On November 7, 2017 Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:RIGL) reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (Press release, Rigel, NOV 7, 2017, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2315079 [SID1234521689]).
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Recent Achievements
On October 2, 2017, Rigel announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is not currently planning on holding an Oncology Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) meeting to discuss the New Drug Application (NDA) for fostamatinib, an oral spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor, in adult patients with chronic or persistent immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
Rigel recently completed enrollment of Stage 1 of its Phase 2 study of fostamatinib for the treatment of warm antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). On a top-line, preliminary basis, the Phase 2 study achieved the pre-specified primary efficacy endpoint for Stage 1. Given this achievement, Rigel is preparing to begin enrollment of Stage 2 of this study.
Rigel announced the closing of a public offering of common stock in October, with proceeds of $69,730,250, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses payable by Rigel.
"Our NDA review is progressing smoothly," said Raul Rodriguez, president and chief executive officer of Rigel. "As we prepare for an FDA decision, we are simultaneously implementing our commercial plan for a potential launch of fostamatinib in ITP, as well as continuing our clinical studies of fostamatinib in other disorders."
For the third quarter of 2017, Rigel reported a net loss of $17.7 million, or $0.14 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $22.6 million, or $0.24 per basic and diluted share, in the same period of 2016.
Contract revenues from collaborations of $900,000 in the third quarter of 2017 were related to a payment received from a license agreement with a third party. Contract revenues from collaborations of $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2016 represent the remaining amortization of the $30.0 million upfront payment which was fully amortized in September 2016, pursuant to Rigel’s collaboration and license agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Rigel reported total costs and expenses of $18.8 million in the third quarter of 2017, compared to $26.5 million for the same period in 2016. The decrease in costs and expenses was primarily due to the decreases in personnel costs as a result of the reduction in workforce in September 2016 and the completion of the pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials in ITP in 2016, partially offset by the increase in costs related to the preparation for the potential commercial launch of fostamatinib in ITP.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, Rigel reported a net loss of $52.1 million, or $0.43 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $53.6 million, or $0.58 per basic and diluted share, for the same period of 2016.
As of September 30, 2017, Rigel had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $68.1 million, compared to $74.8 million as of December 31, 2016. In October 2017, Rigel completed an underwritten public offering in which it received proceeds of approximately $65.3 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. Rigel expects that its cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to support its current and projected funding requirements, including the potential U.S. commercial launch, through at least the next 12 months. Rigel continues to evaluate ex-U.S. partnerships for fostamatinib and other partnering opportunities across its pipeline.
Corporate Update
Rigel continues to execute on its commercial readiness plan to support the potential commercial launch of fostamatinib in 2018. This includes the hiring of key personnel across several functions such as marketing, sales, market access, business operations and medical affairs.
Portfolio Update
TAVALISSE (fostamatinib disodium) in ITP
During the Mid-Cycle Communication teleconference, the FDA confirmed that it was not currently planning to hold an ODAC meeting to discuss the NDA for fostamatinib in patients with chronic or persistent ITP. The FDA indicated that the review of fostamatinib is proceeding according to the standard internal review timeline as described in the Guidance on Good Review Management Principles and Practices for Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) Products. Under the PDUFA, the action date for the FDA to complete its review will be April 17, 2018.
Update on Fostamatinib in Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)
The Phase 2, open-label, multi-center, Simon two-stage study of fostamatinib for the treatment of warm AIHA recently completed enrollment of Stage 1. The study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of fostamatinib, at 150mg BID (twice daily), in patients with warm AIHA who have previously received at least one treatment for this disease, but did not have a meaningful benefit and are still anemic.
Stage 1 of the 12-week study enrolled 17 patients. As of September 30, 2017, four patients responded during the 12-week evaluation period and an additional two patients met the response criteria in the extension study after 12 weeks of dosing, for a response rate of 35% (6/17) on fostamatinib (these data are preliminary and require further verification). A response was defined as achieving a hemoglobin level of greater than 10 g/dl and at least a 2 g/dl increase from baseline. The safety profile was consistent with the existing fostamatinib safety database.
Fostamatinib in IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)
Rigel has completed enrollment of the second cohort in its Phase 2 study of fostamatinib in IgAN. Similar to the first cohort, which reported results in January 2017, the study will evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of fostamatinib as measured by change in proteinuria, renal function, and histology (comparing the pre- and post-study renal biopsies). However, the second cohort evaluates a higher dose of fostamatinib, 150mg BID, while the first cohort evaluated 100mg BID. The primary efficacy endpoint is the mean change of proteinuria from baseline at 24 weeks.
Additional Product Development
During the second quarter of 2017, Rigel selected a molecule from its IRAK program for preclinical development. The molecule is differentiated in that it inhibits both the IRAK 1 and IRAK 4 signaling pathways, with potential to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as lupus, gout, psoriatic arthritis and multiple sclerosis. The company expects to initiate clinical trials in 2018.
About ITP
ITP affects approximately 65,000 adult primary patients in the US. In patients with ITP, the immune system attacks and destroys the body’s own blood platelets, which play an active role in blood clotting and healing. Common symptoms of ITP are excessive bruising, bleeding and fatigue. People suffering with chronic ITP may live with increased risk of severe bleeding events that can result in serious medical complication, or even death. Current therapies for ITP include steroids, blood platelet production boosters (TPOs) and splenectomy. However, not all patients are adequately treated with existing therapies and as a result, there remains a significant medical need for additional treatment options for patients with chronic ITP.
About AIHA
AIHA is a rare, serious blood disorder where the immune system produces antibodies that result in the destruction of the body’s own red blood cells. AIHA affects approximately 40,000 adult patients in the US and can be a severe, debilitating anemia. To date, there are no FDA approved disease-targeted therapies for AIHA, despite the tremendous medical need that exists for these patients as disease relapse is common. Instead, physicians generally treat acute and chronic cases of the disorder with corticosteroids, IV immunoglobulin infusion, other immuno-suppressants, or splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen).
About IgAN
IgAN (also known as Berger’s disease) is a chronic autoimmune disease associated with inflammation in the kidneys that diminishes their ability to filter blood. It is the most common primary glomerular disease affecting an estimated 82,500 to 165,000 cases in the US, with a higher prevalence in Asia. For as many as 25 percent of those living with IgAN, the disease results in end-stage renal failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation. Other than angiotensin blockade (primarily for blood-pressure control), there are no disease-targeted therapies for IgAN.
Conference Call and Webcast Today at 5:00PM Eastern Time
Rigel will hold a live conference call and webcast today at 5:00pm Eastern Time (2:00pm Pacific Time).
Participants can access the live conference call by dialing 855-892-1489 (domestic) or 720-634-2939 (international) and using the Conference ID number 4894258. The conference call will also be webcast live and can be accessed from Rigel’s website at www.rigel.com. The webcast will be archived and available for replay after the call via the Rigel website.