MacroGenics Provides Update on Corporate Progress and 2021 Financial Results

On February 24, 2022 MacroGenics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGNX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021 (Press release, MacroGenics, FEB 24, 2022, View Source [SID1234608974]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"We are excited about our 2022 plans for our B7-H3-directed programs for the potential treatment of multiple solid tumors. We believe we are well-positioned to be a leader in this promising field and are prioritizing our efforts around B7-H3. First, I am pleased to share that later this quarter, we plan to meet with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to discuss the design of a potential registration-directed study of MGC018 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Second, we expect to initiate a study of MGC018 in combination with lorigerlimab, our bispecific DART molecule targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4, in the coming weeks. And third, during the second half of this year, we intend to provide an update from a study of our second B7-H3 targeted molecule, enoblituzumab, being evaluated in combination with two of our checkpoint molecules in front-line squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Beyond these B7-H3 programs, we are advancing several of our other clinical-stage molecules and have a variety of ongoing preclinical activities intended to expand our pipeline of differentiated investigational product candidates for the potential treatment of cancer," said Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of MacroGenics.

Updates on Proprietary Programs

B7-H3 Programs: MacroGenics is developing two investigational, clinical product candidates that target B7-H3, an antigen with broad expression across multiple solid tumor types and a member of the B7 family of molecules involved in immune regulation. Recent highlights for these two molecules include:

MGC018 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that targets B7-H3. MacroGenics presented encouraging preliminary clinical results from an ongoing Phase 1/2 study of MGC018 in patients with solid tumors at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) meetings in 2021. The Phase 1/2 study expansion cohorts are fully enrolled for patients with mCRPC (n=40) and smaller cohorts of patients (n=approximately 20 each) with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), while the Company continues to recruit patients for the SCCHN cohort. MacroGenics plans to meet with FDA later this quarter to discuss its development strategy in mCRPC. In addition, the Company intends to provide an update on clinical data from the dose expansion cohorts in the second half of 2022 as the data further mature. Finally, beyond monotherapy, the Company expects to initiate a combination study of MGC018 with lorigerlimab across multiple indications in the coming weeks.

Enoblituzumab is an Fc‐engineered, monoclonal antibody (mAb) that targets B7‐H3. MacroGenics continues to recruit patients into its Phase 2 study of enoblituzumab in combination with retifanlimab, the Company’s investigational, anti-PD-1 antibody that was licensed to Incyte, in front-line patients with SCCHN who are PD-L1 positive and with tebotelimab in SCCHN patients who are PD-L1 negative. The Company expects to complete enrollment of the PD-L1 positive patient cohort during the first half of this year and provide an update on this cohort during the second half of the year. I-Mab, MacroGenics’ partner in Greater China, announced in December that the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved its Investigational New Drug (IND) submission for the initiation of a Phase 2 trial in China for enoblituzumab in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with solid tumors, including NSCLC, urothelial carcinoma and other selected cancers.
DART Molecules for Immune Checkpoint Blockade: MacroGenics is studying multiple investigational, PD-1-directed programs to provide further differentiation from existing PD-1-based treatment options and enable combination opportunities across the Company’s portfolio. Recent highlights include:

Lorigerlimab (formerly MGD019) is a bispecific, tetravalent DART molecule targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4. MacroGenics is conducting a Phase 1/2 dose expansion study in cohorts of patients with microsatellite stable colorectal cancer (MSS CRC), mCRPC, melanoma and checkpoint-naïve NSCLC. The Company anticipates sharing data from this ongoing study in the second half of 2022. As described above, MacroGenics expects to initiate a dose escalation study of MGC018 in combination with lorigerlimab in the coming weeks.

Tebotelimab is a bispecific, tetravalent DART molecule targeting PD-1 and LAG-3. Tebotelimab was evaluated in a Phase 1/2 dose expansion study in several tumor types and is currently being studied in combination with enoblituzumab in SCCHN. The Company expects to provide an update on potential future development plans for tebotelimab in the second half of 2022. MacroGenics’ partner in Greater China, Zai Lab, recently informed the Company that it has decided to discontinue development of tebotelimab for indications it was enrolling in its territory and is evaluating future development plans in other indications.
Bispecific CD123 × CD3 DART molecule: MacroGenics has prioritized the development of MGD024, its investigational, next-generation CD123 × CD3 DART molecule, and will discontinue the development of flotetuzumab. Recent updates of these DART molecules include:

MGD024 is a next-generation, humanized CD123 × CD3 DART molecule designed to minimize cytokine-release syndrome, while maintaining anti-tumor cytolytic activity, and permitting intermittent dosing through a longer half-life. In November, MacroGenics announced submission of an IND application for MGD024 to FDA. At the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in December, MacroGenics presented preclinical data from the combination of MGD024 with standard-of-care agents used to treat CD123-positive hematological malignancies. The Company expects to initiate a Phase 1 dose escalation study of MGD024 in patients with CD123-positive neoplasms, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), pending IND clearance by FDA.

Flotetuzumab is the Company’s first-generation, investigational, bispecific CD123 × CD3 DART molecule. An interim efficacy threshold from the single-arm study evaluating flotetuzumab in patients who were refractory to induction therapy was met with manageable safety. However, the Company has recently decided to prioritize the development of MGD024 and discontinue development of flotetuzumab, in view of the Company’s belief that MGD024 may offer certain advantages over flotetuzumab, including easier dose administration and a more facile means to combine with other agents.
Margetuximab is an Fc-engineered mAb that targets the HER2 oncoprotein, which is expressed by certain breast, gastroesophageal and other solid tumor cells. MARGENZA (margetuximab-cmkb) was launched in March 2021 by MacroGenics and its commercial partner, Eversana Life Science Services, LLC, for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, in combination with chemotherapy, who have received two or more prior anti-HER2 regimens, at least one of which was for metastatic disease. In January 2022, Zai Lab announced that the China NMPA accepted the New Drug Application (NDA) for margetuximab for the treatment of the same HER2-positive breast cancer indication.

Zai Lab recently informed MacroGenics that they have decided to discontinue enrollment of Module B of the MAHOGANY study in gastric cancer based on their review of both the clinical data and the changing treatment landscape. MacroGenics previously announced in November 2021 that the Company had decided to discontinue enrollment of Module A of the MAHOGANY study.

Selected Partnered Program Updates:

IMGC936 is an investigational ADC that targets ADAM9, a cell surface protein over-expressed in several solid tumor types, and is being developed jointly under a 50/50 collaboration with ImmunoGen, Inc. Under the collaboration, ImmunoGen is leading clinical development of IMGC936 in a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating safety and pharmacokinetics in multiple solid tumors and has indicated they anticipate disclosing initial data in 2022.

Teplizumab is an investigational, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody acquired from MacroGenics by Provention Bio, Inc. under an asset purchase agreement in 2018 for which MacroGenics is entitled to receive future milestone payments and royalties on net sales. Provention is developing teplizumab for the treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D). On February 22, 2022, Provention announced that it had resubmitted the Biologics License Application (BLA) for teplizumab for the delay of clinical T1D in at-risk individuals. The BLA resubmission followed Provention’s Type B meeting with FDA earlier in the year.
2021 Financial Results

Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of December 31, 2021, were $243.6 million, compared to $272.5 million as of December 31, 2020.
Revenue: Total revenue, consisting primarily of revenue from collaborative agreements, was $77.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to total revenue of $104.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021 included $12.3 million net sales of MARGENZA.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $214.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $193.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily related to development, manufacturing and clinical trial costs related to MGC018, as well as other preclinical molecules and increased clinical expenses related to enoblituzumab and lorigerlimab. These increases were partially offset by decreased development and manufacturing costs related to retifanlimab for Incyte and decreased clinical costs and BLA support for margetuximab.
SG&A Expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $63.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $42.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily related to the MARGENZA launch, as well as labor-related costs and legal expenses.
Net Loss: Net loss was $202.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to net loss of $129.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Shares Outstanding: Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021 were 61,307,428.
Cash Runway Guidance: MacroGenics anticipates that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of December 31, 2021, plus anticipated and potential collaboration payments, and product revenues should enable it to fund its operations through 2023. Such guidance does not reflect anticipated expenditures related to the potential late-stage development of MGC018 in mCRPC or further expansion of studies currently ongoing.
Conference Call Information

MacroGenics will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. (ET) to discuss financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021 and provide a corporate update. To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 303-6253 (domestic) or (973) 409-9610 (international) five minutes prior to the start of the call and provide the Conference ID: 1067087.

The listen-only webcast of the conference call can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call and archived on the Company’s website for 30 days following the call.

Silverback Therapeutics to Present at the 42nd Annual Cowen Healthcare Conference

On February 24, 2022 Silverback Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBTX) ("Silverback"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary ImmunoTAC technology platform to develop systemically delivered, tissue targeted therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, chronic viral infections, and other serious diseases, reported that members of the Silverback management team will participate in the 42nd Annual Cowen Healthcare Conference from March 7-9, 2022 (Press release, Silverback Therapeutics, FEB 24, 2022, View Source [SID1234608989]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Laura Shawver, Ph.D., Silverback’s Chief Executive Officer, will present a corporate overview on Wednesday, March 9th, 2022, at 12:50 p.m. ET (9:50 a.m. PT). The live webcast of the presentation will be available on Silverback’s Investor Relations website and a replay will be available for 30 days following the event. Members of the Silverback management team will also host investor meetings during the conference.

Novocure Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results and Provides Company Update

On February 24, 2022 Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021 (Press release, NovoCure, FEB 24, 2022, View Source [SID1234609008]). Novocure is a global oncology company working to extend survival in some of the most aggressive forms of cancer by developing and commercializing its innovative therapy, Tumor Treating Fields ("TTFields").

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"We founded Novocure to exploit the novel observation that electric fields can be harnessed to disrupt cancer cell division," said William Doyle, Novocure’s Executive Chairman. "More than two decades later, we continue to build our knowledge and capabilities to optimize the Tumor Treating Fields therapy platform and to bring Tumor Treating Fields therapy to cancer patients. Last year, we generated over half a billion dollars in net revenues and invested two hundred million dollars in R&D. With multiple pivotal clinical studies set to read out in the coming 24 months, we are nearing a key inflection point for cancer patients and our business."

Financial updates for the full year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2021:

Total net revenues for the year were $535.0 million, an increase of 8% year-over-year.
Total net revenues for the quarter were $133.2 million. The company did not recognize material revenue from its Medicare backlog in the quarter. This compares to $11 million received from the successful appeal of previously denied Medicare claims in the fourth quarter of 2020.
The United States, EMEA and Japan contributed $92.0 million, $26.5 million, and $8.8 million in quarterly net revenues, respectively. Revenue in Greater China from Novocure’s partnership with Zai Lab totaled $5.8 million.
Gross margin for the quarter was 78%.
Research, development and clinical studies expenses for the quarter were $56.9 million.
Sales and marketing expenses for the quarter were $39.0 million.
General and administrative expenses for the quarter were $31.0 million.
Net loss for the quarter was $26.5 million with loss per share of $0.25.
Adjusted EBITDA* for the quarter was $1.7 million.
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $937.7 million as of December 31, 2021.
Operational updates for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2021:

As of December 31, 2021, there were 3,587 active patients on therapy, an increase of 5% year-over-year. Active patients from North America, EMEA and Japan contributed 2,272, 1,008 and 307 active patients, respectively.
1,430 prescriptions were received in the quarter, an increase of 1% year-over-year. Prescriptions from North America, EMEA and Japan contributed 966, 349 and 115 prescriptions, respectively.
Quarterly achievements:

In November, we announced the last patient had been enrolled in our phase 3 pivotal LUNAR study for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC"). Patients will be followed for 12 months, with top-line data expected by year-end 2022.
In November, Dr. David Tran, Chief of the Division of Neuro-Oncology at the McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Florida, released updated data from the phase 2 pilot 2-THE-TOP study testing the safety and efficacy of TTFields together with pembrolizmuab and temozolomide for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma ("GBM"). In patients with greater than 9 months of follow-up, median progression-free survival was at least 11.2 months compared to 6.7 months from Novocure’s pivotal EF-14 study, in which patients received TTFields and temozolomide, and 4.0 months from the control arm of EF-14, where patients received temozolomide alone.
In December, we announced the acquisition and construction of an office building in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The property will provide space for our growing employee base and house a world-class training and development center.
2022 Outlook:

The company expects to achieve active patient growth between 2% to 5% in 2022, in-line with the growth rate experienced in the fourth quarter of 2021. Longer term, the company continues to expect further adoption in its core GBM business.
Anticipated clinical milestones:

Data from phase 2 pilot EF-31 study in gastric cancer (2022)
Data from phase 2 pilot EF-33 study with high-intensity arrays in recurrent GBM (2022)
Last patient enrollment in phase 3 pivotal METIS study in brain metastases (2022)
Data from phase 3 pivotal LUNAR study in NSCLC (2022)
Last patient enrollment in phase 3 pivotal PANOVA-3 study in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (2023)
Data from phase 3 pivotal INNOVATE-3 study in recurrent ovarian cancer (2023)
Data from phase 3 pivotal METIS study in brain metastases (2023)
Data from phase 3 pivotal PANOVA-3 study in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (2024)
Conference call details

Novocure will host a conference call and webcast to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2021 financial results at 8 a.m. EST today, Thursday, February 24, 2022. Analysts and investors can participate in the conference call by dialing 855-442-6895 for domestic callers and 509-960-9037 for international callers, using the conference ID 8879093.

The webcast, earnings slides presented during the webcast and the corporate presentation can be accessed live from the Investor Relations page of Novocure’s website, www.novocure.com/investor-relations, and will be available for at least 14 days following the call. Novocure has used, and intends to continue to use, its investor relations website, as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

Update on recent developments regarding Dasynoc

On February 24, 2022 Xspray Pharma AB (publ), (Nasdaq Stockholm: XSPRAY) reported an update on recent developments regarding Xspray Pharma’s first product, Dasynoc, currently under review by the United States Food & Drug Administration ("FDA") (Press release, Xspray, FEB 24, 2022, View Source [SID1234650013]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Bristol Myers Squibb ("BMS") has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against Xspray Pharma claiming patent infringement in relation to the filing of Xspray Pharma’s Dasynoc New Drug Application ("NDA") with the FDA.

"Xspray Pharma has a process for making stable amorphous products that are not covered by BMS’s patents. While we cannot predict the outcome of any litigation, BMS’s lawsuit is entirely expected, and I am confident the court will ultimately rule in our favor and allow us to provide an improved product", said Per Andersson, CEO Xspray Pharma.

The ongoing work with Dasynoc remains on track and these developments will not mean any change of strategic or operational direction for Xspray Pharma. It is also worth noting that the ongoing FDA approval process will proceed in parallel.

Xspray Pharma will not be providing any additional information or comments on this matter for the time being.

Gritstone to Participate in Cowen 42nd Annual Health Care Conference

On February 24, 2022 Gritstone bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRTS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing the next generation of cancer and infectious disease immunotherapies, reported that Andrew Allen, M.D., Ph.D., Co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer will participate in the "Infectious Disease" panel at the Cowen 42nd Annual Health Care Conference, which is being held virtually from March 7 to 9 (Press release, Gritstone Oncology, FEB 24, 2022, View Source [SID1234608929]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Panel Details
Title: Infectious Disease
Date and Time: Wednesday, March 9th from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. ET

A live webcast of the panel will be accessible via the Investors & Media section of the company’s website at View Source An archived replay will be accessible for 30 days following the event.