Promedior Announces Completion of Patient Enrollment Milestones in Phase 2 Clinical Studies of PRM-151 in Both Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Myelofibrosis

On December 2, 2016 Promedior, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of fibrosis, reported that it completed enrollment in two Phase 2 clinical trials to evaluate PRM-151, its lead product candidate (Press release, Promedior, DEC 2, 2016, View Source [SID1234516904]). The idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) trial completed the enrollment of 117 patients while the myelofibrosis trial completed enrollment of 84 patients. Promedior plans to present the results of these Phase 2 clinical studies at appropriate medical meetings once they are completed and analyzed.

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!

"We believe attaining these enrollment milestones speaks to both the need for new disease-modifying therapies for IPF and myelofibrosis and the promise that others see in PRM-151, Promedior’s lead product candidate" said Rick Jack, Ph.D., Promedior’s President and COO. "We look forward to completing these trials with the goal to bring PRM-151 forward as a potential new treatment option for patients with IPF and myelofibrosis, and ultimately for other fibrotic diseases."

The IPF clinical trial is a Phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PRM-151 administered once-a-month to subjects with IPF. The primary endpoint is forced vital capacity (FVC)% predicted change from baseline. For additional details about this clinical trial (NCT02550873), please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

The myelofibrosis clinical trial is a randomized, double blind Phase 2 study to determine the efficacy and safety of three different doses of PRM-151 in subjects with Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF), Post-Polycythemia Vera MF (post-PV MF), or Post-Essential Thrombocythemia MF (post-ET MF). Subjects were randomized to one of three dose cohorts: 0.3 mg/kg, 3.0 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg of PRM-151 administered once-a-month. The primary endpoint is bone marrow response rate, defined as the percent of subjects with a reduction in bone marrow fibrosis score by at least one grade according to WHO criteria at any time during the study. For additional details about this clinical trial (NCT01981850), please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
IPF is a serious, life-limiting lung disease characterized by fibrosis and scarring of lung tissue with a median survival of 3–5 years after diagnosis. Replacement of normal lung tissue by fibrosis results in restriction in the ability to fill the lungs with air and decreased transfer of oxygen from inhaled air into the bloodstream resulting in lower oxygen delivery to the brain and other organs. Patients with IPF most often suffer from progressive shortness of breath, particularly with exertion; chronic, sometimes debilitating, hacking cough; fatigue and weakness, and chest discomfort. Currently available approved drugs slow down but do not halt disease progression and the only curative therapy is lung transplant, an option merely available for a small group of patients. While estimates vary, it is believed that IPF could affect approximately 130,000 patients in the US and approximately 76,000 patients in Europe.

About Myelofibrosis
Myelofibrosis (MF), a type of myeloproliferative neoplasm, is a serious, life-limiting cancer that is characterized by fibrosis of the bone marrow. Replacement of the bone marrow by scar tissue prevents the normal production of blood cells, leading to anemia, fatigue, and increased risk of bleeding and infection. Production of blood cells shifts to the spleen and liver (extramedullary hematopoiesis), which become enlarged, causing severe discomfort, inability to eat, and weakness. Symptomatic myelofibrosis affects approximately 18,000 people per year in the US, with a median age of 61-66.1 The only potentially curative treatment is allogeneic bone marrow transplant, which results in reversal of fibrosis and all symptoms, but is a realistic option for only a small number of patients. Other currently available therapies address the symptoms, but have minimal if any impact on the underlying fibrosis.

About PRM-151
PRM-151, Promedior’s lead product candidate, is a recombinant form of the endogenous human innate immunity protein, pentraxin-2 (PTX-2), which is specifically active at the site of tissue damage. PRM-151 is an agonist that acts as a macrophage polarization factor to prevent and potentially reverse fibrosis. PRM-151 has shown broad anti-fibrotic activity in multiple preclinical models of fibrotic disease, including pulmonary fibrosis, myelofibrosis2, acute and chronic nephropathy, liver fibrosis, and age-related macular degeneration.

Phase 1a and 1b clinical studies in healthy subjects and IPF patients have demonstrated that PRM-151 was well tolerated. Additionally, a Phase 1b study in patients with IPF showed encouraging results in exploratory efficacy end points3. In an earlier Phase 2 trial in myelofibrosis, PRM-151 treatment was well-tolerated and demonstrated decreases in bone marrow fibrosis and stable or improved hematologic parameters4.

Regenacy Pharmaceuticals to be Launched by Acetylon Pharmaceuticals and Celgene Corporation Agrees to Complete Acquisition of Acetylon

On December 2, 2016 Acetylon Pharmaceuticals reported that it has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Celgene Corporation (Press release, Acetylon, DEC 2, 2016, View Source [SID1234516903]). Prior to the consummation of the acquisition, Acetylon will spin out a new company, Regenacy Pharmaceuticals, LLC, which will focus on the development of novel drug candidates that selectively regenerate intracellular transport and upregulate gene expression to modify the course of disease. Regenacy will receive exclusive worldwide rights to Acetylon’s Phase 2 selective histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibitor, ricolinostat (ACY-1215), for the treatment of certain non-cancer disease indications including neuropathies, as well as Acetylon’s preclinical selective HDAC1,2 inhibitor candidates and patent families for development in all human disease indications including sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia.

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!

The acquisition will provide Celgene with, among other things, worldwide rights to Acetylon’s selective HDAC6 inhibitor programs and intellectual property in oncology, neurodegeneration, and autoimmune disease, including its lead drug candidates citarinostat (ACY-241) and ricolinostat (ACY-1215).

Financial terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. BMO Capital Markets Corp. served as exclusive financial advisor to Acetylon in the transaction.

Key members of the Acetylon executive team will join Regenacy, which will operate out of Acetylon’s former headquarters in Boston’s Seaport District. Regenacy will be owned by Acetylon shareholders (excluding Celgene) and will receive net working capital in Acetylon to fund Regenacy operations.

"Since its founding in 2008, Acetylon has made substantial progress in the development of selective HDAC inhibitors for enhanced therapeutic outcomes," said Walter C. Ogier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Regenacy. "We are excited to continue Acetylon’s legacy through the receipt of rights to many of Acetylon’s most promising compounds and the continued advancement of these clinical and preclinical programs in disease indications outside of Celgene’s areas of strategic focus, where we believe patients may especially benefit from selective HDAC inhibition."

"Acetylon has had a longstanding partnership with Celgene, and their acquisition of our HDAC6 inhibitor programs is a positive event for patients and a favorable outcome for our shareholders and employees," said Marc A. Cohen, Chairman of Acetylon. "Celgene is the optimal partner to realize the fullest potential of Acetylon’s selective HDAC6 inhibitor programs in multiple myeloma and other oncology indications. Their intimate knowledge of citarinostat and extensive experience in oncology make them uniquely qualified to continue development of these exciting programs."

About Selective HDAC Inhibition

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) comprise a family of 18 related enzymes found in most human cells, 11 of which utilize zinc atoms to catalyze the removal of acetyl groups from intracellular proteins. By this function, HDACs can induce structural changes in the DNA-histone complex to result in altered gene expression and protein synthesis. Inappropriate deacetylation can disrupt these processes and contribute to a wide range of diseases, whereas regeneration of acetylation selectively causes apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells and also induces favorable immunomodulatory effects. Currently available HDAC drugs non-selectively affect the expression of numerous other genes in normal cells as well as disease-causing cells, which can result in side effects such as gastrointestinal dysfunction, lowered blood platelet levels and risk of hemorrhage, and profound fatigue as well as potential for significant cardiac toxicity. Selective inhibition of HDACs is anticipated to reduce or eliminate these often-severe side effects associated with non-selective HDAC inhibition and to enable the development of optimized treatment regimens, including maximally effective combination drug therapies.

Surface Oncology CD47 Program Demonstrates Promising Anti-Tumor Activity in Hematological Disease Models

On December 2, 2016 Surface Oncology, an immuno-oncology company developing next-generation immunotherapies that target the tumor microenvironment, reported that it will present preclinical data on its CD47 program at the 58th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (Press release, Surface Oncology, DEC 2, 2016, View Source [SID1234516902]). The data demonstrate that SRF231, a fully human CD47 antibody, induces robust tumor cell phagocytosis and clearance, both alone and in combination with existing standard of care treatment.

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!

"These data highlight the strong anti-tumor activity of SRF231 in hematological disease models," said Vito Palombella, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Surface Oncology, "and further suggest that SRF231 has the potential to be the best-in-class CD47 antibody to help patients with a wide range of cancers."

CD47 is an important immune escape mechanism exploited by multiple tumor types, making it a target with broad therapeutic potential. CD47 acts as a macrophage checkpoint or "don’t eat me" signal that prevents cells from being eliminated by a macrophage-mediated process called phagocytosis.

The data presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) demonstrate that SRF231 enhances tumor cell phagocytosis alone and in combination with opsonizing antibodies (e.g., anti-CD20 Ab). SRF231 also leads to profound tumor growth inhibition in models of multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Previously, Surface presented data at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper)’s annual meeting demonstrating that SRF231 binds with high affinity to CD47, stimulates phagocytosis of cancer cells in vitro, and has potent anti-tumor activity in multiple in vivo disease models. These data also demonstrate that SRF231 does not induce detectable hemagglutination or phagocytosis of red blood cells in vitro, a potentially important safety advantage. SRF231 is expected to enter clinical trials in 2017.

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Highlights Four Abstracts at the 58th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in San Diego, California, December 3-6, 2016

On December 2, 2016 Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGS: SPPI), a biotechnology company with fully integrated commercial and drug development operations with a primary focus in Hematology and Oncology, reported key presentations of clinical and scientific data related to its products at the 58th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper), being held in San Diego, California, from December 3-6, 2016 (Press release, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, DEC 2, 2016, View Source [SID1234516892]).

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!

For more information about the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) annual meeting and for a complete list of abstracts, please refer to the conference website at View Source

The following are key PTCL-related abstracts being presented at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting:

Abstract # Type Title First Author
Date/Time
Location
4149 Poster Case Match Control Analysis of Propel Reveals Survival Advantage for Patients with Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma (PTCL) Treated with Pralatrexate O’Connor
Monday, Dec 5,
6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Hall GH
4150 Poster Differential Outcome of Patients with Primary Refractory Vs. Relapsed Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma: Analysis from a Prospective Multicenter US Cohort Study Lansigan
Monday, Dec 5,
6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Hall GH
1824 Poster The Pralatrexate – Romidepsin Doublet: A Well Tolerated and Highly Effective Combination for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Amengual
Saturday, Dec 3,
5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Hall GH

The following key ZEVALIN (ibritumomab tiuxetan)-related abstract will be presented at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) conference:

Abstract # Type Title First Author Location
1793 Poster Short Course of Bendamustine and Rituximab Followed By 90Y-Ibritumomab Tiuxetan in Patients with Chemotherapy-Naive Follicular Lymphoma (FOL-BRITe): Final Report of Response Rates and Progression Free Survival Costa
Saturday, Dec 3,
5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Hall GH

TG Therapeutics, Inc. Recaps Schedule of Data Presentations at the 58th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting

On December 2, 2016 TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:TGTX), reported the schedule of data presentations for their lead compounds, TGR-1202, the Company’s once-daily PI3K delta inhibitor, and TG-1101 (ublituximab), the Company’s novel glycoengineered anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, at the upcoming 58th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) annual meeting, being held December 3-6, 2016, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California (Press release, TG Therapeutics, DEC 2, 2016, View Source [SID1234516891]).

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!

Presentations at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) 2016 meeting include the following:

Oral Presentations:

Title: Silencing c-Myc Translation as a Therapeutic Strategy through Targeting PI3K Delta and CK1 Epsilon in Hematological Malignancies
Abstract Number: 291
Oral Session: 625. Lymphoma: Pre-Clinical—Chemotherapy and Biologic Agents: Cell Signaling
Date and Time: Sunday, December 4, 2016; 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM PT
Presentation Time: 8:00 AM PT
Location: San Diego Convention Center, Room 5AB
Presenter: Changchun (George) Deng, MD, PhD, Columbia University, New York, NY
Title: TGR-1202 in Combination with Ibrutinib in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory CLL or MCL: Preliminary Results of a Multicenter Phase I/Ib Study
Abstract Number: 641
Oral Session: 642. CLL: Therapy, excluding Transplantation: Targeted Therapy: Novel Agents and Combinations
Date and Time: Monday, December 5, 2016; 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM PT
Presentation Time: 8:00 AM PT
Location: San Diego Convention Center, Room 5AB
Presenter: Matthew S. Davids, MD, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA

Title: Preliminary Results from a Phase I Dose Escalation Trial of Ruxolitinib and the PI3Kδ Inhibitor TGR-1202 in Myelofibrosis
Abstract Number: 1125
Oral Session: 634. Myeloproliferative Syndromes: Clinical: Clinical Trials with JAK Inhibitors
Date and Time: Monday, December 5, 2016; 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM PT
Presentation Time: 5:00 PM PT
Location: Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, Pacific Ballroom Salons 15-17
Presenter: Tamara Kay Moyo, MD, PhD, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN
Posters Presentations:

Title: Modulation of T Cell Compartment in a Preclinical CLL Murine Model By a Selective PI3K Delta Inhibitor, TGR-1202
Abstract Number: 3236
Session: 642. CLL: Therapy, excluding Transplantation: Poster II
Date and Time: Sunday, December 4, 2016 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PT
Location: San Diego Convention Center, Hall GH
Presenter: Kamira K. Maharaj, BS, Moffit Cancer Center, Tampa, FL

Title: Combination of Ublituximab, TGR-1202, and Bendamustine Demonstrates Significant Activity in Patients with Advanced DLBCL and Follicular Lymphoma
Abstract Number: 4197
Session: 626. Aggressive Lymphoma (Diffuse Large B-Cell and Other Aggressive B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas)—Results from Prospective Clinical Trials: Poster III
Date and Time: Monday, December 5, 2016; 6:00 PM-8:00 PM PT
Location: San Diego Convention Center, Hall GH
Presenter: Matthew A. Lunning, DO, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Title: A Phase I Trial of TGR-1202, a Next Generation Once-Daily PI3Kδ Inhibitor, in Combination with Brentuximab Vedotin, in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Hodgkins Lymphoma
Abstract Number: 4146
Session: 624. Hodgkin Lymphoma and T/NK Cell Lymphoma—Clinical Studies: Poster III
Date and Time: Monday, December 5, 2016; 6:00 PM-8:00 PM PT
Location: San Diego Convention Center, Hall GH
Presenter: Rod Ramchandren, MD, Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit, MI
A copy of the above referenced abstracts can be viewed online through the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting website at www.hematology.org. Following each presentation, the data presented will be available on the Publications page of the Company’s website at www.tgtherapeutics.com.