On May 31, 2018 Polaris Group reported that the first patient has been dosed in a phase 2 trial of ADI‑PEG 20 in combination with gemcitabine and docetaxel for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma, sponsored by Washington University (Press release, Polaris Pharmaceuticals, MAY 31, 2018, View Source [SID1234527003]). In addition to a global phase 2/3 study in malignant plural mesothelioma featuring ADI‑PEG 20 in combination with pemetrexed and cisplatin and a global phase 2 study in hepatocellular carcinoma featuring ADI‑PEG 20 in combination with FOLFOX, Polaris Group is currently conducting multiple phase 1 clinical trials, including ADI‑PEG 20 in combination with pembrolizumab in solid tumors, in combination with low dose cytarabine for acute myeloid leukemia in older patients, and in combination with atezolizumab, pemetrexed and cisplatin in non-small cell lung carcinoma.

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"We are very excited to partner with Polaris to bring metabolic therapies to the field of rare tumors", said the lead investigator Brian Van Tine, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Medicine and Sarcoma Program Director at Barnes and Jewish Hospital, Washington University in St. Louis.

About ADI-PEG 20

ADI‑PEG 20 is a biologic being developed by Polaris Group to treat cancers carrying a major metabolic defect that renders them unable to internally synthesize arginine. Because arginine is essential for protein synthesis and survival of cells, these cancer cells become dependent upon the external supply of arginine to survive and grow. ADI‑PEG 20 is designed to deplete the external supply of arginine, causing arginine-dependent cancer cells to die while leaving the patient’s normal cells unharmed. Multiple cancers have been reported to have a high degree of arginine-dependency and can potentially be treated with ADI‑PEG 20.

On May 31, 2018 Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RIGL) reported that Raul Rodriguez, the company’s president and chief executive officer, is scheduled to present a company overview at the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference in New York City on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 10:30am EDT (Press release, Rigel, MAY 31, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2352484 [SID1234527005]).

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To access the live webcast of the presentation or the subsequent archived recording, log on to www.rigel.com. Please connect to Rigel’s website several minutes prior to the start of the live webcast to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be necessary.

On May 30, 2018 AzurRx BioPharma, Inc. (NASDAQ:AZRX) ("AzurRx" or the "Company"), a company specializing in the development of non-systemic, recombinant therapies for gastrointestinal diseases, reported the appointment of Dr. James Pennington as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer (Press release, AzurRx BioPharma, MAY 30, 2018, View Source [SID1234526949]).

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"We are delighted to welcome Jim to the senior management team as we rapidly advance our clinical programs," commented Thijs Spoor, CEO of AzurRx BioPharma. "Jim is a highly accomplished pharmaceutical industry executive with extensive medical and clinical experience, as well as hands-on experience in regulatory affairs. His appointment is timely as 2018 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for AzurRx, with a number of upcoming and potentially value enhancing milestones including the initiation of the MS1819 Phase 2 study in cystic fibrosis patients and the filing of the investigational drug application ("IND") in the U.S. for MS1819. We look forward to Jim’s leadership and contributions as these programs move forward."

"I am excited to join the AzurRx team at this exciting time for the Company," said Dr. Pennington. "We look forward to initiating a cystic fibrosis study later this year. MS1819, which has generated promising interim results in the ongoing study in chronic pancreatitis patients, addresses a billion-dollar market in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. It has the potential to become best in class due to the high pill burden, patient compliance issues, and manufacturing/supply chain challenges of the current animal-derived therapies."

Dr. Pennington brings over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He served as Vice President at Bayer Corporation where, under his direct supervision, Bayer received ten product approvals from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration ("FDA") and ten product approvals from foreign regulatory authorities. Dr. Pennington also held senior positions at multiple therapeutics companies, including CMO roles at Anthera Pharmaceuticals and CoTherix Inc. and Senior VP of Research, Development and Clinical Affairs at Alpha Therapeutics Corp. Dr. Pennington has participated in many FDA pre-IND meetings and has also participated in several FDA Advisory Panel meetings. He has served on various editorial boards as well as professional societies, such as the American Association of the Advancement of Science. He is involved in academia and is currently Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California in San Francisco. Dr. Pennington holds a B.A. from the University of Oregon and an M.D. from the University of Oregon Medical School and is Board Certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases.

On May 30, 2018 Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO) reported that management will present a corporate overview at the 2018 Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference in New York City (Press release, Sangamo Therapeutics, MAY 30, 2018, View Source [SID1234526968]). The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, June 6th at 4:30 p.m. ET.

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The presentation will be webcast live and may be accessed via a link on the Sangamo Therapeutics website in the Investors and Media section under Events and Presentations. The presentation will be archived on the Sangamo website following the event.

On May 30, 2018 Selecta Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:SELB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on unlocking the full potential of biologic therapies by mitigating unwanted immune responses, reported that CFO and Head of Corporate Strategy John Leaman, M.D., will present at the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference in New York City at 10:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, June 06, 2018 (Press release, Selecta Biosciences, MAY 30, 2018, View Source [SID1234527006]). A live and archived webcast of the presentation can be accessed via the Investors & Media section of the company’s website, View Source

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