On August 1, 2019 Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACRS), a physician-led biopharmaceutical company focused on immuno-inflammatory and dermatological diseases, reported it will report financial results for the second quarter 2019, Thursday, August 8th, after U.S. financial markets close (Press release, Aclaris Therapeutics, AUG 1, 2019, View Source [SID1234537994]).

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Management will conduct a conference call at 5:00 PM ET to discuss Aclaris’ financial results and provide a general business update. The conference call will be webcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by logging on to the "Investors" page of the Aclaris Therapeutics website, www.aclaristx.com, prior to the event. A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Aclaris Therapeutics website for 30 days following the call.

To participate on the live call, please dial (844) 776-7782 (domestic) or (661) 378-9535 (international), and reference conference ID 3391498 prior to the start of the call.

On August 1, 2019 IVERIC bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISEE) reported financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2019 and provided a business update (Press release, Ophthotech, AUG 1, 2019, View Source [SID1234537986]).

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"We are pleased with the Company’s progress as we achieved several milestones to advance and expand our gene therapy pipeline for orphan inherited retinal diseases, or IRDs," stated Glenn P. Sblendorio, Chief Executive Officer and President of IVERIC bio. "We entered into exclusive global license agreements for rights to gene therapy product candidates for the treatment of BEST1-related IRDs and Leber congenital amaurosis type 10, or LCA10. We are encouraged by new research data from our miniCEP290 collaboration that support our plans to move this program forward in LCA10, and we expanded our gene therapy portfolio with the addition of a minigene research program for USH2A related IRDs, including Usher syndrome type 2A and USH2A-associated nonsyndromatic autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. Manufacturing activities for IC-100 and IC-200, our two lead gene therapy product candidates, are currently ongoing using state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities of Paragon Gene Therapy, part of Catalent Biologics."

Kourous A. Rezaei, MD, Chief Medical Officer of IVERIC bio added, "With the addition of the USH2A program to our portfolio, IVERIC bio is seeking to treat vision loss associated with what are reportedly the most common form of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (rhodopsin-mediated) and the most common form of autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (USH2A-related). Retinitis pigmentosa is the most common orphan IRD. We look forward to presenting our gene therapy pipeline and discussing our programs in greater detail with highly-recognized gene therapy scientists and key opinion leaders in retinal diseases at our upcoming Gene Therapy R&D Investor Day."

Second Quarter 2019 and Recent Highlights

Orphan IRD Gene Therapy Programs

IC-100: Rhodopsin-Mediated Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa (RHO-adRP)
Natural history studies and IND-enabling activities for IC-100 are ongoing. The Company expects to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for IC-100 in the second half of 2020.

IC-200: BEST1-Related IRDs
In April 2019, the Company entered into an exclusive global license agreement with the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Florida Research Foundation for rights to develop and commercialize novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy product candidates for the treatment of BEST1-related IRDs, including Best vitelliform macular dystrophy, also known as Best disease. The Company expects to initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for IC-200 in the first half of 2021.

miniCEP290: Leber Congenital Amaurosis Type 10 (LCA10)
Encouraging results from the Company’s collaboration with the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMass Medical School) in its miniCEP290 program led the Company to exercise its option and, in July 2019, the Company entered into an exclusive global license agreement with the University of Massachusetts for rights to develop and commercialize mutation independent novel AAV minigene therapy product candidates for the treatment of LCA10, which is due to mutations in the CEP290 gene and is the most common type of LCA.

miniUSH2A: USH2A-Related IRDs Including Usher Syndrome Type 2A and USH2A-Associated Nonsyndromatic Autosomal Recessive Retinitis Pigmentosa
In July 2019, the Company entered into a sponsored research agreement with UMass Medical School and an exclusive option agreement with the University of Massachusetts for rights to develop and commercialize novel AAV gene therapy product candidates utilizing a mutation independent minigene therapy approach for the treatment of USH2A-related IRDs. This group of orphan IRDs include Usher syndrome Type 2A and USH2A-associated nonsyndromatic autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa.

Gene Therapy Manufacturing
In June 2019, the Company announced that it had entered into a strategic manufacturing relationship with Paragon Gene Therapy, part of Catalent Biologics. This agreement is for production and manufacturing of AAV vectors for pre-clinical activities and planned Phase 1/2 clinical trials for IC-100 and IC-200.

Gene Therapy R&D Investor Day Scheduled
The Company will host its first "Gene Therapy R&D Investor Day" in New York, NY on Friday, September 13, 2019. The agenda includes updates from IVERIC bio’s management on its gene therapy portfolio in orphan IRDs, and scientific discussions from gene therapy scientists and key opinion leaders in orphan inherited retinal diseases including;

Guangping Gao, PhD, University of Massachusetts Medical School

William A. Beltran, DVM, PhD, University of Pennsylvania

Charles A. Gersbach, Duke University

Hemant Khanna, PhD, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Gustavo D. Aguirre, VMD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

Andreas K. Lauer, MD, Oregon Health & Science University

Bart P. Leroy, MD, PhD, Ghent University and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Alfred S. Lewin, PhD, University of Florida

Therapeutic Programs
The Company expects initial top-line data for its ongoing Phase 2b clinical trial of Zimura (avacincaptad pegol), a C5 complement inhibitor, for the treatment of geographic atrophy secondary to dry age-related macular degeneration to be available in the fourth quarter of 2019. The Company expects initial top-line data for its Phase 2b clinical trial of Zimura for the treatment of autosomal recessive Stargardt disease to be available in the second half of 2020.

Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results

Operational Update
As of June 30, 2019, the Company had $106.9 million in cash and cash equivalents. After taking into account the Company’s recent in-licensing transaction for its miniCEP290 program and sponsored research agreement for its miniUSH2A program, the Company reaffirms its estimate that year-end 2019 cash and cash equivalents will range between $80 million and $85 million. This estimate is based on its current 2019 business plan, including the continuation of its current research and development programs. This estimate does not reflect any additional expenditures, including associated development

costs, in the event the Company in-licenses or acquires any new product candidates or commences any new sponsored research programs.

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $10.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, compared to $8.5 million for the same period in 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, research and development expenses were $17.7 million compared to $16.2 million for the same period in 2018. Research and development expenses increased primarily due to increases in costs associated with the Company’s gene therapy programs and HtrA1 inhibitor program, offset by decreases in costs associated with the Company’s Zimura programs, personnel expenses and professional and consulting fees.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $5.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, compared to $6.3 million for the same period in 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, general and administrative expenses were $10.7 million compared to $12.0 million for the same period in 2018. General and administrative expenses decreased primarily due to decreases in costs to support the Company’s operations and infrastructure.

Net Income: The Company reported a net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 of $14.4 million, or ($0.35) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $13.2 million, or ($0.37) per diluted share, for the same period in 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company reported a net loss of $26.9 million or ($0.65) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $26.3 million or ($0.73) for the same period in 2018.

Conference Call/Web Cast Information
IVERIC bio will host a conference call/webcast to discuss the Company’s financial and operating results and provide a business update. The call is scheduled for August 1, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in this conference call, dial 800-458-4121 (USA) or 323-794-2597 (International), passcode 3528260. A live, listen-only audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed on the Investors section of the IVERIC bio website at www.ivericbio.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 3528260.

On August 1, 2019 Intrexon Corporation (NASDAQ: XON), a leader in the engineering and industrialization of biology to improve the quality of life and health of the planet, reported it will release second quarter and first half 2019 financial results after the market closes on Thursday, August 8th, 2019 (Press release, Intrexon, AUG 1, 2019, View Source [SID1234537985]). The Company will host a conference call that day at 5:30 PM ET to discuss the results and provide a general business update.

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The conference call may be accessed by dialing 1-888-317-6003 (Domestic US), 1-866-284-3684 (Canada), and 1‑412-317-6061 (International) and providing the number 4443860 to join the Intrexon Corporation Call. Participants may also access the live webcast through Intrexon’s website in the Investors section at View Source

On August 1, 2019 (the "Effective Date"), AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("AVEO") reported that it has entered into an amendment (the "Amendment") to the license agreement dated December 21, 2006 (the "KKC Agreement") with Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. (formerly Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd.) ("KKC") (Filing, 8-K, AVEO, AUG 1, 2019, View Source [SID1234537983]). Under the KKC Agreement, KKC granted AVEO an exclusive license to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize tivozanib in all human diseases and conditions in the territory licensed to AVEO, which covers all territories in the world except for Asia and the Middle East (the "AVEO Territory"). Pursuant to the Amendment, KKC repurchased the non-oncology rights to tivozanib in the AVEO Territory, excluding the rights AVEO sublicensed to EUSA Pharma (UK) Limited ("EUSA") under the license agreement between AVEO and EUSA dated December 18, 2015.

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In consideration for KKC’s repurchase of the non-oncology rights to tivozanib in the AVEO Territory, KKC has upfront, milestone and royalty payment obligations to AVEO under the Amendment. The Amendment provides that KKC (a) will make an upfront payment of $25.0 million within thirty (30) days after the Effective Date, (b) waives a one-time milestone payment of $18.0 million otherwise payable by AVEO upon AVEO obtaining marketing approval for tivozanib in the U.S., (c) will make milestone payments to AVEO of up to an aggregate of $390.7 million upon the successful achievement of certain development and sales milestones of tivozanib in non-oncology indications, and (d) will make tiered royalty payments to AVEO on net sales of tivozanib in non-oncology indications in the AVEO Territory, which range from high single digit to low double digits as a percentage of net sales. The royalty rate escalates within this range based on increasing tivozanib sales, subject to certain adjustments. KKC’s royalty payment obligations in a particular country in the AVEO Territory begin on the date of the first commercial sale of tivozanib in that country, and end on the later of the expiration date of the last valid claim of a patent application or patent owned by KKC covering tivozanib or 10 years after the date of first commercial sale of tivozanib in non-oncology indications in that country. If KKC sublicenses any of its non-oncology rights to tivozanib to a third party, KKC is required to pay AVEO a percentage of amounts KKC receives from its sublicensees related to the AVEO Territory, including upfront license fees, milestone payments and royalties, but excluding amounts KKC receives in respect of research and development reimbursement payments or equity investments, subject to certain limitations.

The foregoing summary of the Amendment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Amendment, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

On August 1, 2019 Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AGIO), a leader in the field of cellular metabolism to treat cancer and rare genetic diseases, reported business highlights and financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2019 (Press release, Agios Pharmaceuticals, AUG 1, 2019, View Source [SID1234537982]).

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"In the second quarter we demonstrated our ability to execute across all areas of our business. Our commercial team continues to deliver on the AML launch for TIBSOVO and prepare for our first potential solid tumor launch on the heels of the positive ClarIDHy study in cholangiocarcinoma," said Jackie Fouse, Ph.D., chief executive officer at Agios. "On the clinical side, we continued to broaden our IDH program into earlier lines of AML therapy and expand our PKR programs into new disease areas while enrolling the PK deficiency pivotal studies. In addition, we completed dose escalation in our AG-270 Phase 1 trial and are on track to initiate the next phase of development. The great progress we made during the quarter keeps us on track to deliver on our remaining 2019 milestones and drive further value across our portfolio."

SECOND QUARTER 2019 HIGHLIGHTS & RECENT PROGRESS

Received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 2, 2019 for single agent TIBSOVO for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with an IDH1 mutation who are ≥ 75 years old or who have comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy.
Announced the Phase 3 ClarIDHy trial of TIBSOVO in advanced previously treated cholangiocarcinoma patients with an IDH1 mutation met its primary endpoint, demonstrating improvement in progression-free survival by independent radiology review compared with patients who received placebo.
Presented updated data from the Phase 1 studies of TIBSOVO in frontline AML, both as a monotherapy and in combination with azacitidine, and the first data from the perioperative study of TIBSOVO and vorasidenib in glioma at the 2019 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. The data presentations can be found here.
Began dosing patients in the Phase 1 dose-escalation trial of AG-636, an inhibitor of the metabolic enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), in advanced lymphoma.
Completed the single agent dose-escalation portion of the ongoing Phase 1 study of AG-270 in methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP)-deleted tumors.
Appointed Orlando Oliveira to the role of senior vice president and general manager, international. Mr. Oliveira will be responsible for building and leading the company’s operations outside of the U.S. in support of the expected launch of TIBSOVO in Europe and potentially other select markets.
KEY UPCOMING MILESTONES

The company plans to achieve the following key milestones in the remainder of 2019:

Oncology:

Submit a supplemental new drug application to the FDA for TIBSOVO for advanced previously treated IDH1 mutant cholangiocarcinoma by year-end.
Initiate a registration-enabling Phase 3 study of vorasidenib in low-grade glioma with an IDH mutation by year-end.
Initiate expansion phase for the Phase 1 study of AG-270 in MTAP-deleted tumors, including two combination arms with AG-270 and taxanes in non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, in the third quarter.
Rare Genetic Diseases:

Complete enrollment in two global pivotal trials for mitapivat in adults with pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency by year-end 2019:
ACTIVATE-T: A single-arm trial of up to 40 regularly transfused patients
ACTIVATE: A 1:1 randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 80 patients who do not receive regular transfusions
Achieve proof-of-concept for mitapivat in thalassemia in the second half of 2019.
ANTICIPATED 2019 DATA PRESENTATIONS

Full data from the Phase 3 ClarIDHy study of TIBSOVO in IDH1 mutant advanced previously treated cholangiocarcinoma have been submitted for presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress taking place in Barcelona, Spain from September 27-October 1, 2019.
Data from the single agent dose-escalation portion of the ongoing Phase 1 study of AG-270 in patients with MTAP-deleted tumors have been submitted to the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC AACR-NCI-EORTC (Free AACR-NCI-EORTC Whitepaper) International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics (EORTC-NCI-AACR) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) taking place in Boston from October 26-30, 2019.
Data from IDH and PKR programs have been submitted for presentation at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting taking place in Orlando, Fla. from December 7-10, 2019, including new data from the extension phase of the Phase 2 DRIVE PK study of mitapivat in adults with PK deficiency and important translational data from the Phase 1 combination study of TIBSOVO and azacitidine in frontline AML.
SECOND QUARTER 2019 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Revenue: Total revenue for the second quarter of 2019 was $26.2 million, which includes $13.7 million of net product revenue from U.S. sales of TIBSOVO, $9.0 million in collaboration revenue and $2.7 million in royalty revenue from net global sales of IDHIFA under our collaboration agreement with Celgene. This compares to revenue of $40.4 million for the second quarter of 2018, which included recognition of a $15 million milestone from Celgene related to Celgene’s filing of an MAA to the EMA for IDHIFA and $12.4 million from the signing of the CStone collaboration.

Cost of Sales: We began U.S. sales of TIBSOVO in the third quarter of 2018. Cost of sales were $0.3 million for the second quarter of 2019.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $107.4 million for the second quarter of 2019 compared to $86.7 million for the second quarter of 2018. The increase in R&D expense was primarily attributable to vorasidenib Phase 3 low grade glioma trial start-up costs, the mitapivat pivotal program in PK deficiency and Phase 2 study in thalassemia, and clinical trial activity related to the ongoing Phase 1 trials for AG-270 and AG-636.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses: SG&A expenses were $32.4 million for the second quarter of 2019 compared to $26.6 million for the second quarter of 2018. The increase in SG&A expense was primarily attributable to costs to support commercialization of TIBSOVO and personnel costs related to increased headcount.

Net Loss: Net loss was $109.9 million for the second quarter of 2019 compared to $68.7 million for the second quarter of 2018.

Cash Position and Guidance: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2019 were $624.0 million compared to $805.4 million as of December 31, 2018. The net decrease of $181.4 million in cash position was primarily driven by net expenditures to fund operations, including a onetime cash expense of $19.2 million for bonus payouts during the first quarter. The company expects that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2019, together with anticipated product and royalty revenue, anticipated interest income, and anticipated expense reimbursements under our collaboration and license agreements, but excluding any additional program-specific milestone payments, will enable the company to fund its anticipated operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through at least the end of 2020.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
Agios will host a conference call and live webcast with slides today at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss second quarter 2019 financial results and recent business activities. To participate in the conference call, please dial 1-877-377-7098 (domestic) or 1-631-291-4547 (international) and refer to conference ID 9319039. The live webcast can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investors section of the company’s website at www.agios.com. The archived webcast will be available on the company’s website beginning approximately two hours after the event.