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SAN DIEGO, April 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Denovo Biopharma LLC (Denovo), a pioneer in applying precision medicine to the development of innovative therapies, today announced that the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has awarded a $11.8M grant for further development of DB107, Denovo's DGM7™ biomarker–guided late–stage gene therapy, for high–grade glioma (HGG) including glioblastoma (GBM), a malignant brain cancer. CIRM has awarded the grant to Dr. Noriyuki Kasahara, MD, PhD, at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and a group of investigators at California universities to conduct a Phase 1/2 clinical trial studying DB107 in patients with newly–diagnosed HGG. Continue Reading The trial, titled "A Phase I/IIa Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of DB107–RRV, Administered to Subjects at Time of Resection and Intravenously Thereafter, in Combination with DB107–FC and Radiation Therapy or DB107–FC, Temozolomide (TMZ) and Radiation Therapy in Patients with Newly–Diagnosed High–Grade Glioma," plans to enroll up to 70 patients. The trial aims to demonstrate improvements in progression–free survival. We are thrilled to continue the clinical development of our biomarker-guided DB107 gene therapy in HGG including GBM. Post this DB107 consists of two components: DB107–RRV (vocimagene amiretrorepvec) as a prodrug activator gene therapy and DB107–FC (extended-release 5–fluorocytosine [5–FC]) as an oral prodrug. DB107–RRV, a retroviral replicating vector (RRV) administered intratumorally and intravenously, converts the orally administered 5–FC into the potent chemotherapy agent 5–fluorouracil (5–FU) locally at the tumor sites. This enables intratumoral concentrations 30–50 times of those achievable by 5–FU systemic administration, killing tumor cells while minimizing the systemic exposure and off–target toxicities of 5–FU. Using its proprietary biomarker discovery platform including whole genome sequencing (WGS) and artificial intelligence (AI), Denovo discovered the novel germline genetic biomarker, Denovo Genomic Marker 7 (DGM7), which is located in the SHROOM3 gene intron. Retrospective analysis of an earlier randomized clinical trial in patients with recurrent HGG suggested improved overall survival in DGM7–positive patients treated with DB107. "We are excited to conduct this novel trial which will be investigating several new approaches for the first time in patients with newly–diagnosed high–grade glioma. In addition to DB107–RRV being administered both intratumorally and intravenously to provide more exposure, this study will also use the RRV in conjunction with radiation therapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide. In addition to the direct therapeutic effect of gene therapy, glioma cells will be sensitized to these standard therapies by 5–FU generated directly within the patient's tumor from DB107–FC. We are also excited to test the DGM7 biomarker to see if we can identify patients who may benefit the most from this unique gene therapy approach," said Dr. Kasahara. DGM7 status will be determined at the time of enrollment to prospectively assess the effect of the biomarker on clinical outcomes. The study will be conducted at UCSF (Dr. Noriyuki Kasahara, MD, PhD, and Dr. Nicholas Butowski, MD), University of Southern California (USC) (Dr. Thomas Chen, MD, PhD), and University of California San Diego (UCSD) (Dr. David Piccioni, MD, PhD), and will be managed by Anova Enterprises, Inc. "We are thrilled to continue the clinical development of our biomarker–guided DB107 gene therapy in patients with HGG including GBM, a major unmet medical need with less than 5% of GBM patients surviving 5 years," said Dr. Matthew A. Spear, MD, Denovo's Chief Medical Officer and Chief Development Officer. "Alongside our recent announcement of positive results in a Phase 2b clinical trial of our DGM4 biomarker–guided DB104 drug (liafensine) in treatment–resistant depression, the CIRM grant provides continued validation of Denovo's approach to discovering new genetic biomarkers and developing biomarker–guided therapies." About HGG and GBM The most common type of high–grade glioma (HGG) is glioblastoma (GBM), which is also the most common type of adult primary brain cancer, with 18,000 newly–diagnosed patients in the US and 13,000 deaths annually. Standard treatments for patients with newly–diagnosed GBM can include surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy, but treatment options are limited. The 5–year survival rate of patients with GBM is less than 5%. About DB107 and the DGM7™ Biomarker DB107 is an investigational combination product consisting of the DB107–RRV (vocimagene amiretrorepvec) gene therapy and DB107–FC (extended–release 5–fluorocytosine) oral prodrug. DB107–RRV, an innovative proprietary retroviral replicating vector (RRV), is combined with DB107–FC to selectively infect and kill cancer cells while stimulating a robust and durable anti–cancer immune response against a tumor with minimal toxicity. DB107 has been tested clinically in solid tumors including recurrent high–grade glioma (rHGG) and colorectal cancer, most recently in a randomized 403–patient Phase 2/3 trial in rHGG including glioblastoma (GBM). Using its proprietary biomarker discovery platform, Denovo discovered the novel genetic biomarker, DGM7, which has been shown to be associated with treatment response to DB107 in patients with rHGG including GBM. DB107 has received Fast Track Designation and Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA, as well as Orphan Drug Designations from the FDA and EMA. About Denovo Biopharma Denovo Biopharma LLC (Denovo) is a clinical–stage biopharmaceutical company that uses a novel biomarker discovery platform including whole genome sequencing (WGS) and artificial intelligence (AI) to find new genetic biomarkers predictive of drug efficacy, and then uses these biomarkers to execute efficient clinical trials in targeted patient populations to increase the probability of success. Denovo has eight late–stage drugs in its pipeline addressing major unmet medical needs in oncology and central nervous system diseases; most of the pipeline are first–in–class drugs with global rights. Denovo recently announced a major breakthrough in treatment–resistant depression (TRD) with its DGM4™ biomarker–guided DB104 drug (liafensine, a potential first–in–class triple reuptake inhibitor for TRD). The global Phase 2b clinical trial of DB104 in DGM4–positive patients with TRD demonstrated strikingly positive results, with highly significant improvements in symptoms of depression seen in DGM4–positive patients. Visit for additional information. Contact Michael F. Haller, Chief Business Officer Denovo Biopharma LLC [email protected] SOURCE Denovo Biopharma LLC

BEDMINSTER, N.J., Aug. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Matinas BioPharma (NYSE American: MTNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering groundbreaking therapies using its lipid nanocrystal (LNC) platform delivery technology, announces that University of Minnesota Medical School researchers published results from the Phase 2 EnACT trial evaluating MAT2203 for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis as a Major Article and Editor’s Choice in Clinical Infectious Diseases, an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). MAT2203 is an oral and non-toxic, LNC formulation of the potent antifungal drug amphotericin B. David Boulware, MD, MPH, the senior investigator of the EnACT trial and infectious disease physician at the University of Minnesota, commented, “An orally administered amphotericin that is broad spectrum and non-toxic sounds like the holy grail of antifungal medicines. While further clinical trials are needed in other fungal conditions, the EnACT trial establishes proof of concept for the safe and effective treatment of invasive fungal infections. In this randomized trial of 141 HIV-positive individuals afflicted by life-threatening cryptococcal meningitis, the oral amphotericin MAT2203 product combined with oral flucytosine appears promising for cryptococcal meningitis with antifungal activity, similar survival, and less toxicity than intravenous amphotericin B. With six weeks of LNC-enabled oral amphotericin B, statistically fewer lab abnormalities occurred than with one week of intravenous amphotericin B.” “We are very pleased that the important EnACT data are being shared with the clinical and scientific community at large through publication in this peer-reviewed journal,” said Theresa Matkovits, Ph.D., and Chief Development Officer of Matinas. “The results from EnACT in cryptococcal meningitis and our experience with patients enrolled in our Compassionate/Expanded Use Access Program support our belief that MAT2203 has the potential to become an important part of the regimen for treatment of invasive fungal infections, including in the highest-need patients who require longer-term treatment and have limited or no treatment options. The publication of the EnACT data in Clinical Infectious Diseases is yet another milestone for our development program. We would like to thank all the EnACT participants, our dedicated investigators, and the entire clinical study team in Uganda for their commitment to this important clinical trial.” About the EnACT Phase 2 Study EnACT was a Phase 2 prospective, randomized, open-label, sequential cohort study, financially supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), evaluating the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of MAT2203 in 100 HIV-positive persons with cryptococcal meningitis compared to 41 persons randomized to receive standard of care intravenous amphotericin B. The EnACT trial included a total of four cohorts of participants, with the first two cohorts testing MAT2203 as early step-down therapy following initial treatment with IV amphotericin B during the induction period, and the second two cohorts testing MAT2203 as potentially all oral therapy. Cohorts 1 and 3 were safety lead-ins to Cohorts 2 and 4, respectively. The induction period for all patients in each cohort (active or control) was 14 days, followed by an additional four weeks of treatment (active or control) during a consolidation/maintenance period. About Clinical Infectious Diseases (CID) Clinical Infectious Diseases (CID) is a leading journal in the field of infectious disease with a broad international readership. The Journal publishes articles on a variety of subjects of interest to practitioners and researchers. Topics range from clinical descriptions of infections, public health, microbiology, and immunology to the prevention of infection, the evaluation of current and novel treatments, and the promotion of optimal practices for diagnosis and treatment. Clinical Infectious Diseases is an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and is among the most highly cited journals in the field of infectious diseases. About Matinas BioPharma Matinas BioPharma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering groundbreaking therapies using its lipid nanocrystal (LNC) platform delivery technology. Matinas’ lead LNC-based therapy is MAT2203, an oral formulation of the broad-spectrum antifungal drug amphotericin B, which although highly potent, can be associated with significant toxicity. Matinas’ LNC platform provides oral delivery of amphotericin B without the significant nephrotoxicity otherwise associated with IV-delivered formulations. MAT2203 also allows for safe, longer-term use outside of a hospital setting, which could have substantial favorable pharmacoeconomic impact. MAT2203 successfully completed the Phase 2 EnACT program in cryptococcal meningitis, meeting its primary endpoint and achieving robust survival. MAT2203 is being positioned for a single pivotal Phase 3 study in the treatment of aspergillosis and other invasive fungal infections, including mucormycosis, Candida auris and other candidiasis, and certain endemic fungal infections in persons with limited treatment options who are unable to be treated with azoles or echinocandins for reasons related to drug-drug interactions, resistance or for whom these antifungal agents are unable to be used for other clinical reasons. In addition to MAT2203, preclinical and clinical data have demonstrated that this novel technology can provide solutions to many of the challenges standing in the way of achieving safe and effective intracellular delivery of both small molecules and larger, more complex molecular cargos such as RNAi, antisense oligonucleotides, and vaccines. The combination of its unique mechanism of action and flexibility with routes of administration (including oral) positions Matinas’ LNC technology to potentially become a preferred next-generation intracellular drug delivery platform. For more information, please visit . Forward-looking Statements This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those relating to our business activities, our strategy and plans, our collaboration with National Resilience, Inc., the potential of our LNC platform and PS-NP delivery technologies, and the future development of its product candidates, including MAT2203, the Company’s ability to identify and pursue development, licensing and partnership opportunities for its products, including MAT2203, or platform delivery technologies on favorable terms, if at all, and the ability to obtain required regulatory approval and other statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "could," "believes," "estimates" and similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, our ability to continue as a going concern, our ability to obtain additional capital to meet our liquidity needs on acceptable terms, or at all, including the additional capital which will be necessary to complete the clinical trials of our product candidates; our ability to successfully complete research and further development and commercialization of our product candidates; the uncertainties inherent in clinical testing; the timing, cost and uncertainty of obtaining regulatory approvals; our ability to protect the Company’s intellectual property; the loss of any executive officers or key personnel or consultants; competition; changes in the regulatory landscape or the imposition of regulations that affect the Company’s products; and the other factors listed under "Risk Factors" in our filings with the SEC, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Matinas BioPharma’s product candidates are all in a development stage and are not available for sale or use. Investor Contact: LHA Investor Relations Jody Cain Jcain@lhai.com 310-691-7100