On May 4, 2021 HUTCHMED (China) Limited (Nasdaq/AIM: HCM), formerly known as Hutchison China MediTech Limited, reported that, further to its "Results of Annual General Meeting" announcement released on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands has issued a replacement certificate of incorporation on Thursday, April 29, 2021 in the name of HUTCHMED (China) Limited ("HUTCHMED") so the new name of the Company is now effective from April 29, 2021 (Press release, Hutchison China MediTech, MAY 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234583631]).

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Trading in the shares of HUTCHMED will commence under the new name HUTCHMED (China) Limited with effect from 8:00 am UK time on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. The stock market ticker symbol, depositary interests ISIN and American depositary shares’ ISIN and CUSIP of the Company remain unchanged.

As disclosed in the 2020 final results announcement, the website of the Company has already changed to www.hutch-med.com with effect from March 4, 2021. The information required pursuant to AIM Rule 26 is available at this website.

This name change is a consolidation of the two corporate identities that we have used since our inception, under a single and ubiquitous corporate identity that captures the history and brand equity we have built over the past twenty years. For more information, please visit www.hutch-med.com/chi-med-becomes-hutchmed.

Shareholders should note that their shareholding will not be affected by the change of name of the Company and the existing share certificates should be retained as they will remain valid for all purposes and no new share certificates will be issued.

The change of name was approved at the annual general meeting held on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

On May 4, 2021 Alligator Bioscience (Nasdaq Stockholm: ATORX) reported that it has entered into a joint research agreement with BioArctic AB, a Swedish research-based biopharma company focusing on disease-modifying treatments and reliable biomarkers and diagnostics for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease (Press release, Alligator Bioscience, MAY 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234579060]). Under the agreement, Alligator will employ its proprietary antibody generation technologies in collaboration with BioArctic to develop new product candidates.

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"We are very pleased that BioArctic has recognized the power of Alligator’s proprietary phage display libraries which have been successfully used to generate Alligator’s suite of immuno-oncology programs. The application of this technology to the neurodegenerative field demonstrates the broad applicability of our powerful platform," said Malin Carlsson, interim CEO of Alligator Bioscience.

"BioArctic’s focus is to develop new treatments to help patients with neurological diseases. We are looking forward to working together with Alligator, utilizing their phage display platform, in the development of new antibody therapeutic candidates with novel mechanisms of action," said Johanna Fälting, Vice President and Head of Research at BioArctic.

On May 4, 2021 DURECT Corporation (Nasdaq: DRRX) reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and provided a corporate update (Press release, DURECT, MAY 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234579075]).

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Q1 2021 Accomplishments:

Initiated patient dosing in the Phase 2b AHFIRM clinical study of DUR-928 in severe Alcohol-associated Hepatitis (AH)
FDA approval of POSIMIR in adults to produce post-surgical analgesia for up to 72 hours following Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression
Publication of DUR-928’s mechanism of action
Appointment of two highly experienced biopharmaceutical board members
Further strengthened our financial position by raising $47.8 million in equity and ending Q1 with $97.2 million in cash and investments
"We are pleased with progress made in opening clinical trial sites in the U.S. and early enrollment in the AHFIRM trial, our Phase 2b clinical trial designed to evaluate the potential life-saving capability of DUR-928 in patients with severe Alcohol-associated Hepatitis," stated James E. Brown, D.V.M, President and CEO of DURECT. "We are also in discussions with multiple potential POSIMIR partners with a goal of enabling the partner to launch the product this year."

Financial highlights for Q1 2021:

Total revenues were $2.2 million and net loss was $10.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to total revenues of $1.6 million and net loss of $9.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
At March 31, 2021, cash and investments were $97.2 million, compared to cash, cash held in escrow and investments of $56.9 million at December 31, 2020. Debt at March 31, 2021 was $21.0 million, compared to $20.8 million at December 31, 2020.
Update on Selected Programs:

Epigenetic Regulator Program. DUR-928, the lead product candidate in the Company’s Epigenetic Regulator Program, is an endogenous, orally bioavailable, first-in-class small molecule, which may have broad applicability in acute organ injuries such as alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) as well as in chronic liver diseases such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Clinical Development

Alcohol-associated Hepatitis (AH)

Enrollment is ongoing in our Phase 2b study in subjects with severe acute AH to evaluate saFety and effIcacy of DUR-928 treatMent (AHFIRM). AHFIRM is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, international, multi-center Phase 2b study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DUR-928 in approximately 300 patients with severe AH. The study is comprised of three arms targeting approximately 100 patients each: (1) Placebo plus standard of care (SOC, which may include the use of methylprednisolone, a corticosteroid, at the discretion of the treating physician); (2) DUR-928 (30 mg); and (3) DUR-928 (90 mg). All patients in the trial receive supportive care. Patients receive an intravenous (IV) dose of DUR-928 or placebo (sterile water) on day 1 and a second IV dose on day 4 if they are still hospitalized. The primary outcome measure is 90-day survival rate for patients treated with DUR-928 compared to those treated with placebo plus SOC. Secondary endpoints include 28-day survival, the rate of adverse events, Lille and MELD (prognostic scores) and time in the intensive care unit. The Company is targeting approximately 50-60 clinical trial sites in the U.S., U.K., Europe and Australia.
Reflecting the life-threatening nature of AH and the lack of therapeutic options for this devastating condition, the FDA granted DUR-928 Fast Track Designation for the treatment of AH in December 2020. The FDA grants Fast Track Designation to facilitate development and expedite the review of therapies with the potential to treat a serious condition where there is an unmet medical need. A therapeutic that receives Fast Track Designation may benefit from early and frequent communication with the agency in addition to a rolling submission of the marketing application, with the objective of getting important new therapies to patients more quickly.
Given the high mortality rate in severe AH patients and the absence of an approved therapeutic, we believe demonstration of a robust survival benefit in the AHFIRM trial may support an NDA filing.
In March 2021, a peer-reviewed research paper describing the binding sites and proposed mechanism of action of DUR-928 was published in The Journal of Lipid Research. The publication shows that DUR-928 (referred to in the paper as 25HC3S) binds to and inhibits the activity of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) DNMT-1, 3a and 3b, epigenetic regulating enzymes that add methyl groups to DNA (a process called DNA methylation). As such, by inhibiting DNMT activity, DUR-928 inhibits DNA methylation, thereby regulating the expression of genes that modulate crucial cellular activities, including those associated with cell death, stress response, and lipid biosynthesis. These modulations may lead to improved cell survival, and reduced lipid accumulation and inflammation, as has been observed in various in vivo animal models and in results from DURECT’s completed clinical trials in alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
During 2019, we completed a Phase 2a clinical trial of DUR-928 in patients with AH. All 19 patients treated with DUR-928 survived the 28-day follow-up period, 74% of patients (14/19) were discharged in ≤ 4 days after receiving a single dose of DUR-928, and there were no drug-related serious adverse events.
Alcohol-associated hepatitis (also called alcoholic hepatitis or AH) is an acute form of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) associated with long-term heavy intake of alcohol, and often occurs after a recent period of increased alcohol consumption. AH is typically characterized by a recent onset of jaundice and hepatic failure. According to the most recent data provided by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a part of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), there were approximately 132,000 hospitalizations for patients with AH in 2018. From a 2018 publication analyzing the mortality and costs associated with AH, the cost per patient is estimated at over $50,000 in the first year. ALD is one of the leading causes of liver transplants in the U.S., costing over $875,000 per patient. An analysis of 77 studies published between 1971 and 2016, which included data from a total of 8,184 patients, showed the overall mortality from AH was 26% at 28 days and 29% at 90 days after admission.
Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

In May 2020, we reported positive topline results from a Phase 1b randomized and open-label clinical study conducted in the U.S. to evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics and signals of biological activity (including clinical chemistry and biomarkers as well as liver fat content and liver stiffness by imaging) of DUR-928 in NASH patients with stage 1-3 fibrosis. In this 65-patient study, reductions from baseline (pre-treatment) levels were seen in liver enzymes, liver stiffness as measured by imaging, serum lipids and biomarkers. Many of these reductions were statistically significant and DUR-928 was well tolerated at all three doses evaluated.
We will present additional data from this trial at an upcoming medical conference and we are working with a number of disease experts to determine next steps for DUR-928 in NASH.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease in both children and adults. It is estimated that NAFLD affects approximately 30% to 40% of adults and 10% of children in the United States. NASH, a more severe and progressive form of NAFLD, is one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide, with an estimated prevalence of 3-5% globally. No drug is currently approved for NAFLD or NASH.
POSIMIR (bupivacaine solution) Post-Operative Pain Relief Depot. POSIMIR is DURECT’s post-operative pain relief depot that uses the Company’s patented SABER technology that delivers bupivacaine to provide up to 3 days of post-surgical analgesia.

In February 2021, POSIMIR was granted U.S. FDA approval in adults for administration into the subacromial space under direct arthroscopic visualization to produce post-surgical analgesia for up to 72 hours following arthroscopic subacromial decompression. POSIMIR is the only approved sustained-release bupivacaine product indicated for up to 72 hours of post-surgical analgesia from a single application.
The approval was based on positive data from a randomized, multicenter, assessor-blinded, placebo–controlled clinical trial in patients undergoing arthroscopic subacromial decompression surgery with an intact rotator cuff. The primary outcome measures were mean pain intensity and total opioid rescue analgesia administered, both evaluated over the first 72 hours after surgery versus placebo. POSIMIR demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in both primary outcome measures: a 1.3 point, or 20%, reduction in mean pain intensity on a 0-10 point pain scale (p=0.01), and a 67% reduction in I.V. morphine-equivalent rescue opioid use, from a median of 12 mg in the placebo group to 4 mg in the POSIMIR group (p=0.01). In connection with this approval, the Company or its licensee, will be required to conduct two postmarketing non-clinical studies. Full Prescribing Information, including the Boxed Warning, is available at www.POSIMIR.com.
DURECT is in discussions with potential licensees of commercialization rights to POSIMIR, for which DURECT currently holds worldwide rights. Our goal is to put a commercial license in place in time for the licensee to launch the product in Q4 2021.
Subacromial decompression is a type of shoulder surgery used to treat impingement syndrome, a common repetitive-use injury that causes pain when the arm is raised over the head. The procedure is typically performed arthroscopically, meaning that several small incisions are made in the skin and muscle of the shoulder through which a camera lens (arthroscope) and surgical instruments are inserted during surgery. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression is generally considered outpatient surgery, and most patients go home within a few hours of surgery. The recovery period may extend from weeks to months, but the most intense pain typically occurs during the first 3 days after surgery and is often managed with oral opioids. There are over 600,000 surgeries involving arthroscopic subacromial decompression performed each year in the U.S.
Conference Call

We will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time / 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time to discuss first quarter 2021 results and provide a corporate update:

The conference call will also be available by webcast on DURECT’s homepage at www.durect.com under the "Investors" tab. If you are unable to participate during the webcast, the call will be archived on DURECT’s website under "Event Calendar" in the "Investors" section.

On May 4, 2021 Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) reported financial results for the first quarter of 2021 and affirmed financial guidance for 2021 (Press release, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, MAY 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234579101]).

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"Demand for Xywav is strong, as both patients and physicians embrace the health benefits associated with reducing daily sodium intake. We also continue to see robust uptake of Zepzelca among both platinum-resistant and platinum-sensitive small cell lung cancer patients, consistent with the positive feedback we’ve received on its profile," said Bruce Cozadd, chairman and chief executive officer of Jazz Pharmaceuticals. "We are on track to deliver significant revenue growth and diversification in 2022, are poised for two additional product launches this year and look forward to completing the acquisition of GW Pharmaceuticals this month, all key milestones in our transformation to an innovative biopharmaceutical company and neuroscience leader."

Robert Iannone, M.D., M.S.C.E., executive vice president, research and development and chief medical officer, added, "Across our R&D organization, we’ve continued our track record of strong execution. We presented positive Xywav data in idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting. We are also pleased to have announced that FDA granted priority review of Xywav in IH with a PDUFA goal date set for August 12, 2021, bringing us another step closer to delivering this important treatment to patients with IH, for whom there is currently no FDA-approved therapy. Further, our JZP458 program remains on track with a potential approval in mid-2021. I’m proud that our continued execution enables us to bring life-changing medicines to often overlooked patient groups with significant unmet need."

Business Updates

Corporate Development

On February 3, 2021, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire GW Pharmaceuticals plc (GW) for $220.00 per American Depositary Share, in the form of $200 in cash and $20 in Jazz ordinary shares, based on the volume weighted average price of Jazz ordinary shares on Nasdaq for the 15 consecutive trading day period beginning on the 18th trading day immediately preceding the closing date of the transaction, for a total value of approximately $7.2 billion, or $6.7 billion net of GW cash. The Company has secured $5.35 billion of financing to support the GW transaction; $1.5 billion as senior secured notes and a $3.85 billion term loan. This financing structure supports the Company’s rapid deleveraging to its stated targets.

All shareholder and regulatory approvals required for the acquisition have now been obtained. Completion of the acquisition remains subject to the sanction by the High Court of Justice of England and Wales (Court) and other customary closing conditions. The Court hearing to sanction the acquisition is currently scheduled for May 5, 2021, and the completion of the acquisition is expected to occur shortly thereafter. Upon close of the transaction, the combined company will be a leader in neuroscience with a global commercial and operational footprint, well positioned to maximize the value of its diversified portfolio.

Neuroscience

Oxybate (Xyrem and XywavTM):

Net product sales for the combined oxybate business increased 1% to $411.0 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
Average active oxybate patients on therapy were approximately 15,700 in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of approximately 4% compared to the same period in 2020.
Strong Xywav uptake, coupled with utilization of our patient access programs, resulted in a 3% decrease in revenue bottle volume in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
Xywav (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxybates) oral solution:

Xywav net product sales were $75.4 million in the first quarter of 2021.
There were approximately 3,900 active patients on Xywav exiting the first quarter of 2021, following the U.S. launch in November 2020.
The Company has achieved its goal of obtaining broad payer coverage, having entered into agreements with all three of the largest pharmacy benefit managers and coverage now at 80% of commercial lives. The Company continues to work with other payers to further expand coverage.
Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution:

Xyrem net product sales decreased 18% to $335.6 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
Xywav in Idiopathic Hypersomnia

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Priority Review Designation and confirmed the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) seeking approval for Xywav in adult patients with idiopathic hypersomnia (IH). The Prescription Drug Fee User Act (PDUFA) target action date for an FDA decision has been set for August 12, 2021, which is in line with the objective of launching in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Positive Phase 3 trial results were presented at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting in April 2021. The efficacy and safety results demonstrate the potential Xywav has for helping people living with IH, an often debilitating neurologic sleep disorder for which there are currently no approved treatments in the U.S.
Sunosi (solriamfetol):

Sunosi net product sales were $11.6 million in the first quarter of 2021, compared to $1.9 million in the same period of 2020 following the U.S. launch in July 2019.
In the first quarter of 2021, U.S. prescriptions increased 10% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.
JZP385:

JZP385, a highly selective modulator of T-type calcium channels, is in clinical development for the potential treatment of essential tremor.
The Company expects to initiate a Phase 2b trial in mid-2021.
JZP150:

JZP150, a fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor, is in clinical development for the potential treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Company expects to initiate a Phase 2 trial in late 2021.
Oncology

Zepzelca (lurbinectedin):

Zepzelca net product sales were $54.3 million in the first quarter of 2021, with continued growth across both platinum-resistant and platinum-sensitive patients in second-line small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Zepzelca was launched in the U.S. in July 2020.
The Company anticipates initiating a Phase 3 trial evaluating immunotherapy plus lurbinectedin maintenance therapy, compared to immunotherapy alone, in patients with extensive-stage SCLC after induction chemotherapy in 2021.
The Company and Pharma Mar, S.A. (PharmaMar) continue to engage with FDA regarding the confirmatory data package.
JZP458 (recombinant Erwinia asparaginase):

In December 2020, the Company initiated the submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) to FDA for JZP458 for intramuscular use as a component of a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) or Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (LBL) in adult and pediatric patients who have developed hypersensitivity or silent inactivation to E. coli-derived asparaginase.
The BLA will be reviewed under the Real Time Oncology Review program (RTOR) an initiative of FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence designed to expedite the delivery of safe and effective cancer treatments to patients.
The Company is targeting a mid-2021 launch in the U.S., subject to FDA approval.
The Company continues to prioritize global development of JZP458 with the objective of ensuring that ALL/LBL patients have access to a reliably-produced, high-quality recombinant asparaginase.
Enrollment in the pivotal Phase 2/3 trial continues beyond the current RTOR submission, with the recent initiation of the intravenous cohort.
Vyxeos (daunorubicin and cytarabine) liposome for injection:

Vyxeos net product sales increased 1% to $33.2 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
FDA approved a revised label for Vyxeos to include a new indication for newly-diagnosed therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) or AML with myelodysplasia-related changes (AML-MRC) in pediatric patients aged one year and older.
Defitelio (defibrotide sodium) / defibrotide:

Defitelio/defibrotide net product sales increased 5% to $49.6 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
Erwinaze / Erwinase (asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi):

Erwinaze/Erwinase net product sales increased 9% to $41.1 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared to $37.7 million for the same period in 2020.
The Company’s agreement with Porton Biopharma Limited terminated on December 31, 2020. The Company has the right to sell certain Erwinaze inventory post-termination and expects to distribute this Erwinaze inventory during the first half of 2021. Once sales of available inventory are complete, the Company will cease recording net sales of Erwinaze.
Financial Highlights

GAAP net income for the first quarter of 2021 was $121.8 million, or $2.09 per diluted share, compared to a GAAP net loss of $157.8 million, or $2.82 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2020. Non-GAAP adjusted net income for the first quarter of 2021 was $228.8 million, or $3.92 per diluted share, compared to $25.8 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2020.

The GAAP net loss and non-GAAP adjusted net income for the first quarter of 2020 included the post-tax impact of a $200.0 million upfront payment made to PharmaMar for the exclusive U.S. commercialization and development rights to Zepzelca. The GAAP net loss for the first quarter of 2020 also included the post-tax impact of an impairment charge of $136.1 million following the Company’s decision to stop enrollment in its Phase 3 clinical trial of defibrotide for the prevention of veno-occlusive disease (VOD).

Reconciliations of applicable GAAP reported to non-GAAP adjusted information are included at the end of this press release.

Total revenues increased 14% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.

Products launched since 2019 accounted for 23% of total net product sales in the first quarter of 2021.
Neuroscience net product sales in the first quarter of 2021 increased 3% to $422.6 million compared to the same period in 2020 and oxybate net product sales increased to $411.0 million led by strong Xywav net product sales of $75.4 million partially offset by a decrease in Xyrem net product sales driven by the strong adoption of Xywav by existing Xyrem patients. Oxybate revenue bottle volumes were impacted by our patient access programs. Sunosi net product sales increased by $9.7 million compared to the first quarter of 2020.
Oncology net product sales in the first quarter of 2021 increased 51% to $178.2 million compared to the same period in 2020 driven primarily by robust Zepzelca net product sales of $54.3 million. Zepzelca launched in the U.S. in July 2020.
Operating expenses changed over the prior year periods primarily due to the following:

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 on a GAAP and on a non-GAAP adjusted basis primarily due to increased investment in sales, marketing and launch activities with the commencement of the Sunosi direct-to-consumer television marketing campaign and the continuation of the launches of Xywav and Zepzelca in the U.S., as well as an increase in other expenses primarily related to the expansion of the commercial operations. SG&A expenses in the first quarter of 2021 on a GAAP basis also included transaction expenses related to the proposed GW acquisition.
Research and development expenses decreased in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, on a GAAP and on a non-GAAP adjusted basis, primarily due to a decrease in expenses related to the Company’s clinical programs.
Acquired in-process research and development (IPR&D) expense in the first quarter of 2020 on a GAAP and on a non-GAAP adjusted basis primarily related to a $200.0 million upfront payment to PharmaMar for the exclusive U.S. commercialization and development rights to Zepzelca.
In the first quarter of 2020, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $136.1 million on a GAAP basis following the Company’s decision to stop enrollment in its Phase 3 clinical trial of defibrotide for the prevention of VOD.
The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 decreased on a GAAP basis primarily due to the impact of the defibrotide IPR&D asset impairment charge, the acquired IPR&D expense primarily relating to the $200.0 million upfront payment to PharmaMar, and changes in income mix among the various jurisdictions in which we operate.
Cash Flow and Balance Sheet

As of March 31, 2021, cash, cash equivalents and investments were $2.4 billion, and the outstanding principal balance of the Company’s long-term debt was $2.4 billion. In the first quarter of 2021, the Company generated $285.0 million of cash from operations.

2021 Financial Guidance1

The Company is affirming its full year 2021 financial guidance as follows:

Conference Call Details

Jazz Pharmaceuticals will host an investor conference call and live audio webcast today at 4:30 p.m. ET (9:30 p.m. IST) to provide a business and financial update and discuss its 2021 first quarter results. The live webcast may be accessed from the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com. Please connect to the website prior to the start of the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software downloads that may be necessary. Investors may participate in the conference call by dialing +1 855 353 7924 in the U.S., or +1 503 343 6056 outside the U.S., and entering passcode 8765706.

A replay of the conference call will be available through May 11, 2021 by dialing +1 855 859 2056 in the U.S., or +1 404 537 3406 outside the U.S., and entering passcode 8765706. An archived version of the webcast will be available for at least one week in the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com.

On May 4, 2021 Ziopharm Oncology, Inc. ("Ziopharm" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: ZIO) reported that Laurence J.N. Cooper, PhD, MD, Scientific Advisor to the Company, will present and participate in an upcoming panel discussion at the University of Pennsylvania’s upcoming Cellicon Valley symposium, May 6-7, 2021 (Press release, Ziopharm, MAY 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234579117]).

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"I am excited to participate in this important event on behalf of Ziopharm," said Dr. Cooper. "This meeting will bring together a wide variety of leading thinkers and researchers, and I am looking forward to sharing my perspectives on Ziopharm’s unique technologies."

The panel session, entitled "Gene Delivery and Editing for Better CARs", will be moderated by Fyodor D. Urnov, PhD, Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California at Berkley.

Dr. Cooper’s remarks will focus on the advantages of Ziopharm’s cellular therapy technologies targeting solid tumors, including its proprietary non-viral gene transfer system, Sleeping Beauty.

Interested parties may register for the event using this link. Registrants will be able to view the event beginning at 9am ET on Thursday May 6, 2021, under Conference Track 3: Pre-Clinical / Manufacturing. The live Q&A will take place at 3:30pm ET also on May 6, 2021. Dr. Cooper’s slides will also be posted on the Ziopharm website in the Investors section.