Adaptate Biotherapeutics Raises $18 million in Series A2 Funding

On April 19, 2021 Adaptate Biotherapeutics (Adaptate), a company focussed on developing antibody-based therapeutics for modulation of gamma delta T cells, reported that its existing investors, Abingworth and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) have together made a further equity investment of $18 million (circa. £13 million) (Press release, Adaptate Biotherapeutic, APR 19, 2021, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=adaptate-biotherapeutics-raises-18-million-in-series-a2-funding [SID1234578168]). This funding brings the total raised since Adaptate’s inception in late 2019 to $34 million (circa. £25 million).

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The investment results from the rapid progress made by the Company over the past 18 months. The funds will be used to accelerate the progression of Adaptate’s lead therapeutic antibody programme towards the clinic and to expand its internal product pipeline. The Company’s growing portfolio includes both monoclonal and bispecific antibodies which target gamma delta T cells, a unique class of lymphocytes that bridge innate and adaptive immunity. The Company’s most advanced programmes are focussed on treatments for cancer patients with solid tumours. Adaptate’s antibodies selectively target gamma delta T cells, thereby offering the opportunity for superior efficacy and safety compared to conventional immunomodulatory therapies such as pan T cell activators.

The financing will also support the Company’s expansion, including further recruitment and increased laboratory and office space. This expansion exemplifies Adaptate’s rapid growth plans and the additional capacity will play a key role in further boosting research and development activities.

Dr Natalie Mount, CEO of Adaptate Biotherapeutics, said: "The funding is a great vote of confidence from our existing investors and testimony to the hard work and rapid progress we have made in the novel field of gamma delta T cell targeting antibodies. We are excited to continue this growth path and to progress our unique therapeutic antibodies towards clinical trials where we look forward to them making an impact on the treatments available to cancer patients."

Tim Haines, Chairman & Managing Partner, Abingworth, commented: "We have been impressed with the potential of Adaptate’s therapeutic antibody technology and the significant progress to date.. We are delighted to invest further, to enable the team to accelerate its very promising portfolio towards the clinic."

Loic Vincent, Head, Oncology Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda, added: "Takeda’s ongoing investment in Adaptate aligns closely with our pursuit of potentially life-changing treatments for cancer patients through novel immuno-oncology approaches. We look forward to continuing to work together on the potential of gamma delta T cell targeted therapies to achieve this goal."

Novo Nordisk A/S – Share repurchase programme

On April 19, 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 19, 2021, View Source [SID1234578190]). 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.

Since the announcement as of 12 April 2021, the following transactions have been made:

With the transactions stated above, Novo Nordisk owns a total of 44,549,889 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 16 April 2021, Novo Nordisk has since 3 February 2021 repurchased a total of 5,647,277 B shares at an average share price of DKK 441.86 per B share equal to a transaction value of DKK 2,495,309,191.

Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic diseases such as obesity and rare blood and endocrine disorders. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 45,000 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. Novo Nordisk’s B shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Novo-B). Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NVO). For more information, visit novonordisk.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube.

Medivir has determined the starting dose for the next part of the phase Ib study with MIV-818

On April 19, 2021 Medivir AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: MVIR) reported that the last patient has undergone the safety follow-up to identify potentially dose-limiting toxicity from the first part of the phase Ib study with the company’s leading candidate drug, MIV-818, against liver cancer (Press release, Medivir, APR 19, 2021, View Source [SID1234578206]). The results were positive and the recommended dose for the next phase has thus been determined.

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At present, three patients continue to be active on treatment within the study, and they will continue treatment until intolerable side effects or disease progression occur. The second part of the phase Ib study, where MIV-818 is given together with standard treatment, is planned to be initiated during the second half of 2021.

The results continue to be promising and show a good safety and tolerability profile. The study is proceeding according to plan and now the recommended starting dose has been set for the next study where we combine MIV-818 with standard treatment. We now look forward to initiating that study during the second half of 2021, said Yilmaz Mahshid, CEO of Medivir.
Details of the coming study are planned to be presented during the second quarter of 2021. Detailed results from the first part of the phase Ib study are expected to be presented at an upcoming scientific conference.

For further information, please contact:
Yilmaz Mahshid, CEO, Medivir AB, phone: +46 (0)8 5468 3100.
[email protected]

About MIV-818
MIV-818 is a pro-drug designed to selectively treat liver cancers and to minimize side effects. It has the potential to become the first liver-targeted, orally administered drug for patients with HCC and other forms of liver cancer.

About liver cancer
Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common cancer that arises in the liver. Although existing therapies for advanced HCC can extend the lives of patients, treatment benefits are insufficient and death rates remain high. HCC is a very diverse disease with multiple cancer cell types and without specific mutations seen in other tumor types. This has contributed to the lack of success of molecularly targeted agents in HCC. The limited overall benefit, taken together with the poor overall prognosis for patients with intermediate and advanced HCC, results in a large unmet medical need.

Karyopharm Announces Publication of Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes from Phase 3 SEAL Study of Selinexor in Advanced Unresectable Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma in Future Oncology

On April 19, 2021 Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:KPTI), a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company pioneering novel cancer therapies, reported that health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data from the Phase 3 portion of the SEAL (Selinexor in Advanced Liposarcoma) study were published online in Future Oncology (Press release, Karyopharm, APR 19, 2021, View Source [SID1234578172]). The SEAL study evaluated twice weekly, single agent selinexor, the Company’s first-in-class, oral Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) compound, versus matching placebo in patients with advanced unresectable dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) who have experienced disease progression following at least two prior therapies. XPOVIO (selinexor) is currently approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; XPOVIO has not been approved for the treatment of DDLPS and, therefore, its safety and efficacy for that patient population have not been established.

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"The Phase 3 SEAL study suggests that selinexor has enhanced clinical activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with DDLPS, a very rare and aggressive form of cancer where there are very few treatment options available. In addition to meeting its primary endpoint with a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS), treatment with selinexor also resulted in improvements in key quality of life parameters as compared to patients treated with placebo," said Jatin Shah, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Karyopharm. "The results highlight that the reduction in tumor growth, as measured by objective radiographic PFS, is accompanied by clinically important reductions in pain, with minimal effects on other aspects of quality of life. Since pain is one of the most devastating symptoms associated with advanced and progressing DDLPS, the significant reduction in pain, and a delay in the time to definitive deterioration reported by patients in the selinexor arm, combined with the convenience of an orally administered therapy, could represent a meaningful clinical benefit to patients."

"We are pleased to see the first set of data from the Phase 3 SEAL study now published in a peer-reviewed medical journal," said Sharon Shacham, PhD, MBA, Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Karyopharm. "These data continue to support our overarching development strategy to pursue additional solid tumor indications where we believe selinexor can demonstrate meaningful clinical activity both as a single agent, and more importantly, as part of future combination regimens for patients battling cancer."

The Phase 3 SEAL Study Health-Related Quality of Life Results

The published SEAL study results were based on the randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, Phase 3 portion of the study, which evaluated oral selinexor versus matching placebo in 285 adult patients with advanced unresectable DDLPS. The secondary endpoint of the SEAL study measured HRQoL outcomes by using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, which was completed by 255 patients in the study. Overall, the results showed that pain scores worsened in the placebo arm compared to the selinexor arm across all post-baseline visits, though some visits were not statistically significant. The patients who received twice-weekly selinexor also reported lower rates and slower worsening of pain over time and a longer time to marked clinical deterioration of pain compared to patients treated with placebo. Median time to next treatment was also significantly longer in patients receiving selinexor compared to those receiving placebo. These results indicate that reduction in tumor growth (as measured by objective radiographic PFS) is accompanied by clinically important reduction in pain, with minimal effects on other aspects of quality of life.

About the SEAL Study

SEAL (Selinexor in Advanced Liposarcoma) was a Phase 2/3, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study (NCT02606461) designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of twice-weekly, 60mg fixed dose of selinexor in patients with advanced unresectable dedifferentiated liposarcoma following at least two prior therapies. The Phase 3 portion of the study enrolled 285 patients (2:1 randomization). Patients on the placebo arm with confirmed progressive disease were permitted to cross over to the selinexor treatment arm. The primary endpoint of the study was PFS and secondary endpoint measured HRQoL outcomes. In the study, selinexor was associated with a 30% reduction in the time to disease progression or death in the Phase 3 portion (hazard ratio (HR)=0.70; p=0.023, medians 2.83 months on selinexor compared to 2.07 months on placebo).

The most common treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were cytopenias, along with gastrointestinal and constitutional symptoms and were consistent with those previously reported from other selinexor studies. Most AEs were manageable with dose modifications and/or standard supportive care. The most common non-hematologic treatment-related AEs were nausea (81%), decreased appetite (60%), fatigue (51%), and vomiting (49%) and were mostly Grade 1 and 2 events. The most common Grade 3 and 4 treatment-related AEs were anemia (19%), hyponatremia (11%), thrombocytopenia (10%) and asthenia (10%).

About Liposarcoma

Liposarcoma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the fat cells in the body, most often in the muscles of the limbs or abdomen. Dedifferentiated liposarcoma is a high grade type of liposarcoma that grows more aggressively than a low grade, well differentiated liposarcoma and is associated with poorer prognosis.1 Liposarcoma accounts for approximately 20% of all soft tissue sarcomas.2 In liposarcoma, the risk of recurrence and metastasis increases with higher grade disease.3

About XPOVIO (selinexor)

XPOVIO is a first-in-class, oral Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) compound. XPOVIO functions by selectively binding to and inhibiting the nuclear export protein exportin 1 (XPO1, also called CRM1). XPOVIO blocks the nuclear export of tumor suppressor, growth regulatory and anti-inflammatory proteins, leading to accumulation of these proteins in the nucleus and enhancing their anti-cancer activity in the cell. The forced nuclear retention of these proteins can counteract a multitude of the oncogenic pathways that, unchecked, allow cancer cells with severe DNA damage to continue to grow and divide in an unrestrained fashion. The safety and efficacy of selinexor for use in in patients with DDLPS has not been established; selinexor has not been approved for this use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any other regulatory agency. Karyopharm received accelerated approval of XPOVIO in July 2019 in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least two proteasome inhibitors, at least two immunomodulatory agents, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody. NEXPOVIO (selinexor) has also been granted conditional marketing authorization in combination with dexamethasone for adult patients with heavily pretreated multiple myeloma by the European Commission. Karyopharm’s supplemental New Drug Application requesting an expansion of its indication to include the treatment for patients with multiple myeloma after at least one prior therapy was approved by the FDA on December 18, 2020. In June 2020, Karyopharm received accelerated FDA approval of XPOVIO for its second indication in adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma, after at least 2 lines of systemic therapy. Selinexor is also being evaluated in several other mid-and later-phase clinical trials across multiple cancer indications, including as a potential backbone therapy in combination with approved myeloma therapies (STOMP), in endometrial cancer (SIENDO), among others. Additional Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies are ongoing or currently planned, including multiple studies in combination with approved therapies in a variety of tumor types to further inform Karyopharm’s clinical development priorities for selinexor. Additional clinical trial information for selinexor is available at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

For more information about Karyopharm’s products or clinical trials, please contact the Medical Information department at:

Tel: +1 (888) 209-9326
Email: [email protected]

XPOVIO (selinexor) is a prescription medicine approved:

In combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy (XVd).
In combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least two proteasome inhibitors, at least two immunomodulatory agents, and an anti–CD38 monoclonal antibody (Xd).
For the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B–cell lymphoma (DLBCL), not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma, after at least 2 lines of systemic therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial(s).
SELECT IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Warnings and Precautions

Thrombocytopenia: Monitor platelet counts throughout treatment. Manage with dose interruption and/or reduction and supportive care.
Neutropenia: Monitor neutrophil counts throughout treatment. Manage with dose interruption and/or reduction and granulocyte colony–stimulating factors.
Gastrointestinal Toxicity: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and weight loss may occur. Provide antiemetic prophylaxis. Manage with dose interruption and/or reduction, antiemetics, and supportive care.
Hyponatremia: Monitor serum sodium levels throughout treatment. Correct for concurrent hyperglycemia and high serum paraprotein levels. Manage with dose interruption, reduction, or discontinuation, and supportive care.
Serious Infection: Monitor for infection and treat promptly.
Neurological Toxicity: Advise patients to refrain from driving and engaging in hazardous occupations or activities until neurological toxicity resolves. Optimize hydration status and concomitant medications to avoid dizziness or mental status changes.
Embryo–Fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with a female partner of reproductive potential, of the potential risk to a fetus and use of effective contraception.
Cataract: Cataracts may develop or progress. Treatment of cataracts usually requires surgical removal of the cataract.
Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) in patients with multiple myeloma who receive XVd are fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, diarrhea, peripheral neuropathy, upper respiratory tract infection, decreased weight, cataract and vomiting. Grade 3–4 laboratory abnormalities (≥10%) are thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, hypophosphatemia, anemia, hyponatremia and neutropenia. In the BOSTON trial, fatal adverse reactions occurred in 6% of patients within 30 days of last treatment. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 52% of patients. Treatment discontinuation rate due to adverse reactions was 19%.
The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) in patients with multiple myeloma who receive Xd are thrombocytopenia, fatigue, nausea, anemia, decreased appetite, decreased weight, diarrhea, vomiting, hyponatremia, neutropenia, leukopenia, constipation, dyspnea and upper respiratory tract infection. In the STORM trial, fatal adverse reactions occurred in 9% of patients. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 58% of patients. Treatment discontinuation rate due to adverse reactions was 27%.
The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) in patients with DLBCL, excluding laboratory abnormalities, are fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, appetite decrease, weight decrease, constipation, vomiting, and pyrexia. Grade 3–4 laboratory abnormalities (≥15%) are thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia, anemia, and hyponatremia. In the SADAL trial, fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3.7% of patients within 30 days, and 5% of patients within 60 days of last treatment; the most frequent fatal adverse reactions was infection (4.5% of patients). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 46% of patients; the most frequent serious adverse reaction was infection(21% of patients). Discontinuation due to adverse reactions occurred in 17% of patients.

Istari Oncology Announces FDA Clearance of IND to Initiate LUMINOS-103

On April 19, 2021 Istari Oncology, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the company’s Investigational New Drug application (IND) for PVSRIPO in patients with solid tumors (Press release, Istari Oncology, APR 19, 2021, View Source [SID1234578191]). LUMINOS-103 (NCT04690699) is a Phase 1/2 open-label, multi-center, single-arm basket trial evaluating the administration of PVSRIPO with or without PD-1/L1 inhibitors in adult subjects with solid tumor cancers. The trial will begin with two bladder cancer cohorts and is expected to initiate enrollment mid-2021.

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PVSRIPO is a novel intratumoral viral immunotherapy that activates a patient’s innate and adaptive immune system to facilitate a systemic anti-tumor immune response. PVSRIPO enters solid tumor cells and antigen presenting cells (APCs) in the tumor microenvironment via CD155 (the poliovirus receptor). Because CD155 is expressed on virtually all solid tumors, PVSRIPO has the potential to treat many different cancers.

"This will be an important test of PVSRIPO’s versatility – and we’re optimistic," said W. Garrett Nichols, MD, MS, Chief Medical Officer at Istari Oncology. "If the tumor can be biopsied, it can be injected, so there are a wide range of solid tumors we can investigate with PVSRIPO."

This is the third IND clearance for PVSRIPO. This IND clearance follows other recent clinical trial progress including the initiation of LUMINOS-101 (NCT04479241) in recurrent glioblastoma and LUMINOS-102 (NCT04577807) in anti-PD-1/L1 refractory melanoma.

"LUMINOS-103 enables us to accelerate the clinical development program for PVSRIPO through the basket trial design, providing flexibility to evaluate multiple solid tumor types simultaneously," said Matt Stober, Chief Executive Officer at Istari. "Even with the approval of anti-PD-1/L1 therapies in certain solid tumor cancers, we believe there is still room for improvement. PVSRIPO’s mechanism is synergistic with these therapies and as an intratumorally administered agent, we expect little additive toxicity."

For more information about Istari Oncology and their ongoing clinical trials and research on PVSRIPO, visit istarioncology.com.

About PVSRIPO
PVSRIPO is an investigational immunotherapy based on the live attenuated Sabin type 1 poliovirus vaccine that has been genetically modified for safety. PVSRIPO has a distinct point of entry (the poliovirus receptor, CD155), which is expressed on virtually all solid tumors and antigen-presenting cells. Upon entry into the cell, PVSRIPO targets tumors via two primary mechanisms: 1) direct damage to and killing of cancerous cells; and 2) generating innate and adaptive antitumor immune responses via nonlethal infection of antigen presenting cells in the tumor, which stimulates a specific signaling pathway resulting in a sustained, robust type-I/III interferon-dominant response, with minimal release of unwanted cytokines. Its effects are potentiated by prior vaccination against poliovirus. PVSRIPO has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Orphan Status by the FDA in recurrent glioblastoma. PVSRIPO has also been granted Orphan Status by the FDA for advanced melanoma.