On December 12, 2017 TapImmune Inc. (NASDAQ: TPIV), a leading clinical-stage immuno-oncology company with ongoing clinical trials in ovarian and breast cancer, reported that the first patient has been enrolled in a Phase 2 randomized, multi-center, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of TapImmune’s novel therapeutic vaccine candidate TPIV200 (Press release, TapImmune, DEC 12, 2017, View Source [SID1234523779]). The 280-patient trial, sponsored by Mayo Clinic, received $13.3 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to evaluate the prevention of cancer recurrence in women with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have completed first-line surgery and radiotherapy/chemotherapy.

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TPIV200 is a novel, multi-epitope, peptide-based cancer vaccine that has been shown to induce a robust and long-lasting "memory" T-cell immune response directed against folate receptor alpha (FRa), a molecule that is overexpressed on the surface of the vast majority of TNBC cancer cells and is associated with cancer recurrence. As an off-the-shelf vaccine consisting of several carefully chosen FRa peptides, TPIV200 is uniquely able to stimulate both T "helper" cells and T "killer" cells to target tumor cells and is expected to cover greater than 85% of human genotypes worldwide.

"We remain grateful to the U.S. Department of Defense and Mayo Clinic for enabling TapImmune to gain invaluable clinical safety and efficacy insight for TPIV200 under this grant," said TapImmune President and CEO Peter Hoang. "We believe TPIV200 and our other vaccine candidates have an important role to play within the current immuno-oncology ecosystem by potentially bridging a critical gap not currently addressed by other immunotherapies, which have shown promise in only a small number of patients. Unlike current approaches, TapImmune’s vaccines are designed to produce broad-based, durable T-cell responses in the vast majority of patients, which we believe are essential for improving clinical outcomes and ensuring potential regulatory and commercial success. We look forward to providing updates appropriately as this exciting Phase 2 study continues to enroll patients."

TapImmune and its clinical partners are evaluating TPIV200 in multiple ongoing Phase 2 trials for treating ovarian and breast cancer, including a randomized dosing trial in TNBC that recently completed patient enrollment. The four-arm trial is designed to help determine the optimal TPIV200 vaccine dose and regimen to maximize patients’ anti-tumor immune responses. Interim immunogenicity results from this ongoing study are anticipated in the first half of 2018.

Keith L. Knutson. Ph.D., Professor of Immunology in the Department of Immunology, and Edith A. Perez, M.D., Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology, both at Mayo Clinic’s Florida campus in Jacksonville, Florida, are the recipients of the U.S. Department of Defense grant and are leading the Phase 2 trial.

Mayo Clinic and Dr. Knutson have a financial interest in TapImmune for the triple negative breast cancer treatment.

On December 12, 2017 Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing tumor-targeted and immuno-oncology therapies based on its pioneering research in cancer epigenetics, reported that the first patient has been dosed in its Phase 1b/2 PROSTAR study of CPI-1205, a small-molecule inhibitor of EZH2, combined with enzalutamide or abiraterone/prednisone in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) (Press release, Constellation Pharmaceuticals, DEC 12, 2017, View Source [SID1234522670]).

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"The initiation of this combination study marks a significant milestone for the company as we execute on our goal to rapidly advance our pipeline of epigenetic therapeutics that have the potential to address difficult-to-treat cancers," said Adrian Senderowicz, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer of Constellation Pharmaceuticals. "Today’s announcement marks the first evaluation of CPI-1205 in solid tumors. We anticipate advancing CPI-1205 and other therapies from our EZH2 portfolio in additional solid tumor clinical trials in the future."

CPI-1205 is a potent, highly selective, first-generation small-molecule inhibitor of EZH2, a clinically-validated target in cancer. In multiple types of cancer, including mCRPC, EZH2 contributes to drug resistance over time by enhancing pro-tumor pathways, such as androgen receptor signaling. CPI-1205 has shown single-agent activity and synergistic activity with small-molecule androgen inhibitors in preclinical studies. CPI-1205 has also demonstrated single-agent clinical activity and a dose-dependent increase in exposure correlated to pharmacodynamic biomarkers during a clinical trial of CPI-1205 in selected lymphoma patients.

"There is a tremendous need for new, safe and effective medicines for advanced prostate cancer, especially for men with progressive mCRPC," said Mary-Ellen Taplin, M.D., Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an investigator in the trial. "We look forward to learning how CPI-1205 may help overcome resistance mechanisms in mCRPC and extend response to therapy."

The Phase 1b portion of the PROSTAR study is designed to assess safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, as well as a recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of CPI-1205 in combination with either enzalutamide (marketed as Xtandi by Astellas and Pfizer) or abiraterone acetate (marketed as Zytiga by Janssen), which are FDA-approved second-generation androgen inhibitors. The Phase 2 portion of the PROSTAR study will assess clinical activity and potential biomarkers to identify patient populations with higher clinical anti-tumor activity to CPI-1205.

About mCRPC

mCRPC is an advanced form of prostate cancer and is defined by disease progression despite treatment with androgen depletion therapy (ADT). mCRPC may present as one, or any combination of, a continuous rise in serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), progression of known metastases, or appearance of new metastases. Prognosis is associated with several factors, including the ability to perform certain daily activities and the presence of bone pain. Additional symptoms commonly include anemia (low healthy red blood cell levels), weight loss, fatigue, hypercoagulability (abnormal blood coagulation) and increased susceptibility to infection. mCRPC presents as a spectrum of disease ranging from patients without symptoms but rising PSA levels despite ADT, to patients with metastases and significant debilitation.

About CPI-1205

CPI-1205 is a therapeutic candidate from Constellation Pharmaceuticals’ EZH2 portfolio and is an inhibitor of Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2). The function of EZH2 is to selectively suppress gene expression of several pro-cancer pathways that contribute to drug resistance.

On December 12, 2017 Geron Corporation (Nasdaq:GERN) reported four presentations related to imetelstat at the 59th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition held in Atlanta, Georgia from December 9-12, 2017 (Press release, Geron, DEC 12, 2017, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2322273 [SID1234522575]). Imetelstat is a telomerase inhibitor initially developed by Geron and exclusively licensed to Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Janssen) on a worldwide basis. The presentations are available on Geron’s website at www.geron.com/presentations.

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"We and our partner are pleased to have this first presentation of data from IMerge displaying an 8-week transfusion independence rate of 54% among the subset of patients who were naïve to lenalidomide and HMAs and who lacked del(5q), which suggests that imetelstat could offer lower risk MDS patients a much-needed treatment option," said John A. Scarlett, M.D., Geron’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "In addition, the non-clinical data presentations continue to support the potential use of imetelstat in multiple hematologic malignancies. We continue to be encouraged by the consistent interest in imetelstat by collaborators around the world."

Clinical Data Presentation

Title: Efficacy and Safety of Imetelstat in RBC Transfusion-Dependent (TD) IPSS Low/Int-1 MDS Relapsed/Refractory to Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESA) (IMerge) (Abstract #4256)

This poster presentation described data from the first 32 patients enrolled in Part 1 of IMerge, the ongoing Phase 2/3 clinical trial of imetelstat in red blood cell (RBC) transfusion-dependent (TD) patients with lower risk MDS. TD is defined as an RBC transfusion requirement of ≥4 units over 8 weeks prior to entry into the trial. The primary efficacy endpoint is the rate of RBC transfusion-independence (TI) lasting at least 8 weeks, defined as the proportion of patients without any RBC transfusion during any consecutive 8 weeks since entry to the trial. Key secondary endpoints are the rate of 24-week TI and the rate of hematologic improvement-erythroid (HI-E), defined as a rise in hemoglobin of at least 1.5 g/dL above the pretreatment level for at least 8 weeks or a reduction of at least 4 units of RBC transfusions over 8 weeks compared with the prior RBC transfusion burden. IMerge is designed in two parts: Part 1 is a Phase 2, open-label, single-arm trial of imetelstat administered as a single agent by intravenous infusion, and Part 2 is designed to be a Phase 3, randomized, controlled trial.

Data as of October 2017 with a median follow-up of 66.1 weeks in Part 1 were presented. Part 2 has not yet begun.

Efficacy in the Overall Trial Population (n=32):

38% (12/32) of patients achieved ≥8-week RBC TI
Mean relative reduction in transfusion burden from baseline was 64%
16% (5/32) of patients achieved ≥24-week RBC TI, with the median TI duration exceeding one year in these patients
63% (20/32) of patients achieved an erythroid hematologic improvement (HI-E)
Efficacy in the Lenalidomide and HMA Naïve and Non-Del(5q) Subset (n=13):

54% (7/13) of patients achieved ≥8-week RBC TI
Mean relative reduction in transfusion burden from baseline was 71%
31% (4/13) of patients achieved ≥24-week RBC TI
69% (9/13) of patients achieved an HI-E
Safety Summary:

Cytopenias, particularly neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, were the most frequently reported adverse events which were predictable, manageable and reversible
Link to IMerge poster: Fenaux P, et al. ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) 2017

Based on these data, Part 1 of IMerge is being expanded to enroll approximately 20 additional patients who are naïve to lenalidomide and HMA treatment and are non-del(5q) to increase the experience and confirm the benefit-risk profile of imetelstat in this refined target patient population. For more information about IMerge, please visit View Source

Non-Clinical Data Presentations

Data were presented from three non-clinical studies by academic scientists in collaboration with Janssen.

Title: Imetelstat, a Telomerase Inhibitor, Is Capable of Depleting Myelofibrosis Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Progenitor Cells (Abstract #1654)

This poster presentation described the effects of imetelstat on normal and myelofibrosis (MF) stem and progenitor cells in non-clinical models. The data showed that imetelstat inhibited the proliferation and differentiation of MF progenitor and stem cells in hematopoietic colony assays and xenograft models, but had minimal effects on normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in such experiments. Imetelstat treatment of MF stem and progenitor cells reduced telomerase activity and induced apoptosis. These data provide further support that imetelstat may selectively inhibit the proliferation of and promote apoptosis in MF progenitor and stem cells, suppressing the malignant clones that drive the disease in patients.

Title: Telomerase Inhibition Impairs Self-Renewal of b-Catenin Activated Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Progenitors (Abstract #2860)

This poster presentation described the potential impact of imetelstat on leukemia stem cells in non-clinical models of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in blast crisis. The data suggest that imetelstat plus dasatinib, a standard treatment for CML, may inhibit self-renewal of blast crisis cells in vitro compared with normal bone marrow progenitors. In mouse xenograft models of blast crisis CML, imetelstat treatment reduced the number of leukemia progenitor cells detected in bone marrow and spleen, decreased spleen size, inhibited the self-renewal capacity and prolonged survival compared to controls. These data suggest that imetelstat may inhibit proliferation of malignant progenitors in CML.

Title: Integrated Molecular Analysis Identifies Replicative Stress as Sensitizer to Imetelstat Therapy in AML (Abstract #798)

This oral presentation described imetelstat’s activity in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient-derived xenograft models. The preclinical data demonstrated that imetelstat prolonged overall survival of AML xenografts derived from 17 out of 30 individual patient samples compared to saline-treated controls. Molecular analysis showed that sustained responders were associated with gene signatures of replicative stress at baseline. The data also suggest that inducing replicative stress with standard induction chemotherapy may sensitize poorly responding samples to imetelstat. These data build on previously published preclinical work and further support potential application of imetelstat in the treatment of AML.

Webcast Investor Event

Management will be hosting a live webcast of an analyst and investor meeting on December 19, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the imetelstat clinical data in MDS presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper). The audio and slide presentation webcast will be accessible at www.geron.com on the Investor Relations pages, under Events. Following the live presentation, the webcast will be archived and available for replay at the same address for a period of 30 days.

About Imetelstat

Imetelstat (GRN163L; JNJ-63935937) is a potent and specific inhibitor of telomerase that is administered by intravenous infusion. This first-in-class compound, discovered by Geron, is a specially designed and modified short oligonucleotide, which targets and binds directly with high affinity to the active site of telomerase. Preliminary clinical data suggest imetelstat might have disease-modifying activity by inhibiting the progenitor cells of the malignant clones associated with hematologic malignancies in a relatively select manner. Most commonly reported adverse events in imetelstat clinical studies include fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms and cytopenias. Imetelstat has not been approved for marketing by any regulatory authority.

About the Collaboration with Janssen

On November 13, 2014, Geron entered into an exclusive worldwide license and collaboration agreement with Janssen Biotech, Inc., to develop and commercialize imetelstat for oncology, including hematologic myeloid malignancies, and all other human therapeutics uses. Under the terms of the agreement, Geron received an upfront payment of $35 million and is eligible to receive additional payments up to a potential total of $900 million for the achievement of development, regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as royalties on worldwide net sales. All regulatory, development, manufacturing and promotional activities related to imetelstat are being managed through a joint governance structure, with Janssen responsible for these activities.

On December 12, 2017 Innovation Pharmaceuticals, (OTCQB:IPIX) ("the Company"), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, reported that the European Patent Office has granted a European patent for Brilacidin, the Company’s first-in-class defensin-mimetic, in the prevention and control of Oral Mucositis (OM) (Press release, Innovation Pharmaceuticals, DEC 12, 2017, View Source [SID1234522572]). Brilacidin-OM is being developed under an FDA Fast Track designation for this indication.

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The European patent supplements other Brilacidin-OM patents that have been granted in the United States, Asia (Japan, Taiwan, China), Oceania (Australia) and South Africa. All currently issued patents have an expiration date of 2032. Additional Brilacidin-OM patent applications are pending in other key markets including Russia and South Korea.

The European patent is part and parcel to the Company’s strategy to develop and commercialize Brilacidin-OM internationally through licensing agreements. An estimated 700,000 (source: GLOBOCAN) Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) patients worldwide will develop OM this year, with the figures expected to climb to over one million annually by 2023. In spite of OM incidence rates ranging as high as 100 percent in HNC, there currently are no FDA-approved drugs for the prevention and treatment of OM in these types of cancer patients receiving chemoradiation.

"We are looking at a global product opportunity with OM that is extremely attractive and intellectual property protection is critical. With no approved drugs for our initial target indication in preventing OM in HNC, the first company to commercialize a safe and effective drug would undoubtedly command a significant portion of the market, which is estimated to be at least $1 billion worldwide," said Leo Ehrlich, Chief Executive Officer at Innovation Pharmaceuticals.

"The topline data released yesterday from our Phase 2 trial showed a meaningful reduction in the incidence of severe OM even compared to a rate somewhat lower than historic norms in the placebo arm, demonstrating Brilacidin-OM’s clear effect in preventing this extremely painful, and at times even deadly, consequence of chemoradiation in a majority of HNC patients treated with the drug. I can’t imagine a physician not wanting to prescribe, and a patient not wanting to use, a simple oral rinse like Brilacidin-OM if it would mean cutting the chance of developing severe OM by as much as 38.7 percent, as observed in patients who adhered to the requirements of the trial protocol," Mr. Ehrlich continued.

"Given the positive topline data, the Company is compelled to aggressively seek a development path that will most efficiently bring Brilacidin-OM to patients in need," said Arthur P. Bertolino, MD, PhD, MBA, President and Chief Medical Officer at Innovation Pharmaceuticals. "We intend to work diligently with the FDA and other health authorities, on a worldwide basis, and ideally in collaboration with interested potential partners, to achieve this goal. We have a potential "game changer" asset with Brilacidin-OM, able to make a big impact on a cancer patient’s well-being, and we are in the privileged position of planning wholeheartedly for the next stage of development as we strive to be the first to fill a wide void in oncology as quickly as possible."

On December 12, 2017 GlycoMimetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLYC) reported updated data from the Phase 1/2 trial evaluating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of GMI-1271 in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and in older adults with newly diagnosed AML, including the following conclusions (Press release, GlycoMimetics, DEC 12, 2017, View Source [SID1234522581]):

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For patients with R/R AML treated at the Phase 2 dose (n = 54) and for whom median follow up was 6.6 months:

Clinical remission (CR+CRi) was 43%.
Median overall survival was 9.4 months (95% CI: 5.7 – 15.1 months; calculated by Kaplan Meier method). This compares favorably to a median overall survival of up to 5.4 months reported for historical, matched controls treated with mitoxantrone, etoposide and cytarabine (MEC) alone. 1,2
Median duration of remission was 11.1 months (95% CI: 5.8-NA; calculated by Kaplan Meier method).
For older patients with newly diagnosed disease (n=25) and for whom median follow up was 10.5 months:

Clinical remission rate was 68%.
Median overall survival was 15.8 months (95% CI: 10.3 – NA; calculated by Kaplan Meier method). This compares favorably to a historical median overall survival of approximately 12 months in matched controls treated with 7+3 chemotherapy alone. 3,4
Median duration of remission was 14.8 months (95% CI: 8.3 – NA; calculated by Kaplan Meier method).
Median event free survival was 11.3 months.
The data were presented yesterday during an oral scientific session at the 59th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Expo in Atlanta.

Across both populations, GMI-1271 was well tolerated with no obvious incremental toxicity observed and lower than expected rates of severe, debilitating, grade 3-4 mucositis reported (e.g., 3% incidence reported vs. historical 20-25% incidence with MEC alone).

"These new data from our Phase 1/2 clinical trial demonstrate that encouraging clinical outcomes are possible for both duration of remission and survival endpoints when GMI-1271 is added to chemotherapy in two distinct AML patient populations," noted Helen Thackray, M.D., FAAP, GlycoMimetics Senior Vice-President, Clinical Development and Chief Medical Officer. "Beyond the high response rates previously reported with GMI-1271, we can now point to additional long-term endpoints that further support our plan to move the drug candidate into a Phase 3 clinical trial scheduled to begin in mid-2018. Importantly, with respect to safety, the low mucositis rate in relapsed and refractory patients receiving MEC induction chemotherapy — where you would expect around 25% severe mucositis — is quite striking. This was predicted and explained by preclinical models in which GMI-1271 blocked inflammatory macrophages trafficking to the gut and thus prevented mucosal injury."

"These results continue to show that AML patients treated with GMI-1271 consistently perform better than expected," said Daniel J. DeAngelo, M.D., Ph.D., the trial’s lead investigator and Director of Clinical and Translational Research, Adult Leukemia Program, at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, who presented the data at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. "Our Phase 2 population consists of very high-risk patients based on age, disease status, and cytogenetic risk factors. The updated data continue to support the concept that disrupting the relationship between leukemic cells and the protective bone marrow microenvironment, when combined with chemotherapy, could improve the outlook and prognosis for these patients."

The second oral presentation at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting highlighted a preclinical study in murine models of AML in which E-selectin was shown to be upregulated, and AML cells binding to E-selectin increased chemo-resistance by activating specific tumor cell survival signaling pathways. This effect within the bone marrow microenvironment is unique to E-selectin as compared to other vascular adhesion molecules and can be blocked by GMI-1271. This translational research provides important evidence that elucidates how treatment with GMI-1271 appears to be improving sensitivity to chemotherapy.

"Given response rates we’ve observed to date that suggest clinical benefit in combination with chemotherapy in two AML populations, this preclinical work provides important further support for the mechanism of action of GMI-1271," noted Dr. Thackray. "Together, the clinical and preclinical data we have shared at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting demonstrate that GMI-1271 could represent a novel and truly differentiated approach to treatment of AML," Dr. Thackray concluded.

Meeting abstracts are available on ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper)’s website.

GlycoMimetics to Hold Post-ASH Meeting Briefing in Boston on December 19

GlycoMimetics will hold a briefing for investors/analysts, which will also be available via webcast, to review the GMI-1271 program with a focus on the AML clinical data presented at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, at the Langham Hotel in Boston, December 19, at 7:30 a.m. EST. Dr. DeAngelo will present the clinical data from the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) oral presentation and respond to questions from on-site participants.