Ramucirumab

Continued monotherapy activity in solid tumors with MT-6402 (PD-L1-targeting ETB) in checkpoint-experienced patients.Early pre-clinical and clinical data demonstrate the potential of MT-0169 (CD38-targeting ETB) in severe immune-mediated diseases. AUSTIN, Texas, June 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Molecular Templates, Inc. (Nasdaq: MTEM, “Molecular Templates,” or “MTEM”), a clinical-stage company focused on the discovery and development of targeted biologic therapeutics with unique mechanisms of action (engineered toxin bodies or “ETBs”) for cancer and immune-mediated disease, today provided an update on its clinical-stage programs. Eric Poma, PhD., Chief Executive and Chief Scientific Officer of MTEM, stated, “ETBs are a potentially powerful therapeutic approach to selectively depleting immunosuppressive cells in oncology or eliminating self-reacting immune cells in severe immune-mediated diseases. The monotherapy activity we see with MT-6402 in relapsed/refractory solid tumor patients, and the clinical and ex vivo depletion of CD38+ immune cells seen with MT-0169 at well-tolerated doses underscore the potential of this platform across multiple diseases.” Company Pipeline Highlights MT-6402 (PD-L1-targeting ETB) Promising Single-Agent Activity: MT-6402 has shown monotherapy activity in heavily pre-treated patients who had previously progressed or were refractory to immuno-oncology therapy.Head and Neck Cancer Responses: MTEM had previously reported that nine patients (seven evaluable) with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (“HNSCC”) had been treated in the Phase 1 dose escalation. Two heavily pre-treated patients with low PD-L1 expressing squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) had achieved partial responses with MT-6402 monotherapy. These patients remain in response and in good clinical condition, continuing treatment in cycles 21 and 12 (one cycle = 4 weeks), respectively. In addition, four of the HNSCC patients treated with MT-6402 had stable disease with two showing tumor reduction. All patients with tumor responses or tumor reduction had low PD-L1 expression (≤20% CPS).New Lung Cancer Response: An unconfirmed partial response was observed in a non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”) patient with high PD-L1 expression in the Phase 1b monotherapy dose expansion study in solid tumor patients with high PD-L1 tumor expression (TPS≥50%). The patient achieved a partial response at the end of cycle 8 following sustained tumor reduction in prior assessments. A PET scan in cycle 8 showed no indications of active metastatic disease. This patient had previously progressed on chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and checkpoint therapy, including progression within six months on pembrolizumab + ramucirumab, before enrolling in the study. Three other NSCLC patients with high PD-L1 expression have been dosed in the Phase 1b expansion study. Two of these patients had progressive disease and one passed away from COVID and was not evaluable.Favorable Safety Profile: To date, MT-6402 appears to be generally well-tolerated, with no drug-related adverse events exceeding grade 3.Ongoing Enrollment: MTEM continues to enroll HNSCC patients with low PD-L1 expression (1-49%) and patients with solid tumors with high PD-L1 expression (≥50%). MT-0169 (CD38-targeting ETB) Clinical proof-of-concept supports the elimination of CD38+ cells in immune-mediated disease. Recent clinical data with CD38 antibodies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of CD38+ immune cell clearance in several immune-mediated diseases. Despite these promising early data, a more potent mechanism of CD38+ immune cell depletion may provide greater clinical benefit.Potent and unique mechanism of action. MT-0169 is designed to destroy CD38+ tumor or immune cells through internalization of CD38 and cell destruction via a novel mechanism of action (enzymatic ribosomal destruction and ER stress). In ex vivo cell kill assays, MT-0169 shows potency against plasma cells with IC50 activity in the picomolar or femtomolar range. Plasma cells are exceptionally sensitive to ER stress, making them uniquely susceptible to the MT-0169 mechanism of action. MT-0169 also shows potent activity against T-cells that express low levels of CD38. HLA-DR CD38+ T-cells have been implicated in many immune-mediated diseases.Overcoming antibody resistance. The unique mechanism of action of MT-0169 and its lack of an Fc domain may avoid resistance mechanisms seen with CD38 antibodies like receptor downregulation or trogocytosis while allowing for combination approaches with FcRn-targeting therapies.Clinical proof-of-concept with MT-0169. MTEM’s Phase 1 study in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma dosed at 5, 10, or 15 mcg/kg showed potent depletion of CD38+ immune cells with no drug-related adverse events of grade 3 or higher noted in these patients.Planned clinical development with MT-0169. MTEM will continue to develop MT-0169 in hematology and is evaluating the potential of MT-0169 in severe immune-mediated diseases. MT-8421 (CTLA-4 ETB) Tumor microenvironment dismantling. MT-8421 is designed to potently destroy CTLA4+ Tregs, alleviating immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment.Pharmacodynamic effects observed early Phase 1 dose escalation. Three patients were dosed in the first cohort of the Phase 1 study at 32 mcg/kg. No drug-related adverse events of grade 3 or higher were observed. One patient had disease progression at the end of cycle 2. Two patients have stable disease and remain on study at cycle 8 and cycle 7, respectively (one cycle = four weeks). The two patients in stable disease showed peripheral depletion of Tregs and significant elevations in IL-2 while on therapy. One of the patients has a notable decrease in ctDNA.Dose escalation continues. Enrollment is on-going in the second cohort of 48 mcg/kg for the Phase 1 study of MT-8421. About Molecular Templates Molecular Templates is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of targeted biologic therapeutics. Our proprietary drug platform technology, known as engineered toxin bodies, or ETBs, leverages the resident biology of a genetically engineered form of Shiga-like Toxin A subunit to create novel therapies with potent and differentiated mechanisms of action for cancer and immune-mediated diseases. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Molecular Templates disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements and claims the protection of the Act’s Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release, including, but not limited to those regarding strategy, future operations, the Company’s ability to execute on its objectives, prospects, plans, future clinical development of the Company’s product candidates, any implication that the preliminary results, interim results, or the results of earlier clinical trials or ongoing clinical trials will be representative of the results of future or later clinical trials or final results, the potential benefits, safety or efficacy and any evaluations or judgements regarding the Company’s product candidates, , and future execution of corporate goals. In addition, when or if used in this press release, the words “may,” “could,” “should,” “continue”, “anticipate,” “potential”, “believe,” “estimate,” “appears”, “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict” and similar expressions and their variants, as they relate to Molecular Templates may identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including, but not limited to the following: the continued availability of financing on commercially reasonable terms, whether Molecular Templates’ cash resources will be sufficient to fund its continuing operations; the results of MTEM’s ongoing clinical studies, the ability to effectively operate MTEM and retain key employees post-MTEM’s previously announced reduction in force, the ability of MTEM to maintain the continued listing of its common stock on Nasdaq, and those risks identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in Molecular Templates’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 and any subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Molecular Templates specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise. Contacts:Grace Kimgrace.kim@mtem.com

SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, June 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of cancer, metabolic, autoimmune, ophthalmology and other major diseases, announced that the clinical data of a randomized controlled Phase 1b study evaluating IBI310 (anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody) in combination with sintilimab as neoadjuvant treatment of colon cancer was orally presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05890742). The abstract was selected for ASCO Daily News coverage. Based on the promising Phase 1b results, Innovent has opened the Phase 3 trial (Neoshot) evaluating IBI310 in combination with sintilimab as neoadjuvant treatment of colon cancer. The Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has also granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) for IBI310. Neoadjuvant treatment of IBI310 (anti-CTLA-4 antibody) plus sintilimab (anti-PD-1 antibody) in patients with microsatellite instability-high/mismatch repair-deficient colorectal cancer: results from a randomized, open-labeled, Phase 1b study Abstract #: 3505 In this Phase 1b study, the efficacy and safety of IBI310 in combination with sintilimab versus sintilimab as neoadjuvant therapy for resectable stage IIB-III MSI-H/dMMR colon cancer was evaluated. As of February 4, 2024, 101 pts were enrolled and randomized to receive IBI310 plus sintilimab (n=52) or sintilimab alone (n=49). For per-protocol set, the pathologic complete response (pCR) rates in IBI310 plus sintilimab arm were significantly improved than sintilimab alone arm （ 80.0% vs 47.7%, p=0.0007 ） . Treatment related adverse events (TRAEs) leading to surgery delay occurred in 2 pts (3.8%) in IBI310 plus sintilimab arm and 0 pt in sintilimab alone arm. Grade ≥3 immune-related adverse events (irAEs) occurred in 3 pts (5.8%) and in 4 pts (8.2%), respectively. IBI310 plus sintilimab did not increase safety risk compared to sintilimab alone, and did not affect the subsequent surgery. The Principal Investigator of the study, Prof. Ruihua Xu from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, stated, "At present, complete (R0) resection for some stage IIB-III colon cancer patients remain a significant challenge, along with risks of extensive trauma and poor prognosis. In particular, neoadjuvant chemotherapy is not effective in MSI-H/dMMR colon cancer, and the pCR rate is only about 5%[1]. This Phase 1b study was the first randomized study to demonstrate the significant higher pCR rate of the dual immunotherapy in MSI-H/dMMR colon cancer. Neoadjuvant treatment of IBI310 in combination with sintilimab is potentially practice-changing that could reduce the preoperative staging, narrow the scope of radical resection, increase the complete resection rate, reduce the requirement of adjuvant chemotherapy and decrease the incidence of relapse, so as to improve the long-term prognosis and potentially cure the patients. The Phase 3 clinical study (Neoshot) is ongoing in China, and we look forward to positive results from this study to provide a more effective treatment option for patients with MSI-H/dMMR colon cancer." Dr. Hui Zhou, Senior Vice President of Innovent, stated, "There is a huge unmet clinical need for neoadjuvant therapy of resectable MSI-H/dMMR colon cancer in China. In this randomized, controlled Phase 1b study, IBI310 in combination with sintilimab significantly improved pCR rate than sintilimab alone in MSI-H/dMMR CRC with manageable safety profile. Based on the strong results of this study, we moved IBI310 in combination with sintilimab into Phase 3 trial (Neoshot) earlier this year, and we are looking forward to the positive results." About IBI310 IBI310 is a fully human monoclonal antibody injection independently developed by Innovent. IBI310 can specifically bind cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), thereby blocking CTLA-4 mediated T cell inhibition, promoting T cell activation and proliferation, improving tumor immune response, and achieving anti-tumor effects. About Sintilimab Sintilimab, marketed as TYVYT® (sintilimab injection) in China, is a PD-1 immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antibody co-developed by Innovent and Eli Lilly and Company. Sintilimab is a type of immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antibody, which binds to PD-1 molecules on the surface of T-cells, blocks the PD-1 / PD-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway, and reactivates T-cells to kill cancer cells[2]. In China, sintilimab has been approved and included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) for seven indications. The updated NRDL reimbursement scope for TYVYT® (sintilimab injection) includes: For the treatment of relapsed or refractory classic Hodgkin's lymphoma after two lines or later of systemic chemotherapy; For the first-line treatment of unresectable locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer lacking EGFR or ALK driver gene mutations; For the treatment of patients with EGFR-mutated locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer who progressed after EGFR-TKI therapy; For the first-line treatment of unresectable locally advanced or metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer; For the first-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma with no prior systematic treatment; For the first-line treatment of unresectable locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; For the first-line treatment of unresectable locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Besides, the New Drug Application ("NDA") for the combination of sintilimab and fruquintinib for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial cancer with pMMR or non-MSI-H tumors that have failed prior systemic therapy but are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation has been accepted and granted priority review by the NMPA. In addition, two clinical studies of sintilimab have met their primary endpoints: Phase 2 study of sintilimab monotherapy as second-line treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Phase 3 study of sintilimab monotherapy as second-line treatment for squamous NSCLC with disease progression following platinum-based chemotherapy. Statement: Innovent does not recommend the use of any unapproved drug (s)/indication (s). About Innovent Innovent is a leading biopharmaceutical company founded in 2011 with the mission to provide high-quality biologics that are affordable to all. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that treat some of the most intractable illnesses. Its pioneering therapies treat cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune and eye diseases. Innovent has 10 products in the market, 4 new drug applications under the NMPA review, 4 assets in Phase III or pivotal clinical trials and 18 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare leaders, including Eli Lilly, Roche, Sanofi, Adimab, Incyte and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Guided by the motto, "Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action," Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit , or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn. Note: TYVYT® (sintilimab injection) is not an approved product in the United States. BYVASDA® (bevacizumab biosimilar injection), SULINNO®, and HALPRYZA® (rituximab biosimilar injection) are not approved products in the United States. Pemazyre® (pemigatinib oral inhibitor, Incyte Corporation). Pemazyre® was discovered by Incyte Corporation and licensed to Innovent for development and commercialization in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. CYRAMZA® (ramucirumab, Eli Lilly). Cyramza® was discovered by Eli Lilly and licensed to Innovent for commercialization in Mainland China. Retsevmo® (selpercatinib, Eli Lilly). Retsevmo® was discovered by Eli Lilly and licensed to Innovent for commercialization in Mainland China. Disclaimer: Innovent does not recommend any off-label usage. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Innovent, are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. Innovent does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly. These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of Innovent with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond Innovent's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, Innovent's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions. Innovent, the Directors and the employees of Innovent assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or turn out to be incorrect. References 1 2 Wang J, Fei K, Jing H, et al. Durable blockade of PD-1 signaling links preclinical efficacy of sintilimab to its clinical benefit. mAbs 2019;11(8): 1443-1451. DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2019.1654303. SOURCE Innovent Biologics