AbbVie and EvolveImmune Therapeutics Announce Collaboration and Option-to-License Agreement to Develop Next-Generation Cancer Biotherapeutics

On October 31, 2024 AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) and EvolveImmune Therapeutics, an immuno-oncology company developing next-generation biotherapeutics to overcome the therapeutic challenges of cancer cell resistance to current immunotherapies, reported a collaboration and option-to-license agreement to develop multispecific biologics for multiple targets in oncology (Press release, AbbVie, OCT 31, 2024, View Source [SID1234647617]). The discovery partnership will leverage EvolveImmune’s T-cell engager platform to develop novel antibody-based therapies for solid and hematologic malignancies.

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EvolveImmune’s proprietary EVOLVE platform is designed to deliver potent, selective and integrated T-cell co-stimulation to amplify and sustain the tumor killing capacity of the T-cells. This approach aims to bypass low tumor immunogenicity, conditionally activate adaptive immunity and reduce T-cell dysfunction to overcome therapeutic challenges in solid and hematologic tumors.

"AbbVie is dedicated to advancing the understanding of devastating diseases like cancer and investing in groundbreaking technologies and therapeutic platforms, to deliver novel treatments for patients with high unmet needs," said Jonathon Sedgwick, Ph.D., senior vice president and global head of discovery research, AbbVie. "We are excited to collaborate with the talented team at EvolveImmune to further advance their novel T-cell engager platform technology."

"This collaboration with AbbVie, a global leader in oncology, offers tremendous validation of the EVOLVE platform and the dedicated and creative work of the EvolveImmune team," said Stephen Bloch, M.D., chief executive officer of EvolveImmune. "We believe that EVOLVE, with its differentiated CD2 co-stimulation strategy, represents a potential next-generation, best-in-class T-cell engager platform and that our technology may offer clinically meaningful benefits for patients."

Under terms of the agreement, EvolveImmune will receive $65 million in aggregate upfront fees and equity investment from AbbVie and is eligible for up to $1.4 billion in aggregate option fees and milestones, as well as tiered royalty payments on net sales.

Consolidated Financial Summary (IFRS) Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter

On October 31, 2024 Kyowa Hakko Kirin reported consolidated financial summary (IFRS) Fiscal 2024 third quarter for Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 (Press release, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, OCT 31, 2024, View Source [SID1234649308]).

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Quarterly Activities Report & Appendix 4C

On October 31, 2024 Starpharma (ASX: SPL, OTCQX: SPHRY), an innovative biotechnology company with two decades of experience in advancing dendrimer technology from the lab to the patient, reported its Quarterly Activities Report and Appendix 4C for the quarter ended 30 September 2024 (Q1 FY25) (Press release, Starpharma, OCT 31, 2024, View Source [SID1234649515]). Starpharma’s closing cash balance as at 30 September 2024 was $24.0 million.

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Starpharma’s Chief Executive Officer, Cheryl Maley, commented:
"This quarter has been a very important period for advancing the core programs that we anticipate will deliver the greatest value using our unique, clinically validated dendrimer technology. Our team remains highly focused on delivering meaningful results through these programs. We are making significant progress in each of our three strategic priorities outlined in May: maximising DEP asset value, accelerating early asset development, and building long-term sustainability. We are closely monitoring all programs to ensure efficiency and optimal outcomes along with long-term value creation. We understand that some key results are highly anticipated, and we are working diligently to achieve these milestones in a timely manner. We look forward to sharing further updates and engaging with shareholders at the AGM in November."

HALOZYME REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL AND OPERATING RESULTS

On October 31, 2024 Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALO) ("Halozyme" or the "Company") reported its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, and provided an update on its recent corporate activities and outlook (Press release, Halozyme, OCT 31, 2024, View Source [SID1234647602]).

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"Our robust third quarter financial results highlight the strong execution and accelerating momentum we have across our business and exceeded expectations with total revenue growth of 34% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 60%. Based on the strong performance year-to-date, we have raised our 2024 guidance ranges and expect the advancement of our ENHANZE pipeline and new nominations from two global licensing agreements to support our future growth trajectory," said Dr. Helen Torley, president and chief executive officer of Halozyme. "In the quarter, the announcement of two highly anticipated partner approvals in the U.S. for Roche’s TECENTRIQ HYBREZA and OCREVUS ZUNOVO reinforces ENHANZE’s track record of 100% phase 3 study and subsequent regulatory success. The new nominations for ENHANZE from argenx, for a total of six targets, and ViiV Healthcare, for an additional undisclosed target, further demonstrate the value of our leading technology for rapid, large volume subcutaneous delivery."

Recent Partner Highlights:
•In October 2024, argenx initiated two studies evaluating VYVGART Hytrulo with ENHANZE, a Phase 3 study for adult patients with ocular myasthenia gravis ("oMG") and a Phase 2 study for kidney transplant recipients with antibody mediated rejection ("AMR").
•In October 2024, Janssen announced the European Commission approved DARZALEX SC for the treatment of patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma ("NDMM") who are eligible for autologous stem cell transplant ("ASCT") in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone ("D-VRd").

•In September 2024, argenx expanded its global collaboration and license agreement nominating four additional targets that provides them exclusive access to our ENHANZE drug delivery technology for a total of six targets. Under the terms of the expanded exclusive agreement, we received upfront payments of $7.5 million per target nomination for a total of $30.0 million. argenx is obligated to make future milestone payments of up to $85.0 million per new nominated target, subject to achievements of specified development, regulatory and sales-based milestones. We are also entitled to receive royalties on net sales of commercialized products with our ENHANZE technology.
•In September 2024, ViiV expanded its global collaboration and license agreement providing ViiV the ability to exclusively access our ENHANZE drug delivery technology for one additional undisclosed target.
•In September 2024, Roche announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") approved OCREVUS ZUNOVO with ENHANZE as a twice a year ten-minute subcutaneous ("SC") injection for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis and primary progressive multiple sclerosis.
•In September 2024, Roche announced the FDA approved TECENTRIQ HYBREZA with ENHANZE for all approved adult indications of intravenous ("IV") TECENTRIQ and was made available to patients, resulting in a $12.0 million milestone payment.
•In September 2024, Janssen announced the submission of a supplemental Biologic License Application to the FDA for approval of a new indication of DARZALEX FASPRO in combination with D-VRd for the treatment of adult patients with NDMM for whom ASCT is deferred or who are ineligible for ASCT.
•In August 2024, the FDA designated Janssen’s Biologics License Application ("BLA") priority review status for amivantamab SC in combination with LAZCLUZE for currently approved or submitted indication of IV in certain patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
•In August 2024, Takeda submitted a New Drug Application in Japan seeking approval for TAK-771 with ENHANZE for treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy/Multifocal Motor Neuropathy.
•In July 2024, Janssen announced the FDA approved DARZALEX FASPRO for an additional indication in NDMM patients who are eligible for ASCT in combination with D-VRd.
•In July 2024, argenx announced the National Medical Products Administration approved the BLA of efgartigimod SC for generalized myasthenia gravis in China.
•In July 2024, Acumen initiated a Phase 1 study of sabirnetug ("ACU193") co-formulated with ENHANZE for the treatment of early Alzheimer’s disease.

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights:
•Revenue was $290.1 million, compared to $216.0 million in the third quarter of 2023. The 34% year-over-year increase was primarily driven by royalty revenue growth and an increase in milestone revenue. Revenue for the quarter included $155.1 million in royalties, an increase of 36% compared to $114.4 million in the third quarter of 2023, primarily attributable to increases in revenue of DARZALEX SC and Phesgo, and the prior year launch of VYVGART Hytrulo.
•Cost of sales was $49.4 million, compared to $54.8 million in the third quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to lower device and bulk rHuPH20 sales.
•Amortization of intangibles expense was $17.8 million, compared to $20.3 million in the third quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily due to an impairment charge of $2.5 million recognized in the prior year to fully impair the TLANDO product rights intangible asset.
•Research and development expense was $18.5 million, compared to $17.3 million in the third quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily due to increased compensation expense.

•Selling, general and administrative expense was $41.2 million, compared to $35.3 million in the third quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily due to increased compensation expense and consulting and professional service fees.
•Operating income was $163.2 million, compared to $88.3 million in the third quarter of 2023.
•Net Income was $137.0 million, compared to $81.8 million in the third quarter of 2023.
•EBITDA was $183.6 million, compared to $124.6 million in the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA was $183.6 million, compared to $114.9 million in the third quarter of 2023.1
•GAAP diluted earnings per share was $1.05, compared to $0.61 in the third quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $1.27, compared to $0.75 in the third quarter of 2023.1
•Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $666.3 million on September 30, 2024, compared to $336.0 million on December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily a result of cash generated from operations.

Financial Outlook for 2024
The Company is raising its financial guidance for 2024. For the full year 2024, the Company expects:

•Total revenue of $970 million to $1,020 million, representing growth of 17% to 23% over 2023 total revenue primarily driven by increases in royalty revenue, collaboration revenue and growth in product sales from XYOSTED. Revenue from royalties of $550 million to $565 million, representing growth of 23% to 26% over 2023.
•Adjusted EBITDA of $595 million to $625 million, representing growth of 40% to 47% over 2023.
•Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $4.00 to $4.20, representing growth of 44% to 52% over 2023. The Company’s earnings per share guidance does not consider the impact of potential future share repurchases.

Table 1. 2024 Financial Guidance


Previous Guidance Range
New Guidance Range
Total Revenue $935 to $1,015 million
$970 to $1,020 million
Royalty Revenue $520 to $555 million
$550 to $565 million
Adjusted EBITDA $555 to $615 million
$595 to $625 million
Non-GAAP Diluted EPS $3.65 to $4.05
$4.00 to $4.20

Webcast and Conference Call
Halozyme will host its Quarterly Update Conference Call for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024 today, Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. PT/4:30 p.m. ET. The conference call may be accessed live with pre-registration via link: View Source The call will also be webcast live through the "Investors" section of Halozyme’s corporate website and a recording will be made available following the close of the call. To access the webcast and additional documents related to the call, please visit Halozyme.com.

Kling Biotherapeutics to Present Key Applications for its Primary B-Cell Immortalization, Screening and Antibody Optimization Platform Technologies at PEGS Europe

On October 31, 2024 Kling Biotherapeutics ("Kling" or "the Company"), a biotech company developing antibody-based drugs for cancer and infectious diseases, reported that it will be presenting findings on its proprietary primary B-cell selection and evolution platform technologies, Kling-Select and Kling-Evolve at the Annual Protein & Antibody Engineering Summit (PEGS) Europe, held in Barcelona, Spain from 5-7 November 2024 (Press release, Kling Biotherapeutics, OCT 31, 2024, View Source [SID1234647618]).

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Poster one entitled ‘Highly efficient capture of circulating and tissue-infiltrating B cell repertoires from multiple species: Kling-Select,’ describes advances in Kling-Select, a proprietary B-cell immortalization platform developed to efficiently capture and screen B cells demonstrating its promise as an approach to the identification of both valuable new targets and therapeutic antibodies. Kling-Select is applied for the immortalization of B cells derived from human and animal sources such as camelid, rabbit, mouse, and non-human primates. The poster also highlights advances in the optimization of the fully integrated workflow allowing the discovery of functional monoclonal antibodies from primary B cells in as little as three weeks.

Poster two entitled ‘Kling-Evolve as a tool for rapid response to emerging variants and pandemic preparedness: directed evolution of variant-specific antibody from immortalized B cells,’ details the Kling-Evolve platform which enables the rapid ex vivo maturation of immortalized human B cells to identify neutralizing antibodies against escape variants. Kling-Evolve poses the potential for rapid development of countermeasures to combat and pre-emptively address evolving viruses amidst emerging pandemic threats.

Michael Koslowski, Chief Executive Officer at Kling Biotherapeutics, said: "Our technology is a powerful platform which is clinically validated, having been used to discover the fully human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) neutralizing antibody nirsevimab (Beyfortus – AstraZeneca / Sanofi). By using an ‘effective antibody first’ discovery approach, Kling’s platform technologies enable the discovery of relevant, completely novel antigen targets applicable to cancer as well as infectious diseases. Kling is well poised to develop next-generation antibody-based therapeutics to bring new, highly targeted treatments to cancer patients and address rising global concerns of the speed of response to emerging pandemic threats."

Details of the poster presentations are as follows:

Poster Title: Highly efficient capture of circulating and tissue-infiltrating B cell repertoires from multiple species: Kling-Select

Presenter: Casper Marsman, Senior Scientist – B Cell Platform Lead, Kling Biotherapeutics

Presentation Number: A073

Poster Title: Kling-Evolve as a tool for rapid response to emerging variants and pandemic preparedness: directed evolution of variant-specific antibody from immortalized B cells

Presenter: Alessandra Villa, Director of Discovery Platforms, Kling Biotherapeutics

Presentation Number: A074

Posters will be displayed in the Exhibit Hall at the following dates and times:

Tuesday, 5 November from 10:30 – 19:35 CET

Wednesday, 6 November from 10:30 -17:15 CET

Thursday, 7 November from 10:00 – 13:55 CET