TESARO Announces Immuno-Oncology Data Presentations at SITC 2018 Annual Meeting

On November 9, 2018 TESARO, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSRO), an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, today presented initial data from the Phase 1 AMBER trial of TSR-022 (anti-TIM-3 antibody) in combination with TSR-042 (anti-PD-1 antibody) in patients who have progressed following anti-PD-1 therapy treatment, in an oral session during the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) Conference in Washington, D.C (Press release, TESARO, NOV 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234531194]). Additionally, Phase 1 GARNET data of TSR-042 in patients with previously treated recurrent/advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and Phase 1 monotherapy dose-escalation data for TSR-033 (anti-LAG-3 antibody) in a broad range of solid tumors were also highlighted in poster presentations.

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"The initial AMBER data featured at this year’s SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) conference are the first clinical data to be presented for an anti-TIM-3 antibody in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody and demonstrated that the combination of TSR-022 and TSR-042 is active and generally well tolerated in NSCLC and melanoma patients who have progressed following anti-PD-1 treatment," stated Mary Lynne Hedley, Ph.D., President and COO of TESARO. "Additionally, updated results from the GARNET trial demonstrated robust clinical activity of TSR-042 in previously treated, anti-PD-1 naive patients with recurrent or advanced NSCLC, the vast majority of which had TPS <50%. We look forward to presenting additional data from these studies in 2019."

A Phase 1 study of TSR-022, an anti-TIM-3 monoclonal antibody, in combination with TSR-042, an anti-PD-1 antibody (AMBER) [Oral presentation; Abstract: 10877; Poster: O21]

AMBER is an ongoing, open-label, Phase 1 study of TSR-022, an anti-TIM-3 antibody, in monotherapy or in combination with TSR-042, an anti-PD-1 antibody. The TSR-022 and TSR-042 combination portion of the study consists of dose-escalation and expansion cohorts. Data presented at SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) included safety and efficacy data from the combination dose-escalation and two expansion cohorts: NSCLC patients that had progressed following anti-PD-1 treatment and melanoma patients that had progressed following anti-PD-1 treatment. Patients were treated with 100 milligrams or 300 milligrams of TSR-022 in combination with a fixed dose of TSR-042 (500 milligrams) every 3 weeks. A dose response trend was observed in both the NSCLC and melanoma cohorts based on greater clinical activity observed in patients treated with a 300 milligram dose of TSR-022 as compared to a 100 milligram dose.

At the time of data cutoff, 39 patients with NSCLC who had progressed following anti-PD-1 treatment had received treatment with the TSR-022 and TSR-042 combination, including 14 patients at the 100 milligram dose and 25 patients at the 300 milligram dose of TSR-022. Among the 11 evaluable patients treated with the 100 milligram dose of TSR-022, 1 had a confirmed partial response by immune related RECIST (irRECIST) criteria and 3 had stable disease. Among the 20 evaluable patients treated with the 300 milligram dose of TSR-022, 3 had confirmed partial responses and 8 had stable disease. All objective responses were in PD-L1 positive (TPS ≥ 1%) patients, indicating potential for biomarker enrichment. Sixteen patients had known PD-L1 positive tumors. Among the 12 evaluable patients with PD-L1 positive tumors treated with either the 100 or 300 milligram dose of TSR-022, 4 patients had confirmed partial responses (3 responses ongoing) and 6 had stable disease.

Preliminary safety findings indicate that the combination of TSR-022 and TSR-042 was generally well-tolerated. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that a 300 mg dose is not sufficient to maintain maximal pharmacodynamic effect and suggests that a 900 milligram dose of TSR-022 should maintain a maximal effect in the vast majority of patients for the duration of the Q3W dosing interval. Patients with NSCLC who have progressed following anti-PD-1 treatment are currently being enrolled in the NSCLC expansion cohort at the 900 milligram dose of TSR-022 in combination with TSR-042. Additional data from this cohort (900 milligram dose) and the melanoma cohort (100 and 300 milligram doses) are expected in 2019.

GARNET: Preliminary safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetic, and biomarker characterization from a Phase 1 clinical trial of TSR-042 (anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody) in patients with previously treated recurrent/advanced NSCLC [Poster: P326; Abstract: 10853]

GARNET is an ongoing Phase 1 study evaluating TSR-042 as a monotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors. The ongoing cohort expansion portion of GARNET is evaluating TSR-042 at a dose of 500 milligrams every 3 weeks for the first 4 cycles and 1,000 milligrams every 6 weeks thereafter in four cohorts: MSI (microsatellite instability)-high endometrial cancer, MSI-high non-endometrial cancer, MSS (microsatellite-stable) endometrial cancer and previously treated recurrent / advanced anti-PD-1 naïve NSCLC. Data presented at SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) included safety and efficacy data from the cohort of patients with NSCLC, which is fully enrolled.

At the time of data cutoff, 67 patients with previously treated recurrent / advanced anti-PD-1 naive NSCLC had received treatment with TSR-042, and 47 patients had at least one post-baseline tumor assessment or had discontinued treatment prior to first baseline assessment. Among these 47 patients, 15 had partial responses (including 2 unconfirmed responses that have not yet progressed) by irRECIST criteria for an overall response rate (ORR) of 31.9%; 14 additional patients (29.8%) had stable disease. Responses were durable and nine of the 15 responses are ongoing (60%).

The majority of patients (32 of 34; 94%) with available PD-L1 status had TPS <50% and clinical activity of TSR-042 was observed across all PD-L1 TPS categories. Among the 32 patients with low PD-L1 expression, 13 patients had TPS 1-49%, of which 5 had partial responses (ORR of 38.5%; including one unconfirmed response), and 19 patients had TPS <1%, of which 3 had partial responses (ORR of 15.8%).

Preliminary safety findings indicate TSR-042 was generally well-tolerated, with a safety profile characteristic of approved anti-PD-1 inhibitors for NSCLC.

The GARNET study is intended to support a Biologics License Application (BLA) submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 for patients with recurrent endometrial cancer.

A Phase 1 dose escalation study of TSR-033, an anti-LAG-3 monoclonal antibody, in patients with advanced solid tumors (CITRINO) [Poster Number: P325; Abstract: 10332]

Data from the monotherapy dose-escalation portion of the CITRINO study were presented and included 30 patients treated with different doses of TSR-033. There were no Grade ≥3 treatment-related treatment emergent adverse events reported. Exposure and peripheral receptor occupancy increased in a dose proportional manner from 20 milligrams to 720 milligrams.These preliminary findings indicate that TSR-033 was generally well tolerated across multiple dose levels, with a safety profile consistent to those of other immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Enrollment is ongoing for patients treated with TSR-033 in combination with 500 milligrams of TSR-042.

Investor Briefing and Webcast
TESARO will host an investor and analyst briefing in New York City on Monday, November 12 at 8:15AM local time. A reception will begin at 8:00AM ET, preceding the presentation. During the briefing, TESARO management will provide an overview of the Company’s immuno-oncology pipeline, followed by a detailed review of recent data presentations. The presentation will be followed by Q&A. This event will be webcast live and archived for 30 days, and may be accessed from the TESARO Investor Events and Presentations webpage at www.tesarobio.com.

About the AMBER Study
AMBER is an ongoing Phase 1 study of TSR-022, an anti-TIM-3 antibody, alone and in combination with TSR-042, an anti-PD-1 antibody. The study consists of two parts: dose escalation and cohort expansion. The monotherapy and combination dose-escalation parts of the study are complete. In the combination dose-escalation, patients were treated with 100 milligrams, 300 milligrams, or 900 milligrams of TSR-022 in combination with a fixed dose of TSR-042 (500 milligrams) every 3 weeks. The three expansion cohorts include NSCLC patients with progression following anti-PD-1 treatment, melanoma patients with progression following anti-PD-1 treatment, and colorectal cancer patients.

About the GARNET Study
GARNET is an ongoing multicenter, open-label, Phase 1 study of TSR-042 as a monotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumors. GARNET included a weight-based dose escalation study (Part 1) and a fixed-dose safety study (Part 2A), both of which have been completed. Results of these studies were used to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D; 500 mg Q3W for the first 4 cycles then 1000 mg Q6W). The ongoing cohort expansion portion of GARNET is evaluating TSR-042 in four cohorts: MSI (microsatellite instability)-high endometrial cancer, MSI-high non-endometrial cancer, MSS (microsatellite-stable) endometrial cancer and previously treated recurrent / advanced anti-PD-1 naïve NSCLC.

About the CITRINO Study
CITRINO is an ongoing multicenter, open-label Phase 1 study evaluating TSR-033, an anti-LAG-3 antibody, alone or in combination with an TSR-042 in patients with advanced solid tumors in a broad range of solid tumors.

About TSR-042, TSR-022, and TSR-033
TSR-042 is an investigational humanized anti-programmed death (PD)-1 monoclonal antibody that binds with high affinity to the PD-1 receptor and blocks its interaction with the ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2. TSR-042 is the only anti-PD-1 therapy being studied as monotherapy every 3 weeks for 4 doses then every 6 weeks thereafter. TSR-042 was developed as part of the collaboration between TESARO and AnaptysBio, Inc. This collaboration was initiated in March of 2014, and is focused on the development of monospecific antibody drugs targeting PD-1, TIM-3 (TSR-022), and LAG-3 (TSR-033), in addition to a bi-specific antibody drug candidate targeting PD-1/LAG-3 (TSR-075).

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. Reports Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

On November 9, 2018 BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ: BSTC), a biopharmaceutical company that originated and continues to develop collagenase-based therapies with a first in class collagenase-based product marketed as XIAFLEX in the U.S. and Xiapex in Europe, reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 and provided a corporate update (Press release, BioSpecifics Technologies, NOV 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234531193]).

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"We are encouraged by the positive data recently reported for CCH in two new potential indications. We announced positive topline results from our Phase 1 clinical trial of CCH for the treatment of uterine fibroids in October and our partner Endo announced positive data from the Phase 3 clinical trials of CCH for the treatment of cellulite in November. The preliminary safety and efficacy data from our uterine fibroids trial demonstrates the promising potential for CCH injection for the treatment of this highly prevalent women’s health disease for which very limited non-surgical options are available," said Thomas L. Wegman, President of BioSpecifics. "With regard to our commercial pipeline and revenues, we were pleased to see continued growth for our two marketed indications for XIAFLEX, Peyronie’s Disease and Dupuytren’s Contracture with 22 percent year-over-year revenue growth for the quarter."

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results
BioSpecifics reported net income of $5.0 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, or $0.69 per basic share and $0.69 per share on a fully diluted basis, compared to net income of $2.7 million, or $0.38 per basic share and $0.37 per share on a fully diluted basis, for the same period in 2017.

Total revenue for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 was $8.2 million, compared to $6.5 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in total revenues for the quarterly period was primarily due to royalties associated with higher net sales of XIAFLEX in Dupuytren’s contracture and Peyronie’s disease partially offset by lower mark-up on cost of goods sold revenue in prepaid foreign mark-up on cost of goods sold revenue recognized under new revenue standard ASC 606, as of January 1, 2018.

Licensing revenue consists of licensing fees, sublicensing fees and milestones. BioSpecifics recognized licensing revenue for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 of zero and $4,408 for the same period in 2017.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $0.2 million compared to $0.4 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease in the 2018 period, as compared to the 2017 period, was mainly due to lower consulting fees associated with clinical costs and other R&D programs.

General and administrative expenses for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were $2.2 million in each period.

Provision for income taxes for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $1.1 million, compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2017.

As of September 30, 2018, BioSpecifics had cash and cash equivalents and investments of $77.0 million, compared to $65.1 million as of December 31, 2017.

As of September 30, 2018, BioSpecifics had 7,283,528 shares of common stock outstanding.

XIAFLEX/CCH Pipeline Updates and Anticipated Upcoming Milestones

BioSpecifics manages the development of collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) for the treatment of uterine fibroids and has the right to initiate the development of any new potential indication not licensed by Endo. Endo’s licensed indications include Dupuytren’s Contracture and Peyronie’s Disease, both approved and marketed; in addition to cellulite, adhesive capsulitis, human and canine lipoma, lateral hip fat and plantar fibromatosis. BioSpecifics has entered into different in-licensing and royalty agreements in respect of indications currently marketed and under development. It is company policy not to announce publicly royalty rates for potential future indications under development before commercialization. It is important to emphasize that in-licensing royalty rates vary from indication to indication and it should not be assumed that the in-licensing royalty rates for potential future indications will be the same as those for currently marketed indications.

Positive Topline Phase 1 Uterine Fibroid Data Reported in October: BioSpecifics announced positive topline results from the Phase 1 clinical trial of CCH for the treatment of uterine fibroids. The study met the primary endpoint of safety and tolerability with no observed clinically significant adverse reactions. Pharmacodynamic changes were noted in all secondary endpoints with the exception of apoptosis. Statistically significant reductions in collagen content were observed as compared to control fibroids with a median reduction of 39 percent (p<0.05), as well as statistically significant reductions in collagen distribution as compared to control fibroids with an average reduction in density of collagen bundles of 21 percent.
Positive Phase 3 RELEASE-1 and RELEASE-2 Cellulite Data Reported in November: Endo announced positive results from two Phase 3 studies, RELEASE-1 and RELEASE-2, of CCH for the treatment of cellulite with highly statistically significant levels of improvement in the appearance in the target buttock at Day 71 reported. The study achieved the primary endpoint (RELEASE-1, p=0.006 & RELEASE-2, p=0.002) of composite responder analysis demonstrating at least a 2-level composite improvement independently reported by patient and clinician on the photonumeric scales of cellulite severity. Secondary endpoints included both investigator and patient assessments of cellulite appearance as measured by CR-PCSS (Clinician Reported- Photonumeric Cellulite Severity Scale) and PR-PCSS (Patient Reported- Photonumeric Cellulite Severity Scale) scores, SRSS (Subject Self Rating Scale) and the Subject-Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale. Eight out of eight key secondary endpoints were achieved for RELEASE-1 and seven out of eight secondary endpoints were achieved for RELEASE-2. CCH was well-tolerated in actively treated subjects with most adverse events being mild to moderate in severity and primarily limited to the local injection area.
XIAFLEX Expected to Continue to Grow in the Low 20 Percent Range: XIAFLEX future growth initiatives continue to support the increase in disease state awareness for both Peyronie’s Disease and Dupuytren’s Contracture through direct to consumer campaigns.

Study on Molecular Templates’ PD-L1 ETB with Antigen Seeding Technology Presented at SITC Annual Meeting

On November 9, 2018 Molecular Templates, Inc., (Nasdaq: MTEM), a clinical-stage oncology company focused on the discovery and development of the company’s proprietary engineered toxin bodies (ETBs), which are differentiated, targeted, biologic therapeutics for cancer, reported the presentation today of a poster on its PD-L1 ETB with Antigen Seeding Technology (AST) at the ongoing Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper)’s (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 33rd Annual Meeting, currently taking place in Washington D.C (Press release, Molecular Templates, NOV 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234531192]).

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Antigen Seeding Technology represents a novel immune-oncology approach leveraging the novel mechanism of action of Molecular Templates’ ETB technology. ETBs engineered with Antigen Seeding Technology are capable of delivering viral antigens as a payload inside the target tumor, resulting in the antigens being presented on the cell surface of the tumor cells in complex with MHC-1. ETB therapeutics incorporating antigen seeding are designed to work through dual mechanisms of action by redirecting a high avidity, pre-existing antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell (CTL) response to the tumor while at the same inducing cell death via the enzymatic and permanent destruction of ribosomes. Coupling two distinct mechanisms of tumor cell killing into one ETB molecule provides the potential to increase target penetrance, expand a prolonged immune response, and overcome tumor resistance.

The poster, titled "Identification and Functional Profiling of PD-L1 Targeted Engineered Toxin Bodies for Antigen Seeding Technology (AST) and Redirection of T cell Response to Tumors" summarizes a series of preclinical experiments conducted by Molecular Templates to create PD-L1 targeted ETBs that have antigen seeding properties and to analyze the mechanisms by which they can kill cancer cells.

"Antigen Seeding Technology represents a novel approach to immune-oncology that may be active in patients where standard immune-oncology approaches have been exhausted," said Eric Poma, Ph.D., Molecular Templates’ Chief Executive and Scientific Officer. "We are currently conducting in vivo studies with PD-L1 targeted ETBs that have AST functionality. Our plan is to file an IND and enter the clinic with our first PD-L1 ETB candidate employing AST in 2019."

Poster Presentation Details:
The poster (#P9) will be available to view in Hall E of the Walter E. Johnson Convention Center today, Friday, Nov. 9 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 10 from 8 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (all times are E.T.)

The poster can be found under "Clinical and Scientific Presentations" at View Source

Unum Therapeutics to Present Preclinical Data on Applications of ACTR Proprietary Technology Platform in Solid Tumors at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

On November 9, 2018 Unum Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: UMRX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel cellular immunotherapies, reported that the Company will present preclinical data on the potential of its proprietary ACTR technology in HER2+ solid tumors and details on the design of its planned Phase 1 clinical trial to test ACTR707 in combination with trastuzumab at the upcoming San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium taking place December 4-8, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas (Press release, Unum Therapeutics, NOV 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234531190]).

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In preclinical testing, Unum has demonstrated robust activity of its proprietary ACTR T cells in combination with trastuzumab. Importantly, preclinical data demonstrate that, unlike certain CAR-T cells that target HER2, ACTR T cells are highly selective for HER2-overexpressing tumor cells and discriminate against cells from normal tissues that express low levels of HER2. Additionally, the activity of ACTR T cell has been shown to be dose-dependent, demonstrating control of ACTR activity by modulation of trastuzumab concentration. Together these data suggest that ACTR cells in combination with trastuzumab may exhibit an improved clinical therapeutic index.

"We are encouraged by these preclinical data, which further highlight our novel ACTR technology pipeline and demonstrate our innovative approach to overcoming current challenges in the solid tumor setting," said Seth Ettenberg, Chief Scientific Officer of Unum.

"We have an active IND to evaluate ACTR707 in combination with trastuzumab as a potential treatment for HER2+ solid tumor cancers in a Phase I trial called ATTCK-34-01, and we remain on track to initiate this study before the end of 2018," said Michael Vasconcelles, Chief Medical Officer of Unum. "We look forward to continuing our work in the solid tumor setting and reporting initial data in 2019."

ATTCK-34-01 is a multicenter, single-arm, open-label dose escalation study evaluating ACTR T cells in combination with trastuzumab. The primary study objectives are to assess the safety and tolerability of the combination, and to define dose recommendations for further study. Additional objectives include assessment of anti-tumor activity, ACTR T cell persistence and trastuzumab pharmacokinetics.

Details on the presentation are as follows:

Presentation Title: Antibody-Coupled T cell Receptor (ACTR) engineered autologous T cells in combination with trastuzumab for the treatment of HER2-positive malignancies
Session Title: HER2-Targeted Therapy
Date & Time: Thursday, 12/6/18; 5 – 7 PM
Location:Henry G. Gonzalez Convention Center

Exact Sciences to participate in two November investor conferences

On November 9, 2018 Exact Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq: EXAS) reported that company management will be presenting at the following investor conference during November and invited investors to participate by webcast (Press release, Exact Sciences, NOV 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234531189]).

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Jefferies 2018 London Healthcare Conference, London
Presentation and Q&A session on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 2:40 p.m. GMT, 9:40 a.m. EST
Evercore ISI HealthconX, Boston
Fireside chat on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 12:30 p.m. EST