On August 11, 2025 Sana Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ: SANA), a company focused on creating and delivering engineered cells as medicines, reported financial results and business highlights for the second quarter 2025 (Press release, Sana Biotechnology, AUG 11, 2025, View Source [SID1234655076]).

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!

"We are pleased with the progress with the type 1 diabetes program, including recent FDA feedback on our HIP-edited GMP master cell bank and non-clinical testing plan for SC451, positive UP421 6-month clinical results presented at an invited talk at the American Diabetes Association Annual Meeting and World Transplant Congress 2025, and UP421 3-month clinical results published in the New England Journal of Medicine," said Steve Harr, Sana’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "Type 1 diabetes affects over 9 million people worldwide, and we are positioned to deliver on our goal of a broadly accessible single treatment with no immunosuppression leading to long-term normal blood glucose without exogenous insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes. We expect to file the IND for SC451 as early as next year, and we also look forward to continuing progress in the rest of our pipeline. We have raised over $100 million in new capital since the end of the second quarter, strengthening our balance sheet and allowing us to continue to invest appropriately in moving our pipeline forward."

Recent Corporate Highlights

Announced positive results from an investigator-sponsored, first-in-human study transplanting UP421, an allogeneic primary islet cell therapy engineered with hypoimmune platform (HIP) technology, into a patient with type 1 diabetes without the use of any immunosuppression.

UP421 is a primary human HIP-modified pancreatic islet cell therapy for patients with type 1 diabetes. The goal of this investigator-sponsored trial is to understand safety, immune evasion, islet cell survival, and beta cell function, as measured by C-peptide production, of HIP-modified pancreatic islet cells transplanted into type 1 diabetes patients without the use of any immunosuppression. The trial is being conducted under a clinical trial authorization at Uppsala University Hospital with Dr. Per-Ola Carlsson as the principal investigator.
Results of the study through 6 months after cell transplantation demonstrate the survival and function of pancreatic beta cells as measured by the presence of circulating C-peptide, a biomarker indicating that transplanted beta cells are producing insulin. C-peptide levels also increase with a mixed meal tolerance test during testing at these timepoints, consistent with insulin secretion in response to a meal. 12-week PET-MRI scanning also demonstrated islet cells at the transplant site. The study identified no safety issues, and the HIP-modified islet cells evaded immune detection.
Announced that the New England Journal of Medicine published a journal article titled "Survival of Transplanted Allogeneic Beta Cells with No Immunosuppression" (DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2503822). The article discusses 12-week results from this study.
Sana and Uppsala University Hospital presented 6-month data at the 85th Annual American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions and the World Transplant Congress 2025, and expect to report additional data from the IST, including longer-term follow-up, as the year progresses.

Advancing our pipeline across multiple indications and modalities:

Type 1 Diabetes – The clinical study of gene-modified primary islet cells (UP421) continues to evaluate safety, survival, and function of these cells. Sana continues pre-clinical development of SC451, an O-negative, HIP-modified, iPSC-derived pancreatic islet cell therapy, and a recent FDA INTERACT meeting increases our confidence in moving forward with our HIP-edited master cell bank for GMP manufacturing and our non-clinical testing plan.
Sana expects to file an IND for SC451 as early as 2026.
Allogeneic CAR T cells – Sana is enrolling patients in both the GLEAM and VIVID trials and expects to share data in 2025.
The GLEAM trial is a Phase 1 study evaluating SC291, a HIP-modified CD19-directed allogeneic CAR T cell therapy, in patients with B-cell mediated autoimmune diseases, including refractory systemic lupus erythematosus and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. The VIVID trial is a Phase 1 study evaluating SC262, a HIP-modified CD22-directed allogeneic CAR T cell therapy, in patients with relapsed and/or refractory B-cell malignancies who have received prior CD19-directed CAR T therapy.
In vivo CAR T cells – SG299, which uses our fusogen platform, allows for cell-specific, in vivo delivery of various payloads. SG299 is a CD8-targeted fusosome that delivers to CD8+ T cells the genetic material to make CD19-directed CAR T cells while avoiding potentially troublesome delivery to areas such as the liver and gonadal tissue. Sana shared data showing that an SG299 surrogate with another component can lead to deep B-cell depletion in non-human primates without the use of any lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Sana expects to file an IND for SG299 as early as 2026, and we look forward to developing it in a range of B-cell cancers and B-cell mediated autoimmune diseases.

Raised aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $105 million from sales of common stock through Sana’s at-the-market offering facility (ATM) and equity financing in July and August 2025; expected cash runway into the second half of 2026

Closed public offering in August 2025 of 20.9 million shares of Sana’s common stock and pre-funded warrants to purchase 1.5 million shares of Sana’s common stock. The gross proceeds from this offering were $75.0 million before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses.
Raised gross proceeds of $29.5 million in July and August 2025 from sales of common stock through Sana’s ATM.

Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

GAAP Results

Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of June 30, 2025 were $72.7 million compared to $152.5 million as of December 31, 2024. The decrease of $79.8 million was primarily driven by cash used in operations of $81.8 million.
Research and Development Expenses: For the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, research and development expenses, inclusive of non-cash expenses, were $29.8 million and $67.0 million, respectively, compared to $60.9 million and $117.3 million for the same periods in 2024.The decreases of $31.1 million and $50.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the same periods in 2024, respectively, were primarily due to lower research, laboratory, and clinical development costs related to the portfolio prioritization announced in the fourth quarter of 2024, lower personnel-related, costs, including non-cash stock-based compensation, a decrease in facility and other allocated costs primarily due to the portfolio prioritization announced in the fourth quarter of 2024, and lower third-party manufacturing costs. Research and development expenses include non-cash stock-based compensation of $4.2 million and $8.8 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and $7.1 million and $13.0 million for the same periods in 2024.
Research and Development Related Success Payments and Contingent Consideration: For the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, Sana recognized non-cash expenses of $10.3 million and $12.2 million, respectively, compared to a non-cash gain of $27.9 million and a non-cash expense of $10.1 million for the same periods in 2024, in connection with the change in the estimated fair value of the success payment liabilities and contingent consideration in aggregate. The value of these potential liabilities fluctuates significantly with changes in Sana’s market capitalization and stock price.
General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, inclusive of non-cash expenses, were $10.3 million and $21.8 million, respectively, compared to $16.4 million and $32.7 million for the same periods in 2024. The decreases of $6.1 million and $10.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2024 were primarily due to lower personnel-related costs, including non-cash stock-based compensation, due to a decrease in headcount in connection with the portfolio prioritization announced in the fourth quarter of 2024, and decreased legal and consulting fees. General and administrative expenses include non-cash stock-based compensation of $2.4 million and $4.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, compared to $4.3 million and $7.5 million for the same periods in 2024.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: For the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, non-cash impairment of long-lived assets was $44.6 million, compared to zero for the same periods in 2024. The non-cash impairment was primarily related to Sana’s manufacturing facility in Bothell, Washington and certain laboratory and office space in Seattle, Washington. Because of the increased availability of manufacturing capacity at third-party contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) for cell and gene therapy products as well as progress in understanding our near-term manufacturing needs, we expect to use CDMOs to meet our manufacturing needs at present and have suspended further build-out of our internal manufacturing capabilities.
Net Loss: Net loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 was $93.8 million, or $0.39 per share, and $143.2 million, or $0.60 per share, respectively, compared to $50.3 million, or $0.21 per share, and $157.8 million, or $0.70 per share, for the same periods in 2024.

Non-GAAP Measures

Non-GAAP Operating Cash Burn: Non-GAAP operating cash burn for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $79.0 million compared to $104.6 million for the same period in 2024. Non-GAAP operating cash burn is the decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, excluding cash inflows from financing activities, costs related to the portfolio prioritization in the fourth quarter of 2024 that were paid in 2025, and the purchase of property and equipment.
Non-GAAP Net Loss: Non-GAAP net loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 was $38.9 million, or $0.16 per share, and $86.4 million, or $0.36 per share, respectively, compared to $74.2 million, or $0.32 per share, and $143.6 million, or $0.64 per share, for the same periods in 2024. Non-GAAP net loss excludes non-cash expenses and gains related to the change in the estimated fair value of contingent consideration and success payment liabilities, and non-cash impairment losses recorded in 2025.

On August 11, 2025 Quince Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: QNCX), a late-stage biotechnology company dedicated to unlocking the power of a patient’s own biology for the treatment of rare diseases, reported an update on the company’s development pipeline and reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 (Press release, Quince Therapeutics, AUG 11, 2025, View Source [SID1234655075]).

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!

Dirk Thye, M.D., Quince’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer, said, "We achieved many critical milestones over the last quarter that significantly advance our research programs and strengthen our business model. Specifically, we completed enrollment in our pivotal Phase 3 NEAT clinical trial, secured additional financing to extend our operating runway sufficiently beyond topline results, and solidified our commercial development planning through our strategic partnership with Option Care Health. Quince remains confident in our ability to deliver topline results in the first quarter of 2026 and subsequent NDA submission in the second half of 2026, assuming positive study results."

Pivotal Phase 3 NEAT Clinical Trial

Quince completed enrollment in its pivotal Phase 3 NEAT (Neurological Effects of eDSP on Subjects with A-T; NCT06193200/IEDAT-04-2022) clinical trial with a total of 105 participants, including 83 participants in the six to nine year-old primary analysis population and 22 participants aged 10 years and older.
Quince expects to report topline results from its Phase 3 NEAT clinical trial in the first quarter of 2026.
Concluding the NEAT study with 83 enrolled participants in the six to nine year-old primary analysis population reflects powering of approximately 90% to determine statistical significance of the primary endpoint.
All 50 NEAT participants to date have elected to transition to the open label extension (OLE) study (NCT06664853/IEDAT-04-2022). Participants who complete the full treatment period, complete study assessments, and provide informed consent are eligible to transition to the OLE study.
The Phase 3 NEAT clinical trial is being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Assuming positive study results, the company plans to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA in the second half of 2026.
Quince was granted FDA Fast Track designation for the company’s eDSP System for the treatment of patients with A-T based on the potential to address a high unmet medical need.
NEAT is an international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the neurological effects of Quince’s lead asset, eDSP (dexamethasone sodium phosphate [DSP] encapsulated in autologous red blood cells; previously referred to as EryDex) in patients with A-T.
Participants are randomized (1:1) between eDSP or placebo and treatment consists of six infusions scheduled once every 21 to 30 days. The primary efficacy endpoint will be measured by the change from baseline to last efficacy visit using the Rescored modified International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (RmICARS) compared to placebo.
Pipeline and Corporate Updates

Announced a strategic relationship with Option Care Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPCH), the nation’s largest independent provider of home and ambulatory infusion services, to support the commercial development and efficient launch of Quince’s lead asset, eDSP, in the U.S. The strategic relationship will leverage Option Care’s robust network of specialty pharmacy and ambulatory infusion suites to provide for the administration of eDSP in an effective and efficient way while delivering this innovative treatment to patients with greater geographic flexibility.
Closed a private placement of common stock and accompanying warrants in June 2025 led by healthcare-focused institutional investor Nantahala Capital with participation from existing Quince stockholders including ADAR1 Capital Management, Legend Capital Partners, and Lagfin S.C.A., new stockholder Second Line Capital, along with members of Quince’s senior management. Priced at a more than a 10% premium to the market price of Quince’s common stock, the financing resulted in approximately $11.5 million in upfront proceeds and potential additional proceeds of up to $10.4 million, if the accompanying warrants are exercised in full, before deducting placement agent fees and other private placement expenses.
Finalized Phase 2 clinical trial study designs to evaluate eDSP for the potential treatment of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the company’s second targeted indication for its lead asset, eDSP. Quince plans to prioritize capital efficient study approaches, including potential investigator-initiated trials (IITs), to advance the evaluation of DMD as a second targeted eDSP indication.
Initiated Study #3 in the company’s European Union pediatric investigational plan (PIP) – named the Pediatric Encapsulated Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate (PeD) study – to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of eDSP in younger patients with A-T who weigh between nine and 15 kilograms.
Participated at the 2025 A-T Clinical Research Conference organized by the A-T Society, a leading A-T patient advocacy group based in the United Kingdom, where key opinion leaders (KOLs) presented post hoc data analyses from the company’s prior Phase 3 ATTeST clinical trial, in addition to Quince management providing an overview of the Phase 3 NEAT clinical trial.
Appointed Dr. Hassan Abolhassani, Assistant Professor of Clinical Immunology and Research Specialists in the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, to the company’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Dr. Abolhassani becomes the ninth member to join Quince’s SAB, which is comprised of leading experts in A-T, biochemistry, neurology, immunology, genetic, hematology, pharmacology, and clinical practice.
Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Reported cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $34.7 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025. Quince expects its existing cash runway to be sufficient to fund the company’s capital efficient development plan through Phase 3 NEAT topline results into the second quarter of 2026. If warrants related to the company’s recent financing are exercised in full for cash, Quince’s cash runway would extend into the second half of 2026.
Reported research and development (R&D) expenses of $6.6 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025. R&D expenses primarily included costs related to ongoing Phase 3 NEAT clinical trial activities and related manufacturing costs.
Reported general and administrative (G&A) expenses of $3.3 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025. G&A expenses primarily included personnel-related and stock-based compensation expenses, commercial planning and new product planning expenses, and other professional administrative costs.
Reported a net loss of $16.1 million, or a net loss of $0.34 per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025. Weighted average shares outstanding for the year were 46.7 million.
Reported net cash used in operating activities of $21.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025. Cash used in operating activities was primarily due to net loss of $31.1 million for the period, adjusted for $9.9 million of non-cash items, including $4.5 million change in the fair value of warrants, $2.7 million in stock-based compensation, $2.5 million change in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities, $0.8 million change in the fair value of the European Investment Bank loan, and a net decrease in operating assets of $0.5 million, offset by a net increase in accounts payable, and accrued expenses, and other current liabilities of $0.3 million.

On August 11, 2025 Protara Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TARA), a clinical-stage company developing transformative therapies for the treatment of cancer and rare diseases, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, and provided a business update (Press release, Protara Therapeutics, AUG 11, 2025, View Source [SID1234655074]).

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!

"As we look toward the second half of the year, we believe we are well positioned to continue to advance our pipeline of potentially transformative therapies for the treatment of patients with cancer and rare diseases," said Jesse Shefferman, Chief Executive Officer of Protara Therapeutics. "We continue to execute on our ADVANCED-2 trial of TARA-002 in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and look forward to presenting interim results in the first quarter of 2026. In addition, we remain on track to dose the first patient in our THRIVE-3 registrational trial of IV Choline Chloride in patients dependent on parenteral support (PS) by the end of this quarter and expect to provide an interim update from the STARBORN-1 trial in pediatric patients with lymphatic malformations (LMs) in the fourth quarter of this year."

Recent Progress and Highlights

TARA-002 in NMIBC

The Company expects to report interim results from approximately 25 six-month evaluable NMIBC patients with carcinoma in situ or CIS (± Ta/T1) who are BCG-Unresponsive at a medical conference in the first quarter of 2026.
Following discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Company expects to provide an update on next steps in its BCG-Naïve program in the second half of 2025.
Protara continues to investigate subcutaneous dosing through priming and maintenance combined with intravesical dosing, as well as exploring combination treatments with TARA-002 in NMIBC patients with CIS.
IV Choline Chloride for Patients on Parenteral Support (PS)

The Company remains on track to dose the first patient in THRIVE-3, a registrational Phase 3 clinical trial, in the third quarter of 2025. In addition, following the recent clinical trial approval by the European Union Clinical Trials Regulation, the Company expects to begin enrollment across the EU in the coming months. THRIVE-3 is a seamless Phase 2b/3 trial with a dose confirmation portion (n=24) followed by a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled portion to assess the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) Choline Chloride over 24 weeks in adolescents and adults on long-term PS when oral or enteral nutrition is not possible, insufficient, or contraindicated (n=105). IV Choline Chloride was previously granted Fast Track designation by the FDA.
TARA-002 in LMs

Dosing remains ongoing in the Phase 2 STARBORN-1 trial of TARA-002 in pediatric patients with macrocystic and mixed cystic LMs and the Company intends to provide an interim update from the trial in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Company previously announced the completion of the study’s first safety cohort, in which TARA-002 showed promising results and was generally well-tolerated.
Corporate Update

In June 2025, Protara announced the appointment of William "Bill" Conkling as Chief Commercial Officer. He brings to Protara more than two decades of experience developing and commercializing novel cancer and rare disease therapeutics.
In June 2025, the Company announced it has been added as a member of the broad-market Russell 3000 Index as part of the annual reconstitution, effective at the open of U.S. equity markets on June 30, 2025.
Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

As of June 30, 2025, unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and investments in marketable debt securities totaled $145.6 million. The Company expects its cash, cash equivalents, and investments in marketable debt securities will be sufficient to fund operations into mid-2027.
Research and development expenses for the second quarter of 2025 increased to $10.8 million from $6.4 million for the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to a $3.9 million increase in clinical trial activities for TARA-002 and IV Choline Chloride.
General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2025 increased to $5.8 million from $4.3 million for the prior year period. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $0.6 million in personnel-related expenses and $0.5 million in market development-related expenses.
For the second quarter of 2025, Protara incurred a net loss of $15.0 million, or $0.35 per share, compared with a net loss of $9.5 million, or $0.45 per share, for the same period in 2024.
About TARA-002

TARA-002 is an investigational cell therapy in development for the treatment of NMIBC and of LMs, for which it has been granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. TARA-002 was developed from the same master cell bank of genetically distinct group A Streptococcus pyogenes as OK-432, a broad immunopotentiator marketed as Picibanil in Japan by Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Protara has successfully shown manufacturing comparability between TARA-002 and OK-432.

When TARA-002 is administered, it is hypothesized that innate and adaptive immune cells within the cyst or tumor are activated and produce a pro-inflammatory response with release of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (IFN)-gamma IL-6, IL-10, IL-12. TARA-002 also directly kills tumor cells and triggers a host immune response by inducing immunogenic cell death, which further enhances the antitumor immune response.

About Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC)

Bladder cancer is the 6th most common cancer in the United States, with NMIBC representing approximately 80% of bladder cancer diagnoses. Approximately 65,000 patients are diagnosed with NMIBC in the United States each year. NMIBC is cancer found in the tissue that lines the inner surface of the bladder that has not spread into the bladder muscle.

About Lymphatic Malformations (LMs)

LMs are rare, congenital malformations of lymphatic vessels resulting in the failure of these structures to connect or drain into the venous system. Most LMs are present in the head and neck region and are diagnosed in early childhood during the period of active lymphatic growth, with more than 50% detected at birth and 90% diagnosed before the age of three years. The most common morbidities and serious manifestations of the disease include compression of the upper aerodigestive tract, including airway obstruction requiring intubation and possible tracheostomy dependence; intralesional bleeding; impingement on critical structures, including nerves, vessels, lymphatics; recurrent infection, and cosmetic and other functional disabilities.

About IV Choline Chloride

IV Choline Chloride is an investigational, intravenous phospholipid substrate replacement therapy in development for patients receiving parenteral support (PS). Choline is a known important substrate for phospholipids that are critical for healthy liver function that also play an important role in modulating gene expression, cell membrane signaling, brain development and neurotransmission, muscle function, and bone health. PS patients are unable to synthesize choline from enteral nutrition sources, and there are currently no available PS formulations containing choline. Approximately 78% of patients dependent on PS are choline-deficient and of those approximately 63% have some degree of liver dysfunction, which can lead to hepatic failure. Every year in the U.S. there are approximately 90,000 people who require PS at home and of those approximately 30,000 are on long-term PS. IV Choline Chloride has the potential to become the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved IV choline formulation for PS patients. It has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA for the prevention and/or treatment of choline deficiency in patients on long-term PN and been granted Fast Track Designation as a source of choline when oral or enteral nutrition is not possible, insufficient, or contraindicated. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued us a U.S. patent claiming a choline composition and a U.S. patent claiming a method for treating choline deficiency with a choline composition, each with a term expiring in 2041.

On August 11, 2025 Olema Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Olema" or "Olema Oncology", Nasdaq: OLMA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of targeted therapies for breast cancer and beyond, reported financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 (Press release, Olema Oncology, AUG 11, 2025, View Source [SID1234655073]).

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!

"Having achieved regulatory alignment on the selected dose for our pivotal palazestrant program during the second quarter, we are focused on accelerating enrollment in OPERA-01, which is on track for top-line data in the second half of 2026, and initiating the OPERA-02 combination trial in the frontline setting," said Sean P. Bohen, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Olema Oncology. "Palazestrant’s demonstrated activity and combinability with multiple compounds offers the potential for it to become a best-in-class, backbone endocrine therapy for metastatic breast cancer. Our Phase 1 study of OP-3136, our potent and selective KAT6 inhibitor, is also generating strong investigator interest and patient enrollment, reinforcing our leadership in developing novel therapies for breast cancer and beyond."

Recent Progress

Selected 90 mg of once-daily palazestrant for Part 2 of the ongoing registrational OPERA-01 Phase 3 trial in second- and third-line (2/3L) estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (ER+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer, and for the OPERA-02 Phase 3 trial in combination with ribociclib in frontline ER+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer.
Continued enrollment in the Phase 1 study evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary efficacy of OP-3136, as a monotherapy and in combination with fulvestrant and palazestrant, in participants with advanced solid tumors.
Anticipated Upcoming Events

Present mature data from the Phase 1b/2 study of palazestrant in combination with ribociclib in ER+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2025 in a presentation entitled "Palazestrant (OP-1250) plus ribociclib in patients with estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (ER+, HER2-) advanced breast cancer (ABC)"
Initiate the OPERA-02 trial of palazestrant in combination with ribociclib in frontline metastatic breast cancer in Q3 2025.
Report initial clinical results for OP-3136 in 2026.
Report top-line data from OPERA-01 in the second half of 2026.
Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results
Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $361.9 million as of June 30, 2025.

Net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 was $43.8 million, as compared to $30.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The increase in net loss for the second quarter was related to a one-time milestone payment of $10 million made to Aurigene in conjunction with our KAT6 clinical development program as well as increased spending on research and development activities as a result of the ongoing late-stage clinical trials for palazestrant and the advancement of OP-3136, partially offset by higher interest income earned from marketable securities.

GAAP research and development (R&D) expenses were $43.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, as compared to $29.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The increase in R&D expenses was primarily related to a one-time milestone payment of $10 million made to Aurigene as well as increased spending on clinical development-related activities as Olema continues to advance palazestrant through late-stage clinical trials, and the advancement of OP-3136.

Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $40.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, excluding $3.7 million non-cash stock-based compensation expense. Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $24.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, which excluded $4.2 million non-cash stock-based compensation expense. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release can be found at the end of this press release.

GAAP G&A expenses were $4.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, as compared to $4.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in G&A expenses was primarily due to a decrease in non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $0.5 million.

Non-GAAP G&A expenses were $3.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, excluding $1.0 million non-cash stock-based compensation expense. Non-GAAP G&A expenses were $2.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, excluding $1.5 million non-cash stock-based compensation expense. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release can be found at the end of this press release.

On August 11, 2025 Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: LGND) ("Ligand") reported its intention to offer $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2030 (the "notes") in a private placement (the "offering") to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), subject to market conditions and other factors (Press release, Ligand, AUG 11, 2025, View Source [SID1234655072]). Ligand also expects to grant to the initial purchasers of the notes (the "initial purchasers") a 13-day option to purchase up to an additional $60.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes.

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!

The notes will be general unsecured, senior obligations of Ligand and will accrue interest payable semiannually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2026. The notes will mature on October 1, 2030, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased. Upon conversion of the notes, Ligand will pay cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the notes to be converted and pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of Ligand’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of Ligand’s common stock, at Ligand’s election, in respect of the remainder, if any, of Ligand’s conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the notes being converted. The interest rate, initial conversion rate, redemption or repurchase rights and other terms of the notes will be determined at the time of pricing of the offering.

Ligand expects to use a portion of the net proceeds from the offering to pay the cost of the convertible note hedge transactions described below (after such cost is partially offset by the proceeds to Ligand from the sale of the warrants in the warrant transactions described below). In addition, Ligand expects to use up to $30 million of the net proceeds from the offering to repurchase shares of its common stock from certain purchasers of the notes in privately negotiated transactions, as described below. Ligand intends to use the remaining net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes including investing in complementary businesses, companies, products and technologies, although Ligand has no present commitments or agreements to do so. If the initial purchasers exercise their option to purchase additional notes, Ligand expects to sell additional warrants to the option counterparties and use a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the additional notes, together with the proceeds from the sale of the additional warrants, to enter into additional convertible note hedge transactions and the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes.

In connection with the pricing of the notes, Ligand expects to enter into convertible note hedge transactions (the "convertible note hedge transactions") with one or more of the initial purchasers or their respective affiliates and/or other financial institutions (the "option counterparties"). Ligand also expects to enter into warrant transactions (the "warrant transactions") with the option counterparties, pursuant to which Ligand will issue warrants to purchase common stock (the "warrants") to such option counterparties. The convertible note hedge transactions are expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to Ligand’s common stock upon any conversion of notes and/or offset any cash payments Ligand is required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted notes, as the case may be. However, the warrant transactions could separately have a dilutive effect on Ligand’s common stock to the extent that the market price per share of common stock exceeds the strike price of the warrants. If the initial purchasers exercise their option to purchase additional notes, Ligand expects to enter into additional convertible note hedge transactions and additional warrant transactions with the option counterparties.

In connection with establishing their initial hedges of the convertible note hedge transactions and the warrant transactions, Ligand expects the option counterparties or their respective affiliates to enter into various derivative transactions with respect to Ligand’s common stock and/or purchase shares of Ligand’s common stock concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the notes. This activity could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of Ligand’s common stock or the notes at that time.

The option counterparties or their respective affiliates may modify their hedge positions by entering into or unwinding various derivatives with respect to Ligand’s common stock and/or purchasing or selling shares of Ligand’s common stock or other securities of Ligand in secondary market transactions following the pricing of the notes and prior to the maturity of the notes (and are likely to do so in connection with any conversion, redemption or repurchase of the notes). This activity could also cause or avoid an increase or a decrease in the market price of Ligand’s common stock or the notes, which could affect a holder’s ability to convert its notes and, to the extent the activity occurs during any observation period related to a conversion of notes, it could affect the number of shares of Ligand’s common stock, if any, and value of the consideration, if any, that a holder will receive upon conversion of its notes.

In addition, Ligand expects to use up to $30 million of the net proceeds from the offering to repurchase shares of its common stock from certain purchasers of the notes in privately negotiated transactions effected through one of the initial purchasers or an affiliate thereof concurrently with the pricing of the notes. The price per share of Ligand’s common stock repurchased in such transactions is expected to equal the last reported price per share of Ligand’s common stock as of the date of the pricing of the notes. These repurchases could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of Ligand’s common stock prior to, concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the notes, and could result in a higher effective conversion price for the notes. Ligand cannot predict the magnitude of such market activity or the overall effect it will have on the market price of the notes and/or the market price of Ligand’s common stock.

The notes and the warrants will only be offered to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The notes, the warrants, the shares of common stock into which the notes are convertible and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and other applicable securities laws.

This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall it constitute an offer to sell, solicitation of an offer to buy or sale of any securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.