On June 5, 2024 I-Mab (NASDAQ: IMAB) (the "Company"), a U.S.-based, global biotech company, exclusively focused on the development and potential commercialization of highly differentiated immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, reported that it has entered into a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) (Press release, I-Mab Biopharma, JUN 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234644123]). The collaboration will evaluate the combination of givastomig, an investigational Claudin 18.2 x 4-1BB bispecific antibody jointly developed by I-Mab and ABL Bio (KOSDAQ: 298380), with Bristol Myers Squibb’s immune checkpoint inhibitor, nivolumab, and chemotherapy (FOLFOX or CAPOX), as a potential first-line treatment for patients with advanced Claudin 18.2-positive gastric and esophageal cancers.

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Under the terms of the agreement, the study will be a multi-national Phase 1 study conducted by I-Mab. Bristol Myers Squibb will supply nivolumab. Nivolumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to block the PD-L1 protein on cancer cells from binding to PD-1, enhancing T-cell function and resulting in improved anti-tumor responses.

"We are pleased to enter into this clinical collaboration agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb as we embark on the next stage of givastomig’s development to explore the significant promise of this bispecific antibody in a triple-therapy regimen," said Raj Kannan, CEO of I-Mab. "The study builds on the encouraging single-agent activity and safety we have observed with givastomig as presented at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2023. We remain optimistic that givastomig in combination with nivolumab and chemotherapy will drive potent anti-tumor activity in specific tumors, and we look forward to accelerating progress in the clinic."

About Givastomig

Givastomig, also known as TJ-CD4B/ABL111 or TJ033721, is a bispecific antibody designed to bind to Claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) as a tumor engager and 4-1BB as a conditional T-Cell activator. Givastomig uniquely binds to tumor cells expressing various levels of CLDN18.2, including gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer cells, and conditionally activates intra-tumoral T-cells at the tumor site through 4-1BB. Givastomig appears to effectively maintain a strong tumor binding property and anti-tumor activity attributable to a synergistic effect of both CLDN18.2 antibody and 4-1BB antibody while avoiding or minimizing liver toxicity and systemic immunotoxicity commonly seen with 4-1BB antibodies as a drug class. Developed through a collaboration between I-Mab and ABL Bio, a clinical-stage biotechnology company in South Korea, givastomig is currently being investigated in a Phase 1 clinical study in the U.S. and China. In March 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Orphan Drug Designation for givastomig for the treatment of gastric cancer, including cancer of the gastroesophageal junction.

On June 5, 2024 Genmab A/S (Nasdaq: GMAB) reported that its Chief Financial Officer Anthony Pagano and Chief Operating Officer Anthony Mancini will participate in a fireside chat at the Goldman Sachs 45th Annual Global Healthcare Conference in Miami Beach, Florida 9:20 AM EDT (3:20 PM CEST) on June 10, 2024 (Press release, Genmab, JUN 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234644122]). A webcast of the fireside chat will be available on Genmab’s website at View Source

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On June 5, 2024 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE:CANF), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address oncological and inflammatory diseases, reported an update on the status of its oncological lead drug candidate, Namodenoson in the treatment of advanced liver cancer (Press release, Can-Fite BioPharma, JUN 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234644121]). The Phase 3 pivotal study, now has 31 recruiting medical centers in Europe, Israel and the US. Namodenoson has Orphan Drug status with both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency, as well as Fast Track Status with the FDA. A compassionate use program has also been ongoing in Israel and Romania.

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In the former Phase 2 study, conducted in patients with advanced liver cancer, Namodenoson prolonged survival, patients had good quality of life, and in two patients, clearance of peritoneal carcinomas have been reported. In addition, one patient had a long term complete response of more than 7 years.

Liver cancer designated as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a major global health problem due to its incidence, associated mortality, and lack of effective treatment modalities, particularly for patients with advanced hepatic dysfunction known as disease stage Child Pugh B. According to the American Cancer Society, liver cancer accounts for more than 700,000 deaths globally each year. HCC is commonly aggressive with poor survival rates. The market for HCC treatments is estimated by Delveinsight to reach $3.8 billion by 2027 for the G8 countries.

The current double blind, placebo-controlled trial, known as LIVERATION, will enroll 450 patients diagnosed with advanced liver cancer (hepato-cellular carcinoma) and underlying Child Pugh B7 (CPB7) cirrhosis. Patients will be randomized to oral treatment with either 25 mg of Namodenoson or a matching placebo, in a ratio of 2:1 given twice daily as a second- or third-line treatment. The primary efficacy endpoint of the trial is overall survival. Other oncology trial efficacy outcomes, such as tumor radiographic response rates and median progression-free survival, as well as standard safety parameters, will also be assessed. An interim analysis will be conducted by an Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) after 50% of enrolled patients are treated.

About Namodenoson

Namodenoson is a small orally bioavailable drug that binds with high affinity and selectivity to the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR). Namodenoson was evaluated in Phase II trials for two indications, as a second line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, and as a treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A3AR is highly expressed in diseased cells whereas low expression is found in normal cells. This differential effect accounts for the excellent safety profile of the drug.

On June 5, 2024 Bio-Path Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:BPTH) ("Bio-Path" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company leveraging its proprietary DNAbilize liposomal delivery and antisense technology to develop a portfolio of targeted nucleic acid cancer drugs, reported that it has closed its previously announced private placement for the issuance and sale of an aggregate of 1,809,955 shares of its common stock (or common stock equivalents in lieu thereof), series A warrants to purchase up to 1,809,955 shares of common stock and short-term series B warrants to purchase up to 1,809,955 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $2.21 per share of common stock (or per common stock equivalent in lieu thereof) and accompanying warrants priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules (Press release, Bio-Path Holdings, JUN 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234644119]). The series A warrants and short-term series B warrants have an exercise price of $2.00 per share and are exercisable immediately upon issuance. The series A warrants expire five years from the date of issuance and the short-term series B warrants expire twenty-four months from the date of issuance.

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H.C. Wainwright & Co. acted as the exclusive placement agent for the offering.

The gross proceeds to the Company from the offering were approximately $4.0 million, before deducting the placement agent’s fees and other offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company currently intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The securities described above were offered in a private placement under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder and, along with the shares of common stock underlying the warrants, have not been registered under the Securities Act, or applicable state securities laws. Accordingly, the securities described above, including the shares of common stock underlying the warrants, may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and such applicable state securities laws. Pursuant to a registration rights agreement, the Company has agreed to file a resale registration statement covering the securities described above.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in this offering, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

On June 5, 2024 Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATRA), a leader in T-cell immunotherapy, leveraging its novel allogeneic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) T-cell platform to develop transformative therapies for patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases, reported that Pascal Touchon, President and Chief Executive Officer and Cokey Nguyen, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific & Technical Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at the Goldman Sachs 45th Annual Global Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 6:20 a.m. PDT / 9:20 a.m. EDT (Press release, Atara Biotherapeutics, JUN 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234644118]).

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A live webcast of the presentation will be available by visiting the Investors and Media section of atarabio.com. An archived replay of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website for 30 days following the live presentation.