On March 23, 2018 Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX, OTCQX: EPGNY), or the "Company", reported its financial results (according to IFRS) for the year ended December 31, 2017 (Press release, Epigenomics, MAR 23, 2018, View Source [SID1234525127]).

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KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Financial

Total revenue of EUR 1.9 million
EBITDA (before share-based payment expenses) loss of EUR 9.4 million
Liquidity of EUR 13.7 million (incl. marketable securities) at year-end following successful capital raises in 2017
Corporate

Voluntary takeover offer by Summit Hero Holding GmbH in 2017 highlighted inherent value of the Company’s products and technologies
Epigenomics AG gets CE-IVD mark for lung cancer test Epi proLung
First quarter 2018

U.S. Senators Capito and Heinrich introduce Bi-Partisan Colorectal Cancer Detection Bill aiming to provide coverage under the Medicare program for FDA-approved qualifying blood-based colorectal cancer screening tests
Greg Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer of Epigenomics, commented: "In 2017, we remained focused on our key priorities medical guideline inclusion and initial payor coverage for our innovative blood-based colon cancer test, Epi proColon, while maintaining high cost discipline in all company areas. In 2018, we expect to reach significant milestones with regard to Medicare payment and coverage for Epi proColon. The recent bipartisan legislative initiative by U.S. Senators Capito and Heinrich addresses payment as the last remaining barrier for Medicare patients associated with colon cancer screening. The passing of this bill provides to millions of underscreened rural Americans access to colon cancer screening and has the potential to ultimately save thousands of lives."

Financial results

In 2017, Epigenomics’ total revenue decreased to EUR 1.9 million (2016: EUR 4.2 million). In the previous year, our U.S. commercialization partner had initially stocked up on inventories of Epi proColon following the product’s FDA approval. Revenue of about EUR 1.3 million was generated through licensing income, product sales were at EUR 0.5 million.
Total operating costs decreased to EUR 13.2 million (2016: EUR 17.3 million). Research and development costs decreased to EUR 4.3 million (2016: EUR 5.1 million). Selling, general and administrative costs decreased to EUR 8.0 million (2016: EUR 10.2 million).
Operating loss (EBIT) in 2017 decreased to EUR -10.3 million (2016: EUR -12.3 million). Net loss for the year decreased to EUR 10.2 million (2016: EUR 11.2 million) and loss per share decreased to EUR 0.44 (2016: EUR 0.55).
Cash consumption in 2017 decreased to EUR 10.1 million (2016: EUR 13.7 million). Net cash inflows from financing activities reached EUR 11.5 million in 2017 (2016: EUR 17.4 million), net cash flow was at EUR 1.4 million (2016: EUR 3.8 million).
The Company’s liquidity (incl. marketable securities) at year-end 2017 was EUR 13.7 million (Dec 31, 2016: EUR 12.3 million).
Outlook 2018

Revenue

Our business projections for 2018 are based mainly on the commercialization of Epi proColon in the U.S.A. The commercialization of this product depends primarily on securing reimbursement from public and private health insurers. Prior to the entry into force of a reimbursement decision we expect only a slight increase in product revenue in 2018.
Overall, we expect that revenue will increase but will remain on low levels, ranging between EUR 2.0 million and EUR 4.0 million.
EBITDA

We anticipate that EBITDA before share-based payment expenses will be in a range EUR -11.5 million and EUR -14.0 million in 2018.
Cash consumption

Based on our business plans for 2018, we expect cash consumption in line with our EBITDA before share-based payment expenses guidance.
We ended the 2017 fiscal year with EUR 13.7 million in cash and marketable securities. While current financial resources are sufficient at our projected cash consumption to support the Company’s operations beyond 2018, we will raise additional capital if necessary in 2018.
The forecast cash consumption is based on our assumption that the convertible notes maturing as of December 31, 2018 will be converted with no adverse effect on liquidity, or will be extended.
Further Information

The annual report 2017 can be downloaded from Epigenomics’ website at:
View Source

Conference call for analysts and investors

The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 2.30 pm CET / 9.30 am EDT, today. The webcast can be accessed on the Company’s website: View Source

The dial-in numbers for the conference call are:

Dial-in number within Germany: +49 30 233225798

Dial-in number within the UK: +44 20 3872 0880

Dial-in number within the U.S.A.: +1 516-269-8974

Participants are kindly requested to dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

An audio replay of the conference call will be provided on Epigenomics’ website subsequently.

On March 23, 2018 -Oragenics, Inc. (NYSE American: OGEN), a leader in the development of new antibiotics against infectious diseases and effective treatments for oral mucositis, reported that it has completed enrollment of the interim analysis cohort of 20 patients in its Phase 2 clinical trial of AG013 for the treatment of oral mucositis (OM) (Press release, , 23 23, 2018, View Source [SID1234524965]).

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"We are very excited to complete this enrollment milestone for our Phase 2 trial of AG013 for oral mucositis, one of the most common and debilitating complications of chemo-radiation therapies. With no approved convenient preventative treatment, oral mucositis represents a serious unmet need for cancer patients receiving treatment on an outpatient basis," said Alan Joslyn, Oragenics’ President and Chief Executive Officer. "After we complete this treatment phase and evaluate the safety of the initial 20 patients enrolled in the trial, we intend on expanding the trial in the United States and Europe to complete study enrollment. We expect to report preliminary data on the initial 20 enrolled patients during the second quarter of 2018 with top-line results of the trial expected in 2019."

The purpose of the Phase II study (NCT03234465) is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of topically administered AG013 compared to placebo for reducing Oral Mucositis (OM) in patients undergoing chemoradiation for the treatment of head and neck cancer, as measured by the duration, time to development, and overall incidence of OM (WHO scale used) during the active treatment phase, beginning from the start of chemoradiation therapy (CRT) until 2 weeks following its completion.

The Phase II trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-arm, multi-center trial in which subjects will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either placebo or AG013. AG013 is a mouth rinse formulation of Lactococcus lactis strain sAGX0085, deficient in the gene coding for thymidylate synthase and producing human TFF1 (Trefoil Factor 1). Approximately 200 subjects will be enrolled in the study. An initial cohort of 10 patients that received AG013 is included in the 20 patients enrolled to date.

Safety will be evaluated on the basis of treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs), vital signs, weight, physical examinations, clinical laboratory assessments and the presence of AG013-sAGX0085 in whole blood. Tolerability (taste, consistency and smell) will be collected from the patient diary.

In a Phase 1B study the efficacy analysis suggested a 35% reduction in percentage of days with UOM in AG013-subjects versus placebo. All placebo subjects experienced 2 days of UOM, whereas 29% of AG013 subjects had UOM for 0 or 1 day. AG013 use resulted in fewer unscheduled office and emergency room visits. No differences were noted in mouth and throat soreness, opioid use, or gastrostomy tube placement.

In terms of safety and dosing, Oral live AG013 bacterial and hTFF1 levels in saliva and oral mucosa were equivalent among treatment groups. The most frequently occurring adverse events were nausea, oral pain, fatigue, diarrhea, and mucosal inflammation. Only 12% (3 of 25 adverse events), mainly nausea, were attributed to the investigational medicinal product: AG013 or placebo. Importantly, AG013 bacteria were not detected in blood.

AG013 is an ActoBiotics therapeutic candidate formulated as a convenient oral rinsing solution and designed by our strategic collaboration partner ActoBio Therapeutics, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Intrexon Corporation (NYSE: XON) to deliver the therapeutic molecule Trefoil Factor 1 to the mucosal tissues in the oral cavity. Trefoil Factors are a class of peptides involved in the protection of gastrointestinal tissues against mucosal damage and play an important role in subsequent repair. AG013 received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2016.

Under an Exclusive Channel Collaboration Agreement with ActoBio Therapeutics, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Intrexon Corporation , Oragenics has an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize AG013 to treat OM in cancer patients.

On March 23, 2018 IntelGenx Technologies Corp. (TSX VENTURE:IGX) (OTCQX:IGXT) reported that it will release its fourth quarter and full year 2017 financial results after market close on March 29, 2018 (Press release, IntelGenx, MAR 23, 2018, View Source;Conference-Call-to-Follow/default.aspx [SID1234524964]).

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An accompanying conference call will be hosted by Dr. Horst G. Zerbe, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Andre Godin, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, to discuss the results and provide a business update. Details of the conference call and webcast are below:

Date: Thursday, March 29, 2018

Time: 4:30 p.m. EDT

Conference dial-in: (833) 211-3233

International dial-in: (647) 689-3955

Conference ID: 6786519

Webcast Registration: Click here

Following the live call, a replay will be available on the Company’s website, www.intelgenx.com, under "Investor Relations."

On March 23, 2018 – Clovis Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLVS) reported the initiation of an early access program in Europe for rucaparib for treatment and as maintenance therapy in recurrent ovarian cancer (Press release, Clovis Oncology, MAR 23, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2339489 [SID1234524963]). The program will be overseen and implemented by Caligor Coghlan, which specializes in early access to medicines.

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The program, to be known as the Rucaparib Access Program (RAP), will enable participation from certain countries in Europe, where permitted by applicable rules, procedures and regulatory authorities. The RAP protocol allows for rucaparib treatment of an individual patient with third-line or greater BRCA mutant epithelial, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal ovarian cancer who has platinum-sensitive disease and is unable to tolerate further platinum-based chemotherapy or has platinum-resistant disease and needs treatment with single agent rucaparib. The RAP protocol will also provide access to rucaparib for maintenance therapy of an individual patient with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who has received at least two prior platinum-based treatment regimens, has platinum-sensitive disease, and is in a complete or partial response to the most recent platinum-based regimen. In all cases, the patient must have a special clinical need that cannot be met by current licensed available medicines. Patients must be ineligible for Clovis’ ARIEL4 clinical trial or unable to access a participating ARIEL4 site to qualify for Clovis’ early access program.

Questions or inquiries regarding the RAP should be directed to [email protected].

About Rubraca (rucaparib)

Rubraca is an oral, small molecule inhibitor of PARP1, PARP2 and PARP3 being developed in ovarian cancer as well as several additional solid tumor indications. Studies open for enrollment or under consideration include ovarian, prostate, breast, gastroesophageal, pancreatic, lung and bladder cancers. Clovis holds worldwide rights for Rubraca.

In the United States, Rubraca is approved on an accelerated basis as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with deleterious BRCA mutation (germline and/or somatic) associated advanced ovarian cancer, who have been treated with two or more chemotherapies, and selected for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for Rubraca. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. In December 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the Company’s supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Rubraca for a second-line or later maintenance treatment indication in ovarian cancer based on the ARIEL3 data. The FDA granted Priority Review status to the application with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of April 6, 2018.

Rubraca is an unlicensed medical product outside of the U.S.

About Early Access Programs

Early Access Programs provide companies with a way to allow ethical access to their pre-license/unlicensed medicines to help patients with unmet medical needs. Access is provided in response to physician requests, in a fully compliant manner, where no alternative treatment options are available.

On March 23, 2018 Aradigm Corporation (NASDAQ: ARDM) (the "Company") reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017 (Press release, Aradigm, MAR 23, 2018, View Source [SID1234524961]).

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Fourth Quarter 2017 Results

The Company recorded $2.4 million in revenue in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared with $125,000 in revenue in the fourth quarter of 2016. The Company recognized $2.3 million in contract revenue – related party, $27,000 in government contract revenue and $71,000 in government grant revenue for the fourth quarter of 2017, as compared to $116,000 in government contract revenue and $9,000 in government grant revenue for the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase in revenue was from the Company’s adoption of ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and primarily resulted from regulatory submission services provided for the New Drug Application (NDA) filing.

Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $5.6 million, compared with total operating expenses of $7.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to lower research and development expenses because the Linhaliq Phase 3 clinical trials in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE) are complete. This decrease was offset by higher consulting expenses in support of the regulatory approval process and higher costs in general and administrative expenses related to stock compensation expense, bonus expense and corporate insurance expense.

The Company’s net loss for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $4.2 million, or $0.28 per share, compared with a net loss of $7.9 million, or $0.54 per share, for the same period in 2016. For the quarter ended December 31, 2017, the decrease in net loss resulted primarily from an increase in revenue of $2.2 million and a decrease in operating expenses of $1.6 million, partially offset by an increase in interest expense of $0.1 million.

Full Year Results

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $14.5 million, compared with revenues of $195,000 thousand in 2016. The Company recognized $14.1 million in contract revenue – related party, $268,000 in government contract revenue and $122,000 in government grant revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $40,000 in contract revenue – related party, $116,000 in government contract revenue and $39,000 in government grant revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in revenue was primarily from the Company’s adoption of ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which resulted in the recognition of $9.5 million in contract revenue – related party associated with regulatory submission and approval of services provided for the NDA filing combined with $4.5 million in contract revenue – related party from a change in estimated variable consideration associated with the $5 million regulatory milestone for the NDA filing allocated to performance obligations satisfied in the current or prior periods.

Total operating expenses for 2017 were $21.4 million, compared with total operating expenses of $30.2 million in 2016. Research and development expenses decreased by $10.6 million and general and administrative expenses increased by $1.8 million. The decrease in research and development expenses was due to lower contract manufacturing, contract testing and clinical trial costs because the Linhaliq Phase 3 clinical trials in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE) are complete. The decrease was offset by higher employee-related expenses, higher consulting, meeting and travel expenses in support of the Linhaliq regulatory process towards U.S. and European Union approvals for market authorization. The increase in general and administrative expenses of $1.8 million was primarily related to higher performance bonus expense, higher legal expense, higher corporate insurance expense, higher non-cash stock compensation expense and higher consulting expense.

The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $10.7 million, or $0.72 per share, compared with a net loss of $32.9 million, or $2.23 per share, in 2016. Net loss decreased primarily from an increase in revenue of $14.3 million, a decrease in operating spend of $8.8 million related to the completion of the Phase 3 clinical trials for Linhaliq in non-CF BE in the fourth quarter of 2016, a decrease in other expense of $0.6 million in 2017, offset by an increase in interest expense of $1.5 million related to the Note Financing.

Liquidity and Capital Resources and Related Matters

As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $7.1 million.

Aradigm received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the FDA regarding the New Drug Application (NDA) for Linhaliq as a treatment for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE) patients with chronic lung infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa).

The CRL states that the FDA has determined that it cannot approve the NDA in its present form and provides specific reasons for this action along with recommendations needed for resubmission; the areas of concern include clinical data, human factor validation study and product quality.

The Aradigm Board of Directors approved temporary measures on February 9, 2018 intended to preserve the Company’s cash resources. The cash preservation measures include the termination of the Amended and Restated Aradigm Corporation Executive Officer Severance Benefit Plan, the reduction of the annual base salary by 50% of certain executive officers and the reduction of the cash compensation paid to members of the Board for service on the Board and committees by 50%. Effective February 11, 2018 the three Senior Executive Officers resigned all offices and positions; the Board appointed Dr. John Siebert as the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer.

"We are pursuing potential alternatives to resolve our cash position in the short term as well as developing strategic options that would provide for our long term viability. We feel it is important to bring Linhaliq to commercialization in as many geographies as possible to allow patients suffering from NCFBE to get the benefits of Linhaliq. Patients, patient advocacy groups and key opinion leaders have expressed support as we work towards this goal. The MAA was filed in early March which is the first step in achieving regulatory approval in Europe," said John M. Siebert, PhD

About Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Non-CF BE is a severe, chronic and rare disease characterized by abnormal dilatation of the bronchi and bronchioles, frequently associated with chronic lung infections. It is often a consequence of a vicious cycle of inflammation, recurrent lung infections, and bronchial wall damage. Non-CF BE represents an unmet medical need with high morbidity and mortality that affects more than 150,000 people in the U.S. and over 200,000 people in Europe. There is currently no drug approved for the treatment of this condition.