EPKINLY® (epcoritamab) Approved by Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for Additional Indication as a Treatment for Relapsed or Refractory Follicular Lymphoma

On February 20, 2025 Genmab A/S (Nasdaq: GMAB) reported that the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved EPKINLY (epcoritamab) for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL; Grades 1 to 3A) who have received two or more prior lines of therapy (Press release, Genmab, FEB 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234650414]). With this additional indication, EPKINLY is now the first and only T-cell engaging bispecific antibody administered subcutaneously to be approved in Japan to treat both R/R FL and R/R large B-cell lymphomas, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), high-grade B-cell lymphoma and primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, after two or more prior lines of therapy.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

FL is typically an indolent (or slow growing) form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) that arises from B-lymphocytes and is the second most common form of NHL, accounting for 20-30 percent of all cases.i There are approximately 19,000 patients currently living with FL in Japan.ii FL is considered incurable with current standard of care therapies.iii Patients often relapse and, with each relapse, the remission and time to next treatment is shorter.iv Over time, transformation to DLBCL, an aggressive form of NHL associated with poor survival outcomes, can occur in more than 25 percent of FL patients.v

"In the treatment of follicular lymphoma, where options become limited with each relapse, there remains a high unmet need for third-line and subsequent therapies in the absence of a clear standard of care," said Dr. Koji Izutsu, Head of the Department of Hematology, National Cancer Center Hospital, who served as the principal investigator of the Japanese Phase 1/2 clinical trial (EPCORE NHL-3 trial). "The responses and tolerability demonstrated in this trial support the potential of epcoritamab to become an important option in future treatment strategies for relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma."

The approval is based on results from the global Phase 1/2 EPCORE NHL-1 and the Japanese Phase 1/2 EPCORE NHL-3 clinical trials, which were open-label, multicenter studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of EPKINLY as a monotherapy in patients with R/R mature B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, including FL. In the Japanese trial, a 2-step step-up dosing (SUD) regimen was used. In the global trial, two different dose escalation methods were used – 2-step and 3-step SUD regimens – to mitigate a common adverse reaction from T-cell engaging cancer treatments known as cytokine release syndrome (CRS).

EPCORE NHL-1 Global Clinical Trial Results
Among the 128 evaluable patients with R/R FL in the EPCORE NHL-1 trial, the overall response rate (ORR) and the complete response (CR) rate were 82 percent (95 percent CI: 74.3-88.3) and 62.5 percent, respectively (data cut-off: April 21, 2023). Ninety-one patients were evaluable for a minimal residual disease (MRD) analysis, with 67 percent of patients achieving MRD negativity. Additionally, more than half of patients who responded to treatment in the study remained responsive to treatment at the time of data analysis (i.e., at a median follow-up of 14.8 months, median duration of response (DoR) was not reached).

Among the patients who received EPKINLY with the 2-step SUD regimen (n=128), adverse events were observed in 119 patients (93 percent). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) (≥20 percent) included CRS (66.4 percent) and injection site reactions (36.7 percent).

As part of a separate dose-optimization cohort in the trial, a 3-step SUD regimen was evaluated in 86 patients with FL (Grades 1 to 3A). Adverse events were observed in 78 patients (90.7 percent). The most common TEAEs included CRS (48.8 percent) and injection site reactions (26.7 percent).

EPCORE NHL-3 Japanese Clinical Trial Results
Among the 21 evaluable patients with R/R FL in the Japanese trial, with a median follow up of 21.2 months, the ORR and the CR rate were 95.2 percent (95 percent CI: 76.2-99.9) and 76.2 percent, respectively. Additionally, 88.9 percent of patients achieved MRD negativity (n=18).

Among patients who received EPKINLY with the 2-step SUD regimen, the most common TEAEs included CRS (90.5 percent), injection site reactions (71.4 percent), rash (28.6 percent), neutropenia (28.6 percent), increased alanine aminotransferase (23.8 percent) and increased aspartate aminotransferase (23.8 percent).

"Patients living with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma in Japan deserve options, and we are proud that EPKINLY may help treat patients as their cancer returns or stops responding to other therapies," said Dr. Judith Klimovsky, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer of Genmab. "Over the last year, EPKINLY has been approved in the U.S., the European Union (as TEPKINLY) and Japan. With a dual indication in relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after two or more prior therapies, we are committed to making epcoritamab available to patients in need and continuing its broad development as a potential core therapy across B-cell malignancies."

About the EPCORE NHL-1 Trial
EPCORE NHL-1 is an open-label, multi-center safety and preliminary efficacy trial of epcoritamab that consists of three parts: a dose escalation part; an expansion part; and an optimization part. The trial was designed to evaluate subcutaneous epcoritamab in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (B-NHL), including FL. In the expansion part, additional patients were enrolled to further explore the safety and efficacy of epcoritamab in three cohorts of patients with different types of relapsed/refractory B-NHLs who have limited therapeutic options. The expansion part generated pivotal data from patients with FL and DLBCL. The optimization part evaluated additional CRS mitigation strategies during cycle 1. The primary endpoint of the expansion part was overall response rate (ORR) as assessed by an Independent Review Committee. Secondary efficacy endpoints included duration of response (DoR), complete response (CR) rate, duration of complete response (DoCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and time to response as determined by the Lugano criteria. Overall survival (OS), time to next therapy, and rate of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity were also evaluated as secondary efficacy endpoints. The primary endpoint of the optimization part was the rate of ≥ Grade 2 CRS events and all grade CRS events from first dose of epcoritamab through 7 days following administration of the second full dose of epcoritamab.

About the EPCORE NHL-3 Trial
EPCORE NHL-3 is an open-label, multi-center safety and efficacy trial of epcoritamab that consists of a Phase 1 first-in-human dose escalation part and a Phase 2 expansion part. The Phase 2 expansion part evaluated subcutaneous administration of epcoritamab in Japanese patients with relapsed, progressive, or refractory mature B-cell NHL, including FL. The primary endpoint of the expansion part was ORR as assessed by IRC, and secondary efficacy endpoints included DOR, CR rate, DoCR, PFS, and time to response based on the Lugano criteria.

About EPKINLY (epcoritamab)
Epcoritamab is an IgG1-bispecific antibody created using Genmab’s proprietary DuoBody technology and administered subcutaneously. Genmab’s DuoBody-CD3 technology is designed to direct cytotoxic T cells selectively to elicit an immune response toward target cell types. Epcoritamab is designed to simultaneously bind to CD3 on T cells and CD20 on B cells and induces T-cell-mediated killing of CD20+ cells.vi

Epcoritamab (approved under the brand name EPKINLY in the U.S. and Japan, and TEPKINLY in the EU) has received regulatory approval in certain lymphoma indications in several territories. Epcoritamab is being co-developed by Genmab and AbbVie as part of the companies’ oncology collaboration. The companies will share commercial responsibilities in the U.S. and Japan, with AbbVie responsible for further global commercialization. Both companies will pursue additional international regulatory approvals for the investigational R/R FL indication and additional approvals for the R/R DLBCL indication.

Genmab and AbbVie continue to evaluate the use of epcoritamab as a monotherapy, and in combination, across lines of therapy in a range of hematologic malignancies. This includes five ongoing Phase 3, open-label, randomized trials including a trial evaluating epcoritamab as a monotherapy in patients with R/R DLBCL compared to investigators choice chemotherapy (NCT04628494), a trial evaluating epcoritamab in combination with R-CHOP in adult patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL (NCT05578976), a trial evaluating epcoritamab in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide (R2) in patients with R/R FL (NCT05409066), a trial evaluating epcoritamab in combination with rituximab and lenalidomide (R2) compared to chemoimmunotherapy in patients with previously untreated FL (NCT06191744), and a trial evaluating epcoritamab in combination with R2 compared to chemotherapy infusion in patients with R/R DLBCL (NCT06508658). The safety and efficacy of epcoritamab has not been established for these investigational uses. Please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov for more information.

Dynavax Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results and Provides Full Year 2025 Financial Guidance

On February 20, 2025 Dynavax Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: DVAX), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing innovative vaccines, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024 (Press release, Dynavax Technologies, FEB 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234650413]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"In 2024, we successfully executed on our strategic growth initiatives, achieving record HEPLISAV-B product revenue, advancing our pipeline programs, and maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation," said Ryan Spencer, Chief Executive Officer of Dynavax. "Looking ahead to 2025, we plan to drive significant top-line growth as we continue to establish HEPLISAV-B as the market share leader in the expanding hepatitis B vaccine market in the U.S. We also expect to advance our pipeline programs to key milestones this year, including providing top-line results from our shingles vaccine Phase 1/2 program in the third quarter, as well as completing our $200 million share capital return and pursuing external opportunities to generate sustainable long-term value for our shareholders and other stakeholders."

BUSINESS UPDATES
HEPLISAV-B [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant), Adjuvanted]
HEPLISAV-B vaccine is the first and only adult hepatitis B vaccine approved in the U.S., the European Union and the United Kingdom that enables series completion with only two doses in one month. Hepatitis B vaccination is universally recommended for adults aged 19-59 in the U.S.

HEPLISAV-B achieved record net product revenue of $268.4 million for the full year 2024, an increase of 26% compared to $213.3 million for the full year 2023.
HEPLISAV-B achieved quarterly net product revenue of $71.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 39% compared to $51.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
HEPLISAV-B total estimated market share in the U.S. increased to approximately 44% at the end of 2024, compared to approximately 42% at the end of 2023.
Dynavax continues to expect the hepatitis B adult vaccine market in the U.S. to expand to a peak of over $900 million in annual sales by 2030, with HEPLISAV-B expected to achieve at least 60% total market share. Additionally, Dynavax believes the HEPLISAV-B U.S. market opportunity will remain substantial beyond 2030 due to the ongoing penetration of the unvaccinated eligible adult population, observed revaccination practices by healthcare providers, and continued gains in market share.
Clinical Pipeline
Dynavax is advancing a pipeline of differentiated product candidates that leverage its CpG 1018 adjuvant, which has demonstrated its ability to enhance the immune response with a favorable tolerability profile in a wide range of clinical trials and real-world commercial use.

Shingles Vaccine Program:
Z-1018 is an investigational vaccine candidate being developed for the prevention of shingles in adults aged 50 years and older.

Dynavax is currently conducting a randomized, active-controlled, dose escalation, multicenter Phase 1/2 trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of Z-1018 compared to Shingrix in 441 healthy adults aged 50 to 69.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company completed enrollment in the trial, and Dynavax anticipates reporting top-line immunogenicity and safety data in the third quarter of 2025.
Plague Vaccine Program:
Dynavax is developing a plague (rF1V) vaccine candidate adjuvanted with CpG 1018 in collaboration with, and fully funded by, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

Based on the results from a randomized, active-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial of the plague vaccine adjuvanted with CpG 1018, Dynavax and the DoD executed a new agreement for approximately $30 million through the first half of 2027 to support additional clinical and manufacturing activities, including a Phase 2 clinical trial expected to initiate in the third quarter of 2025.
HEPLISAV-B for Adults on Hemodialysis:
Dynavax is developing a four-dose HEPLISAV-B vaccine regimen for adults on hemodialysis.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Dynavax received feedback from the FDA regarding the potential to conduct an observational retrospective cohort study to support its sBLA filing for adults on hemodialysis.
FOURTH QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Total revenues were $72.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, a 30% increase compared to $55.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
HEPLISAV-B net product revenue was $71.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, a 39% increase compared to $51.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Cost of sales – product for HEPLISAV-B were $13.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $8.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Research and development expenses (R&D) were $18.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $14.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A) were $41.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $41.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
GAAP net income was $7.1 million, or $0.06 per share (basic) and $0.05 per share (diluted) for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to GAAP net income of $0.2 million, or $0.00 per share (basic and diluted) for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA* (excluding stock-based compensation) was $13.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $4.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a 225% increase year-over-year.
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $713.8 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $742.3 million as of December 31, 2023.
Share Repurchase Program: In November 2024, Dynavax announced a $200 million share repurchase program authorized by its Board of Directors, including $100 million repurchased through an Accelerated Share Repurchase program, which was completed in the first quarter of 2025. The Company expects to complete the remainder of the $200 million share repurchase program by the end of 2025.
FULL YEAR 2024 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Total revenues were $277.2 million for the full year 2024, a 19% increase compared to $232.3 million for the full year 2023.
HEPLISAV-B net product revenue was $268.4 million for the full year 2024, a 26% increase compared to $213.3 million for the full year 2023.
Cost of sales – product for HEPLISAV-B were $49.4 million for the full year 2024, compared to $50.2 million for the full year 2023.
Research and development expenses (R&D) were $61.6 million for the full year 2024, compared to $54.9 million for the for the full year 2023.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A) were $170.4 million for the full year 2024, compared to $152.9 million for the for the full year 2023.
GAAP net income was $27.3 million, or $0.21 per share (basic) and $0.20 per share (diluted) for the full year 2024, compared to GAAP net loss of $6.4 million, or ($0.05) per share (basic and diluted) for the full year 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA* (excluding stock-based compensation) was $51.9 million for the full year 2024, compared to $12.1 million for the full year 2023, representing a 329% increase year-over-year.
FULL YEAR 2025 FINANCIAL GUIDANCE
Dynavax is providing its full year 2025 financial guidance, based on the Company’s current operating plan:

HEPLISAV-B net product revenue is expected in the range of $305 to $325 million.
Adjusted EBITDA* (excluding stock-based compensation) is expected to be at least $75 million.
* Non-GAAP financial measure. Please refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section for details regarding this measure.

Conference Call and Webcast Information
Dynavax will host a conference call and live audio webcast on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT. The live audio webcast may be accessed through the "Events & Presentations" page on the "Investors" section of the Company’s website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be available for 30 days following the live event.

To dial into the call, participants will need to register for the call using the participant call link. It is recommended that participants dial into the conference call or log into the webcast approximately 10 minutes prior to the call.

WHAT IS HEPLISAV-B?
HEPLISAV-B is a shot given to adults 18 years of age and older to help prevent infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. HEPLISAV-B is usually given in the arm muscle. HEPLISAV-B is given in 2 doses, 1 month apart, by a healthcare provider.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not administer HEPLISAV-B to individuals with a history of severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) after a previous dose of any hepatitis B vaccine or to any component of HEPLISAV-B, including yeast.

Appropriate medical treatment and supervision must be available to manage possible anaphylactic reactions following administration of HEPLISAV-B.

Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressant therapy, may have a diminished immune response to HEPLISAV-B.

Hepatitis B has a long incubation period. HEPLISAV-B may not prevent hepatitis B infection in individuals who have an unrecognized hepatitis B infection at the time of vaccine administration.

The most common patient-reported adverse reactions reported within 7 days of vaccination were injection site pain (23%-39%), fatigue (11%-17%), and headache (8%-17%).

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of HEPLISAV-B in pregnant individuals. Available data, primarily in individuals who received one dose of HEPLISAV-B in the 28 days prior to or during pregnancy, do not suggest an increased risk of major birth defects and miscarriage.

It is not known whether HEPLISAV-B is excreted in human milk.

Data are not available to assess the effects of HEPLISAV-B on the breastfed infant or on milk production/excretion.

Vaccination with HEPLISAV-B may not result in protection of all vaccine recipients.

Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if HEPLISAV-B is right for you.

Crinetics Pharmaceuticals to Participate in Two Upcoming March Investor Conferences

On February 20, 2025 Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRNX), reported that company management will participate in two upcoming investment bank conferences (Press release, Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, FEB 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234650412]). The TD Cowen 45th Annual Healthcare Conference is being held in Boston, MA, and the Leerink Global Healthcare Conference is taking place in Miami, FL.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

TD Cowen 45th Annual Healthcare Conference
Fireside chat on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 11:10 a.m. Eastern Time
Webcast link HERE

Leerink Global Healthcare Conference
Fireside chat on Monday, March 10, 2025 at 4:20 p.m. Eastern Time
Webcast link HERE

The live and archived webcasts will be accessible on the Events & Presentations page in the Investors section of the Crinetics’ website at www.crinetics.com/events.

If you are interested in arranging a 1×1 meeting with management, please contact your conference representative.

Cerus Corporation Announces Full-Year and Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results

On February 20, 2025 Cerus Corporation (Nasdaq: CERS) reported financial results for its full year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024 (Press release, Cerus, FEB 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234650411]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Recent highlights include:


Total revenue for full-year 2024 and fourth quarter 2024 was comprised of (in thousands, except %):

Three Months Ended

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

Change

December 31,

Change

Unaudited

Unaudited

2024

2023

$

%

2024

2023

$

%

Product Revenue

$ 50,809

$ 46,768

$ 4,041

9%

$ 180,270

$ 156,367

$23,903

15%

Government Contract Revenue

5,942

6,574

(632)

-10%

21,051

30,430

(9,379)

-31%

Total Revenue

$ 56,751

$ 53,342

$ 3,409

6%

$ 201,321

$ 186,797

$14,524

8%


The Company is reiterating its full-year 2025 annual product revenue guidance range of $194 million to $200 million, which includes $12 million to $15 million for INTERCEPT Fibrinogen Complex (IFC).


Continued financial execution for full year and Q4 2024:

o
Over 40% improvement in 2024 GAAP net loss attributable to Cerus Corporation to $20.9 million from $37.5 million for the previous year.
o
Achieved positive non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of $5.7 million for 2024, outperforming against the stated objective of break-even adjusted EBITDA.
o
Generated positive operating cash flows for the fourth straight quarter of 2024 bringing year-to-date positive operating cash flows to $11.4 million, an improvement of almost $55.0 million from 2023.

"Our exceptional fourth quarter performance capped a year of significant growth for Cerus, positioning us well for 2025 and beyond. INTERCEPT double-digit product revenue growth in 2024 reflects the continued momentum of our platelets business and rising clinical demand for our IFC product, underscoring the expanding impact of our pathogen inactivation technology in transfusion medicine," stated William "Obi" Greenman, Cerus’ president and chief executive officer.

"Beyond our top-line growth, we delivered robust financial results, narrowing our GAAP net loss and achieving our communicated target of positive non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for 2024 – key metrics we remain committed to improving. After achieving positive adjusted EBITDA in 2024 and projecting growth based on our 2025 product revenue guidance, we anticipate leveraging the inherent strengths of our business for continued financial improvement. With a multi-billion dollar total addressable market for existing approved products, enduring customer trust and a first-mover advantage, we believe we are setting new standards in blood safety and are well-positioned for continued success."

Revenue

Product revenue for the full year 2024 was $180.3 million, up $23.9 million from the prior year, representing 15% growth. IFC product revenue for full-year 2024 was $9.2 million, up from $6.5 million from the prior year, representing 42% growth. Product revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $50.8 million, compared to $46.8 million for the prior year period. This year-over-year increase of 9% was driven primarily by growth in the Company’s platelets business, in both EMEA and North America. Fourth quarter product revenue included sales of IFC, which were $3.0 million, up from $2.3 million during the prior year period.

Government contract revenue for the full year 2024 was $21.1 million, compared to $30.4 million for the prior year. Fourth quarter 2024 government contract revenue was $5.9 million, compared to $6.6 million during the prior year period. The Company’s government contract revenue was comprised of funding associated with research and development (R&D) activities related to the INTERCEPT Blood System for RBCs as well as efforts related to the development of next-generation pathogen reduction technology to treat whole blood and development of a lyophilized IFC. Reported government contract revenue during the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased versus the prior year period, primarily due to completion of the U.S. Phase 3 ReCePI clinical trial for INTERCEPT RBCs.

Product Gross Profit & Margin

Full-year 2024 product gross profit was $99.5 million, compared to $86.4 million for the prior year. Product gross margin for the full year 2024 was relatively stable year-over-year at 55.2% compared to 55.3% for the prior year.

Product gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $27.4 million, increasing by over 5% over the prior year period. Product gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 53.9%, compared to 55.5% for the prior year period. Product gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased versus the prior period, primarily driven by the strengthening U.S. dollar and elevated freight costs driven by measures taken to serve the growing demand for our products in the U.S.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses for the year declined over 8% from 2023 levels and were $134.8 million in 2024 compared to $146.9 million in the prior year. The decrease in operating expenses for the year are attributable to the impact of the Company’s 2023 restructuring program, the successful completion and outcome of the ReCePI Phase 3 clinical trial for the red blood cell program offset by higher costs for the company’s next generation illumination device and the increase in enrollment at sites supporting the RedeS Phase 3 clinical trial for red blood cells. For the fourth quarter of 2024, total operating expenses were $34.8 million, compared to $31.6 million for the same period of the prior year, reflecting an increase of 10%.

R&D expenses for the full year 2024 were down 13% to $58.9 million from $67.6 million in the prior year. For the fourth quarter of 2024, R&D expenses were $15.4 million, compared to $14.3 million for the prior year period. The increase in R&D expenses was related to RedeS site ramp enrollment, activities covered under the new U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) contract and submission for CE Mark approval for the Company’s next generation illuminator.

Full-year 2024 SG&A expenses were $75.9 million compared to $75.5 million for the prior year. SG&A expenses for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $19.3 million, compared to $17.3 million for the prior year period. The primary reason for the increase in SG&A expenses was non-cash stock-based compensation, offset by the impact of the Company’s 2023 restructuring. The Company expects to continue seeing significant leverage in SG&A expenses with costs rising modestly relative to the expected revenue growth.

Net Loss Attributable to Cerus Corporation

Net loss attributable to Cerus Corporation for full-year 2024 was $20.9 million, compared to a net loss attributable to Cerus Corporation of $37.5 million for full-year 2023. Net loss attributable to Cerus Corporation for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $2.5 million, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss attributable to Cerus Corporation of $1.3 million, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

Importantly, the Company not only outperformed on the top-line but also achieved its other stated 2024 goal of reaching positive non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA, which was a positive $5.7 million for the full-year 2024, compared to a loss of $10.7 million for the full-year 2023. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $3.3 million, compared to $4.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. The Company expects improvements to GAAP net loss attributable to Cerus Corporation for the full-year 2025 and to maintain a positive non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the full-year 2025. For additional information, please see definitions and the reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to net loss attributable to Cerus Corporation accompanying this release.

Balance Sheet & Cash Flows

At December 31, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $80.5 million, compared to $75.6 million at September 30, 2024, and $65.9 million at December 31, 2023.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $65.0 million outstanding on its term loan and $19.3 million drawn on its revolving credit facility. The Company’s revolving line of credit allows for an additional $15.7 million as of December 31, 2024, which is dependent on eligible assets supporting the borrowing base.

For full-year 2024, the Company generated positive operating cash flows of $11.4 million compared to cash used from operations during 2023 of $43.2 million, an improvement of almost $55.0 million. Similarly, for the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company generated positive cash flows of $4.9 million from operations compared to cash used in operations of $15.2 million during the prior year period.

Reiterating 2025 Product Revenue Guidance

The Company expects full-year 2025 product revenue will be in the range of $194 million to $200 million, reflecting 8% to 11% growth from 2024. Included in this range is full-year 2025 IFC revenue guidance between $12 million to $15 million. Product revenue growth is expected to be fueled by continued penetration with U.S. platelet customers, geographic expansion of the INTERCEPT platelet business as well as increasing uptake of IFC in the U.S.

Quarterly Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call at 4:30 P.M. EST this afternoon, during which management will discuss the Company’s financial results and provide a general business overview and outlook. To listen to the live webcast, please visit the Investor Relations page of the Cerus website at View Source

A replay will be available on Cerus’ website approximately three hours after the call through March 6, 2025.

BridgeBio Pharma Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results and Commercial Update

On February 20, 2025 BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: BBIO) ("BridgeBio" or the "Company"), a new type of biopharmaceutical company focused on genetic diseases reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024, and provided an update on Attruby’s commercial progress (Press release, BridgeBio, FEB 20, 2025, View Source [SID1234650410]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Commercial Progress:
As of February 17, 2025, 1,028 unique patient prescriptions for Attruby have been written by 516 unique healthcare providers since FDA approval.

"I am very encouraged by the strength of the Attruby launch, with prescriptions being successfully filled across all patient types," said Matt Outten, Chief Commercial Officer of BridgeBio. "In conversations with healthcare providers and patients, we have repeatedly heard that Attruby’s category-leading results – time to separation of just three months, along with a 42% reduction in all-cause mortality and recurrent hospitalizations and a 50% reduction in cardiovascular hospitalizations at 30 months – set it apart as a clinically meaningful advancement for ATTR-CM. Combined with our industry-leading patient support programs, we believe Attruby is delivering a much-needed change in the treatment landscape."

Pipeline Overview:

Program Status Next expected milestone
Acoramidis for ATTR-CM Approved in U.S. and EU Japan approval in 1H 2025
BBP-418 for LGMD2I/R9 FORTIFY, Phase 3 study enrollment completed Last Participant – Last Visit and Topline results in 2H 2025
Encaleret for ADH1 CALIBRATE, Phase 3 study enrollment completed Last Participant – Last Visit and Topline results in 2H 2025
Infigratinib for achondroplasia PROPEL 3, Phase 3 study enrollment completed Last Participant – Last Visit in 2H 2025
Infigratinib for hypochondroplasia ACCEL, run-in for Phase 2 study ongoing Enrollment completion date to be announced
BBP-812 for Canavan disease CANaspire Phase 1/2 study ongoing Enrollment completion date to be announced

Key Program Updates:
"It is exciting to see patients, physicians, and payers resonate with our message that the greater levels of TTR stabilization that Attruby delivers can be of benefit to the patients we serve and that the TTR protein is clinically important, not toxic." said Neil Kumar, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of BridgeBio. "We look forward to continuing to partner with the community to ensure that we find all patients that can be helped and ease their path to getting on therapy, when appropriate, as much as possible."

Attruby (acoramidis) – the first approved, near-complete (≥90%) TTR stabilizer for treatment of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM):

On November 22, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Attruby (acoramidis), a near-complete TTR stabilizer (≥90%), to reduce cardiovascular death and cardiovascular-related hospitalization (CVH) in adult patients with ATTR-CM.
On February 10, 2025, the European Commission approved BEYONTTRA (acoramidis) for use in adult patients with ATTR-CM in the EU.
Preliminary results from the ongoing ATTRibute-CM open-label extension (OLE) study of Attruby in ATTR-CM were simultaneously published in Circulation and presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, showing that Attruby demonstrated statistically significant risk reduction of 36% on All-Cause Mortality (ACM) alone at month 36 within the OLE, and 46% (p<0.0001) and 48% (p<0.0001) reductions in the composite endpoint of ACM and recurrent CVH at months 36 and 42, respectively.
Attruby is supported by industry-leading access programs designed to ensure seamless treatment initiation and continuity for all patients with ATTR-CM.
BBP-418 – Glycosylation substrate in development for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I/R9 (LGMD2I/R9):

FORTIFY, the Phase 3 clinical trial of BBP-418 in LGMD2I/R9, a rare genetic disorder caused by variants in the fukutin‑related protein (FKRP) gene, is fully enrolled with 112 participants. The trial is the largest prospective interventional study to ever be conducted in LGMD2I.
The Company expects to achieve last participant – last visit and report topline results of the interim analysis cohort in the second half of 2025.
If successful, we expect BBP-418 would be the first approved therapy for individuals living with LGMD2I/R9.
Encaleret – Calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) antagonist in development for autosomal dominant hypocalcemia type 1 (ADH1) and postsurgical hypoparathyroidism (PSH):

CALIBRATE, the Phase 3 clinical trial of encaleret in ADH1, a genetic form of hypoparathyroidism, is fully enrolled with 71 participants. The trial is the largest prospective interventional study to ever be conducted in ADH1.
The Company expects to achieve last participant – last visit and report topline results in the second half of 2025.
If successful, we expect encaleret would be the first approved therapy indicated for individuals living with ADH1.
A Phase 2 study of encaleret in PSH is ongoing, with preliminary evidence suggestive of a differentiated profile for encaleret in PSH.
Infigratinib – FGFR1-3 inhibitor in development for achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia:

PROPEL 3, the Phase 3 clinical trial of infigratinib in achondroplasia, the most common form of disproportionate short stature, is fully enrolled with 114 participants randomized.
The Company expects to achieve last participant – last visit in the second half of 2025.
In November 2024, the Phase 2 PROPEL 2 study of infigratinib in children with achondroplasia was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
If successful, we expect infigratinib would be the first approved oral therapy option for children living with achondroplasia.
The Company is currently enrolling the ACCEL run-in for a Phase 2 study of infigratinib in hypochondroplasia.
Financial Updates:

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Restricted Cash

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term restricted cash, totaled $681.2 million as of December 31, 2024, compared to $392.6 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term restricted cash as of December 31, 2023. The $288.6 million net increase in cash, cash equivalents and short-term restricted cash was primarily attributable to net proceeds received from the Funding Agreement of $488.8 million, net proceeds received from the term loan under the credit facility of $434.0 million, net proceeds received from various equity financings of $314.7 million, proceeds from the sale of investments in equity securities of $63.2 million, and special cash dividends received from investments in equity securities of $25.7 million. These increases in cash, cash equivalents and short-term restricted cash were primarily offset by the impacts of net cash used in operating activities of $520.7 million, refinancing the Company’s previous senior secured credit term loan, inclusive of prepayment fees and exit-related costs in aggregate of $473.4 million, purchases of equity securities of $20.3 million, Funding Agreement transaction related costs of $16.3 million, and the repurchase of shares to satisfy tax withholdings of $7.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2024.

Revenue

Revenue for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, was $5.9 million and $221.9 million, respectively, as compared to $1.7 million and $9.3 million for the same periods in the prior year.

The increase of $4.2 million in revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year, was primarily due to the recognition of $2.9 million in net product revenue from the first commercial sales of Attruby in the U.S. following the FDA approval on November 22, 2024, and services revenue received under the exclusive license and collaboration agreements with Bayer and Kyowa Kirin. Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2023, primarily consisted of the recognition of services revenue under the Navire-BMS License Agreement, which terminated in June 2024.

The increase of $212.6 million in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year, was primarily due to $207.7 million from recognition of the upfront payments and service revenue under the Bayer and the Kyowa Kirin exclusive license and collaboration agreements, and $2.9 million in net product revenue from the first commercial sales of Attruby following the FDA approval on November 22, 2024.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Operating costs and expenses for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, were $231.9 million and $814.9 million, respectively, compared to $179.2 million and $616.7 million for the same periods in the prior year.

The overall increase of $52.7 million, in operating costs and expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year, was primarily due to an increase of $47.2 million in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses mainly to support commercialization of Attruby, which included costs incurred for marketing, advertising and hiring of a sales force in the U.S., an increase of $3.9 million in restructuring, impairment and related charges, and an increase of $1.6 million in research and development (R&D) expenses to advance the Company’s pipeline of R&D programs.

The overall increase of $198.2 million, in operating costs and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year, was primarily due to an increase of $138.3 million in SG&A expenses related to costs primarily to support the commercial launch of Attruby which included costs incurred for marketing, advertising and hiring of a sales force in the U.S., an increase of $52.2 million in R&D expenses to advance the Company’s pipeline of R&D programs, and an increase of $7.7 million in restructuring, impairment and related charges. Operating costs and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, include $25.0 million of nonrecurring deal-related costs for transactions that were completed during the year ended December 31, 2024.

Restructuring, impairment and related charges for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, amounted to $4.7 million and $15.6 million, respectively. These charges primarily consisted of impairments and write-offs of long-lived assets, severance and employee-related costs, and exit and other related costs. Restructuring, impairment, and related charges for the same periods in the prior year were $0.8 million and $7.9 million, respectively. These charges primarily consisted of winding down, exit costs, and severance and employee-related costs.

Stock-based compensation expenses included in operating costs and expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2024, were $36.4 million, of which $20.0 million is included in R&D expenses, $16.3 million is included in SG&A expenses, and less than $0.1 million is included in restructuring, impairment, and related charges. Stock-based compensation expenses included in operating costs and expenses for the same period in the prior year were $37.1 million, of which $22.5 million is included in R&D expenses, and $14.6 million is included in SG&A expenses.

Stock-based compensation expenses included in operating costs and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, were $113.9 million, of which $63.9 million is included in SG&A expenses, $49.8 million is included in R&D expenses, and $0.2 million is included in restructuring, impairment and related charges. Stock-based compensation expenses included in operating costs and expenses for the same period in the prior year were $115.0 million, of which $61.6 million is included in R&D expenses, and $53.4 million is included in SG&A expenses.

Total Other Income (Expense), net
Total other income (expense), net for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, were ($40.2) million and $50.8 million, respectively, compared to $7.1 million and ($45.9) million for the same periods in the prior year.

The increase in total other expense, net of $47.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year, was primarily due to a decrease in other income, net of $20.1 million mainly due to market fair value adjustments from the Company’s investments in equity securities, a net loss from equity method investments of $16.7 million, an increase in interest expense, net of $9.6 million, and a decrease in interest income of $0.9 million.

The increase in total other income, net of $96.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 , compared to the same period in the prior year, was primarily due to gains the Company recognized on the deconsolidation of subsidiaries of $178.3 million. These gains were partially offset by recognition a net loss from equity method investments of $31.2 million, a loss on extinguishment of debt of $26.6 million, an increase in interest expense, net of $18.0 million, a decrease in other income, net of $5.0 million mainly due to market fair value adjustments from the Company’s investments in equity securities, and a decrease in interest income of $0.8 million.

Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders of BridgeBio and Net Loss per Share

For the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded a net loss attributable to common stockholders of BridgeBio of $265.1 million and $535.8 million, respectively, compared to $168.1 million and $643.2 million, respectively, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023.

For the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, the Company reported a net loss per share of $1.40 and $2.88, respectively, compared to $0.96 and $3.95, respectively, for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023.

BRIDGEBIO PHARMA, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except shares and per share amounts)

Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 2024 2023
(Unaudited) (1) (Unaudited) (1)
Revenue, net $ 5,882 $ 1,745 $ 221,902 $ 9,303
Operating costs and expenses:
Research, development and other expenses 132,434 130,824 510,339 458,157
Selling, general and administrative 94,782 47,583 288,931 150,590
Restructuring, impairment and related charges 4,693 754 15,605 7,926
Total operating costs and expenses 231,909 179,161 814,875 616,673
Loss from operations (226,027 ) (177,416 ) (592,973 ) (607,370 )
Other income (expense), net:
Interest income 4,683 5,578 17,249 18,038
Interest expense, net (29,821 ) (20,268 ) (99,290 ) (81,289 )
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries — — 178,321 —
Loss on extinguishment of debt — — (26,590 ) —
Net loss from equity method investments (16,695 ) — (31,183 ) —
Other income (expense), net 1,624 21,778 12,272 17,370
Total other income (expense), net (40,209 ) 7,088 50,779 (45,881 )
Loss before income taxes (266,236 ) (170,328 ) (542,194 ) (653,251 )
Income tax expense 1,153 — 1,153 —
Net loss (267,389 ) (170,328 ) (543,347 ) (653,251 )
Net loss attributable to redeemable convertible
noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests 2,339 2,180 7,585 10,049
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
of BridgeBio $ (265,050 ) $ (168,148 ) $ (535,762 ) $ (643,202 )
Net loss per share, basic and diluted $ (1.40 ) $ (0.96 ) $ (2.88 ) $ (3.95 )
Weighted-average shares used in computing net
loss per share, basic and diluted 189,437,438 174,462,332 186,075,873 162,791,511

Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
Stock-based Compensation 2024 2023 2024 2023
(Unaudited) (1) (Unaudited) (1)
Research, development and other expenses $ 20,004 $ 22,495 $ 49,844 $ 61,647
Selling, general and administrative 16,351 14,638 63,862 53,369
Restructuring, impairment and related charges 79 — 160 —
Total stock-based compensation $ 36,434 $ 37,133 $ 113,866 $ 115,016

BRIDGEBIO PHARMA, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)

December 31, December 31,
2024 2023
(Unaudited) (1)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 681,101 $ 375,935
Investments in equity securities — 58,949
Accounts receivable 4,722 1,751
Short-term restricted cash 126 16,653
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 34,743 24,305
Investment in nonconsolidated entities 143,747 —
Property and equipment, net 7,011 11,816
Operating lease right-of-use assets 5,767 8,027
Intangible assets, net 23,926 26,319
Other assets 18,195 22,625
Total assets $ 919,338 $ 546,380
Liabilities, Redeemable Convertible Noncontrolling Interests and Stockholders’ Deficit
Accounts payable $ 9,618 $ 10,655
Accrued and other liabilities 125,672 122,965
Operating lease liabilities 9,202 13,109
Deferred revenue 31,699 9,823
2029 Notes, net 738,872 736,905
2027 Notes, net 545,173 543,379
Term loan, net 437,337 446,445
Deferred royalty obligation, net 479,091 —
Other long-term liabilities 286 5,634
Redeemable convertible noncontrolling interests 142 478
Total BridgeBio stockholders’ deficit (1,467,904 ) (1,354,257 )
Noncontrolling interests 10,150 11,244
Total liabilities, redeemable convertible noncontrolling interests and stockholders’ deficit $ 919,338 $ 546,380

(1 ) The condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date.

BRIDGEBIO PHARMA, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)

Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023
(Unaudited) (1)
Operating activities:
Net loss $ (543,347 ) $ (653,251 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Stock-based compensation 95,800 108,710
Loss on extinguishment of debt 26,590 —
Accretion of debt 15,763 8,907
Depreciation and amortization 6,075 6,494
Noncash lease expense 4,110 4,032
Accrual of payment-in-kind interest on term loan — 10,207
Net loss from equity method investments 31,183 —
Loss (gain) on deconsolidation of subsidiaries (178,321 ) 1,241
Loss (gain) from investment in equity securities, net (8,136 ) (18,314 )
Impairment of long-lived assets 271 —
Other noncash adjustments, net (2,756 ) (803 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (2,971 ) 15,328
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (13,918 ) (2,702 )
Other assets 1,542 (1,546 )
Accounts payable 1,512 2,780
Accrued compensation and benefits 16,986 7,802
Accrued research and development liabilities 8,729 (9,855 )
Operating lease liabilities (5,902 ) (4,829 )
Deferred revenue 21,875 (5,438 )
Accrued professional and other liabilities 4,189 3,517
Net cash used in operating activities (520,726 ) (527,720 )
Investing activities:
Purchases of marketable securities (93,811 ) (29,726 )
Maturities of marketable securities 95,000 82,550
Purchases of investments in equity securities (20,271 ) (107,538 )
Proceeds from sales of investments in equity securities 63,229 110,556
Proceeds from special cash dividends received from investments in equity securities 25,682 —
Payment for an intangible asset (7,975 ) —
Purchases of property and equipment (933 ) (1,306 )
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents resulting from deconsolidation of subsidiaries (140 ) (503 )
Net cash provided by investing activities 60,781 54,033
Financing activities:
Proceeds from royalty obligation under Funding Agreement 500,000 —
Issuance costs and discounts associated with royalty obligation
under Funding Agreement (27,513 ) —
Proceeds from term loan under Amended Financing Agreement 450,000 —
Issuance costs and discounts associated with term loan
under Amended Financing Agreement (15,986 ) —
Repayment of term loans (473,417 ) —
Proceeds from issuance of common stock through public offerings, net 314,741 449,810
Proceeds from BridgeBio common stock issuances under ESPP 4,502 3,398
Proceeds from stock option exercises, net of repurchases 3,656 6,008
Transactions with noncontrolling interests — (801 )
Repurchase of RSU shares to satisfy tax withholding (7,526 ) (6,880 )
Net cash provided by financing activities 748,457 451,535
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 288,512 (22,152 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year 394,732 416,884
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year $ 683,244 $ 394,732

Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023
(Unaudited) (1)
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest $ 91,342 $ 61,108
Supplemental Disclosures of Noncash Investing and Financing Information:
Unpaid property and equipment $ 279 $ 100
Transfers to noncontrolling interests $ (5,819 ) $ (10,534 )
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 681,101 $ 375,935
Restricted cash 126 16,653
Restricted cash — Included in "Other assets" 2,017 2,144
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period shown in the
consolidated statements of cash flows $ 683,244 $ 394,732

About Attruby (acoramidis)
INDICATION
Attruby is a transthyretin stabilizer indicated for the treatment of the cardiomyopathy of wild-type or variant transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) in adults to reduce cardiovascular death and cardiovascular-related hospitalization.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Adverse Reactions
Diarrhea (11.6% vs 7.6%) and upper abdominal pain (5.5% vs 1.4%) were reported in patients treated with Attruby versus placebo, respectively. The majority of these adverse reactions were mild and resolved without drug discontinuation. Discontinuation rates due to adverse events were similar between patients treated with Attruby versus placebo (9.3% and 8.5%, respectively).

About BEYONTTRA (acoramidis)
On 10 February 2025, the European Commission granted Marketing Authorization for BEYONTTRA (acoramidis) for the treatment of wild-type or variant transthyretin amyloidosis in adult patients with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). For full prescribing information, please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).