GSK to showcase scientific advances and progress in oncology at ASCO and EHA

On June 1, 2021 GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) plc reported that it will present new data from key focus areas within its oncology portfolio at the upcoming 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (4-8 June) and the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2021 Virtual Congress (9-17 June) (Press release, GlaxoSmithKline, JUN 1, 2021, View Source [SID1234583299]).

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GSK will showcase innovative approaches to oncology R&D and cutting-edge science at the upcoming ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) meetings. The company will present new data on its approved therapies, BLENREP (belantamab mafodotin), JEMPERLI (dostarlimab) and ZEJULA (niraparib), as well as its investigational T-cell receptor therapy (TCR-T) letetresgene autoleucel (lete-cel; GSK3377794) for solid tumours.

Dr Axel Hoos, Senior Vice President and Head of Oncology R&D, GSK said: "The data we will share at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) demonstrate the continued strengthening of our oncology R&D pipeline in our focus areas of immuno-oncology, cell therapy and synthetic lethality. We are committed to ensuring our three approved medicines – niraparib, belantamab mafodotin and dostarlimab – help as many patients as possible while exploring novel approaches to expand treatment options for the millions of lives impacted by cancer each year."

Continuing GSK’s momentum in immuno-oncology

Dostarlimab, a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody, received accelerated approval in the US in April 2021 for certain women with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer, as determined by an FDA-approved test who have progressed on or following prior treatment with a platinum-containing regimen. In addition, in April dostarlimab also received a conditional approval in the EU for the treatment of women with dMMR/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) endometrial cancer. Data from the registrational GARNET trial of dostarlimab in multiple tumour types will be presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), including an interim combined efficacy and safety analysis of the endometrial and pan-tumour cohorts (ASCO abstract #2564).

Additionally, GSK will present new data regarding the management of adverse events associated with belantamab mafodotin in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (ASCO abstract #8033; EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) abstracts #EP1026 and #PB1698). Belantamab mafodotin is an anti-BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen) treatment that received accelerated and conditional approvals in the US and EU, respectively, for adult patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior therapies, including an anti-CD38 antibody, a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent.

Updates from GSK’s efforts in synthetic lethality

GSK will share data from combined analysis of three phase III studies in patients with BRCA mutated ovarian cancer, examining the efficacy of niraparib, as well as its safety profile (ASCO abstract #5518). This research adds to the understanding of the use of this poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor for maintenance treatment in ovarian cancer. GSK remains committed to fully exploring the potential of niraparib, with clinical trials underway evaluating it in ovarian cancer in combination with other therapies and in other solid tumours.

GSK’s latest research in oncology cell therapy

Lete-cel, GSK’s leading cell therapy asset, is a potential first-in-class TCR-T consisting of modified T cells designed to recognise the NY-ESO-1 antigen, which is present across multiple solid tumours, including synovial sarcoma and myxoid/round cell liposarcoma.[1] A presentation of note will include findings from an interim analysis on the safety and efficacy of lete-cel in myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (ASCO abstract #11521). With three programmes currently in clinical development and an emerging pipeline of enhancement technologies and targets, cell therapy in solid tumours is a key pillar of GSK’s broader oncology strategy to help address unmet patient needs.

The complete list of GSK sponsored abstracts accepted by ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) for presentation/ publication from the company’s areas of cancer research is below.

ASCO

Immuno-oncology

Abstract Name

Presenter

Abstract Number

Antitumor activity of dostarlimab in patients with mismatch mutation repair-deficient/microsatellite instability-high tumours: A combined analysis of 2 cohorts in the GARNET study

Berton, D.

#2564

Inducible T-cell co-stimulatory (ICOS) receptor agonist, feladilimab (fela), alone and in combination (combo) with pembrolizumab (P): Results from INDUCE-1 urothelial carcinoma (UC) expansion cohorts (ECs)

Balar, A.

#4519

Evaluation of bintrafusp alfa, a bifunctional fusion protein targeting TGF-β and PD-L1, in cervical cancer: Data from phase 1 and phase 2 studies

Strauss, J.

#5509

Long-term follow-up of bintrafusp alfa, a bifunctional fusion protein targeting TGF-β and PD-L1, in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN)

Chul Cho, B.

#6020

Relationship between corneal exam findings, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and ocular symptoms in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) receiving belantamab mafodotin (belamaf)

Terpos, E.

#8033

Evolution of standard of care therapies used for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC): A real-world analysis of patient health records from 2016 to 2019

Saba, N.F.

#e18728

Landscape review of the patient-reported outcomes version of the common terminology criteria for adverse events (PRO-CTCAE) in oncology: Adoption and recent learnings

Regnault, A.

# e18587

Real-world treatment patterns and outcomes of triple-exposed multiple myeloma patients treated in community oncology practices in the United States

Smith, R.

#e18727

Treatment patterns among patients with advanced/recurrent endometrial

cancer in the United States

Maiese, E.M.

#e18693

Synthetic Lethality

Abstract Name

Presenter

Presentation Details

Niraparib efficacy and safety in patients with BRCA mutated (BRCAm) ovarian cancer: Results from three phase 3 niraparib trials

Gonzalez-Martin, A.

#5518

Real-world patterns and predictors of first-line maintenance use among newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer: Is there an opportunity for change?

Liu, J.

#e18710

Real-world progression free survival among newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer: Does maintenance therapy work?

Liu, J.

#e18707

Tissue distribution and brain penetration of niraparib in tumour bearing mouse models and its clinical relevance

Gada, K.

#e15066

Oncology Cell Therapy

Abstract Name

Presenter

Presentation Details

IGNYTE-ESO: A master protocol to assess safety and activity of letetresgene autoleucel (lete-cel; GSK3377794) in HLA-A*02+ patients with synovial sarcoma or myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (Substudies 1 and 2)

D’Angelo, S.

#TPS11582

Master protocol to assess safety and recommended phase 2 dose of next generation NY-ESO-1–specific TCR T-cells in HLA-A*02 patients with synovial sarcoma or non-small cell lung cancer (Substudies 1 and 2)

Schoenfeld, A.

#TPS2661

Safety and efficacy of letetresgene autoleucel (lete-cel; GSK3377794) in advanced myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (MRCLS) following high lymphodepletion (Cohort 2): Interim analysis

D’Angelo, S.

#11521

Cancer Epigenetics

Abstract Name

Presenter

Presentation Details

Real-world treatment patterns among advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer patients in the post-CDK4/6 inhibitor era: An analysis of administrative claims data

Boyle, T. A.

#e18695

EHA

Immuno-oncology

Abstract Name

Presenter

Presentation Details

Characterization of ocular adverse events in patients receiving belantamab mafadotin for ≥12 months: post-hoc analysis of DREAMM-2 study in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma

Lonial, S.

#EP1026

Relationship between corneal exam findings, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and ocular symptoms in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) receiving belantamab mafodotin (belamaf)

Terpos, E.

#EP1001

DREAMM-5 platform trial: Belantamab mafodotin (belamaf) in combination with five different novel agents in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM)

Richardson, P.

#PB1698

Landscape review of the patient-reported outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) in Oncology: Adoption and recent learnings

Regnault, A.

#EP1171

Important information for BLENREP in the EU

Indication

BLENREP is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of multiple myeloma in adult patients, who have received at least four prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least one proteasome inhibitor, one immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, and who have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy.

Refer to the BLENREP Prescribing Information for a full list of adverse events and the complete important safety information.

About Dostarlimab

Dostarlimab is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)-blocking antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor and blocks its interaction with the PD-1 ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2.[2] In addition to GARNET, dostarlimab is being investigated in other registrational enabling studies, as monotherapy and as part of combination regimens, including in women with recurrent or primary advanced endometrial cancer, women with stage III or IV non-mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer, and in patients with other advanced solid tumours or metastatic cancers.

Dostarlimab was discovered by AnaptysBio and licensed to TESARO, Inc., under a Collaboration and Exclusive License Agreement signed in March 2014. The collaboration has resulted in three monospecific antibody therapies that have progressed into the clinic. These are: dostarlimab (GSK4057190), a PD-1 antagonist; cobolimab, (GSK4069889), a TIM-3 antagonist; and GSK4074386, a LAG-3 antagonist. GSK is responsible for the ongoing research, development, commercialisation, and manufacturing of each of these Products under the Agreement.

Important Information for JEMPERLI in the EU

Indication

JEMPERLI is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability‑high (MSI‑H) recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer that has progressed on or following prior treatment with a platinum‑containing regimen.

Refer to the JEMPERLI Prescribing Information for a full list of adverse events and the complete important safety information in the EU.

About Niraparib

Niraparib is an oral, once-daily PARP inhibitor that is currently being evaluated in multiple pivotal trials. GSK is building a robust niraparib clinical development programme by assessing activity across multiple tumour types and by evaluating several potential combinations of niraparib with other therapeutics. The ongoing development programme for niraparib includes several combination studies.

Important Information for ZEJULA

Indication

ZEJULA is indicated as monotherapy for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial (FIGO Stages III and IV) high-grade ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in response (complete or partial) following completion of first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.

Refer to the ZEJULA Prescribing Information for a full list of adverse events and the complete important safety information.

GSK in Oncology

GSK is focused on maximising patient survival through transformational medicines. GSK’s pipeline is focused on immuno-oncology, cell therapy, cancer epigenetics and synthetic lethality. Our goal is to achieve a sustainable flow of new treatments based on a diversified portfolio of investigational medicines utilising modalities such as small molecules, antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates and cell therapy, either alone or in combination.

PCI Biotech: US patent for the vaccine technology (fimaVACC) in combination with checkpoint inhibitors

On May 31, 2021 PCI Biotech (OSE: PCIB), a cancer focused biopharmaceutical company, reported that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has informed the company that a new US patent will be granted early June 2021 (Press release, PCI Biotech, MAY 31, 2021, View Source [SID1234585159]). The US patent covers the use of fimaVacc in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

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The use of ICIs has revolutionised cancer immunotherapy, as this class of drugs may induce long-lasting effects in those patients responding to treatment. Unfortunately, most patients do not respond to ICI therapy and different treatment combination strategies are explored with the aim to increase the number of patients responding. Combining ICIs with therapeutic cancer vaccines that induce relevant immune responses against the tumour cells is regarded as one of the most promising strategies. The patent that soon will be granted in the US covers the use of PCI Biotech’s fimaVacc vaccination technology in combination with important classes of ICIs and an important type of immunological adjuvants (a class of so-called Toll like receptor agonists).

"Increasing the response rates to ICI’s is one of the pharma industry’s main priorities in cancer and therapeutic cancer vaccination is a rational approach to this aim. The fimaVacc technology has delivered encouraging immune responses in early phase clinical trials and this US patent provides relevant intellectual property for the further development of this technology." said Dr. Per Walday, CEO of PCI Biotech.

As part of PCI Biotech’s strategy for applying the PCI technology for therapeutic cancer vaccines, several global patent applications were filed in 2013-2016. Today’s announced US patent secure protection until 2036 and this patent application is still pending in Europe and key Asian markets.

Novo Nordisk A/S – Share repurchase programme

On May 31, 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, MAY 31, 2021, View Source [SID1234583305]). This programme is part of the overall share repurchase programme of up to DKK 18 billion to be executed during a 12-month period beginning 3 February 2021.

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Under the programme initiated 7 May 2021, Novo Nordisk will repurchase B shares for an amount up to DKK 3.3 billion in the period from 10 May 2021 to 3 August 2021.

Since the announcement as of 25 May 2021, the following transactions have been made:

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

With the transactions stated above, Novo Nordisk owns a total of 12,620,192 B shares of DKK 0.20 as treasury shares, corresponding to 0.5% of the share capital. The total amount of A and B shares in the company is 2,310,000,000 including treasury shares.

Novo Nordisk expects to repurchase B shares for an amount up to DKK 18 billion during a 12- month period beginning 3 February 2021. As of 28 May 2021, Novo Nordisk has since 3 February 2021 repurchased a total of 13,781,694 B shares at an average share price of DKK 455.01 per B share equal to a transaction value of DKK 6,270,798,856.

Vaccibody to present at Jefferies Virtual Healthcare Conference (June 1-4, 2021)

On May 31, 2021 Vaccibody AS, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of vaccines and novel immunotherapies, reported that its CEO, Michael Engsig, and Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer, Agnete Fredriksen, Ph.D., will give a presentation of Vaccibody at the Jefferies Virtual Healthcare Conference at 4.30 pm CET / 10.30 am EDT on June 2, 2021 (Press release, Vaccibody, MAY 31, 2021, View Source/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/210531_PR_Jefferies-Virtual-Healthcare-Conference-June-1-4-2021-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank" title="View Source/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/210531_PR_Jefferies-Virtual-Healthcare-Conference-June-1-4-2021-FINAL.pdf" rel="nofollow">View Source [SID1234583303]).

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The presentation will be available on Vaccibody’s website at View Source

RhoVac Confirms Forecast – BRaVac Phase IIb study recruitment to close in Quarter 3 2021

On May 31, 2021 RhoVac AB ("RhoVac"), a Swedish cancer immunotherapy company, reported that it confirms its previous forecast to be able to conclude recruitment for its multi-centre BRaVac Phase IIb study in Quarter 3 2021 (Press release, RhoVac, MAY 31, 2021, View Source;bravac-phase-iib-study-recruitment-to-close-in-quarter-3-2021-301302312.html [SID1234583298]). Also, all new US clinics have been initiated to boost recruitment in the final months and further raise awareness in the USA.

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As was the case with many clinical trials, RhoVac phase IIb study in prostate cancer, BRaVac, suffered some delays during the course of Covid-19-pandemic in 2020 and 2021. The latest update was announced early March in connection with the Covid-19-vaccine roll-out and in connection with this RhoVac promised to get back with a more informed forecast for recruitment conclusion at a later stage. Now that this spring’s patient recruitment has been completed and all new US clinics are operational, RhoVac confirms its forecast to complete the recruitment of the study during the third quarter of 2021. There are less than 50 patients left to recruit and the current recruitment pace points to a close in August; allowing for the impact of summer vacations in hospitals, RhoVac therefore forecasts recruitment closing in September. After closing, finalising the treatment of patients in the study is estimated to take 9-12 months.

RhoVac also announces that all new American sites have now been initiated so that the total number of clinics currently operating on the study in the USA is seven. Apart from contributing to the recruitment this also raises awareness of RhoVac and its drug candidate in America, home to most of the company’s potential partner companies.

RhoVac CEO, Anders Månsson, comments: "Keeping the phase IIb study going in the midst of the pandemic was quite a challenge, but we can now conclude that we seem to have emerged successful, where others have unfortunately failed. I now see no obstacles to concluding the study according to forecast, and I look forward to entering the final stage of the trial. I am very happy about our increased US presence and the enthusiasm and commitment of the new centres, and I am full of gratitude to the centres that have prevailed during the pandemic and delivered in spite of the difficult circumstances. I believe we are now entering an exciting phase for RhoVac!"

This disclosure contains information that RhoVac is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (EU nr 596/2014). The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person, on 31-05-2021 13:00 CET.