Astex to Showcase Its Next-Generation Hypomethylating Agents Being Developed for Treatment
of AML/MDS at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology

On November 29, 2016 Astex Pharmaceuticals, a member of the Otsuka group, reported that investigators collaborating with Astex will present results from several studies evaluating guadecitabine, its subcutaneous, next-generation hypomethylating agent; and ASTX727, its novel, oral hypomethylating agent at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) in San Diego, California, December 3 to 6 (Press release, Astex Pharmaceuticals, NOV 29, 2016, View Source [SID1234516839]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Otsuka–people creating new products for better health worldwide."
Tweet this
The oral presentations are as follows:

Initial results of a Phase 2 Study of Guadecitabine (SGI-110), A Novel Subcutaneous (sc) Hypomethylating Agent, for Patients with Previously Untreated Intermediate-2 or High Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) or Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML) (Abstract #346). Dr. Guillermo Montalban-Bravo et al. Sunday, December 4, 10:15 am; Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall C.
Results of a Phase II study of Guadecitabine (SGI-110) in higher risk MDS, CMML or low-blast- count AML patients refractory to or relapsing after Azacitidine (AZA) treatment (Abstract #347). Dr. Marie Sebert et al. Sunday, December 4, 10:30 am; Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall C.
Long Term Survival and Clinical Complete Responses of Various Prognostic Subgroups in 103 Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (r/r AML) Patients Treated with Guadecitabine (SGI-110) in Phase 2 Studies (Abstract #904). Dr. Naval Daver et al. Monday, December 5, 3:30 pm; Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, San Diego Ballroom AB.
Successful Emulation of IV Decitabine Pharmacokinetics with an Oral Fixed-Dose Combination of the Oral Cytidine Deaminase Inhibitor (CDAi) E7727 with Oral Decitabine, in Subjects with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS): Final Data of Phase 1 Study (Abstract #114). Dr. Guillermo Garcia-Manero et al. Saturday December 3, 10:45 am; Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall C.
In addition, a poster presentation entitled: Genetic determinants of response to guadecitabine (SGI-110) in AML (Abstract #1680), Dr. Patricia L. Kropf et al., will be made on Saturday, December 3, 9:30 am to 11 am in the San Diego Convention Center, Hall GH.

Data from the guadecitabine Phase 2 study (www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01261312) has helped to inform the design of the 800-patient, global Phase 3 study of guadecitabine in adults with previously untreated AML who are not considered candidates for intensive induction chemotherapy (ASTRAL-1, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02348489), and the newly announced global Phase 3 studies in relapsed / refractory AML (ASTRAL-2, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02920008), and relapsed / refractory MDS or CMML (ASTRAL-3, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02907359). Astex also announced today that enrollment into the ASTRAL-1 study is now complete. The data on ASTX727 being reported at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) also informed the design of a Phase 2 randomized, cross-over study comparing ASTX727 to decitabine IV in higher risk MDS, which is ongoing.

"The data from these clinical studies helps to validate the development of these agents for the treatment of AML and MDS, potentially providing new treatment options for patients with these aggressive hematological malignancies," said Mohammad Azab, President and Chief Medical Officer of Astex. "We are delighted to be working with some of the world’s leading experts in the treatment of hematological malignancies in bringing these next-generation therapies to patients."

About Guadecitabine (SGI-110)

Guadecitabine is a novel next-generation, small-molecule DNA hypomethylating agent formulated as a single, small-volume, subcutaneous injection. The product was designed to deliver longer exposure to the active metabolite, decitabine, compared to IV decitabine, and more efficient delivery into key tissues, including the bone marrow. Guadecitabine demonstrated activity in restoring silenced tumor suppressor gene expression in cancer cells by reversal of DNA methylation and inducing responses in previously treated MDS and AML patients. Guadecitabine is currently being investigated in multiple clinical trials, including the ASTRAL series of studies and an extensive program of investigational studies in combination with immunotherapy and other anti-neoplastic agents, for the treatment or a range of hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

About ASTX727

ASTX727 is a unique fixed-dose combination of the hypomethylating agent decitabine, the active ingredient in Dacogen, and the novel cytidine deaminase inhibitor, E7727. ASTX727 was designed to deliver decitabine by oral administration. By inhibiting cytidine deaminase, E7727 inhibits the major mechanism by which decitabine is degraded in the gut, and the combination therefore permits the efficient oral delivery of decitabine at a low dose. Astex is completing a Phase 2 clinical study of ASTX727 in the treatment of intermediate and high risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

Guadecitabine and ASTX727 are investigational agents, and efficacy and safety have not been established. There is no certainty that these agents will become commercially available.

OncoPep Announces Initiation of Phase 1b Clinical Trial of PVX-410 in
Triple Negative Breast Cancer

On November 28, 2016 ORN-OncoPep, Inc. reported that a Phase 1b clinical trial is underway to evaluate PVX-410, a multi-peptide therapeutic cancer vaccine, as an adjuvant treatment in patients who have completed all planned therapy for stage II or III triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) (Press release, OncoPep, NOV 28, 2016, View Source [SID1234516819]). The study, led by Steven Isakoff, M.D., Ph.D. at Massachusetts General Hospital, will assess the safety and tolerability of PVX-410 in combination with the checkpoint inhibitor durvalumab.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"In this Phase 1b clinical trial, we are looking to evaluate the safety of PVX-410 alone and in combination with durvalumab, and to determine whether the vaccine and durvalumab can work together to assist immune system recognition of TNBC," said Dr. Isakoff, Associate Director for Breast Cancer Clinical Research at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Assistant Professor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. "We are hopeful that this approach will allow immune system recognition of cancer-associated antigens and result in a targeted immune response that can be utilized as a possible adjuvant treatment for stage II or III TNBC."

"The initiation of this Phase 1b clinical trial of PVX-410 in TNBC marks an important milestone in OncoPep’s development," said Doris Peterkin, Chief Executive Officer of OncoPep. "We are now developing PVX-410 in two oncology indications, TNBC and smoldering multiple myeloma, in which we are hopeful that the vaccine will provide enhanced immune targeting of cancer cells for improved patient outcomes."

The multi-center, open label Phase 1b study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immune response to PVX-410 alone and in combination with durvalumab in an adjuvant setting in patients who have completed all planned therapy for stage II or III TNBC. Patients will receive six bi-weekly intramuscular injections of PVX-410, which will be given in combination with an intravenous infusion of durvalumab on the day of the 4th and 6th PVX-410 injection. The study is expected to enroll approximately 20 patients at multiple treatment centers, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. More information on the trial can be found at clinicaltrials.gov, identifier number NCT02826434.

About Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a form of breast cancer that lacks the three receptors found most commonly on breast cancer cells: estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and hormone epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2). TNBC accounts for approximately 15-20% of all breast cancer cases and is more likely to spread and recur than other forms of breast cancer.

About PVX-410
PVX-410 is a novel therapeutic cancer vaccine currently in Phase 1b clinical trials in smoldering multiple myeloma and triple negative breast cancer. PVX-410 consists of four peptides from unique regions of three cancer-associated antigens and is designed to elicit an immune response to the targeted tumor antigens. PVX-410 was granted orphan drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2013.

Zymeworks to Present at the 2016 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition

On November 28, 2016 Zymeworks Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of next-generation bispecific and multifunctional biotherapeutics, initially focused on the treatment of cancer, reported that its abstract has been accepted for Poster Presentation at the 2016 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition, being held from December 3-6, 2016 in San Diego, California (Press release, Zymeworks, NOV 28, 2016, View Source [SID1234516820]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Zymeworks will present at the following session:

Session Information: 625. Lymphoma: Pre-Clinical—Chemotherapy and Biologic Agents: Poster I
Abstract Title: ZW38, a Novel Azymetric Bispecific CD19-Directed CD3 T Cell Engager Antibody Drug Conjugate with Controlled T Cell Activation and Improved B Cell Cytotoxicity
Date: December 3, 2016
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. PST
Location: San Diego Convention Center, Hall GH

BICYCLE THERAPEUTICS TO PRESENT PRECLINICAL DATA AT THE
28th EORTC-NCI-AACR MOLECULAR TARGETS AND CANCER THERAPEUTICS
SYMPOSIUM

On November 28, 2016 Bicycle Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering a new class of therapeutics based on its proprietary bicyclic peptide (Bicycle) product platform, reported that the company will present preclinical data highlighting the development of its lead molecule BT1718 (Press release, Bicycle Therapeutics, NOV 28, 2016, View Source [SID1234516821]). This program is the first example of its Bicycle Drug Conjugate technology which allows toxins to be targeted to tumour types of high unmet medical need. These data will be presented at the 28th EORTC-NCI-AACR (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) 2016 Symposium on Molecular Targets and Therapeutics to be held in Munich, Germany from November 29th through December 2nd, 2016.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Details for the poster presentations at the 28th EORTC-NCI-AACR (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) are as follows:

Title: Development of BT1718, a Bicycle Drug Conjugate (BDC) targeting MT1-MMP for treatment of solid tumours

Session: Molecular target agents 1

Poster #: P013

Date & Time: Nov. 29, 11:45 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. CET

Title: Design and characterization of a high affinity and selective bicyclic peptide binder to MT1-MMP for development of a treatment for solid tumours

Session: Drug Design

Poster #: P024

Date & Time: Nov. 30, 10:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CET

Cellectar Biosciences Announces Partnership with Radiopharmaceutical Specialists, CPDC, to Establish Manufacturing Capacity in Anticipation of CLR 131 Pivotal Trial and Commercial Production

On November 28, 2016 Cellectar Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLRB) (the "company"), an oncology-focused, clinical stage biotechnology company, reported it has selected Hamilton, Ontario-based Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC), a well-respected GMP manufacturing organization specializing in radiopharmaceuticals, as a supplier of the company’s lead phospholipid drug conjugate (PDC), CLR 131 (Filing, 8-K, Cellectar Biosciences, NOV 28, 2016, View Source [SID1234516808]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The company believes that CPDC will provide a cost-effective and long-term manufacturing solution. The partnership establishes manufacturing capacity at a level sufficient for both a pivotal trial and future large-scale commercial production. CPDC’s development of further production capability for CLR 131 will significantly enhance the company’s ability to support the anticipated clinical trial activity as it progresses through 2017 while also preparing for a pivotal study and, ultimately, commercialization.

"This partnership with CPDC signals an important milestone in the development of CLR 131; it reflects our confidence in the potential clinical utility of our lead compound and establishes an additional supply source as well as pivotal trial and commercial scale production," said Jim Caruso, president and CEO of Cellectar Biosciences. "As we prepare to initiate our NCI-supported Phase II trial of CLR 131 in multiple myeloma and other hematologic malignancies, it is imperative that we continue to identify optimal pathways to accelerate and further support its development."

About CLR 131
CLR 131 is an investigational compound under development for a range of hematologic malignancies. It is currently being evaluated in a Phase I clinical trial in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The company plans to initiate a Phase II clinical study to assess efficacy in a range of B-cell malignancies in the first quarter of 2017. Based upon preclinical and interim Phase I study data, treatment with CLR 131 provides a novel approach to treating hematological diseases and may provide patients with therapeutic benefits, including overall response rate (ORR), an improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall quality of life. CLR 131 utilizes the company’s patented PDC tumor targeting delivery platform to deliver a cytotoxic radioisotope, iodine-131 directly to tumor cells. The FDA has granted Cellectar an orphan drug designation for CLR 131 in the treatment of multiple myeloma.