On August 8, 2017 TESARO, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSRO), an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, reported operating results for second-quarter 2017 and provided an update on the Company’s commercial products and development programs (Press release, TESARO, AUG 8, 2017, View Source [SID1234520203]).

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"The U.S. launch of ZEJULA, the first and only PARP inhibitor to be approved for the maintenance treatment of women with recurrent ovarian cancer, regardless of BRCA mutation or biomarker status, is off to an excellent start, and we are gratified by the positive feedback that we have received from patients and prescribers," said Lonnie Moulder, CEO of TESARO. "Following its introduction in late April, ZEJULA quickly became the most frequently prescribed PARP inhibitor in the U.S. The MAA for ZEJULA is under review in Europe, and we are pleased that interest in our expanded access program (EAP) has been high, as we anticipate the European launch of ZEJULA by year end. We continue to globalize our mission with the recently announced Takeda licensing agreement for ZEJULA in Japan, and the launches of VARUBY oral in several EU countries. We are advancing the registration program for TSR-042, our anti-PD-1 antibody, and have initiated a combination clinical study of our anti-TIM-3 antibody, TSR-022, plus TSR-042. We are also pleased with the progress of our earlier stage immuno-oncology antibody and small molecule programs and the potential for this pipeline to establish TESARO as a leading player in the field."

Recent Business Highlights

TESARO launched ZEJULA in the U.S. in April 2017, following U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response (CR or PR) to platinum-based chemotherapy. ZEJULA is the most prescribed PARP inhibitor in the U.S., with more than 1,500 new patients treated in the second quarter and prescriptions written by over 1,000 physicians since launch.
Pre-launch preparations continue in support of a European launch of ZEJULA by year-end 2017, pending European Commission approval, and the niraparib expanded access program (EAP) has enrolled more than 200 patients across nine European countries.
VARUBY (oral formulation) was approved by the European Commission in April and has been launched in Germany, the U.K., Denmark, Finland and Austria. Preparations are ongoing in support of launches in additional European countries.
VARUBI (oral formulation) was the most prescribed oral NK-1 receptor antagonist in the U.S. for the second quarter of 2017. The NDA re-submission for the intravenous (IV) formulation of rolapitant is under review by the FDA, with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of October 25, 2017.
Enrollment continues in the PRIMA trial of niraparib for patients with first-line ovarian cancer and the QUADRA trial of niraparib for the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer who have received three or more prior lines of chemotherapy.
In July, TESARO and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited announced an exclusive licensing agreement for the commercialization and clinical development of niraparib in Japan and certain other countries.
Enrollment continues in the TOPACIO trial of niraparib plus KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in patients with platinum resistant ovarian cancer or with triple negative breast cancer, and in the AVANOVA trial of niraparib plus bevacizumab in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. Data from the TOPACIO and AVANOVA trials are expected to be presented during the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress in September.
The registration strategy for TSR-042 (anti-PD-1) has been finalized with the FDA for patients with metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) cancers. Additional data from the Phase 1 study of TSR-042 are planned for presentation during ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper).
Dose-escalation of TSR-022 (anti-TIM-3) as a monotherapy is complete and a combination study of TSR-022 with TSR-042 is ongoing.
In August, the Phase 1 dose-escalation trial for TSR-033 (anti-LAG-3) was initiated.
IND-enabling studies are underway for bi-specific antibody candidate targeting PD-1/LAG-3.
Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results

TESARO reported net product revenue of $28.8 million for the second quarter of 2017, which included ZEJULA sales of $25.9 million and VARUBI/VARUBY sales of $2.9 million. This compares to net product revenue of $1.2 million for the second quarter of 2016.

Cost of sales totaled $6.6 million for the second quarter of 2017 and included $3.6 million associated with product revenue for the second quarter of 2017 and $3.0 million related to amortization of milestones recorded upon FDA approval of niraparib and first commercial sales of VARUBI/VARUBY in the U.S. and Europe. Cost of sales totaled $0.7 million for the second quarter of 2016.

Research and development expenses increased to $71.4 million for the second quarter of 2017, compared to $50.1 million for the second quarter of 2016, driven primarily by increased headcount, expansion of the TSR-042 and TSR-022 programs, and advancement of our earlier-stage immuno-oncology portfolio.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $93.0 million for the second quarter of 2017, compared to $36.2 million for the second quarter of 2016, primarily due to activities in support of the launches of ZEJULA and VARUBI/VARUBY in the U.S. and Europe, increased headcount, and higher professional service fees.

Acquired in-process research and development expenses totaled $7.0 million for the second quarter of 2017 and included milestone payments related to our immuno-oncology portfolio, compared to $4.0 million for the second quarter of 2016, which also related to a development milestone achieved within our immuno-oncology programs.

Operating expenses as described above include total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense of $23.5 million for the second quarter of 2017, compared to $11.7 million for the second quarter of 2016.

Net loss totaled $152.1 million, or ($2.82) per share, for the second quarter of 2017, compared to a net loss of $59.2 million, or ($1.29) per share, for the second quarter of 2016.

As of June 30, 2017, TESARO had approximately $508 million in cash and cash equivalents and approximately 54.2 million outstanding shares of common stock. This cash and cash equivalents balance does not include the $100 million up-front payment received during the third quarter as part of the Takeda license agreement.

Corporate Objectives

TESARO anticipates achieving the following key objectives:

VARUBI / VARUBY (rolapitant):

Launch VARUBI IV in the U.S. in Q4 2017, pending FDA approval; and
Continue to execute on the VARUBY oral launch in Europe.
ZEJULA (niraparib):

Continue to execute on the ongoing U.S. launch of ZEJULA and solidify its position as the market leading PARP inhibitor for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer;
Launch ZEJULA in Europe by year-end 2017, pending European Commission approval;
Continue to enroll the Phase 3 PRIMA trial throughout 2017; and
Begin to initiate expanded ovarian, breast and lung cancer development programs in 2017.
Immuno-Oncology Portfolio:

Continue to enroll patients with MSI-H cancer in the registration trial of TSR-042, with the intent of supporting accelerated FDA approval;
Continue enrollment in the TSR-022 plus TSR-042 combination cohort through 2017;
Continue to enroll the Phase 1 trial of TSR-033;
Advance IND-enabling studies for bi-specific antibody lead clinical candidate targeting PD-1/LAG-3, in 2H 2017; and
Identify the first clinical candidate within the MD Anderson collaboration in Q3 2017.

About ZEJULA (Niraparib)
ZEJULA (niraparib) is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. In preclinical studies, ZEJULA concentrates in the tumor relative to plasma, delivering greater than 90% durable inhibition of PARP 1/2 and a persistent antitumor effect. Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (MDS/AML), including some fatal cases, was reported in patients treated with ZEJULA. Discontinue ZEJULA if MDS/AML is confirmed. Hematologic adverse reactions (thrombocytopenia, anemia and neutropenia), as well as cardiovascular effects (hypertension and hypertensive crisis) have been reported in patients treated with ZEJULA. Monitor complete blood counts to detect hematologic adverse reactions, as well as to detect cardiovascular disorders, during treatment. ZEJULA can cause fetal harm and females of reproductive potential should use effective contraception. Please see full prescribing information, including additional important safety information, available at www.zejula.com.