On July 28, 2017 ImmunoGen, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMGN), a leader in the expanding field of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of cancer, reported recent highlights and reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 (Press release, ImmunoGen, JUL 28, 2017, View Source [SID1234519924]). Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! "We made substantial progress during the second quarter towards our strategic priorities, generating compelling data with our lead program, advancing our novel pipeline, and strengthening our balance sheet," said Mark Enyedy, ImmunoGen’s president and chief executive officer. "We reported single-agent and combination therapy data with mirvetuximab soravtansine in over 150 patients at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), which strengthen our confidence in the potential of mirvetuximab in the FORWARD I patient population and as we move into earlier lines of treatment for ovarian cancer. In addition, we presented encouraging initial clinical results for IMGN779 in AML, demonstrating dose-dependent biological and anti-leukemia activity, and the ability to retreat patients. Lastly, we significantly improved our cash position through transactions with Sanofi and Debiopharm, enabling us to increase our focus on the development of mirvetuximab and our IGN programs. We look forward to continued execution on these programs over the back half of the year, including filing the IND for IMGN632, our novel CD123-targeting ADC for hematological malignancies."
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Recent Highlights
Proprietary Portfolio
Presented pooled analyses of three Phase 1 expansion cohorts at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, demonstrating the safety and efficacy profile of mirvetuximab soravtansine in the patient population being enrolled in FORWARD I, the ongoing Phase 3 registration trial in women with folate receptor alpha (FRα)-positive ovarian cancer;
Presented encouraging data from the Phase 1b/2 FORWARD II study at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), evaluating mirvetuximab soravtansine in combination with Avastin (bevacizumab), carboplatin, Doxil (pegylated liposomal doxorubicin), or Keytruda (pembrolizumab), demonstrating its potential to complement currently available therapies for FRα-positive ovarian cancer in a range of treatment settings, including earlier lines of therapy; and
Presented first-in-human data at the 22nd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) on IMGN779 in patients with relapsed or refractory adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML), whose tumors express CD33, demonstrating safety and tolerability across seven dose levels, with no dose limiting toxicities, as well as evidence of dose-dependent biological and anti-leukemia activity.
Partner Programs
In exchange for a $30 million payment, ImmunoGen granted sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC (Sanofi) a fully-paid, exclusive license to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the following experimental agents in development: isatuximab (SAR650984), an unconjugated anti-CD38 antibody in Phase 3 development for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma; SAR566658, an ADC targeting CA6; SAR408701, an anti-CEACAM5 ADC; an additional ADC directed to an undisclosed target; and SAR428926, an ADC targeting LAMP1;
In exchange for a $25 million upfront payment, Debiopharm International, S.A. (Debiopharm) acquired the Company’s IMGN529/DEBIO 1562, a clinical-stage anti-CD37 ADC for the treatment of patients with B-cell malignancies, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. ImmunoGen will receive a $5 million milestone payment upon completion of the transfer of technologies related to the asset, which is expected before year end, and is also eligible for a second success-based milestone payment of $25 million upon IMGN529/DEBIO 1562 entering a Phase 3 clinical trial;
CytomX announced the treatment of the first patient in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating CX-2009, a ProbodyTM drug conjugate, as monotherapy in select advanced solid tumors, resulting in a $1 million milestone payment to ImmunoGen; and
Bayer announced that the Phase 2 trial assessing anetumab ravtansine in patients with recurrent malignant pleural mesothelioma did not meet its primary endpoint of progression-free survival. The safety and tolerability of anetumab ravtansine were consistent with earlier clinical findings and Bayer is continuing development in additional studies, including a Phase 1b multi-indication study in six different types of advanced solid tumors, and a Phase 1b combination-study in patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
Additional Upcoming Events
ImmunoGen anticipates filing an investigational new drug (IND) application in the third quarter of 2017 to support clinical testing with IMGN632, a CD123-targeting ADC integrating a more potent DNA-alkylating payload intended to treat a range of hematological malignancies.
The Company expects to present updated clinical data for IMGN779 in patients with relapsed or refractory adult AML at an upcoming medical meeting.
ImmunoGen plans to publish results from the 40 patient Phase 1 mirvetuximab soravtansine expansion cohort evaluating the use of prophylactic steroid eye drops. The findings support the use of eye drops in the Phase 3 FORWARD I trial.
Financial Results
Revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 were $39.0 million, compared to $7.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2016. License and milestone fees for the second quarter of 2017 included a $30 million paid-up license fee related to an amendment to the Company’s collaboration and license agreement with Sanofi and a $1 million Phase 1 milestone payment pursuant to the Company’s license agreement with CytomX. Revenues in the second quarter of 2017 included $6.4 million in non-cash royalty revenues, compared with $5.9 million in non-cash royalty revenues for the same quarter in 2016. Revenues for the second quarter of 2017 also included $0.9 million of research and development (R&D) support fees and $0.6 million of clinical materials revenue, compared with $1.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for the same quarter in 2016.
Operating expenses for the second quarter of 2017 were $44.2 million, compared to $48.0 million for the same quarter in 2016. Operating expenses in the second quarter of 2017 include R&D expenses of $35.3 million, compared to $38.7 million for the same quarter in 2016. This change is primarily due to a workforce reduction resulting from the strategic review in September 2016, decreased clinical trial costs driven by the Phase 1 mirvetuximab soravtansine and IMGN529 studies winding down, and lower third party costs. These decreases were partially offset by increased costs related to the FORWARD I Phase 3 clinical trial, as well as an increase in antibody expense driven by mirvetuximab soravtansine commercial-readiness activities. Operating expenses include general and administrative expenses of $8.8 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $9.3 million in the same quarter in 2016. This decrease is primarily due to decreased personnel expenses.
ImmunoGen reported a net loss of $8.9 million, or $0.10 per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter of 2017 compared to a net loss of $45.9 million, or $0.53 per basic and diluted share, for the same quarter last year.
ImmunoGen had approximately $150.3 million in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2017, compared with $160.0 million as of December 31, 2016, and had $100.0 million of convertible debt outstanding in each period. Cash used in operations was $8.9 million for the first six months of 2017, compared with $59.0 million for the same period in 2016. The current period benefited from a $30 million paid-up license fee received from Sanofi, which is included in revenue in the current period, and a $25 million upfront payment received from Debiopharm that is included in deferred revenue as of June 30, 2017. Capital expenditures were $0.8 million and $5.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Financial Guidance
ImmunoGen has updated its guidance for 2017. Expected revenues are now projected to be between $115 million and $120 million, compared with previous guidance of between $70 million and $75 million; and cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2017 are expected to be between $90 million and $95 million, compared to previous guidance of $35 million to $40 million. These changes are a result of the Debiopharm and Sanofi agreements executed in the second quarter of 2017. Operating expenses remain unchanged and are expected to be between $175 million and $180 million.
ImmunoGen expects that its current cash plus expected cash revenues from partners and collaborators will enable the Company to fund operations into the second half of 2018.