On December 7, 2018 Sophiris Bio Inc. (the "Company") reported that entered into an Controlled Equity OfferingSM Sales Agreement (the "Sales Agreement") with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., as sales agent ("Cantor Fitzgerald"), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time, through Cantor Fitzgerald, common shares of the Company having an aggregate offering price of up to $20.0 million (Press release, Sophiris Bio, DEC 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234531962]). The shares will be offered and sold pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-219887).

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The Company is not obligated to sell any shares under the Sales Agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, Cantor Fitzgerald will use commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its normal sales and trading practices, applicable state and federal law, rules and regulations and the rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market, to sell shares from time to time based upon the Company’s instructions, including any price, time or size limits specified by the Company. Under the Sales Agreement, Cantor Fitzgerald may sell shares in privately negotiated transactions or by any other method or payment permitted by law deemed to be an "at-the-market" offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company will pay Cantor Fitzgerald a commission of 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from each sale of shares, reimburse certain legal fees and disbursements and provide Cantor Fitzgerald with customary indemnification and contribution rights. The Sales Agreement may be terminated by Cantor Fitzgerald or the Company at any time upon notice to the other party, or by Cantor Fitzgerald at any time in certain circumstances, including the occurrence of a material and adverse change in the Company’s business or financial condition that makes it impractical or inadvisable to market the shares or to enforce contracts for the sale of the shares.

The foregoing description of the Sales Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Sales Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The legal opinion of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP relating to the common shares being offered pursuant to the Sales Agreement is filed as Exhibit 5.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

This Current Report on Form 8-K shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any shares under the Sales Agreement, nor shall there be any sale of such shares in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

On December 7, 2018 AstraZeneca and MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, reported overall survival (OS) results for the Phase III EAGLE trial. EAGLE is a randomised, open-label, multi-centre trial evaluating Imfinzi (durvalumab) monotherapy or Imfinzi in combination with tremelimumab, an anti-CTLA4 antibody, versus standard-of-care (SoC) chemotherapy in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who experienced disease progression following platinum-based chemotherapy, regardless of their PD-L1 tumour status (Press release, AstraZeneca, DEC 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234531946]).

Imfinzi monotherapy and the combination of Imfinzi plus tremelimumab did not meet the primary endpoints of improving OS compared to SoC chemotherapy in these hard-to-treat patients. The safety and tolerability profiles for Imfinzi and the combination with tremelimumab were consistent with previous experience.

Sean Bohen, Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer, said: "The prognosis for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer is very poor and new treatments for this group of cancers are urgently needed. While these results are disappointing, we remain committed to evaluating the potential of Imfinzi and other innovative medicines for patients with head and neck cancer. We look forward to seeing the results of the Phase III KESTREL trial of Imfinzi and tremelimumab in patients who have not received prior chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the first half of 2019."

AstraZeneca will submit the results from the Phase III EAGLE trial for presentation at a forthcoming medical meeting.

About EAGLE
The EAGLE trial is a randomised, open-label, multi-centre, global, Phase III trial of Imfinzi (durvalumab) monotherapy or Imfinzi in combination with tremelimumab compared to standard-of-care chemotherapy in patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC who experienced progression following platinum-based chemotherapy, regardless of their PD-L1 tumour status.

The trial was conducted at 169 centres across 24 countries including the US, Europe, South America, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Israel and Australia. The primary endpoint of the trial was OS, and secondary endpoints included progression-free survival, landmark OS, objective response rate and duration of response.

About HNSCC
Approximately 880,000 patients were diagnosed with head and neck cancer around the world in 2018. Two-thirds of patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer are in advanced stages (Stage III or IV), while the remaining one third are in the early stages of disease (Stage I or II). More than 90% of all head and neck cancers start in the squamous cells that line the mouth, nose and throat called head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).

About Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to PD-L1 and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with PD-1 and CD80, countering the tumour’s immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.

Imfinzi is approved for unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in more than 40 countries including the US, EU, and Japan based on the Phase III PACIFIC trial. Imfinzi is also approved for previously-treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in the US, Canada, Brazil, Israel, India, United Arab Emirates, Australia and Hong Kong.

As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is also being tested as a monotherapy and in combination with tremelimumab, an anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody and potential new medicine, as a treatment for patients with NSCLC, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), bladder cancer, head and neck cancer and other solid tumours.

About tremelimumab
Tremelimumab is a human monoclonal antibody and potential new medicine that targets the activity of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). Tremelimumab blocks the activity of CTLA-4, contributing to T-cell activation and boosting the immune response to cancer. Tremelimumab is being tested in a clinical trial programme in combination with Imfinzi in NSCLC, SCLC, bladder cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, liver cancer and blood cancers.

About AstraZeneca’s approach to immuno-oncology
IO is a therapeutic approach designed to stimulate the body’s immune system to attack tumours. At AstraZeneca and MedImmune, our biologics research and development arm, our IO portfolio is anchored by immunotherapies that have been designed to overcome anti-tumour immune suppression. We believe that IO-based therapies offer the potential for life-changing cancer treatments for the clear majority of patients.

We are pursuing a comprehensive clinical-trial programme that includes Imfinzi (anti-PDL1) as monotherapy and in combination with tremelimumab (anti-CTLA4) in multiple tumour types, stages of disease, and lines of therapy, using the PD-L1 biomarker as a decision-making tool to define the best potential treatment path for a patient. In addition, the ability to combine our IO portfolio with small, targeted molecules from across our Oncology pipeline, and from our research partners, may provide new treatment options across a broad range of tumours.

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On December 7, 2018 MacroGenics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGNX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, reported that on December 6, it received a letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicating that a partial clinical hold has been placed on its Phase 1 monotherapy study of MGD009, a B7-H3 × CD3 bispecific DART molecule, as well as on a combination study of MGD009 and MGA012 (anti-PD-1) (Press release, MacroGenics, DEC 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234531963]). Under the partial clinical hold, no new patients will be enrolled in either study until the partial hold is lifted by the FDA. Current study participants may continue to receive drug at their pre-assigned dose.

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The partial clinical hold was initiated following MacroGenics’ reporting of hepatic adverse events on the MGD009 monotherapy trial to the FDA, including reversible elevations of transaminases with or without concurrent elevations of bilirubin. Although these events have been otherwise uncomplicated and short-lived in duration, MacroGenics also communicated to the FDA the company’s plans to amend the existing MGD009 studies with additional supportive care to mitigate these events. The FDA has placed the trials on partial clinical hold, pending review of additional details regarding these events, and satisfactory review of the planned amendments to the monotherapy and combination study protocols and related documents. MacroGenics will be working closely with the FDA to review these events and seek to resolve this clinical hold.

"MacroGenics’ top concern in conducting clinical trials is the safety of study participants," said Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D. "As we’ve identified to the FDA, we believe that transaminitis observed in patients administered MGD009 was likely a cytokine-mediated event. We are working with the FDA and will provide an update when we have additional information. This partial clinical hold does not impact ongoing clinical studies for enoblituzumab and MGC018, our other B7-H3-targeted molecules."
About MGD009
MGD009 is a humanized, bispecific DART molecule that recognizes both B7-H3 and CD3 and has a prolonged serum half-life. B7-H3 is a member of the B7 family of molecules involved in immune regulation and is over-expressed on a wide variety of cancer cells, including cancer stem cells, as well as on the supporting tumor vasculature and underlying tissues, or stroma. The intended mechanism of action of MGD009 is its ability to redirect T cells, via their CD3 component, to kill B7-H3-expressing cells.

In addition to MGD009, MacroGenics’ comprehensive B7-H3 franchise includes enoblituzumab, an Fc-optimized monoclonal antibody, as well as MGC018, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). These clinical molecules target B7-H3. MacroGenics retains worldwide rights to its franchise of three B7-H3-based molecules.

On December 7, 2018 Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) reported that its Board of Directors declared a $1.45 per share dividend for the first quarter of 2019 (Press release, Amgen, DEC 7, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2379993 [SID1234531966]). The dividend will be paid on March 8, 2019, to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on Feb. 15, 2019. This represents a 10 percent increase from that paid in each of the previous four quarters.

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On December 7, 2018 Affimed N.V. (Nasdaq: AFMD), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company committed to improving patient outcomes through the power of the innate immune system, reported its registrational pathway, updated clinical development plans and the estimated market opportunity for the Company’s lead candidate AFM13 – a first-in-class innate cell engager – at its Research & Development Day in New York City (Press release, Affimed, DEC 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234531950]).

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Affimed plans to initiate a Phase 2 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of AFM13 as monotherapy in relapsed or refractory peripheral T cell lymphoma (PTCL) and transformed mycosis fungoides (TMF), a subset of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) in the first half of 2019. Based on preliminary feedback from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and on data presented at this week’s America Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, Affimed believes that results from an open-label, single-arm Phase 2 study could form the basis for a Biologics License Application (BLA) submission and support an accelerated approval, given the unmet medical need for safe and effective new treatments in this hard-to-treat population.

"We believe that the clinical development plan shared today for AFM13 provides potential for accelerated approval and helps to lay the groundwork for further investigations of CD16A innate immune engagers," said Dr. Adi Hoess, Affimed’s CEO. "Through our fit-for-purpose ROCK platform, we continue to generate novel engagers, like AFM13, to broaden our leadership in innate immunity. We look forward to continuing this important work to enhance current immuno-oncology approaches, with the ultimate goal of giving patients back the body’s innate ability to fight cancer."

The broader clinical development strategy for AFM13 includes expanding into other CD30-positive lymphoma indications and additional treatment lines with significant unmet need. In collaboration with strategic partners, Affimed plans to investigate AFM13 in combination with other immunotherapy agents, such as an anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibody agent and with adoptive NK cell transfer.

"AFM13’s clinical profile to date is very encouraging," said Dr. Leila Alland, Chief Medical Officer of Affimed. "The recently presented data at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) increase our confidence that AFM13 holds significant therapeutic value for patients with CD30-positive lymphoma. Our team is looking forward to initiating the registrational study for AFM13 in the first half of 2019 and it is our commitment to develop this potential treatment for patients as quickly as possible."

"Our market research suggests a sizable near-term commercial opportunity for AFM13 with an estimated initial eligible population of about 2,500 patients per year with relapsed or refractory PTCL in the U.S.," said Denise Mueller, Head of Commercial Strategy and Business Development of Affimed. "We believe our clinical development plan for AFM13 combination therapies will further expand the market potential of AFM13 in CD30-positive lymphoma indications such as Hodgkin lymphoma and T cell lymphoma."

Additional Research & Development Day Program Highlights

Dr. Steven M. Horwitz, Associate Attending, Division of Hematologic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, presented on the current treatment landscape and unmet needs in patients with peripheral and cutaneous T cell lymphomas and Hodgkin lymphoma.

Dr. Ahmed Sawas, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Principal Investigator of the investigator-sponsored Phase 1b/2a trial of AFM13 in CD30-positive lymphoma with cutaneous manifestation led by Columbia University Medical Center, discussed data from the study recently presented at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

Affimed reviewed the updated data from the Phase 1b study of AFM13 as a combination therapy with Merck’s anti-PD-1 antibody Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients that was presented at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

Dr. Yago Nieto, Professor of Medicine, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discussed data from the preclinical research of cord blood derived natural killer cells loaded with AFM13 as off-the-shelf cell therapy for CD30-positive malignancies conducted under Affimed’s sponsored research collaboration with MD Anderson. He concluded that the encouraging data observed in this study, which was featured in an oral presentation at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, provide a strong rationale for clinically investigating the strategy of an off-the-shelf adoptive immunotherapy with AFM13-loaded CB-NK cells in patients with relapsed/refractory CD30+ malignancies. Dr. Nieto outlined plans to conduct a clinical study in patients with CD30-positive lymphoma.

Webcast Information

The archived webcast and slides of the presentation are available under the "News & Events" section of Affimed’s website at View Source and will be available for 30 days following the event.

About AFM13
AFM13 is a first-in-class tetravalent, bispecific NK cell engager that specifically binds to CD30 on tumor cells and to CD16A on NK cells. AFM13 is being developed in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and in other CD30-positive lymphomas. AFM13 has shown a favorable safety profile and signs of therapeutic efficacy in a monotherapy setting in studies in HL and CD30-positive lymphoma with cutaneous manifestation. In addition, data from a combination study of AFM13 with Merck’s anti-PD-1 antibody Keytruda (pembrolizumab) supports proof of principle for the combination of NK cell engagement with checkpoint inhibition. AFM13 has been granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

About Affimed’s ROCK Platform
Affimed’s proprietary, versatile and modular ROCK (Redirected Optimized Cell Killing) platform enables the generation of first-in-class, tetravalent, multi-specific immune cell engagers. Based on its modularity, ROCK allows for antibody engineering of highly customizable innate immune cell and T cell engagers to generate clinical candidates tailored to multiple disease indications and settings, including generation of molecules against validated oncology targets to address the limitations of existing treatments of hematologic and solid tumors.