Affimed Announces Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results and Corporate Update Conference Call on August 7, 2019

On July 31, 2019 Affimed N.V. (Nasdaq: AFMD), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company committed to giving patients back their innate ability to fight cancer, reported that it will host a conference call on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss its second quarter 2019 financial results and recent corporate developments (Press release, Affimed, JUL 31, 2019, View Source [SID1234537948]).

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 conference call will be available via phone and webcast. To access the call, please dial +1 917 7200 178 for U.S. callers, or +44 (0) 203 0095710 for international callers, and reference conference ID 9396039 approximately 15 minutes prior to the call.

An audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed in the "Webcasts" section on the "Investors" page of the Affimed website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be available on Affimed’s website shortly after the conclusion of the call and will be archived for 30 days following the call.

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results

On July 31, 2019 Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Vanda) (Nasdaq: VNDA) reported financial and operational results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2019 (Press release, Vanda Pharmaceuticals, JUL 31, 2019, View Source [SID1234537965]).

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 exceptional commercial performance of HETLIOZ and Fanapt positions Vanda to continue on its path of growth and long term value creation," said Mihael H. Polymeropoulos, M.D., Vanda’s President and CEO. "The recently announced positive results from the tradipitant motion sickness study further enhance the potentially broad therapeutic utility of tradipitant as a treatment option for the millions of patients with gastroparesis, motion sickness and atopic dermatitis."

Key Financial Highlights:

Total net product sales from HETLIOZ and Fanapt were $59.1 million in the second quarter of 2019, a 24% increase compared to $47.7 million in the first quarter of 2019 and a 25% increase compared to $47.4 million in the second quarter of 2018.
HETLIOZ net product sales were $37.8 million in the second quarter of 2019, a 31% increase compared to $29.0 million in the first quarter of 2019 and a 35% increase compared to $28.0 million in the second quarter of 2018.
Fanapt net product sales were $21.2 million in the second quarter of 2019, a 13% increase compared to $18.8 million in the first quarter of 2019 and a 10% increase compared to $19.3 million in the second quarter of 2018.
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (Cash) were $292.7 million as of June 30, 2019, representing an increase to Cash of $24.8 million as compared to March 31, 2019.
Key Research and Development Highlights:

Tradipitant

In July 2019, Vanda announced positive results from a Phase II clinical study (Motion Sifnos) of tradipitant in motion sickness. Patients with a prior history of motion sickness were treated with tradipitant or placebo prior to a chartered trip on the Pacific Ocean. In this setting, significantly fewer patients on tradipitant vomited than those on placebo. Vanda intends to initiate a Phase III program in motion sickness in 2019 with a plan to file for marketing authorization in 2020.
After meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2019 to discuss the Phase III program, Vanda initiated a Phase III clinical study of tradipitant in gastroparesis in the second quarter of 2019 and plans to begin randomizing patients in the third quarter of 2019.
Enrollment in the Phase III clinical study (EPIONE) of tradipitant in atopic dermatitis is ongoing. Results are expected in the first half of 2020. A second Phase III clinical study is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2020.
HETLIOZ (tasimelteon)

The FDA’s review of the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) of HETLIOZ for the treatment of jet lag disorder is ongoing with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target date of August 16, 2019. On July 19, 2019, Vanda received a "Deficiencies Preclude Discussion" letter from the FDA. The letter does not specify any deficiencies in the file at this time. Vanda will await the PDUFA action and work expeditiously to resolve any potential deficiencies.
Vanda expects to file a sNDA for HETLIOZ for the treatment of Smith-Magenis Syndrome in the third quarter of 2019.
Vanda plans in the third quarter of 2019 to initiate a Phase II clinical study of HETLIOZ in delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD) in patients who have a mutation in the CRY1 gene, which is believed to be causative in a subset of patients with DSPD.
Fanapt (iloperidone)

Enrollment is ongoing in a pharmacokinetic study for the once-a-month long acting injectable (LAI) formulation of Fanapt.
A randomized study of Fanapt in bipolar disorder is planned to begin in 2019.
VTR-297 (histone deactetylase (HDAC) inhibitor)

Enrollment is ongoing in a Phase I clinical study (1101) of VTR-297 in hematologic malignancies.
Non-GAAP Financial Results

Non-GAAP net income was $15.0 million for the second quarter of 2019, or $0.28 per share, compared to a Non-GAAP net income of $7.7 million, or $0.15 per share, for the second quarter of 2018.

Vanda provides Non-GAAP financial information, which it believes can enhance an overall understanding of its financial performance when considered together with GAAP figures. Refer to the sections of this press release entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Information" and "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Information" for more detailed information regarding Non-GAAP financial information.

2019 Financial Guidance

Vanda reiterates its prior 2019 net product sales guidance and provides an update to Year-end 2019 Cash and expects to achieve the following financial objectives in 2019:

Conference Call

Vanda has scheduled a conference call for today, Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at 4:30 PM ET. During the call, Vanda’s management will discuss the second quarter 2019 financial results and other corporate activities. Investors can call 1-866-688-9426 (domestic) or 1-409-216-0816 (international) and use passcode 2589983. A replay of the call will be available on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, beginning at 7:30 PM ET and will be accessible until Wednesday, August 7, 2019, at 7:30 PM ET. The replay call-in number is 1-855-859-2056 for domestic callers and 1-404-537-3406 for international callers. The passcode number is 2589983.

The conference call will be broadcast simultaneously on Vanda’s website, www.vandapharma.com. Investors should click on the Investor Relations tab and are advised to go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download, and install any necessary software or presentations. The call will also be archived on Vanda’s website for a period of 30 days.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

Vanda believes that the Non-GAAP financial information provided in this press release can assist investors in understanding and assessing the ongoing economics of Vanda’s business and reflect how it manages the business internally and sets operational goals. Vanda’s "Non-GAAP Selling, general and administrative expenses" and "Non-GAAP Research and development expenses" exclude stock-based compensation. Vanda’s "Non-GAAP Net income," "Non-GAAP Net income per share" and "Non-GAAP Operating expenses excluding Cost of goods sold" exclude stock-based compensation and intangible asset amortization.

Vanda believes that excluding the impact of these items better reflects the recurring economic characteristics of its business, as well as Vanda’s use of financial resources and its long-term performance.

These Non-GAAP financial measures, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies since not all companies may calculate these measures in an identical manner and, therefore, they are not necessarily an accurate measure of comparison between companies.

The presentation of these Non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for guidance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The principal limitation of these Non-GAAP financial measures is that they exclude significant elements that are required by GAAP to be recorded in Vanda’s financial statements. In addition, they are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgments by management in determining these Non-GAAP financial measures. In order to compensate for these limitations, Vanda presents its Non-GAAP financial guidance in connection with its GAAP guidance. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of our Non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Sangamo Therapeutics Announces Second Quarter 2019 Conference Call and Webcast

On July 31, 2019 Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO), a genomic medicine company, reported that the Company will release its second quarter 2019 financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 (Press release, Sangamo Therapeutics, JUL 31, 2019, View Source [SID1234538025]). The press release will be followed by a conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET, which will be open to the public via telephone and webcast. During the conference call, the Company will review its financial results and provide a business update.

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 conference call dial-in numbers are (877) 377-7553 for domestic callers and (678) 894-3968 for international callers. The conference ID number for the call is 9582057. Participants may access the live webcast via a link on the Sangamo Therapeutics website in the Investors and Media section under Events and Presentations. A conference call replay will be available for one week following the conference call. The conference call replay numbers for domestic and international callers are (855) 859-2056 and (404) 537-3406, respectively. The conference ID number for the replay is 9582057.

Agilent Companion Diagnostic Gains Expanded FDA Approval in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC)

On July 31, 2019 Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company’s PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx assay for expanded use (Press release, Agilent, JUL 31, 2019, https://www.agilent.com/about/newsroom/presrel/2019/31jul-ca19019.html [SID1234537930]).

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 assay is now approved as an aid in identifying patients with ESCC for treatment with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), an anti-PD-1 therapy manufactured by Merck (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada). KEYTRUDA is approved for patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic ESCC whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥ 10] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after one prior line of systemic therapy.

PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx is the only companion diagnostic FDA-approved to aid in identifying ESCC patients for second-line treatment with KEYTRUDA. This is the sixth cancer type for which PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx has gained FDA approval in the United States.

"PD-L1 has been established as an essential biomarker for PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors," said Sam Raha, president of Agilent’s Diagnostics and Genomics Group. "As a growing number of patients are becoming eligible for treatment with these inhibitors, pathologists’ confidence in their PD-L1 test is critical. With the approval of expanded use of our PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx assay, Agilent is able to aid in the identification of patients with ESCC for treatment with KEYTRUDA, while providing pathologists the quality, reliability, and accuracy they need to ensure diagnostic confidence."

In the United States, esophageal cancer is expected to cause approximately 16,000 deaths in 2019.3 ESCC accounts for approximately 30% of all esophageal cancers diagnosed in the United States4 and has a 5-year survival rate of 12%.5

Agilent developed PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx in collaboration with Merck.

KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that increases the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes, which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells. KEYTRUDA and other targeted immunotherapies are revolutionizing cancer treatment, with their therapeutic value being demonstrated across a growing list of cancer types.

Agilent is a worldwide leader in partnering with pharmaceutical companies to develop immunohistochemical-based diagnostics for cancer therapy. Agilent developed PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx in partnership with Merck. PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx also helps physicians identify non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), cervical cancer, gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma, urothelial carcinoma and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients for treatment with KEYTRUDA. PD-L1 expression in NSCLC tissues is interpreted using Tumor Proportion Score (TPS). PD-L1 expression in HNSCC, urothelial carcinoma, cervical cancer, gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma, and ESCC tissues is interpreted using Combined Positive Score (CPS).

BioInvent Announces Selection of First Target Discovered by BioInvent’s Proprietary F.I.R.S.TTM Technology Platform Under Collaboration With Pfizer Inc.

On July 31, 2019 BioInvent International AB ("BioInvent" or the "Company") (OMXS: BINV) reported that Pfizer Inc. ("Pfizer") (NYSE: PFE) has selected the first target under the companies’ cancer immunotherapy research collaboration and license agreement, into which the companies entered in December 2016 to develop antibodies targeting tumor-associated myeloid cells (Press release, BioInvent, JUL 31, 2019, View Source [SID1234537949]).

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 selection of a target triggers a payment from Pfizer to BioInvent of $300,000. Under the terms of the 2016 agreement, potential selection and development of antibodies directed against this target, as well as potential selection of further targets and development of antibodies directed at them, would allow BioInvent to be eligible for further milestone payments.

Martin Welschof, CEO of BioInvent, said: "Selection of this first target shows that our collaboration with Pfizer is successfully progressing. We believe this is an important validation of our F.I.R.S.TTM technology platform, which is a patient-centric approach allowing for the discovery of human antibodies and targets using our high-quality n-CoDeR antibody library."