On October 3, 2017– Seattle Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGEN) and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502) reported final data from the ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) pivotal Phase 2 clinical trial in relapsed or refractory systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) were published in the journal Blood (Press release, Seattle Genetics, OCT 3, 2017, View Source [SID1234520761]). The manuscript, which summarizes the five-year, end-of-study results, highlights durable, long-term remissions in sALCL patients treated with ADCETRIS monotherapy. The manuscript is available online today and will be included in a future print edition of Blood. ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to CD30, which is expressed on the surface of Hodgkin lymphoma cells and several types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, including sALCL. ADCETRIS is being evaluated globally as the foundation of therapy for CD30-expressing lymphomas in more than 70 corporate- and investigator-sponsored clinical trials.

“Historically, sALCL patients who have recurrent or refractory disease have a poor prognosis and outcome with few effective and durable treatment options,” said Barbara Pro, M.D., Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, and lead author of the Blood manuscript. “Publication of the five-year follow up from the pivotal phase 2 clinical trial results represents a significant milestone for the sALCL community by demonstrating that treatment with single-agent brentuximab vedotin resulted in high response rates and durable, long-term remissions in conjunction with a manageable safety profile.”

“These data from the pivotal trial in sALCL demonstrate the long-term clinical benefit of ADCETRIS in the treatment of this disease, with an estimated five-year survival rate of 60 percent and progression-free survival rate of 39 percent,” said Jonathan Drachman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, Research and Development at Seattle Genetics. “In addition to achieving sustained remissions in the relapsed sALCL treatment setting, these data support the evaluation of ADCETRIS in earlier lines of therapy, including in the ongoing Phase 3 ECHELON-2 clinical trial in frontline mature T-cell lymphoma, also known as peripheral T-cell lymphoma.”

“With the five-year data of ADCETRIS in relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma published in Blood in July 2016, these results in sALCL represent the second CD30-expressing malignancy in which five-year data has confirmed clinically significant durable remissions,” said Jesús Gomez-Navarro, M.D., Vice President, Head of Oncology Clinical Research and Development, Takeda. “These findings further substantiate our goal to establish ADCETRIS as the foundation of therapy for CD30-expressing lymphomas.”

The pivotal, single-arm trial, which supported approvals of ADCETRIS by the FDA in 2011 and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2012 for this indication, was conducted in 58 relapsed or refractory sALCL patients to assess the efficacy and safety of single-agent ADCETRIS. After a follow-up period of approximately five years, the final results from the pivotal trial include:

The median overall survival was not yet reached and median progression-free survival was estimated at 20 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.4, -). The estimated five-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 60 percent and 39 percent, respectively.
Of the 58 patients treated, 38 patients (66 percent) had a complete remission, with the median response duration not reached. For patients who had a complete remission, the median overall survival and progression-free survival were not yet reached.
Sixteen of the 38 patients (42 percent) who achieved a complete remission continued to be followed and remained in remission for over five years at study closure. Of these patients, eight underwent either autologous or allogenic consolidative stem cell transplants while in remission, and eight received no further therapy.
The most common adverse events of any grade occurring in 20 percent or more of patients were peripheral neuropathy, nausea, fatigue, pyrexia, diarrhea, rash, constipation and neutropenia. Of the 33 patients who experienced peripheral neuropathy, 30 patients (91 percent) experienced complete resolution or some improvement of symptoms at last follow-up.
About ADCETRIS

ADCETRIS is being evaluated broadly in more than 70 clinical trials, including four Phase 3 studies: the ECHELON-1 trial in frontline classical Hodgkin lymphoma from which positive top-line results were recently reported, the ongoing ECHELON-2 trial in frontline mature T-cell lymphomas, the completed ALCANZA trial in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that supported the supplemental BLA with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of December 16, 2017, and the recently initiated CHECKMATE 812 trial of ADCETRIS in combination with Opdivo (nivolumab) for relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma.

ADCETRIS is an ADC comprising an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody attached by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), utilizing Seattle Genetics’ proprietary technology. The ADC employs a linker system that is designed to be stable in the bloodstream but to release MMAE upon internalization into CD30-positive tumor cells.

ADCETRIS for intravenous injection has received approval from the FDA for three indications: (1) regular approval for the treatment of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma after failure of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) or after failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not auto-HSCT candidates, (2) regular approval for the treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma patients at high risk of relapse or progression as post-auto-HSCT consolidation, and (3) accelerated approval for the treatment of patients with systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen. The sALCL indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for the sALCL indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

Health Canada granted ADCETRIS approval with conditions for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and sALCL in 2013, and non-conditional approval for post-ASCT consolidation treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma patients at increased risk of relapse or progression.

ADCETRIS was granted conditional marketing authorization by the European Commission in October 2012 for two indications: (1) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive Hodgkin lymphoma following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), or following at least two prior therapies when ASCT or multi-agent chemotherapy is not a treatment option, and (2) the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory sALCL. The European Commission extended the current conditional marketing authorization of ADCETRIS and approved ADCETRIS for the treatment of adult patients with CD30-positive Hodgkin lymphoma at increased risk of relapse or progression following ASCT.

ADCETRIS has received marketing authorization by regulatory authorities in 67 countries for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and sALCL. See important safety information below.

Seattle Genetics and Takeda are jointly developing ADCETRIS. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Seattle Genetics has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights and Takeda has rights to commercialize ADCETRIS in the rest of the world. Seattle Genetics and Takeda are funding joint development costs for ADCETRIS on a 50:50 basis, except in Japan where Takeda is solely responsible for development costs.

On October 3, 2017 Moleculin Biotech, Inc., (NASDAQ: MBRX) (“Moleculin” or the “Company”), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development of anti-cancer drug candidates, some of which are based on license agreements with The University of Texas System on behalf of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, reported that it has entered into an agreement to conduct its clinical trial to study Annamycin for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with the first of several hospitals desiring to be treatment centers (Press release, Moleculin, OCT 3, 2017, View Source [SID1234520760]).

“Now that our IND (investigational new drug) application is approved, the race is on to open treatment centers and begin recruiting patients,” commented Walter Klemp, Chairman and CEO of Moleculin. “We have identified 14 treatment sites that meet our criteria and have expressed an interest in participating, so there will be much more of this to come.”

“This first facility is a hematology clinic in a major hospital in Poland,” continued Mr. Klemp. “Because of the difference in process in Poland compared with the US, we were able to get this site signed up very shortly following the approval of our IND. We anticipate announcing additional sites over the coming months.”

Moleculin entered into this first agreement with a hospital in Poznan, Poland (Hospital of the Transfiguration of the Lord — Medical University in Poznan, Department of Hematology and Marrow Transplantation). The ability to treat patients in this and other Polish sites will require a separate regulatory approval in Poland based on the approved US IND. This is one of seven planned treatment sites in Poland.

On October 03, 2017 Celsion Corporation (NASDAQ:CLSN), an oncology drug development company, reported final clinical and translational research data from its OVATION Study, a Phase Ib dose escalating clinical trial combining GEN-1, the Company’s DNA-based immunotherapy, with the standard of care for the treatment of newly-diagnosed patients with advanced Stage III/IV ovarian cancer who will undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery (Press release, Celsion, OCT 3, 2017, View Source [SID1234520758]). GEN-1 is an IL-12 DNA plasmid vector formulated as a nanoparticle in a non-viral delivery system to cause the sustained local production and secretion of the Interleukin-12 (IL-12) protein loco-regionally to the tumor site.

The Company updated the translational data from the OVATION Study in a poster presentation at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Special Conference entitled “Addressing Critical Questions in Ovarian Cancer Research and Treatment” at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown in Pittsburgh, PA. The poster entitled “Immunological changes following intraperitoneal administration of a formulated IL-12 plasmid in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer patients,” was presented by Dr. Khursheed Anwer, Celsion’s executive vice president and chief scientific officer in a poster session on Monday, October 2, 2017 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

The Company also held an Advisory Board Meeting on September 27, 2017 with the clinical investigators and scientific experts including those from Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical School, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to review and finalize clinical, translational research and safety data from the OVATION Study in order to determine the next steps forward for this exciting new immunotherapy. With the endorsement and recommendations from the Advisory Board, the Company expects to file a next phase protocol with FDA later this year.

Translational Research Data

Key translational research findings from all evaluable patients are consistent with the earlier reports from partial analysis of the data and are summarized below:

The intraperitoneal treatment of GEN-1 in conjunction with neoadjuvant chemotherapy resulted in dose dependent increases in IL-12 and Interferon-gamma (IFN-g) levels that were predominantly in the peritoneal fluid compartment with little to no changes observed in the patients’ systemic circulation. These and other post-treatment changes including decreases in VEGF levels in peritoneal fluid are consistent with an IL-12 based immune mechanism.

Consistent with the previous partial reports, the effects observed in the IHC analysis were pronounced decreases in the density of immunosuppressive T-cell signals (Foxp3, PD-1, PDL-1, IDO-1) and increases in CD8+ cells in the tumor microenvironment.

The ratio of CD8+ cells to immunosuppressive cells was increased in approximately 75% of patients suggesting an overall shift in the tumor microenvironment from immunosuppressive to pro-immune stimulatory following treatment with GEN-1. An increase in CD8+ to immunosuppressive T-cell populations is a leading indicator and believed to be a good predictor of improved overall survival.

Analysis of peritoneal fluid by cell sorting, not reported before, shows treatment-related decrease in the percentage of immunosuppressive T-cell (Foxp3+), which is consistent with the reduction of Foxp3+ T-cells in the primary tumor tissue, and a shift in tumor naïve CD8+ cell population to more efficient tumor killing memory effector CD8+ cells.

These translational research findings demonstrate that GEN-1 in ovarian cancer patients is biologically active and creates a shift in the primary tumor and in the surrounding tumor environment in the peritoneal cavity that promotes a pro-immune T-cell population dynamic and conversion of tumor naïve T-cell into cytotoxic effector T-cells in the tumor microenvironment.

“These distinct immunological changes in the local disease environment are likely to translate into clinical benefit and warrant the continued development of our GEN-1 IL-12 immunotherapy as a potential adjuvant, in both first and second-line ovarian cancer,” said Dr. Kunle Odunsi, Deputy Director, Chair of Gynecologic Oncology and Center for Immunotherapy Executive Director at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. “Furthermore, pro-immune changes in the tumor microenvironment appear to support research combining GEN-1 with other exciting immuno-oncology therapies including adaptive T-cell and check point inhibitors.”

Clinical Data

Celsion also reported highly encouraging clinical data from the first fourteen patients who have completed treatment in the OVATION Study. GEN-1 plus standard chemotherapy produced positive clinical results, with no dose limiting toxicities and promising dose dependent efficacy signals which correlate well with successful surgical outcomes as summarized below:

Of the fourteen patients treated in the entire study, two (2) patients demonstrated a complete response, ten (10) patients demonstrated a partial response and two (2) patients demonstrated stable disease, as measured by RECIST criteria. This translates to a 100% disease control rate (“DCR”) and an 86% objective response rate (“ORR”). Of the five patients treated in the highest dose cohort, there was a 100% objective response rate with one (1) complete response and four (4) partial responses.

Fourteen patients had successful resections of their tumors, with nine (9) patients (64%) having an R0 resection, which indicates a microscopically margin-negative resection in which no gross or microscopic tumor remains in the tumor bed. Seven out of eight (87%) patients in the highest two dose cohorts experienced a R0 surgical resection. All five patients treated at the highest dose cohort experienced a R0 surgical resection.

All patients experienced a clinically significant decrease in their CA-125 protein levels as of their most recent study visit. CA-125 is used to monitor certain cancers during and after treatment. CA-125 is present in greater concentrations in ovarian cancer cells than in other cells.

Of the eight patients who have received GEN-1 treatment over one year ago (cohort 1 – 3) and are being followed; only two patients’ cancer has progressed. This compares favorably to the historical median progression free survival (PFS) of 12 months for newly-diagnosed patients with Stage III and IV ovarian cancer that undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery. Of the remaining six patients who have been on the study for over one year, their average PFS as of September 30, 2017 is 18 months with the longest progression-free patient at 24 months.

“We have completed enrollment of our Phase Ib OVATION Study in newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients to determine GEN-1’s clinical and biological activity in combination with standard chemotherapy. The remarkable surgical outcomes for all patients completing the prescribed eight weekly treatments of GEN-1 reinforce our belief in the promise of GEN-1’s ability to work safely and effectively in advanced ovarian cancer,” said Dr. Nicholas Borys, Celsion’s senior vice president and chief medical officer. “The Advisory Board Meetings held in late September 2017 with our clinical investigators and scientific experts in immuno-oncology provided an important endorsement of our development program for this innovative immunotherapy for first line ovarian cancer.”

The poster presentation will be available on Celsion’s website under “News & Investors – Scientific Presentations.”

OVATION Study Design

The Phase Ib trial was designed to evaluate weekly intraperitoneal dosing of GEN-1 in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the standard of care for patients newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Concurrently with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, enrolled patients will receive escalating weekly doses of GEN-1, from levels beginning at 36mg/m², to 47mg/m², 61mg/m² and 79mg/m² weekly for 8 treatments in total, with interval debulking surgery to follow. The regimen will primarily be evaluated for its safety and tolerability.

About GEN-1 Immunotherapy

GEN-1, designed using Celsion’s proprietary TheraPlas platform technology, is an IL-12 DNA plasmid vector encased in a nanoparticle delivery system, which enables cell transfection followed by persistent, local secretion of the IL-12 protein. IL-12 is one of the most active cytokines for the induction of potent anti-cancer immunity acting through the induction of T-lymphocyte and natural killer (NK) cell proliferation. The Company has previously reported positive safety and encouraging Phase I results with GEN-1 given as monotherapy in patients with peritoneally metastasized ovarian cancer, and recently completed a Phase Ib trial of GEN-1 in combination with PEGylated doxorubicin in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

On October 03, 2017 Celsion Corporation (NASDAQ:CLSN), an oncology drug development company, reported final clinical and translational research data from its OVATION Study, a Phase Ib dose escalating clinical trial combining GEN-1, the Company’s DNA-based immunotherapy, with the standard of care for the treatment of newly-diagnosed patients with advanced Stage III/IV ovarian cancer who will undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery (Press release, Celsion, OCT 3, 2017, View Source [SID1234520758]). GEN-1 is an IL-12 DNA plasmid vector formulated as a nanoparticle in a non-viral delivery system to cause the sustained local production and secretion of the Interleukin-12 (IL-12) protein loco-regionally to the tumor site.

The Company updated the translational data from the OVATION Study in a poster presentation at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Special Conference entitled “Addressing Critical Questions in Ovarian Cancer Research and Treatment” at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown in Pittsburgh, PA. The poster entitled “Immunological changes following intraperitoneal administration of a formulated IL-12 plasmid in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer patients,” was presented by Dr. Khursheed Anwer, Celsion’s executive vice president and chief scientific officer in a poster session on Monday, October 2, 2017 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

The Company also held an Advisory Board Meeting on September 27, 2017 with the clinical investigators and scientific experts including those from Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical School, and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to review and finalize clinical, translational research and safety data from the OVATION Study in order to determine the next steps forward for this exciting new immunotherapy. With the endorsement and recommendations from the Advisory Board, the Company expects to file a next phase protocol with FDA later this year.

Translational Research Data

Key translational research findings from all evaluable patients are consistent with the earlier reports from partial analysis of the data and are summarized below:

The intraperitoneal treatment of GEN-1 in conjunction with neoadjuvant chemotherapy resulted in dose dependent increases in IL-12 and Interferon-gamma (IFN-g) levels that were predominantly in the peritoneal fluid compartment with little to no changes observed in the patients’ systemic circulation. These and other post-treatment changes including decreases in VEGF levels in peritoneal fluid are consistent with an IL-12 based immune mechanism.

Consistent with the previous partial reports, the effects observed in the IHC analysis were pronounced decreases in the density of immunosuppressive T-cell signals (Foxp3, PD-1, PDL-1, IDO-1) and increases in CD8+ cells in the tumor microenvironment.

The ratio of CD8+ cells to immunosuppressive cells was increased in approximately 75% of patients suggesting an overall shift in the tumor microenvironment from immunosuppressive to pro-immune stimulatory following treatment with GEN-1. An increase in CD8+ to immunosuppressive T-cell populations is a leading indicator and believed to be a good predictor of improved overall survival.

Analysis of peritoneal fluid by cell sorting, not reported before, shows treatment-related decrease in the percentage of immunosuppressive T-cell (Foxp3+), which is consistent with the reduction of Foxp3+ T-cells in the primary tumor tissue, and a shift in tumor naïve CD8+ cell population to more efficient tumor killing memory effector CD8+ cells.

These translational research findings demonstrate that GEN-1 in ovarian cancer patients is biologically active and creates a shift in the primary tumor and in the surrounding tumor environment in the peritoneal cavity that promotes a pro-immune T-cell population dynamic and conversion of tumor naïve T-cell into cytotoxic effector T-cells in the tumor microenvironment.

“These distinct immunological changes in the local disease environment are likely to translate into clinical benefit and warrant the continued development of our GEN-1 IL-12 immunotherapy as a potential adjuvant, in both first and second-line ovarian cancer,” said Dr. Kunle Odunsi, Deputy Director, Chair of Gynecologic Oncology and Center for Immunotherapy Executive Director at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. “Furthermore, pro-immune changes in the tumor microenvironment appear to support research combining GEN-1 with other exciting immuno-oncology therapies including adaptive T-cell and check point inhibitors.”

Clinical Data

Celsion also reported highly encouraging clinical data from the first fourteen patients who have completed treatment in the OVATION Study. GEN-1 plus standard chemotherapy produced positive clinical results, with no dose limiting toxicities and promising dose dependent efficacy signals which correlate well with successful surgical outcomes as summarized below:

Of the fourteen patients treated in the entire study, two (2) patients demonstrated a complete response, ten (10) patients demonstrated a partial response and two (2) patients demonstrated stable disease, as measured by RECIST criteria. This translates to a 100% disease control rate (“DCR”) and an 86% objective response rate (“ORR”). Of the five patients treated in the highest dose cohort, there was a 100% objective response rate with one (1) complete response and four (4) partial responses.

Fourteen patients had successful resections of their tumors, with nine (9) patients (64%) having an R0 resection, which indicates a microscopically margin-negative resection in which no gross or microscopic tumor remains in the tumor bed. Seven out of eight (87%) patients in the highest two dose cohorts experienced a R0 surgical resection. All five patients treated at the highest dose cohort experienced a R0 surgical resection.

All patients experienced a clinically significant decrease in their CA-125 protein levels as of their most recent study visit. CA-125 is used to monitor certain cancers during and after treatment. CA-125 is present in greater concentrations in ovarian cancer cells than in other cells.

Of the eight patients who have received GEN-1 treatment over one year ago (cohort 1 – 3) and are being followed; only two patients’ cancer has progressed. This compares favorably to the historical median progression free survival (PFS) of 12 months for newly-diagnosed patients with Stage III and IV ovarian cancer that undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery. Of the remaining six patients who have been on the study for over one year, their average PFS as of September 30, 2017 is 18 months with the longest progression-free patient at 24 months.

“We have completed enrollment of our Phase Ib OVATION Study in newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients to determine GEN-1’s clinical and biological activity in combination with standard chemotherapy. The remarkable surgical outcomes for all patients completing the prescribed eight weekly treatments of GEN-1 reinforce our belief in the promise of GEN-1’s ability to work safely and effectively in advanced ovarian cancer,” said Dr. Nicholas Borys, Celsion’s senior vice president and chief medical officer. “The Advisory Board Meetings held in late September 2017 with our clinical investigators and scientific experts in immuno-oncology provided an important endorsement of our development program for this innovative immunotherapy for first line ovarian cancer.”

The poster presentation will be available on Celsion’s website under “News & Investors – Scientific Presentations.”

OVATION Study Design

The Phase Ib trial was designed to evaluate weekly intraperitoneal dosing of GEN-1 in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the standard of care for patients newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Concurrently with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, enrolled patients will receive escalating weekly doses of GEN-1, from levels beginning at 36mg/m², to 47mg/m², 61mg/m² and 79mg/m² weekly for 8 treatments in total, with interval debulking surgery to follow. The regimen will primarily be evaluated for its safety and tolerability.

About GEN-1 Immunotherapy

GEN-1, designed using Celsion’s proprietary TheraPlas platform technology, is an IL-12 DNA plasmid vector encased in a nanoparticle delivery system, which enables cell transfection followed by persistent, local secretion of the IL-12 protein. IL-12 is one of the most active cytokines for the induction of potent anti-cancer immunity acting through the induction of T-lymphocyte and natural killer (NK) cell proliferation. The Company has previously reported positive safety and encouraging Phase I results with GEN-1 given as monotherapy in patients with peritoneally metastasized ovarian cancer, and recently completed a Phase Ib trial of GEN-1 in combination with PEGylated doxorubicin in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

On October 3, 2017 Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLDX) reported that Margo Heath-Chiozzi, M.D., has joined the Company as Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs (Press release, Celldex Therapeutics, OCT 3, 2017, View Source [SID1234520756]). She was previously Vice President, Global Submissions and Regulatory Policy at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, where she provided executive global regulatory strategy leading to nine product approvals. Dr. Heath-Chiozzi brings over 25 years of experience in senior leadership roles in regulatory sciences, pharmacogenetics and product development within the pharmaceutical industry and as a practicing physician and clinical researcher.

“Dr. Heath-Chiozzi’s strong track record of drug approvals and her exceptional understanding of the regulatory environment position her well to lead our global regulatory strategy,” said Anthony Marucci, Co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Celldex Therapeutics. “She is sincerely passionate about drug development and making a difference in the lives of patients, and we look forward to working with her as we execute across our deep pipeline of drug candidates.”

“I’m looking forward to working with the Celldex team to develop commercial strategies across its deep pipeline, especially as topline results from the METRIC study of glembatumumab vedotin in patients with triple-negative breast cancer are anticipated within the coming months,” said Dr. Heath-Chiozzi. “It’s an exciting time for the organization, and I’m thrilled to be a member of the team.”

Dr. Heath-Chiozzi joined Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2003, and prior to her most recent role, she served as Vice President, Global Regulatory Strategy, contributing to several business units including oncology, immunology, virology and genetically defined diseases. While at Bristol-Myers Squibb, she supported the global launches of several successful therapies in the areas of oncology, inflammation and infectious disease, including Yervoy, Erbitux, Orencia, Sprycel, Daklinza, Sunvepra, Baraclude, Atripla and Reyataz. From 1995 to 2003, Dr. Heath-Chiozzi served in roles of increasing responsibility at Abbott Laboratories, including Medical Director, Pharmacogenetics; Senior Director, Global Marketed Product Development and Outcomes Research; and Global Project Head, Abbott/Millennium Obesity/Diabetes Alliance. Before joining Abbott, she was appointed to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, where she served as Assistant Professor, and was concurrently Director of the HIV Research Clinical at the Queen’s Medical Center as well as Director of the Women’s Immunology Clinical at the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, in Honolulu. Dr. Heath-Chiozzi received her B.S. and M.D. from the University of Utah. She received further medical training in internal medicine at Duke University and completed fellowships in infectious disease at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.