On September 1, 2020 Biognosys reported the publication of new research findings in Nature Communications on the utility of its LiP technology and workflow for drug target identification (Press release, Biognosys, SEP 1, 2020, View Source [SID1234564247]). The publication, entitled "A Machine-Learning-Based Chemoproteomic Approach to Identify Drug Targets and Binding Sites in Complex Proteomes", is co-authored by collaborators from ETH Zurich, Biognosys, Bayer and BASF.

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In this publication, we present a novel chemoproteomic workflow combining LiP and machine learning-based data analysis. This next-generation proteomics approach enables the identification of small molecule drug targets in complex proteomes and the analysis of their binding properties across species and drug target classes.

Oliver Rinner, Chief Executive Officer of Biognosys, comments: "Understanding a compound’s mechanism of action remains a major challenge in drug development. This publication is a testimony to our commitment to support our pharma and biotech partners with unique applications for more efficient drug discovery."

Lukas Reiter, Chief Technology Officer, states: "Biognosys’ quantitative proteomics technology based on data independent acquisition (DIA) is a perfect fit for the LiP technology. This combined workflow enabled us to develop a target deconvolution approach for human cell lines."

Prof. Dr. Paola Picotti, Associate Professor in Molecular Systems Biology and head of the Picotti group at ETH Zurich, and Scientific Advisor for Biognosys, says: "With the LiP approach, we can now also identify compound-binding in very complex mammalian cell systems with high confidence. In addition, we get information on binding affinity, which helps us to prioritize targets for follow-up studies."

Thomas Knobloch, Laboratory Manager at Bayer CropScience, adds: "The LiP technology is a very valuable tool to identify target and off-target of novel compounds whatever the organism and to support the process of target deconvolution in early phase research."

Earlier this year, Biognosys published research findings demonstrating the utility of LiP-based proteomics for drug discovery at the US Human Proteome (HUPO) Conference and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

About Limited Proteolysis (LiP)

The Limited Proteolysis technology coupled to next-generation quantitative mass spectrometry is a novel approach that enables the unbiased and proteome-wide profiling of protein changes resulting from a variety of stimuli such as heat shock, protein-protein interactions, compound binding, and posttranslational modifications.

Invented by the group of Prof. Paola Picotti at ETH Zurich, this patented technology is exclusively licensed to and co-developed by Biognosys to support pharma and biotech partners with contract research services for drug discovery and development. Biognosys already offers a LiP-technology based target deconvolution application and is developing additional, machine-learning-based applications for target validation.

On September 1, 2020 Horizon Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: HZNP) reported that the Company will participate in the following conference in September (Press release, Horizon Therapeutics, SEP 1, 2020, View Source [SID1234564246]):

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Morgan Stanley 18th Annual Global Healthcare Conference (Virtual)

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020
Presentation Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
The conference presentation will be webcast live and may be accessed by visiting Horizon’s website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be available for the event.

On September 1, 2020 Blueprint Medicines Corporation (NASDAQ: BPMC), a precision therapy company focused on genomically defined cancers, rare diseases and cancer immunotherapy, reported the appointment of Fouad Namouni, M.D., as President, Research & Development, effective September 1, 2020 (Press release, Blueprint Medicines, SEP 1, 2020, View Source [SID1234564245]).

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In his new role, Dr. Namouni will lead a joint research and development organization, overseeing all phases of product development from discovery through global registration under a unified portfolio vision, and join the executive management team. Marion Dorsch, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, and Andy Boral, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, will continue to lead the research and clinical development functions, respectively, within the research and development organization.

"We are excited to welcome Fouad, a seasoned drug developer and portfolio strategist, to broaden our ambitious R&D vision, as we complete the evolution of Blueprint Medicines into a fully-integrated, multi-product, global biopharmaceutical company this year," said Jeff Albers, Chief Executive Officer of Blueprint Medicines. "Under his leadership, we will expand development of our lead programs for avapritinib and pralsetinib to maximize their value for patients, build on core R&D capabilities to accelerate our preclinical pipeline, and prioritize new targets and technologies to solidify our leadership in the field of precision medicine."

"I’m pleased to join Blueprint Medicines’ talented and accomplished R&D team, which has advanced two lead programs to the precipice of global regulatory approvals, with FDA breakthrough therapy designations across four indications, in just five years since entering the clinic," said Fouad Namouni, M.D., President, Research & Development. "Combined with a highly compelling preclinical pipeline that has the potential to replicate this success, and a culture defined by scientific innovation and an urgency to impact patient need, Blueprint Medicines is uniquely poised to build an industry-leading portfolio of transformative precision therapies."

Dr. Namouni brings more than 20 years of oncology and cancer immunotherapy drug development expertise, as well as clinical experience as a pediatric oncologist. Prior to joining Blueprint Medicines, Dr. Namouni served in leadership roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) since 1999, including as the global development lead for the company’s practice-changing cancer immunotherapy franchise. Most recently, Dr. Namouni served as Senior Vice President and Head of Oncology Development from August 2016 to April 2020, with responsibility for driving product development plans from early-stage clinical development through commercialization across a portfolio of nearly 30 drug candidates. Previously, he served as Head of Global Medical Affairs overseeing 1,700 employees worldwide from September 2015 to September 2017, and he served as Head of Development at BMS for Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab), immunotherapy medications used in the treatment of cancer, from January 2011 to September 2015. Prior to that, he held roles of increasing responsibility within BMS. Dr. Namouni has served as a member of the board of directors of Aprea Therapeutics Inc. since June 2020. Dr. Namouni holds an M.D. from the University of Annaba Medical School in Algeria, and a Pediatrics degree from Université Rene Descartes in Paris, France. In addition, he received a Pediatric Oncology and Hematology degree and an M.S. in clinical and experimental pharmacology from Université Paris-Sud in France.

On September 1, 2020 INOVIO (NASDAQ:INO), a biotechnology company focused on bringing to market precisely designed DNA medicines to treat and protect people from infectious diseases and cancer, reported that Dr. J. Joseph Kim, President and CEO, along with other members of INOVIO management, will present at the following investor conferences in September (Press release, Inovio, SEP 1, 2020, View Source [SID1234564244]):

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H.C. Wainwright 22nd Annual Global Investment Conference
Date: Monday, September 14, 2020
Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
Presentation Format: Corporate Presentation

Cantor Global Healthcare Conference
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2020
Time: 10:40 a.m. ET
Presentation Format: Fireside Chat

Oppenheimer Fall Healthcare Life Sciences & MedTech Summit
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Time: 10:50 a.m. ET
Presentation Format: Fireside Chat

Live and archived versions of the virtual presentations will be available through the INOVIO Investor Relations Events page and may be accessed by visiting INOVIO’s website at View Source All presentation times are subject to change.

About INOVIO’s DNA Medicines Platform

INOVIO has 15 DNA medicine clinical programs currently in development focused on HPV-associated diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, including coronaviruses associated with MERS and COVID-19 diseases being developed under grants from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the U.S. Department of Defense. DNA medicines are composed of optimized DNA plasmids, which are small circles of double-stranded DNA that are synthesized or reorganized by a computer sequencing technology and designed to produce a specific immune response in the body.

INOVIO’s DNA medicines deliver optimized plasmids directly into cells intramuscularly or intradermally using INOVIO’s proprietary hand-held smart device called CELLECTRA. The simple-to-use CELLECTRA device provides a brief electrical pulse to reversibly open small pores in the local skin area cells resulting in more than a hundred-fold increase in product delivery providing dose sparing and consistency. Once inside the cell, the DNA plasmids instruct the cell to produce the targeted antigen. The antigen is processed naturally in the cell and triggers a specific T cell and antibody-mediated immune responses. Administration with the CELLECTRA device, which takes only a few seconds, is designed to ensure that the DNA medicine is efficiently delivered directly into the body’s cells, where it can go to work to drive an immune response. INOVIO’s DNA medicines are transient, and do not interfere with or change in any way an individual’s own DNA. The advantages of INOVIO’s DNA medicine platform are how fast DNA medicines can be designed and manufactured; the stability of the products, which do not require freezing in storage and transport; and the consistent immune response, safety profile, and tolerability that have been observed in clinical trials with multiple products.

With more than 2,000 patients receiving INOVIO investigational DNA medicines in more than 7,000 applications across a range of clinical trials, INOVIO has a strong track record of rapidly generating DNA medicine candidates with potential to meet urgent global health needs.

On September 1, 2020 FibroGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: FGEN) reported that Enrique Conterno, Chief Executive Officer, will participate in fireside chats at the following virtual healthcare conferences (Press release, FibroGen, SEP 1, 2020, View Source [SID1234564243]):

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Citigroup 15th Annual BioPharma Conference on September 9, 2020 at 2:25 PM Eastern Time
Morgan Stanley 18th Annual Global Healthcare Conference on September 16, 2020 at 3:30 PM Eastern Time
A live audio webcast will be available on the "Events & Presentations" section of the FibroGen Investor webpage at View Source A replay will be available for approximately 30 days.