Protagonist Therapeutics Secures $22 Million Equity Financing

On August 6, 2018 Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:PTGX), a biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary technology platform to discover and develop novel peptide-based drugs, reported that it has signed a securities purchase agreement with investors including BVF Partners L.P. and their affiliates for the sale of 2,750,000 shares of common stock for gross proceeds of $22 million (Press release, Protagonist, AUG 6, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2362104 [SID1234528667]). The investors also received five-year warrants to purchase 1,375,000 shares of common stock at $10.00 per share and 1,375,000 shares of common stock at $15.00 per share. The transaction is expected to close on Aug. 8, 2018.

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Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance development of drug candidate PTG-100

Editas Medicine Announces Second Quarter 2018 Results and Update

On August 6, 2018 Editas Medicine, Inc. (NASDAQ: EDIT), a leading genome editing company, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, and provided an update on recent achievements and upcoming events (Press release, Editas Medicine, AUG 6, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2362273 [SID1234528651]).

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"During the second quarter, we continued to drive towards our first IND and to advance our broader pipeline of transformative CRISPR medicines," said Katrine Bosley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Editas Medicine. "Our lead candidate, EDIT-101 to treat the genetic disease LCA10, is poised to be the first in vivo CRISPR medicine in human trials with an anticipated IND filing in October. Our broader pipeline of ocular and engineered cell medicines is advancing as well."

Recent Achievements and Outlook

Allergan Pharmaceuticals International Limited (Allergan) exercises option to develop and commercialize EDIT-101 globally and Editas exercises option to co-develop and equally share profits and losses in the United States. Editas and Allergan announced today that Allergan has exercised its option for EDIT-101 and Allergan has paid an option exercise fee of $15 million, which will be recorded in the third quarter. In addition, Editas is eligible to receive a $25 million milestone payment from Allergan upon clearance of an IND application for EDIT-101.

EDIT-101 advancing towards clinical trials with NIH filing submitted in July and IND filing anticipated in October 2018. Editas submitted the requisite data package for human gene transfer clinical protocol registration to the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) for potential review by the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee. Editas plans to file an IND application for EDIT-101 with the United States Food and Drug Administration in October 2018. In addition, the Company presented new pre-clinical data on EDIT-101 at the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy 21st Annual Meeting (ASGCT Meeting) demonstrating that EDIT-101 was well tolerated in a study of non-human primates (NHPs). Therapeutically relevant levels of editing were achieved in NHPs regardless of pre-existing or induced immunity to Staphylococcus aureus Cas9.

Broader ocular pipeline moving forward. Editas is pursuing product candidates for Usher Syndrome type 2A (USH2A) and recurrent ocular Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1). At the ASGCT (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) Meeting, Editas and collaborators from Massachusetts Eye and Ear presented in vitro data demonstrating that deletion of exon 13 in the human USH2A gene using CRISPR/Cas9 can restore cilia formation, providing the basis for a potential medicine. Editas also presented pre-clinical in vivo proof-of-concept data in a rabbit model for its recurrent ocular HSV-1 program at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2018 Annual Meeting.

Designing novel medicines for Sickle Cell Disease and Beta-Thalassemia. Editas reported data at the ASGCT (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) Meeting demonstrating that lead molecules targeting the beta-globin locus drove the upregulation of fetal hemoglobin in human mobilized peripheral blood stem cells. This was achieved by editing a novel genomic site that has potential to result in a best-in-class medicine. Editas expects to present additional data on this program in the second half of 2018.

Improving efficacy of engineered T cell medicines to treat cancer with CRISPR-based gene editing. In May, Editas expanded its collaboration with Juno Therapeutics, Inc., a Celgene company (Celgene), to develop and commercialize engineered T cell medicines for cancer. The recently expanded collaboration now encompasses four programs, including checkpoint inhibitors, tumor microenvironment, T cell receptor locus editing, and an undisclosed program.

Strong balance sheet to advance Company through multiple value inflection points. The Company held cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $344.1 million as of June 30, 2018, providing at least 24 months of funding for operating expenses and capital expenditures without any assumption of future cash received from milestones or additional financings.

Upcoming Events

Editas will participate in the following investor conferences:

Citi 13th Annual Biotech Conference, Gene Editing Panel, September 5, 1:15 p.m. ET, Boston;
Morgan Stanley 16th Annual Global Healthcare Conference, Fireside Chat, September 12, 4:50 p.m. ET, New York City;
Jefferies Gene Therapy Summit, September 27, New York City; and
Chardan 2nd Annual Genetic Medicines Conference, October 9, New York City.
Editas will also participate in the following scientific and medical conferences:

26th Annual Congress of the European Society of Gene & Cell Therapy, October 16-19, Lausanne.

Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities at June 30, 2018, were $344.1 million, compared to $329.1 million at December 31, 2017.

For the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, net loss attributable to common stockholders was $38.7 million, or $0.82 per share, compared to $26.4 million, or $0.65 per share, for the same period in 2017.

Collaboration and other research and development revenues were $7.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to $3.1 million for the same period in 2017. The $4.3 million increase was primarily attributable to $3.9 million in revenue recognized pursuant to a license agreement with Beam Therapeutics Inc. and a $2.8 million increase in revenue recognized pursuant to our collaboration agreement with Celgene, partially offset by a $2.4 million decrease in revenue recognized pursuant to our strategic alliance with Allergan.
Research and development expenses were $32.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to $17.3 million for the same period in 2017. The $15.4 million increase was primarily attributable to $9.6 million in increased sublicensing and success payment expenses resulting from $12.5 million in research funding payments related to our sponsored research agreement with the Broad Institute which were partially offset by a decrease in sublicensing fees, $3.1 million in increased process and platform development expenses, $1.4 million in increased employee related expenses, $0.9 million in increased stock-based compensation expenses, and $0.4 million in increased facility-related expenses.
General and administrative expenses were $14.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, compared to $11.9 million for the same period in 2017. The $2.4 million increase was attributable to $1.1 million in increased stock-based compensation expenses, $0.7 million in increased employee related expenses, and $0.7 million in increased professional service expenses, partially offset by $0.2 million in decreased intellectual property and patent related fees.

Conference Call

The Editas management team will host a conference call and webcast today, August 6, 2018, at 5:00pm ET. To access the call, please dial 844-348-3801 (domestic) or 213-358-0955 (international) and provide the passcode 4379216. A live webcast of the call will be available on the Investors & Media section of the Editas Medicine website at www.editasmedicine.com and a replay will be available approximately two hours after its completion.

Xencor Reports Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

On August 6, 2018 Xencor, Inc. (NASDAQ:XNCR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune disease, asthma and allergic diseases, and cancer, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 and provided a review of recent business and clinical highlights (Press release, Xencor, AUG 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234528631]).

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"Our recent activities and upcoming milestones reflect our commitment to building a broad pipeline of antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune disorders and cancer," said Bassil Dahiyat, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer at Xencor. "In 2018, we are focused on advancing multiple oncology programs, all built from our XmAb bispecific technology, to potentially produce a new generation of targeted immunotherapies. In addition to initiating DUET-2, the first-in-human trial of our lead TME activator, we remain on track to announce Phase 1 data from our lead bispecific oncology candidate, XmAb14045, and to file IND applications for our next two TME activators by year-end. In parallel, we continue to advance our autoimmune disease candidate, XmAb5871, toward Phase 3 development."

Recent Business Highlights and Upcoming Clinical Plans

XmAb5871: XmAb5871 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets CD19 with its variable domain and uses Xencor’s XmAb immune inhibitor Fc domain to target FcyRIIb, a receptor that inhibits B-cell function.

·Initiation of Phase 3 trial in IgG4-RD expected in 2H18.

·Topline data from Phase 2 trial in SLE expected in 4Q18.

Bispecific Oncology Pipeline: Xencor’s initial bispecific antibody programs are tumor-targeted antibodies that contain both a tumor antigen binding domain and a cytotoxic T-cell binding domain (CD3). These bispecific antibodies activate T cells for highly potent and targeted killing of malignant cells. Their XmAb Fc domains confer long circulating half-lives, stability and ease of manufacture.

· Initial data from Phase 1 study of XmAb14045 for the treatment of AML and other CD123-expressing hematologic malignancies expected in 2018, pending alignment on timing with Novartis.

·Initial data from Phase 1 study of XmAb13676 for the treatment of B-cell malignancies expected in 2019, pending alignment on timing with Novartis.

·Initial data from Phase 1 study of XmAb18087 for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors and gastrointestinal stromal tumors expected in 2019.

Xencor’s bispecific pipeline also includes a suite of TME activators that engage multiple targets, such as T-cell checkpoints or agonists.

In July 2018, Xencor dosed the first patient in DUET-2, a Phase 1 study of XmAb20717, a PD-1 x CTLA-4 dual checkpoint inhibitor. The trial is a multiple ascending dose study to determine the safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, immunogenicity and preliminary anti-tumor activity of intravenous administration of XmAb20717 in patients with advanced solid tumors.

· IND filing for XmAb23104, a PD-1 x ICOS bispecific antibody for the treatment of multiple oncology indications, expected in 2018 and initiation of Phase 1 trial expected in 2019.

· IND filing for XmAb22841, a CTLA-4 x LAG-3 dual checkpoint inhibitor for the treatment of multiple oncology indications, expected in 2018 and initiation of Phase 1 trial expected in 2019.

·IND filing for XmAb24306, an IL15/IL15Rα-Fc bispecific antibody for the treatment of multiple oncology indications, expected in 2019.

XmAb7195: XmAb7195 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody that targets IgE with its variable domain and uses Xencor’s XmAb immune inhibitor Fc domain to target FcyRIIb, resulting in three distinct mechanisms of action for reducing IgE. In a Phase 1b study, subcutaneously-administered XmAb7195 induced potent IgE reduction with improved tolerability. Xencor is currently seeking a development partner for XmAb7195.

Partnered XmAb Programs: Eight pharmaceutical companies and the National Institutes of Health are advancing novel drug candidates either discovered at Xencor or that rely on Xencor’s proprietary XmAb technology. Four such programs are currently undergoing clinical testing, including MOR208, which is in Phase 3 development as a combination agent for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In addition, regulatory submissions have been filed in the U.S. and EU for Alexion’s ravulizumab (formerly ALXN1210) for the treatment of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Corporate: In July 2018, Xencor announced the resignation of Edgardo Baracchini, Ph.D., Chief Business Officer, effective August 15, 2018. Xencor has initiated a search to appoint a new Chief Business Officer.

Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2018 Financial Results:

Effective January 1, 2018, Xencor adopted the new revenue recognition standard, Accounting Standard Codification 606 (ASC606). In addition to adopting the standard for 2018, revenue reported for the prior period ending June 30, 2017 has been revised to reflect the new standard.

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $555.4 million as of June 30, 2018, compared to $363.3 million at December 31, 2017. The increase reflects net proceeds of $245.5 million from Xencor’s sale of additional stock in March 2018, offset by cash used to fund operating activities in the six months ended June 30, 2018.

No revenues were reported for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2018, compared to $12.5 million and $16.0 million of income reported for the same periods in 2017. Revenues in the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 were primary milestones received from the Company’s MorphoSys and CSL collaborations. Revenue reported for both periods was affected by the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard on January 1, 2018. Under historic revenue recognition methods, the Company would have recognized $0.6 million and $13.3 million of revenue for the three-month periods, and $7.5 million and $17.7 million of revenue for the six-month periods, ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017, respectively.

Research and development expenditures for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 were $23.3 million, compared to $16.9 million for the same period in 2017. Total research and development expenditures for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 were $49.4 million, compared to $32.0 million for the same period in 2017. The increased research and development spending for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 reflects additional spending on Xencor’s pipeline of bispecific oncology candidates.

General and administrative expenses for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 were $5.0 million, compared to $4.1 million in the same period in 2017. Total general and administrative expenditures for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 were $9.5 million, compared to $8.9 million for the same period in 2017. The increased spending on general and administration for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 reflects additional facility costs resulting from the expansion of space under lease at Xencor’s Monrovia and San Diego locations and increased stock- based compensation charges.

Non-cash, share based compensation expense for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 was $9.4 million, compared to $6.6 million for same period in 2017.

Net loss for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018 was $25.9 million, or $(0.46) on a fully diluted per share basis, compared to a net loss of $7.7 million, or $(0.17) on a fully diluted per share basis, for the same period in 2017. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, net loss was $55.4 million, or $(1.07) on a fully diluted per share basis, compared to a net loss of $23.2 million, or $(0.50) on a fully diluted per share basis, for the same period in 2017. The increased loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 over the same periods in 2017 is primarily due to lower revenue and increased research and development spending in the 2018 periods.

The total shares outstanding were 55,821,310 as of June 30, 2018, compared to 46,854,762 as of June 30, 2017. The additional shares outstanding at June 30, 2018 reflect the 8,395,000 shares sold in Xencor’s March financing.

Financial Guidance:

Based on current operating plans, Xencor expects to have cash to fund research and development programs and operations into 2023. Xencor expects to end 2018 with approximately $500 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities.

Conference Call and Webcast:

Xencor will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT) to discuss these second quarter 2018 financial results and provide a corporate update.

The live call may be accessed by dialing (877) 359-9508 for domestic callers or (224) 357-2393 for international callers and referencing conference ID number 6399929. A live webcast of the conference call will be available online from the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.xencor.com. The webcast will be archived on the company’s website for 90 days.

OncoSec Enters Research Collaboration Agreement with UCLA and Roger S. Lo, M.D., Ph.D.

On August 6, 2018 OncoSec Medical Incorporated (OncoSec) (NASDAQ:ONCS), a company developing intratumoral cancer immunotherapies, reported that it has entered into a research collaboration agreement with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on behalf of Roger S. Lo, M.D., Ph.D. and his research team (Press release, OncoSec Medical, AUG 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234528629]). Dr. Roger S. Lo, Professor of Medicine and Molecular and Medical Pharmacology in the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Associate Chief of Dermatology and a member of the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, is a preeminent physician-scientist widely recognized for his work in understanding treatment-resistant melanoma.

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Under the research collaboration, Dr. Lo and his research team will perform genetic, transcriptomic and methylomic analyses of patients in OncoSec’s PISCES/KEYNOTE-695 Phase 2b clinical trial, which is evaluating TAVO (tavokinogene telseplasmid) in combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) for the treatment of metastatic melanoma in patients that have progress after receiving all available treatments including anti PD-L1 checkpoint immunotherapy.

"UCLA and Dr. Lo represent an ideal collaborator for OncoSec to augment our ongoing PISCES/KEYNOTE-695 Phase 2b clinical program with specialized research designed to pinpoint the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that correspond to specific clinical outcomes in the treatment of metastatic melanoma with TAVO in combination with pembrolizumab," said Christopher G. Twitty, Chief Scientific Officer of OncoSec. "The PISCES/KEYNOTE-695 Phase 2b study continues to progress as planned with enrollment in Stage 1 expected to be complete in the third quarter 2018 and topline data anticipated prior to year-end. Our collaboration with Lo Lab has the potential to not only offer important insights into the mechanism of action of TAVO in combination with pembrolizumab for the treatment of metastatic melanoma, but could be applicable across our clinical pipeline, including the ongoing KEYNOTE-890 Phase 2b trial of TAVO in combination with pembrolizumab in triple negative breast cancer."

Under Dr. Lo’s direction, his research team focuses on genomic, epigenomic and immunologic factors that shape the cancer’s evolution on molecularly targeted therapies and/or immune checkpoint inhibitors. Dr. Lo’s research has received funding from the National Cancer Institute, American Skin Association, Melanoma Research Alliance, The Melanoma Research Foundation, Ressler Family Foundation, and Steven C. Gordon Family Foundation.

Kura Oncology Reports Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

On August 6, 2018 Kura Oncology, Inc., (Nasdaq: KURA) a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of precision medicines for oncology, reported second quarter 2018 financial results and provided a corporate update (Press release, Kura Oncology, AUG 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234528626]).

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"I am very pleased with the continued progress we made over the past quarter, with a particular focus on operational execution," said Troy Wilson, Ph.D., J.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Kura Oncology. "We have enhanced our leadership team, improved our ability to screen and identify patients with HRAS mutations, positioned our pipeline to create additional opportunities and strengthened our balance sheet through a successful public offering. We believe the proceeds from this offering along with our existing funds give us the resources to advance our pipeline through a series of potential milestones, including data from a registration-directed trial of our lead drug candidate tipifarnib in HRAS mutant HNSCC."

Corporate Update

Updated data from RUN-HN at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) – An abstract relating to Kura’s ongoing Phase 2 trial of tipifarnib in HRAS mutant HNSCC has been accepted for oral presentation at the upcoming European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2018 Congress in Munich in October. The update will also include patients from an exploratory cohort in other HRAS mutant squamous cell carcinomas. Approximately 25 clinical sites are now open for enrollment worldwide and RUN-HN is currently enrolling at a rate of approximately two patients per month.

Screening collaboration to support enrollment – The company has signed an agreement with OncoDNA, an oncology-focused healthcare technology company based in Belgium, to support patient enrollment for Kura’s ongoing Phase 2 trial of tipifarnib in patients with HRAS mutant HNSCC. OncoDNA provides physicians internationally with next-generation sequencing for HNSCC oncogenic mutations, including HRAS, for patients who may be eligible to enroll in RUN-HN.

Registration-directed trial anticipated to initiate by year end – Kura has initiated startup activities for its upcoming registration-directed trial of tipifarnib in at least 59 recurrent or metastatic patients with HRAS mutant HNSCC. The company anticipates that the trial will be conducted at approximately 100 clinical sites worldwide and will take approximately two years to enroll. Based on feedback from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Kura believes that the single-arm trial, if positive, could support an application for accelerated approval.

HRAS mutant lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) – An investigator-sponsored trial of tipifarnib in HRAS mutant LSCC has been initiated and is now open for enrollment. The proof-of-concept trial is being conducted in collaboration with the Spanish Lung Cancer Group, a cooperative group consisting of more than 150 public and private oncology centers in Spain.

Biomarker-enriched data in hematologic malignances – Kura is prospectively investigating the CXCL12 pathway and bone marrow homing as potential biomarkers of activity for tipifarnib in its three ongoing Phase 2 trials in hematologic malignancies. The PTCL trial was the first of the three to begin and is actively enrolling into two cohorts: 1) Patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) and 2) patients with PTCL who have the absence of a single nucleotide variation in the 3’ untranslated region of the CXCL12 gene. The company expects to have biomarker-enriched data from PTCL and potentially other indications by the end of 2018.

Strengthened management team – Kura expanded its leadership team with the additions of Marc Grasso, M.D., and John Farnam. Dr. Grasso will join the company as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer on August 21, 2018, after 20 years in healthcare investment banking. Mr. Farnam joined Kura in the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer on July 1, 2018, from Celgene Receptos. The company has also added industry veterans Bridget Martell, M.D., and Blake Tomkinson, Ph.D., as Vice Presidents of Clinical Development.

Public offering of common stock – On July 2, 2018, Kura completed a public offering in which the company sold an aggregate of 4,600,000 shares of common stock at a price of $16.75 per share. Net proceeds from the public offering, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses, were approximately $74.5 million.

Upcoming Milestones

Update from ongoingPhase 2 trial of tipifarnib in HRAS mutant HNSCC at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) in October 2018

Initiation of registration-directed trial of tipifarnib in HRAS mutant HNSCC by the end of 2018

Dosing of first patient in investigator-sponsored study of tipifarnib in HRAS mutant LSCC

Biomarker-enriched data from Phase 2 trial of tipifarnib in PTCL by the end of 2018

Submission of an investigational new drug application for KO-539, a potent and selective menin-MLL inhibitor, in late 2018 or early 2019

Financial Results

Research and development expenses for the second quarter of 2018 were $11.5 million, compared to $5.7 million for the second quarter of 2017.

General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2018 were $3.8 million, compared to $2.3 million for the second quarter of 2017.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2018 was $14.7 million, or $0.45 per share, compared to $7.8 million, or $0.40 per share, for the second quarter of 2017.

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $125.9 million as of June 30, 2018, compared with $93.1 million as of December 31, 2017.

As adjusted for the $74.5 million in net proceeds resulting from the company’s public offering of common stock that closed on July 2, 2018, Kura had, on a pro forma basis, $200.4 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at June 30, 2018.

Management expects that current cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund its current operations through 2021.

Conference Call and Webcast

Kura’s management will host a webcast and conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT today, August 6, 2018, to discuss the financial results for the second quarter of 2018 and provide a corporate update. The live call may be accessed by dialing (877) 516-3514 for domestic callers and (281) 973-6129 for international callers

and entering the conference code: 1588245. A live webcast of the call will be available from the Investors and Media section of the company website at www.kuraoncology.com, and will be archived there for 30 days.