Study Demonstrates Use of DecisionDx®-Melanoma to Guide Treatment Decisions Resulted in Earlier Detection of Melanoma with Decreased Metastatic Tumor Burden Compared to Patients Without Surveillance Imaging Studies

On May 3, 2023 Castle Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSTL), a company improving health through innovative tests that guide patient care, reported the publication of an independent, multi-center study in the Archives of Dermatological Research providing a direct chain of evidence that use of DecisionDx-Melanoma test results to guide radiological surveillance could lead to improved patient outcomes (Press release, Castle Biosciences, MAY 3, 2023, View Source [SID1234630957]).1 The study, authored by Dhillon et al., can be found here.

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"Published clinical use data, coupled with improved responses with immunotherapy when the metastatic tumor burden is lower, has previously shown an indirect chain of evidence between the clinical use of our DecisionDx-Melanoma test and improved outcomes due to early detection of metastasis and therefore early treatment intervention," said Derek Maetzold, president and chief executive officer of Castle Biosciences. "We believe this study is significant in that it provides a direct chain of evidence between the use of DecisionDx-Melanoma to guide treatment plan decisions, which could result in improved survival compared to patients from the same institution who did not have their treatment plans informed by our test."

DecisionDx-Melanoma has been validated to inform two clinical decisions in the management of patients with cutaneous melanoma (CM) that are made in the acute post-diagnosis time period:

1) Use of a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) surgical procedure,2 and
2) The subsequent risk-guided follow-up and management plans that are differentiated between patients who have a high versus a low likelihood of metastasis.3

"In melanoma, as in all cancers, treatment plan decisions are guided by the risk of disease recurrence and metastasis," continued Maetzold. "In this study, the authors controlled for SLNB (all patients underwent the procedure and were negative) and evaluated the impact of implementing risk-guided metastatic surveillance treatment plans for patients with a high-risk DecisionDx-Melanoma test result versus standard of care under the current guidelines. The direct improvement in melanoma-specific survival is what we would expect based upon indirect chain of evidence analyses."

The Dhillon et al. study, conducted at three National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers, included patients with Stage I or II CM who had a negative SLNB. The experimental group was comprised of patients who had received high-risk DecisionDx-Melanoma test results and thus received routine imaging every six to twelve months. Patients in the control group did not receive DecisionDx-Melanoma testing and had imaging studies driven only by clinical symptoms or physical exam findings.

Key findings of the study include:

Patients in the experimental group who received DecisionDx-Melanoma testing and surveillance imaging had melanoma recurrences detected approximately ten months earlier than patients in the control group (p=0.049).
The average tumor burden detected at patients’ melanoma recurrence was significantly lower in the experimental group compared to the control group (27.6 mm vs. 73.1 mm; p=0.027). Note: recent studies cited in the paper suggest a survival benefit when metastatic melanoma is treated at a lower tumor burden.
Of the patients with a recurrence, 82% in the experimental group and 71% in the control group started immunotherapy.

At patients’ last follow up, 76% of the patients with melanoma recurrence in the experimental group were alive (average follow-up time=45.6 months), compared to 50% of recurrent melanoma patients in the control group (average follow-up time=63.3 months) (p=0.027).
Overall, the study found that using DecisionDx-Melanoma to risk-stratify patients to guide care resulted in earlier detection of melanoma recurrence while the tumor burden was lower, which could lead to improved patient outcomes.

About DecisionDx-Melanoma

DecisionDx-Melanoma is a gene expression profile risk stratification test. It is designed to inform two clinical questions in the management of cutaneous melanoma: a patient’s individual risk of sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity and a patient’s personal risk of melanoma recurrence and/or metastasis. By integrating tumor biology with clinical and pathologic factors using a validated proprietary algorithm, DecisionDx-Melanoma is designed to provide a comprehensive and clinically actionable result to guide risk-aligned patient care. DecisionDx-Melanoma has been shown to be associated with improved patient survival and has been studied in more than 10,000 patient samples. DecisionDx-Melanoma’s clinical value is supported by more than 40 peer-reviewed and published studies, providing confidence in disease management plans that incorporate the test’s results. Through Dec. 31, 2022, DecisionDx-Melanoma has been ordered 120,287 times for patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma. More information about the test and disease can be found at www.CastleTestInfo.com.

Innate Pharma Highlights Clinical Abstracts Selected for ASCO 2023 Annual Meeting

On May 3, 2023 Innate Pharma SA (Euronext Paris: IPH; Nasdaq: IPHA) ("Innate" or the "Company") reported three abstracts including Innate’s product candidates have been accepted for the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2023 Annual Meeting, taking place June 2-6, 2023 in Chicago, IL (Press release, Innate Pharma, MAY 3, 2023, View Source [SID1234630956]).

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One abstract for SAR’579, currently developed by Sanofi, has been selected for oral presentation. SAR’579 is a potential first-in-class NKp46/CD16-based NK cell engager targeting CD123 using Innate’s proprietary multi-specific antibody format ANKET.

Two abstracts with monalizumab in non-small cell lung cancer clinical trials led by AstraZeneca have been accepted for trial in progress posters.

ASCO abstract title details:

SAR’579 / IPH6101

Abstract: 7005
Abstract Title: A first-in-human study of CD123 NK cell engager SAR443579 in relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or high-risk myelodysplasia.
Session Type/Title: Oral Abstract Session – Hematologic Malignancies – Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, and Allotransplant
Session Date and Time: 6/2/2023, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Monalizumab

Abstract: TPS8610 Poster Bd# 231b
Abstract Title: Phase 3 study of durvalumab combined with oleclumab or monalizumab in patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC (PACIFIC-9).
Session Type/Title: Poster Session – Lung Cancer – Non-Small Cell Local-Regional/Small Cell/Other Thoracic Cancers
Session Date and Time: 6/4/2023, 8:00 AM EDT

Abstract: TPS8604 Poster Bd# 228b
Abstract Title: NeoCOAST-2: A phase 2 study of neoadjuvant durvalumab plus novel immunotherapies (IO) and chemotherapy (CT) or MEDI5752 (volrustomig) plus CT, followed by surgery and adjuvant durvalumab plus novel IO or volrustomig alone in patients with resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Session Type/Title: Poster Session – Lung Cancer – Non-Small Cell Local-Regional/Small Cell/Other Thoracic Cancers
Session Date and Time: 6/4/2023, 8:00 AM EDT

According to ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, full abstracts will become public at 5:00 PM EDT on May 25, 2023. More details about the programs for the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meetings are available online at www.asco.com

About ANKET

ANKET (Antibody-based NK cell Engager Therapeutics) is Innate’s proprietary platform for developing next-generation, multi-specific natural killer (NK) cell engagers to treat certain types of cancer.

This versatile, fit-for-purpose technology is creating an entirely new class of molecules to induce synthetic immunity against cancer.

Summit Therapeutics Announces Initial Indications for Clinical Trials for Ivonescimab (SMT112)

On May 3, 2023 Summit Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SMMT) ("Summit," "we," or the "Company") reported that it has determined its first two indications in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in which to pursue Phase III clinical trials for its innovative, potential first-in-class bispecific antibody, ivonescimab (Press release, Summit Therapeutics, MAY 3, 2023, View Source [SID1234630955]).

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Summit has held multiple meetings with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during the first quarter of 2023 regarding its planned Phase III clinical program and incorporated this feedback accordingly. We plan to initiate clinical studies in the following indications:

Ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have progressed after treatment with a third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) ("HARMONi")
Ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy in first-line metastatic squamous NSCLC patients ("HARMONi-3")
For the HARMONi trial, Summit intends to dose its first patient during the current quarter (Q2 2023). We intend to dose our first patient in the HARMONi-3 trial in the second half of 2023.

Ivonescimab, known as SMT112 in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan, and as AK112 in China and Australia, is a novel, potential first-in-class investigational bispecific antibody combining the effects of immunotherapy via a blockade of PD-1 with the anti-angiogenesis effects associated with blocking VEGF into a single molecule. There is higher expression (presence) of both PD-1 and VEGF in tumor tissue and the tumor microenvironment (TME) as compared to normal, healthy tissue in the body. Ivonescimab’s tetravalent structure enables higher avidity (accumulated strength of multiple binding interactions) with over 10 fold increased binding affinity to PD-1 in the presence of VEGF in vitro in tumor cells.1 This tetravalent structure, the design of the molecule, and bringing these two targets into a single bispecific antibody have the potential to steer ivonescimab to the tumor tissue versus healthy tissue, which are intended to improve side effects and safety concerns associated with these targets and have the potential to focus the antitumor activity of both targets.

Over 750 patients have been dosed with ivonescimab in clinical studies in China and Australia.

"I am immensely proud of the speed and efficiency of our team to enable clinical trials for SMT112," stated Robert W. Duggan, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Summit. "I am particularly enthusiastic about the potential of ivonescimab: this shared enthusiasm is the impetus behind Team Summit’s rapid development to enter into multiple Phase III clinical trials with SMT112. With our confidence in our ability to clinically develop, achieve regulatory approvals, and effectively commercialize a quality product, we believe that we have the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of those patients who could benefit from this innovative therapy."

"Our agreement to in-license ivonescimab from our high-achieving partner, Akeso, went effective this past January," added Dr. Maky Zanganeh, Co-CEO & President of Summit. "In just over three months’ time, we are preparing to enroll patients in our first Phase III clinical trial, while actively preparing to launch our second Phase III study later this year. The commitment, preparation, diligence, and vision of Team Summit is shining brightly today and reflects the work we have completed to maximize the opportunities for the success of ivonescimab."

Ivonescimab is an investigational product and is not approved for use by any health authority. Its efficacy and safety for the treatment of any indication have not been established.

1 Zhong et al, SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) 2022

First Quarter 2023 Earnings Call

Summit will host an earnings call to announce its first quarter 2023 financial results and provide an operational update for the Company on Thursday, May 11, 2023, before the market opens. Summit will host a live webcast of the earnings conference call at 9:00am ET. It will be accessible through Summit’s website www.smmttx.com. An archived edition of the session will be available on our website.

MorphoSys AG Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results

On May 3, 2023 MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; NASDAQ: MOR) reported results for the first quarter of 2023 (Press release, MorphoSys, MAY 3, 2023, View Source [SID1234630954]).

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"We had a strong first quarter, marked by numerous achievements. Most importantly, we completed enrollment of our Phase 3 MANIFEST-2 study of pelabresib in first-line myelofibrosis ahead of schedule. As a result, the topline data from the trial are now expected by the end of 2023, months earlier than previously anticipated," said Jean-Paul Kress, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of MorphoSys. "We continue to focus our work on our most-advanced clinical programs that have the potential to create near-term value for all stakeholders. We look forward to building on this great momentum in 2023 and the years ahead."

Monjuvi/Minjuvi Highlights:

Monjuvi (tafasitamab-cxix) U.S. net product sales of US$ 20.8 million (€ 19.4 million) for the first quarter 2023 (Q1 2022: US$ 18.7 million (€ 16.6 million)).

Minjuvi royalty revenue of € 0.7 million for sales outside of the U.S. in the first quarter 2023 (Q1 2022: € 0.7 million).

Corporate Developments:

On March 2, 2023, MorphoSys announced that it will stop work and operations on its pre-clinical research programs to optimize its cost structure. MorphoSys reduced its workforce at the company’s headquarters in Planegg, Germany, by approximately 17%. This action, along with other steps taken over the past year, enables MorphoSys to focus resources on its mid- to late-stage oncology pipeline.

On March 14, 2023, MorphoSys announced that Lucinda Crabtree, Ph.D., will join the company as its Chief Financial Officer and member of the Management Board in the third quarter of 2023 at the latest.

Charlotte Lohmann was appointed as Chief Legal Officer on March 1, 2023 and will serve as a member of MorphoSys’ Management Board ad interim.

On March 30, 2023, MorphoSys settled the repurchase of bonds in the value of € 62.9 million (approximately 19 % of the outstanding principal amount) resulting in an outstanding aggregate principal amount of the convertible bonds of € 262.1 million.

Significant Events After the End of the First Quarter of 2023:

Pelabresib:
On April 4, 2023, MorphoSys announced that enrollment is complete for MANIFEST-2, the ongoing Phase 3 study exploring the efficacy and safety of pelabresib, an investigational BET inhibitor, in combination with ruxolitinib versus ruxolitinib alone in patients with myelofibrosis who have not previously been treated with a JAK inhibitor (JAK inhibitor-naïve). More than 400 patients were enrolled in this study. The topline data are now expected by the end of 2023, earlier than previously anticipated.

Tafasitamab:
On April 4, 2023, MorphoSys announced that enrollment of the Phase 3 frontMIND study is also complete, with more than 880 patients enrolled in the trial. frontMIND is a global, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial exploring tafasitamab, marketed in the U.S. as Monjuvi and outside the U.S. by Incyte as Minjuvi, plus lenalidomide in addition to R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) versus R-CHOP alone as a first-line treatment for high-intermediate and high-risk patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The topline data from this study are expected in the second half of 2025.

Conference Data Highlight:
On April 16, 2023, MorphoSys and Incyte announced final five-year follow-up data from the Phase 2 L-MIND study showing that Monjuvi (tafasitamab-cxix) plus lenalidomide followed by Monjuvi monotherapy provided prolonged, durable responses in adult patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL. These data were featured as a late-breaking oral presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2023.

New data on pelabresib in essential thrombocythemia and tulmimetostat in a broad array of advanced tumors will be featured in two poster presentations during the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2023 (IFRS):

Total revenues for the first quarter 2023 were € 62.3 million compared to € 41.5 million for the same period in 2022. This increase resulted mainly from higher revenues from the sale of clinical vials.

in € million*

Q1 2023

Q4 2022

Q1 2022

Q-Q Δ

Y-Y Δ

Total revenues

62.3

81.6

41.5

(24) %

50 %

Monjuvi product sales

19.4

24.7

16.6

(21) %

17 %

Royalties

21.6

29.1

19.0

(26) %

14 %

Licenses, milestones and other

21.3

27.9

5.8

(24) %

> 100%

* Differences due to rounding.

Cost of Sales: Cost of sales in the first quarter of 2023 amounted to € 21.0 million (Q1 2022: € 7.9 million). The year-on-year increase resulted primarily from expenses related to vial sales to Incyte. Cost of sales related to Monjuvi U.S. product sales amounted to € 3.1 million in the first quarter of 2023. The gross margin of Monjuvi U.S. net product sales amounted to 84% (Q1 2022: 79%).

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: In the first quarter 2023, R&D expenses were € 83.1 million (Q1 2022: € 65.0 million). The increase mainly resulted from additional costs incurred due to the positive development of the patient recruitment in the major ongoing clinical studies of MorphoSys. Additionally, the first quarter of 2023 included a one-time effect resulting from severances in connection with the restructuring of the research area.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses: Selling expenses in the first quarter 2023 were € 16.9 million (Q1 2022: € 21.9 million). The decrease was driven by streamlining and focusing of selling efforts. General and administrative (G&A) expenses amounted to € 10.9 million (Q1 2022: € 14.6 million).

Operating Loss: Operating loss amounted to € 69.5 million in the first quarter 2023 (Q1 2022: operating loss of € 68.0 million).

Consolidated Net Loss: For the first quarter 2023, consolidated net loss was € 44.4 million (Q1 2022: consolidated net loss of € 122.7 million).

Full Year 2023 Financial Guidance:

Amounts in million

2023 Financial Guidance

2023 Guidance Insights

Monjuvi U.S. net
product sales

US$ 80m to 95m

100% of Monjuvi U.S. net product sales are recorded
on MorphoSys’ income statement and
related profit/loss is split 50/50 between
MorphoSys and Incyte.

Gross margin for
Monjuvi U.S. net
product sales

75% to 80%

100% of Monjuvi U.S. product cost of sales are
recorded on MorphoSys’ income statement and
related profit/loss is split 50/50 between
MorphoSys and Incyte.

R&D expenses

€ 290m to 315m

2023 anticipated to be incrementally higher than
2022 due to the expansion of the pelabresib
development program.

SG&A expenses

€ 140m to 155m

45% to 50% of mid-point of SG&A expenses
represent Monjuvi U.S. selling costs of which
100% are recorded in MorphoSys’ income
statement. Incyte reimburses MorphoSys for half
of these selling expenses.

Additional information related to 2023 Financial Guidance:

Tremfya royalties will continue to be recorded as revenue without any cost of sales in MorphoSys’ income statement. These royalties, however, will not contribute any cash to MorphoSys, as 100% of the royalties will be passed on to Royalty Pharma.
MorphoSys anticipates receiving royalties for Minjuvi sales outside of the U.S.
MorphoSys does not anticipate any significant cash-accretive revenues from the achievement of milestones in 2023.
MorphoSys anticipates sales of commercial and clinical supply of tafasitamab outside of the U.S. to its partner Incyte. Revenue from this supply is recorded in the "Licenses, milestones and other" category in MorphoSys’ income statement. These sales result in a zero gross profit/margin. MorphoSys does not provide guidance for these sales.
Operational Outlook:

The following events and development activities planned for 2023 and beyond include the following:

topline results for the pivotal Phase 3 study (MANIFEST-2) of pelabresib in myelofibrosis (MF) by the end of 2023;
primary analysis data from the Phase 3 study (inMIND) of tafasitamab in patients with indolent lymphoma (r/r FL/MZL) in 2024;
primary analysis data from the pivotal Phase 3 study (frontMIND) of tafasitamab in previously untreated DLBCL in the second half of 2025.
MorphoSys Group Key Figures (IFRS, end of the first quarter: March 31, 2023)

in € million

Q1 2023

Q1 2022

Δ

Revenues

62.3

41.5

50 %

Product Sales

19.4

16.6

17 %

Royalties

21.6

19.0

14 %

Licenses, Milestones and Other

21.3

5.8

>100%

Cost of Sales

(21.0)

(7.9)

>100%

Gross Profit

41.3

33.6

23 %

Total Operating Expenses

(110.8)

(101.5)

9 %

Research and Development

(83.1)

(65.0)

28 %

Selling

(16.9)

(21.9)

(23) %

General and Administrative

(10.9)

(14.6)

(25) %

Operating Profit / (Loss)

(69.5)

(68.0)

2 %

Other Income

2.1

1.4

50 %

Other Expenses

(1.8)

(3.7)

(51) %

Finance Income

55.0

10.6

>100%

Finance Expenses

(28.3)

(62.8)

(55) %

Income from Reversals of Impairment Losses / (Impairment Losses) on
Financial Assets

0.5

(0.1)

>(100)%

Share of Loss of Associates accounted for using the Equity Method

(2.5)

n/a

Income Tax Benefit / (Expenses)

0.0

0.0

n/a

Consolidated Net Profit / (Loss)

(44.4)

(122.7)

(64) %

Earnings per Share, Basic and Diluted (in €)

(1.30)

(3.59)

(64) %

Cash and other financial assets (end of period)

791.5

907.2 *

(13) %

* Value as of December 31, 2022

MorphoSys will hold its conference call and webcast tomorrow, May 04, 2023, at 2:00pm CEST (1:00pm GMT/8:00am EST) to present the results for the first quarter 2023.

Participants for the conference call and webcast may pre-register and will receive dedicated dial-in details to easily and quickly access the call:

View Source;linkSecurityString=77dbe4aa2

Please dial in 10 minutes before the beginning of the conference.

A live webcast and slides will be made available at the Investors section under "Events & Conferences" on MorphoSys’ website, View Source and after the call, a slide-synchronized audio replay of the conference will be available at the same location.

The statement for the first quarter 2023 (IFRS) is available for download at:

View Source/en/investors/financial-information

FoundationOne®Liquid CDx Receives FDA-Approval as a Companion Diagnostic for EXKIVITY® (mobocertinib) to Identify Patients with EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutations in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

On May 3, 2023 Foundation Medicine, Inc., a leader in molecular profiling for cancer, reported that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for FoundationOneLiquid CDx to be used as a companion diagnostic for EXKIVITY (mobocertinib), which is currently FDA-approved for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion mutations as detected by an FDA-approved test, whose disease has progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy (Press release, Foundation Medicine, MAY 3, 2023, View Source [SID1234630953]). For full Indication, Important Safety Information and link to the Prescribing Information, please see ‘About Exkivity’ below. FoundationOne Liquid CDx is the only blood-based comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) test that is FDA-approved to detect EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations to identify patients who may be appropriate for treatment with EXKIVITY.

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Non Small cell Lung cancer is the most common form of lung cancer, accounting for 80-85% of lung cancer diagnoses.1 Approximately 1-2% of patients with NSCLC have EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, which are more common in Asian populations compared to Western populations.2-6

"EGFR exon 20 insertion-positive NSCLC is a rare and historically underdiagnosed disease that requires a targeted treatment approach at the molecular level due to its unique mutation," said Stefanie Granado, head, U.S. Oncology Business Unit, Takeda. "The approval of this indication for Foundation Medicine’s blood-based companion diagnostic test is another important step forward to expand the identification of patients in the U.S. with this rare cancer and improve access for people who may benefit from treatment with EXKIVITY, including those unable to undergo tumor biopsy."

Foundation Medicine’s two FDA-approved tests meet rigorous analytical and clinical validation standards. From a simple blood sample, FoundationOne Liquid CDx analyzes more than 300 cancer-related genes for genomic alterations that cause cancer to grow.

"Cancer is an incredibly complex disease, so it’s critical that oncologists leverage companion diagnostics, which are high-quality, well-validated genomic tests, to inform treatment decisions for their patients," said Mia Levy, MD, PhD, chief medical officer at Foundation Medicine. "We’re proud of the work we’ve done with Takeda to develop blood and tissue-based companion diagnostics for therapies in their precision oncology pipeline, including this recent approval for EXKIVITY."

"People living with rare forms of lung cancer like EGFR exon 20 insertion mutated NSCLC often face limited treatment options," said Danielle Hicks, chief patient officer at GO2 for Lung Cancer. "It’s encouraging to see continued progress toward improving access to new treatment options for patients living with advanced non-small cell lung cancer."