On August 6, 2015 Dr. Reddy ’ s Laboratories Ltd. (NYSE: RDY) reported that it has entered into a strategic collaboration with Amgen – one of the world ’ s leading independent biotechnology companies – to market and distribute three Amgen medicines in India in the area s of oncology and cardiology (Press release, Dr Reddy’s, AUG 6, 2015, View Source [SID:SID1234515194]). Under the terms of the collaboration , Dr. Reddy ’ s shall perform a full range of regulatory and commercial services to seek approval and launch Kyprolis (carfilzomib), BLINCYTO (blinatumomab) and Repatha (evolocumab) in India. The collaboration leverages the capabilities of both companies , combining three of Amgen ’ s innovative therapies with Dr. Reddy ’ s deep understanding of patient and physician needs in India.

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Dr. Reddy ’ s Executive Vice President and Head of India Business & Global Business Development Alok Sonig stated, " We are excited about our strategic collaboration with an innovation powerhouse like Amgen and look forward to making their innovative medicines accessible to Indian patients. Addressing significant unmet needs of patients in oncology and cardiovascular are key area s in India and , therefore, a priority for us at Dr. Reddy ’ s. We believe that good health can’t wait and that this is an important milestone for us in our journey as we improve patient care. "

" We are pleased to be joining forces with Dr. Reddy ’ s Laboratories in order to make Amgen ’ s innovative medicines available to patients in India, " said Penny Wan, Amgen vice president and general manager, Japan Asia Pacific Region. " Dr. Reddy ’ s has significant experience serving oncology and cardiovascular patients in India and shares Amgen ’ s interest in delivering new treatment options to seriously ill patients."

Kyprolis was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July 2015, in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, for the treatment of patients with relapsed multiple myeloma who have received o ne to three prior lines of therapy. Kyprolis is also indicated under FDA accelerated approval as a single agent for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies including bortezomib and an immunomodulatory agent and have demonstrated disease progression on or within 60 days of completion of the last therapy. Approval is based on response rate. Clinical benefit, such as improvement in survival or symptoms, has not been verified. A form of blood cancer that a rises from plasma cells, multiple myeloma usually grows in bone marrow, the soft, tissue found inside most bones where normal blood cells are produced.

BLINCYTO is an example of immunotherapy, a treatment that uses certain parts of a person ’ s immune syst em to fight diseases such as cancer. BLINCYTO is the first approved bispecific CD19 – directed CD3 T – c ell engager . It engages the body ’ s T – cells, a type of white blood cell or lymphocyte, to destroy leukemia cells. It was approved by the U.S. FDA in 2014, t o treat patients with Philadelphia chromosome – negative relapsed or refractory B – cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B – cell ALL), an uncommon form of ALL. This indication is approved under accelerated approval. Continued approval for this indicatio n may be contingent upon verification of clinical benefit in subsequent trials.

In July, this year, the European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorisation for Repatha , the first proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor to be approved in the world, for the treatment of patients with uncontrolled cholesterol despite taking maximum doses of statins or who cannot take statins, who require additional intensive low – density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL – C) reduction. Elevated LDL – C or " bad " cholesterol is an abnormality of cholesterol and/or fats in the blood and is recognized as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

On August 6, 2015 Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:IDRA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel nucleic acid-based therapeutics for oncology and rare diseases, reported its financial and operational results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015 (Press release, Idera Pharmaceuticals, AUG 6, 2015, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2076539 [SID:1234507065]).

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"From a program execution perspective, we’ve continued to make steady progress across the board during the second quarter of 2015," stated Vincent Milano, Idera’s Chief Executive Officer. "We recently announced our strategic clinical research alliance with MD Anderson, with the first planned study of this alliance evaluating the combination of IMO-2125 (TLR9 agonist) and ipilimumab (an anti-CTLA4 antibody) in melanoma patients. We are targeting commencing this study in the fourth quarter of this year. Our B-cell lymphoma programs with IMO-8400 (TLR7, 8 and 9 antagonist) are advancing, as we are rapidly approaching the release of data from the Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM) trial in the fourth quarter. Also in the second quarter, we began enrolling patients into the first dose cohort in the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) clinical trial. Our rare disease programs are moving forward nicely, most notably with the initiation of our dermatomyositis Phase 2 study planned for the fourth quarter. Finally, we continue to expect to announce the first two diseases we plan to target with our exciting third generation antisense platform technology, which was previously referred to as our GSO program, by the end of this year."

Continued Milano, "Our team at Idera has made good progress executing against the goals that we established for ourselves at the beginning of the year. Importantly, I am pleased with the progress we’ve made developing and implementing a corporate culture and value system that aligns all facets of our company towards both near and long term success. While these are not necessary externally-viewed measures, they are paramount elements to any organization that places high expectations upon itself. During the most recent quarter, we’ve added several extremely skilled individuals to our team who’ve made immediate impacts on our organization and programs to enhance our ability to achieve our goals. By no means have we completed building out our team at Idera, however, I am pleased with the progress that has been made to date; and with this group’s ability to adapt and grow, while continuing to remain focused and execute our programs with the rigor that is necessary."

Research and Development Program Updates

Toll-like Receptor (TLR) Agonism Program

Immuno-Oncology Program

In June 2015, the company announced that it had entered into a strategic clinical research alliance with MD Anderson Cancer Center to advance the clinical development of intratumoral TLR9 agonists in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. The company also announced that it expects to initiate the first trial from the alliance, a Phase 1/2 study to assess the safety and efficacy of intratumoral IMO-2125 in combination with ipilimumab in approximately 45 patients with metastatic melanoma. The company intends to initiate this study in the fourth quarter of 2015 with data expected in 2016. Planning of additional studies as part of the clinical research alliance with MD Anderson Cancer Center is in progress. Additionally, the company recently has had two abstracts accepted with new pre-clinical data on intratumoral IMO-2125 activity, and its impact on the tumor microenvironment and checkpoints at the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference (CIMT) (Free CIMT Whitepaper) taking place in September in New York.

Toll-like Receptor (TLR) Antagonism Programs

Genetically Defined Forms of B-cell Lymphoma

Idera’s program in genetically defined forms of B-cell lymphoma is based on independent research conducted at Idera. Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that, in certain B-cell lymphomas, the presence of the MYD88 L265P oncogenic mutation led to over-activation of TLR7 and TLR9 signaling and that blocking these TLRs with our antagonists promoted tumor cell death.

In the company’s Phase 1/2 study in Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, the targeted number of patients at each of the three dose levels have completed assessment through the end of their first cycle of treatment and the dose escalation portion of the study has been completed. The trial is designed to evaluate IMO-8400’s safety, tolerability and potential clinical activity in patients who have a history of relapse after or failure to respond to prior therapies. Idera anticipates data from this trial will be available in the fourth quarter of 2015.

During the second quarter the company also continued to activate clinical sites and enroll patients into the first of three dose cohorts of our Phase 1/2 clinical trial of IMO-8400 in patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL, who are harboring the MYD88 L265P oncogenic mutation. The company anticipates that data from this trial will be available in 2016. Idera also announced during the second quarter that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had granted us orphan drug designation for IMO-8400 for the treatment of DLBCL.

Rare Disease Programs

The company is planning to initiate clinical development of IMO-8400 for the treatment of rare diseases. The company has selected dermatomyositis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) as the first rare diseases for which we plan to develop IMO-8400. The company selected these indications for development based on the reported increase in TLR expression in these disease states, expression of cytokines indicative of key TLR-mediated pathways, the identification of prospective biomarkers for evaluation in early clinical trials and significant unmet needs. The company anticipates commencing clinical development in these two indications by initiating a Phase 2 clinical trial in dermatomyositis by the end of 2015 and a Phase 2 clinical trial in DMD in 2016.

Third Generation Antisense Platform

The company is currently undertaking an analysis and prioritization of oncology and rare disease indications for potential development of drug candidates from our third generation antisense technology platform. Idera’s key considerations in identifying disease indications in our third generation antisense program include: strong evidence that the disease is caused by a specific protein; clear criteria to identify a target patient population; biomarkers for early assessment of clinical proof-of-concept; a targeted therapeutic mechanism for action; and unmet medical need to allow for a well-defined development path to approval and commercial opportunity. The company is currently conducting disease model studies and plans to begin IND-enabling development programs in the first two disease indications selected for further development in our third generation antisense program in the second half of 2015.

Recent Corporate Highlights

In June 2015, Idera announced the appointment of Mark J. Casey as General Counsel and Secretary of the Board of Directors.

Financial Results

Second Quarter 2015 Results

Net loss applicable to common stockholders for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was $12.7 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $8.4 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the same period in 2014. For the six month period ended June 30, 2015, the Company’s net loss applicable to common stockholders was $25.2 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $17.6 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for the same period in 2014. The company recognized nominal revenue in the second quarter and six month periods of 2015 and 2014.

Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2015 totaled $9.0 million compared to $5.6 million for the same period in 2014. For the six month period ended June 30, 2015, research and development expenses totaled $17.7 million compared to $12.6 million for the same period in 2014.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2015 totaled $3.8 million compared to $2.7 million for the same period in 2014. For the six month period ended June 30, 2015, general and administrative expenses totaled $7.7 million compared to $4.8 million for the same period in 2014.

As of June 30, 2015, Idera’s cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $106.3 million compared to $48.6 million as of December 31, 2014.

On August 6, 2015 Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NasdaqGS: SPPI), a biotechnology company with fully integrated commercial and drug development operations with a primary focus in hematology and oncology, reported financial results for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 (Press release, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, AUG 6, 2015, View Source [SID:1234507104]).

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"The results from this quarter demonstrate our ability to maintain financial discipline while continuing to fund our highest priority projects," said Rajesh C. Shrotriya, MD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals. "The second half of 2015 marks key milestones for several of Spectrum’s drugs. With the potential approval of Evomela in October, we could have six drugs on the market. Pending alignment with the FDA, we expect to initiate a non-inferiority Phase 3 study for SPI-2012 which would be powered at 80% to show superiority against pegfilgrastim. Also, our potentially best-in-class novel pan-HER inhibitor, poziotinib, will target breast cancer in a Phase 2 clinical program. Additionally, with apaziquone, we plan to file an NDA and initiate a confirmatory Phase 3 trial under a SPA by year end. Our pipeline has never been as exciting as it is today, and provides a sound foundation for future growth of the company."

Pipeline Update:

Two Potential Blockbusters, One Near-term FDA Decision and One Near-term NDA Submission

SPI-2012, a novel long-acting GCSF: In Phase 2 trials earlier this year, SPI-2012’s efficacy was shown to be non-inferior at the middle dose, and superior to the blockbuster drug pegfilgrastim at the higher dose tested. Based on discussion with the FDA, the Company plans to initiate a Phase 3 study this year, and is seeking an SPA for this study that would be powered at over 90% to demonstrate non-inferiority and at 80% to demonstrate superiority to pegfilgrastim.

EVOMELA, a propylene-glycol free formulation of melphalan with improved stability: NDA review is ongoing and is on track for an FDA decision on October 23, 2015. This drug is expected to be launched using Spectrum’s existing sales force, and pre-launch activities have commenced.

Poziotinib, a potential best-in-class, novel, pan-HER inhibitor: The Company plans to initiate a U.S. based breast cancer program based on compelling Phase 1 efficacy data demonstrated in breast cancer patients who had failed multiple other HER-2 directed therapies. In addition, multiple Phase 2 studies funded by Hanmi Pharmaceuticals are currently ongoing.

Apaziquone, a potent pro-drug being investigated for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Apaziquone is a bio-reductive agent activated by reductase enzymes, such as DT-diaphorase, expressed by bladder tumor cells, to form a cytotoxic alkylating agent. Spectrum expects to file an NDA by year-end. Additionally, the Company is seeking an SPA with the FDA before commencing an additional confirmatory Phase 3 Study.

Three-Month Period Ended June 30, 2015 (All numbers are approximate)

GAAP Results

Total product sales were $35.1 million in the second quarter of 2015. Total product sales decreased 25% from $46.9 million in the second quarter of 2014.

Product sales in the second quarter included: FUSILEV (levoleucovorin) net sales of $14.3 million, FOLOTYN (pralatrexate injection) net sales of $12.2 million, ZEVALIN (ibritumomab tiuxetan) net sales of $4.8 million, MARQIBO (vinCRIStine sulfate LIPOSOME injection) net sales of $2.1 million and BELEODAQ (belinostat for injection) net sales of $1.7 million.

Spectrum recorded net loss of $2.3 million, or $(0.04) per basic and diluted share in the three-month period ended June 30, 2015, compared to net loss of $3.6 million, or $(0.06) per basic and diluted share in the comparable period in 2014. Total research and development expenses were $9.6 million in the quarter, as compared to $11.3 million in the same period in 2014. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $22.6 million in the quarter, compared to $25.4 million in the same period in 2014.

Non-GAAP Results

Spectrum recorded non-GAAP net loss of $0.5 million, or $(0.01) per basic share and diluted share in the three-month period ended June 30, 2015, compared to non-GAAP net income of $6.8 million, or $0.11 per basic share and $0.09 per diluted share in the comparable period in 2014. Non-GAAP research and development expenses were $9.1 million, as compared to $10.8 million in the same period of 2014. Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses were $19.7 million, as compared to $21.8 million in the same period in 2014.

2015 Financial Guidance

Spectrum projects year-end aggregate cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of over $110 million, up from the Company’s previous guidance of $100 million excluding any new business development transactions.

(Filing, 10-Q, Mirati, AUG 6, 2015, View Source [SID:1234507098])

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On August 6, 2015 Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: INFI) reported its second quarter 2015 financial results and ongoing progress with duvelisib an oral, dual inhibitor of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-delta and PI3K-gamma (Press release, Infinity Pharmaceuticals, AUG 6, 2015, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2076561 [SID:1234507068]). Infinity also announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation for the investigation of duvelisib for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have received at least one prior therapy. The FDA established the Fast Track designation process to facilitate the development and expedite the review of investigational medicines intended to treat serious or life-threatening conditions and that demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs. Infinity is conducting registration-focused trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of duvelisib, including DYNAMOTM, a Phase 2 study in patients with refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL), and DUOTM, a Phase 3 study in patients with CLL.

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"The quarter was marked by continued clinical development progress for duvelisib, particularly with DYNAMO and DUO. The first completion of enrollment in either DYNAMO or DUO, both of which we expect to occur in the second half of this year, will trigger a $130 million milestone payment from AbbVie, our global development and commercialization partner for duvelisib in oncology," stated Adelene Perkins, Infinity’s chair, president and chief executive officer. "We are also pleased to have recently received Fast Track designation for the investigation of duvelisib for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which supports our belief in the potential of duvelisib to help fill an important medical need. We look forward to leveraging the opportunities that Fast Track designation allows in order to maximize the possibility of an accelerated path to approval."

Duvelisib is the only investigational PI3K-delta,gamma inhibitor in Phase 3 clinical development and has the potential to be a first-in-class treatment for certain types of hematologic malignancies, or blood cancers. In addition to the DYNAMO and DUO studies, Infinity is continuing to enroll patients in CONTEMPO, a Phase 1b/2 study in treatment-naïve patients with follicular lymphoma, and SYNCHRONY, a Phase 1b study in CLL patients whose disease is refractory to or has relapsed while receiving a BTK inhibitor. Infinity also expects that the first clinical study of duvelisib in combination with venetoclax, AbbVie’s first-in-class investigational B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) selective inhibitor, will begin this year.

At the 2015 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper), preclinical data were presented showing in vitro synergy between duvelisib and venetoclax, and the combination of duvelisib plus venetoclax showed greater inhibition of lymphoma tumor growth compared to each of these agents alone. These preclinical data provide support for the first clinical study combining duvelisib and venetoclax in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Second Quarter 2015 Financial Results

At June 30, 2015, Infinity had total cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities of $199.5 million, compared to $233.6 million at March 31, 2015.
Revenue during the second quarter of 2015 was $4.9 million for research and development (R&D) services associated with the strategic collaboration with AbbVie for duvelisib in oncology. Infinity did not record any revenue in the second quarter of 2014.
R&D expense for the second quarter of 2015 was $34.1 million, compared to $28.2 million for the second quarter of 2014. The increase in R&D expense was primarily due to higher contingent cash compensation and expenses related to early discovery programs.
General and administrative (G&A) expense was $9.4 million for the second quarter of 2015, compared to $7.1 million for the same period in 2014. The increase in G&A expense was primarily related to higher contingent cash compensation.
Net loss for the second quarter of 2015 was $38.4 million, or a basic and diluted loss per common share of $0.78, compared to $38.0 million, or a basic and diluted loss per common share of $0.78, for the same period in 2014.
Conference Call Information

Infinity will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss these financial results and company updates. A live webcast of the conference call can be accessed in the "Investors/Media" section of Infinity’s website at www.infi.com. To participate in the conference call, please dial 1-877-316-5293 (domestic) or 1-631-291-4526 (international) five minutes prior to start time. The conference ID number is 72290673. An archived version of the webcast will be available on Infinity’s website for 30 days.

Infinity R&D Day, October 6, 2015

Infinity will host an R&D Day in New York City on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET. The event will be webcast beginning at 8:00 a.m. ET and can be accessed in the Investors/Media section of Infinity’s website, www.infi.com. A replay of the event will also be available.

About Duvelisib

Duvelisib is an oral, dual inhibitor of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-delta and PI3K-gamma, two proteins with predominantly non-overlapping roles known to support the growth and survival of malignant B-cells.[i] Preclinical data suggest that PI3K-delta signaling can lead to the proliferation of malignant B-cells, and both PI3K-gamma and PI3K-delta play a role in the formation and maintenance of the supportive tumor microenvironment.[ii] Duvelisib is the only investigational PI3K-delta,gamma inhibitor in Phase 3 clinical development and has the potential to be a first-in-class treatment for certain types of hematologic malignancies, or blood cancers. AbbVie and Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. are jointly developing duvelisib in oncology.

Duvelisib is being evaluated in registration-focused studies, including DYNAMOTM, a Phase 2 study in patients with refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma, DYNAMO+R, a Phase 3 study in patients with previously treated follicular lymphoma, and DUOTM, a Phase 3 study in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Duvelisib is an investigational compound and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any other health authority.