QIAGEN exceeds outlook for Q3 2023 with 5% CER sales growth in non-COVID products and adjusted EPS of $0.50 CER

On October 30, 2023 QIAGEN (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) reported results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2023 (Press release, Qiagen, OCT 30, 2023, View Source;non-COVID-products-and-adjusted-EPS-of-0.50-CER/default.aspx [SID1234636448]).

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Net sales results of $470 million at constant exchange rates (CER) for Q3 2023 were above the outlook for at least $465 million CER, driven by 5% CER growth in the non-COVID-19 portfolio. Overall sales results for Q3 2023 declined 5% (-6% CER) to $476 million from Q3 2022, a period marked by significant COVID-19 sales contributions. Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $0.50, and results of $0.50 CER were above the outlook for at least $0.48 CER.

QIAGEN has reaffirmed its full-year 2023 outlook for net sales of at least $1.97 billion, driven by ongoing solid consumables demand that accounted for 88% of total sales in the first nine months of the year, while larger-scale instrument sales remain challenging. QIAGEN also continues to closely monitor fast‑changing geopolitical and macro trends around the world. Adjusted diluted EPS are reaffirmed to be at least $2.07 CER.

"We delivered another quarter of solid results that exceeded our outlook, driven by our strategic focus on our Pillars of Growth and the benefits of balance in serving over 500,000 Life Sciences and Molecular Diagnostics customers, along with our broad geographic presence," said Thierry Bernard, Chief Executive Officer of QIAGEN.

"This resilient performance was important as we work through the final quarters of COVID-19 testing headwinds from 2022, and also address an increasingly challenging macro environment. Against this backdrop, our teams executed on goals to generate sales gains across many portfolio areas and key regions. We are well-positioned to finish this year in a stronger position, committed to delivering solid sales growth and improved earnings in the fourth quarter of 2023 as we prepare for more growth and expansion in 2024 and the years ahead."

Roland Sackers, Chief Financial Officer of QIAGEN, said: "QIAGEN is investing into the business, particularly in R&D that accounted for 10% of sales, while maintaining industry-leading margins and a high level of profitability that helped us to exceed our outlook for adjusted earnings per share in the third quarter of 2023. These results again demonstrate our capacity to support our growth prospects while ensuring effective cost management. As we review options to deploy capital, we are committed to creating greater value by enhancing our business portfolio and increasing returns."

Please find a PDF of the full press release incl. tables here.

Investor presentation an conference call

A conference call is planned for Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 14:00 Frankfurt Time / 13:00 London Time / 9:00 New York Time. A live audio webcast will be made available in the investor relations section of the QIAGEN website, and a recording will also be made available after the event. A presentation is planned to be available before the conference call at View Source

Kura Oncology to Participate in Three Upcoming Investor Conferences

On October 30, 2023 Kura Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: KURA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing the promise of precision medicines for the treatment of cancer, reported that Troy Wilson, Ph.D., J.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, is scheduled to participate in three upcoming investor conferences (Press release, Kura Oncology, OCT 30, 2023, View Source [SID1234636445]).

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A virtual fireside chat at the TD Cowen Fall Oncology Innovation Summit: Insights for SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) and ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) event at 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT on November 3, 2023;
A fireside chat at the Stifel 2023 Healthcare Conference in New York at 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT on November 14, 2023; and
A fireside chat at the Jefferies London Healthcare Conference in London at 9:30 a.m. GMT / 5:30 a.m. ET / 2:30 a.m. PT on November 16, 2023.

Live audio webcasts will be available in the Investors section of Kura’s website at www.kuraoncology.com, with archived replays available following all three events.

Karyopharm Announces Clinical Trial Collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb to Evaluate Novel CELMoD™ Agent CC- 92480 Mezigdomide in Combination with Selinexor in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

On October 30, 2023 Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: KPTI), a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company pioneering novel cancer therapies, reported that it has entered into a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) to evaluate the company’s proprietary investigational cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD) agent mezigdomide in combination with Karyopharm’s selinexor, an approved first-in-class inhibitor of Exportin 1 (XPO1), plus dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (Press release, Karyopharm, OCT 30, 2023, View Source [SID1234636444]).

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This trial will evaluate mezigdomide in combination with selinexor doses of either 40mg or 60mg plus dexamethasone in patients who have prior exposure to immunomodulatory (IMiD) drug agents, proteasome inhibitors, and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody treatment. All patients must have received at least two prior lines of therapy, and either have progressed after or are not eligible to receive CAR-T or bispecific antibody treatment.

"This is an important collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb to explore this novel and entirely oral combination in patients who have progressed following T-cell engaging therapy. This trial will also evaluate mezigdomide-selinexor plus dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who need an effective alternative to T-cell therapies," said Richard Paulson, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of Karyopharm. "Pre-clinical studies with selinexor and mezigdomide post T-cell mediated therapies provide a scientific rationale for this novel combination to potentially prevent/reverse T-cell exhaustion and improve outcomes for more of these patients. We look forward to initiating the trial in the first half of 2024."

"Despite multiple treatment advances, there is a growing need for new combinations, particularly those that are all-oral, accessible and that have novel mechanisms to help treat patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma," said Paul Richardson, M.D., the RJ Corman Professor of Medicine, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and senior investigator of the study. "Pre-clinical data suggests the combination of a selective inhibitor of nuclear export (SINE), such as selinexor, with potent cereblon E3 ligase modulators , such as mezigdomide, may spare T-cell function while showing potential activity against resistant myeloma. This particular combination represents an innovative and promising approach to treating relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma with the convenience of an all-oral approach. We look forward to learning more about its potential in triple-class exposed patients, as well as in those who’ve experienced [anti-]BCMA and T-cell directed treatment failure."

The primary endpoints of this trial are to assess the objective response rate (ORR) and the clinical benefit rate (CBR). Key secondary endpoints include progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and duration of response (DOR). In addition, the trial will evaluate dynamic changes in T-cell populations and activity as patients undergo treatment. Under the terms of the agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb, Karyopharm will sponsor the trial as a new arm of Karyopharm’s Phase 1b/2 STOMP trial and Bristol Myers Squibb will supply the study’s clinical drug mezigdomide.

About XPOVIO (selinexor)

XPOVIO is a first-in-class, oral exportin 1 (XPO1) inhibitor and the first of Karyopharm’s Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) compounds to be approved for the treatment of cancer. XPOVIO functions by selectively binding to and inhibiting the nuclear export protein XPO1. XPOVIO is approved in the U.S. and marketed by Karyopharm in multiple oncology indications, including: (i) in combination with Velcade (bortezomib) and dexamethasone (XVd) in patients with multiple myeloma after at least one prior therapy; (ii) in combination with dexamethasone in patients with heavily pre-treated multiple myeloma; and (iii) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), including DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma, after at least two lines of systemic therapy. XPOVIO (also known as NEXPOVIO in certain countries) has received regulatory approvals in various indications in a growing number of ex-U.S. territories and countries, including but not limited to the European Union, the United Kingdom, China, South Korea, Canada, Israel and Taiwan. XPOVIO and NEXPOVIO is marketed by Karyopharm’s partners, Antengene, Menarini, Neopharm and FORUS, in China, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Germany, Austria, Israel and Canada.

Please refer to the local Prescribing Information for full details.

Selinexor is also being investigated in several other mid- and late-stage clinical trials across multiple high unmet need cancer indications, including in endometrial cancer and myelofibrosis.

For more information about Karyopharm’s products or clinical trials, please contact the Medical Information department at:
Tel: +1 (888) 209-9326
Email: [email protected]

SELECT IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Warnings and Precautions

Thrombocytopenia: Monitor platelet counts throughout treatment. Manage with dose interruption and/or reduction and supportive care.
Neutropenia: Monitor neutrophil counts throughout treatment. Manage with dose interruption and/or reduction and granulocyte colony–stimulating factors.
Gastrointestinal Toxicity: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and weight loss may occur. Provide antiemetic prophylaxis. Manage with dose interruption and/or reduction, antiemetics, and supportive care.
Hyponatremia: Monitor serum sodium levels throughout treatment. Correct for concurrent hyperglycemia and high serum paraprotein levels. Manage with dose interruption, reduction, or discontinuation, and supportive care.
Serious Infection: Monitor for infection and treat promptly.
Neurological Toxicity: Advise patients to refrain from driving and engaging in hazardous occupations or activities until neurological toxicity resolves. Optimize hydration status and concomitant medications to avoid dizziness or mental status changes.
Embryo–Fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with a female partner of reproductive potential, of the potential risk to a fetus and use of effective contraception.
Cataract: Cataracts may develop or progress. Treatment of cataracts usually requires surgical removal of the cataract.
Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) in patients with multiple myeloma who receive XVd are fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, diarrhea, peripheral neuropathy, upper respiratory tract infection, decreased weight, cataract and vomiting. Grade 3–4 laboratory abnormalities (≥10%) are thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, hypophosphatemia, anemia, hyponatremia and neutropenia. In the BOSTON trial, fatal adverse reactions occurred in 6% of patients within 30 days of last treatment. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 52% of patients. Treatment discontinuation rate due to adverse reactions was 19%.
The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) in patients with multiple myeloma who receive Xd are thrombocytopenia, fatigue, nausea, anemia, decreased appetite, decreased weight, diarrhea, vomiting, hyponatremia, neutropenia, leukopenia, constipation, dyspnea and upper respiratory tract infection. In the STORM trial, fatal adverse reactions occurred in 9% of patients. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 58% of patients. Treatment discontinuation rate due to adverse reactions was 27%.
The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) in patients with DLBCL, excluding laboratory abnormalities, are fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, appetite decrease, weight decrease, constipation, vomiting, and pyrexia. Grade 3–4 laboratory abnormalities (≥15%) are thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia, anemia, and hyponatremia. In the SADAL trial, fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3.7% of patients within 30 days, and 5% of patients within 60 days of last treatment; the most frequent fatal adverse reactions was infection (4.5% of patients). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 46% of patients; the most frequent serious adverse reaction was infection (21% of patients). Discontinuation due to adverse reactions occurred in 17% of patients.
Use In Specific Populations
Lactation: Advise not to breastfeed.

For additional product information, including full prescribing information, please visit www.XPOVIO.com.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. at 1–888–209–9326 or FDA at 1–800–FDA–1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

About Mezigdomide

Cereblon E3 ligase modulators (CELMoD) are a class of oral immunomodulatory therapeutics that are designed to stimulate the immune system and directly kill cancer cells by inducing the degradation of tumor-promoting proteins. Bristol Myers Squibb is investigating a novel CELMoD agent, mezigdomide, for multiple myeloma that was intentionally designed to improve upon the demonstrated efficacy of the IMiD agents, along with manageable tolerability, ease of administration, and the potential to improve patient outcomes. Mezigdomide co-opts cereblon to rapidly induce degradation of target proteins Ikaros and Aiolos, thus inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, promoting tumor cell death, and inducing immune-stimulatory effects.

Immunocore to present at upcoming investor conferences

On October 30, 2023 Immunocore Holdings Plc (Nasdaq: IMCR), a commercial-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of a novel class of T cell receptor (TCR) bispecific immunotherapies designed to treat a broad range of diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmune conditions, reported that management will present at the following investor conferences in November (Press release, Immunocore, OCT 30, 2023, View Source [SID1234636443]):

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TD Cowen Fall Oncology Innovation Summit: Insights for SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) and ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper)
Fireside Chat: Friday, November 3, 2023, at 2:20 p.m. EDT
Truist Securities BioPharma Symposium
1×1 and small group meetings: Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Jefferies London Healthcare Conference
Fireside Chat: Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. GMT
3rd Annual BTIG Ophthalmology Day
Fireside Chat: Monday, November 27, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. EST

Where relevant, the presentations will be webcast live and can be accessed by visiting ‘Events’, under ‘News & Events’, via the ‘Investors’ section of Immunocore’s website at www.immunocore.com. Following the events, a replay of the presentations will be made available for a limited time.

Phase III RUBY trial of Jemperli (dostarlimab) plus chemotherapy meets endpoint of overall survival in patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer

On October 30, 2023 GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) reported positive headline results from a planned analysis of Part 1 of the RUBY/ENGOT-EN6/GOG3031/NSGO phase III trial investigating Jemperli (dostarlimab) plus standard-of-care chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel), followed by dostarlimab as a single agent, compared to placebo plus chemotherapy followed by placebo in adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer (Press release, GlaxoSmithKline, OCT 30, 2023, View Source [SID1234636442]). The trial met its primary endpoint of overall survival (OS), demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit in the overall patient population.

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A clinically meaningful OS benefit was observed in both prespecified subpopulations in the trial: mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) and mismatch repair proficient (MMRp)/microsatellite stable (MSS) patient subgroups. OS is one of two primary endpoints in the RUBY Part 1 trial. Previously, the trial met its other primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS), demonstrating a 72% and 36% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death observed in the dMMR/MSI-H population (HR: 0.28 [95% CI: 0.16-0.50]) and overall patient population (HR: 0.64 [95% CI: 0.51–0.80]), respectively1.

Hesham Abdullah, Senior Vice President, Global Head Oncology, R&D, GSK, said: "With today’s headline results from Part 1 of the phase III RUBY trial, dostarlimab plus chemotherapy has become the only immuno-therapy combination to show a survival benefit in this broader patient population in this treatment setting. We look forward to sharing detailed results of this analysis with regulatory authorities and the larger scientific community."

Full results from this latest analysis from the trial will be published in a medical journal and presented at an upcoming scientific meeting.

The safety and tolerability profile of dostarlimab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel was generally consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual agents. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (≥ 25%) in patients receiving dostarlimab plus chemotherapy were nausea, alopecia, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, anemia, arthralgia, constipation, diarrhoea and myalgia.

Currently, Jemperli has regulatory approvals in a certain subset of patients with endometrial cancer based on the previously reported positive results for the primary endpoint of progression-free survival in Part 1 of the RUBY trial. In July 2023, Jemperli received FDA approval in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by Jemperli as a single agent for the treatment of adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), as determined by an FDA-approved test, or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). Jemperli was also approved in the United Kingdom in October 2023 in combination with platinum-containing chemotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with dMMR/MSI-H primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer and who are candidates for systemic therapy. The application remains under review in the European Union (EU), Australia, Canada, Switzerland and Singapore.

About endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is found in the inner lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecologic cancer in developed countries, with approximately 417,000 new cases reported each year worldwide2, and incidence rates are expected to rise by almost 40% between 2020 and 2040.3,4 Approximately 15-20% of patients with endometrial cancer will be diagnosed with advanced disease at the time of diagnosis.5

About RUBY
RUBY is a two-part global, randomised, double-blind, multicentre phase III trial of patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Part 1 is evaluating dostarlimab plus carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by dostarlimab versus carboplatin-paclitaxel plus placebo followed by placebo. Part 2 is evaluating dostarlimab plus carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by dostarlimab plus niraparib versus placebo plus carboplatin-paclitaxel followed by placebo.

The dual-primary endpoints in Part 1 are investigator-assessed PFS based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours v1.1 and OS. The statistical analysis plan included pre-specified analyses of PFS in the dMMR/MSI-H and ITT populations and OS in the overall population. Pre-specified exploratory analyses of PFS and OS in the MMRp/MSS population and OS in the dMMR/MSI-H populations were also performed. RUBY Part 1 included a broad population, including histologies often excluded from clinical trials and had approximately 10% of patients with carcinosarcoma and 20% with serous carcinoma. In Part 2, the primary endpoint is investigator-assessed PFS. Secondary endpoints in Part 1 and Part 2 include PFS per blinded independent central review, overall response rate, duration of response, disease control rate, patient-reported outcomes, and safety and tolerability.

About Jemperli (dostarlimab)
Jemperli is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)-blocking antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor and blocks its interaction with the PD-1 ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2.6

In the US, Jemperli is indicated in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by Jemperli as a single agent for the treatment of adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), as determined by an FDA-approved test, or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), and as a single agent for adult patients with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer, as determined by a US FDA-approved test, that has progressed on or following a prior platinum-containing regimen in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation. The sBLA supporting the indication in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA. Jemperli is also indicated in the US for patients with dMMR recurrent or advanced solid tumours, as determined by a US FDA-approved test, that have progressed on or following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. The latter indication is approved in the US under accelerated approval based on tumour response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication in solid tumours may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).

Jemperli was discovered by AnaptysBio, Inc. and licensed to TESARO, Inc., under a collaboration and exclusive license agreement signed in March 2014. The collaboration has resulted in three monospecific antibody therapies that have progressed into the clinic. These are: Jemperli (GSK4057190), a PD-1 antagonist; cobolimab, (GSK4069889), a TIM-3 antagonist; and GSK4074386, a LAG-3 antagonist. GSK is responsible for the ongoing research, development, commercialisation, and manufacturing of each of these medicines under the agreement.

Important Information for Jemperli in the EU

Indication 

Jemperli is indicated as monotherapy for treating adult patients with mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer that has progressed on or following prior treatment with a platinum-containing regimen.

Refer to the Jemperli EMA Reference Information for a full list of adverse events and the complete important safety information in the EU.