Editas Medicine to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences

On February 8, 2018 Editas Medicine, Inc. (NASDAQ:EDIT), a leading genome editing company, reported that it will participate in two upcoming investor conferences (Press release, Editas Medicine, FEB 8, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2331410 [SID1234523827]). Details are as follows:

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!

BIO CEO & Investor Conference
Date: Monday, February 12, 2018
Forum: Presentation
Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
Location: New York

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey 4th Annual Orphan Drug Day
Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Forum: 1×1 Meetings
Location: New York

A live webcast of the presentation will be available on the Investors & Media section of the Editas Medicine website at www.editasmedicine.com. An archived replay will be available for approximately 30 days following the presentation.

Syros to Present at Leerink Partners 7th Annual Global Healthcare Conference

On February 8, 2018 Syros Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SYRS), a biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of medicines that control the expression of genes, reported that its Chief Executive Officer, Nancy Simonian, M.D., will participate in a fireside chat at the Leerink Partners 7th Annual Global Healthcare Conference (Press release, Syros Pharmaceuticals, FEB 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234523869]). Details are as follows:

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!

Leerink Partners 7th Annual Global Healthcare Conference
Date: Thursday, February 15
Presentation Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
Location: Lotte New York Palace Hotel, 455 Madison Ave, New York, NY

A live webcast of the fireside chat will be available on the Investors & Media section of the Syros website at www.syros.com. An archived replay will be available for approximately 30 days following the fireside chat.

GlycoMimetics Enters into Agreement with HOVON to Initiate Study Startup Activities for Planned Clinical Trial of GMI-1271 and Decitabine in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Who Are Unfit for Chemotherapy

On February 8, 2018 GlycoMimetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLYC) reported that it has entered into an agreement with the Haemato Oncology Foundation for Adults in the Netherlands (HOVON) group to initiate clinical trial startup activities (Press release, GlycoMimetics, FEB 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234523836]). In the planned clinical trial, HOVON researchers will evaluate GlycoMimetics’ drug candidate, GMI-1271, in adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) but who cannot tolerate intensive chemotherapy, as well as in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with a high risk of leukemia. The HOVON Central Office has already approved a protocol concept, and this agreement enables HOVON to commit staff to the planned trial in order to finalize the protocol, start regulatory and ethics reviews, and begin development of the database. Separately, GlycoMimetics said it plans to announce the design details for its company-sponsored Phase 3 trial in relapsed/refractory AML patients as part of its fourth-quarter and year-end 2017 earnings call scheduled for March 6, 2018.

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!

"HOVON is one of the most prestigious collaborative clinical groups in Europe and is focused exclusively on improving clinical outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies. HOVON’s interest in evaluating GMI-1271 in patients with previously untreated AML and MDS who are unable to tolerate intensive chemotherapy underscores the importance of the efficacy and safety data we’ve generated to date in clinical trials with GMI-1271," noted Helen Thackray, M.D., FAAP, GlycoMimetics Senior Vice-President, Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer. "We believe GMI-1271 has the potential for broad utility in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, and this trial expands the scope of development across the continuum of care in AML and complements our own planned Phase 3 registration trial in patients with relapsed/refractory disease."

Professor Gerwin Huls, Principal Investigator at HOVON and Professor of Haematology at University Medical Centre Groningen, said, "With Breakthrough Therapy designation awarded by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in patients with relapsed/refractory AML, GMI-1271 is clearly a promising agent. We look forward to generating data in this ‘unfit’ AML population to see if GMI-1271 can improve patient outcomes over what is achieved with decitabine alone."

The HOVON trial will be the first to evaluate GMI-1271 together with decitabine in this underserved population of AML and MDS patients, who are not considered by their physicians to be candidates for intensive chemotherapy; these two populations represent a significant potential label expansion opportunity for GMI-1271. HOVON intends to enroll approximately 140 patients in the clinical trial, including a control arm. Key efficacy endpoints will include complete remission rate, disease-free survival, and overall survival. The trial is expected to start this year and will be conducted in five countries across Europe.

About GMI-1271

GMI-1271 is designed to block E-selectin (an adhesion molecule on cells in the bone marrow) from binding with blood cancer cells as a targeted approach to disrupting well-established mechanisms of leukemic cell resistance within the bone marrow microenvironment. In the Phase 1/2 clinical trial that has now completed enrollment, GMI-1271 was evaluated in both newly diagnosed elderly and relapsed/refractory patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In both populations, patients treated with GMI-1271 together with standard chemotherapy achieved better than expected remission rates and overall survival based on historical controls, as well as lower than expected induction-related mortality rates. Importantly, treatment in this patient population was well tolerated with minimal adverse effects.

TC BioPharm and the NIPRO Corporation Announce Strategic Programme Co-Developing a Novel Gamma-Delta CAR-T Product to Treat Cancer

On February 7, 2018 The NIPRO Corporation (TSE: 8086) and TC BioPharm Ltd (TCB), reported that they have formed a strategic collaboration to co-develop a novel immunotherapy product using TCB’s safe CAR-T platform, based on unique properties of modified gamma delta (γδ) T cells to selectively target cancer whilst leaving healthy cells untouched (Press release, TC Biopharm, FEB 7, 2018, http://www.tcbiopharm.com/index.php/component/content/article/96 [SID1234524275]). TCB intends to use this novel platform to develop new CAR-based immunotherapies, with the aim of treating a broad range of cancers and major viral disease.

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!

"TCB’s world-class GMP-compliant manufacturing facility and experienced in-house clinical team will allow us to leverage patient treatment at established cancer therapy centers throughout Europe", said TCB’s Chief Operating Officer, Angela Scott, "since commencing operations in 2014, we have treated numerous cancer patients successfully with unmodified gamma-delta T cells and built sufficient infrastructure to progress our innovative proprietary next-generation CAR-T towards phase I studies during 2018."

The NIPRO Corporation will provide non-dilutive funds in the form of up-front fees, milestone payments and research-support to progress elements of TCB’s CAR-T program to clinical studies. NIPRO cash will provide the Osaka-based company with an exclusive right to sell, and distribute CAR-T product worldwide.

TCB and NIPRO will co-develop an autologous gamma-delta CAR-T therapy directed against CD19, which is expressed in several B cell tumors such as multiple myeloma and lymphoma. Preclinical studies developing the product will be supported by a Scottish Enterprise ‘seek-and-solve’ grant which will provide £2.7m of additional non-dilutive funding. Commenting on both the grant and collaboration, Jim Watson, director of Innovation & Enterprise Services at Scottish Enterprise, said, "This particular grant is designed to encourage investment in R&D and inspire Scottish companies to partner with international players to expand market reach, it’s fantastic to see a pre-revenue company like TCB collaborating with NIPRO. TCB’s strong international mindset will help the company reap benefits of this collaboration – both in terms of financial support and the market knowledge that NIPRO brings to the table. The Seek and Solve project will allow TCB to accelerate route to market, meaning potentially quicker returns for the Scottish economy, helping establish TCB as a global leader in cancer-specific cell therapies."

TCB’s proprietary ImmuniCAR platform uses the innate ability of gamma-delta T cells to target cancer, this has allowed the Company develop a wide-range of innovative safe therapies designed to treat a variety of tumours without toxic side-effects seen in many current CAR-T products. NIPRO’s Managing Director, Toshiaki Masuda, said, "The collaboration with TC Biopharm – who has stand-alone technology in developing CAR-T products; and NIPRO – an experienced company in manufacturing cell culture products, will establish the safe and innovative cancer therapeutics for practical use in the global market."

Head of the Department of Oncology at the University of Oxford, Professor Mark Middleton noted that, "the combination of gamma delta and CAR T cell therapy gives us the opportunity to test this promising new treatment in patients for the first time.’ He added that, ‘those of us who treat solid tumors have followed use of CAR T cells in hematological malignancy with great interest, this exciting collaboration between TCB and NIPRO has potential to overcome safety challenges when developing such treatments in patients with solid tumors".

The collaboration with NIPRO is TCB’s first major pharma deal centred in Asia, and represents a strong endorsement of the therapeutic approach. Remarking on this significant milestone for the Company, Chief Executive Dr Michael Leek iterated that, "This commercial collaboration represents the cutting-edge of cell-based immunotherapy, providing clinicians and cancer patients access to next-generation, safe, innovative oncology products, we are privileged to be working alongside the NIPRO Corporation as they continue to build a formidable presence in the regenerative medicine sector ".

Chief Business Officer Dr Artin Moussavi added, "TCB has been very active over the last 12 months raising over $35m cash, sealing long-term commercial relationships with a potential combined pre-market income over $1bn. The NIPRO collaboration is our latest such deal, representing a joint-effort to build a significant immune-oncology business in Japan and Asia".

pSivida Corp. Reports Second Quarter FY2018 Results; Continues to Achieve Milestones and Timelines

On February 7, 2018 pSivida Corp. (NASDAQ:PSDV) (ASX:PVA), a leader in the development of sustained release drug products and technologies, today reported financial results for its fiscal 2018 second quarter and six months ended December 31, 2017 and provided an update on its continued operating progress (Press release, pSivida, FEB 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234523802]).

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!

Recent Operating Highlights

Submitted the New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Durasert three-year treatment for posterior segment uveitis
Obtained from the FDA a small business waiver of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) fee of approximately $2.4 million in connection with the NDA filing
Newly released second Phase 3 study data for Durasert three-year treatment for posterior segment uveitis continued to demonstrate positive efficacy and safety profile at 12 months
Presented Phase 3 data at several medical conferences, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) annual meeting and the American Uveitis Society (AUS) winter meeting
Reported positive Phase 1 knee osteoarthritis pain study data indicating that the implant was well tolerated and showed potential for pain reduction through the six-month study period
"We achieved several milestones in the fiscal second quarter and the past few weeks and continue to make material progress in the transformation of pSivida into a fully integrated commercial stage pharmaceutical enterprise," commented Nancy Lurker, President & CEO. "Our highest priority was the NDA submission for Durasert three-year treatment for posterior segment uveitis, which we accomplished in early January. We are also pleased with the continued positive read out of our clinical uveitis data and look forward to presenting these data at upcoming congresses. Meanwhile, we will continue to refine our go-to-market plan in the U.S. and I am confident we have the experienced team and strategy to execute our launch plan with precision."

Fiscal Second Quarter and Six-Month Results

Revenue for the second fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2017 totaled $933,000 compared to $6.0 million for the prior year quarter. The year-ago second quarter included the recognition of deferred collaborative research and development revenue totaling $5.6 million resulting from termination of the Pfizer collaboration agreement. Excluding the Pfizer termination, revenue from feasibility study agreements and royalty income increased to $933,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $387,000 in the prior year quarter. Current period revenues included $196,000 of royalty income received from Alimera Sciences, representing the first quarterly reporting under our July 2017 restructured collaboration agreement. Operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2017 increased to $6.7 million from $6.1 million a year earlier, due primarily to professional services costs associated with the NDA filing for Durasert three-year uveitis. Net loss for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 was $5.8 million, or $0.13 per share, compared to net loss of $67,000, or break-even per share, for the prior year quarter.

Revenue for the six months ended December 31, 2017 was $1.3 million compared to $6.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2016. Excluding the $5.6 million revenue recognized in the prior year period upon termination of the Pfizer agreement, revenues from feasibility study agreements and royalty income increased to $1.3 million for the six months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $664,000 in the prior year six-month period. Operating expenses for the first six months of fiscal 2018 were $13.1 million compared to $13.5 million a year earlier. Higher professional services costs related to the Company’s NDA filing were substantially offset by the absence in the current year-to-date period of severance costs and professional fees related to the Company’s CEO transition and elimination of the position of Vice President, Corporate Affairs and General Counsel in the prior year-to-date period. Net loss for the six months ended December 31, 2017 was $11.8 million, or $0.28 per share, compared to a net loss of $7.2 million, or $0.21 per share for the corresponding fiscal 2017 year-to-date period.

At December 31, 2017, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $12.9 million.

Anticipated Calendar 2018 Milestones:

FDA acceptance for review of the NDA for Durasert three-year treatment for posterior segment uveitis in calendar Q1
Present 12-month efficacy and safety data from the second Phase 3 clinical study at leading medical conferences
Continue business development efforts and enter into one or more new collaboration agreements with biopharmaceutical companies and other third parties
Expect to complete the GLP safety and pharmacokinetic study for a shorter duration product for posterior segment uveitis
Conference Call

pSivida Corp. will host a live webcast and conference call today, February 7, 2018 at 4:30pm ET. The conference call may be accessed by dialing (877) 312-7507 from the U.S. and Canada, or (631) 813-4828 from international locations. The conference ID is 8399835. A live webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of the corporate website at View Source

A replay of the call will be available beginning February 7, 2018, at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET and ending on February 14, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The replay may be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 within the U.S. and Canada or (404) 537-3406 from international locations, Conference ID Number: 8399835. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the corporate website during that time.