CD14

Strengthens Lyell’s clinical pipeline with the addition of IMPT-314, a dual-targeting CD19/CD20 CAR T-cell product candidate Data from ImmPACT’s multi-center Phase 1-2 clinical trial of IMPT-314 in patients with large B-cell lymphoma treated in the 3rd line CAR-naïve setting to be presented at a major medical conference later this year; initiation of a pivotal trial for IMPT-314 expected in 2025 Lyell has prioritized its pipeline to focus on next-generation CAR T-cell therapies, including IMPT-314 and LYL119, and is discontinuing development of LYL797, LYL845 and earlier-stage TIL programs Cash runway following the close of the transaction is expected to fund operations into 2027, through important clinical milestones for each pipeline program Lyell will host an investor webcast at 4:30 PM ET today Oct. 24, 2024 -- Lyell Immunopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: LYEL) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ImmPACT Bio USA Inc. (“ImmPACT”), a privately-owned clinical-stage biotechnology company. ImmPACT’s lead program, IMPT-314, is a CD19/20-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell product candidate that Lyell will continue to develop for hematologic malignancies, including large B-cell lymphoma. IMPT-314 was designed to outperform the efficacy of approved CD19 CAR T-cell therapies via a dual-targeting CAR T-cell design and to improve CAR T-cell persistence by enriching for naïve and central memory T cells during manufacturing. The acquisition of ImmPACT is expected to significantly strengthen Lyell’s clinical-stage pipeline of next- generation CAR T-cell therapies and complement its suite of proprietary technologies designed to generate longer-lasting, functional T cells to achieve more durable outcomes for patients with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. “Lyell’s vision is to bring meaningful and durable clinical benefit to patients suffering from cancer with our next-generation cell therapies,” stated Lynn Seely, M.D., Lyell’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The emerging data from ImmPACT’s ongoing Phase 1-2 trial and the Phase 1 clinical data from a published UCLA-sponsored trial suggest the potential of IMPT-314 to have improved complete response rates and duration of response compared to the approved CD19 CAR T-cell therapies in CAR-naïve patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma. Since licensing this product candidate from UCLA, the team at ImmPACT has made impressive progress in the multi-center IMPT-314 Phase 1-2 clinical program. We look forward to presenting initial data from this program at a major medical conference later this year and initiating a pivotal trial for IMPT-314 in 2025.” “I am incredibly proud of the ImmPACT team and all of their accomplishments in developing next-generation CAR T-cell therapies,” stated Sumant Ramachandra, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of ImmPACT. “This transaction validates our novel science and enhances the potential for this therapy to make a meaningful impact on patients' lives. I am confident that in Lyell, we have found a team that shares our passion for advancing novel science to benefit patients.” ImmPACT licensed its dual-targeting CD19/CD20 CAR T-cell product candidate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Phase 1 data in 13 patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated in a UCLA-sponsored clinical trial were presented at the 2024 AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy. CAR T-cell naïve patients with R/R diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma after at least two lines of therapy or mantle cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma after at least three lines of therapy were evaluated. Autologous T cells were obtained and enriched for CD14-/CD25-/CD62L+ naïve or memory T cells. Twelve out of 13 patients achieved a complete or partial response (92% objective response rate), with ten achieving a confirmed complete response (CR) (77% CR rate). The median progression-free survival was 50.1 months, and median overall survival was not reached with a median follow up of 32 months (range: 5.7 – not estimable). A favorable safety profile was observed. The ongoing Phase 1-2 clinical trial initiated by ImmPACT is a multi-center, open-label clinical trial designed to evaluate the tolerability and clinical benefit of IMPT-314 in patients with R/R aggressive B-cell lymphoma and determine a recommended Phase 2 dose. Initial Phase 1-2 clinical data evaluating IMPT-314 primarily in patients who have received at least two prior lines of therapy for large B-cell lymphoma will be presented at a major medical conference this year. IMPT-314 has received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of R/R aggressive B-cell lymphoma. Lyell expects to initiate a pivotal trial in 2025 for IMPT-314 in patients in the 3rd line setting who have not yet been exposed to CAR T-cell therapy. In connection with the acquisition, Lyell has prioritized its pipeline to focus resources on its most differentiated CAR T-cell clinical programs, including IMPT-314 following the close of the acquisition and LYL119. The enhanced anti-exhaustion technology incorporated into LYL119, including c-Jun overexpression, NR4A3 knockout, Epi-R and Stim R, has the potential to achieve improved efficacy at lower cell doses with an acceptable safety profile. In a validated in vivo preclinical model of non-small cell lung cancer, LYL119 achieved tumor control at a 10-fold lower cell dose than LYL797 with more gradual cell expansion to peak, and a substantial increase in the duration of cell killing demonstrated by a repetitive tumor cell killing assay in vitro. Lyell is discontinuing development of LYL797, its ROR1-targeted CAR T-cell product candidate to focus on the Phase 1 clinical trial of its next-generation ROR1-targeted CAR T-cell product candidate LYL119, which is expected to initiate enrollment of patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer or relapsed/refractory endometrial cancer this year or early next year. The LYL845 tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) program is also being discontinued as the clinical data in patients with advanced melanoma did not meet our rigorous pre-determined criteria for continued development. Its next-generation TIL and rejuvenation programs that are in preclinical development will also be discontinued. Following the close of the transaction, Lyell expects its cash balance will fund operations into 2027, through important clinical milestones for each pipeline program, including initiation of a pivotal trial for IMPT-314, which is expected to start in 2025. Upon closing, Lyell will acquire worldwide rights to ImmPACT’s pipeline, including the next- generation bispecific CD19/CD20 autologous CAR T-cell therapy, currently in clinical development for B-cell lymphoma and autoimmune diseases, and an activating TGF-beta Claudin 18.2 CAR T-cell candidate, which is in preclinical development. Lyell will prioritize the development of IMPT-314 for patients with B-cell lymphoma. Deal terms include upfront consideration payable upon closing the potential transaction of $30 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments, and 37.5 million shares of Lyell common stock. ImmPACT shareholders will also be eligible to receive contingent consideration consisting of 12.5 million shares of Lyell common stock that may be earned upon the achievement of a value-enhancing clinical milestone and a low single-digit royalty on future net sales of the dual-targeting CD19/20 CAR T-cell product in the United States. The proposed transaction, which has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024. The closing of the proposed transaction is subject to expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust waiting period and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Goldman Sachs & Co LLC is acting as sole financial advisor to Lyell in this transaction and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is acting as its legal advisor. Cooley LLP is acting as ImmPACT’s legal advisor. Lyell’s management will host an investor conference call and Webcast beginning at 4:30 pm ET today. The Webcast can be accessed here. A replay of the event and presentation materials will be archived on the Investor page of the Lyell Website following the end of the event. Lyell is a clinical-stage company advancing a pipeline of next-generation CAR T-cell therapies for patients with solid tumors or hematologic malignancies. Lyell’s product candidates are enhanced with novel technology designed to generate T cells that resist exhaustion and have qualities of durable stemness in order to drive durable tumor cytotoxicity and achieve consistent and long-lasting clinical response. Lyell is based in South San Francisco, California with facilities in Seattle and Bothell, Washington. To learn more, please visit www.lyell.com. The content above comes from the network. if any infringement, please contact us to modify.

AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Jan. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc (OTCQB:OTLC) announced today the peer reviewed publication of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 (TGFB2) and Interferon Gamma Receptor 2 (IFNGR2) mRNA Levels in the Brainstem Tumor Microenvironment (TME) Significantly Impact Overall Survival in Pediatric DMG Patients in the Special Issue Gliomas: Signaling Pathways, Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches. "In light of our foundational discovery that elevated levels of TGF-B2 worsen mortality in various cancers, including Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), we have further elucidated the underlying mechanisms, particularly focusing on the impact of TGF-B2 on interferon signaling. We hope that sharing these findings from our research team will contribute to the eradication of cancer," stated Dr. Vuong Trieu, CEO and Chairman of Oncotelic. IFNGR2 is a critical component of the IFN-γ signaling pathway, playing a significant role in mediating the immune system's defense against cancer. Its function in enhancing immune surveillance and direct anti-tumor effects making its induction an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy- including suppression of TGF-B2 by OT-101. The article can be accessed for free online: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/1/191 Abstract: This hypothesis-generating study characterized the mRNA expression profiles and prognostic impacts of antigen-presenting cell (APC) markers (CD14, CD163, CD86, and ITGAX/CD11c) in pediatric brainstem diffuse midline glioma (pbDMG) tumors. We also assessed the mRNA levels of two therapeutic targets, transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGFB2) and interferon gamma receptor 2 (IFNGR2), for their biomarker potentials in these highly aggressive pbDMG tumors. The expressions of CD14, CD163, and ITGAX/CD11c mRNAs exhibited significant decreases of 1.64-fold (p = 0.037), 1.75-fold (p = 0.019), and 3.33-fold (p < 0.0001), respectively, in pbDMG tumors relative to those in normal brainstem/pons samples. The pbDMG samples with high levels of TGFB2 in combination with low levels of APC markers, reflecting the cold immune state of pbDMG tumors, exhibited significantly worse overall survival outcomes at low expression levels of CD14, CD163, and CD86. The expression levels of IFNGR2 and TGFB2 (1.51-fold increase (p = 0.002) and 1.58-fold increase (p = 5.5 × 10−4), respectively) were significantly upregulated in pbDMG tumors compared with normal brainstem/pons samples. We performed multivariate Cox proportional hazards modelling that showed TGFB2 was a prognostic indicator (HR for patients in the TGFB2high group of pbDMG patients = 2.88 (1.12–7.39); p = 0.028) for poor overall survival (OS) and was independent of IFNGR2 levels, the age of the patient, and the significant interaction effect observed between IFNGR2 and TGFB2 (p = 0.015). Worse survival outcomes in pbDMG patients when comparing high versus low TGFB2 levels in the context of low IFNGR2 levels suggest that the abrogation of the TGFB2 mRNA expression in the immunologically cold tumor microenvironment can be used to treat pbDMG patients. Furthermore, pbDMG patients with low levels of JAK1 or STAT1 mRNA expression in combination with high levels of TGFB2 also exhibited poor OS outcomes, suggesting that the inclusion of (interferon-gamma) IFN-γ to stimulate and activate JAK1 and STAT1 in antitumor APC cells present the brainstem TME can enhance the effect of the TGFB2 blockade. About Oncotelic Oncotelic (f/k/a Mateon Therapeutics, Inc.), was formed in the State of New York in 1988 as OXiGENE, Inc., was reincorporated in the State of Delaware in 1992, and changed its name to Mateon Therapeutics, Inc. in 2016, and Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc. in November 2020. Oncotelic is seeking to leverage its deep expertise in oncology drug development to improve treatment outcomes and survival of cancer patients with a special emphasis on rare pediatric cancers. Oncotelic has rare pediatric designation for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (“DIPG” through OT-101) through its 45% joint venture, GMP Biotechnology Limited, melanoma (through CA4P), and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (through OXi 4503). Oncotelic acquired PointR Data Inc. in November 2019 to build an AI driven biotechnology company. Further, Oncotelic acquired AL-101, during the 4th quarter of 2021, for the intranasal delivery of apomorphine. We intend to develop AL-101 for the treatment of Parkinson Disease, erectile dysfunction, female sexual disorder and hypoactive sexual desire disorder. All these ailments have a very large population suffering from them and there is a need for treatments for each. For more information on AL-101, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 19, 2023. Oncotelic's Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this communication regarding strategy, future operations, future financial position, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Words such as "may", "expect", "anticipate" "hope", "vision", "optimism", "design", "exciting", "promising", "will", "conviction", "estimate," "intend," "believe", "quest for a cure of cancer", "innovation-driven", "paradigm-shift", "high scientific merit", "impact potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about future plans related to the operations of the JV, taking the JV into an initial public offering or the success thereof, the progress, timing of clinical development, scope and success of future clinical trials, the reporting of clinical data for the Company’s product candidates and the potential use of the Company's product candidates to treat various cancer indications as well as obtaining required regulatory approval to conduct clinical trials and upon granting of approval by the regulatory agencies, the successful marketing of the products; building and the success of our nanoparticle platform and the related success of launching the platform, the development of the Company’s AI suite including but not limited to AI Chatbots, the public access to the Company’s AI suite, the success of the development of the AI suite or any other AI technologies and whether if any or portion thereof the Company’s AI suite or technologies will be commercialized and launched for sale. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements or may not occur at all. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during preclinical or clinical studies, clinical trial site activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected, changes in expected or existing competition, changes in the regulatory environment, failure of collaborators to support or advance collaborations or product candidates and unexpected litigation or other disputes, taking the Company or its affiliates through initial public offerings. These risks are not exhaustive, the company faces known and unknown risks, including the risk factors described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on April 19, 2023 and in the company's other periodic filings. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise. Contact Information: For Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc.:Investor Relationsir@oncotelic.com

BMF-219 demonstrated early signs of clinical activity and ability to achieve durable and sustained complete responses (CRs) with minimal residual disease negativity (MRD-neg) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patientsPharmacodynamic data further supports the mechanism of action of BMF-219 as a menin inhibitor; in-line with preclinical models, BMF-219 downregulated key leukemogenic genes (e.g. HOXA9, MEIS1) as well as MEN1BMF-219, the first and only investigational covalent oral menin inhibitor in clinical development for AML, was generally well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities observed and without adverse event (AE) related treatment discontinuationsClinical data to date support protocol enhancements to COVALENT-101 to include focusing exclusively on patients with menin sensitive mutations such as MLL-r and NPM1 mutant acute leukemias and higher dose levels for CYP3A4 inhibitor Arm (Arm B) REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Dec. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biomea Fusion, Inc. (Nasdaq: BMEA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing novel covalent small molecules to treat and improve the lives of patients with genetically defined cancers and metabolic diseases, presented positive clinical data for BMF-219, an investigational covalent menin inhibitor, in relapsed / refractory AML patients with menin-dependent mutations at the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting. The poster can be viewed at Biomea’s website at https://biomeafusion.com/publications. “We are very excited to present the clinical update at ASH on our targeted, covalently binding menin inhibitor, BMF-219, achieving durable and sustained CRs in patients with menin inhibitor-sensitive acute leukemia, even at suboptimal dosing levels. The gene expression data we presented here validates the proposed mechanism of action of BMF-219 and is in-line with our preclinical models,” said Steve Morris, M.D., Chief Development Officer at Biomea. As of the October 31, 2023, out of 29 patients dosed in the Phase I of COVALENT-101, nearly half (45%) of the participants received prior Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) and the median prior lines of therapy was 3. A total of 7 patients were selected as evaluable for efficacy. The efficacy evaluable population includes AML patients who meet the following criteria: dosed at or near predicted efficacious dose (500 mg or above [Arm A – non-CYP inhibitor Arm]; 125 mg or above [Arm B]), had known menin-dependent mutations, and completed at least two cycles of therapy. Within this patient population 2 Complete Responses (CRs) (CR rate 2/7 = 29%) were observed with a mean time to response of 1.8 months (1 CR patient had a NUP-98 mutation and 1 CRi patient had a NPM1 mutation). In the CYP inhibitor arm, BMF-219 showed increasing plasma pharmacokinetic (PK) exposure with escalating dose levels, and the ability to achieve systemic exposures predicted to be efficacious based on preclinical acute leukemia models. Further dose escalation is still needed to achieve target AUC. Pharmacodynamic data from a case study of an AML patient containing NUP98-NSD1 mutation showed suppression of key leukemogenic genes (e.g. HOXA9, MEIS1) as well as downregulation of MEN1, without noticeable increases in differentiation markers (e.g. CD14, ANPEP, ITGAM) in contrast to non-covalent menin inhibitors. Across all patients enrolled in the trial as of the data cutoff date (n=29), BMF-219 was generally well-tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities observed and without treatment discontinuations due to toxicity. Four participants experienced Differentiation Syndrome (DS) ≤ Grade 3, with onset 1-3 weeks after initiation of therapy and an average duration of 10 days, managed by cytoreductive therapy (hydroxyurea and steroids). Two participants recovered without dose modification or interruption, and none of the participants discontinued due to DS. Initially, patients were enrolled agnostic to mutational status; subsequently, the study protocol was amended to enrich for patients with AML harboring menin-dependent mutations. Dose Level 4 is the first dose level which focused primarily on enrolling patients with known menin-dependent mutations. Biomea is planning to amend the dosing protocol to explore higher dosing levels in Arm B. Dose escalation is to be followed by a dose optimization/expansion to determine the recommended phase 2 dose. About BMF-219 BMF-219 is a covalently binding inhibitor of menin, a protein known to play an essential role in oncogenic signaling in genetically defined leukemias as well as in diabetes. Preclinically, BMF-219 has demonstrated in well-established acute leukemia cell lines robust downregulation of key leukemogenic genes in addition to menin itself. Additionally, BMF-219 has shown anticancer activity in multiple in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo models of acute leukemia, multiple myeloma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. BMF-219 is currently being evaluated in first-in-human clinical trials enrolling patients with specific menin-dependent mutations in liquid and solid tumors as well as patients with diabetes. About COVALENT-101 COVALENT-101 is a Phase I, open-label, multi-center, dose-escalation and dose-expansion study designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of oral dosing of BMF-219 in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute leukemias — including subpopulations where menin inhibition is expected to provide therapeutic benefit (e.g., patients with MLL1/KMT2A gene rearrangements or NPM1 mutations). The study is designed to enroll subsets of acute leukemia patients who are receiving a CYP3A4 inhibitor and also those not receiving a CYP3A4 inhibitor. COVALENT-101 is also investigating the dosing of BMF-219 in other patient populations where preclinical studies have shown high menin dependence, such as multiple myeloma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Additional information about this Phase I clinical trial of BMF-219 can be found at ClinicalTrials.gov using the identifier NCT05153330. About Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) AML is the most common form of acute leukemia in adults and represents the largest number of annual leukemia deaths in the U.S. and Europe. AML originates within the white blood cells in the bone marrow and can rapidly move to the blood and other parts of the body, including the spleen, central nervous system, and other organs. Approximately 30,000 people in the U.S. and Europe are diagnosed with AML each year, and the five-year overall survival rate in adults is roughly 29%. Among patients with relapsed/refractory disease, the need is greatest, as the overall survival is only approximately 3 to 9 months. It is estimated that upwards of 45% of AML patients have menin-dependent genetic drivers (MLL1-r, NPM1 mutant, and certain additional less common but recurrent gene mutations). About Biomea Fusion Biomea Fusion is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of covalent small molecules to treat patients with genetically defined cancers and metabolic diseases. A covalent small molecule is a synthetic compound that forms a permanent bond to its target protein and offers a number of potential advantages over conventional non-covalent drugs, including greater target selectivity, lower drug exposure, and the ability to drive a deeper, more durable response. The company is utilizing its proprietary FUSION™ System to advance a pipeline of covalent-binding therapeutic agents against key oncogenic drivers of cancer and metabolic diseases. Biomea Fusion is a leader in advancing next-generation covalent small molecule medicines designed to maximize clinical benefit to treat various cancers and metabolic diseases. Forward-Looking Statements Statements we make in this press release may include statements which are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements may be identified by words such as “aims,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “possible,” “potential,” “seeks,” “will,” and variations of these words or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any such statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our cash runway, the clinical and therapeutic potential of our product candidates and development programs, including BMF-219, the potential of BMF-219 as a treatment for various types of cancer, our research, development and regulatory plans, including the progress of our ongoing COVALENT-101 clinical trial of BMF-219, the availability of data from the trial, and the timing of such events, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and are making this statement for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements, including the risk that we may encounter delays in the initiation, conduct and completion of preclinical studies, including IND-enabling studies, the submission and clearance of IND applications, and our ongoing and planned clinical trials and other research and development activities. These risks concerning Biomea Fusion’s business and operations are described in additional detail in its periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including its most recent periodic report filed with the SEC and subsequent filings thereafter. Biomea Fusion explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law.