On April 25, 2025 Bantam Pharmaceutical, a drug discovery and development company targeting selective modulation of mitochondrial dynamics in cancer, reported solid tumor regression data from Bantam’s lead product candidate, BTM-3566 (Press release, Bantam Pharmaceutical, APR 25, 2025, View Source [SID1234652160]). These preclinical data will be shared in a poster presentation during the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, being held from April 25-30, 2025 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. The poster highlights evidence of robust anti-tumor activity in a broad range of solid tumor models, as well as introduces FAM210B, a mitochondrial protein, as a potential biomarker for response.

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!

BTM-3566 is a first-in-class, small molecule cancer therapeutic which targets difficult-to-treat, aggressive tumors by activating OMA1-ATF4 Integrated Stress Response (ISR), a newly described mitochondrial homeostasis pathway. Previously, BTM-3566 was shown to have strong single-agent activity in both cell line and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), regardless of cell of origin (COO) or genotype. The new data extend these findings to solid tumors and demonstrate that BTM-3566 has in vitro and in vivo activity across tumor types.

Key findings include:

BTM-3566 exhibits in vitro and in vivo activity in a broad range of solid tumor models
BTM-3566 drives tumor regression in models with low FAM210B RNA expression, supporting the use of FAM210B as a potential biomarker for response
Ectopic expression of FAM210B blocks drug activity in multiple models, suggesting a mechanistic role for the protein in mediating response
BTM-3566 demonstrates additive and synergistic activity in combination with other agents from multiple classes in preclinical models, including BH3 mimetics, supporting future combination strategies
"These findings provide important insight into the unique mechanism of our lead compound and support the potential for future patient selection using FAM210B expression," said Michael Stocum, President & CEO of Bantam Pharmaceutical. "We believe BTM-3566 holds promise not only as a monotherapy but also in combination with numerous approved anti-cancer agents, potentially expanding treatment options for patients with aggressive, hard-to-treat tumors. We intend to further explore these relationships as product development progresses."

Poster Presentation Details

Title: Selective pharmacological activation of the mitochondrial protease OMA1 inhibits tumor growth and induces regression in tumors expressing low levels of FAM210B
Presenter: Matthew Kostura, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Bantam Pharmaceutical
Session: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Date/Time: Monday, April 28th at 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET
Abstract Number: 3032

The poster presentation will be available under the News & Resources section of the company’s website shortly after the event.

About BTM-3566

BTM-3566 is a novel, orally available small molecule designed to target a wide range of cancers, including both hematologic and solid tumors. Its initial clinical focus is on mature B-cell lymphomas, such as mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and follicular lymphoma (FL). In preclinical studies, BTM-3566 demonstrated potent anti-cancer activity, driving significant tumor regression – and in many cases, complete tumor elimination – in models resistant to standard treatments, including CAR-T cell therapy. BTM-3566 works by disrupting the mitochondrial function in tumor cells, triggering their natural cell death process (apoptosis). With its unique mechanism of action and strong preclinical data, Bantam also plans to expand clinical development into solid tumors, broadening its potential impact for patients with limited treatment options.

Currently, Bantam is conducting an ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial in both the U.S. and Canada evaluating BTM-3566 in relapsed/refractory mature B-cell lymphomas. For more information about the U.S. trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov and search NCT06792734.

On April 25, 2025 Incyte (Nasdaq:INCY) reported that the Company will present new early-stage data from its oncology portfolio at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2025 in Chicago, IL, from April 25–30 (Press release, Incyte, APR 25, 2025, View Source [SID1234652177]).

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!

"At AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) we will be presenting data from early-stage programs across our oncology portfolio, including for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms, ovarian cancer and other solid tumors," said Pablo J. Cagnoni, M.D., President and Head of Research and Development, Incyte. "These data will guide our approach as we advance our pipeline and seek to transform the treatment landscape for patients with cancer and myeloproliferative neoplasms."

Abstracts accepted for presentation at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) include:

Mini Symposium

INCB177054

INCB177054: A Novel, Potent, Orally Bioavailable DGKα/ζ Dual Inhibitor Enhances T-Cell Function and Demonstrates Potent Antitumor Activity
(Session Title: Novel Antitumor Agents. April 28, 4:50 p.m. – 5:05 p.m. ET (3:50 p.m. – 4:05 p.m. CT). Abstract #3789.))

Poster Presentations

INCA33890

INCA33890 Increases CD8+ T-Cell Effector Function Compared with pembrolizumab as Assessed by Single-Cell RNA Sequencing in Human PD-1xTGFβR2 Knock-In Mouse Model (Session Title: Immune Fitness and Metabolic Regulation of Cancer Immunity​. April 29, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT). Abstract #4861.))

INCA33890, a Bispecific Antibody Targeting PD-1 and TGFβR2, Shows Enhanced Immune Responses in Models of Ovarian Cancer
(Session Title: Antibodies 3: Multi-Target Checkpoint Inhibitors and Immune Activators. April 29, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET (2:00 – 5:00 p.m. CT). Abstract #6074.))

PD-1xTGFβR2 Bispecific Biclonics Antibody INCA33890 Augments Human T-Cell Effector Functions In Vitro and Ex Vivo
(Session Title: Antibodies 3: Multi-Target Checkpoint Inhibitors and Immune Activators​. April 29, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET (2:00 – 5:00 p.m. CT). Abstract #6071.))

INCB057643

INCB057643, a Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal (BET) Protein Inhibitor, Improved Bone Marrow Function and Shifted Megakaryopoiesis to Erythropoiesis in Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs)
(Session Title: Molecular Genetics and Epigenetics of Tumors​. April 30, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT). Abstract #7188.))

Novel Role of INCB057643, a Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal (BET) Protein Inhibitor, in Myeloid Cell Regulation and Immunosuppressive Tumor Environment Remodeling in Myelofibrosis (MF)
(Session Title: Molecular Genetics and Epigenetics of Tumors​. April 30, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT). Abstract #7184.))

Association of Cyclin E1 Expression with Genomic Instability in Ovarian Cancer
(Session Title: Origins and Mechanisms of Genomic Instability​. April 28, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET (2:00 – 5:00 p.m. CT). Abstract #2846.))

On April 25, 2025 NETRIS Pharma, a clinical-stage private biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of therapeutics targeting Netrin-1, reported positive interim results from the ongoing ImmunoNET Phase II trial of its lead candidate NP137 (Press release, Netris Pharma, APR 25, 2025, View Source [SID1234652145]). The multicenter, open-label, proof of concept study is designed to evaluate the clinical and biological activity of NP137 as an add-on therapy in patients with advanced or metastatic Head & Neck Cancer and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) who have progressed under standard immunotherapies.

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!

The interim analysis met both the primary and key secondary endpoints in secondary refractory patients. Such analysis confirms NP137 excellent safety profile and its potential to overcome secondary resistance to leading immunotherapies. Clinical benefits were observed in half of the patients with Head & Neck and NSCLC cancers who had previously progressed under approved immunotherapy.

« These interim results mark a major milestone in our mission to develop drugs that overcome therapy resistance » said Patrick Mehlen, CEO of NETRIS Pharma. « We are excited by the potential of NP137 to restore patients sensitivity to immunotherapy-based treatments and to deliver a new treatment solution for patients with limited options ».

Upcoming Data Presentations

Comprehensive study design and interim results will be presented at two of the world’s leading oncology congresses: the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress in 2025, underscoring the global significance of these findings.

« We look foward to sharing these important data with the oncology community at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper), and to advancing NP137 into the next phase of development » added Dr. Jérome Fayette, Medical Oncologist at Centre Léon Bérard and Principal Investigator of the ImmunoNet study.

About NP137

NP137 is a humanized monoclonal antibody (IgG1) targeting netrin-1, a protein overexpressed in a large proportion of human cancers and associated with disease severity and resistance to therapy. By blocking netrin-1, NP137 is designed to restore apoptosis and reverse epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), addressing critical mechanisms of resistance that limit the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Preclinical and early clinical studies have shown that NP137 has anti-cancer effects both as a monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy, with a favorable safety profile.

On April 25, 2025 Marengo Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering novel approaches for precision immunotherapy, reported an upcoming clinical plenary oral presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2025 (Press release, Marengo Therapeutics, APR 25, 2025, View Source [SID1234652161]). The presentation will report updated clinical and translational findings from the ongoing Phase 1/2 trial (STARt-001) evaluating invikafusp alfa (STAR0602) in patients with anti-PD(L)1-resistant, antigen-rich solid tumors.

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!

The results highlight clinical pharmacology, selective immune activation, and RP2D selection in addition to demonstrating clinically meaningful anti-tumor activity and a well-characterized safety profile. The data also further support the advancement of the lead asset into Phase 2 development and confirm clinical efficacy.

"These encouraging data represent the first clinical proof of our precision T cell agonist approach to overcome anti-PD(L)1-resistant cancer, a therapeutic area with significant unmet need. Importantly, invikafusp monotherapy not only selectively engaged and expanded a key T cell subset in immunotherapy-resistant tumors, but also reinvigorated anti-tumor responses," said Ke Liu, M.D. Ph.D., Chief Development Officer of Marengo Therapeutics. "Based on the initial disease control and tumor regression rates observed, invikafusp has the potential to offer a promising new class of immunotherapy for patients who have exhausted checkpoint inhibitor therapy options."

"The initial clinical activity of invikafusp monotherapy in PD-1 resistant tumors is novel and important as a new approach to immunotherapy," said Bruce A. Chabner, M.D., Clinical Director Emeritus at Massachusetts General Hospital. "The ability of invikafusp to activate a specific subset of T cells in heavily pretreated cancer patients and achieve objective responses in tumors that have failed PD-1 inhibitors is clinically meaningful. These results may mark the beginning of a new class of novel T cell agonists in treating checkpoint resistant cancers with precision immune activation."

Invikafusp alfa is Marengo’s first-in-class, dual T cell agonist with a bi-specific antibody design to selectively activate the Vβ6 and Vβ10 subsets of T cells in vivo.

Key Findings from the Abstract (CT205):

Initial Clinical Activity (TMB-H subgroup at optimal biologic dose):
Six of the initial nine efficacy evaluable patients (67%) achieved disease control (2 confirmed partial responses (cPRs) and 4 with stable disease)
The cPRs were in MSS colorectal cancer with one response lasting ~12 months
Plenary oral presentation to include updated clinical results from initial data cut and additional patients
Clinical Pharmacology and Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D):
RP2D was determined as 0.08 mg/kg Q2W, selected based on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and activity
Dose-dependent, selective expansion of peripheral CD8+ Vβ6/Vβ10 T cells, with ~600% average peak expansion at RP2D
Expanded Vβ T cells exhibited a memory phenotype and expressed cytotoxic effector molecules
Soluble markers of T cell activation (e.g., IFN-γ, sCD25) increased post-dosing; inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6) remained limited below RP2D
Based on initial clinical and preclinical results, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Fast Track Designation to invikafusp alfa for the treatment of patients with TMB-high colorectal cancer. The STARt-001 Phase 2 portion of the trial is ongoing and actively enrolling, focused on expanding into other antigen-rich tumors, including MSI-H and TMB-H tissue agnostic solid tumors.

Presentation Details

Title: Updated clinical results, recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) determination and translational study results for START-001: a Phase 1/2 trial of invikafusp alfa, a first-in-class TCR β chain-targeted bispecific antibody in patients with anti-PD(L)1-resistant, antigen-rich solid tumors
Abstract Number: CT205 (Late-breaking)
Session Title: Clinical Trials Plenary: Biologics and T-cell Engagers
Session Date and Time: Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 10:15 AM – 12:15 PM CT
Presenter: Ryan J. Sullivan, M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital

On April 25, 2025 InnoCare Pharma (HKEX: 09969; SSE: 688428), a leading biopharmaceutical company, reported that its BTK inhibitor orelabrutinib received approval from the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the first-line treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) / small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) (Press release, InnoCare Pharma, APR 25, 2025, View Source [SID1234652178]). The approval of the first-line CLL/SLL treatment will enable orelabrutinib to benefit an even broader population of lymphoma patients.

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!

Orelabrutinib has been approved for the treatment of three indications in China, including relapsed and refractory (R/R) CLL/SLL, r/r mantle cell lymphoma (R/R MCL) and r/r marginal zone lymphoma (R/R MZL), all of which have been covered in the National Reimbursement Drug List.

Jianyong Li, the principal investigator of the clinical trial and a professor at the Jiangsu Province Hospital, said: "Orelabrutinib has demonstrated excellent efficacy and safety in the treatment of B-cell malignancies such as R/R CLL/SLL since its launch in 2020, showing a higher complete response rate. The first-line approval means more lymphoma patients will benefit from this highly effective treatment regimen. The study showed a complete response rate as high as 12.1%, which will bring new hope to the treatment of hematological tumors in China."

Lugui Qiu, the principal investigator of the clinical trial and a professor at the Blood Diseases Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, said, "Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in initiating the study, enrolling patients and patient management, orelabrutinib demonstrated significant efficacy and good safety in first-line treatment of CLL/SLL. It also provides an effective treatment option for high-risk patients and those with comorbidities, both in clinical research and real-world settings."

Jun Ma, professor at the Harbin Blood Disease and Oncology Research Institute, said, "With the approval of orelabrutinib for first-line CLL/SLL treatment and the accumulation of additional real-world data, more lymphoma patients will benefit. Furthermore, orelabrutinib has been listed as a Class I recommendation for first-line treatment of CLL/SLL in the CSCO lymphoma guidelines. We look forward to more extensive and longer follow-up data on orelabrutinib to guide clinical practice and offer better treatment options for more lymphoma patients."

Jun Zhu, professor at Beijing Cancer Hospital said, "The prospect of orelabrutinib in the treatment of hematological tumors is remarkable. Its high selectivity and low off-target effects give it advantages in both efficacy and safety. We believe that with the extensive use of orelabrutinib in first-line treatment, more patients will benefit from this novel therapy."

Dr. Jasmine Cui, Co-founder, Chairwoman and CEO of InnoCare, said: "We are delighted to see the approval of orelabrutinib for the first-line treatment of CLL/SLL. This marks another important milestone for our company in hematological malignancies. We sincerely thank all the physicians, patients and employees who have worked tirelessly on this study. We look forward to bringing new hope and treatment options to more lymphoma patients."

Orelabrutinib is a novel BTK inhibitor developed by InnoCare. With high target selectivity, it can avoid adverse events related to off-target effects and improve safety and efficacy.

CLL/SLL, one of the most prevalent forms of leukemia, is an indolent malignancy of B lymphocytes. Globally, there are 191,000 newly diagnosed CLL cases each year, with 61,000 related deaths1. The incidence rate of CLL/SLL is on the rise in China.