On March 27, 2024 Erasca, Inc. (Nasdaq: ERAS), a clinical-stage precision oncology company singularly focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing therapies for patients with RAS/MAPK pathway-driven cancers, reported business updates and reported financial results for the fiscal quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023 (Press release, Erasca, MAR 27, 2024, View Source [SID1234641493]).
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"In 2023, our three clinical candidates reached important clinical and regulatory milestones, including gaining regulatory clarity to allow us to begin our global Phase 3 study for naporafenib, demonstrating encouraging therapeutic potential for ERAS-007, and achieving Fast Track Designation (FTD) for each of naporafenib in combination with trametinib, and ERAS-801," said Jonathan E. Lim, M.D., Erasca’s chairman, CEO, and co-founder. "For ERAS-007, we presented promising preliminary clinical activity at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2023 in combination with encorafenib and cetuximab (EC) in EC-naïve patients with BRAF-mutant (BRAFm) colorectal cancer (CRC), and we expect to share additional data in the first half of 2024. We also advanced our central nervous system (CNS)-penetrant EGFR inhibitor ERAS-801 to further characterize activity in patients with EGFR-amplified recurrent glioblastoma (GBM), which represents approximately 85% of all patients with EGFR-altered GBM."
Dr. Lim continued, "In 2024, we have several key catalysts for naporafenib, which is currently being developed in two trials, SEACRAFT-1, which is ongoing in patients with RAS Q61X tissue agnostic solid tumors, and SEACRAFT-2, which is expected to initiate in the first half of 2024 in patients with NRAS-mutant (NRASm) melanoma. We are excited by our recent pooled analysis of the median overall survival (mOS) data from the Phase 1b and Phase 2 trials for naporafenib plus trametinib in patients with NRASm melanoma. These data showed an mOS of approximately 13-14 months, which nearly doubles the mOS observed for historical control observations for cytotoxic chemotherapy and single agent MEK inhibitors in patients similar to the SEACRAFT-2 patient population."
Research and Development (R&D) Highlights
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Achieved Key Milestones for Naporafenib and ERAS-801 and Prioritized Pipeline: In November 2023, Erasca gained alignment with US and EU health authorities for the pivotal Phase 3 SEACRAFT-2 trial design that provided clarity on a registrational pathway for naporafenib plus trametinib in patients with NRASm melanoma. Erasca also completed dose escalation and identified a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for ERAS-801, supporting the ongoing enrollment of efficacy signal-seeking expansion cohorts in patients with EGFR-altered GBM. In addition, a strategic pipeline prioritization
Exhibit 99.1
sharpened Erasca’s focus on existing programs that we believe have the highest probability of success for patients.
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Analysis of mOS Data for Naporafenib: A pooled analysis of patients with NRASm melanoma dosed with the combination of naporafenib and trametinib at two different doses across two different trials (Phase 1b and Phase 2) showed an mOS of 13.0 and 14.1 months, respectively. The pooled dataset at each dose compares favorably relative to historical benchmarks.
Corporate Highlights
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Granted Fast Track Designation for Naporafenib: In December 2023, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted FTD to naporafenib in combination with trametinib (MEKINIST) for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma who have progressed on, or are intolerant to, an anti‑programmed death-1 (ligand 1) (PD‑(L)1)-based regimen, and whose tumors contain an NRAS mutation.
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Entered into two CTCSAs with Novartis for Naporafenib Combination in SEACRAFT-1 and SEACRAFT-2: In February 2024, Erasca announced two clinical trial collaboration and supply agreements (CTCSAs) with Novartis pursuant to which Novartis will provide its MEK inhibitor trametinib at no cost to Erasca in connection with two clinical trials evaluating naporafenib in combination with trametinib for the treatment of patients with RAS Q61X solid tumors as part of the ongoing Phase 1b SEACRAFT-1 trial, and for the treatment of patients with previously treated NRASm unresectable or metastatic melanoma as part of the planned randomized pivotal Phase 3 SEACRAFT-2 trial.
Key Upcoming Anticipated Milestones
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SEACRAFT-1: Phase 1b trial for naporafenib (pan-RAF inhibitor) plus trametinib in patients with RAS Q61X tissue agnostic solid tumors
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Initial Phase 1b combination data expected between the second and fourth quarters of 2024
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SEACRAFT-2: Randomized pivotal Phase 3 trial for naporafenib plus trametinib in patients with NRASm melanoma
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Phase 3 trial initiation expected in the first half of 2024
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HERKULES-3: Phase 1b trial for ERAS-007 (ERK inhibitor) plus encorafenib (BRAFTOVI) + cetuximab (ERBITUX) (EC) in EC-naïve patients with BRAFm CRC
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Phase 1b combination data expected in the first half of 2024
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THUNDERBBOLT-1: Phase 1 trial for ERAS-801 (CNS-penetrant EGFR inhibitor) in patients with GBM
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Initial Phase 1 monotherapy data expected in 2024
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results
Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $322.0 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to $435.6 million as of December 31, 2022.
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $24.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to $29.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily driven by decreases in expenses incurred in connection with clinical trials, preclinical studies, discovery activities, and outsourced services and consulting fees, as a result of pipeline prioritization. R&D expenses were $103.8 million for the full year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $112.5 million for the full year ended December 31, 2022. The full year ended December 31, 2022 also included $102.0 million of in-process R&D expenses related to upfront and milestone payments and stock issuances under certain of our asset acquisition and license agreements.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $9.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to $8.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily driven by personnel costs, including stock-based compensation, partially offset by decreases in insurance costs and legal fees. G&A expenses were $37.7 million for the full year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $33.0 million for the full year ended December 31, 2022.
Net Loss: Net loss was $29.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to $135.3 million, inclusive of the $100.0 million of in-process R&D expenses recorded in connection with the Novartis license agreement, for the quarter ended December 31, 2022. For the full year ended December 31, 2023, Erasca reported a net loss of $125.0 million, or $(0.83) per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $242.8 million, inclusive of the $100.0 million of in-process R&D expenses recorded in connection with the Novartis license agreement, or $(1.99) per basic and diluted share, for the full year ended December 31, 2022.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
Erasca will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 8:30 am ET. The webcast link for the conference call can be found here. The dial-in number is 1-877-407-0792 (U.S./Canada) or 1-201-689-8263 (international). The conference ID for all callers is 13745382. The live webcast and replay may be accessed by visiting Erasca’s website at Erasca.com/events.