On August 5, 2020 IVERIC bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISEE) reported financial and operating results for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2020 and provided a general business update (Press release, Ophthotech, AUG 5, 2020, View Source [SID1234562872]).
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"Following the positive results from our GATHER1 Phase 3 clinical trial of Zimura for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration, our main priority is to aggressively drive patient recruitment and retention in GATHER2, our second Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of GA secondary to AMD," stated Glenn P. Sblendorio, Chief Executive Officer and President of IVERIC bio. "We believe GATHER1 is currently the only Phase 3 clinical trial showing early suppression of GA growth which continued for 18 months with continuous treatment. The enthusiasm, resiliency and dedication of patients, physicians and their staffs fueled by their confidence in the GATHER1 Phase 3 results are exceeding our expectations."
Mr. Sblendorio added, "During the second quarter, we strengthened our balance sheet with a public offering and a concurrent private placement. We believe this enables us to further execute on our strategy to develop and deliver retinal treatments through our Zimura, gene therapy and HtrA1 inhibitor programs, with the potential to create long-term shareholder value."
Age-Related Macular Degeneration Programs
Zimura (avacincaptad pegol): Complement C5 Inhibitor
•In June 2020, the Company announced positive 18 month results from GATHER1, its first Phase 3 clinical trial for Zimura, a novel complement C5 inhibitor, for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The 18 month data supports the previously announced 12 month data from this trial, at which time point Zimura met the pre-specified primary efficacy endpoint with statistical significance. Zimura was generally well tolerated after 18 months of administration.
•The GATHER1 data was presented at The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, May 3 – 7, 2020 by Karl G. Csaky, MD, T. Boone Pickens Senior Scientist and Director of the Molecular Ophthalmology Laboratory at the Retina Foundation of the Southwest, and was also presented at the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) Annual Scientific Meeting, July 24 – 26, 2020 by Baruch D. Kuppermann, MD, Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at UC Irvine.
•In late June 2020, the Company announced that the first patient had been dosed in GATHER2, its second Phase 3 clinical trial for Zimura in development for the treatment of GA secondary to AMD. If 12 month
results from GATHER2 are positive, the Company plans to file an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency for marketing approval of Zimura for GA.
•In April 2020, the U.S. FDA granted Fast Track designation for Zimura for the treatment of GA secondary to AMD. Fast Track designation offers important benefits, including frequent interactions with the FDA and the potential eligibility for rolling submission and priority review of a New Drug Application, if relevant criteria are met.
•The Company increased the enrollment target in its ongoing Phase 2b screening clinical trial of Zimura for the treatment of autosomal recessive Stargardt disease. After initially enrolling 95 patients in this trial, the Company plans to enroll approximately 25 additional patients, with the goal of enrolling a total of 120 patients as was initially intended in the protocol for this trial.
IC-500: HtrA1 (high temperature requirement A serine peptidase 1 protein) Inhibitor
•The Company selected a lead product candidate from its HtrA1 inhibitor program, which it will refer to as IC-500. Based on current timelines, the Company is planning to submit an IND with the U.S. FDA for IC-500 in GA secondary to AMD in 2021.
Gene Therapy Programs in Orphan Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs)
•IC-100: Rhodopsin-Mediated Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa (RHO-adRP) and IC-200: BEST1-Related IRDs
Natural history studies and IND-enabling activities for IC-100 and IC-200 are ongoing. The Company plans to begin enrolling patients in Phase 1/2 clinical trials for IC-100 during the first half of 2021 and for IC-200 in 2021.
•Minigene Programs
The Company, in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts Medical School, continues to advance its minigene program for Leber Congenital Amaurosis Type 10 (LCA10), autosomal recessive Stargardt Disease (ABCA4), and USH2A-related IRDs. The Company expects to select a lead construct for its LCA10 minigene program and obtain additional results for its Stargardt Disease minigene program by the end of 2020. The Company expects to obtain preliminary results from its USH2A minigene program in late 2020 or early 2021.
Corporate Update
In April 2020, the Company appointed Pravin U. Dugel, MD as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Business Officer. In July 2020, Mark S. Blumenkranz, MD, MMS, joined its board of directors.
Second Quarter 2020 Operational Update and Cash Guidance
As of June 30, 2020, the Company had $245.7 million in cash and cash equivalents. In June 2020, the Company raised approximately $150 million in net proceeds in an underwritten public offering of common stock, and pre-funded warrants in lieu of common stock, and a concurrent private placement of common stock. The Company now estimates that its year-end 2020 cash and cash equivalents will range between $215 million and $220 million. The Company also estimates that its cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its currently planned capital expenditure requirements and operating expenses, excluding any potential approval or sales milestones payable to Archemix Corp. or any commercialization expenses for Zimura, through at least mid-2024. These estimates are based on the Company’s current business plan, which includes the continuation of the Company’s clinical development programs for Zimura, the progression of the Company’s IC-100 and IC-200 programs into the clinic, and the advancement of the Company’s IC-500 development program. These estimates assume that the Company will enroll approximately 400 patients in the GATHER2 trial. These estimates do not reflect any additional expenditures resulting from the potential in-licensing or acquisition of additional product candidates or technologies, commencement of any new sponsored research programs, or any associated develop that the Company may pursue.
2020 Q2 Financial Highlights
•R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $12.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, compared to $10.0 million for the same period in 2019. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, research and development expenses were $26.5 million compared to $17.7 million for the same period in 2019. Research and development expenses increased primarily due to increased manufacturing and preclinical development costs associated with the Company’s IC-100 and IC-200 gene therapy programs, the initiation and start-up activities for its GATHER2 clinical trial, manufacturing activities for Zimura and the progression of its HtrA1 inhibitor program.
•G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $6.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, compared to $5.2 million for the same period in 2019. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, general and administrative expenses were $11.3 million compared to $10.7 million for the same period in 2019. General and administration expenses increased primarily due to increases in professional fees and general consulting costs.
•Income Tax (Benefit): Income tax benefits of $0.4 million and $3.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, were recognized to reflect a favorable settlement of a state corporate income tax audit.
•Net Income: The Company reported a net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 of $18.6 million, or ($0.32) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $14.4 million, or ($0.35) per diluted share, for the same period in 2019. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company reported a net loss of $33.7 million or ($0.61) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $26.9 million or ($0.65) for the same period in 2019.
Conference Call/Web Cast Information
IVERIC bio will host a conference call/webcast to discuss the Company’s financial and operating results and provide a business update. The call is scheduled for August 5, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in this conference call, dial 888-220-8451 (USA) or 323-794-2588 (International), passcode 2738321. A live, listen-only audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed on the Investors section of the IVERIC bio website at www.ivericbio.com. A replay will be available approximately two hours following the live call for two weeks. The replay number is 888-203-1112 (USA), passcode 2738321.