Allogene Therapeutics Announces Publication of Durable Response Data from Phase 1 ALPHA/ALPHA2 Trials of the Allogeneic CAR T Cemacabtagene Ansegedleucel/ALLO-501 in Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma in the Journal of Clinical Oncology

On February 13, 2025 Allogene Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALLO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of allogeneic CAR T (AlloCAR T) products for cancer and autoimmune disease, reported the publication of data from its Phase 1 ALPHA and ALPHA2 clinical studies of cemacabtagene ansegedleucel (cema-cel; formerly ALLO-501/A) in relapsed/refractory (R/R) large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) as a Rapid Communication in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (Press release, Allogene, FEB 13, 2025, View Source [SID1234650240]). These results represent the largest dataset of LBCL patients treated with an allogeneic CAR T product and, with a minimum of two years of follow-up, the longest follow-up to date.

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"Publication of the Phase 1 ALPHA/ALPHA2 trials in R/R LBCL mark a landmark moment for the field. These findings represent the most robust allogeneic CAR T experience yet presented and show, for the first time, that an "off-the-shelf" CAR T can induce durable complete remissions in a large fraction of patients with heavily pretreated LBCL," said Frederick L. Locke, MD, Chair of the Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy at Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute (Tampa, FL). "These peer-reviewed results highlight how cema-cel development is on the cutting edge of lymphoma care, particularly with the ALPHA3 trial targeting only those patients who are MRD positive at the end of first-line treatment. If successful, ALPHA3 and cema-cel could transform the treatment paradigm for newly diagnosed patients."

"With multiple patients in ongoing complete remissions beyond four years, the lingering question of whether an allogeneic CAR T could deliver durable responses has now been answered," said Zachary Roberts, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer of Allogene. "Furthermore, these results provide potent evidence supporting the use of CAR T in patients with low disease burden and the unique opportunity for the ALPHA3 trial to achieve something novel in this disease – predict and intervene before relapse. Opportunities to redefine the standard of care in oncology are rare, but if successful, ALPHA3 has the potential to achieve precisely that."

Key Findings from the Publication
The ALPHA/ALPHA2 studies were single-arm, multicenter, open-label, Phase 1 trials. As of the data cutoff date (September 26, 2024), 87 heavily pretreated patients with R/R non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) were treated in the ALPHA/ALPHA2 studies between May 2019 and September 2022. In total, 33 CD19 CAR T-naive patients with R/R LBCL received cema-cel/ALLO-501 manufactured with the process selected for use in pivotal studies and were the focus of this publication.

Overall Response Rate (ORR) and Complete Response (CR) Rate: ORR and CR rates in the ALPHA/ALPHA2 trials were consistent with those observed with approved autologous CD19 CAR T cell products for patients with R/R LBCL after two or more lines of systemic therapy. All treatment regimens studied demonstrated clinical benefit. The selected Phase 2 regimen (fludarabine/cyclophosphamide lymphodepletion with 90 mg of ALLO-647 (FCA90) followed by a single dose of CAR+ cells) yielded the highest ORR and CR of 67% and 58%, respectively.
Durability of Response (DOR): Patients who achieved a CR had excellent outcomes with a median DOR, PFS (progression free survival) and OS of 23.1 months, 24 months, and not reached, respectively. For patients receiving the selected Phase 2 regimen, median DOR was 23.1 months and median OS was not reached.
Safety Profile: The overall safety profile, including incidence of cytopenias and infections, was manageable and consistent with that of approved autologous CD19 CAR T cell therapies. There were no dose-limiting toxicities, graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), or high-grade cytokine release syndrome (CRS). The most common any-grade treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE) (≥25%) were neutropenia (85%), anemia (67%), thrombocytopenia (58%), infusion-related reactions (IRRs; 58%), fatigue (52%), and pyrexia (49%), nausea (39%), lymphopenia (36%), hypotension (36%), peripheral edema (33%), decreased white blood cell count (30%), CMV reactivation (30%), decreased appetite (30%), chills (30%), and hypoxia (27%).
Time to Treatment: The median time to start of treatment was two days from study enrollment. In contrast, autologous CAR T cell products require wait times often longer than 1 month despite incremental advancements in manufacturing and supply chains.
Potential in Low Disease Burden Settings
A growing body of evidence indicates that treatment with CAR T at times when the disease burden is low leads to improved safety and efficacy outcomes and this study reported similar findings. Among patients with baseline tumor burden <1000 mm² or normal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels prior to treatment, a blood test that indicates low disease activity, the CR rate was 100% (6/6) and 82% (9/11), respectively. These CR rates in this subpopulation support cema-cel as a promising therapeutic option in patients with minimum residual disease (MRD), the population currently being studied in the ALPHA3 trial.

Foundation for the ALPHA3 Trial
These results serve as a foundation for the ongoing ALPHA3 trial, which is evaluating cema-cel as a consolidation therapy in LBCL patients who are in remission following 1L treatment but remain positive for minimal residual disease (MRD) as detected by an ultrasensitive ctDNA based blood test, using Foresight Diagnostics’ investigational CLARITY powered by PhasED-Seq. These patients have extremely low disease burden, a key subgroup who demonstrated excellent disease outcomes in the ALPHA/ALPHA2 trials.

The groundbreaking randomized controlled ALPHA3 trial, initiated in June 2024, is the first to evaluate CAR T treatment as part of 1L consolidation treatment regimen for LBCL patients who achieve remission but test positive for MRD following initial therapy. The ALPHA3 trial is designed to predict and intervene before relapse. Cema-cel is administered only to patients at high risk for relapse as a one-time consolidation dose before disease recurs.

About Cemacabtagene Ansegedleucel (cema-cel)
Cemacabtagene ansegedleucel, or cema-cel, is a next generation anti-CD19 AlloCAR T investigational product for the treatment of large B cell lymphoma (LBCL). In June 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation to cema-cel in r/r LBCL. The ALPHA3 pivotal Phase 2 trial in first line (1L) consolidation for the treatment of LBCL launched in June 2024. Allogene has oncology rights to cema-cel in the US, EU and UK with options for rights in China and Japan.

About the ALPHA3 Trial
Over 60,000 patients are expected to be treated for LBCL annually in the US, the EU and the UK. While first line (1L) R-CHOP or other chemoimmunotherapy is effective for most patients, approximately 30% will relapse and require subsequent treatment. The current standard of care (SOC) after 1L treatment has been simply to "watch and wait" to see if the disease relapses. The pivotal Phase 2 ALPHA3 study takes advantage of cema-cel as a one-time, off-the-shelf treatment that can be administered immediately upon discovery of MRD following six cycles of R-CHOP or other chemoimmunotherapy, positioning it to become the standard "7th cycle" of frontline treatment available to all eligible patients with MRD.

Neogap Therapeutics’ PIOR technology identifies targets for personalised liver cancer immunotherapies

On February 13, 2025 Neogap therapeutics reported new study published in the highly ranked scientific journal Gut examines how immune system T cells respond to tumours in patients with advanced liver cancer (HCC) (Press release, Neogap Therapeutics, FEB 13, 2025, View Source;pior-technology-identifies-targets-for-personalised-liver-cancer-immunotherapie,c4104603 [SID1234650258]). Using Neogap Therapeutics’ PIOR software platform, the researchers have identified tumour-specific mutations, which may contribute to the development of personalised immunotherapies.

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T cells are central to the body’s defence against cancer but can also contribute to an immunosuppressive environment within the tumour. The study analysed T cells from the liver, lymph nodes, and tumour tissue to identify the most reactive cells to cancer-related neoantigens—tumour-specific proteins formed through mutations that can activate the immune system. Bioinformatic analysis identified 542 potential neoantigens from seven patients, 14 of which were found to induce a strong immune response, particularly in T cells from the liver and lymph nodes.

By using PIOR, the researchers were able to identify neoantigens capable of activating T cells, which in turn can attack the tumour.

"The results demonstrate that PIOR can effectively identify neoantigens with potential for future therapeutic applications," says Associate Professor Anna Pasetto, a researcher at Karolinska Institutet and one of the lead authors of the study. "Data-driven analysis of neoantigens is an important component of the new generation of personalised cancer immunotherapies."

The findings show that T cells from the liver and lymph nodes have properties that may be particularly suitable for future immunotherapies.

"This study aligns with Neogap’s vision to develop the next generation of cell therapies," says Ola Nilsson, Head of Neoantigen Production, Development & Clinical Processing at Neogap and co-author of the study. "PIOR plays a key role in our efforts to identify the most promising neoantigens—an essential part of the development of future precision therapies."

The study provides deeper insights into how T cells respond to neoantigens.

"Our findings reinforce the idea that T cells from lymph nodes may be particularly valuable as source material for generating reactive T cells—an approach already applied in Neogap’s ongoing clinical trial in colorectal cancer, which specifically uses lymph nodes as starting material. These discoveries could have a significant impact on both research and the development of new treatments", says Ola Nilsson.

Applied DNA Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results and Highlights Operational Progress

On February 13, 2025 Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: APDN) ("Applied DNA" or the "Company"), a leader in PCR-based DNA technologies, reported financial results for its first quarter of fiscal 2025 ended December 31, 2024 (Press release, Applied DNA Sciences, FEB 13, 2025, View Source [SID1234650241]). The Company’s Form 10-Q, once filed, can be viewed on the SEC Filings page of its Investor Relations website.

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Recent Corporate and Operational Updates:

Corporate:

In December 2024, the Company announced a strategic restructuring of its business operations, including the potential divestiture of its DNA Tagging and Security Products and Services ("DNA Tagging") business segment.
Today, the Company announced its exit from its DNA Tagging business segment and completion of a workforce reduction of approximately 20% of its total headcount related primarily to employees within its DNA Tagging segment. The workforce reduction will result in an approximate 13% reduction in annual payroll costs, offset by one-time separation costs totaling approximately $300,000, which are expected to be recorded in the quarter ending March 31, 2025. The Company will continue to service certain of its existing DNA Tagging customer contracts.
LineaRx (Therapeutic DNA Production and Services subsidiary)

The buildout of the Company’s initial GMP facility located in Stony Brook, New York ("Site 1"), was completed on January 31, 2025, and certified for commercial operation with ISO 7-compliant with ISO 5-compliant workspaces. As currently configured, Site 1 enables the enzymatic manufacture of Linea DNA IVT templates used in the production of mRNA clinical trial materials:
The initial projected manufacturing capacity of Site 1 is approximately ten grams per annum, which supports potential annual revenues in the range of $10 million to $30 million, depending on product mix[1].
Site 1 gives the Company the new ability to service clients across all customer product stages with relevant grades of DNA: RUO for research and development; GLP for discovery and early pre-clinical studies; GMP for late pre-clinical studies and clinical phases.
The Company is in the late stage of process development with a U.S.-based therapeutics developer. If development is completed successfully, the Company anticipates its receipt of a first GMP order for IVT templates in the quarter ending June 30, 2025.
The Company’s Linea DNA platform secured its first-in-human clinical validation with Linea DNA used as a critical component in the manufacture of a CAR-T therapy under a Czech Republic State Institute for Drug Control-approved Phase I clinical trial sponsored by the Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (UHKT). The trial represents the first instance of regulatory consent of Linea DNA’s use in a clinical setting and demonstrates Linea DNA’s ability to empower faster manufacturing timelines than conventional plasmid DNA-based therapy development.
Applied DNA Clinical Labs (MDx Testing Services subsidiary)

Completed certifications necessary to expand the TR8 PGx testing service to all S. States that recognize New York’s CLEP/CLIA certification for genetic testing. Samples collected from outside of New York State will be tested at Applied DNA’s diagnostic laboratory in Stony Brook.
Management Commentary
"Our first quarter performance reflects the implementation of a strategic restructuring to support our growth through our synthetic DNA manufacturing strategy," stated Dr. James A. Hayward, Chairman and CEO of Applied DNA. "We are taking difficult but necessary steps to optimize our corporate structure to lower our cash burn rate and stabilize our financial position to ensure our ability to execute against near-term operational goals."

"As we move through fiscal 2025, we are focused on commercializing the DNA production capacity of our recently certified GMP Site 1 facility," concluded Dr. Hayward. "We are preparing for initial orders of clinical grade materials, the acquisition of which we believe will validate the economics of our proprietary low-CAPEX approach to enzymatic DNA production in front of an industry that is actively seeking cell-free, synthetic alternatives to traditional pDNA production processes. We believe our capacity for the GMP production of DNA in an economical, fast, and scalable manner to advance the rapid development of genetic medicines is a unique competitive advantage in the marketplace and is the lynchpin to our future success."

First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Highlights

Total revenues: $1.2 million, an increase of 34% compared to $891 thousand for the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
Operating loss: $3.0 million, compared to an operating loss of $3.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
Net loss: $2.7 million, compared to a net loss of $1.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
Adjusted EBITDA: improved to negative $2.9 million, compared to negative $3.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024.
Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2024: $9.3 million, which includes $5.7 million of net proceeds (after deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses) from the registered direct offering that closed on October 31, 2024.
February 13 Investor Update Conference Call Information

The Company will hold a conference call and webcast to update investors on its restructuring and GMP roadmap on February 13, 2025, at 4:30 PM ET. To participate in the conference call, please follow the instructions below. While every attempt will be made to answer investors’ questions on the Q&A portion of the call, not all questions may be answered.

To participate, please ask to be joined to the ‘Applied DNA Sciences’ call:

Domestic callers (toll free): 844-887-9402
International callers: 412-317-6798
Canadian callers (toll free): 866-605-3852
Live and replay of webcast: link
Telephonic replay (available 1 hour following the conclusion of the live call through February 20, 2025):

Domestic callers (toll free): 1-877-344-7529
Canadian callers (toll free): 1-855-669-9658
Participant Passcode: 7896562
An accompanying slide presentation that will be embedded in the webcast can be accessed under ‘News & Events’ tab and ‘Company Events’ section of the Applied DNA investor relations website at View Source

Pfizer’s TALZENNA® in Combination with XTANDI® Improves Survival Outcomes in Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer

On February 13, 2025 Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) reported positive results from the Phase 3 TALAPRO-2 study of TALZENNA (talazoparib), an oral poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, in combination with XTANDI (enzalutamide), an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI), demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival (OS) compared to placebo plus XTANDI in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), with or without homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene mutations (Press release, Seagen, FEB 13, 2025, View Source [SID1234650264]). The TALAPRO-2 results will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Genitourinary (ASCO GU) Cancers Symposium in San Francisco and featured in the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GU official Press Program.

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The TALAPRO-2 study evaluated two sets of patients, unselected (cohort 1) and selected for HRR gene-mutations (cohort 2). Overall survival was a prespecified, alpha-protected key secondary endpoint. After more than four years of median follow-up (52.5 months), the median OS in cohort 1 was 45.8 months with TALZENNA in combination with XTANDI, and 37.0 months with XTANDI and placebo (Hazard Ratio [HR] of 0.80; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 0.66-0.96; p=0.015), representing a 20% reduction in the risk of death. This represents a nearly 9-month gain in median OS versus standard of care XTANDI. Data from cohort 1 will be presented today at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GU in an oral presentation (Abstract LBA18) by Dr. Neeraj Agarwal, global lead investigator for TALAPRO-2.

In Cohort 2, a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS was observed in patients with HRR-mutated mCRPC. At a median follow-up of 44.2 months, the median OS was 45.1 months with TALZENNA in combination with XTANDI, and 31.1 months with XTANDI and placebo (HR of 0.62; 95% CI, 0.48-0.81; p=0.0005), a 38% reduction in the risk of death. This result represents a 14-month gain in median OS versus standard of care XTANDI in a patient population with a historically poor prognosis. The OS improvement in the HRR-mutated population was observed in patients in both BRCA and non-BRCA gene alterations. Dr. Karim Fizazi, Institut Gustave Roussy, University of Paris-Saclay will share data from Cohort 2 at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GU today (Abstract LBA141).

"Since its approval, TALZENNA in combination with XTANDI has redefined the standard of care for those living with homologous recombination repair gene-mutated mCRPC. These latest data from TALAPRO-2 are extremely compelling, demonstrating that the combination significantly extended overall survival, in patients selected and unselected for HRR gene alterations, potentially shifting the treatment paradigm for all men living with mCRPC," said Roger Dansey, M.D., Chief Oncology Officer, Pfizer. "Although definitive conclusions cannot be drawn across studies, these results appear to represent the longest median overall survival reported in a randomized, controlled Phase 3 trial in mCRPC. We look forward to continuing to work with global authorities to potentially update the TALZENNA label with these results."

"TALAPRO-2 is the first study demonstrating a significant and clinically meaningful survival benefit using a combination of PARP and androgen receptor inhibitors in mCRPC," said Neeraj Agarwal, M.D., FASCO, Professor and Presidential Endowed Chair of Cancer Research at Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, and global lead investigator for TALAPRO-2. "Survival rates in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer are poor due to the advanced and aggressive stage of the disease. Today’s results demonstrate the potential for TALZENNA in combination with XTANDI to be a practice-changing treatment to help improve patient survival in mCRPC."

At the time of the final analysis, updated radiographic progression free survival (rPFS) and other secondary efficacy endpoints demonstrated maintained clinical benefit in both cohorts and were consistent with the primary analyses previously reported and published in The Lancet and Nature Medicine .

In addition to the FDA, these data have been shared with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and other global health authorities to support potential updates of the approved labels for TALZENNA.

The safety profile of TALZENNA plus XTANDI was generally consistent with the known safety profile of each medicine. The most common all-cause adverse events in the TALZENNA group (≥30% of patients) were anemia, neutropenia, and fatigue, and the most common (≥10% of patients) grade 3–4 adverse events were anemia (49%) and neutropenia (19.3%). Adverse events were generally manageable with dose modification and supportive care.

About Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men and the fifth most common cause of cancer death among men worldwide, with an estimated 1.4 million new cases diagnosed in 2022.1 In the U.S., it is the most common cancer in men.2 mCRPC is a cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland and has progressed despite medical or surgical treatment to lower testosterone. Approximately 10–20% of prostate cancer patients develop mCRPC within 5−7 years of diagnosis.3 Between 1.2–2.1% of all prostate cancer cases globally are mCRPC.4

About TALAPRO-2

The Phase 3 TALAPRO-2 trial is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that enrolled 1,035 unique patients with mCRPC who had not received new life-prolonging systemic treatments after documentation of mCRPC at sites in the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America, and the Asia-Pacific region. The study included two patient cohorts: unselected (n=805, of whom 169 had HRR mutations and 636 did not) and those with HRR gene mutations (n=399, including 169 patients from Cohort 1 and 230 subsequently enrolled to comprise Cohort 2). Patients with castrate testosterone levels were randomized to receive TALZENNA 0.5 mg/day plus XTANDI 160mg/day, or placebo plus XTANDI 160mg/day.

The primary endpoint of the trial was rPFS, defined as the time from the date of randomization to first objective evidence of radiographic progression by blinded independent central review (BICR), or death, whichever occurred first, in both Cohort 1 (unselected) and Cohort 2 (those with HRRm). Secondary endpoints included OS, objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DoR), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, time to cytotoxic chemotherapy and PFS2.

For more information on the TALAPRO-2 trial (NCT03395197), go to www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About TALZENNA (talazoparib)

TALZENNA is an oral inhibitor of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), which plays a role in DNA damage repair. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that TALZENNA blocks PARP enzyme activity and traps PARP at the site of DNA damage, leading to decreased cancer cell growth and cancer cell death.

TALZENNA was initially approved in the U.S., EU, and multiple other regions as a single agent for the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

TALZENNA in combination with XTANDI was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with HRR gene-mutated mCRPC in June 2023. The combination was also approved by the European Commission in January 2024 for the treatment of adult patients with mCRPC in whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated. TALZENNA is the first and only PARP inhibitor licensed in the European Union for use with XTANDI for patients with mCRPC, with or without gene mutations. TALZENNA in combination with XTANDI is now approved in more than 40 countries globally for patients with mCRPC, indications vary by country.

TALZENNA (talazoparib) Indication in the U.S.

TALZENNA is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated for:

HRR gene-mutated mCRPC:

In combination with enzalutamide for the treatment of adult patients with homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Breast Cancer:

As a single agent, for the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm) HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for TALZENNA.
TALZENNA (talazoparib) Important Safety Information

WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS

Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (MDS/AML), including cases with a fatal outcome, has been reported in patients who received TALZENNA. Overall, MDS/AML has been reported in 0.4% (3 out of 788) of solid tumor patients treated with TALZENNA as a single agent in clinical studies. In TALAPRO-2, MDS/AML occurred in 2 out of 511 (0.4%) patients treated with TALZENNA and enzalutamide and in 0 out of 517 (0%) patients treated with placebo and enzalutamide. The durations of TALZENNA treatment in these five patients prior to developing MDS/AML were 0.3, 1, 2, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Most of these patients had received previous chemotherapy with platinum agents and/or other DNA damaging agents including radiotherapy.

Do not start TALZENNA until patients have adequately recovered from hematological toxicity caused by previous chemotherapy. Monitor blood counts monthly during treatment with TALZENNA. For prolonged hematological toxicities, interrupt TALZENNA and monitor blood counts weekly until recovery. If counts do not recover within 4 weeks, refer the patient to a hematologist for further investigations including bone marrow analysis and blood sample for cytogenetics. If MDS/AML is confirmed, discontinue TALZENNA.

Myelosuppression consisting of anemia, neutropenia, and/or thrombocytopenia have been reported in patients treated with TALZENNA. In TALAPRO-2, Grade ≥3 anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia were reported, respectively, in 45%, 18%, and 8% of patients receiving TALZENNA and enzalutamide. Overall, 39% of patients (199/511) required a red blood cell transfusion, including 22% (111/511) who required multiple transfusions. Discontinuation due to anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia occurred, respectively, in 7%, 3%, and 0.4% of patients.

Withhold TALZENNA until patients have adequately recovered from hematological toxicity caused by previous therapy. Monitor blood counts monthly during treatment with TALZENNA. If hematological toxicities do not resolve within 28 days, discontinue TALZENNA and refer the patient to a hematologist for further investigations including bone marrow analysis and blood sample for cytogenetics.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity TALZENNA can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential or who are pregnant to use effective contraception during treatment with TALZENNA and for 4 months after receiving the last dose.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

In TALAPRO-2, serious adverse reactions reported in >2% of patients included anemia (9%) and fracture (3%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 1.5% of patients, including pneumonia, COVID infection, and sepsis (1 patient each).

The most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%, all Grades), including laboratory abnormalities, for patients in the TALAPRO-2 study who received TALZENNA in combination with enzalutamide vs patients receiving placebo with enzalutamide were hemoglobin decreased (79% vs 34%), neutrophils decreased (60% vs 18%), lymphocytes decreased (58% vs 36%), fatigue (49% vs 40%), platelets decreased (45% vs 8%), calcium decreased (25% vs 11%), nausea (21% vs 17%), decreased appetite (20% vs 14%), sodium decreased (22% vs 20%), phosphate decreased (17% vs 13%), fractures (14% vs 10%), magnesium decreased (14% vs 12%), dizziness (13% vs 9%), bilirubin increased (11% vs 7%), potassium decreased (11% vs 7%), and dysgeusia (10% vs 4.5%).

Clinically relevant adverse reactions in <10% of patients who received TALZENNA with enzalutamide included abdominal pain (9%), vomiting (9%), alopecia (7%), dyspepsia (4%), venous thromboembolism (3%) and stomatitis (2%).

Based on animal studies, TALZENNA may impair fertility in males of reproductive potential.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Coadministration with P-gp inhibitors The effect of coadministration of P-gp inhibitors on talazoparib exposure when TALZENNA is taken in combination with enzalutamide has not been studied. Monitor patients for increased adverse reactions and modify the dosage as recommended for adverse reactions when TALZENNA is coadministered with a P-gp inhibitor.

Coadministration with BCRP inhibitors Monitor patients for increased adverse reactions and modify the dosage as recommended for adverse reactions when TALZENNA is coadministered with a BCRP inhibitor. Coadministration of TALZENNA with BCRP inhibitors may increase talazoparib exposure, which may increase the risk of adverse reactions.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Renal Impairment The recommended dosage of TALZENNA for patients with moderate renal impairment (CLcr 30 – 59 mL/min) is 0.35 mg taken orally once daily in combination with enzalutamide. The recommended dosage of TALZENNA for patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr 15 – 29 mL/min) is 0.25 mg taken orally once daily in combination with enzalutamide. No dose adjustment is required for patients with mild renal impairment. TALZENNA has not been studied in patients requiring hemodialysis.

Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information and Patient Information for TALZENNA (talazoparib) at www.TALZENNA.com.

About XTANDI (enzalutamide) and Important Safety Information

XTANDI (enzalutamide) is an androgen receptor signaling inhibitor. XTANDI is a standard of care and has received regulatory approvals in one or more countries around the world for use in men with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC; also known as metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer or mHSPC), metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) and nonmetastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (nmCSPC) with biochemical recurrence at high risk for metastasis (high-risk BCR). XTANDI is currently approved for one or more of these indications in more than 90 countries, including in the U.S., EU, and Japan. Over one million patients have been treated with XTANDI globally.6

What should I tell my doctor before taking XTANDI?

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:

Have a history of seizures, brain injury, stroke, or brain tumors.
Have a history of heart disease, have high blood pressure, or have abnormal amounts of fat or cholesterol in your blood (dyslipidemia).
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. XTANDI can cause harm to your unborn baby and loss of pregnancy (miscarriage).
Have a partner who is pregnant or may become pregnant.
Males who have female partners who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with XTANDI and for 3 months after the last dose.
Males must use a condom during sex with a pregnant female.
Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XTANDI passes into your breast milk.
Take other medicines.XTANDI may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how XTANDI works. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Do not start or stop any medicine without talking to your doctor.
How should I take XTANDI?

Take XTANDI exactly as your doctor tells you.Take your prescribed dose once a day, at the same time each day. XTANDI can be taken with or without food. Swallow XTANDI capsules or tablets whole with enough water to make sure that you can swallow all of the medicine successfully. Do not chew, dissolve, or open the capsules. Do not cut, crush or chew the tablets. Your doctor may change your dose if needed. Your doctor may also change your pill size or stop treatment if you have swallowing problems.
Do not change or stop taking your prescribed dose of XTANDI without talking with your doctor first.
If you are receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) therapy, you should continue with this treatment while taking XTANDI unless you have had surgery to lower the amount of testosterone in your body (surgical castration).
If you miss a dose of XTANDI:Take your prescribed dose as soon as you remember that day. If you miss your daily dose, take your prescribed dose at your regular time the next day. Do not take more than your prescribed dose of XTANDI each day.
If you take too much XTANDI:Call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room right away. You may have an increased risk of seizure if you take too much XTANDI.
What are the possible side effects of XTANDI?

XTANDI may cause serious side effects including:

Seizure.If you take XTANDI, you may be at risk of having a seizure. Avoid activities where a sudden loss of consciousness could seriously harm you or someone else. Tell your doctor right away if you lose consciousness or have a seizure.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES).If you take XTANDI you may be at risk of developing a condition involving the brain called PRES. Tell your doctor right away if you have a seizure or quickly worsening symptoms such as headache, decreased alertness, confusion, reduced eyesight, blurred vision or other visual problems. Your doctor will do a test to check for PRES.
Allergic Reactions. Allergic reactions have happened in people who take XTANDI. Stop taking XTANDI and get medical help right away if you develop swelling of the face, tongue, lip or throat.
Heart Disease.Blockage of the arteries in the heart (ischemic heart disease) that can lead to death has happened in some people during treatment with XTANDI. Your doctor will monitor you for signs and symptoms of heart problems during your treatment. Call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away if you get chest pain or discomfort at rest or with activity or shortness of breath during your treatment with XTANDI.
Falls and Bone Fractures.XTANDI treatment may increase your risk for falls and bone fractures. Falls were not caused by loss of consciousness or seizures. Your doctor will monitor your risks for falls and bone fractures during treatment with XTANDI.
Swallowing problems or choking.Severe swallowing problems or choking, including life-threatening problems or death can happen in people during treatment with XTANDI, because of the size of the XTANDI capsules and tablets. Swallow each XTANDI capsule or tablet whole with enough water to make sure that you can swallow all of the medicine successfully.
Your doctor will stop treatment with XTANDI if you have serious side effects.

The most common side effects of XTANDI include:

Muscle and joint pain
Feeling more tired than usual
Hot flashes
Constipation
Decreased appetite
Diarrhea
High blood pressure
Bleeding problems
Falls
Bone fractures
Headache
XTANDI may cause fertility problems in males, which may affect the ability to father children. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about fertility.

These are not all the possible side effects of XTANDI. For more information, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Provides Fiscal Year 2025 First Quarter Business and Earnings Update

On February 13, 2025 Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. (the "Company" or "Sonnet") (NASDAQ: SONN), a clinical-stage company developing targeted immunotherapeutic drugs, reported its financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and provided a business update (Press release, Sonnet BioTherapeutics, FEB 13, 2025, View Source [SID1234650259]).

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"We have made strides in our Phase 1 SB101 trial with established clinical benefit including a 45% reduction in tumor size by RECIST criteria indicating a partial response and demonstrating the effectiveness of our FHAB platform. This encouraging data with SON-1010 excites us with the ongoing combination trials with Atezolizumab and with the initiation of recruitment for the combination with trabectedin (Yondelis). Additionally, we continue to bolster our global patent estate and differentiate our plug and play strategy from any competitive technologies that may leverage the beneficial characteristics of binding to human serum albumin," commented Pankaj Mohan, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Sonnet. "As we look to the remainder of the calendar year, our focus is on our clinical programs and building on our momentum toward meeting potentially catalytic milestones including a number of key clinical data readouts; all of which we believe have the potential to build shareholder value."

Recent Highlights

● Entered into a licensing agreement with Alkem Laboratories Limited ("Alkem") to develop and commercialize SON-080 in India (October 2024).

● Completion of SON-1010 (IL12-FHAB) Monotherapy Dose Escalation in Phase 1 SB101 trial and announced topline safety data (December 2024).

● Closed a registered direct offering and concurrent private placement priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules for aggregate gross proceeds of $3.9 million (December 2024).

● Announced granting of EU Patent No. EP3583125 B1 covering its FHAB platform technology (January 2025).

● Expanded its Phase 1 SB101 clinical study of SON-1010 (IL12-FHAB) in adult patients with advanced solid tumors by adding a new patient cohort to evaluate the effect of SON-1010 in combination with trabectedin (January 2025).

Lead Clinical Programs Update

SON-1010: Targeted Immune Activation Cancer Therapy, Turning ‘Cold’ Tumors ‘Hot’, Initially Targeting Solid Tumors and Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer (PROC)

Phase 1 Trial (SB101 Trial): Advanced Solid Tumors (Monotherapy)

The Company announced the topline safety data from the SB101 trial and completion of dose escalation in December 2024, establishing the MTD as 1200 ng/kg. The final 1200 ng/kg dose-escalation cohort was increased in size to 6 patients to enhance the assessment of PK and PD at the MTD. The SB101 trial employed a ‘desensitizing’ first dose of 300 ng/kg to take advantage of the known tachyphylaxis with rhIL-12, with the intention of minimizing toxicity and allowing for higher maintenance doses.

Of the 24 patients dosed to date, 17 (71%) had stable disease at the first follow-up CT, 12 of whom were progressing at study entry. 10 of the 21 evaluable patients (48%) remained stable at four months, suggesting SON-1010 clinical benefit, and one of those patients in the highest dose cohort, who has clear cell sarcoma, had a PR with a 45% reduction in tumor size by RESIST criteria. As previously disclosed, one patient in the first dose cohort with endometrial sarcoma who was progressing at study entry had evidence of improvement after 11 months, with smaller tumors and complete resolution of ascites. This patient later progressed at 23 months and started chemotherapy. No dose-limiting toxicities or related serious adverse events (SAE) have occurred to date. The safety and toxicity profile that has developed is typical for a Phase 1 oncology trial, with the majority of adverse events (AEs) being reported as mild. All AEs seen to date have been transient, with no evidence of cytokine release syndrome.

The Company recently announced expansion of its Phase 1 SB101 clinical study of SON-1010 (IL12-FHAB) in adult patients with advanced solid tumors to add a new cohort to evaluate the effect of SON-1010 in combination with trabectedin in certain advanced soft-tissue sarcomas (STS), following the successful completion of monotherapy dose escalation. Enrollment in this cohort is underway and is expected to be completed in H1 calendar year 2025. Topline safety data of the combination with trabectedin is expected in H2 calendar year 2025. No new safety concerns have been reported to date.

For more information about the SB101 clinical trial, visit clinicaltrials.gov and reference identifier NCT05352750.

Phase 1b/2a Trial (SB221 Trial): Advanced Solid Tumors and PROC (Combo with Atezolizumab)

The second trial is a global Phase 1b/2a multicenter, dose-escalation and randomized proof-of-concept study to assess the safety, tolerability, PK, PD, and efficacy of SON-1010 administered subcutaneously (SC) in combination with atezolizumab given intravenously (IV) (in collaboration with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group). Enrollment remains ongoing and an update on safety in that trial is expected in Q1 calendar year 2025.

For more information about the SB221 clinical trial, visit clinicaltrials.gov and reference identifier NCT05756907.

SON-1010 Upcoming Milestones

● Phase 1: Solid Tumors (Monotherapy)

○ H1 Calendar Year 2025: Topline Efficacy Data

● Phase 1b/2a: PROC (Combo with Atezolizumab)

○ Q1 Calendar Year 2025: Additional Safety Data
○ H2 Calendar Year 2025: RP2D & Topline Efficacy Data

● Phase 1: STS (Combo with Trabectedin)

○ H2 Calendar Year 2025: Topline Safety Data

SON-1210: Proprietary, Bifunctional Version of Human Interleukins 12 (IL-12) and 15 (IL-15), Configured Using Sonnet’s Fully Human Albumin Binding (FHAB) platform, in Combination with Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Advanced Solid Tumors and Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

In August 2024, the Company entered into a Master Clinical Collaboration Agreement with the Sarcoma Oncology Center to conduct an investigator-initiated Phase 1/2a clinical study to evaluate SON-1210 in combination with several chemotherapeutic agents including but not limited to NALIRIFOX (the combination of liposomal irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) for the specific treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. The NALIRIFOX regimen is U.S. FDA-approved for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer in the front-line and refractory settings. The Company expects to submit the IND for SON-1210 in Q1 calendar year 2025.

SON-1210 Upcoming Milestones

● Q1 Calendar Year 2025: IND Submission
● H1 Calendar Year 2025: 1st Patient Dosed in Investigator-Initiated Phase 1/2a Study

SON-080: Low dose of rhIL-6 for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN)

In October 2024, the Company entered into a licensing agreement with Alkem for the research, development, manufacturing, marketing, and commercialization of its SON-080 molecule for the treatment of DPN in India and the manufacturing, marketing, and commercialization of SON-080 for CIPN and autonomic neuropathy in India. Alkem will conduct all clinical trials it believes appropriate to obtain regulatory approval of SON-080 in India for the treatment of DPN. Subsequent to the partnership established with Alkem, preparations are being made to support initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial in DPN, a mechanistically synergistic and larger, high-value indication with unmet medical need.

SON-080 Upcoming Milestone

● H2 Calendar Year 2025: Initiation of Phase 2 Trial

Summary of Financial Results for First Quarter Fiscal Year 2025

For the fiscal first quarter ended December 31, 2024, Sonnet reported a net loss of $3.2 million, or $1.56 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.2 million, or $2.46 per basic and diluted share, for the for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023.

As of December 31, 2024, Sonnet had cash and cash equivalents of $4.9 million.

Company Leadership Reorganization – The Company has promoted Dr. Stephen McAndrew from his role as Senior Vice President, Business Development, to Chief Business Officer to enhance its focus on business development, effective February 17, 2025. Mr. Jay Cross submitted his resignation as Chief Financial Officer, effective February 21, 2025. Mr. Cross will be succeeded by Mr. Donald Griffith, CPA, who has been promoted as the new Chief Financial Officer from his role as Controller, effective February 21, 2025. This update to the Company’s leadership team will preserve a continued focus on advancing business development opportunities while remaining vigilant on cost controls.