Repare Therapeutics to Participate in Two Upcoming Investor Conferences

On February 2, 2023 Repare Therapeutics Inc. ("Repare" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: RPTX), a leading clinical-stage precision oncology company, reported that members of its senior management team will participate at two investor conferences in February and March. Details for the fireside chats are as follows (Press release, Repare Therapeutics, FEB 2, 2023, View Source [SID1234626808]).

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Guggenheim Oncology Conference
Date: Thursday, February 9, 2023
Time: 3:20 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: New York, NY

Cowen 43rd Annual Health Care Conference
Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Time: 9:50 a.m. Eastern Time
Location: Boston, MA

A live webcast of the fireside chats can be accessed in the Investor section of the Company’s website at View Source A replay of the webcasts will be archived on the Company’s website for at least 30 days.

Takeda Reinforces Long-term Growth Through Pipeline Advancement and Two Targeted Acquisitions; Delivers Another Strong Quarter in FY2022 Q3

On February 2, 2023 Takeda (TOKYO:4502/NYSE:TAK) reported financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2022 (period ended December 31, 2022) (Press release, Takeda, FEB 2, 2023, View Source [SID1234626807]).

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Takeda chief financial officer, Costa Saroukos, commented:
"Our third-quarter performance demonstrates sustained momentum as our Growth and Launch Products and solid commercial execution again drove strong revenue and core profit growth. We continue to advance our organic pipeline, including notable approvals in the EU and China, and in December announced a significant acquisition that will add a potentially best-in-class TYK2 inhibitor to our late-stage pipeline and enhance our long-term growth strategy. Our robust cash flow and strong financial position enabled us to make substantive progress in deleveraging even as we continued to invest for growth."

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Results for FY2022 Q3 Ended December 31, 2022

(Billion yen,
except
percentages and
per share
amounts)

REPORTED

CORE(c)

(Non-IFRS)(a)

FY2022 Q3 YTD

vs. PRIOR YEAR

(Actual % change)

FY2022 Q3 YTD

vs. PRIOR YEAR

(Actual % change)

vs. PRIOR YEAR

(CER % change(d))

Revenue

3,071.3

+13.9%

3,071.3

+19.8%

+4.5%

Operating Profit

401.9

-13.1%

954.7

+26.0%

+9.7%

Margin

13.1%

-4.1pp

31.1%

+1.5pp

Net Profit

285.9

+18.4%

707.2

+35.6%

+15.9%

EPS (yen)

184

+19.6%

456

+37.0%

+17.1%

Operating Cash Flow

683.5

-8.6%

Free Cash Flow

(Non-IFRS)(a)(b)

585.2

-12.8%

(a) Further information regarding certain of Takeda’s Non-IFRS measures is posted on Takeda’s investor relations website at View Source

(b) We define Free Cash Flow as cash flows from operating activities, subtracting acquisition of property, plant and equipment ("PP&E"), intangible assets and investments as well as removing any other cash that is not available to Takeda’s immediate or general business use, and adding proceeds from sales of PP&E, as well as from sales of investments and businesses, net of cash and cash equivalents divested.

(c) Core results adjust our reported results calculated and presented pursuant to IFRS to exclude the effect of items unrelated to Takeda’s core operations, such as, to the extent applicable for each line item, non-recurring items, purchase accounting effects and transaction related costs, as well as amortization and impairment of intangible assets and other operating income and expenses.

(d) CER (Constant Exchange Rate) change eliminates the effect of foreign exchange rates from year-over-year comparisons by translating Reported or Core results for the current period using corresponding exchange rates in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

COMMERCIAL UPDATES ACROSS FIVE KEY BUSINESS AREAS
Growth in our key business areas in FY2022 Q3 YTD was driven largely by Growth & Launch Products1, which delivered reported revenue of 1,199.6 billion yen, marking a +20% increase on a CER basis.

Gastroenterology (GI), with 857.5 billion yen in reported revenue, grew +11% on a CER basis, driven by ENTYVIO (for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease; +17% on a CER basis) and by TAKECAB/VOCINTI (for acid-related diseases), whose strong uptake in China was also a key contributor to growth.
Rare Diseases, with 553.6 billion yen in reported revenue, grew +5% on a CER basis. Sales of TAKHZYRO (for hereditary angioedema) grew +25% on a CER basis due to expansion of the prophylactic market, continued geographic expansion and strong patient uptake. LIVTENCITY (for post-transplant cytomegalovirus) continues to generate high interest and strong uptake since its launch in the U.S. in December 2021, with 87% of U.S. transplant centers having initiated therapy with at least one patient.
Plasma-Derived Therapies (PDT) Immunology, with 502.4 billion yen in reported revenue, delivered outstanding growth of +18% on a CER basis. Growth was driven by higher sales of immunoglobulin products (for primary immunodeficiency and multifocal motor neuropathy), with +19% growth on a CER basis, particularly in the U.S. amid easing of pandemic pressures coupled with increasing supply. Robust growth for albumin products (primarily used for hypovolemia and hypoalbuminemia), at +20% on a CER basis, was driven by strong demand in the U.S. and in China. We added 5 donation centers as planned in the U.S. in FY2022 Q3, bringing us to 21 new centers YTD, and our global donation network to 225 centers.
Oncology, with 345.0 billion yen in reported revenue, declined -13% on a CER basis as a result of the expected entry of VELCADE generics (for multiple myeloma) that began in the U.S. in May 2022. Besides VELCADE, all other revenue totaled 320.2 billion yen, a year-over-year increase of +7% on a CER basis, driven by strong demand for ALUNBRIG (for non-small cell lung cancer; +39% growth on a CER basis) in Europe and Growth & Emerging Markets, and China. ADCETRIS (for malignant lymphomas) grew +18% on a CER basis, driven by increased access and uptake in frontline indications, while increased awareness of positive OPTIC trial results and label update contributed to +13% growth of ICLUSIG (for Leukemia) on a CER basis. Sales of EXKIVITY (for non-small cell lung cancer), which was first launched in the U.S. in September 2021 followed by several other countries, also contributed.
Neuroscience, with 477.1 billion yen in reported revenue, grew +10% on a CER basis, driven by an expanding ADHD adult market in the U.S., Europe and Canada for VYVANSE/ELVANSE. Sales of TRINTELLIX were 79.7 billion yen (+5% growth on a CER basis), due to continued recovery of the Major Depressive Disorder market in the U.S. and strong market share gains in Japan.
PIPELINE UPDATE
Takeda has continued to deliver on its ability to bring new therapies to patients and capitalize on momentum within its innovative pipeline. Updates since the FY2022 H1 announcement include:

Takeda announced that it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with HUTCHMED for the further development and commercialization of fruquintinib worldwide (ex-China, Hong Kong, and Macau). Fruquintinib is a highly selective inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) -1, 2 and 3. It is orally administered and offers a potential new treatment option for patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer, regardless of biomarker status.
Additional information related to this announcement is available here.
Takeda announced that it will acquire NDI-034858, an oral selective allosteric TYK2 inhibitor being evaluated for the potential treatment of multiple autoimmune diseases, from Nimbus Therapeutics. With Phase 3 studies in psoriasis expected to begin this year, NDI-034858 has the potential to demonstrate best-in-class efficacy and safety and convenience in psoriasis as well as other immune-mediated diseases including psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and systemic lupus erythematosus. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Takeda’s growing late-stage pipeline in alignment with the company’s therapeutic area strategy and expertise in immune-mediated diseases. Takeda will pay Nimbus USD 4 billion upfront in addition to two milestone payments of USD 1 billion each upon achieving annual net sales of USD 4 billion and USD 5 billion for products developed from the NDI-034858 program. The upfront payment will be primarily funded by cash on hand. The transaction is expected to be finalized before the end of FY2022.
Additional information related to this announcement is available here.
QDENGA, Takeda’s dengue vaccine, was approved by the European Commission (EC) in December 2022 for use in individuals four years of age and older. With the EC approval, QDENGA becomes the only dengue vaccine approved in the EU for use in individuals regardless of previous dengue exposure. In November, the U.S. FDA granted priority review of the Biologics License Application.
Additional information related to the EC and U.S. FDA announcements is available here and here.
China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved EXKIVITY (mobocertinib) for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor Exon20 insertion mutations, whose disease has progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. EXKIVITY is now the first and only treatment available for this patient population in China and was reviewed as part of the NMPA’s Breakthrough Therapy program.
Additional information related to this announcement is available here.
LIVTENCITY (maribavir) was approved by the European Commission (EC) for the treatment of adults with post-transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and/or disease that are refractory (with or without resistance) to one or more prior therapies. This approval makes LIVTENCITY the first and only treatment approved for this indication by the EC. CMV is one of the most common and serious post-transplant infections and can lead to loss of transplanted organ and failure of graft.
Additional information related to this announcement is available here.
Takeda announced favorable safety and efficacy results of TAK-755 from the first and only Phase 3 trial in congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (cTTP), an ultra-rare disease with limited treatment options. Based on this data, Takeda aims to seek marketing authorization for TAK-755 as the first recombinant ADAMTS13 replacement therapy for cTTP, a disorder with considerable unmet patient need.
Additional information related to this announcement is available here.
Takeda and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced topline results from the SEQUOIA Phase 2 study of investigational fazirsiran (TAK-999/ARO-AAT) in patients with liver disease associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD-LD). Takeda has initiated a Phase 3 study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fazirsiran in the treatment of patients with AATD-LD with METAVIR stage F2 to F4 fibrosis.
Additional information related to this announcement is available here.
Results from Takeda’s Phase 3 AURORA trial provided evidence of maribavir’s clinically meaningful and durable effect in cytomegalovirus infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients despite missing the primary endpoint. Full data results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and are being shared with relevant regulatory agencies.
Additional information related to this announcement is available here.
Takeda’s Phase 3 PhALLCON trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating that adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) treated with ICLUSIG (ponatinib) plus reduced-intensity chemotherapy achieved higher rates of minimal residual disease-negative complete remission compared to imatinib. There are currently no targeted treatments approved for Ph+ ALL in the U.S.
Additional information related to this announcement is available here.
TAK-861, Takeda’s oral orexin agonist for narcolepsy, met pre-specified criteria set to advance the program into two Phase 2b studies in narcolepsy type 1 and narcolepsy type 2. Both Phase 2b trials are currently enrolling patients.
Additional information related to this update is available here.
FY2022 Outlook

On track towards full-year FY2022 Management Guidance

(Billion yen)

FY2022
FORECAST
(Upgraded
October 2022)

FY2022
MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE
Core Growth at CER
(Non-IFRS)
(Unchanged from May 2022)

Revenue

3,930.0

Core Revenue

3,930.0

Low-single-digit growth

Reported Operating Profit

530.0

Core Operating Profit

1,180.0

High-single-digit growth

Reported Net Profit

307.0

Reported EPS (Yen)

198

Core EPS (Yen)

525

High-single-digit growth

Free Cash Flow

650.0 – 750.0

Annual Dividend per Share (Yen)

180

Free Cash Flow forecast does not include the impact of the upfront cash payment for the acquisition of NDI-034858 from Nimbus Therapeutics, LLC for USD 4 billion, as the exact timing of cash payment is dependent upon deal close.

For more details on Takeda’s FY2022 Q3 results and other financial information including key assumptions in FY2022 forecast and management guidance, please visit: View Source

ADC Therapeutics Announces Pricing of Underwritten Offering by a Selling Shareholder

On February 2, 2023 ADC Therapeutics SA ("ADCT" or the "Company") (NYSE: ADCT), a commercial-stage biotechnology company helping to improve the lives of those affected by cancer with its next-generation, targeted antibody drug conjugates, reported the pricing of an underwritten offering of 12,000,000 common shares of the Company currently owned by A.T. Holdings II Sàrl (the "Selling Shareholder"), an affiliate of Auven Therapeutics Holdings L.P., at a price of $5.00 per share (before underwriting discounts and commissions) (Press release, ADC Therapeutics, FEB 2, 2023, View Source [SID1234626806]). ADCT is not selling any common shares and will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common shares in the offering. The offering is expected to close on February 6, 2023, subject to customary closing conditions.

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The offering included participation from Redmile Group, Perceptive Advisors, Frazier Life Sciences and Surveyor Capital (a Citadel company) along with other institutional investors.

Jefferies is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering.

The offering is being made pursuant to an effective registration statement (including a prospectus) on Form F-3 previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). A final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to this offering, when available, may be obtained from Jefferies LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, telephone: (877) 821-7388, email: [email protected].

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification of these securities under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

Flare Therapeutics to Present at Guggenheim Healthcare Talks 2023 Oncology Day

On February 2, 2023 Flare Therapeutics, a biotechnology company targeting transcription factors to discover precision medicines for cancer and other diseases, reported that management will present a company overview at the upcoming Guggenheim Healthcare Talks 2023 Oncology Day on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 2:45 p.m. ET in New York, NY (Press release, Flare Therapeutics, FEB 2, 2023, View Source [SID1234626805]).

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Exscientia Announces First-in-Human Study for Bristol Myers Squibb In-Licensed PKC Theta Inhibitor, EXS4318

On February 2, 2023 Exscientia plc (Nasdaq: EXAI) reported that EXS4318 (‘4318) a compound precision designed by Exscientia and in-licensed by Bristol Myers Squibb in August 2021, has entered Phase 1 clinical trials in the United States (Press release, Exscientia, FEB 2, 2023, View Source [SID1234626804]). The compound is in development for immunology & inflammation (I&I) indications. Bristol Myers Squibb will oversee the clinical and commercial development and Exscientia is eligible for milestone payments and, if approved, tiered royalties on net product sales.

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"We are excited for Bristol Myers Squibb to begin clinical evaluation of ‘4318, the first Exscientia I&I candidate to enter the clinic. PKC theta is an attractive immune modulating drug target; however, it has been challenging for the field to design a small molecule with the required potency as well as selectivity against other closely related kinases," said David Hallett, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Exscientia. "Our expert-led AI design platform was able to deliver a balanced candidate which has demonstrated high on-target activity while maintaining high selectivity and favourable therapeutic index in IND-enabling studies. This is a significant milestone for Exscientia that illustrates the strength and flexibility of our precision design platform in efficiently developing high quality therapeutics."

Expert drug hunters using the Company’s AI generative design platform identified EXS4318 within 11 months after initiating design and was the 150th novel compound synthesised in this programme. The target product profile was particularly challenging due to the need for sustained, high levels of target inhibition to drive efficacy as well as the requirement for low daily dose in humans. PKC theta is structurally similar to several related kinases making it difficult to achieve the high levels of selectivity required to avoid off-target effects.

PKC theta, previously referred to as Kinase X by Exscientia, was one of the first small molecule programmes that formed part of the original Bristol Myers Squibb collaboration signed with Celgene in 2019. In May 2021, Bristol Myers Squibb and Exscientia expanded the collaboration in I&I and oncology, with increased economics for Exscientia. EXS4318 is the fourth drug candidate invented by Exscientia to enter the clinic.

About PKC theta

PKC theta plays a critical role in controlling T cell function and is a key driver of several highly prevalent autoimmune diseases. PKC theta inhibitors have potential in inflammatory and immunologic diseases.