New Preclinical GlycoMimetics Data Suggests Uproleselan With Venetoclax/HMA in AML May Prolong Survival

GlycoMimetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GLYC) today announced new preclinical data providing the first evidence that an E-selectin targeting strategy with uproleselan may help patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to overcome resistance to venetoclax and hypomethylating agent (HMA)-based therapy. The poster (Abstract #AML-337) entitled “Targeting E-selectin with GMI-1271 Overcomes Microenvironment-mediated Resistance to Venetoclax/HMA Therapy,” will be presented September 9 from 6:15-8:15 p.m. CDT on the virtual platform of the virtual meeting of the Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO).

The data presented are from an animal model created using tissue derived from a patient who had developed resistance to venetoclax/HMA. In this model, the addition of uproleselan to the treatment regimen demonstrated robust anti-leukemic activity and a statistically significant prolongation of survival. The research strongly supports the opportunity for additional clinical evaluation of the triple combination of uproleselan, venetoclax and HMA in the frontline, unfit AML patient population.

“We know that binding leukemic cells to E-selectin within the bone marrow niche up-regulates pro-survival mechanisms. This preclinical study shows that by blocking this activity with uproleselan, we can enhance the sensitivity to venetoclax/HMAs. This supports using this treatment regimen to potentially improve outcomes in patients whose duration of response is typically very short,” said John Magnani, Ph.D., GlycoMimetics’ Senior Vice-President of Research and Chief Scientific Officer. “We are excited to share this encouraging data and hope that additional clinical evaluation will provide more insight on the potential of this combination-therapy approach.”

Visit the meeting’s website for more information: https://www.soho2020.com/., The virtual meeting will be held September 9-12, 2020.

About Uproleselan (GMI-1271)

Discovered and developed by GlycoMimetics, uproleselan is an investigational, first-in-class, targeted inhibitor of E-selectin. Uproleselan (yoo’ pro le’ sel an), currently in a comprehensive Phase 3 development program in AML, has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. FDA for the treatment of adult AML patients with relapsed or refractory disease. Uproleselan is designed to block E-selectin (an adhesion molecule on cells in the bone marrow) from binding with blood cancer cells as a targeted approach to disrupting well-established mechanisms of leukemic cell resistance within the bone marrow microenvironment. In a Phase 1/2 clinical trial, uproleselan was evaluated in both newly diagnosed elderly and relapsed or refractory patients with AML. In both populations, patients treated with uproleselan together with standard chemotherapy achieved better-than-expected remission rates and overall survival compared to historical controls, which have been derived from results from third-party clinical trials evaluating standard chemotherapy, as well as lower-than-expected induction-related mortality rates. Treatment in these patient populations was generally well-tolerated, with fewer than expected adverse effects.