Guardant Health Receives Medicare Coverage for Guardant Reveal™ Test

On August 2, 2022 Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, reported that Palmetto GBA, a Medicare administrative contractor for the Molecular Diagnostics Services program (MolDX), has conveyed coverage for the Guardant Reveal molecular residual disease (MRD) test (Press release, Guardant Health, AUG 2, 2022, View Source [SID1234617303]). Guardant Reveal is a blood test that detects circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in blood after surgery to help oncologists identify cancer patients with residual or recurring disease who may benefit most from adjuvant therapy. It is the first blood-only liquid biopsy test available for MRD testing in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

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The decision means Guardant Reveal is covered for fee-for-service Medicare patients in the United States with stage II or III CRC whose testing is initiated within three months following curative intent therapy. "We are pleased that Medicare has taken this important step to make MRD testing more widely available and help oncologists make more informed treatment decisions for their patients with colorectal cancer," said Helmy Eltoukhy, Guardant Health co-CEO.

Medicare’s policy decision adds to the coverage of Guardant Health tests for cancer patients. In December 2019, Palmetto GBA expanded local coverage determination (LCD) of the Guardant360 assay, making it the first liquid biopsy to be broadly covered for use across the vast majority of advanced solid tumors. In March 2022, Palmetto GBA also conveyed coverage for Guardant360 TissueNext, the company’s first tissue-based test to help oncologists identify patients with advanced cancer who may benefit from biomarker-informed treatment.

Financial Results Quarter Ended June 30, 2022

On August 2, 2022 Jubilant Life Sciences reported its financial results for quarter ended June 30, 2022 (Presentation, Jubilant Life Sciences, AUG 2, 2022, View Source [SID1234618959]).

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Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. Reports Record Global Revenue in Second Quarter 2022

On August 2, 2022 Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. ("Apollo") (Nasdaq: APEN), a global leader in less invasive medical devices for gastrointestinal and bariatric procedures, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022 and recent corporate highlights (Press release, Apollo Endosurgery, AUG 2, 2022, View Source [SID1234617256]).

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Second Quarter 2022 Selected Financial Results

Second Quarter and Recent Corporate Highlights
•Grew second quarter 2022 U.S. revenue by 18% and OUS revenue by 15% (23% in constant currency) over the same period in 2021;
•Grew second quarter 2022 Endoscopic Suturing System (ESS) revenue 23% (27% in constant currency) over the same period in 2021;
•Grew second quarter 2022 Intragastric Balloon (IGB) revenue 6% (9% in constant currency) over the same period in 2021;
•Increased second quarter 2022 revenue from the Company’s top 10 direct accounts by 53% over the same period in 2021;
•Received FDA De Novo marketing authorization in July 2022 for Apollo ESGTM and Apollo REVISETM, new endoscopic systems for the treatment of patients with obesity
•Announced publication of the MERIT Study on July 28, 2022 in The LANCET; and
•Appointed Sharon O’Keefe to the Board of Directors, deepening Apollo’s Board-level expertise in hospital systems and health care delivery.
"This was a solid quarter for Apollo, with record revenue driven by growth across all products, both domestic and international," said Chas McKhann, Apollo’s president and CEO. "Importantly, we also secured De Novo marketing authorization from the FDA for endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) and endoscopic bariatric revision (REVISE). This authorization positions Apollo to play a leading role in the market for next generation weight loss solutions. We remain focused on driving our business as a whole, in addition to preparing to take advantage of our new weight loss indication in the U.S. market, which we believe will be an important growth driver."
Selected GAAP and Non-GAAP Financial Results for Second Quarter 2022 Compared to Second Quarter 2021
Total worldwide revenues of $19.3 million for the second quarter of 2022 reflected an increase of 16% compared to $16.6 million in revenue during the second quarter of 2021. Revenue results in the second quarter include $0.6 million of foreign currency impact. On a constant currency basis, total revenue in the second quarter of 2022 increased 20% compared with the prior year second quarter. Compared to the second quarter of 2021, U.S. product sales increased 18% and OUS increased 15% (or 23% on a constant currency basis).

Compared to the second quarter of 2021, total ESS product sales increased $2.4 million, or 23%, due to the continued strong demand for OverStitch and X-Tack products. Total IGB product sales increased $0.3 million compared to the prior year quarter.
Gross margin increased to 57% for the second quarter of 2022, from 55% in the second quarter of 2021, due to higher product sales resulting in overhead efficiencies and improved variable gross margin on ESS products, net of 200 basis points of foreign exchange headwinds.
Total operating expenses increased $3.2 million compared to the second quarter of 2021. The increase primarily was due to the expansion of the U.S. salesforce in the latter half of 2021, and an increase in marketing spend to drive increased revenue as the Company scales the business and focuses on driving increased utilization of its products.
Net loss for the second quarter of 2022 was $10.4 million compared to $3.0 million for the second quarter of 2021 due to changes in unrealized foreign exchange of $3.3 million between periods and the $2.9 million gain on forgiveness of PPP loan in the prior year.
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA, which excludes interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, unrealized foreign exchange and stock-based compensation, and gain on forgiveness of PPP loan, in the second quarter 2022 was a loss of $4.3 million, compared to a loss of $1.9 million in the second quarter 2021.
The Company had $140.7 million in cash and committed cash at June 30, 2022, including cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $75.7 million.
"We continue to manage cash investment prudently, with a focus on near-term growth initiatives," said Jeff Black, Chief Financial Officer. "We saw a $2.1 million sequential improvement in cash flow over the first quarter of 2022. We exited the second quarter with a multi-year runway and clear line of sight to a cash flow break-even business."
2022 Outlook
The Company is reiterating fiscal year 2022 revenue guidance to be in the range of $73 million to $75 million, inclusive of up to $3 million in foreign currency headwinds. The Company continues to monitor the potential and uncertain impact of adverse economic conditions in the U.S. and OUS. Continued or sustained COVID-19 pandemic, inflationary or recessionary pressures could impact the Company’s ability to achieve these financial projections.
Conference Call
Apollo will host a live webcast audio call with slides today at 3:30 p.m. CT / 4:30 p.m. ET. Investors are invited to join the live call via webcast from the Investors section of the Company’s corporate website at www.apolloendo.com. An audio-only option is available is available by dialing +1-973-528-0011 and referencing access code 481278 or the "Apollo Endosurgery Second Quarter 2022 Earnings Call." Investors who opt for audio-only will need to download the related slides at www.apolloendo.com.
A replay of the webcast will be made available on Apollo’s website, www.apolloendo.com, shortly after completion of the call.

Kinnate Biopharma Inc. to Participate in the 2022 Wedbush PacGrow Healthcare Virtual Conference

On August 2, 2022 Kinnate Biopharma Inc. (Nasdaq: KNTE) ("Kinnate"), a clinical-stage precision oncology company, reported that its chief executive officer, Nima Farzan, will participate in the "Bullseye – Targeted Oncology – Quanta of Targets" panel at the Wedbush PacGrow Healthcare Virtual Conference on August 10, 2022 at 10:20 a.m. ET (Press release, Kinnate Biopharma, AUG 2, 2022, View Source [SID1234617272]).

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Members of the Kinnate management team will also host investor meetings during the conference.

Investors and the general public are invited to listen to a live webcast of the session through the "Investors and Media" section on Kinnate.com. A webcast replay will be made available following the event for 30 days.

Positive Results Announced from Phase III IMscin001 Study Evaluating Subcutaneous Formulation of Tecentriq® with ENHANZE® in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

On August 2, 2022 Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALO) ("Halozyme") reported that Roche’s Phase III IMscin001 study evaluating a subcutaneous (SC) formulation of Tecentriq (atezolizumab) with Halozyme’s ENHANZE technology met its co-primary endpoints (Press release, Halozyme, AUG 2, 2022, View Source [SID1234617288]).

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The study showed non-inferior levels of Tecentriq in the blood (pharmacokinetics), when injected subcutaneously, compared with intravenous (IV) infusion in cancer immunotherapy-naïve patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for whom prior platinum therapy has failed. The safety profile of the SC formulation was consistent with IV Tecentriq.

"These positive results further demonstrate the opportunity for a coformulation of ENHANZE to potentially benefit patients by reducing the treatment time of Tecentriq to 3-8 minutes as a SC delivery from 30-60 minutes for IV treatment," commented Dr. Helen Torley, president and chief executive officer of Halozyme. "We are delighted to announce these positive results, which represent our second positive Phase III trial announcement this year for our Wave Three products."

Roche will share detailed findings of the IMscin001 study at an upcoming medical meeting and submit the data for regulatory approval to health authorities globally, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency.

About ENHANZE Technology
Halozyme’s proprietary ENHANZE drug delivery technology is based on its patented recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme (rHuPH20). rHuPH20 has been shown to remove traditional limitations on the volume of biologics that can be delivered subcutaneously (just under the skin). By using rHuPH20, some biologics and compounds that are administered intravenously may instead be delivered subcutaneously. ENHANZE may also benefit subcutaneous biologics by reducing the need for multiple injections.