On February 15, 2024 Nurix Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: NRIX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted protein modulation drugs designed to treat patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases, reported financial results for the fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended November 30, 2023, and provided a corporate update (Press release, Nurix Therapeutics, FEB 15, 2024, View Source [SID1234640146]).
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"Building on a very successful 2023, marked by impressive clinical data for both NX-5948 and NX-2127, Nurix has hit the ground running in 2024, with plans to accelerate enrollment in the NX-5948 leukemia and lymphoma program and enable development in inflammatory diseases," said Arthur T. Sands, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Nurix. "2023 was also a great year for our partnerships, generating significant non-dilutive funding and expanding our pipeline in both oncology and inflammation with our IRAK-4 degrader. We anticipate continued success with our partners Gilead, Sanofi, and Pfizer in the coming year."
Recent Business Highlights
•Nurix presented clinical data for Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) degrader NX-5948 at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting: In December 2023, Nurix reported data from the dose escalation stage of the Phase 1 trial demonstrating dose-dependent pharmacokinetics (PK), resulting in rapid, robust, and sustained BTK degradation in all patients treated. NX-5948 was well-tolerated across all doses. Preliminary efficacy data demonstrated clinical benefit in six of seven patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Durable responses were seen across indications in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients, with almost half the patients continuing to receive treatment as of the data cut-off date. Dose escalation in the NX-5948 trial continues across all indications and the study is actively enrolling patients in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
•NX-5948 received U.S. FDA Fast Track designation: In January 2024, the FDA granted Fast Track designation for NX-5948 for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma after at least two lines of therapy, including a BTK inhibitor (BTKi) and a B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) inhibitor. The FDA’s Fast Track designation is intended to facilitate and expedite the development and review of drug candidates to treat serious conditions and fulfill an unmet medical need. A therapeutic candidate that receives Fast Track designation may be eligible for more frequent interactions with the FDA to discuss the candidate’s development plan and, if relevant criteria are met, eligibility for Accelerated Approval and Priority Review.
•Nurix presented clinical data for NX-2127, a dual BTK and IKZF1/3 degrader, at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting: In December 2023, Nurix reported data from its Phase 1a dose escalation and Phase 1b dose expansion cohorts in CLL, mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). NX-2127 exhibited dose-dependent PK, leading to robust and sustained degradation of BTK and biologically relevant degradation of IKZF1 (Ikaros). Treatment with NX-2127 resulted in encouraging rapid and durable responses in the heavily pre-treated patient population including patients with BTK inhibitor resistance mutations. Durable complete responses were reported in two patients with MCL and DLBCL which remained ongoing for over one year. NX-2127 had a manageable safety profile that was consistent with previous reports for BTK-targeted and immunomodulatory therapies.
•High profile publications provide scientific basis for BTK scaffold function and degrader mechanism: In February 2024, Nurix announced the publication of a manuscript in the journal Science titled: "Kinase Impaired BTK Mutations Are Susceptible to Clinical Stage BTK and IKZF1/3 Degrader NX-2127" that elucidates a previously unappreciated oncogenic scaffold function of BTK responsible for clinical resistance to enzymatic inhibitors and shows that NX-2127 can overcome this resistance across a broad range of acquired mutations. A second manuscript was published contemporaneously in The Journal of Medicinal Chemistry entitled "Discovery and Preclinical Pharmacology of NX-2127, an Orally Bioavailable Degrader of Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase with Immunomodulatory Activity for the Treatment of Patients with B Cell Malignancies," which details the discovery and optimization of NX-2127.
Upcoming Program Highlights*
•NX-5948: NX-5948 is an investigational, orally bioavailable, small molecule degrader of BTK. NX-5948 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1a/b clinical trial in adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies. In 2024, Nurix expects to define doses for Phase 1b cohort expansion in CLL and NHL and accelerate Phase 1 clinical trial enrollment to enable pivotal trials. Nurix plans to present additional clinical data with higher dose levels and longer treatment duration in mid-2024. In addition, Nurix expects to complete ongoing preclinical studies that can enable an investigational new drug (IND) application for NX-5948 in autoimmune indications. Additional information on the clinical trial can be accessed at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05131022).
•NX-2127: NX-2127 is an orally bioavailable degrader of BTK with immunomodulatory activity for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies. Nurix is conducting a Phase 1a/b clinical trial of NX-2127, which includes three Phase 1b expansion cohorts in patients with DLBCL, MCL and CLL. Screening and enrollment of new study participants have been paused due to a partial clinical hold placed on the study by the FDA. Patients currently enrolled in the clinical study who are deriving clinical benefit may continue to receive treatment in accordance with the ongoing study protocol. In 2024, Nurix expects to resolve the partial clinical hold to enable the introduction of newly manufactured drug product into the ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial. Additional information on the clinical trial can be accessed at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04830137).
•NX-1607: Nurix’s lead drug candidate from its targeted protein elevation portfolio, NX-1607, is an orally bioavailable inhibitor of the E3 ligase Casitas B-lineage lymphoma proto-oncogene B (CBL-B) for immuno-oncology indications including a range of solid tumor types and lymphoma. Nurix is evaluating NX-1607 in an ongoing, Phase 1 trial in monotherapy and in a combination cohort utilizing paclitaxel in adults in a range of oncology indications. In 2024, Nurix expects to present data from the Phase 1a dose-escalation portion of the trial of NX-1607 and to define dose(s) to enable Phase 1b cohort expansion. Additional information on the clinical trial can be accessed at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05107674).
•NX-0479/GS-6791: GS-6791 (previously NX-0479) is a potent, selective, oral IRAK4 degrader. Degradation of IRAK4 by GS-6791 has potential applications in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. Nurix’s partner, Gilead, is responsible for conducting IND-enabling studies and advancing this program to clinical development.
•Selection of new drug candidate: Nurix expects to select a new targeted protein degrader development candidate in 2024.
•Continued pipeline advancement of strategic collaborations with Gilead, Sanofi and Pfizer: Nurix expects to continue to achieve substantial research collaboration milestones throughout the terms of its collaborations with Gilead, Sanofi and Pfizer.
*Expected timing of events throughout this press release is based on calendar year quarters.
Fiscal Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results
Revenue for the three months and twelve months ended November 30, 2023, was $15.2 million and $77.0 million, respectively, compared with $6.8 million and $38.6 million for the three and twelve months ended November 30, 2022, respectively. The increase for the twelve-month period was primarily due to a higher percentage of completion of performance obligations and an increase in the value of milestones achieved in the current period. The increase was also due to the receipt of $20.0 million related to the license option exercise payment from Gilead. During the year ended November 30, 2023, Nurix achieved research milestones under its collaborations with Gilead and Sanofi totaling $12.5 million and $7.0 million, respectively.
Research and development expenses for the three months and twelve months ended November 30, 2023, were $49.7 million and $189.1 million, respectively, compared to $46.1 million and $184.5 million for the three and twelve months ended November 30, 2022, respectively. For the twelve-month period, there was an increase in compensation and related personnel costs and an increase in clinical costs as Nurix continued its clinical trial programs and ongoing patient enrollment, offset by a decrease in research related costs and in contract manufacturing.
General and administrative expenses for the three months and twelve months ended November 30, 2023, were $10.8 million and $42.9 million, respectively, compared to $9.4 million and $38.0 million for the three and twelve months ended November 30, 2022, respectively. The increase for the twelve-month period was primarily related to an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation expense and an increase in professional service costs related to the Pfizer collaboration agreement, offset by a decrease in outside consulting costs.
Net loss for the three months and twelve months ended November 30, 2023, was $42.0 million or ($0.77) per share and $143.9 million or ($2.65) per share, respectively, compared with $46.7 million or ($0.87) per share and $180.4 million or ($3.71) per share for the three and twelve months ended November 30, 2022, respectively.
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities was $295.3 million as of November 30, 2023, compared to $268.7 million as of August 31, 2023.