Seattle Genetics Announces Multiple ADCETRIS® (Brentuximab Vedotin) Data Presentations at the International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma

On June 17, 2015 Seattle Genetics reported several ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) data presentations at the 13th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML) being held June 17 to 19, 2015, in Lugano, Switzerland (Press release, Seattle Genetics, JUN 17, 2015, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2060135 [SID:1234505449]). ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to CD30, which is expressed in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) and several other types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Seven oral presentations and one poster at ICML demonstrate the breadth of the clinical development program for ADCETRIS. Data include an additional analysis of the phase 3 AETHERA clinical trial showing that up to 16 cycles (approximately one year) of ADCETRIS consolidation therapy following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) significantly extended progression-free survival (PFS) versus placebo for those patients with primary-refractory HL. In addition, data from several corporate and investigator-sponsored trials with ADCETRIS showed activity in a variety of HL and NHL treatment settings. ADCETRIS is currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for relapsed HL and sALCL and was granted conditional marketing authorization by the European Commission for relapsed or refractory HL and sALCL.

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!

"Since the initial FDA approval of ADCETRIS in 2011 for the treatment of relapsed HL and sALCL, it has been approved in more than 55 countries, and our clinical development program has expanded to include more than 30 corporate and investigator-sponsored clinical trials in CD30-expressing malignancies," said Clay B. Siegall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Seattle Genetics. "The ADCETRIS data presented at ICML support our broad development plans for ADCETRIS. In the near-term, we anticipate an FDA decision on its use in the AETHERA setting as a post-transplant consolidation therapy, and, ultimately, our goal is to move even earlier into the treatment paradigm and redefine frontline treatment of HL with the addition of ADCETRIS."

Analysis of primary-refractory Hodgkin lymphoma patients in a randomized, placebo-controlled study of brentuximab vedotin consolidation after autologous stem cell transplant (Seattle Genetics and Takeda; Abstract #120, oral presentation Friday, June 19, 2015, at 11:50 a.m. CEST)

Data were reported from an additional analysis of the phase 3 AETHERA clinical trial evaluating PFS by investigator in patients who were refractory to frontline treatment. Previously published data suggest primary-refractory HL patients have poor outcomes following ASCT, as demonstrated by the historical two-year PFS and three-year overall survival rates of less than 40 percent and 50 percent, respectively. Of the 329 patients enrolled in the AETHERA trial, 60 percent (196 patients) were primary-refractory to frontline treatment.

Results of the analysis demonstrated:

Two-year PFS rates per investigator among primary-refractory patients on the ADCETRIS and placebo arms were 60 percent and 42 percent, respectively, consistent with the primary analysis in the full intent-to-treat population.

Subgroup analyses of patients by disease characteristics as well as number of risk factors showed that PFS was improved broadly across subgroups, including patients with B-symptoms, extranodal involvement and those who received more than two systemic anticancer treatments pre-ASCT.

Adverse events in primary-refractory patients who received ADCETRIS were consistent with the known safety profile.

Additional AETHERA data were included in a poster presentation reporting the frequency of healthcare resource utilization (HRU) among patients on the two treatment arms of the trial. Preliminary reports suggest a trend toward lower HRU in patients treated with ADCETRIS compared with placebo.

ADCETRIS is currently not approved for use in the AETHERA treatment setting. Based on the positive results from the AETHERA trial, a supplemental Biologics License Application (BLA) for ADCETRIS in the post-ASCT consolidation treatment of HL patients at high risk of relapse or progression was accepted for filing by the FDA. The FDA granted Priority Review for the application and the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date is August 18, 2015.

Additional ADCETRIS corporate and investigator presentations are included below and full abstracts can be found in the ICML Educational and Abstract Book accessed on the ICML website at www.lymphcon.ch.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Healthcare utilization in the AETHERA trial: phase 3 study of brentuximab vedotin in patients at increased risk of residual Hodgkin lymphoma post ASCT (Seattle Genetics and Takeda; Abstract #177, poster presentation)

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Brentuximab vedotin plus AVD for non-bulky limited stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma: A phase 2 trial (Investigator-sponsored; Abstract #087, oral presentation at 5:15 p.m. CEST)

Preliminary efficacy and safety of brentuximab vedotin and AVD chemotherapy followed by involved-site radiotherapy in early stage, unfavorable risk Hodgkin lymphoma (Investigator-sponsored; Abstract #088, oral presentation at 5:25 p.m. CEST)

Sequential brentuximab vedotin and AVD for older Hodgkin lymphoma patients: Initial results from a phase 2 multicenter study (Investigator-sponsored; Abstract #089, oral presentation at 5:35 p.m. CEST)

A phase 1 study of brentuximab vedotin (Bv) and bendamustine (B) in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and anaplastic large T-Cell lymphoma (ALCL) (Investigator-sponsored; Abstract #090, oral presentation at 5:45 p.m. CEST)

Brentuximab vedotin demonstrates antitumor activity in CD30+ DLBCL (Seattle Genetics; Abstract #091, oral presentation at 5:55 p.m. CEST)

Updated results of a phase 2 trial of brentuximab vedotin combined with RCHOP in frontline treatment of pts with high-intermediate/high-risk DLBCL (Seattle Genetics; Abstract #092, oral presentation at 6:05 p.m. CEST)

ADCETRIS is not currently approved for use in frontline HL, in combination with bendamustine for relapsed or refractory HL and sALCL, or in DLBCL.

About ADCETRIS

ADCETRIS is being evaluated broadly in more than 30 ongoing clinical trials, including four phase 3 studies, in earlier lines of its approved HL and sALCL indications as well as in many additional types of CD30-positive malignancies, including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, B-cell lymphomas and mature T-cell lymphomas.

ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) is an ADC comprising an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody attached by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), utilizing Seattle Genetics’ proprietary technology. The ADC employs a linker system that is designed to be stable in the bloodstream but to release MMAE upon internalization into CD30-expressing tumor cells.

ADCETRIS for intravenous injection received accelerated approval from the FDA and approval with conditions from Health Canada for two indications: (1) the treatment of patients with HL after failure of ASCT or after failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not ASCT candidates, and (2) the treatment of patients with sALCL after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen. The indications for ADCETRIS are approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. An improvement in patient-reported outcomes or survival has not been established. Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

ADCETRIS was granted conditional marketing authorization by the European Commission in October 2012 for two indications: (1) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive HL following ASCT, or following at least two prior therapies when ASCT or multi-agent chemotherapy is not a treatment option, and (2) the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory sALCL. ADCETRIS has received marketing authorization by regulatory authorities in more than 55 countries. See important safety information below.

Seattle Genetics and Takeda are jointly developing ADCETRIS. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Seattle Genetics has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights and Takeda has rights to commercialize ADCETRIS in the rest of the world. Seattle Genetics and Takeda are funding joint development costs for ADCETRIS on a 50:50 basis, except in Japan where Takeda will be solely responsible for development costs.

BioInvent progresses collaboration with leading U.S. biotechnology company

On June 17, 2015 BioInvent International (OMXS: BINV) announces that its partnership with a leading U.S. biotechnology company advances to next phase (Press release, BioInvent, JUN 17, 2015, http://www.bioinvent.com/media-centre/press-releases/release/?ReleaseID=838A03317B4A0E87 [SID:1234506546]). The collaboration aims to discover novel therapeutic antibodies to be incorporated into the U.S. company’s CAR-T programs.

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 unnamed biotech company signed earlier this year a license to get access to BioInvent’s unique ability to discover antibodies with the antibody library n-CoDeR. The first of up to three targets covered by the agreement has now been identified and the work to develop appropriate antibodies can thus be initiated.

Under the license agreement BioInvent may receive revenue in the form of potential clinical milestone payments and royalties on future sales of any product developed as a result of the collaboration. In addition, BioInvent is in the early phase of the collaboration entitled to limited compensation for the work to identify antibodies against the first target.

"We are excited to start the identification of appropriate antibodies using our unique technology platform. We are delighted to be partnering with one of the world’s most innovative biotechnology companies on a project of such potential significance." stated Michael Oredsson, CEO of BioInvent.

This kind of agreement allow us to further strengthen BioInvent’s prominent position within the immuno-oncology field and to use our n-CoDeR library in new clinical applications. At the same time it contributes to offset costs relating to our internal development of innovative antibody-based cancer drugs", concluded Michael Oredsson.

CAR-Ts are T cells that have been removed from the body and attached through genetic engineering to an antibody fragment that recognizes a specific tumor protein. The result is a cancer immunotherapy drug with the killing power of a greatly enhanced T cell, combined with the tumor-targeting ability of an antibody.

8-K – Current report

On June 16, 2015 Provectus Biopharmaceuticals reported that the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) has published an abstract describing preliminary research into use of the Company’s investigational agent, PV-10, in murine models of colon cancer (Filing, 8-K, Provectus Pharmaceuticals, JUN 16, 2015, View Source [SID:1234505440]). A poster based on the published abstract was presented at the SSO’s 68th Annual Cancer Symposium.
Titled, "Intralesional Injection of Rose Bengal Induces an Anti-tumor Immune Response and Potent Tumor Regressions in a Murine Model of Colon Cancer," the abstract detailed research by K. Pardiwala, G. Qiao, J. Sundararajan, B. Prabhakar, and A.V. Maker at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Based on their findings, the researchers concluded, "Rose Bengal induced potent cell death in human and murine colon cancer cells in vitro. Intralesional injection in established tumors induced an anti-tumor immune response and significant tumor regressions in vivo. These studies establish that intralesional PV-10 therapy warrants further study as a potential immunotherapeutic agent in colorectal cancer and metastases."
The SSO has made available all the abstracts from the Symposium in an electronic supplement to Annals of Surgical Oncology, its house journal. The abstract on PV-10 can be found on page S86 of the book, View Source

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!


Nymox Announces $850,000 Financing

On June 16, 2015 Nymox Pharmaceutical reported that it has recently completed financing for a total of $850,000 at prices of $1.25-$1.66 (Press release, Nymox, JUN 16, 2015, View Source;fvtc=4&fvtv=6907 [SID:1234505443]). The financing consisted of a private placement of 400,000 shares with a European investor at $1.25 per share and an equity line drawdown from the Company’s existing facility consisting of 217,122 shares priced at $1.66 per share. There were no warrants attached to the transactions.

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’s lead product NX-1207 is in Phase 3 development for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Nymox recently announced that the Company is conducting Phase 3 NX-1207 BPH pivotal studies long-term follow-up extension data capture that is expected to be completed and results reported in late Q2 or early Q3 2015.

Nymox has also recently reported a successful Phase 2 long-term outcome study in 147 men of NX-1207 at higher dosage for low grade localized prostate cancer.

BPH is one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases in middle aged and older men. The condition has negative impacts on men’s health and quality of life and often leads to need for surgery. It is estimated that 50% of men in their 50’s have pathological signs of prostatic hyperplasia and one quarter to one half of men over 40 suffer from moderate to severe urinary symptoms associated with BPH.

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2012 more than 240,000 men in the United States will be newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 28,000 men will die from the disease. Most cases are detected via prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening and usually found to have localized tumors. Surgical removal of the prostate (radical prostatectomy) and radiation therapy with or without androgen deprivation therapy are the most common active treatment options for localized prostate cancer but have significant short and long-term adverse effects, including impotence, urinary dysfunction, and other complications.

– See more at: View Source;fvtc=4&fvtv=6907#sthash.gnhqulFg.dpuf

Onconova Presents Patient Selection Criteria and Intermediate Clinical Endpoints for Rigosertib in Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (HR-MDS) at EHA Annual Meeting

On June 15, 2015 Onconova reported the presentation of clinical data on rigosertib in HR-MDS at the 20th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) in Vienna, Austria, June 11 – 14, 2015 (Press release, Onconova, JUN 15, 2015, View Source [SID:1234505432]).

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!

Onconova collaborators from the United States and Europe presented multiple posters analyzing subgroup data, key clinical endpoints and eligibility criteria from the completed Phase 3 ONTIME trial of IV rigosertib in patients with HR-MDS previously treated with hypomethylating agents (HMAs). These data are being utilized in the design of a new global Phase 3 trial for IV rigosertib in HR-MDS, which Onconova expects to initiate in 2015, pending receipt of appropriate financing.

Electronic versions of the posters can be accessed by visiting "Posters" under the Investors and Media section of the Onconova website at www.onconova.com.

Abstract number: P616
Title: Overall Survival (OS) and Baseline Disease Characteristics in MDS Patients with Primary HMA Failure in a Randomized, Controlled, Phase III Study of Rigosertib
Primary Author: Guillermo Garcia-Manero, MD, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Abstract number: P625
Title: Correlation of Overall Survival (OS) with Bone Marrow Blast (BMBL) Response in Patients (Pts) with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
Primary Author : Lewis R. Silverman, MD, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY

Abstract Number: E1227
Title: Prognostic and Predictive Value of IPSS-R in Assessing Overall Survival (OS) in a Phase III Study of Rigosertib in Second-line Higher-risk (HR) MDS Patients
Primary Author: Lewis R. Silverman, MD; Division of Hematology/Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY

Abstract Number: E1226
Title: Subgroup Analyses of a Phase 3 Study in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes Failing HMA Treatment: Identification of a Homogeneous Population Who Benefit from Rigosertib Therapy
Primary Author: Gianluca Gaidano, MD; Amedeo Avogadro University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy