On March 7, 2022 Arctoris, a tech-enabled biopharma company, and Evariste Technologies, an AI-drug discovery company, reported they have formed a joint venture to identify novel small molecule kinase inhibitors for treatment of patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (Press release, Lifescience Newswire, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234609620]).

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Current treatment options for NSCLC are limited, especially in advanced stages. It has been shown that the proto-oncogene cMet is mutated or upregulated in approximately 5% of all NSCLC cases. While cMET has been successfully targeted by two recently approved drugs (Tepotinib, Capmatinib), rapid development of resistance has been reported and there is a clear need for improved second-generation cMET inhibitors to overcome resistance.

The two companies are combining their platforms for AI-guided and robotics-powered drug discovery to develop a set of novel kinase inhibitors against cMET. The partnership will bring together two highly synergistic approaches – quantitative decision making and state-of-the-art generative chemistry, combined with real-time biological and biochemical profiling and data generation, to significantly accelerate the design-make-test-analyze cycle. The two companies will also use their strong links to leading centres for NSCLC treatment to leverage clinical insights, inform their discovery and development efforts and directly address clinically relevant liabilities limiting the effectiveness of currently available therapies.

"We are really excited to be working with Arctoris on this project. There is a huge need for next generation cMET inhibitors for NSCLC. This is a cancer that affects millions globally, and we hope that we can bring meaningful benefit to some of these lives in the near future," shares Dr. Nicholas Firth, CEO of Evariste Technologies.

Arctoris CEO Martin-Immanuel Bittner MD DPhil FRSA commented on the joint venture, "Together with our partners at Evariste, we are developing novel treatment options in NSCLC against a fully validated target, where first generation inhibitors can be improved on in a clinically meaningful way. Combining patient-derived insights on resistance and toxicity patterns with AI-powered molecule design and our robotic platform, Ulysses, we aim to develop superior next generation inhibitors within a significantly accelerated time frame."

The collaboration between Arctoris and Evariste is already underway and has identified novel, active chemical matter. "We look forward to keeping our community updated about the progress we are making within the joint venture between Evariste Technologies and Arctoris. We have had an incredible start already, and we look forward to continuing our work to develop better treatments options for patients worldwide", shares Bittner.

On March 7, 2022 AnaptysBio, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANAB), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class antibody product candidates focused on emerging immune control mechanisms applicable to inflammation and immuno-oncology indications, reported operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2021 and provided pipeline updates (Press release, AnaptysBio, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234609583]).

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"We advanced our wholly-owned antibody product pipeline and completed a $250 million royalty monetization transaction during 2021," said Hamza Suria, president and chief executive officer of AnaptysBio. "We look forward to multiple clinical data readouts during 2022 and remain focused on developing first-in-class therapeutic antibodies using a capital-efficient business model."
Imsidolimab (Anti-IL-36 Receptor) Program
•Following an end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA, we initiated our GEMINI-1 Phase 3 trial of imsidolimab in generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) where the primary endpoint is the proportion of patients achieving a score of clear (0) or almost clear (1) skin on the Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Physician’s Global Assessment (GPPPGA) at week 4 in 45 patients randomized against placebo. These same patients will subsequently be enrolled into GEMINI-2, which will assess 6 months of monthly subcutaneous dosing and safety follow-up.
•We anticipate top-line data from the ACORN Phase 2 trial of imsidolimab in moderate-to-severe acne in H1 2022 and from the HARP Phase 2 trial in moderate-to-severe hidradenitis suppurativa in H2 2022.
Rosnilimab (Anti-PD-1 Agonist) Program
•We announced positive top-line data from a randomized placebo-controlled healthy volunteer single and multiple ascending dose Phase 1 trial of rosnilimab, our investigational wholly-owned anti-PD-1 agonist therapeutic antibody, previously known as ANB030. Top-line data demonstrated favorable safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic results, which supported initiation of our Phase 2 AZURE clinical trial of rosnilimab in alopecia areata.
ANB032 (Anti-BTLA Modulator) Program
•We are advancing ANB032, our wholly-owned BTLA modulator antibody, in a healthy volunteer Phase 1 single and multiple ascending dose clinical trial where top-line data is anticipated during the first half of 2022.

GSK Partnered Programs
•We completed a royalty monetization agreement with Sagard Healthcare Royalty Partners where AnaptysBio received a $250 million payment in exchange for JEMPERLI royalties due to AnaptysBio on annual commercial sales below $1 billion and certain future milestones starting October 2021. The aggregate JEMPERLI royalties and milestones to be received by Sagard under this Agreement is capped at certain fixed multiples of the upfront payment.
Fourth Quarter Financial Results
•Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $615.2 million as of December 31, 2021, compared to $411.2 million as of December 31, 2020, for an increase of $204.0 million. The increase relates primarily to cash received from the royalty monetization transaction with Sagard Healthcare Partners offset by cash used for operating activities.
•Collaboration revenue was $1.0 million and $63.2 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021. The $1.0 million earned during the fourth quarter primarily relates to royalty revenue earned for sales of JEMPERLI (dostarlimab) and Zejula by GSK, compared to $60.0 million and $75 million of milestone revenue for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020.
•Research and development expenses were $26.8 million and $98.5 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $21.6 million and $80.0 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020. The increase was due primarily to continued advancement of the Company’s clinical programs.
•General and administrative expenses were $5.4 million and $21.5 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $5.1 million and $18.9 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020. The increase was due primarily to personnel-related expenses, including share-based compensation.
•Net loss was $32.5 million and $57.8 million for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021, or a net loss per share of $1.18, and $2.11, compared to net income of $33.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020 or net income per share of $1.23 and a net loss of $19.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, or net loss per share of $0.73.

On March 7, 2022 Instil Bio, Inc. ("Instil") (NASDAQ: TIL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing tumor infiltrating lymphocyte, or TIL, therapies for the treatment of patients with cancer, reported its fourth quarter and year end 2021 financial results and provided a corporate update (Press release, Instil Bio, MAR 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234609601]).

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"I am pleased with our progress in establishing our operational capabilities and initiating a clinical study in our first year as a public company," said Bronson Crouch, Chief Executive Officer of Instil. "With the DELTA-1 Phase 2 trial of ITIL-168 underway and continued expansion of our manufacturing capabilities in both the United Kingdom and the United States, we continue to develop our platform to deliver cell therapies to patients. In 2022, we look forward to the opportunity to expand the targeted patient population for receiving our therapies in multiple indications with ITIL-168 and ITIL-306."

2021 Highlights and Anticipated Milestones:

Enrollment Ongoing in DELTA-1: Instil is enrolling patients in DELTA-1, a global Phase 2 clinical trial of ITIL-168 with registrational intent in patients with advanced melanoma whose disease has progressed following PD-1 inhibitor therapy and, if BRAF-mutated, targeted therapy. Instil expects top-line safety and efficacy data in 2023 which could potentially support BLA submission and a European Medicines Agency marketing authorization application (MAA) filing.

INDa Cleared for DELTA-2: Instil reported that in Q4 2021 the IND amendment was cleared for DELTA-2, a Phase 1 study of ITIL-168 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), cervical cancer, and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).

Readiness to Initiate Phase 1 Study of ITIL-306 in 2022: Instil remains on track to file an IND for a Phase 1 study of its first genetically engineered CoStAR-TIL, ITIL-306, in multiple solid tumor indications in H1 2022.

Presenting Pre-clinical Data on the CoStAR Platform: Instil expects to present further pre-clinical data on the CoStAR platform, including manufacturability and in vivo models of efficacy and safety, at an upcoming scientific conference in 2022. In November 2021, Instil presented posters highlighting pre-clinical data from the CoStAR platform demonstrating how CoStAR expression led to marked enhancement of effector function and proliferation of T cells and TILs in the studies. Further details can be found in the poster publications available on the publication section of the Company’s website.

Developing Novel CoStAR Constructs: Instil is developing novel, proprietary families of CoStAR constructs against new targets for solid tumors beyond the initial indications targeted for ITIL-306. Instil expects to select the next CoStAR candidate for IND-enabling studies in 2022.

Expansion of UK Manufacturing Facility Complete: Regulatory approval of the IMPACT manufacturing facility in Manchester, UK has been granted and clinical product manufacturing is ongoing. The opening of the IMPACT facility expands Instil’s clinical manufacturing capacity in Manchester, UK.

Validation of Tarzana Clinical Manufacturing Facility Ongoing: Validation of Instil’s clinical manufacturing facility in Tarzana, California is ongoing, with availability for clinical manufacturing expected in the first half of 2022. Upon readiness of the Tarzana clinical manufacturing facility, Instil expects to achieve manufacturing capacity of up to approximately 500 patient doses per year.
Fourth Quarter Full Year 2021 Financial and Operating Results:

As of December 31, 2021, we had $37.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and $416.5 million in marketable securities, compared to $241.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and no investments in marketable securities as of December 31, 2020. The Company expects that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of December 31, 2021 will enable it to fund its operating plan into 2023.

Research and development expenses were $42.6 million and $107.3 million for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $10.2 million and $19.4 million for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020, respectively.

General and administrative expenses were $11.2 million and $48.3 million for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $7.2 million and $14.4 million for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020, respectively

On March 6, 2022 Chimeric Therapeutics Presented that Corporate Presentation (Press release, Chimeric Therapeutics, MAR 6, 2022, View Source [SID1234609531]).

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On March 4, 2022 PharmaMar (MSE:PHM) reported the receipt of payment of $25 million (€22 million) from its U.S. partner, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, after reaching the first commercial milestone, set out in its license agreement in relation to 2021 sales (Press release, PharmaMar, MAR 4, 2022, https://pharmamar.com/en/pharmamar-receives-the-first-commercial-milestone-payment-from-jazz-pharmaceuticals-for-us25-million/ [SID1234609510]).

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After a successful launch of Zepzelca (lurbinectedin) in the United States by Jazz Pharmaceuticals, lurbinectedin is established as the treatment of choice in second-line SCLC. The sales achieved in 2021 have resulted in the first commercial milestone payment.

Lurbinectedin received accelerated approval for the second-line treatment of SCLC in June 2020 in the United States.

Following the recent $25 million payment, PharmaMar is eligible for additional regulatory milestone payments of up to $153 million and additional commercial milestone payments of up to $528 million related to achieving certain milestones in the U.S. and Canada.