On August 5, 2024 BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX) reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, and provided a corporate update (Press release, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234645330]).

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"The first half of 2024 has been outstanding for BioCryst due to the success we are having in the marketplace with ORLADEYO. As a result, we are increasing our full year guidance for ORLADEYO, advancing multiple programs toward the clinic in the next 18 months and moving the company closer to profitability," said Jon Stonehouse, president and chief executive officer of BioCryst.

ORLADEYO (berotralstat): Oral, Once-daily Treatment for Prevention of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) Attacks

ORLADEYO net revenue in the second quarter of 2024 was $108.3 million (+34 percent year-over-year (y-o-y)).

Operational improvements drove revenue above expectations for the second quarter. This included a three percent increase in the overall rate of paid patients relative to the end of 2023, which now stands at 74.4 percent.

New patient starts continued at the same high rate seen in the prior two quarters, matching the new patient demand seen in the first three quarters of the launch in 2021, and patient retention remained strong. We continue to see more than 60 percent of patients on paid therapy staying on for at least a year.

A recent market research study showed that 52 percent of allergist/immunologists are extremely likely to prescribe ORLADEYO to more patients, up from 29 percent in early 2023.

With additional recent approvals and reimbursement authorizations in Europe and Latin America, ORLADEYO is now commercially available to patients in more than 20 countries. Ex-U.S. ORLADEYO revenue in the second quarter increased 51 percent y-o-y and accounted for 11 percent of global ORLADEYO net revenues.
"Our second quarter revenue growth and increased full year guidance for ORLADEYO reflect strong underlying demand and favorable patient outcomes, combined with our continuing focus on improving patient services and market access operations. The real-world experience of patients who respond to ORLADEYO is consistent with the 91 percent reduction in attacks from baseline that we saw in long-term clinical trials. The potential for patients to have that high level of HAE attack control in a once-daily pill is a major differentiator in the marketplace that makes ORLADEYO’s trajectory toward $1 billion in peak sales increasingly clear," said Charlie Gayer, chief commercial officer of BioCryst.

Rare Disease Pipeline

The goal with our pipeline is to build on our success with ORLADEYO by bringing additional selected, highly differentiated rare disease products to patients.

The company remains on track to submit a regulatory filing in 2025 to expand the ORLADEYO label to enable children as young as two years of age to receive an oral granule formulation of ORLADEYO. ORLADEYO would be the first oral prophylactic therapy for children with HAE.

The company has completed its clinical evaluation of its oral Factor D inhibitor, BCX10013. The drug was safe and well tolerated at all doses studied, however the level of clinical activity observed was less than other therapies on the market and potential partners have declined to make the additional investment required to evaluate higher doses. BioCryst plans to discontinue development, consistent with its previously announced plans.

The company expects to advance BCX17725, its KLK-5 inhibitor for the treatment of Netherton syndrome, into the clinic by the end of 2024.

Netherton syndrome is a serious, rare, lifelong genetic disorder affecting the skin, hair and immune system. People with Netherton syndrome often have red, scaly, inflamed skin, fragile hair, and are more likely to develop skin infections, allergies, asthma and eczema. Netherton syndrome can be life threatening, especially during infancy when patients are vulnerable to dehydration and recurrent infections. Currently, there is no approved treatment for Netherton syndrome.

In 2025, the company plans to advance avoralstat, a plasma kallikrein inhibitor, into a clinical trial of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME).

DME is an important cause of vision loss in diabetes and is due to leakage from the blood vessels in the retina. While current treatments focus on VEGF inhibition, DME can develop from other mechanisms, such as the kallikrein-bradykinin pathway. This is supported by observations that many DME patients have an incomplete response to intravitreal anti-VEGF therapies that are administered every four to eight weeks. Avoralstat targets the kallikrein-bradykinin system on the retinal vascular endothelial cells and may result in less vascular leakage and less edema. Avoralstat, delivered to the suprachoroidal space as a depot formulation, is designed to provide high dose levels to the retinal vessels with long-lasting exposure, which could result in less frequent injections and a reduced burden on patients and the healthcare system.
Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

For the three months ended June 30, 2024, total revenues were $109.3 million, compared to $82.5 million in the second quarter of 2023 (+32.5 percent year-over-year (y-o-y)). The increase was primarily due to $108.3 million in ORLADEYO net revenue in the second quarter of 2024, compared to $81.0 million in ORLADEYO net revenue in the second quarter of 2023 (+33.7 percent y-o-y).

R&D expenses for the second quarter of 2024 decreased to $37.6 million from $51.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 (-26.6 percent y-o-y), primarily due to decreased spending on BCX10013 and the discontinuation of the BCX9930 program. These reductions were partially offset by increased investment in BCX17725, avoralstat and other discovery programs, and our ongoing ORLADEYO pediatric trial.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2024 increased to $61.2 million, compared to $51.0 million in the second quarter of 2023 (+20.0 percent y-o-y), primarily due to an increase in commercial expenses to support growing revenue, newly launched regions and expanded international operations. In addition, there was an increase in general and administrative expenses, primarily related to an increase in resourcing to support our accounting and IT functions.

Total operating expenses were $100.6 million for the second quarter of 2024, compared to $103.2 million in the second quarter of 2023 (-2.5 percent y-o-y). Non-cash stock compensation was $13.2 million for the second quarter of 2024. Total operating expenses, not including non-cash stock compensation for the second quarter of 2024 were $87.4 million, compared to $90.4 million in the second quarter of 2023 (-3.3 percent y-o-y).

The company generated a GAAP operating profit of $8.8 million in the second quarter of 2024. This compares to a GAAP operating loss of $20.7 million in the second quarter of 2023. Adjusted for non-cash stock compensation, the non-GAAP operating profit was $21.9 million in the second quarter of 2024, compared to a non-GAAP operating loss of $7.9 million in the second quarter of 2023.

Interest expense was $24.7 million in the second quarter of 2024, compared to $28.9 million in the second quarter of 2023 (-14.5 percent y-o-y). The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the amortization of interest associated with our royalty financing obligations.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2024 was $12.7 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to a net loss of $75.3 million, or $0.40 per share, for the second quarter of 2023. In the second quarter of 2023, there was a $29.0 million one-time debt extinguishment fee related to the close-out of the Athyrium debt facility. Excluding this one-time event, non-GAAP net loss for the second quarter of 2023 was $0.24 per share.

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and investments totaled $338.1 million at June 30, 2024, compared to $415.7 million at June 30, 2023. Operating cash use for the second quarter of 2024 was $0.2 million.

On August 5, 2024 Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Citius Pharma" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CTXR), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class critical care products, reported that shareholders of TenX Keane Acquisition ("TenX") (Nasdaq: TENK), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, have voted to approve the previously announced business combination with Citius Pharma’s oncology subsidiary (Press release, Citius Pharmaceuticals, AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234645351]). The newly combined public company will continue to trade on the Nasdaq stock exchange and is to be renamed Citius Oncology, Inc. ("Citius Oncology").

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The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of both companies and Citius Pharma. Subject to certain contractual as well as customary closing conditions, the merger is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

The transaction is expected to provide Citius Oncology with improved access to the public equity markets, support the commercialization of LYMPHIR, if approved, and position the company to explore additional targeted oncology opportunities.

"We look forward to closing this transaction in the coming weeks and unlocking and growing the value of our oncology asset," stated Leonard Mazur, Chairman and CEO of Citius Pharma.

About the Merger

Pursuant to the proposed agreement, TenX will acquire Citius Pharma’s wholly owned subsidiary via a merger, with the newly combined publicly traded company to be named Citius Oncology, Inc. In the transaction, all shares of Citius Pharma’s wholly owned subsidiary would be converted into the right to receive common stock of Citius Oncology. As a result, upon closing, Citius Pharma would hold approximately 65.6 million shares of common stock of Citius Oncology which would represent approximately 90% of the newly public company. As part of the transaction, Citius Pharma will contribute $10 million in cash to Citius Oncology. An additional 12.75 million existing options will be assumed by Citius Oncology.

At closing, any cash remaining in TenX’s trust account along with the cash provided by Citius Pharma will be contributed to Citius Oncology for working capital and general corporate purposes of Citius Oncology following the transaction. References to available cash from the TenX trust account and retained transaction proceeds are subject to any redemptions by the public stockholders of TenX and payment of transaction fees and expenses.

The description of the transaction contained herein is only a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the merger agreement, a copy of which has been filed by Citius Pharma in a Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 24, 2023.

Advisors

Maxim Group LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Citius Pharma and Newbridge Securities Corporation is acting as exclusive financial advisor to TenX. Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP is acting as legal advisor to Citius Pharma and Citius Oncology. The Crone Law Group P.C. is acting as legal advisor to TenX.

On August 5, 2024 Genor Biopharma (Stock code: 6998.HK) reported that the company had entered into a licensing agreement and a stock purchase agreement with TRC 2004.Under the License Agreement, Genor Biopharma has agreed, among others, to grant the Licensee an exclusive worldwide license to develop, use, manufacture, commercialize and otherwise exploit GB261 (CD20/CD3, BsAb) , excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan (Press release, , AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234648372]).

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According to the agreement, Genor Biopharma shall receive:

a significant equity participation in the Licensee;
a double digit million US dollars upfront payment;
up to 443 million US dollars in milestone payments;
tiered single to double digits royalty payments on net sales.

GB261 is a novel differentiated CD20 / CD3 bi-specific T-Cell Engager with ultra-low affinity to bind CD3 and has Fc-enabled functions (ADCC and CDC). GB261 has previously completed a Phase Ph1/2 multi-center study of B-NHL (DLBCL and FL) in China and Australia, which demonstrated promising efficacy and a favorable safety profile. Meanwhile, GB261 has been shown to significantly reduce cytokine release (CRS) compared with bi-specifics in the same class.

The properties of GB261 make it a very promising B-cell depletion agent and its indication potential extends beyond oncology and is also applicable to various immunological and autoimmune indications where there is a large unmet medical need in patients.

On August 5, 2024 BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: BMRN) reported financial results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2024 (Press release, BioMarin, AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234645331]).

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"Strong execution across our business resulted in record double-digit revenue growth in the second quarter and first half of 2024. These top-line results, along with a focus on operational efficiency, resulted in a 78% year-over-year improvement in quarterly non-GAAP earnings per share," said Alexander Hardy, President and Chief Executive Officer of BioMarin. "Strong global demand for VOXZOGO led to nearly 900 new patient starts in the first half of 2024, the highest in VOXZOGO’s history. Record VOXZOGO contributions in the quarter, driven by patient growth in all geographies, combined with double-digit growth from our enzyme therapies drove today’s increased 2024 full-year guidance."
Mr. Hardy added, "During the quarter, global demand for VOXZOGO continued to increase as more families sought treatment with the only approved and genetically-targeted medicine for achondroplasia. Approximately 3,500 children were receiving VOXZOGO by the end of the second quarter, with more than half of new treatment starts in the United States for children under the age of 5. We are seeing strong interest from families in the United States seeking VOXZOGO treatment for their children and we expect this market to continue to drive significant expansion over the coming quarters." Mr. Hardy continued, "With VOXZOGO’s safety and efficacy well-established, based on nearly 6,000 patient years of demonstrated and durable evidence, we are confident in our rapidly expanding leadership. Enrollment in our pivotal study with VOXZOGO for the treatment of hypochondroplasia is proceeding well, and enrollment in our separate studies for idiopathic short stature, Noonan Syndrome, Turner Syndrome and SHOX deficiency are advancing this year as planned, following alignment with health authorities."

Financial Highlights:

•Total Revenues for the second quarter of 2024 were $712.0 million, an increase of 20%, compared to the same period in 2023, driven by strong VOXZOGO contributions from new patient starts, high compliance rates, and customer stock levels normalizing facilitated by ample supply. In the quarter, demand across BioMarin’s enzyme therapies (VIMIZIM, NAGLAZYME, ALDURAZYME, BRINEURA and PALYNZIQ) drove 15% growth compared to the second quarter of 2023. This increase was partially driven by NAGLAZYME product revenues due to the timing of large government orders in certain regions outside the United States and higher PALYNZIQ revenues in the United States driven by new patient starts. Partially offsetting the increase were lower KUVAN product revenues attributed to continued generic competition as a result of the loss of market exclusivity.
•GAAP Net Income increased by $51.2 million to $107.2 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher gross profit driven by the factors noted above. The increase was partially offset by higher spend in Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A), primarily due to severance and other restructuring costs associated with the Company’s portfolio strategy review and the associated organizational redesign efforts announced in the second quarter of 2024.

•Non-GAAP Income increased by $83.7 million to $188.9 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in Non-GAAP Income was primarily due to higher gross profit, partially offset by higher SG&A expenses primarily related to sales and marketing activities for VOXZOGO, higher partner distribution fees, incremental administrative expenses, as well as higher Research and Development (R&D) expenses related to expansion into new VOXZOGO indications and our prioritized pipeline products.

2Q Update on 2024 Strategic Priorities

In the second quarter, BioMarin continued to deliver on its four strategic priorities, first outlined in January, and focused on value creation through accelerating growth, optimizing efficiencies and driving operational excellence.

Accelerate and maximize the VOXZOGO opportunity
•During the second quarter, the number of children with achondroplasia benefiting from VOXZOGO treatment increased to approximately 3,500 across 44 countries. Global access to VOXZOGO from infancy had a significant impact on uptake as families pursued maximum therapeutic benefit by starting treatment early.
•In the U.S., the largest potential market, the majority of new patient starts in the quarter were for children under the age of 5 years. VOXZOGO’s extensive safety and efficacy profile led more families to begin therapeutic intervention early to potentially impact greater improvements in craniofacial growth, foramen magnum compression, body proportionality and quality of life, in addition to durable increases in growth velocity.
•During the quarter, new, multi-year data demonstrating that treating achondroplasia with VOXZOGO improved health related quality of life and proportionality, which are important benefits, beyond height, for affected children and their families. These results were presented at the Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES) annual meeting (press release), and the 2024 International Conference on Children’s Bone Health (ICCBH) (press release). In addition, positive results with VOXZOGO from Phase 2 in children with Noonan Syndrome, idiopathic short stature and other growth-related conditions were presented.
◦At PES on May 4, results from a Phase 3 extension study in children with achondroplasia who began VOXZOGO treatment at 10 years of age or older, demonstrated that meaningful height gains were observed despite the age of participants at treatment initiation. Results from a Phase 2 extension study showed that VOXZOGO maintained positive effects on linear growth over 4 years in children who began treatment under age five. Results from an investigator-sponsored Phase 2 in children 3-11 years old with several genetic growth-related conditions demonstrated marked improvement in annualized growth velocity and height standard deviation across all conditions studied.
◦At ICCBH on June 17, a new investigator-led study showed VOXZOGO significantly increased bone length while maintaining bone strength through 5 years of observation in children with achondroplasia, an essential functional outcome for children receiving multi-year treatment. Phase 2 and Phase 3 data on VOXZOGO demonstrated durable safety and efficacy, and improvements on proportionality and health-related quality of life in children with achondroplasia.
•Building on its leadership in achondroplasia, BioMarin’s clinical programs across multiple new growth-related conditions are underway. The pivotal study with VOXZOGO for hypochondroplasia is actively enrolling. Clinical programs in idiopathic short stature, Noonan Syndrome, Turner Syndrome and SHOX deficiency are all on track for enrollment later this year.

•During the second quarter, through extensive supply chain efforts, BioMarin secured ample VOXZOGO supply to support patient demand worldwide. As of the end of the quarter, the company was able to provide VOXZOGO supply to new patients immediately, as identified. Additionally, the company has ample supply capacity to support all ongoing VOXZOGO clinical programs in hypochondroplasia, idiopathic short stature, Noonan Syndrome, Turner Syndrome and SHOX deficiency, as well as expected commercial demand.

Establish ROCTAVIAN opportunity

•Today, the company announced its updated strategy for ROCTAVIAN. The strategy will enable ROCTAVIAN to contribute to BioMarin’s long-term profitability. By focusing commercial, research and manufacturing programs in three prioritized countries, including the United States, Germany and Italy, BioMarin anticipates reducing annual direct ROCTAVIAN expenses to approximately $60 million, beginning in 2025. The company has already begun to operationalize the reduction of ROCTAVIAN expenses this year to achieve $60 million in expenses beginning in full-year 2025. As a result of these changes, the company expects ROCTAVIAN to be profitable by the end of 2025.
•During the quarter, BioMarin treated 3 patients in the U.S. and 2 in Italy, generating $7 million in revenue. BioMarin’s global commercial team will continue to focus on key elements critical to supporting ROCTAVIAN uptake in with the U.S., Germany and Italy.

Focus R&D on the most promising assets

•During the quarter, BioMarin progressed development of its prioritized pipeline products: BMN 351, BMN 349, and BMN 333. BMN 351, BioMarin’s next generation oligonucleotide for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, has completed enrollment of the first dose cohort, with data expected by year-end. With BMN 349, a potential best-in-class, oral therapeutic for Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)-associated liver disease, the company will begin enrolling its first-in-human study with healthy volunteers later this year. BMN 333, a long-acting C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) for multiple growth disorders, is completing IND-enabling activities and is expected to enter the clinic in early 2025.
•During the quarter, the company chose to discontinue development of BMN 293, a gene therapy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Applying its focused approach to investing in only those assets that have the highest potential impact for patients, the time and resources anticipated to bring BMN 293 through development and to market no longer met BioMarin’s high bar for advancement.

Accelerate EPS growth and expand margins

•Sustained strong performance in the second quarter highlighted BioMarin’s ongoing execution of its financial strategy to drive year-over-year Non-GAAP Operating Margin expansion and Non-GAAP EPS growth faster than revenues.
•The company raised full-year 2024 guidance for Total Revenues, Non-GAAP Operating Margin, and Non-GAAP Diluted EPS. The improved guidance reflects the underlying strength of enzyme products and continued high demand for VOXZOGO, along with BioMarin’s commitment to accelerate profitability while continuing to invest in innovation. BioMarin’s updated full-year 2024 guidance does not reflect the impact of potential additional future business decisions that may result from its ongoing strategic business review.
Investor Day to be held Wednesday, September 4th. Event details will be available later in August.

On August 5, 2024 Antennova, a clinical-stage biotech company focused on oncology reported that the orally administered CD73 small molecule inhibitor ATN-037 (also known as ATG-037) has been accepted for Mini Oral presentation at the 2024 European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress (EMSO Congress 2024), taking place from September 13th to September 17th at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain (Press release, Antennova, AUG 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234645352]).

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Details of the Presentation:

ATN-037 (CD73 Oral Small Molecule Inhibitor)

Title: A First-In-Human Phase I/Ib study of ATG-037 Monotherapy and Combination Therapy with Pembrolizumab in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumours – STAMINA-01

Abstract: 6067

Presentation Number: 997MO

Date: September 16, 2024

Lecture Time:

10:50 AM – 10:55 AM (Central European Summer Time)

4:50 AM – 4:55 AM (US Eastern Time)