Initial Efficacy Data for GlycoMimetics’ GMI-1271 Combined with Chemotherapy in Patients with AML to Be Presented at European Hematology Association 21st Congress

On May 19, 2016 GlycoMimetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLYC) reported that initial efficacy data from a Phase 1/2 clinical trial on the effects of drug candidate GMI-1271 combined with chemotherapy on patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were accepted as a poster to be presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper)’s 21st Congress, taking place June 9-12 in Copenhagen, Denmark (Press release, GlycoMimetics, MAY 19, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512607]).

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The poster (P191), entitled "Results of a Phase 1 study of GMI-1271, a novel E-selectin antagonist in combination with induction chemotherapy in relapse/refractory AML: a novel, well-tolerated regimen with a high remission rate," is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. CET on Friday, June 10.

The abstract is available here

About GMI-1271

GMI-1271 is designed to block E-selectin (an adhesion molecule on cells in the bone marrow) from binding with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells in ways that help the cancer cells evade the effects of chemotherapy treatment. Preclinical research points to the drug’s potential role in moving cancerous cells out of the protective environment of the bone marrow where they hide and escape the effects of chemotherapy. By blocking E-selectin, GMI-1271 also may protect normal blood-producing cells, and reduce the toxic side effects of chemotherapy such as low white blood cell counts that make some patients more prone to infections. GMI-1271 may also reduce mucositis (inflammation or lesions in the intestinal tract and mouth), which can be a side effect of chemotherapy. GlycoMimetics has announced encouraging initial top line data from the first two cohorts in its ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical study.

Horizon Pharma plc to Acquire Worldwide Rights to Interferon Gamma-1b From Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH

On May 19, 2016 Horizon Pharma plc (NASDAQ: HZNP) ("Horizon Pharma"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients’ lives by identifying, developing, acquiring and commercializing differentiated and accessible medicines that address unmet medical needs, reported that its affiliate has entered into a definitive agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH ("Boehringer Ingelheim") to acquire the rights to interferon gamma-1b, which Boehringer Ingelheim commercializes under the trade names IMUKIN, IMUKINE, IMMUKIN and IMMUKINE in an estimated 30 countries primarily in Europe and the Middle East (Press release, Horizon Pharma, MAY 19, 2016, View Source [SID:1234514863]).

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"Obtaining worldwide rights for interferon gamma-1b solidifies our continued investment in the medicine, and pending the outcome of clinical studies investigating it in Friedreich’s ataxia and advanced solid tumors, such as kidney and bladder cancer, strengthens our ability to expand its potential global use," said Timothy P. Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Horizon Pharma plc.

Under the terms of the agreement, Horizon Pharma paid Boehringer Ingelheim EUR 5 million upon signing and will pay EUR 20 million upon closing for the rights for interferon gamma-1b in all territories outside of the United States, Canada and Japan. Horizon Pharma and Boehringer Ingelheim expect to close the transaction by year-end 2016, subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions.

Under the terms of a separate agreement with an undisclosed third party, Horizon Pharma also licensed the U.S., European and Canadian intellectual property rights for interferon gamma-1b for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia. Interferon gamma-1b is currently not indicated or approved for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia.

On May 5, 2016, the Company announced that it completed target enrollment of 90 patients in the Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled STEADFAST study evaluating ACTIMMUNE in patients with Friedreich’s ataxia. Top-line results from the trial are expected by the end of 2016.

As a result of the agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim, Horizon Pharma will immediately begin investing in related manufacturing, supply chain, regulatory and commercial activities for interferon gamma-1b. As a result, the Company anticipates a reduction to 2016 adjusted EBITDA of approximately $10 million versus prior guidance.

Incyte Highlights Jakafi® (ruxolitinib) and Capmatinib Abstracts to be Presented at the 2016 ASCO and EHA Annual Meetings

On May 19, 2016 Incyte Corporation (Nasdaq: INCY) reported that more than 20 abstracts featuring its clinical development candidates will be presented at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) annual meetings (Press release, Incyte, MAY 19, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2169771 [SID:1234512564]). These conferences will take place from June 3–7, 2016 (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) in Chicago, Illinois and June 9–12, 2016 (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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"The abstracts to be presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) illustrate both the diversity and the potential of our rich portfolio," stated Steven Stein, M.D., Incyte’s Chief Medical Officer. "We are especially pleased to present long-term data from the COMFORT-I Phase 3 study, which further advances the understanding of Jakafi in the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis. These five-year data, along with additional new data from capmatinib, our potent and highly selective c-MET inhibitor licensed to Novartis, underscore Incyte’s commitment to researching and progressing innovative therapies that have the potential to transform the lives of patients living with cancer."

Select ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Abstracts

Myelofibrosis
Long-term Outcomes of Ruxolitinib Therapy in Patients with Myelofibrosis: 5-Year Update from COMFORT-I (Abstract #7012)
June 6, 2016, 8:00–11:30 a.m., E354b Hall A
ReTHINK: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter, Phase 3 Study of Ruxolitinib in Early Myelofibrosis patients with High Molecular Risk Mutations (Abstract #TPS7080)
June 6, 2016, 8:00–11:30 a.m., Hall A, Poster Board #67b

Solid Tumors
GEOMETRY duo-1: A Phase Ib/II, Multicenter Trial of Oral cMET inhibitor Capmatinib (INC280) ± Erlotinib vs. Platinum/Pemetrexed in Adult Patients with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-mutated, cMET-amplified, Locally Advanced/Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) with Acquired Resistance to Prior EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) Therapy (Abstract #TPS9109)
June 4, 8:00–11:30 a.m., Hall A, Poster Board #427a
Phase I Study of the Safety and Efficacy of the c-MET Inhibitor Capmatinib (INC280) in Patients with Advanced c-MET+ NSCLC (Abstract #9067)
June 4, 8:00–11:30 a.m., Hall A, Poster Board #390
Phase II Study of the Efficacy and Safety of the c-MET Inhibitor Capmatinib (INC280) in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Abstract #4074)
June 4, 8:00–11:30 a.m., Hall A, Poster Board #66
Phase II Safety and Efficacy Results of a Single-arm Phase Ib/II Study of Capmatinib (INC280) + Gefitinib in Patients with EGFR-mutated, c-MET-positive Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (Abstract #9020)
June 4, 3:00–4:15 p.m., E354b Hall A
Select EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) Abstracts
Myelofibrosis
Long-Term Outcomes of Ruxolitinib Therapy in Patients with Myelofibrosis: 5-Year Final Efficacy and Safety Analysis from COMFORT-I (Abstract #S452)
June 11, 11:30–11:45 a.m., Hall A3
Safety and Efficacy of Ruxolitinib in Patients with Dipss Intermediate-1–Risk Myelofibrosis from JUMP: An Open-Label, Multicenter, Single-Arm Expanded-Access Study (Abstract # P296)
June 10, 5:15–6:45 p.m., Hall H
Polycythemia Vera
Ruxolitinib Reduces JAK2V617F Allele Burden in Patients with Polycythemia Vera enrolled in the RESPONSE Study (Abstract #S454)
June 11, 12:00–12:15 p.m., Hall A3
Ruxolitinib Proves Superior to Best Available Therapy in Patients with Polycythemia Vera Resistant to or Intolerant of Hydroxyurea and a Nonpalpable Spleen; Results from RESPONSE-2 (Abstract #S112)
June 10, 12:00–12:15 p.m., Auditorium 1
Essential Thrombocythaemia
Ruxolitinib Compared with Best Available Therapy for Essential Thrombocythaemia Patients Resistant or Intolerant to Hydroxycarbamide in MAJIC – An Investigator Lead Randomized Trial (Abstract #LB304)
June 10, 5:15–6:45 p.m., Hall H
Full session details and data presentations at the 2016 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting can be found at: View Source Full session details and data presentations at the 21st Congress of the EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) can be found at: http://www.ehaweb.org/congress-and-events/21st-congress/program/program-by-day/.
About Jakafi (ruxolitinib)
Ruxolitinib is a first-in-class JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as Jakafi (ruxolitinib), for treatment of people with polycythemia vera (PV) who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of hydroxyurea.
Jakafi is also indicated for treatment of people with intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF), including primary MF, post–polycythemia vera MF, and post–essential thrombocythemia MF.
Jakafi is marketed by Incyte in the United States and by Novartis as Jakavi (ruxolitinib) outside the United States.
Important Safety Information
Jakafi can cause serious side effects, including:
Low blood counts: Jakafi (ruxolitinib) may cause your platelet, red blood cell, or white blood cell counts to be lowered. If you develop bleeding, stop taking Jakafi and call your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will perform blood tests to check your blood counts before you start Jakafi and regularly during your treatment. Your healthcare provider may change your dose of Jakafi or stop your treatment based on the results of your blood tests. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop or have worsening symptoms such as unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, shortness of breath, or a fever.
Infection: You may be at risk for developing a serious infection during treatment with Jakafi. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of the following symptoms of infection: chills, nausea, vomiting, aches, weakness, fever, painful skin rash or blisters.
Skin cancers: Some people who take Jakafi have developed certain types of non-melanoma skin cancers. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any new or changing skin lesions.
Increases in Cholesterol: You may have changes in your blood cholesterol levels. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your cholesterol levels during your treatment with Jakafi.
The most common side effects of Jakafi include: low platelet count, low red blood cell counts, bruising, dizziness, headache.
These are not all the possible side effects of Jakafi. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Before taking Jakafi, tell your healthcare provider about: all the medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking and all your medical conditions, including if you have an infection, have or had tuberculosis (TB), or have been in close contact with someone who has TB, have or had hepatitis B, have or had liver or kidney problems, are on dialysis, had skin cancer or have any other medical condition. Take Jakafi exactly as your healthcare provider tells you. Do not change or stop taking Jakafi without first talking to your healthcare provider. Do not drink grapefruit juice while on Jakafi.
Women should not take Jakafi while pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or if breast-feeding.
Full Prescribing Information, which includes a more complete discussion of the risks associated with Jakafi, is available at www.jakafi.com.

Infinity Announces Presentations On Investigational Development Candidates, Duvelisib And IPI-549, At Upcoming EHA And ASCO Meetings

On May 19, 2016 Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: INFI) reported that new data will be presented for duvelisib, an investigational, oral, dual inhibitor of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-delta and PI3K-gamma, at the 21st Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) taking place from June 9 – 12, 2016, in Copenhagen (Press release, Infinity Pharmaceuticals, MAY 19, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2169736 [SID:1234512585]). At the meeting, preliminary data from CONTEMPO, a Phase 1b/2 study evaluating duvelisib in combination with rituximab or obinutuzmab in treatment-naïve follicular lymphoma patients, will be presented in a poster session. Duvelisib is the only dual inhibitor of PI3K-delta,gamma in Phase 3 clinical development and is in registration-focused studies in patients with relapsed/refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL) and relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Infinity and AbbVie are jointly developing duvelisib in oncology.

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Additionally, posters reviewing ongoing clinical studies of duvelisib and IPI-549, Infinity’s investigational immuno-oncology development candidate that selectively inhibits PI3K-gamma, will be presented at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting taking place in Chicago from June 3 – 7, 2016.

Presentations and publications are listed below. All abstracts are available on the conference websites.

EHA 2016
Friday, June 10, 2016, 11:15 a.m. ET – 12:45 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. CEST) (poster presentation)
Title: Preliminary Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of Duvelisib Plus Rituximab or Obinutuzumab in Patients with Previously Untreated CD20+ Follicular Lymphoma
Abstract Number: P319
Lead Author: Carla Casulo, M.D., James P. Wilmont Cancer Center Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester
Location: Hall H

ASCO 2016
Sunday, June 5, 2016, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET (8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CT) (poster session)
Title: IPI-549-01-A phase 1/1b First-in-Human Study of IPI-549, a PI3K-Gamma Inhibitor, as Monotherapy and in Combination with Pembrolizumab in Subjects with Advanced Solid Tumors
Abstract Number: TPS3111
Lead Author: Anthony W. Tolcher, M.D, Director of Clinical Research, South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics (START)
Location: Hall A

Monday, June 6, 2016, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET (8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CT) (poster session)
Title: FRESCO: A Phase 2, Randomized Study of Duvelisib Plus Rituximab vs R-CHOP in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Follicular Lymphoma Who Have Progressed within 24 Months of Receiving an Alkylator-Based Chemotherapy Regimen.
Abstract Number: TPS7578
Lead Author: Nathan Fowler, M.D., Associate Professor at the Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Location: Hall A

ASCO Publication Only
Title: Preliminary Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of Duvelisib Plus Rituximab or Obinutuzumab in Patients with Previously Untreated CD20+ Follicular Lymphoma
Abstract Number: #e19052
Lead Author: Carla Casulo, M.D., James P. Wilmont Cancer Center Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester

About Duvelisib
Duvelisib is an investigational dual inhibitor of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-delta and PI3K-gamma, two proteins that are known to help support the growth and survival of malignant B-cells. PI3K signaling may lead to the proliferation of malignant B-cells and is thought to play a role in the formation and maintenance of the supportive tumor microenvironment. 1-3AbbVie and Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. are jointly researching and developing duvelisib in various cancer types.

Duvelisib is being evaluated in several studies, including a Phase 2 study in patients with refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma4, a Phase 3 study in combination with other agents in patients with previously treated follicular lymphoma5 and a Phase 3 study in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia6. Duvelisib is an investigational compound and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by the FDA or any other health authority.

About IPI-549
IPI-549 is an orally administered immuno-oncology development candidate that selectively inhibits PI3K-gamma. In preclinical studies, IPI-549 inhibits immune-suppressive macrophages within the tumor microenvironment, whereas other immunotherapies such as checkpoint modulators more directly target immune effector cell function. As such, IPI-549 may have the potential to treat a broad range of solid tumors and represents a potentially complementary approach to restoring anti-tumor immunity in combination with other immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors.

These are investigational drugs being studied for indications that have not been approved by Regulatory Agencies. Safety and efficacy have not been established in unapproved indications.

Novocure Enrolls Last Patient in INNOVATE Trial Testing Tumor Treating Fields Plus Paclitaxel in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

On May 19, 2016 Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR) reported that the last patient has been enrolled in the INNOVATE trial, a phase 2 pilot trial testing Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy in combination with weekly paclitaxel for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer (Press release, NovoCure, MAY 19, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512608]). The final data collection date will be six months after the last patient in.

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"TTFields therapy is an exciting, novel treatment modality with the potential to make a difference in the lives of recurrent ovarian cancer patients," said Professor Ignace Vergote, Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Catholic University Leuven and Director of the Leuven Cancer Institute, European Union. "We are eager to observe the results."

The open-label trial includes 30 patients from Spain, Belgium and Switzerland. INNOVATE is designed to test the feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy of TTFields therapy together with weekly paclitaxel in recurrent ovarian cancer patients. Novocure plans to conduct a phase 3 pivotal trial in ovarian cancer if the results from the phase 2 trial are promising.

"We were happy to pioneer this pilot project and are looking forward to working on a randomized trial testing the efficacy of TTFields in ovarian cancer," said Professor Cristiana Sessa, Vice Head of Medical Oncology and Head of Clinical Research at the Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale San Giovanni in Bellinzona.

"In all of our preclinical and clinical research over the last 15 years, we have observed a consistent physical antimitotic effect regardless of cancer type," said Uri Weinberg, MD, PhD, Novocure’s Vice President of Research and Development, Clinical Trials. "Our preclinical research has shown synergistic effects between TTFields and taxane-based chemotherapies, and we are hopeful about the results of this study of TTFields plus weekly paclitaxel in recurrent ovarian cancer. Novocure is committed to developing TTFields as a low toxicity, effective therapy for multiple solid tumor cancers."

About Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in women in the United States. The National Cancer Institute estimated that in 2015, there were approximately 21,000 new cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed and approximately 14,000 deaths in the United States. Ovarian cancer incidence increases with age, and the median age at time of diagnosis is 63 years old. The five-year survival rate is 44 percent, and the majority of patients present at advanced stage with 60 percent having metastatic disease. TTFields therapy is not approved for the treatment of ovarian cancer by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The safety and effectiveness of TTFields therapy for ovarian cancer has not been established.