On January 21, 2025 NiKang Therapeutics Inc. ("NiKang"), a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing innovative small molecule oncology medicines to bring transformative therapies to patients in need, reported that the first patient has been dosed in the global randomized phase 1b/2 clinical study evaluating NKT2152, a highly potent, selective and orally bioavailable small molecule HIF2α inhibitor, in combination with standard-of-care regimen of atezolizumab (Tecentriq) and bevacizumab (Avastin) in the first-line treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic HCC (Press release, NiKang Therapeutics, JAN 21, 2025, View Source [SID1234649808]). This study is being conducted under a clinical trial collaboration with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd ("Roche") as part of Roche’s MORPHEUS-liver platform trial (NCT04524871).

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"The commencement of this randomized study of NKT2152 in partnership with Roche represents a significant milestone in the advancement of NKT2152 for the treatment of tumors beyond ccRCC," said Zhenhai Gao, Ph.D., co-founder, president, and CEO of NiKang. "NKT2152 has demonstrated significant anti-tumor efficacy and a favorable safety profile not only in human ccRCC patients but also in preclinical xenograft models of solid tumors beyond ccRCC, underscoring its potential for broad application in human cancer treatments. HCC is of particular interest due to the compelling scientific rationale supporting NKT2152 and robust preclinical data. With high potency, selectivity, and unique human pharmacokinetic (PK) profile characterized by higher systemic exposure, a larger volume of distribution, and a longer half-life, NKT2152 emerges as an ideal candidate for combination with antibody-based regimens to treat solid tumors beyond ccRCC, where higher drug exposure may be necessary. We are enthusiastic about further exploring NKT2152’s potential in the first-line treatment of HCC patients through this randomized trial".

About NKT2152
NKT2152 is a potent, selective and orally available small molecule HIF2α inhibitor which binds to HIF2α allosterically and disrupts the HIF2α/HIF1β transcription factor complex, thereby reducing the production of proteins which lead to tumorigenesis. NKT2152 is currently under evaluation in a Phase 1/2 clinical study in ccRCC as a single agent (NCT05119335) and a Phase 2 clinical study in ccRCC in combination with palbociclib and sasanlimab (NCT05935748). A third clinical study, as part of Roche’s MORPHEUS-liver platform trial, evaluating the combination with standard-of-care atezolizumab and bevacizumab in first-line unresectable/advance hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (NCT04524871) is ongoing.

On January 21, 2025 Exact Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq: EXAS), a leading provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, reported clinical validation data for its OncodetectTM MRD test at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO GI.) Results from Alpha-CORRECT, a study with one of the longest MRD surveillance monitoring periods to date, showed the Oncodetect test achieved 78% sensitivity at the post-surgical timepoint and 91% sensitivity during the surveillance monitoring period, with specificities of 80% and 94%, respectively (Press release, Exact Sciences, JAN 21, 2025, View Source [SID1234649790]). The complete findings of the study, which primarily included patients with stage III colon cancer, will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal on January 25.

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"We’re thrilled to bring our MRD solution to the rapidly growing molecular residual disease market, helping more patients get access to critical, high-quality testing," said Brian Baranick, general manager of Precision Oncology at Exact Sciences. "These data demonstrate the strong performance of Oncodetect. Building on the foundation of Oncotype DX and two decades of trust from physicians and patients, Exact Sciences is well positioned to lead the way with its robust commercial and operational infrastructure, to ensure patients across the U.S. have access to MRD testing."

In addition to the data shared at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI, Oncodetect achieved its primary endpoint in the Beta-CORRECT study. Results confirm a significant association between MRD positivity and recurrence in patients with stage III colon cancer. The data extend Oncodetect’s prognostic value to patients with stage II and IV colon cancer and rectal cancer. Findings from the independent Beta-CORRECT clinical validation study, which was a subset analysis from the GALAXY study, also demonstrated promising performance of Oncodetect as an MRD test. Results will be presented at an upcoming scientific conference.

"There is a critical need to better understand and monitor for residual cancer following surgery," said Takayuki Yoshino, MD, deputy director at the National Cancer Center Hospital East in Japan. "The Oncodetect test represents an exciting development in the field. I am pleased to partner with Exact Sciences, encouraged by the emerging data from the Beta-CORRECT study, and look forward to sharing further insights in the coming months."

The company plans to provide the Oncodetect test to patients across the United States through its Precision Oncology platform, combining 20 years of deep relationships with healthcare professionals through Oncotype DX, a broad portfolio of oncology solutions, and the advanced ExactNexusTM technology platform.

Strategic Partnerships Support Multi-Cancer Evidence Generation

Exact Sciences has partnered with the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) and Flatiron Health to generate additional clinical evidence across multiple solid tumor types.

Exact Sciences is conducting multiple studies to strengthen evidence in colorectal cancer. The international-basedCORRECT-Istudy and the pivotal, US-basedCORRECT-IIstudy with the NSABP will assess the association between ctDNA and recurrence at specific post-surgical timepoints in patients with stage II and III colorectal cancer. These studies will further validate ctDNA’s role in colorectal cancer recurrence monitoring.
An additional study with the NSABP,EXActDNA-003, is one of the largest prospective MRD studies across all subtypes of early-stage breast cancer. Additional research in breast cancer waspreviously announced with the West German Study Group.
The company has also partnered withFlatiron Healthon a multi-year, prospective real-world study that will be integrated into routine clinical care, with the goal of accelerated enrollment across a broad range of solid tumors.
"The NSABP is committed to advancing colorectal and breast cancer care through innovative clinical studies that redefine diagnostics and treatments," said Dr. Norman Wolmark, MD, chairman of the NSABP Foundation and contact principal investigator and co-chair at NRG Oncology. "Both the CORRECT-II and EXActDNA-003 studies are designed to utilize ctDNA in addressing critical gaps left by previous MRD trials. Through our collaboration with Exact Sciences, we aim to integrate ctDNA analysis to deliver a more precise and comprehensive approach to recurrence detection."

About the Oncodetect test

Molecular residual disease (MRD) refers to the presence of tumor-specific DNA in the body. These fragments of genetic information, known as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), are shed into the bloodstream by tumors, and their presence may indicate that cancer is present . Exact Sciences’ MRD offering leverages our in-house capabilities in whole exome sequencing to offer a tumor-informed MRD test for a personalized approach to detecting and monitoring residual cancer in patients with solid tumors. By identifying somatic genomic alterations in tumor DNA and detecting a subset in ctDNA from blood, the Oncodetect test may enable the detection of ctDNA before, during, and after treatment. This critical information can guide therapy decisions and monitor for cancer recurrence.

On January 21, 2025 Innate Pharma SA (Euronext Paris: IPH; Nasdaq: IPHA) ("Innate" or the "Company") reported that it will host an event for institutional investors and analysts dedicated to its Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) strategy, and particularly Nectin-4, the target of its lead antibody-drug candidate program, IPH4502 (Press release, Innate Pharma, JAN 21, 2025, View Source [SID1234649791]). The event will be held in New York in a hybrid format on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EDT.
"As we just updated our strategy with a focus on our ANKET platform and ADC programs, this meeting will be an opportunity to share the latest scientific and clinical advancements related to Nectin-4 and its potential in cancer treatment," said Jonathan Dickinson, Chief Executive Officer of Innate Pharma

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Event details:
Date: February 5, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EDT
Registration: If you would like to attend the event, please register at this link: View Source

For those who are unable to attend in person, a live webcast and replay will be on Innate Pharma’s website at: View Source

About IPH4502
IPH4502 is a novel and differentiated topoisomerase I inhibitor ADC designed to precisely target Nectin-4, a cell adhesion molecule that is overexpressed in several types of solid tumors, including urothelial carcinoma, where Nectin-4 expression is highest, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and gastro-intestinal cancer.
In non-clinical models, IPH45 is well tolerated and shows anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo.
In September 2024, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared its investigational new drug (IND) application to initiate a Phase 1 clinical study of IPH4502.

On January 21, 2025 Kiromic BioPharma, Inc. (OTCQB: KRBP) ("Kiromic" or the "Company") reported favorable efficacy results from the 12-month follow-up visit for the first patient and the two-month follow-up visit for the seventh patient enrolled in its Deltacel-01 Phase 1 clinical trial, and provides an enrollment update (Press release, Kiromic, JAN 21, 2025, View Source [SID1234649792]). This trial is evaluating Deltacel (KB-GDT-01), the Company’s allogeneic, off-the-shelf, Gamma Delta T-cell (GDT) therapy, in patients with stage 4 metastatic or locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have failed to respond to standard therapies.

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At the 12-month post-treatment follow-up visit, the first patient in Deltacel-01 had a 33.33% reduction in tumor volume compared with their pre-treatment tumor size, thereby achieving a partial response. This marks the second patient in the Deltacel-01 study with a partial response after our fourth patient. Additionally, the seventh patient had a 9.5% reduction in tumor size at their two-month follow-up visit. Both patients are being treated at the Beverly Hills Cancer Center (BHCC).

"The sustained, positive results we are seeing with the Deltacel-01 clinical trial are highly encouraging. Having a second patient achieve partial response with the first patient’s remarkable 33% tumor shrinkage at the 12-month follow-up highlights the therapeutic potential of our gamma-delta T cell therapy. The early response observed in the seventh patient further supports our confidence in this platform. We are expanding trial enrollment to expose more patients to the potential benefit of Deltacel while bolstering our clinical dataset," said Pietro Bersani, Chief Executive Officer of Kiromic BioPharma.

"The remarkable 33% tumor reduction seen in the first and fourth patient at our center along with the encouraging 9.5% reduction in the seventh patient, are truly exciting results from the Deltacel-01 clinical trial. These data, coupled with the patients’ reports of improved energy and better quality of life, reinforce the potential of Kiromic’s gamma delta T-cell therapy to deliver meaningful clinical benefit for patients with advanced lung cancer who have exhausted other treatment options," said Dr. Afshin Eli Gabayan, Medical Oncologist, Medical Director, and Principal Investigator at BHCC. "As a leading cancer center focused on providing access to the most innovative therapies, we are proud to partner with Kiromic and look forward to continuing to enroll patients and generate additional evidence supporting Deltacel’s promise as a transformative new treatment option."

The Eighth Patient Completes Treatment

The eighth patient successfully completed the Deltacel-01 treatment regimen and is tolerating therapy well. Initial efficacy results for this patient are expected in late February 2025. This patient was enrolled at the Clinical Research Advisors Koreatown, a satellite location of BHCC.

Kiromic also announces that the ninth patient in Deltacel-01 started treatment at Virginia Oncology Associates (Norfolk, VA). Additionally, the company expects to enroll the 10th and 11th patients into the trial by the end of January.

About Deltacel-01

In Kiromic’s open-label Phase 1 clinical trial, titled "Phase 1 Trial Evaluating the Safety and Tolerability of Gamma Delta T Cell Infusions in Combination With Low Dose Radiotherapy in Subjects With Stage 4 Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer" (NCT06069570), patients with advanced NSCLC receive three intravenous infusions of Deltacel with six courses of low-dose, localized radiation over a 31-day period. The primary objective of Deltacel-01 is to evaluate safety, while secondary measurements include objective response, progression-free survival, overall survival, time to progression, time to treatment response and disease control rates.

About Deltacel

Deltacel (KB-GDT-01) is an investigational gamma delta T-cell (GDT) therapy currently in the Deltacel-01 Phase 1 trial for the treatment of stage 4 metastatic NSCLC. An allogeneic product consisting of unmodified, donor-derived gamma delta T cells, Deltacel is the leading candidate in Kiromic’s GDT platform. Deltacel is designed to exploit the natural potency of GDT cells to target solid cancers, with an initial clinical focus on NSCLC, which represents about 80% to 85% of all lung cancer cases. Data from two preclinical studies demonstrated Deltacel’s favorable safety and efficacy profile when it was combined with low-dose radiation.

On January 21, 2025 NANOBIOTIX (Euronext: NANO –– NASDAQ: NBTX – the ‘‘Company’’), a late-clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering nanoparticle-based therapeutic approaches to expand treatment possibilities for patients with cancer and other major diseases, reported that the first patient has been dosed in the CONVERGE study, a Phase 2 randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating potential first-in-class radioenhancer JNJ-1900 (NBTXR3) for the treatment of patients with Stage 3 unresectable non-small cell lung cancer receiving standard of care chemoradiation followed by consolidation durvalumab (NCT06667908) (Press release, Nanobiotix, JAN 21, 2025, View Source [SID1234649793]). CONVERGE is sponsored by Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, a Johnson & Johnson Company, under a global license agreement.

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"We believe the true value of JNJ-1900 (NBTXR3) is driven by its potential to address the unmet needs of the millions of patients each year who receive radiotherapy as part of their treatment," said Laurent Levy, Nanobiotix Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board. "With a clear path to potential registration in head and neck cancer established through NANORAY-312, the first patient dosed in the CONVERGE study in non-small cell lung cancer brings us another step closer to delivering for the large number of patients JNJ-1900 (NBTXR3) is designed to serve."

About NBTXR3 (JNJ-1900)

NBTXR3 is a novel, potentially first-in-class oncology product composed of functionalized hafnium oxide nanoparticles that is administered via one-time intratumoral injection and activated by radiotherapy. Its proof-of-concept was achieved in soft tissue sarcomas for which the product received a European CE mark in 2019. The product candidate’s physical mechanism of action (MoA) is designed to induce significant tumor cell death in the injected tumor when activated by radiotherapy, subsequently triggering adaptive immune response and long-term anti-cancer memory. Given the physical MoA, Nanobiotix believes that NBTXR3 could be scalable across any solid tumor that can be treated with radiotherapy and across any therapeutic combination, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Radiotherapy-activated NBTXR3 is being evaluated across multiple solid tumor indications as a single agent or in combination with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors, including in NANORAY-312—a global, randomized Phase 3 study in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancers. In February 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration granted regulatory Fast Track designation for the investigation of NBTXR3 activated by radiation therapy, with or without cetuximab, for the treatment of patients with locally advanced HNSCC who are not eligible for platinum-based chemotherapy—the same population being evaluated in the Phase 3 study.

Given the Company’s focus areas, and balanced against the scalable potential of NBTXR3, Nanobiotix has engaged in a collaboration strategy to expand development of the product candidate in parallel with its priority development pathways. Pursuant to this strategy, in 2019 Nanobiotix entered into a broad, comprehensive clinical research collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to sponsor several Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies evaluating NBTXR3 across tumor types and therapeutic combinations. In 2023, Nanobiotix announced a license agreement for the global co-development and commercialization of NBTXR3 with Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, a Johnson & Johnson Company.