FDA Grants BAVENCIO® (avelumab) Approval for a Common Type of Advanced Bladder Cancer

On May 9, 2017 EMD Serono, the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, in the US and Canada, and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved BAVENCIO (avelumab) Injection for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy, or who have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy (Press release, Pfizer, MAY 9, 2017, View Source [SID1234518956]). BAVENCIO was previously granted accelerated approval from the FDA for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). These indications are approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response and duration of response. Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

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"This approval for BAVENCIO in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma exemplifies our unwavering commitment to finding new treatments for the most challenging cancers," said Luciano Rossetti, M.D., Executive Vice President, Global Head of Research & Development at the biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "Coming just a few weeks after the approval for metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma, we continue to demonstrate our ability to accelerate access to innovative medicines for patients in need."

"This approval builds on the ongoing clinical development program for BAVENCIO in urothelial carcinoma and reinforces our commitment to providing new medicines to patients with difficult-to-treat cancers," said Liz Barrett, Global President, Pfizer Oncology. "By drawing on the strength of the alliance, as well as Pfizer’s deep experience in genitourinary cancers, we believe BAVENCIO will be an important treatment option, and we hope it will help to improve outcomes for these patients."

Bladder cancer makes up approximately 90% of urothelial carcinomas and is the sixth most common cancer in the US.2,3 When the disease has metastasized, the five-year survival rate is approximately 5%.4 Despite advances in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, the prognosis for patients remains poor and more treatment options are needed.2

"Once urothelial carcinoma progresses after treatment with chemotherapy, the five-year survival rate is alarmingly low," said Dr. Andrea Apolo, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, US. "Until recently, there had been limited innovation in urothelial carcinoma, and this approval gives us another treatment to help battle this aggressive disease."

The efficacy and safety of BAVENCIO was demonstrated in the urothelial carcinoma cohorts (N=242) of the JAVELIN Solid Tumor trial, a Phase I, open-label, single-arm, multicenter study of BAVENCIO in the treatment of various solid tumors. The urothelial carcinoma cohorts enrolled patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy or who had disease progression within 12 months of treatment with a platinum-containing neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy regimen. These data will be presented at an upcoming medical congress.

The warnings and precautions for BAVENCIO include immune-mediated adverse reactions (such as pneumonitis, hepatitis, colitis, endocrinopathies, nephritis and renal dysfunction and other adverse reactions), infusion-related reactions and embryo-fetal toxicity. The most common adverse reactions (reported in at least 20% of patients) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma were fatigue (41%), infusion-related reaction (30%), musculoskeletal pain (25%), nausea (24%), decreased appetite/hypophagia (21%) and urinary tract infection (21%).1 For more information, please see Important Safety Information for BAVENCIO below.

BAVENCIO is designed to potentially engage both the adaptive and innate immune systems. By binding to PD-L1, BAVENCIO is thought to prevent tumor cells from using PD-L1 for protection against white blood cells, such as T cells, exposing them to anti-tumor responses.1 BAVENCIO has also been shown to induce antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in vitro.1

The alliance is committed to providing industry-leading patient access and reimbursement support through its CoverOne program. This program provides a spectrum of patient access and reimbursement support services intended to help patients receive appropriate access to BAVENCIO in the United States. CoverOne may be reached by phone at 844-8COVER1 (844-826-8371) or online at www.CoverOne.com.

About Urothelial Carcinoma Cohorts in JAVELIN Solid Tumor Trial The efficacy and safety of BAVENCIO was demonstrated in the urothelial carcinoma cohorts of the JAVELIN Solid Tumor trial, a Phase I, open-label, single-arm, multicenter study that included 242 patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma with disease progression on or after platinum- containing chemotherapy or who had disease progression within 12 months of treatment with a platinum-containing neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy regimen who were treated with BAVENCIO.

Patients with active or a history of central nervous system metastasis; other malignancies within the last five years; an organ transplant; conditions requiring therapeutic immune suppression; or active infection with HIV, hepatitis B or C were excluded. Patients with autoimmune disease, other than type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, psoriasis, or thyroid disease that did not require immunosuppressive treatment, were excluded. Patients were included regardless of their PD-L1 status. Patients received BAVENCIO at a dose of 10 mg/kg intravenously over 60 minutes every two weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Tumor response assessments were performed every six weeks, as assessed by an Independent Endpoint Review Committee (IERC) using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1. Efficacy outcome measures included confirmed overall response rate, (ORR) and duration of response (DOR). Efficacy measures were evaluated in patients who were followed for a minimum of both 13 weeks and 6 months at the time of data cut-off.

Out of the total 226 patients evaluable for efficacy, 44% had non-bladder urothelial carcinoma, including 23% of patients with upper tract disease; 83% of patients had visceral metastases; 34% of patients had liver metastases. Nine patients (4%) had disease progression following prior platinum-containing neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy only. Forty-seven percent of patients only received prior cisplatin-based regimens, 32% received only prior carboplatin-based regimens, and 20% received both cisplatin and carboplatin-based regimens.

The international clinical development program for avelumab, known as JAVELIN, involves more than 30 clinical programs, including nine Phase III trials, and more than 5,200 patients across more than 15 tumor types.

In December 2015, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer announced the initiation of a Phase III multicenter, multinational, randomized, open-label, parallel-arm study (JAVELIN Bladder 100) of BAVENCIO plus best supportive care versus best supportive care alone as a maintenance treatment in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma whose disease did not progress after completion of first-line platinum-containing chemotherapy. This trial is currently enrolling patients.

For more information about JAVELIN trials, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.

For full prescribing information and medication guide for BAVENCIO, please see www.BAVENCIO.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION and INDICATIONS

BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis, including fatal cases. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of pneumonitis and evaluate suspected cases with radiographic imaging. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater pneumonitis. Withhold BAVENCIO for moderate (Grade 2) and permanently discontinue for severe (Grade 3), life-threatening (Grade 4), or recurrent moderate (Grade 2) pneumonitis. Pneumonitis occurred in 1.2% (21/1738) of patients, including one (0.1%) patient with Grade 5, one (0.1%) with Grade 4, and five (0.3%) with Grade 3.

BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated hepatitis, including fatal cases. Monitor patients for abnormal liver tests prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater hepatitis. Withhold BAVENCIO for moderate (Grade 2) immune-mediated hepatitis until resolution and permanently discontinue for severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) immune-mediated hepatitis. Immune-mediated hepatitis was reported in 0.9% (16/1738) of patients, including two (0.1%) patients with Grade 5 and 11 (0.6%) with Grade 3.

BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated colitis. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of colitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater colitis. Withhold BAVENCIO until resolution for moderate or severe (Grade 2 or 3) colitis and permanently discontinue for life-threatening (Grade 4) or recurrent (Grade 3) colitis upon re-initiation of BAVENCIO. Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 1.5% (26/1738) of patients, including seven (0.4%) with Grade 3.

BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated endocrinopathies, including adrenal insufficiency, thyroid disorders, and type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency during and after treatment, and administer corticosteroids as appropriate. Withhold BAVENCIO for severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency was reported in 0.5% (8/1738) of patients, including one (0.1%) with Grade 3.

Thyroid disorders can occur at any time during treatment. Monitor patients for changes in thyroid function at the start of treatment, periodically during treatment, and as indicated based on clinical evaluation. Manage hypothyroidism with hormone replacement therapy and hyperthyroidism with medical management. Withhold BAVENCIO for severe (Grade 3) or life- threatening (Grade 4) thyroid disorders. Thyroid disorders including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroiditis were reported in 6% (98/1738) of patients, including three (0.2%) with Grade 3.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus including diabetic ketoacidosis: Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Withhold BAVENCIO and administer anti-hyperglycemics or insulin in patients with severe or life-threatening (Grade ≥ 3) hyperglycemia, and resume treatment when metabolic control is achieved. Type 1 diabetes mellitus without an alternative etiology occurred in 0.1% (2/1738) of patients, including two cases of Grade 3 hyperglycemia.

BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated nephritis and renal dysfunction. Monitor patients for elevated serum creatinine prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater nephritis. Withhold BAVENCIO for moderate (Grade 2) or severe (Grade 3) nephritis until resolution to Grade 1 or lower. Permanently discontinue BAVENCIO for life-threatening (Grade 4) nephritis. Immune-mediated nephritis occurred in 0.1% (1/1738) of patients.

BAVENCIO can result in other severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions involving any organ system during treatment or after treatment discontinuation. For suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, evaluate to confirm or rule out an immune-mediated adverse reaction and to exclude other causes. Depending on the severity of the adverse reaction, withhold or permanently discontinue BAVENCIO, administer high-dose corticosteroids, and initiate hormone replacement therapy if appropriate. Resume BAVENCIO when the immune-mediated adverse reaction remains at Grade 1 or lower following a corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue BAVENCIO for any severe (Grade 3) immune-mediated adverse reaction that recurs and for any life-threatening (Grade 4) immune-mediated adverse reaction. The following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred in less than 1% of 1738 patients treated with BAVENCIO: myocarditis with fatal cases, myositis, psoriasis, arthritis, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, pemphigoid, hypopituitarism, uveitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and systemic inflammatory response.

BAVENCIO can cause severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) infusion-related reactions. Patients should be premedicated with an antihistamine and acetaminophen prior to the first 4 infusions and for subsequent doses based upon clinical judgment and presence/severity of prior infusion reactions. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infusion-related reactions, including pyrexia, chills, flushing, hypotension, dyspnea, wheezing, back pain, abdominal pain, and urticaria. Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion for mild (Grade 1) or moderate (Grade 2) infusion-related reactions. Permanently discontinue BAVENCIO for severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) infusion-related reactions. Infusion-related reactions occurred in 25% (439/1738) of patients, including three (0.2%) patients with Grade 4 and nine (0.5%) with Grade 3.

BAVENCIO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise patients of the potential risk to a fetus including the risk of fetal death. Advise females of childbearing potential to use effective contraception during treatment with BAVENCIO and for at least 1 month after the last dose of BAVENCIO. It is not known whether BAVENCIO is excreted in human milk. Advise a lactating woman not to breastfeed during treatment and for at least 1 month after the last dose of BAVENCIO due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants.

The most common adverse reactions (all grades, ≥ 20%) in patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) were fatigue (50%), musculoskeletal pain (32%), diarrhea (23%), nausea (22%), infusion-related reaction (22%), rash (22%), decreased appetite (20%), and peripheral edema (20%).

Selected treatment-emergent laboratory abnormalities (all grades, ≥ 20%) in patients with metastatic MCC were lymphopenia (49%), anemia (35%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (34%), thrombocytopenia (27%), and increased alanine aminotransferase (20%).

The most common adverse reactions (all grades, ≥ 20%) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (UC) were fatigue (41%), infusion-related reaction (30%), musculoskeletal pain (25%), nausea (24%), decreased appetite/hypophagia (21%) and urinary tract infection (21%).

Selected laboratory abnormalities (grades 3-4, ≥ 3%) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC were hyponatremia (16%), gamma-glutamyltransferase increased (12%), lymphopenia (11%), hyperglycemia (9%), increased alkaline phosphatase (7%), anemia (6%), increased lipase (6%), hyperkalemia (3%), and increased aspartate aminotransferase (3%).

INDICATIONS

BAVENCIO is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).

BAVENCIO is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.

These indications are approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response and duration of response. Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.

Avelumab has not yet been approved for any indication in any market outside of the US. As announced on October 31, 2016, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has validated for review Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s Marketing Authorization Application for avelumab, for the proposed indication of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma.

About BAVENCIO (avelumab) BAVENCIO is a human programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody indicated in the US for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or who have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy, as well as for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma.1 These indications are approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response and duration of response. Continued approval for these indications is contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

BAVENCIO is not approved for any indication in any market outside the US.

Kancera announces approval for the start of clinical trial of KAND567

On May 9, 2017 Kancera reported that the Medical Ethics Committee (METC) at the University Medical Center in Groningen, The Netherlands, has approved the start of clinical Phase I study of KAND567 (Press release, Kancera, MAY 9, 2017, View Source [SID1234518949]). The first dose to humans will be given within the next few weeks.

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KAND567 works by blocking the Fractalkine system and has been demonstrated in preclinical disease models to effectively combat relapses in autoimmune disease as well as nerve inflammation and pain associated with chemotherapy against cancer.

In the clinical study KAND567 is administered orally to a total of 80 subjects, first in single doses and then in multiple doses. The purpose of the study is to evaluate KAND567 in healthy volunteers in terms of safety, tolerance and pharmacokinetics (drug absorption, exposure and excretion) as well as food interaction (how food affects the absorption of the drug in the body).

The study will be carried out at the QPS facility in Groningen. QPS is an internationally established contract research company that performs clinical studies, develops drug preparations and conducts laboratory analyses according to GLP and GCP quality standards (Good Laboratory Practice and Good Clinical Practice).

About the Fractalkine project
KAND567 is an orally available small molecule that blocks CX3CR1, the Fractalkine receptor. Fractalkine is an immune-modulating factor, a so-called chemokine, which transmits signals via the CX3CR1 receptor, thereby controlling the function of immune cells and cancer cells. The levels of Fractalkine molecules and CX3CR1 receptors have been shown to be elevated in several inflammatory diseases, in cancer and in chronic pain conditions.

Kancera’s drug candidate KAND567 is the most advanced drug candidate against CX3CR1 and has been shown to be effective against inflammation and pain in multiple preclinical disease models.

In the healthy individual, Fractalkine and its receptor, CX3CR1, regulate migration of immune cells from the blood capillary wall into areas where the immune system is needed. Animal studies show that Fractalkine’s receptor is not essential for survival and that important immune functions remain intact despite the lack of receptor. The basis for successful development of KAND567 lies in effectively addressing local inflammation while maintaining a healthy immune system.

In clinical trials, blocking of the Fractalkine system has been shown to have the desired effect against auto-immune diseases such as Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis in refractory patients. These studies have been conducted by the pharmaceutical company Eisai using a monoclonal antibody. The results of these studies indicate that the probability increases for the Kancera AB drug candidate KAND567 to achieve clinical and commercial success as the first small-molecule drug that works through the Fractalkine system to combat many common diseases.

Genomic Health Announces First Quarter 2017 Financial Results and Reports Recent Business Progress

On May 9, 2017 Genomic Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GHDX) reported financial results and business progress for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 (Filing, Q1, Genomic Health, 2017, MAY 9, 2017, View Source [SID1234518947]).

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Total revenue was $84.0 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared with $80.9 million in the first quarter of 2016, an increase of 4 percent.

U.S. product revenue was $70.6 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared with $70.5 million in the first quarter of 2016. U.S. invasive breast revenue was $64.8 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared with $64.1 million in the first quarter of 2016. U.S. prostate revenue was $3.3 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared with $2.6 million in the first quarter of 2016.

International product revenue was $13.4 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared with $10.4 million in the first quarter of 2016, an increase of 29 percent, and an increase of 33 percent on a constant currency basis.i

"Strong demand for our Oncotype tests in the first quarter of 2017 was due, in part, to growth across our U.S. prostate and global invasive breast business, including four percent sequential growth in U.S. invasive breast cancer. Importantly, for the seventh consecutive quarter, we delivered operating leverage and improved operating income by $6 million in the first quarter," said Kim Popovits, chairman of the board, chief executive officer and president of Genomic Health. "Additionally, last week Palmetto GBA issued a draft local coverage determination that recommends Medicare coverage expansion for the Oncotype DX Genomic Prostate Score to include intermediate-risk patients. Reimbursement progress remains a critical growth driver as we aim to deliver double-digit revenue growth in the second half of the year with continued profitability improvement."

Operating loss for the first quarter of 2017 improved to $2.8 million, compared with $8.8 million for the first quarter of 2016. Net loss was $0.8 million, or 2 cents per share, for the first quarter of 2017, compared with a net loss of $6.4 million, or 19 cents per share, for the first quarter of 2016. Basic and diluted net loss per share was $0.02 for the first quarter of 2017, compared with a basic and diluted net loss per share of $0.19 for the first quarter of 2016.

More than 31,580 Oncotype test results were delivered in the first quarter of 2017, an increase of 7 percent, compared with more than 29,510 test results delivered in the same period in 2016. Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score tests delivered in the U.S. grew 1 percent and Oncotype DX Genomic Prostate Score tests delivered in the U.S. grew 40 percent compared with the prior year. International tests delivered grew 17 percent compared with the prior year and represented approximately 25 percent of total test volume in the first quarter of 2017.

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities at March 31, 2017 were $94.4 million, compared with $87.7 million at December 31, 2016 excluding the fair value of the company’s investment in a marketable security of $9.3 million.

Recent Business Highlights

· Palmetto GBA, a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) that assesses molecular diagnostic technologies, issued a draft local coverage determination (LCD) for the Oncotype DX Genomic Prostate Score (GPS) expanding Medicare coverage to include qualified patients with favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer throughout the United States.

· Presented results from four studies evaluating the clinical validation and utility of the GPS in the management of early-stage prostate cancer at the 2017 Genitourinary (GU) Cancers Symposium. Collectively, these new data highlight the test’s ability to predict disease aggressiveness and refine risk stratification across National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) clinical risk groups.

· Presented results from a large multi-center clinical validation study that used a longitudinal patient database from Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region demonstrating that the GPS predicts 10-year risk of developing metastatic prostate cancer. Designated one of the ‘Best Posters’ at the 32nd Annual European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress, results highlight the expanded value of the test in assessing risk and long-term outcomes in newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients.

· Later this week, additional results from the Kaiser validation study, which also analyzed the GPS performance in predicting prostate cancer-specific death, will be presented at the American Urological Association (AUA) 2017 Annual Meeting.

· Three additional Oncotype DX GPS studies demonstrating prospective and additional clinical utility, including persistence on active surveillance, will also be presented at AUA.

· The German Association of Gynecological Oncology’s (AGO’s) updated treatment guidelines reconfirm Oncotype DX with the highest 1A level of evidence and recognize it as the only multi-gene



breast cancer test available to predict chemotherapy benefit for women with early-stage, hormone-receptor positive, HER2-negative invasive breast cancer.

· Established an agreement with an additional German public health insurance fund, covering 2.5 million lives, to begin offering Oncotype DX to early-stage breast cancer patients.

· Presented results at the 15th St. Gallen International Breast Cancer Conference from 15 Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score studies conducted in 12 countries that provide real-world evidence of the test’s ability to change treatment decisions for breast cancer patients.

· The journal Breast Cancer Research and Treatment published results from the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Registry, which demonstrated that many node-positive breast cancer patients can avoid chemotherapy based on their Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score.

· The Journal of Surgical Oncology published results from a multicenter trial, which demonstrated that the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score can guide neoadjuvant therapy to help facilitate breast-conserving surgery for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients.

· Received acceptance to present eight Oncotype DX studies at the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in June.

Conference Call Details

To access the live conference call today, May 9 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time via phone, please dial (877) 303-7208 from the United States and Canada or +1 (224) 357-2389 internationally. The conference ID is 10366777. Please dial in approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the call. To access the live and subsequently archived webcast of the conference call, go to the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at View Source Please connect to the web site at least 15 minutes prior to the call to allow for any software download that may be necessary.

Foundation Medicine Announces 2017 First Quarter Results and Recent Highlights

On May 9, 2017 Foundation Medicine, Inc. (NASDAQ:FMI) reported financial and operating results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2017 (Press release, Foundation Medicine, MAY 9, 2017, View Source [SID1234518946]). Results and business highlights for the quarter included:

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Reported 13,933 clinical tests in the first quarter, 55% year-over-year growth;
Reported first quarter revenue of $26.3 million which included payment for FoundationOne for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) under a Local Coverage Determination (LCD) by Palmetto GBA, the company’s Medicare Administrative Contractor in North Carolina;
Announced a collaboration agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb in the area of immuno-oncology (IO). BMS will leverage FMI’s molecular information platform to identify predictive biomarkers across multiple tumor types in patients enrolled in clinical trials investigating BMS’ cancer immunotherapies;
Published 27 manuscripts in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals and delivered 37 podium and poster talks at various medical and scientific meetings; and,
Increased FoundationCORE, the company’s molecular information database, to more than 125,000 clinical cases.
"Foundation Medicine achieved several milestones this quarter that extend our leadership in molecular information, including strong growth in clinical volume, payment from Medicare and a collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb in the critical field of immuno-oncology," said Troy Cox, chief executive officer of Foundation Medicine. "Importantly, we believe we are on track to achieve our 2017 business objectives, including advancing our universal companion diagnostic assay through the FDA and CMS parallel review process to a decision during the second half of this year."

Foundation Medicine reported total revenue of $26.3 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $30.4 million in the first quarter of 2016. Total revenue declined year over year due to an expected decrease in first quarter biopharmaceutical revenue related to the timing of various research and development projects with its biopharma partners. Revenue from biopharmaceutical customers was $14.7 million in the first quarter of 2017 compared to $20.2 million in the first quarter of 2016. The results of 1,802 tests were reported to biopharmaceutical customers in this year’s first quarter.

Clinical revenue returned to year over year growth, partially driven by the receipt of Medicare payment for FoundationOne under Palmetto’s NSCLC LCD. Revenue from clinical testing in the first quarter of 2017 was $11.6 million, compared to $10.2 million in the first quarter of 2016.

The company reported 13,933 tests to clinicians in the first quarter of 2017, a 55% increase from the same quarter last year. This number includes 11,005 FoundationOne tests, 1,284 FoundationOne Heme tests, 1,355 FoundationACT tests, and 289 FoundationFocus CDxBRCA tests.

Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2017 were approximately $55.0 million compared with $36.5 million for the first quarter of 2016. The increase in operating expenses was partially driven by investments related to the development of the company’s universal companion diagnostic assay. Net loss was approximately $46.5 million in the first quarter of 2017, or a $1.31 loss per share. At March 31, 2017, the company held approximately $99.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.

2017 Outlook

Foundation Medicine’s business and financial outlook for 2017 remains unchanged:

The company expects 2017 revenue will be in the range of $135 million to $145 million.
The company expects to deliver between 53,000 and 56,000 clinical tests in 2017.
The company expects operating expenses will be in the range of $205 million and $215 million.
The company expects to advance its universal, pan-cancer companion diagnostic assay through the FDA and CMS Parallel Review process with a decision in the second half of 2017.
The company expects to expand upon reimbursement progress made in 2016 and drive additional coverage decisions for its CGP assays.

FibroGen Reports First Quarter 2017 Financial Results

On May 9, 2017 FibroGen, Inc. (NASDAQ:FGEN), a science-based biopharmaceutical company, reported financial results for the first quarter of 2017 and provided an update on the company’s recent developments (Press release, FibroGen, MAY 9, 2017, View Source [SID1234518945]).

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"This is an exciting time for FibroGen, as we prepare for an eventful second half of the year across our pipeline. In the third quarter of 2017, we anticipate reporting topline Phase 2 clinical trial results for pamrevlumab in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients, and we are preparing to complete submission of the roxadustat China NDA for the treatment of anemia in non-dialysis and dialysis CKD patients," said Thomas B. Neff, FibroGen’s Chief Executive Officer. "We are gratified by the support we received from new and current investors in our recent equity offering, which raised $115.1 million in net proceeds. This financing will support our plans to increase the number of studies and accelerate development in other anemia categories in China, including for roxadustat in anemias in certain oncology settings."

Recent Developments AND HIGHLIGHTS
U.S. Roxadustat for Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

The independent data safety monitoring board (DSMB) recommended in April that all trials continue with no modifications to current protocols.
On track to submit the NDA for roxadustat in the U.S. in 2018.
U.S. Roxadustat for Anemia in Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

Received approval from FDA to conduct Phase 3 study for the treatment of anemia in MDS. This study is planned to start in the third quarter of 2017.
China Roxadustat Anemia in CKD: Dialysis and Non-Dialysis

Positive Phase 3 results from two pivotal trials in China were announced on January 30, 2017.
On target for NDA submission in China in the third quarter of 2017.
China Roxadustat for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

Received approval from the CFDA to undertake a Phase 2/3 study for the treatment of anemia in MDS. We plan to start this study in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Pamrevlumab in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

On track to report topline Phase 2 study results from a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, and a double-blind, active-controlled sub-study for the treatment of IPF in the third quarter of 2017.
Pamrevlumab in Pancreatic Cancer

Positive findings from an ongoing open-label, randomized Phase 1/2 study in locally advanced pancreatic cancer were presented at the 2017 Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in January.
Positive results from a prior Phase 1/2 trial were published online in January 2017 in the Journal of Cancer Clinical Trials.
Corporate and Financial Highlights

Net loss per basic and diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 was $0.52, as compared to $0.45 a year ago.
At March 31, 2017, FibroGen had $314.2 million of cash, restricted time deposits, cash equivalents, investments, and receivables.
In addition, we completed an equity financing on April 11, 2017 that generated $115.1 million in net proceeds.