Infinity Pharmaceuticals Announces MARIO-275 Phase 2 Data in Patients with Advanced Urothelial Cancer to be Presented at ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium

On January 11, 2021 Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: INFI) reported that it will be presenting data from MARIO-275 on the first day of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2021 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium to be held virtually, February 11-13, 2021 (Press release, Infinity Pharmaceuticals, JAN 11, 2021, View Source [SID1234573798]). MARIO-275 is a randomized, placebo- controlled Phase 2 study evaluating the benefit of adding eganelisib to nivolumab (Opdivo) in platinum-refractory, I/O naïve patients with advanced urothelial cancer over nivolumab monotherapy, which is approved in this setting.

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Presentation Details

Title:

Preliminary analysis of a phase II, multicenter, randomized, active-control study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of eganelisib (IPI-549) in combination with nivolumab compared to nivolumab monotherapy in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma.

Presenter:

Piotr Tomczak M.D., Ph.D.

Date:

February 11, 2021 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM EST

Poster Session:

Urothelial Carcinoma

Abstract:

436

Exicure Granted Two Fast Track Designations for Cavrotolimod (AST-008) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

On January 11, 2021 Exicure, Inc. (NASDAQ: XCUR), a pioneer in gene regulatory and immunotherapeutic drugs utilizing spherical nucleic acid (SNA) technology, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designations for its clinical product candidate, cavrotolimod (AST-008), for two development programs (Press release, Exicure, JAN 11, 2021, View Source [SID1234573797]):

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cavrotolimod in combination with anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) therapy for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) refractory to prior anti-PD-1 blockade; and
cavrotolimod in combination with anti-PD-1/anti-PD-ligand 1 (anti-PD-(L)1) therapy for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) refractory to prior anti-PD-(L)1 blockade
Fast Track is a designation granted by the FDA that is intended to facilitate development and expedite review of drugs to address an unmet medical need in the treatment of a serious life-threatening condition, and for which nonclinical or clinical data has demonstrated the potential of the drug candidate to address this medical need.

"There is an urgent need to investigate novel immunotherapeutic agents such as cavrotolimod that can be given to enhance the clinical efficacy of immunotherapy, particularly in patients with refractory solid tumors," said Dr. Adil Daud, M.D., Clinical Professor at UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and principal investigator in the Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of cavrotolimod.

Cavrotolimod is a spherical nucleic acid toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist designed to robustly activate the patient’s innate and adaptive immune systems in order to potentially induce potent anti-cancer immune responses. The Phase 1b dose-escalation stage of the open-label, multi-center trial was designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and preliminary efficacy of intratumoral cavrotolimod injections alone and in combination with intravenous pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors. The patients from the Phase 1b stage included those with advanced or metastatic MCC, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, CSCC, melanoma and leiomyosarcoma. A summary of the key highlights from the Phase 1b stage of the trial include:

– No observed treatment-related serious adverse events ("SAEs") or dose limiting toxicity (DLT);

– Confirmed overall response rate (ORR) in 21% of evaluable patients (4/19 patients) in the Phase 1b dose escalation stage across all doses, reflecting 1 complete response and 3 partial responses;

– Confirmed ORR in 33% of evaluate patients (2/6 patients) in the highest dose cohort (32 mg), which was selected as the Phase 2 recommended dose;

– Overall responses occurred in two patients with advanced MCC and two patients with melanoma;

– Three of four responders were progressing on anti-PD-1 therapy at the time of enrollment in the trial;

– Durable and ongoing responses, with progression-free survival exceeding six months in all four responders and 16 months in two responders;

– In addition to the four overall responses, target tumor shrinkage occurred in one CSCC patient and two melanoma patients;

– Increases in leukocytes in injected tumors after cavrotolimod (AST-008) alone and in combination with pembrolizumab versus baseline. Uninjected tumors also showed increased immune cell levels after patients received cavrotolimod (AST-008) plus pembrolizumab;

– Dose-dependent activation of key immune cells, including cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells, as well as increases in cytokine/chemokine levels in patient blood after cavrotolimod (AST-008) treatment alone, and cavrotolimod (AST-008) plus pembrolizumab treatment;

– Systemic (abscopal) effects were observed, with regression in noninjected tumors distant from injected lesions; and

– The cavrotolimod pharmacodynamic profile corroborated the efficacy data, as increased serum cytokines/chemokines, activated immune cells, and tumor infiltration by immune cells were observed.

"I am encouraged by the Phase 1b dose-escalation results and excited about the potential of cavrotolimod to address the significant unmet need facing these patients," said Dr. Michael Wong, M.D., Ph.D., Professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center and principal investigator in the Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of cavrotolimod.

"These Fast Track designations underscore the pressing need to develop new therapies to treat refractory non-melanoma skin cancers as well as the promising preclinical and initial clinical results of cavrotolimod in patients with locally advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma," said Dr. Shailender Bhatia, M.D., Associate Professor at University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and principal investigator in the Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of cavrotolimod.

Rubius Therapeutics Provides Operational Update and Outlines 2021 Objectives
at the 39th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

On January 11, 2021 Rubius Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:RUBY), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is genetically engineering red blood cells to create an entirely new class of cellular medicines called Red Cell Therapeutics, reported an operational update and announced its 2021 objectives. Pablo J. Cagnoni, M.D., chief executive officer, will present these updates and review 2020 achievements on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at 8:20 a.m. EST at the virtual 39th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference (Press release, Rubius Therapeutics, JAN 11, 2021, View Source [SID1234573796]).

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"Rubius Therapeutics made significant progress in advancing our oncology pipeline and in-house manufacturing capabilities in 2020," said Pablo J. Cagnoni, M.D., president and chief executive officer. "To date, in the initial data from the Phase 1 clinical trial of RTX-240 in advanced solid tumors, we have observed activation and expansion of both target cell populations, NK and T cells, indicating the ability of RTX-240 to stimulate both innate and adaptive immune responses. We plan to present additional clinical results in early 2021, and we plan to submit for presentation at a scientific conference."

By showing that RTX-240 is activating and expanding NK and T cells, Rubius Therapeutics believes that the full data set from the Phase 1 clinical trial will unlock the potential of the RED PLATFORM across the entire pipeline of Red Cell Therapeutics for the treatment of cancer.

Clinical Program Updates

RTX-240 Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial for the Treatment of Advanced Solid Tumors and Relapsed/Refactory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

RTX-240 is an allogeneic, off-the-shelf cellular therapy product candidate that is engineered to simultaneously present hundreds of thousands of copies of the costimulatory molecule 4-1BB ligand and IL-15TP (trans-presentation of IL-15 on IL-15Rα) in their native forms. RTX-240 is designed to broadly stimulate the immune system by activating and expanding both NK and memory T cells to generate a potent anti-tumor response.

To date, Rubius has completed dosing of 5 cohorts (n=14) in the Phase 1/2 RTX-240 solid tumor clinical trial. Trial enrollment continues in additional cohorts.
Key takeaways from initial data to date show:
○ No treatment-related Grade 3 or Grade 4 adverse events and no dose limiting toxicities observed (n=14)
○ All patients showed activation of NK or T cells or both cell types (n=14)
○ In the majority of patients (n=8), all of the following were observed across dose levels:

◾ Activation of NK cells, activation of T cells, expansion of NK cells and expansion of T cells

As more patients are enrolled and data mature, the Company expects to disclose additional clinical results, including
○ additional safety and tolerability data;
○ biomarkers associated with the activation and expansion of NK and T cells in peripheral blood
○ immune cell trafficking into tumors assessed by optional tumor biopsies from participating patients; and
○ potential responses as measured by objective response rate

Enrollment continues in the Phase 1 clinical trial of RTX-240 in relapsed/refractory AML
RTX-321 Artificial Antigen-Presenting Cell (aAPC) Development Program for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 16-Positive Cancers

RTX-321 is an allogeneic, off-the-shelf aAPC therapy product candidate that is engineered to induce a tumor-specific immune response by expanding antigen-specific T cells. RTX-321 expresses hundreds of thousands of copies of an HPV peptide antigen bound to major histocompatibility complex class I proteins, the costimulatory molecule 4-1BBL and the cytokine IL-12 on the cell surface to mimic human T cell-APC interactions.

The Investigational New Drug (IND) application has been cleared and patients are being screened in the Phase 1 clinical trial of RTX-321 in advanced HPV 16+ cancers, including cervical cancer, head and neck cancer and anal cancer
Manufacturing Update and Recent Achievements

Recognizing the importance of controlling manufacturing to produce consistent and reproducible product at greater scale, Rubius acquired, renovated and operationalized a manufacturing facility in Smithfield, RI. The site has achieved the following milestones:

Provided consistent cGMP supply for the two Phase 1 arms in the ongoing RTX-240 clinical trial in advanced solid tumors and relapsed/refractory AML
○ Increased productivity in manufacturing of cGMP supply of RTX-240 in 50L bioreactors
○ Increased liquid in-vial shelf life from 28 to 52 days for RTX-240
○ Continuously met red blood cell identity (CD233+, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, purity, enucleation cell population) and target product profile criteria (protein expression, cell viability) for clinical supply lots

Completed engineering runs and now producing cGMP supply for the Phase 1 clinical trial of RTX-321 for advanced HPV 16-positive cancers
○ Introduced frozen drug substance for the first time as part of the IND application for RTX-321, resulting in a truly off-the-shelf cellular therapy with a potential shelf life of up to several years
○ Following liquid reformulation, RTX-321 drug product has an in-vial shelf life of 52 days

Significant potential to expand manufacturing capabilities based on future supply needs and for potential commercial production
Preclinical Data 2020 Summary

The Company presented preclinical oncology data for RTX-240 and RTX-321 at the following conferences:

Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) Annual Meeting;
Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) Virtual Annual Meeting;
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Tumor Immunology Conference; and
American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy 23rd Annual Meeting
Anticipated 2021 Catalysts and Operational Objectives

Present additional clinical data for the Phase 1 RTX-240 solid tumor trial in early 2021;
Continue to enroll patients with AML in the second Phase 1 arm of the RTX-240 clinical trial;
Dose the first patient in the RTX-321 clinical trial in HPV-positive tumors;
Continue to produce cGMP material for the RTX-240 and RTX-321 clinical trials; and
Present an integrated clinical program for RTX-240, including plans for expansion cohorts, and oncology pipeline
Listen to the Webcast

A live audio webcast of Dr. Cagnoni’s presentation will be available on January 13, 2021 at 8:20 a.m. EST within the Investors & Media section of the Rubius Therapeutics website. An archived replay will be accessible for 30 days following the event.

Magenta Therapeutics Highlights Recent Progress and Expected Timing of 2021 Milestones, Including Four Ongoing and Planned Clinical Trials

On January 11, 2021 Magenta Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MGTA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel medicines to bring the curative power of immune and blood systems reset via stem cell transplant to more patients, reported progress across its stem cell mobilization and collection and targeted conditioning programs, and set expectations for 2021 (Press release, Magenta Therapeutics, JAN 11, 2021, View Source [SID1234573795]). These updates will be discussed during a webcast presentation at the 39th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Thursday, January 14 at 7:50 a.m. PST / 10:50 a.m. EST.

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"I’m exceptionally proud of the entire Magenta team who continued to adapt and execute across our portfolio, despite the disruptions that characterized 2020. This past year, we continued to drive our vision to bring immune and blood systems reset to more patients. We announced four pipeline-expanding partnerships, presented clinical and pre-clinical data across our pipeline and secured the capital that we expect can fund our operations into 2023. We continue to advance four ongoing and planned clinical trials that we believe can advance our portfolio in 2021 and, for MGTA-145 specifically, can provide proof-of-concept for stem cell mobilization across multiple diseases and the first clinical data for MGTA-117 targeted conditioning," said Jason Gardner, D. Phil., President and Chief Executive Officer, Magenta. "I am also delighted to welcome Alison Lawton’s return to Magenta’s Board of Directors. Alison brings extensive experience and leadership in both regulatory and business arenas, essential as the Magenta portfolio advances. We look forward to building on the momentum generated in 2020 as we relentlessly focus on execution."

Stem Cell Mobilization and Collection

MGTA-145: Three Phase 2 Clinical Trials Ongoing or Planned

Autologous Stem Cell Transplant of Multiple Myeloma Patients. Previously announced ongoing enrollment continues for the Phase 2 investigator-initiated clinical trial of MGTA-145, used in combination with plerixafor, to mobilize and collect stem cells for autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma patients at Stanford University. Magenta expects that this trial will provide data on stem cell mobilization and collection, durability of engraftment in transplanted patients and disease outcomes, including progression-free survival. Initial data from the study are expected in mid-2021.

Allogeneic Donor Stem Cell Mobilization and Collection for Stem Cell Transplant in AML, ALL and MDS Patients. Through a collaboration with the National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match, Magenta plans to initiate, within the next several weeks, a Phase 2 clinical trial using MGTA-145 to mobilize and collect stem cells from allogeneic donors for transplant in patients with AML, ALL and MDS. This clinical trial will evaluate stem cell mobilization, collection, cell quality, engraftment and disease outcomes, including Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD), which is of particular importance in the allogeneic transplant setting. Initial data from this clinical trial are expected in the second half of 2021.

Sickle Cell Disease – Stem Cell Mobilization and Collection; Cell Characterization; Pre-Clinical Gene Modification Model. In collaboration with bluebird bio, Magenta plans to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial in the second half of 2021 to evaluate MGTA-145, in combination with plerixafor, for the mobilization and collection of stem cells in adults and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD). Each party will characterize the cells and Magenta plans to gene-correct the cells and transplant them into established pre-clinical disease models to evaluate engraftment. Data from this clinical trial could provide proof-of-concept for MGTA-145, in combination with plerixafor, as the preferred mobilization regimen for patients with SCD and, more broadly, across all gene therapy applications where safe, reliable and rapid mobilization of quality stem cells for gene-modification and transplant are necessary components.

About MGTA-145

Magenta is developing MGTA-145 in combination with plerixafor to harness complementary mechanisms to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for collection and transplantation. This combination has the potential to be the preferred mobilization regimen for safe, rapid and reliable mobilization and collection of HSCs and could improve outcomes in autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Targeted Conditioning

MGTA-117: Plans to Initiate Phase 1 Clinical Trial in mid-2021; Initial Safety and Pharmacokinetics (PK) data to be assessed in the fourth quarter of 2021

AML and MDS. Magenta is completing its IND-enabling GLP toxicology studies and GMP manufacturing process for MGTA-117, the first antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidate from the company’s research platform for targeted conditioning of patients prior to receiving a stem cell transplant for blood cancers or gene therapy drug products. Later this month, Magenta expects to complete its initial discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding the design of the first-in-human clinical trial. Magenta expects to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application and, upon approval, plans to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial in mid-2021 to assess the safety and PK in the first cohort of patients in the fourth quarter of 2021.

About MGTA-117

MGTA-117, Magenta’s most advanced conditioning program, is a CD117-targeted antibody engineered for the transplant setting and conjugated to amanitin, a payload in-licensed from Heidelberg Pharma. MGTA-117 is designed to precisely deplete only hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells to clear space in the bone marrow prior to transplant, which supports long-term engraftment and disease outcomes in patients. MGTA-117 has shown high selectivity, potent efficacy, wide safety margins and broad tolerability in non-human primate models.

Cash Guidance

With focused allocation of resources on the Company’s clinical trials and advancement of its research platform, the Company now believes its cash position will fund its operations into the first quarter of 2023.

Alison Lawton Background

Ms. Lawton is an executive leader with more than 30 years of experience in biopharma. She served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Kaleido Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: KLDO) from August 2018 to June 2020, and served as President and Chief Operating Officer from December 2017 to August 2018. Prior to joining Kaleido Biosciences, Inc., Ms. Lawton served as Chief Operating Officer at Aura Biosciences, Inc., an oncology therapeutics company, from January 2015 until December 2017, and, prior to joining Aura, served as a consultant to Aura from March 2014 to December 2014. From January 2013 to January 2014, Ms. Lawton served as Chief Operating Officer at OvaScience Inc., a life sciences company. From 2014 to 2017, Ms. Lawton served as a biotech consultant for various companies, including as Chief Operating Officer consultant at X4 Pharmaceuticals. Prior to that, Ms. Lawton spent more than 20 years in various positions of increasing responsibility including Senior VP and General Manager of Biosurgery and prior, Senior VP of Market Access at Genzyme Corporation, a global biopharmaceutical company, and subsequently at Sanofi S.A., also a global biopharmaceutical company, following the acquisition of Genzyme by Sanofi in 2011. Additionally, Ms. Lawton previously served two terms as the industry representative on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Cell & Gene Therapy Advisory Committee and as Chairman of the Board of the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society. Ms. Lawton currently serves on the boards of directors of ProQR Therapeutics N.V., X4 Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Aeglea Biotherapeutics Inc. Ms. Lawton previously served on the boards of directors of Magenta Therapeutics, Kaleido Biosciences Inc., Verastem, Inc., CoLucid Pharmaceuticals, Inc. prior to its acquisition by Eli Lilly and Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. prior to its acquisition by Merck & Co. Ms. Lawton holds a B.Sc. in pharmacology from Kings College, University of London.

Upcoming Presentations at the 2021 Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (TCT) Annual Meeting

Title: MGTA-145 / Plerixafor-Mediated HSC Mobilization and Intravenous HDAd5/35++ Vector Injection into Mice Allows for Efficient In Vivo HSC Transduction and Stable Gene Marking in Peripheral Blood Cells (Oral Abstract, #16)
Presenting Author: Chang Li, Ph.D., Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
Date and Time of Oral Presentation: Monday, February 8, 2021, 2:30 PM CST

Title: MGTA-145, In Combination with Plerixafor in a Phase 1 Clinical Study, Mobilizes Large Numbers of Hematopoietic Stem Cells and a Graft with Potent Immunosuppressive Properties for Autologous and Allogeneic Transplant (Oral Abstract, #35)
Presenting Author: Kevin Goncalves, Ph.D., Magenta Therapeutics
Date and Time of Oral Presentation: Tuesday, February 9, 2021, 3:00 PM CST

Title: MGTA-456, A CD34 Expanded Cord Blood Product, Permits Selection of Better HLA Matched Units and Results in Rapid Hematopoietic Recovery, Uniform Engraftment and Reduced Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Adults with High-Risk Hematologic Malignancies (Oral Abstract, #31)
Presenting Author: Heather Stefanski, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota
Date and Time of Oral Presentation: Tuesday, February 9, 2021, 3:00 PM CST

Title: A Single Dose of a Novel Anti-Human CD117-Amanitin Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) Engineered for a Short Half-life Provides Dual Conditioning and Anti-Leukemia Activity and Extends Survival Compared to Standard of Care in Multiple Pre-clinical Models of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) (Oral Abstract, #53)
Presenting Author: Leanne Lanieri, M.S., Magenta Therapeutics
Date and Time of Oral Presentation: Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 3:00 PM CST

Title: Targeted CD45 Antibody Drug Conjugate Enables Full Mismatch Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in a Murine HSCT Model as a Single Agent (AML) (Poster #242)
Lead Author: Sharon Hyzy, M.S., Magenta Therapeutics

DiaMedica Therapeutics to Present at the H.C. Wainwright BioConnect Conference

On January 11, 2021 DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: DMAC), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for neurological and kidney diseases, reported that it will be presenting at the H.C. Wainwright BioConnect 2021 Conference, being held virtually between January 11-14, 2021 (Press release, DiaMedica, JAN 11, 2021, https://ir.diamedica.com/news/detail/1609/diamedica-therapeutics-to-present-at-the-h-c-wainwright-bioconnect-conference [SID1234573794]).

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The recorded presentation will be available on the Investors section of the Company’s website at View Source beginning Monday, January 11th.