Loxo Oncology at Lilly Announces Details of Presentations at 2021 AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics

On October 7, 2021 Loxo Oncology at Lilly, a research and development group of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), reported that preclinical characterization data for two new agents, LOXO-783 and LOXO-435, will be presented at the 2021 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC Virtual AACR-NCI-EORTC (Free AACR-NCI-EORTC Whitepaper) International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics (EORTC-NCI-AACR) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper), held October 7-10, 2021 (Press release, Eli Lilly, OCT 7, 2021, View Source [SID1234590915]). The data will be presented as part of the plenary session titled "New Drugs on the Horizon II" as well as in individual poster presentations.

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LOXO-783 is a potent, highly mutant-selective and brain-penetrant allosteric PI3Kα H1047R inhibitor that is designed to spare wild-type PI3Kα, other PI3K isoforms, and other kinases. LOXO-435 is a potent and highly isoform-selective FGFR3 inhibitor with preserved activity against FGFR3 gatekeeper resistance mutations. Investigational new drug applications (INDs) are planned for both programs in 2022.

"LOXO-783 and LOXO-435 each represent years of diligent work by our discovery teams to build molecules that meet exacting target product profiles. In the case of both PI3Kα H1047R-mutated cancers and FGFR3-mutated cancers, patients deserve medicines purpose-built to their disease biology and we believe that these molecules have the potential to markedly improve on the efficacy and tolerability of existing agents," said Jacob Van Naarden, chief executive officer of Loxo Oncology at Lilly and President of Lilly Oncology. "We look forward to filing INDs for both programs in 2022 and subsequently moving into the clinic."

Details on oral and poster presentations are below:

Presentation Title: Discovery of mutant-selective PI3Kα and isoform-selective FGFR3 inhibitors: Insights from the Loxo Oncology at Lilly Discovery Model
Presentation Date & Time: Saturday, October 9, 4:00 p.m. ET
Session: Plenary Session 6: New Drugs on the Horizon II
Presenter: David Hyman, M.D.

Poster Title: Preclinical characterization of LOXO-435 (LOX-24350), a potent and highly isoform-selective FGFR3 inhibitor
Abstract Number: 141
Available: Thursday, October 7, 9 a.m. ET
Presenter: Joshua Ballard

Poster Title: Preclinical characterization of LOXO-783 (LOX-22783), a highly potent, mutant-selective and brain-penetrant allosteric PI3Kα H1047R inhibitor
Abstract Number: 142
Available: Thursday, October 7, 9 a.m. ET
Presenter: Anke Klippel, Ph.D.

About Loxo Oncology at Lilly
Loxo Oncology at Lilly was created in December 2019, combining the Lilly Research Laboratories oncology organization and Loxo Oncology, which was acquired by Lilly in early 2019. Loxo Oncology at Lilly brings together the focus and spirit of a biotech with the scale and resources of large pharma, with the goal of rapidly delivering impactful new medicines for people with cancer. Our approach centers on creating new oncology medicines that unequivocally work early in clinical development and will matter to patients.

SELLAS Life Sciences to Participate in Upcoming Conferences in October 2021

On October 7, 2021 – SELLAS Life Sciences Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SLS) ("SELLAS" or the "Company"), a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel cancer immunotherapies for a broad range of indications, reported that Angelos Stergiou, MD, ScD. h.c., President and Chief Executive Officer of SELLAS, will participate in two upcoming conferences:

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Laguna Biotech CEO Forum 2021 to be held at the Montage Laguna Beach hotel in Laguna Beach, CA on October 10-12, 2021.

A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners Biotech & Specialty Pharma Conference to be held virtually on Wednesday, October 13, 2021.
For more information about the conferences, or to schedule a one-on-one meeting with SELLAS management, please contact your representative directly, or send an email to A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners at [email protected], or KCSA Strategic Communications at [email protected].

MD Anderson and Schrödinger Announce Strategic Research Collaboration to Accelerate Development of WEE1 Program

On October 7, 2021 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Schrödinger, Inc. (Nasdaq: SDGR), whose physics-based software platform is transforming the way therapeutics and materials are discovered, reported a two-year strategic research collaboration focused on accelerating and optimizing the development of Schrödinger’s WEE1 inhibitor program, an investigational therapeutic approach designed to target the WEE1 kinase (Press release, MD Anderson, OCT 7, 2021, View Source [SID1234590947]).

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The collaboration brings together the translational research and drug development expertise of MD Anderson’s Therapeutics Discovery division with Schrödinger’s expertise and drug development program for WEE1 inhibitors. The goal of the collaboration is to accelerate and optimize the clinical development path for Schrödinger’s WEE1 program through molecular biomarker-driven tumor type prioritization and patient stratification and to validate biomarkers to predict response or resistance to a WEE1 inhibitor. The joint team will seek to prioritize clinical studies of a WEE1 inhibitor as a single agent in selected cancer indications and in rational combinations for defined clinical subpopulations.

"We are excited to work with MD Anderson’s researchers to speed the development of our WEE1 program and potentially advance a new therapeutic option for patients," said Karen Akinsanya, Ph.D., executive vice president, chief biomedical scientist and head of discovery research and development at Schrödinger. "We have identified multiple highly selective WEE1 inhibitors with desirable drug-like properties that show strong pharmacodynamic responses and anti-tumor activity in preclinical models. We believe this profile may position our compounds as ideal candidates for applications both as monotherapy and as combination therapy partners."

Under the preclinical collaboration agreement, Schrödinger will join forces with researchers in MD Anderson’s Translational Research to AdvanCe Therapeutics and Innovation in ONcology (TRACTION) platform, which leads cutting-edge translational biology research to rapidly position new therapies for clinical trials. TRACTION is a core component of MD Anderson’s Therapeutics Discovery division, an integrated team of clinicians, researchers and drug development experts working to advance impactful therapies that address patient needs.

"Targeting WEE1, a critical gatekeeper of the cell cycle, is showing promise as a therapeutic strategy for treating certain cancers with select genetic alterations," said Timothy Heffernan, Ph.D., executive director of TRACTION. "Through our collaboration with Schrödinger, we aim to identify clinically relevant patient populations that may benefit from WEE1 inhibition and to advance innovative targeted therapies that can improve their lives."

MD Anderson and Schrödinger will jointly pursue translational studies, and Schrödinger will provide research support funding. As part of the agreement, MD Anderson is eligible to receive certain payments based on the future development and commercialization of Schrödinger’s WEE1 inhibitor compounds. Schrödinger will have sole responsibility for the development, manufacture and commercialization of all compounds and products, and sole rights to all novel intellectual property that arises from this collaboration.

WEE1 is a gatekeeper checkpoint kinase that prevents progression through the cell cycle, allowing time for DNA repair to occur before cell division takes place. Thus, inhibition of WEE1 allows for accumulation of DNA damage, triggering DNA breakage and apoptosis in tumor cells. Schrödinger is developing tight-binding, selective WEE1 inhibitors with optimized physicochemical properties designed to be well suited for combinations with other DNA damage response therapies for the treatment of a broad range of solid tumors.

Turning Point Therapeutics Presents Updated Preliminary Clinical Data for Repotrectinib and Elzovantinib (TPX-0022) at 2021 AACR-NCI-EORTC Conference and Provides Regulatory Updates

On October 7, 2021 Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TPTX), a precision oncology company developing next-generation therapies that target genetic drivers of cancer, reported the presentation of additional preliminary clinical data from ongoing trials for lead drug candidate repotrectinib, and elzovantinib (TPX-0022), a novel MET/SRC/CSF1R inhibitor (Press release, Turning Point Therapeutics, OCT 7, 2021, View Source [SID1234590971]). These data are being presented at the Virtual AACR-NCI-EORTC (Free AACR-NCI-EORTC Whitepaper) International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics (EORTC-NCI-AACR) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) hosted by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) being held October 7-10.

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"We are encouraged by the updated clinical data for repotrectinib and elzovantinib, both of which have shown activity in areas of high unmet need," said Mohammad Hirmand, M.D., chief medical officer. "We continue to work toward bringing these important medicines to patients as quickly as possible."

Repotrectinib Updated Phase 2 Data from TRIDENT-1 Study from ROS1-Positive TKI-Pretreated Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cohorts (EXP-2, EXP-3, EXP-4)
The updated Phase 2 TRIDENT-1 dataset utilizes an August 26, 2021 data cutoff. The safety analysis includes 301 treated patients from the pooled Phase 1 and Phase 2 portions of TRIDENT-1 across all cohorts, and the preliminary efficacy analysis includes 72 evaluable patients from the pooled Phase 1 and Phase 2 portions of TRIDENT-1 in the ROS1-positive TKI-pretreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cohorts (EXP-2, EXP-3, EXP-4). Phase 2 patients included in the efficacy analysis had baseline measurable disease and at least one post-baseline evaluable scan or were off treatment prior to first post-baseline scan. Responses were confirmed with a subsequent scan at least 28 days later per RECIST 1.1 and were determined by physician assessment for Phase 2 patients. Phase 1 patients included in the efficacy analysis were treated at or above the Phase 2 dose, with responses assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR). The Phase 1 data cutoff date was July 22, 2019 for responses and August 26, 2021 for duration of treatment.

The findings were reported in a pre-recorded presentation by Jessica Lin, M.D., assistant professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and attending physician at the Massachusetts General Hospital, that is available on October 7 at 9 a.m. ET on the meeting website.

Pooled Phase 1 and Phase 2 Preliminary Efficacy Analysis (n=72)

In the ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC population pretreated with one prior TKI and prior platinum-based chemotherapy (EXP-2: n=23), the confirmed Objective Response Rate (cORR) was 39% (95% CI: 20-61). Duration of response ranged from 1.8+ to 11.1 months, and the duration of treatment in the 23 patients ranged from 0.7 to 44.5+ months with five patients remaining on treatment.

In the ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC population pretreated with two prior TKIs without prior chemotherapy (EXP-3: n=10), the cORR was 30% (95% CI: 7-65). Duration of response ranged from 1.9+ to 12.9+ months, and the duration of treatment in the 10 patients ranged from 0.5 to 18.1+ months with two patients remaining on treatment.

In the ROS1-positive advanced NSCLC population pretreated with one prior TKI without prior chemotherapy (EXP-4: n=39), the cORR was 38% (95% CI: 23-55). As of the cutoff date, three patients had unconfirmed partial responses (uPRs), all of which have been confirmed since the cutoff date and are included in the cORR. The 38% cORR is an update since the pre-recorded presentation. Duration of response ranged from 0.8+ to 15.0+ months, and the duration of treatment in the 39 patients ranged from 0.5 to 19.2+ months with 21 patients remaining on treatment.

Across EXP-2, EXP-3 and EXP-4, 18 patients (25%) had a ROS1 resistance mutation detected, 15 of which had G2032R solvent front mutations (SFMs). The cORR was 50% (95% CI: 26-74) in 18 patients with any resistance mutation and 53% (95% CI: 27-79) in patients with a G2032R SFM which included two complete responses (CRs).
Preliminary Safety Analysis (n=301)

Repotrectinib was generally well tolerated.

The most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) was low-grade dizziness (60%) of which 76% of reported cases were grade 1. Eleven patients (4%) reported ataxia in the absence of dizziness. No events of dizziness or ataxia led to treatment discontinuation.

Dose modifications due to TEAEs included 27% of patients who had dose reduction and 11% who had drug discontinuation.
Elzovantinib Updated Phase 1 Dose Finding Data from SHIELD-1 Study
The updated data from the Phase 1 dose finding portion of SHIELD-1 utilizes an August 23, 2021 data cutoff. Fifty-four patients were treated across seven dose levels. Patients included those with NSCLC (n=31), gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer (n=9), colorectal cancer (CRC) (n=5), and other solid tumors (n=9) harboring genetic alterations in MET. Of the 54 patients, 93% received prior chemotherapy or immunotherapy, and 72% had a baseline ECOG performance score of 1. Preliminary efficacy data were available for 46 evaluable patients with baseline measurable disease and at least one post-baseline evaluable scan. Responses were confirmed with a subsequent scan at least 28 days later per RECIST 1.1 and were determined by physician assessment.

The findings were reported in a pre-recorded presentation by David Hong, M.D., Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, that is available on October 7 at 9 a.m. ET on the meeting website.

Preliminary Safety Analysis (n=54)

Elzovantinib was generally well tolerated.

The most frequently reported TEAE was dizziness (65%) of which 94% of reported cases were grade 1 or grade 2.

Dose modifications due to TEAEs included 39% of patients who had dose reduction and 6% who had drug discontinuation.

Two dose-limiting toxicities of grade 3 vertigo and grade 2 dizziness occurred at 120 mg QD.

Peripheral edema was reported in 20% of patients and none were grade 3 or higher. No ILD/pneumonitis of any grade was reported. Additionally, no treatment related grade 3 or higher ALT/AST elevation was reported.
Preliminary Efficacy Analysis (n=46)

A total of 46 patients were evaluable for efficacy, including 32 who were MET TKI-naïve; 11 with NSCLC, nine with GC/GEJ cancer, and 12 with other solid tumors. Of the 11 NSCLC patients, five had MET exon 14 skipping, four had MET amplification, and two had MET oncogenic mutations. Of the nine GC/GEJ cancer patients, eight had MET amplification and one had MET fusion. Of the 12 patients with advanced other solid tumors, seven had MET amplification, three had MET exon 14 skipping, and two had MET fusions.

Among the 11 MET TKI-naïve NSCLC patients, four achieved confirmed responses for a cORR of 36% (95% CI: 11-69) across all dose levels. Of the four confirmed responders, one had MET exon 14 skipping, one had MET amplification with a gene copy number (GCN) of 7, and two had MET oncogenic mutations. The duration of response (DOR) range (n=4) was 1.8+ to 15+ months, with the longest duration in a MET exon 14 skipping NSCLC patient previously treated with immunotherapy, who remained in a response for 15+ months and on treatment for 18+ months.

Among the nine MET TKI-naïve GC/GEJ patients, three achieved confirmed responses for a cORR of 33% (95% CI: 7-70) across all dose levels. Of the three responders, all had MET amplification with GCNs of 12, 14 and 25. The duration of response (DOR) range (n=3) was 5.2 to 12.9+ months.

Among the 12 patients with advanced other solid tumors, one patient with MET amplified colorectal cancer with a GCN of 34 achieved a confirmed response.

14 patients were MET TKI-pretreated; 13 with NSCLC and one with liver cancer. This population was heavily pretreated with 36% having received at least five lines of prior therapy. The median number of prior therapies was three (range 1 to 6). Seven of 13 NSCLC patients achieved stable disease as their best response for a clinical benefit rate of 54%.
Regulatory Updates
Repotrectinib
At the company’s anticipated meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the first half of 2022 to discuss the topline BICR results from EXP-1 of the TRIDENT-1 study, the company also plans to discuss available BICR data in at least 50 patients from the ROS1-positive TKI-pretreated NSCLC cohorts of the study, with at least six months of follow-up for the majority of responders.

Elzovantinib
At a recent End of Phase 1 Meeting with the FDA, the company received guidance on the design of the planned Phase 2 portion of the SHIELD-1 study and feedback on the recommended Phase 2 dose. The meeting focused on the potential next steps for elzovantinib in patients with NSCLC.

In the initial feedback, the FDA indicated that the company’s Phase 2 design may be acceptable to support a future NDA submission and guided that the adequacy of the data to support accelerated approval would consider the magnitude and duration of responses in a risk-benefit analysis, and will depend on available therapies and the treatment landscape for NSCLC at the time of a potential future NDA submission.

The FDA recommended that the company explore an additional intermediate dose level using the QD titration to BID dosing strategy in at least six to 10 patients prior to starting the Phase 2 portion of the study. The company plans to enroll at least six to 10 patients at the dose level of 60 mg QD increased to 60 mg BID after 14 days in the SHIELD-1 Phase 1 to evaluate safety, tolerability and potential anti-tumor activity of elzovantinib. Based on the FDA feedback, the company plans to revise SHIELD-1 into a potentially registrational Phase 1/2 study and initiate the Phase 2 portion of SHIELD-1 in 2022 pending FDA feedback on data from the intermediate dose level.

In addition, FDA feedback on the development path for elzovantinib in gastric/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer is pending.

"We are pleased with the continued enrollment momentum within the TRIDENT-1 study and look forward to multiple discussions with the FDA regarding the ROS1 and TRK patient populations for repotrectinib in 2022," said Athena Countouriotis, M.D., president and chief executive officer. "We look forward to our next interactions with the FDA for elzovantinib and advancing the development of both programs."

Webcast/Conference Call Information
Turning Point will host a webcast and conference call on October 7 at 8 a.m. ET / 5 a.m. PT to discuss the clinical data presented at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC Conference. Athena Countouriotis, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Turning Point, will host the virtual event for investors and will be joined by Mohammad Hirmand, M.D., chief medical officer. In addition, Alexander Drilon, M.D., chief, Early Drug Development Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and David S. Hong, M.D., Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, will also be available on the call.

The event will be accessible through the "Investors" section of www.tptherapeutics.com or by dialing (877) 388-2118 (in the United States) or (470) 495-9489 (outside the U.S.) using conference ID 5967629. A replay will be available shortly after the live event through the "Investors" section of www.tptherapeutics.com.

Plexium to Present at the Solebury Trout/BMO Fall Private Company Showcase 2021

On October 7, 2021 Plexium Inc., (Plexium), a biotech company focused on discovering and developing protein degrading therapeutics directed towards historically challenging drug targets, reported that company management will present and host one-on-one meetings at the Solebury Trout/BMO Fall Private Company Showcase 2021 (Press release, Plexium, OCT 7, 2021, View Source [SID1234591009]). The company will present on Thursday, October 14th, 2021 at 9:40 am ET.

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