On August 8, 2017 Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:CALA), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs directed against tumor metabolism and tumor immunology targets for the treatment of cancer, reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017 . As of June 30, 2017, cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $208.2 million. Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! "Recent highlights included the presentation of clinical trial results of CB-1158, a first-in-class small molecule arginase inhibitor, in an oral presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper), and the advancement of CB-839 into Phase 2 clinical trials in renal cell carcinoma and triple negative breast cancer," said Susan Molineaux, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Calithera. "Looking forward to the second half of 2017, we plan to present clinical updates on CB-839, including the initial results of CB-839 dosed in combination with Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (nivolumab) in the fourth quarter."
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Second Quarter 2017 and Recent Highlights
CB-839 Randomized Phase 2 Combination Trial in Renal Cell Carcinoma Initiated. In August 2017, Calithera announced the initiation of a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CB-839 in combination with everolimus versus placebo in approximately 250 patients with metastatic, clear cell renal cell carcinoma who have been treated with at least two lines of prior systemic therapy including a VEGFR-targeting tyrosine kinase inhibitor and at least one of either CABOMETYX (cabozantinib) or an active PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor. CB-839 has been granted Fast Track designation for this indication.
CB-839 Triple Negative Breast Cancer Phase 2 Trial Initiated. In July 2017, Calithera initiated a Phase 2 trial of CB-839 with paclitaxel in triple negative breast cancer patients. Four single arm, open label, cohorts of African American and non-African American patients will be treated in both the early stage setting, where patients have no prior treatment for metastatic disease, as well as the late stage setting, after at least two prior therapies for metastatic disease including prior taxane therapy. The primary endpoint of this trial is objective response rate. Additional data from the triple negative breast cancer development program are expected in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb expanded. In May 2017, Calithera’s existing collaboration evaluating Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with CB-839 was expanded to include additional renal cell carcinoma cohorts as well as non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma. Initial results of CB-839 dosed in combination with Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo are expected in the fourth quarter of 2017.
CB-1158 (INCB01158) Phase I Solid Tumor Data Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. In June 2017, data was presented from the first 17 patients with advanced solid tumors dosed with CB-1158 as a single agent. Plasma levels of arginase were inhibited > 90% in all patients, and in 10 of 11 patients plasma arginine increased 1.5-fold or more. CB-1158 was generally well tolerated with no drug-related serious adverse events. The trial is continuing to enroll patients in the dose escalation phase of the study, and expansion cohorts in pre-defined tumor types, to be followed by combination studies with an anti-PD-1 antibody.
Selected Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results
Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $208.2 million at June 30, 2017, compared with $207.1 million at March 31, 2017. During the second quarter of 2017, Calithera received payment of a $12.0 million milestone under its global collaboration and license agreement with Incyte.
Revenue was $7.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and represents the portion of deferred revenue recognized in the second quarter from the Company’s collaboration and license agreement with Incyte.
Research and development expenses were $10.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared with $7.8 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase of $2.3 million was primarily due to an increase in the CB-839 program, including for Phase 2 start-up activities, as well as investment in our early stage research programs, partially offset by decreases in the CB-1158 program including Incyte’s co-funding of development costs.
General and administrative expenses were $2.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared with $2.7 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase of $0.1 million was primarily due to increases in professional services and higher personnel-related costs.
Net loss from operations for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was $5.2 million, or $0.15 per share.