On November 9, 2016 Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:CALA), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs directed against tumor and tumor immune cell metabolism targets for the treatment of cancer, reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016 (Press release, Calithera Biosciences, NOV 9, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2221119 [SID1234516512]). As of September 30, 2016, cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $56.3 million.

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"During the third quarter, we continued enrolling the two cohorts evaluating our glutaminase inhibitor CB-839 in triple negative breast cancer and in renal cell carcinoma. We expect to be in a position to provide additional updates at medical meetings in the fourth quarter," said Susan Molineaux, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Calithera. "In addition, we opened two new immuno-oncology trials in the quarter, both of which should have an initial read out in 2017."

Third Quarter 2016 and Recent Highlights

CB-839: First patient enrolled and dosed in combination with checkpoint modulator. In August 2016, we enrolled the first patient in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial assessing the safety and efficacy of CB-839, in combination with Opdivo for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), malignant melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. The Phase 1/2 study will assess the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of CB-839 and Opdivo. The study will enroll patients with clear cell RCC who are naïve to checkpoint inhibitors, as well as clear cell RCC, melanoma, and non-small cell lung cancer patients who are receiving anti-PD-1 monotherapy as their current therapy without having a tumor response.
CB-839: Data in renal cell carcinoma selected for oral presentation. In September, we announced that clinical data for CB-839 will be presented in a plenary session at the 28th Annual EORTC-NCI-AACR (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, November 29 to December 2, 2016 in Munich, Germany. The clinical presentation will be focused on data from Calithera’s CB-839 Phase I RCC combination trial with everolimus.
CB-839: Data in triple negative breast cancer selected for presentation. Clinical data for CB-839 will be presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in San Antonio, December 6 to 10, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. The clinical presentation will be focused on data from Calithera’s CB-839 Phase I triple negative breast cancer combination trial with paclitaxel.
CB-1158: First patient dosed in a phase 1 study of our first-in-class inhibitor of the immuno-oncology target arginase. In September 2016, we announced dosing of the first patient in a Phase I clinical trial assessing the safety and efficacy of our drug candidate as a treatment for advanced solid tumors. Arginase is an enzyme in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which prevents T-cell and natural killer (NK) cell activation in tumors.
Board of Directors. In August 2016, Suzy Jones was appointed to our Board of Directors, and added to the Audit committee. Ms. Jones is currently Founder and Managing Partner of DNA Ink, a boutique life sciences advisory firm.
Selected Third Quarter 2016 Financial Results

Research and development expenses were $6.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared with $6.8 million for the same period in the prior year. The decrease of $0.5 million was primarily due to the timing of manufacturing clinical supply to support our CB-839 and CB-1158 clinical trials, partially offset by increased personnel-related costs primarily due to higher headcount, salary increases and stock-based compensation expense, and costs associated with our licensing arrangements.

General and administrative expenses were $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, compared with $2.2 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase of $0.1 million was primarily due to higher personnel-related costs as a result of higher headcount, salary increases and stock-based compensation expense.

Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was $8.5 million, or $0.44 per share.

Based on the results for the first nine months of 2016 and our current expectations for the remainder of the year, we are raising our guidance and expect cash, cash equivalents and investments will be at least $50 million at the end of 2016.

On November 9, 2016 Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (NYSE: PBYI), a biopharmaceutical company, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016 (Press release, Puma Biotechnology, NOV 9, 2016, View Source [SID1234516720]).

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Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons are for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), Puma reported a net loss applicable to common stock of $65.8 million, or $2.02 per share, for the third quarter of 2016, compared to a net loss of $60.4 million, or $1.87 per share, for the third quarter of 2015. Net loss applicable to common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $203.4 million, or $6.26 per share, compared to $177.6 million, or $5.55 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Non-GAAP adjusted net loss was $36.0 million, or $1.11 per share, for the third quarter of 2016, compared to non-GAAP adjusted net loss of $35.5 million, or $1.10 per share, for the third quarter of 2015. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $115.4 million, or $3.55 per share, compared to $104.3 million, or $3.26 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss excludes stock-based compensation expense, which represents a significant portion of overall expense and has no impact on the cash position of the Company. For a reconciliation of GAAP net loss to non-GAAP adjusted net loss and GAAP net loss per share to non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share, please see the financial tables at the end of this news release.

Net cash used in operating activities for the third quarter of 2016 was $34.9 million. Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $100.7 million. At September 30, 2016, Puma had cash and cash equivalents of $52.5 million and marketable securities of $56.4 million, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $31.6 million and marketable securities of $184.3 million at December 31, 2015. The Company’s balance of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at the end of the quarter does not include the net proceeds of approximately $162 million received from the Company’s public offering in October 2016.

"During the third quarter, we achieved several key milestones, including the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) validation of the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for neratinib as an extended adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early stage breast cancer in Europe, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) acceptance of the New Drug Application (NDA) for neratinib as an extended adjuvant treatment for patients with early stage HER2-overexpressed/amplified breast cancer who have received prior adjuvant trastuzumab (Herceptin)-based therapy," said Alan H. Auerbach, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Puma.

"We anticipate a number of additional milestones through the end of 2016 and first half of 2017," Mr. Auerbach added. "These include: (i) reporting additional data in the fourth quarter of 2016 from the Phase II trial of neratinib as an extended adjuvant treatment in HER2-positive early stage breast cancer using loperamide and budesonide prophylaxis; (ii) reporting additional Phase II data in the fourth quarter of 2016 from the FB-7 neoadjuvant HER2-positive breast cancer trial in the subgroup of patients who are MammaPrint High; (iii) reporting data in the fourth quarter of 2016 from the Phase II trial of neratinib plus fulvestrant in patients with HER2 non-amplified breast cancer that has a HER2 mutation; (iv) reporting data in the first half of 2017 from the Phase III trial of neratinib in third-line HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients; and (v) reporting data during the first half of 2017 from the Phase II trial of neratinib in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients with brain metastases."

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were $66.0 million for the third quarter of 2016, compared to $60.7 million for the third quarter of 2015. Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $203.7 million, compared to $178.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

General and Administrative Expenses:

General and administrative expenses were $14.0 million for the third quarter of 2016, compared to $8.8 million for the third quarter of 2015. General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $37.3 million, compared to $22.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase of approximately $15.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 resulted primarily from increases of approximately $7.5 million in stock-based compensation, $1.9 million in payroll and related costs, $3.7 million in professional fees and expenses, and $1.6 million in facility and equipment costs. These increases reflect higher legal and compliance expenses, as well as overall corporate growth.

Research and Development Expenses:

Research and development expenses were $52.0 million for the third quarter of 2016, compared to $51.9 million for the third quarter of 2015. Research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $166.4 million, compared to $156.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase of approximately $10.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 resulted primarily from increases of approximately $7.2 million in stock-based compensation, $3.7 million for internal clinical development, regulatory affairs and quality assurance and internal chemical manufacturing expenses, and $2.7 million in consultants and contractors related expenses, offset by a $3.3 million decrease in clinical trial expenses.

Akebia has filed a 10-Q – Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Filing, 10-Q, Akebia, 2017, NOV 9, 2016, View Source [SID1234521574]).

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On November 9, 2016 CytRx Corporation (NASDAQ: CYTR), a biopharmaceutical research and development company specializing in oncology, reported financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2016, and provided an overview of recent corporate developments and upcoming milestones for its research and development programs (Press release, CytRx, NOV 9, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2220972 [SID1234516514]).

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"This month we expect to report additional data from our pivotal, global Phase 3 clinical trial of aldoxorubicin in patients with second-line soft tissue sarcomas (STS)," said Steven A. Kriegsman, CytRx’s Chairman and CEO. "We then plan to schedule a pre-NDA meeting with the FDA. Additionally, we recently completed enrollment in the aldoxorubicin Phase 2b clinical trial in second-line small cell lung cancer in September. We now estimate that top-line results will be available in the first half of 2017 as the number of progression events has not yet been reached."

Third Quarter 2016 and Recent Developments

Presented Positive Aldoxorubicin Combination Clinical Trial Results at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2016. On October 10, 2016, CytRx presented a poster at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2016 Congress featuring interim clinical data from its on-going clinical trial of aldoxorubicin in combination with ifosfamide and mesna in patients with soft tissue sarcomas. Of 36 evaluable patients, 13 of 36 (36%) achieved a partial response of the target lesion by RECIST 1.1 criteria, 22 of 36 (61%) had stable disease, and one patient had progressive disease. Median progression-free survival has not yet been reached. While the combination did have certain toxicities, none were treatment-limiting.

Completed enrollment in its Global Phase 2b Clinical Trial in Second-Line Small Cell Lung Cancer. On September 6, 2016, CytRx announced that it completed enrollment in its global, randomized Phase 2b clinical trial comparing aldoxorubicin to topotecan in 135 patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) who have progressed or relapsed to prior chemotherapy. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival. The number of progression events has not yet been reached, and CytRx currently expects to announce top-line data in the first half of 2017.

Strengthened the Balance Sheet with an Equity Financing. On July 20, 2016, CytRx completed a public offering of common stock and one-year warrants for total net proceeds of aproximately $18.3 million. If exercised in full, the warrants would provide up to an additional $20 million in capital.

Reported Initial Analysis of its Pivotal, Global Phase 3 Aldoxorubicin Trial in STS. On July 11, 2016, CytRx reported interim results from its global, randomized, Phase 3 clinical trial of aldoxorubicin compared to investigator’s choice therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory STS. The Company also previously announced that it expects to report additional data from the trial in the fourth quarter. Following the subsequent analysis, CytRx plans to schedule a pre-NDA meeting with the FDA to seek marketing approval. In addition, patients in the Phase 3 clinical trial continue to be followed for overall survival, a secondary endpoint of the trial.

Capital Conservation. During the third quarter, CytRx embarked on a plan to reduce spending until additional results from the aldoxorubicin Phase 3 STS clinical trial are available and the Company meets with the FDA. This included reducing headcount, stopping pre-commercialization activities for aldoxorubicin and suspending further development of DK049.

Pipeline Generation Activities. CytRx’s expanded its drug discovery efforts to create a pipeline of oncology candidates utilizing the Company’s LADRTM technology to attach ultra-high potency drugs to albumin (10-1000 times more potent than traditional chemotherapies limited to antibodies only) to target tumors.

Upcoming Milestones

Present interim data from the on-going Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of aldoxorubicin in combination with ifosfamide/mesna at the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) Annual Meeting being held on November 9-12, 2016, in Lisbon, Portugal.
Announce additional data from CytRx’s pivotal, global Phase 3 clinical trial of aldoxorubicin in patients with second-line STS in November 2016.
Report top-line results from the global Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating aldoxorubicin versus topotecan in patients with second-line SCLC in the first half of 2017.
Schedule and hold a pre-NDA meeting with the FDA regarding aldoxorubicin as a treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory advanced STS.
Third Quarter 2016 Financial Results

CytRx reported cash and cash equivalents of $58.9 million as of September 30, 2016.

Net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 was $12.2 million, or $0.13 per share, compared with a net loss of $7.1 million, or $0.11 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. During the third quarter of 2016, CytRx recognized a non-cash gain on warrant derivative liability of $0.2 million, compared to a non-cash gain of $3.5 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015.

Research and development (R&D) expenses were $8.9 million for the third quarter of 2016, and included development expenses of $6.7 million for the aldoxorubicin program. R&D expenses were $8.5 million for the third quarter of 2015.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $2.8 million for the third quarter of 2016, compared to $2.2 million for the third quarter of 2015. G&A expenses for the third quarter 2016 included non-cash employee stock-compensation expense of $0.6 million, compared to $0.5 million for the same period in 2015.

On November 9, 2016 Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:INO) reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 (Press release, Inovio, NOV 9, 2016, View Source [SID1234516542]). The following financial results provide a year-over-year comparison of the third quarter in 2016 and 2015. Total revenue was $12.5 million compared to $24.2 million. Total operating expenses were $32.7 million compared to $20.5 million. The net loss attributable to common stockholders was $20.8 million, or $0.28 per share for the third quarter 2016, compared to net income of $5.6 million, or $0.08 per share in the third quarter of 2015.

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Revenue

The decrease in revenue for the comparable periods was primarily due to $15.0 million of revenue recognized in the third quarter 2015 from the up-front payment received from our partnership agreement with MedImmune. Accounting recognition of the remainder of the $27.5 million upfront payment was deferred and will be triggered by future events. The net income achieved during the third quarter 2015 was attributable to the increase in revenue and may not repeat in future quarters.

Operating Expenses

Research and development expenses were $27.0 million compared to $16.1 million for the third quarter ending 2016 and 2015 respectively. The increase was primarily related to increased investment in our product development programs – notably the DARPA funded Ebola program and clinical trial preparations for the initiation of the VGX-3100 phase III study. General and administrative expenses were $5.8 million compared to $4.4 million.

Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2016, cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $119.7 million compared with $163.0 million as of December 31, 2015. There were 74.0 million shares outstanding and 81.8 million fully diluted.

During the three months ended September 30, 2016, the Company sold 448,848 shares of common stock under its ATM common stock sales agreement for net proceeds of $4.2 million, with an average price of $9.45 per share.

Inovio’s balance sheet and statement of operations are provided below. Form 10-Q providing the complete 2016 Third quarter financial report can be found at: View Source

Corporate Update

Clinical Development

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested additional information regarding Inovio’s submission for its proposed phase III clinical program for VGX-3100, placing the program on clinical hold. The study had not yet been initiated and has not enrolled or dosed subjects. In its initial communication the FDA requested additional data to support Inovio’s shelf-life claim for the single-use disposable array of the newly designed and manufactured CELLECTRA 5PSP immunotherapy delivery device. Inovio expects to receive a formal letter in November, which may request other information, and estimates the start of the phase III clinical program will be delayed until the first half of 2017, pending resolution of the FDA’s request. This clinical hold does not affect other Inovio clinical programs.
Initiated a phase I Zika DNA vaccine trial in Puerto Rico to test for safety, immune responses and initial evidence of efficacy. The placebo-controlled double-blind trial will assess differences in Zika infection rates in 160 healthy participants given either placebo or vaccine as part of an exploratory endpoint. This is the second human Zika vaccine trial initiated by Inovio. All 40 subjects for the first clinical study have been fully enrolled and dosed.
Expanded phase I Ebola vaccine trial by fully enrolling an additional 125 subjects in a second stage after generating positive initial safety and immune response data in the first set of 75 healthy volunteers. The study will assess immune response characteristics generated with fewer intradermal administrations, lower doses, and with and without its DNA-based IL-12 immune activator.
Corporate Development

Inovio incorporated a 100%-owned subsidiary, GENEOS Therapeutics, Inc., to develop and commercialize neo-antigen based personalized cancer therapies. While Inovio pursues the unique potential of its SynCon immunotherapy design to break tolerance and create cancer products targeting universal tumor specific antigens, GENEOS will exclusively focus on leveraging Inovio’s potent DNA immunotherapy technology platform to advance the emerging field of patient-specific neo-antigen therapies. Inovio’s clinically validated DNA based platform is well suited for advancing individualized therapies due to its rapid product design and manufacturing benefits, ability to combine multiple neo-antigens into formulations, and generation of potent killer T cell responses that are needed to drive clinical efficacy. GENEOS plans to independently raise capital and build a team to execute this complementary business model. Inovio will continue its focus on advancing its universal antigen-specific cancer immunotherapy portfolio, including INO-3112 (with Medimmune), INO-5150, INO-1400, and INO-5401, as well as its pre-cancer (VGX-3100) and infectious disease products.
Licensed a veterinary vaccine for foot and mouth disease (FMD) to Plumbline Life Sciences, an animal health company headquartered in South Korea. Plumbline will fund all development activities for this FMD vaccine and pay Inovio milestone payments as well as royalties on potential product sales.
Inovio expanded its leadership team with the appointment of multiple individuals to lead the functions of business development, biologic and device manufacturing, regulatory, and oncology clinical development.