Adamis Pharmaceuticals Schedules First Quarter 2022 Financial Results Conference Call and Business Update

On May 9, 2022 Adamis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NASDAQ: ADMP), a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing specialty products for allergy, opioid overdose, respiratory and inflammatory disease, reported that it will host an investor conference call on Monday, May 16, 2022 at 2 p.m. Pacific Time to discuss its financial and operating results for the first quarter 2022 as well as provide a business update (Press release, Adamis Pharmaceuticals, MAY 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234614115]). The company’s press release concerning its first quarter 2022 financial results is expected to be available after 1 p.m. Pacific Time on May 16, 2022, and on its website.

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Dennis J. Carlo, Ph.D., President and CEO of Adamis, will host the call along with other members of the management team. The call is open to the public and will provide an update on recent developments, events that have taken place during the year, and certain goals for future periods. Forward-looking statements concerning expectations regarding future company performance may be made during the conference call.

A live audio webcast of the conference call will also be available via this link, with a replay available shortly after the live event.

BioNTech Announces First Quarter Financial Results and Corporate Update

On May 9, 2022 BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX, "BioNTech" or the "Company") reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and provided an update on its corporate progress (Press release, BioNTech, MAY 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234613874]).
"During the first quarter, we demonstrated continued execution across our growth pillars in addressing infectious diseases and oncology," said Ugur Sahin, M.D., CEO and Co-Founder of BioNTech. "We have enhanced our COVID-19 vaccine leadership and reported encouraging data for our first-in-human CAR-T therapy in solid tumors. Driven by our execution in innovation, we believe we are well positioned to achieve multiple product launches in the coming years, which would facilitate significant long-term growth."

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Key First Quarter Financial Results

"We believe the global deployment of our vaccine has likely saved millions of lives and had a significant impact on humanity. As a result of an increased order volume initially placed in late 2021 following the then emerging Omicron variant, we began the year 2022 with strong revenues and earnings, leaving us well-positioned to achieve the 2022 financial guidance we issued a few months ago," said Jens Holstein, CFO of BioNTech. "This notable financial performance also helps us to invest heavily in research and development in the years to come fueling the potential to drive future waves of innovation and growth."

Outlook for the 2022 Financial Year Reiterated

The Company reiterates its prior 2022 financial year outlook, which includes the following components:

BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Revenues for the 2022 Financial Year:

Estimated BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine revenues for the full 2022 financial year €13 billion – €17 billion
This revenue estimate reflects expected revenues related to BioNTech’s share of gross profit from COVID-19 vaccine sales in the collaboration partners’ territories, from direct COVID-19 vaccine sales to customers in BioNTech’s territory and expected revenues generated from products manufactured by BioNTech and sold to collaboration partners.

Planned 2022 Financial Year Expenses and Capex:

R&D expenses €1,400 million – €1,500 million
SG&A expenses €450 million – €550 million
Capital expenditures €450 million – €550 million
The ranges reflect current base case projections and do not include potential effects caused by or driven from additional collaborations or potential mergers and acquisitions transactions.

Estimated 2022 Financial Year Tax Assumptions:

BioNTech Group estimated annual effective income tax rate ~28%
Capital Allocation Framework

Given BioNTech’s strong financial, scientific and operational accomplishments, BioNTech believes that it has the resources to diligently allocate its current capital to drive a multi-platform strategy and continue to strengthen BioNTech as a fully integrated global biotechnology company, allowing it to invest in research and development activities and its global development organization, mergers and acquisitions and business development opportunities, and enhance its global footprint, including commercial and manufacturing infrastructure.
In addition, BioNTech has undertaken the following steps to return capital to shareholders, as announced in March 2022.

The Company has authorized a share repurchase program of American Depositary Shares (ADSs), pursuant to which the Company may repurchase issued and outstanding ADSs in the amount of up to $1.5 billion over the next two years. The first tranche of the share repurchase program, with a value of up to $1.0 billion, commenced on May 2, 2022.
The Management Board and Supervisory Board have proposed a special cash dividend of €2.00 per ordinary share (including those held in the form of ADSs), which corresponds to an aggregate of approximately €486.0 million, based on the number of ordinary shares and ADSs outstanding as of April 30, 2022, pending approval at the Annual General Meeting to be held in June 2022, which the Company expects to serve as the record date for the dividend.
Detailed First Quarter Financial Results

Revenues: Total revenues reported were €6,374.6 million1 for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to €2,048.4 million1 for the comparative prior year period. The increase was mainly due to increased commercial revenues from the supply and sales of the Company’s COVID-19 vaccine worldwide.
Under the collaboration agreements, territories have been allocated between BioNTech, Pfizer and Fosun Pharma based on marketing and distribution rights. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, BioNTech’s commercial revenues included €4,586.9 million1 gross profit share (€1,504.7 million1 gross profit share and €247.2 million1 sales milestones during the comparative prior year period). BioNTech’s share of the collaboration partners’ gross profit is based on COVID-19 vaccine sales in Pfizer’s and Fosun Pharma’s territories and represents a net figure.
In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2022, BioNTech recognized €1,163.1 million of direct COVID-19 vaccine sales to customers in BioNTech’s territory, Germany and Turkey, as well as €603.2 million sales of products manufactured by BioNTech for its collaboration partners (€199.8 million and €63.9 million, respectively during the comparative prior year period).

Cost of Sales: Cost of sales was €1,294.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to €233.1 million for the comparative prior year period. The increase in cost of sales resulted mainly from the recognition of costs related to BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine revenues which included the share of gross profit owed to its collaboration partner Pfizer. This increase in cost of sales is additionally attributed to expenses arising from inventory write-offs and for production capacities derived from contracts with Contract Manufacturing Organizations.
Research and Development Expenses: Research and development expenses were €285.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to €216.2 million for the comparative prior year period. The increase was mainly due to recognizing costs related to the production of pre-launch Omicron vaccine products as research and development expenses in the period incurred and an increase in headcount. The increase was partly offset by lower research and development expenses related to the Company’s COVID-19 vaccine program as compared to the prior year period.
General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses were €90.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to €38.9 million for the comparative prior year period. The increase was mainly due to increased expenses for purchased management consulting and legal services as well as an increase in headcount.
Income Taxes: Income taxes were accrued in an amount to €1,319.3 million of tax expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to €514.2 million of tax income for the comparative prior year period. The derived effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was 26.3%.
Net Profit: Net profit was €3,698.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to €1,128.1 million for the comparative prior year period.
Cash, Cash Deposits and Trade Receivables: As of March 31, 2022, cash and cash equivalents were €6,164.1 million. In addition, trade receivables remained outstanding as of March 31, 2022, mainly due to the contractual settlement of the gross profit share under the COVID-19 collaboration with Pfizer, which has a temporal offset of more than one calendar quarter. As Pfizer’s fiscal quarter for subsidiaries outside the United States differs from BioNTech’s financial reporting cycle, it creates an additional time lag between the recognition of revenues and the payment receipt. Trade receivables for example include the gross profit share for the fourth quarter of 2021 (as defined by the contract) for which the settlement payment was received subsequent to the end of the reporting period in April 2022. Of the total trade receivables of €12,695.8 million which were outstanding as of March 31, 2022, €5,243.8 million were received in cash by mid-April 2022.
Shares Outstanding: Shares outstanding as of March 31, 2022, were 243,019,216.
The full interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements can be found in BioNTech’s Report on Form 6-K, filed today with the SEC and available at View Source
1BioNTech’s profit share is estimated based on preliminary data shared between Pfizer and BioNTech as further described in BioNTech’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021 as well as its Quarterly Report as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2022, filed as an exhibit to BioNTech’s Current Report on Form 6-K filed on May 9, 2022. Any changes in the estimated share of the collaboration partner’s gross profit will be recognized prospectively.
2Calculated applying the average foreign exchange rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as published by the German Central Bank (Deutsche Bundesbank).

First Quarter 2022 and Subsequent Program Updates

On March 30, 2022, BioNTech announced its Full Year 2021 Financial Results and Corporate Update as a part of the Annual Report filed on Form 20-F, also highlighting developments between January 1 and March 30, 2022 (Link to press release). A summary of these developments as well as details of subsequent developments that occurred after March 30, 2022 is provided in the sections below.

COVID-19 Vaccine Program – BNT162

BNT162b2, the first ever approved mRNA-based product, has paved the way for a new class of medicines. BioNTech and Pfizer continue to execute on plans for global COVID-19 vaccine leadership with multiple new product launches, including label expansions, pediatric dosage forms, and development of follow-on and next generation vaccine candidates.

Commercial updates

In the first quarter of 2022, BioNTech and Pfizer have invoiced approximately 750 million COVID-19 vaccine doses. As of end-April 2022, the Companies have signed orders for approximately 2.4 billion doses in 2022. As part of BioNTech’s pledge to equitable access to medicines, the Companies are on track to deliver a total of more than two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine to low- and middle-income countries by the end of 2022.

Manufacturing updates

BioNTech and Pfizer’s global COVID-19 vaccine supply chain and manufacturing network includes 20 manufacturing facilities spanning four continents.

In February 2022, BioNTech announced its turnkey manufacturing solution, named "BioNTainer", which is designed to enable scalable mRNA vaccine production in bulk. The novel approach utilizes a modular manufacturing unit made up of state-of-the-art manufacturing containers. BioNTainers are designed and equipped to manufacture a range of mRNA-based vaccines, for example COVID-19 vaccine doses. With their scalable and modular approach, BioNTainers are intended to enable the production of high-quality mRNA vaccine manufacturing worldwide. The establishment of the first modular mRNA manufacturing facility in the African Union is expected to start in the second half of 2022.
Clinical development and regulatory updates

BioNTech and Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has received multiple regulatory approvals including expansions of authorizations for booster and pediatric vaccinations, and updated storage conditions.

Label expansions achieved in the first quarter of 2022 include approvals in multiple geographies of a booster dose in individuals 12 years and older, which were supported by real-world vaccine efficacy data.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also expanded the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in the first quarter of 2022 to include a second booster (fourth dose) for both individuals aged 50 years and older and individuals aged 12 years and older with certain kinds of immunocompromised conditions, who have previously received a booster of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine.

The Companies are continuing a robust booster development program to address waning efficacy and partial escape variants and to provide continued protection by the vaccine.

Additionally, BioNTech and Pfizer continue to monitor protection offered by BNT162b2 against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. BNT162b2 offers a high level of protection against variants of concern, including Alpha, Beta, and Delta, and laboratory results published in Science demonstrated three doses of BNT162b2 neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.

Real-world data from Israel suggest a fourth dose of BNT162b2 increases immunogenicity and lowers rates of confirmed infections and severe illness in the elderly population. A real-world study conducted by the Israeli Ministry of Health showed that in individuals over 60 years of age, confirmed infection and severe disease after a fourth dose was lower compared to individuals who did not receive a fourth dose (Bar-On YM, et al MedRxiv. Protection by 4th dose of BNT162b2 against Omicron in Israel; February 1, 2022).

BioNTech and Pfizer are evaluating follow-on COVID-19 vaccines, including an Omicron-adapted candidate and bivalent vaccines directed against the Omicron and other strains of SARS-CoV-2, as well as novel next generation vaccine concepts. The studies are part of the ongoing effort to develop next generation COVID-19 vaccines designed to provide a broad protection against emerging variants of concern.

In a recent preprint publication (bioRxiv. Omicron breakthrough infection drives cross-variant neutralization and memory B cell formation; April 1, 2022) BioNTech showed that Omicron breakthrough infection in BNT162b2 vaccinated individuals results in strong neutralizing activity against both Omicron and previous SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. In vitro analyses of blood sera samples from individuals double- and triple-vaccinated with BNT162b2 demonstrated that Omicron breakthrough infection mediated a broad B cell recall response, primarily through expanded preformed memory B cells that recognize antigens shared broadly by different variants, rather than inducing new B cells against strictly Omicron-specific antigens. These observations suggest that a vaccine adapted to the Omicron strain spike could similarly reshape the B-cell memory repertoire and be more beneficial than an extended series of boosters with the existing vaccines directed against the ancestral strain.

In January 2022, BioNTech and Pfizer announced the initiation of clinical trials to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of an Omicron-adapted vaccine in healthy adults 18 to less than 56 years of age and adults greater than 55 years of age. The study is evaluating approximately 2,150 participants across multiple cohorts examining different regimens of the current COVID-19 vaccine or an Omicron-adapted vaccine in both vaccine experienced and naive subjects. The study also includes cohorts evaluating a bivalent Omicron-adapted vaccine. A data update is now expected in the coming weeks and will be shared with regulatory agencies.
In February 2022, following a request from the U.S. FDA, BioNTech and Pfizer initiated a rolling submission seeking to amend the EUA to include children six months to less than five years of age in response to the urgent public health need in this population. The Phase 1/2/3 trial for this patient population was designed to evaluate safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity. Following study amendments, BioNTech and Pfizer are evaluating a three-dose regimen of 3 µg per dose in children six months to less than five years of age. The data are now expected in the coming weeks.
In April 2022, multiple regulatory agencies, including the EMA and U.S. FDA authorized the extension of the shelf-life of the vaccine from nine months to twelve months when stored at -90°C to -60°C.
In April 2022, BioNTech and Pfizer announced data from a Phase 2/3 clinical trial demonstrating high immune response following a booster (third) dose of BNT162b2 in 140 healthy children five through 11 years of age. Data demonstrated that a booster dose given approximately six months after the second dose of the 10 µg primary series increased neutralizing antibodies by six-fold against the SARS-CoV-2 wild-type strain compared to levels seen after two doses. Also, data from a subanalysis of 30 sera showed a 36-fold increase in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron neutralizing titers following a booster dose. The vaccine was well tolerated with no new safety signals observed. The Companies submitted these data to U.S. FDA at the end of April 2022. Additional submissions to other regulatory agencies worldwide are ongoing.
In May 2022, the European Commission approved the reduction of the interval between the primary course and booster vaccination from ​six months to three months in individuals 12 years of age and older.
Additional Infectious Disease Programs

Prevention and treatment of infectious diseases is a long-term growth pillar for BioNTech, and the Company’s objective is to be a leader in mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases. With investments in multiple programs to address diseases with major impact on global population health and on people in lower income countries, the Company is advancing its pipeline of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics to address multiple high-need indications.

BioNTech is on track to initiate four first-in-human clinical trials in the second half of 2022 that include mRNA-based product candidates designed to address shingles (in collaboration with Pfizer), malaria, tuberculosis and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV 2).

Influenza Vaccine Program

BioNTech is collaborating with Pfizer to develop an influenza vaccine based on the Company’s suite of mRNA platforms.

A Phase 1 trial to evaluate BNT161, an mRNA vaccine candidate, is ongoing and a dose-finding study for a self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine candidate is planned. A data update is expected in 2022.

Oncology

BioNTech’s immuno-oncology strategy is based on pioneering approaches that harness the immune response to treat cancer. BioNTech has multiple clinical stage assets across different therapeutic classes which may have the potential to tackle tumors using complementary strategies, either by targeting tumor cells directly, or by modulating the immune response against the tumor. The Company’s oncology pillars include mRNA therapeutic vaccines, CAR-T immunotherapies, cell therapies, individualized neoantigen specific immunotherapies, RiboMabs, next-generation checkpoint immunomodulators, anti-tumor antibodies and small molecules. Many product candidates have the potential to be combined with other pipeline assets or already approved therapies.

This diverse toolkit of different technologies and modes of action has the potential to address a broad range of solid tumors in different disease stages, using both off-the-shelf and individualized approaches. For its antigen-specific immune therapies, BioNTech has assembled libraries of more than 300 proprietary or known shared antigens and has developed predictive algorithms capable of efficiently identifying multiple neoantigens on an individualized basis for any patient.

BioNTech’s clinical stage oncology pipeline includes a total of 16 product candidates in 20 ongoing clinical trials including five now in randomized Phase 2 clinical trials: two FixVac programs (BNT111 and BNT113), two indications for the iNeST product candidate autogene cevumeran (BNT122/RO7198457), and the bispecific antibody checkpoint immunomodulator BNT311 (GEN1046). BioNTech’s first-in-human trial of the Company’s novel CAR-T cell therapy candidate, BNT211, is continuing to show encouraging clinical data, an important proof-point of the Company’s scientific innovation engine.

BioNTech expects continued pipeline advancement and expansion, as well as further data readouts from the ongoing trials, in 2022.

mRNA programs

FixVac

BioNTech’s off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapy approach, FixVac, leverages the Company’s proprietary uridine mRNA (uRNA) backbone that encodes cancer-specific shared antigens for intravenous administration using the proprietary RNA-LPX formulation and is optimized for induction of strong antigen-specific immune responses. FixVac product candidates may be of clinical utility in combination with anti-PD1 in patients with a lower mutational burden tumors, including those who have already experienced checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) therapy.

Two FixVac programs are in ongoing Phase 2 trials: BNT111 in PD1 inhibitor refractory/relapsed melanoma (in collaboration with Regeneron) and BNT113 in HPV16+ PDL1+ head and neck cancer.

BNT116 – The first-in-human clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of BNT116 is expected to be initiated in the second half of 2022.
In March 2022, BioNTech announced the expansion of its strategic collaboration with Regeneron. Under the agreement, the combination of BNT116 and Libtayo is expected to be advanced into clinical development for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Individualized neoantigen specific immunotherapy (iNeST)

BioNTech’s individualized cancer immunotherapy approach (iNeST) is also based on pharmacologically optimized uridine mRNA (uRNA) backbone delivered in the Company’s proprietary RNA-LPX formulation.

BioNTech’s lead iNeST product candidate, autogene cevumeran (BNT122), is being developed together with Genentech as part of a co-development and co-commercialization collaboration.

Individual mRNA cancer vaccines encode the patient’s own tumor mutations, against which neoantigen specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses are generated in vivo. BioNTech believes this modality is well-suited for use in early-stage cancers and the adjuvant setting.

A randomized Phase 2 trial of autogene cevumeran in the adjuvant treatment of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) positive, surgically resected Stage II (high-risk)/Stage III colorectal cancer is ongoing. The trial is expected to enroll about 200 patients to evaluate the efficacy of autogene cevumeran compared to watchful waiting after surgery and chemotherapy, the current standard of care for these high-risk patients.
A data update from the ongoing randomized Phase 2 trial of autogene cevumeran combined with pembrolizumab in patients with 1L metastatic melanoma is expected in the second half of 2022.
RiboMabs

BioNTech’s RiboMab product candidates, BNT141 and BNT142, are designed to encode cancer cell targeting antibodies. These product candidates leverage the Company’s proprietary optimized mRNA technology combining nucleoside modifications to minimize immunogenicity with modifications in the mRNA backbone to maximize protein expression. RiboMabs may address the limitations of recombinant antibodies, including avoidance of protein manufacturing challenges and short plasma half-life.

BNT141 encodes an antibody targeting Claudin-18.2, expressed in high unmet medical need tumors, including multiple epithelial solid tumors, such as gastric and pancreatic cancers.
In January 2022, the first participant was dosed in an open-label, multi-site Phase 1/2 dose escalation, safety, and pharmacokinetic trial of BNT141 followed by expansion cohorts in patients with Claudin (CLDN)-18.2-positive tumors.
BNT142 encodes a bispecific T cell engaging antibody that targets CD3, a T cell receptor component, and Claudin-6 (CLDN6), an oncofetal cell surface antigen found in solid tumors.
BioNTech plans to start a Phase 1 clinical trial for BNT142 in the first half of 2022.
Cell therapies

CAR-T cell immunotherapy

BNT211, BioNTech’s first chimeric antigen receptor, or CAR-T cell product candidate, targets CLDN6-positive solid tumors in combination with a CAR-T cell-amplifying RNA-vaccine, or CARVac, encoding CLDN6. CARVac is also based on pharmacologically optimized uridine mRNA (uRNA) backbone delivered in the Company’s proprietary RNA-LPX formulation. CLDN-6 CAR-T cells are equipped with a second-generation CAR of high sensitivity and specificity for the tumor-specific carcino-embryonic antigen CLDN6. CARVac drives in vivo expansion of transferred CAR-T cells, increasing their persistence and efficacy. BNT211 is designed to overcome CAR-T cell therapy limitations in patients with solid tumors.

BNT211 – A Phase 1/2 open-label dose escalation and dose expansion trial evaluating BNT211 in patients with CLDN6-positive solid tumors is ongoing.

Data from the ongoing trial were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Conference 2022. The presentation included data from 16 patients who received CLDN6 CAR-T cells at two dose levels alone or combined with CARVac. Tumor indications included testicular cancer (eight patients), ovarian cancer (four patients), endometrial cancer, fallopian tube cancer, sarcoma, and gastric cancer (one patient each).

The preliminary efficacy data showed encouraging signs of clinical activity with a disease control rate of 86% and an overall response rate of 43%. All 16 patients showed robust CAR-T cell engraftment with peak expansion 10 to 17 days after infusion reaching cell frequencies of 109 total cell counts or above at the higher dose level. At the first efficacy assessment six weeks post infusion, six of 14 evaluable patients showed a partial response, or PR, and five patients had stable disease, or SD, with shrinkage of target lesions. Responses were seen in four testicular and two ovarian cancer patients. At 12 weeks, four of the six patients with a PR showed deepening and durability of responses with one patient reaching a complete response 18 weeks after infusion. All four testicular cancer patients in the higher dose level had disease control and three of these patients showed objective responses. In addition, one testicular cancer patient showed partial response after infusion of the lowest CAR-T dose level in combination with CARVac. Antitumor activity tended to be higher at the higher CAR-T dose and when combined with the vaccine, with four of five patients in the CARVac combination group showing a partial response.

The results also demonstrated an encouraging safety profile as adverse events and dose limiting toxicities were manageable.

Another data update from the ongoing Phase 1/2 trial is expected in the second half of 2022.
Corporate Updates
A key component of BioNTech’s corporate strategy is strengthening the Company’s technology platforms, digital capabilities and infrastructure through select strategic partnerships and acquisitions. In the first quarter of 2022, BioNTech entered into several new collaborations and research agreements. These included a collaboration with InstaDeep Ltd. to develop an early warning system for new SARS-CoV-2 variants, a multi-target discovery collaboration with Crescendo Biologics Ltd., and an asset purchase and option agreement with MediGene AG to develop novel T cell receptor-based immunotherapies against cancer.

In April 2022, BioNTech was granted a pandemic preparedness contract by the Federal Republic of Germany. The framework agreement is aimed at pandemic preparedness including manufacturing and supply of mRNA vaccines in emergency situations in Germany. Under the preparedness agreement, which has an initial term of five years, BioNTech will reserve and maintain manufacturing capabilities to produce at least 80 million mRNA-based vaccine doses per year.
In April 2022, BioNTech entered into an exclusive research collaboration with Matinas Biopharma to evaluate the combination of mRNA formats and Matinas’ proprietary Lipid Nanocrystal, or LNC, platform technology, including a potential formulation for oral vaccines.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)

BioNTech’s commitment to social responsibility, responsible governance, environmental and climate protection, respecting human rights, and providing equitable access to medicines is intrinsic to the vision of the Company. This commitment is best demonstrated through the Company’s efforts to democratize access to innovative medicines. In addition to the COVID-19 vaccine pledge to low and middle income countries, the Company is also addressing high medical need diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis that are prevalent on the African continent.

At the beginning of April 2022, BioNTech published its second ESG report (Sustainability Report 2021), which can be found in the Investor Relations section of BioNTech’s website.

Upcoming Investor and Analyst Events

The Annual General Meeting will take place on June 1, 2022.
BioNTech plans to host a Virtual Capital Markets Day, for analysts and investors on June 29, 2022.
Conference Call and Webcast Information

BioNTech invites investors and the general public to join a conference call and webcast with investment analysts on the same day at 8.00 a.m. EDT (2.00 p.m. CEST) to report its financial results and provide a corporate update for the first quarter of 2022.

The slide presentation and audio of the webcast will be available via this link.

To participate in the conference call, please dial the following numbers ten minutes prior to the start and provide the Conference ID:

Participants may also access the slides and the webcast of the conference call via the "Events & Presentations" page of 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.

OPKO Health Acquires ModeX Therapeutics, Gains Proprietary Immunotherapy Technology with a Focus on Oncology and Infectious Diseases

On May 9, 2022 OPKO Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPK), a multinational biopharmaceutical and diagnostics company, reported the acquisition of ModeX Therapeutics, Inc. a privately held biotechnology company focused on developing innovative multi-specific immune therapies for cancer and infectious diseases (Press release, Opko Health, MAY 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234613907]). OPKO acquired ModeX for $300 million in OPKO common stock .

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Founded in October 2020 with headquarters in Natick, Mass., ModeX Therapeutics has developed highly flexible multi-specific antibody technology platforms with broad targeting and functional capabilities, simpler manufacturing and potentially better specificity and safety, providing significant differentiation from competing platforms. The design of these multi-specifics is amenable to gene-based delivery by mRNA or DNA vectors. The ModeX product portfolio includes cancer immunotherapies that combine four specificities into one protein to improve targeting and immune killing, as well as masking or "stealth" technology to improve tumor-specific killing and reduce side effects. For viral diseases, the lead targets of a broad and potent multi-specific antibody portfolio include HIV and SARS-CoV-2. A vaccine for Epstein-Barr virus is also in development.

"The acquisition of ModeX Therapeutics significantly broadens our technology foundation and expands our product pipeline to include multi-specific multi-functional antibodies focused on a range of cancers and infectious diseases, with applicability to other therapeutic areas. We believe the promise of better outcomes for patients treated with these multi-specific antibodies represents a next generation of large molecule therapeutics and the next chapter of OPKO," said Phillip Frost, M.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OPKO. "We welcome ModeX’s co-founders Dr. Zerhouni and Dr. Nabel, as well as Alexis Borisy to our Board of Directors, and Dr. Zerhouni and Dr. Nabel to OPKO’s executive management team. The ModeX executive team brings to OPKO a wealth of experience, knowledge and industry contacts, which we expect will have a tremendous long-term positive impact on OPKO as we advance their technology and product pipeline and leverage potential synergies with our current portfolio in diagnostics and therapeutics."

Elias Zerhouni, M.D., Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of ModeX, has been appointed President and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of OPKO. Dr. Zerhouni brings extensive experience in academia, government and industry as a leading authority on emerging trends and issues in medical care and biomedical research and development. A physician scientist with an academic background in imaging and biomedical engineering, Dr. Zerhouni most recently served as President of Global Research & Development and Executive Vice President of Sanofi. Dr. Zerhouni also served as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Senior Fellow for Global Health Research at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Presidential U.S. Envoy for Science and Technology, and Professor and Chair of the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, Executive Vice Dean and Dean for Research at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Zerhouni was elected to the National Academy of Medicine and to the National Academy of Engineering. He serves on the Board of the Lasker Foundation, the Foundation for NIH, the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative and Research!America. He received the 2017 Scripps Executive of the Year Award for the pharmaceutical industry and the French Legion of Honor in 2008. He has been a director of Danaher Corporation since 2009.

"Being part of OPKO represents a transformative opportunity for both companies. We anticipate it will accelerate ModeX’s product pipeline focused on unmet needs in oncology and infectious diseases and the development of our innovative technologies, and also will take advantage of synergies with OPKO’s programs," said Dr. Zerhouni. "ModeX has operated quietly since we were founded 18 months ago on the basis of over 10 years of prior foundational work. We have assembled a world-class executive team with outstanding public and private sector leadership experience to advance our programs. Our lead drug candidate is already in the clinic while several others in late preclinical stages are expected to enter clinical development in 2023. We were enticed to join OPKO by its leadership’s vision and enthusiasm for strengthening our mutual potential for breakthrough innovation."

Gary Nabel, M.D., Ph.D., Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of ModeX, has been appointed Chief Innovation Officer of OPKO and joins OPKO’s Board of Directors. Dr. Nabel, a renowned virologist and immunologist, served as Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Vice President of Sanofi where he directed the breakthrough laboratory that developed tri-specific products now in early clinical development. He is the founding director of the NIH’s Vaccine Research Center, working on vaccines and broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV, influenza, SARS, Ebola, Chikungunya and Epstein-Barr virus. He was previously an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of Michigan. In recognition of his expertise at the forefront of virology, immunology, gene therapy and molecular biology, Dr. Nabel was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, is a fellow of the American Association of Physicians and the American Academy of Arts Sciences, and was awarded the Geoffrey Beene Builders of Science Award from Research!America.

Alexis Borisy, the Lead Independent Director of ModeX, also joins OPKO’s Board of Directors. Mr. Borisy is a leading biotechnology entrepreneur and investor with more than 25 years of experience, including founding, serving as Chief Executive Officer and/or Chairman of nine NASDAQ-listed companies. He co-founded and served as either the Chief Executive Officer or Chairman of Blueprint Medicines, Foundation Medicine, Relay Therapeutics, Tango Therapeutics, Celsius Therapeutics and CombinatoRx.

With the additions of Dr. Zerhouni, Dr. Nabel and Mr. Borisy to OPKO’s Board, the number of Directors expands to 13.

Conference Call & Webcast Information

Management will discuss this transaction and answer questions during the company’s previously scheduled first quarter 2022 conference call, to be held today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Participants can pre-register for the conference call using this link. Callers who pre-register will be given a unique PIN to gain immediate access to the call and bypass the live operator. Participants may register at any time, including up to and after the call start time. Those unable to pre-register may participate by dialing (866) 777-2509 (U.S.) or (412) 317-5413 (International). A webcast of the call may also be accessed at OPKO’s Investor Relations page and here.

A telephone replay will be available until May 16, 2022 by dialing (877) 344-7529 (U.S.) or (412) 317-0088 (International) and providing the passcode 6587528. A webcast replay will be available beginning approximately one hour after the completion of the live conference call here.

Neoleukin Therapeutics Announces First Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Corporate Update

On May 9, 2022 Neoleukin Therapeutics, Inc., "Neoleukin" (NASDAQ:NLTX), a biopharmaceutical company utilizing sophisticated computational methods to design de novo protein therapeutics, reported financial results for the quarter ending March 31, 2022 and provided a corporate update (Press release, Neoleukin Therapeutics, MAY 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234613923]).

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"During the first quarter of 2022 our dedicated team at Neoleukin has been focused on execution of our NL-201 Phase 1 clinical trial, evaluating multiple schedules during dose escalation in patients with relapsed and refractory solid tumors," said Jonathan Drachman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Neoleukin. "We anticipate reporting interim data from this trial during the second half of 2022; we also expect to initiate testing of NL-201 in combination with pembrolizumab around mid-year. Our scientists continue preclinical evaluation of NL-201 in novel regimens and additional indications as well as advancing our de novo protein technology and early-stage research programs."
NL-201 Update
Neoleukin is conducting a clinical trial of intravenous NL-201 in patients with advanced solid tumors. It is currently enrolling patients at sites in Australia, the United States, and Canada, evaluating two different schedules and multiple dose levels in order to determine a recommended Phase 2 dose and schedule. Neoleukin anticipates disclosing interim data during the second half of 2022.
In January, Neoleukin announced a clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement with Merck (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada) to evaluate NL-201 plus pembrolizumab as part of Neoleukin’s ongoing Phase 1 trial in patients with advanced solid tumors. This additional arm of the ongoing clinical trial is expected to begin enrollment mid-year 2022.
In April 2022, Neoleukin announced the presentation of preclinical data at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, highlighting the potential for NL-201 to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma as well as synergistic antitumor activity when NL-201 is combined with radiation therapy, including significant inhibition of tumor growth and increased survival in preclinical models.
Based on encouraging preclinical activity, Neoleukin announced plans to initiate a separate clinical trial to evaluate NL-201 in patients with hematologic malignancies. The timing for enrolling patients in this trial will be determined based on data we receive from our ongoing solid tumor Phase 1 trial relating to safety and optimal dosing schedules.

Executive Appointment
In March 2022, Neoleukin announced the appointment of Donna M. Cochener as General Counsel, Senior Vice President, Legal. Ms. Cochener joins Neoleukin after serving as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel at HomeStreet, Inc., the parent company of HomeStreet Bank. Prior to her position with HomeStreet, Ms. Cochener was a partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP in Seattle, and worked as an associate at the Seattle offices of Heller Ehrman, LLP, Riddell Williams, P.S. and Perkins Coie, LLP.
Summary of Financial Results
Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents totaled $128.1 million as of March 31, 2022, compared to $142.5 million as of December 31, 2021.
Based upon current internal infrastructure and pipeline initiatives, Neoleukin believes it has sufficient cash to fund operations through 2023.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 increased to $10.7 million from $9.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to increased clinical trial expenses related to our lead product candidate, NL-201, and costs incurred in connection with the advancement of other Neoleukin technologies. The increase was partially offset by higher costs incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2021 in connection with the build-out of our headquarters and laboratory space in Seattle, Washington, as well as development costs associated with our NL-CVX1 program which was suspended in June 2021.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 decreased to $4.7 million from $5.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in personnel-related and facility-related costs.
Net Loss: Net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 was $15.4 million compared to a net loss of $14.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.
About NL-201
NL-201 is a de novo agonist of the IL-2 and IL-15 receptors, designed to expand cancer-fighting CD8 T cells and natural killer (NK) cells without any bias toward cells expressing the alpha receptor subunit (CD25). Previously presented preclinical data has demonstrated the ability of NL-201 to stimulate and expand CD8+ and NK cells at low doses with minimal impact on immunosuppressive regulatory T cells. Furthermore, NL-201 has demonstrated both monotherapy and combination activity across a wide range of preclinical syngeneic tumor models.

Surface Oncology Reports Financial Results and Corporate Highlights for First Quarter 2022

On May 9, 2022 Surface Oncology (Nasdaq: SURF), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing next-generation immunotherapies that target the tumor microenvironment, reported financial results and corporate highlights for the first quarter of 2022 as well as upcoming anticipated corporate milestones (Press release, Surface Oncology, MAY 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234613939]).

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"The first quarter of 2022 marked the beginning of a data-rich year for Surface, starting with the presentation of preclinical and translational SRF388 data at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) in April," said Rob Ross, M.D., chief executive officer. "We are actively developing two novel antibodies in Phase 2 studies, SRF388 and SRF617, and our runway now provides us with 12 months of cash beyond data readouts for up to six different indications and combination studies across the programs. We look forward to presenting our next update on SRF388, the only antibody targeting IL-27 in the clinic, at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper), and we remain on track to share new clinical data for SRF617 in the second half of this year."

First Quarter and Subsequent Corporate Highlights

During the first quarter, Surface raised net proceeds of approximately $21 million through the company’s existing At-the-Market (ATM) facility with participation based on unsolicited interest received from EcoR1 and Octagon Capital Advisors.

At the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2022, Surface presented SRF388 preclinical and translational data supporting the recommended Phase 2 monotherapy dose selection of 10 mg/kg administered intravenously every four weeks. This dose is being studied in dedicated expansion cohorts of treatment-refractory clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

In March, Surface announced that the first patient had been dosed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in a Phase 1 study evaluating GSK4381562 in patients with solid tumors. GSK4381562 is a fully human IgG1 antibody targeting PVRIG, an inhibitory protein on the TIGIT/DNAM/TACTILE axis that is expressed on natural killer cells (NK cells) and T cells. As a result, Surface is entitled to a $30 million milestone payment and is eligible to receive an additional $700 million in potential future milestone payments, and tiered royalties on global net sales.

In March, the company announced the appointment of Theresa Boni, J.D., as general counsel and senior vice president, legal. Ms. Boni brings more than 20 years of legal experience spanning the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries.
SRF388 Clinical Trial Progress and Updates

In April 2022, Surface announced the initiation of two Phase 2 clinical studies evaluating SRF388, a potential first-in-class antibody against IL-27. The initiations include the first patient dosed in a Phase 2 monotherapy clinical study in treatment-refractory NSCLC patients and the first patient dosed in the lead-in to a randomized Phase 2 clinical study in combination with atezolizumab and bevacizumab in patients with HCC who have not received prior systemic treatment (first-line).

With respect to the design of the SRF388 randomized Phase 2 study in first-line HCC, the company will expand the open-label lead-in from six patients, as originally planned, to approximately 30 patients. Management believes this expanded lead-in will provide more robust safety and efficacy data to inform the start of the randomized stage and could elucidate important biomarkers to support enriched patient selection. Data from the lead-in are anticipated in the first half of 2023.

New clinical data on SRF388 will be presented in an oral session at the 2022 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. The session, entitled "First-in-human study of SRF388, a first-in-class IL-27 targeting antibody, as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors," will be held Saturday, June 4, 2022, from 1:15 pm – 4:15 pm CDT.
Selected Anticipated Near-term Corporate Milestones

The company remains on track to provide a clinical data update on SRF617, a fully human antibody designed to inhibit CD39, in the second half of 2022.

Surface anticipates filing an Investigational New Drug application for SRF114, a fully human IgG1 anti-CCR8 antibody, in the second half of 2022.
Financial Results
As of March 31, 2022, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $150.4 million, compared to $154.1 million on December 31, 2021.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $6.5 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to $5.6 million for the same period in 2021. This increase was primarily due to increases in personnel and facility-related costs and increased insurance premiums. G&A expenses included $1.3 million in stock-based compensation expense for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022.

Research and development (R&D) expenses were $16.6 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to $10.5 million for the same period in 2021. This increase was primarily driven by progress on our SRF617 and SRF388 Phase 1 clinical trials and advancement into Phase 2 trials. R&D expenses included $0.6 million in stock-based compensation expense for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022.

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, net income was $6.2 million, or basic net income per share of $0.13 and diluted net income per share of $0.13. Net loss was $15.6 million for the same period in 2021, or basic and diluted net loss per share of $0.37.

Based upon the current operating plan, Surface projects its cash runway extending into 2024.