On September 29, 2021 Novartis reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Scemblix (asciminib) for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in two distinct indications (Press release, Novartis, SEP 29, 2021, View Source [SID1234593968]). The FDA granted Scemblix accelerated approval for adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive CML in chronic phase (Ph+ CML-CP) previously treated with two or more tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), based on major molecular response (MMR) rate at 24 weeks; and full approval for adult patients with Ph+ CML-CP with the T315I mutation1. In accordance with the Accelerated Approval Program, continued approval for the first indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit from confirmatory evidence1. Scemblix is the first FDA-approved CML treatment that works by binding to the ABL myristoyl pocket, and represents an important development for patients who experience resistance and/or intolerance to currently available TKI therapies1-3. Also known as a STAMP inhibitor in scientific literature, Scemblix is being studied across multiple treatment lines for CML-CP, including the ASC4FIRST Phase III study evaluating Scemblix as a first-line treatment2-18.

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"The introduction of TKIs twenty years ago revolutionized treatment for CML; however, there remain many patients who do not respond adequately to at least two available treatments and often experience challenging side effects that add a burden to their daily lives," said Lee Greenberger, Chief Scientific Officer at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. "The approval of Scemblix may offer hope to patients by addressing gaps in CML care."

For many patients, current treatment for CML may be limited by intolerance or resistance, and sequential use of available TKIs is associated with increased failure rates19-26. In an analysis of patients with CML treated with two prior TKIs, approximately 55% reported intolerance to previous treatment27. Additionally, a pooled analysis in the second-line setting showed that up to 70% of patients are unable to achieve major molecular response (MMR) within two years of follow-up28-30. Moreover, patients who develop the T315I mutation are resistant to most available TKIs, leaving them at an increased risk of disease progression4.

"CML can be difficult to treat when currently available treatments fail patients, when treatment side effects cannot be tolerated, or sometimes both," expressed Dr. Michael J. Mauro**, Hematologist and Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Program Leader at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). "The addition of Scemblix into the CML treatment landscape gives us a novel approach to combat this blood cancer, helping address clinical challenges in patients struggling after switching to a second treatment, as well as in patients who develop the T315I mutation and face significantly worse outcomes."

The FDA approval of Scemblix is based on results from the Phase III ASCEMBL trial and a Phase I (NCT02081378) study that included patients with Ph+ CML-CP with the T315I mutation.

In patients with Ph+ CML-CP who had experienced resistance or intolerance to at least two TKIs, the ASCEMBL trial showed that1-3:

Scemblix nearly doubled the MMR rate vs. Bosulif (bosutinib)* at 24 weeks (25% vs. 13% [P=0.029])
The proportion of patients who discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions was more than three times lower in the Scemblix arm (n = 156) vs. patients in the Bosulif arm (n = 76) (7% vs. 25%)
The most common (incidence ≥ 20%) adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities in the Scemblix arm were, respectively: upper respiratory tract infections and musculoskeletal pain; decrease in platelet and neutrophil counts, decrease in hemoglobin; increase in triglycerides, creatine kinase and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
"After more than two decades of reimagining CML care, we continue to boldly push the boundaries of innovation to transform the standard-of-care and help even more patients living with this disease," said Susanne Schaffert, PhD, President, Novartis Oncology. "We would like to thank all those who have been involved in helping to advance this new and important breakthrough."

Scemblix is currently available for physicians to prescribe to appropriate patients in the US.

Additional efficacy and safety details for Scemblix, including data on patients with the T315I mutation, and full Prescribing Information can be found at View Source

About Scemblix (asciminib)
Scemblix (asciminib) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Ph+ CML-CP pre-treated with two or more TKIs, as well as adult patients with Ph+ CML-CP with the T315I mutation1. The first indication is approved under the US FDA Accelerated Approval Program based on MMR rate at 24 weeks; continued approval for the first indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit from confirmatory evidence.

Scemblix is the first FDA-approved CML treatment that binds to the ABL myristoyl pocket1. This novel mechanism of action, also known in scientific literature as a STAMP inhibitor, may help address resistance in patients with CML previously treated with two or more TKIs and overcome mutations at the defective BCR-ABL1 gene, which is associated with the over-production of leukemic cells2-11. Scemblix has also been shown to limit off-target activity in pre-clinical studies31.

Novartis has initiated regulatory filings for Scemblix in multiple countries and regions across the globe.

Scemblix represents an important development for patients who experience resistance and/or intolerance to currently available TKI therapies, and it is being studied across multiple treatment lines for CML-CP 2-18. Specifically, the ASC4FIRST Phase III study (NCT04971226) evaluates Scemblix as a first-line treatment and is in the recruitment phase13.

About Novartis Commitment to CML
Novartis has a long-standing scientific commitment to patients living with CML. For more than 20 years, our bold science has helped transform CML into a chronic disease for many patients. Despite these advancements, we’re not standing still. We continue to research ways to target the disease, seeking to address the challenges with treatment resistance and/or intolerance that many patients face. Novartis also continues to reimagine CML care through its commitment to sustainable access for patients and collaboration with the global CML community.

Indication
SCEMBLIX (asciminib) tablets is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase (CP), previously treated with 2 or more tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) medicines. The effectiveness of SCEMBLIX in these patients is based on a study that measured major molecular response (MMR) rates. No clinical information is available to show if these patients treated with SCEMBLIX live longer or if their symptoms improve. Ongoing studies exist to find out how SCEMBLIX works over a longer period of time.

SCEMBLIX is also approved for use in adults with Ph+ CML in CP with the T315I mutation.

It is not known if SCEMBLIX is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information
SCEMBLIX (asciminib) tablets may cause low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia), low white blood cell counts (neutropenia), and low red blood cell counts (anemia). Patients should tell their doctor right away if they have unexpected bleeding or easy bruising; blood in their urine or stools; fever; or any signs of an infection. SCEMBLIX may increase enzymes in the patient’s blood called amylase and lipase, which may be a sign of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Patients should tell their doctor right away if they have sudden stomach-area pain or discomfort, nausea, or vomiting. During treatment with SCEMBLIX, doctors may check their patients’ blood pressure and treat any high blood pressure as needed. Patients should tell their doctor if they develop elevated blood pressure or symptoms of high blood pressure including confusion, headaches, dizziness, chest pain, or shortness of breath.

If a patient has an allergic reaction while on SCEMBLIX, they should stop taking SCEMBLIX and get medical help right away. Signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction include trouble breathing or swallowing; feeling dizzy or faint; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue; fever; skin rash or flushing; or a fast heartbeat. SCEMBLIX may cause heart and blood vessel problems, including heart attack; stroke; blood clots or blockage of patient’s arteries; heart failure; and abnormal heartbeat which can be serious and may sometimes lead to death. These heart and blood vessel problems can happen in people with risk factors or a history of these problems and/or previously treated with multiple TKI medicines. Patients should tell their doctor right away if they get shortness of breath; chest pain or pressure; a feeling like their heart is beating too fast or they feel abnormal heartbeats; swelling in their ankles or feet; dizziness; weight gain; numbness or weakness on one side of their body; decreased vision or loss of vision; trouble talking; pain in their arms, legs, back, neck, or jaw; headache; or severe stomach-area pain.

Before taking SCEMBLIX, patients should tell their doctor about all of their medical conditions, including if they have a history of pancreatitis; a history of heart problems; or blood clots in their arteries and veins (types of blood vessels). SCEMBLIX can harm an unborn baby. Women should tell their doctor right away if they become pregnant or think they may be pregnant during treatment with SCEMBLIX. Women who are able to become pregnant should have a pregnancy test before they start SCEMBLIX and should use effective birth control during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of SCEMBLIX. Women should not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 week after their last dose of SCEMBLIX.

Patients should tell their doctor about all the medicines they take, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. SCEMBLIX and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects. The most common side effects of SCEMBLIX include nose, throat, or sinus (upper respiratory tract) infections; muscle, bone, or joint pain; rash; tiredness; nausea; and diarrhea. The most common blood test abnormalities include decreased blood counts of platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells; and increased blood levels of triglycerides, creatine kinase, liver enzymes, or pancreas enzymes (amylase and lipase).

On September 29, 2021 UPM Biomedicals reported that it has entered into an agreement with PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc., for the life science leader, to act as a distributor of the UPM GrowDex and GrowDase range of products (Press release, PerkinElmer, SEP 29, 2021, View Source [SID1234591398]). This new collaboration will offer researchers a complete solution for high throughput screening (HTS) of 3D cell cultures in early drug discovery, bringing together PerkinElmer’s cell imaging and automation solutions and knowledge with UPM’s animal-free 3D reagent offerings and expertise.

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Automated HTS is frequently used to assess the therapeutic potential for hundreds of candidate drugs in parallel, and the rise of 3D cell culture approaches has created a need for new high quality reagents suitable for HTS applications such as cancer drug screening. UPM’s nanofibrillar cellulose GrowDex hydrogels create an environment that resembles the conditions inside the human body, and can be effectively handled at room temperature, making them well suited for scale up and automation without compromising performance. Combined with GrowDase – which enables effective one-step recovery of cells for downstream processing applications – this provides an ideal solution for high throughput 3D cell culture applications, offering more reproducible and reliable results to help predict how drugs will work in vivo.

PerkinElmer’s Opera Phenix Plus automated high-content screening system is the ideal complement for GrowDex hydrogels, and this combined solution has already been successfully used in a number of notable research projects, including automated drug sensitivity and resistance testing of patient-derived cells for personalised cancer treatment research.

Johana Kuncova-Kallio , Director at UPM Biomedicals commented: "This solution brings together the instrument, software and cell culture matrices to make life easier for researchers, providing a high level of consistency between experiments. It will be exciting to see how this collaboration will help advance research and speed up the drug development process. Together with PerkinElmer, we have ensured that the products are ready to ship immediately."

Alan Fletcher , Senior Vice President Life Science at PerkinElmer, added, "Establishing the physiological relevance of potential therapeutic approaches earlier in the research cycle is crucial to advancing drug discovery and reducing clinical trial failure rates. By collaborating with UPM to offer their innovative 3D cell reagents, we are able to expand our offering for 3D cell culture models and further help researchers get to the critical insights they need faster to uncover successful drug candidates."

On September 29, 2021 HUTCHMED (China) Limited ("HUTCHMED") (Nasdaq/AIM: HCM, HKEX: 13) reported that new and updated clinical data from several ongoing combination studies of surufatinib (SULANDA in China) or fruquintinib (ELUNATE in China) with PD-1 inhibitors were presented at the 24th Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Annual Meeting which has been taking place on September 25-29, 2021 (Press release, Hutchison China MediTech, SEP 29, 2021, View Source [SID1234590547]).

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SURUFATINIB
Title: A phase II study of surufatinib in combination with toripalimab in patients with advanced neuroendocrine carcinoma: an updated analysis
Lead Author Lin Shen, MD, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute
Type: Oral presentation
Session Number: CSCO Innovation Presentation 1-Session 2-#13

Patients with advanced neuroendocrine carcinoma ("NEC") have a poor prognosis and limited treatment options after first-line treatment. 5-year survival rates are low.[i] Surufatinib is approved for the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic pancreatic and extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in China. Toripalimab is a monoclonal humanized IgG4 PD-1 antibody that previously demonstrated antitumor activity and safety in treating recurrent or metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasms ("NENs").[ii] Results from a Phase II study of the combination of surufatinib with toripalimab was first presented at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (ASCO 2021).[iii]

In this updated analysis, at later data cutoff date of July 30, 2021, all 21 enrolled patients were efficacy evaluable, with average duration of treatment of 4.9 months (range 1-19). Median overall survival ("OS"), reported for the first time, was 10.3 months (95% CI: 9.1-not reached). The median progression-free survival ("PFS") was 4.14 months (95% CI: 1.5-5.5) and median duration of response ("DoR") was 4.1 months (95% CI: 3.0-not reached). The confirmed objective response rate ("ORR") was 23.8% (95% CI: 8.2-47.2) and disease control rate ("DCR") was 71.4% (95% CI: 47.8-88.7).

All patients experienced treatment-related adverse events ("TRAEs"), including 9 (42.9%) who experienced grade 3 or above TRAEs. 1 (4.8%) patient reported treatment-related serious adverse events ("SAEs"). Hyperglycemia (3 [14.3%]), hypertension (2 [9.5%]) and hypertriglyceridemia (2 [9.5%]) were the most commonly (more than one patient) reported grade 3 or above TRAEs. There were no TRAEs that led to treatment discontinuation or treatment-related deaths.

This updated analysis demonstrated the rationale of surufatinib plus toripalimab in the second-line setting for the treatment of patients with advanced NEC. A randomized phase III study SURTORI-01 has been initiated to further confirm the efficacy and safety of this combination therapy.

FRUQUINTINIB
Title: Fruquintinib plus sintilimab in patients with advanced endometrial cancer: a multicentre, open-label, single-arm, phase II clinical trial
Lead Author Xiaohua Wu, MD, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
Type: Oral presentation
Session Number: CSCO Innovation Presentation 2-Session 2-#9

Platinum-based systemic chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment for advanced endometrial cancer ("EMC"). However, patients who progress following first-line chemotherapy have limited treatment options, and the prognosis remains poor. Therefore, an important unmet medical need remains in patients with advanced EMC. Chemotherapy ORR is approximately 16%, while anti-angiogenesis inhibitors and/or immune checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated less than a 15% ORR, with the exception of EMC patients with high microsatellite instability or mismatch repair defects (about 16% of EMC patients).[iv] Fruquintinib is a highly selective vascular endothelial growth factor receptor ("VEGFR") inhibitor and sintilimab is an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody. This Phase II study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of fruquintinib in combination with sintilimab for advanced EMC.

As of data cutoff date of August 31, 2021, 35 patients were enrolled, including 7 treatment-naïve and 28 pretreated patients. Of them, 29 were efficacy evaluable, 4 were treatment-naïve and 25 were pretreated. All 4 treatment-naïve patients experienced confirmed tumor response, for ORR of 100% (95% CI: 39.8-100.0), and median PFS was not reached. Among the 25 pretreated patients, the confirmed ORR was 32.0% (95% CI: 14.9-53.5), DCR was 92.0% (95% CI: 74.0-99.0) and the median PFS was 6.9 months (95% CI: 4.1-NR). Among the 19 proficient mismatch repair (pMMR) patients in pretreated cohort, the confirmed ORR was 36.8% (95% CI: 16.3-61.6), DCR was 94.7% (95% CI: 74.0-99.9), median PFS was 6.9 months (95% CI: 4.1-NR), and the median OS was not reached.

Among the 35 enrolled patients, 33 (94.3%) patients experienced TRAEs, including 17 (48.6%) who experienced grade 3 or above TRAEs. TRAEs of grade 3 or above that occurred in more than 10% of patients were hypertension (4 [11.4%]) and proteinuria (4 [11.4%]). 5 (14.3%) patients reported treatment-related SAEs. 2 patients experienced TRAEs that led to discontinuation of sintilimab while 1 patient each discontinued fruquinintinb alone or the fruquintinib and sintilimab combination.

Regulatory discussions for this combination in China are currently under discussions with regulators, which may lead to the initiation of a pivotal study before year end.

Title: A phase II study of fruquintinib plus sintilimab in pretreated patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Lead Author Shukui Qin, MD, Eastern Theater General Hospital, Qinhuai Medical Area
Type: Oral presentation
Session Number: CSCO Innovation Presentation 2-Session 1-#7

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma ("HCC"), the most common type of liver cancer, have very limited treatment options. Combination use of VEGF targeting therapy with immunotherapy has demonstrated remarkable clinical benefits in first-line HCC, but its anti-tumor activity in second- or later line treatments is not established. This phase II study was performed to assess the combination of fruquintinib, a highly selective VEGFR inhibitor, with sintilimab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, in patients with advanced HCC who were treated with at least one prior line of treatment, including either sorafenib or lenvatinib. The combination demonstrated preliminary anti-tumor efficacy and durability in these patients.

As of data cutoff date of August 31, 2021, among 19 response-evaluable patients, the confirmed ORR was 31.6% (95% CI: 12.6-56.6), and the DCR was 89.5% (95% CI: 66.9-98.7). The median DoR was not reached. The median PFS was 6.9 months (95% CI: 4.1-not reached). With a median follow up of 7.4 months, the median OS was not reached.

Among 21 enrolled patients, 20 (95.2%) patients experienced TRAEs, including 7 (33.3%) who experienced grade 3 or above TRAEs. No TRAEs of grade 3 or above occurred in more than one patient. 4 (19.0%) patients reported treatment-related SAEs. TRAEs leading to fruquintinib discontinuation and sintilimab discontinuation were reported in 2 (9.5%) and 1 (4.8%) patient, respectively.

Registration plans for this combination regimen in China are currently under discussions with investigators.

Title: Fruquintinib plus sintilimab in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma: results from a phase II clinical trial
Lead Author Dingwei Ye, MD, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
Type: Oral presentation
Session Number: CSCO Innovation Presentation 2-Session 2-#13

In first-line clear-cell renal cell carcinoma ("ccRCC"), clinical benefits have been demonstrated for the combination of antiangiogenic therapy and immunotherapy. However, there is limited evidence on the benefits of this combination in the second-line setting. This phase II study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of fruquintinib plus sintilimab in second-line treatment of ccRCC, which has shown encouraging anti-tumor efficacy and durability in these patients.

As of data cutoff date of August 31, 2021, all 20 enrolled patients were efficacy evaluable. 19 patients previously received VEGFR inhibitors, and 2 received interferon. The confirmed ORR was 55.0% (95% CI: 31.5-76.9) and DCR was 85.0% (95% CI: 62.1-96.8). The median PFS was not reached with a median follow up of 8.2 months. PFS rate at 9 months was 63.6% (95% CI: 38.1-80.9). Median treatment time was 38.6 weeks, with the longest being over 50 weeks and ongoing.

All patients experienced TRAEs, including 9 (45%) who experienced grade 3 or above TRAEs. The most common (more than one patient) grade 3 or above TRAEs were increased amylase (3 [15.0%]), hypertriglyceridemia (3 [15.0%]), hypertension (2 [10.0%]) and lipase increased (2 [10.0%]). Treatment-related SAEs were reported in 2 patients (10.0%). There were no TRAEs that led to treatment discontinuation.

Registration plans for this combination regimen in China are currently under discussions with investigators.

About Surufatinib (SULANDA in China)
Surufatinib is a novel, oral angio-immuno kinase inhibitor that selectively inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity associated with VEGFR and FGFR, which both inhibit angiogenesis, and CSF-1R, which regulates tumor-associated macrophages, promoting the body’s immune response against tumor cells. Its unique dual mechanism of action may be very suitable for possible combinations with other immunotherapies, where there may be synergistic anti-tumor effects.

HUTCHMED currently retains all rights to surufatinib worldwide.

About Fruquintinib (ELUNATE in China)
Fruquintinib is a highly selective and potent oral inhibitor of VEGFRs -1, -2 and -3. VEGFR inhibitors play a pivotal role in blocking tumor angiogenesis. Fruquintinib was designed to improve kinase selectivity to minimize off-target toxicities, improve tolerability and provide more consistent target coverage. The generally good tolerability in patients to date, along with fruquintinib’s low potential for drug-drug interaction based on preclinical assessment, suggests that it may also be highly suitable for combinations with other anti-cancer therapies.

HUTCHMED retains all rights to fruquintinib outside of China. In China, HUTCHMED is partnered with Eli Lilly and Company and is responsible for development and execution of all on-the-ground medical detailing, promotion and local and regional marketing.

On September 29, 2021 HUTCHMED (China) Limited ("HUTCHMED") (Nasdaq/AIM: HCM; HKEX:13) reported that, further to its announcement in March 2021 and following receipt of regulatory approval, it has completed the sale of its entire indirect interest in Hutchison Whampoa Guangzhou Baiyunshan Chinese Medicine Company Limited ("HBYS"), a non-core and non-consolidated over-the-counter ("OTC") drug joint venture business, to GL Mountrose Investment Two Limited, a company controlled and managed by GL Capital Group ("GL Capital") (Press release, Hutchison China MediTech, SEP 29, 2021, View Source [SID1234590546]).

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The aggregate amount which will be received by HUTCHMED is approximately US$169 million in cash, representing about 22 times HBYS’ adjusted net profit attributable to HUTCHMED equity holders of US$7.7 million in 20201. Of the proceeds, approximately US$127 million related to its shareholding in HBYS has been received. The balance of approximately US$42 million is related to expected upcoming distributions of declared dividends related to previously announced land compensation and prior year undistributed profits.

The transaction will allow HUTCHMED to focus the organization and resources on its primary aim of accelerating investment in the Oncology/Immunology assets in China and beyond.

On September 29, 2021 Sprint Bioscience reported The preclinical development experts at started the second half of the year by signing the company’s largest licensing agreement to date in a deal concerning drug candidate Vps34 (Press release, Sprint Bioscience, SEP 29, 2021, View Source [SID1234590545]). The company is now initiating marketing for the next project in line. BioStock spoke to the company’s Chief Scientific Officer, Martin Andersson, to find out more about the project.

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Huddinge-based research company Sprint Bioscience focuses on the development of preclinical drug projects in cancer treatment in particular. Where many other drug developers have a strategy to reach licensing agreements with a larger partner during the clinical development phase, Sprint Bioscience’s strategy is to secure licensing agreements in their projects much earlier than that.

So far, the company has secured three out-licensing deals that have a total potential value of approximately 747 million USD, plus royalties. On Monday, the company announced that it is initiating marketing of the next project in its development portfolio: the cancer drug program DISA.

Facilitating the identification of cancer cells
DISA targets the protein TREX1, which breaks down DNA fragments that have wrongly ended up outside the nucleus of a cell. This happens more often in cancer cells than in ordinary cells. These DNA fragments can activate the immune system, which the cancer cells want to avoid and therefore it removes them as quickly as possible. The purpose of the DISA program is to inhibit the TREX1 protein to make it easier for the immune system to locate cancer cells and start fighting them.

Previous studies have shown that there is a clear link between elevated levels of TREX1 and poorer survival in patients suffering from, among others, breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancer.

Marketing during BioEurope
These are cancer types that attract great interest from the major pharmaceutical companies, and the plan is to begin marketing procedures as well as talks with potential partners regarding DISA in connection with the BioEurope conference held at the end of October. BioStock contacted Martin Andersson, Chief Scientific Officer at Sprint Bioscience, to find out more about the project.

Using the immune system to treat cancer is a very hot area in cancer research. How do you view the possibilities of the DISA project to secure a position in the emerging treatment landscape?

– It is increasingly clear that different tumour forms use different mechanisms to evade an attack by the immune system. A large number of drugs will be needed to address these mechanisms and the DISA project will be a piece of the puzzle that could become an important component of future therapies.

Martin Andersson, Chief Scientific OfficerSprint Bioscience
Martin Andersson, CSO Sprint BioScience
What distinguishes DISA from other projects aimed at facilitating the identification of cancer cells?

– The DISA project differs in that there are no drugs today that block the activity of the TREX1 protein or other related proteins. This means that we expect to be able to treat other cancers where the TREX1 protein is the driving force in the ability of cancer cells to evade the immune system. In addition, the majority of other drug candidates within immuno-oncology are biological drugs that must be given as an injection. The goal of the DISA program is to develop a drug that can be taken as a tablet, which will facilitate things significantly.

The plan is to initiate discussions with potential partners at BioEurope in October. How do you perceive the general interest in partnering discussions right now?

– We are seeing increasing interest from potential partners in general. An increasing proportion of their future product portfolios are estimated to come from programs that have been inlicensed. Then, of course, we become an increasingly interesting partner as we license out more projects. It shows that we are a player to be reckoned with and that the programs we develop can pass external reviews, which validates the quality of our programs and us as a good partner in licensing deals.

The content of BioStock’s news and analyses is independent but the work of BioStock is to a certain degree financed by life science companies. The above article concerns a company from which BioStock has received financing.