1stOncology™: Cancer Intelligence Service – Page 15685 – 1stOncology is recognized as a Top 10 Global Pharma Analytic Provider

Unum Therapeutics Announces Presentation of Initial Clinical Data from the ATTCK-20-2 Trial and Pre-Clinical Data on its Antibody-Coupled T Cell Receptor (ACTR) Platform at the Upcoming 59th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting

On November 1, 2017 Unum Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel immunotherapy products designed to harness the power of a patient’s immune system to cure cancer, reported that initial clinical data from the ATTCK-20-2 Phase I study and pre-clinical data on its Antibody-Coupled T cell Receptor (ACTR) platform will be presented in an oral presentation and a poster presentation, respectively, at the 59th ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, which is being held in Atlanta, GA December 9-12, 2017 View Source The oral presentation will highlight early data from an ongoing Phase I dose escalation study, ATTCK-20-2 (ClinicalTrials.gov No. NCT02776813), of ACTR087 used in combination with rituximab in subjects with relapsed/refractory CD20+ B cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In the first dose level studied (Cohort 1), ACTR087 used in combination with rituximab induced two complete responses (CR) and one partial response (PR) in patients evaluable for response (n=6), with no ACTR087-related serious adverse events (SAEs), no adverse events (AEs) leading to treatment discontinuation, no cytokine-release syndrome (CRS), and no neurotoxicity. The Company is currently enrolling and treating patients in Cohort 2. The poster presentation will provide data from non-clinical studies demonstrating the adaptability of ACTR T Cells to target T cell targets such as CD38 via combination with daratumumab, and bypass the challenges of scFv-based CAR-T cell production to effectively target CD38-expressing tumor cells.

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!

Presentation Details:

Oral Presentation

Presentation Title: ACTR087, Autologous T Lymphocytes Expressing Antibody Coupled T-cell Receptors (ACTR), Induces Complete Responses in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory CD20-Positive B-cell Lymphoma, in Combination with Rituximab
Authors (affiliation): L. Akard (IBMT), S. Jaglowski (OSU), S. Devine (OSU), M. McKinney (Duke), M. Vasconcelles, H. Huet, S. Ettenberg, A. Ranger, J. Abramson (MGH)
Presenter: L. Akard (IBMT)
Presentation Date: Monday, December 11, 2017
Presentation Time: 7:45 AM
Location: Georgia World Congress Center, Bldg A, Lvl 4, A411-A412
Session: 626. Aggressive Lymphoma (Diffuse Large B-Cell and Other Aggressive B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas)—Results from Prospective Clinical Trials: Immune-Based Therapeutic Approaches
Abstract Number: 580

Poster Presentation

Presentation Title: Adaptability of Antibody-Coupled T Cell Receptor (ACTR) Engineered Autologous T Cells in Combination with Daratumumab Over CAR-based Approaches
Authors: Taylor Hickman, Adrianna Graziano, Katie O’Callaghan, Ryan Boomer, Eugene Choi, Allison Nelson, Greg Motz, Jessica Sachs, Birgit Schultes, Seth Ettenberg, and Tooba Cheema
Presenter: Taylor Hickman, Senior Associate Scientist, Unum Therapeutics
Presentation Date: Sunday, December 10, 2017
Presentation Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Georgia World Congress Center, Bldg A, Lvl 1, Hall A2
Session: 703. Adoptive Immunotherapy: Poster II
Abstract Number: 3189

The poster will be posted on Unum’s website following the presentations.

About Antibody-Coupled T cell Receptor (ACTR) Technology

Unum’s proprietary ACTR is a chimeric protein that combines components from proteins normally found on two different human immune cell types – natural killer (NK) cells and T cells – to create a novel approach to cancer cell killing. T cells bearing the ACTR receptor protein can be directed to attack a tumor by combining with a monoclonal antibody that binds antigens on the cancer cell surface.

In contrast to other T cell therapy approaches for cancer that are limited to a single cancer cell surface target and, therefore, treat a narrow set of tumors, Unum’s approach is not restricted by a specific tumor cell antigen and, thus, we believe may have applications for treating many different types of cancers when combined with the right antibodies.

Unum is developing ACTR in combination with a range of tumor-targeting antibodies for use in both hematologic and solid tumor indications. ACTR087 used in combination with rituximab, an anti-CD20 antibody, is Unum’s most advanced product candidate, currently in Phase I clinical testing for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory CD20-positive B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The Company has two additional product candidates on track for imminent clinical testing under Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs) in effect with the FDA: ACTR707 used in combination with rituximab for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory CD20-positive B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and ACTR087 in combination with a novel anti-BCMA antibody, SEA-BCMA, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Gamida Cell to Present New Data from Key Programs at 2017 ASH Annual Meeting

On November 1, 2017 Gamida Cell, a leading cellular and immune therapeutics company, reported that two oral presentations on new data from the company’s pipeline programs will be presented during the 59th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) (Press release, Gamida Cell, NOV 1, 2017, View Source [SID1234521461]).

The oral presentations will highlight safety and efficacy data for a completed phase 2 study of the company’s lead clinical asset, NiCord, as a single cord blood graft, and proof-of-concept data for the advancement of natural killer cells (NK cells) as an immunotherapeutic modality for patients with cancer. These abstracts are now available on the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) conference website.

Oral Presentations

NiCord Single Unit Expanded Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation (UCBT): Final Results of a Multicenter Phase I/ II Trial

Date & Time: Monday, December 11, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. ET

Session Name: Clinical Allogeneic Transplantation: Results: Donor Selection in the Haplo Transplant Era

Abstract Number: 847

Location: Georgia World Congress Center, Building C, Level 2, Room C202-204

Enhanced In Vivo Persistence and Proliferation of NK Cells Expanded in Culture with the Small Molecule Nicotinamide: Development of a Clinical-Applicable Method for NK Expansion

Date & Time: Monday, December 11, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. ET

Session Name: Cell Collection and Processing: Optimization of Hematopoietic Graft Using Small Molecules in Culture

Abstract Number: 657

Location: Georgia World Congress Center, Building B, Level 2, Room B216-217

Vedanta Biosciences to Advance Cancer Immunotherapy Candidates Based on Microbiome-Derived Live Biotherapeutics that Induce CD8+ T Cells

On November 1, 2017 Vedanta Biosciences, an affiliate of PureTech Health (LSE: PRTC) developing a new category of therapies for immune and infectious diseases based on rationally designed consortia of human microbiome-derived bacteria, reported that it has exclusively sub-licensed key intellectual property from JSR Corporation to develop and commercialize microbiome-derived cancer immunotherapies based on live biotherapeutics (Press release, Vedanta Biosciences, NOV 1, 2017, View Source [SID1234521457]). These live biotherapeutics have been shown to activate CD8+ T cells, a type of white blood cell that is the predominant effector in cancer immunotherapy. The sub-licensed intellectual property is based on the pioneering research of Dr. Kenya Honda, Professor, of Keio University School of Medicine and his collaborators in the University of Tokyo in Japan. An IND filing for the lead product candidate is planned in 2018.

“Dr. Honda’s research suggests an entirely new approach to cancer immunotherapy harnessing the human microbiome, which has the potential to significantly enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapies,” said Bernat Olle, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Vedanta Biosciences. “We are actively developing product candidates containing defined bacterial consortia that activate CD8+ T cells and stimulate the immune system to fight cancer alone and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. This license to additional intellectual property from Dr. Honda’s institution further strengthens Vedanta’s leading IP position in the microbiome field.”

In validated pre-clinical models of cancer, Vedanta’s orally administered product candidates containing defined bacterial consortia induced CD8+ T cells, potentiating the immune system’s attack of tumor cells. The tumor fighting effects of a variety of checkpoint inhibitors were significantly amplified when combined with the bacterial consortia, suggesting a potentially novel approach for combination cancer immunotherapy.

About Key Intellectual Properties
Keio University and The University of Tokyo joined the Leading Advanced Projects for Medical Innovation (“LEAP”), part of Advanced Research and Development Programs for Medical Innovation at The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (“AMED”), in 2016. Their research and development is focused on the development of therapeutic cocktails of bacteria isolated from the gut microbiota. The licensed intellectual properties were developed as a part of the AMED-LEAP Research Program and are exclusively licensed to JSR Corporation (TSE: JSR) from Keio University and The University of Tokyo.

New Data of Emicizumab Presented at The American Society of Hematology 2017

On November 1, 2017 Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 4519) reported that oral and poster presentations will be given with regard to emicizumab at The American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Emicizumab is a bispecific antibody under development for hemophilia A (Press release, Chugai, NOV 1, 2017, View Source [SID1234521451]).

Data from additional six-month follow-up of global Phase lll studies in hemophilia A with inhibitors to factor VIII, HAVEN 1 study (NCT02622321) and HAVEN 2 study (NCT02795767), will be shown at the conference. The HAVEN 2 will be presented at 7:30 EST on December 9 as part of the official Press Program at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper). Both studies have been conducted in collaboration with Roche and Genentech, while HAVEN 1 is for adults and adolescents and HAVEN 2 is for children.

In addition, preliminary data from HAVEN 4 study (NCT03020160), a Phase lll study with hemophilia A patients with or without inhibitors which examines emicizumab prophylaxis administered subcutaneously once every four weeks, and real-world data from a non-interventional trial in children under 12 years of ages with hemophilia A with inhibitors will be presented.

BeiGene Announces Oral Presentation and Posters at the 59th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting

On November 1, 2017 BeiGene, Ltd. (NASDAQ:BGNE), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative molecularly targeted and immuno-oncology drugs for the treatment of cancer, reported that it will present data on its Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitor at the upcoming 59th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (Press release, BeiGene, NOV 1, 2017, View Source [SID1234521450]). ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) will take place December 9-12, 2017 in Atlanta, GA.

Oral Presentation, Abstract #152

Title: Safety and Activity of the Highly Specific BTK Inhibitor BGB-3111 in Patients with Indolent and Aggressive Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Presenter: Constantine Tam, MD

Session: 623. Mantle Cell, Follicular, and Other Indolent B-Cell Lymphoma – Clinical Studies: Mantle Cell Lymphoma, New Therapies
Date & Time: 12:15pm EST, Saturday, December 9, 2017
Location: Georgia World Congress Center, A411-A412

Poster, Abstract #1745

Title: BGB-3111 in Combination with Obinutuzumab in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Follicular Lymphoma

Presenter: Constantine Tam, MD

Session: 642. CLL: Therapy, excluding Transplantation: Poster I
Date & Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm EST, Saturday, December 9, 2017
Location: Georgia World Congress Center, Hall A2

Poster, Abstract #4057

Title: Safety and Activity of the Highly Specific BTK Inhibitor BGB-3111 in Combination with the PD-1 Inhibitor BGB-A317 in Patients with B-Cell Lymphoid Malignancies

Presenter: Gavin Cull, MD

Session: 623. Mantle Cell, Follicular, and Other Indolent B-Cell Lymphoma – Clinical Studies: Poster III
Date & Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm EST, Monday, December 11, 2017
Location: Georgia World Congress Center, Hall A2

About BGB-3111

BGB-3111 is a potent and highly selective investigational small molecule inhibitor of BTK. BGB-3111 has demonstrated higher selectivity against BTK than ibrutinib, a BTK inhibitor currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency, based on biochemical assays, higher exposure than ibrutinib based on their respective Phase 1 experience in separate studies, and sustained 24-hour BTK occupancy in both the peripheral blood and lymph node compartments.

About BGB-A317

BGB-A317 is an investigational humanized monoclonal antibody that belongs to a class of immuno-oncology agents known as immune checkpoint inhibitors. It is designed to bind to PD-1, a cell surface receptor that plays an important role in downregulating the immune system by preventing the activation of T-cells. BGB-A317 has high affinity and specificity for PD-1. It is differentiated from the currently approved PD-1 antibodies in an engineered Fc region, which is believed to minimize potentially negative interactions with other immune cells. BGB-A317 is being developed as a monotherapy and in combination with other therapies for the treatment of a broad array of both solid tumor and hematologic cancers. BeiGene and Celgene Corporation have a global strategic collaboration for BGB-A317 for solid tumors.