On October 27, 2016 TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:TGTX) reported the publication of preclinical data describing the synergy of the Company’s next generation, once daily, PI3K-delta inhibitor, TGR-1202, with the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib and the unique effects of the combination to silence c-Myc in various preclinical lymphoma and myeloma models (Press release, TG Therapeutics, OCT 27, 2016, View Source [SID1234516047]). In addition, the manuscript also, for the first time, reports on TGR-1202’s unique complimentary mechanism of inhibiting the protein kinase casein kinase-1 (CK1) epsilon, which may contribute to the silencing of c-Myc and explain TGR-1202’s clinical activity in aggressive lymphoma, including Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). The preclinical data are described further in the manuscript titled, "Silencing c-Myc Translation as a Therapeutic Strategy through Targeting PI3K Delta and CK1 Epsilon in Hematological Malignancies," which was published online yesterday in the First Edition section of Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper). The online version of the article can be accessed at www.bloodjournal.org.

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"We want to thank Dr. Deng, Dr. O’Connor, and the team from Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and the Center for Lymphoid Malignancies for their exhaustive and comprehensive interrogation of TGR-1202 and the elucidation of this novel complimentary mechanism. For quite some time we have been presenting the differentiated safety profile observed with TGR-1202 and the differentiated chemical structure compared to other PI3K-delta inhibitors. This preclinical work demonstrates that TGR-1202 not only potently targets PI3K-delta but in addition uniquely targets a relatively novel kinase, CK1-epsilon, which perhaps offers another rationale for the differentiated activity and safety effects we have seen in patients. We look forward to exploring this exciting concept further in the recently launched clinical trial," stated Michael S. Weiss, the Company’s Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer.

"The data in this paper clearly demonstrates that TGR-1202 and carfilzomib in combination is markedly synergistic and selectively silenced c-Myc compared to combinations with idelalisib and bortezomib. In addition, we were excited to identify and elucidate the previously unknown mechanism of TGR-1202 and its effect on CK1 epsilon which was not exhibited by either idelalisib or duvelisib based on a kinome profiling platform analyzed. We believe this research may help explain in part the preliminary activity demonstrated by TGR-1202 in DLBCL. Given TGR-1202’s distinct safety profile as a single agent and its uniquely demonstrated ability to be used in combination with other agents, we look forward to bringing this novel combination to the clinic in our recently announced Phase 1 study of TGR-1202 and carfilzomib in patients with lymphoma," stated Dr. Owen A. O’Connor, Professor of Medicine and Experimental Therapeutics, Director Lymphoid Malignancies at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.

Based on this extensive preclinical work, the Company recently announced the launch of a Phase 1/2 study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TGR-1202 in combination with carfilzomib, in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma, particularly c-Myc driven lymphomas which are aggressive in nature. This study is currently open to enrollment at the Center for Lymphoid Malignancies, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. More information on this clinical study can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

On October 27, 2016 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2016, ended October 1, 2016 (Press release, Thermo Fisher Scientific, OCT 27, 2016, View Source [SID1234516086]).

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Third Quarter 2016 Highlights

Revenue increased 9% to $4.49 billion.
GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased 1% to $1.19.
Adjusted EPS grew 13% to $2.03.
Strengthened presence in clinical markets by receiving FDA clearance to launch new DRI Hydrocodone assay and two new EliA IgG thyroid tests as well as extend use of BRAHMS PCT sepsis test to the emergency room.
Increased capabilities to support biopharma growth in Asia-Pacific markets with new clinical packaging and supplies facility in Seoul, South Korea, and expansion of cryogenic storage and logistics operations in Tokyo, Japan.
Completed acquisition of FEI Company, adding leading electron microscopy products that strengthen offerings for attractive structural biology and materials science markets, and significantly enhance our customer value proposition.
Adjusted EPS, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures that exclude certain items detailed later in this press release under the heading "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

"We delivered another great quarter, with excellent earnings growth on solid top-line results," said Marc N. Casper, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. "We drove strong operational performance while successfully executing our growth strategy to position Thermo Fisher for an even brighter future.

"In the quarter, we strengthened our offering for clinical customers by expanding our menu of tests for detecting sepsis, opioids and thyroid disease, and launching new quality control software to ensure the accuracy of results in the clinical laboratory. In Asia-Pacific, we increased our biopharma services capabilities in South Korea and Japan to support the growing number of clinical trials and continue our strong growth momentum in the region.

"We were also pleased to complete our acquisition of FEI earlier than expected. We look forward to the new opportunities we have to create value for our customers, including broadening the use of FEI’s leading imaging technologies in the life science research markets that we serve."

Third Quarter 2016

For the third quarter of 2016, revenue grew 9% to $4.49 billion, versus $4.12 billion in the third quarter of 2015. Organic revenue growth was 4%; acquisitions increased revenue by 5% and currency translation decreased revenue slightly.

GAAP Earnings Results

GAAP diluted EPS increased to $1.19, versus $1.18 in the same quarter last year. GAAP operating income for the third quarter of 2016 was $541 million, compared with $563 million in the third quarter of 2015. GAAP operating margin was 12.0%, compared with 13.7% in the third quarter of 2015. GAAP operating results reflect acquisition-related charges in the 2016 period.

Non-GAAP Earnings Results

Adjusted EPS in the third quarter of 2016 grew 13% to $2.03, versus $1.80 in the third quarter of 2015. Adjusted operating income for the third quarter of 2016 increased 11% compared with the year-ago quarter. Adjusted operating margin was 23.0%, compared with 22.6% in the third quarter of 2015.

2016 Guidance Update

Thermo Fisher is raising its revenue and adjusted EPS guidance for 2016 to reflect the addition of FEI, strong operational performance in the first nine months and a more favorable foreign exchange environment. The company now expects revenue to be in the range of $18.25 to $18.39 billion versus its previous guidance of $17.84 to $18.00 billion, which would result in revenue growth of 8% over 2015. The company is also raising its adjusted EPS guidance to a new range of $8.19 to $8.30 versus the $8.07 to $8.20 previously announced, which now results in 11% to 12% growth year over year.

Segment Results

Management uses adjusted operating results to monitor and evaluate performance of the company’s four business segments, as highlighted below. Since these results are used for this purpose, they are also considered to be prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Life Sciences Solutions Segment

In the third quarter of 2016, Life Sciences Solutions Segment revenue grew 14% to $1.23 billion, compared with revenue of $1.08 billion in the third quarter of 2015. Segment operating margin was 30.1% versus 30.8% in 2015.

Analytical Instruments Segment

Analytical Instruments Segment revenue grew 15% to $0.90 billion in the third quarter of 2016, compared with revenue of $0.78 billion in the third quarter of 2015. Segment operating margin was 21.2% versus 18.8% in the 2015 quarter.

Specialty Diagnostics Segment

Specialty Diagnostics Segment revenue in the third quarter increased 3% to $0.80 billion in 2016, compared with revenue of $0.78 billion in the third quarter of 2015. Segment operating margin was 26.8% versus 26.4% in the 2015 quarter.

Laboratory Products and Services Segment

In the third quarter of 2016, Laboratory Products and Services Segment revenue grew 7% to $1.75 billion, compared with revenue of $1.64 billion in the third quarter of 2015. Segment operating margin was 14.8% versus 15.2% in the 2015 quarter.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EPS, adjusted operating income and adjusted operating margin, which exclude certain acquisition-related costs, including charges for the sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition and significant transaction costs; restructuring and other costs/income; and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Adjusted EPS also excludes certain other gains and losses that are either isolated or cannot be expected to occur again with any regularity or predictability, tax provisions/benefits related to the previous items, benefits from tax credit carryforwards, the impact of significant tax audits or events and the results of discontinued operations. We exclude the above items because they are outside of our normal operations and/or, in certain cases, are difficult to forecast accurately for future periods. We also use a non-GAAP measure, free cash flow, which is operating cash flow, net of capital expenditures, and also excludes operating cash flows from discontinued operations to provide a view of the continuing operations’ ability to generate cash for use in acquisitions and other investing and financing activities. We believe that the use of non-GAAP measures helps investors to gain a better understanding of our core operating results and future prospects, consistent with how management measures and forecasts the company’s performance, especially when comparing such results to previous periods or forecasts.

For example:

We exclude costs and tax effects associated with restructuring activities, such as reducing overhead and consolidating facilities. We believe that the costs related to these restructuring activities are not indicative of our normal operating costs.

We exclude certain acquisition-related costs, including charges for the sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition and significant transaction costs. We exclude these costs because we do not believe they are indicative of our normal operating costs.

We exclude the expense and tax effects associated with the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets because a significant portion of the purchase price for acquisitions may be allocated to intangible assets that have lives of 5 to 20 years. In 2016, based on acquisitions closed through the end of the third quarter, our adjusted EPS will exclude approximately $2.42 of expense for the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Exclusion of the amortization expense allows comparisons of operating results that are consistent over time for both our newly acquired and long-held businesses and with both acquisitive and non-acquisitive peer companies.

We also exclude certain gains/losses and related tax effects, benefits from tax credit carryforwards and the impact of significant tax audits or events (such as the effect on deferred tax balances of enacted changes in tax rates), which are either isolated or cannot be expected to occur again with any predictability and that we believe are not indicative of our normal operating gains and losses. For example, we exclude gains/losses from items such as the sale of a business or real estate, gains or losses on significant litigation-related matters, gains on curtailments of pension plans, the early retirement of debt and discontinued operations.

We also report free cash flow, which is operating cash flow, net of capital expenditures, and also excludes operating cash flows from discontinued operations to provide a view of the continuing operations’ ability to generate cash for use in acquisitions and other investing and financing activities.

Thermo Fisher’s management uses these non-GAAP measures, in addition to GAAP financial measures, as the basis for measuring the company’s core operating performance and comparing such performance to that of prior periods and to the performance of our competitors. Such measures are also used by management in their financial and operating decision-making and for compensation purposes.

The non-GAAP financial measures of Thermo Fisher’s results of operations and cash flows included in this press release are not meant to be considered superior to or a substitute for Thermo Fisher’s results of operations prepared in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations of such non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are set forth in the accompanying tables. Thermo Fisher does not provide GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis because we are unable to predict with reasonable certainty and without unreasonable effort items such as the timing and amount of future restructuring actions and acquisition-related charges as well as gains or losses from sales of real estate and businesses, the early retirement of debt and the outcome of legal proceedings. The timing and amount of these items are uncertain and could be material to Thermo Fisher’s results computed in accordance with GAAP.

On October 27, 2016 Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ:CELG) reported net product sales of $2,969 million for the third quarter of 2016, a 28 percent increase from the same period in 2015. Net product sales growth includes a 1 percent negative impact from currency exchange effects (Press release, Celgene, OCT 27, 2016, View Source [SID1234516035]).

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Third quarter total revenue increased 28 percent to $2,983 million compared to $2,334 million in the third quarter of 2015.

Net income for the third quarter of 2016 based on U.S. GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), was $171 million or $0.21 per diluted share compared to a net loss of $34 million or $0.04 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2015. The results for the third quarter of 2016 include increased research and development expenses as a result of the EngMab AG acquisition. The net loss in the third quarter of 2015 reflected costs related to strategic transactions including the collaboration with Juno Therapeutics and the acquisition of Receptos.

Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2016 was $1,263 million or $1.58 per diluted share compared to $1,011 million or $1.23 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2015.

"Continued outstanding execution by our teams around the world led to another strong quarter of revenue growth and progress advancing many of our most important strategic programs," said Mark J. Alles, Chief Executive Officer of Celgene Corporation. "Our increasing enterprise-wide momentum has us on-track to exceed key 2016 objectives and positions us well for sustained long-term growth."

Third Quarter 2016 Financial Highlights

Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons are for the third quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2015. The adjusted operating expense categories presented below exclude share-based employee compensation expense, collaboration-related upfront expense, research and development asset acquisition expense and a litigation-related loss contingency accrual expense. Please see the attached Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Net Income for further information relevant to the interpretation of adjusted financial measures and reconciliations of these adjusted financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures, respectively.

Net Product Sales Performance

REVLIMID sales for the third quarter increased 30 percent year-over-year to $1,891 million and were driven by new patient market share gains and increased duration. U.S. sales of $1,153 million and international sales of $738 million increased 29 percent and 32 percent year-over-year, respectively.
POMALYST/IMNOVID sales for the third quarter were $341 million, an increase of 33 percent year-over-year. U.S. sales were $203 million and international sales were $138 million, an increase of 35 percent and 30 percent year-over-year, respectively. POMALYST/IMNOVID sales grew due to increased volume from duration gains.
OTEZLA sales for the third quarter were $275 million, a 98 percent increase year-over-year. U.S. sales were $245 million and international sales were $30 million. Sales were driven by market share gains and increased prescriber adoption.
ABRAXANE sales for the third quarter were $233 million, a 1 percent increase year-over-year. U.S. sales of $144 million decreased 1 percent year-over-year. International sales were $89 million.
In the third quarter, all other product sales, which include THALOMID, ISTODAX, VIDAZA and an authorized generic version of VIDAZA drug product in the U.S., were $229 million compared to $234 million in the third quarter of 2015.
Research and Development (R&D)

On a GAAP basis, R&D expenses were $1,653 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $1,305 million for the same period in 2015. The increase was primarily driven by a $623.3 million asset acquisition expense associated with the purchase of EngMab AG and an increase in early research and clinical trial activity, partially offset by decreases in expenses related to collaboration-related upfront expenses. Adjusted R&D expenses were $644 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $488 million for the third quarter of 2015.

Selling, General, and Administrative (SG&A)

On a GAAP basis, SG&A expenses were $698 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $550 million for the same period in 2015. The increase was primarily due to a 2016 litigation-related loss contingency accrual expense as well as an increase in donations to independent patient assistance organizations. Adjusted SG&A expenses were $591 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $474 million for the third quarter of 2015.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities

Operating cash flow was $723 million in the third quarter of 2016. Celgene ended the quarter with approximately $6.9 billion in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.

In the third quarter of 2016, Celgene purchased approximately 2.5 million of its shares at a total cost of approximately $273 million. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had approximately $4.9 billion remaining under the stock repurchase program.

2016 Guidance Updated

Previous 2016 Guidance Updated 2016 Guidance
Net Product Sales
Total Approximately $11.0B Approximately $11.2B
REVLIMID Approximately $6.8B Approximately $7.0B
GAAP diluted EPS $3.82 to $4.05 $3.12 to $3.29
Adjusted diluted EPS $5.70 to $5.75 $5.88 to $5.92
GAAP operating margin Approximately 37% Approximately 31%
Adjusted operating margin Approximately 54.0% Unchanged
Weighted average diluted shares 806M 804M
Net product sales guidance for POMALYST/IMNOVID, ABRAXANE and OTEZLA remain unchanged.

2017 Targets Updated

Total net product sales are expected to be at the high end of the range of $12.7 billion to $13.0 billion
REVLIMID net sales are expected to be more than $8.0 billion versus the previous target of approximately $8.0 billion
Adjusted diluted EPS is expected to be at the high end of the range of $6.75 to $7.00
The net product sales target for ABRAXANE and adjusted diluted share count remain unchanged.

Product and Pipeline Updates

Hematology/Oncology

A supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) was filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the expanded indication of REVLIMID as maintenance treatment in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients after receiving an autologous stem-cell transplant (ASCT). The sNDA was granted Priority Review and the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date for the submission is February 24, 2017. In June, an application was submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the review of REVLIMID as maintenance treatment in NDMM patients after receiving an ASCT. A decision on the European Union (EU) application is expected in the first half of 2017.
In August, the European Commission approved the inclusion of data from a pooled analysis of patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma and impaired renal function in the IMNOVID label.
Celgene expects to submit a new drug application (NDA) to the FDA for enasidenib (AG-221) in relapsed and/or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH2) mutation by year-end. The NDA will be based on data from an ongoing phase I/II trial in patients with relapsed and/or refractory AML and other advanced hematologic malignancies with an IDH2 mutation.
Data at hematology and oncology medical congresses presented in the third quarter and expected in the fourth quarter include:

Data from multiple sponsored and independent studies evaluating the use of ABRAXANE as a single agent or in combination with novel agents and novel regimens in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, metastatic breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were presented during the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2016 Annual Meeting in October.
Celgene’s collaboration partner Triphase Accelerator Corporation is expected to present results from a phase I trial evaluating marizomib in combination with bevacizumab in recurrent glioblastoma at the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) meeting in November.
Data from the abound program of ABRAXANE in NSCLC are expected to be presented at the IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer in December.
Data from the phase II tnAcity trial evaluating ABRAXANE in combination with gemcitabine or carboplatin in patients with triple negative breast cancer are expected at The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) in December.
At the 2016 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) annual meeting in December, data presentations expected include:
Phase III Myeloma XI trial evaluating REVLIMID as induction and maintenance therapy in patients with NDMM following ASCT.
Final overall survival data from the phase III MM-020 trial evaluating REVLIMID in combination with low-dose dexamethasone in patients with NDMM who were not candidates for stem-cell transplant.
Phase III REMARC trial comparing REVLIMID maintenance to placebo in elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) previously treated with rituximab plus chemotherapy (R-CHOP).
Phase III CONTINUUM trial comparing REVLIMID maintenance to placebo in chronic lymphocytic leukemia following second-line therapy.
Interim data from the phase III MAGNIFYTM trial with REVLIMID in combination with R-CHOP in patients with relapsed and/or refractory indolent lymphoma.
Phase Ib trial evaluating CC-122 in combination with obinutuzumab in patients with relapsed and/or refractory DLBCL or indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Inflammation & Immunology (I&I)

Data at I&I medical congresses presented in the third quarter and expected in the fourth quarter include:

Long-term data from the phase II RADIANCE trial evaluating ozanimod in relapsing multiple sclerosis were presented at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in September.
Phase Ib trial evaluating the effects of oral GED-0301 (mongersen) on both endoscopic and clinical outcomes in patients with active Crohn’s disease were presented at the United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW) in October. The phase III program continues to enroll with data expected in 2018.
Phase II trial of RPC4046 in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis were presented at UEGW and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) meetings in October.
Phase II TOUCHSTONE trial evaluating ozanimod as induction and maintenance in patients with ulcerative colitis presented at UEGW and ACG.
Pooled 3-year data analyses from ESTEEM 1 and 2 and PALACE 1-3 trials were presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) meeting in October.
Phase IIb trial of OTEZLA in Japanese patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis were presented at EADV. This trial will be used to support the regulatory approval in Japan.
At the 2016 American College of Rheumatology annual meeting in November, data presentations expected include:
Three-year safety and efficacy data from the PALACE program with OTEZLA in psoriatic arthritis.
Four-year safety and efficacy data from PALACE 3 trial with OTEZLA in DMARD- and/or biologic-experienced psoriatic arthritis patients.
Pooled three-year data from the PALACE program for the enthesitis and dactylitis and HAQ-DI endpoints.
52-week data from the PSA-006 trial of OTEZLA in biologic-naïve patients with active psoriatic arthritis.
Phase II safety and dose-ranging trial of CC-220 in systemic lupus erythematosus. The second part of the phase II trial evaluating improvement in skin manifestations and improvement in the Cutaneous Lupus Area and Severity Index (CLASI) score is enrolling.
An encore presentation of the phase Ib trial evaluating the effects of oral GED-0301 on both endoscopic and clinical outcomes in patients with active Crohn’s disease are expected at the Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (AIBD) meeting in December.
Business Update

In September, Celgene completed a transaction to acquire Switzerland-based, privately-held biotechnology company EngMab AG for $625.3 million plus contingent development, regulatory and commercial milestones. EngMab’s lead molecule is EM901, a T-cell bi-specific antibody targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). The acquisition includes an additional undisclosed program. The Company plans to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for EM901 in late 2017. The transaction was accounted as an asset acquisition, resulting in $623.3 million of research and development expense and $2.0 million of net working capital acquired.

On October 27, 2016 following the recent update on clinicaltrials.gov, AstraZeneca reported that the US FDA has placed a partial clinical hold on the enrolment of new patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in clinical trials of durvalumab as monotherapy and in combination with tremelimumab or other potential medicines (Press release, AstraZeneca, OCT 27, 2016, View Source [SID1234516048]). All trials are continuing with existing patients.

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The partial clinical hold on new patient enrolment relates only to head and neck cancer. Trials for durvalumab in different cancer types, as monotherapy or in combination with tremelimumab or other potential medicines, are progressing as planned, with pivotal data in lung cancer anticipated in the first half of 2017.

The FDA’s decision follows voluntary action by AstraZeneca to pause enrolment of new HNSCC patients while a detailed analysis is conducted of adverse events related to bleeding that were observed as part of routine safety monitoring of the Phase III KESTREL and EAGLE trials. Bleeding is a known complication in treatments of head and neck cancers primarily due to the nature of the underlying disease, the proximity of tumours to major blood vessels and use of prior cancer therapies, which may involve surgery and radiation.

AstraZeneca has submitted its analysis of the observed bleeding events to the FDA for review and is working closely with the Agency, providing the required information to resume new patient enrolment as soon as possible.

On October 26, 2016 Myriad Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MYGN), a leader in molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine, reported that its BRACAnalysis CDx test accurately identified patients who may benefit from treatment with olaparib (Press release, Myriad Genetics, OCT 26, 2016, View Source [SID1234516013]). The BRACAnalysis CDx test was included in the SOLO2 study (NCT01874353) as a diagnostic with olaparib, an oral PARP inhibitor being developed by AstraZeneca (Nasdaq:AZN).

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SOLO2 compared maintenance olaparib against placebo in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer. In this study, patients were tested for germline BRCA (gBRAC+) mutations as determined by Myriad’s BRACAnalysis CDx test. The primary endpoint for SOLO2 was progression-free survival (PFS). The aim was to determine whether patients carrying gBRAC mutations treated with olaparib as a second-line maintenance therapy experienced longer progression-free survival, compared to those patients receiving placebo. The results showed that the olaparib-treated patients achieved the primary endpoint of prolonged PFS.

"These outstanding findings represent another meaningful advancement for ovarian cancer patients," said Johnathan Lancaster, M.D., Ph.D., gynecologic oncologist and chief medical officer of Myriad Genetic Laboratories. "Importantly, the results demonstrated that BRCA status as determined by BRACAnalysis CDx can identify patients likely to benefit from PARP inhibition therapy."

The collaboration between Myriad and AstraZeneca on olaparib began in 2007. In Dec. 2014, Myriad received FDA approval for BRACAnalysis CDx to identify patients with advanced ovarian cancer who are eligible for fourth-line treatment with olaparib. BRACAnalysis CDx is Myriad’s first FDA-approved companion diagnostic and was the first-ever laboratory developed test reviewed and approved by the FDA.

About BRACAnalysis CDx
BRACAnalysis CDx is an in vitro diagnostic device intended for the qualitative detection and classification of variants in the protein coding regions and intron/exon boundaries of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes using genomic DNA obtained from whole blood specimens collected in EDTA. Single nucleotide variants and small insertions and deletions (indels) are identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. Large deletions and duplications in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are detected using multiplex PCR. Results of the test are used as an aid in identifying ovarian cancer patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA variants eligible for treatment with Lynparza (olaparib). This assay is for professional use only and is to be performed only at Myriad Genetic Laboratories, a single laboratory site located at 320 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.