On November 15, 2017 Neuralstem, Inc. (NASDAQ:CUR), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of nervous system therapies based on its neural stem cell technology, reported its financial results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 (Press release, Neuralstem, NOV 15, 2017, View Source [SID1234522096]).

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"We continue to evaluate the full Phase 2 data set for NSI-189 to determine the optimal development path in major depressive disorder and for other conditions, including Angelman’s Syndrome following highly encouraging preclinical data in that setting. We expect to provide a detailed update on our corporate strategy, including development and regulatory plans, after our post-phase 2 meeting with the FDA in the first half of 2018," commented Rich Daly, Chairman and CEO.

"Our recent financing has further extended the company’s cash runway to sufficiently support continued research on NSI-189 and to support operations. We are encouraged by the emerging clinical profile of NSI-189 and look forward to presenting additional clinical data at the upcoming American College of Neuropsychopharmacology in December."

Recent Corporate & Clinical Highlights & Milestones

On November 6, 2017, we strengthened our clinical research team with the appointment of David Recker, MD, as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Recker has more than 20 years of experience in drug development in multiple therapeutic areas including CNS and cell therapy and has been involved in numerous aspects of clinical strategy development, including product registration and marketing support, clinical trial development and execution, data interpretation, key opinion leader development and support.

On September 18, 2017, Cristina Csimma, Pharm.D, MHP joined the board of directors. Ms. Csimma brings extensive senior leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including expertise in drug development and regulatory and commercial processes.

On July 25, 2017, the Company announced top-line results from the exploratory Phase 2 clinical trial examining the efficacy of NSI-189 at 40 mg once daily (QD) and 40 mg twice daily (BID) compared to placebo for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The study, which utilized the two-staged sequential parallel comparison design (SPCD), did not meet its primary efficacy endpoint of a statistically significant reduction in depression symptoms on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). However, as reported in our topline results, the 40 mg QD dose was directionally positive on the MADRS and met statistical significance on several key secondary efficacy endpoints.

The company plans to present the results of the analysis of the secondary endpoints from the Phase 2 clinical trial of NSI-189 in MDD at a scientific meeting in the fourth quarter of this year.

Neuralstem plans to meet with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the first half of 2018 to discuss the clinical development path for NSI-189.
Neuralstem intends to submit data on NSI-566, its stem cell therapy product candidate, to FDA and to request Regenerative Medicine Advanced Technology, or RMAT, designation. The RMAT designation, intended to expedite the approval of safe and effective cell therapies, was created by the U.S. Congress as part of the recently-enacted 21st Century Cures Act. Neuralstem is evaluating NSI-566 in three indications: stroke, chronic spinal cord injury (cSCI), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
On September 5, 2017, the Company was awarded two additional patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). These patents broadly protect methods for using neural stem cells to treat neurodegenerative disorders, a key component of the Company’s platform. The first new patent, U.S. Patent No. 9,744,194, covers methods of treating neurodegenerative disorders through transplantation of neural stem cells. The second new patent, U.S. Patent No. 9,750,769, covers neural stem cells engineered to express IGF-1, a neurotrophic molecule with broad therapeutic potential in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
Financial Results for the Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2017

Cash Position and Liquidity: At September 30, 2017, cash and investments was $14.1 million as compared to $11.4 million at June 30, 2017. The $2.6 million increase is due to proceeds of $5.4 million, net, from a public offering of common stock and warrants. On August 1, 2017, the Company closed a public offering of 3,000,000 shares of common stock and 2,250,000 common stock purchase warrants at a public purchase price of $2.00 per share and accompanying warrant. Gross proceeds were $6.0 million and approximately $5.4 million, net.

Operating Loss: Operating loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 was $2.6 million compared to a loss of $4.9 million for the same period of 2016. The decrease in operating loss for the third quarter 2017 was primarily due to a decrease in clinical trial expenses related to the completion of the Phase 2 clinical trial of NSI-189 in MDD coupled with ongoing corporate restructuring and cost reduction efforts.

Operating loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $11.0 million compared to a loss of $15.0 million for the same period of 2016. The decrease in operating loss for the nine-month period was primarily due to ongoing corporate restructuring and cost reduction efforts partially offset by increases in clinical trial expenses as the Company completed the Phase 2 clinical trial of NSI-189.

Net Loss: Net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 was $0.1 million, or $0.01 per share (basic) compared to a loss of $5.2 million, or $0.59 per share (basic), on a split adjusted basis for the same period of 2016. The decrease in net loss was primarily due to a decrease in operating expenses along with a $2.7 million non-cash, gain resulting from the fair value adjustment of outstanding liability classified stock purchase warrants.

Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $12.4 million, or $1.00 per share (basic), compared to a loss of $15.7 million, or $1.96 per share (basic), on a split adjusted basis for the same period of 2016. The decrease in net loss was primarily due to a decrease in operating expenses and interest expense due to the maturity of long-term debt in April 2017.

R&D Expenses: The $2.2 million, or 61% decrease, in research and development expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the comparable period of 2016, was primarily attributable to a $1.7 million decrease in clinical trial expenses due to the completion of NSI-189 Phase 2 clinical trial, a $0.3 million decrease in personnel, facility and other expenses related to ongoing corporate restructuring and cost reduction efforts and a $0.2 million decrease in non-cash stock based compensation expense.

The $2.3 million, or 25% decrease, in research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the comparable period of 2016, was primarily attributable to a $2.2 million decrease in personnel, facility and other expenses related to ongoing corporate restructuring and cost reduction efforts and a $0.4 million decrease in non-cash stock based compensation expense partially offset by a $0.3 million increase in clinical trial expenses related to the completion of the Phase 2 clinical trial of NSI-189.

G&A Expenses: The $0.1 million, or 9% decrease, in general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the comparable period of 2016, was primarily attributable to a decrease in cash based board of directors fees.

The $1.7 million, or 29% decrease, in general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the comparable period of 2016 was primarily attributable to a $1.0 million decrease in non-cash stock based compensation expense coupled with a $0.8 million decrease in personnel related expense as a result of headcount reductions.

On November 15, 2017 ONCODESIGN (Paris:ALONC) (ALONC – FR0011766229), a biopharmaceutical group specialized in , precision medicine, reported that it has obtained positive results opening the way for the ALK1 kinase inhibitor discovery program to move on to the lead optimization phase (Press release, Oncodesign, NOV 15, 2017, View Source [SID1234522101]).

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ALK1 is a kinase involved in angiogenesis. Tumoral angiogenesis is the mechanism by which new blood vessels form and infiltrate tumors to provide nutrients and oxygen and to dispose of the tumor’s cellular waste products. Inhibiting this mechanism is a promising line of research in the quest for new treatments for most types of cancer.

The ALK1 program has produced positive cellular results in a mechanistic model as part of the probe to lead phase. Oncodesign has thus decided to advance it to the lead optimization phase and commence an exhaustive series of in vivo biological tests, while conducting medicinal chemistry optimization of the inhibitor molecules identified. A medicinal chemistry team dedicated to the project will be set up to implement this decision.

"At the end of the Lead Optimization phase a drug candidate could be selected for preclinical trials and then clinical development", said Jan Hoflack, Oncodesign’s Chief Scientific and Operating Officer. "Today, our preclinical portfolio contains no fewer than 12 programs, and ALK1 is joining our most advanced programs. Our goal is to develop a best-in-class drug from this program with the potential to complement other anti-angiogenic approaches, currently a market worth over $10 billion. The addition of the drug discovery expertise of the François Hyafil research center in Paris-Saclay has enabled us to accelerate our most promising programs significantly. ALK1 is the first example of a project successfully moving on to a major new stage in its development by harnessing this new expertise."

After exploring molecules’ therapeutic potential in the probe qualification and probe orientation stages, molecules move on to the probe to lead phase. Molecules then undergo a further selection stage after medicinal chemistry optimization of their structure, and the programs are prioritized according to their activity in relevant cell models and their potential to become a drug.

The lead optimization phase aims to identify a drug candidate, a molecule meeting a large number of very exacting criteria to determine its suitability as a future drug. The selection of a drug candidate takes place at the end of the drug discovery phase, and the regulatory development phases then begin. Lead optimization can take up to 36 months, and the success rate is typically around 50%.

About kinases and Nanocyclix technology:

Kinases are a family of enzymes that play a key role in regulating most cell functions, such as proliferation, cell cycle progression, metabolism, survival/apoptosis, repair of damaged DNA, motility and response to the microenvironment.
Using its Nanocyclix technology module, Oncodesign identifies macrocyclic molecules capable of inhibiting both known and unexplored kinases in a powerful and targeted manner. A large variety of kinase inhibitors are thus explored continuously, and only the most promising inhibitor/targeted kinase combinations are selected for more in-depth investigations.
Oncodesign has built a project portfolio with tremendous potential to treat diseases with very substantial unmet medical needs. This portfolio contains both molecules already at an advanced stage of clinical development (a PET tracer for a specific type of lung cancer) and molecules at an earlier stage of development.

On November 14, 2017 Exicure, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the pioneer in gene regulatory and immunotherapeutic drugs utilizing three-dimensional Spherical Nucleic Acid (SNA) constructs, reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017 (Press release, Exicure, NOV 14, 2017, View Source [SID1234522042]).

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"The third quarter was a transformational period for the Company. We continued to advance two SNA drug candidates toward their Phase 1 clinical trials and began our life as a public company," said David Giljohann, Chief Executive Officer of the Company. "We also strengthened our financial position with an initial private placement of approximately $20 million in gross proceeds, followed in the fourth quarter with two subsequent closings, raising an additional approximately $11 million in gross proceeds. This financing will support the clinical development of our lead programs where we have continued our strong progress. By early 2018 we look forward to having three clinical stage drugs."

The Merger and Private Placement

The Merger—On September 27, 2017, we announced the completion of a reverse merger transaction with Max-1 Acquisition Corporation. Immediately after the completion of the merger, Max-1 Acquisition Corporation changed its name to Exicure, Inc. and continued the historical business of Exicure Operating Company, our wholly owned subsidiary. In connection with the merger, we expect to commence trading on the OTC Markets in early 2018.

In accordance with "reverse merger" or "reverse acquisition" accounting treatment, our historical financial statements as of period ends, and for periods ended, prior to the reverse merger will be replaced with the historical financial statements of Exicure Operating Company prior to the reverse merger, in all future filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. The consolidated financial statements after completion of the reverse merger will include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the combined company from and after the closing date of the reverse merger.

The Private Placement— On September 26, 2017, we sold 6,767,360 shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $3.00 per share, raising thereby approximately $20.3 million in gross proceeds pursuant to an initial closing of a private placement offering.

Subsequently, on October 27, 2017, we sold 1,878,335 of our common shares at a purchase price of $3.00 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $5.6 million in the first subsequent closing of the private placement. On November 2, 2017, we sold 1,858,501 of our common shares at a purchase price of $3.00 per share for gross proceeds also of approximately $5.6 million in the second subsequent closing of the private placement. In aggregate we have raised approximately $31.5 million of gross proceeds through the private placement.

Third Quarter Business Update

AST-008—In the third quarter of 2017, we received authorization from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom to conduct a Phase 1 clinical trial with AST-008 in the United Kingdom. AST-008, an SNA consisting of a TLR9 agonist, is being developed for immuno-oncology applications. While we ultimately plan to clinically advance AST-008 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, the Phase 1 clinical trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple doses of AST-008 by subcutaneous administration in healthy volunteers. We expect to start the Phase 1 clinical trial during the fourth quarter.

XCUR17—During the third quarter of 2017, we submitted a clinical trial application to conduct a Phase 1 clinical trial for XCUR17 to the Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte (BfArM), the medical regulatory body in Germany. XCUR17 is an antisense SNA that targets the mRNA encoding IL-17RA, a protein that is considered essential in the initiation and maintenance of psoriasis. Our proposed Phase 1 trial is a microplaque study in patients with mild to moderate psoriasis. We are currently working with BfArM to finalize the trial protocol.

Purdue Pharma L.P. Collaboration—During the third quarter of 2017, the ongoing Phase 1b clinical trial for AST-005 was completed. AST-005 is an SNA containing TNF antisense oligonucleotides and is intended to be applied in a gel to psoriatic lesions. The Phase 1b clinical trial was conducted in Germany and was intended to evaluate the safety and tolerability of AST-005. We expect topline results from this clinical trial to be available in late 2017.

Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results and Financial Guidance

Cash Position—As of September 30, 2017 Exicure had cash and cash equivalents of $22.9 million compared to $19.6 million as of December 31, 2016. Gross proceeds from the issuance of common stock during the third quarter were $20.3 million with net proceeds of $17.1 million.

Research and development (R&D) expenses—R&D expenses for the third quarter were $3.5 million compared to $2.4 million for the same period in 2016. This increase was due primarily to the costs associated with preparing both AST-008 and XCUR17 for clinical trials.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses—General and administrative expense was $1.3 million for the third quarter compared to $0.8 million for the same period in 2016. This increase in expenses was driven primarily by an increase in non-cash stock compensation costs and certain costs incurred in connection with our merger and private placement.

Net Loss—Net loss for the third quarter was $2.3 million compared to a net loss of $3.5 million for the same period in 2016. The decrease in net loss was driven principally by earning $2.5 million in collaboration revenue attributable to our collaboration with Purdue compared to no revenue for the same period in 2016. The increase in revenue was offset by the increase in R&D expenses described above.

Guidance—We believe that our cash and cash equivalents, as of the date of this press release, are sufficient to fund our current operating plans into 2019.

On November 14, 2017 Genmab A/S (Nasdaq Copenhagen: GEN) reported that the first commercial sale of DARZALEX (daratumumab) in Japan has taken place, triggering USD 25 million in milestone payments from Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Janssen). The milestone was mentioned at the time of the September 2017 announcement of the approval of DARZALEX for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in Japan (Press release, Genmab, NOV 14, 2017, View Source [SID1234522064]). As a result of this milestone, Genmab is updating its 2017 financial guidance.

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"We’re pleased that DARZALEX is now commercially available for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who are living in Japan," said Jan van de Winkel, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.

OUTLOOK
MDKK Revised Guidance Previous Guidance
Revenue 2,110 — 2,310 1,950 — 2,150
Operating expenses (1,000) — 1,100) (1,000) — (1,100)
Operating income 1,060 — 1,260 900 — 1,100
Cash position at end of year* >4,900 >4,500
*Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities

Genmab is improving its 2017 financial guidance last published on November 8, 2017 due to the inclusion of the DARZALEX milestones totaling USD 25 million associated with first commercial sale of DARZALEX in Japan.

Operating Result
We expect our 2017 revenue to be in the range of DKK 2,110 — 2,310 million, an increase of DKK 160 million compared to the previous guidance. We have increased our projected daratumumab milestones to DKK 960 million (previously DKK 800 million) due to inclusion of USD 25 million in milestone payments triggered by the first commercial sale of DARZALEX in Japan. We expect DARZALEX royalties to remain in the range of DKK 930 — 1,100 million, which are based on an estimated USD 1,100 — 1,300 million of DARZALEX sales in 2017. The remainder of the revenue mainly consists of Arzerra royalties, DuoBody milestones, and non-cash amortization of deferred revenue.
We anticipate that our 2017 operating expenses will remain in the range of DKK 1,000 —1,100 million.
As a result of the increased revenue, we now expect the operating income for 2017 to be approximately DKK 1,060 — 1,260 million, compared to DKK 900 — 1,100 million in the previous guidance.

Cash Position
As a result of the above and proceeds from the exercise of warrants during the year, we are now projecting a cash position at the end of 2017 of greater than DKK 4,900 million.

Outlook: Risks and Assumptions
In addition to factors already mentioned, the estimates above are subject to change due to numerous reasons, including but not limited to the achievement of certain milestones associated with our collaboration agreements; the timing and variation of development activities (including activities carried out by our collaboration partners) and related income and costs; DARZALEX and Arzerra sales and corresponding royalties to Genmab; fluctuations in the value of our marketable securities; and currency exchange rates. The financial guidance does not include any potential proceeds from future warrant exercises and also assumes that no significant agreements are entered into during 2017 that could materially affect the results.

On November 14, 2017 Bayer reported that the company has entered into an exclusive global collaboration with Loxo Oncology, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in Stamford, Connecticut, US, (NASDAQ: LOXO) for the development and commercialization of larotrectinib (LOXO-101) and LOXO-195 (Press release, Bayer, NOV 14, 2017, View Source [SID1234522040]). Both compounds are being investigated in global studies for the treatment of patients with cancers harboring tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) gene fusions, which are genetic alterations across a wide range of tumors resulting in uncontrolled TRK signaling and tumor growth.

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"The collaboration with Loxo Oncology represents another milestone in our endeavor to strengthen our oncology presence and underlines our commitment to this therapeutic area", said Dieter Weinand, Member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and President of the Pharmaceuticals Division. "Loxo Oncology’s very innovative approach complements Bayer’s oncology pipeline with highly differentiated compounds across different treatment modalities, which are being developed to make a meaningful difference for patients suffering from various types of cancer."

Larotrectinib is an oral, potent and highly selective TRK inhibitor. LOXO-195 is a next-generation, selective TRK inhibitor capable of addressing potential mechanisms of acquired resistance that may emerge in patients receiving larotrectinib or multikinase inhibitors with anti-TRK activity. Larotrectinib is currently the only selective TRK inhibitor in clinical development with the comprised clinical data set showing clinically meaningful and durable responses with an overall response rate of 75 percent, confirmed by an independent review committee, regardless of tumor type and age. The first filing for larotrectinib is planned in the U.S. in late 2017 or early 2018, with the EU filing expected in 2018.

"We see great potential in larotrectinib and moreover the follow-on compound LOXO-195 which has the potential to provide additional benefit for patients who might progress on an initial TRK inhibition therapy. These agents have the potential to fullfil the promise of precision medicine, where tumor genetics rather than tumor site of origin define the treatment approach for patients", said Robert LaCaze, Executive Vice President and Head of the Oncology Strategic Business Unit at Bayer.

"This is a transformational collaboration for the company as we prepare for commercialization," said Jacob Van Naarden, chief business officer of Loxo Oncology. "Bayer has a history of successful co-promotion efforts with emerging biopharmaceutical companies and we are confident that their oncology team has the global reach and expertise, including an existing field force dedicated to cancer, to complement our existing commercial plans. We look forward to working with Bayer and believe that together we can bring our TRK inhibitors to more patients more quickly."

Under the terms of the agreement, Loxo Oncology will receive an upfront payment of USD 400 million and is eligible for USD 450 million in milestone payments upon larotrectinib regulatory approvals and first commercial sale events in certain major markets and an additional USD 200 million in milestone payments upon LOXO-195 regulatory approvals and first commercial sale events in certain major markets. Bayer and Loxo Oncology will jointly develop the two products, larotrectinib and LOXO-195, and share development costs on a 50/50 basis. Bayer will lead ex-U.S. regulatory activities, and worldwide commercial activities. In the U.S., where Bayer and Loxo Oncology will co-promote the products, the parties will share commercial costs and profits on a 50/50 basis. Loxo Oncology will remain responsible for the filing in the U.S. Bayer will pay Loxo Oncology tiered double-digit percentage royalties on future net sales outside of the U.S. and U.S. and ex-U.S. sales milestones totaling USD 500 million.

About Larotrectinib (LOXO-101) and LOXO-195
Larotrectinib (LOXO-101) is a potent, oral and selective investigational new drug in clinical development for the treatment of patients across a wide range of cancers that harbor abnormalities involving the tropomyosin receptor kinases (TRKs). Growing research suggests that the NTRK genes, which encode for TRKs, can become abnormally fused to other genes, resulting in growth signals that can lead to cancer in many sites of the body.

In an analysis of 55 RECIST-evaluable TRK fusion adult and pediatric patients, larotrectinib demonstrated a 75 percent independently-reviewed confirmed overall response rate (ORR) and an 80 percent investigator-assessed confirmed ORR, across many different types of solid tumors. Larotrectinib received orphan drug designation in the US for the treatment of solid tumors harboring NTRK-fusion proteins and in Europe for soft tissue sarcoma. Additionally, the FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation to larotrectinib for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic solid tumors with NTRK-fusion proteins in adult and pediatric patients who require systemic therapy and who have either progressed following prior treatment or who have no acceptable alternative treatments.

LOXO-195 is a potent, oral and selective investigational new drug in clinical development for the treatment of patients with cancers that have acquired resistance to initial TRK therapy such as larotrectinib. Though drugs such as larotrectinib can induce durable responses in these patients, the cancer may eventually begin to grow again. This phenomenon is called "acquired resistance," in that the cancer has acquired features conferring resistance to the initial therapy that was once effective. Emerging data in the field of TRK inhibition suggest that acquired resistance may emerge due to TRK kinase point mutations. LOXO-195 was designed to address these new point mutations and induce a new response in the patient’s cancer. In July 2017, a multi-center Phase I/II trial in patients with TRK fusion cancers who have progressed while receiving another TRK inhibitor or are intolerant to another TRK inhibitor was initiated.

For additional information about the larotrectinib or LOXO-195 clinical trials, please refer to www.clinicaltrials.gov or visit www.loxooncologytrials.com. Neither larotrectinib nor LOXO-195 are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency or any other health authority.

About TRK Fusion Cancer
TRK fusions are chromosomal abnormalities that occur when one of the NTRK genes (NTRK1, NTRK2, NTRK3) becomes abnormally connected to another, unrelated gene (e.g. ETV6, LMNA, TPM3). This abnormality results in uncontrolled TRK signaling that can lead to cancer. TRK fusions occur rarely but broadly in various adult and pediatric solid tumors, including appendiceal cancer, breast cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, GIST, infantile fibrosarcoma, lung cancer, mammary analogue secretory carcinoma of the salivary gland, melanoma, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, and various sarcomas. TRK fusions can be identified through various diagnostic tests, including targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS), immunohistochemistry (IHC), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). For more information, please visit www.TRKtesting.com.

Cancers Harboring Genetic Alterations
Scientists have long been working to better understand how a normal cell becomes a cancer cell to deliver better therapies with fewer side effects. Some people develop cancers that are caused by a single inappropriate DNA change, known as "oncogenic drivers." When a genetic test identifies a patient with an oncogenic driver, there is the potential for use of highly selective drugs that inhibit oncogenic drivers in cancer. While there has been made notable progress in improving outcomes for people living with cancer over the last several decades, there has been a growing interest in developing highly targeted medicines to treat cancer, to further maximize the patients’ clinical benefit. This development is supported by the increasing use of genetic testing in cancer clinical medicine and improving chemistry approaches to building highly selective inhibitors against single targets in the cancer cell.

About Oncology at Bayer
Bayer is committed to delivering science for a better life by advancing a portfolio of innovative treatments. The oncology franchise at Bayer includes four marketed products and several other compounds in various stages of clinical development. Together, these products reflect the company’s approach to research, which prioritizes targets and pathways with the potential to impact the way that cancer is treated.