Verastem Oncology Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation for VS-6766 with Defactinib in Recurrent Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

On May 24, 2021 Verastem, Inc. (Nasdaq:VSTM) (also known as Verastem Oncology), a biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing new medicines for patients battling cancer, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for the combination of its investigational RAF/MEK inhibitor VS-6766, with defactinib, its FAK inhibitor, for the treatment of all patients with recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) regardless of KRAS status after one or more prior lines of therapy, including platinum-based chemotherapy (Press release, Verastem, MAY 24, 2021, View Source [SID1234580490]).

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"Patients with low-grade serous ovarian cancer urgently need better solutions due to low response rates and tolerability issues associated with current therapies," said Melissa Aucoin, CEO of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. "A Breakthrough Therapy designation in this disease is a significant step forward for the women who often, at a relatively young age, start a lengthy battle with this highly recurrent and impactful disease."

The combination of VS-6766 with defactinib is being evaluated in the ongoing investigator-initiated Phase 1/2 FRAME trial. In the most recent read-out from the FRAME LGSOC cohort (n=24), the overall response rate (ORR) is 52% (11 of 21 response evaluable patients), with KRAS mutant ORR at 70% (7 of 10 response evaluable patients), KRAS wild-type ORR at 44% (4 of 9 response evaluable patients) and KRAS status undetermined ORR at 0% (0 of 2 response evaluable patients). The most common side effects seen in the study were rash, creatine kinase elevation, nausea, hyperbilirubinemia and diarrhea, most being NCI CTC Grade 1/2 and all were reversible. Several patients have been on therapy for more than one year, indicating the potential for a long duration of benefit.

"Breakthrough Therapy designation will facilitate our efforts to verify the robust and durable response and compelling safety profile of VS-6766 with defactinib that we have seen in patients with LGSOC and potentially bring a new therapy to these patients as quickly as possible," said Brian Stuglik, CEO of Verastem Oncology. "The majority of LGSOC is RAS pathway-driven, and we are committed to exploring the potential for VS-6766 as a backbone therapy across RAS pathway-driven solid tumors."

RAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene, occurring in 30% of human cancers.1,2 These cancers are typically highly aggressive and recurrent, sending signaling commands through the RAS pathway. VS-6766 is a novel dual inhibitor of the RAF/MEK signaling pathway. With this unique dual mechanism of action, VS-6766 confers vertical inhibition of the RAS pathway in a single drug. Verastem Oncology is evaluating VS-6766 in combination with agents targeting other nodes in the RAS pathway as well as with agents targeting parallel pathways to address multiple cancer indications and mutations.

Breakthrough Therapy designation allows for the expedited development and review of drugs for serious or life-threatening conditions. The designation requires preliminary clinical evidence that demonstrates the drug or combination may have substantial improvement on at least one clinically relevant endpoint over available therapy.3

Verastem Oncology is currently evaluating the combination of VS-6766 alone and with defactinib in a Phase 2 registration-directed trial. RAMP 201 (Raf And Mek Program) (ENGOTov60/GOG3052) is an adaptive two-part multicenter, parallel cohort, randomized, open label trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of VS-6766 alone and in combination with defactinib in patients with recurrent LGSOC.4

About Low Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (LGSOC)

Low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) is a recurrent, chemotherapy-resistant cancer with a high mortality rate.5 It comprises 5-10% of serous ovarian cancers and 6-8% of all ovarian cancers.6 There are an estimated 6,000 patients in the U.S. and 80,000 worldwide living with this disease.6 LGSOC is most often diagnosed in women between the ages of 45-55 years.6 LGSOC has a median survival of approximately 10 years,6 with 85% of patients experiencing recurrence7 and enduring severe pain and complications as the disease progresses. Chemotherapy is the standard of care for this disease.6

About the VS-6766/Defactinib Combination

The combination of VS-6766 and defactinib has been found to be clinically active in patients with KRAS mutant tumors. In an ongoing investigator-initiated Phase 1/2 FRAME study, the combination of VS-6766 and defactinib is being evaluated in patients with LGSOC, KRAS mutant NSCLC and colorectal cancer (CRC). The FRAME study was expanded to include new cohorts in pancreatic cancer, KRAS mutant endometrioid cancer and KRAS-G12V NSCLC. Verastem Oncology is also supporting an investigator-initiated Phase 2 trial evaluating VS-6766 with defactinib in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma.

Verastem Oncology has initiated Phase 2 registration-directed trials of VS-6766 with defactinib in patients with recurrent LGSOC and in patients with recurrent KRAS-G12V mutant NSCLC as part of its RAMP (Raf And Mek Program).

About RAMP

Verastem Oncology has initiated Phase 2 registration-directed trials evaluating the combination of VS-6766 alone and with defactinib in patients with recurrent LGSOC and in patients with recurrent KRAS-G12V mutant NSCLC as part of its RAMP (Raf And Mek Program).

RAMP 201 (ENGOTov60/GOG3052) is an adaptive, two-part multicenter, parallel cohort, randomized, open-label trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of VS-6766 alone and in combination with defactinib in patients with recurrent LGSOC.8 The first part of the study will determine the optimal regimen of either VS-6766 monotherapy or in combination with defactinib in patients with recurrent LGSOC randomized 1:1 in each treatment arm. The determination of which regimen to take forward into the expansion phase of the trial will be made based on objective response rate data. The expansion phase of the study will examine efficacy and safety parameters of the regimen selected.

RAMP 202 is an adaptive, two-part multicenter, parallel cohort, randomized, open-label trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of VS-6766 alone and in combination with defactinib in patients with KRAS mutant NSCLC, following treatment with a platinum-based regimen and immune checkpoint inhibitor.9 The first part of the study will determine the optimal regimen of either VS-6766 monotherapy or in combination with defactinib in patients with KRAS-G12V mutant NSCLC randomized 1:1 in each treatment arm. An exploratory arm of the initial phase of the study will evaluate other KRAS mutations. The determination of which regimen to take forward into the expansion phase of the trial will be made based on data from KRAS-G12V mutant patients. The second phase of the study will examine efficacy and safety parameters of the most effective regimen.

For more information, please visit www.RAMP201Study.com and www.RAMP202Study.com.

Bausch Health Announces Pricing Of Private Offering Of Senior Secured Notes

On May 24, 2021 Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) ("Bausch Health" or the "Company") reported that it has priced its previously announced offering of $1.6 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.875% senior secured notes due 2028 (the "Notes") (Press release, Bausch Health, MAY 24, 2021, View Source [SID1234580506]). The Notes will be sold to investors at a price of 100% of the principal amount thereof. The proceeds from the offering of the Notes, along with cash on hand, are expected to be used to fund the Company’s offer to purchase (the "Tender Offer") any and all of its outstanding 7.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (the "2024 Notes") and to pay related fees, premiums and expenses. If, following the consummation of the Tender Offer, any of the 2024 Notes remain outstanding, the Company will use the remaining net proceeds of the offering of the Notes to redeem such 2024 Notes (the "Redemption").

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The Notes will be guaranteed by each of the Company’s subsidiaries that are guarantors under the Company’s credit agreement and existing senior notes and will be secured on a first priority basis by liens on the assets that secure the Company’s credit agreement and existing senior secured notes. Consummation of the offering of the Notes is subject to various closing conditions.

The Notes will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any state securities law and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The Notes will be offered in the United States only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes have not been and will not be qualified for sale to the public by prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws and, accordingly, any offer and sale of the Notes in Canada will be made on a basis, which is exempt from the prospectus requirements of such securities laws.

This announcement does not constitute an offer to purchase or notice of redemption with respect to the 2024 Notes. The Tender Offer is subject to, and conditioned upon, the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions described in the offer to purchase related to the Tender Offer, including the completion of the offering of the Notes. The Redemption is conditioned upon the completion by the Company or its subsidiaries of one or more debt financings in an aggregate principal amount of at least $1.6 billion, which the Company expects to satisfy upon closing of the offering of the Notes.

This news release is being issued pursuant to Rule 135c under the Securities Act and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Libtayo® (cemiplimab) Receives Positive CHMP Opinion for the Treatment in Europe of Two Advanced Cancers

On May 24, 2021 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) and Sanofi reported that the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted positive opinions for Libtayo (cemiplimab) as monotherapy in two advanced cancers (Press release, Regeneron, MAY 24, 2021, View Source [SID1234580470]).

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The CHMP recommended the approval of Libtayo for the first-line treatment of adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) expressing PD-L1 in ≥50% of tumor cells with no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 aberrations. Patients must have metastatic disease or locally advanced disease that is not a candidate for definitive chemoradiation. Libtayo was also recommended for approval in adults with locally advanced or metastatic basal cell carcinoma (BCC) who have progressed on or are intolerant to a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI). The European Commission is expected to make a decision on both indications in the coming months.

The positive opinion for Libtayo in advanced NSCLC is based on results from a Phase 3 trial, which allowed for the enrollment of patients with disease characteristics frequently underrepresented in advanced NSCLC pivotal trials, including those with pre-treated and clinically stable brain metastases or locally advanced NSCLC and who were not candidates for definitive chemoradiation. Results from the pivotal trial were published in The Lancet in February 2021.

The positive opinion for Libtayo in locally advanced and metastatic BCC is based on results from the largest prospective clinical trial in these patients previously treated with an HHI to date, with data presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Virtual Congress 2020 and recently published in The Lancet Oncology. Libtayo is the first immunotherapy to receive a positive CHMP opinion for this indication.

Libtayo is currently approved in the European Union (EU) and other countries for the treatment of certain patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).

About the Phase 3 Trial in Advanced NSCLC
EMPOWER-Lung 1 was an open-label, randomized, multi-center Phase 3 trial designed to investigate Libtayo monotherapy compared to platinum-doublet chemotherapy as first-line treatment in patients with advanced NSCLC who tested positive for PD-L1 in ≥50% of tumor cells and had no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 aberrations. PD-L1 expression was confirmed using the Agilent Dako PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx kit. The primary endpoints were overall survival and progression-free survival, and secondary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR) and quality of life. In 2020, the trial was stopped early due to significant improvement in overall survival.

The trial randomized 710 patients with either previously untreated metastatic NSCLC (stage IV) or locally advanced NSCLC (stage IIIB/C) who were not candidates for surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation or who had progressed after treatment with definitive chemoradiation. Among those enrolled, 12% had pre-treated and clinically stable brain metastases and 16% had locally advanced NSCLC that was not a candidate for definitive chemoradiation.

Patients whose disease progressed in the trial were able to change their therapy: those assigned to chemotherapy were allowed to crossover to Libtayo treatment, while those assigned to Libtayo monotherapy were allowed to continue Libtayo treatment and add four cycles of chemotherapy. There was a >70% crossover rate to Libtayo following disease progression on chemotherapy.

About the Pivotal Trial in Advanced BCC
EMPOWER-BCC 1 was an open-label, multi-center, non-randomized Phase 2 trial of patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic BCC (nodal or distant). Patients in both cohorts had either progressed on HHI therapy, had not had an objective response after nine months on HHI therapy, or were intolerant of prior HHI therapy. The primary efficacy endpoint was confirmed ORR and a key secondary endpoint was DOR, assessed by independent central review.

About Libtayo
Libtayo is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 on T-cells. By binding to PD-1, Libtayo has been shown to block cancer cells from using the PD-1 pathway to suppress T-cell activation.

Libtayo is currently approved as the first systemic treatment in the U.S., EU and other countries for adults with metastatic CSCC or locally advanced CSCC who are not candidates for curative surgery or curative radiation. In the U.S., Libtayo is also approved as the first immunotherapy indicated for patients with advanced BCC previously treated with an HHI or for whom an HHI is not appropriate that is either locally advanced (full approval) or metastatic (accelerated approval), as well as for the first-line treatment of certain patients with advanced NSCLC with ≥50% PD-L1 expression and no EGFR, ALK or ROS1 aberrations.

The generic name for Libtayo in its approved U.S. indications is cemiplimab-rwlc, with rwlc as the suffix designated in accordance with Nonproprietary Naming of Biological Products Guidance for Industry issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The extensive clinical program for Libtayo is focused on difficult-to-treat cancers. Current clinical development programs include Libtayo in combination with chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC irrespective of PD-L1 expression and Libtayo monotherapy for advanced cervical cancer. Libtayo is also being investigated in combination with either conventional or novel therapeutic approaches for other solid tumors and blood cancers. These potential uses are investigational, and their safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.

Libtayo is being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi under a global collaboration agreement.

About Regeneron’s VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron’s VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron’s co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create approximately a quarter of all original, FDA-approved fully human monoclonal antibodies currently available. This includes REGEN–COV (casirivimab with imdevimab), Dupixent (dupilumab), Libtayo (cemiplimab-rwlc), Praluent (alirocumab), Kevzara (sarilumab), Evkeeza (evinacumab-dgnb) and Inmazeb (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND INDICATION FOR U.S. PATIENTS

What is Libtayo?
Libtayo is a prescription medicine used to treat people with a type of skin cancer called cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) that has spread or cannot be cured by surgery or radiation.

Libtayo is a prescription medicine used to treat people with a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma that cannot be removed by surgery (locally advanced BCC) and have received treatment with an HHI, or cannot receive treatment with an HHI.

Libtayo is a prescription medicine used to treat people with a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma that has spread (metastatic BCC) and have received treatment with a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI), or cannot receive treatment with an HHI. This use is approved based on how many patients responded to treatment and how long they responded. Studies are ongoing to provide additional information about clinical benefit.

Libtayo is a prescription medicine used to treat people with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Libtayo may be used as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, or your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), and your tumor tests positive for high "PD-L1" and your tumor does not have an abnormal "EGFR", "ALK "or "ROS1" gene.

It is not known if Libtayo is safe and effective in children.

What is the most important information I should know about Libtayo?
Libtayo is a medicine that may treat certain cancers by working with your immune system. Libtayo can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in any area of your body and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become severe or life-threatening and can lead to death. You can have more than one of these problems at the same time. These problems may happen anytime during treatment or even after your treatment has ended.

Call or see your healthcare provider right away if you develop any new or worsening signs or symptoms, including:

Lung problems: cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
Intestinal problems: diarrhea (loose stools) or more frequent bowel movements than usual, stools that are black, tarry, sticky or have blood or mucus, or severe stomach-area (abdomen) pain or tenderness
Liver problems: yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, severe nausea or vomiting, pain on the right side of your stomach area (abdomen), dark urine (tea colored), or bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
Hormone gland problems: headache that will not go away or unusual headaches, eye sensitivity to light, eye problems, rapid heartbeat, increased sweating, extreme tiredness, weight gain or weight loss, feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual, urinating more often than usual, hair loss, feeling cold, constipation, your voice gets deeper, dizziness or fainting, or changes in mood or behavior, such as decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulness
Kidney problems: decrease in your amount of urine, blood in your urine, swelling of your ankles, or loss of appetite
Skin problems: rash, itching, skin blistering or peeling, painful sores or ulcers in mouth or nose, throat, or genital area, fever or flu-like symptoms, or swollen lymph nodes
Problems can also happen in other organs and tissues. These are not all of the signs and symptoms of immune system problems that can happen with Libtayo. Call or see your healthcare provider right away for any new or worsening signs or symptoms, which may include: chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath or swelling of ankles, confusion, sleepiness, memory problems, changes in mood or behavior, stiff neck, balance problems, tingling or numbness of the arms or legs, double vision, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, eye pain, changes in eyesight, persistent or severe muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, low red blood cells, or bruising
Infusion reactions that can sometimes be severe. Signs and symptoms of infusion reactions may include: nausea, chills or shaking, itching or rash, flushing, shortness of breath or wheezing, dizziness, feel like passing out, fever, back or neck pain, or facial swelling
Rejection of a transplanted organ. Your healthcare provider should tell you what signs and symptoms you should report and monitor you, depending on the type of organ transplant that you have had.
Complications, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), in people who have received a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic). These complications can be serious and can lead to death. These complications may happen if you underwent transplantation either before or after being treated with Libtayo. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for these complications.
Getting medical treatment right away may help keep these problems from becoming more serious. Your healthcare provider will check you for these problems during your treatment with Libtayo. Your healthcare provider may treat you with corticosteroid or hormone replacement medicines. Your healthcare provider may also need to delay or completely stop treatment with Libtayo if you have severe side effects.

Before you receive Libtayo, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

have immune system problems such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupus
have received an organ transplant
have received or plan to receive a stem cell transplant that uses donor stem cells (allogeneic)
have a condition that affects your nervous system, such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barré syndrome
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Libtayo can harm your unborn baby
Females who are able to become pregnant:
Your healthcare provider will give you a pregnancy test before you start treatment.
You should use an effective method of birth control during your treatment and for at least 4 months after your last dose of Libtayo. Talk with your healthcare provider about birth control methods that you can use during this time.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with Libtayo.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Libtayo passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 4 months after the last dose of Libtayo.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over- the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of Libtayo include muscle or bone pain, tiredness, rash, and diarrhea. These are not all the possible side effects of Libtayo. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Sanofi at 1-877-542-8296.

PULSE BIOSCIENCES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE JEFFERIES HEALTHCARE CONFERENCE

On May 24, 2021 Pulse Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLSE), a novel bioelectric medicine company introducing the CellFX System powered by Nano-Pulse Stimulation (NPS) technology, reported plans to participate in the Jefferies Virtual Healthcare Conference (Press release, Pulse Biosciences, MAY 24, 2021, View Source [SID1234580491]).

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Management is scheduled to present at 12:30pm PT on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. Interested parties may access the live and recorded webcast on the "Investors" section of the Company’s website at www.pulsebiosciences.com.

Therapeutic Solutions International Optimizes Targeting the "Achilles Heel" of Cancer Using Second Generation Tumor Endothelial Targeting Vaccine StemVacs-V iPSC

On May 24, 2021 Therapeutic Solutions International, Inc., (OTC Markets: TSOI), reported new data demonstrating synergy between the Company’s tumor blood vessel killing vaccine, StemVacs-V iPSC and specific immunological adjuvants (Press release, Therapeutics Solutions International, MAY 24, 2021, View Source [SID1234580507]).

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The data is part of a package being developed that the Company will send to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as part of its planning for an Investigational New Drug (IND) filing. Additionally, the data was incorporated in a patent application filed today.

"The utilization of the immune response to selectively kill tumor blood vessels was demonstrated by Companies such as Batu Biologics, who obtained FDA clearance to stimulate immunity in patients using placentally derived material1. Additionally, published human and animal data showing signals of efficacy and safety using the first-generation approach2,3" said Dr. James Veltmeyer, Chief Medical Officer of Therapeutic Solutions International and co-inventor. "Unfortunately, previous approaches were characterized by need for multiple donors and the possibility of batch-to-batch variation. The StemVacs-V iPSC product represents a second-generation vaccine which utilizes only one donor and is being optimized to induce superior potency and reproducibility."

StemVacs-V iPSC is a cellular product generated from a standardized inducible pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) which is differentiated into cells that resemble blood vessels which feed the tumor. Additionally, StemVacs-V iPSC expresses the alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase gene which causes the cells to express to Gal alpha 1-3Gal beta-4-GlcNAc (alpha Gal). Alpha Gal is one of the most potent immune stimulating molecules in nature, evoking one of the most powerful immune responses known to man.

"We have learned from our previous experiences, as well as the experiences of our colleagues, that inducing permanent remission of tumors will not occur through a "magic bullet" approach" said Famela Ramos, Vice President of Business Development. "Accordingly, we and our collaborators have identified several synergistic approaches, for which we have filed intellectual property, that will increase our chances of optimal therapeutic outcome once we enter clinical trials."

"At Therapeutic Solutions International we are constantly seeking to perfect our therapeutic approaches because we are realistic. Many times, cancer therapeutics that work in mice do not work in humans but you have to start somewhere" said Timothy Dixon, President and CEO of the Company and co-inventor. "This is why we strive to perfect the efficacy of our approaches as much as possible in preparation for clinical trials. We are committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of cancer patients."