Gordon Stein, CFO of CleanTech Lithium, explains why CTL acquired the 23 Laguna Verde licenses. Watch the video here.
"What we’ve seen in this particular patient is a deepening tumour response whereby the lesions or the tumours in the various organs in this patient have shrunk by 65% from their baseline"
I stand to be corrected but I think CC has been the only official to confirm multiple cancerous organs.
Prior discussion has surrounded a patient with a 65% tumour reduction.
Icecool - I recently created a transcript of the 13.12.23 Investor meet presentation.
I wanted searchable text that tracked the proceedings.
What follows highlights discussion concerning a 59-year-old male patient, which amplifies some of the extra Q/A provided by the company:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqj0hhgmX6U&t=1239s
Christina Coghlin Slide 17 (32:34) "The first case to discuss is the young 59 yo gentleman with a soft tissue sarcoma, this is called an Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma (UPS). Based on the evidence in the literature this subset of sarcoma is anticipated to have high FAP expression and has a limited response to standard dose Doxorubicin.
What we’ve seen in this particular patient is a deepening tumour response whereby the lesions or the tumours in the various organs in this patient have shrunk by 65% from their baseline, - we do this with CAT scans. [A computerized tomography (CT) scan combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around the body and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images (slices) of the bones, blood vessels and soft tissues inside the body. CT scan images provide more-detailed information than plain X-rays].
What’s critically important here is not just the deepness of the response also the deepening meaning over time the response has continued to increase. We’re actually seeing now a duration of the response that is more than six months and this gentleman is now approaching ten months on the trial. He continues to receive AVA 6000 and is doing well. You’ll recall I mentioned at the beginning that standard dose Doxorubicin is only administered for six cycles or eighteen weeks, so four and a half months. However, given the limited exposure that we’ve seen in the bloodstream in this patient and others at this dose level of 160 migs, we are going to be able to dose this patient a further seven additional cycles if his tumour doesn’t progress and this represents up to another five months of therapy which would bring him up to a total of fifteen months on AVA 6000. This represents three times the length of time that this patient could be treated if he was receiving standard dose Doxorubicin. Correlative studies also indicate that tumour biopsy in this patient has high FAP expression, and again speaking to that mechanism of action and completely recapitulating what Fiona described for us in the preclinical setting that patients with high FAP disease or high FAP expression in their disease would be susceptible to the mechanism of action of AVA 6000."
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This definitely amplifies your 08:38 statement
Perhaps revving up the "Exclusive agreement with Eluceda to develop biosensor technology"?
Just as likely to be a new collaboration.
Based at Southampton, it seems unlikely to do with Yourgene.
1) R&D Scientist (12 Month Full Time Contract)
2) Senior R&D Scientist
Role Purpose
The Novacyt Group is looking for an enthusiastic and talented Senior R&D Scientist for an opportunity to join the R&D department within a fast-growing and friendly biotech business.
*The Senior R&D Scientist will lead a scientific team researching and developing novel technologies to assess commercial viability, as well as assessing external technological collaborative partnerships. *
As Senior R&D Scientist you will lead on supporting software validation and new product development.
Novacyt are experts in the development, manufacture, and distribution of high-quality molecular diagnostic products. We have customers in many different industries including academia, research, diagnostics, food industry and the veterinary industry selling to over 100 countries worldwide.
I like the sound of * *
Appointment of Dr.Christina Coughlin as a consultant - 20 September 2023 - Does not mention Diagnostics
AS commented:
"...We are now moving from a phase of building our clinical development capabilities to leveraging that capacity across multiple programmes.
It is therefore appropriate that we transition the Senior Leadership team to incorporate medical oncology experience.
We are fortunate to have the opportunity to benefit in the near term from Christina's immense experience during this exciting period as we seek to appoint a full-time Chief Medical Officer."
Issue of Equity and Total Voting Rights - 23 October 2023 - Diagnostics and Therapeutics associated clearly with Affimers.
Avacta has two divisions: an oncology biotech division harnessing proprietary therapeutic platforms to develop novel, highly targeted cancer drugs, and a diagnostics division, which is executing on an M&A led growth strategy to create a full-spectrum diagnostics business focused on supporting healthcare professionals and broadening access to testing.
Avacta's two proprietary platforms, Affimer® and pre|CISION? underpin its cancer therapeutics whilst the diagnostics division leverages the Affimer® platform to drive competitive advantage in its markets.
Appointment of Chief Business Officer - 19 December 2023 - licensing for pre|CISIONTM *AND* Affimer® platforms
"These emerging data give us, for the first time, the opportunity to accelerate ongoing discussions as well as to generate new opportunities through our business development activities aimed at delivering licensing opportunities for the pre|CISIONTM and Affimer® platforms."
Appointment of Christina Coughlin - 19 January 2024 - Mentions pre|CISION? but not Affimers.
Dr Alastair Smith, Chief Executive of Avacta Group commented:
"The outstanding safety data from the AVA6000 clinical study that we recently presented validates the pre|CISION? platform's ability to deliver cancer drugs specifically to the tumour microenvironment."
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On balance, Dx to remain IMO, despite a few recent off the cuff comments recently to the contrary
Looked through various RNS's in last two years, - do they specifically make the case for retaining the
Diagnostics division, or have incoming specialists decided Diagnostics is not the way forward, so generate funds selling Dx?
Proposed acquisition of Launch Diagnostics - 18 October 2022 - significant diagnostic commercial opportunity presumably just as large now.
The Acquisition is the first step in a M&A-led growth strategy by Avacta for its diagnostics division, with the vision of building an integrated and differentiated IVD business with global reach serving professionals and consumers.
The Company believes that there is a significant commercial opportunity in the EU and the UK markets, which are fragmented, to build its position in the immunodiagnostics and molecular diagnostics value chain by acquiring companies that are complementary to Avacta's core strengths in research and development.
Avacta acquires Coris Bioconcept - 01 June 2023 - *Both divisions mentioned*
Avacta appoints Shaun Chilton as Non-executive Director - 19 June 2023
AS commented:
"He brings deep and extensive commercial experience to further strengthen the senior leadership of the Group as it executes its strategy across two divisions to build a major global healthcare business working to improve people's health and well-being through innovative oncology drugs and powerful diagnostics."
Statement regarding market speculation - 19 Jun 2023 - *Diagnostics and Therapeutics still relevant to AVCT*
Avacta, a life sciences company developing innovative, targeted oncology drugs and powerful diagnostics, notes the recent market speculation regarding a possible fundraising...
...The Therapeutics division of the Company continues to make good progress in the Phase 1 clinical trial of AVA6000, its lead pre|CISIONTM targeted chemotherapy, having initiated dosing in the fifth cohort in April and its Diagnostics division recently completed the second acquisition of its buy and build strategy.
As an aside, I'm not sure Pfizer is one of the deal favoutites here, they're surely committed to ADC's :
Source: https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-invests-43-billion-battle-cancer
Pfizer Invests $43 Billion to Battle Cancer - Monday, March 13, 2023
"“Pfizer is deploying its financial resources to advance the battle against cancer, a leading cause of death worldwide with a significant impact on public health,” said Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Together, Pfizer and Seagen seek to accelerate the next generation of cancer breakthroughs and bring new solutions to patients by combining the power of Seagen’s antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology with the scale and strength of Pfizer’s capabilities and expertise."
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It would seem 'more than $10 billion in risk-adjusted revenues in 2030' will now be optimistic if pre|CISION trial results and a subsequent launch continues to schedule.
FWIW Myles McNulty had this to say (references not available) last year about ADC's:
ADCs are significantly more targeted, and have a higher efficacy, than conventional chemotherapies.
However, the class of therapy nevertheless comes with several major challenges:
- Unavoidable side effects
Severe side effects (grade 3 or higher) are common with ADCs. The most notable are:
i) blood toxicity, including neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and anaemia;
ii) hepatotoxicity (i.e. chemical-driven liver damage);
iii) gastrointestinal reaction (including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps).
These three types of side effect are all believed to be related to premature release of cytotoxic payloads
in the blood circulation.
iv) nephrotoxicity (i.e. toxicity in the kidneys). This can be caused by the immune response
induced by the antibody component of the ADC.
v) interstitial lung disease (‘ILD’). Whilst it remains unclear, it has been speculated that ILD
might be associated with the uptake of the ADC in healthy lung cells, and the subsequent
payload release from the ADC. [The lungs enjoy abundant blood flow and long retention –
more so than other organs – and as such, are more under threat from undesirable uptake of
ADCs.]
So perhaps Avacta is likely to be involved in some way with HOX Therapeutics Ltd.
That might make Fiona's decision a little more understandable to Avacta and it's shareholders.
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Thanks Fiona for all your hard work, you played a big part in allowing AS to state as part of this RNS:
"The outstanding safety data from the AVA6000 clinical study that we recently presented validates the pre|CISION? platform's ability to deliver cancer drugs specifically to the tumour microenvironment. This opens up tremendous opportunities to develop truly innovative cancer medicines that improve outcomes for patients and grow shareholder value."
This is partly the reason for Fiona's decision about her future:
Source Linkedin
Dr Fiona McLaughlin
HOX Therapeutics Ltd
NED
HOX Therapeutics Ltd · Part-time
Dec 2023 - Present · 2 mos
Hybrid
https://www.hoxtherapeutics.com/
Designing new therapies for cancer
Hox is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel, targeted medicines for the treatment of cancer.
Our scientific approach is based on targeting two different tumour-driving mechanisms
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Hox Genes
A set of genes that play key roles in defining the identity of cells and tissues in early development and which therefore also have important regulatory roles in cell proliferation and survival.
Our innovation focuses on inhibiting the binding of Hox proteins to PBX thereby overcoming the need to target every Hox protein.
+++
Androgen receptor
Signalling through this receptor is critical for prostate cancer development and progression, but inevitably resistance mechanisms evolve to current therapies.
He also appears in this 02/10/17 RNS:
Avacta establishes US business development team
Avacta appoints three business development executives in US including industry veteran as Vice President of Therapeutics Business Development
https://avacta.com/avacta-establishes-us-business-development-team/
Dr Vincent in the past has been employed at Avacta as VP Business Development and Strategy, before moving on to Point Bio as Senior Vice President, Business Development.
If you look at his experience at both companies on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewvincent/ - his employment by PointBio has ended.
Resident in America, it remains to be seen if he finds employment with Eli Lilly.
With this many contacts, and deep understanding of Affimers and both Avcta and PointBio's management, operations and R&D, I would be mildly surprised if he did not find himself working with Affimers at Avacta again soon.
Absolutely right, but this is what happens to yes men when JW changes his project priorities.
I only see JW deciding the agenda, and JM installed to watch the pennies, and progress JW's plans.
Now the CFO role has been re-assigned, and he has not been confirmed in the CEO role,
IMO he is holding the fort until JW finds an opportunity (such as JV or M&A) to confirm the CEO position.
Just My 2c
07.01.2024 - Isomorphic inks deals with Eli Lilly and Novartis for drug discovery
https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/07/isomorphic-inks-deals-with-eli-lilly-and-novartis-for-drug-discovery/
No timescales mentioned for any AI projects. 😕
With the accent on 'accelerate ONGOING discussions', ie accelerate present discussions.
Interested parties or Avacta or both have been using the Q4 23 as a milestone to gauge further interest.
The data did not disappoint A S or F McL, so I assume the new Chief Business Officer will have a full diary for months ahead.
I'm surprised they didn't fill the post earlier.
Viking -
ADC use is prone to a side effect - Interstitial lung disease.
I'm not clear how prone.
2023 source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37331827/
Diagnosis and management of interstitial lung disease induced by antibody-drug conjugates in breast cancer:
"Abstract
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been reported with many cancer drugs including some recent antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). The mechanisms of ILD induced by many chemotherapy drugs, other drug classes and ADCs used in cancer, including breast cancer, are not clearly elucidated. In the absence of specific clinical or radiological signs, the diagnosis of drug-induced ILD is often a diagnosis of exclusion. When present, the most frequent symptoms are respiratory signs (cough, dyspnea, chest pain) and general signs (fatigue, fever). Any suspicion of ILD should be evaluated by imaging and, if in doubt, the CT scan should be evaluated by a pulmonologist and a radiologist. A network of multidisciplinary experts for proactive early management of ILD is important, including oncologist, radiologist, pulmonologist, infectious disease specialist and nurses. Patient education is essential to report new or exacerbated lung symptoms and prevent high-grade ILD."
Look at the cost of care in the above when ILD results from ADC use.
It's clear to me medical insurers would not want that extra complication.
Acknowledgments
The affimer was produced and supplied by Avacta Life Sciences, Wetherby, UK.
I hoped I would see this acknowledgment, but wasn't sure it would appear.
I wonder how many Scientists and Clinicians know affimers can only be supplied from this source.
FYI - Jan 8th 2024
As cancer players jump head-first into ADC field, Novartis CEO explains how he's resisted the temptation
https://www.fiercepharma.com/premium/webinar/unleashing-ai-opportunities-strong-data-foundation
The Cohort 3 patient with 65% tumour reduction isn't going to need a Non-Disclosure Agreement should their tumour reduction = 100%.
Conversely Avacta might like to have their say in how that situation occurred, when and if it occurs.
All pie in the sky just yet, but if it happens it will make the recent ITV programs concerning the Post Office computer system look small beer in comparison.