Latest news with #SpecialProtocolAssessment
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
FDA Removes Partial Clinical Hold on TuHURA Biosciences' Phase 3 Accelerated Approval Trial for IFx-2.0 in Advanced or Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Company anticipates initiating its Phase 3 accelerated approval trial of IFx-Hu2.0 as adjunctive therapy with Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) as first-line treatment for advanced and metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), conducted under Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) Agreement with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), later in June 2025 Resolution of partial clinical hold unlocks second tranche of funds from $12.5 million PIPE financing announced on June 3, 2025 TAMPA, Fla., June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:HURA) ("TuHURA" or the "Company"), a Phase 3 immune-oncology company developing novel technologies to overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy, today announced that the FDA has removed the manufacturing-related partial clinical hold on the Company's Phase 3 accelerated approval trial for IFx-2.0, thereby allowing the trial to proceed as agreed to under the previously announced SPA Agreement with the FDA. "We are grateful for the collaborative interaction with the reviewers at the Office of Therapeutic Products (OTP) and the Oncology Center of Excellence (OCE), including their quick response time and, importantly, their helpful recommendations going forward," stated James Bianco, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of TuHURA Biosciences. "The removal of the partial clinical hold allows TuHURA to begin the trial's initiation and activation of clinical sites for the Phase 3 accelerated approval trial of IFx-2.0," continued Dr. Bianco. "We are also pleased that the removal of the partial clinical hold represents the achievement of the second milestone funding condition under our recently announced private placement, thereunder trigging the payment to the Company of an additional $2.23 million under the financing." The Company's Phase 3 accelerated approval trial of IFx-2.0, will be conducted under an SPA Agreement with the U.S. FDA, and will evaluate IFx-2.0 as an adjunctive therapy administered weekly for three weeks concurrent with the approved dose and schedule for Keytruda® compared to Keytruda® plus placebo in the first line treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic MCC. Keytruda® is currently approved in MCC under accelerated approval based on Overall Response Rate (ORR). The pivotal trial for IFx-2.0 is expected to enroll 118 across approximately 22 to 25 U.S. sites. Trial participants will be randomized on a 1:1 basis and receive Keytruda® in both arms, for up to two years, or until disease progression or Keytruda® related toxicities. The primary endpoint for the trial is ORR with a key secondary endpoint of Progression Free Survival (PFS). Other secondary endpoints are safety, duration of response, and overall survival. Accelerated approval is based on the successful achievement of the ORR primary endpoint. PFS, the key secondary endpoint, if successfully achieved, without a detrimental effect on overall survival, could satisfy the requirement for regular approval without the requirement for a post approval confirmatory trial (in contrast to most accelerated approval trials). About TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: HURA) is a Phase 3 immuno-oncology company developing novel technologies to overcome primary and acquired resistance to cancer immunotherapy, two of the most common reasons cancer immunotherapies fail to work or stop working in the majority of patients with cancer. TuHURA's lead innate immune agonist, IFx-2.0, is designed to overcome primary resistance to checkpoint inhibitors. TuHURA is preparing to initiate a single randomized placebo-controlled Phase 3 registration trial of IFx-2.0 administered as an adjunctive therapy to Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) compared to Keytruda® plus placebo in first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Following its proposed merger with Kineta, Inc., if completed, the Company expects to advance Kineta's novel VISTA inhibiting antibody into a randomized Phase 2 trial in NPM1 mutated r/r AML in combination with a menin inhibitor. In addition to its innate immune agonist product candidate, TuHURA is leveraging its Delta Opioid Receptor technology to develop first-in-class, bi-specific antibody drug conjugates and antibody peptide conjugates targeting Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells to inhibit their immune-suppressing effects on the tumor microenvironment to prevent T cell exhaustion and acquired resistance to checkpoint inhibitors and cellular therapies. For more information, please visit and connect with TuHURA on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of, and subject to the safe harbor created by, Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and other future conditions. In some cases you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "should," "would," "project," "plan," "expect," "goal," "seek," "future," "likely" or the negative or plural of these words or similar expressions. Examples of such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to express or implied statements regarding TuHURA's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and include, without limitation, statements regarding, TuHURA's IFx-Hu2.0 product candidate and anticipated Phase 3 trial, its tumor microenvironment modulators development program, its potential acquisition by merger of Kineta Inc. and the statements about Kineta's VISTA-101 development program, and any developments or results in connection with the foregoing and the anticipated regulatory pathway and timing of the foregoing development programs, studies and trials. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. You are cautioned that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those set forth in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are described in detail in our registration statements, reports and other filings with the SEC, which are available on the combined company's website, and at The forward-looking statements and other information contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and TuHURA does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Nothing herein shall constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Investor Contact: Monique KosseGilmartin GroupMonique@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
TuHURA Biosciences Presents IFx-Hu2.0 Trial-in-Progress Poster at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting
Phase 3 IFx-Hu2.0 trial as an adjunctive therapy with Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) in checkpoint inhibitor (CPI)-naïve patients with advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) detailed in Trial in Progress Poster at ASCO Phase 3 trial of IFx-Hu2.0 to be conducted under Accelerated Approval Pathway and Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) TAMPA, Fla., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:HURA) ("TuHURA"), a Phase 3 immune-oncology company developing novel technologies to overcome resistance to cancer immunotherapy, today announced that Moffitt Cancer Center presented a Trial in Progress poster of the Company's planned Phase 3 accelerated approval trial at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting on June 1, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois. The Company's poster, titled "Multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of IFx-Hu2.0 (IFx) as adjunctive therapy with pembrolizumab (pembro) in checkpoint inhibitor (CPI)-naïve patients with advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC)" details the Company's Phase 3 accelerated approval trial design of IFx-Hu2.0, its novel innate immune agonist. The Trial in Progress poster was presented by Andrew Brohl, M.D., Medical Oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, and highlighted the importance of innate immune system activation in Merkel cell carcinoma patients with primary resistance to checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs). "Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive tumor type. While checkpoint inhibitor therapy has markedly improved the outcome for patients with advanced or metastatic MCC, unfortunately for patients who don't respond to first line checkpoint inhibitor therapy the survival is poor at less than 30 months.1 Based on the results from our Phase 1 clinical trials, IFx-Hu2.0 intralesional administration has demonstrated it can activate an innate immune response, resulting in the production and activation of tumor specific B cells and T cells, to overcome the primary CPI resistance in both advanced or metastatic MCC or melanoma," stated James Bianco, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of TuHURA Biosciences. "We believe we have provided data requested by the FDA that addresses the requirements listed in the partial clinical hold letter to allow us to initiate our Phase 3 accelerated approval trial this month. The FDA was constructive in the trial design, which can potentially satisfy both the requirements for accelerated and regular approval without the requirements for a post approval confirmatory trial. They continue to work with us under the SPA Agreement in preparing the trial's initiation." In the Phase 1b trial of IFx-Hu2.0, MCC among patients who progressed on pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) or avelumab (anti-PDL-1) therapy, weekly administration of IFx-Hu2.0 for up to 3 doses followed by rechallenge with anti-PD(L)-1 therapy, demonstrated an overall response rate of 63% (2CR, 5 PR) with duration of responses ranging from 6 to 33 months with 5 ongoing responses as of last follow-up in June 2024. The Company's Phase 3 accelerated approval trial of adjunctive IFx-Hu2.0, to be conducted under a SPA agreement with the U.S. FDA, will evaluate IFx-Hu2.0 (0.1 mg) as an adjunctive therapy administered weekly for three weeks concurrent to pembrolizumab (200 mg) Q3W, compared to the same pembrolizumab regimen plus placebo. The pivotal trial is expected to enroll 118 CPI-naïve patients with advanced or metastatic MCC across approximately 22 to 25 U.S. sites. Trial participants will be randomized on a 1:1 basis and receive CPI therapy for up to two years, or until disease progression or CPI related toxicities. The primary endpoint for the trial is overall response rate (ORR) with a key secondary endpoint of progression free survival (PFS). Other secondary endpoints are safety, duration of response, and overall survival. The Trial in Progress poster is available on the Scientific Publications page of TuHURA's website. 1 Kacew et al. (2020). Predictors of immunotherapy benefit in Merkel cell carcinoma. Oncotarget, 11(47), 4401–4410. About TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: HURA) is a Phase 3 immuno-oncology company developing novel technologies to overcome primary and acquired resistance to cancer immunotherapy, two of the most common reasons cancer immunotherapies fail to work or stop working in the majority of patients with cancer. TuHURA's lead innate immune agonist, IFx-2.0, is designed to overcome primary resistance to checkpoint inhibitors. TuHURA is preparing to initiate a single randomized placebo-controlled Phase 3 registration trial of IFx-2.0 administered as an adjunctive therapy to Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) compared to Keytruda® plus placebo in first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma. In addition to its innate immune agonist product candidates, TuHURA is leveraging its Delta Opioid Receptor technology to develop first-in-class, bi-specific antibody drug conjugates and antibody peptide conjugates targeting Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells to inhibit their immune-suppressing effects on the tumor microenvironment to prevent T cell exhaustion and acquired resistance to checkpoint inhibitors and cellular therapies. For more information, please visit and connect with TuHURA on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of, and subject to the safe harbor created by, Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These Forward-looking statements are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and other future conditions. In some cases you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "should," "would," "project," "plan," "expect," "goal," "seek," "future," "likely" or the negative or plural of these words or similar expressions. Examples of such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to express or implied statements regarding TuHURA's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and include, without limitation, statements regarding TuHURA's IFx-Hu2.0 product candidate and anticipated Phase 3 trial and any developments or results in connection therewith and the anticipated regulatory pathway and timing thereof. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. You are cautioned that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those set forth in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are described in detail in our registration statements, reports and other filings with the SEC, which are available on the combined company's website, and at The forward-looking statements and other information contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and TuHURA does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Nothing herein shall constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Investor Contact: Monique KosseGilmartin GroupMonique@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE TuHURA Biosciences, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BrainStorm Receives FDA Clearance to Initiate Phase 3b Trial of NurOwn® for ALS
Investor call and webcast scheduled for today at 8:30 a.m. ET NEW YORK, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the company to initiate its Phase 3b clinical trial of NurOwn® (autologous MSC-NTF cells) for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The trial design was previously agreed upon with the FDA under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA), confirming the study's endpoints and statistical methodology are appropriate to support a future Biologics License Application (BLA) submission. This clearance allows the company to proceed with patient enrollment. "This FDA clearance is a defining milestone for BrainStorm and the ALS community," said Chaim Lebovits, President and Chief Executive Officer of BrainStorm. "We are now positioned to swiftly activate clinical sites in a phased manner, diligently preparing to enroll the first patient in the Phase 3b trial. At the same time, we are actively working to secure funding through multiple avenues, including non-dilutive grants, to ensure the timely and successful launch of this critical study." The Phase 3b trial will enroll approximately 200 participants at leading academic medical centers and will consist of a 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase followed by a 24-week open-label extension where all participants will receive NurOwn®. The primary endpoint is the change from baseline to week 24 in the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R). For more details on the trial, refer to ID NCT06973629. BrainStorm management will discuss this important development on its corporate update conference call and webcast, taking place today, May 19 at 8.30am ET. To access the call, refer to the events page on the company's website here. The company will provide further ongoing updates as the trial progresses and key milestones are achieved. About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: BCLI) is a leading developer of autologous adult stem cell therapies for debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. The company's proprietary NurOwn® platform uses autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to produce neurotrophic factor-secreting cells (MSC-NTF cells), designed to deliver targeted biological signals that modulate neuroinflammation and promote neuroprotection. NurOwn® is BrainStorm's lead investigational therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and has received Orphan Drug designation from both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A Phase 3 trial in ALS (NCT03280056) has been completed, and a second Phase 3b trial is set to launch under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement with the FDA. The NurOwn clinical program has generated valuable insights into ALS disease biology, including pharmacogenomic response associated with the UNC13A genotype, biomarker data collected at seven longitudinal time points, and a comprehensive analysis of the "Floor Effect" — a critical challenge in measuring clinical outcomes in advanced ALS. BrainStorm has published its findings in multiple peer-reviewed journals. In addition to ALS, BrainStorm has completed a Phase 2 open-label multicenter trial (NCT03799718) of MSC-NTF cells in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), supported by a grant from the National MS Society. BrainStorm is also advancing a proprietary, allogeneic exosome-based platform designed to deliver therapeutic proteins and nucleic acids. The company recently received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a foundational patent covering its exosome technology, further strengthening BrainStorm's growing IP portfolio in this emerging area of regenerative medicine. To learn more, visit Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding meetings with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Special Protocol Assessment (SPA), the clinical development of NurOwn as a therapy for the treatment of ALS, the future availability of NurOwn to patients, and the future success of BrainStorm. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "contemplate," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "seek," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "target," "aim," "should," "will" "would," or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on BrainStorm's current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. These potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, management's ability to successfully achieve its goals, BrainStorm's ability to raise additional capital, BrainStorm's ability to continue as a going concern, prospects for future regulatory approval of NurOwn, whether BrainStorm's future interactions with the FDA will have productive outcomes, and other factors detailed in BrainStorm's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q available at These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on BrainStorm's forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on the beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management as of the date of this press release. We do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or assumptions if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, unless otherwise required by law. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. CONTACTS Investors:Michael WoodPhone: +1 646-597-6983mwood@ Media:Uri Yablonka, Chief Business OfficerPhone: +1 917-284-2911uri@ Logo: View original content: SOURCE BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cartesian Therapeutics to Participate in the 24th Annual Needham Virtual Healthcare Conference
FREDERICK, Md., April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNAC) (the 'Company'), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering mRNA cell therapies for autoimmune diseases, today announced that its management expects to participate in a fireside chat at the 24th Annual Needham Virtual Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 2:15 p.m. ET. A live webcast of the presentation and fireside chats is expected to be accessible in the Events section of the Company's website at where an archived replay of the events will also be available for a limited time. About Cartesian Therapeutics Cartesian Therapeutics is a clinical-stage company pioneering mRNA cell therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The Company's lead asset, Descartes-08, is an mRNA CAR-T entering Phase 3 clinical development for patients with generalized myasthenia gravis and Phase 2 development for systemic lupus erythematosus, with a Phase 2 basket trial planned in additional autoimmune indications. A Phase 3 trial of Descartes-08 in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis has received written agreement from the FDA under the Special Protocol Assessment process. The Company's clinical-stage pipeline also includes Descartes-15, a next-generation, autologous anti-BCMA mRNA CAR-T currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 trial in patients with multiple myeloma. For more information, please visit or follow the Company on LinkedIn or X, formerly known as Twitter. Investor Contact Megan LeDucAssociate Director, Investor Media Contact David RosenArgot in to access your portfolio
