On August 6, 2015 ChemoCentryx, Inc., (Nasdaq:CCXI), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders and cancer, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015 and provided an update on the Company’s corporate and clinical development activities (Press release, ChemoCentryx, AUG 6, 2015, View Source [SID:1234507084]).

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"We continued to execute on all of our planned initiatives during the quarter and remain on track to deliver on several key milestones during 2015. We are particularly excited about the progress in our orphan and rare diseases program with our lead drug candidate, CCX168," said Thomas J. Schall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of ChemoCentryx. "Both the CLEAR and CLASSIC Phase II trials of CCX168 in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis reached significant enrollment milestones, and we also initiated an important proof-of-concept trial in patients with atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. Further, in the immuno-oncology area, we have completed the first part of a two-part clinical trial of CCX872 in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and we look forward to reporting early results from this trial by year-end."

Recent Pipeline Developments Across Key Therapeutic Areas

Orphan and Rare Diseases: CCX168 is one of the Company’s lead drug candidates. It is an orally-administered inhibitor of the complement C5a receptor (C5aR), and is being developed for several rare disease indications, including ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS). These are severe and often fatal autoimmune diseases that are characterized by inflammation that can negatively affect many different areas of the body.

Patient enrollment was completed in the European Phase II CLEAR clinical trial of CCX168 in AAV;
Additionally, patient enrollment in the Phase II CLASSIC trial in North America of CCX168 in AAV reached the halfway mark, per plan;

A Phase II proof-of-concept clinical trial was initiated for the treatment of aHUS in patients with end stage renal disease with CCX168;

Data demonstrating the anti-thrombogenic effect of CCX168 in serum from patients with aHUS were presented at the 52nd European Renal Association – European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Congress in London; and
ChemoCentryx collaborators presented data supporting the biological mechanism of C5a inhibition and the resultant anti-thrombotic effect in aHUS by showing that, in serum, CCX168 blocks aHUS induced up-regulation of Von Willebrand factor (VWF) on human microvascular endothelial cells at the 15th European Meeting on Complement in Human Disease in Uppsala, Sweden.
Chronic Kidney Disease: CCX140, an inhibitor of the chemokine receptor known as CCR2 and one of the Company’s lead drug candidates, is being developed as an orally administered therapy for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, a form of chronic kidney disease.

Positive clinical results from the Phase II trial in patients with diabetic nephropathy treated with CCX140 were presented at the 52nd ERA-EDTA Congress in London in a late breaking oral presentation.

Immuno-Oncology: CCX872, a potent and selective inhibitor of the chemokine receptor known as CCR2, is being evaluated in patients with non-resectable pancreatic cancer.

Patient enrollment advanced in the clinical trial of non-resectable pancreatic cancer treated with CCX872; Part A of the trial has completed and enrollment in Part B has commenced. The two-part trial is evaluating if the combination of CCX872 and FOLFIRINOX, one of the current standard of care treatments for advanced pancreatic cancer, can promote a more effective anti-tumor response in these patients than standard care treatment alone.

Anticipated Milestones

Orphan and Rare Diseases:

Report top-line data by the end of 2015 from the Phase II CLEAR trial in patients with AAV treated with CCX168, which is being conducted in Europe;
Continue enrollment in the Phase II CLASSIC trial in AAV in North America, and report top-line data in the first half of 2016;
Plan for an End of Phase II meeting in 2016 and, with positive CLEAR and CLASSIC Phase II results, initiate Phase III trial in patients with AAV by the end of 2016; and
Report initial results from the CCX168 Phase II proof-of-concept trial in patients with aHUS by the end of 2015.

Chronic Kidney Disease:

Present additional study results from the CCX140 Phase II trial in diabetic nephropathy at subsequent medical meetings and in peer-reviewed publications during the year;
Continue design of Phase III trials and preparation for Phase III development; and
Prepare for an End of Phase II meeting with the FDA.
Immuno-Oncology:

Continue to advance the pancreatic cancer trial of CCX872 in combination with FOLFIRINOX and report early results by the end of 2015; and
Present preclinical results from the combination therapy of chemokine receptor and check point inhibitors in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Second Quarter 2015 Financial Results

Research and development expenses were $8.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $9.0 million reported for the same period in 2014. The decrease in research and development expenses from 2014 to 2015 were primarily attributable to lower expenses associated with CCX140, the Company’s CCR2 inhibitor, due to the completion of the Phase II clinical trial in patients with diabetic nephropathy in the fourth quarter of 2014 and CCX507, the Company’s second generation CCR9 inhibitor, due to the completion of Phase I clinical development in the third quarter of 2014. These decreases were partially offset by higher expenses associated with CCX168, the Company’s C5aR inhibitor, due to continuing patient enrollment in the third and final step of the CLEAR Phase II clinical trial in Europe and the CLASSIC Phase II clinical trial in North America for the treatment of AAV. Further, the commencement of enrollment in Phase II proof of concept clinical trials in patients with Immunoglobulin A nephropathy, or IgAN and aHUS and costs associated with initiating a Phase Ib clinical trial with CCX872, the Company’s second generation CCR2 inhibitor, in patients with pancreatic cancer in the second quarter of 2015 contributed to the increase.

General and administrative expenses were $3.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $3.4 million for the comparable period in 2014. The increase in general and administrative expenses from 2014 to 2015 was primarily due to increases in stock based compensation expense for stock option grants and restricted stock unit awards and professional service expenses.

Net loss was $12.1 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015 compared to $12.3 million in the same period in 2014.

Total shares outstanding at June 30, 2015 were approximately 44.1 million shares.

Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $94.2 million at June 30, 2015.