Moleculin Presents Positive Preliminary Efficacy Findings from Phase 1B/2 Clinical Trial Demonstrating 64% Stable Disease Rate Through Two Cycles of Annamycin for the Treatment of Soft Tissue Sarcomas (STS) Lung Metastases

On November 6, 2023 Moleculin Biotech, Inc., (Nasdaq: MBRX) ("Moleculin" or the "Company"), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company with a growing pipeline, including Phase 2 clinical programs, for hard-to-treat tumors and viruses, reported the presentation of preliminary efficacy findings from the Phase 2 portion of the Company’s ongoing U.S. Phase 1B/2 clinical trial evaluating Annamycin for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma lung metastases (MB107) (Press release, Moleculin, NOV 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234637039]).

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The abstract titled, "A Phase 1b/2 Study of Liposomal Annamycin (ANN) in Subjects with Previously Treated Soft-Tissue Sarcomas (STS) with Pulmonary Metastases," was presented by Brian Andrew Van Tine, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in a poster presentation at the 2023 CTOS Annual Meeting being held November 1-4, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland.

"Our growing body of preliminary data demonstrated by Annamycin in the treatment of patients with STS lung mets continues to be encouraging and bolsters our confidence in its potential to be a meaningful option for patients," commented Walter Klemp, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Moleculin. "While still preliminary, the rates of the median progression free response and the trend being established for overall survival despite the patients in this study having received multiple prior chemotherapy regimens continues to exceed our expectations. We look forward to further data readouts from this trial and understanding the full potential of Annamycin for the treatment of STS lung mets."

19 subjects were enrolled in the Phase 1B portion of the MB107 study. The median number of cycles administered was 2. There were no significant safety concerns or unexpected serious adverse events (SAEs) up to the 390 mg/m2 dose. The recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) was defined as 330 mg/m2. The most frequently reported adverse events (AEs) related to Annamycin were in the system organ class of Investigations (decreased platelet counts). There was no evidence of cardiotoxicity as measured by ejection fraction, strain analyses, ECGs, and cardiac biomarkers including Troponin-I and T. In Phase 2, 14 subjects (median # of prior therapies = 3) received at least 2 cycles of Annamycin at 330 mg/m2.

Of the 14 subjects enrolled in the Phase 2 portion of the trial, 9 (64%) showed stable disease (SD) through 2 cycles, 5 (36%) of whom continued to show SD through 4 cycles, and 2 (14%) showed SD through 6 cycles. Of these 2, one subject maintained SD through the end of 6 cycles prior to progressing ~6.2 months after initiating treatment with Annamycin. The other subject maintained SD through 8 cycles prior to progressing ~6.9 months after initiating treatment with Annamycin. 3 subjects continue to be followed for progression free survival (PFS), and 12 of 14 subjects in the Phase 2 efficacy population continue to be followed for overall survival (OS).

Annamycin currently has Fast Track Status and Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma, in addition to Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia. For more information about the U.S. Phase 1B/2 clinical trial evaluating Annamycin for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma lung metastases (MB107) visit clinicaltrials.gov and reference identified NCT04887298.

Study Design

In Phase 2, Annamycin was administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion over 2 hours on Day 1, followed by 20 days off therapy (1 cycle = 21 days). Subjects visit the study site every 21 days (±3 days) at which time safety monitoring – including for adverse events (AEs), as well as a physical examination, laboratory evaluations (clinical chemistry, complete blood count), vital signs, weight measurements, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, and electrocardiograms (ECGs) – are performed, followed by an IV infusion of study drug. Cardiac function is followed by echocardiogram (ECHO) scans at screening, at the end of the first two cycles and then following every other cycle thereafter, at the End of Treatment visit, and if feasible, during follow up at 6 months (±1 month) and 1 year (±1 month) after study drug discontinuation. As long as the Investigator considers that the benefits of treatment with Annamycin continue to outweigh the risks, treatment will continue every 21 days until tumor progression is observed or unacceptable toxicity occurs.

Tumor response is monitored every 6 weeks (±1 week) from Cycle 1 Day 1 during treatment, at the End of Treatment visit, and then every 3 months (±1 month) until disease progression using RECIST 1.1 criteria. Those subjects who leave the study after a maximum response is achieved and who do not start another therapy will be followed every 3 months (±1 month) for progression-free survival (PFS). If a subject receives further therapy after discontinuing from the study, they will be followed only for overall survival (OS) and if feasible, follow-up ECHO scans at 6 months (±1 month) and 1 year (±1 month) will be conducted after study drug discontinuation.

About Annamycin

Annamycin is the Company’s next-generation anthracycline that has been shown in animal models to accumulate in the lungs at up to 30-fold the level of doxorubicin. Importantly, Annamycin has also demonstrated a lack of cardiotoxicity in multiple early-stage human clinical trials, including ongoing trials for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and STS lung metastases. For that reason, although additional data will be necessary, the Company believes Annamycin may not face the same usage limitations imposed on doxorubicin, one of the most common currently approved anthracyclines. Annamycin is currently in development for the treatment of AML and STS lung metastases and the Company believes the drug may have the potential to treat additional indications.

Mirati Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results and Recent Corporate Updates

On November 6, 2023 Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRTX), a commercial stage biotechnology company, reported financial results for the third quarter 2023 along with recent pipeline and corporate updates (Press release, Mirati, NOV 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234637038]).

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"We are pleased to share the significant progress made during the third quarter of 2023, highlighted by the advancement of our robust pipeline of targeted oncology programs and continued launch execution of KRAZATI," said Charles Baum, M.D., Ph.D., CEO, president and founder, Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. "As we shared last month, we believe our pending acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb will support the realization of the full potential of our therapies and enable the promise of a life beyond cancer. We look forward to continuing our work to improve the lives of people with cancer through Mirati discovered and developed therapeutics."

Pipeline Updates

Adagrasib (Potent and selective KRASG12C inhibitor)

•In November, the Company announced the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granted conditional marketing authorization approval for KRAZATI (adagrasib) as a monotherapy indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with KRASG12C mutation and have progressive disease after prior therapy with, or intolerance to, platinum-based chemotherapy and/or anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy.

•In October, the Company shared updated results from the KRYSTAL-7 Phase 2 study evaluating adagrasib combined with pembrolizumab in patients with first-line NSCLC with a KRASG12C mutation at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2023.

•In September, the Company shared two-year follow-up data from a pooled analysis of the Phase 1/1b Cohort and Phase 2 Cohort A for the KRYSTAL-1 study evaluating adagrasib in NSCLC patients harboring a KRASG12C mutation at 2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC).

•In September, the Company shared that adagrasib has been included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines for Colon and Rectal Cancer for patients harboring a KRASG12C mutation.

•The Company completed enrollment in KRYSTAL-10, a Phase 3 registrational clinical study in second-line colorectal cancer patients with a KRASG12C mutation, evaluating the combination of adagrasib plus cetuximab versus chemotherapy.

•The Company continues to enroll in KRYSTAL-12, a Phase 3 clinical study of adagrasib versus docetaxel in second line NSCLC patients.

•Re-examination by the European Medicine Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the Conditional Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) for KRAZATI (adagrasib) for the treatment of patients with KRASG12C-mutated advanced NSCLC is ongoing.

MRTX1719 (MTA cooperative PRMT5 inhibitor)
1

•In August, the Company shared initial clinical data in patients with MTAP-deleted cancers. The Company continues to enroll patients in the Phase 1/2 clinical study.

MRTX1133 (Potent and selective KRASG12D inhibitor)

•The Company continues to enroll patients in the Phase 1/2 clinical study.

MRTX0902 (Potent SOS1 inhibitor)

•The Company continues to advance the Phase 1/2 clinical study evaluating the combination of MRTX0902 plus adagrasib.

Recent Corporate Updates
•In October, the Company and Bristol Myers Squibb announced their entry into a merger agreement under which Bristol Myers Squibb has agreed to acquire Mirati for $58.00 per share in cash, for a total equity value of $4.8 billion. Mirati stockholders will also receive one non-tradeable Contingent Value Right (CVR) for each Mirati share held, potentially worth $12.00 per share in cash, representing an additional $1.0 billion of value opportunity. The transaction is anticipated to close by the first half of 2024, subject to fulfillment of customary closing conditions, including approval of the Company’s stockholders and receipt of the required regulatory approvals.

•In August, the Company executed an underwritten public offering.

Third Quarter Financial Results

•Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of approximately $976.4 million as of September 30, 2023, including proceeds from an August 2023 public offering of our common stock that generated net proceeds of $332.5 million. Excluding the August 2023 financing, net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments for the third quarter of 2023 was $135.5 million.

•Net KRAZATI product revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $16.4 million and $36.1 million, respectively. Net product revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 is comprised of $15.1 million and $33.1 million, respectively, of commercial sales and $1.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively, of sales to a third-party commercial customer for its clinical trials. There was no product revenue for the same periods in 2022.

•License and collaboration revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was zero and $1.2 million, respectively, related to clinical supply revenue earned under the agreement with Zai Lab. License and collaboration revenue for the same periods in 2022 was $5.4 million and $11.5 million, respectively, related to milestone payments from Zai Lab and clinical supply revenue earned under the agreement with Zai Lab.

•Cost of product revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $1.7 million and $3.8 million, respectively, of which $1.4 million and $3.0 million, respectively, related to product manufacturing and distribution costs, and royalties incurred on net sales of KRAZATI. There was no cost of product revenue for the same periods in 2022.

•Research and development expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were $114.8 million and $365.6 million, respectively, compared to $131.1 million and $390.4 million for the same periods in 2022, respectively. The decrease was primarily driven by a reduction in clinical development costs for sitravatinib as the Company is no longer pursuing further clinical development, and a decrease in share-based compensation, partially offset by increases in costs for earlier stage clinical development programs such as MRTX1133.

•Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were $72.0 million and $221.0 million, respectively, compared to $60.8 million and $169.0 million, respectively for the same periods in 2022. The increases were primarily due to an increase in headcount-related costs, including share-based compensation, and commercial-related costs to support the marketing and sales of KRAZATI.

•Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $161.9 million, or $2.49 per share basic and diluted, compared to a net loss of $173.6 million, or $3.09 per share basic and diluted for the same period in 2022. Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $523.4 million, or $8.66 per share basic and diluted, compared to a net loss of $538.4 million, or $9.66 per share basic and diluted for the same period in 2022.

MacroGenics Provides Update on Corporate Progress and Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results

On November 6, 2023 MacroGenics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGNX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing innovative antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, reported an update on its recent corporate progress and reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 (Press release, MacroGenics, NOV 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234637037]).

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"Since mid-2022, we have received $335 million in non-dilutive capital from our collaboration partners and reduced our quarterly cash burn, enabling us to extend our cash runway into 2026. Over the next two years, we anticipate having multiple data read-outs, the first of which we expect during the first half of 2024 related to the now fully-enrolled TAMARACK study of vobra duo in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer," said Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of MacroGenics. "During this two-year period, we also expect data from the LORIKEET Phase 2 study of lorigerlimab in prostate cancer, results from the dose escalation study of MGD024 and results from a planned vobra duo plus lorigerlimab dose expansion cohort. Also during this time, we anticipate advancing multiple new ADC molecules from our preclinical portfolio, the first of which (MGC026) recently progressed to IND submission."

Updates on Proprietary Investigational Programs

Recent progress and anticipated events related to MacroGenics’ investigational product candidates are highlighted below.

Vobramitamab duocarmazine (vobra duo) is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that targets B7-H3, an antigen with broad expression across multiple solid tumors and a member of the B7 family of molecules involved in immune regulation.
MacroGenics recently completed enrollment of the TAMARACK Phase 2 study of vobra duo ahead of schedule. This study is being conducted in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who were previously treated with one prior androgen receptor axis-targeted therapy (ARAT). Participants may have received up to one prior taxane-containing regimen, but no other chemotherapy agents. The TAMARACK study is designed to evaluate vobra duo at two different doses, 2.0 mg/kg or 2.7 mg/kg every four weeks, across a total of approximately 100 patients. MacroGenics anticipates providing a clinical update in the first half of 2024.
MacroGenics continues to enroll a Phase 1/2 dose escalation study of vobra duo in combination with lorigerlimab in patients with various advanced solid tumors. The Company anticipates commencing a dose expansion study of this combination in 2024.
Lorigerlimab is a bispecific, tetravalent PD-1 × CTLA-4 DART molecule. MacroGenics commenced enrollment of LORIKEET, a randomized Phase 2 study of lorigerlimab in combination with docetaxel vs. docetaxel alone in second-line, chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC patients. A total of 150 patients are planned to be treated in the 2:1 randomized study. The current trial design includes a primary study endpoint of radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS).
MGD024 is a next-generation, humanized CD123 × CD3 DART molecule designed to minimize cytokine-release syndrome, while maintaining anti-tumor cytolytic activity, and permitting intermittent dosing through a longer half-life. MacroGenics continues to enroll patients in a Phase 1 dose-escalation study of MGD024 in patients with CD123-positive neoplasms, including acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.
MGC026 is an ADC with a topoisomerase inhibitor-based cytotoxic mechanism directed against an undisclosed solid tumor target. The Company recently submitted an investigational new drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and, assuming acceptance, anticipates commencing a Phase 1 dose escalation study beginning in the first quarter of 2024. More details on this program will be provided in early 2024.
Enoblituzumab is an Fc-optimized monoclonal antibody that targets B7-H3. MacroGenics’ academic collaborators plan to initiate the HEAT study, an investigator-sponsored, randomized Phase 2 clinical trial. This study is expected to commence enrollment in early 2024 and will evaluate the activity of neoadjuvant enoblituzumab given prior to radical prostatectomy in men with high-risk localized prostate cancer.
Other Corporate Updates

$15.7 Million Milestone Related to Gilead’s Nomination of a Bispecific Research Program. On September 5, 2023, MacroGenics announced that its partner, Gilead Sciences, Inc., nominated the first of two potential research programs, leveraging MacroGenics’ DART and TRIDENT platforms for generating bispecific antibodies. This nomination grants Gilead an exclusive option, upon achievement of a pre-defined preclinical milestone, to license worldwide rights to the research program. MacroGenics received $15.7 million related to this nomination subsequent to September 30, 2023.
Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance as of September 30, 2023, was $256.4 million, compared to $154.3 million as of December 31, 2022. The Company’s cash balance as of September 30, 2023, did not include the $15.7 million milestone from Gilead subsequently received.
Revenue: Total revenue was $10.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to total revenue of $41.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $30.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to $48.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily related to decreased costs related to discontinued studies, partially offset by increased expenses related to preclinical ADC molecules and increased clinical expenses related to lorigerlimab.
SG&A Expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $12.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to $15.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily related to decreased selling costs for MARGENZA.
Other Income: During the quarter ended September 30, 2023, MacroGenics received a $50.0 million milestone payment from Sanofi S.A. related to the previously disclosed achievement of a primary endpoint in a TZIELD clinical study. The accounting treatment for this milestone is consistent with that for the $100.0 million proceeds received from the sale of the Company’s single-digit royalty interest on global net sales of TZIELD to DRI Healthcare Acquisitions LP in March 2023. Accordingly, $50.0 million was included in Other Income (as Gain on Royalty Monetization Arrangement) for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.
Net Income (Loss): Net income was $17.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to net loss of $24.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
Shares Outstanding: Shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2023 were 62,028,904.
Cash Runway Guidance: MacroGenics anticipates that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance of $256.4 million as of September 30, 2023, plus the $15.7 million milestone subsequently received, in addition to projected and anticipated future payments from partners and product revenues should extend its cash runway into 2026. The Company’s expected funding requirements reflect anticipated expenditures related to the Phase 2 TAMARACK clinical trial, the Phase 2 LORIKEET study as well as MacroGenics’ other ongoing clinical and preclinical studies.

Conference Call Information

To participate via telephone, please register in advance at this link. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive a confirmation email detailing how to join the conference call, including the dial-in number along with a unique passcode and registrant ID that can be used to access the call.

The listen-only webcast of the conference call can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investor Relations section of MacroGenics’ website at View Source A recorded replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call and archived on MacroGenics’ website for 30 days following the call.

November 6, 2023: MaaT Pharma Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 2b Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating MaaT033 in Patients Receiving Allo-HSCT

On November 6, 2023 MaaT Pharma (EURONEXT: MAAT – the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotech company and a leader in the development of Microbiome Ecosystem TherapiesTM (MET) dedicated to improving survival outcomes for patients with cancer, reported that the first patient has been treated as part of its Phase 2b trial, called PHOEBUS, investigating the efficacy of MaaT033 in improving overall survival (OS) at 12 months for patients with blood cancer receiving allo-HSCT (Press release, MaaT Pharma, NOV 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234637036]). The trial is an international, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-control study (NCT05762211), which will be conducted in up to 56 clinical investigation sites and is expected to enroll 387 patients. It is to date the largest randomized controlled trial assessing a microbiome therapy in oncology.

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"Today marks a significant milestone for us as our second product, MaaT033, enters Phase 2b clinical trials in allo-HSCT. The opportunity to offer patients a capsule that can be taken at home not only furthers our overall mission to improve patient survival in multiple situations, but also reinforces our leadership in the field, as we believe this program is currently the most advanced in the microbiome/hemato-oncology field," said Hervé Affagard, CEO and co-founder of MaaT Pharma.

Prof. Florent Malard, Professor of Hematology at the Saint-Antoine Hospital and Sorbonne University, and principal investigator of the study added, "A growing body of evidence indicates that gut imbalance leads to higher mortality in our field. By directly targeting to restore the gut microbiome richness in patients receiving harsh and deleterious treatments, our goal is to ensure optimal microbiome functions that can potentially lead to improved hematopoietic and immune recovery as well as overall survival."

To date, the Company has received regulatory approvals from France and Germany, and the clinical trial will be expanded to sites in additional countries subject to regulatory approval.

Study objectives:

Primary endpoint: Overall Survival, evaluated in late 2026.
Secondary endpoints include evaluation of safety and tolerability before and after allo-HSCT, and evaluation of the engraftment of beneficial microbial species from MaaT033.
About MaaT033

MaaT033, a donor-derived, high-richness, high-diversity oral Microbiome Ecosystem TherapyTM containing anti-inflammatory ButycoreTM species, is currently being developed as an adjunctive therapy to improve overall survival in patients receiving HSCT and other cellular therapies. It aims to ensure optimal microbiota function and to address a larger patient population in a chronic setting. MaaT033 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in August 2023.

About Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT)

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for liquid tumors can replace cancerous cells, but the harsh conditioning treatments damage the gut microbiome, which has been linked to decreased survival, increased risk of graft-vs-host disease, and infections due to impaired immune function. Nearly 20,000 allo-HSCT transplantations per year in Europe were reported in 2021 by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and continue to increase.

Kineta Unveils Positive New Data from VISTA-101 Clinical Trial of KVA12123 at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s (SITC) 38th Annual Meeting

On November 6, 2023 Kineta, Inc. (Nasdaq: KA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel immunotherapies in oncology that address cancer immune resistance, reported the presentation of new positive data from its ongoing VISTA-101 Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating KVA12123, the company’s VISTA blocking immunotherapy, in patients with advanced solid tumors at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper)’s (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 38th Annual Meeting (Press release, Kineta, NOV 6, 2023, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kineta-unveils-positive-new-data-from-vista-101-clinical-trial-of-kva12123-at-the-society-for-immunotherapy-of-cancers-sitc-38th-annual-meeting [SID1234637035]). Thierry Guillaudeux, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Kineta, presented the company’s poster unveiling the new clinical data.

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"We are excited to unveil these promising findings from our ongoing VISTA-101 clinical trial. VISTA blocking immunotherapy KVA12123 has performed remarkably well in demonstrating excellent safety and tolerability in the clinic. Notably, the pharmacokinetic data and biomarker assessments demonstrate the drug’s potential efficacy and confirm its mechanism of action," said Shawn Iadonato, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Kineta. "We continue to advance KVA12123 to the higher monotherapy dose levels, as well as evaluate it in combination with pembrolizumab, where we recently announced the first patient dosed. Kineta is committed to advancing KVA12123 as a potential new immunotherapy for cancer patients in need of new treatment options."

The Phase 1/2 VISTA-101 trial (NCT05708950) enrolled 11 patients with advanced solid tumors in the first three monotherapy dose-escalation cohorts, where subjects received either 3, 10 or 30 mg of KVA12123 by intravenous (IV) infusion every two weeks. Primary objectives of the Phase 1/2 study are to evaluate the safety and tolerability of KVA12123 and to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D). Patients enrolled in the study were heavily pretreated with multiple prior lines of therapy including chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. Additional monotherapy and initial combination therapy data are anticipated in the second quarter of 2024.

Key highlights from the poster presentation:

Safety
Eleven patients were dosed and cleared the first three monotherapy cohorts. KVA12123 was well tolerated at all doses and no dose limiting toxicities (DLT) were observed. All KVA12123 treatment emergent adverse events were grades 1-2. Furthermore, no evidence of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or associated cytokines including IL-6, TNFα & IL-10 were detected at any of the dose levels.

Pharmacokinetics and VISTA Receptor Occupancy (RO)
KVA12123 exhibited a greater than dose-proportional pharmacokinetic profile in drug exposure across all evaluated doses, consistent with target-mediated drug disposition at lower doses. To guide the RP2D decision, Kineta developed a proprietary assay to evaluate VISTA RO on immune cells from patients treated with KVA12123. KVA12123 achieved a greater than 90% VISTA RO at the 30 mg dose indicating that KVA12123 may be approaching an optimal clinical dose.

Biomarkers
KVA12123 demonstrated dose-proportional on-target biomarker immune responses involved in anti-tumor activity. KVA12123 demonstrated significant efficacy-related cytokine induction of CXCL10, MCP1, MIP1α and MIP1β, which are involved in immune cell activation and recruitment to the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, increases in anti-tumor immune cell subpopulations including nonclassical monocytes, NK cells, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells were observed during treatment. Changes in these key biomarkers and immune cell populations are indicative of the anti-tumor effects of blocking VISTA.

The poster presentation is available for viewing under Publications in the KVA12123 section of the company’s website at www.kinetabio.com .

SITC Presentation Details:
Title: VISTA-101 – A phase 1/2 clinical trial of KVA12123, an engineered IgG1 targeting VISTA, alone and in combination with pembrolizumab in advanced solid tumors
Abstract Number: 780
Date / Time: Saturday, November 4 at 9:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. Pacific Time
Location: Exhibit Halls A and B1 – San Diego Convention Center

Kineta is advancing the VISTA-101 trial to higher monotherapy dose levels and recently initiated Part B of the study evaluating KVA12123 in combination with pembrolizumab. Additional monotherapy safety and efficacy data and combination therapy clinical data are anticipated in the second quarter of 2024.