Agios Announces Publication of TIBSOVO® Phase 3 Data in The Lancet Oncology Demonstrating Significant Improvement in Progression-Free Survival Compared to Placebo in Previously Treated IDH1-Mutant Cholangiocarcinoma Patients

On May 19, 2020 Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AGIO), a leader in the field of cellular metabolism to treat cancer and rare genetic diseases, reported that The Lancet Oncology has published data from its global Phase 3 ClarIDHy study of TIBSOVO (ivosidenib) in previously treated cholangiocarcinoma patients with an isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation (Press release, Agios Pharmaceuticals, MAY 19, 2020, View Source [SID1234558266]). The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) in patients randomized to TIBSOVO compared with placebo patients. The safety profile observed in the study was consistent with previously published data. Data from this study were previously presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper), held in September 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.

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The publication can be accessed at the following link: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(20)30157-1/fulltext

"We began researching IDH inhibition as a potential therapeutic approach for solid tumors more than five years ago with the goal of innovating on behalf of patients, including those with advanced cholangiocarcinoma, who desperately need new treatment options," said Chris Bowden, M.D., chief medical officer at Agios. "We are pleased that the ClarIDHy study supports the potential utility of TIBSOVO for this patient population and are focused on filing our supplemental new drug application for previously treated IDH1-mutant cholangiocarcinoma patients between the end of this year and mid-2021."

ClarIDHy Phase 3 Trial
The ClarIDHy trial is a global, randomized Phase 3 trial in previously treated IDH1-mutant cholangiocarcinoma patients who have documented disease progression following one or two systemic therapies in the advanced setting. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive either single-agent TIBSOVO 500 mg once daily or placebo with crossover to TIBSOVO permitted at the time of documented radiographic progression per RECIST 1.1. At the time of the primary analysis, a total of 185 patients were randomized, with 124 patients in the TIBSOVO arm and 61 patients in the placebo arm. Thirty-five patients randomized to placebo (57.4%) crossed over to open-label TIBSOVO upon radiographic disease progression and unblinding.

Results of the study were as follows:

Median PFS for patients randomized to TIBSOVO was 2.7 months compared to 1.4 months with placebo (hazard ratio [HR]=0.37; 95% CI [0.25, 0.54], one-sided p<0·0001) as assessed by independent radiology review.
The estimated PFS rate was 32% at six months and 22% at 12 months for patients randomized to TIBSOVO, while no patients randomized to placebo were free from progression beyond six months as of the data cut-off.
The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) of any grade for the 121 patients who received TIBSOVO were nausea (36%), diarrhea (31%) and fatigue (26%).
Less than third of patients experienced serious AEs in either arm (30% of 121 who received TIBSOVO versus 22% of 59 patients who received placebo).
The most common Grade 3 or worse AE in both treatment groups was ascites (nine [7%] of 121 patients who received TIBSOVO and four [7%] of 59 patients who received placebo).
Patients randomized to placebo experienced a significantly greater decline in physical functioning from baseline compared to patients randomized to ivosidenib on the first day of their second 28-day treatment cycle based on European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) Physical Functioning subscale scores (p=0.0059).
TIBSOVO is not approved in any country for the treatment of patients with previously treated advanced IDH1-mutant cholangiocarcinoma.

About Cholangiocarcinoma
Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is a rare cancer of the bile ducts within and outside of the liver. Cases that occur within the liver are known as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) and those that occur outside the liver are considered extrahepatic. Mutations in IDH1 occur in up to 20% of IHCC cases. Current treatment options for localized disease include surgery, radiation and/or other ablative treatments. There are no approved systemic therapies for IDH1-mutated cholangiocarcinoma and limited chemotherapy options are available in the advanced setting. Gemcitabine-based chemotherapy is often recommended for newly diagnosed advanced or metastatic disease.

About TIBSOVO (ivosidenib)
TIBSOVO is indicated for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a susceptible isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test in:

Adult patients with newly-diagnosed AML who are ≥75 years old or who have comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy.
Adult patients with relapsed or refractory AML.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: DIFFERENTIATION SYNDROME

Patients treated with TIBSOVO have experienced symptoms of differentiation syndrome, which can be fatal if not treated. Symptoms may include fever, dyspnea, hypoxia, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural or pericardial effusions, rapid weight gain or peripheral edema, hypotension, and hepatic, renal, or multi-organ dysfunction. If differentiation syndrome is suspected, initiate corticosteroid therapy and hemodynamic monitoring until symptom resolution.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Differentiation Syndrome: See Boxed WARNING. In the clinical trial, 25% (7/28) of patients with newly diagnosed AML and 19% (34/179) of patients with relapsed or refractory AML treated with TIBSOVO experienced differentiation syndrome. Differentiation syndrome is associated with rapid proliferation and differentiation of myeloid cells and may be life-threatening or fatal if not treated. Symptoms of differentiation syndrome in patients treated with TIBSOVO included noninfectious leukocytosis, peripheral edema, pyrexia, dyspnea, pleural effusion, hypotension, hypoxia, pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, pericardial effusion, rash, fluid overload, tumor lysis syndrome, and creatinine increased. Of the 7 patients with newly diagnosed AML who experienced differentiation syndrome, 6 (86%) patients recovered. Of the 34 patients with relapsed or refractory AML who experienced differentiation syndrome, 27 (79%) patients recovered after treatment or after dose interruption of TIBSOVO. Differentiation syndrome occurred as early as 1 day and up to 3 months after TIBSOVO initiation and has been observed with or without concomitant leukocytosis.

If differentiation syndrome is suspected, initiate dexamethasone 10 mg IV every 12 hours (or an equivalent dose of an alternative oral or IV corticosteroid) and hemodynamic monitoring until improvement. If concomitant noninfectious leukocytosis is observed, initiate treatment with hydroxyurea or leukapheresis, as clinically indicated. Taper corticosteroids and hydroxyurea after resolution of symptoms and administer corticosteroids for a minimum of 3 days. Symptoms of differentiation syndrome may recur with premature discontinuation of corticosteroid and/or hydroxyurea treatment. If severe signs and/or symptoms persist for more than 48 hours after initiation of corticosteroids, interrupt TIBSOVO until signs and symptoms are no longer severe.

QTc Interval Prolongation: Patients treated with TIBSOVO can develop QT (QTc) prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias. One patient developed ventricular fibrillation attributed to TIBSOVO. Concomitant use of TIBSOVO with drugs known to prolong the QTc interval (e.g., anti-arrhythmic medicines, fluoroquinolones, triazole anti-fungals, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists) and CYP3A4 inhibitors may increase the risk of QTc interval prolongation. Conduct monitoring of electrocardiograms (ECGs) and electrolytes. In patients with congenital long QTc syndrome, congestive heart failure, or electrolyte abnormalities, or in those who are taking medications known to prolong the QTc interval, more frequent monitoring may be necessary.

Interrupt TIBSOVO if QTc increases to greater than 480 msec and less than 500 msec. Interrupt and reduce TIBSOVO if QTc increases to greater than 500 msec. Permanently discontinue TIBSOVO in patients who develop QTc interval prolongation with signs or symptoms of life-threatening arrhythmia.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Guillain-Barré syndrome occurred in <1% (2/258) of patients treated with TIBSOVO in the clinical study. Monitor patients taking TIBSOVO for onset of new signs or symptoms of motor and/or sensory neuropathy such as unilateral or bilateral weakness, sensory alterations, paresthesias, or difficulty breathing. Permanently discontinue TIBSOVO in patients who are diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions including laboratory abnormalities (≥20%) were hemoglobin decreased (60%), fatigue (43%), arthralgia (39%), calcium decreased (39%), sodium decreased (39%), leukocytosis (38%), diarrhea (37%), magnesium decreased (36%), edema (34%), nausea (33%), dyspnea (32%), uric acid increased (32%), potassium decreased (32%), alkaline phosphatase increased (30%), mucositis (28%), aspartate aminotransferase increased (27%), phosphatase decreased (25%), electrocardiogram QT prolonged (24%), rash (24%), creatinine increased (24%), cough (23%), decreased appetite (22%), myalgia (21%), constipation (20%), and pyrexia (20%).
In patients with newly diagnosed AML, the most frequently reported Grade ≥3 adverse reactions (≥5%) were fatigue (14%), differentiation syndrome (11%), electrocardiogram QT prolonged (11%), diarrhea (7%), nausea (7%), and leukocytosis (7%). Serious adverse reactions (≥5%) were differentiation syndrome (18%), electrocardiogram QT prolonged (7%), and fatigue (7%). There was one case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES).
In patients with relapsed or refractory AML, the most frequently reported Grade ≥3 adverse reactions (≥5%) were differentiation syndrome (13%), electrocardiogram QT prolonged (10%), dyspnea (9%), leukocytosis (8%), and tumor lysis syndrome (6%). Serious adverse reactions (≥5%) were differentiation syndrome (10%), leukocytosis (10%), and electrocardiogram QT prolonged (7%). There was one case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
DRUG INTERACTIONS

Strong or Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Reduce TIBSOVO dose with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Monitor patients for increased risk of QTc interval prolongation.
Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: Avoid concomitant use with TIBSOVO.
Sensitive CYP3A4 Substrates: Avoid concomitant use with TIBSOVO.

QTc Prolonging Drugs: Avoid concomitant use with TIBSOVO. If co-administration is unavoidable, monitor patients for increased risk of QTc interval prolongation.

LACTATION

Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with TIBSOVO and for at least 1 month after the last dose.

Clarity Pharmaceuticals announces US FDA grants 64Cu-SARTATE™ Orphan Drug Designation for the clinical management of neuroblastoma

On May 19, 2020 Clarity Pharmaceuticals, a radiopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of serious disease, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) for 64Cu-SARTATE as a diagnostic agent for the clinical management of neuroblastoma (Press release, Clarity Pharmaceuticals, MAY 19, 2020, View Source [SID1234558240]).

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"This milestone comes shortly after the FDA granted Clarity ODD for 67Cu-SARTATE, a therapy for the treatment of neuroblastoma," commented Dr Alan Taylor, Clarity’s Executive Chairman. "The grant of both diagnostic and therapeutic ODDs highlights the importance of work conducted by our Team in the field of theranostics and indicates the support for the development of SARTATE for children with cancer."

Neuroblastoma most often occurs in children younger than 5 years of age and presents when the tumour grows and causes symptoms. It is the most common type of cancer to be diagnosed in the first year of life and accounts for around 15% of paediatric cancer mortality1. High-risk neuroblastoma accounts for approximately 45% of all neuroblastoma cases. Patients with high-risk neuroblastoma have the lowest 5-year survival rates at 40%-50%.2

FDA grants ODDs to facilitate the development of investigational therapies intended to treat, diagnose or prevent rare diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. The designation allows Clarity Pharmaceuticals to qualify for a number of incentives, including: seven years of market exclusivity upon regulatory approval, if received; potential tax credits on US clinical costs; exemptions from certain administrative FDA fees; and eligibility for grants to fund future clinical work.

Dr Taylor said, "We are very excited about receiving ODDs for both the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of SARTATE in neuroblastoma and our Team is looking forward to progressing the development of both 64Cu-SARTATE and 67Cu-SARTATE in some of the leading cancer centres in the U.S. with the recruitment to our theranostic US-based Phase 1/2 trial3 expected to commence shortly."

References
Nadja C. Colon and Dai H. Chung 2011, "Neuroblastoma", Advances in Pediatrics, <View Source>
Valeria Smith and Jennifer Foster 2018, "High Risk Neuroblastoma Treatment Review", Children, <View Source>
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04023331

Turning Point Therapeutics Announces Pricing of $325 Million Public Offering of Common Stock

On May 18, 2020 Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TPTX), a precision oncology company developing next-generation therapies that target genetic drivers of cancer, reported the pricing of its previously announced underwritten public offering of 5,416,667 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $60.00 per share (Press release, Turning Point Therapeutics, MAY 18, 2020, View Source [SID1234564373]). The gross proceeds to Turning Point from the offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by Turning Point, are expected to be approximately $325.0 million. In addition, Turning Point has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 812,500 shares of common stock. The offering is expected to close on or about May 21, 2020, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

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Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, SVB Leerink and Guggenheim Securities are acting as joint bookrunning managers for the offering. Wedbush PacGrow is acting as lead manager and H.C. Wainwright & Co. is acting as co-manager for the offering.

The shares of common stock described above are being offered by Turning Point pursuant to a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, including a base prospectus, that was previously filed with and became effective by rule of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 15, 2020. A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering were filed with the SEC and are available on the SEC’s website located at View Source A final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available for free on the SEC’s website located at View Source Copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering, when available, may be obtained from: Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, via telephone: 1-866-471-2526, or via email: [email protected]; SVB Leerink LLC, Attention: Syndicate Department, One Federal Street, 37th Floor, Boston, MA 02110, by telephone at 1-800-808-7525, ext. 6218 or by email at [email protected]; or Guggenheim Securities, LLC Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, 330 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017 or by telephone at 212-518-5548, or by email at [email protected].

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

GENFIT: Reports First Quarter 2020 Financial Information

On May 18, 2020 GENFIT (Nasdaq and Euronext: GNFT), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the lives of patients with metabolic and liver diseases, reported its cash position as of March 31, 2020 and revenues for the first three months of 2020 (Press release, Genfit, MAY 18, 2020, https://ir.genfit.com/news-releases/news-release-details/genfit-reports-first-quarter-2020-financial-information-genfit [SID1234561498]).

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Cash position

As of March 31, 2020, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents amounted to €252.0 million compared with €314.1 million as of March 31, 2019 and €276.7 million as of December 31, 2019.

Revenues

Revenues for the first three months of 2020 amounted to €102 thousand compared to €1 thousand for the same period in 2019. Revenues mainly consisted of revenues from services provided to Terns Pharmaceuticals pursuant to the collaboration and license agreement in relation to their clinical trials.

Additional Information

Following the May 11, 2020 announcement of the interim results from the RESOLVE-IT Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating elafibranor in adults with NASH and fibrosis, GENFIT outlines the main operational and financial implications of this announcement:

Operational implications

Elafibranor did not show a statistically significant effect on the primary endpoint of NASH resolution without worsening of fibrosis, and therefore the top-line results do not support an application for accelerated approval by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) under Subpart H or conditional approval by the EMA (European Medicines Agency).

However, before taking a final decision regarding the discontinuation, amendment or continuation of the RESOLVE-IT trial, GENFIT will review in detail the full dataset and will conduct additional analyses in order to:

Understand why the placebo response rate was higher than what was observed in other late stage clinical trials using similar protocols;
Determine whether there is still a potential for elafibranor in specific subpopulations.
GENFIT will then engage with the FDA and the EMA, and will take a decision regarding the discontinuation, amendment or continuation of the RESOLVE-IT trial following its discussions with regulatory authorities.

GENFIT remains fully committed to developing NIS4, its non-invasive diagnostic technology, to identify at-risk NASH patients.

With regards to PBC (Primary Biliary Cholangitis), given elafibranor’s activity in Phase 2, and its safety profile confirmed by the RESOLVE-IT interim data, and because PBC is an autoimmune disease unrelated to the metabolic origins of NASH, GENFIT is confident in its Phase 3 development program evaluating elafibranor in this indication.

Finally, GENFIT remains open to opportunities that could create value for the Company, whether through forging new strategic partnerships or new scientific collaborations.

GENFIT plans to share its updated corporate strategy in the Fall 2020, once a decision regarding the RESOLVE-IT trial is taken, including potential decisions regarding its product pipeline.

Financial implications

GENFIT is reviewing all non-essential expenses and a first series of measures includes terminating all marketing and commercialization readiness activities for elafibranor in NASH.
However, since no immediate decision can be taken regarding the future of the RESOLVE-IT trial, the trial will continue and its associated costs will continue , including those related to:
Contract Research Organization activities; and
patient monitoring, which cannot be interrupted abruptly due to ethical and regulatory concerns.
In the event a decision is taken to discontinue the RESOLVE-IT trial in the Fall 2020, given the size and complexity of the study, residual costs are to be expected and the full impact of the decision on the Company’s cash burn will not be noticeable until several months following the termination of the trial.

Celleron Therapeutics Chief Medical Officer Prof David Kerr Leads Opening of University of Oxford-Sichuan University Huaxi Joint Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancer

On May 18, 2020 Celleron reported the launch of the University of Oxford-Sichuan University Huaxi Joint Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancer, led by Prof. David Kerr (Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford) and Prof. Li Yang (Sichuan University) (Press release, Celleron, MAY 18, 2020, View Source [SID1234560784]).

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Over the next 5 years, this new international collaboration seeks to develop an integrated cancer plan with a focus on gastrointestinal cancer, underpinned by high quality basic, translational and clinical cancer research.

The intention is to develop one team based across two sites, with an operating and governance system that will drive the exchange of ideas, which is crucial to academic development and alleviating the burden that cancer places on society across the world.

The Centre will seek to build a portfolio of multi-disciplinary teams drawing from both organizations. These teams and their projects will enable scientists and clinicians to learn from each other and apply their expertise for the benefit of cancer patients in both nations. The establishment of a bilateral researcher exchange program will drive the delivery of these.

Professor David Kerr, Co-Director of the University of Oxford-Sichuan University Huaxi Joint Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancer and CMO of Celleron Therapeutics, commented,

"The idea behind personalised cancer medicine is both simple and powerful: delivering the right treatment to the right patient at the right time. Our aim is to radically alter the way cancer is managed, saving lives by focusing on the individual"

Professor Nick La Thangue, CEO of Celleron Therapeutics, commented,

"Cancer remains a devastating and clinically unmet disease. It is very pleasing that our leadership team can contribute to international partnerships between leading universities and hospitals aiming to improve treatment of the disease".