10-K – Annual report [Section 13 and 15(d), not S-K Item 405]

Acorda Therapeutics 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/A [Amend], Acorda Therapeutics, 2018, MAR 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234528033]).

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Alpine Immune Sciences to Present at Cowen 38th Annual Health Care Conference

On February 27, 2018 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALPN), a leading immunotherapy company focused on developing treatments for autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and cancer, reported the company will present at the Cowen 38th Annual Health Care Conference in Boston on Monday, March 12, 2018 at 4:10 pm Eastern Time (Press release, Alpine Immune Sciences, FEB 27, 2018, https://ir.alpineimmunesciences.com/news-releases/news-release-details/alpine-immune-sciences-present-cowen-38th-annual-health-care [SID1234524206]).

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A live webcast of the presentation will be available online in the investor relations section of the company’s website at View Source A replay of the presentation will be available on the company website for 90 days following the webcast.

Fate Therapeutics to Webcast Conference Call Reporting Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Financial Results

On February 27, 2018 Fate Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:FATE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of programmed cellular immunotherapies for cancer and immune disorders, reported that the Company will host a conference call and live audio webcast on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. ET to report its fourth quarter and full year 2017 financial results and provide a corporate update (Press release, Fate Therapeutics, FEB 27, 2018, http://ir.fatetherapeutics.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fate-therapeutics-webcast-conference-call-reporting-fourth-3 [SID1234524228]).

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In order to participate in the conference call, please dial 877-303-6235 (domestic) or 631-291-4837 (international) and refer to conference ID 7589759. The live webcast can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investors and Media section of the Company’s website at www.fatetherapeutics.com. The archived webcast will be available on the Company’s website beginning approximately two hours after the event.

Sierra Oncology and Janssen Sign Supply Agreement for Prostate Cancer Study

On February 27, 2018 Sierra Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: SRRA), a clinical stage drug development company focused on advancing next generation DNA Damage Response (DDR) therapeutics for the treatment of patients with cancer, reported the signing of a clinical supply agreement with Janssen Research & Development, LLC. (Janssen) for access to TESARO’s ZEJULA (niraparib), an orally administered poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor undergoing clinical development by Janssen for patients with prostate cancer (Press release, Sierra Oncology, FEB 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234524261]). Sierra intends to evaluate its Chk1 inhibitor, SRA737, in combination with niraparib in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The scientific rationale for the combination was supported by translational research conducted at The Institute of Cancer Research, London.

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Professor Johann de Bono, Regius Professor of Cancer Research at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, will be the Chief Investigator of the new study. He noted: "I look forward to supporting Sierra’s investigation of this combination. Research has demonstrated the potential benefit of PARP inhibitor therapy in prostate cancer patients with defects in HRR, and clinical trials are under way evaluating niraparib in these patients. However, the combination of Chk1 inhibition with PARP inhibition potentially may expand the application of niraparib to patients with HRR proficient tumors or re-sensitize patients who have developed PARP inhibitor resistance."

"Preclinical studies have demonstrated synergy between PARP inhibitors and SRA737, including in contexts where PARP inhibitors have minimal activity such as HRR proficient and PARP inhibitor resistant settings," added Dr. Nick Glover, President and CEO of Sierra Oncology. "PARP inhibitors impede the repair of single-strand DNA breaks, resulting in stalled DNA replication forks and double strand breaks that make the cell highly reliant on HRR, which is regulated by Chk1. The combined inhibition of both pathways is the basis for Sierra’s drug combination strategy of SRA737 with niraparib."

"This supply agreement with Janssen is significant strategically in the continued advancement of SRA737 as it enables the exploration of a novel and independent development path for our Chk1 inhibitor, supported by both a promising scientific and a compelling commercial rationale," added Dr. Angie You, Chief Business & Strategy Officer and Head of Commercial at Sierra.

Sierra plans to conduct an open-label, multicenter Phase 1b/2 dose-ranging study to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary antitumor activity of SRA737 in combination with niraparib in patients with mCRPC. The study is intended to determine the maximum tolerated dose and schedule of SRA737 in combination with niraparib and to propose a recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) and schedule of the combination. Data will be analyzed to examine specific hypotheses regarding the relationship between clinical response and alterations in genes regulating cell cycle progression and DNA damage response.

Janssen will provide Sierra with niraparib, while Sierra will conduct and control the study, which is anticipated to commence in the fourth quarter of 2018. Preclinical studies evaluating the combination of SRA737 and niraparib are ongoing.

About Sierra’s Chk1 inhibitor, SRA737
SRA737, is a potent, highly selective, orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), a key regulator of cell cycle progression and the DDR Replication Stress response. SRA737 is currently being investigated in two Phase 1/2 clinical trials in patients with advanced cancer: SRA737-01, a monotherapy study evaluating SRA737 in patients with tumors identified to have genetic aberrations hypothesized to confer sensitivity to Chk1 inhibition via synthetic lethality; and SRA737-02, a drug combination study evaluating SRA737 potentiated by low-dose gemcitabine. Sierra is also preparing for potential clinical studies of SRA737 in combination with other agents where there is a strong biological rationale for synergy with Chk1 inhibition, such as immune oncology therapeutics and other DDR inhibitors including PARP inhibitors.

About niraparib
Janssen Biotech, Inc. maintains a worldwide collaboration, license and supply agreement with TESARO, Inc., for exclusive rights to the investigational compound niraparib in prostate cancer for all geographies except Japan. Janssen is conducting a Phase 2 study (NCT02854436) of niraparib in patients with mCRPC who have DNA-repair anomalies and a Phase 1 study (NCT02924766) of niraparib in combination with an androgen receptor-targeted therapy in mCRPC.

Niraparib (ZEJULA) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 27, 2017 and is marketed by TESARO in the United States and Europe. ZEJULA is an oral, once-daily poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) 1/2 inhibitor that is indicated in the U.S. 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. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) added ZEJULA to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology Ovarian Cancer version 1.2017—April 12, 2017—as maintenance therapy for patients with platinum-sensitive disease who are in partial or complete response after completion of two or more lines of 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.

Nordic Nanovector ASA – Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017: Solid performance through 2017, moving forward with pivotal trial

On February 27, 2018 Nordic Nanovector ASA (OSE: NANO) reported results for the fourth quarter and full year 2017 (Press release, Nordic Nanovector, FEB 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234553510]). A presentation by the company’s team will take place today in Oslo at 08:30 CET, see details below.

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Nordic Nanovector made significant progress during 2017, continuing the strong positive momentum started in 2016. The company has advanced the clinical development programme for Betalutin into its pivotal PARADIGME trial and expanded the knowledge base from which it intends to develop a successful commercialisation strategy for the candidate. The company also advanced its partnered early stage programmes aimed at creating a pipeline of novel targeted therapies for haematological cancers.

Updated clinical data from the Phase 1/2a LYMRIT 37-01 trial presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) in December continue to highlight Betalutin’s strong clinical profile as a single agent for treating patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma (R/R FL). Nordic Nanovector initiated its pivotal PARADIGME trial with Betalutin in the fourth quarter as planned and the study is currently open for patient enrolment. PARADIGME is a global randomized Phase 2b study comparing two Betalutin dosing regimens in third line (3L) FL patients who are refractory to standard-of-care anti-CD20-based therapy (including rituximab). Nordic Nanovector is targeting initial data read-outs from the study and subsequent filing in the second half of 2019 for marketing approval.

The final design for ARCHER-1 was completed and the trial will open for enrolment once regulatory approval has been received. The trial will be the first to combine Betalutin with rituximab in second line (2L) FL patients, based on promising preclinical data showing strong synergy between the two agents.

Recruitment into the Phase 1 study in diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains on track, and a Phase 1 trial of Humalutin is ready to start with the first patient expected to be dosed in the second half of 2018.

Luigi Costa, CEO of Nordic Nanovector, comments: "In 2017 we continued with a strong momentum and have delivered on several important milestones. We continue to show strong clinical data that consistently reinforce Betalutin’s potential as one of the most promising new treatments for indolent non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (iNHL). We have transitioned the company to the next phase by starting PARADIGME, the pivotal Phase 2b study with the intent to generate the data for regulatory submission in 3L FL. I am very pleased with the good progress towards the first trial of Betalutin in combination with standard of care anti-CD20 therapy (rituximab) in 2L FL (ARCHER-1). Our focus during 2018 will be to drive recruitment into our leading clinical studies with the objective of taking Betalutin to patients as fast as possible while we progress in development of our commercial strategy."

Operational Highlights Q4’17

• Updated results from LYMRIT 37-01 Phase 1/2a trial presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) show Betalutin’s strong clinical profile in patients with R/R iNHL

o Significant anti-tumour activity observed: 90% of patients (n=59) had a reduction in tumour size

o ORR of 60% and CR of 24% for all evaluable iNHL patients

o Highly active in target population of FL patients with two or more prior therapies (3L FL) with 66% ORR and 25% CR

o Median duration of response of 13.3 months for FL patients receiving 40 mg lilotomab pre-dosing followed by 15 MBq/kg Betalutin (n=17); median duration of response of 22.9 months for patients with a CR (n=7)

o Promising early data from second dosing regimen (Arm 4 – 100 mg/m2 lilotomab/20 MBq/kg Betalutin)

o Well tolerated with predictable and manageable safety profile

• Phase 1/2a study LYMRIT 37-01 recruitment completed with 74 patients enrolled

• Pivotal Phase 2b PARADIGME trial initiated to investigate Betalutin in patients with 3L R/R FL

o Study opened for patient enrolment

o Two promising dosing regimens to be evaluated (40mg lilotomab/15 MBq/kg Betalutin and 100 mg/m2 lilotomab/20 MBq/kg Betalutin)

• Finalised design for ARCHER-1, trial aims to investigate Betalutin in combination with rituximab in 2L FL

o Trial will open for patient enrolment once regulatory approvals has been received

• Results from extensive research aimed at supporting market strategy for Betalutin demonstrate clear commercial opportunities

• Rosemarie Corrigan appointed to the Executive management team as Chief Quality Officer

Events after Q4’17

• Malene Brondberg appointed as Vice President, IR and Corporate Communications

Financial Highlights Q4 and FY’17

(Figures in brackets = same period 2016 unless otherwise stated)

• Revenues for the fourth quarter amounted to NOK 0.1 million (NOK 0.1 million). Revenues for the full year 2017 were NOK 0.3 million (NOK 0.3 million).

• Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter were NOK 102.0 million (NOK 65.4 million). Total operating expenses for the full year 2017 amounted to NOK 316.8 million (NOK 216.7 million).

• Comprehensive loss for the fourth quarter amounted to NOK 87.6 million (loss of NOK 59.3 million). Comprehensive loss for the full year 2017 was NOK 295.6 million (NOK 235.8 million).

• Cash and cash equivalents amounted to NOK 756.6 million at the end of December 2017 (NOK 1 018.2 million).

Outlook

Nordic Nanovector aspires to become a leader in the field of Precision Therapies for haematological cancers by developing, manufacturing and commercialising innovative therapies to address major unmet medical needs and advance cancer care.

Betalutin, the company’s most advanced product candidate, is developing a well differentiated, competitive, clinical profile for R/R FL, based on the promising preliminary results from the LYMRIT 37-01 Phase 1/2a clinical study. The company’s pivotal Phase 2b PARADIGME trial with Betalutin in 3L R/R FL is underway with the goal to have the initial data read-outs from the study and subsequent filing in the second half of 2019 for marketing approval.

Nordic Nanovector intends to maximize the value of Betalutin across other stages of FL, NHL and other haematological cancer indications. A further element of the company’s strategy is to selectively extend its pipeline of novel targeted biopharmaceutical candidates to support future growth.

Management will continue to focus its efforts on the efficient execution of its plans and to meet clinical and pre-commercialisation milestones. The company is confident that Betalutin could become an attractive and convenient therapeutic option, which, based on detailed market research, has the potential to be commercially successful.

Current cash resources are expected to be sufficient until first regulatory filing of Betalutin in 3L R/R FL and to advance other key programmes

Presentation and webcast – Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 results

A presentation by Nordic Nanovector’s senior management team will take place today at 8:30 am CET at:

Thon Hotel Vika Atrium, Munkedamsveien 45, 0250 Oslo

Meeting Room: NYLAND

The presentation will be recorded as a webcast and will be available at www.nordicnanovector.com in the section: Investors & Media

The results report and the presentation will be available at www.nordicnanovector.com in the section: Investors & Media/Reports and Presentation/Interim Reports/2017 from 7:00 am CET today.