On August 2, 2016 Compugen Ltd. (NASDAQ: CGEN), a leading predictive drug discovery company, reported financial results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2016 (Filing, Q2, Compugen, 2016, AUG 2, 2016, View Source [SID:1234514182]).
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Anat Cohen-Dayag, Ph.D., Compugen’s President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Our broad portfolio of novel targets for immuno-oncology is comprised of two key categories – T cell-based and myeloid cell-based immune checkpoint target candidates, with candidates in both categories identified within the tumor microenvironment of multiple types of cancers. These discoveries provide Compugen with the potential for the development of multiple transformational, first-in-class, antibody drugs for immuno-oncology. In this respect, during the past quarter we selected a lead therapeutic antibody for CGEN-15029, named COM701, which is now undergoing preclinical development activities in preparation for advancement to clinical trials, with an anticipated IND filing next year."
Dr. Cohen-Dayag continued, "In parallel with our therapeutic development activities, we are also pursuing a significant, previously undisclosed research activity, under which we have established a comprehensive in vivo validation system, based on knockout mice, where the target of interest has been genetically removed. This activity was initiated in early 2015 and was applied to the majority of the Company’s immuno-oncology target candidates, in order to further evaluate in vivo their likely clinical relevance, identify effective drug combinations, and assess the mechanisms-of-action by which our targets suppress immune response. Similar evaluations in knockout mice were a major factor driving the development of approved immuno-oncology therapies such as PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors, and have been shown to be predictive of the ultimate clinical relevance of their respective target proteins."
Dr. Cohen-Dayag concluded, "Now, with our immuno-oncology target pipeline consisting of both T cell-based and myeloid cell-based immune checkpoint target candidates, we are focusing on target candidates that have the potential to complement each other, and that are expected to substantially enhance the overall value of our pipeline, particularly when taking into consideration the need for combination therapies."
Revenues for the second quarter of 2016 and six months ending June 30, 2016 were $0.5 million and $0.6 million respectively, compared with $0.2 million and $0.7 million for the comparable periods in 2015, reflecting primarily the milestone in the amount of $0.4 million achieved in the second quarter of 2016 and the non-cash amortization during these periods of the upfront payment, in both cases related to the August 2013 collaboration and license agreement with Bayer.
R&D expenses for the second quarter of 2016 and six months ending June 30, 2016 were $5.5 million and $12.2 million respectively, compared with $5.2 million and $10.1 million in the comparable periods in 2015. The increase primarily reflects expanded activities involving our pipeline program candidates, including the hiring of additional professional employees and manufacturing and regulatory consultants to support pre-clinical activities.
Net loss for the second quarter of 2016 was $6.6 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $6.8 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2015. Net loss for the six months ending June 30, 2016 was $15.2 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $13.0 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2015.
As of June 30, 2016, cash and cash related accounts totaled $74.1 million, compared with $81.4 million as of December 31, 2015. The Company has no debt.