On June 20, 2024 Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC), a leading clinical-stage company specializing in immunotherapeutics for oncology, reported the dosing of the first patient in the new GOBLET study cohort evaluating pelareorep and modified FOLFIRINOX (mFOLFIRINOX) with or without atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in newly diagnosed metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients (Press release, Oncolytics Biotech, JUN 20, 2024, View Source [SID1234644453]). The co-primary endpoints of the cohort are objective response rate (ORR) and safety. It is supported by the US$5M Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) Therapeutic Accelerator Award, an innovative program established to accelerate the development of new treatments for pancreatic cancer patients. It will be conducted in collaboration with AIO-Studien-gGmbH (AIO), a clinical trial group within the German Cancer Society, as part of GOBLET, a Phase 1/2 multiple indication study evaluating pelareorep-based combinations in gastrointestinal cancers.

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!

"Initiation of dosing in the mFOLFIRINOX cohort of the GOBLET study is an important milestone for Oncolytics, and we’re excited to begin evaluating another pelareorep combination therapy that could result in a second pancreatic cancer registration program for the company," said Thomas Heineman, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer at Oncolytics. "The combination of pelareorep, atezolizumab, gemcitabine, and nab-paclitaxel in pancreatic cancer patients more than doubled tumor response rates compared to earlier trials of chemotherapy alone. That combination received Fast Track Designation from the FDA and is expected to be evaluated in an adaptive registration-enabling trial through the Global Coalition for Adaptive Research (GCAR). If the combination of pelareorep and mFOLFIRINOX also demonstrates a promising efficacy signal, we could have two pancreatic cancer treatment regimens on the path to registration. I want to highlight PanCAN’s important support for this program with gratitude. The US$5M Therapeutic Accelerator Award has made it possible for us to broaden our evaluation of potential therapies that have the potential to improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients."

Anna Berkenblit, MD, MMSc, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at PanCAN said, "Working toward our vision to create a world in which all patients with pancreatic cancer will thrive, PanCAN launched the Therapeutic Accelerator Award to speed the drug development process and bring new options to patients faster. Dosing the first patient in this new cohort of the GOBLET study is an important step toward further evaluation of this investigational immunotherapeutic approach."

Dirk Arnold, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Asklepios Tumorzentrum Hamburg and primary investigator of the GOBLET trial commented, "I have been pleased to observe the strength of the clinical response data for pelareorep in multiple cohorts of the GOBLET gastrointestinal study, especially in pancreatic and anal cancer. mFOLFIRINOX is currently considered the best treatment option for many pancreatic cancer patients. Therefore, the evaluation of pelareorep and mFOLFIRINOX, with or without atezolizumab, presents an important opportunity to identify a novel therapeutic approach that may broaden the population of metastatic pancreatic cancer patients who could benefit from pelareorep-based therapies."

"Oncolytics is in a favorable position as we prepare to advance multiple pelareorep programs toward registration track studies and continue to expand pelareorep’s potential as a backbone immunotherapy that can impact various tumor types. The collaboration with GCAR on a registration-enabling study for the combination of pelareorep, atezolizumab, gemcitabine, and nab-paclitaxel in pancreatic cancer, meeting with the FDA to align on next steps for our breast cancer program, expanded enrollment in the GOBLET anal cancer cohort, and now the initiation of dosing in the mFOLFIRINOX cohort of GOBLET, announced today, are all important elements of our corporate plan," said Dr. Matt Coffey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Oncolytics. "The ability to improve the lives of cancer patients is something that motivates everyone at Oncolytics, and beginning to treat pancreatic cancer patients in the mFOLFIRINOX cohort of GOBLET is hopefully yet another step towards that goal."

About GOBLET cohort 5
The mFOLFIRINOX cohort of the Phase 1/2 GOBLET study is designed to evaluate newly diagnosed PDAC patients treated with pelareorep + mFOLFIRINOX with or without atezolizumab. There will be a three-patient safety run-in to evaluate the tolerability of each treatment arm: pelareorep + mFOLFIRINOX + atezolizumab and pelareorep + mFOLFIRINOX. A total of fifteen evaluable patients will be randomized to each arm in Stage 1 of this Simon two-stage study. The co-primary endpoints are objective response rate and safety. If Stage 1 success criteria are met, one or both treatment arms may be expanded to Stage 2 in which 17 additional evaluable patients per arm will be enrolled. Blood and tumor samples will also be collected for translational evaluations.

About GOBLET
The GOBLET (Gastrointestinal tumOrs exploring the treatment comBinations with the oncolytic reovirus peLarEorep and anTi-PD-L1) study is a phase 1/2 multiple indication study in advanced or metastatic gastrointestinal tumors. The study is being conducted at 17 centers in Germany and is being managed by AIO-Studien-gGmbH. The co-primary endpoints of the study are objective response rate (ORR) and/or disease control rate assessed at week 16 and safety. Key secondary and exploratory endpoints include additional efficacy assessments and evaluation of potential biomarkers. The study comprises five treatment groups:

1.Pelareorep in combination with atezolizumab, gemcitabine, and nab-paclitaxel in 1st line advanced/metastatic pancreatic cancer patients;

2.Pelareorep in combination with atezolizumab in 1st line MSI (microsatellite instability)-high metastatic colorectal cancer patients;

3.Pelareorep in combination with atezolizumab and TAS-102 in 3rd line metastatic colorectal cancer patients

4.Pelareorep in combination with atezolizumab in 2nd line advanced and unresectable anal cancer patients; and

5.Pelareorep in combination with mFOLFIRINOX with and without atezolizumab in newly diagnosed metastatic PDAC patients.

Any cohort meeting pre-specified efficacy criteria in Stage 1 may be advanced to Stage 2 and enroll additional patients.

On June 20, 2024 Yellowstone Biosciences ("Yellowstone" or "the Company"), a pioneer of soluble bispecific T-cell receptor (TCR)-based therapies for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class II (HLA-II) targets in oncology, reported to unlock a new class of therapeutically targetable, frequently expressed antigens with potential to significantly transform patient lives (Press release, Yellowstone Bioscience, JUN 20, 2024, View Source [SID1234644469]). Syncona Limited ("Syncona") committed £16.5 million to fund the Company in progressing its operational build, lead programme in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and exploration into expanding its pipeline.

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!

Spun out of the University of Oxford with the support of Oxford University Innovation (OUI), Yellowstone is built around the pioneering research of Professor Paresh Vyas, a world-renowned scientific academic, key opinion leader and practising clinician with a specialist focus on AML. Over 20 years, Prof. Vyas’ laboratory has collected a proprietary biobank of over 10,000 samples from over 3,000 AML patients, including a rare cohort of patients cured by allogeneic blood cell transplantation. From this cohort a novel set of frequently expressed peptide antigens presented by HLA Class II were identified, which could unlock a new class of highly selective cancer therapeutics.

With privileged access to this biobank, Yellowstone has been formed to develop soluble bispecific TCR-based therapeutics targeting HLA Class II presented peptides on the surface of cancer cells in a number of cancers with high unmet need. By targeting peptides presented by HLA-II molecules, the Company’s bispecific T-cell engagers have the potential to selectively kill target tumour cells, whilst sparing healthy cells. The Company will focus initially on its lead programme in AML, which accounts for 62% of all leukaemia deaths1 and where there is no universally agreed standard of care for the majority of patients. Beyond AML, Yellowstone’s technology also has the potential to extend life and change the treatment landscape in other common solid tumours that express HLA-II, including ovarian cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, renal cancer and melanoma.

Yellowstone will be led by a world-class management team, including Prof. Vyas, as Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer, and Julian Hirst, who joins as Co-founder and Chief Financial Officer, bringing with him 20 years’ experience in biotechnology and investment banking, including senior finance roles at Immunocore and MiroBio. Neil Johnston also joins as Executive Chair, having spent 17 years at Novartis, most recently as Global Head of Business Development and Licensing. The Company will be guided by Syncona, a leading FTSE 250 life sciences investor, who has supported company launch and will continue to shape Yellowstone’s operational build. Chris Hollowood, CEO of Syncona, and Gonzalo Garcia, Investment Partner at Syncona, will hold Board positions at Yellowstone as part of the lead investor’s ongoing involvement.

Professor Paresh Vyas, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Yellowstone, said: "Frequently expressed antigens that can be targeted therapeutically are notoriously difficult to find but, through two decades of research, we have identified a new class of targets that have potential to treat cancer and extend patient’s lives. We believe that our technology has the potential to selectively kill tumour cells, whilst sparing healthy cells, in a range of cancers. The strategy that we have built, alongside Syncona, will initially focus on developing highly selective TCR-based therapies for AML, where we have formidable experience and data. Beyond that, we are committed to broadening our pipeline to other cancer settings to maximise Yellowstone’s potential."

Gonzalo Garcia, Investment Partner at Syncona and Non-executive Director at Yellowstone, commented: "Yellowstone is the latest company formed from Syncona’s model of creating and building businesses based on exceptional science and world-class founders. The work Prof. Vyas has undertaken in this field is truly remarkable. Although difficult to identify, tumour-selective, frequently expressed antigens are particularly strong cancer targets as they allow development and manufacturing of therapies that can treat large numbers of patients. We believe that Syncona can build a globally leading UK company around this novel discovery that has significant patient and commercial potential."

Yellowstone’s academic founders received support during the spin out from OUI’s Dr. Susan Campbell and Dr. Benedicte Menn. As part of their ongoing involvement, OUI will hold a board observer position at the company.

Dr Benedicte Menn, Senior Investment Manager, Oxford University Innovation, said: "With ambition to become a world class UK company, Yellowstone is our latest spinout from the University of Oxford. The company has potential to treat and extend the life of patients with different forms of cancer, starting with acute myeloid leukaemia. We’re delighted that Yellowstone and Syncona are partnering on this launch and look forward to tracking the progress of the pipeline."

On June 20, 2024 4 Redx Pharma (JPJ:REDX), the clinical-stage, small molecule biotechnology company,
reported that Phase 2 data from zamaporvint (RXC004), a Porcupine inhibitor targeting Wnt-ligand dependent GI cancers, will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress (ESMO GI), 26-29th June, Munich, Germany (Press release, Redx Pharma, JUN 20, 2024, View Source [SID1234644454]).

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!

Zamaporvint is a potent, selective, orally-active Porcupine inhibitor in development for hard-to-treat GI cancers. The principal efficacy hypothesis for zamaporvint is for use in combination, which has been investigated in Phase 2 signal searching patient cohorts with anti-PD-1 therapy. Monotherapy for single agent activity has also been investigated. The PORCUPINE study was in genetically-selected patients with microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer (MSS mCRC) as monotherapy and immuno-oncology combination (clinicaltrials.gov NCT04907539). The PORUPINE2 study was in all-comers biliary tract cancer as monotherapy and immuno-oncology combination, and in genetically selected pancreatic cancer as monotherapy (clinicaltrials.gov NCT04907851).

The data will be presented in two posters, one on the PORCUPINE study and one on the PORCUPINE2 study. Notably, these data demonstrate that zamaporvint, in combination with an anti-PD-1 agent in genetically-selected patient populations has the potential to improve upon efficacy outcomes achieved with standard of care alone.
Details of the poster presentations are as follows:

1)
Abstract Title: Phase 2 results of the Porcupine (PORCN) inhibitor zamaporvint
(RXC004) in genetically selected microsatellite stable colorectal
cancer patients
Session Title: Poster Session
Date/Time: Thursday 27 June 3:35 – 4:30pm CEST
Poster Number: 37P

2)
Abstract Title: Phase 2 results of the porcupine (PORCN) inhibitor zamaporvint
(RXC004) in patients with pancreatic and biliary tract cancer
Session Title: Poster Session
Date/Time: Thursday 27 June 3:35 – 4:30pm CEST
Poster Number: 391P
A copy of the posters will be made available on Company’s website following the presentation at:
View Source

On June 20, 2024 CellxLife reported that Eric von Hofe, Ph.D., will serve as the company’s first Chief Executive Officer (Press release, CellXLife, JUN 20, 2024, View Source [SID1234644470])There are currently very few treatment options for children suffering from metastatic Ewing sarcoma or osteosarcoma. The most common treatment is surgical removal of the tumors in combination with radiation and chemotherapy. For children with recurring metastatic Ewing sarcoma or osteosarcoma, the 5-year survival rate is usually 20-30% and in the U.S., approximately $750,000 is spent on treatment over the course of a patient’s life. i,ii

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!

"Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma are devastating diseases that have far-reaching impact, particularly in pediatric patients and their caregivers," said Dr. von Hofe. "I am honored to join the CellxLife team to help advance efforts in bringing this promising new biotherapeutic to the thousands of children and families fighting these cancers globally."

Through CellxLife’s proprietary platform, dendritic cells are taken from the body and presented with the patient’s own tumor cell antigens, then re-administered back into the body as an immunotherapeutic vaccine to educate the immune system. Study data generated to date has indicated that this both activates immune cells to attack remaining cancer cells in the body and shapes the immunological memory to greatly reduce the chances of cancer recurrence. In a prior Phase 1 study, 75% of pediatric participants diagnosed with metastatic Ewing’s or osteosarcoma, who responded well to surgery, overcame their cancer, and are still alive today. Out of all the participants in the trial, 62.5% of children with metastatic osteosarcoma who were treated with the dendritic cell-based therapy lived for more than 15 years.

The CellxLife clinical team believes the therapy can cross over to other solid tumors, such as ovarian, breast, colorectal, pancreatic, glioblastoma, lung, and other solid tumors. The principle is the same; once a tumor is removed, the vaccine will shape the immunological memory of the cancer cells in the lymph nodes and greatly reduce the chances of cancer recurrence.

"This could be a breakthrough for anyone who is faced with the horrible realization that cancer could reoccur after their tumor is removed," said Ruvin Orbach, founder of CellxLife. "It’s an honor to have Eric on board as CEO at this important time of growth for CellxLife. We are committed to building the team and raising the capital required to further advance this de-risked therapeutic candidate. We are currently planning the Phase II trials with an orphan designation and significantly reducing the regulatory pathway for this promising immunotherapy."

Dr. von Hofe has over 30 years of experience in managing and overseeing biotechnology programs, with a focus on cancer immunotherapy and technology development. Most recently he led development efforts at AffyImmune Therapeutics where he oversaw the clinical development and orphan designation for a novel CAR-T cell therapeutic targeting refractory thyroid cancer. Previously, he was at Antigen Express where he led the development of an immunotherapeutic vaccine for breast and prostate cancer, resulting in a collaboration with Merck. Prior to that, he worked at Millennium Pharmaceuticals first as Program Director for Target Validation and later as Director of Programs & Operations, Discovery Research. Previously, Dr. von Hofe was Director, New Targets at Hybridon, Inc., where he coordinated in-house and collaborative research that validated gene targets for novel antisense medicines. Dr. von Hofe also held the position of Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where he received a National Cancer Institute Career Development Award for defining mechanisms by which alkylating carcinogens create cancers. He received his Ph.D. in Experimental Pathology from the University of Southern California and was a postdoctoral fellow at both the University of Zurich and Harvard University School of Public Health.. The company was formed in late 2023 to advance a dendritic cell-based therapeutic vaccine candidate that aims to expand treatment options for children with recurring metastatic Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma.

On June 20, 2024 Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:SONN) (the "Company" or "Sonnet"), a clinical-stage company developing targeted immunotherapeutic drugs, reported the entry into a definitive agreement for the immediate exercise of certain outstanding warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,828,500 shares of common stock, issued by Sonnet in October 2023 (the "Existing Warrants"), at a reduced exercise price of $1.20 per share (Press release, Sonnet BioTherapeutics, JUN 20, 2024, View Source [SID1234644455]). The shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Existing Warrants are registered pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-274581). The closing of the offering is expected to occur on or about June 21, 2024, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

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!

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. is acting as the exclusive placement agent for the offering.

In consideration for the immediate exercise of the Existing Warrants for cash, Sonnet will issue new unregistered warrants to purchase up to 5,657,000 shares of common stock (the "New Warrants"). The New Warrants will have an exercise price of $1.55 per share (priced at-the-market under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market), will be exercisable upon issuance, and have a term equal to five years from the date of issuance. In connection with the transaction, Sonnet also (i) reduced the exercise price of the Existing Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,824,000 shares of common stock for all holders not participating in the transaction to $1.20 per share for the remaining term of the Existing Warrants, (ii) reduced the exercise price of certain outstanding warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 227,272 shares of common stock issued by Sonnet in June 2023 (the "June Warrants") to $1.55 per share and (iii) extended the term of the June Warrants to the term of the New Warrants.

The gross proceeds to Sonnet from the exercise of the Existing Warrants are expected to be approximately $3.4 million, prior to deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses. The Company intends to use the net proceeds for research and development, including clinical trials, working capital, the repayment of all or a portion of liabilities, and general corporate purposes.

The New Warrants described above were offered in a private placement pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and, along with the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise, have not been registered under the 1933 Act, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. Sonnet has agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC covering the resale of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the New Warrants.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in this offering, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.