Roche’s VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) Assay receives FDA approval as a companion diagnostic to identify certain non-small cell lung cancer patients eligible for Tecentriq® (atezolizumab)

On October 22, 2021 Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) reported U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) Assay in non- small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as a companion diagnostic test for Tecentriq, advancing the company’s commitment to guide clinical decision making through innovative, high quality assays that improve patient access to personalized healthcare (Press release, Hoffmann-La Roche, OCT 22, 2021, View Source [SID1234591765]).

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The current standard of care for patients with early stage lung cancer is surgery to remove the tumor, which may be followed by chemotherapy. Unfortunately, about half of these patients will have their cancer return following surgery.2 Tecentriq received FDA approval on 15 October 2021 as adjuvant treatment following surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy for adults whose Stage II-IIIA NSCLC tumors have PD-L1 expression on ≥1% of tumor cells. The VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) Assay identifies NSCLC patients who may be eligible for Tecentriq (atezolizumab) monotherapy in this indication.

"Early detection of lung cancer can change the treatment pathway for patients and give them more treatment options," said Thomas Schinecker, CEO Roche Diagnostics. "We are proud to offer a companion diagnostic PD-L1 test that identifies lung cancer patients who may qualify for Tecentriq therapy. With the FDA approval of this companion diagnostic test, clinicians now have an effective tool for offering better patient care through targeted immunotherapy treatment."

The VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) Assay was used as part of the IMpower010 study sponsored by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, to identify patients whose tumors expressed the PD-L1 protein. The IMpower010 clinical study began in 2015 with the goal of understanding how patients would respond to treatment with Tecentriq following traditional surgery and chemotherapy. In 2021, Genentech reported a 34% reduction in the risk of disease recurrence or death amongst Tecentriq patients whose tumors were shown to express PD-L1 protein. For details of the study go to www.roche.com.

About the VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) Assay
VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) Assay is used to detect programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) protein in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients. PD-L1 expression on tumor cells and immune cells has been shown in clinical studies to help predict the likelihood a patient may benefit from PD-L1/PD-1 immunotherapy drugs.3-6

VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) Assay testing is performed on a BenchMark ULTRA instrument and is visualized using the OptiView DAB IHC Detection Kit.

Roche has developed a leading, comprehensive and differentiated lung cancer immunohistochemical portfolio, with biomarkers that support multiple guidelines for the diagnosis and stratification of lung cancers.7-9

Chimeric achieves first milestone on path to CDH17 CAR T clinical trial

On October 22, 2021 Chimeric Therapeutics (ASX:CHM, "Chimeric"), a clinical-stage cell therapy company and the ASX leader in cell therapy, reported the successful completion of manufacturing for CHM 2101 research grade plasmids, a critical first step in the development of CDH17 CAR T (Press release, Chimeric Therapeutics, OCT 22, 2021, View Source [SID1234591763]).

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Manufacturing of CAR T therapies is dependent upon plasmids and viral vectors that hold the genetic instructions for each specific CAR T product. Plasmids are small DNA molecules that carry genetic instructions and their successful manufacture marks an important early step for all CAR T therapies.

In collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania, all of the research grade helper and transfer plasmids for the CDH17 CAR T have been completed and released. The achievement of this first step in CAR T manufacturing enables progression to research vector manufacturing, GMP plasmid and vector manufacturing and advancement of technical operations in readiness for the CDH17 CAR T phase 1 clinical trial.

Chimeric’s CEO and Managing Director Jennifer Chow said: "We are very pleased that we have been able to achieve this key first step so rapidly after licensing. This accomplishment speaks to the commitment and drive that the Chimeric and University of Pennsylvania teams share to move this important CAR T forward to Phase 1 clinical trials."

In addition to commencing the CDH17 CAR T Phase 1 trial in 2022, Chimeric is also progressing its CLTX CAR T Phase 1 clinical trial in glioblastoma (brain cancer) at The City of Hope Cancer Centre in California, where patients are now receiving second dose levels.

Authorised on behalf of the Chimeric Therapeutics board of directors by Chairman Paul Hopper

Alligator enters into agreements on subscription commitments with board members and senior executives

On October 22, 2021 The Board of Directors of Alligator Bioscience AB (publ) ("Alligator" or "the Company") reported that it has previously, subject to approval by the Extraordinary General Meeting on 8 November 2021, resolved to carry out a rights issue of shares with preferential rights for the Company’s existing shareholders of approximately SEK 257 million (the "Rights Issue") (Press release, Alligator Bioscience, OCT 22, 2021, View Source [SID1234591762]). Through the press release issued on 7 October 2021 regarding the board’s decision to carry out the Rights Issue, Alligator announced that all members of the Company’s board and management with shareholdings in the Company had expressed their intention to subscribe for their respective pro rata share in the Rights Issue, in addition to the other subscription- and guarantee commitments already entered into, which secure the Rights Issue to 100 percent. Alligator hereby announces that all members of the Company’s board and management with shareholdings in the Company now have, via subscription commitments, formally undertaken to subscribe for their respective pro rata share in Rights Issue.

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Through the press release issued on 7 October 2021 regarding the board’s decision to carry out the Rights Issue, Alligator announced that the Company had received subscription commitments from a selection of the Company’s larger existing shareholders, including AP4, Roxette Photo NV and Omentum S.A. In the press release it was also announced that all members of the Company’s board and management with shareholdings in the Company had expressed their intention to subscribe for their respective pro rata share in the Rights Issue. Since the announcement, the Company has now received subscription commitments from all members of the Company’s board and management with shareholdings in the Company, including Søren Bregenholt (CEO), Anders Ekblom (Chairman of the board), Marie Svensson (CFO), Peter Ellmark (CSO), Veronica Wallin (board member) and Hans-Peter Ostler (board member), to subscribe for their respective pro rata share in the Rights Issue, amounting to a total of approximately SEK 0.7 million, which means that the Company has received subscription commitments amounting to a total of approximately SEK 44 million in connection to the Rights Issue, corresponding to approximately 17 percent of the Rights Issue. No compensation is paid for received subscriptions commitments.

For more information regarding the Rights Issue, see the Company’s press release issued on 7 October 2021 and the prospectus (the "Prospectus") that the Company is expected to publish around 9 November 2021.

Advisers

DNB Markets, a part of DNB Bank ASA, Sweden Branch and Redeye AB act as Joint Global Coordinators in connection with the Rights Issue. Setterwalls Advokatbyrå AB acts as legal adviser to Alligator and Baker & McKenzie Advokatbyrå KB acts as legal adviser to the Joint Global Coordinators in connection with the Rights Issue. Aktieinvest FK AB acts as the issuing agent in the Rights Issue.

Imvax to Present Preclinical Data on IGV-001 Mechanism of Action at SITC Annual Meeting

On October 21, 2021 Imvax, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing personalized, whole tumor-derived immunotherapies, reported a poster presentation at the 36th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) in Washington, D.C., from November 10-14, 2021 (Press release, Imvax, OCT 21, 2021, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=imvax-to-present-preclinical-data-on-igv-001-mechanism-of-action-at-sitc-annual-meeting [SID1234596598]).

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The poster highlights recent preclinical data for the company’s most advanced product candidate, IGV-001. The data elucidate potential mechanisms for the observed immune-stimulating and tumor-suppressing activity of IGV-001 seen in the Phase 1 clinical study for glioblastoma.

"We’re pleased to share new insights into the mechanism of action of IGV-001, which are supportive of the clinical efficacy data we’ve previously reported," said John Furey, Chief Executive Officer. "These insights are valuable both as we prepare for a Phase 2b trial in glioblastoma and as we expand our platform to address other solid tumor types."

Details of the poster presentation are as follows:

Title: Autologous glioblastoma tumor cells and an antisense oligonucleotide against insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor protect against tumor challenge and generate T cell anti-tumor responses

Number: P218

Timing: November 13, 2021, 7:00 a.m-8:30 p.m. EST

Presenter: Mark Exley, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer

Ipsen delivers strong sales growth for the first nine months and improves its full-year guidance

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