MacroGenics Provides Update on Corporate Progress and 2nd Quarter 2018 Financial Results

On August 7, 2018 MacroGenics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGNX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 (Press release, MacroGenics, AUG 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234528763]).
"MacroGenics continues to advance its portfolio of oncology product candidates toward multiple data read-outs," said Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of MacroGenics. "We expect to complete enrollment of the SOPHIA Phase 3 metastatic breast cancer study of margetuximab in the next few months and be able to disclose top-line results in the first quarter of 2019. Also in early 2019, we expect to provide an update on the combination study of margetuximab with an anti-PD-1 agent in the treatment of gastric cancer patients in a Phase 2 study. In addition, we will provide updates later this year on both the enoblituzumab plus anti-PD-1 combination study, as well as the flotetuzumab monotherapy dose expansion study in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Finally, we recently submitted an investigational new drug (IND) application for our first antibody-drug conjugate – MGC018, an anti-B7-H3 ADC – and anticipate submitting an IND for MGD019 (PD-1 x CTLA-4 DART molecule) by year-end."
Key Pipeline Updates
Margetuximab. Recent highlights related to the Company’s Fc-optimized monoclonal antibody (mAb) that targets the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, or HER2, include:

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Phase 3 Metastatic Breast Cancer Study. The pivotal SOPHIA study is evaluating the efficacy of margetuximab plus chemotherapy compared to trastuzumab plus chemotherapy in approximately 530 relapsed/refractory HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients. MacroGenics remains on track to complete enrollment of the study in the next few months, with anticipated disclosure of topline PFS data in the first quarter of 2019.

Phase 2 Gastric Cancer Study. At the 2018 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in June, MacroGenics presented updated interim clinical data from a Phase 2 study of margetuximab plus an anti-PD-1 agent in patients with HER2-positive gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. This chemotherapy-free combination, designed to coordinately engage innate and adaptive immunity, demonstrated that margetuximab plus an anti-PD-1 antibody may have enhanced antitumor activity in patients with advanced gastric cancer. The Company expects to complete enrollment of 25 additional gastric cancer patients in the next few months and present data in the first quarter of 2019.

Flotetuzumab. Recent highlights of the Company’s bispecific, humanized DART molecule that recognizes both CD123 and CD3, include:

Monotherapy Study. MacroGenics has completed the enrollment of its AML dose expansion cohort and plans to present updated clinical data and disclose further development plans in late 2018. The Company’s collaborator, Servier, has development and commercialization rights outside North America, Japan, Korea and India for flotetuzumab, also known as S80880.

Combination Study with MGA012. MacroGenics has previously presented data supporting the rationale for using checkpoint blockade as an approach to potentially enhance the anti-leukemic activity of flotetuzumab. MacroGenics intends to commence enrollment of a combination study

Exhibit 99.1

with MGA012, an anti-PD-1 mAb also known as INCMGA0012, later this year.
PD-1-Directed Immuno-Oncology Franchise. MacroGenics is advancing multiple PD-1-directed programs to enable both a broad set of combination opportunities across the Company’s portfolio and provide further differentiation from existing PD-1-based treatment options. These programs include:

MGA012. This humanized, proprietary anti-PD-1 mAb is being developed for use as monotherapy as well as in combination with other potential cancer therapeutics. MGA012 was licensed to Incyte Corporation in 2017 under a global collaboration and license agreement. MacroGenics retains the rights to develop MGA012 in combination with its pipeline assets, and has already initiated clinical combination studies with two separate DART molecules. In June 2018, Incyte announced its intention to pursue monotherapy development of MGA012 in MSI-high endometrial cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma and anal cancer through registration-directed studies, with data anticipated in 2020-2021.

MGD013. This first-in-class DART molecule provides co-blockade of two immune checkpoint molecules expressed on T cells, PD-1 and LAG-3, for the potential treatment of a range of solid tumors and hematological malignancies. MGD013 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 study. MacroGenics expects to establish the dose and schedule for MGD013 administration as well as initiate dose expansion cohorts by year end 2018.

MGD019. This DART molecule is designed to provide co-blockade of both PD-1 and CTLA-4 on T cells. The Company anticipates submitting the IND application for MGD019 by year end 2018.
B7-H3 Franchise. MacroGenics is developing a portfolio of therapeutics that target B7-H3, a member of the B7 family of molecules involved in immune regulation. The Company is advancing multiple programs that target B7-H3 through complementary mechanisms of action that take advantage of this antigen’s broad expression across multiple solid tumor types. These molecules include:

Enoblituzumab: The Company completed the recruitment of patients in an ongoing study of this Fc-optimized mAb that targets B7-H3, in combination with an anti-PD-1 mAb and expects to present clinical data from this study as well as disclose further development plans in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Orlotamab (formerly known as MGD009): This DART molecule targeting B7-H3 and CD3 is being evaluated in a Phase 1 study. The Company recently established the dose and schedule for orlotamab administration and initiated monotherapy dose expansion cohorts in six different tumor types. In addition, a combination study of orlotamab and MGA012 was initiated in the first quarter of 2018 and is ongoing.

MGC018: The Company has submitted an IND for this anti-B7-H3 ADC and anticipates initiation of a Phase 1 study in the coming months. This first-in-man study is designed to study MGC018 both as monotherapy and in combination with MGA012 in patients with solid tumors.

Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2018, were $300.9 million, compared to $305.1 million as of December 31, 2017.

Exhibit 99.1

Revenue: Total revenue, consisting primarily of revenue from collaborative agreements, was $18.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to $1.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. Revenue from collaborative agreements includes the recognition of deferred revenue from payments received in previous periods as well as payments received during the year.

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $52.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to $34.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. This increase was primarily due to the continued enrollment in the Company’s two margetuximab studies, flotetuzumab study and increased headcount to support expanded manufacturing and development activities.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $11.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to $8.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. This increase was primarily due to consulting and other costs incurred related to the implementation of the Company’s new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and increased patent expenses.

Net Loss: Net loss was $43.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to net loss of $40.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Shares Outstanding: Shares outstanding as of June 30, 2018 were 42,229,011.

Conference Call Information

MacroGenics will host a conference call today at 4:30 pm (ET) to discuss financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 and provide a corporate update. To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 303-6253 (domestic) or (973) 409-9610 (international) five minutes prior to the start of the call and provide the Conference ID: 9259899.

Sesen Bio Announces CEO and Board Transitions as Company Prepares for 12-Month VISTA Trial Data and Regulatory Submission in 2019

On August 7, 2018 Sesen Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: SESN), a late-stage clinical company developing next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapies for the treatment of cancer, reported key leadership transitions as part of its evolution into a commercial-stage oncology company (Press release, Eleven Biotherapeutics, AUG 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234528946]). Thomas Cannell, DVM has been appointed chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors, bringing with him a wealth of leadership experience in building and overseeing strategic operations and global pharmaceutical commercialization for life science companies. Stephen Hurly left his employment with Sesen Bio effective August 7, 2018.

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"Over the last two years, Sesen Bio has undergone a unique evolution as a company. Following the acquisition of Viventia and the resulting transition from an ophthalmology organization to an oncology company, we have been wholly focused on developing Vicinium for high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer," said Wendy Dixon, Ph.D., chair of Sesen Bio’s board of directors. "We are grateful to Steve for his many significant contributions in advancing Sesen Bio to where it is today, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors. As we transition further as a company, Tom will be an exceptional strategic leader bringing deep experience in drug development and commercialization to drive Vicinium, our pipeline and the company through this important next chapter."

Thomas Cannell most recently served as chief operating officer and president of global commercial products at Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc., where he led the successful commercialization and profitability of Contrave. Prior to Orexigen, Dr. Cannell spent 27 years with Merck & Co., Inc., where he held senior leadership positions in global commercialization, consumer marketing, and sales operations and management for both development-stage programs and approved marketed products. While with Merck, he served as president of Merck Canada and head of marketing and strategy for Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Japan, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., where he was responsible for setting up a long-standing strategic process and plan, managed a multi-billion-dollar product portfolio and oversaw thousands of employees. In addition, he designed and successfully piloted an innovative, customer-centric commercial model for Merck’s U.S. business. Dr. Cannell received his DVM degree from Washington State University.

"My enthusiasm for joining Sesen Bio is based on the novel mechanism of Vicinium, its potential as a monotherapy and combination agent, particularly with checkpoint inhibitors, and the range of therapeutic opportunities with our novel fusion proteins," stated Dr. Cannell. "Over the next several months, we will be focused on several strategic objectives across our pipeline. These include: completing the Phase 3 registration trial for Vicinium with 12-month data expected by mid-2019; engaging with regulatory authorities to prepare for our first BLA submission; initiating the appropriate pre-commercial activities to support a potential future product approval and launch; and exploring new therapeutic opportunities in additional indications. I am excited to join the company at this pivotal time and believe strongly in our ability to execute these strategic priorities to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients."

Sesen Bio also announced today that Abbie Celniker, Ph.D. and Paul Chaney have stepped down from the company’s board of directors, effective August 7, 2018. Dr. Celniker, who served on the board of directors since the company’s founding by Third Rock Ventures in 2011, is focusing on her partner role at Third Rock Ventures and early-stage portfolio-building efforts. Mr. Chaney joined the company’s board in 2014 as a leader in developing innovative ophthalmic therapeutics and is leaving to continue his efforts in that area of drug development.

"I am very proud of the progress and many milestones that the Sesen Bio team has achieved, and it has been a pleasure to serve on the board with this outstanding group of industry leaders," said Dr. Celniker. "The company is uniquely positioned with a Phase 3 trial that is well underway, established clinical data, a lead product candidate with a pipeline of opportunities and a strong balance sheet to fund its growing organization. I look forward to watching Sesen Bio’s continued success as a supportive investor with Third Rock Ventures."

In connection with the appointment of Dr. Cannell, Sesen Bio entered into an employment agreement with Dr. Cannell that, among other things, provides for the grant of a non-statutory stock option outside of the company’s 2014 Stock Incentive Plan as an inducement material to Dr. Cannell’s entering into employment with Sesen Bio in accordance with Nasdaq Stock Market Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The stock option to purchase 1,350,000 shares of the company’s common stock is being granted effective as of August 7, 2018. The stock option grant was approved by the independent compensation committee of the board of directors in accordance with Nasdaq Stock Market Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The stock option will have an exercise price per share equal to the closing price per share of Sesen Bio’s common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on August 7, 2018. The stock option will have a ten-year term and will vest over a four-year period, with 25 percent of the shares underlying the stock option award vesting on the first anniversary of the date of grant and an additional 6.25 percent of the shares underlying the stock option vesting at the end of each successive three-month period following the one-year anniversary of the date of grant of the stock option, subject to Dr. Cannell’s continued service with the company through the applicable vesting dates.

Bellicum Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results
Management to host conference call and webcast today at 5 p.m. Eastern

On August 7, 2018 Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:BLCM), a leader in developing novel, controllable cellular immunotherapies for cancers and orphan inherited blood disorders, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, and provided an update on recent developments (Press release, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, AUG 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234528497]).

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"We made substantial progress during the second quarter, with key data readouts expected later in 2018," said Bellicum’s President & CEO Rick Fair. "Registration studies with our polyclonal allogeneic cell therapy, BPX-501, are on track and we expect to file MAAs in the European Union in 2019. In anticipation of these filings, we have begun to staff a European organization and initiate pre-launch activities. In addition, based on the encouraging results to date in pediatric leukemias, we are advancing plans to expand the BPX-501 opportunity with a late-stage trial in adult AML patients."

Continued Mr. Fair: "The Phase 1 study of our lead GoCAR-T program, BPX-601, continues to enroll and we plan to report initial results before the end of 2018. We are also hard at work preparing IND/IMPD regulatory submissions for two new dual-switch GoCAR-T programs we expect to enter the clinic in 2019."

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS AND CURRENT UPDATES

Registration Studies on Track in Europe with BPX-501
Prospective enrollment was completed in the BP-004 and C-004 pediatric trials in patients with leukemias, lymphomas, and inherited blood disorders. These trials will serve as the basis for the planned 2019 European MAA regulatory filings. During the 23rd Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) in June, Bellicum reported compelling interim data from BP-004:

Additional interim results from both the BP-004 and the C-004 clinical trials will be presented at a medical conference later this year, with final results expected in early 2019. Bellicum also continues to advance its plans to initiate a late-stage trial of BPX-501 in adult AML patients by the end of the year.

Commercial Planning Activities Underway in Europe for BPX-501
Bellicum named Thierry Darcis, M.D., M.B.A., as General Manager of Europe to lead commercialization plans for BPX-501. Dr. Darcis has extensive experience launching orphan products in Europe and has led commercial teams that supported successful product introductions for ViroPharma and NPS Pharmaceuticals. He also held leadership roles with Zogenix, Novartis Vaccines and GlaxoSmithKline.

BPX-601 and BPX-701 Trials Advancing
BPX-601 is Bellicum’s first GoCAR-T product candidate and is the first controllable CAR-T cell to enter clinical trials. The Company expects to report preliminary findings from the Phase 1 dose-escalation safety study of BPX-601 in adults with nonresectable pancreatic cancer who test positive for prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) later this year, and is currently implementing an amendment to expand the study to gastric and prostate cancer patients. A Phase 1 study of BPX-701 continues to screen patients, and additional clinical sites are being added to the trial to accelerate enrollment.

Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Bellicum reported a net loss of $24.2 million for the second quarter of 2018 and $47.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, compared to a net loss of $24.5 million and $46.4 million for the comparable periods of 2017. The results included non-cash, share-based compensation charges of $3.6 million and $7.2 million for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2018, and $3.2 million and $6.6 million for the comparable periods in 2017.

As of June 30, 2018, cash, restricted cash and investments totaled $135.3 million. Based on current operating plans, Bellicum continues to expect that current cash resources will be sufficient to meet operating requirements through 2019.

Research and development expenses were $18.4 million and $34.9 million, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, compared to $18.0 million and $33.3 million during the comparable periods in 2017.

General and administrative expenses were $5.4 million and $11.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, compared to $5.5 million and $11.4 million during the comparable periods in 2017.

At June 30, 2018, Bellicum had 43,346,220 shares of common stock outstanding.

Conference Call and Webcast
Bellicum management will host a webcast and conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern today to discuss the financial results and provide a corporate update. To access the call, participants should dial 877-407-3103 (domestic) and 201-493-6791 (international) at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. The event will be webcast live and can also be accessed in the Investors & Media section of bellicum.com. An archived version of the webcast will also be available for replay in the Investors & Media section of the Bellicum website for at least two weeks following the call.

About BPX-501
BPX-501 is an adjunct T cell therapy administered after allogeneic HSCT, comprising genetically modified donor T cells incorporating Bellicum’s CaspaCIDe safety switch. It is designed to provide a safety net to eliminate alloreactive BPX-501 T cells (via administration of activator agent rimiducid) should uncontrollable GvHD or other T-cell mediated transplant complications occur. This may enable physicians to more safely perform stem cell transplants by administering BPX-501 engineered T cells to speed immune reconstitution, provide control over viral infections, and enhance graft-versus-leukemic activity while minimizing GvHD side effects.

About BPX-601
BPX-601 is a GoCAR-T product candidate containing Bellicum’s proprietary inducible MyD88/CD40, or iMC, activation switch, designed to treat solid tumors expressing prostate stem cell antigen, or PSCA. Preclinical data show enhanced T cell proliferation, persistence and in vivo anti-tumor activity compared to traditional CAR-T therapies. In addition to pancreatic cancer, PSCA is expressed in several other solid tumor indications, including gastric and prostate cancers.

About BPX-701
BPX-701 is a high affinity T cell receptor product candidate designed with the CaspaCIDe safety switch. In preclinical studies, PRAME-specific clones showed high reactivity against a panel of PRAME positive tumor cell lines, metastatic melanoma, sarcomas and neuroblastoma tissues. In vitro study data showed that BPX-701 demonstrated strong affinity to panels of cancer cells presenting PRAME peptides and low affinity to non-tumor cells, as well as elimination of BPX-701 cells in response to rimiducid.

Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2018 Results

On August 7, 2018 Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Eagle" or "the Company") (Nasdaq:EGRX) reported its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 (Press release, Eagle Pharmaceuticals, AUG 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234528517]). Highlights of and subsequent to the second quarter of 2018 include:

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Business and Recent Highlights:

EHS clinical trial for RYANODEX will be conducted August 20 – 24, 2018 during the Hajj pilgrimage;
Eagle received a favorable decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granting seven years of orphan drug exclusivity (ODE) in the U.S., for BENDEKA (bendamustine hydrochloride injection, or bendamustine HCI) until December 2022 and denying the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) attempt to preemptively exclude TREANDA generics from the scope of exclusivity;
Data from the fulvestrant clinical trial expected in the fourth quarter of 2018;
Advancing discussions with U.S. military to formalize clinical and regulatory plans for RYANODEX in the treatment of nerve agent exposure;
United States Patent and Trademark Office issued patent number 10,010,533 for BENDEKA. The USPTO has now issued or allowed a total of 15 U.S. patents in the BENDEKA family of patents expiring from 2021 to 2033;
Eagle was first to file a vasopressin 1ml injection ANDA, which was accepted for filing by the FDA in April; and
A second source manufacturing facility for Eagle’s bendamustine products has been approved by the FDA.
Financial Highlights:

Second quarter 2018

Total revenue for the second quarter of 2018 was $59.3 million, compared to $50.1 million in the second quarter of 2017;
Eagle launched bendamustine hydrochloride 500ml solution ("Big Bag") on May 15, 2018 and Big Bag product sales were $8.1 million in the second quarter of 2018;
Q2 2018 Ryanodex product sales were $7.2 million, up 38% compared to Q2 2017;
Q2 2018 net income was $2.7 million, or $0.18 per basic and $0.17 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.5 million, or $0.30 per basic and $0.28 per diluted share in Q2 2017;
Q2 2018 Adjusted Non-GAAP net income was $14.7 million, or $0.99 per basic and $0.95 per diluted share, compared to Adjusted Non-GAAP net income of $7.9 million, or $0.52 per basic and $0.49 per diluted share in Q2 2017;
During Q2 2018, Eagle purchased an additional $3.5 million of Eagle common stock as part of its share buyback program; since August 2016, Eagle has repurchased $91.3 million of Eagle common stock; and
Cash and cash equivalents were $100.2 million, accounts receivable was $69.4 million, and debt was $47.5 million as of June 30, 2018.
Reiterating 2018 Expense Guidance:
R&D expense is expected to be in the range of $46 – $50 million ($40 – $44 million on a non-GAAP basis)
SG&A expense is expected to be in the range of $61 – $64 million ($44 – $47 million on a non-GAAP basis)
"We believe 2018 will be another solid year of growth for Eagle, with continued near-term value creation, and strong upside potential with our advanced pipeline that could meaningfully contribute to the long-term value of the business. This includes protecting the value and longevity of our existing bendamustine franchise where we recently prevailed in litigation and received orphan drug exclusivity until December 2022 for BENDEKA, as well as having recently launched "Big Bag", our 500 mL liquid form bendamustine solution that does not require reconstitution, filling an important need in the market for a lower-cost alternative. Our RYANODEX portfolio is advancing as we take advantage of product and label expansion opportunities for Exertional Heat Stroke and evaluate the neurological impact of nerve agent exposure in collaboration with the U.S. military," stated Scott Tarriff, Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Pharmaceuticals.

"As a result of the favorable court ruling requiring the FDA to grant BENDEKA orphan drug exclusivity, the FDA will not be able to approve any drug applications referencing BENDEKA until the ODE expires in December 2022. The court also denied the FDA’s attempt to preemptively exclude TREANDA generics from the scope of BENDEKA’s ODE. We continue to believe that an appropriate application of ODE would first allow generic TREANDA entrants in December 2022, rather than November 2019 and intend to vigorously pursue our position with the FDA and through additional litigation, if necessary," added Tarriff.

"We look forward to completing our clinical study for RYANODEX for EHS scheduled during the Hajj Pilgrimage, to support the data we have previously collected. We anticipate reporting results for our fulvestrant study later this year, along with progress on other products under development. We look forward to sharing our continued progress to create value for patients and shareholders," concluded Tarriff.

Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was $59.3 million, as compared to $50.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. Royalty revenue was $36.3 million, compared to $37.4 million in the second quarter of 2017. BENDEKA royalties were $34.7 million, compared to $35.1 million in the second quarter of 2017. A summary of total revenue is outlined below:

Gross margin was 69% in the second quarter of 2018, as compared to 72% in the second quarter of 2017. The gross margin on Big Bag was 68%, reflecting royalty obligations to our partners as well as cost of goods sold.

Research and development expenses increased to $15.3 million for the second quarter of 2018, compared to $6.7 million in the second quarter of 2017, largely due to external clinical costs associated with the fulvestrant clinical study. Excluding stock-based compensation and other non-cash and non-recurring items, R&D expense during the second quarter of 2018 was $13.4 million.

SG&A expenses decreased to $16.0 million in the second quarter of 2018 compared to $23.3 million in the second quarter of 2017. The decrease was due to the expiration of the Spectrum co-promotion agreement at the end of June 2017, as well as a reduction in marketing expenses. Excluding stock-based compensation and other non-cash and non-recurring items, second quarter 2018 SG&A expense was $11.7 million.

Net income for the second quarter of 2018 was $2.7 million, or $0.18 per basic and $0.17 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.5 million, or $0.30 per basic and $0.28 per diluted share in the three months ended June 30, 2017, due to the factors discussed above.

Adjusted Non-GAAP net income for the second quarter of 2018 was $14.7 million, or $0.99 per basic and $0.95 per diluted share, compared to Adjusted Non-GAAP net income of $7.9 million or $0.52 per basic and $0.49 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2017. For a full reconciliation of Adjusted Non-GAAP net income to the most comparable GAAP financial measures, please see the tables at the end of this press release.

Liquidity

As of June 30, 2018, the Company had $100.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and $69.4 million in net accounts receivable, $45.9 million of which was due from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. The Company had $47.5 million in outstanding debt.

In the second quarter of 2018, we purchased $3.5 million of Eagle’s common stock as part of our expanded $100 million share buyback program. Since August 2016, we have repurchased $91.3 million of our common stock.

2018 Expense Guidance

2018 R&D expense is expected to be in the range of $46 – $50 million. This reflects expenses for (i) the enrollment of fulvestrant and RYANODEX EHS clinical trials; (ii) API outlays for the fulvestrant and vasopressin programs; and (iii) additional development work on the RYANODEX nerve agent program. Excluding stock-based compensation and other non-cash and non-recurring items, R&D expense is expected to be in the range of $40 – $44 million.

2018 SG&A expense is expected to be in the range of $61 – $64 million. Excluding stock-based compensation and other non-cash and non-recurring items, SG&A expense is expected to be in the range of $44 – $47 million.

Conference Call

As previously announced, Eagle management will host its second quarter 2018 conference call as follows:

Date Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Time 8:30 A.M. EDT
Toll free (U.S.) 877-876-9177
International 785-424-1669
Webcast (live and replay)
www.eagleus.com, under the "Investor + News" section

A replay of the conference call will be available for one week after the call’s completion by dialing 800-727-5306 (US) or 402-220-2670 (International) and entering conference call ID EGRXQ218. The webcast will be archived for 30 days at the aforementioned URL.

Merrimack Reports Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

On August 7, 2018 Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MACK), a clinical-stage oncology company focused on biomarker-defined cancers, reported its second quarter 2018 financial results for the period ended June 30, 2018 (Press release, Merrimack, AUG 7, 2018, View Source [SID1234528764]).

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"A cornerstone of Merrimack’s approach to drug development is our commitment to test targeted therapies in biomarker-enriched patient populations, resulting in smaller, shorter and more personalized studies that lower development costs and accelerate the timeframe to clinically meaningful data. This quarter, we have continued to demonstrate prudent adherence to this clinical strategy," said Richard Peters, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. "Additionally, we are pleased to have strengthened our financial position with non-dilutive sources of capital, including an $18 million milestone announced today and the $15 million debt facility we closed in July, which we believe extend our cash runway into at least the first quarter of 2020 and position us to deliver on our corporate goals. Looking ahead, we anticipate significant progress across our pipeline, with two clinical readouts expected in the second half of 2018 from MM-121 in non-small cell lung cancer and MM-310 in solid tumors."

Key events from the second quarter and more recently include:

Receipt of $18 million milestone payment from Shire, resulting from the sale of ONIVYDE in two additional major European countries;

Closing in July of $25 million debt facility with Hercules Capital, $15 million of which was funded at closing, with eligibility for up to an additional aggregate of $10 million;

Announcement of top-line results from the CARRIE study, a randomized Phase 2 trial of MM-141 in front-line metastatic pancreatic cancer, in which MM-141 was added to standard-of-care chemotherapy treatments and evaluated in patients screened for high serum levels of the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). As MM-141 did not demonstrate a clinical benefit in the study, Merrimack will cease all of its development activities for MM-141; and

Presentation of two posters at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, held June 1-5, 2018 in Chicago, IL:

Clinical data from MM-121 (seribantumab) in a poster titled, "Evaluation of fixed-dose regimens of seribantumab in patients with solid tumors," containing an analysis of pharmacokinetic and safety data comparing different dosing regimens from previous Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies of MM-121 in solid tumors. Data presented support use of the dosing regimen currently being evaluated in Merrimack’s two ongoing randomized Phase 2 studies of MM-121, SHERLOC in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and SHERBOC in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer; and

A Trials-in-Progress poster for MM-310, Merrimack’s antibody-directed nanotherapeutic (ADN) targeting the EphA2 receptor, titled, "A Phase 1 study evaluating the safety, pharmacology and preliminary activity of MM-310 in patients with solid tumors."

Upcoming Clinical Milestones

Merrimack anticipates the following upcoming clinical milestones:

Top-line results in 2018 from the SHERLOC study, a randomized Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating MM-121, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the HER3 receptor, added to standard of care in patients with heregulin positive non-small cell lung cancer; and

Safety data and maximum tolerated dose in 2018 from the Phase 1 clinical trial of MM-310, an antibody-directed nanotherapeutic targeting the EphA2 receptor, in patients with solid tumors.

Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

The following summarizes Merrimack’s financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2018:

Research and development expenses for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 were $13.7 million, compared to $19.8 million for the comparable period of 2017. Research and development spending for the second quarter of 2018 was lower versus the comparable period in 2017 primarily due to Merrimack’s refocused clinical and preclinical pipeline;

General and administrative expenses for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 were $3.5 million, compared to $14.8 million for the comparable period of 2017. General and administrative spending for the second quarter of 2018 was lower versus the comparable period in 2017 primarily due to a decrease in corporate expenses related to headcount levels following the asset sale to Ipsen;

Net loss for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 was $17.8 million, or $1.33 per share, compared to a net loss of $28.9 million, or $2.18 per share, for the comparable period of 2017; and

As of June 30, 2018, Merrimack had 13.3 million shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.

Financial Outlook

Merrimack believes that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $60.0 million as of June 30, 2018, in addition to $14.7 million in net borrowings from its July 2, 2018 loan and security agreement with Hercules Capital and the $18 million ONIVYDE milestone received from Shire, will be sufficient to fund its planned operations into at least the first quarter of 2020.

Merrimack remains eligible to receive additional milestone payments from Shire and Ipsen, resulting from the Company’s asset sale to Ipsen in 2017:

Merrimack is entitled to receive up to an additional $15 million in milestone payments from Shire, which are excluded from the Company’s cash runway guidance until achieved, consisting of:

$5.0 million related to the sale of ONIVYDE in the first major non-European, non-Asian country; and

$10.0 million for the first patient dosed in a pivotal clinical trial in an indication other than pancreatic cancer.

Merrimack is also entitled to receive up to an aggregate of $450 million in regulatory-based milestone payments from Ipsen, which Merrimack has said it expects to pass through to stockholders, net of any taxes owed and subject to there being sufficient surplus at that time, consisting of:

$225.0 million upon approval by the FDA of ONIVYDE for the first-line treatment of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, subject to certain conditions;

$150.0 million upon approval by the FDA of ONIVYDE for the treatment of small cell lung cancer after failure of first-line chemotherapy; and

$75.0 million upon approval by the FDA of ONIVYDE for an additional indication unrelated to those described above.

Conference Call and Webcast

Merrimack will host a live conference call and webcast today, Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 8:30 am ET, to provide an update on its operational progress and a summary of these financial results.

Investors and the general public are invited to listen to the call by dialing (877) 564-1301 (domestic) or (224) 357-2394 (international) five minutes prior to the start of the call and providing the passcode 6476538. A listen-only webcast of the call can be accessed in the Investors section of Merrimack’s website, investors.merrimack.com, and a replay of the call will be archived there for six weeks following the call.

Upcoming Investor Conferences

Merrimack is scheduled to present at the 2018 Baird Global Healthcare Conference on Thursday, September 6, 2018, at 8:30 am ET in New York. A live webcast of the presentation can be accessed under "Events and Presentations" in the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.merrimack.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived there for approximately 30 days following the presentation.