On November 8, 2018 Fate Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FATE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of programmed cellular immunotherapies for cancer and immune disorders, reported that Scott Wolchko, President and Chief Executive Officer, will present at two upcoming investor conferences in November (Press release, Fate Therapeutics, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234531048]):

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Jefferies 2018 London Healthcare Conference at 4:40 p.m. UTC on Thursday, November 15, 2018 in London.
Piper Jaffray 30th Annual Healthcare Conference at 12:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 in New York City.
Live webcasts of the presentations will be available through the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.fatetherapeutics.com. Following the live webcasts, an archived replay will be available on the Company’s website.

On November 8, 2018 Tocagen Inc. (Nasdaq: TOCA), a clinical-stage, cancer-selective gene therapy company, reported financial results and business highlights for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Tocagen, NOV 8, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2376312 [SID1234531164]).

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"We conclude the eventful third quarter of 2018 having met important milestones, including early completion of enrollment and the first interim analysis of our ongoing Phase 3 Toca 5 trial. We’ve also further improved our balance sheet to advance our lead program and execute against our goals," said Marty Duvall, chief executive officer of Tocagen. "With the planned second interim and final analyses for Toca 5 anticipated in 2019, we are preparing for a potential rolling BLA submission and planning for commercial launch."

Third Quarter 2018 and Recent Highlights

First interim analysis of Toca 5 Phase 3 trial: In August 2018, Tocagen announced the Toca 5 pivotal Phase 3 trial evaluating Toca 511 (vocimagene amiretrorepvec) & Toca FC (extended-release flucytosine) in patients with recurrent high grade glioma (rHGG) will continue without modification following a pre-planned first interim analysis of data. An Independent Data Monitoring Committee completed its analysis at 50% of events occurring in the trial and recommended the trial continue without modification. Tocagen estimates the second interim analysis, at 75% of events in the trial, will occur in the first half of 2019 and that the final analysis will occur by the end of 2019.
Completed Toca 5 enrollment: In September 2018, Tocagen completed the planned enrollment of 380 patients in the ongoing Toca 5 Phase 3 trial approximately three months ahead of schedule.
Received milestone payment from ApolloBio: Completing the Toca 5 enrollment triggered a milestone payment of $2 million from ApolloBio, Tocagen’s licensee of Toca 511 & Toca FC within the greater China region.
Initiated commercial organization buildout: In September 2018, Mohamed Ladha joined Tocagen as vice president, head of commercial. Mr. Ladha will build, oversee and execute the global commercial strategies for Tocagen’s oncology products upon regulatory approval in the United States and other key markets.
Presented Toca 6 data: Tocagen presented new clinical data on Toca 511 & Toca FC in advanced solid tumors at the International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference (CIMT) (Free CIMT Whitepaper) in late September. Data showed favorable safety, vector deposition in "hot" and "cold" tumors and immune changes consistent with preclinical and clinical observations. Based on these data, Tocagen is now planning future safety and efficacy trials in select tumor types.
Publication of Toca 511 & Toca FC data: In October 2018, two peer-reviewed clinical data manuscripts appeared in print related to Toca 511 & Toca FC in rHGG. Data published by Timothy F. Cloughesy and co-authors in Neuro-Oncology demonstrated multiyear durable responses observed in rHGG patients treated in a Toca 511 & Toca FC Phase 1 trial. Data published by Daniel J. Hogan and co-authors in Clinical Cancer Research demonstrated Toca 511 & Toca FC treatment was not associated with concerning integration sites and clonal expansion. These manuscripts first published online May 12, 2018 and June 26, 2018, respectively.
Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

License Revenue: License revenue was $18.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to less than $0.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. The 2018 revenue was associated with a $16.0 million upfront payment recognized under Tocagen’s license agreement with ApolloBio and a $2.0 million development milestone earned upon completion of enrollment in the Toca 5 clinical study.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $12.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to $7.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. The increase in R&D expenses in 2018 was primarily driven by higher costs to support the expanded Toca 5 Phase 3 clinical study and manufacturing activities related to Toca 511.

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $4.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to $2.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. The increase in G&A expenses was primarily due to foreign non-income tax expense of approximately $1 million paid under Tocagen’s license agreement with ApolloBio and an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation expense.

Net Loss: Net loss was $0.4 million, or $0.02 per common share (basic and diluted), for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to a net loss of $10.0 million, or $0.50 per common share (basic and diluted), for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. The reduction in net loss in 2018 was due to $18.0 million in revenue recognized under Tocagen’s license agreement with ApolloBio. Tocagen recognized $1.5 million in income taxes for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 related to the license agreement with ApolloBio. The 2018 calculation is based on 20.0 million average common shares outstanding for the third quarter of 2018, compared to 19.8 million average shares outstanding for the third quarter of 2017.

2018 Nine-Month Results

License Revenue: License revenue was $18.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to less than $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The 2018 revenue was associated with a $16.0 million upfront payment recognized under Tocagen’s license agreement with ApolloBio and a $2.0 million development milestone earned upon completion of enrollment in the Toca 5 clinical study.

R&D Expenses: R&D expenses were $35.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $20.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Similar to the third quarter results, the R&D expenses primarily reflect increased costs to support the expanded Toca 5 Phase 3 clinical study, manufacturing activities related to Toca 511 & Toca FC and personnel and related costs due to increased headcount.

G&A Expenses: G&A expenses were $9.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $6.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Similar to the third quarter results, the G&A expenses primarily reflect the foreign non-income tax expense paid under Tocagen’s license agreement with ApolloBio and an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation expense.

Net Loss: Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $29.4 million, or $1.47 per common share (basic and diluted), compared to a net loss of $28.1 million, or $2.19 per common share (basic and diluted), for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. This calculation is based on 19.9 million average common shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to 12.8 million average shares outstanding for the same period in 2017.

Cash Position and Guidance
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $79.8 million at September 30, 2018 compared to $88.7 million at December 31, 2017. Tocagen refined its annual cash burn guidance and estimates the total cash used in 2018 to fund operations and capital expenditures will be approximately $50 million, resulting in a year-end cash balance of approximately $70 million, up from approximately $40 million implied in guidance provided in January 2018.

About Toca 511 & Toca FC
Tocagen’s lead product candidate is a two-part cancer-selective immunotherapy comprising an investigational biologic, Toca 511, and an investigational small molecule, Toca FC. Toca 511 is a retroviral replicating vector (RRV) that selectively infects cancer cells and delivers a gene for the enzyme, cytosine deaminase (CD). Through this targeted delivery, only infected cancer cells carry the CD gene and produce CD. Toca FC is an orally administered prodrug, 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC), which is converted into an anti-cancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), when it encounters CD. 5-FU kills cancer cells and immune-suppressive myeloid cells resulting in anti-cancer immune activation and subsequent tumor killing.

On November 8, 2018 Seres Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MCRB) reported third quarter 2018 financial results and provided an operational update (Press release, Seres Therapeutics, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234530954]).

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"Based on a growing body of promising clinical data and preclinical data from our laboratories and others, Seres has increased its strategic focus toward immunology and immuno-oncology, and we are very pleased to have hired Kevin Horgan, M.D., an expert in these key areas, as our new Chief Medical Officer. Kevin has led the development and approval of numerous important drugs, and he has an ideal background to drive the Company’s clinical programs forward," said Roger J. Pomerantz, M.D., President, CEO and Chairman of Seres. "Seres has also been working to expedite data read outs from the ongoing SER-109 clinical study for recurrent C. difficile infection, and the soon-to-be initiated SER-287 Phase 2b study for ulcerative colitis. In addition, Seres and our collaborators at MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy have taken significant steps to advance our SER-401 immuno-oncology program toward the clinic."

Recent Highlights and Events

SER-109 ECOSPOR III Phase 3 Study: Enrollment for ECOSPOR III remains ongoing with approximately 100 clinical sites open across the U.S. and Canada. Study enrollment has been impacted by the widespread availability of unapproved fecal microbiota transplantation. The Company is considering alternatives, including study design modification, to expedite the availability of clinical results. Based on ECOSPOR III screening to date, 38% of subjects screened have had a negative C. difficile toxin test, despite having a positive C. difficile PCR test. In agreement with recent clinical guidelines, these subjects were deemed to not have an active C. difficile infection and were not eligible for study inclusion. These data provide additional support for our important requirement of a positive toxin test implemented in ECOSPOR III, and suggest that C. difficile clinical studies relying on PCR-based testing alone may include a significant proportion of subjects without active disease.
New data supporting SER-109 activity presented at ID Week 2018 conference: SER-109 data from the completed Phase 2 study provided insights into the potential mechanism of action of microbiome therapeutics for C. difficile infection. Presented results showed that SER-109 administration led to changes in the metabolic products created by the microbiome, including higher concentrations of secondary bile acids thought to be inhibitory to C. difficile growth.
SER-287 development activity: The Company has made operational progress towards initiating a SER-287 Phase 2b clinical study in patients with active mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC). To expedite the time and resources required to obtain top-line results from this study, the Company has modified the previously planned four-arm placebo-controlled study design into a smaller, three-arm study in approximately 200 patients that will include two different doses of SER-287, both following pretreatment with oral vancomycin, and a placebo arm. Seres has designed this study as a potentially pivotal trial, and the Company is awaiting feedback from the FDA on this final study design.

Based on modification to the Nestlé Health Science collaboration agreement, Seres now expects to receive $40 million in milestone payments from Nestlé Health Science following initiation of the SER-287 Phase 2b study. Because the SER-287 Phase 2b study could serve as a pivotal trial, the parties agreed that at initiation of the SER-287 Phase 2b study Seres would receive $40 million in contractual payments corresponding to both the Phase 2 milestone and a payment of the Phase 3 milestone.
SER-401 immuno-oncology development activity: In collaboration with the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy and MD Anderson Cancer Center, Seres is continuing activities to prepare the evaluation of the potential for SER-401 to augment checkpoint inhibitor response in patients with metastatic melanoma.
New Chief Medical Officer: Seres appointed Kevin Horgan, M.D., as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Horgan will lead Seres’ clinical development, clinical operations, regulatory affairs, and medical affairs functions, and report directly to Dr. Pomerantz. He succeeds Seres’ outgoing Chief Medical Officer, Michele Trucksis, Ph.D., M.D., who will continue to provide clinical consulting services to the Company. Over a three-decade academic and industry career, Dr. Horgan has contributed to the development and approval of multiple therapeutics across immunology and oncology indications. Most recently, Dr. Horgan was Vice President of Clinical Development at AstraZeneca where he led the development of combination immuno-oncology programs. Dr. Horgan earned his medical degree from University College Cork in Ireland and did his medical residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
Financial Results

Seres reported a net loss of $21.9 million for the third quarter of 2018, as compared to a net loss of $6.9 million for the same period in 2017. The third quarter net loss was driven primarily by clinical and development expenses, personnel expenses, and ongoing development of the Company’s microbiome therapeutics platform. The third quarter net loss figure was inclusive of $9.1 million in recognized revenue primarily associated with the Company’s collaboration with Nestlé Health Science.

Research and development expenses for the third quarter were $23.7 million, as compared to $22.2 million for the same period in 2017. The research and development expenses were primarily related to Seres’ microbiome therapeutics platform, the clinical development of SER-109, SER-262 and SER-287, as well as the Company’s SER-301, SER-155 and immuno-oncology preclinical programs.

General and administrative expenses for the third quarter were $7.6 million, as compared to $8.1 million for the same period in the prior year. General and administrative expenses were primarily due to headcount, professional fees, and facility costs.

The decrease in cash, cash equivalents and investments balance during the quarter was $23.2 million. Seres ended the third quarter with approximately $72.9 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments. Current resources, that do not include $40 million of milestone payments that the Company expects to receive following the initiation of the SER-287 Phase 2b study, are expected to fund the Company into the second quarter of 2019.

Conference Call Information

Seres’ management will host a conference call today, November 8, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. ET. To access the conference call, please dial 844-277-9450 (domestic) or 336-525-7139 (international) and reference the conference ID number 9877087. Accompanying slides will be made available on the Seres website prior to the call. To join the live webcast, please visit the "Investors and Media" section of the Seres website at www.serestherapeutics.com.

A webcast replay will be available on the Seres website beginning approximately two hours after the event and will be archived for at least 21 days.

On November 8, 2018 Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRKR), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, reported that its President and CEO, Peter L. Hoang, will participate in three upcoming healthcare conferences. Mr. Hoang will participate in a panel discussion titled "Drug Pricing and Development Challenges" at the CEO Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals Symposium on November 13, 2018 in New York City, and will give corporate overviews at the Piper Jaffray 30th Annual Healthcare Conference on November 27, 2018 in New York City and at the Evercore ISI HealthconX Conference on November 28, 2018 in Boston (Press release, Marker Therapeutics, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234530974]).

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November Conferences
November Conferences
CEO Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals Symposium
Title: Drug Pricing and Development Challenges
Date: Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm (EST)
Location: Yellow Room, 107 East 16th Street, New York City

Piper Jaffray 30th Annual Healthcare Conference
Date: Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Time: 12:00pm – 12:25pm (EST)
Location: Lotte New York Palace, Holmes 1, 4th Floor

Evercore ISI HealthconX Conference
Date: Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Time: 10:35am – 10:55am (EST)
Location: Boston Harbor Hotel, South Atlantic Room, 2nd Floor

Webcasts for the Piper Jaffray and Evercore ISI conferences will be made available at View Source

On November 8, 2018 Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: STML), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and potential commercialization of novel oncology therapeutics, reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Stemline Therapeutics, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234531049]). The Company also reviewed recent clinical and regulatory events, and outlined key upcoming milestones:

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ELZONRIS – Potential Approval and Pre-Commercial Activities

The FDA accepted, for filing, the Company’s Biologics License Application (BLA) for ELZONRISTM (tagraxofusp; SL-401) for the treatment of patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). The FDA also granted Priority Review for the BLA and set a target action date of February 21, 2019, under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA).
In preparation for potential US approval, we continue to build out our pre-launch activities. These efforts include ramping up our disease awareness campaign targeting key stakeholders including hematologist-oncologists, dermatologists, and pathologists.
During the quarter, we conducted meetings with our assigned Rapporteurs and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Based on feedback from these meetings, we plan to submit a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the EMA for ELZONRIS in the first quarter of 2019 seeking marketing approval in Europe.
ELZONRIS – Market Expansion Efforts

ELZONRIS is being evaluated in clinical trials in additional indications, with a focus on chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and myelofibrosis (MF).
Based on the clinical results observed in CMML and MF thus far, we are finalizing registrational plans in these indications. We plan to seek regulatory advice in early 2019 with the goal of initiating pivotal trials, or cohorts, to follow. Ahead of this, the ongoing trial continues to enroll CMML and MF patients, and periodic updates at upcoming conferences will be provided.
ASH Conference

At the upcoming American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) conference in December, ELZONRIS data were selected for four presentations, including an oral presentation. Presentations include results of the BPDCN pivotal trial and updated clinical trial data in patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and myelofibrosis (MF).
Additionally, we expect to have a robust clinical, medical affairs and pre-commercial presence at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper), including hosting an investor/analyst event on December 3rd.
SL-801

In October, data from the ongoing Phase 1 trial of SL-801 in patients with advanced solid tumors were presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Annual Congress 2018.
Patient enrollment and dose escalation continues. We expect to provide further updates at upcoming conferences.
SL-701

In October, data from the Phase 2 trial of SL-701 in patients with second-line glioblastoma (GBM) were delivered via oral presentation at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Annual Congress 2018.
Discussions around next steps to unlock potential value from the program are ongoing, and we expect to provide further updates at upcoming conferences.
Ivan Bergstein, M.D., CEO of Stemline Therapeutics, commented "This is an extremely exciting time for Stemline, as we gear up for the possible approval and near-term launch of ELZONRIS for BPDCN. We have nearly completed the full build-out of our U.S. sales force and commercial infrastructure in preparation for potential launch of ELZONRIS. In parallel, we continue to generate very promising clinical data in CMML and MF, additional areas of unmet medical need. Overall, the ability to effectively target CD123 with an acceptable safety profile we believe opens up significant developmental and commercial opportunities for Stemline."

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results Review

Stemline ended the third quarter of 2018 with $78.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments, representing cash use of $18.6 million in the third quarter. The Company ended the third quarter of 2018 with 31.7 million shares outstanding. For the third quarter of 2018, Stemline had a net loss of $21.0 million, or $0.73 per share, compared with a net loss of $16.1 million, or $0.68 per share, for the same period in 2017.

Research and development expenses were $11.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared with $12.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

General and administrative expenses were $9.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared with $4.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, representing an increase of $5.4 million. The higher expenses were primarily attributed to a $4.6 million increase in pre-launch expenses to support a potential commercialization of ELZONRIS in BPDCN, if marketing approval from the FDA is obtained. Additionally, the higher expense was also due to an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation and increased headcount.

About BPDCN
Please visit the BPDCN disease awareness booth (#205) at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) 2018, and the BPDCN disease awareness website at www.bpdcninfo.com.