On January 25, 2022 48Hour Discovery and Fusion Pharmaceuticals to Develop Radiopharmaceuticals for the Treatment of Cancer Tumours (Press release, 48Hour Discovery, JAN 25, 2022, View Source [SID1234606763]).

48Hour Discovery Inc. (48HD), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in peptide-derived drug discovery reported that the company has entered into a strategic research collaboration with Fusion Pharmaceuticals. This is 48HD’s first collaboration with a Canadian company. The goal of the collaboration is to discover novel, peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals for the treatment of various solid tumours.

"We are excited to work with a dynamic oncology company like Fusion Pharmaceuticals" said Ratmir Derda, CEO of 48Hour Discovery "In this collaboration, 48Hour Discovery will identify potent ligands for targets selected by Fusion. This project will further validate the potential of our billion-scale molecular libraries and cloud-based discovery pipeline to accelerate the advance of peptide drug candidates in the radiopharmaceutical field."

"Fusion’s versatile platform, supported by our internal research capabilities, allows us to create targeted alpha therapies (TATs) using different classes of targeting molecules, tailoring the approach based upon the disease target," said Fusion Chief Executive Officer John Valliant, Ph.D. "With our antibody, bispecific, and small molecule programs in the clinic or progressing through investigational new drug-enabling studies, we are excited to announce our work with peptides. Partnering with a global leader like 48Hour Discovery in peptide discovery further diversifies our capabilities and assets needed to create differentiated TATs in multiple areas of high unmet medical need."

On January 25, 2022 West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST), a global leader in innovative solutions for injectable drug administration, reported an exclusive supply and technology agreement with Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) (Press release, West Pharmaceutical Services, JAN 25, 2022, View Source [SID1234606779]). The new collaboration includes a multimillion-dollar investment to expand Corning’s Valor Glass technology to enable advanced injectable drug packaging and delivery systems for the pharmaceutical industry with the goal of advancing patient safety and expanding access to life-saving treatments.

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By combining West’s industry-leading NovaPure components, with Daikyo Flurotec coating technology, and Corning’s Valor Glass and Velocity Vials, the strategic collaboration will enable new, advanced pharmaceutical packaging solutions. The collaboration optimizes the materials science and manufacturing expertise of both companies to help bio-pharma producers navigate the complex regulatory environment and mitigate risk in bringing drugs to market.

"West and Corning have developed this exceptional collaboration to offer leading elastomer-glass system solutions for the containment and delivery of injectable medicines," said Eric M. Green, President and Chief Executive Officer, West. "At West, we value the state-of-the-art products offered by Corning and are excited to build together the next generation of integrated packaging and delivery innovations."

This portfolio of new elastomer-glass system offerings and supportive data services will utilize West’s NovaPure components along with Corning’s Valor Glass technology. West’s NovaPure components adhere to Quality by Design principles and processing, representing the highest standards in pharmaceutical components. For customers, it provides the assurance of components with the tightest specifications applicable within today’s formulation and manufacturing process capabilities at West. Corning’s Valor Glass is intended to enhance the storage and delivery of drugs, providing more reliable access to state-of-the-art medicines essential to public health. Valor Glass packaging can enable increased throughput and offers high chemical durability, strength, and damage resistance.

"This partnership and investment enable the development and industry-leading solutions that enhance patient safety, increase quality and reliability in highly regulated markets, and ensure greater capacity for life-saving drugs. West is a great partner. The combination of Corning’s Valor Glass, along with West’s NovaPure components, is a win-win for customers and patients all over the world," said Wendell P. Weeks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Corning.

On January 25, 2022 Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: NBIX) reported that it has scheduled its fourth quarter and year-end 2021 financial results conference call and webcast for 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time (8:00 a.m. Eastern Time) on Friday, February 11, 2022 (Press release, Neurocrine Biosciences, JAN 25, 2022, View Source [SID1234606796]).

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The schedule for the press release and conference call / webcast is as follows:

Q4 & Year-End 2021 Press Release:
February 11, 2022 at 4:30 a.m. PT / 7:30 a.m. ET

Q4 & Year-End 2021 Conference Call:
February 11, 2022 at 5:00 a.m. PT / 8:00 a.m. ET

Domestic Dial-In Number:
800-895-3361

International Dial-In Number:
785-424-1062

Conference ID:
NBIX

The webcast can also be accessed on Neurocrine’s website under Investors at www.neurocrine.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the website approximately one hour after the conclusion of the event and will be archived for approximately one month.

On January 24, 2022 AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE: American AIM) ("AIM" or the "Company"), an immuno-pharma company focused on the research and development of therapeutics to treat multiple types of cancers, immune disorders, and viral diseases, including COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, reported the publication of positive data from a Phase 1/2 study of intraperitoneal chemo-immunotherapy in advanced recurrent ovarian cancer (Press release, AIM ImmunoTech, JAN 24, 2022, View Source [SID1234606713]). The manuscript titled, "Phase I trial combining chemokine-targeting with loco-regional chemo-immunotherapy for recurrent, platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer shows induction of CXCR3 ligands and markers of type 1 immunity1" was published in the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) publication, Clinical Cancer Research.

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The Phase 1/2 study being conducted by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is designed to evaluate the immunologic and potential clinical effectiveness of intensive locoregional sequential intraperitoneal (IP) cisplatin (IPC) with intravenous (iv) paclitaxel followed by peritoneal infusion of a chemokine modulatory (CKM) regimen composed of a cocktail of IP rintatolimod and interferon-alpha (IFNα) for patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer (III-IV) at primary neoadjuvant setting. AIM ImmunoTech provided rintatolimod (Ampligen, a dsRNA acting as TLR3 agonist), for the Phase 1/2 study.

"These results represent an important extension of prior studies using human tumor explants that showed Ampligen’s potentially important role as a TLR3 agonist acting synergistically with high-dose IFNα and celecoxib to selectively enhance Teff cell-attractants while suppressing Treg-attractants in the tumor microenvironment with a concomitant increase in the Teff/Treg ratio. This current study shows that similar findings are seen combining Ampligen with chemokine-targeting and chemo-immunotherapy in patients being treated for recurrent ovarian cancer. The importance of boosting the Teff/Treg ratio in the tumor microenvironment is that it is associated with the conversion of ‘cold’ tumors into ‘hot’ tumors, which have an increased sensitivity to chemo-immunotherapy and an improved chance of showing tumor regression. This, of course, creates the potential for a positive survival advantage," stated David Strayer, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Scientific Officer of the Company and Board Certified in Medical Oncology.

1 Clin Cancer Res January 19 2022 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-21-3659

Thomas Equels, Chief Executive Officer of AIM commented, "We are very pleased with these results. Ampligen has demonstrated broad immunological effects and we believe has the potential to be a key component in the treatment of ovarian cancer. We are grateful to the University of Pittsburg School of Medicine and are excited to provide support for a larger Phase 2 study which we believe has the potential to provide hope for patients and their families, as well as drive significant shareholder value."

Twelve patients were enrolled in Phase 1 portion of the trial and were treated with IP cisplatin, IP Ampligen, and oral celecoxib (COX-2 blocker). Patients in cohorts 2, 3 and 4 also received IP IFNα at 2, 6 and 18 million units, respectively. The primary objectives of the study were to evaluate safety, identify Phase 2 recommended dose and characterize changes in the immune TME. Peritoneal resident cells and IP wash fluid were profiled via NanoString and Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) multiplex assay, respectively.

Of the 12 patients enrolled in this Phase 1 trial, 9 (75%) were evaluable for safety, toxicity, and other endpoints. The 3 non-evaluable patients did not complete at least 3 cycles, due to platinum hypersensitivity reactions or port complications. Overall, the regimen was well tolerated, apart from the highest dose of IFNα. Most common toxicities for all grades were anemia (58%), hypomagnesemia (50%), hyponatremia (41.7%), arthralgia (41.7%), and fatigue (41.7%). There was one grade 4 hypomagnesemia (8.3%). Dose limiting toxicities of abdominal pain of grade 3 or more were noted in two patients who received 18MU IFNα (cohort 4).

The Phase 2 recommended dose of IFNα was 6 million units every 3 weeks. Median PFS was 8.4 (3-16.4) months. Median overall survival was 30 (8-66) months. The Company believes these survival outcome data provide an encouraging early signal. Overall response rate was 55.6% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 77.8%, consistent with the expected platinum-sensitive response. Among responders, median duration of response was 11.7 (6-16.4) months.

Key Results Highlights

●Determination of the safety profile and identification of Phase 2 recommended dose for the combination of local cisplatin, Ampligen and IFNα, with oral celecoxib;
●Chemo-immunotherapy combination triggers robust transcriptomic changes in peritoneal resident cells obtained in lonitudinal sampling via IP washes;
●Protein content of IP wash fluid captures treatment-induced increases of IFN-induced immune effector molecules; and
●Tumor immune profile at interval debulking shows partial overlap with IP wash, and points to upregulation of genes encoding for perforin and granzyme B.

Longitudinal sampling of the peritoneal cavity via IP washes demonstrated local upregulation of interferon-stimulated genes, including CTL-attracting chemokines (CXCL-9, -10, -11), MHC I/II, perforin and granzymes. These changes were present two days post chemokine modulation and subsided within one week.

"Epithelial ovarian cancer, the most common form of ovarian cancer, is the most aggressive gynecologic cancer and despite aggressive surgery and chemotherapy treatment options, the 5-year survival rate for patients with advanced high grade serous ovarian cancer remains low. I am very encouraged by the results from this study. With our growing body of positive data, I look forward to further advancing development of this important program with the hope of addressing the significant unmet medical need," added Robert P. Edwards MD, Milton McCall Professor and Chairman, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Director of Women’s Health for UPMC.

Based on these encouraging results, the Company plans on supporting a follow-up Phase 2 trial that will specifically define the immunologic and clinical efficacy of tumor loaded αDC1 vaccine in conjunction with the cisplatin/chemokine modulatory combination regimen will be conducted.

On January 24, 2022 OBI Pharma, a Taiwan biopharma company (TPEx: 4174), reported that the first patients have been enrolled in both of the Phase 2 studies of OBI-999, an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) cancer therapy targeting Globo H, and OBI-3424, a prodrug targeting the enzyme aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) (Press release, OBI Pharma, JAN 24, 2022, View Source [SID1234606748]).

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The Phase 2 cohort expansion part of the OBI-999-001 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04084366) entitled "A Phase 1/2, Open-Label, Dose-Escalation and Cohort-Expansion Study Evaluating the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Therapeutic Activity of OBI-999 in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors" has now begun enrollment. The Phase 2 part of the study will enroll Globo H expressing patients with pancreatic, colorectal and other high Globo H expression solid tumors in more than ten medical centers in the United States and Taiwan.

The Phase 2 cohort expansion part of the OBI-3424-001 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03592264) entitled "A Phase 1/2 Study of OBI-3424 in Subjects with Advanced Solid Tumors" has also begun enrollment. This study will enroll AKR1C3 expressing patients with pancreatic and other high AKR1C3 expressing solid tumors in select oncology medical centers in the United States.

OBI’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Michael Chang, PhD, noted "OBI Pharma strives to develop novel therapeutics for cancer patients worldwide. Based upon the impressive Phase 1 safety study and preclinical data of OBI-999 and OBI-3424, we are excited to commence our Phase 2 efficacy and safety study in patients with high Globo H or AKR1C3 antigen expression in solid tumors. We would like to thank the commitment of our international investigators to bring these 1st-in-class cancer therapeutic products to potential patients in our ongoing study."

OBI anticipates completing the enrollment of both Phase 2 studies in the second half of 2023.

About OBI-999

OBI-999 is a novel first-in-class Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) with a proprietary linker technology that provides a consistent Drug-to-Antibody ratio (DAR) for cancer treatment that is based on Globo H, an antigen expressed in up to 15 epithelial cancers. OBI-999 uses a Globo H antibody to target cancer cells of high Globo H expression. By releasing a small molecule chemotherapeutic drug through the specificity of the antibody, it directly deploys cytotoxic therapy at the targeted cancer cells. In pre-clinical xenograft animal models in multiple tumor types (gastric, pancreatic, lung and breast), OBI-999 has demonstrated profound tumor shrinkage at various doses. In human Phase 1 study, OBI-999 was well-tolerated, and achieved a favorable safety margin which warrants further clinical development. OBI-999 is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04084366) in medical centers in the US and Taiwan. OBI Pharma owns global rights to OBI-999.

About OBI-3424

OBI-3424 is a first-in-class novel small-molecule prodrug that selectively targets cancers overexpressing the enzyme aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3), and selectively releases a potent DNA alkylating agent in the presence of the AKR1C3 enzyme. This selective mode of activation distinguishes OBI-3424 from traditional alkylating agents, such as cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide, which are non-selective.

AKR1C3 overexpression has been documented in a number of treatment-resistant and difficult-to-treat cancers including hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). AKR1C3 is highly expressed in up to 15 solid and liquid tumors.

Furthermore, individualized patient selection by staining for AKR1C3 overexpression by immunohistochemistry can be performed based on tumor biopsies or circulating tumor cells to identify patients with other tumor types most likely to respond to treatment with OBI-3424, and thus offering the possibility for a streamlined clinical development strategy.

OBI-3424 is currently in a Phase 2 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03592264) in medical centers in the US. OBI owns global rights to OBI-3424 except the Asia Pacific region.