Varian Announces Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2020 Earnings Release Date

On April 17, 2020 Varian (NYSE: VAR) reported its second quarter fiscal year 2020 earnings release date (Press release, Varian Medical Systems, APR 17, 2020, View Source [SID1234556412]).

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The Company will report results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2020 after market close on Monday, May 4, 2020. The news release will be followed by a teleconference available to all interested at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. To access the teleconference call and replay:

Teleconference: Access from within the U.S. by dialing 1-877-869-3847, and from outside the U.S. by dialing 1-201-689-8261.

Replay: Access from within the U.S. by dialing 1-877-660-6853 and from outside the U.S. by dialing 1-201-612-7415 and enter conference ID 13700412. The teleconference replay will be available until 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Friday, May 8, 2020.

Webcast: To access the live webcast and replay, visit the company website at: www.varian.com/investors and click on the link for Second Quarter Earnings Results.

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Lantern Pharma IPO File Illuminates Plan to “Rescue” Failed Cancer Drugs

On April 17, 2020 Lantern reported that filed its IPO set a preliminary $28.8 million preliminary target for the proposed stock sale and says it has applied for a Nasdaq listing under the stock symbol "LTRN (Press release, Lantern Pharma, APR 17, 2020, View Source [SID1234556411])."

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Lantern’s research aims to turn failed or abandoned drugs into new therapeutic candidates. The company says in its IPO filing that AI technology helps it find compounds best suited for such "drug rescue."

"This data-driven, genomically-targeted and biomarker-driven approach allows us to pursue a transformational drug development strategy that identifies, rescues or develops, and advances potential small molecule drug candidates at what we believe is a fraction of the time and cost associated with traditional cancer drug development," the company says in its filing.

Lantern calls its AI technology RADR. The company says the software includes millions of datapoints covering drug and tumor interactions, real-world information about thousands of cancer patients, results from clinical and drug sensitivity tests, and published cancer research. Lantern uses this software to identify the types of tumors and the groups of patients most likely to respond to treatment with its drugs.

The Lantern pipeline has three drugs. The most advanced program, LP-100, is in Phase 2 testing in prostate cancer. MGI Pharma advanced the drug to Phase 3 testing. But in 2002, the study was stopped after an early look at data suggested it was unlikely to beat chemotherapy. Lantern licensed the compound in 2015 and soon after sold the drug’s rights to European biotech Oncology Venture, according to the IPO filing. Oncology Venture is responsible for further clinical development of LP-100.

The most advanced Lantern compound being developed internally is LP-300, an experimental non-small cell lung cancer drug. The small molecule failed Phase 3 tests sponsored by BioNumerik Pharmaceuticals. In 2018, Lantern paid BioNumerik $25,000 up front to acquire LP-300 with an agreement to pay royalties if the drug reaches the market, according to the filing.

According to the IPO filing, Lantern’s retrospective analysis of the BioNumerik studies showed that some patients showed lived longer, particularly female non-smokers. Lantern says it plans to develop LP-300 for women who have never smoked or are currently non-smokers, as well as for non- or never-smokers whose genetics match up with a higher likelihood of responding to the treatment.

The third Lantern program, LP-184, was initially developed by MGI. The small molecule is currently in preclinical development for potential applications in several different types of cancer.

Lantern says it will use the cash raised from the IPO to fund Phase 2 tests of LP-300 and continue preclinical development of LP-184. The company also plans to continue developing its RADR technology and expand its drug pipeline by acquiring or licensing assets.

Lantern was founded in 2013 by Arunkumar Asaithambi and Biological Mimetics (BMI), a Frederick, MD-based developer of drugs for human and veterinary health. BMI owns 23.4 percent of Lantern and it also provides preclinical and non-clinical services to the company, according to the filing. Bios Equity Entities is Lantern’s largest shareholder, owning 42.1 percent.

Seattle Genetics Announces U.S. FDA Approval of TUKYSA™ (tucatinib) for People with Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

On April 17, 2020 Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) reported the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval to TUKYSA (tucatinib) tablets in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine for adult patients with advanced unresectable (cannot be surgically removed) or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, including patients with brain metastases (disease that has spread to the brain), who have received one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens in the metastatic setting (Press release, Seattle Genetics, APR 17, 2020, View Source [SID1234556408]). The FDA previously granted Breakthrough Therapy designation and Priority Review for TUKYSA and reviewed this application for approval under the Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) pilot program. The TUKYSA New Drug Application (NDA) is also part of Project Orbis, an initiative of the FDA Oncology Center of Excellence that provides a framework for concurrent submission and review of oncology drugs among participating international health authorities. TUKYSA is an oral, small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) of HER2, a protein that contributes to cancer cell growth.1,2

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(Photo: Business Wire)
(Photo: Business Wire)

"With highly significant and clinically important results for overall and progression-free survival, the addition of TUKYSA to trastuzumab and capecitabine has the potential to become a standard of care for people with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer after having received one or more previous anti-HER2 therapies in the metastatic setting," said Eric P. Winer, MD, Chief of the Division of Breast Oncology, Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers at Dana-Farber. "Cancer spreads to the brain in up to half of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer; and this approval is based on a unique clinical trial that included patients with active brain metastases, either untreated or progressing. TUKYSA is well tolerated by patients and is a valuable addition to the agents we have for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer."

"We’re pleased to have collaborated with the FDA on our second expedited real-time oncology review, enabling us to rapidly bring this new targeted medicine to patients," said Clay Siegall, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer at Seattle Genetics. "TUKYSA has shown impressive results in people with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, including in patients with active brain metastases, and offers patients an effective medicine following previous treatment with other anti-HER2 agents in the metastatic setting."

TUKYSA, in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine, was evaluated in the trial HER2CLIMB, a randomized (2:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that enrolled 612 patients with HER2-positive unresectable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who had previously received, either separately or in combination, trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1). Forty-eight percent of patients in the study had a presence or history of brain metastases. The primary efficacy outcome measure was progression-free survival (PFS) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR) in the first 480 randomized patients.1 Additional efficacy outcome measures were evaluated in all randomized patients and included overall survival (OS), PFS in patients with a history or presence of brain metastases, and confirmed objective response rate (ORR).

Patients who received TUKYSA in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine had a 46 percent reduction in the risk of cancer progression or death (PFS) compared to patients who received trastuzumab and capecitabine alone (hazard ratio (HR)=0.54 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.42, 0.71]; p<0.00001). The addition of TUKYSA reduced the risk of death (OS) by 34 percent compared to trastuzumab and capecitabine alone (HR=0.66 [95% CI: 0.50, 0.87]; p=0.0048). Nearly twice the number of patients who received TUKYSA in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine had a confirmed objective response compared to those who received trastuzumab and capecitabine alone (40.6 percent (95% CI: 35.3, 46.0) vs. 22.8 percent (95% CI: 16.7, 29.8); p=0.00008). For patients with brain metastases, the addition of TUKYSA reduced the risk of cancer progression or death (PFS) by 52 percent compared to trastuzumab and capecitabine alone (HR=0.48 [95% CI: 0.34, 0.69]; p<0.00001).

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 26 percent of patients who received TUKYSA. Serious adverse reactions occurring in 2 percent or more of patients who received TUKYSA were diarrhea (4%), vomiting (2.5%), nausea, abdominal pain, and seizure (2% each). The most common adverse reactions occurring in 20 percent or more of patients who received TUKYSA were diarrhea, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, nausea, fatigue, hepatotoxicity, vomiting, stomatitis, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, headache, anemia, and rash. Adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 6 percent of patients who received TUKYSA; adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation of TUKYSA (in 1 percent or more of patients) were hepatotoxicity (1.5%) and diarrhea (1%).

The data were published in The New England Journal of Medicinein December 2019.

About TUKYSA (tucatinib)

TUKYSA is an oral medicine that is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the HER2 protein. In vitro (in lab studies), TUKYSA inhibited phosphorylation of HER2 and HER3, resulting in inhibition of downstream MAPK and AKT signaling and cell growth (proliferation), and showed anti-tumor activity in HER2-expressing tumor cells. In vivo (in living organisms), TUKYSA inhibited the growth of HER2-expressing tumors. The combination of TUKYSA and the anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab showed increased anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo compared to either medicine alone.1

SeaGen Secure offers access and reimbursement support to help patients access TUKYSA. For more information, go to SeaGenSecure.com.

About HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Patients with HER2-positive breast cancer have tumors with high levels of a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells. An estimated 279,100 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2020.3 Between 15 and 20 percent of breast cancer cases are HER2-positive.3 Historically, HER2-positive breast cancer tends to be more aggressive and more likely to recur than HER2-negative breast cancer.4,5,6 Up to 50 percent of metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer patients develop brain metastases over time.7,8,9

Important Safety Information

Warnings and Precautions

Diarrhea – TUKYSA can cause severe diarrhea including dehydration, hypotension, acute kidney injury, and death. In HER2CLIMB, 81% of patients who received TUKYSA experienced diarrhea, including 12% with Grade 3 diarrhea and 0.5% with Grade 4 diarrhea. Both patients who developed Grade 4 diarrhea subsequently died, with diarrhea as a contributor to death. The median time to onset of the first episode of diarrhea was 12 days and the median time to resolution was 8 days. Diarrhea led to dose reductions of TUKYSA in 6% of patients and discontinuation of TUKYSA in 1% of patients. Prophylactic use of antidiarrheal treatment was not required on HER2CLIMB.

If diarrhea occurs, administer antidiarrheal treatment as clinically indicated. Perform diagnostic tests as clinically indicated to exclude other causes of diarrhea. Based on the severity of the diarrhea, interrupt dose, then dose reduce or permanently discontinue TUKYSA.
Hepatotoxicity – TUKYSA can cause severe hepatotoxicity. In HER2CLIMB, 8% of patients who received TUKYSA had an ALT increase >5 × ULN, 5% had an AST increase >5 × ULN, and 1.5% had a bilirubin increase >3 × ULN (Grade ≥3). Hepatotoxicity led to dose reduction of TUKYSA in 8% of patients and discontinuation of TUKYSA in 1.5% of patients.

Monitor ALT, AST, and bilirubin prior to starting TUKYSA, every 3 weeks during treatment, and as clinically indicated. Based on the severity of hepatoxicity, interrupt dose, then dose reduce or permanently discontinue TUKYSA.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity – TUKYSA can cause fetal harm. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential, and male patients with female partners of reproductive potential, to use effective contraception during TUKYSA treatment and for at least 1 week after the last dose.
Adverse Reactions

Serious adverse reactions occurred in 26% of patients who received TUKYSA. Serious adverse reactions in ≥2% of patients who received TUKYSA were diarrhea (4%), vomiting (2.5%), nausea (2%), abdominal pain (2%), and seizure (2%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 2% of patients who received TUKYSA including sudden death, sepsis, dehydration, and cardiogenic shock.

Adverse reactions led to treatment discontinuation in 6% of patients who received TUKYSA; those occurring in ≥1% of patients were hepatotoxicity (1.5%) and diarrhea (1%). Adverse reactions led to dose reduction in 21% of patients who received TUKYSA; those occurring in ≥2% of patients were hepatotoxicity (8%) and diarrhea (6%).

The most common adverse reactions in patients who received TUKYSA (≥20%) were diarrhea, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, nausea, fatigue, hepatotoxicity, vomiting, stomatitis, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, headache, anemia, and rash.

Lab Abnormalities

In HER2CLIMB, Grade ≥3 laboratory abnormalities reported in ≥5% of patients who received TUKYSA were: decreased phosphate, increased ALT, decreased potassium, and increased AST. The mean increase in serum creatinine was 32% within the first 21 days of treatment with TUKYSA. The serum creatinine increases persisted throughout treatment and were reversible upon treatment completion. Consider alternative markers of renal function if persistent elevations in serum creatinine are observed.

Drug Interactions

Strong CYP3A or Moderate CYP2C8 Inducers: Concomitant use may decrease TUKYSA activity. Avoid concomitant use of TUKYSA.
Strong or Moderate CYP2C8 Inhibitors: Concomitant use of TUKYSA with a strong CYP2C8 inhibitor may increase the risk of TUKYSA toxicity; avoid concomitant use. Increase monitoring for TUKYSA toxicity with moderate CYP2C8 inhibitors.
CYP3A Substrates: Concomitant use may increase the toxicity associated with a CYP3A substrate. Avoid concomitant use of TUKYSA where minimal concentration changes may lead to serious or life-threatening toxicities. If concomitant use is unavoidable, decrease the CYP3A substrate dosage.
P-gp Substrates: Concomitant use may increase the toxicity associated with a P-gp substrate. Consider reducing the dosage of P-gp substrates where minimal concentration changes may lead to serious or life-threatening toxicity.
Use in Specific Populations

Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed while taking TUKYSA and for at least 1 week after the last dose.
Renal Impairment: Use of TUKYSA in combination with capecitabine and trastuzumab is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr < 30 mL/min), because capecitabine is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment.
Hepatic Impairment: Reduce the dose of TUKYSA for patients with severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment.
For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information for TUKYSA here.

Conference Call Details

Seattle Genetics’ management will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the approval of TUKYSA today at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT); 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). The live event will be simultaneously webcast and available for replay from the Seattle Genetics website at www.seattlegenetics.com, under the Investors section. Investors may also participate in the conference call by calling 888-220-8451 (domestic) or 323-794-2588 (international). The conference ID is 5796578. A replay of the audio only will be available by calling 888-203-1112 (domestic) or 719-457-0820 (international), using conference ID 5796578. The telephone replay will be available until 5:00 p.m. PT on April 20, 2020.

Chi-Med Announces Surufatinib Granted U.S. FDA Fast Track Designations for the Treatment of Both Pancreatic and Non-Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

On April 17, 2020 Hutchison China MediTech Limited ("Chi-Med") (Nasdaq/AIM: HCM) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") has granted two Fast Track Designations for the development of surufatinib, for the treatment of both advanced and progressive pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors ("NET") and extra-pancreatic (non-pancreatic) NET in patients who are not amenable for surgery (Press release, Hutchison China MediTech, APR 17, 2020, https://www.chi-med.com/surufatinib-granted-us-fda-fast-track-designations/ [SID1234556402]).

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The FDA Fast Track Designation is one of several approaches utilized by the U.S. FDA to expedite development and review of potential medicines for serious conditions and that fulfill unmet medical needs. A potential new medicine may fill an unmet medical need by being the first therapy to address a specific serious condition, offer clinically significant advantages over available therapies, act via a different mechanism of action than available therapies, or have a benefit in patients who are unresponsive to or intolerant of available therapies. Programs that receive Fast Track Designation are entitled to more frequent interactions with the U.S. FDA on drug development plan, as well as eligibility for accelerated approval, priority review, and rolling review.[1]

About Surufatinib
Surufatinib is a novel, oral angio-immuno kinase inhibitor that selectively inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity associated with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor ("VEGFR") and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR), which both inhibit angiogenesis, and colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R), which regulates tumor-associated macrophages, promoting the body’s immune response against tumor cells. Its unique dual mechanism of action may be very suitable for possible combinations with other immunotherapies.

Chi-Med currently retains all rights to surufatinib worldwide.

Neuroendocrine tumors in the U.S., Europe and Japan: We are preparing for regulatory interactions in the U.S., Europe and Japan to confirm clinical development and path to registration, based on the encouraging data from the two positive Phase III studies of surufatinib in NET in China, and the ongoing multi-cohort Phase Ib study in the U.S. (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02549937). In addition to the aforementioned grants of Fast Track Designation in pancreatic and non-pancreatic NET in the U.S., surufatinib was granted Orphan Drug Designation for pancreatic NET in November 2019.

Non-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in China: In November 2019, an NDA for surufatinib for the treatment of patients with advanced extra-pancreatic (non-pancreatic) neuroendocrine tumors was accepted for review by the China NMPA and granted Priority Review status in December 2019. The NDA is supported by data from the successful SANET-ep study, a Phase III study of surufatinib in advanced neuroendocrine tumors – extra-pancreatic patients in China for whom there is no effective therapy. A 198-patient interim analysis was conducted in June 2019, leading the Independent Data Monitoring Committee ("IDMC") to determine that the study met the pre-defined primary endpoint of progression-free survival ("PFS") and should be stopped early. The positive results of this trial were highlighted in an oral presentation at the 2019 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02588170).

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in China: In 2016, we initiated the SANET-p study, which is a pivotal Phase III study in patients with low- or intermediate-grade, advanced pancreatic NET in China. A second NDA for surufatinib for the treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic NET is being prepared for submission, following an interim analysis review conducted in January 2020 by the IDMC that recommended that registrational study be terminated early as the pre-defined primary endpoint of PFS had already been met (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02589821). Study results will be submitted for presentation at an upcoming scientific conference.

Biliary tract cancer in China: In March 2019, we initiated a Phase IIb/III study comparing surufatinib with capecitabine in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer whose disease progressed on first-line chemotherapy. The primary endpoint is overall survival (OS) (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03873532).

Immunotherapy combinations: In November 2018 and September 2019, we entered into collaboration agreements to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of surufatinib in combination with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibodies. This included global collaborations to evaluate the combination of surufatinib with Tuoyi, approved in China by Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co. Ltd, and with Tyvyt, approved in China by Innovent Biologics, Inc.

About Neuroendocrine Tumors (NET)
Neuroendocrine tumors form in cells that interact with the nervous system or in glands that produce hormones. They can originate in various parts of the body, most often in the gut or the lungs and can be benign or malignant. Neuroendocrine tumors are typically classified as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors or non-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Approved targeted therapies include Sutent and Afinitor for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, or well-differentiated, non-functional gastrointestinal or lung neuroendocrine tumors.

According to Frost and Sullivan, there were 19,000 newly diagnosed cases of neuroendocrine tumors in the U.S. in 2018. Importantly, neuroendocrine tumors are associated with a relatively long duration of survival compared to other tumors. As a result, there were approximately 141,000 estimated patients living with neuroendocrine tumors in the U.S. in 2018 of which over 90%, or approximately 132,000, were non-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor patients.

In China, there were approximately 67,600 newly diagnosed neuroendocrine tumor patients in 2018 and, considering the current incidence to prevalence ratio in China, potentially as many as 300,000 patients living with the disease in the country[2]. It is estimated that approximately 80% of the patients living with neuroendocrine tumors in China are non-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor patients.

Clinical Cancer Research Highlights Potent Antitumor Activity of Repotrectinib in Treatment-Naïve and Solvent-Front Mutation Ros1-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

On April 16, 2020 Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TPTX), a precision oncology company developing next-generation therapies that target genetic drivers of cancer, reported the publication of preclinical data and patient case studies from the Phase 1 portion of its TRIDENT-1 clinical study for its lead investigational drug, repotrectinib (Press release, Turning Point Therapeutics, APR 16, 2020, View Source [SID1234564376]).

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Among the findings published in the American Association of Cancer Research peer-reviewed journal, Clinical Cancer Research, repotrectinib demonstrated potent in vitro and in vivo activity in patient-derived preclinical models compared with proxy chemical compounds for other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) against ROS1 and the ROS1 G2032R solvent-front mutation. The central nervous system (CNS) activity of repotrectinib was studied in an in vivo model and demonstrated significant reduction of metastatic brain lesions with longer survival compared to a proxy chemical compound for entrectinib.

"Our findings provide encouraging support for repotrectinib as a potential first-line treatment in ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer, and later-line use after progression from a prior ROS1 TKI," said Dr. Byoung Chul Cho, Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea and corresponding author of the paper. "In addition, these preclinical data as presented initially at the annual AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) conference in 2019 and now expanded upon in the publication suggest repotrectinib may prevent or delay the emergence of the G2032R solvent-front mutation and subsequent compound mutations, potentially improving clinical outcomes."

In preclinical studies, repotrectinib potently inhibited in vitro and in vivo tumor growth and ROS1-downstream signaling in treatment-naïve models compared with proxy chemical compounds for crizotinib, ceritinib, and entrectinib. Compared to a lorlatinib proxy chemical compound in a xenograft model, repotrectinib markedly delayed the onset of tumor recurrence following drug withdrawal. In addition, repotrectinib induced anti-tumor activity in the CNS. Repotrectinib also showed selective and potent in vitro and in vivo activity against the ROS1 G2032R solvent-front mutation.

Patient case studies (from the previously reported July 22, 2019 data cut-off) included in the manuscript highlighted the potential for repotrectinib to prevent or delay ROS1 kinase domain resistance mutations.

"The emergence of resistance mutations and disease progression in the CNS are characteristics of ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer and represent a high unmet medical need given the lack of approved therapies," said Dr. Mohammad Hirmand, chief medical officer of Turning Point Therapeutics. "These findings highlighted in Clinical Cancer Research build on prior preclinical studies of repotrectinib and data we have shown from the Phase 1 portion of TRIDENT-1, and are encouraging for repotrectinib as a potential treatment for both TKI-naïve and -pretreated ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients."

Approximately 50 to 60 percent of crizotinib-resistant mutations are found within the ROS1 kinase, of which the ROS1 G2032R solvent-front mutation is the most common. In addition, it is estimated that approximately 50 percent of patients treated with ROS1-TKIs experience disease progression due to CNS metastases.

The Clinical Cancer Research article may be found online at View Source

More information about the ongoing TRIDENT-1 study of repotrectinib may be found by searching clinical trial identifier NCT03093116 at View Source