Avistone Announces Results from a Sponsored Clinical Research Program Studying the Combination of Two Small-Molecule c-MET and EGFR Inhibitors in NSCLC Patients at the 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC)

On September 10, 2024 Avistone Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (also referred to as Avistone Biotechnology or Avistone), an innovative biotechnology company focused on precision oncology therapeutics, reported results from an oral presentation at the IASLC 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (#WCLC24) in San Diego, CA (Press release, Avistone Pharmaceuticals, SEP 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234646491]).

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"The development of drugs for indications related to both c-MET and EGFR targets has always been a difficult one. We are now entering an era where the clinical combination of these targets has shown meaningful potential benefit to patients with NSCLC. We are excited to share these preliminary clinical results from the combination of our two novel (cMET and EGFR) inhibitors in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation-positive, MET amplified or MET overexpression," said Dr. Hepeng Shi, Chairman, CEO, and Founder of Avistone.

Details and highlights from the oral presentation are as follows:

Title: Vebreltinib plus PLB1004 in EGFR-mutated, NSCLC with MET amplification or MET overexpression following EGFR-TKI

Results: Forty-four patients received Vebreltinib 100mg plus PLB1004 160mg (n=15), Vebreltinib 150mg plus PLB1004 160mg (n=13), Vebreltinib 200mg plus PLB1004 80mg (n=3), or Vebreltinib 150mg plus PLB1004 80mg (n=13) and were included in the overall safety analysis. Among the 44 patients evaluated, 36.4% of patients had brain metastases and 86.4% of patients had previously received a third-generation EGFR-TKI, respectively. Objective responses occurred across all Vebreltinib and PLB1004 dose levels tested, with partial responses (PRs) observed in 19/32 (59.4%) response-evaluable patients. Among patients with brain metastases, the ORR was 75.0% (9/12). The ORR was 58.6% (17/29) in patients who received prior third-generation EGFR-TKI. The most common TRAEs were rash and paronychia. No patients discontinued treatment due to TRAEs.

Clinical Trial Identifier: NCT06343064

MAIA Biotechnology Announces Positive Survival Updates in Phase 2 Study of THIO in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

On September 10, 2024 MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., (NYSE American: MAIA) ("MAIA", the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted immunotherapies for cancer, reported favorable interim survival benefit from its lead clinical candidate THIO, a telomere-targeting treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (Press release, MAIA Biotechnology, SEP 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234646490]). A Phase 2 clinical trial, THIO-101, is evaluating THIO sequenced with Regeneron’s immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) cemiplimab (Libtayo) in patients with advanced NSCLC who failed two or more standard-of-care therapy regimens.

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Published available results suggest that overall survival (OS) in third-line patients is 5.8 months.1

As of August 01, 2024, 16 patients had survival follow-up surpassing 12 months, including 9 in third line treatment (3L). Interim median survival follow-up in 3L was 10.6 months.

"THIO is showing a survival benefit for patients with advanced NSCLC. As our follow-up continues, we have noted that three of the earliest patients enrolled are approaching 17-month survival. We’re on track to achieve our survival goals in third-line therapy," said Vlad Vitoc, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MAIA. "THIO’s outperformance to date supports our thesis that our telomere targeting agent could become a treatment option for people suffering from advanced NSCLC."

The 12-month survival data corresponds to the Company’s most recent data from THIO-101 demonstrating favorable disease control and overall response rates. As announced in April 2024, THIO 180mg + CPI in third-line treatment showed, in part, overall response rate (ORR) of 38%, disease control rate (DCR) of 88% and median progression-free survival (PFS) of 5.5 months.

MAIA expects to release full efficacy results of THIO-101 this year.

About THIO

THIO (6-thio-dG or 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine) is a first-in-class investigational telomere-targeting agent currently in clinical development to evaluate its activity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Telomeres, along with the enzyme telomerase, play a fundamental role in the survival of cancer cells and their resistance to current therapies. The modified nucleotide 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine (THIO) induces telomerase-dependent telomeric DNA modification, DNA damage responses, and selective cancer cell death. THIO-damaged telomeric fragments accumulate in cytosolic micronuclei and activates both innate (cGAS/STING) and adaptive (T-cell) immune responses. The sequential treatment with THIO followed by PD-(L)1 inhibitors resulted in profound and persistent tumor regression in advanced, in vivo cancer models by induction of cancer type–specific immune memory. THIO is presently developed as a second or later line of treatment for NSCLC for patients that have progressed beyond the standard-of-care regimen of existing checkpoint inhibitors.

About THIO-101, a Phase 2 Clinical Trial

THIO-101 is a multicenter, open-label, dose finding Phase 2 clinical trial. It is the first trial designed to evaluate THIO’s anti-tumor activity when followed by PD-(L)1 inhibition. The trial is testing the hypothesis that low doses of THIO administered prior to cemiplimab (Libtayo) will enhance and prolong immune response in patients with advanced NSCLC who previously did not respond or developed resistance and progressed after first-line treatment regimen containing another checkpoint inhibitor. The trial design has two primary objectives: (1) to evaluate the safety and tolerability of THIO administered as an anticancer compound and a priming immune activator (2) to assess the clinical efficacy of THIO using Overall Response Rate (ORR) as the primary clinical endpoint. Treatment with THIO followed by Regeneron’s cemiplimab (Libtayo) has been generally well-tolerated to date in a heavily pre-treated population. For more information on this Phase II trial, please visit ClinicalTrials.gov using the identifier NCT05208944.

‘Highly Accurate’: Telix’s Phase III ZIRCON Trial for Kidney Cancer Imaging Published in The Lancet Oncology

On September 10, 2024 Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited reported that primary results from its Phase III ZIRCON[1] trial have been published in The Lancet Oncology, reporting that Telix’s first-in-class investigational PET[2] agent, TLX250-CDx (Zircaix[3], 89Zr-girentuximab), is highly accurate in detecting and characterising clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) in patients with indeterminate renal masses (IRMs) (Press release, Telix Pharmaceuticals, SEP 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234646489]).

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In this peer-reviewed manuscript, Professor Brian Shuch (University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA) and colleagues report results from this prospective, open-label, multicentre, Phase III trial in which 300 patients with an IRM ≤7cm (cT1) received TLX250-CDx. Authors conclude that TLX250-CDx "has a favourable safety profile and is a highly accurate, non-invasive imaging modality for the detection and characterisation of ccRCC, which has the potential to be practice changing."

Authors explain that small masses in the kidney are increasingly being detected incidentally when patients undergo abdominal imaging, often for other health conditions, contributing to "an era of gross overtreatment". Diagnosis and treatment are limited by current imaging techniques, and renal mass biopsy is invasive, which can often lead to complications. Up to 30% of patients undergo unnecessary surgery, removing masses that are later determined to be benign[4]. If confirmed, however, ccRCC is the most common and aggressive form of kidney cancer, and delays in diagnosis can significantly reduce survival rates.

Professor Brian Shuch, MD, Director of the Kidney Cancer Program and the Alvin & Carrie Meinhardt Endowed Chair in Kidney Cancer Research at UCLA Institute of Urologic Oncology, and a ZIRCON principal investigator, said, "Until now, assessing whether renal masses are cancerous has been difficult and often involves invasive surgery or percutaneous biopsy. This is because standard imaging technology – either a CT or MRI scan – cannot reliably differentiate between benign or malignant renal lesions or provide information about disease biology.

"The challenges and uncertainty in diagnosing ccRCC underscore a critical unmet need for a new, non-invasive technique that accurately detects and differentiates ccRCC from other renal masses in patients, to inform clinical decision making. The ZIRCON trial has shown that TLX250-CDx is a breakthrough technology that can address this need."

TLX250-CDx is a zirconium-89 (89Zr) radiolabelled monoclonal antibody that targets carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), a tumour-associated antigen highly expressed in ccRCC. Following successful Phase I and II trials to establish safety and preliminary efficacy, the ZIRCON trial was designed to assess sensitivity and specificity of TLX250-CDx PET/CT imaging to non-invasively detect ccRCC in patients with cT1 IRMs (≤7 cm in diameter) who underwent nephrectomy, using central histological confirmation as standard of truth.

Key findings of the ZIRCON trial, outlined in the paper, include:

89Zr-girentuximab PET/CT imaging accurately detected ccRCC in patients with cT1 IRM (≤7cm), demonstrating a mean sensitivity of 86%, specificity of 87% and positive predictive value of 93%
89Zr-girentuximab PET/CT imaging has high diagnostic performance for detection and characterisation of small and very small renal masses
The primary and secondary endpoints were met by all three radiology readers and exceeded pre-specified thresholds. Inter-reader variability indicated robust agreement among the readers and intra-reader variability was 100%, indicating perfect agreement
No safety concerns associated with the administration of 89Zr-girentuximab were revealed
Imaging performed 5±2 days after administration is sufficient to visualise and assess ccRCC lesions, with the flexible imaging window offering several advantages for patient management
The non-invasive nature of this technique may be especially beneficial to those at risk of complications from a surgical renal mass biopsy.
Dr David N. Cade, Chief Medical Officer at Telix said, "The results of the ZIRCON trial make a compelling case for TLX250-CDx as a breakthrough product for kidney cancer imaging, and validate CAIX as a novel target to accurately identify renal cell carcinoma.

"Professor Shuch and his co-investigators, at 36 sites worldwide, found that its high diagnostic performance, including for very small lesions, may support early and accurate diagnosis, inform patient risk stratification and clinical decision making, and reduce over- and under-treatment. We believe this result will lead to improved patient outcomes".

If approved by the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA), TLX250-CDx will be the first and only targeted PET agent specifically for kidney cancer to be commercially available in the U.S.

The full paper can be found at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(24)00402-9/fulltext

About TLX250-CDx (Zircaix3)

TLX250-CDx (Zircaix3) is an investigational radiodiagnostic PET agent that is under development to characterise IRMs as ccRCC or non-ccRCC in a non-invasive manner. Telix’s pivotal Phase III ZIRCON trial evaluating TLX250-CDx in 300 patients, of which 284 were evaluable, was completed in 2022 and met all primary and secondary endpoints[5].

Innovent Delivers Oral Presentation on Phase 1 Clinical Data of IBI363 (First-in-class PD-1/IL-2α-bias Bispecific Antibody Fusion Protein) in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer at the 2024 WCLC

On September 10, 2024 Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, autoimmune, cardiovascular and metabolic, ophthalmology and other major diseases, reported the presentation of Phase 1 clinical data (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04085185) for IBI363 (first-in-class PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer at the 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) (Press release, Innovent Biologics, SEP 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234646488]). Currently, Innovent is conducting Phase 1/2 clinical trials in China, U.S. and Australia to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of IBI363 in subjects with advanced solid tumors.

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First-in-class PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific antibody IBI363 in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer in a Phase 1 study

This update on previously reported Phase 1 results focuses on the safety and efficacy of IBI363 in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). As of the follow-up data cutoff date of August 2, 2024, 134 patients were enrolled and received IBI363 monotherapy (up to 3 mg/kg Q3W), with 95.5% having received prior PD-(L)1 immunotherapy. The median duration of IBI363 exposure was 10 weeks, and 77.6% remained on treatment. In the group of 125 patients having at least one post-baseline tumor assessment, the overall ORR was 20.8% and DCR was 74.4%.
IBI363 demonstrated encouraging efficacy signals in IO-treated squamous NSCLC, with a trend toward relatively higher ORR and DCR in the 3 mg/kg Q3W group (n=29)compared to the 1/1.5 mg/kg Q2W/Q3W group (n=27) (see table below). Despite relatively short follow-up time for the 3mg/kg Q3W subgroup, among the 18 patients who had at least 12 weeks of follow-up or end of study, the ORR and DCR were 50% and 88.9%, respectively.
Patients with at least 1
tumor assessment

sqNSCLC

1/1.5 mg/kg
(N=27)

3 mg/kg
(N=29)

3 mg/kg

with at least 12 weeks of follow-up
(N=18)

Best overall response, n (%)

Partial Response (PR)

6*

10**

9***

Stable Disease (SD)

13

16

7

Progressive Disease (PD)

8

2

2

Not Evaluable (NE)

0

1

0

ORR, % (95% CI)

22.2% (8.6, 42.3)

34.5% (17.9, 54.3)

50.0% (26.0, 74.0)

DCR, % (95% CI)

70.4% (49.8, 86.2)

89.7% (72.6, 97.8)

88.9% (65.3, 98.6)

*6 patients had confirmed PR; **9 out 10 patients had confirmed PR; ***8 of 9 patients had confirmed PR.

As of the data cutoff date, for patients with squamous NSCLC who were treated with IBI363 at 1/1.5 mg/kg, the median follow up time was 7.5 months, and the median PFS was 5.5 months (95% CI, 1.5-8.3); currently, the 12-month PFS rate is 30.7%, showing a long-term benefit advantage of immunotherapy. The median PFS was not reached for subjects who received 3mg/kg Q3W.
Similar responses were observed among squamous NSCLC patients with PD-L1 TPS<1% (n=22) and TPS≥1% (n=22) treated across the 1/1.5 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg doses, with ORRs of 36.4% and 31.8% respectively, suggesting IBI363 has efficacy regardless of PD-L1 expression.
IBI363 has a manageable safety profile. The most common treatment related adverse events (TRAEs) included arthralgia, anemia, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and rash. Overall, 20.1% of patients experienced TRAEs ≥ grade 3 and 6.0% experienced TRAE leading to treatment discontinuation. In the 3 mg/kg Q3W subgroup (n=57), 17.5% experienced TRAEs ≥ grade 3 and 5.3% experienced TRAEs leading to treatment discontinuation. The safety profile was consistent with the overall population. No new safety signals were identified.
Given that IBI363 has shown encouraging efficacy signals and good tolerability, this study continues to investigate the long-term efficacy and safety and to determine the RP2D in NSCLC. Additional studies are also underway to evaluate IBI363 in combination with other therapies and in other solid tumors. Relevant data and analyses will be shared in future academic conferences or publications.

Professor Jianya Zhou, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, stated: "Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with non-small cell lung cancer accounting for approximately 80% of cases[1]. While PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have shown promising efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer, most patients eventually develop primary or secondary resistance to these immune checkpoint inhibitors. For NSCLC patients who fail IO therapy, effective treatment options are limited, with chemotherapy, such as docetaxel, achieving only about an ORR of 10% and a median PFS of under 4 months[2]. As a key cytokine that activates tumor-specific CD8+T cells, IL-2 complements immune checkpoint inhibitors in its MOA. Combining PD-1 with IL-2 may reverse the exhaustion of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells and help overcome immune resistance. As a PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific molecule, IBI363 has demonstrated promising antitumor activity in IO-resistant, driver gene wild-type NSCLC, with clinical benefits shown in both ORR and PFS. Additionally, its manageable safety profile, even at higher doses, provides confidence in its therapeutic potential."

Dr. Hui Zhou, Senior Vice President of Innovent, stated: "We are pleased to present the latest data on IBI363 in lung cancer at WCLC. The data highlights the promising trend of IBI363 showing better ORR and DCR at higher doses, alongside a manageable safety profile. Although the follow-up period for the 3 mg/kg dose group is still relatively short, we anticipate more mature data from longer-term follow-up and expect to see its potential as an immunotherapy for long-term survival benefits to patients. Meanwhile, in non-small cell lung cancer, particularly in IO-treated squamous NSCLC, IBI363 has demonstrated potent anti-tumor effects regardless of PD-L1 expression levels. This indicates that IBI363 could potentially offer breakthroughs in treating cold tumors with low or absent PD-L1 expression. We will continue to advance the clinical exploration of IBI363 in squamous NSCLC and other tumor types."

About IBI363 (First-in-class PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein)

IBI363 is a first-in-class PD-1/IL-2α-bias bispecific antibody fusion protein developed independently by Innovent Biologics. It functions by both blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and activating the IL-2 pathway. The IL-2 arm of IBI363 is designed to maintain its affinity for IL-2Rα while reducing binding to IL-2Rβ and IL-2Rγ, thereby minimizing toxicity. The PD-1 binding arm not only blocks PD-1 but also selectively delivers IL-2. This approach targets and activates tumor-specific T cells that express both PD-1 and IL-2Rα, leading to more precise and effective activation of this T cell subpopulation. IBI363 has demonstrated robust antitumor activity in various tumor-bearing pharmacological models, including those resistant to PD-1 resistance and models of metastasis. In response to urgent clinical needs, Innovent is conducting clinical studies in China, the United States and Australia to further explore the efficacy and safety of IBI363 in advanced tumors.

Carisma and Moderna Expand Collaboration to Develop Two In Vivo CAR-M Therapies for Autoimmune Diseases

On September 10, 2024 Carisma Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: CARM) ("Carisma" or the "Company"), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative immunotherapies, reported the expansion of its in vivo chimeric antigen receptor macrophage and monocyte (together, "CAR-M") collaboration with Moderna, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRNA) to include the nomination of two targets for the treatment of autoimmune diseases (Press release, Carisma Therapeutics, SEP 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234646487]). Carisma retains all rights in autoimmune disease beyond the two nominated targets, which will be exclusively partnered with Moderna.

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Under this expanded collaboration, Carisma and Moderna will leverage Carisma’s proprietary CAR-M technology and Moderna’s mRNA/LNP platform to develop novel in vivo macrophage engineering approaches in the nominated autoimmune disease targets. Carisma will receive research funding and is eligible to receive development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, plus royalties on net sales of any products that are commercialized under the collaboration agreement. Carisma will be responsible for the discovery and optimization of development candidates, while Moderna will lead the clinical development and commercialization of therapeutics resulting from the agreement.

"We are excited to expand our collaboration with Moderna into the realm of autoimmune diseases," said Steven Kelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Carisma. "The nomination of the two autoimmune targets is a significant milestone in our mission to harness the power of macrophages to treat a broader range of diseases. Our innovative CAR-M technology has the potential to revolutionize the treatment landscape for patients suffering from these debilitating conditions."

"We are excited to build on the progress of advancing in vivo CAR-M therapies with Carisma by expanding beyond oncology," said Lin Guey, PhD, CSO of Therapeutic Research Ventures, Moderna. "We continue to believe that the combination of our platform and Carisma’s deep myeloid biology expertise could lead to innovative treatments for patients."

The expanded collaboration between Carisma and Moderna underscores the potential of CAR-M technology to impact a diverse range of disease areas. The expansion will aim to bring transformative therapies to patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases, advancing the frontier of immunotherapy.