On November 3, 2017 Dynavax Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: DVAX) reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017 (Press release, Dynavax Technologies, NOV 3, 2017, View Source [SID1234521541]). Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $191.7 million at September 30, 2017 compared to $81.4 million at December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to net proceeds of approximately $169 million during the year from an underwritten public offering and sales of common stock under an at-the-market sales agreement.
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Additional Financial Results
The net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $22.1 million, or $0.38 per share, compared to $34.7 million, or $0.90 per share, for the same period in 2016. The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $67.7 million, or $1.36 per share, compared to $90.7 million, or $2.36 per share, for the same period in 2016.
Research and development expenses for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $16.4 million and $47.6 million, respectively, compared to $23.2 million and $66.1 million for the same periods in 2016. The decrease in the 2017 periods reflect reduced compensation and related personnel costs as a result of the January 2017 restructuring and cost reduction initiative. Additionally, the 2017 periods reflect lower costs related to the investigational product HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted] clinical and manufacturing activity partially offset by increased costs relating to seeking FDA approval for HEPLISAV-B and the ongoing development of SD-101, DV281 and earlier stage oncology programs.
General and administrative expenses for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $6.0 million and $18.1 million, respectively, compared to $11.8 million and $29.1 million for the same periods in 2016. The decrease in the 2017 periods reflect reduced compensation and related personnel costs as a result of the January 2017 restructuring and cost reduction initiative. Additionally, the 2016 periods included costs related to hiring of consultants for administrative and commercial development services for an anticipated commercial launch of HEPLISAV-B following FDA approval of this investigational product.
About HEPLISAV-B
HEPLISAV-B is an investigational adult hepatitis B vaccine that combines hepatitis B surface antigen with a proprietary Toll-like Receptor 9 agonist. Data from the Phase 3 trials which evaluated HEPLISAV-B administered as a two dose regimen over one month as compared to a currently licensed hepatitis B vaccine administered as 3 doses over a six month period are currently under review by FDA. Dynavax’s Biologics License Application for HEPLISAV-B has a Prescription Drug User Fee Act date of November 9, 2017. Dynavax has worldwide commercial rights to HEPLISAV-B.
About SD-101
SD-101 is Dynavax’s proprietary, second-generation, Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist CpG-C class oligodeoxynucleotide. SD-101 is being studied for its multiple anti-tumor activities in innate immune cells and activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells to stimulate T cells specific for antigens released from dying tumor cells. TLR9 agonists such as SD-101 enhance T and B cell responses and provide potent Type 1 interferon induction and maturation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells to antigen-presenting cells. SD-101 is being evaluated in several Phase 1/2 oncology studies to assess its safety and activity.
About DV281
DV281 is Dynavax’s proprietary investigational TLR9 agonist designed specifically for focused delivery to primary lung tumors and lung metastases. DV281 is similar in biological activity and mechanism of action to Dynavax’s Phase 2 immunotherapy candidate, SD-101, but has been optimized for administration as an aerosol. Both SD-101 and DV281 activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells which then stimulate T cells specific for antigens released from dying tumor cells. TLR9 agonists such as DV281 and SD-101 have been shown to stimulate potent Type 1 interferon induction along with maturation of dendritic cells to effective antigen-presenting cells; both activities are important for the induction of effective anti-tumor immunity. Dynavax has initiated dosing in a phase 1B dose escalation clinical trial of DV281 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
For information about SD-101 and DV281 trials that are currently recruiting patients, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.