On October 24, 2017 Alligator Bioscience (Nasdaq Stockholm: ATORX), a biotechnology company developing antibody-based pharmaceuticals for tumor-directed immunotherapy and Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: APVO), a biotechnology company focused on developing novel immuno-oncology and hematology therapeutics, reported further details of the companies’ collaboration on ALG.APV-527, a bispecific antibody targeting 4-1BB and a tumor antigen, now identified as 5T4, which is found on various types of cancer cells (Press release, Alligator Bioscience, OCT 24, 2017, View Source [SID1234538684]).

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5T4 is a protein predominantly expressed on tumor cells. It is present at very low levels or not at all in normal tissue. This enables the immune-activating effect of ALG.APV-527 to be targeted specifically to the tumor and not against normal tissue, the goal being effective tumor-directed immune activation with minimal side effects. The 5T4 tumor antigen is present on a number of different solid tumors, including breast, cervical, non-small-cell-lung, prostate, renal, gastric, colorectal and bladder cancers, indicating that ALG.APV-527 may be used for the treatment of several different types of cancer.

"The fact that 5T4 is selectively expressed on tumor cells in many different cancer indications, but in very low levels in normal tissue, makes it a very attractive target for tumor-directed immunotherapy," said Professor Peter Stern, Manchester University, UK.

By combining a tumor-binding and an immunomodulatory antibody in one molecule, Alligator and Aptevo have created a drug candidate whose effect is localized to the tumor area, activating the tumor-specific immune cells present there.

About Dr. Peter Stern
Professor Peter Stern, University of Manchester, United Kingdom, advisor to the joint venture, discovered the 5T4 antigen in 1988. He is an expert in tumor-associated antigens and virus-associated tumors. Professor Stern’s research has contributed substantially to the development of both cancer vaccines and antibody-based drugs for cancer treatment.

About ALG.APV-527
ALG.APV-527 is a bispecific antibody (4-1BB x 5T4) intended for tumor-directed treatment of solid cancers. The ALG.APV-527 antibody consists of two parts, one part activating tumor-specific T cells through the co-stimulatory receptor 4-1BB (CD137), the other part binding to the 5T4 protein expressed on the surface of tumor cells.

Biogen has filed a 10-Q – Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission .

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On October 24, 2017 TESARO, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSRO) reported that it will announce its third-quarter 2017 financial results on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, after the close of the U.S. financial markets (Press release, TESARO, OCT 24, 2017, View Source [SID1234521279]). TESARO’s senior management team will host a conference call and live audio webcast at 4:15 p.m. ET on November 7, 2017 to discuss the Company’s operating results in greater detail, as well as the status of its development programs and the VARUBI/Y and ZEJULA launches.

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This quarterly earnings call will be available via phone and webcast. The conference call dial-in information is listed below. To access the webcast, please log on to the TESARO website at www.tesarobio.com at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to ensure adequate time for any software downloads that may be required.

CONFERENCE CALL & WEBCAST INFORMATION

TESARO will host a conference call and live audio webcast to discuss its third-quarter financial results.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 4:15 p.m. ET
LIVE DOMESTIC & CANADA CALL-IN: (877) 853-5334
LIVE INTERNATIONAL CALL-IN: (970) 315-0307
THIS CALL WILL ALSO BE BROADCAST LIVE, LISTEN ONLY, VIA THE WEB AT: www.tesarobio.com

A replay will be available for 30 days at www.tesarobio.com.

On October 24, 2017 Genmab A/S (Nasdaq Copenhagen: GEN) reported that Johnson & Johnson has given additional information relating to rest of world sales of DARZALEX (daratumumab) in the third quarter of 2017 (Press release, Genmab, OCT 24, 2017, View Source [SID1234521141]). As previously reported, net sales were USD 87 million in the rest of the world. This figure was negatively impacted by a one-time adjustment of approximately USD 20 million related to accruals for retroactive reimbursement matters in Germany and France. Genmab receives royalties on the worldwide net sales of DARZALEX under the exclusive worldwide license to Janssen Biotech, Inc. to develop, manufacture and commercialize DARZALEX.

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On October 23, 2017 Agenus Inc. (NASDAQ: AGEN) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Garo Armen Ph.D. announces the appointment of Bruno Lucidi as CEO of AgenTus Therapeutics, Inc., a subsidiary of Agenus that has been established as a dedicated cell therapy company, which will focus on the discovery, development, and commercialization of Adoptive Cell Therapy (ACT) (Press release, AgenTus Therapeutics, OCT 24, 2017, View Source [SID1234521135]). Lucidi brings extensive expertise in drug development and more than 30 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.

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Lucidi’s leadership record includes Head of Pediatric Vaccines at GSK Biologicals, where he was in charge of developing a global business of more than $3 billion. Lucidi was Worldwide Vice-President Virology & Oncology at Johnson & Johnson where he led portfolio strategy from drug discovery to market and served in senior leadership at Bristol-Myers Squibb where he was responsible for the strategy and launch of several new antiviral and oncology products, including but not limited to Videx (didanosine), Zerit (stavudine), Paraplatin (carboplatin) and Taxol (paclitaxel).

Lucidi was the Founding CEO of Idenix and the Chairman of Pharmasset, where his contributions at both companies laid the foundation for successful multi-billion dollar companies, which were later acquired by Merck and Gilead for approximately $4bn and $11bn, respectively. Lucidi also served as CEO of several companies in Europe including Karolinska Development AB, KDEV Oncology and Aprea AB. Lucidi is currently an External Expert for the European Commission and Life Sciences Expert at AWEX, Wallonia trade and foreign investment agency in Belgium.

As CEO of AgenTus, Lucidi will lead a team of world-class scientists, while leveraging the proprietary technologies, intellectual property assets, pipeline, and expertise of parent company Agenus.

“Bruno has the ideal mix of industry know-how and business-building expertise to propel AgenTus forward and transform our powerful cell therapy technology into novel treatments for patients with cancer,” said Garo Armen, Ph.D. Chairman and CEO of Agenus. “I am delighted to see Bruno’s appointment to this key role to rapidly translate our cell therapy platforms, novel targets, and innovative delivery format into a pipeline of effective therapies to drive value to patients and AgenTus.”

“AgenTus has the foundational technology and expertise to rapidly become a major player in the field of Cell Therapy. I am honored to work alongside a team of world-class scientists. My objective is to rapidly advance product innovation and create value by bringing effective cell therapies to cancer patients,” said Lucidi. “I look forward to further building and developing this exciting company and to realize the enormous potential of cell therapy as an emerging class of medicines in the immuno-oncology field.”