On May 13, 2022 Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRKR), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company specializing in the development of next-generation T cell-based immuntoday providedotherapies for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumor indications, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 (Press release, Marker Therapeutics, MAY 13, 2022, View Source [SID1234614485]).

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"2022 has already been an exciting year for Marker as we reported encouraging initial results from the six-patient safety lead-in portion of our Phase 2 AML trial—including elimination of MRD in one MRD positive patient—and announced plans for Company-sponsored trials of our second cell therapy product candidate, MT-601, in pancreatic cancer and lymphoma," said Peter L. Hoang, Marker’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "We also implemented a new MultiTAA-specific T cell therapy manufacturing process, details of which were presented at the 2022 International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) annual meeting. After completing enrollment of the first 20 patients in the Phase 2 AML trial last year, we anticipate reporting topline data from the active disease group in the main phase of the trial next quarter."

PROGRAM UPDATES AND EXPECTED MILESTONES

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (MT-401)

In February 2022, Marker announced the initial results of the safety lead-in stage of its Company-sponsored Phase 2 AML trial evaluating MT-401, Marker’s lead MultiTAA-specific T cell product candidate. Results from the safety lead-in demonstrate that MT-401 was well-tolerated, eliminated measurable residual disease (MRD) based on peripheral blood analysis at Week 32 in one MRD positive patient and induced epitope spreading across multiple AML-associated antigens in that patient.
Enrollment of the first 20 patients of the main Phase 2 stage of the AML trial was completed in Q4 2021. Topline readout of Group 2 active disease is anticipated in Q2 2022.
Marker announced in February 2022 that it is developing MT-401-OTS, a scalable, off-the-shelf product candidate with the potential to match patients to treatment in under three days. Marker’s open Investigational New Drug application (IND) for MT-401 for the treatment of AML includes an off-the-shelf program. The Company is in the process of developing a patient cell bank inventory and expects to dose the first patient with MT-401-OTS 2023.
Additional Clinical Programs (MT-601)

In January 2022, Marker announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Orphan Drug designation to MT-601 for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Marker announced in February 2022 that the Company intends to file INDs for MT-601, Marker’s second MultiTAA-specific T cell product candidate, in lymphoma and pancreatic cancer in 2022. The Company expects to initiate these trials in 2023.
BUSINESS UPDATES

In April 2022, the Company announced that it entered into a services agreement with Wilson Wolf Manufacturing Corporation. The agreement includes an $8.0 million upfront cash payment by Wilson Wolf to Marker in exchange for services relating to Marker’s expertise in the manufacture of cell therapies. Wilson Wolf has agreed to pay Marker an additional $1.0 million if the certain work, as defined in the services agreement, is completed within one year from the onset of the services agreement.
FIRST QUARTER 2022 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Cash Position and Guidance: At March 31, 2022, Marker had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $28.8 million.

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $7.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to $5.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $3.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to $3.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Net Loss: Marker reported a net loss of $9.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to a net loss of $8.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.