On January 30, 2020 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2019 (Press release, Quest Diagnostics, JAN 30, 2020, View Source [SID1234553702]).

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"We had a solid fourth quarter and ended the year by delivering record revenues, earnings and cash from operations," said Steve Rusckowski, Chairman, CEO and President. "Strong volume growth from expanded health plan network access, combined with outstanding execution of our Operational Excellence strategy, helped us offset significant reimbursement pressure.

"Quest is well positioned once again in 2020 to deliver on our commitment to grow revenues and earnings. We have a strong value proposition that supports health care’s triple aim of improving medical quality and the patient experience while reducing the cost of care. Our guidance for 2020 reflects our continued momentum, partially offset by yet another year of meaningful reimbursement pressure."

For further details impacting the year-over-year comparisons related to operating income, operating income as a percentage
of net revenues, income from continuing operations attributable to Quest Diagnostics, and diluted EPS from continuing
operations, see note 2 of the financial tables attached below.

Beginning in 2019, the company has changed how it presents adjusted income measures to additionally exclude amortization
expense for all periods presented. We believe this presentation provides investors with additional insight to evaluate our
performance period over period and relative to competitors, as well as to analyze the underlying trends in our business.

Dividend and Share Repurchase Authority Increased

Quest Diagnostics’ Board of Directors authorized a 5.7% increase in its quarterly dividend from $0.53 to $0.56 per share, or $2.24 per share annually, payable on April 21, 2020 to shareholders of record of Quest Diagnostics common stock on April 7, 2020. This dividend increase is the company’s ninth since 2011.

The Board also increased the company’s share repurchase authorization by $1 billion, bringing the total authorization available to $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2019.

Guidance for Full Year 2020

The company estimates full year 2020 results as follows:

Note on Non-GAAP Financial Measures

As used in this press release the term "reported" refers to measures under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). The term "adjusted" refers to non-GAAP operating performance measures that exclude special items such as restructuring and integration charges, amortization expense, excess tax benefits ("ETB") associated with stock-based compensation, the gain associated with the sale and leaseback of a property, and other items.

Non-GAAP adjusted measures are presented because management believes those measures are useful adjuncts to GAAP results. Non-GAAP adjusted measures should not be considered as an alternative to the corresponding measures determined under GAAP. Management may use these non-GAAP measures to evaluate our performance period over period and relative to competitors, to analyze the underlying trends in our business, to establish operational budgets and forecasts and for incentive compensation purposes. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors and analysts to evaluate our performance period over period and relative to competitors, as well as to analyze the underlying trends in our business and to assess our performance. The additional tables attached below include reconciliations of non-GAAP adjusted measures to GAAP measures.

Conference Call Information

Quest Diagnostics will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss financial results beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time today. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 888-455-0391 within the U.S. and Canada, or 773-756-0467 internationally, passcode: Investor; or via live webcast on the company’s website at www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor. The company suggests participants dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call.

A replay of the call may be accessed online at www.QuestDiagnostics.com/investor or by phone at 866-357-4210 for domestic callers or 203-369-0125 for international callers. No passcode is required. Telephone replays will be available from approximately 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on January 30, 2020 until midnight Eastern Time on February 13, 2020. Anyone listening to the call is encouraged to read the company’s periodic reports, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion of risk factors and historical results of operations and financial condition in those reports.

On January 30, 2020 MedX Health Corp. ("MedX" or the "Company") (TSX-V:MDX) is reported that it has received Conditional Approval from the TSX Venture Exchange for a non-brokered Private Placement to accredited investors of up to 25,000,000 units at $0.12 per unit ("Unit"), to raise up to $3,000,000 (Press release, MedX Health, JAN 30, 2020, View Source [SID1234553718]). Each Unit will be comprised of One (1) fully paid common share and One (1) Share Purchase Warrant, exercisable to purchase One (1) further Common Share at the price of $0.20, exercisable for a period of two years from the date of issue. Closing of the Placement, which will take place in tranches, will be subject to receipt of subscriptions and a number of other conditions, including without limitation the receipt of all relevant regulatory and Stock Exchange approvals or acceptances. Qualified Agents may receive commissions in respect of subscriptions introduced by them by way of cash equal to 8% of funds so introduced, and issuance of agent’s warrants ("Agent’s Warrant(s)") equal in number to 8% of the number of units so subscribed for. Each Agent’s Warrant, which is non-transferable, will be exercisable to acquire one Unit at $0.12 per Unit, at any time during the period of two years following the Closing.

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The Company further announces that on January 30, 2020, it closed a first tranche of the Private Placement by issuing a total of 1,485,000 Units, to raise $178,200 from accredited investors. The securities issued on January 30, 2020, will be restricted from trading for four months. In connection with this first Closing, a cash commission of $10,080 was paid and 84,000 Agent’s Warrants were issued. Following this first Closing, the Private Placement offering remains open for further subscriptions, subject to all relevant regulatory and other consents and approvals, including acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

On January 30, 2020 Karolinska Development (Nasdaq Stockholm: KDEV) reported that its portfolio company Aprea Therapeutics has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for APR-246 in combination with azacitidine for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with a TP53 mutation (Press release, Aprea, JAN 30, 2020, https://www.karolinskadevelopment.com/en/press-releases?page=/en/pressreleases/karolinska-development%2527s-portfolio-company-aprea-therapeutics-receives-fda-breakthrough-therapy-designation-1769167 [SID1234553684]). A Breakthrough Therapy Designation facilitates expedited development and regulatory review of a drug candidate.

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APR-246 is a small molecular drug candidate that binds, refolds and stabilizes mutant p53, occurring in approximately 50% of all human tumors. A pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of APR-246 and azacitidine for frontline treatment of TP53 mutant MDS is ongoing. APR-246 has previously received Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA for MDS, and Orphan Drug designation from the EMA for MDS, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and ovarian cancer.

"This is yet another success for Aprea Therapeutics, and we look forward to following the continued development of its potentially ground-breaking cancer therapy", says Viktor Drvota, CEO, Karolinska Development AB, in response to the announcement.

MDS represents a spectrum of hematopoietic stem cell malignancies in which bone marrow fails to produce sufficient numbers of healthy blood cells. Approximately 30-40% of MDS patients progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor protein is thought to directly contribute to disease progression and a poor overall prognosis.

The FDA’s Breakthrough Therapy Designation is intended to expedite the development and review of a drug candidate that is planned to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition when preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints.

On January 30, 2020 Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Syndax," the "Company" or "we") (Nasdaq: SNDX), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing an innovative pipeline of cancer therapies, reported that Science magazine has published a preclinical report supporting the potential role of MLL1-Menin inhibition in the management of nucleophosmin (NPM1) mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (Press release, Syndax, JAN 30, 2020, View Source [SID1234553703]). The article, "Therapeutic targeting of preleukemia cells in a mouse model of NPM1 mutant acute myeloid leukemia," will be published in the journal’s January 31, 2020 issue and is currently available online.

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This study examined the activity of VTP-50469, an orally-available inhibitor of MLL1-Menin interaction and close analog of the Company’s lead Menin inhibitor, SNDX-5613, for the treatment of established NPM1 AML and the possible prevention of the disease in high-risk populations. Using preclinical models of NPM1 AML, the authors established that the presence of an NPM1 mutation is a clear indicator of pre-leukemic activity and represents a critical step in the development of AML. VTP-50469 was shown to eradicate NPM1 mutant cells at various stages of disease development, suggesting that Menin-MLL inhibition could potentially serve either as a targeted preventive therapy or as a treatment of established disease.

"These unprecedented findings highlight the potential for single agent Menin-MLL inhibition to rapidly eradicate fully developed NPM1 mutant leukemia, even in the case of aggressive relapsed AML," said Scott A. Armstrong, M.D., Ph.D., President, Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, and Chairman, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and senior author of the study. "In addition, these results provide support for a Menin-MLL inhibitor to serve as a novel strategy to prevent AML development in high-risk patient populations, as NPM1 mutations are acquired in pre-leukemic clones."

"NPM1 mutant AML represents the most common type of cytogenetically normal AML," said Briggs W. Morrison, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Syndax. "On the heels of our recent Cancer Cell publication, these findings add to the growing body of compelling preclinical data supporting the potential for SNDX-5613 to serve as an effective intervention for both NPM1 mutant AML and MLL-r acute leukemias. We are committed to providing patients with more targeted therapeutic options and are hopeful that these findings will translate into the clinic in our ongoing Phase 1/2 AUGMENT-101 trial."

About SNDX-5613

SNDX-5613 is a potent, selective, small molecule inhibitor of the Menin-MLL binding interaction that is being developed for the treatment of MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) acute leukemias, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML); VTP-50469 is a close analog of SNDX-5613. MLL rearrangements occur in approximately 80% of acute leukemia cases in infants and up to 10% of all leukemias. In preclinical models of MLL-r acute leukemias, SNDX-5613 demonstrated robust, dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth, resulting in a marked survival benefit. Menin-MLL interaction inhibitors have also demonstrated robust treatment benefit in multiple preclinical models of NPM1 mutant AML, which represents the most frequent genetic abnormality in adult AML. SNDX-5613 is currently being evaluated in the Company’s AUGMENT-101 Phase 1/2 open-label clinical trial for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (R/R) acute leukemias.

About AUGMENT-101

AUGMENT-101 is a Phase 1/2 open-label trial designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of orally administered SNDX-5613. The Phase 1 dose escalation portion of AUGMENT-101 will enroll adults with R/R acute leukemias and establish a recommended Phase 2 dose. The Phase 2 portion will evaluate efficacy, as defined by Complete Response rate (per International Working Group response criteria), across three expansion cohorts: MLL-r ALL, MLL-r AML and NPM1 mutant AML. The Company expects to report initial clinical data from the trial in 2020. Additional information about the AUGMENT-101 trial is available via Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 04065399).

About NPM1 Mutant Acute Myeloid Leukemia

NPM1 mutant AML, which is distinguished by point mutations in the NPM1 gene that drive the leukemic phenotype, is the most common type of cytogenetically normal adult AML and represents approximately 30% of all adult AML cases. This subtype of AML has a 5-year overall survival rate of approximately 50%. Similar to MLL-r leukemias, NPM1 mutant AML is highly dependent on the expression of specific developmental genes, shown to be negatively impacted by inhibitors of the Menin-MLL interaction. NPM1 mutant AML is routinely diagnosed through currently available screening techniques. There are currently no approved therapies indicated for NPM1 mutant AML.

On January 30, 2020 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW), the global leader in patient-focused innovations for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring, reported financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2019 (Press release, Edwards Lifesciences, JAN 30, 2020, View Source [SID1234553719]).

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Fourth Quarter Results and Outlook

Q4 sales grew 20% to $1.2 billion; underlying1 sales grew 19%
Q4 TAVR sales grew 29%; underlying sales grew 30%
Q4 EPS was $1.32; adjusted1 EPS grew 25% to $1.46
Full year 2019 sales and earnings significantly exceeded original guidance
2020 guidance ranges increased: sales $4.6 billion to $5.0 billion; EPS $6.15 to $6.40
SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve received low risk indication expansion in Europe
EVOQUE tricuspid early feasibility study receives FDA approval
"We are pleased to report robust fourth quarter performance that delivered 19 percent sales growth on an underlying basis, driven by our portfolio of innovative technologies. For the full year 2019, we reported 15 percent revenue growth on an underlying basis, with double-digit growth in each region," said Michael A. Mussallem, chairman and CEO. "Most importantly, I’m proud to report we’re poised to help even more patients benefit from Edwards’ life-saving technologies. We invested aggressively in transformative therapies in 2019 and this will continue in 2020 as our commitment has never been greater."

2019 Full Year Results

Sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $4.3 billion, up 17 percent over the prior year, or 15 percent on an underlying basis. Diluted earnings per share for 2019 were $4.93, while adjusted earnings per share grew 19 percent, to $5.57.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

The company reported fourth quarter global TAVR sales of $763 million, a year-over-year increase of approximately 30 percent on both a reported and underlying basis with impressive strength in the U.S. Global average selling prices remained stable.

In the fourth quarter, the company estimates U.S. TAVR procedures grew approximately 40 percent on a year-over-year basis and Edwards’ growth was comparable. Outside the U.S., the company estimates that total TAVR procedures grew in the high-teens on a year-over-year basis and Edwards’ growth was comparable. As previously reported, Edwards became the first company to receive CE Mark for TAVR in Europe for the treatment of patients diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis who are at low risk for open-heart surgery.

Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Therapies (TMTT)

TMTT is on track to achieve the milestones discussed at the company’s recent Investor Conference, including executing four pivotal studies. In addition, the company announced that the EVOQUE tricuspid replacement valve system has recently received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for an Early Feasibility Study and a "breakthrough device" designation, a program intended to help patients receive more timely access to designated medical technologies.

Full year 2019 TMTT sales of $28 million came in below the original guidance of approximately $40 million as the company continued to execute a disciplined introduction and premium pricing strategy of the PASCAL system, which moderated European site activation. Fourth quarter sales of $7 million were negatively impacted by the voluntary PASCAL system field corrective action completed in the quarter. PASCAL clinical outcomes continue to be favorable and physician feedback remains positive. As the PASCAL system roll-out expands, the company will remain focused on procedural success and differentiated patient outcomes.

Surgical Structural Heart and Critical Care

Surgical Structural Heart sales for the quarter were $205 million, down one percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, and down three percent on an underlying basis. The sales decline was the result of lower surgical aortic valve procedures in the U.S. as TAVR adoption increased, partially offset by continued strong adoption of the company’s premium high-value technologies.

Critical Care sales were $199 million for the quarter, representing an increase of 12 percent versus the fourth quarter of 2018 or eight percent on an underlying basis. This performance was driven by strong demand for the HemoSphere advance monitoring platform and continued adoption of Smart Recovery. Growth in the quarter was led by sales in the U.S.

Additional Financial Results

For the quarter, the company’s adjusted gross profit margin was 75.8 percent, compared to 76.1 percent in the same period last year. This reduction was driven by spending in support of the new European medical device regulations and one-time costs associated with migrating Cardioband production from Israel to Ireland, partially offset by the benefit of a more profitable product mix.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 21 percent to $347 million for the quarter, driven by increased field clinical personnel to support TAVR cases in the U.S. and TMTT cases in Europe, as well as accelerated actions related to disease awareness and therapy adoption.

Research and development for the fourth quarter increased 19 percent to $194 million, or 16.5 percent of sales. This increase was primarily the result of continued investments in the company’s transcatheter structural heart programs, including spending on clinical trials.

Free cash flow for the fourth quarter was $328 million, defined as cash flow from operating activities of $399 million, less capital spending of $71 million.

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $1.5 billion at December 31, 2019. Total debt was $594 million.

Outlook

Overall, 2020 sales guidance for Edwards is now expected to be $4.6 to $5.0 billion versus the company’s previous range of $4.5 to $5.0 billion. Additionally, the company now expects full year 2020 adjusted earnings per share of $6.15 to $6.40 versus previous guidance of $6.05 to $6.30.

For the first quarter of 2020, the company projects total sales to be between $1.15 and $1.2 billion, and adjusted EPS of $1.49 to $1.59.

"We were very proud of the significant progress we made in advancing transformational therapies in 2019, as well as our strong financial performance. We are enthusiastic about the future of transcatheter-based technologies, and the promise of treating the many structural heart patients still in need, which positions us very well for 2020 and beyond. We firmly believe our patient-focused innovation strategy can transform care and bring value to patients, healthcare systems, and shareholders," said Mussallem.