On August 5, 2024 Amplia Therapeutics Limited (ASX: ATX), ("Amplia" or the "Company"), reported that a fourth patient enrolled in the Company’s Phase 2a clinical trial investigating narmafotinib in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer (the ACCENT trial) has recorded a confirmed partial response (Press release, Amplia Therapeutics, AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234645349]).

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A total of 50 patients are planned for the Phase 2a ACCENT trial, recruited in two cohorts. In the first cohort of 26 patients, 6 or more patients with confirmed partial or complete responses are required to initiate recruitment of the second cohort of 24 patients. We have previously reported that three (3) confirmed partial responses have already been observed in the first patient cohort. This latest confirmed partial response means that only a further two (2) confirmed responses (partial or complete) are required for the trial’s interim analysis to support recruitment of the additional 24 patients in the second cohort of the trial.

The formal term ‘confirmed partial response’ means in these patients there is at least a 30% decrease in the overall size of tumour lesions, with no new tumour lesions, sustained over a two-month period, while a confirmed complete response refers to a total absence of tumour lesions over a two-month period.

Amplia CEO and MD Dr Chris Burns commented: "The activity of narmafotinib in the ACCENT trial continues to be very positive, consistent with our previous clinical and preclinical data. We remain on track to complete the interim analysis by the end of this quarter."

The Company will provide further updates on the trial as recruitment proceeds.

This ASX announcement was approved and authorised for release by the Board of Amplia Therapeutics.

About Narmafotinib

Narmafotinib (AMP945) is the company’s best-in-class inhibitor of the protein FAK, a protein overexpressed in pancreatic and other cancers, and a drug target gaining increasing attention for its role in solid tumours. The drug, which is a highly potent and selective inhibitor of FAK, has shown promising data in a range of preclinical cancer studies. The drug has successfully completed a healthy volunteer study, and is currently in an open-label Phase 2a trial in pancreatic cancer where a combination of narmafotinib and the chemotherapies gemcitabine and Abraxane is being assessed for safety, tolerability and efficacy.

About the ACCENT Trial

The ACCENT trial is entitled ‘A Phase 1b/2a, Multicentre, Open Label Study of the Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Efficacy of AMP945 in Combination with Nab-paclitaxel and Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Cancer Patients’.

The ACCENT trial explores the use of narmafotinib in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy of gemcitabine and Abraxane in first-line patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The trial is a single-arm open label study conducted in two stages. The firststage (Phase 1b), completed in November 2023, identified a 400 mg oral daily dose of narmafotinib, given in the days preceding regular chemotherapy infusion, as safe and well tolerated. This second stage (Phase 2a), of the trial is designed to assess drug efficacy in combination with gemcitabine and Abraxane. The primary endpoints are Objective Response Rate (ORR) and Duration on Trial (DOT) with secondary endpoints being Progression Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS). Safety and tolerability will continue to be assessed.

More information about the ACCENT trial, including a list of participating sites, can be found via the Amplia Therapeutics website and at ClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier NCT05355298.

On August 5, 2024 BioNTech reported the Quarterly Report of BioNTech SE for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 (Press release, BioNTech, AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234645696]).

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On August 5, 2024 AnaptysBio, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANAB), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on delivering innovative immunology therapeutics, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 and provided a business update (Press release, AnaptysBio, AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234645329]).

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"We’ve had an exceptional quarter as we approach multiple important value drivers for Anaptys including our first patient data for ANB032, our BTLA agonist. First, enrollment has completed in the Phase 2b trial of ANB032 in AD with strong demand leading to enrollment totaling approximately 200 patients. Importantly, we plan to share top-line Week 14 data in December of 2024," said Daniel Faga, president and chief executive officer of Anaptys. "Second, strong demand in enrollment for the Phase 2b trial of rosnilimab in RA has accelerated anticipated top-line data from mid-2025 to Q1 2025. And finally, our IND for ANB033 was accepted by FDA in July and we look forward to initiating a Phase 1 trial in healthy volunteers soon. Looking to the end of the year, we still plan to have four immune cell modulators (ICMs) in clinical development."

Updates on Wholly Owned ICM Pipeline

ANB032 (BTLA agonist antibody)

Completed enrollment for global Phase 2b trial in moderate-to-severe AD
Enrolled approximately 200 patients in a placebo-controlled trial assessing three dose levels of subcutaneously administered ANB032 (randomized 1:1:1:1) for a 14-week treatment duration and then followed for a six-month off-drug follow-up period on well-established endpoints, including EASI-75 and IGA 0/1
Enrollment included approximately 15% of patients with Dupixent/anti-IL-13 treatment experience
Top-line Week 14 data expected in December 2024
Presented previously reported ANB032 preclinical graft vs. host disease (GvHD) data at the 2024 American Association of Immunology (AAI) Annual Meeting and Society of Investigative Dermatology (SID) Annual Meeting in May 2024 and ANB032 preclinical data supporting the modulation of dendritic cell (DC) maturation and function at the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) Annual Meeting in June 2024
Poster presentations are available here
Rosnilimab (PD-1 agonist antibody)

Enrollment ongoing for global Phase 2b trial in moderate-to-severe RA
420-patient placebo-controlled trial assessing three dose levels of subcutaneously administered rosnilimab (randomized 1:1:1:1) for a 12-week treatment duration on well-established endpoints, including DAS28-CRP, CDAI and ACR20/50/70
At Week 14, rosnilimab-treated patients who achieve low disease activity, defined as CDAI<=10, are eligible to be dosed for an additional 16-week all-active treatment period and then followed for a three-month off-drug follow-up period
Top-line Week 12 data anticipated in Q1 2025
Enrollment ongoing for global Phase 2 trial in moderate-to-severe UC
132-patient placebo-controlled trial assessing two dose levels of subcutaneously administered rosnilimab (randomized 1:1:1) for a 12-week treatment duration on well-established endpoints, including clinical response on modified Mayo score (mMS), clinical remission on mMS and endoscopic remission
Rosnilimab and placebo-treated patients who achieved clinical response on mMS are eligible to continue on their assigned treatment for an additional 12 weeks, while patients on placebo who are non-responders will be crossed over to the high-dose rosnilimab treatment arm, in an all-active treatment period and then followed for a three-month off-drug follow-up period
Top-line Week 12 data anticipated in Q1 2026
Presented previously reported rosnilimab Phase 1 data and membrane proximal binding epitope to optimize PD-1 agonist signaling data at the 2024 Digestive Disease Week (DDW) Annual Meeting in May 2024 and at the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) Annual Meeting in June 2024
Poster presentations are available here
ANB033 (anti-CD122 antagonist antibody)

IND application accepted by FDA in July 2024
Phase 1 trial initiation in healthy volunteers anticipated in Q4 2024
ANB101 (BDCA2 modulator antibody)

Plan to submit IND application in Q4 2024
Legacy Clinical-Stage Cytokine Antagonist Programs Available for Out-Licensing

Comprehensive data from the Phase 3 GEMINI-1 and GEMINI-2 trials to be presented at a medical meeting in H2 2024
Intend to out-license imsidolimab in 2024
GSK Immuno-Oncology Financial Collaboration

GSK anticipates top-line data in H1 2025 from COSTAR Lung Phase 3 trial comparing cobolimab, a TIM-3 antagonist, plus dostarlimab, a PD-1 antagonist, plus docetaxel to dostarlimab plus docetaxel to docetaxel alone in patients with advanced NSCLC who have progressed on prior anti-PD-(L)1 therapy and chemotherapy
GSK and iTEOS announced in June 2024 the initiation of the GALAXIES Lung-301 Phase 3 study, assessing belrestotug and dostarlimab in previously untreated, unresectable locally advanced/metastatic PD-L1 selected NSCLC
GSK anticipates top-line data in H2 2024 from the FIRST Phase 3 trial for platinum-based therapy with dostarlimab and niraparib versus platinum-based therapy as first-line treatment of Stage III or IV nonmucinous epithelial ovarian cancer
Cash Runway

Cash and investments of $393.5 million as of June 30, 2024 and reiterating cash runway through year-end 2026
Second Quarter Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $393.5 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to $417.9 million as of December 31, 2023, for a decrease of $24.4 million due primarily to cash used for operating activities offset by $50.0 million received from the Sagard royalty monetization completed in May.
Collaboration revenue was $11.0 million and $18.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $3.5 million and $4.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. The change is due primarily to increased royalties recognized for sales of Jemperli.
Research and development expenses were $42.0 million and $79.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $32.9 million and $67.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was due primarily to development costs for rosnilimab, ANB032, ANB033 and ANB101 offset by a decrease in development costs for imsidolimab. The R&D non-cash, stock-based compensation expense was $3.5 million and $7.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $2.7 million and $5.5 million in the same period in 2023.
General and administrative expenses were $9.3 million and $21.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $10.7 million and $21.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. The G&A non-cash, stock-based compensation expense was $4.0 million and $10.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $5.7 million and $11.8 million in the same period in 2023.
Net loss was $46.7 million and $90.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, or a net loss per share of $1.71 and $3.35, compared to a net loss of $39.8 million and $84.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, or a net loss per share of $1.50 and $3.08.

On August 5, 2024 Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene", SEHK: 6996.HK), a leading innovative, commercial-stage global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class and/or best-in-class medicines for cancer, reported that the Malaysian National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency has approved a New Drug Application (NDA) for XPOVIO (selinexor) for two indications: (1) In combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who have received at least one prior therapy; and (2) in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with MM who have received at least four prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least two proteasome inhibitors, two immunomodulatory agents and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, and who have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy (Press release, Antengene, AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234645350]).

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With a novel mechanism of action, XPOVIO is the world’s first approved orally-available, selective XPO1 inhibitor, which has already been approved in eight markets in APAC. This successful approval for XPOVIO in Malaysia will introduce novel therapies to the clinical management of patients with MM in Malaysia, benefiting many patients and their families in the country. To date, XPOVIO has also been included in national health insurance or reimbursement schemes in the mainland of China, Australia, Singapore and South Korea.

The ASEAN region, with its steady economic growth and a population exceeding 600 million, has become a significant potential market for global biomedical development. The accelerating aging population in ASEAN has increased the overall disease burden on patients and local communities, leading to a growing demand for novel therapeutics. Antengene, in efforts to fulfill its commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of the ASEAN population, has submitted NDAs for XPOVIO in Thailand and Indonesia, with approvals expected in the second half of 2024. Looking ahead, the company aims to introduce more innovative medicines to the ASEAN market, bringing improved healthcare to more patients in the region.

While bringing XPOVIO to more APAC markets, Antengene is also striving to expand the indications of XPOVIO. Leveraging the drug’s novel mechanism of action, Antengene is currently developing multiple combination regimens of XPOVIO for the treatment of various indications including myelofibrosis (MF), T-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (T-NHL), and endometrial cancer.

About XPOVIO (selinexor)

XPOVIO is the world’s first approved orally-available, selective inhibitor of the nuclear export protein XPO1. It offers a novel mechanism of action, synergistic effects in combination regimens, fast onset of action, and durable responses.

By blocking the nuclear export protein XPO1, XPOVIO can promote the intranuclear accumulation and activation of tumor suppressor proteins and growth regulating proteins, and down-regulate the levels of multiple oncogenic proteins. XPOVIO delivers its antitumor effects through three mechanistic pathways: 1) exerting antitumor effects by inducing the intranuclear accumulation of tumor suppressor proteins; 2) reducing the level of oncogenic proteins in the cytoplasm by inducing the intranuclear accumulation of oncogenic mRNAs; 3) restoring hormone sensitivity by activating the glucocorticoid receptors (GR) pathway. To utilize its unique mechanism of actions, XPOVIO is being evaluated for use in multiple combination regimens in a range of indications. At present, Antengene is conducting multiple clinical studies of XPOVIO in the mainland of China for the treatment of relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies and solid tumors (3 of these studies are being jointly conducted by Antengene and Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. [Nasdaq:KPTI]).

On August 5, 2024 BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX) reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, and provided a corporate update (Press release, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234645330]).

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"The first half of 2024 has been outstanding for BioCryst due to the success we are having in the marketplace with ORLADEYO. As a result, we are increasing our full year guidance for ORLADEYO, advancing multiple programs toward the clinic in the next 18 months and moving the company closer to profitability," said Jon Stonehouse, president and chief executive officer of BioCryst.

ORLADEYO (berotralstat): Oral, Once-daily Treatment for Prevention of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) Attacks

ORLADEYO net revenue in the second quarter of 2024 was $108.3 million (+34 percent year-over-year (y-o-y)).

Operational improvements drove revenue above expectations for the second quarter. This included a three percent increase in the overall rate of paid patients relative to the end of 2023, which now stands at 74.4 percent.

New patient starts continued at the same high rate seen in the prior two quarters, matching the new patient demand seen in the first three quarters of the launch in 2021, and patient retention remained strong. We continue to see more than 60 percent of patients on paid therapy staying on for at least a year.

A recent market research study showed that 52 percent of allergist/immunologists are extremely likely to prescribe ORLADEYO to more patients, up from 29 percent in early 2023.

With additional recent approvals and reimbursement authorizations in Europe and Latin America, ORLADEYO is now commercially available to patients in more than 20 countries. Ex-U.S. ORLADEYO revenue in the second quarter increased 51 percent y-o-y and accounted for 11 percent of global ORLADEYO net revenues.
"Our second quarter revenue growth and increased full year guidance for ORLADEYO reflect strong underlying demand and favorable patient outcomes, combined with our continuing focus on improving patient services and market access operations. The real-world experience of patients who respond to ORLADEYO is consistent with the 91 percent reduction in attacks from baseline that we saw in long-term clinical trials. The potential for patients to have that high level of HAE attack control in a once-daily pill is a major differentiator in the marketplace that makes ORLADEYO’s trajectory toward $1 billion in peak sales increasingly clear," said Charlie Gayer, chief commercial officer of BioCryst.

Rare Disease Pipeline

The goal with our pipeline is to build on our success with ORLADEYO by bringing additional selected, highly differentiated rare disease products to patients.

The company remains on track to submit a regulatory filing in 2025 to expand the ORLADEYO label to enable children as young as two years of age to receive an oral granule formulation of ORLADEYO. ORLADEYO would be the first oral prophylactic therapy for children with HAE.

The company has completed its clinical evaluation of its oral Factor D inhibitor, BCX10013. The drug was safe and well tolerated at all doses studied, however the level of clinical activity observed was less than other therapies on the market and potential partners have declined to make the additional investment required to evaluate higher doses. BioCryst plans to discontinue development, consistent with its previously announced plans.

The company expects to advance BCX17725, its KLK-5 inhibitor for the treatment of Netherton syndrome, into the clinic by the end of 2024.

Netherton syndrome is a serious, rare, lifelong genetic disorder affecting the skin, hair and immune system. People with Netherton syndrome often have red, scaly, inflamed skin, fragile hair, and are more likely to develop skin infections, allergies, asthma and eczema. Netherton syndrome can be life threatening, especially during infancy when patients are vulnerable to dehydration and recurrent infections. Currently, there is no approved treatment for Netherton syndrome.

In 2025, the company plans to advance avoralstat, a plasma kallikrein inhibitor, into a clinical trial of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME).

DME is an important cause of vision loss in diabetes and is due to leakage from the blood vessels in the retina. While current treatments focus on VEGF inhibition, DME can develop from other mechanisms, such as the kallikrein-bradykinin pathway. This is supported by observations that many DME patients have an incomplete response to intravitreal anti-VEGF therapies that are administered every four to eight weeks. Avoralstat targets the kallikrein-bradykinin system on the retinal vascular endothelial cells and may result in less vascular leakage and less edema. Avoralstat, delivered to the suprachoroidal space as a depot formulation, is designed to provide high dose levels to the retinal vessels with long-lasting exposure, which could result in less frequent injections and a reduced burden on patients and the healthcare system.
Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

For the three months ended June 30, 2024, total revenues were $109.3 million, compared to $82.5 million in the second quarter of 2023 (+32.5 percent year-over-year (y-o-y)). The increase was primarily due to $108.3 million in ORLADEYO net revenue in the second quarter of 2024, compared to $81.0 million in ORLADEYO net revenue in the second quarter of 2023 (+33.7 percent y-o-y).

R&D expenses for the second quarter of 2024 decreased to $37.6 million from $51.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 (-26.6 percent y-o-y), primarily due to decreased spending on BCX10013 and the discontinuation of the BCX9930 program. These reductions were partially offset by increased investment in BCX17725, avoralstat and other discovery programs, and our ongoing ORLADEYO pediatric trial.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2024 increased to $61.2 million, compared to $51.0 million in the second quarter of 2023 (+20.0 percent y-o-y), primarily due to an increase in commercial expenses to support growing revenue, newly launched regions and expanded international operations. In addition, there was an increase in general and administrative expenses, primarily related to an increase in resourcing to support our accounting and IT functions.

Total operating expenses were $100.6 million for the second quarter of 2024, compared to $103.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 (-2.5 percent y-o-y). Non-cash stock compensation was $13.2 million for the second quarter of 2024. Total operating expenses, not including non-cash stock compensation for the second quarter of 2024 were $87.4 million, compared to $90.4 million in the second quarter of 2023 (-3.3 percent y-o-y).

The company generated a GAAP operating profit of $8.8 million in the second quarter of 2024. This compares to a GAAP operating loss of $20.7 million in the second quarter of 2023. Adjusted for non-cash stock compensation, the non-GAAP operating profit was $21.9 million in the second quarter of 2024, compared to a non-GAAP operating loss of $7.9 million in the second quarter of 2023.

Interest expense was $24.7 million in the second quarter of 2024, compared to $28.9 million in the second quarter of 2023 (-14.5 percent y-o-y). The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the amortization of interest associated with our royalty financing obligations.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2024 was $12.7 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to a net loss of $75.3 million, or $0.40 per share, for the second quarter of 2023. In the second quarter of 2023, there was a $29.0 million one-time debt extinguishment fee related to the close-out of the Athyrium debt facility. Excluding this one-time event, non-GAAP net loss for the second quarter of 2023 was $0.24 per share.

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and investments totaled $338.1 million at June 30, 2024, compared to $415.7 million at June 30, 2023. Operating cash use for the second quarter of 2024 was $0.2 million.