On October 5, 2022 EpiAxis Therapeutics reported at BioPharm America 2022, part of Biotech Week Boston, giving investors an update on the company’s progress in the epigenetic space (Press release, EpiAxis Therapeutics, OCT 5, 2022, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=epiaxis-presents-at-biopharm-america [SID1234621847]).

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BioPharm America is a conference where the new wave of life science innovators partner to fuel the future of drug development. Now in its 15th year, the event was held in-person on 28-29 September 2022 and across two digital days from 4-5 October 2022.

BioPharm America Digital created a robust exchange among executives from major pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies of every size and stage, investors and academic institutions. It brought dealmakers from the life science ecosystem together, with half the virtual audience from the United States and the rest from around the globe.

Appearing at BioPharm American follows an exciting Q1 FY23 for EpiAxis, which has included collaborations with University Health Network (UHN) and Peptilogics.

EpiAxis and UHN – Canada’s largest and leading research hospital – have entered into a collaboration to study a new approach to prostate cancer treatment; while Peptilogics, a biotech company engineering peptide therapeutics by combining computation and biology to improve the treatment landscape for patients with life-threatening diseases, has joined with EpiAxis to leverage AI for drug discovery to inhibit epigenetic oncology targets, aiming to reprogram cancer cells and drive immune reinvigoration.

On October 5, 2022 Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services, and Summa Health, a large integrated healthcare delivery system in Ohio, reported a definitive agreement for Quest to acquire select assets of Summa Health’s outreach laboratory services business, referred to as LabCare Plus, in an all-cash transaction (Press release, Quest Diagnostics, OCT 5, 2022, View Source [SID1234621764]).

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The aim of the transaction is to broaden access to innovative, quality and cost-effective laboratory services powering affordable care for communities in Ohio. Under the agreement, Quest’s laboratories in Twinsburg, Ohio, and Pittsburgh will provide testing for physicians and patients serviced by LabCare Plus. Summa Health will continue to wholly own and operate its hospital labs providing laboratory services for inpatient and hospital-based outpatient care, along with its anatomic pathology services.

Assuming the transaction’s completion, physicians and patients throughout Ohio will benefit from access to Quest’s industry-leading and highly innovative test menu, broad health plan coverage, network of patient access sites throughout the state, and lower out-of-pocket costs for many services.

"Laboratory services are a critical and fast-evolving area of healthcare. As the nation’s leader, Quest has the expertise, agility and breadth of innovation to deliver the enhanced capabilities that physicians and patients increasingly expect," said Ben Sutton, Chief Strategy Officer and President of Ambulatory Care and Clinical Service Lines for Summa Health. "With this relationship, patients and providers in Ohio will benefit from access to advanced laboratory capabilities supporting better health outcomes."

"Diagnostics provide the insights to deliver healthcare that is both high quality and high value. By helping top health systems like Summa Health optimize their lab strategies, Quest empowers better health and affordable care for more patients," said Steve Rusckowski, Quest Diagnostics Chairman, CEO and President. "We look forward to extending our reach to more communities in Ohio as we strive to build a healthier world."

Summa Health selected Quest Diagnostics following a competitive bid. The parties expect to complete the transaction in the fourth quarter of 2022, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

On October 5, 2022 Cellectis (the "Company") (Euronext Growth: ALCLS – NASDAQ: CLLS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company using its pioneering gene-editing platform to develop life-saving cell and gene therapies, reported that pre-clinical data on TALEN-edited smart CAR T-cells to overcome key challenges of targeting solid tumors, will be presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper)’s 37th Annual Meeting (SITC 2022), to be held in Boston, M.A. and virtually on November 8-12, 2022 (Press release, Cellectis, OCT 5, 2022, View Source [SID1234621757]).

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Presentations include:

Poster presentation:

Cellectis will present a poster on TALEN-edited smart CAR T-cells targeting MUC1- expressing solid tumors. MUC1 is a tumor-associated antigen that is overexpressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and other solid tumor malignancies.

Title: Multi-armored allogeneic MUC-1 CAR T-cells efficiently control triple negative breast cancer tumor growth
Poster Number: 217
Presenter: Piril, Erler Ph.D., Scientist II, Immuno-Oncology, Cellectis
Date/Time: Thursday, November 10th, posters will be on display from 9:00 AM- 9:00 PM, Hall C

Poster presentation:

Cellectis will present a poster on innovative T-cell engineering strategies designed to increase the activity of CAR T-cells for solid tumors while mitigating toxicity risk.

Title: TALEN-edited smart CAR T-cells leverage solid tumor microenvironment for specific and effective immunotherapy
Poster Number: 325
Presenter: Shipra Das Ph.D., Senior Scientist & Team Leader Immuno-Oncology, Cellectis
Date/Time: Thursday, November 10th, posters will be on display from 9:00 AM- 9:00 PM, Hall C

Full text of the abstracts will be released on the SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) website at 8:00 a.m. EST on November 7, 2022.

On October 5, 2022 NeoImmuneTech, Inc. (NIT or "NeoImmuneTech"), a clinical-stage T cell-focused biopharmaceutical company, reported it will present development progress of its main asset, NT-I7 (efineptakin alfa), across five presentations at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) annual meeting, to be held in Boston, November 8-12, 2022 (Press release, NeoImmuneTech, OCT 5, 2022, View Source [SID1234621755]). These include 1 oral presentation, and 4 poster displays.

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NIT presentations at the 2022 SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) Annual Meeting:

Primary Author

Abstract Title

Presentation Details

Naing, A

NT-I7, a long-acting IL-7, plus
pembrolizumab favors CD8 T-cell
infiltration in liver metastases of heavily pre-treated,
immunologically cold, MSS-colorectal and
pancreatic cancer

• Abstract #657

• Oral presentation

• Session 213: Next-Generation Cytokine Therapy

• Nov 11, 2022, 5:20 pm – 5:35 pm, EST

Campian, J

A phase I/II study evaluating the safety and
efficacy of a novel long-acting interleukin-7,
NT-I7, for patients with newly diagnosed
high-grade gliomas after chemoradiotherapy

• Abstract #624

• Nov 11, 2022

Kang, H

NT-I7 for the treatment of locally recurrent
squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
undergoing salvage surgery: A clinical trial in
progress.

• Abstract #679

• Nov 10, 2022

Phoon, Y

NT-I7, a novel long-acting interleukin-7,
improves engraftment of patient immune
cells and efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy in a
preclinical humanized melanoma model

• Abstract #849

• Nov 10, 2022

Lee, S

Redirecting IL-7-induced bystander tumor-
infiltrating lymphocytes by bispecific T-cell
engager augments antitumor response

• Abstract #837

• Nov 10, 2022

About NT-I7 (efineptakin alfa) (rhIL-7-hyFc)

NT-I7 (efineptakin alfa) is the only clinical-stage long-acting human IL-7 and is being developed in oncologic and immunologic indications, where T cell amplification and increased functionality may provide clinical benefit. IL-7 is a fundamental cytokine for naïve and memory T cell development and sustaining immune response to chronic antigens (as in cancer) or foreign antigens (as in infectious diseases). NT-I7 exhibits favorable PK/PD and safety profiles, making it an ideal combination partner. NT-I7 is being studied in multiple clinical trials in solid tumors and as vaccine adjuvant. Studies are being planned for testing in hematologic malignancies, additional solid tumors and other immunology-focused indications.

On October 5, 2022 Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf" or the "Company"), a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis, reported the completion of its previously announced acquisition of Tryke Companies ("Tryke") (dba as Reef Dispensaries), a privately held vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis operator (Press release, Curaleaf Holdings, OCT 5, 2022, View Source [SID1234621754]). With the close of the transaction, Curaleaf’s national footprint has reached 29 cultivation sites and 144 dispensaries nationwide.

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Boris Jordan, Founder and Executive Chairman of Curaleaf, stated, "We are pleased to welcome Tryke to the Curaleaf family as we expand our operations and bolster our competitive position in three key growth markets. This strategic transaction expands our U.S. presence and yields meaningful benefits for all of our stakeholders. The acquisition is immediately accretive to our EBITDA margins and free cash flow generation."

Matt Darin, CEO of Curaleaf, said, "As we continue to unite the strength of our brands, products and cultivation channels to lead the industry, we’re excited to join forces with Tryke to deliver additional value for our customers and retailers in Arizona, Nevada and Utah. This deal represents a significant opportunity with strong long-term growth potential, and we are now strategically positioned us to accelerate our growth in the West."

Tryke Companies Highlights:

Four retail dispensaries in Las Vegas, Sparks, and Sun Valley, Nevada; two retail dispensaries in Phoenix, Arizona.
Expansive product offering including a wide variety of in-house and third-party flower, concentrates, vape cartridges, edibles, topicals and CBD products.
Extensive portfolio of processing licenses with 30,000 square feet of cultivation; capacity to expand to 80,000 square feet over the next three years.
Transaction Details:

The transaction consideration includes an initial payment at closing of US$10 million in cash and 2.7 million shares, and additional cash and shares consideration of US$75 million and 16.5 million Subordinate Voting Shares, to be paid in three installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the closing, for a total consideration of US$181 million. Contingent consideration of up to 1 million Subordinate Voting Shares may be paid in 2023 based on the business exceeding certain EBITDA targets for the year 2022.