On August 14, 2018 Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins, reported financial results for its second fiscal quarter, which ended June 30, 2018, and provided a business update (Press release, Galectin Therapeutics, AUG 14, 2018, View Source [SID1234528874]). These results are included in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and is available at www.sec.gov.

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Key Highlights

Company has initiated Phase 3 preparation of GR-MD-02 for NASH cirrhosis

Reported a net operating loss of $4.1M and has sufficient cash resources to fund operations at least through June 2019

Has received notice of issuance of additional patents surrounding GR-MD-02

Board of Directors elected Richard E. Uihlein as Chairman and Kevin D. Freeman as Vice Chairman

Engaged Back Bay Life Science Advisors to pursue strategic alternatives

"The second quarter was another active quarter with significant progress advancing our proprietary compound GR-MD-02 to a pivotal Phase 3 trial and preparing for the opportunities it represents to our business," said Dr. Harold H. Shlevin, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Galectin Therapeutics. "Most importantly, we announced that we are proceeding with plans for a Phase 3 clinical trial program with GR-MD-02 in NASH cirrhosis, incorporating advice and guidance obtained in a meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and based on the positive effects of GR-MD-02 on HVPG and the possible prevention or postponement of development of esophageal varices in the Phase 2 NASH-CX trial, which we believe is the first large, randomized clinical trial of any drug to demonstrate a clinically meaningful improvement in these patients."

Richard Uihlein, Chairman of the Board, added, "Galectin’s new leadership is focused on planning and conducting additional supportive work to prepare for a Phase 3 trial for GR-MD-02 in NASH cirrhosis based on the positive effects of GR-MD-02 on HVPG. However, we believe our galectin-3 inhibitor GR-MD-02 has widespread applicability for a range of diseases. Consequently, we are simultaneously pursuing other opportunities and, most immediately, anticipate results on our combination immunotherapy clinical trial. We also now have a potential pathway forward in pulmonary fibrosis, where GR-MD-02 was recently granted a patent. Finally, on behalf of the Board, we are extremely pleased that Dr. Harold Shlevin has agreed to take on the broader role of CEO, and we are all confident in his ability to drive Galectin Therapeutics forward across all our multiple programs."

Expected Upcoming Milestones Enrollment in cohort 3 (GR-MD-02 8 mg/kg) of the pembrolizumab combination immunotherapy Phase 1 clinical trial has completed and will likely include up to 10 evaluable patients with melanoma and head & neck cancer, to provide a larger group of and different type of cancer patients in this initial evaluation. It is hoped that these additional data can be reported in the near term when we anticipate a decision on progressing this program to the next phase.

Summary of Key Development Programs and Updates

Announced that we are proceeding with plans for a Phase 3 clinical trial program with our galectin-3 inhibitor GR-MD-02 in NASH cirrhosis, incorporating advice and guidance obtained in a meeting with the FDA. Details of the Phase 3 clinical trial design, including projected timings and costs, will be announced once the planning phase has been completed and the Company has submitted a final clinical trial protocol with the FDA.

At the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 22, 2018, it was announced that the Board of Directors had elected Richard E. Uihlein, who has been a member of the Board since 2017, as Chairman and Kevin D. Freeman, who has been a member of the Board since 2011, as Vice Chairman.

The Company received notice of issuance of U.S. Patent Number 9,968,631 titled "Method and Treatment of Pulmonary Fibrosis," covering method of use of GR-MD-02 as a means to treat pulmonary fibrosis. Pharmaceutical companies may have an interest in this molecule as there is a sizeable section of the population in need of treatment and well defined regulatory pathways for approval of agents to treat pulmonary fibrosis.

The Company received notice of issuance on May 22, 2018 of U.S. Patent Number 9,974,802 titled "Composition of Novel Carbohydrate Drug for Treatment of Human Diseases" covering a composition comprising its galectin inhibitor, GR-MD-02, and an immunotherapeutic agent or a vaccine directed against CTLA4, OX40, PD-1, PD-L1 or combinations thereof (and the composition for use in cancer disorders). This patent complements USP 9,872,909 issued on January 23, 2018 which covers method of treating cancer by administering GR-MD-02 and an immunomodulatory agent wherein the cancer is one of gastrointestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer, bile duct cancer, sarcoma, myosarcoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, mouth cancer, skin cancer, melanoma, kidney cancer, urinary tract cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, neurological cancer, endocrine gland cancer, bone cancer, hematological cancers, multiple myeloma, and myelofibrosis.

The Company has engaged Back Bay Life Science Advisors, a Boston-based, internationally focused integrated strategy and transaction advisory organization, to support the Company’s exploration of strategic alternatives.

Dr. Shlevin concluded, "Galectin Therapeutics has developed a novel compound, GR-MD-02, a galectin-3 inhibitor, which we believe has the potential to be effective in treating a wide range of
diseases wherein elevated levels of galectin protein and inflammation play key roles in the pathophysiology of the diseases. Most immediately, we are focused on advancing our Phase 3 trial in NASH Cirrhosis. However, we continue to investigate a variety of other preclinical applications where research shows that GR-MD-02’s antifibrotic capabilities may help provide more effective treatment in a variety of conditions. We believe this is the best path to build value in our overall galectin franchise."

Financial Results

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, the Company reported a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $4.1 million, or $0.11 per share, compared with a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $4.8 million, or $0.14 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease is largely due to lower research and development expenses primarily related to the winding down of the Phase 2 NASH clinical program somewhat offset by higher non-cash stock compensation expenses.

Research and development expense for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was $1.5 million, compared with $3.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease primarily reflects lower research and development expenses primarily related to the winding down of the Phase 2 NASH clinical program somewhat offset by higher non-cash stock compensation expenses.

General and administrative expense for quarter was $2.3 million, compared with $1.1 million for the prior year, with the increase being primarily related to higher investor relations, business development and non-cash stock compensation expenses.

As of June 30, 2018, the Company had $10.5 million of non-restricted cash and cash equivalents. The Company believes it has sufficient cash on hand in addition to its $10 million line of credit (untapped at June 30, 2018) to fund currently planned operations and research and development activities through at least June 30, 2019.

On August 14, 2018 AVEO Oncology (Nasdaq: AVEO) reported that the China National Drug Administration (CNDA) has accepted CANbridge Life Sciences’ Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for a Phase Ib/III clinical trial of CAN017 (AV-203), AVEO’s clinical-stage ErbB3 (HER3) inhibitory antibody candidate, in esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) (Press release, AVEO, AUG 14, 2018, View Source [SID1234528891]).

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Under the terms of a March 2016 agreement, the acceptance of this IND triggers a $2 million milestone payment to AVEO from CANbridge Life Sciences. CANbridge licensed worldwide rights, excluding the United States, Canada, and Mexico, to AV-203 from AVEO and AVEO is eligible to receive up to $40 million in potential additional development and regulatory milestone payments and up to $90 million in potential commercial milestone payments, assuming the successful achievement of specified development, regulatory and commercialization objectives.

"CANbridge continues to make progress in advancing CAN017, and we look forward to the initiation of a Phase Ib/extension clinical trial in ESCC, a large unmet medical need globally with a particularly acute need in Asia," said Michael Bailey, president and chief executive officer of AVEO. "Together with ficlatuzumab, our partnered oncology programs allow us to retain meaningful rights to a promising pipeline and advance it at little or no cost to AVEO, allowing us to focus resources on our tivozanib strategy, including U.S. registration for kidney cancer as well as combinations with immunotherapy."

AVEO previously completed a Phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation study of AV-203 (CAN017) in patients with advanced solid tumors. In this study, AV-203 was found to be generally safe and well-tolerated, with an early signal of activity consistent with preclinical data showing the potential for heregulin or neuregulin, the only known ligand for ErbB3, to serve as a biomarker predictive of AV-203 anti-tumor activity.

AVEO will pay percentage of the milestone payment to Biogen Idec International GmbH as a sublicensing fee.

On August 14, 2018 Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: ATNM) ("Actinium" or "the Company"), reported that it will conduct a conference call on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at 9:00 AM ET to provide an update on the Pivotal Phase 3 SIERRA Trial (Study of Iomab-B in Elderly Relapsed/Refractory AML) of Iomab-B (Press release, Actinium Pharmaceuticals, AUG 14, 2018, View Source [SID1234528958]). Actinium recently announced that the SIERRA trial had reached twenty-five percent patient enrollment and that the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) would conduct a formal analysis, which has now occurred. Post this event, members of Actinium’s management team are hosting this call to provide an update on the SIERRA trial.

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Conference Call Details

Date: Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Time: 9:00 AM ET
Registration Link: View Source
Toll-Free Dial-in: (855) 427-0225
Dial-in: (718) 865-8336
Conference ID: 4831

"Based on the DMC’s unanimous recommendation, we are pleased that the ongoing SIERRA trial will continue as planned," said Dr. Mark Berger, Chief Medical Officer of Actinium. "This is an important milestone for Iomab-B since it is the first formal safety evaluation of the trial. We note that no Iomab-B safety concerns were raised. With new insights from the data available from the trial thus far as well as feedback from the trial sites, we will make certain protocol revisions to further expand salvage regimens in the control arm. We’ll also be making it easier for patients on the Conventional Care arm who have disease progression to access Iomab-B treatment. In addition, we will be simplifying certain data collection requirements. These improvements coupled with our deeper understanding of referral patterns and other outreach efforts, are anticipated to enable the recently strengthened SIERRA clinical team to complete the trial as quickly as possible with the goal of bringing Iomab-B to a patient population with a significant unmet need."

Sandesh Seth, Actinium’s Chairman and CEO added, "Iomab-B is a very compelling drug candidate that has been studied in over 500 patients in multiple hematologic malignancies including AML, myelodysplastic syndrome, lymphoma and multiple myeloma and is intended to facilitate a potentially curative bone marrow transplant. Iomab-B was developed by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute and has been studied extensively by leading bone marrow transplant physicians. We are incredibly proud of the pedigree of Iomab-B and motivated by its potential to address unmet medical needs as a targeted conditioning agent in multiple hematologic diseases. We believe that Iomab-B via the SIERRA trial can be the linchpin for developing the leading franchise in targeted conditioning with an emphasis on improving bone marrow transplant access and outcomes."

About Iomab-B

Iomab-B, Actinium’s lead targeted conditioning product candidate, is currently being studied in a 150-patient, multicenter pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia who are age 55 and above. This pivotal Phase 3 study is called the SIERRA Trial (Study of Iomab-B in Elderly Relapsed/Refractory AML). Upon approval, Iomab-B is intended to prepare and condition patients for a bone marrow transplant which is often considered the only potential cure for patients with certain blood-borne cancers and blood disorders. Iomab-B targets cells that express CD45, an antigen widely expressed in the hematopoietic system on all leukemic and lymphomic (white blood cells), bone marrow cells and cancer stem cells with the monoclonal antibody, BC8 or apamistamab, labeled with the radioisotope, iodine-131. By carrying iodine-131 directly to the bone marrow in a targeted manner, Actinium believes Iomab-B will avoid the side effects that conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation has on most healthy tissues while effectively killing the patient’s cancer and marrow cells potentially enabling more bone marrow transplants with better outcomes through targeted conditioning. In a Phase 2 clinical study in 68 patients with advanced AML or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) age 50 and older, who typically would not be transplant candidates, were able to receive a transplant after being conditioned with Iomab-B and the study resulted in significantly improved transplant success and survival. Iomab-B was developed at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center where it has been studied in almost 500 patients in a number of Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials across a variety of blood cancer indications with promising results. The studies included patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Hodgkin’s disease (HD), Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) and multiple myeloma (MM). Iomab-B has been granted Orphan Drug Designation for relapsed or refractory AML in patients 55 and above by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency.

On August 14, 2018 UroGen Pharma Ltd. (Nasdaq:URGN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments to address unmet needs in the field of urology, with a focus on uro-oncology, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 and provided an overview of the Company’s recent developments (Press release, UroGen Pharma, AUG 14, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2363555 [SID1234529234]).

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"There aren’t many opportunities in this industry to be first, but with UGN-101 (formerly referred to as MitoGel), we have the potential to have the first drug ever approved for low-grade upper tract urothelial cancer (LG UTUC). We believe that we will be one step closer to this major milestone in the field of uro-oncology with the planned rolling submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) for UGN-101 in the fourth quarter of this year," said Ron Bentsur, Chief Executive Officer of UroGen. "In the past six months, we have focused on full execution of UGN-101, from clinical development, to regulatory process, to preparing for potential commercialization. We are leveraging the momentum and learnings from our UGN-101 program to initiate our Phase 2b trial for UGN-102 (formerly referred to as VesiGel) which has the potential to treat a significantly larger population, patients diagnosed with low-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (LG NMIBC). As we continue to advance our pipeline, we believe this is just the beginning of what’s possible for UroGen and our RTGel platform."

Recent Highlights and Upcoming Milestones

UGN-101 Regulatory and Clinical Development:
Announced positive findings from an interim analysis of the ongoing pivotal Phase 3 OLYMPUS clinical trial of UGN-101, an investigational mitomycin formulation for the non-surgical treatment of LG UTUC in May 2018.
Interim analysis showed a complete response (CR) rate of 59 percent (20 out of the interim analysis intent to treat population of 34 patients) who were evaluated for primary disease evaluation (PDE, or the primary endpoint).
15 percent (five of 34 patients) achieved a partial response.
At the time of the interim analysis presentation, of the 20 patients who achieved a CR, 13 patients had reached three-month follow-up, and all remained in CR. Four of these 13 patients had reached six-month follow-up and one of the 13 patients had reached nine-month follow-up, and all remained in CR.
Top-line results from the OLYMPUS trial are expected in 2H 2018.
UroGen intends to initiate a rolling NDA submission for UGN-101 for the treatment of LG UTUC in Q4 2018 with a targeted completion by the end of Q1 2019.
Potential approval and commercial launch could potentially occur in 2019. The Company previously received Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designations for UGN-101.
If approved, UGN-101 would be the first approved therapy for LG UTUC.

UGN-102 (VesiGel) Clinical Development:
Successful Investigational New Drug (IND) application for UGN-102 for the treatment of LG NMIBC in Q2 2018.
Initiated Phase 2b single-arm, open-label, multi-center trial designed to assess the efficacy and safety of UGN-102 as a potential first-line chemoablation agent in the treatment of patients with LG NMIBC at risk for recurrence.
There are currently no drugs approved by the FDA as first-line treatment for NMIBC, and only three drugs have been approved by the FDA, all as adjuvant treatments, following TURBT (transurethral resection of bladder tumor).
In 2012, the annual incidence of urothelial bladder cancer was 80,000 in the United States with a prevalence of 700,0001. NMIBC accounts for approximately 80% of all new cases of bladder cancer diagnosed in the United States each year, with the majority of patients experiencing life-long, repetitive surgical treatment for cancer recurrence.

Advancing the Potential of the RTGel Platform:
UGN-201 (Vesimune): The Company continues to advance research for its novel imiquimod formulation for bladder instillation as a single agent and in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of high-grade urothelial cancer. Pre-clinical models have demonstrated antitumor effects of UGN-201 as a single agent as well as in combination with novel immunomodulatory molecules via intravesical instillation in urothelial cancer. A clinical trial of UGN-201 remains on track for 1H 2019.
BotuGel: Enrollment of patients by Allergan in the Phase 2 trial of RTGel in combination with BOTOX2 for the treatment of overactive bladder is ongoing. This clinical trial, if successful, has the potential to demonstrate the broad applicability of the RTGel platform beyond uro-oncology. Phase 2 data is expected in 2019.

Corporate Developments Supporting Commercialization Efforts:
The addition of Peter P. Pfreundschuh as Chief Financial Officer aligns with the company’s strategy as it prepares for continued growth and potential commercialization in 2019. Mr. Pfreundschuh brings over 25 years of leadership experience in the biotechnology and medical device sectors overseeing finance, business development and commercial operations.
The Company strengthened its Board of Directors with the appointment of Shawn Tomasello, a renowned industry expert with a track record of commercializing revolutionary, multi-billion dollar products in oncology. Most recently, she served as Chief Commercial Officer of Kite Pharma (subsequently Kite, a Gilead Company), where she led the commercialization of Yescarta3 (axicabtagene ciloleucel), the first approved chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Previously, Ms. Tomasello served as Chief Commercial Officer at Pharmacyclics, Inc.
Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

As of June 30, 2018, cash and cash equivalents totaled $119.1 million.
Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were $15.9 million, including non-cash share-based compensation expense of $5.3 million. Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 were $8.3 million, including non-cash share-based compensation expense of $2.8 million.
General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were $16.3 million, including non-cash share-based compensation expense of $7.0 million. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 were $10.2 million, including non-cash share-based compensation expense of $4.9 million.
The Company reported a net loss of $31.4 million, or basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share of $2.02, for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The Company reported a net loss of $18.0 million, or basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share of $1.14, for the three months ended June 30, 2018.
Conference Call & Webcast Information

Members of UroGen’s management team will host a live conference call and webcast today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to review the Company’s financial results and provide a general business update.

The live webcast can be accessed by visiting the Investors section of the Company’s website at View Source Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the live webcast to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be needed to access the webcast. Alternatively, please call (888) 771-4371 (U.S.) or (847) 585-4405 (International) to listen to the live conference call. The conference ID number for the live call will be 47260983. An archive of the webcast will be available for two weeks on the Company’s website.

On August 14, 2018 GT Biopharma Inc. (OTCQB: GTBP) and (Euronext Paris: GTBP.PA), an immuno-oncology biotechnology company focused on innovative treatments based on the company’s proprietary platforms, reported the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Raymond W. Urbanski, will present at the Wedbush PacGrow Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, August 15, at 1:50pm (Press release, GT Biopharma , AUG 14, 2018, View Source [SID1234539525]).

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Dr. Urbanski’s presentation will provide a corporate overview and highlight the company’s proprietary technology platforms. These innovative platforms include the tri- and tetra-specific natural killer cell engagers (TriKEs and TetraKEs) as well as their bi-specific antibody drug conjugates. In addition, Dr. Urbanski will provide an update to their current clinical and preclinical programs.

Dr. Urbanski said, "We are very excited to present at the Wedbush PacGrow Healthcare Conference. Conferences such as this gives us the opportunity to engage with leading institutional investors and interact with other global companies. It also allows us to further demonstrate that GT Biopharma is at the forefront of immune-oncology therapeutics."

A webcast of the conference presentation will be available on the company website at gtbiopharma.com after the conference.