pSivida Corp. Announces First Quarter Fiscal Year 2018 Financial Results Release Date and Conference Call Information

On October 18, 2017 pSivida Corp. (NASDAQ:PSDV) (ASX:PVA), a leader in the development of sustained release drug delivery products primarily for treating eye diseases, will report results for its first quarter of fiscal year 2018 on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 (Press release, pSivida, OCT 18, 2017, View Source [SID1234521009]). Management will host a conference call to review the results at 8:30 a.m. ET on the same day.

The conference call may be accessed by dialing (877) 312-7507 from the U.S. and Canada, or (631) 813-4828 from international locations. The conference ID is 99811898. A live webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of the corporate website at View Source

A replay of the call will be available beginning November 7, 2017, at approximately 11:30 a.m. ET and ending on November 14, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The replay may be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 within the U.S. and Canada or (404) 537-3406 from international locations, Conference ID Number: 99811898. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the corporate website during that time.

Verastem Pays Milestone Payment to Infinity Pharmaceuticals

On October 17, 2017 Verastem, Inc. (NASDAQ:VSTM), focused on discovering and developing drugs to improve the survival and quality of life of cancer patients, reported payment of a $6 million milestone to Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., representing the first milestone under the duvelisib license agreement between Verastem and Infinity (Press release, Verastem, OCT 17, 2017, View Source;p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2309031&highlight= [SID1234521001]). This milestone is based on the achievement of positive top-line results from the Phase 3 DUO study evaluating the efficacy and safety of duvelisib in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).

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In addition, Verastem drew an additional advance of $7.5 million from its existing $25 million loan and security agreement, dated March 21 2017, with Hercules Capital, Inc. (the Term Loan Facility). The proceeds will be used to pay the $6 million milestone payment to Infinity, for ongoing research and development programs, and for general corporate purposes. Verastem has drawn a total of $10 million under the Term Loan Facility, leaving $15 million in available additional advances, subject to certain conditions of funding.

"Payment of this milestone to Infinity reflects the attainment of a critical milestone for the duvelisib development program, positive data from the Phase 3 DUO study in CLL/SLL," said Julie B. Feder, Chief Financial Officer of Verastem. "We have elected to employ the non-dilutive option of drawing a second tranche of funding under our Term Loan Facility. We believe this approach is a prudent use of the strategic financial tools that we have at hand as we advance the program towards a potential NDA filing in H1 2018."

In September 2017, Verastem reported that the Phase 3 DUO study met its primary endpoint with oral duvelisib monotherapy demonstrating superiority over ofatumumab for progression free survival (PFS) in patients with CLL/SLL. In this study, duvelisib achieved a statistically significant improvement in median PFS of 13.3 months, compared to 9.9 months for ofatumumab with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.52 (p<0.0001), representing a 48% reduction in the risk of progression or death. Verastem plans to share these clinical data with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during Q4 2017 with the goal of filing a New Drug Application (NDA) with the FDA during the first half of 2018. The duvelisib NDA submission will also be supported by favorable results from the Phase 2 DYNAMO study in indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (iNHL), which also achieved its primary endpoint with an ORR of 46% (p<0.0001).

About Duvelisib
Duvelisib is an investigational, dual inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-delta and PI3K-gamma, two enzymes known to help support the growth and survival of malignant B-cells and T-cells. PI3K signaling may lead to the proliferation of malignant B-cells and is thought to play a role in the formation and maintenance of the supportive tumor microenvironment.1,2,3 Duvelisib is currently being evaluated in late- and mid-stage clinical trials, including DUO, a randomized, Phase 3 monotherapy study in patients with relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL,4 and DYNAMO, a single-arm, Phase 2 monotherapy study in patients with refractory iNHL that achieved its primary endpoint of ORR.5 Duvelisib is also being evaluated for the treatment of other hematologic malignancies, including T-cell lymphoma, through investigator-sponsored studies.6 Information about duvelisib clinical trials can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Can-Fite Issued Patent in Korea for Piclidenoson in the Treatment of Psoriasis

On October 17, 2017 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE:CFBI), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address cancer, liver and inflammatory diseases, reported the Korean Intellectual Property Office has issued patent No. 10-1741281 titled, "Pharmaceutical Composition Comprising A3 Adenosine Receptor Agonist (IB-MECA/CF-101) For Treatment of Psoriasis" for the Company’s lead drug candidate Piclidenoson (CF101) in its psoriasis indication (Press release, Can-Fite BioPharma, OCT 17, 2017, View Source [SID1234520971]).

Can-Fite has two distribution agreements in Korea including one with Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical for Piclidenoson in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and another with Chong Kun Dang for Namodenoson in the treatment of liver cancer.

"Korea is an important market for us, as evidenced by the two distribution agreements we already have there. This patent may increase the value of a potential distribution deal in Korea for Piclidenoson in the treatment of psoriasis," stated Can-Fite CEO Dr. Pnina Fishman. "We believe Piclidenoson is a strong candidate for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis due to its excellent safety profile for long-term use and its favorable comparison with Otezla, the leading oral therapy currently on the market."

In an upcoming Phase III trial expected to commence in 2018, Piclidenoson, administered orally, will be investigated compared to placebo as its primary endpoint and as compared to apremilast (Otezla) as its secondary endpoint in approximately 400 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The psoriasis market is forecast to be $8.9 billion in 2018 and Otezla sales are estimated to be $2.35 billion by 2020.

About Piclidenoson (CF101)

Piclidenoson is a novel, first-in-class, A3 adenosine receptor agonist (A3AR) small molecule, orally bioavailable drug with a favorable therapeutic index demonstrated in Phase II clinical studies. Piclidenoson is currently under development for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (completed Phase II) and psoriasis (completed Phase II/III).

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Chi-Med and AstraZeneca’s Savolitinib Shows Encouraging Clinical Activity in Second-Line EGFR Mutation-Positive Lung Cancer with MET-Amplification

On October 17, 2017 Hutchison China MediTech Limited (“Chi-Med”) (AIM/Nasdaq: HCM) and AstraZeneca PLC (“AstraZeneca”) reported preliminary safety and clinical activity data of savolitinib when given in combination with either Tagrisso (osimertinib) or Iressa (gefitinib) in two Phase Ib/II proof-of-concept trials conducted in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (“EGFR”) mutation-positive (“EGFRm”) non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”) with MET-amplification who had progressed following first-line treatment with an EGFR inhibitor (Press release, Hutchison China MediTech, OCT 17, 2017, http://www.chi-med.com/savo-in-2l-met-amp-lung-cancer/ [SID1234521000]). In both trials, the addition of savolitinib (600mg, once daily), an investigational selective inhibitor of mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (“c-MET”) receptor tyrosine kinase, to Tagrisso (80mg, once daily) or Iressa (250mg, once daily) demonstrated preliminary anti-tumor activity. The data were shared in two oral presentations at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 18th World Conference on Lung Cancer (“WCLC”) in Yokohama, Japan, October 15 to 18, 2017.

Dr. Myung-Ju Ahn, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea, said, “Secondary resistance mechanisms often emerge during treatment with mutation-targeted medicines, leading to disease progression. The data presented at WCLC demonstrate the potential of utilizing savolitinib in c-MET-driven lung cancers to address resistance challenges.”

Susan Galbraith, Head of Oncology, AstraZeneca Research and Early Development, said, “We are committed to developing innovative medicines to overcome the key drivers of cancer mechanisms of resistance and are strategically focused on developing effective combinations. The latest results for savolitinib in combination with osimertinib and gefitinib support our approach in collaboration with Chi-Med.”

Preliminary Results for Savolitinib in Combination with Tagrisso[i]
In the Phase Ib/II proof-of-concept TATTON trial in patients with EGFRm advanced NSCLC with MET-amplification confirmed locally or centrally, early data on safety and anti-tumor activity for savolitinib in combination with Tagrisso were presented. In 66 patients treated, the most common all-causality adverse events (“AEs”) were nausea (44%), vomiting (35%), fatigue (30%), and decreased appetite (30%), which were consistent with the known safety profiles of savolitinib and Tagrisso.

Preliminary data showed partial response according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (“RECIST”) 1.1 criteria in 33% of patients previously treated with third-generation T790M-directed EGFR inhibitors, including Tagrisso (n=30). In patients who had progressed after prior treatment with a first- or second-generation EGFR inhibitor, 61% of T790M mutation negative patients (n=23) had a partial response, while 55% of T790M mutation positive patients (n=11) had a partial response.

In those patients where MET-positive status was determined centrally, preliminary data showed partial response in 28% of patients previously treated with T790M-directed EGFR inhibitors (n=25). In patients who had progressed after prior treatment with a first- or second-generation EGFR inhibitor, 53% of T790M mutation negative patients (n=15) had a partial response, while 57% of T790M mutation positive patients (n=7) had a partial response.

The presentation will be available at www.chi-med.com/ph2-savo-plus-tagrisso-nsclc/.

Preliminary data for Savolitinib in Combination with Iressa[ii]
Data from the Phase Ib/II proof-of-concept trial assessing savolitinib in combination with Iressa in patients in China with EGFRm advanced NSCLC with centrally confirmed MET-amplification who had progressed following EGFR inhibitor therapy were also reported. The most common AEs independent of causality in 51 patients treated were vomiting (39%), increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (37%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (35%), nausea (35%), and rash (35%). These results were consistent with the known safety profiles of savolitinib and Iressa.

Preliminary results showed that 31% of patients had a partial response according to RECIST 1.1 criteria, of which 52% of T790M negative patients (n=23) and 9% of T790M positive patients (n=23) achieved a partial response.

The presentation will be available at www.chi-med.com/ph2-savolitinib-plus-iressa-nsclc/.

Mr. Christian Hogg, Chief Executive Officer of Chi-Med, said, “MET-amplification impacts a meaningful proportion of patients with EGFRm NSCLC who experience disease progression following treatment with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor in the first or second-line setting. Among patients with this difficult-to-treat resistance mechanism, there is a clear unmet medical need.”

About Savolitinib
Savolitinib (AZD6094/HMPL-504) is a potential first-in-class selective inhibitor of c-MET (also known as mesenchymal epithelial transition factor) receptor tyrosine kinase, an enzyme which has been shown to function abnormally in many types of solid tumors. It was developed as a potent and highly selective oral inhibitor specifically designed to address issues observed in the clinic with other selective c-MET inhibitors, such as renal toxicity.

Savolitinib was discovered by Chi-Med and is being developed in collaboration with AstraZeneca. Savolitinib is currently being studied in multiple tumor types worldwide including kidney, lung and gastric cancers, both as a monotherapy and in combination with other targeted and immunotherapy agents.

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Highlights Poziotinib Data in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Presented at the 18th IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer in Japan

On October 17, 2017 Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NasdaqGS: SPPI), a biotechnology company with fully integrated commercial and drug development operations with a primary focus in Hematology and Oncology, reported the oral presentation of interim data from a Phase 2 clinical study evaluating poziotinib in EGFR Exon 20 Mutant Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) by scientists from the MD Anderson Cancer Center which was presented in Yokohama, Japan, October 15-18, 2017 (Press release, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, OCT 17, 2017, View Source [SID1234520994]). The Company will hold a conference call tomorrow, October 18th, at 8:30 a.m. EDT/5:30 a.m. PDT with Dr. John Heymach, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman, Professor, and David Bruton Junior Chair in Cancer Research, Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, to discuss his study results.

“These data are remarkable for NSCLC patients with exon 20 insertion mutations,” said John Heymach, M.D., Ph.D., The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “These patients currently have a poor prognosis, single-digit response rate on first generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI’s), and a PFS of about two months. What is truly noteworthy is that all 11 study patients who received poziotinib at a 16mg daily dose and have reached their first scan, have seen some level of tumor shrinkage. Interestingly, we have also seen evidence of CNS activity. Toxicities have included rash, diarrhea, paronychia, and mucositis consistent with those previously described for poziotinib and other TKI’s, which led to dose reduction in 55% of the patients. We believe that poziotinib specifically inhibits EGFR with exon 20 insertion mutations because it overcomes steric hindrance caused by exon 20 insertions, due to its smaller size and flexibility. To date poziotinib has shown promising results in patients with exon 20 insertion mutations and we are fortunate to be leading the efforts in the continuing development of this product.”

“We are greatly encouraged with the clinical data emerging from poziotinib and plan to pursue its clinical development expeditiously and aggressively,” said Rajesh C. Shrotriya, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals. “In the near future, we plan to discuss the regulatory pathway for poziotinib with the FDA. At the same time, we are embarking upon an overall strategy for global clinical development and regulatory filings. With three promising drugs in late-stage development, Spectrum’s pipeline has never been as exciting and our prospects never as bright.”

Conference Call

Wednesday, October 18, 2017 @ 8:30 a.m. Eastern/5:30 a.m. Pacific

Domestic: (877) 837-3910, Conference ID# 86093351

International: (973) 796-5077, Conference ID# 86093351

For interested individuals unable to join the call, a replay will be available from October 18, 2017 @ 11:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. PT through October 28, 2017, until 11:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. PT.

Domestic Replay Dial-In #: (855) 859-2056, Conference ID# 86093351

International Replay Dial-In #: (404) 537-3406, Conference ID# 86093351

This conference call will also be webcast. Listeners may access the webcast, which will be available on the investor relations page of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals’ website: www.sppirx.com on October 18, 2017, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern/5:30 a.m. Pacific.

About Poziotinib

Poziotinib is a novel, oral pan-HER inhibitor that irreversibly blocks signaling through the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR, HER) Family of tyrosine-kinase receptors, including HER1 (erbB1; EGFR), HER2 (erbB2), and HER4 (erbB4), and importantly, also HER receptor mutations; this, in turn, leads to the inhibition of the proliferation of tumor cells that overexpress these receptors. Mutations or overexpression/amplification of EGFR family receptors have been associated with a number of different cancers, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), breast cancer, and gastric cancer. Spectrum received exclusive license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize worldwide excluding Korea and China from Hanmi Pharmaceuticals. Poziotinib is currently being investigated by Spectrum and Hanmi in several mid-stage trials in multiple solid tumor indications.

About the WCLC

The World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) is the world’s largest meeting dedicated to lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies, attracting over 6,000 researchers, physicians, and specialists from more than 100 countries. The goal is to disseminate the latest scientific achievements; increase awareness, collaboration, and understanding of lung cancer; and to help participants implement the latest developments across the globe. Organized under the theme of “Synergy to Conquer Lung Cancer,” the conference covers a wide range of disciplines and unveils several research studies and clinical trial results. For more information, visit View Source