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Business Local News

Asana BioSciences announces dosing of first patient in Phase 1 trial of ASN004, a novel 5T4-antibody-drug-conjugate

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Asana BioSciences, LLC, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 1 trial for ASN004, an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) targeting the 5T4 oncofetal antigen (trophoblast glycoprotein), that is expressed in a wide range of malignant tumors but shows very limited expression in normal tissues. Higher 5T4 expression is associated with worse clinical outcome in non-small cell lung, head and neck, gastric, pancreatic, colorectal, and ovarian cancers.

ASN004 incorporates a novel single-chain Fv-Fc antibody linked to a clinically validated Auristatin F hydroxypropylamide cytotoxic payload, and drug to antibody ratio (DAR) of approximately 10-12. In preclinical cancer models, a single dose of ASN004 achieved complete and durable tumor regression leading to tumor-free survivors.

 

“5T4 is an ideal antigen target for payload delivery to tumor with high internalization rate dynamics combined with the high DAR and represents a clear opportunity for precision guided therapy as needed” said Dr. Anthony Tolcher, Director of Clinical Research, Next Oncology, San Antonio, Texas and the Principal Investigator of the Phase 1, multicenter, dose-finding study, designed to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and anti-tumor activity of ASN004, in patients with advanced solid tumors in the US (NCT04410224).

 

“We are delighted to initiate the clinical development of ASN004. The broad tumor expression profile of 5T4 qualifies it as a promising target for cancer therapies, with potential to be the best-in-class ADC,” said Sandeep Gupta, PhD, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer at Asana BioSciences. “ASN004 is the 6th novel program that Asana has successfully brought into the clinic, affirming our mission to provide new and better treatment options to patients,” added Dr. Gupta.

 

About Asana BioSciences, LLC

Asana BioSciences is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company based in Lawrenceville, NJ. Asana is focused on discovery and development of novel targeted investigational medicines in immunology/inflammation and oncology.

 

Gusacitinib (ASN002) is an oral potent inhibitor of the Janus Kinase (JAK) family (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and TYK2) and Spleen Tyrosine Kinase (SYK). This potential best-in-class JAK/SYK inhibitor has been studied in ~350 patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (NCT03531957) and chronic hand eczema (NCT03728504) and has demonstrated efficacy and good safety/tolerability.

 

ASN003 is a potent and highly selective inhibitor of B-RAF and PI3 Kinases. It has been evaluated in a Phase 1 trial in metastatic melanoma, colorectal and advanced non-small cell lung cancer, and other advanced solid tumors patients harboring BRAFV600 and PI3K pathway mutations (NCT02961283).

 

ASN008 is a novel, topical Na+-channel blocker with high functional selectivity for itch and pain sensing neurons without affecting motor neurons. In a Phase 1b study in atopic dermatitis patients, topical application of ASN008 showed rapid onset of pruritus relief (NCT03798561). ASN008 also has potential for the treatment of pain, urologic and other chronic conditions.

 

ASN009 is a selective antagonist of the purinergic P2X3 ion channel that is activated by extracellular ATP and involved in various pain, urological and respiratory disease conditions. ASN009 shows robust efficacy in a preclinical model of cough and is currently in preclinical development.

 

www.asanabiosciences.com

Contacts

Shashank Mahashabde

Asana BioSciences

997 Lenox Drive, Suite 220

Princeton Pike Corporate Center

Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Ph: 609-557-1119

Shashank.Mahashabde@asanabio.com

Categories
Business Science

Marotta Controls’ oxygen-compatible solenoid valves deliver versatility while minimizing part numbers

Manifold-Mounted and Inline Direct Acting Valves Offer a Qualified, Cross-Application Solution to the Commercial Space Market

 

MONTVILLE, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #additivemanufacturing–Today, Marotta Controls, a rapidly growing aerospace and defense supplier with a 65-year-plus heritage in spaceflight, announced that its latest direct acting solenoid valve is qualified for use in high pressure oxygen systems. Notably, the valve is also suitable for launch vehicle inert gas systems given its high flow capacity, smaller size, rapid response time, and overall cost-effectiveness. The manifold-mounted PLV405 can be configured with two or three ports and is proven to be reusable with a tested high lifecycle count.


Offering the same performance advantages, Marotta Controls also produces an inline model – the MV405. This valve is also available in 2-way or 3-way port configurations.

 

The PLV405 valves offer notable improvements over similar incumbent options, to include nearly double the flow capacity in a 7% lighter package with a 33% faster response time. They are constructed with alloys produced to the ATSM A36 standard.

 

“We understand the complexity of building and qualifying space vehicles. And we understand the importance of simplifying that process any way possible to speed manufacturing without compromising quality,” said Brian Ippolitto, Director, Aerospace Systems Engineering, Marotta Controls. “We view ourselves as more than just suppliers. We operate as true partners who aim to alleviate or at least minimize challenges wherever possible across the whole development cycle. Today, that intention manifests as producing a single, high performing valve with immense versatility.”

 

The 3-way valve is also available in a modified version that supports only Nitrogen, Helium and Air (no Oxygen).

 

The devices are qualified to the Air Force Space Command’s (AFSC) SMC-S-016 standard and are put through Marotta’s advanced cleaning and testing processes used for all space-bound hardware.

 

For more information, visit marotta.com.

 

About Marotta Controls

Founded in 1943, Marotta Controls is a fully-integrated solutions provider which designs, develops, qualifies and manufactures innovative systems and sub-systems for the aerospace and defense sectors. Our portfolio includes pressure, power, motion, fluid, and electronic controls for tactical systems, shipboard and sub-sea applications, satellites, launch vehicles, and aircraft systems. With over 200 patents, Marotta Controls continues to build on its legacy as a highly respected, family-owned small business based in the state of New Jersey. Twitter: @marottacontrols LinkedIn: Marotta Controls, Inc.

Contacts

Heather Ailara

211 Communications

+1.973.567.6040

heather@211comms.com

Katee Glass

Marotta Controls, Inc.

kglass@marotta.com

Categories
Business Science

Melinta Therapeutics acquires U.S. rights to TOPROL-XL® (metoprolol succinate) from New American Therapeutics

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Melinta Therapeutics, LLC (“Melinta”), a commercial-stage company providing innovative therapies for acute and life-threatening illnesses, announced today that it has acquired the U.S. rights to TOPROL-XL® (metoprolol succinate) and its Authorized Generic (AG) through an agreement between Melinta and New American Therapeutics Inc.

 

TOPROL-XL®, approved by the FDA in 1992, is a cardioselective beta-blocker indicated for the treatment of hypertension, alone or in combination with other antihypertensives; the long-term treatment of angina pectoris; and the treatment of stable, symptomatic (NYHA class II or III) heart failure of specific origins.

 

Said Christine Ann Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer, Melinta Therapeutics, “This acquisition immediately expands and diversifies our existing portfolio and serves as fuel for accelerating our long-term growth strategy and enhancing our profitability. We will continue to aggressively pursue portfolio expansion that aligns with our mission of providing innovative therapies for acute and life-threatening illnesses.”

 

“We are extremely proud of our work to provide access to this lifesaving medication,” said Michael Anderson, CEO, New American Therapeutics. “Melinta shares this same commitment to patient access. And they demonstrate that commitment through an impressive supply chain and distribution network that ensures this medication will continue to be available for those patients who need it.”

 

Melinta has begun the integration process to bring TOPROL-XL® into the company’s existing production, distribution and commercialization structure to ensure this important medication will continue to be made available without interruption.

 

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

 

About Melinta Therapeutics

Melinta Therapeutics, LLC provides innovative therapies to people impacted by acute and life-threatening illnesses. Our portfolio currently includes five commercial-stage antibiotics: BAXDELA® (delafloxacin), KIMYRSA™ (oritavancin), MINOCIN® (minocycline) for Injection, ORBACTIV® (oritavancin), and VABOMERE® (meropenem and vaborbactam) and a commercial-stage cardiovascular product: TOPROL-XL® (metoprolol succinate). With an unsurpassed commitment to providers and the patients they serve, we work to ensure that all people who need our therapies can receive them. We focus our expanding portfolio on serving patients with an unmet need because that’s how we make the most meaningful impact. At Melinta, we’re visionaries dedicated to innovation while staying grounded in what matters most: patients. Visit www.melinta.com for more information.

 

TOPROL-XL® is a registered trademark of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP and is used with permission.

 

About TOPROL-XL® (metoprolol succinate)

TOPROL-XL® is a beta-adrenergic blocker indicated for the treatment of:

  • Hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions
  • Angina Pectoris
  • Heart Failure, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure hospitalizations in patients with heart failure

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to product components.
  • Severe bradycardia: Greater than first degree heart block, or sick sinus syndrome without a pacemaker.
  • Cardiogenic shock or decompensated heart failure.

 

Warnings and Precautions

  • Abrupt cessation may exacerbate angina pectoris or myocardial ischemia. Reduce dosage gradually over a period of 1 to 2 weeks and monitor the patient. Warn patients not to discontinue without their physician’s advice.
  • Heart Failure: Worsening cardiac failure may occur during up-titration.
  • Bronchospastic Disease: Avoid beta blockers.
  • Bradycardia, including sinus pause, heart block, and cardiac arrest have occurred with the use of TOPROL-XL. Patients with first-degree atrioventricular block, sinus node dysfunction, conduction disorders (including Wolff- Parkinson-White) or on concomitant drugs that cause bradycardia (digitalis glycosides, clonidine, and diltiazem and verapamil) may be at increased risk. Monitor heart rate.
  • Pheochromocytoma: Initiate therapy with an alpha blocker.
  • Major Surgery: Avoid initiation of high-dose extended-release metoprolol in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Do not routinely withdraw chronic beta blocker therapy prior to surgery.
  • Diabetes and Hypoglycemia: May mask tachycardia occurring with hypoglycemia.
  • Thyrotoxicosis: Abrupt withdrawal in patients with thyrotoxicosis might precipitate a thyroid storm.
  • Peripheral Vascular Disease: Can precipitate or aggravate symptoms of arterial insufficiency.
  • Patients may be unresponsive to the usual doses of epinephrine used to treat an allergic reaction.

 

Adverse Reactions

Most common adverse reactions: tiredness, dizziness, depression, shortness of breath, bradycardia, hypotension, diarrhea, pruritus, rash.

Contacts

Susan Blum

Chief Financial Officer

Melinta Therapeutics, LLC

908-617-1300

info@melinta.com

Categories
Business Lifestyle

AM Best Webinar: ‘Six critical ways to transform insurance to a lifetime partner’

OLDWICK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #insuranceAM Best will host a complimentary webinar entitled “Six Critical Ways to Transform Insurance Business to a Lifetime Partner,” sponsored by Zelros, on April 26, 2022, at 1 p.m. EDT. Customer churn and lost loyalty is costing insurers over $470 billion globally, much of it due to poor consumer experience. Join a panel of technology and insurance experts to share practices and concrete takeaways on how data analytics and AI are leveraged to digitally transform the business of insurance with a more-humanized experience, while proactively assessing risks, preventing loss and protecting people’s lives and assets.

Register now: https://www.ambest.com/webinars/zelros/index.html

Panelists include:

  • Linh Ho, CMO, Zelros
  • Niels Keuker, CEO, iptiQ Sales Solutions at iptiQ by Swiss Re
  • Seth Rachlin, EVP, global insurance leader, Capgemini
  • Deb Zawisza, senior principal, Aite-Novarica

 

Attendees can submit questions during registration or by emailing webinars@ambest.com. The event will be streamed in video and audio formats, and playback will be available to registered viewers shortly after the event.

 

Zelros is a pioneer in insurtech, transforming insurance distribution with its award-winning AI solution, enabling a unique customer and agent experience through hyper-personalized insurance recommendations across channels. The world’s largest insurance companies, such as BPCE Group, Crédit Agricole, Groupama, MAIF, Matmut, Baloise Group, AssurOne and Simpego, trust Zelros to help them stay competitive, boost client acquisition and cross-sell revenue, and adhere to Responsible AI governance. Zelros is headquartered in Paris with offices in Canada, Germany and Italy.

 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. and/or its affiliates.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Lee McDonald
Group Vice President, Publication & News Services
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5561
lee.mcdonald@ambest.com

Categories
Business Local News

Church & Dwight to report first quarter 2022 results

EWING, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (NYSE:CHD) will host a conference call to discuss first quarter 2022 earnings results on April 28, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time.

To participate, dial 877-322-9846 within the U.S. and Canada, or 631-291-4539 internationally, using access code 7619748. A replay will be available two hours after the call at 855-859-2056 using the same access code. You can also participate by visiting the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.churchdwight.com.

 

Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (NYSE: CHD) founded in 1846, is the leading U.S. producer of sodium bicarbonate, popularly known as baking soda. The Company manufactures and markets a wide range of personal care, household, and specialty products under recognized brand names such as ARM & HAMMER®, TROJAN®, OXICLEAN®, SPINBRUSH®, FIRST RESPONSE®, NAIR®, ORAJEL®, XTRA®, L’IL CRITTERS® and VITAFUSION®, BATISTE®, WATERPIK®, FLAWLESS®, ZICAM® and THERABREATH®. These fourteen key brands represent approximately 80% of the Company’s products sales. For more information, visit the Company’s website.

Contacts

Rick Dierker

609-806-1900

Categories
Business Culture

B&G Foods issues voluntary allergy alert for undeclared egg and milk in a limited number of boxes of Back to Nature® Cheddalicious® Cheese Flavored Crackers mistakenly containing animal shaped crackers

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — B&G Foods announced today it is voluntarily recalling 1,855 cases of a single date code of 6 oz. Back to Nature Cheddalicious Cheese Flavored Crackers, with a “best by” date of SEP 05 2022, after learning that a limited number of the cracker boxes were inadvertently filled with foil wrapped pouches of animal shaped crackers, which contain egg and milk, allergens that are not declared on the box label. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to egg or milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the animal shaped crackers contained in the recalled boxes. There is no health risk associated with this product for individuals without an allergy to egg or milk.


This recall affects only 1,855 cases of the following product, which may have been distributed in retail stores nationwide:

 

Description

Consumer UPC #

Size

Best By Date

Back to Nature Cheddalicious

Cheese Flavored Crackers

8-19898-01491-0

6 oz.

SEP 05 2022

(The “best by” date is located on the top of the box.)

 

This recall does not apply to any other “best by” dates, sizes or varieties of Back to Nature products.

No allergic reactions related to this matter have been reported to date. This recall was initiated in cooperation with the FDA and the third party co-packer that produced the product.

 

B&G Foods discovered this issue when it received a consumer complaint that a foil pouch within a single box of Back to Nature Cheddalicious Cheese Flavored Crackers contained animal shaped crackers. The third-party co-packer that produces the product inadvertently filled a limited number of Back to Nature Cheddalicious Cheese Flavored Crackers product boxes with another food company’s animal shaped crackers.

 

Out of an abundance of caution, B&G Foods is recalling all 1,855 cases with this particular “best by” date. Product with this particular “best by” date was shipped and distributed to customer warehouses located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

 

Consumers who have purchased the recalled product can return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers seeking a refund or additional information may also contact B&G Foods by calling 855.346.2225 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern time or submitting a contact at https://backtonaturefoods.com/contact-us.

Contacts

Media Relations:

ICR, Inc.

Matt Lindberg

203.682.8214

Categories
Business Lifestyle

Stonepeak successfully completes $3.0 billion equity recapitalization of portfolio company Cologix

NEW YORK & DENVER — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets, today announced the successful closing of its previously announced equity recapitalization of Cologix, the largest private interconnection and hyperscale edge platform in North America. At $3.0 billion in equity value, the transaction represents the largest single asset continuation vehicle raised in digital infrastructure to date. Cologix also completed a $1.65 billion asset-backed securitization earlier this year to support continued growth.

The recapitalization was effectuated as a sale of Cologix by Stonepeak Infrastructure Fund II LP and co-investors (Fund II) to Stonepeak-managed vehicles comprising a combination of existing Fund II investors who have chosen to reinvest in the business in partnership with a number of new third-party investors.

 

Cyrus Gentry, Managing Director at Stonepeak, said, “We are excited to extend and deepen our partnership with the Cologix team through this transaction and look forward to supporting Bill and team as they continue to build out Cologix’s leading North American interconnection and hyperscale edge platform in the years ahead.”

 

“With this transaction, we are accelerating our investments to match the growing demand from cloud services and network providers as well as digital enterprises,” added Cologix Chairman and CEO Bill Fathers. “We will build and acquire ScalelogixSM hyperscale edge data centers in current and new markets to complement and expand our network dense digital edge business.”

 

Cologix is North America’s leading network-neutral interconnection and hyperscale edge data center company with a carrier-dense ecosystem of more than 600 networks, 300+ cloud providers and 29 onramps across its platform. The company provides colocation and connectivity solutions to more than 1,600 customers through its operations that span 40+ digital edge and Scalelogix hyperscale edge data centers in 11 North American markets. Cologix maintains a strong focus on environmental, social and governance efforts across its business and to date has undertaken various sustainability initiatives, including the use of hydropower, optimizing water usage and installing the most efficient uninterruptible power supplies in the industry.

 

Fund II acquired a majority stake in Cologix in March of 2017 and subsequently partnered with Mubadala Investment Company (who have exited their position as part of this recapitalization) for an incremental growth capital investment in January 2020. Since 2017, Cologix has invested $1 billion of incremental capital in building out the company’s footprint through various organic and inorganic initiatives.

 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor to Stonepeak. RBC Capital Markets, LLC acted as financial advisor to Fund II. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP acted as legal counsel to Stonepeak.

 

About Stonepeak

Stonepeak is a leading alternative investment firm specializing in infrastructure and real assets with approximately $46 billion of assets under management. Through its investment in defensive, hard-asset businesses globally, Stonepeak aims to create value for its investors and portfolio companies, and to have a positive impact on the communities in which it operates. Stonepeak sponsors investment vehicles focused on private equity and credit. The firm provides capital, operational support, and committed partnerships to sustainably grow investments in its target sectors, which include communications, water, energy transition, power and renewable energy, and transport and logistics. Stonepeak is headquartered in New York with offices in Austin, Hong Kong, Houston, London and Sydney. For more information, please visit www.stonepeak.com.

 

About Cologix

Cologix provides carrier and cloud neutral hyperscale edge data centers and services across North America. Cologix is the interconnection hub for cloud service providers, carriers and a rich ecosystem of partners who want to deploy applications at the very edge across Canada and the U.S. With a growing portfolio of next generation facilities that meet the unique requirements for hyperscale growth with deep connectivity, Cologix offers massive scale and tailor-made data center solutions to accelerate customers’ digital transformation. For on-demand connectivity for scale and control, Cologix Access Marketplace provides fast, reliable, self-service provisioning. For a tour of one of our data centers in Ashburn, Columbus, Dallas, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Minneapolis, Montreal, New Jersey, Silicon Valley, Toronto or Vancouver visit www.cologix.com or email sales@cologix.com. Follow Cologix on LinkedIn and Twitter.

 

About Mubadala Investment Company

Mubadala Investment Company is a sovereign investor managing a global portfolio, aimed at generating sustainable financial returns for the Government of Abu Dhabi.

 

Mubadala’s $243.4 billion (AED 894 billion) portfolio spans six continents with interests in multiple sectors and asset classes. We leverage our deep sectoral expertise and long-standing partnerships to drive sustainable growth and profit, while supporting the continued diversification and global integration of the economy of the United Arab Emirates.

 

Mubadala’s Digital Infrastructure unit, headed by Mounir Barakat, invests in physical assets around the world underpinning the global trend of digitalization and increasing demand for connectivity, data storage and compute power.

 

Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Mubadala has offices in London, Rio de Janeiro, Moscow, New York, San Francisco and Beijing. For more information about Mubadala Investment Company, please visit: www.mubadala.com.

Contacts

Stonepeak
Kate Beers

beers@stonepeak.com
+1 646-540-5225

Cologix
Krista Shepard

krista.shepard@cologix.com
+1 720-739-5396

Categories
Business Science

Bayer presents new subgroup analyses for KERENDIA® (finerenone) for chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes with or without history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

  • Late-breaking data from prespecified subgroup analyses of FIDELITY evaluate KERENDIA® (finerenone) on cardiovascular (CV) and kidney outcomes, including patients with stages 1-4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), with or without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease1
  • FIDELITY, a prespecified exploratory pooled analysis of the FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD studies, comprises the largest Phase III cardiorenal outcomes clinical trial program to evaluate the risk of progression of kidney disease as well as fatal and nonfatal CV events in >13,000 patients with CKD associated with T2D1,2

 

WHIPPANY, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Bayer announced today late-breaking data from prespecified exploratory subgroup analyses of FIDELITY, a prespecified pooled analysis of the Phase III FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD trials. These analyses investigated KERENDIA® (finerenone) versus placebo on composite cardiovascular (CV) and kidney outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), with and without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).1 The subgroup analyses were presented today at the American College of Cardiology’s 71st Annual Scientific Session (ACC.22).

Out of the 13,026 patients included in the FIDELITY full analysis, 5935 (45.6%) had a history of ASCVD at baseline.1 Over a median follow-up of 3 years, patients with ASCVD versus those without had the following composite CV outcome of time to CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke and hospitalization for heart failure (HHF; incident rate [IR]/100 patient-years [PY] 6.9 vs. 3.0; hazard ratio [HR] 2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.89–2.30), composite outcome of time to CV death or HHF (IR/100 PY, 4.51 vs. 1.92; HR: 2.12; 95% CI 1.88–2.40) and composite kidney outcome (IR/100 PY 2.1 vs. 2.4; HR: 0.96; 95% CI 0.83–1.10).1

 

KERENDIA was approved in the United States on July 9, 2021, based on the results of FIDELIO-DKD, to reduce the risk of sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline, end-stage kidney disease, CV death, nonfatal MI and HHF in adult patients with CKD associated with T2D.3 The KERENDIA label contains a Warning and Precaution that KERENDIA can cause hyperkalemia.3 For more information, see “Important Safety Information” and the FIDELIO-DKD study results below.

 

The prespecified exploratory subgroup analyses of FIDELITY showed that the treatment effect of finerenone, when compared to placebo, was consistent in patients with or without history of ASCVD for the composite CV outcome of time to CV death, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke or HHF (HR: 0.83; 95% CI 0.74–0.94; HR: 0.91; 95% CI 0.78–1.06; P-value for interaction=0.38, respectively). The treatment effect, when compared to placebo, was also consistent in patients with or without history of ASCVD for the composite outcome of CV death or HHF (HR: 0.82; 95% CI 0.71–0.94; HR: 0.86; 95% CI 0.71–1.04; P-value for interaction: 0.68, respectively).1

 

Regarding the effects of finerenone on the composite kidney outcome of time to kidney failure, sustained ≥57% decrease in eGFR or kidney-related death, the treatment effect was consistent in patients with or without a history of ASCVD (HR: 0.71; 95% CI 0.57–0.88; HR: 0.81; 95% CI 0.68–0.97; P-value for interaction: 0.33, respectively).1

 

“In patients with chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular complications are among the most frequent causes of death.4,5 However, there is limited data on how the risk of cardiovascular events could be reduced in these patients,” said Javed Butler, MD, MPH, MBA, president of the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute and senior vice president for Baylor Scott & White Health, and distinguished professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi. “These subgroup analyses investigate outcomes in patients suffering from chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes, with or without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The analyses show us that in both cases, there’s a need to treat patients irrespective of where they are on the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease spectrum.”

 

“Patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes are three times more likely to die from a cardiovascular event than those with type 2 diabetes alone.6 That said, the severity of kidney impairment correlates with a higher incidence of cardiovascular events,” said Dr. Christian Rommel, member of the executive committee of Bayer AG’s pharmaceutical division and head of research and development.5 “The latest prespecified subgroup analyses of FIDELITY add to our growing body of data on the renal and CV outcomes of finerenone in adults with chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes.”

 

About KERENDIA (finerenone)

INDICATION:

  • KERENDIA is indicated to reduce the risk of sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and hospitalization for heart failure in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D)3

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

  • Concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors3
  • Patients with adrenal insufficiency3

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

  • Hyperkalemia: KERENDIA can cause hyperkalemia. The risk for developing hyperkalemia increases with decreasing kidney function and is greater in patients with higher baseline potassium levels or other risk factors for hyperkalemia. Measure serum potassium and eGFR in all patients before initiation of treatment with KERENDIA and dose accordingly. Do not initiate KERENDIA if serum potassium is >5.0 mEq/L3

    Measure serum potassium periodically during treatment with KERENDIA and adjust dose accordingly. More frequent monitoring may be necessary for patients at risk for hyperkalemia, including those on concomitant medications that impair potassium excretion or increase serum potassium3

MOST COMMON ADVERSE REACTIONS:

  • Adverse reactions reported in ≥1% of patients on KERENDIA and more frequently than placebo: hyperkalemia (18.3% vs. 9%), hypotension (4.8% vs. 3.4%), and hyponatremia (1.4% vs. 0.7%)3

DRUG INTERACTIONS:

  • Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Concomitant use of KERENDIA with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors is contraindicated. Avoid concomitant intake of grapefruit or grapefruit juice3
  • Moderate and Weak CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Monitor serum potassium during drug initiation or dosage adjustment of either KERENDIA or the moderate or weak CYP3A4 inhibitor and adjust KERENDIA dosage as appropriate3
  • Strong and Moderate CYP3A4 Inducers: Avoid concomitant use of KERENDIA with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers3

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS:

  • Lactation: Avoid breastfeeding during treatment with KERENDIA and for 1 day after treatment3
  • Hepatic Impairment: Avoid use of KERENDIA in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh C) and consider additional serum potassium monitoring with moderate hepatic impairment (Child Pugh B)3

Please read the Prescribing Information for KERENDIA.

About Finerenone Phase III Clinical Trials Program

Having randomized more than 13,000 patients with CKD associated with T2D around the world, the Phase III program with finerenone in CKD associated with T2D comprises two studies, evaluating the effect of finerenone versus placebo on top of standard of care (SoC) on both renal and CV outcomes.7

The FIDELIO-DKD (FInerenone in reducing kiDnEy faiLure and dIsease prOgression in Diabetic Kidney Disease) study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study in adult patients with CKD associated with T2D, defined as either having an uACR of 30 to 300 mg/g, eGFR 25 to 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and diabetic retinopathy, or as having an uACR of ≥300 mg/g and an eGFR of 25 to 75 mL/min/1.73 m2.3,8 The trial excluded patients with known significant nondiabetic kidney disease and a clinical diagnosis of chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and persistent symptoms (NYHA class II to IV).3 All patients were to have a serum potassium ≤4.8 mEq/L at screening and be receiving standard of care background therapy, including a maximum tolerated labeled dose of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB).3 A total of 5,674 patients were randomized to receive finerenone (N=2,833) or placebo (N=2,841) and were followed for a median of 2.6 years.3 The mean age of the study population was 66 years, and 70% of patients were male.3 The trial population was 63% white, 25% Asian, and 5% Black.3

Finerenone reduced the incidence of the primary composite endpoint of a sustained decline in eGFR of ≥40%, kidney failure, or renal death (HR 0.82 [95% CI, 0.73-0.93; P=0.001]).3 The treatment effect reflected a reduction in a sustained decline in eGFR of ≥40% and progression to kidney failure.3 There were few renal deaths during the trial.3

Finerenone also reduced the incidence of the composite endpoint of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke or hospitalization for heart failure (HR 0.86 [95% CI, 0.75-0.99; P=0.034]).3 The treatment effect reflected a reduction in cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and hospitalization for heart failure.3

The most frequently reported adverse reaction was hyperkalemia (18.3% KERENDIA vs. 9% placebo).3 Hospitalization due to hyperkalemia for the KERENDIA group was 1.4% versus 0.3% in the placebo group.3 Hyperkalemia led to permanent discontinuation of treatment in 2.3% of patients receiving KERENDIA versus 0.9% of patients receiving placebo.3

FIGARO-DKD (FInerenone in reducinG cArdiovascular moRtality and mOrbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease), a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, randomly assigned 7,352 participants to finerenone (N=3686) or placebo (N=3666) on top of standard of care, including a maximum tolerated labeled dose of ACEis or ARBs.9 Patients had UACR ≥30–<300 mg/g and eGFR ≥25–≤90 mL/min/1.73m2 or UACR ≥300–≤5000 mg/g and eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73m2.9 This data is under review with the FDA.

KERENDIA significantly reduced the risk of the composite primary endpoint of time to first occurrence of CV death or nonfatal CV events (myocardial infarction, stroke or heart failure hospitalization) by 13% (relative risk reduction, HR 0.87 [95% CI, 0.76-0.98; P=0.0264]) over a median duration of follow-up of 3.4 years when added to maximum tolerated labeled dose of ACEi or ARB in adults with CKD associated with T2D.9 The reduction in the CV composite outcome was primarily driven by hospitalization due to heart failure.9

The incidence of the secondary endpoint, a composite of time to kidney failure, a sustained decrease of eGFR ≥40% from baseline over a period of at least four weeks, or renal death, was lower with finerenone than with placebo, affecting 350 (9.5%) and 395 (10.8%) patients, respectively.9 However, the difference was not statistically significant (HR 0.87 [95% CI, 0.76-1.01; P=0.0689]) over a median duration of follow-up of 3.4 years.9

Overall, hyperkalemia-related adverse events occurred more often in patients receiving finerenone compared with placebo (10.8% and 5.3%, respectively).9 Hospitalization due to hyperkalemia for the finerenone group was 0.6% versus <0.1% in the placebo group, and there was no hyperkalemia-related death in either treatment group. Treatment was discontinued due to hyperkalemia in 1.2% of patients treated with finerenone compared to 0.4% in the placebo group.9

Bayer also recently announced the initiation of the FINEARTS-HF study, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III study that will investigate finerenone compared to placebo in more than 5,500 symptomatic heart failure patients (NYHA class II-IV) with a left ventricular ejection fraction of ≥40%.10 The primary objective of the study is to demonstrate superiority of finerenone over placebo in reducing the rate of the composite endpoint of cardiovascular death and total (first and recurrent) heart failure events (defined as hospitalizations for heart failure or urgent heart failure visits).10

About Chronic Kidney Disease Associated With Type 2 Diabetes

Patients with CKD associated with T2D are three times more likely to die from a CV-related cause than those with T2D alone.6 CKD is a serious and progressive condition that is generally underrecognized.11 CKD is a frequent complication arising from T2D and is also an independent risk factor of CV disease.12-14 Approximately 40% of all patients with T2D develop CKD.14 Despite guideline-directed therapies, patients with CKD associated with T2D remain at high risk of CKD progression and CV events.12,13,15,16 T2D is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive.17-19

About Bayer’s Commitment in Cardiovascular and Kidney Diseases

Bayer is an innovation leader in the area of cardiovascular diseases, with a long-standing commitment to delivering science for a better life by advancing a portfolio of innovative treatments. The heart and the kidneys are closely linked in health and disease, and Bayer is working in a wide range of therapeutic areas on new treatment approaches for cardiovascular and kidney diseases with high unmet medical needs. The cardiology franchise at Bayer already includes a number of products and several other compounds in various stages of preclinical and clinical development. Together, these products reflect the company’s approach to research, which prioritizes targets and pathways with the potential to impact the way that cardiovascular diseases are treated.

About Bayer

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to drive sustainable development and generate a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2021, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 44.1 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 5.3 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

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Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

References

  1. Filippatos G, et al. Finerenone and cardiorenal outcomes by history of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: FIDELITY analyses. Oral presentation at: ACC.22. April 4, 2022. Washington, D.C. https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/10461/presentation/22134
  2. Agarwal R, Filippatos G, Pitt B, et al. Cardiovascular and kidney outcomes with finerenone in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: the FIDELITY pooled analysis. Eur Heart J. 2022;43(6):474-484.
  3. KERENDIA (finerenone) [prescribing information]. Whippany, NJ: Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; July 2021.
  4. Einarson TR, Acs A, Ludwig C, Panton UH. Prevalence of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes: a systematic literature review of scientific evidence from across the world in 2007-2017. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2018;17:83.
  5. Fox CS, Matsushita K, Woodward M, et al. Associations of kidney disease measures with mortality and end-stage renal disease in individuals with and without diabetes: a meta-analysis [published correction appears in Lancet. 2013 Feb 2;381(9864):374]. Lancet. 2012;380(9854):1662-1673.
  6. Afkarian M, Sachs MC, Kestenbaum B, et al. Kidney disease and increased mortality risk in type 2 diabetes. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2013;24(2):302-308..
  7. Ruilope LM, et al. Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial. Am J Nephrol. 2019;50(5)345-356.
  8. Bakris G, et al. Effect of finerenone on chronic kidney disease outcomes in type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2020. 2020;383:2219-2229.
  9. Pitt B, et al. Cardiovascular events with finerenone in kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2021;10.1056/NEJMoa2110956. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2110956.
  10. ClinicalTrials.gov. Study to Evaluate the Efficacy (Effect on Disease) and Safety of Finerenone on Morbidity & Mortality in Participants with Heart Failure and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Greater or Equal to 40% (FINEARTS-HF). 2020. Accessed November 2021. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04435626
  11. Breyer MD, et al. Developing treatments for chronic kidney disease in the 21st Century. Semin Nephrol. 2016. 2016;36(6):436-447.
  12. Anders HJ, et al. CKD in diabetes: diabetic kidney disease versus nondiabetic kidney disease. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2018;14:361-377.
  13. Thomas MC, et al. Diabetic kidney disease. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2015;1:1-20.
  14. Bailey R, et al. Chronic kidney disease in US adults with type 2 diabetes: an updated national estimate of prevalence based on Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) staging. BMC Res Notes. 2014;7(1):415. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-7-415.
  15. KDIGO 2012 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney Int. 2013;3:1-150.
  16. American Diabetes Association standards of medical care in diabetes – 2021. Diabetes Care. 2021;44(1):1-244.
  17. National diabetes statistics report 2020: estimates of diabetes and its burden in the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 9, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/data/statistics/national-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf
  18. Stages of CKD. American Kidney Fund. Accessed May 11, 2021. https://www.kidneyfund.org/kidney-disease/chronic-kidney-disease-ckd/stages-of-chronic-kidney-disease/
  19. United States Renal Data System. USRDS Annual data report. Volume 1: Chronic kidney disease. Chapter 6: Healthcare expenditures for persons with CKD. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 2020. Accessed November 2021. https://adr.usrds.org/2020/chronic-kidney-disease/6-healthcare-expenditures-for-persons-with-ckd

Contacts

Media:

Elaine Colón

Tel. +1 732-236-1587

Email: elaine.colon@bayer.com

Categories
Business Lifestyle

Apriori Network System’s innovative Optical Fiber Hack-Proof Solution a better value proposition than Quantum Encryption

BEDMINSTER, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — During the most recent, annual, international Optical Fiber Communications Conference (OFC 2022) in San Diego, at the expert panel session entitled, “Will Quantum Always Remain Basic Research or is it Ready to Power Great Products?”, the world-renowned telecommunications expert, Dr. Peter Winzer, stated categorically that “Quantum key distribution (QKD) … has yet to yield practical products that solve real-world problems….QKD only strives to provide a secure key, typically at kbps to mbps rates, which is unsuitable for today’s massive traffic needs. Significantly higher speed physical-layer security systems exist, including Apriori Network System’s method for secure, high-capacity optical data transmission.”

There has been a raging debate as to whether QKD will solve the problem of the vulnerability of optical fibers to physical hacking. Despite much research into QKD technology, there remains a lot of skepticism. A United Kingdom National Cyber Security Centre1 (NCSC) white paper referring to QKD, states that it does not endorse its use in government or military applications…” and the NSA2 asserts QKD, “suffers from limitations and implementation challenges that make it impractical for use in National Security System (NSS) operational networks.”

 

The U.S. Government’s Committee on National Security Systems3 (CNSS) specified a product that monitors fibers for breaches using more conventional technology.

 

Gary Weiner, CEO of Apriori, points out that the CNSS4 solutions are designed to detect fiber hacks, but the emphasis is on detection of tampering and not prevention of fiber hacking or dealing with the tapping problem. Mr. Weiner contends, “the ability of a person-in-the-middle hacker accessing transmission data to monitor, influence and control critical infrastructure could be devastating financially, security-wise, and even impact lives. The sooner service providers recognize this risk and act on it, the better we will all be.”

 

The Apriori PrivaC™ fiber links guarantee privacy-asssured transmission service by intrinsically defending itself from eavesdropper attacks over an entire protected fiber span.

 

About Apriori Network Systems

Apriori Network Systems, as a privately held N.J. company, is positioned to be the world leader in cost-effective, privacy-assuring, efficient, practical prevention of physical hacking of optical fiber communications systems. Apriori’s first product, the PrivaC™ fiber platform, based on a patented solution, is presently in final development and available for demonstrations.

 

Links

1United Kingdom: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/whitepaper/quantum-security-technologies

2https://www.apriorinetwork.com/complementary-to-quantum-key-distribution/

2https://www.nsa.gov/Press-Room/News-Highlights/Article/Article/2394053/nsa-cybersecurity-perspectives-on-quantum-key-distribution-and-quantum-cryptogr/

3 CNSS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_on_National_Security_Systems

4 CNSSI https://www.dcsa.mil/Portals/91/documents/ctp/nao/CNSSI_7003_PDS_September_2015.pdf

Contacts

Media:

Gary Weiner, 1-877-807-7482

Gary.Weiner@Apriori-NET.com

Categories
Business

Hayward announces planned retirement of Don Smith, senior vice president, chief supply chain officer

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HAYW) (“Hayward”), a global designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad portfolio of pool equipment and technology, today announced that Don Smith, Senior Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer, plans to retire from Hayward after more than 15 years with the company. He will remain with the company through the transition of his successor, who will be announced at a later date.

Don has been an integral part of the Hayward senior leadership team for over 15 years and has been a driving force in shaping Hayward into the company it is today,” said Kevin Holleran, CEO of Hayward. “He has built a high-performance culture in our manufacturing, supply chain and distribution organizations around the world, which continues to meet challenges and deliver growth for the company. We thank Don for his years of leadership and wish him well as he moves into this next chapter of his life.”

 

Smith said, “It has been my honor to lead Hayward’s Operations and Supply Chain through its development into a global leader in swimming pool original equipment. Our operational expansion and transformation into a vertically integrated, lean, global operation was a vision I shared with our many team members and stakeholders. I am beyond proud of the world-class enterprise we’ve all built together. Hayward’s operational teams are strong, experienced and skilled in the leadership of world-class operations. These teams have my unwavering confidence to execute Hayward’s growth and profitability strategies with great effect and efficiency. I am looking forward to working with my successor to ensure a seamless transition to maintain exceptional performance for Hayward’s global supply chain.”

 

Smith joined Hayward in 2007 as a member of its senior leadership. During his tenure, Smith led a number of enterprise-changing initiatives focused on enhancing Hayward’s production and distribution capabilities, including the successful opening and growth of Hayward’s manufacturing facility in Wuxi, China. The facility enabled the expansion of Hayward’s capacity for high-demand products across the globe. Most recently, Smith led the transition of manufacturing from Pomona, CA to Clemmons, NC and Wuxi, China, and the establishment of Hayward’s West Coast distribution center in Phoenix, AZ.

 

Over the last two years, Smith spearheaded efforts to increase Hayward’s global production capacity by more than 75 percent since the onset of the global pandemic, a remarkable accomplishment given the supply chain bottlenecks, logistics challenges and labor shortages during this period.

 

Smith also led numerous initiatives which will leave a legacy of excellence at Hayward. These include establishing a Centers of Excellence architecture across Hayward manufacturing facilities, instituting a new product development process, and implementing Hayward’s global distribution network.

 

About Hayward Holdings, Inc.

Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:HAYW) is a leading global designer and manufacturer of pool equipment and technology all key to the SmartPad™ conversion strategy designed to provide a superior outdoor living experience. Hayward offers a full line of innovative, energy-efficient and sustainable residential and commercial pool equipment, including a complete line of advanced pumps, filters, heaters, automatic pool cleaners, LED lighting, internet of things (IoT) enabled controls, alternate sanitizers and water features.

Contacts

Investor Relations:
Hayward Investor Relations

908.288.9706

investor.relations@hayward.com

Media Relations:
Tanya McNabb

tmcnabb@hayward.com