Idera Pharmaceuticals has filed a 10-Q – Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission .

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On May 9, 2018 Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group reported the 1.1-type new drug Anlotinib Hydrochloride Capsules (Focavi) obtained the registration approval document approved by the State Drug Administration (Press release, Jiangsu Chia-tai Tianqing, MAY 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234576212]). This marks the official launch of Anlotinib, an original and innovative drug in the Chinese oncology field that has received much attention. Wang Shanchun, president of CP Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group, said: "We expect that this new national drug will benefit more Chinese patients and even patients around the world after it is launched."

Anlotinib refers to advanced non-small cell lung cancer

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After more than 10 years of hard work, the R&D team of CP Tianqing finally made a breakthrough in the development of oncology drugs. The 1.1-type new drug Anlotinib Hydrochloride Capsules was approved for marketing. This product is a new type of small molecule multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which can effectively inhibit VEGFR, PDGFR, FGFR, c-Kit and other kinases, and has the dual effects of anti-tumor angiogenesis and inhibiting tumor growth. Clinical trials have confirmed that Focavi is the only effective single-drug oral preparation among the anti-angiogenesis targeted drugs for advanced non-small cell lung cancer, and its adverse reactions are relatively mild, and it is well tolerated by patients. According to analysis by industry experts, Anlotinib is expected to become the standard drug for the third-line treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

"The listing of Anlotinib is also due to the ongoing reform measures for drug review and approval by the State Food and Drug Administration. As clinical studies have shown that Anlotinib has obvious clinical advantages over existing treatments, after the application That is, it was included in the priority review sequence by the drug review center. It is precisely because of the attention of the drug review department and the review experts working overtime that Anlotinib completed the marketing review and was approved in a short period of time. This will enable the majority of patients to use safe and effective anti-tumor innovative drugs as soon as possible." Wang Shanchun believes that the drug review period coincides with the national drug review and approval policy reform period, and the country’s orientation to encourage R&D and innovation is becoming more and more obvious. The approval of innovative drugs with outstanding clinical value such as Anlotinib has been guaranteed and encouraged. Through the priority review procedure, the Center for Drug Evaluation has provided an effective guarantee for meeting clinical drug needs, reducing drug costs, and promoting public health.

The clinical research results show that Focavi not only has a good therapeutic effect on non-small cell lung cancer, but also on soft tissue sarcoma, ovarian cancer and other cancers. CT Tianqing is actively carrying out multi-center clinical research including the United States. . The results of the Phase 2b clinical study of Anlotinib in the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma were reported orally by ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) this year, and the results of the pathological subgroup of the Phase 3 clinical study for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer were displayed in the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) this year, and were written into the "2018 CSCO Lung Cancer Guidelines" . Wang Shanchun said: "It is not easy for China’s original innovative drugs to have won such an honor before they went on the market. This shows the international recognition of Chinese innovative drugs."

Malignant tumors are the unbearable weight of life

There are more than 4 million new cancer patients in China each year, and an average of more than 10,000 people are diagnosed as new patients every day, and the incidence rate is increasing year by year. In particular, lung cancer ranks first in morbidity and mortality among men, and second in morbidity and mortality among women. The five-year survival period of cancer patients is much lower than the average in developed countries.

As an ordinary citizen, once diagnosed with a malignant tumor disease, not only the patient himself will suffer both physical and mental torture, loss of hope of survival, loss of dignity of life, but also a family may be crushed by this, and bear a heavy burden from then on The unbearable spiritual and economic burden. As an enterprise with a social conscience, CP Tianqing is also working hard, hoping to one day conquer the persistent disease of malignant tumors through technological innovation.

In recent years, with the development of traditional chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy have successively entered first-line and second-line treatment, and the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer has been greatly improved. However, for Chinese patients who have failed first-line and second-line treatments, the existing third-line treatments are relatively lacking and the choices are confusing, and patients are often in the predicament of no medicines available. In this case, the new small molecule multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor anlotinib independently developed by CT Tianqing has finally succeeded, providing an effective new method for the third-line treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer in China. treatment method.

CP Tianqing has a rich product line in the anti-tumor field

The listing of Anlotinib can be said to be a milestone event in the development history of CP Tianqing. The drug is Chia Tai Tianqing’s first innovative small molecule drug in accordance with international R&D procedures and standards, and it is also the company’s most invested anti-cancer drug so far. The successful listing of Anlotinib marks a solid step forward by CP Tianqing from "combination of imitation and innovation" to "combination of innovation and imitation". It is also a major breakthrough in the oncology field of the company based on the "focus on liver disease" strategy. .

Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group is an innovative pharmaceutical group enterprise integrating scientific research, production and sales. It is a well-known liver health drug research and development and production base in China. It is a national key high-tech enterprise and a national Torch Plan Lianyungang new pharmaceutical industry base. The backbone enterprise ranks 16th among the top 100 enterprises in China’s pharmaceutical industry. Chia Tai Tianqing currently invests more than 10% of its sales revenue every year. It has more than 1,000 R&D personnel and more than 180 products under research, including more than 40 innovative drugs and more than 20 biological drugs.

It is reported that in addition to the field of strong liver diseases, CP Tianqing has also formed a unique product line in the field of anti-tumor. Hematological tumor products Decitabine, Imatinib, and Dasatinib are the first imitation products in China. In the next three years, CP Tianqing will launch more products in the oncology field, such as bortezomib, bendamustine, lenalidomide, azacitidine, etc., to improve drug accessibility and quality of life for cancer patients.

On May 9, 2018 Pain Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:PTIE), a drug development company, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 (Press release, Pain Therapeutics, MAY 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234526317]). Net loss was $2.2 million, or $0.33 per share. This compared to a net loss of $2.7 million, or $0.42 per share, for the same period in the prior year. Cash and cash equivalents were $10.7 million as of March 31, 2018.

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"FDA’s acceptance of the NDA filing for REMOXY ER in Q1 2018 is a milestone," said Remi Barbier, Chairman, President & CEO. "Our focus is now on REMOXY ER’s potential to receive marketing clearance later this year. As part of this focus, we are preparing a strategic and thorough presentation of our key data for an upcoming FDA Advisory Committee Meeting for REMOXY ER, scheduled for June 26th in Washington, DC. We also continue to maintain tight fiscal discipline, and to advance our early-stage programs with non-dilutive funding."

Financial Highlights for First Quarter 2018

Net loss for the quarter was $2.2 million, or a net loss per share of $0.33. This compared to a net loss of $2.7 million, or $0.42 per share, for the same period in the prior year, representing a 19% decrease.

Cash and cash equivalents were $10.7 million. This compared to $10.5 million in the prior quarter, representing a 2% increase. Cash and cash equivalents for the quarter includes $1.9 million of net proceeds raised through issuance of shares of our common stock under a Capital on DemandTM program with JonesTrading Institutional Services LLC.

We have no debt.

We believe existing capital resources are sufficient to meet our projected operating requirements for at least the next 12 months.

We received $0.4 million in research grant funding from the National Institutes of Health, recorded as a reduction in research and development expenses (R&D).

R&D expenses were $1.1 million. This compared to $1.4 million for the same period in the prior year, representing a 23% decrease. R&D expenses included non-cash stock related compensation costs of $0.4 million, versus $0.3 million for the same period in the prior year.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $1.1 million. This compared to $1.4 million for the same period in the prior year, representing a 20% decrease. G&A expenses included non-cash stock-related compensation costs of $0.5 million, versus $0.5 million for the same period in the prior year.

About REMOXY ER (extended-release oxycodone capsules CII)

REMOXY ER is in registration with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a new type of abuse-deterrent, twice-daily, capsule gel formulation of oral oxycodone, a strong opioid drug. REMOXY ER has physical/chemical properties intended to deter abuse and still provide 12 hours of steady pain relief when properly prescribed by physician and used appropriately by patients.

Studies were extensive. The clinical efficacy of REMOXY ER was established in a Phase III study conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment. In total, over 2,400 subjects were exposed to REMOXY ER in 30 clinical studies. 9,000 unique data points were generated from 11 lab studies. The assessment of REMOXY ER’s abuse deterrence is supported by data from FDA Category 1 (lab), Category 2 (pharmacokinetic) and Category 3 (human abuse potential) studies. In addition, in November 2017 the Company and FDA held a pre-NDA meeting to confirm the sufficiency of data included in the REMOXY ER NDA resubmission.

REMOXY ER has a thick, sticky, high viscosity, hydrophobic, gel formulation that abusers cannot cut, grate or divide into smaller discrete particle sizes. The gel formulation resists syringe-ability, injection, and rapid extraction in ingestible solvents. REMOXY ER’s high viscosity and adhesive properties also cause it to stick to tools and equipment used for abuse. When exposed to heat, REMOXY ER releases an irritant to the eyes and lungs. REMOXY ER resists dose-dumping when challenged by alcohol and common physical and chemical manipulations.

We are requesting marketing approval of REMOXY ER as an analgesic drug with properties that can be expected to deter against injection, snorting and inhalation/smoking routes of abuse.

REMOXY ER intends to address the public health epidemic related to prescription opioids by advancing the science of abuse deterrence, providing an additional treatment option for physicians and patients, and increasing the range of available abuse deterrent technologies.

About Opioid Abuse
Opioid drugs such as oxycodone are an important treatment option for patients with severe chronic pain. However, oxycodone abuse and diversion remain serious, persistent problems. Opioid overdose deaths exceeded 64,000 in 2016, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). For over a decade, Pain Therapeutics has pioneered Abuse-Deterrent Formulations (ADFs) to help in the fight against prescription drug abuse. ADFs attempt to raise the bar on prescription drug abuse by making it more difficult, longer or aversive to tamper with long-acting opioid formulations, recognizing that no drug can be made abuse-proof.

Our Pipeline of Drug Assets also Includes:
FENROCK (transdermal fentanyl patch system) – This is a proprietary, abuse-deterrent skin patch for severe pain. FENROCK is an early-stage program, substantially funded by a research grant award from National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

PTI-125 – This proprietary, small molecule drug candidate is aimed at the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. PTI-125 is a Phase I clinical-stage program, substantially funded by a research grant award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

PTI-125DX – This is a proprietary blood-based test to detect Alzheimer’s disease. PTI-125DX is an early-stage program, substantially funded by a research grant award from the NIH

On May 9, 2018 Endocyte, Inc. (Nasdaq:ECYT), a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted therapeutics for personalized cancer treatment, reported The Lancet Oncology publication of data on 30 patients with PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with 177Lu-PSMA-617 (Press release, Endocyte, MAY 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234526367]). Preliminary results of this open-label phase 2 investigator-initiated trial were previously announced at the 2017 ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress and presented by Professor Michael Hofman of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Melbourne, Australia).

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"This more detailed publication was consistent with or improved from the summary results presented at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) last fall," said Mike Sherman, president and CEO of Endocyte. "The response rates demonstrated to date are encouraging, especially since no agent has been proven to improve survival in this heavily pre-treated patient population. We look forward to beginning enrollment in our global phase 3 VISION trial of 177Lu-PSMA-617 this quarter."

Mr. Sherman continued, "We also look forward to Professor Hofman presenting additional updates at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in June, with new data from the trial’s expansion to 50 patients. Given the expected immaturity of survival data in the additional 20 patients, our focus will be on the PSA and RECIST response rates."

Updated Data Disclosed in The Lancet Oncology

The journal article published today in The Lancet Oncology reviews the design and results to date of the original 30 patients from this phase 2 trial. This publication provides a more comprehensive summary than previously disclosed of patient characteristics, treatment regimen and more mature outcome data, including updated Kaplan-Meier curves estimating overall survival and PSA progression-free survival (PFS) as well as a swimmer’s plot of the 30 patients.

This study evaluated a heavily pre-treated patient population, 87% of which had received > 1 line of prior chemotherapy (80% docetaxel and 47% cabazitaxel) and 83% received prior abiraterone acetate and/or enzalutamide.

Observations in this study include a PSA reduction of at least 50% from baseline (PSA50) in 57% of patients, a PSA reduction of at least 80% from baseline (PSA80) in 43% of patients and a PSA reduction of > 96% in 20% of patients who were identified as ‘exceptional responders’. Regarding disease progression and survival, a median PSA PFS of 7.6 months and a median overall survival (OS) of 13.5 months were observed. Both the median PSA PFS and the median OS reflect improved outcomes versus the 6.3 months and 12.7 months for each endpoint, respectively, previously presented at the 2017 ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress.

Notably, patients with a PSA50 response had median PSA PFS of 9.9 months and median OS of 17.0 months compared to PSA PFS of 4.1 months and median OS of 9.9 months for those who did not achieve a PSA50 response. Additionally, clinically meaningful improvements in quality of life measures were observed.

17 patients (57%) had prostate cancer working group 2 (PCWG2) RECIST 1.1 evaluable nodal or visceral target lesions following CT scan at baseline. Confirmed objective responses were seen in 14 (82%) of these 17 patients, including complete and partial response rates of 29% and 53%, respectively. This response rate is greater than the 71% PCWG2 RECIST 1.1 objective response rate previously reported.

177Lu-PSMA-617 was well tolerated, with no significant dose-limiting toxicities observed. The most common treatment-related toxicity was Grade 1 xerostomia (dry mouth) seen in 87% of patients, which is higher than previously reported (63%), but generally didn’t require any intervention. The occurrence of treatment-related Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicity was low and comparable to the largest retrospective published cohort.1

The paper is available online at the following link: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(18)30198-0/supplemental

Website Information

Endocyte routinely posts important information for investors on its website, www.endocyte.com, in the "Investors & News" section. Endocyte uses this website as a means of disclosing material information in compliance with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the "Investors & News" section of Endocyte’s website, in addition to following its press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, Endocyte’s website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

On May 9, 2018 PDL BioPharma, Inc. (PDL or the Company) (NASDAQ: PDLI) reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 including (Press release, PDL BioPharma, MAY 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234526383]):

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Total revenues of $38.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

GAAP diluted EPS of $0.01 for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

GAAP net income attributable to PDL’s shareholders of $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to PDL’s shareholders of $13.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. A full reconciliation of all components of the GAAP to non-GAAP financial results can be found in Table 3 at the end of the release.

Revenue Highlights

Total revenues of $38.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 included:
◦
Product revenues of $23.3 million, which consisted of $18.3 million from sales of Tekturna and Tekturna HCT in the United States, Rasilez and Rasilez HCT in the rest of the world (collectively, the Noden Products) and $5.0 million for product sales of the LENSAR Laser System;
◦
Net royalty payments from acquired royalty rights and a change in fair value of the royalty rights assets of $11.1 million, which consisted of the change in estimated fair value of our royalty right assets, primarily related to the Depomed royalty asset;
◦
Royalties from PDL’s licensees to the Queen et al. patents of $2.8 million, which consisted of royalties earned on sales of Tysabri; and

Interest revenue from note receivable investment to CareView Communications of $0.7 million.

Total revenues decreased by 15 percent or $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017. The evolution of our revenues reflects PDL’s strategic shift to a specialty biopharmaceutical business model and the residual decline in royalty income from our expired Queen et al. patents.
◦
The 85 percent increase in product revenues was derived from the sales of the Noden Products and the LENSAR Laser System, the latter of which PDL did not begin to recognize until May 2017. Product revenues accounted for approximately 61 percent of total revenues compared to approximately 28 percent in the first quarter of 2017. Rasilez and Rasilez HCT revenues were $7.8 million, which was the first full quarter of revenue recognized from the ex-U.S. commercialization by Noden, having assumed commercialization from Novartis in November 2017;

PDL received $18.6 million in net cash royalties from its royalty rights in the first quarter of 2018, compared to $13.5 million for the same period of 2017. The increase in cash royalties is mainly due to royalties from Glumetza sold by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., partially offset by the decrease of royalties from ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as royalties ceased when the asset was sold in the first quarter of 2017;

Royalties from PDL’s licensees to the Queen et al. patents were 80 percent or $11.4 million lower than in the first quarter of 2017 as product supply of Tysabri manufactured prior to patent expiry in the United States have been extinguished and ex-U.S. product supplies are rapidly being exhausted; and
◦
The decrease in interest revenues was primarily due to the sale of the kaléo, Inc. note receivable in September 2017.

Operating Expense HighlightsOperating expenses were $34.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $26.9 million for the same period of 2017. The increase in operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017, was primarily a result of Noden Products and LENSAR contributing additional cost of product revenue of $5.6 million and $2.4 million, respectively, which was the result of increased revenue and recognition of costs of goods for ex-U.S. revenue from Noden Products and increased revenue from LENSAR, which PDL did not begin to recognize until May 2017. Sales and marketing expenses at Noden and LENSAR increased an additional $1.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively, and research and development expenses increased an additional $0.6 million due to LENSAR clinical studies. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration of $2.0 million, a decrease in research and development costs for the completion of a pediatric trial for Tekturna and a decrease in general and administration asset management and legal expenses related to the Merck litigation.

Recent Developments

Stock Repurchase Program

From April 1, 2018 to May 8, 2018, the Company repurchased approximately 2.8 million shares of its common stock under the share repurchase program at a weighted average price of $3.03 per share for a total of $8.4 million.

Since the inception of the share repurchase program in March 2018, the Company has repurchased approximately 4.2 million shares of its common stock for a total of $12.6 million.

Approximately $12.4 million remains available under the current share repurchase program.

Other Financial Highlights

PDL had cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and other investments of $405.1 million at March 31, 2018, compared to $532.1 million at December 31, 2017. The change in cash balance for the quarter was primarily a result of PDL retiring the remaining $126.4 million of principal of its 4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2018 at their stated maturity by making a payment to the noteholders of $129.0 million, which included $2.6 million of accrued interest.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

PDL will hold a conference call to discuss financial results at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today, May 9, 2018.

To access the live conference call via phone, please dial (800) 668-4132 from the United States and Canada or (224) 357-2196 internationally. The conference ID is 1798597. Please dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A telephone replay will be available beginning approximately one hour after the call through one week following the call, and may be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 from the United States and Canada or (404) 537-3406 internationally. The replay passcode is 1798597.

To access the live and subsequently archived webcast of the conference call, go to the Company’s website at View Source and go to the Investor Relations section and select "Events & Presentations." Please connect to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to allow for any software download that may be necessary.