On November 20, 2023 BioLineRx Ltd. (NASDAQ: BLRX) (TASE: BLRX), a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company pursuing life-changing therapies in oncology and rare diseases, reported its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023, and provided corporate and portfolio updates (Press release, BioLineRx, NOV 20, 2023, View Source [SID1234637829]).
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"FDA approval of APHEXDA in September was a transformative event for the company, and our U.S. commercial team is now working with payers and providers to make this important innovation available to patients," said Philip Serlin, Chief Executive Officer of BioLineRx. "We were pleased that APHEXDA was recently added to the NCCN guidelines, and we believe that as centers adjust their protocols to include and gain experience with APHEXDA, transplant teams will gain a deep appreciation for the efficiencies that it can provide, and more importantly, the improved treatment journey patients experience as they navigate their essential transplant process.
"In addition, the company also closed its motixafortide licensing agreement covering the important Asia market. The agreement, which provided significant upfront funding, will first advance potential indications in the region for stem cell mobilization and pancreatic cancer, areas of high unmet need. We continue to evaluate additional commercial partnership opportunities in other markets.
"Lastly, exciting data were presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) from the single-arm pilot phase of the randomized Phase 2 combination clinical trial with motixafortide in first-line pancreatic cancer by the study’s lead investigator at Columbia University. The highly encouraging data triggered a change in the protocol, from a small, single-arm study to a much larger randomized study. This study, as well as the enrolling Phase 1 study evaluating motixafortide for stem cell mobilization in patients with sickle cell disease seeking gene therapy, highlight the potential versatility of motixafortide and the tremendous progress we are making to realize the full promise of this novel molecule for patients around the world," Mr. Serlin concluded.
Corporate Updates
Received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of APHEXDA (motixafortide) in combination with filgrastim (G-CSF) to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells to the peripheral blood for collection and subsequent autologous transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma
Closed exclusive license agreement to develop and commercialize motixafortide in Asia, alongside strategic equity investment:
License agreement included $15 million upfront payment, up to $50 million in potential development and regulatory milestones, up to $200 million in potential commercial milestones, and tiered double-digit royalties on sales
Straight common equity investment of $14.6 million in BioLineRx American Depository Shares (ADSs)
Gloria Biosciences expected to begin pivotal bridging study to support potential approval and commercialization of motixafortide in stem cell mobilization in China
Gloria Biosciences planning randomized Phase 2/3 first-line pancreatic cancer clinical trial evaluating motixafortide in combination with PD-1 inhibitor zimberelimab and standard of care combination chemotherapy
Clinical Portfolio Updates
Motixafortide (selective inhibitor of CXCR4 chemokine receptor)
Multiple Myeloma
Received inclusion of APHEXDA in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Received acceptance of an abstract on combination premedication benefits in the Phase 3 GENESIS trial, further educating on the use of APHEXDA at transplant centers. The poster will be presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) 65th Annual Meeting on December 10, 2023, in San Diego, California
Initiated pivotal bridging study preparation activities with Gloria Biosciences to support potential approval and commercialization of motixafortide in stem cell mobilization in China
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Presented data from the single-arm pilot phase of the investigator-initiated CheMo4METPANC Phase 2 combination clinical trial in first-line pancreatic cancer (PDAC) at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer. Of 11 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer enrolled, 7 patients (64%) experienced a partial response (PR), of which 5 (45%) were confirmed PRs with one patient experiencing resolution of the hepatic (liver) metastatic lesion. Three patients (27%) experienced stable disease, resulting in a disease control rate of 91%. Based on these encouraging results, the study was substantially revised to a multi-institution, randomized trial of 108 patients
Initiated preparation activities with Gloria Biosciences to support the development of a randomized Phase 2/3 clinical trial evaluating motixafortide in combination with the PD-1 inhibitor zimberelimab and standard of care combination chemotherapy in first-line pancreatic cancer
Sickle Cell Disease & Gene Therapy
Began enrollment in investigator-initiated Phase 1 pilot study led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis evaluating motixafortide as monotherapy and in combination with natalizumab for CD34+ hematopoietic stem cell mobilization for gene therapies in sickle cell disease. Anticipate data in 2H of 2024
AGI-134 (synthetic alpha-Gal glycolipid)
Solid Tumor Immunotherapy
Evaluating next development pathways for AGI-134 program. The Phase 1/2a first-in-human, single-agent study, results of which were announced in Q4 2022, met the primary endpoint for safety and tolerability and demonstrated immune activity across multiple biomarkers
Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results
Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 were $2.7 million, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 37.6%, compared to $4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease resulted primarily from lower expenses associated with NDA supporting activities related to motixafortide as well as lower expenses associated with the completed AGI-134 clinical trial.
Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 were $8.1 million, an increase of $6.8 million, or 517.4% compared to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase resulted primarily from the ramp-up of pre-commercialization activities related to motixafortide
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 were $1.5 million, an increase of $0.1 million, or 7.7% compared to $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase resulted from small increases in a number of individual G&A expenses
Non-operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 were $3.1 million, an increase of $3.5 million, compared to non-operating income of $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase relates primarily to the revaluation of outstanding warrants resulting from an increase in the company’s share price during the 2023 period
Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $16.0 million, compared to $6.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 amounted to $46.7 million, compared to $19.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increases in net loss for both the three- and nine-month periods in 2023 were primarily due to the significant non-operating expenses (which were also non-cash) related to revaluation of outstanding warrants, as well as the significant increases in sales and marketing expenses related to pre-commercialization and commercialization activities, which were partially offset by a decrease in research and development expenses
As of September 30, 2023, we held $26.0 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits. We anticipate that this amount, as well as the consideration from the exclusive license agreement and the securities purchase agreement of $29.6 million that was received in October 2023, will be sufficient to fund operations, as currently planned, into 2025
Conference Call and Webcast Information
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