Updated results from phase 3 OCEAN study shows melflufen met primary endpoint of superior PFS – Overall Survival data lead to partial clinical hold

On July 8, 2021 Oncopeptides, a global biotech company focused on the development of therapies for difficult-to-treat hematological diseases, reported updated results and safety measures based on the head-to-head phase 3 OCEAN study evaluating the efficacy and safety of melflufen (INN melphalan flufenamide) plus dexamethasone versus pomalidomide plus dexamethasone in patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma who have received 2 – 4 prior lines of therapy (Press release, Oncopeptides, JUL 8, 2021, View Source [SID1234646792]). The randomized study was initiated in 2017 and includes 495 patients from more than 100 hospitals in 21 countries around the world. The topline results were announced on May 25[th].
The updated OCEAN results follow a blinded reassessment by the Independent Review Committee (IRC). During the preparations of the clinical study report and regulatory documents it became apparent that the IRC was not provided with all the information available in the clinical database during the time of their initial assessment. This led to a thorough investigation of all 495 patients where a comparison was made between the data provided to the IRC and what data was available in the clinical database. Consequently, data from 29 patients had to be reassessed. In the final analysis melflufen met the primary endpoint of superior Progression Free Survival (PFS) compared to pomalidomide with a Hazard Ratio (HR) of 0.792 (95% CI 0.640-0.979, p-value 0.0311) as determined by the IRC.

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Overall Survival (OS) was a key secondary endpoint in the OCEAN study. The OS HR was 1.104 (0.846-1.441) in favor of pomalidomide for the Intention to Treat population. Oncopeptides has performed analyses of the OS data and the Company believes that the OS results are primarily explained by substantial HR differences between pre-specified subgroups in both directions.

Based on the observed large differences in overall survival in pre-specified subgroups, the FDA has requested a partial clinical hold of all clinical studies with melflufen, pending further investigation. Oncopeptides will co-operate closely with the FDA to expeditiously perform necessary analysis to fully understand the benefit/risk profile of melflufen and to identify what patients do benefit from treatment with melflufen in earlier lines of therapy in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma.

This update and measures will be presented at a webcast on July 8, 2021, at 11:00 (CET), log in details is available below.

For more information, please contact:

Rolf Gulliksen, Global Head of Corporate Communications, Oncopeptides AB (publ)
E-mail: [email protected]
Cell phone: + 46 70 262 96 28

Linda Holmström, Director of Investor Relations, Oncopeptides AB (publ)
E-mail: [email protected]
Cell phone: +46 70 873 40 95

The information in the press release is information that Oncopeptides is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons above, on July 8, 2021, at 07:30 (CET).

Theolytics expands Series A financing and welcomes M Ventures as a new investor

On July 8, 2021 Theolytics reported that M Ventures – the strategic venture capital arm of Merck – joined the Theolytics’ investor syndicate alongside Epidarex Capital and Taiho Ventures in an extension to the Series A financing, which includes additional investment from Taiho Ventures and the University of Oxford (Press release, Theolytics, JUL 8, 2021, View Source [SID1234630922]).

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Spun-out of the University of Oxford in 2017, Theolytics has been developing the world’s largest library of potential adenovirus product candidates and breakthrough bioselection systems. The company’s internal pipeline development focuses on oncolytic virus therapies, while the proprietary platforms can be applied across other adenovirus-based modalities.

The expanded Series A funding will support the progress of internal programmes in ovarian cancer, and a second cancer indication in addition to further advancing the company’s unique technology platforms. As a part of Theolytics’ accelerated growth, the company will transition to state-of-the-art facilities on Oxford Science Park.

Charlotte Casebourne, CEO of Theolytics said "A warm welcome to the M Ventures team. This investment further validates the breakthrough potential of Theolytics’ technology, and will enable us to accelerate our progress in developing transformative therapies for patients in need."

Therese Liechtenstein said "Oncolytic virus therapies have the potential to help multiple large patient groups in oncology however their translation to date has been hampered by significant challenges. Theolytics is the first company to apply a truly systematic oncolytic virus discovery platform to overcome these challenges and build the next-generation oncolytic virus therapies. After actively exploring this space for a number of years, we as M Ventures are delighted to join the syndicate and become part of Theolytics. We look forward to supporting the team’s mission to make oncolytic viruses a successful novel therapeutic modality to help clinicians and their patients."

Kenneth Powell, Chair of the Board said "I am delighted that Therese Liechtenstein will join our Board of Directors. M Ventures represents a wealth of drug development and commercialisation expertise to support Theolytics’ future progress."

Apexigen to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences

On July 8, 2021 Apexigen, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing a new generation of antibody therapeutics for oncology, reported that Xiaodong Yang, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, and Linda Rubinstein, Chief Financial Officer, will participate in the following upcoming investor conferences in July (Press release, Apexigen, JUL 8, 2021, View Source [SID1234590989]):

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William Blair Biotech Focus Conference 2021
Format: Corporate update and one-on-one investor meetings
Presentation Date & Time: Thursday, July 15, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. ET
Presentation Webcast: Click Here

LifeSci Annual Summer Symposium
Format: Corporate update
Presentation Date & Time: Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. ET
Registration: Click Here

BeyondSpring to Participate in the William Blair Biotech Focus Conference

On July 8, 2021 BeyondSpring Inc. ("BeyondSpring") (NASDAQ: BYSI), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative cancer therapies, reported that management will participate in the William Blair Biotech Focus Conference being held virtually on July 14-15, 2021 and be available for 1×1 meetings (Press release, BeyondSpring Pharmaceuticals, JUL 8, 2021, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=beyondspring-to-participate-in-the-william-blair-biotech-focus-conference [SID1234585700]). To participate in the conference, please contact [email protected] to request a meeting.

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iBio Establishes Oncology Drug Discovery Pipeline with Three New Antibody Programs

On July 8, 2021 iBio, Inc. (NYSEA:IBIO) ("iBio" or the "Company"), a biotech innovator and biologics contract manufacturing organization, has taken another major step towards leveraging the speed and throughput of its proprietary, plant-based FastPharming Protein Expression System by reported it is adding three anti-cancer targets to its pipeline of therapeutic candidates (Press release, iBioPharma, JUL 8, 2021, View Source [SID1234585486]). This development establishes the Company’s new drug discovery capabilities announced just a few weeks ago.

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As part of iBio’s efforts to change the drug development paradigm with the FastPharming System by reducing the time and cost to move from initial concept to the clinic, the Company intends to partner with best-in-class technology partners to help achieve that vision. Accordingly, iBio has entered into a research services agreement with FairJourney Biologics S.A. ("FairJourney"), leaders in antibody optimization. Pursuant to the agreement, iBio will gain access to novel display technologies and proprietary antibody libraries.

"We believe combining our ‘speed-to-clinic’ advantages and Glycaneering TechnologiesTM with the antibody optimization technologies provided by FairJourney may enable us to quickly develop differentiated cancer therapeutic antibodies with improved antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, or ADCC," said Martin B. Brenner, DVM, Ph.D., iBio’s Chief Scientific Officer.

António Parada, CEO at FairJourney commented, "Our experience in antibody discovery for use in oncology has grown in recent years, with a number of undisclosed collaborations rapidly moving towards the clinic. We are excited to work with an innovator like iBio, which we believe has the ability to change the bioprocess paradigm, using its proprietary glycosylation technologies to enhance human anti-cancer antibody development."