On November 10, 2021 Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NasdaqGS: SPPI), a biopharmaceutical company focused on novel and targeted oncology therapies, reported financial results for the three-month period ended September 30, 2021 and provided a corporate update (Press release, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, NOV 10, 2021, View Source [SID1234595083]).
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"The submission of the poziotinib NDA this quarter remains our top corporate priority. The front line data presented at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) and the preclinical combination data with KRAS inhibitors at the Triple meeting has the potential to significantly expand the poziotinib opportunity," said Joe Turgeon, President and CEO of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals. "Following a productive Type A meeting with the FDA on ROLONTIS, we anticipate the remediation efforts at Hanmi to be completed by the end of the year and would expect to resubmit our BLA for ROLONTIS shortly thereafter."
Poziotinib, an irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting EGFR and HER2 mutations
Submission of the NDA, based on the positive results of Cohort 2 in patients with previously treated locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with HER2 exon 20 insertion mutations is on track for this year under a Fast Track designation. There is currently no treatment specifically approved for this indication.
Encouraging results from Cohort 4 of the ZENITH20 clinical trial were presented at the European Society of Medical (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2021. The primary endpoint of objective rate of response (ORR) was 44% (95% CI:29.5-58.8%) in the first 48 treated patients including one complete response. 88% of patients showed tumor reduction with a disease control rate of 75%. Median duration of response was 5.4 months (range 2.8-19.1+). Median progression free survival was 5.6 months (range 0-20.2+). The most common treatment related Grade ≥ 3 adverse effects (AEs) were rash, stomatitis, diarrhea, and paronychia. In addition, only one patient experienced Grade ≥ 3 pneumonitis. Poziotinib demonstrated clinically meaningful anti-tumor activity in newly diagnosed NSCLC patients with HER2 exon 20 mutations with 16mg QD dosing. The safety profile was manageable and similar to those observed in previous studies and other second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Preclinical data showed the synergistic impact of poziotinib when combined with KRAS inhibitors in KRASG12C mutant specific cell lines. Jacqulyne Robichaux, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center presented a poster titled "Pan-ErbB inhibition enhances activity of KRASG12C inhibitors in preclinical models of KRASG12C mutant cancers" at the Virtual AACR-NCI-EORTC (Free AACR-NCI-EORTC Whitepaper) International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics (EORTC-NCI-AACR) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) (Free EORTC-NCI-AACR Whitepaper) hosted by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). The preclinical data showed that inhibition of EGFR, HER2, HER3, and HER4 signaling was synergistic when combined with KRASG12C inhibitors. These results highlight the importance of a pan inhibitor of the Erb family of proteins.
ROLONTIS (eflapegrastim), a novel long-acting G-CSF
The company held a Type A meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to better understand the issues identified in the Complete Response Letter (CRL). At that meeting, the company learned that the deficiencies at the fill finish site have been adequately addressed. Remediation of deficiencies at the drug substance facility are well under way and expected to be completed by the end of the year. The FDA confirmed that the reinspection of the drug substance facility would be in-person.
Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2021 (All numbers are from Continuing Operations and are approximate)
GAAP Results
Spectrum recorded a net loss of $33.1 million, or $0.21 loss per basic and diluted share, in the three-month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to a net loss of $48.5 million, or $0.37 loss per basic and diluted share, in the comparable period in 2020. Total research and development expenses were $20.9 million in the quarter, as compared to $24.5 million in the same period in 2020. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $12.2 million in the quarter, compared to $15.1 million in the same period in 2020.
The company ended the quarter with cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $133.6 million.
Non-GAAP Results
Spectrum recorded a non-GAAP net loss of $25.8 million, or $0.16 loss per basic and diluted share, in the three-month period ended September 30, 2021, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $35.2 million, or $0.27 loss per basic and diluted share, in the comparable period in 2020. Non-GAAP research and development expenses were $16.7 million, as compared to $23.3 million in the same period of 2020. Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses were $9.2 million, as compared to $12.3 million in the same period in 2020.
Conference Call
This conference call will also be webcast. Listeners may access the webcast, which will be available on the investor relations page of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals’ website View Source on November 10, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern/1:30 p.m. Pacific.