Exhibit 99.1

 

 

October 2020

 

Dear Actinium Shareholder:

 

In 2020 thus far, we have made steady progress with our Iomab-B SIERRA pivotal trial, which is in its final quartile of enrollment, and our Actimab-A combination trials in the Relapsed and Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (R/R AML) setting. We are on track and look forward to data updates related to this progress by year-end; specifically, data from the first 75% of patients from the SIERRA trial, the Ad-Hoc interim analysis, and POC data from our Actimab-A + CLAG-M combination trial. In addition, we have several other milestones across our platform that will be reached in 4Q:2020 and 2021, setting the stage for a potentially transformational future for your company. We approach these milestones with momentum across our clinical pipeline, enhanced R&D capabilities, a strong balance sheet and highly motivated colleagues. We are excited for Actinium’s future, grateful for your support and look forward to creating value for all stakeholders.

 

Attractive Multi-Product, Multi-Indication Opportunity in R/R AML Emerges in 2020

 

The progress made this year with Iomab-B and the Actimab-A therapeutic combination trials is exciting and potentially transformational. Taken together these programs can address the still unmet needs of a large segment of patients with R/R AML and potentially change the way the disease is treated. Despite 9 approved therapies for AML, a majority of patients relapse or become refractory at which point treatment options are limited. Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) remains the only curative treatment option but R/R AML patients typically cannot receive one as they are unable to withstand the highly toxic chemotherapy conditioning agents currently being used. As depicted in the graphic below, the ongoing pivotal Phase 3 SIERRA trial with Iomab-B is the backbone for our R/R AML strategy; enabling elderly, unfit patients to access a BMT with the potential for improved survival. Our Actimab-A combination trials with CLAG-M and venetoclax could be used either as therapeutics or a bridge to transplant in the fit and unfit patient segments. We eagerly await the data events for Iomab-B and the proof of concept data for both Actimab-A combination trials by year-end and in 2021, respectively. Together these results could set the stage for a much larger and attractive opportunity in R/R AML than either drug candidate alone.

 

Upcoming Data Could Set Stage for Expanded Market Opportunity in R/R AML

 

 

 

 

The R/R AML patient population is largely treated in approximately 75-100 tertiary care hospitals, which also conduct the majority of BMT procedures. Leveraging relationships established with the leading AML treatment centers in our clinical trials and our supply chain capabilities, we believe that Iomab-B and Actimab-A could be successfully commercialized into the tertiary care setting and envision building Actinium into a specialty oncology company focused on addressing the R/R AML patient population with multiple products. Our programs are on the cusp of producing data that can help us realize this vision.

 

2020 – Accomplishments Across All Major Pipeline Initiatives

 

As we hear of COVID-19 ad nauseum, I am proud to report that Actinium was able to accomplish many of its clinical goals despite clinical sites being severely hampered for several months. Our SIERRA trial was able to maintain enrollment because the trial investigators needed to keep treating very sick R/R AML patients and recognized the demonstrated benefit of Iomab-B from the 50 percent interim analysis. Throughout this period, dedicated teams at Actinium and our clinical sites were able to ensure that our supply chain capabilities were fully operational. Highlighted below are some of the achievements we have made in 2020 and outlook into our major programs.

 

Targeted Conditioning Pipeline – Value Creating Data Events Within Reach

 

Iomab-B Program for BMT - Pivotal Phase 3 SIERRA Trial

 

We note that, despite the late trial stage, investigator interest driven by data updates published at the 50 percent mark has led to several additional sites joining or expected to join the study. This data reported at the Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Conference showed that 100% of patients receiving Iomab-B underwent a BMT and engrafted, the first sign of a successful BMT outcome. Only 18% of control arm patients successfully received a BMT. Additionally, the difference in number of patients potentially evaluable for the primary endpoint, measured by 100-day non-relapse transplant related mortality, has remained consistent at roughly 6x greater for the study arm at the 25% and 50% enrollment updates. With the trial in its final quartile of enrollment, we look forward to data updates from the 75 percent enrollment mark and the interim ad-hoc analysis by year-end. The strong investigator interest in Iomab-B is a barometer for the unmet need and we are hopeful that Iomab-B will be able to provide these patients improved access to a BMT and better outcomes.

 

Iomab-ACT Program for CAR-T – Proof of Concept Trial with MSK

 

We are collaborating with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) via an approach validating NIH STTR fast track grant to explore the benefit of using Iomab-ACT, a low dose version of the ARC used in the Iomab-B program, to condition patients before they receive CAR-T therapy. MSK is a leader in the field of cellular therapy and this trial is unique as it will be the first time an ARC has been used for conditioning for any cellular therapy. The CAR-T construct, 19-28z, used in this trial, has proven efficacy in various blood cancers but is not truly viable due to relatively high rates of cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. Iomab-ACT can potentially address these issues by selectively targeting and depleting immune cells implicated in these CAR-T toxicities and creating a better environment for the CAR-T cells to expand and persist in order to attack the patient’s cancer and potentially have lower side effects and higher and more durable responses. We look forward to proof of concept data from this trial in 2021. There is an attractive and potentially large opportunity for the Iomab-ACT program to become the universal conditioning regimen for CAR-T based therapies.

 

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Other Conditioning Programs – Actimab-MDS and Iomab-ACT for Gene Therapy

 

We have completed our interactions with FDA and have a clear pathway to a pivotal trial after a short dose confirming Phase 1 study (which we believe will likely be 4uCi/kg body weight) for the Actimab-MDS targeted conditioning study in high-risk patients with MDS or myelodysplastic syndrome. The start of the gene therapy trial in HIV related lymphoma has been delayed as the University of California Davis was severely impacted due to COVID-19 and cohort expansion in the trial which uses chemotherapy conditioning, highlighting the need improved conditioning regimens. We will update on these programs as they move ahead in 2021.

 

CD33 Program Revitalization Via Therapeutic Combination Trials Data

 

Our CD33 program is showing compelling promise and could become an important driver of value. Recall, through the Phase 2 trial, we demonstrated that single-agent Actimab-A was extremely potent (ORR of 69%) and had no extramedullary toxicity outside of myelosuppression. We are parlaying this profile via a therapeutic combination strategy with established agents in R/R AML. As very few patients are cured with the 9 approved drugs, R/R AML patients account for almost 70% of the AML population. Each of our Actimab-A combination trials adds low, sometimes sub-therapeutic doses of Actimab-A, to established doses of drugs or drug cocktails and delivers internalized radiation to a highly radiation sensitive liquid cancer. There is also a mechanistic synergy or potentiating effect possible from adding Actimab-A in the two combination trials with CLAG-M and venetoclax. Actimab-A, in addition to its single agent activity can damage certain proteins like Mcl-1 and act in concert with DNA damage response inhibitor drugs and yield extremely high patient response rates without compromising their safety.

 

Supporting our approach are data from the Actimab-A + CLAG-M trial which showed a very high remission rate of 86%, 60% higher than CLAG-M alone. This second dose cohort combined a sub-therapeutic dose of Actimab-A with a standard CLAG-M regimen. Further, the minimal residual disease or MRD negative rate was an impressive 71%, which bodes well for durability of response. Venetoclax combinations are arguably the most widely prescribed regimen but most patients ultimately fail, and our trial is attracting significant investigator interest which has led to site expansion. We are excited as we believe these data events can demonstrate the immense value creating potential of our CD33 program, which has been largely overshadowed by Iomab-B and is deserving of further attention. We look forward to presenting updated POC data from our CLAG-M combination and first human data from the venetoclax combination Phase 1 trial by year-end.

 

Why Bolster R&D Capabilities at Actinium?

 

Actinium the company, was formed two decades ago to harness the power of radioisotopes, in particular Actinium-225 or Ac-225, to treat and potentially even cure cancer. The idea was far ahead of its time and the company certainly had its share of vicissitudes…we are the sixth management team. We restarted R&D three years ago, within a few months of our tenure, and have revitalized the aging patent portfolio, informed CD45 and CD33 program expansion via our research and entered into a research partnership with a global biopharma company. We now execute in a highly collaborative manner navigating complex scientific considerations, informed by commercial sensitivities, our clinical know-how and supply chain expertise.

 

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While no one has cured cancer, not even with a radiotherapeutic since Actinium was formed, there have been certain high-profile successes with radiopharmaceuticals that have created tremendous value for shareholders. This success has attracted new entrants and significant investments. Given a fortified balance sheet and potential for significant value creating clinical milestones by year-end that could enable us to build a specialty oncology company, we have begun stage 2 of our R&D plan. We have elected to develop internal laboratory capabilities to be able to execute our plans more efficiently than using outside vendors. We believe that this internal R&D capability is essential to attract collaborators, accelerate planned clinical programs and strengthen our competitive position as a leader in developing Ac-225 based therapeutics.

 

We are proud of the progress we have made in 2020 in the face of tough operating conditions and are excited for year-end clinical milestones that can set the stage for a potentially transformative 2021. Our strong balance sheet, enhanced team and capabilities, position your company well for value creation.

 

On behalf of our entire company and the Board of Directors, I thank you for your commitment to Actinium Pharmaceuticals and supporting our mission to develop medicines in areas where our product candidates can materially improve patient lives.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Sandesh Seth 

 

Sandesh Seth

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Key Achievements in 2020   Key Upcoming Milestones
Iomab-B mid-point analysis of SIERRA   Iomab-B SIERRA 75% patient data 4Q:2020
Exercised ad hoc analysis for SIERRA   Iomab-B SIERRA Ad Hoc Analysis 4Q:2020
Raised ~$60M in 1H:2020   Actimab-A CLAG-M POC 4Q:2020
Completed Phase 1 Actimab-A CLAG-M   Actimab-A Venetoclax 1st human data 4Q:2020
Initiated Actimab-A Venetoclax combo   Actimab-A Venetoclax POC 2021
Launched research facility   Iomab-ACT CD19 CAR-T POC 2021
Iomab-ACT CAR-T Collaboration   Actimab-A Gene Therapy update 2021

 

 

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