Member Info for Basser1

1,111,111 buy yesterday
2;222,222 buy today.

Roche, the pharma giant reported this morning that the PD-L1 checkpoint failed a Phase III trial for women with advanced, front line ovarian cancer, one of several hard-to-hit cancers that’s defied a variety of approaches. Much of the new R&D in ovarian cancer remains focused on PARP, where AstraZeneca’s Lynparza holds sway.

In this trial Roche combined their PD-L1 Tecentriq with Avastin. But it’s been one of dozens of Phase III trials in the works for the checkpoint crew, as more companies angle to jump into the market behind the two leaders — Merck’s Keytruda and Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo.

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As Merck outlined at the last ASCO, their single-agent Phase II study of Keytruda in treating advanced recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer showed only modest efficacy — highlighting a history of limited impact. Those monotherapy setbacks inspired new checkpoint combination approaches, where investigators are making slow progress.

“Ovarian cancer remains one of the most aggressive cancers and is difficult to treat in its advanced stages,” said Levi Garraway, the CMO and head of global product development at Roche/Genentech.

Researchers will detail the data at a later scientific conference, after they gain more mature results to examine as they determine how best to advance their work in their gynecological development program.

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Albert Bourla, AP
July 13, 2020 07:24 AM EDTUpdated 08:00 AM R&DCoronavirus
Covid-19 roundup: Albert Bourla sees a Pfizer vaccine by October; CanSino eyes more overseas PhIII sites as Canada trial reportedly stalls
Jason Mast
Associate Editor
Having leveraged connections in Canada for a planned Phase III trial of its Covid-19 vaccine, CanSino is venturing out to a few more others as it plots a global late-stage program.

“We are contacting Russia, Brazil, Chile and Saudi Arabia, and it’s still in discussion,” Dongxu Qiu, executive director and co-founder of CanSino, said at a conference in Suzhou, China, per Reuters.

The trial is likely to start “pretty soon,” he added, with plans to recruit 40,000 participants total.

Apologies for leaving draft at end

Thanks Thoth - so is it more likely that one of either compounds1 ,8 or30 will be put forward for the Sareum COVID 2 grant application, leaving SDC-1801 to focus solely on clinical trials for Lupus - or does the TYK2 element of SDC-1801 potentially provide a COVID lead over standard Jak2?

either one of compounds 1.8.30 being put forward for any Covid19 Grant application and that SDC-1801 will focus On auto immun

But still opportunities for combo of ATR and CHK1 inhibitors to see if they can get even better results. By the way, I have had not yet had a reply from Professor Workman at ICR re query on what’s happening with SRA 737 given scientific papers recommending combo trials in Small Cell Lung Cancer, Ovarian and Prostate.

RMM - found this paper when I Googled the Chinese pharma you mentioned and acute myeloid leukaemia. It’s just the paper heading as I could not copy itCombined inhibition of PI3Kd and FLT3 signaling exerts synergistic antitumor activity and overcomes acquired drug resistance in FLT3-activated acute myeloid leukaemia. Not sure if it has any relevance.

Aber - you have been here so long yet on the last lap when a victory could be in sight you seem as thought all is lost because no one is saying what is currently happening.behind the scenes. I suggest you either sell up now or make a decision to switch off and take a look what has happened In six months time. I will agree with your views If nothing has still happened then.

This was always going to happen - desperate Governments chucking money at it and the Chancers see a big opportunity to make some easy money. You can accuse Sareum of being slow off the mark but you will know that whatever application they put in will be well presented and and scientifically sound. These are the type of applications that will rise to the top of the pile. There will still be a lot of competition at that stage but we have as good a chance as any in my opinion.

Agree Krone. The RNS strikes a more positive tone. Whether that is simply because of Members comments on this Board or due to circumstances related to the pipeline remains to be seen. The increased emphasis on getting SDC1801 and SDC1802 ready for clinical trials by end of year might be more attractive to potential licencees and might increase the possibility of a company buyout. This would be in the best interest of the company and its shareholders in my opinion.

RMM - do you think this is the scenario that Glover put to the institutions and hedge funds and is the reason they signed up in great numbers?. Or was it just Momelotinib, which after all can yield 3 billion Dollars a year revenues?

Thanks RMM. I’m with you on SRA 737 going to Gilead. The Momelotinib sell back at a low cost and the 10 percent stake Gilead took in Sierra seems to point in that direction. I would chuck in Small Cell Lung Cancer as another potential blockbuster. How does that compare to Ovarian and Prostate potential values?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7228136/

Another recent article which is particularly informative on the range of cancers trials (and their current phase) stage) using combo of Parp inhibitors and Immunotherapy.
Sierra and other recent research is suggesting potential further improvement could be achieved if also adding SRA 737 into the combo. If this approach was proved to add further efficacy then the future for SRA 737 is mind boggling. But it’s a big if.

http://investor.sierraoncology.com/2019-06-27-Sierra-Oncology-Launches-Campaign-Exploring-Non-Dilutive-Strategic-Options-to-Support-Development-of-its-DDR-Assets

Just looking back at the Sierra Announcement about supporting SRA737 with non dilutive funding. The end of paragraph 5 is interesting. ‘ Sierra has reported having management support from a major immunotherapy- oncology company to potentially supply their leading immunotherapeutic agent to run a combination study with SRA 737’
I am assuming this is not referring to Janssen as they are mentioned earlier in the paragraph. Did we ever hear anything further on this potential combination study?

So we have had scientific evidence from a range of sources over the last two years, that SRA 737 in combination with Niraparib demonstrates anti tumour activity across a range of Cancers - and that the approach is probably more effective than using monotherapy alone. And nothing has yet been done to bring this approach to Clinical trials!! Two years - Sierra has a lot to answer for.

Thoth - very intriguing. The 2018 Sierra end year results also highlighted plans for a Phase 1b/2 combination trial of SRA 737 with the Parp Inhibitor, Niraparib in subjects with metastatic castration resistant Prostate Cancer. A supply agreement was signed with Janssen where they would supply Niraparib for the study. Did this trial take place as place as part of the extension to the SRA mono therapy and Combo with Gemcitabane trials? Given SRA737 proven efficacy with Ovarian Cancer could they have not trialed a combo with Niraparib at same time?
Sorry a bit all over the place. More questions than answers!

The continuing rapid decline in the Sierra share price will certainly be focusing minds at the company to come up with a strategy to cover the period until Momelotinib completes its phase 3 trial in about 18 months time. Institutions won’t be hanging around if there is no option put forward to rescue the share price. Starting to point news soon regarding you know what. Let’s see.

I have sent an E Mail to Professor Workman at ICR re current treatment of SRA737. Will let you know if Inget a response.

https://www.icr.ac.uk/news-archive/asco-2019-drug-targeting-dna-damage-response-shows-promise-against-cancers-of-anus-and-genitals

Re this article by the ICR - I didn’t realise it was quite so bullish about the treatment of ano-genital cancers by SRA 737.

I think that Dilley, the new Sierra Chief Executive stated that he was using his first month to undertake a full review of company assets and commence the development of a future Strategy. This period ends next Monday I believe,.so the market may get an update soon after, especially as the Sierra Share price has started to nosedive due to lack of news and institutions may be becoming restless again. Just speculating!

Thanks RMM. I agree that the best way out for Sierra re SRA737 is an on licence which will secure them royalties. The problem might be that negotiationS will be protracted as this is now potentially a very important asset in the move to tailor combination therapies that are in line with Patients ‘ individual need. It also looks promising that the combination approach with ATR and other treatments will be applicable to a wide range of Cancer types. This multi applicability, combined with targeted individual need is to me very exciting. The question is - how are Sierra going to play this and how long they are prepared to wait for the most beneficial on licence.