Evoke Pharma and EVERSANA Extend Commercialization Partnership

On February 2, 2022 Evoke Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVOK), a specialty pharmaceutical company primarily focused on treatments for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, and EVERSANA Life Science Service LLC, an independent provider of global commercial services to the life science industry, reported the extension of their agreement to continue collaborating on the commercialization and distribution of Gimoti (metoclopramide) nasal spray in the United States through the end of 2026 (Press release, EVERSANA, FEB 2, 2022, View Source [SID1234607832]).

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According to the original agreement signed in January 2020, Evoke retains ownership of the Gimoti NDA and legal, regulatory, and manufacturing responsibilities for Gimoti. EVERSANA utilizes its internal sales organization and other commercial functions for market access, marketing, distribution, and other patient support services. Evoke records sales for Gimoti and retains more than 80% of the net product profits once the parties’ costs are reimbursed. This amendment increases the percentage of net product profit retained by Evoke and accelerates the reimbursement of commercialization costs to Eversana after the product breaks even on a monthly basis. The initial term provided in the original agreement was five years following FDA approval, June 19, 2025, but this amendment will extend the term of the agreement through December 31, 2026.

"Our market research for Gimoti continues to reinforce significant unmet medical need for patients with diabetic gastroparesis and shows strong receptiveness to the potential benefits in favor of delivering treatment outside of the gastrointestinal tract," shared Jim Lang, CEO of EVERSANA. "Together we created a fully integrated commercialization model for this therapy and today we are expanding our investment in this partnership as we continue to believe in the product, the market and the patient need. Through the extension of our multi-year partnership, we are poised to further increase the access of Gimoti to patients and physicians as part of our broader commercial strategy."

"Gimoti remains the most novel product to treat patients that suffer from symptoms associated with diabetic gastroparesis. Although the pandemic has slowed new product launches across the industry, we continue to see market research that is highly supportive of the opportunity for Gimoti. More importantly, patients have described remarkable benefits after initiating Gimoti therapy. We continue to see expanding enrollments and filled prescriptions for the brand and believe in the long-term opportunity for Gimoti. We are excited to continue leveraging the expertise of EVERSANA’s team for our sales and distribution efforts, given their large-scale commercialization capabilities for products generated by life science companies," commented Dave Gonyer, CEO of Evoke Pharma.

IDP-410: First direct N-MYC protein inhibitor delivers efficacy in intracraneal animal models bearing glioblastoma tumors.

On February 2, 2022 IDP Pharma, reported that in collaboration with Carlos III Research Institute (ISCIII) and Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid, has published a study in the journal Neurotherapeutics (View Source) which reveals that a new experimental drug, IDP-410, directly engages the key oncoprotein N-MYC and reduces the growth of glioblastomas in animal models (Press release, IDP Pharma, FEB 2, 2022, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-novel-therapeutic-peptide-that-alters-n-myc-stability-and-reduces-angiogenesis-and-tumor-progression-in-glioblastomas [SID1234607763]). The Company expects to develop further IDP-410 to bring a novel therapy to patients which currently lack treatment options.

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Navitor Pharmaceuticals Announces Janssen Has Acquired Anakuria Therapeutics, Inc.

On February 2, 2022 Navitor Pharmaceuticals, LLC ("Navitor"), reported that Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Janssen"), one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson has acquired Anakuria Therapeutics, Inc., ("Anakuria"), a company recently formed by Navitor to advance its novel class of selective rapamycin analog mTORC1 inhibitors (Press release, Navitor Pharmaceuticals, FEB 2, 2022, View Source [SID1234607727]). Anakuria’s lead Phase 1 ready program, AT-20494 provides Janssen with a first-in-class opportunity in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, or ADPKD. This deal was facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation.

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Under the terms of the agreement, Janssen has acquired all outstanding shares of Anakuria, which is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Janssen.

Tom Hughes, president and chief executive officer of Navitor Pharmaceuticals LLC commented, "We are thrilled that the potential value and substantially differentiated profile of Anakuria’s mTORC1 inhibitor program can be explored with Janssen. With decades of experience in developing, manufacturing and commercializing innovative therapies for patients suffering from a broad range of diseases and conditions, Janssen is ideally positioned to rapidly advance our program in the clinic. We also are very pleased that the program has come full circle within the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies: Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc., the strategic venture arm of Johnson & Johnson, was one of Navitor’s founding investors and the company also was one of the initial startups incubated in JLABS @ LabCentral, Cambridge, MA."
Goodwin Proctor LLP acted as legal advisor to Navitor on this transaction.

About AT-20494
AT-20494 is an orally bioavailable small molecule that selectively inhibits activity of mTORC1, the master modulator of cellular metabolism, which is overactive in multiple chronic diseases including autosomal dominant polycystic kidney diseases. AT-20494 is a member of a novel class of rapamycin analogs discovered by Navitor scientists, and will be the first fully selective inhibitor of mTORC1 to be studied in humans. Preclinical studies of AT-20494 have shown that it reduces the burden of cysts and kidney volume in mice carrying mutations in the PKD1 gene, and also reduces signatures of fibrosis and inflammation upon chronic administration.

About mTORC1
Complex 1 of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTORC1) activity governs the pace and ability of the cell to synthesize protein and other cellular components. Increased mTORC1 activity contributes to a broad array of diseases of aging by increasing protein misfolding and driving cellular stress, inflammation, and fibrosis.

FORTUNE Magazine Names Quest Diagnostics one of 2022 "World’s Most Admired Companies" for Eighth Consecutive Year

On February 2, 2022 Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services, reported that it has been selected as one of FORTUNE’s World’s Most Admired Companies in 2022 for the eighth consecutive year (Press release, Quest Diagnostics, FEB 2, 2022, View Source [SID1234607664]).

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Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies recognition is based on nine criteria of corporate reputation, from investment value and quality of management and products, to social responsibility and ability to attract talent.

The annual survey designated Quest as one of only six companies to attain Most Admired status in the "Health Care: Pharmacy and Other Services" industry. The company scored high marks in use of corporate assets, quality of management, and social responsibility.

"It is an honor to be named one of Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies for the eighth year in a row," said Steve Rusckowski, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Quest Diagnostics. "This recognition is truly a testament to the deep commitment and passion of our 50,000 employees working to create a healthier world every day."

To determine the rankings, Fortune partnered with global organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry to survey thousands of executives, directors and analysts who rated companies in their industry on nine criteria, including investment value and quality of management and products to social responsibility and ability to attract talent. The survey included a total of 640 companies from 28 countries. A company’s score must rank in the top half of its industry survey to be listed as a World’s Most Admired Company.

ORIC Pharmaceuticals to Participate in the Guggenheim 2022 Oncology Conference

On February 2, 2022 ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ORIC), a clinical stage oncology company focused on developing treatments that address mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, reported that management will participate in a virtual fireside chat at the Guggenheim 2022 Oncology Conference on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. ET (Press release, ORIC Pharmaceuticals, FEB 2, 2022, View Source [SID1234607663]).

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A live webcast of the fireside chat will be available through the investor section of the company’s website at www.oricpharma.com. A replay of the webcast will be available for 90 days following the event.