Revolution Medicines to Participate in Goldman Sachs 42nd Annual Global Healthcare Conference

On June 2, 2021 Revolution Medicines, Inc. (Nasdaq: RVMD), a clinical-stage precision oncology company developing targeted therapies to inhibit frontier targets in RAS-addicted cancers, reported that the company will participate in the upcoming Goldman Sachs 42nd Annual Global Healthcare Conference (Press release, Revolution Medicines, JUN 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234583391]). Mark A. Goldsmith, M.D., Ph.D., chief executive officer and chairman of Revolution Medicines, will be the featured participant in a fireside chat at the event.

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Details of these company’s participation are as follows:

Goldman Sachs 42nd Annual Global Healthcare Conference
Conference Date: June 8-11, 2021
Fireside Chat Time/Date: 3:00 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Format: Virtual conference; webcast available
To access the live webcast of the fireside chat, please visit the "Events & Presentations" page of Revolution Medicines’ website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be available on the "Events & Presentations" page of the Revolution Medicines’ website for at least 14 days following the conference.

Race Executes Contract to Commence Phase 2 Extramedullary AML Trial

On June 2, 2021 Race Oncology Limited ("Race") reported it has appointed the Contract Research Organisation (CRO), Parexel International, to support an open label Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) extramedullary Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) (Press release, Race Oncology, JUN 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234583390]).

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The trial will be led by Principal Investigator Associate Professor Anoop Enjeti, Director of Haematology at the Calvary Mater Newcastle and John Hunter Hospitals.

Dr Enjeti is a highly experienced clinical haematologist having designed and led more than 25 clinical trials. Dr Enjeti is the co-chair of the MDS/AML working party for the Australasian Lymphoma and Leukemia Group (ALLG) for Cooperative Clinical Trials.

Extramedullary AML
Extramedullary AML occurs when leukaemia spreads from the bone marrow and forms solid tumours in tissues such as the skin, breast, kidney, brain, or other organs. A 2020 prospective positron imaging trial identified that up to 22% of AML patients have the extramedullary form1. Extramedullary AML patients have no clinically approved treatments and limited experimental treatment options, with many clinical trials explicitly excluding this difficult to treat form of AML.

A recent Phase 2 clinical trial in r/r AML patients treated with Bisantrene by a team led by Prof Arnon Nagler of the Chiam Sheba Medical Center, Israel reported a 100% clinical response rate (4/4 patients) in those patients with the extramedullary form of this deadly cancer (ASX announcement: 16 June 2020).

Clinical Trial Design
This open label Phase 1/2 trial will recruit approximately 60 patients with 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging-identified extramedullary AML at 10 clinical sites across Australia using a two-stratum (arm) design. The first stratum will utilise Bisantrene as a high dose, single agent, treatment over 7 days in patients with extramedullary AML who are able to tolerate high intensity chemotherapy, followed by one or more cycles of consolidation treatment of Bisantrene in combination with azacitidine, a standard of care drug.

The second stratum will use Bisantrene as a low dose FTO-targeted agent in combination with the oral hypomethylating agent, Inqovi (decitabine and cedazuridine) for patients unable to tolerate high intensity chemotherapy. Published preclinical data from the City of Hope Hospital by Prof Chen’s team identified that Bisantrene is able to synergize with decitabine2. In mouse models of AML the combination provided improved therapeutic efficacy with, lower toxicity compared to when either drug was used alone3.

The primary endpoint for both strata will be complete response (CR) and complete response with incomplete haematological recovery (CRi) with an aim of bridging to an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Key secondary endpoints include safety and tolerability of Bisantrene, overall and event-free survival, and the level of FTO expression with response to treatment.

Indicative Costs and Timelines
The trial is expected to take 36 to 40 months to complete with full patient recruitment over approximately 18 months. Treatment of the first patient is targeted for Q4 CY 2021, subject to human ethics approval of the study and patient recruitment.

Race will pay Parexel an initial fee of $1.11 million under the Start Up Agreement (SUA). Additional payments will be made to Parexel under the Master Service Agreement (MSA) throughout the study upon reaching key milestones and will depend on the number of patients recruited and other operational variables.

Due to the adaptive nature of this study, the total study costs cannot be determined at this stage.

Race CSO Daniel Tillett said: "We are excited to begin this study with the twin aims of exploring the use of Bisantrene to treat FTO overexpressing cancers and bring it to market as a heart safer orphan drug treatment for AML. This trial will be transformational for Race and our shareholders."

Race CEO & MD Phillip Lynch said: "This study supports our Pillar 3 registration ambition to see Bisantrene’s historical safety and efficacy in AML demonstrated with superior drug combinations that may benefit patients who remain challenged by initial treatment failures."

Clinical Trial Summary
Study Title An open label Phase 1/2 study of high dose Bisantrene with cytarabine arabinoside (Ara-C) or low dose Bisantrene with oral decitabine for treatment of relapsed or refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (r/r AML) patients with extramedullary disease (BISECT)
Phase of Development Phase 1/2
Active Ingredient Bisantrene dihydrochloride
Study Description A two stratum trial of Bisantrene in patients with extramedullary AML diagnosed by 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging.
Principal Investigator A/Prof Anoop Enjeti
Sponsor Race Oncology
Indication/population Adult men and women ≥18 years of age with relapsed and/ or refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (R/R AML) presenting with non-CNS extramedullary disease.
Number of Subjects Stratum 1: up to 30 patients Stratum 2: 4 -10 patients (dose escalation); up to 30 patients in the expansion phase
Study Period 36 – 40 months
Study Design This is a two strata Phase 2, open-label study of high dose Bisantrene treatment given as a monotherapy induction and in combination with Ara-C as consolidation (Stratum 1) and lower dose Bisantrene in combination with decitabine (Inqovi) (Stratum 2) in patients with extramedullary r/r AML. As the patient population is considered relapsed and/or refractory to existing treatments, a comparator arm will not be used.
Statistical methods Bayesian Optimal Interval (BOIN) model-based design based on observed response rate of 30% for RR AML where the true response rate is expected to be <20% applying a 90% power.
End Points Primary: Achievement of a morphological overall response, i.e. complete response (CR) or complete response with incomplete count recovery (CRi), after commencing cycle 1 and before commencement of cycle 2. Key Secondary: Achievement of a PET/radiologic overall response, i.e. complete or partial metabolic response, after cycles 1, 2 and 4. Other Secondary: FTO status, event free survival, overall survival
Participating Centres 10 ALLG participating sites across Australia
Start Date First patient In: Q4 CY2021
End Date Last Patient In (anticipated): Q2 CY2023
End Date Last Patient In (anticipated): Q2 CY2023

Portage Biotech Highlights Safety and Survival Data from Intensity Therapeutics’ IT-01 Study of INT230-6 (PORT-1) at ASCO 2021 Annual Meeting

On June 2, 2021 Portage Biotech Inc., (NASDAQ: PRTG) ("Portage" or the "Company") a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company focused on the development of therapies targeting cancer treatment resistance, reported that Intensity Therapeutics will present interim data from the Phase 2 portion of its IT-01 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of INT230-6 (PORT-1) as both a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab or ipilimumab in solid tumors at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) meeting, taking place virtually June 4-8 (Press release, Portage Biotech, JUN 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234583389]).

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PORT-1 is a novel intratumoral amphiphilic formulation developed by Intensity Therapeutics, a company affiliated with Portage. It delivers potent cancer-killing agents directly into the tumor to immediately reduce cancer burden, break down the cytokine wall, and recruit immune cells to attack residual disease.

Preliminary safety and survival data from the IT-01 trial demonstrate that both INT230-6 (PORT-1) monotherapy and combination therapy are well-tolerated with direct tumor-killing effects and generate abscopal responses likely from antigen presentation and immune activation. The data for PORT-1 as a monotherapy demonstrated an estimated 62% of patients alive at one year across all tumor types, with an estimated 78% survival at one year for patients who received ≥50% of the tumor dosed. Preliminary estimates for patients who received the pembrolizumab combination indicate approximately 88% alive at one year. The estimated median overall survival (mOS) was approximately 23.8 months in a heavily pre-treated mixed sarcoma population compared to 4-6 month expected mOS in a historical patient population with similar prognostic features.

"The toxicity of current standard of care treatments often creates systemic effects throughout the body which may impact the quality of life of cancer patients. With INT230-6 (PORT-1) and the amphiphilic intratumoral platform, we aim to limit these effects and increase the potency of this immunotherapy treatment through direct delivery of cancer-killing agents into targeted tumors to stimulate antigen presentation," said Dr. Ian Walters, chief executive officer of Portage Biotech. "We are encouraged by the promising safety and survival data of the IT-01 trial as it has now demonstrated proof of concept in humans. We look forward to further evaluation and additional clinical data reads from PORT-1 studies, conducted in collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb and Merck, over the next 12-18 months."

The IT-01 trial is governed by joint development committees with Bristol Myers Squibb and Merck, in which Dr. Walters contributes as a representative of Intensity Therapeutics.

For more information on the data being presented, please see abstract numbers 11557 and 2592. To view the full announcement from Intensity Therapeutics, visit their website at www.intensitytherapeutics.com.

About PORT-1

INT230-6 (PORT-1) contains amphiphilic molecules combined with anti-cancer payloads, offering a next-generation formulation to safely deliver up to three times the systemic dose of cancer-killing agents directly into tumors. PORT-1 breaks down the cytokine wall and stimulates immune cells to process tumor antigens and attack residual disease. Used alone or in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, PORT-1 may lead to improved survival with dramatically fewer unwanted side effects. PORT-1 has received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for triple-negative breast cancer, demonstrating the importance of ongoing drug development and improved therapies for this aggressive type of cancer. Select members of the Portage management team contribute to the development efforts led by Intensity Therapeutics.

Pascal Biosciences Announces New OTC Markets trading Symbol PSCBF

On June 2, 2021 Pascal Biosciences Inc. ("Pascal" or the "Company") (TSXV:PAS) (OTC:BIMUF), a biotechnology company that specializes in cancer, cannabinoids, and Covid-19 reported the closing of the second tranche of the non-brokered private placement announced on November 2, 2020, January 19, 2021 and January 22, 2021 (the "Private Placement") (Press release, Pascal Biosciences, JUN 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234583388]). Participants included long-term shareholders, new shareholders, and Company insiders. "This financing will greatly help Pascal move our programs forward. It’s encouraging to see the confidence of our long term shareholders and we welcome our new shareholders", stated CEO Patrick Gray. "Mark van der Horst, our vice president of Corporate Communications, has done a great job of presenting the Pascal story, and we will continue to actively deliver positive messaging to investors."

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The second tranche consists of 1,900,000 units (each a "Unit") for gross proceeds of $190,000. The first tranche closed on February 8, 2021 and the Company issued 5,600,000 Units for gross proceeds of $560,000. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Share") and one Share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional Share at a price of $0.15 per Share for a period of 24 months from the date of closing, subject to an exercise acceleration clause. Under the exercise acceleration clause, which the Company may exercise once the Units are free of resale restrictions and if the Company’s Shares are trading at or above a volume weighted average price of $0.40 for 10 consecutive trading days, the Warrants will expire upon 30 days from the date the Company provides notice in writing to the Warrant holders via a news release.

The Company paid $1,365 in finder’s fees related to the second tranche of the Private Placement.

Certain directors and officers of the Company acquired 1,255,000 Units under the Private Placement. Any such participation is considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61 -101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The transaction will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of any shares issued to, or the consideration paid by such persons, will exceed 25% of the Company’s market capitalization.

The proceeds from the sale of Units will be added to working capital in furtherance of the Company’s business.

The securities issued under the Private Placement are subject to a four-month and one day hold period. The private placement is subject to final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange upon filing of final documents.

ORIC Pharmaceuticals Reports Initial Clinical Data Being Presented at ASCO from Phase 1b Trial of ORIC-101 in Combination with Nab-Paclitaxel

On June 2, 2021 ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ORIC), a clinical stage oncology company focused on developing treatments that address mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, reported initial data from an ongoing Phase 1b study evaluating ORIC-101, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, in combination with nab-paclitaxel, in advanced solid tumors. The data will also be presented in two posters at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting to be held June 4 – 8, 2021 (Press release, ORIC Pharmaceuticals, JUN 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234583387]).

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"We are excited to share initial data from our ORIC-101 clinical program in patients with advanced solid tumors. We are pleased that the combination was well tolerated without evidence of drug-drug interaction and has demonstrated both tumor regression and prolonged stable disease in multiple heavily pretreated tumors," said Pratik S. Multani, MD, chief medical officer. "Although early, we are particularly intrigued by the potential benefit seen in patients with late-line relapsed pancreatic cancer previously treated with nab-paclitaxel, as any retreatment benefit in such patients would not be expected. We are continuing to enroll patients in the expansion cohorts and look forward to reporting updated data from the Phase 1b trial in 2022."

"Having been involved with this study from its design stage, I feel we have developed an optimal combination for this heavily pretreated patient population," said Professor Pamela Munster, MD, Director of the University of California San Francisco’s Early Phase Clinical Trials Unit, and trial investigator and senior author of the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) poster. "I’m impressed by the extended time on treatment we’ve seen in patients with late-line pancreatic cancer; seeing clinical activity in these patients is quite remarkable."

Trial Design and Initial Results from Phase 1b Clinical Trial

The Phase 1b clinical trial of ORIC-101 in combination with nab-paclitaxel is a single arm, multicenter, open-label study conducted in two parts, intended to establish the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D), safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary antitumor activity when administered to patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

In the Part I dose escalation portion of the study, five cohorts of patients across multiple solid tumors were enrolled to evaluate ORIC-101 doses ranging from 80 to 240 mg administered orally in both intermittent and continuous once daily dosing regimens, in combination with either 75 or 100 mg/m2 nab-paclitaxel. Following the completion of the dose escalation portion of the study, the RP2D was determined to be 160 mg of ORIC-101 continuous once daily dosing and 75 mg/m2 of nab-paclitaxel on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle, without requirement for prophylactic granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF).

For the Part II dose expansion portion of the study, up to 132 patients are expected to be enrolled across four cohorts, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), ovarian cancer, triple negative breast cancer, and other advanced solid tumors. Enrollment continues in the Part II dose expansion cohorts at 12 clinical sites across the United States. Patients in the dose expansion portion of the study are required to have previously progressed on a taxane-based therapy, with retrospective analysis of GR expression and other potentially predictive biomarkers.

Safety Analyses:

As of March 31, 2021, a total of 31 patients were enrolled across Parts I/II of the study, which included 12 patients treated at non-RP2D doses and 19 patients treated at the RP2D of 160 mg of ORIC-101 continuous once daily dosing and 75 mg/m2 of nab-paclitaxel.
Patients treated at the RP2D were heavily pretreated, with a median of four prior therapies, and all had previously received a taxane-based therapy.
As of the database cutoff date of April 21, 2021, the RP2D was well tolerated; treatment-related adverse events were primarily Grade 1 or 2, with only three Grade 3 events, which all resolved with dose interruption.
There were no treatment-related discontinuations and no requirement for prophylactic G-CSF at the RP2D.
Preliminary Antitumor Activity (as of the database cutoff date of April 21, 2021):

The efficacy evaluable population included a total of 23 patients who had an opportunity for at least one on-treatment tumor assessment.
Five partial responses were observed, one confirmed and four unconfirmed, including in heavily pretreated patients with PDAC, endometrial and breast cancers, who previously progressed on or after a taxane-based therapy.
Further evidence of antitumor activity was demonstrated by prolonged disease stabilization across multiple solid tumors, including PDAC, breast, gastric, esophageal, and testicular cancers.
Notably, three of the four efficacy evaluable patients with late-line relapsed PDAC treated at the RP2D demonstrated extended progression free survival ranging from 3.6 months to 5.3+ months in the third-line or later setting, despite having already previously progressed on nab-paclitaxel.
The poster presentations will be on the ORIC website on June 4, 2021.

ORIC-101 is also being evaluated in a Phase 1b trial in combination with Xtandi (enzalutamide) in metastatic prostate cancer, which is also currently enrolling to the dose expansion portion of the study, and initial interim safety, efficacy, and translational data are expected in the second half of 2021.

Webcast and Conference Call

ORIC will host a conference call and webcast, today at 5:00 p.m. ET. To participate in the conference call, please dial (833) 651-0991 (domestic) or (918) 922-6080 (international) and refer to conference ID 4783288. A live webcast and audio archive of the conference call will be available through the investor section of the company’s website at www.oricpharma.com. The webcast will be available for replay for 90 days following the presentation.

About ORIC-101

ORIC-101 is a potent and selective small molecule antagonist of the glucocorticoid receptor, which has been linked to resistance to multiple classes of cancer therapeutics across a variety of solid tumors. Preclinical in vitro and in vivo data suggest ORIC-101 is able to address key resistance mechanisms of multiple classes of cancer treatments, including taxanes and androgen receptor modulators. Based on preclinical and clinical studies, ORIC-101 is expected to have reduced drug-drug interaction liabilities than other glucocorticoid receptor antagonists. Currently, there are no glucocorticoid receptor antagonists approved by the FDA for the treatment of cancer. Following the successful completion of two Phase 1a trials in over 50 healthy volunteers, ORIC initiated two separate Phase 1b trials of ORIC-101 in combination with (1) Abraxane (nab-paclitaxel) in advanced or metastatic solid tumors and (2) Xtandi (enzalutamide) in metastatic prostate cancer.