On May 13, 2021 C4 Therapeutics, Inc. (C4T) (Nasdaq: CCCC), a biopharmaceutical company pioneering a new class of small-molecule medicines that selectively destroy disease-causing proteins through degradation, reported business highlights and financial results for the first quarter of 2021 (Press release, C4 Therapeutics, MAY 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234579933]).
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"C4T continues to build momentum following FDA clearance of our IND application for our lead candidate, CFT7455, a MonoDAC protein degrader for the treatment of hematologic malignancies," said Andrew Hirsch, chief executive officer at C4 Therapeutics. "After presenting compelling preclinical data for CFT7455 in multiple myeloma at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper), we are excited to share our preclinical work in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the upcoming ICML meeting. Our team has also successfully completed site initiation activities to enable patient enrollment in our CFT7455 Phase 1/2 clinical trial and we are on track to begin dosing patients this quarter. In tandem, we continue to invest in our TORPEDO platform and advance our emerging pipeline with the goal of delivering four clinical-stage programs by year-end 2022. This includes submission of our second IND application to the FDA for CFT8634, a BiDAC protein degrader targeting BRD9 for synovial sarcoma and SMARCB1-deleted tumors, which is anticipated by year-end 2021."
FIRST QUARTER 2021 AND RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
Presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2021: In April 2021, C4T presented preclinical data for CFT7455, C4T’s lead MonoDAC degrader, targeting IKZF1/3 for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. The in vitro results presented confirmed that treatment with CFT7455 results in deep, rapid degradation of IKZF1/3 proteins, generating apoptotic cell death. In mouse xenograft models of IMiD-insensitive multiple myeloma, preclinical data further established CFT7455 as a highly potent, catalytic degrader of IKZF1/3, capable of generating anti-tumor activity as a single agent and in combination with dexamethasone. These results, which support clinical evaluation of CFT7455 in multiple myeloma and other hematologic malignancies, were delivered as a late-breaking oral presentation during the first session of the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2021.
Secured IND Clearance for CFT7455: In January 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared C4T’s first investigational new drug (IND) application for CFT7455 for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.
UPCOMING KEY MILESTONES
Initiate a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for CFT7455 in 1H 2021. The Phase 1/2 clinical trial will be an open-label, two-part dose escalation and expansion study evaluating CFT7455 across multiple hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma and various non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, including peripheral T cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma. The trial will primarily assess safety and tolerability, with key secondary objectives to characterize the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile and anti-tumor activity of CFT7455.
Submit an IND application for CFT8634 in 2H 2021. CFT8634 is an orally bioavailable BiDAC degrader targeting BRD9 for the treatment of synovial sarcoma and SMARCB1-deleted solid tumors.
Advance the BRAF program into IND-enabling studies in 2021. The objective of the BRAF program is to develop an orally bioavailable BiDAC degrader targeting BRAF V600E mutations for the treatment of genetically defined solid tumors, including locally advanced or metastatic melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The BRAF program is partnered with Roche.
Advance the RET program into IND-enabling studies in 2021. The objective of the RET program is to develop an orally bioavailable BiDAC degrader targeting genetically altered RET for the treatment of solid tumors, including relapsed or refractory NSCLC and sporadic medullary thyroid cancers that are resistant to RET inhibitors.
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 26, 2021 – C4T will participate in the UBS Global Healthcare Conference
June 1, 2021 – C4T will participate in the Jefferies Healthcare Conference
June 18-22, 2021 – C4T will present pre-clinical data on CFT7455 in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the 16th Annual ICML meeting. CFT7455 is a novel, IKZF1/3 MonoDAC degrader that has demonstrated potent tumor regression in a spectrum of NHL xenograft models.
FIRST QUARTER 2021 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Revenue: Total revenue for the first quarter of 2021 was $7.4 million, compared to $6.8 million for the first quarter of 2020. Total revenue reflects revenue recognized under collaboration agreements with Roche, Biogen and Calico. The increase in revenue was primarily due to additional progress made on our targets under the Biogen collaboration agreement.
Research and Development (R&D) Expense: R&D expense for the first quarter of 2021 was $20.5 million, compared to $16.3 million for the first quarter of 2020. The increase in R&D expense was primarily attributable to higher preclinical costs related to our lead programs and increased workforce expenses to support our growing clinical development activities for CFT7455.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expense: G&A expense for the first quarter of 2021 was $7.4 million, compared to $2.8 million for the first quarter of 2020. The increase in G&A expense was primarily attributable to workforce expenses related to our growing G&A functions, principally stock-based compensation expense related to new stock option grants and an increase in the fair value of our common stock, and higher professional fees and insurance costs resulting from our transition to a public company.
Net Loss and Net Loss per Share: Net loss for the first quarter of 2021 was $21.0 million, compared to $11.9 million for the first quarter of 2020. Net loss per share for the first quarter of 2021 was $0.49, compared to $9.59 for the first quarter of 2020. The decrease in net loss per share despite the increase in net loss was driven by a significant increase in the weighted-average shares outstanding caused by our initial public offering of 11,040,000 common shares in October 2020 and the resultant conversion of our then outstanding shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock into 30,355,379 shares of common stock.
Cash Position and Financial Guidance: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2021 were $346.0 million, compared to $371.7 million as of December 31, 2020. The change in cash was primarily driven by expenditures to fund operations. We expect that our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2021, together with future payments expected to be received under existing collaboration agreements, will be sufficient to fund our existing operating plan to the end of 2023.