OncoPep Announces Initiation of Phase 1b Clinical Trial of PVX-410 in Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer

On February 22, 2018 -OncoPep, Inc. reported the initiation of a Phase 1b clinical trial evaluating its investigational vaccine product PVX-410 for the treatment of patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) who are human leukocyte antigen A2 positive (HLA-A2+) (Press release, OncoPep, FEB 22, 2018, View Source [SID1234524117]). The investigator-sponsored study led by Steven Isakoff, M.D., Ph.D., at Massachusetts General Hospital, will assess the safety, tolerability and immune response to PVX-410 alone and in combination with the checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab (Keytruda, Merck, Inc.). PVX-410 is a multi-peptide investigational therapeutic cancer vaccine which may act to help stimulate an immune response against cancer cells.

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!

"This study will help determine if PVX-410 and pembrolizumab administered together can help the body’s immune system to recognize and potentially reduce or stabilize tumors in patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer," said Dr. Isakoff, Associate Director for Breast Cancer Clinical Research at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Assistant Professor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. "TNBC continues to be a disease with poor prognosis that disproportionally affects premenopausal women and African-American women and new treatment options beyond chemotherapy are desperately needed. I am pleased to be involved with this research initiative and look forward to assessing PVX-410 in this unique combination."

The open label, multi-center Phase 1b study is designed to evaluate the safety and immune response to PVX-410 alone and in combination with pembrolizumab in HLA-A2+ patients with metastatic TNBC. Patients will receive weekly injections of PVX-410 for six consecutive weeks, followed by booster PVX-410 vaccine doses at Week 10 and Week 28. Pembrolizumab will be administered every three weeks intravenously starting with Week 1. The trial is expected to enroll a total of approximately 20 patients at multiple trial sites, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. More information on the trial can be found at clinicaltrials.gov, identifier number NCT03362060.

"OncoPep is now advancing multiple clinical studies of its investigational vaccine product PVX-410 as a stand-alone and combination treatment, including this new study with pembrolizumab in metastatic triple negative breast cancer and an on-going investigator-sponsored study in combination with durvalumab (Infinzi, MedImmune/AstraZeneca), an antibody against the PD-L1 ligand, in the adjuvant setting for patients with stage II or stage III triple negative breast cancer," said Doris Peterkin, Chief Executive Officer of OncoPep. "We are thrilled with the progress of our cancer immunotherapy program and the initiation of this Phase 1b investigator sponsored clinical trial in metastatic triple negative breast cancer and to be working with Dr. Isakoff’s team." More information on the adjuvant TNBC trial of PVX-410 in combination with durvalumab can be found at clinicaltrials.gov, identifier number NCT02826434.

About Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a form of breast cancer that lacks the three receptors found most commonly on breast cancer cells: estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and hormone epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2). TNBC accounts for approximately 15-20% of all breast cancer cases and is more likely to spread and recur than other forms of breast cancer. TNBC disproportionally affects premenopausal women and African-American women. Patients diagnosed with metastatic TNBC have a median survival of just over 1 year, and patients with early stage TNBC have a median 5-year survival of 77% compared to 93% for non-TNBC. Residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (non-pathologic complete response) predicts a poor prognosis with nearly half of such patients experiencing a recurrence within 5 years.

About PVX-410
PVX-410 is a novel investigational therapeutic cancer vaccine currently in Phase 1b clinical trials in smoldering multiple myeloma and triple negative breast cancer. PVX-410 consists of four peptides from unique regions of three tumor -associated antigens which may act to help stimulate an immune response to the targeted tumor cell. PVX-410 was granted orphan drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2013 for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Loxo Oncology Fourth Quarter and Year End 2017 Conference Call

On February 22, 2018 Loxo Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq:LOXO), a biopharmaceutical company innovating the development of highly selective medicines for patients with genetically defined cancers, will announce financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017 on March 1, 2018 before the Nasdaq market open. At 8:00 a.m. ET that day, Loxo Oncology management will host a conference call to discuss these financial results, in addition to recent updates on development and corporate activities (Press release, Loxo Oncology, FEB 22, 2018, View Source [SID1234524241]).

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!

To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 930-8065 (domestic) or (253) 336-8041 (international) and refer to conference ID 7395447. A replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call and archived on the company’s website for 30 days following the call.

Quest Diagnostics To Speak At The Raymond James 39th Annual Institutional Investors Conference

On February 22, 2018 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services, announced that it is scheduled to speak at the Raymond James 39th Annual Institutional Investors Conference in Orlando. Mark Guinan, Executive Vice President and CFO will discuss the company’s vision, goals and two-point strategy to accelerate growth and drive operational excellence (Press release, Quest Diagnostics, FEB 22, 2018, View Source [SID1234524651]). The presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 1:05 p.m. Eastern Time.

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!

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated logo. (PRNewsFoto/Quest Diagnostics Incorporated)

The presentation will be webcast live during the conference and will be available to registered investors on the following site: View Source and to the public on the company’s investor relations page which can be accessed at ir.QuestDiagnostics.com. In addition, the archived webcast will be available within one hour after the conclusion of the live event and will remain available until March 13, 2018.

Xencor Doses First Patient in Phase 1 Study of XmAb®18087 Bispecific Tumor Targeting Antibody for the Treatment of Neuroendocrine Tumors and Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

On February 22, 2018 Xencor, Inc. (NASDAQ: XNCR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, asthma and allergic diseases and cancer, reported that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 1 clinical trial of XmAb18087, a bispecific antibody for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) (Press release, Xencor, FEB 22, 2018, View Source [SID1234524359]).

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!

"XmAb18087 engages the immune system against tumors by binding to somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) and CD3," said Paul Foster, M.D., chief medical officer at Xencor. "In preclinical studies, XmAb18087 has shown potent killing of human tumor cell lines in vitro and in vivo and the stimulation of target-dependent T-cell activation. This is our first bispecific antibody targeting solid tumors to enter into clinical trials, and we expect to file INDs for three more bispecific antibodies for solid tumors this year."

The trial is a multiple ascending dose study to determine the safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity, and preliminary anti-tumor activity of weekly intravenous administration of XmAb18087 and to determine the maximally tolerated dose and regimen in patients with advanced NET or GIST.

For more information about the XmAb18087 clinical trial please visit to View Source (identifier: NCT03411915).

About Neuroendocrine Tumors
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are abnormal growths that begin in neuroendocrine cells, which are distributed widely throughout the body. Most neuroendocrine tumors occur in the lungs, appendix, small intestine, rectum and pancreas. It is estimated that more than 12,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor each year. For more information visit www.cancer.net.

About Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are soft-tissue sarcomas, cancers that grow from cells of the body’s connective or supportive tissues, that can be located in any part of the digestive system. The most common sites of GISTs are the stomach and small intestine. Each year, as many as 3,500 to 4,000 adults in the United States will be diagnosed with a GIST. For more information visit www.cancer.net.

About Xencor’s XmAb Bispecific Technology
As opposed to traditional monoclonal antibodies that target and bind to a single antigen, bispecific antibodies are designed to elicit multiple biological effects that require simultaneous binding to two different antigen targets. Xencor’s XmAb bispecific Fc domain technology is designed to maintain full-length antibody properties in a bispecific antibody, potentially enabling favorable in vivo half-life and simplified manufacturing.

Emergent BioSolutions Reports Fourth Quarter and Twelve Months 2017 Financial Results

On February 22, 2018 Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) reported financial results for the quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2017 (Press release, Emergent BioSolutions, FEB 22, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2334205 [SID1234524127]).

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!

2017 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(in millions) 4Q 2017
(unaudited) 4Q 2016 (1)
(unaudited)
Total Revenues $ 193.8 $ 151.7
Net Income $ 33.9 $ 32.3
Adjusted Net Income (2) $ 37.8 $ 36.6
EBITDA (1) $ 65.2 $ 61.3

(in millions) Full Year 2017
(unaudited) Full Year 2016 (1)
Total Revenues $ 560.9 $ 488.8
Net Income $ 82.6 $ 62.5
Adjusted Net Income (2) $ 95.7 $ 77.5
EBITDA (1) $ 166.0 $ 141.7

(1) Financial results for 4Q 2016 and Full Year 2016 are presented on a continuing operations basis.

(2) See "Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and EBITDA" for a definition of terms and a reconciliation table.

4Q 2017 BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Acquisitions

Completed the acquisition of Sanofi’s ACAM2000 business, including ACAM2000 (Smallpox (Vaccinia) Vaccine, Live), the only smallpox vaccine licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), related manufacturing facilities and employees, and an existing 10-year, $425 million contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with a remaining value at acquisition of up to approximately $160 million for deliveries of ACAM2000 to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)
Completed the acquisition of Raxibacumab, an FDA-approved anthrax monoclonal antibody, from GSK and assumed responsibility for a multi-year contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), with a remaining value at acquisition of up to approximately $130 million, to supply Raxibacumab to the SNS
Procurement Contracts

Awarded a contract valued at up to approximately $25 million by the U.S. Department of State to supply Trobigard(3) (Atropine Sulfate [2mg]/Obidoxime Chloride [220mg]) auto-injector, a drug and device combination product for emergency use outside of the U.S. in the event of nerve agent or organophosphate poisoning
Awarded a contract by the Department of National Defence, valued at approximately $8 million, to deliver Anthrasil (Anthrax Immune Globulin Intravenous [human]) to the Canadian government
Capital Structure

Converted approximately $239.4 million, or 95.8%, of the $250 million 2.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2021 (the Notes) for approximately 8.5 million shares of the company’s common stock by holders of the Notes.
Repurchased 788,894 shares of its common stock in the fourth quarter of 2017 under a board-approved share repurchase program
(3) Trobigard is not currently approved or cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any similar regulatory body, and is only distributed to authorized government buyers for use outside the U.S. This product is not distributed in the U.S.

2017 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

(I) Quarter Ended December 31, 2017 (Unaudited)

Revenues

Total Revenues

For Q4 2017, total revenues were $193.8 million, an increase of 28% as compared to 2016. The increase is primarily driven by increased product sales of $74.1 million mainly due to a $63.2 million increase in BioThrax sales as well as sales of products acquired in Q4 2017, partially offset by a $31.6 million reduction in contracts and grants revenue.

Product Sales

For Q4 2017, product sales were $161.6 million, an increase of 85% as compared to 2016. The increase is principally attributable to a $63.2 million increase in BioThrax (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) sales as well as a $10.9 million increase primarily due to sales of products acquired in Q4 2017.

(in millions)
(unaudited) Three Months Ended
December 31,
2017 2016 % Change
Product Sales
BioThrax $ 107.0 $ 43.8 145 %
Other 54.6 43.7 25 %
Total Product Sales $ 161.6 $ 87.5 85 %

Contract Manufacturing

For Q4 2017, revenue from the Company’s contract manufacturing operations was $16.2 million, a decrease of 3% as compared to 2016.

Contracts and Grants

For Q4 2017, contracts and grants revenue was $15.9 million, a decrease of 66% as compared to 2016. The decrease primarily reflects a reduction in revenue associated with the successful completion of multiple U.S. government contracts as well as reduced R&D activities related to certain ongoing funded development programs.

Operating Expenses

Cost of Product Sales and Contract Manufacturing

For Q4 2017, cost of product sales and contract manufacturing was $70.3 million, an increase of 84% as compared to 2016. The increase primarily reflects the impact of higher product sales.

Research and Development (Gross and Net)

For Q4 2017, gross R&D expenses were $28.5 million, an increase of 5% as compared to 2016. The increase primarily reflects increased contract development services performed for NuThraxTM and the EV-035 series of molecules, offset by reduced services related to the task orders performed by the Center for Innovation in Advanced Development and Manufacturing (CIADM).

For Q4 2017, net R&D expense (calculated as gross research and development expenses less contracts and grants revenue) was $12.6 million. For Q4 2016, contracts and grants revenue exceeded gross R&D expense, resulting in a net contribution from funded development programs of $20.4 million.

(in millions)
(unaudited) Three Months Ended
December 31,
2017 2016 % Change
Research and Development Expenses $ 28.5 $ 27.1 5 %
Adjustments:
– Contracts and grants revenue $ 15.9 $ 47.5 (66 %)
Net Research and Development Expenses (Income) $ 12.6 $ (20.4 ) –

Selling, General and Administrative

For Q4 2017, selling, general and administrative expenses were $42.0 million, an increase of 19% as compared to 2016. The increase is attributable to higher compensation expense and professional services fees during the period.

Net Income & Adjusted Net Income

For Q4 2017, net income was $33.9 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, versus $32.3 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, in 2016.

Net income per diluted share is computed using the "if-converted" method prior to November 14, 2017, the date the company terminated conversion rights associated with the company’s 2.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2021 (the Notes). This method requires net income to be adjusted to add back interest expense and amortization of debt issuance cost, both net of tax, associated with the Notes. The following table details the adjustments made in this calculation.

(in millions, except per share value)
(unaudited) Three Months Ended
December 31,
2017 2016
Net Income $ 33.9 $ 32.3
Adjustments:
+ Interest expense, net of tax 0.2 0.9
+ Amortization of debt issuance costs, net of tax 0.1 0.2
Net Income, adjusted ("if converted") $ 34.2 $ 33.4
Net Income Per Diluted Share, adjusted ("if converted") $ 0.67 $ 0.67
Weighted Average Diluted Shares 51.0 49.6

For Q4 2017, adjusted net income, a non-GAAP measure, was $37.8 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, versus $36.6 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, in 2016. See "Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and EBITDA" for a definition of terms and a reconciliation table.

(II) Year Ended December 31, 2017 (Unaudited)

Revenues

Total Revenues

For the twelve months of 2017, total revenues were $560.9 million, an increase of 15% as compared to 2016. The increase is attributable to significantly increased product sales, notably Other product sales, and contract manufacturing services revenue offset by a decrease in contracts and grants revenue.

Product Sales

For the twelve months of 2017, product sales were $421.5 million, an increase of 42% as compared to 2016. The increase is principally attributable to higher BioThrax sales to the SNS and higher Other product sales, specifically timing of BAT [Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) – (Equine)] deliveries to the SNS, international sales of VIGIV and Trobigard and sales of ACAM2000 to the CDC and Raxibacumab to BARDA.

(in millions) Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
2017
(unaudited) 2016 % Change
Product Sales
BioThrax $ 286.6 $ 237.0 21 %
Other $ 134.9 $ 59.3 128 %
Total Product Sales $ 421.5 $ 296.3 42 %

Contract Manufacturing

For the twelve months of 2017, revenue from the Company’s contract manufacturing operations was $68.9 million, an increase of 40% as compared to 2016. The increase primarily reflects an increase in fill/finish and manufacturing services to commercial entities.

Contracts and Grants

For the twelve months of 2017, contracts and grants revenue was $70.4 million, a decrease of 51% as compared to 2016. The decrease primarily reflects a reduction in revenue associated with the successful completion of multiple U.S. government contracts as well as reduced R&D activities related to certain ongoing funded development programs.

Operating Expenses

Cost of Product Sales and Contract Manufacturing

For the twelve months of 2017, cost of product sales and contract manufacturing was $195.7 million, an increase of 49% as compared to 2016. The increase primarily reflects the impact of higher product sales and increased costs associated with the expansion of our contract manufacturing business.

Research and Development (Gross and Net)

For the twelve months of 2017, gross R&D expenses were $97.4 million, a decrease of 10% as compared to 2016. The decrease primarily reflects lower contract development services costs associated with reduced contract development services performed during the period.

For the twelve months of 2017, net R&D expense (calculated as gross research and development expenses less contracts and grants revenue) was $27.0 million. For the twelve months of 2016, contracts and grants revenue exceeded gross R&D expense, resulting in a net contribution from funded development programs of $35.1 million.

(in millions) Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
2017
(unaudited) 2016 % Change
Research and Development Expenses $ 97.4 $ 108.3 (10 %)
Adjustments:
– Contracts and grants revenue $ 70.4 $ 143.4 (51 %)
Net Research and Development Expenses (Income) $ 27.0 $ (35.1 ) –

Selling, General and Administrative

For the twelve months of 2017, selling, general and administrative expenses were $143.5 million, unchanged as compared to 2016.

Net Income & Adjusted Net Income

For the twelve months of 2017, net income was $82.6 million, or $1.71 per diluted share, versus $62.5 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, in 2016.

Net income per diluted share is computed using the "if-converted" method prior to November 14, 2017, the date the company terminated conversion rights associated with the company’s 2.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2021 (the Notes). This method requires net income to be adjusted to add back interest expense and amortization of debt issuance cost, both net of tax, associated with the Notes. The following table details the adjustments made in this calculation.

(in millions, except per share value) Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
2017
(unaudited) 2016
Net Income $ 82.6 $ 62.5
Adjustments:
+ Interest expense, net of tax 2.6 3.3
+ Amortization of debt issuance costs, net of tax 0.7 0.8
Net Income, adjusted ("if converted") $ 85.9 $ 66.6
Net Income Per Diluted Share, adjusted ("if converted") $ 1.71 $ 1.35
Weighted Average Diluted Shares 50.3 49.3

For the twelve months of 2017, adjusted net income, a non-GAAP measure, was $95.7 million, or $1.90 per diluted share, versus $77.5 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, in 2016. See "Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and EBITDA" for a definition of terms and a reconciliation table.

2018 FINANCIAL & OPERATIONAL GOALS

2018 Financial Forecast:

Total revenue of $715 to $755 million
Pre-Tax income of $120 to $140 million
Net income of $95 to $110 million
Adjusted net income of $110 to $125 million (2)
EBITDA of $175 to $190 million (2)
(2) See "Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income and EBITDA" for a definition of terms and a reconciliation table.

2018 Operational Goals:

Advance NuThrax development to enable Emergency Use Authorization filing with the FDA in 2018
Complete ACAM2000 deliveries; establish a multi-year follow-on contract with the U.S. government
Deliver Raxibacumab doses under current contract; advance tech transfer to the company’s CIADM Bayview facility in Baltimore, Maryland
Progress pipeline to have at least four product candidates in advanced development
Complete an acquisition that generates revenue within 12 months of closing
1Q 2018 Financial Forecast (Revised):

Total revenue of $125 to $150 million; previous forecast was $145 to $160 million; the revision primarily reflects the timing of deliveries of BioThrax
2020 FINANCIAL & OPERATIONAL GOALS

The Company is targeting the following 2020 financial and operational goals:

Total Revenue: $1 billion
Revenue Mix: at least 10% of total revenue from ex-US customers
Expense Discipline: Net R&D <15% of net revenue (4); SG&A <25% of total revenue
Net Income: at least 14% of total revenue
Product Development Pipeline: Six products in clinical or advanced development (with at least three dual-market opportunities)
(4) Computed as Total Revenue less Contracts & Grants Revenue.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION

Company management will host a conference call at 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) today, February 22, 2018, to discuss these financial results. This conference call can be accessed live by telephone or through Emergent’s website:

Live Teleconference Information:
Dial in number: (855) 766-6521
International dial in: (262) 912-6157
Conference ID: 93325042

Live Webcast Information:
Visit edge.media-server.com/m6/p/qhvnyd93 for the live webcast feed.

A replay of the call can be accessed on Emergent’s website emergentbiosolutions.com under "Investors."