On May 9, 2022 Castle Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSTL), a company improving health through innovative tests that guide patient care, reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 (Press release, Castle Biosciences, MAY 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234613966]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"We saw significant progress and execution on our growth initiatives in the first quarter, with record test report volume," said Derek Maetzold, president and chief executive officer of Castle Biosciences. "We remain laser-focused on the execution of our three operational growth pillars — our strong core dermatology business, pipeline initiatives and strategic opportunities — and are pleased with our results.

"In 2021, we made commercial investments, including a significant sales team expansion, in our proprietary skin cancer test business to further our position of strength in 2022 and beyond. We believe these investments, coupled with the demonstrated utility of our tests, are the drivers behind the nearly 70% increase in total test volume during the first quarter.

"We reported initial proof of concept data on our sample collection method for our pipeline test for inflammatory skin diseases, and we remain on track to launch this test in 2025, which would add an additional $1.9 billion to our estimated U.S. total addressable market (TAM), if successful.

"We are encouraged with the initial progress on our gastroenterology franchise and TissueCypher Barrett’s Esophagus (BE) test. We successfully hired and trained our commercial team for this test, who were in the field in February 2022, and received new Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory Test (ADLT) status from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in March 2022. Further, the recent acquisition of AltheaDx and the IDgenetix pharmacogenomic test (PGx), in alignment with our M&A strategy to diversify our portfolio and create near- and long-term revenue growth opportunity, adds approximately $5.0 billion to our estimated U.S. TAM. IDgenetix now has expanded Medicare coverage, from depression only to seven additional mental health conditions. We are entering the remainder of 2022 with an estimated in-market U.S. TAM of just under $8 billion, for all our franchises combined.

"We believe our progress is only possible through the dedication of our Castle team, who allows us to execute at a high level, further our impact on patient care and position ourselves for continued value creation."

First Quarter Ended March 31, 2022, Financial and Operational Highlights

Revenues were $26.9 million, an 18% increase compared to $22.8 million during the same period in 2021. Included in revenue for the current year was $0.6 million related to tests delivered in prior periods. Revenue for the same quarter last year included $5.3 million related to tests delivered in prior periods.
Adjusted revenues, which exclude the effects of revenue adjustments related to tests delivered in prior periods, were $26.3 million, an 50% increase, compared to $17.5 million for the same period in 2021.
Delivered 8,627 total test reports in the first quarter of 2022, an increase of 68% compared to 5,142 in the same period of 2021:
DecisionDx-Melanoma test reports delivered in the quarter were 6,023, compared to 4,060 in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 48%.
DecisionDx-SCC test reports delivered in the quarter were 1,142, compared to 527 in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 117%.
myPath Melanoma and DecisionDx DiffDx-Melanoma (Castle’s comprehensive diagnostic offering) aggregate test reports delivered in the quarter were 950, compared to 218 in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 336%.
DecisionDx-UM test reports delivered in the quarter were 456, compared to 337 in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 35%.
TissueCypher Barrett’s Esophagus test reports delivered in the quarter were 56.
Gross margin for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, was 72%, and adjusted gross margin was 77%.
Operating cash flow was $(21.4) million, compared to $(3.6) million for the same period in 2021, and adjusted operating cash flow was $(21.4) million, compared to $(5.5) million for the same period in 2021.
Net loss for the first quarter, inclusive of non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $8.4 million, was $(24.6) million, compared to $(4.3) million for the same period in 2021.
Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was $(11.4) million, compared to $0.9 million for the same period in 2021.
Cash and Cash Equivalents

As of March 31, 2022, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $309 million.

2022 Revenue Guidance

Castle Biosciences is increasing its previously issued guidance for anticipated total revenue in 2022. The Company now anticipates generating $118-123 million in total revenue in 2022, compared to the previously provided guidance of $115-120 million. This includes expected revenue from the TissueCypher Barrett’s Esophagus test, acquired in December 2021, and the IDgenetix pharmacogenomics test for mental health conditions, acquired in April 2022.

First Quarter and Recent Accomplishments and Highlights

Dermatology

In April, the Company announced new real-world data from its ongoing collaborative study with the National Cancer Institute (NCI). This new data showed that patients who received DecisionDx-Melanoma test results in addition to traditional clinicopathologic factors, as part of their clinical care, had improved survival compared to patients who were not tested (that is, their clinician could only rely upon available traditional clinicopathologic factors), with a 27% (hazard ratio (HR)=0.73, p=0.028) and 21% (HR=0.79, p=0.006) MSS (melanoma specific survival) and OS (overall survival) survival benefit compared to matched patients who were not tested, respectively. The data was shared in a poster presentation at the 18th European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO) Congress. See the Company’s news release from April 21, 2022, for more information.
Castle’s U.S. Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) was expanded to include coverage for the Company’s entire skin cancer test portfolio, effective April 15, 2022. Castle’s expanded U.S. FSS contract now includes DecisionDx-SCC, DecisionDx DiffDx-Melanoma, myPath Melanoma and DecisionDx-CMSeq, in addition to DecisionDx-Melanoma. Castle was awarded its first U.S. FSS contract in August 2021 for DecisionDx-Melanoma. See the Company’s news release from April 29, 2022, for more information.
In April, the Company gave a poster presentation highlighting data and concluding that its non-invasive skin scraping technique produces sufficient ribonucleic acid (RNA) to assess reproducible gene expression for its inflammatory skin disease pipeline test. The poster was presented at the 4th Annual Revolutionizing Atopic Dermatitis Conference. The Company expects to launch this pipeline test by the end of 2025. See the Company’s news release from April 18, 2022, for more information.
In March, the Company announced new data further demonstrating the performance of DecisionDx-Melanoma and i31-SLNB to provide improved risk prediction of sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity, compared to using T-stage factors alone, in patients with cutaneous melanoma. In the study, the DecisionDx-Melanoma test outperformed T-stage in identifying patients with low-risk tumors who could forgo SLN biopsy, with an Area Under the Curve of 0.89 versus 0.78 for T-stage in patients with T1-T2 tumors, indicating that DecisionDx-Melanoma provides improved predictions compared to those of the T-stage system. See the Company’s news release from March 11, 2022, for more information.
Uveal Melanoma

In January, the Company announced the publication of a study in Ocular Oncology and Pathology demonstrating that the combined application of DecisionDx-UM, DecisionDx-PRAME and DecisionDx-UMSeq allows for highly accurate analysis of RNA and DNA from a single biopsy sample for patients with uveal melanoma (UM). DecisionDx-UMSeq is Castle’s 7-gene test that uses next-generation sequencing to identify somatic mutations relevant to UM. This information, together with results from the DecisionDx-UM gene expression profile test, is designed to help build a comprehensive genomic profile of an individual UM tumor from a single biopsy, which can then be used to inform patient care. See the Company’s news release from Jan. 12, 2022, for more information.
Gastroenterology

In March, the Company announced that CMS granted ADLT status for the TissueCypher Barrett’s Esophagus test, effective March 24, 2022. TissueCypher is Castle’s prognostic test designed to predict future development of high-grade dysplasia and/or esophageal cancer in patients with BE. ADLT status requires that a clinical diagnostic laboratory test provide new clinical diagnostic information that cannot be obtained from any other test or combination of tests, among other criteria.1 The announcement of ADLT status for TissueCypher confirms that the test meets these criteria established by CMS for laboratory tests under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (PAMA). See the Company’s news release from March 29, 2022, for more information.
In April, the company announced an independent, peer-reviewed article published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The study reinforces the ability of TissueCypher to significantly improve predictions of progression to esophageal cancer in patients with BE, compared to predictions based on traditional clinicopathologic variables alone, allowing for more informed disease management decisions. See the Company’s news release from April 27, 2022, for more information.
Mental Health

In April, the Company diversified and expanded its portfolio into the mental health market with the acquisition of AltheaDx and the IDgenetix PGx test for mental health conditions. IDgenetix has been reimbursed by Medicare for depression since the fall of 2020, and in a randomized, controlled clinical-use trial demonstrated clinical utility over standard of care, when physicians used the test prior to prescribing a medication. The acquisition adds approximately $5.0 billion to the Company’s estimated U.S. TAM. See the Company’s news release from April 26, 2022, for more information.
In May, the Company announced a collaboration with Camille Schrier, Miss America 2020, as part of Mental Health Awareness Month, to promote the potential of genetic testing and the IDgenetix test to help improve treatment for mental health conditions. See the Company’s news release from May 6, 2022, for more information.
Conference Call and Webcast Details

Castle Biosciences will hold a conference call on Monday, May 9, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its first quarter 2022 results and provide a corporate update.

A live webcast of the conference call can be accessed here: or via the webcast link on the Investor Relations page of the Company’s website, View Source Please access the webcast at least 10 minutes before the conference call start time. An archive of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website until May 30, 2022.

To access the live conference call via phone, please dial 844 200 6205 from the United States, or +1 929 526 1599 internationally, at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the call, using the conference ID 355837.

There will be a brief Question & Answer session following management commentary.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures (UNAUDITED)

In this release, we use the metrics of Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted Gross Margin, Adjusted Operating Cash Flow and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures and are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). Adjusted Revenue and Adjusted Gross Margin reflect adjustments to net revenues to exclude changes in variable consideration related to test reports delivered in previous periods. Adjusted Gross Margin further excludes acquisition-related intangible asset amortization. Adjusted Operating Cash Flow excludes the effects of repayments to Medicare of COVID-19 government relief advancements to healthcare providers. Adjusted EBITDA excludes from net loss interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, income tax expense, stock compensation expense, and change in fair value of contingent consideration.

We use Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted Gross Margin, Adjusted Operating Cash Flow and Adjusted EBTIDA internally because we believe these metrics provide useful supplemental information in assessing our revenue and cash flow performance reported in accordance with GAAP, respectively. We believe Adjusted Revenue and Adjusted Gross Margin are also useful to investors because they provide additional information on current-period performance by removing the effects of revenue adjustments related to tests delivered in previous periods and acquisition-related intangible asset amortization, which we believe may facilitate revenue and gross margin comparisons to historical periods. We believe Adjusted Operating Cash Flow is also useful to investors as a supplement to GAAP measures in the assessment of our cash flow performance by removing the effects of COVID-19 government relief payments, which we believe are not indicative of our ongoing operations. We believe Adjusted EBITDA may enhance an evaluation of our operating performance based on recent revenue generation and product/overhead cost control because it excludes the impact of prior decisions made about capital investment, financing and other expenses. However, these non-GAAP financial measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, even when the same or similarly titled terms are used to identify such measures, limiting their usefulness for comparative purposes.

These non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or used as substitutes for net revenues, gross margin, net cash (used in) provided by operating activities or net loss reported in accordance with GAAP; should be considered in conjunction with our financial information presented on GAAP basis; have no standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP; and are not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. In addition, from time to time in the future, there may be other items that we may exclude for purposes of these non-GAAP financial measures, and we may in the future cease to exclude items that we have historically excluded for purposes of these non-GAAP financial measures. Likewise, we may determine to modify the nature of adjustments to arrive at these non-GAAP financial measures. Because of the non-standardized definitions of non-GAAP financial measures, the non-GAAP financial measure as used by us in this press release and the accompanying reconciliation tables have limits in their usefulness to investors and may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be directly comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are presented in the tables at the end of this release.

1Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: View Source

On May 9, 2022 Nuvation Bio Inc. (NYSE: NUVB), a biopharmaceutical company tackling some of the greatest unmet needs in oncology by developing differentiated and novel therapeutic candidates, reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, and provided a business update (Press release, Nuvation Bio, MAY 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234613965]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"We are encouraged by the important progress we have made so far this year across our pipeline of novel oncology therapeutic candidates for difficult-to-treat cancers. In the first quarter, we dosed the first patient in our Phase 1 study of NUV-868 in patients with advanced solid tumors and continued to advance our NUV-422 program across multiple tumor types, well positioning us to execute on multiple milestones later this year," said David Hung, M.D., founder, president, and chief executive officer of Nuvation Bio. "We believe that our NUV-422, NUV-868, and DDC development programs are our most unique and differentiated programs with the highest potential to meaningfully change the lives of cancer patients. To further focus on these programs, efficiently allocate our robust cash balance and strategically manage our pipeline, we have decided to deprioritize our early stage NUV-569 and A2A programs."

Recent Business Highlights

NUV-422, CDK 2/4/6i: GBM, aBC, mCRPC

On track for multiple milestones across tumor types in 2022. Nuvation Bio expects to share data from the Phase 1 dose escalation study of NUV-422 later this year. As supported by these data and following selection of a recommended Phase 2 dose, the Company plans to initiate Phase 2 monotherapy dose expansion cohorts in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), advanced breast cancer (aBC), and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NUV-422. In addition, the Company is planning to initiate Phase 1b combination studies of NUV-422 plus fulvestrant in aBC and NUV-422 plus enzalutamide in mCRPC to evaluate safety and tolerability and to determine a recommended Phase 2 combination dose. The Company plans to initiate the Phase 2 monotherapy and Phase 1b combination studies before the end of the year.
NUV-868, BD2-Selective BETi: Advanced solid tumors

Dosed the first patient in the Phase 1 study of NUV-868. In January 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared Nuvation Bio’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for NUV-868 for the treatment of advanced solid tumors, including ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, mCRPC, and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The recently initiated Phase 1 study is designed to determine the safety and dose of NUV-868 to be used as a monotherapy and in combination with olaparib or enzalutamide for the Phase 2 and 2b portions of the study.
Drug-Drug Conjugate (DDC) Program: Solid tumors

Nuvation Bio is on track to select its first clinical candidate for the DDC program by the end of 2022.
First Quarter 2022 Financial Results

As of March 31, 2022, Nuvation Bio had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $737.7 million.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, research and development expenses were $20.7 million, compared to $15.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to a $5.4 million increase in third-party costs related to research services and manufacturing to advance our current preclinical programs and Phase 1/2 clinical trial, as well as a $3.1 million increase in personnel-related costs driven by an increase in headcount and stock-based compensation, partially offset by $3.7 million related to the issuance of common stock as consideration for the purchase of in-process research and development in the prior year that did not recur in 2022.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, general and administrative expenses were $7.5 million, compared to $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to a $1.9 million increase in personnel-related costs driven by an increase in headcount and stock-based compensation, a $0.5 million increase in insurance, a $0.4 million increase in legal fees, a $0.3 million increase in professional fees, and a $0.1 million increase in other miscellaneous expenses, partially offset by a $0.4 million decrease in taxes.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, Nuvation Bio reported a net loss of $21.3 million, or $(0.10) per share. This compares to a net loss of $20.4 million, or $(0.12) per share, for the comparable period in 2021.

On May 9, 2022 Elpiscience Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Elpiscience"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing next-generation immunotherapies to benefit cancer patients worldwide, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared Elpiscience’s ES014 Investigational New Drug (IND) Application to initiate a Phase 1 clinical study for patients with advanced solid tumors (Press release, Elpiscience, MAY 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234613964]). ES014 is a first-in-class anti-CD39xTGF-β bispecific antibody (bsAb) that simultaneously targets the CD39-adenosine and TGF-β pathways, two major immunosuppressive mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment (TME).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"We are delighted that our IND for ES014 was cleared by FDA," said Steve Chin, Chief Medical Officer of Elpiscience. "ES014 is a first-in-class anti-CD39xTGF-β bispecific antibody. In preclinical studies, ES014 demonstrated significant anti-tumor activity in a PD-1 resistant in vivo efficacy model. We look forward to starting the Phase 1 study soon."

Solid tumors frequently express TGF-β, which suppresses T cell activation and induces CD39 expression, the rate-limiting enzyme in the ATP-adenosine pathway​. The anti-CD39 target is designed to selectively direct ES014 to the TME where the anti-TGF-β activity promotes effector T cell function and immune activation, while avoiding or minimizing systemic immunotoxicity. ES014’s anti-CD39 activity further aims to reverse TME immunosuppression by reducing suppressive adenosine, while maintaining high levels of immune-stimulatory extracellular ATP. The combined removal of immune suppression and immune stimulating effects of ES014 were recently demonstrated in a PD-1 antibody non-responsive in vivo animal model where tumor growth was significantly inhibited after treatment.

On May 9, 2022 ADC Therapeutics SA (NYSE: ADCT), a commercial-stage biotechnology company improving the lives of those affected by cancer with its next-generation, targeted antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 and provided business updates (Press release, ADC Therapeutics, MAY 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234613963]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"ZYNLONTA continues to extend its reach in the DLBCL market with its differentiated product profile and broad applicability across the 3L+ patient population. We are pleased by the team’s progress since launch in bringing ZYNLONTA to patients. Sales in the first quarter were unfavorably impacted by the customer inventory build at the end of last year and fewer new patient starts in the DLBCL market in the first quarter, which was exacerbated by the Omicron surge," said Chris Martin, DPhil, former Chief Executive Officer of ADC Therapeutics. "We have a strong clinical development program to potentially expand ZYNLONTA’s use into earlier lines of therapy, and we are also excited about our promising portfolio of solid tumor programs. We look forward to providing updates as they become available."

Recent Highlights and Developments

Corporate Update

Today, Chris Martin has transitioned the role of Chief Executive Officer to Ameet Mallik. Dr. Martin will serve as a non-executive member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Science and Technology Committee. He will also serve as an advisor to the Company for the next three months to ensure a smooth transition.
Hematology Franchise

ZYNLONTA (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl)

ZYNLONTA generated net sales of $16.5 million in the first quarter of 2022, reflecting a modest fourth quarter customer inventory build and fewer new patient starts in the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) market in 1Q 2022, which was exacerbated by the Omicron surge.
ZYNLONTA awareness and familiarity continues to increase and ZYNLONTA share of voice is performing well in the relapsed/refractory DLBCL market. Market share in the 3L+ setting is also increasing.
In terms of account penetration, 96% of priority accounts have ordered ZYNLONTA since launch and 94% of National Comprehensive Cancer Network centers have ordered ZYNLONTA since launch.
The permanent J-code for ZYNLONTA (J9359) was issued by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and took effect April 1, 2022.
The Phase 3 LOTIS-5 trial in combination with rituximab in second-line transplant-ineligible DLBCL patients continues to enroll the randomized portion of the trial.
The Overland ADCT BioPharma joint venture continues to make progress in China and enrollment continues in the local pivotal Phase 2 trial of ZYNLONTA in relapsed or refractory (r/r) DLBCL.
The Company is actively engaged with its partner Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC) in Japan to develop ZYNLONTA in DLBCL.
Cami (camidanlumab tesirine) in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)

The 12-month patient follow-up in this pivotal Phase 2 trial has been completed. The Company has submitted the data to an upcoming oncology conference.
Solid Tumor Franchise

Cami (targeting CD25)

The Company is concurrently advancing the dose escalation and a dose expansion cohort of the Phase 1b trial of Cami in combination with pembrolizumab. The Company has initiated a limited expansion at 60 µg/kg based on investigator observation of stable disease or tumor response, and the dose escalation continues at 100 µg/kg.
Upcoming Expected Milestones

Hematology Franchise

ZYNLONTA

Continue to enroll the randomized portion of the LOTIS-5 confirmatory trial in combination with rituximab in second-line transplant-ineligible DLBCL patients
Initiate the LOTIS-7 trial in multiple combinations in non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 1H 2022
Initiate the LOTIS-9 trial in combination with rituximab in first-line unfit/frail DLBCL patients in 2H 2022
Cami

Report topline results for the pivotal Phase 2 trial in HL in 1H 2022
Meet with FDA for pre-BLA meeting in 2H 2022
ADCT-602 (targeting CD22)

Continue to enroll the Phase 1 trial in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Solid Tumor Franchise

Cami (targeting CD25)

Continue to advance the Phase 1b solid tumor trial of Cami in combination with pembrolizumab, with safety and efficacy data anticipated in 2023
ADCT-901 (targeting KAAG1)

Continue to enroll the Phase 1 trial in multiple solid tumors, with safety and efficacy data anticipated in 2023
ADCT-601 (targeting AXL)

Initiate the Phase 1b combination trial in multiple solid tumors in 1H 2022
ADCT-701 (targeting DLK1)

Continue to work with the National Cancer Institute to complete preclinical studies to support an IND filing
ADCT-212 (targeting PSMA)

Continue completion of preclinical studies to support an IND filing
First Quarter Financial Results

Product Revenue

Product revenue (net) was $16.5 million for the quarter, compared to zero for the same quarter in 2021. Net revenues are for U.S. sales of ZYNLONTA, which received accelerated approval from the FDA on April 23, 2021.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents were $430.9 million as of March 31, 2022, compared to $466.5 million as of December 31, 2021.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses

R&D expenses were $49.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to $39.2 million for the same quarter in 2021. R&D expense increased for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the same quarter in 2021 as a result of increased investment in programs to evaluate ZYNLONTA in earlier lines of therapy and our broad portfolio.

Selling and Marketing (S&M) Expenses

S&M expenses were $18.4 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, as compared to $13.9 million for the same quarter in 2021. The increase in S&M expenses are related to the ongoing launch of ZYNLONTA.

G&A Expenses

G&A expenses were $19.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to $17.6 million for the same quarter in 2021. G&A expenses increased primarily due to professional fees associated with the MTPC license agreement in Japan.

Net Loss and Adjusted Net Loss

Net loss was $16.7 million, or a net loss of $0.22 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. This compares to a net loss of $51.5 million, or a net loss of $0.67 per basic and diluted share, for the same quarter in 2021.

Adjusted net loss was $27.7 million, or an adjusted net loss of $0.36 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. This compares to $56.8 million, or an adjusted net loss of $0.74 per basic and diluted share, for the same quarter in 2021.

The decrease in net loss and adjusted net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, as compared to the same period in 2021, was primarily due to license revenue of $30 million arising from the MTPC agreement, partially offset by the increase in R&D and S&M expenses. In addition, net loss decreased for the first quarter of 2022 as a result of income arising from a cumulative catch-up adjustment associated with the valuation of the deferred obligation with Healthcare Royalty Partners, partially offset by higher interest expense associated with the Deerfield credit facility and deferred obligation, both of which are excluded from adjusted net loss.

Conference Call Details

ADC Therapeutics management will host a conference call and live audio webcast to discuss first quarter 2022 financial results and provide a company update today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. To access the live call, please dial 833-303-1198 (domestic) or +1 914-987-7415 (international) and provide conference ID 6928367. A live webcast of the presentation will be available under "Events & Presentations" in the Investors section of the ADC Therapeutics website at ir.adctherapeutics.com. The archived webcast will be available for 30 days following the call.

About ZYNLONTA (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl)

ZYNLONTA is a CD19-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC). Once bound to a CD19-expressing cell, ZYNLONTA is internalized by the cell, where enzymes release a pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) payload. The potent payload binds to DNA minor groove with little distortion, remaining less visible to DNA repair mechanisms. This ultimately results in cell cycle arrest and tumor cell death.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ZYNLONTA (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified (NOS), DLBCL arising from low-grade lymphoma and also high-grade B-cell lymphoma. The trial included a broad spectrum of heavily pre-treated patients (median three prior lines of therapy) with difficult-to-treat disease, including patients who did not respond to first-line therapy, patients refractory to all prior lines of therapy, patients with double/triple hit genetics and patients who had stem cell transplant and CAR-T therapy prior to their treatment with ZYNLONTA. This indication is approved by the FDA under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.

ZYNLONTA is also being evaluated as a therapeutic option in combination studies in other B-cell malignancies and earlier lines of therapy.

On May 9, 2022 ADC Therapeutics SA (NYSE: ADCT), a commercial-stage biotechnology company improving the lives of those affected by cancer with its next-generation, targeted antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, reported that Chris Martin, DPhil, has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer (Press release, ADC Therapeutics, MAY 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234613962]). Dr. Martin will serve as a non-executive member of the Company’s Board of Directors and Chair of the Science and Technology Committee. He will also serve as an advisor to the Company for the next three months to ensure a seamless transition. ADC Therapeutics is pleased to announce that Ameet Mallik has been appointed as its new Chief Executive Officer. He will be based from ADC Therapeutics’ office in New Providence, New Jersey.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Since co-founding ADC Therapeutics in 2011, I have had the privilege of taking our proprietary ADC technology from discovery to the bench to our first FDA approval of ZYNLONTA," said Dr. Martin. "The Company has grown from a private startup to a New York Stock Exchange-listed company with over 300 employees and a commercial product addressing an unmet need in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients. In addition, the Company’s pipeline includes Cami, which is progressing towards a BLA submission, five promising solid tumor programs in development and a strong ADC platform and R&D pipeline. The approval and successful launch of ZYNLONTA was a particular highlight for me. With the Company and its pipeline in such a strong position, I am very pleased to be passing the baton to Ameet Mallik, whose deep commercial oncology experience and proven leadership qualities will drive the Company through its next chapter of growth. I look forward to partnering with Ameet to ensure a smooth transition and continuing to be a steward of the Company serving on the Board."

Ameet Mallik’s pharmaceutical career was highlighted by 16 years at Novartis, most recently as Executive Vice President and Head of U.S. Oncology. Prior to that, he held various leadership roles at Novartis Oncology including Head of Global Marketing, Value and Access and Head of Latin America and Canada. He also served as Global Head of Biopharmaceuticals and Oncology injectables at Sandoz, a division of the Novartis Group, and Head of Global Strategic Planning at Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Prior to Novartis, Mr. Mallik was an Associate Principal at McKinsey & Company. Most recently, Mr. Mallik served as CEO of Rafael Holdings, a biotech company focused on developing oncology and immune therapies. He serves on the Boards of Atara Biotherapeutics and Rafael Holdings. Mr. Mallik holds an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.S. in Biotechnology and B.S. in Chemical Engineering, both from Northwestern University.

Mr. Mallik commented, "I am thrilled to join the ADC Therapeutics team and build on its solid foundation. I was drawn to the Company’s strong team and culture, its validated technology platform, a differentiated commercial product in ZYNLONTA, a portfolio of promising assets and an impressive research engine. It is truly remarkable what Dr. Martin and the ADC Therapeutics team have achieved in such a short period of time since the Company’s founding in 2011. It is a privilege to lead the Company through its next phase of growth, with the potential to create sustainable value for all of our stakeholders."

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to sincerely thank Chris for his many contributions to ADC Therapeutics over the last 11 years. His two decades of experience as a pioneer in the ADC space have been instrumental in building the Company, and he will be invaluable in his continued role on the Board," said Ron Squarer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ADC Therapeutics. "I am delighted to welcome Ameet Mallik to the role of Chief Executive Officer. At this important juncture as the Company has transitioned to a fully-integrated research, development and commercial organization, I am confident that Mr. Mallik’s strong commercial background and strategic vision for the Company will lead ADC Therapeutics to bring leading-edge new therapies for patients suffering from cancer."