Bristol-Myers Squibb to Present New Data Across a Broad Range of Blood Cancers at the 59th Annual Meeting & Exposition of the American Society of Hematology

On November 29, 2017 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) reported 33 presentations from Company-sponsored studies, collaborations and investigator-sponsored research evaluating Opdivo (nivolumab), Sprycel (dasatinib) and Empliciti (elotuzumab), will be featured at the 59th Annual Meeting & Exposition of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) in Atlanta, Ga. from December 9-12 (Press release, Bristol-Myers Squibb, NOV 29, 2017, View Source [SID1234522302]).

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Presentations across tumor types, including Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, leukemia and multiple myeloma, reinforce Bristol-Myers Squibb’s deep expertise in hematologic cancers and commitment to advancing science to improve patient outcomes.

Data to be presented by Bristol-Myers Squibb include:

Classical and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Results from a phase 1/2 study of brentuximab vedotin in combination with nivolumab in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma
Author: A. Herrera
Abstract: #649
Oral Session: 624. Hodgkin Lymphoma and T/NK Cell-Lymphoma-Clinical Studies: Hodgkin Lymphoma Immunotherapy studies; nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma clinical studies
Monday, December 11, 10:30 AM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 4, Marcus Auditorium
Nivolumab treatment beyond investigator-assessed progression: outcomes in patients with relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma from the phase 2 CheckMate -205 study
Author: J. Cohen
Abstract: #650
Oral Session: 624. Hodgkin Lymphoma and T/NK Cell-Lymphoma-Clinical Studies: Hodgkin Lymphoma Immunotherapy studies; nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma clinical studies
Monday, December 11, 10:45 AM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 4, Marcus Auditorium
Nivolumab for newly diagnosed advanced-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma: results from the phase 2 CheckMate -205 study
Author: R. Ramchandren
Abstract: #651
Oral Session: 624. Hodgkin Lymphoma and T/NK Cell-Lymphoma-Clinical Studies: Hodgkin Lymphoma Immunotherapy studies; nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma clinical studies
Monday, December 11, 11 AM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 4, Marcus Auditorium
Safety and efficacy of the combination of ibrutinib and nivolumab in patients with relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Author: A. Younes
Abstract: #833
Oral Session: 642. CLL: Therapy, excluding Transplantation: New Agents, Infections and PET/CT
Monday, December 11, 5:30 PM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building B, Level 5, Murphy BR 3-4
Expression of major histocompatibility complex class II, but not MHC class I, predicts outcome in patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma treated with nivolumab (programmed death-1 [PD-1] blockade)
Author: M. Roemer
Abstract: #1450
Poster Session: 621. Lymphoma-Genetic/Epigenetic Biology: Poster I
Saturday, December 9, 5:30-7:30 PM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 1, Hall A2
Cost effectiveness of nivolumab for the treatment of relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma after failure of autologous stem cell transplantation and treatment with brentuximab vedotin treatment in Australia
Author: M. Tan
Abstract: #2166
Poster Session: 904. Outcomes Research-Malignant Conditions: Poster I
Saturday, December 9, 5:30-7:30 PM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 1, Hall A2
Effect of nivolumab on patient-reported outcomes in patients with relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma after autologous transplantation: results from the multicohort phase 2 CheckMate -205 study
Author: A. Engert
Abstract: #3441
Poster Session: 904. Outcomes Research-Malignant Conditions: Poster II
Sunday, December 10, 6-8 PM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 1, Hall A2
Economic burden in U.S. patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma treated with brentuximab vedotin or chemotherapy after failure of autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation
Author: C. Chen
Abstract: #4705
Poster Session: 902. Health Services Research-Malignant Conditions: Poster III
Monday, December 11, 6-8 PM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 1, Hall A2
Multiple Myeloma

Elotuzumab plus lenalidomide/dexamethasone vs Ld in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: phase 2, randomized, open-label study in Japan
Author: N. Takezako
Abstract: #434
Oral Session: 653. Myeloma: Therapy, excluding Transplantation: Upfront Therapy for Multiple Myeloma: Induction and Maintenance
Sunday, December 10, 12:15 PM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building C, Level 1, Hall C4
Duration of treatment of multiple myeloma regimens in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: findings in U.S. clinical practice settings
Author: R. Potluri
Abstract: #1844
Poster Session: 653. Myeloma: Therapy, excluding Transplantation: Poster I
Saturday, December 9, 5:30-7:30 PM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 1, Hall A2
Treatment sequencing patterns observed in patients treated initially with lenalidomide/dexamethasone combination as frontline multiple myeloma therapy
Author: C. Chen
Abstract: #3127
Poster Session: 653. Myeloma: Therapy, excluding Transplantation: Poster II
Sunday, December 10, 6-8 PM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 1, Hall A2
Treatment patterns and associated outcomes in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in the U.S. and non-U.S. countries: findings from PREAMBLE
Author: R. Vij
Abstract: #3123
Poster Session: 653. Myeloma: Therapy, excluding Transplantation: Poster II
Sunday, December 10, 6-8 PM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 1, Hall A2
Healthcare resource utilization and costs associated with different treatment modalities of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients in the U.S.: findings from PREAMBLE
Author: D. Kuter
Abstract: #3157
Poster Session: 653. Myeloma: Therapy, excluding Transplantation: Poster II
Sunday, December 10, 6-8 PM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 1, Hall A2
Leukemia

CA180-372: An international collaborative phase 2 trial of dasatinib and chemotherapy in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Author: S. Hunger
Abstract #98
Oral Session: 612. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Clinical Studies: Advances in the Treatment of ALL
Saturday, December 9, 9:45 AM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building C, Level 2, Hall C211-C213
Dasatinib discontinuation in patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia and stable deep molecular response
Author: N. Shah
Abstract: #314
Oral Session: 632: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Therapy: Treatment Discontinuation, Dose Reduction and Prognostic Indicators
Sunday, December 10, 7:45 AM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 4, Marcus Auditorium
Impact of earlier vs. later monitoring on disease progression and economic outcomes among patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the real-world setting
Author: E. Jabbour
Abstract: #2175
Poster Session: 904. Outcomes Research—Malignant Conditions: Poster I
Saturday, December 9, 5:30-7:30 PM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 1, Hall A2
Cytogenetic and molecular responses by two years in SIMPLICITY, an observational study of chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients in routine clinical practice
Author: J. Cortes
Abstract: #2894
Poster Session: 632. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Therapy: Poster II
Sunday, December 10, 6-8 PM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 1, Hall A2
Economic modeling of the potential impact of chronic myeloid leukemia monitoring on healthcare costs
Author: E. Jabbour
Abstract: #3378
Poster Session: 902. Health Services Research—Malignant Conditions: Poster II
Sunday, December 10, 6-8 PM EST, Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Level 1, Hall A2

U.S. FDA GRANTS FAST TRACK DESIGNATION FOR IDERA PHARMACEUTICALS’ IMO-2125 IN COMBINATION WITH IPILIMUMAB FOR TREATMENT OF PD-1 REFRACTORY METASTATIC MELANOMA

On November 29, 2017 Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:IDRA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing toll-like receptor and RNA therapeutics for patients with rare cancers and rare diseases, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for the company’s lead development candidate IMO-2125 in combination with Ipilimumab for the treatment of anti-PD-1 refractory metastatic melanoma in combination with ipilimumab therapy (Press release, Idera Pharmaceuticals, NOV 29, 2017, View Source [SID1234522339]). FDA’s Fast Track program is designed to expedite the development and review of drugs and biologics to treat serious or life-threatening conditions with non-clinical or clinical data demonstrating the potential to address unmet medical needs. Such drugs may qualify for Fast Track designation.1

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"This Fast Track designation represents another positive step for the development of IMO-2125 and is a clear recognition of the serious unmet need that exists for patients who do not benefit from anti-PD-1 therapy," stated Joanna Horobin, M.B., Ch.B., Idera’s Chief Medical Officer. "We’re thrilled with the dramatic response rate that has been observed to date so far with IMO-2125 in combination with ipilimumab and are eager to continue enrolling more patients through both the Phase 2 expansion of our ongoing trial and initiating the Phase 3 trial early next year."

About Fast Track Designation1
Fast Track designation is intended to facilitate development and expedite review of drugs to treat serious or life-threatening conditions. A drug that is intended to treat a serious or life-threatening condition with nonclinical or clinical data that demonstrate the potential to address an unmet medical need may qualify for Fast Track designation. When Fast Track designation is requested later in development, available clinical data should demonstrate the potential to address an unmet medical need. There are opportunities for frequent interactions with the review team for a fast track product. In addition, such a product could be eligible for priority review if supported by clinical data at the time of BLA, NDA, or efficacy supplement submission.

About IMO-2125
IMO-2125 is a toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 agonist that received orphan drug designation from the FDA in 2017 for the treatment of melanoma Stages IIb to IV. It signals the immune system to create and activate cancer-fighting cells (T-cells) to target solid tumors in refractory melanoma patients. Currently approved immuno-oncology treatments for patients with metastatic melanoma, specifically checkpoint inhibitors, work for some but not all, as many patients’ immune response is missing or weak and thus they do not benefit from the checkpoint therapy making them so-called "refractory." The combination of ipilimumab and IMO-2125 appears to activate an immune response in these patients who have exhausted all options. Intratumoral injections with IMO-2125 are designed to selectively enable the T-cells to recognize and attack cancers that remained elusive and unrecognized by the immune system exposed to checkpoint inhibitors alone, while limiting toxicity or impact on healthy cells in the body.

About Metastatic Melanoma
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in a type of skin cell called melanocytes. As is the case in many forms of cancer, melanoma becomes more difficult to treat once the disease has spread beyond the skin to other parts of the body such as the lymphatic system (metastatic disease). Because melanoma occurs in younger individuals, the years of life lost to melanoma are also disproportionately high when compared with other cancers. Although melanoma is a rare form of skin cancer, it comprises over 75% of skin cancer deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates that there were approximately 76,000 new invasive melanoma cases and 10,000 deaths from the disease in the USA in 2016. Additionally, according to the World Health Organization, about 132,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed around the world every year.

Protalix BioTherapeutics Completes Enrollment in Phase II Clinical Trial of OPRX-106 in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

On November 29, 2017 Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American:PLX) (TASE:PLX), reported the completion of enrollment in the Company’s phase II clinical trial evaluating OPRX-106, the Company’s oral antiTNF product candidate, in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) (Press release, Protalix, NOV 29, 2017, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2319080 [SID1234522311]). OPRX-106 is the Company’s proprietary plant cell-expressed recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor II fused to an IgG1 Fc domain (TNFRII-Fc). When administered orally and while passing through the digestive tract, the plant cells function as a natural delivery capsule, having the unique attribute of a cellulose cell wall, which makes them resistant to degradation compared to proteins produced via mammalian cell expression systems. The Company expects to report top-line results from this study in the first quarter of 2018.

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"Despite a number of approved treatments for ulcerative colitis, there remains a large unmet medical need in this patient population," said Mr. Moshe Manor, Protalix’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to reporting initial results from our phase II study, which may provide proof of concept data not only for OPRX-106 in the treatment of UC, but also for our oral-delivery protein technology. If successful, OPRX-106 will be the first ever oral protein treatment, as currently there are no other oral recombinant protein treatments available."

The phase II clinical trial is a randomized, open label, 2-arm study of OPRX-106 in 19 patients with active mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. Patients have been randomized to receive 2 mg or 8 mg of OPRX-106 protein administered orally, once daily, for 8 weeks. Key efficacy endpoints of the study, in addition to safety, include relevant disease parameters of the drug, including Mayo score and rectal bleeding.

Ignyta to Participate at the Global Mizuho Investor Conference

On November 29, 2017 Ignyta, Inc. (Nasdaq: RXDX), a biotechnology company focused on precision medicine in oncology, reported that it will participate in investor meetings at the Global Mizuho Investor Conference on December 5, 2017, in New York City (Press release, Ignyta, NOV 29, 2017, View Source [SID1234522303]).

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Investors who wish to meet with the Company’s management during this conference should contact the conference coordinator.

Vedanta Biosciences Expands Network of Clinical Collaborations Supporting Development of Microbiome Therapeutics for Cancer Immunotherapy

On November 29, 2017 Vedanta Biosciences, an affiliate of PureTech Health (LSE: PRTC) developing a new category of therapies for immune-mediated and infectious diseases based on rationally designed consortia of human microbiome-derived bacteria, reported new translational medicine collaborations in cancer immunotherapy with Leiden University Medical Center and the University of South Alabama (USA) Mitchell Cancer Institute (Press release, Vedanta Biosciences, NOV 29, 2017, View Source [SID1234522340]). The Company also reported the expansion of its translational medicine collaborate on in cancer immunotherapy with NYU Langone Health and its Perlmutter Cancer Center. Researchers at these institutions have been collaborating with Vedanta Biosciences to analyze microbiome clinical data from interventional checkpoint inhibitor studies to identify microbiome signatures associated with response to immunotherapy and key mechanisms through which the gut microbiota modulate immunotherapeutic responses.

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"Data from our ongoing clinical collaborations in melanoma show that gut bacteria signatures could help determine if a cancer immunotherapy will work," said Bruce Roberts, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Vedanta Biosciences. "We’re pleased to expand our research collaborations into others forms of cancer, with the ultimate goal of identifying ways to change the microbiome to increase the proportion of patients and types of cancer patients who respond to immunotherapies."

Under the agreement with Leiden University Medical Center, Vedanta Biosciences will work in collaboration with Ellen Kapiteijn, M.D., Ph.D., and Ed Kuijper, M.D., Ph.D., to understand the role of the microbiome in immunotherapeutic responses against a variety of cancers, including melanoma, head and neck, and bladder. The new collaboration with the USA Mitchell Cancer Center, led by Art Frankel, M.D., will analyze associations between the gut microbiome and responses to checkpoint inhibitor treatment in melanoma and cancers of the bladder and kidneys. Building on the existing translational work with NYU Langone in melanoma led by Jeffrey S. Weber, M.D., Ph.D., and Melissa Wilson, M.D., Ph.D., the expanded agreement adds collaborations in bladder cancer and lung cancer, led, respectively, by Arjun V. Balar, M.D., and Leena Gandhi, M.D., Ph.D.

Vedanta Biosciences’ immuno-oncology programs include lead product candidate, VE800, which has been shown in preclinical models to activate CD8+ T cells, a type of white blood cell that is the predominant effector in cancer immunotherapy, improve CD8+ T cell tumor infiltration, and improve survival in several cancer models in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. Vedanta anticipates filing an investigational new drug application (IND) for this candidate in 2018.