On August 1, 2024 Curis, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRIS), a biotechnology company focused on the development of emavusertib (CA-4948), an orally available, small molecule IRAK4 inhibitor, reported its financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 (Press release, Curis, AUG 1, 2024, View Source [SID1234645258]).

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Operational Highlights

TakeAim Lymphoma

In July 2024, emavusertib was granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) by the European Commission (EC) for the treatment of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). To qualify for ODD in the European Union, among several requirements, emavusertib must be intended for the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of a disease that is life-threatening or chronically debilitating and the prevalence of the condition must be fewer than 5 in 10,000 across the EU.

"We are extremely pleased that emavusertib has been granted ODD in the EU for the treatment of PCNSL. The designation is significant for the development of emavusertib in the EU and shows the high unmet need for this patient population," said Jonathan Zung, Chief Development Officer.

In addition to the EC ODD designation, Curis continues to progress the clinical development of emavusertib and expects to have initial data for 15-20 patients with R/R PCNSL by late 2024.

"We are pleased with our progress in the TakeAim Lymphoma study and look forward to providing updated data at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) conference in December. As we continue the expansion of clinical sites in our PCNSL study, we have initiated discussions with health authorities to align on a registrational development path for emavusertib in PCNSL. We are excited to take this next step in advancing a novel treatment for patients with PCNSL," said James Dentzer, President and Chief Executive Officer.

TakeAim Leukemia

In May 2024, Curis released data for 25 new patients in the Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) FLT3 mutation (FLT3m) and U2AF1/SF3B1 Splicing Factor mutation (SFm) cohorts who had received fewer than 3 lines of prior therapy and were treated with emavusertib as monotherapy at the Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) of 300 mg BID. 12 R/R AML patients with FLT3m were treated with emavusertib. Preliminary data show 6 objective responses in 11 response-evaluable patients: 3 complete remission (CR), 1 CR with partial hematologic recovery (CRh) and 2 morphologic leukemia-free state (MLFS) with on-treatment duration range of 46-324 days. 4 patients were ongoing at the data-cutoff, including 1 CRh and 1 MLFS. 20 R/R AML patients with SFm were treated with emavusertib. Preliminary data show 4 of 18 response-evaluable patients in this population have achieved objective response (CR/CRh/MLFS). 8 of 20 patients were ongoing at the data-cutoff, including 1 MLFS. 2 patients were not response-evaluable.

Upcoming Presentations

On September 26, 2024, Curis will be hosting the 3rd Annual Symposium on IRAK-4 in cancer. The symposium will be hosted by Dr. Eric S. Winer and Dr. Grzegorz S. Nowakowski and will focus on IRAK-4 and the promise of IRAK-4 inhibition in both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.

Upcoming Milestones

TakeAim Lymphoma – updated clinical data from the on-going combination study of emavusertib with ibrutinib in patients with R/R PCNSL in late 2024.
TakeAim Leukemia – updated clinical data from the on-going monotherapy study of emavusertib in patients with R/R AML with a FLT3 or SFm in late 2024.
Initial safety data from the frontline triplet combination study of emavusertib with azacitidine and venetoclax in patients with AML in late 2024.
Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

For the second quarter of 2024, Curis reported a net loss of $11.8 million or $2.03 per share on both a basic and diluted basis as compared to $12.0 million or $2.47 per share on both a basic and diluted basis, for the same period in 2023. Curis reported a net loss of $23.7 million or $4.08 per share on both a basic and diluted basis, for the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to a net loss of $23.5 million or $4.87 per share on both a basic and diluted basis for the same period in 2023.

Revenues for the second quarter of 2024 were $2.5 million as compared to $2.2 million for the same period in 2023. Revenues were $4.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 as compared to $4.5 million for the same period in 2023. Revenues consist of royalty revenues from Genentech/Roche’s sales of Erivedge.

Research and development expenses were $10.3 million for the second quarter of 2024, as compared to $10.0 million for the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to higher employee related costs, partially offset by a decrease in consulting costs. Research and development expenses were $19.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $19.2 million for the same period in 2023.

General and administrative expenses were $4.8 million for the second quarter of 2024, as compared to $4.2 million for the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to higher employee related costs. General and administrative expenses were $9.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $9.0 million for the same period in 2023.

Other income was $0.7 million for the second quarter of 2024, as compared to $0.2 million for the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to a decrease in the non-cash expense related to the sale of future royalties. Other income, net was $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to $0.2 million for the same period in 2023.

Curis’s cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $28.4 million as of June 30, 2024, and the Company had approximately 5.9 million shares of common stock outstanding. Curis expects its existing cash, cash equivalents and investments will enable its planned operations into the first quarter of 2025.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Curis management will host a conference call and webcast today, August 1, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. ET, to discuss the business update and these financial results.

To access the live conference call, please dial 800-836-8184 from the United States or 1-646-357-8785 from other locations, to access the webcast login to View Source shortly before 8:30 a.m. ET. The webcast can also be accessed via the Curis website in the ‘Investors’ section.