Genital Diseases, Female

SHANGHAI, March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mabwell (688062.SH), an innovative-driven biopharmaceutical company with entire industry chain, presented the clinical study data of the 9MW2821 for patients with cervical cancer as focused plenary oral presentation at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) annual meeting on March 16, 2024. The data showed good efficacy and safety of 9MW2821 in patients with cervical cancer, which is expected to bring new breakthroughs for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, meeting a large number of unmet clinical needs. 9MW2821 is the first drug to report clinical data for the indication of cervical cancer among the drugs with the same target in the world. Report on Study Data of Nectin-4-Targeting Antibody-drug Conjugate ( ADC ) for the Treatment of Recurrent or Metastatic Cervical Cancer This phase I/II, multicenter, open-label, clinical study was led by Professor Zhang Jian of Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and Professor Yang Huijuan of Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center represented the study team to give an in-depth report at the meeting. The study results were highly recognized by experts on site. Further clinical study data are expected to provide more treatment options for patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer. Clinical Findings The systemic treatment drug options and efficacy for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer are relatively limited. The cervical cancer cohort in the phase I/II study of 9MW2821 enrolled patients with Nectin-4-positive recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer who had progressed on or after doublet platinum-containing chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab and received no more than two previous systemic regimens for recurrent or metastatic disease. Eligible patients received intravenous 9MW2821 1.25mg/kg on days 1, 8 and 15 of each 28-day cycle until confirmed disease progression, death, intolerable adverse effects or withdrawal from the study. As of September 25, 2023, in the cervical cancer expansion cohort of the study, the detection rate of Nectin-4 expression was 89.67%, and the rate of Nectin-4 IHC 3+ was 67.82%. A total of 40 patients were enrolled in the study, 57.5% of the patients had previously received platinum-based doublet chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab, and 60% of the patients had previously received platinum-based doublet chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. In terms of efficacy, the overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) of 37 patients evaluable for efficacy were 40.54% and 89.19%, respectively, with one complete response (2.70%) and 14 partial responses (37.84%). Median progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and duration of response (DOR) were not reached yet. Among patients with Nectin-4 IHC 3+, the ORR and DCR of 26 patients evaluable for efficacy were 50.00% and 92.31%, respectively. Among patients on or after doublet platinum-containing chemotherapy, the ORR and DCR of 21 patients evaluable for efficacy were 38.10% and 85.71%, respectively. In terms of safety, treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 92.50% of participants. Grade3-4 TRAEs occurred in 70.00% of participants, with neutropenia (40.00%), rash (17.50%) and gamma-glutamyl transferase increased (12.50%) being the most frequently reported. Nodeaths related to treatment were reported. The above study results indicate that 9MW2821 has controllable safety and positive efficacy in patients with cervical cancer. About 9MW2821 9MW2821 is the first site-specific conjugated novel ADC targeting Nectin-4 developed by Mabwell using ADC platform and automated high-throughput hybridoma antibody molecular discovery platform, and is the first product to enter clinical study among the products with the same target developed by Chinese companies. Multiple clinical studies of 9MW2821 have been conducted in China to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and efficacy of 9MW2821 in patients with various advanced solid tumors. The phase III clinical study of 9MW2821 monotherapy has officially been initiated in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have previously received platinum-based chemotherapy and PD-(L)1 inhibitor therapy. The phase I/II clinical study of 9MW2821 in combination with PD-1 inhibitors is also ongoing, with the first patient already enrolled. The phase II clinical study for the indication of esophageal carcinoma will continue enrollment and evaluation, and communication for the initiation of phase III clinical study will be expedited. 9MW2821 was granted Fast Track Designation (FTD) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2024 for the treatment of advanced, recurrent, or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Currently, 9MW2821 is the first therapeutic drug targeting Nectin-4 in the world to disclose clinical efficacy and safety data for indications of cervical cancer and esophageal carcinoma. About Cervical Cancer Cervical cancer is the 4th most common neoplasm and the 4th leading cause of cancer death in females worldwide (excerpted from "Worldwide trends in cervical cancer incidence and mortality, with predictions for the next 15 years, Cancer 2021"). According to the "World Cancer Report 2020" released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there were 600 thousand new cases of cervical cancer worldwide in 2020 and up to 340 thousand deaths caused by cervical cancer. In February 2024, the National Cancer Center published the Cancer Burden Data in China in 2022 on Journal of the National Cancer Center (JNCC), showing that there were 150.7 thousand new cases of cervical cancer and 55.7 thousand deaths in China, ranking 8th and 9th respectively in terms of new cases and number of deaths. Compared with the 119 thousand new cases and 37 thousand deaths released in February 2022 for the same period in 2016, significant increases are observed. About Mabwell Mabwell (688062.SH) is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company with the entire value chain of the pharmaceutical industry. We provide more effective and accessible therapy and innovative medicines to fulfill global medical needs. Since 2017, an advanced R&D system which covers target discovery, early discovery, druggability, preclinical, clinical research and manufacturing transformation was established. Mabwell has 14 pipeline products in different stages based on a world-class and state-of-the-art R&D engine, including 10 novel drug candidates and 4 biosimilars. We focus on the therapeutic areas of oncology, auto-immune diseases, metabolic disorders, ophthalmologic diseases and infectious diseases, etc. Of these, 2 products have been approved and commercialized, 2 products have been filed for MA approval, 3 products are in pivotal trials. We have also undertaken 1 national major scientific and technological special project for "Significant New Drugs Development", 2 projects for National Key R&D Programmes, and multiple provincial and municipal science and technological innovation projects. Mabwell's Taizhou factory possesses robust in-house manufacturing capability compliant with international GMP standards regulated by the NMPA, FDA and EMA, and has passed the EU QP Audit. The large-scale manufacturing base located in Shanghai is under construction. Our mission is "Explore Life, Benefit Health" and our vision is "Innovation, from ideas to reality". For more information, please visit . Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the potential safety, efficacy, regulatory review or approval and commercial success of our product candidates and those relating to the Company's product development, clinical studies, clinical and regulatory milestones and timelines, market opportunity, competitive position, possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, potential growth opportunities and other statements that are predictive in nature. "Forward-looking statements" are statements that are not historical facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking expressions, including, but not limited to, "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "estimate," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would," and similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, including, but not limited to: environment; politic; economy; society; legislation; our dependence on our product candidates, most of which are still in preclinical or various stages of clinical development; our reliance on third-party vendors, such as contract research organizations and contract manufacturing organizations; the uncertainties inherent in clinical testing; our ability to complete required clinical trials for our product candidates and obtain approval from regulatory authorities for our product candidates; our ability to protect our intellectual property; the potential impact of COVID-19; the loss of any executive officers or key personnel. In case one or more of these risks or uncertainties deteriorate, or any assumptions are incorrect, the actual results may be seriously inconsistent with the stated results. The Company cautions all the persons not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speaks only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any obligation, except as specifically required by law and the rules of the applicable Stock authority to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking descriptions, figures and assumptions in this press release are applicable to this statement. SOURCE Mabwell

2024 Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine Recognizes Pioneering Work in Immunology CLEVELAND, March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The eleventh annual Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine has been awarded to Arlene H. Sharpe, MD, PhD, Kolokotrones University Professor and Chair of the Department of Immunology at Harvard Medical School. The award recognizes her breakthrough discoveries in immune regulation, which have established foundational principles in immunology and led to new cancer therapies that act by boosting the immune response to cancer. The Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine, established in 2014 by the Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals and the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), honors physician-scientists who have moved science forward with achievements notable for innovation, creativity and potential for clinical application. Dr. Sharpe's research in immunology has led to significant advances in medical treatments. Her work helped identify key pathways that restrain the activity of T lymphocytes (immune cells) to fight cancer. Her work defined the PD-1 pathway and its immunoinhibitory functions as well as the inhibitory functions of CTLA-4 to restrain the activity of the immune system. Dr. Sharpe's research thus laid the foundation for the development of 'immune checkpoint inhibitors', drugs that target PD-1 and related pathways. These therapies, including pembrolizumab and nivolumab, have been approved by the FDA for treating numerous types of cancer. They work by preventing inhibition of T cell function, thereby unleashing the body's immune system to fight cancer cells more effectively. This approach has become a cornerstone in cancer treatment strategies. "Dr. Sharpe's body of work has shaped our understanding of the role of the T cell in regulating the immune response. Her innovative scientific discoveries are among the best examples of bench-to-bedside work in the past three decades," said Benjamin D. Humphreys, MD, PhD, Joseph Friedman Professor of Renal Diseases in Medicine and Chief, Division of Nephrology, Washington University in St. Louis and 2023-2024 President of the ASCI. "Immune checkpoint inhibitors are drugs that allow for dramatic remission, and even cures, of cancers that had previously been considered untreatable. Dr. Sharpe's foundational insights have thus been harnessed to transform cancer therapy. Her work provides a beautiful example of physician impact through creative science," said Jonathan S. Stamler, MD, President, Harrington Discovery Institute, Robert S. and Sylvia K. Reitman Family Foundation Distinguished Professor of Cardiovascular Innovation and Professor of Medicine and of Biochemistry at University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University. A committee composed of members of the ASCI Council and the Harrington Discovery Institute Scientific Advisory Board reviewed nominations from leading academic medical centers globally before selecting the 2024 Harrington Prize recipient. In addition to sharing the Prize's $20,000 honorarium, Dr. Sharpe will deliver the Harrington Prize Lecture at the 2024 AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meeting on April 5, will be a featured speaker at the 2024 Harrington Scientific Symposium May 22-23, and will publish an essay in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The Harrington Prize has recognized outstanding and diverse innovations in medicine: 2014: Harry Dietz, MD, Johns Hopkins University, for his contributions to the understanding of the biology and treatment of Marfan syndrome, a disorder leading to deadly aneurysms in children and adults. 2015: Douglas R. Lowy, MD, The National Cancer Institute, in recognition of his discoveries that led to the development of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. 2016: Jeffrey M. Friedman, MD, PhD, The Rockefeller University, for his discovery of leptin, which controls feeding behavior and is used to treat related clinical disorders. 2017: Jointly awarded to Daniel J. Drucker, MD, Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada, Joel F. Habener, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Jens J. Holst, MD, DMSc, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, for their discovery of incretin hormones and for the translation of these findings into transformative therapies for major metabolic diseases such as diabetes. 2018: Helen H. Hobbs, MD, UT Southwestern Medical Center, for the discovery of the link between a gene mutation (PCSK9) and lower levels of LDL, which has improved the treatment of high cholesterol. 2019: Carl H. June, MD, University of Pennsylvania, for advancing the clinical application of CAR T therapy for cancer treatment, and for his sustained contributions to the field of cellular immunology. 2020: Stuart H. Orkin, MD, Harvard University, for breakthrough discoveries on red blood cells that offer new treatments for patients with sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia, which are among the most common genetic disorders. 2021: Warren J. Leonard, MD, and John J. O'Shea, MD, NIH, for their respective contributions to the field of immunology, from fundamental discovery to therapeutic impact. 2022: James E. Crowe Jr., MD, and Michel C. Nussenzweig, MD, PhD, for their groundbreaking work, which has elucidated fundamental principles of the human immune response and enabled the use of human antibodies to treat COVID-19. 2023: Jean Bennett, MD, PhD, and Albert M. Maguire, MD, for their groundbreaking translational research to restore sight in inherited genetic diseases. SOURCE Harrington Discovery Institute

The world's first non-surgical cervical HSIL treatment validated by an international Phase III clinical study with proven efficacy; The response rate increased by 89.4% compared to the placebo control group, with a low incidence of adverse events; The China new drug application submission is expected in Q2 2024, while ex-China product development is in active progress. SHANGHAI, March 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Asieris Pharmaceuticals (Stock Code: 688176.SH), a global biopharmaceutical leader in the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative drugs for genitourinary tumors and related diseases announced that the multicenter Phase III global clinical study data of its non-surgical treatment for cervical HSIL product APL-1702 demonstrated significant efficacy and good safety profile, with new advancements in clearance rate of high-risk HPV16 and/or HPV18. Key data from the study were presented in oral presentations at the 2024 European Research Organization on Genital Infection and Neoplasia (EUROGIN) Congress and the 2024 Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Annual Meeting. APL-1702 is a pioneering cold light photodynamic drug-device combination product, used as a non-surgical therapy for treating cervical HSIL. This study is a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled multicenter Phase III global clinical study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of APL-1702 for the treatment of cervical HSIL. Primary endpoint of the study is the proportion of responders at 6 months after the initial treatment. The study is led by Dr. Jinghe Lang, an academician at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Response is defined as the conversion of cervical epithelial tissue pathology to normal or the conversion to low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) while achieving baseline HPV clearance. According to the study results, between November 2020 and July 2022, a total of 402 eligible patients from various countries including China, Germany, the Netherlands et al. were randomized and enrolled in this study. The response rate in the APL-1702 treatment group showed a statistically significant improvement of 89.4% (41.1% vs. 21.7%, p = 0.0001) compared to that in the placebo control group, indicating a remarkable therapeutic effect. Additionally, APL-1702 showed an improved clearance rate of high-risk HPV16 and/or HPV18, with a 103.9% increase in the APL-1702 treatment group compared to the control group (31.4% vs. 15.4%)[1]. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was comparable between the treatment group and the control group, with the majority being mild and self-healing without requiring intervention. The occurrence rates of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) were both low in both groups[2]. According to the "Global Cancer Statistics 2020" report, there were 604,127 new cases of cervical cancer in women worldwide in 2020, with 341,831 deaths, ranking it as the fourth most common cancer among women. Cervical cancer incidence ranks second among malignant tumors in Chinese women. According to the "National Cancer Report 2024" released by the National Cancer Center, there were 150,700 new cases of cervical cancer in China in 2022, with 55,700 deaths from cervical cancer. The main cause of cervical cancer is persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), which leads to precancerous lesions of the cervix. Approximately 25% of individuals with HSIL may progress to invasive cervical cancer within 10 years[3]. According to Frost Sullivan analysis, it is projected that by 2030, the number of HSIL patients worldwide and in China will reach 16.6 million and 2.2 million, respectively. With the increasing popularity of dual-cancer screening and cervical cytology tests, more and more patients with cervical precancerous lesions are being detected at early stages before cancer develops, and it is expected that the number of patients will continue to increase. Women with cervical precancerous lesions have unmet clinical needs for non-surgical therapies. Currently, invasive procedures such as loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and cold knife conization remain the primary treatment options for high-grade cervical lesions. However, these surgical treatments are associated with adverse reactions including bleeding, infection, and cervical structural damage, which may lead to complications such as preterm birth and miscarriage. Furthermore, cervical precancerous lesions require long-term monitoring and management because even after surgical treatment, there is a risk of persistent disease or recurrence, with a higher risk of developing cervical cancer compared to the general population (5 times higher risk of invasive cancer within 10 years). Therefore, post-operative follow-up for at least 25 years is necessary. Importantly, if cervical precancerous lesions recur, subsequent surgical interventions become more challenging and carry higher risks, potentially resulting in total hysterectomy. Thus, early surgical intervention increases the difficulty of long-term management. Non-surgical therapies that preserve the intact cervix and avoid or delay cervical trauma are of significant importance for the long-term management of patients with cervical precancerous lesions. Professor Chen Fei, Chief Physician of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, expressed her delight with the research findings, stating, "I am extremely pleased with the results of this study. Treating HSIL serves as the final barrier against cervical cancer. Previous international studies on HSIL have not been successful, but this study, utilizing a multicenter trial design and strict definition of efficacy endpoints, has achieved positive results, which is no easy feat. As a clinician, I have encountered many HSIL patients who desire to preserve their intact cervix while receiving treatment. The emergence of APL-1702 will fulfill the wishes of these patients, allowing them to avoid or delay cervical trauma to the maximum extent possible." Professor Qiao Youlin, a member of the WHO Global Expert Group for Cervical Cancer Elimination and a professor at the School of Population Medicine and Public Health at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, believes that in addition to vaccination and screening, treatment of cervical precancerous lesions is a crucial component of secondary prevention for cervical cancer. However, progress in the field of medication for cervical precancerous lesions has been relatively slow, with high barriers to overcome, and there are currently no approved treatment drugs worldwide. "It is gratifying to see the emergence of innovative products like APL-1702, which simultaneously possess clinical value in addressing the treatment gap, public health value in cervical cancer prevention and control, and social value in promoting fertility-friendly options. This breakthrough will safeguard women's health and make a positive contribution to the acceleration of the 2030 global and Chinese action plans for cervical cancer elimination". Dr. Linda Wu, Chief Development Officer of Asieris Pharmaceuticals, said, "We are extremely proud of the results from the international multicenter Phase III clinical study of APL-1702. The study not only demonstrates remarkable efficacy but also exhibits a favorable safety profile, offering a new powerful artillery for the national cervical cancer prevention and control system. We express our gratitude to all the patients, physicians, and researchers who participated in this study, as their support and dedication have been invaluable. We are actively preparing the new drug application for APL-1702 and plan to submit it in the second quarter of this year. Additionally, we are making significant progress in product development overseas, aiming to bring this innovative treatment to more patients as soon as possible." References ： EUROGIN: Photodynamic therapy with APL-1702 for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL): results from a randomized phase Ⅲ global study (YHGT-CEV-1/APRICITY) SGO: APL-1702 long-term efficacy and safety for cervical histologic high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL): results from a randomized phase Ⅲ global study Gao Shujun, Sui Long. Standardized management and follow-up of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix[J]. Chinese Journal of Practical Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2020,36(07):604-608. About APL-1702(Cevira ® ) APL-1702(Cevira ®) is a breakthrough photodynamic drug-device combination product that is being developed for non-surgical treatment of high-grade precancerous lesions of the cervix. Cevira ® holds the potential to serve the high unmet medical need for non-invasive treatment options for patients with HSIL in an outpatient setting, especially for young women of reproductive age. Asieris Pharmaceuticals entered into a license agreement with Photocure ASA (Photocure, PHO: OSE) to obtain the worldwide development and commercialization of Cevira ® in July 2019. Cevira ® is a registered trademark of Photocure ASA, based in Oslo, Norway. About Asieris Asieris Pharmaceuticals(688176.SH), founded in March 2010, is a global biopharma company specializing in discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs for the treatment of genitourinary tumors and other related diseases. We strive to improve human health to preserve patient's dignity. We aim to become a global pharma leader that integrates R&D, manufacturing and commercialization in our areas of focus, as we provide best-in-class integrated diagnosis and treatment solutions for patients in China and worldwide. The company has been developing its proprietary R&D platform and core technologies, exploring new mechanisms of action, and efficiently screening and evaluating drug candidates. With a well-established in-house R&D system and expertise in global drug development, Asieris is committed to launching first-in-class drugs and other innovative products to address huge unmet needs in its areas of focus. Asieris is also enhancing its pipeline for genitourinary diseases via proprietary R&D and strategic partnerships, while closely following cutting-edge technologies and therapeutics. The company strives to discover and identify unmet clinical needs, and adopts a forward-looking approach in product planning and life-cycle management. We aim to establish an outstanding portfolio that covers diagnosis and treatment in a bid to benefit more patients in China and globally. SOURCE Asieris