On December 7, 2021 Recursion (NASDAQ: RXRX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company decoding biology to radically improve lives by industrializing drug discovery, development and beyond through disruptive innovation, reported a transformational collaboration with Roche (SIX: RO, ROG;OTCQX: RHHBY) and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (Press release, Recursion Pharmaceuticals, DEC 7, 2021, View Source [SID1234596549]). Recursion will work with both Roche and Genentech’s R&D units to leverage technology-enabled drug discovery through the Recursion Operating System (OS) to more rapidly identify novel targets and advance medicines in key areas of neuroscience as well as in an oncology indication. Under the terms of the agreement, Recursion will receive an upfront payment of $150 million and is eligible for additional performance-based research milestones. Under the collaboration, Roche and Genentech (combined) may initiate up to 40 programs, each of which, if successfully developed and commercialized, could yield more than $300M in development, commercialization and net sales milestones for Recursion, as well as tiered royalties on net sales.

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The collaboration will leverage the Recursion OS, an integrated, multi-faceted system for generating, analyzing and deriving insight from massive proprietary biological and chemical datasets. The OS, which brings together wet-lab and dry-lab biology at scale to further industrialize and digitize drug discovery, will be deployed to phenomically capture chemical and genetic perturbations in neuroscience-related cell types and select cancer cell lines. The resulting phenomics data, generated in Recursion’s automated laboratories, will be analyzed by Recursion’s proprietary convolutional neural networks to turn these data into mathematical representations of biology that can be leveraged to identify novel biological relationships and initiate and advance therapeutic programs. This dataset will be potentiated by extensive single-cell perturbation screening data from Roche and Genentech, and the parties will collaborate on new machine learning algorithms to generate highly granular maps of human cellular biology.

"We are excited to partner with Roche and Genentech to bring Recursion’s leading-edge, tech-enabled drug discovery platform, the Recursion OS, to bear against some of the most complex diseases impacting humanity," said Recursion Co-Founder & CEO Chris Gibson, PhD. "Technology-enabled drug discovery is here, Recursion is leading the space, and we are pursuing some of the most intractable areas of biology with the very best partners by our side."

"This collaboration highlights the potential of technology to transform drug discovery and unlock previously unknown insights into complex disease in an unbiased way," said Global Head of Pharma Partnering at Roche, James Sabry, MD, PhD. "We are excited about the opportunity this collaboration offers to help advance the development of medicines at scale."

Recursion, Roche and Genentech will leverage the insights generated from the collaboration’s maps of human cellular biology to rapidly find and develop medicines against novel targets in neuroscience and the oncology indication for up to a decade or longer. Programs already underway at Recursion in oncology or neuroscience are not part of the collaboration and will be independently developed.

On December 7, 2021 Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) ("Takeda") reported that it will present a total of 23 company-sponsored abstracts at the 63rd American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting being held December 11-14, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia (Press release, Takeda, DEC 7, 2021, View Source [SID1234596569]). Takeda’s latest research in hematologic diseases focuses on optimizing patient care, while advancing novel approaches for patients with limited or ineffective treatment options.

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Takeda Oncology will present data in multiple myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia from the company’s marketed products as well as provide early insights into the potential of therapies leveraging the innate immune system. In hematology, Takeda will present prospective, post-hoc and real-world data across a range of hematological disorders, aimed at addressing the breadth of needs within the bleeding disorders community, while investigating potentially transformative treatment options.

"At Takeda Oncology, improving patient care is the foundation for all we do," said Christopher Arendt, Ph.D., Head of Oncology Cell Therapy and Therapeutic Area Unit of Takeda. "At this year’s ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper), we look forward to showcasing our deep legacy and leadership in the treatment of hematologic cancers by sharing data that will help to inform the optimal use of our established medicines and presenting research from two pipeline programs designed with the potential to drive potent and effective immune attacks against cancer. While early-stage, we continue to explore these new treatment pathways as we seek to outsmart cancer."

"The hematological data we are highlighting at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) this year demonstrates our commitment to furthering personalized care strategies, and leading scientific innovation to address unmet needs within the global bleeding disorders community," added Neil Inhaber, Head of Global Medical Affairs, Rare Genetics and Hematology. "In addition to developing our promising pipeline of investigative molecules, which may have transformative potential for multiple rare and life-threatening hematological conditions, we remain focused on expanding the use of our current portfolio to benefit more people living with rare bleeding disorders."

A full list of company-sponsored abstracts can be found here.

rADAMTS13 (TAK-755), modakafusp alfa (TAK-573), and subasumstat (TAK-981) are investigational compounds that have not been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), or any other regulatory authorities.

Takeda’s Commitment to Oncology

Our core R&D mission is to deliver novel medicines to patients with cancer worldwide through our commitment to science, breakthrough innovation and passion for improving the lives of patients. Whether it’s with our hematology therapies, our robust pipeline, or solid tumor medicines, we aim to stay both innovative and competitive to bring patients the treatments they need. For more information, visit www.takedaoncology.com.

Takeda’s Commitment to Hematology

Takeda is a leader in hemophilia with the longest heritage and market-leading portfolio, backed by established safety and efficacy profiles with decades of real-world experience. We have 70+ years driving innovation for patients and a broad portfolio of 11 products across multiple bleeding disorders. Our experience as a leader in hematology means we are well prepared to meet today’s needs as we pursue future developments in the care of blood disorders. Together with the hematology community, we are raising expectations for the future, including earlier diagnosis, earlier and full protection against bleeds, and more personalized patient care.

On December 7, 2021 Freenome, a privately held biotech company, reported a Series D funding of $300 million (Press release, Freenome, DEC 7, 2021, View Source [SID1234596550]). This brings the company’s total financing to over $800 million since the company was founded in 2014.

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This round of financing was led by investors Perceptive Advisors and RA Capital Management, joined by existing investors including a16z Life Sciences Growth Fund, the American Cancer Society’s BrightEdge Ventures, Artis Ventures, Bain Capital Life Sciences, Catalio Capital Management, Cormorant Capital, DCVC, Farallon Capital Management, Fidelity Management and Research Company LLC, GV, Janus Henderson Investors, Kaiser Permanente, Novartis, Polaris Partners, Ridgeback Capital Management, Roche Venture Fund, Rock Springs Capital, Sands Capital, Section 32, Soleus Capital Management, with funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.

In addition, there were several new biotech institutional investors well-placed to support the company’s mission including ArrowMark Partners, Byers Capital, Eventide Asset Management LLC, HBM Healthcare Investments, Intermountain Ventures, Logos Capital, Pura Vida Investments, Suvretta Capital Management, and other undisclosed funds.

The funding will support the advancement of the company’s colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test and expansion of its multiomics platform to other cancers. Freenome’s platform uses a routine blood test to detect cancer in its earliest stages, when it is most treatable.

It is estimated that nearly 53,000 people will die from CRC this year and only 67% of average-risk individuals over the age of 50 are up to date on CRC screening.¹ With recent guideline changes lowering the age from 50 to 45,² even more people need to be screened. Freenome’s multiomics blood test can help address adherence challenges with existing approaches by providing a convenient and patient-friendly option. The test is being validated in PREEMPT CRC, Freenome’s large, prospective registrational study, currently in the final stages of enrollment.

The company is also extending its platform to develop tests for other cancers and recently presented promising data in the detection of pancreatic cancer.

"We appreciate the shared belief our investors have in what is possible when it comes to fighting cancer," said Mike Nolan, chief executive officer of Freenome. "This funding gets us closer to bringing our early cancer detection tests to everyone, ultimately saving lives."

"We’re excited about Freenome’s multiomics platform and its ability to detect not just CRC but also other cancers," said Ellen Hukkelhoven, Ph.D., Perceptive Advisors. "We’re proud to help drive continued progress in bringing Freenome’s tests to the forefront of patient care."

"Freenome’s science backs up their mission, which is really exciting," said Peter Kolchinsky, Ph.D., RA Capital Management. "Detecting cancer when it is most treatable is critical to saving lives, and Freenome’s platform has demonstrated that’s possible."

On December 7, 2021 Xcovery Holdings, Inc., an oncology focused bio-pharmaceutical company, reported the acquisition of a majority and controlling stake in Meryx Inc., a clinical stage immuno-oncology company based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina developing TKIs in a range of hematologic and solid malignancies, including lung cancer (Press release, Xcovery, DEC 7, 2021, View Source [SID1234596570]). The partnership and synergies between Xcovery and Meryx will accelerate and enhance both Xcovery’s and Meryx’s missions to develop small molecule oncology drugs for patients all over the world. A new leadership and board of directors reflecting the new ownership will be established in the coming weeks.

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"We are thrilled to partner on a global level with Meryx, a firm with whom we already have an out-licensing collaboration in China," said Lieming Ding, M.D., Chairman of the Xcovery Board and Chairman of Betta Pharmaceuticals, a major Chinese pharma company. "Meryx has done a remarkable job of developing an innovative cutting-edge oncology pipeline. We are looking forward to building on this impressive track record and collaborating closely with its team to advance the clinical trials of these promising drug candidates."

"Xcovery is at a very exciting juncture in its history," stated Dr. Giovanni Selvaggi, Xcovery’s CEO and CMO. "We are well positioned to accelerate and further strengthen all Meryx’s ongoing R&D projects, both at clinical and pre-clinical level. Jointly with Meryx, and with the support of Betta, we are building a global company to benefit cancer patients worldwide through innovation and precision," added Dr Selvaggi.

Dr. Stephen Frye, Meryx’s CEO also stated, "Through the new collaboration with Xcovery and with our longstanding collaboration with Betta, Meryx will have the opportunity to advance our exciting clinical-stage and preclinical pipeline at a faster pace to improve cancer patients’ care."

Details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

On December 7, 2021 ATP (Apple Tree Partners), a leader in life sciences venture capital, reported the launch of Adendra Therapeutics Ltd. ("Adendra"), a company that will discover and develop treatments for cancers and autoimmune diseases by applying new insights into regulation of adaptive immune responses by dendritic cells (Press release, ATP, DEC 7, 2021, View Source [SID1234596533]). Adendra is funded with a $53 (£40) million Series A investment from ATP and founded by ATP as a spin-out of breakthrough biology conducted at the Francis Crick Institute in London in the lab of immunologist Caetano Reis e Sousa, D.Phil., whose research on ways in which dendritic cells orchestrate immune responses to cell death has been published in leading scientific journals.

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Adendra’s proprietary technology is based on the work of Professor Caetano Reis e Sousa’s Immunobiology Laboratory at The Francis Crick Institute in collaboration with Raj Mehta, Ph.D., an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) at ATP who has previously founded and led companies including GammaDelta Therapeutics (recently acquired by Takeda) and Revitope Oncology. Adendra aims to design and develop novel immunotherapies focused on modulation of dendritic and other immune cells to augment immunological control of cancer or curtail T cell-driven autoimmunity.

"We are delighted to partner with Caetano and the Francis Crick Institute to form Adendra, to translate their pioneering work in dendritic cell biology into novel therapeutics," said Dr. Mehta, ATP EIR and Adendra co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. "Building on the leading scientific knowledge and expertise coming from Caetano’s lab and applying ATP’s capabilities in therapeutics development and life sciences strategy and operations, Adendra is uniquely positioned to improve the current treatment paradigm in cancer and other diseases."

"I am delighted to have the backing of ATP to enable the clinical translation of research in the field of innate immune recognition of dead cells and am excited about the prospect of offering meaningful clinical benefit to patients suffering from cancer or autoimmune diseases," said Professor Reis e Sousa, Adendra co-founder and Senior Group Leader and Assistant Research Director at the Francis Crick Institute.

Adendra will use proceeds from the financing to generate developmental candidates for new molecular and biological therapeutics against solid cancers and T cell-based autoimmune disorders. Beyond these areas of focus, Adendra welcomes approaches from potential research partners interested in accessing the company’s specialized capabilities and tools to address other urgent unmet medical needs.

"Adendra exemplifies ATP’s model of creating and building companies through ongoing partnership with leading scientific experts to develop first- and best-in-class therapies," said Seth Harrison, M.D., ATP founder and managing partner. "We are pleased to launch ATP’s first UK-based enterprise, we anticipate more transformational ventures emerging from our scientific collaborations in the UK and Europe, and we look forward to establishing Adendra at the forefront of the next leading wave of immune-oncology and immunotherapy companies."

In conjunction with the Series A, Professor Reis e Sousa and Drs. Mehta and Harrison have joined the Adendra Board of Directors, along with Raj Chopra, M.D., Ph.D., ATP’s Head of Oncology who is also a venture partner at the firm. Donna Hackett, Head of Commercial Translation at the Francis Crick Institute, is a Board Observer