X-Chem Announces Licensing of a Drug Discovery Program to Otsuka

On May 20, 2020 X-Chem, Inc. (X-Chem), a privately held biotechnology company focused on applying its next-generation, industry-leading DNA-Encoded library (DEXTM) drug discovery platform to the generation of novel small molecule therapeutics, reported that Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) has licensed a drug discovery program from X-Chem (Press release, X-Chem, MAY 20, 2020, View Source [SID1234558377]).

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Under the terms of the parties’ multi-target Drug Discovery Research and License Collaboration, Otsuka exercised the option to exclusively license the program, which comprises multiple novel small molecule drug leads for a historically challenging target. The license is a direct result of X-Chem screening its DNA-encoded libraries (DEX) of drug-like molecules and using its advanced informatics platform to identify novel drug leads for the Otsuka targets. X-Chem is eligible for future payments based on the achievement of specified research and development milestones for the licensed program, as well as royalties and sales milestones on compounds that receive regulatory approval. Otsuka is solely responsible for the conduct of clinical trials with drug candidates derived from licensed compounds, and retains exclusive rights to globally commercialize any resulting products.

"We are delighted to have achieved success in this collaborative research program, with such a challenging target," said Matt Clark, Senior Vice-President of Chemistry at X-Chem. "We believe that the unique expertise brought to the project by both Otsuka and X-Chem was critical to the identification of novel hits for this challenging target, and we look forward to additional successes in our ongoing collaboration."

ZENTERA WILL BE THE SOLE LICENSEE OF THREE ZENTALIS DISCOVERED THERAPIES FOR DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION IN CHINA

On May 20, 2020 Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZNTL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing small molecule therapeutics targeting fundamental biological pathways of cancers, reported the closing of a $20 million Series A financing of Zentera Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company with headquarters in Shanghai, China (Press release, Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, MAY 20, 2020, View Source [SID1234558376]). Leading the financing is Tybourne Capital Management, a global investment manager headquartered in Asia, and joining the syndicate is OrbiMed Asia, a leading healthcare fund in Asia. Zentalis, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, remains the majority shareholder of Zentera.

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The proceeds from the Series A financing will be used to develop and commercialize three cancer therapies discovered by Zentalis, in addition to potential future candidates, in China. Anthony Sun, MD, CEO of Zentalis, will serve as CEO of Zentera.

"The launch of Zentera is a key milestone in our global clinical development strategy," commented Dr. Anthony Sun, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Zentalis Pharmaceuticals and Chief Executive Officer at Zentera Therapeutics. "As the second-largest pharmaceutical market in the world, establishing a joint venture in China is the first step toward advancing our product candidates on a global scale. Furthermore, we are building a management team in China of seasoned professionals who are passionate about improving cancer treatment. We would like to thank our partners, Tybourne Capital Management and OrbiMed Asia, for supporting our vision to efficiently advance our best-in-class therapies to markets worldwide."

Bosun Hau, Managing Director and Co-Head of Private Equity at Tybourne Capital Management, commented, "Over the past few years, we have watched Zentalis’ remarkable clinical progress in developing potentially best-in-class candidates for patients with cancer. We are pleased to work with Zentera, as we believe these therapies will greatly benefit patients internationally."

Dr. David Wang, Partner and Senior Managing Director at OrbiMed Asia, added, "At OrbiMed, we are passionate about investing in innovative solutions that improve the lives of patients. The establishment of this joint venture, which helps to bring potentially life-changing treatments to China, aligns with our values and we are delighted to add Zentera to the OrbiMed family."

Zentalis’ pipeline candidates that will be developed in China by Zentera include its oral SERD (ZN-c5), WEE1 inhibitor (ZN-c3), and BCL-2 inhibitor (ZN-d5), which address unmet medical needs in large patient populations in both solid and liquid tumors. Additional Zentalis candidates may also be developed in China by Zentera.

OBI Pharma Announces Poster Presentations at 2020 ASCO Virtual Annual Meeting for Adagloxad Simolenin, OBI-999 and OBI-3424

On May 20, 2020 OBI Pharma, Inc. (TPEx: 4174), a leader in Glycosphingolipid Immuno-Oncology therapeutics targeting the Globo Series antigens (Globo H and SSEA-4) and chemotherapeutics targeting AKR1C3, reported that data highlighting the ongoing clinical studies targeting Globo H and AKR1C3 antigen in different tumor types will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)20 Virtual Scientific Program from May 29–31, 2020 (Press release, OBI Pharma, MAY 20, 2020, View Source [SID1234558351]).

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These studies will be presented by the lead investigators of OBI Pharma’s first-in-class anti-Globo H cancer vaccine (Adagloxad Simolenin) and Antibody Drug Conjugate (OBI-999), and AKR1C3 targeting prodrug (OBI-3424).

"Based upon our anti-Globo H and AKR1C3 targeted approaches in cancers of high unmet needs, OBI Pharma is proud to have posters on the progress of our trials presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)20 for our first-in-class therapeutics Adagloxad Simolenin, OBI-999, and OBI-3424. We look forward to providing future updates of our studies, which we believe could offer potential therapeutic benefits to patients suffering from cancer," stated Tillman Pearce, MD, Chief Medical Officer at OBI Pharma.

Abstract: TPS599 / Poster: 91
Title: Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adagloxad simolenin (OBI-822) and OBI-821 treatment in patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) at high risk for recurrence.
Presenter: Hope S. Rugo, MD, FASCO University of California San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA
Session Title: Breast Cancer—Local/Regional/Adjuvant
Session Date and Time: Friday, May 29, 2020. 8:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time
View Source

Abstract: TPS3657 / Poster: 387
Title: A phase I/II, open‑label, dose-escalation, and cohort-expansion study evaluating the safety, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic activity of OBI‑999 in patients with advanced solid tumors.
Session Title: Developmental Therapeutics—Molecularly Targeted Agents and Tumor Biology
Presenter: Apostolia Maria Tsimberidou, MD, Ph.D, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Session Date and Time: Friday, May 29, 2020. 8:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time
View Source

Abstract: TPS3658 / Poster: 388
Title: A first-in-man phase I/II study of OBI-3424, an AKR1C3-selective bis-alkylating agent prodrug, in subjects with advanced cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).
Session Title: Developmental Therapeutics—Molecularly Targeted Agents and Tumor Biology
Presenter: Apostolia Maria Tsimberidou, MD, Ph.D, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Session Date and Time: Friday, May 29, 2020. 8:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time
View Source

The above poster presentations will be available online at www.obipharma.com on May 29, 2020.

VolitionRx Announces Pricing of Underwritten Public Offering of Common Stock

On May 20, 2020 VolitionRx Limited (NYSE AMERICAN: VNRX) ("Volition"), a multi-national epigenetics company that applies its NucleosomicsTM platform through its subsidiaries to develop simple, easy to use, cost-effective blood tests to help diagnose a range of cancers and other diseases, reported underwritten public offering (Press release, VolitionRX, MAY 20, 2020, View Source [SID1234558350]). Volition is offering 4,365,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, at a price to the public of $2.75 per share. In connection with the offering, Volition has also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 654,750 shares of its common stock offered in the public offering, at the same public offering price per share, to cover overallotments, if any. All shares of common stock in the offering are being offered by Volition.

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National Securities Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of National Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:NHLD), is acting as sole book-running manager in connection with the offering. The Benchmark Company, LLC and Maxim Group LLC have acted as financial advisors in the offering.

Volition expects to receive gross proceeds from the offering, excluding the exercise of the over-allotment option, if any, of $12 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering-related expenses payable by Volition. Assuming the full exercise of the over-allotment option, total gross proceeds to Volition would be $13.8 million.

Volition intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for continued product development, clinical studies, product commercialization, working capital, and other general corporate purposes, including potential strategic acquisitions.

The offering is expected to close on May 22, 2020, subject to customary closing conditions.

The securities described above are being offered by Volition pursuant to a "shelf" registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-227248) previously filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on September 28, 2018. A final prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website located at View Source When available, electronic copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from: National Securities Corporation, 200 Vesey St., 25th Floor, New York, NY 10281, by telephone at (212) 417-3634 or by email at [email protected].

Before investing in the offering, you should read in their entirety the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the other documents that Volition has filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which provide more information about Volition and the offering.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The offering will be made only by means of a written prospectus and prospectus supplement that form part of the registration statement.

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Reports First Quarter 2020 Financial Results & Company Update

On May 20, 2020 Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CPIX), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on hospital acute care and gastroenterology reported that first quarter 2020 financial results (Press release, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, MAY 20, 2020, View Source;company-update-301063022.html [SID1234558349]). Net revenues from continuing operations during the quarter were $8.3 million. Total revenues were $9.1 million, as the company recorded an additional $750,000 in revenue in the first quarter associated with divested product rights.

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The Company’s financial position included over $97 million in total assets, $47 million of total liabilities and nearly $50 million of shareholders’ equity at the end of the quarter.

"Our thoughts go out to those currently suffering from the novel coronavirus pandemic, and we extend our sincere gratitude to those on the front lines treating patients and performing essential jobs that allow our society to function," said A.J. Kazimi, Chief Executive Officer of Cumberland Pharmaceuticals. "Cumberland has remained open during this pandemic, since we are considered to be an essential business by the United States Department of Homeland Security. We have faced the same headwinds that have affected many healthcare companies, but we have implemented measures to lessen the impact of the coronavirus on our company during 2020."

RECENT COMPANY DEVELOPMENTS:

Next Generation Caldolor Product

In January 2020, Cumberland launched the next generation of its Caldolor (ibuprofen) Injection product. This formulation of Caldolor comes in a ready-to-use bag that may be administered without dilution for pain relief. This launch follows FDA approval in 2019 of the product’s new delivery method.

A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), Caldolor may be used as the sole method of treatment for mild-moderate pain or as part of a multimodal treatment for severe pain. The new formulation of Caldolor comes in a pre-mixed bag containing 800 mg of ibuprofen in a 200 mL patented low-sodium formulation for injection that is ready to use. It is the first FDA-approved pre-mixed bag of ibuprofen. Caldolor is still available as an 800 mg/8mL single-dose vial (100mg/mL) for dilution in addition to the ready-to-use bag (4 mg/mL). The new, premixed presentation provides healthcare professionals a formulation that is easy to administer, helping manage the treatment of patient pain and fever, while reducing opioid consumption.

Caldolor Pediatric Study

Cumberland previously received FDA approval for the use of Caldolor in pediatric patients 6 months of age and older and is the first and only injectable NSAID approved for use in children. The Company then initiated a study to collect data on the use of Caldolor in children ranging in age from birth up to 6 months of age. Enrollment in that multi-center study was completed in 2019.

In March 2020, the Company announced topline results that indicated the use of Caldolor was well tolerated in children from birth up to 6 months of age. Following that announcement, the Company completed that data analysis and study report which was submitted to the FDA. Next steps include preparation of a study manuscript and determination of whether an additional pediatric indication will be available.

Acute Care Product Special Supply Arrangements

In March 2020, Cumberland announced an initiative to expand the availability of Vibativ along with special financial arrangements for hospitals and clinics to help ensure supply during this unprecedented healthcare crisis. In addition, the Company sponsored a national program with infectious disease experts to provide information on the management of complicated respiratory infections resulting from COVID-19.

Additionally, in March 2020, the Company announced another initiative to expand the availability of Caldolor with special supply and financial arrangements, including favorable pricing and payment terms for hospitals and clinics to help ensure timely access to Caldolor during the coronavirus crisis.

In April 2020, the Company announced a third COVID-19-related initiative. This initiative increased the availability of Vaprisol to hospitals and clinics including special supply and financial arrangements, with favorable pricing and payment terms, to help ensure timely access to Vaprisol during this healthcare crisis.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Activities

In April 2020, Cumberland released its first Sustainability Report. This report describes the company’s activities pertaining to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) matters, otherwise known as corporate sustainability. It includes details about Cumberland’s community involvement, ethical marketing and drug safety.

Cumberland’s board appointed Caroline R. Young, former president of the Nashville Health Care Council, as the company’s first ESG board director.

The report notes that, during 2019, Cumberland provided nearly 4 million patient doses of products, safely disposed of over 9,700 pounds of expired and damaged products and had no product recalls. The Company had no product listings on the FDA’s Safety Alerts Database and no products identified in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System during 2019.

Ifetroban Phase II Clinical Programs

Enrollment in Cumberland’s clinical studies declined during the first quarter due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While enrollment of new patients is currently limited, the Company is working to ensure that patients already entered into a trial continue to receive their study drug.

Cumberland has completed three pilot Phase II studies involving ifetroban in 1) patients suffering from hepatorenal syndrome, a life-threatening condition involving liver and kidney failure, 2) patients with portal hypertension associated with chronic liver disease and 3) patients suffering from aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, a severe form of asthma. A follow-up Phase II study is currently underway for this asthma indication.

In addition, the Company is currently evaluating ifetroban in two pilot Phase II studies of 1) patients with systemic sclerosis or scleroderma, a debilitating autoimmune disorder characterized by diffuse fibrosis of the skin and internal organs and 2) patients with cardiomyopathy associated with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This rare, fatal, genetic neuromuscular disease results in deterioration of the skeletal, heart and lung muscles.

Cumberland is awaiting further study results before deciding on the best path for approval for ifetroban, its first new chemical entity.

FINANCIAL RESULTS:

Net Revenues: For the three months ended March 31, 2020, net revenues from ongoing operations were $8.3 million. Total revenues were $9.1 million as another $750,000 in revenue was recorded associated with product rights which had been divested. Net revenue from continued operations in 2019 was $8.7 million.

Net revenue by product for the three months ended March 31, 2020, included $3.3 million for Kristalose, $2.4 million for Vibativ, $1.1 million for Caldolor, $0.7 million for Acetadote (including the brand and Company’s Authorized Generic), $0.2 million for Vaprisol, and $0.1 million for Omeclamox-Pak.

Operating Expenses: Total operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $10.2 million, similar to $10.1 million during the prior year period.

Earnings: Net income (loss) for the first quarter 2020 was $(1.1) million or $(0.07) a share compared to $(0.1) million or $0.00 a share for the prior year period.

Adjusted Earnings for the first quarter were $0.2 million or $0.01 per diluted share compared to $0.7 million or $0.04 per diluted share for the prior year period. The definition and reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings to net income is provided in this release.

Balance Sheet: At March 31, 2020, Cumberland had $97.3 million in total assets including $27.0 million in cash and marketable securities. Total liabilities were $47.5 million, including $18.5 million outstanding on the Company’s revolving line of credit, resulting in total shareholder’s equity of $49.9 million.

Conference Call and Webcast

A conference call and live internet webcast will be held on Wednesday, May 20, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results. To participate in the call, please dial 877-303-1298 (for U.S. callers) or 253-237-1032 (for international callers). A rebroadcast of the teleconference will be available for one week and can be accessed by dialing 855-859-2056 (for U.S. callers) or 404-537-3406 (for international callers). The Conference ID for the rebroadcast is 1692495. The live webcast and rebroadcast can be accessed via Cumberland’s website at View Source