On September 27, 2021 Oblique Therapeutics reported that it has reached a key milestone in its aKRAS antibody program and achieved validation of its Abiprot platform (Press release, Oblique Therapeutics, SEP 27, 2021, https://obliquet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Oblique-Therapeutics-announces-achievement-of-key-milestone-in-its-aKRAS-mAb-program-and-Abiprot-platform-002.pdf [SID1234590351])

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Oblique Therapeutics has developed a unique, proprietary methodology Abiprot to identify epitopes on targets that have previously proven difficult to address with antibodies. Using this platform, a few epitopes were identified in KRAS, one of which encompassed the frequently mutated amino acids 12 and 13. Interestingly, this epitope is not well exposed in any of the published crystal structure of the protein. Using this epitope, Oblique Therapeutics has developed a number of potent monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that bind G13D, G12D, G12V mutant proteins selectively. Anti-G13D mAbs inhibit proliferation and cause apoptosis in a G13D mutant human colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line. Oblique is now happy to announce that it has seen good efficacy and a high degree of tumor growth inhibition of two of these aG13D mAbs in a mouse xenograft model of G13D human CRC.

This in vivo proof-of-concept is significant from two perspectives. Firstly, this validates the Abiprot platform as an important tool in identifying epitopes and generating functional antibodies against difficult targets of therapeutic interest. Secondly, this provides a high degree of confidence in progressing aG13D mAb (and mAbs against other mutants) into development for treating KRAS G13D mutant CRC and other malignancies.

Prof Owe Orwar, Founder and CEO, Oblique Therapeutics, commented, "We are truly excited by the outstanding promise we see in these results. The team led by Dr. Sreesha Srinivasa and in collaboration with Karolinska Institutet has done an exceptional job in the early phases of developing KRAS-mutant specific antibodies against three major mutations of KRAS, one of which is the driver mutation for pancreatic cancer. The in vivo proof of concept for aG13D mAb means that we will put high priority to advance this program through preclinical development aiming at clinical entry and dosing of the first patient as fast as we ever can"

About KRAS
KRAS which is mutated in approximately 20% of human cancers is the most frequently mutated oncogene. Many of the approved targeted therapies such as EGFR, HER2, RAF inhibitors do not work for KRAS mutated patients in CRC, Lung, Melanoma and other cancers. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop effective therapies for the patients harboring KRAS mutations. Mutations at residues 12 and 13 account for a vast majority of KRAS mutations. Among these, G12D, G12C, G12V and G13D are the more common amino acid substitutions. Lumakras (Amgen) has been recently approved for G12C mutated Lung cancer and another G12C inhibitor from Mirati Therapeutics is in late stages of clinical development. However, there are no drugs approved or in clinical development targeting G12D, G12V and G13D mutations.

About Abiprot
Abiprot, is a proprietary methodology to identify epitopes on protein targets that have previously proven difficult to address with antibodies. Abiprot can identify high-affinity antibody binding sites in a given protein with single amino acid resolution while the protein resides in its native environment. It is based on using a tailored molecular reporter system and proteomics. The platform yields detailed sequence and structure information for epitope identification and development. Oblique Therapeutics is applying this technology for discovery of a new generation of selective antibody therapeutics targeting cancer and pain

On September 27, 2021 Ensysce Biosciences, Inc. ("Ensysce" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: ENSC, OTC: ENSCW), a clinical-stage biotech company with proprietary technology platforms to reduce the economic and social burden of prescription drug abuse and overdose, reported that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement with institutional investors ("Investors") in the form of senior secured convertible notes (the "Notes") and warrants exercisable for Ensysce common stock (the "Warrants") in a private placement for an aggregate investment of $15 million (Press release, Ensysce Biosciences, SEP 27, 2021, View Source [SID1234590290]). An initial funding by the Investors occurred on September 24, 2021, for $5 million prior to fees and offering expenses.

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The Notes are convertible into shares of Ensysce common stock at a conversion price of $5.87, a 30% premium to the base price set at the time of the initial closing. The Notes have a maturity date of 21 months from the applicable closing date and will bear interest from date of issuance at 5.0% per annum, with monthly principal payments in cash or common stock beginning approximately 90 days after the initial closing. The Notes were issued with an original discount of six percent (6%). The Warrants have the right to purchase up to 361,158 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $7.63, a 30% premium to the conversion price. The Warrants are exercisable for five years following the date of issuance.

The total gross proceeds from the issuance of the Notes pursuant to the securities purchase agreement, expected to be $15 million before fees and expenses, will be used for general working capital purposes. At the first closing, $5 million of funding was secured. The second closing is expected to occur upon satisfaction of certain conditions, at which time the Company will issue to the institutional investors referenced above, (i) Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $10.6 million for an aggregate purchase price of $10 million and (ii) Warrants to purchase 722,317 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $7.63.

"This financing marks another step forward in advancing our mission to transform pain treatment and provide a critical solution to the opioid crisis," said Dr. Lynn Kirkpatrick, CEO of Ensysce Biosciences. "These proceeds complement the funds received upon our merger with Leisure Acquisition Corp and funding available through our federal government grants. This financing should enable us to advance our lead clinical programs, including completion of our PF614-102 bioequivalence study and our nasal and oral human abuse liability studies, as a well as to continue expanding our pipeline of products in the pain, opioid use disorder (OUD) and ADHD space."

A registered broker-dealer is acting as the sole placement agent in connection with the offering.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This news release is being issued pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 135c under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

On September 27, 2021 RAPT Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company") Presented the Corporate Presentation (Presentation, RAPT Therapeutics, SEP 27, 2021, View Source [SID1234590309]).

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On September 27, 2021 Sprint Bioscience reported that it is starting to market the DISA program to potential partners and, following a series of research advances, reveals the cancer drug program’s target protein, TREX1 (Press release, Sprint Bioscience, SEP 27, 2021, View Source [SID1234590352]). The goal of the program, currently in the preclinical phase, is to develop drugs that inhibit the protein TREX1 in order to enhance the effect of immuno-oncological therapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer. The company will initiate discussions with potential partners in connection with the BioEurope conference in October.

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"Inhibiting TREX1 is a unique approach with great potential to enhance the effect of several current therapies. Many modern cancer drugs depend on the immune system being able to identify the cancer cells, and with our TREX1 inhibitors, we have identified a way to stop the cancer cells’ ability to hide from the immune system. We have now reached a strong competitive position in the program’s development and look forward to discussions with potential partners."
Martin Andersson, head of research at Sprint Bioscience

Cancer cells often have elevated levels of DNA fragments that have incorrectly ended up outside the cell nucleus. Since DNA fragments that are outside the cell nucleus can activate the immune system, cancer cells depend upon these DNA fragments being rapidly removed – if they are not, the body’s immune system will attack the cancer cells.

The target protein in the Sprint Bioscience DISA project, TREX1 (three-prime repair exonuclease 1), is a protein that breaks down DNA fragments outside the cell nucleus and thus helps cancer cells escape the immune system. Scientific studies have previously shown that there is a link between elevated levels of the TREX1 protein and inferior survival for patients with certain types of cancer, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

The body’s immune response towards cancer cells can be strengthened by inhibiting TREX1, which opens up the potential to enhance the effect of other therapies such as immuno-oncology therapy, radiation therapy, and cytotoxic drug treatment. Sprint Bioscience has secured a major competitive advantage by determining the three-dimensional structure of the human TREX1 protein, not previously reported in the scientific literature. This enables the company to make full use of the power of the fragment-based technology for drug development (FBDD) that is the company’s hallmark, and at the same time further increases the opportunities to build shareholder value in this program.

"Inhibiting TREX1 is a unique approach with great potential to enhance the effect of several current therapies. Many modern cancer drugs depend on the immune system being able to identify the cancer cells, and with our TREX1 inhibitors, we have identified a way to stop the cancer cells’ ability to hide from the immune system. We have now reached a strong competitive position in the program’s development and look forward to discussions with potential partners." says Martin Andersson, Chief Scientific Officer at Sprint Bioscience.sions with potential partners." says Martin Andersson, head of research at Sprint Bioscience.

On September 27, 2021 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, SEP 27, 2021, View Source [SID1234590292]). This programme is part of the overall share repurchase programme of up to DKK 18 billion to be executed during a 12-month period beginning 3 February 2021.

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Under the programme initiated 4 August 2021, Novo Nordisk will repurchase B shares for an amount up to DKK 3.3 billion in the period from 5 August 2021 to 1 November 2021.

Since the announcement 20 September 2021, the following transactions have been made:

The details for each transaction made under the share repurchase programme are published on novonordisk.com.

With the transactions stated above, Novo Nordisk owns a total of 20,506,438 B shares of DKK 0.20 as treasury shares, corresponding to 0.9% of the share capital. The total amount of A and B shares in the company is 2,310,000,000 including treasury shares.

Novo Nordisk expects to repurchase B shares for an amount up to DKK 18 billion during a 12- month period beginning 3 February 2021. As of 24 September 2021, Novo Nordisk has since 3 February 2021 repurchased a total of 21,699,972 B shares at an average share price of DKK 498.03 per B share equal to a transaction value of DKK 10,807,236,558.