RubrYc Therapeutics Announces a Research Collaboration and License Option Agreement With Zai Labs

On April 13, 2021 RubrYc Therapeutics, Inc., a pre-clinical biotherapeutics company developing epitope selective therapies, reported that it has entered into a research collaboration and license option agreement with Zai Labs, Inc. for the use of RubrYc’s Meso-scale Engineered Molecules (MEMs) platform, to identify monoclonal antibodies with enhanced biological function for an undisclosed oncology target (Press release, RubrYc Therapeutics, APR 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234577992]).

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Under the terms of the agreement RubrYc and Zai Labs will collaborate to identify product candidates using RubrYc’s Discovery Engine, which leverages machine learning and structural data to identify antibodies that bind to subdominant epitopes and exhibit differentiated activity. Upon exercise of the license option Zai Labs would have exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize product(s) of the Research Collaboration.

RubrYc Therapeutics, Inc. will receive an upfront payment and is eligible to receive future research, development and commercialization milestones on a per candidate basis, along with royalties on world-wide net sales of each product. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Dr. Isaac Bright, CEO, said, "We are excited that Zai Labs has selected the RubrYc Discovery Engine as part of its efforts to identify biotherapeutics against challenging oncology targets. We look forward to collaborating with Zai Labs to accelerate their research by identifying epitope-specific antibodies with differentiated modes of action. Zai Labs’ oncology expertise complements our interest in bringing novel therapeutics with breakthrough potential to patients in need."

MEI Pharma and Kyowa Kirin Announce Completion of Patient Enrollment in Follicular Lymphoma Primary Efficacy Population of Global Phase 2 TIDAL Study Intended to Support Potential Accelerated Approval Application from U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

On April 13, 2021 MEI Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: MEIP), a late-stage pharmaceutical company focused on advancing potential new therapies for cancer, and Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. (TSE:4151, Kyowa Kirin), a global specialty pharmaceutical company that strives to create new value through the pursuit of advances in life sciences and technologies, reported completion of enrollment in the follicular lymphoma primary efficacy population of the global Phase 2 TIDAL study (Press release, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, APR 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234577977]). Topline data from the study is on track to be reported in the fourth quarter. If successful, the complete Phase 2 TIDAL study data are intended to be submitted to FDA to support accelerated approval applications under 21 CFR Part 314.500, Subpart H.

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Following discussions with FDA, MEI finalized the sample size to evaluate zandelisib in patients with follicular and marginal zone lymphomas in the global Phase 2 TIDAL study. The primary efficacy population sample size for follicular lymphoma is 91 patients and the primary efficacy population sample size for marginal zone lymphoma is 64 patients. To provide a robust safety database, MEI will maintain the total study enrollment of approximately 120 follicular lymphoma patients and 64 marginal zone lymphoma patients.

"The completion of enrollment in the follicular lymphoma efficacy population arm of the TIDAL study is an important milestone for the zandelisib program, and we are grateful to the patients and healthcare providers that are participating in the TIDAL study as we diligently work to advance the program towards potential U.S. marketing authorization," said Daniel P. Gold, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of MEI Pharma. "In collaboration with our partner, Kyowa Kirin, we are committed to exploring zandelisib’s full potential, both as a monotherapy and in combination with other agents, for patients with B-cell malignancies."

"I am truly pleased with this news that the enrollment for the patients with the follicular lymphoma has been successfully completed," said Yoshifumi Torii, Ph.D., Executive Officer, Vice President, Head of Global R&D Division of Kyowa Kirin. "One of our big missions is to steadily advance this drug, which we believe has the potential to provide new value to patient suffering from the follicular lymphoma. We are looking forward to working closely with MEI Pharma to ensure that we fulfill that mission and our responsibilities."

About Zandelisib
Zandelisib (formerly called ME-401), a selective PI3Kδ inhibitor, is an investigational cancer treatment being developed as an oral, once-daily, treatment for patients with B-cell malignancies. In March 2020 the U.S. FDA granted zandelisib Fast Track designation for treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma who have received at least 2 prior systemic therapies.

In April 2020, MEI and Kyowa Kirin entered a global license, development, and commercialization agreement to further develop and commercialize zandelisib. MEI and Kyowa Kirin will co-develop and co-promote zandelisib in the U.S., with MEI booking all revenue from the U.S. sales. Kyowa Kirin has exclusive commercialization rights outside of the U.S. and will pay MEI escalating tiered royalties on ex-U.S. sales.

Ongoing zandelisib studies include a Phase 2 pivotal study in Japan in patients with indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (iNHL) without small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL), and Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) conducted by Kyowa Kirin.

About the TIDAL Phase 2 Study
The TIDAL study (Trials of PI3K DeltA in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) is a global Phase 2 study evaluating zandelisib as a monotherapy across two study arms: the first study arm for the treatment of adults with relapsed and refractory follicular lymphoma and the second study arm for marginal zone lymphomas, in both cases after failure of at least two prior systemic therapies including chemotherapy and an anti-CD20 antibody. The primary endpoints of the study are the objective response rate and the tolerability of zandelisib.

Subject to the results and discussions with FDA, data from each study arm are intended to be submitted to FDA to support separate accelerated approval marketing applications under 21 CFR Part 314.500, Subpart H.

The study is evaluating zandelisib administered once daily at 60 mg for two 28-day cycles and then on an intermittent schedule (IS) of once daily dosing for the first seven days of each subsequent 28-day cycle. Approximately 120 follicular lymphoma and 60 marginal zone lymphoma patients will be enrolled and treated with the IS regimen. The primary efficacy endpoint will be the rate of objective responses to therapy and other endpoints will include duration of response and tolerability of zandelisib.

More information about this trial is available at ClinicalTrials.gov.

About Follicular and Marginal Lymphomas
Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent lymphoma, comprising about 20-30% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The disease also forms on B cells, is chronic in most cases and tends to progress slowly. Most people diagnosed with FL are over 65 years of age. Sometimes follicular lymphomas can change into diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a fast-growing (aggressive) type of NHL.

Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is a group of indolent, or slow growing, lymphomas. The disease forms on B-cells, a type of white blood cell called a lymphocyte. MZL accounts for approximately eight percent of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases; over 77,000 cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. The average age at diagnosis is 60 years, and it is slightly more common in women than in men.

HTL Biotechnology and Echelon Biosciences Inc. announce strategic partnership to expand their biopolymer development platform and the use of hyaluronic acid in research

On April 13, 2021 HTL , world leader in biotechnology solutions based on hyaluronic acid (HA) and other biopolymers, and Echelon Biosciences Inc. , global supplier of biochemical reagents, tests and Services for US-based Research and Development Laboratories reported a new partnership (Press release, Echelon Biosciences, APR 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234577993]). This partnership concerns the distribution of HA and high quality glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) as well as the development of new GAGs.

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This collaboration allows university research and pharmaceutical development laboratories to have access to a wide range of products based on hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycans (GAG), compliant with good manufacturing practices (GMP). By providing researchers with superior quality, clinical grade products at the early stages of research, the partnership aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research, development and commercialization, and accelerate innovation around the world.

"Innovation is at the heart of HTL’s DNA," said HTL CEO Yvon Bastard . "This line of development is fully in line with our mission and our vision: to provide science today with the means to develop products that will improve health in the world in the future".

"This new partnership provides scientists and researchers with key technologies to develop innovative biopolymer solutions for new medical applications in the fields of aesthetics, ophthalmology, rheumatology, tissue engineering and drug administration, "said Charles Ruban , deputy CEO of HTL. "This is the true meaning of the signature of HTL: ‘Beyond, together’. HTL’s ambition is not only to develop its leading position in the production and distribution of hyaluronic acid around the world, but also to build the solutions of tomorrow based on glycosaminoglycans ".

"With hyaluronic acid and HTL’s other GAG-based products, Echelon is giving itself the opportunity to expand its line of industry-leading HA-based extracellular kits, tests and matrices. HTL is internationally recognized for its production of premium quality biopolymers. Says Bert Israelsen , President of Echelon Biosciences . "Echelon offers its customers access to innovative tools and unparalleled technical support, thereby maximizing creativity in basic and applied research. With its fermentation and organic synthesis platforms, HTL creates functionalities and added value by developing chemically modified biopolymers, targeted for specific needs ".

"This new partnership is an important step in the deployment of HTL in the North American market and to the American medical community," said Glenn Prestwich, Ph.D. , One of the founders of Echelon and today hui expert in science and innovation at HTL. By entrusting Echelon with the distribution of its hyaluronic acid and research glycosaminoglycans products, HTL aims to increase its support and participation in biopolymer research in the United States and globally, as well as its ability to research and development.

"This new initiative is a testament to HTL’s determination to invest in healthcare innovation," said Humberto C. Antunes , HTL strategic advisor and former CEO of Galderma. He added: "In the areas of health and wellness, the biotechnology ecosystem for innovation, incubators and established and emerging companies is incredibly vibrant in the United States, Mexico and Canada. . This means enormous growth potential for HTL’s products ".

XNK Therapeutics completes private placement of SEK 64 million

On April 12, 2021 XNK Therapeutics AB ("XNK" or the "Company"), a Swedish clinical stage immunotherapy company treating cancer by developing novel NK cell-based therapies, reported the completion of a private placement of SEK 64 million (Press release, CellProtect Nordic Pharmaceuticals, APR 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234577885]). The purpose of the issue is primarily to finance the Company’s research and development efforts.

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"XNK has made significant progress with its technology platform and this new funding will be key to continue the clinical development of our leading investigational drug candidate," said Johan Liwing, CEO of XNK.

Novo Nordisk A/S – Share repurchase programme

On April 12, 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, APR 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234577904]). This programme is part of the overall share repurchase programme of up to DKK 17 billion to be executed during a 12-month period beginning 3 February 2021.

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Under the programme initiated 3 February 2021, Novo Nordisk will repurchase B shares for an amount up to DKK 3.0 billion in the period from 3 February 2021 to 3 May 2021.

With the transactions stated above, Novo Nordisk owns a total of 43,969,586 B shares of DKK 0.20 as treasury shares, corresponding to 1.9% of the share capital. The total amount of A and B shares in the company is 2,350,000,000 including treasury shares.

Novo Nordisk expects to repurchase B shares for an amount up to DKK 17 billion during a 12- month period beginning 3 February 2021. As of 9 April 2021, Novo Nordisk has since 3 February 2021 repurchased a total of 5,066,974 B shares at an average share price of DKK 441.97 per B share equal to a transaction value of DKK 2,239,429,497.