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Evotec and Dewpoint Therapeutics enter strategic partnership in oncology

On November 6, 2023 Evotec SE (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT, MDAX/TecDAX, ISIN: DE0005664809; NASDAQ: EVO) and Dewpoint Therapeutics reported a strategic R&D collaboration to advance Dewpoint’s leading oncology pipeline programmes of condensate modifying therapeutics ("c-mods") to Investigational New Drug Applications ("INDs") using Evotec’s industry-leading fully integrated data-driven platform ("INDiGO") (Press release, Evotec, NOV 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234637134]).

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The partnership brings together Dewpoint’s advanced oncology pipeline programmes discovered using its groundbreaking condensate biology and A.I. technology platform for identifying modulators of biomolecular condensates with Evotec’s leading capabilities to de-risk and accelerate pre-clinical development candidates ("PDCs") to first-in-human ("FIH") clinical studies.

Under the collaboration, Evotec will facilitate the rapid development of Dewpoint’s oncology assets using Evotec’s fully integrated clinical-enabling INDiGO platform to de-risk and accelerate the path to clinical testing. The partnership also enables Dewpoint to maximise capital efficiency while reducing risk. The agreement is based on a risk-sharing arrangement followed by milestone and royalty payments to Evotec based on the success of the overall programmes.

Dr Matthias Evers, Chief Business Officer of Evotec, commented: "We are excited to enter this strategic development partnership with Dewpoint. Their innovative approach is based on a holistic understanding, which can significantly expand the target space across indications. By combining our complementary expertise, Evotec’s development platform will serve as the capital-efficient IND engine for this highly collaborative partnership. We look forward to working closely together with their team to make Dewpoint’s groundbreaking innovations available to patients."

"Dewpoint’s strategic partnership with Evotec leverages the world-class speed of their development platform to accelerate our oncology assets into the clinic. Evotec’s integrated state-of-the-art operational technologies have been proven to deliver high quality INDs across the industry. A strategic relationship of this nature significantly enhances our development capabilities which can be transformative for a company at our stage of development, and we are delighted to have been able to forge this partnership with a leader like Evotec," commented Ameet Nathwani, M.D., CEO at Dewpoint.

About Condensates
Condensates are membraneless organelles that form dynamically throughout the cell via a process called phase separation. These subcellular compartments organise and concentrate molecules within cells to enable certain key biochemical processes. The dysregulation of biomolecular condensates has been observed in many diseases, including cancer, diabetes and neurological disorders. Condensate-modifying drugs (c-mods) potentially provide novel therapeutic options for complex diseases and historically undruggable targets.

Ribometrix Announces Lead Program Target and Presentation of Preclinical Data at the International Congress of the Society for Melanoma Research

On November 6, 2023 Ribometrix, a biotechnology company developing small molecule therapeutics that modulate RNA biology, reported its lead wholly-owned development program targeting the protein eIF4E, and announced it will present initial preclinical data demonstrating the anti-tumor benefit of eIF4E inhibition at the 20th International Congress of the Society for Melanoma Research (SMR), held November 6-9, 2023, in Philadelphia, PA (Press release, Ribometrix, NOV 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234637085]).

Ribometrix is developing therapeutics that target eIF4E to treat cancer by inhibiting tumor cell growth. eIF4E is a potent oncogene that promotes cell growth by regulating the synthesis of oncoproteins known to drive abnormal cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Common cancer drivers, such as mutant versions of BRAF/MEK and PI3K/AKT, are reliant on activation of eIF4E for the production of oncoproteins that lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation.

"As a leader in the emerging field of small molecule modulation of RNA biology, we’re thrilled to debut our eIF4E program, which we see as a high-value target for addressing a significant unmet need in melanoma with potential applicability in a wider range of tumor types," said Michael Solomon, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Ribometrix. "eIF4E has long been known as a regulator of mRNA translation, but its potential as a therapeutic target has been underexplored due to the historical challenges in modulating RNA biology with small molecules. The preclinical dataset we’re building for this program as a potential first- and second-line treatment for melanoma is a testament to Ribometrix’s expertise and internal capabilities in addressing the new world of targeting RNA biology for the benefit of patients in need."

Ribometrix will present data at SMR showing its eIF4E-targeted small molecule inhibitors:

Reduce the production of eIF4E-regulated oncoproteins and inhibit the growth of several cancer cell lines, including BRAF mutant melanoma.
Demonstrate strong anti-tumor monotherapy efficacy in a xenograft mouse model with no overt signs of toxicity after daily oral dosing.
Potentiate the effects of BRAF and MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi) in treatment naïve BRAF mutant melanoma cell lines.
Re-sensitize BRAFi/MEKi resistant BRAF mutant melanoma cell lines to treatment, a significant outcome as more than half of patients that receive BRAFi/MEKi will develop resistance within the first year of therapy.
Ribometrix is evaluating its portfolio of eIF4E inhibitors in preclinical studies and plans to select a development candidate in 2024. Additional preclinical data in other indications will be presented at upcoming medical conferences, including the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December 2023.

At SMR, data will be presented as a poster by Matthew Friedersdorf, Ph.D. and on display beginning today, November 6, 2023, at 4:00pm EDT, at which time it will become available on the Ribometrix website.

About eIF4E
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), the main regulator for cap-dependent mRNA translation and pro-oncogenic protein synthesis, is a critical node of multiple tumor signaling pathways. Targeting eIF4E has the potential to enhance anti-cancer activity of targeted therapies and overcome drug resistance. Specifically, known oncogenic drivers including BRAF, MEK, PI3K, AKT and CDK4/6 converge on eIF4E leading to hyper-translation of oncogenic proteins. Furthermore, while targeted therapies inhibiting a specific pathway are highly efficacious, tumors eventually emerge resistant to the treatments. Due to the innate biology, inhibition of eIF4E can resuppress that pathway leading to efficacy in the treatment resistant setting. Ribometrix is developing eIF4E inhibitors as a promising therapeutic strategy to inhibit oncogene expression and overcome resistance to targeted anti-cancer therapies.

NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes Announces Participation in Upcoming 2023 Truist Securities Biopharma Symposium

On November 6, 2023 NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, LLC, a global innovator in the development, production and commercialization of radiopharmaceuticals used to detect and treat cancer, reported that it will participate in the upcoming 2023 Truist Securities Biopharma Symposium being held November 8 to 9, 2023, in New York, NY (Press release, NorthStar Medical Radiostopes, NOV 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234637084]). NorthStar executives Stephen Merrick, Executive Chairman, and Paul Estrem, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will host one-on-one meetings with investors on November 8, 2023.

"NorthStar continues to expand our leadership position in the rapidly growing area of therapeutic radioisotopes, radiopharmaceuticals, and radiopharmaceutical contract development manufacturing organization (CDMO/CMO) services," said Frank Scholz, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes. "We are routinely producing therapeutic copper-67 and poised to be one of the first commercial-scale producers of non-carrier added (n.c.a.) actinium-225. NorthStar is strongly positioned for continued rapid growth across the radiopharmaceutical sector, and we look forward to sharing information about our innovative and environmentally sustainable approach to radioisotope production with the investor community at this Truist Biopharma Symposium."

Click Therapeutics Secures $20 Million Debt Financing from HSBC

On November 6, 2023 Click Therapeutics, Inc. ("Click"), a leader in Digital Therapeutics as prescription medical treatments, reported that it has closed on a $20 million term loan from HSBC Innovation Banking, a division of HSBC Bank USA, N.A (Press release, Click Therapeutics, NOV 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234637083]). The term loan was partially drawn at closing, with the proceeds used to retire Click’s previous term loan. The undrawn balance remains fully available to help advance Click’s prescription digital therapeutic pipeline.

"The last few years have been a period of tremendous growth for Click, and we could not be more excited to partner with HSBC Innovation Banking, a leader in the innovation economy," said Randall Stanicky, Chief Financial Officer of Click Therapeutics. "We are pleased with the financial terms, which we believe reflect Click’s leadership in the industry and the progress we have made towards profitability. This capital will help us continue to fund important investments in our platform and pipeline."

Click Therapeutics has announced four major co-development and commercialization collaborations to date for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia, and substance use disorders. Click is also progressing its lead internal program for the preventive treatment of migraine with pivotal data expected in 2024.

"This is an exciting opportunity for HSBC Innovation Banking to partner with a truly innovative company in the digital therapeutic space," said Clark Hayes, Head of Business Development, Healthcare and Life Sciences for HSBC Innovation Banking. "As Randall and his team look to grow their business, HSBC’s innovation network, combined with our size, strength, and international footprint, creates endless opportunity for Click at every phase of its growth."

Repare Therapeutics to Participate in Two Upcoming Investor Conferences

On November 6, 2023 Repare Therapeutics Inc. ("Repare" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: RPTX), a leading clinical-stage precision oncology company, reported that members of its senior management team will participate at two investor conferences in November. Details for the fireside chats are as follows (Press release, Repare Therapeutics, NOV 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234637082]):

Stifel 2023 Healthcare Conference
Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Time: 8:35 a.m. Eastern Time
Location: New York, NY

Piper Sandler 35th Annual Healthcare Conference
Date: Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Time: 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time
Location: New York, NY

A live webcast of the fireside chats can be accessed in the Investor section of the Company’s website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Company’s website for at least 30 days.