On May 10, 2018 Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 (Press release, Nektar Therapeutics, MAY 10, 2018, View Source [SID1234526487]).

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Cash and investments in marketable securities at March 31, 2018 were $333.8 million as compared to $353.2 million at December 31, 2017. This does not include the $1.0 billion upfront payment and $850.0 million share purchase proceeds received on April 3, 2018, as a result of our new Bristol-Myers Squibb collaboration.

"Nektar begins 2018 in a very strong position with a major collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb for NKTR-214 and key advancements in our immuno-oncology and immunology pipeline," said Howard W. Robin, President and CEO of Nektar. "The PIVOT study of NKTR-214 in combination with nivolumab continues to enroll patients and we are exceptionally pleased that the preliminary data from PIVOT was accepted for an oral presentation at this year’s ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Meeting. We initiated two new clinical studies this quarter, the first with our novel I-O combination of NKTR-262 and NKTR-214 and the second with our autoimmune disease candidate, NKTR-358. Based on positive preclinical results, we entered into a clinical collaboration with Takeda to evaluate NKTR-214 with their TAK-659, a SYK/FLT inhibitor. Finally, in the area of pain, we plan to submit our NDA filing for NKTR-181 this month."

Revenue in the first quarter of 2018 was $38.0 million as compared to $24.7 million in the first quarter of 2017. Revenue in the first quarter of 2018 was higher primarily because of the recognition of $10.0 million received from Shire for the approval of Adynovi in Europe.

Total operating costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2018 were $124.8 million as compared to $79.2 million in the first quarter of 2017. Total operating costs and expenses increased primarily as a result of increased research and development (R&D) expense.

R&D expense in the first quarter of 2018 was $99.4 million as compared to $61.1 million for the first quarter of 2017. R&D expense was higher in the first quarter 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017 primarily because of expenses for our pipeline programs, including the completion of Phase 3 clinical studies for NKTR-181, Phase 1/2 clinical studies of NKTR-214 and NKTR-358, initiation of the Phase 1 study of NKTR-262 in combination with NKTR-214 and IND-enabling activities for NKTR-255.

General and administrative expense was $18.7 million in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to $12.0 million in the first quarter of 2017 and increased primarily due to increased stock based compensation.

In the first quarter of 2018, net loss was $95.8 million, or $0.60 loss per share as compared to net loss of $63.9 million, or $0.42 loss per share in the first quarter of 2017.

2018 Business Highlights

In May, Nektar began dosing patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in a Phase 1b multiple ascending dose study of NKTR-358, a first-in-class regulatory T cell stimulator, designed to correct the underlying immune system dysfunction found in patients with immune disorders.

In April, Nektar announced a new clinical collaboration agreement with Takeda to evaluate NKTR-214 in combination with TAK-659, a dual SYK and FLT-3 inhibitor in liquid and solid tumors with the first of these studies expected to begin in the second half of 2018 in patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

In April, Nektar presented positive preclinical data for its immuno-oncology programs at the 2018 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. Preclinical data presented by Nektar researchers and collaborators demonstrate how NKTR-214 synergizes with multiple modalities including TLRs, HDAC and ACT, highlighting the potential of NKTR-214 as a backbone therapy in immuno-oncology.

In April, Nektar began dosing patients in the REVEAL Phase 1/2 study, which will evaluate the safety and efficacy of NKTR-262, a novel toll-like receptor agonist, in combination with NKTR-214. This novel-novel combination is designed to engage both the innate and adaptive immune response to fight cancer and may ultimately provide another option for patients with many types of advanced or metastatic solid tumor cancers.

In February, Nektar and Bristol-Myers Squibb entered into a global development and commercialization agreement to evaluate the full potential of NKTR-214 plus Opdivo (nivolumab) in more than 20 indications in 9 tumor types including melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, bladder and triple negative breast cancer.

The company also announced upcoming presentations at the following scientific congresses during the second quarter of 2018:

Treg Directed Therapy for Autoimmune Disorders Meeting, Boston, MA:

Preclinical Data Presentation: "NKTR-358: An IL-2 Pathway Agonist that Selectively Expands and Activates Regulatory T cells for the Treatment of Allergy and Autoimmune Disease"
Presenter: Jonathan Zalevsky, Ph.D., Nektar Therapeutics
Session: Enhanced Treg-based therapy with the use of IL-2
Date: Wednesday, May 23, 2018, 3:40 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
3rd Annual Advances in Immuno-Oncology Congress, London, U.K.:

Presentation: "Accessing The Potential Of An Immunotherapeutic Agent"
Presenter: Jonathan Zalevsky, Ph.D., Nektar Therapeutics
Session: Translational Immuno-Oncology
Date: Thursday, May 24, 2018, 5:40 p.m. British Summer Time
American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018 Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL:

Oral Presentation: "NKTR-214 (CD122-biased agonist) plus nivolumab in patients with advanced solid tumors: Preliminary phase 1/2 results of PIVOT".
Abstract #3006
Presenter: Dr. Adi Diab, Assistant Professor, Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Session: Developmental Therapeutics – Immunotherapy
Date: Saturday, June 2, 2018, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time

Abstract #2567: "TAK-659 in Combination with NKTR-214 and anti-PD-1 Therapy Leads to Complete and Sustained Tumor Regression and Immune Memory In Pre-Clinical Syngeneic Models", Huck, J., et al.
Session: Developmental Therapeutics – Clinical Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
Date: Monday, June 4, 2018, 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time

Abstract #3085: "Efficacy and immune modulation by BXCL701 a dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitor, NKTR-214 a CD122-biased immune agonist with PD1 blockade in murine pancreatic tumors", Rastelli, L., et al.
Session: Developmental Therapeutics – Immunotherapy
Date: Monday, June 4, 2018, 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time

Abstract #5582: "Efficacy and immune modulation of the tumor microenvironment in murine ovarian tumor with the PARP inhibitor rucaparib and CD122-biased immune agonist NKTR-214", Simmons, A., et al.
Session: Gynecologic Cancer
Date: Monday, June 4, 2018, 1:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Central Daylight Time

Abstract #TPS3115: "PROPEL: A phase 1/2 trial of NKTR-214 (CD122-biased agonist) combined with anti-PD-1 (pembrolizumab) or anti-PD-L1 (atezolizumab) in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors", Vaena, D., et al.
Session: Developmental Therapeutics – Immunotherapy
Date: Monday, June 4, 2018, 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time

Abstract #TPS1111: "ATTAIN: Phase 3 study of etirinotecan pegol (EP) vs. treatment of physician’s choice (TPC) in patients (pts) with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who have stable brain metastases (BM) previously treated with an anthracycline, a taxane, and capecitabine (ATC)", Tripathy, D., et al.
Session: Breast Cancer – Metastatic
Date: Saturday, June 2, 2018, 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time

College on Problems of Drug Dependence 80th Annual Scientific Meeting (2018), San Diego, CA:

Oral Presentation: "Assessment of Drug Abuse-Related Events with MADDERS in SUMMIT-07: A Phase-3 Study of NKTR-181 in Patients with Moderate to Severe Chronic Low-Back Pain"
Abstract #76
Presenter: Ryan Lanier, Ph.D., Analgesic Solutions
Session: The Pain and the Strain Comes Mainly from the Brain
Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time

Oral Presentation: "Neuropharmacodynamic Profile of NKTR-181: Correlation to Low Abuse Potential"
Abstract #335
Presenter: Laurie Vanderveen, Ph.D., Nektar Therapeutics
Session: Basically Opioids
Date: Tuesday, June 12, 2018, 10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time

Abstract #168: "NKTR-181 demonstrates low abuse potential in recreational opioid users in two double-blind, randomized crossover human abuse potential studies", Henningfield, J., et al.
Session: Abuse Liability
Date: Thursday, June 14, 2018, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time
Conference Call to Discuss First Quarter 2018 Financial Results
Nektar management will host a conference call to review the results beginning at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time/2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Thursday, May 10, 2018.

This press release and a live audio-only Webcast of the conference call can be accessed through a link that is posted on the home page and Investors section of the Nektar website: View Source The web broadcast of the conference call will be available for replay through Monday, June 11, 2018.

To access the conference call, follow these instructions:
Dial: (877) 881.2183 (U.S.); (970) 315.0453 (international)
Passcode: 2379326 (Nektar Therapeutics is the host)

In the event that any non-GAAP financial measure is discussed on the conference call that is not described in the press release, or explained on the conference call, related information will be made available on the Investors page at the Nektar website as soon as practical after the conclusion of the conference call.

On May 10, 2018 Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:AUPH / TSX:AUP) ("Aurinia" or the "Company") reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 (Press release, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, MAY 10, 2018, View Source [SID1234526503]). Amounts, unless specified otherwise, are expressed in U.S. dollars.

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"Our first quarter has been characterized by diligently executing our clinical programs. We remain on track to complete recruitment for our Phase III trial in lupus nephritis later this year and are pleased with the trial’s progress. Start-up activities are underway for our FSGS and Dry Eye programs, and we expect to commence these in June. We continue to be well-capitalized into 2020 and look forward to a productive 2018," said Richard Glickman, Aurinia CEO and Chairman of the Board.

2018 Highlights

Our Phase III clinical trial ("AURORA") to evaluate voclosporin for the treatment of lupus nephritis ("LN"), which we initiated in May of 2017, is on track to complete enrollment in Q4 2018. We have 212 clinical trial sites activated and able to enroll patients around the globe.
A Phase II proof-of-concept study in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis ("FSGS") is expected to initiate in June 2018. This will be an open-label study of 20 treatment naïve patients. We submitted our Investigational New Drug application ("IND") to the FDA in Q1 2018. We received agreement from the FDA with regards to the guidance we provided on this study, and the IND is now active.
We also expect to initiate a Phase IIa head-to-head tolerability study of voclosporin ophthalmic solution ("VOS") versus Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05%) for the treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome ("DES") in June 2018, with data expected to be available by the end of 2018. This will be a four-week study of approximately 90 patients. Upon productive meetings with the FDA, we re-activated our existing IND and are aligned to proceed. We believe calcineurin inhibitors ("CNIs") are a mainstay of treatment for DES, and the goal of this program is to develop a best-in-class treatment option, and upon completion, we will look to evaluate strategic alternatives for this asset.
We strengthened the breadth and scope of our Board of Directors with the additions of Dr. Michael Hayden and Joseph Hagan in February of 2018.
Financial Liquidity at March 31, 2018

At March 31, 2018, we had cash, cash equivalents and short term investments of $159.1 million and working capital of $156.7 million compared to $173.5 million of cash, cash equivalents and short term investments and $167.1 million of working capital at December 31, 2017. Net cash used in operating activities was $14.4 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 compared to $9.7 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017.

We believe, based on our current plans, that we have sufficient financial resources to fund our existing LN program, including the AURORA trial and the NDA submission to the FDA, conduct the planned Phase II trials for FSGS and DES, and fund operations into 2020.

Financial Results for the First Quarter ended March 31, 2018

We reported a consolidated net loss of $15.5 million or $0.18 per common share for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018, as compared to a consolidated net loss of $51.9 million or $0.92 per common share for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017.

The loss for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 reflected a $2.6 million increase in the estimated fair value of derivative warrant liabilities compared to an increase of $40.8 million in the estimated fair value of derivative warrant liabilities for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017. An increase in estimated fair value of derivative warrant liabilities increases the loss recorded for the period.

The increases in the estimated fair value of derivative warrant liabilities were primarily the result of increases in our share prices at March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 respectively.

The derivative warrant liabilities will ultimately be eliminated on the exercise or forfeiture of the warrants and will not result in any cash outlay by the Company.

The net loss before these non-cash changes in estimated fair value of derivative warrant liabilities was $12.8 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 compared to $11.2 million for the same period in 2017.

Research and development ("R&D") expenses increased to $8.9 million in the first quarter of 2018, compared to $7.3 million in the first quarter of 2017. The increase in these expenses resulted from higher clinical patient enrollment and treatment costs for our AURORA trial and costs associated with the planning and start-up phase for the FSGS and DES Phase II trials, and the LN continuation study. R&D expenses for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017 included costs related to the AURORA planning phase and completion costs for the Phase II AURA trial.

Corporate, administration and business development expense also increased to $3.8 million for the first quarter ended March 31,2018, compared to $3.4 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017, primarily reflecting increased personnel costs due to the expansion of our activities.

This press release should be read in conjunction with our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 which are accessible on Aurinia’s website at www.auriniapharma.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.

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.

On May 10, 2018 Cellectis (Euronext Growth: ALCLS – Nasdaq: CLLS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing immunotherapies based on gene-edited allogeneic CAR T-cells (UCART), reported that three posters regarding the Company’s allogeneic off-the-shelf CAR-T product candidates and one poster associated with the Company’s technology will be presented at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) Annual Meeting to be held from May 16 to 19, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois (Press release, Cellectis, MAY 10, 2018, file:///C:/Users/LENOVO/Downloads/20180510_PR_ASGCT.pdf [SID1234526472]).

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• Universal CAR T-Cells Targeting CS1 (UCARTCS1) for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

Agnès Gouble1, Roman Galetto1, Rohit Mathur3, Stephanie Filipe1, Isabelle ChionSotinel1,
Jing Yang3, Jin He3, Robert Z. Orlowski3, Sattva S. Neelapu3 and Julianne
Smith2
1Cellectis SA, 8 rue de la croix Jarry, 75013 Paris, France
2Cellectis, Inc., 430 East 29th Street, 10016 New York, NY
3Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer
Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030
Poster number: 130
Cancer – Targeted Gene & Cell Therapy I
Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 5:30 PM – Stevens Salon C, D

• Repurposing endogenous immune pathways to improve chimeric antigen receptor T-cells potency

M. Sachdeva1, B. Busser1, S. Temburni1, A. Juillerat1, L. Poirot2, P. Duchateau2, J.
Valton1;
1Cellectis, Inc., New York, NY
2Cellectis, Paris, France
Poster number: 774
Cell Therapies III
Friday, May 18, 2018 at 5:45 PM – Stevens Salon C, D

• Engineering CAR T-Cells with an Integrated off Switch to Enhance Safety Performance

Alexandre Juillerat1, Diane Tkach1, Brian W. Busser1, Sonal Temburni1, Julien Valton1,
Aymeric Duclert2, Laurent Poirot2 and Philippe Duchateau2
1Cellectis, Inc., 430E, 29th Street, NYC, NY 10016
2Cellectis SA, 8 rue de la Croix Jarry, 75013 Paris, France
Poster number: 739
Cancer – Immunotherapy, Cancer Vaccines III
Friday, May 18, 2018 at 5:45 PM – Stevens Salon C, D
Presented by Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.:

• Cynomolgus macaque gene-edited CAR T-cell platform: towards a reliable in vivo allogeneic model to assess safety and Efficacy

Diego A. Vargas-Inchaustegui1, Rory Dai1, Alexandre Juillerat2, Christopher Do1, Kris
Poulsen1, Thomas Pertel1, Barbra Sasu1 1Allogene Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, CA,
2Cellectis, Inc., New York, NY
Poster number: 131
Cancer – Targeted Gene & Cell Therapy I
Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 5:30 PM – Stevens Salon C, D

Abstracts are available on the ASGCT (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) website. The 4 posters to be presented at the 2018 ASGCT (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) Annual Meeting will be available on the Cellectis website after May 19, 2018.

On May 10, 2018 Juniper Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: JNP), a diversified healthcare company with core businesses of its CRINONE (progesterone gel) franchise and fee-for-service pharmaceutical development and manufacturing business, JPS, reported financial results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 (Press release, Juniper Pharmaceuticals, MAY 10, 2018, View Source [SID1234526504]). Cash and equivalents were $20.7 million at March 31, 2018 compared to $21.4 million at December 31, 2017.

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"We made tremendous progress thus far this year having achieved two important strategic priorities for 2018 aimed at building shareholder value, while also driving strong growth momentum in our core businesses," said Alicia Secor, Chief Executive Officer. "At the beginning of the year, we successfully secured an extension of our supply agreement for CRINONE, and we expect to realize continued long-term growth in this important core business."

Ms. Secor added, "More recently, we executed on our goal of finding a partner for the development and commercialization of our intravaginal ring (IVR) technology. Our agreement with Daré Bioscience provides for significant milestone payments for each IVR candidate and royalties on any future sales. Our engagement with Rothschild to pursue strategic alternatives is progressing, and in parallel we remain very focused on the growth of our core businesses, JPS and CRINONE, which are on track to deliver continued double-digit growth for 2018."

First Quarter and Recent Corporate Highlights

Announced a 4.5-year extension through 2024 of the CRINONE supply agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
Successfully secured an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with Daré Bioscience for the development and commercialization of the Company’s IVR technology platform, including its three preclinical IVR candidates targeting unmet needs in women’s health. Under the agreement, Daré Bioscience will be responsible for conducting all research, development and commercial activities for this program.
Rothschild continues to act as an independent financial advisor to assist the Company in the exploration of additional strategic alternatives as part of the ongoing effort to enhance shareholder value.
Appointed Richard Messina to the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Messina brings to the Board the perspective of a long-term shareholder.
First Quarter Financial Results

"Growth in our core businesses has continued into 2018 with CRINONE product revenues up 30% and revenues from JPS up 55% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 versus the same quarter in 2017," said Jeff Young, Chief Financial Officer at Juniper. "We remain in a solid financial position, expect to continue to deliver double-digit growth in our core businesses, and to be cash flow positive for full year 2018."

First quarter total revenues increased 38% to $15.5 million, compared with $11.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.

Product revenues were $10.1 million compared to $7.7 million in the first quarter of 2017, driven by continued in-market growth of CRINONE (progesterone gel) by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Service revenues from Juniper Pharma Services were $5.5 million, an increase of $1.9 million, versus the first quarter of last year, driven by new and existing customer growth.

Gross profit increased 39% to $6.5 million as compared to $4.7 million in the prior year quarter.

Total operating expenses were $5.5 million in the first quarter of 2018, a $0.7 million decrease as compared to the prior year quarter.

Juniper recorded net income of $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2018, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.13 net loss per diluted share, in the same period of 2017.

Liquidity

Cash and cash equivalents were $20.7 million as of March 31, 2018 versus $21.4 million at December 31, 2017.

Conference Call

As previously announced, Juniper’s management will hold a conference call to discuss financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018, as follows:

Date:

May 10, 2018

Time:

8:30 a.m. ET

Dial-in numbers:

Toll free: (866) 374-4635 (U.S.), (855) 669-9657 (Canada), or International: (412) 902-4218

Webcast (live and archive): www.juniperpharma.com, under "Investors" or click here.

The teleconference replay will be available approximately one hour after completion through Thursday, May 17, 2018, at (877) 344-7529 (U.S.), (855) 669-9658 (Canada) or (412) 317-0088 (International). The replay access code is 10119657.

The archived webcast will be available for one year via the aforementioned URLs.