On February 27, 2018 February 27, 2018 – Acceleron Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: XLRN), a leading biopharmaceutical company in the discovery and development of TGF-beta therapeutics to treat serious and rare diseases, reported a corporate update and reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017 (Press release, Acceleron Pharma, FEB 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234524205]).

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"2017 was an important year for Acceleron as we laid out our corporate strategy and vision for future growth. We are committed to building therapeutic area leadership and advancing our clinical programs in three areas of high unmet medical need in hematologic, neuromuscular, and pulmonary disease," said Habib Dable, Chief Executive Officer of Acceleron. "With this progress, we are well positioned for the transformative year ahead. In hematology, we look forward to announcing top-line results from our MEDALIST and BELIEVE Phase 3 trials of luspatercept in mid-2018. We and Celgene continue to drive preparations and key activities for the regulatory and commercial readiness. In neuromuscular, we are advancing ACE-083, our locally acting ‘Myostatin+’ agent, through Phase 2 trials in two distinct neuromuscular diseases. In pulmonary, we plan to initiate a Phase 2 study with sotatercept in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Our entire team remains focused on near-term execution as we prepare for long-term value creation and aim to bring new transformative therapies to patients."
Development Program Highlights

Hematology

Luspatercept:

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), Beta-Thalassemia, and Myelofibrosis (MF)

Luspatercept is designed to treat chronic anemia and reduce red blood cell (RBC) transfusion burden in adults with rare blood disorders. Luspatercept is being developed as part of the global collaboration between Acceleron and Celgene.

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Top-line results from the MEDALIST and BELIEVE Phase 3 trials in MDS and beta-thalassemia, respectively, are expected in mid-2018.

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The initiation of the COMMANDS Phase 3 trial in first-line, lower-risk MDS patients is planned for the first half of 2018.

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The BEYOND Phase 2 trial in non-transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia was recently initiated and enrollment is ongoing in the Phase 2 trial in MF.

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Updated results from the ongoing Phase 2 trial in lower-risk MDS patients were presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) 2017 annual meeting. Multiple patients are now nearing three years on treatment.

Neuromuscular Disease

ACE-083

Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) and Charcot-Marie Tooth (CMT) disease

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ACE-083 is a locally-acting therapeutic, based on the naturally-occurring protein follistatin, designed to have a concentrated effect on muscle mass and strength in target muscles for diseases that cause debilitating focal muscle weakness. ACE-083 utilizes the "Myostatin+" approach to inhibit multiple TGF-beta ligands.

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Preliminary results from dose cohorts 1 and 2 in Part 1 of the ACE-083 Phase 2 trial in patients with FSHD demonstrated mean total muscle volume increases of over 12% in the tibialis anterior and biceps brachii muscle cohorts. In addition, both of these cohorts demonstrated a reduction in fat fraction.

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Part 1 of the trial is fully enrolled with treatment ongoing in dose cohort 3; the Company plans to begin Part 2 of the Phase 2 trial in the second quarter of this year.

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Enrollment and treatment are ongoing in Part 1 of the Phase 2 trial in patients with CMT disease. The Company plans to present preliminary Part 1 results in the second half of 2018 and to initiate Part 2 of the Phase 2 trial by the end of 2018.

ACE-2494
ACE-2494 is designed to have a systemic effect on muscle mass and strength throughout the body by utilizing the "Myostatin+" approach to inhibit multiple TGF-beta ligands.

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The Phase 1 clinical trial has been initiated and preliminary results from this healthy volunteer study are expected in the first half of 2019.

Pulmonary Disease

Sotatercept:

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
Sotatercept is an activin receptor type IIA fusion protein that acts as a ligand trap for members in the TGF-beta protein superfamily involved in the remodeling of a variety of different tissues, including the vasculature and fibrotic tissue.

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Preclinical results were presented at the American Heart Association 2017 Scientific Sessions demonstrating that sotatercept decreased vessel muscularization, improved pulmonary arterial pressures, and decreased indicators of right heart failure.

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Clinical activities are underway to initiate the planned Phase 2 trial in PAH in the first half of 2018.

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The Company plans to host an educational webinar to discuss the Phase 2 trial design in the first half of 2018.

Financial Results

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Cash Position – Cash, cash equivalents and investments as of December 31, 2017 were $372.9 million. As of December 31, 2016 the Company had cash, cash equivalents and investments of $234.4 million. Cash, cash equivalents and investments include $215.8 million of net proceeds from a follow-on public offering of common stock in 2017. We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and investments will be sufficient to fund projected operating requirements into 2021.

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Revenue – Collaboration revenue for the year was $13.5 million. The revenue is all from the Company’s Celgene partnership and is primarily due to cost sharing revenue of $12.9 million related to expenses incurred by the Company in support of our partnered programs.

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Costs and expenses – Total costs and expenses for the year were $123.5 million. This includes R&D expenses of $89.7 million and G&A expenses of $33.7 million.

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Net Loss – The Company’s net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $108.5 million.

Conference Call and Webcast
The Company will host a webcast and conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and full year financial results for 2017 and provide an update on recent corporate activities on February 27, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. EST.

The webcast will be accessible under "Events & Presentations" in the Investors/Media page of the Company’s website at www.acceleronpharma.com. Individuals can participate in the conference call by dialing 877-312-5848 (domestic) or 253-237-1155 (international) and referring to the "Acceleron Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Earnings Call."

The archived webcast will be available for replay on the Acceleron website approximately two hours after the event.