with the observation made in Oncopeptides phase II study O-12-M1).
Time-to-next-treatment was maintained compared to the previous line of therapy without the deterioration normally seen in myeloma patients.
In the previous line of therapy, 75% of the patients were treated with antibody-based therapies or 2nd/3rd generation PI:s and IMiD:s, and 46% received triple combination therapies.
This study confirms earlier results from the O-12-M1 study in a more resistant patient population. The efficacy results in this interim analysis are encouraging with an ORR of 32,1% and a CBR of 39,3%.

Ygalo showed a manageable safety and tolerability profile. Treatment-related grade 3/4 AEs were reported in 48 (77%) patients with the majority being hematologic. Treatment-related non-hematologic grade 3/4 AEs were rare with infections in only 6% of patients.

About Ygalo

Ygalo is an alkylating peptide, belonging to the novel class of Peptidase Enhanced Compounds (PEnCs), targeting the multiple myeloma (MM) transformation process with a unique mechanism of action.

Aminopeptidases are heavily over-expressed in MM cells and are key to the transformational process of the disease. Ygalo selectively targets MM cells through aminopeptidase-driven accumulation, where in vitro experiments show a 50-fold enrichment of alkylating metabolites in MM cells. The enrichment results in selective cytotoxicity (increased on-target potency and decreased off-target toxicity), overcomes resistance pathways of existing myeloma treatments (including alkylators) and demonstrates strong anti-angiogenic properties.

Ygalo in clinical development

Ygalo has been used to treat late-stage RRMM patients in both phase I and phase II clinical studies (O-12-M1) with favorable results. Currently, Ygalo is being studied in three clinical trials for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The current studies are HORIZON, OCEAN and ANCHOR. A fourth study, BRIDGE in RRMM patients with impaired renal function will be initiated during Q3 this year to further investigate Ygalo in multiple myeloma.

The current clinical study program is intended to demonstrate better results from treatment with Ygalo compared to established alternative drugs for patients with late-stage multiple myeloma. Ygalo could potentially provide physicians with a new treatment option for patients suffering from this serious disease.

Ygalo has been investigated in the treatment of late-stage relapsed refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients. This was done in the clinical study O-12-M1 where strong final results were reported in December 2017. Currently, three clinical studies are ongoing with Ygalo.

HORIZON is a Phase II study that studies the effect of Ygalo in late-stage RRMM patients with few or no remaining established treatment options. Updated interim data from this study are presented at EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) in June 2018.

OCEAN is Oncopeptides´ pivotal Phase III study where Ygalo is compared directly with current standard of care, pomalidomide, in late-stage RRMM patients.

In the ANCHOR study, Ygalo will be administered in combination with either bortezomib or daratumumab in RRMM patients. The results of this study aim to create understanding and knowledge among treating physicians for how Ygalo can be used in combination with these drugs. In addition, the results could open up for the use of Ygalo in earlier lines of treatment.

New long-term data confirm Roche’s Gazyva/Gazyvaro extends the lives of people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia compared to MabThera/Rituxan

On June 15, 2018 Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) reported data from the final analysis of the CLL11 study evaluating Gazyva/Gazyvaro (obinutuzumab)-based treatment in previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) which will be presented during the Presidential Symposium at the 23rd European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) Annual Congress, 14 – 17 June, in Stockholm (Press release, Hoffmann-La Roche, JUN 15, 2018, View Source [SID1234527335]). After a follow-up of nearly five years, final results showed clinically meaningful improvements with Gazyva/Gazyvaro plus chlorambucil across multiple endpoints, including progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), when compared head-to-head with MabThera/Rituxan (rituximab) plus chlorambucil. Gazyva/Gazyvaro-based treatment reduced the risk of death by 24% compared to MabThera/Rituxan-based treatment (median OS not reached vs. 73.1 months, HR= 0.76; 95% CI 0.60-0.97; p<0.0245). These new data add to the growing body of evidence for the OS benefit with Gazyva/Gazyvaro in first-line CLL after the previously reported OS benefit with Gazyva/Gazyvaro combined with chlorambucil versus chlorambucil alone.

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"We are very pleased that the majority of patients treated with Gazyva/Gazyvaro are still alive after nearly five years of follow-up in the CLL11 study," said Sandra Horning, MD, Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "This meaningful survival benefit compared to MabThera/Rituxan-based therapy reinforces that Gazyva/Gazyvaro-based therapy is an important option for people with previously untreated CLL."

After a median observation time of nearly five years (59.4 months) this final analysis of the CLL11 study demonstrated:

A reduction in the risk of disease progression or death of 51% for patients treated with Gazyva/Gazyvaro plus chlorambucil versus those treated with MabThera/Rituxan plus chlorambucil (median PFS 28.9 vs. 15.7 months, HR= 0.49; 95% CI 0.41-0.58; p<0.0001).
A clinically meaningful improvement in OS for patients receiving Gazyva/Gazyvaro plus chlorambucil compared to MabThera/Rituxan plus chlorambucil. At the time of final analysis the median OS in the Gazyva/Gazyvaro plus chlorambucil arm was not yet reached which means that more than half of these patients were still alive after nearly five years. A 24% reduction in the risk of death was observed with Gazyva/Gazyvaro plus chlorambucil treatment (median OS not reached vs. 73.1 months, HR= 0.76; 95% CI 0.60-0.97; p<0.0245).
A prolonged time to initiation of the next therapy (time to new treatment; TTNT) with Gazyva/Gazyvaro plus chlorambucil (median 56.4 vs. 34.9 months, Gazyva/Gazyvaro plus chlorambucil vs. MabThera/Rituxan plus chlorambucil, HR= 0.58; 95% CI 0.46-0.73; p<0.0001).
Patients treated with Gazyva/Gazyvaro plus chlorambucil achieved a higher rate of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity versus those treated with MabThera/Rituxan plus chlorambucil (24% vs. 2% of patients MRD-negative, Gazyva/Gazyvaro plus chlorambucil vs. MabThera/Rituxan plus chlorambucil). Being MRD negative means no cancer can be detected in the blood and or bone marrow using a sensitive test.
No new or unexpected safety concerns for the combination of Gazyva/Gazyvaro plus chlorambucil.

Gazyva/Gazyvaro is currently approved in more than 90 countries in combination with chlorambucil, for people with previously untreated CLL, based on previously reported data from the CLL11 study.1

About the CLL11 study
CLL11 is a phase III, multicenter, open-label, randomised three-arm study to investigate the safety and efficacy profile of Gazyva/Gazyvaro plus chlorambucil compared to MabThera/Rituxan plus chlorambucil or chlorambucil alone in nearly 800 people with previously untreated CLL and comorbidities. The primary endpoint of the study is PFS with secondary endpoints including response rate, molecular remission rate, OS, TTNT and safety profile. In terms of analysis, the study was divided into three stages:

Stage 1a compared the addition of Gazyva/Gazyvaro to chlorambucil vs. chlorambucil alone
Stage 1b compared the addition of MabThera/Rituxan to chlorambucil vs. chlorambucil alone
Stage 2 compared Gazyva/Gazyvaro plus chlorambucil to MabThera/Rituxan plus chlorambucil
About Gazyva/Gazyvaro (obinutuzumab)
Gazyva/Gazyvaro is an engineered monoclonal antibody designed to attach to CD20, a protein expressed on certain B cells, but not on stem cells or plasma cells. Gazyva/Gazyvaro is designed to attack and destroy targeted B-cells both directly and together with the body’s immune system. Gazyva is marketed as Gazyvaro in the EU and Switzerland.

Gazyva/Gazyvaro is currently approved in more than 90 countries in combination with chlorambucil for people with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), in more than 80 countries in combination with bendamustine for people with certain types of previously treated follicular lymphoma and in more than 60 countries in combination with chemotherapy for previously untreated, follicular lymphoma.

Additional combination studies investigating Gazyva/Gazyvaro with other approved or investigational medicines, including cancer immunotherapies and small molecule inhibitors, are underway across a range of blood cancers.

About Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is the most common type of leukaemia in the Western world. 2 CLL mainly affects men and the median age at diagnosis is about 70 years.3 Worldwide, the incidence of all leukaemias is estimated to be over 350,000 and CLL is estimated to affect around one-third of all people newly diagnosed with leukaemia.4

About Roche in haematology

MEI Pharma Presents Clinical Data on ME-401 at the European Hematology Association Congress

On June 15, 2018 MEI Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: MEIP) a pharmaceutical company focused on leveraging its extensive development and oncology expertise to identify and advance new therapies for cancer, reported that results from a Phase 1b study of ME-401 in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL), chronic lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) are being presented during a poster presentation today, Friday, June 15, 2018 at the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) in Stockholm, Sweden (Press release, MEI Pharma, JUN 15, 2018, View Source [SID1234527351]). Complete data results on the Phase 1b study were previously announced at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in Chicago in June 2018.

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"The data demonstrates that ME-401 achieved a 90% response rate across all patient groups treated and was generally well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities identified at any dose level," said Daniel P. Gold, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of MEI Pharma. "The full data from our ME-401 study is very encouraging and we expect to initiate a registration study for ME-401 this year for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory FL."

ME-401 is being evaluated in a Phase 1b dose escalation study in patients with relapsed or refractory FL, CLL and SLL. As of May 14, 2018, 46 patients were enrolled: 31 patients received monotherapy and 30 were evaluable for efficacy (12 patients at 60 mg, 12 patients at 120 mg and six patients at 180 mg). Based on the data, the Company determined that no further dose escalation was required. An expansion cohort of up to 30 patients with FL, CLL and SLL was added to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of ME-401 as a single agent at the 60 mg dose. An additional 15 patients are enrolled in the study arm evaluating ME-401 (60 mg) in combination with rituximab (marketed as Rituxan) in patients with various B cell malignancies.

The ME-401 EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2018 poster can be accessed on the MEI Pharma website.

Karyopharm Presents Updated Selinexor Phase 1b/2 STOMP Myeloma Data from Multiple Combinations at the European Hematology Association 2018 Annual Meeting

On June 15, 2018 Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:KPTI), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, reported that three posters highlighting clinical data from the ongoing Phase 1b/2 STOMP study in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) will be presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2018 Annual Meeting taking place June 14-17, 2018 in Stockholm, Sweden (Press release, Karyopharm, JUN 15, 2018, View Source [SID1234527336]). These three poster presentations will feature updated data from the STOMP arms evaluating selinexor, the Company’s lead, novel, oral SINE compound, and dexamethasone in combination with standard approved therapies, Velcade (bortezomib), Pomalyst (pomalidomide) or Darzalex (daratumumab), in patients with previously treated MM.

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"The Phase 1b/2 STOMP study continues to generate important efficacy and safety data from the multiple ongoing arms evaluating selinexor and dexamethasone (dex) in combination with the standard approved therapies Velcade, Pomalyst and Darzalex in patients with multiple myeloma following at least one prior therapy," said Sharon Shacham, PhD, MBA, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Karyopharm. "Based on the positive STOMP results reported to date, we have initiated a new all-oral STOMP arm to investigate selinexor plus Revlimid and dex in the front-line setting. Given the observed synergistic activity of selinexor with standard approved myeloma therapies, we believe oral selinexor has the potential to be a future backbone therapy in myeloma, and we look forward to elucidating its activity as part of a front-line treatment regimen."

Selinexor in Combination with Velcade and Low-dose Dexamethasone (SVd)

In the poster presentation titled, "Selinexor combined with low dose bortezomib and dexamethasone (SVd) induces a high response rate in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM)," (Abstract code PS1322) Nizar Bahlis, MD, Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute, will present updated clinical data from the SVd arm of the STOMP study. This study includes patients whose disease was proteasome inhibitor (PI) naïve, exposed or refractory, provided their disease was not refractory to Velcade as a last therapy. In this study arm, oral selinexor was dose-escalated in once-weekly (80 or 100mg) or twice-weekly (60 or 80mg) regimens. Velcade (1.3mg/m2 subcutaneously) was administered once-weekly or twice-weekly. Dex was administered orally either 40mg once-weekly or 20mg twice-weekly. The following table is a summary of the efficacy results:

Key: ORR=Overall Response Rate (sCR+CR+VGPR+PR), sCR=Stringent Complete Response, CR=Complete Response, VGPR=Very Good Partial Response, PR=Partial Response
1Responses were adjudicated according to the International Myeloma Working Group criteria
2Based on interim unaudited data
3Two patients not evaluable for response: one death unrelated to myeloma and one withdrawal of consent before disease follow up
4One unconfirmed PR
5Patient population eligible for the ongoing Phase 3, randomized BOSTON study evaluating SVd versus Vd. This a subset of the PI Relapsed/Naïve, ≤3 Prior Treatments

In the PI Relapsed/Naïve population (N=19), the ORR was 84% and the median PFS was 17.8 months with similar results in the "BOSTON" population (N=18). Nearly all patients (38 of 40) had reductions in M-protein, including 33% with a ≥90% reduction. This indication of efficacy in the SVd combination, with weekly Velcade and selinexor, warranted the further evaluation of SVd versus Vd in the BOSTON study given the previously reported ORR of 60-65% and PFS of 7-9 months in the Vd regimen among similar patient populations.

Among the 42 patients evaluable for safety, adverse events were consistent with those reported previously from the SVd arm of the STOMP study, with nausea (60%), anorexia (57%), fatigue (45%), diarrhea (40%), vomiting (29% and weight loss (24%) the most commonly reported Grade 1/2 events. Importantly, the reported peripheral neuropathy across all patients was Grade 1/2 and limited to six patients (14%), of which five had prior Velcade exposure. Grade 3/4 adverse events were also consistent with those reported previously with thrombocytopenia (45%), neutropenia (26%), fatigue (14%) and anemia (12%) being the most common. Based on the activity and tolerability observed in this study arm, the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) regimen for SVd is oral selinexor (100mg once weekly), Velcade (1.3mg/m2 once-weekly subcutaneously) and oral dex (40mg weekly), which represents 40% less Velcade and 25% less dex compared to the approved standard Velcade + dex (Vd) regimen. This once weekly regimen is being evaluated in BOSTON.

Dr. Bahlis commented, "These updated data from the SVd arm of the STOMP study continue to show rapid time to response, high response rates, including an 83% ORR and the emergence of complete responses, along with a 17.8-month median PFS, in patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma. The combination also continues to be well tolerated with low rates of peripheral neuropathy. Importantly, these results are being achieved with 40% less Velcade and 25% less dex than the standard approved regimen, with no overt major organ toxicities."

Selinexor in Combination with Darzalex and Low-dose Dexamethasone (SDd)

In the poster presentation titled, "A Phase 1b study using the combination of selinexor, daratumumab, and dexamethasone in multiple myeloma patients previously exposed to proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs," (Abstract code PS1329) Cristina Gasparetto, MD, Duke University Cancer Center, will present new clinical data from the SDd arm of the STOMP study evaluating myeloma patients who received at least three prior lines of therapy, including a PI and an immunomodulatory drug (IMiD), or patients with myeloma refractory to both a PI and an IMiD. In this study arm, oral selinexor was dose escalated using either 100mg once weekly or 60mg twice weekly, with Darzalex (16mg/kg intravenously once weekly) and dex (orally, 40mg once weekly or 20mg twice weekly).

Key: ORR=Overall Response Rate (VGPR+PR)
1Responses were adjudicated according to the International Myeloma Working Group criteria
2Based on interim unaudited data
3One patient not evaluable for response withdrew consent prior to disease follow up, one patient pending response
4 Three unconfirmed PR

Despite the heavily pretreated nature of the patients in the study, with 100% of the patients having dual- (PI and IMID-) refractory disease, responses occurred rapidly, with a median of one month to onset; 12 of the 19 patients remain on treatment. Based on published data the expected ORR for Darzalex therapy without selinexor in the Darzalex-naïve population is ~30%. Thus, the ORR of 82% provides a basis for further evaluation of the weekly SDd combination.

Among the 21 patients evaluable for safety, the most common Grade 1/2 adverse events were nausea (48%), fatigue (38%), diarrhea (24%), constipation (24%), and anorexia (24%). The most common Grade 3/4 adverse events were thrombocytopenia (48%), leukopenia (43%), anemia (33%), neutropenia (33%) and decreased lymphocyte count (24%). Gastrointestinal adverse events were generally manageable with supportive care. The maximum tolerated dose was not reached. Two DLTs (Grade 3 thrombocytopenia and Grade 2 fatigue) were observed in patients receiving selinexor 60mg twice weekly; both patients showed responses. Based on the preliminary tolerability and efficacy data, the RP2D of SDd is selinexor (100mg orally, once weekly), Darzalex (16mg/kg, once weekly) and dex (40mg orally, weekly).

Dr. Gasparetto commented, "These preliminary results from the SDd arm of the STOMP study show high response rates, including an 82% ORR in Darzalex-naïve patients with refractory myeloma. This combination regimen appears to be well tolerated with responses observed rapidly occurring within a median one cycle of treatment. We look forward to continuing enrollment in this treatment arm."

Selinexor in Combination with Pomalyst and Low-dose Dexamethasone (SPd)

In the poster presentation titled, "Selinexor combined with pomalidomide and low dose dexamethasone (SPd) in a relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patient population," (Abstract code PF586) Christine Chen, MD, FRCP, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Center, will present updated clinical data from the SPd arm of the STOMP study which includes patients with multiple myeloma who previously received Revlimid and a PI. In this study arm, selinexor was dosed orally either once weekly (80 or 100mg) or twice weekly (60 or 80mg) with Pomalyst (3 or 4mg orally, once daily) and dexamethasone (dex; orally, 40mg once weekly or 20mg twice weekly). The following table is a summary of the efficacy results:

Key: ORR=Overall Response Rate (VGPR+PR)
1Responses were adjudicated according to the International Myeloma Working Group criteria
2Based on interim unaudited data
3Four patients not evaluable for response: one death unrelated to myeloma, one non-compliance with study procedures, two withdrawal of consent before disease follow up
4One unconfirmed PR

Responses tended to occur rapidly with a median of one month to onset. Median PFS among all evaluable patients was 10.3 months, with a follow up of 9.4 months. The efficacy of the SPd combination warrants further clinical evaluation.

Among the 34 patients evaluable for safety, the most common Grade 1/2 adverse events were anorexia (56%), nausea (47%), fatigue (41%), weight loss (38%), diarrhea (26%) and thrombocytopenia (26%). The most common Grade ≥3 adverse events were neutropenia (56%), thrombocytopenia (32%) and anemia (29%). Gastrointestinal adverse events were generally manageable with supportive care. There were two Grade 5 treatment-related events (febrile neutropenia and intracranial hemorrhage). Six DLTs (Grade 3 fatigue, febrile neutropenia, hyponatremia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia) were observed in patients receiving selinexor 60mg twice weekly, 80mg twice weekly and 80mg once weekly. Based on the activity and tolerability observed in this study arm, doses of oral selinexor 60-80mg once weekly are being evaluated in combination with Pomalyst (3mg orally, once daily) and low dose dex to determine the RP2D for this combination regimen.

Dr. Chen stated, "This novel, all oral regimen continues to demonstrate strong response rates, including a 55% ORR, along with an 11.6-month median PFS, in Pomalyst-naïve and Revlimid-relapsed or -refractory patients. In this STOMP arm, once-weekly selinexor has been generally well tolerated and rapidly induced durable responses in patients with PI- and Revlimid-exposed myeloma."

Details for the EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2018 presentations are as follows:

Company-sponsored Trials

Title: Selinexor combined with low dose bortezomib and dexamethasone (SVd) induces a high response rate in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM)
Lead author: Nizar Bahlis, Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute
Final Abstract Code: PS1322
Topic/Session Title: Myeloma and other monoclonal gammopathies – Clinical
Date and Time: Saturday, June 16, 2018; 17:30 – 19:00 CEST
Location: Poster area

Title: A Phase 1b study using the combination of selinexor, daratumumab, and dexamethasone in multiple myeloma patients previously exposed to proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs
Lead author:Cristina Gasparetto, Duke University
Final Abstract Code: PS1329
Topic/Session Title: Myeloma and other monoclonal gammopathies – Clinical
Date and Time: Saturday, June 16, 2018; 17:30 – 19:00 CEST
Location: Poster area

Title: Selinexor combined with pomalidomide and low dose dexamethasone (SPd) in a relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patient population
Presenter:Christine Chen, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Center
Final Abstract Code: PF586
Topic/Session Title: Myeloma and other monoclonal gammopathies – Clinical
Date and Time:Friday, June 15, 2018; 17:30 – 19:00 CEST
Location: Poster area

Investigator-sponsored Trials

Title: A Phase II study of selinexor (KPT-330) combined with bortezomib and dexamethasone (SVD) for induction and consolidation for patients with progressive or refractory multiple myeloma; the selvedex trial
Lead author: Annemiek Broijl, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute
Final Abstract Code: PS1338
Topic/Session Title: Myeloma and other monoclonal gammopathies – Clinical
Date and Time: Saturday, June 16, 2018; 17:30 – 19:00 CEST
Location: Poster area

About Selinexor

Selinexor (KPT-330) is a first-in-class, oral Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export / SINE compound. Selinexor functions by binding with and inhibiting the nuclear export protein XPO1 (also called CRM1), leading to the accumulation of tumor suppressor proteins in the cell nucleus. This reinitiates and amplifies their tumor suppressor function and is believed to lead to the selective induction of apoptosis in cancer cells, while largely sparing normal cells. To date, over 2,400 patients have been treated with selinexor. In April 2018, Karyopharm reported positive top-line data from the Phase 2b STORM study evaluating selinexor in combination with low-dose dexamethasone in patients with penta-refractory multiple myeloma. Selinexor has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in multiple myeloma and Fast Track designation by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the patient population evaluated in the STORM study. Karyopharm plans to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA during the second half of 2018, with a request for accelerated approval for oral selinexor as a new treatment for patients with penta-refractory multiple myeloma. The Company also plans to submit a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in early 2019 with a request for conditional approval. Selinexor is also being evaluated in several other mid- and later-phase clinical trials across multiple cancer indications, including in multiple myeloma in a pivotal, randomized Phase 3 study in combination with Velcade (bortezomib) and low-dose dexamethasone (BOSTON) and as a potential backbone therapy in combination with approved therapies (STOMP), and in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (SADAL), liposarcoma (SEAL), and an investigator-sponsored study in endometrial cancer (SIENDO), among others. Additional Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies are ongoing or currently planned, including multiple studies in combination with one or more approved therapies in a variety of tumor types to further inform Karyopharm’s clinical development priorities for selinexor. Additional clinical trial information for selinexor is available at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Kitov Announces Positive Pre-Clinical Data from NT219
Demonstrating its Dose-Dependent Anti-Tumor Efficacy

On June 15, 2018 Kitov Pharma Ltd. (NASDAQ: KTOV) (TASE: KTOV), an innovative biopharmaceutical company, reported positive results in a pre-clinical study testing NT219, a first-in-class small molecule targeting IRS1/2 and STAT3, two signal proteins that are part of an anti-cancer drug resistance mechanism (Press release, Kitov Pharmaceuticals , JUN 15, 2018, View Source [SID1234527349]). The study, conducted by Kitov’s majority-owned subsidiary, TyrNovo Ltd., evaluated NT219 in combination with gemcitabine in a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of pancreatic cancer and was conducted in accordance with guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The results support the planned submission of the Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for NT219.

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NT219 was tested at three dose levels in combination with gemcitabine vs. gemcitabine alone. A clear dose response effect was observed among treatment arms with statistically significant differences among groups (p-value <= 0.0166). In addition, the study confirmed previous findings that demonstrated the beneficial effect of the combination of NT219 with gemcitabine vs. gemcitabine alone (p-value <0.0001).

Kitov also announced that it has agreed to acquire all of the shares of TyrNovo held by the last remaining unaffiliated shareholder, representing approximately 3.1% of TyrNovo’s issued and outstanding shares, based on an agreed upon TyrNovo company valuation of $10 million. In exchange for the TyrNovo shares and termination of all shareholder and investment agreements with this shareholder, Kitov will issue 2,816,900 new ordinary shares (equivalent to 140,845 American Depositary Shares (ADS)) of Kitov. Following the closing of this transaction, Kitov will hold approximately 97.1% of TyrNovo’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares. The remaining 2.9% of TyrNovo’s shares are held by Dr. Hadas Reuveni, TyrNovo’s founder and chief technology officer.

"These compelling NT219 pre-clinical results represent an important milestone towards the submission of an IND and the initiation of a clinical trial, which we expect will occur in 2019," said Isaac Israel, Kitov’s CEO. "Based on the results generated to date and its profile, we believe NT219 has the potential to be a new treatment option for pancreatic cancer patients. This compelling product candidate previously demonstrated impressive efficacy results in converting non-responding tumors to responders, as well as blocking tumor progression in combination with various oncology drugs, and in a wide range of tumor types. These positive data also further our confidence in the potential of TyrNovo to create significant value for Kitov’s shareholders. As such, we are pleased to have completed the acquisition of substantially all of the remaining minority shares of TyrNovo, and look forward to the continued development of NT219 in oncology."

About TyrNovo

TyrNovo Ltd., a Kitov Pharma (NASDAQ/TASE: KTOV) company, is a developer of novel small molecules in the oncology therapeutic field. TyrNovo is developing NT219, an oncology product designed to be used in combination with other oncology drugs. NT219 is a small molecule dual inhibitor of Insulin Receptor Substrate (IRS1/2) and of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT3), two signal pathways that are involved in the development of cancer drug resistance. In combination with various approved oncology drugs, NT219 has demonstrated potent anti-tumor effects and increased survival in various cancer models, including sarcoma, melanoma, pancreatic, lung, ovarian, head & neck, prostate and colon cancers. Its mechanism of action is through the prevention of acquired resistance in tumors and by regression of resistant tumors. For more information on TyrNovo please visit View Source