10-Q – Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)]

(Filing, 10-Q, Dynavax Technologies, NOV 5, 2015, View Source [SID:1234508047])

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Bellicum Announces Data Presentations on Lead Product Candidate BPX-501 and CAR-T and TCR Pipeline Programs at the 57th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting

On November 5, 2015 Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:BLCM), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel cellular immunotherapies for cancers and orphan inherited blood disorders, reported that three abstracts on the Company’s lead product candidate, BPX-501, an adjunct T cell therapy for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, were accepted for poster presentation at the 57th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (Press release, Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, NOV 5, 2015, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2107373 [SID:1234507980]). The Company will also highlight data in an oral presentation from a preclinical study with its BPX-401 controllable CAR-T (CIDeCAR) product candidate for the treatment of B cell malignancies. The meeting will be held in Orlando, Florida December 5-8, 2015.

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Investor/Analyst Luncheon

Bellicum will also host an investor and analyst luncheon on Monday, December 7, 2015 from 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. EST at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. Management and select key opinion leaders, including lead Principal Investigator, Professor Francesco Locatelli, M.D., will review the BPX-501 Phase 1/2 clinical study data in pediatric patients with hematologic disorders. The luncheon will be webcast live and may be accessed from the News & Events section of the Bellicum website. An archived version of the webcast will be available for replay for at least two weeks following the event.

Full List of ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Presentations on Bellicum Programs

BPX-501:

Poster Presentation: "Clinical Outcome after Adoptive Infusion of BPX-501 Cells (donor T cells transduced with iC9 suicide gene) in Children Given Alpha/Beta T-Cell Depleted HLA-Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (haplo-HSCT): Preliminary Results of a Phase I-II Trial"

Abstract Number: 1931
Session Name: 722. Clinical Allogeneic Transplantation: Acute and Chronic GVHD, Immune Reconstitution: Poster I
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2015
Presentation Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM EST

Poster Presentation: "Immune Reconstitution after Adoptive Infusion of BPX-501 Cells (donor T cells transduced with iC9 suicide gene) in Children Given Alpha/Beta T-Cell Depleted HLA-Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (haplo-HSCT): Preliminary Phenotypic and Functional Results of a Phase I-II Trial"

Abstract Number: 3093
Session Name: 703. Adoptive Immunotherapy: Poster II
Date: Sunday, December 6, 2015
Presentation Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST

Poster Presentation: "BPX-501 Cells (donor T cells transduced with iC9 suicide gene) Are Able to Clear Life-Threatening Viral Infections in Children with Primary Immune Deficiencies Given Alpha/Beta T-Cell Depleted HLA-Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (haplo-HSCT)"

Abstract Number: 4299
Session Name: 703. Adoptive Immunotherapy: Poster III
Date: Monday, December 7, 2015
Presentation Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST

Additional data on more BPX-501 patients to be presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper).

BPX-401:

Oral Presentation: "Expression of MyD88/CD40 Drives In Vivo Activation and Proliferation of Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Modified T Cells That Can be Effectively Regulated By Inducible Caspase-9"

Abstract Number: 851
Session Name: 703. Adoptive Immunotherapy: Preclinical Studies
Date: Monday, December 7, 2015
Presentation Time: 5:30 PM EST

BPX-601:

Poster Presentation: "Inducible MyD88/CD40 Allows Rimiducid-Dependent Activation to Control Proliferation and Survival of Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Modified T Cells"

Abstract Number: 4295
Session Name: 703. Adoptive Immunotherapy: Poster III
Date: Monday, December 7, 2015
Presentation Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST

Enhanced TCRs:

Poster Presentation: "Inducible MyD88/CD40 Enhances Proliferation and Survival of PRAME-Specific TCR-Engineered T Cells and Increases Anti-Tumor Effects in Myeloma"

Abstract Number: 1886
Session Name: 703. Adoptive Immunotherapy: Poster I
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2015
Presentation Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM EST

Bellicum Program Licensed from Leiden University Medical Center:

Poster Presentation: "T Cell Receptor Gene Therapy Targeting the Intracellular Transcription Factor Bob1 for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma and Other B Cell Malignancies"

Abstract Number: 3002
Session Name: 652. Myeloma: Pathophysiology and Pre-Clinical Studies, excluding Therapy: Poster II
Date: Sunday, December 6, 2015
Presentation Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST

Stemline Therapeutics Announces Five Presentations at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting; SL-401 Poster Will Include Clinical Data From Lead-In and Ongoing Expansion Stages of BPDCN Pivotal Trial

On November 5, 2015 Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:STML) reported that it will present results from clinical and preclinical studies, including updated data from its ongoing SL-401 pivotal trial, at the 2015 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition, to be held December 5-8, 2015 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL (Press release, Stemline Therapeutics, NOV 5, 2015, View Source [SID:1234507996]).

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Five poster presentations, including one covering clinical data updates from the lead-in and ongoing expansion stages of the SL-401 pivotal trial in blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), will be featured. Three preclinical presentations will highlight data around SL-401’s potential in additional indications as both a single agent as well as in combination. In addition, a poster demonstrating broad preclinical anti-cancer activity will be presented around SL-801, Stemline’s novel oral XPO1 inhibitor being advanced toward the clinic across multiple hematologic and solid tumor indications.

Ivan Bergstein, M.D., Stemline’s CEO, commented, "At the upcoming ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting, we plan to share updated clinical data from the SL-401 pivotal trial in BPDCN. Data from the abstract demonstrate that SL-401 offers a manageable safety profile over multiple cycles with high response rates. We have also gained important insights into the dosing and administration schedule which has enabled us to improve the safety profile of SL-401 in BPDCN." Dr. Bergstein continued, "We also plan to present additional data on BPDCN patients from both the lead-in as well as initial expansion stage of the ongoing pivotal trial, including patients enrolled since abstract submission." Dr. Bergstein concluded, "In addition, we believe that SL-401’s ability to induce responses quickly coupled with a manageable safety profile following multi-cycle administration may bode well not only for our single agent approach in relapsed/refractory BPDCN but also in future combination studies in larger indications, such as myeloma."

About SL-401 and SL-801

SL-401 is a targeted therapy directed to the interleukin-3 receptor (IL-3R) present on cancer stem cells (CSCs) and tumor bulk of BPDCN, AML, and other hematologic cancers. Stemline is evaluating SL-401 in multiple clinical programs, including an ongoing pivotal trial in BPDCN, as well as trials in additional hematological cancers. SL-801 is a novel oral, small molecule reversible XPO1 inhibitor that is expected to enter clinical development in early 2016 for both solid and hematologic cancers.

Five abstracts were accepted for the 2015 ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting, and the details on the presentations are listed below and available on the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) conference website:

Lead-in Stage Results of a Pivotal Trial of SL-401, an Interleukin-3 Receptor (IL-3R) Targeting Biologic, in Patients with Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN) or Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Lead Author: Marina Konopleva, MD, PhD
Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

A Novel Agent SL-401 Triggers Anti-Myeloma Activity by Targeting Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells: Implications for a Novel Immune-associated Mechanism
Lead Author: Arghya Ray, Ph.D.
The LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics and Jerome Lipper Myeloma Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN) Patient-Derived Xenografts Are Faithful Genomic and Phenotypic Models of Primary Leukemia and Respond to the IL-3R targeting agent SL-401 In Vivo
Lead Author: Amanda Christie, B.A.
Department of Hematologic Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

CD123 immunostaining in systemic mastocytosis: differential expression in disease subgroups and potential prognostic value
Lead Author: Animesh Pardanani, MBBS, Ph.D.
Department of Hematology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN

SL-801, a novel, reversible inhibitor of Exportin-1 (XPO1) / Chromosome Region Maintenance-1 (CRM1) with broad and potent anti-cancer activity
Lead Author: Janice Chen, Ph.D.
Stemline Therapeutics, Inc., New York, NY

MEI Pharma Highlights New Data from Phase II Clinical Studies of Pracinostat in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome

On November 5, 2015 MEI Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: MEIP), an oncology company focused on the clinical development of novel therapies for cancer, reported the publication of new data from the Company’s Phase II clinical studies of the investigational drug Pracinostat in patients with previously untreated myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (Press release, MEI Pharma, NOV 5, 2015, View Source [SID:1234508012]). Results from these studies were recently selected for oral presentation at the upcoming American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in Orlando on December 7, 2015. The abstracts are now available on the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) website at www.hematology.org.

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(Logo – http: /photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140805/133834)

"The data contained within the abstracts released this morning point to certain trends worth highlighting," said Daniel P. Gold, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of MEI Pharma. "Since the unblinding of our randomized study in front-line MDS, we have learned that the combination of Pracinostat and azacitidine resulted in a high rate of discontinuations due to adverse events compared to azacitidine alone. These discontinuations occurred predominantly within the first two cycles of treatment and often before a response assessment could be performed, leading to a higher complete response (CR) rate overall with azacitidine alone. However, exploratory sensitivity analyses among patients who were able to tolerate treatment for at least four cycles (n=54) suggest that patients treated with Pracinostat plus azacitidine appear to derive benefit compared to azacitidine alone, with hazard ratios for progression progression-free survival (0.37), event-free survival (0.33) and overall survival (0.59) all favoring the Pracinostat plus azacitidine arm.

"The data from our open-label study in elderly patients with newly diagnosed AML," continued Dr. Gold, "demonstrate that many patients are achieving responses within the first two cycles and continue to improve with ongoing therapy, with fewer discontinuations due to adverse events than in our MDS study. Overall, 54% of patients (27 of 50) have achieved a clinical response with 42% (21 of 50) achieving a CR. The 60-day mortality rate in the study is 10% (5 of 50) and the one-year survival rate is estimated at 60%. All of these data points compare favorably to a recent study of azacitidine alone in this population1. Median overall survival, the most important measure in determining the development path forward for this combination, still has not been reached. We will continue to follow these patients and look forward to the presentation of updated overall survival data at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) next month."

The data contained within the abstracts listed below are as of the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) submission deadline on August 4, 2015. In accordance with ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) policies, information that goes beyond that which is contained within these abstracts is embargoed until their presentation on December 7, 2015.

Title: Final Results from a Phase 2 Study of Pracinostat in Combination with Azacitidine in Elderly Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (Abstract #453)
Session Name: 613. Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Clinical Studies: Advances in Therapy
Session Date: Monday, December 7, 2015
Session Time: 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Presentation Time: 7:30 AM

Title: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase II Study of Pracinostat in Combination with Azacitidine in Patients with Previously Untreated Myelodysplastic Syndrome (Abstract #911)
Session Name: 637. Myelodysplastic Syndromes – Clinical Studies I
Session Date: Monday, December 7, 2015
Session Time: 6:15 PM – 7:45 PM
Presentation Time: 7:15 PM

About Pracinostat

Pracinostat is an orally available inhibitor of a group of enzymes called histone deacetylases, or HDACs. HDACs belong to a larger set of proteins collectively known as epigenetic regulators that can alter gene expression by chemically modifying DNA or its associated chromosomal proteins. Abnormal activity of these regulators is believed to play an important role in cancer and other diseases. Pracinostat has been tested in multiple Phase I and Phase II clinical studies in advanced hematologic diseases and solid tumor indications. The results of these studies suggest that Pracinostat has potential best-in-class pharmacokinetic properties when compared to other oral HDAC inhibitors, with side effects often associated with drugs of this class, including fatigue and myelofibrosis. Pracinostat has not been approved for commercial distribution in the U.S.

Medivation Reports Third Quarter 2015 Financial Results

On November 5, 2015 Medivation, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDVN) reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015. U.S. net sales of XTANDI (enzalutamide) capsules, as reported by Astellas Pharma Inc, were $313.0 million for the quarter (+73% vs. prior year) (Press release, Medivation, NOV 5, 2015, View Source [SID:1234508035]). Third quarter 2015 U.S. net sales increased by approximately 5% compared with second quarter 2015 net sales of $298.4 million. The sequential quarter increase in net sales was primarily due to an increase in underlying demand (mid-single digit percent growth, compared with June 2015 quarter) and a lower gross-to-net rate recorded by Astellas in the third quarter, which was offset by changes in channel partner inventory levels during the quarters.

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Ex-U.S. net sales of XTANDI, as reported by Astellas, were approximately $205 million for the quarter (+71% vs. prior year). Third quarter ex-U.S. net sales increased by 9% compared with second quarter 2015 net sales of approximately $188 million.

"During the third quarter Medivation made significant progress led by continued demand growth for XTANDI for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer," said David Hung, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Medivation. "In October, we successfully completed the acquisition for the late stage asset talazoparib, a highly-potent, orally-available poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor. With the acquisition of talazoparib, we now have further diversified our late-stage pipeline beyond XTANDI and pidilizumab to complement our early development programs, providing significant opportunities for growth."

Medivation reported GAAP net income of $79.5 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared with GAAP net income of $78.0 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, for the same period in 2014. Non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2015 was $58.4 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP net income of $16.3 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the same period in 2014.

Medivation’s collaboration revenue for the third quarter of 2015 was $260.7 million on a GAAP basis compared with $200.5 million for the same period in 2014 (+30% vs. prior year). Non-GAAP collaboration revenue, which excludes collaboration revenue related to upfront and milestone payments, was $190.1 million for the third quarter compared with $106.2 million for the same period in 2014 (+79% vs. prior year).

Medivation’s collaboration revenue consists of three components: collaboration revenue related to U.S. XTANDI net sales, collaboration revenue related to ex-U.S. XTANDI net sales, and collaboration revenue related to upfront and milestone payments.

Medivation’s collaboration revenue related to U.S. net sales of XTANDI for the third quarter 2015 was $156.5 million compared with $90.7 million for the same period in 2014 (+73% vs. prior year).

Medivation’s collaboration revenue related to ex-U.S. net sales of XTANDI for the third quarter 2015 was $33.6 million compared with $15.5 million for the same period in 2014 (+116% vs. prior year).

Medivation’s collaboration revenue related to upfront and milestone payments for the third quarter 2015 was $70.6 million compared with $94.2 million for the same period in 2014 (-25% vs. prior year).

Operating expenses were $121.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 on a GAAP basis compared with $108.6 million for the same period in 2014. Non-GAAP operating expenses were $98.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared with $79.3 million for the same period in 2014.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the third quarter of 2015 were $75.8 million on a GAAP basis compared with $63.2 million for the same period in 2014. Non-GAAP SG&A expenses for the third quarter of 2015 were $58.8 million, compared with $47.5 million for the same period in 2014. The increase in non-GAAP SG&A expenses primarily relates to higher sales, marketing, administrative expenses, higher royalties to UCLA and higher personnel-related costs (excluding stock-based compensation).

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the third quarter of 2015 were $45.9 million on a GAAP basis compared with $45.4 million for the same period in 2014. Non-GAAP R&D expenses for the third quarter of 2015 were $40.0 million, compared with $31.8 million for the same period in 2014. The increase in non-GAAP R&D expenses primarily relates to higher pidilizumab (MDV9300) costs, higher facilities and information technology costs and higher personnel-related costs (excluding stock-based compensation).

At September 30, 2015, cash and cash equivalents were $488.9 million, compared with $502.7 million at December 31, 2014. During the third quarter, we completed the redemption of the 2017 Convertible Notes, utilizing $167.8 million of cash. In October 2015, we utilized $410.0 million in cash to fund an upfront payment to BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., for the acquisition of talazoparib (MDV3800).

Enzalutamide Development Program

Reported updated data in September 2015 from a Phase 2 trial evaluating the investigational use of enzalutamide as a single agent for the treatment of advanced androgen receptor positive, triple-negative breast cancer at the 2015 European Cancer Congress.

Recent Corporate Developments

Closed the acquisition on October 6, 2015, for all worldwide rights to talazoparib, an orally-available poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor. In connection with the closing, Medivation made an up-front payment of $410.0 million to BioMarin in the fourth quarter of 2015. All other amounts to be paid to BioMarin in connection with this transaction will be subject to the successful achievement of certain regulatory and sales-based milestones and royalties relating to talazoparib.

Effected a two-for-one stock split in the form of a stock dividend on Medivation’s common stock, pursuant to which stockholders of record on August 13, 2015, received an additional share of common stock for each share they held as of the record date. Approximately 81.7 million common shares were issued as a result of the stock dividend in mid-September. Medivation’s common stock began trading on a post-dividend basis on the NASDAQ Global Select Market at the opening of trading on September 16, 2015.

Entered into a Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders, providing for a one-year $75.0 million revolving loan facility. On September 17, 2015, Medivation executed a borrowing of $75.0 million under the Revolving Credit Facility, which was scheduled to mature on March 17, 2016. On October 23, 2015, Medivation entered into an amendment and restatement of the credit agreement providing for a five-year $300.0 million revolving loan facility and an uncommitted accordion facility subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. On October 23, 2015, Medivation borrowed $75.0 million under the amended revolving credit facility, which was used to repay the $75.0 million outstanding under the original credit agreement.

Announced the appointment of Mohammad Hirmand, M.D., as interim chief medical officer following the retirement of Lynn Seely, M.D.