On February 12, 2018 ERYTECH Pharma (Euronext: ERYP- Nasdaq: ERYP), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies by encapsulating therapeutic drug substances inside red blood cells, reported the selection of Triple Negative Breast Cancer as the next target indication for broadening the scope of eryaspase (GRASPA) development in solid tumors (Press release, ERYtech Pharma, FEB 12, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2332012 [SID1234523923]).

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L-asparaginase is a cornerstone treatment in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), especially for pediatric patients, but the excessive toxicity of conventional L-asparaginase formulations has limited its use in other indications.

The positive Phase 2b result of eryaspase (L-asparaginase encapsulated in red blood cells) in metastatic pancreatic cancer, reported in 2017, represents, to our knowledge, the first-ever evidence of clinical benefit of an asparaginase-based product in a solid tumor indication. In this 141-patient randomized Phase 2b study, eryaspase in combination with chemotherapy demonstrated a 40% reduction in risk of death rate (HR=0.60; p=0.009) compared to chemotherapy alone.

Following these very encouraging results, ERYTECH conducted a comprehensive evaluation to determine other potential solid-tumor indications for developing eryaspase. Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) has now been selected as the next indication to expand the potential use of eryaspase in solid tumors. TNBC is an aggressive and metabolically active form of breast cancer with high rates of symptomatic metastases. A recent publication in Nature1 supports the hypothesis that restricting availability of asparagine can reduce metastatic progression of cancer cells in breast cancer. One of the most striking observations from our Phase 2b trial in pancreatic cancer was the 40% reduction of new lesions in the eryaspase arm compared to the control arm.

"TNBC is a heterogenous subgroup of breast cancer associated with poor patient outcome and high risk of recurrence compared to other breast cancer subtypes. Aside from BRCA1/2 mutation status, treatment options for TNBC remain limited," commented Iman El-Hariry, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of ERYTECH. "There is growing evidence of altered metabolism in TNBC. The evaluation of eryaspase in metastatic TNBC provides a promising new therapeutic approach, which capitalizes on reprogramming of the metabolic pathways in this disease."

Gil Beyen, Chairman and CEO of ERYTECH, added, "The selection of TNBC as the second solid tumor indication for evaluating eryaspase anti-tumor activity brings hope for improving the health of these women. The safety profile of eryaspase provides additional rationale for combination with currently existing therapies to increase treatment options in TNBC."

The development in TNBC complements ERYTECH’s pipeline of programs, which focus on the development of therapies that target amino acid metabolism of tumor cells. Set-up activities of a Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical study have started and ERYTECH expects to enroll the first patient in Q3 2018.

About Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women globally with nearly 1.8 million new cases diagnosed annually2. It is estimated that over 600,000 women each year are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States and Europe in aggregate3. Approximately 10-20% of breast cancers are TNBC, a form of breast cancer that lacks expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and does not overexpress HER24. TNBC is associated with a poorer prognosis when compared to other breast cancer subtypes. As commonly utilized hormone therapy and HER2 targeting agents are not treatment options for women with TNBC, there is significant unmet need for novel therapeutic approaches in this subtype of breast cancer.

On February 10, 2018 AVEO Oncology (NASDAQ: AVEO) and EUSA Pharma reported the presentation of preliminary results from the Phase 2 portion of the TiNivo study, a Phase 1b/2 multicenter trial of oral (PO) tivozanib (FOTIVDA) in combination with intravenous (IV) nivolumab (OPDIVO, Bristol-Myers Squibb), an immune checkpoint, or PD-1, inhibitor, for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) (Press release, AVEO, FEB 10, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2331694 [SID1234523891]). The results were presented today at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper)’s Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU), in a poster presentation titled "Tivozanib combined with nivolumab: Phase Ib/II study in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC)" (Abstract 618). A copy of the presentation is available at www.aveooncology.com or further information can be obtained via EUSA Pharma Medical Information.

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The Phase 1/2 study has enrolled a total of 27 patients. The Phase 2 portion of the study (n=21) was designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and anti-tumor activity of the full dose and schedule of PO tivozanib (1.5 mg/QD for 21 days followed by a 7-day rest period), as established in the Phase 1 portion of the study (n=6), in combination with IV nivolumab (240 mg every 2 weeks). The combination was generally well tolerated. Treatment-related Grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in 44% of patients, the most common of which was hypertension.

Preliminary efficacy was assessed in 14 patients treated with the full dose and schedule of PO tivozanib in combination with IV nivolumab and enrolled at least 4 months prior to the data cutoff date. Of these, seven had received at least one prior systemic therapy. An objective response rate was observed in 64% of patients (partial responses), and a disease control rate (partial response + stable disease) was observed in 100% of patients. At the time of data collection, 11 of 14 evaluable patients remained on study.

"These preliminary data continue to support the rationale for choosing a high-specificity VEGF inhibitor TKI, such as tivozanib, in building upon the benefit of immune checkpoint therapy in renal cancer," said Doctor Bernard Escudier, MD, ex-Chairman of the Genitourinary Oncology Committee, Gustave Roussy, and lead investigator of the study. "Combining VEGF TKIs and immune checkpoint inhibitors has been hampered by toxicity, potentially emerging with the use of other TKIs, while minimal off-target toxicities have been observed with tivozanib in this combination. These results open the possibility for triple-combination therapy using tivozanib, nivolumab and ipilimumab, an immune system activator targeting CTLA-4."

"We believe that VEGF TKI-immunotherapy combinations are the obvious next step in the evolution of treatment within mRCC, which underscores the need for a VEGF therapy with best-in-class safety," said Michael Needle, M.D., chief medical officer of AVEO. "The preliminary activity and favorable safety profile observed thus far in the TiNivo study are encouraging and support the further exploration of tivozanib combinations with immuno-oncology therapies. In addition to the TiNivo study, we continue to look forward to topline data in the second quarter of 2018 from our Phase 3 TIVO-3 study, which, together with the previously completed TIVO-1 trial of tivozanib in the first line treatment of mRCC, is designed to support a request for regulatory approval of tivozanib in North America as a first and third line treatment for mRCC."

Lee Morley, EUSA Pharma’s Chief Executive Officer said, "We are excited by the continued development potential for tivozanib and the data arising from initial studies in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. As an effective TKI with a favorable tolerability profile, we are already launching tivozanib across the EU in line with its recent approval as monotherapy in the first line setting, and on the basis of the TiNivo study, we look forward to the potential to develop new innovative treatment options for patients in the future."

About Tivozanib (FOTIVDA)

Tivozanib (FOTIVDA) is an oral, once-daily, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) discovered by Kyowa Hakko Kirin and approved for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the European Union plus Norway and Iceland. It is a potent, selective and long half-life inhibitor of all three VEGF receptors and is designed to optimize VEGF blockade while minimizing off-target toxicities, potentially resulting in improved efficacy and minimal dose modifications.1,2 Tivozanib has been shown to significantly reduce regulatory T-cell production in preclinical models, enabling potentially enhanced activity when used in combination with immune modulating therapy. As part of a North American registration plan, Tivozanib is currently being studied in the Phase 3 TIVO-3 trial, a randomized, controlled, multi-center, open-label study to compare tivozanib to sorafenib in subjects with refractory advanced RCC. Tivozanib has been investigated in several tumors types, including renal cell, hepatocellular, colorectal and breast cancers.

lthough emerging immuno-oncology products have been able to elicit unprecedented responses in cancers that are easily accessible to immune cells (eg. leukemia), solid tumors may be resistant to such therapies. 7 Hills is developing cost effective, safe therapeutics to overcome such resistance. Our lead compounds have the potential to increase the antitumor activity of numerous emerging cell-based immunotherapies, and enable the use of recently approved drugs to treat solid tumors that are currently refractory to therapy.

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7HP compounds target validated cell adhesion pathways that are critical for T cell homing to specific tissues. They are the only known activators of both the VLA-4/VCAM-1 and LFA-1/ICAM-1 cell adhesion axes. Activation of these adhesion pathways could significantly increase the trafficking of endogenous effector lymphocytes (targets of checkpoint blockade therapeutics) or adoptively transferred effectors (like CAR-T cells) into solid tumors.

Pre-clinical studies have shown that 7HP lead compounds:

Increase the adhesion of activated T-cells to simulated tumor endothelium by 100 fold,
Increase the penetration of activated T-cells into simulated tumor stroma.

On February 8, 2018 ImmunoGen, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMGN), a leader in the expanding field of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of cancer, reported recent highlights and operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017 (Press release, ImmunoGen, FEB 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234523873]).

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"We made significant progress with the business in 2017, with four consecutive quarters of strong execution across the Company. Operationally, we advanced our monotherapy registration study and published compelling combination data with mirvetuximab, expanded our clinical pipeline, and established a high-value partnership with Jazz Pharmaceuticals supporting our earlier-stage programs. Financially, we added over $235 million in cash and eliminated roughly $100 million in debt on the balance sheet through business development and financing transactions," said Mark Enyedy, ImmunoGen’s president and chief executive officer. "With the momentum we generated in the last twelve months, we enter 2018 from a position of strength with a number of important catalysts expected during the year. We anticipate completing patient enrollment in our FORWARD I Phase 3 registration trial by mid-year, multiple data readouts from our FORWARD II trial assessing combinations with mirvetuximab beginning next month at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology annual meeting, and clinical data from our Phase 1 trials of both IMGN779 and IMGN632 later in the year. With these anticipated events, we look forward to another productive year in 2018 as we advance our pipeline to bring new therapies to patients and create value for our shareholders."

Recent Pipeline Highlights

Activated more than 100 sites in North America and Europe in the Company’s ongoing Phase 3 FORWARD I trial of mirvetuximab soravtansine as single-agent therapy for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer enabling rapid patient enrollment;
Advanced the Company’s Phase 1b/2 FORWARD II trial in North America and Europe evaluating mirvetuximab soravtansine combination regimens in separate expansion cohorts with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Avastin (bevacizumab) for platinum-resistant disease, and initiated patient dosing in a new cohort to evaluate the triplet combination of mirvetuximab plus carboplatin and Avastin in patients with platinum-sensitive disease;
Reported updated safety data and preliminary anti-leukemia activity from the dose-escalation phase of the Phase 1 clinical trial of IMGN779 in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at the 2017 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting;
Began dosing patients in the Company’s Phase 1 clinical trial of IMGN632, a CD123-targeting ADC integrating a potent DNA-alkylating payload intended to treat a range of hematological malignancies, including AML and blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN); and
Received notice that partner Takeda has filed an IND for TAK-164, an ADC directed to GCC-positive tumors using ImmunoGen’s IGN platform.
Facilities Update

Following an in-depth review of the Company’s manufacturing strategy, ImmunoGen will move to an operating model that will rely on external manufacturing and quality testing for drug substance and drug product for its development programs. The implementation of this new operating model will lead to the ramp-down of manufacturing and quality activities at the Company’s Norwood, Massachusetts facility by the end of 2018, with a full exit of the site by early 2019. Decommissioning the Norwood facility will result in anticipated cost savings of over $20 million during the next five years.
The Norwood facility has been a long-standing staple of ImmunoGen’s business, delivering high-quality products to patients and partners without interruption for more than 25 years. The Company is grateful for the contributions that its Norwood-based employees have made and will support these employees through the transition.
Anticipated 2018 Events

Conduct interim analysis from FORWARD I, for futility only, in 1Q 2018;
Report updated dose-escalation findings from the FORWARD II mirvetuximab plus Keytruda combination cohort at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology annual meeting (March 2018);
Present highlights from ImmunoGen’s technology and innovation in ADCs at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) annual meeting (April 2018);
Anticipate partner Takeda to begin clinical development of TAK-164 in the first half of 2018;
Report updated data from the FORWARD II mirvetuximab plus Avastin combination expansion cohort in over 50 patients in the first half of 2018;
Complete patient enrollment in FORWARD I by mid-year;
Report findings from the FORWARD II mirvetuximab plus Keytruda combination expansion cohort in over 30 patients the second half of the year;
Report additional data from IMGN779 Phase 1 study in 4Q 2018;
Report initial data from IMGN632 Phase 1 study in 4Q 2018; and
Advance our ADAM9 program into IND-enabling activities before year-end.
Financial Results

As previously disclosed, effective January 1, 2017, ImmunoGen transitioned to a fiscal year ending December 31. The years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 reflect the twelve-month results of the respective calendar years.

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $115.4 million, compared to $48.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. License and milestone fees of $79.5 million for 2017 included a $30 million paid-up license fee related to an amendment to the Company’s collaboration and license agreement with Sanofi, $29.5 million related to the sale and transfer of the Company’s IMGN529 asset to Debiopharm, $7 million in partner milestone payments and $12.7 million in amortization of a non-cash fee related to the Company’s license agreement with CytomX, compared to $15 million in partner milestone payments received in 2016. Revenues for 2017 included $28.1 million in non-cash royalty revenues, compared with $26.2 million in non-cash royalty revenues for 2016. Revenues for 2017 also included $3.5 million of research and development (R&D) support fees and $4.4 million of clinical materials revenue, compared with $5.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively, for 2016.

Operating expenses, including R&D and G&A expenses, for 2017 were $174.4 million, compared to $184.3 million for 2016. R&D expenses for 2017 decreased to $139.7 million, compared to $141.3 million for 2016, primarily due to a workforce reduction resulting from the strategic review in September 2016 and lower third-party service fees, partially offset by increased clinical trial and drug supply costs driven largely by the advancement of the FORWARD I Phase 3 clinical trial. General and administrative expenses decreased in 2017 to $33.9 million, compared to $38.5 million in 2016, primarily due to lower personnel expenses. Operating expenses for 2016 also included a $4.4 million restructuring charge related to the workforce reduction and a loss on leased office space, compared to a $0.8 million charge in 2017 related to additional loss recorded on leased office space.

In September and November 2017, a total of $97.9 million of convertible debt outstanding was converted into 26.2 million shares of the Company’s common stock, resulting in a $22.9 million non-cash debt conversion charge recorded in 2017. With this conversion, the Company’s outstanding debt is reduced to $2.1 million. In October 2017, pursuant to a public offering, the Company sold an aggregate of 16.7 million shares of its common stock, with net proceeds to the Company of $101.7 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses.

ImmunoGen reported a net loss of $96.0 million, or $0.98 per basic and diluted share, for 2017, which included a loss of $0.23 per basic and diluted share relating to the non-cash debt conversion charge, compared to a net loss of $156.7 million, or $1.80 per basic and diluted share, for 2016.

ImmunoGen had $267.1 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2017, compared with $160.0 million as of December 31, 2016, and had $2.1 million and $100.0 million of convertible debt outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Cash provided by operations was $7.6 million for 2017, compared with cash used in operations of $(142.6) million for 2016. The current year benefited from $59.5 million of fees received from Sanofi and Debiopharm, which were included in revenue for 2017, and a $75 million upfront payment received from Jazz, which is included in deferred revenue as of December 31, 2017. Capital expenditures were $1.1 million and $6.7 million for 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Financial Guidance

For 2018, ImmunoGen expects:

revenues between $60 million and $65 million;
operating expenses between $185 million and $190 million; and
cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2018 between $115 million and $120 million.
ImmunoGen expects that its current cash combined with the expected cash revenues from partners and collaborators will enable the Company to fund its operations into the fourth quarter of 2019.

Conference Call Information
ImmunoGen will hold a conference call today at 8:00 am ET to discuss these results. To access the live call by phone, dial 719-325-4917; the conference ID is 5734226. The call may also be accessed through the Investors section of the Company’s website, www.immunogen.com. Following the webcast, a replay of the call will be available at the same location through February 23, 2018.

On February 9, 2018 pSivida Corp. (NASDAQ:PSDV) (ASX:PVA), a leader in the development of sustained release drug products and technologies, reported that Nancy Lurker, President and Chief Executive Officer, is scheduled to present an overview of the Company and its progress at the Annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. ET (Press release, pSivida, FEB 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234523874]). The conference will be held in New York, NY.

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A live audio and/or webcast and subsequent archived replay of pSivida’s presentation may be accessed via the Investors section of the Company’s website under "Resources – Events & Presentations" at www.psivida.com. The replay will be available for 90 days after the event.