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– CFT7455 Demonstrated High Cereblon Binding Affinity and Rapid, Deep IKZF1/3 Degradation Enabling Activity across a Panel of Multiple Myeloma Cell Lines Including IMiD-Resistant Models –

– CFT7455 Promotes Sustained Degradation of IKZF1/3 and Durable Anti-tumor Response, Including Regressions in an IMiD-Insensitive Myeloma Tumor Xenograft Model –

– CFT7455 Phase 1/2 Trial in Multiple Myeloma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas 
On Track for 1H 2021 Initiation –

WATERTOWN, Mass., April 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — C4 Therapeutics, Inc. (C4T) (Nasdaq: CCCC), a biopharmaceutical company pioneering a new class of small-molecule medicines that selectively destroy disease-causing proteins through degradation, today presented preclinical data for CFT7455, the Company’s lead program, a MonoDAC^TM degrader targeting IKZF1/3 for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. These results, which support clinical evaluation of CFT7455 in multiple myeloma, were delivered as a late-breaking oral presentation during the first session of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2021.

“IKZF1/3 proteins are critical dependencies of B cell malignancies including multiple myeloma and subsets of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” said Stewart Fisher, Ph.D., chief scientific officer of C4 Therapeutics. “We are pleased to share preclinical data demonstrating that potent catalytic IKZF1/3 degradation activity of CFT7455, coupled with optimized pharmacological properties, can result in regression of multiple myeloma xenograft tumors not responsive to approved IMiD therapies. We are optimistic that the in vitro and in vivo data we saw preclinically will translate into improved, clinically meaningful outcomes for patients and we look forward to initiating our CFT7455 Phase 1/2 clinical trial in the first half of this year.”

Summary of Results

C4T conducted in vitro studies to confirm CFT7455’s intended mechanism. Notable observations include:

• CFT7455 binds with high affinity to the E3 ligase adapter protein, cereblon (Kd = 0.9 nM);
• In vitro, CFT7455 treatment results in deep, rapid degradation of IKZF1/3 proteins, resulting in apoptotic cell death; and
• CFT7455 demonstrated broad, potent anti-proliferative activity in a panel of multiple myeloma cell lines.

In mouse xenograft models of IMiD-insensitive multiple myeloma, data further established CFT7455 as a highly potent, catalytic degrader of IKZF1/3, capable of generating anti-tumor activity as a single agent and in combination with dexamethasone. Notable observations include:

• In the H929 myeloma xenograft tumor model, daily oral administration of CFT7455 at 0.1 mg/kg for three weeks led to partial or complete tumor regression, with the latter being durable even after stopping treatment.
• CFT7455 produced deep and durable degradation of IKZF3 in the RPMI-8226 myeloma xenograft tumor model, which is relatively insensitive to pomalidomide. Tumor regression resulted from treatment with CFT7455 in both naïve RPMI-8226 tumors, as well as those previously exposed, but unresponsive, to pomalidomide.
• The combination of CFT7455 and dexamethasone in the RPMI-8226 tumor xenograft model yielded expected improvements in efficacy and survival outcomes in mice bearing RPMI-8226 xenograft tumors, compared to either agent used alone.

Based in part on these results, C4T plans to explore the therapeutic applications of CFT7455 for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas and expects to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical study of CFT7455 in the first half of 2021.

C4T’s AACR Annual Meeting 2021 presentation will be archived on the “Scientific Publications” page in the Investors section of the Company’s website, located at www.c4therapeutics.com.

About CFT7455

CFT7455 is an orally bioavailable MonoDAC™ (Monofunctional Degradation Activating Compound) degrader designed to bind with high affinity to the E3 ligase adapter protein, cereblon, to target and degrade IKZF1/3 for the treatment of hematologic malignancies such as multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, including peripheral T cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma. In preclinical studies, CFT7455 has demonstrated potent and selective protein degradation with favorable pharmacological properties.

About C4 Therapeutics

C4 Therapeutics (C4T) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on harnessing the body’s natural regulation of protein levels to develop novel therapeutic candidates to target and destroy disease-causing proteins for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. This targeted protein degradation approach offers advantages over traditional therapies, including the potential to treat a wider range of diseases, reduce drug resistance, achieve higher potency, and decrease side effects through greater selectivity. To learn more about C4 Therapeutics, visit www.C4Therapeutics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” of C4 Therapeutics, Inc. within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may include, but may not be limited to, express or implied statements regarding our ability to develop potential therapies for patients; the design and potential efficacy or safety profile of our therapeutic approaches; the potential timing, design and advancement of our preclinical studies and clinical trials, including the potential timing for regulatory authorization related to clinical trials; our ability and the potential to successfully manufacture and supply our product candidates for clinical trials; our ability to replicate results achieved in our preclinical studies or clinical trials in any future studies or trials; our current resources and cash runway; and regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related to the initiation, timing and conduct of preclinical and clinical studies and other development requirements for our product candidates and the risk that the results of preclinical studies and/or clinical trials will or will not be predictive of future results in connection with future studies or trials. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause our actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in C4 Therapeutics’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and/or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and C4 Therapeutics undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law.

Investor & Media Contact
Kendra Adams
SVP, Communications & Investor Relations
[email protected]

NEW YORK, April 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Athenex, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATNX) between August 7, 2019 and February 26, 2021, inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important May 3, 2021 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Athenex securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Athenex class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2051.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 3, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience or resources. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020 founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the data included in the Oral Paclitaxel and Encequidar New Drug Application (“NDA”) presented a safety risk to patients in terms of an increase in neutropenia-related sequalae; (2) the uncertainty over the results of the primary endpoint of objective response rate (“ORR”) at week 19 conducted by blinded independent central review (“BICR”); (3) the BICR reconciliation and re-read process may have introduced unmeasured bias and influence on the BICR; (4) Athenex’s Phase 3 study that was used to file the NDA was inadequate and not well-conducted in a patient population with metastatic breast cancer representative of the U.S. population, such that the FDA would recommended a new such clinical trial; (5) as a result, it was foreseeable that the FDA would not approve Athenex’s NDA in its current form; and (6) as a result, defendants’ public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Athenex class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2051.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

        Laurence Rosen, Esq.
        Phillip Kim, Esq.
        The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
        275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
        New York, NY 10016
        Tel: (212) 686-1060
        Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
        Fax: (212) 202-3827
        [email protected]
        [email protected]
        [email protected]
        www.rosenlegal.com

RADNOR, Pa., April 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP announces deadline in securities fraud class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against MultiPlan Corporation (NYSE:  MPLN; MPLN.WS) (“MultiPlan”) f/k/a Churchill Capital Corp. III (“Churchill III”) on behalf of: (1) those who purchased or acquired MultiPlan securities between July 12, 2020 and November 10, 2020, inclusive (the “Class Period”); and (2) all holders of Churchill III Class A common stock entitled to vote on Churchill III’s merger with and acquisition of Polaris Parent Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries consummated in October 2020 (the “Merger”).

Deadline Reminder:  Investors who purchased or acquired MultiPlan securities


during the Class Period may, no later than April 26, 2021, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. For additional information or to learn how to participate in this litigation please contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP:  James Maro, Esq. (484) 270-1453 or Adrienne Bell, Esq. (484) 270-1435; toll free at (844) 887-9500; via e-mail at


[email protected]
; orclick https://www.ktmc.com/multiplan-corp-securities-class-action-lawsuit?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=multiplan.

Churchill III was formed in October 2019 as a special purpose acquisition vehicle.  On February 14, 2020, Churchill III completed its initial public offering, selling 110 million ownership units to investors for gross proceeds of $1.1 billion (the “IPO”).  Pursuant to the IPO prospectus, Churchill III was required to acquire a target business with an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in trust from the IPO proceeds and to do so within two years of the IPO.

The Class Period commences on July 12, 2020, when Churchill III and MultiPlan, a healthcare cost specialist, issued a joint press release announcing their agreement to combine. The Merger, initially valued at $5.7 billion, would be funded by the IPO proceeds as well as billions of dollars in new debt and equity issuances.

On September 18, 2020, Churchill III issued the proxy statement for the Merger which urged shareholders to vote in favor of the deal (the “Proxy”). The Proxy stated that Churchill had identified MultiPlan as a potential acquisition target soon after the IPO. On the basis of the Proxy, on October 7, 2020, shareholders voted to approve the Merger at a special shareholders meeting. Because of the Proxy, shareholders were prevented from the fully informed opportunity to redeem their shares as was their right. The shares subject to redemption were valued in the Proxy at approximately $10 per share.

On November 11, 2020, one month after the close of the Merger, Muddy Waters published a report on Churchill III titled “MultiPlan: Private Equity Necrophilia Meets The Great 2020 Money Grab”, which was based on extensive non-public sources such as interviews with former MultiPlan executives and other industry experts, as well as proprietary analysis. The report revealed, in part, that: (1) MultiPlan was in the process of losing its largest client, UnitedHealthcare, which was estimated to cost Churchill III up to 35% of its revenues and 80% of its levered free cash flow within two years; (2) MultiPlan was in significant financial decline because of its fundamentally flawed business model, which profited from excessively high healthcare costs; (3) UnitedHealthcare had purportedly launched a competitor, Naviguard, to reduce its business with MultiPlan and bring the over-priced and conflicted services offered by MultiPlan inhouse; and (4) MultiPlan had suffered from material, undisclosed pricing pressures that had caused it to slash the “take rate” it charged customers in half in some instances and falsely characterized revenue declines as “idiosyncratic” when in fact they were due to sustained, negative pricing trends afflicting MultiPlan’s business.

Following this news, the price of Churchill III’s securities declined. By November 12, 2020, the price of Churchill III’s Class A common stock fell to a low of just $6.12 per share, nearly 40% below the price at which shareholders could have redeemed their shares at the time of the shareholder vote on the Merger.

The complaint alleges that the Proxy failed to disclose among other things that: (a) MultiPlan was losing tens of millions of dollars in sales and revenues to Naviguard, which threatened up to 35% of Churchill III’s sales and 80% of its levered cash flows by 2022; (b) sales and revenue declines in the quarters leading up to the Merger were not due to “idiosyncratic” customer behaviors as represented, but rather due to a fundamental deterioration in demand for MultiPlan’s services and increased competition; (c) MultiPlan was facing significant pricing pressures for its services and had been forced to materially reduce its take rate in the lead up to the Merger by insurers; (d) as a result of the foregoing, MultiPlan was set to continue to suffer from revenues and earnings declines, increased competition and deteriorating pricing dynamics following the Merger; and (e) as a result of the foregoing, Churchill III investors had grossly overpaid for the acquisition of MultiPlan in the Merger, and MultiPlan’s business was worth far less than represented to investors.

MultiPlan investors may, no later than April 26, 2021, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member.  A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation.  In order to be appointed as a lead plaintiff, the Court must determine that the class member’s claim is typical of the claims of other class members, and that the class member will adequately represent the class.  Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country involving securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duties and other violations of state and federal law. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP is a driving force behind corporate governance reform, and has recovered billions of dollars on behalf of institutional and individual investors from the United States and around the world.  The firm represents investors, consumers and whistleblowers (private citizens who report fraudulent practices against the government and share in the recovery of government dollars).  The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
James Maro, Jr., Esq.
Adrienne Bell, Esq.
280 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA 19087
(844) 887-9500 (toll free)
(610) 667-7706
[email protected]

SAN FRANCISCO, April 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iRhythm Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: IRTC), a leading digital health care solutions company focused on the advancement of cardiac care, today announced that it will host a conference call to discuss the recent publication by Novitas Solutions (“Novitas”) of rates applicable to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 93243 and 93247.

On April 10, 2021, Novitas published updated reimbursement rates for codes 93243 and 93247 at $103 and $115, respectively. The updated rates are retroactive to January 1, 2021 and replace rates initially published on January 29, 2021. iRhythm is assessing the impact of the updated Novitas rates on its business and will provide comments on a conference call on April 12, 2021.

Webcast and Conference Call Information

iRhythm will host a conference call on April 12, 2021 at 5:30 AM PT / 8:30 AM ET to provide commentary on the newly published rates by Novitas. Investors interested in listening to the conference call may do so by accessing the live and archived webcast of the event available on the “Investors” section of the company’s website at: www.irhythmtech.com.

About iRhythm Technologies, Inc.

iRhythm is a leading digital health care company redefining the way cardiac arrhythmias are clinically diagnosed. The company combines wearable biosensor devices worn for up to 14 days and cloud-based data analytics with powerful proprietary algorithms that distill data from millions of heartbeats into clinically actionable information. The company believes improvements in arrhythmia detection and characterization have the potential to change clinical management of patients.

Investor Relations Contact

Leigh Salvo
(415) 937-5404
[email protected]

Media Contact
Morgan Mathis
310-528-6306
[email protected]

Oak Brook, April 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Joshua Wood, a 13-year-old boy from Brisbane, Australia, has an idea of what peace should mean to the world. Joshua brought that idea to life through a powerful essay earning him the grand prize in the Lions Clubs International Peace Essay Contest.

“The Lions International Peace Essay Contest lifts the voices of incredible young people who have powerful ideas of how we can bring about a kinder and more peaceful world,” says Lions Clubs International President, Dr. Jung-Yul Choi. “We are proud to support the creative process of children around the globe. It is through humbly serving our communities that we can achieve peace.”

Created to give an opportunity for young people with visual impairments to express their feelings of peace, the International Essay Contest is a staple of Lions clubs around the world. Lions work with local schools and area families to identify young people who are interested in participating and who could benefit from this program.

“I was born with a rare retinal condition and use braille to read,” said Joshua. “I would like others to know that even if you have a disability, you can still achieve great things and be a positive influence on other people.”

The winning essay, titled “Peace and Service Go Hand-in-Hand,” was selected for its originality, organization merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “Peace Through Service.” The Brisbane Camp Hill Carindale Lions Club sponsored the local contest that gave this 8^th grader the opportunity to participate in this global event and share his words of peace with the world.

“Brisbane Camp Hill Carindale Lions Club members are so happy for Joshua Wood’s achievement in winning the Major Award for Lions International Peace Essay competition,” said club president, Bill Dahl. “Joshua has displayed determination with entering and humility in this success. The support from his whole family has been superb.”

Through his essay, Joshua explores the idea of peace through though the eyes of his grandfather and the stories his grandfather told Joshua about what it means to serve others. Joshua hopes his essay encourages others to help people despite any disabilities or difficulties they face.

“The Peace Essay is important because it encourages people to not only think about peace but also how to achieve it,” said Joshua. “I would love to live in a more peaceful world and for people to find inner peace. I believe many problems and disputes can be solved with a more peaceful approach, whereby people think of others as well as themselves. With more patience, kindness and a willingness to help others, I believe we can achieve a more peaceful society.”

As the contest winner, Joshua will receive a US$5,000 cash prize. Visit the Lions Clubs International website, lionsclubs.org/peace-essay, to read Wood’s essay and learn more about the contest.

Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization, is made up of more than 1.4 million men and women in over 200 countries and geographical areas throughout the world. Lions created the Peace Essay Contest to foster a spirit of peace and international understanding in young people worldwide. 

 

Peace and Service Go Hand-In-Hand

By: Joshua Wood

I remember walking hand in hand with my Grandfather when I was a little boy. He was a very wise man, his grey hair highlighting his wisdom. His hands felt dry and rough, particularly to a child who uses his fingers to read.

It was many years later when I stood at his funeral that I realized the significance of those dry, rough hands. They were the hands that held mine and guided me when I was young. They were the hands of a young man, who went to War, sacrificing his own safety, to preserve freedom in our country. They were the hands of a man who held his dying mate in battle. They were the hands of a man who mowed the lawns of local elderly people. They were the hands of the man that had been awarded medals yet didn’t wear them as he felt he did not need recognition for his service. They were the hands of a man who truly understood what service meant.

My Grandfather planted a seed in my mind many years ago about the importance of service and its huge contribution to not only peace in our communities but providing inner peace as well. I often think about the conflicts, wars and fighting in the world and the sadness in many people’s lives.

I also often think about how selfless my Grandfather was by helping others without wanting anything in return. My Grandfather would say to me, “you don’t have sight, but you have insight and that is much more important.”

We can find inspiration from so many who have gone before us. Mother Theresa served the poor in India. William Booth, Founder of the Salvation Army, dedicated his life to helping the poor. The most inspiring for me personally, is Helen Keller who herself was blind and deaf, yet lived a life of service. Despite her disabilities, she helped veterans blinded in World War 1, founded charities, advocated for the blind and poor and led the American Foundation for the Blind for over forty years. All these incredible people served others, and by doing so brought peace to the poor, wounded and hungry.

A quote by Albert Schweitzer resonates with me, “the only really happy people are those who have learned how to serve.”

I have made a promise to my Grandfather. That I will spread the word about serving others and how it not only promotes peace for others hut also provides an inner peace that so many people are striving for. I can serve others despite my disability. I do not want to be self-focused but focused on others. I hope to inspire others to achieve peace through service.

In the words of Mother Theresa, “The fruit of service is peace.” I want to plant seeds of peace in my life and encourage others to do so also. Peace and service go hand in hand just like my Grandfather and I walking along many years ago.

Shauna Schuda
Lions Clubs International
6304687075
[email protected]

NEW YORK, April 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Ontrak, Inc. (NASDAQ: OTRK) between November 5, 2020 and February 26, 2021, inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important May 3, 2021 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Ontrak securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Ontrak class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2052.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 3, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience or resources. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020 founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Ontrak’s largest customer evaluated the Company on a provider basis, valuing Ontrak’s performance based on achieving the lowest cost per medical visit rather than clinical outcomes or medical cost savings; (2) as a result, Ontrak’s largest customer did not find the Company’s program to be effective and was reasonably likely to terminate its contract with Ontrak; (3) because this customer accounted for a significant portion of the Company’s revenue, the loss of the customer would have an outsized impact on Ontrak’s financial results; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants’ positive statements about the Company’s business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Ontrak class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2052.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

——————————-

Contact Information:

        Laurence Rosen, Esq.
        Phillip Kim, Esq.
        The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
        275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
        New York, NY 10016
        Tel: (212) 686-1060
        Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
        Fax: (212) 202-3827
        [email protected]
        [email protected]
        [email protected]
        www.rosenlegal.com

Oak Brook, April 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Yue Zheng, a 13-year-old girl from Dalian, China, has a vision of what peace looks like. Zheng brought that vision to life through her art, earning her the grand prize in the Lions Clubs International Peace Poster Contest.

 

Zheng was one of 600,000 participants worldwide in the annual Peace Poster Contest sponsored by local Lions clubs, which gives young people aged 11-13 an opportunity to share their vision of world peace through art.

 

“When it came to my designing my artwork, I first thought about how to represent “service” and “peace,” said Zheng. “In my poster, I show how people from different countries, different age groups along with artificial intelligence would create a dove of peace together through the format of building with building blocks. The dove of peace opens its wings and flies towards the sky, hoping that everyone can get along harmoniously and providing all kinds of services together to achieve peace.”  

 

The winning poster was selected for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of the contest theme, “Peace Through Service.” The Dalian De Long Lions Club sponsored the local contest that gave Zheng the opportunity to participate in this global event and share her vision with the world.

 

“I want my poster to show that everyone is the participant of peaceful services,” said Zheng “Please reach out your selfless hands, and let us build and create peace through services, and spread peace and joy to every corner of the world.”

 

As the contest winner, Zheng will receive a US$5,000 cash prize. Zheng is also sharing in the celebration with 23 merit winners from around the world. All merit winners receive a US$500 cash prize for their winning artwork.

 

The 2021 Lions Clubs International Peace Poster merit winners are:

 

Dakota Lynn Bennett, 12-years-old, Galena Route 66, Kansas, USA

 

Ya Wen Cao, 13-years-old, Beijing Star Lions Club, China

 

Srushti Deshmukh, 13-years-old, Lions Club of Satara United, India

 

Catherine Fan, 13-years-old, Beacon Hill Lions Club, Hong Kong

 

Wu Gin How, 13-years-old, JB Centennial Lions Club, Malaysia

 

Aimi Huang, 12-years-old, Jiangsu Yijiaren Lions Club, China

 

Kate Hunkins, 13-years-old, Rochester ’76 Lions Club, Minnesota, USA

 

Lorenza Iannelli, 13-years-old, Formia Lions Club, Italy

 

Daphne Kim, 11-years-old, Los Angeles New Millennium Lions Club, California, USA

 

Jhae Aubrey Nubla, 11-years-old, Caloocan City Grace Park Lions Club, Philippines

Viktor Nikolaev Petrov, 12-years-old, Russe Sexaginta Prista, Bulgaria

 

Naura Keylasafa Putri, 13-years-old, Jakarta Gading Cemara Lions Club, Indonesia

 

Jia Qi Qiao, 13-years-old, Shaanxi Qinhan Lions Club, China

 

Fangyu Qiao, 12-years-old, Jilin Ren Ai Lions Club, China

 

Chloe Retuya, 13-years-old, Cheshire Lions Club, Connecticut, USA

 

Pei-Yun Tsai, 12-year-old, New Taipei City Yung Ho Lions Club, China Taiwan

 

Jashwith Thota, 11-years-old, Panja Lions Club, India

 

Isadora Tomines, 12-years-old, Miami Buenavista-Biltmore Lions Club, Florida, USA

 

Shao Xinying, 12-years-old, Shenyang Ai Zhong Lions Club, China

 

Yixin Sun, 13-years-old, Qingdao Hexin Lions, China

 

Letícia Coelho Vieira, 14-years-old, Tatuí Lions Club, Brazil

 

Tianyue Wu, 11-years-old, China Guangdong Lingnan Lions Club, China

 

Qiuran Yu, 13-years-old, Harbin Le Shan Lions Club, China

 

“The Lions International Peace Poster Contest allows the world to see peace through the eyes of young people – a valuable perspective,” says Lions Clubs International President, Dr. Jung-Yul Choi. “We are proud to support the creative process of children around the world and to encourage them to always see peace as a workable solution to the conflict.”

 

Visit the Lions Clubs International website, lionsclubs.org, to view Peace Posters and learn more about the contest.

 

Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization, is made up of more than 1.4 million men and women in over 200 countries and geographical areas throughout the world. Lions created the Peace Poster Contest to foster a spirit of peace and international understanding in young people worldwide.

 

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Attachment

• Zheng (GPW) small

Shauna Schuda
Lions Clubs International
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Achieved primary endpoint demonstrating significant correlation between DetermaIO and two-year overall survival rate to atezolizumab in metastatic bladder cancer

DetermaIO identified additional immunotherapy responsive patients missed by commonly used biomarkers

Data supports potential utility of DetermaIO test across multiple solid tumors as predictor of response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor therapy in estimated $3 billion market in the United States

KOL Webinar discussing results to be held on April 19 at 11:30 AM EDT/8:30 AM PDT

IRVINE, Calif., April 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oncocyte Corporation (Nasdaq: OCX), a molecular diagnostics company with a mission to provide actionable answers at critical decision points across the cancer care continuum, presented new data at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2021, being held virtually from April 10-15, 2021. The presentations featured studies of Oncocyte’s novel predictor of immunotherapy response, DetermaIO™, demonstrating test performance in bladder cancer, now the third cancer type, suggesting potential applicability across multiple cancer types. DetermaIO has previously been shown to predict immunotherapy response in lung and breast cancers in studies using four different approved checkpoint inhibitors – Keytruda^® (pembrolizumab), Opdivo^® (nivolumab), Tecentriq^® (atezolizumab) and Imfinzi^® (durvalumab).

At the conference, Oncocyte debuted data in bladder cancer in two studies, including one highlighted in a podium presentation. The poster, titled “Pathway modeling to translate the 27-gene immuno-oncology algorithm into bladder cancer,” detailed the application of the DetermaIO test and proprietary algorithm for the classification of metastatic bladder cancer. This study demonstrated a novel approach of looking at the tumor microenvironment (TME) at a genomic scale, as well as validating the use of the test, without any further modification, in bladder cancer to assess its association with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI) response. A link to poster can be found here and accompanying explanation can be found here.

During the podium presentation, titled “Validation of a 27-gene immuno-oncology algorithm in metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with an immune checkpoint inhibitor,” Robert Seitz, Head of Immune Oncology at Oncocyte and lead author of the study, revealed the results of a prospectively defined analysis of clinical trial results from the IMvigor210 study of atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ®), an immunotherapy used to treat bladder and other cancers. A replay of the presentation can be accessed here.

“The study achieved its primary endpoint demonstrating a significant correlation between DetermaIO and two-year overall survival to atezolizumab, and with Genentech publishing similar analyses with other biomarkers, we were able to compare DetermaIO to those biomarkers currently in clinical practice as well as those being explored for potential future use,” said Mr. Seitz. “We were able to demonstrate that DetermaIO identifies additional responsive patients that were missed by more commonly used biomarkers including – PD-L1 and TMB. We applied the same predefined threshold for test positivity in bladder cancer as we did for lung and breast cancer, providing increased confidence in DetermaIO’s utility across multiple solid tumor types.”

“We are pleased to present these results as we work towards the identification of a test that can clearly identify patients who are most likely to respond to immune therapies. The growing body of evidence for the use of DetermaIO as a predictive test for response to a class of immune therapies will help focus clinical studies, potentially help resuscitate failed therapy indications, and provide more informed management for use of these powerful therapeutics,” noted Doug Ross, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Science Officer of Oncocyte. “We look forward to sharing data in additional tumor types as the year progresses and also to working with BioPharma and Pharma companies to improve outcomes for their trials.”

Oncocyte’s DetermaIO test measures the expression of 27 genes and combines them with a proprietary algorithm to classify the entire tumor immune microenvironment present in solid tumor biopsy samples. The Company’s previously released data demonstrated that the combination of measuring the “hot” inflammatory immune response combined with the “cold” immune repressive signature coming from the wound response in tumor specimens, is strongly associated with response to ICIs in lung and breast cancer. With an estimated 750,000 patients potentially eligible for immuno-oncology (IO) therapy in the U.S. annually, and nearly 5,000 clinical trials currently evaluating these drugs, the Company believes it is well-positioned to participate in the estimated $3 billion pan-cancer immune therapy diagnostic market*.

“These results are timely and provocative in the setting of recent voluntary withdrawals of atezolizumab and durvalumab in patients with platinum-refractory advanced bladder cancer due to insufficient efficacy noted in randomized Phase III studies. Regardless, even in these studies, there remain patients who benefit from ICIs and have durable responses to treatment. Thus, a biomarker strategy to identify these patients remains a significant unmet medical need and has the potential to explain a lack of efficacy seen in unselected patient populations. As new treatments for metastatic urothelial cancer have emerged, a better predictive biomarker for ICIs has become even more important as a means to identify those patients likely to benefit from immunotherapy and spare those unlikely to benefit so that they may be treated with other active agents,” noted Mamta Parikh, M.D., M.S., Medical Oncologist and Assistant Professor at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCDCC) with a specialty in urinary tract cancers. “In this bladder cancer study, a single arm study of atezolizumab in metastatic urothelial cancer, DetermaIO was able to identify a group of platinum-refractory patients – 41% of treated patients – who had a significantly superior overall survival upon treatment with atezolizumab of 12.9 months, compared to 8.0 months in the “all comer” population treated with the therapeutic.”

KOL Webinar:

Oncocyte will host an educational webinar about the results of this study on April 19 at 11:30 AM EDT/8:30 AM PDT that will feature presentations by David Gandara, M.D., Professor-Emeritus and Director of the Thoracic Oncology Program at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCDCC), a specialist in urogenital oncology and Chair of the Oncocyte Scientific Advisory Board, and Mamta Parikh, M.D., M.S., Assistant Professor at UCDCC, a medical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of genitourinary malignancies including kidney, bladder, prostate, ureteral cancers. Dr. Gandara will review the status and challenges of current ICI biomarker strategies and Dr. Parikh will put these novel findings of DetermaIO relevance to bladder cancer in the context of late-stage bladder cancer. Register in advance for the webinar here.

Details and links to Oncocyte’s oral and poster presentations are highlighted below:

Mini Symposium Oral Presentation:

Title: Validation of a 27-gene immuno-oncology algorithm in metastatic urothelial carcinoma treated with an immune checkpoint inhibitor
Authors: Robert S. Seitz (presenter), Douglas T. Ross, Tyler J. Nielsen, David R. Hout, Brock L. Schweitzer, Oncocyte Corporation
Abstract Number: 23
Session Title: MS.CL01.01-Biomarkers
Session Date and Time: Saturday, April 10, 2021, 1:50 PM EDT – 2:00 PM EDT

Summary:
The study achieved its primary endpoint that demonstrated a significant correlation between DetermaIO and two-year overall survival in atezolizumab treated metastatic bladder cancer. DetermaIO identified additional responsive patients missed by other biomarkers. These data demonstrate DetermaIO’s ability to identify patients more likely to respond to ICI therapy in a third and new tissue indication, in addition to Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), along with a fourth different ICI agent.
The algorithm and classification threshold were established prior to testing in all three studies, as presented in the poster presentation (see below), and was not changed between the different tissue indications. Taken together, these data support the potential use of the 27-gene DetermaIO test as a pan-cancer predictor of response to ICI therapy.

Poster Presentation:

Title: Pathway modeling to translate the 27-gene immuno-oncology algorithm into bladder cancer
Authors: Robert S. Seitz (presenter), Tyler J. Nielsen, Brock L. Schweitzer, David R. Hout, Douglas T. Ross, Oncocyte Corporation
Abstract Number: 175
Session Title: PO.BSB01.02 – Application of Bioinformatics to Cancer Biology
Session Date and Time: Saturday, April 10, 2021, 8:30 AM EDT – 11:59 PM EDT

The link to the poster presentation is available here.

Note: The following registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners:

TECENTRIQ® – Genentech, Inc.; KEYTRUDA® – Merck Sharp & Dohme Co.; OPDIVO® – Bristol Myers Squibb Company; IMFINZI® – AstraZeneca group of companies.

*Grand View Research estimates.

About Oncocyte Corporation

Oncocyte is a molecular diagnostics company whose mission is to provide actionable answers at critical decision points across the cancer care continuum. The Company, through its proprietary tests and pharmaceutical services business, aims to help save lives and improve outcomes by accelerating and optimizing the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The Company’s tests and services present multiple opportunities to advance cancer care while also driving revenue growth for the Company. Oncocyte launched DetermaRx™, a test that identifies early-stage lung cancer patients who are at high risk for cancer recurrence post-resection and predicts benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Oncocyte has also launched DetermaIO™, a gene expression test that assesses the tumor microenvironment to predict response to immunotherapies, as a research use only tool for pharmaceutical and academic clinical trials. To complement DetermaIO™, the Company anticipates launching DetermaTx™, a test to assess mutational status of a tumor to help identify the appropriate targeted therapy, in the second half of 2021. The Company previously announced its planned acquisition of Chronix Biomedical Inc. and its TheraSure™ CNI Monitor test, and also plans to continue with the development of DetermaMx™ as the Company seeks to expand into the blood-based monitoring market. Oncocyte’s pharmaceutical services provide pharmaceutical companies who are developing new cancer treatments a full suite of molecular testing services to support the drug development process.

DetermaRx, DetermaIO, DetermaMx, and DetermaTx are trademarks of Oncocyte Corporation. Therasure is a trademark of Chronix Biomedical Inc.

Oncocyte Forward Looking Statements. Oncocyte cautions you that this press release contains forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but not limited to statements that contain words such as “will,” “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “may,” and similar expressions) are forward-looking statements. These statements include those pertaining to the data presented at the 2021 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, the potential use of DetermaIO across multiple tumor types, and other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the potential impact of COVID-19 on our or any distributor’s financial and operational results, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential diagnostic tests or products, uncertainty in the results of clinical trials or regulatory approvals, the capacity of our third-party supplied blood sample analytic system to provide consistent and precise analytic results on a commercial scale, potential interruptions to our or any distributor’s supply chain, the need and ability to obtain future capital, maintenance of intellectual property rights in all applicable jurisdictions, and the need to obtain third party reimbursement for patients’ use of any diagnostic tests we commercialize in applicable jurisdictions, and risks inherent in strategic transactions such as failure to realize anticipated benefits, legal, regulatory or political changes in the applicable jurisdictions, accounting and quality controls, greater than estimated allocations of resources to develop and commercialize technologies, or failure to maintain any laboratory accreditation or certification. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and accordingly such statements should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the business of Oncocyte, particularly those mentioned in the “Risk Factors” and other cautionary statements found in Oncocyte’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which are available from the SEC’s website. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. Oncocyte undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

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