On May 6, 2021 Oncternal Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ONCT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel oncology therapies, reported financial results for the first quarter of 2021 (Press release, Oncternal Therapeutics, MAY 6, 2021, View Source [SID1234579338]). Oncternal management will host a webcast today at 5:00 p.m . ET to discuss its first quarter of 2021 financial results and to provide a business update.
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"We are continuing to advance our ROR1-focused platform in both liquid and solid tumors, while laying the groundwork for developing new ROR1 targeting cell therapies. Based on encouraging data recently reported at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, we are evaluating cirmtuzumab for other clinical development opportunities in solid tumors while continuing our FDA dialogue on a potential registration strategy in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). In addition, we are supporting TK216, an ETS inhibitor which has generated encouraging results in Ewing sarcoma," said James Breitmeyer, M.D., Ph.D., Oncternal’s President and CEO. "We also look forward to presenting several key clinical data at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, which is being held virtually from June 4-8, 2021."
Recent Highlights
In April 2021, we presented two scientific posters at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, which showcased the promise of cirmtuzumab in treating solid tumors.
In a Phase 1b investigator-initiated clinical trial in heavily pre-treated patients with metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer treated with a combination of cirmtuzumab and paclitaxel, eight of 14 evaluable patients had a partial response (PR), one of which remained durable for 52 weeks, for an objective response rate (ORR) of 57%. Four additional patients (29%) had stable disease (SD). These results were consistent with the previously reported interim results of the study, and compared favorably to historical results for single-agent paclitaxel, particularly for patients such as these who had received a median of six prior therapies for metastatic disease. Cirmtuzumab when given with paclitaxel was well-tolerated and demonstrated no added toxicity over what was expected with paclitaxel alone. The trial is expected to enroll a total of 15 evaluable patients.
In a preclinical study of cirmtuzumab used to treat high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and endometrial cell lines in vitro alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents cisplatin and paclitaxel, cirmtuzumab demonstrated single agent activity and enhanced the anti-proliferative effects of chemotherapeutic agents in both ovarian and endometrial cancer cell models. Oncternal is currently evaluating next steps for cirmtuzumab in solid tumors including breast and ovarian cancer.
In April 2021, we appointed Chase Leavitt as General Counsel.
In April 2021, we announced that updated interim clinical trial results from Oncternal’s study of TK216 in patients with Ewing sarcoma will be presented in an oral session, and updated interim clinical trial results from Oncternal and UCSD’s study of cirmtuzumab plus ibrutinib in patients with MCL or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) will be presented in a poster session at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in June 2021.
Expected Upcoming Milestones
Cirmtuzumab (ROR1 antibody) programs
Clinical data update for patients with MCL and CLL treated with cirmtuzumab plus ibrutinib in the ongoing Phase 1/2 study will be presented at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting
Preclinical data in additional ROR1-expressing tumors is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2021
ROR1 CAR-T program
First-in-human dosing is expected in the first half of 2022
TK216 (ETS inhibitor) program
Clinical data update for patients with Ewing sarcoma treated in the ongoing Phase 1/2 study will be presented at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting
Preclinical data in additional ETS-driven tumors is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2021
First Quarter 2021 Financial Results
Our grant revenue was $0.7 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021. Our grant revenue is derived from a sub-award under a grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to UC San Diego, which was awarded to advance our Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating cirmtuzumab in combination with ibrutinib for the treatment of patients with MCL or CLL.
Our total operating expenses for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021 were $6.7 million. Research and development expenses for the quarter totaled $3.9 million, and general and administrative expenses for the quarter totaled $2.8 million. Net loss for the first quarter was $5.9 million, or a loss of $0.12 per share, basic and diluted.
As of March 31, 2021, we had $111.2 million in cash and cash equivalents. We believe these funds will be sufficient to fund our operations into 2023. As of March 31, 2021, we had approximately 49.4 million shares of common stock outstanding.
Management Webcast
As previously announced, Oncternal will host a webcast today, May 6, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT). The live webcast will be available online and may be accessed from the "Investors" page of the company website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be available beginning approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call and will remain available for at least 30 days thereafter.