AbbVie Advances Oncology Pipeline With Start of Multiple Myeloma Phase 3 Clinical Trial for Investigational Asset ABBV-383

On June 5, 2024 AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) reported that the first patient has been treated with investigational ABBV-383 in the CERVINO Phase 3 study (Press release, AbbVie, JUN 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234644147]). ABBV-383 is a distinctive B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and CD3 bispecific antibody T-cell engager composed of bivalent BCMA-binding domains allowing for high BCMA-avidity and a low-affinity CD3 binding domain.1 ABBV-383 is being evaluated in a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, open-label study compared with standard available therapies in patients with r/r MM who received at least two lines of prior therapy.

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"Despite notable advances in treatment, most patients with multiple myeloma will eventually relapse. Patients with advanced disease, especially in the community setting, often have limited access to novel treatment options and existing options have a high treatment burden, including frequent dosing," said Dr. Peter Voorhees, clinical professor of medicine, director of plasma cell disorders, Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute. "The CERVINO Phase 3 trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy of ABBV-383 with monthly dosing and we look forward to seeing the data as it emerges."

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer characterized by abnormal proliferation of plasma cells, which can cause end-organ damage and is the second most commonly occurring blood cancer in the world.2 An estimated 176,000 people globally were diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2020, and 117,000 people died from the disease.3

"The start of the CERVINO Phase 3 trial marks an important step forward in AbbVie’s continued commitment to advance new oncology treatments and elevate the standard of care for blood cancer patients," said Mariana Cota Stirner, M.D., vice president, therapeutic area head oncology, hematology, AbbVie. "ABBV-383 is being evaluated with monthly dosing from the beginning of treatment, with the goal of maximizing treatment simplicity for physicians and patients, if proven in the clinical trials."

About the CERVINO Study

CERVINO (NCT06158841) is a global, Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group study evaluating ABBV-383 in adult patients (≥18 years) with r/r MM and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤2 who received at least two prior lines of therapy, including exposure to a PI, an IMiD, and an anti-CD38 mAb. Patients who received prior BCMA-targeted therapy will be excluded. Patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive intravenous ABBV-383 60mg Q4W or the investigator’s choice of SAT (carfilzomib + dexamethasone, elotuzumab + pomalidomide + dexamethasone, or selinexor + bortezomib + dexamethasone), and will continue treatment until confirmed progressive disease or other discontinuation criteria are met.

The dual primary end points are progression-free survival and overall response rate. Secondary end points include overall survival, complete response (CR) or better, very good partial response or better, rate of minimum residual disease negativity, and change in disease symptoms and physical functioning.

Approximately 140 sites globally will enroll approximately 380 total patients.

Additional information about the study can be found at View Source under the identifier NCT06158841.

About ABBV-383

ABBV-383 is an investigational distinctive BCMA x CD3 bispecific antibody T-cell engager composed of bivalent high-avidity BCMA-binding domains, a low-affinity CD3-binding domain designed to reduce cytokine release, and a silenced Fc tail designed for an extended half-life that may support once every 4-week (Q4W) dosing. Clinical relevance of these structure activity relationships has not been established.

BCMA is highly expressed on the surface of malignant plasma cells in multiple myeloma, making it an ideal target for therapy. BCMA plays a crucial role in the survival of myeloma cells by promoting their growth and inhibiting their apoptosis (programmed cell death).

RemeGen Showcases Research Results at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2024 Annual Meeting, Highlighting Its Prolific Innovation in Global Cancer Treatment

On June 5, 2024 RemeGen Co., Ltd. ("RemeGen" or "the Company") (9995.HK, SHA: 688331), a commercial-stage biotechnology company, reported its innovation in the field of global cancer treatment at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (ASCO 2024) held in Chicago from May 31-June 4, 2024, sharing major research results including its proprietary antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) Disitamab Vedotin (RC48) and RC88 (Press release, RemeGen, JUN 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234644146]). RemeGen’s innovative drugs featured in one Clinical Science Symposium, five Poster presentations, and ten online Abstracts at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2024, covering multiple cancer types including gastric and bladder cancer, and gynecological tumors in studies that included both monotherapy and combination therapies.

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Dr. Jianmin Fang, CEO of RemeGen, commented, "It is always such an honor to present our latest research findings on an internationally renowned stage such as ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2024. This not only demonstrates RemeGen’s leading position in the field of antibody-drug conjugates in China but also proves our commitment to continuing our research efforts to provide effective treatment options for patients worldwide."

Clinical Science Symposium

First author Professor Song Li from Qilu Hospital of Shandong University gave an oral presentation at a Clinical Science Symposium at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2024 based on a randomized, controlled (RCT) multicenter, single-arm, Phase II trial investigating the efficacy of RemeGen’s disitamab vedotin (RC48) combined with toripalimab and the oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 in first-line HER2-overexpressing advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

Poster Sessions

First author Professor Sheng Xinan from Peking University Cancer Hospital presented RemeGen’s poster session (Poster #263) of a Phase II study of neoadjuvant treatment with disitamab vedotin plus toripalimab in patients with HER2-expressing muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) focusing on the preliminary efficacy and safety results of RC48-C017. The standard of care for MIBC is neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy plus pelvic lymph node dissection (RC + PLND). Disitamab vedotin monotherapy, or combined therapy with toripalimab, showed promising anti-tumor activity in metastatic urothelial carcinoma. This Phase II trial aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of disitamab vedotin plus toripalimab as perioperative therapy in MIBC patients and the interim results presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) showed promising efficacy results with a manageable safety profile in operable MIBC patients. These results support further investigation for disitamab vedotin plus toripalimab in this population.

Other poster presentations included a Phase II multi-center study in poster session (poster #311a) on adjuvant or rescue disitamab vedotin (RC48-ADC) for high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer with HER2 expression; and a prospective, single-arm, single-center clinical study in poster session (poster #513a) on disitamab vedotin combined with toripalimab in patients with advanced penile cancer who have progressed on treatment or are intolerant to cisplatin chemotherapy.

Online Abstract Publications

Ten other online abstracts accepted by ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) reflected results of RemeGen’s RC48 and RC88 in bladder, breast, and GI cancers, demonstrating the Company’s prolific innovation in global cancer treatment.

About ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)

The ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2024 meeting is the premier event for strategies to improve quality care in oncology. It provides superb panels featuring experts who are leading and implementing innovative programs focused on value. ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)’s diverse network of nearly 42,350 oncology professionals recognizes ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)’s dedication to providing the highest-quality resources in education, policy, the pioneering of clinical research, and above all, advancing the care for patients with cancer.

MediciNova Receives Notice of Allowance for New Patent Covering MN-166 (ibudilast) for the Prevention of Metastasis of Various Solid Cancer

On June 5, 2024 MediciNova, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ:MNOV) and the Standard Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Code Number: 4875), reported that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a pending patent application which covers MN-166 (ibudilast) for the prevention of metastasis in various cancers including pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, melanoma, and ovarian cancer (Press release, MediciNova, JUN 5, 2024, https://investors.medicinova.com/news-releases/news-release-details/medicinova-receives-notice-allowance-new-patent-covering-mn-31 [SID1234644145]).

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Once issued, this patent is expected to expire no earlier than July 2042. The allowed claims cover the use of MN-166 (ibudilast) in combination with one or more additional therapies including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, epigenetic therapy, and liver-directed therapy and others. The allowed claims specifically cover the use of MN-166 (ibudilast) for preventing, ameliorating, or minimizing metastasis of various cancers including pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, melanoma, or ovarian cancer. The allowed claims cover oral administration, a wide range of doses, a range of different dosing frequencies, and a range of different treatment periods.

Kazuko Matsuda, MD, PhD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer of MediciNova, Inc., commented, "Cancer metastasis is often the major driver of cancer-related deaths rather than the primary cancer. Recently we were granted a patent *1 to cover preventing metastasis of uveal melanoma. We are delighted to see our growing intellectual property patent portfolio and value of MN-166 (ibudilast) increase with the addition of patents covering the prevention of metastasis of various solid tumors."

*1: MediciNova Receives Notice of Allowance for New Patent Covering MN-166 (ibudilast) for the Prevention of Metastasis of Eye Cancer
https://investors.medicinova.com/news-releases/news-release-details/medicinova-receives-notice-allowance-new-patent-covering-mn-30

About MN-166 (ibudilast)

MN-166 (ibudilast) is a small molecule compound that inhibits phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4) and inflammatory cytokines, including macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). It is in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), progressive MS (multiple sclerosis), and DCM (degenerative cervical myelopathy); and is also in development for glioblastoma, Long COVID, CIPN (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy), and substance use disorder. In addition, MN-166 (ibudilast) was evaluated in patients that are at risk for developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Halozyme Announces Issuance of New European Patent for ENHANZE® Drug Delivery Platform

On June 5, 2024 Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALO) ("Halozyme") reported the grant of European Patent No. 4269578, covering the ENHANZE rHuPH20 product obtained from Halozyme’s ENHANZE manufacturing methods that the Company provides to its current and future licensees (Press release, Halozyme, JUN 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234644144]). The new patent is licensed under all of Halozyme’s ENHANZE licenses. It will be validated in 37 European countries and expires on March 6, 2029.

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"This new European patent for ENHANZE further strengthens our robust patent estate and extends the durability of our portfolio," said Dr. Helen Torley, president and chief executive officer of Halozyme. "We are pleased to be able to maintain the original royalty rate for DARZALEX SC in Europe through March 2029 based on this new patent."

Under the terms of Halozyme’s ENHANZE license with Janssen, the newly granted patent prevents the reduction in the royalty rate on sales of DARZALEX SC in the European countries where it is validated until the patent expires. The new patent is not expected to have any impact to royalties under other ENHANZE licenses with an issued or pending collaboration patent, as current royalty rates for these licenses are already expected to extend beyond expiration of the new patent.

Webcast and Conference Call

Halozyme will discuss the new European patent and provide an update to its 2024 financial guidance and 5-year financial outlook on a conference call tomorrow, Thursday, June 6 at 5:30am PT/8:30am ET. The call will be webcast live through the "Investors" section of Halozyme’s corporate website and a recording will be made available following the completion of the call. To access the webcast and presentation, please visit ir.halozyme.com.

The call may also be accessed with the dial-in information below:

Participant Toll-Free Number: 888-632-3384
Participant Direct/International Number: 785-424-1794
Conference ID: HALO0624

UroGen Pharma to Present at the 45th Annual Goldman Sachs Global Healthcare Conference

On June 5, 2024 UroGen Pharma Ltd. (Nasdaq: URGN), a biotech company dedicated to developing and commercializing innovative solutions that treat urothelial and specialty cancers, reported that management will participate in a fireside chat at the 45TH Annual Goldman Sachs Global Healthcare Conference to take place June 10-13, 2024 (Press release, UroGen Pharma, JUN 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234644143]).

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Goldman Sachs 45TH Annual Healthcare Conference

Date/ time:

June 11, 2024 at 3:20 PM ET

Format:

Fireside Chat

Location:

Miami, FL

Webcast Link:

here

A webcast from the conference will also be available via the Investors section of UroGen’s corporate website, View Source A replay will be available for approximately 90 days.