On August 9, 2017 Array BioPharma Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRY), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted small molecule cancer therapies, reported results for its fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2017 and provided an update on the progress of its key clinical development programs and new partnerships (Press release, Array BioPharma, AUG 9, 2017, View Source [SID1234520085]). Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! "With the NDAs filed for binimetinib and encorafenib, we look forward to working with the FDA and EMA as they review our applications," said Ron Squarer, Chief Executive Officer. "The robust PFS benefit together with the attractive tolerability profile demonstrated in COLUMBUS suggest the combination represents a potentially important addition to the MEK/BRAF treatment landscape for patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma."
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COLUMBUS PHASE 3 TRIAL: NDAs filed with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and MAAs filed with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for binimetinib and encorafenib; COLUMBUS Part 2 data to be presented at 2017 ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress
On July 5, 2017, Array announced that it submitted two NDAs to the FDA to support use of the combination of binimetinib 45 mg twice daily and encorafenib 450 mg once daily (COMBO450) for the treatment of patients with BRAF-mutant advanced, unresectable or metastatic melanoma. The submissions are supported by data from the pivotal Phase 3 COLUMBUS study. In addition, Array’s European partner, Pierre Fabre, filed the MAAs for binimetininb and encorafenib with the EMA in July 2017.
Part 1 of the COLUMBUS study showed that patients who received COMBO450 had a significantly longer progression free survival (PFS) compared to patients receiving vemurafenib. COMBO450 demonstrated a PFS of 14.9 months compared with 7.3 months observed with vemurafenib [hazard ratio (HR) 0.54, (95% CI 0.41-0.71, P<0.001)]. Part 2 of COLUMBUS was designed specifically to assess the contribution of binimetinib to the combination of binimetinib and encorafenib by reducing the dose of encorafenib to 300mg in the combination arm to allow for a comparison of equal doses across arms. In COLUMBUS Part 2, the primary analysis compared PFS in patients treated with binimetinib 45mg twice daily plus encorafenib 300mg daily (COMBO300) to patients treated with encorafenib 300mg daily as a single agent. In May 2017, Array announced top-line results that showed the mPFS for patients treated with COMBO300 was 12.9 months compared to 9.2 months for patients treated with single agent encorafenib, with HR of 0.77 [95% CI 0.61-0.97, p=0.029]. COMBO300 was generally well-tolerated and reported dose intensity and adverse events (AEs) were consistent with COMBO450 results in COLUMBUS Part 1.
A presentation of COLUMBUS Part 2 results entitled "Results of COLUMBUS Part 2: A Phase 3 Trial of Encorafenib (ENCO) Plus Binimetinib (BINI) Versus ENCO in BRAF-Mutant Melanoma," will take place at the 2017 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress (ESMO 2017) in Madrid, Spain on September 9 at 2:45 pm Central European Summer Time (CEST) (8:45 am EDT). The presentation will include progression free survival, objective response rate (ORR), dose intensity, safety and tolerability.
BEACON CRC PHASE 3 TRIAL: Safety lead-in data to be presented at 2017 ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) and Array’s investor reception on September 9, 2017; Randomized portion of trial enrolling patients
Array is advancing BEACON CRC, a global Phase 3 trial of encorafenib and Erbitux (cetuximab), with or without binimetinib, versus standard of care in patients with BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer (CRC) who have previously received first- or second-line systemic therapy. In May 2017, Array announced that based on an attractive safety profile and with early encouraging clinical activity observed in the 30-patient safety lead-in, the randomized portion of the trial was initiated.
A presentation of data from the safety lead-in entitled "BEACON CRC: Safety Lead-In (SLI) for the Combination of Binimetinib (BINI), Encorafenib (ENCO), and Cetuximab (CTX) in Patients (Pts) with BRAFV600E Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC)," will take place at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2017 on September 9 from 1:15 – 2:15 pm CEST (7:15 – 8:15 am EDT). The presentation will include details on the safety and tolerability profile of the triplet therapy, encorafenib + binimetinib + cetuximab, as well as preliminary measures of efficacy including ORR and available durability results.
ESMO INVESTOR RECEPTION AND WEBCAST: Array will host an investor reception during ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2017 where key opinion leaders in the colorectal cancer field, including Dr. Scott Kopetz, M.D. Anderson and Dr. Axel Grothey, Mayo Clinic will give presentations covering the BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer landscape and data from Array’s BEACON CRC safety lead-in. The presentations will be webcast, for those who wish to participate remotely. Details of the webcast will be posted prior to the event on www.arraybiopharma.com.
Date:
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Time:
4:00-6:00 PM CEST (10:00 am – 12-noon EDT)
Location:
Neuvo Boston Hotel, Madrid, Spain
RSVP:
View Source
BEACON CRC was initiated based on results from a Phase 2 study which included the combination of encorafenib and cetuximab in 50 patients with advanced BRAF-mutant CRC, and presented at the 2016 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) annual meeting. In this arm, median Overall Survival for these patients exceeded one year, which is more than double several separate historical standard of care published benchmarks for this population. [11-16] The objective response rate (ORR) was 22 percent; historical published benchmarks in this patient population using standard of care regimens range between 4 percent to 8 percent. [14-17]
Worldwide, colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in men and the second most common in women, with approximately 1.4 million new diagnoses in 2012. Of these, nearly 750,000 were diagnosed in men, and 614,000 in women. Globally in 2012, approximately 694,000 deaths were attributed to colorectal cancer. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 135,430 patients will be diagnosed with cancer of the colon or rectum in 2017, and approximately 50,000 are estimated to die of their disease. [5] In the United States, BRAF mutations are estimated to occur in 10 to 15 percent of patients with colorectal cancer and represent a poor prognosis for these patients.[6-9] Based on Array’s historical experience, only a small portion of metastatic BRAF-mutant CRC patients exhibit high levels of microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H).
ONO PHARMACEUTICAL COLLABORATION: New license, development and commercialization partnership for binimetinib and encorafenib initiated in Japan and South Korea
Array entered into a license, development and commercialization partnership with Ono Pharmaceutical for binimetinib and encorafenib. As a result of this agreement, Ono received rights to develop and commercialize binimetinib and encorafenib in Japan and South Korea.
Under the terms of the agreement, Array received an upfront payment of $31.2 million (¥3.5 billion) and retains exclusive commercialization rights for binimetinib and encorafenib in the United States, Canada and Israel. Array is entitled to receive up to an additional $156 million (¥17.3 billion) if certain development and commercial milestones are achieved. A portion of these milestones is related to the Phase 3 BEACON CRC trial. In addition, Array will be eligible for robust, tiered, double-digit royalties based on product sales in Japan and South Korea. Ono obtained the right to conduct clinical trials of binimetinib and encorafenib in Japan and South Korea, as well as participate in all future global development of binimetinib and encorafenib by contributing 12% of those future costs.
NEW CLINICAL COLLABORATIONS WITH MERCK AND BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB ANNOUNCED IN MSS CRC: Clinical trials with binimetinib and anti-PD-1 therapy expected to begin in the second half of 2017
Array entered into clinical research collaborations with Merck and Bristol-Myers Squibb to study binimetinib plus anti-PD-1 therapy in patients with microsatellite stable metastatic CRC (MSS CRC). The trial with Merck will investigate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of binimetinib with Merck’s KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab). The trial with Bristol-Myers Squibb will investigate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of binimetinib in combination with Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (nivolumab) and Opdivo + Yervoy (ipilimumab) regimen. Array entered into these collaborations based on the growing body of preclinical and clinical evidence that the immune activity of an anti-PD-1 therapy can be enhanced when combined with a MEK inhibitor, such as binimetinib.
The Phase 1/2 studies are expected to establish recommended dose regimens and explore the preliminary anti-tumor activity of the combinations. Results from these studies, which are anticipated to begin in the second half of 2017, will be used to determine optimal approaches to further clinical development of these combinations. Under the Merck agreement, Merck will act as the sponsor of this clinical trial, and Array will supply Merck with binimetinib for use in the trial. Under the Bristol-Myers Squibb agreement, Array and Bristol-Myers Squibb will jointly support the study with Array acting as the sponsor. The majority of colorectal cancers exhibit microsatellite stability (MSS). [10]
OTHER CLINICAL UPDATES: ARRY-382 and ARRY-797 programs
Array is advancing a Phase 1/2 dose escalation immuno-oncology trial of ARRY-382 in combination with pembrolizumab (Keytruda), a PD-1 antibody, in patients with advanced solid tumors, including melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. ARRY-382 is a wholly-owned, highly selective and potent, small molecule inhibitor of CSF-1R kinase activity.
Array plans to initiate a Phase 3 trial of ARRY-797, an oral, selective p38 MAPK inhibitor, in patients with LMNA A/C-related dilated cardiomyopathy later this year as it evaluates options regarding the asset, including advancing it internally, partnering the program for further development and commercialization or creating a separate company. LMNA A/C-related dilated cardiomyopathy is a rare, degenerative cardiovascular disease caused by mutations in the LMNA gene and characterized by poor prognosis.
OTHER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
Selumetinib / MEK inhibitor (partnered with AstraZeneca)
In 2003, AstraZeneca acquired exclusive worldwide rights to selumetinib for oncology indications from Array. Under its agreement with AstraZeneca, Array has earned $26.5 million in up-front and milestone payments to date and has the potential to earn additional selumetinib milestone payments of approximately $30 million as well as royalties on product sales. On July 28, 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck announced an agreement to share the development and commercialization costs for selumetinib monotherapy and non-PD-L1/PD-1 combination therapy opportunities. Merck will fund all development and commercialization costs of Keytruda in combination with selumetinib. AstraZeneca will fund all development and commercialization costs of Imfinzi in combination with selumetinib. Under their agreement, gross profits from selumetinib product sales generated through monotherapy or combination therapies will be shared equally. AstraZeneca will book all product sales of selumetinib and gross profits due to Merck under the collaboration will be recorded by AstraZeneca under cost of sales. Based on this, Array remains eligible to receive from AstraZeneca milestones and royalties on all future selumetinib sales, and now expects to receive a portion of certain consideration paid by Merck to AstraZeneca. Array has informed AstraZeneca that it is disputing the small consideration that AstraZeneca intends to pay Array related to both upfront and potential future milestones under AstraZeneca’s agreement with Merck. Furthermore, prior to the announcement of the AstraZeneca / Merck agreement, Array informed AstraZeneca of its position that the Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) development program is outside the permitted field of its license.
NEW PRECLINICAL LICENSE AND COLLABORATION AGREEMENT WITH AMGEN IN INFLAMMATION: Array to Advance Program for Autoimmune Disorders; Amgen Responsible for Clinical Development and Worldwide Commercialization
Array initiated a collaboration agreement with Amgen for the discovery and development of novel drugs for autoimmune disorders. The undisclosed target and lead inhibitors were discovered using Array’s proprietary Kinase-Directed Phenotypic Screening Platform that leverages Array’s deep expertise in chemistry and early lead development. Under the terms of the agreement, Amgen and Array will collaborate on preclinical development with Array leading the medicinal chemistry work. Amgen is responsible for clinical development and commercialization. In exchange for exclusive rights to Array’s preclinical program, Amgen will make upfront and milestone payments, as well as pay royalties on sales of resulting therapies.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Novartis continues to substantially fund all ongoing trials with binimetinib and encorafenib that were active or planned as of the close of the Novartis Agreements in 2015, including the COLUMBUS Phase 3 trial. Reimbursement revenue from Novartis was approximately $107 million for the previous 12 months, of which $22 million was recorded in the quarter ending June 30, 2017.
Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2017 Compared to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2017 (Sequential Quarters Comparison)
Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was $33.8 million, compared to $33.3 million for the prior quarter. Array achieved a $3 million milestone from Roche for advancement of ipatasertib, an AKT inhibitor, into a Phase 3 trial and a $1 million milestone from Loxo Oncology for advancement of LOXO-292, a RET inhibitor, into a Phase 1 trial.
Cost of partnered programs for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was $10.1 million, compared to $7.4 million for the prior quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher costs incurred for the BEACON CRC trial as it continues to advance.
Research and development expense was $39.1 million, compared to $46.1 million in the prior quarter. The decrease was primarily due to reduced expenses associated with the Novartis transitioned studies.
Loss from Operations for the quarter was $26.3 million, which includes $3 million of stock-based compensation and $0.6 million of depreciation expense. This compares to a loss from operations of $31.9 million in the previous quarter, which included $2.9 million of stock-based compensation and $0.5 million of depreciation expense.
Net loss for the fourth quarter was $29.6 million, or ($0.17) per share, compared to $35.3 million, or ($0.21) per share, in the prior quarter. The decrease in net loss was primarily due to lower research and development expenses.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities as of June 30, 2017 were $235.1 million.
Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2017 Compared to Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2016 (Prior Year Comparison)
Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 decreased $9.4 million compared to the same quarter of fiscal 2016. The decrease was primarily due to decreased reimbursement revenue for the Novartis transitioned studies.
Cost of partnered programs increased $4.6 million compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. The increase was primarily due to higher costs incurred for the BEACON CRC trial.
Research and development expense decreased $10.4 million, compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. The decrease was due to expenses associated with the Novartis transitioned studies.
Net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 was $29.6 million, or ($0.17) per share, compared to $25.0 million, or ($0.17) per share, for the same quarter in fiscal 2016.
Full Year of Fiscal 2017 Compared to Full Year of Fiscal 2016 (Prior Year Comparison)
Revenue was $150.9 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, compared to $137.9 million in fiscal 2016. This increase was primarily driven by higher milestone revenue earned in 2017 from Loxo, Roche and Genetech.
Net loss for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, was $116.8 million, or ($0.72) per share, compared to a net loss of $92.8 million, or ($0.65) per share, in fiscal 2016. The increased loss was due to the higher spend on proprietary programs partially offset by higher milestone revenue.
Net cash used in operating activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 was $39 million, compared to $70 million in fiscal 2016. The lower cash used in 2017 was driven by receipt of a $31.2M upfront from our partner Ono.
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
Array will hold a conference call on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results and provide an update on the progress of its key clinical development programs. Ron Squarer, Chief Executive Officer, will lead the call.
Date:
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Time:
9:00 a.m. Eastern Time
Toll-Free:
(844) 464-3927
Toll:
(765) 507-2598
Pass Code:
44703107
Webcast, including Replay and Conference Call Slides: View Source
COLUMBUS Results
As presented at the 2016 Society for Melanoma Research Annual Congress, results from Part 1 of the COLUMBUS study showed that COMBO450 significantly extend PFS in patients with advanced BRAF-mutant melanoma, with a PFS of 14.9 months compared with 7.3 months observed with vemurafenib [hazard ratio (HR) 0.54, (95% CI 0.41-0.71, P<0.001)]. As part of the trial design, the primary analysis was based on a Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) of patient scans, while results by local review at the investigative site were also analyzed. The table below outlines the median PFS (mPFS) results, as determined by both assessments, for COMBO450 versus vemurafenib, COMBO450 versus encorafenib, and encorafenib versus vemurafenib:
mPFS BICR
mPFS Local Review
COMBO450 vs. Vemurafenib
COMBO450
Vemurafenib
COMBO450
Vemurafenib
14.9 months
7.3 months
14.8 months
7.3 months
HR (95% CI): 0.54 (0.41-0.71); P<0.001
HR (95% CI): 0.49 (0.37-0.64); P<0.001
COMBO450 vs. Encorafenib
COMBO450
Encorafenib
COMBO450
Encorafenib
14.9 months
9.6 months
14.8 months
9.2 months
HR (95% CI): 0.75 (0.56-1.00); P=0.051
HR (95% CI): 0.68 (0.52-0.90); P=0.006
Encorafenib vs. Vemurafenib
Encorafenib
Vemurafenib
Encorafenib
Vemurafenib
9.6 months
7.3 months
9.2 months
7.3 months
HR (95% CI): 0.68 (0.52-0.90); P=0.007
HR (95% CI): 0.70 (0.54-0.91); P=0.008
In this study, COMBO450 was generally well-tolerated, with a median duration of treatment of 51 weeks and median relative dose intensity for encorafenib and binimetinib of 100% and 99.6%, respectively. Grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) that occurred in more than 5% of patients receiving COMBO450 were increased gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) (9%), increased blood creatine phosphokinase (CK) (7%) and hypertension (6%). The incidence of selected any grade of AEs of special interest, defined based on toxicities commonly associated with commercially available MEK+BRAF-inhibitor treatments for patients receiving COMBO450 included: rash (23%), pyrexia (18%), retinal pigment epithelial detachment (13%) and photosensitivity (5%). Full safety results of COLUMBUS Part 1 were presented at the 2016 Society for Melanoma Research Annual Congress.
COLUMBUS Part 2 was designed specifically to assess the contribution of binimetinib to the combination of binimetinib and encorafenib by reducing the dose of encorafenib to 300mg in the combination arm to allow for a comparison of equal doses across arms. In COLUMBUS Part 2, the primary analysis compared PFS in patients treated with binimetinib 45mg twice daily plus encorafenib 300mg daily (COMBO300) to patients treated with encorafenib 300mg daily as a single agent. Top-line results showed the mPFS for patients treated with COMBO300 was 12.9 months compared to 9.2 months for patients treated with single agent encorafenib, with HR of 0.77 [95% CI 0.61-0.97, p=0.029]. COMBO300 was generally well-tolerated and reported dose intensity and AEs were consistent with COMBO450 results in COLUMBUS Part 1. Further results from COLUMBUS Part 2 will be presented at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2017.
Binimetinib and encorafenib are investigational medicines and are not currently approved in any country.
Metastatic melanoma is the most serious and life-threatening type of skin cancer and is associated with low survival rates[1-2]. There are about 200,000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed worldwide each year, approximately half of which have BRAF mutations, a key target in the treatment of metastatic melanoma[1, 3, 4].
About the Phase 3 COLUMBUS Study
The COLUMBUS trial, (NCT01909453), is a two-part, international, randomized, open label Phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of the combination of binimetinib plus encorafenib to vemurafenib and encorafenib monotherapy in 921 patients with locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600 mutation. Prior immunotherapy treatment was allowed. Over 200 sites across North America, Europe, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia participated in the study. Patients were randomized into two parts:
In Part 1, 577 patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive 45mg binimetinib plus 450mg encorafenib (COMBO450), 300mg encorafenib alone, or 960mg vemurafenib alone. The dose of encorafenib in the combination arm is 50% higher than the single agent maximum tolerated dose of 300mg. A higher dose of encorafenib was possible due to improved tolerability when combined with binimetinib. The primary endpoint for the COLUMBUS trial was a PFS comparison of COMBO450 versus vemurafenib. PFS is determined based on tumor assessment (RECIST version 1.1 criteria) by a Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR). Secondary endpoints include a comparison of the PFS of encorafenib monotherapy to that of COMBO450 and a comparison of overall survival (OS) for COMBO450 to that of vemurafenib alone.
In Part 2, 344 patients were randomized 3:1 to receive 45mg binimetinib plus 300mg encorafenib or 300mg encorafenib alone. Part 2 is designed to provide additional data to help evaluate the contribution of binimetinib to the combination of binimetinib and encorafenib. As the comparison of COMBO450 to encorafenib in Part 1 did not achieve statistical significance, analyses of other endpoints including the statistical analysis conducted in Part 2 is descriptive.
Merrimack Reports Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results
On August 9, 2017 Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: MACK) reported its second quarter 2017 financial results for the period ended June 30, 2017 (Press release, Merrimack, AUG 9, 2017, View Source [SID1234520083]).
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“This quarter’s progress, with key hires to the executive team and advancements in the clinic, has reinforced Merrimack’s refined corporate and clinical strategy. With a rich, biomarker-driven R&D pipeline, including data expected in 2018 for each of our lead assets – MM-121, MM-141 and MM-310 – and promising preclinical programs, we are well positioned to execute on our goals,” said Richard Peters, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer.
Second Quarter and Recent Highlights
Key events from the second quarter and more recently include:
Expansion of Merrimack’s executive team with key appointments:
Dr. Sergio Santillana, a medical oncologist and former Chief Medical Officer at Ariad Pharmaceuticals with extensive industry experience leading a wide range of clinical development programs, as Chief Medical Officer;
Ellen Forest, an experienced human resources executive and former Director of Human Resources at Baxalta, as Head of Human Resources; and
Thomas Needham, a 25-year industry veteran, experienced dealmaker and former Senior Vice President of Business Development at C4 Therapeutics, as Chief Business Officer.
Completion of enrollment in the Phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled CARRIE study of MM-141 in combination with standard of care in previously untreated patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who have high serum levels of free IGF-1. MM-141 is an inhibitor of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, targeting the IGF-1 and HER3 receptors. Merrimack expects to report data in the first half of 2018.
Upcoming Milestones
Merrimack anticipates the following upcoming clinical milestones:
Initiation this year of the SHERBOC trial, a Phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study of MM-121 added to standard of care in patients with heregulin positive, hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer;
Top-line results in the first half of 2018 from the Phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled CARRIE study of MM-141 in combination with standard of care in previously untreated patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who have high serum levels of free IGF-1;
Top-line results in the second half of 2018 from the Phase 2 randomized SHERLOC study of MM-121 added to standard of care in patients with heregulin positive non-small cell lung cancer; and
Safety data and the recommended Phase 2 dose in the second half of 2018 from the Phase 1 clinical study of MM-310 in patients with solid tumors.
Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results
The following summarizes Merrimack’s financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2017:
In April, Merrimack received a $575.0 million upfront cash payment from Ipsen in connection with its asset sale, from which Merrimack fully paid off $175.0 million of outstanding Senior Secured Notes due in 2022; paid a special cash dividend of $140.0 million to stockholders in May; and invested approximately $125.0 million into the further development of its streamlined oncology pipeline;
Research and development expenses from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2017 were $19.8 million, compared to $27.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. This represents a decrease of $7.9 million primarily due to Merrimack’s transition to a refocused clinical and preclinical pipeline and offset by a one-time charge related to stock-based compensation;
General and administrative expenses from continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2017 were $14.8 million, compared to $8.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. This represents an increase of $6.7 million, primarily due to costs associated with the transition following the asset sale, including legal expenses and stock-based compensation; and
Net loss attributable to Merrimack’s continuing operations for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was $28.9 million, or $0.22 per share, compared to a net loss attributable to Merrimack’s continuing operations of $51.4 million, or $0.41 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2016.
Financial Outlook
Merrimack continues to believe that its unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $135.5 million as of June 30, 2017, together with the potential net milestone payments anticipated from Shire, will be sufficient to fund its planned operations into the second half of 2019.
Oasmia Pharmaceutical receives market approval for its Anti-Cancer Drug Doxophos® in Russia
On August 8, 2017 Oasmia Pharmaceutical AB, a developer of a new generation of drugs within human and veterinary oncology, reported that it has received marketing approval of Doxophos in Russia, a key milestone following the recently established relationship with Hetero Group, its new marketing and distribution partner (Press release, Oasmia, AUG 8, 2017, View Source [SID1234594112]).
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Doxophos has been approved for use in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloblastic leukemia, chronic leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, osteogenic sarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Wilms’ tumor, breast carcinoma, endometrial cancer, ovarian carcinoma, germ cell tumors, prostatic carcinoma, lung cancer, gastric carcinoma, head and neck cancer and thyroid carcinoma.
Doxophos is a hybrid and novel nanoparticle formulation of doxorubicin, one of the most commonly used anti-cancer substances in the world, well-recognized for its treatment of lung, breast and prostate cancer, among others. Doxorubicin is the active substance in the prominent oncology family of brands including Adriamycin and Doxil, totaling an estimated market value of $800 million USD in 2015 and expected to reach $1.4 billion by 2024.
As is its current practice with Paclical, Oasmia’s leading and previously commercialized cancer treatment product, Hetero Group will be responsible for the marketing and distribution of Doxophos in Russia.
"We are pleased that we were able to follow through on our previously stated objective of commercializing Doxophos, a product that we believe represents important high growth market opportunity, in Russia" said Julian Aleksov, Executive Chairman of Oasmia Pharmaceutical AB. "We are also confident that this product will add significant value to the marketing and distribution efforts of Hetero, our new partner with whom we look forward to work in these regions and presumably others in the future."
Calithera Biosciences Reports Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results and Recent Highlights
On August 8, 2017 Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:CALA), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs directed against tumor metabolism and tumor immunology targets for the treatment of cancer, reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017 (Press release, Calithera Biosciences, AUG 8, 2017, View Source [SID1234535256]). As of June 30, 2017, cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $208.2 million.
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"Recent highlights included the presentation of clinical trial results of CB-1158, a first-in-class small molecule arginase inhibitor, in an oral presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper), and the advancement of CB-839 into Phase 2 clinical trials in renal cell carcinoma and triple negative breast cancer," said Susan Molineaux, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Calithera. "Looking forward to the second half of 2017, we plan to present clinical updates on CB-839, including the initial results of CB-839 dosed in combination with Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo (nivolumab) in the fourth quarter."
Second Quarter 2017 and Recent Highlights
CB-839 Randomized Phase 2 Combination Trial in Renal Cell Carcinoma Initiated. In August 2017, Calithera announced the initiation of a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CB-839 in combination with everolimus versus placebo in approximately 250 patients with metastatic, clear cell renal cell carcinoma who have been treated with at least two lines of prior systemic therapy including a VEGFR-targeting tyrosine kinase inhibitor and at least one of either CABOMETYX (cabozantinib) or an active PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor. CB-839 has been granted Fast Track designation for this indication.
CB-839 Triple Negative Breast Cancer Phase 2 Trial Initiated. In July 2017, Calithera initiated a Phase 2 trial of CB-839 with paclitaxel in triple negative breast cancer patients. Four single arm, open label, cohorts of African American and non-African American patients will be treated in both the early stage setting, where patients have no prior treatment for metastatic disease, as well as the late stage setting, after at least two prior therapies for metastatic disease including prior taxane therapy. The primary endpoint of this trial is objective response rate. Additional data from the triple negative breast cancer development program are expected in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb expanded. In May 2017, Calithera’s existing collaboration evaluating Opdivo (nivolumab) in combination with CB-839 was expanded to include additional renal cell carcinoma cohorts as well as non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma. Initial results of CB-839 dosed in combination with Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo are expected in the fourth quarter of 2017.
CB-1158 (INCB01158) Phase I Solid Tumor Data Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. In June 2017, data was presented from the first 17 patients with advanced solid tumors dosed with CB-1158 as a single agent. Plasma levels of arginase were inhibited > 90% in all patients, and in 10 of 11 patients plasma arginine increased 1.5-fold or more.
CB-1158 was generally well tolerated with no drug-related serious adverse events. The trial is continuing to enroll patients in the dose escalation phase of the study, and expansion cohorts in pre-defined tumor types, to be followed by combination studies with an anti-PD-1 antibody.
Selected Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $208.2 million at June 30, 2017, compared with $207.1 million at March 31, 2017. During the second quarter of 2017, Calithera received payment of a $12.0 million milestone under its global collaboration and license agreement with Incyte.
Revenue was $7.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and represents the portion of deferred revenue recognized in the second quarter from the Company’s collaboration and license agreement with Incyte.
Research and development expenses were $10.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared with $7.8 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase of $2.3 million was primarily due to an increase in the CB-839 program, including for Phase 2 start-up activities, as well as investment in our early stage research programs, partially offset by decreases in the CB-1158 program including Incyte’s co-funding of development costs
General and administrative expenses were $2.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, compared with $2.7 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase of $0.1 million was primarily due to increases in professional services and higher personnel-related costs. Net loss from operations for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was $5.2 million, or $0.15 per share.
Conference Call Information
Calithera will host an update conference call today, August 8th at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time/ 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The call can be accessed by dialing (855) 783-2599 (domestic) or (631) 485-4877 (international), and referring to conference ID 63329558. To access the live audio webcast or the subsequent archived recording, visit the Investors section of the Calithera website at www.calithera.com. The webcast will be recorded and available for replay on Calithera’s website for 30 days.
RXi Pharmaceuticals Advances Immuno-Oncology Pipeline by Selecting Two sd-rxRNA Compounds for Preclinical Development and Sourcing cGMP Manufacturing
On November 8, 2017 RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NASDAQ: RXII), a clinical-stage RNAi company developing innovative therapeutics that address significant unmet medical needs, reported that it has selected two self-delivering RNAi (sd-rxRNA) compounds from its immuno-oncology pipeline for preclinical development (Press release, RXi Pharmaceuticals, AUG 8, 2017, View Source [SID1234531518]). For oncology treatments based on adoptive cell transfer (ACT), compounds RXI-762 and RXI-804 suppress the expression of immune checkpoint proteins PD-1 and TIGIT respectively, which can result in an improved efficacy to the targeted tumors. This decision triggered the selection of a manufacturing facility to initiate production of cGMP grade material, initially for the first of these two compounds (RXI-762). The latter also supports moving RXI-762 into clinical development as early as 2018 as part of an ACT therapy.
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"It is our mission, using our novel technology platform, to improve patients’ lives through the development of a new class of treatments," said Dr. Gerrit Dispersyn, Chief Development Officer. He further added that, "The selection of these two sd-rxRNA compounds, as well as securing cGMP manufacturing for such compounds, brings us closer to achieving this goal."
RXi’s immuno-oncology program with sd-rxRNA provides a versatile approach to improve upon well-established ACT methodologies. The Company has identified lead compounds for a number of immune checkpoint targets that provide a long-lasting effect, individually and in combination, with target gene silencing demonstrated in various immune effector cells relevant in cancer immunotherapy, including CAR-T cells, TILs, and NK cells.
Also, the Company’s ongoing discovery programs include, but are not limited to, the evaluation of sd-rxRNA compounds to silence targets related to cytokine release syndrome (CRS). One of the development goals is to enhance the therapeutic potential and reduce the toxicity profile of current immuno-oncology treatments.
The potential advantages of RXi’s approach using sd-rxRNA for immunotherapy are:
Single therapeutic agent with one or multiple immune checkpoints attenuated
Streamlined regulatory path: no multiple combination trials required; newly discovered checkpoint targets can be rapidly tackled; ex vivo application of sd-rxRNA; clinically proven safety of sd-rxRNA
Only small alterations needed in cell manufacturing process: facilitates adaptation of existing cell technologies