Nanobiotix Takes A Big Step, VRTX Broadens Pipeline, PFE Aims High With Javelin

(RTTNews) - Immunovaccine Inc.'s (IMV.V) (IMMVF.OB) prophylactic respiratory syncytial virus vaccine candidate DepoVax has demonstrated tolerable safety profile, and induced measurable immunogenic response in 75 percent of subjects vaccinated with the lower dose, and 100 percent of those vaccinated with the higher dose in a phase I clinical trial in healthy older adult volunteers.

IMMVF.OB closed Wednesday's trading at $0.52, up 2.82%.

Merck GaA and Pfizer (PFE) have initiated a phase III study evaluating the efficacy and safety of investigational immuno-oncology therapy Avelumab in combination with, and/or as follow-on (maintenance) treatment to, platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease with previously untreated epithelial ovarian cancer.

The study is known as JAVELIN Ovarian 100, and is the first phase III study evaluating the addition of an immune checkpoint inhibitor to standard-of-care in first-line treatment for this aggressive disease.

The JAVELIN development program, which is the result of a strategic alliance between Merck KGaA and Pfizer in November 2014 for Avelumab, includes 30 ongoing clinical programs and nine pivotal studies across more than 15 tumor types.

PFE closed Wednesday's trading at $35.86, up 0.14%.

French nanomedicine company Nanobiotix SA (NANO.PA) has reported successful results from its phase I/II trial of its lead product, NBTXR3, in head and neck cancer.

According to the trial results, 7 out 7 evaluable patients had a response with a tumor volume reduction equal or superior to 50%. A Data Safety Monitoring Board has confirmed the excellent safety profile, with no related serious adverse events, the feasibility of the injection and appropriate distribution, noted the company.

The company plans to conduct a second trial that will include NBTXR3 in combination with standard of care (SOC) treatment, Cisplatin plus radiotherapy.

Seattle Genetics Inc.'s (SGEN) ADCETRIS has received marketing authorization from the European Commission for the treatment of adult patients with CD30+ Hodgkin lymphoma at increased risk of relapse or progression following autologous stem cell transplant.

This label expansion represents the third indication for ADCETRIS in the European Union and follows the FDA approval in August 2015 for a similar label.

ADCETRIS was granted conditional marketing authorization by the European Commission in October 2012 for two indications - for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CD30-positive Hodgkin lymphoma following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), or following at least two prior therapies when ASCT or multi-agent chemotherapy is not a treatment option, and for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL).

Seattle Genetics and Takeda are jointly developing ADCETRIS. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Seattle Genetics has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights and Takeda has rights to commercialize ADCETRIS in the rest of the world.

ADCETRIS brought in net product sales of $58.6 million for Seattle Genetics in the first quarter of 2016, a 20 percent increase from net product sales of $48.9 million for the first quarter of 2015.

SGEN closed Wednesday's trading at $40.73, up 1.44%.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRTX) has entered into an exclusive research collaboration and licensing agreement with privately held Moderna Therapeutics to discover and develop mRNA Therapeutics for cystic fibrosis.

As per the agreement terms, Moderna will receive $40 million upfront, made up of a $20 million cash payment and a $20 million convertible note investment, with potential for up to additional $275 million in milestones plus royalty payments from Vertex.

David Altshuler, Vertex's Executive Vice President, Global Research and Chief Scientific Officer said, "We are excited to begin this collaboration with Moderna to further broaden our pipeline and support our goal of treating the underlying cause of CF for all people with this disease".

VRTX closed Wednesday's trading at $89.66, up 3.64%.