Aduro Biotech Presents Early Observations From its Personalized Neoantigen-based pLADD Therapy Clinical Study at European Neoantigen Summit

On April 26, 2018 Aduro Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADRO) reported preliminary observations from a case study of a patient with metastatic colorectal cancer treated in Aduro’s ongoing Phase 1 study of its personalized neoantigen-based immunotherapy (pLADD) (Press release, Aduro Biotech, APR 26, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2344899 [SID1234525729]). This Phase 1 proof-of-concept study is designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of pLADD immunotherapy in adults with metastatic colorectal cancer that is microsatellite stable (MSS). Data were presented at the European Neoantigen Summit held in Amsterdam (April 24-26, 2018).

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The immunological data presented demonstrated that neoantigens isolated and sequenced from the patient’s tissue samples, and engineered into a personalized immunotherapy, induced neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cells undetectable before pLADD treatment started. In addition to adaptive immunity, pLADD induced an innate response exemplified by gamma delta T cells, also thought to be important for successful immunotherapy. The patient’s neoantigens were selected using state-of-the-art algorithm identification technology developed by Aduro’s collaborator, Hanlee Ji, M.D., associate professor of medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

"Although early, the immunological data obtained from this case study is encouraging, as it indicates that our pLADD immunotherapy has the potential to induce a sustained, antigen-specific effect on the immune system," said Andrea van Elsas, Ph.D., chief scientific officer of Aduro. "We believe our pLADD approach could offer a differentiated treatment option to patients with MSS colorectal cancer, who represent the vast majority of the colorectal cancer patient population and who have not been responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors. In addition, these preliminary observations support our plan to combine pLADD with checkpoint inhibitors, which we believe could enhance the overall response in this patient setting. We look forward to reporting additional immunological data from this Phase 1 trial before the end of 2018."

Preclinical data presented showed that mouse pLADD strains targeting tumor-specific neoepitopes induced a robust immune response, including induction of cytokines, chemokines, and antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. In preclinical models of pLADD, remodeling of the tumor microenvironment with an increase in the CD8:Treg ratio was observed. The combination of pLADD with an anti-PD-1 antibody led to a sustained immune response and significantly improved efficacy in these mouse tumor models.

Clinical Design of Phase 1 pLADD Trial in Adults with Metastatic Corlorectal Cancer
The Phase 1 single-arm clinical trial (see www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT03189030) is designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of a personalized immunotherapy using patient-specific neoantigens and Aduro’s proprietary Listeria platform technology. The trial is enrolling patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that is microsatellite stable.

About pLADD
Personalized LADD, or pLADD, is a second-generation LADD technology that is designed to leverage the immune-activating activity of the Listeria bacterial vector in combination with neoantigens, which are unique, patient-specific tumor markers exclusively expressed in an individual’s tumor cells. Once administered, pLADD therapies are expected to mobilize the immune system in two ways–first, through the immediate recognition of the presence of Listeria as being foreign, and subsequently, through a specific and customized immune attack on cells containing the tumor neoantigens presented by pLADD.

To create a patient-specific pLADD therapy, a physician begins by removing tumor cells from the patient. These cells are analyzed in order to molecularly characterize (sequence) the tumor, including any mutations that are unique to the patient’s own tumor cells. Predictive algorithms for antigen processing are run to identify pertinent tumor antigens. Aduro then creates a pLADD strain engineered to enable the presentation of multiple selected neoantigens in dendritic cells, with the aim of inducing a targeted, robust anti-cancer immune response.

Aduro received an exclusive license (for use with Listeria based therapetutics) to the proprietary bioinformatics algorithms and computational workflows for neoantigen identification and selection from Stanford University based on technology developed by Dr. Hanlee Ji. The accurate identification of neoantigens, tumor markers that are unique to an individual’s tumor, is believed to be critical in the development of a patient-specific cancer treatment. Aduro’s LADD technology, which has been shown in clinical studies to remodel the tumor microenvironment, will be used to create a patient-specific immunotherapy that is engineered to enable the presentation of multiple selected neoantigens in dendritic cells, with the aim of inducing a targeted, robust anti-cancer immune response.

Protalix BioTherapeutics to Hold First Quarter 2018 Financial Results and Corporate Update Conference Call on May 9, 2018

On April 26, 2018 Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American:PLX) (TASE:PLX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins expressed through its proprietary plant cell-based expression system, ProCellEx, reported that it will report first quarter 2018 financial results and provide a corporate update on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 8:30 am ET (Press release, Protalix, APR 26, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2344829 [SID1234525747]).

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To participate in the conference call, please dial the following numbers prior to the start of the call: United States: +1-844-358-6760; International: +1-478-219-0004. Conference ID number 8190507.

The conference call will also be broadcast live and available for replay for two weeks on the Company’s website, www.protalix.com, in the Events Calendar of the Investors section. Please access the Company’s website at least 15 minutes ahead of the conference to register, download, and install any necessary audio software.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Reports First Quarter Financial Results

On April 26 2018, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) reported results for the first quarter of 2018 which were highlighted by strong sales for Opdivo , Eliquis , and Orencia , important regulatory progress in Immuno-Oncology and strategic business development transactions (Press release, Bristol-Myers Squibb, APR 26, 2018, View Source [SID1234525712]).

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"We delivered strong commercial performance with continued growth for our key franchises, Opdivo and Eliquis, and obtained FDA approval for Opdivo plus Yervoy in renal cell carcinoma, a disease with high unmet need which represents an important opportunity for the company," said Giovanni Caforio, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb. "I am confident that strong commercial execution, upcoming Phase 3 readouts across our oncology pipeline and continued strategic use of business development position us well for future growth."


First Quarter

$ amounts in millions, except per share amounts
2018


2017


Change

Total Revenues $5,193 $4,929 5%
GAAP Diluted EPS 0.91 0.94 (3)%
Non-GAAP Diluted EPS 0.94 0.84 12%

FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS

Bristol-Myers Squibb posted first quarter 2018 revenues of $5.2 billion, an increase of 5% compared to the same period a year ago. Revenues increased 1% when adjusted for foreign exchange impact.
U.S. revenues increased 1% to $2.8 billion in the quarter compared to the same period a year ago. International revenues increased 10%. When adjusted for foreign exchange impact, international revenues increased 1%.
Gross margin as a percentage of revenue decreased from 74.3% to 69.5% in the quarter primarily due to product mix.
Marketing, selling and administrative expenses decreased 10% to $980 million in the quarter.
Research and development expenses decreased 4% to $1.3 billion.
The effective tax rate was 16.0% in the quarter, compared to 21.9% in the first quarter last year.
The company reported net earnings attributable to Bristol-Myers Squibb of $1.5 billion, or $0.91 per share, in the first quarter compared to net earnings of $1.6 billion, or $0.94 per share, for the same period in 2017.
The company reported non-GAAP net earnings attributable to Bristol-Myers Squibb of $1.5 billion, or $0.94 per share, in the first quarter, compared to $1.4 billion, or $0.84 per share, for the same period in 2017. An overview of specified items is discussed under the "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information" section.
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $9.0 billion, with a net cash position of $1.3 billion, as of March 31, 2018.
FIRST QUARTER PRODUCT AND PIPELINE UPDATE

Product Sales/Business Highlights

Global revenues for prioritized brands increased in the first quarter of 2018 by 21% compared to the first quarter of 2017, driven by:

Product


Growth %

Eliquis 37%
Opdivo 34%
Orencia

11%
Sprycel

(5)%
Yervoy (25)%

Opdivo

Regulatory

In April, the European Commission approved an every four-week Opdivo dosing schedule of 480 mg infused over 60 minutes as an option for patients with advanced melanoma and previously treated renal cell carcinoma (RCC) as well as the approval of a two-week Opdivo flat dose option of 240 mg infused over 30 minutes to replace weight-based dosing for all six approved monotherapy indications in the European Union.
In April, the company announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for priority review its supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Opdivo to treat patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) whose disease has progressed after two or more prior lines of therapy. The FDA action date is August 16, 2018.
In April, the company announced the FDA approved the combination of Opdivo plus Yervoy for previously untreated patients with intermediate- and poor-risk advanced RCC.
In March, the company announced the FDA accepted for priority review a sBLA for the Opdivo plus Yervoy combination for the treatment of adults with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin and irinotecan. The FDA action date is July 10, 2018.
In March, the company announced the FDA approved a sBLA updating the Opdivo dosing schedule to include 480 mg infused every four weeks for a majority of approved indications as well as a shorter 30 minute infusion across all approved indications.
Clinical

In April, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, the company presented results from numerous studies of novel agents and Opdivo-based combinations. Key clinical data presented at the meeting include:
CheckMate -227: First presentation of data from the Phase 3 study assessing the Opdivo plus Yervoy combination versus platinum-doublet chemotherapy in first-line advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with high tumor mutational burden (≥10 mutations/megabase). (link)
CheckMate -568: First presentation of data from a Phase 2 study evaluating Opdivo plus Yervoy in treatment naïve patients with advanced NSCLC. Results demonstrated Opdivo 3 mg/kg plus low-dose Yervoy (1mg/kg) identified high tumor mutational burden of ≥10 mutations/megabase (mut/Mb) as an effective cutoff for selecting which patients were most likely to respond to first-line treatment of Opdivo plus Yervoy regardless of tumor PD-L1 expression.
CheckMate -078: First presentation of data from the Phase 3 study evaluating Opdivo monotherapy versus docetaxel in a predominantly Chinese patient population with previously treated advanced NSCLC. (link)
CheckMate -141: Announced a two-year overall survival (OS) update from the Phase 3 study evaluating patients treated with Opdivo over standard of care in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) after failure on platinum-based therapy. (link)
Eliquis

Clinical

In March, at the American College of Cardiology’s 67th Annual Scientific Session & Expo, the company and Pfizer Inc. announced the largest real-world data analysis from studies evaluating different direct oral anticoagulants, including Eliquis, rivaroxaban and dabigatran, for non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients. (link)
FIRST QUARTER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

In April, the company and Illumina, Inc. announced a collaboration that will utilize Illumina’s next-generation sequencing technology to develop and globally commercialize in-vitro diagnostic assays in support of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s oncology portfolio.
In April, the company and Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced a worldwide collaboration to develop and commercialize Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Factor Xia inhibitor program, including BMS-986177, an anticoagulant compound being studied for prevention and treatment of major thrombotic conditions.
In April, the company and the Harvard Fibrosis Network of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute announced a research collaboration to discover and develop potential new therapies for fibrotic diseases, including fibrosis of the liver and heart.
In February, the company announced that Yale Cancer Center will join the International Immuno-Oncology Network, a global peer-to-peer collaboration between Bristol-Myers Squibb and academia that aims to advance translational Immuno-Oncology science.
In February, the company and Nektar Therapeutics announced a global strategic development and commercialization collaboration for Nektar’s lead Immuno-Oncology program, NKTR-214. The companies will jointly develop and commercialize NKTR-214 in combination with Opdivo and Opdivo plus Yervoy in more than 20 indications across nine tumor types.
2018 FINANCIAL GUIDANCE

Bristol-Myers Squibb is decreasing its 2018 GAAP EPS guidance range from $3.00 – $3.15 to $2.70 – $2.80 and increasing its non-GAAP EPS guidance range from $3.15 – $3.30 to $3.35 – $3.45. Both GAAP and non-GAAP guidance assume current exchange rates. Key revised 2018 GAAP and non-GAAP line-item guidance assumptions are:

Worldwide revenues increasing in the mid-single digits.
Research and development expenses increasing in the low-single digits for GAAP.
An effective tax rate between 17% and 18% for both GAAP and non-GAAP.
The financial guidance for 2018 excludes the impact of any potential future strategic acquisitions and divestitures, and any specified items that have not yet been identified and quantified. The non-GAAP 2018 guidance also excludes other specified items as discussed under "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information." Details reconciling adjusted non-GAAP amounts with the amounts reflecting specified items are provided in supplemental materials available on the company’s website.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP earnings and related EPS information, that are adjusted to exclude certain costs, expenses, gains and losses and other specified items that are evaluated on an individual basis. These items are adjusted after considering their quantitative and qualitative aspects and typically have one or more of the following characteristics, such as being highly variable, difficult to project, unusual in nature, significant to the results of a particular period or not indicative of future operating results. Similar charges or gains were recognized in prior periods and will likely reoccur in future periods including restructuring costs, accelerated depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, R&D charges in connection with the acquisition or licensing of third party intellectual property rights, divestiture and equity investment gains or losses, upfront payments from out-licensed assets, pension charges, legal and other contractual settlements and debt redemption gains or losses, among other items. Deferred and current income taxes attributed to these items are also adjusted for considering their individual impact to the overall tax expense, deductibility and jurisdictional tax rates. Non-GAAP information is intended to portray the results of our baseline performance, supplement or enhance management, analysts and investors overall understanding of our underlying financial performance and facilitate comparisons among current, past and future periods. For example, non-GAAP earnings and EPS information is an indication of our baseline performance before items that are considered by us to not be reflective of our ongoing results. In addition, this information is among the primary indicators we use as a basis for evaluating performance, allocating resources, setting incentive compensation targets and planning and forecasting for future periods. This information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net earnings or diluted EPS prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Statement on Cautionary Factors

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, statements relating to goals, plans and projections regarding the company’s financial position, results of operations, market position, product development and business strategy. These statements may be identified by the fact that they use words such as "anticipate", "estimates", "should", "expect", "guidance", "project", "intend", "plan", "believe" and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. These factors include, among other things, effects of the continuing implementation of governmental laws and regulations related to Medicare, Medicaid, Medicaid managed care organizations and entities under the Public Health Service 340B program, pharmaceutical rebates and reimbursement, market factors, competitive product development and approvals, pricing controls and pressures (including changes in rules and practices of managed care groups and institutional and governmental purchasers), economic conditions such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations, judicial decisions, claims and concerns that may arise regarding the safety and efficacy of in-line products and product candidates, changes to wholesaler inventory levels, variability in data provided by third parties, changes in, and interpretation of, governmental regulations and legislation affecting domestic or foreign operations, including tax obligations, changes to business or tax planning strategies, difficulties and delays in product development, manufacturing or sales including any potential future recalls, patent positions and the ultimate outcome of any litigation matter. These factors also include the company’s ability to successfully execute its strategic plans, including its business development strategy, the expiration of patents or data protection on certain products, including assumptions about the company’s ability to retain patent exclusivity of certain products, and the impact and result of governmental investigations. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline products that future clinical studies will support the data described in this release, that the compounds will receive necessary regulatory approvals, or that they will prove to be commercially successful; nor are there guarantees that regulatory approvals will be sought, or sought within currently expected timeframes, or that contractual milestones will be achieved. For further details and a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see the company’s periodic reports, including the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Company and Conference Call Information

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol-Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

There will be a conference call on April 26, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. EDT during which company executives will review financial information and address inquiries from investors and analysts. Investors and the general public are invited to listen to a live webcast of the call at View Source or by calling the U.S. toll free 866-548-4713 or international 323-794-2093, confirmation code: 4713257. Materials related to the call will be available at the same website prior to the conference call. A replay of the call will be available beginning at 1:30 p.m. EDT on April 26, 2018 through 1:30 p.m. EDT on May 10, 2018. The replay will also be available through View Source or by calling the U.S. toll free 888-203-1112 or international 719-457-0820, confirmation code: 4713257.

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY

PRODUCT REVENUE

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 AND 2017

(Unaudited, dollars in millions)

Worldwide Revenues U.S. Revenues
2018 2017
%
Change

2018 2017
%
Change

Three Months Ended March 31,

Prioritized Brands
Opdivo $ 1,511 $ 1,127 34 % $ 938 $ 761 23 %
Eliquis 1,506 1,101 37 % 885 699 27 %
Orencia 593 535 11 % 385 362 6 %
Sprycel 438 463 (5 )% 214 247 (13 )%
Yervoy 249 330 (25 )% 162 243 (33 )%
Empliciti 55 53 4 % 37 36 3 %

Established Brands
Baraclude 225 282 (20 )% 10 14 (29 )%
Sustiva Franchise 84 184 (54 )% 10 153 (93 )%
Reyataz Franchise 124 193 (36 )% 51 88 (42 )%
Hepatitis C Franchise 3 162 (98 )% 5 42 (88 )%
Other Brands 405 499 (19 )% 81 93 (13 )%

Total $ 5,193 $ 4,929 5 % $ 2,778 $ 2,738 1 %

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 AND 2017

(Unaudited, dollars and shares in millions except per share data)


Three Months Ended
March 31,

2018 2017
Net product sales $ 4,972 $ 4,580
Alliance and other revenues 221 349
Total Revenues 5,193 4,929

Cost of products sold 1,584 1,265
Marketing, selling and administrative 980 1,085
Research and development 1,250 1,303
Other income (net) (400 ) (679 )
Total Expenses 3,414 2,974

Earnings Before Income Taxes 1,779 1,955
Provision for Income Taxes 284 429

Net Earnings 1,495 1,526
Net Earnings/(Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 9 (48 )
Net Earnings Attributable to BMS $ 1,486 $ 1,574

Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic 1,633 1,662
Diluted 1,640 1,671

Earnings per Common Share
Basic $ 0.91 $ 0.95
Diluted $ 0.91 $ 0.94

Other income (net)
Interest expense $ 46 $ 45
Investment income (36 ) (26 )
Equity investment gains (15 ) (7 )
Provision for restructuring 20 164
Litigation and other settlements — (484 )
Equity in net income of affiliates (24 ) (18 )
Divestiture gains (45 ) (127 )
Royalties and licensing income (367 ) (199 )
Transition and other service fees (4 ) (7 )
Pension and postretirement (11 ) 1
Intangible asset impairment 64 —
Other (28 ) (21 )
Other income (net) $ (400 ) $ (679 )

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY

SPECIFIED ITEMS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 AND 2017

(Unaudited, dollars in millions)


Three Months Ended
March 31,

2018 2017
Impairment charges $ 10 $ —
Accelerated depreciation and other shutdown costs 3 —
Cost of products sold 13 —

Marketing, selling and administrative 1 —

License and asset acquisition charges 60 50
IPRD impairments — 75
Site exit costs and other 20 72
Research and development 80 197

Equity investment gains (15 ) —
Provision for restructuring 20 164
Litigation and other settlements — (481 )
Divestiture gains (43 ) (100 )
Royalties and licensing income (50 ) —
Pension charges 31 33
Intangible asset impairment 64 —
Other income (net) 7 (384 )

Increase/(decrease) to pretax income 101 (187 )

Income taxes on specified items (8 ) 72
U.S. tax reform provisional amount adjustment (32 ) —
Income taxes (40 ) 72

Increase/(decrease) to net earnings 61 (115 )

Noncontrolling interest — (59 )

Increase/(decrease) to net earnings used for diluted Non-GAAP EPS calculation $ 61 $ (174 )

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY

RECONCILIATION OF CERTAIN GAAP LINE ITEMS TO CERTAIN NON-GAAP LINE ITEMS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 AND 2017

(Unaudited, dollars in millions)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
GAAP
Specified
Items(a)


Non-
GAAP

Gross Profit $ 3,609 $ 13 $ 3,622
Marketing, selling and administrative 980 (1 ) 979
Research and development 1,250 (80 ) 1,170
Other income (net) (400 ) (7 ) (407 )
Earnings Before Income Taxes 1,779 101 1,880
Provision for Income Taxes 284 (40 ) 324
Noncontrolling interest 9 — 9

Net Earnings Attributable to BMS used for Diluted EPS Calculation $ 1,486 $ 61 $ 1,547

Average Common Shares Outstanding – Diluted 1,640 1,640 1,640
Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 0.91 $ 0.03 $ 0.94

Effective Tax Rate 16.0 % 1.2 % 17.2 %

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
GAAP
Specified
Items(a)

Non-
GAAP

Gross Profit $ 3,664 $ — $ 3,664
Marketing, selling and administrative 1,085 — 1,085
Research and development 1,303 (197 ) 1,106
Other income (net) (679 ) 384 (295 )
Earnings Before Income Taxes 1,955 (187 ) 1,768
Provision for Income Taxes 429 72 357
Noncontrolling interest (48 ) (59 ) 11

Net Earnings/(Loss) Attributable to BMS used for Diluted EPS Calculation $ 1,574 $ (174 ) $ 1,400

Average Common Shares Outstanding – Diluted 1,671 1,671 1,671
Diluted Earnings/(Loss) Per Share $ 0.94 $ (0.10 ) $ 0.84

Effective Tax Rate 21.9 % (1.7 )% 20.2 %
(a)

Refer to the Specified Items schedule for further details. Effective tax rate on the Specified Items represents the difference between the GAAP and Non-GAAP effective tax rate.

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY

NET CASH/(DEBT) CALCULATION

AS OF MARCH 31, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

(Unaudited, dollars in millions)

March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,342 $ 5,421
Marketable securities – current 1,428 1,391
Marketable securities – non-current 2,252 2,480
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities 9,022 9,292
Short-term debt obligations (1,925 ) (987 )
Long-term debt (5,775 ) (6,975 )
Net cash position $ 1,322 $ 1,330

RhoVac AB participates in a discussion meeting with the European Medicines Agency

On April 25, 2018 RhoVac AB (publ) ("RhoVac") reported that the company has received an invitation to meet with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to further discuss a phase IIb clinical trial (Press release, RhoVac, APR 25, 2018, View Source [SID1234555936]).

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RhoVac initiated a Scientific Advice procedure with EMA immediately after completion of a pre-submission meeting end of February 2018; the procedure was originally estimated to be completed end of April 2018. Following invitation to participate at the EMA’s Scientific Advice Working Party’s meeting in London the entire procedure is, according to standard regulatory procedures, extended by approximately one month and completion is now estimated to be at the end of May 2018.

Invitation to a discussion meeting with the Working Party is not standard in a Scientific Advice procedure; however, EMA can provide this opportunity to a company to ensure that the development strategy of the company is fully understood and thereby to ensure that the most accurate advice is provided to the company for the design of the coming clinical phase IIb study.

Zymeworks Announces Selection of ZW25 Abstract for Oral Presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting

On April 25, 2018 Zymeworks Inc. (NYSE/TSX: ZYME), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing multifunctional therapeutics, reported that the abstract highlighting new data from the Company’s adaptive Phase 1 clinical trial for ZW25 has been selected for an oral presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) being held in Chicago from June 1 through 5, 2018 (Press release, Zymeworks, APR 25, 2018, View Source [SID1234525665]).

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The oral presentation, entitled "Single Agent Activity of ZW25, a HER2 Targeted Bispecific Antibody, in Heavily Pretreated HER2 Expressing Cancers," is scheduled for Friday June 1, 2018 at 2:45 pm CT during the session on Developmental Therapeutics – Clinical Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics in room S406.

"We look forward to sharing the updated ZW25 data and are honored that it has been selected by ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) for an oral presentation at their annual meeting," said Ali Tehrani, Ph.D., Zymeworks’ President & CEO. "With over 35,000 oncology professionals from around the world anticipated to attend, it is an excellent opportunity to share an update of the data and to establish new relationships to realize the full potential of this therapeutic candidate."

Phase 1 Testing of ZW25

Zymeworks’ adaptive Phase 1 study is divided into three parts. Enrollment in the first portion of the study (the dose-escalation phase) has been completed. The Company has previously reported preliminary results from this part of the trial showing encouraging tolerability and anti-tumor activity in heavily pretreated patients with HER2-expressing cancers, including breast and gastric cancers.

In the second part of the study, which is now ongoing, expansion cohorts are being enrolled to further assess ZW25’s tolerability and single agent anti-cancer activity. The five cohorts include patients with HER2 high breast, HER2 high gastric, HER2 intermediate breast, HER2 intermediate gastric, and other HER2-expressing cancers.

The third part of the study, which is also ongoing, is evaluating the safety and anti-tumor activity of ZW25 in combination with selected chemotherapy agents in patients with HER2 low to high-expressing breast cancer or HER2 intermediate to high-expressing gastric cancers.

About ZW25

ZW25 is being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial in the United States and Canada. It is a bispecific antibody, based on Zymeworks’ Azymetric platform, that can simultaneously bind two non-overlapping epitopes of HER2, known as biparatopic binding. This unique design results in multiple mechanisms of action including dual HER2 signal blockade, increased binding and removal of HER2 protein from the cell surface, and potent effector function and has led to encouraging anti-tumor activity in patients. Zymeworks is developing ZW25 as a HER2-targeted treatment option for patients with any solid tumor that expresses HER2.