ThinkCyte and FIMM Establish Research Partnership to Advance Understanding and Treatment of Blood Cancer

On July 17, 2023 ThinkCyte reported a strategic research partnership with the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM-HiLIFE), University of Helsinki aimed at advancing the understanding of leukemia and its treatment (Press release, University of Helsinki, JUL 17, 2023, View Source [SID1234633272]). The research partnership leverages ThinkCyte’s new artificial intelligence (AI)-driven cell characterization and sorting platform, VisionSort, with FIMM’s world renowned biorepository of clinically annotated leukemia samples and expertise in drug screening, with the aim of uncovering new insights into how to treat leukemias and other hematological malignancies.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Blood cancers are a complex, heterogeneous set of diseases and while the treatment landscape has advanced in recent years, there is still a lot we don’t know," said Caroline Heckman, Research Director at FIMM. "By combining ThinkCyte’s AI-based platform to detect novel, disease-related changes in cell morphology with our curated collection of patient samples and research expertise, this approach will enable us to view these diseases and intervention strategies in an entirely new, holistic way."

FIMM hosts the Finnish Hematological Biobank, which is a national biorepository containing an extensive clinical set of leukemia sample series taken at different timepoints of disease and treatment stages (e.g. at diagnosis, remission, and relapse). By combining their technology, resources, and expertise, the groups seek to characterize how cell morphology changes in different types of blood cancer and how these changes can inform treatment selection, monitor disease progression, and aid in the identification of novel drug targets.

"We are very excited about the research partnership with FIMM, a global leader in using innovative approaches and technologies to understand and ultimately make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients with blood cancer," said Janette Phi, Chief Business Officer at ThinkCyte. "The insights we will gain from this research collaboration can be extended to many other diseases and we look forward to seeing the new avenues of R&D this collaboration will open up."

Treatment with RYBREVANT® (amivantamab-vmjw) Plus Chemotherapy Resulted in Statistically Significant and Clinically Meaningful Improvement in Progression-Free Survival in Patients with Newly Diagnosed EGFR Exon 20 Insertion Mutation-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

On July 17, 2023 The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson reported positive topline results from the Phase 3 PAPILLON study evaluating RYBREVANT (amivantamab-vmjw) in combination with chemotherapy (carboplatin-pemetrexed) in patients with newly diagnosed advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion mutations (Press release, Johnson & Johnson, JUL 17, 2023, View Source [SID1234633271]). The Phase 3 PAPILLON study, the first late-stage clinical program for RYBREVANT, is a confirmatory study supporting the approved use for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations whose disease has progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy, and is the first randomized study evaluating patients with newly diagnosed NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations to demonstrate clinically meaningful results.1,2

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Results showed the PAPILLON Phase 3 study met its primary endpoint with a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) in patients receiving RYBREVANT plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone. The combination of RYBREVANT and chemotherapy demonstrated a safety profile consistent with the safety profiles of the individual regimens.1 Janssen plans to submit these results for presentation at an upcoming scientific congress.

"The results from the PAPILLON study support the efficacy of RYBREVANT plus chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer with exon 20 insertion mutations," said Peter Lebowitz, M.D., Ph.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. "RYBREVANT was the first therapy approved in the relapsed/refractory setting for patients with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, a population that continues to experience persistent unmet medical needs. This Phase 3 study is the first of several ongoing pivotal programs to read out evaluating RYBREVANT-based regimens in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer."

PAPILLON (NCT04538664) is a randomized, open-label Phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of RYBREVANT in combination with chemotherapy, compared with chemotherapy alone, in newly diagnosed patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC characterized by EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations. The primary endpoint of the study is PFS (using RECIST v1.1 guidelines*) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR). Secondary endpoints include overall response rate (ORR), PFS after first subsequent therapy, time to symptomatic progression and overall survival (OS). Patients who received chemotherapy alone were allowed to receive RYBREVANT monotherapy in the second-line setting after confirmation of disease progression.1

About RYBREVANT
RYBREVANT (amivantamab-vmjw) received accelerated approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2021 for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, whose disease has progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.2 This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on ORR and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. RYBREVANT has also received approval from health authorities in Europe, as well as other markets around the world.

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer◊ prefer NGS-based strategies over PCR-based approaches for the detection of EGFR exon 20 insertion variants and include amivantamab-vmjw (RYBREVANT) as a subsequent therapy option with a Category 2A recommendation for patients that have progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy and have EGFR exon 20 insertion mutation-positive advanced NSCLC.3†^

In addition to the Phase 3 PAPILLON study, RYBREVANT is being studied in multiple clinical trials in NSCLC, including:

The Phase 3 MARIPOSA (NCT04487080) study assessing RYBREVANT in combination with lazertinib, a novel third generation EGFR TKI, versus osimertinib and versus lazertinib alone in the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with EGFR exon 19 deletions (ex19del) or L858R substitution mutations.4
The Phase 3 MARIPOSA-2 (NCT04988295) study assessing the efficacy of RYBREVANT (with or without lazertinib) and carboplatin-pemetrexed versus carboplatin-pemetrexed in patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR ex19del or L858R substitution NSCLC after disease progression on or after osimertinib.5
The Phase 1 CHRYSALIS (NCT02609776) study evaluating RYBREVANT in participants with advanced NSCLC.6
The Phase 1/1b CHRYSALIS-2 (NCT04077463) study evaluating RYBREVANT in combination with lazertinib and lazertinib as a monotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC with EGFR mutations.7
The Phase 1 PALOMA (NCT04606381) study assessing the feasibility of subcutaneous (SC) administration of amivantamab based on safety and pharmacokinetics and to determine a dose, dose regimen and formulation for amivantamab SC delivery.8
The Phase 2 PALOMA-2 (NCT05498428) study assessing subcutaneous amivantamab in participants with advanced or metastatic solid tumors including EGFR-mutated NSCLC.9
The Phase 3 PALOMA-3 (NCT05388669) study assessing lazertinib with subcutaneous amivantamab compared to intravenous amivantamab in participants with EGFR-mutated advanced or metastatic NSCLC.10
The Phase 1/2 METalmark (NCT05488314) study assessing RYBREVANT and capmatinib combination therapy in locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC.11
The Phase 1/2 PolyDamas (NCT05908734) study assessing RYBREVANT and cetrelimab combination therapy in locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC.12
The Phase 2 SKIPPirr study (NCT05663866) exploring how to decrease the incidence and/or severity of first-dose infusion related reactions with RYBREVANT in combination with lazertinib in relapsed or refractory EGFR-mutated advanced or metastatic NSCLC.13
For more information, visit: View Source

About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Worldwide, lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, with NSCLC making up 80 to 85 percent of all lung cancer cases.14,15 The main subtypes of NSCLC are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma.16 Among the most common driver mutations in NSCLC are alterations in EGFR, which is a receptor tyrosine kinase controlling cell growth and division.17 EGFR mutations are present in 10 to 15 percent of Western patients with NSCLC with adenocarcinoma histology and occur in 40 to 50 percent of Asian patients.16-22 EGFR ex19del or EGFR L858R mutations are the most common EGFR mutations.23 The five-year survival rate for all people with advanced NSCLC and EGFR mutations treated with EGFR TKIs is less than 20 percent.24,25 EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations are the third most prevalent activating EGFR mutation.26 Patients with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations have a real-world five-year OS of 8 percent in the frontline setting, which is worse than patients with EGFR ex19del or L858R mutations, who have a real-world five-year OS of 19 percent.28

RYBREVANT IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION2

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS  

Infusion Related Reactions
RYBREVANT can cause infusion related reactions (IRR); signs and symptoms of IRR include dyspnea, flushing, fever, chills, nausea, chest discomfort, hypotension, and vomiting. 

Based on the safety population, IRR occurred in 66% of patients treated with RYBREVANT. Among patients receiving treatment on Week 1 Day 1, 65% experienced an IRR, while the incidence of IRR was 3.4% with the Day 2 infusion, 0.4% with the Week 2 infusion, and cumulatively 1.1% with subsequent infusions. Of the reported IRRs, 97% were Grade 1-2, 2.2% were Grade 3, and 0.4% were Grade 4. The median time to onset was 1 hour (range 0.1 to 18 hours) after start of infusion. The incidence of infusion modifications due to IRR was 62% and 1.3% of patients permanently discontinued RYBREVANT due to IRR.

Premedicate with antihistamines, antipyretics, and glucocorticoids and infuse RYBREVANT as recommended. Administer RYBREVANT via a peripheral line on Week 1 and Week 2. Monitor patients for any signs and symptoms of infusion reactions during RYBREVANT infusion in a setting where cardiopulmonary resuscitation medication and equipment are available. Interrupt infusion if IRR is suspected. Reduce the infusion rate or permanently discontinue RYBREVANT based on severity. 

Interstitial Lung Disease/Pneumonitis
RYBREVANT can cause interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis. Based on the safety population, ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 3.3% of patients treated with RYBREVANT, with 0.7% of patients experiencing Grade 3 ILD/pneumonitis. Three patients (1%) discontinued RYBREVANT due to ILD/pneumonitis.  

Monitor patients for new or worsening symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis (e.g., dyspnea, cough, fever). Immediately withhold RYBREVANT in patients with suspected ILD/pneumonitis and permanently discontinue if ILD/pneumonitis is confirmed.

Dermatologic Adverse Reactions
RYBREVANT can cause rash (including dermatitis acneiform), pruritus and dry skin. Based on the safety population, rash occurred in 74% of patients treated with RYBREVANT, including Grade 3 rash in 3.3% of patients. The median time to onset of rash was 14 days (range: 1 to 276 days). Rash leading to dose reduction occurred in 5% of patients, and RYBREVANT was permanently discontinued due to rash in 0.7% of patients.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis occurred in one patient (0.3%) treated with RYBREVANT. 

Instruct patients to limit sun exposure during and for 2 months after treatment with RYBREVANT. Advise patients to wear protective clothing and use broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen. Alcohol free emollient cream is recommended for dry skin.

If skin reactions develop, start topical corticosteroids and topical and/or oral antibiotics. For Grade 3 reactions, add oral steroids and consider dermatologic consultation. Promptly refer patients presenting with severe rash, atypical appearance or distribution, or lack of improvement within 2 weeks to a dermatologist. Withhold, dose reduce or permanently discontinue RYBREVANT based on severity.

Ocular Toxicity
RYBREVANT can cause ocular toxicity including keratitis, dry eye symptoms, conjunctival redness, blurred vision, visual impairment, ocular itching, and uveitis. Based on the safety population, keratitis occurred in 0.7% and uveitis occurred in 0.3% of patients treated with RYBREVANT. All events were Grade 1-2. Promptly refer patients presenting with eye symptoms to an ophthalmologist. Withhold, dose reduce or permanently discontinue RYBREVANT based on severity. 

Embryo Fetal Toxicity
Based on its mechanism of action and findings from animal models, RYBREVANT can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to the fetus. Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after the final dose of RYBREVANT.

Adverse Reactions
The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were rash (84%), IRR (64%), paronychia (50%), musculoskeletal pain (47%), dyspnea (37%), nausea (36%), fatigue (33%), edema (27%), stomatitis (26%), cough (25%), constipation (23%), and vomiting (22%). The most common Grade 3 to 4 laboratory abnormalities (≥2%) were decreased lymphocytes (8%), decreased albumin (8%), decreased phosphate (8%), decreased potassium (6%), increased alkaline phosphatase (4.8%), increased glucose (4%), increased gamma-glutamyl transferase (4%), and decreased sodium (4%).

Please read the full Prescribing Information for RYBREVANT. 

Antengene Announces First Patient Dosed in the Nivolumab Combination Portion of the Clinical Study Evaluating the ERK1/2 Inhibitor ATG-017 in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors in the United States

On July 17, 2023 Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene" SEHK: 6996.HK), a leading commercial-stage innovative, global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class and/or best-in-class medicines for hematology and oncology, reported that the first patient has been dosed in the United States in the combination portion of the Phase I ERASER trial to evaluate ATG-017 plus nivolumab (Press release, Antengene, JUL 17, 2023, View Source [SID1234633270]). The objective of the combination segment of the study is to evaluate the safety/tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of ATG-017 combination therapy with nivolumab in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

ATG-017 is an oral, potent, and selective inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). Nivolumab is a human programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor expressed on activated T-cells. The clinical collaboration between Antengene and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) to evaluate ATG-017 in combination with nivolumab (the ERASER study) builds on Antengene’s preclinical data which have demonstrated that the combination of an ERK1/2 inhibitor and an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) worked synergistically to produce improved efficacy in preclinical ICI-resistant in vivo murine models.

"We are pleased that the first patient in the combination cohort of the ERASER study of ATG-017 in the US has been dosed. Meanwhile, the monotherapy segment of the study is progressing well as planned in Australia," said Dr. Amily Zhang, Antengene’s Chief Medical Officer. "Based on the the preclinical data of ATG-017 that showed highly specific selectivity and promising activity, as well as synergistic effects in combination with ICIs, we are confident in ATG-017’s potential as a best-in-class ERK1/2 inhibitor and look forward to continuing to advance this clinical program of ATG-017."

"Having the first patient dosed in the combination portion of this study of ATG-017 in the U.S. marks another milestone in the development of the drug candidate. We have high hopes for ATG-017, a small molecule ERK1/2 inhibitor with great therapeutic potential in combination with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade or agents targeting signal pathways," said Dr. Jay Mei, Antengene’s Founder, Chairman and CEO. "This milestone underscores Antengene’s commitment to its global innovation strategies. We will press ahead with this clinical study in efforts to bring another novel, effective and safe treatment option to cancer patients worldwide."

About ATG-017

ATG-017 is an oral, potent, and selective small molecule extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor. ERK1/2 are related protein-serine/threonine kinases that function as terminal kinases in the RAS-MAPK signal transduction cascade. This cascade regulates a large variety of cellular processes, including proliferation. The RAS-MAPK pathway is dysregulated in more than 30% of human cancers with the most frequent alterations being observed in RAS or BRAF genes across multiple tumor types. An ERK inhibitor enables the targeting of both RAS and BRAF mutant diseases.

Antengene presented data at the Society for Immunotherapy in Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 36th Annual Meeting & Pre-conference Programs in November 2021 detailing compelling preclinical results showing the combination of ATG-017 and an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (atezolizumab) in an aggressive immune checkpoint resistant murine cancer model rendered "cold" tumors "hot". Antengene is evaluating ATG-017 in the Phase I ERASER study, as monotherapy and in combination with nivolumab, in patients with advanced solid tumors and hematological malignancies in Australia and the U.S.

Lantern Pharma to Participate and Present at Multiple Upcoming Conferences

On July 17, 2023 Lantern Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRN), an artificial intelligence ("AI") company developing targeted and transformative cancer therapies using its proprietary RADR AI and machine learning ("ML") platform with multiple clinical stage drug programs, reported that the Company will participate and present at four upcoming conferences (Press release, Lantern Pharma, JUL 17, 2023, View Source [SID1234633268]):

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Biotech CEO Summit USA in La Jolla, CA from July 17-19, 2023. Panna Sharma, Lantern’s CEO and President will be participating.
Conference Website: https://www.biotechceosummit.com

Cancer Molecular Therapeutics Research Association Conference, in Watkins Glen, NY from July 23-27, 2023. Kishor Bhatia Ph.D., Lantern’s Chief Scientific Officer, will be participating, presentation details TBA.
Conference Website/Registration: View Source

Society of Neuro-Oncology/American Society of Clinical Oncology CNS Cancer Conference in San Francisco, CA, on August 10th, 2023 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. PT.
Presentation Title: LP-184, a novel acylfulvene-derived tumor site activated small molecule inhibits adult and pediatric CNS tumor cell growth
Conference Website/Registration:
View Source

International Conference on Drug Conjugates for Directed Therapy in Darmstadt, Germany on Thursday, August 24th, 2023 from 9:45-10:15 a.m. CEST.
Presentation Title: In-silico Approach for the Identification of ADC Targets with Improved Tumor Selectivity
Conference Website/Registration:
View Source

Further details on the data and findings presented at the scientific conferences will be announced following the conference presentations.

PTC Therapeutics Appoints Experienced Healthcare Finance Strategist Pierre Gravier as Chief Financial Officer

On July 17, 2023 PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTCT) reported the appointment of Pierre Gravier to the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) (Press release, PTC Therapeutics, JUL 17, 2023, View Source [SID1234633267]). Mr. Gravier brings more than 17 years of experience as an investment banker, venture capitalist and scientist to PTC. Most recently, Pierre was a managing director in the healthcare group of Perella Weinberg Partners, a leading independent global advisory firm. At Perella Weinberg, he focused on advising companies in the biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical sectors on finance strategy and corporate development.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"We are incredibly excited to have Pierre as part of PTC’s leadership team," said Matthew B. Klein, M.D., Chief Executive Officer, PTC Therapeutics. "Pierre’s extensive global experience in finance and healthcare advisory will be incredibly helpful as we continue to build the PTC of tomorrow. Having known Pierre over the past several years, I am confident his knowledge, experience and passion to help patients make him a great addition to the PTC family."

Prior to joining Perella Weinberg, Pierre worked as a healthcare investment banker at Barclays Capital in London. Previously, he was a venture capital analyst at Société Générale Asset Management in Paris, where he focused on early-stage investments in the biotechnology sector. Mr. Gravier began his career as a scientist at Ferring Pharmaceuticals. Pierre holds a master’s degree in finance from ESCP Business School and a Master of Science in bioengineering from the University of Technology of Compiègne.

"I am excited to join the patient-focused and mission-driven PTC team and look forward to supporting our continued efforts to deliver transformational therapies to patients with high unmet medical need," said Pierre Gravier.