On February 29, 2024 Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE: NUVB), a biopharmaceutical company tackling some of the greatest unmet needs in oncology by developing differentiated and novel therapeutic candidates, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023, and provided a business update (Press release, Nuvation Bio, FEB 29, 2024, View Source [SID1234640686]).

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"We are pleased to announce completion of a Phase 1 monotherapy study of NUV-868 and determination of a MTD that will help inform our ongoing Phase 1b combination studies. As we announced in January, we received FDA clearance of our IND application for NUV-1511 and look forward to initiating a Phase 1/2 study for the first clinical candidate from our DDC platform in the first half of this year," said David Hung, M.D., Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Nuvation Bio. "Nuvation strongly executed across our pipeline of cancer therapies in 2023 and we plan to build on this progress in 2024 as we remain committed to bringing novel and differentiated therapies to patients with the most difficult-to-treat cancers."

Recent Business Updates

NUV-868, BD2-selective BETi: Advanced solid tumors

Phase 1 monotherapy study is complete. Nuvation Bio has completed the Phase 1 monotherapy study in advanced solid tumors and determined the MTD in patients.
Phase 1b combination studies remain ongoing. Nuvation Bio continues to conduct the Phase 1b studies of NUV-868 in combination with olaparib in patients with ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), triple negative breast cancer and other solid tumors, and in combination with enzalutamide in patients with mCRPC.
NUV-1511, Drug-Drug Conjugate Platform: Advanced solid tumors

IND cleared for first clinical candidate, NUV-1511. Nuvation Bio received IND clearance from the FDA for the treatment of patients with various advanced solid tumors and remains on track to dose the first patient in a Phase 1/2 study of NUV-1511 in the first half of 2024.
Corporate Update:

Appointed Dr. Robert Mashal to Board of Directors. Dr. Mashal’s experience as a seasoned pharmaceutical executive and medical oncologist will provide valuable insights.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results

As of December 31, 2023, Nuvation Bio had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $611.2 million.

For the three months ended December 31, 2023, research and development expenses were $15.4 million, compared to $16.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a $1.7 million decrease in third-party costs related to research services and manufacturing driven by the termination of the NUV-422 program offset by a $0.2 million increase in personnel-related costs. Research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $71.3 million compared to $87.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

For the three months ended December 31, 2023, general and administrative expenses were $5.5 million, compared to $7.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a $1.3 million decrease in personnel-related costs, $0.6 million decrease in insurance, a $0.2 million decrease in professional fees, a $0.1 million decrease in taxes and a $0.1 million decrease in miscellaneous expenses offset by $0.2 million increase in legal fees, and a $0.2 million increase in occupancy. General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $28.5 million compared to $31.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.

For the three months ended December 31, 2023, Nuvation Bio reported a net loss of $13.8 million, or $(0.06) per share. This compares to a net loss of $20.8 million, or $(0.10) per share, for the comparable period in 2022. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $75.8 million compared to $104.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.