On December 28, 2021 Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo) reported that it has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for valemetostat, a potential first-in-class dual inhibitor of EZH1 and EZH2, for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) (Press release, Daiichi Sankyo, DEC 28, 2021, View Source [SID1234597813]).

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ATL is a rare and aggressive type of peripheral T-cell lymphoma that occurs with greater frequency in parts of Japan and other regions.1,2 Patients with ATL face a poor prognosis with current therapies.3 Nearly 90% of patients relapse after completing intensive first-line treatment, at which point there are few options available.1,4

The Japan NDA submission of valemetostat is based on pivotal phase 2 study results in Japanese patients with three aggressive subtypes of relapsed/refractory ATL, recently presented at the 2021 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. Valemetostat previously received Orphan Drug designation (ODD) from the Japan MHLW for treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory ATL.

"Valemetostat would potentially be the first dual inhibitor of EZH1 and EZH2 to be approved anywhere in the world and could provide a new type of targeted therapy option for patients with relapsed/refractory ATL, which represents one of the most significant unmet medical needs in Japan," said Wataru Takasaki, PhD, Executive Officer, Head of R&D Division in Japan, Daiichi Sankyo. "Valemetostat is the fifth innovative oncology medicine from our pipeline to be submitted for regulatory approval in Japan in the past three years."

About Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is a rare and aggressive type of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) that is caused by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1).1 More than 3,000 new cases of ATL are diagnosed each year worldwide.5 ATL occurs with greater frequency in regions where the HTLV-1 virus is endemic including southwest Japan, Central and South America and central Australia.3 Cases are also observed in North America and Europe, and incidence of ATL is rising in non-endemic areas.3 In Japan, there are approximately 1,000 new ATL cases and over 1,000 deaths due to ATL annually.6

ATL has the poorest prognosis compared to other types of PTCL, with a five-year overall survival rate of about 14%.7 A median survival time of approximately eight months (252 days) was reported for patients in Japan with the most common acute ATL subtype.5

Treatment of ATL is based on subtype and consists primarily of intensive multi-drug chemotherapy regimens.3 Nearly 90% of patients relapse after completing intensive first-line treatment, at which point there are few options available.1,4 Additional therapies are needed to improve the prognosis of ATL in Japan and worldwide.1,3

About Valemetostat

Valemetostat is a potential first-in-class dual inhibitor of EZH1 and EZH2 currently in clinical development in the Alpha portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo. A potent and selective small molecule inhibitor, valemetostat is designed to counter epigenetic dysregulation by targeting both the EZH1 and EZH2 enzymes.8

The valemetostat development program includes VALENTINE-PTCL01, a global pivotal phase 2 trial in patients with relapsed/refractory PTCL and ATL; a pivotal phase 2 trial in patients with relapsed or refractory ATL in Japan; and, a phase 1 study in patients with relapsed/refractory NHL in the U.S. and Japan. Valemetostat received ODD from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for the treatment of PTCL in December 2021, ODD from the Japan MHLW for the treatment of relapsed/refractory ATL in November 2021 and SAKIGAKE Designation from the Japan MHLW for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory PTCL in April 2019.

Valemetostat is an investigational medicine that has not been approved for any indication in any country. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

About the Pivotal Phase 2 Study

The pivotal, open-label, multi-center, single-arm phase 2 study evaluated efficacy and safety of valemetostat (200 mg dose daily) as monotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory ATL who were previously treated with mogamulizumab or at least one systemic chemotherapy in case of intolerance/ contraindication for mogamulizumab and with no history of allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

The primary endpoint is objective response rate (ORR) assessed by independent efficacy assessment committee. Secondary endpoints include investigator-assessed ORR, best response in tumor lesions, complete remission rate, tumor control rate, time to response, duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival and safety. A total of 25 patients were enrolled in the study in Japan. For more information, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.

About Daiichi Sankyo Oncology

The oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo is powered by our team of world-class scientists that push beyond traditional thinking to create transformative medicines for people with cancer. Anchored by our DXd antibody drug conjugate (ADC) technology, our research engines include biologics, medicinal chemistry, modality and other research laboratories in Japan, and Plexxikon Inc., our small molecule structure-guided R&D center in the U.S. We also work alongside leading academic and business collaborators to further advance the understanding of cancer as Daiichi Sankyo builds towards our ambitious goal of becoming a global leader in oncology by 2025.

On December 28, 2021 Castle Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSTL), a company applying innovative diagnostics to transform disease management and improve patient outcomes, reported that Derek Maetzold, president and chief executive officer, and Frank Stokes, chief financial officer, are scheduled to present a company overview at the 24th Annual Needham Growth Conference on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time (Press release, Castle Biosciences, DEC 28, 2021, View Source [SID1234597812]).

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A live audio webcast of the company’s presentation will be available by visiting Castle Biosciences’ website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be available for two weeks following the conclusion of the live broadcast.

On December 28, 2021 Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo) reported that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has validated the Type II Variation application for trastuzumab deruxtecan for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer who have received one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens (Press release, Daiichi Sankyo, DEC 28, 2021, View Source [SID1234597811]).

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Trastuzumab deruxtecan is a HER2 directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) being jointly developed by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN).

Validation confirms that the application is complete and commences the scientific review process by the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). This application is based on data from the DESTINY-Breast03 phase 3 trial presented at the 2021 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, with more than two million cases diagnosed in 2020, resulting in nearly 685,000 deaths globally.1 In Europe, approximately 531,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed annually.2 Approximately one in five cases of breast cancer are considered HER2 positive.3 Despite initial treatment with trastuzumab and a taxane, patients with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer will often experience disease progression.4 More treatment options are needed to further delay progression and extend survival.4,5,6

"We are excited to have submitted a second application this year seeking approval for trastuzumab deruxtecan for a potential third indication in Europe," said Gilles Gallant, BPharm, PhD, FOPQ, Senior Vice President, Global Head, Oncology Development, Oncology R&D, Daiichi Sankyo. "With this specific application, we look forward to working closely with the EMA to support the review of trastuzumab deruxtecan to be used in an earlier setting for patients with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer."

In DESTINY-Breast03, trastuzumab deruxtecan demonstrated a 72% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death compared to trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22-0.37; p=7.8×10-22) in patients with HER2 positive unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with trastuzumab and a taxane. The median progression-free survival (PFS) for patients treated with trastuzumab deruxtecan was not reached (95% CI: 18.5-NE) compared to 6.8 months for T-DM1 (95% CI: 5.6-8.2) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR). In the secondary endpoint analysis of PFS assessed by investigators, patients treated with trastuzumab deruxtecan experienced an improvement in PFS of 25.1 months (95% CI: 22.1-NE) compared to 7.2 months (95% CI: 6.8-8.3) for T-DM1 (HR=0.26; 95% CI: 0.20-0.35). There was a strong trend towards improved overall survival (OS) with trastuzumab deruxtecan (HR=0.56; 95% CI: 0.36-0.86; p=0.007172), however this analysis is not yet mature and is not statistically significant. Nearly all patients treated with trastuzumab deruxtecan were alive at one year (94.1%; 95% CI: 90.3-96.4) compared to 85.9% of patients treated with T-DM1 (95% CI: 80.9-89.7). Confirmed objective response rate (ORR) was more than doubled in the trastuzumab deruxtecan arm versus the T-DM1 arm (79.7% [n=208; 95% CI: 74.3-84.4] versus 34.2% [n=90; 95% CI: 28.5-40.3]).

The safety profile of the most common adverse events with trastuzumab deruxtecan in DESTINY-Breast03 was consistent with previous clinical trials with no new safety concerns identified. The most common grade 3 or higher drug-related treatment emergent adverse events in the trastuzumab deruxtecan arm were neutropenia (19.1%), thrombocytopenia (7.0%), leukopenia (6.6%), nausea (6.6%), anemia (5.8%), fatigue (5.1%), vomiting (1.6%), increase in ALT (1.6%), decreased appetite (1.2%), increase in AST (0.8%), diarrhea (0.4%) and alopecia (0.4%). Overall, 10.5% of patients had interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis related to treatment as determined by an independent adjudication committee. The majority of ILD events (9.7%) were low grade (grade 1 (2.7%) or grade 2 (7.0%)) with two grade 3 (0.8%) events reported. No grade 4 or grade 5 ILD or pneumonitis events occurred.

About HER2 Positive Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide.1 More than two million cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in 2020, resulting in nearly 685,000 deaths globally.1 In Europe, approximately 531,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed annually.2

HER2 is a tyrosine kinase receptor growth-promoting protein expressed on the surface of many types of tumors including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers.7 HER2 protein overexpression may occur as a result of HER2 gene amplification and is often associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis in breast cancer.8 Approximately one in five cases of breast cancer are considered HER2 positive.3

Despite initial treatment with trastuzumab and a taxane, patients with HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer will often experience disease progression.4 More treatment options are needed to further delay progression and extend survival.4,5,6

About DESTINY-Breast03

DESTINY-Breast03 is a global, head-to-head, randomized, open-label, pivotal phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab deruxtecan (5.4 mg/kg) versus T-DM1 in patients with HER2 positive unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with trastuzumab and a taxane. The primary efficacy endpoint of DESTINY-Breast03 is PFS based on BICR. Secondary efficacy endpoints include OS, ORR, duration of response, PFS based on investigator assessment and safety. DESTINY-Breast03 enrolled 524 patients at multiple sites in Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America. For more information about the trial, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.

About Trastuzumab Deruxtecan

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki in the U.S. only) is a HER2 directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC technology, trastuzumab deruxtecan is the lead ADC in the oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo and the most advanced program in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. Trastuzumab deruxtecan consists of a HER2 monoclonal antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, an exatecan derivative, via a stable tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (5.4 mg/kg) is approved in more than 30 countries for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer who have received two or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast01 trial.

A supplemental New Drug Application is under review in Japan for the treatment of adult patients with HER2 positive unresectable or recurrent breast cancer previously treated with trastuzumab and a taxane, based on the results from the DESTINY-Breast03 trial.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (6.4 mg/kg) is also approved in several countries for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2 positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have received a prior trastuzumab-based regimen based on the results from the DESTINY-Gastric01 trial.

A Type II Variation is currently under review by the EMA for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic HER2 positive gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma who have received a prior anti-HER2-based regimen.

About the Trastuzumab Deruxtecan Clinical Development Program

A comprehensive global development program is underway evaluating the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab deruxtecan monotherapy across multiple HER2 targetable cancers including breast, gastric, lung and colorectal cancers. Trials in combination with other anticancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, are also underway.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan was highlighted in the Clinical Cancer Advances 2021 report as one of two significant advancements in the "ASCO Clinical Advance of the Year: Molecular Profiling Driving Progress in GI Cancers," based on data from both the DESTINY-Gastric01 and DESTINY-CRC01 trials, as well as one of the targeted therapy advances of the year in NSCLC based on the interim results of the HER2 mutant cohort of the DESTINY-Lung01 trial.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan recently received its fourth Breakthrough Therapy Designation in the U.S. for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer who have received one or more prior anti-HER2-based regimens.

About the Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca Collaboration

Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca entered into a global collaboration to jointly develop and commercialize trastuzumab deruxtecan in March 2019 and datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) in July 2020, except in Japan where Daiichi Sankyo maintains exclusive rights for each ADC. Daiichi Sankyo is responsible for the manufacturing and supply of trastuzumab deruxtecan and datopotamab deruxtecan.

About Daiichi Sankyo in Oncology

The oncology portfolio of Daiichi Sankyo is powered by our team of world-class scientists that push beyond traditional thinking to create transformative medicines for people with cancer. Anchored by our DXd antibody drug conjugate (ADC) technology, our research engines include biologics, medicinal chemistry, modality and other research laboratories in Japan, and Plexxikon Inc., our small molecule structure-guided R&D center in the U.S. We also work alongside leading academic and business collaborators to further advance the understanding of cancer as Daiichi Sankyo builds towards our ambitious goal of becoming a global leader in oncology by 2025.

On December 28, 2021 PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ: 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 it has successfully completed a 36-month stability study of the cells from its Master Cell Bank (MCB) (Press release, PharmaCyte Biotech, DEC 28, 2021, View Source [SID1234597810]). These cells will be encapsulated and then used to treat locally advanced, inoperable pancreatic cancer (LAPC). This stability study is one of the items that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires PharmaCyte to complete for its clinical trial product, CypCaps, in an effort to lift the FDA’s clinical hold. This means that the cells used to produce the CypCaps have a shelf life of at least 36 months when stored in a vapor phase of liquid nitrogen. Vapor phase temperature for liquid nitrogen is between -140°C and -180°C.

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PharmaCyte’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth L. Waggoner, said of the completed 36-month stability study, "The ongoing study to determine the maximum shelf life of the MCB cells has reached another important milestone. Cells from our MCB successfully completed the required tests to prove that the cells are stable and remain active after being stored frozen for 36 months in a vapor phase of liquid nitrogen.

"Analysis of the cells from our MCB after 36 months showed that the cells passed all of the specified tests, including cell viability, identity testing, sterility, enzyme activity and cell potency as well as pH, label check and appearance of the cells.

"This study will continue in order to determine the maximum shelf life of the cells from our MCB. It is distinct from the other ongoing stability study on the shelf life of our CypCaps that continue to be stored at approximately -80°C. While the storage temperatures are different for the MCB cells and the CypCap cells, the tests for both stability studies are the same."

This ongoing stability study was initiated prior to the submission of PharmaCyte’s Investigational New Drug Application (IND) to the FDA. The information and data obtained from this stability study and other studies will form part of PharmaCyte’s Complete IND Submission of information that PharmaCyte will provide to the FDA to have the clinical hold lifted.

To learn more about PharmaCyte’s pancreatic cancer treatment and how it works inside the body to treat locally advanced inoperable pancreatic cancer, we encourage you to watch the Company’s documentary video complete with medical animations at: View Source

On December 28, 2021 CStone Pharmaceuticals ("CStone", HKEX: 2616), a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on research, development, and commercialization of innovative immuno-oncology therapies and precision medicines, reported that the new drug application (NDA) of first-in-class precision therapy AYVAKIT (avapritinib) has been approved in Hong Kong, China for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) harboring a PDGFRA D842V mutation (Press release, CStone Pharmaceauticals, DEC 28, 2021, View Source [SID1234597807]). The drug is the first precision therapy approved in Hong Kong, China for the treatment of patients with PDGFRA D842V mutant GIST.

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Discovered by CStone’s partner Blueprint Medicines, AYVAKIT is a potent, selective and orally available inhibitor of KIT and PDGFRA mutant kinases. CStone has an exclusive collaboration and license agreement with Blueprint Medicines for the development and commercialization of AYVAKIT and certain other drug candidates in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Blueprint Medicines retains development and commercial rights for AYVAKIT in the rest of the world.

Dr. Frank Jiang, Chairman and CEO of CStone, said, "AYVAKIT is CStone’s first product approval in Hong Kong, China. Earlier this year, AYVAKIT was also approved in Mainland China and Taiwan. We are very glad to provide this innovative treatment to more GIST patients whose tumors harbor the PDGFRA D842V mutation. CStone is committed to bringing forward effective, innovative therapies to patients around the world. In the future, we will strive to accelerate the development of novel therapies to fulfill the unmet medical needs of more cancer patients."

The Hong Kong Department of Health (DOH) has approved AYVAKIT based on data from the NAVIGATOR study, an open-label, dose-escalation/dose-expansion phase I study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AYVAKIT in patients with unresectable or metastatic GIST. In December 2020, the European Journal of Cancer (EJC) published updated data from the NAVIGATOR study enrolling PDGFRA D842V mutant GIST patients. In 38 patients with PDGFRA D842V mutant GIST who received a starting dose of 300 mg or 400 mg once daily, the overall response rate (ORR) was 95% (36/38 patients). In 28 of these patients who had a starting dose of 300 mg once daily, the ORR was 96% (27/28 patients). The disease control rate (DCR) of all dose groups was 100%. The median duration of response (DOR) of all dose groups was 27.6 months. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were anemia, increased blood bilirubin, decreased white blood cell count, increased blood creatine phosphokinase, increased aspartate aminotransferase, face edema, eyelid edema, decreased neutrophil count and hair color changes. The data showed that AYVAKIT demonstrated robust, durable, and deep clinical activity, with a generally well-tolerated safety profile.

About Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)

GIST is a sarcoma, or tumor of bone or connective tissue, of the GI tract. Tumors arise from cells in the wall of the GI tract and occur most often in the stomach or small intestine. Most patients are diagnosed between the ages of 50 to 80, and diagnosis is typically triggered by GI bleeding, incidental findings during surgery or imaging, and in rare cases, tumor rupture or GI obstruction. About 5 to 6 percent of primary GIST cases are caused by a PDGFRA D842V mutation, the most common PDGFRA exon 18 mutation.

About AYVAKIT (avapritinib)

AYVAKIT (avapritinib) is a kinase inhibitor approved by the Department of Health (DOH), Hong Kong, China and Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) under the brand name AYVAKIT for the treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic GIST harboring a PDGFRA D842V mutation. The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China has approved AYVAKIT for the treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic GIST harboring the PDGFRA exon 18 mutation, including PDGFRA D842V mutations.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved AYVAKIT for the treatment of two indications: adults with advanced systemic mastocytosis (Advanced SM), including aggressive SM (ASM), SM with an associated hematological neoplasm (SM-AHN) and mast cell leukemia (MCL), and adults with unresectable or metastatic GIST harboring a PDGFRA exon 18 mutation, including PDGFRA D842V mutations. This medicine is approved by the European Commission under the brand name AYVAKYT for the treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic GIST harboring the PDGFRA D842V mutation. AYVAKIT/AYVAKYT is not approved for the treatment of any other indication in the U.S., Europe or Greater China, or for any indication in any other jurisdiction by any other health authority.

Blueprint Medicines is developing AYVAKIT globally for the treatment of advanced and non-advanced SM. The FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation to AYVAKIT for the treatment of advanced SM, including the subtypes of ASM, SM-AHN, and MCL, and for the treatment of moderate to severe indolent SM.