On January 25, 2021 MorphoSys (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, MDAX & TecDAX; NASDAQ: MOR) and I-Mab (NASDAQ: IMAB) reported that the first patient has been dosed in a phase 1 dose escalation study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of MOR210/ TJ210 monotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory advanced solid tumors in the United States (Press release, MorphoSys, JAN 25, 2021, View Source [SID1234574257]).

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MOR210/TJ210 is a monoclonal antibody developed by MorphoSys that is directed against complement factor C5a receptor 1 (C5aR1). Produced in the tumoral microenvironment, its ligand C5a acts as a chemoattractant to recruit tumor-promoting cells such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells, M2 macrophages and neutrophils. MOR210/TJ210 is designed to induce anti-tumor properties by blocking the activation and migration of C5aR1-expressing myeloid cells.

Preclinical studies have shown that targeting the C5aR-C5a axis exerts anti-tumor activity with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Furthermore, in vitro activity was observed for blocking the C5a/C5aR pathway also at very high C5a concentrations leading to a long duration of action. MOR210/TJ210 demonstrated a good safety profile with no observed adverse effects up to the highest dose tested in non-clinical safety studies.

The phase 1 clinical trial is an open-label dose escalation study with multiple doses in multiple centers in the U.S. to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and PK/PD of MOR210/TJ210 in subjects with advanced solid tumors. The development program will evolve into further clinical combination studies of MOR210/TJ210 with checkpoint inhibitors.

"We are encouraged by the data observed in the preclinical studies and believe that TJ210/MOR210 with its unique properties has great potential to target difficult-to-treat cancers," said Dr. Joan Shen, CEO of I-Mab. "The data generated from this study will provide valuable information about TJ210/MOR210’s safety and tolerability profile and its potential benefits in patients with advanced cancers."

"We look forward to progressing with MOR210/TJ210 into clinical studies together with I-Mab to investigate its potential as a novel therapeutic option for patients with advanced solid tumors," said Dr. Malte Peters, Chief Research & Development Officer of MorphoSys.

MorphoSys will receive a $1.5 million payment from I-Mab for achieving this milestone under the license agreement between the two companies. MorphoSys and I-Mab entered into an exclusive strategic collaboration and licensing agreement to develop and commercialize MOR210/TJ210 in November 2018. Under the terms of agreement, I-Mab receives exclusive rights to develop and commercialize MOR210/TJ210 in Greater China and South Korea, while MorphoSys retains rights in other parts of the world. With support from MorphoSys, I-Mab will also fund and conduct all global development activities of MOR210/TJ210, including clinical trials in China and the U.S., towards clinical proof-of-concept (PoC) in oncology.

About MOR210/TJ210
MOR210/TJ210 is a novel human antibody directed against C5aR1 derived from MorphoSys’s HuCAL Platinum(R) technology. C5aR1, the receptor of the complement factor C5a, is investigated as a potential new drug target in the field of immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases. Tumors have been shown to produce high amounts of C5a, which, by recruiting and activating myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), M2 macrophages and neutrophils, is assumed to contribute to an immune-suppressive pro-tumorigenic microenvironment. MOR210/TJ210 is intended to block the interaction between C5a and its receptor, thereby potentially neutralizing the immune suppressive function of C5a and enabling immune cells to attack the tumor.

HuCAL Platinum(R) is a registered trademark of MorphoSys AG.

On January 25, 2021 Junshi Biosciences (HKEX: 1877; SSE: 688180), an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies, reported that U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted toripalimab Fast Track designation for the first-line treatment of mucosal melanoma (Press release, Shanghai Junshi Bioscience, JAN 25, 2021, View Source [SID1234574255]). Meanwhile, the FDA has also approved the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for a global Phase III trial of Toripalimab in combination with Axitinib versus Pembrolizumab for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced mucosal melanoma (Combination Clinical Trial).

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About Toripalimab
Toripalimab was the first domestic anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody approved for marketing in China. More than thirty company-sponsored clinical studies covering more than fifteen indications have been conducted globally, including in China and the United States. On December 17, 2018, Toripalimab obtained a conditional approval from the National Medical Products Administration (the "NMPA") for the second-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma. Toripalimab was included in the 2019 and 2020 Guidelines of Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Melanoma. Two supplemental New Drug Applications (NDAs) of Toripalimab for the third-line treatment of recurrent/metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma and the second-line treatment of metastatic urothelial carcinoma were accepted by the NMPA in April and May 2020, respectively. Both supplemental NDAs received priority review designations from the NMPA in July 2020. In addition, Toripalimab for the treatment of recurrent/metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma was granted the Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by the FDA in September 2020. In December 2020, Toripalimab was included in the updated National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) (2020 Edition).

About Combination Clinical Trial
The Combination Clinical Trial is an international, multi-center, randomized Phase III study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Toripalimab in combination with Axitinib versus Pembrolizumab as a first-line treatment in patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic mucosal melanoma. The trial intends to enroll 220 patients who will be randomized at 1:1 ratio into two study arms. The primary endpoint of the Combination Clinical Trial is progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints include objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), overall survival (OS), and safety.

Mucosal melanoma is a subtype of melanoma with mucosal origin. Compared with cutaneous melanoma, mucosal melanoma is less responsive to traditional chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and thus remains an unmet medical need. Toripalimab and Axitinib combination was the world’s first clinical application of PD-1 checkpoint blockade with a VEGFR inhibitor for the treatment of mucosal melanoma in a Phase Ib study (NCT03086174). The results of the study were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in August 2019. The study showed that the combination of Toripalimab with Axitinib in the first-line setting achieved an ORR of 48.3% and a disease control rate (DCR) of 86.2% for advanced mucosal melanoma with a manageable safety profile. The median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 7.5 months. In March 2020, Toripalimab in combination with Axitinib for the treatment of mucosal melanoma was granted the Orphan-Drug Designation (ODD) by the FDA.

About Fast Track Designation (FTD)
The FTD aims to facilitate the development and accelerate the review process of treatments for serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions that remain unmet clinical needs. The FTD is designed to make important new drugs accessible to patients faster. According to FDA regulations, drugs that receive FTDs will be granted an accelerated review process through various forms, including but not limited to (1) more frequent interactions and meetings with the FDA to discuss drug development and clinical trial design; (2) eligibility for priority review and accelerated approval after meeting relevant criteria; (3) rolling review, which means instead of waiting until all sections of the NDA are completed, a company can submit completed sections of its biologic license application (BLA) or new drug application (NDA) for review on a rolling basis.

The FTD will significantly accelerate the research, development, and marketing of Toripalimab in the United States. This marks another important milestone, after Toripalimab was granted the ODD and the BTD by the FDA.

On January 25, 2021 Precision BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: DTIL) a clinical stage biotechnology company dedicated to improving life with its wholly proprietary ARCUS genome editing platform, reported it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a patent application covering PBCAR19B, a next-generation, stealth cell, CD19 product candidate for patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) (Press release, Precision Biosciences, JAN 25, 2021, View Source [SID1234574253]).

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The allowed composition claims of U.S. Patent Application No. 16/908,030 encompass genetically-modified human T cells comprising the Company’s PBCAR19B construct, which is inserted within the T cell receptor alpha constant (TRAC) locus. Once issued, patents arising from this patent family will have standard expiration dates in April 2040.

"This patent, when issued, will cover important design elements of our PBCAR19B stealth cell candidate, which is engineered to knock down expression of beta-2 microglobulin to reduce killing of CAR T cells by cytotoxic T cells, and to reduce CAR T cell rejection by natural killer cells," said Derek Jantz, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of Precision BioSciences. "Additionally, PBCAR19B CAR T cells are generated using a single gene editing step by inserting one cassette, encoding all the necessary elements, into the TRAC locus. Not only will this patent strengthen our intellectual property portfolio, it will further distinguish our ARCUS-based allogeneic CAR T development approach."

About PBCAR19B

PBCAR19B is a next-generation, stealth cell candidate for patients with CD19-positive malignancies such as relapsed/refractory Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. PBCAR19B is designed to improve the persistence of allogeneic CAR T cells following infusion by reducing rejection by T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. In addition to the CAR gene, the stealth vector includes a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) that suppresses expression of beta-2 microglobulin (B2M), a component of Class 1 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules found on the cell surface. Reducing or knocking down Class 1 MHC expression on allogeneic CAR T cells has been shown to reduce CAR T cell killing by cytotoxic T cells. The stealth vector also carries an HLA-E gene intended to reduce rejection of CAR T cells by NK cells that can be stimulated as a result of reduced MHC molecule expression on the cell surface. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted the Investigational New Drug application for PBCAR19B, and the Phase 1 clinical study is expected to begin by mid-2021.

On January 25, 2021 Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL) reported that initiation of the first-in-human phase 1 trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and preliminary anti-tumor activity of XL102 alone or in combination with other anti-cancer agents in patients with inoperable locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors (Press release, Exelixis, JAN 25, 2021, View Source [SID1234574252]). XL102 is a potent, selective and orally bioavailable inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7), an important regulator of the cell cycle that has been implicated in cancer.

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"The initiation of our first-in-human phase 1 trial of XL102 is an important step in our commitment to developing novel medicines that can help patients with cancer," said Gisela Schwab, M.D., President, Product Development and Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, Exelixis. "The potential of this novel CDK7 inhibitor has been shown in preclinical studies demonstrating anti-proliferative activity and an ability to induce cell death in multiple cancer cell lines. We are excited to begin this trial and look forward to the possibility of helping more patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors."

The XL102-101 trial is a phase 1, open-label dose-escalation and cohort-expansion study evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, anti-tumor activity and effect on biomarkers of XL102 administered orally alone and in multiple combination regimens in up to 298 patients with advanced solid tumors. The study will include patients with advanced solid tumors for whom either life-prolonging therapies do not exist or available therapies are intolerable or no longer effective. It will begin with a dose-escalation stage to determine the maximum tolerated dose or recommended dose of XL102 as a single agent and in combination therapy. In the subsequent cohort-expansion stage, XL102 will be evaluated in patients with certain types of ovarian, breast and prostate cancers. The goal of the cohort-expansion stage is to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of XL102, as assessed per the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1, as well as its safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic profile.

About XL102

XL102 is a potent, selective and orally bioavailable covalent inhibitor of CDK7, which is an important regulator of the cellular transcriptional and cell cycle machinery. CDK7 helps regulate cell cycle progression, with overexpression observed in multiple cancers, such as breast and gastric. In preclinical studies, XL102 revealed potent anti-proliferative activity, induced cell death in a large panel of cancer cell lines and caused tumor growth inhibition and regression in xenograft models, demonstrating its potential as a targeted antitumor agent.

XL102 (previously known as AUR102) was in-licensed by Exelixis from Aurigene in 2020. Exelixis has assumed responsibility for the future clinical development, commercialization and global manufacturing of XL102.

On January 25, 2021 AstraZeneca’s Calquence (acalabrutinib), a next-generation, selective Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, reported that it has been approved in Japan for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) (including small lymphocytic lymphoma [SLL]) (Press release, AstraZeneca, JAN 25, 2021, View Source [SID1234574251]).

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The approval by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare was based on positive results from the ASCEND Phase III trial and a Phase I trial in Japanese patients, showing Calquence monotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) versus a standard treatment of rituximab, a monoclonal antibody, combined with the physician’s choice of idelalisib, a PI3-kinase inhibitor or bendamustine, a chemotherapy.

In the ASCEND trial, Calquence reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 69% (hazard ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.20-0.49, p<0.0001). These results were published in Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2020.1

CLL is the most common type of adult leukaemia across the globe but is considered a rare disease in Japan and East Asia, representing between 1% and 2% of patients diagnosed with leukaemia.2-4

Dai Maruyama, MD, PhD, Director, Department of Hematology and Oncology, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan said: "Today’s news marks great progress for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in Japan. As the ASCEND trial showed, Calquence provides a significant improvement in progression-free survival compared with current standard therapies. Treatment with a safe and tolerable regimen remains paramount for these patients who often require ongoing therapy for many years."

Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, said: "Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is less prevalent in Japan than other regions, yet patients remain in need of innovative treatment options. This approval of Calquence offers patients in Japan a new, chemo-free, tolerable treatment option with uncompromised efficacy and the potential to positively impact quality of life."

In the ASCEND Phase III trial, an estimated 88% of patients with relapsed or refractory CLL treated with Calquence remained alive and free from disease progression after 12 months compared with 68% of patients on rituximab combined with idelalisib or bendamustine. After a median follow up of 16.1 months, median PFS was not reached with Calquence monotherapy versus 16.5 months in the control arm.1

The safety and tolerability of Calquence were consistent with its established profile.1 Final results of the ASCEND Phase III trial were presented at the 2020 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and 2020 European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) virtual meetings and demonstrated the long-term (median 22-month follow-up) efficacy and tolerability of Calquence in CLL.5,6

Calquence is approved for the treatment of CLL and SLL in the US and is approved for the treatment of CLL in the EU and in several other countries worldwide in the 1st-line and relapsed or refractory settings. Calquence is also approved in the US and several other countries for the treatment of adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy. Calquence is not currently approved for the treatment of MCL in Japan or the EU.

As part of a broad development programme, Calquence is being assessed in more than 20 AstraZeneca-sponsored clinical trials for the treatment of patients with B-cell malignancies including CLL, MCL, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia, follicular lymphoma, and other haematologic malignancies.

A Japanese Phase I/II trial based on the ELEVATE TN Phase III trial is currently underway for the treatment of 1st-line CLL.

CLL
CLL is the most common type of leukaemia in adults, with an estimated 114,000 new cases globally in 2017, and the number of people living with CLL is expected to grow with improved treatment as patients live longer with the disease.7-10 In CLL, too many blood stem cells in the bone marrow become abnormal lymphocytes and these abnormal cells have difficulty fighting infections. As the number of abnormal cells grows there is less room for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This could result in anaemia, infection, and bleeding.7 B-cell receptor signalling through BTK is one of the essential growth pathways for CLL.

ASCEND
ASCEND (ACE-CL-309) was a global, randomised, multicentre, open-label Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy of Calquence in patients with relapsed or refractory CLL. In the trial, 310 patients were randomised (1:1) into two arms. Patients in the first arm received Calquence monotherapy (100mg twice daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity). Patients in the second arm received physician’s choice of either rituximab, a CD20 monoclonal antibody, in combination with idelalisib, a PI3-kinase inhibitor, or rituximab in combination with bendamustine, a chemotherapy.1

The primary endpoint was PFS assessed by an Independent Review Committee (IRC), and key secondary endpoints included investigator-assessed PFS, IRC- and investigator-assessed overall response rate and duration of response, as well as overall survival, patient-reported outcomes and time to next treatment.1 ASCEND is the first randomised Phase III trial to directly compare a BTK inhibitor as monotherapy to these combinations in relapsed or refractory CLL.

AstraZeneca in haematology
Leveraging its strength in oncology, AstraZeneca has established haematology as one of four key oncology disease areas of focus. The Company’s haematology franchise includes two medicines approved in the US and a robust global development programme for a broad portfolio of potential blood cancer treatments. Acerta Pharma serves as AstraZeneca’s haematology research and development arm. AstraZeneca partners with like-minded science-led companies to advance the discovery and development of therapies to address unmet need.

AstraZeneca in oncology
AstraZeneca has a deep-rooted heritage in oncology and offers a quickly growing portfolio of new medicines that has the potential to transform patients’ lives and the Company’s future. With seven new medicines launched between 2014 and 2020, and a broad pipeline of small molecules and biologics in development, the Company is committed to advance oncology as a key growth driver for AstraZeneca focused on lung, ovarian, breast and blood cancers.

By harnessing the power of six scientific platforms – Immuno-Oncology, Tumour Drivers and Resistance, DNA Damage Response, Antibody Drug Conjugates, Epigenetics, and Cell Therapies – and by championing the development of personalised combinations, AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer treatment and one day eliminate cancer as a cause of death.