On April 1, 2024 Biolexis Therapeutics, Inc. a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a novel AI-assisted drug discovery platform technology, reported it will present five posters at the 2024 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper), taking place April 5-10, 2024, in San Diego, CA (Press release, Biolexis Therapeutics, APR 1, 2024, View Source [SID1234641676]).

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AACR poster presentation details are below:

Title: "Discovery of an oral, potent, and selective CDK9 molecular glue degrader SLX-3065 active in aggressive variant prostate cancers (AVPC)"
Session Title: Late-Breaking Research: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics 2
Session Date and Time: Monday Apr 8, 2024 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Poster Section 52
Poster Board Number: 7
Abstract Presentation Number: LB161
Presenter: Chenyu Lin

Title: "BLX-3030, a potent, selective, orally available small molecule CDK9 inhibitor for aggressive variant prostate cancers"
Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session Title: New Compounds and Drug Targets
Session Date and Time: Tuesday Apr 9, 2024 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Poster Section 27
Poster Board Number: 2
Abstract Presentation Number: 4649
Presenter: Zhaoliang Li

Title: "Development of highly selective, potent, orally available PIM1 inhibitor BLX0631 shows a therapeutics potential in multiple myeloma models"
Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session Title: HDAC and Methyltransferase Inhibitors
Session Date and Time: Tuesday Apr 9, 2024 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Poster Section 24
Poster Board Number: 9
Abstract Presentation Number: 4587
Presenter: Kyle Medley

Title: "Identification of a novel and selective Transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) inhibitors modulate tumor microenvironment in Glioblastoma"
Session Title: Late-Breaking Research: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics 4
Session Date and Time: Wednesday Apr 10, 2024 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: Poster Section 54
Poster Board Number: 20
Abstract Presentation Number: LB444
Presenter: Hariprasad Vankayalapati

Biolexis & TGen Collaboration
Title: "Development of a novel ATP-competitive CDK9 inhibitor for treatment of pancreatic cancer"
Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session Title: Novel Biologic Therapies and Therapeutics Targets
Session Date and Time: Tuesday Apr 9, 2024 1:30 PM – 5.00 PM
Location: Poster Section 27
Poster Board Number: 5
Abstract Presentation Number: 5957
Presenter: Yesenia Barrera-Millan & Haiyong Han

More information can be found on the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) meeting website.

On April 1, 2024 Turbine, a company that is building the world’s first predictive simulation of patient biology, and Harmonic Discovery (Harmonic), a therapeutics company building an integrated computational and experimental platform for kinase drug discovery and targeted polypharmacology, reported to have entered into a collaboration to co-develop novel cancer therapies that will inhibit a dark kinase identified for cancer dependency using Turbine’s Simulated Cell platform (Press release, Harmonic Discovery, APR 1, 2024, View Source [SID1234641675]).

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"We believe that the dark kinase NEK1 holds great potential as a drug target for developing cancer therapies addressing important resistance challenges in the clinic," said Daniel Veres, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of Turbine. "Coupling Harmonic’s deep expertise in multi-specific kinase-targeted drug design with our unique ability to guide drug discovery by running simulated experiments with causal interpretation in a vast biological search space will help realize a more innovative and efficient process than traditional approaches. We are excited for the opportunity to demonstrate the power of our platforms to collectively boost R&D success in the clinic."

"Our fully integrated kinase drug discovery platform aims to challenge current drug discovery paradigms by building a machine learning-first infrastructure that integrates multiple aspects of kinase drug discovery," said Rayees Rahman, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder of Harmonic Discovery. "Turbine’s exciting biological simulation technology is highly complementary to our approach. We are confident that integrating both companies’ innovative platforms will yield a radically more effective approach to selecting and advancing kinase-targeted therapies that can substantially improve patient outcomes in oncology."

The collaboration provides a framework in which biological and mechanistic insights from Turbine’s simulations will directly inform Harmonic’s generative chemistry models – with the goal of bringing forward new, differentiated, and effective kinase inhibitor therapies for the patients who need them most. Harmonic will assume responsibilities for computational chemistry and medicinal chemistry activities, while Turbine will be responsible for in silico simulations and wet-lab validation of target biology, including the identification of both synergistic kinase co-targets to NEK1 and patient populations most likely to benefit from therapies. Financial terms of the collaboration are not disclosed.

On April 1, 2024 Lunit (KRX:328130.KQ), a leading provider of AI-powered solutions for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, reported the presentation of seven studies at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2024 Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, from April 5 to 10 (Press release, Lunit, APR 1, 2024, View Source [SID1234641674]).

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In a poster presentation, Lunit’s AI-powered HER2 analyzer, Lunit SCOPE HER2’s precision shines through its analysis of 194,259 pan-cancer samples, correlating different ERBB2 mutations with changes in HER2 protein expression. This AI-powered assessment successfully identified key mutation-expression correlations, particularly focusing on exon 20 insertions (ex20ins) and S310x mutations across a variety of cancers, including NSCLC, urothelial, and breast cancers.

Through detailed HER2 intensity examination, the AI analysis highlighted that, among ERBB2-mutated cases with HER2 IHC images, a higher proportion of HER2 3+ tumor cells was observed in S310x and ex20ins cases compared to others. Similarly, high HER2 expression was observed in both S301x and ex20ins cases compared to other mutation cases. The findings suggest that understanding these mutation-expression relationships could improve the prediction of treatment responses, enabling a step forward in the development of more personalized and precise therapeutic strategies for cancer patients with ERBB2 mutations. The study also indicates the potential of AI in enhancing the precision of cancer treatment through the identification of genetic alterations that influence protein levels.

In a collaborative study with Genome & Company, a clinical-stage biotechnology specializes in anti-cancer therapeutic development, Lunit leveraged its AI-powered immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyzer to investigate the expression of Contactin-4 (CNTN4) and its relationship with PD-L1 across 18 types of cancers. CNTN4, which is mainly expressed in tumor cells, is known to reduce T-cell activation and responsiveness to tumors.

The analysis of 795 pan-cancer tissue samples revealed an important inverse correlation between CNTN4 expression and PD-L1 levels. When PD-L1 intensity was ≥ 30%, 50%, 75%, and 90%, CNTN4 was observed in 42.4% (337/795), 25.5% (203/795), 11.4% (91/795), and 5.2% (41/795) of cases, respectively. This insight positions CNTN4 as a promising target for immunotherapy, particularly in cancers that exhibit low PD-L1 expression.

Another study conducted with Genome & Company focused on the correlation between the efficacy of pembrolizumab treatment and CNTN4 expression in gastric cancer patients. This study categorized patients based on CNTN4 and PD-L1 expression levels. The results indicated that patients with low CNTN4 expression and high PD-L1 levels were more likely to respond favorably to pembrolizumab, showing a 64.3% objective response rate (ORR). Conversely, patients exhibiting both high CNTN4 and PD-L1 expression demonstrated a 0% ORR, with non-responders presenting lower PD-L1 expression and higher CNTN4 levels compared to responders. These findings not only highlight CNTN4’s potential as a predictive biomarker for immunotherapy response but also underscore the pivotal role of AI-powered analytics in identifying novel biomarkers.

"We are excited to present our groundbreaking studies at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2024, illustrating the profound impact of the Lunit SCOPE suite on cancer research and treatment," said Brandon Suh, CEO of Lunit. "Our findings, particularly the discovery of key mutation-expression correlations by Lunit SCOPE HER2 and the potential of CNTN4 as a novel biomarker for immunotherapy responsiveness, underscore our commitment to transforming cancer care. These studies not only highlight our pioneering role in leveraging AI to enhance precision medicine but also pave the way into the future of oncology – where treatment is not just personalized but predictive, ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients worldwide. We’re proud to contribute to this transformative journey, marking a significant milestone in our mission to fight cancer with AI."

In addition to the studies above, Lunit will present four more studies at this year’s AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper), showcasing the diverse capabilities of Lunit SCOPE IO, Lunit SCOPE HER2, and an AI-based CT image analyzer combining analysis of CT scans with digital pathology analysis to predict response to checkpoint therapy.

Visit Lunit at booth 808 to explore how the Lunit SCOPE suite is revolutionizing oncology research and clinical practice.

Presentations at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2024 featuring Lunit SCOPE include:

"Pan-Cancer analysis of the influence of ERBB2 alteration on HER2 expression" (4640/16, Section 26, April 9, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM)
"Association of artificial intelligence (AI)-based HER2 scoring with clinical outcomes to first-line trastuzumab plus chemotherapy in HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer (mGC)" (2484/1, Section 43, April 8, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM)
"Assessment of CNTN4 expression and its association with PD-L1 across 18 various cancers using an artificial intelligence-powered immunohistochemistry analyzer" (553/6, Section 23, April 7, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM)
"Association between the CNTN4 expression and responsiveness to pembrolizumab in gastric cancer" (7522/10, Section 42, April 10, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM)
"Artificial intelligence (AI)-based multi-modal approach using H&E and CT image for predicting treatment response of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)" (4170/25, Section 8, April 9, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM)
"Artificial intelligence-powered analysis of tumor-stroma ratio and fibroblast density as prognostic indicators in colorectal cancer" (276/7, Section 11, April 7, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM)
"Artificial intelligence-powered spatial analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes as a prognostic biomarker for pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma" (7658/19, Section 46, April 10, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM)

On April 1, 2024 aTyr Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: LIFE), a clinical stage biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of first-in-class medicines from its proprietary tRNA synthetase platform, reported that the company will participate in two upcoming investor conferences scheduled to take place in April 2024 (Press release, aTyr Pharma, APR 1, 2024, View Source [SID1234641673]).

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Details of the conferences appear below:

Conference: Evercore ISI Diamonds in the Rough Webinar Day
Date: Thursday, April 4, 2024
Time: 10:30am EDT
Location: Virtual
Format: Corporate Presentation with Q&A Session

Conference: Piper Sandler Spring Biopharma Symposium
Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Location: Everett, MA
Format: 1×1 Investor Meetings

For more information on how to register, please contact your Evercore ISI or Piper Sandler representative.

On April 1, 2024 Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIRX), a clinical-stage precision oncology company focused on the treatment and prevention of virus-associated cancers that impact patients worldwide, reported that topline results from Stage 1 of the NAVAL-1 trial of Nana-val (nanatinostat in combination with valganciclovir) in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) Epstein-Barr virus-positive (EBV+) peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) will be featured in an oral presentation during the 2024 Joint Annual Congress of Taiwan Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and The Hematology Society of Taiwan (Press release, Viracta Therapeutics, APR 1, 2024, View Source [SID1234641669]). Details of the presentation are as follows:

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Title: A Global Phase 2 Trial of Nanatinostat in Combination with Valganciclovir in Patients with EBV-Positive (EBV+) Relapsed/Refractory Peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas (NAVAL-1)
Format: Oral presentation
Presenting Author: Professor Hung Chang, M.D., principal investigator in the NAVAL-1 trial, Chief of the Hematology Division, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Visiting Scholar at UMass Memorial Health Care
Presentation Date and Time: Saturday, April 13, at 10:12 a.m. China Standard Time (Friday, April 12, at 7:12 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time)
About Nana-val (Nanatinostat and Valganciclovir)
Nanatinostat is an orally available histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor being developed by Viracta. Nanatinostat is selective for specific isoforms of Class I HDACs, which are key to inducing viral genes that are epigenetically silenced in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancies. Nanatinostat is currently being investigated in combination with the antiviral agent valganciclovir as an all-oral combination therapy, Nana-val, in various subtypes of EBV-associated malignancies. Ongoing trials include a pivotal, global, multicenter, open-label Phase 2 basket trial in multiple subtypes of relapsed or refractory (R/R) EBV+ lymphoma (NAVAL-1) as well as a multinational Phase 1b/2 clinical trial in patients with recurrent or metastatic (R/M) EBV+ NPC and other advanced EBV+ solid tumors.

About the NAVAL-1 Trial
NAVAL-1 (NCT05011058) is a global, multicenter, clinical trial of Nana-val in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) Epstein-Barr virus-positive (EBV+) lymphoma. This trial employs a Simon two-stage design where, in Stage 1, participants are enrolled into one of three indication cohorts based on EBV+ lymphoma subtype. If two objective responses are achieved within a lymphoma subtype in Stage 1 (n=10), then additional patients will be enrolled in Stage 2 for a total of 21 patients. EBV+ lymphoma subtypes demonstrating promising antitumor activity in Stage 2 may be further expanded following discussion with regulators to potentially support registration.

About Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma
T-cell lymphomas comprise a heterogeneous group of rare and aggressive malignancies, including peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). There are approximately 5,600 newly diagnosed T-cell lymphoma patients and approximately 2,600 newly diagnosed PTCL-NOS and AITL patients in the U.S. annually. Approximately 70% of these patients are either refractory to first-line therapy, or eventually experience relapse of their disease. Clinical trials are currently recommended for all lines of PTCL therapy, and most patients with R/R PTCL have poor outcomes, with median progression-free survival and median overall survival times reported to be 3.7 and 6.5 months, respectively. Approximately 40% to 65% of PTCL is associated with EBV, the incidence of EBV+ PTCL varies by geography, and reported outcomes for patients with EBV+ PTCL are inferior to those whose disease is EBV-negative. There is no approved targeted treatment specific for EBV+ PTCL, and therefore this represents a high unmet medical need.