On May 18, 2017 Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:BLCM), a leader in developing novel, controllable cellular immunotherapies for cancers and orphan inherited blood disorders, reported that three abstracts have been accepted for presentation at the 22nd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) being held in Madrid, Spain on June 22-25, 2017 (Press release, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, MAY 18, 2017, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2273891 [SID1234519217]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Know more, wherever you are:
Latest on Bellicum Pharmaceuticals’ Cancer Pipeline, book your free 1stOncology demo here.

Bellicum’s presentation of the overall cohort of children with malignant and non-malignant diseases treated with BPX-501 was selected as one of the Congress’ five best abstracts, and will be reviewed during the Presidential Symposium.

Additional oral and poster presentations selected include clinical data on BPX-501 for the treatment of pediatric leukemias, hemoglobinopathies and erythroid disorders. The abstracts are now available online at the EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) conference website.

EHA Presentation Details

Oral Presentation – Presidential Symposium
Title: BPX-501 Donor T-Cell Infusion (with Inducible Caspase 9 Suicide Gene) Facilitates HLA Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplant in Children with Both Hematological Malignancies and Non-Malignant Conditions
Session Title: Presidential Symposium
Date: Friday, June 23
Time: 3:45 – 4:00 PM CEST
Location: Hall A
Abstract Code: S146

Oral Presentation
Title: Impact of Post-Transplant Infusion of Donor T-Cells Genetically Modified with Inducible Caspase 9 Suicide Gene (BPX-501 Cells) on Children with Leukemia Given Alpha-Beta T-Cell Depleted Haplo-HSCT
Session Title: Stem cell transplantation – Clinical 1
Date: Saturday, June 24
Time: 5:00 – 5:15 PM CEST
Location: Room N103
Abstract Code: S495

Poster Presentation
Title: The Use of BPX-501 Donor T-Cell Infusion (with Inducible Caspase 9 Suicide Gene) Together with HLA-Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplant to Treat Children with Hemoglobinopathies and Erythroid Disorders
Session Title: Stem cell transplantation – Clinical 1
Date: Friday, June 23
Time: 5:15 – 6:45 PM CEST
Location: Poster Area (Hall 7)
Abstract Code: P381

On May 17, 2017 Redx (AIM: REDX) reported its interim results for the six months ended 31 March 2017 (Press release, Redx Pharma, MAY 17, 2017, View Source [SID1234524750]):

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Clinical trial application filed for Porcupine inhibitor RXC004
Development candidate chosen for reversible BTK inhibitor RXC005 for drug resistant chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Strategic restructuring completed post period; estimated £4.2 million annual cost saving
Iain Ross appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board from 1 May 2017
£12 million gross raised in March 2017, including a subscription with a related sharing agreement
Pipeline highlights
RXC004 — our "best-in-class" Porcupine inhibitor
Clinical trial application (CTA) filed post period in April
Scheduled to enter first-in-human studies upon CTA approval
Shown to have the potential to be used in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1)
RXC005 — our "best-in-class" reversible BTK inhibitor
In vivo proof of concept achieved for the reversible BTK program
Development candidate nominated for drug resistant chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
Pre-clinical profile presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting in December 2016 and iwCLL in May 2017
Investigational new drug (IND) application and CTA to be filed around the end of 2017
Other highlights
Fibrotic disease selected as core immunology research area
Redx acquired the locally acting Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor AMA0825 from Amakem NV in March 2017 for an undisclosed amount. ROCK is a promising anti-fibrotic target and AMA0825 is at late lead optimisation stage
Redx was awarded US$1 million competitive grant by CARB-X to enable the Company to advance its Gram-negative anti-infective program with a prospective partner
Key Financials
Net cash at 31 March 2017: £5.1m (2016: £4.4m)
Comprehensive loss: £10.7m (2016: £7.1m)
Strategic refocus expected to deliver annual cost savings of £4.2 million
Dr Neil Murray, Chief Executive Officer of Redx Pharma, commented, "Redx Pharma is now optimally positioned to capitalise on the potential of its world class discovery engine with the transition to clinical development of our two best-in-class assets RXC004 and RXC005 in oncology. I am also excited by the potential of our pipeline in fibrosis, bringing novel medicines to areas of severe unmet need. We look forward to announcing the start of our first clinical trial with RXC004 and to building greater value for our shareholders as a clinical stage business."

Iain Ross, Chairman of Redx Pharma, added,"I have been impressed by the potential of Redx Pharma’s science, approach to drug discovery and the speed with which the Company has created a world class pipeline of best-in-class products. Following the recent re-structuring of the organisation we are now focused on implementing an aggressive strategy to accelerate the "realisation of value" by progressing the clinical and commercial development of our lead programs and maximising the long term potential of the pipeline. I am delighted to be working with the Redx team."

On May 18, 2017 Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka, Japan; President: Masayo Tada) reported that a total of 12 presentations including clinical data for investigational anti-cancer agents napabucasin (BBI608), amcasertib (BBI503) and WT2725 will be presented at the poster session of the 2017 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in Chicago from June 2 to June 6, 2017 (Press release, Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma, MAY 17, 2017, View Source [SID1234519264]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Napabucasin: Study results, 7 presentations Abstract number Title of poster presentation Date and Time, Location Study number Cancer Type 9052 A phase 1b/2 study of napabucasin with weekly paclitaxel in advanced, previously treated non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. June 3, 2017 8：00 AM-11：30 AM (local time), Hall A 201 Study： NCT01325441 Non-small cell lung cancer 3529 Phase 1b/II study of cancer stemness inhibitor napabucasin (BBI-608) in combination with FOLFIRI +/- bevacizumab (bev) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients (pts). June 3, 2017 8：00 AM-11：30 AM (local time), Hall A 246 Study： NCT02024607 Colorectal cancer 4106 A phase Ib/II study of cancer stemness inhibitor napabucasin (BBI-608) in combination with gemcitabine (gem) and nab-paclitaxel (nabPTX) in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) patients (pts). June 3, 2017 8：00 AM-11：30 AM (local time), Hall A 118 Study： NCT02231723 Pancreatic cancer 5548 A phase 1b/2 study of napabucasin with weekly paclitaxel in advanced, previously treated platinum resistant ovarian cancer. June 3, 2017 1：15 PM-4：45 PM (local time) , Hall A 201 Study： NCT01325441 Ovarian Cancer 9553 A phase Ib study of napabucasin plus weekly paclitaxel in patients with advanced melanoma. June 3, 2017 1：15 PM-4：45 PM (local time) , Hall A 201 Study： NCT01325441 Melanoma 2 1084 A phase 2 study of napabucasin with weekly paclitaxel in previously treated metastatic breast cancer. June 4, 2017 8：00 AM-11：30 AM (local time) , Hall A 201 Study： NCT01325441 Breast cancer 4077 BBI608-503-103HCC: A phase Ib/II clinical study of napabucasin (BBI608) in combination with sorafenib or amcasertib (BBI503) in combination with sorafenib (Sor) in adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). June 3, 2017 8：00 AM-11：30 AM (local time) , Hall A BBI HCC 103 Study： NCT02279719 Hepatocellular carcinoma

Napabucasin: Study design, 2 presentations Abstract number Title of poster presentation Date and Time, Location Study number Cancer Type TPS3619 CanStem303C trial: A phase III study of napabucasin (BBI-608) in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), leucovorin, irinotecan (FOLFIRI) in adult patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). June 3, 2017 8：00 AM-11：30 AM (local time) , Hall A CanStem303C Study： NCT02753127 Colorectal cancer TPS4148 CanStem111P trial: A phase III study of napabucasin (BBI-608) plus nab-paclitaxel (nab-PTX) with gemcitabine (gem) in adult patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPDAC). June 3, 2017 8：00 AM-11：30 AM (local time) , Hall A CanStem111P Study： NCT02993731 Pancreatic cancer

Amcasertib: Study results, 2 presentations Abstract number Title of poster presentation Date and Time, Location Study number Cancer Type 6032 A phase 1b/2 study of amcasertib, a first-in-class cancer stemness kinase inhibitor in advanced head and neck cancer. June 5, 2017 1：15 PM-4：45 PM (local time) , Hall A 101 Study： NCT01781455 Head and Neck cancer 6036 A phase 1b/2 study of amcasertib, a first-in-class cancer stemness kinase inhibitor, in advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma. June 5, 2017 1：15 PM-4：45 PM (local time), Hall A 101 Study： NCT01781455 Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma 3

WT2725: Study results, 1 presentation Abstract number Title of poster presentation Date and Time, Location Study number Cancer Type 2066 Initial phase 1 study of WT2725 dosing emulsion in patients with advanced malignancies. June 5, 2017 1：15 PM-4：45 PM (local time), Hall A D8350004Study ：NCT01621542 Solid tumors, Hematologic malignancies *The abstract is now available on the official website of ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper). There is the link to applicable abstract on abstract number of each study. (Reference)

【About napabucasin:BBI608】 Napabucasin is an investigational first-in-class anti-cancer agent created by Boston Biomedical, Inc., wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Napabucasin is an orally -administered small molecule agent with a novel mechanism of action designed to inhibit cancer stemness pathways by targeting STAT3.

【About amcasertib:BBI503】 Amcasertib is an investigational anti-cancer agent created by Boston Biomedical, Inc. Amcasertib is an orally-administered small molecule agent with a novel mechanism of action designed to inhibit cancer stemness pathways, including Nanog, by targeting stemness kinases.

【About WT2725】 WT2725 is an investigational therapeutic cancer peptide vaccine derived from Wilms’ tumor gene 1 (WT1) protein. WT2725 is expected to treat various types of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors that express WT1, by inducing WT1-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes that attack WT1-expressing cancer cells.

On May 17, 2017 AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a global biopharmaceutical company, reported it will present data about the company’s portfolio of approved and investigational oncology medicines during the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper), June 2-6, in Chicago. A total of 23 abstracts have been accepted across several tumor types including brain cancer, hematologic malignancies, breast cancer, lung cancer and other solid tumors (Press release, AbbVie, MAY 17, 2017, View Source [SID1234519180]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Know more, wherever you are:
Latest on Cancer Drug Development at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), book your free 1stOncology demo here.

Researchers will present efficacy and safety data on depatuxizumab mafodotin (previously known as ABT-414), an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) being studied for the treatment of adults with amplified-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) newly diagnosed or recurrent glioblastoma (GBM). GBM is one of the most aggressive cancers, with a five-year survival rate of approximately 6 percent in the U.S. and 24 European countries.1,2 The most common genetic alteration in GBM, EGFR-amplification, occurs in approximately 50 percent of GBM patients.3,4

Additionally, researchers will present data from studies evaluating venetoclax, a BCL-2 inhibitor developed by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, for investigational uses across multiple hematologic malignancies; ibrutinib, an inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), across multiple hematologic malignancies and chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD); rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T), an investigational ADC targeting delta-like protein 3 (DLL3)-expressing tumors in small cell lung cancer (SCLC); veliparib, an investigational oral poly (adenosine diphosphate [ADP]–ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, across multiple solid tumors; elotuzumab, an immunostimulatory antibody that specifically targets Signaling Lymphocyte Activation Molecule Family member 7 (SLAMF7), a cell-surface glycoprotein; and other early-stage investigational compounds.

AbbVie will also share early-stage research from its oncology pipeline. AbbVie is utilizing technologies and new approaches to help advance cancer therapies that may become foundational to the next generation of cancer treatments.

"AbbVie’s data presentations at this year’s ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) meeting reinforce our diverse and comprehensive oncology pipeline, focused on bringing new medicines to patients, especially in areas where few options exist in cancer," said Tom Hudson, M.D., vice president of oncology discovery and early development, AbbVie. "By combining our deep knowledge in core areas of biology with cutting-edge technologies, and working together with our partners including scientists, industry peers and patients, we aim to discover and develop medicines that will drive transformational improvements in cancer treatment."

AbbVie abstracts:

Ibrutinib

Long-Term Efficacy and Safety with Ibrutinib (ibr) in Previously Treated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): Up to Four Years Follow-Up of the RESONATE Study; Byrd et al.; Abstract 7510; Poster Discussion Presentation; Monday, June 5, 2017; Poster 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT; Discussion 1:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m. CDT
Ibrutinib vs Chlorambucil: Immunophenotypic and Quantitative Impacts on Circulating Immune Cells in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL); Solman et al.; Abstract 7524; Poster Presentation; Monday, June 5, 2017; 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT
A Randomized, Double-Blind Phase III Study of Ibrutinib versus Placebo in Combination with Corticosteroids in Patients with New Onset Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease; Miklos et al.; Abstract TPS7072; Poster Presentation; Monday, June 5, 2017; 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT
A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase III Study of the Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) Inhibitor, Ibrutinib, in Combination with Rituximab Versus Placebo in Combination with Rituximab in Patients with Treatment-Naïve Follicular Lymphoma (PERSPECTIVE); Fowler et al.; Abstract TPS7576; Poster Presentation; Monday, June 5, 2017; 8:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. CDT

Venetoclax

Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Venetoclax Combined with Azacitidine Versus Azacitidine in Treatment-Naïve Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia; Potluri et al.; Abstract TPS7069; Poster Presentation; Monday, June 5, 2017; 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT
Phase 2, Open-Label Study of Venetoclax in Combination with Carfilzomib and Dexamethasone in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma; Bueno et al.; Abstract TPS8056; Poster Presentation; Monday, June 5, 2017; 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT
Venetoclax (VEN) in Patients with Relapsed Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL); Davids et al.; Publication

Depatuxizumab mafodotin (ABT-414)

Efficacy Analysis of ABT-414 with or without Temozolomide (TMZ) in Patients (pts) with EGFR-Amplified, Recurrent Glioblastoma (rGBM) from a Multicenter, International Phase I Clinical Trial; van den Bent et al.; Abstract 2003; Oral Presentation; Sunday, June 4, 2017; 9:00 a.m.-9:12 a.m. CDT

Rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T)

A Phase III Study of Rovalpituzumab Tesirine Maintenance Therapy Following First-Line Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Patients with Extensive Disease Small Cell Lung Cancer (ED SCLC); Komarnitsky et al.; Abstract TPS8583; Poster Presentation; Saturday, June 3, 2017; 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT
Molecular Profiling of Small Cell Bladder Cancer (SCBC) to Reveal Gene Expression Determinants of Aggressive Phenotype; Koshkin et al.; Abstract 4529; Poster Presentation; Sunday, June 4, 2017; 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT
A Study of Rovalpituzumab Tesirine in Frontline Treatment of Patients with DLL3 Expressing Extensive Small Cell Lung Cancer; Hann et al.; Abstract TPS2598; Poster Presentation; Monday, June 5, 2017; 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT
An Open-Label Study of Rovalpituzumab Tesirine in Patients with DLL3-Expressing Advanced Solid Tumors; Kavalerchik et al.; Abstract TPS2597; Poster Presentation; Monday, June 5, 2017; 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT
Rovalpituzumab Tesirine (Rova-T) as a Therapeutic Agent for Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer (NEPC); Puca et al.; Abstract 5029; Poster Presentation; Monday, June 5, 2017; 1:15 p.m.-4:45 p.m. CDT

Veliparib

Phase 1/2 Study of Veliparib (V) Combined with Carboplatin (Cb) and Etoposide (E) in Patients (Pts) with Extensive-Stage Disease (ED) Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) and Other Solid Tumors: Phase 1 Results; Atrafi et al.; Abstract 8530; Poster Presentation; Saturday, June 3, 2017; 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT
Tolerability of Veliparib (V) in Combination with Carboplatin (C)/Paclitaxel (P): Based Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in Subjects with Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC); Kozono et al.; Abstract 8546; Poster Presentation; Saturday, June 3, 2017; 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT
Breast Conservation after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Surgical Results from an International Randomized Trial (BrighTNess); Golshan et al.; Abstract 514; Poster Discussion Presentation; Sunday, June 4, 2017; Poster 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT; Discussion 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. CDT
Phase 3 Study Evaluating Efficacy and Safety of Veliparib (V) Plus Carboplatin (Cb) or Cb in Combination with Standard Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (NAC) in Patients (Pts) with Early Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC); Geyer et al.; Abstract 520; Poster Discussion Presentation; Sunday, June 4, 2017; Poster 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT; Discussion 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. CDT

Elotuzumab

Phase 3 ELOQUENT-2 Study: Extended Four Year Follow-Up (FU) of Elotuzumab Plus Lenalidomide/Dexamethasone (ELd) vs Ld in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM); Lonial et al.; Abstract 8028; Poster Presentation; Monday, June 5, 2017; 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT
CheckMate 602: An Open-Label, Randomized, Phase 3 Trial of Combinations of Nivolumab, Elotuzumab, Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma; Lonial et al.; Abstract TPS8052; Poster Presentation; Monday, June 5, 2017; 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT

ABBV-221

Preliminary Results from a Phase 1 Study of the Antibody-Drug Conjugate ABBV-221 in Patients with Solid Tumors Likely to Express EGFR; Calvo et al.; Abstract 2510; Poster Discussion Presentation; Monday, June 5, 2017; Poster 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT; Discussion 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. CDT

ABBV-399

Phase I Study of ABBV-399, a c-Met Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC), as Monotherapy and in Combination with Erlotinib in Patients (Pts) with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC); Angevin et al.; Abstract 2509; Poster Discussion Presentation; Monday, June 5, 2017; Poster 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT; Discussion 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. CDT
Impact of MET Inhibitors on Survival Among Patients (Pts) with MET Exon 14 Mutant (METdel14) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC); Awad et al.; Abstract 8511; Clinical Science Symposium; Sunday, June 4, 2017; 8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. CDT

ABT-348

Pharmaco-kinetics/dynamics (PK/PD) Evaluation and Individual Patient Cross-Over Studies with Growth Trajectory Assessment to Adaptively Develop Ilorasertib; Maitland et al.; Abstract 2563; Poster Presentation; Monday, June 5, 2017; 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CDT

The ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2017 Annual Meeting abstracts are available at View Source

On May 17, 2017 GlycoMimetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLYC) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for treatment of adult relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to the company’s drug candidate GMI-1271, an E-selectin antagonist currently being evaluated in the Phase 2 portion of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with AML (Press release, GlycoMimetics, MAY 17, 2017, View Source [SID1234617412]). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had previously granted Orphan Drug designation and Fast Track Status for GMI-1271 in AML.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

In the ongoing clinical trial, GMI-1271 is being administered, along with chemotherapy, to patients with relapsed or refractory AML as well as those 60 years of age and older with newly diagnosed disease. Data from this trial were presented in 2016 at meetings of the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) and the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper). In the trial, patients treated with GMI-1271 achieved higher than expected remission rates and lower than expected 30- and 60-day mortality rates in early evaluations of patients with relapsed/refractory AML as well as in newly diagnosed patients. In March 2017, the Company announced that the first of two patient cohorts in the Phase 2 portion of the trial of GMI-1271 had completed enrollment. In April 2017, the Company announced plans to present further data updates on both patient populations in the ongoing AML trial at the 2017 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in June.

The FDA grants Breakthrough Therapy designation to companies to help accelerate development and review of drug candidates when preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies. The designation is designed to expedite the development and review of designated therapies, without changing FDA standards for new drug approval.

"The FDA’s granting to GMI-1271 of Breakthrough Therapy designation will further help GlycoMimetics to accelerate the development of GMI-1271 as a treatment for this very difficult-to-treat patient population," said Helen Thackray, MD, Chief Medical Officer of GlycoMimetics. "We believe GMI-1271 when combined with chemotherapy has the potential to address an unmet therapeutic need for individuals living with AML. We are encouraged by our clinical results to date, and look forward to working closely with the FDA to bring this novel therapy to patients as quickly as possible."

About AML

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. AML is the most common type of acute leukemia in adults. Each year in the United States, about 19,900 people (usually older than 45 years of age) are diagnosed, and about 10,400 people die from all forms of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. Unlike other cancers that start in an organ and spread to the bone marrow, AML is known for rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that gather in the bone marrow, getting in the way of normal blood cell production. The lack of normal blood cells can cause some of the symptoms of AML, including anemia (shortage of red blood cells resulting in tiredness and weakness), neutropenia (shortage of white blood cells that may lead to increased infections), and thrombocytopenia (shortage of platelets in the blood that may lead to excessive bleeding). Current treatment options for AML consist of reducing and eliminating cancer cells mainly through chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplantation.