On August 5, 2024 Xencor, Inc. (NASDAQ:XNCR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing engineered antibodies for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 and provided a review of recent business updates and internal clinical-stage programs (Press release, Xencor, AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234645347]).

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"Xencor’s clinical focus is developing high-potential, first-in-class bispecific T-cell engagers and additional XmAb candidates that leverage our differentiated technology platforms. The expanding opportunities for engineered antibodies, T-cell engagers and other bispecifics have encouraged us to advance a range of new XmAb candidates, and we plan to announce our next candidates for clinical development in the coming months," said Bassil Dahiyat, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Xencor. "We remain enthusiastic by the progress of our clinical-stage T-cell engager programs and advancements within the platform to date in 2024. Our dose-escalation studies of XmAb819 (ENPP3 x CD3) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and XmAb808 (B7-H3 x CD28) in advanced solid tumors remain on track to reach target dose levels by year end, and XmAb541 (CLDN6 x CD3) is off to a strong clinical start with initial study enrollment."

Bispecific Antibody Programs Advancing in Internal Clinical Development

XmAb819 (ENPP3 x CD3): XmAb819 is a bispecific T-cell engager in Phase 1 clinical development for patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). XmAb819 is designed to engage the immune system, activating T cells for highly potent and targeted killing of tumor cells expressing ENPP3, an antigen highly expressed in ccRCC. Xencor’s XmAb 2+1 multivalent format used in XmAb819 enables greater selectivity of ENPP3-expressing tumor cells compared to normal cells, which express lower levels of ENPP3. Xencor is advancing through dose-escalation cohorts in an ongoing Phase 1 study, and the Company anticipates reaching target dose levels by year end.

XmAb808 (B7-H3 x CD28): XmAb808 is a tumor-selective, co-stimulatory bispecific T-cell engager in Phase 1 clinical development, in combination with pembrolizumab for patients with advanced solid tumors. XmAb808 binds to the broadly expressed tumor antigen B7-H3 and is constructed with the XmAb 2+1 format. Co-stimulation is required for T cells to achieve full activation, and targeted CD28 bispecific antibodies may provide conditional co-stimulation of T cells when the antibodies are bound to tumor cells. Xencor is advancing through dose-escalation cohorts in an ongoing Phase 1 study, and the Company anticipates reaching target dose levels by year end.

XmAb541 (CLDN6 x CD3): XmAb541 is a bispecific T-cell engager in Phase 1 clinical development for patients with advanced ovarian cancer and other solid tumor types. XmAb541 is designed to engage the immune system, activating T cells for highly potent and targeted killing of tumor cells expressing Claudin-6 (CLDN6), a tumor-associated antigen. Xencor’s XmAb 2+1 multivalent format used in XmAb541 enables greater selectivity for cells expressing CLDN6 over similarly structured Claudin family members, which may be expressed on normal tissue. The first patient was dosed in a Phase 1 dose-escalation study earlier this year.

Vudalimab (PD-1 x CTLA-4): Vudalimab, a selective dual checkpoint inhibitor of PD-1 and CTLA-4, is advancing in multiple clinical studies, including a monotherapy study in patients with clinically defined high-risk metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC; Study XmAb717-05), a study in combination with docetaxel in patients with mCRPC (Study XmAb717-04), and a study in combination with chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (Study XmAb717-06). Xencor continues to anticipate a data update and decision whether to advance vudalimab for patients with mCRPC in the first half of 2025.
Recent Business Updates

Regained exclusive worldwide rights to plamotamab (CD20 x CD3), a Phase 2 ready, subcutaneously administered, immune-cell directed bispecific T-cell engager. Xencor advanced plamotamab through Phase 1 clinical development and is reviewing its potential for addressing unmet medical needs of patients.

Concluded Phase 1 studies of XmAb564 (IL2-Fc in autoimmune disease) and XmAb662 (IL12-Fc in solid tumors) in the first half of 2024, consistent with prior guidance.
Financial Guidance: Based on current operating plans, Xencor expects to end 2024 with between $475 million and $525 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities, and to have cash to fund research and development programs and operations into 2027.

Financial Results for the Second Quarter and Six Months Ended June 30, 2024

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities totaled $585.0 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to $697.0 million as of December 31, 2023.

Revenues for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 were $17.0 million, compared to $45.5 million for the same period in 2023. Revenues earned in the second quarter of 2024 were primarily non-cash royalty revenue from Alexion and MorphoSys/Incyte and licensing revenue from multiple licensees, compared to the same period in 2023, which were primarily research revenue from the second J&J collaboration, royalty revenue from Alexion and milestone revenue from Zenas. Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2024 were $29.8 million, compared to $64.5 million for the same period in 2023. Revenue for the six-month period in 2024 were primarily non-cash royalty revenue from Alexion and MorphoSys/Incyte, compared to the same period in 2023, which were primarily research revenue from the second J&J collaboration, royalty revenue from Alexion and milestone revenue from J&J and Zenas.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 were $61.5 million, compared to $60.1 million for the same period in 2023. R&D expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2024 were $118.4 million, compared to $125.6 million for the same period in 2023. Increased R&D spending for the second quarter of 2024 compared to 2023 and decreased R&D spending for the first six months of 2024 compared to 2023 are primarily due to increased spending on research and early-stage programs and decreased spending on XmAb104 (PD-1 x ICOS).

General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 were $17.7 million, compared to $11.5 million for the same period in 2023. G&A expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2024 were $31.5 million, compared to $25.6 million for the same period in 2023. Increased G&A spending for the second quarter and first six months of 2024 compared to 2023 is primarily due to increased spending on corporate activities, including stock-based compensation costs related to employees retiring in April 2024.

Other income (expense) for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 was $(5.0) million, compared to $4.0 million for the same period in 2023. Other expense for the second quarter of 2024, compared to other income for the same period in 2023, is primarily due to unrealized and realized losses recognized from the change in fair value and the sale of equity investments. Other income (expense) for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $(15.8) million, compared to $4.0 million for the same period in 2023. Other expense for the first six months of 2024, compared to other income for the same period in 2023, is primarily due to an impairment charge on an equity investment without a readily determinable fair value.

Non-cash, stock-based compensation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $28.6 million, compared to $26.2 million for the same period in 2023.

Net loss attributable to Xencor for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 was $66.0 million, or $(1.07) on a fully diluted per share basis, compared to net loss of $22.0 million, or $(0.37) on a fully diluted per share basis, for the same period in 2023. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, net loss attributable to Xencor was $134.0 million, or $(2.18) on a fully diluted per share basis, compared to net loss of $82.7 million, or $(1.38) on a fully diluted per share basis, for the same period in 2023.

The total shares outstanding were 61,766,054 as of June 30, 2024, compared to 60,600,060 as of June 30, 2023.

On August 5, 2024 Akoya Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: AKYA) ("Akoya"), The Spatial Biology Company, reported its financial results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2024 (Press release, Akoya Biosciences, AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234645328]).

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"Our second-quarter revenue showed a strong rebound with 26% sequential top-line growth and a stable year-over-year performance," said Brian McKelligon, CEO of Akoya Biosciences. "We believe that Akoya’s platforms are poised to lead the spatial biology market from discovery to diagnostics, while we also position the company to achieve near-term operating cash flow breakeven as we align our cost structure with our strategic objectives."

Second Quarter 2024 Financial and Business Results

For the second quarter of 2024, revenue was $23.2 million, a 26.2% quarter-over-quarter increase from $18.4 million in the first quarter and 1.5% year-over-year decrease from $23.5 million in the second quarter of 2023.
Instruments, consumables and services all contributed to sequential growth. Instrument revenue was $8.3 million, a 70.4% quarter-over-quarter increase. Reagent revenue was $7.4 million, a 5.6% quarter-over-quarter increase. Service and other revenue was $7.2 million, a 16.6% quarter-over-quarter increase.
For the second quarter of 2024, gross margin was 57.8%, compared to gross margin of 45.7% in the first quarter of 2024 and 51.5% in the second quarter of 2023.
For the second quarter of 2024, operating expenses were $24.5 million, compared to operating expenses of $30.0 million in the first quarter of 2024, a 18.3% quarter-over-quarter decrease, and $31.4 million in the second quarter of 2023, a 22.0% year-over-year decrease.
For the second quarter of 2024, loss from operations was $11.1 million, compared to loss from operations of $21.6 million in the first quarter of 2024, a 48.6% quarter-over-quarter decrease, and $19.2 million in the second quarter of 2023, a 42.4% year-over-year decrease.
Ended the second quarter of 2024 with an instrument installed base of 1,264 (374 PhenoCyclers, 890 PhenoImagers), a year-over-year increase of 18.8%, compared to an installed base of 1,064 in the prior year period (300 PhenoCyclers, 764 PhenoImagers).
As of June 30, 2024, there were 1,450 total publications citing Akoya’s technology, compared to 988 total publications in the prior year period, a 46.8% increase.
$48.7 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2024.
YTD 2024 Financial Results

YTD 2024 revenue was $41.5 million, compared to $44.9 million in the prior year period: a 7.6% decrease.
YTD 2024 reported gross margin was 52.4% while non-GAAP adjusted gross margin was 57.4% when excluding the write-off from discontinued legacy products in the first quarter of 2024. Both GAAP and non-GAAP gross margin were 54.3% in the prior year period of 2023.
YTD 2024 operating expenses were $54.4 million while non-GAAP operating expenses were $50.1 million when excluding the impairment charge for facility consolidation and restructuring associated with a reduction in force in the first quarter of 2024. Both GAAP and non-GAAP operating expenses were $61.1 million in the prior year period of 2023.
YTD 2024 loss from operations was $32.7 million while non-GAAP loss from operations was $26.3 million excluding the items noted above. Both GAAP and non-GAAP loss from operations were $36.7 million in the prior year period of 2023.
2024 Financial Outlook

Akoya is updating its revenue outlook for the full year 2024 while maintaining its commitment to achieving operating cash flow breakeven by year end. The Company now expects the full year 2024 revenue to be in the range of $96-104 million.

Webcast and Conference Call Details

Akoya will host a conference call today, August 5, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss its second quarter 2024 financial results. Investors interested in listening to the conference call are required to register online. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the "Investors" section of the Company’s website at View Source The webcast will be archived on the website following the completion of the call for three months.

On August 5, 2024 Amplia Therapeutics Limited (ASX: ATX), ("Amplia" or the "Company"), reported that a fourth patient enrolled in the Company’s Phase 2a clinical trial investigating narmafotinib in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer (the ACCENT trial) has recorded a confirmed partial response (Press release, Amplia Therapeutics, AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234645349]).

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A total of 50 patients are planned for the Phase 2a ACCENT trial, recruited in two cohorts. In the first cohort of 26 patients, 6 or more patients with confirmed partial or complete responses are required to initiate recruitment of the second cohort of 24 patients. We have previously reported that three (3) confirmed partial responses have already been observed in the first patient cohort. This latest confirmed partial response means that only a further two (2) confirmed responses (partial or complete) are required for the trial’s interim analysis to support recruitment of the additional 24 patients in the second cohort of the trial.

The formal term ‘confirmed partial response’ means in these patients there is at least a 30% decrease in the overall size of tumour lesions, with no new tumour lesions, sustained over a two-month period, while a confirmed complete response refers to a total absence of tumour lesions over a two-month period.

Amplia CEO and MD Dr Chris Burns commented: "The activity of narmafotinib in the ACCENT trial continues to be very positive, consistent with our previous clinical and preclinical data. We remain on track to complete the interim analysis by the end of this quarter."

The Company will provide further updates on the trial as recruitment proceeds.

This ASX announcement was approved and authorised for release by the Board of Amplia Therapeutics.

About Narmafotinib

Narmafotinib (AMP945) is the company’s best-in-class inhibitor of the protein FAK, a protein overexpressed in pancreatic and other cancers, and a drug target gaining increasing attention for its role in solid tumours. The drug, which is a highly potent and selective inhibitor of FAK, has shown promising data in a range of preclinical cancer studies. The drug has successfully completed a healthy volunteer study, and is currently in an open-label Phase 2a trial in pancreatic cancer where a combination of narmafotinib and the chemotherapies gemcitabine and Abraxane is being assessed for safety, tolerability and efficacy.

About the ACCENT Trial

The ACCENT trial is entitled ‘A Phase 1b/2a, Multicentre, Open Label Study of the Pharmacokinetics, Safety and Efficacy of AMP945 in Combination with Nab-paclitaxel and Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Cancer Patients’.

The ACCENT trial explores the use of narmafotinib in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapy of gemcitabine and Abraxane in first-line patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The trial is a single-arm open label study conducted in two stages. The firststage (Phase 1b), completed in November 2023, identified a 400 mg oral daily dose of narmafotinib, given in the days preceding regular chemotherapy infusion, as safe and well tolerated. This second stage (Phase 2a), of the trial is designed to assess drug efficacy in combination with gemcitabine and Abraxane. The primary endpoints are Objective Response Rate (ORR) and Duration on Trial (DOT) with secondary endpoints being Progression Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS). Safety and tolerability will continue to be assessed.

More information about the ACCENT trial, including a list of participating sites, can be found via the Amplia Therapeutics website and at ClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier NCT05355298.

On August 5, 2024 BioNTech reported the Quarterly Report of BioNTech SE for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 (Press release, BioNTech, AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234645696]).

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On August 5, 2024 AnaptysBio, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANAB), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on delivering innovative immunology therapeutics, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 and provided a business update (Press release, AnaptysBio, AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234645329]).

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"We’ve had an exceptional quarter as we approach multiple important value drivers for Anaptys including our first patient data for ANB032, our BTLA agonist. First, enrollment has completed in the Phase 2b trial of ANB032 in AD with strong demand leading to enrollment totaling approximately 200 patients. Importantly, we plan to share top-line Week 14 data in December of 2024," said Daniel Faga, president and chief executive officer of Anaptys. "Second, strong demand in enrollment for the Phase 2b trial of rosnilimab in RA has accelerated anticipated top-line data from mid-2025 to Q1 2025. And finally, our IND for ANB033 was accepted by FDA in July and we look forward to initiating a Phase 1 trial in healthy volunteers soon. Looking to the end of the year, we still plan to have four immune cell modulators (ICMs) in clinical development."

Updates on Wholly Owned ICM Pipeline

ANB032 (BTLA agonist antibody)

Completed enrollment for global Phase 2b trial in moderate-to-severe AD
Enrolled approximately 200 patients in a placebo-controlled trial assessing three dose levels of subcutaneously administered ANB032 (randomized 1:1:1:1) for a 14-week treatment duration and then followed for a six-month off-drug follow-up period on well-established endpoints, including EASI-75 and IGA 0/1
Enrollment included approximately 15% of patients with Dupixent/anti-IL-13 treatment experience
Top-line Week 14 data expected in December 2024
Presented previously reported ANB032 preclinical graft vs. host disease (GvHD) data at the 2024 American Association of Immunology (AAI) Annual Meeting and Society of Investigative Dermatology (SID) Annual Meeting in May 2024 and ANB032 preclinical data supporting the modulation of dendritic cell (DC) maturation and function at the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) Annual Meeting in June 2024
Poster presentations are available here
Rosnilimab (PD-1 agonist antibody)

Enrollment ongoing for global Phase 2b trial in moderate-to-severe RA
420-patient placebo-controlled trial assessing three dose levels of subcutaneously administered rosnilimab (randomized 1:1:1:1) for a 12-week treatment duration on well-established endpoints, including DAS28-CRP, CDAI and ACR20/50/70
At Week 14, rosnilimab-treated patients who achieve low disease activity, defined as CDAI<=10, are eligible to be dosed for an additional 16-week all-active treatment period and then followed for a three-month off-drug follow-up period
Top-line Week 12 data anticipated in Q1 2025
Enrollment ongoing for global Phase 2 trial in moderate-to-severe UC
132-patient placebo-controlled trial assessing two dose levels of subcutaneously administered rosnilimab (randomized 1:1:1) for a 12-week treatment duration on well-established endpoints, including clinical response on modified Mayo score (mMS), clinical remission on mMS and endoscopic remission
Rosnilimab and placebo-treated patients who achieved clinical response on mMS are eligible to continue on their assigned treatment for an additional 12 weeks, while patients on placebo who are non-responders will be crossed over to the high-dose rosnilimab treatment arm, in an all-active treatment period and then followed for a three-month off-drug follow-up period
Top-line Week 12 data anticipated in Q1 2026
Presented previously reported rosnilimab Phase 1 data and membrane proximal binding epitope to optimize PD-1 agonist signaling data at the 2024 Digestive Disease Week (DDW) Annual Meeting in May 2024 and at the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS) Annual Meeting in June 2024
Poster presentations are available here
ANB033 (anti-CD122 antagonist antibody)

IND application accepted by FDA in July 2024
Phase 1 trial initiation in healthy volunteers anticipated in Q4 2024
ANB101 (BDCA2 modulator antibody)

Plan to submit IND application in Q4 2024
Legacy Clinical-Stage Cytokine Antagonist Programs Available for Out-Licensing

Comprehensive data from the Phase 3 GEMINI-1 and GEMINI-2 trials to be presented at a medical meeting in H2 2024
Intend to out-license imsidolimab in 2024
GSK Immuno-Oncology Financial Collaboration

GSK anticipates top-line data in H1 2025 from COSTAR Lung Phase 3 trial comparing cobolimab, a TIM-3 antagonist, plus dostarlimab, a PD-1 antagonist, plus docetaxel to dostarlimab plus docetaxel to docetaxel alone in patients with advanced NSCLC who have progressed on prior anti-PD-(L)1 therapy and chemotherapy
GSK and iTEOS announced in June 2024 the initiation of the GALAXIES Lung-301 Phase 3 study, assessing belrestotug and dostarlimab in previously untreated, unresectable locally advanced/metastatic PD-L1 selected NSCLC
GSK anticipates top-line data in H2 2024 from the FIRST Phase 3 trial for platinum-based therapy with dostarlimab and niraparib versus platinum-based therapy as first-line treatment of Stage III or IV nonmucinous epithelial ovarian cancer
Cash Runway

Cash and investments of $393.5 million as of June 30, 2024 and reiterating cash runway through year-end 2026
Second Quarter Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $393.5 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to $417.9 million as of December 31, 2023, for a decrease of $24.4 million due primarily to cash used for operating activities offset by $50.0 million received from the Sagard royalty monetization completed in May.
Collaboration revenue was $11.0 million and $18.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $3.5 million and $4.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. The change is due primarily to increased royalties recognized for sales of Jemperli.
Research and development expenses were $42.0 million and $79.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $32.9 million and $67.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. The increase was due primarily to development costs for rosnilimab, ANB032, ANB033 and ANB101 offset by a decrease in development costs for imsidolimab. The R&D non-cash, stock-based compensation expense was $3.5 million and $7.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $2.7 million and $5.5 million in the same period in 2023.
General and administrative expenses were $9.3 million and $21.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $10.7 million and $21.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. The G&A non-cash, stock-based compensation expense was $4.0 million and $10.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $5.7 million and $11.8 million in the same period in 2023.
Net loss was $46.7 million and $90.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, or a net loss per share of $1.71 and $3.35, compared to a net loss of $39.8 million and $84.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, or a net loss per share of $1.50 and $3.08.