On February 27, 2024 Syndax Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SNDX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing an innovative pipeline of cancer therapies, reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023, and provided a clinical and business update (Press release, Syndax, FEB 27, 2024, View Source [SID1234640532]).
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"2023 was a landmark year for Syndax marked by execution across all of our major clinical, regulatory, and operational milestones," said Michael A. Metzger, Chief Executive Officer. "With the axatilimab BLA filing under FDA Priority Review and receipt of a PDUFA action date for revumenib anticipated later this quarter, preparations are well underway for the potential launch of both first- and best-in-class drugs later this year. We are committed to maximizing the full potential of these therapies beyond their initial approvals through expansion into earlier lines of therapy in combination with standard of care agents and into new indications. With a strong cash position that is expected to fund operations through 2026, Syndax is well positioned for continued success and long-term growth."
Recent Pipeline Progress and Anticipated Milestones
Revumenib
On December 29, 2023, the Company submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for revumenib, a potent, selective small molecule menin inhibitor, for the treatment of adult and pediatric relapsed or refractory (R/R) KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2Ar) acute leukemia. The NDA submission is being reviewed under the FDA’s Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) program, and the Company expects to receive a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date from the FDA this quarter.
The Company expects to complete enrollment in the AUGMENT-101 pivotal trial cohort of patients with R/R mutant nucleophosmin (mNPM1) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) later this quarter or early in the second quarter of 2024. Topline data is expected in the fourth quarter of 2024 and could support a supplemental NDA (sNDA) filing for revumenib in R/R mNPM1 AML in the first half of 2025.
Positive results from the Phase 1 and Phase 2 portions of the Company’s AUGMENT-101 trial were featured throughout multiple sessions at the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in December 2023, including results from the pivotal portion of the trial, which were highlighted as a late-breaking oral presentation.
At the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and during the Company’s accompanying investor event, investigators presented compelling data from multiple Phase 1 combination trials of revumenib in mNPM1 and KMT2Ar acute leukemia across the treatment landscape. The trials are expanding to validate recommended Phase 2 doses, with additional data expected in the second half of 2024. These trials include:
BEAT AML: Evaluating the combination of revumenib with venetoclax and azacitidine in front-line AML patients. This trial is being conducted as part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Beat AML Master Clinical Trial.
SAVE: Evaluating the all-oral combination of revumenib with venetoclax and decitabine/cedazuridine in R/R AML or mixed phenotype acute leukemias. The trial is being conducted by investigators from the MD Anderson Cancer Center.
AUGMENT-102: Evaluating the combination of revumenib with fludarabine and cytarabine in patients with R/R acute leukemias.
In February 2024, the Company initiated a Phase 1 trial of revumenib in combination with 7+3 chemotherapy followed by maintenance treatment in newly diagnosed patients with mNPM1 or KMT2Ar acute leukemias.
The Company plans to initiate a pivotal trial of revumenib in combination with venetoclax and azacitidine in newly diagnosed mNPM1 or KMT2Ar acute leukemia patients unable to receive intensive chemotherapy by year-end 2024.
Enrollment is ongoing in a Phase 1 proof-of-concept clinical trial of revumenib in patients with unresectable metastatic microsatellite stable colorectal cancer. The Company expects to provide an update on the trial in the second quarter of 2024.
Axatilimab
The FDA has accepted the Biologics License Application (BLA) filing for axatilimab, an anti-CSF-1R antibody, in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after failure of at least two prior lines of systemic therapy. The application has been granted Priority Review and assigned a PDUFA action date of August 28, 2024.
Results from the pivotal AGAVE-201 trial were featured in the Plenary Scientific Session at the 65th ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in December 2023.
The Company exercised its option under its collaboration agreement with Incyte to co-commercialize axatilimab in the U.S. and will provide 30% of the commercial effort.
Enrollment is ongoing in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial of axatilimab in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Incyte plans to initiate two combination trials with axatilimab in chronic GVHD in mid-2024, including a Phase 2 combination trial with ruxolitinib and a Phase 3 combination trial with steroids.
Corporate Update
In December of 2023, Syndax closed an underwritten public offering of 12,432,431 shares of its common stock at $18.50 per share. This total included the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to 1,621,621 additional shares of common stock. Additionally, the Company issued and sold 2,719,744 shares pursuant to its ATM facility. Aggregate net proceeds from these offerings were approximately $258.1 million after deducting underwriting discounts and sales agent commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by Syndax.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results
As of December 31, 2023, Syndax had cash, cash equivalents, and short and long-term investments of $600.5 million and 85.1 million common shares and prefunded warrants outstanding.
Fourth quarter 2023 research and development expenses increased to $55.1 million from $31.8 million, and for the full year increased to $163.0 million compared to $118.5 million for 2022. The year-over-year increase in research and development expenses was primarily due to increased employee-related expenses and professional fees as well as increased clinical and manufacturing expenses.
Fourth quarter 2023 selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $22.8 million from $10.2 million, and for the full year increased to $66.9 million compared to $33.3 million for 2022. The year-over-year increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to increased employee-related expenses and professional fees as well as increased commercialization activities for revumenib and axatilimab.
For the three months ended December 31, 2023, Syndax reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $72.5 million, or $1.00 per share, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $39.2 million, or $0.62 per share, for the comparable prior year period. For the year ended December 31, 2023, Syndax reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $209.4 million or $2.98 per share, compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $149.3 million or $2.46 per share for the comparable prior year period.
Financial Guidance
For the first quarter of 2024, the Company expects research and development expenses to be $56 to $62 million and total operating expenses to be $82 to $88 million. For the full year of 2024, the Company expects research and development expenses to be $240 to $260 million and total operating expenses to be $355 to $375 million, which includes an estimated $43 million in non-cash stock compensation expense.
The Company believes that it has sufficient cash runway to fund its research, clinical development and commercial operations through 2026.
Conference Call and Webcast
In connection with the earnings release, Syndax’s management team will host a conference call and live audio webcast at 4:30 p.m. ET today, Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
The live audio webcast and accompanying slides may be accessed through the Events & Presentations page in the Investors section of the Company’s website. Alternatively, the conference call may be accessed through the following:
Conference ID: Syndax4Q23
Domestic Dial-in Number: 800-590-8290
International Dial-in Number: 240-690-8800
Live webcast: https://www.veracast.com/webcasts/syndax/events/SNDX4Q23.cfm
For those unable to participate in the conference call or webcast, a replay will be available on the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.syndax.com approximately 24 hours after the conference call and will be available for 90 days following the call.
About Revumenib
Revumenib is a potent, selective, small molecule inhibitor of the menin-KMT2A binding interaction that is being developed for the treatment of KMT2A-rearranged, also known as mixed lineage leukemia rearranged or MLLr, acute leukemias including ALL and AML, and NPM1-mutant AML. Positive topline results from the Phase 2 AUGMENT-101 trial in R/R KMT2Ar acute leukemia showing the trial met its primary endpoint were recently presented at the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and data from the Phase 1 portion of AUGMENT-101 in acute leukemia was published in Nature. Revumenib was granted Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA and European Commission for the treatment of patients with AML, and Fast Track designation by the FDA for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with R/R acute leukemias harboring a KMT2A rearrangement or NPM1 mutation. Revumenib was granted BTD by the FDA for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with R/R acute leukemia harboring a KMT2A rearrangement.
About Axatilimab
Axatilimab is an investigational monoclonal antibody that targets colony stimulating factor-1 receptor, or CSF-1R, a cell surface protein thought to control the survival and function of monocytes and macrophages. In pre-clinical models, inhibition of signaling through the CSF-1 receptor has been shown to reduce the number of disease-mediating macrophages along with their monocyte precursors, which has been shown to play a key role in the fibrotic disease process underlying diseases such as chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Positive topline results from the Phase 2 AGAVE-201 trial showing the trial met its primary endpoint were recently presented at the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Phase 1/2 data of axatilimab in chronic GVHD were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Axatilimab was granted Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with chronic GVHD and IPF. In September 2021, Syndax and Incyte entered into an exclusive worldwide co-development and co-commercialization license agreement for axatilimab. Syndax has exercised its option under the collaboration agreement to co-commercialize axatilimab in the U.S. and will provide 30% of the commercial effort. Axatilimab is being developed under an exclusive worldwide license from UCB entered into between Syndax and UCB in 2016.
About RTOR
RTOR provides a more efficient review process for oncology drugs to ensure that safe and effective treatments are available to patients as early as possible, while improving review quality and engaging in early iterative communication with the applicant. Specifically, it allows for close engagement between the sponsor and the FDA throughout the submission process and it enables the FDA to review individual sections of modules of a drug application rather than requiring the submission of complete modules or a complete application prior to initiating review. Additional information about RTOR can be found at: View Source