Ultragenyx Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results and Corporate Update

On February 13, 2025 Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: RARE), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapies for serious rare and ultrarare genetic diseases, reported its financial results for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024 and shared financial guidance for 2025 (Press release, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, FEB 13, 2025, View Source [SID1234650260]).

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"We have created a next-generation rare disease company on a pathway to profitability with meaningful revenue growth from multiple global products and a series of potential new drug approvals," said Emil D. Kakkis, M.D., Ph.D., chief executive officer and president of Ultragenyx. "The major regulatory and clinical catalysts ahead of us this year are the pending PDUFA decision for our gene therapy to treat Sanfilippo syndrome, submission of our second gene therapy biologics license application in Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia, readout of our pivotal Phase 3 results in osteogenesis imperfecta, and completion of enrollment in our Phase 3 trial in Angelman syndrome."

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Selected Financial Data Tables and Financial Results

Revenues (dollars in thousands), (unaudited)
Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Crysvita
Product sales $ 22,415 $ 18,379 $ 134,709 $ 75,697
Revenue in Profit-Share Territory 85,534 70,124 248,966 231,574
Royalty revenue in European Territory 7,473 5,612 25,849 20,783
Total Crysvita Revenue 115,422 94,115 409,524 328,054
Dojolvi 31,103 23,286 88,194 70,633
Evkeeza 10,374 2,102 32,162 3,642
Mepsevii 7,978 7,889 30,350 30,441
Other — — — 1,479
Total revenues $ 164,877 $ 127,392 $ 560,230 $ 434,249

Total Revenues
Ultragenyx reported $165 million in total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024, which represents 29% growth compared to the same period in 2023. Fourth quarter 2024 Crysvita revenue was $115 million, which represents 23% growth compared to the same period in 2023. This includes product sales of $22 million from Latin America and Turkey, which represents 22% growth compared to the same period in 2023. Dojolvi revenue in the fourth quarter 2024 was $31 million, which represents 34% growth compared to the same period in 2023. Evkeeza revenue in the fourth quarter 2024 was $10 million.

Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $560 million, which represents 29% growth compared to the prior year. Full year 2024 Crysvita revenue was $410 million, which represents 25% growth compared to the prior year. This includes product sales of $135 million from Latin America and Turkey, which represents 78% growth compared to the prior year. Dojolvi revenue in 2024 was $88 million, which represents 25% growth compared to the prior year. Evkeeza revenue in 2024 was $32 million, as demand continues to build following launches in the company’s territories outside of the United States.

Selected Financial Data (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts), (unaudited)
Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Total revenues $ 164,877 $ 127,392 $ 560,230 $ 434,249
Operating expenses:
Cost of sales 16,894 12,051 76,728 45,209
Research and development 187,766 160,557 697,865 648,449
Selling, general and administrative 82,495 76,833 321,610 309,799
Total operating expenses 287,155 249,441 1,096,203 1,003,457
Net loss $ (133,385 ) $ (123,190 ) $ (569,183 ) $ (606,639 )
Net loss per share, basic and diluted $ (1.39 ) $ (1.52 ) $ (6.29 ) $ (8.25 )

Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $287 million, including non-cash stock-based compensation of $40 million. Total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024 were $1,096 million, including $158 million of non-cash stock-based compensation.

Net Loss
For the fourth quarter of 2024, Ultragenyx reported net loss of $133 million, or $1.39 per share basic and diluted, compared with a net loss for the fourth quarter of 2023 of $123 million, or $1.52 per share basic and diluted. For the year ended December 31, 2024, Ultragenyx reported net loss of $569 million, or $6.29 per share basic and diluted, compared with a net loss the prior year of $607 million, or $8.25 per share, basic and diluted.

Cash Balance and Net Cash Used in Operations
Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable debt securities were $745 million as of December 31, 2024. Net cash used in operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $414 million.

2025 Financial Guidance
Revenues are expected to grow approximately 14-20% compared to 2024. The company will continue to prioritize expense management, focusing its investments on the execution of multiple upcoming commercial launches and advancing multiple Phase 3 programs. Together, this is expected to lead to a reduction in 2025 net cash used in operations compared to 2024.

For the full year 2025:

Total revenue to be in the range of $640 million to $670 million
Crysvita revenue to be in the range of $460 million to $480 million
Dojolvi revenue to be in the range of $90 million to $100 million
Recent Updates and Clinical Milestones

UX143 (setrusumab) monoclonal antibody for osteogenesis imperfecta (OI): Phase 3 Orbit study progressing to second interim analysis (IA2) expected in mid-2025

Patients continue dosing in the ongoing Phase 3 Orbit and Cosmic clinical trials, which evaluate setrusumab in pediatric and young adult patients with OI. The randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 portion of the Orbit study is progressing towards the second interim analysis in mid-2025 or a final analysis in the fourth quarter 2025. Conduct of the study is going well and patient safety in the Phase 3 is consistent with the Phase 2. Patients in the Cosmic study also are continuing to be treated with either setrusumab or intravenous bisphosphonates (IV-BP) therapy and will be evaluated in parallel with the Orbit interim and final analyses.

GTX-102 an antisense oligonucleotide for Angelman syndrome: Phase 3 study enrolling; expect enrollment completion in second half of 2025

Enrollment in the global Phase 3 Aspire study began in December 2024 and is expected to enroll approximately 120 children ages four to 17 with Angelman syndrome with a genetically confirmed diagnosis of full maternal UBE3A gene deletion. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive GTX-102 by intrathecal injection via lumbar puncture or to the sham comparator group during the 48-week primary efficacy analysis period. The primary endpoint will be improvement in cognition assessed by Bayley-4 cognitive raw score, and the key secondary endpoint (with a 10% allocation of alpha) will be the Multi-domain Responder Index (MDRI) across the five domains of cognition, receptive communication, behavior, gross motor function, and sleep. Enrollment in the Phase 3 Aspire study is expected to complete in the second half of 2025.

The Phase 2/3 Aurora study, which will evaluate GTX-102 in other Angelman syndrome genotypes and ages, is expected to initiate in 2025.

UX111 AAV gene therapy for Sanfilippo syndrome type A (MPS IIIA): Biologics license application (BLA) submitted; expect Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) decision on the application and potential launch in second half of 2025

In December 2024, Ultragenyx submitted a BLA to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for UX111 supported by the available data, including from the ongoing pivotal Transpher A study. New clinical data were recently presented at WORLDSymposium 2025, that demonstrated treatment with UX111 led to a statistically significant improvement in the Bayley-III raw scores for the subdomains of cognition, receptive communication and expressive communication in patients with MPS IIIA compared to natural history data from untreated patients. These clinical endpoints were correlated with substantial and sustained reduction in levels of heparan sulfate in cerebrospinal fluid. A PDUFA decision and potential launch are expected in the second half of 2025.

DTX401 AAV gene therapy for Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia (GSDIa): BLA filing expected in mid-2025

Ultragenyx previously announced positive topline results from the Phase 3 GlucoGene study for the treatment of patients aged eight years and older. The study achieved its primary endpoint, demonstrating that treatment with DTX401 resulted in a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in daily cornstarch intake compared with placebo at Week 48.

After the 48-week primary efficacy analysis period, crossover patients (previously treated with placebo) were eligible to receive DTX401. These patients were able to titrate cornstarch much more rapidly once they were confirmed to have been treated and had timely direct access to their glucose levels. Patients from the original DTX401 treatment arm who have reached 78 weeks also continued to reduce their daily cornstarch intake, while maintaining glycemic control. DTX401 has demonstrated a consistent and acceptable safety profile with no new safety concerns identified as of the data cut-off.

These results have been discussed with regulatory authorities in a pre-BLA meeting and will be included as part of a BLA submission in mid-2025.

DTX301 AAV gene therapy for Ornithine Transcarbamylase (OTC) Deficiency: Enrollment in Phase 3 study complete

Enrollment in the Phase 3 Enh3ance study has been completed with a total of 37 patients. The pivotal study enrolled participants 12 years of age and older, randomized 1:1 to DTX301 or placebo. The primary endpoints are response as measured by change in 24-hour ammonia levels and removal of ammonia-scavenger medications and protein-restricted diet. Based on the recently amended protocol, the change in 24-hour ammonia levels will be measured through Week 36 after which the study would unblind and patients will be followed for a total of up to 64 weeks to determine the complete responders able to remove safely both ammonia-scavenger medications and protein-restricted diet control.

UX701 AAV gene therapy for Wilson Disease: Phase 1/2/3 study ongoing; expect Cohort 4 enrollment completion in second half of 2025

In Stage 1 of the Phase 1/2/3 Cyprus2+ study, 15 patients across three sequential dose cohorts were enrolled and demonstrated clinical activity as well as improvements in copper metabolism. Multiple responders completely tapered off their standard-of-care treatment with responses seen in all three dose cohorts.

The company expects to enroll a fourth cohort in Stage 1 at a moderately increased dose and with an optimized immunomodulation regimen to enhance the efficiency and efficacy of the gene therapy, with the objective of having the majority of patients come off standard-of-care treatment before selecting a dose for the randomized placebo-controlled stage of the study. Enrollment in Cohort 4 is expected to complete in the second half of 2025.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Ultragenyx will host a conference call today, Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results and provide a corporate update. The live and replayed webcast of the call will be available through the company’s website at View Source The replay of the call will be available for three months.

Sonnet BioTherapeutics Provides Fiscal Year 2025 First Quarter Business and Earnings Update

On February 13, 2025 Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. (the "Company" or "Sonnet") (NASDAQ: SONN), a clinical-stage company developing targeted immunotherapeutic drugs, reported its financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and provided a business update (Press release, Sonnet BioTherapeutics, FEB 13, 2025, View Source [SID1234650259]).

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"We have made strides in our Phase 1 SB101 trial with established clinical benefit including a 45% reduction in tumor size by RECIST criteria indicating a partial response and demonstrating the effectiveness of our FHAB platform. This encouraging data with SON-1010 excites us with the ongoing combination trials with Atezolizumab and with the initiation of recruitment for the combination with trabectedin (Yondelis). Additionally, we continue to bolster our global patent estate and differentiate our plug and play strategy from any competitive technologies that may leverage the beneficial characteristics of binding to human serum albumin," commented Pankaj Mohan, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Sonnet. "As we look to the remainder of the calendar year, our focus is on our clinical programs and building on our momentum toward meeting potentially catalytic milestones including a number of key clinical data readouts; all of which we believe have the potential to build shareholder value."

Recent Highlights

● Entered into a licensing agreement with Alkem Laboratories Limited ("Alkem") to develop and commercialize SON-080 in India (October 2024).

● Completion of SON-1010 (IL12-FHAB) Monotherapy Dose Escalation in Phase 1 SB101 trial and announced topline safety data (December 2024).

● Closed a registered direct offering and concurrent private placement priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules for aggregate gross proceeds of $3.9 million (December 2024).

● Announced granting of EU Patent No. EP3583125 B1 covering its FHAB platform technology (January 2025).

● Expanded its Phase 1 SB101 clinical study of SON-1010 (IL12-FHAB) in adult patients with advanced solid tumors by adding a new patient cohort to evaluate the effect of SON-1010 in combination with trabectedin (January 2025).

Lead Clinical Programs Update

SON-1010: Targeted Immune Activation Cancer Therapy, Turning ‘Cold’ Tumors ‘Hot’, Initially Targeting Solid Tumors and Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer (PROC)

Phase 1 Trial (SB101 Trial): Advanced Solid Tumors (Monotherapy)

The Company announced the topline safety data from the SB101 trial and completion of dose escalation in December 2024, establishing the MTD as 1200 ng/kg. The final 1200 ng/kg dose-escalation cohort was increased in size to 6 patients to enhance the assessment of PK and PD at the MTD. The SB101 trial employed a ‘desensitizing’ first dose of 300 ng/kg to take advantage of the known tachyphylaxis with rhIL-12, with the intention of minimizing toxicity and allowing for higher maintenance doses.

Of the 24 patients dosed to date, 17 (71%) had stable disease at the first follow-up CT, 12 of whom were progressing at study entry. 10 of the 21 evaluable patients (48%) remained stable at four months, suggesting SON-1010 clinical benefit, and one of those patients in the highest dose cohort, who has clear cell sarcoma, had a PR with a 45% reduction in tumor size by RESIST criteria. As previously disclosed, one patient in the first dose cohort with endometrial sarcoma who was progressing at study entry had evidence of improvement after 11 months, with smaller tumors and complete resolution of ascites. This patient later progressed at 23 months and started chemotherapy. No dose-limiting toxicities or related serious adverse events (SAE) have occurred to date. The safety and toxicity profile that has developed is typical for a Phase 1 oncology trial, with the majority of adverse events (AEs) being reported as mild. All AEs seen to date have been transient, with no evidence of cytokine release syndrome.

The Company recently announced expansion of its Phase 1 SB101 clinical study of SON-1010 (IL12-FHAB) in adult patients with advanced solid tumors to add a new cohort to evaluate the effect of SON-1010 in combination with trabectedin in certain advanced soft-tissue sarcomas (STS), following the successful completion of monotherapy dose escalation. Enrollment in this cohort is underway and is expected to be completed in H1 calendar year 2025. Topline safety data of the combination with trabectedin is expected in H2 calendar year 2025. No new safety concerns have been reported to date.

For more information about the SB101 clinical trial, visit clinicaltrials.gov and reference identifier NCT05352750.

Phase 1b/2a Trial (SB221 Trial): Advanced Solid Tumors and PROC (Combo with Atezolizumab)

The second trial is a global Phase 1b/2a multicenter, dose-escalation and randomized proof-of-concept study to assess the safety, tolerability, PK, PD, and efficacy of SON-1010 administered subcutaneously (SC) in combination with atezolizumab given intravenously (IV) (in collaboration with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group). Enrollment remains ongoing and an update on safety in that trial is expected in Q1 calendar year 2025.

For more information about the SB221 clinical trial, visit clinicaltrials.gov and reference identifier NCT05756907.

SON-1010 Upcoming Milestones

● Phase 1: Solid Tumors (Monotherapy)

○ H1 Calendar Year 2025: Topline Efficacy Data

● Phase 1b/2a: PROC (Combo with Atezolizumab)

○ Q1 Calendar Year 2025: Additional Safety Data
○ H2 Calendar Year 2025: RP2D & Topline Efficacy Data

● Phase 1: STS (Combo with Trabectedin)

○ H2 Calendar Year 2025: Topline Safety Data

SON-1210: Proprietary, Bifunctional Version of Human Interleukins 12 (IL-12) and 15 (IL-15), Configured Using Sonnet’s Fully Human Albumin Binding (FHAB) platform, in Combination with Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Advanced Solid Tumors and Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

In August 2024, the Company entered into a Master Clinical Collaboration Agreement with the Sarcoma Oncology Center to conduct an investigator-initiated Phase 1/2a clinical study to evaluate SON-1210 in combination with several chemotherapeutic agents including but not limited to NALIRIFOX (the combination of liposomal irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) for the specific treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. The NALIRIFOX regimen is U.S. FDA-approved for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer in the front-line and refractory settings. The Company expects to submit the IND for SON-1210 in Q1 calendar year 2025.

SON-1210 Upcoming Milestones

● Q1 Calendar Year 2025: IND Submission
● H1 Calendar Year 2025: 1st Patient Dosed in Investigator-Initiated Phase 1/2a Study

SON-080: Low dose of rhIL-6 for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN)

In October 2024, the Company entered into a licensing agreement with Alkem for the research, development, manufacturing, marketing, and commercialization of its SON-080 molecule for the treatment of DPN in India and the manufacturing, marketing, and commercialization of SON-080 for CIPN and autonomic neuropathy in India. Alkem will conduct all clinical trials it believes appropriate to obtain regulatory approval of SON-080 in India for the treatment of DPN. Subsequent to the partnership established with Alkem, preparations are being made to support initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial in DPN, a mechanistically synergistic and larger, high-value indication with unmet medical need.

SON-080 Upcoming Milestone

● H2 Calendar Year 2025: Initiation of Phase 2 Trial

Summary of Financial Results for First Quarter Fiscal Year 2025

For the fiscal first quarter ended December 31, 2024, Sonnet reported a net loss of $3.2 million, or $1.56 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.2 million, or $2.46 per basic and diluted share, for the for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023.

As of December 31, 2024, Sonnet had cash and cash equivalents of $4.9 million.

Company Leadership Reorganization – The Company has promoted Dr. Stephen McAndrew from his role as Senior Vice President, Business Development, to Chief Business Officer to enhance its focus on business development, effective February 17, 2025. Mr. Jay Cross submitted his resignation as Chief Financial Officer, effective February 21, 2025. Mr. Cross will be succeeded by Mr. Donald Griffith, CPA, who has been promoted as the new Chief Financial Officer from his role as Controller, effective February 21, 2025. This update to the Company’s leadership team will preserve a continued focus on advancing business development opportunities while remaining vigilant on cost controls.

Pfizer’s TALZENNA® in Combination with XTANDI® Improves Survival Outcomes in Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer

On February 13, 2025 Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) reported positive results from the Phase 3 TALAPRO-2 study of TALZENNA (talazoparib), an oral poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, in combination with XTANDI (enzalutamide), an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI), demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival (OS) compared to placebo plus XTANDI in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), with or without homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene mutations (Press release, Seagen, FEB 13, 2025, View Source [SID1234650264]). The TALAPRO-2 results will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Genitourinary (ASCO GU) Cancers Symposium in San Francisco and featured in the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GU official Press Program.

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The TALAPRO-2 study evaluated two sets of patients, unselected (cohort 1) and selected for HRR gene-mutations (cohort 2). Overall survival was a prespecified, alpha-protected key secondary endpoint. After more than four years of median follow-up (52.5 months), the median OS in cohort 1 was 45.8 months with TALZENNA in combination with XTANDI, and 37.0 months with XTANDI and placebo (Hazard Ratio [HR] of 0.80; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 0.66-0.96; p=0.015), representing a 20% reduction in the risk of death. This represents a nearly 9-month gain in median OS versus standard of care XTANDI. Data from cohort 1 will be presented today at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GU in an oral presentation (Abstract LBA18) by Dr. Neeraj Agarwal, global lead investigator for TALAPRO-2.

In Cohort 2, a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS was observed in patients with HRR-mutated mCRPC. At a median follow-up of 44.2 months, the median OS was 45.1 months with TALZENNA in combination with XTANDI, and 31.1 months with XTANDI and placebo (HR of 0.62; 95% CI, 0.48-0.81; p=0.0005), a 38% reduction in the risk of death. This result represents a 14-month gain in median OS versus standard of care XTANDI in a patient population with a historically poor prognosis. The OS improvement in the HRR-mutated population was observed in patients in both BRCA and non-BRCA gene alterations. Dr. Karim Fizazi, Institut Gustave Roussy, University of Paris-Saclay will share data from Cohort 2 at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GU today (Abstract LBA141).

"Since its approval, TALZENNA in combination with XTANDI has redefined the standard of care for those living with homologous recombination repair gene-mutated mCRPC. These latest data from TALAPRO-2 are extremely compelling, demonstrating that the combination significantly extended overall survival, in patients selected and unselected for HRR gene alterations, potentially shifting the treatment paradigm for all men living with mCRPC," said Roger Dansey, M.D., Chief Oncology Officer, Pfizer. "Although definitive conclusions cannot be drawn across studies, these results appear to represent the longest median overall survival reported in a randomized, controlled Phase 3 trial in mCRPC. We look forward to continuing to work with global authorities to potentially update the TALZENNA label with these results."

"TALAPRO-2 is the first study demonstrating a significant and clinically meaningful survival benefit using a combination of PARP and androgen receptor inhibitors in mCRPC," said Neeraj Agarwal, M.D., FASCO, Professor and Presidential Endowed Chair of Cancer Research at Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, and global lead investigator for TALAPRO-2. "Survival rates in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer are poor due to the advanced and aggressive stage of the disease. Today’s results demonstrate the potential for TALZENNA in combination with XTANDI to be a practice-changing treatment to help improve patient survival in mCRPC."

At the time of the final analysis, updated radiographic progression free survival (rPFS) and other secondary efficacy endpoints demonstrated maintained clinical benefit in both cohorts and were consistent with the primary analyses previously reported and published in The Lancet and Nature Medicine .

In addition to the FDA, these data have been shared with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and other global health authorities to support potential updates of the approved labels for TALZENNA.

The safety profile of TALZENNA plus XTANDI was generally consistent with the known safety profile of each medicine. The most common all-cause adverse events in the TALZENNA group (≥30% of patients) were anemia, neutropenia, and fatigue, and the most common (≥10% of patients) grade 3–4 adverse events were anemia (49%) and neutropenia (19.3%). Adverse events were generally manageable with dose modification and supportive care.

About Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men and the fifth most common cause of cancer death among men worldwide, with an estimated 1.4 million new cases diagnosed in 2022.1 In the U.S., it is the most common cancer in men.2 mCRPC is a cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland and has progressed despite medical or surgical treatment to lower testosterone. Approximately 10–20% of prostate cancer patients develop mCRPC within 5−7 years of diagnosis.3 Between 1.2–2.1% of all prostate cancer cases globally are mCRPC.4

About TALAPRO-2

The Phase 3 TALAPRO-2 trial is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that enrolled 1,035 unique patients with mCRPC who had not received new life-prolonging systemic treatments after documentation of mCRPC at sites in the U.S., Canada, Europe, South America, and the Asia-Pacific region. The study included two patient cohorts: unselected (n=805, of whom 169 had HRR mutations and 636 did not) and those with HRR gene mutations (n=399, including 169 patients from Cohort 1 and 230 subsequently enrolled to comprise Cohort 2). Patients with castrate testosterone levels were randomized to receive TALZENNA 0.5 mg/day plus XTANDI 160mg/day, or placebo plus XTANDI 160mg/day.

The primary endpoint of the trial was rPFS, defined as the time from the date of randomization to first objective evidence of radiographic progression by blinded independent central review (BICR), or death, whichever occurred first, in both Cohort 1 (unselected) and Cohort 2 (those with HRRm). Secondary endpoints included OS, objective response rate (ORR), duration of response (DoR), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, time to cytotoxic chemotherapy and PFS2.

For more information on the TALAPRO-2 trial (NCT03395197), go to www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About TALZENNA (talazoparib)

TALZENNA is an oral inhibitor of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), which plays a role in DNA damage repair. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that TALZENNA blocks PARP enzyme activity and traps PARP at the site of DNA damage, leading to decreased cancer cell growth and cancer cell death.

TALZENNA was initially approved in the U.S., EU, and multiple other regions as a single agent for the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious gBRCAm HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

TALZENNA in combination with XTANDI was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with HRR gene-mutated mCRPC in June 2023. The combination was also approved by the European Commission in January 2024 for the treatment of adult patients with mCRPC in whom chemotherapy is not clinically indicated. TALZENNA is the first and only PARP inhibitor licensed in the European Union for use with XTANDI for patients with mCRPC, with or without gene mutations. TALZENNA in combination with XTANDI is now approved in more than 40 countries globally for patients with mCRPC, indications vary by country.

TALZENNA (talazoparib) Indication in the U.S.

TALZENNA is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated for:

HRR gene-mutated mCRPC:

In combination with enzalutamide for the treatment of adult patients with homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Breast Cancer:

As a single agent, for the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm) HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Select patients for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for TALZENNA.
TALZENNA (talazoparib) Important Safety Information

WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS

Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (MDS/AML), including cases with a fatal outcome, has been reported in patients who received TALZENNA. Overall, MDS/AML has been reported in 0.4% (3 out of 788) of solid tumor patients treated with TALZENNA as a single agent in clinical studies. In TALAPRO-2, MDS/AML occurred in 2 out of 511 (0.4%) patients treated with TALZENNA and enzalutamide and in 0 out of 517 (0%) patients treated with placebo and enzalutamide. The durations of TALZENNA treatment in these five patients prior to developing MDS/AML were 0.3, 1, 2, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Most of these patients had received previous chemotherapy with platinum agents and/or other DNA damaging agents including radiotherapy.

Do not start TALZENNA until patients have adequately recovered from hematological toxicity caused by previous chemotherapy. Monitor blood counts monthly during treatment with TALZENNA. For prolonged hematological toxicities, interrupt TALZENNA and monitor blood counts weekly until recovery. If counts do not recover within 4 weeks, refer the patient to a hematologist for further investigations including bone marrow analysis and blood sample for cytogenetics. If MDS/AML is confirmed, discontinue TALZENNA.

Myelosuppression consisting of anemia, neutropenia, and/or thrombocytopenia have been reported in patients treated with TALZENNA. In TALAPRO-2, Grade ≥3 anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia were reported, respectively, in 45%, 18%, and 8% of patients receiving TALZENNA and enzalutamide. Overall, 39% of patients (199/511) required a red blood cell transfusion, including 22% (111/511) who required multiple transfusions. Discontinuation due to anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia occurred, respectively, in 7%, 3%, and 0.4% of patients.

Withhold TALZENNA until patients have adequately recovered from hematological toxicity caused by previous therapy. Monitor blood counts monthly during treatment with TALZENNA. If hematological toxicities do not resolve within 28 days, discontinue TALZENNA and refer the patient to a hematologist for further investigations including bone marrow analysis and blood sample for cytogenetics.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity TALZENNA can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential or who are pregnant to use effective contraception during treatment with TALZENNA and for 4 months after receiving the last dose.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

In TALAPRO-2, serious adverse reactions reported in >2% of patients included anemia (9%) and fracture (3%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 1.5% of patients, including pneumonia, COVID infection, and sepsis (1 patient each).

The most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%, all Grades), including laboratory abnormalities, for patients in the TALAPRO-2 study who received TALZENNA in combination with enzalutamide vs patients receiving placebo with enzalutamide were hemoglobin decreased (79% vs 34%), neutrophils decreased (60% vs 18%), lymphocytes decreased (58% vs 36%), fatigue (49% vs 40%), platelets decreased (45% vs 8%), calcium decreased (25% vs 11%), nausea (21% vs 17%), decreased appetite (20% vs 14%), sodium decreased (22% vs 20%), phosphate decreased (17% vs 13%), fractures (14% vs 10%), magnesium decreased (14% vs 12%), dizziness (13% vs 9%), bilirubin increased (11% vs 7%), potassium decreased (11% vs 7%), and dysgeusia (10% vs 4.5%).

Clinically relevant adverse reactions in <10% of patients who received TALZENNA with enzalutamide included abdominal pain (9%), vomiting (9%), alopecia (7%), dyspepsia (4%), venous thromboembolism (3%) and stomatitis (2%).

Based on animal studies, TALZENNA may impair fertility in males of reproductive potential.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Coadministration with P-gp inhibitors The effect of coadministration of P-gp inhibitors on talazoparib exposure when TALZENNA is taken in combination with enzalutamide has not been studied. Monitor patients for increased adverse reactions and modify the dosage as recommended for adverse reactions when TALZENNA is coadministered with a P-gp inhibitor.

Coadministration with BCRP inhibitors Monitor patients for increased adverse reactions and modify the dosage as recommended for adverse reactions when TALZENNA is coadministered with a BCRP inhibitor. Coadministration of TALZENNA with BCRP inhibitors may increase talazoparib exposure, which may increase the risk of adverse reactions.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Renal Impairment The recommended dosage of TALZENNA for patients with moderate renal impairment (CLcr 30 – 59 mL/min) is 0.35 mg taken orally once daily in combination with enzalutamide. The recommended dosage of TALZENNA for patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr 15 – 29 mL/min) is 0.25 mg taken orally once daily in combination with enzalutamide. No dose adjustment is required for patients with mild renal impairment. TALZENNA has not been studied in patients requiring hemodialysis.

Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information and Patient Information for TALZENNA (talazoparib) at www.TALZENNA.com.

About XTANDI (enzalutamide) and Important Safety Information

XTANDI (enzalutamide) is an androgen receptor signaling inhibitor. XTANDI is a standard of care and has received regulatory approvals in one or more countries around the world for use in men with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC; also known as metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer or mHSPC), metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) and nonmetastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (nmCSPC) with biochemical recurrence at high risk for metastasis (high-risk BCR). XTANDI is currently approved for one or more of these indications in more than 90 countries, including in the U.S., EU, and Japan. Over one million patients have been treated with XTANDI globally.6

What should I tell my doctor before taking XTANDI?

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:

Have a history of seizures, brain injury, stroke, or brain tumors.
Have a history of heart disease, have high blood pressure, or have abnormal amounts of fat or cholesterol in your blood (dyslipidemia).
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. XTANDI can cause harm to your unborn baby and loss of pregnancy (miscarriage).
Have a partner who is pregnant or may become pregnant.
Males who have female partners who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with XTANDI and for 3 months after the last dose.
Males must use a condom during sex with a pregnant female.
Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XTANDI passes into your breast milk.
Take other medicines.XTANDI may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how XTANDI works. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Do not start or stop any medicine without talking to your doctor.
How should I take XTANDI?

Take XTANDI exactly as your doctor tells you.Take your prescribed dose once a day, at the same time each day. XTANDI can be taken with or without food. Swallow XTANDI capsules or tablets whole with enough water to make sure that you can swallow all of the medicine successfully. Do not chew, dissolve, or open the capsules. Do not cut, crush or chew the tablets. Your doctor may change your dose if needed. Your doctor may also change your pill size or stop treatment if you have swallowing problems.
Do not change or stop taking your prescribed dose of XTANDI without talking with your doctor first.
If you are receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) therapy, you should continue with this treatment while taking XTANDI unless you have had surgery to lower the amount of testosterone in your body (surgical castration).
If you miss a dose of XTANDI:Take your prescribed dose as soon as you remember that day. If you miss your daily dose, take your prescribed dose at your regular time the next day. Do not take more than your prescribed dose of XTANDI each day.
If you take too much XTANDI:Call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room right away. You may have an increased risk of seizure if you take too much XTANDI.
What are the possible side effects of XTANDI?

XTANDI may cause serious side effects including:

Seizure.If you take XTANDI, you may be at risk of having a seizure. Avoid activities where a sudden loss of consciousness could seriously harm you or someone else. Tell your doctor right away if you lose consciousness or have a seizure.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES).If you take XTANDI you may be at risk of developing a condition involving the brain called PRES. Tell your doctor right away if you have a seizure or quickly worsening symptoms such as headache, decreased alertness, confusion, reduced eyesight, blurred vision or other visual problems. Your doctor will do a test to check for PRES.
Allergic Reactions. Allergic reactions have happened in people who take XTANDI. Stop taking XTANDI and get medical help right away if you develop swelling of the face, tongue, lip or throat.
Heart Disease.Blockage of the arteries in the heart (ischemic heart disease) that can lead to death has happened in some people during treatment with XTANDI. Your doctor will monitor you for signs and symptoms of heart problems during your treatment. Call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away if you get chest pain or discomfort at rest or with activity or shortness of breath during your treatment with XTANDI.
Falls and Bone Fractures.XTANDI treatment may increase your risk for falls and bone fractures. Falls were not caused by loss of consciousness or seizures. Your doctor will monitor your risks for falls and bone fractures during treatment with XTANDI.
Swallowing problems or choking.Severe swallowing problems or choking, including life-threatening problems or death can happen in people during treatment with XTANDI, because of the size of the XTANDI capsules and tablets. Swallow each XTANDI capsule or tablet whole with enough water to make sure that you can swallow all of the medicine successfully.
Your doctor will stop treatment with XTANDI if you have serious side effects.

The most common side effects of XTANDI include:

Muscle and joint pain
Feeling more tired than usual
Hot flashes
Constipation
Decreased appetite
Diarrhea
High blood pressure
Bleeding problems
Falls
Bone fractures
Headache
XTANDI may cause fertility problems in males, which may affect the ability to father children. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about fertility.

These are not all the possible side effects of XTANDI. For more information, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

Neogap Therapeutics’ PIOR technology identifies targets for personalised liver cancer immunotherapies

On February 13, 2025 Neogap therapeutics reported new study published in the highly ranked scientific journal Gut examines how immune system T cells respond to tumours in patients with advanced liver cancer (HCC) (Press release, Neogap Therapeutics, FEB 13, 2025, View Source;pior-technology-identifies-targets-for-personalised-liver-cancer-immunotherapie,c4104603 [SID1234650258]). Using Neogap Therapeutics’ PIOR software platform, the researchers have identified tumour-specific mutations, which may contribute to the development of personalised immunotherapies.

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T cells are central to the body’s defence against cancer but can also contribute to an immunosuppressive environment within the tumour. The study analysed T cells from the liver, lymph nodes, and tumour tissue to identify the most reactive cells to cancer-related neoantigens—tumour-specific proteins formed through mutations that can activate the immune system. Bioinformatic analysis identified 542 potential neoantigens from seven patients, 14 of which were found to induce a strong immune response, particularly in T cells from the liver and lymph nodes.

By using PIOR, the researchers were able to identify neoantigens capable of activating T cells, which in turn can attack the tumour.

"The results demonstrate that PIOR can effectively identify neoantigens with potential for future therapeutic applications," says Associate Professor Anna Pasetto, a researcher at Karolinska Institutet and one of the lead authors of the study. "Data-driven analysis of neoantigens is an important component of the new generation of personalised cancer immunotherapies."

The findings show that T cells from the liver and lymph nodes have properties that may be particularly suitable for future immunotherapies.

"This study aligns with Neogap’s vision to develop the next generation of cell therapies," says Ola Nilsson, Head of Neoantigen Production, Development & Clinical Processing at Neogap and co-author of the study. "PIOR plays a key role in our efforts to identify the most promising neoantigens—an essential part of the development of future precision therapies."

The study provides deeper insights into how T cells respond to neoantigens.

"Our findings reinforce the idea that T cells from lymph nodes may be particularly valuable as source material for generating reactive T cells—an approach already applied in Neogap’s ongoing clinical trial in colorectal cancer, which specifically uses lymph nodes as starting material. These discoveries could have a significant impact on both research and the development of new treatments", says Ola Nilsson.

Moleculin Announces Exercise of Warrants for $5.8 Million Gross Proceeds

On February 13, 2025 Moleculin Biotech, Inc., (Nasdaq: MBRX) ("Moleculin" or the "Company"), a late-stage pharmaceutical company with a broad portfolio of drug candidates targeting hard-to-treat tumors and viruses, reported it has entered into agreements with certain holders of its existing warrants for the immediate exercise of certain outstanding warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 5,828,570 shares of common stock of the Company originally issued in December 2023 and August 2024 all at a reduced exercise price of $1.00 per share (Press release, Moleculin, FEB 13, 2025, View Source [SID1234650257]). The shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the outstanding warrants are registered pursuant to effective registration statements on Form S-1 (File No. 333-280951) and on Form S-1 (File No. 333-276851). The aggregate gross proceeds from the exercise of the existing warrants is expected to total approximately $5.8 million, before deducting financial advisory fees.

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Roth Capital Partners is acting as the Company’s financial advisor for this transaction.

In consideration for the immediate exercise of the warrants for cash, the Company will issue new unregistered warrants to purchase shares of common stock. The new warrants will be exercisable for an aggregate of up to 11,657,140 shares of common stock, at an exercise price of $0.75 per share and will be immediately exercisable upon issuance and for a term of five years from the issuance date.

The transaction is expected to close on or about February 14, 2025, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The new warrants described above were offered in a private placement pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") and, along with the shares of common stock issuable upon their exercise, have not been registered under the 1933 Act, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. The Company has agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC covering the resale of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the new warrants.

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