On March 8, 2018 Dynavax Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: DVAX) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017 (Press release, Dynavax Technologies, MAR 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234524559]). The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017, was $95.2 million, or $1.81 per share, compared to $112.4 million, or $2.92 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Recent Highlights

Received FDA approval of first and only two-dose hepatitis B vaccine, HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted] for prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of the virus in adults age 18 years and older

Launched HEPLISAV-B in the U.S. with a 60-person field sales team covering over 75% of the target market

HEPLISAV-B recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for use in the vaccination of adults, which is a critical milestone to drive broad insurance coverage and adoption for HEPLISAV-B

$100 million received in initial tranche of $175 million non-dilutive term loan agreement to support commercial efforts and advance and expand immuno-oncology platform

"On the heels of HEPLISAV-B’s FDA approval, we entered 2018 positioned to achieve significant milestones and are excited about our accomplishments to date," said Eddie Gray, Chief Executive Officer of Dynavax. "We have strengthened our balance sheet with a non-dilutive financing, enabling us to focus on value creation for our shareholders through both our commercial and clinical development programs. Our commercial team has done an excellent job launching HEPLISAV-B and executing our strategy to ensure we build a solid foundation to drive sales as the year progresses. We are confident that the HEPLISAV-B two-dose in one month administration and the earlier and higher seroprotection rates demonstrated versus ENGERIX-B will make it the new standard of care."

"Equally exciting are the opportunities to generate significant additional value for Dynavax as we report clinical data from our immuno-oncology clinical trials. Data from the phase 2 studies of our lead oncology product candidate, SD-101, in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA, are expected to be presented at major oncology conferences in the first half of the year. We believe that data from these trials in head and neck cancer and melanoma will support the initiation of a Phase 3 study in the second half of the year. In parallel, we are pursuing additional opportunities to expand our TLR platform and will continue to provide updates on our progress."

The Company had $191.9 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at December 31, 2017 compared to $81.4 million at December 31, 2016. In addition, in the first quarter of 2018 the

Company closed on a $175 million term loan agreement and received $100 million in a first tranche funding. Up to an additional $75 million may be borrowed in a second tranche at the Company’s option.

Additional Financial Results

Research and development expenses for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, were $17.4 million and $65.0 million, respectively, compared to $18.4 million and $84.5 million for the same periods in 2016. The overall decrease in the 2017 periods reflects reduced compensation and related personnel costs as a result of the January 2017 restructuring and cost reduction initiative. Additionally, the 2017 period reflects lower costs related to HEPLISAV-B clinical and manufacturing activity partially offset by increased costs related to the FDA approval process for HEPLISAV-B and the ongoing development of SD-101, DV281 and earlier stage oncology programs. In the fourth quarter of 2017, we reinitiated manufacturing operations, and began hiring personnel and retaining vendors as we prepared for the commercial launch of HEPLISAV-B in January 2018.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, were $9.3 million and $27.4 million, respectively, compared to $8.2 million and $37.3 million for the same periods in 2016. The overall decrease in 2017 reflects reduced compensation and related personnel costs as described above. In the fourth quarter of 2017, we had expenses related to preparation for the commercial launch of HEPLISAV-B in January 2018. In 2016, expenses included costs related to hiring of consultants for administrative and commercial development services for an anticipated commercial launch of HEPLISAV-B which was delayed.

About Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral disease of the liver that can become chronic and lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and death. The hepatitis B virus is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV,i and transmission is on the rise. Hepatitis B is a major public health issue in the United States, where an estimated 20,000 new infections occur each year, and approximately 850,000 people are currently living with this chronic disease.i In 2015, new cases of acute hepatitis B increased by more than 20 percent nationally.ii There is no cure for hepatitis B, but effective vaccination can prevent the disease.

In adults, hepatitis B is spread through contact with infected blood and through unprotected sex with an infected person. The CDC recommends that individuals at high risk for hepatitis B infection due to their jobs, lifestyle, living situations and travel to certain areas be immunized.iii Because people with diabetes are particularly vulnerable to infection, the CDC recommends vaccination for adults age 19 to 59 with diabetes as soon as possible after their diagnosis, and for people age 60 and older with diabetes at their physician’s discretion.iv Approximately 20 million U.S. adults have diabetes, and 1.5 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed each year.v

About HEPLISAV-B

HEPLISAV-B is an adult hepatitis B vaccine that combines hepatitis B surface antigen with Dynavax’s proprietary Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 9 agonist to enhance the immune response. Dynavax has worldwide commercial rights to HEPLISAV-B.

Indication and Use

HEPLISAV-B is indicated for prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of hepatitis B virus in adults age 18 years and older.

Important Safety Information (ISI)

Do not administer HEPLISAV-B to individuals with a history of severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of any hepatitis B vaccine or to any component of HEPLISAV-B, including yeast.

Appropriate medical treatment and supervision must be available to manage possible anaphylactic reactions following administration of HEPLISAV-B.

Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressant therapy, may have a diminished immune response to HEPLISAV-B.

Hepatitis B has a long incubation period. HEPLISAV-B may not prevent hepatitis B infection in individuals who have an unrecognized hepatitis B infection at the time of vaccine administration.

The most common patient reported adverse reactions reported within 7 days of vaccination were injection site pain (23% to 39%), fatigue (11% to 17%) and headache (8% to 17%).

For full Prescribing Information for HEPLISAV-B, click here.

About SD-101
SD-101, the Company’s lead clinical candidate, is a proprietary, second-generation, Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist CpG-C class oligodeoxynucleotide. Dynavax is evaluating this intratumoral TLR9 agonist in several clinical studies to assess its safety and activity, including a Phase 2 study in combination with Keytruda (pembrolizumab), an anti-PD-1 therapy, in patients with metastatic melanoma and in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer, in a clinical collaboration with Merck. Dynavax maintains all commercial rights to SD-101.

About DV281

DV281 is Dynavax’s proprietary investigational TLR9 agonist designed specifically for focused delivery to primary lung tumors and lung metastases. DV281 is similar in biological activity and mechanism of action to Dynavax’s Phase 2 immunotherapy candidate, SD-101, but has been optimized for administration as an aerosol. Both SD-101 and DV281 are designed to activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells and stimulate T cells specific for antigens released from dying tumor cells. TLR9 agonists such as DV281 and SD-101 have been shown to stimulate potent Type 1 interferon induction along with maturation of dendritic cells to effective antigen-presenting cells; both activities are important for the induction of effective anti-tumor immunity. Dynavax has initiated dosing in a phase 1B dose escalation clinical trial of DV281 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

For information about SD-101 and DV281 trials that are currently recruiting patients, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov

On March 08, 2018 Atossa Genetics Inc. (NASDAQ:ATOS), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics and delivery methods for breast cancer and other breast conditions, reported 2017 financial results and provides a Company update (Press release, Atossa Genetics, MAR 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234524553]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Dr. Steve Quay, President and CEO, commented, "In the later part of 2017, we completed a Phase 1 Study of our proprietary oral and topical Endoxifen formulations, and we were pleased to report that all study objectives were met. We are now looking forward to opening enrollment in two Phase 2 studies. One will use our oral Endoxifen to treat breast cancer patients who are not responding to tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is the current FDA-approved standard of care for the approximately one million breast cancer survivors to prevent a recurrence and new cancer. The second study will use our topical Endoxifen to determine if it can reduce a condition called mammographic breast density, or MBD. Mammographic Breast Density is an independent risk factor for developing breast cancer. It affects approximately 10 million women in the U.S. We are also planning to commence an additional study with topical Endoxifen as well as a study using our intraductal microcatheters to deliver CAR-T or other immunotherapy," continued Dr. Quay.

Recent Developments

Atossa’s important recent developments include the following:

Successful Phase 1 Study. All objectives of Atossa’s recent Phase 1 study of its proprietary oral and topical formulations of Endoxifen were successfully met: there were no clinically significant safety signals and no clinically significant adverse events and both the oral and topical Endoxifen were well tolerated. In the topical arm of the study, low but measurable Endoxifen levels were detected in the blood in a dose-dependent fashion. In the oral arm of the study, participants exhibited dose-dependent Endoxifen levels that met or exceeded the published therapeutic level. The median time for patients in the study to reach the steady-state serum levels of Endoxifen while taking daily doses of Atossa’s oral Endoxifen was 7 days. Published literature indicates that it takes approximately 50-200 days for patients to reach steady-state Endoxifen levels when taking daily doses of oral tamoxifen.

TRAP CAR-T Program. In October 2017, we announced that we are developing a novel method to deliver CAR-T cells into the ducts of the breast for the potential targeted treatment of breast cancer. This approach uses our proprietary intraductal microcatheter technology for the potential transpapillary, or "TRAP," delivery of either T-cells that have been genetically modified to attack breast cancer cells or various immunotherapies. We believe this method has several potential advantages including the reduction of toxicity by limiting systemic exposure of the T-cells or immunotherapy; improved efficacy by placing the T-cells or immunotherapy in direct contact with the target ductal epithelial cells that are undergoing malignant transformation; and, lymphatic migration of the CAR-T cells or immunotherapy potentially extending their cytotoxic actions into the regional lymph system, which could limit tumor cell dissemination. Our approach is in the R&D stage and is currently not FDA approved.

Expansion of Scientific Advisory Board. At the end of 2017, we added Dr. Carl Novina to our Scientific Advisory Board. Together with Dr. Jack Cuzick, we now have a world-renowned group advising on the scientific and medical aspects or our programs.

Capital Raising Activity. In 2017, we made significant improvements to our balance sheet by raising approximately $12 million in capital, which strengthened our balance sheet and improved our stockholder base with the addition of institutional biotech-focused investors.

Atossa’s 2018 potential milestones include:

First half of 2018 – opening the Phase 2 Study of topical Endoxifen to treat MBD at Stockholm South General Hospital in Sweden (which we plan to complete in 2018).

First half of 2018 – opening the Phase 2 Study of oral Endoxifen to treat patients who are not responding to Tamoxifen (which we plan to complete in 2018).

Second half of 2018 – commencing one or more studies to demonstrate safety and efficacy of administering TRAP CAR-T or another immunotherapy with our microcatheters.

Throughout 2018:
— Identifying additional opportunities for our Endoxifen formulations; and
— Continuing our Phase 2 study administering Fulvestrant with our microcatheters.

Breast Cancer Statistics

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that approximately 250,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States this year and that approximately 40,000 will die from the disease. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women. Although about 100 times less common than women, breast cancer also affects men. The ACS estimates that the lifetime risk of men getting breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000; 2,470 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed; and 460 men will die from breast cancer in 2017.

2017 Financial Results

Revenue and Cost of Revenue: For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we have no source of sustainable revenue and no associated cost of revenue.

Operating Expenses: Total operating expenses were $7,649,171 for the year ended December 31, 2017, which is a decrease of $319,419 or 4.0%, from the year ended December 31, 2016. Operating expenses for 2017 consisted of general and administrative (G&A) expenses of $4,859,369, R&D expenses of $2,328,087, and impairment of our Acueity intangible assets of $461,715.

General and Administrative Expenses: G&A expenses were $4,859,369 for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $1,619,824, or 25.0% from the total G&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 of $6,479,193. G&A expenses consist primarily of personnel and related benefit costs, facilities, professional services, insurance, and public company related expenses. The 2017 decrease in G&A expense was primarily attributable to a reduction in payroll expenses resulting from deceased headcount, rent and exit costs incurred in 2016. At the beginning of 2016, our strategy shifted away from commercialization of medical devices towards focusing exclusively on development of our pharmaceutical and microcatheter candidates.

Research and Development Expenses: R&D expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017, were $2,328,087, an increase of $1,557,660, or 202% from R&D expenses in 2016 of $770,427. The increase in R&D expenses is attributed to salaries, manufacturing, and clinical trial expenses associated with our Endoxifen program for which manufacturing commenced at the beginning of 2017 and the clinical studies commenced in mid-2017. We expect our R&D expenses to increase throughout 2018 as we commence Phase 2 clinical studies of Endoxifen, continue the clinical trial of fulvestrant administered via our microcatheters and as we continue the development of other indications and therapeutics, including CAR-T and immunotherapies administered via our intraductal microcatheters.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: As of December 31, 2017, the Company had approximately $7.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and working capital of approximately $6.7 million.

On March 8, 2018 OncBioMune Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB:OBMP) ("OncBioMune" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of a proprietary immunotherapy cancer vaccine technology and targeted cancer therapies, is pleased reported that the Company has selected Theradex as its contract research organization (CRO) for both the planned Phase 2 clinical trials evaluating the experimental immunotherapeutic vaccine ProscaVax for prostate cancer, one at Urology Centers of North Texas (UCNT) and the other at Harvard University teaching hospitals (Press release, Oncbiomune, MAR 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234525399]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Theradex served as the CRO for the successfully completed Phase 1a trial of ProscaVax hosted at the University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center and the Veterans Hospital in La Jolla, California.
In the UCNT trial, ProscaVax, the Company’s lead drug candidate consisting of a combination of prostate cancer associated prostate specific antigen (PSA) with the biological adjuvants interleukin-2 (IL-2) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), will be evaluated in a similar patient population as the Phase 1a trial, hormone-naïve and hormone-independent recurrent prostate cancer patients with increasing PSA. The Phase 2 study at the University will be the first mid-stage trial of its type that the Company is aware of, with ProscaVax being administered as a front-line treatment for patients in "active surveillance," meaning they are in the early stage of disease, have received no treatment for their prostate cancer and are only working with their oncologist to monitoring the cancer for signs of progression.

"Experts in oncology and the clinical process, Theradex was invaluable to us in the initial trial of ProscaVax and we’re certain that their experience and guidance will again be of utmost importance in the planned mid-stage studies," commented Dr. Jonathan Head, Chief Executive Officer at OncBioMune. "What we are trying to achieve by addressing prostate cancer at the earliest stage and in the most advanced stage is critically important to improving patient care in a cancer with very limited options across the disease spectrum. We look forward to working with Theradex again and to getting these studies underway."

Sign up for OncBioMune email alerts at: View Source

on March 8, 2018 Aptose Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ:APTO) (TSX:APS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class agents that target the dysregulated processes and signaling pathways of cancer cells and address unmet medical needs of patients with life-threatening hematologic cancers, reported its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 after the close of the market (Press release, Aptose Biosciences, MAR 8, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2336995 [SID1234524536]). 

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Conference Call & Webcast:
Tuesday, March 27th @ 5:00pm Eastern Time
Toll-Free: (844) 882-7834
International: (574) 990-9707
Passcode: 8873259
Webcast: View Source

Replays available through April 3rd, 2018
Toll-Free: (855) 859 2056
Replay Passcode: 8873259

The live conference call can also be accessed through a link on the Investor Relations section of Aptose’s website at ir.aptose.com. Please log onto the webcast at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the call to ensure time for any software downloads that may be required. An archived version of the webcast along with a transcript will be available on the company’s website for 30 days.

The press release, the financial statements and the management’s discussion and analysis for the quarter ended and year ended December 31, 2017 will be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml

On March 8, 2018 Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: INFI) will host a conference call on Thursday, March 15, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. ET to review its fourth quarter and full year 2017 financial results and provide an update on the company (Press release, Infinity Pharmaceuticals, MAR 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234524560]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

A live webcast of the conference call can be accessed in the Investors/Media section of Infinity’s website at www.infi.com. To participate in the conference call, please dial 1-877-316-5293 (domestic) and 1-631-291-4526 (international) five minutes prior to start time. The conference ID number is 5558799. An archived version of the webcast will be available on Infinity’s website for 30 days.