On May 5, 2023 Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC) reported recent operational highlights and financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023 (Press release, Oncolytics Biotech, MAY 5, 2023, View Source [SID1234631103]). All dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian currency unless otherwise noted.
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"Our core programs in breast and pancreatic cancer are moving towards registrational studies with compelling clinical data and important milestones expected this year," said Dr. Matt Coffey, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The first of these milestones will come later this month when we report data from BRACELET-1, a randomized phase 2 trial expected to inform the design of a subsequent pivotal registrational study in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer. Stakeholders across the breast cancer community have demonstrated a keen interest in this readout, which will add to a dataset that already includes statistically significant phase 2 results showing pelareorep’s ability to drive a robust overall survival benefit in this indication. Notably, the BRACELET-1 abstract was selected for an oral presentation at the upcoming ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) meeting, providing a highly prestigious venue to discuss the results with potential partners and the clinical community."
Dr. Coffey continued, "Looking into the second half of 2023, we expect to report updated results from GOBLET’s first-line pancreatic cancer cohort and provide guidance on the optimal registration paths for our breast and pancreatic cancer programs. With these programs both targeting large markets with significant clinical unmet needs and supported by robust clinical proof-of-concept data, we believe confirming their paths towards approval will represent important value-creating events and substantially de-risk and maintain pelareorep’s development pathway."
First Quarter and Subsequent Highlights
Breast Cancer Program
BRACELET-1 data to be shared in an oral presentation at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting
BRACELET-1 is designed to confirm and expand upon Oncolytics’ prior positive clinical results for pelareorep in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer and inform the design of a subsequent registrational study. These prior data include phase 1 results demonstrating pelareorep’s single-agent activity, as well as randomized phase 2 data that showed a statistically significant near doubling of median overall survival in patients treated with pelareorep combined with paclitaxel compared to those treated with paclitaxel monotherapy. Additionally, data from early-stage HR+/HER2- breast cancer patients demonstrated pelareorep’s ability to stimulate anti-tumor immunity, remodel tumor microenvironments, and potentially improve patient prognosis by decreasing the risk of cancer recurrence score.
BRACELET-1 includes cohorts evaluating paclitaxel monotherapy, paclitaxel plus pelareorep, and paclitaxel plus pelareorep in combination with avelumab in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer. The trial was designed to enroll a total of 48 patients and is not powered to detect statistical significance. An abstract corresponding to the upcoming oral presentation will be published by ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) on May 25, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. ET. The oral presentation will take place on June 3, 2023, during a session being held from 2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. ET.
Additional Immunotherapeutic Opportunity
Upcoming ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) poster on preclinical pelareorep-chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy combination program
The poster, titled "Efficacy of function-enhanced, re-activatable, dual-specific CAR T cells pre-loaded with oncolytic virus for immunotherapy of high-grade glioma," will be presented in Poster Hall A from 2:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. ET on June 3, 2023. The corresponding abstract will be published prior to the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) meeting, on May 25, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
The data to be presented at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) meeting follow preclinical results published in Science Translational Medicine (STM), which showed pelareorep synergistically enhancing the efficacy of CAR T cell therapy in murine solid tumor models (link to PR, link to the paper). Oncolytics is currently advancing preclinical research collaborations evaluating pelareorep-CAR T cell combination therapies, one of which has generated results with a potential partner’s own CAR T constructs that are in-line with those published in the STM publication.
Key Opinion Leader Webinar
Oncolytics will host a key opinion leader (KOL) webinar on June 5, 2023 at 8 a.m. ET, where KOLs and the Oncolytics management team will discuss recent data from the BRACELET-1 study. A live question and answer session will follow the formal presentation.
To register for the webinar, please click here.
Financial Highlights
As of March 31, 2023, the Company reported $29.7 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities.
The net loss for the first quarter of 2023 was $6.4 million, compared to a net loss of $6.8 million for the first quarter of 2022. The basic and diluted loss per share was $0.10 in the first quarter of 2023, compared to a basic and diluted loss per share of $0.12 in the first quarter of 2022.
Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $7.8 million, compared to $6.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The change reflected higher net operating activities and non-cash working capital changes.
General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2023 were $3.2 million, compared to $2.6 million for the first quarter of 2022. The increase was mainly due to increased investor relations activities, partly offset by lower share-based compensation expense.
Research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2023 were $3.5 million, compared to $3.7 million for the first quarter of 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower BRACELET-1 study costs and share-based compensation expense, partly offset by increased manufacturing expenses associated with a process development production run and higher personnel-related expenses.
2023 Anticipated Milestones and Catalysts
Overall response rate and progression-free survival data from phase 2 BRACELET-1 metastatic breast cancer study: Q2 2023
Preclinical data from the combination of pelareorep and CAR T cell therapy: Q2 2023
Updated data in advanced/metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) from the GOBLET study: H2 2023
Update on the metastatic colorectal and anal cancer cohorts from the GOBLET study: H2 2023
Guidance for the registration paths for HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer and advanced/metastatic PDAC: H2 2023
Webcast and Conference Call
Management will host a conference call for analysts and investors at 8:30 a.m. ET today, May 5, 2023. To access the call, please dial (888) 664-6383 (North America) or (416) 764-8650 (International) and, if needed, provide confirmation number 3550-3191. To join the conference call without operator assistance, please click here. A live webcast of the call will also be available by clicking here or on the Investor Relations page of Oncolytics’ website (LINK) and will be archived for three months. A dial in replay will be available for one week and can be accessed by dialing (888) 390-0541 (North America) or (416) 764-8677 (International) and using replay code: 503-191#.