On September 29, 2020 Cellaria Inc (Wakefield, MA, USA), a scientific innovator with breakthrough tools for cancer research, reported that it has introduced three next generation Pancreatic Cancer cell lines, substantially boosting the value of ​in vitro​ methods in the development of more effective therapies (Press release, Cellaria, SEP 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234568099]). Difficult to detect and with a poor survival rate, Pancreatic Cancer remains a primary and illusive therapeutic target for researchers. The new cell models are scalable and stable, securely linked to specific patient tumor samples and supported by Cellaria quality control certifications, which include full cell line authentication. They directly facilitate more clinically relevant, translatable research and represent a major step forward for academic and industrial researchers working to advance more effective, personalized medicine and lead drug candidates.

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‘Legacy cell lines are a crucial tool for cost-effective ​in vitro​ studies, but most do not securely represent the heterogeneity of the original patient tumor,’ said David Deems, CEO, Cellaria Inc. "Genetic drift, selective overgrowth and/or contamination are recognized issues that erode the relevance of commercial lines, thereby compromising progress. In contrast, our novel cell models are extremely stable and have a strong, robustly authenticated connection to specific patient tumors. They offer breakthrough reproducibility, rigor and relevance in both clinical studies and drug discovery."

Pancreatic cancer tumors are elusive in conforming to standard definitions and tend to morph and metastasize into different cancers following treatment. Cellaria’s three new cell models – "Stew", "Chocolate", and "Basket" – are derived from patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (the most common form of Pancreatic Cancer), and vary with respect to factors such as gender, ethnicity, age, treatment history, and diagnosis.​ ​As a result, they enable

researchers to closely align their studies with a specific patient cohort, with defined molecular targets and biomarkers. All are provided with protocols for preserved biomarker expression and a Certificate of Analysis (COA) attesting their growth characteristics. Beyond supporting optimal application of the cell line, the COA meets growing requirements within the research community for demonstrable cell line authentication.

‘In-depth scientific know-how is a hallmark of the Cellaria approach,’ said David Deems. ‘All our cell models are subject to extensive characterization assays including genomic and biomarker analysis, gene expression and protein profiling. Furthermore, we have data showing response to at least three approved drug therapies for each line. This information is a powerful aid to gathering useful, actionable data from the outset for new or established research groups. We’re delighted to add these new products to our established portfolio for breast, lung, colon, and ovarian cancers, to accelerate the progress of therapeutic and basic science towards a treatment for this challenging condition.’

Cellaria cell models for a range of cancers have already demonstrated proven value in ​in vitro studies. Find out more about the potential impact of the Stew, Chocolate and Basket at: www.cellariabio.com​ or call 978-720-8051.
About Cellaria Inc.

Cellaria Inc’s mission is to develop and build more informative disease cell models to revolutionize and accelerate the search for a cure. The company provides a suite of products and services that are actionable, replicable and that originate from a patient’s unique specimens. ​With 7 years of research and development, Cellaria’s solutions better enable disease researchers to select promising compounds and ultimately identify the most effective treatment for each patient’s needs. This helps lead the research community to more personalized therapeutics, revolutionizing and accelerating the search for a cure and/or personalized treatments.

On September 29, 2020 Polyphor AG (SIX: POLN) reported the closing of the previously announced exclusive licensing agreement with Fosun Pharma for balixafortide in China (Press release, Polyphor, SEP 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234567844]). As a result of closing the transaction, Polyphor received the agreed upfront payment of $15 million.

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Under the terms of the agreement, Polyphor and Fosun Pharma will develop and commercialize balixafortide for the Chinese market with an initial focus on metastatic breast cancer. China is projected to be the second largest market globally for breast cancer treatments. Additional cancer indications and combination therapies will be evaluated jointly by the companies. Polyphor retains all rights to balixafortide outside of China.

In addition to the upfront payment, Polyphor is eligible for additional development milestone payments of up to $19 million, sales milestone payments of up to $148 million plus up to mid-teen royalties on net sales achieved in the territory.

Fosun Pharmaceutical AG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co. Ltd ("Fosun Pharma", stock code: 600196.SH; 02196.HK), a leading healthcare company in China. It is listed on both the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

On September 29, 2020 Dewpoint Therapeutics, the biomolecular condensates company, reported it has raised $77 million in a Series B financing (Press release, Dewpoint Therapeutics, SEP 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234567776]). The round was led by ARCH Venture Partners, with participation from new investors Maverick Ventures and Bellco Capital, and existing investors Leaps by Bayer, EcoR1 Capital, Polaris Partners, Samsara BioCapital, and Innovation Endeavors.

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"We are delighted to have ARCH Venture Partners lead this financing, and to welcome new investors into the condensate field," said Amir Nashat, managing partner of Polaris Partners and interim CEO of Dewpoint. "Our proprietary platform has already generated two significant external collaborations with Merck and Bayer, and today’s announcement underscores the interest in biomolecular condensates among investors with a track record of backing groundbreaking science."

Dewpoint’s proprietary condensates platform provides the ability to see and understand the complex interactions of biomolecular communities—and to find drugs that intervene in entirely new ways. Dewpoint will use proceeds from this round to further develop its platform and identify additional compounds that modulate these condensates.

"Dewpoint is the international center of gravity for developing and translating condensate science into drugs," said Kristina Burow, managing director at ARCH Venture Partners. "The company is well positioned to leverage novel insights into fundamental biology and utilize this groundbreaking biology to create transformational therapeutics."

"The Dewpoint team is a unique combination of executives who have brought more than ten drugs to market and researchers who have spent the last several years defining the science of condensates," said Oleg Nodelman, founder and portfolio manager of EcoR1 Capital. "This collection of drug hunters is a powerful force."

In addition to announcing its Series B, Dewpoint reported the addition of Giuseppe Ciaramella, Ph.D., to its Board of Directors. Ciaramella is president and chief scientific officer of Beam Therapeutics. Prior to Beam, Dr. Ciaramella served at Moderna, first as head of immunology and biotherapeutics, then as chief scientific officer of its infectious diseases division. Prior to Moderna, he held senior drug development roles at AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Pfizer. Dr. Ciaramella holds a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from University College London.

Dewpoint’s proprietary platform uses high-throughput methods to test libraries of potential drugs for the desired effect, identifying compounds that modulate biomolecular condensates in specific diseases of immediate interest to Dewpoint and its partners. Approaches to modulating condensates that may positively impact disease include dissolving or forming condensates, modulating the composition of condensates, stabilizing condensates, and selective drug delivery into condensates.

In July 2020, Dewpoint announced an exclusive collaboration with Merck (MSD) to leverage Dewpoint’s proprietary biomolecular condensate platform for the development of a novel mechanism for the treatment of HIV. In November 2019, Dewpoint announced a collaboration with Bayer, combining the potential of Dewpoint’s condensate platform with Bayer’s small molecule compound library to develop new treatments for cardiovascular and gynecological diseases.

In addition to disease areas where Dewpoint has announced collaborations, the company is exploring potential therapeutic opportunities in oncology, neurodegeneration, metabolic disease, and immunology.

On September 29, 2020 Medtronic plc (the "Company") (NYSE:MDT) reported that its wholly-owned subsidiary Medtronic Global Holdings S.C.A. ("Medtronic Luxco") has closed a registered public offering (the "Offering") of €1,250,000,000 principal amount of 0.000% Senior Notes due 2023, €1,000,000,000 principal amount of 0.000% Senior Notes due 2025, €1,000,000,000 principal amount of 0.375% Senior Notes due 2028, €1,000,000,000 principal amount of 0.750% Senior Notes due 2032, €1,000,000,000 principal amount of 1.375% Senior Notes due 2040 and €1,000,000,000 principal amount of 1.625% Senior Notes due 2050 (collectively, the "Notes") (Press release, Medtronic, SEP 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234567775]). All of Medtronic Luxco’s obligations under the Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and Medtronic, Inc. ("Medtronic, Inc."), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Medtronic Luxco, on a senior unsecured basis.

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The net proceeds from the Offering are approximately €6.2 billion, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses related to the Offering payable by Medtronic Luxco. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to repay €750 million aggregate principal amount of Medtronic Luxco’s Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2021 at maturity on March 7, 2021, which bore interest at a rate of 0% per annum at July 31, 2020, and to redeem the outstanding senior notes issued by Medtronic Luxco, Medtronic, Inc. and Covidien International Finance S.A., a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of the Company as described below. Any remaining net proceeds of the Offering will be used for repayment of other indebtedness and general corporate purposes.

Today, the Company also announced that it intends to redeem all of the outstanding $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of Medtronic, Inc.’s 3.150% Senior Notes due 2022, all of the outstanding $530.2 million aggregate principal amount of Medtronic, Inc.’s 2.750% Senior Notes due 2023, all of the outstanding $432.5 million aggregate principal amount of Medtronic, Inc.’s 3.625% Senior Notes due 2024, $810 million of the outstanding $2.7 billion aggregate principal amount of Medtronic, Inc.’s 3.500% Senior Notes due 2025, all of the outstanding $650 million aggregate principal amount of CIFSA’s 3.200% Senior Notes due 2022, all of the outstanding $309.5 million aggregate principal amount of CIFSA’s 2.950% Senior Notes due 2023 and all of the outstanding €1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of Medtronic Luxco’s 0.000% Senior Notes due 2021 (collectively, the "Redemption Notes"), in each case at the make-whole redemption prices specified in, and otherwise in accordance with, the indentures governing such Redemption Notes. The redemption date for the Redemption Notes will be October 29, 2020. This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption of any of the Redemption Notes.

On September 29, 2020 LC-SCRUM-Asia, a leading cancer genomic screening program, reported that it has selected Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Ion Torrent Genexus System* and Oncomine Precision Assay*, a pan-cancer panel, to advance precision medicine in Asia (Press release, Thermo Fisher Scientific, SEP 29, 2020, View Source [SID1234567774]). The next-generation sequencing (NGS) solutions will be used in two prospective, observational projects to support the development of future therapeutics and diagnostics for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

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The Lung Cancer Genomic Screening Project for Individualized Medicine in Asia aims to overcome challenges in establishing precision medicine for patients with NSCLC through large-scale genetic screening and monitoring. The Lung Cancer Genomic Screening Project for Individualized Medicine – Molecular Testing for Resistant Tumors to Systemic Therapy (LC-SCRUM-TRY), newly launched on September 28, is designed to examine drug resistance in NSCLC.

"The studies will use the Genexus System and the Oncomine Precision Assay for rapid molecular profiling results," said Dr. Koichi Goto, chief of the Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, who is leading the cancer clinical trials. "The speed of NGS-based molecular profiling tests is becoming increasingly important. We believe these solutions, designed to deliver results quickly, will transform the field of precision oncology."

Thermo Fisher’s Ion Torrent Genexus System is the first fully integrated NGS platform featuring an automated specimen-to-report workflow that delivers results economically in a single day. The Oncomine Precision Assay, which is designed to detect key biomarkers from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue and liquid biopsy specimens, contains more than 50 cancer-related biomarkers and has the lowest sample input requirements on the market for detection of both DNA and RNA variants.

Garret Hampton, president of clinical next-generation sequencing and oncology at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said, "Through our valued partnership with LC-SCRUM, Dr. Goto and his team have a pivotal opportunity to advance precision medicine for non-small cell lung cancer in Asia. Expanding access to comprehensive genomic profiling will help improve the future standard of care."

The selection of the Genexus System and Oncomine Precision Assay represent an extension of Thermo Fisher’s ongoing collaborations with LC-SCRUM and Dr. Goto to make precision medicine solutions available in Japan. Since 2015, LC-SCRUM has adopted the Oncomine Comprehensive Assay* for use in the first three phases of clinical trials. In addition, Dr. Goto was instrumental in supporting Thermo Fisher’s efforts to gain approval in Japan for the Oncomine Dx Target Test, the first NGS companion diagnostic (CDx) test approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) to simultaneously detect multiple biomarkers clinically associated with NSCLC.