Jazz Pharmaceuticals to Present Advancements in Solid Tumor Oncology Research at ESMO 2024

On September 9, 2024 Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) reported that the Company, along with its partners, will present five abstracts at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2024 from September 13-17, 2024, in Barcelona, Spain (Press release, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, SEP 9, 2024, View Source [SID1234646451]). Presentations include data from trials of zanidatamab and Zepzelca (lurbinectedin).

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New and updated data with longer follow-up, including overall survival findings, will be presented from an ongoing Phase 2 trial of zanidatamab, an investigational dual HER2-targeted bispecific antibody, in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of HER2-positive metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (mGEA). Additional data from a Phase 2 study evaluating zanidatamab in combination with chemotherapy and bevacizumab as first-line treatment in HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer demonstrating encouraging antitumor activity will be presented as a mini-oral presentation at the congress.

"We look forward to presenting new and more mature data from our oncology solid tumor clinical development program at this year’s ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) congress, in particular for zanidatamab in HER2-positive metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma," said Rob Iannone, M.D., M.S.C.E., executive vice president, global head of research and development, and chief medical officer of Jazz Pharmaceuticals. "We look forward to continuing to advance our clinical development program for zanidatamab in GEA, including the Phase 3 clinical trial expected to read out in the second quarter of 2025 that could support global regulatory submissions."

Data on Zepzelca will also be presented at the congress, including findings from a Phase 2 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of lurbinectedin and irinotecan in relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients, including those with CTFI (Chemotherapy-Free Interval) 30-90 days, who typically have a poor prognosis. These findings support the rationale for this combination in the ongoing LAGOON confirmatory trial.

The full ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) abstracts for posters are available at:
View Source

The full ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) abstracts for presentations are available at: ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2024 – Conference Calendar – ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2024 (ctimeetingtech.com)

The full list of Jazz or partner-supported presentations at the 2024 ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress includes:

Zanidatamab Presentations

Topic

Author

Presentation Details

Zanidatamab + Chemotherapy for First-
Line (1L) Treatment of HER2+
Advanced or Metastatic Gastro-
oesophageal Adenocarcinoma
(mGEA): New and Updated Data From
a Phase 2 Trial

Elena Elimova,
et al.

Type: Poster

Date: Monday, September 16

Presentation Number: 1432P

Zanidatamab (Zani) + Chemotherapy
(CT) in First-Line (1L) Human
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-
Positive (HER2+) Advanced/Metastatic
Colorectal Cancer (mCRC)

Sun Young Rha,
et al.

Type: Mini Oral session

Date: Saturday, September 14,
2:50-2:55 p.m. CEST

Presentation Number: #516MO

HERIZON-BTC-02: A Phase 3 Study of
Zanidatamab With Standard-of-Care
(SOC) Therapy vs SOC Alone For
First-Line (1L) Treatment of Human
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2
(HER2)-Positive Advanced/Metastatic
Biliary Tract Cancer (BTC)

Tesca
Macarulla, et al.

Type: Poster

Date: Monday, September 16

Presentation Number: 62TiP

Zepzelca Presentations

Topic

Author

Presentation Details

Phase 2 data of lurbinectedin and
irinotecan in relapsed SCLC: efficacy
and safety results in patients with
CTFI>30 days [PharmaMar]

Jon
Zugazagoitia, et
al.

Type: Poster

Date: Saturday, September 14

Presentation Number: 1790P

LINNOVATE: A phase 1/2 study of
safety/efficacy of lurbinectedin
combined with ipilimumab and
nivolumab for advanced soft tissue
sarcoma [IST]

Erlinda Gordon
et al.

Type: Poster

Date: Saturday, September 14

Presentation Number: 1739P

About Zanidatamab
Zanidatamab is an investigational dual HER2-targeted bispecific antibody that simultaneously binds to two distinct sites on HER2, known as biparatopic binding. This unique design and enhanced binding results in multiple mechanisms of action, including HER2 and HER3 signal inhibition, removal of HER2 protein from the cell surface and enhanced immune effector functions, such as complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), which leads to encouraging antitumor activity. Zanidatamab is being developed in multiple clinical trials as a targeted treatment option for patients with solid tumors that express HER2. Zanidatamab is being developed by Jazz and BeiGene, Ltd. (BeiGene) under license agreements from Zymeworks, which first developed the molecule.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted priority review for the Biologics License Application (BLA) for zanidatamab for the treatment of previously treated, unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic HER2-positive biliary tract cancer (BTC) with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of November 29, 2024. The FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for zanidatamab development in patients with previously treated HER2 gene-amplified BTC, and two Fast Track designations for zanidatamab: one as a single agent for refractory BTC and one in combination with standard of care chemotherapy for 1L gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA). Additionally, zanidatamab has received Orphan Drug designations from FDA for the treatment of BTC and GEA, as well as Orphan Drug designation from the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of BTC and gastric cancer. Zanidatamab was also granted Breakthrough Therapy designation from the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) in China.

About Zepzelca (lurbinectedin)
Zepzelca is an alkylating drug that binds guanine residues within DNA. This triggers a cascade of events that can affect the activity of DNA binding proteins, including transcription factors, and DNA repair pathways, resulting in disruption of the cell cycle and eventual cell death.1

The FDA approved Zepzelca under accelerated approval in June 2020 for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic SCLC with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. The approval is based on overall response rate (ORR) and duration of response demonstrated in an open-label, monotherapy clinical study. In December 2021, Jazz and PharmaMar announced the initiation of LAGOON, a confirmatory Phase 3 clinical trial of Zepzelca for the treatment of patients with relapsed small cell lung cancer. If positive, LAGOON could confirm the benefit of Zepzelca in the treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) when patients progress following 1L treatment with a platinum-based regimen and support full approval in the U.S.

Zepzelca is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with SCLC that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) and who have received treatment with chemotherapy that contains platinum, and it did not work or is no longer working. Zepzelca is approved based on response rate and how long the response lasted. Additional studies will further evaluate the benefit of Zepzelca for this use.

Important Safety Information for ZEPZELCA

Before receiving ZEPZELCA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have liver or kidney problems.
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. ZEPZELCA can harm your unborn baby.
Females who are able to become pregnant:

Your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with ZEPZELCA.
You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with and for 6 months after your last dose of ZEPZELCA.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think that you are pregnant during treatment with ZEPZELCA.
Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with and for 4 months after their last dose of ZEPZELCA.

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ZEPZELCA passes into your breastmilk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with ZEPZELCA and for 2 weeks after your last dose of ZEPZELCA. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with ZEPZELCA.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Certain other medicines may affect how ZEPZELCA works.

What should I avoid while using ZEPZELCA?
Avoid eating or drinking grapefruit, Seville oranges, or products that contain grapefruit juice and Seville oranges during treatment with ZEPZELCA.
ZEPZELCA can cause serious side effects, including:

Low blood cell counts. Low blood counts including low neutrophil counts (neutropenia) and low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) are common with ZEPZELCA, and can also be severe. Some people with low white blood cell counts may get fever, or an infection throughout the body (sepsis), that can cause death. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before you receive each treatment with ZEPZELCA to check your blood cell counts.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop:

fever or any other signs of infection
unusual bruising or bleeding
tiredness
pale colored skin
Liver problems. Increased liver function tests are common with ZEPZELCA and can also be severe. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check your liver function before you start and during treatment with ZEPZELCA.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop symptoms of liver problems including:

loss of appetite
nausea or vomiting
pain on the right side of your stomach area (abdomen)
Leakage of ZEPZELCA out of your vein during the infusion. If ZEPZELCA leaks into the tissues around your infusion site, it can cause damage and death of tissue cells around the infusion site. You may need to have surgery to remove any dead tissue. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you see any ZEPZELCA leaking out of your vein or around the catheter during your infusion, or if you notice any redness, swelling, itching or discomfort at the infusion site at any time.
Severe muscle problems (rhabdomyolysis). Tell your healthcare provider if you have severe muscle pain or weakness.
Your healthcare provider may temporarily stop treatment, lower your dose, or permanently stop ZEPZELCA if you develop serious side effects during treatment with ZEPZELCA.

The most common side effects of ZEPZELCA include:

tiredness
low white and red blood cell counts
increased kidney function blood test (creatinine)
increased liver function blood tests
increased blood sugar (glucose)
nausea
decreased appetite
muscle and joint (musculoskeletal) pain
low level of albumin in the blood
constipation
trouble breathing
low levels of sodium and magnesium in the blood
vomiting
cough
diarrhea
These are not all of the possible side effects of ZEPZELCA.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Jazz Pharmaceuticals at 1-800-520-5568.

Please see full Prescribing Information including Patient Information, and discuss with your doctor.

ZEPZELCA is a trademark of Pharma Mar, S.A. used by Jazz Pharmaceuticals under license.

Aprea Therapeutics to Present at the H.C. Wainwright Annual Global Investment Conference

On September 9, 2024 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: APRE) ("Aprea" or the "Company"), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on precision oncology through synthetic lethality, reported that Oren Gilad Ph.D, President and Chief Executive Officer, will deliver an in-person presentation at the H.C. Wainwright 26th Annual Global Investment Conference, taking place September 9-11, 2024 in New York, NY (Press release, Aprea, SEP 9, 2024, View Source [SID1234646421]). Details are as follows:

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H.C. Wainwright 26th Annual Global Investment Conference

Date: September 10, 2024
Time: 9am ET
Location: Holmes II, Lotte New York Palace Hotel
Webcast: click here

The webcast will also be archived on Aprea’s corporate website.

Management are also available for one-on-one meetings with institutional investors. To request a meeting, please contact your conference representative.

Kintara Therapeutics to Hold Special Meeting of Stockholders to Allow for Completion of the Proposed Merger with TuHURA Biosciences, Inc.

On September 9, 2024 Kintara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTRA) ("Kintara") a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of new solid tumor cancer therapies, reported all stockholders to vote at the upcoming Special Meeting of Stockholders (the "Special Meeting") to allow for completion of the proposed merger (the "Merger") with TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. ("TuHURA") (Press release, Kintara Therapeutics, SEP 9, 2024, View Source [SID1234646436]). As previously announced, Kintara entered into a definitive agreement (the "Merger Agreement") for an all-stock transaction with TuHURA to form a company combining expertise and resources to advance a risk diversified late-stage oncology pipeline.

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The Special Meeting will be held virtually on Friday, September 20, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time via live audio webcast. In order to attend, register in advance at www.viewproxy.com/kintarasm/2024 by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 19, 2024.

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, subject to stockholder approval, on a pro forma basis, pre-Merger Kintara equityholders are expected to collectively own up to approximately 2.85% (or approximately 5.45% including the shares underlying the contingent value rights (CVR) to be received by certain of Kintara’s equityholders as set forth in the Merger Agreement), of the common stock of post-Merger combined company on a pro forma fully diluted basis. Pre-Merger TuHURA equityholders are expected to collectively own approximately 97.15% (or 94.55% after giving effect to the issuance of the CVR shares), of the common stock of combined company on a pro forma fully diluted basis. The combined company is expected to operate under the name "TuHURA Biosciences, Inc." and to trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker "HURA." The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including stockholder approval of both companies, and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024.

For more information, please see the definitive proxy statement and final prospectus filed by Kintara with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on August 19, 2024.

Stockholders must ACTIVELY VOTE by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 19, 2024, for their vote to count. Stockholders as of the close of business on August 14, 2024, are entitled to vote, even if they no longer own the shares. Stockholders who have previously submitted their proxy or otherwise voted and who do not want to change their vote need not take any action.

SystImmune, Inc. to Present New BL-B01D1 Data in Urothelial, Biliary Tract, and Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma at ESMO Congress 2024

On September 9, 2024 SystImmune, Inc. (SystImmune), a clinical-stage biotechnology company, reported that three abstracts on BL-B01D1, a potentially first-in-class EGFRxHER3 bispecific antibody drug conjugate (ADC) will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2024 taking place on September 13–17 in Barcelona, Spain (Press release, SystImmune, SEP 9, 2024, View Source [SID1234646452]). BL-B01D1 is being jointly developed by SystImmune and Bristol Myers Squibb under an exclusive license and collaboration agreement.

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Expanded results from clinical trials of BL-B01D1 will include data from patients with advanced stages of Urothelial Carcinoma, Biliary Tract Carcinoma, and Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and having multiple cycles of prior therapies. The data to be presented at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) highlights continued progress in BL-B01D01 clinical development and builds upon the previously reported clinical data in lung and breast cancer patients at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) and SABCS in 2023.

"These data support our continued conviction that BL-B01D1 has a manageable safety profile and add to the body of evidence that shows encouraging signals of efficacy across a wide variety of tumors" said Jonathan Cheng, M.D., CMO of SystImmune. "This positions BL-B01D1 as a versatile therapeutic option that may address the unmet medical needs of patients with limited treatment options. We are committed to advancing this therapy through clinical trials, exploring its potential not only as a monotherapy but also in combination with other agents, to improve outcomes for cancer patients globally."

Details on the presentations at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) are below:

BL-B01D1, an EGFR x HER3 Bispecific Antibody-drug Conjugate (ADC), in Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma (UC)
Session Title: Proffered paper session 1: GU tumours, non-prostate
Presentation Number: 19590
Speaker: Dingwei Ye (Shanghai, China)
Session Date & Time: Friday, September 13th, 2024, 2:00 PM-3:30 PM CEST

BL-B01D1, an EGFR x HER3 Bispecific Antibody-drug Conjugate (ADC), in Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Biliary Tract Carcinoma (BTC)
Presentation Number: 54P
Speaker: Zhihao Lu (Beijing, China)
Onsite Poster display date: Monday, September 16th, 2024

BL-B01D1, an EGFR x HER3 Bispecific Antibody-drug Conjugate (ADC), in Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC)
Presentation Number: 1426P
Speaker: Liu Chang (Beijing, China)
Onsite Poster display date: Monday, September 16th, 2024

About BL-B01D1
The company is developing BL-B01D1, a bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that targets both EGFR and HER3. These proteins are highly expressed in most epithelial tumors. The tetravalent BL-B01D1 has two binding domains for distinct Growth Factor Receptors that drive cancer cell proliferation and survival. Inheriting the SI-B001 mechanisms of action, BL-B01D1 blocks EGFR and HER3 signals to cancer cells, reducing proliferation and survival signals. Upon antibody mediated internalization, BL-B01D1 is trafficked to cancer cell lysosomes and liberates its therapeutic payload that induces genotoxic stress activating pathways leading to cancer cell death.

Arrivent Announces Positive Proof-Of-Concept Global Phase 1b Interim Data for Firmonertinib Monotherapy In First-Line EGFR PACC Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer At The 2024 World Conference On Lung Cancer

On September 9, 2024 ArriVent BioPharma, Inc. (Company or ArriVent) (Nasdaq: AVBP), a clinical-stage company dedicated to accelerating the global development of innovative biopharmaceutical therapeutics, reported positive proof-of-concept randomized global Phase 1b FURTHER interim data for first-line firmonertinib monotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring EGFR PACC mutations at a Presidential Symposium Presentation at the IASCLC 2024 annual World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), in San Diego, California (Press release, ArriVent Biopharma, SEP 9, 2024, View Source [SID1234646422]). ArriVent plans to host a virtual webinar on September 9, 2024 at 4:30 pm ET.

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"These compelling dose-dependent interim data are the first to demonstrate robust systemic and CNS anti-tumor activity for firmonertinib in a PACC mutant population," said Bing Yao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ArriVent. "We believe that the generally well-tolerated safety profile and response duration seen to date reinforce the therapeutic potential of firmonertinib to be an effective oral, chemotherapy-free treatment for this underserved patient population. Importantly, these data add to the clinical body of evidence supporting firmonertinib as a potentially effective option across EGFR mutation types and lines of non-small cell lung cancer therapy."

Presidential Symposium Presentation Highlights

Current standards of care have improved outcomes for classical EGFR mutations but have been less effective against uncommon EGFR mutation types including PACC and exon 20 insertion mutations which represent approximately 12% and 9% of NSCLC EGFR mutations, respectively. Firmonertinib, an oral, once-daily, highly brain-penetrant EGFR inhibitor with broad activity across EGFR mutations, was evaluated for interim clinical proof-of-concept data in first-line EGFR PACC mutant NSCLC as part of the Phase 1b FURTHER trial. Select clinical activity and safety results from FURTHER interim data analysis include:

· First clinical dataset from an EGFR inhibitor being tested in a randomized defined population of EGFR PACC mutant NSCLC

· Robust systemic and central nervous system (CNS) responses across patients observed as of June 20, 2024 (data cut):

o 81.8% at 240mg and 47.8% at 160mg overall response rate (ORR) by blinded independent central review (BICR)

o 63.6% and 34.8% confirmed ORR by BICR at 240mg and 160mg dose levels, respectively. One unconfirmed partial response pending confirmation at each of the 160mg and 240mg dose levels.

o Median duration of response had not yet been reached; 90.9% (n = 20/22) patients with confirmed responses remain on study

o 46.2% (n = 6/13) CNS confirmed ORR by modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 by BICR in first-line patients with brain metastases at baseline

· Generally well-tolerated with a profile consistent with prior firmonertinib data

o Most frequent treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were diarrhea, rash, dry skin, stomatitis, and hepatic enzyme elevation

o No treatment discontinuation due to TRAEs was observed

· Firmonertinib showed promising dose-dependent activity in NSCLC patients across a broad range of EGFR PACC mutations in the first-line metastatic setting and includes CNS antitumor activity consistent with its high brain penetrance.

Dr. Xiuning Le, Associate Professor of Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center and the lead Principal Investigator added, "Treating lung cancer patients with EGFR uncommon mutation lung cancer, including PACC mutations and exon 20 insertion mutations, remains a clinical challenge, as we need more potent and better tolerated EGFR inhibitors. These encouraging randomized data for firmonertinib suggest rapid and robust anti-tumor activity across PACC mutations which is similar to that observed for firmonertinib in exon 20 insertion mutations. Moreover, the apparent high CNS activity points to firmonertinib as a promising potential new therapy for frontline patients with PACC mutations including those with CNS disease.