On January 23, 2018 BioLineRx Ltd. (NASDAQ: BLRX) (TASE: BLRX) (TASE: BLRX.TA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology and immunology, reported that AGI-134, an immunotherapy compound in development for the treatment of multiple solid tumors, demonstrated successful results in two pre-clinical melanoma studies (Press release, BioLineRx, JAN 23, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2327860 [SID1234523483]). Results of these studies will be presented as a poster titled "Intratumoral Administration of the Alpha-Gal Glycolipid AGI-134 to Induce Tumor Regression in a Mouse Model of Melanoma" (Abstract 68) on January 25, 2018 at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium, being held January 25-27, 2018, in San Francisco, CA.

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The ability of intratumorally injected AGI-134 to induce regression of established primary tumors was assessed in two murine melanoma models. In the two models, there was complete tumor regression in 50% and 67%, respectively, of mice treated with AGI-134. Moreover, treatment with AGI-134 showed a beneficial effect on survival, compared to the control group. In addition, the results show that injection of AGI-134 into the tumors induces activation of the complement system, an important component of the innate immune system. Activation of the complement system within tumors by AGI-134 is predicted to destroy tumor cells and create a pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment that attracts and activates other immune cells, ultimately resulting in adaptive anti-tumor immunity. Previous studies with intratumoral administration of AGI-134 to primary tumors had shown that AGI-134 protects mice from the development of distant, untreated tumors.

"We are pleased to report these encouraging results for our second lead oncology project at the upcoming ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)-SITC conference," said Philip Serlin, Chief Executive Officer of BioLineRx. "Previous studies have demonstrated that intratumoral administration of AGI-134 induces a systemic anti-tumor response that protects mice from the development of distant tumors. These new studies now show direct regression of established primary tumors after injection with AGI-134, and that this regression is associated with activation of the innate immune system. These compelling pre-clinical data support investigating this approach in a Phase 1/2a study, and we are excited and on track to commence a first-in-man study with this promising novel oncology asset in patients with solid tumors in the first half of 2018."

About AGI-134

AGI-134 is a synthetic alpha-Gal immunotherapy in development for solid tumors. AGI-134 harnesses the body’s pre-existing, highly abundant anti-alpha-Gal antibodies to induce a systemic, specific anti-tumor response to the patient’s own tumor neo-antigens. This response not only kills the tumor cells at the site of injection, but also brings about a durable, follow-on, anti-metastatic immune response. AGI-134 has completed numerous pre-clinical studies, demonstrating robust protection against the development of secondary tumors in a model of melanoma with a single dose only. Synergy has also been demonstrated in additional pre-clinical studies when combined with a PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, offering the potential to broaden the utility of such immunotherapies, and improve the rate and duration of responses in multiple cancer types. AGI-134 was obtained by BioLineRx through the acquisition of Agalimmune Ltd.

On January 23, 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 completion of a pre-planned interim futility analysis of the Phase 3 SOPHIA trial (Press release, MacroGenics, JAN 23, 2018, View Source [SID1234523490]). This randomized, multi-center clinical study compares margetuximab plus chemotherapy to trastuzumab plus chemotherapy in subjects with metastatic breast cancer. Based on results from the futility analysis, an independent data safety monitoring committee (DSMC) has recommended that the SOPHIA study continue as planned without modification. This analysis was based on a pre-specified assessment of progression-free survival (PFS) as determined by independent central review. The futility analysis did not allow for early stopping due to efficacy.

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MacroGenics also announced today that the U.S. FDA has granted Fast Track designation for the investigation of margetuximab for treatment of patients with metastatic or locally advanced HER2 positive breast cancer who have previously been treated with anti-HER2-targeted therapy. Fast Track designation is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of new therapies for serious conditions and unmet medical needs. With Fast Track designation, early and frequent communications between the FDA and the sponsor are encouraged to help enable rapid development of the candidate molecule.

"We are encouraged with the DSMC’s determination that there were no safety concerns and that the analysis of PFS data support continuation of the Phase 3 SOPHIA trial. Recruitment of patients into the SOPHIA study is progressing well. We remain on track to complete enrollment by the end of 2018 and we look forward to sharing top-line results after the trial has read out in 2019," commented Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of MacroGenics. "Also, we are very pleased to receive Fast Track designation for margetuximab, as this may potentially expedite future regulatory interactions on this product candidate. Furthermore, the gastric cancer data recently presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI for margetuximab in combination with anti-PD-1 may provide additional opportunities to address unmet medical needs in other HER2+ indications."

About the SOPHIA Study

MacroGenics continues to enroll patients in the pivotal Phase 3 SOPHIA clinical study of margetuximab at approximately 200 trial sites across North America, Europe and Asia. The 530-patient study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of margetuximab plus chemotherapy compared to that of trastuzumab plus chemotherapy in relapsed/refractory HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients. This registration study has sequential primary endpoints, which include PFS and overall survival. For additional information on the ongoing SOPHIA trial, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About Margetuximab

Margetuximab is an Fc-optimized monoclonal antibody that targets the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, or HER2, oncoprotein. HER2 is expressed by tumor cells in breast, gastric, and other forms of solid tumor cancers, making it a key marker for biologic therapy. In addition to being studied in metastatic breast cancer, margetuximab is also being studied in combination with an anti-PD-1 agent in a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial in gastric cancer, for which data was recently presented at the recent ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Gastrointestinal Symposium.

On January 23, 2018 BioTime, Inc. (NYSE American: BTX), a late-stage, clinical biotechnology company developing and commercializing products addressing degenerative diseases, reported that Russell Skibsted, Chief Financial Officer, will be presenting at the Noble Capital Markets 14th Annual Investor Conference on Monday, January 29, 2018 at 4:00pm ET, at the W Hotel Fort Lauderdale (Press release, BioTime, JAN 23, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2327855 [SID1234523484]).

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A webcast of Mr. Skibsted’s presentation at this conference will be available at noble.mediasite.com. A replay of the presentation will also be available at the Events and Presentations section of the BioTime website.

On January 23, 2018 Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (Nasdaq: PBYI) reported that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has communicated a negative trend vote after meeting with the Company today to discuss the Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) for neratinib for the extended adjuvant treatment of early stage HER2-positive breast cancer (Press release, Puma Biotechnology, JAN 23, 2018, View Source [SID1234523492]). A negative trend vote means it is unlikely that CHMP will provide a positive opinion related to the Company’s MAA at the formal CHMP decision vote scheduled in February 2018, and that additional steps would need to be taken to gain marketing approval in Europe. CHMP indicated that, in its opinion, the benefit risk assessment is negative as the study results are based on evidence from a single pivotal trial and the 2- and 5-year invasive disease free survival (iDFS) benefits observed to-date may lack sufficient clinical relevance.

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CHMP’s opinion was based on the results from both the Phase III ExteNET trial in extended adjuvant early stage HER2-positive breast cancer and the Phase II CONTROL trial in extended adjuvant early stage HER2-positive breast cancer.

About HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

Approximately 20% to 25% of breast cancer tumors over-express the HER2 protein. HER2-positive breast cancer is often more aggressive than other types of breast cancer, increasing the risk of disease progression and death. Although research has shown that trastuzumab can reduce the risk of early stage HER2-positive breast cancer returning after surgery, up to 25% of patients treated with trastuzumab experience recurrence.

On January 23, 2018 Genmab A/S (Nasdaq Copenhagen: GEN) reported that worldwide net sales of DARZALEX (daratumumab) as reported by Johnson & Johnson were USD 1,242 million in 2017. Net sales were USD 884 million in the U.S. and net sales in the rest of the world were USD 358 million (Press release, Genmab, JAN 23, 2018, View Source [SID1234523485]). Genmab receives royalties on the worldwide net sales of DARZALEX under the exclusive worldwide license to Janssen Biotech, Inc. to develop, manufacture and commercialize DARZALEX.

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DARZALEX was approved in the U.S. in November 2015, in Europe in May 2016 and in Japan in September 2017. Worldwide net sales of DARZALEX in 2016 were USD 572 million, resulting in royalty income of DKK 458 million to Genmab.