On February 25, 2025 Bicycle Therapeutics plc (NASDAQ: BCYC), a pharmaceutical company pioneering a new and differentiated class of therapeutics based on its proprietary bicyclic peptide (Bicycle) technology, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024, and provided recent corporate updates (Press release, Bicycle Therapeutics, FEB 25, 2025, View Source [SID1234650519]).
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"In 2024, the significant progress across our pipeline and business continued to validate our approach to developing next-generation precision-guided therapeutics. We believe that zelenectide pevedotin’s promising anti-tumor activity and differentiated safety profile could transform the treatment landscape not only for patients with metastatic urothelial cancer but also NECTIN4 gene-amplified solid tumors. Additionally, our encouraging first human imaging data for MT1-MMP demonstrates the potential of our technology platform to produce radiopharmaceutical medicines to novel targets," said Bicycle Therapeutics CEO Kevin Lee, Ph.D. "With a clear strategy to build on this foundation and financial runway into the second half of 2027, we are strongly positioned for another year of execution across our research and development pipeline of oncology, radiopharmaceuticals and partnered programs as we work to bring innovative therapies to cancer patients."
Fourth Quarter 2024 and Recent Events
Announced updated topline combination data for zelenectide pevedotin plus pembrolizumab in first-line metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC). As of Jan. 3, 2025, updated topline results from the ongoing Phase 1 Duravelo-1 trial evaluating zelenectide pevedotin 5 mg/m2 weekly plus pembrolizumab 200 mg once every 3 weeks in 22 first-line cisplatin-ineligible patients with mUC continued to show promising anti-tumor activity and a differentiated safety profile.
Among 20 efficacy evaluable patients, a 65% overall response rate (ORR) (13/20) was achieved, and a 50% ORR (10/20) was reached among patients with confirmed responses. Of the 3 unconfirmed responses, 1 patient remained on treatment at the time of the reported clinical results.
Median duration of response (mDOR) is not yet mature, with 12 patients still on treatment at the time of the reported clinical results.
The safety and tolerability profile continues to be broadly consistent with other Phase 1 zelenectide pevedotin monotherapy and combination cohorts. Adverse events of clinical interest such as peripheral neuropathy, skin reactions and eye disorders were primarily low grade. All cases of Grade 3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of clinical interest were reversible, and there were no Grade 4 or Grade 5 TRAEs of clinical interest.
Bicycle Therapeutics is currently conducting the Phase 2/3 Duravelo-2 registrational trial evaluating zelenectide pevedotin plus pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy in first-line mUC (Cohort 1), and zelenectide pevedotin monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab in late-line mUC (Cohort 2). In each cohort, two doses of zelenectide pevedotin – 5 mg/m2 weekly and 6 mg/m2 two weeks on, one week off – are being assessed before a planned final dose selection in 2H 2025.
Announced development strategy leveraging NECTIN4 gene amplification for zelenectide pevedotin in breast cancer, lung cancer and multiple tumor types. During the 2024 San Antonio Breast Conference Symposium, Bicycle Therapeutics presented data from post-hoc analyses of late-line breast cancer and lung cancer patients enrolled in the Phase 1/2 Duravelo-1 trial evaluating zelenectide pevedotin 5 mg/m2 weekly. Results showed enhanced anti-tumor activity of zelenectide pevedotin monotherapy in patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification and/or polysomy.
Among 38 breast cancer patients enrolled, 35 patients were efficacy evaluable. Additionally, 23 breast cancer patient samples were available for NECTIN4 testing, of which 8 demonstrated NECTIN4 gene amplification or harbored NECTIN4 polysomy. Results showed a 62.5% ORR (5/8) in patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification and/or polysomy versus 14.3% ORR (5/35) in efficacy-evaluable patients. All responses were seen in patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification and/or polysomy.
Among 32 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients enrolled, 30 patients were efficacy evaluable. Additionally, 19 TNBC patient samples were available for NECTIN4 testing, of which 7 demonstrated NECTIN4 gene amplification or harbored a NECTIN4 polysomy. Results showed a 57.1% ORR (4/7) in patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification and/or polysomy versus 13.3% ORR (4/30) in efficacy-evaluable patients. All responses were seen in patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification and/or polysomy. Notably, all 3 patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification who responded to zelenectide pevedotin had prior treatment with sacituzumab govitecan.
Among 40 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients enrolled, 34 patients were efficacy evaluable. Additionally, 19 NSCLC patient samples were available for NECTIN4 testing, of which 6 demonstrated NECTIN4 gene amplification. Five out of 6 patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification were efficacy evaluable. Results showed a 40.0% ORR (2/5) in patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification versus 8.8% ORR (3/34) among efficacy-evaluable patients. Of the 3 partial responses, 2 were confirmed and 1 was unconfirmed. Two out of 3 responses were seen in patients with NECTIN4 gene amplification.
Zelenectide pevedotin was generally well tolerated, demonstrating a safety and tolerability profile consistent with data from other Duravelo-1 cohorts, and TRAEs were primarily low grade, further supporting the potential for NECTIN4 gene amplification to serve as a biomarker for therapy stratification. Based on these data, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation to zelenectide pevedotin for the treatment of adult patients with previously treated, NECTIN4 gene-amplified, advanced or metastatic TNBC and NSCLC.
Bicycle Therapeutics has continued to build a robust patent estate related to the use of NECTIN4 gene amplification as a biomarker for patient selection. The company plans to initiate several additional Phase 1/2 trials evaluating zelenectide pevedotin in NECTIN4 gene-amplified cancer, including breast cancer (Duravelo-3) in 1H 2025 and lung cancer (Duravelo-4) and multi-tumor (Duravelo-5) in 2H 2025.
Announced first human imaging data for a Bicycle Radionuclide Conjugate (BRC) targeting MT1-MMP and outlined strategy for leadership in next-generation radiopharmaceuticals. Data presented at the European Association of Nuclear Medicine 2024 Congress validate the potential of MT1-MMP as a novel target in the treatment of cancer, demonstrate the translatability of BRC preclinical data and highlight the potential of Bicycle molecules for targeted radionuclide therapy.
In an oral presentation, the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) shared results of fluorine-18-labelled FDG-PET/CT imaging and gallium-68-labelled BRC MT1-MMP PET/CT imaging in a 65-year-old male diagnosed with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most common type of NSCLC, in the lung and lymph nodes. MT1-MMP imaging demonstrated tracer uptake in the primary tumor in the lung and lymph node and bone metastases, consistent with FDG imaging. Additionally, the MT1-MMP BRC tracer showed renal excretion, with all other organs showing only a negligible tracer uptake.
Preclinical data presented by Bicycle Therapeutics demonstrated the suitability of Bicycle molecules to deliver indium to tumors in vivo due to their favorable properties, including specific tumor uptake, rapid tumor penetration and rapid renal elimination. Additionally, imaging showed how the biodistribution profile of BRCs can be optimized to maintain high tumor uptake and retention while significantly reducing kidney levels.
Bicycle Therapeutics continues to advance its emerging BRC pipeline, with additional MT1-MMP human imaging data anticipated in mid-2025 and initial EphA2 human imaging data expected in 2H 2025. The company is targeting clinical trials for its first radiotherapeutic program to begin in 2026.
Expanded Clinical Advisory Board with the appointment of three distinguished oncology experts to further support the advancement of the company’s clinical programs. Bicycle Therapeutics welcomed Howard A. "Skip" Burris, III, M.D., president and chief medical officer of Sarah Cannon Research Institute; Markus Eckstein, M.D., a board-certified senior consultant pathologist at the University Hospital Erlangen (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg); and Niklas Klümper, M.D., senior consultant for Urology & Genitourinary Oncology at the University Hospital Bonn.
Participation in Upcoming Investor Conferences
Bicycle Therapeutics management will participate in a fireside chat at the TD Cowen 45th Annual Health Care Conference on Tuesday, March 4, at 9:50 a.m. ET. A live webcast of the fireside chat will be accessible from the Investor section of the company’s website at www.bicycletherapeutics.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived and available following the event.
Fourth Quarter and Year End 2024 Financial Results
Cash and cash equivalents were $879.5 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $526.4 million as of December 31, 2023. The increase in cash and cash equivalents is primarily due to net proceeds from the company’s private investment in public equity (PIPE) financing in May 2024 and share option exercises, offset by the repayment of the company’s debt facility with Hercules Capital, Inc. in July 2024 and cash used in operating activities.
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $49.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and $173.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $44.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and $156.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increases in expense of $5.1 million and $16.5 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, were primarily due to increased clinical program expenses for zelenectide pevedotin development and increased personnel-related expenses, including incremental share-based compensation expense of $2.2 million and $3.8 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, offset by decreased clinical program expenses for Bicycle Tumor-Targeted Immune Cell Agonist molecule development, lower discovery, platform and other expenses, and higher U.K. R&D tax credits period over period.
General and administrative expenses were $21.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and $72.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $14.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and $60.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increases of $6.7 million and $11.8 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, were primarily due to increased personnel-related expenses, including incremental share-based compensation expense $0.3 million and $1.8 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, as well as increased professional and consulting fees.
Net loss was $51.9 million, or $(0.75) basic and diluted net loss per share, for the three months ended December 31, 2024, and net loss was $169.0 million, or $(2.90) basic and diluted net loss per share, for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to net loss of $49.1 million or $(1.16) basic and diluted net loss per share, for three months ended December 31, 2023, and net loss of $180.7 million or $(5.08) basic and diluted net loss per share, for the year ended December 31, 2023.