On November 1, 2018 Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA, OTC: BVNRY) reported that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 2 study evaluating its novel, targeted cancer immunotherapy, BN-Brachyury, and radiation in patients with advanced chordoma (Press release, Bavarian Nordic, NOV 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234530537]).

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Chordoma is a rare cancer that occurs in the bones of the skull base and spine, resulting in approximately 1,000 new cases being diagnosed in the United States and Europe annually. The brachyury protein has been shown to be universally overexpressed in chordoma tumors, while not being found in most normal tissue. The presence of brachyury in epithelial solid tumors has been highly correlated with metastatic disease, multi-drug resistance and decreased survival rates. BN-Brachyury’s prime-boost vaccination regimen has been optimized to include the gene for brachyury, as well as costimulatory molecules (TRICOM) known to increase immune activation. Prior data suggests that BN-Brachyury can safely target brachyury and induce brachyury-specific T-cell immune responses.

"While upfront surgical resection or definitive radiation can result in cure for some patients, we know that the majority of patients with this disease are not cured. Those who are not cured will almost all go on to have advanced disease, for which there are no therapeutic options known to result in defined clinical benefit," said Chris Heery, M.D., the Chief Medical Officer of Bavarian Nordic and member of the Medical Advisory Board of the Chordoma Foundation. "The almost universal expression of brachyury in chordoma makes it a prime candidate for our targeted immunotherapy. The initiation of the Phase 2 study serves as a significant step in the evaluation of BN-Brachyury as an effective treatment for patients with this rare disease."

The Phase 2, multiple-site trial will assess the effectiveness of BN-Brachyury and radiation therapy in patients with advanced chordoma. The study is expected to enroll up to 29 patients, in a two-stage design. If the threshold of activity is reached in stage 1, the study will proceed to stage 2 and full enrollment. Patients will be administered a primer of the highly attenuated, non-replicating vaccinia virus MVA-BN-Brachyury, followed by a booster of the recombinant fowlpox virus FPV-Brachyury and radiation therapy. The study aims to determine if the combination therapy results in a clinically meaningful objective response rate (ORR) within 12 months of radiation therapy, a timeframe during which historical controls show an ORR of less than 5% with radiation alone.

"For more than a decade, we have supported patients and research centers across the United States and Europe in their quest to find and develop better treatment options for this devastating cancer," said Josh Sommer, Founder and Executive Director of the Chordoma Foundation. "Although there has been a dramatic increase in chordoma research over the years, the rarity and complexity of the disease has left it relatively underserved. Bavarian Nordic’s cancer immunotherapy, BN-Brachyury, is a welcome, needed and promising advancement in the treatment of patients with advanced chordomas."

In May 2018, the FDA granted orphan drug designation to BN-Brachyury for the treatment of chordoma. The FDA’s Office of Orphan Drug Products grants orphan status to support development of medicines for safe and effective treatment, diagnosis or prevention of rare diseases or disorders that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. Orphan drug designation may provide certain benefits, including a seven-year period of market exclusivity if the drug is approved, tax credits for qualified clinical trials and an exemption from FDA application fees.

For more information on trial, please visit: View Source

About BN-Brachyury
BN-Brachyury is a novel prime-boost cancer immunotherapy candidate, developed in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The product candidate consists of two different vaccine components; MVA-BN and fowlpox or FPV, which have been modified to express brachyury and to encode three costimulatory molecules, known as TRICOM. Brachyury is a tumor-associated antigen that is overexpressed in major solid tumor indications, as well as several rare, ultra-orphan cancer indications, and is reported to play a key role in the metastasis and progression of tumors. Tumors that overexpress brachyury are believed to be highly resistant to standard therapies, including radiation and chemotherapy, and are associated with decreased survival rates.

On November 1, 2018 Aptose Biosciences Inc. ("Aptose" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: APTO, TSX: APS), a clinical-stage company developing highly differentiated therapeutics targeting the underlying mechanisms of cancer, reported that preclinical data for its pan-FLT3/pan-BTK inhibitor CG-806 will be presented in two separate posters 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 (Press release, Aptose Biosciences, NOV 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234530564]).

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The abstracts accepted for presentation are listed below and can be viewed online at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) conference website.

CG-806 Poster Presentation Details

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

Date & Time: Sunday December 2, 2018, 6:00-8:00 PM PT
Session Name: 802. Chemical Biology and Experimental Therapeutics: Poster II
Abstract Number: 3503
Location: San Diego Convention Center, Hall GH

Concomitant Targeting of FLT3 and BTK with CG-806 Overcomes FLT3-Inhibitor Resistance Through Inhibition of Autophagy

Date & Time: Sunday December 2, 2018, 6:00-8:00 PM PT
Session Name: 604. Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Resistance in Myeloid Diseases: Poster II
Abstract Number: 2635
Location: San Diego Convention Center, Hall GH

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.

On November 1, 2018 Cytokinetics, Incorporated (Nasdaq: CYTK) reported financial results for the third quarter of 2018. Net loss for the third quarter was $22.8 million, or $0.40 per share, compared to a net loss for the third quarter of 2017 of $32.4 million, or $0.60 per share. Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $210.3 million at September 30, 2018 (Press release, Cytokinetics, NOV 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234530581]).

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"With five programs advancing in development, we were pleased to report progress of our expanded pipeline of muscle biology directed potential medicines as recently outlined at our R&D Day," said Robert I. Blum, Cytokinetics’ President and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to beginning multiple trials across our cardiac muscle programs before year-end as well as soon completing enrollment in FORTITUDE-ALS, our Phase 2 clinical trial of reldesemtiv in patients with ALS, with results expected next year. I believe that the company has never been better positioned programmatically, operationally and financially to potentially deliver on the promise of our pioneering leadership in muscle biology."

Recent Highlights and Upcoming Milestones

Cardiac Muscle Programs

omecamtiv mecarbil (cardiac myosin activator)

Continued patient enrollment in GALACTIC-HF (Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac Outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure), the Phase 3 cardiovascular outcomes clinical trial of omecamtiv mecarbil. Enrollment has surpassed 70 percent completion with over 5,800 patients randomized to date having the high-risk profile intended by the trial design. We expect completion of patient enrollment in GALACTIC-HF to occur during the first half of 2019. We also expect that GALACTIC-HF will have accrued a sufficient number of events to enable the Data Monitoring Committee to conduct a first interim analysis for the trial, the design of which is tied to the potential for futility, in the first half of 2019.

Conducted readiness activities in advance of the initiation of METEORIC-HF (Multicenter Exercise Tolerance Evaluation of Omecamtiv Mecarbil Related to Increased Contractility in Heart Failure). METEORIC-HF is a Phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group, multicenter clinical trial designed to evaluate the effect of treatment with omecamtiv mecarbil compared to placebo on exercise capacity as determined by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) following 20 weeks of treatment. Cytokinetics is working together with Amgen towards the objective of starting METEORIC-HF by the end of 2018.
AMG 594 (cardiac troponin activator)

Continued pre-clinical development of AMG 594 and filed an IND in collaboration with Amgen. AMG 594 is a novel, first-in-class, selective, oral, small molecule cardiac troponin activator, discovered under a joint research program with Amgen. In preclinical models, AMG 594 increases myocardial contractility by binding to cardiac troponin through an allosteric mechanism that sensitizes the cardiac sarcomere to calcium. Based on preclinical data, AMG 594 may offer differentiated efficacy and dose-related convenience relative to omecamtiv mecarbil.

We expect that Amgen will initiate a Phase 1 program for AMG 594 before the end of the year to assess its safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and its potential to increase cardiac function in healthy volunteers.
CK-3773274 (CK-274, cardiac myosin inhibitor)

Continued pre-clinical development and filed an IND for CK-274. CK-274 is a novel, oral, small molecule cardiac myosin inhibitor that company scientists discovered independent of its collaborations. CK-274 arose from an extensive next-generation chemical optimization program conducted with careful attention to therapeutic index and pharmacokinetic properties and as may translate into best-in-class potential in clinical development. In preclinical models, CK-274 reduces myocardial contractility by binding directly to cardiac myosin at a distinct and selective allosteric binding site preventing myosin from entering a force producing state.

We expect to initiate a Phase 1 program for CK-274 before the end of the year to assess its safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and its effect on cardiac function in healthy volunteers.
Skeletal Muscle Program

reldesemtiv (next-generation FSTA)

Announced that additional results from the Phase 2 clinical study of reldesemtiv in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) were presented by John W. Day, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics (Genetics), Stanford University at the 2018 Muscle Study Group Scientific Meeting in Oxford, UK, showing sustained increases in 6MWD and MEP four weeks after discontinuation of study drug.

Continued site activation and patient enrollment in FORTITUDE-ALS (Functional Outcomes in a Randomized Trial of Investigational Treatment with CK-2127107 to Understand Decline in Endpoints – in ALS), the Phase 2 clinical trial of reldesemtiv which is designed to assess the change from baseline in percent predicted slow vital capacity and other measures of skeletal muscle function after 12 weeks of treatment with reldesemtiv in patients with ALS. FORTITUDE-ALS has enrolled over 400 patients toward the objective of 445 patients in the trial and is being conducted by Cytokinetics in collaboration with Astellas. We expect to complete enrollment in FORTITUDE-ALS in Q4 2018 with results from this clinical trial expected in the first half of 2019.

With Astellas, announced the Phase 2 clinical trial of reldesemtiv in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which was designed to assess its effect on physical function, did not meet the primary endpoint and did not demonstrate a statistically significant treatment difference in any of the secondary endpoints. Adverse events were similar between groups receiving reldesemtiv and placebo.

With Astellas, announced that an interim analysis of the Phase 1b clinical trial of reldesemtiv in elderly subjects with limited mobility, which was designed to assess its effect on measures of physical function, was recently conducted. The Data Monitoring Committee determined that the pre-defined criteria for lack of efficacy of reldesemtiv had been met; Astellas has proceeded to notify investigators to halt further enrollment in the trial.
Pre-Clinical Development and Ongoing Research

Continued pre-clinical development of CK-3762601 (CK-601), a next-generation fast skeletal muscle troponin activator (FSTA) into IND-enabling studies under our collaboration with Astellas.

Continued research in collaboration with Astellas directed to the discovery of next-generation skeletal muscle activators. The companies are continuing their joint research program with Astellas providing sponsorship of Cytokinetics’ activities through 2019.

Continued independent research activities directed to our other muscle biology research programs.
Corporate

Announced that The ALS Association Golden West Chapter is the inaugural recipient of the Cytokinetics Communications Fellowship, an annual grant from the company intended to support increased capacity and community engagement for nonprofit organizations.
Financials

Revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $10.6 million and $22.1 million, respectively, compared to $6.2 million and $13.4 million for the corresponding periods in 2017. Revenues for the first nine months of 2018 stemmed from our strategic alliance with Astellas.

Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2018 decreased to $21.4 million from $24.9 million for the third quarter of 2017, primarily due to cessation of development of tirasemtiv in late 2017, offset in part by increased spending in clinical trials of reldesemtiv and preclinical activities for CK-274 and other potential drug candidates. Research and development expenses for the first nine months of 2018 increased to $65.9 million from $64.0 million for the first nine months of 2017, primarily due to increased spending in clinical trials of reldesemtiv and preclinical activities for CK-274 as well as other potential drug candidates, offset in part by suspension of development of tirasemtiv in late 2017.

General and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 decreased to $7.2 million and $23.7 million, respectively, from $9.7 million and $26.2 million for the same periods in 2017, respectively, primarily due to reduced pre-commercial activities for tirasemtiv and reduced other corporate activities.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Members of Cytokinetics’ senior management team will review the company’s third quarter results via a webcast and conference call today at 4:30 PM Eastern Time. The webcast can be accessed through the Investors & Media section of the Cytokinetics website at www.cytokinetics.com. The live audio of the conference call can also be accessed by telephone by dialing either (866) 999-CYTK (2985) (United States and Canada) or (706) 679-3078 (international) and typing in the passcode 9785146.

An archived replay of the webcast will be available via Cytokinetics’ website until November 8, 2018. The replay will also be available via telephone by dialing (855) 859-2056 (United States and Canada) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and typing in the passcode 9785146 from November 1, 2018 at 7:30 PM Eastern Time until November 8, 2018.

On November 1, 2018 Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: LXRX), reported financial results and provided a business update for the three months ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, NOV 1, 2018, View Source;2018.htm [SID1234530613]).

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"In the third quarter, we and our collaborator, Sanofi, have been working diligently with regulatory agencies to make sotagliflozin available for patients with type 1 diabetes as quickly as possible and we continue to make progress in growing XERMELO for its current indication," said Lonnel Coats, Lexicon’s president and chief executive officer. "Our collaborator, Ipsen, continues to gain approvals and market authorizations for XERMELO in Europe. We are making good progress on our pipeline. By end of year, we expect to start a clinical trial for telotristat ethyl, the investigational form of XERMELO, in biliary tract cancer as well as announce data for LX2761 in diabetes and LX9211, a neuropathic pain candidate, in healthy volunteers."

Third Quarter Product and Pipeline Highlights

XERMELO (telotristat ethyl) 250 mg

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XERMELO was approved in Australia in September for the treatment of carcinoid syndrome diarrhea in combination with somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy in adults inadequately controlled by somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy.
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In the third quarter, Ipsen launched XERMELO in several European countries including Sweden and Switzerland.

Sotagliflozin

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In September, clinical data for sotagliflozin were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 54th annual meeting. Data from patient exit interviews from a sotagliflozin Phase 3 study were also presented, reporting meaningful improvements in patient reported outcomes.

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Highlights

Revenues: Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2018 decreased to $6.9 million from $26.9 million for the corresponding period in 2017, primarily due to lower revenues recognized from the collaboration and license agreement with Sanofi, partially offset by an increase in net product revenues. Net product revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2018 included $6.3 million from net sales of XERMELO in the U.S., up 19% from the prior year quarter and 5% from the second quarter of 2018.

Cost of Sales: Cost of sales related to sales of XERMELO for each of the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $0.6 million.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 decreased to $13.8 million from $39.1 million for the corresponding period in 2017, primarily due to lower external clinical development costs relating to sotagliflozin.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 decreased to $15.6 million from $16.7 million for the corresponding period in 2017, primarily due to decreased marketing costs.

Net Loss: Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $27.5 million, or $0.26 per share, compared to a net loss of $30.7 million, or $0.29 per share, in the corresponding period in 2017. For the three months ended

September 30, 2018 and 2017, net loss included non-cash, stock-based compensation expense of $2.9 million and $2.6 million, respectively.

Cash and Investments: As of September 30, 2018, Lexicon had $187.3 million in cash and investments, as compared to $310.8 million as of December 31, 2017.

Anticipated Near-Term Milestones

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4Q 2018 – Phase 1b data for LX2761 in type 2 diabetes
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4Q 2018 – Phase 1a data for LX9211 (neuropathic pain candidate) in healthy volunteers
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4Q 2018 – Initiation of clinical development of telotristat ethyl in biliary tract cancer
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March 22, 2019 – PDUFA date for sotagliflozin in type 1 diabetes

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Lexicon management will hold a live conference call and webcast today at 8:00 am EDT / 7:00 am CDT to review its financial and operating results and to provide a general business update. The dial-in number for the conference call is 888-645-5785 (U.S./Canada) or 970-300-1531 (international). The conference ID for all callers is 6394419. The live webcast and replay may be accessed by visiting Lexicon’s website at www.lexpharma.com/investors. An archived version of the webcast will be available on the website for 14 days.

About XERMELO (telotristat ethyl)

Discovered using Lexicon’s unique approach to gene science, XERMELO (telotristat ethyl) is the first and only approved oral therapy for carcinoid syndrome diarrhea in combination with SSA therapy in adults inadequately controlled by SSAs. XERMELO targets tryptophan hydroxylase, an enzyme that mediates the excess serotonin production within metastatic neuroendocrine tumor (mNET) cells. Lexicon has built the in-house capability and infrastructure to launch and market XERMELO in the U.S., where it retains all commercialization rights. Lexicon also retains rights to market XERMELO in Japan. Lexicon has established a license and collaboration agreement with Ipsen to commercialize XERMELO in Europe and other countries outside of U.S. and Japan.

XERMELO was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on February 28, 2017 and by the European Commission on September 19, 2017 for the treatment of carcinoid syndrome diarrhea in combination with SSA therapy in adults inadequately controlled by SSA therapy. Carcinoid syndrome is a rare condition that occurs in patients living with metastatic NETs (mNETs) and is characterized by frequent and debilitating diarrhea. XERMELO targets the overproduction of serotonin inside mNET cells, providing an additional treatment option for patients suffering from carcinoid syndrome diarrhea.

XERMELO (telotristat ethyl) Important Safety Information

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Warnings and Precautions: XERMELO may cause constipation, which can be serious. Monitor for signs and symptoms of constipation and/or severe, persistent, or worsening abdominal pain in patients taking XERMELO. Discontinue XERMELO if severe constipation or severe, persistent, or worsening abdominal pain develops.
•
Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions (≥5%) include nausea, headache, increased gamma-glutamyl-transferase, depression, flatulence, decreased appetite, peripheral edema, and pyrexia.
•
Drug Interactions: If necessary, consider increasing the dose of concomitant CYP3A4 substrates, as XERMELO may decrease their systemic exposure. If combination treatment with XERMELO and short-acting octreotide is needed, administer short-acting octreotide at least 30 minutes after administering XERMELO.

For more information about XERMELO, see Full Prescribing Information at www.xermelo.com.

About Sotagliflozin

Discovered using Lexicon’s unique approach to gene science, sotagliflozin is an investigational oral dual inhibitor of two proteins responsible for glucose regulation known as sodium-glucose co-transporter types 1 and 2 (SGLT1 and SGLT2). SGLT1 is responsible for glucose absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, and SGLT2 is responsible for glucose reabsorption by the kidney.

Lexicon entered into a collaboration and license agreement with Sanofi in November 2015 under which Lexicon granted Sanofi an exclusive, worldwide (excluding Japan), royalty-bearing right and license to develop, manufacture and commercialize sotagliflozin. Lexicon is responsible for all clinical development activities relating to type 1 diabetes and has exercised an exclusive option to co-promote and have a significant role, in collaboration with Sanofi, in the commercialization of sotagliflozin for the treatment of type 1 diabetes in the U.S. Sanofi is responsible for all clinical development and commercialization of sotagliflozin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes worldwide (excluding Japan) and is solely responsible for the commercialization of sotagliflozin for the treatment of type 1 diabetes outside the U.S. (excluding Japan). A New Drug Application and a Marketing Authorization Application for sotagliflozin are currently under review at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency, respectively, and the product has not yet been approved for use in the U.S. or in Europe.

On November 1, 2018 argenx (Euronext & Nasdaq: ARGX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a deep pipeline of differentiated antibody-based therapies for the treatment of severe autoimmune diseases and cancer, reported updated data from the ongoing Phase 1 dose-escalation part of its Phase 1/2 clinical trial of cusatuzumab (ARGX-110) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) (Press release, argenx, NOV 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234530646]). As of the data cut-off on July 16, 2018, a 92% (11/12 patients) overall response rate (ORR) was observed, with 42% of patients achieving minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity. The median response duration was 6.9 months as of the data cut-off date.

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Data from this ongoing AML trial are expected to be further updated, including ORR and duration of response, during a company workshop to be held around the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

"The clinical data published today are encouraging and underscore our decision to move forward into a Phase 2 clinical trial of cusatuzumab in AML, which we launched earlier this year. These data also support the deep understanding of the disease biology of CD70 as demonstrated by the preclinical work of our collaborators at the University of Bern, highlighting cusatuzumab’s potential to offer a novel mechanism of action in AML against leukemic blasts and leukemic stem cell compartments," commented Nicolas Leupin, MD, Chief Medical Officer of argenx. "We look forward to providing an update on key metrics from the Phase 1 dose-escalation of the Phase 1/2 trial, including response rate and duration of response, at our annual workshop around ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper)."

Phase 1/2 Results for Cusatuzumab in AML

In this trial, argenx evaluated the safety, tolerability and efficacy of cusatuzumab in combination with azacytidine (AZA) in an open-label, Phase 1/2 clinical trial in 12 newly diagnosed AML patients unfit for intensive chemotherapy. The data published today are from all 12 patients across four dose cohorts (1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) from the Phase 1/2 dose-escalation trial.

As of the data cut-off on July 16, 2018, the ORR across the 12 patients was 92% (11/12 patients), including 9 patients (82%) with a complete response with or without hematologic recovery (CR/CRi), 1 patient (9%) who reached morphologic leukemia-free status, and 1 (9%) partial response (PR). The median duration on study as of data cut-off was 6.9 months, ranging from 2 to 14.4 months, with 7 patients still on study. Five patients (42%) achieved MRD negativity as measured by flow cytometry. Translational data demonstrated that cusatuzumab monotherapy and in combination with AZA

significantly reduced leukemic stem cells in the bone marrow of AML patients. Cusatuzumab continued to be well-tolerated in AML patients across the different doses. More details can be found here.

Cusatuzumab in Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma

argenx also announced today updated results from its non-randomized, open-label, multicenter Phase 1/2 trial of cusatuzumab in 27 patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). More details can be found here.

argenx announced in May 2018 that it is no longer devoting resources to the development of cusatuzumab in CTCL in order to focus on the drug candidate’s potential in AML.

About Cusatuzumab

Cusatuzumab (ARGX-110) is an investigational SIMPLE Antibody targeting CD70, an immune checkpoint target involved in hematological malignancies, several solid tumors and severe autoimmune diseases. Cusatuzumab is designed to: block CD70, kill cancer cells expressing CD70 through complement dependent cytotoxicity, enhanced antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis and enhanced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and restore immune surveillance against solid tumors (Silence K. et al. mAbs 2014; 6 (2):523-532). Cusatuzumab is currently being evaluated in patients with hematological malignancies, including a Phase 1/2 trial in combination with azacitidine in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and the Phase 2 part of a Phase 1/2 trial in patients with relapsed/refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Preclinical work on cusatuzumab in AML was performed in collaboration with the Tumor Immunology Lab of Prof. A. F. Ochsenbein at the University of Bern, who won, together with Prof. Manz at the University Hospital of Zürich, the prestigious 2016 Otto Naegeli Prize for his breakthrough research on CD70/CD27 signaling with therapeutic potential for cancer patients.