Photocure ASA: Results for the first quarter of 2024

On May 15, 2024 Photocure ASA (OSE:PHO) reported Hexvix/Cysview revenues of NOK 116.8 million in the first quarter of 2024 (Q1 2023: NOK 105.9 million), and EBITDA of NOK 7.9 million (NOK -1.2 million) following positive operational developments and cost control (Press release, PhotoCure, MAY 15, 2024, View Source [SID1234648643]). The Company reiterates its business and financial guidance for 2024 with 40 to 70 new and upgraded Saphira blue light tower installations during the year, product revenue growth of 6% to 9% in constant currency, and positive EBITDA excluding business development expenses.

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"Photocure delivered positive results in the first quarter of 2024 with Hexvix/Cysview revenue growth of 10% year-over-year and EBITDA of NOK 7.9 million. Both our North American and European business segments had positive contributions in the quarter as we continue to grow revenues and contain expenses," says Dan Schneider, President & Chief Executive Officer of Photocure.

Photocure reported total group revenues of NOK 118.0 million in the first quarter of 2024 (NOK 106.2 million) and EBITDA* of NOK 7.9 million (NOK -1.2 million), driven by a combination of unit volume and price increases and a benefit from foreign exchange. Hexvix/Cysview revenues ended at NOK 116.8 million in the quarter (Q1 2023: NOK 105.9 million). EBIT was NOK 0.7 million (NOK -7.7 million) and the cash balance at the end of the period was NOK 258.3 million.

At the end of Q1 2024, the installed base of rigid BLC systems in the U.S. was 364, up 14% since Q1 2023. This includes 6 mobile towers owned by ForTec Medical. In the U.S., 27 flexible BLC towers remain active.

"ForTec has decided to pursue a mobile BLC strategy, expanding on a pilot program that began in 2021. In addition to the 6 Saphira towers that it currently owns, ForTec intends to expand its portfolio of equipment and launch a mobile BLC program throughout the U.S. later this year. A national roll-out by ForTec’s sales force would significantly increase the number of field-based account managers selling BLC with Cysview, and would also open the market to hospitals that currently do not have access to BLC equipment, particularly those in ForTec’s vast customer network," Schneider adds.

Photocure reiterates its business and financial guidance for 2024: The company anticipates new and upgraded Saphira blue light tower installations in the U.S. in the range of 40 to 70, consolidated product revenue growth of 6% to 9% in constant currency, and positive EBITDA excluding business development expenses.

"Our first quarter results underscore that 2024 is off to a strong start as we remain focused on maximizing the growth and profitability of our Hexvix/Cysview franchise. We expect momentum to continue with the strong Saphira placements in the U.S., increasing penetration in Europe leveraging the recent image quality upgrades, the anticipated commercial expansion of Fortec’s mobile tower strategy, and building upon the growing awareness of the benefits of blue light cystoscopy in light of the many new bladder cancer treatments coming to the market," Schneider says, and concludes:

"Additionally, there are several initiatives and events that have potential to create a step change in the future growth of our business including potential reclassification of BLC equipment in the U.S., which is anticipated to open the market to multiple tower manufacturers, our plan to reintroduce a new flexible BLC solution globally through a partnership, and the anticipated market approvals of Asieris’s candidates; Cevira and Hexvix in China. Given the many initiatives and activities in progress, we believe that 2024 is setting up to be an exciting year for the Company."

Please find the full financial report and presentation enclosed.

EBITDA* and other alternative performance measures (APMs) are defined and reconciled to the IFRS financial statements as a part of the APM section of the first quarter 2024 financial report on page 23.

The quarterly report and presentation will be published at 08:00 CEST and will be publicly available at www.photocure.com. Dan Schneider, CEO and Erik Dahl, CFO, will host a live webcast at 14:00 CEST.

The presentation will be held in English and questions can be submitted throughout the event. The streaming event is available through https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/hegnarmedia/20240515_13/

The presentation is scheduled to conclude at 14:45 CEST.

CrossBridge Bio, Inc. Receives $2.6M in Non-Dilutive Funding from CPRIT to Advance, CBB-120, a Next-Generation Dual-Payload Antibody-Drug Conjugate for the Treatment of TROP-2+ Solid Tumors

On May 15, 2024 CrossBridge Bio, Inc. (CrossBridge), a pioneering pre-clinical stage biotechnology company dedicated to advancing antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapeutics for unmet needs through stable dual linker payload technology that aims to significantly improve safety as well as potency/durability while addressing tumor resistance and heterogeneity, proudly announces the receipt of a substantial competitive non-dilutive grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) (Press release, CrossBridge Bio, MAY 15, 2024, View Source [SID1234647683]). This grant marks a significant milestone in CrossBridge’s mission to propel its innovative dual-payload ADC platform and potential best-in-class TROP2 program, CBB-120, to IND-enabling studies.

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CrossBridge’s cutting-edge ADC platform is at the forefront of cancer treatment innovation, utilizing site-specific antibody-branched linker conjugation, a stable tripeptide linker, and the ability to conjugate dual payloads via click chemistry. With the non-dilutive grant, CrossBridge is ready to accelerate the pre-clinical development of CBB-120 as a potential differentiated therapeutic for triple-negative breast cancers, hormone-positive Her2-negative breast cancers, and various other TROP2+ cancers with unmet needs, where our dual payloads will be most effective.

"The data we will generate with this grant will support de-risking our next-generation ADC platform and provide another potential option for cancer patients. We are thankful for the review committee and CPRIT for funding CBB-120." CEO and Co-Founder, Michael Torres, Ph.D.

We sincerely thank the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) for their support. The $2.6 million seed award highlights CrossBridge’s unwavering commitment to advancing ADC therapeutics and providing transformative treatments to patients with challenging cancers. This funding will boost our pre-clinical efforts and strengthen our position as a trailblazer in ADC innovation.

Pacylex Pharmaceuticals Discusses its Broad-Spectrum Anti-Cancer Drug Zelenirstat at 2024 BIO International Convention

On May 15, 2024 Pacylex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Pacylex) is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) inhibitors as targeted therapies for the treatment of hematologic cancers and solid tumors, reported that it will be attending the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) International Convention taking place June 3-6, 2024, at the San Diego Convention Center, in San Diego, California, USA (Press release, Pacylex Pharmaceuticals, MAY 15, 2024, View Source [SID1234645049]). The BIO Convention is the premier life sciences networking conference in the world, bringing together leaders, innovators and investors from the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries.

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Pacylex’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Michael Weickert, will be attending the conference and participating in the BIO One-on-One Partnering system. He will be available to review Pacylex’s recent clinical progress with zelenirstat currently being dosed in patients in two Phase 2a studies, in refractory and relapsed B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and in advanced refractory colorectal cancer patients, at 4 clinical sites in Canada. He will also share new data describing how zelenirstat works in different cancers by inhibiting the myristoylation required for assembly, translocation, and/or function of validated targets like B-cell receptor, EGFR, and VEGFR. Zelenirstat also blocks Complex I formation in mitochondria of cancer cells which shuts down oxidative phosphorylation, especially critical for metastasis and cancer stem cells.

"We are learning from laboratory and clinical studies that inhibiting myristoylation appears to be an efficient way to turn off many cancer-critical processes with one switch", said Dr. Michael Weickert, CEO of Pacylex. "That may explain why Phase 1 zelenirstat patients with heavily pretreated and refractory ovarian, appendiceal, and colorectal cancer had 6 to 15 months of stable disease when treated with our recommended phase 2 dose. "

Registered attendees can discuss investment and licensing opportunities with Dr. Weickert by scheduling a meeting using the BIO One-on-One Partnering system. If there are no compatible time slots available, please contact Dr. Weickert directly to schedule a meeting.

Merck off to a Good Start in Fiscal 2024

On May 15, 2024 Merck, a leading science and technology company, reported a good start to fiscal 2024 (Press release, Merck KGaA, MAY 15, 2024, View Source [SID1234644741]). The Healthcare business sector performed strongly. Electronics also delivered solid organic sales growth, mainly driven by Semiconductor Solutions. Life Science recorded sales and earnings declines compared with the particularly high base of the year-earlier quarter.

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Financial Results Presentation FY2023

On May 15, 2024 Eisai reported its financial results for year 2023, Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2024 (Presentation, Eisai, MAY 15, 2024, View Source [SID1234644700]).

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