On November 7, 2016 TG Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:TGTX) reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016 and recent company developments (Press release, TG Therapeutics, NOV 7, 2016, View Source [SID1234516778]).
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Michael S. Weiss, the Company’s Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The third quarter was a pivotal one for the company, particularly with the amendment of the GENUINE Phase 3 trial that will enable the rapid conclusion of the study while also maintaining the possibility for accelerated approval for TG-1101 in combination with ibrutinib. Importantly, with GENUINE enrollment wrapping up, we can dedicate our resources and focus to our proprietary UNITY program, which we believe offers the potential for highly active, well-tolerated therapy with certain pricing advantages over competitors. As a result, we see our value proposition rising as the concern around pharmaceutical pricing continues to grow." Mr. Weiss continued, "We see important value creating milestones over the next 12 months, including completion of enrollment of GENUINE expected by year end 2016 to be followed by top line data in the first half of 2017. During the course of 2017, we should also report early data from our UNITY-DLBCL study and our MS pivotal program should take full form supported by B-cell depletion data from our ongoing Phase 2 study in RRMS. With all these events lining up, we believe 2017 will be our most impactful year to date."
Third Quarter and Recent Highlights
ASH 2016: The Company looks forward to the upcoming American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting where data presentations will include three oral presentations and three poster presentations. All clinical presentations will highlight the safety and efficacy for combinations of TGR-1202 with novel targeted agents including oral presentations with TGR-1202 in combination with ibrutinib and TGR-1202 in combination with ruxolitinib.
TGR-1202 Preclinical Differentiation: An October publication in Blood presented preclinical data describing the synergy of TGR-1202 with carfilzomib and the unique effects of the combination to silence c-Myc in various preclinical lymphoma and myeloma models. In addition, the publication described TGR-1202’s unique complimentary mechanism of inhibiting the protein kinase casein kinase-1 (CK1) epsilon, which may contribute to the silencing of c-Myc and explain TGR-1202’s clinical activity in aggressive lymphoma.
TGR-1202 + Carfilzomib: Based on the preclinical work on TGR-1202 published in Blood , a Phase 1/2 study of TGR-1202 and Carfilzomib in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma was launched.
GENUINE Study Amendment: The Company amended the ongoing GENUINE Phase 3 Clinical Trial by revising the primary endpoint to Overall Response Rate (ORR), with enrollment expected to be completed before year end 2016 and top-line data available in first half of 2017. The study is well powered to detect a difference in ORR, which, if successful, would potentially support a filing for accelerated approval.
Clinical Data Presentation of TG-1101 in NMO: During the 32nd Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, the Company presented clinical data from the Phase Ib study of TG-1101 in patients with NMO with TG-1101 demonstrating rapid and effective depletion of B-cells during acute NMO relapse. The Company has an on-going Phase 2 study of TG-1101 in multiple sclerosis.
Orphan Drug Designations: The Company received Orphan Drug Designation for TGR-1202 for treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and for TG-1101 for treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD).
UNITY-DLBCL: Patient enrollment began for the registration-directed UNITY-DLBCL Phase 2b clinical study evaluating TG-1101 and TGR-1202 in combination compared to TGR-1202 monotherapy in patients with advanced relapsed/refractory DLBCL.
Key Remaining 2016 Milestones
Complete enrollment into the GENUINE Phase 3 clinical trial
Aggressively enroll into the Company’s registration directed trials, including the UNITY-CLL Phase 3, and the UNITY-DLBCL Phase 2b
Continue enrollment into the Phase 2 clinical trial in Multiple Sclerosis
Present clinical data from a variety of Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in December 2016, held in San Diego, CA
Financial Results for the Third Quarter 2016
Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents, investment securities, and interest receivable were $60.7 million as of September 30, 2016.
R&D Expenses: Research and development (R&D) expenses were $21.8 million and $46.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to $11.6 million and $32.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. Included in research and development expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, are $10.2 million and $17.9 million, respectively, of manufacturing and CMC expenses for Phase 3 clinical trials and potential commercialization. The increase in R&D expenses for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, is primarily due to the ongoing clinical development programs and related manufacturing costs for TG-1101 and TGR-1202.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $3.2 million and $8.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, as compared to $2.3 million and $13.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The period-over-period decrease in G&A expenses from the nine months ended September 30, 2015 relates primarily to non-cash compensation expenses related to equity incentive grants recognized during 2015. G&A expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2016 remained relatively flat compared to the second quarter of 2015, and we expect G&A expenses to remain relatively constant through the fourth quarter of 2016.
Net Loss: Net loss was $24.8 million and $54.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared to a net loss of $13.7 million and $45.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.
Financial Guidance: The Company believes its cash, cash equivalents, investment securities, and interest receivable of $60.7 million as of September 30, 2016 will be sufficient to fund the Company’s planned operations into the first half of 2018.