Monopar Announces Positive Early Human Clinical Data Validating the Tumor Targeting Ability of MNPR-101-Zr

On September 12, 2024 Monopar Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: MNPR), a clinical-stage radiopharma company focused on developing innovative treatments for cancer patients, reported positive early data from its ongoing open-label MNPR-101-Zr Phase 1 imaging and dosimetry clinical trial confirming MNPR-101-Zr’s tumor targeting ability in humans (Press release, Monopar Therapeutics, SEP 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234646534]).

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MNPR-101 is Monopar’s proprietary first-in-class humanized monoclonal antibody that targets cancers expressing the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). These include a majority of all triple-negative breast, colorectal, bladder, ovarian, gastric, and pancreatic cancers.

A total-body positron emission tomography (PET) image was taken at 168 hours (7 days) post administration of MNPR-101-Zr (a zirconium-89 imaging radioisotope conjugated to MNPR-101) of the first cancer patient in the trial with one of the known high uPAR-expressing cancer types. The results, seen in Figure 1, demonstrate the specificity, durability, and uptake of MNPR-101-Zr in the metastatic tumors relative to normal tissue. The regions of higher uptake also align with the locations of the previously observed metastatic tumors on conventional FDG PET imaging.

"This is exactly what we had hoped to see – highly preferential uptake in the tumor," said Andrew Cittadine, Monopar’s Chief Operating Officer.

MNPR-101-Zr was evaluated against FDG, the gold standard for detecting metastatic tumors.

Figure 2 shows FDG uptake in its highest-uptake tumor compared to MNPR-101-Zr uptake in the same tumor imaged on the same Siemens Biograph Vision Quadra PET/CT scanner.

"At the Melbourne Theranostic Innovation Centre, we utilize one of the world’s most sensitive PET/CT scanners. Using the same scanner for FDG and MNPR-101-Zr, the results show MNPR-101-Zr achieved uptake at sites of known disease with retention out to late points, which is promising for future therapeutic translation," said Professor Rodney Hicks, MBBS(Hons), MD, FRACP, FICIS, FAAHMS, lead investigator on the MNPR-101-Zr Phase 1 imaging and dosimetry clinical trial.

Monopar recently received clearance in Australia to initiate an MNPR-101-Lu Phase 1 therapeutic clinical trial [link] which is currently scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of this calendar year.

"We are looking forward to sharing additional data at the upcoming European Association of Nuclear Medicine 2024 Annual Congress to be held in Hamburg, Germany on October 19-23, 2024, where our abstract has been accepted as a ‘Top-Rated Oral Presentation’ within the Scientific Program," said Chandler Robinson, MD, Monopar’s Chief Executive Officer.

Further information about the ongoing MNPR-101-Zr Phase 1 imaging and dosimetry clinical trial is available at www.ClinicalTrials.gov under study identifier NCT06337084.

Innate Pharma Reports First Half 2024 Business Update And Financial Results

On September 12, 2024 Innate Pharma SA (Euronext Paris: IPH; Nasdaq: IPHA) ("Innate" or the "Company") reported its consolidated financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2024 (Press release, Innate Pharma, SEP 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234646533]). The consolidated financial statements are attached to this press release.

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"We are focused on our growth strategy as we advance our pipeline," said Hervé Brailly, Chief Executive Officer ad interim of Innate Pharma. "We recently presented Phase 2 results with lacutamab in mycosis fungoides at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and are engaged in discussions with the FDA on next steps in its development. We are also progressing towards Phase 1 for our first and differentiated ADC program IPH45, targeting Nectin-4."

Webcast and conference call will be held today at 2:00 p.m. CEST (8:00 a.m. ET)

Access to live webcast: View Source

Participants may also join via telephone by registering in advance of the event at
View Source

This information can also be found on the Investors section of the Innate Pharma website, www.innate-pharma.com.
A replay of the webcast will be available on the Company website for 90 days following the event.

Pipeline highlights:

Lacutamab (anti-KIR3DL2 antibody):

Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma

TELLOMAK is a global, open-label, multi-cohort Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating lacutamab in patients with Sézary syndrome and mycosis fungoides.

•Favorable results from the Phase 2 TELLOMAK study with lacutamab in mycosis fungoides were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2024 Annual Meeting in June 2024. The data demonstrate that treatment with lacutamab resulted in meaningful antitumor activity, regardless of the KIR3DL2 baseline expression,
1 Developed by Sanofi
2 Including short term investments (€21.8 million) and non-current financial instruments (€10.3 million)

and an overall favorable safety profile. The global objective response rate was 16.8% (Olsen 2011) and 22.4% (Olsen 2022), including 2 complete responses and 16 partial responses.

Peripheral T Cell lymphoma (PTCL)

The Phase 2 KILT (anti-KIR in T Cell Lymphoma) trial, an investigator-sponsored, randomized controlled trial led by the Lymphoma Study Association (LYSA) to evaluate lacutamab in combination with chemotherapy GEMOX (gemcitabine in combination with oxaliplatin) versus GEMOX alone in patients with KIR3DL2-expressing relapsed/refractory PTCL is ongoing and continues to recruit patients.

ANKET (Antibody-based NK cell Engager Therapeutics):

ANKET is Innate’s proprietary platform for developing next-generation, multi-specific NK cell engagers to treat certain types of cancer. Innate’s pipeline includes five public drug candidates born from the ANKET platform: SAR443579/IPH6101 (SAR’579; trifunctional anti-CD123 NKp46-CD16 NKCE), SAR445514/IPH6401 (SAR’514 trifunctional anti-BCMA NKp46-CD16 NKCE), IPH62 (anti-B7-H3), IPH67 (target undisclosed, solid tumors) and tetra-specific IPH6501 (anti-CD20 with IL-2v). Several other undisclosed proprietary preclinical targets are being explored.

IPH6501 (proprietary)

IPH6501 is Innate’s proprietary CD20-targeted IL-2v bearing second-generation ANKET. In March 2024 the first patient was dosed in the Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating IPH6501 in B cell Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (B-NHL). The study is planned to enroll up to 184 patients.

•Innate presented preclinical data of IPH6501 at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) Annual congress in June 2024. Preclinical data showed that IPH6501 depletes autologous CD20+ B cells from healthy donors with greater efficacy and lower induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines than a CD20-T-cell engager. IPH6501 also effectively and preferentially stimulates NK cell proliferation from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of R/R NHL patients.

•The trial-in-progress of the Phase 1/2 study has been presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) and ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) in 2024.

SAR’579, SAR’514, IPH62 and IPH67 (under development by Sanofi)

SAR’579 / IPH6101

The Phase 1/2 clinical trial by Sanofi is progressing well, evaluating SAR’579 / IPH6101, a trifunctional anti-CD123 NKp46-CD16 NK-cell engager and ANKET platform lead asset, in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (HR-MDS).

•Updated efficacy and safety results from the dose-escalation part of the Phase 1/2 study with SAR’579 / IPH6101, were shared in an oral presentation at the EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2024 Congress. The data demonstrated that SAR’579 continues to show clinical benefit and durable responses along with a favorable safety profile in patients with R/R AML, with 5 complete remissions (4 CR / 1 CRi) achieved at 1 mg/kg, with durable CR (>10 months) observed in 3 patients.

•In April 2024, Sanofi advanced SAR’579 / IPH6101, to the Phase 2 preliminary dose expansion of the trial. Under the terms of the 2016 research collaboration with Sanofi, the progression to the dose expansion part of the trial has triggered a milestone payment from Sanofi to Innate of €4m.

In July 2024, Sanofi initiated a new Phase 1 / Phase 2, randomized, open label, multi-cohort, multi-center study (NCT06508489) assessing the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of SAR’579 / IPH6101 administered in combination with azacitidine and venetoclax in patients with CD123 expressing hematological malignancies in newly diagnosed AML.

SAR’514/IPH6401

The Sanofi led Phase 1/2 clinical trial with SAR’514 / IPH6401, a trifunctional anti-BCMA Nkp46-CD16 NK-cell engager, in patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma and Relapsed/Refractory Light-chain Amyloidosis is ongoing.

IPH62, IPH67 and option

•IPH62 is a NK-cell engager program targeting B7-H3 from Innate’s ANKET platform under development. Following a research collaboration period and upon candidate selection, Sanofi will be responsible for all development, manufacturing and commercialization.

•IPH67 is a NK-cell engager program in solid tumors from Innate’s ANKET platform under development. Following a research collaboration period and upon candidate selection, Sanofi will be responsible for all development, manufacturing and commercialization.

•Sanofi still retains the option of one additional ANKET target under the terms of the 2022 research collaboration and license agreement.

Antibody Drug Conjugates:

Innate develops different approaches for the treatment of cancer utilizing its antibody engineering capabilities to deliver novel assets, with its innovative ANKET platform and is also exploring Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC) formats.

IPH45 (Nectin-4 ADC):

IPH45 is Innate’s proprietary and differentiated exatecan-antibody drug conjugate (ADC) targeting Nectin-4.

•First preclinical data were presented in an oral presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2024. In preclinical studies, IPH45 shows anti-tumor efficacy in vivo, in Nectin-4 expressing tumors including in enfortumab vedotin (EV) refractory models. Importantly, IPH45 shows stronger activity than EV, in multiple urothelial carcinoma patient-derived xenografted (PDX) mice models, across Nectin-4 high and Nectin-4 low expression levels. In addition, IPH45 has anti-tumor activity in combination with anti-PD1 treatment in PD-1 resistant model in vivo and has a favorable safety profile in relevant animal toxicology models.

•IPH45 continues towards a Phase 1 trial in 2024.

Monalizumab (anti-NKG2A antibody), partnered with AstraZeneca:

•The Phase 3 PACIFIC-9 trial run by AstraZeneca evaluating durvalumab (anti-PD-L1) in combination with monalizumab or AstraZeneca’s oleclumab (anti-CD73) in patients with unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have not progressed following definitive platinum-based concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CRT) is ongoing.

oAfter the period, the Independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended the continuation of the Phase 3 PACIFIC-9 trial based on a pre-planned analysis.

•Updated results from COAST, a Phase 2 study of durvalumab with oleclumab or monalizumab in patients with Stage III unresectable non-small-cell lung cancer were presented at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2024 Annual Meeting, in June 2024. In this analysis of updated results from COAST, the combination of durvalumab plus oleclumab or monalizumab increased objective response rate, prolonged progression free survival, and trended toward improved overall survival compared to durvalumab alone.

•AstraZeneca presented interim results from the randomized NeoCOAST-2 Phase 2 platform trial during the 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer in September 2024. In this preliminary analysis on the first 60 of 72 patients randomized to Arm 2, monalizumab added to durvalumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy doublet induced a pathological complete response rate of 26.7% [95% CI; 16.1–39.7] and a major pathological response rate of 53.3% [95% CI; 40.0–66.3] which are numerically higher than the durvalumab plus platinum doublet approved regimen. Treatment in Arm 2 showed manageable safety profile and no impact on surgical rate. The NeoCOAST-2 platform study is intended to assess the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant durvalumab alone or combined with novel

immuno-oncology agents and chemotherapy in resectable, early-stage NSCLC, followed by adjuvant treatment with durvalumab with or without the novel agents.

IPH5201 (anti-CD39), partnered with AstraZeneca:

The MATISSE Phase 2 clinical trial conducted by Innate in neoadjuvant lung cancer for IPH5201, an anti-CD39 blocking monoclonal antibody developed in collaboration with AstraZeneca, is ongoing and recruitment is on track. Following a pre-planned interim analysis after the period, the MATISSE Phase 2 trial continues according to plans.

IPH5301 (anti-CD73):

The investigator-sponsored CHANCES Phase 1 trial of IPH5301 with Institut Paoli-Calmettes is ongoing. Preliminary results will be presented at the upcoming (European Society of Medical Oncology) ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2024. The abstract, available on the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) website, states that IPH5301 was safe and well-tolerated with preliminary signals of monotherapy antitumor activity.

Corporate Update:

•In connection with Innate’s previous announcement that it had established an at-the-market ("ATM") program, on January 16, 2024 Innate filed a new Registration Statement on Form F-3 (Registration No. 333-276164). On February 6, 2024, Innate filed a prospectus supplement relating to its previously established ATM program, pursuant to which it may, from time to time, offer and sell to eligible investors a total gross amount of up to $75 million of American Depositary Shares ("ADS"). Each ADS represents one ordinary share of Innate. As of June 30, 2024, no sales have been made under the program.

•Takeda made a strategic decision to terminate the license agreement executed in March 2023 for use of selected Innate antibodies in antibody drug-conjugates. Innate will regain full rights to these antibodies in Q4 2024.
Financial highlights for the first half of 2024:

The key elements of Innate’s financial position and financial results as of and for the six-month period ended June 30, 2024 are as follows:

•Cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and financial assets amounting to €102.1 million (€m) as of June 30, 2024 (€102.3m as of December 31, 2023).

•Revenue and other income amounted to €12.3m in the first half of 2024 (€40.2m in the first half of 2023) and mainly comprised of:

oRevenue from collaboration and licensing agreements, which mainly resulted from the partial or entire recognition of the proceeds received pursuant to the agreements with AstraZeneca, Sanofi and Takeda. They result from the partial or entire recognition of the proceeds received pursuant to such agreements. They are recognized when the entity’s performance obligation is met. They are recognized at a point in time or spread over time according to the percentage of completion of the work that the Company is committed to carry out under these agreements:

(i) Revenue from collaboration and licensing agreements for monalizumab decreased by €6.5m to €3.0m in the first half of 2024 (€9.5m in the first half of 2023). This change is mainly due to the recognition of increased revenue in the first six months of 2023. Indeed, as of June 30, 2023, the Company had analyzed the cost base used to calculate the percentage of completion of Phase 1/2 trials in connection with their progress. This analysis led to a reduction in the cost base through a re-estimation of projected expenses. As a result, this adjustment on the cost base had a positive impact on the percentage of completion and led to the recognition of additional revenue of €5.9 million for the first half of 2023 which was not replicated in 2024.

(ii) Revenue related to the license and collaboration agreement signed with Sanofi in 2016 increased by €2.0m, to €4.0m for the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to €2.0m for the six months ended June 30, 2023. On April 15, 2024, the Company announced the treatment of the

first patient in the Phase 2 dose expansion part of the Sanofi-sponsored clinical trial evaluating NK Cell Engager SAR443579/ IPH6101 in various blood cancers. Under the terms of the 2016 agreement, this trial progress triggered a milestone payment of €4.0 million fully recognized in revenue during the first quarter of 2024. This amount was received by the Company on May 17, 2024.As a reminder, the Company announced that, in June 2023, the first patient was dosed in a Sanofi-sponsored Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating IPH6401/SAR’514 in relapsed or refractory Multiple Myeloma. As provided by the licensing agreement signed in 2016, Sanofi made a milestone payment of €2.0 million, fully recognized in revenue as of June 30, 2023. This amount was received by the Company on July 21, 2023.

(iii) Revenue related to the research collaboration and licensing agreement signed with Sanofi in 2022 decreased by €18.3m, to €0.4m for the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to €18.7m for the six months ended June 30, 2023. As previously announced, on January 25, 2023, the Company announced the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and the effectiveness of the licensing agreement as of January 24, 2023. Consequently, the Company received an upfront payment of €25.0 million in March 2023, including €18.5 million for the exclusive license, €1.5 million for the research activities and €5.0 million for the option on two additional targets. The €18.5 million upfront payment relating to the exclusive license was fully recognized in revenue as of June 30, 2023. The €1.5 million upfront payment is recognized on a straight-line basis over the duration of the research activities that the Company has agreed to carry out. As a result, a €0.2 million has been recognized in revenue as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023. Then, on December 19, 2023, the Company announced that Sanofi had exercised an option for one of the two targets. As a consequence, the Company recognized related income of €2.5 million as of December 31, 2023. This option exercise also resulted in a milestone payment of €15.0 million, including €13.3 million in respect of the exclusive license, which was fully recognized in income as of December 31, 2023, and €1.7 million in respect of research activities to be carried out by the Company, which will be recognized in income on a straight-line basis over the duration of the research activities that the Company has agreed to carry out. Sanofi and Innate will collaborate and work on the research activities defined in the contractual research program. These activities began during the first half of 2024. An amount of €0.2 million has been recognized in revenue as of June 30, 2024. Amounts not recognized in revenue are classified as deferred revenue.

(iv) Revenues under the license agreement signed with Takeda in 2023 are nil for the first half of 2024, compared to €4.6 million for the first half of 2023. On April 3, 2023, the Company announced that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Takeda under which Innate grants Takeda exclusive worldwide rights to research and develop antibody drug conjugates (ADC) using a panel of selected Innate antibodies against an undisclosed target, with a primary focus in Celiac disease. Takeda will be responsible for the future development, manufacture and commercialization of any potential products developed using the licensed antibodies. As such, the Company considers that the license granted is a right to use the intellectual property, which is granted fully and perpetually to Takeda. The agreement does not stipulate that Innate’s activities will significantly affect the intellectual property granted during the life of the agreement. Consequently, the $5.0 million (or €4.6 million) initial payment, received by the Company in May 2023, was fully recognized in revenue as of June 30, 2023.

oGovernment funding for research expenditures of €4.1m in the first half of 2024 (€4.9m in the first half of 2023).

•Operating expenses are €38.7m in the first half of 2024 (€40.6m in the first half of 2023), of which 75.2% (€29.1m) are related to R&D.

oR&D expenses decreased by €2.4m to €29.1m in the first half of 2024 (€31.5m in the first half of 2023). This change is mainly explained by lower personnel and other R&D expenses by €2.2millions (-15.4%). This decrease is due to an non-recurring amortization charge in the first half of 2023, related to the IPH5201 rights (full amortization of the additional €2.0 million invoice from Orega Biotech following the dosing of the first patient in the Phase 2 MATISSE clinical trial in June 2023). Additionally, direct R&D expenses, which slightly decreased by €0.2 million, remained at €17.1 million, with an acceleration in preclinical

spending related to the Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADC) program offsetting the decrease in expenses related to certain more mature clinical-stage programs.

oGeneral and administrative (G&A) expenses increased by €0.4m to €9.6m in the first half of 2024 (€9.1m in the first half of 2023) mainly resulting from (i) a €0.4m decrease of personnel expenses mainly due to a reduction of administrative staff, offset by (ii) a €0.3m increase in non-scientific advisory and consulting fees resulting from greater reliance on recruitment agencies, and finally (iii) a €0.5 million increase in other expenses, mainly due to the derecognition of returned spaces in the first half of 2023 (as a reminder, on March 13, 2023, the Company signed an amendment to the lease of the ‘Le Virage’ building, aimed at reducing the area of leased premises) and the sale of related furniture during the same period, which led to an exceptional reduction in these charges in the first half of 2023.

•A net financial gain of €1.5m in the first half of 2024 (€2.1m in the first half of 2023). This variance mainly results from the unfavorable evolution of the dollar exchange rate and its impact on foreign exchange recorded during the first half of 2024. The negative currency impact was offset by an increase in the fair value of certain financial instruments.

•A net loss of €24.8m for the first half of 2024 (net income of €1.7m for the first half of 2023).

The table below summarizes the IFRS consolidated financial statements as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2024, including 2023 comparative information.

Immunocore to present at the 2024 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference

On September 12, 2024 Immunocore Holdings plc (Nasdaq: IMCR) ("Immunocore" or the "Company"), a commercial-stage biotechnology company pioneering and delivering transformative immunomodulating medicines to radically improve outcomes for patients with cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases, reported that management will participate in the 2024 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference (Press release, Immunocore, SEP 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234646532]).

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2024 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference
Fireside Chat: Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 12:45 p.m. EDT

The presentation will be webcast live and can be accessed by visiting ‘Events & Presentations’, under ‘Events’, via the ‘Investors’ section of Immunocore’s website at www.immunocore.com. Following the event, a replay of the presentation will be made available for a limited time.

Fate Therapeutics to Present at 2024 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference

On September 12, 2024 Fate Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FATE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing a first-in-class pipeline of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cellular immunotherapies to patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases, reported that the Company will present at the 2024 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 12:45 PM ET in New York, New York (Press release, Fate Therapeutics, SEP 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234646531]).

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A live webcast, if recorded, of the presentation can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.fatetherapeutics.com. The archived webcast will be available on the Company’s website shortly after the event.

Elevar Therapeutics Reports Advances in HCC and Other Oncology Clinical Programs for Rivoceranib Plus Camrelizumab at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2024

On September 12, 2024 Elevar Therapeutics, Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of HLB Co., Ltd., reported the presentation of three posters at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, Sept. 13-17 (Press release, Elevar Therapeutics, SEP 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234646530]).

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"The results to be presented at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) continue to support the safety and efficacy of rivoceranib in combination with camrelizumab as a first-line systemic treatment option for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma; as well as the potential of combining rivoceranib with other immune checkpoint inhibitors as a therapeutic option for many types of solid tumors," commented Chris Galloway, M.D., senior vice president of clinical and medical affairs at Elevar Therapeutics.

Camrelizumab and rivoceranib were granted Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medical Association.

ESMO Presentation 985P (Abstract 5451): Analysis of antidrug antibodies (ADA) to camrelizumab in CARES-310: The pivotal phase III study of camrelizumab + rivoceranib in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC)

The poster reports an analysis of antidrug antibodies (ADAs) in the CARES-310 (NCT03764293) Phase 3 clinical study for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). There was minimal impact of ADAs on PK, efficacy and safety. Therefore, follow-up monitoring of ADAs to cam is not warranted.

CARES-310 was the first trial to demonstrate significant progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival benefits with immunotherapy plus an anti-angiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) over standard TKI as a first-line treatment for uHCC.

Speaker: Ahmed O. Kaseb (Houston, United States of America) Onsite poster display date: Mon., Sept. 16 Link to Abstract 5451 / Presentation 985P

ESMO Presentation 963P (Abstract 5635): Quality-adjusted time without symptoms or toxicity (Q-TWiST) analysis to assess the impact of treatment with camrelizumab + rivoceranib (cam+rivo) on quality-of-life vs sorafenib (sora) in patients (pts) with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC): Study CARES-310

The poster reports results from Phase 3 CARES-310 study, concluding cam + rivo had clinically meaningful quality-adjusted survival benefits over sorafenib. The higher incidence of adverse effects in patients treated with cam + rivo was likely due to longer time on treatment versus sorafenib.

Speaker: Andrew Moon (Chapel Hill, United States of America) Onsite poster display date: Mon., Sept. 16 Link to Abstract 5635 / Presentation 963P

ESMO Presentation 1013P (Abstract 2318): A phase I study of rivoceranib combined with nivolumab in patients with unresectable or metastatic cancer

The poster reports results from Phase 1 (NCT03396211) clinical study of rivoceranib plus nivolumab (rivo + nivo) in patients with advanced metastatic solid tumors. The study concluded that rivo + nivo demonstrated a manageable safety profile and promising antitumor efficacy across many solid tumors as measured by reduction in tumor burden over time. Further studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of rivo + nivo therapy.

Speaker: Neal S. Chawla (Duarte, United States of America) Onsite poster display date: Sat., Sept. 14 Link to Abstract 2318 / Presentation 1013P

About Hepatocellular Carcinoma

More than 800,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with liver cancer each year. Liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer accounting for more than 700,000 deaths annually.[i] Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer. It most frequently develops in people with chronic underlying liver inflammation which may be from viral and non-viral causes. HCC typically has a poor prognosis with limited treatment options and continues to be a diagnosis with an ongoing urgent medical need.

About Rivoceranib

Rivoceranib, a small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), is a highly potent inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), a primary pathway for tumor angiogenesis. VEGFR inhibition is a clinically validated target to limit tumor growth and disease progression. Rivoceranib is currently being studied as a monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy and immunotherapy in various solid tumor indications. Ongoing clinical studies include uHCC (in combination with camrelizumab), gastric cancer (as a monotherapy and in combination with paclitaxel), adenoid cystic carcinoma (as a monotherapy) and colorectal cancer (in combination with Lonsurf). Rivoceranib was the first TKI approved in gastric cancer in China (November 2014). It is also approved in China in combination with camrelizumab as a first-line treatment for uHCC (January 2023). The drug has been studied in more than 6,000 patients worldwide and was well tolerated in clinical trials with a comparable safety profile to other TKIs and VEGF inhibitors. Orphan drug designations have been granted in gastric cancer (U.S., EU and South Korea), in adenoid cystic carcinoma (U.S.) and in uHCC (U.S. and EU). Elevar Therapeutics, Inc. holds the global rights (excluding China) to rivoceranib and has partnered for its development and marketing with HLB-LS in South Korea. Rivoceranib, under the name apatinib, is also approved in China for advanced gastric cancer and in second-line advanced HCC by the Chinese -territory license-holder, Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd., (Hengrui Pharma), under the brand name Aitan.

About Camrelizumab

Camrelizumab (SHR-1210) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor. Blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway is a therapeutic strategy showing success in a wide variety of solid and hematological cancers. Camrelizumab is developed by Hengrui Pharma and has been studied in more than 5,000 patients. Currently, 50 clinical trials are underway in a broad range of tumors (including liver cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, and breast cancer, etc.) and treatment settings. Camrelizumab, under the brand name AiRuiKa, is currently approved for eight indications in China, including monotherapy for the treatment of HCC (second-line), in combination with rivoceranib as a treatment for uHCC (first-line), relapsed/refractory classic Hodgkin’s lymphoma (third-line), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (second-line) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (third-line or further) and in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (non-squamous and squamous), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the first-line setting. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Orphan Drug Designation to camrelizumab for advanced HCC in April 2021 and by the EMA in August 2024.

In October 2023, Elevar licensed camrelizumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, for commercialization from Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (Hengrui Pharma) worldwide excluding Greater China and Korea.