Combination Pan-Antigen Cytotoxic Therapy (ComPACT) Designed to Deliver T-Cell Priming and Co-Stimulatory Molecules in a Single Product

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DURHAM, N.C., June 15, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Heat Biologics, Inc. (“Heat”), (HTBX), a clinical stage cancer immunotherapy company, today announced the development of its next-generation combination immunotherapy platform, which combines a pan-antigen T cell priming vaccine and T cell co-stimulator in a single product. This platform, named ComPACT, has been engineered to incorporate various fusion proteins targeting co-stimulatory receptors (OX40, ICOS, 4-1BB), enabling the combination of two important immunotherapy pathways in a single therapy. Data generated using the ComPACT platform are being presented today at the Cell Symposia, ‘Cancer, Inflammation and Immunity’ in Sitges, Spain. The Company will also be hosting a webcast today to present these data.

Taylor Schreiber, MD, PhD, Heat’s Vice President of Research, who led development of ComPACT, commented: “It is now widely recognized in the clinical community that combinations between checkpoint inhibitors, T cell co-stimulators, and vaccines can provide superior benefits to any single modality as monotherapy. The first challenge in developing these combinations is to systematically identify synergistic pathways from redundant or antagonistic ones. Another challenge is to deploy combination immunotherapies that may limit systemic toxicity and offer an advantageous overall cost structure compared to combining multiple biologic therapies. Heat’s ComPACT therapy is designed to achieve these goals.”

The presentation by George Fromm, PhD, Heat’s Director of Research, reveals the first preclinical analysis of ComPACT, incorporating OX40L-Fc, demonstrates significant benefits as compared to traditional OX40 agonistic antibodies. Dr. Fromm commented: “The magnitude of T cell stimulation with ComPACT was somewhat unexpected, but clearly demonstrates substantial increases for both primary and memory immune response to those seen by co-administration of a vaccine and OX40 agonist antibody.” The data illustrate that systemic OX40 stimulation through antibody therapy led to increased off-target T cell activation, and that the beneficial response with ComPACT may be due to increased specificity.

Although the data presented include combinations between gp96-Ig vaccination and stimulation of OX40, the platform has also been developed to target other T cell co-stimulatory receptors including ICOS, 4-1BB and other undisclosed co-stimulatory targets. Heat’s ComPACT therapy has the potential to provide a product that achieves the envisioned benefits of combination immunotherapy in a single therapy, without the need for multiple independent biologic products. Heat expects to file its first IND with the ComPACT platform in 2H, 2016.

HAIFA, Israel, June 17, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (PSTI) (TASE:PLTR), a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapy products, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Pluristem Ltd., has been awarded 11.1 million New Israeli Shekels (approximately $2.9 million) from the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) of the Israeli Ministry of Economy. The grant will support R&D activities for calendar year 2015.

“We are delighted to receive the OCS grant to support clinical trials of PLX cells, and innovations in the use of serum free medium in our cell cultures,” stated Zami Aberman, Chairman and CEO of Pluristem. “This OCS award is designed to promote hi-tech and biotech R&D in Israel. Israel has emerged as a global hub for breakthrough technologies, and the OCS’s funding program contributes to this phenomenon. Pluristem is very proud to be among Israel’s leading life sciences companies.”

About the Office of the Chief Scientist and Grant Terms

The OCS, empowered by the Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research & Development — 1984, oversees all government sponsored support of R&D in the Israeli hi-tech and bio-tech industries. This broad-spectrum support stimulates the development of innovative, state-of-the-art technologies, enhances the competitive power of the industry in the global hi-tech market, and creates employment opportunities.

According to the OCS grant terms, Pluristem Ltd. is required to pay royalties of 3% – 4% on sales of products and services derived from technology developed using this and other OCS grants until 100% of the dollar-linked grants amount plus interest are repaid. In the absence of such sales, no payment is required.

About Pluristem Therapeutics

Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. is a leading developer of placenta-based cell therapy products. The Company’s patented PLX (PLacental eXpanded) cells release a cocktail of therapeutic proteins in response to inflammation, ischemia, hematological disorders, and radiation damage. PLX cells are grown using the Company’s proprietary three-dimensional expansion technology and are an “off-the-shelf” product that requires no tissue matching prior to administration.

Pluristem has a strong intellectual property position, Company-owned, GMP-certified manufacturing and research facilities, strategic relationships with major research institutions, and a seasoned management team. For more information visit www.pluristem.com, the content of which is not part of this press release.

JERUSALEM, June 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ —

Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ORMP) (http://www.oramed.com), a developer of oral drug delivery systems, announced today that the Russian Federal Service for Intellectual Property has granted the Company a patent for its invention, titled “Methods and Compositions for Oral Administrations of Exenatide.”

About ORMD-0901 – Oral GLP-1

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that stimulates the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Exenatide, a GLP-1 analog, is currently marketed in injectable form only, and is indicated for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Exenatide induces insulin release at increased glucose levels and causes a feeling of satiety, which results in reduced food intake and weight loss. Oramed’s oral GLP-1 capsule, based on the Company’s POD™ technology, could significantly increase compliance and become a valuable tool in the treatment of diabetes.

About Oramed Pharmaceuticals

Oramed Pharmaceuticals is a technology pioneer in the field of oral delivery solutions for drugs currently delivered via injection. Established in 2006, Oramed’s Protein Oral Delivery (POD™) technology is based on over 30 years of research by top scientists at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center. Oramed is seeking to revolutionize the treatment of diabetes through its proprietary flagship product, an orally ingestible insulin capsule (ORMD-0801). Having completed separate Phase IIa clinical trials, the Company anticipates the initiation of separate Phase IIb clinical trials, in patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes under an Investigational New Drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In addition the Company is developing an oral GLP-1 analog capsule (ORMD-0901).