On May 10, 2016 GTx, Inc. (Nasdaq: GTXI) reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016, and highlighted recent accomplishments and upcoming milestones (Press release, GTx, MAY 10, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2166792 [SID:1234512174]). The Company is currently enrolling patients in three clinical trials: two trials evaluating enobosarm as a potential treatment for women with advanced breast cancer and another assessing enobosarm as a potential treatment for stress urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women.

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"During the first quarter, we executed on several ongoing initiatives that we expect will make 2016 a year of considerable progress," said Dr. Robert J. Wills, Executive Chairman of GTx. "We have continued to make progress in the enrollment of our two advanced breast cancer clinical trials of enobosarm, with preliminary data from the first stage of each study expected by the end of 2016. Also, we are excited to be collaborating with doctors on a clinical trial that is the first clinical study to use a SARM to treat stress urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women and expect data from this study late in 2016."

Corporate Highlights and Anticipated Milestones

Enobosarm in Breast Cancer: The Company’s lead product candidate, a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), is being developed as a targeted treatment for two advanced breast cancer indications: (i) estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and androgen receptor positive (AR+) breast cancer, and (ii) AR+ triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). For both clinical trials, the primary efficacy endpoint will be clinical benefit, which is defined as a complete response, partial response or stable disease.

ER+/AR+ breast cancer: We currently expect to complete enrollment in the first stage of the open-label, Phase 2 clinical trial of enobosarm in women with metastatic or locally advanced ER+/AR+ breast cancer in the second quarter of 2016, to allow us to determine during the fourth quarter of this year whether there is sufficient safety and efficacy data to warrant proceeding with the second stage of the clinical study. While the first stage of the trial will evaluate 18 patients for each of the two dosing arms, 9 mg and 18 mg of enobosarm, the trial is designed to enroll up to 118 patients to obtain data from 44 evaluable patients in each study arm (a total of 88 evaluable patients) to assess the primary efficacy objective of clinical benefit response following 24 weeks of treatment.
AR+ TNBC: We currently expect to complete enrollment in the first stage of the open-label, proof-of-concept Phase 2 clinical trial of 18 mg of enobosarm in women with advanced AR+ TNBC in the third quarter of 2016, to allow us to determine by the end of 2016 whether there is sufficient safety and efficacy data to warrant proceeding with the second stage of the clinical study. While the first stage will include 21 evaluable patients, the trial is designed to enroll up to 55 patients in total in order to obtain data from 41 evaluable patients to assess the primary efficacy objective of clinical benefit response following 16 weeks of treatment.
SARMs in Non-Oncologic Indications: The Company is exploring SARMs as potential treatments for both stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a rare disease characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness.

SUI: We are currently enrolling patients in a Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical trial of 3 mg of enobosarm to treat up to 35 postmenopausal women with SUI, the first clinical trial to evaluate a SARM for SUI. Top-line data from the Phase 2 clinical trial is anticipated by the end of 2016.
DMD: The Company’s preclinical studies have continued to confirm beneficial effects from SARMs in mice genetically altered to simulate DMD, compared to control groups. The Company continues to advance its preclinical initiatives while pursuing a strategic collaboration with potential biopharma partners experienced in orphan drug development.
SARDs in Prostate Cancer: Our Selective Androgen Receptor Degrader (SARD) technology is being evaluated as a potentially novel treatment for men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), including those who do not respond or are resistant to currently approved therapies. The Company believes that its SARD compounds will degrade multiple forms of the androgen receptor, including AR splice variants, such as AR-V7.

CRPC: Several lead SARD compounds are currently being evaluated in preclinical studies to select the best SARD compounds for continued development, as well as to develop data necessary to initiate first in human clinical trials in 2017.
First Quarter 2016 Financial Results

As of March 31, 2016, cash and short-term investments were $24.3 million compared to $29.3 million at December 31, 2015.
Research and development expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 were $4.0 million compared to $2.9 million for the same period of 2015.
General and administrative expenses were $2.1 million for both the quarter ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015.
The Company recognized a non-cash gain of $8.2 million and $2.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, due to the change in fair value of the Company’s warrant liability. During the first quarter of 2016, the Company recorded a non-cash reclassification of this warrant liability to stockholders’ equity due to the modification of these warrants. No adjustments to the fair value of these warrants will be made in the future.
Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 was $2.1 million compared to a net loss of $2.4 million for the same period in 2015. Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 included the non-cash gain of $8.2 million related the revaluation of our warrant liability. The net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 included a non-cash gain of $2.6 million related to the change in the fair value of the Company’s warrant liability.
GTx had approximately 141.7 million shares of common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2016. Additionally, there remain warrants outstanding to purchase approximately 64.3 million shares of GTx common stock at an exercise price of $0.85 per share.

On May 10, 2016 CEL-SCI Corporation (NYSE MKT: CVM) reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 (Press release, Cel-Sci, MAY 10, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512270]).

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Key corporate and clinical developments during second quarter fiscal year 2016 include:

Enrolled an additional 186 patients in the global pivotal Phase 3 head and neck cancer trial during the first six months of FY 2016, a 32% increase in enrollment compared to the first six months of FY 2015.
Enrolled a monthly record of 41 patients in April 2016, following the end of Q2.
A total of 797 patients have been enrolled in the study as of April 30, 2016.
The Company’s CEO and CSO provided informative updates in multiple interviews, including Fox Business News.
Continued patient enrollment in the Phase 1 trial of Multikine* in HIV/HPV co-infected men and women with peri-anal warts at San Diego Naval Medical Center and University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
Received significant litigation funding for arbitration lawsuit against former CRO that led to a narrowing of G&A expense and operating loss in Q2 FY 2016.
CEL-SCI reported an operating loss of ($6,273,603) for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 versus an operating loss of ($7,759,343) for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. The operating loss for the six months ended March 31, 2016 was ($12,056,735) versus ($17,755,084) during the six months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease in operating loss in the first half of fiscal 2016 was mostly attributable to a decrease in general and administrative expenses of approximately $5,803,000, as compared to the first half of fiscal 2015. A major component of the decrease is the approximate $3,254,000 gain on the derecognition of legal fees recognized pursuant to an agreement with Lake Whillans for funding litigation expenses in the Company’s arbitration against its former CRO. Additionally, during the first half of fiscal 2015, there was approximately $2,726,000 in employee compensation costs related to the issuance of shareholder approved shares of restricted stock released upon meeting predetermined milestones. Research and development expenses remained relatively consistent and decreased by $176,000 during the six months ended March 31, 2016.

CEL-SCI’s net loss available to common shareholders for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 was ($8,844,855) or ($0.07) per basic and diluted share, versus ($12,556,236) or ($0.17) per basic and diluted share during the quarter ended March 31, 2015. The net loss available to common shareholders for the six months ended March 31, 2016 was ($6,503,042) or ($0.06) per basic and diluted share, versus ($20,401,554) or ($0.27) per basic and diluted share during the same six months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease in net loss for the three and six month periods of 2016 as compared to the same periods in 2015 was primarily attributable to the decrease in operating loss and reduced loss and unrealized gain, respectively, on the fair value of warrants as a result of the change in the stock price between reporting periods.

About Multikine (Leukocyte Interleukin, Injection)

Multikine is an investigational immunotherapeutic agent that is being tested in an open-label, randomized, controlled, global pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial as a potential first-line treatment for advanced primary (not yet treated) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Multikine is designed to be a different type of therapy in the fight against cancer: one that appears to have the potential to work with the body’s natural immune system in the fight against tumors.

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals has filed a 10-Q – Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Filing, 10-Q, Nabi Biopharmaceuticals, MAY 10, 2016, View Source [SID1234512437]).

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On May 10, 2016 Omeros Corporation (NASDAQ: OMER), a biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing and commercializing both small-molecule and protein therapeutics for large-market as well as orphan indications targeting inflammation, coagulopathies and disorders of the central nervous system, reported recent highlights and developments as well as financial results for the first quarter of 2016 (Press release, Omeros, MAY 10, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2166828 [SID:1234512179]). These include:

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1Q 2016 revenues were $7.4 million, an 11% increase over 4Q 2015.
Net loss in 1Q was $20.5 million, or $0.54 per share, which included $4.7 million ($0.12 per share) of non-cash expenses.
OMIDRIA units shipped by wholesalers ("sell-through") increased 20% over 4Q 2015.
OMIDRIA sales accelerated substantially in the second half of 1Q, with March accounting for nearly 50% of quarterly sales.
OMIDRIA sales growth trajectory has continued into 2Q with sales to date approximately 65% higher than the corresponding period in 1Q.
Based on recent sales activity, net sales of OMIDRIA, without any additional growth, annualize to an approximate run rate of $45 million to $50 million.
Entered into sales agreement for OMIDRIA in the Middle East in May 2016.
Initiated Phase 3 program of OMS721 for treatment of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), with patient enrollment expected later this year, and commenced patient dosing in OMS721 Phase 2 program in complement-related, corticosteroid-dependent renal diseases.
"OMIDRIA sales continued to grow substantially in Q1," said Gregory A. Demopulos, M.D., chairman and chief executive officer of Omeros. "Growth in the first part of the quarter was relatively restrained due to both internal and external factors, with sales markedly ramping in March. The acceleration in sales growth has continued into the second quarter, with the run rate for OMIDRIA net sales in recent weeks annualizing to approximately $45 million to $50 million. We continue to expect that we will reach cash-flow positive status later this year, fully funding our pipeline. That pipeline continues to advance, with OMS721 entering a Phase 3 program for aHUS and two OMS721 Phase 2 trials ongoing in TMAs and renal disease. The remainder of the pipeline is progressing nicely, and 2016 is shaping up to hold a number of value-driving milestones."

First Quarter and Recent Highlights and Developments

Highlights and developments regarding OMS721, the company’s lead human monoclonal antibody in its mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2) program for the treatment of thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs), including atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), include:
Omeros initiated a Phase 3 OMS721 program that will consist of one clinical trial – a single-arm (i.e., no control arm), open-label trial in patients with newly diagnosed or ongoing aHUS. Phase 3 enrollment is expected to begin later this year and patients currently being treated in the Phase 2 trial are likely to be included in the Phase 3 program. Omeros also plans to pursue accelerated approval for OMS721 in aHUS.
In the company’s Phase 2 clinical program evaluating OMS721 in patients with complement-related renal disorders, Omeros initiated dosing in a new Phase 2 clinical trial that includes patients with corticosteroid-dependent IgA nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, C3 glomerulopathy and lupus nephritis.
Physicians in Finland, based on review of OMS721 data, requested access to OMS721 under a Special License, granted by the Finnish regulatory authorities, for compassionate use in a patient with aHUS. The patient was previously treated with Soliris (eculizumab) but did not have an adequate response according to the requesting physicians and was continuing to display signs of active aHUS.
Omeros and ITROM Trading Drug Store (ITROM) entered into an exclusive supply and distribution agreement for the sale of OMIDRIA in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and certain other countries in the Middle East. Based in Dubai and internationally recognized, ITROM markets, sells and distributes ophthalmic pharmaceutical products in the Middle East. Under the agreement, ITROM will be responsible for obtaining marketing authorizations for OMIDRIA within the licensed territory in addition to marketing and distributing OMIDRIA supplied by Omeros. Omeros expects ITROM to begin selling OMIDRIA later this year.
In March 2016, Omeros was granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office a fourth OMIDRIA patent directed to methods of use. Omeros amended its patent infringement lawsuit against Par Pharmaceutical to assert this additional patent.
A U.S. Patent was granted to Omeros that is directed to the use of any phosphodiesterase-7, or PDE7, inhibitor to treat any substance addiction or any addictive or compulsive behavior. Omeros expects to advance its OMS527 PDE7 inhibitor program into the clinic in 2017.
As previously reported, Omeros converted 26 of its previously contracted OMIDRIA field sales representatives to Omeros employees effective January 1, 2016. In connection with the conversion, the company also hired 11 additional sales representatives during the first quarter. In January 2016, Omeros also entered into a commission-only contract sales agent agreement with Precision Lens to cover "square" states in the Midwest that were not previously covered by the company’s sales force. Both the additional representatives and Precision Lens began making sales calls in February.
Financial Results

For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, total revenues were $7.4 million with OMIDRIA revenue of $7.2 million and grant revenue of $173,000. This compares to OMIDRIA revenues of $238,000 and grant revenue of $150,000 for the same period in 2015. OMIDRIA units sold by the company’s wholesalers to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and hospitals increased 20% from the fourth quarter of 2015.

Sales were restrained in the first half of 1Q, likely due to a number of factors including: low cataract surgery procedural volumes in the first quarter of each year; a series of large ophthalmology annual meetings attracting high-volume cataract surgeons; and Omeros’ conversion of two-thirds of its contract to an in-house sales force and filling out the remaining one-third of the sales force with additional direct hires who began making sales calls in February. Also in February, our commission-only sales agents from Precision Lens, covering states in the Midwest, began making sales calls.

OMIDRIA sales accelerated substantially in the second half of 1Q, with March accounting for nearly 50% of quarterly sales. OMIDRIA sales growth trajectory has continued into 2Q with sales to date approximately 65% higher than the corresponding portion of 1Q. Based on recent sales activity, net sales of OMIDRIA, without any additional growth, annualize to an approximate run rate of $45 million to $50 million.

Total costs and expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $26.9 million ($4.7 million of noncash expenses) compared to $18.3 million ($2.8 million of noncash expenses) for the same period in 2015. The increase in the current year quarter was primarily due to increased OMS721 research and development activities and non-cash stock-based compensation costs associated with the annual company-wide option grants approval and pricing in February 2016 with retroactive vesting commencement dates of April 2015.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, Omeros reported a net loss of $20.5 million, or $0.54 per share, which included noncash expenses of $4.7 million ($0.12 per share). This compares to a net loss of $18.7 million, or $0.51 per share, for the same period in 2015, which included noncash expenses of $2.8 million ($0.08 per share).

At March 31, 2016, the company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $13.2 million. In addition, the company had $10.7 million of restricted cash on hand to satisfy covenants under its loan agreement with Oxford Finance and East West Bank and its lease for the Omeros Building.

On May 10, 2016 Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:CALA), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs directed against tumor metabolism and tumor immunology targets for the treatment of cancer, reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 (Press release, Calithera Biosciences, MAY 10, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2167159 [SID:1234512234]). As of March 31, 2016, cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $68.3 million.

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"During the first quarter, we continued to advance our development pipeline by recruiting patients into clinical studies of CB-839, and preparing for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for CB-1158, as well as expanding our clinical leadership team," said Susan Molineaux, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Calithera. "More recently, at the 2016 American Association of Cancer Research annual meeting, we and our collaborators presented four abstracts highlighting synergy studies of CB-839 and CB-1158. CB-839 is currently enrolling multiple combination cohorts in our Phase Ib clinical trials, for which updates are planned in June."

First Quarter 2016 and Recent Highlights

Enrollment continues across CB-839 Phase Ib combination cohorts. Data from the Phase I solid tumor trial has been accepted for presentation at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) annual meeting. Initial results of CB-839 in combination with paclitaxel in patients with triple negative breast cancer will be presented in a poster and discussion on June 5, 2016. Initial results of CB-839 alone and in combination with everolimus in patients will renal cell carcinoma will be presented in a poster on June 6, 2016.
CB-839 preclinical findings, including combinations with immuno-oncology therapies, presented at the American Association of Cancer Research. In April 2016, Calithera presented preclinical data for CB-839 in combination with immuno oncology-agents. The combination of CB-839 and anti-PD-L1 or anti-PD-1 substantially increased the number of tumor regressions seen in the CT26 syngeneic colon carcinoma model. Synergistic effects with CB-839 and anti-PD-L1 were also observed in a B16 melanoma model. Both of these agents are known to affect metabolism in the tumor microenvironment. Treatment with anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 increases glucose metabolism in T cells and CB-839 increases the amount of glutamine available for T cells because it inhibits the avid metabolism of glutamine by the tumor itself. T cells require adequate levels of these two key nutrients to expand and mount a strong anti-tumor response.
CB-1158 preclinical findings presented at the American Association of Cancer Research. CB-1158, a highly selective, orally bioavailable, small molecule inhibitor of human arginase with nanomolar potency, demonstrated single agent efficacy in animal models. Inhibition of tumor growth was accompanied by an increase in the local concentration of arginine, and the induction of multiple pro-inflammatory changes in the tumor microenvironment. CB-1158 increased CD8+ T-cell infiltrates in a lung tumor model. The addition of CB-1158 to anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 significantly inhibited tumor growth and reduced metastases in a mouse model that was resistant to dual checkpoint inhibitor therapy. CB-1158 was well tolerated as a single agent and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors in animal studies.
Key hire and promotion in clinical group. Calithera announced today the expansion of its clinical group with the hiring of Sam Whiting, M.D., Ph.D. as Vice President of Clinical Development. Most recently, Dr. Whiting served as Vice President of Research and Clinical Development at Gradalis, Inc. Previously Dr. Whiting was an assistant member at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC), and assistant professor at the University of Washington where he was clinical director of gastrointestinal oncology. Dr. Whiting received his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees and completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Washington, and medical oncology fellowship at the FHCRC. Keith Orford, M.D., Ph.D., who joined Calithera in January 2015, has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Clinical Development.
Selected First Quarter 2016 Financial Results

Research and development expenses were $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $5.6 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase of $1.4 million was primarily attributed to increased development activities in Calithera’s arginase inhibitors program as it plans to file an IND in mid-2016, partially offset by a decrease of $0.4 million related to Calithera’s licensing arrangements.

General and administrative expenses were $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $2.2 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase of $0.4 million was primarily due to higher employment related expenses, including stock-based compensation expense.

Net loss from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $9.6 million.