On March 4, 2021 NextCure, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXTC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering and developing novel, first-in-class immunomedicines to treat cancer and other immune-related diseases, reported fourth quarter and full year 2020 financial results and provided a business update (Press release, NextCure, MAR 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234576089]).
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"Our team has worked diligently throughout 2020 to advance our programs despite the difficult environment created by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are thrilled that Dr. Han Myint has recently joined NextCure as our Chief Medical Officer and we are poised to harness his expertise in oncology product development to further advance our product pipeline. As we enter 2021, we are excited to announce the expansion of our pipeline. We remain encouraged with the potential of NC318 given the evidence of clinical activity seen to date and are now reexploring the treatment of lung cancer through an investigator-initiated trial at Yale University," said Michael Richman, NextCure’s president and chief executive officer. "In addition, the NC410 Phase 1 trial is advancing and we look forward to reporting initial data in the second half of the year and we are very excited to introduce NC762, a B7-H4 antibody expected to enter the clinic next quarter."
Business Highlights
NC318
The two previously announced objective responder patients in the Phase 1 portion of the company’s ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial are continuing to receive drug and remain on study at over 118 weeks and over 92 weeks.
The trial continues in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients.
The previously announced confirmed partial response (PR) seen in the HNSCC cohort is off study after 40 weeks.
A confirmed PR has been observed in the TNBC cohort and the patient remains on study at over 21 weeks.
Given these responses in the HNSCC and TNBC cohorts, these cohorts met the criteria to advance into the stage 2 portion of the Simon 2-stage trial.
The NC318 Phase 2 monotherapy protocol will be revised to select S15+ patients for enrollment starting in the second quarter of this year.
Yale University plans to initiate in the second quarter of 2021, an investigator-initiated Phase 2 trial of NC318 as a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
NC410
Enrollment is on track and the company expects to announce initial clinical data from the Phase 1 portion of the trial in the second half of 2021.
NC762
An investigational new drug (IND) application has been filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for NC762, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting B7-H4, which is upregulated in multiple solid tumor types, and which we believe is differentiated from other B7-H4-targeted antibodies.
Announced the appointment of Dr. Han Myint as Chief Medical Officer.
Expected Upcoming Milestones
Initiate in the second quarter of 2021, the Yale University Phase 2 investigator-initiated trial of NC318 in NSCLC with anticipated initial data first half of 2022.
Report NC318 Phase 2 monotherapy data in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Initiate the NC762 Phase 1 trial in the second quarter of 2021 and report initial data in mid-2022.
Report NC410 initial Phase 1 data in the second half of 2021.
Financial Guidance
Based on its current research and development plans, NextCure expects its existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will enable it to fund operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the second half of 2023.
Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year Ended December 31, 2020
Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, excluding restricted cash as of December 31, 2020, were $283.4 million as compared with $334.6 million as of December 31, 2019. The decrease of $51.2 million as of December 31, 2020 as compared to December 31, 2019 primarily reflects cash used to fund operations of $44.9 million and cash used to purchase fixed assets of $7.2 million, offset by a reduction in restricted cash of $1.5 million.
Research and development expenses were $46.6 million and $12.1 million for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2020, respectively, as compared with $34.2 million and $11.4 million for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2019, respectively. The increase was primarily related to increase in headcount and clinical research costs related to advancing NC318 and NC410.
General and administrative expenses were $17.0 million and $4.1 million for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2020, respectively, as compared with $9.6 million and $2.6 million for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2019, respectively. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the year and quarter primarily related to increasing infrastructure costs and being a public company for a full year in 2020.
Revenue was $22.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. There was no revenue recognized in the quarter ended December 31, 2020, as compared with $6.3 million and $2.0 million for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2019, respectively. Revenue generated was from our former research and development agreement with Eli Lilly.
Net loss was $36.6 million and $15.5 million for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2020, respectively, as compared with $33.7 million and $10.9 million for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2019, respectively. The increases in net loss for the year and quarter were primarily due to increased research and development expenses and increased general and administrative expenses from an increase in headcount, offset by the recognition of the remaining deferred revenue under the former agreement with Lilly.
Conference Call
NextCure will host a virtual R&D update event today at 5 pm Eastern time. To participate via telephone, please dial (877) 665-6632 from the U.S. or (602) 563-8471 from outside the U.S., using the conference ID 6773907. To participate via live or replay webcast, a link is available through the Investors section of the company’s website at www.nextcure.com.
About NC318
NC318 is a first-in-class immunomedicine against S15, a novel immunomodulatory target found on highly immunosuppressive cells called M2 macrophages in the tumor microenvironment and on certain tumor types including lung, ovarian and head and neck cancers. In preclinical research, it was observed that S15 promoted the survival and differentiation of suppressive myeloid cells and negatively regulated T cell function, allowing cancer to avoid immune destruction. In preclinical studies, NC318 blocked the negative effects of S15. NextCure believes NC318 has the potential to treat multiple cancer types.
About NC410
NC410 is a first-in-class immunomedicine designed to block immune suppression mediated by LAIR-1, an immunomodulatory receptor expressed on T cells and dendritic cells, a type of antigen presenting cell. In preclinical research, it was observed that LAIR-1 inhibited T cell function and dendritic cell activity allowing tumor cells to grow. In preclinical studies, NC410 blocked the negative effects of LAIR-1 and promoted T cell function and dendritic cell activity. NextCure believes NC410 has the potential to treat multiple cancer types.
About NC762
NC762 is a monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to B7-H4, a protein expressed on multiple tumor types. We believe NC762 acts by inhibiting tumor cell growth and killing tumor cells, including by enhancing immune response. We have observed in preclinical studies that NC762 inhibits the growth of human melanoma tumors in mice, and we believe that NC762 has the potential to treat multiple tumor types. Our research indicates that NC762 inhibits tumor cell growth independently of immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment.