MAIA Biotechnology Announces Publication of International PCT Patent Application Covering Anticancer Telomere-Targeting Compounds

On January 24, 2024 MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., (NYSE American: MAIA) ("MAIA", the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer, reported that the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has published MAIA’s global Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application titled "Dinucleotides and Their Use in Treating Cancer (Press release, MAIA Biotechnology, JAN 24, 2024, View Source [SID1234639466])." These compounds are key next-generation telomere-targeting agents, an important extension of MAIA’s innovative cancer treatment platform.

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The international patent application covers potential cancer therapies using dinucleotide compounds that target telomeres in cancer cells, and methods for using the dinucleotide compounds to treat cancers alone or before administration with checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs). The new dinucleotides disclosed in the patent application are telomere-targeting molecules, such as THIO fragments or other THIO analogues.

The PCT system streamlines the process for obtaining patent protection globally. Under the PCT, applicants can seek patent protection in a large number of countries.

"This new IP would expand the value of our telomere-targeting compounds as first-in-class cancer treatments in regions around the world and provide patent coverage through 2043," said Vlad Vitoc, M.D., MAIA’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Previous preclinical studies of several of our second-generation telomere-targeting agents have shown highly significant anti-cancer efficacy in multiple in vivo and in vitro models. Importantly, this new coverage would further cement our robust and transformational cancer treatment franchise."

About THIO

THIO (6-thio-dG or 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine) is a first-in-class investigational telomere-targeting agent currently in clinical development to evaluate its activity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Telomeres, along with the enzyme telomerase, play a fundamental role in the survival of cancer cells and their resistance to current therapies. The modified nucleotide 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine (THIO) induces telomerase-dependent telomeric DNA modification, DNA damage responses, and selective cancer cell death. THIO-damaged telomeric fragments accumulate in cytosolic micronuclei and activates both innate (cGAS/STING) and adaptive (T-cell) immune responses. The sequential treatment with THIO followed by PD-(L)1 inhibitors resulted in profound and persistent tumor regression in advanced, in vivo cancer models by induction of cancer type–specific immune memory. THIO is presently developed as a second or later line of treatment for NSCLC for patients that have progressed beyond the standard-of-care regimen of existing checkpoint inhibitors.

Phase 4 Study Evaluating Use of ADSTILADRIN® (nadofaragene firadenovec-vncg) in Real-World Setting

On January 24, 2024 Ferring Pharmaceuticals reported that it is presenting the methodology for the ADSTILADRIN in BLadder cancEr (ABLE-41) Real World Evidence (RWE) study at the 20th Annual American Society of Clinical Oncologists Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU) (Press release, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, JAN 24, 2024, View Source [SID1234639465]). ABLE-41 (NCT06026332) is an ongoing Phase 4 observational study evaluating the effectiveness, overall experiences, patterns of use, and safety of ADSTILADRIN (nadofaragene firadenovec-vncg) in a U.S. real-world setting.

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"ABLE-41: Nadofaragene firadenovec-vncg early utilization and outcomes in a real-world setting in the United States."

ADSTILADRIN is the first and only intravesical gene therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in adult patients with high-risk, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors (±Ta/T1).

"Many NMIBC patients who initially respond to BCG therapy experience disease recurrence or progression, so developing a local, effective, bladder-preserving treatment option like ADSTILADRIN has long been needed," said Kristen Litchfield, DHSc, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Uro-Oncology, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, U.S. "In our pivotal Phase 3 trial, ADSTILADRIN demonstrated long-term efficacy and tolerability starting from the first dose. With this new post-marketing study, we are looking to build an additional body of evidence in the real-world setting."

ABLE-41 is a non-interventional study following NMIBC patients aged 18 years or older who are being treated with ADSTILADRIN in a clinical setting and had not previously received this therapy in a clinical trial. In September 2023, Ferring announced the first patient enrolled in ABLE-41. Eligible patients include those who were prescribed and scheduled to receive treatment, per their physician’s discretion, or patients who received their first instillation (per physician discretion) after September 5, 2023, but before the site was activated in the trial. The primary objective is to assess whether patients achieve a complete response (CR) at three months and/or at any time within a year of their first instillation.

"ABLE-41 is a unique real-world registry that will provide important evidence on what patients and physicians can expect from intravesical gene therapy in a clinical setting," said Siamek Daneshmand, M.D., who is affiliated with USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and the University of Southern California, and a lead ABLE-41 investigator. "I am thrilled to be part of this ongoing research and among the first uro-oncologists to be treating patients with ADSTILADRIN in a clinical setting. This is an innovative therapy that is already changing how we manage NMIBC patients who no longer respond to standard BCG therapy, providing an alternative to radical cystectomy, or bladder removal surgery."

Participants in ABLE-41 will be followed for 24 months, or until study discontinuation or withdrawal. Key secondary outcomes include the following: treatment patterns of use; duration of CR; recurrence-free survival, cystectomy-free survival, progression-free survival, overall survival, and bladder cancer–specific mortality; patient, caregiver, and physician experiences; adjunctive use of molecular markers; and safety. Patient experiences will be assessed with a commonly used quality of life questionnaire (EuroQol 5 Dimension 5 Level), measuring mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Caregiver experiences will be measured with the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, adapted for caregiving, which assesses the impact of health problems on paid and unpaid work.

Final results from this prospective, multi-institutional study are expected at the end of 2026. Learn more at www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06026332.

Poster Presentation Info:

Trials in Progress Poster Session B: Urothelial Carcinoma
"ABLE-41: Nadofaragene firadenovec-vncg early utilization and outcomes in a real-world setting in the United States."
Abstract #TPS705, Friday, Jan. 26 at 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. PST
Presenters: Neal Shore, Sia Daneshmand, Kristen Litchfield, Amy Guo, Kristian Juul, Sandra Guedes, Dalila Delattre, and Yair Lotan

About ADSTILADRIN
ADSTILADRIN (nadofaragene firadenovec-vncg) is the first and only FDA-approved intravesical gene-therapy for the treatment of adult patients with high-risk Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors. It is a non-replicating adenovirus vector-based therapy containing the gene interferon alfa-2b, administered by catheter directly into the bladder once every three months. The vector enters the cells of the bladder wall, releasing the active gene and causing the bladder’s cell walls to secrete high quantities of interferon alfa-2b protein, a naturally-occurring protein the body uses to fight cancer. This approach essentially turns the bladder wall cells into interferon microfactories, enhancing the body’s own natural defenses against the cancer.

ADSTILADRIN has been studied in a clinical trial program that includes 157 patients with high-grade, BCG-unresponsive NMIBC who had been treated with adequate BCG previously and did not see benefit from additional BCG treatment (full inclusion criteria published on clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02773849).1

About Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC)
NMIBC is a form of bladder cancer which is present in the superficial layer of the bladder and has not invaded deeper into the bladder or spread to other parts of the body.2 Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the U.S., and it is estimated that there were approximately 81,180 new cases of bladder cancer in the U.S. in 2022,3 75% of which present as NMIBC.4 In patients with high-risk NMIBC, intravesical BCG remains the first-line standard of care. However, more than 50% of patients who receive initial treatment with BCG will experience disease recurrence and progression within one year, with many developing BCG-unresponsive disease.3 Current treatment options for BCG-unresponsive patients are very limited, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend cystectomy (partial or complete removal of the bladder).5

INDICATION
ADSTILADRIN is a non-replicating adenoviral vector-based gene therapy indicated for the treatment of adult patients with high-risk Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS: ADSTILADRIN is contraindicated in patients with prior hypersensitivity reactions to interferon alfa or to any component of the product.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

Risk with delayed cystectomy: Delaying cystectomy in patients with BCG-unresponsive CIS could lead to development of muscle invasive or metastatic bladder cancer, which can be lethal. If patients with CIS do not have a complete response to treatment after 3 months or if CIS recurs, consider cystectomy.
Risk of disseminated adenovirus infection: Persons who are immunocompromised or immunodeficient may be at risk for disseminated infection from ADSTILADRIN due to low levels of replication-competent adenovirus. Avoid ADSTILADRIN exposure to immunocompromised or immunodeficient individuals.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: Administer ADSTILADRIN by intravesical instillation only. ADSTILADRIN is not for intravenous use, topical use, or oral administration.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS: Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during ADSTILADRIN treatment and for 6 months after the last dose. Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during ADSTILADRIN treatment and for 3 months after the last dose.

ADVERSE REACTIONS: The most common (>10%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities (>15%), were glucose increased, instillation site discharge, triglycerides increased, fatigue, bladder spasm, micturition (urination urgency), creatinine increased, hematuria (blood in urine), phosphate decreased, chills, pyrexia (fever), and dysuria (painful urination).

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-332-1088. You may also contact Ferring Pharmaceuticals at 1-888-FERRING.

Please click to see the full Prescribing Information.

Astrin Biosciences and Leading New York Cancer Center Announce New Cancer Research Collaboration

On January 24, 2024 Astrin Biosciences, a leader in AI-empowered 3D holographic technology for cancer cell detection, reported a comprehensive research collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) (Press release, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, JAN 24, 2024, View Source [SID1234639463]). This collaboration will leverage the combined strengths of both organizations, with the goal of transforming biomarker development and its role in cancer research and treatment.

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The collaboration sets the stage for an integrated approach, enabling researchers from Astrin and MSK to work together on a wide range of projects across the spectrum of cancer care. The collaboration is fueled by a shared commitment to eradicate the global scourge of cancer.

Astrin’s Founder and CEO, Jayant Parthasarathy, PhD, expressed his gratitude and optimism, "We are deeply honored to collaborate with MSK. Their trust in our platform is a testament to our technology’s potential. Together, we have a remarkable opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of those affected by cancer."

"This collaboration holds immense promise for advancing our understanding of cancer, from early detection to addressing the challenges of treatment resistance and disease complexity," said Howard I. Scher, MD, FASCO, Head of MSK’s Biomarker Program and a world-renowned expert in cancer diagnostics.

The collaboration promises to accelerate the development of innovative cancer diagnostics and treatments. It underscores the commitment of both Astrin Biosciences and MSK to lead the charge in the global fight against cancer.

For more information about this collaboration, please contact: [email protected]

Biomunex Pharmaceuticals Announces the Start of a Phase 1 Clinical Trial for Its First-in-class Bispecific Antibody for the Treatment of Cancer

On January 24, 2024 Biomunex Pharmaceuticals (Biomunex), a French biopharmaceutical company that develops cutting-edge immunotherapies through the discovery and development of bi- and multi-specific antibodies, generated from the BiXAb platform, for the treatment of cancer, reported the enrollment in 2023 of the first patient in a Phase 1 clinical trial conducted by Onward Therapeutics SA (Onward Therapeutics) (Press release, BIOMUNEX Pharmaceuticals, JAN 24, 2024, View Source [SID1234639464]).

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In preclinical studies, this antibody generated from Biomunex’ proprietary, best-in-class, bi- and multi-specific antibody platform, BiXAb, has demonstrated not only good pairing, low aggregation, high stability, excellent manufacturability but also excellent specificity and safety, and displayed important in vivo anti-tumoral activities at different doses.

The clinical trial takes place within the framework of the license and co-development agreement signed in 2021 by Biomunex with Onward Therapeutics, a global biotechnology company focused on development for cancer treatment, and thus triggered a milestone payment tied to the start of a Phase 1 clinical trial. Under the terms of the agreement, Biomunex has already received an upfront payment and is also eligible for further clinical, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties on global net sales and other potential payments.

"We are delighted to announce this clinical trial for the evaluation of one of the antibodies generated thanks to our unique BiXAb platform, with Onward Therapeutics," said Dr. Pierre-Emmanuel Gerard, founder, President and CEO of Biomunex. "The achievement of this key milestone supports the scientific and technological relevance of our BiXAb platform to identify, generate and develop rapidly and efficiently novel bispecific antibodies. With this clinical trial, we hope to demonstrate the potential major impact of our antibodies in cancer patients, particularly in those with significant unmet medical needs."

This Phase 1 clinical trial is a European multicenter and open-label study that is divided in two parts.

The first part is a dose escalation stage of the BiXAb candidate as single agent in patients with selected advanced/metastatic solid tumors or relapsed/refractory hematological malignancies, that will mainly evaluate safety and tolerability and will determine the maximum tolerated and recommended Phase 2 doses. The second part is an expansion stage that will further evaluate the safety and preliminary anti-tumoral activity of the candidate as monotherapy or in combination in selected solid tumors and hematological malignancies.

"We are convinced of the potential of this "first-in-class" bispecific antibody, capable of simultaneously targeting two immune checkpoints, based on our proprietary BiXAb platform, to provide better anti-tumor effects with a favorable therapeutic window and potentially become a true novel immunotherapeutic option for various cancers, both solid and liquid", added Dr. Simon Plyte, Chief Scientific Officer of Biomunex. "This clinical evaluation of our BiXAb format paves the way for the successive development of our first-in-class BiXAb-MAIT engager approach that we will rapidly advance to the clinic".

CG Oncology Announces Pricing of Upsized Initial Public Offering

On January 24, 2024 CG Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: CGON), a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing a potential backbone bladder-sparing therapeutic for patients afflicted with bladder cancer, reported the pricing of its upsized initial public offering of 20,000,000 shares of its common stock at an initial public offering price of $19.00 per share (Press release, CG Oncology, JAN 24, 2024, View Source [SID1234639462]). All of the shares are being offered by CG Oncology. The gross proceeds from the offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, are expected to be $380.0 million. CG Oncology’s common stock is expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on January 25, 2024 under the ticker symbol "CGON." The offering is expected to close on January 29, 2024, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. In addition, CG Oncology has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 3,000,000 shares of common stock at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

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Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Cantor are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. LifeSci Capital is acting as co-manager for the offering.

Registration statements relating to the offering have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and became effective on January 24, 2024. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. When available, copies of the final prospectus may be obtained from Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, or by email at [email protected]; Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, by telephone at (866) 471-2526, or by email at [email protected]; or Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Attention: Capital Markets, 110 East 59th Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by email at [email protected].

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any offer or sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.