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San Diego-based Biocept, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIOC) develops and performs diagnostic assays that provide clinically actionable information to improve outcomes for patients with a variety of cancers. Biocept`s unique combination of cell-based and cell-free DNA analysis allows us to rapidly detect and monitor certain cancer biomarkers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Our patented Target Selector™ technology quantitatively analyzes tumor cells for tumor-associated biomarkers, offering high sensitivity and specificity compared with methods currently used by other laboratories. In addition to our broad portfolio of blood-based liquid biopsy tests, we offer the CNSide™ CSF assay, which addresses an unmet clinical need for patients with cancer that has metastasized to the central nervous system. Between 10% and 30% of patients with cancer will develop brain or spinal cord metastasis. Survival is often low, and few are diagnosed early enough for effective therapeutic intervention. CNSide answers three key questions: Is there a tumor? Is there a target for treatment? Is there a trend in treatment response? We offer diagnostic laboratory services for oncologists, pathologists, hospitals, cancer centers, universities, pharmaceutical and clinical researchers, and other healthcare providers. Our CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory combines a highly trained professional staff with innovative instrumentation for optimal test results and quality control. Biocept works with strategic industry leaders, as well as major cancer centers across the U.S., to further its mission of helping to improve outcomes for cancer patients. We also are utilizing our molecular diagnostic capabilities to offer nationwide RT-PCR-based COVID-19 testing and services to support public health efforts. Revenue from COVID-19 testing has supported further investment in our core oncology business, positioning the company for long-term success.
MEI Pharma (Nasdaq: MEIP) is a San Diego-based pharmaceutical company focused on leveraging its extensive development and oncology expertise to identify and advance new therapies for cancer. Our approach to building our pipeline is to license promising cancer agents and create value in programs through development and commercialization, or strategic partnerships, as appropriate. Our portfolio contains four clinical-stage drug candidates, including one candidate in an ongoing global registration trial and another candidate that is anticipated to advance into a registration trial this year. Our drug candidate pipeline includes: Pracinostat, an oral HDAC inhibitor that is in a Phase 3 pivotal study in combination with azacitidine for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Pracinostat is also being evaluated in a clinical study in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. Pracinostat is licensed to Helsinn Healthcare SA, a Swiss pharmaceutical corporation. ME-401, a selective oral inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (“PI3K”) delta. ME-401 is anticipated to progress into a single-agent registration study in 2018 for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma. Voruciclib, an orally administered and selective cyclin-dependent kinase (“CDK”) inhibitor differentiated by its potent in vitro inhibition of CDK9 in addition to CDK6, 4 and 1. Initiation of a Phase I dose-escalation study in patients with relapsed and/or refractory B-cell malignancies after failure of prior standard therapies is scheduled to being in the second calendar quarter of 2018. ME-344, a novel and tumor selective, isoflavone-derived mitochondrial inhibitor drug candidate, has demonstrated evidence of single-agent activity against refractory solid tumors in a Phase I study. In preclinical studies, tumor cells treated with ME-344 resulted in a rapid loss of ATP and cancer cell death. It is currently being evaluated in an investigator-initiated study in combination with the VEGF inhibitor bevacizumab (marketed as Avastin®) in patients with HER2 negative breast cancer.
Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq: ABUS) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its extensive virology expertise to develop novel therapeutics that target specific viral diseases. Our current focus areas include Hepatitis B virus (HBV), SARS-CoV-2, and other coronaviruses. To address HBV, we are developing a RNAi therapeutic, an oral PD-L1 inhibitor, and an oral RNA destabilizer to potentially identify a combination regimen with the aim of providing a functional cure for patients with chronic HBV by suppressing viral replication, reducing surface antigen and reawakening the immune system. We believe our lead compound, AB-729, is the only RNAi therapeutic with evidence of immune re-awakening. It is currently being evaluated in multiple phase 2 clinical trials. We also have an ongoing drug discovery and development program directed to identifying novel, orally active agents for treating coronavirus (including SARS-CoV-2). In addition, we are exploring oncology applications for our internal PD-L1 portfolio.
We are passionate in our commitment to improving and renewing people`s lives. Sesen Bio is a late-stage company devWe are passionate in our commitment to save and improve the lives of patients. Sesen Bio is a late-stage company developing fusion protein medicines for the treatment of patients with cancer. In February 2021, the FDA accepted for filing the Company`s BLA for Vicineum™, a potential best-in-class treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.eloping fusion protein medicines for people with cancer. Our fusion protein approach tethers a tumor-targeting antibody fragment to a protein cytotoxic payload to form a single protein molecule designed to selectively and broadly kill cancer cells while sparing healthy cells and to activate the body`s innate immune response system. The most advanced program in our pipeline is Vicinium™, a novel investigational anti-cancer treatment that has the potential to treat multiple cancers driven by overexpression of EpCAM, such as non-muscle invasive bladder (NMIBC) and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We are currently advancing Vicinium in a Phase 3 registration trial for the treatment of people with NMIBC who have been previously treated with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), with positive three-month efficacy results established and 12-month study results expected in mid-2019. Due to Vicinium`s potential to promote an anti-tumor immune response, we believe it holds promise as a combination treatment with immuno-oncology drugs, such as checkpoint inhibitors.
Setren, Smallberg and Associates is a Oakland, CA-based company in the Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, and Biotech sector.