Sonnet BioTherapeutics Announces Abstract Accepted for Presentation in a Poster Session at the AACR 2022 Annual Meeting

On February 9, 2022 Sonnet BioTherapeutics Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:SONN) ("Sonnet" or the "Company"), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative targeted biologic drugs, reported that data from preclinical studies of the company’s proprietary Fully Human Albumin Binding candidates, SON-1010, SON-1210, and SON-1410, will be presented at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2022, to be held April 8-13, in New Orleans, Louisiana (Press release, Sonnet BioTherapeutics, FEB 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234607901]).

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Details of the abstract and poster presentation are as follows:

Title: An innovative human platform for targeted delivery of bispecific interleukins to tumors
Abstract Number: 4229
Session: Immunology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session Date and Time: Wednesday April 13, 2022; 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM EDT
Location: New Orleans Convention Center, Exhibit Halls D-H, Poster Section 38
Poster Board Number: 9

Labcorp Enters Comprehensive, Long-Term Laboratory Relationship With Ascension

On February 9, 2022 Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a leading global life sciences company, reported that it has entered into agreements to create a comprehensive strategic relationship with Ascension, one of the nation’s leading Catholic and non-profit health systems (Press release, LabCorp, FEB 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234607900]). Through the expansive strategic collaboration, Labcorp will manage Ascension’s hospital-based laboratories in 10 states and purchase select assets of the health system’s outreach laboratory business. This long-term relationship will expand Labcorp’s clinical laboratory services in several states across the country while creating opportunities to enhance care across all clinical areas.

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The transactions build on Labcorp’s strong track record of establishing health system relationships that foster innovation and create value for patients, clinicians and communities. The relationship allows Ascension to leverage Labcorp’s scientific expertise, technology and scale in therapeutic areas such as oncology, neurology and women’s health—thereby enhancing existing laboratory services and offerings. Ascension’s patients and clinician network will also have access to Labcorp’s leading diagnostics and at-home test collection services.

"By connecting two mission-driven organizations delivering high-quality service and care, we can provide care teams with the information and tools needed to make the best possible decisions to improve patient outcomes," said Adam Schechter, chairman and CEO of Labcorp. "This relationship highlights Labcorp’s ability to help health systems effectively manage industry-wide shifts and offer patients expanded testing services as we work to improve health and improve lives."

The lab management arrangement will cover Ascension’s hospital laboratories in Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. Additionally, Labcorp will work to improve standardization and efficiency using proprietary analytic tools and processes.

"This collaboration will allow us to continue our transformation as we find new and innovative ways to care for those that we’re privileged to serve during these unprecedented times," said Joe Cacchione, M.D., executive vice president of clinical and network services at Ascension. "We will work closely with Labcorp to ensure that our patients and clinicians have a seamless experience."

The transactions represent the national implementation of a laboratory services model that has proven successful both locally and regionally in fostering innovation and creating value for patients, providers and communities. It sets the stage for a long-term relationship designed to adapt to a changing health care environment.

Through Labcorp Drug Development, Ascension will be able to present enhanced opportunities for physicians and patients, including access to clinical trials, innovative new therapies and, where appropriate, new treatment options.

The transactions are subject to customary closing conditions and applicable regulatory approvals. Other terms of the transactions were not disclosed. The parties anticipate that the transactions will close in the first half of 2022. The organizations will work together to plan and implement a smooth, thoughtful transition that maintains continuity of services for patients, hospitals, clients and clinicians while providing direct access to the additional capabilities of Labcorp.

Aurinia Pharmaceuticals to Release Fourth Quarter and Year End 2021 Financial Results on February 28, 2022

On February 9, 2022 Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: AUPH) (the "Company") reported that it will release its fourth quarter and year end 2021 financial results on Monday, February 28, 2022, before markets open (Press release, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, FEB 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234607899]). Aurinia’s management team will host a conference call/webcast at 8:30 am ET that day to review the Company’s 2021 financial results, provide a general business update and discuss the Company’s outlook for 2022.

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Interested participants can dial +1-877-407-9170 (Toll-free U.S. & Canada). The audio webcast can also be accessed under "News/Events" through the "Investors" section of the Aurinia corporate website at www.auriniapharma.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on Aurinia’s website.

Seagen Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results

On February 9, 2022 Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2021 (Press release, Seagen, FEB 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234607898]). The Company also highlighted ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin), PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv), TUKYSA (tucatinib) and TIVDAK (tisotumab vedotin-tftv) commercial and development accomplishments, as well as progress across its robust oncology pipeline.

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"Total revenues of $1.6 billion in 2021 were driven by strong net product sales and reflect growth across our oncology brands, as well as international launches of TUKYSA and the U.S. approval and launch of TIVDAK, our fourth marketed product," said Clay Siegall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Seagen. "We are working to maximize the potential of our commercial portfolio through broad clinical development programs that are intended to support label expansions. Additionally, we are advancing our deep and diverse pipeline of more than thirteen clinical-stage programs for both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. We expect to achieve many milestones in 2022, including important clinical data readouts, global regulatory and commercial progress, and advances across our pipeline. We are well-positioned with significant financial strength and an expanded geographic footprint to continue executing upon our strategy."

APPROVED PRODUCTS HIGHLIGHTS

ADCETRIS

Reported ADCETRIS Combination Significantly Improves Overall Survival (OS) in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma: In February 2022, the Company announced that the phase 3 ECHELON-1 clinical trial demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in OS (p=0.009) in patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma following treatment with ADCETRIS in combination with chemotherapy. With approximately six years median follow up, patients receiving ADCETRIS plus doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD) in the frontline setting had a 41 percent reduction in the risk of death (HR 0.59; [95% CI: 0.396 to 0.879]) compared with patients receiving doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD). The safety profile of ADCETRIS was consistent with previous studies and no new safety events were observed.
Presented Results from Frontline Combination Study in Hodgkin Lymphoma at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting: In December 2021, data were presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) from a phase 2 study demonstrating that frontline treatment with ADCETRIS in combination with nivolumab, doxorubicin and dacarbazine (AN+AD) showed a complete response rate of 88 percent, an overall response rate of 93 percent and a favorable safety profile in patients with stage III/IV Hodgkin lymphoma.
PADCEV

Completed Enrollment in EV-103 Cohort K for First-Line Metastatic Urothelial Cancer (mUC): In October 2021, Seagen and Astellas completed enrollment in Cohort K of the EV-103 trial. The cohort is evaluating PADCEV in combination with KEYTRUDA and as a single agent for first-line treatment of patients with mUC who are unable to receive cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The results are expected in the second half of 2022 and, along with other data from the EV-103 trial, could potentially support registration under the FDA’s accelerated approval pathway.
Received Positive CHMP (Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use) Opinion: In December 2021, Seagen and Astellas announced the CHMP of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) adopted a positive opinion recommending approval as monotherapy for previously treated mUC. The European Commission decision-making process has been paused for additional CHMP questions related to severe skin reactions in a French compassionate access program.
Reporting Initial Results in Patients with Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC) at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU): Initial results from Cohort H of the EV-103 trial evaluating PADCEV as neoadjuvant monotherapy in patients with MIBC who are ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy will be presented at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GU meeting being held February 17-19.
TUKYSA

Presented Updated Results from Pivotal HER2CLIMB Trial at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS): In December 2021, multiple abstracts highlighting TUKYSA were presented at SABCS. One presentation described exploratory analyses from the pivotal HER2CLIMB trial showing that patients with stable and active brain metastases treated with a TUKYSA regimen maintained a survival benefit compared to patients on the control therapy after an additional 15.6 months of follow-up.
Completed Enrollment in MOUNTAINEER trial for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: In September 2021, the Company completed enrollment in the phase 2 MOUNTAINEER trial of TUKYSA in combination with trastuzumab and as a single agent in patients with HER2-positive metastatic colorectal cancer following previous treatment with first- and second-line standard-of-care therapies. The results are expected in the second half of 2022 and could potentially support registration under the FDA’s accelerated approval pathway.
Initiating Phase 3 HER2CLIMB-05 Trial in the Frontline Maintenance Setting: The Company expects to treat the first patient in a phase 3 trial evaluating TUKYSA or placebo in combination with standard of care frontline trastuzumab and pertuzumab as maintenance therapy for patients with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer in the first quarter of 2022.
TIVDAK

Reporting Initial Results from Solid Tumor Basket Trial: Initial data from the innovaTV 207 phase 2 trial of TIVDAK in solid tumors will be presented at the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancers Symposium to be held February 24-26.
PIPELINE PROGRAMS HIGHLIGHTS

Presented Data from SEA-CD40 in Combination with Other Therapies in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Gastrointestinal Cancer Symposium (ASCO GI): In January 2022, data from a phase 1 trial of SEA-CD40 in combination with chemotherapy and an anti-PD-1 in metastatic pancreatic cancer were presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) GI, demonstrating evidence of immune activation in patients with an acceptable safety profile and encouraging antitumor activity. Follow-up for survival is ongoing and will inform future development decisions.
Reported Data from SEA-BCMA at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting: In December 2021,the Company reported data from a phase 1 trial evaluating SEA-BCMA in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients. SEA-BCMA demonstrated an encouraging early safety and efficacy profile and the Company is enrolling an expansion cohort and evaluating additional combination regimens.
Initiated Phase 1 Trials with Novel Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs): In January 2022, the Company initiated phase 1 clinical trials of two novel ADCs, SGN-PDL1V and SGN-B7H4V, for advanced solid tumors. The programs are based on promising antitumor activity demonstrated in preclinical studies.
For additional information on Seagen’s pipeline, visit www.seagen.com/science/pipeline.

CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS

Appointed Lee Heeson, Executive Vice President (EVP), Commercial International: In February 2022, the Company announced the appointment of Lee Heeson as EVP, Commercial International. He is responsible for the continued expansion of Seagen’s Commercial operations in Europe, Canada and the rest of the world outside the United States. Mr. Heeson succeeded Tuomo Pätsi, who retired effective February 4, 2022.
Published Inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report: In December 2021, the Company issued its first Corporate Responsibility Report providing a comprehensive overview of environment, social, and governance priorities, achievements, and future commitments.
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2021 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Revenues: Total revenues in the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2021 were $429.9 million and $1.574 billion, respectively, compared to $601.3 million and $2.176 billion for the same periods in 2020. Collaboration revenues for the fourth quarter and full year 2020 reflected license revenue related to the agreements with Merck for ladiratuzumab vedotin and TUKYSA (see Collaboration and License Agreement Revenues section below).

Revenues were comprised of the following components:

Collaboration and License Agreement Revenues

14.7

267.9

(95)%

38.3

1,048.2

(96)%

Note: Sum of product sales may not equal total net product sales due to rounding.

Net Product Sales: The increase in net product sales for the periods in 2021 compared to the same periods in 2020 were primarily attributable to TUKYSA and PADCEV. TUKYSA growth was driven by continued penetration in its current indication in the U.S. in addition to global expansion following approval in the European Union in February 2021. PADCEV growth was driven by continued penetration in the initial indication as well as by FDA approval in July 2021 for PADCEV’s use in an additional indication. ADCETRIS also generated modest growth, partially related to greater use in frontline advanced Hodgkin lymphoma. TIVDAK was approved by the FDA in September 2021.
Royalty Revenues: Royalty revenues are primarily driven by sales of ADCETRIS outside the U.S. and Canada by Takeda and, to a lesser extent, royalties from sales of Polivy (polatuzumab vedotin) by Roche and Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin) by GlaxoSmithKline, which are ADCs that use Seagen technology.
Collaboration and License Agreement Revenues: The decrease in collaboration and license agreement revenues for 2021 compared to 2020 is the result of $250.1 million recognized in the fourth quarter of 2020 and $975.2 million recognized in the full year 2020 related to the Merck collaborations for ladiratuzumab vedotin and TUKYSA that were entered into in September 2020. The 2021 periods reflect amounts earned under the Company’s collaboration agreements.
Cost of Sales: Cost of sales in the fourth quarter were $86.7 million, compared to $61.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. Cost of sales were $311.6 million for the full year in 2021, compared to $217.7 million for the same period in 2020. The increases in 2021 were primarily related to the gross profit share owed to our collaboration partners which were $46.2 million and $162.0 million in the fourth quarter and full year in total, respectively, compared to $32.1 million and $104.6 million for the same periods in 2020. Cost of sales also reflect amortization of TUKYSA acquired in-process technology costs, third-party royalties owed for ADCETRIS, PADCEV and TUKYSA net product sales, and cost of products sold.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses in the fourth quarter were $304.3 million, compared to $216.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. R&D expenses were $1.229 billion for the full year in 2021, compared to $827.1 million in 2020. The increase in full year 2021 primarily reflected a $200 million upfront payment due under the RemeGen collaboration agreement for disitamab vedotin. Additionally, the increase in R&D expenses was attributable to continued investment in clinical development of the Company’s approved drugs and to advance novel programs and technologies.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses: SG&A expenses in the fourth quarter were $210.9 million, compared to $158.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. SG&A expenses were $716.2 million for the full year in 2021, compared to $533.8 million for the same period in 2020. The increases in 2021 primarily reflected investments to support ongoing European TUKYSA launches and the U.S. commercial launch of TIVDAK.

Non-cash share-based compensation cost for the full year in 2021 was $173.1 million, compared to $147.2 million for the same period in 2020.

Net Income / Loss: Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2021 was $174.6 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, compared to net income of $167.1 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2020. For the full year in 2021, net loss was $674.5 million, or $3.70 per diluted share, compared to net income of $613.7 million, or $3.37 per diluted share, for the year in 2020. Net loss in full year 2021 was impacted by the $200 million upfront payment owed to RemeGen. Net income for the 2020 periods were driven by the revenue recognized under the Merck collaborations.

Cash and Investments: As of December 31, 2021, Seagen had $2.2 billion in cash and investments.

2022 FINANCIAL OUTLOOK

Seagen anticipates 2022 revenues, operating expenses and other costs to be in the ranges shown in the table below.

1. TIVDAK sales guidance not provided and is excluded from product sales and total revenues guidance.

2. Non-cash costs include share-based compensation, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets.

Conference Call Details

Seagen management will host a conference call and webcast with supporting slides to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2021 financial results and provide an update on business activities. The event will be held today at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time (PT); 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). The live event will be simultaneously webcast and available for replay from the Seagen website at investor.seagen.com. Investors may also participate in the conference call by calling 844-763-8274 (domestic) or 412-717-9224 (international). The conference ID is 10163004. Supporting slides are available on the Seagen website at investor.seagen.com under the Investors section. A webcast replay will be archived on the Company’s website investor.seagen.com, under the Investors section.

Checkmate Pharmaceuticals Appoints Alan Bash as President and CEO

On February 9, 2022 Checkmate Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMPI) ("Checkmate"), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing its proprietary technology to harness the power of the immune system to combat cancer, reported the appointment of Alan Bash as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective March 1, 2022 (Press release, Checkmate Pharmaceuticals, FEB 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234607897]). Mr. Bash, who will also join the Board of Directors, will succeed Alan Fuhrman, who has served as interim President and Chief Executive Officer since October 2021. Mr. Fuhrman will continue to serve Checkmate as a member of the Board of Directors.

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"I am very pleased to welcome Alan Bash as President and CEO. With over two decades of leadership experience at Bristol Myers Squibb, Mr. Bash has extensive expertise translating innovative science into meaningful advances for patients, notably driving the successful launch and commercialization of Opdivo and Yervoy," said Mike Powell, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Under Alan’s leadership, Checkmate will continue developing novel treatments for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. The Company’s lead program vidutolimod, continues to progress in multiple clinical studies and towards registration in refractory melanoma. I want to thank Mr. Fuhrman for his outstanding stewardship as interim President and CEO over these past months."

"I am honored to be joining an experienced management team, an accomplished Board and a Company built on the potential to improve the lives of those living with cancer," said Mr. Bash. "Vidutolimod combines a powerful, unique immune activator, CpG-A DNA, with an innovative delivery platform, that has demonstrated potential best-in-class efficacy in certain patients whose tumors were non-responsive to approved immunotherapies."

Mr. Bash’s appointment follows the recent additions of Jon Wigginton, M.D. and Joy Yan, M.D., Ph.D. to the Checkmate Board of Directors. These appointments provide complementary leadership and immuno-oncology expertise and position Checkmate well to advance the development of vidutolimod and unlock its value potential.

Mr. Bash will join Checkmate from Bristol Myers Squibb ("BMS"), where he currently serves as Senior Vice President, Commercial Model Innovation, and prior to that, Senior Vice President, Commercial for Immunology and Fibrosis, partnering with Research & Development to advance early and late-stage assets in the integrated BMS and Celgene portfolios. He has a deep expertise in immuno-oncology, having led the U.S. launch of the PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, Opdivo; serving as franchise lead for metastatic melanoma; and leading the launch of the first FDA-approved checkpoint combination. He also served as Worldwide Vice President for BMS’s lung cancer franchise and led the product team for a targeted treatment for head and neck cancer and colorectal cancer. He earned his BA from Georgetown University and his MBA from Columbia Business School.