On February 1, 2016 ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARIA) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed its review of the Company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for AP32788, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) designed as a targeted therapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with specific mutations in EGFR or HER2 (Press release, Ariad, FEB 1, 2016, View Source [SID:1234508922]). ARIAD anticipates initiation of its Phase 1/2 clinical trial of AP32788 in patients with NSCLC in the second quarter of 2016. Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
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Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!ent targeted treatment options. ARIAD estimates that there are approximately 6,000 patients in the United States living with EGFR exon 20 or HER2 point mutations, based on a broader data set of 175,000 patients with stage IIIb or IV NSCLC living in the U.S. in 2015, according to Kantar Health.
About AP32788
AP32788 is an investigational oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) of activating mutations in EGFR and HER2. The molecule was designed to address the unmet need in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) driven by exon 20 insertion mutations in EGFR and HER2, and is ARIAD’s fourth internally discovered oncology IND to be cleared for clinical development.
Year: 2016
ENB Lead Product ENB001 Awarded Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA
On January 21,2016 ENB Therapeutics reported that the FDA awards ENB lead product ENB001 Orphan Drug Designation for Stage IIB- Stage IV melanoma (Press release, ENB Therapeutics, JAN 30, 2016, View Source [SID1234634052]). This represents a major milestone in our development program for ENB001 which now qualifies for various development incentives including tax credits for clinical trials, seven year marketing exclusivity in the US following approval, and a fast track for the FDA to evaluate registration files.
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8-K – Current report
On January 29, 2016, in Tokyo, Japan (January 28, 2016, in San Francisco, CA), Medivation, Inc.’s collaboration partner Astellas Pharma Inc. (Astellas), reported its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 (Filing, 8-K, Medivation, JAN 29, 2016, View Source [SID:1234508921]).
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Astellas reported, among other things, that U.S. net sales of XTANDI (enzalutamide) capsules were $315.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 (Medivation’s fourth quarter), an increase of $85.7 million or 37% over the prior year quarter. The Astellas-reported net sales of $315.9 million increased by approximately one percent above the reported net sales of $313.0 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2015. Net sales for the quarter ended December 31 included an unfavorable adjustment of $2.6 million related to changes in Astellas’ estimate of prior period gross-to-net deductions against gross sales and an increase in channel partner inventory of just over one-half week of supply. As previously disclosed, the reported net sales of $313.0 million for the September quarter included a favorable adjustment of $17.9 million related to changes in Astellas’ estimate of prior period gross-to-net deductions against gross sales. Based on information provided by Astellas, the estimated growth in prescription demand from the quarter ended September 30, 2015 to the quarter ended December 31, 2015 was a low- to mid- single digit percentage. For the year ended December 31, 2015, U.S. net sales of XTANDI, as reported by Astellas, were $1.151 billion, an increase of $471.5 million or 69% over the prior year.
In its release, Astellas also reported net sales of XTANDI outside of the U.S. for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, expressed in various currencies. Medivation estimates such sales (expressed in U.S. dollars) were approximately $231 million for the quarter, which represents an increase of approximately 83% over the quarter ended December 31, 2014 and 13% over the quarter ended September 30, 2015. Medivation estimates net sales of XTANDI outside of the U.S. for the full year ended December 31, 2015 were approximately $757 million, an increase of approximately 99% over net sales for the year ended December 31, 2014. Fluctuating currency exchange rates reduced such estimated 2015 ex-U.S. net sales at the Astellas level, as expressed in U.S. dollars, by approximately 10% for the quarter and 14% for the year compared with the respective 2014 periods.
Based on the above, Medivation estimates worldwide net sales of XTANDI at the Astellas level were approximately $547 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 and $1.908 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015. Medivation earned the final sales milestone of $175 million under the collaboration with Astellas in the quarter ended December 31, 2015, based upon worldwide net sales exceeding $1.6 billion in the calendar year.
Medivation plans to report its own financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2015, on February 25, 2016.
The information in this Item 7.01 is being furnished and shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall such information be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as otherwise stated in such filing.
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Begins Enrolling Patients in Registrational Trial of SPI-2012, a Novel, Long Acting G-CSF in Patients with Breast Cancer
On January 29, 2016 Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NasdaqGS: SPPI), a biotechnology company with fully integrated commercial and drug development operations and a primary focus in Hematology and Oncology, reported the Company has initiated the planned registrational trial for SPI-2012 (eflapegrastim), its novel, long-acting G-CSF (Press release, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, JAN 29, 2016, View Source [SID:1234508908]). This trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of SPI-2012 as a treatment for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients with breast cancer, and will serve as the basis for the Biologics License Application (BLA) filing.
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"The initiation of the registration trial for SPI-2012 is a significant milestone in the history of our company," said Rajesh C. Shrotriya, MD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals. "Revenues from our current marketed drugs have helped us invest in this exciting technology that opens the door for us to a blockbuster oncology market. In parallel, Spectrum has built a strong commercial infrastructure with specialized expertise in this indication that positions us well to aggressively compete in this market."
"I am excited to be the lead investigator for this important study, and about the potency and safety of SPI-2012 as demonstrated in Phase 2," said Lee S. Schwartzberg, M.D., FACP Professor of Medicine and Division Chief, Hematology Oncology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and Executive Director, UT/West Cancer Center. "The LAPSCOVERY technology confers long-acting properties and increased bone marrow uptake through decreased renal and vascular clearance, as well as Fc-mediated transport of G-CSF. We look forward to a successfully conducted Phase 3 trial of SPI-2012. I believe this novel biologic drug, if approved, would be a very valuable addition to our supportive care armamentarium for cancer patients receiving myelosuppressive cytotoxic chemotherapy."
"SPI-2012 is a third generation agent for the treatment of neutropenia that has shown promising results in Phase 2 trials," said, Jeffrey L. Vacirca, M.D., FACP CEO, Managing Partner & Chief of Clinical Research at North Shore Hematology/Oncology Associates and Vice-President, Community Oncology Alliance. "In the Phase 2 trial, the duration of severe neutropenia was equivalent to pegfilgrastim at the medium dose and superior at the high dose. No new or significant dose-related toxicities have been observed in over 230 patients who have been treated with SPI-2012, and the incidence of adverse events has been similar to pegfilgrastim."
In accordance with the SPA, this registrational, Phase 3 or ADVANCE study (RAnDomized Trial of SPI-2012 Versus Pegfilgrastim in the Management of Chemotherapy Induced Neutropenia in Breast CANCEr Patients Receiving Docetaxel and Cyclophosphamide) is a multicenter, randomized, active controlled trial that will enroll 580 newly diagnosed early-stage breast cancer patients, who will receive adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy every 21 days. Adjuvant chemotherapy is treatment given after primary surgical therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells and increase the chance of long-term disease-free survival; neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the administration of cytotoxic agents before surgical resection in early-stage breast cancer to shrink the tumor and potentially allow for breast-conserving surgery. SPI-2012 will be administered subcutaneously as a fixed dose equivalent to 3.6 mg of GCSF, which was selected based on the robust pharmacological and pharmacodynamic data from Phase 2. The primary study endpoint is the Duration of Severe Neutropenia (Absolute Neutrophil Counts [ANC] < 0.5×109/L) in Cycle 1 of chemotherapy, based on central laboratory assessment of ANC over the 21 day cycle. Secondary endpoints include the incidence of neutropenic complications, incidence of Febrile Neutropenia, Relative Dose Intensity, and safety.
About Special Protocol Assessments
A Special Protocol Assessment is a written agreement between a Sponsor and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the design, execution and analysis for a clinical trial that may form the basis of a new Biologics License Application or BLA. Final marketing approval depends upon the efficacy results, safety profile and an evaluation of the risk/benefit of treatment demonstrated in the Phase 3 clinical program.
About Breast Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women after skin cancer, and the second highest cause of female cancer deaths after lung cancer. Unfortunately, it is estimated that about 1 in 8 (12%) of women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. In 2015 in the United States (US), an estimated 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 60,290 additional cases of in situ breast cancer will be diagnosed, and approximately 40,290 US women are expected to die from breast cancer. In addition, ~2,350 men are also expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 with an estimated 440 deaths.
8-K – Current report
On January 29, 2016 ImmunoGen, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMGN), a biotechnology company that develops targeted anticancer therapeutics using its proprietary ADC technology, reported financial results for the three-month period ended December 31, 2015 — the second quarter of the Company’s 2016 fiscal year (Filing, 8-K, ImmunoGen, JAN 29, 2016, View Source [SID:1234508907]). ImmunoGen also provided an update on product programs and reiterated its 2016 fiscal year guidance.
"ImmunoGen is off to a strong start for 2016, with multiple clinical trial initiations underway," commented Daniel Junius, President and CEO. "Of particular importance is the opening of our FORWARD I trial assessing mirvetuximab soravtansine as single-agent therapy for pretreated FRα-positive ovarian cancer, which we believe is the fastest path to registration for this promising ADC. We expect several presentations of mirvetuximab soravtansine data in 2016, including mature results from the 40-patient FRα-positive ovarian cancer Phase 1 cohort."
Mr. Junius continued, "Our partners also are making meaningful progress. Of particular note is Bayer’s initiation of a Phase 2 trial designed to support registration of its anetumab ravtansine product candidate. Roche expects data to be reported from its trial assessing Kadcyla in the neoadjuvant setting this year and — if positive — to bring these to regulatory authorities for potential filing in 2016. A third partner compound is on track to advance into registration testing later this year."
Update on Wholly Owned Product Programs
Mirvetuximab soravtansine — First FRα-targeting ADC is a potential new treatment for ovarian cancer and other FRα-positive solid tumors.
· Assessments as single-agent therapy for pretreated FRα-positive ovarian cancer:
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· Updated Phase 1 findings were presented at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC meeting in November for the dataset reported at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) in May (abstracts #C47 and #5518, respectively). These included that 35% (7/20) of patients with FRα-positive platinum-resistant disease treated had a confirmed objective response, with most (6/7) responders on mirvetuximab soravtansine for 6 months or longer. This compares with ImmunoGen’s target response rate of 30% or more to advance the ADC as monotherapy. Most of the patients and all of the responders had high or medium FRα levels on their tumors.
· Patient enrollment is open for the Company’s FORWARD I Phase 2 trial, which is designed to support an Accelerated Approval pathway for mirvetuximab soravtansine. FORWARD I is being conducted in partnership with the GOG Foundation, Inc. To qualify for enrollment, patients must have ovarian cancer with high or medium FRα expression that was previously treated with 3 or 4 regimens.
· Patient enrollment was completed in 4Q2015 in the 20-patient Phase 1 expansion cohort requiring biopsies. The Company intends to present initial biomarker data from this assessment at a medical meeting in 2Q2016 in addition to reporting mature data from the 40-patient Phase 1 cohort in this disease at the meeting.
· Assessments as combination therapy for FRα-positive ovarian cancer:
· Encouraging preclinical data with a range of combination regimens were presented at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC meeting (abstract C170).
· In December, patient dosing began in the Phase 1b/2 trial, FORWARD II, assessing mirvetuximab soravtansine in combination with approved anticancer agents.
· Assessments for the treatment of other FRα-positive cancers:
· In 4Q2015, patient enrollment was completed in the 20-patient Phase 1 expansion cohort assessing the ADC for FRα-positive relapsed/refractory endometrial cancer. The Company expects to report findings from this assessment in 2H2016.
· Additional cancer types are being evaluated for FRα expression preclinically.
IMGN529 and coltuximab ravtansine — CD37- and CD19-targeting, respectively, ADCs for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and potentially other B-cell malignancies.
· Preclinical findings of strong synergy for IMGN529 used in combination with rituximab were reported at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) (abstract #1548) in December.
· Patient enrollment in a Phase 2 trial assessing IMGN529 in combination with rituximab is expected to begin early this year. Enrollment in a Phase 2 trial assessing coltuximab ravtansine in a different combination regimen is expected to begin in 2H2016.
IMGN779 — First CD33-targeting ADC utilizing an IGN cancer-killing agent. IGNs are a
new class of DNA-acting agents invented by ImmunoGen.
· Mechanism of action data were reported at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) (abstract #1366).
· ImmunoGen is preparing to initiate Phase 1 testing of IMGN779 for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in 1H2016.
Update on Partner Programs
Nine companies are advancing ADCs with ImmunoGen technology. Recent highlights include:
· Patient dosing has begun in Bayer’s global Phase 2 clinical trial designed to support registration of its mesothelin-targeting ADC, anetumab ravtansine. This event triggers a milestone payment to ImmunoGen that will be reflected in the Company’s 3QFY2016 financial results.
· Roche expects data from its KRISTINE trial assessing Kadcyla in the neoadjuvant setting for early HER2-positive breast cancer to be reported this year and, if positive, to bring these to regulatory authorities for potential filing in 2016.
· In December, Takeda took its first license for the exclusive right to develop ADCs to an undisclosed target using ImmunoGen technology.
· Also in December, CytomX announced it is advancing a novel anticancer agent targeting CD166 using its ProbodyTM technology and ImmunoGen’s ADC technology under a strategic collaboration established between the companies in early 2014.
Financial Results
For the Company’s quarter ended December 31, 2015 (2QFY2016), ImmunoGen reported a net loss of $(33.2) million, or $(0.38) per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $13.6 million, or $0.16 per basic and diluted share, for the same quarter last year (2QFY2015).
Revenues for 2QFY2016 were $18.0 million, compared to $48.3 million for 2QFY2015. The current period includes $8.6 million of amortization of upfront fees previously received from Takeda and the prior year period includes $41.4 million of amortization of upfront fees previously received from Novartis and Lilly. The fees are recognized in their respective quarters due to the partner taking one or more licenses in the quarter. License and milestone fees for 2QFY2016 also include a $2 million milestone earned from Sanofi with the advancement of SAR428926 into clinical testing. Revenues in 2QFY2016 include $6.3 million of non-cash royalty revenues and $0.2 million of cash royalty revenues on Roche sales of Kadcyla for the three-months ended September 30, 2015, compared with $4.6 million in cash royalty revenues for the prior year period.
Operating expenses in 2QFY2016 were $46.3 million, compared to $34.5 million in 2QFY2015. Operating expenses in 2QFY2016 include research and development expenses of $38.2 million, compared to $27.6 million in 2QFY2015. This change is primarily due to increased third-party costs related to the advancement of our wholly owned product candidates, increased clinical trial costs, primarily related to our expansion of the mirvetuximab soravtansine development program, and increased
personnel expenses, principally due to recent hiring. Operating expenses include general and administrative expenses of $8.1 million in 2QFY2016, compared to $6.9 million in 2QFY2015. This increase is primarily due to increased personnel expenses and professional services.
ImmunoGen had approximately $212.3 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2015, compared with $278.1 million as of June 30, 2015, and had no debt outstanding in either period. Cash used in operations was $63.0 million in the first six months of FY2016, compared with $34.4 million in the same period in FY2015. Capital expenditures were $7.6 million and $2.6 million for the first six months of FY2016 and FY2015, respectively.
Financial Guidance for Fiscal Year 2016
ImmunoGen’s financial guidance remains unchanged from that issued in July 2015. ImmunoGen expects: its revenues to be between $70 million and $80 million; its operating expenses to be between $175 million and $180 million; its net loss to be between $120 million and $125 million; its cash used in operations to be between $100 million and $105 million; and its capital expenditures to be between $13 million and $15 million. Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2016 are anticipated to be between $165 million and $170 million.