On May 9, 2024 XOMA Corporation (NASDAQ: XOMA), the biotech royalty aggregator, reported its first quarter 2024 financial results and highlighted recent activities (Press release, Xoma, MAY 9, 2024, View Source [SID1234643021]).

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"We continue to build the foundation for accelerating value creation with a disciplined approach to capital deployment," stated Owen Hughes, Chief Executive Officer of XOMA. "In recent months, we’ve completed the acquisition of Kinnate, acquired economic interests in two commercial assets, as well as in two first-in-class Phase 3 assets, and initiated our first share buyback program on the heels of securing the VABYSMO royalty-backed loan with Blue Owl. Lastly, and most importantly, the FDA approved OJEMBA (tovorafenib), Day One Biopharmaceuticals’ type II RAF inhibitor for patients with relapsed or refractory pLGG harboring a BRAF fusion or rearrangement or BRAF V600 mutation, ushering in an important new treatment for children living with relapsed or refractory pLGG."

Key First Quarter Events

Partner

Event

Talphera XOMA added another commercial asset to its royalty portfolio with an economic interest in DSUVIA, which is marketed by Alora Pharmaceuticals. XOMA receives 100 percent of the DSUVIA economics until a threshold is achieved; thereafter, XOMA retains the 15 percent royalty associated with DSUVIA commercial sales. The 75 percent royalties from Department of Defense purchases and remaining milestone payments will be shared equally between XOMA and Talphera.
Kinnate Pharmaceuticals XOMA initiated the acquisition of Kinnate Pharmaceuticals for $2.5879 in cash per share, plus a non-tradeable contingent value right (CVR) representing the right to receive 85 percent of the net proceeds from the out license or sale of Kinnate assets effected on or before April 2, 2025, and 100% of the net proceeds received from Pierre-Fabre.
Zevra Therapeutics U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the arimoclomol NDA resubmission for review and set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of September 21, 2024. XOMA paid a $1 million milestone to LadRx based upon the achievement of this milestone.
Medexus FDA approved the pediatric label expansion application for IXINITY [coagulation factor IX (recombinant)].
Takeda Reported positive topline results from Phase 2 study evaluating mezagitamab (TAK-079), a potential best-in-class anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody for primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).i
LG Chem (AVEO Oncology) Dosed the first patient in the ficlatuzumab Phase 3 study, resulting in a $1 million milestone payment to XOMA.
Compugen Received a $1 million milestone payment from Compugen.
Subsequent Events

Partner

Event

Day One Biopharmaceuticals FDA approved Day One’s OJEMDA (tovorafenib) for use in pediatric patients with pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG). XOMA earned a $9 million milestone upon the approval and is entitled to receive mid-single digit royalties from OJEMDA sales.
Daré Bioscience XOMA added economic interests to three best- or first-in-category assets to its portfolio. XACIATO vaginal gel 2% is commercially available and marketed by Organon. Bayer holds the U.S. rights to commercialize Ovaprene, a hormone-free monthly intravaginal contraceptive, currently in Phase 3 clinical trials. XOMA also acquired a synthetic royalty in Sildenafil Cream, 3.6%, a Phase 3-ready asset for female sexual arousal disorder.
Rezolute Dosed first patient in its Phase 3 trial of RZ358; XOMA earned a $5.0 million milestone associated with the event.
Anticipated 2024 Events of Note

Partner

Event

Zevra Therapeutics September 21, 2024 – FDA PDUFA action date for arimoclomol NDA
Takeda In its press release dated March 13, 2024, Takeda announced plans to initiate a global Phase 3 trial of mezagitamab in ITP in fiscal year 2024.ii
First Quarter 2024 Financial Results

XOMA recorded total revenues of $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2024, which included a $1.0 million milestone payment received from AVEO Oncology, as compared with $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2023.

Research and development (R&D) expenses were $33,000 and $54,000, respectively, for the first quarters of 2024 and 2023. Upon closing the Kinnate merger in the second quarter of 2024, XOMA assumed operations of Kinnate’s pipeline, as well as ongoing Phase 1 study, and will incur increased R&D costs until winddown activities are complete.

General and administrative ("G&A") expenses were $8.5 million for the first quarter of 2024, compared to $6.2 million for the first quarter of 2023. The increase of $2.3 million was primarily due to a $1.3 million increase in stock-based compensation and a $0.7 million increase in consulting and legal expenses. The increase in stock-based compensation expenses was largely due to the appointment of Mr. Hughes as our full-time Chief Executive Officer in January 2024.

In the first quarter of 2024, G&A expenses included $2.9 million in non-cash stock-based compensation expense, compared with $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2023. The increase in stock-based compensation expenses was largely due to the PSU grant associated with the appointment of Mr. Hughes as our full-time Chief Executive Officer in January 2024 combined with PSUs granted in May 2023.

Interest expense in the first quarter of 2024 was $3.6 million, representing interest related to the Blue Owl Loan established in December 2023.

The Company reported total other income, net, of $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2024, as compared to total other income, net, of $0.4 million in the corresponding period of 2023. The $1.6 million increase reflects a $1.3 million increase in investment income due to higher cash balances and higher market interest rates on our investments, as well as the change in the market price of Rezolute’s common stock.

Net loss for the first quarter of 2024 was $8.6 million, compared to a net loss of $9.8 million for the first quarter of 2023.

On March 31, 2024, XOMA had cash and cash equivalents of $142.4 million (including $6.2 million in restricted cash). On December 31, 2023, XOMA had cash and cash equivalents of $159.6 million (including $6.3 million in restricted cash). During the first quarter of 2024, XOMA received $9.8 million in cash from royalty and milestone payments and deployed $8 million to acquire new royalty and milestone economic interests. Net cash used in operating activities during the quarter was $4.9 million. On April 15, 2024, the Company paid a total of $1.4 million in cash dividends on the 8.625% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (Nasdaq: XOMAP) and the 8.375% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (Nasdaq: XOMAO).