Kenjockety Biotechnology Reports Preclinical Results for Tumor-Focused, Bispecific Antibody (BsAb) Targeting P-Glycoprotein (Pgp) and CD47 at SITC 2021 (Abstract 282)

On November 12, 2021 Kenjockety Biotechnology, Inc., an early-stage biotechnology company focused on discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of patients with drug-resistant cancers, reported new data for their lead BsAb program targeting Pgp and CD47 (Press release, Kenjockety Biotechnology, NOV 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234595527]). These data will be shared in a poster presentation at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper)’s (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 36th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

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"These results demonstrate proof-of-concept for our lead bispecific antibody which is now ready for IND enabling studies," said Robert Arathoon, PhD, Founder and CEO of Kenjockety Biotechnology. "With this novel approach we engineer bispecific antibodies to precisely target tumor but not normal cells, enabling enhanced efficacy while reducing toxicities seen with small molecules or monoclonal antibodies."

The presentation includes preclinical results demonstrating in vivo efficacy for a Pgp X CD47 BsAb, both as monotherapy and in combination with paclitaxel in multiple tumor models. Kenjockety’s unique approach enables a multi-modal mechanism of action. This is achieved by antagonizing functional aspects of both targets: inhibiting Pgp to reduce drug resistance while targeting CD47 to enhance immune attack. Additionally, Kenjockety’s results illustrate tumor-specific targeting by engineering BsAbs to have strong binding only in the presence of both targets.

"Our proprietary BASE Platform facilitates the design and engineering of new therapeutics that antagonize Efflux Pumps, like Pgp, together with immuno-oncology targets, such as CD47 or other TAAs," said Dr. Arathoon. "These therapeutics have the potential to provide significant clinical benefits for patients with a wide array of cancers."

Presentation Information

Title: Bispecific Antibodies (BsAbs) Targeting ABCB1/P-Glycoprotein (Pgp) and CD47 Provide a Multimodal, Tumor-Specific Approach to Combat Drug-Resistant Cancers

Abstract Number: 282

Date/Time: Saturday, November 13th, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Session: Poster and Exhibit Hall

Presenter: Dr. Robert Arathoon, Founder and CEO, Kenjockety Biotechnology, Inc.

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Reports Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

On November 12, 2021 Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("Verrica") (Nasdaq: VRCA), a dermatology therapeutics company developing medications for skin diseases requiring medical interventions, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021 (Press release, Verrica Pharmaceuticals, NOV 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234595518]).

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"We are pleased that the issues identified at the CMO unrelated to VP-102 have been successfully resolved, enabling us to move toward approval," said Ted White, Verrica’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "We remain confident in VP-102’s commercial potential. There is a high unmet medical need for molluscum treatments—the viral skin disease affects approximately 6 million people a year in the U.S., mostly children, and there are no FDA-approved treatments. We look forward to continuing our dialogue with the FDA on the appropriate path forward for approval of VP-102."

Mr. White continued: "In addition, we are excited to continue the expansion of our portfolio into dermatologic oncology by advancing LTX-315, an oncolytic peptide, into clinical development for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., with 5 million diagnoses of basal and squamous cell carcinomas each year. We recently submitted an IND for LTX-315 and look forward to initiating our Phase 2 trial in basal cell carcinoma in the first quarter of 2022."

Business Highlights and Recent Developments

On September 20, 2021, Verrica announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") issued a Complete Response Letter ("CRL") regarding its New Drug Application ("NDA") for VP-102 (cantharidin 0.7% Topical Solution) for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum ("molluscum"). According to the CRL, the FDA identified deficiencies at a facility of a contract manufacturing organization ("CMO"), which were not specifically related to the manufacturing of VP-102 but instead raised general quality issues at the facility. The FDA did not identify any clinical, safety or product specific Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls ("CMC") deficiencies related to VP-102. Following the CRL, on September 22, 2021 Verrica received a General Advice Letter from the FDA with recommendations to improve YCANTH’s user interface.
On November 5, 2021, Verrica was notified that the inspection of the CMO has been classified as "voluntary action indicated" ("VAI"), is now closed and that the VAI classification will not directly negatively impact FDA’s assessment of the Company’s NDA regarding this CMO. With the satisfactory resolution of the facility inspection, Verrica has engaged the FDA to determine the next steps toward the potential approval of VP-102 for the treatment of molluscum.
In October 2021, the Company submitted an Investigational New Drug Application ("IND") for LTX-315, a first-in-class oncolytic peptide, for use in basal cell carcinoma. The Company expects to initiate our Phase 2 trial in basal cell carcinoma in the first quarter of 2022.
Financial Results

Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Research and development expenses were $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared to $5.0 million for the same period in 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) and clinical costs related to Verrica’s development of VP-102 for external genital warts and common warts, partially offset by increased compensation costs.
General and administrative expenses were $8.0 million in the third quarter of 2021, compared to $4.6 million for the same period in 2020. The increase was primarily driven by increased headcount and other expenses related to pre-commercial activities for VP-102, as well as an increase in insurance, professional fees and other operating expenses.
For the third quarter of 2021, net loss on a GAAP basis was $12.8 million, or $0.47 per share, compared to a net loss of $10.5 million, or $0.42 per share, for the same period in 2020.
For the third quarter of 2021, non-GAAP net loss was $11.0 million, or $0.40 per share, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $9.0 million, or $0.36 per share, for the same period in 2020.
Year-to-Date September 2021 Financial Results

Verrica recognized license revenues of $12.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 related to the Collaboration and License Agreement with Torii Pharmaceutical Col, Ltd. There were no license revenues recognized in 2020.
Research and development expenses were $12.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $13.4 million for the same period in 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to decreased CMC and clinical costs related to Verrica’s development of VP-102 for molluscum contagiosum, external genital warts, and common warts, partially offset by a one-time $2.3 million milestone payment to Lytix Biopharma AS upon the achievement of a regulatory milestone for LTX-315.
General and administrative expenses were $21.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $14.7 million for the same period in 2020. The increase was primarily a result of expenses related to increased headcount, an increase in insurance, professional fees and other operating costs, and an increase in expenses related to pre-commercial activities for VP-102.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, net loss on a GAAP basis was $25.5 million, or $0.95 per share, compared to a net loss of $29.7 million, or $1.19 per share, for the same period in 2020.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, non-GAAP net loss was $19.8 million, or $0.73 per share, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $25.6 million, or $1.03 per share, for the same period in 2020.
As of September 30, 2021, Verrica had aggregate cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $79.5 million. The Company believes that its existing cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of September 30, 2021 will be sufficient to support planned operations into the third quarter of 2022.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In evaluating the operating performance of its business, Verrica’s management considers non-GAAP loss from operations, non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude stock-based compensation charges and non-cash interest expense that are required by GAAP. Verrica believes that non-GAAP loss from operations, non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share provides useful information to both management and investors by excluding the effect of certain non-cash expenses and items that Verrica believes may not be indicative of its operating performance, because either they are unusual and Verrica does not expect them to recur in the ordinary course of its business, or they are unrelated to the ongoing operation of the business in the ordinary course. non-GAAP loss from operations, non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results. Non-GAAP loss from operations, non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share have been reconciled to the nearest GAAP measure in the tables following the financial statements in this press release.

About VP-102

Verrica’s lead product candidate, VP-102, is a proprietary drug-device combination product that contains a GMP-controlled formulation of cantharidin (0.7% w/v) delivered via a single-use applicator that allows for precise topical dosing and targeted administration. If approved, VP-102 would be the first product approved by the FDA to treat molluscum contagiosum — a common, highly contagious skin disease that affects an estimated six million people in the United States, primarily children. VP-102 would be marketed in the United States under the conditionally accepted brand name YCANTH. In addition, Verrica has successfully completed a Phase 2 study of VP-102 for the treatment of common warts and a Phase 2 study of VP-102 for the treatment of external genital warts.

About Molluscum Contagiosum (Molluscum)

There are currently no FDA-approved treatments for molluscum, a highly contagious viral skin disease that affects approximately six million people — primarily children — in the United States. Molluscum is caused by a pox virus that produces distinctive raised, skin-toned-to-pink-colored lesions that can cause pain, inflammation, itching and bacterial infection. It is easily transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact or through fomites (objects that carry the disease like toys, towels or wet surfaces) and can spread to other parts of the body or to other people, including siblings. The lesions can be found on most areas of the body and may carry substantial social stigma. Without treatment, molluscum can last for an average of 13 months, and in some cases, up to several years.

Applied Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

On November 12, 2021 Applied Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: APLT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of novel drug candidates against validated molecular targets in indications of high unmet medical need, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021 (Press release, Applied Therapeutics, NOV 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234595517]).

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"This quarter we announced positive data in both the Galactosemia pediatric study as well as our pilot SORD Deficiency study, highlighting our execution across programs and expansion into additional indications with AT-007," said Shoshana Shendelman, PhD, CEO, Founder and Chair of the Board of Applied Therapeutics. "We are excited to launch our registrational study in SORD later this year and remain focused on preparations for our anticipated commercial launch in Galactosemia in 2022."

Recent Highlights

Reported biomarker data from pilot trial of AT-007 in SORD deficiency. In October 2021, the Company highlighted results from a pilot open-label study in 8 SORD Deficiency patients. In the study, AT-007 reduced blood sorbitol levels by approximately 66% from baseline through 30 days of treatment with a range of reduction from baseline of 54%-75%. AT-007 was safe and well tolerated in all patients. The Company plans to initiate a registrational study by the end of 2021.

Reported pediatric biomarker data from ACTION-Galactosemia Kids. In October 2021, the Company reported pediatric biomarker data from the ACTION-Galactosemia Kids study. The results demonstrated a substantial reduction in plasma galactitol of approximately 40%, which was statistically significant (p<0.001) vs. placebo. Additionally, analysis of the 47 children in the ACTION-Galactosemia Kids study demonstrated a clear correlation between baseline galactitol level and baseline clinical functional outcomes. Children with higher plasma galactitol levels displayed greater disease severity vs. children with lower plasma galactitol levels at baseline. This data is the first demonstration of correlation of a biochemical biomarker with severity of disease in Galactosemia patients. This data will be presented as a late-breaking abstract at the 14th International Congress on Inborn Errors of Metabolism (ICIEM) November 21-24, 2021.
Financial Results

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $108.8 million as of September 30, 2021, compared with $125.6 million at June 30, 2021.

Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021 were $17.6 million, compared to $19.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The decrease of $2.3 million was related to a decrease in drug manufacturing and formulation costs of $5.2 million primarily related to the completion and release of AT-001 and AT-007 drug product batches in the three months ended March 31, 2021; an increase in clinical and pre-clinical expense of $2.1 million, primarily related to the progression of the AT-007 ACTION-Galactosemia adult extension study and the AT-007 ACTION-Galactosemia Kids pediatric registrational study; an increase in personnel expenses of $0.6 million due to the increase in headcount in support of our clinical program pipeline; and an increase in regulatory and other expenses of $0.2 million.

General and administrative expenses were $10.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $10.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The increase of $0.8 million was primarily related to an increase in commercial expenses of $0.8 million related to the expansion of the commercial department; an increase in other expenses of $0.3 million relating to increased costs of rent and other office expenses; an increase in stock-based compensation of $0.2 million; an increase in insurance expenses of $0.1 million related to increased insurance costs; and a decrease in legal and professional fees $0.6 million due to lower external legal fees.

Net loss for the third quarter of 2021 was $28.4 million, or $1.09 per basic and diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $29.8 million, or $1.33 per basic and diluted common share, for the third quarter 2020.

HCW Biologics Reports Third Quarter Financial Results and Recent Business Highlights

On November 12, 2021 HCW Biologics Inc. (the "Company" or "HCW Biologics") (NASDAQ: HCWB), an innovative biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel immunotherapies to lengthen health span by disrupting the link between chronic, low-grade inflammation and age-related diseases, reported recent business highlights and financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2021 (Press release, HCW Biologics, NOV 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234595516]).

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"The third quarter of 2021 and recent weeks were an important period for HCW Biologics and our strategy to build a pipeline of first-in-class immunotherapeutic treatments for age-related diseases," stated Hing C. Wong, Ph.D., founder and CEO of HCW Biologics Inc. "The third quarter provided bookends to what has been a busy time for the Company. In July, we closed our initial public offering and subsequently listed our common stock on Nasdaq. The Company has never been on stronger financial footing, and we believe we now have capital resources sufficient to fund our operations into 2023. During the third quarter, we filed our first IND to evaluate our lead bifunctional molecule, HCW9218, in a pancreatic cancer trial. We completed the regulatory review shortly after the end of the third quarter, and we announced FDA clearance for the Phase 1b clinical trial on October 28, 2021."

Business Highlights:

On July 22, 2021, HCW Biologics closed on its IPO, raising $56 million in gross proceeds. The net proceeds of the offering and the Company’s existing cash and cash equivalents are sufficient to fund operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2023.

HCW Biologics was added to S&P Total Market Index (TMI) on September 20, 2021.

The Company expanded its Board of Directors with the addition of two new independent directors in October 2021, Lisa M. Giles and Gary M. Winer. Ms. Giles has extensive experience in pharmaceutical, diagnostic, device, and other healthcare industries. She held senior leadership positions in strategic planning, operations, and commercial planning. In addition, she brings a wealth of corporate governance experience, having served as a board member for several public companies. Mr. Winer has led and built successful, multinational businesses in the biopharma and diagnostic healthcare sectors as a Chief Executive Officer or President, including senior leadership positions with AbbVie and Abbott. He brings valuable insights and experience for operations as well as support and advice for strategic transactions.

On October 28, 2021, HCW Biologics announced that it received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for a Phase 1b first-in-human clinical trial to evaluate HCW9218 in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The Company is in discussions with several leading National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers as potential clinical trial sites. Discussions are simultaneously underway with a research facility to sponsor an IND for a second, investigator-initiated trial to evaluate HCW9218 in patients with solid tumors (breast, ovarian, prostate, and colorectal cancers).

HCW Biologics continues IND-enabling studies involving HCW9302, its second lead investigational drug candidate. The Company expects to complete FDA-required preclinical studies in mice by the end of 2021 and non-clinical toxicology studies in non-human primates in the second half of 2022. HCW9302 is an IL-2-based immunotherapeutic designed to stimulate regulatory T (Treg) cells to suppress the activity of inflammasome-bearing cells and inflammatory factors. HCW Biologics intends to evaluate HCW9302 in autoimmune diseases.

The HCW Biologics’ founder and CEO, Dr. Hing C. Wong, has accepted invitations to present at two noted industry events. Dr. Wong will present at the BioFlorida Annual Conference taking place on December 8-10, 2021, in Orlando, Florida, where he will participate in the featured session, "New Strategies in the Fight Against Cancer." Dr. Wong will also lead a presentation during the Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 24th Annual PepTalk taking place on January 17-19, 2022, in San Diego, California. His presentation, entitled "A Novel Platform to Create Multi-functional Immunotherapies for Cancer," will focus on the TOBI discovery platform and HCW9218.

The Company continues to expand its intellectual property portfolio through filing provisional U.S. applications based upon new research, filing non-U.S. national stage phase patent applications, and filing U.S. trademark applications. As of September 30, 2021, HCW Biologics is the owner of record of 60 pending patent applications worldwide, including 11 pending U.S. utility patent applications, two pending provisional U.S. patent applications, seven pending PCT applications, 36 pending non-U.S. national phase patent applications, and four pending Hong Kong patent applications. The Company also owns five U.S. trademark applications related to its corporate name and logo, and the TOBITM platform.
Third Quarter Financial Results:

Cash and cash equivalents: On September 30, 2021, the Company’s cash balance was $15.1 million, short-term investments were $25.0 million and long-term investments were $10.0 million. The net proceeds from the IPO were $49.0 million. The Company estimates that it has sufficient cash to fund operations and capital expenditures into 2023. This estimated cash runway does not include potential sources of non-dilutive financing, which may be obtained from existing or new out-licensing agreements.

Research and development (R&D) expenses: R&D expenses were $2.7 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $2.1 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020. Higher costs in the third quarter of 2021 were primarily the result of higher manufacturing and IND-enabling activity costs. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, R&D expenses were $6.7 million versus $5.8 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020. The 14% increase in expense was driven primarily by an increase in IND-enabling and preclinical activities.

General and administrative expenses (G&A): G&A expenses were $1.4 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $0.6 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020. This reflects an increase in compensation expense including salaries, performance-based bonuses and board compensation, and an increase in certain operating expenses including higher insurance costs, professional fees, and legal services expenses. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, G&A expenses were $3.6 million versus $2.0 million for the same period ended September 30, 2020. The 75% increase was primarily driven by an increase in expenses for salaries, performance-based bonuses, employee benefits, professional fees, and other expenses.

Net loss: Net loss was $4.1 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $2.7 million for the three-months ended September 30, 2020. For the nine-months ended September 30, 2021, net loss was $9.7 million, compared to $7.9 million for the same period in the prior year.
About the TOBI platform:
HCW Biologics has combined deep understanding of disease-related immunology with its expertise in advanced protein engineering to develop the TOBI discovery platform. The TOBI platform is a proprietary immunotherapeutic drug design and discovery platform. The Company has utilized this modular, tunable technology to generate a novel pipeline of immunotherapeutic candidates capable of activating and targeting desired immune responses while blocking unwanted immunosuppressive activities. The balancing of these two activities is believed to be the key to developing immunotherapeutic agents that will be safe, well tolerated and efficacious.

PMV Pharmaceuticals Reports Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Corporate Highlights

On November 12, 2021 PMV Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PMVP), a clinical-stage oncology company pioneering the discovery and development of small molecule therapies designed to activate p53 function, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021 and provided corporate highlights (Press release, PMV Pharma, NOV 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234595515]).

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"We made important progress in the third quarter of 2021 as we advanced the clinical development of our lead candidate, PC14586, an investigational small molecule p53 Y220C reactivator, and strengthened our corporate foundation to ensure that we have the talent and resources in place to support our future success," said David Mack, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of PMV Pharma. "Our ongoing Phase 1/2 trial of PC14586 is progressing well, with twelve sites at leading oncology centers, and we expect to present data from the study in the first half of next year."

Corporate Highlights and Guidance

Data from the Phase 1 portion of the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of PC14586, the Company’s first-in-class, tumor-agnostic, investigational small molecule p53 Y220C reactivator, in patients with advanced solid tumors that harbor a p53 Y220C mutation (NCT04585750) are expected in the first half of 2022
Appointed Tim Smith as Senior Vice President, Head of Corporate Development. Prior to joining PMV Pharma, Mr. Smith was Chief Business Officer of Verseau Therapeutics. He has held senior business development leadership roles at IDEAYA Biosciences, Cleave Biosciences, and Celgene Corporation. He spent his early career in equity research covering the biotechnology sector at RBC Capital Markets, Lazard Capital Markets, and Citi Research. Mr. Smith holds a B.S. in biology from the University of Texas at Arlington, an MBA in finance from Fordham University and an M.A. in biotechnology from Columbia University.
Strong cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities position of $326.3 million as of September 30, 2021 sufficient to support execution of clinical, research and operational goals through the end of 2023.
Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

PMV Pharma ended the third quarter with $326.3 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, compared to $361.4 million as of December 31, 2020. Net cash used in operations was $34.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to $22.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $39.5 million compared to $24.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $24.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to $17.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in R&D expenses was primarily due to increased headcount and clinical expenses related to development of PC14586, the Company’s lead drug candidate.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $15.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to $6.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in G&A expenses was primarily due to costs relating to building the infrastructure necessary to operate as a public company.
About p53

p53 plays a pivotal role in preventing abnormal cells from becoming a tumor by inducing programmed cell death. Mutant p53 takes on oncogenic properties that endow cancer cells with a growth advantage and resistance to anti-cancer therapy. The p53 Y220C mutation is associated with many cancers, including but not limited to breast, non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers.

About PC14586

PC14586 is a first-in-class, small molecule, p53 reactivator designed to selectively bind to the crevice present in the p53 Y220C mutant protein, hence, restoring the wild-type, or normal, p53 protein structure and tumor suppressing function. PC14586 is being developed for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors that have the p53 Y220C mutation and has been granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. FDA.