On September 27, 2018 Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Janssen) reported its decision not to continue the collaboration and license agreement with Geron Corporation for imetelstat (Press release, Johnson & Johnson, SEP 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234529885]). The decision not to continue the collaboration is the result of a strategic portfolio evaluation and prioritization of assets within the robust Janssen portfolio. Janssen will work with Geron to transition the imetelstat program back to the company. Patients currently enrolled in the ongoing imetelstat clinical trials will continue to be supported through the respective trial protocols, including treatment and follow-up. The imetelstat collaboration began on November 13, 2014 when Janssen entered into an exclusive worldwide collaboration and license agreement with Geron to develop and commercialize imetelstat in oncology, including hematologic myeloid malignancies. About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson At the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, we are working to create a world without disease. Transforming lives by finding new and better ways to prevent, intercept, treat and cure disease inspires us. We bring together the best minds and pursue the most promising science. We are Janssen. We collaborate with the world for the health of everyone in it. Learn more at www.janssen.com. Follow us at www.twitter.com/JanssenGlobal. Janssen Biotech, Inc. is one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. Media Inquiries: Brian Kenney Phone: 1-215-620-0111 Satu Kaarina Glawe Phone: +49 172 294 6264 Investor Relations: Christopher DelOrefice Phone: 1-732-524-2955 Lesley Fishman Phone: 1-732-524-3922 U.S. Medical Inquiries: 1-800-526-7736 View original content:View Source SOURCE Janssen Biotech, Inc. News Provided by Acquire Media

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On September 27, 2018 Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGS: SPPI), a biotechnology company with fully integrated commercial and drug development operations with a primary focus in hematology and oncology, reported that an overview of the company’s business strategy and commercial and development-stage programs will be given at the 2018 Cantor Global Healthcare Conference being held in New York (Press release, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, SEP 27, 2018, http://investor.sppirx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/spectrum-pharmaceuticals-present-corporate-update-2018-cantor [SID1234529621]). The company presentation is on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at 9:45 AM ET.

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A live webcast of Spectrum’s presentation will be available at View Source

On September 27, 2018 Targovax ASA (OSE: TRVX), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing immune activators to target hard to treat solid tumors, reported interim tumor response data from the first six patients treated with ONCOS-102 followed by the checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) in patients with advanced melanoma whose disease has progressed after prior CPI treatment (Press release, Targovax, SEP 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234529606]). Results show that one of the six patients had a complete response to the treatment.

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One of the main aims of the trial has been achieved, which is to demonstrate that ONCOS-102 has the potential to immune activate CPI refractory patients to respond to PD-1 blockade. Complete responses are rarely seen in this patient population. The patients received three ONCOS-102 injections prior to KEYTRUDA treatment, which may be insufficient in highly advanced disease. As such, Targovax and the investigators now intend to optimize the dosing schedule by increasing the number of ONCOS-102 injections and expand the trial with additional patients.

Dr. Magnus Jäderberg, CMO of Targovax, said: "Given the limited number of patients who have completed the study to date, it is encouraging to already see a complete response to ONCOS-102 primed KEYTRUDA treatment in this CPI refractory patient population. This case is particularly interesting, as the patient became refractory to KEYTRUDA before entering our trial. At the same time, five patients progressed, which we believe may be partly due to an insufficient number of ONCOS-102 injections. Consequently, we have agreed with the investigators to expand the trial with additional patients, who will receive an increased number of ONCOS-102 injections. The complete response, combined with the optimized dosing regimen, makes us optimistic that we may demonstrate the full potential of ONCOS-102 in the checkpoint inhibitor refractory setting."

The results will be presented at a KOL event hosted by Targovax in New York City on 11 October 2018, which will also be available by webcast. Invitation and full event details has been issued separately and is posted on www.targovax.com.

Conference call

At 14:00 CET (08:00 EST) today, Targovax will host a conference call to answer questions about the results. Call-in details can be found below.Call-in numbers:

Norway Toll-Free Number: 80062196
Norway Toll Number: +47-23500243
UK Toll-Free Number: 08003589473
UK Toll Number: +44-3333000804
US Toll-Free Number: +1-855-85-70686
US Toll Number: +1-6319131422

Access code: 60258218#

Please make sure to dial in at least 5-10 minutes ahead to complete your registration.

See attached list for more dial-in numbers:

View Source

About the trial

In this open label trial running in three centers in the USA, patients that have progressed on CPI treatment receive three intra-tumoral ONCOS-102 injections during the first week, followed by eight infusions of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blocking CPI pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA). As reported in December 2017 and January 2018, the first planned safety review passed without any issues. Both local and systemic immune activation, which includes T-cell tumor infiltration and increased PD-1 expression on CD8+ T-cells, has been confirmed in all evaluated patients.

On September 27, 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 that the Company will present at the following upcoming investor conferences (Press release, Verastem, SEP 27, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2369325 [SID1234529622]):

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The Cantor Fitzgerald Global Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 4:00pm EDT in New York City, NY, USA
The Leerink Partners Roundtable Series: Rare Disease & Oncology on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 8:00am EDT in New York City, NY, USA
A live webcast of each presentation will be available on the investors section of the Company’s website at www.verastem.com. An archived presentation will be available for 90 days.

On September 26, 2018 Curis, Inc. (NASDAQ :CRIS ), a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative and effective therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, reported that the Company will present at the Cantor Fitzgerald 2018 Global Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, October 2 at 5:10 PM ET in Track 4 – Grand Ballroom 1, of the InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel in New York (Press release, Curis, SEP 26, 2018, View Source [SID1234529607]).

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James Dentzer, the Company’s new President & Chief Executive Officer, will provide a brief overview of the Company’s pipeline of drug candidates and business strategy.

A live webcast of the presentation will be available by visiting the investor section of Curis’ website View Source

A replay of the webcast will be archived on the website for 30 days following the presentation.