Guardant Health Expands Guardant360® Portfolio With New Tests for Treatment Response Monitoring and Complete Genomic Profiling

On June 22, 2021 Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH) reported that adds two new products to its portfolio to help improve the management of patients with late-stage and metastatic cancers (Press release, Guardant Health, JUN 22, 2021, View Source [SID1234584240]). The Guardant360 Response test represents a breakthrough as the first commercially available, blood-only, liquid biopsy test that detects changes in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels to provide oncologists an early indication of a patient’s response to treatment . The Guardant360 TissueNext test, the company’s first tissue-based test, is now available, if needed, to help oncologists identify patients with advanced cancer who may benefit from biomarker-informed treatment.

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Both products expand on the trusted Guardant360 portfolio to offer oncologists end-to-end testing solutions, covering treatment selection, with the option of ordering tissue biopsy results if needed, and treatment response monitoring, to help improve clinical outcomes for patients with advanced cancer.

The Guardant360 Response liquid biopsy test detects changes in ctDNA levels from a simple blood draw, to assess treatment response up to eight weeks earlier than RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors),1-11 giving oncologists a new tool to use when considering whether to continue, stop, or explore other treatment options for their patients with late-stage or metastatic cancer. Molecular responders (those with decreasing ctDNA levels) show significantly longer progression-free and overall survival rates, compared to molecular non-responders.1-12 In over 50 studies, Guardant Health has demonstrated that molecular response, as measured by changes in ctDNA levels, can help provide an early indication of treatment response across therapies (targeted, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy) and cancer types including non-small cell lung, colorectal, breast, and bladder.1-12

"Using circulating tumor DNA levels to monitor treatment response is a promising new approach in the management of patients with advanced cancer," said Craig Eagle, MD, Guardant Health Chief Medical Officer. "We are delighted to offer oncologists a simple blood test that can provide an early assessment of whether their patient is responding to treatment, or not. Multiple studies using the Guardant360 Response test have shown that molecular response, as measured by circulating tumor DNA levels, can help predict clinical benefit, and longer progression-free survival."

The Guardant360 TissueNext test can now be ordered, alongside the Guardant360 CDx blood test, to prepare for cases when the Guardant360 CDx test does not find actionable biomarkers. While starting with the Guardant360 CDx blood test to perform complete genomic testing finds nearly 80 percent of patients with actionable biomarkers in only seven days,13-15 compared to finding only 50 percent of patients when starting with a tissue biopsy, and which can take two to four times longer,13-15 there are cases when results are needed from a tissue biopsy. The new Guardant360 TissueNext test offers oncologists the most efficient "blood-first, tissue-next" workflow to complete genomic testing, ensuring that as many patients as possible are identified who may benefit from biomarker-informed treatment.

"With the new Guardant360 Response blood test, we are excited to offer a cutting-edge test able to predict patient response to treatment sooner than standard radiographic assessment, to help inform clinical decisions and improve outcomes," said Helmy Eltoukhy, Guardant Health CEO. "By broadening our Guardant360 portfolio to cover not only treatment selection but treatment response, we provide oncologists a more complete view of their patient’s tumor evolution and resistance to interventional therapies, including immunotherapies. Furthermore, while starting with the Guardant360 CDx liquid biopsy for biomarker testing is shown to be more efficient than starting with an invasive tissue biopsy13-15 which has a longer turn-around time to return results, the addition of our new Guardant360 TissueNext test strengthens our treatment selection offering, by providing oncologists the benefits of ‘blood-first, tissue-next’ testing options to find as many patients as possible, who may benefit from biomarker-informed treatment."

The Guardant360 CDx test, the new Guardant360 TissueNext test, and the new Guardant360 Response test are all part of the Guardant360 portfolio, which provides oncologists a more complete genomic picture across the treatment journey. This comprehensive set of cancer tests empowers oncologists to optimize treatment, and know confidently what to do next. From fast treatment selection, starting first with the FDA-approved Guardant360 CDx test, to reflex testing with the Guardant360 TissueNext test, if needed, to early treatment response monitoring with the Guardant360 Response test, the Guardant360 portfolio helps oncologists unlock the full potential of precision oncology for their patients with late-stage and metastatic cancers.

Legend Biotech Announces Advancement of Global Manufacturing Infrastructure

On June 22, 2021 Legend Biotech Corporation (Legend Biotech, NASDAQ: LEGN), a global clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of novel cell therapies for oncology and other indications, reported the establishment of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Belgium, as part of a joint investment with Janssen Pharmaceutica NV (Janssen), to expand global manufacturing capacity of innovative cellular therapies (Press release, Legend Biotech, JUN 22, 2021, View Source [SID1234584239]).

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Legend has a collaboration and license agreement with Janssen Biotech, Inc. to develop and commercialize cilta-cel, an investigational CAR-T therapy currently under review by several health authorities around the world including the United States and Europe for the treatment of patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma.

"The new location in Belgium is an ideal choice for Legend to launch our European manufacturing presence allowing us to tap into the area’s vast talent pool and leverage the strong Belgian life sciences ecosystem," said Liz Gosen, Senior Vice President, Global Technical Operations. "We are excited to expand our existing robust manufacturing network to support the production and delivery of cilta-cel for patients across the globe."

This facility adds to Legend’s existing manufacturing facilities and presence in Nanjing, China and in Raritan and Somerset, N.J., U.S. The facility is anticipated to be operational by 2023.

LegoChem Biosciences and Iksuda Therapeutics expand License Agreement for development of antibody-drug conjugates

On June 22, 2021 Iksuda Therapeutics, the developer of a new generation of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) with raised therapeutic index, reported that it has expanded its research collaboration and License Agreement with LegoChem Biosciences, Inc. ("LCB") to explore additional ADC programmes which leverage LCB’s proprietary ADC platform technology (Press release, Iksuda Therapeutics, JUN 22, 2021, View Source [SID1234584236]).

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In April 2020, Iksuda licensed global development and commercialisation rights for three ADC programmes using LCB’s ADC linker/toxin platform1. Under this expanded Agreement, Iksuda has now been granted rights for three additional targets, bringing the total number of potential ADC programmes using LCB’s ADC platform technologies to six. Iksuda also gains access to LCB’s innovative and recently discovered novel DNA-modifying payload, supplementing LCB’s proprietary tumour-activated DNA toxins which were included in last year’s License Agreement.

Dr Dave Simpson, Chief Executive Officer, Iksuda Therapeutics, said: "During a successful partnership since signing the multi-target License Agreement last year, Iksuda has nominated two ADC candidates which leverage the differentiated advantages of LCBs prodrug payload technology, with preclinical development underway. We are excited to expand our research into next generation best-in-class ADCs through this wider arrangement with LCB which includes a new payload. We anticipate the discovery of additional candidates for Iksuda’s growing ADC pipeline as a result of this agreement."

Dr. Yong-Zu Kim, CEO and President of LCB, commented: "We have built a strong partnership with Iksuda through the multi-target ADC platform license and LCB73 (CD19 ADC) product license agreements, completed last April and May respectively. Our partnership has validated the superiority of LCB’s ADC platform technology and the competitive potential of IKS03 (formerly known as LCB73) as an innovative ADC drug. This validation has led to the execution of this expanded license agreement. We will continue to cooperate closely with Iksuda to accelerate the advancement of all LCB-related ADC candidates into clinic."

Iksuda recently announced that it has completed a $47 million financing round, co-led by Celltrion, Mirae Asset Capital and its subsidiaries, and Premier Partners to support the advancement of its lead ADC assets, including IKS03, and the expansion of its payload platform technologies. This expanded agreement with LCB enables research and development of a new class of payload, adding to Iksuda’s proprietary Protein Alkylating (ProAlk) tumour-activated payload platform, licensed from Göttingen University.

Iksuda’s ADC programmes target tumours that currently have limited treatment options and high relapse rates. The Company’s drug development pipeline is centred on the improved safety and efficacy conferred by tumour activated, prodrug payloads in combination with stable conjugation technologies, including its proprietary novel PermaLink platform.

vTv Therapeutics and Cantex Pharmaceuticals Announce Strategic Licensing Agreement for Development and Commercialization of Azeliragon for Treatment of Cancer

On June 22, 2021 vTv Therapeutics Inc. ("vTv", Nasdaq:VTVT) and Cantex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Cantex") reported that they have entered into a licensing agreement under which Cantex has obtained exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize azeliragon, vTv’s novel antagonist of RAGE (the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts) (Press release, vTv Therapeutics, JUN 22, 2021, View Source [SID1234584235]).

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Stephen Marcus, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Cantex, stated: "RAGE has been implicated in several serious cancer complications associated with increased mortality and decreased quality of life. Our team has deep expertise and a successful track record in transforming known drugs into innovative products with large clinical and commercial potential. As such, the opportunity to develop azeliragon, a phase 2-ready oral medication administered once daily, which has demonstrated a good safety profile in several Alzheimer’s disease trials, is an excellent fit for Cantex. We intend to move rapidly to prepare for clinical trials assessing the potential of azeliragon for the treatment of a number of complications associated with cancer."

"RAGE is a highly attractive target for the treatment of a wide spectrum of disorders," said Steve Holcombe, president and chief executive officer of vTv. "We believe Cantex is the right partner to further the development of azeliragon, which vTv had studied in Alzheimer’s disease, in new therapeutic indications. They have deep experience in clinical development and the proven capability of repurposing drug candidates for new indications."

Under the terms of the agreement, Cantex will be responsible for the development and commercialization of azeliragon and the companies will allocate downstream profits under a tiered arrangement.

About Azeliragon
Azeliragon, also known as TTP488, is an orally active, small molecule, antagonist of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE). vTv Therapeutics discovered azeliragon using its proprietary drug discovery platform, TTP Translational Technology, and developed it into phase 3. A broad range of evidence suggests that RAGE—ligand interactions lead to sustained inflammatory states that play a role in chronic diseases.

Affimed to Report First Quarter 2021 Financial Results & Corporate Update July 1, 2021

On June 22, 2021 Affimed N.V. (Nasdaq: AFMD), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company committed to giving patients back their innate ability to fight cancer, reported that it will release first quarter 2021 results on Thursday, July 1, 2021, and host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. EDT to discuss financial results and recent corporate developments (Press release, Affimed, JUN 22, 2021, View Source [SID1234584234]).

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The conference call will be available via phone and webcast. To access the first quarter results call, please dial +1 (409) 220-9054 for U.S. callers, or +44 (0) 8000 323836 for international callers, and reference passcode 4485380 approximately 15 minutes prior to the call. To access the live audio webcast of the conference call please visit the "Investors" section of company’s website at View Source A replay of the call will be archived on the Affimed website for 30 days after the call.