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Xylonix Reveals New Drug Compound for Combating Cancer and Abnormal Macrophages

On March 22, 2021 Xylonix, a Singapore-based biotech company, reported that it has developed a new immunity drug (010DS-Zn) that demonstrates potential for treating a variety of solid cancers and COVID-19’s post-recovery complications, which include heart damage, diabetes and multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) (Press release, Xylonix, MAR 22, 2021, View Source [SID1234576984]). This research was recently submitted as a preprint publication on bioRxiv.org (View Source).

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Aggressive solid cancers have been known to manipulate immunity for its advancements in several ways. One way is the enrichment of an immunity subset called M2-like macrophages (M2), which is associated in cancer metastasis, relapse, and treatment resistance. Recent studies showed that COVID-19 infection resulted in similar immune pathologies to solid cancers – increased M2 activity and suppressed CD4 and CD8 T-cells[1] activity.

Xylonix demonstrated that its drug compound 010DS-Zn markedly reduced M2 population, while simultaneously boosting anti-cancer CD4 and CD8 T cells. This resulted in tumour suppression in animal studies. It also demonstrated consistent anti-cancer activity in 53 human patient-derived cancers tested ex vivo.

"Today’s cancer immunotherapy combinations can cost upwards of $200,000/year (1), but beneficial responses in patients happen at 15% chance-at-random (2). We developed 010DS-Zn as a widely applicable immunotherapy to significantly increase these odds. As of today, we are concerned about the 120 million and more people (3) with COVID-19 infection history who may suffer from long term recovery complications. We have manufactured sufficient quantity of 010DS-Zn to be used for multiple collaborations, and we are looking for capable partners to work with us on further studies on 010DS-Zn’s effect on human tumours and COVID-19 complications," said Dr Fred Chung, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-founder Xylonix.

Protalix BioTherapeutics to Hold Fiscal Year 2020 Financial and Business Results Conference Call on March 30, 2021

On March 22, 2021 Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American: PLX) (TASE: PLX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, production and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins produced by its proprietary ProCellEx plant cell-based protein expression system, reported that it will release its financial results for fiscal year 2020 and business update on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 (Press release, Protalix, MAR 22, 2021, View Source [SID1234576983]). The Company’s management will host a conference call to discuss the financial results and provide a business update on recent corporate and clinical developments at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

Please access the websites at least 15 minutes ahead of the conference to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

The conference call will be available for replay for two weeks on the Events Calendar of the Investors section of the Company’s website, at the above link.

Tavotek Biotherapeutics Announces Completion of Round A1 and A2 Financing with over $20 Million Dollars

On March 22, 2021 Tavotek Biotherapeutics reported it has raised over $20M in Round A1 and Round A2 financing in the preceding two months (Press release, Tavotek, MAR 22, 2021, View Source [SID1234576982]). YuanBio Venture Capital led the A1 finance round followed by Oriza Holdings, Ming BioVentures, and New Alliance Capital. Series A2 financing was jointly invested by GF Xinde, CTS Capital, and Lanhu Capital. The two rounds of financing will be used to accelerate the CMC production and IND filings of three antibody drugs (Tavo111, Tavo103, and Tavo101) developed by the company based on its TavoPrecise antibody platform. In addition, the funding will also be used to strengthen its bispecific / multispecific antibody pipelines and the development of multicyclic intracellular peptide (MIP) programs.

Tavotek Biotherapeutics, established in early 2019, received its initial Round A investment from Apricot Capital. Tavotek is committed to using innovation to improve the well-being of patients with unmet medical needs. Presently, the company has two R&D centers: one in Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania and another in Suzhou, China. The core team members have decades of successful drug development experiences at multinational pharmaceutical firms (J&J, Abbott, GSK, Eli Lilly) which include many blockbuster drugs with annual sales of more than $1 billion.

Tavotek’s research platforms are built upon three breakthrough technologies: TavoSelect (an innovative Phage Display Library that generates conformational selective human full-length and single domain antibodies); TavoPrecise (a differentiated engineering platform for next generation tissue-specific biologics); and TavoMIP (a multicyclic peptide platform that makes undruggable targets more accessible). With the new infusion of capital, Tavotek is developing novel biologics targeting oncology and autoimmune diseases for patients. The company plans to bring three innovative antibodies into human clinical trials in late 2021 with another three assets to IND in 2022.

Oncopeptides announces that PEPAXTO® is included in new Multiple Myeloma guidelines of National Comprehensive Cancer Network®

On March 22, 2021 Oncopeptides AB (publ) (Nasdaq Stockholm: ONCO), a global biotech company focused on the development of therapies for difficult-to-treat hematological diseases, reported that PEPAXTO (melphalan flufenamide) has been included in the new Multiple Myeloma Clinical Practice Guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) in Oncology (Press release, Oncopeptides, MAR 22, 2021, View Source [SID1234576981]). PEPAXTO, in combination with dexamethasone, was granted accelerated approval by the FDA on February 26, 2021, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who have received at least four prior lines of therapy and whose disease is refractory to at least one proteasome inhibitor, one immunomodulatory agent, and one CD38-directed monoclonal antibody.

"The NCCN Guidelines are a trusted resource for clinicians in the management of oncology patients," says Marty J Duvall, Chief Executive Officer at Oncopeptides AB. "We are grateful that melphalan flufenamide is included in these guidelines and believe that they will facilitate the management of previously treated multiple myeloma patients, who need additional treatment options".

NCCN is an alliance of 30 cancer centers in the United States. Over the past 25 years, NCCN has developed an integrated suite of tools to improve the quality of cancer care. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) document evidence-based, consensus-driven management to ensure that all patients receive preventive, diagnostic, treatment, and supportive services that are most likely to lead to optimal outcomes. To learn more about the NCCN Guidelines and Clinical Resources you may visit www.nccn.org.

About melphalan flufenamide

Melphalan flufenamide, also known as melflufen, is the first anticancer peptide-drug conjugate for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Melphalan flufenamide uses innovative technology that links a peptide carrier to a cytotoxic agent, resulting in a lipophilic compound. Due to its high lipophilicity, melphalan flufenamide is distributed into cells. Melphalan flufenamide is designed to leverage aminopeptidases, which are overexpressed in multiple myeloma cells and cause the release of cytotoxic agents. Melphalan flufenamide is administered once monthly, by a thirty-minute infusion.

In the US, PEPAXTO (melphalan flufenamide) is indicated in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with triple class refractory multiple myeloma, who have received at least four prior lines of therapy and whose disease is refractory to at least one proteasome inhibitor, one immunomodulatory agent, and one CD38-monoclonal directed antibody. PEPAXTO is a registered trademark in the U.S.

Sirtex Medical announces new SIR-Spheres® DOORwaY-90 Study: The first prospective multicenter U.S.-based trial for registration as first-line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma

On March 22, 2021 Sirtex Medical ("Sirtex"), a leading manufacturer of targeted liver cancer therapies, reported full FDA approval of the DOORwaY90 Study, a trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) using SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Press release, Sirtex Medical, MAR 22, 2021, View Source [SID1234576980]).

Unique to other recently published Y-90 studies, DOORwaY90, which stands for "Duration of Objective Response with Arterial Y-90," is the first prospective, multicenter study to utilize and delineate personalized dosimetry treatment planning and to define actionable post-treatment dosimetric verification for endpoint assessment. The study will assess the duration of response (DoR) and objective response rate (ORR) of SIR-Spheres.

Outside the United States, SIR-Spheres are indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced non-operable liver cancer, including HCC. "Our therapy is used for treatment in HCC in more than 50 countries, with years of safety and efficacy," said Kevin Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Sirtex. "The DOORwaY90 Study has the potential to expand the FDA-approved indication for use of SIR-Spheres in the U.S., which would mark an incredible achievement in patient care."

The DOORwaY90 Study is being led by co-principal investigators Cheenu Kappadath, PhD, and Dr. Armeen Mahvash. "We are honored to participate in this important study that could greatly impact the treatment of HCC patients in the United States," noted Dr. Mahvash, Professor in the Department of Interventional Radiology Division of Diagnostic Imaging at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "We look forward to working closely with Sirtex in executing and reporting the findings of DOORwaY90."

DOORwaY90 is a 15-center, 100-patient, U.S.-based open label, single arm study run in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (cGCP). The study population consists of patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Stage A, B1 and B2 who are not eligible for resection or ablation at the time of study entry. For each patient, an eligibility review committee will review diagnostic imaging and confirm final eligibility and treatment planning prior to treatment. Enrollment is expected to begin in early Q2 2021.

HCC is often diagnosed when potentially curative resection or transplantation is not feasible. SIRT has the potential to deliver a lethal dose of radiation to hepatic tumors, while sparing surrounding healthy liver tissue. In countries outside the U.S., SIRT has been successfully used to bridge patients to transplantation or downstage HCC to within transplantation criteria or resection.