Tokalas’ first lead product candidate, TK-216, is a novel, first-in-class ets-family transcription factor inhibitor that targets the EWS-FLI1 fusion protein (Company Web Page, Tokalas, MAY 10, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512166]). Oncogenic fusion proteins involving ets-family gene translocations are known to cause Ewing sarcoma, the company’s first targeted therapy for high unmet need cancers.

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TK-216 is based on technology developed under the direction of Jeffrey Toretsky, M.D. at Georgetown University and licensed to Tokalas through an academic-private development partnership. IND enabling non-clinical studies of TK-216 have been completed, and Tokalas will initiate Phase 1 clinical testing in patients with advanced Ewing sarcoma in early 2016 at MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and UCLA. Tokalas is exploring expedited registration strategies with both US and European regulatory agencies.
Tokalas is also evaluating the unmet medical need in other cancers that sometimes carry overexpressed or translocated ets-family oncogenes, including prostate cancer, AML, and glioblastoma.

On May 10, 2016 Ohr Pharmaceutical, Inc. (Nasdaq:OHRP), an ophthalmology research and development company, reported results for its second quarter ended March 31, 2016 (Press release, Ohr Pharmaceutical, MAY 10, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512219]).

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"We achieved a number of important milestones in advancing our lead drug candidate, Squalamine, during the first few months of 2016," said Jason S. Slakter, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Ohr. "In commencing the enrollment of patients in our Phase 3 clinical program, we move closer to potentially providing a much-needed, safe and efficacious new treatment for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration or wet AMD. Importantly, we are conducting the Phase 3 trials under an agreed upon Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) with the United States Food and Drug Administration. The trials are designed to generate data to support regulatory approval of Squalamine in the United States and other major ophthalmic markets worldwide."

Second Quarter and Recent 2016 Clinical and Pre-Clinical Highlights

Enrolled the first patient in the Phase 3 clinical development program to investigate Squalamine lactate ophthalmic solution, 0.2% ("Squalamine," also known as OHR-102), when administered as part of a combination therapy, as a treatment to improve visual function for patients with wet AMD.
The Phase 3 program includes two clinical trials designed as double-masked, placebo-controlled, multicenter, international studies of Squalamine administered twice a day in patients with newly diagnosed wet AMD, in combination with Lucentis injections.
The first of the two randomized trials will include approximately 165 centers in the United States and Canada and has a target enrollment of 650 treatment naïve subjects with wet AMD.
The primary endpoint in both studies will be a measurement of visual acuity gains at nine months, which is the most clinically meaningful endpoint for wet AMD patients. Subjects will be followed to two years for safety.
Reached an agreement on a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) with the United States Food and Drug Administration on the design of the Phase 3 trials for Squalamine.
Presented two posters at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Conference, which took place May 1 through May 5 in Seattle, Washington.
CNV Lesion Characteristics as a Predictor of Visual Outcomes in Wet AMD Patients Receiving Combination Therapy with Ranibuzimab (Lucentis) and topical Squalamine Lactate Ophthalmic Solution (David M. Brown et al). Included detailed analysis of lesion characteristics as predictors of visual outcome in the previously conducted Phase 2 IMPACT trial, and demonstrated that combination therapy with Squalamine was most effective in those patients whose occult component was less than 10mm2. These new data support the choice of the target population in the ongoing Phase 3 registration program.
Sustained Retinal Concentrations of OHR3031 Achieved with Intravitreal Injection of a Biodegradable Microparticle Formulation to Rabbits (Modi et al). This poster discussed the use of Ohr’s proprietary sustained release technology to successfully deliver supratherapeutic concentrations of OHR3031, a novel small molecule anti-angiogenic compound, to target tissues in the back of the eye.
Financial Results for Second Quarter ended March 31, 2016

For the second quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company reported a net loss of approximately $5.3 million, or ($0.17) per share, compared to a net loss of approximately $3.4 million, or ($0.12) per share in the same period of 2015.
For the second quarter ended March 31, 2016, total operating expenses were approximately $6.6 million, consisting of approximately $3.0 million in general and administrative expenses, $4.0 million in research and development expenses, $0.3 million in depreciation and amortization, and $0.7 million in gain on settlement of accounts payable. This compares to total operating expenses in the same period of 2015 of approximately $6.8 million, consisting of $3.3 million in general and administrative expenses, $3.2 million in research and development expenses, and $0.3 million in depreciation and amortization.
At March 31, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $21.9 million. This compares to cash and equivalents of approximately $28.7 million at September 30, 2015.
Financial Results for the Six-Months ended March 31, 2016

For the six months ended March 31, 2016, the Company reported a net loss of approximately $11.4 million, or ($0.37) per share, compared to a net loss of approximately $7.9 million, or ($0.30) per share in the same period of 2015.
For the six months ended March 31, 2016, total operating expenses were approximately $10.2 million, consisting of $4.2 million in general and administrative expenses, $6.1 million of research and development expenses, $0.6 million in depreciation and amortization, and $0.7 million in gain on settlement of accounts payable. This compares to total operating expenses of $10.7 million in the same period of 2015, comprised of approximately $4.2 million in general and administrative expenses, $5.9 million in research and development expenses, and $0.6 million in depreciation and amortization.

On May 10, 2016 Fortress Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ: FBIO) ("Fortress"), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to acquiring, developing and commercializing novel pharmaceutical and biotechnology products, reported its financial results and recent corporate highlights for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 (Filing, Q1, Fortress Biotech, 2016, MAY 10, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512260]).

Dr. Lindsay A. Rosenwald, Chairman, President and CEO of Fortress, said, "This year, we have continued to build our portfolio of products under development and Journey Medical Corporation’s roster of marketed products. We have also made significant progress advancing the pipeline of many of our other Fortress Companies, including Mustang Bio, which presented positive initial Phase I data on its CAR-T therapy MB-101 for the treatment of glioblastoma at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy 19th Annual Meeting. In addition, we are excited to possibly bring National Holdings Corporation under the Fortress umbrella with the goal of building a world-class biotech and life sciences investment banking operations franchise. In 2016, we plan to continue to seek business development opportunities for Fortress and our Fortress Companies, as we expand our therapeutic focus and advance multiple milestones in our robust pipeline. We look forward to another transformative year in support of our mission of rapidly advancing meaningful treatments to people in need."

Financial Results:

· At March 31, 2016, Fortress’ consolidated cash and cash equivalents totaled $81.4 million compared to $98.2 million at December 31, 2015, a decrease of $16.8 million for the quarter. These totals exclude restricted cash of $14.6 million. The majority of the cash payments were related to Fortress and Fortress Companies previously accrued liabilities and upfront fees.
· Revenue totaled $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2016.
· Research and development expenses were $7.7 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2015.
· General and administrative expenses were $7.9 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to $3.5 million for the first quarter of 2015.
· Net loss was $12.2 million, or $0.31 per share, for the first quarter of 2016, compared to a net loss of $12.1 million, or $0.31 per share, for the first quarter of 2015.
· Noncash stock-based compensation expense included in net loss for the first quarter of 2016 was $2.9 million, compared to $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2015.

Recent Corporate Highlights:

Avenue Therapeutics, Inc.

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· During the three months ended March 31, 2016, Avenue completed a pharmacokinetics (PK) study for intravenous (IV) Tramadol.

Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc.

· In February 2016, Checkpoint repaid its National Securities Corporation (NSC) Debt of $2.8 million.

FBIO Acquisition, Inc.

· In April 2016, Fortress, FBIO Acquisition, Inc. and National Holdings Corporation ("NHLD") entered into an agreement and plan of merger for the acquisition of NHLD by FBIO Acquisition, Inc.

Helocyte, Inc.

· In February 2016, Helocyte entered into an Investigator-Initiated Clinical Research Support Agreement with the City of Hope National Medical Center, to support a Phase 2 clinical study of its Triplex immunotherapy for CMV control in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients. The Phase 2 study is additionally supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute.
· In February 2016, Helocyte entered into an option agreement with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, for the exclusive rights to license certain intellectual property and clinical data relating to the use of bone marrow derived mononuclear cells for the treatment of severe Traumatic Brain Injury.
· In March 2016, Helocyte entered into an Investigator-Initiated Clinical Research Support Agreement with the City of Hope National Medical Center, to support a Phase 2 clinical study of its PepVax immunotherapy for CMV control in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients. The Phase 2 study is additionally supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute.

Journey Medical Corporation (JMC)

· In January 2016, JMC entered into a licensing agreement with a third party to distribute a prescription wound cream. JMC intends to commercialize this product in the second quarter of 2016.
· In January 2016, JMC entered into a licensing agreement with a third party to distribute an emollient for the treatment of various types of dermatitis. JMC intends to commercialize this product in the second quarter of 2016.
· Both products will be marketed under the JMC brand.

Mustang Bio, Inc.

· In April 2016, Mustang announced that two abstracts pertaining to MB-101 (IL13Rα2-specific CAR T cells) for the treatment of glioblastoma were selected for presentation at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy 19th Annual Meeting (ASGCT) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper). Pre-clinical and preliminary Phase I data were presented at ASGCT (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) on Thursday, May 5.

Curegenix is developing drug candidates targeting a key stem cell pathway in cancer (Company Web Page, Curegenix, MAY 10, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512167]). Our "first-in-class"/"best-in-class" compound CGX1321 for treating gastrointestinal (GI) cancers has completed all IND-enabling studies . We now seek VC investment to advance CGX1321 into clinical development.

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On May 10,2016 Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (NYSE: PBYI), a biopharmaceutical company, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 (Press release, Puma Biotechnology, MAY 10, 2016, View Source [SID:1234512220]).

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Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons are for the first quarter 2016 compared to the first quarter 2015.

Based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), Puma reported a net loss applicable to common stock of $71.0 million, or $2.19 per share, for the first quarter of 2016, compared to a net loss applicable to common stock of $52.5 million, or $1.66 per share, for the first quarter of 2015.

Non-GAAP adjusted net loss was $41.5 million, or $1.28 per share, for the first quarter of 2016, compared to non-GAAP adjusted net loss of $32.4 million, or $1.02 per share, for the first quarter of 2015. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss excludes stock-based compensation expense, which represents a significant portion of overall expense and has no impact on the cash position of the Company. For a reconciliation of GAAP net loss to non-GAAP adjusted net loss and GAAP net loss per share to non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share, please see the financial tables at the end of this news release. The Company anticipates that non-GAAP net loss will decrease in subsequent quarters due to an expected reduction in clinical trial expenses and the completion of the regulatory filings for neratinib for the extended adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early stage breast cancer in the United States and Europe.

Net cash used in operating activities for the first quarter of 2016 was $35.0 million. At March 31, 2016, Puma had cash and cash equivalents of $78.2 million and marketable securities of $103.0 million, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $31.6 million and marketable securities of $184.3 million at December 31, 2015. The Company anticipates that net cash used in operating activities will be lower in subsequent quarters due to a reduction in the expenses described above.

"To date in 2016, we have achieved a number of key milestones, including publication of the results of the Phase III ExteNET trial of neratinib in the extended adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early stage breast cancer in The Lancet Oncology, the publication of neratinib in the front-line treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (NEfERT-T Phase II trial) in JAMA Oncology in April, and numerous presentations on neratinib in HER2 non-amplified breast cancer that has a HER2 mutation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in April," said Alan H. Auerbach, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Puma. "Our near term focus is on the filing of our regulatory submissions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) for neratinib for the extended adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early stage breast cancer, which we anticipate will occur in mid-2016 and the second quarter of 2016, respectively.

"We look forward to continuing our development of neratinib during 2016. We anticipate (i) submitting a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA in mid-2016 and submitting a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the EMA during the second quarter of 2016 for neratinib for the extended adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early stage breast cancer based on the positive ExteNET Phase III trial; (ii) reporting additional data from the Phase II trial of neratinib as an extended adjuvant treatment in HER2-positive early stage breast cancer using loperamide prophylaxis during the second quarter of 2016; (iii) reporting additional Phase II data from the FB-7 neoadjuvant HER2-positive breast cancer trial in the subgroup of patients who are MammaPrint High during the second quarter of 2016; (iv) reporting Phase II data from an investigator sponsored trial of neratinib in patients with HER2-negative breast cancer who have a HER2 mutation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in June 2016; (v) reporting data from the Phase III trial of neratinib in third-line HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients in either the fourth quarter of 2016 or the first quarter of 2017; (vi) reporting data from the Phase II trial of neratinib in metastatic breast cancer patients with brain metastases during the fourth quarter of 2016; and (vii) reporting data from the Phase II trial of neratinib plus fulvestrant in patients with HER2 non-amplified breast cancer that has a HER2 mutation during the fourth quarter of 2016."

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were $71.2 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to $52.6 million for the first quarter of 2015.

General and Administrative Expenses:

General and administrative expenses were $11.0 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to $7.9 million for the first quarter of 2015. The approximately $3.1 million increase resulted primarily from increases of approximately $1.2 million for stock-based compensation, $1.3 million for professional fees, $0.4 million for payroll and related costs, and $0.2 million for facility and equipment costs. These increases reflect overall corporate growth.

Research and Development Expenses:

Research and development (R&D) expenses were $60.2 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared to $44.7 million for the first quarter of 2015. The approximately $15.5 million increase resulted primarily from increases of approximately $8.2 million for stock-based compensation, $4.3 million for clinical trial expenses, $2.6 million for internal R&D and related expenses, and $0.4 million for consultants and contractors. We expect R&D expenses to decrease in subsequent quarters as we complete clinical trials and file for regulatory approvals for neratinib for the extended adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early stage breast cancer in the United States and European Union.