CARsgen Therapeutics Receives IND Clearance from the US FDA for CT041 CLDN18.2-CAR-T Cells

On May 18, 2020 CARsgen Therapeutics Co., Ltd., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, reported that one of its first-in-class drug candidates, CT041 humanized anti-claudin18.2 autologous Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cells (CT041) for the treatment of patients with claudin18.2-positive adenocarcinoma of the stomach, gastroesophageal junction, or pancreas, has received Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Press release, Carsgen Therapeutics, MAY 18, 2020, View Source [SID1234558239]). CT041 is the first claudin18.2-targeted CAR-T cell therapy IND cleared for clinical trials in the world. The proof-of-concept preclinical data was published in 2019 [1]. The IND clearance was supported by an ongoing investigator-initiated Phase I trial conducted by Professor Lin Shen at Beijing Cancer Hospital, Peking University in China (NCT03874897). An open label, multicenter, Phase 1b clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous CT041 cell therapy in patients with advanced gastric or pancreatic adenocarcinoma will be initiated by CARsgen in Q3 2020 in the United States.

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"The IND clearance of CT041 by the FDA is of great significance to patients with advanced gastric and pancreatic cancer," said Dr. Zonghai Li, founder, CEO and CSO of CARsgen. "According to the World Health Organization, about 1,030,000 new cases of gastric adenocarcinoma and over 450,000 new cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma are expected each year[2]. Despite the development of novel therapies, gastric and pancreatic adenocarcinomas remain incurable and new treatment options are needed. Our goal is to continue the development of novel, safe and effective immunotherapies. This is our long-standing commitment to cancer patients worldwide."

References:

[1] Jiang H, Shi Z, Wang P, et al. Claudin18.2 – specific chimeric antigen receptor engineered T cells for the treatment of gastric cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2019;111(4):409-18. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djy134.

[2] Bray F, Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, Siegel RL, Torre LA, Jemal A. Global cancer statistics 2018: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68(6):394-424.

Boston Scientific Completes $1.7 Billion Offering of Senior Notes

On May 18, 2020 Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) reported that it completed a public offering of $1.7 billion aggregate principal amount of its senior notes (Press release, Boston Scientific, MAY 18, 2020, View Source [SID1234558237]). The public offering consists of $500.0 million of 1.900% notes due 2025 and $1.2 billion of 2.650% notes due 2030.

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The company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering towards (i) refinancing $450.0 million of borrowings under its revolving credit facility and a portion of its pre-payable bank debt, including $750.0 million under its $1.0 billion term loan credit facility maturing in February 2021 and $500.0 million under its $1.25 billion term loan credit facility maturing in April 2021 and (ii) paying related fees, expenses and premiums.

Adamis Pharmaceuticals Announces First Quarter 2020 Financial Results and Business Update

On May 18, 2020 Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NASDAQ: ADMP) reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020 and provided a business update (Press release, Adamis Pharmaceuticals, MAY 18, 2020, View Source [SID1234558236]).

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Dr. Dennis J. Carlo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Adamis Pharmaceuticals, stated,

"We are pleased to have resubmitted our ZIMHI New Drug Application to the FDA to get us back on track for regulatory review. We are also very excited to be partnering with US WorldMeds to commercialize both our SYMJEPI and ZIMHI products here in the U.S. Certainly, Adamis has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and the various degrees of lockdowns, and it remains to be seen how quickly everyone can get back to a new normal. However, we continue to operate and progress on a number of objectives. We will continue these efforts to mitigate the financial impact of the pandemic."

Product Updates

SYMJEPI (epinephrine) Injection

Earlier this month, the company announced that it had entered into an agreement with Sandoz Inc. providing for the mutually agreed return to Adamis of the marketing, promotion, and distribution rights to the company’s SYMJEPI (epinephrine) Injection 0.3mg, SYMJEPI (epinephrine) Injection 0.15mg products currently marketed and available in the United States, and the termination of the commercialization agreement between Adamis and Sandoz, following a transition period, supported by a transition services agreement that is currently being negotiated. Adamis also simultaneously entered into an exclusive distribution and commercialization agreement with USWM, LLC (USWM) for the United States commercial rights for the SYMJEPI products as well as the Company’s ZIMHI (naloxone HCI Injection, USP) 5mg/0.5mL product candidate.

In addition to the U.S., Adamis continues to seek opportunities to market SYMJEPI into other territories and in October 2019, the company announced it had entered into an exclusive distribution and commercialization agreement with Emerge Health to seek registration and commercialize SYMJEPI in both Australia and New Zealand.

ZIMHI (naloxone) Injection

Adamis has entered into an exclusive distribution and commercialization agreement with USWM for the U.S. commercial rights for ZIMHI (naloxone HCI Injection, USP) 5mg/0.5mL product candidate. Under the terms of the Adamis/USWM agreement, US WorldMeds obtained U.S. rights to commercialize and distribute the SYMJEPI products, upon the termination of Sandoz’s commercial rights, and ZIMHI, if approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in exchange for an upfront payment and potential regulatory and commercial milestones totaling up to $26 million. Additionally, after deducting the supply price and certain other deductions, including an allocation for US WorldMeds sales and distribution expenses from net sales of the products, Adamis and US WorldMeds will share equally in the net profits, as defined in the agreement.

Earlier today, the company announced the resubmission of the company’s New Drug Application ("NDA") to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for its ZIMHI product candidate. The resubmission follows the company’s meeting with the agency in February and is intended to address the issues raised by the FDA in the agency’s November 2019 Complete Response Letter ("CRL").

Drug Outsourcing Facility

During the first quarter of 2020, sterile and non-sterile revenues from the company’s wholly owned drug outsourcing facility, US Compounding (USC), decreased by approximately 6% in the first quarter compared to the same quarter in the prior year. Revenues from the sale of pharmaceutical formulations by USC were adversely affected by slowing demand due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. The company is seeking to mitigate the impact with the development and launch of products for which there has been a recent increase in demand.

First Quarter Financial Results

Revenues were approximately $4.7 million and $4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease of approximately 5.0% in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the comparable period of 2019 was impacted by the effect of the pandemic on demand for USC’s products.

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were approximately $6.1 million and $8.0 million, respectively. The decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in wages, benefits and other compensation expenses, and to a lesser extent by decreases in operational expenses relating to the ceasing of sales of certain USC products, and decreases in patent, consulting, outside services, professional fees, PDUFA fees, depreciation and other related expenses.

Research and development expenses were approximately $2.0 million and $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, a decrease of approximately 7.3%. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in development costs of our product candidates.

Cash and equivalents at the end of the first quarter was approximately $10.5 million. In February 2020, the company completed a registered direct offering of common stock, and a concurrent private placement of warrants, resulting in estimated net proceeds of approximately $6.2 million.

Targeted Milestones

•Transition SYMJEPI commercial responsibility from Sandoz to US WorldMeds;
•FDA approval and U.S. commercial launch of ZIMHI;
•Develop and launch new USC products to help offset the impact of pandemic; and
•Complete a Phase III ulcer study in horses.

Conference Call

Adamis will host a conference call and live webcast on Monday, May 18, 2020 at 2:00 pm Pacific Time to discuss its financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2020 as well as provide an update on business developments and activities.

US Dial-in (Toll Free): 1-877-423-9813

TOLL/International Dial-in: 1-201-689-8573

Conference ID: 13703885

Webcast: View Source

In addition, a telephone playback of the call will be available after approximately 5:00 pm PT on May 18, 2020. To listen to the replay, call toll free 1-844-512-2921 within the United States or 1-412-317-6671 when calling internationally (toll). Please use the replay PIN number 13703885.

Quest Diagnostics Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend

On May 18, 2020 Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services, reported that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.56 per share, payable on July 22, 2020 to shareholders of record of Quest Diagnostics common stock on July 8, 2020 (Press release, Quest Diagnostics, MAY 18, 2020, View Source [SID1234558235]).

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Myovant Sciences Provides Recent Corporate Updates and Reports Financial Results for Fourth Fiscal Quarter and Full Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2020

On May 18, 2020 Myovant Sciences (NYSE: MYOV), a healthcare company focused on redefining care for women and for men, reported financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and full fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 (Press release, Myovant Sciences, MAY 18, 2020, View Source [SID1234558234]).

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"I am tremendously proud of the many accomplishments of the Myovant team over the last year, with four positive Phase 3 studies, multiple regulatory submissions, and a strategic partnership with Gedeon Richter to accelerate the potential commercialization of relugolix combination tablet," said Lynn Seely, M.D., chief executive officer of Myovant Sciences. "We look forward to submitting our NDA in uterine fibroids this month and sharing the SPIRIT 1 results later this quarter, as we continue to realize our vision of redefining care for the millions of women and men with uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and prostate cancer."
Fourth Fiscal Quarter 2019 and Recent Business Highlights
Relugolix Clinical Programs

In March 2020, Myovant announced the submission of a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for once-daily, oral relugolix combination tablet (relugolix 40 mg, estradiol 1.0 mg, and norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg) for the treatment of women with moderate to severe symptoms associated with uterine fibroids. The MAA submission has completed validation and is now under evaluation by the EMA. The MAA submission was supported by efficacy and safety data from the Phase 3 LIBERTY program which consisted of two multinational, replicate pivotal clinical studies, LIBERTY 1 and 2, as well as data from a long-term extension study of relugolix combination therapy. Myovant expects to submit an NDA for relugolix combination tablet in uterine fibroids in May 2020.

In April 2020, Myovant announced that the Phase 3 SPIRIT 2 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of relugolix combination therapy (relugolix 40 mg plus estradiol 1.0 mg and norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg) over 24 weeks in 623 women with endometriosis met its co-primary efficacy endpoints with a 75.2% response rate for dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) and a 66.0% response rate for non-menstrual pelvic pain, while achieving six key secondary endpoints and demonstrating minimal bone mineral density loss. Myovant expects to report top-line results from a replicate Phase 3 study, SPIRIT 1, in the second quarter of calendar year 2020.

In April 2020, Myovant also announced that in an ovulation inhibition study relugolix combination therapy achieved 100% ovulation inhibition in 67 healthy women with no women ovulating during the 84-day treatment period, as evaluated by the Hoogland-Skouby assessment scale (score < 5). Furthermore, 100% of women resumed ovulation or menses upon discontinuation of treatment with an average time to ovulation of 23.5 days.

In April 2020, Myovant announced the submission of a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for once-daily, oral relugolix monotherapy tablet (120 mg) for the treatment of men with advanced prostate cancer. The NDA submission was supported by efficacy and safety data from the Phase 3 HERO study, a randomized pivotal study comparing relugolix monotherapy tablet versus leuprolide acetate. Myovant will present new efficacy and cardiovascular safety data from the HERO study in an oral presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper)’s ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)20 Virtual Scientific Program on May 29, 2020. Myovant expects to report additional data from the HERO study measuring castration resistance-free survival in approximately 430 men in the third quarter of calendar year 2020.
Corporate

In March 2020, Myovant and Gedeon Richter Plc. (Richter), a major pharmaceutical company in Central Eastern Europe focused on women’s health, entered into an exclusive license agreement for Richter to commercialize relugolix combination tablet for uterine fibroids and endometriosis in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States including Russia, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. Under the agreement, Myovant received an upfront payment of $40 million and is eligible to receive up to $40 million in regulatory milestones (of which $10 million was received in April 2020) and $107.5 million in sales-related milestones, and tiered royalties on net sales following regulatory approval. Myovant retains all rights to relugolix combination tablet in the U.S. and Canada, as well as rights to relugolix in other therapeutic areas outside of women’s health.
COVID-19 Pandemic Environment

To date the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Myovant’s ability to advance its clinical studies, regulatory activities, and preparation for the potential commercialization of its product candidates has been limited and all of Myovant’s publicly announced milestones remain on track. However, if the COVID-19 pandemic persists, and depending on the further evolution of the pandemic and its effects on Myovant’s activities, Myovant may experience more significant impacts on its business operations.

Fourth Fiscal Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Summary
Research and development (R&D) expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, were $41.7 million compared to $59.0 million for the comparable prior year period. R&D expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, were $192.6 million, compared to $222.6 million for the prior fiscal year. R&D expenses for the periods presented primarily include expenses related to Myovant’s Phase 3 clinical programs, manufacturing expenses, as well as personnel-related expenses for employees engaged in R&D activities. R&D expenses related to Myovant’s clinical programs have continued to decline, driven primarily by the wind down of Myovant’s Phase 3 studies. The decrease in relugolix Phase 3 study costs were partially offset by increases in other R&D expenses related predominantly to regulatory activities in connection with regulatory submissions for relugolix combination tablet and relugolix monotherapy tablet in multiple indications and jurisdictions and the build out of Myovant’s medical affairs organization in connection with preparations for Myovant’s anticipated commercial launches, as well as increases in personnel expenses, share-based compensation, and other R&D expenses. For the year ended March 31, 2020, R&D expenses include $1.8 million of share-based compensation related to the accelerated vesting of certain equity awards as a result of a change in control in Myovant in connection with the closing of a transaction between Roivant and Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, were $22.4 million compared to $12.5 million for the comparable prior year period. G&A expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, were $82.3 million, compared to $42.2 million for the prior fiscal year. The increase in G&A expenses for the quarter and the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 were primarily due to increases in expenses related to commercial operations activities in advance of potential future regulatory approvals of relugolix combination tablet and relugolix monotherapy tablet, personnel-related expenses, and share-based compensation expenses, as well as professional services fees, and other general overhead, administrative and information technology expenses to support Myovant’s headcount growth and expanding operations. For the year ended March 31, 2020, G&A expenses include certain one-off increases as a result of the change in control in Myovant, namely $10.2 million in share-based compensation expense related to the accelerated vesting of certain equity awards as well as a $3.6 million capital tax accrual.
Interest expense for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, was $0 and $3.9 million, respectively. On December 31, 2019, Myovant repaid all of its outstanding debt obligations to NovaQuest and Hercules and as a result there was no interest expense during the quarter ended March 31, 2020. For the year ended March 31, 2020, interest expense was $11.2 million, compared to $8.8 million for the comparable prior year period, reflecting higher outstanding debt balances with NovaQuest and Hercules until the debt repayment on December 31, 2019.
Loss on extinguishment of debt for the year ended March 31, 2020, was $4.9 million, which resulted from the early retirement of Myovant’s outstanding obligations to NovaQuest and Hercules. There were no such amounts in the other periods presented.

Interest expense (related party) for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2020, was $1.4 million in relation to Myovant’s outstanding debt of $113.7 million to Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, which did not exist in the year ended March 31, 2019.

Interest income for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2020, was $0.2 million and $2.6 million, respectively. There was interest income of $0.8 million and $0.9 million for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2019, respectively.

Net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, was $64.9 million, compared to $75.0 million for the comparable prior year period. Net loss for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, was $289.0 million, compared to $273.6 million for the prior fiscal year. On a per common share basis, net loss was $0.73 and $1.07 for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $3.37 and $4.09 for the years ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Capital resources: Cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, and committed funding totaled $365.9 million as of March 31, 2020, and consisted of $79.6 million of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities and $286.3 million of available borrowing capacity under the Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Loan Agreement. Additional funds may be drawn down by Myovant once per calendar quarter, subject to certain terms and conditions, including consent of Myovant’s Board of Directors. In April 2020, Myovant borrowed an additional $80.0 million under the Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Loan Agreement. In April 2020, Myovant received a $10.0 million regulatory milestone payment from Richter.

About Relugolix
Relugolix is a once-daily, oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist that reduces ovarian estradiol production, a hormone known to stimulate the growth of uterine fibroids and endometriosis, and testicular testosterone production, a hormone known to stimulate the growth of prostate cancer. Myovant is developing a relugolix combination tablet (relugolix 40 mg, estradiol 1.0 mg, and norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg) for women with uterine fibroids and for women with endometriosis. Myovant is also developing a relugolix monotherapy tablet (120 mg once daily) for men with advanced prostate cancer.

About MVT-602
MVT-602 is an oligopeptide kisspeptin-1 receptor agonist. Kisspeptin, the ligand, is a naturally-occurring peptide that stimulates GnRH release and is required for puberty and maintenance of normal reproductive function, including production of sperm, follicular maturation and ovulation, and production of estrogen and progesterone in women and testosterone in men. A Phase 2a clinical study in healthy female volunteers to characterize the dose-response curve in a minimal controlled ovarian stimulation setting has been completed.