- Guiding Researchers and Advocates to Scientific Partnerships (GRASP) launched in 2019 to unite patient advocates, physicians and researchers through meaningful discussions of cancer-related topics
- Sermonix’s poster detailing the Phase 2 trial of lasofoxifene, its lead investigational drug, combined with Eli Lilly and Company’s abemaciclib (Verzenio®) will be discussed in two virtual GRASP Poster Walkthroughs at the conclusion of ASCO
CHICAGO, June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sermonix Pharmaceuticals Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapeutics to specifically treat ESR1-mutated metastatic breast and gynecological cancers, today announced that its poster detailing the results of its Phase 2 lasofoxifene trial, known as ELAINE-2, received a GRASP Advocate Choice Award. GRASP, which stands for Guiding Researchers and Advocates to Scientific Partnerships, connects patient advocates with cancer researchers to make faster and more impactful progress to improve cancer treatments. The Sermonix poster will be discussed during two GRASP Poster Walkthroughs at the conclusion of the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.
The poster, Open-Label, Phase 2, Multicenter Study of Lasofoxifene (LAS) Combined with Abemaciclib (Abema) for Treating Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women with Locally Advanced or Metastatic ER+/HER2− Breast Cancer and an ESR1 Mutation after Progression on Prior Therapies, will be examined during virtual GRASP Poster Walkthroughs on June 9 and June 10. The sessions are titled Breast Cancer – Metastatic; ESR1 Mutation.
The ASCO poster describes positive findings from the study related to safety and efficacy in women with ER+/HER2- mBC and an ESR1 mutation who had progressed on previous CDK4/6i therapies. Lasofoxifene is the only selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) currently being developed exclusively to treat breast cancers with ESR1 mutations.
“Sermonix believes in the potential of lasofoxifene, and we recognize patient advocates play a critical role in bringing awareness to researchers and scientists about the realities of the patient experience,” said Dr. Elizabeth Attias, Sermonix chief strategy and development officer. “We thank GRASP for the vitally important work it does to unite patients, clinicians and researchers, and we look forward to discussing our ELAINE-2 study poster and learning more about the needs of women with acquired endocrine resistance and ESR1 mutations.”
Attias and Dr. David Portman, Sermonix founder and chief executive officer, will participate in the June 9 Poster Walkthrough. Dr. Senthil Damodaran, the study’s primary investigator, and Dr. Paul Plourde, vice president of oncology clinical development for Sermonix, will participate in the June 10 session.
GRASP was started in 2019 by two women who are living with breast cancer, based on the recognition that facilitating the patient experience and researcher discussion early and often forges powerful collaborations that positively impact the research landscape. It is GRASP’s aspiration to make cancer research more patient-centered, innovative and inclusive. GRASP intentionally keeps its Poster Walkthrough groups small and informal, helping patients to feel comfortable in a conversational atmosphere that informs the patient and researcher exchange.
The ELAINE studies of lasofoxifene were named in honor of Dr. Elaine Davidson Nemzer, sister of Sermonix co-founder Dr. Miriam Davidson Portman. Nemzer was a brilliant and compassionate child psychologist whose life was cut short by metastatic breast cancer at the age of 47.
About Lasofoxifene
Lasofoxifene is an investigational, nonsteroidal selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), which Sermonix licensed globally from Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: LGND) and has been studied in previous comprehensive Phase 1-3 non-oncology clinical trials in more than 15,000 postmenopausal women worldwide. Lasofoxifene’s bioavailability and activity in mutations of the estrogen receptor could potentially hold promise for patients who have acquired endocrine resistance due to ESR1 mutations, a common finding in the metastatic setting and an area of high unmet medical need. Lasofoxifene’s novel activity in ESR1 mutations was discovered at Duke University and Sermonix has exclusive rights to develop and commercialize the product in this area. Lasofoxifene, a potent, oral SERM could, if approved, play a critical role in the targeted precision medicine treatment of advanced ER+ breast cancer.
About Sermonix
Sermonix Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of female-specific oncology products and is currently undertaking two Phase 2 clinical studies of lasofoxifene, its lead investigational drug. Sermonix Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2014 by David Portman, M.D., a leading clinical researcher and expert in women’s health, menopause and selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) therapy. The Sermonix management team, led by Dr. Portman, has significant experience in all stages of the drug development and regulatory process. Paul Plourde, M.D., vice president of oncology clinical development, has many decades of experience in the oncology drug development arena. Barry Komm, Ph.D., chief scientific officer, is recognized for his expertise in SERM biology. Miriam Portman, M.D., is chief operating officer. Elizabeth Attias, M.M.Sc., Sc.D., chief strategy and development officer, has extensive experience in pharmaceutical drug commercialization. Simon Jenkins, Ph.D., vice president of operations, has over 30 years of experience in global drug development leadership. Sermonix non-executive chairman of the board is Anthony Wild, Ph.D., former president of both Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals and Warner-Lambert’s Pharmaceutical Division. Learn more at SermonixPharma.com.
Abema (Verzenio®) was provided through a drug supply collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company. Verzenio® is a trademark owned by or licensed to Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.
Contact information:
Glenn Garmont
LifeSci Advisors
Managing Director, Investor Relations Corporate Communications
ggarmont@lifesciadvisors.com
646-876-5521
