Leucovorin Calcium

- Zolbetuximab is currently the first and only therapy approved in the European Union to target claudin 18.2, a biomarker positively expressed by 38% of patients with advanced gastric cancer1,2 - Treatment with the claudin 18.2-targeted monoclonal antibody shown to significantly extend both progression-free survival and overall survival in Phase 3 trials1,2 TOKYO, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Naoki Okamura, "Astellas") today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved VYLOY™ (zolbetuximab) in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma whose tumors are claudin (CLDN) 18.2 positive. The European Medicines Agency has recommended that zolbetuximab's designation as an orphan medicinal product be maintained in recognition of the poor survival outcomes associated with gastric and GEJ cancers. Zolbetuximab is currently the first and only approved monoclonal antibody specifically designed to target gastric tumor cells that express the biomarker CLDN18.2, offering a more personalized approach to cancer treatment. In the zolbetuximab Phase 3 clinical trials, approximately 38% of adult patients with advanced and metastatic gastric and GEJ cancers had tumors that were CLDN18.2 positive.1,2 By binding to CLDN18.2 expressed on tumor cell membranes, zolbetuximab results in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement dependent cytotoxicity and tumor growth inhibition.3 Zorana Maravic, Chief Executive Officer of Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE): "Sadly, due to similar symptoms to more common stomach conditions, gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers are often diagnosed at the advanced or metastatic stage when treatment options have traditionally been relatively limited. Ensuring timely diagnosis, followed by personalized treatment and care, will be essential to better survival and quality of life for patients." Moitreyee Chatterjee-Kishore, Ph.D., M.B.A., Senior Vice President and Head of Immuno-Oncology Development, Astellas: "We are delighted to bring zolbetuximab, a first-in-class targeted treatment option, to patients in Europe where gastric and gastroesophageal cancers are the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death. With zolbetuximab, we're entering a new era in precision medicine for these advanced cancers, underpinning our ongoing commitment to pioneering scientific discovery that can advance patient outcomes." Data from the Phase 3 SPOTLIGHT and GLOW clinical trials, which supported the European Marketing Authorization, showed that treatment with zolbetuximab provided statistically significant improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to other standard of care chemotherapies in eligible patients with gastric and GEJ cancers.1,2 In the SPOTLIGHT trial, a median PFS of 10.61 months was achieved with zolbetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 as first-line treatment, versus 8.67 months with placebo plus mFOLFOX6. The median OS was 18.23 months versus 15.54 months in the respective treatment groups.1 Similar efficacy findings were seen in the GLOW trial where median PFS was 8.21 months versus 6.80 months, and median OS 14.39 months versus 12.16 months, with zolbetuximab plus CAPOX, compared to placebo plus CAPOX, respectively.2 In both the SPOTLIGHT and GLOW trials, the incidence of serious treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was similar in the zolbetuximab treatment groups compared to the controls. The most common all-grade TEAEs reported in the zolbetuximab treatment groups were nausea, vomiting and decreased appetite.1,2 The European Marketing Authorization for zolbetuximab is valid in all 27 EU member states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, and is aligned to the recently updated ESMO Gastric Cancer Living Guidelines which state that the addition of zolbetuximab to chemotherapy can be considered for patients with CLDN18.2 positive, HER-2 negative tumors in the first-line metastatic disease setting.4 Astellas is working closely with local regulatory authorities and health technology assessment bodies across the EU to ensure that patients who may gain benefit from zolbetuximab are able to access the novel treatment as soon as possible. This regulatory approval for zolbetuximab follows the August 2024 approval by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the March 2024 approval by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.5,6 Astellas has submitted further applications for zolbetuximab to other regulatory agencies around the world with reviews ongoing. Astellas has already reflected the impact from this result in its financial forecast for the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. About Zolbetuximab Zolbetuximab is a claudin 18.2-directed cytolytic antibody investigated in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma whose tumors are claudin (CLDN) 18.2 positive. In both the SPOTLIGHT and GLOW Phase 3 clinical trials, approximately 38% of patients screened had tumors that were CLDN18.2 positive, defined as ≥75% of tumor cells demonstrating moderate to strong membranous CLDN18 immunohistochemical staining, assessed and confirmed using an in-vitro companion diagnostic test or medical device.1,2 Astellas collaborated with Roche on the VENTANA® CLDN18 (43-14A) RxDx Assay that, upon approval, is intended to be used by a pathologist or laboratory to identify patients eligible for targeted treatment with zolbetuximab.7 This immunohistochemistry based companion diagnostic test is currently under review by the notified body. As an investigational first-in-class monoclonal antibody (mAb), zolbetuximab targets and binds to CLDN18.2, a transmembrane protein expressed on cancer cells. In pre-clinical studies, zolbetuximab reduced the number of CLDN18.2-positive cells via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity, leading to tumor growth inhibition.3 About Locally Advanced Unresectable Metastatic Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer Gastric and gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancers are known to be histologically similar, are recommended to be managed in the same way in treatment guidelines, and frequently display aligned responses to treatment.2,8 Across Europe, over 135,000 new cases of G/GEJ cancer were diagnosed in 2022.9 G/GEJ cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer-related mortality in Europe, responsible for 95,431 deaths in 2022.9,10 GEJ adenocarcinomas start in the first two inches (5 cm) where the esophagus joins the stomach.11 The average five-year survival rate for patients in Europe with G/GEJ cancer is 26% across all stages of the disease, driving the need for new therapeutic options that can slow disease progression and extend lives.12 Because early-stage cancer symptoms frequently overlap with more common stomach-related conditions, G/GEJ cancers are often diagnosed in the advanced or metastatic stage, or once they have spread from the tumor's origin to other body tissues or organs.13 Early signs and symptoms can include indigestion or heartburn, pain or discomfort in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, bloating of the stomach after meals, and loss of appetite.13,14 Signs of more advanced G/GEJ cancer can include unexplained weight loss, weakness and fatigue, sensation of food getting stuck in the throat while eating, vomiting blood or having blood in the stool.13,14,15 Risk factors associated with G/GEJ cancer can include older age, male gender, family history, H. pylori infection, smoking, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).16,17 INVESTIGATIONAL STUDIES About the SPOTLIGHT Phase 3 Clinical Trial SPOTLIGHT is a Phase 3, global, multi-center, double-blind, randomized study, assessing the efficacy and safety of zolbetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 (a combination chemotherapy regimen that includes oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and fluorouracil) compared to placebo plus mFOLFOX6 as a first-line treatment in patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-negative gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma whose tumors were CLDN18.2 positive. The study enrolled 565 patients at 215 study locations in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Europe, South America, and Asia. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) of participants treated with the combination of zolbetuximab plus mFOLFOX6 compared to those treated with placebo plus mFOLFOX6. Secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), safety and tolerability, and quality-of-life parameters.1 Data from the SPOTLIGHT clinical trial were presented during the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancers Symposium in an oral presentation on January 19, 2023, and were subsequently published in The Lancet on April 14, 2023.1 For more information, please visit clinicaltrials.gov under Identifier NCT03504397. About the GLOW Phase 3 Clinical Trial GLOW is a Phase 3, global, multi-center, double-blind, randomized study, assessing the efficacy and safety of zolbetuximab plus CAPOX (a combination chemotherapy regimen that includes capecitabine and oxaliplatin) compared to placebo plus CAPOX as a first-line treatment in patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2-negative gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma whose tumors were CLDN18.2 positive. The study enrolled 507 patients at 166 study locations in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, South America, and Asia, including Japan. The primary endpoint is PFS in participants treated with the combination of zolbetuximab plus CAPOX compared to those treated with placebo plus CAPOX. Secondary endpoints include OS, ORR, DOR, safety and tolerability, and quality-of-life parameters.2 Data from the GLOW study were initially presented at the March 2023 ASCO Plenary Series with an updated oral presentation at the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting on June 3, 2023, and were subsequently published in Nature Medicine on July 31, 2023.2 For more information, please visit clinicaltrials.gov under Identifier NCT03653507. Investigational Pipeline in CLDN18.2 An expanded Phase 2 trial of zolbetuximab in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma is in progress and recruiting patients. The trial is a randomized, multi-center, open-label study, evaluating the safety and efficacy of investigational zolbetuximab in combination with gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel as a first-line treatment in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma with CLDN18.2 positive tumors (defined as ≥75% of tumor cells demonstrating moderate to strong membranous CLDN18 staining based on a validated immunohistochemistry assay). For more information, please visit clinicaltrials.gov under Identifier NCT03816163. In addition to zolbetuximab, ASP2138 is under development in our Primary Focus Immuno-Oncology area and is currently recruiting patients. ASP2138 is a bispecific monoclonal antibody that binds to CD3 and CLDN18.2, and it is currently in a Phase 1/1b study in participants with metastatic or locally advanced unresectable gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma whose tumors have CLDN18.2 expression. The safety and efficacy of the agent under investigation have not been established for the uses being considered. For more information, please visit clinicaltrials.gov under Identifier NCT05365581. There is no guarantee that the agent(s) will receive regulatory approval and become commercially available for the uses being investigated. About Astellas Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+® healthcare solutions that combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients. For more information, please visit our website at . Cautionary Notes In this press release, statements made with respect to current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Astellas. These statements are based on management's current assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in general economic conditions and in laws and regulations, relating to pharmaceutical markets, (ii) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (iii) delays in new product launches, (iv) the inability of Astellas to market existing and new products effectively, (v) the inability of Astellas to continue to effectively research and develop products accepted by customers in highly competitive markets, and (vi) infringements of Astellas' intellectual property rights by third parties. Information about pharmaceutical products (including products currently in development) which is included in this press release is not intended to constitute an advertisement or medical advice. SOURCE Astellas Pharma Inc. WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

New data suggests that baseline serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels below the threshold may predict overall survival (OS) improvement when comparing the CM24+nivolumab+Nal-IRI/5FU/LV vs. Nal-IRI/5FU/LV arms Data reported at the 2024 ASCO annual meeting demonstrated reduced risk of death and cancer progression, prolongation of OS and progression free survival (PFS) as well as higher objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) and decreasing CA19-9 levels in the CM24+Nivolumab+Nal-IRI/5FU/LV arm Further data and top line results are expected in the second half of 2024 Company to host virtual key opinion leader (KOL) event to discuss results on July 11, 2024 REHOVOT, Israel, June 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Purple Biotech Ltd. (“Purple Biotech” or “the Company”) (NASDAQ/TASE: PPBT), a clinical-stage company developing first-in-class oncology therapies that overcome tumor immune evasion and drug resistance, today reported additional positive interim data from its randomized, controlled, open label, multicenter Phase 2 study (NCT 04731467) of CM24, in combination with Bristol Myers Squibb’s immune checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab and standard of care (SoC) chemotherapy, in second-line metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). These results suggest that serum MPO may be a predictive biomarker for survival in the CM24+Nivolumab + Nal-IRI/5FU/LV arm. The company also announced that it will host a virtual KOL event on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 10:30 AM ET to discuss the results in detail. To register for the event, click here. Interim results that were presented on June 1, 2024 during a late-breaking abstract poster presentation at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting demonstrated a 26% reduction in risk of death (HR=0.74) and a 28% risk reduction in progression or death (HR=0.72) in previously-treated patients treated with CM24+nivolumab+Nal-IRI/5FU/LV vs. Nal-IRI/5FU/LV chemotherapy alone (i.e., SoC). Median OS was prolonged by 2.1 months and median PFS was extended by 1.9 months in the CM24+nivolumab+Nal-IRI/5FU/LV regimen vs. SoC. The prolongation of both OS and PFS by the CM-24-nivolumab therapy is further supported by a higher ORR (25% vs 7%), DCR (63% vs 40%), and decrease in CA19-9 level (61% decrease vs. 34% increase). “The concordant and consistent improvement in primary and all secondary endpoints including OS, PFS, ORR, DCR and CA19-9 are compelling, and the addition of a potential predictive biomarker provides further support for the potential of CM24 in combination with nivolumab plus the SoC chemotherapy regimen Nal-IRI/5FU/LV to improve clinical outcomes for those with advanced metastatic PDAC.” stated Gil Efron, Chief Executive Officer of Purple Biotech. “We plan to report further clinical study data in the second half of 2024.” New Interim Exploratory Biomarker Data: This interim biomarker analysis comparing the experimental and control arms suggests measured baseline serum MPO as a potential clinical outcome biomarker for CM24-nivolumab therapy. Enhanced MPO levels were measured in >90% of the patients with mean MPO over 6-fold higher than healthy donors. The mean MPO is used as a threshold for evaluating MPO as a potential biomarker. The effect of the CM24-nivolumab therapy in combination with Nal-IRI/5FU/LV is most pronounced among patients with serum MPO levels below the mean MPO and is associated with OS improvement of 3.6 months in median OS of 8.1 months vs. 4.5 months (HR 0.34 (95% CI: 0.099-1.149)). While in a small sample size, these findings suggest that serum MPO may be a predictive biomarker for the treatment effect of CM24+Nivo+ Nal-IRI/5FU/LV on OS. Presentation of the biomarker data is planned at an upcoming medical conference. The experimental arms of the randomized Phase 2 study administered patients with CM24 plus nivolumab and a choice of one of two SoC chemotherapies used in second-line PDAC, and dependent on prior first line therapy regimen; either gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel or liposomal irinotecan (Nal-IRI)/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) (Nal-IRI/5FU/LV), while the control arms administered either respective SoC chemotherapy alone. Interim results are provided for the Nal-IRI/5FU/LV sub study. An analysis of the gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel sub study will be performed later when the data sufficiently matured. CM24 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks CEACAM1, an immune checkpoint protein responsible for tumor immune evasion and poor tumor response and/or resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) which are involved in immune evasion and metastasis known to affect disease progression and patient survival. CM24, a CEACAM1 antibody, was reported1 to also bind to NET structures and significantly suppresses the NET-induced migration of various cancer cells, as an additional Mechanism of Action. In an earlier part of this study, CM24+nivolumab treatment significantly reduced the level of the NET marker, as represented by measurable MPO in patient serum. The poster presentation at ASCO 2024 may be viewed on Purple Biotech’s website HERE and the abstract may be accessed on ASCO’s website HERE. 1. Poster presentation at AACR Special Conference: Pancreatic cancer 2023: Phase 1 Study of CM24 in Combination with Nivolumab in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer - Survival, Exploratory Biomarkers and Effect on Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) About Purple Biotech Purple Biotech Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: PPBT) is a clinical-stage company developing first-in-class therapies that seek to overcome tumor immune evasion and drug resistance. The Company’s oncology pipeline includes NT219, CM24 and IM1240. NT219 is a dual inhibitor, novel small molecule that simultaneously targets IRS1/2 and STAT3. A Phase 1 dose escalation study is being concluded and a Phase 2 study of NT219 at its recommended Phase 2 level in combination with cetuximab in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck cancer (SCCHN) is planned. CM24 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks CEACAM1, an immune checkpoint protein that supports tumor immune evasion and survival through multiple pathways. The Company is advancing CM24 as a combination therapy with anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors in a Phase 2 study for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The Company has entered into a clinical collaboration agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb for the Phase 2 clinical trials to evaluate the combination of CM24 with the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab in addition to chemotherapy. The Company is also advancing a preclinical platform of conditionally-activated tri-specific antibodies that engage both T cells and NK cells to induce a strong, localized immune response within the tumor microenvironment. The cleavable capping technology confines the compound’s therapeutic activity to the local tumor microenvironment, and thereby potentially increases the anticipated therapeutic window in patients. The third arm of the antibody specifically targets the Tumor Associated Antigen (TAA). The technology presents a novel mechanism of action by unleashing both innate and adaptive immune systems to induce an optimal anti-tumor immune response. IM1240 is the platform’s lead tribody in development that targets 5T4 expressed in a variety of solid tumors and is correlated with advanced disease, increased invasiveness and poor clinical outcomes. The Company’s corporate headquarters are located in Rehovot, Israel. For more information, please visit . Forward-Looking Statements and Safe Harbor Statement Certain statements in this press release that are forward-looking and not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that are not statements of historical fact, and may be identified by words such as “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “may”, “should”, “could”, “might”, “seek”, “target”, “will”, “project”, “forecast”, “continue” or “anticipate” or their negatives or variations of these words or other comparable words or by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical matters. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views, expectations, beliefs or intentions with respect to future events, and are subject to a number of assumptions, involve known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, as well as uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be significantly different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, among others, risks relating to: the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; product development for NT219, CM24 and IM1240; the process by which such early stage therapeutic candidates could potentially lead to an approved drug product is long and subject to highly significant risks, particularly with respect to a joint development collaboration; the fact that drug development and commercialization involves a lengthy and expensive process with uncertain outcomes; final results from clinical studies, including our NT219 and CM24 studies, may vary from the interim analysis, our ability to successfully develop and commercialize our pharmaceutical products; the expense, length, progress and results of any clinical trials; the impact of any changes in regulation and legislation that could affect the pharmaceutical industry; the difficulty in receiving the regulatory approvals necessary in order to commercialize our products; the difficulty of predicting actions of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any other applicable regulator of pharmaceutical products; the regulatory environment and changes in the health policies and regimes in the countries in which we operate; the uncertainty surrounding the actual market reception to our pharmaceutical products once cleared for marketing in a particular market; the introduction of competing products; patents obtained by competitors; dependence on the effectiveness of our patents and other protections for innovative products; our ability to obtain, maintain and defend issued patents; the commencement of any patent interference or infringement action against our patents, and our ability to prevail, obtain a favorable decision or recover damages in any such action; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions; the impact of the economic, public health, political and security situation in Israel, the U.S. and other countries in which we may operate or obtain approvals for our products or our business, and other factors that are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our cautionary discussion of risks and uncertainties under “Risk Factors” in our Registration Statements and Annual Reports. These are factors that we believe could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected results. Other factors besides those we have listed could also adversely affect us. Any forward-looking statement in this press release speaks only as of the date which it is made. We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement or other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. You are advised, however, to consult any additional disclosures we make in our reports to the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website, . CONTACTS: Company Contact: Lior Fhima Chief Financial Officer IR@purple-biotech.com