On November 9, 2022 Immunocore Holdings plc (Nasdaq: IMCR) ("Immunocore" or the "Company"), a commercial-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of a novel class of T cell receptor (TCR) bispecific immunotherapies designed to treat a broad range of diseases, including cancer, autoimmune and infectious diseases, reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022 and provided a business update (Press release, Immunocore, NOV 9, 2022, View Source,million%20(or%20%2440.4%20million). [SID1234623756]).
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"We are proud to have delivered the world’s first soluble TCR therapy to patients, and to have achieved such uptake in academic and community treatment centers," commented Bahija Jallal, Chief Executive Officer of Immunocore. "The promising clinical data from our PRAME candidate, presented at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2022, has demonstrated the potential of our platform in multiple tumor types and confirmed that there is high and homogeneous expression of the antigen across these tumors. We are recruiting patients in the expansion arms of the Phase 1/2 trial to further assess efficacy."
"With the strong commercial performance of KIMMTRAK, our PIPE financing in the third quarter, and the refinancing of the existing debt facility on improved terms, we are well-positioned to confidently deliver the next stages of the Company’s growth, including the further development of the PRAME clinical program," commented Brian Di Donato, Chief Financial Officer & Head of Strategy of Immunocore.
Third Quarter 2022 Highlights (including post-period)
KIMMTRAK (tebentafusp-tebn)
Total net product and net pre-product revenue arising from the sale of KIMMTRAK and tebentafusp was £36.3 million (or $40.4 million) in the three months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of 20% in USD over 2Q 2022 (converted using respective end-of-period convenience rates), and £74.5 million (or $83.0 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
During the third quarter of 2022, the Company continued to add new accounts prescribing KIMMTRAK in the United States, Germany, and France. As of September 30, there were 180 new accounts prescribing KIMMTRAK in the United States, which brings the capture rate of these accounts, according to the company’s estimates, to 50% of potentially eligible patients. There were 80 new accounts prescribing KIMMTRAK in Germany and France, which brings the capture rate to approximately 70% of the eligible patient population. In September, the Company began selling KIMMTRAK as a commercial product in France, and these net sales are reflected in product revenue.
KIMMTRAK’s clinical benefit to patients continues to be recognized, with the G-BA (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss) granting a considerable added benefit rating to KIMMTRAK. KIMMTRAK is one of only two orphan oncology medicines for rare diseases to receive a considerable added benefit rating – the second-highest possible – in more than ten years of the German reimbursement process, Arzneimittelmarkt-Neuordnungsgesetz (AMNOG). This recommendation builds upon the positive recommendations by American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) in the second quarter of this year.
In November, the Company and Medison Pharma Ltd. ("Medison") amended and restated their exclusive distribution agreement for KIMMTRAK originally entered into in September 2021. Medison is the exclusive distribution partner for KIMMTRAK in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Central and Eastern Europe, and following this amendment South and Central America, and the Caribbean.
KIMMTRAK (tebentafusp) developmental programs
In August, the Company announced its plans to evaluate tebentafusp in a randomized Phase 2/3 trial in previously treated advanced melanoma. The trial will enroll patients with advanced melanoma, excluding uveal melanoma, who have progressed on an anti-PD1, received prior ipilimumab and, if applicable, received a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). The Phase 2 portion of the trial will include 40 patients per arm and has a dual primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) reduction. The Company is on track to start the trial in the fourth quarter of 2022.
In September, the Company presented four posters at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2022:
A propensity score weighted comparison of tebentafusp or pembrolizumab versus combination ipilimumab and nivolumab in untreated metastatic uveal melanoma
Safety and efficacy of infrequent tebentafusp treatment omissions in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma
Long-term survivors on tebentafusp in phase 2 trial of previously treated patients with metastatic uveal melanoma
ImmTAC redirect T cells against patient-derived tumor organoids and three-dimensional melanospheres; effects augmented by type I interferons
In November, the Company had two posters accepted for presentation at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper)’s (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 37th Annual Meeting. SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) 2022 is being held November 8-12, 2022 in Boston Massachusetts. The titles of the company’s poster presentations are as follows:
Molecular features in tumors at time of progression on tebentafusp associated with overall survival (OS)
Tebentafusp induced T and B cell epitope spread in patients with advanced melanoma
IMC-F106C Targeting PRAME
In September, the initial Phase 1 data from the dose escalation study of IMC-F106C, the first off-the-shelf PRAME x CD3 ImmTAC bispecific protein, was presented as a proffered paper (oral presentation) during an "Investigational Immunotherapy" session at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress. IMC-F106C demonstrated a well-tolerated safety profile. Durable RECIST responses and reduction in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) were observed across multiple solid tumors. Doses of ≥ 20 mcg were clinically active and had consistent and robust interferon gamma induction, a specific marker of T cell activation.
The Company has initiated patient enrollment into four expansion arms in cutaneous melanoma, ovarian, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and endometrial cancers. The Company will also study IMC-F106C in combination with standards-of-care, including with tebentafusp.
IMC-C103C Targeting MAGE-A4
Data from the Phase 1 ovarian expansion arm of the dose escalation study with IMC-C103C, the MAGE-A4 x CD3 ImmTAC bispecific protein, was accepted for a poster presentation at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Immuno-Oncology Congress 2022, in December. In this expansion arm, the Company enrolled all comers and evaluated MAGE expression retrospectively.
In the initial dose escalation data reported at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) I-O in December 2021, there were 15 response evaluable ovarian carcinoma patients in the active dose range (≥90 mcg). Only half were positive for MAGE-A4, with a median H score of 35 out of 300, and one patient had a confirmed partial response.
ImmTAV clinical programs
In July, the Company dosed the first patient in the first-in-human clinical trial of IMC-M113V, a new class of bispecific protein immunotherapy that is being developed for the treatment of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. IMC-M113V is an immunotherapeutic approach designed to specifically eliminate CD4+ cells that are persistently infected with HIV (‘reservoirs’). IMC-M113V targets a peptide derived from the Gag protein that is presented by HLA*A02 on the surface of HIV infected cells. Reduction of the number of these cells is one way to potentially achieve a state of viral suppression in the absence of anti-retroviral medications, or a ‘functional cure’.
Corporate and financial updates
For the third quarter ended September 30, 2022, Immunocore reported net KIMMTRAK / tebentafusp revenues of £36.3 million (or $40.4 million). U.S. net product revenue from the sale of KIMMTRAK in the second quarter was £22.5 million (or $25.1 million), and European revenue (primarily in German and France) from the sale of KIMMTRAK and early access tebentafusp was £13.0 million (or $14.5 million).
Third quarter net KIMMTRAK / tebentafusp revenues of £36.3 million (or $40.4 million) increased by 31% (or 20%) compared to our previously reported second quarter KIMMTRAK / tebentafusp revenues of £27.7 million (or $33.7 million).1
In July, the Company announced a private investment in public equity ("PIPE") financing with four existing investors for net proceeds of $139.6 million. This financing, along with anticipated revenue from KIMMTRAK and cash and cash equivalents on hand, are expected to fund the Company through 2025.
The Company has entered into a loan agreement with investment funds managed by Pharmakon Advisors, LP, providing the Company with up to $100 million committed. The initial $50 million drawn from the credit facility will be used to refinance the Company’s existing debt with Oxford Finance, LLC on improved terms and the remaining $50 million, if and when drawn, is intended to be used to support the continued development and commercialization of the Company’s pipeline and for other general purposes.
Anticipated Upcoming Milestones 2022
KIMMTRAK
Q4 2022 – start the Phase 2/3 clinical trial in previously treated advanced melanoma
ImmTAC pipeline
Q4 2022 – report initial data from IMC-C103C (MAGE-A4) Phase 1 ovarian expansion arm
Financial Results
Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2022, was £0.13 (or $0.14) and £0.12 (or $0.13), respectively, compared to a basic and diluted loss per share of (£0.69) for the three months ended September 30, 2021. Basic and diluted loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, was (£0.36) (or ($0.40)), compared to (£2.19) for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
Total operating loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, was £17.3 million (or $19.2 million), compared to £97.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, we generated an operating profit of £6.2 million (or $6.9 million) compared to an operating loss of £31.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021. The operating profit of £6.2 million (or $6.9 million), for the three months ended September 30, 2022, reflects foreign exchange gains of £15.2 million (or $16.9 million) due to the significant changes arising in the exchange rates between pounds sterling and U.S. dollars during this period.
Total net product and net pre-product revenue arising from the sale of KIMMTRAK and tebentafusp was £36.3 million (or $40.4 million) in the three months ended September 30, 2022, and £74.5 million (or $83.0 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, we recorded pre-product revenue of £0.5 million.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, our research and development expenses were £23.3 million (or $25.9 million) and £62.0 million (or $69.1 million), respectively, as compared to £16.8 million and £53.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, our selling and administrative expenses were £11.7 million (or $13.0 million) and £50.6 million (or $56.3 million) compared to £20.0 million and £64.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
Cash and cash equivalents were £347.2 million or $386.6 million as of September 30, 2022 compared to £237.9 million as of December 31, 2021.
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About ImmTAV molecules and infectious diseases
ImmTAV (Immune mobilising monoclonal TCRs Against Virus) molecules are novel bispecific molecules that, like ImmTAC (Immune mobilising monoclonal TCRs Against Cancer) molecules, are designed to enable the immune system to recognize and eliminate virally infected cells.
Immunocore is advancing clinical candidates to cure patients with HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV). The Company aims to achieve sustained control of HIV after patients stop anti-retroviral therapy (ART), without the risk of virological relapse or onward transmission. This is known as ‘functional cure’. For the treatment of HBV, the Company aims to achieve sustained loss of circulating viral antigens and markers of viral replication after stopping medication for people living with chronic HBV.
About ImmTAC molecules for cancer
Immunocore’s proprietary T cell receptor (TCR) technology generates a novel class of bispecific biologics called ImmTAC (Immune mobilizing monoclonal TCRs Against Cancer) molecules that are designed to redirect the immune system to recognize and kill cancerous cells. ImmTAC molecules are soluble TCRs engineered to recognize intracellular cancer antigens with ultra-high affinity and selectively kill these cancer cells via an anti-CD3 immune-activating effector function. Based on the demonstrated mechanism of T cell infiltration into human tumors, the ImmTAC mechanism of action holds the potential to treat hematologic and solid tumors, regardless of mutational burden or immune infiltration, including immune "cold" low mutation rate tumors.
About TEBE-AM Phase 2/3 Trial
IMCgp100-203 (also known as TEBE-AM) is a randomized Phase 2/3 trial in previously treated advanced melanoma that will evaluate the effect of KIMMTRAK (tebentafsup) on overall survival (OS). The trial will enroll patients with advanced melanoma, excluding uveal melanoma, that have progressed on an anti-PD1, received prior ipilimumab and, if applicable, received a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). The Phase 2/3 trial will randomize to one of three arms including KIMMTRAK, as monotherapy or in combination with an anti-PD1, and a control arm. Patients randomized to the control arm will immediately enter overall survival (OS) follow-up where they may be treated per the investigator decision including other clinical trials. This design effectively randomizes patients to "real world" treatment since clinical trials are the preferred option. The Phase 2 portion of the trial will include 40 patients per arm and has a dual primary endpoint of OS and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) reduction. The Phase 3 portion currently plans to enroll 170 patients per arm and has a primary endpoint of OS. However, the design of the Phase 3 portion including eligibility, whether to discontinue an arm and powering may be adapted based on results from the Phase 2 portion.
About the IMC-F106C-101 Phase 1/2 Trial
IMC-F106C-101 is a first-in-human, Phase 1/2 dose escalation trial in patients with multiple solid tumor cancers including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), endometrial, ovarian, cutaneous melanoma, and breast cancers. The Phase 1 dose escalation trial was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), as well as to evaluate the safety, preliminary anti-tumor activity and pharmacokinetics of IMC-F106C, a bispecific protein built on Immunocore’s ImmTAC technology, and the Company’s first molecule to target the PRAME antigen. The Company has initiated patient enrollment into four expansion arms in cutaneous melanoma, ovarian, NSCLC, and endometrial cancers. The IMC-F106C-101 trial is adaptive and includes the option for Phase 2 expansion, allowing for approximately 100 patients treated per tumor type in the Phase 1 and 2 expansion arms. Dose escalation continues in additional solid tumors as well as plans for combination arms with standards-of-care.
About Uveal Melanoma
Uveal melanoma is a rare and aggressive form of melanoma, which affects the eye. Although it is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults, the diagnosis is rare, and up to 50% of people with uveal melanoma will eventually develop metastatic disease. Unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma typically has a poor prognosis and had no approved treatment until KIMMTRAK.
About KIMMTRAK
KIMMTRAK is a novel bispecific protein comprised of a soluble T cell receptor fused to an anti-CD3 immune-effector function. KIMMTRAK specifically targets gp100, a lineage antigen expressed in melanocytes and melanoma. This is the first molecule developed using Immunocore’s ImmTAC technology platform designed to redirect and activate T cells to recognise and kill tumour cells. KIMMTRAK has been approved for the treatment of HLA-A*02:01-positive adult patients with unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma in the United States, European Union, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
About Phase 3 IMCgp100-202 Trial
IMCgp100-202 (NCT03070392) is a randomized pivotal trial that evaluated overall survival (OS) of KIMMTRAK compared to investigator’s choice (either pembrolizumab, ipilimumab, or dacarbazine) in HLA-A*02:01-positive adult patients with previously untreated mUM. KIMMTRAK demonstrated an unprecedented OS benefit with a Hazard Ratio (HR) in the intent-to-treat population favoring KIMMTRAK, HR=0.51 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.71); p< 0.0001, over investigator’s choice (82% pembrolizumab; 13% ipilimumab; 6% dacarbazine).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), which may be serious or life-threatening, occurred in patients receiving KIMMTRAK. Monitor for at least 16 hours following first three infusions and then as clinically indicated. Manifestations of CRS may include fever, hypotension, hypoxia, chills, nausea, vomiting, rash, elevated transaminases, fatigue, and headache. CRS occurred in 89% of patients who received KIMMTRAK with 0.8% being grade 3 or 4. Ensure immediate access to medications and resuscitative equipment to manage CRS. Ensure patients are euvolemic prior to initiating the infusions. Closely monitor patients for signs or symptoms of CRS following infusions of KIMMTRAK. Monitor fluid status, vital signs, and oxygenation level and provide appropriate therapy. Withhold or discontinue KIMMTRAK depending on persistence and severity of CRS.
Skin Reactions
Skin reactions, including rash, pruritus, and cutaneous edema occurred in 91% of patients treated with KIMMTRAK. Monitor patients for skin reactions. If skin reactions occur, treat with antihistamine and topical or systemic steroids based on persistence and severity of symptoms. Withhold or permanently discontinue KIMMTRAK depending on the severity of skin reactions.
Elevated Liver Enzymes
Elevations in liver enzymes occurred in 65% of patients treated with KIMMTRAK. Monitor alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total blood bilirubin prior to the start of and during treatment with KIMMTRAK. Withhold KIMMTRAK according to severity.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
KIMMTRAK may cause fetal harm. Advise pregnant patients of potential risk to the fetus and patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with KIMMTRAK and 1 week after the last dose.
The most common adverse reactions (≥30%) in patients who received KIMMTRAK were cytokine release syndrome, rash, pyrexia, pruritus, fatigue, nausea, chills, abdominal pain, edema, hypotension, dry skin, headache, and vomiting. The most common (≥50%) laboratory abnormalities were decreased lymphocyte count, increased creatinine, increased glucose, increased AST, increased ALT, decreased hemoglobin, and decreased phosphate.
For more information, please see full Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) or full U.S. Prescribing Information (including BOXED WARNING for CRS).
About KIMMTRAKConnect
Immunocore is committed to helping patients who need KIMMTRAK obtain access via our KIMMTRAKConnect program. The program provides services with dedicated nurse case managers who provide personalized support, including educational resources, financial assistance, and site of care coordination. To learn more, visit KIMMTRAKConnect.com or call 844-775-2273.