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Sprint Bioscience enters into collaboration with Bayer HealthCare on tumor metabolism program

On July 28, 2015 Sprint Bioscience AB (publ) (Sprint Bioscience) and Bayer HealthCare (Bayer) reported that they have entered into a collaboration and license agreement for the research, development, and commercialization of oncological drug candidates (Press release, Sprint Bioscience, JUL 28, 2015, View Source [SID1234518210]). Under the agreement, Sprint Bioscience licenses an early-stage inhibitor program targeting tumor metabolism to Bayer. Subsequently, Bayer will have full control over further development and worldwide commercialization rights for potential cancer therapeutics and diagnostics.

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– "We are very happy to have entered into this agreement for one of our tumor metabolism projects. We are convinced that Bayer is a perfect partner to further develop this program. This agreement also gives us the opportunity to further invest in the expansion of our portfolio within the area of tumor metabolism," said Dr Anders Åberg, CEO of Sprint Bioscience.

"Bayer is committed to translating the findings of cancer research into effective therapies to improve the quality of life of patients. Addressing the metabolism of cancer cells is a promising approach in oncology and one of our focus areas in cancer research at Bayer," said Professor Andreas Busch, Head of Global Drug Discovery and member of the Executive Committee of Bayer HealthCare. "We are looking forward to expanding our portfolio in this area through the agreement with Sprint Bioscience. This early research program has the potential to lead to new treatment options for cancer patients."

As a result of a tumor’s uncontrolled growth, cancer cells exhibit an altered metabolism (tumor metabolism) and thereby are often resistant to conventional radiation- and chemotherapy. Sprint Bioscience has developed molecules inhibiting a novel metabolic target, which is vital for cancer cell survival. Such inhibitors can potentially lead to effective new treatments by selectively affecting cancer cells.

Sprint Bioscience is eligible to receive up to approximately 190 Million Euro in potential preclinical, clinical and net sales based milestone payments, including an upfront payment from Bayer upon signing of the agreement. Furthermore, Sprint Bioscience is also eligible to receive royalties on worldwide net sales of any resulting products under the collaboration.

Bayer significantly improves earnings

On July 29, 2015 Bayer reported that they continued to grow sales in the second quarter of 2015 and significantly increased earnings (Press release, Bayer, JUL 28, 2015, View Source [SID:1234506732]). "All three subgroups contributed to the gratifying improvement in earnings," said Bayer CEO Dr. Marijn Dekkers when the interim report was published on Wednesday. HealthCare posted considerable sales and earnings gains that were attributable to the further gratifying expansion of business with the recently launched pharmaceutical products and to the positive sales development at Consumer Health. At CropScience, sales matched the strong level of the prior-year quarter, while earnings improved. At MaterialScience, sales were level with the prior-year quarter. Earnings of this subgroup, however, posted a sharp improvement of almost 90 percent, mainly as a result of the improved demand situation and lower raw material costs. The preparations for the planned stock market flotation of MaterialScience are on schedule. Dekkers expressed his continued optimism for the year as a whole: "We are confirming our Group forecast for the operational performance of continuing operations." The Group forecast has been adjusted to take account of the changes in exchange rates as of June 30, 2015.

Following the signing of the divestiture agreement with Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd. in June 2015, the Diabetes Care business is no longer included in continuing operations. The prior-year figures are restated. Sales of the Bayer Group moved ahead in the second quarter of 2015 by 18.2 percent to EUR 12,090 million (Q2 2014: EUR 10,228 million). After adjusting for currency and portfolio effects (Fx & portfolio adj.), the increase was 3.7 percent. EBITDA before special items rose by 33.2 percent to EUR 2,899 million (Q2 2014: EUR 2,176 million). This good sales development was accompanied by higher R&D and selling expenses. Positive currency effects buoyed earnings by about EUR 260 million. EBIT of the Bayer Group climbed by a substantial 27.7 percent to EUR 1,833 million (Q2 2014: EUR 1,435 million) after net special charges of EUR 255 million (Q2 2014: EUR 48 million). The special charges mainly resulted from the revaluation of other receivables, the integration of acquired businesses, the planned stock market flotation of MaterialScience, efficiency improvement measures and the consolidation of production facilities. Net income advanced by 20.9 percent to EUR 1,152 million (Q2 2014: EUR 953 million) and core earnings per share from continuing operations by 33.8 percent to EUR 1.98 (Q2 2014: EUR 1.48).

Gross cash flow from continuing operations advanced by 30.5 percent to EUR 2,173 million (Q2 2014: EUR 1,665 million) due to the improvement in EBITDA. Net cash flow (total) rose by 22.4 percent to EUR 1,959 million (Q2 2014: EUR 1,601 million) despite an increase in cash tied up in working capital. Net financial debt declined slightly, from EUR 21.3 billion on March 31, 2015, to EUR 21.1 billion on June 30, 2015, following the EUR 1.86 billion dividend payment made in May.

HealthCare: further dynamic growth for recently launched pharmaceutical products

Sales of HealthCare increased by 28.0 percent (Fx & portfolio adj. 8.3 percent) to EUR 5,908 million in the second quarter (Q2 2014: EUR 4,615 million). "This increase was largely due to the gratifying sales performance of our recently launched pharmaceutical products," Dekkers explained. "In the Consumer Health segment, too, we achieved solid organic growth to which all divisions contributed." The considerable reported increase was chiefly attributable to sales of products acquired from Merck & Co., Inc., United States, and to currency effects.

Sales of the Pharmaceuticals segment rose by a substantial 10.7 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.) to EUR 3,492 million. The recently launched products – the anticoagulant Xarelto, the eye medicine Eylea, the cancer drugs Stivarga and Xofigo, and Adempas to treat pulmonary hypertension – continued to experience dynamic growth, posting combined sales of EUR 1,051 million (Q2 2014: EUR 702 million). Sales of Xarelto rose by 42.6 percent (Fx adj.) thanks to substantial volume increases in all regions. Eylea posted further robust gains, with sales up by 49.1 percent (Fx adj.). Among the established best-selling products, the 14.3 percent (Fx adj.) improvement in sales of the blood-clotting drug Kogenate was chiefly attributable to shifts in order patterns. The hormone-releasing intrauterine devices of the Mirena product family posted encouraging development, with sales up by 11.1 percent (Fx adj.). Sales of the multiple sclerosis drug Betaferon/Betaseron were down by 8.8 percent (Fx. adj.) overall, due partly to increased competition in Europe and the United States. The Pharmaceuticals business as a whole grew in all regions on a currency-adjusted basis.

Sales of the Consumer Health segment rose by 4.0 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.) to EUR 2,416 million. At Consumer Care, business with the products acquired from Merck & Co., Inc., United States, totaled EUR 528 million. The Bepanthen/Bepanthol line of skincare products also developed positively, with sales up by 6.9 percent (Fx adj.). The Seresto flea and tick collar made a significant contribution to growth in the Animal Health Division. Sales of the Advantage family of flea, tick and worm control products increased by 3.9 percent (Fx adj.). In the contrast agents and medical equipment business (Medical Care), the MRI contrast agent Gadovist/Gadavist posted significant growth of 12.1 percent (Fx adj.) following its registration in additional indications.

EBITDA before special items of HealthCare increased by a substantial 27.5 percent to EUR 1,675 million (Q2 2014: EUR 1,314 million) thanks to the continued very good business development at Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Health, which at Consumer Care was due mainly to the acquired businesses. There were also positive currency effects of approximately EUR 110 million. Earnings were held back mainly by an increase in research and development expenses at Pharmaceuticals.

CropScience improves earnings despite difficult conditions in Latin America

Sales of the agriculture business (CropScience) increased by 10.2 percent to EUR 2,723 million (Q2 2014: EUR 2,470 million). After adjusting for currency and portfolio effects, sales were level with the strong prior-year quarter (minus 0.6 percent). "CropScience held its own in what remained a difficult market environment, particularly in Latin America," said Dekkers. The subgroup achieved its highest sales growth in the Asia/Pacific region, at 4.9 percent (Fx adj.). Business grew by 2.0 percent (Fx adj.) in North America and 0.9 percent (Fx adj.) in Europe. Sales in the Latin America/Africa/Middle East region moved back by 8.8 percent (Fx adj.).

In Crop Protection, business in the Herbicides unit grew by 5.6 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.). The 11.0 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.) increase in sales of the Seeds unit was due to positive development for vegetables and rice in particular. By contrast, sales at Insecticides showed a considerable decline of 17.7 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.). The SeedGrowth (seed treatments) and Fungicides units also saw their sales decline by 5.1 and 2.4 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.), respectively. On the other hand, sales at Environmental Science advanced by 6.6 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.), mainly as a result of robust growth in products for professional users.

EBITDA before special items of CropScience came in 19.2 percent above the prior-year period at EUR 733 million (Q2 2014: EUR 615 million). This increase was driven by a positive currency effect of about EUR 70 million.

Improved demand and lower raw material prices at MaterialScience

Sales of the high-tech polymers business (MaterialScience) rose by 11.2 percent in the second quarter to EUR 3,185 million (Q2 2014: EUR 2,864 million). After adjusting for currency and portfolio effects, sales were flat with the prior-year quarter (plus 0.6 percent). "Volumes at MaterialScience expanded in all regions. On the other hand, there were negative price effects, particularly for Polyurethanes," Dekkers explained. Raw material prices were down steeply overall against the prior-year period.

Sales of the Polyurethanes unit (foam raw materials) fell by 2.9 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.). Volume increases did not fully offset the sharp decline in selling prices. The Polycarbonates unit (high-tech plastics) raised sales by 5.3 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.) thanks to considerably higher volumes in all regions, which mainly resulted from improved demand in the automotive industry. Selling prices fell overall compared with the prior-year period. Sales in the Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties business unit moved forward by 6.0 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.) as a result of higher volumes. Selling prices as a whole were somewhat below the level of the prior-year period. Sales in the Industrial Operations area receded by 2.6 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.) due to slightly lower selling prices and volumes.

EBITDA before special items of MaterialScience improved significantly by 87.4 percent to EUR 506 million (Q2 2014: EUR 270 million). Appreciable falls in raw material prices more than offset the drop in selling prices. Earnings were additionally buoyed by higher volumes and positive currency effects of around EUR 80 million.

All subgroups post first-half earnings growth

Sales of the Bayer Group increased by 16.5 percent (Fx & portfolio adj. 3.2 percent) to EUR 23,969 million (H1 2014: EUR 20,580 million). HealthCare was the driver of this growth, while CropScience and MaterialScience matched the prior-year levels. EBITDA before special items increased by a significant 19.7 percent to EUR 5,840 million (H1 2014: EUR 4,879 million), with all subgroups, particularly HealthCare and MaterialScience, contributing to this improvement. EBIT climbed by 7.9 percent to EUR 3,777 million (H1 2014: EUR 3,500 million) and net income by 3.3 percent to EUR 2,455 million (H1 2014: EUR 2,376 million). Core earnings per share rose by 18.2 percent to EUR 4.02 (H1 2014: EUR 3.40).

EBITDA before special items targeted to rise by a high-teens percentage in 2015

With respect to the second half of 2015, Bayer is now basing its forecast on the exchange rates prevailing on June 30, 2015. The Diabetes Care business is no longer included in continuing operations and therefore is also not included in the updated forecast. The prior-year figures are restated. Bayer is now planning sales in the region of EUR 47 billion (previously: in the region of EUR 48 billion to EUR 49 billion, of which discontinued operations accounted for approximately EUR 0.9 billion). This still corresponds to a low-single-digit percentage increase on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis. The Bayer Group expects currency effects to boost sales by approximately 7 percent (previously: approximately 9 percent) compared with the prior year. It remains the aim to raise EBITDA before special items by a high-teens percentage, allowing for expected positive currency effects of about 5 percent (previously: around 8 percent). Bayer continues to target a high-teens percentage increase in core earnings per share, allowing for expected positive currency effects of around 5 percent (previously: around 7 percent).

Bayer now expects to take special charges in the region of EUR 900 million, with the integration of the acquired consumer care businesses, the planned stock market listing of MaterialScience and the optimization of production structures accounting for most of this amount. As before, Bayer expects net financial debt at year end to be below EUR 20 billion.

HealthCare now expects sales from continuing operations to rise to approximately EUR 23 billion (previously: over EUR 24 billion). This corresponds to a mid-single-digit percentage increase on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis. The subgroup plans to raise EBITDA before special items by a low-twenties percentage. In the Pharmaceuticals segment, Bayer continues to expect sales to move ahead to approximately EUR 14 billion. This corresponds to a mid- to high-single-digit percentage increase on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis. It is planned to raise sales of the segment’s recently launched products to over EUR 4 billion and its EBITDA before special items by a mid-teens percentage. In the Consumer Health segment, Bayer now expects sales of over EUR 9 billion (previously: over EUR 10 billion), including those of the acquired consumer care businesses but excluding the Diabetes Care business. Sales of this segment are planned to grow by a mid-single-digit percentage on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis. Here, EBITDA before special items is anticipated to rise by a mid-thirties percentage, with the acquired consumer care businesses contributing to the increase.

CropScience expects to continue growing faster than the market and aims to raise sales to approximately EUR 10.5 billion (previously: around EUR 11 billion). This corresponds to a low-single-digit percentage increase (previously: a low- to mid-single-digit percentage increase) on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis. In view of the weakened market environment, CropScience now plans to improve EBITDA before special items by a mid- to high-single-digit percentage (previously: a low- to mid-teens percentage).

MaterialScience continues to plan further volume growth in 2015 accompanied by declining selling prices. This will lead to lower sales on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis. However, the subgroup continues to expect to see a significant increase in EBITDA before special items and aims to return to earning the full cost of capital in 2015. After adjusting for currency and portfolio effects, MaterialScience expects sales in the third quarter of 2015 to come in below the level of the prior-year quarter and expects EBITDA before special items to be above the level of the prior-year quarter but below the preceding quarter.

8-K – Current report

On July 28, 2015 Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) reported its results of operations for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015 (Filing, 8-K, Gilead Sciences, JUL 28, 2015, View Source [SID:1234506729]). The financial results that follow represent a year over year comparison of second quarter 2015 to the second quarter 2014. Total revenues were $8.2 billion in 2015 compared to $6.5 billion in 2014. Net income was $4.5 billion or $2.92 per diluted share in 2015 compared to $3.7 billion or $2.20 per diluted share in 2014. Non-GAAP net income, which excludes amounts related to acquisition, restructuring, stock-based compensation and other, was $4.8 billion or $3.15 per diluted share in 2015 compared to $3.9 billion or $2.36 per diluted share in 2014.

Product Sales
Total product sales for the second quarter of 2015 were $8.1 billion compared to $6.4 billion for the second quarter of 2014. Product sales in the U.S. were $5.6 billion compared to $4.8 billion for the second quarter of 2014. In Europe, product sales were $2.0 billion compared to $1.3 billion for the same period in 2014.

Antiviral Product Sales
Antiviral product sales increased to $7.6 billion for the second quarter of 2015, up from $6.0 billion for the second quarter of 2014 primarily due to sales of Harvoni (ledipasvir 90 mg/sofosbuvir 400 mg), which was approved in the U.S. and Europe in the fourth quarter of 2014, partially offset by a decrease in sales of Sovaldi (sofosbuvir 400 mg) due primarily to the uptake in Harvoni.

Other Product Sales
Other product sales, which include Letairis (ambrisentan), Ranexa (ranolazine) and AmBisome (amphotericin B liposome for injection), were $495 million for the second quarter of 2015 compared to $401 million for the second quarter of 2014.

During the second quarter of 2015, compared to the same period in 2014:

• Non-GAAP research and development (R&D) expenses increased primarily due to the continued progression and expansion of Gilead’s clinical studies, particularly Phase 3 studies in the liver disease and oncology areas.

• Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased primarily due to an increase in Gilead’s portion of the branded prescription drug fee along with growth and the geographic expansion in its business.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
As of June 30, 2015, Gilead had $14.7 billion of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities compared to $14.5 billion as of March 31, 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, Gilead generated $5.7 billion in operating cash flow, utilized $900 million to repurchase 9 million shares under the $15.0 billion share repurchase plan approved in January 2015 and $3.9 billion to retire 46 million warrants related to the 2016 convertible debt. At June 30, 2015, approximately 9 million warrants remain outstanding. Gilead also paid its first cash dividend of $633 million, or $0.43 per share, during the second quarter of 2015.

Corporate Highlights

• Announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire EpiTherapeutics, a privately-held Danish company. EpiTherapeutics generated a library of first-in-class, selective small molecule inhibitors of epigenetic regulation of gene transcription, in particular histone demethylases.

• Announced that the company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $633 million or $0.43 per share of common stock and paid on June 29, 2015 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on the record date of June 16, 2015. This was the first quarterly dividend declared under the Board’s dividend program announced on February 3, 2015.

Product & Pipeline Updates Announced by Gilead During the Second Quarter of 2015 Include:

Antiviral Program
• Announced that Gilead submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for two doses of an investigational fixed-dose combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (F/TAF) (200/10 mg and 200/25 mg) for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults and pediatric patients age 12 years and older, in combination with other HIV antiretroviral agents. Under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, the FDA has set a target action date of April 7, 2016.

◦ This was Gilead’s second F/TAF-based NDA submitted to the FDA for review. In November 2014, Gilead filed an NDA for an investigational once-daily single tablet regimen containing elvitegravir 150 mg, cobicistat 150 mg, emtricitabine 200 mg and TAF 10 mg (E/C/F/TAF). The FDA has set a target action date of November 5, 2015.

• Announced that Gilead’s Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for two doses of F/TAF (200/10 mg and 200/25 mg) was fully validated and under evaluation by the European Medicines Agency. The data included in the application support the use of F/TAF for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults in combination with other HIV antiretroviral agents.

◦ Gilead’s MAA for E/C/F/TAF was validated on December 23, 2014.

• Presented data at the 50th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver including:

◦ Positive results from two studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of investigational uses of sofosbuvir-based regimens in HCV-infected patients with genotypes 2, 3, 4 and 5. Results from the BOSON study of sofosbuvir in combination with ribavirin or with pegylated interferon and ribavirin demonstrated high cure rates across all patients with genotypes 2 and 3. Separately, results from a Phase 2 study demonstrated the safety and efficacy of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in patients with genotypes 4 or 5 infection.

◦ Positive results from several Phase 2 clinical studies evaluating investigational uses of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir and other sofosbuvir-based regimens for the treatment of HCV infection in patients with advanced liver disease, including patients with decompensated cirrhosis, patients with fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis C (a rare and severe form of the disease following liver transplantation) and patients with portal hypertension.

◦ Positive pre-clinical data and results from Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies supporting the development of an investigational all-oral, pan-genotypic regimen of sofosbuvir, the investigational NS5A inhibitor velpatasvir (formerly GS-5816) and GS-9857, an investigational NS3/4A protease inhibitor. In pre-clinical studies, GS-9857 demonstrated similarly potent antiviral activity against HCV replicons of all tested genotypes (1-6), as well as an improved resistance profile compared to other HCV protease inhibitors. In a healthy volunteer study, GS-9857 demonstrated a favorable pharmacokinetic profile. Data from a three-day monotherapy study also demonstrated that GS-9857 was well-tolerated for HCV patients with genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4 at the 100 mg dose.

Oncology Program
• Announced positive results from the Phase 3 clinical Study 119 of an investigational use of Zydelig (idelalisib) in combination with ofatumumab in previously-treated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In Study 119, there was a 73-percent reduction in the risk of disease progression or death in patients receiving Zydelig in combination with ofatumumab compared to ofatumumab alone. These results were presented at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper).

Tymora Analytical Operations receives $900,000 grant from NIH

On July 28, 2015 Purdue Research Foundation reported that Federal funding will help further develop technology discovered at Purdue University and licensed by a life sciences startup that could help cancer researchers with improved target detection and the discovery of novel pharmaceuticals (Press release, Purdue Research Foundation, JUL 28, 2015, View Source [SID:1234506728]).

Tymora Analytical Operations has received a two-year SBIR Phase II grant of $900,000 from the National Cancer Institute to further develop its pIMAGO technology. The National Cancer Institute is part of the National Institutes of Health.

Anton Iliuk, chief technology officer, said the pIMAGO technology allows for a better understanding of what type of cancer a patient has and which therapy could be the most effective in treating the cancer.

"In a typical screening, gene mutations are regarded as the primary indications of what type of cancer an individual has. The problem is that there are often hundreds or thousands of mutations present, most of which do not progress to cancer," he said. "pIMAGO analyzes the outcomes of these mutations, which is protein phosphorylation, or the addition of a phosphate group to a protein. Examining this change on different cancer targets can often pinpoint the molecular fingerprint of the cancer, which could be used to select therapy in a more personalized manner."

The National Cancer Institute funding will develop the technology’s ability to look at a more comprehensive signaling network, rather than only one or a few proteins.

"We can examine what other pathways are active and try to target those," he said. "This could be particularly useful to check how well a drug is working, such as in cancer resistance, and to pinpoint the primary reasons for relapse and make new therapy decisions."

The pIMAGO product line has been developed through funding of other SBIR grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

Tymora Analytical Operations licenses intellectual property discovered by W. Andy Tao through the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization. Tao is the company’s chief scientific officer and a professor of biochemistry at Purdue University. The company is based at Purdue Research Park of West Lafayette.

Nymox July 27 Webcast of New BPH Clinical Trial Results Posted Today Online

(Press release, Nymox, JUL 28, 2015, View Source;fvtc=4&fvtv=6907 [SID:1234506727])