On March 5, 2019 Arcus Biosciences, Inc. (NYSE:RCUS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on creating innovative cancer immunotherapies, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2018 (Press release, Arcus Biosciences, MAR 5, 2019, View Source [SID1234533992]). The Company also provided updates on its clinical programs.
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"Throughout 2018, we made substantial progress on multiple programs, ending the year with four product candidates in the clinic," said Terry Rosen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer at Arcus. "Enrollment continues in our first three dose-escalation trials for AB928, in which we are evaluating AB928 in combination with either immunogenic chemotherapies or our anti-PD-1 antibody, AB122, across a number of tumor types. We plan to present early data on safety, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile, biomarker analysis and clinical activity for the AB928 combinations in mid-2019. Following our IPO last year, we have a strong balance sheet, and we are well-positioned to execute on our research and clinical development plans into 2021."
Pipeline Updates
AB928 (dual A2aR/A2bR antagonist)
The Company continues to enroll patients in the first three AB928 combination trials:
AB928 in combination with Doxil in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and ovarian cancer
AB928 in combination with mFOLFOX in colorectal cancer and gastroesophageal cancer
AB928 in combination with AB122 in advanced solid tumors.
The Company expects to initiate its fourth AB928 combination trial in patients in the coming months:
AB928 in combination with carboplatin/pemetrexed with or without pembrolizumab in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failing tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy.
AB122 (anti-PD-1 antibody)
The Company is enrolling the final cohort of the Phase 1 dose-escalation trial for AB122. Based on data generated to date, the Company selected 240 mg as the dose for the Q2W (every 2 weeks)
regimen for AB122. The Company continues to evaluate different doses and dosing schedules.
AB154 (anti-TIGIT antibody)
Enrollment continues in the dose-escalation portion of the ongoing Phase 1 trial for AB154 in Australia, which is evaluating AB154 as a monotherapy and in combination with AB122 in advanced solid tumors. The dose-escalation portion will be followed by the initiation of dose-expansion cohorts in solid tumors associated with high levels of TIGIT and/or CD155, the primary ligand for TIGIT, once the recommended doses for AB154 as a monotherapy and in combination with AB122 have been identified.
The Company received clearance from the FDA of its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for AB154, which enables incorporation of U.S. sites in the ongoing Phase 1 trial.
AB680 (small-molecule CD73 inhibitor)
Continued dosing in the healthy volunteer trial of AB680 (i.v. formulation) in Australia. This trial is primarily designed to determine the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of AB680 prior to initiating clinical testing of AB680 in cancer patients.
IND-enabling studies for an oral formulation of AB680 have continued to progress.
Corporate Updates
In January 2019, Arcus announced the transition and appointment of Jennifer Jarrett to its Board of Directors. Ms. Jarrett currently serves as Vice President, Corporate Development and Capital Markets at Uber.
Upcoming Milestones
In mid-2019, the Company expects to:
Present initial data from the dose-escalation portion of the AB928 combination trials, which will include data on safety, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile, biomarker analysis and clinical activity for the combinations.
Initiate the first of the dose-expansion cohorts for the AB928 combination trials.
Initiate a dose-expansion cohort to evaluate AB122 as a monotherapy to confirm that the activity of AB122 is similar to that of the approved anti-PD-1 antibodies.
Report safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data from the Phase 1 trial of AB680 in healthy volunteers.
In the second half of 2019, the Company expects to:
Present additional data from the dose-escalation portion of the AB928 combination trials.
Initiate a Phase 1 trial for AB680 in patients with advanced solid tumors.
Report initial data on the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and clinical activity of AB154 as monotherapy and in combination with AB122.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Financial Results
Cash Position: At December 31, 2018, cash and investments (which include cash equivalents and both short-term and long-term investments) were $259.7 million, compared to $175.7 million at December 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to $124.7 million in net proceeds from the Company’s initial public offering in March, offset by cash utilized to support its operations in 2018.
Revenues: Collaboration and license revenues for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018 were $1.6 million, compared to $1.3 million for the same period in 2017. For the full year 2018, collaboration and license revenues were $8.4 million, compared to $1.4 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in revenues for both periods was attributable to revenues recognized from the Option and License Agreement into which the Company entered with Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd in September 2017.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018 were $11.4 million, compared to $12.1 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease was due to licensing milestone costs of $3.8 million paid to WuXi Biologics and Abmuno Therapeutics in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2017, which were offset by increased clinical and manufacturing costs related to the Company’s four clinical-stage development programs, increased R&D headcount to support the Company’s clinical operations and other programs, and an increase in stock-based compensation expense. For the full year 2018, research and development expenses were $49.6 million, compared to $47.2 million for the same period in 2017.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018 were $3.6 million, compared to $2.4 million for the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher legal and accounting fees and additional staff in key areas required to support a public company infrastructure, higher stock-based compensation expense, as well as increased facilities and office expenses related to our expanded facility in Hayward. For the full year 2018, general and administrative expenses were $13.6 million, compared to $7.6 million for the same period of 2017.
Net Loss: Net loss for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018 was $12.3 million, compared to $13.2 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease in net loss was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue and changes in operating expenses noted above as well as an increase in interest income. For the full year 2018, net loss was $49.6 million, compared to $53.1 million for the same period in 2017.
Based on its current operating plan, the Company expects that its cash and investments as of December 31, 2018 will enable the Company to fund its anticipated operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2021.