On November 3, 2016 Epizyme, Inc. (NASDAQ:EPZM), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company creating novel epigenetic therapies, reported recent progress of the Company’s clinical-stage programs and reported financial results for the third quarter of 2016 (Press release, Epizyme, NOV 3, 2016, View Source [SID1234516187]).
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"Throughout 2016, we have made substantial progress toward achieving our vision, which includes advancing the clinical development of tazemetostat and expanding its therapeutic benefit into new indications and treatment settings," said Robert Bazemore, President and Chief Executive Officer, Epizyme. "We are executing on a broad clinical program for tazemetostat based on its early clinical activity and safety profile, and guided by strong scientific rationale. We expect 2017 to be an important year for Epizyme, led by data from the Phase 2 studies in non-Hodgkin lymphoma and genetically defined solid tumors in the first half of the year, and determination of our potential registration pathways beginning mid-year."
Execution of Clinical Programs
Enrollment in Phase 2 Programs in NHL and Solid Tumors Progressing: The Company’s Phase 2 studies of tazemetostat in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and genetically defined solid tumors are progressing and continue to enroll patients. Epizyme plans to report efficacy, safety and biomarker data from both studies in the first half of 2017. The Company is also preparing for intended regulatory engagement, beginning first with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in mid-2017 to determine potential registration paths for its genetically defined solid tumor program in adult patients. In addition, Epizyme is preparing for FDA engagement on its NHL program, also in 2017, to determine potential registration paths in various subtypes of NHL.
Immuno-oncology Combination Study Initiated: The Phase 1b study is evaluating tazemetostat in combination with Tecentriq (atezolizumab), in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Tecentriq is the first and only anti-PD-L1 cancer immunotherapy approved by FDA. This study is being conducted by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, under Epizyme’s collaboration agreement with Roche.
Front-line Combination Study Initiated: The first study of tazemetostat in the front-line treatment setting has been initiated. The Phase 1b/2 study is evaluating tazemetostat in combination with R-CHOP, a chemotherapy regimen, as a first-line treatment for newly diagnosed elderly, high-risk patients with DLBCL. This study is being conducted under the Company’s collaboration with the Lymphoma Study Association.
Mesothelioma Study Initiated: Patient enrollment is underway in Epizyme’s global Phase 2 study evaluating tazemetostat for the treatment of adults with mesothelioma characterized by BAP1 loss-of-function. This study marks the expansion of tazemetostat development as a monotherapy into a new cancer indication.
CRADAs Established with NCI on Tazemetostat and Pinometostat: Epizyme recently entered into separate Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to evaluate tazemetostat in clinical trials in multiple cancer indications and to evaluate Epizyme’s novel DOT1L inhibitor, pinometostat, in multiple combination regimens. These CRADAs further expand the clinical evaluation of tazemetostat in both adults and children, while also exploring the potential for pinometostat as a combination therapy for certain kinds of acute leukemia.
Collaboration Established with Foundation Medicine: Epizyme entered into a collaboration agreement with Foundation Medicine, Inc. to support patient identification and enrollment for Epizyme’s ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of tazemetostat in patients with NHL. Foundation Medicine’s SmartTrials Precision Enrollment Program and FoundationOne Heme panel will assist in identifying a population of individuals with NHL who harbor EZH2 mutations, which constitute specific cohorts in the Epizyme trial.
Strengthening of Epizyme Team
The Company made two, recent key hires to prepare for the intended regulatory engagement and determination of potential registration pathways in 2017. Pamela Strode was appointed to the position of Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance, and Ray Mankoski, M.D., Ph.D. was appointed as Vice President of Medical Affairs.
Third Quarter 2016 Financial Results and Guidance
Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $263.3 million as of September 30, 2016, as compared to $208.3 million as of December 31, 2015.
Revenue: Collaboration revenue was $6.6 million and $7.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to $0.4 million and $2.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The increase was driven predominantly by the recognition of the $6.0 million milestone earned upon GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) initiation of patient dosing in a Phase 1 clinical trial of GSK3326595, a PRMT5 inhibitor invented by Epizyme and licensed to GSK. GSK holds worldwide rights to the compound, and Epizyme may receive significant additional payments from GSK if future milestones are met for the program, plus up to double digit royalties on worldwide net sales should this product candidate progress through the clinic to commercialization.
R&D Expenses: Research and development (R&D) expenses were $23.9 million and $63.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to $16.8 million and $94.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The increase in R&D expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2016, is primarily due to the expansion of the tazemetostat clinical development program, increased spending on tazemetostat preclinical activities, and increased discovery and spending on high-priority, earlier-stage programs. The period-over-period decrease from the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was driven by the inclusion of the $40.0 million payment to Eisai for the reacquisition of the tazemetostat worldwide rights, excluding Japan, in R&D expenses in the first quarter of 2015. The Company expects that research and development expenses will continue to increase in the fourth quarter of 2016.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $7.5 million and $20.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, as compared to $6.7 million and $17.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The increase is primarily due to the staffing of key leadership roles in the first half of 2016. G&A expenses were flat compared to the second quarter of 2016, and we expect G&A expenses to remain relatively constant through the fourth quarter of 2016.
Net Loss: Net loss was $24.3 million and $75.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to a net loss of $23.1 million and $110.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.
Financial Guidance: Epizyme reiterates its belief that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $263.3 million as of September 30, 2016 will be sufficient to fund the Company’s planned operations into at least the second quarter of 2018.