On August 13, 2018 Unum Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: UMRX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of cellular immunotherapies based on its novel, universal Antibody-Coupled T cell Receptor (ACTR) technology platform, reported financial results and provided a corporate update for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 and recent activities (Press release, Unum Therapeutics, AUG 13, 2018, View Source [SID1234528937]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"In our first full quarter as a public company, we made significant progress in developing our proprietary, universal ACTR technology platform and advancing our pipeline of cellular immunotherapies through clinical development," said Chuck Wilson, CEO of Unum. "We continue to evaluate ACTR T cell potential in combination with different tumor-targeting antibodies in three ongoing multicenter Phase I trials. We expect to report preliminary data from these trials late this year. In addition, we are particularly pleased to announce that our investigational new drug (IND) application for ACTR T cells in combination with trastuzumab for the treatment of patients with HER2+ advanced cancers is now active and we are preparing to initiate a multi-center Phase I trial, ATTCK-34-01, by the end of 2018. This represents our first solid tumor product candidate based on our universal ACTR technology."

Recent Highlights

Cohort Expansion Phase of ATTCK-20-2 Phase I trial is Underway: During the quarter, Unum initiated the cohort expansion phase of the ATTCK-20-2 trial evaluating safety and anti-lymphoma activity of ACTR087 at the preliminary recommended phase 2 dose level used in combination with rituximab in patients with CD20+ relapsed or refractory (r/r) NHL. Unum expects to have updated data, including preliminary data from the cohort expansion part of the ATTCK-20-2 trial, by the end of 2018 and to report these at that time or in early 2019.

In addition, Unum has now filed a protocol amendment to the ATTCK-20-2 trial to explore ACTR087 in combination with an alternative rituximab dosing regimen from what has been studied to date. Preclinical studies have shown that the level of ACTR T cell activity depends upon the amount of the co-administered antibody. As such, ACTR087 safety and anti-tumor activity in combination with rituximab in CD20+ r/r NHL may be even further optimized by an alternative rituximab regimen. Testing of the alternative regimen will be incorporated into the expansion cohort of the study, which is already underway.
Continued Patient Enrollment and Dosing in ATTCK-20-03 Phase I trial: Unum continued to enroll and dose patients in ATTCK-20-03, a Phase I, multi-center, open-label clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, and anti-lymphoma activity of ACTR707 used in combination with rituximab in patients with CD20+ r/r NHL. The Company expects to report preliminary data from the trial in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Continued Patient Enrollment and Dosing in ATTCK-17-01 Phase I trial: Unum continued to enroll and dose patients in ATTCK-17-01, a Phase I, multi-center, open-label clinical trial designed to test the safety, tolerability, and anti-myeloma activity of ACTR087 used in combination with SEA-BCMA in patients with r/r multiple myeloma. This is the first clinical trial under our collaboration with Seattle Genetics. Unum expects to report preliminary data from this study in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Active IND for First Solid Tumor ACTR Product Candidate:Unum announced that the IND for ACTR T cells used in combination with trastuzumab for the treatment of patients with HER2+ advanced cancers is now active and the Company expects to initiate clinical development for this product candidate by end of 2018.

Presented Pre-Clinical Data on ACTR Platform at American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Summit (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) On Emerging Immunotherapies for Hematological Diseases: In July, Unum presented pre-clinical data on its proprietary ACTR T cells used in combination with daratumumab, a CD38-specific antibody. The Company is particularly interested in the potential benefit that CD38-targeted ACTR T cells can provide for patients with hematological malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma. These data support Unum’s development of ACTR T cells in patients with these diseases, and against a highly-validated tumor target for which other T cell therapies have seen significant challenges.
Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Collaboration Revenue: Collaboration revenue recognized during the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, of $1.7 million and $2.1 million, respectively, reflects the recognition of a portion of the $25.0 million upfront payment received from Seattle Genetics under Unum’s collaboration agreement as well as reimbursements of research and development costs by Seattle Genetics. Effective January 1, 2018, Unum adopted the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, which changed the manner in which the Company recognizes revenue from this collaboration agreement compared to the prior year period.

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $9.1 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to $7.1 million for the same period last year. The increase reflects higher clinical trial costs for the active Phase I clinical trials, as well as increased personnel-related costs, materials and facility-related costs related to scaling manufacturing processes, and increased consultant costs. This was partially offset primarily by a decrease in consulting and manufacturing costs incurred for the Phase I clinical trial of ACTR087 in combination with rituximab as there was no production activity in the second quarter of 2018.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, were $2.0 million, compared to $1.0 million for the same period last year. The increase is primarily due to expenses around operating as a public company and higher personnel related costs.

Net Loss: Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $9.0 million, or $0.31 per share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, and $5.9 million, or $0.58 per share, for the same period last year.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities: As of June 30, 2018, Unum had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $94.4 million, which includes approximately $63.9 million in net proceeds from the IPO and $5.0 million from the concurrent private placement. The Company believes that its existing cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, will fund operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through at least December 2019, without considering $15.0 million in available borrowings under its loan and security agreement.

On August 13, 2018 Unum Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: UMRX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of cellular immunotherapies based on its novel, universal Antibody-Coupled T Cell Receptor (ACTR) technology platform, reported that an investigational new drug (IND) application is now active for ACTR T cells in combination with trastuzumab for the treatment of patients with HER2+ advanced cancers (Press release, Unum Therapeutics, AUG 13, 2018, View Source [SID1234528936]). This represents the first solid tumor product candidate based on Unum’s novel, universal ACTR technology, and the fourth clinical trial program for the Company.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"We are very happy to reach this important milestone for patients and for Unum," said Chuck Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Unum. "ACTR represents a promising novel technology that can be used to target different tumor types and it’s exciting to expand its application to target solid tumors. We are committed to developing ACTR for patients with HER2+ advanced cancers who need better treatment options."

Under this IND, Unum is preparing to initiate a multi-center Phase I trial, called ATTCK-34-01, by the end of 2018 in patients with HER2+ advanced cancers. ATTCK-34-01 is designed as a dose escalation study where both the ACTR T cell drug product and trastuzumab doses are escalated in order to define the safety, tolerability, and anti-tumor activity of the combination. Expansion at the recommended Phase 2 dose is planned.

On August 13, 2018 PharmaMar (MSE:PHM) reported that The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) announced on Friday August 10th the titles for the presentations at the 19th World Conference on Lung cancer which will take place September 23-26 in Toronto, Canada (Press release, PharmaMar, AUG 13, 2018, View Source [SID1234528928]). PharmaMar will present a poster titled "Overall survival with lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin in relapsed SCLC. Results from an expansion cohort of a phase Ib trial"

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

On August 13, 2018 BioLineRx Ltd. (NASDAQ: BLRX) (TASE: BLRX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology and immunology, reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 (Press release, BioLineRx, AUG 13, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2363377 [SID1234528869]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Highlights and achievements during the second quarter 2018 and to date:

Continued progress made on multiple clinical trials for the Company’s lead oncology program, BL-8040:

Positive data from successful completion of first lead-in patient cohort of the GENESIS trial, a double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 trial comparing BL-8040 in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), to G-CSF alone, for the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) used for autologous transplantation in multiple myeloma patients. Results from first 11 patients prompted Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) to recommend early continuation to randomized placebo-controlled part 2 of trial; data show that 9/11 patients (82%) reached primary endpoint threshold of ≥ 6×106 CD34 cells/kg with only one dose of BL-8040 and in up to 2 apheresis sessions;
Expansion of immuno-oncology collaboration with Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J. (Merck), supporting a Phase 2a program investigating BL-8040 in combination with KEYTRUDA in pancreatic cancer patients. Under the expansion, a triple combination arm investigating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of BL-8040, KEYTRUDA and chemotherapy will be added to the ongoing COMBAT/KEYNOTE-202 study, with a specific focus on second line patients;
Presentation at the 2018 European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) Conference of very encouraging long-term overall survival results in Phase 2a trial in relapsed/refractory AML, demonstrating that the combination of BL-8040 with high-dose Cytarabine (HiDAC) significantly improved overall survival, compared with historical data for HiDAC monotherapy;
Grant of European patent covering use of BL-8040 with Cytarabine for treating AML; valid through March 2034 with up to five years’ patent term extension.
The Company also announced advancements made in its second immuno-oncology compound, AGI-134:

Initiation of multicenter, open-label Phase 1/2a study in the UK and Israel, with possible expansion to the US and additional countries in Europe in 2019; study will evaluate the safety and tolerability of AGI-134, as a monotherapy and in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor, in unresectable metastatic solid tumors.
Expected significant milestones in next 18 months:

Top-line results in immuno-oncology Phase 2a COMBAT study in pancreatic cancer for BL-8040 in combination with KEYTRUDA, under collaboration with Merck, to be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress in October 2018;
Partial results in Phase 1b/2 study in pancreatic cancer under Genentech immuno-oncology collaboration, investigating BL-8040 in combination with Genentech’s atezolizumab, expected in H2 2018;
Potential interim analysis of Phase 2b BLAST study in AML consolidation in mid-2019:
Results from additional cohort in Phase 2a COMBAT study under expansion of Merck collaboration, investigating triple combination of BL-8040, KEYTRUDA and chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer, by end of 2019;
"We are very encouraged by the clinical results achieved to-date in the major indications being developed under our BL-8040 platform, as we continue to advance the asset towards registration," stated Philip A. Serlin, Chief Executive Officer of BioLineRx. "Specifically, positive results from the initial lead-in cohort in the Phase 3 GENESIS trial, and the resulting DMC recommendation for an early continuation to the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled part of the trial, is an important clinical achievement for BL-8040. The data continue to demonstrate BL-8040’s robust efficacy in stem-cell mobilization for autologous transplantation, including the potential to reduce the number of required apheresis sessions to one session in the majority of patients, versus multiple sessions under current practice. Building on this success, data from our ongoing COMBAT Phase 2a immuno-oncology trial support continued development in pancreatic cancer, as we expand our collaboration with Merck, with the addition to the existing study of a new cohort with 30-50 patients investigating the triple combination of BL-8040, KEYTRUDA and chemotherapy. The new cohort will focus on second-line pancreatic cancer patients and we are hopeful for significant synergies from the triple drug combination in this very difficult-to-treat population."

Mr. Serlin added, "In addition, we are excited about the data we continue to accumulate from our Phase 2a study in relapsed/refractory AML, with further significant improvement in overall survival data recently presented at EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper). We are focused on determining the appropriate next clinical development steps for this indication, in light of this very encouraging data. With regarding to our second main asset, AGI-134, we were pleased to initiate a Phase 1/2a study in multiple solid tumors. AGI-134 represents a new mechanistic class of cancer immunotherapies with a unique and highly differentiated mode of action, and we are pleased to begin our clinical evaluation of its potential."

"Over the next few quarters, we look forward to reporting on key milestones. These include top line results in our Phase 2a COMBAT study, partial results in the Phase 1b/2 pancreatic cancer trial under our collaboration with Genentech, and a potential interim analysis on the Phase 2b BLAST study in AML consolidation therapy," concluded Mr. Serlin.

Financial Results for the Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2018

Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 were $4.5 million, an increase of $0.4 million, or 10.4%, compared to $4.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The increase resulted primarily from higher expenses associated with AGI-134, including final preparations for initiation of the Phase 1/2a study, and expenses associated with BL-1230. Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were $9.6 million, an increase of $1.9 million, or 24.9%, compared to $7.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase resulted primarily from higher expenses associated with new BL-8040 clinical studies commenced during 2017, as well as higher expenses associated with AGI-134, including final preparations for initiation of the Phase 1/2a study, and expenses associated with BL-1230.

Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 were $0.4 million, an increase of $0.1 million, or 25%, compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The increase resulted primarily from one-time consulting fees related to market research in the 2018 period. Sales and marketing expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were $0.9 million, a decrease of $0.1 million, or 12.9%, compared to $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease resulted primarily from one-time legal fees related to AGI-134 paid in the 2017 period.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 were $0.9 million, similar to the comparable period in 2017. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were $1.9 million, similar to the comparable period in 2017.

The Company’s operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2018 amounted to $5.7 million, compared with an operating loss of $5.2 million for the corresponding 2017 period. The Company’s operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2018 amounted to $12.4 million, compared with an operating loss of $10.5 million for the corresponding 2017 period.

Non-operating income (expenses) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily relate to fair-value adjustments of warrant liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet and the capital gain from realization of the investment in iPharma. Non-operating income (expenses) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 primarily relate to fair-value adjustments of warrant liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet.

Net financial income amounted to $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018, similar to the comparable period in 2017. Net financial income for both periods relates primarily to gains recorded on foreign currency hedging transactions and investment income earned on bank deposits. Net financial income amounted to $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to net financial income of $0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Net financial income for the 2018 period primarily relates to investment income earned on bank deposits, offset by losses recorded on foreign currency hedging transactions. Net financial income for the 2017 period relates primarily to gains recorded on foreign currency hedging transactions and investment income earned on bank deposits.

The Company’s net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2018 amounted to $4.8 million, compared with a net loss of $4.9 million for the corresponding period. The Company’s net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2018 amounted to $11.0 million, compared with a net loss of $9.8 million for the corresponding 2017 period.

The Company held $41.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits as of June 30, 2018.

Net cash used in operating activities was $13.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, compared with net cash used in operating activities of $8.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The $5.0 million increase in net cash used in operating activities during the six-month period in 2018, compared to the six-month period in 2017, was the result of increased research and development expenses in the 2018 period, as well as a decrease in accounts payable and accruals.

Net cash provided by investing activities was $10.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $16.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The changes in cash flows from investing activities relate primarily to investments in, and maturities of, short-term bank deposits, as well as the investment in Agalimmune in 2017 and realization of the investment in iPharma in 2018.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $2.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $28.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease in cash flows from financing activities reflects the public offering completed in April 2017.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

BioLineRx will hold a conference call today, August 13, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. To access the conference call, please dial +1-888-281-1167 from the U.S. or +972-3-918-0664 internationally. The call will also be available via webcast and can be accessed through the Investor Relations page of BioLineRx’s website. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download any necessary software to listen to the live broadcast.

A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after completion of the live conference call on the Investor Relations page of BioLineRx’s website. A dial-in replay of the call will be available until August 16, 2018; please dial +1-877-456-0009 from the U.S. or +972-3-925-5937 internationally.

On August 13, 2018 Atossa Genetics Inc. (NASDAQ: ATOS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics and delivery methods to treat breast cancer and other breast conditions, reported second quarter ended June 30, 2018 financial results and provided an update on recent company developments (Press release, Atossa Genetics, AUG 13, 2018, View Source [SID1234528826]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Steve Quay, President and CEO commented, "We have made tremendous progress with our clinical programs. We opened enrollment in two phase 2 clinical studies: one study using our proprietary topical Endoxifen for breast density reduction, and another study using our proprietary oral Endoxifen for reducing breast cancer tumor cell activity in the "window of opportunity" between diagnosis of breast cancer and surgery. We also completed dosing and patient visits in our phase 1 study of topical Endoxifen in men. Our intraductal microcatheter immunoOncology pre-clinical program was launched and we contracted with an additional manufacturer for Endoxifen. We have had a very busy and productive first six months of 2018 as we continue the momentum in the advancement of our clinical programs. We are looking forward to announcing preliminary results from our phase 1 study of topical Endoxifen in men by September 30, 2018," added Dr. Quay.

Recent Corporate Developments

Atossa’s important recent developments include the following:

August 2018 – Contracted with a US-based additional manufacturer of Endoxifen.
July 2018 – Announced intraductal microcatheter immunoOncology pre-clinical program.
July 2018 – Opened enrollment in phase 2 study of oral Endoxifen to treat breast cancer.
June 2018 – Opened phase 2 study of topical Endoxifen to treat mammographic breast density.
June 2018 – Completed all dosing and clinical visits in its phase 1 study of topical Endoxifen in men.
June 2018 – Appointed two additional prominent industry executives from Pfizer and the Belgium-based Flemish Institute of Biotechnology to strategic advisory board.
May 2018 – Announced $13.4 million in gross proceeds from rights offering.
May 2018 – Formed strategic advisory board to accelerate growth with prominent former pharmaceutical executives from Pfizer and Boehringer Ingelheim.
April 2018 – Received a positive interim safety review on the Phase 1 study of topical Endoxifen in men.
Q2 2018 Financial Results

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, we had no revenue and no associated cost of revenue.

Total operating expenses were approximately $4.1 million and $6.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, consisting of general and administrative (G&A) expenses of approximately $2.7 million and $4.1 million, respectively; and research and development (R&D) expenses of approximately $1.5 million and $1.9 million, respectively. For the previous year, total operating expenses were approximately $1.9 million and $3.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, consisting of G&A expense of approximately $1.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively, and R&D expenses of $0.8 million and $1.4 million, respectively.