On May 11, 2018 Celsion Corporation (NASDAQ: CLSN), an oncology drug development company, reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and provided an update on its development programs for ThermoDox, its proprietary heat-activated liposomal encapsulation of doxorubicin, and GEN-1, an IL-12 DNA plasmid vector encased in a nanoparticle delivery system, which enables cell transfection followed by persistent, local secretion of the IL-12 protein (Press release, Celsion, MAY 11, 2018, View Source [SID1234526538]). The Company’s lead program is ThermoDox, which is currently in Phase III development for the treatment of primary liver cancer. The Company’s immunotherapy candidate, GEN-1, is currently in Phase I/II development for the localized treatment of ovarian cancer.

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"Celsion continues to make significant progress with our two ongoing clinical development programs for ThermoDox and GEN-1. With sound fundamentals and a strong balance sheet, we are well positioned to complete enrollment in our ongoing 550 patient global, pivotal Phase III OPTIMA Study in primary liver cancer and to initiate our 130 patient Phase I/II randomized OVATION II Study in newly diagnosed patients with ovarian cancer in June 2018 and reporting clinical findings from the Phase I cohort of 12 patients of the OVATION II by the end of 2018," said Michael H. Tardugno, Celsion’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Our GEN-1 immunotherapy has generated impressive results to-date. We expect to report final progression-free survival data from our Phase IB clinical trial (the OVATION I Study) by the end of the second quarter of 2018. These data will provide additional insights into GEN-1’s clinical and safety profile and reinforce our confidence in GEN-1’s potential to serve as a highly effective first-line therapy in newly diagnosed patients with ovarian cancer."

Recent Developments

ThermoDox

ThermoDox Highlighted at the International Liver Congress 2018 Symposium. On April 12, 2018, the Company announced a presentation and discussion of ThermoDox and the evolving treatment landscape for primary liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as part of a company-sponsored symposium at the International Liver Congress 2018, in Paris, France. The symposium titled, "Emerging Horizons in HCC: From Palliation to Cure," featured presentations by co-chairs and HCC experts, Ghassan Abou-Alfa, M.D., a board-certified medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and Riccardo Lencioni, M.D., FSIR, EBIR, professor at the University of Pisa School of Medicine.

Dr. Abou-Alfa’s presentation, "New Developments in Targeted Therapies for HCC: The Mounting Wave of Immuno-Oncology," discussed recent developments in treating HCC, including the role of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), immuno-oncology and CAR-T therapies, as well as advancements in chemotherapy and combination treatment with local therapy. Prof. Lencioni’s presentation, "Rethinking Our Approach to Intermediate-Size HCC" focused on the increasing incidence and burden of HCC globally, the limited overall survival benefit with current therapies at later stages of disease progression, and the potential for ThermoDox to provide enhanced survival benefit with standardized radiofrequency ablation. The slides from Prof. Lencioni’s presentation are available on Celsion’s corporate website at www.celsion.com.

Data Monitoring Committee Unanimously Recommended Continuation of the OPTIMA Study in Primary Liver after its Planned Safety and Data Review from 411 Patients; Enrollment Now at 85%. On April 9, 2018, the Company announced that the independent Data Monitoring Committee for the Company’s 550-patient, pivotal Phase III clinical study of ThermoDox in combination with radiofrequency ablation for primary liver cancer (the OPTIMA Study), unanimously recommended that the study continue according to protocol to its data readout. The DMC’s recommendation was based on the Committee’s assessment of safety and data integrity of the first 75% of patients randomized in the trial as of February 5, 2018 and concluded that the integrity of the study is intact and that ThermoDox is safe for continued enrollment of newly diagnosed, intermediate-stage patients. An analysis of blinded data from the intent-to-treat population, consolidated for both arms, indicated that median progression free survival (PFS) was 20.8 months. This compares favorably to the HEAT Study median PFS of 13.8 months and is consistent with the hypothesis-generating estimates from the HEAT Study manuscript published in the October 2017 issue of the peer-reviewed medical journal, ‘Clinical Cancer Research.’ The OPTIMA Study’s design and statistical plan incorporates two pre-planned interim efficacy analyses by the DMC with the intent of evaluating safety, efficacy and futility to determine if there is overwhelming evidence of clinical benefit or a low probability of treatment success to continue, modify or terminate the study.

The DMC analysis in April 2018 was the last planned interim analysis prior to enrollment completion in the third quarter of 2018 with results from the first interim efficacy analysis available in the first half of 2019.

Presentation of ThermoDox HEAT Study Manuscript by Lead Author, Dr. Won Young Tak, at Korean Liver Cancer Association’s 12th Annual Scientific Meeting. On Feb. 12, 2018, the Company announced that an abstract discussing the Company’s Phase III HEAT study evaluating ThermoDox in combination with radiofrequency ablation was one of six selected for presentation as part of the lecture of the Presidential Selection at the Korean Liver Cancer Association’s 12th Annual Scientific Meeting in Seoul, South Korea. Dr. Tak’s presentation highlighted learnings from the Company’s 701 patient HEAT Study and included results from simulation studies and findings from the post hoc subgroup analysis. Dr. Tak noted that key findings from the study and analyses of ThermoDox plus RFA suggested that the therapeutic effect of ThermoDox plus RFA may be improved when the RFA dwell time for solitary lesions is greater than or equal to 45 minutes.

Dr. Tak’s presentation explored the hypothesis prompted by these findings: ThermoDox, when used in combination with RFA standardized to a minimum dwell time of 45 minutes (sRFA ≥ 45 min), may increase the overall survival (OS) of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. The final OS analysis from the HEAT Study demonstrated that in a large, well bounded, subgroup of patients (n=285 patients, 41% of the previous 701 patient HEAT Study), treatment with a combination of ThermoDox and standardized RFA provided an average 58% improvement in OS compared to standardized RFA alone. The Hazard Ratio (HR) was 0.63 (95% CI 0.43 – 0.93) with a p-value of 0.0198. In this large subgroup, median OS for the ThermoDox plus standardized RFA group translated into a 25.4-month (more than 2.1 years) survival benefit over the standardized RFA-only group – totaling approximately 80 months (6-1/2 years, which is considered a curative treatment for HCC) for the ThermoDox plus standardized RFA group versus 53 months for the standardized RFA-only group.

GEN-1 Immunotherapy

Presentation of GEN-1 Clinical Development Program and Recent Clinical and Translation Research Data by Ovarian Cancer Expert at Oppenheimer & Co. Investor Event. On March 5, 2018, the Company announced that Premal H. Thaker, M.D., M.S., a nationally recognized expert in gynecologic oncology, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Siteman Cancer Center at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and investigator in Celsion’s GEN-1 development program presented, "Ovarian Cancer: New Horizons and Treatments" at an investor event hosted by Oppenheimer & Co. in New York City on March 1, 2018.

Dr. Thaker’s presentation highlighted the following:

GEN-1 is a novel new approach that is designed to deploy the anti-cancer mechanism of the potent, broad-spectrum immunotherapy, IL-12, without the toxicities associated with the recombinant IL-12 protein.

In a Phase I study of GEN-1, 14 newly diagnosed patients with Stage III/IV ovarian cancer were intraperitoneally administered GEN-1 plus neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Results from the study demonstrated immunological changes consistent with the ability of GEN-1 to increase local (peritoneal) levels of IL-12 and its downstream anti-cancer cytokines and reduction in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; potent angiogenic factor that contributes to tumor angiogenesis) levels with little change in systemic circulation.

The study showed no serious systemic toxicities. These clinical findings, including a partial or complete response in 86% of patients, R0 resections in 100% of patients treated at the highest dose cohort and recently reported progression-free survival (PFS) of over 21 months compared to historical controls for PFS of approximately 12 months, support further evaluation of GEN-1’s safety and efficacy in patients with Stage III/IV ovarian cancer.

Corporate Development

Corporate Presentations at Two Investor Conferences. In March 2018, the Company presented at two investor healthcare conferences:

The B. Riley FBR Inaugural China Healthcare Investing & Partnering Symposium. The conference was held March 15-17, 2018 at The InterContinental Hotel Hangzhou, China.

The Oppenheimer 28th Annual Healthcare Conference. The conference was held March 20-21, 2018 at The Westin New York Grand Central in New York City.

The webcast of Celsion’s presentation at the Oppenheimer conference has been archived on the "News & Investors" section of Celsion’s corporate website at www.celsion.com.

Raised $27.5 Million in Gross Proceeds During the Fourth Quarter of 2017, and an Additional $1.3 Million in Gross Proceeds During the First Quarter of 2018. Recent minimally dilutive equity offerings totaling approximately $28.8 million in gross proceeds during the fourth quarter of 2017 through January 2018 have strengthened the Company’s balance sheet and will be used to support the Company’s development efforts and potentially significant clinical milestones for ThermoDox and GEN-1 clinical programs into the third quarter of 2019.

The Company raised $17.0 million in gross proceeds through the exercise of outstanding common stock warrants in early October 2017.

In October 2017, the Company completed an underwritten equity offering of shares of common stock and warrants to purchase common stock with Oppenheimer & Co. The gross proceeds of the offering were approximately $6.6 million.

In November 2017 and January 2018, the Company raised $5.2 million in gross proceeds off its ATM Equity Facility with Cantor Fitzgerald.

Financial Results

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, Celsion reported a net loss of $4.5 million, or a loss of $0.25 per share, compared to a net loss of $5.2 million, or a loss of $3.09 per share, in the same period of 2017.

Net cash used for operating activities was $4.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to $3.1 million for the same period of 2017. Cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and interest receivable at March 31, 2018 was $20.8 million. Cash provided by financing activities was approximately $1.2 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

Research and development costs were $2.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to $3.5 million for the same period of 2017. Clinical development costs for the Phase III OPTIMA Study were $1.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 compared to $1.6 million for the same period of 2017. R&D costs for other development programs were lower because of the Company’s tighter clinical development focus around the pivotal Phase III OPTIMA Study for the treatment of primary liver cancer and the clinical development program for GEN-1 IL-12 immunotherapy for the localized treatment of ovarian cancer.

General and administrative expenses were $1.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to $1.5 million for the same period of 2017. This modest increase was due to higher professional fees and an increase in non-cash stock option compensation expense.

As the Company paid off its Venture Debt Facility with Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. during 2017, the Company did not have any interest expense in the first quarter of 2018. Interest expense was $0.1 million for the first quarter of 2017.

Quarterly Conference Call

The Company is hosting a conference call to provide a business update and discuss its first quarter 2018 financial results at 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday May 11, 2018. To participate in the call, interested parties may dial 1-888-298-3457 (Toll-Free/North America) or 1-719-325-4917 (International/Toll) and ask for the Celsion Corporation First Quarter 2018 Earnings Call (Conference Code: 6550185) to register ten minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. The call will also be broadcast live on the internet at www.celsion.com.

The call will be archived for replay on Friday, May 11, 2018 and will remain available until Friday, May 25, 2018. The replay can be accessed at 1-719-457-0820 or 1-888-203-1112 (Toll-Free/USA) or 1-719-457-0820 (International/Toll) using Conference ID: 6550185. An audio replay of the call will also be available on the Company’s website, www.celsion.com, for 90 days after 2:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 11, 2018.

On May 11, 2018, DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") presented the presentations to describe its business and preclinical program (Presentation, DelMar Pharmaceuticals, MAY 11, 2018, View Source [SID1234526539]).

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On May 11, 2018 Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins, reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and provided a business update (Press release, Galectin Therapeutics, MAY 11, 2018, View Source [SID1234526540]). These results are included in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and is available at www.sec.gov.

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"Three additional analyses conducted on the results of the NASH-CX trial since we published initial, top-line trial results further support our belief that GR-MD-02 is the first compound to demonstrate clinically meaningful positive effects in patients with NASH cirrhosis without esophageal varices. First, a statistically significant correlation was identified between the decrease in portal pressure (HVPG, or hepatic venous pressure gradient) and the improvement in hepatocyte ballooning treatment with GR-MD-02 at 2 mg/Kg. Second, an ad hoc analysis examining the PK-PD (pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics) correlation between human data and mouse NASH model showed that the apparent lack of a dose response in the 8 mg/Kg dose group (GR8) may be due to very high levels of GR-MD-02 in the bloodstream. Finally, results from the 13C-Methacetin Breath Test, a measure of liver function, conducted as part of the trial found that results for patients without baseline varices mirrored the results for changes in HVPG. This additional analysis further supports our original report of the NASH-CX findings which demonstrated a significant improvement in HVPG in patients without varices and has been provided to the FDA as part of our proposed plan for a Phase 3 trial," said Dr. Peter Traber, CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Galectin Therapeutics.

"About half of the total population of patients with NASH cirrhosis do not have esophageal varices. In addition, endoscopy to evaluate for varices is part of the standard of care for patients with newly diagnosed NASH cirrhosis. Consequently, the sub-group of NASH patients that may

benefit from our compound is clear at initial diagnosis. Because the sub-group that had a statistically significant response to GR-MD-02 is routinely identified, we believe there is sound logic to pursue further investigation."

Summary of Key Development Programs and Updates

Since reporting the initial NASH-CX trial results in December 2017, continued analysis of the data has led to three additional findings:

The findings from the 13C-Methacetin Breath Test conducted as part of the trial found that results for patients without baseline varices mirrored the results for changes in HVPG. This further supports our findings as well as represents a significant finding in the search to discover an effective non-invasive test for liver function and NASH.

Reinforcing the positive effects of GR-MD-02, a statistically significant (p=0.04) correlation was identified between the decrease in portal pressure (HVPG) and the improvement in hepatocyte ballooning (viz., representing a decrease in liver cell death) upon treatment with GR-MD-02 at 2 mg/Kg. This suggests an important pathophysiological link between the improvement in liver biopsy and reductions in HVPG. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such a correlation has been demonstrated in a human clinical trial in patients with NASH cirrhosis.

An ad hoc analysis examining the PK-PD correlation between human data and mouse NASH model showed that the apparent lack of a dose response in the 8 mg/Kg dose group (GR8) may be due to very high levels of GR-MD-02, where excessive levels of GR-MD-02 are less effective. This was supported when a statistically significant difference was observed between the GR8 patient group with high serum drug levels (> 12,000 µg*hr/mL) and those with lower (< 12,000 µg*hr/mL) serum drug levels, where those with the lower serum drug levels had a positive response on HVPG.

The Company made an oral presentation at the International Liver Meeting in April 2018 in Paris. Dr. Naga Chalasani, one of the principal investigators on the NASH-CX clinical trial, led a session entitled, "A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, PLB-controlled trial of Galectin-3 inhibitor (GR-MD-02) in patients with NASH cirrhosis and portal hypertension."

The company continues to enroll cohort 3 (GR-MD-02 8 mg/kg) of the pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) combination immunotherapy clinical trial, which will include at least 10 patients with melanoma, to provide a larger group of patients to evaluate. It is hoped additional data can be reported in mid-2018, when we anticipate a decision on progressing to phase 2.
Financial Results

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company reported a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $4.5 million, or $0.12 per share, compared with a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $5.2 million, or $0.15 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The decrease is largely due to lower research and development expenses as our Phase 2 clinical program is winding down, somewhat offset by higher non-cash stock-based compensation expense in the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Research and development expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018, was $2.3 million, compared with $3.8 million for first quarter of 2017. The decrease primarily relates to the winding down of the NASH-CX Phase 2b clinical trial.

General and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018, was $1.9 million, compared with $1.2 million for first quarter of 2017, with the increase primarily due to an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation expense and an increase in business development and investor relations expenses.

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had $4.0 million of non-restricted cash and cash equivalents in addition to a $10 million line of credit which has not yet been used. The Company believes it has sufficient cash to fund currently planned operations and research and development activities through at least March 31, 2019.

On May 11, 2018 Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: LGND) reported that company executives are scheduled to participate in the following upcoming investor conferences (Press release, Ligand, MAY 11, 2018, View Source [SID1234526541]):

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• Berenberg Conference USA in Tarrytown, New York. Presentation takes place on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 11:45 a.m. Eastern time (8:45 a.m. Pacific time). Matt Korenberg, CFO will attend for Ligand.

• 15th Annual Craig-Hallum Institutional Investor Conference in Minneapolis. Conference takes place on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 with one-on-one meetings only. John Higgins, CEO, Matt Foehr, COO and Matt Korenberg, CFO will attend for Ligand.

• Jefferies Healthcare Conference in New York City. Presentation takes place on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time (5:00 a.m. Pacific time). Matt Korenberg, CFO will attend for Ligand.

A live webcast of the Jefferies conference presentation will be available on Ligand’s website at www.ligand.com. A replay of the presentations will be archived on the website for 30 days.

On May 10, 2018 Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:KPTI), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, reported financial results for the first quarter 2018 and provided an overview of recent accomplishments and clinical development plans for selinexor, its lead, novel, oral SINE compound, eltanexor, its second-generation oral SINE compound, and KPT-9274 its novel, oral, dual inhibitor of PAK4 and NAMPT (Press release, Karyopharm, MAY 10, 2018, View Source [SID1234526416]).

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"The positive top-line data recently reported from the Phase 2b STORM study evaluating selinexor in patients with penta-refractory myeloma are an important step forward toward the approval of selinexor," said Michael G. Kauffman, MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Karyopharm. "Our progress is further enabled by the successful completion of a $155.3 million equity financing and the receipt of Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for selinexor for the treatment of patients with penta-refractory multiple myeloma. We look forward to submitting a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA during the second half of 2018, with a request for accelerated approval for selinexor in penta-refractory myeloma, followed thereafter by a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) submission to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in early 2019, with a request for conditional approval in the same indication."

First Quarter 2018 and Recent Events

Selinexor in Multiple Myeloma

Reported Positive Top-line Data from the Phase 2b STORM Study Expansion in Patients with Penta-Refractory Myeloma. Last week, Karyopharm reported positive top-line results from the Phase 2b STORM study evaluating selinexor in heavily pretreated patients with refractory multiple myeloma. For the STORM study’s primary objective, oral selinexor achieved a 25.4% ORR, which included two stringent complete responses (CRs) and 29 partial (PRs) or very good partial responses (VGPRs). One of the stringent CRs was negative for minimal residual disease (MRD), highly significant in this penta-refractory population. The median DOR, a key secondary objective, was 4.4 months. Oral selinexor demonstrated a predictable and manageable tolerability profile. Safety results were consistent with those previously reported from Part 1 of this study and from other selinexor studies and no new safety signals were identified. Karyopharm plans to submit detailed STORM study results for presentation at an upcoming medical oncology meeting.

Selinexor Receives Fast Track Designation from FDA for the Treatment of Patients with Penta-Refractory Myeloma. In addition to Orphan Drug Designation, selinexor was recently granted Fast Track designation by the FDA for the treatment of patients with penta-refractory multiple myeloma. The FDA’s stated indication is consistent with the design of Karyopharm’s Phase 2b STORM study.

On Track to Submit NDA for Selinexor in Penta-Refractory Myeloma. Karyopharm plans to submit an NDA to the FDA during the second half of 2018, with a request for accelerated approval for oral selinexor as a new treatment for patients with penta-refractory multiple myeloma. The Company also plans to submit an MAA to the EMA in early 2019 with a request for conditional approval for selinexor in the same indication.

Pivotal Phase 3 BOSTON Study Underway. Karyopharm’s pivotal, randomized Phase 3 BOSTON study is now well underway and enrolling patients in 14 countries globally. BOSTON is evaluating 100mg of selinexor dosed once weekly in combination with the proteasome inhibitor Velcade (once weekly) and dexamethasone (SVd), compared to standard twice weekly Velcade and low-dose dexamethasone (Vd) in patients with multiple myeloma who have had one to three prior lines of therapy. The primary endpoints of the study are progression free survival and overall response rate. Assuming a positive outcome, the data from the BOSTON study will be used to support regulatory submissions to the FDA and EMA for full approvals. The Company expects to enroll approximately 360 patients at over 100 clinical sites internationally and expects to complete enrollment by the end of 2018, with top-line data anticipated in 2019.
Selinexor in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)

Ongoing Phase 2b SADAL Study in DLBCL. Karyopharm is also investigating oral selinexor as a single-agent for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL. The SADAL study is expected to enroll up to a total of 130 patients in the single-arm cohort evaluating single-agent selinexor dosed 60mg twice weekly in patients who received two or more lines of prior therapy. Karyopharm plans to report top-line results by the end of 2018, and assuming a positive outcome, the Company intends to use the data from the SADAL study to support a request for accelerated approval from the FDA and conditional approval from the EMA for oral selinexor in this relapsed/refractory DLBCL patient population.
Selinexor in Solid Tumors

Phase 3 Portion of the Phase 2/3 SEAL Study in Liposarcoma Underway. Karyopharm previously reported positive results from the Phase 2 portion of the blinded, randomized Phase 2/3 SEAL study evaluating single-agent selinexor versus placebo in patients with previously treated, advanced unresectable dedifferentiated liposarcoma. The Phase 3 portion is underway and, assuming a positive outcome on the primary end point of progression free survival, the Company intends to use the data from the SEAL study to support an NDA and an MAA submission for oral selinexor for patients with advanced unresectable dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Top-line data from the Phase 3 portion of the SEAL study are anticipated by the end of 2019.

Ongoing Investigator Sponsored Phase 2/3 Trial as Maintenance Therapy in Endometrial Cancer Underway. A randomized Phase 2/3 study of selinexor versus placebo as maintenance therapy in patients with one or two prior platinum-based treatments for advanced endometrial cancer lead by Dr. Ignace Vergote, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Gynaecologic Oncology at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, is currently ongoing.
AACR 2018

Eight Preclinical Data Posters Presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2018 Annual Meeting. In March 2018, eight posters were presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2018 which featured preclinical data for selinexor, eltanexor and KPT-9274. Collectively, these data continue to provide important insights that Karyopharm believes will help guide the future clinical development of all three product candidates across a wide range of malignancies, including ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancers and neuroblastoma.
Corporate and Financial

Strengthened the Balance Sheet with a Public Equity Offering. On May 7, 2018, Karyopharm completed an underwritten public offering of 10,525,424 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $14.75 per share. The gross proceeds to Karyopharm from the offering were $155.3 million. After deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses the net proceeds were $145.6 million.

Biogen’s Acquisition of KPT-350 for the Treatment of Neurological and Neurodegenerative Diseases. In January 2018, Karyopharm announced its entry into an agreement with Biogen for Biogen’s acquisition of Karyopharm’s investigational oral SINE compound KPT-350 targeting certain neurological and neurodegenerative conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The transaction carries a total deal value of up to $217 million, plus royalties.
First Quarter Ended March 31, 2018 Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents and investments as of March 31, 2018, including restricted cash, totaled $141.5 million, compared to $176.4 million as of December 31, 2017.

On May 7, 2018, Karyopharm completed an underwritten public offering of 10,525,424 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $14.75 per share. The gross proceeds to Karyopharm from the offering were $155.3 million. After deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses the net proceeds were $145.6 million.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, Karyopharm recognized $10.0 million in revenue, compared to $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in revenue was the result of the upfront payment received from the asset sale of KPT-350 to Biogen in January 2018.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, research and development expense was $41.3 million compared to $24.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, general and administrative expense was $7.6 million compared to $6.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.

Karyopharm reported a net loss of $38.5 million, or $0.78 per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to a net loss of $29.9 million, or $0.71 per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. Net loss includes stock-based compensation expense of $4.2 million and $5.9 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively.

Financial Outlook

Karyopharm expects its operating cash burn, including research and development and general and administrative expenses, for the year ending December 31, 2018 to be in the range of $175 to 185 million. Based on current operating plans, Karyopharm expects that its existing cash, cash equivalents and investments will be sufficient to fund its operations into the third quarter of 2019. These plans include the continued clinical development of selinexor in the Company’s lead indications with a focus on filing an NDA with the FDA requesting accelerated approval in multiple myeloma during 2018 and preparing the commercial infrastructure and hiring a sales force for the potential launch of selinexor in the U.S. Additional key milestones expected in 2018 include preparing for a potential MAA submission to the EMA requesting conditional approval for selinexor in multiple myeloma, topline data from the SADAL study and completion of enrollment in the Phase 3 BOSTON study.

Further Information About Potential Accelerated Approval for Selinexor in Multiple Myeloma

The FDA instituted its Accelerated Approval Program to allow for expedited approval of drugs that treat serious conditions and that fill an unmet medical need based on a surrogate endpoint or an intermediate clinical endpoint thought to predict clinical benefit, like ORR. Accelerated approval is available only for drugs that provide a meaningful therapeutic benefit over existing treatments at the time of consideration of the application for accelerated approval, which the FDA has recently reiterated in its feedback to the Company. Particularly in disease areas with multiple available and potential new therapies, such as multiple myeloma, accelerated approval carries a high regulatory threshold. Consistent with its general guidance, the FDA has noted to the Company its preference for randomized studies geared toward full approval, which the Company has undertaken with the pivotal, Phase 3 BOSTON study, and has reminded the Company that accelerated approval requires patients to have exhausted approved therapies. The Company recently received Fast Track designation for selinexor for the treatment of patients with penta-refractory myeloma from the FDA, which is available to therapeutics treating an unmet medical need in a serious condition. In light of this recognition that the STORM patient population represents an unmet medical need and the positive top-line data reported previously, the Company believes that the STORM study should support its request to the FDA for accelerated approval.

Conference Call Information

Karyopharm will host a conference call today, Thursday, May 10, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, to discuss the first quarter 2018 financial results, recent accomplishments, clinical developments and business plans. To access the conference call, please dial (855) 437-4406 (local) or (484) 756-4292 (international) at least 10 minutes prior to the start time and refer to conference ID 6798355. A live audio webcast of the call will be available under "Events & Presentations" in the Investor section of the Company’s website, View Source An archived webcast will be available on the Company’s website approximately two hours after the event.