Bausch Health Companies Inc. completes name change

On July 13, 2018 Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) ("Bausch Health" or the "Company" or "we") reported the Company’s name change from Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. to Bausch Health Companies Inc. is complete (Press release, Bausch Health, JUL 13, 2018, View Source [SID1234542277]).

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"Choosing Bausch Health as our new corporate name is very meaningful, because the Bausch name has long been a highly respected name in the health care space, synonymous for 165 years with innovation and an unwavering dedication to improving people’s lives," said Joseph C. Papa, chairman and CEO, Bausch Health. "It is a legacy that defines us today and sets the stage for our future as we continue to transform the Company."

Bausch Health will begin trading as "BHC" on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange on July 16, 2018.

As part of the name change, Bausch Health has unveiled a new corporate brand visual identity, and on July 16, 2018, will launch a new corporate web site: www.bauschhealth.com.

Because the Company’s businesses and subsidiaries have strong brand equity, all entities that have separate established brands will continue to operate under the corporate umbrella using their existing names.

ArQule Announces Closing of Public Offering and Full Exercise of Option to Purchase Additional Shares

On July 13, 2018 ArQule, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQL) reported the closing of its previously announced underwritten public offering of common stock, including the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase an additional 1,650,000 shares at the public offering price of $5.50 per share (Press release, ArQule, JUL 13, 2018, View Source [SID1234532695]). The exercise of the option to purchase additional shares brought the total number of shares of common stock sold by ArQule to 12,650,000 shares and increased the gross proceeds raised in the offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses of the offering payable by ArQule, to approximately $70 million.

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The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to fund its core clinical programs and for general corporate purposes.

Leerink Partners acted as sole book-running manager for the offering. Needham & Company, LLC acted as lead co-manager, and Roth Capital Partners, B. Riley FBR and JonesTrading Institutional Services LLC acted as co-managers for the offering.

The securities described above were offered by ArQule pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File. No. 333-213456), including a base prospectus, that was previously filed by ArQule with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). A final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering filed with the SEC is available on the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov or on ArQule’s website, www.arqule.com. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from Leerink Partners LLC, Attention: Syndicate Department, One Federal Street, 37th Floor, Boston, MA 02110, by telephone at (800) 808-7525, ext. 6132 or by email at [email protected].

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

First Patient Enrolled in Phase 1 Study of RiMO-301

On July 13, 2018 RiMO Therapeutics Inc., a privately held oncology drug development company and a pioneer in Radio-immuno Metal-Organic (RiMO) technology-based cancer immunotherapy, reported that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 1 study of RiMO-301 in patients with advanced tumors (Press release, Rimo Therapeutics, JUL 13, 2018, View Source [SID1234527720]). RiMO-301 enhances the efficacy of X-ray radiotherapy via the unprecedented radiotherapy-radiodynamic therapy (RT-RDT) mode of action.

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"Initiation of this study represents not only a significant milestone for RiMO Therapeutics but also the field of nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (nMOFs), as RiMO-301 is the first nMOF-based product to enter clinical trials." said Wenbin Lin, Ph.D., founder and chairman of RiMO and also the James Franck Professor of Chemistry, Radiation & Cellular Oncology, and the Ludwig Center for Metastasis Research at the University of Chicago. "Most importantly, we believe this program has the potential to change the treatment paradigm for some cancer types and significantly benefit patients."

Dr. Lin and coworkers have recently published groundbreaking research on the synergistic effect when combining nMOFs with cancer immunotherapy (Nat. Biomed. Eng., doi:10.1038/s41551-018-0203-4). "We expect that this study will generate important insights about the safety of RiMO-301 with radiation and the potential to enhance therapeutic efficacy in the patient population for whom radiotherapy is only palliative." said Jason Luke, M.D., University of Chicago Medicine.

About the Study

The Phase 1 study is a prospective, open-label, single arm, non-randomized study of RiMO-301 with radiation in patients with advanced tumors. The primary objectives in the study include determining maximum tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics and preliminary anti-tumor activity of RiMO-301. Please refer to www.clinicaltrials.gov for additional clinical trial details.

Gilead Sciences to Release Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results on Wednesday, July 25, 2018

On July 13, 2018 Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) reported that its second quarter 2018 financial results will be released on Wednesday, July 25, after the market closes (Press release, Gilead Sciences, JUL 13, 2018, View Source;p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2358256 [SID1234527694]). At 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Gilead’s management will host a conference call to discuss the company’s financial results for the second quarter 2018 and provide a general business update.

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The live webcast of the call can be accessed at the company’s Investors page at www.gilead.com/investors. Please connect to the company’s website at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to listen to the webcast. Alternatively, please call 1-877-359-9508 (U.S.) or 1-224-357-2393 (international) and dial the conference ID 8988927 to access the call. Telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the call through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, July 27, 2018. To access the replay, please call 1-855-859-2056 (U.S.) or 1-404-537-3406 (international) and dial the conference ID 8988927. The webcast will be archived on www.gilead.com for one year.

U.S. FDA Approves XTANDI® (enzalutamide) for the Treatment of Men with Non-Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC)

On July 13, 2018 Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Kenji Yasukawa, Ph.D., "Astellas") and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) reported the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for XTANDI (enzalutamide), following FDA Priority Review designation, based on results from the Phase 3 PROSPER trial (Press release, Astellas, JUL 13, 2018, View Source [SID1234527693]). The FDA action broadens the indication for XTANDI to men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), now including men with non-metastatic CRPC. This approval makes XTANDI the first and only oral medication FDA-approved for both non-metastatic and metastatic CRPC. XTANDI was first approved by the FDA in 2012 for the treatment of patients with metastatic CRPC who had previously received docetaxel, and was granted approval in 2014 for chemotherapy-naïve men with metastatic CRPC.

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Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world. (PRNewsFoto/Astellas Pharma Inc.)

"With today’s approval, there is now a new option for men with non-metastatic CRPC, who are in between the failure of androgen deprivation therapy resulting in CRPC and the onset of metastatic disease," said Jonathan Simons, M.D., Prostate Cancer Foundation President and CEO. "As a foundation that drives research aimed at improving patient outcomes, it is exciting to see approvals like this, which are vital to help address unmet patient needs."

The updated label is based on results from the Phase 3 PROSPER trial, which demonstrated that the use of XTANDI plus androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) significantly reduced the risk of developing metastasis or death compared to ADT alone in men with non-metastatic CRPC. The median for the primary endpoint, metastasis-free survival (MFS), was 36.6 months for men who received XTANDI plus ADT compared to 14.7 months with ADT alone (N=1401; HR=0.29 [95% CI: 0.24-0.35]; p<0.0001). The most common adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 10%) that occurred more frequently (greater than or equal to 2% over placebo) in XTANDI plus ADT-treated patients were: asthenic conditions (40% vs 20%), hot flush (13% vs 7.7%), hypertension (12% vs 5.2%), dizziness (12% vs 5.2%), nausea (11% vs 8.6%) and fall (11% vs 4.1%). Grade 3 or higher adverse reactions were reported in 31 percent of men treated with XTANDI plus ADT and in 23 percent of men treated with ADT alone. Data from the PROSPER study were presented at the 2018 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU) in February and published in the New England Journal of Medicine in June.

"Reducing the risk of disease progression is an important treatment goal in castration-resistant prostate cancer, since the disease becomes harder to treat as it advances," said Andy Schmeltz, global president, Oncology, Pfizer. "With XTANDI, men with CRPC now have a clinically proven treatment option that reduces the risk of metastasis. This approval delivers on the potential for XTANDI to help men at an earlier stage of the disease, and we are continuing to evaluate the medicine in an extensive development program across additional prostate cancer populations."

"This approval is important progress for men with CRPC, who now have XTANDI as a treatment option regardless of whether or not they have detectable metastatic disease," said Steven Benner, M.D., senior vice president and global therapeutic area head, Oncology Development, Astellas. "XTANDI is a standard of care in the treatment of men with metastatic CRPC and has been prescribed to more than 250,000 men worldwide since its initial approval in 2012. The expanded indication based on the PROSPER data builds on the body of evidence for XTANDI."

Pfizer and Astellas are committed to helping patients access XTANDI by providing them with access and reimbursement support resources regardless of their situation. Patients can visit www.XTANDI.com or call 1-855-898-2634 to learn more.

PROSPER Trial Results

The Phase 3 PROSPER trial enrolled 1,401 patients with non-metastatic CRPC. Patients were randomized 2:1 and received either XTANDI plus ADT or placebo plus ADT (ADT alone). Data in the updated XTANDI label demonstrates that the use of XTANDI plus ADT significantly reduced the risk of developing metastases or death compared to ADT alone. The median for the primary endpoint, MFS, was 36.6 months for men who received XTANDI compared to 14.7 months with ADT alone (HR=0.29 [95% CI: 0.24-0.35]; p<0.0001).

The primary efficacy outcome was supported by a statistically significant delay in the time to first use of new antineoplastic therapy (TTA) for patients who received XTANDI plus ADT compared to those who received ADT alone (median 39.6 months vs 17.7 months; HR=0.21 [95% CI: 0.17-0.26]; p < 0.0001). Overall survival (OS) data were not mature at the time of final MFS analysis.

The most common adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 10%) that occurred more frequently (greater than or equal to 2% over placebo) in XTANDI plus ADT-treated patients compared to the ADT alone patients were: asthenic conditions (40% vs 20%), hot flush (13% vs 7.7%), hypertension (12% vs 5.2%), dizziness (12% vs 5.2%), nausea (11% vs 8.6%) and fall (11% vs 4.1%). Grade 3 or higher adverse reactions were reported in 31 percent of men treated with XTANDI plus ADT and in 23 percent of men treated with ADT alone. In the study, 3.4 percent of patients in the XTANDI plus ADT arm and 0.6 percent in the ADT alone arm died from adverse events. Discontinuations with an adverse event as the primary reason were reported for 9.4 percent of patients treated with XTANDI plus ADT vs 6 percent treated with ADT alone.

About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide.1 More than 164,000 men in the United States are estimated to be newly diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018.2 In the European Union, the estimated number of new prostate cancer cases in 2015 was 365,000.3

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) refers to the subset of men whose prostate cancer progresses despite castrate levels of testosterone (i.e., less than 50 ng/dL).4 Non-metastatic CRPC means there is no clinically detectable evidence of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body (metastases), and there is a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level.5 Many men with non-metastatic CRPC and a rapidly rising PSA level go on to develop metastatic CRPC.6

About XTANDI (enzalutamide) capsules

XTANDI (enzalutamide) is an androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Important Safety Information for XTANDI

Warnings and Precautions

Seizure occurred in 0.4% of patients receiving XTANDI in clinical studies. In a study of patients with predisposing factors for seizure, 2.2% of XTANDI-treated patients experienced a seizure. Patients in the study had one or more of the following pre-disposing factors: use of medications that may lower the seizure threshold; history of traumatic brain or head injury, cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack, Alzheimer’s disease, meningioma, or leptomeningeal disease from prostate cancer, unexplained loss of consciousness within the last 12 months, history of seizure, presence of a space occupying lesion of the brain, history of arteriovenous malformation, or history of brain infection. It is unknown whether anti-epileptic medications will prevent seizures with XTANDI. Advise patients of the risk of developing a seizure while taking XTANDI and of engaging in any activity where sudden loss of consciousness could cause serious harm to themselves or others. Permanently discontinue XTANDI in patients who develop a seizure during treatment.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) In post approval use, there have been reports of PRES in patients receiving XTANDI. PRES is a neurological disorder which can present with rapidly evolving symptoms including seizure, headache, lethargy, confusion, blindness, and other visual and neurological disturbances, with or without associated hypertension. A diagnosis of PRES requires confirmation by brain imaging, preferably MRI. Discontinue XTANDI in patients who develop PRES.

Hypersensitivity reactions, including edema of the face (0.5%), tongue (0.1%), or lip (0.1%) have been observed with XTANDI in clinical trials. Pharyngeal edema has been reported in post-marketing cases. Advise patients who experience any symptoms of hypersensitivity to temporarily discontinue XTANDI and promptly seek medical care. Permanently discontinue XTANDI for serious hypersensitivity reactions.

Ischemic Heart Disease In the placebo-controlled clinical studies, ischemic heart disease occurred more commonly in patients on the XTANDI arm compared to patients on the placebo arm (2.7% vs 1.2%). Grade 3-4 ischemic events occurred in 1.2% of patients on XTANDI versus 0.5% on placebo. Ischemic events led to death in 0.4% of patients on XTANDI compared to 0.1% on placebo. Monitor for signs and symptoms of ischemic heart disease. Optimize management of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Discontinue XTANDI for Grade 3-4 ischemic heart disease.

Falls and Fractures In the placebo-controlled clinical studies, falls occurred in 10% of patients treated with XTANDI compared to 4% of patients treated with placebo. Fractures occurred in 8% of patients treated with XTANDI and in 3% of patients treated with placebo. Evaluate patients for fracture and fall risk. Monitor and manage patients at risk for fractures according to established treatment guidelines and consider use of bone-targeted agents.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Safety and efficacy of XTANDI have not been established in females. XTANDI can cause fetal harm and loss of pregnancy when administered to a pregnant female. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with XTANDI and for 3 months after the last dose of XTANDI. XTANDI should not be handled by females who are or may become pregnant.

Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%) that occurred more frequently (≥ 2% over placebo) in the XTANDI patients from the randomized placebo-controlled trials were asthenia/fatigue, decreased appetite, hot flush, arthralgia, dizziness/vertigo, hypertension, headache and weight decreased. In the bicalutamide-controlled study, the most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%) reported in XTANDI patients were asthenia/fatigue, back pain, musculoskeletal pain, hot flush, hypertension, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, and weight loss.

In the placebo-controlled study of metastatic CRPC (mCRPC) patients taking XTANDI who previously received docetaxel, Grade 3 and higher adverse reactions were reported among 47% of XTANDI patients and 53% of placebo patients. Discontinuations due to adverse events were reported for 16% of XTANDI patients and 18% of placebo patients. In the placebo-controlled study of chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC patients, Grade 3-4 adverse reactions were reported in 44% of XTANDI patients and 37% of placebo patients. Discontinuations due to adverse events were reported for 6% of both study groups. In the placebo-controlled study of non-metastatic CRPC (nmCRPC) patients, Grade 3 or higher adverse reactions were reported in 31% of XTANDI patients and 23% of placebo patients. Discontinuations with an adverse event as the primary reason were reported for 9% of XTANDI patients and 6% of placebo patients. In the bicalutamide-controlled study of chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC patients, Grade 3-4 adverse reactions were reported in 39% of XTANDI patients and 38% of bicalutamide patients. Discontinuations with an AE as the primary reason were reported for 8% of XTANDI patients and 6% of bicalutamide patients.

Lab Abnormalities: In the two placebo-controlled trials in patients with mCRPC, Grade 1-4 neutropenia occurred in 15% of XTANDI patients (1% Grade 3-4) and 6% of placebo patients (0.5% Grade 3-4). In the placebo-controlled trial in patients with nmCRPC, Grade 1-4 neutropenia occurred in 8% of patients receiving XTANDI (0.5% Grade 3-4) and in 5% of patients receiving placebo (0.2% Grade 3-4).

Hypertension: In the two placebo-controlled trials in patients with mCRPC, hypertension was reported in 11% of XTANDI patients and 4% of placebo patients. Hypertension led to study discontinuation in <1% of patients in each arm. In the placebo-controlled trial in patients with nmCRPC, hypertension was reported in 12% of patients receiving XTANDI and 5% of patients receiving placebo.

Drug Interactions

Effect of Other Drugs on XTANDI Avoid strong CYP2C8 inhibitors, as they can increase the plasma exposure to XTANDI. If co-administration is necessary, reduce the dose of XTANDI.

Avoid strong CYP3A4 inducers as they can decrease the plasma exposure to XTANDI. If co-administration is necessary, increase the dose of XTANDI.

Effect of XTANDI on Other Drugs Avoid CYP3A4, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index, as XTANDI may decrease the plasma exposures of these drugs. If XTANDI is co-administered with warfarin (CYP2C9 substrate), conduct additional INR monitoring.

Please see Full Prescribing Information for additional safety information.

About the Enzalutamide Development Program

Pfizer and Astellas are collaborating on a comprehensive development program that includes studies of enzalutamide across the full spectrum of advanced prostate cancer. Ongoing studies of enzalutamide in prostate cancer include the ARCHES trial in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and the EMBARK trial in non-metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.