Celldex Therapeutics Completes Acquisition of Kolltan Pharmaceuticals

On November 29, 2016 Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLDX) reported it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Kolltan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held company focused on the discovery and development of novel, antibody-based drugs targeting receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) (Press release, Celldex Therapeutics, NOV 29, 2016, View Source [SID1234516835]).

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"Celldex has added a unique platform of antibodies targeting receptor tyrosine kinases, which are validated targets in oncology, to our pipeline. Clinical and preclinical data suggest these candidates can help overcome tumor resistance mechanisms associated with current tyrosine kinase inhibitors and seen in patients who have failed other cancer therapies," said Anthony Marucci, Co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Celldex. "We believe these programs are highly compatible with our scientific approach and can be developed independently and in combination with Celldex’s existing product candidates. We are finalizing our integrated clinical development strategy and look forward to outlining these plans in the coming weeks."

The following programs have been added to the Celldex pipeline:

CDX-0158 (formerly KTN0158) — a humanized monoclonal antibody that is a potent inhibitor of KIT activation and receptor dimerization in tumor cells and mast cells, which is currently in a Phase 1 dose escalation study in refractory gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

CDX-3379 (formerly KTN3379) — a human monoclonal antibody designed to block the activity of ErbB3 (HER3), which recently completed a Phase 1b study with combination cohorts where meaningful responses and stable disease were observed in cetuximab (Erbitux) refractory patients in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and in BRAF-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

A multi-faceted TAM program — a broad antibody discovery effort underway to generate antibodies that modulate the TAM family of RTKs, comprised of Tyro3, AXL and MerTK, which are expressed on tumor-infiltrating macrophages, dendritic cells and some tumors. Research supports TAMs having broad application and potential across immuno-oncology and inflammatory diseases.

Astex to Showcase Its Next-Generation Hypomethylating Agents Being Developed for Treatment
of AML/MDS at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology

On November 29, 2016 Astex Pharmaceuticals, a member of the Otsuka group, reported that investigators collaborating with Astex will present results from several studies evaluating guadecitabine, its subcutaneous, next-generation hypomethylating agent; and ASTX727, its novel, oral hypomethylating agent at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) in San Diego, California, December 3 to 6 (Press release, Astex Pharmaceuticals, NOV 29, 2016, View Source [SID1234516839]).

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The oral presentations are as follows:

Initial results of a Phase 2 Study of Guadecitabine (SGI-110), A Novel Subcutaneous (sc) Hypomethylating Agent, for Patients with Previously Untreated Intermediate-2 or High Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) or Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML) (Abstract #346). Dr. Guillermo Montalban-Bravo et al. Sunday, December 4, 10:15 am; Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall C.
Results of a Phase II study of Guadecitabine (SGI-110) in higher risk MDS, CMML or low-blast- count AML patients refractory to or relapsing after Azacitidine (AZA) treatment (Abstract #347). Dr. Marie Sebert et al. Sunday, December 4, 10:30 am; Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall C.
Long Term Survival and Clinical Complete Responses of Various Prognostic Subgroups in 103 Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (r/r AML) Patients Treated with Guadecitabine (SGI-110) in Phase 2 Studies (Abstract #904). Dr. Naval Daver et al. Monday, December 5, 3:30 pm; Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, San Diego Ballroom AB.
Successful Emulation of IV Decitabine Pharmacokinetics with an Oral Fixed-Dose Combination of the Oral Cytidine Deaminase Inhibitor (CDAi) E7727 with Oral Decitabine, in Subjects with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS): Final Data of Phase 1 Study (Abstract #114). Dr. Guillermo Garcia-Manero et al. Saturday December 3, 10:45 am; Manchester Grand Hyatt, Grand Hall C.
In addition, a poster presentation entitled: Genetic determinants of response to guadecitabine (SGI-110) in AML (Abstract #1680), Dr. Patricia L. Kropf et al., will be made on Saturday, December 3, 9:30 am to 11 am in the San Diego Convention Center, Hall GH.

Data from the guadecitabine Phase 2 study (www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01261312) has helped to inform the design of the 800-patient, global Phase 3 study of guadecitabine in adults with previously untreated AML who are not considered candidates for intensive induction chemotherapy (ASTRAL-1, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02348489), and the newly announced global Phase 3 studies in relapsed / refractory AML (ASTRAL-2, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02920008), and relapsed / refractory MDS or CMML (ASTRAL-3, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02907359). Astex also announced today that enrollment into the ASTRAL-1 study is now complete. The data on ASTX727 being reported at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) also informed the design of a Phase 2 randomized, cross-over study comparing ASTX727 to decitabine IV in higher risk MDS, which is ongoing.

"The data from these clinical studies helps to validate the development of these agents for the treatment of AML and MDS, potentially providing new treatment options for patients with these aggressive hematological malignancies," said Mohammad Azab, President and Chief Medical Officer of Astex. "We are delighted to be working with some of the world’s leading experts in the treatment of hematological malignancies in bringing these next-generation therapies to patients."

About Guadecitabine (SGI-110)

Guadecitabine is a novel next-generation, small-molecule DNA hypomethylating agent formulated as a single, small-volume, subcutaneous injection. The product was designed to deliver longer exposure to the active metabolite, decitabine, compared to IV decitabine, and more efficient delivery into key tissues, including the bone marrow. Guadecitabine demonstrated activity in restoring silenced tumor suppressor gene expression in cancer cells by reversal of DNA methylation and inducing responses in previously treated MDS and AML patients. Guadecitabine is currently being investigated in multiple clinical trials, including the ASTRAL series of studies and an extensive program of investigational studies in combination with immunotherapy and other anti-neoplastic agents, for the treatment or a range of hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

About ASTX727

ASTX727 is a unique fixed-dose combination of the hypomethylating agent decitabine, the active ingredient in Dacogen, and the novel cytidine deaminase inhibitor, E7727. ASTX727 was designed to deliver decitabine by oral administration. By inhibiting cytidine deaminase, E7727 inhibits the major mechanism by which decitabine is degraded in the gut, and the combination therefore permits the efficient oral delivery of decitabine at a low dose. Astex is completing a Phase 2 clinical study of ASTX727 in the treatment of intermediate and high risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

Guadecitabine and ASTX727 are investigational agents, and efficacy and safety have not been established. There is no certainty that these agents will become commercially available.

Medimmune and Abpro Enter into A Collaborative Agreement For a Novel Bispecific Antibody

On November 29, 2016 MedImmune, the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, and Abpro, an integrated life sciences company at the forefront of synthetic biology, reported they have entered into a collaborative agreement to advance the development of a preclinical, novel bispecific antibody targeting angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (Ang2-VEGF) (Press release, abpro therapeutics, NOV 29, 2016, View Source [SID1234525610]). The agreement is structured as a spin out, benefiting from both companies’ scientific expertise and Abpro’s day-to-day leadership as it oversees the new company, AbMed.

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Several potential therapeutic areas will be explored where inhibition of the Ang2 and VEGF pathways with this unique bispecific antibody may provide clinical benefit.

Scientists at MedImmune leveraged the company’s significant experience with bispecific antibody development, engineering a novel bispecific antibody that demonstrated potent activity in animal models, which may be useful in targeting disease indications with high unmet needs. Abpro will bring strong scientific, technical and clinical expertise to the new company moving forward, and its core technology platform, DiversImmune, will be used to further refine the antibody.

Under the terms of the agreement, AbMed, which will operate as a subsidiary of Abpro, will receive majority global development and commercialization rights to the program, and MedImmune will receive development, regulatory and sales milestones and royalties, as well as hold a minority equity stake in AbMed.

"This agreement arises out of MedImmune’s culture of entrepreneurship and innovation – both in science and in business," said Jane Osbourn, Vice President of R&D, MedImmune. "We believe partners like Abpro can help us maximize our extensive pre-clinical portfolio to advance therapies for patients."

Ian Chan, CEO and Co-founder of Abpro said: "Abpro’s collaborative agreement with MedImmune creates an opportunity to work with one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies to advance novel therapeutics into the clinic. This collaboration further validates our platform’s ability to develop therapeutic antibodies against traditionally difficult targets, with compelling prospects for potential clinical utility."

Argos Therapeutics to Participate in 2016 EORTC-AACR-NCI Symposium

On November 29, 2016 Argos Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:ARGS) ("Argos"), an immuno-oncology company focused on the development and commercialization of individualized immunotherapies based on the Arcelis technology platform, reported that the company will be presenting at the EORTC-AACR-NCI Symposium being held November 29-December 1 at the Internationales Congress Center München in Munich, Germany (Press release, Argos Therapeutics, NOV 29, 2016, View Source [SID1234516822]).

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Irina Tcherepanova, Ph.D., senior director of research and development for Argos, will give a poster presentation entitled "Development of an RNA loaded Dendritic Cell (DC) immunotherapy starting from tissue obtained via needle biopsy". The poster will be exhibited in the meeting exhibition hall throughout the day on November 30th.

The EORTC-NCI-AACR (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) Symposium is hosted by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper), and brings together academics, scientists, and industry representatives from around the world to review the latest innovations in drug development, target selection and the impact of new discoveries in molecular biology.

For more information visit View Source

About the Arcelis Technology Platform
Arcelis is a precision immunotherapy technology that captures both mutated and variant antigens that are specific to each patient’s individual disease. It is designed to overcome immunosuppression by producing a specifically targeted, durable memory T-cell response without adjuvants that may be associated with toxicity. The technology is potentially applicable to the treatment of a wide range of different cancers and infectious diseases and is designed to overcome many of the manufacturing and commercialization challenges that have impeded other personalized immunotherapies. The Arcelis process uses only a small disease sample or biopsy as the source of disease-specific antigens and the patient’s own dendritic cells, which are optimized from cells collected by a leukapheresis procedure. The proprietary process uses RNA isolated from the patient’s disease sample to program dendritic cells to target disease-specific antigens. These activated, antigen-loaded dendritic cells are then formulated with the patient’s plasma and administered via intradermal injection as an individualized immunotherapy.

Cellectar Biosciences Announces Partnership with Radiopharmaceutical Specialists, CPDC, to Establish Manufacturing Capacity in Anticipation of CLR 131 Pivotal Trial and Commercial Production

On November 28, 2016 Cellectar Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLRB) (the "company"), an oncology-focused, clinical stage biotechnology company, reported it has selected Hamilton, Ontario-based Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC), a well-respected GMP manufacturing organization specializing in radiopharmaceuticals, as a supplier of the company’s lead phospholipid drug conjugate (PDC), CLR 131 (Filing, 8-K, Cellectar Biosciences, NOV 28, 2016, View Source [SID1234516808]).

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The company believes that CPDC will provide a cost-effective and long-term manufacturing solution. The partnership establishes manufacturing capacity at a level sufficient for both a pivotal trial and future large-scale commercial production. CPDC’s development of further production capability for CLR 131 will significantly enhance the company’s ability to support the anticipated clinical trial activity as it progresses through 2017 while also preparing for a pivotal study and, ultimately, commercialization.

"This partnership with CPDC signals an important milestone in the development of CLR 131; it reflects our confidence in the potential clinical utility of our lead compound and establishes an additional supply source as well as pivotal trial and commercial scale production," said Jim Caruso, president and CEO of Cellectar Biosciences. "As we prepare to initiate our NCI-supported Phase II trial of CLR 131 in multiple myeloma and other hematologic malignancies, it is imperative that we continue to identify optimal pathways to accelerate and further support its development."

About CLR 131
CLR 131 is an investigational compound under development for a range of hematologic malignancies. It is currently being evaluated in a Phase I clinical trial in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. The company plans to initiate a Phase II clinical study to assess efficacy in a range of B-cell malignancies in the first quarter of 2017. Based upon preclinical and interim Phase I study data, treatment with CLR 131 provides a novel approach to treating hematological diseases and may provide patients with therapeutic benefits, including overall response rate (ORR), an improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall quality of life. CLR 131 utilizes the company’s patented PDC tumor targeting delivery platform to deliver a cytotoxic radioisotope, iodine-131 directly to tumor cells. The FDA has granted Cellectar an orphan drug designation for CLR 131 in the treatment of multiple myeloma.