WESTCHESTER COUNTY LIFE SCIENCES UPDATE

Sapience Therapeutics Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase 1-2 Clinical Study of ST316

Tarrytown's Sapience Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of peptide therapeutics to address oncogenic and immune dysregulation that drive cancer, has announced that the first patient has commenced treatment in its Phase 1-2 study evaluating the Company’s first-in-class antagonist of β-catenin, ST316. Though a principal driver of many cancers, β-catenin has evaded drug discovery efforts for more than 30 years. ST316 is designed to selectively target oncogenic activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, without impacting its activity in normal cells.

ST316-101 (NCT05848739) is a first-in-human, open-label, Phase 1-2 dose-escalation and expansion study designed to determine the safety, tolerability, PK, PD and early efficacy of ST316. The Phase 1 dose-escalation portion of the study will test various dose levels of ST316 in patients with select advanced solid tumors that are known to harbor abnormalities of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. With its first patient dosed on June 5, 2023, the Company expects to complete the Phase 1 portion of the study in the second half of 2024. Following completion of the study’s Phase 1 portion, the recommended dose will advance to the Phase 2 portion of the study, in which ST316 will be tested in four advanced solid tumor types that are known to harbor abnormalities of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Sapience is conducting the Phase 1 study across several sites in the United States.

Read more

Regeneron Reveals Updated Data From Multiple Myeloma Study, Showing Response Rate Of 71%

Greenburgh's Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. has announced updated data from two Phase 2 expansion dose cohorts of linvoseltamab (formerly REGN5458) in patients with heavily pre-treated, relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. 

The LINKER-MM1 trial will form the basis of planned submissions to regulatory authorities, including the FDA, later this year.

Among the 200 mg cohort, the median soluble BCMA (sBCMA) was 377 ng/mL, 22% had bone marrow plasma cells ≥50%, and 36% had high-risk cytogenetics. The objective response rate (ORR) was 71%. 59% achieved a very good partial response (VGPR) or better, with 30% achieving a complete response (CR) or stringent complete response (sCR). The median time to onset of response was less than one month. Strong efficacy per ORR was consistently observed in the 200 mg cohort across multiple subgroups, even in high-risk patients. 

Read more

Westchester Biomaterials Startup UNCAGED Innovations Raises $2 Million in Pre-Seed Funding

Round includes investment from Jaguar Land Rover's VC Arm

UNCAGED Innovations, a biomaterials company based in White Plains that combines the power of nature and technology to reimagine leather, has successfully raised

$2 million in a pre-seed funding round. The investment comes from Jaguar Land Rover's VC fund, InMotion Ventures, alongside other notable investors. The company's innovative material is not only cruelty-free, but it's also eco-friendly and biodegradable, making it a game changer for the automotive industry.

Additional investors include VegInvest, Stray Dog Capital, Alwyn Capital, Hack Capital, and GlassWalls Syndicate.

Read more

ContraFect to Present Four Posters at Leading

Microbe Conference Next Week

Yonkers’ ContraFect Corporation was selected to present four posters at the ASM Microbe Conference in Houston, Texas between June 15 to 19. The company’s data presentation will include CF-370 showcasing efficacious activity in a neutropenic rabbit pneumonia model against an extensively-drug-resistant (XDR) strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Every year, about 700,000 deaths across the globe are related to antimicrobial-resistant infections. ContraFect is focused on applying product candidates developed from its proprietary platform towards addressing life-threatening infections.

The company is presently enrolling subjects in a Phase 1b/2 study of exebacase ‘in the setting of a DAIR procedure’ for chronic prosthetic joint infections of the knee caused by S. aureus or coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CoNS).

Read more

UPCOMING EVENTS

ELabNYC Presents:

The 2nd Annual Pre-Check Due Diligence Masterclass

FirstXFounder

Are you a Westchester founder or working with a life sciences venture seeking to raise Pre Seed/Seed or Series A funding? Get ready for three days of advanced and fast-paced courses, delivered by experienced investors and leading business professionals. Gain valuable insights to enhance your investment skills and prepare your business for the next stage of financial growth.

Masterclass Dates: June 21, 22, & 23; 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Virtual)

Reception: June 21, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (In person, NYC)

Register 

New York State SOCRA Chapter Virtual Presentation:

Right-sizing SOPs

Research sites too often acquire a package of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) from a vendor, a partner, or an industry peer. While having SOPs in place is typically good, are your SOPs tailored to your institution? Do they align with your processes, staff, and setting? This session will cover key methods in the process of identifying and developing required procedures and implementing to support fitness for purpose, as well as identify key activities to facilitate development and maintenance of quality SOPs and controlled documents.

*NYS SOCRA Chapter Program: Certificates of Attendance provided; 1 hour CE for SOCRA Members

*All are welcome

Date: June 22

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Register

CNYBAC Concept to Commercialization Virtual Series:

Challenges in Bioentrepreneurship

An interview session with CEO and Co-founder of CMTx Biotech, Joseph Scaduto. Register early for this can't-miss event and be sure to come with your questions!

Date: July 17

Time: 3:00 PM

Register

Have good news to share with

Westchester’s life sciences ecosystem?

Please let us know.

Email lifesciences@westchestergov.com.