Personalis to Participate at the 9th Annual Needham Virtual MedTech & Diagnostics 1×1 Conference

On July 31, 2024 Personalis, Inc. (Nasdaq: PSNL), a leader in advanced genomics for cancer, reported that its management team will participate virtually at the 9th Annual Needham Virtual MedTech & Diagnostics 1×1 Conference on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 (Press release, Personalis, JUL 31, 2024, View Source;1-Conference [SID1234645218]).

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Chugai In-Licenses PI3K Inhibitor Inavolisib for Breast Cancer with a PIK3CA Mutation

On July 31, 2024 Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 4519) reported that it has concluded a license agreement with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (hereafter "Roche") [Head Office: Basel, Switzerland. Thomas Schinecker] for inavolisib, a PI3K alpha inhibitor, currently in development for advanced hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer with a PIK3CA mutation in combination with palbociclib and fulvestrant (Press release, Chugai, JUL 31, 2024, View Source;category= [SID1234645178]). Under the license agreement between Roche and Chugai, Chugai obtained exclusive rights for the development and marketing of inavolisib in Japan. Roche will receive an upfront fee and milestone payments.

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"PIK3CA mutations are detected in approximately 40%1 of patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer. Patients with PIK3CA mutated HR-positive, HER2 negative advanced BC have a poorer prognosis and thus there remains a significant unmet need for this patient group. Inavolisib, which has shown positive data in global clinical trials, is expected to be a new treatment option for patients with breast cancer. Chugai will work closely with Roche to conduct domestic development in order to bring inavolisib to patients with breast cancer as soon as possible," said Chugai’s President and CEO, Dr. Osamu Okuda.

Inavolisib was discovered by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, and is currently under development for two global Phase III clinical studies in patients with locally advanced or metastatic HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer with PIK3CA mutations (INAVO120 and INAVO121) and one global Phase III clinical study in patients with PIK3CA mutated HER2-positive breast cancer (INAVO122). The INAVO120 study demonstrated that the inavolisib-based regimen (in combination with palbociclib and fulvestrant) more than doubled progression-free survival, reducing the risk of disease worsening or death by 57% compared to palbociclib and fulvestrant alone (15.0 months vs. 7.3 months; hazard ratio [HR]=0.43, 95% CI: 0.32-0.59, p<0.0001) in the first-line setting. The inavolisib-based regimen has also been shown to be well tolerated with a manageable safety profile.
Based on the positive results of the INAVO120 study, inavolisib has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the treatment of HR-positive, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer with PIK3CA mutations in the first-line setting as well as Priority Review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the new drug application with a PDUFA date of November 27, 2024

Chugai will continue to effectively utilize the research and development resources of the Roche Group to find innovative new drugs so as to satisfy unmet medical needs.

About inavolisib
Inavolisib is an investigational, oral targeted treatment that could provide well-tolerated, durable disease control and potentially improved outcomes for people with PIK3CA-mutated, hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Inavolisib has been designed to help minimize the overall burden and toxicity of treatment and is differentiated from other PI3K inhibitors due to its high potency and specificity for the PI3K alpha isoform versus other isoforms, and unique mechanism of action that facilitates the degradation of mutated PI3K alpha.

About the INAVO120 study
The INAVO120 study is a global Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of inavolisib in combination with palbociclib and fulvestrant versus placebo plus palbociclib and fulvestrant in people with PIK3CA-mutated, hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer whose disease progressed during treatment or within 12 months of completing adjuvant endocrine therapy and who have not received prior systemic therapy for metastatic disease.

The study included 325 patients. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate, and clinical benefit rate.

The INAVO120 study met its primary endpoint, extending PFS by 7.7 months compared to the control group, demonstrating the superiority of the combination of inavolisib, palbociclib and fulvestrant (hazard ratio, 0.43 [95% CI = 0.32, 0.59]; p<0.0001)2. Regarding safety, the incidence of hyperglycemia, diarrhea, stomatitis, nausea, and skin rash was higher in the inavolisib group compared to the control group, but most of these events were Grade 1-2 (incidence of Grade 3-4 events was hyperglycemia: 5.6%, stomatitis: 5.6%, diarrhea: 3.7%, nausea: 0.6%, and skin rash: 0%), confirming that the inavolisib was well tolerated and the safety profile was manageable.

About Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
HR-positive breast cancer is the most prevalent type of all breast cancers, accounting for approximately 70%3 of cases. A defining feature of HR-positive breast cancer is that its tumor cells have receptors that attach to one or both hormones – estrogen or progesterone – which can contribute to tumor growth. People diagnosed with HR-positive metastatic breast cancer often face the risk of disease progression and treatment side effects, creating a need for additional treatment options. The PI3K signaling pathway is commonly dysregulated in HR-positive breast cancer, often due to activating PIK3CA mutations, which have been identified as a potential mechanism of intrinsic resistance to standard of care endocrine therapy in combination with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors.

Exact Sciences Announces Second-Quarter 2024 Results

On July 31, 2024 Exact Sciences Corp. (Nasdaq: EXAS), a leading provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, reported that the Company generated revenue of $699 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $622 million for the same period of 2023 (Press release, Exact Sciences, JUL 31, 2024, View Source [SID1234645201]).

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"Our second quarter results show the dedication of Exact Sciences’ world-class team and the power of our unique platform," said Kevin Conroy, chairman and CEO. "We delivered answers to more patients and healthcare professionals than ever before, achieved record revenue and profitability, and advanced each of our key pipeline programs. Momentum continues to build, fueling our purpose to help eradicate cancer."

Second-quarter 2024 financial results

For the three-month period ended June 30, 2024, as compared to the same period of 2023 (where applicable):

Total revenue was $699 million, an increase of 12 percent or 13 percent on a core revenue basis
Screening revenue was $532 million, an increase of 15 percent
Precision Oncology revenue was $168 million, an increase of 7 percent, or 6 percent on a core revenue basis
Gross margin including amortization of acquired intangible assets was 70 percent, and non-GAAP gross margin excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets was 73 percent
Net loss was $16 million, or $0.09 per share, an improvement of $65 million and $0.36 per share, respectively
Adjusted EBITDA was $110 million an increase of $43 million, and adjusted EBITDA margin was 16 percent, an increase of 500 basis points
Operating cash flow was $107 million and free cash flow was $71 million, increases of $7 million and $5 million, respectively
Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $947 million at the end of the quarter
Screening primarily includes laboratory service revenue from Cologuard tests and PreventionGenetics. Precision Oncology includes laboratory service revenue from global Oncotype DX and therapy selection tests.

2024 outlook

The Company has maintained its full-year 2024 revenue guidance and raised its full-year 2024 adjusted EBITDA guidance:

Prior guidance

July 31 update

Total revenue

$2.810 – $2.850 billion

$2.810 – $2.850 billion

Screening

$2.155 – $2.175 billion

$2.155 – $2.175 billion

Precision Oncology

$655 – $675 million

$655 – $675 million

Adjusted EBITDA

$325 – $350 million

$335 – $355 million

Second-quarter 2024 conference call & webcast

Company management will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET to discuss second-quarter 2024 results. The webcast will be available at exactsciences.com. Domestic callers should dial 888-330-2384 and international callers should dial +1-240-789-2701. The access code for both domestic and international callers is 4437608. A replay of the webcast will be available at exactsciences.com. The webcast, conference call, and replay are open to all interested parties.

Non-GAAP disclosure

In addition to the Company’s financial results determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company provides non-GAAP measures that it determines to be useful in evaluating its operating performance and liquidity. The Company presents core revenue, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP gross profit, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted cost of sales (exclusive of amortization of acquired intangible assets), adjusted research and development expenses, adjusted sales and marketing expenses, adjusted general and administrative expenses, adjusted amortization of acquired intangible assets, adjusted impairment of long-lived assets, adjusted other operating income (loss), adjusted operating income (loss), and free cash flow. Core revenue is calculated to adjust for recent acquisitions and divestitures, COVID-19 testing revenue and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. To exclude the impact of change in foreign currency exchange rates from the prior period under comparison, the Company converts the current period non-U.S. dollar denominated revenue using the prior year comparative period exchange rates. The Company defines non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin as GAAP gross profit and GAAP gross margin, respectively, excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets. The amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets used in the calculation of non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin pertain only to the amortization associated with developed technology acquired and recorded through purchase accounting transactions. The amortization of these intangible assets will recur in future periods until such intangible assets have been fully amortized. Adjusted EBITDA, adjusted cost of sales (exclusive of amortization of acquired intangible assets), adjusted research and development expenses, adjusted sales and marketing expenses, adjusted general and administrative expenses, adjusted amortization of acquired intangible assets, adjusted impairment of long-lived assets, adjusted other operating income (loss), and adjusted operating income (loss) consist of the applicable GAAP measure after adjustment for those items shown in the reconciliations below. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenue. The Company considers free cash flow to be a liquidity measure and is calculated as net cash used in or provided by operating activities, reduced by purchases of property, plant and equipment. Management believes that presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provides useful supplemental information to investors and facilitates the analysis of the Company’s core operating results and comparison of operating results across reporting periods. The Company uses this non-GAAP financial information to establish budgets, manage the Company’s business, and set incentive and compensation arrangements. The Company believes free cash flow provides useful information to management and investors since it measures our ability to generate cash from business operations. Non-GAAP financial information, when taken collectively, may be helpful to investors because it provides consistency and comparability with past financial performance. However, non-GAAP financial information is presented for supplemental information purposes only, has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For example, non-GAAP gross margin and non-GAAP gross profit exclude the amortization of acquired intangible assets although such measures include the revenue associated with the acquisitions. Additionally, adjusted EBITDA and other adjusted operating result metrics exclude a number of expense items that are included in net loss. As a result, positive adjusted EBITDA or adjusted operating income may be achieved while a significant net loss persists. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to GAAP, see below "Reconciliation of Core Revenue", "Non-GAAP Gross Profit and Non-GAAP Gross Margin Reconciliations", "Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliations", "Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures", and "Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow". The Company presents certain forward-looking statements about the Company’s future financial performance that include non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures include adjustments like stock-based compensation, acquisition and integration costs including gains and losses on contingent consideration, and other significant charges or gains that are difficult to predict for future periods because the nature of the adjustments pertain to events that have not yet occurred. Additionally management does not forecast many of the excluded items for internal use. Information reconciling forward-looking non-GAAP measures to U.S. GAAP measures is therefore not available without unreasonable effort, and is not provided. The occurrence, timing, and amount of any of the items excluded from GAAP to calculate non-GAAP could significantly impact the Company’s GAAP results.

About Cologuard

The Cologuard test was approved by the FDA in August 2014, and results from Exact Sciences’ prospective 90-site, point-in-time, 10,000-patient pivotal trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2014. The Cologuard test is included in the American Cancer Society’s (2018) colorectal cancer screening guidelines and the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2021) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (2016). The Cologuard test is indicated to screen adults 45 years of age and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer by detecting certain DNA markers and blood in the stool. Do not use the Cologuard test if you have had precancer, have inflammatory bowel disease and certain hereditary syndromes, or have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer. The Cologuard test is not a replacement for colonoscopy in high risk patients. The Cologuard test performance in adults ages 45-49 is estimated based on a large clinical study of patients 50 and older. The Cologuard test performance in repeat testing has not been evaluated.

The Cologuard test result should be interpreted with caution. A positive test result does not confirm the presence of cancer. Patients with a positive test result should be referred for colonoscopy. A negative test result does not confirm the absence of cancer. Patients with a negative test result should discuss with their doctor when they need to be tested again. Medicare and most major insurers cover the Cologuard test. For more information about the Cologuard test, visit cologuardtest.com. Rx only.

Tvardi Therapeutics to Participate at the 2024 BTIG Virtual Biotechnology Conference

On July 31, 2024 Tvardi Therapeutics, Inc. ("Tvardi"), a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of STAT3 inhibitors, reported that Imran Alibhai, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Tvardi Therapeutics will participate in a fireside chat at the 2024 BTIG Virtual Biotechnology Conference on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 10:00 AM ET (Press release, Tvardi Therapeutics, JUL 31, 2024, View Source [SID1234645219]).

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In addition to the fireside chat, the management team will hold one-on-one investor meetings Monday and Tuesday, August 5-6, 2024. If you are interested in meeting with the Tvardi Therapeutics management team during the conference, please reach out to BTIG.

Consolidated Financial Results for the First Three Months of the Year Ending March 31, 2025 (Fiscal 2024)

Om July 31, 2024 Daiichi Sankyo reported its consolidated Financial Results for the First Three Months of the Year Ending March 31, 2025 (Press release, Daiichi Sankyo, JUL 31, 2024, View Source [SID1234646191]).

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