Iberdomide

Axing alnuctamab gets Bristol Myers Squibb out of the competitive BCMA bispecific space, which is already served by Johnson & Johnson’s Tecvayli and Pfizer’s Elrexfio. Bristol Myers Squibb has had a whiplash change of heart on its BCMA bispecific T-cell engager, halting (PDF) further development months after filing to run a phase 3 trial. The Big Pharma disclosed the change of plan alongside a phase 3 win for a potential challenger to Regeneron, Sanofi and Takeda.BMS added a phase 3 study of the bispecific, alnuctamab, to ClinicalTrials.gov in January. At the time, the company planned to enroll 466 patients to show whether the candidate could improve progression-free survival in people with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. However, BMS abandoned the study within months of the initial filing.The drugmaker withdrew the study in May, on the grounds that “business objectives have changed,” before enrolling any patients. BMS delivered the final blow to the program in its second-quarter results Friday when it reported an impairment charge resulting from the decision to discontinue further development.A spokesperson for BMS framed the action as part of the company’s work to focus its pipeline on assets that it “is best positioned to develop” and prioritize investment in opportunities where it can deliver the “highest return for patients and shareholders.” Alnuctamab no longer meets those criteria. “While the science remains compelling for this program, multiple myeloma is an evolving landscape and there are many factors that must be considered when prioritizing to make the biggest impact,” the BMS spokesperson said. The decision comes shortly after recently installed BMS CEO Chris Boerner began a $1.5 billion cost-cutting program.Axing alnuctamab gets BMS out of the competitive BCMA bispecific space, which is already served by Johnson & Johnson’s Tecvayli and Pfizer’s Elrexfio. Physicians can also choose from other modalities that target BCMA, including BMS’ own CAR-T cell therapy Abecma. BMS’ multiple myeloma pipeline is now focused on the CELMoD agents iberdomide and mezigdomide and the GPRC5D CAR-T BMS-986393.BMS also used its second-quarter results to report that a phase 3 trial of cendakimab in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis met both co-primary endpoints. The antibody hits IL-13, one of the interleukins targeted by Regeneron and Sanofi’s blockbuster Dupixent. The FDA approved Dupixent in the indication in 2022. Takeda’s once-rejected Eohilia won approval in the setting in the U.S. earlier this year.Cendakimab could give physicians a third option. BMS said the phase 3 study linked the candidate to statistically significant reductions versus placebo in days with difficult swallowing and counts of the white blood cells that drive the disease. Safety was consistent with the phase 2 trial, according to BMS.

- Awards Dr. Berkowitz an Inducement Grant in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) -NEW HAVEN, Conn., March 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arvinas, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARVN), a clinical-stage biotechnology company creating a new class of drugs based on targeted protein degradation, today announced the appointment of Noah Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D., to the role of Chief Medical Officer and a member of the Executive Committee reporting to President and Chief Executive Officer John Houston, Ph.D. Effective today, Dr. Berkowitz will lead the ongoing clinical development of Arvinas’ PROTAC® protein degrader programs in oncology and neuroscience. “We are thrilled to have Dr. Berkowitz join Arvinas as we continue advancing multiple programs with the goal of improving the lives of patients with serious diseases,” said John Houston, Ph.D., Chairperson, President and Chief Executive Officer at Arvinas. “Noah’s vision, expertise, and proven track record in designing and launching successful clinical programs across all stages of clinical development complement our rapidly advancing portfolio of novel PROTAC protein degraders. His leadership and experience will be invaluable as we approach our first Phase 3 data readout and continue progressing multiple ongoing and planned clinical-stage programs.” Dr. Berkowitz has more than 20 years of experience in advancing programs through early and late stages of development, with proven ability in leading clinical development, regulatory, and medical affairs. He has led multidisciplinary teams and has extensive knowledge of clinical trial design and execution. Dr. Berkowitz joins Arvinas from Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), where he was Senior Vice President, Development Unit Head, Hematology. While at BMS, Dr. Berkowitz’s teams achieved initial or subsequent global indications for Abecma®, Breyanzi®, Reblozyl®, Onureg®, and Inrebic®, managed development life cycles for Revlimid®, Pomalyst®, and Sprycel®, and initiated and/or designed registration trials for iberdomide, mezigdomide, and alnuctamab. Prior to BMS, Dr. Berkowitz held roles of increasing responsibility in the areas of oncology, rare diseases, and hematology at Novartis, most recently as Vice President and Clinical Development Head for Hematology. Dr. Berkowitz earned his M.D. and Ph.D. from Columbia University and trained in medical oncology at the National Cancer Institute. “Arvinas is the leader in targeted protein degradation and is on the cusp of its first pivotal data, an important step in potentially bringing an innovative therapeutic approach to patients with serious diseases,” said Dr. Berkowitz. “Arvinas’ progress over the last several years is impressive and I look forward to working with my colleagues, including the strong leadership team at Arvinas, as we prepare for many important upcoming clinical milestones ahead.” The Company also announced that Ron Peck, M.D., who was Chief Medical Officer since joining Arvinas in mid-2019, will be leaving to pursue other opportunities. “In less than five years, Ron built robust clinical development and medical affairs organizations, enabling the planning and initiation of multiple clinical trials across our oncology and neuroscience portfolios,” continued Dr. Houston. “Under Ron’s leadership and in partnership with Pfizer, vepdegestrant has advanced from the start of Phase 1 to multiple ongoing and planned Phase 3 studies in advanced breast cancer. Ron’s teams also progressed our androgen receptor programs, with ARV-766 moving towards Phase 3 initiation, and initiated human dosing of ARV-102, our neuroscience program targeting LRRK2,” said Dr. Houston. “We thank Ron for his tremendous efforts and take confidence in knowing that Dr. Berkowitz is inheriting a high-performing organization.” In connection with the commencement of Dr. Berkowitz’s employment, Arvinas granted Dr. Berkowitz an option to purchase 93,879 shares of common stock and a restricted stock unit award with respect to 63,452 shares of common stock on March 18, 2024, as an inducement material to entering into employment with Arvinas. The option and restricted stock units were granted in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and not pursuant to Arvinas’ stock incentive plan. The option has a 10-year term and an exercise price of $42.60 per share, which is equal to the closing price per share of Arvinas’ common stock on the grant date. The option vests over four years, with 25% of the original number of shares underlying the option vesting on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and 1/48th of the original number of shares vesting monthly thereafter, and the restricted stock unit award vests in four equal installments on each one-year anniversary of Dr. Berkowitz’s employment start date until the fourth anniversary of Dr. Berkowitz’s start date, subject to his continued service with Arvinas through the applicable vesting dates.  About ArvinasArvinas is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to improving the lives of patients suffering from debilitating and life-threatening diseases through the discovery, development, and commercialization of therapies that degrade disease-causing proteins. Arvinas uses its proprietary PROTAC® Discovery Engine platform to engineer proteolysis targeting chimeras, or PROTAC® targeted protein degraders, that are designed to harness the body’s own natural protein disposal system to selectively and efficiently degrade and remove disease-causing proteins. In addition to its robust preclinical pipeline of PROTAC protein degraders against validated and “undruggable” targets, the company has four investigational clinical-stage programs: vepdegestrant (ARV-471) for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic ER+/HER2- breast cancer; ARV-766 and bavdegalutamide for the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer; and ARV-102 for the treatment of patients with neurodegenerative disorders. For more information, visit www.arvinas.com. Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements with respect to Arvinas’ development plans; the anticipated data readout for Arvinas’ first Phase 3 clinical trial with vepdegestrant (ARV-471); the potential, pending regulatory approval, for vepdegestrant to address an area of significant unmet need and offer patients an innovative therapeutic approach; and the potential advantages and therapeutic benefits of vepdegestrant (ARV-471). All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release, including statements regarding Arvinas’ strategy, future operations, prospects, plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Arvinas may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements Arvinas makes as a result of various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: Arvinas’ and Pfizer, Inc.’s (“Pfizer”) performance of the respective obligations with respect to Arvinas’ collaboration with Pfizer; whether Arvinas and Pfizer will be able to successfully conduct and complete clinical development for vepdegestrant (ARV-471); whether Arvinas will be able to successfully conduct and complete development for its other product candidates, including ARV-766, and including whether Arvinas initiates and completes clinical trials for its product candidates and receive results from its clinical trials on its expected timelines or at all; whether Arvinas and Pfizer, as appropriate, will be able to obtain marketing approval for and commercialize vepdegestrant (ARV-471), ARV-766 and other product candidates on current timelines or at all; Arvinas’ ability to protect its intellectual property portfolio; whether Arvinas’ cash and cash equivalent resources will be sufficient to fund its foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements; and other important factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of Arvinas’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and subsequent other reports on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect Arvinas’ current views with respect to future events, and Arvinas assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Arvinas’ views as of any date subsequent to the date of this release. Contacts Investors:Jeff Boyle+1 (347) 247-5089Jeff.Boyle@arvinas.com Media:Maurissa Messier+1 (908) 208-9254Maurissa.messier-c@arvinas.com