On November 2, 2016 MacroGenics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MGNX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, as well as autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases, reported a corporate progress update and reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 (Press release, MacroGenics, NOV 2, 2016, View Source [SID1234516198]).
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"MacroGenics continues to make progress across its broad pipeline of clinical compounds, including margetuximab, our Fc-optimized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, our two clinical programs targeting B7-H3 as well as several bispecific product candidates based on our DART platform," said Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of MacroGenics. "During the third quarter, an IND for MGA012 cleared the FDA and we remain on track to submit two DART molecule INDs in 2017, which would result in a total of eight DART molecules in clinical development. We look forward to providing an update on multiple clinical and preclinical programs at our R&D Day on December 13."
Pipeline Update
Margetuximab. Recent highlights related to the Company’s Fc-optimized monoclonal antibody that targets the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, or HER2, include:
SOPHIA Study: MacroGenics’ Phase 3 pivotal study in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer is ongoing, as the Company continues to initiate sites and enroll patients. This study is evaluating the efficacy of margetuximab plus chemotherapy compared to trastuzumab plus chemotherapy in approximately 530 relapsed/refractory patients. Approximately 90% of the anticipated study sites have been activated as of September 30, 2016.
Phase 1b/2 Gastric Cancer Study: MacroGenics continues to recruit and dose patients in a clinical trial of margetuximab in combination with pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 therapy, in patients with advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer. Treatment options for these patients are limited and the combination regimen being explored avoids chemotherapy while exploiting the potential for enhancing the antitumor immune response. This trial is being conducted in collaboration with Merck and is currently recruiting patients in North America. We anticipate the start of this study in Asia by year-end.
B7-H3 Franchise. MacroGenics is developing a portfolio of therapeutics that target B7-H3, a member of the B7 family of molecules involved in immune regulation. The Company is advancing multiple programs that target B7-H3 through complementary mechanisms of action and take advantage of this antigen’s broad expression across multiple solid tumor types. Current ongoing clinical-stage development programs include:
Enoblituzumab: The Company continues to recruit patients in three ongoing studies of enoblituzumab, an Fc-optimized monoclonal antibody that targets B7-H3. These studies include one monotherapy study and two combination studies with each of ipilimumab and pembrolizumab. As previously reported, the monotherapy study was expanded to include additional prostate and bladder cancer cohorts. An additional monotherapy study is planned for children with neuroblastoma and other tumors, and we also anticipate an investigator-sponsored monotherapy study in neo-adjuvant prostate cancer.
MGD009: This DART molecule targeting B7-H3 and CD3 is being evaluated in a Phase 1 study across multiple solid tumor types.
DART Product Candidates. There are currently six DART molecules in Phase 1 clinical development, including MGD006 (CD123 x CD3, also known as S80880), MGD007 (gpA33 x CD3), MGD009 (B7-H3 x CD3), MGD010 (CD32B x CD79B), MGD011 (CD19 x CD3, also known as JNJ-64052781 or duvortuxizumab) and PF-06671008 (P-cadherin x CD3).
During the third quarter and as previously reported, MacroGenics and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited announced the conclusion of their License and Option Agreement for MGD010, a bispecific molecule targeting CD32B and CD79B. MacroGenics regained the worldwide rights to MGD010, for which the Company plans to continue to advance development based on the encouraging study results reported to date.
An Investigational New Drug (IND) application for MGA012, a monoclonal antibody, recently cleared the FDA and the Company plans to submit INDs for two DART molecules in 2017. These two DART molecules are:
MGD013: MacroGenics is developing MGD013 to simultaneously block two immune checkpoint molecules, PD-1 and LAG-3.
MGD014: MGD014 is a DART molecule that is being developed to eliminate latent HIV infection.
Beyond MGD013 and MGD014, MacroGenics continues to generate and evaluate multiple other candidates that target a range of immune regulatory and other molecules using its proprietary platforms.
Corporate Update
R&D Day: MacroGenics plans to host an R&D Day in New York on Tuesday, December 13, 2016. At this meeting, the Company plans to both provide an update on its clinical pipeline as well as preview its next set of development candidates.
Universal Shelf Registration Statement Filing: MacroGenics has filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC and believes that this filing provides the Company with the flexibility to access the equity or debt capital markets most efficiently should the need arise. However, the Company has no immediate plan to undertake an offering.
Third Quarter 2016 Financial Results
Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of September 30, 2016, were $314.1 million, compared to $339.0 million as of December 31, 2015.
Revenue: Total revenue, consisting primarily of revenue from collaborative agreements, was $3.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, compared to $14.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. This decrease was primarily due to recognition of a one-time milestone received from Janssen Biotech, Inc. in 2015.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $30.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, compared to $24.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. This increase was due primarily to increased activity in the Company’s preclinical immune checkpoint programs, including MGD013, MGD014 (funded by NIAID/NIH) and the initiation of two Phase 1 clinical trials combining enoblituzumab with other compounds.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $7.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, compared to $6.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015. This increase was primarily due to increased staff, recruiting costs and stock-based compensation expense.
Net Income/Loss: Net loss was $33.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, compared to net loss of $15.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.
Shares Outstanding: Shares outstanding as of September 30, 2016 were 34,813,334.