On May 22, 2024 NeoPhore Limited, a small molecule neoantigen immuno-oncology company, reported that Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) has joined its oversubscribed Series B extension round (Press release, NeoPhore, MAY 22, 2024, View Source [SID1234643549]).

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The additional investment from Bristol Myers Squibb will enable NeoPhore to explore novel biology associated with the DNA mismatch repair (‘MMR’) pathway in cancer, as well as further progress its pre-clinical studies and deliver a candidate drug in 2025.

NeoPhore is focused on building a pipeline of small molecule drugs targeting novel proteins across the MMR pathway to generate next-generation immuno-oncology therapeutics to improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients. Its first-in-class MMR inhibitors induce neoantigen expression and increase immunogenicity in solid tumours that become exquisitely sensitive to immunotherapy.

Dr Matthew Baker, Chief Executive Officer of NeoPhore, said: "We are thrilled to have Bristol Myers Squibb, an innovator in the immuno-oncology space, join our oversubscribed Series B extension round. The funding strengthens NeoPhore’s position and enables us to complete the necessary pre-clinical studies to deliver a candidate drug for our lead PMS2 program in 2025."

Dr Robert James, Chairman of NeoPhore, said: "The addition of Bristol Myers Squibb to the Series B extension supports NeoPhore’s novel approach to targeting the MMR pathway with small molecule inhibitors to treat cancer. Building on NeoPhore’s successes in 2023, we hope to see a year of progress for the Company’s pre-clinical programs".

On May 22, 2024 Accuray Incorporated (NASDAQ: ARAY) reported its participation in the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference 2024 (Press release, Accuray, MAY 22, 2024, View Source [SID1234643548]). The management team is scheduled to participate in a fireside chat on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 7:30am EDT/4:30am PDT

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A live webcast of the call will also be available from the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at investors.accuray.com. A webcast replay can be accessed on the website and will remain available for 90 days.

On May 22, 2024 Nona Biosciences, a global biotechnology company providing a total solution from "Idea to IND" (I to ITM), ranging from target validation and antibody discovery through preclinical research, reported that it has entered into a license agreement with AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) for preclinical monoclonal antibodies that will be used to create targeted therapies in oncology (Press release, Nona Biosciences, MAY 22, 2024, View Source [SID1234643547]).

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Under the terms of the agreement, Nona Biosciences shall receive US$19 million upon completion of the transaction. Nona is eligible to receive an additional US$10 million in potential near-term milestone payments and up to US$575 million upon achieving specified development, regulatory, and commercial milestones, as well as tiered royalty payments on net sales. In addition, Nona is eligible to receive payments for the option programs should AstraZeneca exercise these options.

"We are delighted to announce this agreement with AstraZeneca, global leaders in developing tumor targeted therapies, to maximize the potential of our novel antibodies," said Jingsong Wang, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman of Nona Biosciences. "This agreement further validates our leading antibody discovery platform, and we look forward to seeing our antibodies developed into potential new medicines for cancer patients."

Puja Sapra, Senior Vice President, Tumour Targeted Delivery, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: "The global license agreement with Nona Biosciences is an exciting opportunity to further develop these antibodies derived from Nona’s innovative biologics discovery engine into novel tumor targeted therapies using AstraZeneca’s industry-leading capabilities."

On May 22, 2024 Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) reported that three abstracts on mRNA-4157 (V940), an investigational mRNA individualized neoantigen therapy, have been accepted for presentation at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, which will be held May 31 – June 4 in Chicago, IL (Press release, Moderna Therapeutics, MAY 22, 2024, View Source [SID1234643545]). mRNA-4157 (V940) is being jointly developed by Moderna and Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada.

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The three abstract titles are:

Abstract #TPS9616: INTerpath-001: Pembrolizumab with V940 (mRNA-4157) versus pembrolizumab with placebo for adjuvant treatment of high-risk stage II-IV melanoma
Poster Board #: 391b; Sunday, June 1 at 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM CDT
Presenter: Jeffrey S. Weber MD, PhD, FASCO
Abstract #TPS8116: The phase 3 INTerpath-002 study design: Individualized neoantigen therapy (INT) V940 (mRNA-4157) plus pembrolizumab vs placebo plus pembrolizumab for resected early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Poster Board #: 377b; Sunday, June 1 at 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM CDT
Presenter: Jay M. Lee MD
Abstract: #LBA9512: Individualized neoantigen therapy mRNA-4157 (V940) plus pembrolizumab in resected melanoma: 3-year update from the mRNA-4157-P201 (KEYNOTE-942) trial
Rapid Oral Abstract Session – Melanoma/Skin Cancers; Monday, June 3 at 10:15 AM CDT
Presenter: Jeffrey S. Weber MD, PhD, FASCO
Moderna Investor Event

Moderna will host a live webcast on Monday, June 3, from 6:15 to 7:15 PM CDT. The webcast will be available under "Events and Presentations" in the Investors section of the Moderna website at investors.modernatx.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived on Moderna’s website for at least 30 days following the presentation.

About mRNA-4157 (V940)

mRNA-4157 (V940) is a novel investigational messenger RNA (mRNA)-based individualized neoantigen therapy (INT) consisting of a synthetic mRNA coding for up to 34 neoantigens that is designed and produced based on the unique mutational signature of the DNA sequence of the patient’s tumor. Upon administration into the body, the algorithmically derived and RNA-encoded neoantigen sequences are endogenously translated and undergo natural cellular antigen processing and presentation, a key step in adaptive immunity.

Individualized neoantigen therapies are designed to train and activate an antitumor immune response by generating specific T-cell responses based on the unique mutational signature of a patient’s tumor. KEYTRUDA is an immunotherapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. As previously announced from the Phase 2b KEYNOTE-942/mRNA-4157-P201 trial evaluating patients with high-risk stage III/IV melanoma, combining mRNA-4157 (V940) with KEYTRUDA may provide a meaningful benefit over KEYTRUDA alone.

On May 22, 2024 Candel Therapeutics, Inc. (Candel or the Company) (Nasdaq: CADL), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing multimodal biological immunotherapies to help patients fight cancer, reported that Paul Peter Tak, MD, PhD, FMedSci, Candel’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will present a company overview at the Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. ET (Press release, Candel Therapeutics, MAY 22, 2024, View Source [SID1234643544]).

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A live webcast of the presentation will be available by selecting Events and Presentations under the News & Events tab in the Investors section on Candeltx.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived for up to 90 days following the session date.