AIVITA Biomedical Provides Update of Ongoing Phase 2 Glioblastoma Trial from Year-End Survival Analysis

On April 8, 2020 AIVITA Biomedical, Inc., a biotechnology company specializing in innovative cell therapy applications, reported that survival data from a year-end analysis of its ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of AV-GBM-1 in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) (Press release, AIVITA Biomedical, APR 8, 2020, View Source [SID1234556215]).

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In the analysis, the overall survival rate at both 12 and 15 months is 76% in AV-GBM-1-treated patients (n=50), compared to overall survival of 61% at 12 months and 48% at 15 months in control patients (n=287) receiving standard of care. Patient recruitment is complete in the study, with 55 patients enrolled across eight trial sites. Additional details are available through ClinicalTrials.gov.

"Although treatment and monitoring of patients is ongoing, we are very encouraged by these interim results," said Dr. Robert O. Dillman, AIVITA Chief Medical Officer. "We completed accrual to the trial ahead of schedule, thanks to the engagement of our clinical site principal investigators and a truly outstanding manufacturing success rate at AIVITA."

AV-GBM-1 is a novel immunotherapy consisting of autologous dendritic cells loaded with autologous tumor antigens derived from self-renewing tumor-initiating cells. The treatment is administered in a series of subcutaneous injections as an adjunctive therapy. The treatment is uniquely pan-antigenic, targeting multiple antigens on autologous tumor-initiating cells responsible for the rapid growth of the disease and resistance to standard therapy.

AIVITA is currently conducting three clinical studies in the United States investigating its platform immunotherapy in patients with ovarian cancer, glioblastoma and melanoma. In a past clinical trial in metastatic melanoma, AIVITA’s autologous dendritic cells has demonstrated 72% 2-year survival and 54% 5-year survival in patients (n=92). Based on data, AIVITA is currently seeking conditional commercial approval of its melanoma treatment in Japan. The clinical trial in advanced ovarian cancer is a Phase 2 randomized study currently enrolling patients at the time of initial diagnosis.

About AIVITA’s Clinical Trials

OVARIAN CANCER

AIVITA’s ovarian Phase 2 double-blind study is active and enrolling approximately 99 patients who are being randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either the autologous tumor-initiating cell-targeting immunotherapy or autologous monocytes as a comparator.

Patients eligible for randomization and treatment will be those (1) who have undergone debulking surgery, (2) for whom a cell line has been established, (3) who have undergone leukapheresis from which sufficient monocytes were obtained, (4) have an ECOG performance grade of 0 or 1 (Karnofsky score of 70-100%), and (5) who have completed primary therapy. The trial is not open to patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

For additional information about AIVITA’s AVOVA-1 trial patients can visit: www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02033616

GLIOBLASTOMA

AIVITA’s glioblastoma Phase 2 single-arm study is active and is enrolling approximately 55 patients to receive the tumor-initiating cell-targeting immunotherapy.

Patients eligible for treatment will be those (1) who have recovered from surgery such that they are about to begin concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CT/RT), (2) for whom an autologous tumor cell line has been established, (3) have a Karnofsky Performance Status of > 70 and (4) have undergone successful leukapheresis from which peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained that can be used to generate dendritic cells (DC). The trial is not open to patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

For additional information about AIVITA’s AV-GBM-1 trial please visit: www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03400917

MELANOMA

AIVITA’s melanoma Phase 1B open-label, single-arm study will establish the safety of administering anti-PD1 monoclonal antibodies in combination with AIVITA’s tumor-initiating cell-targeting immunotherapy in patients with measurable metastatic melanoma. The study will also track efficacy of the treatment for the estimated 14 to 20 patients. This trial is not yet open for enrollment.

Patients eligible for treatment will be those (1) for whom a cell line has been established, (2) who have undergone leukapheresis from which sufficient monocytes were obtained, (3) have an ECOG performance grade of 0 or 1 (Karnofsky score of 70-100%), (4) who have either never received treatment for metastatic melanoma or were previously treated with enzymatic inhibitors of the BRAF/MEK pathway because of BRAF600E/K mutations and (5) are about to initiate anti-PD1 monotherapy.

For additional information about AIVITA’s AV-MEL-1 trial please visit: www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03743298

Moderna to Present at 19th Annual Needham Healthcare Conference

On April 8, 2020 Moderna, Inc., (Nasdaq: MRNA) a clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics and vaccines to create a new generation of transformative medicines for patients, reported that Lorence Kim, M.D., Chief Financial Officer will participate in the 19th Annual Needham Healthcare Conference on April 14th at 10:40 a.m. ET (Press release, Moderna Therapeutics, APR 8, 2020, View Source [SID1234556214]).

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A live webcast will be available under "Events and Presentations" in the Investors section of the Moderna website at investors.modernatx.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived on Moderna’s website for 90 days following the presentation.

Seattle Genetics to Webcast Virtual Fireside Chat at Needham Healthcare Conference

On April 8, 2020 Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) reported that management will participate in a fireside chat at the Needham Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (Press release, Seattle Genetics, APR 8, 2020, View Source [SID1234556213]). The conference will be held in a virtual meeting format. The presentation will be webcast live and available for replay from Seattle Genetics’ website at www.seattlegenetics.com in the Investors section.

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FDA Accepts IND Application for MERKLIN 2 Study

On April 8, 2020 4SC AG (4SC, FSE Prime Standard: VSC) reported that its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for domatinostat in combination with avelumab (Bavencio) has been accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Press release, 4SC, APR 8, 2020, View Source [SID1234556210]). The MERKLIN 2 study is a Phase II clinical study evaluating domatinostat in combination with avelumab in patients with advanced MCC whose disease has progressed on anti-PD-(L)1 antibody therapy. Avelumab is an anti-PD-L1 antibody co-developed and co-commercialized by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer.

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MCC is a relatively rare, but highly aggressive and immunogenic type of non-melanoma skin cancer. In 2017, avelumab was the first anti-PD-(L)1 antibody approved in both the EU and US for treatment of metastatic MCC. Since 2017, anti-PD-(L)1 antibodies have become the standard of care in metastatic MCC globally. However, a majority of patients may become refractory or relapse on this treatment, and currently do not have access to effective subsequent therapeutic options, which is reflected by a high mortality rate. The MERKLIN 2 study seeks to address this high unmet medical need.

Jason Loveridge, Ph.D., CEO of 4SC: "We are delighted to be working with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer as pioneers of immune checkpoint blockade to address the high unmet medical need in patients with advanced MCC disease and now that our IND is open, we can go forward with this study in the US as soon as practically possible".

MEI Pharma to Present at the 19th Annual Needham Virtual Healthcare Conference

On April 8, 2020 MEI Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: MEIP), a late-stage pharmaceutical company focused on advancing new therapies for cancer, reported that Daniel P. Gold, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer, will present an overview and business update at the 19th Annual Needham Virtual Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, April 14th at 2:50 PM Eastern Time (Press release, MEI Pharma, APR 8, 2020, View Source [SID1234556206]).

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A live audio webcast of the event can be accessed on the Events & Presentations page of the Investors section of MEI Pharma’s website at View Source

An archived replay of the webcast will be available on MEI Pharma’s website for at least 30 days after the live event concludes.