Dianthus Therapeutics Announces $230 Million Private Placement

On January 22, 2024 Dianthus Therapeutics, Inc. ("Dianthus" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: DNTH), a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to advancing the next generation of antibody complement therapeutics to treat severe autoimmune diseases, reported that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement for a private investment in public equity ("PIPE") financing that is expected to result in gross proceeds of approximately $230 million to the Company, before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses (Press release, Magenta Therapeutics, JAN 22, 2024, View Source [SID1234639408]). The PIPE financing included participation from both new and existing investors, including Bain Capital Life Sciences, RA Capital Management, Avidity Partners, Fairmount, Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, RTW Investments, Great Point Partners LLC, Octagon Capital, Janus Henderson Investors, Vestal Point Capital, Logos Capital, Catalio Capital Management, Woodline Partners LP, Ally Bridge Group, Tellus BioVentures, StemPoint Capital LP and a large investment management firm.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Pursuant to the terms of the securities purchase agreement, Dianthus is selling an aggregate of 14,500,500 shares of its common stock at a price of $12.00 per share and, in lieu of common stock to certain investors, pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 4,666,332 shares of common stock at a purchase price of $11.999 per pre-funded warrant, which represents the per share purchase price for the common stock less the $0.001 per share exercise price for each pre-funded warrant. The PIPE financing is expected to close on or about January 24, 2024, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the PIPE financing, together with the Company’s existing cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, for research and development expenditures focused on product development and for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, working capital and potential business development activities.

Jefferies, Evercore ISI, Stifel, Guggenheim Securities, and Raymond James are acting as placement agents for the PIPE financing.

The offer and sale of the foregoing securities are being made in a transaction not involving a public offering and the securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be reoffered or resold in the United States except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. Concurrently with the execution of the securities purchase agreement, Dianthus and the investors entered into a registration rights agreement pursuant to which the Company has agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") registering the resale of the shares of common stock sold in the PIPE financing, as well as the shares of common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants sold in the PIPE financing.

Latest Phase III trial data investigating Cabometyx® in combination with immunotherapy to be presented at ASCO GU 2024

On January 22, 2024 Ipsen (Euronext: IPN; ADR: IPSEY) reported new data to be presented for Cabometyx (cabozantinib) in combination with immunotherapy across indications at the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Genitourinary Symposium (ASCO GU) taking place on 25-27 January 2024 in San Francisco, U.S (Press release, Ipsen, JAN 22, 2024, View Source [SID1234639407]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Detailed top-line results from the Phase III CONTACT-02 trial of the combination of Cabometyx and atezolizumab versus a second novel hormone therapy (NHT) in people living with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and measurable extra-pelvic soft tissue disease who have progressed on one prior NHT, are to be presented as an oral presentation (Abstract #18).

With a median follow-up of 14.3 months, data from the primary analysis of progression-free survival (PFS) from the CONTACT-02 trial demonstrated a statistically significant PFS benefit for the combination of Cabometyx and atezolizumab of 6.3 months versus 4.2 months for a second NHT (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50-0.84; p=0.0007). At an interim analysis for the other primary endpoint of overall survival (OS), the data demonstrated a trend toward improvement for the combination, however, these data were immature, and the trial will continue to the next planned analysis, anticipated in 2024. Safety for the combination appeared to be consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual medicines, and no new safety signals were identified.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men1 and for those living with advanced metastatic castration-resistant disease, the prognosis is poor, with an estimated survival of 1-2 years2.

"At the advanced metastatic castration-resistant stage of disease, the prognosis is poor, with a median survival of two years and limited available treatment options," said Stéphane Oudard, Professor of Oncology and Chief of the Oncology Clinical and Translational Research Unit at Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, France. "These results from the CONTACT-02 trial represent a positive step in the context of the current treatment landscape, contributing the first positive Phase III data of its kind for the benefit of patients, as we await further data from the overall survival analysis."

Also, four-year extended follow-up data from the landmark Phase III CheckMate -9ER trial investigating the combination of Cabometyx and nivolumab versus sunitinib in people living with previously untreated advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC) will be presented (Abstract #362).

With a median follow-up of 55.6 months for OS, the combination of Cabometyx and nivolumab demonstrated a sustained and clinically meaningful OS benefit versus sunitinib, with an absolute median OS gain of 10.5 months (46.5 months for the combination vs 36.0 months for sunitinib, HR 0.77, 95% CI: 0.63-0.95). Additionally, median PFS remained almost double that for the combination versus sunitinib, at 16.4 vs 8.4 months respectively (HR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.49-0.70). The safety profile was consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual medicines, and no new safety signals were identified.

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common form of kidney cancer3, 4 and for the 30% of people diagnosed with an advanced form of the disease, the 5-year survival rate is low at 12%, with no identified cure for this disease.5,6

"Data from our ongoing trials continue to reinforce the value of Cabometyx for patients across a number of challenging tumor types," said Christelle Huguet, EVP and Head of Research and Development, Ipsen. "In combination with immunotherapy, Cabometyx is delivering long-term survival benefits today for people living with renal cell carcinoma worldwide, while also showcasing future potential in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, an area of significant unmet need where no other trials of this modality have proven successful in recent decades."

Additionally, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data from a modelling analysis based on the CheckMate 9ER trial explored the link between HRQoL and clinical outcomes at a median follow-up of 32.9 months (Abstract #384). These data provide further patient-focused context to the benefits of the combination of Cabometyx and nivolumab, whilst also reinforcing the association of the combination with an increased chance of tumor shrinkage, survival and progression-free survival, independent of early HRQoL deterioration.

Opdivo® (nivolumab) in Combination with CABOMETYX® (cabozantinib) Demonstrates Long-Term Survival Benefits After Four Years of Follow-Up in the CheckMate -9ER Trial in First-Line Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma

On January 22, 2024 Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) and Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL) reported four-year follow-up results from the CheckMate -9ER trial evaluating Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with CABOMETYX (cabozantinib) vs. sunitinib in patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (Press release, Exelixis, JAN 22, 2024, View Source [SID1234639406]). Results continued to show superior progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rates (ORR) in patients treated with Opdivoplus CABOMETYXover sunitinib, regardless of risk classification based on International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) scores. Superior overall survival (OS) was also observed in patients treated with the combination. These updated results, including data showing health-related quality-of-life benefits with Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX vs. sunitinib, will be featured in an oral presentation (Abstract #362) at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2024 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium from January 25-27, 2024.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Renal cell carcinoma can be very challenging to treat and patients who are diagnosed with advanced disease or develop metastasis often face poor outcomes," said Maria Teresa Bourlon, Urologic Oncology Clinic, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico. "These updated results from the CheckMate -9ER trial continue to support the role of nivolumab in combination with cabozantinib as an important first-line treatment option for this devastating disease, demonstrating durable efficacy across its multiple study endpoints, including a 23% reduction in the risk of death."

At a median follow-up of 55.6 months (48.1 months minimum), all patients randomized to the Opdivo plus CABOMETYX treatment arm (n=323) continued to experience benefits over those who received sunitinib (n=328) across efficacy endpoints:

PFS (primary endpoint): PFS continued to favor Opdivo plus CABOMETYX, with median PFS nearly doubled with the combination regimen at 16.4 months vs. 8.4 months with sunitinib (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.58; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.49 to 0.70).
OS (secondary endpoint): Treatment with Opdivo in combination with CABOMETYX elicited durable survival benefit over sunitinib, with a median OS of 46.5 months compared to 36.0 months with sunitinib (HR 0.77; 95% CI: 0.63 to 0.95).
ORR (secondary endpoint): The combination regimen showed durable response improvements, doubling the ORR compared to sunitinib (55.7% vs. 27.7%, respectively).
Complete response (CR): Patients who received Opdivo plus CABOMETYX continued to show CR benefit, with triple the number of patients achieving CR vs. sunitinib (13.6% vs. 4.6%).
Duration of response (DOR): Opdivo plus CABOMETYX was associated with a longer median DOR of 22.0 months vs. 15.2 months in the sunitinib group.
Safety: No new safety concerns were identified in this follow-up analysis. Among all treated patients, any-grade treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 97.5% in the Opdivo plus CABOMETYX group compared to 93.1% in the sunitinib group. Grade ≥3 TRAEs occurred in 67.5% of Opdivo plus CABOMETYX-treated patients vs. 55.3% in sunitinib-treated patients.
Additionally, in exploratory analyses, durable and clinically meaningful benefits were observed in patient subgroups across risk groups, including within the favorable-risk and intermediate- and poor-risk groups:

OS: Among patients with intermediate-/poor-risk, median OS was 43.9 months for those treated with Opdivo plus CABOMETYX vs. 29.3 months with sunitinib (HR 0.73; 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.91). In patients with favorable risk, median OS was similar across treatment arms at 52.9 months with the combination regimen and 58.9 months with sunitinib (HR 1.10; 95% CI: 0.69 to 1.75).
PFS: PFS was improved with the combination regimen in patients with intermediate-/poor-risk with a median PFS of 15.4 months compared to 7.1 months with sunitinib (HR 0.56; 95% CI: 0.45 to 0.68), as well as in those with favorable risk at 21.4 months vs. 12.8 months (HR 0.69; 95% CI: 0.48 to 1.00).
ORR: In patients with intermediate-/ poor-risk, ORR was more than doubled at 52.6% with Opdivo and CABOMETYX vs. 23.0% with sunitinib. In those with favorable risk, ORR was 66.2% vs. 44.4%, respectively.
CR: Among those with intermediate-/poor-risk profiles, the number of patients who achieved CR more than tripled (12.9% vs. 3.5%) with the combination regimen compared to sunitinib. In those with favorable risk profiles, the number of patients who achieved CR was doubled (16.2% vs. 8.3%) with the combination regimen.
DOR: Median DOR was also improved with Opdivo and CABOMETYX across both groups. Among the intermediate- and poor-risk group, those treated with the combination regimen had a median DOR of 23.1 months vs. 13.8 months with sunitinib. Among the favorable risk group, median DOR was 18.7 months vs. 17.8 months, respectively.
"There has been an ongoing need for therapeutic options that can provide patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma with the potential for disease control and extended survival. By combining the power of these two unique modalities, we established a new standard of care with Opdivo and CABOMETYX, building on our commitment to improving outcomes for patients with advanced cancers, including but not limited to genitourinary cancers," said Dana Walker, M.D., M.S.C.E., vice president, global program lead, gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers, Bristol Myers Squibb. "Now, after more than four years of follow up, the data continue to underscore the value of Opdivo-based combinations in the GU cancer treatment paradigm with the potential to help patients diagnosed with advanced RCC live longer, regardless of risk classification."

"These results from CheckMate -9ER provide hope that patients with previously untreated advanced kidney cancer may experience a long-term survival benefit. We are pleased to see that the combination of CABOMETYX and Opdivo continues to demonstrate durable and clinically meaningful efficacy after four years of follow-up in this patient population across risk groups, reinforcing the value of this regimen as a standard of care in this setting," said Amy Peterson, M.D., executive vice president, product development & medical affairs, and chief medical officer, Exelixis. "It is also encouraging that CABOMETYX in combination with Opdivo demonstrated superior PFS and OS benefits in patients who had disease burdens in often challenging-to-treat areas, including bone, liver and lung metastases. The totality of these encouraging findings, achieved in partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb, underscore our commitment to collaborating with the scientific community to advance treatment regimens for patients with advanced cancers."

Bristol Myers Squibb and Exelixis thank the patients and investigators involved in the CheckMate -9ER clinical trial.

About CheckMate -9ER

CheckMate -9ER is an open-label, randomized, multi-national Phase 3 trial evaluating patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A total of 651 patients (23% favorable risk, 58% intermediate risk, 20% poor risk; 25% PD-L1≥1%) were randomized to receive Opdivo plus CABOMETYX (n=323) vs. sunitinib (n=328). The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR). The primary efficacy analysis is comparing the doublet combination vs. sunitinib in all randomized patients. The trial is sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Co. and co-funded by Exelixis, Inc., Ipsen Pharma SAS and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.

About Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults, accounting for more than 431,000 new cases and 179,000 deaths worldwide each year. RCC is approximately twice as common in men as in women, with the highest rates of the disease in North America and Europe. At diagnosis, up to 30% of patients present with advanced or metastatic RCC.

BioNTech and DualityBio Initiate Pivotal Phase 3 Trial Of Antibody-Drug Conjugate Candidate BNT323/DB-1303 in Metastatic Breast Cancer

On January 22, 2024 BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX, "BioNTech") and Duality Biologics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. ("DualityBio") reported that the first patient with metastatic breast cancer has been treated in a pivotal Phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of the next-generation antibody-drug conjugate ("ADC") candidate BNT323/DB-1303 targeting the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 ("HER2"), a cancer cell surface protein (Press release, BioNTech, JAN 22, 2024, View Source [SID1234639405]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and the leading cause of death from malignant tumors in women globally.1,2 The breast cancer subtype, which is defined by the expression of hormone receptors ("hormone receptor-positive", "HR+") and a low expression level of the HER2 protein ("HER2-low") on the cancer cell surface, accounts for approximately 40 % to 45 % of patients in advanced, metastatic disease stage.3 HER2 has been shown to be a suitable target structure for the treatment of breast cancers with intermediate and high HER2 expression.4 HER2-directed therapies have been ineffective in the past in patients with tumors with low expression levels of the protein.5 Recent studies have indicated that next-generation ADCs may have the potential to transfer the impact of HER2-directed therapies to HER2-low tumors.6

The global, multi-center, open-label, randomized Phase 3 trial (NCT06018337) will assess the efficacy and safety of BNT323/DB-1303 compared to standard-of-care single-agent chemotherapy in chemotherapy-naïve patients with HR+ and HER2-low metastatic breast cancer that have progressed on hormone therapy. The trial is expected to enroll 532 patients at more than 223 clinical sites worldwide, initially in China, followed by sites in the United States, Europe, and additional regions. The study’s primary endpoint is progression-free survival. Secondary endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate, duration of response, and safety.

"For patients with advanced HR+/HER2-low breast cancers who progressed after primary therapy, single-agent palliative chemotherapy is the most common regimen to control the disease and reduce mortality. BNT323/DB-1303 has been designed with the aim to combine the selectivity of antibodies with the cancer cell-killing properties of chemotherapy, thereby aiming to minimize the toxicity of the chemotherapeutic agents for patients," said Prof. Özlem Türeci, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder at BioNTech. "Our objective is to further expand the impact of HER2-targeted ADC therapies to chemotherapy naïve patients in metastatic disease stage who express HER2 at low levels at earliest possible treatment lines, seeking to extend the therapeutic window and improve outcomes for these patients."

"The initiation of the Phase 3 trial marks an important step in the development of our next-generation ADC candidate with the first indication progressing into pivotal evaluation," said Vivian Gu, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at DualityBio. "Results from our Phase 1/2 clinical study indicate a robust mechanism of action of BNT323/DB-1303 and have demonstrated preliminary efficacy and a manageable safety profile. We look forward to further advancing this differentiated ADC candidate."

The Phase 3 trial is based on positive safety and efficacy data from a Phase 1/2 study (NCT05150691) with BNT323/DB-1303 in patients with advanced/metastatic solid tumors. Data presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2023 demonstrated encouraging anti-tumor activity in heavily pretreated patients with HER2-low breast cancer with an objective response rate of 38.5% and a disease control rate of 84.6%. BNT323/DB-1303 was well tolerated with a manageable safety profile across all evaluated patients with advanced/metastatic solid tumors.

The milestone is in furtherance of BioNTech and DualityBio’s strategic objective to advance the product candidate into late-stage development in multiple high unmet medical need cancer indications. The Phase 3 trial initiation marks a major landmark in BioNTech’s and DualityBio’s strategic collaboration initiated in April 2023. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of differentiated antibody-drug conjugate therapeutics for solid tumors. BioNTech will hold commercial rights globally (excluding Mainland China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Macau Special Administrative Region), while DualityBio will retain commercial rights for Mainland China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Macau Special Administrative Region.

Further information for media: Fact Sheet about BNT323/DB-1303

About BNT323/DB-1303
BNT323/DB-1303 is a third-generation topoisomerase-1 inhibitor-based ADC targeting HER2 which was built from DualityBio’s proprietary Duality Immune Toxin Antibody Conjugates ("DITAC") platform. HER2 is a surface-expressed protein on solid tumors and has been linked to the aggressive growth and spread of cancer cells, making it a potential target for innovative cancer therapeutics. The candidate has exhibited antitumor activity in both HER2-positive and HER2-low tumor models as well as in several solid tumor indications, including patients with breast, gastric, endometrial, biliary tract cancers, and other advanced solid tumors. Preclinical data and preliminary clinical data for BNT323/DB-1303 indicate its potential to target HER2 receptors on solid tumors irrespective of expression level with a manageable safety profile and a potentially expanded therapeutic window. BNT323/DB-1303 is currently being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 1/2 study (NCT05150691) in patients with advanced/metastatic solid tumors and in a pivotal Phase 3 study (NCT06018337) in patients with Hormone Receptor-positive ("HR+") and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 ("HER2")-low, metastatic breast cancer that have progressed on hormone and/or cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 ("CDK4/6") therapy. The BNT323/DB-1303 program received the Fast Track designation and Breakthrough Therapy designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for the treatment of endometrial cancer in 2023.

AIM ImmunoTech Announces that the First Subject is Enrolled in the Phase 1b/2 Study Evaluating Ampligen® in Combination with AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi® for the Treatment of Late-Stage Pancreatic Cancer

On January 22, 2024 AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE American: AIM) ("AIM" or the "Company") reported that the first subject has been enrolled at Erasmus Medical Center ("Erasmus MC") in a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial combining AIM’s Ampligen (rintatolimod) with AstraZeneca’s anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor Imfinzi (durvalumab) for the treatment of late-stage pancreatic cancer (the "DURIPANC Study") (Press release, AIM ImmunoTech, JAN 22, 2024, View Source [SID1234639404]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Data strongly suggests Ampligen has therapeutic synergy when combined with checkpoint inhibitors – potentially increasing cancer treatment efficacy and subject survival rates. A successful DURIPANC Study could make AIM an especially attractive partnership or buyout target for Big Pharma. Data already strongly suggests that Ampligen synergistically enhances anti-PD-1 therapy. Strong positive clinical data from the DURIPANC study would also support our belief that Ampligen could synergistically enhance anti-PD-L1 therapies. Such broad-spectrum success could create value. AIM recently took an important step to secure potential stockholder value when it received a U.S. patent for the use of Ampligen as part of a combination therapy with an anti-PD-L1 antibody, which is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that helps the body attack tumor cells.

The DURIPANC Study is an investigator-initiated, exploratory, open-label, single-center study with the full name "Combining anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor durvalumab with TLR-3 agonist rintatolimod in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma for therapy effect." The primary objective of the Phase 1b portion is to determine the safety of combination therapy with Imfinzi and Ampligen. The primary objective of the Phase 2 portion is to determine the clinical benefit rate of the combination therapy.

"We expect to complete the Phase 1b portion of the study within six months," states Prof. Casper H.J. van Eijck, MD, PhD, the DURIPANC Study’s Coordinating Investigator.

See ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05927142 for more information.

AIM CEO Thomas K. Equels stated: "Ampligen’s potential as part of a combination therapy is a relatively simple equation. One, elevated PD-L1 expression – which is known to occur in pancreatic cancer – has been associated with increased exhaustion of peripheral and intra-tumoral cytotoxic T cells, commonly called ‘killer’ T cells. Two, data indicate that Ampligen has the potential to mitigate T cell exhaustion. Three, Ampligen can increase the number and activity of immune cells in the blood and tumor. And four, Imfinzi inhibits PD-L1 activity, thereby making those activated immune cells in the tumor microenvironment more effective at fighting the cancerous tumor. Data from our Dutch Early Access Program strongly supports Ampligen’s potential to increase progression-free survival and overall survival. Our hope for the DURIPANC trial is that at a minimum we see an even longer period of stable disease, also called progression-free survival. However, we also believe this combination of drugs has the potential to decrease tumor size or even to cure the cancer, which is defined as being tumor free for at least five years. That would be a dramatic breakthrough in the treatment of a highly lethal and treatment-resistant human cancer."

The study is expected to enroll up to 18 subjects in its Phase 1b portion and up to 25 subjects in its Phase 2 portion. Subjects will start with Ampligen 200 mg via IV infusion twice per week for a total of 6 weeks (12 doses). Ampligen dose will be escalated to 400 mg according to a 3+3 DLT design. The first dose of Ampligen will be administered preferably 4-6 weeks after the last chemotherapy FOLFIRINOX dose. After two doses of Ampligen, the first dose of durvalumab 1500 mg via IV infusion will be introduced in week 2. Patients will continue to receive 1500 mg durvalumab via IV infusion every 4 weeks for up to a maximum of 48 weeks (up to 12 doses/cycles) with the last administration on week 48 or until confirmed disease progression according to Response Evaluation Criteria in solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1), unless there is unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent, or another discontinuation criterion is met.