On July 27, 2018 BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:BCRX) reported that its second quarter 2018 financial results will be reported on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 (Press release, BioCryst Pharmaceuticalsa, JUL 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234527928]).

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BioCryst will host a conference call and webcast at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss financial results and to provide an update regarding the Company’s clinical development programs. The call will be led by Jon P. Stonehouse, President & Chief Executive Officer, Thomas R. Staab II, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Lynne Powell, Senior Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, and Dr. Bill Sheridan, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer.

Links to a live audio webcast and replay of the presentation may be accessed on the BioCryst website events page at View Source

On July 27, 2018 AstraZeneca and MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, reported that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency has adopted a positive opinion, recommending a marketing authorisation of Imfinzi (durvalumab) for the treatment of locally-advanced, unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults whose tumours express PD-L1 on ≥1% of tumour cells and whose disease has not progressed following platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT) (Press release, AstraZeneca, JUL 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234527927]). The recommendation is based on the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) primary endpoints of the Phase III PACIFIC trial, and post-hoc subgroup analyses by PD-L1 expression requested by the CHMP.

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Sean Bohen, Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer at AstraZeneca, said: "The CHMP positive opinion brings European patients closer to having a treatment following chemoradiation therapy. There have been no new treatments in this setting for decades. With approximately a third of European non-small cell lung cancer patients presenting with this stage of disease, we are excited by this potential new standard of care in this curative-intent setting."

In the PACIFIC trial, Imfinzi demonstrated a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in PFS and OS in "all-comer" patients. The recommended label reflects most of the patients in the trial with a known PD-L1 status.

Overall survival results from the PACIFIC trial will be presented at a forthcoming medical meeting.

The positive opinion from the CHMP will now be reviewed by the European Commission, which has the authority to approve medicines for the 28 European Union member countries plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Earlier this year, Imfinzi was approved for unresectable, Stage III NSCLC in the US, Canada, Switzerland, India, Japan and Brazil based on the Phase III PACIFIC trial. In addition to the EU, other global health authority reviews and submissions are ongoing.

About Stage III NSCLC

Stage III (locally advanced) NSCLC is commonly divided into three sub-categories (IIIA, IIIB and IIIC), defined by how much the cancer has spread locally and the possibility of surgery. Stage III disease is different from Stage IV disease, when the cancer has spread (metastasised) to distant organs, as Stage III is currently treated with curative intent.

Stage III NSCLC represents approximately one-third of NSCLC incidence and was estimated to affect around 105,000 patients in the top-eight countries (China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, UK, US) in 2017. The majority of Stage III NSCLC patients are diagnosed with unresectable tumours. No new treatments beyond chemoradiation therapy, followed by active surveillance to monitor for progression, have been available to patients for decades.

About PACIFIC

The PACIFIC trial is a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multi-centre trial of Imfinzi as treatment in ‘all-comer’ patients (i.e. regardless of PD-L1 status) with unresectable, Stage III NSCLC whose disease has not progressed following platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT).

The trial is being conducted in 235 centres across 26 countries involving 713 patients. The primary endpoints of the trial are PFS and OS, and secondary endpoints include landmark PFS and OS, objective response rate, and duration of response.

About Imfinzi

Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to PD-L1 and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with PD-1 and CD80, countering the tumour’s immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.

Imfinzi is approved for unresectable, Stage III NSCLC in the US, Canada, Switzerland, India, and Japan based on the Phase III PACIFIC trial.

As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is also being tested as a monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, small molecules, and tremelimumab, an anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody, as a first or second-line treatment for patients with NSCLC, small cell lung cancer, locally-advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, head and neck cancer and other solid tumours.

About AstraZeneca in Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, accounting for about one-third of all cancer deaths.

AstraZeneca has a comprehensive portfolio of approved and potential new medicines in late-stage clinical development for the treatment of different forms of lung cancer across all stages of disease and lines of therapy. We aim to address the unmet needs of patients with EGFR-mutated tumours as a genetic driver of disease, which occur in 10-15% of NSCLC patients in the US and EU and 30-40% of NSCLC patients in Asia, with our approved medicines Iressa and Tagrisso and ongoing FLAURA, ADAURA and LAURA Phase III trials. Our extensive late-stage immuno-oncology programme focuses on 75-80% of patients with lung cancer without a known genetic mutation. The portfolio includes Imfinzi, an anti-PDL1 antibody, which is in development as monotherapy (ADJUVANT BR.31, PACIFIC2, MYSTIC and PEARL Phase III trials) and in combination with tremelimumab and/or chemotherapy (MYSTIC, NEPTUNE, POSEIDON and CASPIAN Phase III trials).

About AstraZeneca’s Approach to Immuno-Oncology (IO)

Immuno-Oncology (IO) is a therapeutic approach designed to stimulate the body’s immune system to attack tumours. At AstraZeneca and MedImmune, our biologics research and development arm, our IO portfolio is anchored by immunotherapies that have been designed to overcome anti-tumour immune suppression. We believe that IO-based therapies will offer the potential for life-changing cancer treatments for the clear majority of patients.

We are pursuing a comprehensive clinical trial programme that includes Imfinzi (anti-PDL1) as monotherapy and in combination with tremelimumab (anti-CTLA4) in multiple tumour types, stages of disease, and lines of therapy, using the PD-L1 biomarker as a decision-making tool to define the best potential treatment path for a patient. In addition, the ability to combine our IO portfolio with small, targeted molecules from across our Oncology pipeline, and with those of our research partners, may provide new treatment options across a broad range of tumours

On July 27, 2018 Array BioPharma Inc. (NASDAQ: ARRY) reported that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) adopted a positive opinion recommending approval of BRAFTOVI in combination with MEKTOVI for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAFV600 mutation (Press release, Array BioPharma, JUL 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234527926]). The CHMP recommendation will now be reviewed by the European Commission (EC), which has the authority to approve medicines for the European Union (EU). The final EC decision, expected by the end of September, will be applicable to all 28 EU member states, as well as Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway.

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"Following the recent U.S. FDA approval of BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI for advanced BRAF-mutant melanoma, we are pleased to move one step closer to European approval," said Ron Squarer, Chief Executive Officer. "We are proud that the combination of BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI represents a new standard of care for BRAF-mutant melanoma patients in critical need of additional treatment options."

The positive CHMP opinion is based on results from the Phase 3 COLUMBUS trial, which demonstrated that the combination BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI achieved a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of nearly 15 months [14.9 months versus vemurafenib monotherapy at 7.3 months; hazard ratio (HR) 0.54 (95% CI, 0.41–0.71), p<0.0001].

In June 2018, Array also announced updated results from the COLUMBUS trial, which demonstrated that BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI was the first targeted therapy to achieve over 30 months overall survival (OS) in a Phase 3 trial and reduced the risk of death compared to treatment with vemurafenib [HR (0.61), (95% CI 0.47-0.79, p <0.0001]. Median OS was 33.6 months for patients treated with the combination, compared to 16.9 months for patients treated with vemurafenib as a monotherapy.

The most common grade 3-4 adverse events seen in more than 5% of patients were increased gamma-glutamyltransferase (9%), increased blood creatine phosphokinase (7%) and hypertension (6%).

In the U.S., BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI are approved for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAFV600E or BRAFV600K mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test. BRAFTOVI is not indicated for treatment of patients with wild-type BRAF melanoma.

Only 5% of patients who received BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions. The most common adverse reactions (≥25%) in patients receiving BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI were fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and arthralgia.

Detailed recommendations for the use of these products will be described in the summary of product characteristics (SmPC), which will be published in the European public assessment report (EPAR) and made available in all official EU languages after the marketing authorization has been granted by the EC. Pierre Fabre has exclusive rights to commercialize both products in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

About BRAF-mutant Metastatic Melanoma
Melanoma develops when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells triggers mutations that may lead them to multiply and form malignant tumors. Metastatic melanoma is the most serious and life-threatening type of skin cancer and is associated with low survival rates. [1,2] There are a variety of gene mutations that can lead to metastatic melanoma. The most common genetic mutation in metastatic melanoma is BRAF. There are about 200,000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed worldwide each year, approximately half of which have BRAF mutations, a key target in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. [1-5]

About BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI
BRAFTOVI is an oral small molecule BRAF kinase inhibitor and MEKTOVI is an oral small molecule MEK inhibitor which target key enzymes in the MAPK signaling pathway (RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK). Inappropriate activation of proteins in this pathway has been shown to occur in many cancers including melanoma, colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, thyroid and others. In the U.S., BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI are approved for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAFV600E or BRAFV600K mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test. BRAFTOVI is not indicated for treatment of patients with wild-type BRAF melanoma.

Array has exclusive rights to BRAFTOVI and MEKTOVI in the U.S. and Canada. Array has granted Ono Pharmaceutical exclusive rights to commercialize both products in Japan and South Korea, Medison exclusive rights to commercialize both products in Israel and Pierre Fabre exclusive rights to commercialize both products in all other countries, including Europe, Asia and Latin America.

BRAFTOVI and MEKTOVI are not approved outside of the United States. The European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Swiss Medicines Agency (Swissmedic) and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) are currently reviewing the Marketing Authorization Applications, and the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) in Japan is currently reviewing the Manufacturing and Marketing Approval Applications for BRAFTOVI and MEKTOVI.

About COLUMBUS
The COLUMBUS trial (NCT01909453) is a two-part, international, randomized, open label Phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of BRAFTOVI (encorafenib) in combination with MEKTOVI (binimetinib) compared to vemurafenib and encorafenib monotherapy in 921 patients with locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic melanoma with BRAFV600 mutation. All secondary efficacy analyses, including overall survival, are descriptive in nature. Over 200 sites across North America, Europe, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia participated in the trial.

Indications and Usage
BRAFTOVI (encorafenib) and MEKTOVI (binimetinib) are kinase inhibitors indicated for use in combination for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAFV600E or BRAFV600K mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test.

Limitations of Use: BRAFTOVI is not indicated for the treatment of patients with wild-type BRAF melanoma.

BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI Important Safety Information
The information below applies to the safety of the combination of BRAFTOVI and MEKTOVI unless otherwise noted.

Warnings and Precautions
New Primary Malignancies: New primary malignancies, cutaneous and non-cutaneous malignancies can occur. In the COLUMBUS trial, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, including keratoacanthoma, occurred in 2.6% and basal cell carcinoma occurred in 1.6% of patients. Perform dermatologic evaluations prior to initiating treatment, every 2 months during treatment, and for up to 6 months following discontinuation of treatment. Discontinue BRAFTOVI for RAS mutation-positive non-cutaneous malignancies.

Tumor Promotion in BRAF Wild-Type Tumors: Confirm evidence of BRAFV600E or BRAFV600Kmutation prior to initiating BRAFTOVI.

Cardiomyopathy: In the COLUMBUS trial, cardiomyopathy occurred in 7% and Grade 3 left ventricular dysfunction occurred in 1.6% of patients. Cardiomyopathy resolved in 87% of patients. Assess left ventricular ejection fraction by echocardiogram or MUGA scan prior to initiating treatment, 1 month after initiating treatment, and then every 2 to 3 months during treatment. The safety has not been established in patients with a baseline ejection fraction that is either below 50% or below the institutional lower limit of normal.

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE): In the COLUMBUS trial, VTE occurred in 6% of patients, including 3.1% of patients who developed pulmonary embolism.

Hemorrhage: In the COLUMBUS trial, hemorrhage occurred in 19% of patients and ≥Grade 3 hemorrhage occurred in 3.2% of patients. Fatal intracranial hemorrhage in the setting of new or progressive brain metastases occurred in 1.6% of patients.

Ocular Toxicities: In the COLUMBUS trial, serous retinopathy occurred in 20% of patients; 8% were retinal detachment and 6% were macular edema. Symptomatic serous retinopathy occurred in 8% of patients with no cases of blindness. In patients with BRAF mutation-positive melanoma across multiple clinical trials, 0.1% of patients experienced retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Permanently discontinue MEKTOVI in patients with documented RVO. In COLUMBUS, uveitis, including iritis and iridocyclitis, was reported in 4% of patients. Assess for visual symptoms at each visit. Perform ophthalmic evaluation at regular intervals and for any visual disturbances.

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD): ILD, including pneumonitis, occurred in 0.3% of patients with BRAF mutation-positive melanoma across multiple clinical trials. Assess new or progressive unexplained pulmonary symptoms or findings for possible ILD.

Hepatotoxicity: In the COLUMBUS trial, the incidence of Grade 3 or 4 increases in liver function laboratory tests was 6% for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and 2.6% for aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Monitor liver laboratory tests before and during treatment and as clinically indicated.

Rhabdomyolysis: In the COLUMBUS trial, elevation of laboratory values of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) occurred in 58% of patients. Rhabdomyolysis was reported in 0.1% of patients with BRAF mutation-positive melanoma across multiple clinical trials. Monitor CPK periodically and as clinically indicated.

QTc Prolongation: In the COLUMBUS trial, an increase in QTcF to >500 ms was measured in 0.5% (1/192) of patients. Monitor patients who already have or who are at significant risk of developing QTc prolongation. Correct hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia prior to and during BRAFTOVI administration. Withhold, reduce dose, or permanently discontinue for QTc >500 ms.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: BRAFTOVI or MEKTOVI can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Nonhormonal contraceptives should be used during treatment and for at least 30 days after the final dose for patients taking BRAFTOVI + MEKTOVI.

Adverse Reactions
The most common adverse reactions (≥20%, all Grades, in the COLUMBUS trial) were: fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, arthralgia, myopathy, hyperkeratosis, rash, headache, constipation, visual impairment, serous retinopathy.

In the COLUMBUS trial, the most common laboratory abnormalities (≥20%, all Grades) included: increased creatinine, increased CPK, increased gamma glutamyl transferase, anemia, increased ALT, hyperglycemia, increased AST, and increased alkaline phosphatase.

Drug interactions
Avoid concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers and sensitive CYP3A4 substrates with BRAFTOVI. Modify BRAFTOVI dose if concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors cannot be avoided.

Please see full Prescribing Information for BRAFTOVI and full Prescribing Information for MEKTOVI for additional information. You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Array at 1-844-Rx-Array (1-844-792-7729).

On July 27, 2018 AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) reported that financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 (Press release, AbbVie, JUL 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234527925]).

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"We are extremely pleased with the strong momentum of our business in the quarter and progress year-to-date. We’ve driven strong commercial, operational and R&D execution, resulting in top- and bottom-line results once again ahead of our expectations," said Richard A. Gonzalez, chairman and chief executive officer, AbbVie. "This outstanding performance was driven by growth from several assets across our portfolio, including significant contributions from HUMIRA, IMBRUVICA, and MAVYRET. Based on our performance in the first half of the year and the tremendous confidence we have in our business, we are raising our full year 2018 EPS guidance for the third time."

Second-Quarter Results

Worldwide GAAP net revenues were $8.278 billion in the second quarter, up 19.2 percent year-over-year. Worldwide adjusted net revenues of $8.258 billion increased 17.1 percent on an operational basis, excluding a 1.8 percent favorable impact from foreign exchange.
Global HUMIRA sales increased 10.0 percent on a reported basis, or 8.2 percent operationally, excluding a 1.8 percent favorable impact from foreign exchange. In the U.S., HUMIRA sales grew 10.0 percent in the quarter. Internationally, HUMIRA sales grew 4.4 percent, excluding a 5.4 percent favorable impact from foreign exchange.
Second-quarter global IMBRUVICA net revenues were $850 million, with U.S. sales of $693 million and international profit sharing of $157 million for the quarter, reflecting growth of 35.6 percent.
Second-quarter global HCV net revenues were $973 million.
On a GAAP basis, the gross margin ratio in the second quarter was 76.6 percent. The adjusted gross margin ratio was 80.5 percent.
On a GAAP basis, selling, general and administrative expense was 21.3 percent of net revenues. The adjusted SG&A expense was 19.9 percent of net revenues.
On a GAAP basis, research and development expense was 16.0 percent of net revenues. The adjusted R&D expense was 15.3 percent, reflecting funding actions supporting all stages of our pipeline.
On a GAAP basis, the operating margin in the second quarter was 33.4 percent. The adjusted operating margin was 45.3 percent.
On a GAAP basis, net interest expense was $272 million. On a GAAP basis, the tax rate in the quarter was 1.5 percent. The adjusted tax rate was 9.0 percent.
Diluted EPS in the second quarter was $1.26 on a GAAP basis. Adjusted diluted EPS, excluding specified items, was $2.00, up 40.8 percent.
Recent Events

AbbVie, in cooperation with Neurocrine Biosciences, announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, under Priority Review, ORILISSA (elagolix) for the management of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis. ORILISSA represents the first FDA-approved oral treatment for the management of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis in over a decade and is expected to be available in U.S. retail pharmacies in early August 2018.
At the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting, AbbVie, in cooperation with Neurocrine Biosciences, presented new data highlighting the company’s research in endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Presentations for elagolix included long-term safety and efficacy data from two extension Phase 3 studies, as well as new data highlighting rescue analgesic use, fatigue scores, and pain burden from pivotal Phase 3 studies of elagolix in women with moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis. New data from a Phase 2b study highlighting the impact of elagolix on productivity in women with uterine fibroids was also presented.
AbbVie announced FDA approval, under Priority Review, of VENCLEXTA in combination with rituximab as a treatment for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), with or without 17p deletion, who have received at least one prior therapy. The approval is based on data from the Phase 3 MURANO trial, which demonstrated a significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) for relapsed/refractory (R/R) CLL patients, reducing the risk of disease progression or death by 81 percent when compared to bendamustine in combination with rituximab, a standard of care chemoimmunotherapy regimen. The FDA also approved expansion of the indication of VENCLEXTA as monotherapy for CLL or SLL patients, with or without 17p deletion, who have received one prior therapy. Outside of the U.S., regulatory submissions to and reviews with health authorities are underway. VENCLEXTA is being developed by AbbVie and Roche; it is jointly commercialized by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the U.S. and by AbbVie outside of the U.S.
AbbVie announced submission of a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) to the FDA for VENCLEXTA in combination with a hypomethylating agent (HMA) or in combination with low dose cytarabine (LDAC) for the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. VENCLEXTA has received two Breakthrough Therapy Designations from the FDA for combination treatments of patients with untreated AML not eligible for standard induction chemotherapy.
At the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) Annual Congress, AbbVie presented new data from several investigational studies of VENCLEXTA as monotherapy or in combination for the management of a number of difficult-to-treat blood cancers. Multiple studies investigating VENCLEXTA in CLL, AML, multiple myeloma (MM), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were presented, including results from a new analysis of undetectable minimal residual disease (uMRD) rates from the Phase 3 MURANO trial of VENCLEXTA in combination with rituximab in patients with R/R CLL.
At the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper), AbbVie presented data from studies evaluating IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) and VENCLEXTA across multiple hematologic malignancies, including positive data from the Phase 2 CAPTIVATE study evaluating IMBRUVICA in combination with VENCLEXTA in previously-untreated CLL/SLL patients. Also featured at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) were data from late-stage investigational products, including rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T), depatuxizumab mafodotin (Depatux-M) and veliparib, as well as data from early-stage investigational compounds, including ABBV-075 (Mivebresib) and ABT-165.
AbbVie announced the FDA has accepted for Priority Review a supplemental NDA for IMBRUVICA in combination with rituximab as a new treatment option for Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM), a rare and incurable form of blood cancer. The filing is based on data from the Phase 3 iNNOVATE study, which demonstrated a significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) with IMBRUVICA plus rituximab compared to rituximab alone. Patients taking IMBRUVICA plus rituximab also experienced an 80 percent reduction in relative risk of disease progression or death than those only treated with rituximab. If approved, the sNDA would expand the prescribing information of IMBRUVICA in WM beyond its current approved use as a single agent for all lines of therapy to include combination use with rituximab. Data from the Phase 3 iNNOVATE study was featured as an oral presentation at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper). IMBRUVICA is jointly developed and commercialized with Janssen Biotech, Inc.

AbbVie announced positive top-line results from the Phase 3 iLLUMINATE trial, which evaluated IMBRUVICA in combination with obinutuzumab in previously untreated CLL/SLL patients. The study met its primary endpoint for a clinically and statistically significant difference in PFS for patients treated with IMBRUVICA plus obinutuzumab versus those who received chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab. Regulatory submissions to health authorities are planned for the second half of 2018 based on iLLUMINATE results for this chemotherapy-free CD20 combination in first-line CLL.
AbbVie announced topline results from the Phase 3 PHOENIX trial (DBL3001) evaluating the investigational use of IMBRUVICA in the treatment of newly diagnosed non-Germinal Center B-cell (non-GCB) subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The DBL3001 study evaluated the addition of IMBRUVICA to a chemotherapy regimen consisting of five different agents used in combination – rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) – versus R-CHOP plus placebo. The DBL3001 study targeted a subtype of DLBCL disease that typically has poorer treatment outcomes. At the conclusion of the study, data collected found that IMBRUVICA plus R-CHOP, was not superior to R-CHOP alone, and that the study did not meet its primary endpoint of improving event-free survival (EFS) in the targeted patient population. Full results from this study will be submitted for presentation at a future medical meeting.

AbbVie announced positive top-line results from the Phase 3 SELECT-EARLY trial, which evaluated the company’s investigational oral JAK1-selective inhibitor, upadacitinib, as a monotherapy treatment compared to methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy in adult patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were MTX-naïve. The results showed that both once-daily doses of upadacitinib monotherapy (15mg and 30mg) met the primary endpoints of ACR50 at week 12 and clinical remission at week 24 versus MTX monotherapy. Additionally, all ranked secondary endpoints were met with both doses. Both doses of upadacitinib monotherapy also significantly inhibited radiographic progression (mTSS) from baseline at week 24 compared to MTX. The safety profile of upadacitinib was consistent with previously reported Phase 3 SELECT trials and Phase 2 studies, with no new safety signals detected. The company expects to submit regulatory applications in the fourth quarter of 2018.

AbbVie presented new patient-reported outcome data at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) from three Phase 3 trials evaluating upadacitinib in adult patients with moderate to severe RA. New data highlighted improvements in pain, physical function and morning joint stiffness after 12 weeks of treatment with upadacitinib (15 mg and 30 mg, once-daily) in SELECT-NEXT and SELECT-BEYOND and after 14 weeks of treatment in SELECT-MONOTHERAPY. Additionally, improvements were reported in fatigue and work instability in SELECT-NEXT and patients’ physical component of health-related quality of life in SELECT-NEXT and SELECT-BEYOND at 12 weeks. In SELECT-MONOTHERAPY, upadacitinib monotherapy demonstrated improvements in patients’ physical function and health-related quality of life, as well as reductions in the duration of morning joint stiffness compared to patients receiving methotrexate.

AbbVie submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the FDA and a marketing authorization application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for risankizumab for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The BLA and MAA are supported by data from the global risankizumab Phase 3 psoriasis program evaluating more than 2,000 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis across four pivotal Phase 3 studies: ultIMMa-1, ultIMMa-2, IMMhance and IMMvent. Risankizumab is being developed in collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim.
AbbVie announced a collaboration with Calibr, a nonprofit drug discovery division of Scripps Research, to develop T-cell therapies aimed primarily at cancer. Calibr’s novel cell therapy program is designed to enhance safety, versatility and efficacy through a proprietary modular "switchable" CAR-T cell that uses antibody-based switch molecules to control the activation and antigen specificity of CAR-T cells. Calibr’s proprietary technology may enable the development of universal CAR-T-based treatments across several types of hematological and solid tumor indications. This collaboration broadens AbbVie’s oncology research to access advanced precision medicine technology to expand the development of potentially life-changing treatments for patients with cancer.
AbbVie announced an extension of its collaboration with Calico, an Alphabet-backed life sciences company, to discover, develop and bring to market new therapies for patients with age-related diseases, including neurodegeneration and cancer. Working together with AbbVie, Calico is pursuing discovery-stage research and development. AbbVie provides scientific and clinical development support and will lend its commercial expertise to lead future development and commercialization activities. Since 2014, the collaboration between the two companies has produced more than two dozen early-stage programs addressing disease states across oncology and neuroscience and has yielded new insights into the biology of aging.
AbbVie announced patent license agreements with Mylan over its proposed biosimilar adalimumab product. Under the terms of the agreements, AbbVie will grant Mylan a non-exclusive license on specified dates to AbbVie’s intellectual property relating to HUMIRA in the United States and in various other countries around the world in which AbbVie has intellectual property, excluding Europe. Mylan’s U.S. license will begin on July 31, 2023. Mylan will pay royalties to AbbVie for licensing its HUMIRA patents once its biosimilar product is launched.
AbbVie made charitable contributions totaling $120 million in the second quarter. These donations are part of AbbVie’s plan to make an additional $350 million in charitable contributions to U.S. not-for-profit organizations in 2018. The contributions will provide AbbVie with the opportunity to support charities creating long-term impact in communities in need, including Puerto Rico, North Chicago and cities across America.
Full-Year 2018 Outlook

AbbVie is updating its GAAP diluted EPS guidance for the full-year 2018 to $6.47 to $6.57. AbbVie is raising its adjusted EPS guidance range for the full-year 2018 from $7.66 to $7.76 to $7.76 to $7.86. The midpoint of this guidance reflects year-over-year growth of 39.5 percent. The company’s 2018 adjusted diluted EPS guidance excludes $1.29 per share of intangible asset amortization expense, changes in the fair value of contingent consideration, a one-time net tax benefit related to the timing of the phase in of provisions of the U.S. tax reform legislation on certain subsidiaries, and other specified items.

AbbVie’s adjusted EPS guidance range reflects an effective tax rate approaching 9 percent in 2018. In 2018, AbbVie will experience a one-time net tax benefit related to the timing of the phase in of provisions of the new legislation on certain subsidiaries. This benefit has been excluded from the adjusted EPS guidance, and included in the GAAP guidance range.

AbbVie continues to anticipate the company’s adjusted effective tax rate to increase to 13 percent over the next five years as a result of increased domestic income and investment.

On July 27, 2018 Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, reported financial results for the second quarter of 2018 (Press release, Merck & Co, JUL 27, 2018, View Source [SID1234527923]).

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"Strong commercial execution globally for KEYTRUDA, GARDASIL, BRIDION and other products led the company to deliver growth in the second quarter," said Kenneth C. Frazier, Merck Chairman and CEO. "We continue to solidify our leadership in immuno-oncology and, along with our other key pillars of growth including Animal Health, we are confident in the strength of our business."

Financial Summary

Second Quarter
$ in millions, except EPS amounts 2018 2017
Sales $ 10,465 $ 9,930
GAAP net income1

1,707 1,946
Non-GAAP net income that excludes items listed below1,2 2,854 2,778
GAAP EPS 0.63 0.71
Non-GAAP EPS that excludes items listed below2

1.06 1.01
Worldwide sales were $10.5 billion for the second quarter of 2018, an increase of 5 percent compared with the second quarter of 2017, including a 1 percent positive impact from foreign exchange.

GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings per share assuming dilution (EPS) were $0.63 for the second quarter of 2018. Non-GAAP EPS of $1.06 for the second quarter of 2018 excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, restructuring costs and certain other items. Year-to-date results can be found in the attached tables.

Oncology Pipeline Highlights

Merck continued to expand its oncology program by further advancing the development programs for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), the company’s anti-PD-1 therapy; Lynparza (olaparib), a PARP inhibitor being co-developed and co-commercialized with AstraZeneca; and Lenvima (lenvatinib mesylate), an orally available tyrosine kinase inhibitor being co-developed and co-commercialized with Eisai.

KEYTRUDA

Merck announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted for review a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for KEYTRUDA as a first-line treatment for metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), regardless of PD-L1 expression. The sBLA, which is seeking accelerated approval for this new indication, is based on overall response rate (ORR) data from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-407 trial, which were recently presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018 Annual Meeting. The FDA granted Priority Review and set a PDUFA date of Oct. 30, 2018. Additional data showing a significant improvement in overall survival (OS) were also presented, making this the fifth study in advanced NSCLC in which KEYTRUDA demonstrated an improved survival benefit.
Merck announced results from KEYNOTE-042, a pivotal Phase 3 study evaluating KEYTRUDA as monotherapy for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous or squamous NSCLC with PD-L1 tumor proportion score of ≥1 percent without EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. In this study, KEYTRUDA monotherapy resulted in significantly longer OS than platinum-based chemotherapy. These results were presented in the plenary session and during the press program at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018.
Merck announced interim data from a cohort of the Phase 2 KEYNOTE-158 study evaluating KEYTRUDA as monotherapy in patients with previously treated advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Findings showed an ORR, the primary endpoint of the study, of 18.7 percent in patients in the SCLC cohort. Additionally, in a pre-specified exploratory analysis, ORR was 35.7 percent in patients whose tumors expressed PD-L1 with a combined positive score (CPS) of ≥1. These results, as well as other findings from the KEYNOTE-158 cohort in SCLC, were presented for the first time at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018.
The company announced that the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-048 trial investigating KEYTRUDA for first-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), met a primary endpoint of OS as monotherapy in patients whose tumors expressed PD-L1 (CPS≥20). KEYTRUDA is the first anti-PD-1 therapy to show an OS benefit as first-line therapy for recurrent or metastatic HNSCC. At the time of the interim analysis, the dual-primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) for patients whose tumors expressed PD-L1 (CPS≥20) had not been reached. These results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and submitted to regulatory authorities worldwide.
Merck announced that KEYTRUDA has been approved by the China National Drug Administration for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma following failure of one prior line of therapy. This is the first and only approval of an anti-PD-1 therapy for advanced melanoma in China.
The FDA accepted and granted Priority Review for a new sBLA seeking approval for KEYTRUDA as a treatment for previously treated patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, based on data from the Phase 2 KEYNOTE-224 trial, which were presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018. The FDA set a PDUFA date of Nov. 9, 2018.
Merck announced that the FDA accepted for standard review a new sBLA for KEYTRUDA as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of patients with resected, high-risk stage III melanoma and granted a PDUFA date of Feb. 16, 2019. This sBLA is based on a significant benefit in recurrence-free survival demonstrated by KEYTRUDA in the pivotal Phase 3 EORTC1325/ KEYNOTE-054 trial, which was conducted in collaboration with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer.
The FDA approved KEYTRUDA for two new indications under its accelerated approval regulations based on tumor response rate and durability of response:
For the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, or who have relapsed after two or more prior lines of therapy.
For the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 as determined by an FDA-approved test.
Lynparza

Merck and AstraZeneca announced positive results from the randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 SOLO-1 trial of Lynparza tablets, showing women with BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) advanced ovarian cancer treated first-line with Lynparza maintenance therapy had a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared to placebo.
Merck and AstraZeneca announced that Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency approved Lynparza tablets for use in patients with unresectable or recurrent BRCAm, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer who have received prior chemotherapy.
Merck and AstraZeneca announced that the European Medicines Agency approved Lynparza tablets for use as a maintenance therapy for patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed high-grade, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete response or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy, regardless of BRCA status.
Merck and AstraZeneca presented data from the Phase 2 Study 08 trial, which showed clinical improvement in median radiologic PFS with Lynparza in combination with abiraterone compared to abiraterone monotherapy, a current standard of care, in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Lenvima

Merck and Eisai announced results from presentations of new data and analyses of Lenvima in combination with KEYTRUDA in four different tumor types: unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, advanced renal cell carcinoma and advanced endometrial carcinoma. The data were included in presentations at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018.
Other Pipeline Highlights

The company also continued to advance its vaccines and HIV pipelines.

Merck announced that the FDA accepted for review a new sBLA for GARDASIL 9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant), the company’s nine-valent HPV vaccine, for an expanded age indication for use in women and men 27 to 45 years old for the prevention of certain cancers and diseases caused by the nine human papillomavirus (HPV) types covered by the vaccine. The FDA granted Priority Review and set a PDUFA date of Oct. 6, 2018.
China’s Food and Drug Administration approved GARDASIL 9 for use in girls and women 16 to 26 years old.
Merck announced Week 96 results from the Phase 3 DRIVE-FORWARD clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of doravirine (DOR), the company’s investigational non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adult patients with no prior antiretroviral treatment history. At Week 96, 73.1 percent of the group treated with once-daily DOR plus FTC/TDF or ABC/3TC achieved viral suppression as measured by the proportion of patients who achieved HIV-1 RNA of less than 50 copies/mL, compared to 66.0 percent of the group treated with once-daily ritonavir-boosted darunavir (DRV+r) plus FTC/TDF or ABC/3TC. These study results were presented as a late-breaking abstract at the recent 22nd International AIDS Conference.
Second-Quarter Revenue Performance

The following table reflects sales of the company’s top pharmaceutical products, as well as sales of Animal Health products.

$ in millions Second Quarter

2018 2017 Change Change
Ex-Exchange

Total Sales $ 10,465 $ 9,930 5 % 4 %
Pharmaceutical 9,282 8,759 6 % 3 %
KEYTRUDA 1,667 881 89 % 86 %
JANUVIA / JANUMET 1,535 1,511 2 % -1 %
GARDASIL / GARDASIL 9 608 469 30 % 26 %
PROQUAD,

M-M-R II and VARIVAX

426 399 7 % 6 %
ZETIA / VYTORIN 381 549 -31 % -35 %
ISENTRESS / ISENTRESS HD 305 282 8 % 6 %
BRIDION 240 163 48 % 45 %
NUVARING 236 199 18 % 17 %
SIMPONI 233 199 17 % 9 %
PNEUMOVAX 23 193 166 16 % 15 %
Animal Health 1,090 955 14 % 12 %
Livestock 633 582 9 % 7 %
Companion Animals 457 373 23 % 19 %
Other Revenues 93 216 -57 % -7 %
Pharmaceutical Revenue

Second-quarter pharmaceutical sales increased 6 percent to $9.3 billion, including a 3 percent positive impact from foreign exchange. The increase was primarily driven by growth in oncology, vaccines and hospital acute care, partially offset by lower sales in virology and the ongoing impacts of the loss of market exclusivity for several products.

Growth in oncology was driven by a significant increase in sales of KEYTRUDA, reflecting the company’s continued launches with new indications globally and the strong momentum for the treatment of patients with NSCLC, as KEYTRUDA is the only anti-PD-1 approved in the first-line setting. Additionally, oncology sales reflect alliance revenue of $44 million related to Lynparza and $35 million related to Lenvima, which represents Merck’s share of profits from product sales, net of cost of sales and commercialization costs.

Growth in vaccines was primarily driven by higher sales of GARDASIL [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16 and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant] and GARDASIL 9, vaccines to prevent certain cancers and other diseases caused by HPV, reflecting growth in Asia Pacific, primarily due to the ongoing commercial launch in China, and growth in Europe, partially offset by lower sales in the United States due to the continued transition to the two-dose regimen. Vaccines performance was negatively affected by a significant decrease in sales of ZOSTAVAX (zoster vaccine live), a vaccine for the prevention of herpes zoster, primarily due to the approval of a competitor product that received a preferential recommendation from the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in October 2017. The company anticipates that future sales of ZOSTAVAX will continue to be unfavorably affected by this competition.

Growth in hospital acute care reflects strong global demand of BRIDION (sugammadex) Injection 100 mg/mL, a medicine for the reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium bromide or vecuronium bromide in adults undergoing surgery.

Pharmaceutical sales growth in the quarter was partially offset by lower sales in virology, largely reflecting a significant decline in ZEPATIER (elbasvir and grazoprevir), a medicine for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus genotypes 1 or 4 infection, due to increasing competition and declining patient volumes, which the company expects to continue.

Pharmaceutical sales growth for the quarter was also partially offset by the ongoing impacts from the loss of U.S. market exclusivity for ZETIA (ezetimibe) in late 2016 and VYTORIN (ezetimibe/simvastatin) in April 2017, medicines for lowering LDL cholesterol; and biosimilar competition for REMICADE (infliximab), a treatment for inflammatory diseases, in the company’s marketing territories in Europe.

Animal Health

Animal Health sales totaled $1.1 billion for the second quarter of 2018, an increase of 14 percent compared with the second quarter of 2017, including a 2 percent positive impact from foreign exchange. Growth was driven by higher sales of companion animal products, primarily from the BRAVECTO (fluralaner) line of products that kill fleas and ticks in dogs and cats for up to 12 weeks, due in part to a delayed flea and tick season and the timing of customer purchases. Growth was also driven by livestock products, including poultry, ruminants and swine products.

Animal Health segment profits were $450 million in the second quarter of 2018, an increase of 14 percent compared with $395 million in the second quarter of 2017.3

Second-Quarter Expense, EPS and Related Information

The table below presents selected expense information.

$ in millions
Second-Quarter 2018

GAAP

Acquisition- and
Divestiture-
Related Costs 4

Restructuring
Costs

Certain Other
Items

Non-GAAP 2

Materials and production $ 3,417 $733 $3 $– $2,681
Marketing and administrative 2,508 16 1 – 2,491
Research and development 2,274 1 3 344 1,926
Restructuring costs 228 – 228 – –
Other (income) expense, net (48 ) 105 – (32 ) (121 )
Second-Quarter 2017 5

Materials and production $ 3,116 $827 $33 $– $2,256
Marketing and administrative 2,500 9 2 – 2,489
Research and development 1,782 7 9 – 1,766
Restructuring costs 166 – 166 – –
Other (income) expense, net (73 ) 39 – – (112 )
GAAP Expense, EPS and Related Information

Gross margin was 67.3 percent for the second quarter of 2018 compared to 68.6 percent for the second quarter of 2017. The decrease in gross margin for the second quarter of 2018 was primarily driven by the amortization of amounts capitalized for potential future milestone payments related to collaborations, the amortization of unfavorable manufacturing variances, in part resulting from the June 2017 cyber-attack, as well as the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange. The decrease was partially offset by a lower net impact of acquisition- and divestiture-related costs and restructuring costs, which reduced gross margin by 7.1 percentage points in the second quarter of 2018 compared with 8.7 percentage points in the second quarter of 2017.

Marketing and administrative expenses were $2.5 billion in the second quarter of 2018, comparable to the second quarter of 2017, reflecting the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange and higher administrative costs, offset by lower promotion and direct selling costs.

Research and development (R&D) expenses were $2.3 billion in the second quarter of 2018 compared with $1.8 billion in the second quarter of 2017. The increase was driven primarily by a $344 million charge for the Viralytics Limited (Viralytics) acquisition, increased clinical development spending, in particular from oncology collaborations, as well as investment in early drug development.

GAAP EPS was $0.63 for the second quarter of 2018 compared with $0.71 for the second quarter of 2017.

Non-GAAP Expense, EPS and Related Information

The non-GAAP gross margin was 74.4 percent for the second quarter of 2018 compared to 77.3 percent for the second quarter of 2017. The decrease in non-GAAP gross margin was predominantly due to the amortization of amounts capitalized for potential future milestone payments related to collaborations, the amortization of unfavorable manufacturing variances, in part resulting from the June 2017 cyber-attack, as well as the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange.

Non-GAAP marketing and administrative expenses were $2.5 billion in the second quarter of 2018, comparable to the second quarter of 2017, reflecting the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange and higher administrative costs, offset by lower promotion and direct selling costs.

Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $1.9 billion in the second quarter of 2018, a 9 percent increase compared to the second quarter of 2017. The increase primarily reflects higher clinical development spending, in particular from oncology collaborations, as well as investment in early drug development.

Non-GAAP EPS was $1.06 for the second quarter of 2018 compared with $1.01 for the second quarter of 2017.

A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net income and EPS is provided in the table that follows.

$ in millions, except EPS amounts

Second Quarter
2018 2017
EPS
GAAP EPS $0.63 $0.71
Difference6

0.43 0.30
Non-GAAP EPS that excludes items listed below2 $1.06 $1.01

Net Income
GAAP net income1 $1,707 $1,946
Difference 1,147 832
Non-GAAP net income that excludes items listed below1,2 $2,854 $2,778

Decrease (Increase) in Net Income Due to Excluded Items:
Acquisition- and divestiture-related costs4 $855 $882
Restructuring costs 235 210
Charge for Viralytics acquisition 344 –
Other (32 ) –
Net decrease (increase) in income before taxes 1,402 1,092
Estimated income tax (benefit) expense (255 ) (260 )
Decrease (increase) in net income $1,147 $832
Financial Outlook

Merck narrowed its full-year 2018 revenue range to be between $42.0 billion and $42.8 billion, including a slightly positive impact from foreign exchange at current exchange rates.

Merck narrowed and raised its full-year 2018 GAAP EPS range to be between $2.51 and $2.59. Merck narrowed and raised its full-year 2018 non-GAAP EPS range to be between $4.22 and $4.30. Both include an approximately 1 percent negative impact from foreign exchange at current exchange rates. The non-GAAP range excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, costs related to restructuring programs, charges related to the formation of the Eisai collaboration and the Viralytics acquisition, and certain other items.

The following table summarizes the company’s 2018 financial guidance.

GAAP

Non-GAAP 2

Revenue $42.0 to $42.8 billion $42.0 to $42.8 billion*
Operating expenses Lower than 2017 by a low-single digit rate Higher than 2017 by a low- to mid-single digit rate
Effective tax rate 23.0% to 24.0% 18.5% to 19.5%
EPS** $2.51 to $2.59 $4.22 to $4.30

*The company does not have any non-GAAP adjustments to revenue.

**EPS guidance for 2018 assumes a share count (assuming dilution) of approximately 2.7 billion shares.

A reconciliation of anticipated 2018 GAAP EPS to non-GAAP EPS and the items excluded from non-GAAP EPS are provided in the table below.

$ in millions, except EPS amounts

Full-Year 2018

GAAP EPS $2.51 to $2.59
Difference6 1.71
Non-GAAP EPS that excludes items listed below2 $4.22 to $4.30

Acquisition- and divestiture-related costs4 $2,850
Restructuring costs 500
Aggregate charge related to the formation of a collaboration with Eisai 1,400
Charge for Viralytics acquisition 344
Net decrease (increase) in income before taxes 5,094
Estimated income tax (benefit) expense (515)
Decrease (increase) in net income

$4,579
The expected full-year 2018 GAAP effective tax rate of 23.0 percent to 24.0 percent reflects an unfavorable impact of approximately 4.5 percentage points from the above items.