On November 9, 2020 CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: CASI), a U.S. biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapeutics and pharmaceutical products, reported financial results and business highlights for the third quarter of 2020 (Press release, CASI Pharmaceuticals, NOV 9, 2020, View Source [SID1234570419]).

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Wei-Wu He, Ph.D., CASI’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to report that EVOMELA revenues for Q3 were $4.2 million. For the full year 2020 revenue, we expect to exceed $14 million, performing better than we had previously forecasted. We are thrilled with the progress we are seeing across our hematology oncology product portfolio. With our recently announced partnership with BioInvent, we gained exclusive Greater China development and commercialization rights to BI-1206, a first-in-class anti-FcyRIIB monoclonal antibody. BI-1206 has broad potential clinical applications across multiple tumor types in many first line indications and in refractory settings, which we look forward to exploring."

Dr. He continued, "With respect to our commercial asset CNCT-19 (CD19 CAR-T), our partner Juventas is making good progress with their current Phase 1 trials in B-NHL and B-ALL, and is expecting to initiate registration trials by the end of 2020. We expect to initiate our Phase 1 study for CID-103 (anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody) in the EU during the first quarter of 2021. We will continue to execute on a number of key milestones across our broad portfolio in the quarters ahead. In parallel, our team will continue tactically evaluating additional strategic opportunities that complement our growing portfolio."

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Revenues consisted primarily of product sales of EVOMELA that launched in August of 2019. Revenues were $4.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019.
Costs of revenues were $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $2.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in cost of revenues is a result of the transfer to a new manufacturer, resulting in a considerable decrease in the unit cost of inventories of EVOMELA.
Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were $2.8 million, compared with $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The increases in R&D expenses are primarily due to increases in 2020 R&D expenses incurred related to the development of CID-103, and costs associated with the EVOMELA post marketing study.
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were $5.3 million, compared with $8.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily because the 2019 period included costs related to sales and marketing efforts to prepare for the August 2019 launch of EVOMELA, as well as lower professional fees and travel costs incurred during the 2020 period.
Selling and marketing expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2020 were $2.1 million, compared with $975,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The increase is due to selling costs related to commercial sales of EVOMELA that began in August of 2019.
Acquired in-process R&D expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was $10.9 million, compared to $0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019. Expense of $0.6 million relates to 2020 milestone fees paid to Pharmathen due to the first submission to the National Medical Products Administration in China for Octreotide which was achieved during 2020 and $10.3 million relates to milestone fees paid to Juventas.
Net loss for the third quarter of 2020 was $16.8 million compared to $9.7 million for the same period in 2019.
As of September 30, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $74.6 million compared to $44.9 million as of June 30, 2020. As reported, the Company consummated an underwritten public offering in July 2020 generating gross proceeds of approximately $43.7 million.
Further information regarding the Company, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, can be found at www.casipharmaceuticals.com.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call reviewing the third quarter highlights today at 4:30 p.m. ET. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (833) 647-4459 (U.S.), (800) 870-0181 (China), (400) 682-8629 (China, domestic), (580) 86567 (Hong Kong) to listen to the live conference call. The conference ID number for the live call is 8835514.

This call will be recorded and available for replay by dialing (855) 589-2056 (U.S.) or (404)-537-3406 (international) and enter 8835514 to access the replay.