On May 4, 2016 Novavax, Inc., (Nasdaq:NVAX) a clinical-stage vaccine company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of recombinant nanoparticle vaccines and adjuvants, reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 (Filing, Q1, Novavax, 2016, MAY 5, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512052]).

Novavax First Quarter Achievements:

· Continued execution of Resolve, a pivotal Phase 3 trial of our RSV F Vaccine in older adults (60 years of age and older). Resolve is a randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in 11,850 older adults at 60 sites in the United States. The primary efficacy objective is the prevention of moderate-severe RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease, as defined by the presence of multiple lower respiratory tract symptoms. Enrollment was completed in the fourth quarter of 2015.

· Ongoing execution of a Phase 2 rollover clinical trial of our RSV F Vaccine in 1,330 older adults. The trial is a randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled rollover trial designed to enroll from the population of older adults who participated in the prior Phase 2 trial. The primary endpoints of the trial will evaluate safety and serum anti-F IgG antibody concentrations in response to immunization with our RSV F Vaccine. Enrollment was completed in the fourth quarter of 2015.

· Expanded enrollment of Prepare, a pivotal Phase 3 trial of our RSV F Vaccine in healthy pregnant women, to multiple international sites to take advantage of the RSV season in the southern hemisphere. Prepare is a randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. The primary objective is to determine the efficacy of maternal immunization with our RSV F Vaccine against symptomatic RSV lower respiratory tract infection with hypoxemia in infants through the first 90 days of life. Prepare is supported by a grant of up to $89 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

· Issued a total of $325 million Convertible Senior Notes, resulting in net proceeds of $276.5 million. The Notes’ initial conversion price of approximately $6.81 per common share represents a 22.5% premium to Novavax’ common stock on January 25, 2016, the day the Notes were issued. In conjunction with the issuance of the Notes, the Company entered into capped call transactions with an initial cap price of $9.73 per share. The capped call will serve to reduce dilution from issuance of shares upon conversion at prices greater than the Notes’ conversion price of $6.81.

· Appointed Bob Darius to Senior Vice President, Quality Operations and promoted Gregory M. Glenn, M.D., to President, Research & Development, Amy B. Fix to Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Louis F. Fries III, M.D., to Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, and Iksung Cho to Vice President, Biostatistics.

2016 Anticipated Events:

· Announce top-line data from Resolve, the Phase 3 pivotal RSV F Vaccine trial in older adults in the third quarter of 2016; and

·
Announce top-line data from the Phase 2 RSV F Vaccine rollover trial in older adults in the second half of 2016.

Summary

"During the first quarter, we continued to successfully execute on our two ongoing pivotal Phase 3 trials of our RSV F Vaccine. We also raised $325 million in a successful Convertible Senior Notes offering, which strengthens Novavax’ balance sheet ahead of data from the pivotal Phase 3 Resolve clinical trial," said Stanley C. Erck, President and CEO. "We are pleased to see significant interest from a number of multinational, world-class vaccine companies seeking potential partnership and commercialization rights to our RSV F Vaccine franchise outside of North America. We remain well positioned to announce value creating data from the Resolve trial and the Phase 2 rollover trial in older adults in 2016."

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

Novavax reported a net loss of $77.3 million, or $0.29 per share, for the first quarter of 2016, compared to a net loss of $24.4 million, or $0.10 per share, for the first quarter of 2015.

Novavax revenue in the first quarter of 2016 decreased 57% to $4.2 million, compared to $9.9 million for the same period in 2015. Lower revenue under the HHS BARDA contract of $7.3 million is the primary driver of this decrease. The lower HHS BARDA revenue is the result of a lower level of activity in the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the same period in 2015, along with a one-time revenue recognition of $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2015. This decrease in HHS BARDA revenue was partially offset by $1.6 million in revenue recorded under the BMGF grant relating to our ongoing Prepare clinical trial.

Research and development expenses increased 143% to $69.0 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared to $28.3 million for the same period in 2015. The increase in research and development expenses was primarily due to increased costs associated with the clinical trials and development activities of our RSV F Vaccine and higher employee-related costs, including non-cash stock-based compensation.

General and administrative expenses increased 80% to $10.5 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared to $5.8 million for the same period in 2015. The increase was primarily due to higher employee-related costs, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense, and professional fees for pre-commercialization activities, as compared to the same period in 2015.

Interest income (expense), net for the first quarter of 2016 includes $2.1 million of interest expense relating the Company’s Convertible Senior Notes offering.

As of March 31, 2016, the company had $433.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities compared to $230.7 million as of December 31, 2015. Net cash used in operating activities for the first quarter of 2016 was $69.8 million, compared to $30.5 million for same period in 2015. The increase in cash usage was primarily due to increased costs relating to our RSV F Vaccine, higher employee-related costs and timing of vendor payments. As previously mentioned, Novavax completed a $325 million Convertible Senior Notes offering in the first quarter of 2016.

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On May 5, 2016 Medivation, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDVN) reiterating its rejection of Sanofi’s substantially inadequate proposal to acquire the Company for $52.50 per share in cash, following the receipt of a letter from Sanofi (Press release, Medivation, MAY 5, 2016, View Source [SID:1234511986]).

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Medivation notes that Sanofi’s letter simply restates an inadequate proposal that the Medivation Board of Directors has already determined substantially undervalues the Company, its leading oncology franchise, and innovative late-stage pipeline. Medivation’s Board of Directors believes the execution of Medivation’s business plan will deliver value to its stockholders that is far superior to Sanofi’s proposal. Medivation’s Board will continue to act in the best interest of its stockholders.

As previously announced, the Company will host a live teleconference with management to discuss first quarter 2016 results, followed by a presentation to review the Company’s business performance and future prospects today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

A press release announcing the first quarter 2016 will be released after markets close on May 5, 2016.

Individuals may access the live audio webcast of the two hour live teleconference and presentation materials by visiting: View Source Please connect to the website prior to the start of the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software downloads that may be necessary to listen to the webcast.
Interested parties may also listen to the teleconference:
U.S. Dial-in number: 877-303-2523
International Dial-in number: +1-253-237-1755
Conference ID: 95457891
Evercore and J.P. Morgan are serving as financial advisors to Medivation, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and Cooley LLP are acting as legal counsel.

On May 05, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) TESARO, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSRO), an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, reported operating results for first quarter 2016 and provided an update on the Company’s development programs (Press release, TESARO, MAY 5, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512015]).

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"We are gratified by the positive feedback that we have received from healthcare providers, patients and caregivers regarding VARUBI and, pending FDA approval, we look forward to expanding this product franchise in 2017 with the launch of an intravenous formulation," said Lonnie Moulder, CEO of TESARO. "Our pipeline of product candidates continues to advance and expand, with the recent initiations of our Phase 1 trial of TSR-042 and our Phase 1/2 trial of niraparib plus KEYTRUDA, the submission of the IND for TSR-022, and the start of our immuno-oncology drug discovery collaboration with MD Anderson. We look forward to the availability of data from our NOVA registration trial of niraparib during this quarter. Our NOVA study results will be the first data from a prospectively designed, randomized Phase 3 trial for a PARP inhibitor, and the full data from this global trial are intended to support regulatory applications for the U.S. and Europe during the second half of this year."

Recent Business Highlights

The U.S. launch of VARUBI (oral rolapitant) is underway, and an estimated 150 million people, or 80% of potential commercial lives, now have access to and coverage for VARUBI under their insurance plan.
The New Drug Application (NDA) for intravenous (IV) rolapitant was submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and we continue to anticipate a 12 month review timeline.
The Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) for oral rolapitant is under review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Patient treatment continues in the Phase 3 NOVA trial of niraparib in patients with ovarian cancer, and data are anticipated to become available in the second quarter of 2016.
Enrollment continues in the QUADRA trial of niraparib for the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer who have received three or more prior lines of chemotherapy.
In April, TESARO and Janssen Biotech Inc., one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, announced a global collaboration and license agreement focused on the development and commercialization of niraparib specifically for the treatment of prostate cancer. Separately, Johnson & Johnson Innovation — JJDC made an equity investment in TESARO that was received during the second quarter.
The Phase 1/2 combination trial of niraparib/KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) is now enrolling patients.
The Phase 1 dose escalation study of TSR-042, our anti-PD-1 antibody candidate, is now enrolling patients.
The Investigational New Drug (IND) application for TSR-022, our anti-TIM-3 antibody candidate, has been submitted to the FDA.
A clinical antibody candidate targeting LAG-3, TSR-033, has been selected.
TESARO and the Institute for Applied Cancer Science at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center announced an exclusive collaboration to discover and develop small molecule product candidates against undisclosed immuno-oncology targets, with a goal of identifying the first clinical candidate in early 2017.
TESARO closed a private placement financing in March 2016, resulting in $155 million in proceeds.
TESARO announced the appointment of Dr. Kavita Patel to its Board of Directors.
First Quarter 2016 Financial Results

TESARO reported a net loss of $90.8 million, or ($2.22) per share, for the first quarter of 2016, compared to a net loss of $48.5 million, or ($1.30) per share, for the first quarter of 2015.
Product revenue for the first quarter of 2016 totaled $0.2 million and included sales of VARUBI to specialty pharmacy customers. These sales represent a small portion of total product shipments and the only shipments for which GAAP revenue recognition criteria were met. The majority of VARUBI shipments to date have been to specialty distributors, and these sales have been deferred or cannot yet be recognized.
Research and development expenses increased to $52.6 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to $33.5 million for the first quarter of 2015, driven primarily by higher costs related to the ongoing registration trials of niraparib, the advancement of our immuno-oncology portfolio, and activities related to rolapitant IV, in addition to increased headcount.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $30.0 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to $11.2 million for the first quarter of 2015, primarily due to commercial activities in support of the launch of VARUBI, increased commercial headcount, including the establishment of a field sales organization, and higher professional service fees.
Acquired in-process research and development expenses totaled $4.0 million for the first quarter of 2016 and included a milestone payment related to our immuno-oncology portfolio.
Operating expenses, as described above, include total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense of $9.3 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to $3.9 million for the first quarter of 2015.
As of March 31, 2016, TESARO had approximately $314 million in cash and cash equivalents, which includes proceeds of $155 million resulting from the March private placement. This cash and cash equivalents total excludes the $85 million in up-front payment and equity investment from the Janssen prostate collaboration, which were received in the second quarter.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, TESARO had approximately 41.0 million shares outstanding on a weighted average basis. Following completion of the March private placement financing, TESARO had approximately 44.7 million outstanding shares of common stock as of March 31, 2016.
TESARO expects its cash utilization to be approximately $70 million during the second quarter of 2016.
Corporate Objectives

TESARO anticipates achieving the following key objectives:

VARUBI:

Continue to execute on the VARUBI commercial launch in the United States; and
Launch IV rolapitant into the U.S. market in 2017, pending FDA approval.
Niraparib:

Report data from the Phase 3 NOVA trial of niraparib in Q2 2016;
Continue to enroll the Phase 2 QUADRA trial of niraparib;
Submit the niraparib NDA and MAA in 2H 2016;
Continue to enroll patients in the Phase 1/2 combination trial of niraparib/KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) through 2016; and
Continue to enroll the Phase 3 BRAVO trial of niraparib in breast cancer patients with germline BRCA mutations and the Phase 3 PRIMA trial in first-line ovarian cancer patients through 2016.
Immuno-Oncology Portfolio:

Initiate the Phase 1 clinical trial for TSR-022 in mid-2016;
Identify a dose and schedule for TSR-042 by the end of 2016;
Select at least one bispecific antibody clinical candidate in 2016; and
Identify the first clinical candidate within the MD Anderson collaboration in early 2017.

On May 5, 2016 Oncolytics Biotech Inc. ("Oncolytics" or the "Company") (TSX: ONC) (OTCQX: ONCYF) (FRA: ONY) reported a poster presentation by researchers, covering preclinical work in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck ("SCCHN"), is being made at the 2016 American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy ("ASGCT") annual meeting being held from May 4th to 7th, 2016 in Washington, DC (Filing, 6-K, Oncolytics Biotech, MAY 5, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512053]).

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"Preclinical work continues to play an important role in REOLYSIN’s further development," said Dr. Brad Thompson, President and CEO of Oncolytics. "We are evaluating REOLYSIN in combination with both established and emerging treatment options in a range of indications in order to determine which pairings merit clinical testing."

The abstract/poster is titled "The Potency of a Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor and REOLYSIN in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma," and was authored by Old, et al. The authors used the first FDA approved histone deacetylase inhibitor ("HDACi"), vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid) ("SAHA"), in combination with REOLYSIN in vitro and in vivo. They had previously found a synergistic combination of SAHA and REOLYSIN in a nude mouse model. Preclinical models using oncolytics are often conducted in immunocompromised mice, negating the significant impact of the immune system. The data demonstrates that combination of reovirus plus SAHA therapy has significant activity in the treatment of SCCHN, even in an immunocompetent model and that immune system rebound likely plays a significant role in the long-term anti-tumor response.

On May 5, 2016 Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.(NASDAQ:SRPT), a developer of innovative RNA-targeted therapeutics, reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2016, and provided an update of recent corporate developments (Press release, Sarepta Therapeutics, MAY 5, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2165380 [SID:1234512019]).
"The Peripheral and Central Nervous System Advisory Committee met last week to review eteplirsen for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy amenable to exon 51 skipping, and we await our May 26 PDUFA date," said Edward Kaye, M.D., Sarepta’s interim chief executive officer and chief medical officer. "Following the FDA’s decision, we plan to provide a clinical and corporate update."

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Financial Results
For the first quarter of 2016, Sarepta reported a non-GAAP net loss of $52.5 million, or $1.15 per share, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $47.4 million for the first quarter of 2015, or $1.15 per share. The incremental loss of $5.1 million was primarily the result of increased operating expenses.

On a GAAP basis, the net loss for the first quarter of 2016 was $59.8 million, or $1.31 per share (including $7.2 million of stock-based compensation and restructuring expenses), compared to a net loss of $61.6 million, or $1.49 per share (including $14.2 million of stock-based compensation) for the first quarter of 2015.

No revenue was recognized for the three months ended in both March 31, 2016 and 2015.
Non-GAAP research and development expenses were $35.9 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to $36.7 million for the first quarter of 2015, a decrease of $0.8 million. GAAP research and development expenses were $38.8 million for the first quarter of 2016 (including $3.0 million of stock-based compensation and restructuring expenses), compared to $39.2 million for the first quarter of 2015 (including $2.4 million of stock-based compensation), a decrease of $0.3 million.

Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses were $16.6 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to $11.0 million for the first quarter of 2015, an increase of $5.6 million. GAAP general and administrative expenses were $20.9 million for the first quarter of 2016 (including $4.3 million of stock-based compensation and restructuring expenses), compared to $22.7 million for the first quarter of 2015 (including $11.7 million of stock-based compensation), a decrease of $1.8 million.

The Company had $140.6 million in cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash as of March 31, 2016 compared to $204.0 million as of December 31, 2015, a decrease of $63.4 million. The decrease was due to the use of cash to fund the Company’s ongoing operations, commercial launch activities and related inventory build.

In addition to the GAAP financial measures set forth in this press release, the Company has included certain non-GAAP measurements: non-GAAP research and development expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP operating expense adjustments, non-GAAP net loss, and non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss per share, which present operating results on a basis adjusted for certain items. The Company uses these non-GAAP measures as key performance measures for the purpose of evaluating performance internally. The Company also believes these non-GAAP measures provide the Company’s investors with useful information regarding the Company’s historical operating results. These non-GAAP measures are not intended to replace the presentation of the Company’s financial results in accordance with GAAP. Use of the terms non-GAAP research and development expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP operating expense adjustments, non-GAAP net loss, and non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss per share may differ from similar measures reported by other companies. All relevant non-GAAP measures are reconciled from their respective GAAP measures in the attached table "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Loss."

Recent Corporate Developments
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Program
–Sarepta Issues Statement on Advisory Committee Meeting Outcome for Use of Eteplirsen in the Treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Amenable to Exon 51 Skipping
–Sarepta Therapeutics Announces FDA Advisory Committee Meeting to Review Eteplirsen as a Treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Amenable to Exon 51 Skipping
Corporate Updates
–Sarepta Therapeutics Announces Long Term Plan to Consolidate Facilities within Massachusetts