Five Prime Therapeutics to Participate in the Cowen 41st Annual Health Care Conference

On February 26, 2021 Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FPRX) reported that Tom Civik, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Helen Collins, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer are scheduled to participate in a fireside chat at the Cowen 41ST Annual Health Care Conference on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. PT (Press release, Five Prime Therapeutics, FEB 26, 2021, View Source [SID1234575769]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Live audio webcast of the presentation will be accessible and available for replay from the "Events & Presentations" section of the Company’s website at: View Source Five Prime will maintain an archived replay of the webcast on its website for 30 days after the conference.

LISCure Biosciences Successfully Raises $21 million in Series B Funding

On February 26, 2021 LISCure Biosciences Inc., a biotech company that focuses on developing bacteria-mediated immunotherapy, reported that it has successfully completed $21 million of a Series B funding round (Press release, LISCure Biosciences, FEB 26, 2021, View Source [SID1234575785]). Participants include institutional investors, venture capitals, and KOSDAQ listed companies (as strategic investors).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"This investment was made after reviewing the promising pre-clinical results of LISCure’s new drug candidates for each indication and we verified its potential as a new therapeutic treatment. Based on the technologies of both companies, we will actively cooperate in research and development for these innovative new drug candidates in the microbiome field", one of the strategic investors said.

This funding round will help LISCure further develop its pipeline and enhance its R&D capabilities of key technologies. LISCure uses a single strain approach whose strain is a naturally derived as well as non-pathogenic substance so it has a great advantage over other microbiome competitors in terms of safety. LISCure is developing the world’s first microbiome-based NASH(non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) treatment, LB-P8, as well as the rheumatoid arthritis treatment, LB-P6, for global clinical trials.

LISCure’s drug candidates have already been tested for efficacy and safety by a third CRO, and the four of the candidates have been completed the process development by CDMO based in the United States. Two of the candidates are currently in the process of cGMP manufacturing under CDMO based in France. LISCure is expecting the four lead candidates to enter global clinical trials in the next two years and possibly begin phase 2 with two of the candidates. In addition to the funding, LISCure has completed the establishment of corporations in the US and Australia for global clinical development. LISCure is planning to expand indications of each program through the US subsidy, working with global top research institutes.

Novartis strengthens Oncology pipeline with successful closing of tislelizumab in-licensing

On February 26, 2021 Novartis reported that it has closed the in-licensing of tislelizumab from BeiGene, Ltd. in North America, Europe and Japan (Press release, Novartis, FEB 26, 2021, View Source [SID1234575770]). Tislelizumab is a uniquely designed anti-PD-1 antibody, specifically engineered to minimize binding to FcyR on macrophages, that is approved in China for certain patients with non-small cell lung cancer, classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma and metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"We are very excited about the recent positive results from BeiGene’s global trials of tislelizumab in non-small cell lung cancer and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and the opportunity to discuss these data with health authorities," said Susanne Schaffert, PhD, President, Novartis Oncology. "We look forward to collaborating with BeiGene to initiate additional global clinical trials of tislelizumab in combination with Novartis Oncology therapies to fully tap the potential of this uniquely designed anti PD-1, and ultimately enable access to tislelizumab to people living with cancer."

Novartis has identified multiple opportunities to combine tislelizumab with other therapies in the Novartis portfolio and pipeline. Tislelizumab is currently being studied in non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, with broad potential in several other solid tumors.

[Press Release] GENOME & COMPANY AND DEBIOPHARM JOIN FORCES TO CREATE NEW HIGHLY SPECIFIC THERAPIES FOR CANCER PATIENTS

On February 25, 2021 Genome & Company (314130, CEO: Jisoo Pae, Hansoo Park), a global leading immuno-oncology firm, and Debiopharm, a Swiss-based biopharmaceutical company specializing in oncology and infectious diseases, reported having entered into a research collaboration for the discovery of innovative cancer therapies in the expanding antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) class (Press release, Genome & Company, FEB 25, 2021, View Source [SID1234575588]). This research collaboration has been undertaken with the goal of further exploiting this new therapeutic class, potentially offering cancer patients future treatments that efficiently target cancer cells while avoiding impact on healthy tissues.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The collaboration between the two companies is built on the rapidly expanding Genome & Company’s novel target-based oncology drug pipeline and Debiopharm’s proven track record in oncology. The Swiss company has developed two standards of care in colorectal cancer (oxaliplatin) and in prostate cancer (triptorelin).

Despite ongoing advances in oncology, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Standard-of-care systemic therapies, such as chemotherapy, have benefited cancer patients by killing existing malignant cells, while targeted therapies, such as ADCs, offer new ways of stopping new cancer growth by affecting the genes and proteins necessary for tumor cell survival and replication. In order to accelerate the discovery of innovative tumor-specific treatments, both specialty companies are combining their individual expertise for the development of an optimal ADC candidate based on three important criteria: the target, the cytotoxic payload, and the linker. Specifically, Genome & Company, having generated several antibodies against novel oncology targets discovered based on its own drug development platform, GNOCLE and will now be armed with Debiopharm’s Multilink technology to deliver cytotoxic payloads to tumor cells. Multilink is a unique and innovative technology in that it allows the loading of multiple and different payloads on an antibody. With Debiopharm, Genome & Company will conduct follow-up discussions on the clinical development and the licensing of newly discovered ADC candidates.

"This research collaboration has shown that the Genome & Company has a global level of research and development capability for novel target-based oncology drugs (antibodies) in addition to microbiome therapeutics." said Genome & Company CEO, Jisoo Pae. "We will try to provide novel treatments to cancer patients through active open innovation strategies for the optimal development of novel drugs in the future," he added.

"The collaboration between Genome & Company and Debiopharm is synergizing both our companies’ technology assets and know-how to generate new Antibody Drug Conjugate products. Our aim is to constantly explore different paths to bring novel treatment options to patients with unmet medical needs" said Cédric Sager, CEO of Debiopharm’s development and production facility.

Pacira BioSciences Reports Full-Year and Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Results

On February 25, 2021 Pacira BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: PCRX), the industry leader in its commitment to non-opioid pain management and regenerative health solutions, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year of 2020 (Press release, Pacira Pharmaceuticals, FEB 25, 2021, View Source;991.htm [SID1234575626]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Our nation’s opioid crisis has escalated under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, as isolation and lack of access to healthcare has exacerbated mental health challenges, particularly addiction. I am delighted to report that EXPAREL-based protocols are expanding opioid-sparing pain management for a variety of procedures where historically poor postsurgical pain management fueled such addictions. Despite these challenging times, we have quickly adapted to a virtual world and delivered record revenues for 2020," said Dave Stack, chairman and chief executive officer of Pacira BioSciences. "Looking ahead to the balance of the year, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing an opioid alternative to as many patients as possible and redefining the role of opioids as a rescue medication while enabling the migration to hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgery centers for elective surgery."

2020 Full-Year and Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights

Full-year revenues of $429.6 million and fourth quarter revenues of $131.0 million.
Full-year GAAP net income of $145.5 million or $3.41 per share (basic) and $3.33 (diluted).
Fourth quarter GAAP net income of $14.5 million or $0.33 per share (basic) and $0.32 (diluted).
Full-year non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA of $112.6 million and fourth quarter non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA of $42.9 million.
Recent Business Highlights

Equity investment in GeneQuine Biotherapeutics.
In January 2021, Pacira announced an equity investment in GeneQuine Biotherapeutics GmbH. Under the terms of the agreement, Pacira made an initial investment of €2.0 million with an additional €4.0 million investment predicated upon GeneQuine achieving certain prespecified near-term milestones related to its lead gene therapy product candidate, GQ-303. Up to €2.5 million of the total Pacira investment will be in the form of a convertible note. In addition, Pacira is entitled to appoint one member to GeneQuine’s board of directors. GeneQuine Biotherapeutics is a privately held biopharmaceutical company advancing a gene therapy platform for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) and other musculoskeletal disorders. GeneQuine’s product candidates are next-generation gene transfer vehicles that are highly efficient in entering joint cells to confer multi-year gene expression.

European Commission approves EXPAREL for the treatment of postsurgical pain. In November 2020, the European Commission granted marketing authorization for EXPAREL as a brachial plexus block or femoral nerve block for treatment of post-operative pain in adults, and as a field block for treatment of somatic post-operative pain from small- to medium-sized surgical wounds in adults. The European Commission approval was based on the results of four pivotal Phase 3 studies that demonstrated improvements in pain reduction and opioid use. These studies include: lower extremity nerve block, upper extremity nerve block, and infiltration studies in hard and soft tissue surgeries. The European Commission decision is applicable to all 27 European Union member states plus the United Kingdom, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Commercial planning is underway, with an anticipated launch in the second half of 2021.
Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Total revenues were $131.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, a 7% increase over the $122.4 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2019.
EXPAREL net product sales were $125.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, a 7% increase over the $116.9 million reported for the fourth quarter of 2019.
Fourth quarter 2020 iovera° net product sales were $2.4 million, a 25% decrease versus the $3.2 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Sales of bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension to a third-party licensee for use in veterinary practice were $2.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $1.7 million in 2019.
Fourth quarter 2020 royalty revenue was $1.2 million compared to $0.6 million in 2019.
Total operating expenses were $112.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $120.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $15.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $19.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. The company’s R&D expenses include $5.2 million and $8.7 million of product development and manufacturing capacity expansion costs in the fourth quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $52.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $54.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.
GAAP net income was $14.5 million, or $0.33 per share (basic) and $0.32 (diluted), in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to a GAAP net loss of $4.9 million, or $0.12 per share (basic and diluted), in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Non-GAAP net income was $38.8 million, or $0.89 per share (basic) and $0.87 per share (diluted), in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to non-GAAP net income of $23.8 million, or $0.57 per share (basic) and $0.56 per share (diluted), in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Adjusted EBITDA was $42.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, a 48% increase over $29.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Pacira had 43.5 million basic and 44.7 million diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Full-Year 2020 Financial Results

Total revenues were $429.6 million in 2020, a 2% increase over the $421.0 million reported in 2019.
EXPAREL net product sales were $413.3 million in 2020, a 1% increase over the $407.9 million reported in 2019.
Full-year iovera° net product sales were $8.8 million, a 12% increase over the $7.9 million reported in 2019. Pacira began recognizing sales of iovera° in April 2019 after completing its acquisition of MyoScience, Inc., a privately held medical technology company.
Sales of bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension to a third-party licensee for use in veterinary practice were $4.5 million in 2020, compared to $3.2 million in 2019.
Full-year royalty revenue was $3.0 million compared to $2.1 million in 2019.
Total operating expenses were $383.3 million in 2020, compared to $410.5 million in 2019.
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $59.4 million in 2020, compared to $72.1 million in 2019. The company’s R&D expenses include $23.5 million and $29.7 million of product development and manufacturing capacity expansion costs in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $193.5 million in 2020, compared to $200.8 million in 2019.
GAAP net income was $145.5 million, or $3.41 per share (basic) and $3.33 per share (diluted) in 2020, compared to a GAAP net loss of $11.0 million, or $0.27 per share (basic and diluted) in 2019.
Non-GAAP net income was $96.6 million, or $2.26 per share (basic) and $2.21 per share (diluted), in 2020, compared to non-GAAP net income of $70.7 million, or $1.70 per share (basic) and $1.67 per share (diluted), in 2019.
Adjusted EBITDA was $112.6 million in 2020, a 26% increase over $89.2 million in 2019.
Pacira had 42.7 million basic and 43.7 million diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding in 2020.
See "Non-GAAP Financial Information" below.

Financial Guidance

The company’s 2021 product sales continue to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which mandated significant postponement or suspension in the scheduling of elective surgical procedures resulting from public health guidance and government directives. Elective surgery restrictions began to lift on a state-by-state basis in April 2020. In order to provide greater transparency, the company will continue to report monthly intra-quarter unaudited net product sales until it has gained enough visibility around the impacts of COVID-19 to reinstate financial guidance.

Today’s Conference Call and Webcast Reminder

The Pacira management team will host a conference call to discuss the company’s financial results and recent developments today, Thursday, February 25, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. ET. To participate in the conference call, dial 1-877-845-0779 and provide the passcode 4864607. International callers may dial 1-720-545-0035 and use the same passcode. In addition, a live audio of the conference call will be available as a webcast. Interested parties can access the event through the "Events" page on the Pacira website at investor.pacira.com.

For those unable to participate in the live call, a replay will be available at 1-855-859-2056 (domestic) or 1-404-537-3406 (international) using the passcode 4864607. The replay of the call will be available for one week from the date of the live call. The webcast will be available on the Pacira website for approximately two weeks following the call.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release contains financial measures that do not comply with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), such as non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per share, non-GAAP cost of goods sold, non-GAAP gross margins, non-GAAP research and development (R&D) expense and non-GAAP selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense and adjusted EBITDA, because such measures exclude acquisition-related charges, product discontinuation costs and other expense; stock-based compensation; amortization of debt discount; loss on early extinguishment of debt, amortization of acquired intangible assets; an income tax benefit and a step-up in basis of inventory in connection with the acquisition of MyoScience, Inc., (gain) loss on investment and other non-operating income and the reversal of a deferred tax valuation allowance.

These measures supplement Pacira’s financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Pacira management uses these measures to better analyze its financial results, estimate its future cost of goods sold, gross margins, R&D expense and SG&A expense outlook for 2021 and to help make managerial decisions. In management’s opinion, these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors and other users of our financial statements by providing greater transparency into the operating performance at Pacira and its future outlook. Such measures should not be deemed to be an alternative to GAAP requirements or a measure of liquidity for Pacira. Non-GAAP measures are also unlikely to be comparable with non-GAAP disclosures released by other companies. See the tables below for a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures, including adjusted EBITDA.