U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approves Augtyro™ (repotrectinib), a Next-Generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI), for the Treatment of Patients with NTRK-Positive Locally Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors

On June 13, 2024 Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval of Augtyro (repotrectinib) for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with solid tumors that have a neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusion, are locally advanced or metastatic or where surgical resection is likely to result in severe morbidity, and have progressed following treatment or have no satisfactory alternative therapy (Press release, Bristol-Myers Squibb, JUN 13, 2024, View Source [SID1234644303]). The approval is based on results from the Phase 1/2 TRIDENT-1 study, which evaluated Augtyro in adult patients with NTRK-positive solid tumors.1 This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.1

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"NTRK fusion-positive tumors can present challenges in the clinical setting, which is why it is important that we have additional treatment options for these patients," said Alexander Drilon, MD, TRIDENT-1 global trial lead and Chief of the Early Drug Development Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.2,3 "The FDA approval of repotrectinib adds an important tool to our toolbox, offering oncologists a next-generation TKI that can be used across a broad range of NTRK fusion-positive solid tumors for both TKI-naïve and TKI-pretreated patients."1

The TRIDENT-1 trial included both TKI-naïve (n=40) and TKI-pretreated (n=48) patients with NTRK-positive locally advanced/metastatic solid tumors collectively representing 15 different types of cancer.1 In TKI-naïve patients, with a median follow up of 17.8 months, 58% (95% CI: 41 to 73) had a confirmed objective response rate (cORR); of those, 43% experienced partial responses (PR) and 15% had complete responses (CR).1,4 Of the TKI-naïve responding patients, 83% were still in response at one year with Augtyro. The median duration of response (mDOR) was not yet reached. In TKI-pretreated patients, with a median follow up of 20.1 months, the cORR was 50% (95% CI: 35 to 65); of those, 50% experienced PR and no patients achieved CR.1,4 Additionally, 42% of TKI-pretreated responding patients were still in response at one year with Augtyro.1 The mDOR was 9.9 months (95% CI: 7.4 to 13.0).1 Among those who had measurable central nervous system (CNS) metastases at baseline, intracranial response was observed in 2 out of 2 TKI-naïve patients and in 3 out of 3 TKI-pretreated patients.1

Augtyro is associated with the following Warnings & Precautions: central nervous system (CNS) effects, interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis, hepatotoxicity, myalgia with creatine phosphokinase elevation, hyperuricemia, skeletal fractures, and embryo-fetal toxicity.1 Please see Important Safety Information below.

"Today’s FDA approval of Augtyro for patients with NTRK-positive tumors adds to its indication in ROS1-positive NSCLC, showing its clinical value for more people across multiple genetic markers," said Nick Botwood, senior vice president of Medical Oncology at Bristol Myers Squibb.1 "Previously, there was not an FDA approved treatment option for NTRK-positive cancers that was studied in both TKI-naïve and TKI-pretreated patients across solid tumors. This milestone helps address this area of unmet need and builds on Bristol Myers Squibb’s longstanding legacy of bringing innovations to individuals who are facing cancer and urgently seeking new treatment options."

"Cancer can be frightening regardless of the type, but having a rare gene fusion driving it can be especially stressful and isolating," said Susan Spinosa, president and patient co-founder of NTRKers, a patient advocacy group. "It’s exciting to know that there’s a new targeted therapy option for patients with NTRK-positive gene fusions, as this may offer hope to patients and their loved ones navigating this difficult journey."

Based on clinical and pharmacokinetic data, the recommended dose for Augtyro for pediatric patients aged 12 years and older is the same as for adults, 160 mg orally once daily for 14 days followed by 160 mg twice daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.1 The safety and effectiveness of Augtyro have not been established in pediatric patients younger than 12 years of age with solid tumors who have an NTRK gene fusion.1 This is the second indication for Augtyro in the U.S., following its full approval for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1-positive NSCLC in November 2023.1

Disclosure: Dr. Drilon has provided advisory and speaking services to Bristol Myers Squibb.

About TRIDENT-1

TRIDENT-1 is a global, multicenter, single-arm, open-label, multi-cohort Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor activity of Augtyro in patients with locally advanced or metastatic neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusion-positive (NTRK1/2/3) solid tumors.1,5 The trial excludes patients with symptomatic brain metastases, among other exclusion criteria.1 Phase 1 of the trial included the dose escalation that determined the recommended Phase 2 dose.5

Phase 2 of the trial in NTRK-positive locally advanced/metastatic solid tumor cohorts has a primary endpoint of objective response rate (ORR) as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR).5 Among others, key secondary endpoints include duration of response (DOR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST v1.1) as assessed by BICR, and intracranial response in patients with measurable brain metastases.5

Select Safety Profile from TRIDENT-1

The safety profile for Augtyro was evaluated in 426 patients who received Augtyro in the TRIDENT-1 pivotal trial.1 Permanent discontinuation of Augtyro due to an adverse reaction occurred in 7% of patients.1 There were no specific adverse reactions that accounted for ≥1% of permanent discontinuations. Augtyro dosage was interrupted due to an adverse reaction in 50% of patients, and dose reductions due to an adverse reaction occurred in 38% of patients.1 Serious adverse reactions occurred in 35% of patients who received Augtyro. 1 Serious adverse reactions in ≥2% of patients included pneumonia (6.3%), dyspnea (3.1%), pleural effusion (2.8%) and hypoxia (2.6%).1 Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 3.5% of patients who received Augtyro, including pneumonia, pneumonia aspiration, cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac death, cardiac failure, hypoxia, dyspnea, respiratory failure, tremor, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.1 The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions were dizziness (65%), dysgeusia (54%), peripheral neuropathy (49%), constipation (38%), dyspnea (30%), fatigue (30%), ataxia (28%), cognitive impairment (25%), muscular weakness (20%) and nausea (20%).1 Grade 3 dizziness occurred in 2.8% of patients.1

About NTRK-Positive Solid Tumors

Neurotrophic tropomyosin receptor kinase (NTRK) are a family of receptors involved in neural development.6 An NTRK gene fusion is an alteration that occurs when a piece of the chromosome containing the NTRK gene breaks off and joins with a gene on another chromosome.7 These fusions lead to abnormal proteins, which may cause cancer cells to grow.7 While NTRK gene fusions are rare in patients with solid tumors, testing for NTRK gene fusions allows for the identification of patients who may benefit from TRK inhibitor therapy.8,9,10,11

INDICATIONS

AUGTYRO is indicated for the treatment of:

adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with solid tumors that:
have a neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusion,
are locally advanced or metastatic or where surgical resection is likely to result in severe morbidity, and
have progressed following treatment or have no satisfactory alternative therapy.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trial(s).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Warnings & Precautions

Central Nervous System Adverse Reactions

Among the 426 patients who received AUGTYRO in the Study TRIDENT-1, a broad spectrum of central nervous system (CNS) adverse reactions including dizziness, ataxia, and cognitive disorders occurred in 77% of patients with Grade 3 or 4 events occurring in 4.5%.
Dizziness, including vertigo, occurred in 65%; Grade 3 dizziness occurred in 2.8% of patients. The median time to onset was 7 days (1 day to 1.4 years). Dose interruption was required in 9% of patients, and 11% required dose reduction of AUGTYRO due to dizziness.
Ataxia, including gait disturbance and balance disorder, occurred in 28% of patients; Grade 3 ataxia occurred in 0.5%. The median time to onset was 15 days (1 day to 1.4 years). Dose interruption was required in 5% of patients, 8% required dose reduction and one patient (0.2%) permanently discontinued AUGTYRO due to ataxia.
Cognitive impairment, including memory impairment and disturbance in attention, occurred in 25% of patients. Cognitive impairment included memory impairment (15%), disturbance in attention (12%), and confusional state (2%); Grade 3 cognitive impairment occurred in 0.9% of patients. The median time to onset of cognitive disorders was 37 days (1 day to 1.4 years). Dose interruption was required in 2% of patients, 2.1% required dose reduction and 0.5% permanently discontinued AUGTYRO due to cognitive adverse reactions.
Mood disorders occurred in 6% of patients. Mood disorders occurring in >1% of patients included anxiety (2.6%); Grade 4 mood disorders (mania) occurred in 0.2% of patients. Dose interruption was required in 0.2% of patients and 0.2% required a dose reduction due to mood disorders.
Sleep disorders including insomnia and hypersomnia occurred in 18% of patients. Sleep disorders observed in >1% of patients were somnolence (9%), insomnia (6%) and hypersomnia (1.6%). Dose interruption was required in 0.7% of patients, and 0.2% required a dose reduction due to sleep disorders.
The incidences of CNS adverse reactions reported were similar in patients with and without CNS metastases.
Advise patients not to drive or use machines if they are experiencing CNS adverse reactions. Withhold and then resume at same or reduced dose upon improvement, or permanently discontinue AUGTYRO based on severity.
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis

Among the 426 patients treated with AUGTYRO, ILD/pneumonitis (pneumonitis [2.8%] and ILD [0.2%]) occurred in 3.1%; Grade 3 ILD/pneumonitis occurred in 1.2%. The median time to onset was 45 days (19 days to 0.9 years). Dose interruption was required in 1.4% of patients, 0.5% required dose reduction, and 1.1% permanently discontinued AUGTYRO due to ILD/pneumonitis.
Monitor patients for new or worsening pulmonary symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis. Immediately withhold AUGTYRO in patients with suspected ILD/pneumonitis and permanently discontinue AUGTYRO if ILD/pneumonitis is confirmed.
Hepatotoxicity

Among the 426 patients treated with AUGTYRO, increased alanine transaminase (ALT) occurred in 38%, increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) occurred in 41%, including Grade 3 or 4 increased ALT in 3.3% and increased AST in 2.9%. The median time to onset of increased ALT or AST was 15 days (range: 1 day to 1.9 years). Increased ALT or AST leading to dose interruptions or reductions occurred in 2.8% and 1.2% of patients, respectively. Hyperbilirubinemia leading to dose interruptions occurred in 0.5%.
Monitor liver function tests, including ALT, AST and bilirubin, every 2 weeks during the first month of treatment, then monthly thereafter and then as clinically indicated. Withhold and then resume at same or reduced dose upon improvement or permanently discontinue AUGTYRO based on the severity.
Myalgia with Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) Elevation

AUGTYRO can cause myalgia with or without creatine phosphokinase (CPK) elevation. Among the 426 patients treated with AUGTYRO, myalgia occurred in 13% of patients, with Grade 3 in 0.7%. Median time to onset of myalgia was 19 days (range: 1 day to 2 years). Concurrent increased CPK within a 7-day window was observed in 3.7% of patients. AUGTYRO was interrupted in one patient with myalgia and concurrent CPK elevation.
Advise patients to report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. Monitor serum CPK levels during AUGTYRO treatment and monitor CPK levels every 2 weeks during the first month of treatment and as needed in patients reporting unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. Initiate supportive care as clinically indicated. Based on severity, withhold and then resume AUGTYRO at same or reduced dose upon improvement.
Hyperuricemia

Among the 426 patients treated with AUGTYRO, 21 patients (5%) experienced hyperuricemia reported as an adverse reaction, 0.7% experienced Grade 3 or 4 hyperuricemia. One patient without pre-existing gout required urate-lowering medication.
Monitor serum uric acid levels prior to initiating AUGTYRO and periodically during treatment. Initiate treatment with urate-lowering medications as clinically indicated. Withhold and then resume at same or reduced dose upon improvement, or permanently discontinue AUGTYRO based on severity.
Skeletal Fractures

Among 426 adult patients who received AUGTYRO, fractures occurred in 2.3%. Fractures involved the ribs (0.5%), feet (0.5%), spine (0.2%), acetabulum (0.2%), sternum (0.2%), and ankles (0.2%). Some fractures occurred at sites of disease and prior radiation therapy. The median time to fracture was 71 days (range: 31 days to 1.4 years). AUGTYRO was interrupted in 0.3% of patients.
Of 26 evaluable patients in an ongoing open-label study in pediatric patients, fractures occurred in one 12-year-old patient (ankle/foot) and one 10-year-old patient (stress fracture). AUGTYRO was interrupted in both patients. AUGTYRO is not approved for use in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age.
Promptly evaluate patients with signs or symptoms (e.g., pain, changes in mobility, deformity) of fractures. There are no data on the effects of AUGTYRO on healing of known fractures and risk of future fractures.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on literature reports in humans with congenital mutations leading to changes in tropomyosin receptor tyrosine kinase (TRK) signaling, findings from animal studies, and its mechanism of action, AUGTYRO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.
Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective non-hormonal contraception during treatment with AUGTYRO and for 2 months following the last dose, since AUGTYRO can render some hormonal contraceptives ineffective.
Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with AUGTYRO and for 4 months after the last dose.
Adverse Reactions

The safety of AUGTYRO was evaluated in 426 patients in TRIDENT-1. The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were dizziness, dysgeusia, peripheral neuropathy, constipation, dyspnea, fatigue, ataxia, cognitive impairment, muscular weakness, and nausea.
Drug Interactions

Effects of Other Drugs on AUGTYRO

Strong and Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors

Avoid concomitant use with strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors. Concomitant use of AUGTYRO with a strong or a moderate CYP3A inhibitor may increase repotrectinib exposure, which may increase the incidence and severity of adverse reactions of AUGTYRO. Discontinue CYP3A inhibitors for 3 to 5 elimination half-lives of the CYP3A inhibitor prior to initiating AUGTYRO.
P-gp Inhibitors

Avoid concomitant use with P-gp inhibitors. Concomitant use of AUGTYRO with a P-gp inhibitor may increase repotrectinib exposure, which may increase the incidence and severity of adverse reactions of AUGTYRO.
Strong and Moderate CYP3A Inducers

Avoid concomitant use with strong or moderate CYP3A inducers. Concomitant use of AUGTYRO with a strong or moderate CYP3A inducer may decrease repotrectinib plasma concentrations, which may decrease efficacy of AUGTYRO.
Effects of AUGTYRO on other Drugs

Certain CYP3A4 Substrates

Avoid concomitant use unless otherwise recommended in the Prescribing Information for CYP3A substrates, where minimal concentration changes can cause reduced efficacy. If concomitant use is unavoidable, increase the CYP3A4 substrate dosage in accordance with approved product labeling.
Repotrectinib is a CYP3A4 inducer. Concomitant use of repotrectinib decreases the concentration of CYP3A4 substrates, which can reduce the efficacy of these substrates.
Contraceptives

Repotrectinib is a CYP3A4 inducer, which can decrease progestin or estrogen exposure to an extent that could reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.
Avoid concomitant use of AUGTYRO with hormonal contraceptives. Advise females of childbearing potential to use an effective nonhormonal contraceptive.
Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information for AUGTYRO .

Race Oncology at 12-month high on promising preclinical results for drug combination in multiple myeloma treatment

On June 12, 2024 Race Oncology Ltd (ASX:RAC, OTC:RAONF) reported that it has hit a new 12-month high on fielding some strong preclinical findings on the efficacy of lead asset bisantrene in treating multiple myeloma (Press release, Race Oncology, JUN 13, 2024, View Source [SID1234644290]).

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Dangerous blood cancer

Multiple myeloma is a dangerous blood cancer caused by uncontrolled proliferation of plasma cells, more common in men over 60. It accounts for 10% of blood cancers and has a 5-year survival rate of 55.6%.

Carfilzomib is an intravenous drug used for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, with known cardiotoxicity risks, particularly in patients with pre-existing heart conditions.

When carfilzomib is combined with bisantrene, preclinical studies showed that bisantrene slows disease progression and enhances the efficacy of carfilzomib, offering a potentially safer treatment option.

The studies, performed under contract by Labcorp USA, revealed that bisantrene, both as a single agent and in combination with the standard multiple myeloma treatment carfilzomib – under the trademark Kyprolis, Amgen – effectively slows disease progression in a mouse model.

Bisantrene demonstrated the ability to kill human multiple myeloma cells at clinically relevant concentrations in cell cultures and in mice.

In combination with carfilzomib, the drug showed enhanced activity, which points to a potentially more effective and less cardiotoxic treatment for multiple myeloma patients.

Carfilzomib, although effective, is known for its serious heart toxicity side effects, limiting its use in patients with elevated cardiac risk factors.

Protecting the human heart

In 2021, Race made the groundbreaking discovery that bisantrene can protect human heart muscle cells from carfilzomib’s toxicity.

The mouse model studies showed that bisantrene significantly slowed multiple myeloma disease progression, whereas carfilzomib alone, at the maximum tolerated dosage, showed no single-agent activity.

And the combination of bisantrene and carfilzomib was more effective than bisantrene alone, suggesting a synergistic effect that warrants further investigation as a safer treatment option for multiple myeloma patients.

Next steps

The company plans to conduct additional preclinical studies to investigate the cellular mechanisms responsible for the delayed progression of multiple myeloma and increased survival in mice treated with the bisantrene and carfilzomib combination.

It also aims to complete mouse models of carfilzomib-induced cardiotoxicity to confirm bisantrene’s cardioprotective properties and explore options for clinical studies to evaluate the combination as a more effective and safer treatment for multiple myeloma patients.

Race CEO Dr Daniel Tillett said: "It is always exciting to see the potential clinical utility of bisantrene grow.

"Carfilzomib is a highly active treatment for multiple myeloma but it comes with very serious cardiotoxicity risks.

"The potential for using bisantrene to not only better treat multiple myeloma, but also protect patients from the heart damage caused by carfilzomib, is worthy of further investigation."

AFFIMED REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS & BUSINESS UPDATE

On June 12, 2024 Affimed N.V., a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company committed to giving patients back their innate ability to fight cancer, reported financial results and provided an update on clinical and corporate progress for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 (Press release, Affimed, JUN 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234644698]).

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"We continue to make remarkable progress across our three clinical programs, AFM24, acimtamig, and AFM28," said Dr. Andreas Harstrick, Chief Medical Officer, and acting Chief Executive Officer of Affimed. "The data that we are presenting today mark an important point for our company as we see clinical validation of our strategy to use the power of the innate immune system to fight cancer with all three assets. The initial data for the LuminICE-203 study, combining acimtamig and allogeneic NK cells (AlloNK) are impressive with nearly 86% objective responses and more than 50% complete remissions in treatment refractory Hodgkin lymphoma patients. These data validate our approach of co-administration of ICE molecules with allogeneic, off-the-shelf, cryopreserved NK cells. The results with AFM24 in combination with atezolizumab support our second strategy in which we leverage the combined forces of the innate and the adaptive immune system. We see objective responses in heavily pretreated NSCLC patients, both in the EGFRwt and EGFRmut subpopulations. The long duration of responses observed in the EGFRwt cohort, where 3 of 4 responses now continue for more than 7 months is very promising in these poor prognosis patients and demonstrate that this chemotherapy free approach is capable of providing long-lasting tumor control. Finally, for AFM28 we have established a pharmacodynamically and clinically active dose with a good safety profile. 5 of 6 patients in cohort 6 derived clinical benefit including two patients with an objective response. These results and the efficacy data observed with acimtamig plus allogeneic NK cells strongly support our strategic intention to develop AFM28 in combination with allogeneic NK cells for the treatment of refractory AML."

Program Updates

Acimtamig (AFM13; CD30 / CD16A)
Independent read data from the first 7 patients show an ORR of 85.7 % with 4 CRs and 2 PRs.

All patients were heavily pretreated with a median of 4 lines of prior treatment including combination chemotherapy, brentuximab vedotin and checkpoint inhibitors; 71 % (5/7 patients) had also failed after prior autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT).
Treatment related adverse events were consistent with previous experience and were mainly mild to moderate IRR/CRS in nearly two thirds of the patients (4/7). One patient developed a short-lasting grade 3 CRS but was also diagnosed to have acute cytomegalovirus infection. All side effects were well manageable with standard of care treatment and there were no treatment discontinuations due to acimtamig or AlloNK related adverse events. No cases of bleeding, immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome or graft-versus-host disease were observed. Enrollment in cohorts 1 and 2 is completed; cohorts 3 and 4 are now open and enrolling.
Continued updates from the study to be provided on upcoming earnings calls and scientific conferences.
AFM24 (EGFR / CD16A)
In the AFM24-102 trial (combination with atezolizumab): 4 confirmed responses (1CR, 4PR) and 8SD in 17 heavily pretreated EGFRwt NSCLC patients; mPFS of 5.9 months; 3 out of 4 responses ongoing for more than 7 months.

All patients were pretreated with platinum-based chemotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors PD [L]-1.
On May 29, the Company announced that it received FDA Fast Track designation for the combination treatment of AFM24 with atezolizumab for EGFRwt NSCLC patients.
In 13 response-evaluable, heavily pretreated EGFRmut NSCLC patients, the combination of AFM24 with atezolizumab showed encouraging signals of clinical activity, including 1 CR, 3 PRs and 6 SDs. All responses are ongoing and have been confirmed by follow up scan.
ORR and PFS data from the 25 patient EGFRmut NSCL cohort is expected in Q3 2024; data from the 40 patient EGFRwt cohort is expected in Q4 2024.
AFM28 (CD123 / CD16A)

Completed enrollment of the sixth and final cohort in the multi-center Phase 1 open-label, dose-escalation study (AFM28-101), of AFM28 monotherapy in CD123-positive r/r acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Of 6 patients treated at dose level 6 at 300mg, 1 patient showed a CR, 1 patient a CRi and 3 patients achieved SD, a CR/CRi rate of 33%.
Of 6 patients treated at dose level 5 at 250 mg, 1 patient showed a CR, ongoing after 5 months; 5 patients achieved a SD as best response.
No dose-limiting toxicities were reported in dose levels 5 and 6.
Data from the study is expected to be presented at a future scientific conference.
Further clinical development of AFM28 to be pursued in combination with an allogeneic, off-the-shelf NK cell product.
Upcoming Milestones:

Data readout from the 12 patients in cohorts 1 and 2 of the LuminICE-203 (AFM13 combination with AlloNK cells) study in Q3 2024.
ORR and PFS data from the 25 patients in the EGFRmut cohort of the AFM24-102 study in Q3 2024.
ORR and PFS data from the 40 patients in the EGFRwt cohort of the AFM24-102 study in Q4 2024.
First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights
Affimed’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB). The consolidated financial statements are presented in Euros (€), the Company’s functional and presentation currency.

As of March 31, 2024, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled €48.5 million. Based on our current operating plan and assumptions, we anticipate that our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will support operations into H2 2025.

Net cash used in operating activities for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was €23.8 million compared to €33.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The decline was mainly due to lower research and development expenditure.

Total revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, was €0.2 million compared with €4.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. Revenue in 2024 only related to a platform license provided to Genentech and 2023 predominantly related to the Roivant and Genentech research collaborations.

Research and development expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, were €15.4 million compared to €29.5 million in 2023. The decrease was primarily a result of lower expenses associated with the development of the AFM13 and AFM24 programs, due to a decrease in procurement of clinical trial material, clinical trial costs and manufacturing costs, decrease in head count due to the corporate restructuring which is compensated in quarter one by one-time costs, such as severance payments and impairment losses.

General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, were €4.5 million compared to €6.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The decrease was due to declines in head count, in legal and consulting expenses, insurance expenses and share-based payment expenses.

Net finance income/costs for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 were €0.4 million income compared to €0.5 million costs for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. Net finance income/costs are largely due to foreign exchange gains/losses related to assets denominated in U.S. dollars as a result of currency fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and Euro during the year, interest on the Bootstrap loan and interest earned on the treasury bonds.

Net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, was €19.2 million, or €1.27 loss per common share compared with a net loss of €32.0 million, or €2.14 loss per common share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.

The weighted number of common shares outstanding for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, was 15,129,952 shares.

Additional information regarding these results will be included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2024, included in Affimed’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Note on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
Affimed prepares and reports consolidated financial statements and financial information in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. None of the financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Affimed maintains its books and records in Euro.

Conference Call and Webcast Information
Affimed will host a conference call and webcast on June 12, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. EDT / 14:30 CET to discuss first quarter 2024 financial results and corporate developments.

The conference call will be available via phone and webcast. The live audio webcast of the call will be available in the "Webcasts" section on the "Investors" page of the Affimed website at View Source To access the call by phone, please use link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BId697f70815a8448d80b68becf533be98, and you will be provided with dial-in details and a pin number.

Note: To avoid delays, we encourage participants to dial into the conference call 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. A replay of the webcast will be accessible at the same link for 30 days following the call.

City of Hope CAR T Cell Therapy for Advanced Prostate Cancer Demonstrates Positive Results in Phase 1 Clinical Trial

On June 12, 2024 City of Hope reported that treating prostate cancer with immunotherapy is currently difficult to do (Press release, City of Hope, JUN 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234644300]). But preliminary results from a first in-human phase 1 trial using a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy developed by researchers from City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, showed that patients with advanced prostate cancer had minimal side effects with the cellular immunotherapy and had promising therapeutic activity, according to a study published today in Nature Medicine.

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The trial treated 14 prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA)-positive patients who had metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), which had spread beyond the prostate and no longer responded to hormone treatment, using CAR T cell therapy. More than 34,000 men with this type of prostate cancer die each year in the United States.

Saul Priceman, Ph.D., City of Hope associate professor, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, and team developed CAR T cells that target prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) found to be highly expressed in prostate cancer. The treatment took a patient’s immune cells – known as T cells – from the bloodstream, and reprogrammed the cells in a laboratory with a CAR to recognize and attack the PSCA protein on the surface of cancer cells. CAR T cells were then infused back into the patient’s system to destroy cancer cells.

"Prostate cancer has been called an immune desert — the tumor microenvironment is difficult to treat with immunotherapies because you don’t get a lot of T cells inside the tumor," said Tanya Dorff, M.D., City of Hope section chief, Genitourinary Disease Program, and professor, Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research. "It takes something really powerful to overcome that. Our study showed that City of Hope’s CAR T cell therapy for prostate cancer could be a step closer to doing that."

"Our trial’s preliminary major finding is that PSCA-directed CAR T cells may be effective against mCRPC," Priceman added. "This opens up the opportunity to continue to develop this type of cellular immunotherapy for these patients, who currently have no other effective treatment options."

The trial’s goals were to examine the therapy’s safety and dose-limiting toxicities, or side effects that limit the amount of treatment that can be administered, as well as preliminary data on the treatment’s efficacy in patients.

The study’s findings were:

Patients received a single infusion of 100 million CAR T cells without prior lymphodepletion chemotherapy, which is used routinely in blood cancers to improve the efficacy of CAR T cell treatment. Since this was a first-in-human CAR T cell trial, it was important to assess the safety of CAR T cells alone in patients.
At that same CAR T cell dose and with lymphodepletion, there was a side effect of dose-limiting toxicity of cystitis, or irritation of the bladder. Dorff explained that PSCA is also found in the bladder so the CAR T cells most likely attacked the bladder cells, causing inflammation. Researchers then added a new cohort to the study using reduced lymphodepletion, which mitigated this toxicity.
Four out of 14 patients had declines in their PSA levels, which is a serum marker of disease progression in people with prostate cancer, including one patient with a significant decline. Imaging showed therapeutic responses in a subset of treated patients.
Five out of 14 patients had mild or moderate cytokine release syndrome, which can be caused by a large, rapid release of cytokines into the blood from immune cells and is a common side effect after CAR T cell therapy. CRS was a treatable side effect.
CAR T cells did not persist at high levels beyond the 28-day monitoring period, which limits the therapy’s effectiveness. This presented a common challenge in the solid tumor CAR T cell field that researchers plan to address in a follow-up City of Hope trial using the therapy that is now open for enrollment.
One patient who had received several prior therapies responded well to the CAR T cell therapy. His PSA level decreased by 95% and cancer in his bones and soft tissue also declined. He experienced this positive response for approximately eight months.

"The patient’s results were very encouraging, and we are deeply grateful for his participation in our study as well as other patients and their families," Dorff said. "We want to continue with this therapy and increase the amount of CAR T cells, and continue to carefully monitor for any health problems, as we think this can improve the therapy’s effectiveness."

The phase 1b trial using the PSCA-CAR T cell therapy in combination with radiation to enhance anti-tumor activity aims to enroll up to 24 patients.

City of Hope, a recognized leader in CAR T cell therapies, has treated nearly 1,500 patients since its CAR T program started in the late 1990s. The institution continues to have one of the most comprehensive CAR T cell clinical research programs in the world — it currently has about 70 ongoing CAR T clinical trials, which include 13 different solid tumor types. The trials use City of Hope-developed therapies and industry-sponsored products. A recent study published in Nature Medicine featured City of Hope’s CAR T cell therapy for brain tumors.

City of Hope manufactured the CAR T cells in its own facility, the Cell Therapy Production Center on its Los Angeles campus.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation helped fund the trial.

Foundation Medicine Announces Partnership with Repare Therapeutics to Provide Genomic Profiling Services to Support Clinical Trials and to Develop Companion Diagnostic for Lunresertib

On June 12, 2024 Foundation Medicine, Inc., reported that it has formed a collaboration with Repare Therapeutics, a leading clinical-stage precision oncology company, to provide prospective genomic profiling to patients in Repare’s ongoing Phase I/Ib MYTHIC study (NCT04855656) of lunresertib alone or in combinations in genomically-defined patient populations (Press release, Foundation Medicine, JUN 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234644299]). The companies are also exploring opportunities to develop FoundationOneCDx, a tissue-based comprehensive genomic profiling test, as a companion diagnostic for the lunresertib program.

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Lunresertib is a first-in-class, selective and potent oral small molecule inhibitor of PKMYT1, a cancer target Repare discovered and identified as synthetic lethal with CCNE1 amplification, FBXW7 and PPP2R1A alterations in solid tumors. Lunresertib is being evaluated alone and in combinations across several studies in the United States, Canada, European Union and United Kingdom. Repare has presented positive initial Phase 1 data, including compelling safety and anti-tumor activity, demonstrating proof of concept for lunresertib alone and in combination with camonsertib, a potential best-in-class ATR inhibitor developed by Repare and in Phase 1/2 development.

Using a tissue sample, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved FoundationOne CDx test analyzes more than 300 cancer-related genes for genomic alterations in a patient’s tumor. The test currently has over 35 companion diagnostic indications. Foundation Medicine is the global leader in companion diagnostic approvals with approximately 60% of all U.S. companion diagnostic approvals for next generation sequencing testing.

"High-quality companion diagnostics are critical to inform treatment decisions, and they are especially important for detecting complex biomarkers in patients without any therapeutic options," said Troy Schurr, Chief Biopharma Business Officer at Foundation Medicine. "We’re proud to partner with Repare Therapeutics as they work to advance this potential first-in-class therapy for patients with high unmet need."

Foundation Medicine and FoundationOne are registered trademarks of Foundation Medicine, Inc.