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Evotec achieves key milestones in its collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb on targeted protein degradation

On December 16, 2020 Evotec SE (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, MDAX/TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809) reported that the Company has achieved key milestones in its partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb in the field of targeted protein degradation with the first two targets transitioning into drug discovery after completing a comprehensive target validation process (Press release, Evotec, DEC 16, 2020, View Source;announcements/press-releases/p/evotec-achieves-key-milestones-in-its-collaboration-with-bristol-myers-squibb-on-targeted-protein-degradation-6008 [SID1234572965]).

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Evotec and Bristol Myers Squibb (the successor in interest to Celgene) initiated their long-term strategic drug discovery and development partnership in the field of targeted protein degradation in 2018 with the goal to identify novel drug targets. The partnership leverages Evotec’s proprietary PanOmics platform, which combines enhanced throughput proteomics, high throughput transcriptomics and cell imaging with an integrated data analysis platform PanHunter. This has enabled the generation of a pipeline of novel first-in-class targeted protein degradation projects.

The first two projects have now transitioned into lead optimisation after completing a comprehensive validation process on Evotec’s platforms. Targeted degradation of these novel targets impacts an established cancer pathway with the promise of providing new therapeutic options for difficult-to-treat breast cancers. Evotec will be responsible for progressing the drug discovery programmes to IND filing.

Evotec receives undisclosed milestone payments as well as research funding for the further development of the programmes and can earn further significant success-based milestone payments. Additionally, Evotec is entitled to tiered, potentially double-digit royalties of the net sales of programmes developed under the partnership.

Dr Cord Dohrmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evotec, commented: "We are extremely pleased with the progress of this unique and very exciting collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb. Our PanOmics approach to targeted protein degradation is based on proprietary enhanced and high throughput multi-omics and phenotypic imaging platforms which allow unbiased and comprehensive profiling of novel targets and drug candidates. We are optimistic that many more projects will be taken forward as the collaboration advances and highly appreciate the opportunity to work with the world-leading company in targeted protein degradation."

Regeneron Announces Presentation at the 39th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

On December 16, 2020 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) reported that it will webcast its presentation at the 39th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Monday, January 11, 2021 (Press release, Regeneron, DEC 16, 2020, View Source [SID1234572961]). The presentation is scheduled for 8:20 a.m. Eastern Time and may be accessed from the "Investors & Media" page of Regeneron’s website at View Source An archived version of the webcast will be available for at least 30 days.

Zimmer Biomet Announces Quarterly Dividend for Fourth Quarter of 2020

On December 16, 2020 Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE and SIX: ZBH), a global leader in musculoskeletal healthcare, reported that its Board of Directors has approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend to stockholders for the fourth quarter of 2020 (Press release, Zimmer Holdings, DEC 16, 2020, View Source [SID1234572960]). The cash dividend of $0.24 per share is payable on or about January 29, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 28, 2020.

Aethlon Medical Announces First Patient Treated in First-in-Human Clinical Trial of HEMOPURIFIER® in Head and Neck Cancer

On December 16, 2020 Aethlon Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: AEMD), a therapeutic medical device and technology company focused on unmet needs in viral diseases, oncology and inflammation, reported that the first patient has been treated in the Company’s first-in-human Early Feasibility Study (EFS) evaluating the HEMOPURIFIER in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (Press release, Aethlon Medical, DEC 16, 2020, View Source [SID1234572958]). The study is enrolling patients at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh, PA. (Hemopurifier Plus Pembrolizumab in Head and Neck Cancer – Full Text View – ClinicalTrials.gov).

The EFS, which is the device equivalent of a Phase 1 clinical trial for a drug or biologic, is a single center, open label trial in 10 to 12 subjects. The study is evaluating the HEMOPURIFIER for reducing cancer-associated exosomes prior to the administration of standard-of-care pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA), which is a first-line therapy for patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The primary endpoint for the study is safety of the HEMOPURIFIER in a clinical setting. Secondary endpoints include efficacy based on response rates, progression-free and overall survival, and changes in exosome concentration after HEMOPURIFIER treatment.

In cancer, exosomes have been shown to participate in the development and advancement of disease. Exosomes derived from tumor cells may promote immune suppression and seed the spread of metastasis. These tumor derived exosomes may also inhibit the activity of immuno-oncology drugs such as KEYTRUDA. Tumor derived exosomes are not currently addressed with any approved therapy.

Dan Zandberg, M.D., Medical Oncologist and Hematologist at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Principal Investigator of the study, stated, "We are excited to have treated the first head and neck cancer patient with the HEMOPURIFIER. While KEYTRUDA can markedly improve outcome in some head and neck cancer patients, the majority of patients still do not respond. If clearance of exosomes with the HEMOPURIFIER prior to treatment with KEYTRUDA can increase the number of patients who are able to respond to KEYTRUDA, it could represent an important advance in the treatment of this disease. This trial represents the first step in this evaluation."

Charles J. Fisher, Jr., M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Aethlon, stated, "We are delighted to be working with Dr. Zandberg and his colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman to treat the first head and neck cancer patient with the HEMOPURIFIER. By reducing the presence of immune suppressive exosomes from the circulatory system of head and neck cancer patients prior to treatment with KEYTRUDA, we believe the HEMOPURIFIER could have the potential to improve patient outcomes in this disease. The initiation of this first-in-human study addressing cancer-associated exosomes is a significant step towards evaluating the HEMOPURIFIER for potentially improving the efficacy of KEYTRUDA in head and neck cancer."

Qualigen Therapeutics, Inc. Announces $12 Million Registered Direct Offering

On December 16, 2020 Qualigen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: QLGN) ("Qualigen" or the "Company"), reported it has entered into a definitive agreement with a single institutional investor for the purchase and sale for $12,000,000 of (i) 2,370,786 Common Shares, (ii) 1,000,000 Pre-Funded Warrants (iii) 1,348,314 Common Warrants exercisable immediately and (iv) 842,696 Common Warrants exercisable six (6) months after issuance at a combined purchase price of $3.56 in a registered direct offering (Press release, Qualigen, DEC 16, 2020, View Source [SID1234572956]). The Common Warrants will have an exercise price of $4.07 per share and have a term of two years. The closing of the offering is expected to occur on or about December 18, 2020, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners is acting as sole placement agent for the offering.

This offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-232798) previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). A prospectus supplement describing the terms of the proposed offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website located at View Source Electronic copies of the prospectus supplement may be obtained, when available, from A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners, 590 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by telephone at (212) 624-2060, or by email at [email protected].

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.