On November 25, 2024 BioLineRx Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: BLRX), a development stage biopharmaceutical company pursuing life-changing therapies in oncology and rare diseases, reported its unaudited financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, and provided updates on strategic actions designed to drive shareholder value (Press release, BioLineRx, NOV 25, 2024, View Source [SID1234648603]).

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"The license agreement for APHEXDA that we announced last week was made possible by the tremendous work of our commercial team, who through their hard work proved the significant value that APHEXDA can bring to transplant centers and patients," said Philip Serlin, Chief Executive Officer of BioLineRx. "Our launch progress attracted Ayrmid, who will now, through Gamida Cell, continue to build on the strong commercial foundation that has been laid. We would like to thank our employees for their outstanding contributions to APHEXDA growth and expect this innovative product to reach even more patients with the additional resources from Ayrmid.

"Looking forward, our streamlined and nimble company has a new financial foundation supported by sales royalties and potential milestone payments, which will allow our experienced team to develop important new therapies in rare disease and oncology that address areas with high unmet need. We will also focus on advancing our motixafortide PDAC program through existing collaborations that require de-minimis investment. Through this strategy, we anticipate delivering near- and long-term value for our shareholders," Mr. Serlin concluded.

Corporate Updates

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Executed license agreement with Ayrmid Ltd. to develop and commercialize APHEXDA (motixafortide) in all indications except solid tumors, and across all territories except Asia

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License agreement included a $10 million upfront payment, up to $87 million in potential commercial milestones, and royalties on net sales ranging from 18% to 23%

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BioLineRx will supply motixafortide on a cost-plus basis, for both commercial and development supply

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Certain members of the BioLineRx U.S.-based commercial organization will be transitioned to Ayrmid Pharma Ltd.

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Received $9 million equity investment from certain funds managed by Highbridge Capital Management, LLC, to support BioLineRx’s pipeline expansion

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Operating expense run-rate expected to decrease by more than 70% beginning January 1, 2025 through APHEXDA commercial program transfer and additional headcount reductions

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Company intends to evaluate additional asset opportunities in 2025, with a focus on early-stage clinical programs in oncology or rare diseases that address major areas of unmet need

Financial Updates

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Executed repayment and restructuring agreement with BlackRock EMEA Venture and Growth Lending to repay $16.5 million of approximately $29 million in total debt due; remaining balance will be paid over the next three years at the existing fixed annual interest rate of 9.5 percent

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As of September 30, 2024, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term bank deposits of $29.2 million

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Following the out-license to Ayrmid, the equity investment from Highbridge and the debt repayment to Blackrock, the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits are expected to be approximately $20 million, which management believes will be sufficient to fund operations into 2026, as currently planned

APHEXDA Launch Updates

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Aphexda achieved 10 percent market share milestone of total CXCR4 inhibitor usage in the U.S., which compares APHEXDA to branded MOZOBIL and generic plerixafor in all indications

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Institutions ordering APHEXDA increased by 40 percent in the third quarter

Clinical Portfolio Updates
Motixafortide

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (mPDAC)

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Continued enrollment in the CheMo4METPANC Phase 2b clinical trial collaboration with Columbia University. In addition to Columbia, patient enrollment has begun at Brown University, and three additional sites are anticipated to begin enrollment over the next two quarters. Full enrollment in the randomized trial targeting 108 patients is anticipated in 2027, with a prespecified interim futility analysis planned when 40% of PFS events are observed

Multiple Myeloma

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Collaboration partner Gloria Biosciences’ stem cell mobilization bridging study IND was filed and approved by the Center for Drug Evaluation of the National Medical Products Administration in China. Anticipate initiation of pivotal clinical trial in 1H 2025

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Gloria Biosciences has received regulatory approval to commercialize APHEXDA in the Boao Region of China and Macao, areas in Asia that do not require a bridging study

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) & Gene Therapy

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Announced oral presentation at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) 2024 on initial results from a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating motixafortide as monotherapy and in combination with natalizumab for CD34+ hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) mobilization for gene therapies in sickle cell disease (SCD). Sponsored by investigators at Washington University in St. Louis, the findings from this proof-of-concept study suggest motixafortide alone, and in combination with natalizumab, could support the collection of the large number of stem cells required by gene therapies for sickle cell disease within a single apheresis cycle. The presentation will occur at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting & Exposition taking place December 7-10, 2024, in San Diego, California

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

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Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $4.9 million. The Company did not record any revenue during the third quarter of 2023. Revenue for the quarter reflects a portion of the upfront payment from the Gloria Biosciences license, which amounted to $3.2 million, as well as $1.7 million of net revenue from product sales of APHEXDA in the U.S.

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Cost of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $0.8 million. The Company did not record any cost of revenue during the third quarter of 2023. Cost of revenue for the quarter primarily reflects the amortization of intangible assets, royalties on net product sales of APHEXDA in the U.S., and cost of goods sold on product sales

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Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024 were $2.6 million, compared to $2.7 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease resulted primarily from lower expenses related to the termination of the development of AGI-134 and a decrease in payroll and share-based compensation

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Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024 were $5.5 million, compared to $8.1 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease resulted primarily from lower expenses of commercialization activities related to motixafortide. The higher expenses in the corresponding period of 2023 reflect the ramp-up of pre-commercialization activities related to motixafortide

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General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024 were $1.4 million, compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease resulted primarily from small decreases in a number of G&A expenses

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Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $5.8 million, compared to net loss of $16.0 million for the same period in 2023. The net loss for the 2024 period included $0.8 million in non-operating income, compared to non-operating expenses of $3.1 million for the same period in 2023, both primarily related to non-cash revaluation of warrants

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As of September 30, 2024, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term bank deposits of $29.2 million.

Third Quarter Results Conference Call and Webcast
BioLineRx will report its third quarter 2024 results on November 25, 2024. To access the conference call, please dial +1-888-281-1167 from the U.S. or +972-3-918-0685 internationally. A live webcast and a replay of the call can be accessed through the event page on the Company’s website. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download any necessary software to listen to the live broadcast. The call replay will be available approximately two hours after completion of the live conference call. A dial-in replay of the call will be available until November 27, 2024; please dial +1-888-295-2634 from the US or +972-3-925-5904 internationally.