Aptorum Group Announces Completion of Phase I Clinical Trials for ALS-4 and SACT-1, Small Molecule Drugs Targeted for Infections Caused by Staphylococcus Aureus and Neuroblastoma

On January 10, 2022 Aptorum Group Limited (Nasdaq: APM, Euronext Paris: APM) ("Aptorum Group" or "Aptorum"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, reported completion of the Phase I clinical trial for ALS-4 (a first in-class anti-virulence based small molecule drug targeting infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including, but not limited to Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ("MRSA")) and the Phase I clinical trial for assessing relative bioavailability and food effect of SACT-1 (a repurposed small molecule drug targeting Neuroblastoma and potentially other cancer types) (Press release, Aptorum, JAN 10, 2022, View Source [SID1234598537]).

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ALS-4’s first-in-human Phase I trial is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, single and multiple ascending dose study designed to evaluate safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of orally administered ALS-4 in healthy male and female adult volunteers. Dosing and clinical evaluations of the Single Ascending Dose studies ("SAD") and Multiple Ascending Dose studies ("MAD") have now been completed for a total of 72 healthy subjects and Aptorum is pleased to announce that no subjects were dropped from the studies. There were no Serious Adverse Events ("SAE") observed and no relevant clinical changes in respect of vital signs; ECG, clinical laboratory test results and physical examinations were observed compared to the relevant baseline in both SAD (25-200mg) and MAD (50-100mg). The safety data of the last SAD cohort (300mg) and MAD cohort (200mg twice a day for 14 days) are pending. With the encouraging safety data in our Phase 1 trial, we are on track to submit an IND application to the US FDA this year seeking to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study to assess the efficacy of ALS-4 in patients.

SACT-1’s first in-human clinical trial is a Phase 1, Open-label Randomized, Single Cross Over Bioavailability and Food Effect Study of SACT-1 in healthy adult volunteers. Aptorum is pleased to announce the successful completion of the trial, during which no SAE were observed. With the encouraging data in our trial so far, we are on track to submit an IND application to the US FDA this year seeking to initiate our planned Phase 1b/2a trial for SACT-1.

Dr. Clark Cheng, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director of Aptorum Group, commented: "Further to our previous announcements, we are pleased to announce the completion of the above clinical trials for ALS-4 and SACT-1. This represents another key milestone for the company and one of the targeted strategic goals we had for 2021. This milestone supports the focus of Aptorum Group to embark on the exciting Phase II clinical trials for ALS-4 and planned Phase Ib/2a clinical trials for SACT-1, subject to IND clearance. The World Health Organization deems MRSA a high priority due to its significant mortality risks1. Neuroblastoma is a highly unmet solid tumor arising in the nervous system outside of the brain predominantly in pediatric patients. We believe that both ALS-4 and SACT-1 have the potential to effectively target these diseases, respectively and address the unmet needs in this area."

About ALS-4

As part of Aptorum Group’s Acticule infectious disease platform, ALS-4 is a novel first-in-class orally administered small molecule drug based on an anti-virulence approach targeting staphylococcus aureus including MRSA. ALS-4 targets the antimicrobial resistant properties of the bacteria and is believed to render the bacteria highly susceptible to the host’s immune clearance. ALS-4 is targeted for potential administration on a standalone or on a combination basis with other existing antibiotics such as vancomycin.

About SACT-1

SACT-1 is an orally administered repurposed small molecule drug to target neuroblastoma. SACT-1’s mechanism has been investigated in our preclinical studies to enhance tumor cell death and suppress MYCN expression (a common clinical diagnosis in high-risk or relapsed neuroblastoma patients where an amplification of MYCN is usually observed). SACT-1 is designed to be used especially in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy.

Aptorum Group Announces the Launch of its Oncology and Autoimmune Discovery and Development Platform Targeting Unmet Mutations and Novel Biomarkers

On January 10, 2022 Aptorum Group Limited (Nasdaq: APM, Euronext Paris: APM) ("Aptorum Group" or "Aptorum"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, reported the launch of its oncology and autoimmune discovery and development platform with an initial focus on indications including, but not limited to, non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC") and autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, etc (Press release, Aptorum, JAN 10, 2022, View Source [SID1234598536]).

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Under the platform, Aptorum has and will continue to conduct its screening process for novel first-in-class small molecule and PROTAC (Degrader) based drug candidates. On this basis, Aptorum is currently conducting optimisation for selected candidates as part of its small molecule library for major targets including, but not limited to EGFR, ALK, KRAS, p53 mutations. Aptorum has identified major unmet medical needs in third and fourth generation mutations, where applicable, for NSCLC for example and will be leveraging its existing drug discovery platform to deliver novel therapeutics for such targeted patient group.

Mr. Darren Lui, President and Executive Director, commented, "The exciting launch of our oncology and autoimmune platform, culminating with the discovery and development of small molecule and PROTAC based candidates, if achieved, will help address the significant unmet medical needs for patients suffering from NSCLC (and potentially other cancer types) and autoimmune diseases. For example, the current 5-year, average survival rate for NSCLC is 25%1, despite existing therapies available. Subject to further optimisation and development, we target to deliver these candidates to their respective clinical trial stage at the earliest for such unmet medical needs."

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Pyramid Biosciences Appoints Brian Lestini, MD, PhD as Chief Executive Officer

On January 10, 2022 Pyramid Biosciences, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a portfolio of precision therapies targeting a wide range of diseases, reported the appointment of Brian Lestini, MD, PhD as Chief Executive Officer (Press release, Pyramid Biosciences, JAN 10, 2022, View Source [SID1234598535]). Dr. Lestini joined Pyramid Biosciences in March 2021 as the Chief Medical Officer, overseeing the advancement and expansion of the company’s clinical pipeline of novel targeted medicines. Pyramid Biosciences’ lead program, PBI-200, currently in Phase 1 clinical trials, is an orally-active, CNS penetrant TRK inhibitor targeting a variety of genetically defined cancers, including primary and metastatic brain cancers.

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Dr. Lestini will succeed co-founder and current CEO Kollol Pal, PhD, MBA. Dr. Pal will continue to serve as the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer, where he will lead all pre-clinical development activities. "I would like to thank Dr. Pal for his pioneering leadership," said Dr. Lestini. "Pyramid Biosciences has grown immensely over the past seven years under Dr. Pal’s stewardship, and I’m excited to help the company take the next step in our growth and achieve Dr. Pal’s vision of bringing Pyramid’s precision oncology therapies to underserved patients throughout the world."

"Dr. Lestini’s successful track record of bringing drugs through development to global approval will be invaluable to Pyramid Bio as we move forward in our clinical development process," said Dr. Pal. "I’m looking forward to continuing to grow our Company’s pipeline by focusing my efforts on developing new, innovative therapeutic targets for precision oncology."

An experienced leader in early- and late-stage oncology clinical development, Dr. Lestini oversaw development and commercialization strategies for checkpoint inhibitor therapies including OPDIVO (nivolumab) and relatlimab (anti-LAG3 checkpoint inhibitor), a novel immune-oncology agent applied to a wide range of cancers, at Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY). Dr. Lestini also served as the Head of Global Medical Affairs at Bristol-Myers Squibb for three hematology products: OPDIVO (nivolumab), SPRYCEL (dasatinib), and EMPLICITI (elotuzumab). Prior to joining Bristol-Myers Squibb, Dr. Lestini led early-stage clinical development programs at Hoffmann-La Roche (OTCMKTS: RHHBY).

Dr. Lestini is a board-certified pediatric hematologist-oncologist. He received his medical degree (MD) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from Case Western Reserve University and completed his fellowship training at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

ArsenalBio Announces Expansion of Collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb to Advance T Cell Therapy in Solid Tumors

On January 10, 2022 Arsenal Biosciences, Inc., a privately held programmable cell therapy company engineering advanced CAR T therapies for solid tumors, reported that Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) has exercised an option to initiate a new program, expanding its strategic collaboration with ArsenalBio to discover and advance next-generation T cell therapies for the treatment of solid tumors (Press release, Arsenal Bio, JAN 10, 2022, View Source [SID1234598534]).

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"The decision by Bristol Myers Squibb to expand our collaboration and add another program is a testament to the strength of our partnership and the promise of ArsenalBio’s proprietary technology," said Ken Drazan, M.D., Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ArsenalBio. "We look forward to continuing this fruitful relationship and working together to advance next-generation T cell therapies so we can ultimately achieve our mission – help more patients defeat cancer."

Under the collaboration, ArsenalBio is discovering and building preclinical candidates against multiple targets, and Bristol Myers Squibb has the option to obtain an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize preclinical candidates. Through the terms of the agreement, Bristol Myers Squibb has exercised an Expansion Option to initiate a new program, triggering an additional undisclosed financial milestone payment to ArsenalBio. Following exercise of a subsequent License Option, Bristol Myers Squibb is solely responsible for developing and commercializing the licensed candidates. ArsenalBio will remain eligible to receive additional payments associated with collaboration expansion, regulatory and sales milestones, as well as potential royalties on sales of approved products.

"We are pleased to continue our partnership with ArsenalBio as we work to advance the next generation of cancer therapies leveraging their unique therapeutic platform," said Teri Foy, Senior Vice President, Research and Early Development Immuno-Oncology and Cell Therapy, Bristol Myers Squibb. "Unlocking the promise of cell therapy with application to solid tumors is a key aspect of our R&D strategy at BMS as we strive to help more patients across a broad range of cancers."

Through the multi-year collaboration, ArsenalBio continues to deploy its full stack of synthetic biology compositions to build programmable cell therapy product candidates based on its PrimeR logic gates, CARchitecture chimeric antigen receptor libraries, multi-target gene expression controls, and CITE mediated nonviral manufacturing. Combined, these integrated circuit-modified T cells offer the promise of significantly improved outcomes for patients.

Affini-T Therapeutics to Present at the 40th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

On January 10, 2022 Affini-T Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company unlocking the power of T cells against oncogenic driver mutations, reported its participation in the 40th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference (Press release, Affini-T Therapeutics, JAN 10, 2022, View Source [SID1234598533]). Jak Knowles, M.D., Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, will present an overview of the company at 2:00 pm Eastern Time on Wednesday, January 12, 2022.

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