On October 31, 2018 Affimed N.V. (Nasdaq: AFMD), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing highly targeted cancer immunotherapies, reported that it will host a conference call on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss its third quarter financial results and recent corporate developments (Press release, Affimed, OCT 31, 2018, View Source [SID1234530417]).

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!

The conference call will be available via phone and webcast. To access the call, please dial (323) 794-2588 for U.S. callers, or +44 (0)330 336 9125 for international callers, and reference conference ID 6650897 approximately 15 minutes prior to the call.

An audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed in the "Events" section on the "Investors & Media" page of the Affimed website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be available on Affimed’s website shortly after the conclusion of the call and will be archived on the Affimed website for 30 days following the call

On October 31, 2018 Ophthotech Corporation (Nasdaq:OPHT) reported financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 and provided a business update (Press release, Ophthotech, OCT 31, 2018, View Source [SID1234530416]).

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!

"During 2018 Ophthotech made significant progress in bringing together a diversified pipeline of therapeutic and gene therapy programs for the treatment of retinal diseases," stated Glenn P. Sblendorio, Chief Executive Officer and President of Ophthotech. "Today, we announced two transactions that add compelling opportunities to our existing pipeline of retinal programs, and through the acquisition of Inception 4, Inc. we are excited to welcome Versant Ventures as a major shareholder of Ophthotech. We are on track to provide topline data from our Zimura program in wet age-related macular degeneration by the end of this year, followed by topline data in geographic atrophy secondary to dry AMD in the second half of 2019 and in Stargardt disease in 2020. We look forward to advancing and expanding our pipeline of age-related and orphan retinal diseases and creating value for our shareholders."

Corporate Highlights

The following announcements will be discussed during today’s conference call/webcast (see full detailed press releases issued earlier today and call in information below).

As announced today, Ophthotech has acquired Inception 4, Inc., a privately held company backed by Versant Ventures, expanding Ophthotech’s therapeutic pipeline in age-related retinal indications. Through this acquisition, Ophthotech gains worldwide development and commercialization rights to Inception 4’s small molecule inhibitors of HtrA1 (high temperature requirement A serine peptidase 1 protein). As a major new investor with substantial geographic reach, Versant Ventures has agreed to help Ophthotech identify exceptional opportunities to expand the pipeline. As a result of the closing of the acquisition, Ophthotech obtained approximately $6.1 million in cash through Inception 4. As upfront consideration in the transaction, Ophthotech agreed to issue approximately 5.2 million shares to the shareholders of Inception 4. After giving effect to the transaction, Versant Ventures, through its affiliated investment funds, owns approximately 12.5% of the outstanding shares of Ophthotech’s common stock. In addition, Inception 4 equity holders will be entitled to receive post-closing payments upon the achievement of certain clinical and marketing approval milestones in certain AMD indications.
Ophthotech also announced today that it expanded its gene therapy pipeline with a novel product candidate to treat Best vitelliform macular dystrophy, also known as Best disease. The Company entered into its second series of gene therapy agreements with the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Florida, including an exclusive option agreement for rights to negotiate to acquire an exclusive global license to develop and commercialize novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy product candidates for the treatment of Best disease.
Therapeutic Program Highlights

Complement Factor C5 Inhibitor Program: Zimura

Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration: The Company expects initial top-line data by the end of this year from its randomized, dose-ranging, open-label, uncontrolled, multi-center Phase 2a clinical trial of Zimura (avacincaptad pegol) in combination with the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agent Lucentis (ranibizumab) in patients with wet AMD who have not been previously treated with anti-VEGF therapies. This trial is designed to assess the safety of Zimura combination therapy at different dosages and to detect a potential efficacy signal at month six. The Company completed patient recruitment for this trial in April 2018.
Geographic Atrophy, an Advanced Form of Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration: In October 2018, the Company completed patient enrollment for its ongoing randomized, double-masked, sham controlled, multi-center Phase 2b clinical trial of Zimura for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to dry AMD. The Company expects initial top-line data for this trial to be available in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Autosomal Recessive Stargardt Disease: Patient enrollment in the Phase 2b randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled, multi-center clinical trial assessing the efficacy and safety of Zimura in patients with autosomal recessive Stargardt disease (STGD1) is currently on-going. Initial top-line data is expected to be available in 2020.
Gene Therapy Program Highlights

Rhodopsin-mediated Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa: In August 2018, Ophthotech announced that proof-of-concept study results of its adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy product candidate for the treatment of rhodopsin-mediated autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RHO-adRP) in a naturally occurring canine model were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS). Ophthotech obtained a license for rights to develop and commercialize this AAV gene therapy product candidate in June 2018. This publication entitled: "Mutation-independent Rhodopsin Gene Therapy by Knockdown and Replacement with a Single AAV vector" was published by scientists at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Florida. Based on current timelines and subject to regulatory review, Ophthotech expects to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in RHO-adRP in 2020.
2018 Operational Update

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $135.2 million in cash and cash equivalents. The Company increased its year end 2018 cash and cash equivalents estimate to range between $125 million and $130 million, an increase from the Company’s prior estimate of between $112 million and $117 million, reflecting the impact of the acquisition of Inception 4, expansion of the Company’s gene therapy research and development programs and the continuation of the Company’s development programs for Zimuraas currently planned. This estimate does not reflect any additional expenditures resulting from the potential in-licensing or acquisition of additional product candidates or technologies or associated development that the Company may pursue.

2018 Financial Highlights

Revenues: The Company did not have any collaboration revenue for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $206.7 million and $210.0 million for the same periods in 2017. Collaboration revenue decreased due to the completion of the Company’s licensing and commercialization agreement with Novartis Pharma AG and the recognition of all associated deferred revenue during the third quarter of 2017.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $9.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to $10.7 million for the same period in 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, research and development expenses were $25.6 million compared to $58.3 million for 2017. The Company continues to pursue its ongoing Zimura development programs and gene therapy research and development programs. Research and development expenses decreased primarily due to decreases in expenses related to the discontinuation of the Company’s FovistaPhase 3 clinical program and decreases in costs associated with the Company’s 2017 reduction in personnel.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to $7.1 million for the same period in 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, general and administrative expenses were $17.9 million compared to $28.8 million for 2017. General and administrative expenses decreased primarily due to decreases in costs to support the Company’s reduced operations and infrastructure and decreases in costs associated with its 2017 reduction in personnel, which included facilities lease termination expenses incurred during the first quarter of 2017.
Net Income: The Company reported a net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 of $14.7 million, or ($.41) per diluted share, compared to net income of $189.1 million, or $5.25 per diluted share, for the same period in 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company reported a net loss of $41 million, or ($1.13) per diluted share, compared to net income of $123.7 million, or $3.44 per diluted share, for the same period in 2017.
Conference Call/Web Cast Information

Ophthotech will host a conference call/webcast to discuss the Company’s financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2018 and to provide a business update. The call is scheduled for October 31, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in this conference call, dial 888-204-4368 (USA) or 323-994-2082 (International), passcode 3714524. A live, listen-only audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of the Ophthotech website at: www.ophthotech.com. A replay will be available approximately two hours following the live call for two weeks. The replay number is 888-203-1112 (USA Toll Free), passcode 3714524.

On October 31, 2018 ArQule, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQL) reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2018 (Press release, ArQule, OCT 31, 2018, View Source [SID1234530415]).

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!

For the quarter ended September 30, 2018, the Company reported a net loss of $5,619,000 or $0.05 per share, compared with a net loss of $6,666,000 or $0.09 per share, for the third quarter of 2017. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018, the Company reported a net loss of $6,995,000 or $0.07 per share, compared with a net loss of $21,443,000 or $0.30 per share, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017.

At September 30, 2018, the Company had a total of approximately $105,088,000 in cash, equivalents and marketable securities.

Key Highlights

In July 2018, the Company raised approximately $70 million of gross proceeds in a public offering of common stock
In August 2018, extensive preclinical data on ARQ 531, our reversible BTK inhibitor, was published in the scientific journal, Cancer Discovery, highlighting the profile of this potential first and best-in-class molecule
In September 2018, miransertib (ARQ 092) was granted Fast Track Designation for the treatment of PROS (PIK3CA-Related Overgrowth Spectrum), opening the way for enhanced interactions with regulators
In October 2018, three clinical presentations for miransertib were given at the American Society of Human Genetics, confirming its potential for treating patients with Proteus syndrome and PROS
"We continue to execute on our strategy to develop rapidly ARQ 531 in hematological malignancies, miransertib in PROS and Proteus syndrome, as well as miransertib and ARQ 751 in hormone sensitive solid tumors," said Paolo Pucci, Chief Execute Officer of ArQule. "Each of our drug candidates holds tremendous promise and each candidate is being increasingly validated by the data that we are placing in the public domain."

Brian Schwartz, M.D., Head of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer of ArQule said, "We are pleased with the Cancer Discovery publication for ARQ 531 and how the pre-clinical data highlighted in that paper is beginning to be validated in the on-going Phase 1 trial." "I am also proud of the work that we continue to perform with miransertib in PROS and Proteus syndrome and am encouraged by the accumulating clinical data that supports the potential utility of miransertib to fulfill the serious unmet medical need in these diseases, particularly in children."

Revenues and Expenses

Revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, were $4,979,000 compared with revenues of zero for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. Research and development revenue in the quarter ended September 30, 2018 consisted of $2,852,000 from our February 2018 Sinovant licensing agreement, $1,996,000 from our April 2018 Basilea licensing agreement and $131,000 from a non-exclusive license agreement for certain of our library compounds.

Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, were $22,823,000 compared with revenues of zero for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Research and development revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 consisted of $5,852,000 from our February 2018 Sinovant licensing agreement $15,702,000 million from our April 2018 Basilea licensing agreement and $1,269,000 from a non-exclusive license agreement for certain of our library compounds.

Research and development expense in the third quarter of 2018 was $7,261,000 compared with $4,570,000 for the third quarter of 2017. The $2.7 million increase in research and development expense in the third quarter of 2018 was primarily due to higher outsourced preclinical, clinical and product development costs.

Research and development expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $19,860,000 compared with $14,747,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The $5.1 million increase in research and development expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was primarily due to higher outsourced preclinical, clinical and product development costs.

General and administrative expense was $3,429,000 in the third quarter of 2018 compared with $1,762,000 in the third quarter 2017. The $1.7 million increase in general and administrative expense in the third quarter of 2018 was primarily due to higher consulting and professional fees of $1.4 million and labor and related costs of $0.2 million.

General and administrative expense was $8,014,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared with $5,702,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The $2.3 million increase in general and administrative expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was principally due to higher consulting and professional fees of $1.8 million and labor and related costs of $0.5 million.

2018 Updated Financial Guidance

As a result of our advancing development programs and collaborations and the likely timing of cash receipts and disbursements, we have updated our 2018 guidance. Net use of cash is expected to be approximately $34 million for the year, which is slightly higher than our previous guidance due primarily to an acceleration of the clinical development costs associated with proprietary and partnered clinical programs. Net loss is expected to range between $14 and $17 million for the year, and net loss per share to range between $(0.14) and $(0.17). We are also adjusting our revenue guidance upward to between $24 and $25 million primarily in connection with services provided to our derazantinib partners.

ArQule expects to end 2018 with approximately $100 million in cash and marketable securities, which we believe will be sufficient to finance our operations into 2021.

Conference Call and Webcast

The live webcast can be accessed in the "Investors and Media" section of our website, www.arqule.com, under "Events & Presentations." You may also listen to the call by dialing (877) 868-1831 within the U.S. or (914) 495-8595 outside the U.S. A replay will be available two hours after the completion of the call and can be accessed in the "Investors & Media" section of our website, www.arqule.com, under "Events and Presentations."

On October 31, 2018 Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE American: CANF) (TASE:CFBI), a biotechnology company advancing a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address cancer, liver, and inflammatory diseases, reported an update on its Phase II clinical trial of drug candidate Namodenoson (CF102) for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with Child Pugh B whose disease has progressed on sorafenib therapy (Press release, Can-Fite BioPharma, OCT 31, 2018, View Source [SID1234530414]). Due to patient survival, top line efficacy results are expected during the first quarter of 2019.

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!

Enrollment of 78 patients was completed in August 2017 and the trial continues treating subjects in a blinded fashion (either Namodenoson 25 mg BID or matching placebo).

The statistical plan for this trial requires that the primary efficacy analysis occurs when no more than 3 of the original 78 patients survive. At the outset of the trial, it was assumed that patients with advanced HCC with Child-Pugh B had a relatively poor prognosis, and that within approximately a year of enrollment of the last subject, primary efficacy analysis could be conducted. In order to maintain the statistical integrity of the trial as well as adhere to the principles of Good Clinical Practice, the Company estimates that it will un-blind the data during Q1/19.

Can-Fite’s CEO, Dr. Pnina Fishman, commented, "This unexpectedly prolonged longevity is unquestionably beneficial for the individual patients, and gives us hope that Namodenoson may eventually prove its value in this patient population."

Can-Fite received Orphan Drug Designation for Namodenoson in Europe and the U.S., as well as Fast Track Status in the U.S. as a second line treatment for HCC.

About Namodenoson

Namodenoson is a small orally bioavailable drug that binds with high affinity and selectivity to the A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR). Namodenoson is being evaluated in Phase II trials for two indications, as a second line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, and as a treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). A3AR is highly expressed in diseased cells whereas low expression is found in normal cells. This differential effect accounts for the excellent safety profile of the drug.

On October 31, 2018 Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:ACOR) reported a financial and pipeline update for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Acorda Therapeutics, OCT 31, 2018, View Source [SID1234530411]).

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!

"Acorda’s highest priority is preparing for the expected launch of Inbrija. Our market research indicates that healthcare professionals, patients and care partners consider OFF periods, or the re-emergence of Parkinson’s symptoms, to be one of the most significant unmet needs in Parkinson’s, and that they are enthusiastic about the prospect of an inhaled formulation of levodopa as a treatment option," said Ron Cohen, M.D., Acorda’s President and CEO.

"We were disappointed and disagree with the decision of the Federal appeals court regarding Ampyra, and we have filed an en banc petition requesting review by the entire court. At the same time, we were prepared for that potential outcome, and our original projections had us well capitalized to fully fund the launch of Inbrija and to develop the ARCUS pipeline. We have taken several steps over the past year both to conserve and to increase cash. Based on these, as well as greater than forecasted Ampyra sales, we are in now in an even stronger financial position, and are increasing our guidance for both cash and Ampyra sales in 2018."

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

AMPYRA (dalfampridine) Extended Release Tablets, 10 mg – For the quarter ended September 30, 2018, the Company reported AMPYRA net revenue of $137.8 million compared to $132.6 million for the same quarter in 2017.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $22.9 million, including $1.1 million of share-based compensation compared to $33.3 million, including $2.0 million of share-based compensation, for the same quarter in 2017.

Sales, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 were $43.6 million, including $4.0 million of share-based compensation compared to $40.7 million, including $4.6 million of share-based compensation for the same quarter in 2017.

Provision for income taxes for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 was $38.0 million, including $3.1 million of cash taxes, compared to a provision for income taxes of $18.9 million, including $3.7 million of cash taxes, for the same quarter in 2017.

The Company reported a GAAP net loss of $(13.9) million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, or $(0.29) per diluted share. GAAP net loss in the same quarter of 2017 was $(25.2) million, or $(0.55) per diluted share.

Non-GAAP net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 was $8.1 million, or $0.17 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net income in the same quarter of 2017 was $20.1 million, or $0.43 per diluted share. This quarterly non-GAAP net income measure, more fully described below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures," excludes share-based compensation charges, non-cash interest charges on our debt, changes in the fair value of acquired contingent consideration, intangible asset impairment charges, and restructuring costs. A reconciliation of the GAAP financial results to non-GAAP financial results is included with the attached financial statements.

At September 30, 2018, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $460.9 million.

Guidance for 2018

AMPYRA 2018 net revenue guidance increased from $330-$350 million to more than $400 million.
R&D expenses for the full year 2018 reiterated and expected to be $100-$110 million including pre-launch manufacturing expenses associated with INBRIJA. This guidance is a non-GAAP projection that excludes share-based compensation, as more fully described below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
SG&A expenses for the full year 2018 reiterated and expected to be $170-$180 million. This guidance is a non-GAAP projection that excludes share-based compensation, as more fully described below under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
The Company has increased projected 2018 year-end cash balance from more than $300 million to more than $400 million.
Third Quarter 2018 Highlights

INBRIJA (levodopa inhalation powder) in Parkinson’s disease
In September, the FDA extended the PDUFA goal date for its review of the New Drug Application (NDA) of INBRIJA from October 5, 2018 to January 5, 2019 based on submissions the Company made in response to requests from FDA for additional information on chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC). FDA determined that these submissions constituted a major amendment and will take additional time to review.
The Company reported that the inspection of its Chelsea, Massachusetts manufacturing facility and the Inbrija inhaler device manufacturer’s facility were successfully completed and closed without need for any further action by the FDA.
INBRIJA is an investigational treatment for symptoms of OFF periods in people with Parkinson’s disease taking a carbidopa/levodopa regimen.
AMPYRA (dalfampridine)
In September, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, by a 2-1 vote, upheld the United States District Court for the District of Delaware’s decision to invalidate four Ampyra patents.
In October, the Company filed a petition for en banc hearing with the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
The Company announced that it had settled with Mylan AG to market an authorized generic version of Ampyra. In mid-September, Mylan announced the U.S. launch of the authorized generic.
Webcast and Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET. To participate in the conference call, please dial (833) 236-2756 (domestic) or (647) 689-4181 (international) and reference the access code 4468928. The presentation will be available on the Investors section of www.acorda.com. A replay of the call will be available from 11:30 a.m. ET on October 31, 2018 until 11:59 p.m. ET on November 30, 2018. To access the replay, please dial (800) 585-8367 (domestic) or (416) 621-4642 (international); reference code 4468928. The archived webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Acorda website at www.acorda.com.