On March 3, 2020 Exicure, Inc. (NASDAQ:XCUR), the pioneer in gene regulatory and immunotherapeutic drugs utilizing spherical nucleic acid (SNA) technology, reported full year financial results for year ended December 31, 2019 and provided an update on corporate progress (Press release, Exicure, MAR 3, 2020, View Source [SID1234555116]).
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"2019 was a pivotal year for Exicure as we joined strong scientific and clinical progress with the capital resources and distinguished investors necessary to expand our pipeline and build our organization," said Dr. David Giljohann, Chief Executive Officer of Exicure. "Looking ahead, we intend to invest in growing a pipeline of drug candidates targeting neurological indications, as well as advance our Merkel cell and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma programs into Phase 2 trials. We believe our ongoing clinical progress in immuno-oncology and dermatology has influenced our ability to expand our SNA platform in additional therapeutic areas through collaborative partnerships. Our collaboration with Allergan in hair loss disorders is just one of what we hope will be a number of such partnerships expanding our SNA platform into new therapeutic areas," concluded Dr. Giljohann.
Corporate Progress
Key achievements for Exicure during 2019 include:
Established Friedreich’s ataxia as Exicure’s first neurological indication, being developed in collaboration with the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance
Announced preliminary data in the ongoing Phase 1b/2 trial of lead immuno-oncology candidate AST-008 in patients with solid tumors
Entered a collaboration agreement with Allergan for two discovery programs in hair loss disorders with $25 million upfront and up to $725 million in potential milestones
Expanded scientific advisory board to include neurology experts Dr. Susan Perlman and Dr. Hank Paulson
Expanded Board of Directors with the addition of Jeffrey L. Cleland of Orpheris, Bali Muralidhar of Abingworth LLP, Bosun Hau of Tybourne Capital Management, and Tim Walbert of Horizon Therapeutics
Raised approximately $90.8 million in gross proceeds from the sale of common stock in two public offerings and up-listed to the NASDAQ Global Market
Pipeline Updates
Neurology
In December of 2019, Exicure announced the development of XCUR-FXN, an SNA-based therapeutic candidate, for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). FA is driven by triplet repeats in the frataxin gene which compromises the patient’s ability to generate adequate levels of frataxin protein. Exicure believes its SNA technology has the potential to address this genetic challenge and that its therapeutic strategy may lead to increases in the frataxin protein. Exicure will be developing XCUR-FXN with guidance from, and in collaboration with, the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance. Preclinical research is ongoing and IND-enabling studies for XCUR-FXN are expected in late 2020.
In 2020, Exicure expects to continue pre-clinical research on the application of its SNA technology in neurological conditions, building on its early proof-of-concept work with nusinersen and its new therapeutic candidate, XCUR-FXN. Exicure is currently exploring additional neurological conditions, including spinocerebellar ataxia, Batten disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington’s disease.
Immuno-oncology; AST-008
In December of 2019, Exicure announced preliminary results from the Phase 1b study of AST-008 in patients with solid tumors. AST-008 is an investigational SNA consisting of toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonists designed for immuno-oncology applications, and is being evaluated in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with solid tumors. At that time the study had enrolled fourteen patients including five melanoma patients, four Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) patients, two cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma patients, two head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients, and one mucosal melanoma patient. Prior to enrolling, most patients had progressive disease on anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibodies.
Available data, as of December 11, 2019, showed that AST-008 administration, alone or in combination with pembrolizumab, produced cytokine and chemokine expression and immune cell activation in patient blood indicative of desired immune activation. Of the 4 MCC patients, one patient, who had previously progressed on anti-PD-1 antibody therapy, had confirmed stable disease with decreased target lesion diameters for a period in excess of twelve weeks, while a second MCC patient experienced a target lesion complete response and a confirmed overall partial response longer than 24 weeks. No treatment-related serious adverse events or dose-limiting toxicities have been observed. The most common reported adverse event was injection site reactions.
Exicure is now completing the Phase 1b study and preparing to begin a Phase 2 study in both Merkel cell carcinoma and in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Exicure currently has seven trial sites open and seeks to expand to about fifteen sites.
Collaborations
Exicure entered into a collaboration with Allergan Pharmaceuticals International Limited in late 2019 and is now actively engaged in preclinical research and discovery in two clinical programs related to the treatment of hair loss disorders. Under the terms of the collaboration, Exicure received a $25 million upfront payment and is eligible to receive up to $725 million in potential milestones. In early 2019,
Exicure also entered into a collaboration agreement with Dermelix Biotherapeutics under which Dermelix will develop a targeted therapy for the treatment of Netherton Syndrome (NS).
2019 Financial Results and Financial Guidance
Cash Position: As of December 31, 2019, Exicure had cash and cash equivalents of $48.5 million and short-term investments of $62.3 million for a total of $110.8 million compared to $26.3 million of cash and cash equivalents and no short-term investments as of December 31, 2018. In 2019, Exicure raised approximately $90.8 million in gross proceeds from the sale of common stock and received a $25 million upfront payment in connection with the Collaboration Agreement with Allergan.
Research and Development Expense: Research and development expense was $19.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $14.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in research and development expense of $5.2 million was primarily due to higher platform and discovery-related expenses of $4.7 million, higher employee-related expense of $0.9 million and higher facilities, depreciation, and other expenses of $0.2 million, partially offset by a net decrease of $0.6 million in costs related to our clinical development programs. The increase in platform and discovery-related expenses is mostly due to a license fee of $3.8 million paid to Northwestern University in connection with the $25.0 million upfront payment received from Allergan.
General and Administrative Expense: General and administrative expense was $8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $0.8 million. This increase was primarily due to higher compensation and related expenses, recruiting fees in connection with adding two new board members, higher D&O insurance premiums, Nasdaq listing costs and lease costs associated with our Cambridge, MA office. These increased costs were partially offset by reductions in legal and other transaction costs.
Net Loss: Net loss was $26.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to net loss of $22.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase in loss of $3.9 million. Net loss reflects the changes in expenses discussed above and is offset by an increase in revenue of $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to revenue for the year ended 2018. Revenue in 2019 was primarily related to the Dermelix Collaboration.
Cash Runway Guidance: Exicure believes that, based on its current operating plans and as of the date of this press release, its existing cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2019 is sufficient to meet its anticipated cash requirements into early 2022.
About Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA)
FA is a rare, degenerative, life-shortening neuro-muscular disorder that affects children and adults, and involves the loss of strength and coordination usually leading to wheelchair use, diminished vision, hearing and speech, scoliosis, increased risk of diabetes, and a life-threatening heart condition. There are no FDA-approved treatments. An estimated 5,000 patients in the US and 15,000 patients worldwide are affected by FA.
About FARA
The Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to accelerating research leading to treatments and a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia. www.CureFA.org.