Miravo Healthcare™ Announces 2021 and Fourth Quarter Results

On March 28, 2022 Nuvo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (TSX:MRV; OTCQX:MRVFF) d/b/a Miravo Healthcare (Miravo or the Company), a Canadian-focused healthcare company with global reach and a diversified portfolio of commercial products, reported its financial and operational results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021 (Press release, Nuvo Pharmaceuticals, MAR 28, 2022, View Source [SID1234611036]). For further details on the results, please refer to Miravo’s Management, Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) and Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021 which are available on the Company’s website (www.miravohealthcare.com). All figures are in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted.

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Key Developments Three months ended December 31, 2021 include the following:
• Total revenue was $17.7 million, an increase of 2% compared to $17.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020. Adjusted total revenue(1) was $17.8 million, an increase of 3% compared to $17.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.
• Net loss was $5.6 million compared to net income of $2.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020. Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $3.4 million, a decrease of 46% compared to $6.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.
• Revenue related to Blexten, Cambia and Suvexx was $8.8 million, an increase of 30% compared to revenue of $6.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020. Total Canadian prescriptions of Blexten, Cambia and Suvexx increased by 20%, 3% and 80%, respectively compared to the three months ended December 31, 2020.
• The Company repaid $3.1 million (US$2.5 million) of the Amortization Loan to Deerfield Management Company, L.P. (Deerfield).
• As at December 31, 2021, cash and cash equivalents were $30.9 million. Year ended December 31, 2021 include the following:
• Total revenue was $68.9 million, a decrease of 7% compared to $73.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Adjusted total revenue(1) was $69.4 million, a decrease of 2% compared to $71.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
• Net loss was $32.2 million compared to net loss of $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $22.2 million, a decrease of 22% compared to $28.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. • Revenue related to Blexten, Cambia and Suvexx was $32.3 million, an increase of 27% compared to revenue of $25.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Canadian prescriptions of Blexten and Cambia increased by 21% and 8%, respectively compared to the year ended December 31, 2020.
• The Company repaid $13.4 million (US$10.8 million) of the Amortization Loan to Deerfield. (1) Non-IFRS financial measure. These measures are not recognized under IFRS and do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS. See the Non-IFRS Measures section for definitions, reconciliations and the basis of presentation of the Company’s non-IFRS measures. Business Update
• In February 2022, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey granted a motion for summary judgment filed by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Inc. (Dr. Reddy’s). As a result, the asserted claims of Nuvo Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) DAC’s (Miravo Ireland) U.S. Patent Nos. 8,858,996 (the ‘996 Patent) and 9,161,920 (the ‘920 Patent) related to Vimovo in the U.S. were found to be invalid. Miravo Ireland and its partner are not planning on appealing this decision.
• In February 2022, Blexten for pediatric use in patients 4 years of age and older* was commercially launched in Canada by. The pediatric use includes two new dosage formats; a 2.5mg/mL oral solution and a 10mg orodispersible tablet (quick melt) for the treatment of the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis and chronic spontaneous urticaria (such as itchiness and hives). The pediatric formats will be available to patients with a prescription from their healthcare provider.
• In October 2021, Resultz was commercially launched in the U.S. market by The Mentholatum Company. Resultz is marketed in the U.S. under the brand name Mentholatum Kids Headlice Removal Kit. The Company’s Irish subsidiary, Miravo Ireland receives revenue from the supply of finished product to The Mentholatum Company.

* Blexten (bilastine) is indicated for the symptomatic relief of nasal and non-nasal symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis and chronic spontaneous urticaria (e.g. pruritus and hives) in patients 4 years of age and older with a body weight of at least 16 kg.

"Our key promoted brands have demonstrated continued strong performance with Blexten, Cambia, Suvexx and NeoVisc achieving year-over-year gains in prescription and revenue growth despite COVID-19 pandemic related headwinds. We are encouraged by the increasing numbers of in-person patient visits at healthcare providers and anticipate a return to pre-pandemic levels over the coming quarters," said Jesse Ledger, Miravo’s President & CEO. "Our product portfolio has continued to expand with the approval and subsequent launch of the pediatric formats of Blexten in Canada; and our EU and South Korean marketing authorization applications for Suvexx continue to move through the review process in their respective territories." 2021 and Fourth Quarter Financial Results Adjusted total revenue was $69.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $71.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The $1.6 million decrease in adjusted total revenue in the current year was primarily attributable to a decrease of $6.7 million of revenue from the Licensing and Royalty Business segment and a decrease in revenue of $0.7 million in the Production and Service Business segment, slightly offset by an increase of $5.8 million in the Commercial Business segment. Revenue attributable to the Commercial Business segment increased during the year ended December 31, 2021 due to a $7.3 million increase in sales of the Company’s promoted products (Blexten, Cambia, Suvexx and Neovisc), offset by a $1.5 million decrease in sales of the Company’s mature products. The Production and Service Business segment revenue decreased during the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily due to a decrease in Pennsaid 2% and Resultz product sales, as well as the stronger Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar and euro, which reduced the contribution from certain U.S. and euro denominated product revenue streams, slightly offset by an increase in sales of Pennsaid.

The decrease in revenue attributable to the License and Royalty business segment during the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily attributable to a $4.5 million reduction in U.S. Vimovo royalty revenue due to a competitor launch of a generic version of Vimovo in the U.S. during March 2020, as well as the stronger Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar and euro, which reduced the contribution from certain U.S. and euro denominated royalty streams during the current year. In addition, in the comparative year, the Company received a $2.5 million (US $1.8 million) milestone payment, net of withholding taxes related to the use of its Yosprala intellectual property in Japan. Adjusted total revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2021 increased to $17.8 million compared to $17.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA was $22.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $28.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021, a $5.5 million increase in gross profit from the Company’s Commercial Business segment (net a $1.4 million decrease in inventory step-up expense) was more than offset by a $6.7 million decrease in the contribution from the Company’s License and Royalty Business segment, a $1.5 million decrease in gross profit contribution from the Production and Service Business segment, a $1.9 million increase in sales and marketing expenses and a $0.1 million increase in general and administrative (G&A) expenses (net a $0.1 million increase in stock-based compensation). Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was $3.4 million compared to $6.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020. Non-IFRS Measures The Company discloses non-IFRS financial measures (adjusted total revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and cash value of loans) and a non-IFRS ratio (adjusted EBITDA per share) that are not recognized under and do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS. Accordingly, such measures are not necessarily comparable and may not have been calculated in the same way as similarly named financial measures presented by other companies. These measures should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for related financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS. The Company believes that shareholders, investment analysts and other readers find such measures helpful in understanding and assessing the Company’s financial performance.

We utilize these measures in managing our business, including as means of performance measurement, cash management and debt compliance. Because non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios do not have standardized meanings prescribed under IFRS, securities regulations require that such measures be clearly defined, identified, and for non-IFRS financial measures, reconciled to their nearest IFRS measure.

The applicable definition, calculation and reconciliation of each such measure used in this MD&A is provided below. Adjusted Total Revenue The Company defines adjusted total revenue as total revenue, plus amounts billed to customers for existing contract assets, less revenue recognized upon recognition of a contract asset. Management believes adjusted total revenue is a useful supplemental measure to determine the Company’s ability to generate cash from its customer contracts used to fund its operations. Adjusted EBITDA EBITDA refers to net income (loss) determined in accordance with IFRS, before depreciation and amortization, net interest expense (income) and income tax expense (recovery).

The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA, plus amounts billed to customers for existing contract assets, inventory step-up expenses, stock-based compensation expense, loss on fair value of derivative liabilities, loss on fair value of contingent and variable consideration, impairment loss, foreign currency loss, other losses less revenue recognized upon recognition of a contract asset, stock-based compensation recovery, gain on fair value of derivative liabilities, gain on fair value of contingent and variable consideration, impairment recovery, foreign currency gain and other income. Management believes adjusted EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure to determine the Company’s ability to generate cash available for working capital, capital expenditures, debt repayments, interest expense and income taxes.

(1) Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 includes $2.4 million for deferred income tax due to the utilization of loss carryforwards that were previously recognized. The Company did not recognize deferred income tax expense in the comparative year.
(2) The Company’s derivative liabilities are measured at fair value through profit or loss at each reporting date. As a result of the increase in the share price in the current year and an increase in the volatility of the Company’s shares, amongst other inputs, the value of the Company’s derivative liabilities increased, and the Company recognized net losses of $15.6 million on the change in fair value of derivative liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2021.
(3) During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded impairment of $17.9 million of goodwill and certain intangible assets in the Commercial Business and Licensing and Royalty segments. Additional details regarding the Company’s methodology and assumptions are disclosed in Note 9, Intangible Assets and Note 10, Goodwill to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2021. See Impairment and Risk Factors in the Management’s, Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Management to Host Conference Call/Webcast Management will host a conference call to discuss the results today (Monday, March 28, 2022) at 11:00 a.m. ET. To participate in the conference call, please dial (289) 536-4777 or 1 (888) 550-2239 / Conference ID: 6216508. Please call in 15 minutes prior to the call to secure a line. You will be put on hold until the conference call begins. A live audio webcast and replay webcast of the conference call will be available through View Source

Nimbus Therapeutics to Present Update on Cbl-b Discovery Program at AACR 2022 Annual Meeting

On March 28, 2022 Nimbus Therapeutics, a clinical-stage company that designs and develops breakthrough medicines through its powerful computational drug discovery engine, reported that it will present preclinical data from its Casitas B-lineage lymphoma b (Cbl-b) program at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2022 Annual Meeting, being held April 8-13, 2022 in New Orleans, LA (Press release, Nimbus Therapeutics, MAR 28, 2022, View Source [SID1234611035]).

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Cbl-b is validated as an immuno-oncology target; the enzyme catalyzes the ubiquitination of substrate proteins to regulate multiple signaling events in a variety of cell types, including immune cells. Nimbus undertook a structure-based drug design approach to identify NTX-801, a Cbl-b inhibitor. In an in vivo PD model, NTX-801 was observed to enhance cytokine responses. In a syngeneic mouse model, NTX-801 demonstrated tumor growth inhibitory activity.

Details of the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) presentation are as follows:

Abstract Control Number: 4649
Abstract Title: Discovery of NTX-801, a potent Cbl-b inhibitor with antitumor activity in syngeneic models
Session Title: Preclinical Immunotherapy

IN8bio Presents Clinical Update from the Ongoing Phase 1 Trial of INB-100, an Allogeneic Gamma-Delta T Cell Therapy in Leukemia Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

On March 28, 2022 IN8bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: INAB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative gamma-delta T cell therapies utilizing its DeltEx platform, reported a clinical update from the ongoing Phase 1 trial of INB-100 (Press release, In8bio, MAR 28, 2022, View Source [SID1234611034]). This program is an allogeneic, or donor-derived, gamma-delta T cell therapeutic candidate in development for patients with leukemia undergoing haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Two of the INB-100 patients treated have been in remission for nearly two years, and the third patient is in continuing remission at nine months post-treatment.

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The exploratory clinical correlative data highlights the robust reconstitution of the immune system of treated patients. The data show positive trends in levels of immune cells, including alpha-beta T cells, B cells and gamma-delta T cells. This suggests that the systemic immune system may show long-term positive trends in treated patients. The toxicity profile continues to be manageable with no treatment-related Grade 3 or greater adverse events. The clinical and correlative update was presented at the virtual European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) 48th Annual Meeting.

"We are encouraged by the patients’ responses to INB-100 treatment given this population’s high risk for recurrence," said Lawrence S. Lamb, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of IN8bio. "As we near the two-year mark in remission for our first and longest enrolled patient, we continue to monitor data from our ongoing clinical correlative studies, which are indicating a positive systemic immune response following the infusion of INB-100. Patient recruitment in this trial is continuing, and we look forward to releasing further clinical and correlative data with additional patients later this year."

About the INB-100 Phase 1 Trial

The Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT03533816) is a dose-escalation trial of allogeneic derived, gamma-delta T cells that have been expanded and activated ex vivo and administered systemically to patients with leukemia following haploidentical HSCT. Three high-risk AML patients with complex cytogenetics have been treated to-date. The single-institution clinical trial is currently being conducted at The University of Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC). The primary endpoints of this trial are safety and tolerability, and secondary endpoints include rates of GvHD, relapse rate and overall survival.

Fortress Biotech Reports Record 2021 Financial Results and Recent Corporate Highlights

March 28, 2022 Fortress Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ: FBIO) ("Fortress"), an innovative biopharmaceutical company focused on efficiently acquiring, developing and commercializing or monetizing promising therapeutic products and product candidates, reported financial results and recent corporate highlights for the full-year ended December 31, 2021 (Press release, Fortress Biotech, MAR 28, 2022, View Source [SID1234611033]).

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Lindsay A. Rosenwald, M.D., Fortress’ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Fortress and its partner companies had an exceptional year in 2021, generating a record-setting annual net revenue of $68.8 million, representing more than 50% growth over 2020. We also began to realize the value of our monetization strategy when AstraZeneca acquired Caelum Biosciences ("Caelum"), a company founded by Fortress, during the fourth quarter of 2021, when we received a $56.9 million payment for our investment in Caelum. Fortress has the potential to receive up to an additional approximately $155 million in future milestone payments from the transaction, which includes proceeds from the release of escrow funds. Our subsidiary Cyprium Therapeutics ("Cyprium") executed an agreement with Sentynl Therapeutics to commit development funding for and contingently acquire Cyprium’s proprietary rights to CUTX-101, its Copper Histidinate product candidate for the treatment of Menkes disease, upon FDA approval. Also of note, Journey Medical Corporation ("Journey Medical") completed its $30.6 million initial public offering ("IPO"), net of discounts and other offering costs, launched Accutane (isotretinoin), acquired Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) from Dermira, Inc. and entered into a collaboration agreement with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. to develop and commercialize DFD-29 (minocycline modified release capsules 40 mg) for the treatment of rosacea."

1 Figure is net of miscellaneous transaction expenses and a 10% holdback for an indemnification escrow.

Dr. Rosenwald continued, "Looking ahead in 2022, we anticipate continued progress and growth from our nine marketed prescription pharmaceutical products and over 30 product candidates in development. We have 30 ongoing clinical trials, including four product candidates in seven2 ongoing pivotal clinical trials. We expect the rolling submission of the New Drug Application ("NDA") for CUTX-101 to be complete in mid-2022. After announcing positive top-line results from the registration-enabling study of cosibelimab in metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma ("cSCC") in January, our partner company Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. ("Checkpoint") intends to submit a Biologics License Application ("BLA") for cosibelimab in 2022, followed thereafter by a Marketing Authorization Application submission in Europe. Mustang Bio, Inc. ("Mustang Bio"), another one of our partner companies, plans to initiate a multicenter Phase 1/2 clinical trial investigating the safety and efficacy of MB-106, a CD20-targeted, autologous CAR T cell therapy for relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas ("B-NHL") and chronic lymphocytic leukemia ("CLL") in the first half of 2022. Mustang Bio also plans to enroll the first patient in a pivotal multicenter Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate MB-107, a lentiviral gene therapy for the treatment of infants under the age of two with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency ("XSCID") in the second half of 2022. This ongoing advancement showcases the ability of Fortress’ business model to generate value for our shareholders and develop innovative therapies to help patients with unmet needs across multiple disease areas."

2021 and Recent Corporate Highlights3:

Marketed Dermatology Products and Product Candidates

·Journey Medical currently has nine prescription dermatology products. In 2021 and early 2022, Journey Medical acquired and launched four prescription dermatology products including Accutane, Qbrexza, Amzeeq and Zilxi, and two product candidates, DFD-29 and FCD105.
·Our products generated net revenues of $63.1 million for full-year 2021, compared to full-year 2020 net revenues of $44.5 million, representing growth of 42%.
·In March 2022, Journey Medical dosed the first patient in the Phase 3 clinical program of DFD-29 for the treatment of papulopustular rosacea. Topline data is anticipated in the first quarter of 2023 with an NDA filing expected in the second half of 2023.
·
In February 2022, Journey Medical received notice from its exclusive licensing partner in Japan, Maruho Co., Ltd. ("Maruho"), that Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare ("MHLW") approved Rapifort Wipes 2.5% (glycopyrronium tosylate hydrate) for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis. This approval triggered a milestone payment of $10 million to Journey Medical, of which $7.5 million will be paid to Dermira, Inc. ("Dermira"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement between Journey Medical and Dermira, with net proceeds of $2.5 million to Journey Medical.

·In November 2021, Journey Medical completed its IPO of common stock of 3,520,000 shares at a public offering price of $10.00 per share, for net proceeds of $30.6 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses. All of the shares of common stock were offered by Journey Medical.
·In July 2021, Journey Medical completed its final private placements under the 8% Cumulative Convertible Class A Preferred Stock Offering (the "Preferred Offering"), issuing an aggregate of 758,680 preferred shares at a price of $25.00 per share, raising approximately $19.0 million in gross proceeds and, after deducting commissions, fees and expenses, receiving approximately $17.0 million in net proceeds. These shares converted into Journey Medical common stock upon the IPO.
·On April 1, 2021, Journey Medical entered into an agreement with East West Bank ("EWB") in which EWB provided a $7.5 million working capital line of credit. In January 2022, Journey Medical expanded the borrowing capacity of the EWB credit agreement to $30.0 million, which includes an increase to the working capital line of credit to $10.0 million and a $20.0 million term loan.
·We intend to launch an additional prescription product this year in the first half of 2022.

2 Includes two trials at partner company Caelum Biosciences, which was sold to AstraZeneca in October 2021 and with respect to which Fortress remains eligible to receive up to approximately $155 million in future milestone payments from the transaction.

3 Includes product candidates in development at Fortress, majority-owned and controlled partners and/or subsidiaries, and partners and/or subsidiaries in which Fortress holds significant minority ownership positions. As used herein, the words "we", "us" and "our" may refer to Fortress individually or together with our affiliates, subsidiaries, and partners, as dictated by context.

CUTX-101 (Copper Histidinate for Menkes disease)

·In February 2021, our subsidiary Cyprium signed a Development and Asset Purchase Agreement with Sentynl Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., for CUTX-101 for the treatment of Menkes disease. Under the terms of the agreement, Cyprium received $8 million upfront to fund the development of CUTX-101 and could receive up to $12 million in regulatory milestone payments related to the NDA submission and approval process and is eligible to receive sales milestones plus royalties. Royalties start from mid-single digits, scaling up to 25% on sales exceeding $100 million annually. Cyprium will retain 100% ownership over any FDA priority review voucher that may be issued at NDA approval for CUTX-101. Cyprium is responsible for the development of CUTX-101 through approval of the NDA by the FDA, and Sentynl will be responsible for commercialization of CUTX-101, as well as progressing newborn screening activities.
·In October 2021, we announced positive results from an efficacy and safety analysis of data integrated from two completed pivotal studies in patients with Menkes disease treated with CUTX-101, copper histidinate (CuHis). These data were presented as a virtual poster at the 2021 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition. Overall, a 79% reduction in risk of death was observed in patients treated within four weeks of birth compared with an untreated historical control cohort of patients and median overall survival (OS) was 177.1 and 16.1 months, respectively, with a hazard ratio (HR) of (95% CI) = 0.208 (0.094, 0.463) p<0.0001. A 75% reduction in the risk of death was also observed in patients treated after four weeks of birth compared with untreated historical control subjects and median OS was 62.4 and 17.6 months, respectively; HR (95% CI) = 0.253 (0.119, 0.537); p<0.0001.
·In December 2021, we initiated the rolling submission of an NDA to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for CUTX-101. We intend to complete the rolling submission of the NDA for CUTX-101 in mid-2022.
·In March 2022, Cyprium announced positive data on CUTX-101 were presented as a "Top-Rated Abstract" and Poster at the 2022 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics Clinical Genetics Meeting. The abstract can be viewed here.
·CUTX-101 was sourced by Fortress and is currently in development at Cyprium.

CAEL-101 (Light Chain Fibril-reactive Monoclonal Antibody for AL Amyloidosis)

On October 5, 2021, AstraZeneca plc as successor-in-interest to Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Alexion") acquired Caelum for an upfront payment of approximately $150 million paid to Caelum shareholders, of which approximately $56.9 million was paid to Fortress, net of the $6.4 million, 24-month escrow holdback amount and other miscellaneous transaction expenses. The agreement also provides for additional potential payments to Caelum shareholders totaling up to $350 million, payable upon the achievement of regulatory and commercial milestones. Fortress is eligible to receive 42.4% of all potential milestone payments, totaling up to approximately $212 million.

·There are two ongoing Phase 3 studies of CAEL-101 for AL amyloidosis. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT04512235 and NCT04504825)
·In December 2021, CAEL-101 data were presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting ("ASH2021"). Abstracts can be viewed online through the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper)2021 website here.
·In June 2021, Caelum announced that CAEL-101 clinical data were presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2021 Virtual Congress ("EHA2021"). The data, presented in two e-posters, demonstrates the safety and tolerability profile of CAEL-101 to further support the dose selection for the ongoing Phase 3 study, and suggest possible cardiac and renal response.
·Also in June 2021, the FDA granted Fast Track designation to CAEL-101 for the treatment of light chain AL amyloidosis.
·CAEL-101 was sourced by Fortress and was developed by Caelum until Caelum was acquired by AstraZeneca.

Cosibelimab (formerly CK-301, an anti-PD-L1 antibody)

·In December 2021, we announced the initiation of the CONTERNO study, a global, randomized Phase 3 trial of cosibelimab in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.
·In January 2022, we announced positive topline results from our registration-enabling clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of our anti-PD-L1 antibody, cosibelimab, administered as a fixed dose of 800 mg every two weeks in patients with metastatic cSCC. The study met its primary endpoint, with cosibelimab demonstrating a confirmed objective response rate of 47.4% (95% CI: 36.0, 59.1) based on independent central review of 78 patients enrolled in the metastatic cSCC cohort using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 criteria. Checkpoint intends to submit a BLA for cosibelimab in 2022, followed by a Marketing Authorization Application submission in Europe and other territories worldwide. With a potentially favorable safety profile versus anti-PD-1 therapy and a plan to commercialize at a substantially lower price, we believe cosibelimab has the potential to be a market disruptive product in the $30 billion and growing PD-(L)1 class.
·Cosibelimab was sourced by Fortress and is currently in development at our partner company, Checkpoint.

Olafertinib (formerly CK-101, a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor ("EGFR") inhibitor)

·During the second quarter of 2021, we had productive interactions with the FDA regarding Checkpoint’s ongoing development program for olafertinib (formerly CK-101), our third-generation EGFR inhibitor being evaluated by our partner in an ongoing double-blind, randomized Phase 3 study in China.
·Olafertinib was sourced by Fortress and is currently in development at our partner company, Checkpoint.

MB-106 (CD20-targeted CAR T Cell Therapy)

·In May 2021, we announced that the FDA approved Mustang Bio‘s Investigational New Drug ("IND") application to initiate a multicenter Phase 1/2 clinical trial investigating the safety and efficacy of MB-106, a CD20-targeted, autologous CAR T cell therapy for relapsed or refractory B-NHL and CLL. We intend to dose the first patient in that trial in the first half of 2022.
·In June 2021, we announced that MB-106 CD20-targeted CAR T data were presented at EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper)2021. Dr. Mazyar Shadman of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center presented updated interim data from the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial for B-NHL and CLL, which showed a favorable safety profile and compelling clinical activity, with a 93% overall response rate and 67% complete response rate in patients treated with the modified cell manufacturing process.
·Also in June 2021, we hosted a key opinion leader webinar featuring a presentation from Dr. Shadman, who discussed interim results from the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial investigating the safety and efficacy of MB-106 CD20-targeted CAR T for B-NHL and CLL.
·In November 2021, we announced that Mustang Bio was awarded a grant of approximately $2 million from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. This two-year award will partially fund the Mustang Bio-sponsored multicenter trial to assess the safety, tolerability and efficacy of MB-106, a CD20-targeted, autologous CAR T cell therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory B- NHL or CLL.
·In December 2021, we announced that MB-106 data were presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper)2021. Dr. Mazyar Shadman of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center presented updated interim data showing a 95% overall response rate, 65% complete response rate and favorable safety profile from the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial for B-NHL and CLL. A copy of the poster can be viewed online here.
·Also in December 2021, we hosted a key opinion leader webinar featuring a presentation from Dr. Shadman, who discussed interim results from the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial investigating the safety and efficacy of MB-106 CD20-targeted CAR T for B-NHL and CLL. A replay of the webinar can be found here.
·In January 2022, we announced that interim Phase 1/2 data on MB-106, a CD20-targeted, autologous CAR T cell therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell NHL and CLL, were selected for a poster presentation at the 2022 Tandem Meetings I Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Meetings of the American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy and Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research, rescheduled to take place April 23-26, 2022, in Salt Lake City, Utah. A copy of the abstract can be viewed on the meeting website here.
·MB-106 was sourced by Fortress and is currently in development at our partner company, Mustang Bio.

Dotinurad (Urate Transporter (URAT1) Inhibitor)

·In May 2021, we announced an exclusive license agreement with Fuji Yakuhin Co. Ltd. to develop Dotinurad in North America and Europe. Dotinurad is a potential best-in-class urate transporter (URAT1) inhibitor for gout and possibly other hyperuricemic indications including chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure. Dotinurad (URECE tablet) was approved in Japan in 2020 as a once-daily oral therapy for gout and hyperuricemia. Dotinurad was efficacious and well-tolerated in more than 500 Japanese patients treated for up to 58 weeks in Phase 3 clinical trials. Over 1,000 Japanese patients have been treated safely with this drug.
·In December 2021, we filed an IND with the FDA. We expect to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate Dotinurad for the treatment of gout in the first half of 2022.
·Dotinurad was sourced by Fortress and is currently in development at our subsidiary company, UR1 Therapeutics.

MB-107 and MB-207 (Lentiviral Gene Therapies for XSCID)

·In February 2021, we announced encouraging MB-107 and MB-207 clinical updates from our XSCID investigator-IND trials, as well as additional consistent safety and efficacy data.
·In August 2021, we announced that the European Medicines Agency ("EMA") granted Priority Medicines ("PRIME") designation to MB-107, a lentiviral gene therapy for the treatment of XSCID in newly diagnosed infants, also known as bubble boy disease.
·In the second half of 2022, we expect to enroll the first patient in a pivotal multicenter Phase 2 clinical trial under Mustang Bio’s IND to evaluate MB-107, a lentiviral gene therapy for the treatment of infants under the age of two with XSCID.
·Mustang Bio filed an IND application in December 2021 for its pivotal multicenter Phase 2 clinical trial of MB-207, a lentiviral gene therapy for the treatment of patients with XSCID who have been previously treated with a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation ("HSCT") and for whom re-treatment is indicated. The trial is currently on hold pending CMC clearance from the FDA, and based on feedback from the Agency, Mustang Bio expects to enroll the first patient in a pivotal multicenter Phase 2 clinical trial in the first quarter of 2023.
·MB-107 and MB-207 were sourced by Fortress and are currently in development at our partner company, Mustang Bio.

Triplex (Cytomegalovirus ("CMV") vaccine)

·In December 2021, we announced that a Phase 2 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was initiated to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Triplex, a cytomegalovirus ("CMV") vaccine, in eliciting a CMV-specific immune response and reducing CMV replication in people living with HIV. The trial is being conducted by the AIDS Clinical Trials Group and is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, part of the National Institutes of Health.
·Triplex was sourced by Fortress and is currently in development at our subsidiary company, Helocyte, Inc.

MB-101 (IL13Rα2-targeted CAR T Cell Therapy)

·In May 2021, we announced that the first patient was dosed at City of Hope in a clinical trial to establish the safety and feasibility of administering MB-101 (autologous IL13Rα2-directed CAR T cells) to patients with leptomeningeal brain tumors (e.g., glioblastoma, ependymoma or medulloblastoma).
·In October 2021, Christine Brown, Ph.D., Deputy Director, T Cell Therapeutics Research Laboratory Professor, Departments of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Immuno-Oncology and The Heritage Provider Network Professor in Immunotherapy at City of Hope, presented updated Phase 1 clinical data regarding MB-101 (IL13Rα2-targeted CAR T cells) for the treatment of glioblastoma at two scientific conferences, the First Annual Conference on CNS Clinical Trials, co-sponsored by the Society for Neuro-Oncology and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper), and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Virtual Special Conference: Brain Cancer.
·MB-101 was sourced by Fortress and is currently in development at our partner company, Mustang Bio.

MB-105 (PSCA-targeted CAR T Cell Therapy)

·In February 2022, Phase 1 data on MB-105, a PSCA-targeted CAR T cell therapy administered systemically to patients with PSCA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer ("mCRPC"), were presented by City of Hope at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Genitourinary Cancers Symposium. The data results indicated that PSCA-CAR T-cell therapy is feasible in patients with mCRPC with dose limiting toxicity of cystitis and show preliminary anti-tumor effect at a dose of 100 million cells plus lymphodepletion. It was concluded that escalation up to the next dose level of 300 million cells can proceed in the trial.
·MB-105 was sourced by Fortress and is currently in development at our partner company, Mustang Bio.

MB-109 (MB-101 (IL13Rα2-targeted CAR T Cell Therapy) + MB-108 oncolytic virus)

·In March 2022, we announced that an abstract reporting on Phase 1 trials being conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and City of Hope of Mustang Bio’s exclusively licensed oncolytic viral and CAR T-cell therapies for the treatment of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) was selected as a late-breaking poster presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2022, taking place April 8 – 13, 2022, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The abstract will also be published in the online Proceedings of the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper).

Novel CAR T Technology

·In August 2021, we announced an exclusive license agreement with Mayo Clinic for a novel technology to create in vivo CAR T cells that may be able to transform the administration of CAR T therapies and has the potential to be used as an off-the-shelf therapy.
·The novel CAR T technology was sourced by Fortress and is currently in development at our partner company, Mustang Bio.

Ex Vivo Lentiviral Gene Therapy for RAG1 Severe Combined Immunodeficiency ("RAG1-SCID")

·In November 2021, we announced the execution of an exclusive license agreement with Leiden University Medical Centre for a first-in-class ex vivo lentiviral gene therapy for the treatment of RAG1-SCID.
·The ex vivo lentiviral gene therapy was sourced by Fortress and is currently in development at Mustang Bio.

Financial Results:

To assist our stockholders in understanding our company, we have prepared non-GAAP financial results for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. These results exclude the operations of our four public partner companies: Avenue Therapeutics, Inc. ("Avenue"), Checkpoint, Journey Medical and Mustang Bio, as well as any one-time, non-recurring, non-cash transactions. The goal in providing these non-GAAP financial metrics is to highlight the financial results of Fortress’ core operations, which are comprised of our privately held development-stage entities, as well as our business development and finance functions.

·As of December 31, 2021, Fortress’ consolidated cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $308.0 million, compared to $254.4 million as of September 30, 2021, and $235.0 million as of December 31, 2020, an increase of $53.6 million for the fourth quarter and an increase of $73.0 million for the full year.

·On a GAAP basis, Fortress’ net revenue totaled $68.8 million for the full year ended December 31, 2021, which included $63.1 million in net revenue generated from our marketed dermatology products. This compares to net revenue totaling $45.6 million for the full year ended 2020, which included $44.5 million in net revenue generated from our marketed dermatology products.
·On a GAAP basis, consolidated research and development expenses including license acquisitions totaled $128.9 million for the full year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $64.1 million for the full year ended December 31, 2020. On a non-GAAP basis, research and development costs including research and development license acquisitions totaled $18.0 million for the full year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $10.0 million for the full year ended December 31, 2020.
·On a GAAP basis, consolidated selling, general and administrative costs were $86.8 million for the full year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $61.2 million for the full year ended December 31, 2020. On a non-GAAP basis, selling, general and administrative expenses were $28.6 million for the full year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $23.4 for the full year ended December 31, 2020.
·On a GAAP basis, consolidated net loss attributable to common stockholders was $(64.7) million, or $(0.79) per share, for the full year ended December 31, 2021, compared to net loss attributable to common stockholders of $(46.5) million, or $(0.65) per share for the full year ended December 31, 2020.
·
Fortress’ non-GAAP income attributable to common stockholders was $25.5 million, or $0.31 per share basic and $0.25 per share diluted, for the full year ended December 31, 2021, compared to Fortress’ non-GAAP loss attributable to common stockholders of $(30.8) million, or $(0.43) per share basic and diluted, for the full year ended December 31, 2020.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures:

In addition to the GAAP financial measures as presented in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 28, 2022, the Company, in this press release, has included certain non-GAAP measurements. The non-GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders is defined by the Company as GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders, less net losses attributable to common stockholders from our public partner companies Avenue, Checkpoint, Journey Medical and Mustang Bio ("public partner companies"), as well as our former subsidiary, Caelum. In addition, the Company has also provided a Fortress non-GAAP loss attributable to common stockholders which is a modified EBITDA calculation that starts with the non-GAAP loss attributable to common stockholders and removes stock-based compensation expense, non-cash interest expense, amortization of licenses and debt discount, changes in fair values of investment, changes in fair value of derivative liability, and depreciation expense. The Company also provides non-GAAP research and development costs, defined as GAAP research and development costs, less research and development costs of our public partner companies and non-GAAP selling, general and administrative costs, defined as GAAP selling, general and administrative costs, less selling, general and administrative costs of our public partner companies.

Management believes each of these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s performance because (i) it allows for greater transparency with respect to key measures used by management in its financial and operational decision-making; (ii) it excludes the impact of non-cash or, when specified, non-recurring items that are not directly attributable to the Company’s core operating performance and that may obscure trends in the Company’s core operating performance; and (iii) it is used by institutional investors and the analyst community to help analyze the Company’s standalone results separate from the results of its public partner companies. However, non-GAAP loss attributable to common stockholders and any other non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the corresponding measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Further, non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company and the manner in which they are calculated may differ from the non-GAAP financial measures or the calculations of the same non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, including the Company’s competitors.

1.Results for the year ended December 31, 2020 have been adjusted to remove Journey Medical as a public entity due to its IPO in November, 2021.

2.Avenue net loss for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 of $3.7 million and $5.2 million, respectively, net of non-controlling interest of $2.9 million and $4.0 million, respectively.

3.Checkpoint net loss for the year ended December 31, 2021 of $56.7 million net of non-controlling interest of $39.2 million, Master Services Agreement ("MSA") fee to Fortress of $0.5 million, financing fee and payment-in-kind ("PIK") dividend to Fortress of $1.0 million and $6.6 million, respectively; and net loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 of $23.1 million net of non-controlling interest of $13.3 million, MSA fee to Fortress of $0.5 million, financing fee and PIK dividend to Fortress of $0.9 million and $4.6 million, respectively.

4.Journey Medical net loss for the year ended December 31, 2021 of $44.0 million net of non-controlling interest of $5.7 million and tax expense recognized on a stand-alone basis of $1.6 million; and net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 of $5.3 million, net non-controlling interest of $0.5 million and stand-alone tax expense of $1.9 million.

5.Mustang net loss of $66.4 million net of non-controlling interest of $48.5 million, MSA fee to Fortress of $0.5 million and financing fee and PIK dividend to Fortress of $1.9 million and $4.2 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021; and net loss of $60.0 million net of non-controlling interest of $36.4 million, MSA fee to Fortress of $0.5 million and financing fee and PIK dividend to Fortress of $2.4 million and $7.6 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020.

1.Includes Research and development expense and Research and development – licenses acquired expense for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

2.Excludes $6.6 million and $4.6 million of PIK dividend payable to Fortress for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

3.Excludes $0.3 million of Fortress MSA expense and $4.2 million PIK dividend payable to Fortress for the year ended December 31, 2021; and excludes $0.3 million of Fortress MSA expense and $7.6 million PIK dividend payable to Fortress for the year ended December 31, 2020.

4.Includes Selling, general and administrative expenses and wire transfer fraud loss for the year ended December 31, 2021.

5.Excludes $0.5 million of Fortress MSA expense and $1.0 million Fortress financing fee for the year ended December 31, 2021; and $0.5 million of Fortress MSA expense and $0.9 million Fortress financing fee for the year ended December 31, 2020.

6.Excludes $0.3 million of Fortress MSA expense and $1.9 million Fortress financing fee for the year ended December 31, 2021; and $0.3 million of Fortress MSA expense and $2.4 million Fortress financing fee for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Verastem Oncology Provides Financial Update to Support Development of VS-6766 and Defactinib in RAS Pathway-Driven Tumors

On March 28, 2022 Verastem Oncology (Nasdaq: VSTM), a biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing new medicines for patients with cancer, reported it has entered into a credit facility with Oxford Finance LLC for up to $150 million that is designed to primarily support the continued development, commercial preparation and potential launches of VS-6766 and defactinib (Press release, Verastem, MAR 28, 2022, View Source [SID1234611032]).

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"The term loan facility with Oxford is an ideal non-dilutive opportunity for Verastem. Combined with our strong cash position and expected future payments from Secura Bio related to the 2020 sale of COPIKTRA (duvelisib), we believe we have significant financial optionality to advance our current development and commercial objectives," said Rob Gagnon, Chief Business and Financial Officer of Verastem Oncology. "The strengthened balance sheet will allow us to build on our breakthrough therapy designation for VS-6766 and defactinib in low-grade serous ovarian cancer and prepare for potential launches in both low-grade serous ovarian cancer and KRAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer."

Under the terms of the loan agreement with Oxford Finance LLC, Verastem drew an initial $25 million term loan at closing. The Company has the ability to access up to an additional $125 million in a series of tranches, $75 million of which are based on certain pre-determined milestones and $50 million at the lender’s discretion. The loans carry an interest-only period up to 48 months and will bear interest at a floating rate which is subject to both a floor and a cap.

The Company had cash, cash equivalents, and investment balance of $100.3 million as of December 31, 2021. Taking into account the initial drawdown of $25.0 million at closing, the Company would have had pro-forma cash, cash equivalents, and investment balance of $125.3 million as of December 31, 2021 and an expected cash runway through 2025.

About VS-6766

VS-6766 (formerly known as CH5126766 and RO5126766) is a RAF/MEK clamp that induces inactive complexes of MEK with ARAF, BRAF and CRAF, potentially creating a more complete and durable anti-tumor response through maximal RAS pathway inhibition. VS-6766 is currently in late-stage development.

In contrast to currently available MEK inhibitors, VS-6766 blocks both MEK kinase activity and the ability of RAF to phosphorylate MEK. This unique mechanism allows VS-6766 to block MEK signaling without the compensatory activation of MEK that appears to limit the efficacy of other inhibitors. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for the combination of Verastem Oncology’s investigational RAF/MEK inhibitor VS-6766, with defactinib, its FAK inhibitor, for the treatment of all patients with recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) regardless of KRAS status after one or more prior lines of therapy, including platinum-based chemotherapy.1

Verastem Oncology is conducting Phase 2 registration-directed trials of VS-6766 alone and with defactinib in patients with recurrent LGSOC and in patients with recurrent KRAS G12V-mutant NSCLC as part of its RAMP (Raf And Mek Program) clinical trials, RAMP 201 and RAMP 202, respectively. Verastem Oncology has also established clinical collaborations with Amgen and Mirati to evaluate LUMAKRAS (sotorasib) and adagrasib in combination with VS-6766 in KRAS G12C-mutant NSCLC as part of the RAMP 203 and RAMP 204 trials, respectively.