On May 11, 2022 Black Diamond Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BDTX), a precision oncology medicine company pioneering the discovery and development of MasterKey therapies, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 and provided a corporate update (Press release, Black Diamond Therapeutics, MAY 11, 2022, View Source [SID1234614260]).

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"We continue to build a pipeline of novel MasterKey therapies with our product candidates, including BDTX-1535 and BDTX-4933, and we are focused on delivering development candidates generated from our MAP drug discovery engine as we work to address major unmet needs of oncology patients. With our recently announced pipeline prioritization and realignment of resources to strengthen our financial position, we believe Black Diamond is well-positioned for strong execution across our upcoming clinical and preclinical milestones into the third quarter of 2024," said David Epstein, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Black Diamond Therapeutics. "We are incredibly pleased with the pace at which our BDTX-1535 Phase 1 study has been advancing with the recently announced first patient dosed. This next generation brain-penetrant inhibitor of oncogenic EGFR represents a unique opportunity to potentially address existing gaps in the treatment landscape for patients with EGFR mutant NSCLC and GBM and we look forward to providing a clinical update for the program in 2023."

Recent Developments

BDTX-1535:

BDTX-1535 is designed as a potent, selective, irreversible and brain-penetrant MasterKey inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations expressed in GBM and of intrinsic and acquired resistance EGFR mutations to third generation EGFR inhibitors in NSCLC.
In April 2022, the first patient was dosed in the Phase 1, global study of BDTX-1535.
The Company expects to provide a clinical update on BDTX-1535 in 2023.
BDTX-4933:

BDTX-4933 is a brain-penetrant BRAF inhibitor against families of Class I, II, III canonical and non-canonical mutations being developed for the treatment of patients with or without brain tumors. BDTX-4933 is designed to be highly selective and potent, with the ability to avoid paradoxical activation.
Black Diamond initiated investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies in the first quarter of 2022 and expects to submit an IND application for BDTX-4933 with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the first half of 2023.
Discovery-Stage Pipeline:

Black Diamond continues to leverage its Mutation-Allostery-Pharmacology, or MAP, drug discovery engine to advance its discovery-stage pipeline and anticipates progressing its fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) program towards a development candidate nomination in 2022, in addition to disclosing a development candidate against a new target in 2023.
Corporate:

In April 2022, Black Diamond announced plans to realign its resources to prioritize research and development programs for BDTX-1535, BDTX-4933 and discovery efforts, and decided to discontinue the development of BDTX-189 and reduce its workforce by approximately 30% to extend its cash runway into the third quarter of 2024.
In March 2022, Black Diamond appointed Wendy L. Dixon, Ph.D. to its Board of Directors, who joined the Board with over 40 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience, including service as a member of the board of several publicly traded biopharmaceutical companies.
In February 2022, Black Diamond appointed Elizabeth Montgomery as its Chief People Officer, who joined the Company with nearly 20 years of expertise and experience in developing strong corporate culture at a number of life sciences organizations.
Financial Highlights

Cash Position: Black Diamond ended the first quarter of 2022 with approximately $179.7 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments compared to $209.8 million as of December 31, 2021. Net cash used in operations was $28.6 million for the first quarter of 2022 compared to $100.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Research and Development Expenses: Research and development (R&D) expenses were $17.8 million for the first quarter of 2022 compared to $22.8 million for the first quarter of 2021. The decrease in R&D expenses was primarily due to reduced activities on the BDTX-189 program and reduced spending on early discovery projects.
General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $7.9 million for the first quarter of both 2022 and 2021.
Net Loss: Net loss for the first quarter of 2022 was $25.5 million, as compared to $30.3 million for the same period in 2021.
Financial Guidance

Following the Company’s pipeline prioritization and workforce realignment announcement in April 2022, Black Diamond has extended its cash runway which is expected to be sufficient to fund its anticipated operating expenses and expenditure requirements into the third quarter of 2024.