VerImmune and A*STAR Sign Research Collaboration Agreement

On January 10, 2024 VerImmune, an early-stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of innovative products based on a novel Virus-inspired Particle (ViP) technology platform, reported a new research collaboration agreement with A*STAR’s Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI), a research institute in Singapore with integrated capabilities to assist industry in accelerating process innovation in biomanufacturing (Press release, VerImmune, JAN 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234639188]).

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The collaboration is centered around platform development and aims to develop a preclinical manufacturing platform, which will facilitate the generation of additional novel ViP-based product candidates for programs beyond VerImmune’s flagship Oncology program which is based on a First-in-Class immunotherapy approach known as Anti-tumor Immune Redirection (AIR).

Since its founding in 2020, VerImmune was originally solely based in the United States having offices and research laboratories at the JLABS@Washington DC incubator. In July 2023, VerImmune was awarded the Second Amgen X NSG Biolabs Golden Ticket Award which allowed the company to secure residency at NSG Biolabs to establish its presence within Asia-Pacific with Singapore as its new regional headquarters. The company intends to use these resources to build up a local platform development team.

"We believe that this collaboration focused on CMC has the potential to further advance and validate our ViP technology as a new modality bringing forth a new class of medicines." said Dr Joshua Wang, Founder and CEO of VerImmune Inc. "As the saying goes ‘the Process is the Product. However, globally, there is only a handful of research institutes that focus on early-stage CMC development. This is critical for any asset’s eventual success but unfortunately often not prioritized part of product development. As we build our presence in Singapore, we recognize the potential of having BTI as a strategic research partner due to their deep expertise in bioprocessing and analytical sciences for biotherapeutics."

TG Therapeutics Provides Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Net Revenue and 2024 Anticipated Milestones

On January 10, 2024 TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TGTX) reported preliminary U.S. net product revenue for BRIUMVI for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023 (unaudited), as well as financial guidance and development milestones for 2024, during a preannounced presentation at the 42nd Annual J.P Morgan Healthcare Conference (Press release, TG Therapeutics, JAN 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234639187]). An audio replay of the event, as well as the corresponding slide deck are available on the Investors and Media section of the TG corporate website at ir.tgtherapeutics.com/events.

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Michael S. Weiss, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TG Therapeutics stated, "We are excited to share our preliminary fourth quarter and year end U.S. BRIUMVI net product revenue. As we head into 2024, we have our sights set on achieving revenue and expense targets and have built an ambitious plan to potentially expand the utility of BRIUMVI into new indications and for use as a subcutaneous injection. We are also excited to expand our R&D program with the recent licensing of azer-cel, an allogeneic CD19 CAR T therapy which we believe has the potential to become a meaningful therapy to treat various autoimmune disorders."

Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Updates (based on unaudited financial information)

BRIUMVI U.S. net product revenue expected to be approximately $40 million and $89 million for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023, respectively
Year-end 2023 cash position of approximately $215 million
Preliminary selected financial information presented in this release are unaudited, subject to financial closing procedures and adjustment, and provided as an approximation in advance of the Company’s announcement of complete financial results planned to occur February 2024.

2024 Target Guidance

BRIUMVI U.S. net product revenue targets of approximately $41-$46 million and $220-$260 million for the first quarter and full year 2024, respectively
Full year 2024 target operating expense of approximately $250 million
2024 Development Pipeline Anticipated Milestones

Commence clinical development of subcutaneous BRIUMVI
Commence a trial evaluating BRIUMVI in additional autoimmune diseases outside of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Commence a trial evaluating azer-cel in autoimmune disease
Present data from the ENHANCE Phase 3b CD20 switch trial at multiple conferences throughout the year
ABOUT BRIUMVI (ublituximab-xiiy) 150 mg/6 mL Injection for IV
BRIUMVI is a novel monoclonal antibody that targets a unique epitope on CD20-expressing B-cells. Targeting CD20 using monoclonal antibodies has proven to be an important therapeutic approach for the management of autoimmune disorders, such as relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). BRIUMVI is uniquely designed to lack certain sugar molecules normally expressed on the antibody. Removal of these sugar molecules, a process called glycoengineering, allows for efficient B-cell depletion at low doses.

BRIUMVI is indicated for the treatment of adults with RMS, to include clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease, and active secondary progressive disease.

A list of authorized specialty distributors can be found at www.briumvi.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindications: BRIUMVI is contraindicated in patients with:

Active Hepatitis B Virus infection
A history of life-threatening infusion reaction to BRIUMVI
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Infusion Reactions: BRIUMVI can cause infusion reactions, which can include pyrexia, chills, headache, influenza-like illness, tachycardia, nausea, throat irritation, erythema, and an anaphylactic reaction. In MS clinical trials, the incidence of infusion reactions in BRIUMVI-treated patients who received infusion reaction-limiting premedication prior to each infusion was 48%, with the highest incidence within 24 hours of the first infusion. 0.6% of BRIUMVI-treated patients experienced infusion reactions that were serious, some requiring hospitalization.

Observe treated patients for infusion reactions during the infusion and for at least one hour after the completion of the first two infusions unless infusion reaction and/or hypersensitivity has been observed in association with the current or any prior infusion. Inform patients that infusion reactions can occur up to 24 hours after the infusion. Administer the recommended pre-medication to reduce the frequency and severity of infusion reactions. If life-threatening, stop the infusion immediately, permanently discontinue BRIUMVI, and administer appropriate supportive treatment. Less severe infusion reactions may involve temporarily stopping the infusion, reducing the infusion rate, and/or administering symptomatic treatment.

Infections: Serious, life-threatening or fatal, bacterial and viral infections have been reported in BRIUMVI-treated patients. In MS clinical trials, the overall rate of infections in BRIUMVI-treated patients was 56% compared to 54% in teriflunomide-treated patients. The rate of serious infections was 5% compared to 3% respectively. There were 3 infection-related deaths in BRIUMVI-treated patients. The most common infections in BRIUMVI-treated patients included upper respiratory tract infection (45%) and urinary tract infection (10%). Delay BRIUMVI administration in patients with an active infection until the infection is resolved.

Consider the potential for increased immunosuppressive effects when initiating BRIUMVI after immunosuppressive therapy or initiating an immunosuppressive therapy after BRIUMVI.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation: HBV reactivation occurred in an MS patient treated with BRIUMVI in clinical trials. Fulminant hepatitis, hepatic failure, and death caused by HBV reactivation have occurred in patients treated with anti-CD20 antibodies. Perform HBV screening in all patients before initiation of treatment with BRIUMVI. Do not start treatment with BRIUMVI in patients with active HBV confirmed by positive results for HBsAg and anti-HB tests. For patients who are negative for surface antigen [HBsAg] and positive for HB core antibody [HBcAb+] or are carriers of HBV [HBsAg+], consult a liver disease expert before starting and during treatment.

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): Although no cases of PML have occurred in BRIUMVI-treated MS patients, JCV infection resulting in PML has been observed in patients treated with other anti-CD20 antibodies and other MS therapies.

If PML is suspected, withhold BRIUMVI and perform an appropriate diagnostic evaluation. Typical symptoms associated with PML are diverse, progress over days to weeks, and include progressive weakness on one side of the body or clumsiness of limbs, disturbance of vision, and changes in thinking, memory, and orientation leading to confusion and personality changes.

MRI findings may be apparent before clinical signs or symptoms; monitoring for signs consistent with PML may be useful. Further investigate suspicious findings to allow for an early diagnosis of PML, if present. Following discontinuation of another MS medication associated with PML, lower PML-related mortality and morbidity have been reported in patients who were initially asymptomatic at diagnosis compared to patients who had characteristic clinical signs and symptoms at diagnosis.

If PML is confirmed, treatment with BRIUMVI should be discontinued.

Vaccinations: Administer all immunizations according to immunization guidelines: for live or live-attenuated vaccines at least 4 weeks and, whenever possible at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of BRIUMVI for non-live vaccines. BRIUMVI may interfere with the effectiveness of non-live vaccines. The safety of immunization with live or live-attenuated vaccines during or following administration of BRIUMVI has not been studied. Vaccination with live virus vaccines is not recommended during treatment and until B-cell repletion.

Vaccination of Infants Born to Mothers Treated with BRIUMVI During Pregnancy: In infants of mothers exposed to BRIUMVI during pregnancy, assess B-cell counts prior to administration of live or live-attenuated vaccines as measured by CD19+ B-cells. Depletion of B-cells in these infants may increase the risks from live or live-attenuated vaccines. Inactivated or non-live vaccines may be administered prior to B-cell recovery. Assessment of vaccine immune responses, including consultation with a qualified specialist, should be considered to determine whether a protective immune response was mounted.

Fetal Risk: Based on data from animal studies, BRIUMVI may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Transient peripheral B-cell depletion and lymphocytopenia have been reported in infants born to mothers exposed to other anti-CD20 B-cell depleting antibodies during pregnancy. A pregnancy test is recommended in females of reproductive potential prior to each infusion. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during BRIUMVI treatment and for 6 months after the last dose.

Reduction in Immunoglobulins: As expected with any B-cell depleting therapy, decreased immunoglobulin levels were observed. Decrease in immunoglobulin M (IgM) was reported in 0.6% of BRIUMVI-treated patients compared to none of the patients treated with teriflunomide in RMS clinical trials. Monitor the levels of quantitative serum immunoglobulins during treatment, especially in patients with opportunistic or recurrent infections, and after discontinuation of therapy until B-cell repletion. Consider discontinuing BRIUMVI therapy if a patient with low immunoglobulins develops a serious opportunistic infection or recurrent infections, or if prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia requires treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins.

Most Common Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions in RMS trials (incidence of at least 10%) were infusion reactions and upper respiratory tract infections.

Physicians, pharmacists, or other healthcare professionals with questions about BRIUMVI should visit www.briumvi.com.

The full SmPC approved in the EU for BRIUMVI can be found here Briumvi | European Medicines Agency (europa.eu).

ABOUT BRIUMVI PATIENT SUPPORT in the U.S.
BRIUMVI Patient Support is a flexible program designed by TG Therapeutics to support U.S. patients through their treatment journey in a way that works best for them. More information about the BRIUMVI Patient Support program can be accessed at www.briumvipatientsupport.com.

ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) and includes people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and people with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) who continue to experience relapses. RRMS is the most common form of multiple sclerosis (MS) and is characterized by episodes of new or worsening signs or symptoms (relapses) followed by periods of recovery. It is estimated that nearly 1 million people are living with MS in the United States and approximately 85% are initially diagnosed with RRMS.1,2 The majority of people who are diagnosed with RRMS will eventually transition to SPMS, in which they experience steadily worsening disability over time. Worldwide, more than 2.3 million people have a diagnosis of MS.

Inventiva draws down the second tranche of €25 million under existing Finance Contract with the European Investment Bank

On January 10, 2024 Inventiva (Euronext Paris and Nasdaq: IVA) (the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of oral small molecule therapies for the treatment of patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis ("NASH") and other diseases with significant unmet medical needs, reported the drawdown of the second tranche of €25 million of the unsecured loan agreement executed with the European Investment Bank ("EIB") on May 16, 2022 (the "Finance Contract") with a maturity date on or about January 18, 2027 (Press release, Inventiva Pharma, JAN 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234639186]). The disbursement of the second tranche is expected to occur on or about January 18, 2024. On January 4, 2024, and in accordance with the Finance Contract, the Company issued 3,144,654 warrants to EIB.

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Jean Volatier, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Inventiva, stated: "The drawdown of this second tranche of €25 million was triggered by the accomplishment of key milestones by Inventiva, and allows us to further finance our pivotal Phase III clinical trial evaluating our lead compound, lanifibranor, in NASH. Inventiva is a leader in drug development for the treatment of NASH and the financial support provided by the EIB through a facility loan totaling €50 million is a testament to the important work of Inventiva in the field. We are truly thankful for the support provided by the EIB."

As previously announced, the Finance Contract provides funding in two tranches of €25 million, each subject to the completion of certain conditions precedent.

After the drawdown of the first tranche in December 20222, the Company was eligible to access the second tranche of €25 million if it met certain conditions precedent described below. Following the achievement of those conditions, the Company decided to draw on the second tranche to reinforce its financial position. The Company intends to use the proceeds to fund part of its pivotal NATiV3 Phase III clinical trial evaluating lanifibranor in patients with NASH and estimates that, including this second tranche of €25 million of the EIB loan, its cash, cash equivalents and deposits would allow the Company to fund its operations as currently planned until the beginning of the third quarter of 20241.

This second tranche carries a 7% interest capitalized annually, has a maturity of 3 years from the disbursement date and a repayment in fine. As a result, the Company expects to repay this tranche in early 20273, after the anticipated publication of the results of the NATiV3 Phase III trial evaluating lanifibranor in patients with NASH which is expected to take place in the first half of 2026. The disbursement of this second tranche was subject to, among other conditions, (i) the full drawdown of the first tranche, (ii) the receipt by the Company from the date of the Finance Contract of an aggregate amount of at least €70 million (inclusive of the €18 million that were a condition for the disbursement of the first tranche), paid either in exchange for shares of the Company, or through upfront or milestone payments, (iii) an out-licensing, partnership or royalty transaction with an upfront payment of at least €10 million, (iv) operational criteria based on patient enrollment and number of sites activated in the Company’s NATiV3 Phase III clinical trial of lanifibranor in patients with NASH and (v) the Company issuing warrants to EIB in accordance with the terms and conditions of the warrant agreement entered into on July 1, 2022.

On January 4, 2024, the Company issued 3,144,654 warrants to EIB, in accordance with the terms of the 6th resolution of the combined general meeting of shareholders of January 25, 2023, and Article L.225-138 of the French Commercial Code, as a condition to the drawdown of the second tranche. This represents approximately 6.08% of the Company’s current outstanding share capital4.

The exercise price of the warrants issued in connection with the second tranche is equal to €3.95 and corresponds to 95% of the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s shares on the regulated market of Euronext Paris during the last trading session preceding the decision to issue the warrants (i.e. January 3, 2024).

Pursuant to the previously disclosed warrant agreement, the warrants have a maturity of twelve years and shall be exercisable following the earliest to occur of (i) the maturity date of the first tranche (i.e. on December 8, 2026), (ii) a change of control event, (iii) an event of default under the Finance Contract, or (iv) a repayment demand by EIB under the Finance Contract. The warrants will automatically be deemed null and void if not exercised within the twelve-year period.

EIB has a put option which may require the Company to repurchase all or part of the unexercised warrants then exercisable at their intrinsic value (subject to a cap equal to the amount drawn under the Finance Contract) under certain circumstances (for example, in the event of a change of control of the Company or on the maturity date of the first tranche or in the event of default). The Company (or a substitute third party) has a call option to require EIB to sell all shares and other securities of the Company in certain circumstances, including the warrants, to the Company, subject to certain terms and conditions. In addition, the Company has a right of first refusal to buy-back all warrants offered for sale to a third party, subject to certain terms and conditions.

On the basis of the 3,144,654 new shares of the Company issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued in connection with the drawdown of the second tranche at an exercise price of €3.95 per new share, the Company could potentially receive gross proceeds of up to €12,421,383. There is no assurance that EIB will exercise any or all of the warrants or that the Company will receive any proceeds from the exercise of the warrants.

Gritstone bio Announces Inducement Grants Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

On January 10, 2024 Gritstone bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRTS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company that aims to develop the world’s most potent vaccines, reported that the Compensation Committee of the company’s Board of Directors granted two employees nonqualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 18,500 shares of its common stock with an exercise price of $2.10, which is equal to the closing price of Gritstone’s common stock on January 4, 2024, the date of the grant (Press release, Gritstone Bio, JAN 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234639185]). These stock options are part of an inducement material to the new employees becoming an employee of Gritstone, in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

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The stock options will vest over a four-year period, with 25% of the options vesting on the first anniversary of the employees’ date of hire, and 1/48th of the options vesting monthly thereafter, subject to the employees’ continued employment with Gritstone on such vesting dates. The stock options are subject to the terms and conditions of Gritstone’s 2021 Employment Inducement Incentive Award Plan and the stock option agreement covering the grant.

Defence’s Accutox® Impairs Lung Cancer Growth

On January 10, 2024 Defence Therapeutics Inc. ("Defence" or the "Company"), (CSE: DTC, OTCQB: DTCFF, FSE: DTC), one of the leading Canadian biotechnology companies working in the field of immune-oncology reported that it has successfully tested a new formulation of its ACCUM-002TM Dimer CDCA-SV40 commonly named "AccuTOX", as an anticancer treatment for lung-established tumors (Press release, Defence Therapeutics, JAN 10, 2024, View Source;utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=defences-accutox-impairs-lung-cancer-growth [SID1234639184]). These results widen the scope of application for AccuTOX in the treatment of solid cancer tumors.

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AccuTOX is an optimization of the Accum molecule and platform technology developed by Defence Therapeutics. Recent studies demonstrated that AccuTOX has enhanced therapeutic properties and a broader application in cancer therapeutics as it has successfully killed more than a dozen different murine and human cancer cell lines. When initially delivered intranasally, AccuTOX had a great impact on blocking tumor growth of pre-established lung nodules in mice. However, the drug was delivered as nasal droplets, which represents an approach difficult to translate to the clinic. Therefore, Defence used a nebulizing device named "Anesthesia Mask Nebulizer Delivery System" of Kent Scientific Corporation to deliver its compound in the least invasive way. Following several preclinical studies to set-up different delivery parameters, a maximum tolerated study revealed that the drug is tolerated by rodents at a dose of 3 mg/kg. When delivered as a monotherapy, AccuTOX inhibited the growth of lung nodules. The effect was further enhanced when combined with the immune-checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD1 as shown on the Figure 1 below.

"We are very excited with the potency of our lead compound, AccuTOX. These studies are important as they show how versatile can the application of this drug be against various indications, and they demonstrate in addition how different formulations or delivery devices can be used to target different tumor types/sites" said Sébastien Plouffe, President & CEO of Defence Therapeutics.

AccuTOX was recently cleared by the FDA to begin a Phase I trial in patients with Stage IIIB to IV melanoma, as released per the Company on December 11, 2023.

According to Precedence Research, the global cancer therapeutics market size is expected to be worth around US$ 393.61 billion by 2032 from at US$ 164 billion in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 9.20% during the forecast period 2023 to 2032.