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Mar 15
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Highlight Therapeutics to present at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2022

By Highlight Therapeutics, Press Release, Private Companies
Press Release.

 

Final results of SPOTLIGHT203 phase 2 study demonstrate new approach to second line treatment for melanoma

Madrid, Spain, 15 March, 2022 – Highlight Therapeutics, (“Highlight”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing RNA-based therapies against cancer, today announced an oral presentation at the Combination Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Plenary Session at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2022, taking place April 8-13, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Company will also present three posters.

SESSION TITLE: Combination Immunotherapy Clinical Trials

PRESENTATION TITLE: CT014

Efficacy of intratumoral BO-112 with systemic pembrolizumab in patients with advanced melanoma refractory to anti-PD-1-based therapy: Final results of SPOTLIGHT203 phase 2 study

PRESENTER: Ivan Marquez-Rodas

DATE: April 12, 2022

TIME: 1015 –1215 PM CT

LOCATION: New Orleans Convention Center, Exhibit Halls B-C

Highlight will also present the following posters at AACR:

PRESENTATION TITLE: Correlation of biomarkers and clinical benefit of intratumoral BO112 and pembrolizumab in patients with anti PD1 refractory melanoma

DATE: April 11, 2022

TIME: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

LOCATION: New Orleans Convention Center

PRESENTATION TITLE: Radiomic features in tumor assessment, preliminary results from a phase 2 study of intratumoral administration of BO-112 with pembrolizumab in patients with anti PD1 refractory melanoma

DATE: April 11, 2022

TIME: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

LOCATION: New Orleans Convention Center

 

For more information, please contact:

Highlight Therapeutics S. L. info@highlighttherapeutics.com
Marisol Quintero, CEO

Mo PR Advisory Tel: +44 (0) 7876 444977 / 07860 361746
Mo Noonan/Jonathan Birt

Notes to editors

About Highlight Therapeutics

Highlight Therapeutics is a private, clinical-stage company dedicated to unlocking the full potential of immuno-oncology. Our lead drug candidate BO-112 is a best-in-class RNA-based therapy which has been demonstrated to initiate a powerful immune response, leveraging a unique multi-target approach to turn ‘cold’ tumors ‘hot’ and therefore visible to the immune system. It has the potential to rescue patients who are resistant to current checkpoint inhibitor therapy, a very large market opportunity. BO-112 is currently being investigated in a range of clinical trials as a monotherapy and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. In addition to in-house research, Highlight Therapeutics has a number of external collaborators, including Merck & Co and UCLA.

For more information, please visit www.highlighttherapeutics.com

Mar 09
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Aura Biosciences to Present Preclinical Data Highlighting AU 011’s Potential to Target a Broad Number of Tumor Types at the 2022 AACR Annual Meeting

By Aura Biosciences, Press Release, Publicly Listed
Press Release.

 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Aura Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: AURA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a novel class of virus-like drug conjugate (VDC) therapies for multiple oncology indications, today announced the presentation of preclinical data for its first VDC product candidate, AU-011 which is being developed for the treatment of life-threatening cancers with high unmet need, including primary choroidal melanoma and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. The results demonstrate the potential wide applicability of AU-011 in targeting a number of solid tumor types and will be presented as part of the 2022 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, being held April 8-13, 2022 in New Orleans, LA.

“The data that will be presented at AACR provide evidence for AU-011’s activity in tumors that express specifically modified heparan-sulfate proteoglycans on the tumor cell surface. Activity was observed in every tumor type tested, indicating that there are numerous solid tumors we can consider to expand the clinical development of AU-011, including those derived from neural or epithelial lineages,” said Dr. Cadmus Rich, Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D of Aura Biosciences. “The correlative gene expression analysis has deepened our understanding of the genes and biological pathways involved in the expression of HSPGs by different types of tumor cells.”

Details for the poster presentation are as follows:

Title: Biological Assessment of the Virus-Like Drug Conjugate AU-011 to Specifically Target a Breadth of Human Cancer Types
Presenter: Rhonda Kines, Aura Biosciences
Poster Session: ETO1 Drug Discovery
Date and time: April 8, 2022, 1:00 PM ET
Location: E-poster
Session Category: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics
Session Title: Drug Discovery
Abstract Number: 5331

About Aura Biosciences

Aura Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: AURA) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing virus-like drug conjugates (VDCs), a novel class of therapies, for the treatment of multiple oncology indications. Aura’s lead VDC candidate, AU-011 (belzupacap sarotalacan), consists of a virus-like particle conjugated with an anti-cancer agent. AU-011 selectively targets and destroys cancer cells and activates the immune system with the potential to create long-lasting anti-tumor immunity. AU-011 is currently in development for ocular cancers, with an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating first-line treatment of choroidal melanoma, a vision- and life-threatening form of eye cancer where standard of care with radiotherapy leaves patients with severe comorbidities, including major vision loss. Aura plans to develop AU-011 across its ocular oncology franchise including for the treatment of patients with choroidal metastases. In addition, leveraging Aura’s technology platform, Aura is developing AU-011 more broadly across multiple cancers, starting with a planned Phase 1a clinical trial in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Aura is headquartered in Cambridge, MA.

For more information, visit aurabiosciences.com, or follow Aura on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and other federal securities laws. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward looking statements. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could”, “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “endeavor,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of such words or other similar expressions that can be used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements include express or implied statements regarding Aura’s future expectations, plans and prospects, including, without limitation, statements regarding the therapeutic potential of AU-011 for the treatment of a number of solid tumor types and expectations with respect to any future clinical trials and clinical development plans for AU-011.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are neither promises nor guarantees, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond Aura’s control and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, uncertainties inherent in clinical trials and in the availability and timing of data from ongoing clinical trials; the expected timing for submissions for regulatory approval or review by governmental authorities; the risk that the results of Aura’s clinical trials may not be predictive of future results in connection with future clinical trials; whether Aura will receive regulatory approvals to conduct trials or to market products; whether Aura’s cash resources will be sufficient to fund its foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements; risks, assumptions and uncertainties regarding the impact of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic on Aura’s business, operations, strategy, goals and anticipated timelines; Aura’s ongoing and planned pre-clinical activities; and Aura’s ability to initiate, enroll, conduct or complete ongoing and planned clinical trials. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include those risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Aura’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in subsequent filings made by Aura with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as required by law, Aura disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this press release in the event of new information, future developments or otherwise. These forward-looking statements are based on Aura’s current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof and no representations or warranties (express or implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220308006137/en/

Contacts
Investor and Media Contact:
Matthew DeYoung
Argot Partners
212-600-1902 | aura@argotpartners.com

Mar 08
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MiroBio Continues Expansion of Executive Leadership Team with Key Appointments to Advance Development of Checkpoint Agonist Antibodies for Autoimmune Disease

By MiroBio, Press Release
Press Release.

 

  • Sanjay Keswani, MBBS, FRCP to join company as Chief Medical Officer bringing extensive experience in drug development and life sciences leadership
  • Lynne Murray, Ph.D., MBA appointed as Chief Scientific Officer after leading MiroBio’s R&D efforts since October 2020
  • Enhanced leadership team will support the clinical development of lead assets MB272 and MB151 and advance pipeline of checkpoint agonist antibodies designed to treat autoimmune disease

OXFORD, United Kingdom, March 8, 2022 – MiroBio, a biotechnology company advancing checkpoint agonist therapies to restore immune balance, today announced two key additions to its leadership team. Sanjay Keswani, MBBS has joined the company as Chief Medical Officer to lead clinical development activities and strategy, and Lynne Murray, Ph.D., MBA will assume the role of Chief Scientific Officer directing the advancement of MiroBio’s discovery platform.

“We are thrilled to have Sanjay and Lynne join MiroBio’s executive leadership team as we advance a potentially transformative therapeutic approach for patients suffering from autoimmune diseases,” said Dr. Carolin Barth, M.D., CEO of MiroBio. “MiroBio’s inhibitory receptor agonist approach represents a promising new mode of action for treating these complex diseases. With our enhanced leadership team, we look forward to moving our therapies into the clinic and delivering our ultimate goal of providing durable remission to patients with autoimmune diseases.”

Dr. Sanjay Keswani is an accomplished physician-scientist with broad R&D expertise in multiple therapeutic areas and is a former neurology faculty member at the Johns Hopkins Hospital as well as an elected Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, United Kingdom. Dr. Keswani has held senior executive positions in the pharmaceutical industry, including at Roche, where he was Senior Vice President and Global Head of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology and Rare Diseases Research and Early Development, and most recently Annexon Biosciences, where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. He has been instrumental in the development of multiple approved medicines, including Cymbalta, Aimovig, Emgality, Risdiplam and Faricimab. Dr. Keswani graduated in medicine at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and holds a First-class Honors degree from St. Mary’s Hospital, London in molecular immunology. He completed his residency in neurology at Johns Hopkins, where he also ran a R01-funded neuroimmunology research lab.

Dr. Murray has served as Senior Vice President of Research and Development for MiroBio since October 2020 and brings substantial experience in the discovery and development of pharmaceuticals from preclinical to Phase 2 in both large pharmaceutical and small biotech environments. Prior to joining MiroBio she served as Head of Regeneration at AstraZeneca’s early respiratory & immunology department. Over her tenure, she led multiple large and small molecule programs and gained significant business development experience in the partnering & strategy department at AZ. Before this, she was Director of Pharmacology at a U.S.-based biotech, Promedior and also held a research position at Janssen, Philadelphia after her postdoc at UCLA. Dr. Murray received her MBA from Judge Business School of the University of Cambridge and holds a Ph.D. in immunology and pathology from Imperial College London. She is an author of numerous publications and patents.

Miro Bio’s pipeline is built on 15 years of foundational research and focuses on targets with the greatest potential in autoimmunity. The company’s lead program, MB272, targets the immune receptor BTLA and will undergo clinical research in 2022. MiroBio’s PD-1 agonist program, MB151, is progressing in preclinical development with clinical plans being developed for 2023.

About Checkpoint Agonist Antibodies

MiroBio is creating a new class of therapies for autoimmune disease: Checkpoint agonist antibodies. These therapies are designed to precisely restore a balanced immune response and prevent the body from attacking its own cells. Checkpoint pathways are powerful regulators of immune cell function. Each has its own role in specific types of immune cells and differing activity in disease. By selectively activating, or agonizing, the appropriate checkpoint receptor, MiroBio’s therapies can deliver a highly potent inhibitory signal to overactive immune cells without being broadly immunosuppressive.

About MiroBio (www.mirobio.com)

MiroBio is a biotechnology company advancing a new class of precision therapies designed to address the immune imbalance that drives autoimmune disease. Its proprietary drug discovery platform, I-ReSToRE, comprehensively evaluates inhibitory receptors for therapeutic potential and designs checkpoint agonist antibody candidates that precisely modulate immune signalling to restore health. MiroBio’s pipeline includes several candidates against validated and novel targets with potential in a variety of autoimmune diseases. MiroBio is based in Oxford, U.K.

For more information about MiroBio contact:

Ten Bridge Communications

TBCMiroBio@tenbridgecommunications.com

Feb 18
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Nalu Medical Inc. Announces $104 Million Equity Financing

By Nalu Medical, Press Release, Private Companies
Press Release.

 

CARLSBAD, Calif. (PRWEB) February 17, 2022

Nalu Medical, Inc. (“Nalu”), a private company focused on innovative and minimally invasive solutions for chronic neuropathic pain, announced today the completion of a $104 million equity financing. The round was led by new investors, MVM Partners and Gilde Healthcare. Also participating in this round were new investors Pura Vida Investments and Aperture Venture Partners, as well as existing investors, Advent Life Sciences, Decheng Capital, Endeavour Vision, and Longitude Capital. The proceeds from this financing are intended to be used for scaling commercial operations to accelerate growth, continued expansion of clinical evidence, and continuing product development, in addition to other general corporate purposes.

“Chronic pain causes suffering to millions and can be addressed by targeted, non-addictive therapy. Nalu is uniquely positioned to meet this medical need by providing a patient friendly, neurostimulation technology and MVM is excited to support its continued growth,” said Hugo Harrod, a partner with MVM Partners, who joins Nalu’s Board of Directors. “We believe Nalu’s technology is one of the most advanced on the market, with huge potential to meet the needs of more patients,” said Geoff Pardo of Gilde Healthcare, who is also joining the Board of Directors.

“This additional funding underscores the potential of Nalu’s miniaturized technology and will allow us to accelerate the already strong adoption of our system,” said Earl Fender, President and CEO of Nalu. “We welcome the addition of new top-tier investors and appreciate the continued support of our current investors, who share our mission of commercializing innovative and minimally invasive solutions that make meaningful differences to people suffering from chronic pain.”

J.P. Morgan served as placement agent to Nalu for this transaction.

About Nalu Medical

Nalu is a Carlsbad, California-based medical technology company focused on developing and commercializing innovative and minimally invasive solutions for patients with chronic neuropathic pain. The Nalu Neurostimulation System delivers gentle electrical pulses to the nervous system to modulate pain signals to the brain. The Nalu system was designed to address major unmet needs in the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain and provide a differentiated value proposition for patients and physicians.

About the Nalu Neurostimulation System

The Nalu system consists of a fully-featured, battery-free, miniaturized implantable pulse generator (IPG) that is powered wirelessly by an externally worn Therapy Disc and controlled through a smartphone-based remote control app. Despite its small size, Nalu’s micro-IPG delivers treatment capabilities similar to larger IPGs as well as unique advantages associated with advanced waveforms, extensive programming options, exceptional upgradability, and an expected service life of 18 years. The Nalu Neurostimulation System is currently FDA-cleared for Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) and Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) indications. To learn more, visit http://nalumed.com.

Indications for Use

Spinal Cord Stimulation – The Nalu SCS system is indicated as the sole mitigating agent, or as an adjunct to other modes of therapy used in a multidisciplinary approach for chronic, intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs, including unilateral or bilateral pain. The trial devices are solely used for trial stimulation (≤ 30 days) to determine efficacy before recommendation for a permanent (long term) device.

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation – The Nalu PNS system is indicated for pain management in adults who have severe intractable chronic pain of peripheral nerve origin, as the sole mitigating agent, or as an adjunct to other modes of therapy used in a multidisciplinary approach. The Nalu Neurostimulation System for PNS is not intended to treat pain in the craniofacial region. The trial devices are solely used for trial stimulation (≤ 30 days) to determine efficacy before recommendation for a permanent (long term) device.

Nalu and the Nalu logo are trademarks of Nalu Medical, Inc.

Feb 16
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Curve Therapeutics Announces Collaboration with MSD for Next Generation Drug Discovery Platform

By Curve Therapeutics, Press Release, Private Companies
Press Release.

 

  • Curve’s innovative mammalian cell drug discovery platform to enable identification and optimisation of novel small molecule drug candidates against MSD targets
  • Potentially game-changing platform enables direct discovery of functionally active molecules against difficult to drug targets expressed in their native intracellular environment

Southampton, UK, 16th February 2022: Curve Therapeutics (Curve), a private biotechnology company pioneering a potentially game-changing, functional drug discovery platform, today announces a global research collaboration with MSD, the trade name of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA, to discover and validate modulators of up to five therapeutic targets using its Microcycle® technology, initially for oncology and neurology indications.

Under the terms of the agreement Curve will receive an upfront payment, and will be eligible to receive research, development and commercial milestones totalling up to US$ 1.7B should all five therapeutic programs succeed. Curve will also receive a royalty on net sales of any approved products resulting from the alliance.

Under the agreement, Curve will perform high throughput mammalian cell-based functional screening, hit characterisation, data-mining and analysis, and Microcycle® optimisation. MSD will be responsible for lead optimisation, clinical development, manufacturing and commercialisation of compounds identified through the collaboration.

Simon Kerry, PhD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of Curve, said:

“This collaboration is a major milestone for Curve and an important endorsement of our ground-breaking drug discovery platform. Working with MSD on selected therapeutic targets will complement Curve’s in-house drug discovery and development programmes.”

Curve’s novel, proprietary platform enables the direct discovery of biologically active molecules against targets that have been difficult to address using conventional drug discovery methods. The platform allows rapid enrichment of highly diverse Microcycle® libraries in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells to identify library members that have a desired biological activity against a therapeutic target. Importantly, the compact size of Microcycles™ enables their transformation to non-peptidic small molecules for lead optimisation and development: an unparalleled advantage compared to other cyclic peptides.

Prof. Ali Tavassoli, Chief Scientific Officer of Curve, said:

“Screening a genetically encoded Microcycle® library against proteins in their native intracellular state is unique in drug discovery and Curve’s platform creates an unprecedented opportunity to discover functional hits that are readily converted to small-molecule leads against the most challenging targets in drug discovery.”

Rob Garbaccio PhD., Vice President Discovery Chemistry MSD Research Laboratories said:

“At MSD we are committed to bringing forward medicines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. We look forward to collaborating with the scientists at Curve to evaluate new ways to treat complex diseases.”

Curve originated from world-leading Microcycle® research conducted by Professor Tavassoli’s group in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Southampton, UK. The company was established in 2019 by founding investor Advent Life Sciences and subsequently joined by co-lead Epidarex Capital.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:

Curve Therapeutics
Simon Kerry
Chief Executive Officer
Simon.Kerry@curvetx.com

Optimum Strategic Communications
Mary Clark, Stella Lempidaki, Vici Rabbetts
+44 (0) 208 078 4357
curve@optimumcomms.com

About Curve Therapeutics

Curve Therapeutics (Curve) is a private biotechnology company founded in 2019 and based in Southampton, UK. Curve is pioneering a game-changing, functional, drug discovery engine to generate higher quality hits and leads with the aim of discovering first-in-class therapeutics. Curve’s platform enables the discovery of biologically active molecules against targets that have evaded conventional drug discovery techniques. Curve has developed an IP-protected, mammalian cell platform technology for functional screening and enrichment of diverse hexameric cyclic peptide (Microcycle®) libraries to identify those library members that have the desired biological activity against a therapeutic target. A key advantage of the technology is that both the library and the target are present in all of their native conformations within a cell. Uniquely, the compact size and rigid structure of Microcycles™ enables the design of small molecule hits and leads. The platform can be used for a wide range of therapeutically relevant targets, including protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions and has been used by Curve to develop a pipeline of cancer programmes against targets including a dual HIF-1/HIF-2 inhibitor. For more information visit: www.curvetx.com

Jan 11
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Amgen and Arrakis Therapeutics Announce Multi-Target Collaboration to Identify Novel RNA Degrader Small Molecule Therapeutics

By Arrakis Therapeutics, Press Release, Private Companies
Press Release.

 

Amgen and Arrakis Therapeutics Announce Multi-Target Collaboration to Identify Novel RNA Degrader Small Molecule Therapeutics

Collaboration Creates “Targeted RNA Degraders” by Bringing Together Amgen’s Induced Proximity Platform Discovery Expertise and Arrakis’ Leading-edge RNA-targeted Drug Discovery Platform

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. and WALTHAM, Mass., Jan. 11, 2022 – Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Arrakis Therapeutics today announced a research collaboration focused on the discovery and development of RNA degrader therapeutics against a range of difficult-to-drug targets in multiple therapeutic areas. This new class of “targeted RNA degraders” consists of small molecule drugs that selectively destroy RNAs encoding disease-causing proteins by inducing their proximity to nucleases.

Under the terms of the agreement, Arrakis will lead research activities for the identification of RNA-targeted small molecule (rSM) binders against a broad set of targets nominated by Amgen. Both parties will collaboratively design and functionalize these molecules to specifically degrade targeted RNAs, and Amgen will lead further preclinical and clinical development activities. Amgen will pay $75 million upfront to Arrakis for five initial programs and will have the option to nominate additional programs. For each program, Arrakis will be eligible for additional payments from Amgen for preclinical, clinical, regulatory and sales milestones, and royalties up to low double digits. Arrakis could potentially receive several billion dollars in future payments if all milestones are met and future program options are exercised.

“Targeted RNA degradation is an exciting area that is pushing the boundaries of drug discovery and design,” said Raymond Deshaies, Ph.D., senior vice president of Global Research at Amgen. “The collaboration with Arrakis combines Amgen’s induced proximity expertise in discovering multispecific molecules to target the biologic mechanisms of disease and Arrakis’ pioneering discovery platform to predict RNA structures and identify small molecules that bind to them, significantly broadening the possibilities of addressing difficult protein targets considered undruggable because they may not have binding sites needed for conventional medicines. Combining this approach with Amgen’s targeted protein degradation induced proximity research already underway has the potential to significantly expand the druggable genome.”

By integrating the capabilities of the two innovative discovery platforms from Amgen and Arrakis, the collaboration creates an opportunity to design and engineer targeted RNA degraders. Amgen has built its Induced Proximity Platform to identify multispecific molecules that harness the power of cell biology by forming novel connections between natural effectors and targets. One end of the molecule binds to the target to be altered (inhibited, activated or destroyed) and the other end binds to a cellular effector that acts on the target, offering the potential to engage a broad range of cellular mechanisms to treat disease. With targeted RNA degraders, the effector, such as a ribonuclease or other RNA modulator, is brought into proximity of the RNA to degrade or otherwise modify the disease-causing RNA of interest. This complements Amgen’s existing efforts to target RNA with siRNA. In this collaboration, Arrakis’ rSM platform will be applied as a drug discovery engine to identify small molecules that bind target RNA. These rSMs will then be functionalized with nuclease recruiters to create heterobifunctional molecules that trigger degradation of disease-relevant RNA targets.

“We are excited to partner with Amgen’s strong research team to pursue a shared goal of creating a new class of medicines that induce degradation of disease-causing RNAs. This collaboration further demonstrates the utility of our proprietary rSM discovery platform for targeting RNA with small molecules and paves the way for creating powerful new treatments for patients,” said Michael Gilman, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Arrakis. “Based on our long-term goal to build a broad and industry-leading platform that adapts state-of-the-art drug discovery tools to target RNA biology, we have enabled a range of different applications and collaborations to leverage our science, a strong capital position and the ability to grow our business and our impact to advance RNA-targeted drug programs for diseases unaddressed by today’s medicines.”

About Amgen

Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.

Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people’s lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world’s leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.

Amgen is one of the 30 companies that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also part of the Nasdaq-100 index. In 2021, Amgen was named one of the 25 World’s Best Workplaces™ by Fortune and Great Place to Work™ and one of the 100 most sustainable companies in the world by Barron’s.

For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen.

About Arrakis Therapeutics

Arrakis Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company pioneering the discovery of a new class of medicines that directly target RNA. Arrakis is building a proprietary pipeline of RNA-targeted small molecule (rSM) medicines focused on cancer and genetically validated targets in other disease areas. The company brings together scientific leaders in RNA structure, chemistry and biology, along with a highly experienced management team and the backing of leading life science investors. The company is located in Waltham, Massachusetts.

For more information, please visit www.arrakistx.com and engage with us on Twitter @ArrakisTx or on LinkedIn.

Dec 15
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Artax Biopharma Announces First-in-Human Dosing in Phase 1 Clinical Trial for AX-158, Company’s First-in-Class Oral Immunomodulator to Treat T Cell-Mediated Diseases

By Artax Biopharma, Press Release, Private Companies
Press Release.

 

The Phase 1 Trial, Expected to Conclude in 2022, Will Evaluate Safety, Exposure, and Pharmacokinetics of AX-158 in Healthy Volunteers

AX-158, a Novel, Oral Small Molecule Immunomodulating Agent for the Treatment of T Cell-Mediated Diseases, Selectively Modulates T Cell Responses without Suppression of Immune System Function

Cambridge, Mass., December 15, 2021 – Artax Biopharma, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on transforming the treatment of T Cell-mediated diseases, today announces first-in-human dosing in a Phase 1 clinical trial for AX-158, the Company’s first-in-class oral small molecule immunomodulator. AX-158 is the Company’s first oral small molecule immunomodulating agent to enter clinical development for the treatment of T Cell-mediated diseases.

AX-158 employs a first-in-class mechanism of action that selectively modulates T cell responses that play a critical role in healthy immune system function. AX-158 has the potential to treat T Cell mediated diseases without the risk of immunosuppression.

The start of the Phase 1 clinical trial, which marks the beginning of Artax’s AX-158 clinical trial program, is expected to conclude in 2022. The Phase 1 clinical trial will assess the safety, exposure, and pharmacokinetics of AX-158 in healthy volunteers and will include ex-vivo stimulated measures of its pharmacodynamic activity. In preclinical studies, AX-158 demonstrated potential to treat T Cell mediated diseases by decreasing key cytokines including INFγ, TNFα and IL-2 in whole human blood samples.

“Artax has a unique opportunity to make a transformative difference for patients with T Cell-driven conditions, including autoimmune diseases, T Cell malignancies and induced T Cell pathologies – while not impacting the immune system’s ability to mount a strong response to foreign pathogens and infections,”

commented Artax Biopharma Chief Executive Officer Joseph Lobacki.

“We look forward to the results of this Phase 1 clinical study to inform our future clinical studies evaluating patients managing T Cell-mediated diseases.”

About Artax Science and Immunomodulation
A healthy immune system eliminates harmful foreign pathogens, while being tolerant of self-tissues and organs. The T Cell Receptor (TCR) is central to healthy T Cell function and a
well-functioning immune system. When TCR signaling becomes dysregulated, T Cells behave abnormally. This behavior results in T Cell-driven conditions, including autoimmune diseases, T Cell malignancies (lymphomas), and induced T Cell pathologies in which medical treatments result in immune reactions (such as stem cell transplants resulting in acute graft-versus-hostdisease or immuno-oncology treatments resulting in immune related-adverse events). Artax believes immunomodulation – a mechanism through which our investigational agents assist in rebalancing the immune system and eliminating a cause of T Cell-mediated diseases while not impacting patients’ ability to properly fight foreign pathogens – holds great potential.

About Artax-158
AX-158 is a first-in-class, oral small molecule immunomodulating agent in clinical development for the treatment of T Cell-mediated diseases. AX-158 employs a novel mechanism
of action that selectively modulates, or adjusts, T Cell responses that play a critical role in immune system function. Nck is a protein that naturally amplifies T Cell signaling directly at the TCR, contributing to T Cell mediated disease. AX-158 is a Nck SH3.1 domain inhibitor which selectively counteracts the role of Nck in T Cells. This process of immunomodulation assists the immune system to maintain healthy control and eliminates a direct contributor to T Cell-mediated diseases. Importantly, Artax believes that preclinical data suggests AX-158 will not be immunosuppressive and so will not impact the immune system’s ability to mount a strong response to foreign pathogens and infections.

About Artax Biopharma
Artax Biopharma is a clinical-stage biotechnology company transforming T Cell-mediated disease treatment by developing innovative small molecules that modulate the immune system.
Artax science holds broad potential to treat T Cell-mediated diseases such as autoimmune diseases, induced T cell pathologies (such as acute graft versus host disease and immuneoncology treatment-related adverse events) and T Cell malignancies, while simultaneously allowing the body to fight foreign pathogens. For more information, please visit
www.artaxbiopharma.com.

Contacts:
Karen LaRochelle
Chief Business Officer
Artax Biopharma
klarochelle@artaxbiopharma.com

Media:
Linda Phelan Dyson
+1 973-986-5873
ldyson@artaxbiopharma.com

Dec 06
Love0

Amphista Therapeutics Appoints Dr Martin Pass as CDO

By Amphista Therapeutics, Press Release, Private Companies
Press Release.

 

Amphista Therapeutics Appoints Dr Martin Pass as CDO

Cambridge, England, 6 December 2021 – Amphista Therapeutics, a leader in next generation targeted protein degradation (TPD) approaches, today announced the appointment of Dr Martin Pass, as Chief Development Officer (CDO).

Martin joins Amphista from AstraZeneca, where he was Vice President, Head Early Oncology Projects and led successful clinical development efforts. Martin has over 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry with many successes spanning early drug discovery through to Phase 3 clinical development.

Previously, Martin was a medicinal chemist at GlaxoSmithKline where he helped progress multiple candidates into clinical development in the cardiovascular, CNS and gastrointestinal therapeutic areas. He has a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Imperial College London and worked in post-doctoral research at the University of Virginia, USA. He is a co-author on over 60 patents and peer-reviewed publications.

Amphista’s CEO Dr Nicola Thompson said,

“On behalf of the Amphista team, I am delighted to welcome Martin as our CDO. Martin brings a wealth of strategic clinical development expertise from an impressive global career as a leader in clinical trials, in two world leading pharmaceutical companies. Martin’s leadership will support the realisation of the full potential of our proprietary next generation TPD technology across multiple therapy areas in order to bring transformative medicines to patients.”

Amphista’s new CDO, Dr Martin Pass, commented on his appointment,

“I’m delighted to join Amphista’s dynamic, world class team. Amphista is founded on transformational science and I am looking forward to driving the Company’s clinical development programmes and research as we pursue our mission of building the world’s leading TPD company and ultimately bringing benefit to patients.”

– Ends –

Media contacts:

Amphista Therapeutics
CEO NicolaThompson
+44 7464 974714
nicki@amphista.com

Scius Communications
Katja Stout
+44 7789 435990
katja@sciuscommunications.com

About Amphista Therapeutics
Amphista Therapeutics is focused on transforming the lives of patients with severe diseases including cancer. The company is applying its proprietary Amphista degrader platform to advance new approaches in targeted protein degradation (TPD), which address the challenges faced by the field and to realise the full therapeutic potential of this transformational approach. Founded by Advent Life Sciences, Amphista is a spin-out of TPD expert Professor Alessio Ciulli’s labs at the University of Dundee. The company has raised over $60M to date and is funded by leading life science investors including Forbion, Gilde Healthcare, Novartis Venture Fund, Advent Life Sciences, BioMotiv and Eli Lilly & Company.

For more information, please visit: http://www.amphista.com/

Dec 02
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Highlight Therapeutics & Cima announce positive results from pre-clinical study combining BO-112 + STING agonist published in Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer

By Highlight Therapeutics, Press Release, Private Companies
Press Release.

 

Intratumoral co-injection of BO-112 and a STING agonist synergize to achieve local and distant anti-tumor efficacy

Pre-clinical study data follow publication of positive Phase 2 results of BO-112 + pembrolizumab in melanoma at SITC

Madrid, Spain, 2 December, 2021 – Highlight Therapeutics, (“Highlight”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing RNA-based therapies against cancer, and the Spanish research institute Cima Universidad de Navarra today announced that positive results from a pre-clinical study of intratumoral administration of BO-112 with a STING agonist have been published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC, Impact Factor 13.75). 1

BO-112 is a dsRNA agonist which is in development to target anti-PD1 resistance. Positive preliminary results of a phase 2 study of intratumoral administration of BO-112 with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced melanoma that have progressive disease on anti-PD-1-based therapy were presented at The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 12.

Results of a pre-clinical in vivo study of intra-tumoral co-injections of BO-112 and the DXMAA STING agonist conducted by Cima demonstrated synergistic efficacy with the ability to eradicate distant, uninjected tumor lesions. The combination of BO-112 and DMXAA was chosen because of its excellent efficacy, and the requirements for antitumor effects were studied on selective depletion of immune cell types and in gene-modified murine strains lacking BATF3, IFNAR or STING.

“These results, following the positive Phase 2 data on the combination of BO-112 and anti-PD1 therapies, are very encouraging,”

said Dr. Marisol Quintero, CEO of Highlight Therapeutics.

“We have been collaborating with Dr. Melero to better understand BO-112’s Mode of Action. The main objective has been to achieve both local control of the disease and, more importantly, efficacy against distant tumor lesions. The work published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer shows that co-injections of BO-112 and a STING agonist attain synergistic efficacy, enabling distant uninjected tumor lesions to be eradicated. There may also be further opportunities involving irradiation of locally injected lesions and we look forward to continuing this work.”

“We believe this combined intratumoral approach should be feasible in the clinic, since both BO-112 and several STING agonists have been injected into patients’ tumors in clinical trials. We have consistently observed synergistic therapeutic effects on a variety of transplantable murine tumor models, showing complete regressions of the injected and non-injected concomitant tumor lesions”

commented Dr. Ignacio Melero, senior researcher in immunotherapy at Cima and co-director of the Department of Immunology at Clínica Universidad de Navarra.

Abstract published in JITC
Background BO-112 is a nanoplexed form of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid that acting on TLR3, MDA5 and PKR elicits rejection of directly injected transplanted tumors, but has only modest efficacy against distant untreated tumors. Its clinical activity has also been documented in early phase clinical trials. The DMXAA STING agonist shows a comparable pattern of efficacy when used via intratumoral injections.
Methods Mice subcutaneously engrafted with bilateral MC38 and B16.OVA-derived tumors were treated with proinflammatory immunotherapy agents known to be active when intratumorally delivered. The combination of BO-112 and DMXAA was chosen given its excellent efficacy and the requirements for antitumor effects were studied on selective depletion of immune cell types and in gene-modified mouse strains lacking BATF3, IFNAR or STING. Spatial requirements for the injections were studied in mice bearing three tumor lesions.
Results BO-112 and DMXAA when co-injected in one of the lesions of mice bearing concomitant bilateral tumors frequently achieved complete local and distant antitumor efficacy. Synergistic effects were
contingent on CD8 T cell lymphocytes and dependent on conventional type 1 dendritic cells, responsiveness to type I IFN and STING function in the tumor-bearing host. Efficacy was preserved even if BO-112 and DMXAA were injected in separate lesions in a manner able to control another untreated third-party tumor. Efficacy could be further enhanced on concurrent PD-1 blockade.

Conclusion Clinically feasible co-injections of BO-112 and a STING agonist attain synergistic efficacy able to eradicate distant untreated tumor lesions.

Next steps in the development of BO-112 include:

  • Initiation of a pivotal Phase 3 study in 2nd-line melanoma is planned in 2022 following discussions with regulatory agencies in the US and Europe
  • Highlight Therapeutics has initiated strategic partnerships discussions with anti-PD1 companies interested in enhancing their anti-PD1 market potential
  • Initial data from a sponsor-initiated Phase 1B trial by UCLA evaluating BO-112 + pembrolizumab in anti-PD1 resistant hepatocellular carcinoma currently recruiting patients is expected in 2022

 

1. Alvarez M, Molina C, De Andrea CE, et al Intratumoral co-injection of the poly I:C-derivative BO-112 and a STING agonist synergize to achieve local and distant anti-tumor efficacy Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer 2021;9:e002953. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002953
https://jitc.bmj.com/content/9/11/e002953.info

For more information, please contact:

Highlight Therapeutics S. L.
info@highlighttherapeutics.com
Marisol Quintero, CEO
Mo PR Advisory
Tel: +44 (0) 7876 444977 / 07860 361746

Mo Noonan/Jonathan Birt
Cima Universidad de Navarra
mphuarte@unav.es
Maria Pilar Huarte
Notes to editors

About Highlight Therapeutics

Highlight Therapeutics, formerly known as Bioncotech Therapeutics, is a private, clinical-stage company dedicated to unlocking the full potential of immuno-oncology. Our lead drug candidate BO-112 is a best-in-class RNA-based therapy which has been demonstrated to initiate a powerful immune response, leveraging a unique multi-target approach to turn ‘cold’ tumors ‘hot’ and therefore visible to the immune system. It has the potential to rescue patients who are resistant to current checkpoint inhibitor therapy, a very large market opportunity. BO-112 is currently being investigated in a range of clinical trials as a monotherapy and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. In addition to in-house research, Highlight Therapeutics has a number of external collaborators, including Merck & Co and UCLA.

For more information, please visit www.highlighttherapeutics.com

About Cima Universidad de Navarra

Cima Universidad de Navarra is a biomedical research institution of the Universidad de Navarra. Our mission is to conduct translational research of excellence, based on novel biological knowledge and aimed at finding therapeutic solutions to patients’ needs. To translate the results of basic research into clinical applications, Cima has a Translation and Transfer unit that seeks to establish collaborations with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to ensure patients can benefit from scientific innovation.

We specialize in cancer, heart and liver diseases, immunotherapy and gene therapy research.

More information: www.cima.unav.edu/en

Dec 02
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AviadoBio™ Raises $80 million in Series A Financing to Advance Neurodegenerative Gene Therapy Platform

By AviadoBio, Press Release, Private Companies
Press Release.

 

  • Series A led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and co-led by Monograph Capital follows seeding by Advent Life Sciences, Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF), F-Prime Capital, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc. (JJDC), and LifeArc
  • AviadoBio’s unique platform combines next-generation gene therapy design with deep neuroscience expertise and a novel neuroanatomy-led approach to drug delivery
  • Co-founded by leading neurologist and neuroscientist Professor Christopher Shaw, molecular neurobiologist Dr Youn Bok Lee and vector biologist Dr Do Young Lee from King’s College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute
  • Lisa Deschamps appointed Chief Executive Officer, bringing 25 years of industry and extensive gene therapy experience

London, UK, December 2, 2021 — AviadoBio Ltd, a pioneering gene therapy company focused on developing and delivering transformative medicines for people living with neurodegenerative disorders, announced today the successful completion of an $80 million (£58.6 million) Series A financing round, following an initial $16.5 million (£12 million) seed financing. The funds will be used to advance AviadoBio’s lead program in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) into the clinic, progress its preclinical assets, including for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), whilst continuing to expand its industry-leading team.

The financing was led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and co-led by Monograph Capital, with participation from LSP, as well as seed investors Advent Life Sciences, Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF), F-Prime Capital, JJDCand medical research charity LifeArc.

AviadoBio’s technology was developed in the laboratory of Christopher Shaw, Professor of Neurology and Neurogenetics at King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, with the support of the UK Dementia Research Institute, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and the Van Geest Foundation and, incubated by F-Prime Capital and JJDC.

“Whilst neurodegenerative conditions are focal at onset, the pathology eventually spreads throughout the nervous system. We have seen that modifying gene expression can be curative, but achieving widespread distribution is the greatest challenge. We have shown that precision micro dosing to neural networks will deliver broad CNS expression, providing safe and effective treatments,”

said Prof. Christopher Shaw, Co-founder and Chief Scientific and Clinical Advisor of AviadoBio.

“We are directly exploiting insights into the causes of diseases to design therapies that have the potential to cure patients for whom there are no effective treatments. I believe that AviadoBio has the potential to move neurodegeneration from palliation to prevention.”

Shaw added:

“AviadoBio’s unique platform combines next-generation gene therapy design with deep neuroscience expertise and a novel neuroanatomy-led approach to drug delivery. Precision micro dosing achieves extensive gene expression throughout the nervous system, maximizing the therapeutic potential for patients living with devastating neurological diseases.”

The Company is led by recently appointed Chief Executive Officer and Board member Lisa Deschamps, former Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer at Novartis Gene Therapies. Lisa brings more than 25 years of biopharma experience including leading the global neuroscience business of Novartis and the worldwide commercialization of its gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy.

“I am excited about the promise we can bring to people living with neurodegenerative disease, where a significant unmet medical need remains with only symptomatic therapies currently available. Our differentiated approach has the potential to transform the treatment landscape and we have the opportunity with our group of experienced investors, our advisors and founders, to change the lives of people living with these debilitating conditions,”

said Lisa Deschamps, Chief Executive Officer.

“The expansion of our team and investor syndicate, positions AviadoBio to make this mission a reality while advancing the field.”

As part of the Series A financing, Matt McAviney, Partner at NEA and Tim Funnell, Partner at Monograph Capital have been appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors. They are joined by Amber Salzman and Prof. Philip Scheltens as an independent Board Director and a Board Observer for LSP, respectively. Amber has been a pioneering entrepreneur in leading companies and not-for-profit organizations focused on gene therapies and rare diseases for more than 20 years, while Prof. Sheltens is a world-renowned dementia scientist and thought leader.

“Traditionally, there have been very few options to combat the devastating course of neurodegenerative disorders,”

said Matt McAviney, Partner, NEA and AviadoBio Board member.

“AviadoBio’s gene therapy platform introduces a revolutionary approach, supported by world-renowned neuroscience expertise and strong preclinical data. The Company is poised to make a meaningful impact, and we are thrilled to partner with the team to introduce a new portfolio of treatments to patients suffering from a range of debilitating diseases.”

ABOUT AVIADOBIO

At AviadoBio our mission is to transform the lives of people living with neurodegenerative disorders by developing and delivering transformative gene therapies for diseases including frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Company’s technology is based on pioneering research from King’s College London and the UK Dementia Research Institute, co-founded by Prof. Christopher Shaw, Dr. Youn Bok Lee and Dr. Do Young Lee, with support from leading life science investors and Dr. Jonathan Jones and Dr. Graeme Fielder, as the Company’s founding management team. AviadoBio is building world-class capabilities to discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize gene therapy products.

For more information, please visit www.aviadobio.com and follow us at Twitter @AviadoBio and LinkedIn AviadoBio.
LEARN MORE ABOUT US

CONTACT
For media enquiries:

Consilium Strategic Communications
Chris Gardner, Angela Gray, Isabelle Abdou
+44 (0) 20 3709 5700
AviadoBio@consilium-comms.com