On August 4, 2016 Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRVS), reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2016 and provided a business update (Press release, Corvus Pharmaceuticals, AUG 4, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2193256 [SID:1234514283]).
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"We are making good progress with our product candidates," said Richard A. Miller, M.D., co-founder, president and chief executive officer of Corvus. "Enrollment in the dose selection stage of our Phase 1/1b trial with our lead product candidate, CPI-444, is continuing on track and as of today we have opened 18 sites in the U.S., Canada and Australia. Patients have been dosed in each of the three single agent cohorts and in the cohort evaluating CPI-444 in combination with Genentech’s TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab).
"We also initiated IND-enabling studies with our humanized anti-CD73 antibody, an adenosine production inhibitor, in anticipation of commencing a Phase 1 trial in late 2017. Additionally, we selected a lead candidate for our ITK inhibitor program and expect to start IND-enabling studies with a Phase 1 trial anticipated in late 2017.
"To date, our successful execution of a strategy based on in-licensing product opportunities and developing products from our internal R&D efforts has led to a robust pipeline of four programs. During the quarter, we continued to build upon this strategy and expertise with the recently announced addition of Dr. Jason Coloma, who joins us from Roche as our Chief Business Officer, and who adds further depth to our team," concluded Dr. Miller.
SUMMARIZED HIGHLIGHTS OF THE QUARTER AND SUBSEQUENT WEEKS INCLUDED:
Ongoing enrollment in the dose selection stage of Corvus’ Phase 1/1b trial with CPI-444 with patients dosed in each of the four cohorts; three of which are single agent and one that is in combination with Genentech’s TECENTRIQ
Presented at the Rational Combinations meeting in June preliminary biomarker and research data indicating CPI-444’s ability to block the peripheral lymphocyte adenosine A2A receptor. These data confirmed that dosing leads to high levels of A2A receptor occupancy by the drug. In addition, observations of an increase in activated immune cells in blood in some treated patients receiving single agent and combination therapy were reported. The presentation also included preclinical models demonstrating the foundational strategy for CPI-444 with single agent activity and synergy shown in several tumor models with various checkpoint inhibitors
Received notice of the acceptance of three abstracts for the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) meeting to be held October 7-11
Announced the hiring of Dr. Jason Coloma from Roche to the newly created post of Chief Business Officer
Initiated IND-enabling studies using Corvus’ humanized anti-CD73 antibody with a Phase 1 trial planned for late 2017
Selected a lead ITK inhibitor drug candidate for IND enabling studies with plans to initiate a Phase 1 in late 2017
SECOND QUARTER 2016 FINANCIAL RESULTS
At June 30, 2016, Corvus had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaling $152.2 million, which included the underwriter’s decision to exercise its over-allotment option to purchase 502,618 shares of Corvus’ common stock following its IPO, and which resulted in net proceeds to the Company of $7.0 million. This compared to cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $94.4 million at December 31, 2015.
Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2016 totaled $7.1 million, up from $2.0 million for the prior period, primarily due to an increase of $1.4 million in personnel and related costs associated with higher headcount, an increase of $2.1 million in outside costs for the Phase 1/1b clinical trial for CPI-444, and an increase of $1.1 million in outside costs associated with other clinical development programs.
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2016 increased to $1.7 million, from $0.3 million for the prior period, primarily due to an increase of $0.9 million in personnel and associated costs, and $0.3 million in costs associated with operating as a public company.
The net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was $8.6 million, compared with a net loss of $20.2 million, for same period in 2015. The 2015 net loss included $17.9 million associated with a non- cash change in the fair value of the company’s convertible preferred stock liability. Total stock compensation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was $1.1 million, compared to negligible stock compensation expense in the prior year period.