Phil Yang Biological Technology Co., Ltd. and SCIENFOOD Announced the Layout of the Asian Market, China’s Big Health Market Pattern will be Rewritten

NEW YORK, June 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — In recent years, the star products SCIENFOOD of American SCIENFOOD Group have been developing rapidly and leading to continuous sales volume in Europe and the United States. SCIENFOOD has always occupied the absolute advantage over similar products. With its good technology content, product quality and market reputation, it is recognized and sought after by American authoritative organizations and consumers.

Since 2007, SCIENFOOD Group has invested heavily in technological innovation and brand upgrading. It has made many breakthroughs in cooperation with many authoritative laboratories and Nobel prize level biological scientists in the United States. Its unique “technology of diatomic solution” has gained consistent recognition and admiration in academic circles.

SCIENFOOD Group recently announced that it formally entered the new China market and planned to fully cover the Greater China region within five years. In order to cooperate with its strategic target, Phil Yang Biological Technology Co., Ltd. has been set up in Beijing to operate the SCIENFOOD brand business in China. Previously, the product entered the Chinese market through cross-border e-commerce. SCIENFOOD GROUP plans to further accelerate the pace of expansion in the Chinese market to meet a greater demand for higher quality food.

In the near future, more people will share the health and joy that this achievement of human civilization brought. SCIENFOOD will continue to work hard to provide quality food so that its customers can enjoy quality lives.

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Source: Phil Yang Biological Technology Co., Ltd.

Concord Medical Announces Agreement to Sell Equity Interest in Beijing Allcure Medical Information Technology Ltd

BEIJING, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited (“Concord Medical” or the “Company”) (NYSE: CCM), a leading specialty hospital management solutions provider and operator of a network of radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging centers in China, today announced that Beijing Concord Medical Technology Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of Concord Medical, entered into an equity interest transfer agreement with Tibet Allcure Information Technology Ltd on June 5, 2018.  Beijing Concord Medical Technology Co., Ltd will sell a 16% equity interest in Beijing Allcure Medical Information Technology Ltd. to Tibet Allcure Information Technology Ltd.

About Concord Medical

Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited is a leading specialty hospital management solutions provider and operator of a network of radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging centers in China. As of December 31, 2017, the Company operated a network of 44 centers with 30 hospital partners that spanned 29 cities and 18 provinces and administrative regions in China. Under long-term arrangements with top-tier hospitals in China, the Company provides radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging equipment and manages the daily operations of these centers, which are located on the premises of its hospital partners. The Company also provides ongoing training to doctors and other medical professionals in its network of centers to ensure a high level of clinical care for patients. For more information, please see http://ir.ccm.cn.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies beyond the Company’s control and based upon premises with respect to future business decisions, which are subject to change. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

CONTACT:

Concord Medical Services
Ms. Carol TIAN (Chinese and English)
+86-10-5903-6688 (ext. 608)
yuan.tian@ccm.cn 

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NovoPath’s AP LIS Receives Frost & Sullivan Technology Leadership Award for its Advanced Features that Transform AP Laboratory Workflow

NovoPath’s modules offer robust functionality using the latest industry techniques to boost productivity and enable material cost savings for labs aiming for a higher grade of operations

SANTA CLARA, California, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Based on its recent analysis of the North American market for anatomic pathology laboratory information systems (AP LIS), Frost & Sullivan recognizes NovoPath, Inc. with the 2018 North American Enabling Technology Leadership Award. Over the last two decades, NovoPath’s LIS software for AP, simply called NovoPath™, has consistently garnered high ratings from clients for its continual improvement and functional expansion, as well as its ease of use. NovoPath™ offers an array of modules inspired by client needs and a strong understanding of technology and market trends. These modules increase productivity and efficiency by streamlining workflow, promoting superior diagnostic outcomes, and providing lab managers a real-time view into their operations.


NovoPath

NovoPath™ clients benefit from several value-enhancing modules and features, including the following:

  • Lean Process Improvement module tracks specimens from entry to storage, as well as day-to-day activities, and highlights potential areas of improvement in patient safety, staff productivity, quality control, and overall lab efficiency using powerful data analytics.
  • Digital Pathology Readiness ensures that lab managers and pathologists have a seamless and elegant way to view and capture relevant information from digitized slides, improving turnaround time in the lab and allowing for remote diagnosis.
  • Auto Case Distribution and Staff Scheduler dynamically distributes caseloads amongst pathologists during the workday while keeping track of workload, availability, and other variables. Staff Scheduler saves significant time for labs that manually assign caseload.
  • NovoNotifier™ is a patient report delivery system that delivers patient reports to mobile devices and downloads and prints reports at a client’s site automatically upon release. This eliminates human intervention and delivers fast and reliable patient results.

These modules and features integrate fully as part of a powerful LIS that includes functionalities expected in more expensive systems, such as personalized results for clients, electronic sign off and data exchange, a wide range of interfaces to other systems and instruments, voice dictation and recognition, and several methods of reporting results.

“NovoPath™ is used to diagnose over 4 million new specimens each year and has a customer base of more than 309 sites. This software platform has experienced consistent growth due to its usefulness, broad functionality, and customizable features,” said Supratik Paul, senior industry analyst. “Besides, it is cost effective, offers outstanding process optimization due to on-time delivery, and is simpler to use than competing solutions.”

NovoPath™ has found eager acceptance in customer segments ranging from specialized reference laboratories to large general hospitals. The company enjoys a huge competitive advantage in a market where clients desire customized LIS owing to constantly changing regulations and payment cap revisions. In addition to NovoPath’s success in the United States, the company has experienced growth in international markets as well.

NovoPath™ has leveraged its brand to sign several strategic partnerships with leading healthcare and IT solutions providers, as well as software developers. For example, its partnership with Allscripts (formerly McKesson), a leading healthcare services and IT provider, has allowed Allscripts to present an integrated LIS solution to its customer base. Similarly, NovoPath worked with Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution to develop an integrated digital imaging platform for viewing pathology slides, improving turn-around-time for labs, and offering actionable information.

“Overall, Frost & Sullivan believes that NovoPath’s strategic partnerships with top healthcare service providers, modern technology, and solid brand equity in the AP ecosystem have positioned it as the AP LIS vendor of choice in the North American market,” noted Supratik Paul.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to a company that has developed a pioneering technology that not only enhances current products, but also enables the development of new products and applications. The award recognizes the high market acceptance potential of the recipient’s technology.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About NovoPath

NovoPath, Inc. is a leading U.S.-based Lab Information Systems (LIS) company with over 24 years of experience in serving the Anatomic, Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Genetic Testing and Clinical Trials marketplaces.  NovoPath’s clients range from national and regional reference labs to University and Teaching Hospitals, Regional and Community Hospitals and Specialty Labs.  NovoPath’s mission is to provide unique and unparalleled solutions and services to all aspects of the Diagnostic Laboratory sector in a way that improves workflow, reduces the probability of human error, ensures results accuracy for greater patient safety, protects patient confidentiality, and above all, produces more precise and informative diagnostic outcomes.

About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today’s market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Samantha Park
P: 210.247.2426
F: 210.348.1003
E: samantha.park@frost.com

The 4th annual China-US Innovation Competition hosted by the Entrepreneur Foundation

BOSTON, June 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — On April 22, 2018, the 4th annual China-US Innovation Competition hosted by Entrepreneur Foundation (www.bsef.us) successfully took place in Questrom School of Business at Boston University.

After the preliminary review, 8 finalists were selected for the final pitch. The finalists came from a variety of industries such as, Biotech, Robotics, AI, clean Energy, Consumer Service, and Enterprise Service. All the finalists did an excellent job during the final pitch. They received not only positive feedback but also feedback to improve their business model, product design and global expansion strategy from the judges.

Top 3 Teams were awarded $5000, $10,000 and $30,000 respectively for their company’s future development:

3rd Place:
Brain Robotics is devoted to developing AIpowered robotics prosthesis hands at unparalleled cost effectiveness, to empower the people in need to live their lives to the fullest.

2nd Place:
Multisensor Diagnostics’ device MouthLab is a medical assessment device that measures more than 10 vital health parameters in under 30s the device intent to provide transformative solution for individuals with complex chronic conditions.

1st Place:
PathoVax is committed to addressing the devastating economic burden, social stigma, and poor compliance rates resulting from the incomplete protection of current HPV vaccines.

Judges:

This year we were very pleased to have many recognized experts and investors from different fields to join the competition as judges. Some special judges included: Airong Li, MD PHD, Principal Investigator at Massachusetts General Hospital and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School; Xiang Cai, PHD, is the associate professor of Physiology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine; Anil Achyuta is the Director of Advanced Research at L Oreal, where he invests in disruptive technologies in materials science dermatology and medical aesthetics; Shuyang Li, young fashion entrepreneur, AACYF 30 under 30 and founder of EDGE Fashion. His clientele include high-end fashion brands D&G, Shiseido and Cle de Peau Beaute. He was consulted by Future Glory, Biggercode, Alltoohuman, Riccardi and many other brands on integrated marketing communication and help them execute their strategy; Chandra Briggman is the former director of digital for USPS and the current director for Venture Cafe. Garnett Ge, the Head of Cross order Venture at Plug and Play.    

China Trip:

The 8 finalists will receive a full-coverage business trip to China to meet with Chinese investors, Chinese enterprises, and Chinese incubators to explore alternative investment from China, global expansion strategies, and different exit strategies from China. The trip has six stops, including Beijing, Shandong, Shanghai, Hefei, Hangzhou and Guangzhou.  

The summit is primarily sponsored by the UnitedData Group (www.uniteddata.com) The Group is dedicated to operating the data ecosystem. The services provision ranges from asset management, lifecycle, core technology and data ecosystem of data center.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-4th-annual-china-us-innovation-competition-hosted-by-the-entrepreneur-foundation-300660649.html

eBook Shows Patient Benefits of Bioactive Dental Fillings from Pulpdent

Dentist and educator Dr. Robert Lowe shares clinical cases using ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE

BOSTON, June 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Dentist and educator Dr. Robert Lowe has published a new eBook called “Bioactive Composites for the Clinician and Patient.” The eBook features clinical case studies using ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE, a revolutionary new tooth-colored dental filling material from Pulpdent Corporation.


Dentist and educator Dr. Robert Lowe has published a new eBook called “Bioactive Composites for the Clinician and Patient.” The eBook features clinical case studies using ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE, a revolutionary new tooth-colored dental filling material from Pulpdent Corporation.

Download Free eBook by Dr. Robert Lowe

Dr. Lowe addresses the importance of patient education, saying that the dentists “have to get better at explaining the disease process of dental caries (decay) and the restorative options that best fit the needs of each patient.

According to Dr. Lowe, “the majority of today’s dental restoratives are designed merely to occupy space” but bioactive filling materials like ACTIVA BioACTIVE “participate in an ionic exchange of calcium, phosphate, and fluoride that helps neutralize acid attack and supports the natural remineralization process.” Through this ionic exchange, the bioactive material becomes integrated into the tooth and helps create a protective seal.

Dr. Lowe shares best practices on how dentists can discuss treatment options and new technologies like bioactive fillings with their patients.

The eBook features a series of clinical cases, including:

  • Minimally invasive restorations
  • Bulk fillings
  • Root caries restorations
  • Pediatric dentistry
  • Geriatric dentistry

Dr. Lowe provides step-by-step instructions on how to use ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE in these different clinical situations to ensure better patient outcomes. The cases involve patients of all ages, and Dr. Lowe notes that ACTIVA BioACTIVE addresses many of the challenges associated with both pediatric and geriatric patients. 

Dr. Lowe’s eBook, “Bioactive Composites for the Clinician and Patient,” is available for free online. Click here to download the eBook

About PULPDENT® Corporation
Pulpdent Corporation is a family-owned dental research, manufacturing company and leader in bioactive dental materials, with headquarters in Watertown, MA. For over 70 years Pulpdent has been committed to product innovation, clinical education and patient-centered care.  ACTIVA BioACTIVE™, developed by Pulpdent, is a bioactive restorative material that behaves much like natural teeth, supports the natural remineralization process, and helps seal out decay. This revolutionary material has won The Dental Advisor Top Bioactive Product Award for three years running. Learn more at www.pulpdent.com.

Media Contact:
Leah Berk
feedback@pulpdent.com
617-926-6666

Merck Brings Biotechs Closer to Drug Therapy Production and Commercialization

– Opens North America’s first BioReliance® End-to-End Biodevelopment Center to help customers with biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes

– Accelerates clinical development from DNA to market

– “Advance Biotech Grant Program” expands global biotech commitment to help awardees accelerate process set-up with Merck services, expertise

DARMSTADT, Germany, June 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Merck, a leading science and technology company, today officially opened North America’s first BioReliance® End-to-End Biodevelopment Center in Burlington, Massachusetts, U.S.A., providing cell line development services, upstream and downstream process development and non-GMP clinical production for drug manufacturers.


Merck partners with customers to solve their toughest biodevelopment challenges, from DNA to market

“Merck is helping drug manufacturers, from small to large innovator companies, bring life-enhancing medicines and therapies to market — and to patients — faster,” said Udit Batra, member of the Merck Executive Board and CEO, Life Science. “Customers who partner with us benefit from Merck’s full suite of capabilities, which includes access to the latest technologies and expertise of our global footprint.”

Merck’s new center provides hands-on experience and expert consultation at each stage of the biopharmaceutical development process and in manufacturing.

Biomanufacturing is a growing industry that is increasingly focused on optimized production and high quality. However, the drug development process is long and complex, and requires biotech companies to make significant financial investments. Merck’s new end-to-end center is one of three worldwide supporting its biotech partners in developing their processes from early clinical stage to commercialization. Other centers are in Martillac, France, and Shanghai, China.

Merck has 31 years of process development experience and a track record of delivering robust clinical production processes and clinical material in nine to 12 months. The company has the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of products, services and testing for biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and its global end-to-end team has executed some 240 large molecule projects ranging in scale from three to 2,000 liters.

Advance Biotech Grant Program – Accelerating Therapeutic Development in Life Science

The Life Science business of Merck is expanding its commitment to the global biotech community with its Advance Biotech Grant Program. Through the newly expanded grant program, every six months, three recipients around the globe will be awarded a total of €200,000 in free services and products to address their process development challenges. In total, six companies will benefit from the Advance Biotech Grant Program each year.

“Biotech start-ups want to get their therapies to market fast and need expertise and funding to make that happen,” Batra said.  “Having a partner like Merck with a range of differentiated technologies, services and expertise can help our customers solve their unique challenges. These expanded grants further demonstrate Merck’s commitment to partnering to solve the toughest problems in life science.”

The Life Science business of Merck has been awarding grants to emerging biotechs globally since 2015. Five grants were awarded to companies with promising therapies such as antibody drug conjugates for cancer and monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of fibrotic disease. More recently, the 2017 grant was awarded to four promising biotechs in China.

Winners are selected based on the scientific and societal merit of the therapy in development and process challenges and expertise gaps that may impact ongoing development.

For decades, Merck has collaborated with its customers to shape how drug production is done today, and will continue working together to shape the possibilities of tomorrow.

Follow Merck on Twitter @Merckgroup, on Facebook @merckgroup and on LinkedIn.

All Merck news releases are distributed by email at the same time they become available on the Merck website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.

About Merck

Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Almost 53,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2017, Merck generated sales of €15.3 billion in 66 countries.

Founded in 1668, Merck is the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck holds the global rights to the “Merck” name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/700642/Merck_biodevelopment.jpg

Mundipharma Gains License to Market and Distribute GUARDIX-SG (TM) in Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE, June 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Mundipharma has announced a licensing agreement with Korean biomedical firm, Genewel Co.Ltd, to market and distribute its GUARDIX-SG™ Surgical Adhesion Barrier portfolio across Southeast Asia.

GUARDIX-SG™ is used in surgery as a biodegradable mechanical barrier, reducing abnormal internal scarring post surgery by separating the internal tissues and organs while they heal.

First developed in Korea in 2010, it is a sterile, transparent, colorless adhesion barrier, formulated as a thermosensitive gel that remains as a solution at room temp but turns to viscous gel on contact with body temperature. 

GUARDIX-SG™ is indicated as an adjunct in spine, thyroid and abdominal cavity surgeries to reduce the incidence, extent and severity of post-operative adhesions at the surgical site. 

“As a scientifically-proven, safe treatment that provides surgeons with another option and supports patients’ healing process following operations, GUARDIX-SG™ is a welcome addition to our expanding treatment portfolio,” says Mundipharma CEO, Raman Singh.

“As an organisation, we’re always evaluating innovative treatments that possess significant potential to improve outcomes for patients. GUARDIX-SG™ meets this criterion, and will be of benefits to surgeons and patients across Southeast Asia, so we’re delighted to have signed this agreement with Genewel.”

TM: GUARDIX is a trademark of Genewel Co. Ltd

About Mundipharma

Mundipharma’s independent associated companies are privately owned entities covering the world’s pharmaceutical markets. Mundipharma is a prime example of a company that consistently delivers high quality products while standing by the values that represent the company. Our mission is to alleviate the suffering of patients with cancer and non-cancer pain and to substantially improve their quality of life. Mundipharma is dedicated to bringing to patients with severe and debilitating diseases the benefit of novel treatment options in fields such as pain, oncology, oncology supportive care, ophthalmology, respiratory disease and consumer healthcare.

For more information please visit: www.mundipharma.com.sg

Logo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150302/8521501264LOGO

Intermittent Fasting – Why Should You Do It

Image: Free Images

Maybe you already know about Intermittent Fasting (IF) and are still wondering if you should try it.

Our body goes into certain processes and changes when we fast in regards to our genes, hormones and cellular repair. During the fasting state, our body utilizes stored fat as a source of energy. But what are the benefits of IF?

 

  1. It simplifies your day

Instead of having your breakfast in the morning, have it when you start eating for the day or dive straight into lunch if that is the case.

If you cook your own meals that means you have one less meal to prepare and think about.

  1. IF is easier than dieting

Intermittent Fasting is not a diet fad or pattern. It is a pattern of eating and therefore encourages a change in behavior. It is fairly easy to adapt once you get over the fact that you do not need to eat all the time.

  1. Helps you to lose weight

Maybe this is the reason why you would want to try IF. As you adapt to your preferred IF routine, you and your body will be able to adjust accordingly and therefore be able to burn more fat. Do note that some exercising will help you in losing weight faster and there are no magical way to lose weight as fast as you would like to.

  1. You live longer

Logically, when you are starving your body finds a way to extend your life. IF activates your body’s mechanisms to prolong your life without actually starving.

  1. Reducing inflammation

IF is able to reduce inflammation in your body, according to some studies.

Find out more from our sources here, here, here and here

What is Intermittent Fasting

Image: Free Images

Intermittent Fasting (IF) is fast becoming one of the biggest trends within the health community but it is not a new thing. Humans have been fasting for thousands of years. Some religions such as Christianity, Islam and Buddhism have some form of fasting included. Sometimes it is done out of necessity when there is no food available, for example.

IF is done, as its name implies, intermittently; this means you stop eating for a certain amount of time. It is important to remember that IF is not a pattern of diet but a pattern of eating. There is no calorie counting or changes to your food intake. Instead, you simply change when you eat.

Scheduling your meals is easy as we already “fast” every day when we sleep; we simply extend that fasting period longer than the time we sleep. You do not skip meals at all; you simply rearrange them.

IF doesn’t mean that you do not consume any water during fasting time either. You are allowed to drink tea, coffee and other non-caloric beverages on top of water during your fasting period.

There are many methods of IF that can be done with the most popular being the 16/8 method. This means you fast for 16 hours and eat for 8 hours. Read more about Intermittent Fasting methods here.

Read our sources here, here, here and here.

Merck Presents Updated Clinical Results for Bifunctional Immunotherapy M7824 at ASCO 2018

DARMSTADT, Germany, June 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ —

ASCO Abstract #
M7824 (TGF-ß trap/anti-PD-L1): 3007, 9017, 2566, TPS3130; Tepotinib (c-Met kinase inhibitor): 9082, 9016; M2698 (dual p70S6k/Akt inhibitor): 2584; M6620 (ATR inhibitor): 2549; M3814 (DNA-PK): 2518

Not intended for UK- or US-based media 

  • M7824 is an investigational immunotherapy that is designed to bring together both anti-transforming growth factor-β and anti-PD-L1 mechanisms  
  • Data to be presented at ASCO 2018 show M7824s anti-tumor activity in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and advanced human papillomavirus associated cancers 
  • M7824 continues to be explored in tumors and settings where addressing both mechanisms could lead to improved clinical outcomes 

Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced results from expansion cohorts of the ongoing M7824 Phase I clinical trial (NCT02517398) program at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2018 Annual Meeting in Chicago, June 1-5, 2018. These data include results in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and in human papillomavirus (HPV) associated cancers (NCT03427411), presented in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), providing further evidence that bringing together a transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) trap with the anti-PD-L1 mechanism may generate clinically relevant anti-tumor activity.

“M7824’s dual approach to fighting cancer, which brings together a TGF-β trap with the anti-PD-L1 mechanism, complements our existing immuno-oncology portfolio,” said Luciano Rossetti, M.D., Global Head of Research & Development at the biopharma business of Merck. “The unique design of this fusion protein offers the potential to optimally engage the TGF-β pathway. This is one example of the creative approaches we are taking to address challenging cancers where we believe we can deliver a transformational change for patients.”

In patients with second line (no prior immunotherapy) advanced NSCLC from the cohort of the ongoing Phase I clinical trial (NCT02517398), signs of clinical activity were seen across PD-L1 expression levels. At the recommended Phase II dose (1200 mg every 2 weeks), an investigator-assessed confirmed overall response rate (ORR) of 40.7% (11/27 patients) was observed in patients with PD-L1+ tumors (≥1%, Ab clone 73-10). In patients with high PD-L1+ expressing tumors (≥80%; Ab clone 73-10 [≥80% as measured with Ab clone 73-10 comparable with tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥50% with 22C3]), ORR was 71.4% (5/7 patients). A median progression-free survival (PFS) of 6.8 months was observed for PD-L1+ patients (1200 mg every 2 weeks) and the median PFS was not reached for the high PD-L1-expressing population owing to the number of patients still responding at the time of analysis. Safety data in this study were consistent with those observed in the overall M7824 Phase I clinical program. The most common treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were pruritus (20.0%), maculopapular rash (18.8%) and decreased appetite (12.5%). Grade 3 TRAEs were experienced by 21 patients (26.3%), Grade 4 TRAEs occurred in 2 patients (2.5%). The most common events were skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders. Eight patients (10%) discontinued treatment due to TRAEs.

From the ongoing Phase I, open-label trial NCT03427411 (presented in collaboration with the NCI), signs of tumor burden reduction were seen in 47% (8/17 patients) of patients with advanced HPV associated cancers, including cervical, anal, or head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, enrolled in the dose escalation part of the study. The ORR was 35.3% in patients with HPV associated cancer and 41.7% (including 1 patient with response post-pseudoprogression) in patients with proven HPV-positive disease (12 patients). Safety data in this study were consistent with those observed in the broader M7824 clinical program. A total of 4 patients (23.5%) experienced Grade ≥3 TRAEs, including colitis, cystitis, gastroparesis, pleural effusion and hypokalemia (Grade 4); notably, 3 of these patients had tumor burden reduction. No other Grade 4 or 5 TRAEs were seen.

M7824 is an investigational bifunctional immunotherapy that brings together a TGF-β trap and ‘fuses’ it with the anti-PD-L1 mechanism. M7824 is designed to simultaneously block the two immunosuppressive pathways and control tumor growth by potentially restoring and enhancing anti-tumor responses. M7824 is an important part of a novel combination approach that seeks to harness the power of the immune system and address the tremendously complex nature of difficult-to-treat tumors such as NSCLC and HPV associated cancers. These data build on a number of recent readouts for M7824, including preliminary data in gastric cancer at the ASCO 2018 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. Merck will present data from additional cohorts in hard-to-treat cancer types in the coming year.

In addition to M7824, data from a number of high-priority clinical development programs are also being presented at ASCO 2018, including tepotinib (NSCLC), M2698 (advanced tumors) and two molecules from the DNA Damage Response portfolio (advanced solid tumors).

Merck is committed to exploring an array of targets and taking creative scientific approaches to developing novel therapies for hard-to-treat cancers. With the belief that rational combination is key to the development of potential new and more efficacious treatment options, the company has a particular focus on combination treatment approaches, whether it be with chemotherapy/radiotherapy, other targeted therapies and/or immunotherapies from its own or partners’ portfolios.

M7824 at ASCO  

Presentation
Date / Time
Title Lead Author Abstract # (CDT) Location

M7824
Poster Discussion
Results from a
second-line (2L)
NSCLC cohort
treated with
M7824
(MSB0011359C), a
bifunctional
fusion protein Sun, Jun 03,
targeting PD-L1 Luis G. 11:30 a.m.
and TGF-beta Paz-Ares 9017 12:45 p.m. Arie Crown Theater
Oral Presentation
Safety and
activity of
M7824, a
bifunctional
fusion protein
targeting PD-L1
and TGF- beta, in
patients with HPV Sat, Jun 02,
associated Julius 5:12 p.m. – 5:24
cancers Strauss 3007 p.m. Hall B1
Poster Session
Selection of the
recommended Phase
2 dose (RP2D) for
M7824
(MSB0011359C), a
bifunctional
fusion protein
targeting Mon, Jun 04,
TGF-beta and Yulia 8:00 a.m.
PD-L1 Vugmeyster 2566 11:30 a.m. Hall A
A sequential
cohort study of
combination
immunotherapy
with BN-brachyury
vaccine, M7824,
ALT-803 and
epacadostat in
metastatic
castration-resist
ant prostate Mon, Jun 04,
cancer (mCRPC) 8:00 a.m.
(QuEST1) Jason Redman TPS3130 11:30 a.m. Hall A

About M7824 

M7824 is an investigational bifunctional immunotherapy that is designed to bring together a TGF-β trap and ‘fuse’ it with the anti-PD-L1 mechanism. M7824 is designed to simultaneously block the two immunosuppressive pathways – targeting both pathways aims to control tumor growth by potentially restoring and enhancing anti-tumor responses. M7824 is currently in Phase I studies for solid tumors.

All Merck Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Website. Please go to http://www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.

About Merck 

Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Almost 53,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2017, Merck generated sales of € 15.3 billion in 66 countries.

Founded in 1668, Merck is the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.

Contact: Brenda Mulligan +978-821-5345

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