Ascendis Pharma A/S Announces Full Year 2020 Financial Results and Business Update Conference Call on March 10

On March 4, 2021 Ascendis Pharma A/S (Nasdaq: ASND), a biopharmaceutical company that utilizes its innovative TransCon technologies to create product candidates that address unmet medical needs, reported that the company will hold a conference call and live webcast on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) to review its 2020 financial results and provide a business update (Press release, Ascendis Pharma, MAR 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234576085]).

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A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investors and News section of the Ascendis Pharma website at www.ascendispharma.com. A webcast replay will be available on this website shortly after conclusion of the event for 30 days.

Kadmon Provides Business Update and Reports Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Results

On March 4, 2021 Kadmon Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:KDMN) reported financial and operational results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020 (Press release, Kadmon, MAR 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234576084]).

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"With the acceptance of Kadmon’s new drug application for belumosudil in cGVHD in hand, we are preparing for our potential commercial launch in light of our May 30th PDUFA date," said Harlan W. Waksal, M.D., President and CEO of Kadmon. "We are leveraging our existing commercial infrastructure and have thus nearly completed the scale-up required to launch belumosudil, if approved. We continue to seek to understand the needs of cGVHD patients in key transplant centers throughout the United States and look forward to working closely with FDA to bring this much-needed therapy to cGVHD patients in the coming months."

Dr. Waksal added, "We remain enthusiastic about belumosudil’s potential in systemic sclerosis; our ongoing placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial continues to attract patients in spite of the broader COVID backdrop and our plans to initiate our open-label trial in this indication are squarely on track. Additionally, we recently completed enrollment in the first two cohorts of our Phase 1 clinical trial of KD033, our anti-PD-L1/IL-15 fusion protein, in patients with metastatic or locally advanced solid tumors. We look forward to sharing initial data from both of these programs in late 2021. By completing a transformative convertible bond financing in February 2021 that was led by fundamental, healthcare investors, we have over $300 million in capital and are well positioned to achieve our strategic goals."

2021 Anticipated Key Clinical Milestones:

Belumosudil

Continue ongoing dialogue with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as they review the New Drug Application (NDA) of belumosudil, the Company’s (ROCK2) inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD).
The FDA set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date for belumosudil of May 30, 2021. The NDA is being reviewed under the FDA’s Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) pilot program, which aims to explore a more efficient review process to ensure safe and effective treatments are available to patients as early as possible.
The review of the belumosudil NDA is also being conducted under Project Orbis, an initiative of the FDA Oncology Center of Excellence. Project Orbis provides a framework for concurrent submission and review of oncology drugs among participating international countries.
Continue belumosudil commercial launch readiness activities in anticipation of potential FDA approval in 1H 2021. The Company has the majority of its planned field sales and medical science liaison teams. The Company believes these focused teams can adequately address the concentrated cGVHD market, where approximately 80% of patients are treated at 70 U.S. transplant centers.
Initiate small (12-15 patient), open-label Phase 2 clinical trial of belumosudil in patients with dcSSc (Study KD025-215) in 2021. The Company plans to present initial data from this study by year-end 2021.
Continue enrollment in ongoing placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial in dcSSc (KD025-209); the Company continues to work with sites and trial coordinators to facilitate patient enrollment amid the COVID-19 pandemic
KD033

Enrollment in the first two dose cohorts was successfully completed in the ongoing dose-escalation Phase 1 clinical trial of KD033, Kadmon’s anti-PD-L1/IL-15 fusion protein, in patients with metastatic or locally advanced solid tumors; enrollment is ongoing in the next dose level (cohort 3).
The Company plans to present initial data from KD033-101 in 2021.
KD045

Continue investigational new drug (IND)-enabling activities for KD045, Kadmon’s next-generation ROCK inhibitor for the treatment of fibrotic diseases.
Financial Results

Fourth Quarter 2020 Results

Loss from operations for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was $31.2 million compared to $18.3 million for the same period in 2019.

The increase in loss from operations for the three months ended December 31, 2020 as compared to 2019 was primarily attributable to increased expenses related to clinical development and regulatory costs for belumosudil, as well as costs related to preparation for the potential launch of belumosudil. Additionally, the fourth quarter of 2019 included $4.0 million in license revenues related to the BioNova strategic partnership.

Full Year 2020 Results

Loss from operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $102.3 million, compared to $89.1 million for the same period in 2019.

The increase in loss from operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to 2019 was primarily related to clinical development and regulatory costs for belumosudil, as well as costs related to preparation for the potential launch of belumosudil. This increase in expenses was partially offset by an increase in license revenues of $2.0 million related to the Meiji strategic partnership.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At December 31, 2020, the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities totaled $123.9 million, compared to $139.6 million at December 31, 2019. On February 16, 2021, the Company issued $240.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.625% convertible senior notes due 2027 (the "Notes"), in a private offering conducted in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, which included the full exercise of the $40 million over-allotment option. The initial conversion price of the Notes is equivalent to $6.96 per share, a premium of approximately 30% over the $5.35 per share closing price of Kadmon’s common stock on February 10, 2021. The Company entered into capped call transactions to raise the conversion price to $10.70 per share, a premium of 100% over the $5.35 per share closing price of Kadmon’s common stock on February 10, 2021. The Company received net proceeds from the offering of approximately $200.0 million, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and the cost of the capped call transactions.

In addition, as of December 31, 2020, the Company held approximately 0.7 million ordinary shares of MeiraGTx Holdings plc (MeiraGTx), a clinical-stage gene therapy company, as compared to approximately 2.1 million ordinary shares held as of December 31, 2019. During fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Company entered into multiple transactions pursuant to which it sold approximately 1.4 million ordinary shares of MeiraGTx for total net proceeds of approximately $19.8 million.

About Belumosudil

Belumosudil (KD025) is a selective oral inhibitor of Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase 2 (ROCK2), a signaling pathway that modulates inflammatory response and pro-fibrotic processes. In November 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the NDA for belumosudil for the treatment of patients with cGVHD. The FDA granted Priority Review for the NDA for belumosudil and assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of May 30, 2021. The NDA is being reviewed under the FDA’s Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) and Project Orbis pilot programs. The FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to belumosudil for the treatment of patients with cGVHD after failure of two or more lines of systemic therapy as well as Orphan Drug Designation to belumosudil for the treatment of cGVHD.

Acorda Therapeutics Provides Business Update and Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Financial Results

On March 4, 2021 Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020 (Press release, Acorda Therapeutics, MAR 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234576083]).

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"We have improved our financial position materially through the sale of our manufacturing operations in Chelsea and our restructuring, which also have reduced both our annual operating expenses and cost of goods for INBRIJA," said Ron Cohen, M.D., Acorda’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "In 2020, we continued to improve access to INBRIJA and saw excellent results from our new patient education and training programs; for example, approximately 1,250 patients who had either never filled or had discontinued their original INBRIJA prescriptions responded to our educational outreach and training by returning to therapy. We also saw quarter over quarter growth in INBRIJA despite the substantial negative impact of COVID-19, and believe we are well-positioned for further growth when the pandemic subsides. We also believe that the reduced cost of goods for INBRIJA will help potentiate commercial partnerships outside the US."

Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Results

For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020, the Company reported AMPYRA net revenue of $25.3 million compared to $40.8 million for the same quarter in 2019 and INBRIJA net revenue of $9.3 million compared to $6.1 million for the same quarter in 2019.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 were $4.3 million, including $0.3 million of share-based compensation, compared to $9.0 million, including $0.6 million of share-based compensation, for the same quarter in 2019.

Sales, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 were $32.9 million, including $1.2 million of share-based compensation, compared to $41.2 million, including $2.0 million of share-based compensation, for the same quarter in 2019.

Benefit from income taxes for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 was $3.1 million, compared to a benefit from income taxes of $0.8 million for the same quarter in 2019.

The Company recorded a loss on assets held for sale related to the sale of the manufacturing operations in Chelsea, Massachusetts to Catalent. The Company recorded a loss on the assets held for sale of $57.9 million as of December 31, 2020, which represents the amount by which the carrying value of the assets to be sold exceeds the purchase price less estimated selling costs. The Company segregated the assets held for sale on the balance sheet at the resulting carrying amount of $71.8 million as of December 31, 2020.

The Company reported GAAP net loss of $83.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, or $9.82 per diluted share. GAAP net income in the same quarter of 2019 was $65.7 million, or $8.26 per diluted share.

Non-GAAP net loss for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 was $21.1 million, or $2.50 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net loss in the same quarter of 2019 was $7.1 million, or $0.89 per diluted share. This quarterly non-GAAP net loss measure, more fully described below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures," excludes share-based compensation charges, non-cash interest charges on our debt, restructuring expenses, changes in the fair value of acquired contingent consideration, losses on assets held for sale, gain on extinguishment of debt, and changes in the fair value of derivative liability related to the 2024 convertible notes. A reconciliation of the GAAP financial results to non-GAAP financial results is included with the attached financial statements.

Full Year Ended December 31, 2020 Financial Results

For the full year ended December 31, 2020, the Company reported AMPYRA net revenue of $98.9 million compared to $163.2 million for the full year 2019 and INBRIJA net revenue of $24.2 million compared to $15.3 million for the full year 2019.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the full year ended December 31, 2020 were $23.0 million, including $1.7 million of share-based compensation, compared to $60.1 million, including $2.8 million of share-based compensation for the full year 2019.

Sales, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the full year ended December 31, 2020 were $152.6 million, including $6.0 million of share-based compensation, compared to $192.8 million, including $10.8 million of share-based compensation for the full year 2019.

Benefit from income taxes for the full year ended December 31, 2020 was $8.0 million, compared to a benefit from income taxes of $1.3 million for the full year 2019.

For the full year ended December 31, 2020, the Company reported GAAP net loss of $99.6 million, or $12.32 per diluted share, compared to a GAAP net loss for the full year 2019 of $273.0 million, or $34.43 per diluted share.

Non-GAAP net loss for the full year ended December 31, 2020 was $72.9 million, or $9.02 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net loss for the full year ended December 31, 2019 was $81.8 million, or $10.31 per diluted share. This full year non-GAAP net loss measure, more fully described below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures," excludes share-based compensation charges, non-cash interest charges on our debt, restructuring expenses, changes in the fair value of acquired contingent consideration, asset impairment charges, losses on assets held for sale, gain on extinguishment of debt, and changes in the fair value of derivative liability related to the 2024 convertible notes. A reconciliation of the GAAP financial results to non-GAAP financial results is included with the attached financial statements.

At December 31, 2020, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, investments, and restricted cash of $102.9 million. Restricted cash includes $31 million in escrow related to the 6% semi-annual interest portion, payable in cash or stock, of the convertible note exchange completed in December 2019. If the Company elects to pay interest due in stock, the restricted cash will be released from escrow.

Financial Guidance

Operating expenses for the full year 2021 are expected to be $130 – $140 million. This guidance is a non-GAAP projection that excludes restructuring costs and share-based compensation as more fully described below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
AMPYRA net revenue for the full year 2021 is expected to be $75-$85 million.
Recent Highlights

In February 2021, the Company announced that it has closed the deal to sell its manufacturing operations in Chelsea, Massachusetts to Catalent. Under the terms of the agreement, Catalent has paid Acorda $80 million in cash, resulting in expected net proceeds to Acorda of approximately $74 million after transaction fees and expenses and settlement of customary post-closing adjustments.
In connection with the sale, Acorda and Catalent have entered into a long-term global supply agreement under which Catalent will manufacture and package INBRIJA for Acorda, ensuring an uninterrupted drug supply for Acorda’s patients and continued adherence to best-in-class manufacturing quality and safety standards.
In January 2021, the Company announced a corporate restructuring, reducing its combined Ardsley, Waltham, and field headcount by approximately 16%.
The sale of the manufacturing operations, restructuring and other operating expense reductions are expected to reduce annual operating expenses by approximately $40 million.
On December 31, 2020, Acorda implemented a 1-for-6 reverse stock split of the Company’s shares of common stock and a proportionate reduction in the number of authorized shares of common stock. This was done to regain compliance with the $1.00 per share minimum closing price required to maintain continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
Webcast and Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and webcast in conjunction with its fourth quarter/year end 2020 update and financial results today at 4:30 p.m. EST.

To participate in the Webcast/Conference Call, please note there is a new pre-registration process.

To register for the Webcast, use the link below:
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To register for the Conference Call, use the link below:
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**When registering please type your phone number with no special characters**

A replay of the call will be available from 7:30 p.m. EST on March 4, 2021 until 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 4, 2021. To access the replay, please dial (800) 585-8367 (domestic) or (416) 621-4642 (international); reference code 9854802. The archived webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Acorda website at www.acorda.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes financial results prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), and also certain historical and forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures. In particular, Acorda has provided non-GAAP net loss, adjusted to exclude the items below, and has provided 2021 operating expense guidance on a non-GAAP basis. Non-GAAP financial measures are not an alternative for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. However, the Company believes that the presentation of non-GAAP net loss, when viewed in conjunction with actual GAAP results, provides investors with a more meaningful understanding of our ongoing and projected operating performance because this measure excludes (i) non-cash compensation charges and benefits that are substantially dependent on changes in the market price of our common stock, (ii) non-cash interest charges related to the accounting for our convertible debt which are in excess of the actual interest expense owing on such convertible debt, as well as non-cash interest related to the Fampyra monetization and acquired Biotie debt, (iii) changes in the fair value of acquired contingent consideration which do not correlate to our actual cash payment obligations in the relevant periods, (iv) asset impairment charges that are not routine to the operation of the business, (v) gain on extinguishment of debt that pertains to an event that is not routine to the operation of the business, (vi) expenses that pertain to our 2019 restructuring, which is not routine to the operation of the business, (vii) changes in the fair value of derivative liability relating to the 2024 convertible notes, which is a non-cash charge and not related to the operation of the business, and (viii) losses on assets held for sale that pertain to a non-routine sale of manufacturing operations. The Company believes its non-GAAP net loss measure helps indicate underlying trends in the Company’s business and is important in comparing current results with prior period results and understanding projected operating performance. Also, management uses this non-GAAP financial measure to establish budgets and operational goals, and to manage the Company’s business and to evaluate its performance.

In addition to non-GAAP net loss, we have provided 2021 operating expense guidance on a non-GAAP basis, as the guidance excludes restructuring costs and share-based compensation charges. Due to the forward looking nature of this information, the amount of compensation charges needed to reconcile these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is dependent on future changes in the market price of our common stock and is not available at this time. Non-GAAP financial measures are not an alternative for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. However, the Company believes that the presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure, when viewed in conjunction with actual GAAP results, provides investors with a more meaningful understanding of our ongoing and projected operating performance because it excludes (i) expenses that pertain to non-routine restructuring events, and (ii) non-cash charges that are substantially dependent on changes in the market price of our common stock. We believe this non-GAAP financial measure helps indicate underlying trends in the Company’s business and is important in comparing current results with prior period results and understanding expected operating performance. Also, management uses this non-GAAP financial measure to establish budgets and operational goals, and to manage the Company’s business and to evaluate its performance.

Polaris Phase III interim analysis of lung mesothelioma carcinoma showed a statistically significant overall survival rate of 80% or higher for the highest grade.

On March 4, 2021 Polaris Pharmaceuticals reported it is Based on the current interim analysis data, it is estimated that the overall success rate of the final trial will be over 80% (Press release, Polaris Pharmaceuticals, MAR 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234576082]).

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Based on the current observations, it is estimated that the overall survival at the end of the trial will be statistically greater than 80% for CP, and the trial committee recommended that the Phase III clinical trial continue according to the original application plan.

This means that the ADI PEG-20 treatment group will have a statistically significant chance of exceeding the overall survival of the control group by more than 80% after continued patient enrollment in the Phase III clinical trial, according to the experts.

Targovax ASA: Registration of share capital increase following exercise of options

On March 4, 2021 Targovax ASA (OSE:TRVX) ("Targovax" or the "Company") reported the board of directors’ resolution to increase the share capital of the Company in connection with the exercise of employee options (Press release, Targovax, MAR 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234576081]).

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The share capital increase has today been registered with the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises (Nw. Foretaksregisteret). The Company’s new share capital is NOK 8,656,110.60, divided into 86,561,106 shares, each with a par value of NOK 0.10.