On May 23, 2022 Immunome, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMNM), a biopharmaceutical company that utilizes its human memory B cell platform to discover and develop first-in-class antibody therapeutics, reported updates to the ongoing development of its lead oncology program, IMM-ONC-01, a novel immuno-oncology agent that inhibits IL-38, an immunosuppressive cytokine (Press release, Immunome, MAY 23, 2022, View Source [SID1234614956]).

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Preclinical research conducted by Immunome, and literature evidence1,2, suggests IL-38 dampens natural anti-tumor immune response. In animal testing, blocking IL-38 activity using Immunome’s antibody produced an anti-tumor effect.

To help guide clinical development of IMM-ONC-01, Immunome conducted an extensive expression profile assessment of IL-38 mRNA using a proprietary commercial database of over 60 cancer sub-types established by Tempus Labs. The analysis identified high frequency of IL-38 mRNA expression in several cancers, notably in Gastroesophageal Squamous Carcinoma (>80%), Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma (>60%) and Skin Squamous and Basal Cell Carcinoma (>70%). The Company plans to share results from the study at an upcoming oncobiology conference.

"We are hopeful that IMM-ONC-01 could provide a new treatment option for people with cancers with high unmet need and may also be synergistic when combined with PD-1 inhibitors," said Purnanand Sarma, PhD, President and CEO of Immunome. "The results of this important assessment will allow us to better identify the patient populations most likely to respond to treatment with IMM-ONC-01 and streamline overall clinical development. We are on track to file an IND later in 2022 and will work as quickly as possible to advance this potentially differentiating therapy for the patients who are waiting."

To support the next steps in the development of IMM-ONC-01, Immunome is collaborating with Fox Chase Cancer Center to directly measure IL-38 protein in patient tumors to confirm its prevalence in specific cancer types. The Company will pursue additional partnerships as necessary to use this information and further refine its clinical development plan.

"We look forward to working closely with Immunome’s team to investigate the role of IL-38 in head and neck cancer, supporting the emphasis of our NIH-funded Specialized Program in Research Excellence project on this cancer," said Erica Golemis, PhD, professor and W.W. Smith Chair in Cancer Research at Fox Chase Cancer Center. "If the results are confirmed in patient samples for head and neck and other hard-to-treat cancers, it would not only allow Immunome to efficiently advance a potential new treatment, but also expand our understanding of the processes that drive IL-38 expressing cancers."

IL-38 is increasingly being regarded as a key cytokine in inflammation and cancer research.1,2 Preclinical research has confirmed that blocking IL-38 function with an antibody could restore immune response and allow the body to fight tumors. IL-38 was originally identified as a novel target through Immunome’s technology platform, which can capture thousands of patient-derived memory B cells and convert them into stable hybridomas. The growing recognition of IL-38’s role in cancer and other diseases suggests that Immunome’s platform has potential to identify other highly relevant targets that are yet undiscovered in oncology and inflammatory disease.

About IMM-ONC-01

IMM-ONC-01 is a first-in-class antibody therapeutic targeting IL-38, an innate immune checkpoint that is a member of the IL-1 family of cytokines. When expressed, IL-38 reduces immune cell infiltration of the tumor microenvironment. Immunome’s preclinical research has confirmed that the use of IMM-ONC-01 to block expression of IL-38 boosts anti-tumor immunity and could serve as an effective treatment for cancers that have a high expression of IL-38, including Gastroesophageal Squamous Carcinoma, Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma and Skin Squamous and Basal Cell Carcinoma. Immunome intends to submit an IND for IMM-ONC-01 in the second half of 2022.

On May 23, 2022 Alpha Tau Medical, the developer of the pioneering alpha-radiation cancer therapy Alpha DaRT, reported that the first patients in its French multicenter trial for skin cancer were treated with Alpha DaRT, at the Leon Berard Center in Lyon, France by Dr. Pascal Pommier and his team (Press release, Alpha Tau Medical, MAY 23, 2022, View Source [SID1234614939]). The Leon Berard Center specializes in radiotherapy for cancer and is affiliated with the National Federation of Cancer Centers in France – UNICANCER Group. Dr. Pommier is the Principal Investigator of the French multicenter study and has more than 20 years of experience in radiation oncology and leading clinical trials.

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The trial is currently being conducted at six cancer centers in France, on patients with malignant cutaneous lesions (including SCC, BCC, lentigo maligna melanoma, and carcinosarcoma), and is evaluating two cohorts: (1) newly diagnosed patients (up to 49 subjects), and (2) patients with locally recurrent disease (36 subjects). The primary effectiveness endpoint is the assessment of the overall response rate using RECIST criteria, 9 to 11 weeks after Alpha DaRT source insertion.

Alpha Tau CEO Uzi Sofer remarked, "We are thrilled to have our first patients treated in this important French multicenter study, our first protocol assessing first-line treatment irrespective of other available standard-of-care therapies. I want to thank Dr. Pascal Pommier for leading the study and successfully delivering treatment to the first two Alpha DaRT patients in France."

"It is very exciting to offer an innovative treatment, such as the Alpha DaRT, to cancer patients who may not have other attractive treatment alternatives," added Dr. Pascal Pommier. "This novel application of alpha radiation aims to utilize a focused and highly powerful radiation that may destroy tumors while minimizing toxicity. I found the treatment simple and straightforward, and look forward to helping other patients soon using the Alpha DaRT."

"With our international clinical study program progressing in several countries, we look forward to producing results on a larger scale in France with Dr. Pascal Pommier and his experienced staff," said Alpha Tau CMO, Dr. Robert Den.

About Alpha DaRT

Alpha DaRT (Diffusing Alpha-emitters Radiation Therapy) is designed to enable highly potent and conformal alpha-irradiation of solid tumors by intratumoral insertion of radium-224 impregnated seeds. When the radium decays, its short-lived daughters are released from the seed, and disperse while emitting high-energy alpha particles with the goal of destroying the tumor. Since the alpha-emitting atoms diffuse only a short distance, Alpha DaRT aims to mainly affect the tumor, and to spare the healthy tissue around it.

On May 23, 2022 Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, and Qatar Genome Program (QGP), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), reported that they have partnered with the goal of accelerating genomic research and clinical applications of predictive genomics in Qatar as a step toward expanding the benefits of precision medicine across Arab populations globally (Press release, Thermo Fisher Scientific, MAY 23, 2022, View Source [SID1234614957]).

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Under the agreement, Thermo Fisher and Qatar Genome Program will develop an Axiom* custom genotyping array for pan-Arab populations using whole genome sequencing data from 19 Arab countries. The array, with about 800,000 variants, aims to help drive scientific research and insights into conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, autism, inherited genetic disorders and cancer. Once available through Thermo Fisher’s global commercial channels in late 2022, the array is intended to provide a cost-effective alternative to whole genome sequencing for Arab populations, enabling increased diversity in large genome-wide studies.

"Qatar’s national vision is to provide a high standard of living for our people, and that includes providing access to genomics data, technology and insights to improve population health across the country," said Dr. Radja Badji, genome operations manager at Qatar Genome Program. "Our collaboration with Thermo Fisher will not only help us advance precision medicine in Qatar but also among people of Arab identity worldwide."

Thermo Fisher began working with Qatar Genome Program in 2018 to establish the first microarray designed specifically for the Qatari population. The Q-Chip detects genetic alterations that increase individuals’ risk of both prevalent and rare diseases. As part of the new agreement, the organizations will continue to refine algorithms and define clinically actionable content to assess polygenic risk scores, a measure of disease risk, and clinically relevant variants, including those related to pharmacogenomics.

"Thermo Fisher’s Axiom microarray technology is designed to help accelerate precision medicine, and we are honored to partner with the Qatar Genome Program as they take bold steps to leverage the power of genomics to improve the standard of care for human health," said Chad Carter, vice president and general manager of microarray genetic solutions at Thermo Fisher Scientific. "Together, we’re creating building blocks for implementing comprehensive precision medicine initiatives at scale for population health."

Thermo Fisher provides a range of predictive genomics solutions used globally to assess gene-related disease risk and drug response. For more information, please visit thermofisher.com/predictive-genomics.

*For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

On May 23, 2022 Novo Nordisk reported that initiated a share repurchase programme in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and Council of 16 April 2014 (MAR) and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 of 8 March 2016 (the "Safe Harbour Rules") (Press release, Novo Nordisk, MAY 23, 2022, View Source [SID1234614940]). This programme is part of the overall share repurchase programme of up to DKK 24 billion to be executed during a 12-month period beginning 2 February 2022.

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Under the programme initiated 3 May 2022, Novo Nordisk will repurchase B shares for an amount up to DKK 4.4 billion in the period from 4 May 2022 to 2 August 2022.

With the transactions stated above, Novo Nordisk owns a total of 13,166,381 B shares of DKK 0.20 as treasury shares, corresponding to 0.6% of the share capital. The total amount of A and B shares in the company is 2,280,000,000 including treasury shares.

Novo Nordisk expects to repurchase B shares for an amount up to DKK 24 billion during a 12- month period beginning 2 February 2022. As of 20 May 2022, Novo Nordisk has since 2 February 2022 repurchased a total of 11,426,818 B shares at an average share price of DKK 755.99 per B share equal to a transaction value of DKK 8,638,533,594

On May 23, 2022 Aligos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALGS), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapeutics to address unmet medical needs in viral and liver diseases, reported that Lawrence M. Blatt, Ph.D., MBA, Chairman and CEO of Aligos, will present in at the Jefferies Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 3:30 pm ET at the Marriot Marquis in New York City (Press release, Aligos Therapeutics, MAY 23, 2022, View Source [SID1234614941]).

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Jefferies Healthcare Conference

Date: Wednesday, June 8th, 2022
Time: 3:30 to 3:55 pm Eastern Time
Presenter: Lawrence Blatt, Ph.D., MBA, CEO of Aligos
Webcast: Registration Link – Click Here
A replay of the session will be available following the conference for 90-days through the Aligos investor section of the website View Source

The Aligos management team will also participate in investor 1×1 meetings during the conference. Please contact your Jefferies representative to schedule one-on-one meetings with Aligos during the conference.