On November 21, 2024 BioLineRx Ltd. (NASDAQ: BLRX) (TASE: BLRX), a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company pursuing life-changing therapies in oncology and rare diseases, and Ayrmid Ltd. ("Ayrmid"), the parent company of Gamida Cell Ltd., reported that on November 20, 2024, the companies entered into a license agreement for motixafortide (commercially sold in the U.S. as APHEXDA), BioLineRx’s FDA-approved stem cell mobilization agent indicated in combination with filgrastim (G-CSF) for collection and subsequent autologous transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma (Press release, BioLineRx, NOV 21, 2024, View Source [SID1234648539]).

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Under the terms of the agreement, BioLineRx granted Ayrmid an exclusive license to develop and commercialize APHEXDA (motixafortide) across all indications, excluding solid tumor indications, and in all territories other than Asia. BioLineRx previously granted an exclusive license agreement to Gloria Biosciences for APHEXDA (motixafortide) in the Asia region.

In exchange for the license, BioLineRx will receive a $10 million upfront payment and is also eligible to receive up to an additional $87 million of potential commercial milestones, plus royalties ranging from 18% to 23% on net sales of APHEXDA.

Ayrmid will add APHEXDA to its commercial portfolio, which also includes Gamida Cell’s OMISIRGE, the first and only FDA-approved, nicotinamide (NAM)-modified cell therapy for patients with hematologic malignancies in need of a stem cell transplant. As part of this transaction, Ayrmid expects to transition certain members of BioLineRx’s U.S.-based commercial organization, who will support both stem cell transplant drugs.

Through this transaction, BioLineRx will significantly reduce its long-term debt and operational expenses, which will be reviewed in detail during the company’s upcoming Q3 results conference call and webcast.

BioLineRx also entered into a share purchase agreement for a $9 million equity investment from certain funds managed by Highbridge Capital Management, LLC. This investment and the combined future potential commercial milestones from licensing agreements with Ayrmid and Gloria Biosciences, as well as royalties on net sales, are expected to provide a strong foundation for BioLineRx to advance its pipeline and identify potential additional assets for development. The equity investment is expected to close today, November 21, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

BioLineRx will continue the development of motixafortide for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) through meaningful collaborations, including an active Phase 2b PDAC study led by Columbia University, and supported equally by BioLineRx and Regeneron, as well as a planned Phase 2b PDAC study in China led by Gloria Biosciences.

"Since APHEXDA’s launch last year, patients and transplant centers continue to see the tremendous benefits it can provide, and I could not be prouder of our commercial organization that has proven its value," stated Philip Serlin, Chief Executive Officer of BioLineRx. "Our agreement with Ayrmid, and their vision of creating a strong commercial transplant portfolio, makes them the ideal partner to realize APHEXDA’s full commercial potential. BioLineRx will now leverage its proven expertise in drug development, with a continued focus on oncology and rare diseases. This new path forward aligns with our core strengths and allows us the opportunity to create enduring value for all stakeholders."

Dr. Joe Wiley, Chief Executive Officer of Ayrmid Ltd, added, "APHEXDA represents a significant advancement in improving the lives of multiple myeloma patients as they progress along the stem cell transplant journey. APHEXDA complements our existing portfolio by supporting OMISIRGE’s growth, doubling our transplant portfolio, and enhancing the capabilities Gamida Cell has already established in cell therapy. Our growing momentum positions us well for continued expansion in the U.S. and beyond, marking a key step in our journey as we continue to build on our success, strengthen our commitment to the transplant community, and execute our long-term strategy."

The equity investment offering is being made by BioLineRx pursuant to its shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-276323) previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and declared effective by the SEC on January 5, 2024, and only by means of a prospectus and prospectus supplement. A final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

MTS Health Partners, L.P. served as the exclusive financial advisor to BioLineRx Ltd. in connection with the transaction.

Moelis & Company LLC served as the exclusive financial advisor to Ayrmid Ltd. in connection with the transaction.

On November 21, 2024 Ascentage Pharma (6855.HK), a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in discovering, developing and commercializing therapies to address global unmet medical needs primarily for malignancies, reported that findings from a phase Ib multicenter clinical trial (NCT04260022) of its third-generation BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) have been published in the November 2024 issue of JAMA Oncology, marking a milestone in global awareness concerning the agent (Press release, Ascentage Pharma, NOV 21, 2024, View Source [SID1234648557]).

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JAMA Oncology is among the most influential and high-ranking oncology publications, with a 2023 impact factor of 28.4. It is read widely by the clinical-oncology community, with 6.4 million original downloads or views per annum. In 2023, the journal accepted only about 155 (7%) of 2,223 research-article submissions.

Olverembatinib may help to address critical unmet clinical needs related to TKI treatment resistance and intolerance, which can impose formidable humanistic and economic burdens especially in heavily pretreated patients with suboptimal outcomes. For instance, arterial occlusive events (AOEs) constitute one salient and potentially dose-limiting treatment challenge with certain second- and third-generation TKIs.

This study (NCT04260022) randomly allocated 80 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) or Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph⁺ ALL) to receive oral olverembatinib 30, 40, or 50 mg on alternate days. The study population was heavily pretreated: approximately 18% of patients had received two prior TKIs, 28% three, and 54% at least four. Forty-six patients (57.5%) had received ponatinib; 25 (31.3%), asciminib; and 11 (13.8%), both medications.1

Among all evaluable patients with chronic-phase CML (CP-CML), the complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) rate was approximately 61% and the major molecular response (MMR) rate, approximately 42%. Cytogenetic and molecular responses were similar irrespective of the presence of the T315I mutation, which confers resistance against imatinib and all second-generation TKIs.1

Importantly, approximately 58% of patients with prior ponatinib treatment failure achieved CCyR and about 37%, MMR. Corresponding values in patients with asciminib treatment resistance were 50% and 33%.1

Olverembatinib was also well tolerated, with leading (typically mild or moderate) treatment-emergent adverse events including elevated blood creatine phosphokinase and thrombocytopenia. There were no fatal treatment-related adverse events. Treatment-related AOEs were infrequent (3%) and mild or moderate (grade 1 or 2); no such olverembatinib-related event was considered serious.

"I am delighted to showcase the strength and progress of the ‘lead’ asset of Ascentage Pharma, which exemplifies the richness and diversity of our product pipeline of innovative, patient-centric therapies for a range of hematologic malignancies," said Dr. Yifan Zhai, Chief Medical Officer of Ascentage Pharma. "In the future, we will continue to advance these development programs in efforts to bring more treatment options to patients with unmet clinical needs around the world."

"One potential explanation for the response of olverembatinib in patients with ponatinib and asciminib resistance is its broad (pan-BCR::ABL1-kinase domain) mutational coverage," said principal investigator Elias Jabbour, MD, Professor of Leukemia at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "In studies to date, olverembatinib has shown greater sensitivity and clinical benefit against compound mutations – two or more mutations within the same allele of BCR::ABL1 – compared with other approved TKIs and the STAMP inhibitor asciminib."

Findings from this trial have also been presented at leading hematologic-oncology congresses around the world, including the 29th European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) Congress, which convened June 13-16, 2024, in Madrid; the 12th annual meeting of the Society of Hematologic Oncology, on September 4-7, 2024, in Houston, Texas; and the ESH-iCMLf 26th Annual John Goldman Conference on Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (Biology and Therapy), on September 27-29, 2024, in Prague. Updated results will be presented at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition, December 8, 2024 (6:00-8:00 PM), in San Diego, CA (poster/publication #3151).

"Publication of our trial results in JAMA Oncology represents a major milestone for olverembatinib, and the study established the recommended dose for our ongoing phase III registrational trial: POLARIS-2 [NCT06423911]," said Dr. Dajun Yang, Chairman & CEO of Ascentage. "We look forward to that trial and, in the future through our option agreement with Takeda, to potentially bring this medication to underserved populations around the world, including patients with CML or Ph⁺ ALL that is resistant to or intolerant of other medications."

On June 14, 2024, Ascentage signed an exclusive option agreement to enter into an exclusive license agreement with Takeda (www.takeda.com) for olverembatinib. In the event that Takeda exercises the option, Takeda would license the global rights to develop and commercialize olverembatinib in all territories outside of, among others, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, China.

Olverembatinib is currently approved in China for the treatment of adult patients with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-resistant chronic phase CP-CML or accelerated-phase CML harboring the T315I mutation as confirmed by a validated diagnostic test. It is also approved for adult patients with CP-CML resistant to and/or intolerant of first- and second-generation TKIs. It remains investigational in other parts of the world.

Reference

1. Jabbour E, Oehler VG, Koller PB, et al. Olverembatinib after failure of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including ponatinib or asciminib: a phase 1b randomized clinical trial. JAMA Oncol 2024. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.5157

About Ascentage Pharma

Ascentage Pharma (6855.HK) is a global, integrated biopharmaceutical company engaged in discovering, developing and commercializing therapies to address global unmet medical needs primarily in malignancies. On October 28, 2019, Ascentage Pharma was listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited with the stock code 6855.HK.

The company has built a rich pipeline of innovative drug candidates that includes novel, highly potent Bcl-2 and dual Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitors, as well as candidates aimed at IAP and MDM2-p53 pathways, and next-generation TKIs. Ascentage Pharma is also the only company in the world with active clinical programs targeting all three known classes of key apoptosis regulators. The company has conducted more than 40 clinical trials in the US, Australia, Europe, and China, including 13 registrational studies (completed/ ongoing/planned).

Olverembatinib, the company’s first lead asset developed for the treatment of drug-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and the company’s first approved product in China, has been granted Priority Review Designations and Breakthrough Therapy Designations by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). To date, the drug had been included into the China National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL). Furthermore, olverembatinib has been granted Orphan Drug Designations (ODDs) and a Fast Track Designation (FTD) by the US FDA, and an Orphan Designation by the EMA of the EU.

To date, Ascentage Pharma has obtained a total of 16 ODDs from the US FDA and 1 Orphan Designation from the EMA of the EU for 4 of the company’s investigational drug candidates. Leveraging its robust R&D capabilities, Ascentage Pharma has built a portfolio of global intellectual property rights and entered into global partnerships and other relationships with numerous leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies such as Takeda, AstraZeneca, Merck, Pfizer and Innovent; and research and development relationships with leading research institutions such as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic, National Cancer Institute and the University of Michigan.

The company has built a talented team with a wealth of global experience in the discovery and development of innovative drugs and fully functional commercial manufacturing and Sales & Marketing teams. One pivotal aim of Ascentage Pharma is to continuously strengthen its R&D capabilities and accelerate its clinical development programs, in order to fulfil its mission of addressing unmet clinical needs in China and around the world for the benefit of more patients.

On November 21, 2024 InxMed Co., Ltd, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapies against cancer treatment resistance and metastasis, reported that China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has granted Ifebemtinib (IN10018) Breakthrough Therapy designation (BTD) for the first-line (1L) treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with KRAS G12C mutation in combination with garsorasib, a specific inhibitor of the KRAS G12C mutation (Press release, InxMed, NOV 21, 2024, View Source [SID1234648558]). This is the second BTD ifebemtinib received. In April 2022, ifebemtinib was granted its first BTD for the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) in combination with PEG-liposomal doxorubicin (PLD).

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Ifebemtinib is a highly selective, orally administered, small molecule inhibitor for focal adhesion kinase, which has demonstrated significant clinical synergies with targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and standard chemotherapies.

The BTD is supported by the data from the Phase Ib/II study evaluating the efficacy and safety of ifebemtinib in combination with garsorasib for the 1L treatment of NSCLC with KRAS G12C mutation (NCT06166836). The results of the clinical trial were featured at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. The dual-oral regimen showed promising antitumor efficacy with a well-tolerated safety profile in 1L KRASG12C NSCLC. The objective response rate (ORR) was 90.3% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 96.8%. A total of 28 confirmed partial responses (PRs) and two stable diseases (SDs) were reported from 31 efficacy evaluable patients. All treated patients have achieved a follow-up visit of 9 months so far, and the median PFS has not been reached at the time of this report.

Beyond KRAS G12C inhibitors, Ifebemtinib has also shown significant therapeutic synergies when combined with a wide range of standard and emerging cancer treatments, such as anti-PD-(L)1 antibodies, other RAS-targeted inhibitors, EGFR inhibitors, and ADCs. InxMed is actively pursuing collaborations with innovating partners globally。

InxMed is currently conducting a registrational trial in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer in China, for which the company plans to submit a New Drug Application to the NMPA in 2025. InxMed also has multiple proof-of-concept trials ongoing in lung, colorectal, melanoma, and pancreatic cancers, some of which will progress into pivotal studies. Thus far, more than 600 subjects have been treated with ifebemtinib, and a favorable safety and tolerability profile has been observed.

On November 21, 2024 BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. (NASDAQ: BCTX, BCTXW) (TSX: BCT) a clinical-stage biotech company that develops novel immunotherapies to transform cancer care, reported that the first patient was dosed in its Phase 1/2 study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06471673 ) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Bria-OTS, BriaCell’s personalized next generation immunotherapy (Press release, BriaCell Therapeutics, NOV 21, 2024, View Source [SID1234648542]). The study will investigate Bria-OTS alone and in combination with immune check point inhibitor tislelizumab (manufactured and supplied by BeiGene, Ltd. ) for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Bria-OTS is an enhanced form of Bria-IMT, currently in pivotal Phase 3 study for metastatic breast cancer.

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"Oncologists have been looking for treatments for our metastatic cancer patients who progress after treatment with antibody-drug-conjugates (ADCs) and immune check point inhibitors (CPIs)," stated Sant P. Chawla, MD, FRACP, Head of the Sarcoma Oncology Center in Santa Monica, CA, and Principal Investigator for the Bria-OTS study. "We are very impressed by the survival and clinical benefit data we have seen with Bria-IMT and are looking forward to helping develop this novel platform with the goal of improving patient outcomes."

"Dosing the first patient with Bria-OTS is a significant milestone for both BriaCell and cancer patients," stated Giuseppe Del Priore, MD, MPH, BriaCell’s Chief Medical Officer. "This represents a new chapter in cancer immunotherapy. This groundbreaking technology is a major advancement over prior approaches to cellular immunotherapy."

"Designed for superior efficacy and synergy with immune checkpoint inhibitors, Bria-OTS is a personalized and off-the-shelf cancer therapy," stated William V. Williams, MD, BriaCell’s President & CEO. "We are delighted that Dr. Chawla and his team of experts at the Sarcoma Oncology Center are supporting BriaCell as we bring our novel immunotherapy platform one step closer to delivering safe and effective treatment options for patients with melanoma, prostate and lung cancers."

The Phase 1/2 clinical trial will initially evaluate the safety and efficacy of Bria-OTS as monotherapy and, later, in combination with tislelizumab in advanced breast cancer. Key inclusion criteria include metastatic or locally recurrent breast cancer and at least two failed prior attempts of systemic therapy (e.g., chemotherapy). The study design will include a dose escalation monotherapy phase followed by an expansion phase that will include combination therapy with tislelizumab . Additionally, BriaCell plans to evaluate Bria-OTS+, a more advanced version of the immunotherapy platform, in prostate and other cancers.

On November 21, 2024 Intensity Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: INTS), ("Intensity" or the "Company") a late-stage clinical biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of proprietary, novel immune-based intratumoral cancer therapies designed to kill tumors and increase immune system recognition of cancers, reported that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement with a single healthcare focused institutional investor for the issuance and sale of 1,237,113 shares of its common stock in a registered direct offering at a purchase price of $2.425 per share (Press release, Intensity Therapeutics, NOV 21, 2024, View Source [SID1234648559]).

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In a concurrent private placement (the "Private Placement" and together with the Registered Offering, the "Offerings"), the Company also agreed to issue to the same investor warrants to purchase up to 1,237,113 shares of its common stock (the "Common Warrants"). The Common Warrants have an exercise price of $2.95 per share, will be exercisable commencing six months from the date of issuance, and will expire five and one-half years following the date of issuance.

The gross proceeds from the Offerings, before deducting the placement agent’s fees and other offering expenses payable by the Company, are expected to be approximately $3 million. The Company expects to use the net proceeds from the Offerings for general working capital.

A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners is acting as lead placement agent for the Offerings and Brookline Capital Markets, a division of Arcadia Securities, LLC, is acting as a co-placement agent for the Offerings.

The Offerings are expected to close on or about November 22, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The shares (or common stock equivalents in lieu thereof) offered to the institutional investor described above are being offered pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-280681), which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on July 11, 2024. The Offering is being made only by means of a prospectus which is a part of the effective registration statement. The Common Warrants will be issued in a concurrent private placement. A final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the registered direct offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Additionally, when available, electronic copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be obtained from A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, 590 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by telephone at (212) 624-2060, or by email at [email protected], or Brookline Capital Markets, a division of Arcadia Securities, LLC, 600 Lexington Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by telephone at (646) 256-5258, or by email at [email protected].

The private placement of the Common Warrants and the shares underlying the Common Warrants offered to the institutional investor will be made in reliance on an exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Regulation D promulgated thereunder. Accordingly, the securities issued in the concurrent private placements may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and such applicable state securities laws.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in this Offering, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.