On September 6, 2018 OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (ISIN: FR0012127173; Mnémo: OSE), reported its consolidated half-year financial results as of June 30, 2018 and provided an update on the key milestones reached during the 2018 first semester (Press release, OSE Immunotherapeutics, SEP 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234529338]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"With the completion of our license and collaboration agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim for OSE-172 in April, the first half 2018 marks an important second phase of growth for the Company, supported financially by our strategic partnerships and accompanied by a strengthened management team. Of significant note, the Company generated a financial profit of 8.9 million euros, which is a remarkable financial achievement for OSE," commented Alexis Peyroles, CEO of OSE Immunotherapeutics.

"We are focused on making significant clinical progress with four of our products, including three with our pharmaceutical partners: the initiation of a Phase 1/2 study of OSE-172 and a Phase 1 study of OSE-127 and the preparation of the entry into Phase 2 study with FR104. Furthermore, we were very pleased to receive the approval from the FDA and the EMA to actively advance the Tedopi Phase 3 trial in advanced non-small cell lung cancer in patients with immune escape after checkpoint inhibitors, a population for which no approved treatment is currently available. We also plan to start a Phase 2 trial of Tedopi combination therapy in pancreatic cancer by the end of 2018, a trial sponsored by the oncology group GERCOR. In the long term, our R&D teams are conducting innovative research to identify key targets of interest and develop new antibodies as candidates for clinical development in immuno-oncology," Mr. Peyroles continued.

Key First-Half 2018 Achievements

OSE-172, SIRPa antagonist and checkpoint inhibitor targeting suppressive myeloid/macrophage cells, in various solid tumors

Entered a global license and collaboration agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim to develop OSE-172. Under the terms of the agreement, OSE Immunotherapeutics has received a €15 million upfront payment from Boehringer Ingelheim, and will receive potential additional short-term milestones of up to €15 million upon initiation of a phase 1 clinical study. OSE Immunotherapeutics stands to receive more than €1.1 billion upon reaching pre-specified development, registration and sales milestones, plus royalties on worldwide net sales (cf. press release of April 4, 2018).
Expected to initiate clinical phase by the end of 2018, with potential application in various solid tumors, in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim.
Tedopi, combination of optimized neoepitopes that induce specific T lymphocyte activation in immuno-oncology, in advanced lung cancer

Progressed an ongoing Phase 3 trial in patients with advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have failed a previous treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors in Europe and in the U.S. Received approval from Israeli competent authorities to expand enrolment of the trial in this additional country.
Received a €435,000 grant from Bpifrance through the Eurostars European Programme to lead a research program within a consortium of five partners. The project aims to validate an immune algorithm specific to Tedopi and establish precision medicine targeting for the product. It will be conducted in conjunction with the Phase 2 clinical trial for Tedopi, combined with a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, in pancreatic cancer. This study, sponsored by the oncology cooperative group GERCOR, is expected to initiate in 2018.
OSE-127, humanized monoclonal antibody antagonist of the interleukin-7 receptor, in inflammatory bowel diseases

Presented new preclinical data further supporting the potential of OSE-127 for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases at the annual congress of the American Association of Immunologists.
Plans to initiate clinical phase in ulcerative colitis by the end of 2018, in partnership with Servier.
FR104, CD28-antagonist, in rheumatoid arthritis

Preparation for entry into a Phase 2 clinical trial in rheumatoid arthritis, in partnership with Janssen Biotech.
Moreover, the Company is continuing advancement of its innovative research program based on its several scientific and technological platforms (neoepitopes, agonist or antagonist monoclonal antibodies) positioned to fight cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Appointed Dominique Costantini as chairman of the board of directors and appointment of Alexis Peyroles to chief executive officer, a natural and seamless evolution following three structuring license agreements driving the next steps of the Company’s growth.
Strengthened the management team with the additions of Bérangère Vasseur, M.D., chief medical officer immuno-oncology (broad experience in oncology development while at Roche and at several biotechnology companies) and Emilienne Soma, PharmD, Ph.D., director of pharmaceutical program development (experience in R&D management and in alliances in several biotechnology companies).
2018 Half-Year Results

As of June 30, 2018, available cash* amounted to €18.6 million, giving a financial visibility until the second semester of 2019. Moreover, this cash could be reinforced by milestone payments provided by the partnerships with Boehringer Ingelheim, up to €15 million upon initiation of a Phase 1 of OSE-172, and with Servier, up to €12 million upon achievement of a new development step of OSE-127.

Of note, the development costs of the licensed projects are supported by the company’s partners: totally by Boehringer Ingelheim for OSE-172 and by Janssen Biotech for FR104, and partially by Servier for OSE-127. In parallel, the two public grants obtained, EFFIMab for OSE-127 and EFFI-CLIN for OSE-172, reinforce the funding.

The turnover amounted to €20.6 million, compared to €2.08 million as of June 30, 2017, due to the upfront payment from the collaboration agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim. During the first half of 2018, the Company recorded a net profit of €8.9 million.

Current operating expenses were €10.2 million, stable compared as of June 30, 2017. They include €8 million of R&D expenses during the first half of 2018. Over the same period of 2017, R&D expenses amounted to €7.9 million.

The consolidated balance sheet amounted to €84.6 million compared to €77.4 million as of December 31, 2017. This increase is mainly due to the cash received from the agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim.

*Available cash and cash equivalents and current financial assets

The Board of Directors of September 6, 2018 has approved the Company’s semester accounts as of June 30, 2018. The full "Semester financial report" (Regulated information) is available on : View Source The consolidated accounts have been subject to a limited review by the Statutory Auditors.