On November 6, 2018 EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYPT), a specialty biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing innovative ophthalmic products, reported operating and financial results for its fiscal 2019 first quarter ended September 30, 2018 and highlighted recent clinical and operational developments (Press release, pSivida, NOV 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234530856]).
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"The approval of YUTIQ by the U.S. FDA in October marked a significant achievement for EyePoint and validates the Company’s innovation and ability to develop an effective treatment to decrease recurrence of uveitic flares from non-infectious posterior segment uveitis that can result in blindness," said Nancy Lurker, President and Chief Executive Officer of EyePoint Pharmaceuticals. "Following the positive reception by retina and uveitis specialists of the clinical data presented for YUTIQ at the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2018 Annual Meeting, we believe that we are well-positioned for a successful product launch planned in the first quarter of calendar 2019. In addition, we are scaling up our manufacturing of DEXYCU ahead of an anticipated launch in the first half of calendar 2019."
Recent Clinical & Operational Highlights
In October 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved YUTIQ (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) 0.18 mg, a three-year micro-insert for the treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye. YUTIQ utilizes the Company’s Durasert drug delivery technology and is an intravitreal micro-insert designed to deliver drug consistently over 36 months. The approval occurred 24 days in advance of the PDUFA date of November 5th.
At the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2018 Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL, 24-month efficacy and safety data supporting YUTIQ was presented during the Retina Subspecialty day at a breakthrough presentation entitled, "24-month Evaluation of Fluocinolone Acetonide Intravitreal Insert Treatment for Non-Infectious Posterior Uveitis". These data demonstrated that the recurrence rate in randomized eyes treated with YUTIQ was significantly lower than in sham eyes (59.8% vs. 97.6%, respectively; p<0.001) at 24-months of the three-year trial. Safety and side effects were consistent with those reported for previous analyses of earlier timepoints.
In August, safety and efficacy data from the Phase 3 clinical trial of DEXYCU compared to prednisolone acetate 1.0% ophthalmic drops for the treatment of inflammation post-cataract surgery were published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery. Results demonstrated similar efficacy and safety between both products in treating inflammation post cataract surgery with a preference of DEXYCU compared to drops.
EyePoint granted Ocumension Therapeutics, a China-based ophthalmology company, an exclusive license to develop and commercialize EyePoint’s three-year micro insert product using the Durasert technology for chronic, non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye in the greater China territory, which is comprised of China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. EyePoint will receive a one-time upfront payment of $1.75 million and is eligible to receive up to an additional $10.0 million if certain future prespecified development, regulatory and commercial sales milestones are achieved by Ocumension. Ocumension will be responsible for funding the clinical development of EyePoint’s three-year micro-insert product using the Durasert technology for chronic, non-infectious posterior segment uveitis in Greater China. EyePoint will supply product for the clinical trials.
John Landis, Ph.D., M.S., was appointed to the EyePoint Board of Directors in October 2018. Dr. Landis brings more than 30 years of pharmaceutical research and development experience from senior level roles held at Schering-Plough Corporation, Pharmacia Corporation and The Upjohn Company.
EyePoint’s Board of Directors approved a change of the Company’s fiscal year-end to December 31 from the current fiscal year-end of June 30. The Company believes this change will align its financial reporting periods to that of its peer group in the industry and better facilitate assessment of the Company’s financial performance. The Company will file transitional audited financial statements on Form 10-KT for the six-month period ending December 31, 2018.
Fiscal First Quarter 2019 Results
Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 totaled $486,000 compared to $385,000 for the prior year quarter. Revenues in both periods were primarily derived from royalty income under existing collaboration agreements.
Operating expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 increased to $14.0 million from $6.4 million a year earlier, due primarily to initial investments in sales and marketing infrastructure and program costs, amortization of the DEXYCU intangible asset, professional services and stock-based compensation. Non-operating expense, net in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 totaled $19.6 million and consisted primarily of a non-cash change in fair value of derivative liability and interest expense on our term loan. Net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 was $33.1 million, or $0.44 per share, compared to a net loss of $6.0 million, or $0.15 per share, for the prior year quarter.
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2018 totaled $55.8 million compared to $38.8 million at June 30, 2018. The cash balance of September 30, 2018 reflects proceeds of $28.9 million from the exercise of warrants in the quarter.
Conference Call Information
EyePoint will host a conference call today, Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at 8:00 AM ET, to discuss the fiscal first quarter 2019 financial results and recent clinical and operational developments. To access the conference call, please dial (877) 312-7507 (local) or (631) 813-4828 (international) at least 10 minutes prior to the start time and refer to conference ID 3098959. A live webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of the corporate website at View Source A replay of the webcast will also be available on the corporate website.