On November 12, 2024 Bexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel class of biologic therapy to treat solid tumor cancers and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), reported that the Company will participate in the Jefferies London Healthcare Conference (Press release, Bexion, NOV 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234648226]). The conference will be held in London, UK, from November 19-21, 2024.

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Jim Beach, CEO and President of Bexion Pharmaceuticals, and Joyce LaViscount, Chief Financial Officer of Bexion Pharmaceuticals, will attend the conference.

About BXQ-350
Bexion’s lead drug candidate is BXQ-350, a first-in-class biologic containing the multifunctional, sphingolipid activator protein, Saposin C, and a phospholipid. Multiple Phase 1 clinical trials in adult and pediatric patients have demonstrated a robust safety profile for BXQ-350 with evidence of single agent activity across multiple solid tumor types. Additionally, other clinical and non-clinical data suggest BXQ-350 has activity in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, an area of high unmet medical need in patients treated with oxaliplatin and other chemotoxic agents.

On November 12, 2024 Flare Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company targeting transcription factors to discover precision medicines for oncology and other therapeutic areas, reported it has entered into a strategic discovery collaboration with Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) (Press release, Flare Therapeutics, NOV 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234648225]). This partnership will leverage Flare Therapeutics’ proteomic and mass spectrometry platform and expertise, powered by its proprietary library of electrophilic compounds, to discover novel small molecule drugs aimed at previously undrugged transcription factor targets in oncology.

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"Roche is an ideal partner for Flare Therapeutics because we share a commitment to tackling the most challenging disease areas with novel approaches and overcoming the difficulties of drugging transcription factors. Our platform and expertise have rapidly generated a clinical-stage pipeline, demonstrating the strong potential of our approach. This collaboration will accelerate the expansion of our capabilities, enabling us to develop treatments for transcription factors implicated in indications with high unmet needs. Together with Roche’s expertise, our objective is to successfully pursue challenging transcription factor targets, with the ultimate goal of providing novel interventions for patients who are not currently served by standard-of-care therapies," said Rob Sims, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Co-founder of Flare Therapeutics.

"We are excited to join forces with Flare Therapeutics, combining our leading expertise and global reach in oncology with Flare Therapeutics’ deep knowledge in drug discovery for difficult-to-drug transcription factor targets. Transcription factors play a crucial role in various oncological diseases and have the potential to address high unmet medical needs. We are looking forward to developing therapeutic options never possible before," said Boris L. Zaïtra, Head of Roche Corporate Business Development.

As part of the collaboration, Flare Therapeutics will receive a US$70 million upfront cash payment and is eligible to receive discovery, development, and commercialization milestone payments potentially exceeding US$1.8 billion and royalties. Flare Therapeutics will lead discovery and preclinical activities targeting multiple transcription factor targets in oncology, while Roche will pursue the further preclinical and clinical development and commercialization of potential products from the collaboration, leveraging its industry-leading capabilities in oncology.

Additionally, Flare Therapeutics retains a right to co-fund development for one target under the collaboration in exchange for increased royalties in the United States for this target. Flare Therapeutics will retain ownership of its existing pipeline, including its lead clinical-stage program, FX-909, in advanced urothelial cancer, its prostate cancer program entering IND-enabling studies, and other programs in discovery and early development in oncology and other therapeutic areas.

On November 12, 2024 Servier reported that it will present data at the 29th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO), November 21-24, 2024, in Houston, Texas (Press release, Servier, NOV 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234648224]). Data presentations will focus on the company’s neuro-oncology development program, including three oral-presentations, and reinforce our understanding of the burdens and experiences of people living with IDH-mutant glioma.

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"At Servier, we are dedicated to delivering transformative, life-changing therapies to patients living with cancer who have little-to-no options available," said Claude Bertrand, Executive Vice President Research and Development, Chief Scientific Officer, at Servier. "Our presentations at this year’s Society for Neuro-Oncology Conference reinforce our commitment to people living with IDH-mutant gliomas, who had, until recently, limited therapeutic options to treat this devastating disease. We look forward to sharing results with the community, including updated Phase 3 data that supports our recently approved medication for Grade 2 IDH-mutant gliomas."

A full list of company-sponsored abstracts can be found here.

About Glioma1

Gliomas are tumors that arise from glial or precursor cells within the central nervous system (CNS). The 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) classification recognizes four general groups of gliomas, one of which is adult-type diffuse gliomas. These diffuse gliomas are the most common primary malignant brain tumors in adults. The pathogenesis and prognosis of these tumors are tightly linked to mutations (or lack thereof) in the metabolic enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), and molecular testing is required for proper diagnosis. As of 2021, adult-type diffuse gliomas are sub-divided into only three categories:

Astrocytoma, IDH-mutant (CNS WHO grades 2-4)

Oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant and 1p19q-codeleted (CNS WHO grades 2-3)

Glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype (CNS WHO grade 4)

On November 12, 2024 Astrazeneca reported positive high-level results of KOMET, the largest, global randomised double-blind placebo-controlled multicentre Phase III trial in adults with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) who have symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas (PN), showed that Koselugo (selumetinib), an oral, selective MEK inhibitor, met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful objective response rate (ORR) versus placebo in these adult patients (Press release, AstraZeneca, NOV 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234648223]).

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NF1 is a rare, progressive genetic condition affecting an estimated 1.7 million individuals worldwide, approximately 70% of whom are adults.1,2 In 30-50% of patients, tumours develop on the nerve sheaths and may cause debilitating symptoms.3-8 NF1 is usually diagnosed in early childhood, however, NF1 often progresses into adulthood.9,10 There are no approved treatments for adults, leaving many to experience disfigurement, dysfunction, persistent pain or endure multiple surgeries.11

Prof. Ignacio Blanco Guillermo, MD, PhD, Chairman of the Genetic Counselling and Clinical Genetics Programme at the Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Chairman of the Spanish National Reference Centre for Adult Patients with Neurofibromatosis and Principal Investigator of the KOMET trial, said: "With limited options to manage NF1 PN in adults, many patients experience functional impairment and symptoms, which can substantially impact their lives. These clinically meaningful data show Koselugo has the potential to make a positive impact in patient care by reducing the size of plexiform neurofibromas."

Marc Dunoyer, Chief Executive Officer, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, said: "These promising results demonstrate that Koselugo, the first and only approved targeted therapy for certain children with NF1 PN, now has the potential to benefit adult patients for whom there are no approved targeted therapies. As the largest and only global placebo-controlled Phase III trial in adults with NF1 PN, KOMET reinforces our leadership in advancing potential treatment options for people living with this debilitating disease. We look forward to sharing these findings with regulatory authorities."

Scot Ebbinghaus, MD, Vice President, Global Clinical Development, MSD Research Laboratories, said: "Adults with NF1 are in critical need of treatment options to help manage symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas. These positive results from the Phase III KOMET trial demonstrate the potential to expand the use of Koselugo beyond paediatric patients to also treat adult patients living with this rare and challenging genetic condition."

In the trial, ORR was defined as the percentage of patients with confirmed complete response (disappearance of PNs) or partial response (at least 20% reduction in tumour volume) by cycle 16 (28 days per cycle) as determined by independent central review (ICR) per response evaluation in neurofibromatosis and schwannomatosis (REiNS) criteria.

The safety profile of Koselugo in this study was consistent with that observed in clinical trials among children and adolescents. No new safety signals were identified.

Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease will share these data with regulatory authorities and present at a forthcoming medical meeting. AstraZeneca and MSD are jointly developing and commercialising Koselugo globally.

Notes

NF1
NF1 is a rare, progressive, genetic condition that is caused by a spontaneous or inherited mutation in the NF1 gene.3,11 NF1 is associated with a variety of symptoms, including soft lumps on and under the skin (cutaneous neurofibromas) and, in 30-50% of patients, tumours develop on the nerve sheaths (PNs).4,11 These PNs can cause clinical issues such as disfigurement, motor dysfunction, pain, airway dysfunction, visual impairment and bladder or bowel dysfunction.4-8 PNs begin during early childhood, with varying degrees of severity, and can reduce life expectancy by up to 15 years.5,8,11,12

KOMET
KOMET is a global Phase III randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Koselugo in adults with NF1 who have symptomatic, inoperable PNs. The trial enrolled 145 adults from 13 countries across North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, with participants’ baseline characteristics, including gender and distribution of PNs, reflective of the global adult NF1 patient population. Patients were enrolled and randomised to receive Koselugo or placebo (1:1) for 12 28-day cycles. Participants were required to have diagnosis of NF1, at least one symptomatic, inoperable PN measurable by volumetric MRI analysis, chronic PN pain score documented during screening, adequate organ and marrow function and stable chronic PN pain medication use at enrolment.13

The primary endpoint is confirmed ORR by cycle 16 as assessed by ICR. ORR is defined as the percentage of patients with confirmed complete response (disappearance of PNs) or partial response (at least 20% reduction in tumour volume).13

After 12 cycles, patients on placebo were switched to Koselugo and patients on Koselugo remained on treatment for an additional 12 cycles. Patients who had the opportunity to complete 24 cycles of treatment have the option to participate in a long-term extension period and continue to receive Koselugo.13

Koselugo
Koselugo (selumetinib) is a kinase inhibitor that blocks specific enzymes (MEK1 and MEK2), which are involved in stimulating cells to grow. In NF1, these enzymes are overactive, causing tumour cells to grow in an unregulated way creating so-called plexiform neurofibromas (PN). By blocking these enzymes, Koselugo slows down the growth of tumour cells and, therefore, the PN growth.

Koselugo is approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and other countries and has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in the US, EU, Japan and other countries for the treatment of certain paediatric patients with NF1 who have symptomatic, inoperable PN.

On November 12, 2024 AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo reported to have submitted a new Biologics License Application (BLA) for accelerated approval in the US for datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated (EGFR) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have received prior systemic therapies, including an EGFR-directed therapy (Press release, AstraZeneca, NOV 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234648222]).

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The companies have voluntarily withdrawn the BLA in the US for datopotamab deruxtecan for patients with advanced or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC based on the TROPION-Lung01 Phase III trial.

The decision to submit a new BLA for EGFR-mutated NSCLC and withdraw the previously submitted BLA for nonsquamous NSCLC was informed by feedback from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The new BLA is based on results from the TROPION-Lung05 Phase II trial and supported by data from the TROPION-Lung01 Phase III and TROPION-PanTumor01 Phase I trials. New results from a pooled analysis of patients with previously treated EGFR-mutated NSCLC in the TROPION-Lung05 and TROPION-Lung01 trials will be featured in a late-breaking presentation at the upcoming European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Asia 2024 Congress (LBA7).

Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: "TROPION-Lung01 was designed to test the potential to improve upon standard-of-care chemotherapy in a broad, previously treated, advanced lung cancer patient population. The results, together with data from TROPION-Lung05, showed an especially pronounced benefit for patients with an EGFR mutation which informed our discussions with the FDA and the decision to seek accelerated approval of datopotamab deruxtecan in this patient population. TROPION-Lung01 has also provided exciting exploratory data supporting our biomarker development, which will be validated in ongoing and planned Phase III lung cancer trials."

Ken Takeshita, MD, Global Head, R&D, Daiichi Sankyo, said: "Treating EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer is incredibly challenging following disease progression given that the complexity and variability of these mutations often lead to resistance. The potential approval of datopotamab deruxtecan could offer renewed hope for patients with this formidable disease."

Datopotamab deruxtecan is a specifically engineered TROP2-directed DXd antibody drug conjugate (ADC) discovered by Daiichi Sankyo and being jointly developed by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.

AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo are evaluating datopotamab deruxtecan alone and with Tagrisso (osimertinib) as treatment for patients with advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated nonsquamous NSCLC in the ongoing TROPION-Lung14 and TROPION-Lung15 Phase III trials. In addition, ongoing Phase III trials in 1st-line advanced or metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC, AVANZAR and TROPION-Lung10, have the potential to validate the QCS (quantitative continuous scoring) biomarker for TROP2 identified in an exploratory analysis of TROPION-Lung01. An additional trial in patients with biomarker-positive tumours in the 2nd-line nonsquamous NSCLC setting is also planned.

Notes

Advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Nearly 2.5 million lung cancer cases were diagnosed globally in 2022.1 Lung cancer is broadly split into small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) or NSCLC, the latter accounting for about 80% of cases.2 Approximately 10-15% of patients with NSCLC in the US and Europe, and 30-40% of patients in Asia have an EGFR mutation.3,4 The majority of EGFR mutations occur in tumours of nonsquamous histology.5

For patients with tumours that have an EGFR mutation, the established 1st-line treatment in the metastatic setting is an EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI).6 While EGFR-TKIs have improved outcomes in the 1st-line setting, most patients eventually experience disease progression and receive chemotherapy.7-10

TROP2 is a protein broadly expressed in the majority of NSCLC tumours.11 There is currently no TROP2-directed ADC approved for the treatment of lung cancer.6,12

TROPION-Lung05
TROPION-Lung05 is a global, multicentre, single-arm, open-label Phase II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of datopotamab deruxtecan in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with actionable genomic alterations who have progressed on or after one regimen of platinum-based chemotherapy and at least one TKI (with or without other systemic therapies). Patients receiving up to four prior lines of treatment with tumours with one or more genomic alterations including EGFR, ALK, ROS1, NTRK, BRAF, RET or MET were eligible for the trial.

The primary trial endpoint of TROPION-Lung05 is objective response rate (ORR) as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR). Secondary efficacy endpoints include duration of response (DoR), disease control rate (DCR), clinical benefit rate, progression-free survival (PFS), time to response (TTR), overall survival (OS) and safety.

TROPION-Lung05 enrolled 137 patients globally in Asia, Europe and North America. For more information visit ClinicalTrials.gov.

TROPION-Lung01
TROPION-Lung01 is a global, randomised, multicentre, open-label Phase III trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of datopotamab deruxtecan versus docetaxel in adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with and without actionable genomic alterations who require systemic therapy following prior treatment. Patients with actionable genomic alterations were previously treated with an approved targeted therapy and platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients without known actionable genomic alterations were previously treated, concurrently or sequentially, with platinum-based chemotherapy and a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor.

The dual primary endpoints of TROPION-Lung01 are PFS as assessed by BICR and OS. Key secondary endpoints include investigator-assessed PFS, ORR, DOR, TTR, and DCR as assessed by both BICR and investigator, and safety.

TROPION-Lung01 enrolled approximately 600 patients in Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America. For more information visit ClinicalTrials.gov.

Primary PFS and interim OS results from TROPION-Lung01 were presented at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2023 Congress. Final OS results were presented at IASLC 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and simultaneously published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in September 2024.

TROPION-PanTumor01
TROPION-PanTumor01 is a first-in-human, open-label, two-part, multicentre Phase I trial evaluating the safety and preliminary efficacy of datopotamab deruxtecan in patients with advanced solid tumours that have relapsed or are refractory to standard treatment or for which no standard treatment is available. The dose escalation portion of the trial enrolled patients with NSCLC to assess the safety and tolerability of datopotamab deruxtecan to determine the recommended dose for expansion (6 mg/kg). The dose expansion part of TROPION-PanTumor01 is enrolling several different cohorts including patients with NSCLC, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), HR-positive, HER2-low or negative breast cancer, SCLC, urothelial, gastric, pancreatic, castration-resistant prostate and esophageal cancer.

Safety endpoints include dose-limiting toxicities and serious adverse events. Efficacy endpoints include ORR, DoR, TTR, PFS and OS. Pharmacokinetic, biomarker and immunogenicity endpoints also are being evaluated.

TROPION-PanTumor01 enrolled approximately 900 patients in Asia and North America. For more information visit ClinicalTrials.gov.

Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd)
Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) is an investigational TROP2-directed ADC. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary DXd ADC Technology, datopotamab deruxtecan is one of six DXd ADCs in the oncology pipeline of Daiichi Sankyo, and one of the most advanced programmes in AstraZeneca’s ADC scientific platform. Datopotamab deruxtecan is comprised of a humanized anti-TROP2 IgG1 monoclonal antibody, developed in collaboration with Sapporo Medical University, attached to a number of topoisomerase I inhibitor payloads (an exatecan derivative, DXd) via tetrapeptide-based cleavable linkers.

A comprehensive global clinical development programme is underway with more than 20 trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of datopotamab deruxtecan across multiple cancers, including NSCLC, TNBC and HR-positive, HER2-low or negative breast cancer. The programme includes seven Phase III trials in lung cancer and five Phase III trials in breast cancer evaluating datopotamab deruxtecan as a monotherapy and in combination with other anticancer treatments in various settings.