OHSU and Aptose Present New CG-806 Preclinical Data at ASH 60th Annual Meeting

On December 3, 2018 Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Aptose Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: APTO, TSX: APS) reported the presentation of preclinical data demonstrating that CG-806, a first-in-class pan-FLT3/pan-BTK inhibitor, exhibits broad ex vivo potency on bone marrow cells from patients with diverse hematologic malignancies and superior potency relative to ibrutinib on those bone marrow cells from patients with CLL or other B-cell cancers (Press release, Aptose Biosciences, DEC 3, 2018, View Source [SID1234531814]). In addition, bioinformatic analyses revealed an unexpected ex vivo potency of CG-806 on bone marrow cells from AML patients with IDH1 mutations or with FLT3-ITD mutations. Plus, CG-806 demonstrated a favorable safety profile in GLP toxicology and safety studies. The data were highlighted in a poster presentation on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at the 60th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition being held December 1-4, 2018 in San Diego, CA. Separately, Aptose and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center researchers also presented new data on CG-806 at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) (see press release here).

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Studies have shown that more than 50% of patients with CLL and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) discontinue ibrutinib treatment due to intolerance or emergence of resistant disease. "Our data indicate that CG-806 clearly addresses ibrutinib’s shortcomings, inhibiting driver and rescue pathways to directly and potently kill a broad range of malignant B-cells. CG-806 has potential to be an important part of our future armamentarium against hematologic malignancies that are resistant, refractory or intolerant to other therapies," said Jeffrey W. Tyner, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the OHSU School of Medicine department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology.

The poster, CG-806, a First-in-Class Pan-FLT3/Pan-BTK Inhibitor, Exhibits Broader and Greater Potency than Ibrutinib Against Primary and Cultured Malignant B Cells, evaluated the activity of CG-806 on various hematologic malignancy cell lines and patient primary bone marrow specimens. CG-806 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis with a potency that was 50-6,000 times greater than that of ibrutinib when tested against 14 established malignant B-cell lines in vitro. When tested against 124 samples freshly isolated from the bone marrow of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients, the median IC50 for CG-806 was 0.11 µM and the median for ibrutinib was 4.09 µM, respectively, p<0.001. Since stromal mediated signaling plays an important role in malignant B-cell survival and chemoresistance, the apoptotic effect of CG-806 was further analyzed on cultured and primary malignant B-cells in the presence of stromal cells, and its potency was not impaired. CG-806 was shown to be significantly more potent than Ibrutinib at inhibiting malignant B-cell colony formation, migration, and inducing apoptosis in the presence of stromal cells.

Primary cells from patients with diverse hematologic malignancies are highly sensitive to CG-806, including cells with the FLT3-ITD mutation, found in approximately 30% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. The data presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) showed that primary cells from AML patients with the IDH-1 mutation similarly demonstrated high sensitivity to CG-806. Aptose also reported new results from the 28-day GLP toxicity and toxicokinetic studies of CG-806, which continue to demonstrate a highly favorable safety profile with no adverse findings to date.

"CG-806’s activity against IDH-1 mutant AML patient bone marrow cells is an unexpected new finding that further broadens its potential use and potential paths for rapid development," said William G. Rice, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aptose. "In addition, CG-806 has continued to perform well in all toxicology and safety studies, and we look forward to filing an IND in early 2019."

About CG-806
CG-806 is a preclinical stage oral, first-in-class pan-FLT3/pan-BTK multi-cluster kinase inhibitor. This small molecule demonstrates potent inhibition of wild type and all mutant forms of FLT3 (including internal tandem duplication, or ITD, and mutations of the receptor tyrosine kinase domain and gatekeeper region), eliminates acute myeloid leukemia (AML) tumors in the absence of toxicity in murine xenograft models, and represents a potential best-in-class therapeutic for patients with AML. Likewise, CG-806 demonstrates potent, non-covalent inhibition of the wild type and Cys481Ser mutant forms of the BTK enzyme, as well as other oncogenic kinase pathways operative in B cell malignancies, suggesting CG-806 may be developed for various B-cell malignancy patients (including CLL, MCL, DLBCL and others) that are resistant/refractory/intolerant to covalent BTK inhibitors. It is in development for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and B cell lymphoma.

TRACON Pharmaceuticals And I-Mab Biopharma To Host Conference Call To Discuss Strategic Partnerships For Multiple Immuno-Oncology Programs

On December 3, 2018 TRACON Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: TCON), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel targeted therapeutics for cancer, and I-Mab Biopharma ("I-Mab"), a China-based clinical stage biopharmaceutical company exclusively focused on the development of innovative biologics in immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases, will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, to discuss the recently announced series of strategic collaborative partnerships for developing multiple immuno-oncology programs (Press release, Tracon Pharmaceuticals, DEC 3, 2018, http://ir.traconpharma.com/news-releases/news-release-details/tracon-pharmaceuticals-and-i-mab-biopharma-host-conference-call [SID1234531830]).

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Wednesday, December 5th @ 4:30pm Eastern Time
US Investors: 877-407-9039
International: 201-689-8470
Passcode: 13685586
Webcast: View Source

Replays, Available through December 19th:
Domestic: 844-512-2921
International: 412-317-6671
Replay PIN: 13685586
About TRACON
TRACON develops targeted therapies for cancer and ophthalmic diseases. The Company’s clinical-stage pipeline includes: TRC105, an endoglin antibody that is being developed for the treatment of multiple cancers; DE-122, the ophthalmic formulation of TRC105 that is being developed in wet AMD by corporate partner Santen Pharmaceutical Company Ltd.; TRC102, a small molecule being developed for the treatment of lung cancer and solid tumors; and TRC253, a small molecule being developed for the treatment of prostate cancer. To learn more about TRACON and its product candidates, visit TRACON’s website at www.traconpharma.com.

About I-Mab
I-Mab is a dynamic and fast-growing global company exclusively focused on developing first-in-class and best-in-class biologics in the areas of immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases through internal R&D capabilities and global partnerships. I-Mab’s pipeline is driven by the company’s development strategy to address unmet needs in China and to bring innovative assets to the world. The company is prepared to submit additional INDs in order to initiate clinical trials in China and the U.S., including multiple Phase II and Phase III studies. I-Mab is on a fast track towards becoming an end-to-end fully integrated biopharma company. The company has been well-recognized by capital markets with the recent $220 million Series C financing representing one of the largest amounts ever raised by an innovative biotech company in China. www.i-mabbiopharma.com

Verastem Oncology Announces Presentation of Updated Duvelisib Combination Clinical Data in Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma at the American Society of Hematology 2018 Annual Meeting

On December 3, 2018 Verastem, Inc. (Nasdaq:VSTM) (Verastem Oncology or the Company), focused on developing and commercializing medicines to improve the survival and quality of life of cancer patients, reported an oral presentation highlighting new clinical data from an investigator sponsored trial, led by Steven Horwitz, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), evaluating duvelisib in combination with romidepsin in patients with relapsed or refractory T-cell lymphomas, including peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) 2018 Annual Meeting, taking place December 1-4, 2018, in San Diego (Press release, Verastem, DEC 3, 2018, View Source [SID1234531847]). Duvelisib is an oral inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and the first approved dual inhibitor of PI3K-delta and PI3K-gamma.

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"The data demonstrate that the combination of oral duvelisib and romidepsin has an acceptable safety profile and the presence of early signals of anti-lymphoma activity in patients with PTCL," said Steven Horwitz, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), co-principal investigator of the Phase 1 study, and lead author of the oral presentation. "The response rate observed to date from the combination is compelling considering that PTCL is an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma for which new therapies are desperately needed. We look forward to further elucidating the potential of this novel combination regimen through completion of this expansion cohort."

Phase 1 Results with Duvelisib and Romidepsin in Relapsed or Refractory PTCL

In this multicenter, dose-expansion portion of the Phase 1 trial, oral duvelisib was dosed at 75mg twice-daily (BID) on days 1-28. Romidepsin 10mg/m2 was dosed on Days 1, 8, and 15 on a 28-day cycle. Of the 38 patients evaluable for efficacy (PTCL, n=27; CTCL, n=11), 21 responded (9 complete responses (CRs) and 12 partial responses (PRs)) for an overall response rate (ORR) of 55%. Sixteen of the 27 patients with PTCL responded (9 CRs and 7 PRs) for an ORR of 59%. Five of the 11 patients with CTCL responded (all PRs) for an ORR of 45%. Median progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with PTCL was 6.72 months and 5.41 months for patients with CTCL. Among the 39 patients evaluable for safety, the most common Grade ≥3 adverse events were neutropenia (33%), diarrhea (15%) and increased alanine aminotransferase (13%).

A PDF copy of the oral presentation will be available here following the conclusion of the session.

Verastem Oncology is currently conducting an open-label, multicenter, Phase 2 clinical trial (the PRIMO study; NCT03372057) evaluating the efficacy and safety of duvelisib monotherapy in adult patients with histologically confirmed relapsed or refractory PTCL. This study is expected to enroll approximately 120 patients.

In addition, Verastem Oncology’s PTCL program was recently selected to participate in The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Therapy Acceleration Program which provides additional resources to support the development of therapies for patients with blood cancers. The program is supporting work on translational biomarkers of response, patient enrollment acceleration in PRIMO and an increase in the total patient enrollment in the combination study of duvelisib and romidepsin being presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper).

Details for presentation are as follows:

Oral Presentation

Title: The combination of Duvelisib, a PI3K-δ,γ Inhibitor, and Romidepsin is highly active in relapsed/refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma with low rates of transaminitis: Results of a multicenter, multi-arm phase 1 study with expansion cohorts
Presenter: Steven Horwitz, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
Abstract Number/Publication ID: 683
Session: 624. Hodgkin Lymphoma and T/NK Cell Lymphoma—Clinical Studies: Immunotherapy and Targeted Strategies

About Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a rare, aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that develops in mature white blood cells called "T cells" and "natural killer (NK) cells"1 which circulate with the lymphatic system.2 PTCL accounts for between 10-15% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) and generally affects people aged 60 years and older.1 Although there are many different subtypes of peripheral T-cell lymphoma, they often present in a similar way, with widespread, enlarged, painless lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin.2 There is currently no established standard of care for patients with relapsed or refractory disease.1

Agios Announces Updated Data from Phase 1 Study of Ivosidenib or Enasidenib in Combination with Standard Induction and Consolidation Chemotherapy in Newly Diagnosed AML Patients With an IDH Mutation

On December 3, 2018 Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AGIO), a leader in the field of cellular metabolism to treat cancer and rare genetic diseases, reported its data from a Phase 1 study evaluating ivosidenib or enasidenib in combination with standard induction and consolidation chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and an isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)1 or IDH2 mutation (Press release, Agios Pharmaceuticals, DEC 3, 2018, View Source [SID1234531864]). The data were featured in an oral presentation at the 60thAmerican Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in San Diego.

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"These data demonstrate that combining full doses of standard induction and consolidation chemotherapy with ivosidenib or enasidenib is well tolerated and has the potential to provide benefit for AML patients in the frontline setting," said Eytan Stein, M.D., study investigator and attending physician in the leukemia service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. "The addition of an IDH inhibitor to induction and consolidation followed administration as single-agent maintenance therapy for patients with newly diagnosed AML will be evaluated further in a Phase 3 randomized study."

"The molecular remissions observed in these newly diagnosed AML patients is encouraging," said Chris Bowden, M.D., chief medical officer at Agios. "In conjunction with Celgene, we will provide support of the Phase 3 HOVON 150 AML/AMLSG 29-18 study, which is planned to initiate by year-end. HOVON 150 AML/AMLSG 29-18 is an intergroup sponsored, global, registration-enabling trial combining ivosidenib or enasidenib with standard induction and consolidation chemotherapy followed by a maintenance therapy period in frontline AML patients with an IDH1 or IDH2 mutation, respectively."

About the Ongoing Phase 1 Study
As of the August 1, 2018 data cut-off, 60 newly diagnosed AML patients with mIDH1 received 500 mg of ivosidenib and standard induction chemotherapy (daunorubicin 60 mg/m2/day or idarubicin 12 mg/m2/day x 3 days with cytarabine 200 mg/m2/day x 7 days) and 93 newly diagnosed AML patients with mIDH2 received 100 mg of enasidenib and standard induction chemotherapy. After induction, patients received up to four cycles of consolidation chemotherapy while continuing ivosidenib (n=28) or enasidenib (n=45). Patients who achieved a complete response (CR) or a complete response with incomplete neutrophil or platelet recovery (CRi/CRp) after consolidation could continue taking single agent ivosidenib or enasidenib daily until the end of the study which is up to two years from the last patient dosed.

70% of ivosidenib-treated patients and 63% of enasidenib-treated patients had de novo AML, while the remaining had secondary AML (sAML).
In patients with sAML, 22% in the ivosidenib cohort and 50% in the enasidenib cohort had received prior hypomethylating agent therapy.
The median age of patients was 62.5 years (range 24-76) in the ivosidenib cohort and 63 years (range 27-77) in the enasidenib cohort.
The most commonly occurring baseline co-mutations in ivosidenib-treated patients were DNMT3A, NPM1, ASXL1 and BCOR while in enasidenib-treated patients, the most commonly occurring baseline mutations were DNMT3A, SRSF2, ASXL1 and RUNX1.
Ivosidenib Results

Safety Data

The frequency of Grade 3 or higher adverse events of interest, regardless of attribution, during the induction period were: IDH differentiation syndrome in 3% (2/60) of patients, QT interval prolongation in 2% (1/60) of patients and blood bilirubin increased in 7% (4/60) of patients.
The 30-day mortality rate was 5% and the 60-day mortality rate was 8%.
Efficacy Data

An overall best response of CR+CRi/CRp was achieved in 80% (39/49) of efficacy evaluable patients.
The CR+CRi/CRp rate for de novo patients was 91% (31/34) and 53% (8/15) for sAML patients.
In a subset of patients who achieved a CR or CRi/CRp, elimination of measurable residual disease (MRD) by flow cytometry was observed in 88% (15/17) of patients.
In patients whose best response was CR or CRi/CRp, IDH1 mutation clearance by digital PCR was achieved in 41% (12/29) of patients.
At the time of the data cut-off, the probability of survival at one-year was 79% and median overall survival (OS) was not yet estimable.
The median time to absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovery (>500/µL) from induction therapy (n=38) was 28 days (95% CI 28, 30). Median time to platelet recovery (>50,000/µL) from induction therapy (n=38) was 28 days (95% CI 27, 30).
Enasidenib Results

Safety Data

The frequency of Grade 3 or higher adverse events of interest, regardless of attribution, during the induction period were: IDH differentiation syndrome in 1% (1/93) of patients and blood bilirubin increased in 14% (13/93) of patients.
The 30-day mortality rate was 5% and the 60-day mortality rate was 9%.
Efficacy Data

An overall best response of CR+CRi/CRp was achieved in 72% (64/89) of efficacy evaluable patients.
The CR+CRi/CRp rate for de novo patients was 77% (43/56) and 64% (21/33) for sAML patients.
In a subset of patients who achieved a CR or CRi/CRp, elimination of MRD by flow cytometry was observed in 45% (9/20) of patients.
In patients whose best response was CR or CRi/CRp, IDH2 mutation clearance by digital PCR was achieved in 25% (15/59) of patients.
At the time of the data cut-off, the probability of survival at one-year was 75% and median OS was not yet estimable.
The median time to ANC recovery (>500/µL) from induction therapy (n=46) was 34 days (95% CI 31, 36). Median time to platelet recovery (>50,000/µL) from induction therapy (n=46) was 30 days (95% CI 29, 34).
Neither IDHIFA nor TIBSOVO are approved for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed AML or approved in combination with induction and consolidation chemotherapy.

About TIBSOVO (ivosidenib)

TIBSOVO (ivosidenib) is an isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a susceptible IDH1 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. For more information, visit TIBSOVO.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: DIFFERENTIATION SYNDROME

Patients treated with TIBSOVO have experienced symptoms of differentiation syndrome, which can be fatal if not treated. Symptoms may include fever, dyspnea, hypoxia, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural or pericardial effusions, rapid weight gain or peripheral edema, hypotension, and hepatic, renal, or multi-organ dysfunction. If differentiation syndrome is suspected, initiate corticosteroid therapy and hemodynamic monitoring until symptom resolution.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Differentiation Syndrome: See Boxed WARNING. In the clinical trial, 19% (34/179) of patients with relapsed or refractory AML treated with TIBSOVO experienced differentiation syndrome. Differentiation syndrome is associated with rapid proliferation and differentiation of myeloid cells and may be life-threatening or fatal if not treated. Symptoms of differentiation syndrome in patients treated with TIBSOVO included noninfectious leukocytosis, peripheral edema, pyrexia, dyspnea, pleural effusion, hypotension, hypoxia, pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, pericardial effusion, rash, fluid overload, tumor lysis syndrome, and creatinine increased. Of the 34 patients who experienced differentiation syndrome, 27 (79%) recovered after treatment or after dose interruption of TIBSOVO. Differentiation syndrome occurred as early as 1 day and up to 3 months after TIBSOVO initiation and has been observed with or without concomitant leukocytosis.

If differentiation syndrome is suspected, initiate dexamethasone 10 mg IV every 12 hours (or an equivalent dose of an alternative oral or IV corticosteroid) and hemodynamic monitoring until improvement. If concomitant noninfectious leukocytosis is observed, initiate treatment with hydroxyurea or leukapheresis, as clinically indicated. Taper corticosteroids and hydroxyurea after resolution of symptoms and administer corticosteroids for a minimum of 3 days. Symptoms of differentiation syndrome may recur with premature discontinuation of corticosteroid and/or hydroxyurea treatment. If severe signs and/or symptoms persist for more than 48 hours after initiation of corticosteroids, interrupt TIBSOVO until signs and symptoms are no longer severe.

QTc Interval Prolongation: Patients treated with TIBSOVO can develop QT (QTc) prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias. One patient developed ventricular fibrillation attributed to TIBSOVO. Concomitant use of TIBSOVO with drugs known to prolong the QTc interval (e.g., anti-arrhythmic medicines, fluoroquinolones, triazole anti-fungals, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists) and CYP3A4 inhibitors may increase the risk of QTc interval prolongation. Conduct monitoring of electrocardiograms (ECGs) and electrolytes. In patients with congenital long QTc syndrome, congestive heart failure, electrolyte abnormalities, or in those who are taking medications known to prolong the QTc interval, more frequent monitoring may be necessary.

Interrupt TIBSOVO if QTc increases to greater than 480 msec and less than 500 msec. Interrupt and reduce TIBSOVO if QTc increases to greater than 500 msec. Permanently discontinue TIBSOVO in patients who develop QTc interval prolongation with signs or symptoms of life-threatening arrhythmia.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Guillain-Barré syndrome occurred in <1% (2/258) of patients treated with TIBSOVO in the clinical study. Monitor patients taking TIBSOVO for onset of new signs or symptoms of motor and/or sensory neuropathy such as unilateral or bilateral weakness, sensory alterations, paresthesias, or difficulty breathing. Permanently discontinue TIBSOVO in patients who are diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) of any grade were fatigue (39%), leukocytosis (38%), arthralgia (36%), diarrhea (34%), dyspnea (33%), edema (32%), nausea (31%), mucositis (28%), electrocardiogram QT prolonged (26%), rash (26%), pyrexia (23%), cough (22%), and constipation (20%).
The most frequently reported ≥Grade 3 adverse reactions (≥5%) were electrocardiogram QT prolonged (10%), dyspnea (9%), leukocytosis (8%), tumor lysis syndrome (6%), and differentiation syndrome (5%).
Serious adverse reactions (≥5%) were differentiation syndrome (10%), leukocytosis (10%), and electrocardiogram QT prolonged (7%). There was one case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML).
DRUG INTERACTIONS

Strong or Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Reduce TIBSOVO dose with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. Monitor patients for increased risk of QTc interval prolongation.

Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: Avoid concomitant use with TIBSOVO.

Sensitive CYP3A4 Substrates: Avoid concomitant use with TIBSOVO.

QTc Prolonging Drugs: Avoid concomitant use with TIBSOVO. If co-administration is unavoidable, monitor patients for increased risk of QTc interval prolongation.

LACTATION

Many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with TIBSOVO and for at least 1 month after the last dose.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.

About IDHIFA (enasidenib)

IDHIFA (enasidenib) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia with an isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test.

Important Safety Information

WARNING: DIFFERENTIATION SYNDROME
Patients treated with IDHIFA have experienced symptoms of differentiation syndrome, which can be fatal if not treated. Symptoms may include fever, dyspnea, acute respiratory distress, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural or pericardial effusions, rapid weight gain or peripheral edema, lymphadenopathy, bone pain, and hepatic, renal, or multi-organ dysfunction. If differentiation syndrome is suspected, initiate corticosteroid therapy and hemodynamic monitoring until symptom resolution.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Differentiation Syndrome: See Boxed WARNING. In the clinical trial, 14% of patients treated with IDHIFA experienced differentiation syndrome. Differentiation syndrome has been observed with and without concomitant hyperleukocytosis, as early as 10 days and at up to 5 months after IDHIFA initiation. If differentiation syndrome is suspected, initiate systemic corticosteroids and hemodynamic monitoring until improvement. Taper corticosteroids only after resolution of symptoms. Differentiation syndrome symptoms may recur with premature discontinuation of corticosteroids. If severe pulmonary symptoms requiring intubation or ventilator support and/or renal dysfunction persist for more than 48 hours after initiation of corticosteroids, interrupt IDHIFA until signs and symptoms are no longer severe. Hospitalization for close observation and monitoring of patients with pulmonary and/or renal manifestation is recommended.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on animal embryo-fetal toxicity studies, IDHIFA can cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with IDHIFA and for at least 1 month after the last dose. Pregnant women, patients becoming pregnant while receiving IDHIFA, or male patients with pregnant female partners should be apprised of the potential risk to the fetus.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) included total bilirubin increased (81%), calcium decreased (74%), nausea (50%), diarrhea (43%), potassium decreased (41%), vomiting (34%), decreased appetite (34%), and phosphorus decreased (27%)
The most frequently reported ≥Grade 3 adverse reactions (≥5%) included total bilirubin increased (15%), potassium decreased (15%), phosphorus decreased (8%), calcium decreased (8%), diarrhea (8%), differentiation syndrome (7%), non-infectious leukocytosis (6%), tumor lysis syndrome (6%), and nausea (5%)
Serious adverse reactions were reported in 77.1% of patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (≥2%) were leukocytosis (10%), diarrhea (6%), nausea (5%), vomiting (3%), decreased appetite (3%), tumor lysis syndrome (5%), and differentiation syndrome (8%). Differentiation syndrome events characterized as serious included pyrexia, renal failure acute, hypoxia, respiratory failure, and multi-organ failure
LACTATION
Many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for adverse reactions in breastfed infants, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with IDHIFA and for at least 1 month after the last dose.

Geron Announces New Overall Survival Data from IMbark in Imetelstat-Treated Patients with Intermediate-2 or High-Risk Myelofibrosis and Relapsed/Refractory to Janus Kinase Inhibitor Therapy

On December 3, 2018 Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN) reported that results from IMbark, a Phase 2 clinical trial of imetelstat treatment in Intermediate-2 or High-risk myelofibrosis (MF) patients who are relapsed or refractory to a Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor, were presented at the 60th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in San Diego, California (Press release, Geron, DEC 3, 2018, View Source [SID1234531880]). The oral presentation was made on December 3, 2018 by John Mascarenhas, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine in the Myeloproliferative Disorders Program of the Tisch Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and an IMbark clinical investigator.

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"The IMbark results suggest a meaningful survival outcome in this poor-prognosis, relapsed/refractory MF patient population where there are currently no approved treatments," said John A. Scarlett, M.D., Geron’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "We plan to explore potential late-stage development opportunities for imetelstat in MF through discussions with experts in MF and regulatory authorities and expect to provide a decision regarding future development of imetelstat in this patient population by the end of the third quarter of 2019."

Clinical Data Presentation

Title: Imetelstat is Effective Treatment for Patients with Intermediate-2 or High-Risk Myelofibrosis Who Have Relapsed on or Are Refractory to Janus Kinase Inhibitor Therapy: Results of a Phase 2 Randomized Study of Two Dose Levels (Abstract #685)

IMbark is a Phase 2 clinical trial that evaluated two starting dose levels of imetelstat (either 4.7 mg/kg or 9.4 mg/kg administered by intravenous infusion every three weeks) in more than 100 patients with Intermediate-2 or High-risk MF who have relapsed after or are refractory to prior treatment with a JAK inhibitor. The oral presentation highlighted efficacy and safety data from the primary analysis, as well as overall survival data with a clinical cutoff of October 22, 2018 and a median follow up of approximately 27 months.

The co-primary efficacy endpoints for the trial are spleen response rate, defined as the proportion of patients who achieve a ≥35% reduction in spleen volume assessed by imaging; and symptom response rate, defined as the proportion of patients who achieve a ≥50% reduction in Total Symptom Score, at 24 weeks. Key secondary endpoints are safety and overall survival.

For the 9.4 mg/kg dosing arm (n=59), the spleen response rate was 10% (6/59) and the symptom response rate was 32% (19/59). In addition, improvement in bone marrow fibrosis was observed in 25% (15/59) of patients.

The new data presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) indicate that median overall survival (OS) for the 9.4 mg/kg dosing arm was 29.9 months, which suggests a meaningful survival outcome with imetelstat treatment in this poor-prognosis patient population, all of whom met rigorous criteria for having failed or not responded to JAK inhibitor treatment prior to enrollment in the trial. Other observational studies of similar patient populations published in medical literature have reported median OS ranged from approximately 12-14 months.

The safety profile reported for imetelstat-treated patients in IMbark was consistent with prior clinical trials of imetelstat in hematologic malignancies, and no new safety signals were identified. Cytopenias, particularly neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, were the most frequently reported adverse events which were predictable, manageable and reversible.

The slides from the oral presentation at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) are available on Geron’s website at www.geron.com/r-d/publications.

Future Plan for Imetelstat in Relapsed/Refractory MF

Based on the data from IMbark, Geron plans to discuss the potential future development of imetelstat in MF with MF experts and regulatory authorities. Such discussions will consider how the IMbark results compare with other therapies currently available to MF patients and enable a better understanding of the potential significance of the IMbark results to patients and physicians. The Company expects to outline a decision regarding potential future MF development by the end of the third quarter of 2019.

Analyst and Investor Event

On December 10, 2018, Geron will host a webcasted event for analysts and investors. At the event, Dr. John Mascarenhas will reprise the oral presentation made at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, as well as describe the unmet medical need in relapsed/refractory MF. A live audio webcast of the event will be available on Geron’s website, www.geron.com/investors/events. If you are unable to listen to the live presentation, an archived webcast of the event will be available on the Company’s website for 30 days.

About Imetelstat

Imetelstat is a novel, first-in-class telomerase inhibitor exclusively owned by Geron and being developed in hematologic myeloid malignancies. Early clinical data suggest imetelstat may have disease-modifying activity through the suppression of malignant progenitor cell clone proliferation, which allows potential recovery of normal hematopoiesis. Ongoing clinical studies of imetelstat include a Phase 2/3 trial called IMerge in lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and a Phase 2 trial called IMbark in Intermediate-2 to High-risk myelofibrosis. Imetelstat received Fast Track designation from the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with transfusion-dependent anemia due to lower risk MDS who are non-del(5q) and refractory or resistant to an erythroid stimulating agent.