On December 27, 2023 Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR) reported that management will participate in the 42nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on January 9-10, 2024. William Doyle, Novocure’s Executive Chairman, will speak on behalf of the company and address questions from analysts at 7:30 a.m. PST on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 (Press release, NovoCure, DEC 27, 2023, View Source [SID1234638813]). Mr. Doyle and Ashley Cordova, Novocure’s Chief Financial Officer, will participate in one-on-one meetings with investors throughout the event.

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A live audio webcast of this presentation can be accessed from the Investor Relations page of Novocure’s website, www.novocure.com/investor-relations, and will be available for replay for at least 14 days following the event.

Novocure’s corporate presentation is updated periodically, and the current presentation can be accessed from the Investor Relations page of Novocure’s website, www.novocure.com/investor-relations. Novocure has used, and intends to continue to use, its Investor Relations website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

On December 27, 2023 Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals (Beijing) Co., Ltd. ("Biocytogen", HKEX: 02315) and CtM Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd ("CtM Bio") reported that the development of a tri-specific T cell engager for an intracellular target achieved milestone progress (Press release, Biocytogen, DEC 27, 2023, View Source [SID1234638812]). In just one year since the start of the collaboration, the companies have identified a WT1/HLA-A02-specific T cell engager (WT1xCD3x4-1BB tri-specific antibody) with outstanding preclinical anti-tumor activities for both hematological malignancies and solid tumors. The incorporation of the T co-stimulatory signal for WT1-targeting T cell engager further gives it the best-in-class properties and first-in-class potential. Its preclinical data has been accepted for presentation at the upcoming 2024 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) annual meeting.

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WT1 (Wilms’ tumor gene 1) is an intracellular protein highly enriched in certain cancer cells compared to normal tissues, making it an attractive tumor target for cancer immunotherapy. To identify novel WT1-targeting antibody-based therapeutics, Biocytogen harnessed its RenTCR-mimicTM mice and high-throughput in vivo and in vitro screening platforms to successfully generate WT1 antibodies with superior specificity and high affinity to the HLA/peptide complex. These antibodies were further engineered using CtM’s state-of-the-art T cell engager technology, which is specifically designed to overcome T cell over-activation toxicity and prevent T cell exhaustion, leading to highly effective, safe and controllable multi-specific engagers.

Dr. Yuelei Shen, President and CEO of Biocytogen, said, "Our collaborative efforts with CtM Bio have progressed rapidly, resulting in the identification of novel immunotherapies targeting WT1. This rapid and effective development of multi-specific T cell engagers undoubtedly validates CtM Bio’s advanced T-cell engager technology, along with our expertise in discovering fully human TCR-mimic antibodies against intracellular targets. We anticipate advancing this preclinical candidate into clinical trials soon, providing treatment options for patients with acute myeloid leukemia, ovarian cancer, and various solid tumors."

Dr. Lei Fang, Vice President of Lepu Biopharma and CEO of CtM Bio, said, "The combination of Biocytogen’s streamlined fully human antibody discovery capabilities and CtM Bio’s deep understanding of immune cell engagers have greatly accelerated our development of differentiated T cell engagers targeting WT1. We look forward to continued collaborations to further develop this candidate and initiate clinical trials. Together, we aim to usher in a new era of therapies targeting intracellular tumor antigens and broaden the applications of T cell engagers for the treatment of solid tumors, which will ultimately offer new opportunities for cancer patients."

About the TCR-Mimic Antibody Discovery Platform

Biocytogen’s TCR-Mimic platform focuses on the discovery of fully human antibodies to intracellular targets that are presented on the cell surface by MHC class I molecules. Leveraging proprietary RenTCR-mimicTM (HLA/RenMab) mice and specialized immunization protocols, Biocytogen’s platform is designed to generate TCR-mimic (TCRm) antibodies that are highly specific for peptide/HLA complexes and not HLA itself. Subsequently, Biocytogen’s high-throughput antibody screening platform aims to swiftly identify TCR-mimic antibodies with higher specificity and affinity than endogenous TCRs derived from patients to overcome tumor immune escape. Currently, antibody hits for multiple intracellular targets, including TAAs, cancer-testis antigens, mutated protein antigens, and viral protein antigens, are being evaluated in vivo and in vitro. Fully human antibody sequences obtained from the TCR-mimic platform can empower the development of T cell engagers, bispecific/multispecific antibodies, and CAR-T therapies.

About the T-cell Engager Platform

T-cell engagers are typically bispecific antibodies with one targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and the other activating CD3 signal on T cells. The mechanisms involve promoting the formation of an immune synapse between T cells and cancer cells, activating T cells to induce the lysis of cancer cells. To overcome the limitations of existing T cell engagers, CtM Bio has developed a unique T cell engager platform called TOPAbody. By introducing T-cell co-stimulatory signal 4-1BB and finely tuning the affinity and activity of each module in the engager, TOPAbody allows for the effective enhancement of T cell cytotoxicity with minimal side effects. TOPAbody prolongs T cell lifespan and promotes T cell infiltration into tumors. Currently, several products from this platform have demonstrated outstanding anti-tumor activity, particularly showing significant promise for immunologically "cold" tumors that do not respond to PD-1 treatment.

On December 27, 2023 InnoCare Pharma (HKEX: 09969; SSE: 688428) reported that Dr. Jasmine Cui, Co-founder, Chairwoman and CEO, will present at the 42nd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, at 08:30 AM, January 10, 2024, U.S. Pacific Standard Time (00:30 AM, January 11, 2023, Beijing Time), to update the Company’s latest development (Press release, InnoCare Pharma, DEC 27, 2023, View Source [SID1234638811]).

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The J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference is the most influential event for the global pharma industry and the investment community. The 42nd Conference will be held in San Francisco, the United States, on January 8-11, 2024.

Time:
January 10, 08:30 AM – 08:55 AM, PST
(January 11, 00:30 AM – 00:55 AM, Beijing Time)

Speaker:
Dr. Jasmine Cui, Co-founder, Chairwoman and CEO of InnoCare

Webcast link:
View Source;kiosk=true

During the Conference, we warmly welcome to have in-depth talks with our executives.

For BD professionals, contact [email protected].

For investors, contact [email protected].

On December 27, 2023 Elpiscience Biopharma, Ltd. (Chairman and CEO: Darren Ji, MD, Ph.D., "Elpiscience") and Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Naoki Okamura, "Astellas") reported a research collaboration and license agreement for novel bi-specific macrophage engagers, ES019 and another program (Press release, Elpiscience, DEC 27, 2023, View Source [SID1234638810]). The two companies will collaboratively conduct early-stage research for these two programs. Elpiscience will also grant Astellas the right to add up to two additional programs to be included in the collaboration. If Astellas exercises its option, Elpiscience will grant Astellas the exclusive right to further research, develop, manufacture and commercialize the products for each program.

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Elpiscience is a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing next-generation immuno-oncology therapies for cancer patients worldwide. Their Bispecific Macrophage Engager Platform (BiME) is anti-tumor associated antigen (TAA) and anti-signal-regulatory protein α (SIRPα) bispecific antibody-based platform to activate Tumor Associated Macrophage (TAM) phagocytosis killing towards specific TAA expressing tumor cells. BiME shows highly potent phagocytosis due to engagement of the Fc receptor on TAM and the tumor cells via TAA and SIRPα, and blockade of CD47-SIRPα "don’t eat me" signaling1. This platform is utilized for ES019, an anti-PD-L1/SIRPα bispecific antibody.

TAMs are the most abundant leukocytes within Tumor Microenvironment (TME) of many cancer types and correlate with poor prognosis and immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance. The programs emerging from the BiME platform are expected to offer new options for cancer patients who do not respond to existing cancer immunotherapies, by modulating TAM and reprogramming the TME status.

Elpiscience will receive up to US $37 million, including the upfront payment and license option fees. In addition, Elpiscience will receive research funding from Astellas to advance the programs. After Astellas exercises its option, Elpiscience is eligible to potentially receive more than US $1.7 billion in payments for the achievement of future development, regulatory, and commercial milestones. Elpiscience is also eligible to receive single-digit to lower double-digit percent royalty payments on net sales for licensed products per each program.

Darren Ji, MD, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO, Elpiscience

"We are pleased to collaborate with Astellas, a world leader of innovative medicines, on developing game-changing therapies for cancer. BiME innovated at Elpiscience represents a paradigm shift from the conventional cell engagers dominated by T cells. The therapeutic molecules generated from the BiME platform have the potential of changing the clinical practice for tumors where tumor-associated macrophages are highly abundant, and no effective therapies are available. We look forward to working with Astellas to bring these exciting sciences to the bedside of global patients."

Adam Pearson, Chief Strategy Officer, Astellas

"Astellas has a strong commitment to developing innovative cancer treatments and have positioned Immuno-Oncology as one of the Primary Focuses of our R&D strategy2. Elpiscience has outstanding expertise in developing next generation immunotherapies. We hope this collaboration will bring synergies between the two companies’ cutting-edge research and will ultimately lead to the development of new treatments for patients with cancer."

1 "don’t eat me" signaling: CD47 is a protein that emits a "don’t eat me" signal. When CD47 on tumor cells bind with SIRPα on macrophages, the macrophages suppress phagocytosis.

2 Astellas’ R&D strategy: Astellas has established a Focus Area Approach for its research and development strategy. For more information, please visit our website at Areas of Interest | Astellas Pharma Inc.

On December 27, 2023 Hoth Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTH), a patient-focused biopharmaceutical company, reported that it has received approval from the University of Miami to enroll patients for its first in human clinical trial of HT-001 (Press release, Hoth Therapeutics, DEC 27, 2023, View Source [SID1234638809]).

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This First-in-Human (FIH) Phase 2a clinical trial of HT-001 for the treatment of skin toxicities associated with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors (EGFRi). This clinical trial is a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel Phase 2a dose-ranging study to investigate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of topical HT-001 for the treatment of skin toxicities associated with EGFRi. More information can be found at clinicaltrials.gov.

"We are very pleased to have received approval for our FIH clinical trial," said Hoth Therapeutics Chief Executive Officer, Robb Knie. "We are hopeful that this trial will demonstrate successful delivery of our lead therapeutic candidate HT-001. Coupled with approval at Washington University of St. Louis and MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Miami will be our third site approved to host our trial and bring hope to cancer patients suffering from skin toxicities associated with EGFRi treatments. I look forward to updating our investors and patients on this ongoing trial in the first quarter of 2024."