On March 3, 2022 Incyte (Nasdaq:INCY) reported 2022 first quarter financial results, and provides a status update on the Company’s clinical development portfolio (Press release, Incyte, MAY 3, 2022, View Source [SID1234613393]).
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"Our double-digit growth in the first quarter reflects the strong performance of Jakafi (ruxolitinib) – supported by the successful launch in chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in the United States – as well as continued growth for Pemazyre (pemigatinib) in Europe and Japan and, importantly, the fast uptake of Opzelura (ruxolitinib) cream in atopic dermatitis in the United States," said Hervé Hoppenot, Chief Executive Officer, Incyte. "Opzelura is an important growth driver for Incyte and the U.S. launch is off to an excellent start with over 38,000 patients treated during the first quarter and significant progress with payers on securing access for patients. Later this year we have the potential to launch Opzelura in a second indication in the U.S. and we expect a regulatory decision in Europe for the treatment of patients with vitiligo who currently have no approved therapies for repigmentation. Our strong product growth and robust pipeline position us well for long-term growth and diversification."
Portfolio Updates
MPNs and GVHD – key highlights
LIMBER (Leadership In MPNs BEyond Ruxolitinib) program: The new drug application (NDA) for once-daily ruxolitinib (QD) is on track for submission in the first half of this year. Initial data from the ongoing combination trials of ruxolitinib with INCB57643 (BET) and INCB00928 (ALK2) are expected later this year.
1 Development collaboration with Cellenkos, Inc.
2 Clinical development of axatilimab in GVHD conducted in collaboration with Syndax Pharmaceuticals.
Other Hematology/Oncology – key highlights
Pemazyre: The ongoing launches in the U.S., Europe and Japan continue to go well. In March, Pemazyre was approved in China by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the treatment of adults with locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with a fibroblast growth receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusion or rearrangement as confirmed by a validated diagnostic test that have progressed after at least one prior line of systemic therapy.
A Phase 2 open-label study evaluating the efficacy and safety of pemigatinib in adults with previously treated glioblastoma or other primary central nervous system tumors harboring activating FGFR1-3 alterations (FIGHT-209) and a Phase 2 open-label study evaluating the efficacy and safety of pemigatinib in adults with relapsed or refractory advanced non-small cell lung cancer with an FGFR alteration (FIGHT-210) are being initiated.
Relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL): Phase 2 (L-MIND); Phase 3 (B-MIND)
First-line DLBCL: Phase 3 (frontMIND)
Relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) and relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma (MZL): Phase 3 (inMIND)
Relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies: PoC (topMIND) with parsaclisib (PI3Kδ)
Relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies: PoC with lenalidomide and plamotamab being initiated2
1 Development of tafasitamab in collaboration with MorphoSys.
2 Clinical collaboration with MorphoSys and Xencor, Inc. to investigate the combination of tafasitamab plus lenalidomide in combination with Xencor’s CD20xCD3 XmAb bispecific antibody, plamotamab.
3 Retifanlimab licensed from MacroGenics.
Inflammation and Autoimmunity (IAI) – key highlights
Dermatology
Strong U.S. launch of Opzelura in atopic dermatitis (AD): Over 38,000 new patients were prescribed Opzelura in the first quarter with positive physician and patient feedback driving the robust uptake. Refill rates continue to increase with refills comprising 23% of total prescriptions in the last week of Q1. Substantial progress has been made in securing access to Opzelura for patients, and we now have agreements in place with payers which account for 146 million total lives covered including 82 million commercial lives.
We have established a broad clinical development program within dermatology that includes multiple new indications for ruxolitinib cream, as well as new products.
Ruxolitinib cream in vitiligo in the U.S. and Europe: In March, 52-week safety and efficacy data from the two Phase 3 TRuE-V studies evaluating ruxolitinib cream in vitiligo, presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) annual meeting, demonstrated that a longer duration of therapy with ruxolitinib cream was associated with greater repigmentation in patients with vitiligo. A supplemental new drug application (sNDA) and a marketing authorization application (MAA) for ruxolitinib cream as a treatment for vitiligo are under review at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), respectively. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date was extended to July 18, 2022. Ruxolitinib cream has the potential to become the first product approved for repigmentation in vitiligo and would be a new therapeutic option for the millions of patients living with the disease today, pending regulatory decision.
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A Phase 2 open-label study is being initiated to assess whether repigmentation response in some patients with vitiligo may be enhanced by adding phototherapy to treatment with ruxolitinb cream.
Ruxolitinib cream in chronic hand eczema (CHE): Incyte continues to expand the development of ruxolitinib cream into new indications as part of its life cycle management strategy. Two Phase 3 trials evaluating ruxolitinib cream in chronic hand eczema are being initiated (TRuE-CHE1 and TRuE-CHE2).
INCB54707 (JAK1) development across three indications: We are also assessing INCB54707, our JAK1 specific inhibitor, in Phase 2 studies for hidradenitis suppurativa, prurigo nodularis and vitiligo. There is significant potential with each of these indications where there are limited, and in some cases, no FDA-approved therapies.
1 Novartis’ rights for ruxolitinib outside of the United States under our Collaboration and License Agreement with Novartis do not include topical administration.
Discovery and early development – key highlights
Incyte’s portfolio of other earlier-stage clinical candidates is summarized below.
Oral PD-L1 Program: At SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) last year, Incyte highlighted clinical safety and efficacy data for the oral PD-L1 program which included three compounds, INCB86550, INCB99280 and INCB99318. Tumor shrinkage was observed for all three oral PD-L1 inhibitors. With regards to safety, both INCB99280 and INCB99318 did not show peripheral neuropathy seen with INCB86550. In May, the decision was made to prioritize the development of INCB99280 and INCB99318 based on positive therapeutic ratios.
INCB123667 (CDK2): In the cell cycle, the serine threonine kinase, CDK2, regulates the transition from the G1 phase (cell growth) to the S-phase (DNA replication). INCB123667 is a novel, potent and selective oral small molecule inhibitor of CDK2 which has been shown to suppress tumor growth as monotherapy and in combination with standard of care, in Cyclin E amplified tumor models, in vivo. A Phase 1 dose-escalation and dose-expansion study of INCB123667 in adults with selected advanced or metastatic solid tumors is being initiated.
1 Discovery collaboration with Agenus.
Partnered – key highlights
Ruxolitinib in acute and chronic GVHD: In March, Incyte and Novartis announced a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for ruxolitinib in acute and chronic GVHD, based on data from the Phase 3 REACH2 and REACH3 trials. GVHD is a life-threatening complication of stem cell transplants, with no established standard of care in Europe for patients who do not adequately respond to first-line steroid treatment.
Baricitinib in alopecia areata (AA): In March, Incyte and Eli Lilly presented 52-week data at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) annual meeting demonstrating that nearly 40% of adults with alopecia areata and who were taking baricitinib 4mg saw at least 80% scalp hair coverage. There are no approved treatments for AA.
Capmatinib in NSCLC: In April, Incyte and Novartis announced a positive opinion from the CHMP based on data from the Phase 2 GEOMETRY mono-1 study showing an overall response rate (ORR) of 51.6% in a cohort evaluating second-line patients only and 44% in all previously-treated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring alterations leading to MET exon 14 skipping.
Indication and status
1 Jakavi (ruxolitinib) licensed to Novartis ex-US.
2 Worldwide rights to baricitinib licensed to Lilly: approved as Olumiant in multiple territories globally for certain patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis; approved as Olumiant in EU and Japan for certain patients with atopic dermatitis.
3 Worldwide rights to capmatinib licensed to Novartis.
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2022 First Quarter Financial Results
The financial measures presented in this press release for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 have been prepared by the Company in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), unless otherwise identified as a Non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that Non-GAAP information is useful for investors, when considered in conjunction with Incyte’s GAAP disclosures. Management uses such information internally and externally for establishing budgets, operating goals and financial planning purposes. These metrics are also used to manage the Company’s business and monitor performance. The Company adjusts, where appropriate, for expenses in order to reflect the Company’s core operations. The Company believes these adjustments are useful to investors by providing an enhanced understanding of the financial performance of the Company’s core operations. The metrics have been adopted to align the Company with disclosures provided by industry peers.
Non-GAAP information is not prepared under a comprehensive set of accounting rules and should only be used in conjunction with and to supplement Incyte’s operating results as reported under GAAP. Non-GAAP measures may be defined and calculated differently by other companies in our industry.
Financial Highlights
Product and Royalty Revenues Product and royalty revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased 20% over the prior year comparative period primarily as a result of increases in Jakafi, Pemazyre and Opzelura net product revenues, and higher royalty revenues from Jakavi and Olumiant. Jakafi net product revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased 17% over the prior year comparative period, primarily driven by growth in patient demand. The 49% growth in Olumiant royalty revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 reflects an increase in net product sales as a result of the use of Olumiant for the treatment of COVID-19.
1 Non-GAAP cost of product revenues excludes the amortization of licensed intellectual property for Iclusig relating to the acquisition of the European business of ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the cost of stock-based compensation.
2 Non-GAAP research and development expenses exclude the cost of stock-based compensation.
3 Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses exclude the cost of stock-based compensation and legal settlements.
4 Non-GAAP change in fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration is null.
Research and development expenses GAAP and Non-GAAP research and development expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased 15% and 18%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to continued investment in our late stage development assets.
Selling, general and administrative expenses GAAP and Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased 36% and 56%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2021, primarily due to expenses related to our dermatology commercial organization and activities to support the launch of Opzelura for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Other Financial Information
Operating income GAAP operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 increased compared to the same period in 2021, driven by growth in product and royalty revenues.
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities position As of March 31, 2022 and 2021, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $2.5 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively.
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2022 Financial Guidance
The Company has reaffirmed its full year 2022 financial guidance, as detailed below. Guidance does not include revenue from Opzelura or the impact of any potential future strategic transactions.
1Pemazyre in the U.S., EU and Japan and Iclusig and Minjuvi in the EU.
2Adjusted to exclude the amortization of licensed intellectual property for Iclusig relating to the acquisition of the European business of ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and the estimated cost of stock-based compensation.
3 Adjusted to exclude the estimated cost of stock-based compensation.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
Incyte will hold a conference call and webcast this morning at 8:00 a.m. ET. To access the conference call, please dial 877-407-3042 for domestic callers or 201-389-0864 for international callers. When prompted, provide the conference identification number, 13728884.
If you are unable to participate, a replay of the conference call will be available for 90 days. The replay dial-in number for the United States is 877-660-6853 and the dial-in number for international callers is 201-612-7415. To access the replay you will need the conference identification number, 13728884.
The conference call will also be webcast live and can be accessed at investor.incyte.com.
About Incyte
Incyte is a Wilmington, Delaware-based, global biopharmaceutical company focused on finding solutions for serious unmet medical needs through the discovery, development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics. For additional information on Incyte, please visit Incyte.com and follow @Incyte.
About Jakafi (ruxolitinib)
Jakafi is a first-in-class JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor approved by the U.S. FDA for treatment of chronic GVHD after failure of one or two lines of systemic therapy in adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older.
Jakafi is also indicated for treatment of polycythemia vera (PV) in adults who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of hydroxyurea, in adults with intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF), including primary MF, post-polycythemia vera MF and post-essential thrombocythemia MF and for treatment of steroid-refractory acute GVHD in adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older.
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Jakafi is marketed by Incyte in the United States and by Novartis as Jakavi (ruxolitinib) outside the United States. Jakafi is a registered trademark of Incyte Corporation. Jakavi is a registered trademark of Novartis AG in countries outside the United States.
About Opzelura (ruxolitinib) Cream
Opzelura (ruxolitinib) cream is a novel cream formulation of Incyte’s selective JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib, is the first and only topical JAK inhibitor approved for use in the United States for the topical short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) in non-immunocompromised patients 12 years of age and older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies, or when those therapies are not advisable. Use of Opzelura in combination with therapeutic biologics, other JAK inhibitors, or potent immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine or cyclosporine, is not recommended.
In October 2021, Incyte announced the validation of the European Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for ruxolitinib cream as a potential treatment for adolescents and adults (age >12 years) with non-segmental vitiligo with facial involvement. Additionally, in December 2021, Incyte announced the acceptance and priority review of the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for ruxolitinib cream as a potential treatment for adolescents and adults (age ≥12 years) with vitiligo.
Incyte has worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of ruxolitinib cream, marketed in the United States as Opzelura.
Opzelura is a trademark of Incyte.
About Monjuvi/Minjuvi (tafasitamab)
Tafasitamab is a humanized Fc-modified cytolytic CD19 targeting monoclonal antibody. In 2010, MorphoSys licensed exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize tafasitamab from Xencor, Inc. Tafasitamab incorporates an XmAb engineered Fc domain, which mediates B-cell lysis through apoptosis and immune effector mechanism including Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC) and Antibody-Dependent Cellular Phagocytosis (ADCP).
In the United States, Monjuvi (tafasitamab-cxix) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in combination with lenalidomide for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from low grade lymphoma, and who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).
In Europe, Minjuvi (tafasitamab) received conditional approval, in combination with lenalidomide, followed by Minjuvi monotherapy, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).
Tafasitamab is being clinically investigated as a therapeutic option in B-cell malignancies in several ongoing combination trials.
Minjuvi and Monjuvi are registered trademarks of MorphoSys AG. Tafasitamab is co-marketed by Incyte and MorphoSys under the brand name Monjuvi in the U.S., and marketed by Incyte under the brand name Minjuvi in the EU.
XmAb is a registered trademark of Xencor, Inc.
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About Pemazyre (pemigatinib)
Pemazyre is a kinase inhibitor indicated in the United States for the treatment of adults with previously treated, unresectable locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with a fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusion or other rearrangement as detected by an FDA-approved test*. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s).
In Japan, Pemazyre is approved for the treatment of patients with unresectable biliary tract cancer (BTC) with a fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusion gene, worsening after cancer chemotherapy.
In Europe, Pemazyre is approved for the treatment of adults with locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with a fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusion or rearrangement that have progressed after at least one prior line of systemic therapy.
Pemazyre is a potent, selective, oral inhibitor of FGFR isoforms 1, 2 and 3 which, in preclinical studies, has demonstrated selective pharmacologic activity against cancer cells with FGFR alterations.
Pemazyre is marketed by Incyte in the United States, Europe and Japan.
Pemazyre is a trademark of Incyte Corporation.
* Pemazyre (pemigatinib) [Package Insert]. Wilmington, DE: Incyte; 2020.
About Iclusig (ponatinib) tablets
Ponatinib (Iclusig) targets not only native BCR-ABL but also its isoforms that carry mutations that confer resistance to treatment, including the T315I mutation, which has been associated with resistance to other approved TKIs.
In the EU, Iclusig is approved for the treatment of adult patients with chronic phase, accelerated phase or blast phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who are resistant to dasatinib or nilotinib; who are intolerant to dasatinib or nilotinib and for whom subsequent treatment with imatinib is not clinically appropriate; or who have the T315I mutation, or the treatment of adult patients with Philadelphia-chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) who are resistant to dasatinib; who are intolerant to dasatinib and for whom subsequent treatment with imatinib is not clinically appropriate; or who have the T315I mutation.
Click here to view the Iclusig EU Summary of Medicinal Product Characteristics.
Incyte has an exclusive license from Takeda Pharmaceuticals International AG to commercialize ponatinib in the European Union and 29 other countries, including Switzerland, UK, Norway, Turkey, Israel and Russia. Iclusig is marketed in the U.S. by Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.