MorphoSys AG announces results for the second quarter of 2018

On August 1, 2018 MorphoSys AG reported its results for the second quarter of 2018(Press release, MorphoSys, AUG 1, 2018, View Source/medien-investoren/mediencenter/morphosys-ag-gibt-ergebnisse-des-zweiten-quartals-2018-bekannt" target="_blank" title="View Source/medien-investoren/mediencenter/morphosys-ag-gibt-ergebnisse-des-zweiten-quartals-2018-bekannt" rel="nofollow">View Source [SID1234528298]).

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The company has continued to expand its pipeline of proprietary and partner-developed programs and established a presence in the US to prepare for commercialization

Conference Call and Webcast on August 2, 2018 at 2:00 pm CEST

– ongoing discussions with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on marketing approval of MOR208 as a potential treatment for aggressive lymphoma (DLBCL) within the existing status of the treatment breakthrough

– First clinical data from the ongoing Phase 2 trial with MOR208 plus idelalisib in CLL presented at the annual meeting of the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper)

– Jennifer Herron takes over leadership of the newly formed MorphoSys US Inc. and is responsible for building commercial structures for MOR208

– MorphoSys and Galapagos sign a worldwide licensing agreement with Novartis for MOR106. MorphoSys and Galapagos will jointly receive an upfront payment of € 95 million and significant potential future milestone payments and royalties in the double-digit percentage range

– Partner Janssen starts phase 2/3 program with Tremfya (R) in Crohn’s disease

– Partner Roche launches phase 3 trial with gantenerumab in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease

– US Nasdaq IPO and successful capital increase with gross proceeds of $ 239 million completed in April 2018

– Liquidity position increased to 450.5 million euros (as at 30 June 2018)

– Following the signing of a license agreement with Novartis for MOR106 and subject to US antitrust approval, MorphoSys is increasing its financial guidance for 2018 and expects sales of between EUR 67 and 72 million, EBIT of EUR -55 to -65 million and expenses for the development of proprietary programs and technology development from 87 to 97 million euros

MorphoSys AG (Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX, NASDAQ: MOR) reported its results for the second quarter of 2018.

"MorphoSys has made excellent progress in many areas during the quarter, and we have continued our constructive discussions with the FDA on a possible route to market approval for MOR208 for the treatment of aggressive lymphoma (DLBCL) and positive data from a current Phase 2 trial Study with MOR208 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), "commented Dr. Simon Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of MorphoSys AG. "With the formation of our new US subsidiary MorphoSys US Inc. and the appointment of Jennifer Herron as their director, we have laid the foundation for a strong sales presence to prepare for the potential future commercialization of MOR208, subject, of course, to approval for this development Drug by the FDA. "

"We are also very pleased with the progress made by our partners, notably the successful marketing of Tremfya (R) to treat psoriasis by Janssen, as well as the launch of additional pivotal development programs with Tremfya (R) in Crohn’s disease by Janssen and Gantenerumab in Alzheimer’s by Roche, "Dr. Moroney continues.

"An exciting quarter is behind us, and MorphoSys’s recent corporate developments are giving us an optimistic outlook for the future: In April, we completed our IPO on Nasdaq and signed an exclusive license agreement with Novartis for MOR106 shortly after the end of the quarter," said Jens Holstein , Chief Financial Officer of MorphoSys AG. "Our strong financial position allows us to provide the necessary resources for our most advanced MOR208 program, to continue developing our remaining pipeline programs and to expand our commercial activities in the US."

Financial Report for the second quarter of 2018 (IFRS, all figures rounded)

In the second quarter of 2018, MorphoSys continued to focus on drug discovery and development, both independently and for partners. Consolidated revenues in the second quarter of 2018 came to EUR 8.1 million (Q2 2017: EUR 11.7 million). The expected decrease compared to the second quarter of the previous year mainly results from the termination of the partnership with Novartis in 2017. As Janssen’s contractually agreed revenue share for the second quarter of 2018 has not yet been received due to the reporting periods of Janssen and MorphoSys, Based on Janssen / J & J’s publicly announced Tremfya (R) sales revenues, the second-quarter 2018 Tremfya (R) revenue was recognized in the second quarter of 2018.

Im Segment Proprietary Development konzentriert sich MorphoSys auf die Erforschung und Entwicklung eigener Produktkandidaten in den Bereichen Krebs und entzündliche Erkrankungen. In Q2 2018 verzeichnete dieses Segment Umsätze von 0,1 Mio. Euro (Q2 2017: 0,3 Mio. Euro). Im Segment Partnered Discovery setzt MorphoSys seine firmeneigene Technologie ein, um neue Antikörper für Pharmaunternehmen zu generieren. Das Unternehmen profitiert von den Entwicklungsfortschritten der Partner in Form von finanzierten Forschungsleistungen, Lizenzgebühren, erfolgsbasierten Meilensteinzahlungen und Tantiemen (Umsatzbeteiligungen). Im ersten Quartal 2018 beliefen sich die Umsätze in diesem Segment auf 8,1 Mio. Euro (Q2 2017: 11,5 Mio. Euro).

Die gesamten betrieblichen Aufwendungen erreichten im zweiten Quartal 2018 eine Höhe von 32,7 Mio. Euro (Q2 2017: 27,5 Mio. Euro). Die Aufwendungen für die Entwicklung eigener Produkte und Technologieentwicklung beliefen sich auf 23,7 Mio. Euro (Q2 2017: 18,6 Mio. Euro). Die Zunahme im Vergleich zum Vorjahr ist vor allem auf die Kosten für die Weiterentwicklung von MOR208 zurückzuführen.

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) amounted to € -24.1 million in the second quarter of 2018 (Q2 2017: € -15.4 million). The Proprietary Development segment generated EBIT of
€ -24.6 million (Q2 2017: € -18.3 million). EBIT in the Partnered Discovery segment amounted to € 5.5 million (Q2 2017: € 6.8 million).
Consolidated net income amounted to EUR -23.5 million in the second quarter of 2018 (Q2 2017: EUR -16.1 million). Earnings per share reached -0.76 euros (Q2 2017: -0.56 euros).

At the end of the second quarter of 2018, MorphoSys had cash and cash equivalents of € 450.5 million, compared to € 312.2 million at December 31, 2017. This cash and cash equivalents are shown in the balance sheet in the following items: cash and cash equivalents ; financial assets at fair value, with changes recognized in profit or loss, and other current and non-current financial assets at amortized cost. The increase in cash and cash equivalents resulted primarily from the capital increase in the context of the successful Nasdaq IPO in April 2018 with gross proceeds of $ 239 million. Part of the cash and cash equivalents were used for operating expenses in the second quarter of 2018.

The total number of shares outstanding was 31,808,035 at the end of the second quarter of 2018 (31 December 2017: 29,420,758). The main reason for the increase in the number of shares was the capital increase in connection with the listing on the Nasdaq in April 2018.

Result for the first half of 2018

In the first six months of 2018, Group sales amounted to € 10.9 million (Q1-Q2 2017: € 23.6 million). Expenses for the development of own products and technology development amounted to 39.2 million Euro in the first six months of 2018 (Q1-Q2 2017: 37.3 million Euro). EBIT in the first six months of 2018 was thus EUR -43.2 million, compared with EUR -30.3 million in the first half of 2017.

Financial forecast and operational outlook for 2018

Following the recent signing of an agreement with Novartis for MOR106 and subject to the approval of the US antitrust authorities, MorphoSys is raising its financial guidance for 2018. Subject to approval by the US antitrust authorities, MorphoSys expects revenues of € 67 million to € 72 million and Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of € -55 million to € -65 million. R & D expenses for proprietary programs and technology development are expected in a range of € 87 million to € 97 million. This forecast does not include additional revenues from potential future collaborations and / or licensing partnerships nor effects from possible in-licensing or development partnerships for new drug candidates.

In the Proprietary Development segment, MorphoSys expects the following events and activities for the current year:

MOR208

– L-MIND: Continued analysis of all 81 patients with relapsed / refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R / R DLBCL) enrolled in the study and presented updated clinical data at an appropriate medical conference.

– B-MIND: Continuation of the pivotal phase 3 trial with MOR208 plus bendamustine versus rituximab plus bendamustine in R / R DLBCL.

– COSMOS: continuation of Phase 2 trial with MOR208 in combination with idelalisib or Venetoclax in CLL / SLL and presentation of results from cohort B of the study (MOR208 plus Venetoclax) at an appropriate scientific conference.

– Commercial activities: Further build commercial structures for MOR208 in the US, under the umbrella of the newly formed MorphoSys US Inc., in anticipation of a potential launch, which is currently expected in 2020, subject to regulatory approval from the US Food and Drug Administration.

MOR202

– Multiple Myeloma (MM): MorphoSys has decided not to continue the development of MOR202 in MM beyond the completion of the ongoing Phase 1 / 2a trial; the final data is expected to be presented at one of the next medical conferences. MorphoSys will support its partner I-Mab as planned in the development of MOR202 for the Chinese market.

– Lung cancer (NSCLC): After Janssen discontinued a clinical trial with the CD38 antibody daratumumab in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor, MorphoSys has decided not to continue its activities in NSCLC for the time being.

– Other indications: MorphoSys continues to investigate the development of MOR202 in other indications.

MOR106: Continuing ongoing development with Galapagos as part of the new global licensing partnership with Novartis:

– Continuation of ongoing Phase 2 trial IGUANA in atopic dermatitis.

– Start of a Phase 1 study to investigate a subcutaneous formulation of MOR106.

– All future costs associated with the development of MOR106 will be borne by Novartis.

– Agreement between MorphoSys, Galapagos and Novartis is subject to approval by the US antitrust authorities.

MOR107: Continuation of pre-clinical studies of MOR107 with a focus on cancer indications to prepare a decision to conduct further clinical trials.

MOR103 / GSK3196165: Following the recent announcement by GSK that positive Phase 2b study results for GSK3196165 in rheumatoid arthritis will be presented at a future scientific conference and that the indication for osteoarthritis has been terminated, clinical data are expected to be published by GSK.

In the Partnered Discovery segment, MorphoSys 2018 expects the following events:

Tremfya (R) (Guselkumab): For several phase 3 studies in psoriasis, clinicaltrials.gov expects primary completion date in 2018, including a comparative study with Tremfya (R) and Cosentyx (R) (Secukinumab) in plaque psoriasis.

Other Affiliate Programs: Clinical data and possible regulatory milestones could be released throughout the year for many other affiliate programs.

MorphoSys will continue to expand its own development activities and review potential in-licensing, co-development and / or acquisition opportunities. In addition, the company plans to initiate further development programs of its own with the aim of maintaining and expanding the company’s position in its current therapeutic and technological fields of activity.

Percentage points ** Including MOR107, for which a Phase 1 trial with healthy volunteers was completed. MOR107 is currently undergoing preclinical research focusing on oncology. Due to ongoing studies in various indications, we continue to consider Tremfya (R) as a Phase 3 program

*** Includes MOR103 / GSK3196165, which is fully out-licensed to GSK.

MorphoSys will host a webcast public conference call on August 2, 2018, to present the financial results for the second quarter of 2018 and the outlook for 2018.

Dial-in dates for the analyst conference call (2:00 pm CEST) (Listening mode):
Germany +49 (0) 69 201 744 210
+49 (0) 89 204 049 750

Participant PIN 63419794 #

Please dial in ten minutes before the start of the conference. A live webcast and the presentation will also be available at View Source . About two hours after the end of the conference, you will be able to access an audio replay synchronized with the presentation and the transcript of the conference at View Source .

Novavax to Host Conference Call to Discuss Second Quarter Financial Results on August 8, 2018

On August 1, 2018 Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVAX) reported it will report its second quarter 2018 financial and operating results following the close of U.S. financial markets on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 (Press release, Novavax, AUG 1, 2018, http://ir.novavax.com/news-releases/news-release-details/novavax-host-conference-call-discuss-second-quarter-financial-1 [SID1234528297]).

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Conference call details are as follows:

Date: August 8, 2018
Time: 4:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time (ET)
Dial-in number: (877) 212-6076 (Domestic) or (707) 287-9331 (International)
Passcode: 5886748
Webcast: www.novavax.com, "Investors"/ "Events"

Conference call and webcast replay:

Dates: Starting at 7:30 p.m. ET, August 8, 2018 until 7:30 p.m. ET August 15, 2018
Dial-in number: (855) 859-2056 (Domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (International)
Passcode: 5886748
Webcast: www.novavax.com, "Investors"/ "Events", until November 8, 2018

TRACON To Report Second Quarter 2018 Company Highlights And Financial Results On August 8, 2018

On August 1, 2018 TRACON Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:TCON), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel targeted therapeutics for cancer and wet age-related macular degeneration, reported that it will report its second quarter 2018 financial and operating results after the close of U.S. financial markets on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 (Press release, Tracon Pharmaceuticals, AUG 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234528296]). In addition, management will host a conference call to provide an update on corporate activities and discuss the quarterly financial results.

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Conference call and webcast:
Date: August 8, 2018
Time: 4:30 pm Eastern Time (1:30 pm Pacific Time)
Dial-in: (855) 779-9066 (Domestic) or (631) 485-4859 (International)
Passcode: 3189378
Via web: www.traconpharma.com; "Events and Presentations" section within the "Investors" section

A replay of the webcast will be available for 60 days on the website.

Akebia Therapeutics to Host Second Quarter 2018 Investor Update Call and Webcast

On August 1, 2018 Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKBA), a biopharmaceutical company focused on delivering innovative therapies to patients with kidney disease through the biology of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), reported it will host a second quarter 2018 investor update conference call and webcast at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 (Press release, Akebia, AUG 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234528295]).

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Individuals interested in participating in the call should dial (877) 458-0977 (U.S. and Canada) or (484) 653-6724 (international) using conference ID number 1398303. To access the webcast, visit the Investors section of Akebia’s website at www.akebia.com at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to ensure adequate time for any software downloads that may be required.

Beginning the morning of August 9, 2018, the call will be available for replay via telephone and the archived webcast will be available on Akebia’s website. To listen to the telephone replay, dial (855) 859-2056 (U.S. and Canada) or (404) 537-3406 (international) using conference ID number 1398303. The telephone replay will be available for six days following the call.

Conatus Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results and Program Updates

On August 1, 2018 Conatus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq:CNAT), a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of novel medicines to treat liver disease, reported financial results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2018, and provided updates on its clinical development programs (Press release, Conatus Pharmaceuticals, AUG 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234528294]).

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Program Updates
The company is conducting three Phase 2b clinical trials in collaboration with Novartis – the EmricasaN, a Caspase inhibitOR, for Evaluation (ENCORE) trials, designed to evaluate emricasan in patients with fibrosis or cirrhosis caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH):

ENCORE-PH (for Portal Hypertension), initiated in the fourth quarter of 2016, in approximately 240 patients with compensated or early decompensated NASH cirrhosis and severe portal hypertension, with top-line results expected in the fourth quarter of 2018 followed by an integrated treatment extension period for clinical outcomes;

ENCORE-NF (for NASH Fibrosis), initiated in the first quarter of 2016, in approximately 330 patients with NASH fibrosis, with top-line results expected in the first half of 2019; and

ENCORE-LF (for Liver Function), initiated in the second quarter of 2017, in approximately 210 patients with decompensated NASH cirrhosis, with top-line results expected in the second half of 2019.
During the second quarter, the company announced completion of enrollment in the ENCORE-PH clinical trial. In addition, the company announced an oral presentation at The International Liver Congress 2018, the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), reporting reductions in bacteria-driven inflammation and related liver injury with the company’s pan-caspase inhibitor IDN-7314 in a mouse model of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

Financial Results
The net loss for the second quarter of 2018 was $4.5 million compared with $5.4 million for the second quarter of 2017. The net loss for the first six months of 2018 was $9.5 million compared with $9.0 million for the first six months of 2017.

All revenues were related to the company’s collaboration with Novartis. Total revenues were $8.8 million for the second quarter of 2018 compared with $10.0 million for the second quarter of 2017. The decrease was primarily due to lower research and development expenses resulting in corresponding lower revenues from Novartis, partially offset by the effects of adopting the ASC 606 revenue recognition standard. Total revenues were $18.5 million for the first six months of 2018 compared with $17.0 million for the first six months of 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher research and development expenses resulting in corresponding higher revenues from Novartis, and the effects of adopting the ASC 606 revenue recognition standard.

Research and development expenses were $10.7 million for the second quarter of 2018 compared with $13.2 million for the second quarter of 2017. The decrease was primarily due to lower spending related to the ENCORE-NF and ENCORE-PH clinical trials and manufacturing activities, partially offset by higher spending related to the ENCORE-LF clinical trial and new product candidate development. Research and development expenses were $22.8 million for the first six months of 2018 compared with $21.1 million for the first six months of 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher spending related to the ENCORE-LF and ENCORE-PH clinical trials and new product candidate development, partially offset by lower spending related to the ENCORE-NF clinical trial.

General and administrative expenses were $2.6 million for the second quarter of 2018 compared with $2.2 million for the second quarter of 2017. General and administrative expenses were $5.3 million for the first six months of 2018 compared with $5.0 million for the first six months of 2017. The increases in general and administrative expenses for both periods were primarily due to higher personnel costs.

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $57.7 million at June 30, 2018, compared with $74.9 million at December 31, 2017, and a projected year-end 2018 balance of between $35 million and $40 million. The company believes that current financial resources, together with the anticipated reimbursements for 50% of the costs for the ongoing clinical trials, without including any potential milestone payments under the Novartis collaboration, are sufficient to maintain operations through top-line results from the three ENCORE Phase 2b clinical trials by the end of 2019, as well as to fund initial pipeline expansion activities.

Conference Call and Audio Webcast
Conatus will host a conference call and audio webcast at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss the financial results and provide a corporate update. To access the conference call, please dial 877-312-5857 (domestic) or 970-315-0455 (international) at least five minutes prior to the start time and refer to conference ID 9853049. A live and archived audio webcast of the call will also be available in the Investors section of the Conatus website at www.conatuspharma.com.