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FORE Biotherapeutics to Present at the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

On December 19, 2024 FORE Biotherapeutics, a registration stage biotherapeutics company dedicated to developing targeted therapies to treat patients with cancer, reported that William Hinshaw, Chief Executive Officer of Fore Biotherapeutics, will present at the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference (Press release, Fore Biotherapeutics, DEC 19, 2024, View Source [SID1234649213]). The presentation will take place on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. PT at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco.

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Mr. Hinshaw will detail progress and anticipated milestones for Fore’s lead asset, plixorafenib, a novel, small-molecule, next generation, orally available selective inhibitor of mutated BRAF. Plixorafenib is currently being evaluated in a clinical trial with registrational intent in three distinct indications.

Please contact Argot Partners to schedule one-on-one meetings with the management team.

Epitopea and Genevant Sciences Announce Collaboration Agreement

On December 19, 2024 Epitopea, a transatlantic cancer immunotherapeutics company developing accessible off-the-shelf RNA-based immunotherapies, and Genevant Sciences, a leading nucleic acid delivery company with world-class platforms and a robust and expansive lipid nanoparticle (LNP) patent portfolio, reported that they have entered into a collaboration and nonexclusive license agreement to develop novel mRNA-LNP immunotherapies targeting Epitopea’s proprietary aberrantly-expressed tumor specific antigens (aeTSAs), called CryptigensTM, for an undisclosed oncology indication (Press release, Epitopea, DEC 19, 2024, View Source [SID1234649212]).

"At Epitopea we continue to accelerate our near-term clinical development plans for our next generation, tumor selective, off-the-shelf, RNA-based immunotherapies that we believe have the potential to extend the durability of clinical responses in patients. Access to world-class LNP delivery technology in support of our vision is critical. Genevant is a longstanding leader in the LNP space, and we are excited about the translational path forward,"

said Alan Rigby, Chief Executive Officer of Epitopea.

"Our clinically validated LNP technology and decades of experience in the space make us a partner of choice for innovative RNA-based immunotherapy companies," said James Heyes, Chief Scientific Officer of Genevant Sciences. "We are delighted to be collaborating with the Epitopea team and supporting its mission to extend the durability of clinical response in cancer patients."

Under the terms of the agreement, Genevant granted to Epitopea a nonexclusive worldwide license to certain Genevant LNP technology to develop RNA-based immunotherapies targeting Epitopea’s Cryptigen TSAs in an undisclosed oncology indication. Genevant is eligible to receive up to $123.5 million in upfront and contingent milestone payments per product and tiered royalties ranging from the mid to high single digits on future product sales.

Astellas and Sangamo Therapeutics Announce Capsid License Agreement to Deliver Genomic Medicines for Neurological Diseases

On December 19, 2024 Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Naoki Okamura, "Astellas") and Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO), a genomic medicine company, reported they have entered into a license agreement allowing Astellas to leverage Sangamo’s novel proprietary neurotropic adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid, STAC-BBB, which has demonstrated potent blood-brain barrier penetration and neuronal transduction in nonhuman primates (Press release, Astellas, DEC 19, 2024, View Source [SID1234649211]). The agreement grants Astellas a worldwide exclusive license to utilize the STAC-BBB capsid for one target, with the right to add up to four additional targets after paying additional licensed target fees to deliver their intravenously administered genomic medicines to treat certain neurological diseases.

Sandy Macrae, Chief Executive Officer, Sangamo
"We strongly believe in the potential of STAC-BBB, our industry-leading, intravenously delivered AAV capsid, to overcome the challenges associated with delivering therapies to the central nervous system. This agreement underscores the continued industry interest in our STAC-BBB capsid and reinforces our ongoing commitment to partnering with collaborators who understand its unique potential. We are delighted to license STAC-BBB to Astellas to advance potential treatments for neurological diseases with significant unmet medical needs."

Adam Pearson, Chief Strategy Officer, Astellas
"Delivering treatments to the brain and central nervous system remains a highly complex challenge in the field of gene therapy. We believe that technologies such as Sangamo’s STAC-BBB capsid could prove critical in helping us deliver effective transformational treatments to patients suffering from serious genetic neurological conditions. We continue to build a world-class gene therapy pipeline and end-to-end discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercial capabilities. This agreement is another example of our commitment to delivering meaningful therapies for patients with genetic diseases."

Under the terms of the agreement, Sangamo is responsible for completing a technology transfer related to the STAC-BBB capsid. Astellas is responsible for all research, preclinical and clinical development, regulatory interactions, manufacturing, and global commercialization of the resulting gene therapy products. Sangamo will receive a $20 million upfront license fee from Astellas and is eligible to earn up to $1.3 billion in additional licensed target fees and milestone payments across the five potential neurology disease targets, as well as tiered mid-to-high single digit royalties on potential net sales of such products, subject to certain specified reductions.

Artios Pharma to Present at the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

On December 19, 2024 Artios Pharma Limited ("Artios"), a clinical-stage biotech company led by pioneers of DNA damage response ("DDR") drug development, reported that it will present at the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference taking place in San Francisco from January 13 to 16, 2025 (Press release, Artios Pharma, DEC 19, 2024, View Source [SID1234649210]).

Artios Pharma to Present at the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan

Niall Martin, PhD, Artios’ Chief Executive Officer, will present the company’s strategic vision for 2025 and beyond on January 16 at 08:00 am PST (11:00 am EST / 04:00 pm UTC) in the Elizabethan C room at The Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell Street, San Francisco.

AFYX Therapeutics A/S Secures DKK 25 million in Funding

On December 19, 2024 AFYX Therapeutics A/S, a pioneering Danish biopharmaceutical company specializing in reversed innovation and the repurposing of established pharmaceutical substances, reported it has successfully raised DKK 25 million in its latest funding round (Press release, AFYX Therapeutics, DEC 19, 2024, View Source [SID1234649209]). This milestone will support the company’s efforts to advance its product pipeline, scale operations, and expand its footprint across the European Union and other global markets.

The funding round was led by existing investors and employees and highlights the robust internal and external trust in AFYX’s mission and strategic direction. The new funds will accelerate the development of the company’s leading products, including its clobetasol patch for oral lichen planus and esketamine therapy for cluster headaches. Additionally, the capital will fuel AFYX’s commercial expansion into new markets, organizational growth, and broader international partnerships.

"We are thrilled to have secured this significant investment, which will enable us to advance our mission of developing transformative biopharmaceutical solutions," said Dr. Claus Møller San Pedro, CEO and co-founder of AFYX Therapeutics. "The continued trust from our investors reflects their confidence in our team and vision. With their ongoing support, we’re well-positioned to address critical unmet medical needs and deliver groundbreaking therapies that improve patient outcomes."

Since its formation in January 2024, through the merger of three highly experienced pharmaceutical innovators, AFYX Therapeutics has made remarkable progress. Over its first year, the company has accelerated its research and development activities, expanded its commercial reach, and secured new international distribution partnerships, paving the way for sustained growth and innovation.