Minella, Alex C.

Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is anti-sickling and elevated HbF ameliorates sickle cell disease (SCD) manifestations. BEAM-101 is an investigational cell therapy comprised of autologous CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) that are base edited ex vivo to introduce naturally occurring A-to-G substitutions into the promoters of the HBG1/2 genes that encode γ-globin to disrupt BCL11A transcriptional repressor binding sites, leading to increased HbF production. We previously demonstrated in pre-clinical studies that base editing potently induced HbF (>60%) and proportionately reduced sickle hemoglobin (HbS) (<40%) without relying on double-stranded DNA breaks. We present initial data from BEACON (NCT05456880), a Phase 1/2, single-arm, open-label study evaluating the safety and efficacy of a single dose of BEAM-101 in patients with SCD with severe vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs). Patients 18-35 years diagnosed with SCD and ≥4 severe VOCs in the 2-year period prior to screening per trial criteria were eligible. After plerixafor mobilization, autologous CD34+ HSPCs were collected by leukapheresis/isolation and genetically modified with an adenine base editor. After myeloablative conditioning with pharmacokinetically adjusted busulfan, patients received a single infusion of BEAM-101 (≥3.0 × 106 viable CD34+ cells/kg) and are monitored for neutrophil and platelet engraftment, adverse events (AEs), total hemoglobin (Hb), Hb fractions, % F-cells, hemolysis markers, peripheral blood editing, and VOCs for 24 months. As of July 2, 2024, >20 patients are enrolled and BEAM-101 has been manufactured for 8 patients, of whom 6 patients have been dosed. One patient not included in this analysis discontinued during the mobilization/collection period prior to BEAM-101 treatment for non-medical reasons. Baseline demographics were as follows: 5/6 patients βS/βS, 1/6 patients βS/β0, all self-reported Black/African American, 50% female, aged 19-27 years. Of the 6 patients, half (n=3) required only a single mobilization cycle and the other half required 2. Patients received a mean BEAM-101 dose of 11.9 × 106 (5.2-23.4) viable CD34+ cells/kg. Excepting safety data that include all patients dosed (n=6), the following data are from patients dosed with ≥1 month of follow up (n=4; 6, 5, 2, and 1 month[s] post-treatment, each). All 4 patients with ≥1 month of follow up achieved neutrophil and platelet engraftment at a median of 17 (15-19) and 20 (11-34) days, respectively. One patient died due to respiratory failure, likely related to busulfan conditioning, 4 months after infusion. In all patients dosed (n=6), there have been no ≥Grade 3 AEs or serious AEs related to BEAM-101. Using the central laboratory data, patients' total Hb increased from baseline (mean 9.3 [7.9-10.9] g/dL) to 17.9, 18.2, 11.0, and 11.8 g/dL at last time point (LTP) available for P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively. No signs/symptoms or interventions were undertaken for high total Hb. All patients achieved >60% HbF of non-transfused Hb (total Hb − HbA) at Month (M) 1 and sustained this elevation to the LTP available. By M1, HbS% in non-transfused blood dropped to ≤36% in all 4 patients and was sustained through LTP. In total blood, % F-cells were 99.6% in P1 at M6, 94.4% in P2 at M4, 52.0% in P3 at M2, and 13.3% in P4 at M1 with all patients having >19 pg HbF/F-cell at LTP available. Peripheral blood editing in nucleated cells, measured in P1 (at M6) and P2 (at M3), was 69.9% and 76.1%, respectively. Markers of hemolysis (lactate dehydrogenase, indirect bilirubin, haptoglobin, and reticulocyte counts) have normalized or improved for all patients. No VOCs have been reported by investigators following BEAM-101 treatment. These initial data show a safety profile for BEAM-101 consistent with busulfan conditioning and autologous HSCT. Treatment with BEAM-101 resulted in rapid engraftment, improvement in hemolysis markers, and marked improvement of anemia in all 4 dosed patients. We observed rapid and robust HbF induction consistent with pre-clinical data by M1 (>60%) and corresponding HbS reduction (≤36%) in non-transfused blood in all post-treatment assessments. No VOCs were reported by investigators post-treatment. These initial data support base editing of the HBG1/2 promoters as an effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of SCD and will continue to be investigated in the ongoing BEACON study. Updated data to be presented.

Aims: To evaluate AMG 701, a BiTE® molecule binding BCMA on MM cells and CD3 on T cells, in RR MM (Amgen, NCT03287908); primary objective was to evaluate safety and tolerability and estimate a biologically active dose; secondary objectives were to characterize pharmacokinetics (PK), anti-myeloma activity per IMWG criteria, and response duration. Methods: Patients with MM RR or intolerant to ≥3 lines [proteasome inhibitor (PI), IMiD, anti-CD38 Ab as available] received AMG 701 IV infusions weekly in 4-week cycles until disease progression (PD). A 0.8-mg step dose was added prior to target doses ≥1.2 mg to prevent severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Target dose was achieved by day 8 or sooner with earlier escalation. Exclusion criteria included: solely extramedullary disease; prior allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) in the past 6 months; prior autologous SCT in the past 90 days; CNS involvement; prior anti-BCMA therapy. The first 3 cohorts (dose 5-45 μg) had 1 patient each, the next cohorts (0.14-1.2 mg) had 3-4 patients each, and subsequent cohorts (1.6-12 mg) were to have 3-10 patients each. Minimal residual disease (MRD) was measured by next-generation sequencing (NGS, ≤10-5 per IMWG) or flow cytometry (≤3×10-5). Results: As of July 2, 2020, 75 patients received AMG 701. Patients had a median age of 63 years, a median time since diagnosis of 5.9 years, and a median (range) of 6 (1-25) prior lines of therapy; 27% of patients had extramedullary disease, 83% prior SCT, and 93% prior anti-CD38 Ab; 68% were triple refractory to a PI, an IMiD, and an anti-CD38 Ab. Median (Q1, Q3) treatment duration was 6.1 (3.1, 15.3) weeks and median follow-up on treatment was 1.7 (1.0, 3.7) months. Patients discontinued drug for PD (n=47), AEs (adverse events, n=4, 3 CRS, 1 CMV / PCP pneumonia), withdrew consent (4), other therapy (1), investigator discretion (1), and CNS disease (1); 17 patients remain on AMG 701. The most common hematological AEs were anemia (43%), neutropenia (23%), and thrombocytopenia (20%). The most common non-hematological AEs were CRS (61%), diarrhea (31%), fatigue (25%), and fever (25%). CRS was mostly grade 1 (n=19) or 2 (n=21) per Lee Blood 2014 criteria. All grade 3 CRS (n=5, 7%) were assessed as dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs); all were reversible with corticosteroids and tocilizumab, with median duration of 2 days. CRS grade 3 drivers included transient LFT increases in 3 patients and hypoxia in 2 patients. Other DLTs were 1 case each of transient grade 3 atrial fibrillation, transient grade 3 acidosis, and grade 4 thrombocytopenia. Serious AEs (n=29, 39%) included infections (13), CRS (7), and asymptomatic pancreatic enzyme rise (2, no imaging changes, 1 treatment related). There were 4 deaths from AEs, none related to AMG 701 (2 cases of sepsis, 1 of retroperitoneal bleeding, and 1 of subdural hematoma). Reversible treatment-related neurotoxicity was seen in 6 patients, with median duration of 1 day, all grade 1-2, and associated with CRS in 4 patients. The response rate was 36% (16/45) at doses of 3-12 mg; at ≤1.6 mg (n=27), there was 1 response at 0.8 mg in a patient with low baseline soluble BCMA (sBCMA). With earlier dose escalation with 9 mg, the response rate was 83% (5/6, 3 PRs, 2 VGPRs), with 4/5 responders being triple refractory and 1 DLT of grade 3 CRS in this group. Across the study, responses included 4 stringent CRs (3 MRD-negative, 1 not yet tested), 1 MRD-negative CR, 6 VGPRs, and 6 PRs (Table). Median (Q1, Q3) time to response was 1.0 (1.0, 1.9) month, time to best response was 2.8 (1.0, 3.7) months, and response duration was 3.8 (1.9, 7.4) months, with maximum duration of 23 months; responses were ongoing at last assessment in 14/17 patients (Figure). MRD was tested in 4 patients (3 sCR, 1 CR) and all were negative (3 by NGS, 1 by flow); MRD negativity was ongoing at last observations up to 20 months later. AMG 701 exhibited a favorable PK profile in its target patient population of RR MM, with AMG 701 exposures increasing in a dose-related manner. Patient baseline sBCMA levels were identified as a determinant of AMG 701 free drug exposures; at higher doses, encouraging preliminary responses were seen even at the higher end of baseline sBCMA values. Summary: In this FIH study with ongoing dose escalation, AMG 701, an anti-BCMA BiTE® molecule, demonstrated a manageable safety profile, encouraging activity, and a favorable PK profile in patients with heavily pre-treated RR MM, supporting further evaluation of AMG 701. Disclosures Harrison: Janssen: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Patents & Royalties: wrt panobinostat; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria; CRISPR Therapeutics: Consultancy, Honoraria; Haemalogix: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria. Minnema:Amgen: Honoraria; Servier: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria; Celgene Corporation: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen Cilag: Honoraria. Lee:Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy; GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genentech: Consultancy; Regeneron: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Research Funding. Spencer:AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Secura Bio: Consultancy, Honoraria; Servier: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; HaemaLogiX: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pharmamar: Research Funding. Kapoor:Cellectar: Consultancy; Amgen: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria. Madduri:Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Foundation Medicine: Consultancy, Honoraria; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Speaking Engagement, Speakers Bureau; Kinevant: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Speaking Engagement, Speakers Bureau; Legend: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Speaking Engagement, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria. Larsen:Janssen Oncology: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ailawadhi:Cellectar: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Medimmune: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria; Janssen: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria; Phosplatin: Research Funding. Kaufman:Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Incyte: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; AbbVie: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; Tecnopharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pharmacyclics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi/Genyzme: Consultancy, Honoraria. Raab:Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Heidelberg Pharma: Research Funding; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Hari:BMS: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; GSK: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Incyte Corporation: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy. Iida:AbbVie: Research Funding; Merck Sharpe Dohme: Research Funding; Kyowa Kirin: Research Funding; Chugai: Research Funding; Sanofi: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Honoraria, Research Funding; Ono: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding. Davies:Celgene/BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Oncopeptides: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Adaptive Biotech: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lesley:Amgen Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Upreti:Amgen Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Yang:Amgen Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Sharma:Amgen Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Minella:Amgen Inc.: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months; Beam Therapeutics Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Lentzsch:Mesoblast: Divested equity in a private or publicly-traded company in the past 24 months; Janssen: Consultancy; Caelum Biosciences: Current equity holder in private company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Magenta: Current equity holder in private company; Sanofi: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Celularity: Consultancy; Sorrento: Consultancy. OffLabel Disclosure: AMG 701, a half-life extended BiTE® (bispecific T-cell engager) molecule is an investigational agent for multiple myeloma.