On November 12, 2024 Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA), a global leader in cell-free DNA and genetic testing, reported the completion of a study using Signatera from the CALGB (Alliance)/SWOG 80702 randomized, phase III clinical trial. CALGB (Alliance)/SWOG 80702 evaluated the benefit of adding celecoxib to FOLFOX in postoperative treatment of stage III colorectal cancer (CRC) in a biomarker unselected population (Press release, Natera, NOV 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234648231]).

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This pre-specified analysis includes 1,011 CRC patients with available post-surgical plasma samples and investigates Signatera’s ability to identify a subgroup of patients who may benefit from adding celecoxib to FOLFOX. Disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) are the study’s primary and secondary endpoints, respectively.

Additional details on CALGB (Alliance)/SWOG 80702

In the CALGB (Alliance)/SWOG 80702 trial, patients were randomized to receive standard-of-care adjuvant chemotherapy FOLFOX (+/-) celecoxib, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Although the results showed that the addition of celecoxib did not significantly improve disease-free survival1, NSAIDs have shown promise in benefiting certain subpopulations in CRC, including reducing the risk of developing precancerous colon polyps. In addition, NSAIDs are typically well-tolerated, widely available, and generally low-cost.

"We see this trial as one of the most important in the space given its size, randomized design, and indication," said Alexey Aleshin, MD, MBA, general manager of oncology and chief medical officer of Natera. "There is a clear need for additional adjuvant treatment options for patients with colorectal cancer as there has not been a new drug approval in the space in over 20 years. We are hopeful that Signatera-guided therapy selection can help open the door to effective treatment options in CRC, personalized to the patients who are most likely to benefit."

Results have been accepted as a late-breaking abstract to be shared at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Gastrointestinal Symposium (ASCO GI), which takes place from Jan. 23-25, 2024 in San Francisco, CA.

About Signatera

Signatera is a personalized, tumor-informed, molecular residual disease test for patients previously diagnosed with cancer. Custom-built for each individual, Signatera uses circulating tumor DNA to detect and quantify cancer left in the body, identify recurrence earlier than standard-of-care tools, and help optimize treatment decisions. The test is available for clinical and research use and is covered by Medicare for patients with colorectal cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and muscle-invasive bladder cancer, as well as for immunotherapy monitoring of any solid tumor. Signatera has been clinically validated across multiple cancer types and indications, with published evidence in more than 90 peer-reviewed papers.

On November 12, 2024 Vincerx Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: VINC), a biopharmaceutical company aspiring to address the unmet medical needs of patients with cancer through paradigm-shifting therapeutics, reported financial results for the third quarter of 2024 and provided an overview of its clinical programs and anticipated milestones (Press release, Vincerx Pharma, NOV 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234648289]).

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"As we direct our efforts and resources toward our ADC technologies and programs, we are committed to advancing VIP943 based on the encouraging safety, efficacy, and tolerability results observed to date. We look forward to presenting additional data from patients at efficacious dose cohorts by early next year," said Ahmed Hamdy, M.D., Chief Executive Officer. "Securing the funding necessary to advance our programs remains a priority. Alongside exploring financing options, we remain focused on strategic partnerships, particularly as pharmaceutical companies intensify their search for truly differentiated and transformative technologies."

THIRD QUARTER 2024 CLINICAL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS AND ANTICIPATED MILESTONES

VIP943

VIP943 is a novel CD123-targeted ADC developed with the Company’s next-generation VersAptx platform.
VIP943 has shown promising safety, efficacy, and tolerability in an ongoing Phase 1 dose-escalation study for patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) (NCT06034275). In October, the Company reported two complete responses in this Phase 1 study: one out of four patients with relapsed AML in the 1 mg/kg dose cohort achieved complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi), and one out of one patient with higher-risk MDS in the 1.3 mg/kg dose cohort achieved complete remission with limited count recovery (CRL).
VIP943 has shown effective target engagement and elimination of CD123+ malignant cells, with pharmacodynamic data demonstrating decreases in CD123+ blasts after dosing. Preliminary pharmacokinetic data indicates minimal payload release (≤1% in plasma), signifying a stable linker.
Given the favorable safety and tolerability observed for VIP943, the Company continues dose escalation to assess potential for additional efficacy. Enrollment in the once-weekly and twice-weekly (as an induction therapy) dosing schedules is ongoing.
Vincerx expects to share additional Phase 1 study data for VIP943 by early 2025.
Enitociclib

Enitociclib is a highly selective CDK9 inhibitor designed to block the activation of RNA polymerase II, leading to inhibition of oncogenes, including MYC and MCL1.
Enitociclib is currently in a Phase 1 dose-escalation study (NTC05371054) evaluating the combination of enitociclib, venetoclax, and prednisone in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). This study is being conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As of September 2024, the study reported four partial responses (PRs) in seven patients (57% overall response rate), including one patient with double hit lymphoma (DH-DLBCL) and three patients with PTCL.
Enitociclib has successfully completed its Phase 1 dose-escalation study as a monotherapy (NCT02635672), enrolling 63 patients across dose-escalation and expansion cohorts. The treatment demonstrated a favorable safety profile, dose-proportional pharmacokinetics, and on-target pharmacodynamic activity. Clinical benefits included durable complete metabolic remissions in two patients with DH-DLBCL, lasting 3.7 and 2.3 years, with both remissions continuing more than two years after treatment cessation. In addition, a transformed follicular (tFL) patient achieved a PR with a 63% tumor reduction after nearly two years, a meaningful outcome given the historically poor prognosis of tFL. Furthermore, 13 patients with solid tumors achieved stable disease as their best response, including five ovarian cancer patients—indicating a promising path for future combination studies in this indication.
The Company is actively focused on finding a strategic partner to continue the development of this asset.
VIP236

VIP236 is a αVβ3 SMDC conjugated to an optimized camptothecin (CPT) payload developed with the Company’s VersAptx platform.
VIP236 has completed its Phase 1 dose-escalation study (NCT05712889), identifying the maximum tolerated dose that could be utilized in future studies. As reported in October, a total of 29 patients were enrolled in the Phase 1 study, resulting in a 45% disease control rate. The drug demonstrated a favorable safety profile, distinguishing itself from other CPTs by showing no instances of common dose-limiting side effects such as life-threatening diarrhea, severe stomatitis/mucositis, or interstitial lung disease.
The Company intends to identify a partner to champion VIP236 through further development.

THIRD QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Vincerx had approximately $10.1 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of September 30, 2024, as compared to approximately $16.3 million as of June 30, 2024. Based on its current business plans and assumptions, Vincerx believes its available capital will be sufficient to meet its operating requirements into early 2025.
Research and development expenses for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, were approximately $3.9 million, as compared to approximately $6.1 million for the same period in 2023. This decrease is primarily the result of decreases in research services of approximately $2.4 million and personnel-related expenses of approximately $0.8 million, offset by an increase in clinical-related expenses of approximately $0.9 million.
General and administrative expenses for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, were approximately $3.9 million, as compared to approximately $3.5 million for the same period in 2023. This increase was due to a $0.5 million increase in professional services, partially offset by a decrease in personnel-related expenses of $0.1 million.
For the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, Vincerx reported a net loss of approximately $7.8 million, or $0.17 per share. For the third quarter ended September 30, 2023, Vincerx reported a net loss of approximately $9.0 million, or $0.42 per share.

On November 12, 2024 Aura Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: AURA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing precision therapies for solid tumors designed to preserve organ function, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, and provided recent business highlights (Filing, 3 mnth, SEP 30, Aura Biosciences, 2024, NOV 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234648157]).

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"This is a transformative time for our Company, as we presented the first positive data in NMIBC, which we believe provides clinical evidence of the potential of bel-sar in solid tumors beyond the eye," said Elisabet de los Pinos, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Aura Biosciences. "We believe that bel-sar’s innovative mechanism of action may provide the first immune-ablative treatment in bladder cancer, with the goal to potentially offer safe and durable responses with a focal approach that is easily delivered by urologists in the office."

In addition to positive early data from an ongoing Phase 1 trial of bel-sar in patients with NMIBC, the Company also recently presented positive Phase 2 end of study data in early-stage choroidal melanoma and continues to progress the ongoing Phase 3 CoMpass trial.

"I am excited for bel-sar’s potential for patients who are diagnosed with indeterminate lesions or small choroidal melanoma where we currently have no good treatment options. We either wait for the disease to progress or treat with radiation, which leads to irreversible vision loss," said Carol L. Shields, MD, Chief of the Ocular Oncology Service at Wills Eye Hospital and Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. "If approved, bel-sar may represent the opportunity to treat choroidal melanoma at an earlier stage of medical intervention and set a new standard of care in a disease that has had no new therapies approved for decades."

On November 12, 2024 ImmunityBio, Inc. (NASDAQ: IBRX) reported its financial results for the third-quarter ended September 30, 2024 (Press release, ImmunityBio, NOV 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234648173]).

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ANKTIVA received a J-code (HCPCS Level II Code) in October 2024, effective January 1, 2025.
ANKTIVA (FDA-approved and commercially available in the U.S. since May 2024) is now widely accessible to patients through commercial and government insurance programs (VA, DoD, Medicare). ImmunityBio has secured coverage for over 200 million medical lives through medical reimbursement policies.
ImmunityBio achieved a net product revenue of approximately $6.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2024, surpassing net product revenue of $1.0 million in the prior quarter and analyst estimates.
ImmunityBio has extended the shelf life of ANKTIVA from two years to three years, with over 125,000 doses, providing ample product for the market and for clinical trials.
ImmunityBio submitted to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for ANKTIVA in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2024.
ImmunityBio intends to submit to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) an MAA for ANKTIVA in the European Union (EU) in Q4 2024, covering 30 countries, including 27 in the EU and 3 in the European Economic Area (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein).
"The U.S. launch of ANKTIVA for NMIBC CIS continues to gain momentum, and we are pleased to see the clinical impact for patients," said Richard Adcock, President and CEO of ImmunityBio. "Our permanent J-code has been issued by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and will be effective January 1, 2025. Our submission of ANKTIVA for NMIBC CIS to the MHRA in the UK for potential approval demonstrates our plans for global expansion. Further, we anticipate an EU submission this quarter."

"The response from the urologists and clinical practices with regard to the utility of ANKTIVA in NMIBC CIS has been gratifying. ImmunityBio’s clinical trial in BCG naïve NMIBC is enrolling well, and clinical sites have been expanded from the U.S. to multiple global locations. In the urology space, initial clinical trials of ANKTIVA are being designed for high-risk prostate cancer," said Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Executive Chairman, Global Chief Scientific & Medical Officer of ImmunityBio. "With the approval of ANKTIVA and the label of activating NK cells, CD4+ CD8+ T cells with memory T cells, ImmunityBio is focusing the regulatory development of ANKTIVA in BCG naïve bladder cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who have failed checkpoint inhibitors."

Third-Quarter Ended September 30, 2024 Financial Summary

Cash and Marketable Securities Position

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had consolidated cash and cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $130.4 million.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development (R&D) expenses increased $2.0 million to $50.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to $48.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by personnel-related and other R&D costs, partially offset by a decrease in external R&D expense driven by lower CMO fees and material purchases.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $4.1 million to $35.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to $31.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by higher salaries and benefits expense as a result of a reversal of discretionary compensation not paid in the prior period and an increase in consulting costs associated with commercial activities.

Net Loss Attributable to ImmunityBio Common Stockholders

Net loss attributable to ImmunityBio common stockholders was $85.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $95.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

About ANKTIVA

The cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) plays a crucial role in the immune system by affecting the development, maintenance, and function of key immune cells—NK and CD8+ killer T cells—that are involved in killing cancer cells. By activating NK cells, ANKTIVA overcomes the tumor escape phase of clones resistant to T cells and restores memory T cell activity with resultant prolonged duration of complete response.

ANKTIVA is a first-in-class IL-15 agonist IgG1 fusion complex, consisting of an IL-15 mutant (IL-15N72D) fused with an IL-15 receptor alpha, which binds with high affinity to IL-15 receptors on NK, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells. This fusion complex of ANKTIVA mimics the natural biological properties of the membrane-bound IL-15 receptor alpha, delivering IL-15 by dendritic cells and drives the activation and proliferation of NK cells with the generation of memory killer T cells that have retained immune memory against these tumor clones. The proliferation of the trifecta of these immune killing cells and the activation of trained immune memory results in immunogenic cell death, inducing a state of equilibrium with durable complete responses. ANKTIVA has improved pharmacokinetic properties, longer persistence in lymphoid tissues, and enhanced anti-tumor activity compared to native, non-complexed IL-15 in-vivo.

On November 12, 2024 Tempest Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TPST), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-classi targeted and immune-mediated therapeutics to fight cancer, reported that the company received a "Study May Proceed" letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to evaluate amezalpat (TPST-1120) in combination with atezolizumab and bevacizumab, the current standard of care, versus the standard of care alone in a pivotal randomized Phase 3 trial for the first-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Press release, Tempest Therapeutics, NOV 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234648216]).

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"The clinical and regulatory team at Tempest are thrilled to receive this notice from FDA with respect to the planned pivotal Phase 3 trial to evaluate amezalpat as a potential treatment for first-line liver cancer," said Sam Whiting M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer and head of R&D of Tempest. "Previously reported positive Phase 2 data underscore amezalpat’s potential to improve the survival of patients facing this life-threatening disease, and our team is dedicated to advancing the program and bringing amezalpat to patients."

About the TPST-1120-301 Study (NCT06680258)

The planned Phase 3 study is a global, blinded, 1:1 randomized study of amezalpat plus atezolizumab and bevacizumab versus placebo plus atezolizumab and bevacizumab, the standard of care, for the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic HCC. In August 2024, the company received agreement from the FDA on its Phase 3 study design, dose of amezalpat, and the statistical plan, including a pre-specified efficacy analysis that could shorten the time to primary analysis. The company is working to enable a Phase 3 study to start in the first quarter of 2025.

About Amezalpat

Amezalpat is an oral, small molecule, selective PPAR⍺ antagonist. Data suggest that amezalpat treats cancer by targeting tumor cells directly and by modulating immune suppressive cells and angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment. In an ongoing global randomized phase 1b/2 study of amezalpat in combination with atezolizumab and bevacizumab in first-line patients with advanced HCC, the amezalpat arm showed clinical superiority across multiple study endpoints, including overall survival in both the entire population and key subpopulations, when compared to atezolizumab and bevacizumab alone, the standard of care. These randomized data were supported by additional positive results observed in the Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with heavily pretreated advanced solid tumors, including renal cell carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma.