On May 02, 2016 Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:PCRX) provided updates on EXPAREL (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) for postsurgical pain in the United States and announced consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 (Press release, Pacira Pharmaceuticals, MAY 2, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2163649 [SID:1234511733]).

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"With immense leverage across our organization from manufacturing to financials, we began our aggressive investment in the future growth of Pacira in the first quarter of 2016," said Dave Stack, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. "In this short amount of time, we were able to enhance our executive team with two important hires, initiate two Phase 3 studies for the EXPAREL nerve block indication and initiate a randomized controlled trial in total knee arthroplasty to establish best practice for best outcomes with EXPAREL. As we prepare for our oral surgery launch later this year, we look forward to further investments in the expanded use of EXPAREL and development of pipeline opportunities."

Recent Highlights

Key Executive Appointments to Support Company’s Future Growth: Pacira recently announced the appointment of two key executives to the Pacira management team. As Chief Financial Officer, Charles A. Reinhart III will be responsible for all financial and capital market activities, including accounting, financial reporting, financial planning and analysis and investor relations. He will succeed former Chief Financial Officer Jim Scibetta, who will continue to serve as President, and will report to Dave Stack. As Chief Commercial Officer, Robert Weiland will oversee commercial activities for EXPAREL, which include marketing, sales, national accounts, training and commercial operations and analytics. He will report to Jim Scibetta.

Initiation of Important Clinical Studies for EXPAREL: Pacira initiated two Phase 3 clinical trials that will serve as the basis of the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to be filed for EXPAREL use in nerve block to provide postsurgical analgesia. One study will assess brachial plexus block with EXPAREL in patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty or rotator cuff repair. The second study will evaluate femoral nerve block with EXPAREL for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Pacira also initiated a randomized controlled trial comparing local infiltration analgesia with EXPAREL to local infiltration analgesia without EXPAREL in total knee arthroplasty. This study is intended to provide a procedure-specific protocol on appropriate technique and administration for producing optimal outcomes with EXPAREL.

First Quarter 2016 Financial Results

EXPAREL net product revenues were $63.8 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared to $56.0 million in the first quarter of 2015.

Total revenues were $65.5 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared to $58.3 million in the first quarter of 2015.

Total operating expenses were $67.7 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared to $55.0 million in the first quarter of 2015.

GAAP net loss was $3.9 million, or $(0.10) per share (basic and diluted), in the first quarter of 2016, compared to GAAP net income of $1.3 million, or $0.03 per share (basic and diluted), in the first quarter of 2015.

Non-GAAP net income was $5.7 million, or $0.15 per share (basic) and $0.14 per share (diluted), in the first quarter of 2016, compared to non-GAAP net income of $9.8 million, or $0.27 per share (basic) and $0.23 per share (diluted), in the first quarter of 2015.

Pacira ended the first quarter of 2016 with cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments ("cash") of $163.5 million.

Pacira had 37.0 million basic and 41.1 million diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding in the first quarter of 2016.

2016 Outlook

Pacira affirms that it expects the following operating expenses for 2016:

Non-GAAP research and development (R&D) expense of $60 million to $70 million.

Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense of $125 million to $135 million.

Stock-based compensation expense of $35 million to $40 million.

Today’s Conference Call and Webcast Reminder

The Pacira management team will host a conference call to discuss the company’s financial results and recent developments today, Monday, May 2, 2016, at 9 a.m. ET. The call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-845-0779 (domestic) or 1-720-545-0035 (international) ten minutes prior to the start of the call and providing the Conference ID 54803652.

A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the call and can be accessed by dialing 1-855-859-2056 (domestic) or 1-404-537-3406 (international) and providing the Conference ID 54803652. The replay of the call will be available for two weeks from the date of the live call.

The live, listen-only webcast of the conference call can also be accessed by visiting the "Investors & Media" section of the company’s website at investor.pacira.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Pacira website for two weeks following the call.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release contains financial measures that do not comply with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), non-GAAP net income, because such measures exclude stock-based compensation and amortization of debt discount. These measures supplement our financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Pacira management uses these measures to better analyze its financial results, estimate its future R&D, SG&A and stock-based compensation outlook for 2016 and to help make managerial decisions. In management’s opinion, these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors and other users of our financial statements by providing greater transparency into the operating performance at Pacira and the company’s future outlook. Such measures should not be deemed to be an alternative to GAAP requirements or a measure of liquidity for Pacira. Non-GAAP net income measures are also unlikely to be comparable with non-GAAP disclosures released by other companies. See a reconciliation of non-GAAP net income to GAAP net income (loss) below.

On May 2, 2016 AVEO Oncology (NASDAQ:AVEO) reported that it has filed provisional patent applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) covering composition of matter claims for AV-353, the Company’s potent inhibitory antibody specific to Notch 3 (Press release, AVEO, MAY 2, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2163617 [SID:1234511738]). These patent applications are the second set of applications related to AV-353 and the Company’s Notch 3 antibody program.

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The Notch 3 signaling pathway is important in cell-to-cell communication involving gene regulation mechanisms that control multiple cell differentiation processes during the entire life cycle. Scientific literature has implicated the Notch 3 receptor pathway in multiple diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. Recent publications, including Nature Medicine (2009), have implicated the Notch 3 pathway in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). PAH is a rare and life-threatening disorder that affects approximately 250,000 people worldwide and is caused by enlargement of the arterial walls in small arteries between the heart and the lungs, resulting in restricted blood flow.

Current treatments in PAH focus only on controlling symptoms by avoiding vasoconstriction and increasing vasodilation of vessels and do not reverse the underlying cause of the disease. In contrast, with the results of a recently concluded research study supported by AVEO, AV-353 has generated a growing body of preclinical data that supports AV-353’s ability to potentially reverse the disease phenotype, which would represent a potential disease-modifying approach to treatment. A manuscript of the results is being prepared for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

"Like AV-380 in cachexia, which AVEO licensed to Novartis in 2015, AV-353 is an AVEO legacy discovery program that, with the appropriate development support from a partner, has the potential to transform the treatment paradigm for a debilitating disorder and underserved patient population," said Michael Bailey, president and chief executive officer of AVEO. "We believe that AV-353’s selectivity and high affinity to Notch 3, as demonstrated in preclinical studies, makes it unique relative to pan-notch inhibitory or ligand inhibitory approaches in PAH treatment, allowing us to potentially build a broad patent estate around this program. Consistent with our current focus on developing oncology therapeutics, AVEO is currently seeking an appropriate partner to develop and commercialize AV-353 worldwide in PAH."

On May 2, 2016 Prima BioMed Ltd (ASX: PRR; NASDAQ: PBMD) ("Prima", the "Company") reported the granting of patent number 5908210 entitled "Use of Recombinant LAG-3 or the Derivatives thereof for Eliciting Monocyte Immune Response" by the Japanese Patent Office (Filing, 6-K, Prima Biomed, MAY 2, 2016, View Source [SID:1234511818]).

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This patent relates to Prima’s IMP321 and its use either alone, or in combination, for immunotherapeutic or chemotherapeutic purposes to induce an increase in circulating monocyte numbers in order to protect against cancer. This patent will therefore support the use of IMP321 as it is being used in Prima’s AIPAC trial in metastatic breast cancer. Patent expiry is expected to be 3rd of October 2028.

About Prima BioMed
Prima BioMed is a globally active biotechnology company positioned to become a leader in the development of immunotherapeutic products for the treatment of cancer. Prima BioMed is dedicated to leveraging its technology and expertise to bring innovative treatment options to market for patients and to maximise value to shareholders.

Prima’s current lead product is IMP321, based on the LAG-3 immune control mechanism which plays a vital role in the regulation of the T cell immune response. IMP321, which is a soluble LAG-3Ig fusion protein, is an APC activator boosting T cell responses. IMP321 is currently in a Phase II clinical trial as a chemoimmunotherapy for metastatic breast cancer termed AIPAC (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT 02614833) and in a Phase I combination therapy trial in metastatic melanoma termed TACTI-mel (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT 02676869). A number of additional LAG-3 products including antibodies for immune response modulation in autoimmunity and cancer are being developed by large pharmaceutical partners.

On May 2, 2016 Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: AST), a biotechnology company with three clinical-stage development programs focused on the emerging field of regenerative medicine, reported that clinical data from its AST-VAC1 (antigen-presenting autologous dendritic cells) immunotherapy clinical program will be presented during an oral session at the upcoming American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) 19th Annual Meeting, to be held on May 4-7, 2016 in Washington, D.C (Press release, BioTime, MAY 2, 2016, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2163621 [SID:1234511741]).

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Jane S. Lebkowski, Ph.D., Asterias’ President of R&D and Chief Scientific Officer, will present the data, which is from the Company’s AST-VAC1 Phase 2 clinical trial in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and was first presented at the 2015 annual meeting of the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper). The abstract is now available online on the ASGCT (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) Annual Meeting website.

Presentation Details

Title: Long-Term Relapse-Free Survival of Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Receiving a Telomerase-Engineered Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy
Abstract Number: 276
Session Title: Cancer-Immunotherapy, Cancer Vaccines I
Date: Thursday, May 5, 2016
Time: 5:00 – 5:15 PM
Room: Washington 4

On May 01, 2016 Cempra, Inc. (Nasdaq:CEMP), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing antibiotics to meet critical medical needs in the treatment of bacterial infectious diseases, reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 and provided an update on recent corporate developments (Press release, Cempra, MAY 1, 2016, View Source [SID:1234511732]). The company will host a webcast and conference call tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. ET.

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First Quarter 2016 and Recent Corporate Highlights

In April, Cempra completed its rolling submission of two New Drug Applications (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for solithromycin (intravenous and capsules) in community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP). Having been granted qualified infectious diseases product (QIDP) designation in 2013, solithromycin’s NDAs qualify for an eight month priority review. Subject to approval by the FDA, Cempra plans to launch solithromycin in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2017.

In March, Cempra received authorization under its existing contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to receive funding of $25.5 million through mid-2018 for a Phase 2/3 pivotal clinical study of solithromycin in pediatric patients. Cempra is responsible for an additional designated portion of the cost of the planned Phase 2/3 study. Three dosage formulations of solithromycin, intravenous, capsule and oral suspension, will be tested in the trial and may provide pediatricians with greater dosing flexibility.

In January, Cempra completed a public offering of 4,166,667 shares at a price of $24.00 per share. Net proceeds after underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses of the offering were approximately $93.8 million. Cempra intends to use the funds for the commercial launch of solithromycin in CABP in the U.S., subject to the drug receiving FDA approval, and on research and development activities, working capital and general corporate and administrative expenses.

The Taksta (fusidic acid) acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection (ABSSSI) Phase 3 trial is enrolling patients, which is expected to be completed during the first half of 2017.
"I am truly delighted that Cempra is able to mark the tenth anniversary of its founding with our submission to the FDA of two NDAs for solithromycin in community-acquired bacterial pneumonia," said Prabhavathi Fernandes, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Cempra. "As a new chemical entity, we expect that solithromycin will be subject to an advisory committee review, however given the compelling data package that we have assembled, we look forward to working with the agency during the review process to bring this important new macrolide antibiotic to patients with CABP and the physicians who treat them. Our development programs for solithromycin for pediatric patients and urogenital gonorrhea, as well our development program for Taksta, are continuing to move forward."

Upcoming Clinical Development Milestones

Solithromycin

Solithromycin pediatric: patient enrollment for Phase 1b trial continues.
Enrollment in a Phase 2/3 pivotal trial with solithromycin for bacterial infections in pediatric patients is expected to initiate in Q2 2016.
Phase 3 trial for solithromycin in urogenital gonorrhea is ongoing.
Phase 2 trial in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is ongoing.
Phase 2 trial in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is ongoing.
Completion of the EMA submission for solithromycin in the treatment of CABP is expected by the end of the first half of 2016.
Taksta

Phase 3 trial in ABSSSI is ongoing.
An exploratory trial for Taksta in patients with refractory bone or joint infections is ongoing.
Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, Cempra reported a net loss of $29.4 million, or $0.61 per share, compared to a net loss of $17.4 million, or $0.41 per share for the first quarter in 2015. Research and development expense in the first quarter of 2016 was $23.5 million, a decrease of 10% compared to the same quarter in 2015. The lower R&D expense was primarily due to the timing of payments for the order of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) necessary to support the launch of solithromycin as the company begins its commercial readiness activities and a decrease in clinical expenses as the Phase 3 Oral and Phase 3 IV-to-Oral studies are complete. General and administrative expense was $8.3 million, a 79% increase compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2015, driven primarily by commercial readiness activities and increased headcount as the company begins to plan for commercialization.

As of March 31, 2016, Cempra had cash and equivalents of $223.6 million and 48.2 million shares outstanding.

Financial Guidance

The company’s current cash and equivalents are expected to be sufficient to fund ongoing operations into the second quarter of 2017, assuming continued timely receipts under the BARDA contract and receipt of expected milestone payments from Toyama. This projection does not include any funds from new financings or partnerships.