On May 29, 2024 Kezar Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: KZR), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel small molecule therapeutics to treat unmet needs in immune-mediated diseases and cancer, reported that Chris Kirk, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 12:30 pm ET in New York, NY (Press release, Kezar Life Sciences, MAY 29, 2024, View Source [SID1234643824]).

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A webcast of the panel discussion will be available on the "Events & Presentations" section of the Company’s website at www.kezarlifesciences.com. Following the event, an archived webcast will be available on the Kezar website for 90 days.

On May 29, 2024 Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE: NUVB), a late clinical-stage, global biopharmaceutical company tackling some of the greatest unmet needs in oncology by developing differentiated and novel therapeutic candidates, reported that David Hung, M.D., Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Nuvation Bio, will participate in a hybrid presentation at the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference in New York, NY on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. ET (Press release, Nuvation Bio, MAY 29, 2024, View Source [SID1234643823]).

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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

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A live webcast of the hybrid presentation will be available on the Nuvation Bio website at View Source An archived recording will be available for 90 days following the event.

On May 29, 2024 Castle Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSTL), a company improving health through innovative tests that guide patient care, reported the publication of a study in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (Red Journal) demonstrating the ability of the DecisionDx-SCC test to identify high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients at the highest risk of metastasis who will benefit the most from ART to reduce metastatic disease progression, as well as high-risk patients who the test identified as having a lower risk of metastasis who may consider deferring treatment (Press release, Castle Biosciences, MAY 29, 2024, View Source [SID1234643822]). These results demonstrate the impact of the test in guiding decision-making for recommending ART.

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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

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"Radiation may be considered for patients with more aggressive SCC tumors to reduce the risk of the cancer returning once the tumor has been removed through surgery," said Sarah T. Arron, M.D. Ph.D., lead author and board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Peninsula Dermatology in Burlingame, California. "When relying on current risk assessment and staging systems alone, it can be very challenging to determine for which patients with high-risk SCC the benefits of radiation therapy outweigh the significant side effects and associated impacts on the patient’s quality of life.

"The study found that DecisionDx-SCC test results can assist clinicians in making these difficult decisions by identifying which patients are most likely to benefit from the treatment."

Key findings of the study (n=920 patients) include:

The DecisionDx-SCC test identified patients projected to receive the greatest benefit from ART to reduce metastatic disease progression. Patients with a Class 2B (highest metastatic risk) test result who were treated with ART had 50% higher MFS rates, on average, than Class 2B patients who did not receive ART at five years post-diagnosis.
A DecisionDx-SCC Class 2B result was the only independent risk factor that successfully identified patients who would most benefit from ART. Risk factors in the analysis included differentiation status, invasion into fat, perineural invasion and others, including National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk category and Brigham and Women’s Hospital and American Joint Committee on Cancer Eighth Edition T-stages.
Class 2B patients who received ART showed a significant deceleration in disease progression compared to Class 2B patients who did not receive ART. For patients with a DecisionDx-SCC Class 2B test result who were not treated with ART, there was a peak rate of metastasis around two years; Class 2B, ART-treated patients had nearly five times longer projected time to metastasis.
DecisionDx-SCC identified patients who were less likely to show a significant benefit from ART in controlling disease progression. Patients with high-risk clinicopathologic features but who received a DecisionDx-SCC Class 1 (lower metastatic risk) test result did not show a significant benefit from ART. Given the low risk of metastasis for Class 1 patients, in addition to the lower likelihood of ART benefit, Class 1 patients may consider deferring treatment.
About DecisionDx-SCC

DecisionDx-SCC is a 40-gene expression profile test that uses an individual patient’s tumor biology to stratify risk of metastasis in patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma who have one or more NCCN high-risk factors. The test result, in which patients are stratified into a Class 1 (lower), Class 2A (higher) or Class 2B (highest) risk category, predicts individual metastatic risk to inform risk-appropriate management and guide decision-making regarding the use of adjuvant radiation therapy. Peer-reviewed publications have demonstrated that DecisionDx-SCC is an independent predictor of metastatic risk and that the test can significantly improve risk-stratification when used with traditional staging systems and clinicopathologic risk factors to guide risk-aligned management and treatment decisions. Learn more at www.CastleBiosciences.com.

On May 29, 2024 Matter Bio, a pioneering biotech company dedicated to preserving genome integrity and extending healthy human lifespan, reported the successful close of its seed round funding, raising $7 million to advance its groundbreaking work in longevity research (Press release, Matter Bio, MAY 29, 2024, View Source [SID1234643821]).

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The seed round was led by Lifespan Vision Ventures, with participation from quadraScope Ventures and others, and includes grant support from NIH, NCI, and NIEHS. The funds will be utilized to conduct further research into the information theory of aging at a genomic level, which Matter believes contributes significantly to the aging process. The funds will also enable the filing of an IND and the start of a Phase 1/2a clinical trial in solid cancer.

Matter Bio tackles the problem of genome instability holistically, addressing the issue through a multi-pronged approach:

Reading Mutation: Detecting and identifying loss of genomic information.
Reversing: Correcting integrated mutations and reintroducing original genetic information.
Removing: Eliminating cells that are too damaged to be repaired, such as cancerous, clonal, and senescent cells.
Matter Bio has assembled a world-class team of scientists and executives, including co-founders such as George Church, PhD, a pioneer in genome sequencing and gene editing, Jan Vijg, PhD, an expert in genome instability and somatic mutations, and Claudia Gravekamp, PhD, a world authority in attenuated bacterial therapeutics. The company operates at the forefront of longevity biotechnology, leveraging cutting-edge science and innovative approaches to address the complexities of aging.

"Genomic integrity is a cornerstone of longevity and healthspan extension," said George Church, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School. "Matter Bio is pioneering a crucial approach in the fight against aging by focusing on the preservation of our genetic blueprint. I am excited to see the impact of their work on enhancing human health."

"Our investment in Matter Bio furthers our mission of supporting the cutting-edge interventions that promote longevity and combat aging," said Andrew Worden, Founding Partner of LifeSpan Vision Ventures. "Matter Bio’s strong team, cutting-edge genomic preservation technologies, and early-stage partnerships give the company excellent prospects to succeed with its vision."

For more information about Matter Bio’s history and mission, please visit matterbio.com.

On May 29, 2024 Rakuten Medical, Inc., a global biotechnology company developing and commercializing precision, cell-targeting photoimmunotherapy based on its proprietary Alluminox platform, reported that it will host a virtual R&D Day on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 1:00 pm ET / 10:00 am PT (Press release, Rakuten Medical, MAY 29, 2024, View Source [SID1234643820]).

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The event will feature a key opinion leader, Dr. Ann M. Gillenwater, Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, who will discuss the updated safety and efficacy findings from an interim evaluation of Rakuten Medical’s open-label Phase 1b/2 study (ASP-1929-181/ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04305795) of photoimmunotherapy using ASP-1929 in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy in first line recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, which will be presented in a poster at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2024.

Rakuten Medical’s executive management team will provide other key clinical and business updates including, but not limited to, development programs including a new study and Japan commercial updates.

A live question and answer session will follow the formal presentation.

Please note that practicing healthcare professionals and patients are not permitted to attend.

R&D Day event site: R&D Day event site: View Source