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Neogap strengthens global IP position with Chinese patent for T cell expansion method

On October 1, 2025 Neogap Therapeutics AB, a Swedish biotechnology company developing personalised cancer immunotherapy, reported it has been granted a Chinese patent for its method of expanding tumour-specific T cells – a key component of the company’s therapeutic approach (Press release, Neogap Therapeutics, OCT 1, 2025, View Source,c4243370 [SID1234656382]). The grant strengthens Neogap’s international IP position and supports its long-term strategy to protect and advance its proprietary technologies globally.

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The Chinese patent covers a process used to produce Neogap’s personalised cell-based immunotherapy, pTTL, which is currently under evaluation in a Phase I/II clinical trial for advanced colorectal cancer.

This patent provides legal protection in China until 2038 and further strengthens Neogap’s international intellectual property portfolio in a strategically important market for advanced therapies. China is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing life science markets, making this grant an important step in the company’s global IP strategy.

It follows the grant of an equivalent patent in Europe in 2023, along with other IP approvals in Europe and other key markets, and the classification of pTTL as an Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) by the European Medicines Agency. These developments reflect Neogap’s coordinated strategy to protect its key technologies and strengthen the company’s position as clinical work progresses.

"This patent protects our core method for producing tumour-specific T cells, which underpins Neogap’s immunotherapy," says Samuel Svensson, CEO of Neogap Therapeutics.

"Strong international IP protection is critical as we advance in clinical development – not only to enable future partnerships, but to reinforce the global credibility of our technology. Patent protection in China, one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing life science markets, also supports our long-term ambition to deliver innovative therapies for patients with hard-to-treat cancer."

The patented method enables the ex vivo expansion of tumour-specific T cells by exposing them to selected antigens, facilitating the production of therapeutic cell populations with improved tumour reactivity. The method forms part of Neogap’s proprietary EpiTCer technology, and has previously been granted patent protection in Europe.

Kura Oncology and Kyowa Kirin Launch Clinical Trial Evaluating Dual Inhibition of NPM1 and FLT3 Mutations in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

On October 1, 2025 Kura Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: KURA) and Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. (TSE: 4151, "Kyowa Kirin") reported dosing of the first patient in a cohort of the KOMET-007 clinical trial (NCT05735184) (Press release, Kura Oncology, OCT 1, 2025, View Source [SID1234656381]). This cohort evaluates ziftomenib, a once-daily, investigational oral menin inhibitor, combined with cytarabine and daunorubicin (7+3) as well as quizartinib, for patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Despite recent advances, including regulatory approvals of FLT3 inhibitors such as quizartinib, patients with FLT3/NPM1 co-mutations face a high risk of relapse and limited durable treatment options. Ziftomenib is the only menin inhibitor to have received Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory NPM1-mutated AML.

"Patients with FLT3/NPM1 co-mutated AML, a significant subset of newly diagnosed cases, face high relapse rates and limited durable treatment options," said Mollie Leoni, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Kura Oncology. "Preclinical data demonstrate that ziftomenib synergizes with FLT3 inhibitors such as quizartinib, potentially enhancing activity without increasing toxicity. The KOMET-007 trial, alongside our recently launched KOMET-017 registrational trial combining ziftomenib with intensive and non-intensive chemotherapy, reflects our commitment to integrating menin inhibition across AML treatment regimens to improve patient outcomes."

"Initiation of the FLT3 inhibitor cohort in the KOMET-007 trial marks a pivotal advancement in addressing the urgent needs of patients with FLT3/NPM1 co-mutated AML," said Takeyoshi Yamashita, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Kyowa Kirin. "FLT3 mutations play a critical role in AML, driving aggressive leukemia cell proliferation, leading to poor prognosis, higher relapse rates, and shorter overall survival. Kyowa Kirin is proud to collaborate with Kura Oncology to advance this innovative menin inhibitor combination, aiming to improve outcomes for AML patients throughout the continuum of care."

The trial arm will evaluate safety, tolerability and activity of intensive chemotherapy and quizartinib in combination with ziftomenib in adult patients with newly diagnosed FLT3-ITD / NPM1 co-mutated AML. Primary and secondary endpoints include complete remission (CR) and composite complete remission (CRc). More information regarding this trial arm and the KOMET-007 trial is available at www.clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT05735184).

Ziftomenib is currently under clinical development, and its safety and efficacy have not been established by any regulatory authority.

Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Makes Another Breakthrough with Innovative Drug JL19001, Celebrating National Day with a Scientific Milestone

On October 1, 2025 Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Jechobio") reported it has made another breakthrough in independently developed innovative drugs, offering a tribute to the National Day through scientific achievement (Press release, Jecho Laboratories, OCT 1, 2025, View Source [SID1234656380]).

Jechobio has received the "Drug Clinical Trial Approval Notice" from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), officially approving the clinical trial of JL19001 injection for the treatment of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Looking ahead, Jechobio will continue to uphold its innovation-driven mission, accelerate its drug development efforts, and contribute to advancing human health and well-being worldwide.

About JL19001 Injection

JL19001 injection is a Class I innovative drug jointly developed by Jecho laboratories, Inc. (USA) and Jecho Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. It is a fusion protein composed of recombinant human serum albumin (HSA) and an IL-15Rα/IL-15 complex, designed to activate NK cells and CD8⁺ T cells, enhancing both innate and adaptive immune responses.

When used in combination with Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), JL19001 is intended to treat non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) by helping avoid bladder removal surgery, thus improving patient survival rates and quality of life.

Immix Biopharma to Present at the 37th Annual Piper Sandler Healthcare Conference

On October 1, 2025 Immix Biopharma, Inc. ("ImmixBio", "Company", "We" or "Us" or "IMMX"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing cell therapies for AL Amyloidosis and other serious diseases, reported that it will present and host institutional investor meetings at the 37th Annual Piper Sandler Healthcare Conference being held on December 2-4, 2025 at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York, NY (Press release, Immix Biopharma, OCT 1, 2025, View Source [SID1234656379]).

The Company will be available for one-on-one meetings during the conference. Interested investors should contact their Piper Sandler representative to request meetings. A link to access the replay, when available, will be posted to the Immix website on the Presentation & Events page under the Investors section.

Immatics Appoints Venkat Ramanan as Chief Financial Officer

On October 1, 2025 Immatics N.V. (NASDAQ: IMTX, "Immatics" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company and the global leader in precision targeting of PRAME, reported the appointment of Venkat Ramanan, Ph.D., as Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), effective immediately (Press release, Immatics, OCT 1, 2025, View Source [SID1234656378]). Dr. Ramanan is a seasoned financial leader in the biopharmaceutical industry with over 25 years of experience at companies including Seagen, Gilead Sciences and Amgen. He brings deep financial expertise in facilitating successful product launches, establishing scalable operations in global markets and enabling corporate transactions. He joins Immatics from Anthos Therapeutics, a Novartis company, where he served as CFO. He will succeed Immatics’ current CFO, Arnd Christ.

"We are thrilled to welcome Venkat to Immatics as an accomplished and passionate biopharmaceutical leader. His extensive experience will be instrumental in enabling us to continue to advance our PRAME franchise as well as rapidly move our PRAME cell therapy, anzu-cel, toward commercialization and to patients with a significant unmet medical need," said Harpreet Singh, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Immatics. "I would also like to extend our gratitude to Arnd Christ for his financial leadership and tremendous contributions that have brought Immatics to where it stands today. On behalf of the entire team, I wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

"This is a pivotal moment to join Immatics as the company advances toward its first commercial launch and works to bring its innovative PRAME cell therapy, anzu-cel, to patients with metastatic melanoma," said Venkat Ramanan, Ph.D., Chief Financial Officer of Immatics. "I look forward to collaborating closely with the team during this dynamic stage of growth and supporting the transition to a commercial-stage organization. Together, we will further strengthen Immatics’ position as the global leader in precision targeting of PRAME, united by our commitment to making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients with cancer."

Dr. Ramanan brings more than 25 years of experience and leadership in finance, strategy and operations across large and small biopharmaceutical companies, with a proven track record of leading companies through periods of successful transformation and growth. He joins Immatics from Anthos Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company acquired by Novartis in April 2025, where he served as CFO. Previously, he was CFO at Turnstone Biologics, where he led the company’s transition from a private to public company through its IPO. Earlier, as Senior Vice President Finance at Seagen, he oversaw the finance department enabling multiple product launches, global expansion and strategic transactions. He also held senior finance and business leadership roles at Gilead Sciences and Amgen. He began his career in the biopharmaceutical industry as a consultant with ZS Associates. Dr. Ramanan holds a Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics from The Ohio State University.