NuCana Presents Data at AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics

On October 29, 2019 NuCana plc (NASDAQ: NCNA) reported results from two of its clinical stage ProTides, NUC-3373 and NUC-7738, at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC AACR-NCI-EORTC (Free AACR-NCI-EORTC Whitepaper) International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics (EORTC-NCI-AACR) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) in Boston, Massachusetts.

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NuCana presented interim data from the Phase Ib NuTide:302 study in patients with advanced colorectal cancer confirming the previously reported favorable pharmacokinetic profile of NUC-3373. The anti-cancer mechanism of action of NUC-3373 has been previously observed in non-clinical studies, which NuCana believes further supports the biological advantages of NUC-3373 over 5-FU. NUC-3373 is a ProTide transformation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), one of the most widely prescribed anti-cancer agents, and is currently being investigated in two clinical studies (NuTide:301 and NuTide:302).

Hugh S. Griffith, NuCana’s Chief Executive Officer, said: "Our aim is to replace 5-FU as the backbone of treatment for patients with colorectal cancer, so we are excited about these data. The next stage of NUC-3373’s development will investigate NUC-3373 in patients with advanced colorectal cancer in combination with oxaliplatin and irinotecan."

NUC-7738, NuCana’s third ProTide to enter the clinic, is a transformation of 3’-deoxyadenosine (3’-dA). Six patients have received NUC-7738 to date in the Phase I NuTide:701 study. In non-clinical studies of NUC-7738, NuCana has observed additional anti-cancer mechanisms of action to those previously reported for 3’dA. Significantly higher levels of anti-cancer metabolites are generated inside cancer cells than with 3’-dA, causing increased cell injury. Furthermore, the non-clinical data demonstrated that NUC-7738 activates AMPK, which may inhibit the mTOR pathway, resulting in further cancer cell death.

Mr. Griffith added: "Our early clinical experience with NUC-7738 has been encouraging and we look forward to sharing further data as the study progresses."

Details of NuCana’s poster presentations at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC are as follows:

Abstract Title: Inhibition of thymidylate synthase by the ProTide NUC-3373 (Abstract #CO59, Poster #59)

SESSION: Poster Session C: Therapeutic Agents- Other

DATE: Tuesday, October 29, 2019, 12:30 p.m. – 04:00 p.m. EDT

LOCATION: Level 2, Hall D

Abstract Title: NUC-7738, a novel ProTide transformation of 3’-deoxyadenosine, activates AMPK and kills renal cancer cells (Abstract #C122, Poster #122)

SESSION: Poster Session C: Tumor Suppressors

DATE: Tuesday, October 29, 2019, 12:30 p.m. – 04:00 p.m. EDT

LOCATION: Level 2, Hall D

Additional details can be found on the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) website.

Inovio Pharmaceuticals to Report Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results on November 12, 2019

On October 29, 2019 Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: INO) reported that third quarter 2019 financial results will be released after the market close on November 12, 2019 (Press release, Inovio, OCT 29, 2019, View Source [SID1234549953]). Following the release, the Company will host a conference call and live webcast at 4:30 p.m. ET, to provide a general business update and financial results for the third quarter 2019.

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A live and archived version of the audio presentation will be available online at View Source This is a listen-only event but will include a live Q&A with analysts.

Telephone replay will be available approximately one hour after the call at 877-344-7529 (US toll free) or 412-317-0088 (international toll) using replay access code 10136605.

Incyte Reports 2019 Third Quarter Financial Results and Provides Updates on Key Clinical Programs

On October 29, 2019 Incyte Corporation (Nasdaq:INCY) reported 2019 third quarter financial results and provides a status update on the Company’s development portfolio (Press release, Incyte, OCT 29, 2019, View Source [SID1234549952]).

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"Revenue growth continues to be very strong, driven by robust demand for Jakafi (ruxolitinib) in all three approved indications and, as a result, we are raising guidance for full year Jakafi net sales," stated Hervé Hoppenot, Chief Executive Officer, Incyte. "At the beginning of 2019, we laid out an ambitious set of development goals for our late-stage portfolio, and in the third quarter we have continued to execute against them. The recent clinical success in the REACH2 trial of ruxolitinib in steroid-refractory acute GVHD; the updated data from pemigatinib in cholangiocarcinoma and subsequent NDA submission; and the recently-presented 52-week data from the randomized Phase 2 trial of ruxolitinib cream in vitiligo are all illustrative of the significant progress we have made this year."

Portfolio Update

Oncology – key highlights

The positive result of REACH2, the Phase 3 study evaluating ruxolitinib in patients with steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), was announced in October. The study met its primary endpoint of superior overall response rate (ORR) at Day 28 with ruxolitinib treatment compared to best available therapy. No new safety signals were observed, and the ruxolitinib safety profile in REACH2 was consistent with that seen in previously reported studies in steroid-refractory acute GVHD.

A recent interim efficacy and safety analysis conducted by an Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) recommended that the Phase 3 REACH3 trial of ruxolitinib in patients with steroid-refractory chronic GVHD should continue without modification. The result of REACH3 is expected in 2020.

The top-line result from GRAVITAS-301, the Phase 3 trial of itacitinib as a treatment for patients with newly diagnosed acute GVHD, is expected to be available at the end of 2019. GRAVITAS-309, a Phase 3 trial of itacitinib as a treatment for patients with newly diagnosed chronic GVHD, was initiated in January of this year with results expected in 2021.

The NDA seeking approval for pemigatinib as a second-line treatment for cholangiocarcinoma patients with FGFR2 fusions or rearrangements was submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under Breakthrough Therapy designation. Data from FIGHT-202, which supported the NDA, were presented at the recent European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress.

Enrollment in the continuous dosing cohort of FIGHT-201, the Phase 2 trial of pemigatinib in patients with bladder cancer, is expected to complete by the end of 2019 and FIGHT-207, a Phase 2 solid tumor-agnostic trial evaluating pemigatinib in patients with driver-activations of FGF/FGFR, has been initiated.

Indication and status
Ruxolitinib (JAK1/JAK2)
Steroid-refractory acute GVHD: Phase 3 (REACH2) met primary endpoint1

Steroid-refractory chronic GVHD: Phase 3 (REACH3)1

Essential thrombocythemia: Phase 2 (RESET)

Refractory myelofibrosis: Phase 2 with PI3Kδ, PIM or JAK1 inhibition

Itacitinib (JAK1)
Treatment-naïve acute GVHD: Phase 3 (GRAVITAS-301)

Treatment-naïve chronic GVHD: Phase 3 (GRAVITAS-309)

Pemigatinib (FGFR1/2/3)
Cholangiocarcinoma: Phase 2 (FIGHT-202), Phase 3 (FIGHT-302)

Bladder cancer: Phase 2 (FIGHT-201)

8p11 MPN: Phase 2 (FIGHT-203)

Tumor agnostic: Phase 2 (FIGHT-207)

Parsaclisib (PI3Kδ)
Follicular lymphoma: Phase 2 (CITADEL-203)

Marginal zone lymphoma: Phase 2 (CITADEL-204)

Mantle cell lymphoma: Phase 2 (CITADEL-205)

INCMGA0012 (PD-1)1
MSI-high endometrial cancer: Phase 2 (POD1UM-101)

Merkel cell carcinoma: Phase 2 (POD1UM-201)

Anal cancer: Phase 2 (POD1UM-202)

Notes:

(1)Clinical development of ruxolitinib in GVHD, including REACH2 and REACH3, conducted in collaboration with Novartis
(2)INCMGA0012 licensed from MacroGenics

Inflammation and autoimmunity (IAI) – key highlights

Evidence of continued improvement with longer-term treatment was shown in the 52-week data from the randomized Phase 2 trial of ruxolitinib cream in patients with vitiligo, which were recently presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress. The Phase 3 TRuE-V development program of ruxolitinib cream in patients with vitiligo was initiated in September, with initial results expected in 2021.

The Phase 3 TRuE-AD development program of ruxolitinib cream in patients with atopic dermatitis is ongoing, with initial results expected in the first half of 2020.

Indication and status
Ruxolitinib cream (JAK1/JAK2)
Atopic dermatitis: Phase 3 (TRuE-AD)

Vitiligo: Phase 3 (TRuE-V)

INCB54707 (JAK1)

Hidradenitis suppurativa: Phase 2
Itacitinib (JAK1) Ulcerative colitis: Phase 2
Parsaclisib (PI3Kδ)
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia: Phase 2

Sjögren’s syndrome: Phase 2

discovery and early development – key highlights

Incyte’s portfolio of earlier-stage clinical candidates is detailed below.

Modality Candidates
Small molecules
INCB01158 (ARG)1, INCB81776 (AXL/MER), INCB62079 (FGFR4), epacadostat (IDO1), INCB59872 (LSD1), INCB53914 (PIM), INCB86550 (PD-L1)

Monoclonal antibodies2 INCAGN1876 (GITR), INCAGN2385 (LAG-3), INCAGN1949 (OX40), INCAGN2390 (TIM-3)
Bispecific antibodies MCLA-145 (PD-L1xCD137)3

Notes:

(1) INCB01158 development in collaboration with Calithera
(2) Discovery collaboration with Agenus
(3) MCLA-145 development in collaboration with Merus

Partnered – key highlights

The status of Incyte’s partnered compounds is detailed below.

Indication and status
Baricitinib (JAK1/JAK2)1
Atopic dermatitis: Phase 3 (BREEZE-AD)

Systemic lupus erythematosus: Phase 3

Severe alopecia areata: Phase 3

Capmatinib (MET)2 NSCLC (with MET exon 14 skipping mutations): NDA expected in Q4 2019 (by Novartis)

Notes:

(1)Worldwide rights to baricitinib licensed to Lilly: approved as Olumiant in multiple territories globally for certain patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis
(2)Worldwide rights to capmatinib licensed to Novartis

2019 Third-Quarter and Year-to-Date Financial Results

The financial measures presented in this press release for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 have been prepared by the Company in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), unless otherwise identified as a Non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that Non-GAAP information is useful for investors, when considered in conjunction with Incyte’s GAAP disclosures. Management uses such information internally and externally for establishing budgets, operating goals and financial planning purposes. These metrics are also used to manage the Company’s business and monitor performance. The Company adjusts, where appropriate, for expenses in order to reflect the Company’s core operations. The Company believes these adjustments are useful to investors by providing an enhanced understanding of the financial performance of the Company’s core operations. The metrics have been adopted to align the Company with disclosures provided by industry peers.

Beginning in the first quarter of 2019, after reviewing our Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Selected Non-GAAP Adjusted Information with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, we no longer adjust for upfront consideration and milestones that are part of collaboration agreements with new or existing partners. This revised methodology is reflected in this press release for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.

Non-GAAP information is not prepared under a comprehensive set of accounting rules and should only be used in conjunction with and to supplement Incyte’s operating results as reported under GAAP. Non-GAAP measures may be defined and calculated differently by other companies in our industry.

The Company’s 2019 financial guidance related to research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses does not include estimates associated with any potential future strategic transactions.

or the quarter ended September 30, 2019, net product revenues of Jakafi were $433 million as compared to $348 million for the same period in 2018, representing 25 percent growth. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, net product revenues of Jakafi were $1.2 billion as compared to $1.0 billion for the same period in 2018, representing 21 percent growth. For the quarter ended September 30, 2019, net product revenues of Iclusig (ponatinib) were $21 million as compared to $20 million for the same period in 2018. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, net product revenues of Iclusig were $66 million as compared to $61 million for the same period in 2018.

For the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019, product royalties from sales of Jakavi (ruxolitinib), which has been out-licensed to Novartis outside of the United States, were $58 million and $161 million, respectively, as compared to $51 million and $139 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2018. For the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019, product royalties from sales of Olumiant (baricitinib), which has been out-licensed to Lilly globally, were $22 million and $57 million, respectively, as compared to $11 million and $26 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2018.

For the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019, milestone and contract revenues earned from our collaborative partners were $18 million and $78 million, respectively, as compared to $20 million and $120 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2018.

Cost of product revenues GAAP cost of product revenues for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $30 million and $82 million, respectively, as compared to $25 million and $68 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2018. Non-GAAP cost of product revenues for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $24 million and $65 million, respectively, as compared to $19 million and $52 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2018. Non-GAAP cost of product revenues excludes the amortization of licensed intellectual property for Iclusig relating to the acquisition of the European business of ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the cost of stock-based compensation.

Research and development expenses GAAP research and development expenses for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019 were $281 million and $841 million, respectively, as compared to $293 million and $894 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2018. The decrease in GAAP research and development expenses over the prior year quarter and prior year nine month period was driven primarily by our decision to no longer co-fund the development of baricitinib with Lilly and lower costs related to the epacadostat program, partially offset by costs to advance our other internal development programs.

Non-GAAP research and development expenses for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019 were $251 million and $756 million, respectively, including upfront and milestone expenses related to collaborative agreements of $0 million and $25 million, respectively. Non-GAAP research and development expenses for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $266 million and $818 million, respectively, including upfront and milestone expenses related to collaborative agreements of $15 million and $47 million, respectively. Non-GAAP research and development expenses exclude the cost of stock-based compensation.

Selling, general and administrative expenses GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019 were $103 million and $333 million, respectively, as compared to $97 million and $326 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2018.

Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019 were $90 million and $294 million, respectively, as compared to $85 million and $291 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2018. Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses exclude the cost of stock-based compensation.

Change in fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration GAAP change in fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and was $3 million and $17 million, respectively, as compared to $5 million and $19 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2018.

Unrealized gain (loss) on long term investments GAAP unrealized gain on long term investments for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $2 million and $19 million, respectively. GAAP unrealized loss on long term investments for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $10 million and $22 million, respectively. The unrealized gain (loss) on long term investments represents the fair market value adjustments of the Company’s investments in Agenus, Calithera, Merus and Syros.

Net income GAAP net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 was $128 million, or $0.60 per basic and $0.59 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $29 million, or $0.14 per basic and diluted share for the same period in 2018. GAAP net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $336 million, or $1.57 per basic and $1.55 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $40 million, or $0.19 per basic and diluted share for the same period in 2018.

Non-GAAP net income for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 was $179 million, or $0.83 per basic and $0.82 per diluted share, as compared to Non-GAAP net income of $87 million, or $0.41 per basic and diluted share for the same period in 2018. Non-GAAP net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $476 million, or $2.22 per basic and $2.19 per diluted share, as compared to Non-GAAP net income of $208 million, or $0.98 per basic and $0.97 per diluted share for the same period in 2018.

(1)Adjusted to exclude the amortization of licensed intellectual property for Iclusig relating to the acquisition of the European business of ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the estimated cost of stock-based compensation.
(2)Adjusted to exclude the estimated cost of stock-based compensation.
(3)Adjusted to exclude the change in fair value of estimated future royalties relating to sales of Iclusig in the licensed territory relating to the acquisition of the European business of ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Future Non-GAAP financial measures may also exclude impairment of goodwill or other assets, changes in the fair value of equity investments in our collaboration partners, non-cash interest expense related to the amortization of the initial discount on our 2020 Senior Notes and the impact on our tax provision of discrete changes in our valuation allowance position on deferred tax assets.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Incyte will hold a conference call and webcast this morning at 8:00 a.m. EDT. To access the conference call, please dial 877-407-3042 for domestic callers or 201-389-0864 for international callers. When prompted, provide the conference identification number, 13695247.

If you are unable to participate, a replay of the conference call will be available for 30 days. The replay dial-in number for the United States is 877-660-6853 and the dial-in number for international callers is 201-612-7415. To access the replay you will need the conference identification number, 13695247.

The conference call will also be webcast live and can be accessed at www.incyte.com in the Investors section under "Events and Presentations".

BioCryst to Provide Commercial Update and Report Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results on November 6

On October 29, 2019 BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: BCRX) reported that the company will provide a commercial update and report its third quarter 2019 financial results on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 (Press release, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, OCT 29, 2019, View Source [SID1234549949]).

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BioCryst management will host a conference call and webcast at 8:00 a.m. ET that day to present new 48-week clinical data, share key findings from comprehensive patient, physician and payor market research, and to provide an overall update on the commercial opportunity and launch strategy for BCX7353.

The live call may be accessed by dialing 877-303-8027 for domestic callers and 760-536-5165 for international callers and using conference ID # 4891026. A live webcast of the call and any slides will be available online at the investors section of the company website at www.biocryst.com. A telephone replay of the call will be available by dialing 855-859-2056 for domestic callers or 404-537-3406 for international callers and entering the conference ID # 4891026.

Inivata and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) collaborate in Phase II NSCLC study

On October 29, 2019 Inivata, a leader in liquid biopsy, and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) have reported a collaboration in which Inivata’s InVisionFirst-Lung liquid biopsy test will be used in a Phase II trial to screen and monitor ALK positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients initiating treatment with third generation ALK inhibitor therapy lorlatinib (Press release, EORTC, OCT 29, 2019, View Source [SID1234549947]).

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Although ALK positive NSCLC cancer patients are known to respond well to ALK inhibition therapies, such as lorlatinib, this has been limited in time by the emergence of drug resistance. Furthermore, the impact of acquired resistance on response to sequential therapies is unknown. The study has been designed to better understand resistance mechanisms and to analyze the correlation between ALK resistance mutational profile and response to lorlatinib.

Inivata’s InVisionFirst-Lung ctDNA test will be used initially to provide ‘real-time’ data for the pre-trial selection of patients through the detection of molecular resistance. The liquid biopsy test will also be used to provide data on ALK mutational profile in relation to each patient’s response to lorlatinib treatment at the point of disease progression and throughout the course of the study for those patients in whom new ALK mutations are detected.

Eighty-four patients will be involved in this Phase II study across 30 participating EORTC sites in Belgium, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom. EORTC, an independent, non-profit research organization in cancer, is the trial sponsor. The trial is being funded by Pfizer Inc., the marketing authorization holder of lorlatinib.

Clive Morris, Chief Executive Officer at Inivata, said: "This pharmaceutical company-backed collaboration highlights the value of our InVision platform in providing rapid and repeatable genomic profiling to enable new analyses of disease and benefit patient treatment. EORTC is a highly regarded leader in translation research and we look forward to working with them on this important study."

Dr Denis Lacombe, EORTC Director General, said: "Understanding the patterns of resistance and relapse is one of the most burning challenges in oncology. EORTC’s scientific strategy, being primarily patient centered, has developed, over the years, a specific focus on programs which address the entire course of the disease taking forward the challenges that patients face at recurrence. We are, therefore, particularly excited with this partnership which brings together the capacity of our organization and new technologies to address the applicability of liquid biopsy for longitudinal studies on this critical question. Better understanding of resistance will not only provide insight on how to design the next generation of treatment, but could also potentially suggest combination treatment to prevent the development of resistance."

"I would also like to add that this trial protocol was developed in the Methods in Clinical Research workshop (MCCR). This is a workshop to educate early career investigators on how to develop good clinical trial designs and we are delighted that we have been able to implement this protocol."

InVisionFirst-Lung is a ctDNA next generation sequencing liquid biopsy capable of testing 36 genes, including ALK, relevant to the care of patients with advanced NSCLC. The test is available world-wide for both commercial and research use. In the US, InVisionFirst-Lung is covered for Medicare patients with advanced (Stage IIIB/IV) NSCLC who meet specific clinical criteria.