On May 11, 2023 TCR2 Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: TCRR) (TCR2 or the Company), a clinical-stage cell therapy company with a pipeline of novel next-generation T cell therapies for patients suffering from solid tumors, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023 and provided a corporate update (Press release, TCR2 Therapeutics, MAY 11, 2023, View Source [SID1234631538]).
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"We are pleased with our continued progress during the last quarter which included the announcement of the strategic combination of TCR2 with Adaptimmune. We believe that the integration of the two companies’ complimentary technology platforms and pipelines focused on treating solid tumors has the potential to fundamentally change the war on cancer," said Garry Menzel, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of TCR2 Therapeutics.
Recent Developments
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TCR2 announced a strategic combination with Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc (Adaptimmune) to create a preeminent cell therapy company for solid tumors. The two companies entered into a definitive agreement under which Adaptimmune will combine with TCR² in an all-stock transaction. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2023, subject to approval by TCR2 stockholders and Adaptimmune shareholders and satisfaction or waiver of other closing conditions. Following the closing of the transaction, Adaptimmune shareholders will own approximately 75% and TCR² stockholders will own approximately 25% of the combined company. As a result, and following the closing of the transaction, it is anticipated that the combined company’s cash runway will extend into 2026. A special meeting of TCR2 stockholders to approve the merger with Adaptimmune will be held on May 30, 2023. Proxy materials and voting instructions have been made publicly available. Please call TCR2’s proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, at (877) 750-8233, with any questions.
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TCR2 presented Phase 1 gavo-cel data at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) meeting and published preclinical gavo-cel data in OncoImmunology.
Financial Highlights
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Cash Position: TCR2 ended the first quarter of 2023 with $110.3 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments compared to $149.2 million as of December 31, 2022. Net cash used in operations was $40.0 million for the first quarter of 2023 compared to $31.1 million for the first quarter of 2022.
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R&D Expenses: Research and development (R&D) expenses were $29.2 million for the first quarter of 2023 compared to $22.3 million for the first quarter of 2022. The increase in R&D expenses was primarily due to an increase in clinical trial expenses associated with patient treatment and product manufacturing.
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Impairment and Restructuring Expenses: Impairment expenses were $4.0 million for the first quarter of 2023 compared to $0.6 million for the first quarter of 2022. The increase in impairment expenses for the first quarter includes $2.1 million in severance and related costs and $1.9 million in charges related to construction in progress and certain laboratory equipment.
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G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $8.2 million for the first quarter of 2023 compared to $6.3 million for the first quarter of 2022. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the first quarter includes $3.6 million in transactions costs related to the proposed transaction with Adaptimmune.
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Net Loss: Net loss was $40.4 million for the third quarter of 2023 compared to $29.1 million for the first quarter of 2022.
About gavo-cel, TC-510, and TC-520
Our most advanced program, gavo-cel, targets tumors that express the protein mesothelin.
TC-510 is an enhanced version of gavo-cel that co-expresses a PD-1:CD28 chimeric switch receptor that the Company believes may lead to deeper responses and more durable benefit.
TC-520 is the Company’s first TRuC-T cell targeting CD-70-expressing solid and liquid tumors which incorporates IL-15 pathway enhancements designed to improve T-cell persistence. TCR2 is currently advancing TC-520 to Investigational New Drug (IND) status.