On April 16, 2018 Endocyte, Inc. (Nasdaq:ECYT), a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted therapeutics for personalized cancer treatment, reported in a late-breaking poster session the presentation of new research from Endocyte’s chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) adaptor molecule (CAM) platform at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2018 in Chicago, IL (Press release, Endocyte, APR 16, 2018, View Source [SID1234525341]).

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"We are pleased to present data that support the utility of our unique CAR T platform, which potentially enables us to control cytokine release syndrome (CRS), manage T-cell exhaustion and address heterogeneity in both solid and liquid tumors through the administration of multiple CAMs," said Chris Leamon, vice president, research and development of Endocyte. "These findings are critical towards identifying the dosing regimen and confirming the anti-tumor activity of EC17/CAR T, our folate-targeted CAM-based therapy, as we look to initiate a phase 1 trial in osteosarcoma later this year."

Endocyte’s CAM-based therapies consist of a single universal autologous CAR T-cell, designed to bind with high affinity to FITC. This universal CAR T-cell can be specifically directed to cancer cells through the administration of a bi-specific adaptor molecule targeted to both FITC and a tumor target, which acts to bridge the universal CAR T-cell with the cancer cells. This allows for control of the antigen target through the administration of the CAM, in contrast to current CAR T-cell therapies, in which the antigen targets are not controlled.

The data presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) show that EC17 penetrates solid tumors within minutes and is retained due to high affinity for the folate receptor (FR), while unbound EC17 rapidly clears from the blood and receptor-negative tissues. When tested against human xenografts, EC17/CAR T-cell therapy has shown consistent antitumor activity with low or no adverse reactions. For translation into first-in-human testing, clinically relevant dosing regimens were evaluated using tumor-free and tumor-bearing mice to study CAR T-cell proliferation, cytokine production and the onset/mitigation of CRS. Preclinically, EC17/CAR T-cell therapy has demonstrated meaningful efficacy against some of the more aggressive and chemo-resistant FR+ tumors of various histology.

Although CRS could be triggered in this study, it could also be mitigated, or even prevented, using intermittent dosing and/or dose titration of the EC17 CAM. Under extreme conditions where dose cessation failed, intravenous sodium fluorescein (NaFl) could be used as a fast-acting rescue agent to temporarily displace CAR T-cells from their targets and reverse the CRS.

Website Information
Endocyte routinely posts important information for investors on its website, www.endocyte.com, in the "Investors & News" section. Endocyte uses this website as a means of disclosing material information in compliance with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the "Investors & News" section of Endocyte’s website, in addition to following its press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, Endocyte’s website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

On April 16, 2018 JHL Biotech reported that the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has accepted for review JHL’s Clinical Trial Application for a proposedbevacizumab biosimilar, JHL1149, to treat cancer (Press release, JHL Biotech, APR 16, 2018, http://www.jhlbiotech.com/press-release/jhl-biotechs-clinical-trial-application-accepted-by-china-for-bevacizumab-biosimilar-to-treat-colorectal-lung-and-ovarian-cancers/ [SID1234525358]).
JHL1149 is a biosimilar to bevacizumab and would provide an affordable alternative to treat several cancers, the most common of which are metastatic colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, andovarian cancer, as well as cervical cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and glioblastoma.

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JHL is planning to conduct a Phase 1 pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers in China followed by a multinational Phase 3 efficacy study in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Currently, a Phase I clinical trial for JHL1149 is ongoing in Europe. The data from these trials will support the global registration and commercialization of JHL1149. Once approved, JHL1149 will be manufactured at JHL’s facility in Wuhan, China, the world’s largest biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant based on single-use technologies, which will provide a high-quality supply of products worldwide.
JHL1149 is an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) monoclonal antibody. The reference biologic, bevacizumab, is marketed by Roche under the trade name, Avastin. In 2017, bevacizumabgenerated worldwide revenues of approximately US$7 billion.

"JHL 1149 has been demonstrating a high level of similarity to the innovator product in physicochemcial and biological characteristics and in comparative preclinical studies," said Dr. Rong Chen, Chief Medical Officer, JHL Biotech. "Clinical trial for JHL1149 in China is a milestone in delivering quality and accessible products to patients worldwide who suffer from high unmet medical needs."

"Bevacizumab is an important biologic that is unfortunately very expensive for patients suffering from certain cancers, and JHL1149 would provide an affordable treatment for these patients," said Mr. Racho Jordanov, CEO, JHL Biotech. "JHL’s clinical trial in China is a step forward in our mission to become a global leader in developing, manufacturing, and commercializing biologics."

In addition to JHL1149, JHL has several other biosimilars currently in or expected to be in clinical trials. These include:
Rituximab biosimilar, JHL1101, to treat rheumatoid arthritis and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Currently in Phase I trial in Europe.
Dornase alfa biosimilar, JHL1922, to manage symptoms of cystic fibrosis. Currently in Phase I trial in Europe.
Trastuzumab biosimilar, JHL1188, to treat breast cancer.
JHL1211, to treat asthma and chronic idiopathic urticaria.
JHL1199, to treat breast cancer.
JHL1266, to treat osteoporosis.
Media Contact:
Ellis Chu: [email protected] phone: +886 3-658-3899
Jill Liu: [email protected] phone: +886 3-658-3899
Amber Chen: [email protected] phone: +886 3-658-3899

On April 16, 2018 Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX.TLX) ("Telix", the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of diagnostic and therapeutic products based on targeted
radiopharmaceuticals or "molecularly-targeted radiation" (MTR), has reported a research partnership with the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale or "INSERM") and the "Accelerator for Research in Radiochemistry and Oncology at Nantes Atlantic" (ARRONAX) (Press release, Telix Pharmaceuticals, APR 16, 2018, View Source [SID1234525562]).

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INSERM is a leading translational research organization with a strong track record of industry engagement and technology development to benefit human health. ARRONAX is a unique cyclotron (particle accelerator) facility and a world-leader in the production of certain novel radioactive isotopes, including 211At (astatine). Together, INSERM and ARRONAX have created a highly capable nuclear medicine research cluster in Nantes with a track record of
cutting-edge translational research.

Under the research partnership, Telix will explore the feasibility of using several of its clinical targeting agents with astatine. Astatine is an "alpha emitter", a very high-energy radionuclide that is capable of significantly altering the tumour microenvironment when attached to a molecular targeting agent that is specific for cancer cells. The agreement will fund sufficient staff and facility time to conduct a number of studies over a two-year period, including
preparation for pilot clinical studies in the nuclear medicine department of University Hospital of Nantes. The agreement also accesses a portfolio of intellectual property that has been developed within the Nantes cluster that may lead to new products and indications for Telix’s therapeutic pipeline.

Telix Europe President Ms. Odile Jaume stated, "The Nantes nuclear research cluster is one of the finest translational environments in Europe, with a particular strength and capability in astatine, including production facilities and processes that are capable of making materials for human research. This collaboration has the potential to expand the clinical utility of Telix’s technology and build a set of ‘next generation’ products that may deliver even greater clinical utility to cancer patients."

Professor Michel Chérel (team leader, INSERM University of Nantes) and Dr Jean-Francois Gestin (radiochemistry development) noted, "We are pleased to be working with Telix to progress the use of astatine in a clinical setting. This partnership is a great example of translational research aiming at truly personalized medicine in France and beyond. The clinical translation of astatine therapy will be performed in the nuclear medicine department of
Nantes Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) and l’Institut de Cancérologie de l’Ouest (ICO) chaired by Professor Françoise Kraeber-Bodéré, in collaboration with the Labex IRON network (Innovative Radiopharmaceuticals in Oncology and Neurology) and "Le SIRIC ILIAD" (Imaging and Longitudinal Investigations to Ameliorate Decision-making in Multiple Myeloma and Breast Cancer)."

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Professor Ferid Haddad, Director of ARRONAX added, "Our facility has been established with the development of alpha-nuclide therapy in mind. To this end, this highly innovative partnership with Telix is an important step forward and we believe that it will result in the development of new cancer treatment strategies.

On April 16, 2018 Exicure, Inc., the pioneer in gene regulatory and immunotherapeutic drugs utilizing three-dimensional, spherical nucleic acid (SNA) constructs, reported that it will present preclinical data in a poster session at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2018 Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois from April 14-18, 2018 (Press release, Exicure, APR 16, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2342684 [SID1234525342]). The poster titled "TLR9 agonist SNA-induced innate and adaptive immune responses in tumor microenvironment enhance checkpoint inhibitor antitumor activity in mouse tumor models" supports the ongoing clinical development of the company’s proprietary SNA technology and highlights its potential impact in the tumor microenvironment in potentiating antitumor effects of anti-PD-1.

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The data presented in the poster, in combination with many other preclinical studies, provided the basis for advancing Exicure’s drug candidate, AST-008, into its Phase 1 clinical trial. We began subject dosing in our Phase 1 clinical trial for AST-008 in the fourth quarter of 2017 and expect this trial to be completed in mid-2018.

AST-008 utilizes Exicure’s proprietary spherical nucleic acid (SNA) technology designed in this case to agonize toll-like receptor 9, or TLR9, for application in immuno-oncology. Exicure has observed that administration of AST-008 as a monotherapy can have anti-tumor activity in colon cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma and melanoma mouse models. The company has also observed that, in preclinical studies in a variety of tumor models, AST-008 applied in combination with certain checkpoint inhibitors exhibited anti-tumor responses and survival rates that were greater than those demonstrated by checkpoint inhibitors alone.

Details on the poster presentation are as follows:

Title: TLR9 agonist SNA-induced innate and adaptive immune responses in tumor micro-environment enhance checkpoint inhibitor antitumor activity in mouse tumor models
Abstract No: 3758
Session Title: Immunomodulatory Agents and Interventions 1
Date/Time: April 17, 2018; 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM CT
Location: McCormick Place South, Exhibit Hall A, Poster Section 32

Full abstracts are available on the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) conference website at View Source

On April 16, 2018 A proprietary,precision cancer therapy platform from SRI International has reported that identified new molecular targets for the treatment and prevention of an aggressive and difficult-to-treat type of breast cancer (Press release, SRI International, APR 16, 2018, View Source [SID1234525359]). Subarna Sinha, Ph.D., bioinformatics program leader at SRI, presented new data describing the platform and the validated target today during a minisymposium at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

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Identification of new molecular targets for drug therapy is an area of active investigation and continued need in oncology. The Mining Synthetic Lethals (MiSL) platform offered by SRI may accelerate the discovery of new targeted oncology drugs by integrating a computational approach that mines patterns from primary tumor data with pre-clinical validation of potential targets.

The MiSL platform works by "looking" for synthetic lethal (SL) partners among primary tumor data and then validating them in vivo. Synthetic lethality offers a new approach to finding targeted therapies for previously "undruggable" tumor mutations. In SL interactions, a diseased cell with a mutation is dependent on a second gene for cell survival. Inhibiting activity of the second gene in these cells leads to cell death.

"If you can inhibit the SL partner, you can very exquisitely kill cancer cells," said Dr. Sinha. "MiSL overcomes the limitations of cell line screening methods such as shRNA and CRISPR, and has previously demonstrated ability to identify valid SL partners in multiple tumor types, including acute myeloid leukemia and kidney cancer. Today we presented the first data demonstrating the platform’s ability to identify new targets in triple-negative breast cancer."
BRCA1 is mutated in 15 to 20 percent of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). SRI researchers used MiSL to identify and predict 22 SL partners of the BRCA1 mutation in TNBC, including XRCC6. To test the prediction that XRCC6 is an SL partner of BRCA1 in TNBC, SRI researchers examined the effect of inhibiting XRCC6 in a BRCA1-mutated TNBC cell line. The researchers found that this XRCC6 "knockdown" significantly increased cell death (37.3 percent) and reduced viability (50 percent reduction, p < 0.0001) as compared to controls. SRI researchers are testing the remaining SL partners identified by MiSL in an effort to expand the set of available molecular targets that may become the focus of new drug discovery projects.

"This platform opens the door for discovering new options to treat BRCA1-mutated breast cancers and could lead to new chemo-prevention strategies for individuals carrying germline BRCA1 mutations," added Dr. Sinha.