On May 21, 2024 Evergreen Theragnostics, Inc., a clinical-stage radiopharmaceutical company, reported that they have entered into a collaboration and licensing-agreement with the Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), a leading European research institution to advance the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals (Press release, Evergreen Theragnostics, MAY 21, 2024, View Source [SID1234643508]). The agreement covers the clinical development of EVG321, a novel radioligand therapy (RLT) for small cell lung cancer (SCLC), targeting the cholecystokinin 2 receptor (CCK2R).

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RLTs have surged into the clinic and represent a rapidly expanding market. By combining the power of medical isotopes and the precision of targeted therapeutics, these types of medicines allow for cell-specific ablation of a tumor target, thereby localizing ionizing radiation to diseased tissues. CCK2R has been shown to be highly expressed in SCLC, and has the potential to facilitate robust, tumor-specific delivery.

"We are very pleased to announce this new collaboration with the Medical University of Innsbruck," commented James Cook, CEO of Evergreen Theragnostics. "For several years, the research groups of Univ. Prof. Dr. Irene Virgolini and Priv. Doz. Dr. Elisabeth von Guggenberg in Innsbruck have established themselves as key innovators in the RLT-field, and we are excited to be working with them on one of their lead programs – this was an easy choice to make." He added: "Especially in the realm of small cell lung cancer, novel therapies are urgently needed, and we are confident that EVG321 has the potential to significantly improve outcomes for cancer patients in this indication."

Univ. Prof. Dr. Irene Virgolini, Medical University of Innsbruck, said: "Evergreen Discovery is a pioneer in the field of radiopharmaceuticals, and their team is looking back on an impressive record in bringing novel medicines to patients. We are delighted to be collaborating with them. In conjunction with their subject matter expertise and proven ability to translate new radioligand therapies, it is their exceptional sense of urgency to bring novel drugs to patients in need, making them such valuable partners for us."

Over the next months, Evergreen intends to begin registration enabling therapeutic and diagnostic clinical trials for Lutetium-177 (177Lu) EVG321 and Gallium-68 (68Ga) EVG321. If successful, EVG321 could offer new hope to patients with small cell lung cancer.

On May 21, 2024 Aster Insights, the leading provider of scientific and clinical intelligence for oncology discovery, reported the company and members of the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN) will be presenting at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) annual meeting, which will be held May 31 – June 4, in Chicago, IL (Press release, Aster Insights, MAY 21, 2024, View Source [SID1234643507]). Four abstracts examining melanoma, kidney, gastrointestinal, and uterine cancers highlight the work of collaborators across ORIEN, Aster Insights, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with several authors contributing to more than one of these studies, demonstrating the importance of cross-functional, multidisciplinary research.

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"The abstracts chosen for presentation at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) highlight the unique and diverse investigations that can be launched when premier cancer institutions are collaborating and harnessing deep multimodal data," said Dr. Anand Shah, CEO of Aster Insights. "Robust representation across cancer types and patient demographics enables us to launch research that yields critical insights to better care for patients."

Schedule of Aster Insights’ ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Poster Presentations:

Riya Patel. Genomic signature analysis and survival outcomes in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) using oncology research information exchange network (ORIEN) database.
Abstract 4101; Poster 81

Ahmad Tarhini. A prognostic model based on selected cell state and cellular community scores in patients with advanced melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (Ecotype-ICI score) as a predictor of ICI immunotherapeutic benefits.
Abstract 9568; Poster 352

Juan Antonio Raygoza Garay. Unraveling the gene expression signatures with associated clinical outcomes in papillary renal cell carcinoma.
Abstract 4558; Poster 253

Taylor Rives. Comparison of the clinical and genomic profiles of endometrial cancer in Appalachian and non-Appalachian patients.
Abstract 5591; Poster 462
"We look forward to sharing our important work to construct an immune cell state atlas through ecotype analyses to foster a deeper understanding of the correlations between immune cell states and responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors," said Ahmad Tarhini, MD, PhD of Moffit Cancer Center and Chair of the ORIEN Scientific Committee and ORIEN Immuno-Oncology Research Interest Group. "This collaborative effort draws on multidisciplinary expertise and rich clinicogenomic data from across ORIEN and Aster Insights, as well as the NIH."

Aster Insights will be attending ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper). Please contact us to request a meeting.

On May 21, 2024 Aktis Oncology, a biotechnology company discovering and developing novel targeted radiopharmaceuticals to treat a broad range of solid tumors, reported a multi-target discovery collaboration agreement with Eli Lilly and Company to generate anticancer radiopharmaceuticals using Aktis Oncology’s novel miniprotein technology platform (Press release, Aktis Oncology, MAY 21, 2024, View Source [SID1234643506]). The collaboration draws on Aktis’ proprietary radiopharmaceutical platform together with Lilly’s expertise in oncology drug development and commercialization, with the goal of developing first-in-class and differentiated therapeutics for a range of solid tumors.

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"Our strategic collaboration with Lilly leverages Aktis’ unique miniprotein radiopharmaceutical platform capabilities to address novel targets, while delivering a safe and effective clinical profile," said Matthew Roden, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Aktis Oncology. "We are pleased to partner with Lilly in efforts to increase the number of patients that can derive meaningful clinical benefit from targeted radiopharmaceuticals."

Under the terms of the agreement, Aktis will receive a $60 million upfront cash payment for the collaboration in addition to an equity investment in Aktis by Lilly. In addition, Aktis will be eligible to receive up to an additional $1.1 billion in potential preclinical, clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as tiered royalties.

In exchange, Lilly will receive worldwide rights to develop radiopharmaceutical therapeutic and diagnostic products discovered by Aktis on a defined set of targets selected by Lilly.

"This collaboration with Aktis Oncology builds upon our growing radiopharmaceutical capabilities and provides access to an exciting and innovative technology for creating important and differentiated radiopharmaceuticals. We look forward to collaborating with Aktis and utilizing this emerging modality to bring forward meaningful new therapies for people with cancer," said Jacob Van Naarden, President, Lilly Oncology.

On May 21, 2024 Medigene AG (Medigene or the "Company", FSE: MDG1, Prime Standard), an immuno-oncology platform company focusing on the discovery and development of differentiated T cell immunotherapies for solid tumors and BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX, "BioNTech") reported that their collaboration to advance T cell receptor (TCR) immunotherapies against cancer will extend beyond the initial three-year term outlined at the signing of the agreement in February 2022 (Press release, MediGene, MAY 21, 2024, https://www.pressetext.com/news/20240521012 [SID1234643505]). This extension will enable ongoing and future work required to potentially generate novel TCRs directed against multiple newly nominated antigen targets that could further expand the BioNTech warehouse of TCR candidates.

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"We are pleased about the extension of our partnership with BioNTech aiming at the development of highly differentiated TCR-based therapies for patients suffering from solid tumors. The collaboration solidifies our position as a leader in the field of TCR generation while we continue to deliver very promising TCR candidates," said Dr. Selwyn Ho, Chief Executive Officer at Medigene. "The ongoing work between our scientific teams reflects the strength of our partnership in the fight against cancer, and we look forward to making further progress in making a difference in the lives of cancer patients."

In February 2022, Medigene and BioNTech entered into a global multi-target collaboration to discover and develop T cell receptor immunotherapies against multiple cancer targets including PRAME (PReferentially expressed Antigen in MElanoma). The agreement also included non-exclusive licenses to some of the proprietary technologies contained in Medigene’s End-to-End Platform including its PD1-41BB costimulatory switch protein.

On May 21, 2024 NuCana plc (Nasdaq: NCNA) reported that Hugh Griffith, Chief Executive Officer, and Don Munoz, Chief Financial Officer, will present at TD Cowen’s 5th Annual Oncology Innovation Summit: Insights for ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) & EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) (Press release, Nucana BioPharmaceuticals, MAY 21, 2024, View Source [SID1234643500]).

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Event: TD Cowen’s 5th Annual Oncology Innovation Summit
Date: Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Time: 8:30 AM EDT
Location: Virtual

The presentation will be webcast live and available for replay under "Events & Presentations" in the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.nucana.com.