ImmunoGen to Present New Data on Novel Antibody-Drug Conjugates at 60th ASH Annual Meeting

On November 1, 2018 ImmunoGen, Inc., (Nasdaq: IMGN), a leader in the expanding field of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of cancer, reported that abstracts highlighting two of the Company’s experimental ADC therapies, IMGN779 and IMGN632, have been accepted for presentations at the upcoming American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting to be held December 1-4 in San Diego, California (Press release, ImmunoGen, NOV 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234530514]).

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Both IMGN779 and IMGN632 use ImmunoGen’s novel indolino-benzodiazepine payloads called IGNs, which alkylate DNA without crosslinking. IGNs have been designed to have high potency against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts, while demonstrating less toxicity to normal marrow progenitors than other DNA-targeting payloads.1 IMGN779 is a next-generation anti-CD33 ADC for the treatment of AML, currently in Phase 1 testing. IMGN632 is a CD123-targeting ADC for hematological malignancies, including AML and blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), and is also in Phase 1 testing.

In an oral presentation, safety and anti-leukemia activity findings from the ongoing dose escalation study of IMGN779 in patients with relapsed or refractory AML will be reported. In a separate oral presentation, initial safety and anti-leukemia activity findings from the dose escalation stage of the first-in-human trial of IMGN632 will be reported. Preclinical data related to IMGN632 will also be presented in poster sessions.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Title (Abstract #26): "Maturing Clinical Profile of IMGN779, a Next-Generation CD33-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate, in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia"
Oral session 613: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 7:45am PST
Title (Abstract #27): "A Phase I, First-in-Human Study Evaluating the Safety and Preliminary Antileukemia Activity of IMGN632, a Novel CD123-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugate, in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Other CD123-Positive Hematologic Malignancies"
Oral session 613: Saturday, December 1, 2018, 8:00am PST.
POSTER SESSIONS

Title (Abstract #2647): "Synergistic anti-leukemia activity of PARP inhibition combined with IMGN632, an anti-CD123 antibody-drug conjugate in acute myeloid leukemia models"
Poster session 604: Sunday, December 2, 2018, 6:00-8:00pm PST
Title (Abstract #3956): "Pre-clinical efficacy of CD123-targeting antibody-drug conjugate IMGN632 in Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN) models"
Poster session 605: Monday, December 3, 2018, 6:00-8:00pm PST
Additional information can be found at www.hematology.org, including abstracts.

ABOUT IGNs

Indolino-benzodiazepine cancer-killing agents, or IGNs, are a new class of cancer-killing agent developed by ImmunoGen for use in ADCs. These ultra-potent, DNA-acting IGNs alkylate DNA without crosslinking, which preclinically has resulted in potent anti-leukemia activity with relative sparing of normal hematopoietic progenitor cells.

ABOUT IMGN779

IMGN779 is a novel ADC that combines a high-affinity, humanized anti-CD33 antibody, a cleavable disulfide linker, and one of ImmunoGen’s novel indolino-benzodiazepine payloads, called IGNs, which alkylate DNA without crosslinking, resulting in potent preclinical anti-leukemia activity with relative sparing of normal hematopoietic progenitor cells. IMGN779 is in Phase 1 clinical testing for the treatment of AML.

ABOUT IMGN632

IMGN632 is a novel, anti-CD123 antibody-drug conjugate that is a potential treatment for AML, BPDCN, and other CD123-positive malignancies. IMGN632 uses a novel humanized anti-CD123 antibody coupled via a peptide linker to a unique DNA-alkylating IGN payload. In preclinical models, IMGN632 has exhibited potent antitumor activity with a wide therapeutic index in AML, BPDCN, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). IMGN632 is in Phase 1 clinical testing for the treatment of AML and BPDCN.

Genmab Announces Data to be Presented at 2018 ASH Annual Meeting

On November 1, 2018 Genmab A/S (Nasdaq Copenhagen: GEN) reported that 35 abstracts related to Genmab owned and partnered programs have been accepted for presentation at the 60th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting taking place December 1-4 in San Diego, California (Press release, Genmab, NOV 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234530513]). Abstracts accepted for presentation include updates on multiple daratumumab and ofatumumab trials, as well as pre-clinical data from Genmab’s DuoBody-CD3xCD20 and DuoHexaBody-CD37 programs. All abstracts are available on the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) website at www.hematology.org. Details regarding the key abstracts to be presented are included below.

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"We are elated that out of the over eighty-five ongoing daratumumab clinical studies, a record thirty abstracts containing daratumumab data in multiple myeloma and other indications were accepted for presentation at this year’s ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. We are also thrilled that three abstracts related to pre-clinical data from wholly owned Genmab programs were accepted for inclusion at this prestigious event, including the first proprietary DuoBody program, DuoBody-CD3xCD20, and the first ever DuoHexaBody therapeutic program, DuoHexaBody-CD37," said Jan van de Winkel, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.

Late breaking abstracts are not yet available.

Genmab Pre-Clinical Abstracts

DuoBody-CD3xCD20 Shows Unique and Potent Preclinical Anti-Tumor Activity In Vitro and In Vivo, and is Being Evaluated Clinically in Patients with B-Cell Malignancies – Poster presentation, Saturday, December 1

DuoHexaBody-CD37 a Novel Bispecific Antibody with a Hexamerization enhancing Mutation Targeting CD37, Demonstrates Superior CDC in Preclinical B-Cell Malignancy Models – Poster presentation, Monday, December 3

Targeting CD37 in B-Cell Malignancies Using the Novel Therapeutic Ab DuoHexaBody-CD37 Results in Efficient Killing of Tumor B-Cells Ex Vivo via CDC, Even in Relapsed and/or Refractory Patient Samples – Poster presentation, Monday, December 3

Daratumumab Abstracts Sponsored by Janssen Biotech, Inc.

Oral Presentations:
Efficacy and Updated Safety Analysis of a Safety Run-in Cohort from GRIFFIN, a Phase 2 Randomized Study of Daratumumab, Bortezomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone Versus Bortezomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Eligible for High-Dose Therapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation – Oral presentation, Saturday, December 1

LYRA – A Phase 2 Study of Daratumumab Plus Cycolphosphamide, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone in Newly Diagnosed and Relapsed Patients with Multiple Myeloma – Oral presentation, Saturday, December 1

One-Year Update of a Phase 3 Randomized Study of Daratumumab Plus Bortezomib, Melphalan, and Prednisone Versus Bortezomib, Melphalan, and Prednisone in Patients with Transplant-Ineligible Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: ALCYONE – Oral presentation, Saturday, December 1

Poster Presentations:
Three-Year Follow Up of the Phase 3 POLLUX Study of Daratumumab Plus Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone Versus Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone Alone in Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma – Poster presentation, Saturday, December 1

Subcutaneous Daratumumab in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Part 2 Safety and Efficacy Update of the Open-label, Multicenter, Phase 1b Study (PAVO) – Poster presentation, Saturday, December 1

Pharmacokinetics of Subcutaneous Daratumumab in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Primary Clinical Pharmacology Analysis of the Open-label, Multicenter, Phase 1b Study (PAVO) – Poster presentation, Saturday, December 1

Split First Dose Administration of Daratumumab for the Treatment of Patients with Multiple Myeloma: Clinical Pharmacology and Population Pharmacokinetic Analyses – Poster presentation, Saturday, December 1

Updated Results from the Phase 2 CENTAURUS Study of Daratumumab Monotherapy in Patients with Intermediate-risk or High-risk Smoldering Multiple Myeloma – Poster presentation, Saturday, December 1

Daratumumab Monotherapy for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Natural Killer/T-cell Lymphoma (NKTCL), Nasal Type: An Open-label, Single-arm, Multicenter Phase 2 Study – Poster presentation, Saturday, December 1

Efficacy and Safety of Daratumumab, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone Versus Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone in First Relapse Patients: Two-Year Update of CASTOR – Poster presentation, Sunday, December 2

Evaluation of Sustained Minimal Residual Disease Negativity in Relapsed / Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated with Daratumumab in Combination with Lenalidomide Plus Dexamethasone or Bortezomib Plus Dexamethasone: Analysis of POLLUX and CASTOR – Poster presentation, Sunday, December 2

Efficacy of Daratumumab in Combination with Standard of Care Regimens in Lenalidomide-Exposed or Refractory Patients with Relapsed / Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Analysis of CASTOR, POLLUX and MMY1001 Studies – Poster presentation, Sunday, December 2

Ofatumumab Abstracts Sponsored by Novartis

Oral Presentation:
Results of the Primary Analysis of COMPLEMENT A+B: A Phase III Study of Ofatumumab in Combination with Bendamustine Versus Bendamustine Alone in Patients with Indolent Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma That is Unresponsive or Relapsed Following Rituximab or Rituximab-containing Regimen – Oral presentation, Sunday, December 2

Poster Presentation:
Long-Term Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Ofatumumab Added to Fludarabine & Cyclophosphamide in Subjects with Relapsed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Final Analysis of COMPLEMENT 2 Trial – Poster presentation, Sunday, December 2

Phase III data showed that Venclexta/Venclyxto plus Gazyva/Gazyvaro reduced the risk of disease worsening or death in people with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia with co-morbidities

On November 1, 2018 Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) reported that the randomised phase III CLL14 study, which evaluated fixed-duration Venclexta/Venclyxto (venetoclax) in combination with Gazyva/Gazyvaro (obinutuzumab) in people with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and co-existing medical conditions, met its primary endpoint and showed a statistically significant reduction in the risk of disease worsening or death (PFS; as assessed by investigator) compared to standard-of-care Gazyva/Gazyvaro plus chlorambucil (Press release, Hoffmann-La Roche, NOV 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234530512]). The results showed that no new safety signals or increase in known toxicities of Venclexta/Venclyxto or Gazyva/Gazyvaro were observed with the treatment combination.

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"People with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia continue to need more treatment options because some patients are unable to tolerate chemotherapy regimens due to their underlying health," said Sandra Horning, MD, Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "CLL14 is the first study to show superior progression-free survival for Venclexta/Venclyxto plus Gazyva/Gazyvaro compared to a standard-of-care regimen. We will work with health authorities to bring this potential chemotherapy-free treatment option to people who need it as quickly as possible."

Data from the CLL14 study will be submitted to global health authorities. Venclexta in combination with Rituxan (rituximab) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of people with CLL or small lymphocytic lymphoma, with or without 17p deletion, who have received at least one prior therapy. Venclyxto in combination with MabThera (rituximab) has recently been approved in Europe for people with previously treated CLL, who have received at least one prior therapy, based on results from the randomised phase III MURANO study.

A robust clinical development programme for Venclexta/Venclyxto is ongoing in several types of blood cancer, including acute myeloid leukaemia and multiple myeloma. Gazyva/Gazyvaro continues to be investigated in combination with approved and investigational Roche and non-Roche molecules in CLL and follicular lymphoma.

Venclexta/Venclyxto (venetoclax) is being developed by AbbVie and Roche. It is jointly commercialised by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the United States and commercialised by AbbVie outside of the United States.

About the CLL14 study
CLL14 (NCT02242942) is a randomised phase III study evaluating the combination of fixed-duration Venclexta/Venclyxto plus Gazyva/Gazyvaro compared to Gazyva/Gazyvaro plus chlorambucil in patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) with coexisting medical conditions. 432 patients with previously untreated CLL were randomly assigned to receive either Venclexta/Venclyxto plus Gazyva/Gazyvaro (Arm A) or Gazyva/Gazyvaro plus chlorambucil (Arm B). The primary endpoint of the study is investigator-assessed progression free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints include PFS assessed by independent review committee, best overall response, complete response, duration of response, overall survival, event-free survival, time to next CLL treatment, minimal residual disease status and safety. The CLL14 study is being conducted in cooperation with the German CLL Study Group (GCLLSG), headed by Michael Hallek, MD, University of Cologne.

About Venclexta/Venclyxto (venetoclax)
Venclexta/Venclyxto is a first-in-class targeted medicine designed to selectively bind and inhibit the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) protein. In some blood cancers and other tumours, BCL-2 builds up and prevents cancer cells from dying or self-destructing, a process called apoptosis. Venclexta/Venclyxto blocks the BCL – 2 protein and works to restore the process of apoptosis.

Venclexta/Venclyxto is being developed by AbbVie and Roche. It is jointly commercialised by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the United States and by AbbVie outside of the United States. Together, the companies are committed to research with Venclexta/Venclyxto, which is currently being studied in clinical trials across several types of blood and other cancers.

In the United States, Venclexta has been granted four Breakthrough Therapy Designations by the FDA: in combination with Rituxan for people with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL); as a monotherapy for people with relapsed or refractory CLL with 17p deletion; in combination with hypomethylating agents (azacitidine or decitabine) for people with untreated acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) ineligible for intensive chemotherapy; and in combination with low-dose cytarabine for people with untreated AML ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. A supplemental New Drug Application has been submitted to the FDA for Venclexta, in combination with a hypomethylating agent or in combination with low dose cytarabine, for the treatment of people with previously untreated AML who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

Venclexta/Venclyxto is approved in more than 50 countries. Roche and AbbVie are currently working with regulatory agencies around the world to bring this medicine to additional eligible patients in need.

About Gazyva/Gazyvaro (obinutuzumab)
Gazyva/Gazyvaro is an engineered monoclonal antibody designed to bind to CD20, a protein expressed on certain B-cells (a type of white blood cell), but not on stem cells or plasma cells. Gazyva/Gazyvaro is designed to attack and destroy targeted B-cells both directly and together with the body’s immune system. Gazyva is marketed as Gazyvaro in the EU and Switzerland.

Gazyva/Gazyvaro is currently approved in more than 90 countries in combination with chlorambucil for people with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, in more than 80 countries in combination with bendamustine for people with certain types of previously treated follicular lymphoma and in more than 70 countries in combination with chemotherapy for previously untreated follicular lymphoma.

Additional combination studies investigating Gazyva/Gazyvaro with other approved or investigational medicines, including cancer immunotherapies and small molecule inhibitors, are underway across a range of blood cancers.

About the German CLL Study Group (GCLLSG)
Founded in 1996 and headed by Dr. Michael Hallek, the GCLLSG has been running various phase III, phase II and phase I trials in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) with the goal to provide optimal treatment to patients suffering from this disease. Among those were landmark trials like the CLL8 and the CLL11 trials which led to the current standard-of-care in CLL. For many years, GCLLSG has been aiming to improve not just the treatment of younger and physically fit patients, but also that of elderly and less fit patients. These patients are generally underrepresented in clinical trials although they constitute the majority of CLL patients treated by doctors in daily practice. The GCLLSG is an independent non-profit research organisation supported by the German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe). www.dcllsg.de

Exelixis Announces Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

On November 1, 2018 Exelixis, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXEL) reported financial results for the third quarter of 2018 and provided an update on progress toward fulfilling its key corporate objectives, as well as commercial and clinical development milestones (Press release, Exelixis, NOV 1, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2374950 [SID1234530511]).

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"In the third quarter of 2018, we continued to grow our commercial business and make significant clinical development and regulatory progress for our pipeline," said Michael M. Morrissey, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Exelixis. "Cabozantinib franchise net product revenues during the quarter were $162.9 million, which represents a 12 percent increase compared to the second quarter of 2018. We also initiated the next wave of cabozantinib pivotal trials with the announcement of the COSMIC-311 study in differentiated thyroid cancer and expect additional pivotal trials launching later this year and into 2019. This will include studies evaluating cabozantinib in combination with leading immunotherapies, an approach supported by encouraging clinical data, including phase 1b dose escalation results of cabozantinib plus atezolizumab in advanced renal cell carcinoma presented at the 2018 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress last month."

Dr. Morrissey continued: "Our team’s hard work provides strong momentum as we close out the year and move into 2019. In particular, we look forward to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s upcoming decision on our supplemental New Drug Application for CABOMETYX in previously-treated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, which has a January 14, 2019 action date, and for which we are fully launch ready. We are also pleased with Ipsen’s regulatory progress, including gaining a positive opinion in the European Union for previously-treated hepatocellular carcinoma, and Canadian regulatory approval for advanced renal cell carcinoma. Each of these milestones has the potential to support broadened access to CABOMETYX in key regions, and underscores our commitment to making Exelixis-discovered medicines globally available to cancer patients in need."

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $225.4 million, compared to $152.5 million for the comparable period in 2017.

Total revenues include net product revenues of $162.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to $96.4 million for the comparable period in 2017, representing a 69 percent increase year-over-year. The increase in net product revenues reflects the continued growth of CABOMETYX in the U.S. for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Total revenues also include collaboration revenues of $62.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 compared to $56.1 million for the comparable period in 2017. Collaboration revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 included the recognition of milestone revenue of $36.9 million and $5.0 million from our collaboration with Ipsen Pharma SAS (Ipsen) for the anticipated approval of CABOMETYX for previously-treated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the European Union and the approval by Health Canada of CABOMETYX for previously-treated RCC, respectively. Collaboration revenues also included $11.7 million in royalties earned from Ipsen and Genentech and $6.9 million in development cost reimbursements under our collaboration agreements with Ipsen and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd. Collaboration revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 included two milestones totaling $45.0 million from our collaboration with Ipsen.

Research and development expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $44.7 million, compared to $28.5 million for the comparable period in 2017. The increase in research and development expenses was primarily related to increases in clinical trial costs and personnel expenses. The increase in clinical trial costs was primarily due to increased costs associated with: CheckMate 9ER, a phase 3 pivotal trial of cabozantinib plus immunotherapy in patients with previously-untreated RCC that is being conducted with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; COSMIC-311, a phase 3 pivotal trial of cabozantinib in patients with radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) who have progressed after prior VEGFR-targeted therapy; and the preparation for further pivotal phase 3 trials that are expected to be initiated in the coming months. The increase in personnel expenses was primarily due to increases in headcount to support our expanded development and discovery efforts.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $48.1 million, compared to $38.1 million for the comparable period in 2017. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily related to increases in personnel expenses and stock-based compensation. The increase in personnel expenses was primarily due to increases in general and administrative headcount to support the company’s commercial and research and development organizations. The increase in stock-based compensation was primarily due to the increase in headcount.

Net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 was $126.6 million, or $0.42 per share, basic and $0.41 per share, diluted, compared to $81.4 million, or $0.28 per share, basic and $0.26 per share, diluted, for the comparable period in 2017. The increase in net income was primarily the result of increases in net product revenues and collaboration revenues, which was partially offset by the increases in research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses.

Cash and cash equivalents, short- and long-term investments and short- and long-term restricted cash and investments totaled $750.3 million at September 30, 2018, as compared to $457.2 million at December 31, 2017.

2018 Financial Guidance

The company is updating its guidance that total costs and operating expenses for the full year will be between $410 million and $420 million. This guidance includes approximately $50 million of non-cash costs and expenses related primarily to stock-based compensation expense.

Cabozantinib Highlights

Strong Growth in Cabozantinib Franchise Net Revenues. Net product revenues generated by the cabozantinib franchise were $162.9 million during the third quarter of 2018, an increase of 69 percent year-over-year. During the third quarter of 2018, CABOMETYX generated $158.3 million in net product revenues and COMETRIQ (cabozantinib) capsules for the treatment of patients with progressive, metastatic medullary thyroid cancer generated an additional $4.7 million in net product revenues.

CELESTIAL Phase 3 Pivotal Trial Results Published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). In July, Exelixis announced that NEJM published positive results from the CELESTIAL phase 3 pivotal trial of cabozantinib in patients with previously-treated advanced HCC. As previously announced and presented, the data demonstrate that cabozantinib provided a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival versus placebo.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Updates Clinical Practice Guidelines with New Recommendations for CABOMETYX. In September, the NCCN updated its Clinical Practice Guidelines to recommend CABOMETYX for the treatment of advanced RCC regardless of patient risk status (favorable-, intermediate-, and poor-risk). With the updates, CABOMETYX is the only tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) indicated for the treatment of advanced RCC with NCCN-preferred status for intermediate- and poor-risk groups in the first-line setting, and the only TKI with preferred status for patients who have progressed on prior therapy.

In a separate update to the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hepatobiliary Cancers, the NCCN also added cabozantinib as a Category 1 option for the treatment of patients with HCC (Child-Pugh Class A only) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. CABOMETYX is not a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved therapy for previously-treated advanced HCC. In May 2018, the FDA accepted Exelixis’ supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for CABOMETYX in this disease setting, assigning a Prescription Drug User Fee Act date of January 14, 2019.

Health Canada Approves CABOMETYX for Previously-treated Advanced RCC. In September, Ipsen announced approval by Health Canada of CABOMETYX for the treatment of adults with advanced RCC who have received prior vascular endothelial growth factor-targeted therapy. Health Canada had granted CABOMETYX priority review status, which provided an accelerated review of Ipsen’s new drug submission. Under the collaboration agreement with Ipsen, Exelixis is eligible to receive a $5.0 million milestone for the Health Canada approval, which was recognized as revenue in the third quarter of 2018.

Positive Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) Opinion for CABOMETYX for Previously-treated HCC. In September, Ipsen announced that it received a positive opinion from the CHMP, the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency, for CABOMETYX as a monotherapy for the treatment of HCC in adults who have been previously treated with sorafenib. The positive CHMP opinion will now be reviewed by the European Commission (EC), which has the authority to approve medicines for the European Union. The CHMP opinion was based on results from the CELESTIAL phase 3 pivotal trial. Under the collaboration agreement with Ipsen, Exelixis is eligible to receive a milestone payment of $40.0 million for the approval of CABOMETYX for previously-treated HCC, of which $36.9 million was recognized as revenue in the third quarter of 2018. Payment of the full $40.0 million is expected to be received within 70 days of an approval decision by the EC.

Initiation of COSMIC-311, Phase 3 Pivotal Trial of Cabozantinib in Patients with Radioiodine-refractory DTC Who Have Progressed After Prior VEGFR-Targeted Therapy. After the quarter ended, in October, Exelixis announced the initiation of COSMIC-311, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 pivotal trial that aims to enroll approximately 300 patients at approximately 150 sites globally. The co-primary endpoints of the trial are progression-free survival and objective response rate. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 54,000 new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2018.1 DTC accounts for approximately 90 percent of all thyroid cancers.2

Cabozantinib Data at the 2018 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress. After the quarter ended, in October, data from clinical trials of cabozantinib were featured in 13 presentations at the 2018 ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress in Munich, Germany. Notable results included further analyses from the CELESTIAL phase 3 pivotal trial, as well as single-agent and combination data for cabozantinib in a variety of tumor types and disease settings. One poster presentation highlighted results from the dose escalation stage of the phase 1b COSMIC-021 study of cabozantinib in combination with atezolizumab in previously-untreated advanced RCC, demonstrating that this therapy combination was well tolerated and showed encouraging anti-tumor activity in advanced RCC. A second poster presentation, reviewed during a discussion session, evaluated the effect of PD-L1 status on clinical outcomes with cabozantinib in advanced RCC in the CABOSUN and METEOR trials, and showed improved outcomes regardless of PD-L1 expression relative to sunitinib or everolimus, the respective comparator arms for each trial. Another poster presentation evaluated the activity of cabozantinib in patients with advanced RCC who had progressed on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, finding that cabozantinib was active in patients previously-treated with ICIs, either alone or in combination with anti-VEGF or other therapies.

CABOMETYX as a Treatment for Advanced RCC Approved in Brazil and Taiwan. After the quarter ended, in October, Ipsen received approvals from both the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária in Brazil for CABOMETYX as a treatment for both previously-treated and previously-untreated advanced RCC and from the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration for CABOMETYX as a treatment for patients with advanced RCC who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy.

Corporate Highlights

Inclusion on Standard & Poor’s (S&P) MidCap 400 Index. On July 2, Exelixis began trading as a member of the S&P MidCap 400 classified under S&P’s Global Industry Classification Standard Biotechnology Sub-Industry index. The index, which is distinct from the large-cap S&P 500, measures the performance of profitable mid-sized companies, reflecting the distinctive risk and return characteristics of this market segment.

Basis of Presentation

Exelixis has adopted a 52- or 53-week fiscal year that generally ends on the Friday closest to December 31st. For convenience, references in this press release as of and for the fiscal periods ended September 28, 2018, December 29, 2017 and September 29, 2017 are indicated as being as of and for the periods ended September 30, 2018, December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively.

Conference Call and Webcast

Exelixis management will discuss the company’s financial results for the third quarter of 2018 and provide a general business update during a conference call beginning at 5:00 p.m. EDT / 2:00 p.m. PDT today, Thursday, November 1, 2018.

To access the webcast link, log onto www.exelixis.com and proceed to the News & Events / Event Calendar page under the Investors & Media heading. Please connect to the company’s website at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to listen to the webcast. Alternatively, please call 855-793-2457 (domestic) or 631-485-4921 (international) and provide the conference call passcode 1043999 to join by phone.

A telephone replay will be available until 8:00 p.m. EDT / 5:00 p.m. PDT on November 3, 2018. Access numbers for the telephone replay are: 855-859-2056 (domestic) and 404-537-3406 (international); the passcode is 1043999. A webcast replay will also be archived on www.exelixis.com for one year.

Emergent BioSolutions Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and Nine Months of 2018

On November 1, 2018 Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) reported financial results for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Emergent BioSolutions, NOV 1, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2374998 [SID1234530510]).

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"Our financial and operational performance is solidly in line with expectations and we are confident in a strong finish to the year, driven by our organic business as well as the impact of the PaxVax and Adapt Pharma acquisitions," said Daniel J. Abdun-Nabi, CEO of Emergent BioSolutions. He continued, "Strategically, we have broadened our reach into the public health threats market, strengthened our portfolio of unique products, and expanded the patients and customers that we serve. Operationally, we have added substantial manufacturing and sales capabilities, diversified our product development pipeline, and strengthened our pool of engaged and talented employees. Financially, we now expect to achieve our 2020 revenue goal of at least $1 billion in 2019, a full year ahead of schedule, bolstering our ability to create long-term shareholder value."

Richard S. Lindahl, CFO of Emergent BioSolutions, said, "The acquisitions of Adapt Pharma and PaxVax create a step-change forward for Emergent. On a combined basis, we expect the two entities to contribute between $270 and $300 million of incremental revenue and to be accretive to adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA in 2019. We are actively engaged in integration and our entire team is excited to move forward together as we continue to diversify our revenue sources, realize scale efficiencies and drive strong cash flow from the now larger Emergent business operations."

Q3 2018 AND RECENT BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Acquisitions

Acquired specialty vaccines company PaxVax and its U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vaccines for typhoid, Vivotif (Typhoid Vaccine Live Oral Ty21a), and cholera, Vaxchora (Cholera Vaccine, Live, Oral), along with a development pipeline focused on infectious disease vaccines and related U.S.- and Europe-based manufacturing infrastructure.

Acquired Adapt Pharma and its flagship product NARCAN (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray, the first and only needle-free presentation of naloxone approved by the FDA and Health Canada, for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose, and the leading community-use option for naloxone delivery.
Product Development

Initiated a Phase 1 clinical study of ZIKV-IG, the Company’s anti-Zika virus immune globulin being developed as a therapeutic intervention against Zika virus disease; the candidate was granted Fast Track designation by the FDA in December 2017.
Financing

To fund the recent acquisitions of PaxVax and Adapt Pharma and pay related fees, costs, and expenses for both transactions, the Company incurred a total of $768 million of debt; this debt was incurred pursuant to an amended and restated credit facility that provides up to $1.05 billion of financing through a $600 million revolver and a $450 million term loan.
2018 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

(I) Quarter Ended September 30, 2018 (Unaudited)

Revenues

Total Revenues

For Q3 2018, total revenues were $173.7 million, an increase of 16% over 2017. Total revenues reflect a significant increase in product sales.

Product Sales

For Q3 2018, product sales were $133.3 million, an increase of $19.0 million or 17% as compared to 2017. The increase primarily reflects sales of ACAM2000, (Smallpox (Vaccinia) Vaccine, Live) and Raxibacumab injection, a fully human monoclonal antibody, both acquired in Q4 2017, (included in Other product sales).


(in millions)
(unaudited) Three Months Ended
September 30,
2018 2017 % Change
Product Sales
BioThrax $45.9 $83.5 (45%)
Other 87.4 30.8 184%
Total Product Sales $133.3 $114.3 17%

Contract Manufacturing

For Q3 2018, revenue from the Company’s contract manufacturing operations was $22.2 million, an increase of $3.3 million or 17% as compared to 2017. The increase primarily reflects increased manufacturing services for existing commercial customers at the Company’s Camden site.

Contracts and Grants

For Q3 2018, revenue from the Company’s development-based contracts and grants was $18.2 million, an increase of $2.0 million or 12% as compared to 2017. The increase primarily reflects increased R&D activities related to certain ongoing funded development programs.

Operating Expenses

Cost of Product Sales and Contract Manufacturing

For Q3 2018, cost of product sales and contract manufacturing was $73.2 million, an increase of $28.7 million or 64% as compared to 2017. The increase primarily reflects the impact of an increase in Other product sales associated principally with ACAM2000 and Raxibacumab, which were acquired in the fourth quarter of 2017, offset by lower BioThrax (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) sales during the quarter.

Research and Development (Gross and Net)

For Q3 2018, gross R&D expenses were $37.0 million, an increase of $14.3 million or 63% as compared to 2017. The increase primarily reflects an increase in costs associated with contract development services.

For Q3 2018, net R&D expense, which reflects investments made in development programs that are not currently funded in whole or in part by third-party partners and is calculated as gross research and development expenses minus contracts and grants revenue, was $18.8 million, an increase of $12.3 million or 189% as compared to 2017. The increase primarily reflects investment in process improvements related to ACAM2000 at the Canton site and increased costs associated with the Phase 2 clinical trial for the FLU-IGIV program. The Q3 2018 net R&D expense was 12% of net revenue (total revenue less contracts & grants).


(in millions)
(unaudited) Three Months Ended
September 30,
2018 2017 % Change
Research and Development Expenses $37.0 $22.7 63%
Adjustments:
– Contracts and grants revenue $18.2 $16.2 12%
Net Research and Development Expenses $18.8 $6.5 189%

Selling, General and Administrative

For Q3 2018, selling, general and administrative expenses were $42.1 million, an increase of $7.6 million or 22% as compared to 2017. The increase primarily reflects higher acquisition related (diligence and legal) costs associated with the PaxVax and Adapt Pharma transactions.

Income Taxes

For Q3 2018, the provision for income tax expense in the amount of $0.6 million includes a discrete benefit of $5.6 million primarily related to finalizing positions taken on the Company’s 2017 U.S. federal and state income tax filings and stock compensation activity, resulting in an effective tax rate of 3%.

Net Income & Adjusted Net Income

For Q3 2018, the Company recorded net income of $20.9 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, versus net income of $33.6 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, in 2017. (1)

For Q3 2018, the Company recorded adjusted net income of $28.2 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, versus adjusted net income of $37.1 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, in 2017. (2)

EBITDA & Adjusted EBITDA

For Q3 2018, the Company recorded EBITDA of $34.4 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, versus $57.5 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, in 2017. (2)

For Q3 2018, the Company recorded adjusted EBITDA of $39.6 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, versus $60.5 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, in 2017. (2)

(II) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (Unaudited)

Revenues

Total Revenues

For the nine months of 2018, total revenues were $511.7 million, an increase of $144.6 million or 39% over 2017. Total revenues reflect a significant increase in product sales and contract development and manufacturing services revenue.

Product Sales

For the nine months of 2018, product sales were $389.1 million, an increase of $129.2 million or 50% as compared to 2017. The increase primarily reflects sales of ACAM2000 and Raxibacumab, both acquired in Q4 2017.

For the nine months of 2018, revenue from the Company’s contract manufacturing operations was $72.0 million, an increase of $19.3 million or 37% as compared to 2017. The increase primarily reflects the completion of a milestone related to the expansion of certain contract manufacturing capabilities at the Company’s Lansing site and manufacturing services at the Company’s Canton site.

Contracts and Grants

For the nine months of 2018, revenue from the Company’s development-based contracts and grants was $50.6 million, a decrease of $3.9 million or 7% as compared to 2017. The decrease primarily reflects a reduction in revenue associated with the successful completion of multiple U.S. government development contracts, as well as reduced R&D activities related to certain ongoing funded development programs.

Operating Expenses

Cost of Product Sales and Contract Manufacturing

For the nine months of 2018, cost of product sales and contract manufacturing was $220.4 million, an increase of $95.0 million or 76% as compared to 2017. The increase primarily reflects the impact of an increase in Other product sales associated principally with ACAM2000 and Raxibacumab, which were acquired in the fourth quarter of 2017, and increased CMO revenue, offset by lower BioThrax sales during the period.

Research and Development (Gross and Net)

For the nine months of 2018, gross R&D expenses were $90.8 million, an increase of $21.9 million or 32% as compared to 2017. The increase primarily reflects an increase in costs associated with contract development services.

For the nine months of 2018, net R&D expense was $40.2 million, an increase of $25.8 million or 179% as compared to 2017. The increase primarily reflects investment in process improvements related to ACAM2000 at the Canton site and increased costs associated with the Phase 2 clinical trial for the FLU-IGIV program. The nine months of 2018 net R&D expense was 9% of net revenue (total revenue less contracts & grants).

Selling, General and Administrative

For the nine months of 2018, selling, general and administrative expenses were $121.8 million, an increase of $20.3 million or 20% as compared to 2017. The increase primarily reflects higher acquisition related (diligence and legal) costs associated with the PaxVax and Adapt Pharma transactions, as well as non-capitalized costs associated with critical IT systems improvements and higher non-cash compensation expenses associated with the Company’s equity awards program.

Income Taxes

For the nine months of 2018, the provision for income tax expense in the amount of $11.8 million includes a discrete benefit of $8.7 million primarily related to stock compensation activity and finalizing positions taken on the Company’s 2017 US federal and state income tax filings, resulting in an effective tax rate of 15%.

Net Income & Adjusted Net Income

For the nine months of 2018, the Company recorded net income of $66.2 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, versus net income of $48.7 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, in 2017. (1)

For the nine months of 2018, the Company recorded adjusted net income of $81.4 million, or $1.59 per diluted share, versus adjusted net income of $57.8 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, in 2017. (2)

EBITDA & Adjusted EBITDA

For the nine months of 2018, the Company recorded EBITDA of $116.7 million, or $2.28 per diluted share, versus $100.8 million, or $2.01 per diluted share, in 2017. (2)

For the nine months of 2018, the Company recorded adjusted EBITDA of $123.9 million, or $2.42 per diluted share, versus $108.7 million, or $2.17 per diluted share, in 2017. (2)

2018 FINANCIAL FORECAST & OPERATIONAL GOALS

The company is revising its financial forecast for 2018. The revised forecast reflects:

the strength of the organic business performance (excluding acquisitions, financing and other related costs), which is expected to be at the higher end of the previous forecast;
the incremental impact in the fourth quarter of the operations of PaxVax and Adapt Pharma;
a total of approximately $50 million in pre-tax transaction and integration costs, preliminary purchase accounting impacts and additional interest expense related to these recent acquisitions; and
an estimated effective tax rate of approximately 22% to 23%.

The Company is also reaffirming its full year 2018 operational goals.

OPERATIONAL GOAL Status
• Advance NuThrax development to enable Emergency Use Authorization filing with the FDA in 2018 • PPQ lots work in process; EUA submission on track to be filed by year end
• Complete ACAM2000 deliveries and establish a multi-year follow-on contract with the U.S. government • Deliveries on track; Follow-on contract negotiations underway
• Deliver Raxibacumab doses under current contract; advance technology transfer to the Company’s Bayview facility in Baltimore, Maryland • Deliveries on track; Technology transfer on track
• Progress pipeline to have at least four product candidates in advanced development • Completed
• Complete an acquisition that generates revenue within 12 months of closing • Completed

FOOTNOTES


(1) See "Calculation of Diluted Earnings Per Share."
(2) See "Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Net Income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA" for a definition of terms and a reconciliation table.
(3) The Company reintroduced the use of Adjusted EBITDA following the closing of the acquisitions of PaxVax and Adapt Pharma, which excludes additional specified items that can be highly variable and the non-cash impact of certain purchase accounting adjustments, in order to provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting the Company’s business.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION

Company management will host a conference call at 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) today, November 1, 2018, to discuss these financial results. This conference call can be accessed live by telephone or through Emergent’s website:

Live Teleconference Information:
Dial in: [US] (855) 766-6521; [International] (262) 912-6157
Conference ID: 93346559
Live Webcast Information:
Visit View Source for the live webcast feed