Moleculin Announces World Health Organization Approval of “naxtarubicin” as International Non-Proprietary Name for Annamycin

On May 6, 2025 Moleculin Biotech, Inc., (Nasdaq: MBRX) ("Moleculin" or the "Company"), a late-stage pharmaceutical company with a broad portfolio of drug candidates targeting hard-to-treat cancers and viral infections, reported that the International Nonproprietary Names (INN) Expert Committee of the World Health Organization approved "naxtarubicin1" for the non-proprietary name of the Company’s next-generation anthracycline in development, Annamycin (Press release, Moleculin, MAY 6, 2025, View Source [SID1234652582]). Annamycin is currently in development for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and soft tissue sarcoma (STS) lung metastases and the Company believes it may have the potential to treat additional indications.

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"The assignment of the non-proprietary name represents an important step in the development and potential future commercialization of Annamycin. The INN naming process meticulously evaluates proposed drug names for adherence to nomenclature guidelines and potential conflicts, followed by expert consensus and public review. With this INN now given and prior approval by the United States Adopted Names (USAN), we have the ability to establish a universally recognized and conflict-free nonproprietary drug name for Annamycin," said Walter Klemp, Chairman and CEO of Moleculin. "Looking ahead, our team remains focused on the successful execution of our ongoing pivotal, adaptive design Phase 3 MIRACLE trial of Annamycin for the treatment R/R AML and look forward to reporting initial data in the second half of 2025."

Commonly referred to as a generic name, each INN is a unique name used to identify pharmaceutical substances or active pharmaceutical ingredients. Each active substance that is to be marketed as a pharmaceutical must be granted a unique name of worldwide acceptability to ensure the clear identification, safe prescription and dispensing of medicines to patients. Nonproprietary names are intended for wide use ranging from labelling and product information to drug regulation and scientific literature. Moleculin expects to transition to the use of naxtarubicin in the near-term.

The Company is currently evaluating Annamycin in combination with cytarabine, together referred to as AnnAraC, for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia in the pivotal, adaptive design Phase 3 MIRACLE trial (MB-108). This Phase 3 "MIRACLE" trial (derived from Moleculin R/R AML AnnAraC Clinical Evaluation) is a global trial, including sites in the US, Europe and the Middle East. Patient dosing has commenced, and the initial data readout is on track for the second half of 2025. For more information about the MIRACLE trial, visit clinicaltrials.gov and reference identifier NCT06788756

Annamycin currently has Fast Track Status and Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia, in addition to Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma. Furthermore, Annamycin has Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Kura Oncology to Participate in Bank of America Securities Healthcare Conference

On May 6, 2025 Kura Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ: KURA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to realizing the promise of precision medicines for the treatment of cancer, reported its participation in Bank of America Securities 2025 Healthcare Conference. Troy Wilson, Ph.D., J.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, is scheduled to participate in a fireside chat at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT on May 13, 2025 (Press release, Kura Oncology, MAY 6, 2025, View Source [SID1234652581]). A live audio webcast of the fireside chat will be available in the Investors section of Kura’s website at www.kuraoncology.com, with an archived replay following the event.

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Keros Therapeutics Reports Recent First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

On May 6, 2025 Keros Therapeutics, Inc. ("Keros" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: KROS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics to treat a wide range of patients with disorders that are linked to dysfunctional signaling of the transforming growth factor-beta ("TGF-ß") family of proteins, reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 (Press release, Keros Therapeutics, MAY 6, 2025, View Source [SID1234652580]).

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"In the first quarter, we reported initial topline results from the Phase 1 clinical trial of KER-065 that met key objectives and yielded valuable insights. These findings position us well as we prepare to engage with regulators with the aim of advancing KER-065 to a Phase 2 clinical trial in the first quarter of 2026," said Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D., Chair and Chief Executive Officer. "As our Board of Directors continues its review process to evaluate strategic alternatives to enhance stockholder value for the Company, we remain focused on the execution of our strategy and advancing the development of our pipeline of novel therapeutics. We expect to report data in the second quarter of 2025 from the Phase 2 TROPOS trial evaluating cibotercept (KER-012) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and we plan to evaluate the appropriate development strategy for cibotercept following that data readout."

First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Keros reported a net income of $148.5 million in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to a net loss of $43.1 million in the first quarter of 2024. The increase of $191.6 million was largely due to revenue recognized related to Keros’ license agreement with Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc., partially offset by increased research and development efforts as well as additional investments to support the achievement of Keros’ clinical and corporate goals.

Research and development expenses were $48.7 million for the first quarter of 2025 as compared to $38.3 million for the same period in 2024. The increase of $10.5 million was primarily due to additional research and development efforts, manufacturing activities and personnel expenses to support the advancement of Keros’ pipeline.

General and administrative expenses were $10.5 million for the first quarter of 2025 as compared to $10.3 million for the same period in 2024. The increase of $0.2 million was primarily due to an increase in other external expenses to support Keros’ organizational growth.

Keros’ cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2025 was $720.5 million compared to $559.9 million as of December 31, 2024. Based on current operating assumptions, Keros expects that its cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2025 will enable Keros to fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2029.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals Announces First Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Updates 2025 Financial Guidance

On May 6, 2025 Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) reported financial results for the first quarter of 2025 and updated financial guidance for 2025 (Press release, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, MAY 6, 2025, View Source [SID1234652579]).

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"In the first quarter of 2025, our focus on commercial execution resulted in total revenues of $898 million, led by the strong performance of Xywav and Epidiolex. In addition, our team continues to receive positive feedback from healthcare providers on the launch of Ziihera in its first approved indication of 2L HER2+ BTC. We are affirming our 2025 total revenue guidance range of $4.15 – $4.40 billion, reflecting our confidence in our commercial portfolio delivering top-line growth this year," said Bruce Cozadd, chairman and chief executive officer, Jazz Pharmaceuticals. "We continue to make meaningful progress across our pipeline. We are pleased to report that we have submitted a supplemental New Drug Application for Zepzelca for maintenance therapy in first-line extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. In addition, we recently completed the acquisition of Chimerix, adding a near-term commercial opportunity to our late-stage pipeline that addresses a significant unmet need for patients with H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma, a rare, high-grade brain tumor that most commonly affects children and young adults. We also advanced multiple trials across our zanidatamab development program and expect top-line data readout from the HERIZON-GEA-01 trial in 1L GEA in the second half of 2025."

Key Highlights

•Top-line PFS data from zanidatamab in Phase 3 1L GEA expected in 2H25.
•Submitted sNDA for Zepzelca in combination with atezolizumab (Tecentriq ) as maintenance therapy in 1L ES-SCLC based on the potentially practice-changing results from the Phase 3 IMforte trial. Data from trial to be presented at the 2025 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in June 2025.
•Acquisition of Chimerix added dordaviprone to late-stage pipeline, representing near-term commercial opportunity; PDUFA target data of August 18, 2025.
•Top-line growth expected in 2025; affirmed 2025 total revenue guidance of $4.15 – $4.40 billion, representing 5% growth at the midpoint.
◦Total revenue guidance is underpinned by expected continued growth of Jazz’s diversified commercial portfolio.

Business Updates

Commercial Updates
Xywav (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxybates) oral solution:
•Xywav net product sales increased 9% to $344.8 million in 1Q25 compared to 1Q24.
•Meaningful Xywav net patient adds in 1Q25 (approximately 450 patients) with approximately 14,600 active Xywav patients exiting 1Q25, comprised of:

◦Approximately 10,375 narcolepsy patients.
◦Approximately 4,225 idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) patients, with 325 net patient adds.
•Two presentations at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting provided updated results from the open-label, single-arm, Phase 4 DUET trial of adults with narcolepsy or IH. The results demonstrated statistically significant improvements from baseline to end of treatment in Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores, reduced sleep stage shifts, increased deep sleep and reduced number of awakenings among adults with narcolepsy treated with Xywav. In adults with IH, Xywav treatment showed improvements in ESS and IH Severity Scale scores.
•Xywav is the only low-sodium oxybate, the #1 branded treatment for narcolepsy1 and the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapy to treat IH.

Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution and high-sodium oxybate authorized generic (AG) royalties:
•Xyrem net product sales decreased 42% to $37.2 million in 1Q25 compared to 1Q24.
•Royalties from high-sodium oxybate AGs were $48.9 million in 1Q25.

Epidiolex/Epidyolex (cannabidiol):
•Epidiolex/Epidyolex net product sales increased 10% to $217.7 million in 1Q25 compared to 1Q24.
•Outside of the U.S., Epidyolex is approved in more than 35 countries.
•Remain confident in achieving blockbuster status for Epidiolex/Epidyolex in 2025.

Rylaze/Enrylaze (asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn):
•Rylaze/Enrylaze net product sales decreased 8% to $94.2 million in 1Q25 compared to 1Q24. This decrease was driven by headwinds from an update to Children’s Oncology Group (COG) pediatric treatment protocols for acute lymphoblastic leukemia made in mid-2024 that impacted timing of asparaginase administration.
•The impact to Rylaze net product sales due to COG protocol updates is expected to normalize during 2Q25.

Zepzelca (lurbinectedin):
•Zepzelca net product sales decreased 16% to $63.0 million in 1Q25 compared to 1Q24. This decrease was driven by increased competition in second-line (2L) small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and treatment protocol updates delaying progression in first-line (1L) limited-stage SCLC patients to the 2L setting.
•The Company submitted a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Zepzelca’s use in combination with atezolizumab as maintenance therapy in 1L extensive-stage (ES) SCLC for patients who have not progressed after induction chemotherapy.
•Potentially practice-changing data from the Phase 3 IMforte trial, which showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful benefit in both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival for the Zepzelca and atezolizumab combination for ES-SCLC patients receiving this treatment in the first-line maintenance setting, was accepted for an oral presentation at the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. This is the first presentation of data from the IMforte trial.

Ziihera (zanidatamab-hrii):
•Ziihera net product sales were $2.0 million in 1Q25 following product launch in December 2024.
•On April 25, 2025, the Company announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency has adopted a positive opinion recommending the conditional marketing authorization of zanidatamab in 2L BTC (biliary tract cancer). The CHMP recommendation is being reviewed by the European Commission.

Corporate Development
Chimerix Acquisition:
•The Company completed its acquisition of Chimerix in April 2025, adding dordaviprone to its late-stage pipeline. Dordaviprone is a novel first-in-class small molecule treatment in development for H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma, a rare, high-grade brain tumor that most commonly affects children and young adults.

Key Pipeline Highlights
Zanidatamab:
•The pivotal HERIZON-GEA-01 trial, evaluating zanidatamab in 1L gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA), is expected to read out in 2H25 based on the most recent assessment of progression events. Recruitment for the trial has been completed.
•New data from an ongoing Phase 2 trial of zanidatamab in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of HER2-positive metastatic GEA, including more mature overall survival data, was accepted for a rapid oral presentation at the 2025 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.
•The Phase 3 EmpowHER-BC-303 trial to evaluate zanidatamab plus chemotherapy or trastuzumab plus chemotherapy in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer whose disease has progressed on previous T-DXd treatment continues to enroll patients.
•The Phase 2 pan-tumor trial to evaluate HER2-positive solid tumors continues to enroll patients.

Dordaviprone:
•A New Drug Application for accelerated approval of dordaviprone in recurrent H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma was accepted and granted Priority Review by FDA. FDA has set a target Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of August 18, 2025.
•The ongoing Phase 3 ACTION trial is evaluating dordaviprone in newly diagnosed, non-recurrent H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma patients following radiation treatment, potentially extending its use into the first-line setting.
•Data on the efficacy and safety of dordaviprone from prospective clinical trials of adult and pediatric recurrent H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma patients was accepted for an oral presentation at the 2025 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.

Financial Highlights
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts) 2025 2024
Total revenues $ 897,841 $ 901,983
GAAP net loss $ (92,541) $ (14,618)
Non-GAAP adjusted net income1
$ 105,233 $ 178,430
GAAP loss per share $ (1.52) $ (0.23)
Non-GAAP adjusted EPS1
$ 1.68 $ 2.63

____________________________
1.Commencing with the first quarter of 2025, we are no longer including an adjustment for non-cash interest expense in the Company’s non-GAAP adjusted financial measures and for the purposes of comparability, non-GAAP adjusted financial measures for the first quarter of 2024 have been updated to reflect this change. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.

GAAP net loss for 1Q25 was $(92.5) million, or $(1.52) per diluted share, compared to $(14.6) million, or $(0.23) per diluted share, for 1Q24.
Non-GAAP adjusted net income for 1Q25 was $105.2 million, or $1.68 per diluted share, compared to $178.4 million, or $2.63 per diluted share, for 1Q24.
The GAAP net loss and non-GAAP adjusted net income for 1Q25 included an expense of $172.0 million related to certain Xyrem antitrust litigation settlements, which impacted our GAAP and non-GAAP results by $146.3 million (net of tax of $25.7 million) or $2.38 per share on a GAAP basis and $2.34 per share on a non-GAAP adjusted basis.
Reconciliations of applicable GAAP reported to non-GAAP adjusted information are included at the end of this press release.

Total Revenues
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In thousands) 2025 2024
Xywav $ 344,804 $ 315,300
Xyrem 37,241 64,232
Epidiolex/Epidyolex 217,737 198,716
Sativex 5,407 2,735
Total Neuroscience 605,189 580,983
Rylaze/Enrylaze 94,233 102,750
Zepzelca 63,033 75,100
Defitelio/defibrotide 40,662 47,676
Vyxeos 29,544 32,023
Ziihera 1,975 —
Total Oncology 229,447 257,549
Other 4,782 3,570
Product sales, net 839,418 842,102
High-sodium oxybate AG royalty revenue 48,946 49,947
Other royalty and contract revenues 9,477 9,934
Total revenues $ 897,841 $ 901,983

Total revenues for 1Q25 were in line with 1Q24.
Total neuroscience revenue, including high-sodium oxybate AG royalty revenue, was $654.1 million in 1Q25, an increase of 4% compared to $630.9 million in 1Q24. The increase in 1Q25 was due to higher Xywav and Epidiolex/Epidyolex net product sales, partially offset by decreased Xyrem net product sales.
Oncology net product sales were $229.4 million in 1Q25, a decrease of 11% compared to $257.5 million in 1Q24. The decrease in 1Q25 was primarily due to lower net product sales of Zepzelca, Rylaze/Enrylaze and Defitelio/defibrotide. In 1Q25, Rylaze net product sales were negatively impacted due to an update to the COG pediatric treatment protocols for ALL, which impacts the timing of asparaginase administration.

IMUNON Announces Data from Phase 1/2 Trial Evaluating Intraperitoneal IMNN-001 in Combination with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer to be Published in Gynecologic Oncology

On May 6, 2025 IMUNON, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMNN), a clinical-stage company in late-stage development with its DNA-mediated immunotherapy, reported that data from the company’s Phase 1/2 OVATION 2 trial evaluating intraperitoneal IMNN-001 in combination with neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy in newly diagnosed patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer will be published in the peer-reviewed journal Gynecologic Oncology (Press release, IMUNON, MAY 6, 2025, View Source [SID1234652578]).

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The review of full data, entitled: OVATION-2: A Randomized Phase I/II study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of IMNN-001 (IL-12 gene therapy) with Neo/Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients Newly- Diagnosed with Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer, is scheduled for publication on June 3, 2025.

As previously announced, data from the OVATION 2 study will also be reviewed in an oral presentation during the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting on June 3, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Premal H. Thaker, M.D., Interim Chief of Gynecologic Oncology, David & Lynn Mutch Distinguished Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Director of Gynecologic Oncology Clinical Research at Washington University School of Medicine, is lead author on the publication and will lead the discussion in the oral presentation at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) meeting.

"We are very pleased that the data from our OVATION 2 study will be presented in the highly esteemed peer-reviewed journal Gynecologic Oncology and in an oral presentation at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) meeting," said Stacy Lindborg, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of IMUNON. "Having our data presented in two of the premier global platforms in gynecologic oncology underscores both the critical need to develop new therapies to treat ovarian cancer and the strength and potential of IMUNON’s TheraPlas platform technology."

About the Phase 2 OVATION 2 Study

OVATION 2 evaluated the dosing, safety, efficacy and biological activity of intraperitoneal administration of IMNN-001 in combination with neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) of paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients newly diagnosed with advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer. Treatment in the neoadjuvant period is designed to shrink the tumors as much as possible for optimal surgical removal after three cycles of chemotherapy. Following NACT, patients undergo interval debulking surgery, followed by three additional cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy to treat any residual tumor. This open-label study enrolled 112 patients who were randomized 1:1 and evaluated for safety and efficacy to compare NACT plus IMNN-001 versus standard-of-care NACT. In accordance with the study protocol, patients randomized to the IMNN-001 treatment arm could receive up to 17 weekly doses of 100 mg/m2 in addition to NACT. As a Phase 2 study, OVATION 2 was not powered for statistical significance. Additional endpoints included objective response rate, chemotherapy response score and surgical response.

About IMNN-001 Immunotherapy

Designed using IMUNON’s proprietary TheraPlas platform technology, IMNN-001 is an IL-12 DNA plasmid vector encased in a nanoparticle delivery system that enables cell transfection followed by persistent, local secretion of the IL-12 protein. IL-12 is one of the most active cytokines for the induction of potent anticancer immunity acting through the induction of T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell proliferation. IMUNON previously reported positive safety and encouraging Phase 1 results with IMNN-001 administered as monotherapy or as combination therapy in patients with advanced peritoneally metastasized primary or recurrent ovarian cancer and completed a Phase 1b dose-escalation trial (the OVATION 1 Study) of IMNN-001 in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer. IMUNON previously reported positive results from the recently completed Phase 2 OVATION 2 Study, which assessed IMNN-001 (100 mg/m2 administered intraperitoneally weekly) plus neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) of paclitaxel and carboplatin compared to standard-of-care NACT alone in 112 patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer.

About Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the sixth deadliest malignancy among women in the U.S. There are approximately 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer every year and approximately 70% are diagnosed in advanced Stage III/IV. Epithelial ovarian cancer is characterized by dissemination of tumors in the peritoneal cavity with a high risk of recurrence (75%, Stage III/IV) after surgery and chemotherapy. Since the five-year survival rates of patients with Stage III/IV disease at diagnosis are poor (41% and 20%, respectively), there remains a need for a therapy that not only reduces the recurrence rate, but also improves overall survival. The peritoneal cavity of advanced ovarian cancer patients contains the primary tumor environment and is an attractive target for a regional approach to immune modulation.