Prescient Therapeutics reaches a major CAR-T manufacturing milestone

On June 25, 2021 Prescient Therapeutics Limited (ASX:PTX) reported that it has successfully completed the manufacturing and delivery of crucial components for its unique, next-generation OmniCAR platform (Press release, Prescient Therapeutics, JUN 25, 2021, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=prescient-therapeutics-reaches-a-major-car-t-manufacturing-milestone [SID1234584383]).

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The two novel components of the OmniCAR platform are: the SpyTagged binders and CAR-T cells expressing SpyCatcher. Notably, the SpyTag/SpyCatcher system is a crucial technology for binding of proteins. SpyCatcher is a genetically encoded protein, which reacts with SpyTag, a peptide of 13 amino acids, forming a bond between the two.

WATCH NOW: Expert Talks With Mr Steven Yatomi Clarke, CEO and Managing Director of Prescient Therapeutics

Delivery of binders and lentiviral vectors
The Company disclosed that a range of binders against various cancer targets, including CLL-1, CD33, EGFRviii, and Her2, have been manufactured by a US-based antibody manufacturer. More importantly, Prescient has incorporated SpyTag into these binders for the Company’s three next-gen CAR-T programs. SpyTag is necessary for covalent binding to immune cells (for instance, T-cells) in the OmniCAR system.

Source: PTX Update, 24 June 2021

Besides binders, Prescient has also obtained the delivery of lentiviral vectors. Lentiviral vectors are viruses which are used as gene delivery vehicle as they help in inserting, tweaking, or deleting a particular gene in a cell or organism.

As highlighted by PTX, lentiviral vectors are a rate-limiting step in CAR-T production and will be used to produce CAR-T cells expressing SpyCatcher.

Together, the SpyTagged binders and SpyCatcher CAR-T cells establish the basis for Prescient’s unique, modular OmniCAR platform.

The binders and lentiviral vectors have been delivered to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, or Peter Mac, in Melbourne for construct assessment as well as in vivo and in vitro development.

Research showed that InxMed FAK Inhibitor (IN10018) Overcomes Drug Resistance of KRAS G12C inhibitors and Synergizes with KRAS G12C inhibitors in Treating Cancer

On June 25, 2021 InxMed (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. ("InxMed" or "Company"), a clinical stage biotech company dedicated to developing innovative, individualized medicines with international impact, reported one study in collaboration with Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine made an online publication on Advanced Science titled "Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) Inhibition Synergizes with KRAS G12C Inhibitors in Treating Cancer through the Regulation of the FAK–YAP Signaling" (Press release, InxMed, JUN 25, 2021, View Source [SID1234584377]). This study demonstrated that cancer cells under the effect of KRAS G12C inhibition induce sustained activation of focal adhesive kinase (FAK) leading to its drug resistance and showed that a combination therapy comprising KRAS G12C inhibition and a FAK inhibitor (IN10018) achieves synergistic anticancer effects with multiple in vitro and in vivo models. It can simultaneously reduce the extent of drug resistance to improve treatment outcomes of KRAS G12C inhibitors.

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FAK is one of the downstream targets of KRAS. Its inhibition is effective against KRAS mutant cancers preclinically. FAK activation is closely related to drug resistance of chemotherapies and targeted therapies. This study elucidated that the sustained hyperactivity of FAK signaling induces the drug resistance KRAS G12C inhibition. Diverse CDX and PDX models of KRAS G12C mutant cancers were tested and synergistic benefits from the combination therapy of KRAS G12C inhibitors (AMG510 or MRTX849) and FAK inhibitor (IN10018) were consistently observed. Mechanistically, it is found that aberrant FAK–YAP signaling leading to the development of KRAS G12C inhibitor resistance. This study provides an innovative combination therapy strategy to improve treatment outcomes for KRAS G12C mutant cancers.

Dr. Zaiqi Wang, InxMed’s Chairman and CEO, said "This study showed that FAK inhibitor (IN10018) overcomes drug resistance of KRAS G12C inhibitors and provides a potential innovative combination therapy to improve treatment outcomes for KRAS G12C mutant cancers. FAK inhibitor (IN10018) has performed three clinical trials in United States, Australia and China which showed IN10018 with good safety tolerance and antitumor effects. InxMed will fully develop on translational medicine research and global clinical trial organization capabilities to resolve the problem of unmet needs from clinics and eventually benefit patients by providing efficient treatment options."

About IN10018

IN10018, formerly known as BI853520, is a potent and selective ATP-competitive focal adhesion kinase (FAK) small molecule inhibitor under clinical development stage in United States, Australia, and China. InxMed owns the exclusive global rights for development and commercialization. Early clinical data of IN10018 has demonstrated a favorable safety profile and promising efficacy signals against a number of tumor types. Emerging science also showed that FAK inhibitors, like IN10018, potentially overcomes fibrotic barrier and immune tolerance, boosting multi-modalities including targeted therapy, chemotherapy, immune-therapy and radiation therapy.

InnoCare Announces Approval of Initiation of Phase 1 Clinical Trial of RTK Inhibitor ICP-033 in China

On June 25, 2021 InnoCare (HKEX: 09969), a leading biopharmaceutical company focusing on cancer and autoimmune diseases, reported that China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved the initiation of a Phase I clinical trial of ICP-033, the Company’s novel RTK (Receptor Tyrosine Kinase) inhibitor and its sixth innovative drug to enter clinical development (Press release, InnoCare Pharma, JUN 25, 2021, View Source [SID1234584376]).

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As a novel multi-target RTK inhibitor, ICP-033 is designed to selectively inhibit discoid domain receptor 1/2 (DDR1/2), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2/3 (VEGFR 2 /3) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR α/β). Through multiple synergistic mechanisms targeting endothelial cells, pericytes and stroma, ICP-033 can potentially inhibit angiogenesis and tumor cell invasion, normalize abnormal blood vessels, and reverse the immunosuppressive state of the tumor microenvironment for improved anti-tumor effects.

Dr. Jasmine Cui, the Co-founder, Chairwoman and CEO of InnnoCare, said, "ICP-033 is our second drug approved for clinical trial this year, and it will further enrich our product pipeline in the field of solid tumors and potentially provide another treatment option for cancer patients worldwide."

ICP-033 will be used potentially as monotherapy and/or in combination with immunotherapy and other targeted therapy drugs to treat liver cancer, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer and other solid tumors.

Cambridge University Spin-out Lucida Medical Joins GE Healthcare Edison™ Accelerator Programme

On June 25, 2021 Cambridge start-up Lucida Medical has reported that it has joined the Edison Accelerator, a programme designed by GE Healthcare in partnership with innovation organisation Wayra UK, to support early-stage and technologically advanced businesses developing AI applications for healthcare (Press release, GE Healthcare, JUN 25, 2021, View Source [SID1234584375]).

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Participation in the Edison Accelerator programme is a major advance towards Lucida Medical’s goal to disrupt the cancer diagnostic pathway with technology that finds prostate cancer more accurately by analysing MRI, enabling radiologists to save time and patients to receive the best possible diagnosis and treatment.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Europe, Africa and North and South America, with 1.4 million diagnosed worldwide each year and 375,000 deaths. Earlier and better detection saves lives.

The Edison Accelerator creates a collaborative environment for start-ups, research centres, hospitals, clinicians and large corporations across the EMEA region. It aims to foster open innovation and digital transformation of healthcare.

Lucida Medical was invited to join the Edison Accelerator programme for its pioneering work in helping identify prostate cancer and its exceptional development team led by Prof Evis Sala and Dr Antony Rix, both highly experienced in artificial intelligence, or AI, medical technology.

In joining the Edison Accelerator programme, Lucida Medical will:

Receive mentoring on problem validation, business, regulatory and clinical validation, and deployment.
Participate in joint pilots between start-up and healthcare partners.
Access support in customer discovery and product validation.
Access support in adapting, integrating and launching solutions on the Edison marketplace.
Access GE Healthcare global commercial force and customers in various markets.
Receive support for clinical studies and regulatory preparation in target geographies.
Catherine Estrampes, President and CEO, Europe, Middle East & Africa, GE Healthcare, said: "The future of innovation will be about working across silos and collaborating across the healthcare ecosystem, including start-ups, research centres, hospitals and clinicians. The Edison Accelerator brings together leading technology providers, developers and academic institutions under a single, connected ecosystem to create real impact from the bottom line to better patient outcomes."

Dr Antony Rix, CEO and Co-founder, said: "That Lucida Medical has been chosen to join the prestigious Edison Accelerator programme is both a demonstration of confidence in the technology and our team. This development comes soon after our Prostate Intelligence technology received a CE mark. The support of GE Healthcare and Wayra will help us develop further our technology and access new partners and markets."

Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer Prof Evis Sala, Professor of Oncological Imaging at the University of Cambridge, said: "We are tremendously excited by our ability to support radiologists to detect cancer accurately and early. The Edison Accelerator programme will now help us bring our technology into clinical use."

XTX Ventures, the venture capital arm of XTX Markets, provided Lucida Medical with early-stage investment capital from a group of investors in March 2021.

Alliance Healthcare Services Announces Acquisition by and Integration With Akumin

On June 25, 2021 Alliance HealthCare Services, Inc. ("Alliance"), a leading national provider of radiology and oncology solutions to hospitals, health systems and physician groups, reported that it has entered into an agreement to be acquired for $820 million by Akumin Inc. (NASDAQ/TSX: AKU), a premier provider of freestanding outpatient radiology services in the U.S (Press release, Alliance HealthCare Services, JUN 25, 2021, View Source [SID1234584374]). The closing of the transaction is expected in third quarter of 2021, subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary closing conditions.

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Upon the closing of the transaction, the combined company will offer the most comprehensive radiology and oncology solutions to patients in the U.S., operating in 46 states, with more than 1,000 hospital and health system customers, 154 independent outpatient radiology centers and 34 radiation therapy centers. The combined company expects to have over 4,000 team members serving more than two million radiology and oncology patient visits annually.

"Bringing together the best of both organizations for the benefit of our patients, partners and customers is truly exciting," said Rhonda Longmore-Grund, President and CEO of Alliance. "Alliance brings an over 30-year history of successful radiology and oncology partnerships with hospitals, health systems and physicians; and Akumin has built and continues to grow its premier outpatient imaging practice. Together we will offer patients and customers profound value unlike any other healthcare solutions company – and we can’t wait to get started."

"We have always said Akumin’s vision is to drive patient-centered innovation, service delivery standardization, and exceptional healthcare value, all in an outpatient care setting," said Riadh Zine, President and CEO of Akumin. "The acquisition of Alliance is transformative in a changing healthcare ecosystem that continues to shift toward outpatient, price-transparent, value-based care. There’s no other organization that has the complement of attributes we will offer together as outpatient healthcare services experts, in particular with Alliance’s longstanding hospital and health system relationships and Akumin’s freestanding operational expertise."

"We thank the Alliance team for five years of partnership, and we look forward to the success we know Akumin and Alliance will achieve as a combined organization," said Qisen Huang, Chairman and Founder of Tahoe Investment Group. Tahoe has been majority owner of Alliance since 2016 and will on closing transition to a minority ownership position in the newly combined, publicly traded entity.

The acquisition has been facilitated for Alliance with the assistance of Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. and SVB Leerink LLC, as financial advisors, and Ropes & Gray LLP and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, as legal advisors. Stikeman Elliott LLP and McDermott Will & Emery LLP acted as legal advisors, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as financial advisors, to Akumin.