Reid Hoffman’s Manas AI raises $24.6M, a fraction of other AI drug discovery startups

On January 27, 2025 LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman and Siddhartha Mukherjee, cancer researcher and author of the book "The Emperor of All Maladies," reported they have co-founded an AI-powered drug discovery startup, Manas AI (Press release, Manas AI, JAN 27, 2025, View Source [SID1234656925]). The company, which will initially focus on breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lymphoma, has raised $24.6 million in seed funding from Hoffman, General Catalyst, and Greylock.

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Manas AI’s capital haul pales compared with some other startups trying to use AI models to develop novel drugs. Last year, Xaira, which claimed that it was ready to start developing drugs, launched with a massive $1 billion in initial funding. Treeline Biosciences is another company that uses AI for drug discovery and raised $422 million last year, Endpts reported.

Manas AI claims it will design molecules with AI, then test them in a wet lab, Hoffman reportedly said during the presentation of his new book "Superagency." The outfit also says it will use Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, Azure, and Microsoft’s "deep domain knowledge in AI" to develop novel medicines.

Hoffman has close ties to Microsoft, which famously acquired his earlier company, LinkedIn, in a blockbuster deal in 2016.

CStone Pharmaceuticals and SteinCares Enter into a Strategic Collaboration for Sugemalimab in Latin America

On January 27, 2025 CStone Pharmaceuticals (stock code: 2616.HK), an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company focused on developing oncology drugs, reported a strategic commercialization collaboration with SteinCares, a leading pharmaceutical company with deep expertise in the Latin American market (Press release, CStone Pharmaceauticals, JAN 27, 2025, View Source [SID1234656222]). Under the license and commercialization agreement, SteinCares will acquire the commercialization rights to sugemalimab in ten countries across Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Guatemala, and Ecuador.

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In the collaboration between the two parties, SteinCares will be responsible for the registration and commercialization-related activities of Sugemalimab in the above-mentioned regions, while CStone Pharmaceuticals will be responsible for the product supply of Sugemalimab and will receive an upfront payment, registration and sales milestone payments from SteinCares, as well as international revenue from the sales of Sugemalimab to SteinCares.

Dr. Jianxin Yang, CEO, President of R&D, and Executive Director of CStone Pharmaceuticals, said, "Following the successful expansion into dozens of countries across Switzerland, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, sugemalimab has achieved another breakthrough in global commercialization. Sugemalimab is the first PD-L1 monoclonal antibody approved in the EU and the UK for the first-line treatment of all patients with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer . Combined with SteinCares’ extensive distribution network and extensive service experience throughout Latin America, we will expand sales channels for sugemalimab in multiple Latin American regions."

At the same time, we are promoting international collaborations in Western Europe, Southeast Asia, and Canada, and actively advancing the registration and marketing of sugemalimab for other indications. We believe that with the progress of overseas registration applications and international commercialization collaborations, sugemalimab will further demonstrate its intended application and commercial value. We also look forward to collaborating with more international partners to benefit more patients worldwide."

Mitchell Waserstein, CEO of SteinCares, said: "This collaboration is a significant step forward in our efforts to create access to safe, innovative and affordable treatments for patients in Latin America. We are committed to helping patients access safe, innovative and affordable treatment options. Leveraging our decades of experience and established sales network in Latin America, we are confident we can develop a viable and efficient commercialization path for sugemalimab to address the unmet medical needs of patients in the region."

About Sugemalimab

Sugemalimab was developed by CStone Pharmaceuticals using the OmniRat transgenic animal platform licensed from Ligand Corporation in the United States . This platform enables the one-stop production of fully human antibodies. As a fully human, full-length anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, sugemalimab is the closest to the body’s natural G-type immunoglobulin 4 (IgG4) response, minimizing the potential for immunogenicity and related toxicities in patients, offering distinct advantages over similar agents. Sugemalimab’s unique molecular design equips it with a dual mechanism of action: it not only blocks the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction but also mediates the interaction between PD-L1-positive tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), inducing antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) while sparing effector T cells. This differentiated design has enabled sugemalimab to demonstrate competitive efficacy and safety across various tumor types.

Currently, the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved five indications for Sugemalimab (trade name: Zegemet) :

First-line treatment in combination with chemotherapy for patients with metastatic squamous and non-squamous NSCLC;
For the treatment of patients with unresectable, stage III NSCLC who have not experienced disease progression after concurrent or sequential chemoradiotherapy;
Treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma;
Combined with fluorouracil and platinum chemotherapy drugs as the first-line treatment for patients with unresectable locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma;
In combination with fluorouracil-containing and platinum-based chemotherapy, it is used for the first-line treatment of unresectable locally advanced or metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma that expresses PD-L1 (combined positive score [CPS] ≥ 5).
The European Commission (EC) has approved sugemalimab (trade name: Cejemly ) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC who do not have EGFR-sensitive mutations or genomic tumor alterations in ALK, ROS1, or RET.

The UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved sugemalimab in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC who do not have EGFR-sensitive mutations or genomic tumor alterations in ALK, ROS1, or RET.

Theralase® Interim Clinical Data to be Presented at the 2025 AUA Annual Meeting

On January 27, 2025 Theralase Technologies Inc. ("Theralase" or the "Company") (TSXV:TLT)(OTCQB:TLTFF), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development of light, radiation, sound and/or drug-activated small molecules and their formulations, intended for the safe and effective destruction of various cancers, bacteria and viruses reported that its interim clinical data has been selected for presentation at the American Urological Association ("AUA") Annual Meeting (Press release, Theralase, JAN 27, 2025, View Source [SID1234649964]).

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The Program Committee of the AUA has accepted the Theralase’s abstract titled: "Interim Analysis of Light-Activated TLD-1433 in a Phase II Clinical Study of BCG-Unresponsive Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Carcinoma In-Situ" for presentation in a Podium Session at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 26th to 29th.

The clinical data from Theralase’s international, multicenter Phase II ("BCG")-Unresponsive Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer ("NMIBC") Carcinoma In-Situ ("CIS") study will be presented by principal investigator Dr. Girish Kulkarni in an oral presentation.

Pending regulatory approval, this innovative technology represents an opportunity for a significant advancement in bladder cancer treatment, by providing a safe and effective therapy for patients who have exhausted their standard of care therapeutic options and are now facing radical cystectomy (bladder removal).

The interim clinical data supports the high safety and efficacy of the treatment with a number of patients demonstrating a duration of response of 3 years or greater with a single treatment.

These findings support the use of light-activated Ruvidar by the urology community to safely and effectively treat patients inflicted with BCG-Unresponsive NMIBC, helping to revolutionize the treatment landscape for bladder cancer.

Girish Kulkarni, MD, PhD, FRCSC, a urologic surgeon in the Department of Surgical Oncology at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, Department of Surgery stated, "We are excited that our clinical study has been accepted for podium presentation at the American Urological Association. The early data is supportive of light-activated RuvidarTM, as a treatment modality for BCG-Unresponsive CIS of the bladder, thus enabling patients to preserve their bladders and maintain their quality of life."

Arkady Mandel, MD, PhD, DSc, Chief Scientific Officer, Theralase stated, "In the interim clinical data, we have observed a strong safety and efficacy response in bladder cancer patients treated at numerous clinical study sites across Canada and the US. The data supports the use of light-activated Ruvidar in the treatment of patients with high-grade, high-risk NMIBC. In addition, the latest results demonstrate a long-lasting duration of complete response induced by this innovative technology, which is able to be completed within a few hours and is suitable for patients with CIS of the urinary bladder, who have not responded to previous therapies and who are currently facing a life-altering option, such as a radical cystectomy."

Roger DuMoulin-White, BSc, P.Eng, Pro.Dir, Chief Executive Officer, Theralase stated, "The acceptance of the Theralase abstract for podium presentation at the AUA Annual Meeting is a testament to the importance and significant impact that this clinical research could have on the lives of bladder cancer patients. We look forward to the presentation and the continued development of Ruvidar for patients in need. Patient enrollment is scheduled to be completed in 2025, with clinical data submission to Health Canada and the FDA in 2026. Pending successful regulatory approval, Theralase plans to make this technology commercially available to the entire urological community in 2027."

About the Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association

The AUA Annual Meeting is one of the world’s largest gatherings of urological professionals, bringing together leading researchers, clinicians and industry experts to share the latest advancements in urological care and research. The 2025 event in Las Vegas promises to highlight cutting-edge developments in the field, offering a platform for collaboration and innovation.

About Study II:

Study II utilizes the therapeutic dose of the patented Study II Drug ("RuvidarTM" or "TLD-1433") (0.70 mg/cm2) activated by the proprietary Study II Device (TLC-3200 Medical Laser System or "TLC-3200"). Study II is focused on enrolling and treating approximately 75 to 100 BCG-Unresponsive NMIBC CIS patients in up to 15 Clinical Study Sites ("CSS") located in Canada and the United States.

About Ruvidar

Ruvidar is a small molecule, able to be activated by light, radiation, sound and/or other drugs, designed to selectively target and destroy cancer cells, while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. It represents a novel approach in the treatment of BCG-Unresponsive NMIBC CIS. It is planned to be evaluated in various other cancers in 2025; including: brain, lung, pancreatic and muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Genentech’s Itovebi Demonstrated Statistically Significant and Clinically Meaningful Overall Survival Benefit in a Certain Type of HR-Positive Advanced Breast Cancer

On January 27, 2025 Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), reported positive topline results from the overall survival (OS) analysis of the Phase III INAVO120 study investigating ItovebiTM (inavolisib) in combination with palbociclib (Ibrance) and fulvestrant for people with PIK3CA-mutated, hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, endocrine-resistant, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (Press release, Genentech, JAN 27, 2025, View Source [SID1234649900]). The study met its key secondary endpoint, showing a statistically significant and clinically meaningful OS benefit with the Itovebi-based regimen compared with palbociclib and fulvestrant alone.

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"The INAVO120 overall survival results show that the Itovebi-based regimen not only delayed disease progression, but also helped people with advanced HR-positive, PIK3CA-mutated breast cancer live longer," said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., Genentech’s chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. "These findings underscore our ambition to improve survival rates for people with breast cancer. The Itovebi-based regimen has the potential to become the new standard of care for these patients."

These OS results build upon the previously reported primary analysis, which showed that the Itovebi-based regimen reduced the risk of disease worsening or death by 57% compared with palbociclib and fulvestrant alone (15.0 months vs. 7.3 months; hazard ratio [HR]=0.43, 95% CI: 0.32-0.59, p<0.001) in the first-line setting. OS data were immature at the time of primary analysis, but a clear positive trend was observed at that time (stratified HR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.43-0.97, p=0.0338 [boundary of 0.0098]). No new safety signals were observed since the previous analysis. The full results from the OS analysis will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Itovebi-based regimen in October 2024 for the treatment of adults with endocrine-resistant, PIK3CA-mutated, HR-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, as detected by an FDA-approved test, following recurrence on or after completing adjuvant endocrine therapy. Data from INAVO120, recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, are also being reviewed by other global health authorities, including the European Medicines Agency.

Itovebi is currently being investigated in four company-sponsored Phase III clinical studies (INAVO120, INAVO121, INAVO122, INAVO123) in PIK3CA-mutated locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in various combinations. We are exploring additional studies in breast cancer and other tumor types with the hope of bringing the benefit of this targeted therapy to more people with PIK3CA-mutated cancer and addressing patient unmet needs.

About the INAVO120 study

INAVO120 study [NCT04191499] is a Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of ItovebiTM (inavolisib) in combination with palbociclib and fulvestrant versus placebo plus palbociclib and fulvestrant in people with PIK3CA-mutated, hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer whose disease progressed during treatment or within 12 months of completing adjuvant endocrine therapy and who have not received prior systemic therapy for metastatic disease.

The study included 325 patients, who were randomly assigned to either the investigational or control treatment arm. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival, as assessed by investigators, defined as the time from randomization in the clinical trial to the time when the disease progresses, or a patient dies from any cause. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate, and clinical benefit rate.

Beyond INAVO120, Itovebi is currently being investigated in three additional company-sponsored Phase III clinical studies in PIK3CA-mutated locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in various combinations:

in combination with fulvestrant versus alpelisib plus fulvestrant in HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer post cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor and endocrine combination therapy (INAVO121; NCT05646862).
in combination with dual HER2 blockade versus dual HER2 blockade and optional physician’s choice of endocrine therapy as a maintenance treatment in HER2-positive disease (INAVO122; NCT05894239).
in combination with CDK4/6i and letrozole versus placebo plus a CDK4/6i and letrozole in the first-line setting in endocrine-sensitive, PIK3CA-mutated HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer (INAVO123; NCT06790693).

About hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer
HR-positive breast cancer is the most prevalent type of all breast cancers, accounting for approximately 70% of cases. A defining feature of HR-positive breast cancer is that its tumor cells have receptors that attach to one or both hormones – estrogen or progesterone – which can contribute to tumor growth. People diagnosed with HR-positive metastatic breast cancer often face the risk of disease progression and treatment side effects, creating a need for additional treatment options. The PI3K signaling pathway is commonly dysregulated in HR-positive breast cancer, often due to activating PIK3CA mutations, which have been identified as a potential mechanism of intrinsic resistance to standard of care endocrine therapy in combination with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors.

What is Itovebi?

Itovebi (inavolisib) is a prescription medicine used in combination with the medicines palbociclib and fulvestrant to treat adults who have hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer that has an abnormal phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) gene, and has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes (locally advanced), or to other parts of the body (metastatic), and has come back after hormone (endocrine) therapy.

Your healthcare provider will test your cancer for abnormal PIK3CA genes to make sure that Itovebi is right for you.

It is not known if Itovebi is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

What are the possible side effects of Itovebi?

Itovebi may cause serious side effects, including:

High blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). High blood sugar is common with Itovebi and may be severe. Your healthcare provider will monitor your blood sugar levels before you start and during treatment with Itovebi. Your blood sugar levels may be monitored more often if you have a history of Type 2 diabetes. Your healthcare provider may also ask you to self-monitor and report your blood sugar levels at home. This will be required more frequently in the first 4 weeks of treatment. If you are not sure how to test your blood sugar levels, talk to your healthcare provider. You should stay well-hydrated during treatment with Itovebi. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop symptoms of high blood sugar, including:
difficulty breathing
nausea and vomiting (lasting more than 2 hours)
stomach pain
excessive thirst
dry mouth
more frequent urination than usual or a higher amount of urine than normal
blurred vision
unusually increased appetite
weight loss
fruity-smelling breath
flushed face and dry skin
feeling unusually sleepy or tired
confusion
Mouth sores (stomatitis). Mouth sores are common with Itovebi and may be severe. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of the following in your mouth:
pain
swelling
redness
ulcers
Diarrhea is common with Itovebi and may be severe. Severe diarrhea can lead to the loss of too much body water (dehydration) and kidney injury. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop diarrhea, stomach-area (abdominal pain), or see mucus or blood in your stool during treatment with Itovebi. Your healthcare provider may tell you to drink more fluids or take medicines to treat your diarrhea.
Your healthcare provider may tell you to decrease your dose, temporarily stop your treatment, or completely stop your treatment with Itovebi if you develop certain serious side effects.

The most common side effects and abnormal blood test results of Itovebi when used in combination with palbociclib and fulvestrant include:

decreased white blood cell counts, red blood cell counts, and platelet counts
decreased blood levels of calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium
increased creatinine blood levels
tiredness
increased blood levels of the liver enzyme alanine transaminase (ALT)
nausea
rash
loss of appetite
COVID-19 infection
headache
Itovebi may affect fertility in males and in females who are able to become pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is a concern for you.

These are not all the possible side effects of Itovebi. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or View Source You may also report side effects to Genentech at (877) 436-3683.

Before you take Itovebi, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have a history of diabetes or high blood sugar
have kidney problems
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Itovebi can harm your unborn baby.

Females who are able to become pregnant:

Your healthcare provider will check to see if you are pregnant before you start treatment with Itovebi.
You should use effective non-hormonal birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 1 week after your last dose of Itovebi. Talk to your healthcare provider about what birth control method is right for you during this time.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant during treatment with Itovebi.

Males with female partners who are able to become pregnant:

You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with Itovebi and for 1 week after your last dose.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Itovebi passes into your breastmilk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with Itovebi and for 1 week after your last dose. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with Itovebi.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

RenovoRx Highlights Promising Pharmacokinetic Data Abstract Presented at ASCO GI 2025

On January 27, 2025 RenovoRx, Inc. ("RenovoRx" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: RNXT), a life sciences company developing novel targeted oncology therapies and commercializing RenovoCath, a novel, FDA-cleared delivery platform, reported an abstract presentation highlighting promising pharmacokinetic (known as PK) data from the use of RenovoRx’s patented Trans-Arterial Micro-Perfusion (TAMP) therapy platform in treating locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) (Press release, Renovorx, JAN 27, 2025, View Source [SID1234649899]).

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The abstract was presented at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO GI) 2025, by Paula Novelli, MD, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, which is currently underway in San Francisco, CA.

Dr. Novelli, together with her co-authors, presented "Intra-arterial Gemcitabine Versus Intravenous Gemcitabine: Pharmacokinetic Sub-study of the TIGeR-PaC Phase 3 Clinical Trial," a sub-study of RenovoRx’s ongoing pivotal Phase III TIGeR-PaC clinical trial in LAPC. In this sub-study, PK analyses were performed on a sample of participants across TIGeR-PaC study clinical sites. These analyses compared treatment with intra-arterial gemcitabine (IAG), using the RenovoCath delivery system via TAMP, versus systemic intravenous gemcitabine, which is the current standard of care for patients with LAPC.

Results of the sub-study showed RenovoRx’s IAG approach to drug delivery via TAMP decreased systemic levels of gemcitabine versus standard of care. In addition to providing increased local drug potency, the IAG approach may also be beneficial to decreasing gemcitabine-related systemic side effects. TAMP is designed to ensure precise therapeutic delivery across the arterial wall near the tumor site to bathe the target tumor, while potentially minimizing a therapy’s toxicities versus systemic intravenous therapy.

"Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat, and this new data further highlights the potential of RenovoRx’s TAMP therapy platform as a transformative therapeutic option," said Paula Novelli MD, TIGeR-PaC Principal Investigator at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "TAMP is intended to direct a drug and more effectively target the tumor while minimizing systemic impact, and this sub-study shows that despite delivering more gemcitabine in a shorter time, the total systemic drug exposure was significantly lower compared to intravenous treatment. This data further demonstrates that TAMP has the potential to deliver gemcitabine to the tumor more efficiently, enhancing local treatment effectiveness while reducing the broader impact on the body, ultimately minimizing the systemic side effects of chemotherapy."

About the TIGeR-PaC Clinical Trial

TIGeR-PaC is an ongoing Phase III randomized multi-center study evaluating the proprietary TAMP (Trans-Arterial Micro-Perfusion) therapy platform for the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC.) RenovoRx’s first product candidate using the TAMP technology, is a novel investigational oncology drug-device combination utilizing RenovoRx’s FDA-cleared RenovoCath device for the intra-arterial administration of chemotherapy, gemcitabine.

The first interim analysis in the Phase III clinical trial was completed in March 2023, with the Data Monitoring Committee recommending a continuation of the study. The study’s primary endpoint is an Overall Survival benefit with secondary endpoints including reduced side effects versus standard of care. The second interim analysis for this study will be triggered by the 52nd event (i.e., patient death), which is estimated to occur in early 2025. The second interim data readout is anticipated to occur by the end of the first half of 2025, with the timing for such readout, however, being dependent on customary factors such as time needed for analysis. RenovoRx is also aiming to complete patient enrollment in the TIGeR-PaC study in the first half of 2025.

About RenovoCath

Based on its FDA clearance, RenovoCath is intended for the isolation of blood flow and delivery of fluids, including diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents, to selected sites in the peripheral vascular system. RenovoCath is also indicated for temporary vessel occlusion in applications including arteriography, preoperative occlusion, and chemotherapeutic drug infusion. For further information regarding our RenovoCath Instructions for Use ("IFU"), please see: IFU-10004-Rev.-F-Universal-IFU.pdf.