On May 6, 2021 ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ORIC), a clinical stage oncology company focused on developing treatments that address mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, reported financial results and operational updates for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 (Press release, ORIC Pharmaceuticals, MAY 6, 2021, View Source [SID1234579351]).

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"We continue to make steady progress in advancing our robust pipeline of novel oncology candidates," said Jacob Chacko, M.D., president and chief executive officer. "As planned, we will present preliminary safety, pharmacokinetic, and translational data, as well as early efficacy data from our ongoing Phase 1 trial of ORIC-101 in combination with nab-paclitaxel in solid tumors at the upcoming ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. In addition, we expect to achieve multiple other milestones throughout the remainder of 2021, including reporting preliminary data from our second trial for ORIC-101 in combination with enzalutamide in prostate cancer, and IND/CTA filings for ORIC-533, our oral small molecule CD73 inhibitor, ORIC-944, our allosteric PRC2 inhibitor, and ORIC-114, our brain penetrant EGFR/HER2 exon 20 inhibitor."

First Quarter 2021 and Other Recent Highlights

Acceptance of Two Abstracts at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper): Two abstracts highlighting preliminary results from the Phase 1b study of ORIC-101 in combination with nab-paclitaxel have been accepted for poster presentations during the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, to be held June 4 – 8, 2021. The ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) presentations will highlight interim safety, pharmacokinetic, efficacy, and translational data from the ongoing Phase 1b study of ORIC-101 in combination with nab-paclitaxel.
Preclinical Data Presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper): In April 2021, ORIC presented posters on four programs at the 2021 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) virtual annual meeting. Key findings of the presentations included:
ORIC-101: Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR) Antagonist

GR upregulation and activation, an established preclinical resistance mechanism for antiandrogens, may drive resistance when antiandrogens are combined with AKT inhibitors.
ORIC-101 was able to overcome this resistance and restore antitumor activity in preclinical prostate cancer cell lines.
ORIC-533: Oral Small Molecule CD73 Inhibitor

Nanomolar concentrations of ORIC-533 efficiently rescued cytotoxic T-cell function in the presence of high AMP concentrations, reflective of AMP levels observed in tumors.
Inhibitors of adenosine receptors were only able to rescue CD8+ T-cell function in the context of low AMP, and were ineffective in moderate or high AMP levels.
ORIC-533 has potential best-in-class properties in inhibiting adenosine production and reversing immunosuppression in tumors.
ORIC-944: Allosteric PRC2 Inhibitor

ORIC-944 has potential best-in-class drug properties compared to first generation PRC2 inhibitors, including a clean CYP profile.
ORIC-944 demonstrated superior activity compared to an EZH2 inhibitor in an in vivo DLBCL model.
ORIC-944 demonstrated strong tumor growth inhibition as a single agent with once daily oral dosing in both enzalutamide-responsive and enzalutamide-resistant in vivo prostate cancer models.
ORIC-114: Brain Penetrant EGFR/HER2 exon 20 Inhibitor

ORIC-114 is highly selective for the EGFR family of receptors with superior kinome selectivity compared to other exon 20 inhibitors.
ORIC-114 demonstrated low nanomolar potency across exon 20 insertion variants in biochemical and cell-based assays.
Significant tumor regression was observed in multiple EGFR exon 20 patient-derived xenograft models using once daily oral administration of ORIC-114.
ORIC-114 displayed superior brain exposure relative to other compounds targeting exon 20 insertion mutations, and greater activity compared to other EGFR inhibitors in an intracranial NSCLC EGFR mutant xenograft model.
Anticipated Milestones

ORIC anticipates the following milestones in 2021:
ORIC-101: Report interim safety, efficacy, and translational data from ongoing combination trial with nab-paclitaxel at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)
ORIC-101: Report interim safety, efficacy, and translational data from ongoing combination trial with enzalutamide in the second half of 2021
ORIC-533: File an IND in the second quarter of 2021
ORIC-944: File an IND in the second half of 2021
ORIC-114: File a CTA in the second half of 2021
Present additional preclinical data at scientific conferences in 2021
First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments: Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $278.1 million as of March 31, 2021. The company expects its current cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund its current operating plan into the second half of 2023.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $11.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $7.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of $4.4 million. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in external expenses related to the advancement of ORIC-101 and our other product candidates of $3.6 million, as well as higher personnel costs, including additional non-cash stock-based compensation of $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the same period in 2020.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of $3.0 million. The increase was primarily due to higher personnel costs, including additional non-cash stock-based compensation of $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the same period in 2020, and higher professional services and related costs to operate as a public company.

On May 6, 2021 Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRNX), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapeutics for rare endocrine diseases and endocrine-related tumors, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021 and provided a corporate update (Press release, Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, MAY 6, 2021, View Source [SID1234579368]).

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"In the first quarter we achieved key clinical and regulatory milestones across our pipeline," said Scott Struthers, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Crinetics. "Based on our interactions with the FDA and other regulators, we developed a robust Phase 3 program for paltusotine that is designed to support its approval for all acromegaly patients who require pharmacotherapy, including both untreated patients and those switching from injected standard of care. This progress was complemented by the advancement of CRN04894 and CRN04777 into Phase 1 trials in healthy volunteers, which are designed to generate safety, pharmacokinetic, and biomarker data that could establish clinical proof of concept and provide important dose guidance information for subsequent trials in patients. Looking ahead, we are on track for a steady cadence of catalysts through the remainder of the year, including data from both of our Phase 1 trials and the initiation of a clinical study in patients with neuroendocrine tumors complicated by carcinoid syndrome."

First Quarter and Subsequent Highlights
Announced the design of the Phase 3 program for paltusotine in acromegaly. In March 2021, Crinetics announced plans to initiate two Phase 3 studies based on interactions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulators. The first of these studies, PATHFNDR-1, is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, nine-month clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of paltusotine in acromegaly patients who are biochemically controlled (IGF-1 ≤ 1.0 × upper limit of normal [ULN]) and who are on stable doses of somatostatin receptor ligand monotherapy (octreotide LAR or lanreotide depot). The second study, PATHFNDR-2, is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, twelve-week trial in acromegaly patients with elevated IGF-1 levels who are medication naïve or who are not being treated with pharmacotherapy (untreated patients). If successful, Crinetics believes these trials could support registration of paltusotine in the United States and Europe for all acromegaly patients who require pharmacotherapy, including untreated patients and those switching from standard of care. The company initiated PATHFNDR-1 in April and expects to initiate PATHFNDR-2 in 2H 2021.
Showcased broad clinical-stage pipeline at ENDO 2021. In March 2021, Crinetics gave presentations on its three clinical programs at the Endocrine Society’s annual ENDO 2021 congress. Posters on the company’s acromegaly program included a summary of the previously announced ACROBAT Edge Phase 2 results, as well as details of the new tablet formulation of paltusotine. Presentations related to the company’s earlier stage clinical programs included a poster with preclinical data supporting the development of CRN04777 as a treatment for congenital hyperinsulinism (HI) and a live oral presentation with preclinical evidence supporting the further evaluation of CRN04894 in Cushing’s disease and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).
Advanced ACTH antagonist CRN04894 into a Phase 1 study designed to provide clinical proof of concept. In February 2021, Crinetics initiated a Phase 1 study of CRN04894, an investigational, oral, nonpeptide adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) antagonist being developed for the treatment of diseases associated with excess ACTH such as Cushing’s disease and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). This study is designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of CRN04894 in healthy volunteers, and to provide clinical proof-of-concept data by measuring the effect of CRN04894 on the suppression of endocrine biomarkers that are used as key endpoints in patient studies and reflect the ability of CRN04894 to block ACTH-stimulated adrenal function. This healthy volunteer trial is also expected to provide important information for dose selection and be predictive of efficacy in Cushing’s disease and CAH patients. Crinetics expects preliminary safety, pharmacokinetic, and endocrine biomarker data in mid-2021.
Advanced SST5 agonist CRN04777 into a Phase 1 study designed to provide clinical proof of concept. In February 2021, Crinetics initiated a Phase 1 study of CRN04777, an investigational, oral, nonpeptide somatostatin receptor type 5 (SST5) agonist. CRN04777 is being developed as a treatment for congenital HI, a rare genetic disease in which excess insulin secretion causes life-threatening hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). This study is designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of CRN04777 in healthy volunteers and provide clinical proof-of-concept data by measuring both the ability of CRN04777 to inhibit glucose- and sulfonylurea-induced insulin secretion and the corresponding effects on blood glucose levels. These endocrine biomarkers are indicative of the ability of CRN04777 to prevent hypoglycemia and are expected to provide information for dose selection and be predictive of efficacy in patients with hyperinsulinism. Crinetics expects preliminary safety and pharmacological effect data in mid-2021.
Strengthened balance sheet with successful common stock offering. In April 2021, Crinetics completed an underwritten follow-on offering and raised net proceeds of approximately $72.5 million.
First Quarter 2021 Financial Results
Research and development expenses were $17.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $13.9 million for the same period in 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to additional personnel costs and clinical development and manufacturing activities for paltusotine, CRN04894, and CRN04777 as well as the company’s other preclinical programs.
General and administrative expenses were $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $4.0 million for the same period in 2020. The increase was primarily due to additional personnel costs to support the company’s growth.
Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $22.9 million, compared to a net loss of $17.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $150.7 million as of March 31, 2021, compared to $170.9 million as of December 31, 2020. The cash balance at the end of March does not include the $72.5 million of net proceeds from the follow-on offering completed in April.
As of April 30, 2021, the company had 37,593,371 common shares outstanding.

On May 6, 2021 Vincerx Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: VINC) (the "Company"), reported the completion of its redemption event with respect to its outstanding public warrants (the "Public Warrants") (Press release, Vincerx Pharma, MAY 6, 2021, View Source [SID1234579384]).

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The Company issued a press release on April 5, 2021, stating that it would redeem all of its outstanding Public Warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share ("Common Stock"), that were issued under the Warrant Agreement, dated as of March 5, 2020 (the "Warrant Agreement"), by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent (the "Warrant Agent"), that remained outstanding and unexercised at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on May 5, 2021 (the "Redemption Date") for a redemption price of $0.01 per Public Warrant (the "Redemption Price").

Of the 6,563,767 Public Warrants initially issued by the Company, 6,491,604 were exercised in aggregate, representing approximately 99% of the exercisable Public Warrants, with the remaining 72,163 unexercised Public Warrants redeemed by Vincerx.

Total cash proceeds generated from warrant exercises were approximately $37.3 million.

Total shares of Common Stock outstanding as of close of business on May 5, 2021, were 17,505,239.

On May 6, 2021 Targovax ASA (OSE: TRVX), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing immune activators to target hard-to-treat solid tumors, reported its first quarter 2021 results (Press release, Targovax, MAY 6, 2021, View Source [SID1234579418]).

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An online presentation by Targovax’s management to investors, analysts and the press will take place at 10:00 CET today (details below).

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

REASEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Reported continued survival benefit in Targovax’s ONCOS-102 trial in mesothelioma at the 21-month follow-up
Median Overall Survival (mOS) has still not been met for randomized first-line patients receiving ONCOS-102 plus chemotherapy
mOS will be at least 20.5 months for randomized first-line patients receiving ONCOS-102 plus chemotherapy, compared to mOS of 13.5 months in the chemotherapy-only control group
Received Fast-Track designation from the US FDA for ONCOS-102 in malignant pleural mesothelioma. This opens the potential for expedited development path and review
Entered a research collaboration with Papyrus Therapeutics to develop novel ONCOS viruses with receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor functionality
CORPORATE

Announced Dr Sonia Quaratino as a new member of the Board of Directors
Obtained US Patent for ONCOS-102 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors
Maintained TG + chemo patent as granted after opposition in European Patent Office
FINANCIALS

The interim financial information has not been subject to audit

Øystein Soug, CEO commented: "Targovax is at the beginning of a new and exciting development phase. Based on impressive ONCOS-102 clinical data, our main priority going forward is to start a next trial in PD1 refractory melanoma. At the same time, it is also important that we do it right and discuss our strategy with the FDA, since the aim of this trial is to support an accelerated approval. Moreover, based on the strength and breadth of the clinical and immune data, we believe our technology warrants a broader application. Hence, we envision several expansion possibilities beyond melanoma in other indications, with other novel combinations, and for our next generation pipeline products."

Presentation

We invite to a live webcast today at 10.00 CET. You can join the webcast here. It will be possible to ask questions during the presentation.

On May 6, 2021 Kadmon Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:KDMN) reported financial and operational results for the first quarter of 2021 (Press release, Kadmon, MAY 6, 2021, View Source [SID1234579440]).

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"We continue to ramp up commercial launch preparation activities for belumosudil in anticipation of the PDUFA goal date of August 30, 2021. Labeling discussions with the FDA are progressing and we believe that belumosudil, if approved, will serve a critical, unmet need for patients with cGVHD," said Harlan W. Waksal, M.D., President and CEO of Kadmon. "In addition, we are exploring the therapeutic potential of belumosudil in systemic sclerosis, a disease with similar manifestations to cGVHD. We continue to enroll patients in two separate Phase 2 studies in this indication and expect to present initial data from the open-label study by year-end 2021. In parallel, we are advancing the ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of KD033, our anti-PD-L1/IL-15 fusion protein. We look forward to sharing initial safety data from this trial at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) in June 2021 and additional clinical data in the fourth quarter of 2021."

2021 Anticipated Key Clinical Milestones:

Belumosudil in chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD)

Continue commercial launch readiness activities in anticipation of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of August 30, 2021
Belumosudil in diffuse subcutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc)

Continue enrollment in the open-label Phase 2 clinical trial of belumosudil in patients with dcSSc (KD025-215); the Company plans to present initial data from the trial by year-end 2021
Continue enrollment in ongoing placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trial in dcSSc (KD025-209)
KD033

Present initial safety data from the ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of KD033, the Company’s anti-PD-L1/IL-15 fusion protein, in patients with metastatic or locally advanced solid tumors, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, to be held June 4-8, 2021; additional clinical data from the trial are expected to be available in Q4 2021
Enrollment in the first two dose cohorts of the KD033 Phase 1 trial (KD033-101) was successfully completed; enrollment is ongoing in the next dose level (cohort 3)
Financial Results

First Quarter 2021 Results

Loss from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $27.4 million compared to $16.1 million for the same period in 2020, which included $6.0 million in one-time license revenues related to the Meiji strategic partnership.

The $5.6 million increase in operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to 2020 was primarily related to belumosudil commercial launch readiness activities, as well as research and development costs for KD033 and our preclinical product candidates.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At March 31, 2021, the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable debt securities totaled $295.9 million, compared to $123.9 million at December 31, 2020.

About Belumosudil

Belumosudil (KD025) is a selective oral inhibitor of Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase 2 (ROCK2), a signaling pathway that modulates inflammatory response and pro-fibrotic processes. The FDA granted Priority Review for the New Drug Application (NDA) for belumosudil for the treatment of cGVHD and has assigned a PDUFA goal date of August 30, 2021. The NDA is being reviewed under the FDA’s Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) and Project Orbis pilot programs. The FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to belumosudil for the treatment of patients with cGVHD after failure of two or more lines of systemic therapy. The FDA has also granted Orphan Drug Designation to belumosudil for the treatment of cGVHD and for the treatment of systemic sclerosis.