1stOncology™: Cancer Intelligence Service – Page 14248 – 1stOncology is recognized as a Top 10 Global Pharma Analytic Provider

PsiOxus Therapeutics to Collaborate with the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy on Virus-Based Gene Therapy to Treat Solid Tumors

On November 15, 2018 PsiOxus Therapeutics, Ltd. (PsiOxus) and the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (Parker Institute) reported a research project to investigate the use of PsiOxus’ virus-based gene therapy for treating solid tumors that have been historically resistant to immunotherapy (Press release, PsiOxus Therapeutics, NOV 15, 2018, View Source [SID1234531403]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

This pre-clinical immuno-oncology research will utilize PsiOxus’ proprietary T-SIGn platform. The platform uses the enadenotucirev oncolytic virus as a vector to deliver combinations of therapeutic transgenes to carcinomas to fight cancer.

In effect, the T-SIGn viruses work by turning tumor cells into "drug factories" to express gene therapy products, such as cytokines or antibodies, designed to engage the immune system to attack cancer cells.

The viruses first selectively infect and replicate only in tumor cells. The tumor cells then express the encoded genes, producing biologic therapies to alter the tumor microenvironment. Changing the tumor microenvironment is believed to enhance the activation of cancer-fighting immune cells so they can eradicate the tumor.

Working together, PsiOxus and the Parker Institute aim to build and test viruses carrying different combinations of genes.

"One of the challenges in treating solid tumors with immunotherapy is the tumor microenvironment, which is very suppressive and effectively prevents the immune system from attacking the tumor," said Fred Ramsdell, Ph.D., vice president of research at the Parker Institute. "What is promising about the PsiOxus approach is its potential to overcome this suppression using a novel virus platform to deliver gene therapy."

Unlike other oncolytic viruses that require direct injections to the tumor, which can be costly and complicated to administer, PsiOxus’ platform can be delivered to patients intravenously.

"Given the potential of PsiOxus’ IV-delivered cancer gene therapy platform, establishing strategic relationships with world leaders in immuno-oncology will accelerate our ability to bring gene therapy treatment to cancer patients," said Brian Champion, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of PsiOxus. "The Parker Institute is a leader in building strategic relationships between leading immuno-oncology academic and industry partners. We are thrilled to collaborate with the Parker Institute to jointly accelerate research on innovative cancer immuno-oncology therapy."

Sophiris Bio to Present at the Piper Jaffray Healthcare Conference

On November 15, 2018 Sophiris Bio Inc. (NASDAQ: SPHS) (the "Company" or "Sophiris"), a biopharmaceutical company studying topsalysin (PRX302), a first-in-class, pore-forming protein, in late-stage clinical trials for the treatment of patients with urological diseases, reported that Randall E. Woods, president and chief executive officer, will present a corporate overview at the Piper Jaffray Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. ET in New York, NY (Press release, Sophiris Bio, NOV 15, 2018, View Source [SID1234531402]).

The discussion will be webcast live and can be accessed through the Investor Relations page at www.sophirisbio.com. A replay of the presentation will be available on the Company’s website for 90 days.

MorphoSys and I-Mab Sign Strategic Partnering Agreement for MorphoSys’s Novel Immuno-Oncology Agent MOR210

On November 15, 2018 MorphoSys and I-Mab Sign Strategic Partnering Agreement for MorphoSys’s Novel Immuno-Oncology Agent MOR210 (Press release, MorphoSys, NOV 15, 2018, View Source [SID1234531391])

MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, MDAX & TecDAX; NASDAQ: MOR) and I-Mab Biopharma ("I-Mab"), a biotech company focusing exclusively on innovative biologics in immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases, jointly announced today that they have entered into an exclusive strategic collaboration and regional licensing agreement for MOR210. MOR210 is MorphoSys’s proprietary, preclinical-stage antibody directed against C5aR, which has potential to be developed as an immuno-oncology agent. I-Mab will have exclusive rights to develop and commercialize MOR210 in China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and South Korea, while MorphoSys will retain rights in the rest of the world. The agreement deepens the existing partnership between the two companies, building upon the ongoing collaboration on MorphoSys’s anti-CD38 antibody MOR202.

Under the terms of the agreement, I-Mab will exercise its exclusive license rights for development and commercialization of MOR210 in its territories. With support from MorphoSys, I-Mab will perform and fund all global development activities for MOR210, including clinical trials in China and the U.S., towards clinical proof-of-concept (PoC) in oncology.

MorphoSys will receive an upfront payment of USD 3.5 million from I-Mab and will be eligible for development and commercial milestone payments of up to USD 101.5 million, as well as tiered, mid-single-digit royalties on net sales of MOR210 in I-Mab’s territories. In return for the execution of a successful clinical proof-of-concept study, I-Mab is eligible to receive low-single-digit royalties on net sales generated with MOR210 outside its territories and a tiered percentage of sub-licensing revenue.

"This deal builds on our excellent existing relationship with I-Mab for MOR202. We are delighted to grant rights for MOR210 in the Chinese region to I-Mab and enable them to conduct clinical proof-of-concept studies while we focus on other priorities", said Dr. Simon Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of MorphoSys. "The deal takes advantage of our very close working relationship to the benefit of both companies".

"The release of immune checkpoint blockades within the tumor has become a successful strategy to fight cancers. MOR210 is a novel immuno-oncology asset directed against C5aR made by MorphoSys. By adressing this target molecule, we seek to modulate the tumor microenvironment. We look forward to seeing I-Mab drive this interesting program forward into clinical studies, while we retain rights to continue development of MOR210 outside of I-Mab’s territories after clinical proof of concept," commented Dr. Markus Enzelberger, Chief Scientific Officer of MorphoSys AG.

"This agreement is part of our continued efforts to develop innovative biologics with First-in-Class and Best-in-Class potentials," said Dr. Jingwu Zang, Chief Executive Officer of I-Mab. "Through partnership with global innovative companies such as MorphoSys, we expand our innovative oncology portfolio to address unmet medical needs in China and jointly develop drug candidates for the world."

"We look forward to deepening our productive partnership with MorphoSys. We are thrilled to pursue the therapeutic potential of MOR210 with the ultimate goal of translating it into a new treatment option for patients in immuno-oncology," Zang added.

About MOR210 and C5aR
MOR210 is a preclinical-stage human antibody directed against C5aR derived from MorphoSys’s HuCAL Platinum(R) technology. C5aR, the receptor of the complement factor C5a, is investigated as a potential new drug target in the field of immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases. Tumors have been shown to produce high amounts of C5a which, by recruiting and activating myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), is assumed to contribute to an immune-suppressive pro-tumorigenic microenvironment. MOR210 is intended to block the interaction between C5a and its receptor, thereby being expected to neutralize the immune suppressive function of the MDSCs and to enable immune cells to attack the tumor.

Rakuten Aspyrian Announces Appointment of Mickey Mikitani as Chief Executive Officer

On November 15, 2018 Rakuten Aspyrian, a biotechnology company developing precision-targeted cancer therapies based on its proprietary Photoimmunotherapy platform, reported the appointment of Mickey Mikitani as chief executive officer (Press release, Rakuten Aspyrian, NOV 15, 2018, View Source [SID1234531388]). Mr. Mikitani, a global business leader, will also continue in his role of chairman. In conjunction, former CEO Miguel Garcia-Guzman, Ph.D. will transition to serve as Rakuten Aspyrian’s vice chairman and chief scientific officer to continue to build the company’s pipeline and drive innovation.

Rakuten Aspyrian also announced the appointment of Takashi Toraishi, Ph.D. as chief operating officer. Dr. Toraishi will oversee clinical trials and commercialization of Rakuten Aspyrian’s products, as well as manage the growth of the organization.

"With our Photoimmunotherapy platform, Rakuten Aspyrian holds tremendous potential to offer alternative options for treating cancer," said Mr. Mikitani. "As CEO, I will harness this potential as we build a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company with research, development and world-wide commercialization capabilities. Our mission is to develop and commercialize a strong pipeline of treatment options based on Photoimmunotherapy to create a new platform for cancer treatments."

Mr. Mikitani joined the company as chairman in 2016 and has provided strategic direction and investment to support its corporate and clinical development. He is also the Chairman and CEO of Rakuten, Inc. [RKUNF], a leading Japanese global innovation company in e-commerce, communications and fintech, with the mission to contribute to society by creating value through innovation and entrepreneurship. Rakuten is also recognized as the Official Innovation and Entertainment Partner of one of the world’s most admired soccer clubs, FC Barcelona, as well as the jersey partner of NBA Champions, the Golden State Warriors.

Mr. Mikitani was awarded the Legion of Honour by the French government in recognition of contributions to the economy and culture of France. He also serves on the boards of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and Lyft, Inc. Mr. Mikitani received his B.A. of Commerce at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo and his MBA at Harvard Business School. At Harvard, he was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award, one of the school’s highest honors.

Prior to his appointment as chief operating officer, Dr. Toraishi led operations as president of Rakuten Aspyrian Japan. Previously he was president of new service development company at Rakuten, Inc., where he spearheaded company-wide innovation initiatives and multiple joint ventures, shared economy and other companies. For nine years, Dr. Toraishi worked with McKinsey & Company, Tokyo, completing his tenure as partner and consultant to global medical device and equipment companies. He started his career as an assistant professor of engineering at the University of Tokyo and led the nuclear chemistry division of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency. Dr. Toraishi received his B.A. of Engineering and his Master of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, his Licentiate of Engineering, Nuclear Chemistry at the Royal Institute of Technology at Stockholm, as well as his Ph.D. in Nuclear Chemistry from the University of Tokyo.

Myovant Sciences to Participate in Two Upcoming Investor Conferences

On November 15, 2018 Myovant Sciences (NYSE: MYOV), a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on women’s health and endocrine diseases, reported its participation in the following upcoming investor conferences (Press release, Myovant Sciences, NOV 15, 2018, http://investors.myovant.com/news-releases/2018/11-15-2018-132944791 [SID1234531386]):

Evercore ISI HealthConX Conference in Boston, MA. President and Chief Executive Officer, Lynn Seely, M.D., will participate in a fireside chat on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Citi’s 2018 Global Healthcare Conference in New York, NY. Myovant will host meetings with investors on Wednesday, December 5 and Thursday, December 6, 2018.

A live webcast of the Evercore presentation will be accessible on the Events page under the Investors and Media section of the Myovant website at www.myovant.com. Please connect to the company’s website at least 15 minutes prior to the presentation to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to listen to the webcast. A replay of the webcast will be available for 30 days following the conference.