Catalent Signs Agreement with JOS Pharmaceuticals to Develop Fast-Dissolve Zydis® Formulation for Cannabidiol as an Anesthesia Premedication

On July 13, 2021 Catalent, the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies, development, and manufacturing solutions for drugs, biologics, cell and gene therapies, and consumer health products, reported that it has signed a development agreement with JOS Pharmaceuticals, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on anesthesiology (Press release, Catalent, JUL 13, 2021, https://www.catalent.com/catalent-news/catalent-signs-agreement-with-jos-pharmaceuticals-to-develop-fast-dissolve-zydis-formulation-for-cannabidiol-as-an-anesthesia-premedication/ [SID1234584828]). Under the agreement, Catalent will undertake a feasibility study for the potential development of a licensed cannabidiol (CBD) product for use as an anesthetic premedication using Catalent’s proprietary Zydis orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) technology.

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Zydis technology creates a freeze-dried tablet that disperses almost instantly in the mouth without water, and is recognized as one of the world’s best-performing ODTs. In the feasibility study, scientists at Catalent’s facility in Swindon, U.K., will focus on establishing proof of concept and prototype development of a Zydis formulation of a highly purified, naturally derived CBD. JOS Pharmaceuticals extracts CBD from certified hemp and is developing its se•d8 prescription CBD wafer for awake sedation anesthesia administered for cataract surgery, as well as anxiolysis during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures.

"Our clinical trial product is specifically designed to provide rapid and reliable relaxation for the patient, while still allowing for awake cooperation during the procedure. It would be paradigm changing to replace the DEA controlled drugs used currently as premedication with a safe and effective botanical," said Stephen D. Ochs, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of JOS Pharmaceuticals.

"Zydis is an ideal dose form for the delivery of drugs, as it offers an easy and convenient route of administration for patients that can also assist in the rapid onset of effects," said Jonathan Arnold, President of Oral and Specialty Delivery at Catalent. "CBD derived from hemp is a rapidly evolving market, and our team in Swindon is looking forward to applying its experience and expertise in product development to this licensed program."

Catalent’s 250,000-square foot site in Swindon, U.K. houses the company’s Zydis development and manufacturing operation, which produces more than one billion ODTs annually.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals Announces Rylaze™ (asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn) Investor Webcast on July 20, 2021

On July 13, 2021 Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) reported that the company will host a webcast on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 p.m. IST to provide an update on Rylaze (asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn), which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 30, 2021 (Press release, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, JUL 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234584827]).

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Jazz senior management will be joined by Dr. Luke Maese, associate professor of pediatrics, University of Utah – Huntsman Cancer Institute, Primary Children’s Hospital, to discuss the Rylaze FDA approval, commercial launch and an overview of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) and the need for recombinant, non-E. coli derived asparaginase treatments.

About Rylaze (asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn)
Rylaze, also known as JZP458, is approved in the U.S. for use as a component of a multi-agent chemotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) in pediatric and adult patients one month and older who have developed hypersensitivity to E. coli-derived asparaginase. Rylaze has orphan drug designation for the treatment of ALL/LBL in the United States. Rylaze is a recombinant erwinia asparaginase that uses a novel Pseudomonas fluorescens expression platform. JZP458 was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2019 for the treatment of this patient population. Rylaze was approved as part of the Real-Time Oncology Review program, an initiative of the FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence designed for efficient delivery of safe and effective cancer treatments to patients.

The full U.S. Prescribing Information for Rylaze is available at: <View Source>

Important Safety Information

RYLAZE should not be given to people who have had:

Serious allergic reactions to RYLAZE
Serious swelling of the pancreas (stomach pain), serious blood clots, or serious bleeding during previous asparaginase treatment
RYLAZE may cause serious side effects, including:

Allergic reactions (a feeling of tightness in your throat, unusual swelling/redness in your throat and/or tongue, or trouble breathing), some of which may be life-threatening
Swelling of the pancreas (stomach pain)
Blood clots (may have a headache or pain in leg, arm, or chest)
Bleeding
Liver problems
Contact your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur.

Some of the most common side effects with RYLAZE include: liver problems, nausea, bone and muscle pain, tiredness, infection, headache, fever, allergic reactions, fever with low white blood cell count, decreased appetite, mouth swelling (sometimes with sores), bleeding, and too much sugar in the blood.

RYLAZE can harm your unborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing. Females of reproductive potential should use effective contraception (other than oral contraceptives) during treatment and for 3 months following the final dose. Do not breastfeed while receiving RYLAZE and for 1 week after the final dose.

Antengene Submits New Drug Application for Selinexor in Taiwan for the Treatment of Three Indications in Hematologic Malignancies

On July 13, 2021 Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene", SEHK: 6996.HK), a leading innovative biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing global first-in-class and/or best-in-class therapeutics in hematology and oncology, reported that it has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) for selinexor, a first-in-class XPO1 inhibitor, for three indications: in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (XVd), or in combination with dexamethasone (Xd) for the treatment of patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM); and as monotherapy in adult patients with relapsed and/or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (rrDLBCL), including DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma, who have received at least two lines of systemic therapy (Press release, Antengene, JUL 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234584826]).

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Antengene has submitted New Drug Applications (NDAs) for selinexor in multiple Asia Pacific markets including China, Australia, South Korea, and Singapore, and was granted Priority Review status by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and Orphan Drug Designation by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of South Korea (MFDS). This NDA submitted in Taiwan marks another milestone in Antengene’s expansion in the APAC markets and the company’s effort to address the unmet clinical needs of patients with hematologic malignancies.

Dr. Jay Mei, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Antengene, commented: "Within just nine months, we have submitted NDAs in six APAC markets, demonstrating our commitment to addressing the unmet needs of patients in the APAC region. Our seasoned team has a wealth of experience and depth of insight in product registration and commercialization in the Asia Pacific markets. I am confident that Antengene will deliver on our promise to bring our portfolio of innovative therapies to patients in the APAC markets."

"Selinexor is an anti-tumor drug with a highly novel mechanism of action. It has been approved by the FDA for three indications in two tumor types (MM and DLBCL) in less than two years, demonstrating its broad anti-tumor effects," said Kevin Lynch, Chief Medical Officer of Antengene. "Selinexor treatment in combination with dexamethasone still has 25.3% overall response rate (ORR) in patients who have failed five established therapies (penta-refractory) myeloma; and for patients with multiple myeloma who received at least one prior line of treatment, the median progression-free survival (PFS) is 13.9 months, which is significantly higher than that of the control group receiving bortezomib-based standard of care. In the subgroup analysis, patients who are 65 years or older, with renal insufficiency or high-risk cytogenetics can still achieve significant benefits from the XVd regimen. These are patients who are otherwise very difficult to treat. Finally, selinexor monotherapy can enable patients with rrDLBCL to obtain deep and durable responses with a median duration of response of 23.0 months for patients with complete response. We are therefore very optimistic about the potential efficacy benefits of selinexor combination regimens in DLBCL."

Antengene and Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: KPTI) have entered into an exclusive collaboration and license agreement for the development and commercialization of selinexor and other two XPO1 inhibitors, and a PAK4/NAMPT inhibitor in 17 APAC markets including Mainland China.

About Selinexor (XPOVIO)

Selinexor, a first-in-class and only-in-class oral selective inhibitor of nuclear export (SINE) compound discovered and developed by Karyopharm, is currently being developed by Antengene, which has the exclusive development and commercial rights in certain Asia-Pacific markets, including Greater China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the ASEAN countries.

In July 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved selinexor in combination with low-dose dexamethasone for the treatment of RRMM and in June 2020 approved selinexor as a single-agent for the treatment of rrDLBCL. In December 2020, selinexor also received FDA approval as a combination treatment (XVd) for MM after at least one prior therapy. In February 2021, selinexor was approved by the Israeli Ministry of Health for the treatment of patients with RRMM or rrDLBCL and in March 2021, the European Commission (EC) has granted conditional marketing authorization for selinexor (NEXPOVIO) for the treatment of adult patients with RRMM.

Selinexor is so far the first and only oral SINE compound approved by the FDA and is the first drug approved for the treatment of both MM and DLBCL. Selinexor is also being evaluated in several other mid-and later-phase clinical trials across multiple solid tumor indications, including liposarcoma and endometrial cancer. In November 2020, at the Connective Tissue Oncology Society 2020 Annual Meeting (CTOS 2020), Antengene’s partner, Karyopharm, presented positive results from the Phase III randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, cross-over SEAL trial evaluating single agent, oral selinexor versus matching placebo in patients with liposarcoma. Karyopharm also announced that the ongoing Phase III SIENDO trial of selinexor in patients with endometrial cancer passed the planned interim futility analysis and the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) recommended the trial should proceed as planned without any modifications. Top-line SIENDO trial results are expected in the second half of 2021.

Antengene is currently conducting five late-stage clinical trials of selinexor in China for the treatment of MM, DLBCL, non-small cell lung cancer, and peripheral T and NK/T-cell lymphoma.

PharmaCyte Biotech Announces Stability Test Results on Cells from Master Cell Bank

On July 13, 2021 PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (OTCQB: PMCBD) (OTCQB: PMCB), a biotechnology company focused on developing cellular therapies for cancer and diabetes using its signature live-cell encapsulation technology, Cell-in-a-Box, reported that after 3 years of storage in a vapor phase of liquid nitrogen, the original cytochrome P450 expressing cells from PharmaCyte’s Master Cell Bank (MCB) manufactured by Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories continue to retain their viability and excellent enzymatic activity, both of which are critical stability parameters (Press release, PharmaCyte Biotech, JUL 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234584825]).

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This study is in addition to, and distinct from, the previously positive stability study test results of the CypCaps product after storage at -80C over various timepoints.

The enzymatic activity is the property that causes the activation of low dose ifosfamide in patients and subsequently the killing of their cancerous tumors. Thus, having good enzymatic activity is a direct measure of the effectiveness of the cells. It is important to show stability of the MCB cells since these cells will be used as a resource for continued production of future batches of PharmaCyte’s clinical trial product referred to as CypCaps. For this reason, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requested that the stability of the MCB cells be analyzed.

PharmaCyte’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth L. Waggoner, said, "We are pleased to have generated data on the viability and enzymatic activity of cells from our Master Cell Bank after 3 year’s storage. The study will proceed over the next three years to obtain the maximum stability of the cells from the MCB after continuous storage in liquid nitrogen, ensuring that we have a resource for future production of our CypCaps as this novel therapy makes its way into the clinic."

Illumina to Announce Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results on Thursday, August 5, 2021

On July 13, 2021 Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) reported that it will issue results for the second quarter 2021 following the close of market on Thursday, August 5, 2021 (Press release, Illumina, JUL 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234584824]).

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On the same day, at 2:00 pm Pacific Time (5:00 pm Eastern Time) Francis deSouza, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Sam Samad, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call with analysts, investors, and other interested parties to discuss financial and operating results.

Conference Call Details

The conference call will begin at 2:00 pm Pacific Time (5:00 pm Eastern Time) on Thursday, August 5, 2021. Interested parties may access the live teleconference through the Investor Info section of Illumina’s website under the "company" tab at www.illumina.com. Alternatively, individuals can access the call by dialing 1 (866) 211-4597 or 1 (647) 689-6853 outside North America, both with Conference ID 2850779. To ensure timely connection, please dial in at least ten minutes before the scheduled start of the call.

A replay of the conference call will be posted on Illumina’s website after the event and will be available for at least 30 days following.