David Kendall Joins MannKind as Chief Medical Officer

On February 6, 2018 MannKind Corporation (NASDAQ:MNKD) reported that David M. Kendall, MD, will join the company as Chief Medical Officer and assume full responsibility for leading MannKind’s scientific research, clinical development, regulatory, and medical affairs activity, effective February 12 (Press release, Mannkind, FEB 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234524353]). Dr. Kendall will report directly to Michael Castagna, Pharm.D., Chief Executive Officer, and will join the company’s executive leadership team. He will be based out of MannKind’s Westlake Village, California headquarters.

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"David is a world renowned diabetes expert and represents an important addition to our executive leadership team," said Castagna, Chief Executive Officer of MannKind. "His extensive experience in diabetes research, development, and clinical care in both U.S. and international markets, will be instrumental in helping us achieve the growth potential that we believe Afrezza clearly possesses."

Dr. Kendall’s career includes over 30 years of experience in diabetes and metabolism research, clinical management, research, and policy advocacy. Most recently, he served as Research Physician and Vice President of Global Medical Affairs for Lilly Diabetes, and during that time was responsible for all medical affairs activities and guided research and development strategy across multiple geographies. In this role, he worked to re-establish Lilly Diabetes as a world class medical organization — and added to his extensive experience with both injected and mealtime insulins, as well as devices and continuous glucose monitors. Prior to joining Eli Lilly, Dr. Kendall served as Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the American Diabetes Association, where he was responsible for all medical affairs, medical education, research, outcomes, and medical policy activities. Earlier in his career, Dr. Kendall served as Medical Director at the International Diabetes Center, and the Park Nicollet Clinic, as well as at Amylin Pharmaceuticals. He received his M.D. and completed his Post Graduate Medical Training at the University of Minnesota, and earned a B.A. in Biology from St. Olaf College.

"The research and clinical response to Afrezza as a mealtime insulin supports ongoing efforts to establish this product as the standard of care for those living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Kendall. "Afrezza is the only inhaled fast-acting mealtime insulin on the market, and offers the right patients a flexible, safe, and effective treatment option. I’m thrilled to join MannKind, and look forward to being part of a company that has the potential to transform the lives of so many people that are living with diabetes."

Exelixis to Present at the Leerink Partners Global Healthcare Conference on February 14

On February 6, 2018 Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL) reported that Michael M. Morrissey, Ph.D., the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will provide an overview of the company at Leerink’s Global Healthcare Conference taking place February 14-15 in New York, NY (Press release, Exelixis, FEB 6, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2330703 [SID1234523756]). The Exelixis presentation is scheduled for 11:00 AM EST / 8:00 AM PST on Wednesday, February 14, 2018.

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To access the webcast link, log onto www.exelixis.com and proceed to the News & Events / Event Calendar page under the Investors & Media heading. Please connect to the company’s website at least 15 minutes prior to the presentation to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to listen to the webcast. A replay will also be available at the same location for 14 days.

Daiichi Sankyo Initiates Phase 1 Study of U3-1402 in Patients with Metastatic EGFR-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

On February 6, 2018 Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo) reported that the first patient has been dosed in a phase 1 study evaluating the safety and tolerability of U3-1402, an investigational and potential first-in-class HER3-targeting antibody drug conjugate (ADC), in patients with metastatic or unresectable epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (C) whose disease has progressed while taking an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) (Press release, Daiichi Sankyo, FEB 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234523766]).

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Treatment with EGFR TKIs such as erlotinib, gefitinib, or afatinib is used as first-line therapy for metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC.1,2,3,4 However, patients eventually develop resistance to these treatments, typically experiencing disease progression within a year.1,2,3,4 More than half of these patients develop resistance with a secondary EGFR mutation called T790M, which may be treated with EGFR TKI osimertinib.1,2,3,4 Patients who experience disease progression following EGFR TKI treatment and who have tumors that lack the T790M mutation may be treated with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or with investigational treatments.3,4

Expression of HER3, a member of the HER family of receptor tyrosine kinases, is believed to play a role in tumor growth and proliferation in many different types of cancer including NSCLC.5 Studies have shown that HER3 overexpression in lung cancer can also be associated with acquired resistance to other EGFR family targeted interventions such as TKIs and anti-EGFR antibody therapies.5 Patients with NSCLC with high levels of HER3 may face a significantly worse prognosis and decreased survival.5,6,7 Currently, there are no approved HER3-targeted therapies.

"While the treatment of metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC has significantly improved over the past decade, new treatments are needed that work to overcome resistance associated with current EGFR TKIs," said Antoine Yver, MD, MSc, Executive Vice President and Global Head, Oncology Research and Development, Daiichi Sankyo. "In this study, we are exploring whether the smart delivery of chemotherapy with U3-1402 to cancer cells that express HER3 – a known feature of resistance in pre-treated EGFR-mutated NSCLC – could become a new treatment strategy for these patients."

About the Study

The global, phase 1, open label, two-part study will enroll patients with metastatic or unresectable EGFR-mutated NSCLC whose disease has progressed while taking an EGFR TKI. This includes patients who experienced disease progression during treatment with erlotinib, gefitinib, or afatinib and whose tumors have tested negative for the T790M mutation and patients who experienced disease progression during treatment with osimertinib regardless of T790M status. The primary objectives of the study are to assess the safety and tolerability of U3-1402 and determine the recommended dose for the dose expansion part of the study. The secondary objectives are to characterize the pharmacokinetics of U3-1402 and to evaluate preliminary efficacy by measuring antitumor activity of U3-1402. The study is expected to enroll more than 60 patients at approximately 17 sites globally. For more information about the study, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.

About U3-1402

Part of the investigational ADC Franchise of the Daiichi Sankyo Cancer Enterprise, U3-1402 is an investigational and potential first-in-class ADC. ADCs are targeted cancer medicines that deliver cytotoxic chemotherapy ("payload") to cancer cells via a linker attached to a monoclonal antibody that binds to a specific target expressed on cancer cells. Designed using Daiichi Sankyo’s proprietary ADC technology, U3-1402 is a smart chemotherapy comprised of a human anti-HER3 antibody attached to a novel topoisomerase I inhibitor payload by a tetrapeptide-based linker. It is designed to target and deliver chemotherapy inside cancer cells and reduce systemic exposure to the cytotoxic payload (or chemotherapy) compared to the way chemotherapy is commonly delivered.

U3-1402 is currently being evaluated in two phase 1 clinical studies including a phase 1/2 study for HER3-expressing metastatic or unresectable breast cancer and a phase 1 study for metastatic or unresectable EGFR-mutated NSCLC. U3-1402 is an investigational agent that has not been approved for any indication in any country. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

About Daiichi Sankyo Cancer Enterprise

The vision of Daiichi Sankyo Cancer Enterprise is to leverage our world-class, innovative science and push beyond traditional thinking to create meaningful treatments for patients with cancer. We are dedicated to transforming science into value for patients, and this sense of obligation informs everything we do. Anchored by three pillars including our investigational Antibody Drug Conjugate Franchise, Acute Myeloid Leukemia Franchise and Breakthrough Science Franchise, we aim to deliver seven distinct new molecular entities over eight years during 2018 to 2025. Our powerful research engines include two laboratories for biologic/immuno-oncology and small molecules in Japan, and Plexxikon Inc., our small molecule structure-guided R&D center in Berkeley, CA. Compounds in pivotal stage development include: DS-8201, an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) for HER2-expressing breast, gastric and other cancers; quizartinib, an oral selective FLT3 inhibitor, for newly-diagnosed and relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with FLT3-ITD mutations; and pexidartinib, an oral CSF-1R inhibitor, for tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT). For more information, please visit: www.DSCancerEnterprise.com.

Corporate Presentation

On February 6, 2018 Galectin Therapeutics reported its Corporate presentation (Press release, Galectin Therapeutics, FEB 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234523757]).

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GILEAD SCIENCES ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2017 FINANCIAL RESULTS

On February 6, 2018 Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) reported its results of operations for the fourth quarter and full year 2017 (Press release, Gilead Sciences, FEB 6, 2018, View Source [SID1234523758]). Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $5.9 billion compared to $7.3 billion for the same period in 2016. Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $3.9 billion, or $2.96 loss per share, compared to net income of $3.1 billion, or $2.34 per diluted share for the same period in 2016. The net loss for the fourth quarter includes an estimated $5.5 billion charge related to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Reform)(1). Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $2.3 billion, or $1.78 per diluted share, compared to $3.6 billion, or $2.70 per diluted share for the same period in 2016. Non-GAAP net income excludes amounts related to acquisition-related, up-front collaboration, stock-based compensation and other expenses, and the impact of Tax Reform.

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Full year 2017 total revenues were $26.1 billion, compared to $30.4 billion for 2016. Net income for 2017 was $4.6 billion, or $3.51 per diluted share, compared to $13.5 billion, or $9.94 per diluted share for 2016. Non-GAAP net income for 2017 was $11.7 billion, or $8.84 per diluted share, compared to $15.7 billion, or $11.57 per diluted share for 2016.

Product Sales

Total product sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $5.8 billion, compared to $7.2 billion for the same period in 2016. Product sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $4.1 billion in the United States, $1.1 billion in Europe and $553 million in other locations. Product sales for the fourth quarter of 2016 were $4.9 billion in the United States, $1.4 billion in Europe and $870 million in other locations.
Total product sales during 2017 were $25.7 billion, compared to $30.0 billion in 2016. For 2017, product sales were $18.1 billion in the United States, $5.0 billion in Europe and $2.6 billion in other locations. For 2016, product sales were $19.3 billion in the United States, $6.1 billion in Europe and $4.6 billion in other locations.

Antiviral Product Sales
Antiviral product sales, which include sales of our HIV, chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and chronic hepatitis C (HCV) products, were $5.2 billion for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $6.6 billion for the same period in 2016. For 2017, antiviral product sales were $23.3 billion compared to $27.7 billion in 2016.

HIV and HBV product sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $3.7 billion compared to $3.4 billion for the same period in 2016 and $14.2 billion for the full year 2017 compared to $12.9 billion in 2016. The increases were primarily driven by the continued uptake of our tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)-based products, Genvoya (elvitegravir 150 mg/cobicistat 150 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 10 mg), Descovy (emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg) and Odefsey (emtricitabine 200 mg/rilpivirine 25 mg/tenofovir alafenamide 25 mg).

HCV product sales, which consist of Harvoni (ledipasvir 90 mg/sofosbuvir 400 mg), Sovaldi (sofosbuvir 400 mg), Epclusa (sofosbuvir 400 mg/velpatasvir 100 mg) and Vosevi (sofosbuvir 400 mg/velpatasvir 100 mg/voxilaprevir 100 mg), were $1.5 billion for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $3.2 billion for the same period in 2016 and $9.1 billion for the full year 2017 compared to $14.8 billion in 2016. The declines were across all major markets.

Other Product Sales
Other product sales, which include Letairis (ambrisentan), Ranexa (ranolazine) and AmBisome (amphotericin B for liposome injection), were $624 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $621 million for the same period in 2016. For 2017, other product sales were $2.3 billion compared to $2.2 billion in 2016.

For 2017 compared to 2016:

R&D expenses decreased primarily due to the 2016 impacts of impairment charges related to IPR&D, ongoing milestone payments, up-front collaboration expenses related to Gilead’s license and collaboration agreement with Galapagos NV and Gilead’s purchase of Nimbus Apollo, Inc., partially offset by Gilead’s purchase of Cell Design Labs in 2017.

Non-GAAP R&D expenses* decreased primarily due to the 2016 impact of ongoing milestone payments.

SG&A expenses increased primarily due to acquisition-related costs associated with Gilead’s acquisition of Kite.

Non-GAAP SG&A expenses* increased primarily due to higher branded prescription drug fee expense.

Provision for Income Taxes and Tax Reform
Provision for income taxes was $6.0 billion for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $821 million for the same period in 2016 and $8.9 billion for the full year 2017 compared to $3.6 billion in 2016. The increases were primarily due to an estimated charge of $5.5 billion from Tax Reform, which was enacted on December 22, 2017 and lowers U.S. corporate income tax rates as of January 1, 2018, implements a territorial tax system and imposes a repatriation tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. This estimate is provisional and based on our initial analysis and current interpretation. Given the complexity of the legislation, anticipated guidance from the U.S. Treasury, and the potential for additional guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or the Financial Accounting Standards Board, this estimate may be adjusted during 2018.
Non-GAAP provision for income taxes excludes the estimated charge of $5.5 billion from Tax Reform. A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP financial information is provided in the tables on pages 8, 9 and 10.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
As of December 31, 2017, Gilead had $36.7 billion of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities compared to $32.4 billion as of December 31, 2016. During 2017, Gilead generated $11.9 billion in operating cash flow and in connection with the acquisition of Kite, Gilead issued $3.0 billion aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes and $6.0 billion aggregate principal amount of term loan facilities, of which $1.5 billion was repaid in December 2017. Additionally, Gilead paid cash dividends of $2.7 billion and utilized $954 million on stock repurchases.

Corporate Highlights

Announced that Executive Chairman John C. Martin, PhD will transition from his current role of Executive Chairman to Chairman of the Board of Directors effective March 9, 2018.

Announced the acquisition of Cell Design Labs, gaining new technology platforms that will enhance research and development efforts in cellular therapy.

Announced the launch of the Gilead COMPASS (COMmitment to Partnership in Addressing HIV/AIDS in Southern States) Initiative, a 10-year, $100 million commitment to support organizations working to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Southern United States.

Announced the promotion of Alessandro Riva, MD, to Executive Vice President, Oncology Therapeutics, with responsibility for Gilead’s hematology and oncology programs, including cell therapy research and development.
Product & Pipeline Updates announced by Gilead during the Fourth Quarter of 2017 include:
HIV and Liver Diseases Programs

Presented data at The Liver Meeting 2017 which included the announcement of:

Results from a Phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating two doses of GS-0976, an oral, investigational inhibitor of Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The data demonstrate that the higher dose of GS-0976 (20 mg taken orally once daily) when administered for 12 weeks was associated with statistically significant reductions in hepatic steatosis (buildup of fat in the liver) and a noninvasive marker of fibrosis compared to placebo.

Results from an open-label Phase 2 study evaluating once-daily Harvoni for 12 weeks among HCV genotype 1 patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance ≤ 30 mL/min). 100 percent of patients achieved a sustained virologic response 12 weeks after completing therapy (SVR12), including patients with compensated cirrhosis and those who had failed prior treatment.

Results from an open-label Phase 2 study evaluating once-daily Epclusa for 12 weeks among 79 liver transplant patients with genotype 1-4 chronic HCV infection. Treatment with Epclusa resulted in an overall SVR12 rate of 96 percent, including patients with cirrhosis and prior treatment failure, and was well tolerated.

Updated results from two Phase 3 studies demonstrating improved long-term bone and renal safety in HBV-infected patients 48-weeks after switching from Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300mg) to Vemlidy (tenofovir alafenamide 25mg).

Announced detailed 48-week results from a Phase 3 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of switching virologically suppressed HIV-1 infected adult patients from a multi-tablet regimen containing a boosted protease inhibitor (bPI) to a fixed-dose combination of bictegravir (50 mg) (BIC), a novel investigational integrase strand transfer inhibitor, and emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (200/25 mg) (FTC/TAF), a dual-NRTI backbone. In the ongoing study, BIC/FTC/TAF was found to be statistically non-inferior to regimens containing bPIs and demonstrated no treatment-emergent resistance at 48 weeks. The data were presented at IDWeek 2017.

Announced a new licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), a United Nations-backed public health organization, to expand access to BIC upon regulatory approval in the United States. Through this agreement, MPP can sub-license rights to BIC to generic drug companies in India, China and South Africa to manufacture therapies containing BIC for distribution in 116 low- and middle-income countries.

Oncology and Cell Therapy Programs

Announced updated results from the ongoing Phase 1/2 ZUMA-3 study of KTE-C19, a CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cell therapy, which is investigational, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). With a minimum of eight weeks of follow-up, 71 percent of ALL patients (n=17/24) who received a single infusion of KTE-C19 achieved complete tumor remission (complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete hematological recovery). The ZUMA-3 study results were presented in an oral session at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper).

Announced long-term follow-up data from the ZUMA-1 study of Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) in patients with refractory large B-cell lymphoma. With a minimum follow-up of one year after a single infusion of Yescarta (median follow-up of 15.4 months), 42 percent of patients continued to respond to therapy, including 40 percent with a complete remission. Detailed results from this updated analysis were simultaneously presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper), and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Announced that U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted regular approval to Yescarta, the first CAR T cell therapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high-grade B-cell lymphoma, and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma (transformed follicular lymphoma).

Non-GAAP Financial Information
The information presented in this document has been prepared by Gilead in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), unless otherwise noted as non-GAAP. Management believes non-GAAP information is useful for investors, when considered in conjunction with Gilead’s GAAP financial information, because management uses such information internally for its operating, budgeting and financial planning purposes. Non-GAAP information is not prepared under a comprehensive set of accounting rules and should only be used to supplement an understanding of Gilead’s operating results as reported under GAAP. Non-GAAP measures may be defined and calculated differently by other companies in the same industry. A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP financial information is provided in the tables on pages 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Conference Call
At 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today, Gilead’s management will host a conference call and a simultaneous webcast to discuss results from its fourth quarter 2017 and full year 2017 as well as provide 2018 guidance and a general business update. To access the webcast live via the internet, please connect to the company’s website at www.gilead.com/investors 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be needed to hear the webcast. Alternatively, please call (877) 359-9508 (U.S.) or (224) 357-2393 (international) and dial the conference ID 6478317 to access the call.

A replay of the webcast will be archived on the company’s website for one year, and a phone replay will be available approximately two hours following the call through February 8, 2018. To access the phone replay, please call (855) 859-2056 (U.S.) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and dial the conference ID 6478317.