On September 28, 2021 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and BostonGene Corporation, a biomedical software company committed to defining optimal precision medicine-based therapies for cancer patients, reported a strategic alliance to advance the development and clinical integration of multiplatform biomarker signatures (Press release, MD Anderson, SEP 28, 2021, View Source [SID1234590415]).

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The alliance brings together BostonGene’s innovative computational platform and CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited high complexity molecular laboratory with the clinical and translational research expertise of MD Anderson, leveraging scientific discovery, analytical advancement and powerful computing to develop clinically applicable solutions for patients with cancer. BostonGene’s computational platform evaluates myriad molecular and immune-based parameters to discover correlations between tumor genomics, a patient’s immune system and the effectiveness of new and emerging treatments. This agreement expands upon existing research collaborations between BostonGene and multiple MD Anderson researchers.

"As we gain deeper insights into the drivers behind each cancer, actionable biomarkers are increasingly important to inform clinical decisions and provide individualized treatments," said Funda Meric-Bernstam, M.D., Chair of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics at MD Anderson. "Through our collaboration with BostonGene, we will utilize multi-parameter discovery, big data analytics and computational support to advance and validate novel diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers that we hope will guide physicians to deliver optimal care to each patient."

Under the terms of the agreement, BostonGene and MD Anderson will collaborate with the goal of translating unique research findings into multiple clinically actionable tests. BostonGene and MD Anderson expect to validate promising clinical biomarker targets through retrospective and prospective MD Anderson investigator-sponsored trials for patients with common and rare cancers. MD Anderson is eligible to receive certain payments based on the achievement of certain clinical milestones and commercial sales. As part of the research alliance, MD Anderson and BostonGene will work together on clinical utility studies designed to support incorporation of BostonGene testing into national guidelines and adoption as a national standard of care.

"Implementing cutting-edge technologies is a critical component in MD Anderson’s approach to improving care for our patients. This agreement with BostonGene further demonstrates our commitment to advancing the adoption of precision medicine through focused and strategic collaborations," said Ferran Prat, PhD., J.D., Senior Vice President for Research Administration and Industry Relationships at MD Anderson.

"We are proud to collaborate with MD Anderson in the pursuit of identifying optimal treatment options for cancer patients," said Andrew Feinberg, President and CEO of BostonGene. "This new agreement reinforces our combined commitment to transforming and improving patient care."

In addition to the research alliance, BostonGene recently entered into a laboratory services agreement with MD Anderson to offer BostonGene Tumor Portrait Tests, available to physicians to order through the electronic medical records system for patients meeting test requirements.

Disclosures
MD Anderson has an institutional conflict of interest with BostonGene through this strategic alliance and is implementing an Institutional Conflict of Interest Management and Monitoring Plan for all research related to this agreement.

On September 28, 2021 Oncoinvent AS, a clinical stage company advancing a pipeline of radiopharmaceutical products across a variety of solid cancers, reported that the trial Safety Monitoring Committee approved its first-in-human Phase 1 clinical study of Radspherin in ovarian cancer patients suffering from peritoneal carcinomatosis to progress to the fourth level dose cohort (Press release, Oncoinvent, SEP 28, 2021, View Source [SID1234590413]). Enrollment in this cohort, where patients will receive 7 MBq of Radspherin, is expected to begin imminently.

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"The progression of the RAD-18-001 study to the fourth dose level, continues to build our confidence as we continue to develop Radspherin for treatment peritoneal carcinomatosis, an area of high unmet need," said Jan A. Alfheim, Chief Executive Officer of Oncoinvent. "we will now start dosing patients at the 7 MBq dose level, a dose level that has been found to be safe in colorectal cancer patients."

About RAD-18-001

The phase 1 open-label, dose-escalation clinical trial is designed to assess the dose, safety and tolerability of Radspherin, an α-emitting radionuclide therapy, administered into the intraperitoneal cavity in subjects with peritoneal carcinomatosis from ovarian cancer following complete cytoreductive surgery. Key objectives in the study include determining maximum tolerated dose, abdominal biodistribution, and preliminary anti-tumor activity. Please refer to www.clinicaltrials.gov for additional clinical trial details.

About Radspherin

Radspherin is a novel alpha-emitting radioactive microsphere suspension designed for treatment of metastatic cancers in body cavities. The radium-224 based therapeutic, Radspherin has shown strong and consistent anticancer activity at doses being essentially non-toxic in preclinical studies. It is anticipated that the product can potentially be used to treat several forms of metastatic cancer.

On September 28, 2021 Gennao Bio, a privately held genetic medicines company developing first-in-class, targeted nucleic acid therapeutics, reported that management will participate in Chardan’s 5th Annual Genetic Medicines Conference, being held virtually from October 4-5, 2021 (Press release, Gennao Bio, SEP 28, 2021, View Source [SID1234590412]). The details are as follows:

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Event: Chardan’s 5th Annual Genetic Medicines Conference
Panel: RNA: RNA-based Targeted Delivery Approaches
Location: Virtual
Date: Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Time: 3:00 PM ET

Members of the Gennao Bio management team will also host investor meetings during the conference. A webcast of the panel discussion will be available on the company’s website at www.gennao.com for 30 days following the event.

On September 28, 2021 Gamida Cell Ltd. (Nasdaq: GMDA), an advanced cell therapy company committed to cures for blood cancers and serious blood diseases, reported that it will host a virtual event detailing the company’s proprietary NAM-enabled natural killer (NK) cell therapy pipeline on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. ET (Press release, Gamida Cell, SEP 28, 2021, View Source [SID1234590411]).

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During the event, the company will highlight updates on the clinical development of GDA-201, its lead cryopreserved, off-the-shelf cell therapy candidate for the treatment of patients with follicular and diffuse large b-cell lymphomas, and Gamida Cell’s new development programs leveraging next-generation, NAM-enabled, genetically modified NK cells in development for solid tumors and hematological cancers. Specifically, Gamida Cell will provide an update on the following genetically modified NK cell therapies:

GDA-301, a CISH knockout and membrane-bound IL-15 NK cell construct that has demonstrated increased potency against leukemia and multiple myeloma cell lines
GDA-501, a CAR-HER2 NK cell construct that has shown increased cytotoxicity against an ovarian tumor cell line
GDA-601, a CD38 knockout + CD38 CAR NK cell construct that has yielded increased cytotoxicity against a multiple myeloma cell line
The event will feature management presentations and participation by the following speakers:

Jeff Miller, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation at University of Minnesota
Veronika Bachanova, M.D., Ph.D., Hematologist/Oncologist at University of Minnesota Health
Patient treated with GDA-201
The live event will be available at the following link. A replay of the webcast will be available on the "Investors & Media" section of Gamida Cell’s website at www.gamida-cell.com, and will be available for at least 14 days following the event.

About GDA-201

Gamida Cell applied the capabilities of its nicotinamide (NAM)-based cell expansion technology to develop GDA-201, an innate NK cell immunotherapy for the treatment of hematologic and solid tumors in combination with standard of care antibody therapies. GDA-201, the lead candidate in the NAM-enabled NK cell pipeline, has demonstrated promising initial clinical trial results, as reported at the 2020 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting & Exposition1. GDA-201 addresses key limitations of NK cells by increasing the cytotoxicity and in vivo retention and proliferation in the bone marrow and lymphoid organs. Furthermore, GDA-201 improves antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and tumor targeting of NK cells. For more information on the clinical study of GDA-201, please visit View Source and www.clinicaltrials.gov.

GDA-201 is an investigational therapy, and its safety and efficacy have not been established by the FDA or any other health authority.

On September 28, 2021 Castle Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSTL), a dermatologic diagnostics company providing personalized genomic information to inform treatment decisions, reported that Derek Maetzold, president and chief executive officer, will deliver the keynote presentation during Arizona Bioscience Week, taking place from Oct. 3-9, 2021 (Press release, Castle Biosciences, SEP 28, 2021, View Source [SID1234590410]). Arizona Bioscience Week is presented by the Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio) and the Arizona Commerce Authority.

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As demonstrated through Arizona Bioscience Week, Arizona’s bioscience industry is committed to discovering, developing and delivering innovative medicines, medical devices and healthcare technologies that make life better for people in Arizona and around the world.

"As we continue to grow the bioscience industry in Arizona, we are grateful for companies like Castle Biosciences, who are committed to patient care and supporting the future business leaders of tomorrow," said Joan Koerber-Walker, president and chief executive officer of AZBio. "Derek’s and Castle’s success are a testament to the power and importance of having a strong vision from the beginning – keeping patient care at the forefront of business – and we are excited to hear Derek share his story with other up-and-comers in the life science industry."

"I am honored to have the opportunity to keynote Arizona Bioscience Week," said Derek Maetzold, president and CEO of Castle Biosciences. "This event benefits AZAdvances, part of the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation that is providing not only funding but also mentorship for the life science innovators of tomorrow. Castle is proud to support this organization, future innovation and the Arizona bioscience community."

Maetzold’s keynote presentation will take place during the AZAdvances Innovation Showcase on Oct. 6. To register or learn more about the events taking place during Arizona Bioscience Week, visit View Source

About Arizona Bioindustry Association

The Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(6) trade association supporting the growth of Arizona’s life science sector. AZBio member organizations in the fields of business, research and education, health care delivery, economic development, government and other professions involved in the biosciences are the key drivers of the growth of Arizona’s life science sector. As the unified voice of our industry in Arizona, AZBio strives to make Arizona a place where bioscience organizations can grow and succeed.

AZBio works nationally and globally with the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA), the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and leading patient advocacy organizations.

Through these relationships, AZBio has access to information, contacts, resources, cost saving programs and the global bioscience and medtech community.