On May 9, 2024 HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOK, ‘HOOKIPA’), a company developing a new class of immunotherapeutics based on its proprietary arenavirus platform, reported financial results and recent business highlights for the first quarter of 2024 (Press release, Hookipa Biotech, MAY 9, 2024, View Source [SID1234642992]).

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"The first quarter was about focus at HOOKIPA. We are embarking on a pivotal trial for HB-200 in combination with pembrolizumab and made important decisions to align our organization for late-stage clinical trial execution. We also added to the depth of our executive team with a new Chief Development Officer, Mark Winderlich, who brings crucial experience to help us execute on our clinical development strategy," said Joern Aldag, Chief Executive Officer of HOOKIPA. "We have made great progress and have an FDA-aligned pivotal Phase 2/3 trial design that is patient-centric and we believe has a high probability of success. Our path forward is clear, and the team is excited to take a major step on our path to deliver better outcomes for patients."

Business Highlights and Recent Developments

Oncology

HOOKIPA is preparing to start a seamless pivotal Phase 2/3 trial of HB-200 in combination with pembrolizumab for the treatment of patients with Human Papillomavirus 16-positive (HPV16+) recurrent/metastatic PD-L1 CPS ≥ 20 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) in the first line setting.
The Phase 2/3 trial design and protocol are based on alignment with the FDA following the Company’s Type C meeting.
EMA granted PRIME designation to the investigational product HB-200 in combination with pembrolizumab. PRIME designation is intended to expedite development and review of drug candidates, alone or in combination with other drugs. Eligibility and approval are based on preliminary clinical evidence and indicate that the drug candidate may offer substantial improvement over existing therapies.
The Company anticipates the first patient will be enrolled in the fourth quarter of 2024. HB-200 was accepted for an oral abstract presentation at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2024 Annual Meeting with data from approximately 40 patients treated with HB-200 in combination with pembrolizumab.
The HB-700 program is a novel arenaviral immunotherapy for KRAS-mutated cancers, including the five mutations that are the primary causes of lung, pancreatic and colon cancers. The Company received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for HB-700 for the treatment of KRAS-mutated cancers. Effective April 25, 2024, HOOKIPA regained full control of the associated intellectual property portfolio and has full collaboration and licensing rights for this program.
Infectious Disease

HB-400 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 trial and is one of two independent development programs in HOOKIPA’s collaboration and license agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead). Gilead is solely responsible for further development and commercialization of the HBV product candidate.
HB-500 is an investigational therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), also partnered with Gilead. HOOKIPA received FDA clearance of its IND application in the fourth quarter of 2023 and expects to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial of HB-500 in people with HIV in the second quarter of 2024. Under the collaboration agreement with Gilead, HOOKIPA is eligible for a milestone payment upon dosing the first patient in this trial.
Corporate and Financial Updates

Corporate Highlights

On January 29, 2024, HOOKIPA provided an update on its business priorities and oncology partnership programs. The Company announced that it will focus its resources in two strategic areas: (1) the clinical development of a randomized trial for its HB-200 program and (2) its two Gilead-partnered infectious disease cure programs for hepatitis B and HIV.
Mark Winderlich, Ph.D., joined the Company on April 1, 2024, as Chief Development Officer to lead HOOKIPA’s clinical research and development organization.
Financial Highlights

HOOKIPA received a final $10.0 million milestone payment under its now-terminated HB-700 collaboration agreement with Roche. The success-based milestone payment was achieved in connection with HOOKIPA’s submission of an IND application for HB-700 for the treatment of KRAS mutated tumors.
Total revenues of $36.6 million, mainly driven by the recognition of previously received upfront and milestone payments under the now-terminated Roche collaboration, as well as the recent HB-700 milestone achievement, led to a profitable first quarter of 2024.
Anticipated Catalysts & Milestones

Program Indication Upcoming Anticipated Catalysts
Oncology Programs
HB-200 HPV16+ HNSCC
Additional Phase 2 first-line data for HB-200 in combination with pembrolizumab (ASCO 2024)
Pivotal study start (4Q 2024)
HB-700 KRAS
Publication of preclinical data (ASCO 2024)

Infectious Disease Programs: Gilead-Partnered
HB-400 HBV
Gilead-led: Phase 1b actively enrolling
Next milestone: Initiation of Phase 2
(timing determined by Gilead)
HB-500 HIV
Initiation of Phase 1 trial; first patient dosed and associated milestone payment (2Q 2024)

First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Cash Position: HOOKIPA’s cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of March 31, 2024 was $93.0 million compared to $117.5 million as of December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to cash used in operating activities.

Revenue: Revenue was $36.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $3.2 million for the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher partial revenue recognition under the Roche collaboration as a result of the termination of the agreement, leading to accelerated recognition of the upfront and milestone payments that were initially recorded as deferred revenue.

Research and Development Expenses: HOOKIPA’s research and development expenses were $20.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $20.9 million for the same period in 2023. The primary drivers of the decrease in research and development expenses were lower personnel-related and laboratory-related expenses, partially offset by higher clinical study expenses for the HB-200 program.

General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses amounted to $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $4.9 million for the same period in 2023. The primary driver of the decrease in general and administrative expenses was a decrease in personnel-related expenses.

Restructuring Expenses: Restructuring expenses amounted to $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and resulted from severance and other personnel costs as well as consulting costs associated with the Company’s restructuring plan announced in January 2024.

Net Income (Loss): HOOKIPA’s net income was $14.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to a net loss of $19.7 million for the same period in 2023. This increase was primarily due to the accelerated recognition of upfront and milestone payments under the Roche collaboration.

On May 9, 2024 Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 (Press release, Guardant Health, MAY 9, 2024, View Source [SID1234642991]).

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First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

•Revenue of $168.5 million for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 31% over the first quarter of 2023
•Reported 46,900 tests to clinical customers and 8,450 tests to biopharmaceutical customers in the first quarter of 2024, representing increases of 20% and 37%, respectively, over the first quarter of 2023
•Reduced free cash flow to $(37.2) million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $(82.0) million in the prior year
•Raised 2024 annual guidance for revenue to a new range of $675 to $685 million, representing growth of 20% to 21%
•Improved annual free cash flow guidance to $(275) to $(285) million, a reduction of $60 to $70 million compared to 2023
Recent Operating Highlights
•Validated the strength and quality of ECLIPSE clinical data with the study publication in The New England Journal of Medicine
•Launched new service at The Royal Marsden to test advanced NSCLC patients in England through an expanded NHS study
•Presented new data demonstrating the value of epigenomic analysis and methylation sequencing using the Smart Liquid Biopsy platform at the 2024 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting
•Surpassed 500 peer-reviewed publications highlighting Guardant Health technology in scientific literature

"We started the year off very strongly with first quarter revenue growing 31%, driven by both solid volume growth and significant improvements to Guardant360 reimbursement," said Helmy Eltoukhy, co-founder and co-CEO. "In addition to strong topline performance, this was the first quarter of generating positive cash flow in our Therapy Selection business. We also recently surpassed a significant milestone with over 500 peer-reviewed publications highlighting our technology in scientific literature, demonstrating the impact our innovative suite of products have on both patients and the scientific community."
"The publication of ECLIPSE data in The New England Journal of Medicine, one of the world’s leading medical journals, underscores the quality of our clinical data," said AmirAli Talasaz, co-founder and co-CEO. "Our team has worked incredibly hard and is now well-prepared for the upcoming FDA Advisory Committee review on May 23. We are eagerly anticipating the launch of Shield IVD shortly after the expected FDA approval in 2024 and are confident this test is well positioned for rapid adoption."

First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Revenue was $168.5 million for the first quarter of 2024, a 31% increase from $128.7 million for the corresponding prior year period. Precision oncology revenue grew 38%, to $156.2 million for the first quarter of 2024, from $113.4 million for the corresponding prior year period, driven by an increase in clinical and biopharma testing volume, which grew 20% and 37%, respectively, over the prior year period. The increase in precision oncology revenue was also attributable to an increase in reimbursement for our tests, due to an increase in the Medicare reimbursement rate for our Guardant360 LDT test to $5,000, effective January 1, 2024, and an increase in reimbursement received from commercial payers. Development services and other revenue was $12.3 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $15.3 million for the corresponding prior year period.

Gross profit, or total revenue less cost of precision oncology testing and cost of development services and other, was $103.2 million for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of $27.6 million from $75.6 million for the corresponding prior year period. Gross margin, or gross profit divided by total revenue, was 61%, as compared to 59% for the corresponding prior year period. Precision oncology gross margin was 62% in the first quarter of 2024, as compared to 60% in the prior year period. Development services and other gross margin was 51% in the first quarter of 2024, as compared to 48% in the prior year period.

Non-GAAP gross profit was $105.3 million for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of $27.6 million, from $77.7 million for the corresponding prior year period. Non-GAAP gross margin was 63% for the first quarter of 2024, as compared to 60% for the corresponding prior year period.
Non-GAAP gross profit excluding screening was $108.0 million for the first quarter of 2024, an increase of $26.9 million, from $81.1 million for the corresponding prior year period. Non-GAAP gross margin excluding screening was 64% for the first quarter of 2024, as compared to 63% for the corresponding prior year period.

Operating expenses were $202.9 million for the first quarter of 2024, as compared to $209.7 million for the corresponding prior year period. Non-GAAP operating expenses were $176.5 million for the first quarter of 2024, as compared to $188.3 million for the corresponding prior year period.
Net loss was $115.0 million for the first quarter of 2024, as compared to $133.5 million for the corresponding prior year period. Net loss per share was $0.94 for the first quarter of 2024, as compared to $1.30 for the corresponding prior year period. The year-over-year decrease in net loss is primarily due to a $34.4 million year over year improvement in loss from operations, and a $11.8 million increase in interest income, partially offset by a $33.9 million increase in unrealized losses recorded for our investment in Lunit, Inc.
Non-GAAP net loss was $56.4 million for the first quarter of 2024, as compared to $108.5 million for the corresponding prior year period. Non-GAAP net loss per share was $0.46 for the first quarter of 2024, as compared to $1.06 for the corresponding prior year period.
Adjusted EBITDA loss was $61.1 million for the first quarter of 2024, as compared to a $101.0 million loss for the corresponding prior year period.
Free cash flow for the first quarter of 2024 was $(37.2) million, as compared to $(82.0) million for the corresponding prior year period. Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash were $1.1 billion as of March 31, 2024.
2024 Guidance
Guardant Health now expects full year 2024 revenue excluding screening to be in the range of $675 to $685 million, representing growth of 20% to 21% compared to full year 2023 This compares to the prior range of $655 to $670 million, representing growth of 16% to 19%. Guardant Health now expects full year 2024 non-GAAP gross margin excluding screening to be in the range of 61% to 63%, compared to the prior range of 60% to 62%. Guardant Health now expects total non-GAAP operating expenses to be in the range of $720 to $730 million, representing a flat to 1% decrease compared to 2023, an improvement compared to the prior range of $740 to $750 million. Guardant Health now expects free cash flow to be in the range of $(275) to $(285) million in 2024, an improvement compared to the prior range of $(320) to $(330) million.
Webcast Information
Guardant Health will host a conference call to discuss the first quarter 2024 financial results after market close on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 1:30 pm Pacific Time / 4:30 pm Eastern Time. A webcast of the conference call can be accessed at View Source The webcast will be archived and available for replay for at least 90 days after the event.

On May 9, 2024 Gritstone bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRTS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company working to develop the world’s most potent vaccines, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 and provided recent corporate and clinical updates (Press release, Gritstone Bio, MAY 9, 2024, View Source [SID1234642990]).

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"The preliminary Phase 2 data we recently shared are very promising as they suggest that GRANITE is potentially driving benefit in metastatic CRC patients and that our objective of unlocking immunologically ‘cold’ tumors to the benefits of immunotherapy may be within reach," said Andrew Allen, MD, PhD, Co-founder, President & CEO of Gritstone bio. "The emerging trend in progression-free survival, that we anticipate will strengthen as data mature, is particularly encouraging as it puts us in a strong position to potentially engage regulators later this year regarding a Phase 3 study for this common and difficult to treat disease. If successful, we see great potential for GRANITE to expand the scope of immunotherapy and bring meaningful clinical benefit to patients with metastatic CRC as well as other ‘cold’ tumors."

Dr. Allen added, "The progress in, and recognition of our other programs and capabilities is also encouraging. The recent paper in Nature Medicine highlights the scientific rigor with which we built our SLATE platform, describes the discovery of a previously unknown hierarchy of neoantigen immunodominance, and underscores the promise for the ongoing collaboration with Dr. Rosenberg of the NCI to evaluate our SLATE-KRAS vaccine in combination with an autologous T cell therapy. We also continue to push the boundaries of neoantigen identification with EDGE, our powerful AI-driven platform, that can now predict presentation of HLA Class I neoantigens with what we believe to be field-leading accuracy."

Corporate Updates

In April 2024, Gritstone completed an underwritten public offering resulting in gross proceeds of $32.5 million.
In April 2024, Gritstone appointed Stephen Webster to its Board of Directors. A veteran finance executive with over 30 years in the biotechnology industry, Mr. Webster has held several key roles and been involved in multiple strategic transactions. Mr. Webster was the Chief Financial Officer of Spark Therapeutics from July 2014 until its acquisition by Roche for $4.3 billion in December 2019.
Clinical Program Updates
Tumor-Specific Neoantigen Oncology Programs (GRANITE and SLATE)
GRANITE – Personalized neoantigen vaccine program
SLATE – "Off-the-shelf" neoantigen vaccine program

Preliminary results (n = 67) from the randomized Phase 2 study evaluating GRANITE as a front-line maintenance therapy in metastatic microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer (MSS-CRC) demonstrated a favorable trend in progression-free survival (PFS). Long-term circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) data align with PFS trend and favor GRANITE vs. control patients.
Trend of extended PFS in GRANITE-treated vs. control patients, with greatest difference observed in high-risk group1 where clinical data are more mature.
Hazard ratio of 0.82 (18% relative risk reduction of progression or death with GRANITE vs. control) in the overall population, where clinical data are less mature ([95% CI, 0.34-1.67]; 62% censored)
Hazard ratio of 0.52 (48% relative risk reduction of progression or death with GRANITE vs. control) in a high-risk group1, where clinical data are more mature ([95% CI, 0.15-1.38]; 44% censored)
1High-risk subgroup defined as baseline ctDNA above the median value (2%) for the control group (ctDNA quantified as mean variant allele frequency [VAF] at time of study randomization).

Long-term ctDNA data align with PFS trend and favor GRANITE-treated vs. control patients
Analysis in the high-risk group1 showed that between first blood draw (time of randomization) and last blood draw (most recent study visit), ctDNA shifted from high (>2% VAF) to low (≤2% VAF) in 56% (9/16) of GRANITE patients vs 22% (2/9) of control patients. Progressive disease was observed in 44% (7/16) vs 78% (7/9), respectively, within this group.
Analysis in low-risk group (ctDNA negative group) showed sustained ctDNA negativity was observed in 67% (6/9) GRANITE recipients vs 38% (3/8) control patients. PD observed in 11% (1/9) and 38% (3/8) of these patients, respectively.
Gritstone expects to share mature PFS data and additional long-term ctDNA data in the third quarter of 2024.
In April 2024, Gritstone presented an update on its state-of-the-art neoantigen prediction platform, EDGE, at the 2024 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA. EDGE now predicts HLA Class I presentation, associated with CD8+ T cell induction, with >80% accuracy, a performance level that Gritstone believes to be leading the field. Gritstone is also advancing EDGE-II, a new model that has achieved superior predictive performance of HLA Class II presentation and CD4+ immunogenicity over publicly available models. The improvements leverage advances in protein large language models and in-house immunopeptidomics.

In March 2024, Nature Medicine published a paper detailing the development of our "off-the-shelf" neoantigen platform, SLATE. The paper described a novel immunodominance hierarchy of tumor neoantigens (including KRAS) that Gritstone discovered in Phase 1 translational studies and leveraged to develop SLATE-KRAS, a "pure" KRAS-directed vaccine candidate that demonstrated superior immunogenicity to the initial version in a subsequent Phase 2 study.

The clinical trial collaboration with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to evaluate an autologous mutant KRAS-directed TCR-T cell therapy in combination with SLATE-KRAS, Gritstone’s KRAS-directed "off the shelf" vaccine candidate, is ongoing. The study is led by Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Surgery Branch at the NCI’s Center for Cancer Research and builds into the growing interest in combining tumor-antigen specific cell therapy with matched vaccines. The IND was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2023.

Infectious Disease Programs
CORAL – Next-generation SARS-CoV-2 vaccine program that serves as proof-of-concept for Gritstone’s samRNA platform and novel approach in infectious diseases.

In February 2024, Gritstone announced that it plans to incorporate GMP-grade materials in the manufacture of its self-amplifying mRNA (samRNA) candidate, resulting in a delay of the CORAL Phase 2b study (the anticipated 10,000 subject, comparative Phase 2b study contracted by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority [BARDA]2). This decision is expected to increase the regulatory utility of the study. Gritstone is currently preparing to launch the study and will do so as soon as the company is able.

In April 2024, Gritstone presented a poster highlighting the durability and potential broad utility of its samRNA COVID-19 vaccine at ESCMID Global 2024. The results, which were from the Phase 1 CORAL-CEPI study in South Africa, reinforced previous findings showing induction of broad and durable immune responses through 12 months.
HIV – Collaboration with Gilead under Gilead’s HIV Cure Program to research and develop vaccine-based HIV immunotherapy treatment

The collaboration to research and develop a vaccine-based HIV immunotherapy treatment continues under Gilead’s direction.
First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted cash were $52.8 million as of March 31, 2024, compared to $86.9 million as of December 31, 2023.
Research and development expenses were $33.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $30.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase of $2.5 million was primarily attributable to a one-time severance charge and increases in facilities-related costs, offset by decreases in laboratory supplies, personnel-related costs and outside services.

General and administrative expenses were $8.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $6.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase of $1.8 million was primarily attributable to increases in personnel-related expenses, facilities-related costs, outside services and a one-time severance charge.

Collaboration, license, and grant revenues were $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we recorded $0.4 million in grant revenue from the BARDA Contract, $1.0 million in grant revenue from CEPI, and $0.3 million in grant revenue from the Gates Foundation.
Conference Call & Webcast Details
A conference call and webcast will be held at 4:30pm ET today (May 9):

Conference call: 1-877-407-4018
Conference ID: 13746126
Webcast: View Source;tp_key=d0e680f7aa

An archived replay will be accessible at View Source for 30 days following the event.

2 This project has been supported in whole or in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under contract number 75A50123C00062.

On May 9, 2024 Fate Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FATE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing a first-in-class pipeline of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cellular immunotherapies to patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases, reported business highlights and financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (Press release, Fate Therapeutics, MAY 9, 2024, View Source [SID1234642989]).

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"We made great progress across three key areas of clinical focus – we treated the first patient with our off-the-shelf FT819 CAR T-cell therapy for autoimmunity, we initiated patient enrollment without conditioning chemotherapy for our ADR-armed FT522 CAR NK cell therapy, and we treated the first patient with our multiplexed-engineered FT825 CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumors," said Scott Wolchko, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fate Therapeutics. "As we look toward the middle of the year, we plan to expand clinical development in autoimmunity with our off-the-shelf FT819 and FT522 programs, where we believe our iPSC product platform is highly differentiated and has the potential to overcome numerous challenges that hinder treatment of patients with cell therapies, such as the requirement for apheresis and Cy / Flu conditioning, extended hospitalization, risk of secondary malignancies, and limited access. In addition, while we continue with the preclinical assessment of our next-generation, BCMA-targeted cell product candidates, we do not intend to further advance FT576 into Phase 1 dose expansion in relapsed / refractory multiple myeloma."

FT819 iPSC-derived CAR T-cell Program

First SLE Patient Treated in Phase 1 Autoimmunity Study. The multi-center, Phase 1 clinical trial for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is designed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and anti-B cell activity of FT819, the Company’s off-the-shelf CD8αβ+ T-cell product candidate that incorporates a novel CD19-targeted 1XX chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) construct into the T-cell receptor alpha constant (TRAC) locus (NCT06308978). The first patient, a 27 year-old woman diagnosed with SLE over ten years ago who has refractory disease despite having been treated with multiple standard-of-care therapies, received conditioning chemotherapy followed by a single dose of FT819 at 360 million cells. The patient was discharged after a three-day hospital stay without any notable adverse events. In a "first-of-kind" translational assessment using a sample of the patient’s blood obtained prior to administration of conditioning chemotherapy, FT819 induced rapid and potent depletion of the patient’s CD19+ B cells in an ex vivo cytotoxicity assay.
Phase 1 BCM Study Data Establish Proof-of-Concept for Autoimmune Disease. At the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) 27th Annual Meeting, the Company today presented preclinical and translational data from its FT819 Phase 1 study in relapsed / refractory B cell malignancies (BCM), which showed that a single dose of FT819 exhibits multiple mechanisms implicated in generating an immune reset in patients with B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. Clinical observations included: dose-dependent pharmacokinetics, reaching Cmax at Day 8 with persistence through the first two weeks in the periphery; rapid, deep, and sustained CD19+ B cell depletion in the peripheral blood using standard Cy / Flu and alternative conditioning chemotherapy regimens; patient case studies of secondary and tertiary tissue trafficking, infiltration, and activity with CD19+ B cell elimination in tissue; and patient case studies of plasma cell depletion and B cell reconstitution, which showed recovery of naïve B cells with little to no recovery of activated memory B cells or plasmablasts.
Dose-escalation Completed in Phase 1 BCM Study with Further Clinical Development to Focus Exclusively on Autoimmunity. The Company has successfully completed dose escalation in its Phase 1 BCM study, demonstrating safety and tolerability of FT819 at a single dose up to 1.08 billion cells (NCT04629729), and intends to pursue further clinical development exclusively in autoimmunity. 43 heavily pre-treated patients (B cell lymphoma, n=25; chronic lymphocytic leukemia, n=12; and acute lymphocytic leukemia, n=6) were treated with conditioning chemotherapy and a single dose of FT819 across five dose levels. The safety and tolerability profile of FT819 was favorable, with no dose-limiting toxicities, no events of any grade of immune effector-cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) or graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), and low incidence (14%) of only low-grade cytokine release syndrome (CRS). There were no study discontinuations or deaths related to FT819. Clinical responses were observed across all three histologies. In 17 patients with aggressive large B cell lymphoma, 12 (71%) of whom had previously received autologous CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapy, the overall response and complete response rates were 47% and 24%, respectively.
FT825 / ONO-8250 iPSC-derived CAR T-cell Program

First Patient Treated in Phase 1 Study with HER2-targeted CAR T-cell for Advanced Solid Tumors. Under its collaboration with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Ono), the Company is conducting a multi-center, Phase 1 study to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and activity of FT825 / ONO-8250 as monotherapy and in combination with monoclonal antibody therapy in patients with advanced solid tumors (NCT06241456). The first patient was diagnosed with HER2-positive gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma, had progressed after receiving multiple lines of treatment including HER2-targeted therapies, and was administered standard conditioning chemotherapy followed by a single dose of FT825 / ONO-8250 as monotherapy at 100 million cells. Designed using the Company’s iPSC product platform, FT825 / ONO-8250 incorporates seven synthetic controls of cell function including a novel cancer-specific H2CasMab-2 CAR, which has exhibited similar potency with greater specificity for cancer cells expressing HER2 compared to trastuzumab in preclinical studies.
FT522 iPSC-derived CAR NK Cell Program

Conditioning-free Treatment Arm of Phase 1 BCL Study Open for Enrollment. FT522 is the Company’s off-the-shelf, CD19-targeted CAR NK cell product candidate and its first to incorporate Alloimmune Defense Receptor (ADR) technology, which is designed to reduce or eliminate the need for administration of conditioning chemotherapy to patients receiving cell therapies. In its ongoing multi-center, Phase 1 clinical trial of FT522 in patients with relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphoma (BCL) (NCT05950334), patient enrollment has now been initiated in the first three-dose cohort at 300 million cells per dose without conditioning chemotherapy (Regimen B). Three patients have been treated with conditioning chemotherapy in the first three-dose cohort at 300 million cells per dose (Regimen A). There were no dose-limiting toxicities and no events of any grade of CRS, ICANS, or GvHD, and dose escalation is ongoing at 900 million cells per dose.

ASGCT Presentation Data Show ADR Differentiation and Proof-of-Concept for Autoimmunity. At the ASGCT (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) conference, the Company today presented preclinical data as well as early translational data from its ongoing Phase 1 BCL study. In a novel re-challenge assay using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from unmatched SLE donors, FT522 uniquely drove rapid and deep CD19+ B cell depletion, eliminated alloreactive T cells, and maintained functional persistence, indicating that FT522 can function effectively in the presence of an unmatched host immune system. The Company also shared initial clinical observations from the first two patients treated with FT522 in Regimen A, which showed rapid, deep, and sustained B-cell depletion in the periphery throughout the one-month treatment cycle. In addition, both patients showed enhanced persistence of FT522 in the periphery compared to clinical data observed with FT596, a prior-generation CD19-targeted CAR NK cell without ADR technology. The Company intends to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the middle of 2024 for the treatment of various autoimmune diseases with FT522, including without administration of conditioning chemotherapy to patients.
FT576 iPSC-derived CAR NK Cell Program

Dose Escalation Completed in Phase 1 Multiple Myeloma Study. The Company has completed dose escalation in its multi-center, Phase 1 clinical trial of FT576, its BCMA-targeted CAR NK cell product candidate, for relapsed / refractory multiple myeloma (NCT05182073). Using a standard conditioning chemotherapy regimen, 12 patients were treated with a three-dose treatment schedule at 1 billion cells per dose (n=6) or at 2.5 billion cells per dose (n=6) as monotherapy or in combination with CD38-targeted monoclonal antibody therapy. There were no dose-limiting toxicities and no events of any grade of CRS, ICANS or GvHD. Response assessment is ongoing at 2.5 billion cells per dose. Five of six (83%) heavily pre-treated patients achieved a clinical response at 1 billion cells per dose, including two penta-exposed patients treated with FT576 as monotherapy that achieved very good partial responses. The Company is continuing to assess the FT576 Phase 1 dose-escalation dataset and to preclinically evaluate the potential of its next-generation, BCMA-targeted cell product candidates, including for the treatment of multiple myeloma and autoimmune diseases, and does not intend to further advance FT576 into Phase 1 dose expansion in relapsed / refractory multiple myeloma.
First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Cash & Investment Position: Cash, cash equivalents and investments as of March 31, 2024 were $391.1 million, which includes net proceeds from the closing of the Company’s approximately $80 million underwritten offering of common stock at $5.50 per share and approximately $20 million concurrent private placement of pre-funded warrants at $5.499 per pre-funded warrant in the first quarter of 2024.
Total Revenue: Revenue was $1.9 million for the first quarter of 2024, which was derived from the Company’s conduct of preclinical development activities for a second collaboration candidate targeting an undisclosed solid tumor antigen under its collaboration with Ono.

Total Operating Expenses: For the first quarter of 2024, GAAP operating expenses were $53.0 million, including research and development expenses of $32.1 million and general and administrative expenses of $20.9 million. Such amounts included $11.0 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense.
Shares Outstanding: Common shares outstanding were 113.8 million, pre-funded warrants outstanding were 3.9 million, and preferred shares outstanding were 2.8 million, as of March 31, 2024. Each preferred share is convertible into five common shares.

Today’s Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will conduct a conference call today, Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. ET to review financial and operating results for the quarter and full year ended March 31, 2024. In order to participate in the conference call, please dial (833) 630-1956 (domestic) and (412) 317-1837 (international). The live webcast can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.fatetherapeutics.com. The archived webcast will be available on the Company’s website beginning approximately two hours after the event.

On May 9, 2024 Cue Biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: CUE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel class of injectable biologics to selectively engage and modulate disease-specific T cells, reported a business and financial update for the first quarter 2024 (Press release, Cue Biopharma, MAY 9, 2024, View Source [SID1234642988]).

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Recent Business Highlights

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CUE-101 abstract accepted for an oral presentation and poster presentation at the upcoming 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting scheduled for May 31-June 4, 2024.
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CUE-102 abstract accepted for a poster presentation at the upcoming 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting scheduled for May 31-June 4, 2024.
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Advanced preclinical CUE-401 program, in collaboration with Ono Pharmaceutical, with potential for broad application across multiple autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
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Expanded pipeline to include the preclinical CUE-500 series for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases via T cell-mediated B cell depletion.
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Immuno-STAT platform posters for oncology and autoimmune diseases accepted for presentation at PEGS Boston Summit 2024 to be held May 13-14.

"We have made significant progress during the first quarter on several fronts, including further advancement of our CUE-101 clinical trial and a meeting with the FDA to define a registrational path forward for the program, as well as continued advancement of the Phase 1 clinical trial for CUE-102," said Daniel Passeri, chief executive officer of Cue Biopharma. "Additionally, important progress has been made advancing our autoimmune program CUE-401, in collaboration with Ono Pharmaceutical, and expanding our autoimmune pipeline with the bispecific Immuno-STAT CUE-500 series designed to redirect virus-specific T cells to deplete B cells in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. We believe our strategy of demonstrating the transformative breakthrough potential of our platform to address a broad spectrum of indications from cancer and autoimmune disease positions us well to potentially deliver value creation for our shareholders."

First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

The Company reported collaboration revenue of $1.7 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase was due to revenue earned from our Collaboration and Option Agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical, which was executed in February 2023.

Research and development expenses were $10.2 million and $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase was primarily due to an increase in clinical trial expenses.

General and administrative expenses were $4.2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $41.0 million in cash and cash equivalents. We expect our current cash and cash equivalents to fund operations into the first quarter of 2025.