On November 5, 2021 Syros Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:SYRS), a leader in the development of medicines that control the expression of genes, reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, and provided an update on recent accomplishments and upcoming events (Press release, Syros Pharmaceuticals, NOV 5, 2021, View Source [SID1234594609]).
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"Syros made significant progress this quarter as we executed on important milestones across our portfolios in targeted hematology and CDK inhibition as well as strengthened our leadership team with the additions of Conley Chee as Chief Commercial Officer and Jason Haas as Chief Financial Officer," said Nancy Simonian, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Syros. "In September, we dosed the first patient in our SELECT-AML-1 Phase 2 trial of tamibarotene, as well as in our dose confirmation study of SY-2101 in APL. Taken together, these accomplishments mark important progress toward potentially offering new standards of care for people living with hematologic cancers and showcase our commitment to building a robust and synergistic portfolio in targeted hematology."
Dr. Simonian continued, "Building on our leadership in selective CDK7 inhibition, we presented encouraging clinical data from our Phase 1 trial of SY-5609. The data demonstrated proof-of-activity across multiple difficult-to-treat tumors and suggest that we have identified an optimal dosing schedule for further development. Based on these results, we plan to evaluate SY-5609 as part of a three-pronged combination strategy in areas of high unmet need that are supported by strong mechanistic rationale and clinical or pre-clinical activity. We expect to initiate an expansion cohort in pancreatic cancer as well as a Phase 1b trial in mantle cell lymphoma in the fourth quarter of 2021 and the first half of 2022, respectively, and look forward to working with Roche to evaluate SY-5609 in combination with its PDL1 inhibitor in BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer."
UPCOMING MILESTONES
Targeted Hematology
Tamibarotene: Oral RARa agonist
Report initial data from SELECT-AML-1 trial in 2022.
SY-2101: Oral arsenic trioxide (ATO)
Report confirmatory dose and pharmacokinetic data from the dose confirmation trial in the first half of 2022.
Initiate Phase 3 trial in newly diagnosed APL patients in 2022.
CDK Inhibition
SY-5609: Oral Selective CDK Inhibitor
Initiate expansion cohort of our SY-5609 trial in combination with chemotherapy in second-line pancreatic cancer in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Initiate Phase 1b trial evaluating SY-5609 in combination with a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma in the first half of 2022.
Gene Control Discovery Engine
Nominate next development candidate in 2022.
RECENT PIPELINE HIGHLIGHTS
In September, Syros dosed the first patient in its dose confirmation study of SY-2101. The study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of SY-2101 and is expected to enroll up to 24 newly diagnosed APL patients.
Also in September, Syros dosed the first patient in its SELECT-AML-1 Phase 2 trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tamibarotene in combination with venetoclax and azacitidine. Following a safety lead-in, approximately 80 patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive tamibarotene in combination with venetoclax and azacitidine, or venetoclax and azacitidine alone. The primary endpoint is composite complete response rate.
At the 2021 ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress in September, Syros presented new data from its Phase 1 trial of SY-5609 in heavily pretreated patients with select-solid tumors, which demonstrated clinical activity at tolerable doses as a single agent across multiple tumor types:
Thirteen patients achieved stable disease (SD) with tumor regressions of up to 20% in six of those patients, across multiple tumor types.
The most substantial clinical activity was observed in heavily pre-treated patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Five of 13 of these evaluable patients achieved SD, with tumor reductions in two of those patients.
Across all doses and schedules, the majority of adverse events were low-grade and reversible.
Optimal dosing regimen of 7 days on/7 days off was identified for further evaluation.
Based on these data along with pre-clinical data, strong mechanistic rationale, and high unmet need, Syros is evaluating SY-5609 in a three-pronged combination approach:
Combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Combination with a BTK inhibitor for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma.
Combination with PDL1 inhibitor for the treatment of BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer. As previously disclosed, Syros entered into an agreement with Roche to explore this combination in Roche’s Phase 1/1b INTRINSIC trial.
RECENT CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS
In October, Syros appointed Jason Haas as Chief Financial Officer. Jason brings more than 25 years of healthcare investment banking and corporate finance experience.
In September, Syros appointed Conley Chee as the Company’s first Chief Commercial Officer. Conley brings 20 years of pharmaceutical sales leadership, marketing, and strategy experience.
Also in September, Syros appointed Deborah Dunsire, M.D., a highly respected industry veteran, to the Board of Directors.
THIRD QUARTER 2021 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Revenues were $5.7 million for the third quarter of 2021, consisting of $5.6 million in revenue recognized under Syros’ collaboration with Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc. (GBT) and $0.1 million recognized under its collaboration with Incyte Corporation (Incyte). Syros recognized $3.8 million in revenue in the third quarter of 2020, including $3.5 million under its collaboration with GBT and $0.3 million under its collaboration with Incyte.
Research and development expenses were $27.3 million for the third quarter of 2021, as compared to $17.7 million for the third quarter of 2020. This increase was primarily due to the continued advancement of Syros’ clinical and preclinical programs and an increase in employee-related expenses.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $5.3 million for the third quarter of 2021, as compared to $5.2 million for the third quarter of 2020.
For the third quarter of 2021, Syros reported a net loss of $26.0 million, or $0.41 per share, compared to a net loss of $19.5 million, or $0.43 per share, for the same period in 2020.
Cash and Financial Guidance
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of September 30, 2021 were $166.7 million, as compared with $174 million on December 31, 2020. This reflects cash used to fund Syros’ operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, partially offset by gross proceeds of $75.6 million that Syros received from its January 2021 public offering.
Based on its current plans, Syros believes that its existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund its planned operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2023.
Conference Call and Webcast
Syros will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss third quarter 2021 financial results and provide a corporate update.
To access the live conference call, please dial (866) 595-4538 (domestic) or (636) 812-6496 (international) and refer to conference ID 3287324. A webcast of the call will also be available on the Investors & Media section of the Syros website at www.syros.com. An archived replay of the webcast will be available for approximately 30 days following the presentation.