On September 25, 2017 GO Therapeutics reported that Salubris Pharmaceutical Limited has made a $5M investment in GO Therapeutics, a Cambridge, MA-based company exploiting new advances in glycoproteomics to develop novel, multimodal first-in-class cancer therapeutics against intractable targets (Press release, GO Therapeutics, OCT 25, 2017, View Source [SID1234521293]).

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The generation of solid tumor targeting domains that are specific to cancer cells remains a significant challenge in the drug development industry. GO Therapeutics’ targeting platforms and technologies open a novel class of tumor-specific antigens that promise to realize the full potential of antibody-drug conjugates, bi-specific T-cell engagers, and immune-based cell therapies.

"This investment from Salubris will accelerate the development of our pre-clinical antibody programs, and help support the discovery of new antibodies against prioritized targets of interest. Additionally, Salubris offers future downstream market access to China, which is expected to become a significant consumer of innovative cancer therapies," said Constantine Theodoropulos, Chief Executive Officer, GO Therapeutics.

"Novel, cancer-specific targets are imperative to widening the therapeutic window for powerful, cutting-edge cancer therapeutic modalities such as T-cell engagement and ADCs that offer tremendous promise for patients around the world. GO Therapeutics has the opportunity to generate significant value by opening an exciting new class of cancer-specific targets that will underpin transformative cancer therapies," said Sam Murphy, VP and Head of International Business Development for Salubris, who will join GO Therapeutics’ board.

Salubris’ strategic investment extends the company’s expansion to the U.S. and evolution towards leading-edge innovations in oncology and cardiovascular disease. Earlier this year Salubris announced the opening of the SalubrisBio research facility outside of Washington D.C. where the focus is building the company’s internal portfolio of NME biologic product candidates (www.salubrisbio.com).

On September 25, 2017– BioTime, Inc. (NYSE American: BTX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing products addressing degenerative diseases, reported that its Board of Directors has approved a distribution of some or all of the shares of AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. owned by BioTime to BioTime’s shareholders (Press release, BioTime, SEP 25, 2017, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2302486 [SID1234520622]). The Board also authorized management to work with investment banks and other financial institutions to finalize and implement the strategy for taking AgeX public, which may include a tax-free distribution.

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"Asterias BioTherapeutics and OncoCyte Corporation, two companies founded by BioTime, were successfully transitioned into independent, publicly-traded companies that created significant value for BioTime and its shareholders," said Alfred Kingsley, BioTime’s Chairman of the Board. "We believe the formation and independent funding of AgeX, and a subsequent distribution to BioTime shareholders, will similarly unlock the significant value of the previously embedded BioTime assets related to the treatment of aging and age-related diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, stroke and cancer."

AgeX Therapeutics focuses on technologies relating to cellular immortality and the regenerative biology of aging. Aging and age-related diseases have recently garnered significant investor interest, as evidenced by the formation of companies such as Calico, Human Longevity Inc., Unity Biotechnology, and Samumed, as well as others. These companies have attracted major financial supporters, many of whose investments were made at multibillion-dollar market valuations. AgeX’s initial investors similarly include institutions and accomplished business leaders, whose support creates a foundation for the company’s potential future success.

AgeX closed its initial $10 million equity financing in August of 2017 with a post-money valuation of approximately $68 million. BioTime currently owns approximately 85% of the outstanding shares of AgeX, with a post-money valuation of approximately $58 million, or 50 cents per BioTime share. The equity financing is expected to fund AgeX’s general operations and product development well into 2019, while saving BioTime more than $5 million annually on these programs and associated operational expenses.

Building on the recent success of the formation, funding and launch of AgeX, BioTime’s management and Board are now exploring all options for making AgeX a publicly-traded company, including a potential tax-free distribution of all AgeX shares to BioTime shareholders. Once BioTime’s management completes its discussions with investment banks and other financial firms, and its analysis of remaining tax, legal, commercial and regulatory issues, BioTime will announce further details of the resulting plan.

On September 25, 2017 SignalRx Pharmaceuticals Inc. reported the presentation of scientific data on the company’s in silico platform technology for the rational design of dual small-molecule PI3K/BRD4 inhibitor for immune-oncology relative to activating anti-tumor immunity (Press release, SignalRx, SEPT 25, 2017, http://www.ireachcontent.com/news-releases/signalrx-presents-in-silico-design-of-dual-pi3kbrd4-inhibitors-for-combinatorial-activation-of-anti-tumor-immunity-in-treating-cancer-647615323.html [SID1234527320]). The presentation by Dr. Donald L. Durden, MD, PhD, senior scientific advisor for SignalRx, was made at the Immunomodulatory Small Molecules section of the 15th Annual Discovery on Target meeting in Boston, MA on September 25, 2017 at 8:40 a.m.

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The presentation was entitled "A Novel Dual PI3K/BRD4 Inhibitor, SF2523 for Combinatorial Activation of Anti-Tumor Immunity in Cancer via the Orthogonal Inhibition of MYCN and MYC" and highlighted advancements in the development of single small-molecules that simultaneously inhibit both PI3 kinase (PI3K) and the new epigenetic cancer target BRD4 in vivo.

Key highlights presented are:

Dual inhibitory chemotype disclosed which blocks MYC via two orthogonal independent pathways.
Synergistic anticancer effects of dual inhibition: PI3K inhibition induces MYCN degradation and BRD4 inhibition blocks MYCN transcription.
Dual PI3K/BRD4 inhibitor SF2523 blocks MYCN transcription and induces MYCN degradation
SF2523 shown to block tumor growth, metastasis, and PI3K/BRD4 signaling in vivo.
Demonstrated that SF2523 abrogates the macrophage immunosuppressive effects on tumor immunity via the blockade of the M1- M2 transition in vivo, and activates the adaptive T cell immune response against the tumor.
Data also was also presented related to the recent discovery of SRX3207, a novel dual inhibitor which inhibits PI3K and a recently discovered new immune checkpoint kinase. This inhibitor has potent immunostimulatory properties and blocks the immunosuppressive macrophage compartment.
SignalRx, focused on developing more effective oncology drugs through molecular design imparting multiple target-selected inhibition, is also announcing that it is seeking partnerships to accelerate the development of their novel small molecules into first-in-man clinical trials. These molecules include single-targeted novel BRD4 inhibitors and CDK inhibitors with picomolar potencies.