On August 5, 2021 NextCure, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXTC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering and developing novel, first-in-class immunomedicines to treat cancer and other immune-related diseases, reported second quarter 2021 financial results and provided a business update (Press release, NextCure, AUG 5, 2021, View Source [SID1234585890]).
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"We have made notable progress across all of our clinical programs including several enhancements to the ongoing NC318 Phase 2 monotherapy trial. Clinical sites can now select for S15+ patients, through screening biopsies in a CLIA certified laboratory. In addition, we have resumed enrolling non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) adenocarcinoma patients in the ongoing NC318 monotherapy trial and have revised the NC318 dosing regimen to increase overall drug exposure to NC318," said Michael Richman, NextCure’s president and chief executive officer. "We expect to provide a data update from our ongoing Phase 2 monotherapy trial of NC318, as well as to report Phase 1 data for NC410 by year-end. We have initiated clinical development of our third program, NC762 targeting B7-H4, with anticipated initial Phase 1 data mid-2022."
Business Highlights and Upcoming Milestones
NC318
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) validated assay available for S15+ patient selection to effectively evaluate NC318 activity in patients with S15+ tumors.
Resumed enrollment of a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) adenocarcinoma cohort in the ongoing Phase 2 monotherapy trial.
Revised dosing regimen to 800 mg weekly to increase overall drug exposure.
On track to report Phase 2 monotherapy update in the fourth quarter of 2021.
In the second quarter of 2021, Yale University commenced a Phase 2 investigator-initiated clinical trial of NC318 in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced NSCLC with anticipated initial data in the first half of 2022.
NC410
Presented trial in progress poster at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Virtual Annual Meeting.
Published preclinical data demonstrating that NC410 promoted T cell mediated anti-tumor immunity, enhanced infiltration and increased localized activity of T cells in the tumor microenvironment.
On track to report initial clinical data in the fourth quarter of 2021.
NC762
Started the Phase 1 portion of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors.
Initial data anticipated to be available in mid-2022.
Financial Guidance
Based on its current research and development plans, NextCure expects its existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will enable it to fund operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the second half of 2023.
Financial Results for Quarter Ended June 30, 2021
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2021 were $249.5 million, compared to $283.4 million as of December 31, 2020. The decrease of $33.9 million primarily reflects cash used to fund operations, cash used to purchase fixed assets, and repayments on a term loan.
Research and development expenses were $11.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, as compared to $11.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. The increase was driven primarily by clinical-related costs, partially offset by timing of clinical supply costs.
General and administrative expenses were $6.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, as compared to $4.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. The increase was driven primarily by personnel-related costs.
Net loss was $18.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, as compared to $14.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. The increase in net loss for the quarter was primarily due to increased research and development expenses and increased general and administrative expenses from an increase in headcount.
About NC318
NC318 is a first-in-class immunomedicine against S15, a novel immunomodulatory target found on highly immunosuppressive cells called M2 macrophages in the tumor microenvironment and on certain tumor types including lung, ovarian and head and neck cancers. In preclinical research, it was observed that S15 promoted the survival and differentiation of suppressive myeloid cells and negatively regulated T cell function, allowing cancer to avoid immune destruction. In preclinical studies, NC318 blocked the negative effects of S15. NextCure believes NC318 has the potential to treat multiple cancer types.
About NC410
NC410 is a first-in-class immunomedicine designed to block immune suppression mediated by LAIR-1, an immunomodulatory receptor expressed on T cells and dendritic cells, a type of antigen presenting cell. In preclinical research, it was observed that LAIR-1 inhibited T cell function and dendritic cell activity allowing tumor cells to grow. In preclinical studies, NC410 blocked the negative effects of LAIR-1 and promoted T cell function and dendritic cell activity. NextCure believes NC410 has the potential to treat multiple cancer types.
About NC762
NC762 is a monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to B7-H4, a protein expressed on multiple tumor types. NextCure believes NC762 acts by inhibiting tumor cell growth and killing tumor cells, including by enhancing immune response. The company has observed in preclinical studies that NC762 inhibits the growth of human melanoma tumors in mice and believes that NC762 has the potential to treat multiple tumor types. NextCure’s research indicates that NC762 inhibits tumor cell growth independently of immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment.