On November 4, 2021 X4 Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: XFOR), a leader in the discovery and development of novel CXCR4-targeted small molecule therapeutics to benefit people with diseases of the immune system, reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2021 (Press release, X4 Pharmaceuticals, NOV 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234594391]). The company also provided a summary of the data contained within the seven abstracts submitted and accepted for presentation and/or publication at the 63rd American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, taking place in Atlanta, Georgia and virtually December 11-14, 2021.
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"This has been an amazing quarter of progress for all of us at X4, as we completed enrollment in the Phase 3 trial of mavorixafor in its first indication of WHIM syndrome and are now looking ahead to sharing a broad array of clinical and scientific data in the fourth quarter that further support the potential of mavorixafor across multiple additional therapeutic areas," said Paula Ragan, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of X4. "As we continue to expand our pre-commercial activities for WHIM in anticipation of top-line data late next year, we are also working to build out our pipeline – further advancing clinical trials of mavorixafor in neutropenia and rare oncology indications, while also advancing our pre-clinical programs towards the clinic."
Key Takeaways from ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Abstracts Published Today
WHIM (warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis) syndrome:
Mavorixafor continues to show durable increases in neutrophils and lymphocytes, sustained improvements in infections and warts, and good tolerability in the ongoing Phase 2 open-label extension trial in WHIM syndrome.
Patient interviews revealed that study participants experienced good tolerability and beneficial treatment effects when dosed with mavorixafor.
Broader understanding of the clinical spectrum of WHIM syndrome and genotype/phenotype correlations have enabled assessment of novel CXCR4 variants for disease-correlation, including a newly discovered missense mutation (p.D84H) that is relatively frequent in the general population.
The D84H mutation is the first mutation identified outside of the C-terminus of the CXCR4 receptor showing gain-of-function signaling and disease phenotype; the frequency of the D84H mutation derived from broad population genomic databases robustly supports current estimates of U.S. WHIM prevalence of 1,000 to 3,500 or more.
This and other related research will be shared at the Investor Day on December 16.
Analyses of insurance claim databases using artificial intelligence indicate that the U.S. population of WHIM patients may be much larger than currently reported in the literature.
Results showed that there may be as many as 3,700 WHIM patients based on WHIM-like phenotypes described.
Data are consistent with novel genetic variant discoveries and genotype-phenotype correlations, building further confidence in estimates of potentially treatable WHIM patients in the U.S.
The company’s global Phase 3 clinical trial in WHIM syndrome (now fully enrolled) is the first double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial in this patient population and the only one exploring an oral therapy. All enrolled patients had severe neutropenia and more than half are pediatric patients, illustrative of the severity and early onset of the disease. Top-line data from the trial are expected in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Chronic neutropenia and other indications:
Mavorixafor alone or in combination with other therapies is the first oral treatment to acutely and chronically increase total peripheral white blood cells (WBCs) 1.5- to 3-fold across all disease populations examined (WHIM syndrome, Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and healthy volunteers).
Further, mavorixafor’s ability to increase circulating WBCs (neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes) across various disease states and in healthy individuals supports its potential utility in the treatment of patients with immunodeficiency, regardless of the presence or absence of CXCR4 mutations.
A Phase 1b trial in chronic neutropenia populations is ongoing to assess the potential of mavorixafor to treat broader neutropenias by increasing neutrophil counts, as well as other white blood cell types; initial data from this trial are expected to be presented in an ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) poster presentation and at the Investor Day on December 16.
Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM):
Additional preliminary clinical data are presented from the ongoing Phase 1b dose-escalation trial assessing the tolerability and efficacy, including clinical response rates, of mavorixafor in combination with ibrutinib in diagnosed WM patients with both MYD88 and CXCR4 mutations.
As of the abstract cutoff date of June 15, 2021, the overall response rate (minor response or better) for evaluable patients was 100% (N=8), with 4 of 8 patients achieving a major response (corresponding to >50% reduction in serum IgM) and 1 of 8 patients achieving very good partial response (corresponding to >90% reduction in serum IgM).
Additional clinical data are expected to be presented in an ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) poster presentation and at the Investor Day on December 16.
Abstracts Accepted for Presentation and Publication at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper)
Preliminary Clinical Response Data from a Phase 1b Study of Mavorixafor in Combination with Ibrutinib in Patients with Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia with MYD88 and CXCR4 Mutations Poster Presentation on 12/11/2021 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm ET
Mavorixafor, an Oral CXCR4 Antagonist, for Treatment of Patients with WHIM Syndrome: Results from the Long-Term Extension of the Open-Label Phase 2 Study Poster Presentation on 12/11/2021 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm ET
Oral Administration of Mavorixafor, a CXCR4 Antagonist, Increases Peripheral White Blood Cell Counts across Different Disease States Poster Presentation on 12/12/2021 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm ET
Comprehensive in Vitro Characterization of CXCR4WHIM variants to Decipher Genotype–Phenotype Correlations in WHIM Syndrome Poster Presentation on 12/12/2021 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm ET
Characterization of a Novel Missense CXCR4 Mutation in a Patient With WHIM-like Syndrome Abstract Publication only
Application of an Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Model for Estimating Potential US Prevalence of WHIM Syndrome, a Rare Immunodeficiency, From Insurance Claims Data Abstract Publication only
Global Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial With Open-Label Extension Evaluating the Oral CXCR4 Antagonist Mavorixafor in Patients With WHIM Syndrome (4WHIM): Trial Design and Enrollment Abstract Publication only
Following the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting, the company will be hosting an investor event on the morning of December 16. The call is expected to include commentary from prominent key opinion leaders (KOLs) as part of the program. Details will be forthcoming.
Third Quarter and Recent Highlights
X4 achieved a major milestone in early October, completing enrollment in the ongoing pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial (4WHIM) of mavorixafor in the treatment of patients with WHIM syndrome. Thirty-one adult and pediatric patients have been enrolled in the 4WHIM trial, which was originally designed to enroll 18-28 patients.
The company recently announced the appointment of Françoise de Craecker to the company’s Board of Directors and the recent hiring of Karolyn Park to the newly created role of Vice President, U.S. Commercial, significantly strengthening the company’s depth and breadth of commercial leadership experience in the strategic marketing of rare disease therapeutics.
The company announced the promotion of Mary DiBiase, Ph.D. to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer, reflecting her long-standing contributions to the company and the advancement of mavorixafor into global late-stage clinical development.
Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results
Cash, Cash Equivalents & Restricted Cash: X4 had $77.7 million in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as of September 30, 2021. The company continues to expect that its cash and cash equivalents will fund company operations into the fourth quarter of 2022.
Research and Development Expenses were $13.2 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $11.4 million for the comparable period in 2020. R&D expenses include $0.6 million and $1.0 million of certain non-cash expenses for the quarters ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
General and Administrative Expenses were $5.9 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $5.6 million for the comparable period in 2020. G&A expenses include $0.9 million and $1.2 million of certain non-cash expenses for the quarters ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Net Loss: X4 reported a net loss of $20.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, as compared to a net loss of $17.4 million for the comparable period in 2020. Net losses include $1.5 million and $2.2 million of certain non-cash expenses for the quarters ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Conference Call and Webcast
X4 will host a conference call and webcast today at 9:05 a.m. ET to discuss the financial results and business highlights, as well as the abstracts accepted to this year’s ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (866) 721-7655 from the United States or (409) 216-0009 internationally, followed by the conference ID: 7582968. The live webcast can be accessed on the investor relations section of X4 Pharmaceuticals’ website at www.x4pharma.com. Following the completion of the call, a webcast replay of the conference call will be available on the company website.