On November 2, 2016 bluebird bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLUE), a clinical-stage company committed to developing potentially transformative gene therapies for severe genetic diseases and T cell-based immunotherapies for cancer, reported business highlights and financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016 (Press release, bluebird bio, NOV 2, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2218784 [SID1234516184]).

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"In recent months, we have made important advances in our gene therapy transduction and manufacturing processes, translational research and clinical development that will be critical for us to successfully bring LentiGlobin drug product to patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) and severe sickle cell disease (SCD). This includes implementing a new LentiGlobin manufacturing process that has been shown in vitro to consistently improve the percentage of cells transduced and vector copy number, and making a number of changes to the protocol for our ongoing severe SCD study that we believe have the potential to improve patient outcomes. We look forward to sharing initial clinical data from these improvements in 2017," said Nick Leschly, chief bluebird. "In September we announced a strategic alliance with Medigene around TCRs against four targets, a significant step forward in our efforts to build a broad, fully integrated immuno-oncology franchise. We anticipate sharing further progress in oncology in the first half of 2017, with presentation of initial data from our Phase 1 study of bb2121, our anti-BCMA CAR T program in multiple myeloma."

Recent Highlights

PHASE 3 HGB-207 STUDY OF LENTIGLOBIN OPENED – In September, bluebird bio opened the company’s first Phase 3 study of LentiGlobin drug product. HGB-207 is a global, multi-center study in patients with TDT with non-β0/β0 genotypes. This study will incorporate the addition of bluebird bio’s transduction enhancers to the drug product manufacturing process, and will be conducted under the same Investigational New Drug application (IND) as previous studies of LentiGlobin drug product in TDT. This study, which will include adult and adolescent patients (cohort #1) and pediatric patients (cohort #2), is intended to be pivotal in the U.S. and confirmatory in the E.U. bluebird bio plans to initiate the HGB-212 pivotal study of LentiGlobin drug product in patients with TDT with β0/β0 genotypes in 2017.

GENE THERAPY DAY – In October, bluebird bio held a Gene Therapy Day to provide updates on its LentiGlobin product candidate and its research, development and commercialization strategies. Highlights included:
A head-to-head in vitro comparison of manufacturing Process 1 and Process 2 consistently improved the percentage of cells transduced and vector copy number (VCN) in cells from TDT patients of all genotypes and severe SCD patients.

bluebird bio has implemented several amendments to the protocol of the ongoing HGB-206 study in severe SCD, with the goal of improving patient outcomes by increasing successful engraftment of transduced cells.

bluebird bio has reached general agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on the regulatory paths forward for LentiGlobin in TDT in the U.S. and E.U.

STRATEGIC TCR ALLIANCE WITH MEDIGENE – In September, bluebird bio and Medigene announced that they have established a strategic alliance in cancer immunotherapy focused on four TCR targets. Under the terms of the agreement, Medigene will be responsible for the generation and delivery of TCRs using its TCR isolation and characterization platform. Following collaborative preclinical development, bluebird bio will assume sole responsibility for the clinical development and commercialization of the TCR product candidates and will receive an exclusive license for intellectual property covering the resulting TCRs.
LENTIGLOBIN ACCEPTED INTO EUROPEAN MEDICINES AGENCY (EMA) PRIME PROGRAM – In September, the EMA granted access to its Priority Medicines (PRIME) scheme for LentiGlobin drug product in the treatment of patients with TDT. The PRIME initiative provides enhanced support and increased interaction to companies, with the goal of optimizing development plans and speeding regulatory evaluations to potentially bring innovative medicines to patients more quickly. To be accepted for PRIME, a therapy must demonstrate potential to benefit patients with unmet medical need through early clinical data or nonclinical data.
Upcoming Anticipated Milestones

Presentation of updated TDT and SCD clinical data from the Northstar (HGB-204), HGB-205 and HGB-206 clinical studies at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) annual meeting in December
Presentation of early data from CRB-401, the Phase 1 trial of bb2121 in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma in the first half of 2017
Third Quarter 2016 Financial Results and Financial Guidance

Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of September 30, 2016 were $727.6 million, compared to $865.8 million as of December 31, 2015, a decrease of $138.2 million.
Revenues: Collaboration revenue was $1.6 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $1.3 million for third quarter of 2015.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $64.0 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $30.4 million for the third quarter of 2015. The increase in research and development expenses was primarily attributable to increased in-licensing milestones and fees, increased manufacturing costs and increased information technology and facilities costs to support the advancement of our clinical and pre-clinical programs, and increased employee payroll costs to support our overall growth.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $14.6 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $13.7 million for the third quarter of 2015. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to increased employee compensation expense due to increased headcount, partially offset by decreased stock-based compensation expense.
Net Loss: Net loss was $77.0 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $42.9 million for the third quarter of 2015.
Financial guidance: bluebird bio expects that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $727.6 million as of September 30, 2016 will be sufficient to fund its current operations through 2018.

On November 2, 2016 CombiMatrix Corporation (NASDAQ:CBMX), a family health molecular diagnostics company specializing in DNA-based reproductive health and pediatric testing services, reported financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, and provided a business update (Press release, CombiMatrix, NOV 2, 2016, View Source [SID1234516186]).

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"Excellent execution on our business initiatives keeps us squarely on the path to profitability," said Mark McDonough, CombiMatrix President and CEO. "Among quarterly financial highlights, we are reporting revenue growth of 29%, our third consecutive quarter of gross margin above 50% and record cash reimbursement of $3.1 million, or 95% of total revenues. Combined with our ability to manage expenses, we reduced both our operating loss and our cash burn by nearly half from one year ago.

"We are pleased with our recent performance and expect continued growth in revenue and test volume, along with consistent cash reimbursement and prudent expense management in the coming year with a focus on creating value for our shareholders," Mr. McDonough added. "Given our outlook, we are increasingly confident we will reach our goal of positive cash flow from operations by the fourth quarter of 2017."

Third Quarter Financial and Operating Highlights (all comparisons are with the third quarter of 2015)

Total revenues of $3.2 million, up 29%
Total test volume of 2,835, up 14%
Reproductive health revenues of $2.3 million, up 39%
Reproductive health test volume of 1,483, up 17%
Gross margin of 54.0%, up from 43.6%
Number of billable customers of 257, up 10%
Cash collections at new record of $3.1 million, or 95% of total revenue, up 29%

Volumes Revenues (in 000’s)
Q3 ’16 Q3 ’15 # Δ % Δ Q3 ’16 Q3 ’15 $ Δ % Δ
Prenatal 294 272 22 8 % $ 408 $ 368 $ 40 11 %
Miscarriage analysis 990 866 124 14 % 1,622 1,145 477 42 %
PGS 199 127 72 57 % 286 149 137 92 %
Subtotal – reproductive health 1,483 1,265 218 17 % 2,316 1,662 654 39 %
Pediatric 505 509 (4 ) (1 %) 589 558 31 6 %
Subtotal 1,988 1,774 214 12 % 2,905 2,220 685 31 %
FISH and karyotyping 847 721 126 17 % 306 261 45 17 %
Total – all tests 2,835 2,495 340 14 % 3,211 2,481 730 29 %
Royalties 37 45 (8 ) (18 %)
Total revenues $ 3,248 $ 2,526 $ 722 29 %


Volumes Revenues (in 000’s)
9 Mo’s. ’16 9 Mo’s. ’15 # Δ % Δ 9 Mo’s. ’16 9 Mo’s. ’15 $ Δ % Δ
Prenatal 860 936 (76 ) (8 %) $ 1,203 $ 1,214 $ (11 ) (1 %)
Miscarriage analysis 2,886 2,664 222 8 % 4,701 3,467 1,234 36 %
PGS 566 157 409 261 % 759 189 570 302 %
Subtotal – reproductive health 4,312 3,757 555 15 % 6,663 4,870 1,793 37 %
Pediatric 1,454 1,557 (103 ) (7 %) 1,646 1,687 (41 ) (2 %)
Subtotal 5,766 5,314 452 9 % 8,309 6,557 1,752 27 %
FISH and karyotyping 2,497 2,125 372 18 % 881 735 146 20 %
Total – all tests 8,263 7,439 824 11 % 9,190 7,292 1,898 26 %
Royalties 137 112 25 22 %
Total revenues $ 9,327 $ 7,404 $ 1,923 26 %

Financial Results

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015

Total revenues for the third quarter of 2016 increased 29% to $3.2 million from $2.5 million for the third quarter of 2015. Reproductive health diagnostic test revenue, which includes prenatal microarrays, miscarriage analysis and preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), increased 39% to $2.3 million and testing volume increased 17% to 1,483. The third quarter 2016 revenue increase was driven primarily by higher test volume for reproductive health diagnostics, higher average revenue per test particularly for miscarriage analysis and PGS tests, and from an increase in the number of billable customers, which reached 257 during the third quarter of 2016 compared to 234 in the prior-year period.

Total operating expenses were $4.1 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared with $4.2 for the prior-year period. The decrease was due primarily to lower sales and marketing and research and development expenses, partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses due to higher personnel, investor relations and consulting costs and higher cost of services as a result of higher test volume. Gross margin for the third quarter of 2016 improved to 54.0% from 43.6% for third quarter of 2015.

The net loss attributable to common stockholders for the third quarter of 2016 was $856,000, or $0.38 per share, compared with a net loss attributable to common stockholders for the third quarter of 2015 of $1.7 million, or $2.00 per share, an improvement of $831,000.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015

Total revenues for the first nine months of 2016 increased 26% to $9.3 million from $7.4 million for the first nine months of 2015. Revenues for the first nine months of 2016 included $9.2 million in diagnostic services revenue and $137,000 in royalty revenues.

Operating expenses for the first nine months of 2016 were $12.9 million compared with $12.4 million for the prior-year period, with the increase mainly due to higher general and administrative expenses and higher cost of services resulting from increased testing volumes, partially offset by lower sales and marketing expenses. Gross margin improved to 52.9% for the first nine months of 2016 from 44.8% for the first nine months of 2015.

The net loss attributable to common stockholders for the first nine months of 2016 was $5.2 million, or $3.48 per share, compared to $6.0 million, or $7.21 per share in 2015. The net loss attributable to common stockholders in 2016 reflected one-time, non-cash charges of $1.9 million related to deemed dividends from the issuance of Series F convertible preferred stock and warrants in the $8.0 million public offering that closed on March 24, 2016. This increase was partially offset by the reversal of the $890,000 Series E deemed dividend recognized in 2015 from the repurchase of those securities upon closing of our Series F public offering, partially reduced by the $656,000 deemed dividend paid to the Series E investors in February of 2016.

The Company reported $4.3 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of September 30, 2016, compared with $3.9 million as of December 31, 2015. The Company used $813,000 and $3.4 million in cash to fund operating activities during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared with $1.5 million and $4.2 million used to fund operating activities during the comparable 2015 periods, respectively. The significant decreases in net cash used to fund operating activities for the 2016 periods resulted primarily from improved cash reimbursement of $3.1 million and $8.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared with $2.4 million and $7.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

On November 1, 2016 QLT Inc. (NASDAQ:QLTI) (TSX:QLT) ("QLT" or the "Company") reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016. Unless otherwise specified, all amounts are reported in U.S. dollars and in accordance with U.S. GAAP (Press release, QLT, NOV 1, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2217788 [SID1234516148]).

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2016 THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS

Operating Expenses/Income

During the third quarter of 2016, research and development ("R&D") expenditures were $2.9 million compared to $2.1 million for the same period in 2015. The $0.8 million (38%) increase was primarily due to higher costs related to preparatory activities for our upcoming Phase III pivotal trial for QLT091001.

During the third quarter of 2016, we incurred $1.9 million of consulting and advisory fees on activities to support our pending merger transaction with Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Aegerion"), which is described below. In comparison, we incurred $2.2 million of similar costs in 2015 related to: (i) the pursuit of our merger transaction with InSite Vision Incorporated ("InSite"), which was terminated by InSite on September 15, 2015, and (ii) activities to support our investment in Aralez Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Aralez"), which was subsequently distributed to our shareholders on April 5, 2016 (the "Aralez Distribution").

Excluding the strategic consulting and advisory fees described above, selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenditures for the third quarter of 2016 were relatively consistent with SG&A expenditures incurred during the same period in 2015.

Operating Loss and Net Loss per Share

The operating loss for the third quarter of 2016 was $6.0 million, compared to $2.8 million for the same period in 2015. The net $3.2 million change in our operating loss was primarily due to a $2.7 million non-recurring termination fee received from InSite in September 2015, in connection with InSite’s termination of the merger agreement, as well as higher R&D costs in the third quarter of 2016 associated with preparatory activities for our upcoming Phase III pivotal trial for QLT091001.

Net loss per common share was $0.11 in the third quarter of 2016, compared to $0.05 for the same quarter in 2015. The change in our net loss per common share was primarily due to the same factors described above.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

As at September 30, 2016, the Company’s consolidated cash and cash equivalents were $73.1 million compared to $141.8 million at December 31, 2015. The $68.7 million decrease was primarily due to: (i) the $45.0 million investment in Aralez and subsequent Aralez Distribution (as described above), (ii) $9.2 million of strategic consulting and advisory fees related to the proposed merger with Aegerion, the Aralez Distribution, and the exploration of other strategic alternatives, (iii) $3.0 million advanced to Aegerion pursuant to the terms of the interim loan agreement with Aegerion, and (iv) cash used in operating activities during the period.

AEGERION MERGER TRANSACTION UPDATE

As previously announced, on June 14, 2016, Aegerion and QLT agreed to a merger (the "Merger") under the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Aegerion, QLT and Isotope Acquisition Corp., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of QLT. While the proposed Merger has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, the closing of the Merger is subject to various conditions, including but not limited to (i) receipt of the required approvals of the shareholders at the special meetings of each QLT and Aegerion on November 7, 2016, and (ii) completion of the $21.8 million QLT private placement contemplated by the unit subscription agreement entered into with certain investors in connection with the Merger. The Merger is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016.

SYNTHETIC RETINOID UPDATE

The Company continues its Phase III pivotal trial start-up activities to test the safety and efficacy of its Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designated investigational drug product, QLT091001 in subjects with Inherited Retinal Disease phenotypically diagnosed as LCA or RP caused by RPE65 or LRAT gene mutations, with a goal of initiating the pivotal trial in the fourth quarter of 2016.

In addition to the Fast Track and Orphan Drug Designations previously granted to us by the FDA for QLT091001, the Company is currently exploring the potential of submitting to the FDA a request for a Rare Pediatric Disease Designation of QLT091001. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, a sponsor who receives an approval of a New Drug Application (NDA) for a Rare Pediatric Disease and meets certain additional criteria, may be eligible to be awarded a Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PRV). A PRV can be redeemed to receive a priority review for any subsequent marketing application for a different product. A PRV, if obtained by a sponsor, may be sold or transferred to another sponsor. The FDA’s authority to award Rare Pediatric Disease PRVs is currently set to expire December 31, 2016. The authority has been extended multiple times previously, and while it is possible that it may be further extended or made permanent in the future, there is no guarantee of any such extension.

In addition, U.S. Patent No. 9,403,765 relating to various methods of use of various synthetic retinal esters, including QLT091001, for the treatment of diseases associated with an endogenous 11-cis-retinal deficiency, including LCA and RP, was granted by the USPTO on August 2, 2016. This patent is currently projected to expire on June 20, 2025. This newly issued patent further enhances the Company’s key patent portfolio around methods of using QLT091001 in the treatment of IRD.

Passive Foreign Investment Company

The Company believes that it was classified as a Passive Foreign Investment Company ("PFIC") for 2008 through 2015, and that it may be classified as a PFIC in 2016, which could have adverse tax consequences for U.S. shareholders. Please refer to our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K (as amended by the Form 10-K/A filed on April 29, 2016) for additional information.

QLT Inc. – Financial Highlights
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars except share and per share information)
Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
2016 2015 2016 2015

Expenses
Research and development $ 2,855 $ 2,142 $ 8,774 $ 7,754
Selling, general and administrative 3,138 3,166 13,487 13,939
Depreciation 24 141 85 508
Termination fee – (2,667 ) – (2,667 )
6,017 2,782 22,346 19,534
Operating loss (6,017 ) (2,782 ) (22,346 ) (19,534 )
Other (expense) income
Net foreign exchange losses (105 ) (43 ) (214 ) (5 )
Interest income 110 152 240 235
Fair value loss on investment – - (10,704 ) -
Other (39 ) (6 ) (30 ) (8 )
(34 ) 103 (10,708 ) 222
Loss before income taxes (6,051 ) (2,679 ) (33,054 ) (19,312 )
Recovery of (Provision for) income taxes 115 (3 ) 104 (17 )
Net loss and comprehensive loss $ (5,936 ) $ (2,682 ) $ (32,950 ) $ (19,329 )

Basic and diluted net loss per common share
Net loss per common share $ (0.11 ) $ (0.05 ) $ (0.62 ) $ (0.37 )

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (thousands)
Basic and diluted 52,829 52,829 52,829 51,949

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 73,056 $ 141,824
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts 186 287
Loan receivable 3,073 -
Income taxes receivable 14 14
Prepaid and other assets 450 611
Total current assets 76,779 142,736
Accounts receivable 2,000 2,000
Property, plant and equipment 270 430
Total assets $ 79,049 $ 145,166
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Accounts payable $ 3,308 $ 1,656
Accrued liabilities 1,058 1,827
Total current liabilities 4,366 3,483
Uncertain tax position liabilities - 342
Total liabilities 4,366 3,825
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Share capital
Authorized
500,000,000 common shares without par value
5,000,000 first preference shares without par value, issuable in series
Issued and outstanding common shares $ 475,333 $ 475,333
September 30, 2016 – 52,829,398 shares
December 31, 2015 – 52,829,398 shares
Additional paid-in capital 63,669 97,377
Accumulated deficit (567,288 ) (534,338 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income 102,969 102,969
Total shareholders’ equity 74,683 141,341
Total shareholders’ equity and liabilities $ 79,049 $ 145,166

On November 1, 2016 OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:OMED), a clinical-stage company focused on discovering and developing novel anti-cancer stem cell and immuno-oncology therapeutics, reported third quarter financial results. As of September 30, 2016, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $207.6 million (Press release, OncoMed, NOV 1, 2016, View Source [SID1234516150]).

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"OncoMed remains focused on execution across our pipeline, completing enrollment in two randomized Phase 2 trials for demcizumab and tarextumab and driving toward randomized Phase 2 results and potential partner opt-ins in the first half of 2017," said Paul J. Hastings, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Additionally, we will continue to generate new data on multiple compounds in the clinic, and we expect to file INDs for two immuno-oncology programs in late 2016 though the first half of 2017."

Q3 Highlights

Completed enrollment of 207 patients a month ahead of schedule in the Phase 2 YOSEMITE trial of demcizumab (anti-DLL4, OMP-21M18) in combination with Abraxane (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin bound) plus gemcitabine in first-line metastatic pancreatic cancer. Topline results are expected in the first half of 2017, enabling a potential opt-in by Celgene Corporation (Celgene).

Completed enrollment of 145 previously untreated patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) three months ahead of schedule in the Phase 2 PINNACLE clinical trial of tarextumab (anti-Notch2/3, OMP-59R5) in combination with etoposide and platinum-based chemotherapy. Topline are results expected in the first half of 2017, enabling a potential opt in by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

Presented interim data from the Phase 1b clinical trials of vantictumab (anti-Fzd, OMP-18R5) and ipafricept (FZD8-Fc, OMP-54F28) in pancreatic cancer at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2016 Congress. OncoMed expects to submit data packages for both vantictumab and ipafricept to Bayer Pharma AG (Bayer) for opt-in consideration during the first half of 2017.
Development updates

OncoMed’s Phase 2 DENALI clinical trial of demcizumab in combination with carboplatin/pemetrexed in first-line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has enrolled 81 patients as of October 31, 2016. Based on the evolving treatment landscape for front-line NSCLC, OncoMed has stopped further enrollment of patients in this Phase 2 randomized clinical trial and plans to continue to treat currently enrolled patients and analyze the data from those patients in time to support the YOSEMITE data and the potential opt-in package in the first half of 2017. Additionally, OncoMed will supplement the opt-in package with interim safety, biomarker, and early efficacy data from its ongoing Phase 1b trial of demcizumab combined with pembrolizumab. OncoMed anticipates having response rate, progression-free survival, interim overall survival and safety data for DENALI in parallel with the results of YOSEMITE. DENALI data combined with the Phase 1b combination data with demcizumab and pembrolizumab will inform future development of demcizumab in NSCLC.

GSK has notified OncoMed of its decision to focus its current collaboration with OncoMed on tarextumab in SCLC based on the PINNACLE study and to terminate its option on the brontictuzumab (anti-Notch1, OMP-52M51) program. As a result of the termination, OncoMed will retain the worldwide rights to develop brontictuzumab.

OncoMed will continue its ongoing efforts with investigators to plan the conduct of a Phase 1b clinical trial of brontictuzumab in combination with trifluridine and tipiracil tablets (Lonsurf) in third-line colorectal cancer. The trial includes enrollment of biomarker-positive patients whose tumors express the activated form of Notch1. OncoMed has previously presented Phase 1 data that suggest brontictuzumab has single-agent activity in patients with tumors that are positive for the Notch1 biomarker. The prevalence of activated Notch1 in colorectal cancer is expected to be about 50 percent. Enrollment in the Phase 1b study is expected to commence in late 2016 or early 2017.

2016 Upcoming Milestones

Present first-in-human data for anti-DLL4/VEGF (OMP-305B83) and anti-RSPO3 (OMP-131R10) from ongoing Phase 1 trials at the EORTC-NCI-AACR (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics Symposium being held in Munich, Germany November 29-December 2, 2016.

File an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before year-end for one of two immuno-oncology therapeutic candidates: IO#2, partnered with Celgene, or GITRL-Fc, a wholly owned OncoMed asset. A second IND application is expected to follow in the first half of 2017.
Third Quarter 2016 Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $207.6 million as of September 30, 2016, compared to $171.5 million as of June 30, 2016. The company’s cash balance includes net proceeds of $59.2 million from a follow-on offering completed August 23, 2016.

Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2016 were $5.9 million, an increase of $1.2 million, compared to total revenue of $4.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015. This increase was primarily due to amortization of the $70.0 million safety milestone achieved in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Research and development (R&D) expenses were $27.4 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared with $24.7 million for the same period in 2015. Higher R&D expenditures during the third quarter 2016 were attributable to increased manufacturing costs for the IO#2 and GITRL-Fc programs, increased clinical costs for the anti-RSPO3 and vantictumab programs and increased personnel costs. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in 2016 spending for the tarextumab program.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $4.5 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015. G&A costs during the third quarter 2016 increased due to personnel costs, offset by financing costs in the third quarter of 2015 related to the filing of the Form S-3 registration statement in June 2015.

Net loss for the third quarter 2016 was $25.9 million ($0.77 per share), compared to $24.5 million ($0.81 per share) for the same period of 2015. The change in net loss from the same quarter in 2015 was primarily attributable to an increase in research and development expenses.

On November 1, 2016 Genomic Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GHDX) reported financial results and business progress for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 (Filing, Q3, Genomic Health, 2016, NOV 1, 2016, View Source [SID1234516158]).

Total revenue was $82.3 million in the third quarter of 2016, compared with $73.6 million in the third quarter of 2015, an increase of 12 percent.

U.S. product revenue was $70.0 million in the third quarter of 2016, an increase of 11 percent, compared with $63.0 million in the same period in the prior year. Prostate test revenue in the U.S. of $2.3 million contributed to approximately 3 percent of the year-over-year growth.

International product revenue was $12.1 million in the third quarter of 2016, compared with $10.5 million a year ago, an increase of 15 percent. International revenue on a constant currency basis increased by 18 percent compared with a year ago.(i)

In the third quarter, more than 29,990 Oncotype test results were delivered, an increase of 8 percent, compared with more than 27,820 test results delivered in the third quarter of 2015. U.S. invasive breast tests delivered grew 5 percent and prostate tests delivered grew 6 percent compared with the prior year. International tests delivered grew 15 percent compared with the prior year and represented approximately 24 percent of total test volume in the third quarter of 2016.

"In 2016 we have delivered three consecutive quarters of double-digit revenue growth, with 15 percent revenue growth and 12 percent test growth year-to-date, in line with our guidance provided in February," said Kim Popovits, chairman of the board, chief executive officer and president of Genomic Health. "We believe these results demonstrate the strength of our business, including the importance of continuing to generate clinical data that differentiate our Oncotype IQ portfolio of products. Specifically, in invasive breast cancer, Oncotype DX remains the only genomic test proven to predict chemotherapy benefit and, with our latest clinical validation study in prostate cancer announced today, we now provide the only test to predict all major short- and long-term outcomes."

Operating loss for the third quarter of 2016 improved to $3.0 million, compared with $5.4 million for the third quarter of 2015. The operating loss includes a favorable impact in the quarter from the satisfaction of certain royalty payment obligations for the license of PCR patents, as well as an unfavorable impact from a write-down of a software development project for interactive digital reporting. These two items were approximately $2.5 million each and individually off-set each other.

Net loss was $2.8 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared with a net loss of $11.8 million for the third quarter of 2015. Basic and diluted net loss per share was $0.08 for the third quarter of 2016, compared with basic and diluted net loss per share of $0.36 for the same period in 2015.

Total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $245.1 million, compared with $212.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, an increase of 15 percent.

Operating loss improved to $16.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared with an operating loss of $30.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Net loss was $15.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared with a net loss of $30.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities at September 30, 2016 were $83.6 million excluding the fair value of the company’s investment in a marketable security of $15.0 million, compared with $76.8 million at December 31, 2015 excluding the fair value of the company’s investment in a marketable security of $18.1 million.

Recent Business Highlights

Oncotype DX Commercial Progress

· As of September 30, 2016, the company’s flagship line of Oncotype DX gene expression tests has been used to guide treatment decisions for more than 700,000 cancer patients worldwide.
· Established an additional coverage for the Oncotype DX Genomic Prostate Score, bringing the total number of prostate cancer covered U.S. lives to more than 61 million.

Presentations and Publications

· Announced positive topline results from a prostate cancer clinical validation study demonstrating Oncotype DX is a strong predictor of the development of metastasis and prostate cancer death in patients with early-stage disease. With these new results, the Oncotype DX prostate cancer test becomes the first genomic test validated in all major short- and long-term end points, including adverse pathology, biochemical recurrence, metastasis and prostate cancer specific death.

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· Reviews in Urology published a comprehensive economic analysis demonstrating use of Oncotype DX in low-risk prostate cancer patients leads to an increase in a net uptake of active surveillance and a net savings of $2,286 per patient — including the cost of the test — by decreasing unnecessary immediate invasive treatment.

· Presented results from eight Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score presentations at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2016 Congress, highlighting superior clinical evidence in identifying which patients with node-negative and node-positive invasive breast cancer should be treated with chemotherapy. To date, the unique clinical utility of Oncotype DX has been demonstrated with prospective outcomes results in over 63,000 breast cancer patients.

· Presented robust analytical validation study results on Oncotype SEQ Liquid Select at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2016 Congress. The results demonstrated that this liquid biopsy mutation panel is highly sensitive, specific and reproducible.

· Received acceptance to present seven studies at the 2016 CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) in December.