On November 6, 2018 Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) reported financial results for the third quarter of 2018 and updated financial guidance for 2018 (Press release, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, NOV 6, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2375661 [SID1234530760]).

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"We delivered strong top-line and bottom-line growth in the third quarter and recently achieved two significant regulatory milestones, with the receipt of marketing authorization for Vyxeos in the EU and FDA approval of Xyrem for pediatric narcolepsy patients," said Bruce Cozadd, chairman and chief executive officer of Jazz Pharmaceuticals. "In the U.S., we are reinforcing Vyxeos as essential therapy for secondary AML with increased education and outreach programs to address the complex and evolving marketplace for AML. As we approach year end, we are also focused on our remaining 2018 corporate goals, including our planned solriamfetol EU regulatory submission and expected FDA approval of solriamfetol."

GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2018 was $149.3 million, or $2.41 per diluted share, compared to $63.5 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2017.

Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2018 was $221.7 million, or $3.58 per diluted share, compared to $197.6 million, or $3.22 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2017. Reconciliations of applicable GAAP reported to non-GAAP adjusted information are included at the end of this press release.

Total revenues increased 14% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 due to the contribution of strong sales from Xyrem and Defitelio and the inclusion of a full quarter of Vyxeos sales.

Xyrem net product sales increased 18% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

Erwinaze/Erwinase net product sales decreased 16% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. Ongoing supply challenges at the manufacturer, Porton Biopharma Limited, continue to negatively impact the company’s ability to provide patients with this important component of the treatment regimen for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. There is currently a global supply outage of Erwinaze, and the company expects further supply disruptions during the fourth quarter and into 2019.

Defitelio/defibrotide net product sales increased 16% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The company continues to expect inter-quarter variability in Defitelio net sales given that hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is an ultra-rare disease.

Vyxeos net product sales were $21.0 million in the third quarter of 2018 compared to $9.7 million in the third quarter of 2017, which reflected the first six weeks of sales post-launch in August 2017. The company is implementing initiatives focused on establishing Vyxeos as essential therapy for patients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as the company addresses challenges to wider adoption in a complex and evolving AML market.

Operating expenses changed over the prior year period primarily due to the following:

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 on a GAAP and on a non-GAAP adjusted basis due to higher expenses resulting from the expansion of the company’s business, including the rolling launch of Vyxeos in the EU and pre-launch activities for solriamfetol in anticipation of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.
Research and development (R&D) expenses increased in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 on a GAAP and on a non-GAAP adjusted basis due to an increase in expenses related to the company’s pre-clinical and clinical development programs and regulatory activities, including an increase in headcount to support these activities.
Acquired in-process research and development expense in the third quarter of 2017 related to an upfront payment of $75.0 million in connection with a collaboration and option agreement with ImmunoGen, Inc.
Cash Flow and Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2018, cash, cash equivalents and investments were $1.1 billion and the outstanding principal balance of the company’s long-term debt was $1.8 billion. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the company generated $574.6 million of cash from operations, received a $50.0 million upfront payment for the sale of its rights to Prialt, purchased a priority review voucher for $110.0 million and used $77.0 million to repurchase approximately 500,000 ordinary shares under the company’s share repurchase program at an average cost of $154.03 per ordinary share. As of September 30, 2018, the remaining amount authorized under the share repurchase program was $106 million. In November 2018, the company’s board of directors increased the share repurchase program by $320 million.

Recent Developments

In August 2018, the company initiated the EU rolling launch of Vyxeos 44 mg/100 mg powder for concentrate for solution for infusion for the treatment of adults with newly diagnosed, therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) or AML with myelodysplasia-related changes (AML-MRC), following EU approval on August 23, 2018.

In September 2018, the company completed the sale of its rights to Prialt to TerSera Therapeutics LLC for a total purchase price of $80.0 million, of which the company received $50.0 million at closing and, subject to certain conditions, is scheduled to receive $15.0 million at the end of 2019 and $15.0 million at the end of 2020.

In September 2018, Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd. announced that Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare granted orphan drug designation to defibrotide sodium for the treatment of hepatic VOD following hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, and, in October 2018, Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd. submitted a new drug application (NDA) in Japan.

In October 2018, the company announced the settlement of patent litigation against Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC related to its abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) to market a generic version of Xyrem. This represents settlement of all outstanding patent litigation related to Xyrem.

In October 2018, the company received FDA approval of its supplemental NDA for Xyrem to treat cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness in pediatric narcolepsy patients and plans to launch in the first half of 2019.

Excludes $4-$8 million of share-based compensation expense from estimated GAAP gross margin.

Excludes $74-$82 million of share-based compensation expense and $57 million of estimated loss contingency from estimated GAAP SG&A expenses.

Excludes $17-$20 million of share-based compensation expense and $11 million of milestone payments from estimated GAAP R&D expenses.

Excludes the income tax effect of adjustments between GAAP reported and non-GAAP adjusted net income.

See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below. Reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted guidance measures are included above and in the table titled "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Adjusted 2018 Net Income Guidance" at the end of this press release.

Conference Call Details

Jazz Pharmaceuticals will host an investor conference call and live audio webcast today at 4:30 p.m. EST (9:30 p.m. GMT) to provide a business and financial update and discuss its 2018 third quarter results. The live webcast may be accessed from the Investors section of the company’s website at www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com. Please connect to the website prior to the start of the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software downloads that may be necessary. Investors may participate in the conference call by dialing +1 855 353 7924 in the U.S., or +1 503 343 6056 outside the U.S., and entering passcode 8048589.

A replay of the conference call will be available through November 13, 2018 by dialing +1 855 859 2056 in the U.S., or +1 404 537 3406 outside the U.S., and entering passcode 8048589. An archived version of the webcast will be available for at least one week in the Investors section of the company’s website at www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com.

On November 6, 2018 Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRTX), a clinical-stage targeted oncology company, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Mirati, NOV 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234530781]).

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"We are pleased that our sitravatinib and MRTX849 (KRAS) programs are advancing into the next stages of development. We expect to enroll the first patient in our much-anticipated Phase 1 trial for MRTX849 in January 2019 and we plan to begin a Phase 3 randomized trial with sitravatinib in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor in the first half of 2019," said Charles M. Baum, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. "We remain well funded to execute our plans with over $240 million of cash and investments at the end of the third quarter."

Financial Results for the Third Quarter 2018

Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments were $242.6 million at September 30, 2018, compared to $150.8 million at December 31, 2017. In June 2018, we completed a public equity offering with net proceeds of $130.7 million.
License and collaboration revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $9.5 million, compared to none in the same period of 2017. License and collaboration revenues relate to the Collaboration and License Agreement between the Company and BeiGene, Ltd., which became effective January 7, 2018.
Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $23.6 million, compared to $13.5 million for the same period in 2017. Research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $67.1 million compared to $42.8 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in research and development expenses for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 is due to an increase in third party research and development expense for sitravatinib and our KRAS inhibitor program. The increase in sitravatinib expense is due to the expansion of ongoing clinical trials and the increase in KRAS inhibitor program expense relates to costs associated with our recently filed IND application for our lead clinical compound, MRTX849. The increase is also related to increased salaries and related expense, including an increase in share-based compensation expense due to an increase in the fair value of stock options granted.
General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $5.3 million, compared to $3.1 million for the same period in 2017. General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $15.3 million compared to $10.5 million for the same period of 2017. The increase for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 is primarily due to an increase in share-based compensation expense due to an increase in the fair value of stock options granted, as well as an increase in professional and consulting fees.

Net loss for the third quarter of 2018 was $27.6 million, or $0.85 per share basic and diluted, compared to net loss of $16.4 million, or $0.65 per share basic and diluted for the same period in 2017. Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $70.1 million, or $2.31 per share, compared to $52.5 million, or $2.12 per share, for the same period of 2017.

About MRTX849
MRTX849 is an orally-available small molecule that potently and selectively inhibits a form of KRAS which harbors a substitution mutation (G12C). KRAS G12C mutations are present in approximately 14% of NSCLC adenocarcinoma patients and 5% of colorectal cancer patients. Tumors characterized by KRAS G12C mutations are commonly associated with poor prognosis and resistance to therapy, and patients with these mutations have few treatment options. MTRX849 has demonstrated broad-spectrum tumor regression in a large cohort of KRAS G12C positive, pre-clinical in-vivo human tumor models. MRTX849 demonstrated complete regression of tumors in a subset of models at well-tolerated dose levels. Early proof-of-concept clinical data is anticipated in 2019.

About Sitravatinib
Sitravatinib is a spectrum-selective kinase inhibitor that potently inhibits receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), including TAM family receptors (TYRO3, Axl, Mer), split family receptors (VEGFR2, KIT) and RET. As an immuno-oncology agent, sitravatinib is being evaluated in combination with nivolumab (OPDIVO), an anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, in patients who have experienced documented disease progression following treatment with a checkpoint inhibitor. Sitravatinib’s potent inhibition of TAM and split family RTKs may overcome resistance to checkpoint inhibitor therapy through targeted reversal of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, enhancing antigen-specific T cell response and expanding dendritic cell-dependent antigen presentation.
Sitravatinib is also being evaluated as a single agent in a Phase 1b expansion clinical trial enrolling patients whose tumors harbor specific mutations in the CBL protein. When CBL is inactivated by mutation, multiple RTKs, including TAM, VEGFR2 and KIT, are dysregulated and may act as oncogenic tumor drivers in NSCLC and melanoma. Sitravatinib potently inhibits these RTKs and is being investigated as a treatment option for cancer patients with CBL mutations.

On November 6, 2018 Array BioPharma Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRY) reported that its Chief Executive Officer, Ron Squarer, will speak at the Stifel 2018 Healthcare Conference and the Jefferies 2018 London Healthcare Conference (Press release, Array BioPharma, NOV 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234530823]). The public is welcome to participate in the conferences through webcasts on the Array BioPharma website.

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Event:

Stifel 2018 Healthcare Conference

Presenter:

Ron Squarer, Chief Executive Officer, Array BioPharma

Date:

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Time:

3:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Webcast:

View Source

Event:

Jefferies 2018 London Healthcare Conference

Presenter:

Ron Squarer, Chief Executive Officer, Array BioPharma

Date:

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Time:

9:00 a.m. Eastern Time

Webcast:

View Source

On November 6, 2018 Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SUPN), a pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, reported record financial results for the third quarter of 2018 and related Company developments (Press release, Supernus, NOV 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234530847]).

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"Supernus generated another strong quarter of growth, setting a new record for quarterly net product sales of $100 million," said Jack Khattar, President and CEO of Supernus Pharmaceuticals. "Despite the market introduction of new competitive preventive treatments for migraine, Trokendi XR continued to capture a greater portion of the topiramate market. For Oxtellar XR, we continue to prepare for the potential launch of the monotherapy indication for partial seizures."

Progress of Product Pipeline
Given the recently accelerated development timeline for SPN-812 that positions its potential regulatory approval and commercial launch ahead of SPN-810, the Company has directed its resources to prioritize filing of the New Drug Application (NDA) and potential commercial launch of SPN-812 in the United States.

As a result, the following are the updated plans and timelines for both product candidates:

SPN-812 – Novel non-stimulant for the treatment of ADHD

The Phase III program consists of four three-arm, placebo-controlled trials: P301 and P303 trials in patients 6-11 years old and P302 and P304 trials in patients 12-17 years old.
The Company expects to announce top-line data from P301 and P303 pediatric trials concurrently in early December 2018, and from P302, the first adolescent Phase III trial, by the end of December 2018. Top-line data from the second adolescent Phase III trial, P304, are expected by the end of the first quarter of 2019.
The Company expects to submit an NDA for SPN-812 in the second half of 2019, and to launch it, pending U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, in the second half of 2020.
SPN-810 – Treatment of Impulsive Aggression in patients with ADHD

As expected, the first Phase III trial (P301) has reached its original enrollment target. However, given the aforementioned prioritization of SPN-812 and that top-line data from the second Phase III trial (P302) is expected around mid-2019, the Company has decided to keep P301 enrollment active until data from both trials can be released concurrently instead of sequentially. This change does not impact the timing of submission of the NDA for SPN-810, given that the NDA submission is rate-limited by completion of the P302 trial and generation of data in the adolescent patient population.
The Company continues to observe enrollment in the open label extension (OLE) study at 90% or higher. On average, a patient in the OLE study remains on SPN-810 treatment for 9.5 months, which we believe is an encouraging sign of the tolerability and efficacy of SPN-810.
Patient dosing has been initiated in the Phase III trial in adolescent patients.
The Company expects to submit an NDA for SPN-810 in the second half of 2020, and to launch it, pending FDA approval, in the second half of 2021.
SPN-604 (formerly known as Oxtellar XR for Bipolar)

The Company continues to expect initiating pivotal Phase III studies for the treatment of bipolar disorder in the second half of 2019.
"We are pleased to announce the completion of enrollment in the first three Phase III trials for SPN-812," said Jack Khattar. "We look forward to reporting top-line data from these trials during December 2018. If successful, SPN-812 has the potential to be a novel non-stimulant for the treatment of ADHD that compares favorably to existing medications."

Operating Expenses
Research and development expenses in the third quarter of 2018 were $20.4 million, as compared to $13.0 million in the same quarter last year. The increase was due primarily to the initiation of the four Phase III clinical trials for SPN-812 in the second half of 2017 and, to a lesser extent, the OLE trials for SPN-812 and SPN-810.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the third quarter of 2018 were $40.9 million, essentially unchanged compared to $40.8 million in the same quarter last year.

Operating Earnings and Earnings Per Share
Operating earnings in the third quarter of 2018 were $37.5 million, a 68.2% increase over $22.3 million in the same prior year period. The improvement in operating earnings was primarily due to increased net product sales, partially offset by increased research and development expenses.

GAAP net earnings in the third quarter of 2018 were $28.0 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, as compared to $16.0 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, in the same period last year. In addition to higher operating income, GAAP net earnings and diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2018 benefited from the reduction in the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate and, to a lesser extent, from stock option exercises.

Weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding were approximately 54.2 million in the third quarter of 2018, as compared to approximately 53.6 million in the third quarter of 2017.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $740.5 million in cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and long term marketable securities, as compared to $273.7 million at December 31, 2017. This increase reflects net proceeds of $364.9 million from the issuance of convertible senior notes and warrants in March 2018, partially offset by purchases of convertible note hedges, as well as increased cash from operations in the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Financial Guidance
For full year 2018, the Company is updating its prior guidance as set forth below:

Net product sales in the range of $388 million to $395 million, compared to the previously expected range of $385 million to $400 million.
Research and development expenses of approximately $95 million, including the one-time upfront expense of $15 million in the fourth quarter for the acquisition of Biscayne Neurotherapeutics, Inc.
Operating earnings in the range of $120 million to $125 million, compared to the previously expected range of $115 million to $125 million.
The Company expects an effective tax rate of approximately 23% to 25% for the fourth quarter of 2018.
Supernus ranked number one pharmaceutical company worldwide in Fortune’s "100 Fastest-Growing Companies" list for 2018 and number three in all industries
In August 2018, Fortune ranked qualifying companies based on revenue growth rate, EPS growth rate, and three-year annualized total return for the period ended June 29, 2018. In a review of Supernus and using their methodology, Fortune placed Supernus in the top spot in the pharmaceutical industry worldwide and the third spot across all industries.

To view the full list of Fortune’s 100 Fastest-Growing Companies go to: View Source

"I am so proud of our employees. They deserve all the recognition Supernus has received over the past few years, from making the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list three years in a row to being ranked as the number one Fortune 100 fastest growing pharmaceutical company in the world," said Jack Khattar. "Their hard work and commitment to excellence and to our patients are second to none, and I am very fortunate to be working with such an incredible organization."

Conference Call Details
The Company will hold a conference call hosted by Jack Khattar, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Greg Patrick, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to discuss these results at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on Wednesday, November 7, 2018. An accompanying webcast also will be provided.

Please refer to the information below for conference call dial-in information and webcast registration. Callers should dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

Conference dial-in:
International dial-in:
Conference ID:
Conference Call Name:
(877) 288-1043
(970) 315-0267
2697616
Supernus Pharmaceuticals Third Quarter 2018 Earnings Conference Call

Following the live call, a replay will be available on the Company’s website, www.supernus.com, under "Investor Relations".

On November 6, 2018 Exicure, Inc. (OTCQB:XCUR), the pioneer in gene regulatory and immunotherapeutic drugs utilizing three-dimensional, spherical nucleic acid (SNA) constructs, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, and provided an update on corporate progress (Press release, Exicure, NOV 6, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2375500 [SID1234530761]).

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"During the quarter, we made progress in our clinical program in immuno-oncology while expanding our preclinical data in a growing number of disease models," said Dr. David Giljohann, Chief Executive Officer of Exicure. "The FDA informed us that our Phase1b/2 clinical trial in immuno-oncology may proceed. We also completed patient dosing in a Phase1 trial for Exicure’s lead anti-inflammatory compound. Additionally, the Exicure team continues to develop promising preclinical data in neurology, as well as demonstrated the preclinical delivery of our platform in the gastrointestinal tract. All of this work supports a core strategic objective of developing our digital medicines platform in oncology, genetically defined disorders, and inflammatory disease," added Dr. Giljohann.

Corporate Progress

Announced launch of a Phase1b/2 trial for AST-008, Exicure’s TLR9 agonist drug candidate designed for immuno-oncology applications. The IND for AST-008 has been opened by the FDA and we have been informed by the FDA that our proposed Phase1b/2 trial may proceed. We expect patient dosing to begin late this year.
Completed the Phase 1 clinical trial of AST-008 which demonstrated the desired highly potent immune system activation without serious adverse events or dose limiting toxicity.
Completed patient dosing in the Phase 1 clinical trial of XCUR17, our clinical stage anti-inflammatory drug candidate being tested in psoriasis. We expect topline results in 2018.
Presented data at the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society meeting showing the distribution and therapeutic efficacy of Exicure’s technology through oral delivery to the GI tract.
Developed preclinical bio-distribution data of Exicure’s platform after intrathecal injection, demonstrating a favorable distribution profile in the CNS, and enabling the potential expansion of the Exicure platform into the central nervous system.
Raised approximately $22.0 million in gross proceeds at a per share price of $4.50 in a private placement offering.
Clinical Updates

AST-008: AST-008 is an SNA consisting of toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonists designed for immuno-oncology applications. The Phase 1 clinical trial of AST-008 was completed during the quarter and demonstrated our desired highly potent immune system activation without serious adverse events or dose limiting toxicity. The IND for AST-008 has been opened by the FDA and we have been informed that our proposed Phase1b/2 trial may proceed. We expect to dose the first patient late this year.

XCUR17: XCUR17 is an antisense SNA that is designed to target the mRNA encoding IL-17RA. In our Phase 1 trial, XCUR17 is being tested in a microplaque study in patients with mild to moderate psoriasis. We have completed patient dosing and expect to report topline results late in 2018.

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results and Financial Guidance

Cash Position: As of September 30, 2018, Exicure had cash and cash equivalents of $32.4 million compared to $25.8 million as of December 31, 2017.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expense was $4.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $0.9 million, or 28%. The increase in R&D expense of $0.9 million was primarily due to higher employee-related expenses of $0.4 million, higher clinical development programs expense of $0.3 million, and higher platform and discovery-related expense of $0.2 million.

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: General and administrative expense was $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $0.6 million, or 51%. This increase was due to higher costs associated with being a public company of $0.3 million, including higher expense for investor and public relations, director and officer insurance, and transfer agent, over the counter and other regulatory compliance related matters, as well as higher legal costs of $0.2 million mostly related to 2018 financing activities, and higher compensation and related expense of $0.1 million associated with salary increases.

Net Loss: Net loss was $5.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to net loss of $1.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. The $3.4 million increase in net loss was due principally to a decrease in revenue of $2.4 million that mostly reflects the absence of revenue recognized in the prior period related to the amortization of the upfront payment, and certain reimbursable R&D activities pursuant to a research collaboration, option and license agreement. In addition, we had an increase in Other income of $0.5 million principally due to the fair value adjustment of our common stock warrant liability offsetting the increases in R&D and G&A discussed above.

Cash Runway Guidance: Exicure believes that, based on its current operating plans and estimates of expenses, as of the date of this press release, its existing cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2018, will be sufficient to meet its anticipated cash requirements into the first quarter of 2020.