On August 7, 2024 Allogene Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALLO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of allogeneic CAR T (AlloCAR T) products for cancer and autoimmune disease, reported corporate updates and announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 (Press release, Allogene, AUG 7, 2024, View Source [SID1234645487]).

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"The second quarter has been an excellent example of the power of momentum, particularly as we bring into the fold community cancer centers who are eager to be a part of our pivotal Phase 2 ALPHA3 trial and we are now manufacturing all of our CAR T investigational products in-house," said David Chang, M.D., Ph.D., President, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Allogene. "Beyond the progress we’ve seen across our four core programs with cema-cel in blood cancers, ALLO-329 in autoimmune disease, and ALLO-316 in relapsed and refractory renal cell carcinoma, there is renewed energy from investigators, clinical trial sites, and top-tier investors as it becomes increasingly apparent that we have the potential to reshape the future of CAR T therapies."

Program Updates

Cema-Cel: Pivotal ALPHA3 1L Consolidation Trial in Large B Cell Lymphoma (LBCL)
The pivotal Phase 2 ALPHA3 trial was initiated in June 2024 and site activation is ahead of schedule with ten community cancer and academic centers opened in less than two months. Patient screening for minimal residual disease (MRD) and enrollment are proceeding as planned.

This groundbreaking study is evaluating the use of cemacabtagene ansegedleucel (cema-cel) as part of the first line (1L) treatment regimen for patients with LBCL who are likely to relapse after standard 1L treatment. ALPHA3 is the first pivotal trial to offer CAR T as part of 1L treatment consolidation.

This innovative ALPHA3 trial will identify patients at high risk for relapse after 1L treatment by utilizing the Foresight CLARITY Investigational Use Only (IUO) MRD test, powered by PhasED-Seq. This randomized trial will enroll approximately 240 patients and is designed to demonstrate a meaningful improvement in event free survival (EFS) in patients treated with cema-cel relative to patients who receive the current standard of care (observation). ALPHA3 is expected to complete enrollment in 1H 2026. Efficacy analyses are expected to occur in 2026 and will include an interim EFS analysis monitored by the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) in 1H 2026 and the data readout of the primary EFS analysis YE 2026. A potential biologics license application (BLA) submission is targeted for 2027.

Cema-Cel: Phase 1 Trial in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
Enrollment is ongoing in the relapsed/refractory (r/r) CLL cohort of the Phase 1 ALPHA2 trial of cema-cel. Initial data readout from the CLL cohort is projected by early 2025.

ALLO-329: CD19/CD70 Dual CAR with Dagger Technology in Autoimmune Disease (AID)
ALLO-329, the Company’s first CRISPR-based AlloCAR T investigational product for AID, incorporates the Dagger technology, which is intended to reduce or eliminate the need for lymphodepletion while targeting CD19+ B-cells and CD70+ activated T-cells, both of which are likely to play a role in AID. The Company plans to file an investigational new drug (IND) application in Q1 2025 and expects to have proof-of-concept by YE 2025.

ALLO-316: TRAVERSE Trial in Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)
A Phase 1 data update from approximately 20 patients with CD70 positive RCC, which will include details on the diagnostic and treatment algorithm used to mitigate treatment-associated hyperinflammatory response seen in some patients, is planned by YE 2024. In April 2024, the Company announced a $15 million award from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to support the ongoing TRAVERSE trial with ALLO-316 in RCC.

2024 Second Quarter Financial Results
•Research and development expenses were $50.4 million for the second quarter of 2024, which includes $5.3 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense.
•General and administrative expenses were $16.1 million for the second quarter of 2024, which includes $8.2 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense.
•Net loss for the second quarter of 2024 was $66.4 million, or $0.35 per share, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $13.6 million and $5.0 million in non-cash impairment of long-lived asset expense.
•The Company had $444.6 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments as of June 30, 2024.

Based on the cash runway as of June 30, 2024, the Company continues to expect its cash runway to fund operations into the second half of 2026. Guidance remains unchanged from the most recent update with an expectation of a decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and investments of approximately $200 million in 2024. GAAP Operating Expenses are expected to be approximately $300 million, including estimated non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $60 million. These estimates exclude any impact from potential business development activities.

Conference Call and Webcast Details
Allogene will host a live conference call and webcast today at 2:00 PM PT/5:00 PM ET to discuss financial results and provide a business update. If you would like the option to ask a question on the conference call, please use this link to register. Upon registering for the conference call, you will receive a personal PIN to access the call, which will identify you as the participant and allow you the option to ask a question. The listen-only webcast will be made available on the Company’s website at www.allogene.com under the Investors tab in the News and Events section. Following the live audio webcast, a replay will be available on the Company’s website for approximately 30 days.