On June 21, 2022 Ashvattha Therapeutics ("Ashvattha"), a clinical-stage company developing novel hydroxyl dendrimer therapeutics, reported a poster presentation of preclinical data demonstrating the potential of hydroxyl dendrimer therapeutics (HDTs) to reduce toxicity in the targeted treatment of plexiform neurofibroma, a slow-growing tumor associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), at the 2022 Neurofibromatosis (NF) Conference hosted by the Children’s Tumor Foundation and taking place at Loews Philadelphia Hotel in Philadelphia, PA, June 18–21, 2022 (Press release, Ashvattha Therapeutics, JUN 21, 2022, View Source [SID1234616126]).

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The data was presented by Emma C. Mazurek, a scientific collaborator at Indiana University School of Medicine, in a poster titled, "Hydroxyl Dendrimer Therapeutics Reduce Toxicity in Targeted Delivery to Plexiform Neurofibroma."

The study investigated the uptake of HDs varying in size. The data showed selective uptake of HDs only by tumor associated macrophages and microglia, but not adjacent neurons, in an NF1-associated PNF mouse model. Notably, the smaller HD (~14 kDa) showed greater uptake in tumor associated macrophages and microglia, than the larger HD (~56 kDa). In vivo evaluation of HD therapeutics is currently underway in an NF1 mouse model of PNF to assess efficacy as measured by a reduction in tumor burden. These results lay the groundwork for future HD therapies towards treatment of NF1-associated PNF.

"Systemic toxicity remains a challenge in treating PNF, limiting the use of pharmacologic agents. These results suggest that by conjugating drugs to HDs there’s potential to improve safety and reduce toxicity associated with current treatments for NF. HDs allow for the uptake of highly toxic drugs specifically in immune cells within the PNF microenvironment impairing tumor growth," said Jeffrey Cleland, Ph.D., Chairman, CEO and President of Ashvattha Therapeutics. "Studies are currently underway to evaluate novel HDTs in this mouse model of disease to further demonstrate the potential of HDTs in NF1-associated PNF."

Chronic activation of macrophages and microglia plays a critical role in the progression of many neurological diseases, including NF1. Due to the high inoperability of neurofibromas, pharmacological therapeutics are the main strategy in treatment. Current therapies cause systemic toxicity that is not tolerated by patients leading to discontinuation of treatment. For patients with NF1, there is a need for safer treatments to achieve greater efficacy and durability. Previous data suggests that the combined targeting of tumorigenic pathways and immunosuppressive cells within the PNF tumor microenvironment (TME) may be an effective strategy to overcome these challenges. HDs can be conjugated to more than one drug, enabling one HDT to affect multiple pathways.

About Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)
NF1 is the most common cancer predisposition syndrome. It is characterized by changes in skin coloring (pigmentation) and the growth of tumors along nerves in the skin, brain, and other parts of the body known as plexiform neurofibromas (PNF). According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, NF1 is one of the most common inherited disorders affecting 1 in every 3000 individuals. The signs and symptoms of this condition vary widely among affected people. Current treatments are limited and somewhat effective in reducing tumor gral trials. HDTs provide a novel approach to treating tumors in their specificity to tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), further differentiating Ashvattha’s precision medicine approach.

On June 21, 2022 Theralase Technologies Inc. ("Theralase" or the "Company") (TSXV: TLT) (OTCQB: TLTFF), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development of light activated Photo Dynamic Compounds ("PDC") and their associated drug formulations intended to safely and effectively destroy various cancers reported that Theralase’s Phase Ib Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer ("NMIBC") clinical study ("Study") has been peer reviewed and published in the European Urology Open Science ("EUOS") Journal, Volume 41, July 2022 (Press release, Theralase, JUN 21, 2022, View Source [SID1234616125]).

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According to EUOS’s website, EUOS is dedicated to the publication of high quality, innovative research that will benefit patients with urological conditions. EUOS covers research in the urological field, including clinical, basic and translational research.

The publication can be accessed online at no charge at:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666168322005900

The publication states, "Despite efforts to bring new treatment strategies forward for Bacillus Calmette Guérin ("BCG")-Unresponsive NMIBC, a clear consensus for a standard treatment other than radical cystectomy has yet to be established. An effective therapy that provides a high initial and durable responses remains an unmet need."

The publication is entitled, "A Phase 1b Clinical Study of Intravesical Photodynamic Therapy in Patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin–unresponsive Non–muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer" and states, "Although limited by the small sample size typically inherent in phase 1 trials, we feel that the photosensitizer TLD-1433 and the delivery device TLC-3200 hold promise for the treatment of NMIBC. In this study, Photo Dynamic Therapy ("PDT") was well tolerated and demonstrated safety and potential efficacy, thus warranting further study."

As a result, the Medical and Scientific Advisory Board ("MSAB") unanimously agreed that Theralase should further investigate PDT in a multi-site, pivotal Phase II NMIBC Clinical Study ("Study II"). Study II is currently underway at 5 Clinical Study Sites ("CSS") in Canada and 7 CSSs in the United States, with 41 patients treated to date.

Girish Kulkarni, M.D., Ph.D., lead principal investigator of the Study at the Divisions of Urology and Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ("UHN") stated, "I am delighted that the high-quality research conducted at UHN, in conjunction with Theralase, was successful, in this challenging patient population, both for safety and potential efficacy. Patients with BCG-Unresponsive NMIBC are a difficult patient population to treat since they have unfortunately failed the standard of care, BCG. Many also failed other investigational therapies prior to being treated with Theralase’s PDT. The clinical data that we collected was robust and clinically relevant. I am fully supportive of the multi-site Phase II NMIBC clinical study, currently in progress, to further investigate the role of PDT in BCG-Unresponsive NMIBC."

Dr. Arkady Mandel M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of Theralase stated "The Company is very pleased to share the Study clinical data that has been peer-reviewed and published in EUOS. Indeed, the publication of clinical results in a peer reviewed journal like EUOS validates the quality of the Theralase research and the professionalism of the clinical study team, who conducted it. As a direct result of the success of this initial Study, Theralase elected to undertake Study II, which I am happy to report is proceeding well. I am encouraged by the clinical data generated to date with intravesical TLD-1433, activated by laser light therapy, as I believe Theralase’s PDT is a viable alternative for the BCG-Unresponsive NMIBC patient population, although significant data is still pending. The ongoing analysis of the patients supports that up to 50% of evaluable patients (patients who have been clinically assessed by the principal investigators at study visits and whose response to a treatment can be measured because enough information has been collected) have achieved the primary study objective. We are grateful for the ongoing support to all clinical and technical personnel involved in the successful completion of the Study and in the strong clinical data collected to date for Study II. Based on the strength of the clinical data collected and the consistently high safety and efficacy profile of Theralase’s PDT, I am confident that TLD-1433-based therapy has the potential to become the next gold-standard in the treatment of BCG-Unresponsive patients."

About Study I

The Study’s primary objective was safety and tolerability of PDT, with a secondary objective of pharmacokinetics ((drug evacuation from the body)) and a tertiary objective of efficacy (CR primarily at 90 and secondarily at 180 days for patients treated at the maximum recommended starting dose (0.35 mg/cm2 ) and the therapeutic dose (0.70 mg/cm2)). Patients who were treated at the therapeutic dose, consented to be followed clinically for 18 months, post initial treatment.

About Study II

Study II utilizes the therapeutic dose of TLD-1433 (0.70 mg/cm 2 ) activated by the proprietary TLC-3200 medical laser system. Study II is focused on enrolling and treating approximately 100 to 125 BCG-Unresponsive NMIBC Carcinoma In-Situ ("CIS") patients in up to 15 CSSs located in Canada and the United States.

Study II Objectives:

Primary – Efficacy (defined by CR) at any point in time.
Secondary – Duration of CR (defined by duration of CR lasting a minimum 360 days post-initial CR).
Tertiary – Safety measured by incidence and severity of AEs Grade 4 or higher that do not resolve within 450 days post primary study treatment. (Grade 1 = Mild, Grade 2 = Moderate, Grade 3 = Serious, Grade 4 = Life Threatening and Grade 5 = Death)
About TLD-1433

TLD-1433 is a patented PDC with over 10 years of published peer-reviewed preclinical and clinical research and is currently under investigation in Study II.

On June 21, 2022 Abcuro, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer through precise modulation of cytotoxic T and NK cells, reported the appointment of H. Jeffrey Wilkins, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer (Press release, Abcuro, JUN 21, 2022, View Source [SID1234616124]). Dr. Wilkins brings deep experience in advancing clinical programs with a focus in immunology, rare diseases, and immuno-oncology.

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"Jeff’s impressive track record and extensive experience in immunology, immuno-oncology, and rare disease clinical development make him an ideal fit for Abcuro at this pivotal time in our evolution," said John Edwards, Executive Chairman of Abcuro. "We are excited to welcome Jeff to our leadership team and look forward to working closely with him as we advance ABC008 into a late-stage clinical trial in inclusion body myositis (IBM) and initiate a clinical trial in T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL) this year."

"I am eager to bring my clinical development expertise to a talented Abcuro team at such an important time. I am impressed with ABC008’s ability to selectively deplete highly cytotoxic T cells, an immune cell population driving tissue damage in several autoimmune disorders, most prominently in IBM," said Dr. Wilkins. "I look forward to the opportunity to guide the clinical advancement of ABC008 across multiple indications and to progress ABC015 towards the clinic – both of which represent novel approaches to address important medical needs."

Dr. Wilkins brings more than twenty years of clinical research experience to Abcuro, most recently serving as Chief Medical Officer of Avalo Therapeutics, where he was responsible for clinical development for programs in immuno-oncology, immunology and orphan disease. Previously, he held the position of Chief Medical Officer at Lycera, and Ceptaris Therapeutics, where he led clinical programs from IND Phase I trials to regulatory approval (including Valchlor). Prior to this, Dr. Wilkins was Vice President, Worldwide Clinical Research, Inflammation/Oncology at Cephalon, Inc., where he was responsible for clinical development, medical affairs, and business development efforts in both therapeutic areas. He joined Cephalon via its acquisition of Ception Therapeutics, and as Senior Vice President of Clinical Development, headed a successful program in eosinophilic asthma. Dr. Wilkins entered the pharmaceutical industry with GlaxoSmithKline, where he rose to become Vice President of Discovery Medicine for GSK’s Center of Excellence in External Drug Discovery. Dr. Wilkins received his M.D. from Temple University School of Medicine and his B.S. from Bucknell University.

About ABC008
ABC008 is a first-in-class anti-KLRG1 antibody capable of selectively depleting highly cytotoxic T cells, while sparing regulatory and central memory T cells. ABC008 has been designed to treat diseases mediated by highly cytotoxic T cells, including the autoimmune muscle disease inclusion body myositis (IBM), T cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL), and other mature T cell malignancies. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation to ABC008 for the treatment of IBM.

On June 21, 2022 Ultima Genomics, Inc. and Exact Sciences Corporation (Nasdaq: EXAS) reported that they have entered a long-term supply agreement for Ultima’s next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies (Press release, Exact Sciences, JUN 21, 2022, View Source [SID1234616123]). Under the terms of the supply agreement, Ultima Genomics will provide access to its NGS products, which are based on a new architecture designed to enable sequencing at a fraction of the cost of other commercially available technologies . The companies also plan to develop one or more of Exact Sciences’ advanced cancer diagnostic tests using Ultima’s sequencing technology. In conjunction with the agreement, Exact Sciences became an investor in Ultima and joined its ongoing early access program for its high-throughput NGS instrument platform, the UG 100. The collaboration is aimed at driving down the high cost of sequencing to improve patient access to genomics-based testing and human health.

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"Exact Sciences believes access to differentiated and affordable genomics technologies is critical to providing patients better information before diagnosis and across all stages of cancer treatment," said Kevin Conroy, chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences. "Ultima’s mission to drive down the cost of sequencing and increase the use of genomic information supports our goal to provide accurate and affordable testing options across the cancer continuum. This is particularly important for applications like cancer screening, minimal residual disease, and recurrence monitoring, which could lead to millions of tests per year."

"We founded Ultima Genomics with the mission to continuously drive the scale of genomic information. We believe our mission is closely aligned with the goals of our customers, and we look forward to enabling Exact Sciences and others to perform sequencing at a fraction of the cost today," said Gilad Almogy, CEO of Ultima Genomics. "We designed our new sequencing architecture to scale beyond conventional technologies, and are excited to soon make the UG 100, our first instrument using this architecture, commercially available to more customers. In the future, we aim to continuously improve our technology, further drive down costs, and increase the scale of genomic information to improve patient outcomes."

Over the last 5 years, Ultima Genomics has developed a fundamentally new sequencing architecture designed to scale beyond conventional approaches, including completely different flow cell engineering and sequencing chemistry, and machine learning. Ultima is currently in an early access program for the UG 100, its first high-throughput NGS instrument using this new technology architecture.

On June 21, 2022 Kintara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTRA) ("Kintara" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of new solid tumor cancer therapies, reported that President and CEO Robert E. Hoffman will present a corporate overview at the Alliance Global Partners Summer Healthcare Conference (Press release, Kintara Therapeutics, JUN 21, 2022, View Source [SID1234616122]). The conference is being held virtually on June 21 – 22, 2022.

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Mr. Hoffman will be available for one-on-one meetings. For more information, please contact your registered AGP representative or [email protected].