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Generex Announces Collaboration with Shenzhen BioScien Pharmaceuticals to Develop and Commercialize the AE37 Immunotherapeutic Vaccine for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer in China

On December 7, 2017 Generex Biotechnology Corporation (OTCQB:GNBT) (View Source) (www.generex.com) reported that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Antigen Express, Inc. (www.antigenexpress.com), has entered into a License and Research Agreement with Shenzhen BioScien Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. www.BioScien.cn to develop and commercialize the Antigen Express AE37 immunotherapeutic vaccine for prostate cancer in the People’s Republic of China (including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau) (Press release, Generex, DEC 7, 2017, View Source [SID1234522511]).

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"We are pleased to be able to include this in our innovative pipeline of novel therapeutics."
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A previously completed Phase I study of the vaccine conducted by Antigen Express in patients with prostate cancer demonstrated robust, long-term, and specific activation of cancer-fighting T cells in immunized patients.

Shenzhen BioScien will pay Generex a non-refundable, up-front license fee of $700,000 USD. Under the Agreement, Shenzhen BioScien will also make milestone payments to Generex of $1,000,000 USD each upon completion of the Phase II and Phase III clinical studies of the vaccine as well as a milestone payment of $2,000,000 USD upon regulatory approval of the vaccine in the territory. Generex will also receive a 10% royalty on net sales of the product.

Under the Agreement, Shenzhen BioScien has responsibility for paying for and conducting the clinical trials, securing Chinese regulatory approvals, and the manufacturing, marketing, distribution, and sale of the product. The clinical trials will be designed and conducted so as to meet the regulatory requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency and Antigen Express will have free access to all data for support of global regulatory filings and further development and commercialization initiatives outside the licensed territories.

The AE37 vaccine is designed using a proprietary technology platform that ensures a more robust and long-lasting immune response than would be possible otherwise. In addition to the Phase I prostate study, the clinical activity of AE37 has been demonstrated in a controlled, randomized Phase II study in 300 breast cancer patients. Based on encouraging efficacy data from that study, the Company has entered into an agreement with Merck (d.b.a. as Merck Sharp & Dohme outside the United States and Canada) to evaluate Antigen’s AE37 cancer vaccine in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 (programmed death receptor-1) therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

"We are delighted that Shenzhen BioScien will continue development of AE37 for prostate cancer," said Joe Moscato, President & Chief Executive Officer of Generex. "AE37 is the lead compound being developed using our Antigen Express technology platform. The clinical studies conducted to date establish the wide applicability of AE37 and its underlying Ii-Key technology. This license, together with the Merck collaboration, highlights the value of the core assets of Generex as we reinvigorate those assets in the wake of our recently completed reorganization."

"The AE37 cancer vaccine has shown impressive results in clinical trials," said Dr. Yinke Yang, Chief Executive Officer of Shenzhen BioScien. "We are pleased to be able to include this in our innovative pipeline of novel therapeutics."

ERYTECH Reports Top-line Results of Phase 2b Study of Eryaspase for the Treatment of AML

On December 7, 2017 ERYTECH Pharma (Euronext Paris: ERYP) (Nasdaq: ERYP) ("ERYTECH"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies by encapsulating therapeutic drug substances inside red blood cells, reported topline results from its Phase 2b clinical study evaluating eryaspase (GRASPA) for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (Press release, ERYtech Pharma, DEC 7, 2017, View Source [SID1234522449]).

The open-label, randomized, multi-center clinical study, evaluated eryaspase in newly diagnosed AML patients over the age of 65 and unfit for intensive chemotherapy. The study enrolled a total of 123 patients at 30 European sites. The median age of the patients was 78 years. Patients were randomized two-to-one to receive eryaspase in combination with low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) versus LDAC alone. The primary endpoint in this proof-of concept study was overall survival (OS). The key secondary endpoints included progression free survival, overall response and toxicity. The study was performed in collaboration with Orphan Europe (Recordati Group), ERYTECH’s partner for the anticipated commercialization of GRASPA for the treatment of ALL and AML in Europe.

The study did not meet its primary endpoint of overall survival (OS). The OS Hazard Ratio (HR) was 1.06 (95% CI; 0.70, 1.61). When adjusting for minor imbalances in the main prognostic factors at baseline (age, karyotype and FAB status), the OS HR was 0.98 (95% CI; 0.64, 1.50). The median number of months on treatment was less then 2 months in both treatment arms. The toxicity profile was acceptable and consistent with previously reported data for eryaspase.

"These data reflect the complexity of this disease, particularly in the older age group." commented Iman El-Hariry, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of ERYTECH. "While we are disappointed with the outcome, we are reassured with the safety profile of eryaspase in these very frail and elderly patients."

Gil Beyen, Chairman and CEO of ERYTECH, added, "Although clearly disappointing, these results do not change our commitment to the development of the eryaspase product candidate. Eryaspase has shown positive safety and efficacy results in the treatment of pancreatic cancer and acute lymphoblastic leukemia and we remain committed to bringing this treatment option to patients in these and potential other indications."

ERYTECH will hold a conference call and webcast on Monday, December 11th at 10:00 am EST to discuss the results of this study. The full dataset will be discussed at a scientific congress in 2018.

Investors and analysts wishing to participate can access the call via the following teleconferencing numbers:

USA: +1 833 8186807 United-Kingdom: +080 00323836
Switzerland: +080 0561782 Germany: +080 01815287
France: +080 5081485 Belgium: +080 073308
Sweden: +020 798505 Finland : +080 0412874
Netherlands: +080 00200089

Password: 6983889

The webcast can be followed live online via the following link:

Webcast Link: View Source

An archive of the webcast will be available for 90 days on the "Webcast" section of the Company’s investor relations site at www.erytech.com.

Additionally, a replay of the call will be available for 7 days. To listen to the replay, please dial:

USA: +1 404 537 3406
Participant Password: 6983889

About acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

AML is a form of acute leukemia or blood cancer that results from the improper maturation of myeloid stem cells leading to the production of myeloblasts. The increasing numbers of abnormal blasts crowd out healthy cells in bone marrow (resulting in infection, anemia, and bleeding) and can spread to other parts of body. With about 40,000 new patients per year in Europe and the United States, AML is the most common type of acute leukemia. Affecting mainly the adult and senior patient population, the median age of patients diagnosed with AML is approximately 67 years, and AML represents one of the highest mortality rates among all type of cancers and an important unmet medical need.

Radius Investigational Drug Elacestrant (RAD1901) Continues to Show Promise in Advanced ER+ / HER2- Breast Cancer at the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

On December 7, 2017 Radius Health, Inc. (Nasdaq:RDUS) reported an update on data from the Phase 1 005 clinical study of elacestrant (RAD1901), an oral selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD), in patients with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer (Press release, Radius, DEC 7, 2017, View Source [SID1234522447]). The data were presented at a Spotlight Presentation (Abstract 1410) during the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). Elacestrant recently received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

There are 40 patients that have been treated at the 400 mg dose in the elacestrant Phase I dose escalation and expansion cohorts. All study participants are heavily pretreated ER+, HER2-negative, advanced breast cancer patients that have received a median of three prior lines of systemic therapy and have evaluable advanced or metastatic disease. Of the enrolled patients, 22 patients met the RECIST measurable disease criteria at baseline and there were 6 confirmed partial responses in this group. Elacestrant was well-tolerated with the most common adverse events being low grade nausea, dyspepsia and vomiting.

"It is quite encouraging to see the clinical activity with elacestrant in the heavily pretreated advanced patient population, and further therapeutic development is warranted for patients with hormone receptor positive breast cancer", commented Dr. Aditya Bardia, Director of Precision Medicine and attending physician at Center for Breast Cancer, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Radius plans to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study of elacestrant monotherapy, a potentially pivotal study, for women with advanced or metastatic ER+/HER2- breast cancer early in 2018.

"Patients cycle through and generally do not repeat treatment regimens, limiting treatment options as their disease advances. We are pleased about the potential to offer patients who have progressed or relapsed during their current standard of care with a new treatment option," said Gary Hattersley, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer. "Radius is committed to developing and to providing breast cancer patients with the next generation of hormonal treatment options, as a single agent and in combination, across all lines of therapy."

An update on data from the elacestrant FES PET 106 Phase I clinical study in the EU was presented yesterday and demonstrated that elacestrant reduces 18F-FES uptake in patients with advanced ER+ breast cancer who progressed on prior endocrine therapy. The reduction in FES uptake supports elacestrant dose selection for further clinical development and was similar in patients harboring mutant or wildtype ESR-1. Three preclinical poster presentations further highlighting and demonstrating elacestrant activity, as a single agent and in combination with other targeted therapies, will be presented tomorrow morning at SABCS.

Following a strategic review, Radius has decided to discontinue further evaluation of elacestrant for vasomotor symptoms and will focus instead on the continued clinical development of the compound as a potential treatment option in breast cancer.

WEBCAST/CONFERENCE CALL

In conjunction with today’s elacestrant Spotlight presentation at SABCS, Radius will host a conference call and live webcast at 8:00 p.m. CT today to discuss the results of the Phase I program as of the cutoff date of October 30, 2017 and provide a company update.

The live webcast titled "Oncology Program Update from San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium — 2017" will be available at View Source or by visiting the Investors section of Radius’ website at View Source

Conference call information:

Domestic Dial-in Number: (866) 323-7965
International Dial-in Number: (346) 406-0961
Conference ID: 9089206

A replay of the webcast will be available on the company’s website, www.radiuspharm.com in the Investor section under Events and Presentations for 7 days following the live webcast.

About Elacestrant (RAD1901)
Elacestrant is a selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD), which is being evaluated for potential use as a once daily oral treatment for hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. Elacestrant is currently being investigated for potential use in women with advanced estrogen receptor positive, HER2 negative, breast cancer, the most common form of the disease. Studies completed to date indicate that the compound has the potential for use as a single agent or in combination with other therapies for the treatment of breast cancer.

Additional information on the clinical trial program of elacestrant (RAD1901) is available on www.clinicaltrials.gov.

NW Bio Announces Completion of $12 Million Financing

On December 7, 2017 Northwest Biotherapeutics (OTCQB: NWBO) (NWBio), a biotechnology company developing DCVax personalized immune therapies for solid tumor cancers, reported that it has completed a $12 million financing to fund operations (Press release, Northwest Biotherapeutics, DEC 7, 2017, View Source [SID1234522446]). The majority of the financing is being provided by new investors.

The financing is in the form of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and Warrants. The Preferred Stock will be convertible into common stock, but only when common stock is available or after 6 months following issuance. The Warrants will be exercisable for common stock, but only when common stock is available. The shares are registered, but are subject to restrictions under which they may not be conveyed or traded until a shareholder vote takes place, pursuant to which the number of authorized shares is increased. The shares are also subject to a voting agreement, under which the investors have agreed to vote in support of such increase in authorized shares.

The investors are purchasing the Series A Preferred Stock at a price of $1.70 per share, and each such preferred share will be convertible into 10 common shares valued at $0.17 cents per share. The investors are also receiving Warrants for a number of common shares equal to the number of conversion shares, with an exercise price of $0.22 per share and an exercise period of two years.

As reported in the Company’s recent 10-Q filing, the Company has been in discussions with investors for this financing during the last couple of months. During this period, while the price of the Company’s common stock hovered mostly at $0.16- $0.17 per share, the terms were set at $0.17 per share of common stock and $0.22 exercise price for the warrants. As also previously reported, some of the investors provided advance funding prior to completion of the financing and its documentation.

Linda Powers, the Company’s CEO, commented, "We are pleased to see a growing number of new investors becoming interested in our DCVax technology and its encouraging potential, and providing the majority of the largest financing we have done this year. We are also grateful for our long-term, patient and loyal shareholder base, and their participation in this financing as well. It is gratifying to have both ongoing and expanded support as we move forward with our ongoing Phase 3 trial (in which we are continuing to ship doses, treat patients and collect data) and other programs we have been preparing."

Daiichi Sankyo Presents Updated Data for DS-8201 in Patients with HER2-Expressing Breast Cancer at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

On December 7, 2017 Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo) reported that updated safety and efficacy data from two subgroups of patients with metastatic breast cancer from an ongoing phase 1 study of DS-8201, an investigational HER2-targeting antibody drug conjugate (ADC), were presented during a Spotlight Poster Discussion session at the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (Press release, Daiichi Sankyo, DEC 7, 2017, View Source [SID1234522441]).

Updated preliminary results in a subgroup analysis of 57 efficacy evaluable patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer pre-treated with ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) showed that DS-8201 demonstrated a confirmed overall response rate of 61.4 percent (35 of 57 patients) and a disease control rate of 94.7 percent (54 of 57 patients). Among 50 of these patients who also were pre-treated with pertuzumab, DS-8201 demonstrated a confirmed overall response rate of 62 percent (31 of 50 patients) and a disease control rate of 94 percent (47 of 50 patients). In 39 efficacy evaluable HER2-positive patients with hormone-receptor positive disease, DS-8201 demonstrated an overall response rate of 56.4 percent (22 of 39 patients) and disease control rate of 92.3 percent (36 of 39 patients). The majority of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer were continuing to receive treatment at the time of data cut-off. Preliminary estimates of median progression free survival have reached 10.4 months.

Additionally, preliminary results in another subgroup showed that DS-8201 demonstrated a confirmed overall response rate of 31.6 percent (6 of 19 patients) and a disease control rate of 84.2 percent (16 of 19 patients) in 19 efficacy evaluable patients with heavily pretreated HER2 low-expressing breast cancer (defined as IHC2+/ISH- or IHC 1+). In 16 of these patients also classified with hormone-receptor positive disease, DS-8201 demonstrated an overall response rate of 31.3 percent (5 of 16 patients) and a disease control rate of 87.5 percent (14 of 16 patients). Most patients with HER2 low-expressing breast cancer were continuing to receive treatment at the time of data cut-off. Median progression free survival has not yet been reached.

"These updated data in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer are exciting in that DS-8201 is showing potential in treating patients who have progressed on several other HER2-targeting agents," said Shanu Modi, MD, Breast Medical Oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and study investigator. "Additionally, the results seen in patients with HER2 low-expressing breast cancer are compelling and could challenge how we define HER2-positive breast cancer with regards to ADC therapy. Clearly, further study of DS-8201 is warranted in both these types of HER2-expressing breast cancer."

"These data add to the growing evidence that underscore the potential of our smart chemotherapy DS-8201 to treat HER2-expressing breast cancer," said Antoine Yver, MD, MSc, Executive Vice President and Global Head, Oncology Research and Development, Daiichi Sankyo. "While we already have advanced DS-8201 into a pivotal phase 2 trial for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, we are exploring next steps for the development of DS-8201 in HER2 low-expressing breast cancer."

Combined preliminary safety data for both HER2 low-expressing and HER2-positive breast cancer subgroups were reported. The most common adverse events (>30 percent any grade) included nausea (73.0 percent), decreased appetite (55.7 percent), alopecia (40.0 percent), vomiting (39.1 percent), anemia (34.8 percent), diarrhea (33.9 percent) and constipation (30.4 percent). Grade 3 adverse events occurring in >10 percent of patients included decreased neutrophil count (10.4 percent) and decreased white blood cell count (10.4 percent). Grade 4 adverse events included decreased neutrophil count (4.3 percent), decreased platelet count (2.6 percent) and anemia (0.9 percent). Two cases of potential Grade 5 pneumonitis have been reported and will be assessed by an interstitial lung disease (ILD) adjudication committee.

Unmet Need in HER2-Expressing Metastatic Breast Cancer
About one in five breast cancers overexpress HER2, a tyrosine kinase receptor growth-promoting protein found on the surface of some cancer cells, which is associated with aggressive disease.1 To be considered HER2-positive, tumor cancer cells are usually tested by one of two methods: immunohistochemistry (IHC) or fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).1 IHC test results are reported as: 0, IHC1+, IHC2+ or IHC3+.1 A finding of IHC3+ is considered HER2-positive.1 A finding of IHC2+ is borderline and typically is confirmed by a positive FISH test.1

Several unmet needs remain today in HER2-expressing metastatic breast cancer. Many tumors advance to the point where no currently approved HER2-targeting treatment continues to control the disease, and there is no current standard of care for HER2-positive tumors after treatment with trastuzumab, pertuzumab and T-DM1.2 Additionally, there are no anti-HER2 therapies indicated for HER2 low-expressing tumors (IHC2+/FISH- or IHC1+).

About the DS-8201 Phase 1 Study
The open-label, two-part phase 1 study is currently evaluating DS-8201 in patients with advanced/
unresectable or metastatic solid tumors that are refractory or intolerant to standard treatment, or for whom no standard treatment is available. The primary objective of the dose escalation phase of the study was to assess the safety and tolerability of DS-8201 and determine the maximum tolerated dose. In the dose expansion part of the phase 1 study, DS-8201 is given in one of two doses (5.4 mg/kg and 6.4 mg/kg) to patients with HER2-positive advanced or metastatic breast cancer and gastric cancer, HER2 low-expressing breast cancer and other HER2-expressing solid tumors. Patient enrollment in the two breast cancer cohorts and the HER2-expressing solid tumors cohort is ongoing in the U.S. and Japan. For more information about the study, please visit ClinicalTrials.gov.

About DS-8201
DS-8201 is the lead product in the ADC Franchise of the Daiichi Sankyo Cancer Enterprise. ADCs are targeted cancer medicines that deliver cytotoxic chemotherapy ("payload") to cancer cells via a linker attached to a monoclonal antibody that binds to a specific target expressed on cancer cells. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary ADC technology, DS-8201 is a smart chemotherapy comprised of a humanized HER2 antibody attached to a novel topoisomerase I inhibitor payload by a tetrapeptide-based linker. It is designed to target and deliver chemotherapy inside cancer cells and reduce systemic exposure to the cytotoxic payload (or chemotherapy) compared to the way chemotherapy is commonly delivered.

DS-8201 is currently in phase 2 clinical development for HER2-positive unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer resistant or refractory to T-DM1 (DESTINY-Breast01), phase 2 development for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer resistant or refractory to trastuzumab (DESTINY-Gastric01), and phase 1 development for other HER2-expressing advanced/unresectable or metastatic solid tumors.

DS-8201 has been granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have been treated with trastuzumab and pertuzumab and have disease progression after ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), and Fast Track designation for the treatment of HER2-positive unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer in patients who have progressed after prior treatment with HER2-targeted therapies including T-DM1 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). DS-8201 is an investigational agent that has not been approved for any indication in any country. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

About Daiichi Sankyo Cancer Enterprise
The vision of Daiichi Sankyo Cancer Enterprise is to leverage our world-class, innovative science and push beyond traditional thinking in order to create meaningful treatments for patients with cancer. We are dedicated to transforming science into value for patients, and this sense of obligation informs everything we do. Anchored by our Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Franchises, our cancer pipeline includes more than 20 small molecules, monoclonal antibodies and ADCs stemming from our powerful research engines: our two laboratories for biologic/immuno-oncology and small molecules in Japan, and Plexxikon Inc., our small molecule structure-guided R&D center in Berkeley, CA. Compounds in development include: quizartinib, an oral FLT3 inhibitor, for newly-diagnosed and relapsed or refractory AML with FLT3-ITD mutations; DS-8201, an ADC for HER2-expressing breast and gastric cancer, and other HER2-expressing solid tumors; and pexidartinib, an oral CSF-1R inhibitor, for tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT), which is also being explored in a range of solid tumors in combination with the anti-PD1 immunotherapy pembrolizumab. For more information, please visit: www.DSCancerEnterprise.com.