On August 17, 2023 Immatics N.V. (NASDAQ: IMTX; "Immatics"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company active in the discovery and development of T cell-redirecting cancer immunotherapies, reported a business update and announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 (Press release, Immatics, AUG 17, 2023, View Source [SID1234634474]).

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"The interim clinical data update for IMA203 monotherapy demonstrated an encouraging initial objective response rate in a range of solid cancer indications including durable responses supporting fast-tracking IMA203 to patients, starting with high-need solid cancers such as checkpoint-refractory melanoma and uveal melanoma," said Harpreet Singh, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder of Immatics. "Beyond our recent IMA203 updates, we are pleased to report that we closed the second quarter with a cash position funding operations into late 2025. With this revised runway, we anticipate reaching our most critical milestones including the initiation of registration-directed trials for IMA203, as well as delivering meaningful data to assess clinical proof of concept for both TCER programs IMA401 and IMA402."

Second Quarter 2023 and Subsequent Company Progress

Adoptive Cell Therapy Programs

ACTengine IMA203: ACTengine IMA203 TCR-T against PRAME is currently being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 1b dose expansion trial.

As per the latest data cut-off of April 4, 2023, ACTengine IMA203 TCR-T monotherapy Cohort A showed a 67% confirmed objective response rate (cORR) in an interim clinical update announced on May 2, 2023. The data covered 11 heavily pre-treated patients; the median duration of response was not reached at a median follow-up time of 8.5 months. Patients were infused with IMA203 TCR-T cells at dose level (DL) 4 or DL5 with a mean total infused dose of 3.67×109 TCR-T cells (range 1.30-8.84×109 TCR-T cells).
Cohort A IMA203 monotherapy TCR-T treatment continues to show manageable tolerability with no high-grade CRS and no ICANS; all 11 patients experienced expected cytopenia (Grade 1-4) associated with lymphodepletion. 10 patients (91%) had a low to moderate (Grade 1-2) cytokine release syndrome (CRS), of which 5 patients (45%) had Grade 1, and 5 patients (45%) had Grade 2 CRS.
Objective responses were observed independent of tumor type including checkpoint-refractory and BRAF inhibitor-refractory cutaneous melanoma, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, uveal melanoma, head and neck cancer and synovial sarcoma. Longest duration of responses were observed in cutaneous and uveal melanoma with ongoing responses at 6, 9 and 10 months post infusion at data cut-off.
IMA203 in combination with nivolumab (Cohort B) has been de-prioritized in the last-line setting. Such a combination is being considered for the front-line setting.
IMA203CD8 (Cohort C) is a next-generation monotherapy where IMA203 engineered T cells are co-transduced with a CD8αβ co-receptor. IMA203CD8 is currently being explored in DL4a (up to 0.8×109 TCR-T cells/m2 BSA).
Next update on Immatics’ IMA203 Phase 1b cohorts, including the projected clinical development path for PRAME-targeted TCR-T monotherapy towards registration-directed trials is planned for 4Q 2023. Immatics’ IMA203 development strategy to realize the multi-cancer opportunity of targeting PRAME is based on two pillars aimed at:
maximizing speed to market in one to two last-line solid cancer types focusing on cutaneous melanoma, uveal melanoma and potentially other tumor types with high PRAME prevalence where clinical proof-of-concept has been demonstrated, and
broad development with expansion to other cancer types, such as ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancer and other tumor types having a broad patient reach.
TCR-T pipeline

Earlier this year, Bristol Myers Squibb exercised its first option and entered into a global license agreement with Immatics for the most advanced TCR-T product candidate. As part of the agreement, Immatics received an option payment of $15 million and is eligible for up to $490 million in milestone payments in addition to tiered royalties on net sales of the product.

TCR Bispecifics Programs

Immatics’ T cell engaging receptor (TCER) candidates are next-generation, half-life extended TCR Bispecific molecules designed to maximize efficacy while minimizing toxicities in patients through Immatics’ proprietary format using a low-affinity T cell recruiter and a high-affinity TCR domain.

TCER IMA401 (MAGEA4/8) – Phase 1 trial to evaluate safety, tolerability and initial anti-tumor activity of TCER IMA401 in patients with recurrent and/or refractory solid tumors is ongoing. IMA401 targets an HLA-A*02:01-presented peptide that occurs identically in two different proteins, MAGEA4 and MAGEA8. This target peptide has been selected based on natural expression in native solid tumors at particularly high target density (peptide copy number per tumor cell identified by Immatics’ proprietary quantitative mass spectrometry engine XPRESIDENT). MAGEA4 and MAGEA8 are expressed in multiple solid cancers including lung cancer, head and neck cancer, melanoma, ovarian cancer, sarcoma and others. IMA401 is being developed in collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb.

TCER IMA402 (PRAME) – Immatics submitted a clinical trial application (CTA2) to the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute (PEI) in April 2023. Following CTA acceptance, Immatics initiated the Phase 1/2 trial investigating the company’s fully owned TCER candidate IMA402 in patients with recurrent and/or refractory solid tumors in August. Initial focus indications are cutaneous and uveal melanoma, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, uterine cancer and synovial sarcoma, among others. A first clinical data update is planned for 2024. IMA402 targets an HLA-A*02:01-presented peptide derived from the tumor antigen PRAME. This target peptide has been selected based on natural expression in native solid primary tumors and metastases at particularly high target density (peptide copy number per tumor cell identified by Immatics’ proprietary quantitative mass spectrometry engine XPRESIDENT).

Corporate Updates

On July 24, 2023, Bristol Myers Squibb purchased 2,419,818 ordinary shares in a private placement transaction at a subscription price per share of $14.463. Additionally, Bristol Myers Squibb will appoint a member to the Immatics Scientific Advisory Board.
Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Equity: The Company raised a total of $64 million in June through August through its ATM facility.

Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents as well as other financial assets total €347.6 million ($377.7 million1) as of June 30, 2023, compared to €362.2 million ($393.6 million1) as of December 31, 2022. The decrease is mainly due to our ongoing research and development activities, partially offset by the option fee received by Bristol Myers Squibb and funds raised in the period. The Company projects an updated cash runway into late 2025.

Revenue: Total revenue, consisting of revenue from collaboration agreements, was €22.4 million ($24.3 million1) for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to €17.2 million ($18.7 million1) for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The increase is mainly related to the recognition of revenue for the opt-in agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb signed during the three months ended June 30, 2023.

Research and Development Expenses: R&D expenses were €27.3 million ($29.7 million1) for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to €25.2 million ($27.4 million1) for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The increase mainly resulted from higher costs associated with the advancement of the clinical and pre-IND pipeline of ACTengine and TCER candidates.

General and Administrative Expenses: G&A expenses were €9.4 million ($10.2 million1) for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to €8.7 million ($9.5 million1) for the three months ended June 30, 2022.

Net Profit and Loss: Net loss was €24.6 million ($26.7 million1) for the three months ended June 30, 2023, compared to a net loss of €14.0 million ($15.2 million1) for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The increased net loss mainly resulted from non-cash fair value adjustments of outstanding warrants.

Upcoming Investor Conferences

Jefferies Cell & Genetic Medicine Summit, New York, NY – September 26-27, 2023
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On August 17, 2023 I-Mab (Nasdaq: IMAB) (the "Company"), is a global biotechnology company focused on bringing highly differentiated medicines to patients around the world through the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel immunotherapies and biologics for oncology, reported its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2023, and provided key business updates (Press release, I-Mab Biopharma, AUG 17, 2023, View Source [SID1234634472]).

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I-Mab has made significant progress in advancing its pipeline of innovative assets over the last eight months.

"2023 is off to a great start with promising early results from our two lead oncology programs, uliledlimab, and givastomig, coupled with new, positive Phase 3 eftansomatropin alfa results, thanks to the diligent efforts of our employees. As we move forward, we plan to focus on three strategic pillars: prioritizing two promising clinical assets in oncology to advance in the US, maintaining our strong balance sheet, and focusing on establishing a new operating model to become a US-based global biotech company," said Raj Kannan, Chief Executive Officer of I-Mab.

H1 2023 Key Clinical Program Highlights

Uliledlimab (CD73 mAb): Encouraging clinical and translational data presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2023

Uliledlimab is a highly differentiated CD73 antibody which can completely inhibit CD73 enzymatic activity without causing the aberrant pharmacological property known as the "hook effect." Results from an ongoing Phase 2 study of uliledlimab in combination with toripalimab, a PD-1 inhibitor, showed a favorable safety profile and an encouraging objective response rate (ORR) of 31% (21/67) in the overall population regardless of CD73 and PD-L1 expression. In this study, without concomitant chemotherapy, in patients whose tumors expressed higher levels of CD73 and had a PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS) of >1%, the observed ORR was 63% (10/16).

Next steps: The clinical program is currently focused on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and ovarian cancer. Enrollment in the Phase 2 study of uliledlimab with toripalimab for patients with ovarian cancer is ongoing in China. In the US, I-Mab plans to submit an IND for uliledlimab in combination with chemotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors in newly diagnosed patients with advanced NSCLC in H1 2024.

Givastomig (Claudin 18.2 x 4-1BB bispecific Ab): Phase 1 trial data and publication highlight potential for a differentiated program

Encouraging initial Phase 1 results: Givastomig was designed as a bispecific antibody to target Claudin 18.2-positive tumor cells and stimulate pro-immune 4-1BB signaling. Phase 1 dose escalation has reached the highest planned dose level. Most treatment-related adverse events have been low-grade. In this study, encouraging findings of monotherapy efficacy were observed, including in tumors with lower levels of Claudin 18.2 expression, in patients with previously treated cancer that has relapsed or progressed after prior standard treatments.

Preclinical data on this program were published in the July 2023 issue of the Journal of Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper), and the Phase 1 monotherapy dose escalation data were selected for presentation at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) in October 2023. An expansion cohort of patients with Claudin 18.2 positive gastric, gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), and esophageal cancer whose disease has progressed after previous treatment is enrolling, and interim results are expected in H1 2024.

Based upon these encouraging signals, dose escalation is expected to begin in combination with standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy regimens for patients with treatment naïve gastric, GEJ, and esophageal cancer in the US, Japan, and China in H1 2024.

The program is being developed in collaboration with ABL Bio.

TJ-L14B/ABL503 (PD-L1 x 4-1BB bispecific antibody): Phase 1 Dose Expansion initiated in H1 2023

TJ-L14B/ABL503 was designed to treat PD-(L)1 antibody-resistant tumors. The antibody acts by inducing conditional activation of 4-1BB when it binds to its target, PD-L1. A Phase 1 dose-escalation study is underway in patients with progressive, locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors who are relapsed or refractory following prior lines of treatment. A preliminary efficacy signal has been observed, and a maximally tolerated dose (MTD) has not yet been reached. The dose expansion portion of the Phase 1 study is underway in the US and South Korea. The program is also being developed in collaboration with ABL Bio.

New Data: Eftansomatropin alfa (long-acting recombinant human growth hormone)

I-Mab reported positive topline results from its multi-center, randomized, open-label, active-controlled pivotal phase 3 study (CTJ101PGHD301) evaluating the efficacy and safety of eftansomatropin alfa in children with growth hormone deficiency.

The study met its primary endpoint of annualized height velocity (AHV) at week 52 and demonstrated that eftansomatropin alfa was non-inferior to Norditropin. Eftansomatropin alfa was given by weekly injection vs. Norditropin given by daily injection. The mean AHV was 10.76 (cm/year) for eftansomatropin alfa vs. 10.28 (cm/year) for Norditropin, with a difference of 0.47 [95% CI -0.06,1.00] and non-inferiority p-value <0.0001. Eftansomatropin alfa was well tolerated and no drug discontinuation was reported due to treatment related adverse events. The safety profile of eftansomatropin alfa was comparable to Norditropin. The Company is planning to file a BLA submission in China in 2024.

Commercial partnership with Jumpcan for product launch and commercialization of eftansomatropin alfa in China is ongoing.

Felzartamab (CD38 antibody): Phase 3 Multiple Myeloma Results Expected in 2024

Felzartamab is in development for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). Clinical studies have been conducted in second- and third-line treatment settings. The randomized, open-label, parallel-controlled Phase 3 study of felzartamab in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone as a second-line treatment for MM with progression-free survival (PFS) as the primary endpoint is ongoing with a projected read-out in 2024, followed by planned BLA submission.

Lemzoparlimab (CD47 antibody): Phase 3 trial underway in China

The development of lemzoparlimab, focused on China, has the potential to be the first-in-class CD47 antibody for hematologic malignancies in this market. The Phase 3 program is evaluating lemzoparlimab in combination with azacytidine (AZA) as first-line treatment for patients with newly diagnosed higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Enrollment in the Phase 3 trial was initiated in April 2023. The Company will continue to review Phase 2 clinical follow-up data in the higher risk-MDS study and analyze details from other trials evaluating other CD47-targeting agents as they are released, to inform the Company’s decisions on the future steps for the program.

Corporate Development

· In August 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a new share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to US$40 million of American depository shares ("ADSs") or ordinary shares in aggregate over the next 12 months. The timing and dollar amount of share repurchase transactions will be subject to the applicable U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rule requirements. The Company’s Board of Directors will review the implementation of share repurchases periodically and may authorize adjustment of its terms and size.

· Proprietary position for uliledlimab fortified with Tracon and KG Bio resolutions.

- The positive outcome in arbitration relating to the collaboration agreement with Tracon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Tracon) confirms that Tracon has no rights to share any future economics with I-Mab for uliledlimab.

- In June 2023, the Company terminated the first negotiation agreement with Kalbe Genexine Biologics (KG Bio), pursuant to which KG Bio no longer has a right of first negotiation for the exclusive right to commercialize uliledlimab in Southeast Asia and other territories.

First-Half 2023 Financial Results

Cash Position

As of June 30, 2023, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments of RMB3.0 billion (US$414.6 million), compared with RMB3.5 billion (US$489.0 million) as of December 31, 2022.

Net Revenues

Total net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were RMB19.7 million (US$2.7 million), compared with RMB51.9 million (US$7.2 million) for the comparable period in 2022. Revenues consisted of revenues recognized in connection with the strategic collaboration with AbbVie and revenues generated from the supply of investigational products to AbbVie Inc (Abbvie) and Human Immunology Biosciences, Inc. for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Research & Development Expenses

Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were RMB446.4 million (US$61.6 million), compared with RMB452.6 million (US$62.4 million) for the comparable period in 2022. The decrease was primarily due to the reduced payroll and share-based compensation expenses, partially offset by a slight increase in Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls service fees. Share-based compensation expense was RMB46.8 million (US$6.5 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared with RMB77.6 million (US$10.7 million) for the comparable period in 2022.

Administrative Expenses

Administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were RMB245.0 million (US$33.8 million), compared with RMB392.5 million (US$54.1 million) for the comparable period in 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower payroll expenses and share-based compensation expenses for management personnel and reduced expenses for professional services. Share-based compensation expense was RMB88.0 million (US$12.1 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2023, compared with RMB119.3 million (US$16.5 million) for the comparable period in 2022.

Other Expenses, Net

Net other expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were RMB71.7 million (US$9.9 million), compared with RMB51.9 million (US$7.2 million) for the comparable period in 2022. The increase was primarily caused by the higher unrealized exchange losses due to the significant fluctuation in the exchange rate of the Renminbi (RMB) against the U.S. dollars in 2023.

Equity in Loss of Affiliates

Equity in loss of affiliates for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was RMB59.6 million (US$8.2 million), compared with RMB181.0 million (US$25.0 million) for the comparable period in 2022. The loss was mainly recognized in relation to the Company’s affiliate, I-Mab Biopharma (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd.

Net Loss

Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was RMB772.8 million (US$106.6 million), compared with RMB1,046.9 million (US$144.4 million) in the comparable period in 2022. Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders as of June 30, 2023 was RMB4.04 (US$0.56), compared with RMB5.54 (US$0.76) for the comparable period in 2022. Net loss per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders as of June 30, 2023 was RMB9.29 (US$1.28), compared with RMB12.74 (US$1.76) for the comparable period in 2022. As of June 30, 2023, I-Mab has 190,033,689 shares outstanding.

Non-GAAP Net Loss

Non-GAAP adjusted net loss, which excludes share-based compensation expenses, for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was RMB634.2 million (US$87.5 million), compared with RMB848.0 million (US$116.9 million) for the comparable period in 2022. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was RMB3.31 (US$0.46), compared with RMB4.49 (US$0.62) for the comparable period in 2022. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was RMB7.61 (US$1.05), compared with RMB10.33 (US$1.42) for the comparable period in 2022.

Conference Call Information

Investors and analysts are invited to join the conference call at 8:00 a.m. EST on August 17, 2023 via Zoom:

View Source

Meeting ID: 873 4976 6033

Password: 194422

On August 17, 2023 Hoth therapeutics reported its corporate presentation (Presentation, Hoth Therapeutics, AUG 17, 2023, View Source [SID1234634471]).

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On August 17, 2023 GlycoMimetics, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ:GLYC) reported that the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved the grant on August 14 , 2023 of a non-qualified stock option award to purchase an aggregate of 110,000 shares to Gaetano Bonifacio, M.D., the Company’s new Vice President, Global Medical Affairs (Press release, GlycoMimetics, AUG 17, 2023, View Source [SID1234634470]). The award was granted as an inducement equity award outside of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2013 Equity Incentive Plan in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and was made as an inducement material to the acceptance of employment with the Company by the new employee.

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The award was comprised of an option to purchase 110,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), subject to vesting as to 25% of the underlying shares on August 14, 2024, and as to the remaining underlying shares in equal monthly installments over 36 months thereafter. The option grant has an exercise price of $1.65 per share, the closing price of the Common Stock on the date of grant, and is subject to the terms and conditions of a stock option agreement and the GlycoMimetics, Inc. Amended and Restated Inducement Plan, which provides for the granting of stock options and other equity awards to new employees.

On August 17, 2023 Geron Corporation (Nasdaq: GERN) reported that it has granted non-statutory stock options to purchase an aggregate of 189,850 shares of Geron common stock as inducements to newly hired employees in connection with commencement of employment with the Company (Press release, Geron, AUG 17, 2023, View Source [SID1234634469]).

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The stock options were granted on August 16, 2023 at an exercise price of $2.70 per share, which is equal to the closing price of Geron common stock on the date of grant. Stock options representing an aggregate of 185,220 shares have a 10-year term and vest over four years, with 12.5% of the shares underlying the options vesting on the six-month anniversary of commencement of employment for the respective employees and the remaining shares vesting over the following 42 months in equal installments of whole shares, subject to continued employment with Geron through the applicable vesting dates. Stock options representing an aggregate of 4,630 shares have a 10-year term and vest in full upon achievement of a certain regulatory milestone, subject to continued employment with Geron through the applicable vesting date. All of the stock options were granted as material inducement to employment in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and are subject to the terms and conditions of the stock option agreements covering the grants and Geron’s 2018 Inducement Award Plan, which was adopted December 14, 2018 and provides for the granting of stock options to new employees.