On September 23, 2024 Theriva Biologics, Inc. (NYSE American: TOVX), ("Theriva" or the "Company"), a diversified clinical-stage company developing therapeutics designed to treat cancer and related diseases in areas of high unmet need, reported that it has achieved their target patient enrollment in the VIRAGE Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating the Company’s lead product candidate VCN-01 plus standard-of-care (SoC) chemotherapy (gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel) as a first line therapy for patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) (Press release, Theriva Biologics, SEP 23, 2024, View Source [SID1234646823]). VCN-01 is a systemically-administered, tumor selective, stroma-degrading oncolytic adenovirus that has been granted Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of PDAC.

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"We are delighted to have achieved target enrollment for our VIRAGE Phase 2b trial in metastatic PDAC," said Steven A. Shallcross, Chief Executive Officer of Theriva Biologics. "Rapid progress in the VIRAGE trial is a testament to physician interest in VCN-01 and the significant unmet need for an effective treatment for this deadly disease. We are currently planning regulatory engagements to discuss next steps in VCN-01 clinical development, including the potential for an interim data analysis."

About Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Cancer of the pancreas consists of two main histological types: cancer that arises from the ductal (exocrine) cells of the pancreas or, much less often, cancers may arise from the endocrine compartment of the pancreas. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma ("PDAC") accounts for more than 90% of all pancreatic tumors. It can be located either in the head of the pancreas or in the body/tail. Pancreatic cancer usually metastasizes to the liver and peritoneum. Other less common metastatic sites are the lungs, brain, kidney and bone. In its early stages, pancreatic cancer does not typically result in any characteristic symptoms, so in most cases it is diagnosed in its late stages (locally advanced non-metastatic or metastatic disease) when surgical resection and possibly curative treatment is not possible. It is generally assumed that only 10% of cases are resectable at presentation, whereas 30-40% of patients are diagnosed at local advanced/unresectable stage and 50-60% present with distant metastases.

About VCN-01

VCN-01 is a systemically administered oncolytic adenovirus designed to selectively and aggressively replicate within tumor cells and degrade the tumor stroma that serves as a significant physical and immunosuppressive barrier to cancer treatment. This unique mode-of-action enables VCN-01 to exert multiple antitumor effects by (i) selectively infecting and lysing tumor cells; (ii) enhancing the access and perfusion of co-administered chemotherapy products; and (iii) increasing tumor immunogenicity and exposing the tumor to the patient’s immune system and co-administered immunotherapy products. Systemic administration enables VCN-01 to exert its actions on both the primary tumor and metastases. In addition to the VIRAGE Phase 2b trial, VCN-01 has been administered to over 80 patients in Phase 1 and investigator-sponsored clinical studies of different cancers, including PDAC (in combination with chemotherapy), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (with an immune checkpoint inhibitor), ovarian cancer (with CAR-T cell therapy), colorectal cancer, and retinoblastoma (by intravitreal injection). More information on these clinical trials is available at Clinicaltrials.gov.

About VIRAGE

VIRAGE is a two-arm Phase 2b open-label, randomized, controlled, multicenter clinical trial in patients with histologically confirmed, newly-diagnosed metastatic PDAC. The study is being conducted at 16 sites across the US and Europe with a target enrollment of 92 evaluable patients; 46 in each of the control and treatment arms. In both the control and treatment arms, patients are treated with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel standard of care chemotherapy in 28-day cycles. In the treatment arm only, patients also receive single doses of intravenous VCN-01 administered seven-days prior to the first and fourth cycles of gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel treatment. Primary endpoints for the trial are overall survival and VCN-01 safety/tolerability. Additional endpoints include progression free survival, objective response rate, and measures of biodistribution, VCN-01 replication, and immune response. More information about the trial is available on Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05673811), through the Spanish Clinical Trials Registry and European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT Number: 2022-000897-24).

On September 23, 2024 Moleculin Biotech, Inc., (Nasdaq: MBRX) ("Moleculin" or the "Company"), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company with a broad portfolio of drug candidates targeting hard-to-treat tumors and viruses, reported the recent presentation of positive in vivo efficacy data of Annamycin in orthotopic and experimental lung metastatic models of sarcoma (Press release, Moleculin, SEP 23, 2024, View Source [SID1234646822]).

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The poster titled "Annamycin: Opening New Doors for Organotropic Targeting of Primary and Metastatic Lung Cancer," authored by Waldemar Priebe, PhD (Founder, Founding Scientist, and Chair of Scientific Advisory Board for Moleculin) and coworkers was recently presented at the IASLC 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer. The presented poster outlined results from the efficacy assessment studies of Annamycin, Moleculin’s next-generation anthracycline in orthotopic models of lung cancer and sarcoma lung metastasis models in comparison with doxorubicin (a commonly prescribed anthracycline).

"Annamycin continues to exhibit consistent activity against different type of cancers including therapy resistant cancers such as soft tissue sarcoma lung metastases while also avoiding cardiotoxicity, which continues to be a significant side effect limiting the clinical use of anthracyclines. Importantly, the presented data demonstrates that treatment with Annamycin results in statistically significant inhibition of tumor growth and extension of survival in orthotopic lung cancer models, which is consistent with the preliminary results we are seeing in our sarcoma clinical trials. This further underscores Annamycin’s potential to provide a much-needed treatment option for patients with primary or metastatic lung cancers, as a single agent and in combination with currently used therapeutics. Combined with the encouraging growing body of clinical data from our ongoing studies, we remain confident in Annamycin’s potential to address significant unmet needs in a wide range of cancers," commented Walter Klemp, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Moleculin.

Key Highlights

Annamycin demonstrated high uptake and retention in lung parenchyma of mice and rats.
The therapeutic effects of doxorubicin (DOX) are diminished due to low lung DOX uptake as demonstrated in the tested in vivo models. In contrast, Annamycin exhibits consistent efficacy in vivo in orthotopic and experimental lung metastatic models of sarcoma, breast, and colon cancer. This correlated with high Annamycin concentration in lungs, which exceeded DOX levels by 10- to 30-fold.
Preclinical tests clearly demonstrate a better cardiac safety profile of Annamycin when compared to DOX and no cardiotoxicity of Annamycin in the in vivo models. No cardiotoxicity of Annamycin has been noted in ongoing clinical studies.
The observed organotropic properties of Annamycin, its efficacy in vivo, and its promising safety profile warrant further translational studies to evaluate Annamycin in patients with primary or metastatic lung cancers, as a single agent and in combination with currently used therapeutics.
Annamycin is currently being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and soft tissue sarcoma (STS) lung metastases. Annamycin currently has Fast Track Status and Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia, in addition to Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma. Furthermore, Annamycin has Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

On September 23, 2024 Kazia Therapeutics Limited (NASDAQ: KZIA), an oncology-focused drug development company, reported the presentation of data highlighting promising clinical activity of EVT801 in high grade serous (HGS) Ovarian Cancer at the 15th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium, co-presented by American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) and the Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research on Saturday, September 21, 2024 in Seattle Washington (Press release, Kazia Therapeutics, SEP 23, 2024, View Source [SID1234646821]).

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Dr. John Friend, CEO Kazia Therapeutics presented preliminary data from a Phase 1 first-in-human clinical trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of EVT801, a highly selective small molecule VEGFR3 inhibitor targeting tumour angiogenesis. The Phase 1 study met its primary objectives, with the maximal tolerated dose identified at 500mg twice a day (BID). The Phase 1 study also identified the recommended Phase 2 dose starting at 400mg BID. It was observed that EVT801 was tolerated across all doses, with the majority of toxicities being mild to moderate and transient in nature.

Key points of the presentation included:

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A total of 26 patients were treated across 6 dosing cohorts ranging from 50mg once daily (QD) to 500mg twice daily (BID)

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Patients with eleven different cancer types (ex. colon, renal cell, pancreatic) were enrolled in the study, with heavily pretreated advanced ovarian cancer being the most prevalent indication (11 patients)

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Biomarkers have shown strong VEGFR3 expression in multiple indications, including ovarian cancer

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Encouraging clinical activity in High Grade Serous ovarian cancer patients with forty-six percent (46%) having stable disease or for at least three cycles, including two patients who received 9 cycles

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One patient had a partial response (-39% decrease) after 2 cycles of EVT801 therapy

Dr John Friend, CEO of Kazia Therapeutics, commented: "I was honored to participate at the Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium and present our findings to fellow clinicians and ovarian cancer researchers from around the globe. Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at late stages with poor patient prognosis, so the data from the Phase 1 study is extremely encouraging and gives us confidence that we could potentially have a first-in-class VEGFR-3 inhibitor with EVT801."

Abstract: Phase I study of EVT801, a VEGFR-3 inhibitor, shows promising clinical activity in HGS ovarian cancer

View Source

September 21, 2024 – 11:30am-1:30pm

On September 23, 2024 Innate Pharma SA (Euronext Paris: IPH; Nasdaq: IPHA) ("Innate" or the "Company") reported that the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared its investigational new drug (IND) application to initiate a Phase 1 clinical study of IPH4502, its novel and differentiated topoisomerase I inhibitor antibody drug conjugate (ADC) targeting Nectin-4 in solid tumors. Innate expects to initiate the Phase 1 study in the coming months (Press release, Innate Pharma, SEP 23, 2024, View Source [SID1234646820]).

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The Phase 1, open-label, multi-center study, includes a Part 1 Dose Escalation and a Part 2 Dose Optimization, and will assess the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of IPH4502 as a single agent in advanced solid tumors known to express Nectin-4, including but not limited to urothelial carcinoma, non-small cell lung, breast, ovarian, gastric and colorectal cancers.

"We are thrilled to advance the IPH4502 program, and the IND application acceptance is an important milestone for Innate, as this is our first ADC program to enter the clinic," said Dr Sonia Quaratino, Chief Medical Officer of Innate Pharma. "IPH4502 is a novel and differentiated Nectin-4 ADC that has the potential to provide a new therapeutic option for patients with a cancer expressing a wide range of Nectin-4. Through this Phase 1 study we aim to advance the research on our ADC technology for the benefit of patients."

About IPH4502

IPH4502 is a novel topoisomerase I inhibitor Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) conjugated to exatecan targeting Nectin-4.

Nectin-4 is a cell membrane adhesion protein overexpressed in several solid tumors, including urothelial, breast, esophageal, lung, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers, with limited expression in normal tissues.

In non-clinical models, IPH45 was well tolerated and shows anti-tumor efficacy in vitro and in vivo.

On September 23, 2024 IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. (the "Company") reported interim clinical data for darovasertib in neoadjuvant uveal melanoma ("UM") from the Company’s ongoing company-sponsored Phase 2 trial and guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") in a Type C meeting, which the Company believes supports the initiation of a potential registration-enabling Phase 3 randomized clinical trial in neoadjuvant UM patients (Press release, Ideaya Biosciences, SEP 23, 2024, View Source [SID1234646819]).

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Darovasertib is a potent and selective protein kinase C ("PKC") inhibitor being developed to broadly address primary and metastatic UM. Darovasertib is currently being evaluated in four ongoing clinical trials, two of which are in collaboration with Pfizer. The darovasertib and crizotinib combination in metastatic uveal melanoma ("MUM") has FDA Fast Track designation. IDE196-009 (NCT05907954) is a company-sponsored Phase 2 trial evaluating darovasertib as neoadjuvant treatment for UM prior to primary interventional treatment of enucleation or radiation therapy, and as adjuvant therapy following the primary treatment. In addition, there is an investigator-sponsored trial ("IST"), NCT05187884, evaluating darovasertib as a neoadjuvant UM treatment.

The Phase 2 darovasertib data in neoadjuvant UM demonstrated encouraging clinical activity. Collectively with the IST trial, the clinical efficacy data from the Phase 2 company-sponsored trial substantiate clinical proof of concept for the use of darovasertib in the neoadjuvant uveal melanoma setting. For the Phase 2 company-sponsored trial, the data cutoff date is August 15, 2024, with an enrollment cut-off of May 13, 2024.

The Company evaluated 31 enucleation and 18 plaque brachytherapy UM patients who were treated with darovasertib neoadjuvant therapy in the Phase 2 company-sponsored and IST trials. The Company observed approximately 59%, or 29 of the 49 total evaluable patients, with greater than or equal to 20% ocular tumor shrinkage by product of diameters and approximately 49%, or 24 of the 49 total evaluable patients, with greater than or equal to 30% ocular tumor shrinkage by product of diameters. The Company also observed an approximately 61% eye preservation rate in enucleation patients. The Company found evidence of visual preservation by reducing the amount of radiation associated with plaque brachytherapy.

The Company observed manageable adverse event ("AE") profile from the Phase 2 company-sponsored trial. In 38 patients, 11% of patients experienced a Grade 3 or higher AE and 5% of patients experienced a serious AE rate. The Company observed a discontinuation rate of 3%. The most common AEs observed included diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.

The Company’s ocular oncology advisory board recommended product of diameters for tumor measurement to determine overall response rate ("ORR") criteria in ocular melanoma. In the Phase 2 trial with darovasertib, a greater than or equal to 20% ocular tumor shrinkage by product of diameters correlates to clinical benefit, including eye sparing for enucleation UM patients and visual preservation for plaque brachytherapy UM patients.

In the Phase 3 clinical trial, the Company currently projects approximately 400 patients will be randomized for treatment with darovasertib in the treatment arm or the control arm, with potential modifications pending further feedback from the FDA. Based on the currently targeted clinical trial design, there will be two cohorts enrolled, including enucleation eligible UM patients and plaque brachytherapy eligible UM patients. For the enucleation cohort, the randomization will be with or without darovasertib as neoadjuvant therapy. For the plaque brachytherapy cohort, the randomization will be darovasertib followed by plaque brachytherapy versus plaque brachytherapy alone.

Based on FDA guidance and information provided in the Company’s FDA briefing book, the Company expects that eye preservation rate will be the primary endpoint for enucleation UM patients for the target registrational trial design in neoadjuvant UM. The FDA briefing book noted an objective to exceed lower bound of 10% eye preservation rate with a 95% confidence interval for this primary endpoint. Time to vision loss will be the primary endpoint for plaque brachytherapy UM patients. No detriment to Event-Free-Survival ("EFS") in the treatment arms will be a secondary endpoint.

Pending ongoing discussions with the FDA, the Company currently expects that ORR will be included as a potential surrogate and composite endpoint to support earlier approval scenarios. The FDA briefing book noted that a greater than or equal to 20% ocular tumor shrinkage by product of diameters correlates to clinical benefit in the ongoing Phase 2 clinical study, including eye sparing for enucleation UM patients and visual preservation for plaque brachytherapy UM patients. The registrational study will enroll UM patients with a high risk for metastatic disease. Based on the FDA meeting, there is a potential for consideration of a broad indication label in neoadjuvant UM for subjects with low, intermediate and high risk for metastatic disease. The Company anticipates approximately two years of data maturity to initial readout for no detriment to EFS in the treatment arms for this high-risk patient population based on preliminary projections. 300mg BID darovasertib was noted in the FDA briefing book as the move-forward dose for the registrational trial.

Neoadjuvant UM represents a significant expansion opportunity for darovasertib, with a potential annual incidence of approximately 12,000 patients aggregate in North America, Europe, and Australia. The Company owns or controls all commercial rights in darovasertib, including in MUM and in UM, subject to certain economic obligations pursuant to its exclusive, worldwide license with Novartis.