On April 18, 2018 Bio-Path Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: BPTH), a biotechnology company leveraging its proprietary DNAbilize antisense RNAi nanoparticle technology to develop a portfolio of targeted nucleic acid cancer drugs, reported that data from pre-clinical studies supporting the potential of prexigebersen (BP1001, liposomal Grb2 antisense), in the treatment of solid tumors in gynecologic malignancies were presented in a poster at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper), which took place in Chicago, IL (Press release, Bio-Path Holdings, APR 18, 2018, View Source [SID1234525522]).

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The poster titled, "Grabbing GRB2: The use of Liposome-incorporated Grb2 antisense oligonucleotides as a novel therapy in gynecologic malignancies," was presented by Olivia D. Lara, M.D., University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Gynecologic Oncology during the Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics Poster Session. The data summarize results from studies investigating the expression of GRB2 in a series of in vitro experiments in high-grade serous (HGSC) and uterine (UC) carcinoma models. The study also examined the biological effects of prexigebersen in HGSC mice models (OVCAR 5), first in a dose-defining experiment then in combination with standard dose paclitaxel.

The data showed there was an eighty-six percent (86%) decrease in tumor burden (p<0.05), and multinodular burden (p<0.01) in the combination prexigebersen/paclitaxel group compared to control. In addition, there was no apparent toxicity with mice on combination therapy losing less weight than the paclitaxel-only group (P = 0.005).

"We are delighted to present these very encouraging findings at this year’s AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) before an audience of the world’s leading cancer researchers and clinicians," stated Peter H. Nielsen, chief executive officer of Bio-Path Holdings. "Our research continues to suggest that prexigebersen-based combination therapy may offer an attractive method for targeting solid tumors and these findings establish the GRB2/GAB2 complex as an important target for prexigebersen. We look forward to advancing this promising therapy in gynecologic and other solid tumor cancers and plan to initiate first-in-human studies as early as the end of this year.

On April 18, 2018 Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. ("Checkpoint") (NASDAQ: CKPT), a clinicalstage, immuno-oncology biopharmaceutical company focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of novel treatments for patients with solid tumor cancers, reported that preclinical data supporting the clinical development of its BET inhibitor CK-103 (also known as TG-1601) will be presented today in a poster session at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, at McCormick Place North/South (Press release, Checkpoint Therapeutics, APR 18, 2018, View Source [SID1234525506]). The Company’s poster is available for viewing today from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT, during the Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics/Canonical Targets 2 Session in Exhibit Hall A.

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Key conclusions from the poster are as follows:
TG-1601 is a novel BET inhibitor with strong binding affinity and long-lasting effect in preclinical models
• CK-103 is a novel and potent BET inhibitor that specifically inhibits the binding of the BET subfamily of bromodomain-containing protein family;
• CK-103 potently inhibits cell growth of various multiple myeloma and lymphoma cell lines in vitro, but does not affect the growth of normal cell lines;
• CK-103 inhibits MYC and Bcl-2 expression in preclinical models; and
• CK-103 showed combinatorial effects in an in vivo model with anti-PD-1 antibodies.

James F. Oliviero, President and Chief Executive Officer of Checkpoint, said, "These data demonstrate CK103’s
potential to be a novel BET inhibitor that potently inhibits MYC expression. Elevated levels of MYC proteins are found in 60-70% of all cancers, making this family of oncogenes a promising therapeutic target. We believe the preclinical data presented today provides encouraging evidence to support the development of CK-103 as an anti-cancer agent, alone and in combination with our anti-PD-L1 antibody, and look forward to the advancement of CK-103 into a first-in-human Phase 1 trial expected to commence later this year."

The poster is available on the Publications page in the Pipeline section of Checkpoint’s website,
www.checkpointtx.com.

On April 18, 2018 Grid Therapeutics, LLC, a biotechnology company developing a first-in-class, novel human-derived targeted immunotherapy for cancer, reported the closing of its Series B financing (Press release, Grid Therapeutics, APR 18, 2018, View Source [SID1234526796]). Grid will use the proceeds from the financing to accelerate and expand the development of Grid’s lead therapeutic candidate, GT103, for the treatment of solid tumors, and to prepare for clinical trials in cancer patients scheduled to commence in early 2019. Grid’s foundation is the innovative science developed by Edward F. Patz, Jr., MD, and his team of scientists at Duke University Medical Center.

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Grid’s Series B financing was led by Milestone Holdings, a California-based venture company boasting a strong history of identifying and funding companies developing disruptive technologies with revolutionary intellectual property, Paul Funk, a veteran software entrepreneur and founder of Funk Software, and Jeffery "TJ" Heyman, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Woodbourne Capital Management International.

Grid’s unique platform is based upon a groundbreaking approach of identifying specific tumor immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies from cancer patients with exceptional outcomes. Grid’s unique strategy obtained the sequence and isolated its lead IgG3 antibody directly from cancer patients’ single B cells, which will modulate the immune system to kill tumors without known side effects.

"Grid Therapeutics is very excited to welcome our new investors, all of whom bring a rich history of innovation and thought leadership. With this new round of capital, we are well positioned to accelerate the development and advancement of our novel antibody into the clinic," commented Dr. Patz, CEO of Grid.

On April 18, 2018 Transgene (Paris:TNG), a biotech company that designs and develops virus-based immunotherapies, presents a poster with promising preclinical data on a novel viral vector (pseudocowpox, PCPV) at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) (American Association for Cancer Research) Annual Meeting 2018, Chicago, IL, USA, April 14 – 18 (Press release, Transgene, APR 18, 2018, View Source [SID1234525490]).

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PCPV was found to be the most promising therapeutic candidate amongst the poxviridae evaluated by Transgene:

It displayed the strongest immunogenicity, and the best ability to reduce tumor size and increase survival in immunocompetent mice carrying fast-growing tumors.
It induced a very strong cellular response and showed an attractive cytokine/chemokine profile.
It also induced a strong local secretion of IFN-α and impressive changes in the tumor micro-environment, including decreased frequency of immunosuppressive cells in the tumor.
The abstract is available on the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2018 website (#LB-287) and will be published in Cancer Research in June 2018.

Poster title: Pseudocowpox: A next generation viral vector for cancer immunotherapy. A poxviral vector selected for its remarkable ability to induce IFN-alpha.

On April 18, 2018 Tusk Therapeutics, an immuno-oncology company focused on developing immune-modulating therapeutics by targeting immune cells in cancer, presented pre-clinical proof-of-concept data generated in collaboration with Cancer Research UK and University College London (UCL), relating to its anti-CD25 programme at the 2018 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper).

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Tusk Therapeutics presented data on its first-in-class anti-CD25 programme that has entered pre-clinical development. The antibody depletes regulatory T cells (Tregs) while preserving IL-2 binding and signalling on effector T cells (Teffs). Tusk, together with the University College London research group led by Dr. Sergio Quezada, has shown that targeting Tregs with non-IL-2 blocking anti-CD25 antibodies creates highly potent anti-tumour responses in monotherapy and combination therapy. Proof-of-concept has been established in multiple pre-clinical models.

Tregs, a subpopulation of T cells, are key players in the suppressive tumour microenvironment (TME). Tregs in the TME hinder the body’s ability to control the growth of cancerous cells and their presence is correlated with a worse prognosis in multiple cancers. Effective Treg targeting has been a topic in the cancer field for several years and Tusk’s approach demonstrates it is possible to deplete Tregs in solid tumour which leads to tumour control. Tusk’s antibody is specifically selected to preserve signalling of the IL-2 cytokine on effector cells which is a key regulator of immune-activation.

Commenting on the data, Luc Dochez, Chief Executive Officer of Tusk Therapeutics, said: "The data presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) demonstrate the unique mechanism of action of our anti-CD25 antibody. Unlike existing aCD25 antibodies our antibody has the ability to deplete Tregs without inhibiting effector cell responses. Based on the promising pre-clinical data, we believe that our anti-CD25 candidates will be an ideal combination partner for existing standard of care and immuno-oncology treatments."

​The data was presented as an oral presentation by Dr. Sergio Quezada, Group Leader and Cancer Research UK Senior Research Fellow at The UCL Cancer Institute, and Chairman of Tusk Therapeutics’ Scientific Advisory Board and in two posters, presented by the Tusk and UCL teams. Tusk Therapeutics’ first-in-class anti-CD25 antibody programme was built on novel biology discovered by Tusk Therapeutics in collaboration with Dr. Quezada and his team at UCL. Tusk Therapeutics, Cancer Research UK (via its Commercial Partnerships Team) and UCL announced in 2017, an exclusive licensing and collaboration deal to develop and commercialise antibody-based therapeutics against CD25.