BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMA TECH
ClinChoice | March 03, 2023
ClinChoice, a leading global clinical CRO, recently announced that it has acquired CROMSOURCE S.r.l., an ISO-certified full-service contract research organization. CROMSOURCE has its corporate headquarters in Verona, Italy, its US headquarters in Cary, NC, and subsidiaries in the US and seven countries throughout eastern and western Europe.
With a proven track record of providing excellent clinical research and staffing services to multinational pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device clients, CROMSOURCE's acquisition will strengthen ClinChoice's global network and further enhance its full-service capabilities.
ClinChoice is known for its commitment to providing high-quality services and timely delivery, resulting in the successful completion of clinical trials and functions, including regulatory, biometrics, safety, medical, and clinical operations across various sectors such as drug, medical devices, vaccines, cosmetics, and consumer health using both project-based and FSP models.
The company offers services covering the development lifecycle for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, consumer products and medical device companies worldwide. With a broad clientele ranging from the largest multinationals to startup and emerging companies, ClinChoice has completed over 1,500 clinical studies in various therapeutic areas such as CNS, oncology, ophthalmology, rare disease, respiratory and metabolic.
CROMSOURCE's acquisition was advised by Fairmount Partners, while Crosstree Capital represented ClinChoice.
About ClinChoice
ClinChoice is a leading global clinical CRO that provides comprehensive services to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer products clients worldwide. With a successful 25-year track record, it is considered the standard for excellence in clinical operations, biostatistics, data management, CDISC, statistical programming, regulatory affairs, medical affairs, and pharmacovigilance. The company has established major delivery centers in Europe, the US, Canada, China, India, Japan, and the Philippines, employing over 3,000 people worldwide. ClinChoice has a strong and talented team and is expanding its clinical operations in seven countries across North America, Asia, and Europe.
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BUSINESS INSIGHTS, PHARMACY MARKET
Globenewswire | March 28, 2023
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a company committed to developing and commercializing therapeutics to improve the lives of patients with serious eye disorders, today announced it has completed enrollment in the Phase 2 "Durasert® and Vorolanib in Ophthalmology 2" (DAVIO 2) clinical trial evaluating EYP-1901 as a potential six-month maintenance treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). The trial exceeded its original target of 144 patients, enrolling a total of 160 patients. All patients were previously treated with a standard-of-care anti-VEGF therapy and were randomly assigned to one of two doses of EYP-1901 or to an aflibercept on-label control.
“We are thrilled to announce the completion of enrollment in our oversubscribed Phase 2 DAVIO 2 trial evaluating EYP-1901 in wet AMD, marking an important milestone as we continue to advance our pipeline of innovative sustained delivery treatments for serious eye disorders,” said Nancy Lurker, Chief Executive Officer of EyePoint Pharmaceuticals. “Patients with wet AMD face an immense treatment burden, requiring monthly or bi-monthly eye injections for the rest of their lives in order to prevent severe vision loss. The high level of patient and physician interest we saw in the trial enrollment further demonstrates the great unmet need in this population for a maintenance treatment option that is safe, effective, long-lasting and convenient.”
“We look forward to reporting topline data in the fourth quarter of this year. With these data and the promising results from our Phase 1 DAVIO trial, EYP-1901 will have the largest and most robust dataset of any tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) product in development for wet AMD. These data will inform the design of our pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials and provide optionality as we seek to bring this promising product to patients. I would like to thank our dedicated team of employees and clinical partners, as well as the patients who enrolled in the Phase 1 and Phase 2 EYP-1901 trials and their caregivers for advancing the development of EYP-1901,” continued Ms. Lurker.
DAVIO 2 is a randomized, controlled Phase 2 clinical trial of EYP-1901 in patients with wet AMD. Originally designed to enroll 144 patients, the trial enrolled 160 patients in total due to strong investigator and patient interest. All enrolled patients were previously treated with a standard-of-care anti-VEGF therapy and were randomly assigned to one of two doses of EYP-1901 (approximately 2 mg or 3 mg) or an aflibercept control. EYP-1901 is delivered with a single intravitreal injection in the physician's office, similar to current FDA approved anti-VEGF treatments. The primary efficacy endpoint of the DAVIO 2 trial is change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) compared to the aflibercept control, six-months after the EYP-1901 injection. Secondary efficacy endpoints include change in central subfield thickness (CST) as measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT), number of eyes that remain free of supplemental anti-VEGF injections, number of aflibercept injections in each group, and safety.
“Our ‘Treat to Maintain’ therapeutic approach for EYP-1901 has the potential to transform the wet AMD treatment paradigm, and we are incredibly pleased to complete enrollment with more patients than planned in the DAVIO 2 clinical trial due to high demand to participate from investigators and patients,” said Jay Duker, M.D., President and Chief Operating Officer of EyePoint Pharmaceuticals. “The compelling Phase 1 DAVIO results demonstrate EYP-1901’s potential to transition a majority of patients to an every-six-month treatment for wet AMD, representing a ‘treat to maintain’ therapeutic approach that uses EYP-1901 as a baseline therapy following the use of large molecule anti-VEGFs with the goal of significantly extending the patient’s treatment interval. Based on the extensive prior clinical data evaluating Durasert in four FDA-approved indications, we are confident in EYP-1901’s ability to consistently deliver the active drug, vorolanib, with zero-order drug release kinetics using our bioerodible sustained delivery technology, Durasert® E. In addition, vorolanib brings a new mechanism of action for wet AMD patients and may have additional neuroprotective benefits. We are confident in EYP-1901’s potential to enhance treatment compliance, improve clinical experience and, ultimately, result in better patient outcomes.”
About EYP-1901
EYP-1901 is being developed as an investigational sustained delivery treatment combining a bioerodible formulation of EyePoint's proprietary Durasert® delivery technology (Durasert® E) with vorolanib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Positive safety and efficacy data from the DAVIO Phase 1 clinical trial of EYP-1901 showed a positive safety profile with stable visual acuity and OCT. Further, 53% and 35% of eyes did not require any supplemental anti-VEGF injections up to six and twelve months, respectively, following a single dose of EYP-1901. Phase 2 studies are underway for wet AMD and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and are planned in diabetic macular edema. Vorolanib is licensed to EyePoint exclusively by Equinox Sciences for the localized treatment of all ophthalmic diseases.
About EyePoint Pharmaceuticals
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals is a company committed to developing and commercializing therapeutics to help improve the lives of patients with serious eye disorders. The Company's pipeline leverages its proprietary Durasert® technology for sustained intraocular drug delivery including EYP-1901, an investigational sustained delivery intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment currently in Phase 2 clinical trials. The proven Durasert drug delivery platform has been safely administered to thousands of patients' eyes across four U.S. FDA approved products, including YUTIQ® for the treatment of posterior segment uveitis, which is currently marketed by the Company. EyePoint Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts.
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PHARMACY MARKET
Globenewswire | May 16, 2023
Athenex, Inc. a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer and related conditions, today announced that, following an ongoing strategic review, it has reached agreement with its lenders to move forward with an expedited sales process of the Company’s assets across its primary businesses: Athenex Pharmaceutical Division (“APD”), Orascovery, and Cell Therapy.
To best facilitate this process, Athenex and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary proceedings under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. This will enable the Company to divest its assets and wind down the Athenex platform in an orderly fashion, while seeking to maximize value for its stakeholders. The Company anticipates concluding the expedited sales process by July 1, 2023, with the Chapter 11 cases continuing thereafter to resolve claims.
Athenex has also reached an agreement with its secured lenders, subject to court approval, for the consensual use of cash collateral, which will enable the Company to, among other things, satisfy certain obligations to its vendors for authorized goods received and services rendered after the filing. Athenex Pharma Solutions (“APS”), which includes the Company’s manufacturing facility in Clarence, New York, is expected to continue its operations for at least the next 90 days, to provide commercial supply of tirbanibulin ointment. In addition, APD is continuing to operate in the ordinary course and fill customer orders with the ample inventory it has on hand.
Dr. Johnson Lau, Chief Executive Officer of Athenex, on behalf of the management team and the Athenex Board of Directors, said, “Throughout our history, we have sought to become a leader in bringing innovative cancer treatments to the market and improving patient health outcomes. Our team was successful in bringing tirbanibulin, through regulatory approvals, to the U.S. market and a number of EU countries, as well as Taiwan. Unfortunately, our oral paclitaxel product candidate received a complete response letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and this significant regulatory setback, coupled with challenging biotech markets and the difficult economic environment, put tremendous pressure on our ability to continue to fund our businesses.
“Over the past two years, we made considerable progress in refocusing our business around our promising NKT cell therapy platform, monetizing non-core assets to improve our balance sheet and extending our cash runway, paying down $108 million of debt, and undertaking a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives to create value for our stakeholders. While we explored every viable avenue to avoid this outcome, an orderly sales process represents the best path forward at this time.
“Our goal remains to identify purchasers who will continue development of the important drug candidates for which we have established a good foundation, and to bring them to market on behalf of medical practitioners and, most importantly, for patients. We are incredibly thankful to our team for their dedication to Athenex and will look to support our colleagues through this transition period.”
Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP is acting as Athenex's legal counsel. MERU is serving as its financial advisor and Cassel Salpeter & Co., LLC as its investment banker.
About Athenex, Inc.
Founded in 2003, Athenex, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to becoming a leader in the discovery, development, and commercialization of next-generation cell therapy products for the treatment of cancer. The Company’s mission is to become a leader in bringing innovative cancer treatments to the market and to improve patient health outcomes. In pursuit of this mission, Athenex leverages years of experience in research and development, clinical trials, regulatory standards, and manufacturing. The Company is focused on its innovative Cell Therapy platform, based on natural killer T (“NKT”) cells.
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