Aclaris Therapeutics to Announce First Quarter 2019 Financial Results on May 8, 2019

On May 1, 2019 Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACRS), a physician-led biopharmaceutical company focused on immuno-inflammatory and dermatological diseases, reported it will report financial results for the first quarter 2019, Wednesday, May 8th, after U.S. financial markets close (Press release, Aclaris Therapeutics, MAY 1, 2019, View Source [SID1234535490]).

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Management will conduct a conference call at 5:00 PM ET to discuss Aclaris’ financial results and provide a general business update. The conference call will be webcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by logging on to the "Investors" page of the Aclaris Therapeutics website, www.aclaristx.com, prior to the event. A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Aclaris Therapeutics website for 30 days following the call.

To participate on the live call, please dial (844) 776-7782 (domestic) or (661) 378-9535 (international), and reference conference ID 5737199prior to the start of the call.

Illumina to Webcast Upcoming Investor Conference Presentation

On May 1, 2019 Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) reported that its executives will be speaking at the following investor conference and invited investors to participate via webcast (Press release, Illumina, MAY 1, 2019, View Source [SID1234535506]).

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Bank of America Merrill Lynch Health Care Conference in Las Vegas, NV
Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 10:40am Pacific Time

The live webcast can be accessed in the Investor Relations section of Illumina’s web site under the "company" tab at www.illumina.com. A replay of the presentation will be posted on Illumina’s web site after the event and will be available for at least 30 days following.

MacroGenics Provides Update on Corporate Progress and First Quarter 2019 Financial Results

On May 1, 2019 MacroGenics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGNX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, provided an update on its corporate progress and reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 (Press release, MacroGenics, MAY 1, 2019, View Source [SID1234535558]).

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"In February, we reported topline results from SOPHIA showing that in the Phase 3 trial, progression-free survival was prolonged following treatment with margetuximab and chemotherapy compared to trastuzumab with chemotherapy. We look forward to presenting detailed results at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper). In addition, we anticipate submitting a BLA for this program to the FDA in the second half of 2019. If approved by regulators, margetuximab could offer the potential of a new treatment option for patients living with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in a third line and beyond setting where there are currently no FDA-approved therapies. In seeking to address unmet needs of patients with HER2-postive cancers beyond breast cancer, we plan to initiate in the second half of 2019 a registration-directed trial to evaluate margetuximab for treating gastric cancer patients in the frontline setting," said Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of MacroGenics.

"Mechanistically, we believe the results achieved in the SOPHIA study have validated our Fc-optimization technology, also used in enoblituzumab, our investigational monoclonal antibody targeting B7-H3," continued Dr. Koenig. "To date, we have made tremendous progress with our immuno-oncology pipeline of nine clinical product candidates with multiple molecules demonstrating clinical proof of concept to support ongoing and/or planned registration studies."

Key Pipeline Updates
Margetuximab. Recent updates related to the Company’s investigational Fc-optimized monoclonal antibody (mAb) that targets human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) include:

•Oral Presentation of SOPHIA Data at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper); Plans to Submit BLA in 2H2019: In February 2019, MacroGenics announced that SOPHIA, the Phase 3 clinical trial of margetuximab in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, met the trial’s first sequential primary endpoint of prolongation of progression-free survival (PFS) in patients treated with the combination of margetuximab plus chemotherapy compared to trastuzumab plus chemotherapy. An abstract containing data from SOPHIA was selected for presentation in an oral session to be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. MacroGenics anticipates submitting a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. FDA for margetuximab, based on the PFS results, in the second half of 2019.
•Additional Validating Mechanistic Data in Posters at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) and ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper): Data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in April 2019 showed improved Fc-dependent activity of margetuximab compared to trastuzumab in vitro. These preclinical data validate the molecule’s underlying mechanism of action and the Company’s Fc-optimization platform. In addition, an abstract containing data describing HER2-specific immunity observed in patients with HER2-positive cancers treated with margetuximab in the Phase 1 trial was selected for presentation in a poster session at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) on Sunday, June 2, 2019.

Exhibit 99.1
•Plans to Initiate Front-line Gastric Cancer Trial in 2H2019: At the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium in January 2019, data were presented demonstrating encouraging anti-tumor activity and acceptable safety and tolerability of margetuximab in combination with an anti-PD-1 mAb in a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer. MacroGenics and its partner in Greater China, Zai Lab, expect to initiate a Phase 2/3 registration-directed clinical trial of margetuximab in combination with checkpoint inhibitor molecules, including MGA012 (anti-PD-1 mAb) and MGD013 (bispecific PD-1 x LAG-3 DART molecule) in the second half of 2019.

B7-H3 Franchise. MacroGenics is developing a portfolio of investigational antibody-based therapeutics that target B7-H3 through complementary mechanisms of action taking advantage of this antigen’s broad expression across multiple solid tumor types. Recent program highlights include:

•Plans to Advance Enoblituzumab in Head and Neck Cancer Study: Enoblituzumab is an Fc-optimized mAb that targets B7-H3. Encouraging data from the Phase 1 clinical study of enoblituzumab in combination with an anti-PD-1 mAb were presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in November 2018. Based on these data, MacroGenics is planning to initiate a Phase 2 study of enoblituzumab in combination with MGA012 in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) in the second half of 2019.
•MGD009 Phase 1 Studies Ongoing: MGD009 is a bispecific DART molecule designed to target B7-H3 expressed on tumor cells and CD3 expressed on normal T cells. MacroGenics is enrolling patients in two Phase 1 clinical trials of MGD009, one as monotherapy and another in combination with MGA012.
•MGC018 Dose Escalation Ongoing: MGC018 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) designed to target solid tumors expressing B7-H3. MacroGenics is evaluating MGC018 in a Phase 1 dose escalation study.

PD-1 Franchise. MacroGenics is advancing multiple investigational PD-1-directed programs to provide differentiation from existing PD-1-based treatment options and enable a broad set of combination opportunities across the Company’s portfolio. Recent program highlights include:

•MGA012 Registration-directed Studies Ongoing: MGA012 (INCMGA0012) is an anti-PD-1 mAb exclusively licensed to Incyte Corporation on a worldwide basis. Incyte is initially pursuing development of MGA012 monotherapy through three potentially registration-directed trials in MSI-high endometrial cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma and anal cancer and Incyte and MacroGenics are each conducting multiple studies of MGA012 in combination with other agents. MacroGenics retains the right to develop its pipeline of product candidates in combination with MGA012.
•MGD013 Dose Expansion Ongoing: MGD013 is a first-in-class bispecific DART molecule designed to provide co-blockade of PD-1 and LAG-3, two immune checkpoint molecules expressed on T cells. MacroGenics is evaluating MGD013 in a Phase 1 dose expansion study in up to nine tumor types and expects to present data from this trial in the second half of 2019.
•MGD019 Dose Escalation Ongoing: MGD019 is a bispecific DART molecule designed to provide co-blockade of PD-1 and CTLA-4, two immune checkpoint inhibitors expressed on T cells. MacroGenics is currently evaluating MGD019 in a Phase 1 dose escalation study.

Flotetuzumab. A recent update related to the Company’s investigational, bispecific DART molecule that recognizes both CD123 and CD3, includes:

•Data from Ongoing Study Expected 2H2019: Based on data presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in December 2018 showing anti-leukemic activity and acceptable tolerability of flotetuzumab in patients with relapsed/refractory AML, MacroGenics is enrolling additional patients in a dose expansion cohort enriched for primary refractory patients and expects to announce updated data from the trial in the second half of 2019. The Company’s collaborator, Servier, has development and commercialization rights outside North America, Japan, Korea and India for flotetuzumab, also known as S80880.

First Quarter 2019 Financial Results

Exhibit 99.1
•Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2019, were $320.4 million, compared to $232.9 million as of December 31, 2018.
•Revenue: Total revenue, consisting primarily of revenue from collaborative agreements, was $9.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to $4.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Revenue from collaborative agreements included revenue received under a clinical supply agreement with Incyte, as well as the recognition of deferred revenue from payments received in previous periods and payments received during the quarter.
•R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $47.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to $45.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. This increase was due to increased clinical trial costs for MGD013, MGC018 and flotetuzumab, as well as increased development/manufacturing costs related to MGA012 (largely offset by revenue from Incyte). These increases were partially offset by decreased expenses related to the SOPHIA and enoblituzumab clinical studies.
•G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $10.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to $9.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.
•Net Loss: Net loss was $45.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, compared to net loss of $49.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.
•Shares Outstanding: Shares outstanding as of March 31, 2019 were 48,805,008.

Conference Call Information

MacroGenics will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and provide a corporate update. To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 303-6253 (domestic) or (973) 409-9610 (international) five minutes prior to the start of the call and provide the Conference ID: 8788605.

The listen-only webcast of the conference call can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call and archived on the Company’s website for 30 days following the call.

Novocure Announces the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics Publishes Data Demonstrating Higher Doses of Tumor Treating Fields Improved Survival of Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Patients

On April 30, 2019 Novocure (NASDAQ:NVCR) reported that the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, known in the field as the Red Journal, has published the results of an EF-14 post-hoc analysis demonstrating that higher doses of Tumor Treating Fields improved survival in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) patients (Press release, NovoCure, APR 30, 2019, View Source [SID1234535470]). The Red Journal is the official journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology. This publication is the first reported analysis demonstrating patient-level dose responses to Tumor Treating Fields.

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"The study provides a definition for Tumor Treating Fields dose and creates a framework for Tumor Treating Fields dosimetry and treatment planning," said Matthew T. Ballo, MD, FACR, Professor and Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology, West Cancer Center & Research Institute in Germantown, Tennessee. "This analysis provides radiation oncologists with a better understanding of the relationship between Tumor Treating Fields dose and survival, and can be used to help optimize outcomes for GBM patients."

The simulation-based, post-hoc analysis included 340 patients from the EF-14 phase 3 pivotal trial, which compared Tumor Treating Fields plus temozolomide versus temozolomide alone for the treatment of newly diagnosed GBM. All EF-14 patients who were on treatment for at least two months and who had MRIs of acceptable quality were included.

The median overall survival and progression free survival were significantly longer when the average dose density in the tumor bed was >0.77 mW/cm3: overall survival (25.2 versus 20.4 months, p=0.003, HR=0.611) and progression free survival (8.5 versus 6.7 months, p=0.02, HR=0.699). For Tumor Treating Fields, dose can be defined as time on therapy times the energy delivered, or cumulative energy.

"With the knowledge gained from this study, we have focused our engineering efforts on evolving our Optune system to improve efficacy and extend survival," said Novocure CEO Asaf Danziger. "We have also developed novel mapping algorithms to optimize treatment planning and are working to incorporate these algorithms into a second generation NovoTAL system. We are excited by the potential of these developments to improve patients’ lives."

ALENTIS Therapeutics launches, raising CHF 12.5m in a Series A
to develop novel therapeutics in advanced liver disease and cancer

On April 30, 2019 ALENTIS Therapeutics ("ALENTIS"), a Swiss-French biotech company developing novel therapeutics in advanced liver disease and cancer, reported the completion of a Series A financing of CHF 12.5million (Euro 11.1m; USD 12.5m) (Press release, Alentis Therapeutics, APR 30, 2019, View Source [SID1234556137]). The Swiss venture capital firms BioMedPartners and BB Pureos Bioventures co-led the round and were joined by Bpifrance, Schroder Adveq and the German High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF).

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Markus L.E. Ewert, PhD, MBA has joined the company as Chief Executive Officer. Markus was previously CBO at Ablynx, contributing to both its US IPO and highly successful sale to Sanofi. Before, he led global corporate development at GE Healthcare, had leadership positions at Novartis, and has a track record of building businesses based on innovations.

ALENTIS’ lead program is a humanized monoclonal antibody against a target that plays a key role in the pathology of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Advanced liver disease and cancer are major clinical challenges world-wide and characterized by a poor outcome and limited therapeutic options.

ALENTIS’ research is powered by its proprietary drug discovery platform, which is based on a prognostic liver disease signature holding promise for the discovery and development of further drug candidates to treat advanced liver diseases and cancer.

ALENTIS is founded on ground-breaking research of the laboratory of Prof. Thomas Baumert, MD at the University of Strasbourg, the Inserm Institute for Viral and Liver Disease, the Laboratory of Excellence HepSYS and the Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Strasbourg as well as other collaborators, including Prof. Yujin Hoshida, MD at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. SATT Conectus, the organization for accelerating technology transfer in the Alsace territory (France) has been essential in providing, building and securing the IP portfolio that has been licensed to ALENTIS. BaseLaunch, a healthcare accelerator operated by BaselArea.swiss, has been instrumental as an early stage financial and operational supporter in the formation of the company. As a result of this tri-national collaboration, ALENTIS’ headquarters have been incorporated in Basel (Switzerland) with a subsidiary in Strasbourg (France) and a branch in Germany.

Thomas F. Baumert, MD, principal founder of ALENTIS and Professor of Medicine, Head Inserm Research Institute for Viral and Liver Diseases, University of Strasbourg and Strasbourg University Hospitals said: "Together with my colleagues we are excited to be translating our novel approaches and therapeutic compounds with a unique mechanism of action into clinical drug candidates, with the aim of improving the very poor outcomes of patients with advanced liver disease."

Andreas Wallnöfer, former Head of Clinical Research & Exploratory Development at F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and General Partner at BioMedPartners added: "The pre-clinical data set of the ALENTIS lead molecule are most comprehensive and convincing: they support the therapeutic potential in advanced liver disease of different origins. Prof. Baumert’s research is truly translational and links pre-clinic and clinic through a prognostic gene expression signature, which is most valuable to optimally characterize the lead project and fuel further programs."

ALENTIS’ Board of Directors will comprise Neil Goldsmith, a co-founder and Chairman; Andreas Wallnöfer, General Partner at BioMedPartners; Martin Münchbach, Managing Partner at BB Pureos Bioventures; Benoit Barteau, Senior Investment Manager at BPI France, and Prof. Thomas F. Baumert, the principal founder.