On January 25, 2022 MiNA Therapeutics Limited ("MiNA" or the "Company"), the pioneer in small activating RNA (RNAa) therapeutics, reported that it has dosed the first patient in a global Phase 2 clinical trial (OUTREACH-2) of MTL-CEBPA in combination with second line standard of care sorafenib (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC or liver cancer) (Press release, MiNA Therapeutics, JAN 25, 2022, View Source [SID1234606780]).

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OUTREACH-2 is a multi-centre, open-label, randomised study of MTL-CEBPA in combination with sorafenib, compared to sorafenib alone, in TKI-naïve advanced pre-treated HCC patients with viral hepatitis etiology. The study will recruit up to 150 patients globally from centres in the US, Europe, and Asia. OUTREACH-2 is designed to assess further to what extent the MTL-CEBPA and sorafenib combination offers therapeutic advantage compared to sorafenib alone for the treatment of advanced HCC. The study’s primary endpoint is progression-free survival by blinded radiological assessment and the study is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2024. If the data from this Phase 2 OUTREACH-2 study are satisfactory to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this could enable an Accelerated Approval of MTL-CEBPA in combination with sorafenib soon thereafter.

Professor Tim Meyer, Professor of Experimental Cancer Medicine at University College London, and Chief Investigator of the study, commented:
"Advanced liver cancer remains a significant unmet medical need, in particular for those patients who are resistant to front line systematic therapy. This combination treatment demonstrated intriguing signals of activity in a Phase 1b trial, including durable and complete tumour responses. We believe that MTL-CEBPA’s immunological activity in the tumour microenvironment enables a greater effectiveness of sorafenib and we are excited to seek to validate those early findings in this Phase 2 clinical trial."

Robert Habib, CEO of MiNA Therapeutics, commented:
"We are very excited to dose our first patient in the OUTREACH-2 study, which is the first Phase 2 clinical trial of a RNAa therapeutic. MTL-CEBPA has demonstrated its potential to make tumours more susceptible to established anti-cancer therapies, which can significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients. We look forward to building on data from our successful Phase 1b study of the sorafenib combination and to developing MTL-CEBPA more broadly for the benefit of patients."

The study builds on the successful proof-of-concept data from MiNA’s first-in-human, Phase 1b clinical trial (OUTREACH) evaluating the safety and tolerability of the therapeutic combination in patients with advanced HCC. The clinical activity observed in OUTREACH, which included durable and complete tumour responses not common with sorafenib alone, suggested that MTL-CEBPA may increase the effectiveness of sorafenib as a second line standard of care for HCC. The OUTREACH study showed that MTL-CEBPA plus sorafenib achieved a complete response rate (CRR) of 13% and an overall response rate (ORR) of 27% in the target population. By comparison sorafenib alone achieved a CRR of <1% and an ORR of 5-11% in recent published studies. The trial protocol has been accepted in an investigational new drug (IND) application by the FDA. The FDA has also granted Orphan Drug Designation for MTL-CEBPA in combination with sorafenib for the treatment of HCC of viral hepatitis etiology who have progressed following prior therapy. As a monotherapy, MTL-CEBPA achieved a CRR of 2% and an ORR of 6%, despite not being intended to target the tumours directly.

As the first ever RNAa therapy to enter the clinic, MTL-CEBPA is being studied as a combination therapy in cancer. The mechanism of action of MTL-CEBPA is to reduce or remove one of the main defence mechanisms by which tumours can resist the immune system, thereby opening the tumour to attack by the immune system and tumour-targeting drugs. In combination, data suggests that the drug can significantly improve the effectiveness of established cancer treatments by altering the tumour microenvironment in favour of those treatments. It achieves this by using the RNA activation mechanism to boost and restore expression of the C/EBP-α protein to normal levels which, in turn, reduces immune suppression by myeloid cells in which this protein has been down-regulated by the tumour. The drug candidate is also being investigated in an investigator-sponsored Phase 1a/1b study in first-line HCC in combination with first-line standard of care combination atezolizumab and bevacizumab in collaboration with F Hoffman-La Roche Ltd, as well as in an ongoing multi-centre Phase 1b clinical trial in patients with a variety of advanced solid tumours in combination with pembrolizumab, a PD-L1 inhibitor.

About MTL-CEBPA
MTL-CEBPA is the first therapy that specifically up-regulates CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBP-α), a transcription factor that acts as a master regulator of myeloid cell lineage determination and differentiation. Dysregulated myeloid cells have been implicated in several diseases and in solid tumour cancers these cells have been identified as a critical barrier to induction of clinical response for many therapies. In pre-clinical studies MTL-CEBPA has been shown to improve the anti-tumour activity of cancer therapies by targeting dysregulated myeloid cells and reducing or eliminating their suppressive effect on immune response and therapies in the tumour micro-environment. MTL-CEBPA is currently in clinical development in three different studies as a combination therapy for the treatment of both first- and second-line advanced liver cancer and for a variety of other advanced solid tumour malignancies.

On January 25, 2022 West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST), a global leader in innovative solutions for injectable drug administration, reported an exclusive supply and technology agreement with Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) (Press release, West Pharmaceutical Services, JAN 25, 2022, View Source [SID1234606779]). The new collaboration includes a multimillion-dollar investment to expand Corning’s Valor Glass technology to enable advanced injectable drug packaging and delivery systems for the pharmaceutical industry with the goal of advancing patient safety and expanding access to life-saving treatments.

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By combining West’s industry-leading NovaPure components, with Daikyo Flurotec coating technology, and Corning’s Valor Glass and Velocity Vials, the strategic collaboration will enable new, advanced pharmaceutical packaging solutions. The collaboration optimizes the materials science and manufacturing expertise of both companies to help bio-pharma producers navigate the complex regulatory environment and mitigate risk in bringing drugs to market.

"West and Corning have developed this exceptional collaboration to offer leading elastomer-glass system solutions for the containment and delivery of injectable medicines," said Eric M. Green, President and Chief Executive Officer, West. "At West, we value the state-of-the-art products offered by Corning and are excited to build together the next generation of integrated packaging and delivery innovations."

This portfolio of new elastomer-glass system offerings and supportive data services will utilize West’s NovaPure components along with Corning’s Valor Glass technology. West’s NovaPure components adhere to Quality by Design principles and processing, representing the highest standards in pharmaceutical components. For customers, it provides the assurance of components with the tightest specifications applicable within today’s formulation and manufacturing process capabilities at West. Corning’s Valor Glass is intended to enhance the storage and delivery of drugs, providing more reliable access to state-of-the-art medicines essential to public health. Valor Glass packaging can enable increased throughput and offers high chemical durability, strength, and damage resistance.

"This partnership and investment enable the development and industry-leading solutions that enhance patient safety, increase quality and reliability in highly regulated markets, and ensure greater capacity for life-saving drugs. West is a great partner. The combination of Corning’s Valor Glass, along with West’s NovaPure components, is a win-win for customers and patients all over the world," said Wendell P. Weeks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Corning.

On January 25, 2022 ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ORIC), a clinical stage oncology company focused on developing treatments that address mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, reported clearance of its Clinical Trial Application (CTA) by the regulatory authorities of the Republic of Korea for ORIC-114, a brain penetrant, orally bioavailable, irreversible inhibitor designed to selectively target EGFR and HER2 with high potency against exon 20 insertion mutations (Press release, ORIC Pharmaceuticals, JAN 25, 2022, View Source [SID1234606777]).

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"This marks our third IND/CTA regulatory clearance in the last eight months and further demonstrates the productivity and commitment of our team as we expand our clinical portfolio to advance our mission on behalf of patients," said Jacob M. Chacko, M.D., president and chief executive officer. "We are encouraged by the brain penetrant properties and selectivity that ORIC-114 has demonstrated in preclinical studies, and we look forward to advancing the program into a Phase 1 study in the coming months. As we enter 2022, we are well positioned with five expected clinical updates across four clinical programs through the first half of 2023, and with cash and investments to fund our operating plan into the first half of 2024."

About ORIC-114

ORIC-114 is a brain penetrant, orally bioavailable, irreversible inhibitor designed to selectively target EGFR and HER2 with high potency against exon 20 insertion mutations. ORIC-114 has demonstrated systemic tumor regressions and strong intracranial antitumor activity in various EGFR exon 20 insertion NSCLC and HER2-positive breast cancer models. ORIC-114 also compares favorably in head to head in vivo studies versus multiple approved and clinical stage EGFR exon 20 and HER2 inhibitors. The company plans to initiate a Phase 1b single agent study in patients with advanced solid tumors with EGFR or HER2 exon 20 alterations or HER2 amplification and will allow patients with CNS metastases that are either treated or untreated but asymptomatic. The company expects to report initial data from this trial in the first half of 2023.

On January 25, 2022 Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, reported that the Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.69 per share of the company’s common stock for the second quarter of 2022 (Press release, Merck & Co, JAN 25, 2022, View Source [SID1234606776]). Payment will be made on April 7, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 15, 2022.

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On January 25, 2022 Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) reported results for fourth-quarter and full year 2021 (Press release, Johnson & Johnson, JAN 25, 2022, View Source [SID1234606775]). "Our 2021 performance reflects continued strength across all segments of our business. Guided by Our Credo, I am honored to assume the role of CEO, leading our global teams in continuing our work to deliver life-changing solutions to consumers, patients, and health care providers" said Joaquin Duato, Chief Executive Officer . "Given our strong results, financial profile, and innovative pipeline we are well positioned for success in 2022 and beyond."

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FULL YEAR 2021 SEGMENT COMMENTARY:

Consumer Health
Consumer Health worldwide adjusted operational sales increased 3.8%* primarily driven by over-the-counter (OTC) products including TYLENOL analgesics and digestive health, in addition to NEUTROGENA and AVEENO products in Skin Health / Beauty primarily due to COVID-19 market recovery. The growth was partially offset by external supply constraints mainly impacting Skin Health / Beauty.

Pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical worldwide adjusted operational sales grew 13.6%* driven by DARZALEX (daratumumab), a biologic for the treatment of multiple myeloma, STELARA (ustekinumab), a biologic for the treatment of a number of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, TREMFYA (guselkumab), a biologic for the treatment of adults living with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, and for adults with active psoriatic arthritis, ERLEADA (apalutamide), a next-generation androgen receptor inhibitor for the treatment of patients with prostate cancer, and INVEGA SUSTENNA/XEPLION/INVEGA TRINZA/TREVICTA (paliperidone palmitate), long-acting, injectable atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. Also contributing to growth were sales of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine (Ad26.COV2.S) for the treatment of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This growth was partially offset by declines in U.S. sales of REMICADE (infliximab), a biologic approved for the treatment of a number of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Medical Devices
Medical Devices worldwide adjusted operational sales grew 16.8%*, driven primarily by the market recovery from COVID-19 impacts and the associated deferral of medical procedures in the prior year across all of our businesses including Surgery, Interventional Solutions, Vision and Orthopaedics.

NOTABLE NEW ANNOUCEMENTS IN THE QUARTER:
The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with Johnson & Johnson’s other disclosures filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Current Reports on Form 8-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. The reader is also encouraged to review all other news releases and information available in the Investors section of the company’s website at news releases, as well as www.factsabouttalc.com,www.factsaboutourprescriptionopioids.com, and www.LTLManagementInformation.com.

FULL-YEAR 2022 GUIDANCE:
Johnson & Johnson does not provide GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis because the company is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of legal proceedings, unusual gains and losses, acquisition-related expenses and purchase accounting fair value adjustments without unreasonable effort. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could be material to Johnson & Johnson’s results computed in accordance with GAAP.

Other modeling considerations will be provided on the webcast.

WEBCAST INFORMATION:
Johnson & Johnson will conduct a conference call with investors to discuss this earnings release today at 8:30 a.m., Eastern Time. A simultaneous webcast of the call for investors and other interested parties may be accessed by visiting the Johnson & Johnson Website. A replay and podcast will be available approximately two hours after the live webcast in the Investors section of the company’s website at events-and-presentations.