Pulse Biosciences Reports Business Updates and First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

On May 7, 2024. Pulse Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLSE), a company leveraging its novel and proprietary CellFX Nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation (nsPFA) technology, reported business updates and financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (Press release, Pulse Biosciences, MAY 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234642795]).

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Recent Business Highlights

CellFX nsPFA Percutaneous Electrode


March 2024, received FDA 510(k) clearance for use in the ablation of soft tissue in percutaneous and intraoperative surgical procedures.

CellFX nsPFA Cardiac Clamp


Remain in the 510(k) process while continuing productive dialogue with FDA regarding the go-forward regulatory path.

FDA has requested clinical data in support of the regulatory filing and discussions regarding the required clinical data are underway.
● Submitted first-in-human feasibility study to take place at several centers in the Netherlands to the Ethics Committee and anticipate a response in the next several weeks.

CellFX nsPFA 360° Cardiac Catheter

At the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) meeting in Boston, May 16th to the 19th, CellFX nsPFA energy will be showcased across 6 poster presentations and abstracts in addition to a live case demonstrating pulmonary vein isolation at the PFA Live Case Summit.

Announcement of Rights Offering


The Company’s Board of Directors has approved a planned rights offering of up to $60 million worth of units that will be available to all holders of record of the Company’s common stock.

Company has decided to change the rights offering record date from May 16, 2024 to a date in mid-June. New record date will be announced by the Company once all necessary SEC filings have been completed.
● Assuming the rights offering is fully subscribed at the Initial Price, the Company will receive gross proceeds of up to $60 million, less expenses related to the rights offering, and upon exercise of all the warrants, would receive additional proceeds of up to $66 million. A fully subscribed rights offering would fund the growth plans of the Company into the first quarter of 2026.

"I am incredibly proud of the team’s accomplishments to start the year. Our proprietary CellFX nsPFA energy has demonstrated the potential to advance the standards of care for both soft tissue ablation and the treatment of atrial fibrillation. FDA clearance of the CellFX nsPFA Percutaneous Electrode System along with the posters, abstracts and a live case highlighting the CellFX nsPFA 360° Cardiac Catheter at HRS next week are early validations of our technology and its potential," said Kevin Danahy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pulse Biosciences. "We remain focused on delivering the benefits of CellFX nsPFA to patients and providers following further clinical evaluations and regulatory clearances. For the remainder of the year, we are focused on executing our CellFX nsPFA percutaneous electrode pilot program to initiate the commercial launch and, all the while, continuing to advance the clinical and regulatory work with our CellFX nsPFA Surgical Clamp and 360° Cardiac Catheter."

First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Total GAAP costs and expenses, representing research and development and general and administrative expenses, for the three months ended March 31, 2024, were $10.6 million compared to $9.6 million for the prior year period. The increase in GAAP costs and expenses was primarily driven by an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation expense, which was $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $0.9 million for the prior year period. The remaining increase in costs and expenses compared to the prior year was driven by an increase in research and development expenses to support the development of the CellFX nsPFA product portfolio. Non-GAAP costs and expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024, were $8.6 million, compared to $8.3 million for the prior year period.

GAAP net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was ($10.1) million compared to ($9.8) million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Non-GAAP net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was ($8.1) million compared to ($8.6) million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $34.9 million as of March 31, 2024, compared to $54.1 million as of March 31, 2023 and $44.4 million as of December 31, 2023. Cash used in the first quarter of 2024 was $9.5 million compared to $7.2 million in the same period in the prior year and $6.9 million used in the fourth quarter of 2023. The sequential quarterly increase was driven mainly by $2.0 million in 2023 annual cash bonus payouts.

Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP cost and expenses and net loss have been provided in the tables following the financial statements in this press release. An explanation of these measures is also included below under the heading "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Webcast and Conference Call Information

Pulse Biosciences’ management will host a conference call today, May 7, 2024, beginning at 1:30pm PT. Investors interested in listening to the conference call may do so by dialing 1-877-704-4453 for domestic callers or 1-201-389-0920 for international callers. A live and recorded webcast of the event will be available at View Source

OPKO Health Reports First Quarter 2024 Business Highlights and Financial Results

On May 07, 2024 OPKO Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPK) reported business highlights and financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 (Press release, Opko Health, MAY 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234642794]).

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First quarter business highlights include the following:

Entered into an agreement with Labcorp to sell select assets of BioReference Health. The transaction includes the sale of BioReference Health’s laboratory testing businesses focused on clinical diagnostics and women’s health, excluding operations in New York and New Jersey, for $237.5 million. These assets comprise patient service centers, certain customer contracts and operating assets, which account for approximately $100 million in annualized revenue. BioReference Health will continue to offer oncology and urology diagnostic services nationwide, as well as maintain its full operations in New York and New Jersey. This transaction is expected to streamline BioReference Health’s laboratory services business while retaining its core operations to better position the division for sustained growth and profitability. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and applicable regulatory approvals, including under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. The transaction is anticipated to close in the second half of 2024.

The IND application for MDX2001, a tetraspecific antibody for the treatment of solid tumor cancers, received FDA clearance. MDX2001 is designed to optimize T-cell function while preventing tumor antigen escape. The first patient is expected to be enrolled in a Phase 1 trial to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor activity in the second quarter of 2024.

The global launch of NGENLA is ongoing by OPKO’s partner, Pfizer. NGENLA is approved in over 50 countries including the U.S., Japan, EU Member States, Canada and Australia. OPKO is entitled to gross profit sharing based on sales of both NGENLA and Pfizer’s daily growth hormone product, Genotropin. In addition, OPKO is entitled to an additional $100 million in potential milestone payments associated with approvals for an adult indication for growth hormone deficiency and additional pediatric indications.
First Quarter Financial Results

Pharmaceuticals: Revenue from products in the first quarter of 2024 were $38.1 million compared to $40.4 million in the first quarter of 2023, resulting from lower sales in OPKO’s international operating companies and foreign currency exchange fluctuations, partially offset by an increase in sales of Rayaldee to $6.9 million from $6.6 million. Revenue from the transfer of intellectual property and other was $8.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared with $64.8 million in the 2023 period, which included $5.6 million in gross profit share and royalty payments for NGENLA and Pfizer’s Genotropin in the 2024 quarter compared with $3.1 million in the same period for 2023. The decrease in revenue from the transfer of intellectual property and other is primarily attributable to one-time milestone payments received in 2023 including a $50.0 million upfront payment from Merck, a $7.0 million milestone payment from Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma triggered by the German price approval for Rayaldee and a $2.5 million milestone payment from Nicoya Therapeutics for the submission of its IND application for Rayaldee to China’s Center for Drug Evaluation. Total costs and expenses declined to $74.5 million in the first quarter of 2024 from $86.3 million in the prior-year period primarily due to a $10.6 million, or 33%, decrease in research and development expense as the 2023 period included a non-recurring payment to Sanofi related to our Merck collaboration, partially offset by increased activity within our ModeX development programs. Operating loss was $27.7 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared with operating income of $19.0 million in the first quarter of 2023, again with 2023 benefiting from over $59 million in milestones as described above.

Diagnostics: Revenue from services in the first quarter of 2024 was $126.9 million compared with $132.4 million in the prior-year period, with the decline primarily due to lower clinical testing volume. Total costs and expenses were $161.3 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared with $172.4 million in the first quarter of 2023, reflecting the continued implementation of cost-reduction initiatives. Included in first quarter 2024 results were revenue from services of approximately $27.8 million and total costs and expenses of approximately $34.8 million related to assets being acquired by Labcorp. Operating loss was $34.4 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared with $40.0 million in the 2023 period.

Consolidated: Consolidated total revenues for the first quarter of 2024 were $173.7 million compared with $237.6 million for the comparable period of 2023. Operating loss for the first quarter of 2024 increased to $71.5 million from $30.6 million for the 2023 quarter, with the 2023 quarter benefiting from the non-recurring license payments described above totaling $59.5 million. First quarter 2024 results included a non-cash, non-recurring expense of $26.3 million related to an embedded derivative as part of our convertible debt. In addition, both periods benefited from the increase of GeneDx’s stock price of $22.7 million and $8.3 million, respectively, for 2024 and 2023. As a result, net loss for the first quarter of 2024 was $81.8 million, or $0.12 per share, compared with $18.3 million, or $0.02 per share, for the 2023 quarter.

Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents were $75.6 million as of March 31, 2024. In January, OPKO completed the sale of $230.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029 and exchanged approximately $144.4 million of the Company’s outstanding 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025. The Company used approximately $50.0 million of the net proceeds to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock from purchasers of the notes. Additionally, OPKO issued and sold approximately $71.1 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029 to several holders, including Company affiliates, in exchange for the outstanding 5% Convertible Promissory Notes and accrued interest.
Conference Call and Webcast Information

OPKO’s senior management will provide a business update, discuss first quarter financial results, provide financial guidance and answer questions during a conference call and live audio webcast today beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Participants are encouraged to pre-register for the conference call here. Callers who pre-register will receive a unique PIN to gain immediate access to the call and bypass the live operator. Participants may register at any time, including up to and after the call start time. Those unable to pre-register may participate by dialing 833-630-0584 (U.S.) or 412-317-1815 (International). A webcast of the call can also be accessed at OPKO’s Investor Relations page and here.

A telephone replay will be available until May 21, 2024 by dialing 877-344-7529 (U.S.) or 412-317-0088 (International) and providing the passcode 6926223. A webcast replay will be available beginning approximately one hour after the completion of the live conference call here.

Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2024

On May 7, 2024 Nuvectis Pharma reported its quarterly results for 2024 (Press release, Nuvectis Pharma, MAY 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234642793]).

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Moleculin Reports Higher AML Complete Remission (CR) Rates and Significant Durability with Additional Interim Subject Data

On May 7, 2024 Moleculin Biotech, Inc., (Nasdaq: MBRX) (Moleculin or the Company), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company with a broad portfolio of drug candidates targeting hard-to-treat tumors and viruses, reported the presentation of positive interim data for Annamycin from its ongoing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) clinical development program (Press release, Moleculin, MAY 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234642792]). As previously announced, the Company will host a virtual AML Clinical Day, today, May 7, 2024, at 11:00 AM ET (details below) to discuss these results.

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"Adding the latest two subjects in MB-106 AML trial with AnnAraC brings the composite complete remission (CRc) rate up from 37% to 45% for all of the 20 subjects with prior therapies ranging from none to six. This adds to our growing body of positive data which continues to provide a clear line of sight for our clinical and regulatory strategies towards registration for Annamycin in AML," commented Walter Klemp, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Moleculin. "Focusing on 2nd line subjects, a CRc rate of 60% and with 50% of those being full CRs, AnnAraC has the potential to offer 2nd line patients a viable alternative, regardless of prior treatments or mutations. While we believe that the full trial results are impressive, we continue to believe that our results in 2nd line subjects, where there is a significant unmet need, are exceptional and believe the CRc rate demonstrated by AnnAraC in 2nd line patients substantially exceeds the performance reported by any drug currently approved for use in 2nd line AML."

"We continue to progress our preparations for an End of Phase 2 meeting with FDA and believe following this meeting we will be in a position to commence a pivotal registration study as a 2nd line therapy in AML early next year," added Mr. Klemp.

Ongoing AML Clinical Trial Overview

The Company is currently conducting its Phase 1B/2 clinical trial evaluating Annamycin in combination with Cytarabine (also known as "Ara-C" and for which the combination of Annamycin and Ara-C is referred to as AnnAraC) for the treatment of subjects with AML as both first line therapy and for subjects who are refractory to or relapsed after induction therapy (MB-106). clinicaltrialsregister.eu: EudraCT 2020-005493-10 or clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05319587.

During 2023, Moleculin commenced its MB-106 clinical trial with AnnAraC for the treatment of AML in an all-comers trial, accepting subjects without regard to the number of prior therapies in the Phase 1 portion with a limit of two prior therapies in the Phase 2 portion. Nine clinical sites in Poland and Italy have been activated for the MB-106 clinical trial.

To date, 20 subjects have been enrolled in the full MB-106 Phase 1B/2 study. The median durability of remission (DoR) is 4.9 months and climbing. DoR is defined as the time from initiation of treatment to the point of disease relapse or death. At the end of January 2024, the Company completed recruiting the desired number of 2nd line subjects and began preparation for an End of Phase 2 (EoP2) meeting with the FDA. In addition, Moleculin expanded the MB-106 study protocol to include 1st line subjects to provide data to enable the designing of a potential confirmatory Phase 3 post-approval study for the added indication of 1st line subjects, however, the Company does not expect the addition of this cohort to delay the EoP2 meeting. The study has recruited three 1st line subjects to date with two achieving CRs.

Moleculin’s current planned pathway for initial NDA approval indication for Annamycin in combination with Cytarabine for the treatment of AML is as a 2nd line therapy. Therefore, the focus is primarily on securing an accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of 2nd line subjects (those who were relapsed from or refractory to a 1st line AML therapy, regardless of whether the subject was deemed "fit" or "unfit" for intensive chemotherapy). Moleculin continues to recruit 1st line subjects into MB-106 to provide data for a possible future confirmatory Phase 3 clinical trial in 1st line patients.

Summary of MB-106 Data

A summary table of the MB-106 preliminary results is shown below. These subjects had 0-6 prior therapies. The preliminary data for MB-106 demonstrate a CRc rate of 45% and an overall remission rate (ORR) of 55% for all subjects, regardless of the number of prior treatments (N=20). Segmenting the MB-106 subject population for 1st line (N=3) and, most notably, 2nd line (N=10) therapies in the trial, yields a CRc rate of 67% and 60% and an ORR of 67% and 70%, both respectively.

Median durability for MB-106 is 4.9 months and climbing with one death (suspected to be related to pneumonia) and one relapse to date out of the 9 CRcs. The first subject with a CRc (and who has yet to relapse) was treated in February 2023. Durability of CRs is confirmed by repeat bone marrow aspirates (BMAs). The median age of all subjects recruited is 69, ranging from 19 to 78. Median durability will be updated as the trial data mature. This trial may enroll up to 28 subjects, however, having already recruited the desired number of 2nd line subjects to support an EoP2 meeting with the FDA, the Company may elect to complete this trial with fewer than 28 subjects.

The trial continues recruitment for treatment as 1st line and 3rd line therapy. Since Moleculin intends to position AnnAraC for initial approval as a 2nd line therapy, the Company believes that the most important data from this trial are the results in 2nd line subjects (excluding subjects who are either 1st line or 3rd line and beyond). All data from MB-106 are interim, preliminary, and subject to change until a clinical trial report is published.

Rigel Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

On May 7, 2024 Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, including sales of TAVALISSE (fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate) tablets for the treatment of adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment and sales of REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) capsules for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a susceptible isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test (Press release, Rigel, MAY 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234642784]).

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"Results for the first quarter of 2024 continued to demonstrate strong commercial demand with the highest number of TAVALISSE and REZLIDHIA bottles sold in a quarter since launch. We are also excited about the recent acquisition of GAVRETO and are on track to include this product in our commercial portfolio in July of this year," said Raul Rodriguez, Rigel’s president and CEO. "At the same time, we are progressing the development of olutasidenib with our strategic collaborators, MD Anderson and CONNECT, and driving forward our other pipeline programs."

Business Update

· In the first quarter of 2024, a total of 2,193 TAVALISSE bottles were sold in the U.S. driven by 2,483 bottles shipped to patients and clinics, the highest number in a quarter since launch. Bottles remaining in distribution channels decreased by 290 bottles during the quarter.

· In the first quarter of 2024, a total of 390 REZLIDHIA bottles were sold in the U.S., significantly accelerating sales growth over last year. This growth was driven by increased demand, with 326 bottles shipped to patients and clinics.

· In April 2024, Rigel announced a peer-reviewed publication in Leukemia & Lymphoma on data from an analysis of the Phase 2 study evaluating REZLIDHIA in patients with mIDH1 AML who were R/R to prior venetoclax-based regimens. The findings from these analyses suggest that REZLIDHIA may provide an effective treatment for patients with recurrent AML following venetoclax combination therapy. REZLIDHIA induced durable remissions consistent with those observed in the pivotal trial and had a favorable tolerability profile.

· In March 2024, Rigel appointed Lisa Rojkjaer, M.D. as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Rojkjaer is an industry veteran with over 20 years of clinical development, regulatory, and medical affairs experience with a focus on hematology and oncology. She is a board-certified hematologist with an international clinical practice background.

· In February 2024, Rigel announced the acquisition of the U.S. rights to GAVRETO (pralsetinib). GAVRETO is a once daily, small molecule, oral, kinase inhibitor of wild-type RET (rearranged during transfection) and oncogenic RET fusions. GAVRETO is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer. The acquisition of this product further expands Rigel’s portfolio and leverages Rigel’s existing infrastructure in both the institutional and community settings. Rigel expects to complete the transition of the asset and start recognizing product sales in July 2024.

· In January 2024, Rigel and CONNECT announced a strategic development collaboration to evaluate REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in combination with temozolomide in patients with high-grade glioma (HGG) harboring an IDH1 mutation. Under the collaboration, CONNECT will include olutasidenib in CONNECT’s TarGeT-D, a molecularly guided Phase 2 umbrella clinical trial for HGG. In the Rigel-sponsored arm, adolescents and young adult patients (≤39 years old) with newly diagnosed IDH1-mutation positive HGG will receive maintenance therapy with olutasidenib in combination with temozolomide for the first year after radiotherapy, followed by olutasidenib monotherapy for the second year. Rigel will provide CONNECT funding up to $3 million and study material over the four-year collaboration.

· Rigel continues to advance its Phase 1b clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of R2891, a novel and selective IRAK1/4 inhibitor, in patients with relapsed/refractory lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (LR-MDS). Enrollment in the third cohort of the trial has been completed and the company is planning to include two additional cohorts with twice daily dosing regimens. Preliminary data are expected by the end of 2024.

Financial Update

For the first quarter of 2024, total revenues were $29.5 million, consisting of $21.1 million in TAVALISSE net product sales, $4.9 million in REZLIDHIA net product sales, and $3.5 million in contract revenue from collaborations. Although TAVALISSE bottles shipped to patients and clinics reached the highest quarterly number of bottles since launch, net product sales were $21.1 million compared to $22.3 million in the same period of 2023, primarily due to a decrease in the number of bottles remaining in distribution channels. REZLIDHIA net product sales were $4.9 million compared to $1.5 million in the same period of 2023. Contract revenue from collaborations consisted of $2.3 million from Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. related to delivery of drug supplies, $1.1 million from Grifols S.A. related to earned royalties, and $0.1 million from Medison Pharma Trading AG related to delivery of drug supplies and earned royalties.

For the first quarter of 2024, total costs and expenses were $36.5 million compared to $38.8 million for the same period of 2023. The decrease in costs and expenses was partly due to decreased research and development costs due to the timing of clinical trial activities related to the IRAK 1/4 inhibitor program, as well as the timing of trial completion activities related to two Phase 3 clinical trials of fostamatinib in patients with COVID-19 and wAIHA. In addition, the decrease was due to lower consulting and third-party services as well as lower facility-related costs. These decreases were partially offset by higher stock-based compensation expenses, mainly from performance-based awards.

For the first quarter of 2024, Rigel reported a net loss of $8.2 million, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $13.5 million, or $0.08 per basic and diluted share, for the same period of 2023.

As of March 31, 2024, Rigel had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $49.6 million, compared to $56.9 million as of December 31, 2023. In April 2024, Rigel entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement with MidCap Financial Trust. As part of the amendment, Rigel extended the maturity date and interest only period by one year.

Conference Call and Webcast with Slides Today at 4:30pm Eastern Time

Rigel will hold a live conference call and webcast today at 4:30pm Eastern Time (1:30pm Pacific Time).

Participants can access the live conference call by dialing (877) 407-3088 (domestic) or (201) 389-0927 (international). The conference call will also be webcast live and can be accessed from the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at www.rigel.com. The webcast will be archived and available for replay after the call via the Rigel website.

About ITP

In patients with ITP (immune thrombocytopenia), the immune system attacks and destroys the body’s own blood platelets, which play an active role in blood clotting and healing. Common symptoms of ITP are excessive bruising and bleeding. People suffering with chronic ITP may live with an increased risk of severe bleeding events that can result in serious medical complications or even death. Current therapies for ITP include steroids, blood platelet production boosters (TPO-RAs), and splenectomy. However, not all patients respond to existing therapies. As a result, there remains a significant medical need for additional treatment options for patients with ITP.

About AML

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rapidly progressing cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects myeloid cells, which normally develop into various types of mature blood cells. AML occurs primarily in adults and accounts for about 1 percent of all adult cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 20,800 new cases in the United States, most in adults, in 2024.2

Relapsed AML affects about half of all patients who, following treatment and remission, experience a return of leukemia cells in the bone marrow.3 Refractory AML, which affects between 10 and 40 percent of newly diagnosed patients, occurs when a patient fails to achieve remission even after intensive treatment.4 Quality of life declines for patients with each successive line of treatment for AML, and well-tolerated treatments in relapsed or refractory disease remain an unmet need.

About NSCLC

It is estimated that over 230,000 adults in the U.S. will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2024. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S, with NSCLC being the most common type accounting for 80-85% of all lung cancer diagnoses.5 RET fusions are implicated in approximately 1-2% of patients with NSCLC.6

About TAVALISSE

Indication

TAVALISSE (fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate) tablets is indicated for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment.

Important Safety Information

Warnings and Precautions

· Hypertension can occur with TAVALISSE treatment. Patients with pre-existing hypertension may be more susceptible to the hypertensive effects. Monitor blood pressure every 2 weeks until stable, then monthly, and adjust or initiate antihypertensive therapy for blood pressure control maintenance during therapy. If increased blood pressure persists, TAVALISSE interruption, reduction, or discontinuation may be required.

· Elevated liver function tests (LFTs), mainly ALT and AST, can occur with TAVALISSE. Monitor LFTs monthly during treatment. If ALT or AST increase to ≥3 x upper limit of normal, manage hepatotoxicity using TAVALISSE interruption, reduction, or discontinuation.

· Diarrhea occurred in 31% of patients and severe diarrhea occurred in 1% of patients treated with TAVALISSE. Monitor patients for the development of diarrhea and manage using supportive care measures early after the onset of symptoms. If diarrhea becomes severe (≥Grade 3), interrupt, reduce dose or discontinue TAVALISSE.

· Neutropenia occurred in 6% of patients treated with TAVALISSE; febrile neutropenia occurred in 1% of patients. Monitor the ANC monthly and for infection during treatment. Manage toxicity with TAVALISSE interruption, reduction, or discontinuation.

· TAVALISSE can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Advise pregnant women the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 1 month after the last dose. Verify pregnancy status prior to initiating TAVALISSE. It is unknown if TAVALISSE or its metabolite is present in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child, advise a lactating woman not to breastfeed during TAVALISSE treatment and for at least 1 month after the last dose.

Drug Interactions

· Concomitant use of TAVALISSE with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors increases exposure to the major active metabolite of TAVALISSE (R406), which may increase the risk of adverse reactions. Monitor for toxicities that may require a reduction in TAVALISSE dose.

· It is not recommended to use TAVALISSE with strong CYP3A4 inducers, as concomitant use reduces exposure to R406.

· Concomitant use of TAVALISSE may increase concentrations of some CYP3A4 substrate drugs and may require a dose reduction of the CYP3A4 substrate drug.

· Concomitant use of TAVALISSE may increase concentrations of BCRP substrate drugs (eg, rosuvastatin) and P-Glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate drugs (eg, digoxin), which may require a dose reduction of the BCRP and P-gp substrate drug.

Adverse Reactions

· Serious adverse drug reactions in the ITP double-blind studies were febrile neutropenia, diarrhea, pneumonia, and hypertensive crisis, which occurred in 1% of TAVALISSE patients. In addition, severe adverse reactions occurred including dyspnea and hypertension (both 2%), neutropenia, arthralgia, chest pain, diarrhea, dizziness, nephrolithiasis, pain in extremity, toothache, syncope, and hypoxia (all 1%).

· Common adverse reactions (≥5% and more common than placebo) from FIT-1 and FIT-2 included: diarrhea, hypertension, nausea, dizziness, ALT and AST increased, respiratory infection, rash, abdominal pain, fatigue, chest pain, and neutropenia.

Please see www.TAVALISSEUSPI.com for Full Prescribing Information.

To report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA, visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088).

TAVALISSE is a registered trademark of Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.