On March 8th, 2018 Aurigene Discovery and a specialized biotechnology company engaged in discovery and early clinical development of novel and best-in-class therapies to treat cancer and inflammatory diseases, reported plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial of CA-170, a PDL1-VISTA inhibitor to be conducted at sites in India (Press release, Aurigene Discovery, MAR 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234624578]).

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This was announced following the presentation of preliminary data from the initial 34 patients with cancer treated in the dose escalation stage of the Phase 1 trial of CA-170 at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2017 Congress by Aurigene’s collaborator and licensee of CA-170, Curis, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative and effective therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. The trial has been conducted in the U.S., South Korea and Spain. The Phase 2 trial is the result of the initial safety data and preliminary evidence of clinical benefit observed in the trial.

CA-170 is an oral small molecule targeting the immune checkpoints PDL1 and VISTA. Data presented at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2017 conference represent the initial 34 patients treated to date in the dose escalation Phase 1 trial. 30 patients were naïve to prior immunotherapy treatment, while four patients had experienced prior treatment with approved anti-checkpoint antibodies. No dose limiting toxicities were observed at doses ranging from 50 mg to 800 mg once daily dosing examined thus far. CA-170 demonstrated good oral bioavailability and plasma drug levels were shown to increase in a near-linear manner with increasing doses.

Evidence of immune modulation, including an increase in activated CD8+ T cells, was observed in patient blood and tumor biopsy samples examined following treatment. Of the 21 patients evaluable for disease assessment, 13 patients experienced disease stabilization. Four immunotherapy treatment-naïve patients treated with CA-170 experienced shrinkage of their tumors. Six patients remained on drug treatment beyond three months, including all four patients with tumor shrinkages. In addition, seven of the 34 patients remain on study and are continuing with treatment.

"These results are consistent with the observations made in the preclinical setting and further affirm CA-170’s mechanism of action as an oral small molecule checkpoint inhibitor. Based on these initial clinical results, we are excited for the opportunity to expand testing of CA-170, possibly in earlier lines of treatment and in a greater number of immunotherapy treatment-naïve cancer patients," commented Mr. CSN Murthy, Chief Executive Officer of Aurigene. "Together with Curis, we have designed a Phase 2 trial, treating selected populations of patients of interest in the CA-170 program to be treated at major cancer centers in India. Aurigene’s decision to sponsor and fund this trial is further affirmation of our commitment to CA-170 and a reflection of the successful collaboration we have with Curis in multiple development programs. Aurigene has the commercial rights to the program in India and Russia in addition to milestones, royalties other commercial supply rights globally."

"We are pleased with these early results. Evidence of tumor shrinkage and multiple patients remaining on drug treatment for extended periods, along with signals for biomarkers of immune modulation in patient blood and tumor samples, tells us the program continues to move in the right direction. We plan to continue with the dose escalation and continued analysis of patient biopsy samples in the Phase 1 trial," said Ali Fattaey, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Curis. "We expect to provide additional updates at upcoming conferences including the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) annual meeting in November."

"The ability for cancer patients to administer a potential checkpoint inhibitor on their own as a once daily oral drug is a significant and unique opportunity in our field," added Adil Daud, M.D., investigator in the CA-170 Phase 1 trial and director of Melanoma Clinical Research at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. "These initial clinical results are encouraging and merit continued development."

Syndax has filed a 10-K – Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405] with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Filing, 10-K, Syndax, 2018, MAR 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234524598]).

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On March 8, 2018 Dynavax Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: DVAX) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017 (Press release, Dynavax Technologies, MAR 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234524559]). The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017, was $95.2 million, or $1.81 per share, compared to $112.4 million, or $2.92 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2016.

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Recent Highlights

Received FDA approval of first and only two-dose hepatitis B vaccine, HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted] for prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of the virus in adults age 18 years and older

Launched HEPLISAV-B in the U.S. with a 60-person field sales team covering over 75% of the target market

HEPLISAV-B recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for use in the vaccination of adults, which is a critical milestone to drive broad insurance coverage and adoption for HEPLISAV-B

$100 million received in initial tranche of $175 million non-dilutive term loan agreement to support commercial efforts and advance and expand immuno-oncology platform

"On the heels of HEPLISAV-B’s FDA approval, we entered 2018 positioned to achieve significant milestones and are excited about our accomplishments to date," said Eddie Gray, Chief Executive Officer of Dynavax. "We have strengthened our balance sheet with a non-dilutive financing, enabling us to focus on value creation for our shareholders through both our commercial and clinical development programs. Our commercial team has done an excellent job launching HEPLISAV-B and executing our strategy to ensure we build a solid foundation to drive sales as the year progresses. We are confident that the HEPLISAV-B two-dose in one month administration and the earlier and higher seroprotection rates demonstrated versus ENGERIX-B will make it the new standard of care."

"Equally exciting are the opportunities to generate significant additional value for Dynavax as we report clinical data from our immuno-oncology clinical trials. Data from the phase 2 studies of our lead oncology product candidate, SD-101, in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA, are expected to be presented at major oncology conferences in the first half of the year. We believe that data from these trials in head and neck cancer and melanoma will support the initiation of a Phase 3 study in the second half of the year. In parallel, we are pursuing additional opportunities to expand our TLR platform and will continue to provide updates on our progress."

The Company had $191.9 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at December 31, 2017 compared to $81.4 million at December 31, 2016. In addition, in the first quarter of 2018 the

Company closed on a $175 million term loan agreement and received $100 million in a first tranche funding. Up to an additional $75 million may be borrowed in a second tranche at the Company’s option.

Additional Financial Results

Research and development expenses for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, were $17.4 million and $65.0 million, respectively, compared to $18.4 million and $84.5 million for the same periods in 2016. The overall decrease in the 2017 periods reflects reduced compensation and related personnel costs as a result of the January 2017 restructuring and cost reduction initiative. Additionally, the 2017 period reflects lower costs related to HEPLISAV-B clinical and manufacturing activity partially offset by increased costs related to the FDA approval process for HEPLISAV-B and the ongoing development of SD-101, DV281 and earlier stage oncology programs. In the fourth quarter of 2017, we reinitiated manufacturing operations, and began hiring personnel and retaining vendors as we prepared for the commercial launch of HEPLISAV-B in January 2018.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, were $9.3 million and $27.4 million, respectively, compared to $8.2 million and $37.3 million for the same periods in 2016. The overall decrease in 2017 reflects reduced compensation and related personnel costs as described above. In the fourth quarter of 2017, we had expenses related to preparation for the commercial launch of HEPLISAV-B in January 2018. In 2016, expenses included costs related to hiring of consultants for administrative and commercial development services for an anticipated commercial launch of HEPLISAV-B which was delayed.

About Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral disease of the liver that can become chronic and lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and death. The hepatitis B virus is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV,i and transmission is on the rise. Hepatitis B is a major public health issue in the United States, where an estimated 20,000 new infections occur each year, and approximately 850,000 people are currently living with this chronic disease.i In 2015, new cases of acute hepatitis B increased by more than 20 percent nationally.ii There is no cure for hepatitis B, but effective vaccination can prevent the disease.

In adults, hepatitis B is spread through contact with infected blood and through unprotected sex with an infected person. The CDC recommends that individuals at high risk for hepatitis B infection due to their jobs, lifestyle, living situations and travel to certain areas be immunized.iii Because people with diabetes are particularly vulnerable to infection, the CDC recommends vaccination for adults age 19 to 59 with diabetes as soon as possible after their diagnosis, and for people age 60 and older with diabetes at their physician’s discretion.iv Approximately 20 million U.S. adults have diabetes, and 1.5 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed each year.v

About HEPLISAV-B

HEPLISAV-B is an adult hepatitis B vaccine that combines hepatitis B surface antigen with Dynavax’s proprietary Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 9 agonist to enhance the immune response. Dynavax has worldwide commercial rights to HEPLISAV-B.

Indication and Use

HEPLISAV-B is indicated for prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus in adults age 18 years and older.

Important Safety Information (ISI)

Do not administer HEPLISAV-B to individuals with a history of severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of any hepatitis B vaccine or to any component of HEPLISAV-B, including yeast.

Appropriate medical treatment and supervision must be available to manage possible anaphylactic reactions following administration of HEPLISAV-B.

Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressant therapy, may have a diminished immune response to HEPLISAV-B.

Hepatitis B has a long incubation period. HEPLISAV-B may not prevent hepatitis B infection in individuals who have an unrecognized hepatitis B infection at the time of vaccine administration.

The most common patient reported adverse reactions reported within 7 days of vaccination were injection site pain (23% to 39%), fatigue (11% to 17%) and headache (8% to 17%).

For full Prescribing Information for HEPLISAV-B, click here.

About SD-101
SD-101, the Company’s lead clinical candidate, is a proprietary, second-generation, Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist CpG-C class oligodeoxynucleotide. Dynavax is evaluating this intratumoral TLR9 agonist in several clinical studies to assess its safety and activity, including a Phase 2 study in combination with Keytruda (pembrolizumab), an anti-PD-1 therapy, in patients with metastatic melanoma and in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer, in a clinical collaboration with Merck. Dynavax maintains all commercial rights to SD-101.

About DV281

DV281 is Dynavax’s proprietary investigational TLR9 agonist designed specifically for focused delivery to primary lung tumors and lung metastases. DV281 is similar in biological activity and mechanism of action to Dynavax’s Phase 2 immunotherapy candidate, SD-101, but has been optimized for administration as an aerosol. Both SD-101 and DV281 are designed to activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells and stimulate T cells specific for antigens released from dying tumor cells. TLR9 agonists such as DV281 and SD-101 have been shown to stimulate potent Type 1 interferon induction along with maturation of dendritic cells to effective antigen-presenting cells; both activities are important for the induction of effective anti-tumor immunity. Dynavax has initiated dosing in a phase 1B dose escalation clinical trial of DV281 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

For information about SD-101 and DV281 trials that are currently recruiting patients, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov

On March 8, 2018 Nicox SA (Euronext Paris: FR0013018124, COX), international ophthalmology company, reported that Michele Garufi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nicox, will present at the following investor conferences in March 2018 in the United States (Press release, NicOx, MAR 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234525135]):

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Cowen and Company 38th Annual Health Care Conference on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 9:20 a.m. ET. at the Boston Marriott Copley Place hotel.
A live webcast of the presentation will be available on Nicox website (www.nicox.com) in the "Presentations & Events" section. A replay of the webcast will be also archived.
Oppenheimer’s 28th Annual Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. ET.at the Westin New York Grand Central hotel.
The presentation will be available on Nicox website (www.nicox.com) in "Presentations & Events" section.

Calithera Biosciences has filed a 10-K – Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405] with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Filing, 10-K, Calithera Biosciences, 2018, MAR 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234524606]).

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