On November 1, 2017 Vedanta Biosciences, an affiliate of PureTech Health (LSE: PRTC) developing a new category of therapies for immune and infectious diseases based on rationally designed consortia of human microbiome-derived bacteria, reported that it has exclusively sub-licensed key intellectual property from JSR Corporation to develop and commercialize microbiome-derived cancer immunotherapies based on live biotherapeutics (Press release, Vedanta Biosciences, NOV 1, 2017, View Source [SID1234521457]). These live biotherapeutics have been shown to activate CD8+ T cells, a type of white blood cell that is the predominant effector in cancer immunotherapy. The sub-licensed intellectual property is based on the pioneering research of Dr. Kenya Honda, Professor, of Keio University School of Medicine and his collaborators in the University of Tokyo in Japan. An IND filing for the lead product candidate is planned in 2018.

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“Dr. Honda’s research suggests an entirely new approach to cancer immunotherapy harnessing the human microbiome, which has the potential to significantly enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapies,” said Bernat Olle, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Vedanta Biosciences. “We are actively developing product candidates containing defined bacterial consortia that activate CD8+ T cells and stimulate the immune system to fight cancer alone and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. This license to additional intellectual property from Dr. Honda’s institution further strengthens Vedanta’s leading IP position in the microbiome field.”

In validated pre-clinical models of cancer, Vedanta’s orally administered product candidates containing defined bacterial consortia induced CD8+ T cells, potentiating the immune system’s attack of tumor cells. The tumor fighting effects of a variety of checkpoint inhibitors were significantly amplified when combined with the bacterial consortia, suggesting a potentially novel approach for combination cancer immunotherapy.

About Key Intellectual Properties
Keio University and The University of Tokyo joined the Leading Advanced Projects for Medical Innovation (“LEAP”), part of Advanced Research and Development Programs for Medical Innovation at The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (“AMED”), in 2016. Their research and development is focused on the development of therapeutic cocktails of bacteria isolated from the gut microbiota. The licensed intellectual properties were developed as a part of the AMED-LEAP Research Program and are exclusively licensed to JSR Corporation (TSE: JSR) from Keio University and The University of Tokyo.

Mirati has filed a 10-Q – Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Filing, 10-Q, Mirati, 2017, NOV 1, 2017, View Source [SID1234521414]).

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On November 1, 2017 DURECT Corporation (Nasdaq: DRRX) reported financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and provided a corporate update (Press release, DURECT, NOV 1, 2017, View Source [SID1234521425]).

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Executed a patent purchase agreement with Indivior relevant to Indivior’s RBP-7000, yielding DURECT a $12.5 million upfront payment, as well as a potential $5 million milestone payment and potential earn-out payments. Indivior submitted a NDA for RBP-7000 to the U.S. FDA on September 28, 2017.

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Including the $12.5 million described above, total revenues were $20.7 million and net income was $6.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to total revenues of $3.7 million and net loss of $8.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

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At September 30, 2017, cash and investments were $41.8 million, compared to cash and investments of $25.2 million at December 31, 2016.


“The top-line results from the Phase 3 clinical trial of POSIMIR did not meet expectations, trending in favor of POSIMIR but not reaching statistically significance. We will be working to understand the trial results more fully in the coming weeks,” stated James E. Brown, D.V.M., President and CEO of DURECT. “On other fronts, positive highlights of the third quarter included reaching an agreement with Indivior which resulted in a meaningful upfront payment to DURECT as well the potential for further payments based on the progress of RBP-7000, a drug candidate for schizophrenia for which Indivior has submitted an NDA to the FDA. We are also making significant progress towards initiating multiple Phase 2 studies with DUR-928.”

Update on Selected Programs and Transactions:

POSIMIR (SABER-Bupivacaine) Post-Operative Pain Relief Depot. POSIMIR is our investigational post-operative pain relief depot that utilizes our patented SABER technology and is designed to deliver bupivacaine to provide up to 3 days of pain relief after surgery.

In October 2017, we reported that PERSIST, a Phase 3 clinical trial for POSIMIR did not meet its primary efficacy endpoint of reduction in pain on movement over the first 48 hours after surgery as compared to standard bupivacaine HCl. While results trended in favor of POSIMIR versus the comparator, they did not achieve statistical significance. We and Sandoz, our licensee for commercialization rights for POSIMIR in the United States, will be working to understand the trial results more fully in the coming weeks.

Epigenetic Regulator Program. DUR-928, the lead product candidate in our Epigenetic Regulator Program, is an endogenous, small molecule, new chemical entity (NCE), which may have broad applicability in several metabolic diseases such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and other disorders of the liver, in acute organ injuries such as acute liver and/or kidney injury, and in autoimmune/inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Oral Administration
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We are actively working towards initiating a Phase 2 trial in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) with orally administered DUR-928. Our protocol has been reviewed by the FDA and our IND is now open. Clinical trial site preparation is underway, and we are targeting dosing our first patient by the end of 2017. PSC is a chronic liver disease characterized by a progression of cholestasis (decrease in bile flow) with inflammation and fibrosis of bile ducts. We have received orphan drug designation for DUR-928 to treat patients with PSC. We believe that data generated from this trial will be relevant to other chronic liver conditions, such as NASH.

Injectable Administration

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We now have an open IND for an initial Phase 2 trial with an injectable formulation of DUR-928. We are currently finalizing the protocol based on detailed input received in October 2017 from our expert advisors during The Liver Meeting (the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases or AASLD). This first study will be conducted in patients with moderate and severe acute liver function impairment to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of several doses of DUR-928.
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At AASLD, a poster was presented by Dr. Shunlin Ren of Virginia Commonwealth University / McGuire VA Medical Center which included newly disclosed data from animal studies with DUR-928 in various acute organ injuries. One of the new disclosures was the dose-dependent effect of DUR-928 in stabilizing mitochondrial membranes, which is an important factor in
cell viability and prevention of cell death. Previous results had been reported with DUR-928 in an acute animal model where the toxicity was caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS); in this poster, similar results (i.e., 90% survival with DUR-928 vs. 10% survival on placebo) were shown when the toxicity was caused by injected acetaminophen. This poster also demonstrated the pharmacological effect of DUR-928 in animal models of both endotoxin and drug induced multiple organ injuries, including the liver, the kidney and the lungs. This poster is available at www.durect.com under Science and Technologies, Papers.

Topical Administration

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Based on promising results from a previous exploratory Phase 1b trial in psoriasis utilizing intralesional micro injections of DUR-928, we have developed topical formulations of DUR-928 and have recently completed GLP skin irritation / sensitization studies with the lead formulations in two species. We have had pre-IND interactions with the FDA and are incorporating FDA’s comments in our upcoming IND while we are actively working with expert advisors to finalize our study protocol for a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study with topically applied DUR-928. We expect to initiate this study in the first half of 2018. We believe that there is a large market opportunity for new topical drugs for inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Indivior Agreement. In September 2017, we entered into a patent purchase agreement with an affiliate of Indivior PLC, whereby DURECT assigned certain of its U.S. patent rights to Indivior. This assignment may provide further intellectual property protection for RBP-7000, Indivior’s investigational once-monthly injectable risperidone product for the treatment of schizophrenia. Indivior submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) for RBP-7000 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on September 28, 2017.

Under the terms of the agreement, Indivior has made an upfront non-refundable payment to DURECT of $12.5 million, with the potential for an additional $5 million based on NDA approval of RBP-7000, as well as quarterly earn-out payments that are based on a single digit percentage of U.S. net sales for certain products covered by the patent rights, including RBP-7000. The patent rights include granted patents extending through at least 2026.

REMOXY ER (oxycodone) Extended-Release Capsules CII. Based on our ORADUR technology, the investigational drug REMOXY ER is a unique long-acting formulation of oxycodone designed to discourage common methods of tampering associated with opioid misuse and abuse. In March 2017, Pain Therapeutics announced that it plans to resubmit the REMOXY ER NDA after completing two additional studies regarding REMOXY ER based on guidance obtained in a meeting with the FDA. The two studies are a clinical abuse potential study via the intranasal route of abuse and a non-clinical abuse potential study using household solvents. Pain Therapeutics stated that it expects to complete these studies by year end 2017. In October 2017, Pain Therapeutics announced that there is a pre-NDA guidance meeting with the FDA planned for November 14, 2017 and Pain Therapeutics is planning an NDA resubmission in the first quarter of 2018.


ORADUR-ADHD Program. ORADUR-Methylphenidate ER is an investigational drug that has the potential for rapid onset of action and long duration with once-a-day dosing, utilizes a small capsule size relative to the leading existing long-acting products on the market and incorporates our ORADUR anti-tampering technology. Orient Pharma, our licensee in defined Asian and South Pacific countries, has reported that a Phase 3 study conducted in Taiwan has achieved positive results. We retain rights to all other markets in the world, notably including the U.S., Europe and Japan. We have started a process of contacting potential development and commercialization partners for major markets not licensed to Orient Pharma.

Upcoming investor conference. DURECT will be presenting at the Stifel 2017 Healthcare Conference at 11:45 am Eastern time on November 15. The conference is being held at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel. A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available by accessing View Source . A live audio webcast of these presentations will also be available by accessing DURECT’s homepage at www.durect.com and clicking “Investor Relations.” If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be archived on DURECT’s website under Audio Archive in the “Investor Relations” section.

Earnings Conference Call
A live audio webcast of a conference call to discuss third quarter 2017 results and provide a corporate update will be broadcast live over the internet at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on November 1 and is available by accessing DURECT’s homepage at www.durect.com and clicking “Investor Relations.” If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be archived on DURECT’s website under Audio Archive in the “Investor Relations” section.

On November 1, 2017 RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NASDAQ: RXII), a clinical-stage RNAi company developing innovative therapeutics that address significant unmet medical needs, reported that it will report its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017, and provide a business update on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 after the close of the U.S. financial markets (Press release, RXi Pharmaceuticals, NOV 1, 2017, View Source [SID1234521455]).

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A live audio webcast will begin at 4:30 p.m. ET. The webcast link is available under the “Investors – Events and Presentations” section of the Company’s website, www.rxipharma.com. The event may also be accessed by dialing toll-free in the United States: +1 (844) 376-4678. International participants may access the event by dialing: +1 (209) 905-5958. An archive of the webcast will be available on the company’s website approximately two hours after the presentation.

On November 1, 2017 Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: STML), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for difficult to treat cancers, reported that the pivotal Phase 2 trial of SL-401 in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) has met its primary endpoint (Press release, Stemline Therapeutics, NOV 1, 2017, View Source [SID1234521405]). Based on feedback from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Stemline remains on track to begin submission of its Biologics License Application (BLA) in the 4Q17-1Q18 timeframe.

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SL-401 has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by the FDA for the treatment of BPDCN, and Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) by the FDA and EU for the treatment of patients with BPDCN and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Pivotal Trial

The pivotal Phase 2 trial of SL-401 is the largest multicenter prospective study ever conducted in BPDCN. The trial enrolled 45 BPDCN (32 first-line, 13 relapsed/refractory) patients at 7 sites in the U.S. The trial consisted of 3 Stages: Stage 1 (lead-in, dose escalation), Stage 2 (expansion), and Stage 3 (pivotal, confirmatory).

Stage 3: Design

Stage 3 of the Phase 2 trial was designed with input from the FDA to provide the pivotal, confirmatory evidence of efficacy of SL-401 in BPDCN. First-line-only BPDCN patients received SL-401 intravenously at 12 mcg/kg/day on days 1-5 of a 21-day cycle. The primary endpoint of Stage 3 was the rate of CR, defined per protocol as CR + CRc + CRi (CR = complete response; CRc = clinical complete response: absence of gross disease with minimal residual skin abnormality; CRi = CR with incomplete hematologic recovery) by investigator assessment. Statistical significance is achieved if the lower bound of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the primary endpoint exceeds 10%.

Stage 3: Top-Line Results

In Stage 3 of the trial, 13 first-line BPDCN patients were enrolled. Stage 3 met its primary endpoint, with a CR rate of 54% (7/13) (95% CI: 25.1, 80.8). Overall response rate (ORR) was 77% (10/13). 46% (6/13) of patients were bridged to stem cell transplant (SCT) following remission on SL-401. 86% (6/7) of complete responders remain relapse-free at 5+ to 8+ months, ongoing.

All Stages (1, 2, and 3): Top-Line Results

Across all stages, lines, and doses in the trial (n=45 BPDCN patients; 32 first-line, 13 relapsed/refractory), the CR rate was 60% (27/45) and the ORR was 82% (37/45). In first-line patients who received SL-401 at all tested doses (n=32 patients), the CR rate was 69% (22/32) and the ORR was 88% (28/32). 41% (13/32) of first-line patients who received SL-401 at all tested doses have been bridged to SCT following remission on SL-401.



All SL-401 Trials: Top-Line Safety Results

The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) with SL-401 across BPDCN and other clinical trials (acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), and multiple myeloma) (n=148 patients) were hypoalbuminemia (47%), aspartate aminotransferase increase (46%), alanine aminotransferase increase (45%), nausea (28%), and thrombocytopenia (28%). Capillary leak syndrome (CLS), a well-documented side effect, occurred in 19% of patients, of which 2% (3/148) were grade 5, as previously reported.

Andrew A. Lane, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the BPDCN Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston, and a co-investigator on the study, commented, “BPDCN is a devastating malignancy for which there are no approved therapies. Due to the increasing awareness around BPDCN and the promise of novel targeted agents such as SL-401, we have built a new BPDCN center at Dana-Farber to focus on this historically poorly understood, yet increasingly appreciated, patient population with unmet need. SL-401 has demonstrated efficacy with meaningful clinical benefit in BPDCN while maintaining a manageable safety profile, particularly notable in this predominantly older population, representing a major advance in the management of BPDCN. Also, given the presence of CD123 on additional aggressive hematologic cancers, we are also exploring SL-401 in combination with other agents in clinical trials of high risk MDS and AML.”

Ivan Bergstein, MD, CEO of Stemline, commented, “The successful completion of the largest prospective clinical trial ever conducted in BPDCN, is a major milestone for Stemline, our investigators, and most importantly, patients and their families. We would like to thank and congratulate all those involved in this groundbreaking trial. We look forward to working closely with regulatory authorities in an effort to provide SL-401 to patients as quickly as possible. In parallel, our commercial team continues to ramp-up activities setting the stage, if SL-401 is approved, for a successful launch.”

Conference Call and Webcast

Stemline Therapeutics will host a conference call and audio webcast this morning, Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at 8:30 AM ET. Interested participants and investors may access the conference call by dialing 844-389-8660 (U.S./Canada) or 478-219-0408 (International) and referencing conference ID: 1686609. An audio webcast can also be accessed via the Investor Relations tab of the Stemline Therapeutics website at View Source

About BPDCN

Please visit www.bpdcninfo.com and the BPDCN awareness booth (#3143) at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) 2017