Pain Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2018 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update on REMOXY® ER

On May 9, 2018 Pain Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:PTIE), a drug development company, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 (Press release, Pain Therapeutics, MAY 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234526317]). Net loss was $2.2 million, or $0.33 per share. This compared to a net loss of $2.7 million, or $0.42 per share, for the same period in the prior year. Cash and cash equivalents were $10.7 million as of March 31, 2018.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"FDA’s acceptance of the NDA filing for REMOXY ER in Q1 2018 is a milestone," said Remi Barbier, Chairman, President & CEO. "Our focus is now on REMOXY ER’s potential to receive marketing clearance later this year. As part of this focus, we are preparing a strategic and thorough presentation of our key data for an upcoming FDA Advisory Committee Meeting for REMOXY ER, scheduled for June 26th in Washington, DC. We also continue to maintain tight fiscal discipline, and to advance our early-stage programs with non-dilutive funding."

Financial Highlights for First Quarter 2018

Net loss for the quarter was $2.2 million, or a net loss per share of $0.33. This compared to a net loss of $2.7 million, or $0.42 per share, for the same period in the prior year, representing a 19% decrease.

Cash and cash equivalents were $10.7 million. This compared to $10.5 million in the prior quarter, representing a 2% increase. Cash and cash equivalents for the quarter includes $1.9 million of net proceeds raised through issuance of shares of our common stock under a Capital on DemandTM program with JonesTrading Institutional Services LLC.

We have no debt.

We believe existing capital resources are sufficient to meet our projected operating requirements for at least the next 12 months.

We received $0.4 million in research grant funding from the National Institutes of Health, recorded as a reduction in research and development expenses (R&D).

R&D expenses were $1.1 million. This compared to $1.4 million for the same period in the prior year, representing a 23% decrease. R&D expenses included non-cash stock related compensation costs of $0.4 million, versus $0.3 million for the same period in the prior year.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $1.1 million. This compared to $1.4 million for the same period in the prior year, representing a 20% decrease. G&A expenses included non-cash stock-related compensation costs of $0.5 million, versus $0.5 million for the same period in the prior year.

About REMOXY ER (extended-release oxycodone capsules CII)

REMOXY ER is in registration with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a new type of abuse-deterrent, twice-daily, capsule gel formulation of oral oxycodone, a strong opioid drug. REMOXY ER has physical/chemical properties intended to deter abuse and still provide 12 hours of steady pain relief when properly prescribed by physician and used appropriately by patients.

Studies were extensive. The clinical efficacy of REMOXY ER was established in a Phase III study conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment. In total, over 2,400 subjects were exposed to REMOXY ER in 30 clinical studies. 9,000 unique data points were generated from 11 lab studies. The assessment of REMOXY ER’s abuse deterrence is supported by data from FDA Category 1 (lab), Category 2 (pharmacokinetic) and Category 3 (human abuse potential) studies. In addition, in November 2017 the Company and FDA held a pre-NDA meeting to confirm the sufficiency of data included in the REMOXY ER NDA resubmission.

REMOXY ER has a thick, sticky, high viscosity, hydrophobic, gel formulation that abusers cannot cut, grate or divide into smaller discrete particle sizes. The gel formulation resists syringe-ability, injection, and rapid extraction in ingestible solvents. REMOXY ER’s high viscosity and adhesive properties also cause it to stick to tools and equipment used for abuse. When exposed to heat, REMOXY ER releases an irritant to the eyes and lungs. REMOXY ER resists dose-dumping when challenged by alcohol and common physical and chemical manipulations.

We are requesting marketing approval of REMOXY ER as an analgesic drug with properties that can be expected to deter against injection, snorting and inhalation/smoking routes of abuse.

REMOXY ER intends to address the public health epidemic related to prescription opioids by advancing the science of abuse deterrence, providing an additional treatment option for physicians and patients, and increasing the range of available abuse deterrent technologies.

About Opioid Abuse
Opioid drugs such as oxycodone are an important treatment option for patients with severe chronic pain. However, oxycodone abuse and diversion remain serious, persistent problems. Opioid overdose deaths exceeded 64,000 in 2016, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). For over a decade, Pain Therapeutics has pioneered Abuse-Deterrent Formulations (ADFs) to help in the fight against prescription drug abuse. ADFs attempt to raise the bar on prescription drug abuse by making it more difficult, longer or aversive to tamper with long-acting opioid formulations, recognizing that no drug can be made abuse-proof.

Our Pipeline of Drug Assets also Includes:
FENROCK (transdermal fentanyl patch system) – This is a proprietary, abuse-deterrent skin patch for severe pain. FENROCK is an early-stage program, substantially funded by a research grant award from National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

PTI-125 – This proprietary, small molecule drug candidate is aimed at the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. PTI-125 is a Phase I clinical-stage program, substantially funded by a research grant award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

PTI-125DX – This is a proprietary blood-based test to detect Alzheimer’s disease. PTI-125DX is an early-stage program, substantially funded by a research grant award from the NIH

Ophthotech Reports First Quarter 2018 Financial and Operating Results

On May 9, 2018 Ophthotech Corporation (Nasdaq:OPHT) reported financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 and provided a business update (Press release, Ophthotech, MAY 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234526316]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"We continue to build on our Zimura program with on-going clinical trials in wet age related macular degeneration (AMD) with patient recruitment completed and topline data expected by the end of 2018, in geographic atrophy secondary to dry AMD where recruitment is on-track for topline data in the second half of 2019 and in autosomal recessive Stargardt disease which began enrolling patients earlier in the year," stated Glenn P. Sblendorio, Chief Executive Officer and President of Ophthotech. "In parallel, we are excited to have initiated our first innovative gene therapy program in collaboration with Horae Gene Therapy Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School to treat orphan degenerative retinal diseases. A key aspect of our strategy is to continue to build on this momentum to uncover novel and differentiating technologies and product candidates through collaborations with leading companies and academic institutions from around the world."

Recent Key Highlights

Zimura Complement Factor C5 Inhibitor Program

In April 2018, the Company completed patient recruitment in its dose-ranging, open-label, multi-center Phase 2a clinical trial of Zimura (avacincaptad pegol) in combination with the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agent Lucentis (ranibizumab) in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who have not been previously treated with any anti-VEGF agents. This uncontrolled trial is designed to assess safety at different dosages and to detect a potential efficacy signal. The Company will evaluate data at month six.
The Company’s ongoing Zimura clinical trial for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to dry AMD is on track for initial top-line data to be available during the second half of 2019.
In January 2018, the first patient was enrolled in the Company’s Phase 2b randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled clinical trial assessing the efficacy and safety of Zimura in patients with autosomal recessive Stargardt disease (STGD1). Initial top-line data is expected to be available in 2020.
Scientific details for two of the Company’s ongoing Zimura clinical trials were presented at medical conferences:
The scientific details of the geographic atrophy secondary to dry AMD clinical trial were presented at the 41st Annual Macula Society Meeting in Beverly Hills, California, February 21-24, 2018.
The scientific details of the STGD1 clinical trial were presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29-May 3, 2018 and at the International Symposium on Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics in Tel-Aviv, Israel, March 1-3, 2018.
Gene Therapy Program

In February 2018, the Company initiated an innovative gene therapy program focused on applying novel gene therapy technology to discover and develop new therapies for ocular diseases.
In February 2018, the Company announced its first gene therapy collaboration, as it entered into a series of sponsored research agreements with the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) and its Horae Gene Therapy Center to utilize their "minigene" therapy approach and other novel gene delivery methods to target retinal diseases. UMMS has granted Ophthotech an option to obtain an exclusive license to any patent or patent applications that result from this research.
Corporate Highlight

In January 2018, the Company announced the election of Jane PritchettHenderson, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Voyager Therapeutics, to its Board of Directors. Ms. Henderson has also been elected the Chair of the Ophthotech Audit Committee.

2018 Operational Update

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had $155 million in cash and cash equivalents.

The Company’s estimates its year end 2018 cash and cash equivalents will range between $112 million and $117 million based on its current 2018 business plan and planned capital expenditures. This estimate includes continuation of the Company’s development programs for Zimura and the initiation of its collaborative gene therapy research programs as currently planned. This estimate does not reflect any additional expenditures resulting from the potential in-licensing or acquisition of additional product candidates or technologies or associated development that the Company may pursue.

First Quarter 2018 Financial Highlights

Revenues: Collaboration revenue was $0 for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to $1.7 million for the same period in 2017. Collaboration revenue decreased due to the completion of the Company’s licensing and commercialization agreement with Novartis Pharma AG and the recognition of all associated deferred revenue during the third quarter of 2017.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $7.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to $32 million for the same period in 2017. As the Company pursues its ongoing and planned Zimura development programs, research and development expenses decreased primarily due to decreases in expenses related to the discontinuation of the Company’s FovistaPhase 3 clinical program and decreases in costs associated with the Company’s 2017 reduction in personnel program.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $5.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to $13.2 million for the same period in 2017. General and administrative expenses decreased primarily due to decreases in costs to support the Company’s operations and infrastructure and decreases in costs associated with its 2017 reduction in personnel program, which included facilities lease termination expenses incurred during the first quarter of 2017.
Net Loss: The Company reported a net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 of $13.1 million, or ($.36) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $43.1 million, or ($1.20) per diluted share, for the same period in 2017.
Conference Call/Web Cast Information

Ophthotech will host a conference call/webcast to discuss the Company’s financial and operating results and provide a business update. The call is scheduled for May 9, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in this conference call, dial 800-239-9838 (USA) or 323-794-2551 (International), passcode 2075643. A live, listen-only audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of the Ophthotech website at: www.ophthotech.com. A replay will be available approximately two hours following the live call for two weeks. The replay number is 888-203-1112 (USA Toll Free), passcode 2075643.

Idera Pharmaceuticals Reports First Quarter 2018 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

On May 9, 2018 Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Idera") (NASDAQ:IDRA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel nucleic acid-based therapeutics for oncology and rare diseases, reported its financial and operational results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 (Press release, Idera Pharmaceuticals, MAY 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234526315]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Our company continues to make significant progress advancing our two lead TLR modulating clinical development candidates, tilsotolimod and IMO-8400," stated Vincent Milano, Idera’s chief executive officer. Milano continued, "As we now advance through the second quarter, we are continuing to enroll patients in the ILLUMINATE oncology trials, with the next planned data from ILLUMINATE-204 in PD-1 refractory metastatic melanoma to be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) ("ASCO") Annual Meeting and completion of enrollment expected by year end. For IMO-8400, we plan to report top-line data from our Phase 2 trial in dermatomyositis in June. As it pertains to our nucleic acid chemistry research group, we completed our data analysis for IDRA-008 which has led us to a decision to not advance that program into the clinic."

"In January of this year, we announced our proposed merger with BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. that we believe will build greater and more sustainable value for the benefit of stockholders as well as patients with rare diseases beyond what we could achieve alone. The Idera Board determined this combination was compelling from both a strategic and financial perspective following a careful evaluation of a range of strategies to enhance long-term stockholder value. The transaction will create a leading rare disease company with a robust pipeline including two promising Phase 3 rare disease programs and combines synergistic discovery engines that will not only expand the number of rare diseases we can target but create meaningful opportunities for differentiation in the market through joint small molecule and oligo treatments. Importantly, joining with BioCryst will also enable us to achieve cost synergies and increase our financial strength and flexibility. Subject to shareholder approval, we expect to close the transaction in the third quarter," Milano expressed.

Clinical Development Program Updates:
TLR Modulation Technology Development Candidates

ILLUMINATE (tilsotolimod) Clinical Development

ILLUMINATE 301 – Randomized phase 3 trial of tilsotolimod in combination with ipilimumab versus ipilimumab alone in patients with PD-1 refractory metastatic melanoma:

Trial initiated in Q1 2018;
Approximately 80 sites planned for trial participation across 12 countries;
Planned enrollment of approximately 300 patients with Overall Response Rate ("ORR") and Overall Survival as primary endpoints; and
U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Fast Track Designation for tilsotolimod in combination with ipilimumab for treatment of PD-1 refractory metastatic melanoma in fourth quarter of 2017.
ILLUMINATE 204 – Phase 1/2 trial of intratumoral tilsotolimod in combination with ipilimumab or pembrolizumab in patients with PD-1 refractory metastatic melanoma:

Ipilimumab Combination Arm – Phase 2 Expansion Ongoing at RP2D of 8mg

Enrollment (60 patients) completion expected by year end 2018;
5 of the first 10 evaluable patients at the 8 mg dose of tilsotolimod were responders (50% ORR);
Additional data from the Phase 2 expansion of ILLUMINATE-204 selected for presentation at upcoming ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) meeting in Chicago, IL.
Melanoma/Skin Cancers poster discussion session on June 4, 2018 at 4:45 PM CT; and
Investor/Analyst Event featuring lead ILLUMINATE-204 investigator, Adi Diab, MD from the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center to be held at 6:30 PM CT, also on June 4, 2018. As a convenience to those unable to attend, this event will be webcast.
Pembrolizumab Combination Arm – Phase 1 Dose Escalation Ongoing

Enrollment into the last dosing cohort (32 mg) ongoing;
The previously reported partial response (PR) in 1 of the first 6 patients in the 16 mg cohort of intratumoral tilsotolimod in combination with pembrolizumab has evolved into a confirmed complete response (CR).
ILLUMINATE 101 – Phase 1b trial of intratumoral tilsotolimod monotherapy in patients with refractory solid tumors:

Completed enrollment in first two cohorts (11 patients treated with 8 mg dose of tilsotolimod, 8 patients treated with 16 mg dose of tilsotolimod);
Two patients in cohort 1 (8 mg) continue in follow-up; 2 patients in cohort 2 (16 mg) continue tilsotolimod monotherapy and two patients continue in follow-up; and
6 of 8 planned patients for cohort 3 (23 mg) enrolled.
(IMO-8400) Development Activities

PIONEER-211 – Randomized placebo controlled Phase 2 trial of IMO-8400 in adult patients with dermatomyositis:

Enrollment concluded during Q3 2017 (30 patients); and
Topline phase 2 trial data expected in June 2018.
Nucleic Acid Chemistry Research Group

We are developing our nucleic acid chemistry technology to "turn off" the mRNA associated with disease causing genes. Our focus is on creating candidates targeted to specific genes to treat cancer and rare diseases.
We had selected IDRA-008 as our first nucleic acid chemistry research program candidate. IDRA-008 targets the Apolipoprotein C-III (APOC-III) gene and was being developed for the treatment of Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS) and Familial Partial Lipodystrophy (FPL) which had available pre-clinical animal models and well-known clinical endpoints.
During the first quarter of 2018, we completed our pre-clinical analysis for IDRA-008 and based upon the outcome of pre-clinical pharmacology studies, including a comparative pharmacology study with the competitive development asset volanesorsen, and IND-enabling safety evaluation, we made a data-driven decision to not advance IDRA-008 into clinical development.
We are currently conducting analysis throughout our research portfolio to identify other candidates for future clinical development based on our nucleic acid technology expertise and potential strategic commercial opportunity.
Financial Results
First Quarter Results
Net loss applicable to common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $20.1 million, or $0.10 per basic and diluted share, compared to net loss applicable to common stockholders of $15.1 million, or $0.10 per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2017. Revenue in each of the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was nominal. Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 totaled $13.6 million compared to $11.5 million for the same period in 2017. General and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 totaled $7.0 million compared to $4.1 million for the same period in 2017.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, holders of warrants, including Baker Brothers, exercised warrants to purchase shares of the Idera’s common stock which generated $9.6 million in cash proceeds. As of March 31, 2018, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $107.5 million compared to $112.6 million as of December 31, 2017. We currently anticipate that, based on our current operating plan and without taking into account the transaction with BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("BioCryst"), our existing cash, cash equivalents and investments will fund our operations into the third quarter of 2019.

Corporate Updates:

On January 22, 2018, BioCryst and Idera jointly announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement to create a company focused on the development and commercialization of medicines to serve patients suffering from rare diseases. The combined company will be renamed upon closing, and will be led by Vincent Milano, the current chief executive officer of Idera. Jon Stonehouse, the current chief executive officer of BioCryst, will serve as a member of the Board of Directors. The transaction is subject to approval by the stockholders of both companies, as well as the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2018.

Endocyte Provides First Quarter 2018 Financial Results and Operational Update

On May 9, 2018 Endocyte, Inc. (Nasdaq:ECYT), a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted therapeutics for personalized cancer treatment, reported financial results for the first quarter ending Mar. 31, 2018 and provided an operational update (Press release, Endocyte, MAY 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234526314]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"We made important progress during the first quarter in establishing the design of our phase 3 VISION trial of 177Lu-PSMA-617, securing clinical supply of no-carrier-added Lutetium, and raising sufficient capital to fund the company through expected completion of the trial," said Mike Sherman, president and CEO of Endocyte. "We continue to expect the first patient visit in the VISION trial in the second quarter and are working to advance EC17/CAR T-cell therapy, our folate-targeted CAM-based therapy, for which we expect to have an IND submitted in the fourth quarter of 2018."

Mr. Sherman continued, "In addition, we are encouraged by the updated 30 patient data from the ongoing phase 2 trial at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia, published today in The Lancet Oncology. We anticipate an update at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in June with early data on the additional 20 patients dosed in the expansion phase of that trial. Enrollment also continues in the phase 2 TheraP trial in Australia comparing 177Lu-PSMA-617 to cabazitaxel in 200 patients."

First Quarter and Recent Highlights

Finalized the design for the phase 3 VISION trial evaluating 177Lu-PSMA-617 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) following a successful End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Announced an agreement with ITM Isotopen Technologien München AG to supply no-carrier-added Lutetium (177Lu) to support the phase 3 VISION trial.

Presented data on the chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) adaptor molecule (CAM) platform at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2018 confirming the anti-tumor activity of Endocyte’s folate-targeted EC17/CAR T-cell therapy.

·

Completed an underwritten registered public offering of 20,535,714 shares of its common stock, including full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock, at a public offering price of $4.20 per share. Endocyte received aggregate net proceeds from the offering of approximately $80.9 million.

·

Hired additional experienced clinical trial professionals to ensure strong execution and support the success of its clinical programs.

·

Elected Patrick Machado, J.D., co-founder and former chief business and financial officer of Medivation, and Dawn Svoronos, former president of Merck’s Europe/Canada region, to serve on the Board of Directors, bringing significant commercial leadership and understanding of the prostate cancer market to the Board.

Expected 2018 Milestones

·

First patient visit for phase 3 VISION trial of 177Lu-PSMA-617 in mCRPC (2Q 2018).

·

50-patient response rate data readout of investigator-initiated trial of 177Lu-PSMA-617 in mCRPC patients at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia, to be presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) (June 2018).

·

Publications on additional ongoing investigator-initiated clinical trials of 177Lu-PSMA-617 in prostate cancer patients (2018).

·

IND for phase 1 trial of EC17/CAR T-cell therapy in patients with osteosarcoma (4Q 2018).

First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Endocyte reported a net loss of $8.6 million, or $0.16 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of 2018, compared to a net loss of $11.5 million, or $0.27 per basic and diluted share for the same period in 2017.

Research and development expenses were $5.3 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared to $8.0 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease was primarily attributable to a strategic portfolio review announced in June 2017 which led to a reduction in workforce and the discontinuation of certain research and development activities, including: a decrease of $1.4 million in expenses related to pre-clinical work and general research, including the development of EC2629; a decrease of $0.8 million in EC1169 trial expenses; a decrease of $0.6 million in EC1456 trial expenses; a decrease of $0.5 million in compensation expense as a result of employee terminations since March 31, 2017, and a decrease of $0.4 million in manufacturing expense for EC1169 and EC1456. These decreases were partially offset by: an increase of $0.8 million in expenses related to development of PSMA-617; and an increase of $0.2 million related to our CAR T-cell therapy program.

General and administrative expenses were $3.8 million for the first quarter of 2018, which were consistent with the $3.7 million of expenses for the same period in 2017.

Cash, cash equivalents and investments were $173.1 million at Mar. 31, 2018, compared to $127.6 million at Mar. 31, 2017, and $97.5 million at Dec. 31, 2017. Cash, cash equivalents and investments of $173.1 million at Mar. 31, 2018 included $80.9 million of net proceeds from our public offering of 20,535,714 shares of our common stock that closed in March 2018.

Financial Expectations

The company anticipates its cash, cash equivalents and investments balance at the end of 2018 to exceed $130 million. Based on current operational assumptions, Endocyte has sufficient cash to fund its activities through the expected end of the VISION trial and potential proof of concept of its EC17/CAR T-cell therapy.

Conference Call

Endocyte management will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. EDT.

U.S. and Canadian participants:(877) 845-0711

International:(760) 298-5081

A live, listen-only webcast of the conference call may be accessed by visiting the Investors & News section of the Endocyte website, www.endocyte.com.

The webcast will be recorded and available on the company’s website for 90 days following the call.

Website Information

Endocyte routinely posts important information for investors on its website, www.endocyte.com, in the "Investors & News" section. Endocyte uses this website as a means of disclosing material information in compliance with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the "Investors & News" section of

Endocyte’s website, in addition to following its press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, Endocyte’s website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

Array BioPharma Reports Financial Results For The Third Quarter of Fiscal 2018

On May 9, 2018 Array BioPharma Inc., (Nasdaq: ARRY) reported results for its third quarter of fiscal 2018 and provided an update on the progress of its key clinical development programs (Press release, Array BioPharma, MAY 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234526313]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Preparations for the anticipated U.S. launch of encorafenib and binimetinib in BRAF-mutant melanoma are well underway," said Ron Squarer, Chief Executive Officer. "We are pleased to have our entire commercial leadership and infrastructure in place and are poised for an exciting 2018, as we look ahead to commercialization and additional data updates from our encorafenib and binimetinib clinical trials."

COLUMBUS PHASE 3 TRIAL
Regulatory
Array’s New Drug Applications (NDAs) to support use of the encorafenib and binimetinib combination for the treatment of patients with BRAF-mutant advanced, unresectable or metastatic melanoma remain under review by the FDA with a target action date under Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) of June 30, 2018.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as the Swiss Medicines Agency (Swissmedic) and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), are reviewing the Marketing Authorization Applications (MAAs) submitted by Pierre Fabre and Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) has accepted the Manufacturing and Marketing Approval (MMA) applications submitted by Ono Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd.

The regulatory submissions were based on findings from the pivotal Phase 3 COLUMBUS trial.

COLUMBUS Median Overall Survival Results
Array will announce additional results from the Phase 3 COLUMBUS trial in an oral presentation (Abstract #223875) at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018 Annual Meeting on June 4.

Array previously announced that treatment with the combination of encorafenib 450 mg daily and binimetinib 45 mg twice daily (COMBO450) reduced the risk of death compared to treatment with vemurafenib 960 mg daily [hazard ratio (HR) of 0.61, (95% CI 0.47, 0.79, p<0.001)] in patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma in the Phase 3 COLUMBUS trial.


The Phase 3 trial showed mOS of 33.6 months for patients treated with COMBO450, compared to 16.9 months for patients treated with vemurafenib as a monotherapy.

Exhibit 99.1


As previously reported, the combination of encorafenib and binimetinib was generally well-tolerated. Grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) that occurred in more than 5% of patients receiving the combination were increased gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) (9%), increased blood creatine phosphokinase (CK) (7%) and hypertension (6%). The incidence of selected any grade AEs of special interest, defined based on toxicities commonly associated with commercially available BRAF+MEK-inhibitor treatments for patients receiving the combination of encorafenib and binimetinib included: rash (22%), pyrexia (18%), serous retinopathy including retinal pigment epithelial detachment (20%) and photosensitivity (5%). Full safety results of COLUMBUS Part 1 were published in The Lancet Oncology.

The Lancet Oncology Publication
Detailed results of the pivotal Phase 3 COLUMBUS trial for the treatment of patients with BRAF-mutant advanced, unresectable or metastatic melanoma were published online on March 21, 2018 and in the May 2018 print edition of The Lancet Oncology.

BEACON CRC PHASE 3 TRIAL
Array will present updated results from the 30 patient safety lead-in of the Phase 3 BEACON CRC trial at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 20th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer June 20-23, 2018.

Array will present updated results from the 30 patient safety lead-in of the Phase 3 BEACON CRC trial evaluating the triplet combination of encorafenib, binimetinib and cetuximab, an EGFR antagonist, in patients with BRAF-mutant CRC whose disease has progressed after one or two prior regimens at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium.


The estimated mPFS at the time of analysis was 8 months in 29 patients with BRAFV600E-mutant CRC.

The confirmed overall response rate (ORR) was 48% with 3 complete responses in patients with BRAFV600E-mutant CRC. Further, the ORR was 62% in the 16 patients who received only one prior line of therapy.

These data represent improvements compared to several approved standard of care benchmarks for this population which range between 4% to 8% ORR and 1.8 and 2.5 months mPFS. [1-4]

The triplet combination was generally well-tolerated. Two patients discontinued treatment due to AEs with only one of these considered related to treatment. The most common grade 3 or 4 AEs seen in at least 10% of patients were fatigue, urinary tract infection, increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and increased blood CK.

Enrollment in the randomized portion of BEACON CRC is ongoing. BRAF mutations are estimated to occur in 10% to 15% of patients with CRC and represent a poor prognosis for these patients.

Encorafenib and binimetinib are investigational medicines and are not currently approved in any country.

IMMUNO-ONCOLOGY COLLABORATIONS: TRIALS ADVANCING WITH BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB AND MERCK; TRIAL WITH PFIZER EXPECTED TO START THIRD QUARTER OF 2018
Array is developing binimetinib in combination with PD-1/ PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors and has announced separate, strategic collaborations with Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck and Pfizer, but in each case, are pursuing a unique trial design to explore different clinical approaches.

Bristol-Myers Squibb

The clinical trial continues to advance and is designed to investigate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of binimetinib in combination with nivolumab (anti-PD-1 therapy), with and without ipilimumab (CTLA-4 antibody), in patients with advanced metastatic microsatellite stable (MSS) CRC and the presence of a RAS mutation who have received one or two prior regimens.

The trial is jointly supported by Array and Bristol-Myers Squibb and sponsored by Array.

Merck

The clinical trial continues to advance and is designed to investigate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of binimetinib in combination with pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1 therapy), with and without FOLFOX or FOLFIRI (chemotherapy) in patients with CRC whose tumors are not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H).

The trial is sponsored and funded by Merck, with Array providing binimetinib supply.

Pfizer

The clinical trial is designed to investigate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of several novel anti-cancer combinations, including binimetinib, avelumab (anti-PD-L1 therapy) and talazoparib (PARP inhibitor) across various tumor types and is expected to begin during the third quarter of 2018.

Exhibit 99.1

Initially, the focus will be in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pancreatic cancer, with additional indications being explored at a later stage.

The trial will be sponsored and funded by Pfizer, with Array providing binimetinib supply.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Novartis Financial Commitment
Novartis continues to substantially fund all ongoing trials with encorafenib and binimetinib 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 $87 million for the 12 months ended March 31, 2018, of which $24.8 million was recorded in the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Total revenue and upfront payment collected from Novartis since the start of the 2015 agreement is $373.5 million.

Third Quarter of Fiscal 2018 Compared to Second Quarter of Fiscal 2018 (Sequential Quarters Comparison)
· Revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was $66.4 million, compared to $42.2 million for the prior quarter. The increase was primarily due to an upfront license fee from ASLAN Pharmaceuticals as well as higher Novartis reimbursement revenue.
· Cost of partnered programs for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was $17.7 million, compared to $13.7 million for the prior quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher costs incurred for the BEACON CRC trial as it continues to advance, as well as additional resources engaged on collaborations.
· Research and development expense for proprietary programs was $53.6 million, compared to $42.6 million in the prior quarter. The increase was driven by higher activity on the Novartis transitioned studies and pre-commercial manufacturing costs for encorafenib and binimetinib.
· Loss from Operations for the quarter was $21.8 million, compared to a loss from operations of $25.7 million in the previous quarter. The decrease in net loss was primarily due to increased revenue, which was partially offset by increased research and development expense.
· Net loss for the second quarter was $22.9 million, or ($0.11) per share, compared to $34.1 million, or ($0.17) per share, in the prior quarter.
· Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities as of March 31, 2018 were $440 million.

Third Quarter of Fiscal 2018 Compared to Third Quarter of Fiscal 2017 (Prior Year Comparison)
· Revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 increased by $33.1 million compared to the same quarter of fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily due to the ASLAN Pharmaceuticals upfront license fee.
· Cost of partnered programs increased $10.3 million compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher costs incurred for the BEACON CRC trial, as well as more resources engaged on collaborations.
· Research and development expense for proprietary programs increased $7.6 million, compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2017. The increase was driven by higher activity on the Novartis transitioned studies and pre-commercial manufacturing costs for encorafenib and binimetinib.

Net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 was $22.9 million, or ($0.11) per share, compared to $35.3 million, or ($0.21) per share, for the same quarter in fiscal 2017. The decrease in net loss was primarily due to increased revenue, which was partially offset by increased research and development expense.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
Array will hold a conference call on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 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, May 9, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time
Toll-Free: (844) 464-3927
Toll: (765) 507-2598
Pass Code: 6465079

Webcast, including Replay and Conference Call Slides:
View Source