TESARO Announces Collaboration to Evaluate ZEJULA® in Combination With Anti-PD-L1 Cancer Immunotherapy and MEK Inhibitor in Platinum-Sensitive Ovarian Cancer

On June 5, 2018 TESARO, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSRO), an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, reported that it has entered into a clinical collaboration with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, to evaluate the combination of the PD-L1 antibody atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ), the MEK inhibitor cobimetinib (COTELLIC) and TESARO’s PARP inhibitor ZEJULA (niraparib) in patients with platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer (Press release, TESARO, JUN 5, 2018, View Source [SID1234527187]).

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"This partnership enables us to further expand the clinical assessment of niraparib-based combinations as we work to advance therapies for women living with ovarian cancer," said Mary Lynne Hedley, Ph.D., President and COO of TESARO. "Preclinical data has demonstrated potential synergy between MEK and PARP inhibitors, and there is emerging evidence to support an immunomodulatory role for PARP inhibitors. Data suggest the addition of atezolizumab may potentially further enhance the anti-cancer immune response. We look forward to evaluating the potential for this combination to further prolong responses to chemotherapy."

TESARO and Genentech are also working together to evaluate the combination of ZEJULA and atezolizumab in patients with metastatic bladder cancer as a part of MORPHEUS, Roche’s novel cancer immunotherapy development platform. MORPHEUS is a Phase 1b/2 adaptive platform to develop combinations of cancer immunotherapies more rapidly and efficiently. The planned trial will be conducted by Genentech and is expected to begin by the end of 2018.

TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) and COTELLIC (cobimetinib) are registered trademarks of Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

About ZEJULA (Niraparib)
ZEJULA (niraparib) is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. In preclinical studies, ZEJULA concentrates in the tumor relative to plasma, delivering greater than 90% durable inhibition of PARP 1/2 and a persistent antitumor effect. Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (MDS/AML), including some fatal cases, was reported in patients treated with ZEJULA. Discontinue ZEJULA if MDS/AML is confirmed. Hematologic adverse reactions (thrombocytopenia, anemia and neutropenia), as well as cardiovascular effects (hypertension and hypertensive crisis) have been reported in patients treated with ZEJULA. Monitor complete blood counts to detect hematologic adverse reactions, as well as to detect cardiovascular disorders, during treatment. ZEJULA can cause fetal harm and females of reproductive potential should use effective contraception. Please see full prescribing information, including additional important safety information, available at www.zejula.com.

BeiGene to Present at the William Blair 2018 Growth Stock Conference

On June 5, 2018 BeiGene, Ltd. (NASDAQ:BGNE), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative molecularly targeted and immuno-oncology drugs for the treatment of cancer, reported that the company will present at the William Blair 2018 Growth Stock Conference in Chicago (Press release, BeiGene, JUN 5, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2353190 [SID1234527170]). The presentation is scheduled for 10:50 AM CT on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

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A live webcast can be accessed from the investors section of BeiGene’s website at View Source An archived replay will be available for 90 days following the event.

VBL Therapeutics Presents Positive Data on its MOSPD2 Platform Technology in Oncology and Inflammation at BIO 2018

On June 5, 2018 VBL Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VBLT) reported data on its novel MOSPD2 program in oncology and inflammation at the 2018 BIO International Convention in Boston, Massachusetts (Press release, VBL Therapeutics, JUN 5, 2018, View Source [SID1234527188]).

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"Our research has shown that MOSPD2 plays a key role in the regulation of cell motility," said Dror Harats, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of VBL Therapeutics. "We have generated data indicating that MOSPD2 is required for directional movement, or chemotaxis, of tumor cells and certain immune cells, and therefore appears to play a central role in both oncology and inflammation. We continue to advance our exciting VB-600 series of antibodies as drug candidates for oncology and inflammatory indications."

MOSPD2 can be found in many types of solid tumors, and is highly expressed on tumor cells when they start invading tissues or creating metastatic lesions. VBL’s data indicate that knock-out of MOSPD2 in tumor cells may reduce metastasis by up to 95%. At the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) conference in April this year, VBL presented a late-breaking proof-of-concept study demonstrating antibody-mediated killing of MOSPD2-expressing cancer cells.

VBL research has also shown that knocking-out the MOSPD2 gene in mice could protect the animals from developing some inflammatory diseases. The Company has generated antibodies that block immune cell migration and show efficacy in a model of multiple sclerosis.

VBL is developing the VB-600 platform of biologic drug candidates for oncology and inflammatory indications. The Company plans to file an IND in this program by year-end 2019. For a webcast of VBL’s presentation at BIO see: LINK

Polaris Group Announces Results of a Phase 1 Clinical Study with its Lead Therapeutic Candidate ADI?PEG 20 in Metastatic Uveal Melanomas

On June 5, 2018 Polaris Group, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel drugs for cancer, reported results from a phase 1 clinical study that features Polaris lead therapeutic candidate ADI‑PEG 20 in combination with pemetrexed and cisplatin (ADIPEMCIS) in first-line treatment for argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS1) deficient metastatic uveal melanomas (Press release, Polaris Pharmaceuticals, JUN 5, 2018, View Source [SID1234527207]). The results were presented by Dr. Peter Szlosarek from Barts Cancer Center in the UK (abstract No.2589) at the American Society Clinical Oncology’s 2018 annual meeting.

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ADIPEMCIS was well tolerated in a cohort of 10 patients. The best response was stable disease; which was observed in 7 of 10 patients and hence a disease control rate of 70%. The 12-month survival rate was 50% and the median overall survival is 11.5 months, with 1 patient still alive at 27.1 months.

Metastatic uveal melanoma has been resistant to systemic therapies, with low response rates and low overall survival. There is clearly an unmet medical need that requires the development of an effective and safe treatment for these patients. It has been observed previously that ADI‑PEG 20 had efficacy as a monotherapy in several earlier melanoma studies and now the combination with PEM/CIS has further enhanced the activity.

"ADIPEMCIS showed activity in these metastatic uveal melanoma patients," said John Bomalaski, M.D., Executive Vice President, Medical Affairs, of Polaris. "We believe that ADI‑PEG 20 would benefit these patients, for whom there is no established treatment regimen. Based on this encouraging data as well as for ADI‑PEG 20 monotherapy in uveal melanoma, a trial of ADI‑PEG 20 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, including programmed death and CTLA-4 antibodies is planned for uveal melanoma patients."

About ADI-PEG 20

ADI‑PEG 20 is a biologic being developed by Polaris Group to treat cancers carrying a major metabolic defect that renders them unable to internally synthesize arginine. Because arginine is essential for protein synthesis and survival of cells, these cancer cells become dependent upon the external supply of arginine to survive and grow. ADI‑PEG 20 is designed to deplete the external supply of arginine, causing arginine-dependent cancer cells to die while leaving the patient’s normal cells unharmed. Multiple cancers have been reported to have a high degree of arginine-dependency and can potentially be treated with ADI‑PEG 20.

Foundation Medicine to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences

On June 5, 2018 Foundation Medicine, Inc. (NASDAQ:FMI) reported that members of the company’s management team will present at the following upcoming investor conferences (Press release, Foundation Medicine, JUN 5, 2018, View Source [SID1234527172]):

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Goldman Sachs Annual Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 1:20 p.m. P.T. in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

William Blair Growth Stock Conference on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 8:40 a.m. C.T. in Chicago.

A live, listen-only webcast of the presentation may be accessed by visiting the investors section of the company’s website at investors.foundationmedicine.com. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the conclusion of each presentation and will be archived on the company’s website for 90 days.