On May 7, 2018 Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ:RARE), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel products for rare and ultra-rare diseases, reported its financial results and corporate update for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 (Press release, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, MAY 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234526172]).

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"With the recent approvals and launches of Crysvita in the United States and Europe, we have transformed into a commercial stage company with two medicines now available for patients," said Emil D. Kakkis, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and President of Ultragenyx. "We continue to advance our clinical and preclinical programs and expect significant progress across our two clinical-stage gene therapy programs as well as our small molecule and biologics programs this year."

First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

For the first quarter of 2018, Ultragenyx reported net income of $30.3 million, or $0.63 per basic share and $0.62 per diluted share, compared with a net loss for the first quarter of 2017 of $68.3 million, or $1.63 per share, basic and diluted. The income for the first quarter of 2018 includes the $130 million gain from the sale of the priority review voucher (PRV). The net income for the first quarter of 2018 reflected cash used in operations of $89.5 million compared to $61.2 million reflected in the net loss for the same period in 2017.

For the first quarter of 2018, Ultragenyx reported $10.7 million in total revenue, which includes $1.3 million in product revenue from Mepsevii (vestronidase alfa) and UX007, and $9.4 million in collaboration and license revenue, primarily from our research agreement with Bayer. Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2018 were $107.2 million compared with $70.0 million for the same period in 2017, including non-cash stock-based compensation of $18.8 million and $14.5 million in the first quarter of 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase in total operating expenses is due to the increase in development, commercial, and general and administrative costs as the company commercializes, grows and advances its pipeline.

Cash, cash equivalents, and investments were $571.3 million as of March 31, 2018.

Recent Highlights

Crysvita (burosumab) in X-Linked Hypophosphatemia (XLH)

In the U.S., Crysvita was approved on April 17, 2018 and is now commercially available to adults and children with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH). In April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Crysvita for the treatment of XLH in adult and pediatric patients one year of age and older. The first patient has now received commercial treatment with Crysvita.

In Europe, burosumab received conditional marketing authorization for the treatment of XLH with radiographic evidence of bone disease in children 1 year of age and older and adolescents with growing skeletons.
DTX301 Gene Therapy in ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) Deficiency

Data from Phase 1/2 study of DTX301, our AAV8 vector in patients with OTC, showed positive topline results including normalization of ureagenesis in one patient in the first, lowest-dose cohort. The first patient’s rate of ureagenesis was normalized, maintained and then substantially increased over 24 weeks. The second and third patients did not show a clinically meaningful change in rate of ureagenesis over 20 weeks and 12 weeks, respectively. There have been no infusion-related adverse events and no serious adverse events reported. All adverse events have been Grade 1 or 2 and have resolved. Two patients have been enrolled in the higher dose Cohort 2 portion of the study, and data from the second cohort are expected in the second half of 2018.
DTX401 Gene Therapy in glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSDIa)

The U.S. FDA cleared the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for DTX401 for the treatment of patients with GSDIa. Enrollment in the Phase 1/2 study is expected to begin in the first half of 2018, with data from the first cohort in the second half of 2018.
Corporate

PRV sold for $130 million: In January 2018, we completed the sale of the PRV that we received at the time of the approval of Mepsevii.

Equity financing of approximately $271.0 million: In January 2018, we completed an underwritten public offering, with net proceeds of approximately $271.0 million.
Upcoming Key Milestones

Crysvita (burosumab) in XLH

Data from the Phase 3 study in pediatric patients expected in the second half of 2018. The ongoing Phase 3 randomized open-label clinical study is comparing the efficacy and safety of burosumab to oral phosphate and active vitamin D therapy in pediatric patients with XLH. This study will serve as a confirmatory study in Europe.
Crysvita (burosumab) in tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO)

Data from all patients in Phase 2 study in TIO expected in mid-2018. This is an open label Phase 2 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of burosumab in 17 adult patients with TIO.
Mepsevii (vestronidase alfa) in mucopolysaccharidosis VII (MPS VII)

In Europe, an opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) is expected in mid-2018.
UX007 in long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAOD) and glucose transporter type-1 deficiency syndrome (Glut1 DS)

Completing study design of Phase 3 study in patients with FAOD; providing additional data to FDA for consideration of early filing based on Phase 2 data. Following an end-of-phase 2 meeting, we are providing additional information to submit to FDA for consideration of an early filing based on the results from the Phase 2 study. While the FDA still prefers that a randomized controlled trial be completed before filing, it left open the possibility of filing on the current data. We are simultaneously completing the design of a Phase 3 study that could be used for registration or confirmatory purposes. We expect that a decision on a potential filing for approval based on Phase 2 data will be made in mid-2018.

Data from the Phase 3 movement disorder study in patients with Glut1 DS. Enrollment is complete and data are expected in the second half of 2018.
Conference Call & Webcast Information

Ultragenyx will host a conference call today, Monday, May 7, 2018 at 5pm ET to discuss first quarter 2018 financial results and to provide a corporate update. The live and replayed webcast of the call will be available through the company’s website at View Source To participate in the live call by phone, dial 855-797-6910 (USA) or 262-912-6260 (international) and enter the passcode 3748439. The replay of the call will be available for one year.

On May 7, 2018 National Cancer Center (Tokyo Japan, President: Hitoshi Nakagama) and Carna Biosciences, Inc (Kobe Japan, President and CEO: Kohichiro Yoshino) reported that they have entered into a research
collaboration agreement to discover novel therapeutic interventions in cancers (Press release, Carna Biosciences, MAY 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234526520]).

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Under the agreement, National Cancer Center and Carna Biosciences will collaborate on drug discovery research to develop a novel anticancer drug with new mechanisms of action that have been discovered by Dr. Kenkichi Masutomi, Chief, Division of Cancer Stem Cell at National Cancer Center Research Institute.

During the research term, both parties will leverage their respective expertise, including Carna’s extensive expertise in small molecule drug discovery with its powerful drug discovery engine and National Cancer Center’s profound knowledge of cancer research.

National Cancer Center and Carna Biosciences have been working together successfully under a research collaboration since 2008 to research and develop new drugs targeting WNT signal. This new collaboration agreement will further strengthen the relationship between both parties, which enables to accelerate the development of novel anti-cancer drugs to bring innovative treatment to cancer patients.

On May 7, 2018 Xencor, Inc. (NASDAQ:XNCR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune disease, asthma and allergic diseases, and cancer, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 and provided a review of recent business and clinical highlights (Press release, Xencor, MAY 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234526173]).

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"With our XmAb platform of engineered antibody Fc domains, we can create antibody drug candidates with the potential for dramatically improved potency, half-life and stability over existing therapeutic options," said Bassil Dahiyat, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer at Xencor. "Recent accomplishments across both our internal pipeline and partnered programs demonstrate the potential and breadth of this approach. We are encouraged by the continued productivity of our own drug discovery engine, including the addition of XmAb24306, our IL15/IL15Rα-Fc program for T-cell expansion, and by the positive clinical trial results reported by our partners Alexion and MorphoSys. We look forward to advancing our internal XmAb product candidates as we progress through 2018, initiating our Phase 3 trial of XmAb5871 in IgG4-RD and reading out initial data from two ongoing clinical trials, including our first bispecific oncology candidate. With $582.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, we have sufficient resources to advance our novel portfolio into 2023, while also preparing for our next stage of growth."

Recent Business Highlights and Upcoming Clinical Plans

XmAb5871: XmAb5871 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets CD19 with its variable domain and uses Xencor’s XmAb immune inhibitor Fc domain to target FcyRIIb, a receptor that inhibits B-cell function. Xencor presented final data from a Phase 2 trial in IgG4-RD in November 2017, in which all 12 patients who completed the study achieved the primary endpoint of at least a two-point reduction in the IgG4-RD Responder Index and eight patients achieved disease remission. XmAb5871 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 trial in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Initiation of Phase 3 trial in IgG4-RD expected in 2H18.
Topline data from Phase 2 trial in SLE expected in 4Q18.
Bispecific Oncology Pipeline: Xencor’s initial bispecific antibody programs are tumor-targeted antibodies that contain both a tumor antigen binding domain and a cytotoxic T-cell binding domain (CD3). These bispecific antibodies activate T cells for highly potent and targeted killing of malignant cells. Their XmAb Fc domains confer long circulating half-lives, stability and ease of manufacture.

Initial data from Phase 1 study of XmAb14045 for the treatment of AML and other CD123-expressing hematologic malignancies expected in 2018, pending alignment on timing with Novartis.
Initial data from Phase 1 study of XmAb13676 for the treatment of B-cell malignancies expected in 2019, pending alignment on timing with Novartis.
Initial data from Phase 1 study of XmAb18087 for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) expected in 2019.
Xencor’s bispecific pipeline also includes a suite of tumor microenvironment activators that engage multiple targets, such as T-cell checkpoints or agonists:

Initiation of Phase 1 trial evaluating XmAb20717, a PD-1 x CTLA-4 dual checkpoint inhibitor for the treatment of multiple oncology indications, expected in 2018.
Investigational New Drug (IND) filing for XmAb23104, a PD-1 x ICOS bispecific antibody for the treatment of multiple oncology indications, expected in 2018 and initiation of Phase 1 trial expected in 2019.
IND filing for XmAb22841, a CTLA-4 x LAG-3 dual checkpoint inhibitor for the treatment of multiple oncology indications, expected in 2018 and initiation of Phase 1 trial expected in 2019.
IND filing for XmAb24306, an IL15/IL15Rα-Fc bispecific antibody for the treatment of multiple oncology indications, expected in 2019.
At the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in April 2018, Xencor introduced its XmAb IL15 bispecific platform and presented preclinical data for XmAb24306. XmAb24306 is the first of a new suite of tumor microenvironment activators that use Xencor’s IL15 bispecific platform to provide a more druggable version of IL15 with superior tolerability, slower receptor-mediated clearance and a prolonged half-life. Data presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) show that the engineered IL15/IL15Rα-Fc complex enhances the duration and magnitude of T and NK cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Primate data also showed that treatment with XmAb24306 induces a steady, tolerable and sustained increase in T-cells. Also at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper), Xencor announced that it is developing a broader suite of IL15 bispecific candidates, including a PD-1 x IL15 candidate to promote selective expansion and activation of exhausted T cells and additional targeted IL15/IL15Rα candidates.

XmAb7195: XmAb7195 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets IgE with its variable domain and uses Xencor’s XmAb immune inhibitor Fc domain to target FcyRIIb, resulting in three distinct mechanisms of action for reducing IgE. Data from Xencor’s Phase 1b study of subcutaneously-administered XmAb7195 were announced in November 2017 and showed potent IgE reduction with improved tolerability. Xencor is currently seeking a development partner for XmAb7195.

Partnered XmAb Programs: Eight pharmaceutical companies and the National Institutes of Health are advancing novel drug candidates either discovered at Xencor or that rely on Xencor’s proprietary XmAb technology. Five such programs are currently undergoing clinical testing, including two in Phase 3 studies.

In March and April 2018, Alexion announced clinical data for its two Phase 3 trials comparing its Soliris product to ALXN1210, which uses Xencor’s XmAb Xtend technology to prolong duration of action. The data indicated that ALXN1210 was not inferior to Soliris for primary and secondary endpoints. Alexion indicated that it plans to submit regulatory filings for ALXN1210 in 2018 in the U.S., Europe and Japan, and it expects to have approval in 2019.
In March 2018, MorphoSys announced updated data from its Phase 2 L-MIND trial of MOR208 (XmAb5574) plus lenalidomide in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (r/r DLBCL). MOR208 has Breakthrough Therapy Designation in this indication and MorphoSys has indicated that it is discussing potential expedited approval with the FDA. Initial data from MorphoSys’s B-MIND trial comparing MOR208 plus bendamustine to bendamustine plus rituximab in r/r DLBCL patients are expected in 4Q19.
Corporate:

In March 2018, Xencor priced an underwritten public offering of 8,395,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $31.00 per share. The Company received net proceeds from the offering of $245.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.
First Quarter Ended March 31, 2018 Financial Results:

Effective January 1, 2018 the Company adopted the new revenue recognition accounting standard, Accounting Standard Codification 606 (ASC606). In addition to adopting the standard for 2018, revenue reported for the prior period including March 31, 2017 has been revised to reflect the new standard.

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $582.5 million as of March 31, 2018, compared to $363.3 million on December 31, 2017. The increase reflects net proceeds of $245.5 million from Xencor’s sale of additional stock in March 2018, partially offset by cash used to fund operating activities in the first quarter of 2018.

No revenue was recognized for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to $3.5 million for the same period in 2017. Revenue reported for both periods was affected by the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard. Under historic revenue recognition methods, the Company would have recognized $6.8 million and $4.3 million of revenue for the periods ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively. The adoption of the new revenue recognition standard shifted the period that revenue is being recognized under Xencor’sAmgen and Novartis arrangements to earlier periods.

Research and development expenditures for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 were $26.1 million, compared to $15.0 million for the same period in 2017. Increased research and development spending for the first quarter of 2018 over the same period in 2017 reflects additional spending on Xencor’s bispecific clinical and preclinical candidates.

General and administrative expenses for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 were $4.6 million, compared to $4.8 million in the same period in 2017. Decreased spending on general and administration for the first quarter of 2018 over the same period in 2017 reflects lower compliance costs associated with Xencor’sSEC filings.

Non-cash, share based compensation expense for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 was $4.5 million, compared to $3.2 million for same period in 2017.

Net loss for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 was $29.5 million, or $(0.62) on a fully diluted per share basis, compared to a net loss of $15.5 million, or $(0.33) on a fully diluted per share basis, for the same period in 2017. The increased loss for the first quarter of 2018 over the same period in 2017 is primarily due to additional spending on research and development activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

The total shares outstanding was 55,616,875 as of March 31, 2018, compared to 46,689,447 as of March 31, 2017. The additional shares outstanding at March 31, 2018 reflect the 8,395,000 shares sold in Xencor’s March financing.

Financial Guidance:

Based on current operating plans, Xencor expects to have cash to fund research and development programs and operations into 2023. Xencor expects to end 2018 with approximately $500 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.

Conference Call and Webcast:

Xencor will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT) to discuss these first quarter 2018 financial results and provide a corporate update.

The live call may be accessed by dialing (877) 359-9508 for domestic callers or (224) 357-2393 for international callers and referencing conference ID number 5056978. A live webcast of the conference call will be available online from the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.xencor.com. The webcast will be archived on the company’s website for 90 days. (Press release, Xencor, MAY 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234526173])

On May 7, 2018 Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRTX), a clinical-stage oncology company, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 (Press release, Mirati, MAY 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234527095]).

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"We have made significant progress in all of our programs and continue to be encouraged by positive clinical results for sitravatinib and mocetinostat with planned data presentations at a fall oncology conference," said Charles M. Baum, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. "Additionally, we are on track to file our planned Investigational New Drug application (IND) for MRTX849, a potent and selective inhibitor for KRAS, in the fourth quarter of 2018."

Financial Results for the First Quarter 2018

Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments were $148.7 million at March 31, 2018, compared to $150.8 million at December 31, 2017.

License and collaboration revenues for the first quarter of 2018 were $9.5 million, compared to none in the same period in 2017. License and collaboration revenues relate to the Collaboration and License Agreement between the Company and BeiGene, Ltd. ("BeiGene"), which became effective January 7, 2018, under which the Company granted BeiGene an exclusive license to develop, manufacture and commercialize sitravatinib in Asia (excluding Japan and certain other countries).

Research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2018 were $19.7 million, compared to $14.4 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in research and development expenses is primarily due to an increase in third party research and development expense for sitravatinib due to the continuation and expansion of ongoing clinical trials. The increase is also related to continued development of our KRAS inhibitor program for costs associated with preparing to file a planned IND application for our selected lead clinical compound, MRTX849. These increases are partially offset by a decrease in glesatinib expenses.

General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2018 were $5.2 million, compared to $3.7 million for the same period in 2017. The increase is primarily due to an increase in share-based compensation expense due to an increase in the fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

Net loss for the first quarter of 2018 was $14.7 million, or $0.51 per share basic and diluted, compared to net loss of $17.8 million, or $0.73 per share basic and diluted for the same period in 2017.

On May 7, 2018 Aeterna Zentaris Inc. (NASDAQ:AEZS) (TSX:AEZS) reported financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 (Press release, AEterna Zentaris, MAY 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234526158]).

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All Amounts are in U.S. Dollars

Recent Key Developments

Continue to exceed terms of licensing and assignment agreement with Strongbridge Ireland Limited in support of its Macrilen (macimorelin) commercial launch in the U.S. targeted for summer of 2018
Diligently prepare European Medicines Agency (EMA) D120 regulatory response to Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) of macimorelin for anticipated submission in July 2018
Actively seeking out-licensing partners for macimorelin in Europe
Expanding resources to actively assist in identifying potential marketed products in the U.S. market
Financial condition and capital structure significantly improved
— Upfront payment of $24 million received from Strongbridge in January 2018;
— As of March 31, 2018, $24.5 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents;
— Approximately 16.4 million Common Shares outstanding as of March 31, 2018
Financial Highlights

Revenues $24.7 million

Research and Development ("R&D") Costs $0.8 million

General and Administrative ("G&A") Expenses $2.8 million

Selling Expenses $1.6 million

Net Finance Income $1.9 million

Income Taxes $6.9 million

Net Income $14.4 million

Working Capital $19.6 million
Commenting on recent key developments, Michael V. Ward, President and Chief Executive Officer for Aeterna Zentaris, stated, "We ended first quarter 2018 in the strongest financial position in the past decade. Our licensing agreement of Macrilen (macimorelin) in the U.S. and Canada with Strongbridge demonstrates the success of our development initiatives and better positions us to monetize our rights by licensing in territories outside of the United States and Canada."

First Quarter Highlights

Revenues

Licensing revenue was $24.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $0.1 million for the same period in 2017. The increase is primarily due to the recognition in January 2018, of the $24.0 million upfront payment received from Strongbridge for the license of Macrilen(macimorelin) as earned revenue in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers as it is a "right to use" license. In addition, due to events that occurred in 2018, we consider our performance obligations under the Zoptrex licensing agreements to be fulfilled, therefore we recognized deferred revenues of $0.5 million relating to non-refundable upfront payments it previously received for licensing and technology transfer arrangements that it entered into with respect to the development of Zoptrex in various territories.

Sales commission and other were $90,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $153,000 for the same period in 2017. During 2018, we received a $90,000 termination agreement payment from our customer. In 2017, those revenues mainly resulted from our sales team exceeding pre-established unit sales baseline thresholds under our co-promotion agreement to sell Saizen. We also generated sales commission in connection with our promotion of APIFINY.

Operating Expenses

R&D costs were $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $2.5 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease in R&D costs is mainly attributable to lower comparative third-party costs.

Additionally, the decrease in our R&D costs for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, is attributable to lower employee compensation and benefits costs, as well as lower facilities rent and maintenance costs. A substantial portion of this decrease is due to the realization of cost savings in connection with our ongoing efforts to streamline our R&D activities.

Third-party costs attributable to Zoptrex and Macrilen (macimorelin) decreased considerably during the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to March 31, 2017, mainly since we completed the clinical portion of the ZoptEC trial and the Macrilen (macimorelin) trial in 2017 and 2016, respectively. Third-party costs attributable to Macrilen (macimorelin) incurred in 2017 are related to the detailed analysis of the results as well as the preparation of the New Drug Application filing, which was submitted on June 30, 2017.

Excluding the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, we expect that we will incur overall R&D costs of between $1.0 million and $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

G&A expenses were $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $1.9 million for the same period in 2017. The increase is primarily related to fees associated with the Strongbridge License Agreement.

Excluding the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations and the recording of transaction costs related to potential financing activities (not currently known or estimable), we expect that G&A expenses will range between $8.0 million and $10.0 million in 2018.

Selling expenses were $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2017. Most of the selling expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were for the payment of fees for the execution of the Strongbridge License Agreement. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the costs were for our sales force co-promotion activities as well as our sales management team. Based on currently available information, we expect selling expenses to range between $1.8 million and $2.1 million in 2018.

Net finance income was $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $1.5 million, for the same period in 2017. The increase in finance income is mainly attributable to the change in fair value of warrant liability. Such change in fair value results from the periodic "mark-to-market" revaluation, via the application of pricing models, of outstanding share purchase warrants. The closing price of our common shares, which, on the NASDAQ, fluctuated from $1.46 to $2.41 during the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $2.45 to $3.65 during the same period in 2017, also had a direct impact on the change in fair value of warrant liability.

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $14.4 million (or $0.88 per share), as compared to a net loss of $4.1 million (or $0.31 per share) for the same period in 2017. The increase in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is a result of the revenue recognition of the $24.0 million upfront payment received for the Strongbridge License Agreement.

Liquidity, Cash Flows and Capital Resources

At March 31, 2018, we had $24.5 million of cash and cash equivalents. We expect existing cash balances and operating cash flows will provide us with adequate funds to support our current operating plan for at least the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at 8:30 a.m., Eastern Time. Participants may access the conference call by telephone using the following dial-in numbers:

Toll-Free: 877-407-8029, Confirmation #13679691
Toll: 201-689-8029, Confirmation #13679691
A replay of the conference call will also be available on the Company’s website for a period of 30 days. For reference, the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the first quarter 2018, as well as the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements as at March 31, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, can be found at www.zentaris.com in the "Investors" section.