On August 2, 2016 Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated (NASDAQ: CORT), a pharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of drugs that treat severe metabolic, oncologic and psychiatric disorders by modulating the effects of cortisol, reported its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 (Press release, Corcept Therapeutics, AUG 2, 2016, http://www.corcept.com/news_events/view/pr_1470169803 [SID:1234514191]).

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!

Corcept reported revenue of $19.7 million and GAAP net income of $0.01 per share for the second quarter of 2016, compared to revenue of $12.0 million and a GAAP net loss of $0.02 per share for the second quarter of 2015. The company’s cash and cash equivalents were $41.8 million at June 30, 2016, an increase of $1.1 million from March 31, 2016.

The company reiterated its 2016 revenue guidance of $76-81 million.

"Our strong performance in the second quarter reflects the increasing contributions of our expanded sales force," said Joseph K. Belanoff, MD, Corcept’s Chief Executive Officer. "Cushing’s syndrome is a complex, rare disease. Physicians often require five to seven visits before writing their first Korlym prescription. As our clinical specialists spend more time in the field and we continue to refine the support we offer physicians and patients, we are confident growth will continue."

"It is exciting to see the development of cortisol modulation advancing on so many fronts," said Robert S. Fishman, MD, Corcept’s Chief Medical Officer. "In oncology, Corcept’s activities – our now fully-enrolled trial of Korlym (mifepristone) in combination with Halaven to treat TNBC and the trial we have just begun of CORT125134 in combination with Abraxane to treat solid-tumor cancers – are supplemented by the work of leading academic investigators. Researchers at the University of Chicago, for example, are conducting two important Phase 2 trials. One, supported by Celgene Corporation, will examine the efficacy of Korlym (mifepristone) in combination with Abraxane to treat TNBC. The other combines Korlym with Xtandi (enzalutamide) to treat patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer. These trials, along with our own, will generate the data that guide our oncology program."

"Our other development programs also continue to advance," added Dr. Fishman. "Following promising pre-clinical and Phase 1 results, CORT125134 has entered Phase 2 as a treatment for Cushing’s syndrome. Our expectation is that this selective cortisol modulator will share Korlym’s efficacy as a treatment for Cushing’s syndrome patients, but without the side effects associated with Korlym’s affinity for the progesterone receptor.

"As we have stated before, we are also advancing selective cortisol modulators CORT118335, CORT122928 and CORT125281 towards the clinic and expect to initiate one or more Phase 1 trials next year."

Financial Discussion

Corcept’s GAAP net income in the second quarter of 2016 was $1.0 million, compared to a GAAP net loss of $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2015. Excluding non-cash expenses related to stock-based compensation and accreted interest on the company’s capped royalty obligation (the "Royalty Financing"), Corcept generated $3.2 million of non-GAAP net income in the second quarter of 2016, compared to non-GAAP net income of $0.4 million in the second quarter of 2015. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net operating results is set forth below.

Operating expenses for the second quarter increased to $18.2 million, from $13.1 million in the second quarter of 2015, primarily due to additional employee compensation expense, additional patient support costs and distribution expenses resulting from higher sales volumes, and increased spending on the clinical development of CORT125134.

Corcept’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $41.8 million as of June 30, 2016, compared to $40.7 million as of March 31, 2016. These cash balances reflect Corcept’s scheduled payments made under the Royalty Financing. Pursuant to the terms of the Royalty Financing agreement, Corcept paid $3.3 million in the second quarter of 2016, compared to $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2016. Corcept expects to make its final payment under the Royalty Financing in 2017.

Conference Call

Corcept will hold a conference call on August 2, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) to discuss this announcement. To participate, dial 1-888-771-4371 from the United States or 1-847-585-4405 internationally approximately 10 minutes before the start of the call. The passcode is 42972085. A replay will be available through August 16, 2016 at 1-888-843-7419 from the United States and1-630-652-3042 internationally. The passcode is 42972085.

About Cushing’s Syndrome

Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome is caused by prolonged exposure of the body’s tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol and is generated by tumors that produce cortisol or ACTH. Cushing’s syndrome is an orphan indication that most commonly affects adults aged 20-50. An estimated 10-15 of every one million people are newly diagnosed with this syndrome each year, resulting in over 3,000 new patients annually in the United States. An estimated 20,000 patients in the United States have Cushing’s syndrome. Symptoms vary, but most people have one or more of the following manifestations: high blood sugar, diabetes, high blood pressure, upper body obesity, rounded face, increased fat around the neck, thinning arms and legs, severe fatigue and weak muscles. Irritability, anxiety, cognitive disturbances and depression are also common. Cushing’s syndrome can affect every organ system in the body and can be lethal if not treated effectively.

About Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

TNBC is a form of the disease in which the three receptors that fuel most breast cancer growth – estrogen, progesterone and the HER-2/neu gene – are not present. Because the tumor cells lack the necessary receptors, treatments that target estrogen, progesterone and HER-2 receptors are ineffective. In 2013, approximately 40,000 women were diagnosed with TNBC. We estimate that more than 75 percent of these women’s tumor cells expressed the GR receptor to which cortisol binds. There is no FDA-approved treatment and neither a targeted treatment nor an approved standard chemotherapy regimen for relapsed TNBC patients exists.

About Korlym

Korlym modulates the effect of cortisol at the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), one of the two receptors to which cortisol binds, thereby inhibiting the effects of excess cortisol in patients with Cushing’s syndrome. Since 2012, Corcept has made Korlym available as a once-daily oral treatment of hyperglycemia secondary to endogenous Cushing’s syndrome in adult patients with glucose intolerance or diabetes mellitus type 2 who have failed surgery or are not candidates for surgery. Korlym was the first FDA-approved treatment for that illness. The FDA has designated it as an Orphan Drug for that indication.

About CORT125134

CORT125134 is the lead compound in Corcept’s portfolio of selective cortisol modulators. It is a non-steroidal competitive antagonist of GR that does not bind to the body’s other hormone receptors, including the progesterone receptor. It is the affinity of Korlym for the progesterone receptor that results in termination of pregnancy and can cause endometrial thickening and irregular vaginal bleeding in some women. CORT125134 will not have these effects. Corcept is currently studying the compound in two Phase 2 trials, one for the treatment of patients with Cushing’s syndrome and another for patients suffering from solid-tumor cancers. CORT125134 is proprietary to Corcept and is protected by composition of matter and method of use patents extending to 2033.