On May 3, 2022 PerkinElmer, Inc. (NYSE: PKI), a global leader committed to innovating for a healthier world, reported financial results for the first quarter ended April 3, 2022 (Press release, PerkinElmer, MAY 3, 2022, View Source [SID1234613402]).

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The Company reported GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.40, as compared to GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations of $3.37 in the same period a year ago. GAAP revenue for the quarter was $1.26 billion, as compared to $1.31 billion in the same period a year ago. GAAP operating income from continuing operations for the quarter was $255 million, as compared to $468 million for the same period a year ago. GAAP operating profit margin was 20.2% as a percentage of revenue, as compared to 35.8% in the same period a year ago.

Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations for the quarter was $2.41, as compared to $3.72 in same period a year ago. Adjusted revenue for the quarter was $1.26 billion, as compared to $1.31 billion in the same period a year ago. Adjusted operating income from continuing operations for the quarter was $410 million, as compared to $542 million for the same period a year ago. Adjusted operating profit margin was 32.5% as a percentage of adjusted revenue, as compared to 41.4% in the same period a year ago.

Adjustments for the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures have been noted in the attached reconciliations.

"The company once again demonstrated its agility and resiliency so far in 2022, and I’m encouraged by our better-than-expected performance to start the year," said Prahlad Singh, president and chief executive officer of PerkinElmer. "My appreciation goes to all our employees who are not only continuing to execute at a high level for our customers, but who also are making a difference in their communities during these extraordinary times."

Financial Overview by Reporting Segment for the First Quarter

Discovery & Analytical Solutions

First quarter 2022 revenue was $602 million, as compared to $455 million in the same period a year ago. Reported revenue increased 33% and organic revenue increased 12% as compared to the same period a year ago.
First quarter 2022 operating income from continuing operations was $15 million, as compared to $43 million for the same period a year ago.
First quarter 2022 adjusted operating income was $127 million, as compared to $76 million for the same period a year ago.
Diagnostics

First quarter 2022 revenue was $657 million, as compared to $853 million for the same period a year ago. Reported revenue decreased 23% and organic revenue decreased 24% as compared to the same period a year ago.
First quarter 2022 operating income from continuing operations was $258 million, as compared to $441 million for the same period a year ago.
First quarter 2022 adjusted operating income was $301 million, as compared to $483 million for the same period a year ago.
Initiates Second Quarter and Raises Full Year 2022 Guidance

For the second quarter of 2022, the Company forecasts revenue of approximately $1.20-1.22 billion which includes the recognition of approximately $100 million of additional deferred revenue. Adjusted earnings per share in the second quarter of 2022 is expected to be in a range $2.00-2.05 which includes approximately $0.35 of earnings per share from the net impact of the recognition of deferred revenue and related costs.

For the full year 2022, the Company now forecasts revenue of $4.56-4.63 billion and adjusted earnings per share of $7.15-7.45.

Guidance for the second quarter and full year is provided on a non-GAAP basis and cannot be reconciled to the closest GAAP measures without unreasonable effort due to the unpredictability of the amounts and timing of events affecting the items the Company excludes from these non-GAAP measures. The timing and amounts of such events and items could be material to the Company’s results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

The Company will discuss its first quarter 2022 results and its outlook for business trends during a conference call on May 3, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. A live audio webcast of the call will be available on the Investors section of the Company’s website, www.perkinelmer.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this earnings announcement also contains non-GAAP financial measures. The reasons that we use these measures, a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, and other information relating to these measures are included below following our GAAP financial statements.

On May 3, 2022 Heat Biologics, Inc. / NightHawk Biosciences (NYSE American: HTBX; NHWK), a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on developing first-in-class therapies to modulate the immune system, reported that it has completed its name change from Heat Biologics, Inc. to NightHawk Biosciences, Inc. to better reflect the Company’s evolution, including expansion of the therapeutic pipeline, vertical integration of capabilities from drug discovery to manufacturing and commercialization, as well as the Company’s new biodefense capabilities (Press release, NightHawk Biosciences, MAY 3, 2022, View Source [SID1234613401]). In connection with the name change, the Company’s ticker will change to "NHWK," effective today, May 3, 2022. The name and symbol changes do not affect the Company’s share structure or the rights of the Company’s shareholders, and no further action is required by existing shareholders.

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Jeff Wolf, CEO of Nighthawk, commented, "The NightHawk brand better reflects our evolution towards a fully integrated ecosystem, designed to efficiently move drugs from discovery through commercialization. The NightHawk ecosystem includes an expanded development pipeline, new biodefense capabilities and enhanced manufacturing capabilities. As a result, we have organized the Company around five key subsidiaries: Skunkworx Bio, Heat Biologics, Pelican Therapeutics, Elusys Therapeutics and Scorpion Biological Services. NightHawk is laser focused on addressing key industry challenges, including the slow pace and high cost of new drug development through a fully integrated ecosystem of drug discovery, preclinical testing and manufacturing. We look forward to progressing these efforts under the NightHawk banner."

On May 3, 2022 MacroGenics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGNX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 (Press release, MacroGenics, MAY 3, 2022, View Source [SID1234613400]).

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"We are very pleased by the progress made during the first quarter. Our recent end of Phase 1 meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding MGC018, our B7-H3-directed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), marks a significant milestone for the Company. Our current Phase 2/3 clinical plan for MGC018 reflects our productive dialogue with the FDA and feedback received on key elements of the program. We are targeting commencement of enrollment of the Phase 2/3 study by year-end," said Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of MacroGenics. "Other exciting developments include the initiation of a Phase 1 dose escalation study of MGC018 in combination with lorigerlimab in advanced solid tumors and FDA clearance of the IND for MGD024, our investigational next-generation CD123 × CD3 DART molecule, enabling MacroGenics to proceed with the planned initiation of a clinical trial in CD123-positive neoplasms, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in mid-2022."

Updates on Proprietary Investigational Programs

B7-H3 Programs: MacroGenics is developing two clinical product candidates that target B7-H3, an antigen with broad expression across multiple solid tumor types and a member of the B7 family of molecules involved in immune regulation. Recent highlights for these two molecules include:

MGC018 is an ADC that targets B7-H3.
Following a constructive FDA meeting in March 2022, MacroGenics finalized the Phase 2/3 study design of MGC018 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The Phase 2/3 study is designed to enroll patients with mCRPC who have had prior exposure to a taxane and at least one androgen receptor axis-targeted, or ARAT, agent (including abiraterone, enzalutamide or apalutimide), and a PARP (poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase) inhibitor, if appropriate. During the Phase 2 portion of the study, approximately 150 patients are expected to be randomized 1:1:1 to receive either 2.0 mg/kg or 2.7 mg/kg of MGC018 every four weeks in the experimental groups or physician’s choice of an ARAT agent not previously received in the control group. These lower doses compare to the starting dose of 3.0 mg/kg every three weeks (and any subsequent reductions) evaluated in the Phase 1 dose expansion study and are based on modelling and simulation of patient pharmacokinetic and safety data generated across dose expansion cohorts to date. The Company anticipates that the lower doses will decrease both the frequency and severity of adverse events and potentially improve efficacy by allowing patients to stay on therapy longer.

The Company expects analysis of the data to be performed upon completion of the Phase 2 portion of the study. In the Phase 3 portion, MacroGenics plans to randomize additional patients 1:1 to receive either MGC018 at the recommended dose or an ARAT agent for the control group. The inclusion of the Phase 2 interim analysis to evaluate the two MGC018 dose levels will allow the Company to further assess safety, tolerability and futility before proceeding to the Phase 3 portion of the study. The primary endpoint of the study will be radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) and key secondary endpoints include objective response rate (ORR) and overall survival (OS). The Company expects to begin enrollment by year-end 2022.
MacroGenics’ Phase 1/2 expansion study of MGC018 is fully enrolled for patients with mCRPC (n=40) and smaller cohorts of patients (n=approximately 20 each) with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), while the Company continues to recruit patients for the squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cohort. The Company is encouraged by initial clinical activity observed in patients with melanoma and plans to recruit 20 additional melanoma patients in its ongoing dose expansion study, evaluating a dose of 2.7 mg/kg administered every four weeks. As for the other tumor types enrolled in the expansion study, the Company is evaluating possible next steps for enrolling additional patients with NSCLC. MacroGenics does not plan to proceed with advancing the study in patients with TNBC at this time. The Company intends to provide an update on clinical data from patients in the Phase 1/2 dose expansion study in the second half of 2022.
MacroGenics recently dosed the first patient in a Phase 1 dose escalation study of MGC018 in combination with lorigerlimab in patients with various advanced solid tumors.
Finally, in April, MacroGenics presented a poster titled "Targeting B7-H3 in Prostate Cancer: Preclinical Proof-of-Concept with MGC018, an Investigational Anti-B7-H3 Antibody-Drug Conjugate," at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual meeting. MGC018 demonstrated anti-tumor effects toward prostate cancer cell lines and enhanced activity in some lines when combined with PARP or androgen-receptor inhibitors.
Enoblituzumab is an Fc‐engineered, monoclonal antibody that targets B7‐H3.
MacroGenics continues to recruit patients into its Phase 2 study of enoblituzumab in front-line patients with SCCHN, in which PD-L1 positive patients receive combination therapy with retifanlimab (anti-PD-1 antibody) and PD-L1 negative patients receive combination therapy with tebotelimab (PD-1 x LAG-3 DART molecule). The Company expects to complete enrollment of the PD-L1 positive patient cohort during the first half of this year and provide an update on this cohort during the second half of the year.
Updated study results from an earlier Phase 1 study of the combination of enoblituzumab and pembrolizumab in advanced B7-H3-expressing solid tumors was published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer in April (data cut-off: March 14, 2019). This combination was well tolerated and demonstrated objective responses in 6 of 18 patients (33.3%) with SCCHN who were checkpoint-naïve and had previously progressed after receiving first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. The updated published data showed a median OS of 17.4 months (95% CI: 9.2 to NR) in patients with SCCHN. These encouraging findings helped guide our current development strategy for enoblituzumab.
DART Molecules for Immune Checkpoint Blockade: MacroGenics is studying multiple PD-1-directed programs to provide further differentiation from existing PD-1-based treatment options and enable combination opportunities across the Company’s portfolio. Recent highlights for one of these molecules include:

Lorigerlimab is a bispecific, tetravalent DART molecule targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4. During the first quarter of 2022, the Company initiated a combination study of MGC018 with lorigerlimab in patients with various solid tumors. MacroGenics is also conducting a Phase 1/2 dose expansion study with lorigerlimab as monotherapy in cohorts of patients with microsatellite stable colorectal cancer (MSS CRC), mCRPC, melanoma and checkpoint-naïve NSCLC. MacroGenics anticipates sharing data from this ongoing study in the second half of 2022.
Bispecific CD123 × CD3 DART molecule: MacroGenics is developing an investigational, next-generation CD123 × CD3 DART molecule. Recent updates include:

MGD024 is a next-generation, humanized CD123 × CD3 DART molecule designed to minimize cytokine-release syndrome, while maintaining anti-tumor cytolytic activity, and permitting intermittent dosing through a longer half-life. In April, MacroGenics’ IND application for MGD024 was cleared by the FDA for evaluation in patients with hematologic malignancies. The Company expects to begin enrollment in a Phase 1 study of MGD024 in patients with CD123-positive neoplasms, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in mid-2022.
Other Program Updates:

Teplizumab is an investigational, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody acquired from MacroGenics by Provention Bio, Inc. under an asset purchase agreement in 2018 for which MacroGenics is entitled to receive future milestone payments and royalties on net sales. Provention is developing teplizumab for the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D). On March 21, 2022, Provention announced that the FDA had accepted the Biologics License Application (BLA) for teplizumab for the delay of clinical T1D in at-risk individuals. The FDA assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of August 17, 2022.
First Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2022, were $184.0 million, compared to $243.6 million as of December 31, 2021.
Revenue: Total revenue, consisting primarily of revenue from collaborative agreements, was $11.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to total revenue of $16.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. Revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 included $3.6 million net sales of MARGENZA. The Company continues to have modest expectations for MARGENZA sales.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $61.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to $53.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The increase was primarily related to development, manufacturing and clinical trial costs related to MGC018, development of discovery projects and preclinical molecules, and increased clinical expenses related to lorigerlimab. These increases were partially offset by decreased development, manufacturing and clinical trial costs related to flotetuzumab (which development has been discontinued), decreased margetuximab manufacturing costs related to the Zai Lab agreement, and decreased retifanlimab manufacturing costs for Incyte.
SG&A Expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $16.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to $15.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The increase was primarily related to MARGENZA selling costs, as well as stock-based compensation and consulting expenses.
Net Loss: Net loss was $66.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to net loss of $51.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.
Shares Outstanding: Shares outstanding as of March 31, 2022 were 61,333,074.
Cash Runway Guidance: MacroGenics anticipates that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2022, plus anticipated and potential collaboration payments, and product revenues should enable it to fund its operations through 2023. The Company’s expected funding requirements do not reflect anticipated expenditures related to the full Phase 2/3 development of MGC018 in mCRPC anticipated to begin by year-end 2022, or further expansion of other studies currently ongoing. However, the Company believes that it can reasonably obtain funding for the planned Phase 2 portion of the MGC018 study through a combination of existing financial resources, a variety of external funding or potential revenue sources, and project prioritization.
Conference Call Information

MacroGenics will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. (ET) to discuss financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, and provide a corporate update. To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 303-6253 (domestic) or (973) 409-9610 (international) five minutes prior to the start of the call and provide the Conference ID: 6791448.

The listen-only webcast of the conference call can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call and archived on the Company’s website for 30 days following the call.

On May 3, 2022 Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LDOS), a FORTUNE 500 science and technology leader, reported financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 (Press release, Leidos, MAY 3, 2022, View Source [SID1234613399]).

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Roger Krone, Leidos Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our first quarter marked a strong start to 2022, with record levels of revenues and backlog stemming from our leadership position in the government technology market. We continued to build our reputation and track record of performance in digital technology, cyber, and innovative systems across our diversified, resilient business portfolio. Our strong first quarter results and the improving federal budget picture increase our confidence in delivering on our full-year financial commitments."

Summary Operating Results

* Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information provided in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide another measure of Leidos’ results of operations and financial condition, including its ability to comply with financial covenants. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this press release for more information and a reconciliation of our selected reported results to these non-GAAP measures.

Revenues for the quarter were $3.49 billion, up 5% in total and up 4% organically compared to the prior year quarter. Revenues grew across all reportable segments; the largest contributors were the start-up of the Navy Next Generation Enterprise Network Recompete (NGEN-R) Service Management, Integration and Transport (SMIT) contract and the increased deployments on the Defense Healthcare Management System Modernization (DHMSM) program.

Net income was $177 million and diluted EPS was $1.25. Net income and diluted EPS were down 14% and 12% year-over-year, respectively, primarily as a result of the $26 million net benefit from an adjustment to legal reserves related to the Mission Support Alliance (MSA) joint venture recorded in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. The weighted average diluted share count for the quarter was 140 million compared to 144 million in the prior year quarter. Net income margin decreased from 6.2% to 5.1% year-over-year.

Adjusted EBITDA was $358 million for the first quarter, down 8% year-over-year. Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased from 11.7% to 10.2% over the same period, primarily as a result of the MSA adjustment and a return to more normative indirect spending levels. Non-GAAP net income was $223 million for the first quarter, which was down 10% year-over-year, and non-GAAP diluted EPS for the quarter was $1.58, which was down 9% compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2021.

Cash Flow Summary

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, Leidos generated $93 million of net cash provided by operating activities for an operating cash flow conversion ratio of 53%. After adjusting for payments for property, equipment and software, quarterly free cash flow was $65 million for a free cash flow conversion ratio of 29%.

Leidos used $21 million in investing activities and $519 million in financing activities, which included a $500 million accelerated share repurchase agreement and $51 million in quarterly cash dividends. As of April 1, 2022, Leidos had $297 million in cash and cash equivalents and $5.1 billion of debt.

On April 29, 2022, the Leidos Board of Directors declared that Leidos will pay a cash dividend of $0.36 per share on June 30, 2022 to stockholders of record at the close of business on June 15, 2022.

New Business Awards

Net bookings totaled $5.4 billion in the quarter, representing a book-to-bill ratio of 1.6. As a result, backlog at the end of the quarter was a record $36.3 billion, of which $7.1 billion was funded. Included in the quarterly bookings were several particularly important awards:

Advanced Enterprise Global Information Technology Solutions (AEGIS). Leidos was awarded a prime contract by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to provide telecommunications, cloud and data center services across all of the agency’s centers and facilities. The single award contract has a total estimated value of $2.5 billion and a ten-year period of performance, if all options and award terms are exercised.
National Airspace Systems (NAS) Integration Support Contract (NISC). Leidos will continue its support of air traffic control modernization efforts to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under a new $1.7 billion, 10-year, single-award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract. Leidos will perform engineering and technical services to integrate new systems, components and equipment into the National Airspace System, including strategic and transition planning, test-and-evaluation, training, automation, flight procedures, security and safety, business intelligence, data analytics and unmanned aircraft systems.
Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Medical Disability Examinations (MDE) Services. Leidos was awarded the recompete of its contract to support pre-discharge examinations in the U.S. and a new contract to provide disability examinations in 39 locations outside the U.S. Each multiple award ID/IQ contract has a six-month base period with six one-year options; together, they total approximately $1.7 billion in contract value if all options are exercised. Leidos will leverage the infrastructure and capability built over more than two decades to perform medical disability examinations through multiple delivery models to better serve veterans.
U.S. Navy Surface Combatant Ship Design Engineering Services. The U.S. Navy awarded Gibbs & Cox, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leidos, a contract to provide Surface Combatant Ship Design Engineering Services in support of Future Surface Combatant Programs. Under the contract, Gibbs & Cox will provide services supporting future surface combatants design, with initial focus on the Program Executive Office Ship’s DDG(X) Program Office (PMS 460) industry engagement, DDG(X) design development, and technology integration efforts. The award has a potential value of $319 million with a period of performance through 2027, if all options are exercised.
U.S. Army Gunnery Training Systems Modernization. Leidos was awarded a prime contract by the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation to modernize the service’s gunnery training simulation systems. Under the contract, Leidos will perform technology refresh and concurrency updates to the simulators. The single-award ID/IQ contract has a total estimated value of $104 million and a period of performance of five years.

For information regarding adjusted EBITDA margin and non-GAAP diluted EPS, see the related explanations and reconciliations to GAAP measures included elsewhere in this release.

Leidos does not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking adjusted EBITDA margins or non-GAAP diluted EPS to net income attributable to Leidos shareholders, due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliation. Because certain deductions for non-GAAP exclusions used to calculate projected net income attributable to Leidos shareholders may vary significantly based on actual events, Leidos is not able to forecast on a GAAP basis with reasonable certainty all deductions needed in order to provide a GAAP calculation of projected net income attributable to Leidos shareholders at this time. The amounts of these deductions may be material and, therefore, could result in projected net income attributable to Leidos shareholders and diluted EPS being materially less than projected adjusted EBITDA margins and non-GAAP diluted EPS.

Conference Call Information

Leidos management will discuss operations and financial results in an earnings conference call beginning at 8:00 A.M. eastern time on May 3, 2022. Analysts and institutional investors may participate by dialing +1 (877) 869-3847 (toll-free U.S.) or +1 (201) 689-8261 (international callers).

A live audio broadcast of the conference call along with a supplemental presentation will be available to the public through links on the Leidos Investor Relations website (View Source).

After the call concludes, an audio replay can be accessed on the Leidos Investor Relations website or by dialing +1 (877) 660-6853 (toll-free U.S.) or +1 (201) 612-7415 (international callers) and entering conference ID 13728784.

On May 3, 2022 Lantern Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRN), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company using its proprietary RADR artificial intelligence ("A.I.") and machine learning (ML) platform to transform the cost, pace, and timeline of oncology drug discovery and development, reported financial results and operational highlights for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 (Press release, Lantern Pharma, MAY 3, 2022, View Source/news/press-releases/detail/87/lantern-pharma-reports-first-quarter-2022-financial-results" target="_blank" title="View Source/news/press-releases/detail/87/lantern-pharma-reports-first-quarter-2022-financial-results" rel="nofollow">View Source [SID1234613398]).

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"Lantern is at a very exciting inflection point as we continue to make significant and meaningful progress in translating key insights generated by our A.I. platform into preclinical and clinical programs," stated Panna Sharma, President and CEO of Lantern Pharma. "Our proprietary RADR A.I. platform recently surpassed 20 billion data points and is on a solid trajectory to surpass our year-end goal of 25 billion data points. This accelerates our ability to generate new insights to further power our development decisions for our drug candidates, as well as drug candidates from our biopharma collaborators."

"In mid-April, an amendment to the IND application for the planned Phase 2 trial for LP-300, the HARMONIC clinical trial, was submitted to the FDA. The Harmonic trial is focused on never-smokers with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is expected to begin enrolling patients in the second half of this year. Additionally, we remain on track to launch up to two Phase 1 trials for LP-184 in cancers with significant clinical need. We also anticipate reporting data from multiple preclinical programs this year, including programs focused on pediatric cancers and those that exploit the synthetic lethality potential of our compounds." continued Sharma.

Operational Highlights:
RADR Platform Growth and Development

Surpassed 20 billion data points for RADR A.I. platform and we expect to reach our goal of over 25 billion data points by year end.
RADR utilizes over 150 different algorithms that have yielded insights for our drug programs. These algorithms are focused on critical questions in oncology drug discovery and development.
Filed a patent application covering claims for the development of ensemble and deep learning methods and algorithms, including automated algorithm development within RADR.
Future RADR growth will focus on additional functionality and modules that aid in the discovery and development of compounds that can leverage synthetic lethality, and in the prediction of potential combination regimens across multiple drug classes, including those that have not previously been utilized in cancer.
Lantern’s Portfolio of Targeted Therapies
Lantern Pharma is currently developing four drug candidates and an Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) program across nine disclosed tumor targets, and several undisclosed targets. Lantern’s portfolio currently includes:

LP-300 – is preparing to enter a Phase 2 clinical trial, the HARMONIC clinical trial, in the Summer of 2022. The HARMONIC trial will be a 90 patient, two-arm, randomized, open label clinical trial focused on never-smoker patients with relapsed primary adenocarcinoma of the lung, a type of NSCLC. An amendment to the IND, including a finalized clinical study protocol, was submitted to the FDA in mid-April and the first patients are anticipated to be enrolled in the Summer of 2022. The HARMONIC trial is anticipated to include 15-20 sites in the US, of which multiple are currently being contracted for enrollment.

LP-100 – is in a Phase 2 trial in Denmark for patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) that meet a certain genomic signature that correlates to enhanced sensitivity to LP-100. In the initial cohort of patients, nine patients experienced a median overall survival of 12.5 months. We are evaluating possibilities for further enrollment in the current Phase 2 trial as well as other potential clinical development opportunities that we believe can further de-risk the program while increasing the potential for patient benefit that exceeds the current standards of care.

Based on existing data demonstrating synergy between LP-100 and PARP inhibitors, we are currently investigating the potential of combination therapy for these two agents.

LP-184 – is in preparation for potentially multiple Phase 1 clinical trial launches for genomically defined pancreatic and bladder cancers as well as CNS cancers including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRT), and brain metastases (brain mets).

The IND enabling studies for LP-184 are in progress and are anticipated to be completed by Q3 2022. Based on current timeline projections, the Company is targeting to file the LP-184 IND submission with the FDA in Q3 and should be in a position to initiate in-human Phase 1 clinical testing before the end of 2022.

Lantern announced data supporting the efficacy of LP-184 in brain mets in a poster at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2022 annual meeting. The poster highlighted the in vitro anti-tumor activity of LP-184 in brain mets cell models from lung, skin, and breast cancers. In the US, brain mets occur in around 10-30% of all cancer cases and are diagnosed in well over 100,000 patients each year.

There is an urgent and unmet clinical need for new therapies for brain mets due to a current lack of novel agents that can cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). LP-184’s favorable BBB permeability, paired with its observed preclinical efficacy in certain CNS cancers, underscore its potential to become a vital treatment option for patients relapsed from current standard of care treatment or for use in combination with other agents.

LP-284 – is in preclinical development and has demonstrated potency at low nanomolar levels in hematological cancer cell lines, including lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and leukemia. LP-284’s indications in hematological cancers are distinct from the indications targeted by LP-184 and were generated with the assistance of RADR insights.

Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) Program – we have selected and ranked multiple targeting antibodies of interest with potential to be linked to selected cytotoxic payloads. We are in late-stage candidate selection of various cytotoxic compounds and targeted classes of agents to be used as ADC payloads.
Establishment of Australian Subsidiary

In September 2021, Lantern created an Australian subsidiary, Lantern Pharma Australia Pty Ltd. The subsidiary was created to enable Lantern to take advantage of Australia’s R&D Tax Incentive program, which provides tax offsets for eligible R&D expenditures.
This program will provide the opportunity for Lantern to conduct upcoming preclinical and clinical trials with increased financial flexibility and capital efficiency. Lantern has already initiated preclinical and IND enabling studies under the subsidiary in Australia.
Lantern may conduct first in-human phase 1 clinical trials in Australia due to its historical capability for cost-effectiveness, accelerated timelines, and timely regulatory approval. We believe that this aligns with the Company’s focus to develop oncology therapies with reduced time and cost.
Scientific Collaborations Updates

In early 2022, Lantern entered a collaboration with The Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI) at University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio to expand Lantern’s drug portfolio research into several additional pediatric cancers with unmet clinical needs.
The studies from this collaboration have been initiated beginning with LP-184 treatment of nine in vitro models of pediatric cancers. The preliminary results have been promising and will be completed in Q2 2022.
Lantern is evaluating additional collaborations with leading academic cancer institutions and researchers for LP-284.
First Quarter 2022 Financial Overview

Balance Sheet: Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $65.2 million as of March 31, 2022, compared to $70.7 million as of December 31, 2021. The quarterly cash burn continues to reflect our capital-efficient, collaborator-centered business model. $5.3 million in cash was utilized during the three months ended March 31, 2022, of which $2.5 million was for the share repurchase program, with the remainder primarily attributable to core operations.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $2.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 compared to $1.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The increase in R&D expense was primarily attributable to increases in manufacturing related expenses for product candidates, research studies, and an escrow payment released to Allarity under the Allarity Asset Purchase Agreement, which payment was a nonrecurring expense.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $1.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 compared to $1.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, respectively.
Net Loss: Net loss was $4.1 million (or $0.38 per share) for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to a net loss of $2.5 million (or $0.24 per share) for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.
Additional Financial Highlights

In March 2022, Lantern’s Board of Directors authorized an extension of the existing share repurchase program to acquire up to $7 million of the Company’s common stock. Under the share repurchase program, through March 31, 2022 the Company has purchased a total of 475,157 shares of its common stock at a total cost of approximately $3.4 million, including fees. The Company is authorized to additionally purchase up to a total of $3.6 million of the Company’s common stock through July 31, 2022, pursuant to the repurchase program.
Nomination of New Board Member for Election and Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Lantern recently announced that Dr. Maria Maccecchini, Ph.D. was nominated for election to our Board of Directors. She is the current CEO, President, and a Director of Annovis Bio Inc., a biopharma company focused on developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. If elected, Dr. Maccecchini will bring decades of experience in progressing drug candidates through late-stage clinical trials. Dr. Maccecchini will be presented alongside a slate of five existing Directors at Lantern’s upcoming Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 8, 2022. Additionally, Leslie W. Kreis, Jr., a member of Lantern Pharma’s Board of Directors since 2019, has advised Lantern’s Board of his determination not to stand for reelection as a Director at Lantern’s Annual Meeting.
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on June 8, 2022 at 11:00 am EST/ 8:00 am PST, which will be held via webcast. Register for the Annual Meeting here.
2022 Outlook:
"During the year we expect to bring multiple assets into focused clinical trials where there is demonstrated clinical need, while remaining focused on capital efficiency. Additionally, our A.I. platform, RADR, will continue to grow significantly across all measures – data, analytical rigor, generation of new publishable insights, and new functionality. As data and A.I. continue to drive changes in the cost, speed and efficiency of drug discovery and development, our team at Lantern will remain at the forefront of transforming oncology therapeutic development."

Earnings Call and Webinar Details

Lantern will host its first quarter fiscal year 2022 earnings call and webinar today, Tuesday, May 3 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

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Related presentation materials will be accessible at: View Source
Replay Details

A replay of the Q1 2022 earnings call and webinar will be available at View Source.