On November 8, 2021 Black Diamond Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BDTX), a precision oncology medicine company pioneering the discovery and development of MasterKey therapies, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021 and provided a corporate update (Press release, Black Diamond Therapeutics, NOV 8, 2021, View Source [SID1234594709]).
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"Black Diamond’s approach remains deeply rooted in our proprietary Mutation-Allostery-Pharmacology (MAP) drug discovery engine, which leverages population-level genetic sequencing that allows for the identification of novel oncogenic mutations. We are well-positioned to advance differentiated MasterKey programs across a range of oncogenic targets for patient populations with unmet need," said David Epstein, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Black Diamond Therapeutics. "We are excited by the continuing progression of our pipeline of MasterKey inhibitor programs, including the BDTX-189 MasterKey-01 study, our BDTX-1535 program with an IND filing anticipated by the first half of 2022, and our BRAF and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) programs."
Recent Developments
BDTX-189:
Black Diamond remains on-track with preparations for initiating the Phase 2 portion of the MasterKey-01 Phase 1/2 study of BDTX-189 by the end of 2021. The Company completed the Phase 1 dose-escalation portion of the study and has selected the recommended Phase 2 dose for BDTX-189.
BDTX-1535:
Black Diamond continues to advance BDTX-1535 through IND-enabling studies and expects to file an IND application by the first half of 2022.
In October 2021, Black Diamond presented pre-clinical data for BDTX-1535 at the ANE International Conference:
In cell-based assays, BDTX-1535 achieved potent and selective inhibition of a range of EGFR mutations expressed in glioblastoma (GBM) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including canonical, non-canonical, and drug-resistance mutations, such as EGFR-C797S that can arise following treatment with osimertinib.
BDTX-1535 demonstrated a favorable brain-penetrant pharmacokinetic (PK) profile in mouse, rat, and dog models.
In a range of tumor models, including intercranial GBM models and lung cancer drug resistance models expressing the targeted EGFR mutations, BDTX-1535 showed dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition and achieved complete regression without notable impact on body weight.
Early-Stage Pipeline:
Black Diamond continues to progress its early-stage pipeline programs designed to target cancers driven by mutations in BRAF and FGFR. The Company anticipates IND filings for both programs in 2022.
In October 2021, Black Diamond presented pre-clinical data for both the BRAF and FGFR programs at the ANE International Conference:
BRAF:
The presentation described pre-clinical data for a lead compound from Black Diamond’s BRAF program, which is designed for potency and selectivity against a spectrum of non-canonical Class II/III mutations, in addition to Class I mutations (V600E).
In cell-based assays, the lead compound demonstrated potent inhibition of a spectrum of Class I/II/III BRAF mutations.
In contrast to current-generation BRAF inhibitors, such as encorafenib and vemurafenib, treatment of cells harboring wild type BRAF (WT-BRAF) with the Black Diamond compound was not observed to lead to an increase in pERK, a signal of paradoxical activation.
In a BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion allograft tumor model, the lead compound exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of pERK and anti-tumor efficacy.
FGFR:
The presentation was illustrative of the Black Diamond approach, centered on a four-pronged optimization strategy with the goal of delivering an inhibitor that has broad coverage of FGFR2 and FGFR3 oncogenes, while sparing inhibition of FGFR1 and retaining activity against resistance mutations.
In cell-based assays, FGFR program compounds demonstrated potent and selective inhibition of a spectrum of FGFR2/3 oncogenic mutations, while sparing FGFR1. Additionally, FGFR program compounds demonstrated improved potency against resistance mutations.
In an in vivo study conducted in a UM-UC-14 (FGFR3-S249C) mouse model, FGFR program compounds demonstrated anti-tumor activity. Additionally, in mouse and rat models, FGFR program compounds did not promote hyperphosphatemia.
Corporate:
In September 2021, Black Diamond entered into a strategic partnership with OpenEye Scientific to incorporate OpenEye’s Orion molecular design platform into Black Diamond’s proprietary Mutation-Allostery-Pharmacology (MAP) drug discovery engine to help advance MasterKey inhibitor cancer therapies. OpenEye’s Orion Software-as-a-Service platform enables Black Diamond to perform rapid simulations and analysis of protein motion.
Financial Highlights
Black Diamond ended the third quarter of 2021 with $235.0 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments compared to $315.1 million as of December 31, 2020. Net cash used in operations was $26.5 million for the third quarter of 2021 compared to $11.5 million for the third quarter of 2020.
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $27.6 million for the third quarter of 2021 compared to $12.9 million for the third quarter of 2020. The increase in R&D expenses was primarily related to an increase in headcount and increased spend across preclinical and clinical development.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $7.7 million for the third quarter of 2021 compared to $5.6 million for the third quarter of 2020. The increase in G&A expenses was primarily due to an increase in personnel and other corporate-related costs.