On June 15, 2025 Incyte (Nasdaq:INCY) reported the first clinical data from two studies evaluating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of INCA033989, a novel, first in class, Incyte-discovered, targeted monoclonal antibody in patients with mutant calreticulin (mutCALR)-expressing myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) (Press release, Incyte, JUN 15, 2025, View Source [SID1234653905]). These data – featured today in the Late-Breaking Oral Session (#LB4002) at the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2025 (EHA2025) Congress in Milan, Italy – focus on the dose escalation portion of the studies in patients with high risk essential thrombocythemia (ET) who are resistant/intolerant to prior cytoreductive therapy.

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The studies evaluated the safety and efficacy of INCA033989 in patients with ET as measured by hematologic response and reduction in mutCALR variant allele frequency (VAF).

Results as of April 4, 2025, showed rapid and durable normalization of platelet counts across all dose levels, with a trend toward improved responses in higher doses (>400 mg), in patients with ET treated with INCA033989. Notably, 86% of patients at doses 400 mg and above achieved a complete or partial hematologic response, with the majority (82%) of patients achieving complete response. Eighty-nine (89) percent of evaluable patients (34/38) showed a reduction in mutCALR VAF from baseline. A partial molecular response (>50% VAF reduction) was observed in 21% of evaluable patients (8/38) after only 3 cycles of treatment.

An exploratory study using single-cell DNA (scDNA) sequencing showed that INCA033989 directly targets and reduces cells carrying mutCALR. This reduction was seen in early blood-forming (CD34-positive) cells and cells in the myeloid-erythroid (ME) lineage. At the same time, there was a clear increase in healthy (wild-type CALR) cells, suggesting that the treatment supports the return of normal blood production. Bone marrow biopsies further confirmed these effects showing fewer megakaryocytes with mutCALR protein and a notable increase in megakaryocytes without mutCALR protein. Together, these findings demonstrate the selectivity of INCA033989, allowing for normalization of healthy hematopoiesis and disease modification.

"The late-breaking data presented today highlight the impact of INCA033989, a novel agent that selectively targets mutant CALR, to inhibit and eliminate cancer-causing cells in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET), while sparing healthy cells and normalizing healthy blood production," said Pablo J. Cagnoni, M.D., President, Head of Research and Development, Incyte. "These findings, and the further development of INCA033989, offer the potential to significantly transform the treatment of patients with CALR-mutant myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs)."

The results (N=49) showed that INCA033989 was well tolerated across all dose cohorts (24 to 2,500 mg), with no dose-limiting toxicities observed. Only one (1) patient discontinued treatment, and only one (1) dose reduction due to treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was observed. No infusion interruptions due to TEAEs were reported, and a maximum tolerated dose was not reached. Forty-two (42) patients across the dose cohorts reported a TEAE. The most common TEAEs were fatigue (26.5%) and upper respiratory tract infection (20.4%), all of which were Grade ≤2. Thirteen (13) patients had Grade >3 TEAEs, with transient asymptomatic lipase increase as the most common (6%).

"mutCALR is the second most common oncogenic driver of MPNs, yet the therapeutic landscape lacks a targeted agent for mutCALR expressing MPNs. Currently, ET treatments aim to prevent vascular complications and improve symptoms but are limited by toxicity and tolerability issues," said John Mascarenhas, M.D., Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai and Director, Center of Excellence for Blood Cancers and Myeloid Disorders, The Tisch Cancer Institute. "These data support the hypothesis that INCA033989 has the potential not only to normalize platelet counts and provide rapid and durable hematologic responses – but to induce molecular responses, which could potentially change the natural history of the disease."

Additional data from the INCA033989 study in patients with myelofibrosis will be submitted for presentation at a future medical meeting. Discussions with regulatory authorities are planned with the goal to initiate a Phase 3 study by early 2026.

More information regarding the EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper)2025 Congress and the data from Incyte’s hematology/oncology portfolio being featured at the meeting can be found on the EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) website: View Source

Incyte Conference Call and Webcast

Incyte will host an in-person analyst and investor event on Sunday, June 15, 2025, from 6:00 – 7:30 a.m. ET (12:00 – 1:30 p.m. CEST) to discuss key mutCALR data presented at EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper).

The event will be webcasted and can be accessed via the Events and Presentations tab of the Investor section of Incyte.com and it will be available for replay for 30 days.

About Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a closely related group of blood cancers in which the bone marrow functions abnormally. The bone marrow is where the body’s blood cells are made. MPNs are progressive blood cancers that can strike anyone at any age, but they are more common in older adults. Estimates of the prevalence of MPNs vary, but analysis of claims data suggests there may be as many as 200,000 people in the U.S. living with the most prevalent MPNs: myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera or essential thrombocythemia (ET).1

About Mutations in Calreticulin (mutCALR)

Calreticulin (CALR) is a protein involved in the regulation of cellular calcium levels and normal protein folding. Somatic, or non-inherited, DNA mutations in the CALR gene (mutCALR) can result in abnormal protein function and lead to the development of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs),2 a closely related group of clonal blood cancers in which the bone marrow functions abnormally, overproducing blood cells.3,4 Among two types of MPNs, essential thrombocythemia (ET) and myelofibrosis (MF), mutCALR drives 25-35% of all cases.2,3 There are approximately 60,000 patients in the U.S. and Europe with mutCALR positive ET.5

Incyte is at the forefront of developing novel therapies for patients with mutCALR ET or MF that target only malignant cells, sparing normal cells, including INCA033989, a first-in-class, mutCALR-specific therapy.

About the INCA033989 Trial Program

The clinical trial program for INCA033989 includes two multicenter, open-label Phase 1 studies, INCA33989-101 (NCT05936359) and INCA33989-102 (NCT06034002), enrolling ~225 patients outside of the U.S. and ~140 patients in the U.S., respectively. The studies are evaluating the safety, tolerability, dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or recommended dose(s) for expansion (RDE) of INCA033989 administered as a monotherapy or in combination with ruxolitinib in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), including essential thrombocythemia (ET) and myelofibrosis (MF). The intent of Part 1A (dose escalation) is to identify the MTD and/or the RDE of INCA033989 among patients with MF and ET. In Part 1A INCA033989 is administered intravenously every two weeks at a protocol defined dose ranging from 24 mg. to 2,500 mg. In Part 1B (dose expansion), INCA033989 is administered at the RDE(s) identified during Part 1A.

The primary endpoint of the studies focuses on safety and tolerability as measured by: the number of participants with DLTs up to 28 days, the number of participants with treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) up to 3 years and 60 days, and the number of participants with TEAEs leading to dose modification or discontinuation up to 3 years and 60 days. Secondary endpoints include response rates, mean change of ET total symptom score from baseline, percentage of MF patients achieving spleen volume reduction, MF patient anemia response, mean change in disease-related allele burden and various pharmacokinetics measures up to 3 years and 60 days.

For more information on the study, please visit: View Source and View Source

On June 15, 2025 MonTa Biosciences reporteed it has been granted a key U.S. patent covering our lead cancer immunotherapy candidate, MBS8 (Press release, MonTa Biosciences, JUN 15, 2025, View Source [SID1234654221]).

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This newly issued patent provides broad protection for MBS8 and its use in the treatment of cancer, securing our position in the most important global pharmaceutical market. The granted claims cover the unique micellar formulation of our TLR7 agonist as well as its therapeutic application, ensuring strong exclusivity for the development and commercialization of MBS8 in the U.S.

MBS8 is designed to stimulate the innate immune system to combat cancer and is currently advancing through clinical development. With this U.S. patent, MonTa takes a major step forward in protecting the future treatment potential of MBS8 for cancer patients.

This milestone reinforces our strategy to build a robust global IP portfolio around MBS8 as we continue our mission to deliver breakthrough immunotherapies that not only extend life — but aim to cure.

On June 15, 2025 Genmab A/S (Nasdaq: GMAB) reported new results from the Phase 1b/2 EPCORE NHL-2 trial Arm 10 (NCT04663347), evaluating epcoritamab, a T-cell engaging bispecific antibody administered subcutaneously, in combination with rituximab, ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (R-ICE) in adult patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) (Press release, Genmab, JUN 15, 2025, View Source [SID1234653895]). Results demonstrated an overall response rate (ORR) of 87 percent, a complete response (CR) rate of 65 percent and a partial response (PR) of 23 percent. The majority of patients (65 percent) proceeded to ASCT. At six months, an estimated 81 percent of responses were ongoing, 74 percent of patients were progression free, and 100 percent of patients were alive. These results were shared today during an oral presentation at the 30th European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2025 Congress.

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The safety profile of this combination therapy showed cytokine release syndrome (CRS) being low grade and no discontinuations due to treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). The most common TEAEs were neutropenia (74 percent), anemia (68 percent), and thrombocytopenia (68 percent). CRS occurred in 52 percent; all were low grade (1/2) and resolved. One patient had immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS; grade 1), which resolved. No clinical tumor lysis syndrome was observed. Infections occurred in 18 patients (58 percent); five (16 percent) had serious infections. There were no Grade 5 TEAEs.

"These results are particularly encouraging because many of the patients in this study had high-risk disease, having progressed rapidly after initial treatment," said Raul Cordoba, MD, PhD, Head of the Lymphoma Unit at the Fundacion Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. "This combination therapy of epcoritamab plus rituximab, ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (R-ICE) offers a potential new treatment option for patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, providing high response rates and a bridge to potentially curative autologous stem cell transplantation."

Among patients in the study who progressed within 12 months after first-line treatment (n=20), epcoritamab in combination with R-ICE demonstrated an 85 percent ORR and 55 percent CR. Patients in the study who progressed after 12 months from first-line therapy experienced a 91 percent ORR and 82 percent CR. Additionally, patients with one prior line of therapy experienced an 88 percent ORR and 68 percent CR, and patients who were treated with more than one prior line of therapy experienced an 83 percent ORR and 50 percent CR.

"The results from this trial highlight the potential of this investigational epcoritamab containing regimen, especially in patients who progress quickly after initial treatment, and reinforce our joint efforts with AbbVie to develop epcoritamab as a core therapy for B-cell lymphomas, especially as we develop epcoritamab in earlier lines of therapy and a broader patient population," said Dr. Judith Klimovsky, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer of Genmab. "Our comprehensive EPCORE clinical trial program is dedicated to advancing epcoritamab as both monotherapy and in combination to address the significant unmet need in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and other hematologic malignancies."

Use of epcoritamab + R-ICE in patients with R/R DLBCL eligible for ASCT is not approved and the safety and efficacy of epcoritamab for use as a combination therapy in DLBCL have not been established.

About Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
DLBCL is the most common type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) worldwide, accounting for approximately 25-30 percent of all NHL cases. In the U.S., there are approximately 25,000 new cases of DLBCL diagnosed each year. DLBCL can arise in lymph nodes as well as in organs outside of the lymphatic system, occurs more commonly in the elderly and is slightly more prevalent in men. DLBCL is a fast-growing type of NHL, a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system and affects B-cell lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. For many people living with DLBCL, their cancer either relapses, which means it may return after treatment, or becomes refractory, meaning it does not respond to treatment. Although new therapies have become available, treatment management can remain a challenge.

About the EPCORE NHL-2 Trial
EPCORE NHL-2 is a Phase 1b/2 open-label interventional trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics/biomarkers, immunogenicity, and preliminary efficacy of epcoritamab as a monotherapy and in combination with other standard of care agents in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (B-NHL). The trial consists of two parts: Part 1 (Dose Escalation) and Part 2 (Dose Expansion). The primary objective of Part 1 is safety, and the primary goal of Part 2 is preliminary efficacy. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) based on best overall response per Lugano criteria. MRD negativity was assessed as a secondary endpoint.

Arm 10 of the EPCORE NHL-2 study enrolled 31 patients with R/R DLBCL, who were eligible for R-ICE and ASCT, and had received ≥1 prior line of treatment. At the time of data cutoff (December 18, 2024), median follow-up was 11 months (range, 6−15). Among the 31 patients treated with epcoritamab 48 mg + R-ICE, 61 percent were Ann Arbor stage III/IV, 42 percent had bulky disease ≥7 cm, 81 percent had one prior LOT (range, 1−3), and 65 percent had progressed within 12 months of first-line treatment. More information on this trial can be found at View Source (NCT: 04663347).

About Epcoritamab
Epcoritamab is an IgG1-bispecific antibody created using Genmab’s proprietary DuoBody technology and administered subcutaneously. Genmab’s DuoBody-CD3 technology is designed to direct cytotoxic T cells selectively to elicit an immune response toward target cell types. Epcoritamab is designed to simultaneously bind to CD3 on T cells and CD20 on B cells and induces T-cell-mediated killing of CD20+ cells.i

Epcoritamab (approved under the brand name EPKINLY in the U.S. and Japan, and TEPKINLY in the EU) has received regulatory approval in certain lymphoma indications in several territories. Where approved, epcoritamab is available as a readily accessible therapy without the need for reducing tumor burden ("debulking"). Epcoritamab is being co-developed by Genmab and AbbVie as part of the companies’ oncology collaboration. The companies will share commercial responsibilities in the U.S. and Japan, with AbbVie responsible for further global commercialization. Both companies will pursue additional international regulatory approvals for the investigational R/R FL indication and additional approvals for the R/R DLBCL indication.

Genmab and AbbVie continue to evaluate the use of epcoritamab as a monotherapy, and in combination, across lines of therapy in a range of hematologic malignancies. This includes five ongoing Phase 3, open-label, randomized trials including a trial evaluating epcoritamab as a monotherapy in patients with R/R DLBCL compared to investigators choice chemotherapy (NCT04628494), a trial evaluating epcoritamab in combination with R-CHOP in adult patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL (NCT05578976), a trial evaluating epcoritamab in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide (R2) in patients with R/R FL (NCT05409066), a trial evaluating epcoritamab in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide (R2) compared to chemoimmunotherapy in patients with previously untreated FL (NCT06191744), and a trial evaluating epcoritamab in combination with R2 compared to chemotherapy infusion in patients with R/R DLBCL (NCT06508658). The safety and efficacy of epcoritamab has not been established for these investigational uses. Please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov for more information.

On June 13, 2025 Alligator Bioscience (Nasdaq Stockholm: ATORX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing tumor-directed immunotherapies, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has provided feedback supporting the selection of the 900 µg/kg dose of its CD40 agonist mitazalimab for the planned Phase 3 study in metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) (Press release, Alligator Bioscience, JUN 13, 2025, View Source [SID1234653851]).

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This positive regulatory feedback confirms Alligator’s dose selection and represents a key milestone in the late-stage development of mitazalimab.

"We are very pleased with the FDA’s timely and constructive response. This marks an important step forward as we finalize our Phase 3 program for mitazalimab in one of the most aggressive and underserved cancers. We are now in active partnering dialogues aiming to secure the right partner to take mitazalimab into Phase 3," said Søren Bregenholt, CEO of Alligator Bioscience.

On June 13, 2025 Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:APVO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing novel immuno-oncology therapeutics based on its proprietary ADAPTIR and ADAPTIR-FLEX platform technologies, reported that the Company is participating in the BIO International Convention occurring June 16-19, 2025, in Boston, MA (Press release, Aptevo Therapeutics, JUN 13, 2025, View Source [SID1234653883]).

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The conference is known for being the largest biotechnology industry conference of the year and is expected to attract more than 18,000 attendees from around the world. Attending from Aptevo are Michelle N. Nelson, Ph.D., Director of Immunobiology and SoYoung Kwon, SVP, General Counsel and Head, Business Development.