On February 8, 2022 Applied Cells, a leading provider of cell preparation and isolation solutions for tumor biology research, reported a joint marketing agreement with S2 Genomics to further the field of tumor biology (Press release, Applied Cells, FEB 8, 2022, View Source [SID1234607868]). The joint program leverages S2 Genomics’ Proprietary Singulator 100 System for dissociation of solid tissue into cell and nuclei suspensions integrated with Applied Cells’ proprietary MARS Acoustics and Magnetic technologies to provide a complete workflow for tissue sample preparation. The automated Singulator gently processes a wide range of tissue types. Once dissociated, the MARS system provides a fast process for debris removal resulting in high purity, high recovery of single cells or nuclei for downstream analytics such as single cell sequencing, flow and image cytometry. The combined power of the platforms ensures fast, gentle processing of precious tissue samples that maintain healthy, non-exhausted cellular structures.

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"We are committed to bringing a total solution approach to our customers," said Janette Phi, CCO of Applied Cells. "Our joint marketing with S2 Genomics provides a powerful combination of Singulator and MARS solutions to the field of tumor biology."

S2 Genomics is focused on facilitating scientific discovery by providing advanced tools and automated workflows to our customers. Generating highly purified suspensions of cells or nuclei is essential for obtaining high quality single cell genomics or flow cytometry data. We are excited to partner with Applied Cells to deliver superior workflow solutions to our customers.

On February 8, 2022 Hummingbird Bioscience, an innovative clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing precision therapies against hard-to-drug targets in cancer and autoimmune disease, reported the publication of preclinical data for HMBD-002, a novel anti-VISTA antibody therapeutic, in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) (Press release, Hummingbird Bioscience, FEB 8, 2022, View Source [SID1234607937]).

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The publication highlights how HMBD-002, an IgG4 isotype anti-VISTA neutralizing antibody rationally developed with Hummingbird Bioscience’s Rational Antibody Discovery (RAD) platform, binds specifically and with high affinity to a binding site distinct from other published VISTA antibodies, and significantly inhibits tumor growth in syngeneic and humanized murine models of cancer. The data demonstrate that HMBD-002 inhibits VISTA binding to key partners, including VSIG3, to release suppression of T cell activity, and that HMBD-002 treatment results in remodeling of the tumor microenvironment in murine models towards an anti-tumor phenotype.

"We believe that VISTA has not been adequately drugged to date due to its complex biology that has complicated the discovery and testing of therapeutics that could achieve effective VISTA inhibition without causing unacceptable toxicity," said Dr. Jerome Boyd-Kirkup, Chief Scientific Officer, Hummingbird Bioscience. "Our preclinical data strongly supports that our differentiated anti-VISTA antibody HMBD-002, the development of which was uniquely enabled by our Rational Antibody Discovery platform, has potential as an important new therapy that may address VISTA-mediated immunosuppression across a broad range of tumors."

The publication, titled ‘Rationally targeted anti-VISTA antibody that blockades the C-C’ loop region can reverse VISTA immune suppression and remodel the immune microenvironment to potently inhibit tumor growth in an Fc independent manner’, can be accessed online.

HMBD-002 is currently being developed for patients with VISTA-expressing cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The Phase 1 clinical trial NCT05082610 is open and enrolling.

About HMBD-002

HMBD-002 is an investigational IgG4 anti-VISTA antagonist antibody produced by our RAD platform to target the region where VISTA interacts with binding partners that have been shown to play an important role in modulating T cell activity, potentially unlocking the immune system to attack cancer cells. Due to complex biology, VISTA has not been adequately drugged to date. We believe HMBD-002 is the first Fc-independent anti-VISTA antibody designed to bind a computationally predicted functional epitope distinct from the epitopes of other known anti-VISTA antibodies in development. In the Company’s preclinical studies, HMBD-002 demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity both as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab, in multiple syngeneic and humanized mouse models of cancers. HMBD-002 is being developed for various VISTA-expressing cancers, both as a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab. The development of HMBD-002 is supported in part by a grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT, DP190027).

On February 8, 2022 Sanofi reported the completion of its acquisition of Amunix Pharmaceuticals, Inc, adding a promising pipeline of T-cell engagers and cytokine therapies (Press release, Sanofi, FEB 8, 2022, View Source [SID1234607837]). The acquisition also provides access to Amunix Pro-XTEN, XPAT, and XPAC technology to deliver next generation Conditionally Activated Biologics. The technology platform is highly complementary to Sanofi’s existing R&D platforms and supports Sanofi’s efforts to accelerate and expand its contributions to innovative medicines for oncology patients, with approximately 20 molecules currently in development.

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Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is acting as Sanofi’s legal counsel. Centerview Partners LLC is acting as financial advisor to Amunix and Fenwick & West LLP is acting as its legal counsel.

On February 8, 2022 Affimed N.V. (Nasdaq: AFMD), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company committed to giving patients back their innate ability to fight cancer, reported that management will present and host one-on-one meetings at the following investor conferences during the month of February 2022 (Press release, Affimed, FEB 8, 2022, View Source,conferences%20during%20the%20month%20of [SID1234607853]).

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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

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11th SVB Leerink 2022 Global Healthcare Conference (February 14 – 18, 2022)
Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Presentation Time: 11:20 a.m. EST / 17:20 CET
Webcast: View Source
Location: Virtual

Citi’s 2022 Virtual Immuno-Oncology Summit (February 17, 2022)
Date: Thursday, February 17, 2022
Presentation Time: 2:30 p.m. EST / 20:30 CET
Webcast: View Source
Location: Virtual

For more information on the conferences or to schedule a one-on-one meeting with Affimed management, please contact your conference representative or Alex Fudukidis via email at [email protected] or phone at +1 (917) 436-8102.

On February 8, 2022 Photocure ASA (OSE: PHO), The Bladder Cancer Company, reported that President and Chief Executive Officer, Dan Schneider and Chief Financial Officer, Erik Dahl will present a corporate overview and host 1-on-1 meetings with investors at the 11th Annual SVB Leerink Global Healthcare Conference, being held virtually February 14-18, 2022 (Press release, PhotoCure, FEB 8, 2022, View Source [SID1234607869]).

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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

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Photocure’s presentation is scheduled to take place February 17th at 11:20am ET (5:20pm CET) and can be accessed via the link below: View Source