On May 13, 2025 Kezar Life Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: KZR), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel small molecule therapeutics to treat unmet needs in immune-mediated diseases, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, and provided a business update (Press release, Kezar Life Sciences, MAY 13, 2025, View Source [SID1234652974]).

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"We shared exciting results this quarter from the PORTOLA trial, the first successful randomized study in treatment-refractory AIH," said Chris Kirk, CEO and co-founder of Kezar. "There has been almost no change over the last three decades in the treatment of this serious chronic disease, and patients and physicians are in need of new and effective therapies. We are encouraged by the promising safety and efficacy data in this difficult-to-treat patient population, in particular the durable and steroid-sparing remissions observed in patients treated with zetomipzomib. We continue to respond to the FDA Division of Hepatology and Nutrition on the partial clinical hold and are working toward achieving alignment on an appropriate trial design to demonstrate the clinical benefit of zetomipzomib in AIH."
Zetomipzomib: Selective Immunoproteasome Inhibitor
PORTOLA – Phase 2a clinical trial of zetomipzomib in patients with AIH (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05569759)
•In March, Kezar reported topline results from the PORTOLA Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating zetomipzomib in patients with autoimmune hepatitis. In relapsed AIH patients who entered screening on steroid-based therapy, 36% (5 of 14) of zetomipzomib-treated patients achieved a complete biochemical response (CR) and clinically significant steroid taper to 5 mg/day or less, compared to 0 of 7 of placebo patients. In the intention-to-treat (ITT) population, 31% (5 of 16) of zetomipzomib patients achieved a CR and steroid taper (5 mg/day or less), compared to 1 of 8 placebo patients. The median duration of response in zetomipzomib patients achieving a CR was 27.6 weeks (including the ongoing open-label extension at the time of the data cutoff), and no disease flares were reported in any zetomipzomib-treated patient achieving CR during study. A favorable safety profile was observed during the 6-month blinded treatment period.

•Kezar is responding to the information request from the FDA Division of Hepatology and Nutrition to resolve the partial clinical hold on the PORTOLA Phase 2a clinical trial.

PALIZADE – Phase 2b clinical trial of zetomipzomib in patients with active lupus nephritis (LN) (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05781750)
•In February, Kezar presented an update from the PALIZADE Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating zetomipzomib in patients with active LN. At the time of study termination, no patients had completed the full 52 weeks of treatment. Of the 12 patients receiving 60 mg of zetomipzomib who reached week 25, 42% achieved a urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) of 0.5 or less, and the median UPCR was reduced by 79% from baseline. Marked improvements in serologic markers were observed in patients who received a 60 mg dose of zetomipzomib.
•In October 2024, Kezar made the strategic decision following a clinical hold by the FDA to terminate PALIZADE and focus the clinical development of zetomipzomib in AIH.
Financial Results
•Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $114.4 million as of March 31, 2025, compared to $132.2 million as of December 31, 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to cash used in operations.
•Research and development (R&D) expenses for the first quarter of 2025 decreased by $5.0 million to $12.2 million, compared to $17.2 million in the first quarter of 2024. This decrease was primarily due to the decreased clinical activities resulting from the Company’s strategic decision to terminate the PALIZADE trial in October 2024, a decrease in manufacturing expense related to the timing of drug manufacturing runs and a decrease in facility related expenses.
•General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the first quarter of 2025 decreased by $1.1 million to $5.4 million compared to $6.5 million in the first quarter of 2024. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in legal and professional service expenses and non-cash stock-based compensation.
•Net loss for the first quarter of 2025 was $16.6 million, or $2.27 per basic and diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $21.7 million, or $2.98 per basic and diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2024.
•Total shares of common stock outstanding were 7.3 million shares as of March 31, 2025.
About PORTOLA
PORTOLA is a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of zetomipzomib in patients with AIH that are insufficiently responding to standard of care or have relapsed from a previous CR. The trial enrolled 24 patients, randomized (2:1) to receive 60 mg of zetomipzomib or placebo in addition to background therapy for 24 weeks, with a protocol-suggested steroid taper. All patients were required to receive a starting daily steroid dose of 20-40 mg/day of prednisone (or budesonide equivalent) and physicians were encouraged to taper daily steroid usage to 5 mg/day consistent with AIH treatment guidelines established by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). The primary efficacy endpoint of PORTOLA, which was not powered for efficacy, evaluated the proportion of patients who achieved a CR by Week 24, measured as normalization of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) values (if elevated at baseline), with steroid dose levels not higher than baseline. A key secondary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved a CR by Week 24 with a steroid dose of 5 mg/day or less.

On May 13, 2025 iTeos Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ITOS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the discovery and development of a new generation of immuno-oncology therapeutics for patients, reported topline results from an updated interim analysis of GALAXIES Lung-201, the Phase 2 platform study sponsored by iTeos’ development partner GSK assessing the belrestotug + dostarlimab doublet in previously untreated, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic PD-L1 high non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (Press release, iTeos Therapeutics, MAY 13, 2025, View Source [SID1234652972]).

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The GALAXIES Lung-201 data continued to demonstrate clinically meaningful improvements in the trial’s primary endpoint of objective response rate (ORR), however the analysis did not meet established criteria for clinically meaningful improvements in the secondary endpoint of progression free survival in the belrestotug + dostarlimab combination cohorts versus dostarlimab monotherapy. Additionally, an interim analysis of the GALAXIES H&N-202 Phase 2 trial showed a trend below the meaningful threshold for ORR in the belrestotug combination cohorts vs. dostarlimab monotherapy in PD-L1 positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Based on these results, iTeos and GSK have made the decision to terminate the belrestotug development program and end the collaboration. All belrestotug-containing cohorts are ending, and any new enrollment in the ongoing GALAXIES Lung-301 Phase 3 trial is ending. GSK is communicating with investigators, institutional review boards, ethics committees, and health authorities about next steps for appropriate management of currently enrolled patients.

"We are truly disappointed by the results from GALAXIES Lung-201," said Michel Detheux, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of iTeos. "Following the analysis of the TIGIT data generated to-date with GSK, we have made the mutual decision to discontinue development of all ongoing TIGIT studies. We are grateful to all patients, caregivers, and investigators involved in the GALAXIES studies and believe it is important to share these data with the scientific community at an upcoming medical meeting in order to advance our collective understanding of immuno-oncology and TIGIT."

"Since founding this company over a decade ago, I could not be prouder of the team we have built, the quality of science produced, and our collective commitment to improving the lives of cancer patients in need. However, given current market conditions and our appreciation of the responsibility to our valued shareholders, we believe the best path forward is to promptly evaluate a full range of strategic alternatives to unlock the value of our assets. With a strong balance sheet and a commitment to disciplined execution, we are well positioned to pursue opportunities that maximize shareholder value," continued Dr. Detheux.

On May 13, 2025 Intensity Therapeutics, Inc. ("Intensity" or "the Company") (Nasdaq: INTS), a late-stage clinical biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of proprietary, novel immune-based intratumoral cancer therapies designed to kill tumors and increase immune system recognition of cancers, reported first quarter 2025 financial results and provides a corporate update (Press release, Intensity Therapeutics, MAY 13, 2025, View Source [SID1234652971]).

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Corporate Update

INVINCIBLE-4 Study: Phase 2 randomized open-label, multicenter study to analyze the clinical activity, safety, and tolerability of INT230-6 given before administration of the standard of care ("SOC") treatment in patients with early-stage, operable triple-negative breast cancer ("TNBC") and SOC alone. The primary endpoint is the change in the pathological complete response rate for the combination compared to the SOC alone. The INVINCIBLE-4 Study is recruiting patients in Switzerland and is expected to enroll 54 patients across Switzerland and France.

In April 2025, the Company and The Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research SAKK, a decentralized academic research institute that has been conducting clinical trials of cancer treatments in all major Swiss hospitals since 1965, announced that the European Medicines Agency has authorized the initiation of the INVINCIBLE-4 Study in France in collaboration with Unicancer. The Unicancer French breast intergroup (UCBG) is the French referent cooperative group in breast cancer. The French National Cancer Institute (INCa) accredited the group in 2013, thus acknowledging its academic excellence and operational capability. Since its creation, the group has conducted more than 40 national and international multicenter clinical trials, as well as various translational research projects.

INVINCIBLE-3 Study: Phase 3 open-label, randomized study testing INT230-6 as monotherapy compared to the SOC drugs in second and third line treatment for certain soft tissue sarcoma subtypes. The INVINCIBLE-3 Study is expected to enroll 333 patients and initiate sites in eight countries. This study has been authorized by the US FDA, Health Canada, the European Medicines Authority (for France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain), and Australia’s Therapeutics Goods Administration. The primary endpoint in the INVINCIBLE-3 Study is overall survival.

In March 2025, the Company paused new site activations and patient enrollments due to funding constraints, and prioritized funding for the INVINCIBLE-4 Study. Prior to this pause, the trial had enrolled 23 patients. The Company will continue to treat all patients enrolled in this study in cooperation with its third-party contract research organizations to reduce ongoing costs during this pause.

April 2025 Public Offering: In April 2025, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with certain institutional investors participating in a public offering and raised an aggregate of $2.35 million, with net proceeds after deducting the fees and expenses of approximately $1.9 million.

"The first quarter saw continued progress in our important programs despite high volatility in the markets and funding constraints," stated Lewis H. Bender, Intensity Founder, President, and CEO. "Several patients in our sarcoma study had their first follow-up scans, which showed high levels of necrosis in the injected tumors. Site contracting, site activation and patient enrollment were increasing nicely. However, due to cash needs, we made the necessary decision to pause the Phase 3 sarcoma enrollment and site activation until additional funding becomes available. We are working closely with our vendors and sites to treat those patients enrolled in INVINCIBLE-3, while maintaining the pharmacovigilance, site monitoring and the study database. Meanwhile, our partners SAKK and Unicancer will continue to work with the leading hospitals in Switzerland and France to seek patients for our breast cancer trial, INVINCIBLE-4. We believe in the potential for our drug to positively impact the lives of metastatic sarcoma and presurgical breast cancer patients worldwide. As cancer deaths increase, new and improved alternatives to current therapies are needed now more than ever."

First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Research and development expenses were $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $2.8 million for the same period in 2024. Clinical trial expenses increased marginally by $0.1 million due to the ongoing site initiations and patient enrollment of the INVINCIBLE-03 Study. Contract manufacturing costs declined by $0.2 million, as there were no manufacturing batches of INT230-6 in the first quarter of 2025. In addition, stock-based compensation was $0.4 million lower as no new equity grants were awarded in the first quarter of 2025.

General and administrative expenses were $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $1.9 million for the same period in 2024. Legal, audit and other expenses decreased as a result of cost saving from the integration of new systems in the administrative areas. In addition, stock-based compensation was $0.3 million lower as no new equity grants were awarded in the first quarter of 2025.

Overall, net loss was $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to a net loss of $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

As of March 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents totaled $0.9 million.

About INT230-6
INT230-6, Intensity’s lead proprietary investigational product candidate, is designed for direct intratumoral injection. INT230-6 was discovered using Intensity’s proprietary DfuseRx℠ technology platform. The drug is comprised of two proven, potent anti-cancer agents, cisplatin and vinblastine, and a penetration enhancer molecule (SHAO) that helps disperse potent cytotoxic drugs throughout tumors for diffusion into cancer cells. These agents remain in the tumor, resulting in a favorable safety profile. In addition to local disease control and direct tumor killing, INT230-6 causes a release of a bolus of neoantigens specific to the malignancy, leading to immune system engagement and systemic anti-tumor effects. Importantly, these effects are mediated without immunosuppression which often occurs with systemic chemotherapy.

On May 13, 2025 Instil Bio, Inc. ("Instil") (Nasdaq: TIL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a pipeline of novel therapies, reported its first quarter 2025 financial results and provided a corporate update (Press release, Instil Bio, MAY 13, 2025, View Source [SID1234652970]).

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Recent Highlights:

ImmuneOnco’s Phase 1b/2 trial of AXN-2510/IMM2510 in combination with chemotherapy in 1L NSCLC in China is ongoing and ImmuneOnco anticipates initial clinical data from first-line NSCLC patients in 2H 2025.
U.S. clinical study of AXN-2510/IMM2510 in combination with chemotherapy in 1L NSCLC anticipated to commence before the end of 2025: Instil anticipates initiating a U.S. clinical trial of AXN-2510/IMM2510 in combination with chemotherapy for 1L NSCLC patients before the end of 2025, assuming the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained.
First Quarter 2025 Financial and Operating Results:

As of March 31, 2025, Instil had $111.8 million in total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, marketable securities and long-term investments, which consisted of $15.4 million in cash and cash equivalents, approximately $1.0 million in restricted cash, $88.3 million in marketable securities and $7.2 million in long-term investments, compared to $115.1 million in total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities, which consisted of $8.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, $1.8 million in restricted cash, and $104.5 million in marketable securities, as of December 31, 2024. Instil expects that its cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and long-term investments as of March 31, 2025 will enable it to fund its current operating plan beyond 2026.

Research and development expenses were $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $7.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

General and administrative expenses were $9.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $12.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Restructuring and impairment charges were $16.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Net loss per share, basic and diluted were $4.32 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $3.74 for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Non-GAAP net loss per share, basic and diluted were $1.32 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to $2.39 for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this press release, Instil has presented certain financial information that has not been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). These non-GAAP financial measures include non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share, which are defined as net loss and net loss per share, respectively, excluding non-cash stock-based compensation expense and restructuring and impairment charges. Instil believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with the GAAP figures, can enhance an overall understanding of Instil’s financial performance. The non-GAAP financial measures are included with the intent of providing investors with a more complete understanding of Instil’s operating results. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are among the indicators Instil’s management uses for planning purposes and to measure Instil’s performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP financial measures used by Instil may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Please refer to the below reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures.

On May 13, 2025 INOVIO (NASDAQ: INO), a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing DNA medicines to help treat and protect people from HPV-related diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2025 and provided an update on recent company developments (Press release, Inovio, MAY 13, 2025, View Source [SID1234652969]).

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"I’m pleased to confirm that we remain on track to submit our BLA for INO-3107 this year. As previously stated, our goal is to begin rolling submission in mid-2025, complete the submission in the second half of 2025 and receive file acceptance from the FDA by year end. If we receive priority review, it could allow for a PDUFA date in mid-2026," said Dr. Jacqueline Shea, INOVIO’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "We continue to focus our efforts and resources toward bringing this important product candidate to patients eager for a non-surgical therapeutic option to treat this devastating disease. Based on market research, we believe INO-3107 could be the preferred product for patients and providers, if approved. Beyond INO-3107, we are excited about the recently announced promising data from a proof-of-concept Phase 1 clinical trial with our next-generation DMAb technology, as well as the potential of our entire DNA medicines pipeline."

Operational Highlights

INO-3107 – Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP)
The DV testing for INO-3107 has been initiated and is anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2025. INOVIO plans to begin rolling submission of the BLA in mid-2025 under FDA’s accelerated approval program, subject to FDA concurrence, with the goal of completing the submission in the second half of 2025 and receiving FDA acceptance of the submission by the end of the year. FDA has previously awarded breakthrough therapy designation for INO-3107 and INOVIO plans to request priority review of its BLA, which if granted would allow for an FDA approval decision (PDUFA date) in mid-2026.

INOVIO is conducting ongoing market research with physicians, patients and payors to support its commercial readiness plans. Additionally, clinical and immunology data from a Phase 1/2 trial was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Nature Communications in February 2025 and longer-term follow up data was submitted to another peer-reviewed journal for publication. INOVIO has presented key efficacy, safety, immunological and durability data from the Phase 1/2 trial at a number of scientific conferences, including the following:

National HPV Conference (April 15)
World Vaccine Congress (April 21)
Festival of Biologics (April 23)
European Laryngological Society (ELS) Annual Congress (May 9)
American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (May 13)
On May 14th INOVIO will also be presenting at the American Broncho-Esophagological Association Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting (ABEA/COSM), the largest US national meeting for otolaryngologists, the specialist physicians who treat the majority of RRP patients.

Available abstracts are posted to INOVIO’s website following presentations.

DNA-Encoded Monoclonal Antibodies (DMAbs)
In the first quarter, INOVIO and its collaborators announced top-line interim results from an ongoing Phase 1 proof-of-concept trial evaluating its DMAb technology. Additional data from this trial will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy in May. The data is also anticipated to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. As previously announced, the interim results are currently available in preprint form on Research Square. In the trial, which used monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19 as proof-of-concept targets, 100% (24/24) of participants who reached week 72 maintained biologically relevant levels of DMAbs, confirming the durability of in vivo antibody production. Notably, no participant developed anti-drug antibodies, a common challenge observed in other gene-based delivery platforms, such as adeno-associated virus-mediated antibody expression.

First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2025, decreased to $16.1 million from $20.9 million for the same period in 2024. The decrease was primarily the result of lower drug manufacturing and immunology expenses related to INO-3107, lower contract labor expenses and lower expensed inventory, partially offset by higher engineering professional and outside services related to our device development, among other variances.

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses decreased to $9.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $10.6 million for the same period in 2024. The decrease was primarily related to a decrease in legal expenses and employee and consultant stock-based compensation, among other variances.

Total Operating Expenses: Total operating expenses decreased to $25.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 from $31.5 million for the same period in 2024.

Net Loss: Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2025 decreased to $19.7 million, or $0.51 per basic and diluted share, from a net loss of $30.5 million, or $1.31 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Shares Outstanding: As of March 31, 2025, INOVIO had 36.7 million common shares outstanding and 51.3 million common shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis, after giving effect to the exercise, vesting, and conversion, as applicable, of its outstanding common stock warrants, including pre-funded warrants and stock options, restricted stock units and convertible preferred stock.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments: As of March 31, 2025, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $68.4 million, compared to $94.1 million as of December 31, 2024.
INOVIO’s balance sheet and statement of operations are provided below. Additional information is included in INOVIO’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, which can be accessed at: View Source

Cash Guidance
INOVIO estimates its current cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments balances to support the company’s operations into the first quarter of 2026. This projection includes an operational net cash burn estimate of approximately $22 million for the second quarter of 2025. These projections do not include any further capital-raising activities that INOVIO may undertake.

Conference Call / Webcast Information
INOVIO’s management will host a live conference call and webcast with slides at 4:30 p.m. ET today to discuss INOVIO’s financial results and provide a general business update. The live webcast and replay may be accessed by visiting INOVIO’s website at View Source