Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals Reports Second Quarter 2016 Financial Results and Highlights Recent Progress

On August 4, 2016 Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTPH), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel antibiotics to treat life-threatening multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016, and provided an overview of certain corporate achievements and plans (Press release, Tetraphase, AUG 4, 2016, View Source [SID:1234514266]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"During the second quarter, we finalized the protocol for IGNITE4, our upcoming phase 3 clinical trial evaluating IV eravacycline in patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI), and remain on track to initiate this trial early in the fourth quarter of 2016," said Guy Macdonald, Tetraphase’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "Based on discussions with the FDA, we have designed IGNITE4 using a 12.5% non-inferiority margin and a trial population of approximately 450 patients. We currently anticipate reporting top-line results from IGNITE4 as early as the fourth quarter of 2017. In parallel, we are also working to finalize the trial design for IGNITE3, our phase 3 clinical trial evaluating once-daily IV eravacycline in complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), and we look forward to providing details regarding the design and timing of IGNITE3 once the protocol is completed."

Dr. Patrick Horn, Tetraphase’s Chief Medical Officer, commented, "Separately, we continue to advance development work on the oral formulation of eravacycline. Early data from this phase 1 program indicate that the oral dosing regimen used in IGNITE2 leads to lower systemic levels of eravacycline than expected. These data also suggest that administration of oral eravacycline in a fasted state results in increased drug exposure. With this information now in hand, we have commenced further clinical testing designed to evaluate several additional variables associated with optimizing the oral eravacycline dosing regimen."

"Along with the advancement of our clinical programs, we continue to build the profile of eravacycline by testing it against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains in vitro and, at ASM Microbe and ECCMID we presented data showing eravacycline’s potent activity against these difficult-to-treat pathogens, including carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae and Acinetobacter baumannii," added Dr. Horn. "We also recently confirmed that in in vitro studies eravacycline retained its potent activity against colistin-resistant clinical isolates expressing the mcr-1 gene, which was just found in bacteria in the U.S. for the first time, and we look forward to presenting these data at an upcoming medical meeting."

Second Quarter 2016 Financial Results

As of June 30, 2016, Tetraphase had cash and cash equivalents of $178.3 million and 36.7 million shares outstanding. The company expects that its cash and cash equivalents, as well as expected revenue from its U.S. government awards, will be sufficient to fund operations into the middle of 2018.

Revenues during the second quarter of 2016 were $1.2 million compared to $3.3 million for the same period in 2015. Revenues for each period consisted of contract and grant revenue under the Company’s U.S. government awards for the development of Tetraphase compounds for the treatment of diseases caused by bacterial biothreat pathogens and for certain infections caused by life-threatening multidrug-resistant bacteria. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to the scope and timing of activities related to our BARDA Contract conducted during the quarter ended June 30, 2016.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the second quarter of 2016 were $13.7 million compared to $22.9 million for the same period in 2015. The decrease in R&D expenses was primarily due to lower costs related to our Phase 3 clinical program for eravacycline.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the second quarter of 2016 were $4.8 million compared to $6.5 million for the same period in 2015. The decrease in G&A expenses was primarily due to a decrease in stock-based compensation expense, as well as a decrease in pre-commercialization activities for eravacycline.

For the second quarter of 2016, Tetraphase reported a net loss of $17.2 million, or $0.47 per share, compared to a net loss of $26.0 million, or $0.72 per share, for the same period in 2015.

Second Quarter and Recent Corporate Highlights

Presented data at the 26th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID), including preclinical data for eravacycline and TP-6076.

Received guidance from the U.S. FDA confirming that one additional positive phase 3 clinical trial will be required to support a New Drug Application (NDA) submission for IV eravacycline. Based on the FDA’s guidance, Tetraphase plans to conduct two additional pivotal phase 3 clinical trials: one in cIAI (IGNITE4) to support the NDA filing and one in cUTI (IGNITE3) that will form the basis of a supplemental NDA for IV eravacycline.

Finalized the clinical trial design for IGNITE4 to support an NDA filing for IV eravacycline for cIAI. IGNITE4, the Company’s planned phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of twice-daily IV eravacycline compared to meropenem in patients with cIAI, is expected to enroll approximately 450 patients and the primary analysis will be conducted using a 12.5% non-inferiority margin. Tetraphase expects to initiate this clinical trial early in the fourth quarter of 2016, with top-line results expected as early as the fourth quarter of 2017.

Presented data at the American Society of Microbiology (ASM) Microbe 2016 Conference, including clinical and preclinical data for eravacycline and preclinical data for TP-271, a novel, broad-spectrum antibiotic candidate which is being developed to combat respiratory disease caused by bacterial biothreats and antibiotic-resistant public health pathogens, as well as bacterial pathogens associated with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.

Commenced patient dosing in a phase 1 clinical trial for TP-6076, the lead candidate from the Company’s second-generation antibiotic program which has demonstrated potent preclinical activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens.
Continued clinical testing designed to advance the development of an oral dose formulation of eravacycline. During the second quarter, Tetraphase completed preliminary clinical testing which indicates that the overall efficacy results in IGNITE2 were likely driven by underperformance of the oral formulation due to a food effect. Preliminary clinical testing also suggests that administration of oral eravacycline in a fasted state results in increased drug exposure. Further clinical testing is now underway to evaluate several additional variables associated with increasing drug exposure and optimizing the oral eravacycline dosing regimen.
Added to the Russell Microcap Index when the Russell Investment Group reconstituted its family of U.S. indexes in late June 2016.

Teva Reports Second Quarter 2016 Results

On August 4, 2016 Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA) reported results for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 (Press release, Teva, AUG 4, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2192894 [SID:1234514316]).
Q2 2016
Revenues $5.0 billion
GAAP EPS $0.20
Non-GAAP EPS $1.25
Non-GAAP EPS adjusted to exclude the impact
of the December 2015 equity offerings
$1.43

On August 2, Teva completed the Actavis Generics acquisition
On August 3, Teva agreed to acquire Anda for $500 million
"We are pleased with our performance this quarter and the steps we are taking to transform our business, notably the recent completion of our acquisition of Actavis Generics and the proposed purchase of Anda Inc. We have brought together two leading businesses with complementary strengths, R&D capabilities, product pipelines and portfolios, geographical footprints, operational networks and cultures. The result is a stronger, more competitive Teva, well positioned to thrive in an evolving global marketplace," stated Erez Vigodman, President and CEO.
Vigodman continued, "Going forward we are focused on the integration of Actavis Generics, delivering on our operational and financial targets and on the ongoing development and commercialization of the more than 35 innovative products in our pipeline. We plan to use our strong cash flow to pay down debt and continue to invest in attractive specialty products. We are excited about our future and our ongoing pursuit to increase access to important medicines for patients around the world."
Second Quarter 2016 Results
Revenues in the second quarter of 2016 amounted to $5.0 billion, up 1% compared to the second quarter of 2015. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, revenues increased 4%.
Exchange rate differences between the second quarter of 2016 and the second quarter of 2015 reduced revenues by $141 million, GAAP operating income by $55 million and non-GAAP operating income by $52 million.
GAAP gross profit was $2.9 billion in the second quarter of 2016, down 1%, compared to the second quarter of 2015. GAAP gross profit margin was 57.1% in the quarter, compared to 58.4% in the second quarter of 2015. Non-GAAP gross profit was $3.2 billion in the second quarter of 2016, up 1% from the second quarter of 2015. Non-GAAP gross profit margin was 62.5% in the second quarter of 2016, compared to 62.8% in the second quarter of 2015.
Research and Development (R&D) expense (excluding equity compensation expenses and purchase of in-process R&D) in the second quarter of 2016 amounted to $370 million, compared to $357 million in the second quarter of 2015. R&D expenses were 7.3% of revenues in the quarter, compared to 7.2% in the second quarter of 2015. R&D expenses related to our generic medicines segment amounted to $125 million, compared to $134 million in the second quarter of 2015, a decrease of 7%. R&D expenses related to our specialty medicines segment amounted to $245 million, an increase of 11% compared to $220 million in the second quarter of 2015, mainly due to increased development costs related to assets acquired through the Labrys and Auspex transactions.
Selling and Marketing (S&M) expenses (excluding amortization of purchased intangible assets and equity compensation expenses) amounted to $898 million, or 17.8% of revenues, in the second quarter of 2016, compared to $846 million, or 17.0% of revenues, in the second quarter of 2015. S&M expenses related to our generic medicines segment amounted to $333 million, a decrease of 1% compared to $335 million in the second quarter of 2015, but an increase of 7% in local currency terms. The increase in local currency terms was mainly due to the additional costs related to our acquisition of Rimsa in the first quarter of 2016 and to the commencement of activities of our business venture in Japan. S&M expenses related to our specialty medicines segment amounted to $478 million, an increase of 5% in both U.S. dollar and local currency terms compared to $457 million in the second quarter of 2015, mainly due to increased royalties on sales.
General and Administrative (G&A) expenses (excluding equity compensation expenses) amounted to $299 million in the second quarter of 2016, or 5.9% of revenues, compared to $307 million and 6.2% in the second quarter of 2015.
GAAP operating income was $0.4 billion in the second quarter of 2016, down 45% compared to $0.7 billion in the second quarter of 2015. Quarterly non-GAAP operating income was $1.6 billion, down 2% compared to the second quarter of 2015.
EBITDA (non-GAAP operating income, which excludes amortization and certain other items, and excluding depreciation expenses for the period) amounted to $1.7 billion, down 1% compared to the second quarter of 2015.
GAAP financial expenses for the second quarter of 2016 amounted to $105 million, compared to $41 million in the second quarter of 2015. The increase in expenses is mainly the result of an impairment of our investment in Mesoblast. Non-GAAP financial expenses amounted to $6 million in the second quarter of 2016, compared to $41 million in the second quarter of 2015.
GAAP income tax expenses for the second quarter of 2016 amounted to $29 million, or 11% on pre-tax income of $256 million. In the second quarter of 2015, the provision for income taxes amounted to $88 million, or 14% on pre-tax income of $621 million. The provision for non-GAAP income taxes for the second quarter of 2016 amounted to $333 million on pre-tax non-GAAP income of $1.6 billion, for a quarterly tax rate of 21%. The provision for non-GAAP income taxes in the second quarter of 2015 was $345 million on pre-tax non-GAAP income of $1.6 billion, for a quarterly tax rate of 22%. While the tax rate may fluctuate quarterly, we expect our annual non-GAAP tax rate for 2016 to be 21%, similar to the rate in 2015.
For the second quarter of 2016, the weighted average outstanding shares for the fully diluted earnings per share calculation was 920 million on a GAAP basis and 979 million on a non-GAAP basis. The average weighted diluted shares outstanding used for the fully diluted share calculation for the second quarter of 2015 were 859 million shares, on both a GAAP and a non-GAAP basis. The increase in the number of shares resulted from our December 2015 equity offerings, with the number of shares on a non-GAAP basis including the potential dilution resulting from our mandatory convertible preferred shares, which had a dilutive effect on our non-GAAP earnings per share.
Excluding the impact of the December 2015 equity offerings to finance the Actavis Generics acquisition, the weighted average outstanding shares for the fully diluted earnings per share calculation on a non-GAAP basis for the second quarter of 2016 was 860 million shares.
As of June 30, 2016, the fully diluted share count for calculating Teva’s market capitalization was approximately 995 million shares.
GAAP net income attributable to Teva and GAAP diluted EPS were $254 million and $0.20, respectively, in the second quarter of 2016, compared to $539 million and $0.63, respectively, in the second quarter of 2015. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP diluted EPS were $1.2 billion and $1.25, respectively, in the second quarter of 2016, compared to $1.2 billion and $1.43 in the second quarter of 2015. Non-GAAP EPS adjusted to exclude the December 2015 equity offerings was $1.43.
Non-GAAP information: Net non-GAAP adjustments in the second quarter of 2016 amounted to $974 million. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS for the quarter were adjusted to exclude the following items:
Impairment of long-lived assets of $572 million mainly related to Revascor and Zecuity;
Amortization of purchased intangible assets totaling $193 million, of which $146 million is included in cost of goods sold and the remaining $47 million in selling and marketing expenses;
Legal settlements and loss contingencies of $166 million mainly related to a settlement in principle reached in connection with the aripiprazole litigation;
Financial expenses of $99 million related to the impairment of our investment in Mesoblast;
Inventory step-up of $85 million;
Acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses of $82 million;
Other write-offs associated with the impairment of Zecuity and other items of $57 million;
Costs related to regulatory actions taken in facilities of $39 million;
Equity compensation of $28 million;
Minority interest adjustment of negative $43 million; and
Related tax benefit of $304 million.
The non-GAAP data presented by Teva are the results used by Teva’s management and board of directors to evaluate the operational performance of the company, to compare against the company’s work plans and budgets, and ultimately to evaluate the performance of management. Teva provides such non-GAAP data to investors as supplemental data and not in substitution or replacement for GAAP results, because management believes such data provides useful information to investors and facilitates investors’ understanding of its business. See the attached tables for a reconciliation of the U.S. GAAP results to the adjusted non-GAAP figures.
Cash flow from operations generated during the second quarter of 2016 amounted to $1.0 billion, a decrease of 35% compared to the second quarter of 2015. The decrease was mainly due to an increase in accounts receivables, net of SR&A, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable. Free cash flow, excluding net capital expenditures, amounted to $0.8 billion, a decrease of 40% compared to the second quarter of 2015.
Cash and investments at June 30, 2016 increased to $8.2 billion, compared to $7.2 billion at March 31, 2016.
Total shareholders’ equity was $32.0 billion at June 30, 2016, compared to $30.6 billion at March 31, 2016.
Segment Results for the Second Quarter 2016
Generic Medicines Segment
Three Months Ended June 30,
2016 2015
U.S.$ in millions / % of Segment Revenues

Revenues $ 2,294 100.0% $ 2,466 100.0%
Gross profit 1,072 46.7% 1,198 48.6%
R&D expenses 125 5.4% 134 5.4%
S&M expenses 333 14.5% 335 13.6%
Segment profit* $ 614 26.8% $ 729 29.6%

* Segment profit consists of gross profit for the segment, less R&D and S&M expenses related to the segment. Segment profit does not include G&A expenses, amortization and certain other items.
Generic Medicines Revenues
Generic medicines revenues in the second quarter of 2016 amounted to $2.3 billion, a decrease of 7% compared to the second quarter of 2015. In local currency terms, revenues decreased 4%.
Generic revenues consisted of:
U.S. revenues of $892 million, a decrease of 33% compared to the second quarter of 2015. The decrease resulted mainly from a decline in sales of aripiprazole (Abilify), esomeprazole (Nexium) and budesonide (Pulmicort) due to loss of exclusivity.
European revenues of $660 million, a decrease of 1%, in both U.S. dollar and local currency terms, compared to the second quarter of 2015. This resulted mainly from our strategy of pursuing profitable and sustainable business in the region along with higher API sales to third parties.
ROW revenues of $742 million, an increase of 56%, or 71% in local currency terms, compared to the second quarter of 2015. The increase in local currency terms was mainly due to higher revenues in Japan from our new business venture with Takeda, which commenced operations in April 2016, as well as an increase in revenues in Venezuela and Canada.
API sales to third parties of $207 million (which is included in the market revenues above), an increase of 13%, compared to the second quarter of 2015, with higher revenues in both Europe and the United States.
Generic medicines revenues comprised 46% of our total revenues in the quarter, compared to 50% in the second quarter of 2015.
Generic Medicines Gross Profit
Gross profit from our generic medicines segment in the second quarter of 2016 amounted to $1.1 billion, a decrease of 11% compared to the second quarter of 2015. The lower gross profit was mainly a result of the lower sales of aripiprazole (Abilify) and esomeprazole (Nexium) in the United States, which are both high gross profit products. This decrease was partially offset by higher gross profit of our ROW and European markets and of our API business. Gross profit margin for our generic medicines segment in the second quarter of 2016 decreased to 46.7%, from 48.6% in the second quarter of 2015.
Generic Medicines Profit
Our generic medicines segment generated profit of $614 million in the second quarter of 2016, a decrease of 16% compared to the second quarter of 2015. Generic medicines profitability as a percentage of generic medicines revenues was 26.8% in the second quarter of 2016, down from 29.6% in the second quarter of 2015. The decrease was primarily due to the lower gross profit of the segment.
Specialty Medicines Segment
Three Months Ended June 30,
2016 2015
U.S.$ in millions / % of Segment Revenues

Revenues $ 2,271 100.0% $ 2,090 100.0%
Gross profit 1,978 87.1% 1,808 86.5%
R&D expenses 245 10.8% 220 10.5%
S&M expenses 478 21.0% 457 21.9%
Segment profit* $ 1,255 55.3% $ 1,131 54.1%

* Segment profit is comprised of gross profit for the segment, less R&D and S&M expenses related to the segment. Segment profit does not include G&A expenses, amortization and certain other items.
Specialty Medicines Revenues
Specialty medicines revenues in the second quarter of 2016 amounted to $2.3 billion, an increase of 9% compared to the second quarter of 2015. U.S. specialty medicines revenues amounted to $1.8 billion, up 9% compared to the second quarter of 2015. European specialty medicines revenues amounted to $414 million, an increase of 10%, or 9% in local currency terms, compared to the second quarter of 2015. ROW specialty revenues amounted to $85 million, down 6%, though up 5% in local currency terms, compared to the second quarter of 2015.
Specialty medicines revenues comprised 45% of our total revenues in the quarter, compared to 42% in the second quarter of 2015.
The increase in specialty medicines revenues compared to the second quarter of 2015 was due to higher revenues in all our core therapeutic areas.
The following table presents revenues by therapeutic area and key products for our specialty medicines segment for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:


Three Months Ended
June 30,
Percentage
Change
2016 2015 2016 – 2015
U.S. $ in millions
CNS $ 1,415 $ 1,353 5%
Copaxone 1,141 1,054 8%
Azilect 108 105 3%
Nuvigil 51 91 (44%)
Respiratory 313 253 24%
ProAir 135 128 5%
QVAR 116 83 40%
Oncology 334 293 14%
Treanda and Bendeka 207 179 16%
Women’s Health 117 110 6%
Other Specialty 92 81 14%
Total Specialty Medicines $ 2,271 $ 2,090 9%

Global revenues of Copaxone (20 mg/mL and 40 mg/mL), the leading multiple sclerosis therapy in the U.S. and globally, amounted to $1.1 billion, an increase of 8% compared to the second quarter of 2015.
Copaxone revenues in the United States amounted to $955 million, an increase of 10% compared to the second quarter of 2015. The increase was mainly due to a reduction of sales in the Medicaid channel, resulting in both lower rebates in the current quarter and a positive change in the estimate for rebates in prior quarters, as well as the impact of a price increase of 7.9% in January 2016 on both Copaxone products. At the end of the second quarter of 2016, according to June 2016 IMS data, our U.S. market shares for the Copaxone products in terms of new and total prescriptions were 24.9% and 29.1%, respectively. Copaxone 40 mg/mL accounted for 82% of total Copaxone prescriptions in the U.S.
Copaxone revenues outside the United States amounted to $186 million, an increase of 1%, or 3% in local currency terms, compared to the second quarter of 2015 due to higher volumes in certain European and ROW markets.
Our global Azilect revenues amounted to $108 million, an increase of 3% compared to the second quarter of 2015. Global in-market sales decreased 9% due to generic competition in certain European markets.
Revenues of our respiratory products amounted to $313 million, up 24% compared to the second quarter of 2015. ProAir revenues in the quarter amounted to $135 million, up 5% compared to the second quarter of 2015, due to positive price effects, partially offset by lower volumes. QVAR global revenues amounted to $116 million in the second quarter of 2016, up 40% compared to the second quarter of 2015, mainly due to positive price effects.
Revenues of our oncology products amounted to $334 million in the second quarter of 2016, up 14% from the second quarter of 2015. Revenues of Treanda and Bendeka amounted to $207 million, an increase of 16% compared to the second quarter of 2015, mainly due to higher volumes sold.
Specialty Medicines Gross Profit
Gross profit from our specialty medicines segment amounted to $2.0 billion, an increase of $170 million compared to the second quarter of 2015. Gross profit margin for our specialty medicines segment in the second quarter of 2016 was 87.1%, compared to 86.5% in the second quarter of 2015.
Specialty Medicines Profit
Our specialty medicines segment profit amounted to $1.3 billion in the second quarter of 2016, up 11% compared to the second quarter of 2015, mainly due to higher gross profit, which was partially offset by increases in S&M and R&D expenses.
Specialty medicines profit as a percentage of segment revenues was 55.3% in the second quarter of 2016, up from 54.1% in the second quarter of 2015.
The following tables present details of our multiple sclerosis franchise and of our other specialty medicines for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:
Multiple Sclerosis
Three months ended June 30,
2016 2015
U.S.$ in millions / % of MS Revenues

Revenues $ 1,141 100.0% $ 1,054 100.0%
Gross profit 1,029 90.2% 953 90.4%
R&D expenses 20 1.8% 26 2.5%
S&M expenses 81 7.1% 88 8.3%
MS profit $ 928 81.3% $ 839 79.6%


Other Specialty
Three months ended June 30,
2016 2015
U.S.$ in millions / % of Other Specialty Revenues

Revenues $ 1,130 100.0% $ 1,036 100.0%
Gross profit 949 84.0% 855 82.5%
R&D expenses 225 19.9% 194 18.7%
S&M expenses 397 35.2% 369 35.6%
Other Specialty profit $ 327 28.9% $ 292 28.2%

Other Activities
Our OTC revenues related to PGT amounted to $262 million, an increase of 25% compared to $210 million in the second quarter of 2015. In local currency terms, revenues increased 58%, mainly due to inflation in Venezuela. PGT’s in-market sales amounted to $379 million in the second quarter of 2016, an increase of $54 million compared to the second quarter of 2015.
Other revenues amounted to $211 million in the second quarter of 2016, mostly from the distribution of third-party products in Israel and Hungary, compared to revenues of $200 million, in the second quarter of 2015.
FY 2016 Financial Outlook
We expect revenues for 2016 to be $22.0-22.5 billion.
Non-GAAP EPS for 2016 is expected to be $5.20-5.40, based on a weighted average number of shares of 1,021 million.
Cash flow from operating activities for 2016 is expected to be $5.7-6.1 billion.
These estimates reflect management’s current expectations for Teva’s performance in 2016. Actual results may vary, whether as a result of exchange rate differences, market conditions or other factors. In addition, the non-GAAP figures exclude the amortization of purchased intangible assets, costs related to certain regulatory actions, inventory step-up, legal settlements and reserves, impairments and related tax effects.
Dividends
On August 1, 2016, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.34 per ordinary share for the second quarter of 2016. For holders of our ordinary shares that are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, the dividend will be converted into new Israeli shekels based on the official exchange rate as of August 4, 2016. The record date will be August 22, 2016, and the payment date will be September 8, 2016. Tax will be withheld at a rate of 15%.
On August 1, 2016, the Board of Directors further declared a quarterly cash dividend of $17.50 per mandatory convertible preferred share. The record date will be September 1, 2016 and the payment date will be September 15, 2016. Tax will be withheld at a rate of 15%.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!


Adaptimmune Announces Partial Clinical Hold of Planned Pivotal Study of NY-ESO SPEAR® T-cell Therapy in Myxoid Round Cell Liposarcoma

On August 03, 2016 Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq:ADAP), a leader in T-cell therapy for treatment of cancer, reported that it has received notice from the U.S. Food and Drug administration that a partial clinical hold has been placed on its planned pivotal study of NY-ESO SPEAR T-cell therapy in myxoid round cell liposarcoma (MRCLS) (Press release, Adaptimmune, AUG 3, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2192667 [SID:1234514215]). This trial is not yet active at any investigational sites, and has not recruited any patients. This notification of partial clinical hold does not apply to any other Adaptimmune study.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The FDA notification is not based on safety concerns. In its correspondence, the FDA requested additional CMC information and answers to certain trial design questions prior to the trial start. Adaptimmune intends to provide a full response to the FDA shortly.

"Adaptimmune is running a number of different studies with its NY-ESO program and continues to enroll patients in synovial sarcoma, ovarian, and lung cancer trials in the U.S.," said James Noble, Adaptimmune CEO. "We have been in dialogue with the FDA since achieving breakthrough status earlier this year and this partial clinical hold requires a number of questions to be answered before we can start a new MRCLS trial intended to be used for registration purposes. We will be providing a full response to the FDA shortly and will update the markets when we have further news to report."

The company will discuss this notice of partial clinical hold during its conference call to discuss the second quarter ended June 30, 2016, scheduled for 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (1:00 p.m. BST) on Monday August 8, 2016.

MacroGenics Provides Update on Corporate Progress and Second Quarter 2016 Financial Results

On August 3, 2016 MacroGenics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MGNX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing innovative monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, as well as autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases, reported a corporate progress update and reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 (Press release, MacroGenics, AUG 3, 2016, View Source [SID:1234514214]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"MacroGenics continues to make progress across its broad pipeline of clinical compounds, including margetuximab, our Fc-optimized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, our two clinical programs targeting B7-H3 as well as several bispecific product candidates based on our DART platform," said Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of MacroGenics. "Of note during the second quarter, we presented promising Phase 1 clinical data for one of our DART programs, MGD010, at EULAR 2016. We look forward to providing data on other programs later this year, including additional clinical data from our enoblituzumab monotherapy study."

"In terms of our preclinical projects, we expect to continue our pace of generating promising clinical development candidates based on MacroGenics’ technology platforms. We remain on track to submit one IND later this year and two additional INDs in 2017," commented Dr. Koenig. "Finally, during the second quarter of 2016, we were very pleased to enter into a second collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc. for the development of MGD015, a DART program being developed for the treatment of various hematological malignancies and solid tumors."

Pipeline Update

Margetuximab. Recent highlights related to the Company’s Fc-optimized monoclonal antibody that targets the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, or HER2, include:

SOPHIA Study: MacroGenics’ Phase 3 pivotal study in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer is ongoing, as the Company continues to initiate sites and enroll patients. This study is evaluating the efficacy of margetuximab plus chemotherapy compared to trastuzumab plus chemotherapy in approximately 530 relapsed/refractory patients. Approximately three-quarters of the anticipated study sites have been activated as of June 30, 2016. The Company expects to provide an update on patient enrollment and the expected timing of trial completion after all sites are activated and actively enrolling.
Phase 1b/2 Gastric Cancer Study: MacroGenics continues to recruit and dose patients in a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of margetuximab in combination with pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 therapy, in patients with advanced HER2-positive gastric cancer. Treatment options for these patients are limited and this proposed combination regimen would avoid chemotherapy while exploiting the potential for enhancing the antitumor immune response. This trial is being conducted in collaboration with Merck and is currently recruiting patients in the United States, with plans to expand into Asia later this year.
B7-H3 Franchise. MacroGenics is developing a portfolio of therapeutics that target B7-H3, a member of the B7 family of molecules involved in immune regulation. The Company is advancing multiple programs that target B7-H3 through complementary mechanisms of action and take advantage of this antigen’s broad expression across multiple solid tumor types. Current ongoing clinical-stage development programs include:

Enoblituzumab: The Company continues to recruit patients in three ongoing studies of enoblituzumab, an Fc-optimized monoclonal antibody that targets B7-H3. These studies include one monotherapy study and two combination studies with each of ipilimumab and pembrolizumab. As previously reported, the monotherapy study was expanded to include additional prostate and bladder cancer cohorts.
MGD009: This DART molecule targeting B7-H3 and CD3 is being evaluated in a Phase 1 study across multiple solid tumor types.
DART Product Candidates. There are currently six DART molecules in Phase 1 clinical development, including MGD006 (CD123 x CD3, also known as S80880), MGD007 (gpA33 x CD3), MGD009 (B7-H3 x CD3), MGD010 (CD32B x CD79B), MGD011 (CD19 x CD3, also known as JNJ-64052781) and PF-06671008 (P-cadherin x CD3). Highlights during the second quarter include:

MGD010 Clinical Data Presentation: MacroGenics presented clinical data from its Phase 1 study of MGD010 at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR 2016) in London, England. MGD010, a DART molecule, was designed to simultaneously target the B-cell surface proteins, CD32B and CD79B, and is being developed for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Data from the first-in-human, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers showed that MGD010 was well tolerated at all dose levels. MGD010 demonstrated linear pharmacokinetics and modulation of B-cell function without depletion.
PF-06671008 Phase 1 Study Commencement: Pfizer commenced the Phase 1 clinical study of PF-06671008, which targets P-cadherin and CD3. The dosing of the first patient in the study triggered a $2 million milestone payment to MacroGenics under the companies’ 2010 agreement.
MacroGenics expects to submit IND applications for MGA012, a monoclonal antibody, in 2016 as well as two DART molecules in 2017. These two DART molecules are:

MGD013: MacroGenics is developing MGD013 to simultaneously block two immune checkpoint molecules, PD-1 and LAG-3.
MGD014: MGD014 is a DART molecule that is being developed to eliminate latent HIV infection.
Beyond MGD013 and MGD014, MacroGenics continues to generate and evaluate multiple other candidates that target a range of immune regulatory and other molecules using its proprietary platforms.

Second Quarter 2016 Financial Results

Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2016, were $265.6 million, compared to $339.0 million as of December 31, 2015. The MGD015 collaboration agreement with Janssen closed during the second quarter of 2016; however, the $75 million upfront payment from them was not received until early in the third quarter.
Revenue: Total revenue, consisting primarily of revenue from collaborative agreements, was $80.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, compared to $6.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2015. This increase is primarily due to the $75 million in revenue recognized under the Janssen MGD015 collaboration announced in the second quarter of 2016 and the $2 million milestone received from Pfizer.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $33.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, compared to $22.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2015. This increase was due primarily to increased activity in the Company’s preclinical immune checkpoint programs, including MGD013, the initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial of MGD009 and the initiation of two Phase 1 clinical trials combining enoblituzumab with other compounds.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $7.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, compared to $5.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2015. This increase is primarily due to increased professional fees, recruiting costs and stock-based compensation expense.
Net Income/Loss: Net income was $40.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, compared to net loss of $21.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2015. The change from net loss to net income was primarily due to the recognition of the $75 million upfront payment from Janssen.
Shares Outstanding: Shares outstanding as of June 30, 2016 were 34,694,039.

NanoString Technologies Releases Operating Results for Second Quarter of 2016

On August 3, 2016 NanoString Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:NSTG), a provider of life science tools for translational research and molecular diagnostic products, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016(Press release, NanoString Technologies, AUG 3, 2016, View Source [SID:1234514216]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Second Quarter Financial Highlights

Total revenue of $22.6 million, 73% year-over-year growth
Total product and service revenue of $17.5 million, 40% year-over-year growth
Consumables revenue of $10.3 million, including $1.2 million of Prosigna IVD kits, 39% year-over-year growth
Instrument revenue of $6.4 million, 46% year-over-year growth
Collaboration revenue of $5.1 million

"We had a successful second quarter characterized by strong commercial execution and rapid progress in delivering against diagnostic milestones in our biopharma collaborations," said president and chief executive officer Brad Gray. "Demand for our nCounter platform was robust across all products and geographies. Our nCounter SPRINT Profiler accounted for approximately half of units sold, driving 46% year-on-year growth in instrument revenue and underscoring the value of SPRINT in reaching new customers and expanding our installed base."

Recent Business Highlights

Grew installed base to over 410 nCounter Analysis Systems at June 30, 2016
Achieved milestones in the Merck and Medivation & Astellas collaborations valued at $13.5 million, of which $5.0 million was received in the second quarter and $8.5 million was received in the third quarter
Over 30 abstracts presented at the June 2016 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) demonstrating the value of the nCounter platform, including several highlighting investigational assays for immuno-oncology and lymphoma
Received positive Medical Coverage Policy decisions from Aetna and Cigna for the Prosigna Breast Cancer Gene Signature Assay
Presented first proof-of-concept data for digital immunohistochemistry (IHC), a novel technology to simultaneously count multiple protein targets in the spatial context of tumor tissue biopsies, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) conference

Second Quarter Financial Results

Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2016 increased by 73% to $22.6 million, as compared to $13.1 million for the second quarter of 2015. Instrument revenue was $6.4 million, up 46% versus the prior year period, resulting from strong demand for all products in all regions. Consumables revenue, excluding Prosigna, was $9.1 million for the second quarter of 2016, 32% higher than in the comparable 2015 quarter. Prosigna IVD kit revenue was $1.2 million for the quarter, an increase of 110% over the second quarter of 2015. Collaboration revenue totaled $5.1 million, benefiting from the achievement of multiple milestones in diagnostic development collaborations. Gross margin on product and service revenue was 55% for the second quarter of 2016, up from 53% for the second quarter of 2015.

Research and development expense increased by 52% to $8.8 million for the second quarter of 2016 versus $5.8 million for the second quarter of 2015, reflecting increased costs associated with biopharma collaborations announced earlier this year and new products and technologies under development for the life science research market. Selling, general and administrative expense was $15.5 million for the second quarter of 2016 compared to $12.8 million for the prior year period.

Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2016 declined to $10.8 million, or a loss of $0.55 per diluted share, compared with $12.4 million, or a loss of $0.66 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2015.

Outlook for 2016

The company raised its financial outlook for 2016 as follows:

Total revenue was increased to the range of $89 million to $93 million, as compared to the previous range of $86 million to $90 million
Gross margin on product and service revenues in the range of 54% to 55%, unchanged
Operating expenses in the range of $94 million to $99 million, unchanged
Operating loss guidance was reduced to the range of $37 million to $40 million, as compared to the previous range of $40 million to $43 million
Net loss per share range was reduced to $2.15 to $2.30, as compared to the previous range of $2.30 to $2.45
Cash from collaborations in 2016 in the range of $40 million to $45 million, unchanged