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Enzychem Lifesciences Announces Three Abstracts Accepted at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics

On October 16, 2019 Enzychem Lifesciences, a leading global biopharmaceutical company focusing on innovative new drug development for unmet medical needs, reported that three abstracts have been accepted for poster presentation at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC AACR-NCI-EORTC (Free AACR-NCI-EORTC Whitepaper) International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics (EORTC-NCI-AACR) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper), on October 26-30, 2019, at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts (Press release, Enzychem Lifesciences, OCT 16, 2019, View Source [SID1234542321]).

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This new data demonstrates Enzychem Lifesciences’ commitment to fully understanding of EC-18’s mechanism of action on transendothelial migration & tissue infiltration of neutrophils, as well as potential antitumor effects of EC-18 in the therapeutic indications.

"Tumor infiltrating neutrophils play an important role in tumor progression and metastasis. There is a great need for developing a drug such as EC-18 that may reduce tumor metastasis through novel mechanism of modulating neutrophil trafficking," said Dr. Jeff Crawford, Chairperson of scientific advisory board of Enzychem Lifesciences.

Poster presentation details:

Title: A phase 1/2a, open-label, dose-escalation study of EC-18 in patients with metastatic breast cancer for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia

Abstract: A070

Date/Time: Sunday Oct 27, 12:30pm – 4:00 pm

Location: Board 70

Title: The synergistic effect of PLAG on the antitumor efficacy of AC-regimen via alleviating neutrophil tumor infiltration on breast tumor xenograft model

Abstract Number: B054

Date/Time: Monday Oct 28, 12:30pm – 4:00pm

Location: Board 54

Title: Anti-metastatic effect of PLAG via interference of neutrophil elastase/PAR2/EGFR signaling on A549 lung cancer orthotopic implantation model

Abstract Number: C037

Date/Time: Tuesday Oct 29, 12:30pm – 4:00 pm

Location: Board 37

Nektar Therapeutics Announces Initiation of First-in-Human Phase 1 Clinical Study of NKTR-255, an IL-15 Agonist, in Adults with Relapsed or Refractory Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma or Multiple Myeloma

On October 16, 2019 Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR) reported the initiation of a first-in-human, Phase 1 clinical study evaluating NKTR-255, an interleukin-15 (IL-15) receptor agonist, as monotherapy for patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) or multiple myeloma (MM) (Press release, Nektar Therapeutics, OCT 16, 2019, View Source [SID1234542320]). The study will also combine NKTR-255 with multiple targeted antibodies, that function through an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) mechanism, to evaluate the safety and efficacy in adults with relapsed or refractory MM. NKTR-255 is designed to activate the IL-15 pathway and expand functionally superior natural killer (NK) cells and promote the survival and expansion of memory CD8+ T cells without inducing suppressive regulatory T cells.

"We are excited to launch the first-in-human clinical study of NKTR-255, which has shown promising and substantial anti-tumor activity in our preclinical studies," said Wei Lin, M.D., Senior Vice President and Head of Development at Nektar Therapeutics. "By increasing the number and activity of NK cells, NKTR-255 has the potential to enhance the host’s tumor-fighting response, both as a single agent and in combination with tumor-targeting antibodies, including daratumumab and rituximab."

One of the big challenges in treating cancer patients with targeted monoclonal antibodies is that the cancer patients have a deficiency in key effector cells like NK cells that are needed to work with the monoclonal antibodies.1,2 In nonclinical studies, NKTR-255 exhibited anti-tumor activity and substantially enhanced in vivo proliferation and activation of NK cells to provide sustained cytotoxic function.3 In a preclinical lymphoma model where single agent daratumumab was ineffective, NKTR-255 treatment, in combination with daratumumab, increased NK cell numbers and activity in bone marrow tissue and enhanced ADCC-mediated tumor cell clearance in the bone marrow compartment.4

NHL is one of the most common cancers in the United States, accounting for about 4% of all cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2019, approximately 74,200 people will be diagnosed with NHL in the U.S. and about 19,970 will die from this cancer. MM is a relatively uncommon cancer in the U.S., with a lifetime risk of getting MM of 1 in 132 (0.76%). The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2019, approximately 32,110 people will be diagnosed with MM and about 12,960 will die from this disease.

About the NKTR-255 Phase 1 Study
The NKTR-255 Phase 1 study is an open-label, dose escalation and dose expansion study in patients with select hematological malignancies (relapsed or refractory NHL or MM). The dose escalation phase of the study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of NKTR-255 as monotherapy in approximately 40 patients in order to establish a recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) for NKTR-255. The dose expansion phase of the study will enroll in two separate cohorts: the first cohort will enroll patients with MM or NHL (relapsed salvage) to evaluate the NKTR-255 RP2D as a monotherapy and the second cohort will enroll patients with MM or NHL (relapsed/refractory salvage) to evaluate the NKTR-255 RP2D in combination with targeted antibodies, including anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, daratumumab. The study will also evaluate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects, anti-tumor activity and biomarker assessments.

About NKTR-255
NKTR-255 is an IL-15 receptor agonist designed to activate the IL-15 pathway and expand NK cells and promote the survival and expansion of memory CD8+ T cells without inducing suppressive regulatory T cells. Through optimal engagement of the IL-15Rα/IL-2Rβγ receptor complex, NKTR-255 enhances formation of long-term immunological memory, which may lead to sustained anti-tumor immune response. NKTR-255 is uniquely designed to overcome the challenges of recombinant IL-15, which is rapidly cleared from the body and must be administered frequently and in high doses, limiting its utility due to toxicity and convenience of use.

Titan Pharmaceuticals Announces Pricing Of $9.0 Million Underwritten Public Offering

On October 16, 2019 Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTNP) reported the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 40,000,000 units at a price to the public of $0.225 per unit (Press release, Titan Pharmaceuticals, OCT 16, 2019, View Source [SID1234542319]). Each unit issued in the offering consists of one share of common stock (or pre-funded warrant in lieu thereof) and one Class B Warrant to purchase one share of common stock. Gross proceeds, before underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, are expected to be $9.0 million.

The Class B Warrants will be immediately exercisable at a price of $0.225 per share of common stock and will expire five years from the date of issuance. The shares of common stock (or pre-funded warrants) and the accompanying warrants are immediately separable from the units and, can only be purchased together in the offering. The offering is expected to close on or about October 18, 2019, subject to customary closing conditions.

Maxim Group LLC is acting as the sole book-running manager for the offering.

Titan has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 6,000,000 shares of common stock and/or Class B warrants to purchase up to 6,000,000 shares of common stock, at the public offering price less discounts and commissions.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") declared effective a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-233722) relating to these securities on October 16, 2019. A final prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website at View Source The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus forming part of the effective registration statement. Electronic copies of the prospectus relating to this offering, when available, may be obtained from Maxim Group LLC, 405 Lexington Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10174, at (212) 895-3745.

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

Service Corporation International Announces Schedule For Its Third Quarter 2019 Earnings Release and Conference Call

On October 16, 2019 Service Corporation International (NYSE: SCI) reported it expects to issue a press release with financial results for the third quarter 2019 on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, after the market closes (Press release, Pharmaceutical Services, OCT 16, 2019, View Source [SID1234542318]). A conference call will be hosted by SCI Management on Thursday, October 31, 2019. Details of the conference call are as follows:

What: Service Corporation International Third Quarter 2019 Earnings Conference Call

When: Thursday, October 31, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. Central Time

How: Dial-in Numbers – (800) 708-4540 or (847) 619-6397 / Code – 49106413 or listen live via the internet through our website at www.sci-corp.com in the Investors section under "Webcasts and Presentations"

Replay: (888) 843-7419 or (630) 652-3042 / Code – 49106413# available through November 7, 2019, and the webcast for at least 90 days through our website at www.sci-corp.com in the Investors section under "Webcasts & Presentations"

Contact: Sandy Bobo at (713) 525-5395

Alkermes to Host Conference Call to Discuss Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results

On October 16, 2019 Alkermes plc (Nasdaq: ALKS) reported that it will host a conference call and webcast presentation at 8:00 a.m. ET (1:00 p.m. BST) on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, to discuss the company’s third quarter 2019 financial results (Press release, Alkermes, OCT 16, 2019, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alkermes-to-host-conference-call-to-discuss-third-quarter-2019-financial-results-300939748.html [SID1234542317]). Management will also provide an update on the company.

The webcast player and accompanying slides may be accessed on the Investors section of Alkermes’ website at www.alkermes.com. The conference call may be accessed by dialing +1 877 407 2988 for U.S. callers and +1 201 389 0923 for international callers.

A replay of the conference call will be available from 11:00 a.m. ET (4:00 p.m. BST) on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019 through Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, and may be accessed by visiting Alkermes’ website or by dialing +1 877 660 6853 for U.S. callers and +1 201 612 7415 for international callers. The replay access code is 13694597.