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Xenetic Biosciences Reports 2017 Third Quarter Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

On November 15, 2017 Xenetic Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: XBIO) ("Xenetic" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, research and development of next-generation biologic drugs and novel orphan oncology therapeutics, reported its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 (Press release, Xenetic Biosciences, NOV 15, 2017, View Source [SID1234522089]).

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Xenetic also provided a corporate update and anticipated milestones for the Company’s lead product candidate, XBIO-101 (sodium cridanimod), a small-molecule immunomodulator and interferon inducer which, in preliminary studies, has been shown to increase progesterone receptor ("PrR") expression in endometrial tumor tissue, and an update on its proprietary PolyXen platform technology.

Recent Corporate Highlights:

Appointed Jeffrey F. Eisenberg as Chief Executive Officer;
Entered into Right to Sublicense Agreement related to the Company’s PolyXen Technology with Baxalta Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shire plc; and
Commenced patient dosing in the Phase 2 clinical study of XBIO-101 in conjunction with progestin therapy for the treatment of endometrial cancer.
"I believe we are well positioned to build on the momentum of our recent corporate and clinical achievements. We remain focused on the solid execution of our Phase 2 study of XBIO-101 for the treatment of endometrial cancer, with the goal of announcing interim data before the end of next year. Further, our recent right to sublicense agreement with Baxalta not only leverages our PolyXen platform technology and provides a source of non-dilutive capital, but also positions Xenetic for value driving opportunities in the near and long-term," stated Jeffrey Eisenberg, Chief Executive Officer of Xenetic Biosciences.

XBIO-101 Program Update

Patient dosing recently commenced for the Company’s Phase 2 clinical study of XBIO-101 in conjunction with progestin therapy for the treatment of endometrial cancer. The study targets a population of patients who have either failed progestin monotherapy or who have been identified as having progesterone receptor negative ("PrR-") tumors.

The primary objective of this open-label, multi-center, single-arm, two-period Phase 2 study is to assess the anti-tumor activity of XBIO-101 in conjunction with progestin therapy as measured by Overall Disease Control Rate in women with recurrent or persistent endometrial carcinoma not amenable to surgical treatment or radiotherapy who have either failed progestin monotherapy or who have been identified as PrR-. Secondary objectives include assessments of efficacy and safety/tolerability parameters.

The study is expected to enroll up to 72 women with recurrent or persistent endometrial cancer not amenable to surgical treatment or radiotherapy but suitable to be treated with progestins. All subjects determined to be PrR- at screening, as well as those subjects who experience disease progression after at least 4 weeks of progestin monotherapy, will receive XBIO-101 in combination with continued progestin treatment. Subjects will receive treatment until disease progression as defined according to RECIST 1.1 criteria.

The Company expects to announce interim data from the Phase 2 study before the end of 2018.

PolyXen Platform Technology Update

The Company recently announced that it has entered into a Right to Sublicense Agreement (the "Right to Sublicense Agreement") with Baxalta Incorporated, Baxalta US Inc., and Baxalta GmbH (collectively, with their affiliates, "Baxalta"), wholly-owned subsidiaries of Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPG). Pursuant to the Right to Sublicense Agreement, Xenetic granted to Baxalta the right to grant a nonexclusive sublicense to certain patents related to the Company’s PolyXen technology that were previously exclusively licensed to Baxalta pursuant to an agreement between the Company and Baxalta in connection with products relating to the treatment of blood and bleeding disorders.

As part of the Right to Sublicense Agreement, Baxalta paid Xenetic a one-time payment of $7.5 million and is expected to make single digit royalty payments based upon net sales of the products covered under the related sublicense throughout the term of the agreement.

Additionally, Xenetic expects to continue to pursue business development activities to explore partnerships utilizing its PolyXen delivery platform.

Summary of Financial Results for Third Quarter 2017

Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, was $8.0 million compared to a net loss of approximately $53.8 million for the same period in 2016. The decrease in net loss was primarily due to a decrease of in-process research and development expense, as well as a decrease in share-based compensation expense related to warrants previously issued in 2016. These decreases were offset by an increase in general operating costs and costs related to the initiation of our XBIO-101 Phase 2 clinical study.

The Company ended the quarter with approximately $0.7 million of cash. With the addition of the $7.5 million milestone payment under the Right to Sublicense Agreement, as of the date of this release, the Company’s current cash position is approximately $8.0 million. Based on management’s current projections, the Company has sufficient cash to fund its operations through the second quarter of 2018.

Halozyme Therapeutics To Participate In Upcoming Healthcare Conferences

On November 15, 2017 Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALO), a biotechnology company developing novel oncology and drug-delivery therapies reported that it will participate in two upcoming investor conferences (Press release, Halozyme, NOV 15, 2017, View Source [SID1234522087]).

Dr. Helen Torley, president and chief executive officer will represent Halozyme in a question and answer session at the 29th Annual Piper Jaffray Healthcare Conference in New York on Wednesday, November 29 at 8:00 a.m. ET / 5:00 a.m. PT.

On Thursday, December 14, Jim Mazzola, vice president corporate communication and investor relations will present a company overview at the BMO Capital Markets 2017 Prescriptions for Success Healthcare Conference in New York at 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT.

Webcasts of both sessions can be accessed through the "Investors" section of www.halozyme.com, and a recording will be made available for 90 days following each event. To access a live webcast, please visit Halozyme’s website approximately 15 minutes prior to the presentation to register and download any necessary audio software.

Abeona Reports Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results and Recent Business Highlights

On November 15, 2017 Abeona Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:ABEO), a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel gene therapies for life-threatening rare diseases, reported financial results for the third quarter and recent business highlights (Press release, Abeona Therapeutics, NOV 15, 2017, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2317120 [SID1234522085]). The Company will provide investors an update on recent and ongoing business activities and an overview of its 3Q17 financials on Monday, November 20th, at 10:00 am (Eastern). Interested parties are invited to participate in the call by dialing 877-269-7756 (toll free domestic) or 201-689-7817 (international).

"The third quarter was marked with achievements across multiple clinical programs, including initiating enrollments at our global clinical sites for ABO-102 for MPS IIIA and reporting additional data that underscored the durability and clinical benefit of the gene therapy. Our Epidermolysis Bullosa program achieved FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation, completed its Phase 1/2 clinical trial and continues to advance as we finalize the clinical protocol before initiating the pivotal Phase 3 trial next year. We were pleased to have recently initiated screening in our MPS IIIB program and look forward to commencing enrollments shortly," stated Timothy J. Miller, Ph.D., President and CEO. "In addition, work in optimizing our AIM vector platform demonstrated exciting progress, including enhanced tissue tropisms compared to naturally occurring AAV capsids."

3rd Quarter Summary Financial Results:

Cash position: Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2017 were $56.5 million, compared to $58.3 million as of June 30, 2017. Net cash used in operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $17.6 million as compared to $9.6 million in the same period in 2016. Cash and cash equivalents includes approximately $5 million from exercised warrants in the third quarter. Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, the Company closed a public offering of common stock with gross proceeds of $92 million. Total cash as of October 31, 2017 was $142.6 million.
Revenues: Revenues were $219 thousand for the third quarter of 2017, compared to $184 thousand in the third quarter of 2016. Revenues consisted of a combination of royalties from marketed products, primarily MuGard, and recognition of deferred revenues related to upfront payments from early license agreements.
Loss per share: Loss per share was $0.13 for the third quarter of 2017, compared to a loss per share of $0.08 in the comparable period in 2016.
Abeona Recent Highlights:

November 9, 2017: Enrolled First Subject at Spain Clinical Site in Ongoing Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial in MPS IIIA
October 19, 2017: Announced Closing of $92 Million Underwritten Public Offering and Full Exercise of Underwriters’ Option to Purchase Additional Shares
October 16, 2017: Announced a Grant of up to $13.85 Million from Leading Sanfilippo Syndrome Foundations for Clinical Development of MPS III Gene Therapies
October 11, 2017: Hosted inaugural R&D day and announced enrollment of First Two Patients in Global Expansion of Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial in MPS IIIA
October 6, 2017: Announced Top-Line One Year Data from ABO-102 MPS IIIA Trial at ARM’s Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa
Gene therapy demonstrated durable and significant reduction of underlying disease pathology across multiple clinical measures in Cohort 1 (n=3) compared to a natural history control group (n=8-12)
Systemic biopotency demonstrated time- and dose-dependent reductions of disease causing Heparan Sulfate in the Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and liver volumes
Preservation of deep brain architecture observed after intravenous administration
Stabilization of neurocognitive assessment scores at one year post-injection
October 4, 2017: Announced Dedication of Commercial Gene Therapy Manufacturing Facility in Cleveland, Ohio
September 28, 2017: Announced Collaboration with Brammer Bio for Commercial Translation of ABO-102
August 29, 2017: Received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for EB-101 Autologous Cell Therapy in Epidermolysis Bullosa
July 25, 2017: Announced Appointment of Juan Ruiz, M.D., Ph.D. as Chief Medical Officer
July 18, 2017: Received Guidance from FDA to Commence Pivotal Phase 3 for EB-101 Gene Therapy for Patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa

"We have made great progress in the quarter towards becoming a key player in the development of novel breakthrough gene and cell therapies for rare genetic diseases," stated Steven H. Rouhandeh, Executive Chairman. "The recent investment from high-quality investors and leading foundations is another achievement that demonstrates our internal capabilities and commitment to the advancement of our robust pipeline and next generation vector platform, including MPS III gene therapy products. We look forward to further strengthening our efforts with key hires, advancing clinical capabilities, and commercial expansion in the coming quarters."

West Announces Upcoming Investor Conference

On November 15, 2017 West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST), a global leader in innovative solutions for injectable drug administration, reported that management will be presenting a West business overview at the upcoming Jefferies 2017 London Healthcare Conference, at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in London, UK, at 8:40 a.m. GMT on Thursday, November 16, 2017 (Press release, West Pharmaceutical Services, NOV 15, 2017, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2317078 [SID1234522080]).

A live audio webcast of the presentation and a copy of the presentation will be accessible from the Company’s website at www.westpharma.com/en/investors.

Third quarter 2017 report

On November 15, 2017 Innate Pharma SA (the "Company" – Euronext Paris: FR0010331421 – IPH) reported its revenues and cash position for the first nine months of 2017 (Press release, Innate Pharma, NOV 15, 2017, View Source [SID1234522077]).

Mondher Mahjoubi, Chief Executive Officer of Innate Pharma, commented: "Our robust cash position as of September 30 2017, provides us with the ability to further invest in our proprietary discovery and development portfolio of first-in-class immuno-oncology programs, including our lead product candidates IPH4102 and IPH5401. Clinical development plans for both candidates are in the process of being shaped and we expect to provide an update early in 2018. Following the promising results for IPH4102 presented at the 2017 EORTC meeting, Innate Pharma remains committed to bringing IPH4102 to patients on our own as quickly as possible, in line with our strategy of becoming an independent, fully integrated biopharmaceutical company."

Cash, cash equivalents and financial assets of the Company amounted to €195.7 million at September 30, 2017, including current and non-current financial assets (€239.6 million at September 30, 2016). At the same date, its financial liabilities amounted to €4.9 million (€5.6 million at September 30, 2016).

The net consumption of cash, cash equivalents and financial assets* amounted to €8.4 million for the third quarter of 2017. This includes the collection during the period of the research tax credit relating to the year 2016 (€8.8 million).

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, revenue results from the co-development and commercialization agreement with AstraZeneca, corresponding to the recognition over the period of the initial payment received in April 2015 (€27.2 million for the same period in 2016).

The nine-month period ended September 30, 2016 included a €0.7 million amount resulting from the collaboration and licensing agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb corresponding to the recognition of the upfront payment received in July 2011.

Regarding the co-development and commercialization agreement with AstraZeneca, the Company recognizes the initial payment of $250 million over the period during which the Company is committed to complete the studies and based on actual expenses incurred. The measurement of progress has been based on actual expenses incurred compared to the total estimated amount of expenses to be incurred for these studies.