On August 13, 2018 ArQule, Inc. (Nasdaq:ARQL), reported the publication of preclinical study data for ARQ 531, the Company’s rationally-designed, reversible inhibitor of both wild type and C481S-mutant Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) (Press release, ArQule, AUG 13, 2018, View Source [SID1234532694]). The studies, published in Cancer Discovery, were conducted in collaboration with researchers at The Ohio State University. Data from these studies demonstrated efficacy in in vitro and in vivo hematologic malignancy models that recapitulate the most common mechanisms of resistance to irreversible BTK inhibitors, including ibrutinib.

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Highlights from the manuscript (link here) include:

Differentiated Crystal Structure and Biochemical Profile

The crystal structure of ARQ 531 bound to BTK elucidates the mechanism of BTK inhibition that is not dependent on the specific amino acid residue at position 481 (eg. C or S)
Recombinant BTK biochemical assays of ARQ 531 and ibrutinib show similar inhibition for wild type BTK, however ibrutinib has dramatically lower inhibition, binding affinity and residence time for mutant BTK
"Relapsed and refractory patients that develop resistance to ibrutinib have poor outcomes and limited treatment options," said Brian Schwartz, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D at ArQule. "ARQ 531 was rationally-designed and selected to address this unmet need by inhibiting both wild type and mutant BTK. The published crystal structure and biochemistry clearly demonstrate the mechanism by which ARQ 531 maintains binding and inhibition of mutant BTK in conditions where ibrutinib cannot."

Established Activity in Multiple Cellular and Murine Models of Hematological Malignancies

Exhibited dose dependent toxicity in human primary CLL cells (mutant and wild type)
Inhibited CLL cell migration in vitro
Established superiority to ibrutinib in an engraftment murine model of CLL
Showed activity against other B-cell signaling pathways
Demonstrated efficacy in a murine model of Richter’s transformation
John Byrd, M.D., the Warren Brown Chair of Leukemia Research at The Ohio State University stated, "The inhibition profile of ARQ 531 may confer distinct advantages over ibrutinib, potentially expanding the patient population beyond those with a C481S mutation who may benefit from treatment. Targeting multiple kinases in the B cell activation pathway may provide more durable responses to treatment while also delaying the emergence of treatment resistance. Jennifer Woyach, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine at The Ohio State University, added, "I am particularly encouraged by the CLL mouse model data which established the superior efficacy of ARQ 531 compared to ibrutinib and the efficacy of ARQ 531 in the model of Richter’s transformation as this is an extremely aggressive disease with very few treatment options."

On August 13, 2018 Unum Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: UMRX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of cellular immunotherapies based on its novel, universal Antibody-Coupled T Cell Receptor (ACTR) technology platform, reported that an investigational new drug (IND) application is now active for ACTR T cells in combination with trastuzumab for the treatment of patients with HER2+ advanced cancers (Press release, Unum Therapeutics, AUG 13, 2018, View Source [SID1234528936]). This represents the first solid tumor product candidate based on Unum’s novel, universal ACTR technology, and the fourth clinical trial program for the Company.

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"We are very happy to reach this important milestone for patients and for Unum," said Chuck Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Unum. "ACTR represents a promising novel technology that can be used to target different tumor types and it’s exciting to expand its application to target solid tumors. We are committed to developing ACTR for patients with HER2+ advanced cancers who need better treatment options."

Under this IND, Unum is preparing to initiate a multi-center Phase I trial, called ATTCK-34-01, by the end of 2018 in patients with HER2+ advanced cancers. ATTCK-34-01 is designed as a dose escalation study where both the ACTR T cell drug product and trastuzumab doses are escalated in order to define the safety, tolerability, and anti-tumor activity of the combination. Expansion at the recommended Phase 2 dose is planned.

On August 13, 2018 Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. ("Checkpoint") (NASDAQ: CKPT), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology biopharmaceutical company focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of novel treatments for patients with solid tumor cancers, reported that preliminary safety and efficacy data from a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of CK101 (also known as RX518), a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor ("EGFR")
tyrosine kinase inhibitor ("TKI") being evaluated in advanced non-small cell lung cancer, has been selected for a late-breaking oral presentation at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) 19th World Conference on Lung Cancer, to be held September 23-26, 2018, in Toronto (Press release, Checkpoint Therapeutics, AUG 13, 2018, View Source [SID1234528977]).

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"We are thrilled to announce that preliminary data from the Phase 1/2 trial of our novel thirdgeneration EGFR inhibitor has been selected for a late-breaking oral presentation at the World Conference on Lung Cancer. This marks the first clinical data to be reported by Checkpoint, an important clinical and corporate milestone," said James F. Oliviero, President and Chief Executive Officer of Checkpoint Therapeutics. "Third-generation EGFR inhibitors are highly selective and have the potential to demonstrate improved safety and tolerability versus earlier-generation
therapies. There is currently only one third-generation EGFR inhibitor approved and we believe CK-101 could be second to market potentially with a differentiated safety profile."
Details of the presentation are as follows:

Title: CK-101 (RX518), a Third Generation Mutant-Selective Inhibitor of EGFR in NSCLC: Results of an Ongoing Phase I/II Trial
Date: Monday, Sept. 24, 2018
Session: Novel Therapies in ROS1, HER2 and EGFR
Presenter: Melissa L. Johnson, M.D., Associate Director, Lung Cancer Research, Sarah Cannon Research Institute at Tennessee Oncology, PLLC, Nashville, Tenn.
The full abstract will be posted on the conference website on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, at 5 p.m. ET. For additional information, please visit: View Source Checkpoint holds an exclusive worldwide license (except with respect to certain Asian countries) to CK‐101, which it acquired from NeuPharma, Inc. in 2015.

About CK-101
CK-101 (also known as RX518) is an oral, third-generation, irreversible kinase inhibitor against selective mutations in the EGFR gene. Activating mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of EGFR, such as L858R and exon 19 deletion, are found in approximately 20 percent of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC").
Compared to chemotherapy, first-generation EGFR inhibitors significantly improved objective response rate and progression-free survival in previously untreated NSCLC patients carrying EGFR mutations. However, tumor progression could develop due to resistance mutations, often within months of treatment with first-generation EGFR inhibitors. The EGFR T790M "gatekeeper" mutation is the most common resistance mutation found in patients treated with first-generation EGFR inhibitors. The mutation decreases the affinity of first-generation inhibitors to EGFR kinase domain, rendering the drugs ineffective. Second-generation EGFR inhibitors have improved
potency against the T790M mutation, but have not provided meaningful benefits in NSCLC patients due to toxicity from also inhibiting wild-type EGFR. Third-generation EGFR inhibitors are designed to be highly selective against both EGFR-TKI-sensitizing and resistance mutations, with minimal activity on wild-type EGFR, thereby improving tolerability and safety profiles. Checkpoint Therapeutics is developing CK-101 for the treatment of NSCLC patients carrying the
susceptible EGFR mutations. These include the EGFR T790M mutation in second-line NSCLC patients, as well as the EGFR L858R and exon 19 deletion mutations in first-line NSCLC patients.

On August 10, 2018 -Celltrion, Inc. (KRX:068270) reported is set to launch global Phase 3 clinical trial for its bevacizumab biosimilar ‘CT-P16’ for the treatment of cancer (Press release, Celltrion, AUG 10, 2018, View Source [SID1234528713]).

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Celltrion successfully completed Phase 1 clinical study on the safety and pharmacokinetic assessment of CT-P16 in June 2018. Further, it recently submitted its Clinical Trial Application for Phase 3 clinical study to the National Authority of Medicines and Health Products, I.P. (Infarmed) of Portugal.

Beginning with Portugal, Celltrion is set to conduct Phase 3 clinical trial for CT-P16 in about 150 sites in some 20 nations across Europe, Asia and South America.

Meanwhile, Roche’s Avastin, the originator of CT-P16, is a therapeutic anti-cancer drug for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, metastatic breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and glioblastoma. It last year recorded global sales of about USD 6.7 billion1, making it blockbuster medicine.

"We are successfully conducting the clinical trial for the bevacizumab biosimilar ‘CT-P16’ as planned. We will secure the competitiveness for CT-P16 compared with its competitive biosimilars." says an official of Celltrion.

1 Source: Roche Financial Report 2017

On August 10, 2018 Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) reported that it will report financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 (Press release, Medtronic, AUG 10, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2363311 [SID1234528836]). A news release will be issued at approximately 5:45 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) and will be available at View Source The news release will include summary financial information for the company’s first quarter of fiscal year 2019, which ended on Friday, July 27, 2018.

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Medtronic will host a webcast at 7:00 a.m. CDT to discuss financial results for its first quarter of fiscal year 2019. The webcast can be accessed at View Source on August 21, 2018.

Within 24 hours of the webcast, a replay and transcript of the prepared remarks will be available by clicking on the Investor Events link at View Source.

Looking ahead, Medtronic plans to report its fiscal year 2019 second, third and fourth quarter financial results on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, Tuesday, February 19, 2019, and Thursday, May 23, 2019, respectively. Confirmation and additional details will be provided closer to the specific event.