Biopharma R&D pipeline Update

Belén Garijo CEO Healthcare Luciano Rossetti Global Head of Research & Development, Biopharma Rehan Verjee Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, Healthcare June 12, 2017 Biopharma R&D pipeline Update Complete portfolio supporting leadership in a potentially disruptive class DNA damage response (DDR) Genomic instability: a hallmark of late stage cancers 1 • DNA damage response (DDR) keeps genetic information intact • In many cancers DDR pathways are defected, leading to greater dependency on remaining functional DDR pathways • Preferentially inhibiting remaining DDR pathways can result in cancer cell death ("synthetic lethality") 26 1 Sources : O’Connor, Molecular Cell, 2015 | Benjamin et al., Current Drug Targets, 2010, 11, 1336-1340 2 "A multicenter phase I trial of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) inhibitor M3814 in patients with solid tumors", Mark van Bussel, ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2017 Acronyms: ATM: ataxia-telangiectasia mutated |ATR: ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 | DNA-PK: DNA-dependent protein kinase | Amplifying cytotoxic effects of conventional and novel cancer treatments potentially bears combination potential 1. Inhibitor portfolio targets all three leading pathways of double stranded breaks – enabling unique synergies 2. ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2017: leading DNA-PK-I (M3814) found safe and tolerable in a phase I study, with limited single-agent activity (20 % of patients with stable disease for at least 18 weeks) 2 3 Lead Optimization Pre-clinical Phase I Phase II Phase III 28 DNA-PK-i ATR-i ATM-i VX-970 VX-803 VX-984 M-3814 M-3541 Clinical program targets all three DDR pathways, in mono-and combination Acronyms: ATM: ataxia-telangiectasia mutated |ATR : ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 | DNA-PK: DNA-dependent protein kinase | CT : Chemotherapy | RT: Radiotherapy | Note : timelines are event-driven and may change Phase IB expansion cohorts ongoing in combination with CT (TNBC, NSCLC, SCLC) Phase I dose escalation ongoing for mono-and combination therapy (with CT) Phase I dose escalation ongoing in combination with CT (licensed-in) Two Phase Ib /II proof-of-concept studies in combination with CT and RT ongoing Expected to enter clinic in 2017 DNA damage response (DDR) 3 29 DNA damage response (DDR) Broad combination potential across multiple mechanisms Combination with CT ATR DNA-PK ATM Combination with DDR Combination with ADC Combination with IO Monotherapy Combination with RT At least 50% of all cancer patients receive some type of RADIATION therapy (NCI 2016) At least 70% of all cancer patients receive some type of CHEMOTHERAPY (NCI 2016) Significant share of patients to be treated with CHECKPOINT INHIBITORS 4 3 30 Early stage strengthened – enabling late stage optionality across all TAs 1 Pipeline Immuno-Oncology Immunology Phase I Phase II Phase III Oncology New in pipeline Moved to next phase Maintained position BTK inhibitor RA sprifermin Osteoarthritis Avelumab RCC 1L 1 Tepotinib HCC Avelumab NSCLC 2L 2 Avelumab Gastric 1L MN 1 Avelumab Urothelial 1L MN 1 Avelumab Ovarian plat. res./ref Avelumab Ovarian 1L (Chemo) 1 BTK inhibitor SLE tepotinib NSCLC Avelumab Gastric 3L 3 Avelumab LA SCCHN Atacicept SLE Avelumab NSCLC 1L 1 Biosimilars Adalimumab biosimilar Chr. plaque Psoriasis R Registered (US) Abituzumab SSc-ILD Externalized p70S6K & Akt-i Solid tumors DNA-PK-i Solid tumors BRAF-I (Beigene) Solid tumors BTK inhibitor Hem. malignancies Avelumab Solid tumors Avelumab Hem. malignancies anti-PD-L1/TGF-b trap Solid tumors Avelumab MCC 1L Anti-IL-17 A/F Psoriasis Avelumab 5 Merkel cell (EU) R BTK inhibitor MS DNA-PK-I (VX-984) Solid tumors ATR-i 7 (VX-970) Solid tumors ATR-I (VX-803) Solid tumors Filing Cladribine Tablets RMS (EU) ATX-MS-1467 MS Avelumab + NHS IL 12 Solid tumors Avelumab+41BB/OX40 Solid tumors Avelumab comb.** DLBCL Terminated 2 Atacicept IgA Nephropathy Avelumab (mono/combo) Various ISTs 1 Since R&D Update call on June 20, 2016 | 2 Either terminated (ATX, BRAF-i) or divested (Biosimilars) | Acronyms: SLE = systemic lupus erythematosus, RRMS = relapse remitting multiple sclerosis, NSCLC = non-small cell lung cancer, HCC = hepatocellular carcinoma, STS = soft-tissue carcinoma, MCC = Merkel cell ca rcinoma, RA = rheumatoid arthritis, SCCHN = squamous cell cancer of the head and neck, SSC-ILD: Systemic sclerosis with interstitial lung disease | DLBCL: Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

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2X ONCOLOGY OBTAINS INVESTIGATIONAL NEW DRUG APPLICATION FOR 2X-111 GLUTATHIONE ENHANCED PEGYLATED LIPOSOMAL DOXORUBICIN

On June 8, 2017 2X Oncology, Inc. ("2X" or the "Company"), a precision medicine company developing targeted therapeutics to address significant unmet needs in women’s cancer, reported that it has obtained the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for 2X-111 (doxorubicin hydrochloride and glutathione) from 2-BBB Medicines B.V., assuming all future development and ownership of the drug (Press release, 2X Oncology, JUN 8, 2017, View Source [SID1234526104]).

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2X-111 is being developed as a new treatment option for women with brain metastases from breast cancer and for patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an orphan-designated condition.

George O. Elston, CEO of 2X Oncology, said, "Having this IND in place is an important step as we focus on initiating Phase 2 clinical trials of 2X-111 in GBM and brain metastases from breast cancer later this year.

"These studies will employ our proprietary DRP companion diagnostic to identify patients based on their unique tumor mRNA expression and treat those most likely to respond to and benefit from therapy," Mr. Elston added.

"Patient selection based on the unique genetic properties of a tumor is an important new direction in the treatment of cancer, and we are pleased to have this capability for our programs and patients."

The Drug Response Predictor (DRP) technology utilizes messenger RNA (mRNA) from patient biopsies and uses proprietary analytics to create a unique fingerprint of relevant genes based on a tumor’s sensitivity, or resistance, to a compound. DRPs are specific for each product and have been validated in over 40 clinical studies.

"We expect data from these studies in 2018 which, if positive, can position this program for possible accelerated approval filings shortly thereafter," Mr. Elston concluded.

Formerly known as 2B3-101, 2X-111 improves on commercially available PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin products with an additional glutathione coating that safely enhances drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier. Doxorubicin is an anthracycline that inhibits the growth of many cancerous cell lines, including glioblastoma and breast cancer cell lines. It is among the most widely used anti-cancer agents.

An abstract on the predictive ability of the DRP in treating advanced breast cancer with a similar anthracycline, epirubicin, was presented in a poster session at the 2017 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

The abstract describes a retrospective-prospective blinded study which evaluated the ability of the DRP to predict the efficacy of epirubicin in a cohort of 135 metastatic breast cancer patients. The DRP was significantly associated with progression free survival in this study. The estimated median time to progression for a patient with a DRP value of 25% was 7 months, versus 13 months for a patient with a DRP value of 75%.

Mr. Elston will discuss 2X-111 and other 2X pipeline drugs at the Jefferies 2017 Global Healthcare Conference on June 9, 2017, at 10:00am EDT. The presentation will be available as a live webcast and archived for post-listening on the Company’s website.

About Breast Cancer Brain Metastases

Breast cancer is the second most common common cause of brain metastases, with metastases occurring in 10–16 % of patients[1]. Patients who develop brain metastases tend to have poor prognosis with short overall survival. Furthermore, brain metastases are a major cause of morbidity, associated with progressive neurologic deficits that result in a reduced quality of life.

About Glioblastoma Multiforme
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common class of malignant primary brain tumors and one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. This highly invasive and proliferative cancer resists standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Current therapeutic strategies for the treatment of GBM fail to demonstrate adequate efficacy and/or are generally palliative. Median overall survival is 12 to 14 months

Inovio Begins Phase 3 Clinical Trial of VGX-3100 for the Treatment of HPV-Related Cervical Pre-Cancer

On June 8, 2017 Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:INO) reported that it has commenced its phase 3 clinical program to evaluate the efficacy of Inovio’s DNA-based immunotherapy, VGX-3100, to treat cervical dysplasia caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) (Press release, Inovio, JUN 8, 2017, View Source [SID1234519479]). Inovio’s study will assess the efficacy of VGX-3100 in regressing cervical HSIL (high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions), a direct precursor to cervical cancer, and eliminating the HPV infection that causes these lesions. The pivotal data from this program will support the potential licensure of VGX-3100 as the first immunotherapy for this disease.

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Inovio satisfied the FDA’s request for information relating to its CELLECTRA 5PSP delivery device, resulting in the FDA removing the clinical hold on this program. Inovio plans to immediately begin recruiting patients for the phase 3 trial.

Inovio’s phase 3 program, named REVEAL (Randomized Evaluation of VGX-3100 and Electroporation for the Treatment of Cervical HSIL), will consist of a primary study (REVEAL 1) and confirmatory study (REVEAL 2), as per FDA general guidance for phase 3 programs, to be conducted in parallel. The studies will each enroll 198 patients in more than 100 study centers globally. Mark Einstein, MD, MS, FACS, FACOG, Professor and Chair Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health Assistant Dean, Clinical Research Unit, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, is Principal Investigator for the studies.

The REVEAL studies are prospective, randomized (2:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating adult women with HPV 16/18 positive biopsy-proven cervical HSIL, otherwise known as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or 3. The primary endpoint is regression of cervical HSIL AND virologic clearance of HPV-16 and/or HPV-18 in the cervix. The studies will evaluate cervical tissue changes at approximately 9 months after beginning a three dose regimen of VGX-3100 administered at months 0, 1, and 3. Secondary endpoints include safety; tolerability; regression of CIN 2/3 to CIN 1 or normal; virologic clearance of HPV; efficacy measured by non-progression to cancer; and clearance of HPV from non-cervical anatomic locations.

VGX-3100 has the potential to be the first treatment for HPV infection of the cervix and the first non-surgical treatment for pre-cancerous cervical lesions. VGX-3100 stimulates a specific immune response to HPV-16 and HPV-18, targeting the infection and destroying pre-cancerous cells. There are no treatments available for HPV infection and surgery is the only approved treatment for cervical HSIL. While surgery is effective at removing dysplastic lesions, it does not treat the underlying HPV infection and carries increased risk of cervical incompetence and pre-term birth, which can result in fetal morbidity and mortality. VGX-3100 demonstrated in a phase 2b study (published in The Lancet) its ability to clear HPV-16 and HPV-18 infection and pre-cancerous lesions.

Dr. Mark Bagarazzi, Inovio’s Chief Medical Officer, said, "Despite the availability of preventive HPV vaccines for over a decade, HPV-related cervical HSIL and cancers remain a widely prevalent problem. Unfortunately, current treatments are invasive and do not address the underlying HPV infection. VGX-3100 has the potential to be a first-in-class HPV-specific immunotherapy offering women the prospect of preventing cervical cancer without undergoing an invasive surgical procedure that may compromise their reproductive health. We are pleased to be able to immediately begin recruiting patients at the first 15 sites by the end of this month."

Dr. J. Joseph Kim, Inovio’s President and CEO, said, "Initiating our REVEAL phase 3 program marks a milestone for Inovio, for the next generation of DNA-based immunotherapies, and for women’s health. Combining this first phase 3 program with our previously announced phase 2 clinical trial of VGX-3100 for HPV-related vulvar neoplasia and our checkpoint inhibitor-based combination study with MedImmune/AstraZeneca targeting HPV associated cancers, Inovio is well positioned to comprehensively treat HPV-associated diseases across the continuum of HPV infection through to cancer in both men and women. Adding our recently announced collaborative immuno-oncology combination studies with Regeneron and Genentech, 2017 is a transformative year that is laying the foundation for multiple opportunities for important efficacy data."

About HPV and Cervical HSIL

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, with over 14 million new infections annually. While many of these are transient infections, persistent high-risk infections can cause the formation of pre-cancerous lesions. Left untreated, women diagnosed with cervical HSIL are at increased risk of developing cervical cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for 70% of cervical cancers, with more than 400,000 new cases of HPV 16/18 cervical HSIL annually in the US and Europe. Cervical cancer is a major global health problem, causing 260,000 deaths annually. While cervical HSIL and cervical cancer are the most well-known HPV related diseases, HPV is also a major cause of HSIL and cancer in the entire anogenital region and oropharynx. Currently there are no treatments available for HPV infection and surgery is the only approved treatment for cervical HSIL. While surgery is effective at removing lesions, it does not treat the underlying HPV infection and it carries increased risk of cervical incompetence and pre-term birth, which can result in fetal morbidity and mortality.

About VGX-3100

VGX-3100 is a DNA-based immunotherapy under investigation for the treatment of HPV-16 and HPV-18 infection and pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix (phase 3) and vulva (phase 2). VGX-3100 has the potential to be the first approved treatment for HPV infection of the cervix and the first non-surgical treatment for pre-cancerous cervical lesions. VGX-3100 works by stimulating a specific immune response to HPV-16 and HPV-18, which targets the infection and causes destruction of pre-cancerous cells. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2b study in 167 adult women with histologically documented HPV 16/18 cervical HSIL (CIN2/3), treatment with VGX-3100 resulted in a statistically significantly greater decrease in cervical HSIL and clearance of HPV infection vs. placebo. The most common side effect was injection site pain, and no serious adverse events were reported. VGX-3100 utilizes the patient’s own immune system to clear HPV-16 and HPV-18 infection and pre-cancerous lesions without the increased risks associated with surgery, such as loss of reproductive health and negative psychosocial impacts.

Midatech signs global license agreement to investigate panobinostat for treatment of brain cancers

On June 7, 2017 Midatech Pharma (AIM: MTPH; Nasdaq: MTP), the international specialty pharmaceutical company focused on commercialising and developing products in oncology, reported that it has signed a global licensing agreement with Novartis for the oncology compound panobinostat. Panobinostat will be developed by Midatech for the treatment of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) as a continuation of its existing MTX110 program, and potentially for Glioblastoma (GBM) (Press release, Midatech Pharma, JUN 7, 2017, View Source [SID1234519676]).

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In pre-clinical test models, panobinostat, which is a pan-HDAC inhibitor, demonstrated very high potency against DIPG tumour cell lines. In one such study panobinostat was the most effective of more than 80 anti-cancer agents tested.

Midatech’s MTX110 program is focused on the treatment of DIPG, a childhood brain cancer that is nearly always fatal, with a median survival of approximately 9 months. Using a technique called Convection Enhanced Delivery, MTX110 is infused directly into the brain tumour, and diffuses through and around it. This technique allows for elevated drug concentrations to be delivered to the tumour, while at the same time minimizing systemic toxicity and peripheral side-effects. MTX110 has been used to treat 5 patients to date in the USA and UK under its compassionate use program. In these patients MTX110 has been well tolerated thus far. We believe it holds promise as a potential therapeutic treatment for DIPG, for which there are currently no approved or effective therapies. Clinical studies in patients are planned to commence during 2017. Financial terms have not been disclosed.

Jim Phillips, CEO of Midatech Pharma, said: "In line with our strategy to focus on oncology and expand our product mix, we are pleased that Novartis recognises our unique capability to use their product panobinostat alongside our technology to treat orphan cancers. We look forward to driving it through development for treatment of DIPG, and make a real difference to the children suffering from this devastating and terminal disease."

Polaris Lead Therapeutic ADI‑PEG 20 in Combination with First Line Chemotherapy Is Active in Argininosuccinate Synthetase Deficient Mesothelioma

On June 5, 2017 Polaris Group reported that its lead therapeutic ADI‑PEG 20 (pegylated arginine deiminase) in combination with pemetrexed and cisplatin (ADIPemCis) is active in argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS1) deficient malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), including non-epithelioid MPM, which carries an unfavorable prognosis and historically responds poorly to chemotherapy (Press release, Polaris Pharmaceuticals, JUN 5, 2017, View Source [SID1234526285]). The results were generated from a phase 1b dose escalation and expansion study (TRAP), led by Dr. Peter Szlosarek of Barts Cancer Center, Queen Mary University of London, and presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper)’s 2017 annual meeting.

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Thirty one (31) MPM patients (11 epithelioid and 20 non-epithelioid) were enrolled and treated with fixed-dose pemetrexed and cisplatin (PemCis), the standard first-line chemotherapy for MPM, in combination with increasing doses of ADI‑PEG 20. The treatment appeared to be safe and well tolerated. The partial response rate was 35.5% (95% CI 19.2%-54.6%) with a disease control rate of 93.5% (95% CI 78.6%-99.2%). Median progression free survival was 5.6 months (95% CI 4-6) and median overall survival was 10.1 months (95% CI 6.7-17.7).

"Based on the encouraging efficacy signal from the TRAP study, we have initiated a randomized, double blind, phase 2/3 trial comparing ADI‑PEG 20+PemCis with PemCis in patients with non-epithelioid MPM," said John Bomalaski, M.D., Executive Vice President, Medical Affairs at Polaris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "With ADI‑PEG 20+PemCis, we hope to bring an effective treatment to this subset of MPM patients, who have a dire need for medical intervention."

About ADI‑PEG 20

ADI‑PEG 20 is a biologic being developed by Polaris Group to treat cancers carrying a major metabolic defect that renders them unable to internally synthesize arginine. Because arginine is essential for protein synthesis and survival of cells, these cancer cells become dependent upon the external supply of arginine to survive and grow. ADI‑PEG 20 is designed to deplete the external supply of arginine, causing arginine-dependent cancer cells to die while leaving the patient’s normal cells unharmed. Multiple cancers have been reported to have a high degree of arginine-dependency and can potentially be treated with ADI‑PEG 20.