On August 9, 2021 Sutro Biopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: STRO), a clinical-stage drug discovery, development and manufacturing company focused on the application of precise protein engineering and rational design to create next-generation cancer and autoimmune therapeutics, reported its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, its recent business highlights, and provided a preview of anticipated selected milestones in the second half of 2021 (Press release, Sutro Biopharma, AUG 9, 2021, View Source [SID1234586160]).

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"Additional follow-up data from our STRO-002 dose-escalation data were presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and these data continue to demonstrate meaningful clinical benefit for women with advanced ovarian cancer. Enrollment in the dose-expansion cohort is ongoing and we look forward to providing an update later this year," said Bill Newell, Sutro’s Chief Executive Officer. "Our ADC collaborations with Bristol Myers Squibb and EMD Serono continue to make progress in the clinic. We are also encouraged by the strength of the Merck cytokine collaboration, with the first product candidate in IND-enabling studies and additional potential product candidates under development. These high-value partnerships add to the breadth of Sutro’s accomplishments in developing novel therapeutics to expand much-needed treatment options for cancer patients."

Recent Business Highlights and Anticipated Second Half 2021 Milestones

STRO-002, FolRα-Targeting ADC: Enrollment continues in the Phase 1 dose-expansion cohort for patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

The dose-escalation cohort of the Phase 1 trial completed enrollment as of August 31, 2020, and updated data were reported in May 2021 and presented as a poster at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Virtual Annual Meeting in June 2021.
The enrollment for the dose-expansion cohort of the Phase 1 trial is ongoing, with additional sites activated in the US and a CTA approved to initiate the study in Spain.
Sutro is expected to report initial data for the dose-expansion cohort in the second half of 2021; the data are expected to inform regulatory interactions and registration strategy as well as enable the identification of the broadest patient population that may benefit from STRO–002.
STRO-001, CD74-Targeting ADC: Enrollment is ongoing in the Phase 1 dose-escalation for patients with B-cell malignancies, including patients with lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

STRO-003: Preclinical development is underway and a product candidate is expected to be unveiled in the second half of 2021.

Merck Collaboration: First product candidate is in IND-enabling studies.

In April 2021, Merck initiated IND-enabling toxicology studies for the first program under the July 2018 cytokine derivatives collaboration, for which Sutro earned a $15 million milestone payment.
Additionally, research on the second cytokine derivative program is continuing.
BMS Collaboration: Phase 1 trial for CC-99712, BCMA-targeting ADC for patients with multiple myeloma, is ongoing.

EMD Serono Collaboration: Phase 1 trial for M1231, a first-in-class bispecific ADC targeting MUC1–EGFR for development in solid tumors, is ongoing.

Merck KGaA, EMD Serono (EMD Serono) began enrolling patients in the first quarter of 2021 in the dose-escalation portion of a Phase 1 trial of M1231 for treatment of metastatic solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
Sutro earned a milestone payment based on a patient enrollment achievement in the M1231 in the second quarter of 2021.
Vaxcyte Relationship: Partnership with Vaxcyte is exploring the potential of conjugated vaccines utilizing the power of Sutro’s cell-free technology.

Leadership Updates: Sutro continues to strengthen leadership through the addition of a Chief Commercial Officer, promotion of a Chief Portfolio Strategy & Alliance Officer, and additions to the Scientific Advisory Board.

Jane Chung joins the company as the Chief Commercial Officer and will provide patient, provider, thought leader and reimbursement insights as Sutro’s clinical programs advance. Ms. Chung has more than 20 years of pharmaceutical and biotechnology experience, having most recently served as President of AstraZeneca Canada, as well as previous roles at Onyx Pharmaceuticals and Genentech, and is a registered pharmacist.
Nicki Vasquez, Ph.D., has been promoted to Chief Portfolio Strategy & Alliance Officer and will provide continued support of portfolio strategy development, execution, and alliance leadership. Dr. Vasquez has led Alliance and Portfolio Management since 2015. Prior to Sutro, she was VP of Program & Portfolio Management at StemCells, Inc. and was previously at Elan Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Vasquez obtained her doctoral degree in immunology from the University of California, San Diego, and received her post-doctoral training at Genentech.
Robert Abraham, Ph.D., joined the Sutro Scientific Advisory Board in July 2021. Dr. Abraham is currently Chief Scientific Officer at Vividion Therapeutics and also an Adjunct Professor in Pharmacology at the University of California, San Diego, and is at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. Previously, he was Senior Vice President and Group Leader of the Oncology R&D Group at Pfizer.
Stanley R. Frankel, M.D., joined the Sutro Scientific Advisory Board in June 2021. Dr. Frankel is currently Chief Medical Officer at Cytovia Therapeutics and is also an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University, New York.
Second Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

As of June 30, 2021, Sutro had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $283.4 million, as compared to $326.5 million as of December 31, 2020, with projected runway into the second half of 2023, based on current business plans and assumptions. This does not include the value associated with Sutro’s holdings of approximately 1.6 million shares of Vaxcyte common stock. As of June 30, 2021, the fair value of the Vaxcyte common stock held by Sutro was $35.3 million.

Unrealized Gain (Loss) from Decrease in Value of Vaxcyte Common Stock

The non-operating, unrealized gain of $4.3 million and unrealized loss of $6.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 were due to the increase since March 31, 2021 and the decrease since December 31, 2020, respectively, in the estimated fair value of Sutro’s holdings of Vaxcyte common stock. Vaxcyte common stock held by Sutro will be remeasured at fair value based on the closing price of Vaxcyte’s common stock on the last trading day of each reporting period, with any non-operating, unrealized gains and losses recorded in Sutro’s statements of operations.

Revenue

Revenue was $28.0 million and $42.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, compared to $9.5 million and $16.6 million for the same periods in 2020, related principally to the Merck, BMS, and EMD Serono collaborations. Future collaboration revenue from Merck, BMS, and EMD Serono, and from any future collaboration partners, will fluctuate as a result of the amount and timing of revenue recognition of upfront, milestones, and other collaboration agreement payments.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 were $37.9 million and $71.5 million, respectively, compared to $25.9 million and $52.2 million for the same periods in 2020, including non-cash stock-based compensation of $5.9 million and $3.0 million, and depreciation and amortization expense of $1.1 million and $1.1 million, in the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Total operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were comprised of research and development expenses of $25.3 million and general and administrative expenses of $12.5 million, which are expected to increase in 2021 as Sutro’s internal product candidates advance in clinical development and additional general and administrative expenses are incurred as a public company.

On August 9, 2021 Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: RETA) ("Reata," the "Company," "our," "us," or "we"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, and provided an update on the Company’s business operations and clinical development programs (Press release, Reata Pharmaceuticals, AUG 9, 2021, View Source [SID1234586250]).

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Recent Company Highlights

Omaveloxolone in Patients with Friedreich’s Ataxia ("FA")

Based on a communication received from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") regarding omaveloxolone for the treatment of FA, we withdrew our request for a Type C meeting and requested a pre-NDA meeting with the FDA. The pre-NDA meeting request has been granted, a pre-NDA meeting has been scheduled during the third quarter of this year, and we have submitted briefing materials for the meeting. We recently received a communication from the FDA requesting the estimated date of our New Drug Application ("NDA") for its planning purposes. We plan to submit the NDA during the first quarter of 2022.

Bardoxolone Methyl ("Bardoxolone") in Patients with Alport Syndrome

The NDA for bardoxolone for the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease ("CKD") caused by Alport syndrome is currently under review by the FDA. The FDA completed a bio-research monitoring inspection of Reata. We did not receive any observations. We also recently completed a mid-cycle communication meeting with the FDA. While we have not yet received formal minutes from the FDA, in the preliminary agenda for, and during, the meeting, the FDA identified four significant clinical and statistical review issues for us to address. The FDA invited us to respond to its identified issues in follow-up submissions to the NDA, and we believe each of the identified issues is addressable with additional data and analyses. The FDA did not designate any safety issues as significant issues, and it stated that, based on its current review, it does not believe a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies ("REMS") program is needed. The FDA also advised us that an Advisory Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for December 8, 2021. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act ("PDUFA") date, the FDA action date for the application, is scheduled for February 25, 2022.

We reaffirm our plan to submit a Marketing Authorization Application ("MAA") with the European Medicines Agency ("EMA") in the fourth quarter of 2021 for marketing approval of bardoxolone for the treatment of CKD caused by Alport syndrome in the European Union.

On July 27, 2021, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. ("KKC"), our strategic collaborator in CKD in Japan, submitted an NDA in Japan to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare ("MHLW") for bardoxolone for the treatment of patients with CKD caused by Alport syndrome. Based on this submission, we have earned a milestone payment under the KKC license agreement.

Bardoxolone in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease ("ADPKD")

FALCON is an international, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, registrational Phase 3 trial studying the safety and efficacy of bardoxolone in patients with ADPKD randomized one-to-one to bardoxolone or placebo. We recently had a Type B meeting with the FDA regarding the ADPKD development program, and we have not yet received minutes from the meeting. Based on the discussion during the meeting, we plan to modify the protocol so that the primary endpoint will be the Year 2 off-treatment analysis. Additionally, we will not unblind the trial until after its completion, we will add an eight-week off-treatment visit to the study, and we will incorporate the FDA’s feedback on data related to patients who discontinued treatment early in the study. We may need to increase the patient enrollment sample size from the current target of 550 patients. More than 370 patients are currently enrolled in the study. We continue to expect to enroll 550 patients in the FALCON study by the end of 2021. However, if we decide to increase the target enrollment, we will provide updated guidance on our enrollment timeline.

Bardoxolone in Patients with CKD at Risk of Rapid Progression

MERLIN is a multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of bardoxolone in patients with CKD due to multiple etiologies at meaningful risk of progression to end-stage kidney disease. We have completed enrollment in the MERLIN trial and expect to have top-line data in the fourth quarter of 2021. If the results of this study are positive, we may proceed to a larger Phase 3 with similar eligibility criteria.

Recent Presentations

Abstracts highlighting results from our various programs in CKD and FA have been selected for presentation at recent international medical conferences. Posters that have been presented can be found on our website at View Source." target="_blank" title="View Source." rel="nofollow">View Source

Dr. David Lynch, MD, PhD, Director, Friedreich’s Ataxia Program, Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, presented the talk Efficacy of Omaveloxolone in Patients with Friedreich’s Ataxia: Baseline-Controlled Study at the National Ataxia Foundation’s Ataxia Investigators Meeting 2021, which was held virtually from May 24 – 27, 2021.
Dr. Bradley A. Warady, MD, Director, Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, MO presented the talk Safety of Bardoxolone Methyl in Pediatric Patients with Alport Syndrome in CARDINAL Phase 3 Trial at the 58th ERA-EDTA Congress, which was held virtually from June 5 – 8, 2021.
Dr. Arlene Chapman, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, presented the poster Trial Design for Phase 3 FALCON: Evaluation of the Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Bardoxolone Methyl in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease at the PKD CON:NECT Conference, which was held virtually from June 25 – 26, 2021.
Second Quarter Financial Highlights

Cash and Cash Equivalents

At June 30, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $755.7 million. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents during the second quarter of 2021 was $21.9 million, as compared to $40.5 million in the first quarter of 2021. This decrease in cash used is primarily due to a $22.9 million tax refund related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act that was received during the second quarter of 2021. We reaffirm our current cash runway to last through mid-2024.

Collaboration Revenue

Collaboration revenue was $2.2 million in the second quarter of 2021, as compared to $3.1 million for the same period of the year prior.

GAAP and Non-GAAP Research and Development ("R&D") Expenses

R&D expenses according to generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("GAAP") were $40.1 million for the second quarter of 2021, as compared to $36.8 million, for the same period of the year prior.

Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $34.8 million for the second quarter of 2021, as compared to $29.3 million, for the same period of the year prior.1

GAAP and Non-GAAP General and Administrative ("G&A") Expenses

GAAP G&A expenses were $22.0 million for the second quarter of 2021, as compared to $16.6 million, for the same period of the year prior.

Non-GAAP G&A expenses were $14.0 million for the second quarter of 2021, as compared to $9.3 million for the same period of the year prior.1

GAAP and Non-GAAP Net Loss

The GAAP net loss for the second quarter of 2021 was $72.7 million, or $2.00 per share, on both a basic and diluted basis, as compared to a GAAP net loss of $67.6 million, or $2.03 per share, on both a basic and diluted basis, for the same period of the year prior.

The non-GAAP net loss for second quarter of 2021 was $48.0 million, or $1.32 per share on both a basic and diluted basis, as compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $40.9 million, or $1.23 per share, on both a basic and diluted basis, for the same period of the year prior.1

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1 See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for a description of non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP R&D expenses, GAAP and non-GAAP G&A expenses, and GAAP and non-GAAP net loss, respectively, appearing later in the press release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP R&D expenses, non-GAAP G&A expenses, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per common share – basic and diluted. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

The increases in GAAP and non-GAAP net loss are driven primarily by increased clinical study and manufacturing activities, commercial launch readiness activities, and increased personnel and personnel-related costs to support the growth of our development activities compared to the same period of the year prior.

The Company defines non-GAAP R&D expenses as GAAP R&D expenses, excluding stock-based compensation expense; non-GAAP G&A expenses as GAAP G&A expenses, excluding stock-based compensation expense; non-GAAP operating expenses as GAAP operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation expense; non-GAAP net loss as GAAP net loss, excluding stock-based compensation expense, non-cash interest expense from liability related to sale of future royalties, loss on extinguishment of debt, and gain on lease termination; and non-GAAP net loss per common share – basic and diluted as GAAP net loss per common share – basic and diluted, excluding stock-based compensation expense, non-cash interest expense from liability related to sale of future royalties, and loss on extinguishment of debt. The Company has excluded the impact of stock-based compensation expense, which may fluctuate from period to period based on factors including the variability associated with performance-based grants for stock options and restricted stock units and changes in the Company’s stock price, which impacts the fair value of these awards. The Company has excluded the impact of accreted non-cash interest expense from liability related to sale of future royalties as it may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, peer companies who also provide non-GAAP disclosures. The Company has excluded the impact of loss on extinguishment of debt and gain on lease termination as they are non-recurring transactions that make it difficult to compare its results to peer companies who also provide non-GAAP disclosures. The Company has excluded the impact of stock-based compensation expense, non-cash interest expense from liability related to sale of future royalties, loss on extinguishment of debt, and gain on lease termination because the Company believes its impact makes it difficult to compare its results to prior periods and anticipated future periods. Because management believes certain items, such as stock-based compensation expense, non-cash interest expense from liability related to sales of future royalties, loss on extinguishment of debt, and gain on lease termination, can distort the trends associated with the Company’s ongoing performance, the following measures are often provided, excluding special items, and utilized by the Company’s management, analysts, and investors to enhance consistency and comparability of year-over-year results, as well as to industry trends, and to provide a basis for evaluating operating results in future periods: non-GAAP net loss; non-GAAP net loss per common share – basic and diluted; non-GAAP R&D expenses; non-GAAP G&A expenses; and non-GAAP operating expenses.

The Company believes the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to management and investors regarding the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. When GAAP financial measures are viewed in conjunction with these non-GAAP financial measures, investors are provided with a more meaningful understanding of the Company’s ongoing operating performance and are better able to compare the Company’s performance between periods. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are among those indicators the Company uses as a basis for evaluating performance, allocating resources and planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation between these non-GAAP measures and the most directly comparable GAAP measures is provided later in this press release.

Conference Call Information

Reata’s management will host a conference call on August 9, 2021, at 4:30 pm ET. The conference call will be accessible by dialing (866) 270-1533 (toll-free domestic) or (412) 317-0797 (international) using the access code: 10157197. The webcast link is View Source

Second quarter financial results to be discussed during the call will be included in an earnings press release that will be available on the company’s website shortly before the call at View Source and will be available for 12 months after the call. The audio recording and webcast will be accessible for at least 90 days after the event at View Source." target="_blank" title="View Source." rel="nofollow">View Source

On August 9, 2021 QIAGEN (NYSE:QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) and OncXerna Therapeutics, Inc. ("OncXerna"), a precision medicine company using an innovative RNA-expression based biomarker platform to predict patient responses to its targeted oncology therapeutic candidates, reported signing a master companion diagnostics (CDx) agreement to develop a NGS CDx for OncXerna’s product candidate, Navicixizumab, and a non-exclusive license to the Xerna TME panel (Press release, Qiagen, AUG 9, 2021, View Source [SID1234586597]).

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QIAGEN and OncXerna have agreed to collaborate to advance the Xerna TME panel towards IVD (in-vitro diagnostic) regulatory approval as a NGS companion diagnostic for Navicixizumab, which is being developed by OncXerna as a treatment for patients with ovarian cancer. The diagnostic will be used to determine if patients with ovarian cancer whose dominant tumor biology is driven by angiogenesis are more likely to benefit from treatment with Navicixizumab.

The Xerna TME panel uses proprietary RNA-based gene expression data and a machine learning-based algorithm to classify patients based on the dominant biology of their cancer so that patients can be matched with therapies that directly address these biologies. Pursuant to the non-exclusive license, which is for research use only ("RUO") and clinical development programs, OncXerna has granted QIAGEN the rights to integrate the Xerna TME panel into their NGS workflow solutions, which broadens QIAGEN’s NGS CDx custom panel development capabilities.

"We are very pleased to complete these agreements with QIAGEN, which we see as providing important external validation for the Xerna TME panel and our broader RNA-based biomarker platform," stated Dr. Laura Benjamin, OncXerna Founder and CEO. "As an NGS industry-leader in precision medicine diagnostics with impressive global development, manufacturing and commercial capabilities, we believe QIAGEN is uniquely positioned to help advance the Xerna TME panel towards regulatory approval as an NGS companion diagnostic and, if approved, drive the panel’s adoption. Moreover, integration of the Xerna TME Panel into their workflow solutions could enable QIAGEN to provide a new RNA-based offering to strengthen their overall immune oncology solutions for biopharma customers."

"We believe that the Xerna TME panel that we can now offer our customers will further enhance our strong portfolio in companion diagnostics. Through this agreement, we aim to foster additional NGS-based collaborations with pharmaceutical companies for the development of drug treatments for immune oncology and promote early clinical adoption of precision medicine diagnostics such as our therascreen portfolio and the Xerna TME panel," said Jonathan Arnold, Vice President, Head of Oncology and Precision Diagnostics at QIAGEN. "We are also thrilled to have the master CDx agreement in place and look forward to working with OncXerna to develop an NGS companion diagnostic for Navicixizumab based on our extensive track record with the development of companion diagnostics for a variety of cancers."

QIAGEN is a pioneer in Precision Medicine and the global leader in collaborations with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to co-develop companion diagnostics, which detect clinically relevant genetic abnormalities to provide insights that guide clinical decision-making in diseases such as cancer. QIAGEN has an unmatched depth and breadth of technologies from next-generation sequencing (NGS) to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for companion diagnostic development. QIAGEN has ten PCR based companion diagnostic indications that are FDA approved, including therascreen EGFR for non-small cell lung cancer, therascreen KRAS for colorectal cancer, therascreen FGFR for urothelial cancer, therascreen PIK3CA for breast cancer based on tissue or plasma samples and the therascreen BRAF kit for colorectal cancer.

Currently, QIAGEN is working under master collaboration agreements with more than 25 companies to develop and commercialize companion diagnostic tests for their drug candidates – a deep pipeline of potential future products to advance Precision Medicine for the benefit of patients.

About OncXerna Therapeutics, its Xerna RNA-based Biomarker Platform, and Xerna TME Panel

OncXerna is a precision medicine company using an innovative RNA-expression based biomarker platform to predict patient responses to its targeted oncology therapeutic candidates. OncXerna is working to expand next-generation precision medicine to a larger group of cancer patients by leveraging the company’s Xerna platform to prospectively identify patients based on the dominant biology of their cancer. OncXerna’s approach pairs those patients with OncXerna’s clinical-stage therapeutic candidates and known mechanism of action that directly address these biologies, with the goal to substantially improve patient outcomes. The Xerna TME Panel uses proprietary RNA-based gene expression data and a machine learning-based algorithm to classify patients based on the interplay between angiogenic and immunogenic dominant biologies of the tumor microenvironment (TME), and has been developed as a clinical assay. The Xerna TME Panel is an investigational assay that has not been approved, and has not been demonstrated to be safe or effective for any use.

About Navicixizumab

Navicixizumab is an anti-DLL4/VEGF bispecific antibody product candidate that demonstrated antitumor activity in patients who were previously treated with Avastin (bevacizumab) in a Phase 1b clinical trial. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Fast Track designation to navicixizumab for the treatment of high-grade ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer in patients who have received at least three prior therapies and/or prior treatment with Avastin. Navicixizumab is an investigational agent that has not been approved, and it has not been demonstrated to be safe or effective for any use, including for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer.

On August 9, 2021 bluebird bio, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLUE) reported financial results and business highlights for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 and provided operational updates, including the announcement that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed a clinical hold on clinical studies of elivaldogene autotemcel (eli-cel, Lenti-D) gene therapy (licensed as SKYSONA in Europe) for cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CALD) (Press release, bluebird bio, AUG 9, 2021, View Source [SID1234586076]).

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"I’m tremendously proud of what bluebird has accomplished this quarter both operationally and strategically to ready ourselves to launch both bluebird bio and 2seventy bio," said Nick Leschly, chief bluebird. "Seven months after announcing our intent to split, and thanks to the incredibly hard work by our teams, we have created a solid foundation for both organizations. The ABECMA launch is exceeding expectations, the oncology INDs and severe genetic disease (SGD) biologics license application (BLA) filings are tracking for later this year, and we have established clear visions and leadership teams for each business. Importantly, we have made tough strategic decisions to reshape the overall cost structure to allow both companies to launch in a strong position to execute through important value-creating milestones."

BUSINESS SEPARATION

In January 2021, bluebird announced its intent to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies (bluebird bio and 2seventy bio). The company expects the separation to be completed by the end of 2021 and to be tax-free to bluebird shareholders.

Key members of the executive teams of both companies have been announced, effective upon completion of the planned separation. This includes Andrew Obenshain as CEO of bluebird and Nick Leschly as CEO of 2seventy.
The full board of directors for both companies will be announced closer to the separation date.
2seventy has confidentially filed its Form 10 Registration Statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in which it describes the planned tax-free spin-off of 2seventy as a publicly traded company.
bluebird plans to distribute 100% of the outstanding shares of 2seventy common stock to bluebird’s stockholders on a pro-rata basis.
Based on current cash position and the expected $110M upfront payment upon closing of the National Resilience, Inc. strategic collaboration, the Company anticipates having a cash balance of approximately $900M at the time of separation. Together with existing and emerging sources of revenue, we expect our cash balance will be sufficient to fund approximately 24 months of operations for bluebird and 2seventy under current business plans.
ELI-CEL SAFETY UPDATE

The company received a reported Suspected Unexpected Serious Adverse Reaction (SUSAR) of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), that is likely mediated by Lenti-D lentiviral vector (LVV) insertion, in a patient who was treated with eli-cel, or Lenti-D drug product for CALD over one year ago in the Phase 3 ALD-104 study. Evidence currently available suggests that specific design features of Lenti-D LVV likely contributed to this event. The company has shared this information with the independent data monitoring committee of the study and the FDA has placed the eli-cel program on a clinical hold. The company does not anticipate the clinical hold to impact its programs in sickle cell disease (SCD), β-thalassemia or oncology. Subject to resolution of the clinical hold, the company anticipates completing the submission of the rolling BLA for eli-cel in 2021.

"Our hearts go out to this patient and his family, who are dealing with a challenging diagnosis," said Nick Leschly, chief bluebird. "Given what we know, we remain confident that eli-cel can offer hope for patients and families impacted by this devastating disease who have very few treatment options. We are committed to working with regulators and physicians in order to resolve this hold as soon as possible and bring this important therapy to patients in need."

BLUEBIRD BIO BUSINESS UPDATE

Today, bluebird bio is announcing that the company intends to focus its SGD business on the U.S. market and on further investments in research and development to optimize its core three programs in SCD, β-thalassemia and CALD, as well as on the development of a pipeline exploring new disease indications using in vivo LVV technology. The company remains focused and is on track to complete the rolling submissions of the U.S. BLAs in β-thalassemia in 3Q 2021 and CALD in 2021, pending resolution of the eli-cel clinical hold.

In connection with the planned completion of the business separation in the fourth quarter of 2021 and pivot to U.S.-centric efforts for SGD, bluebird plans an orderly wind down of its operations in Europe and to explore how to give patients in Europe access to its gene therapies, including potentially out-licensing the ex-U.S. rights to its three lead products to a company with European experience and capabilities.

"bluebird’s decision to focus on the U.S. market is driven by the challenges of achieving appropriate value recognition and market access for ZYNTEGLO in Europe, which makes bringing its transformative gene therapies like ZYNTEGLO and SKYSONA to patients and physicians in Europe untenable for a small innovative company at this time," said Andrew Obenshain, president, severe genetic diseases, bluebird bio. "While European regulators have been innovative partners in supporting accelerated regulatory paths for these therapies, European payers have not yet evolved their approach to gene therapy in a way that can recognize the innovation and the expected life-long benefit of these products. We are committed to and hope to find a potential partner who can help us carry forward our therapies in Europe."

BLUEBIRD BIO RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

BB1111 AND ZYNTEGLO CLINICAL HOLD LIFT – On June 7, 2021, bluebird announced that the FDA has lifted the clinical holds on the Phase 1/2 HGB-206 and Phase 3 HGB-210 studies of LentiGlobin for SCD gene therapy (bb1111) for adult and pediatric patients with SCD, and the Phase 3 Northstar-2 (HGB-207) and Northstar-3 (HGB-212) studies of betibeglogene autotemcel gene therapy (beti-cel; licensed as ZYNTEGLO in the EU and the UK) for adult, adolescent and pediatric patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT). The company is working closely with study investigators and clinical trial sites to resume all study activities as soon as possible.
β-THALASSEMIA

EHA DATA – On June 11, 2021, bluebird presented data from several studies of beti-cel in adult, adolescent and pediatric patients with TDT. These data were presented during EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper)2021 Virtual, the 26th Annual Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper). With 51 patients enrolled, data from the long-term follow-up study (LTF-303) show that all patients treated with beti-cel who achieve transfusion independence (TI) remain free from transfusions, with the longest follow-up of seven years. Across Phase 3 studies, 89% (32/36) of evaluable patients across ages and genotypes achieved TI and remain transfusion free, including 91% (20/22) of evaluable pediatric patients under the age of 18. Data from bluebird bio’s Phase 1/2 and Phase 3 clinical studies represent more than 220 patient-years of experience with beti-cel.
EU MARKETING AUTHORIZATION – On July 9, 2021, bluebird announced that the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) has concluded based on the review of all available data that the benefit-risk balance of ZYNTEGLO (beti-cel) remains favorable. bluebird bio informed the EMA that the company has lifted the voluntary marketing suspension. Today, bluebird is announcing that on the basis of the PRAC decision, the EMA CHMP (Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use) has endorsed the positive recommendation for ZYNTEGLO by the PRAC. A confirmatory decision by the European Commission (EC) is expected in 3Q 2021.
CEREBRAL ADRENOLEUKODYSTROPHY

SKYSONA EC DECISION – On July 21, 2021, bluebird announced that the EC granted marketing authorization of SKYSONA, a one-time gene therapy for the treatment of early CALD in patients less than 18 years of age with an ABCD1 genetic mutation, and for whom a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling hematopoietic (blood) stem cell (HSC) donor is not available.
2SEVENTY BIO RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

ABECMA LAUNCH – This quarter, bluebird and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) launched ABECMA (idecabtagene vicleucel; ide-cel) in the U.S. ABECMA generated total U.S. revenues of $24 million in 2Q 2021 which bluebird shares equally with BMS. As of June 30, 2021, over 65 sites in the U.S. had been qualified to treat patients. bluebird and BMS have reported robust demand for ABECMA and are working to continue to increase manufacturing capacity over time.
STRATEGIC MANUFACTURING ALLIANCE – On July 28, 2021, bluebird and National Resilience, Inc. (Resilience) announced a strategic alliance aimed to accelerate the early research, development and delivery of cell therapies. As part of the agreement, Resilience will acquire bluebird’s Research Triangle (bRT) manufacturing facility located in North Carolina for $110 million and will retain all of the more than 100 highly skilled technical staff and administrators currently employed at the site. Resilience will continue to support vector supply for both bluebird and 2seventy. The two companies are also finalizing a definitive agreement to establish partner programs that will share expense and revenue for successful commercialized oncology products and in parallel establish a next-generation manufacturing R&D collaboration. Additionally, 2seventy plans to invest in internal drug product manufacturing capability and capacity to support its future clinical studies.
KARMMA ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) DATA – On May 19, 2021, bluebird and BMS announced new data and analyses from the pivotal KarMMa study evaluating ABECMA. These data showed a 24.8-month median overall survival in triple-class exposed relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. With more than 24-month median follow-up, results represent longest follow-up to date from a global clinical trial of a CAR T cell therapy in multiple myeloma with 73% overall response rate and responses ongoing with a median duration of response in patients achieving a ≥CR of 21.5 months. Analysis of characteristics of neurotoxicity (NT) observed in KarMMa study reinforce well-understood safety profile of ABECMA with mostly Grade 1/2 occurrences of NT having early onset and resolution.
UPCOMING ANTICIPATED MILESTONES

BLUEBIRD BIO

bluebird anticipates the separation of its SGD and oncology businesses into two independent, publicly traded companies (bluebird bio and 2seventy bio) to be completed by the end of 2021.
TDT: The company is on track to complete its rolling BLA submission to the FDA for beti-cel in 3Q 2021. This submission is anticipated to include adult, adolescent and pediatric patients with transfusion dependent β-thalassemia across all genotypes (including non-β0/β0 genotypes and β0/β0 genotypes).
CALD: Subject to resolution of the clinical hold, the company plans to complete its rolling BLA submission to the FDA for eli-cel in 2021.
SCD: The company is continuing to evaluate the impact of the recently-lifted clinical hold on bb1111 and plans to continue to work closely with the FDA in their review of these events to provide an update on the company’s development plan and timeline for submission for regulatory approval of bb1111 by year end.
SCD: The company plans to present clinical data from its ongoing HGB-206 clinical study of bb1111 by the end of 2021.
2SEVENTY BIO

Continued commercial launch of ABECMA in the U.S.
Submission of 1-2 investigational new drug (IND) applications by the end of 2021.
Presentation of clinical data from the ongoing CRB-402 study of bb21217 by the end of 2021.
SECOND QUARTER 2021 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were $941.6 million and $1.27 billion, respectively. The decrease in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities is primarily related to cash used in support of ordinary course operating activities.
Revenues: Total revenues were $7.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $198.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Total revenues were $20.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $220.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease for both periods was primarily driven by a cumulative catch-up adjustment to revenue recorded in connection with the May 2020 BMS contract modification in the second quarter of 2020.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $144.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $156.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Research and development expenses were $298.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $310.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease for both periods was primarily driven by decreased manufacturing expenses, a decrease in license and milestone fees, and a decrease in clinical costs in light of safety events in the HGB-206 study of LentiGlobin for SCD gene therapy.
SG&A Expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $78.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $68.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $165.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $141.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase for both periods was primarily driven by an increase in consulting fees associated with the ongoing project to separate the company’s severe genetic disease and oncology businesses into two independently traded companies as well as an increased employee compensation, benefit, and other headcount related expenses.
Net Loss: Net loss was $241.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $21.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Net loss was $447.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $224.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020.
Investor Conference Call Information

bluebird will hold a conference call to discuss this update on Monday, August 9 at 8:00 a.m. ET. Investors may listen to the call by dialing (844) 825-4408 from locations in the United States or +1 (315) 625-3227 from outside the United States. Please refer to conference ID number 9698691.

To access the live webcast of bluebird’s presentation, please visit the "Events & Presentations" page within the Investors & Media section of the bluebird website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be available on the bluebird website for 90 days following the event.

On August 9, 2021 INOVIO (NASDAQ:INO), a biotechnology company focused on rapidly bringing to market precisely designed DNA medicines to treat and protect people from infectious diseases, cancer, and HPV-associated diseases, teported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 (Press release, Inovio, AUG 9, 2021, View Source [SID1234586112]). INOVIO’s management will host a live conference call and webcast at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss financial results and provide a general business update. The business update includes INOVIO’s COVID-19 vaccine development efforts that address both current and future variants of concern ("VOC"), accompanied with recent developments associated with INOVIO’s various therapeutic programs relating to its DNA medicines platform. The live webcast and replay may be accessed by visiting INOVIO’s website at View Source

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Dr. J. Joseph Kim, President and CEO of INOVIO, said, "With COVID-19 rates surging again globally and an increasing number of breakthrough infections, INOVIO recognizes the need for additional safe and effective first-line vaccines, particularly those which could offer potential boosting capabilities, to combat the spread of the virus and emerging variants, including the rapidly spreading delta variant. INO-4800’s ability to generate CD8 T cells are important to mitigating against variants of concern, including the delta variant. Findings from a study using clinical samples showed that INO-4800 maintained a robust T cell level against the delta variant when compared to T-cell responses from the original wildtype strain. These findings further complement our previously published Phase 1 and 2 trial data for INO-4800. As a reminder, the key advantages of INOVIO’s DNA medicines platform include the ability to generate a balanced immune response that includes engagement of both T cells and B cells, coupled with a favorable transport, thermostability, and tolerability profile. These advantages continue to be integral to our ongoing discussions with countries expected to participate in the global INNOVATE Phase 3 trial for INO-4800, some of which are also considering INO-4800 for both clinical trials and the eventual emergency use authorization (EUA)."

Dr. Kim continued, "In parallel with our global INNOVATE Phase 3 trial, we continue to prepare INOVIO’s next-generation, pan-COVID vaccine candidate, INO-4802, in a Phase 1/2 trial entitled IMPACT (INOVIO INO-4802 Multi-variant Pan-COVID-19 Vaccine Trial), where the goal is to induce cross-reactive immune responses against current and emerging viral variants as either a first-line vaccine, or as a boost."

INOVIO Key Updates & Second Quarter 2021 Highlights

Key Updates

INOVIO expanded its partnership with Advaccine Biopharmaceuticals Suzhou Co., Ltd. ("Advaccine") to jointly conduct the global Phase 3 segment of the ongoing Phase 2/3 trial called INNOVATE (INOVIO INO-4800 Vaccine Trial for Efficacy) in multiple countries.

Subsequent to the quarter end, INOVIO and Advaccine received regulatory allowance to conduct two clinical trials in China investigating heterologous boosting with INO-4800 through partner and trial-sponsor Advaccine, together with Sinovac Biotechnology ("Sinovac"). The studies will evaluate the safety and efficacy of heterologous prime-boost sequential immunizations using INO-4800 and CoronaVac, an inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac and validated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for emergency use.

INO-4800 vaccination maintained a similar level of T cell responses against the delta variant when compared to the T cell responses to the original wildtype strain and showed a similar level of reduced neutralizing antibody activity against the delta variant by the mRNA vaccines. These findings build on previously published results showing that INO-4800 provided broad, cross-reactive immune responses in humans against alpha, beta and gamma VOC.

INOVIO published pre-clinical data as a pre-print for INO-4802 demonstrating cross-reactive immune responses against current and emerging viral variants that shows the potential INOVIO’s next-generation, pan-COVID-19 vaccine candidate, as either a first-line vaccine or potentially as a booster for individuals previously immunized with various wildtype-matched vaccines. INO-4802 induced potent neutralizing antibodies, T cell responses, and protection in a pre-clinical model against the original wildtype strain as well as against the alpha, beta, gamma and, in subsequent research, the delta variant.

Subsequent to the quarter end, INOVIO dosed the first subject in its Phase 2 clinical trial for INO-4700, its DNA vaccine candidate for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ("MERS"), a disease in the coronavirus family for which there are no approved vaccines. The study, which is sponsored by INOVIO and funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations ("CEPI"), is evaluating the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of INO-4700 in approximately 500 healthy adult volunteers in Jordan and Lebanon.

In 2Q 2021, the University of Pennsylvania enrolled its first patient in a Phase 1b investigator-sponsored trial of INOVIO’s DNA vaccine candidate INO-5401 alone or INO-5401 in combination with INO-9012 delivered with INOVIO’s CELLECTRA smart device, in adult cancer and non-cancer patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.

INOVIO Second Quarter 2021 Program Updates

DNA Vaccine Candidates

INO-4800: INNOVATE Phase 3 Trial

INOVIO expanded its partnership with Advaccine to jointly conduct a global Phase 3 trial for INO-4800. Under the terms of the collaboration, INOVIO and Advaccine intend to share equally, subject to specified limitations and conditions, the total cost of the planned global Phase 3 trial, which is estimated to be approximately $100 million. This is an extension of an existing relationship between the two companies, including an exclusive agreement announced in January 2021 under which Advaccine has the exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize INO-4800 within Greater China, inclusive of mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Under the expanded partnership, Advaccine obtained rights to additional Asian countries outside of Greater China. The companies intend to evaluate the safety and efficacy of INO-4800 in a two-dose regimen (2.0 mg), administered one month apart, in a two-to-one randomization in healthy men and non-pregnant women 18 years and older across several countries, with a focus on Latin America, Asia and Africa. The 2.0 mg dose was selected from the Phase 2 segment, where INO-4800 was shown to be generally well-tolerated and immunogenic across all adult age groups. In particular, the geometric mean fold rise of binding and neutralizing antibody levels was statistically significant and greater in the 2.0 mg dose group versus the 1.0 mg dose group. Notably, the T cell immune responses measured by the ELISpot assay were also higher in the 2.0 mg dose group as compared to the 1.0 mg dose group. The primary endpoint of the Phase 3 segment will be virologically confirmed COVID-19 cases, and INOVIO anticipates the first regulatory approval next month.

During the second quarter of 2021, INOVIO released as a pre-print results from a study using clinical samples showing that INO-4800 provided broad cross-reactive immune responses in humans against VOC. The study showed the T cell responses induced by INO-4800 vaccination were fully maintained against the alpha, beta, and gamma variants when compared to the T cell responses to the original wildtype strain. Despite recent reports showing a reduction in neutralizing activity against the gamma variant by the mRNA or viral vector vaccines, INO-4800 generated robust neutralizing antibodies at levels against the gamma variant that were comparable to those observed against the wildtype strain. Taken together with the data showing the maintenance of T cell activity, the results reported in this study provide a comprehensive overview of cross-reactive cellular and humoral immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants for INO-4800 vaccinated individuals, showing the potential of INO-4800 to combat emerging as well as future variants of concern. The study, entitled, "INO-4800 DNA Vaccine Induces T Cell Activity and Neutralizing Antibodies Against Global SARS-CoV-2 Variants," is available via pre-print in bioRxiv.

Subsequent to this published work, INO-4800 vaccination was also found to maintain a similar level of T cell responses against the delta variant when compared to the T cell responses to the original wildtype strain, while it showed a similar level of reduced neutralizing antibody activity against the delta variant by the mRNA vaccines.

INOVIO continues to evaluate and assess the impact the new circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2 have on the immune profile elicited by INO-4800, as well as assessing boosting capabilities of INO-4800.

INO-4800: Heterologous Prime-Boost Trials

This morning, INOVIO announced the regulatory allowance in China to conduct two clinical trials investigating heterologous boosting with INO-4800 through its partner and trial-sponsor Advaccine, together with Sinovac. The trials will evaluate the safety and efficacy of heterologous prime-boost sequential immunizations using INO-4800 and CoronaVac, an inactivated virus COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinovac and validated by the WHO for emergency use. China’s Center for Drug Evaluation of the National Medical Products Administration has allowed two Advaccine-sponsored open-label, positive-control trials to evaluate the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of mixed boosted regimens. Both studies, which will be conducted in China, are anticipated to begin this fall and will involve healthy adult subjects 18 years of age or older.

INOVIO, Advaccine, and Sinovac have completed cross prime-boost pre-clinical animal tests using INO-4800 and CoronaVac, demonstrating that the prime-boost strategy can stimulate high-level of antigen specific binding antibodies, neutralizing antibodies by both live-virus neutralization assay and hACE2 receptor blocking assay, and antigen-specific T cell immune response.

IMPACT (INOVIO INO-4802 Multi-variant Pan-COVID-19 Vaccine Trial):

In parallel with INO-4800, INOVIO is also developing a second generation, pan-COVID vaccine candidate, INO-4802, which is designed to protect against current and future VOC. INO-4802 could potentially offer boosting capabilities in addition to an initial vaccination regimen with INO-4800 and/or other first-generation vaccines, including both adenovirus and mRNA-based platforms.

In 2Q and then updated subsequent to the quarter, INOVIO released a manuscript as a preprint in bioRxiv entitled, "Design and Immunogenicity of a Pan-SARS-CoV-2 Synthetic DNA Vaccine," which demonstrated cross-reactive immune responses against current and emerging viral variants using INOVIO’s next-generation pan-COVID-19 vaccine candidate, INO-4802, as either a first-line vaccine, or potentially as a booster for individuals previously immunized with various wildtype-matched vaccines. Specifically, INO-4802 generated potent neutralizing antibodies, T cell responses, and protection in a preclinical model against the original wildtype strain as well as against the alpha, beta, gamma and delta variants.

Infectious Diseases: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ("MERS") and Lassa Fever

INOVIO dosed the first subject in its Phase 2 clinical trial for INO-4700, its DNA vaccine candidate for MERS. MERS, which currently has no approved vaccine, is a coronavirus that is about 100 times deadlier than COVID-19 and fatal to approximately 34% of those infected.

The Phase 2 trial is being conducted at sites in Jordan and Lebanon, where MERS cases have been reported. The randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial, which is sponsored by INOVIO and funded by CEPI, evaluates the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of INO-4700 administered using INOVIO’s CELLECTRA smart device in approximately 500 healthy adult volunteers.

INOVIO’s pursuit of a MERS vaccine is funded by a previously announced $56 million grant from CEPI, under which INOVIO will develop vaccine candidates through Phase 2 against MERS and Lassa fever. INOVIO and CEPI plan to pursue a stockpile of MERS vaccines available for emergency use as soon as possible following Phase 2 testing.

Subsequent to the quarter end, CEPI announced in July 2021 that it is providing $10.3 million in funding to partners in Benin, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone to participate in the epidemiological research program entitled Enable, which will enroll up to 23,000 participants, including in Nigeria, which began collecting participant data in December 2020. The Enablestudy aims to better understand the rate, location, and spread of Lassa virus across the region. CEPI has supported the development of six Lassa vaccine candidates, including INOVIO’s INO-4500. INO-4500 is the first Lassa vaccine candidate to enter Phase 1 trial in the U.S., and in the first quarter INOVIO dosed the first subject in a Phase 1b clinical trial for INO-4500 in Africa. It remains INOVIO’s and CEPI’s goal to making INO-4500 available for possible emergency use as a stockpile product after successful completion of the Phase 2 trial.

HPV-related Diseases

VGX-3100: Cervical, Vulvar, and Anal HSIL

REVEAL 1 / REVEAL 2 (Cervical HSIL)

INOVIO continues to follow subjects in REVEAL 1 (Randomized Evaluation of VGX-3100 and Electroporation for the treatment of Cervical HSIL), a Phase 3 pivotal trial evaluating VGX-3100 for the treatment of cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions caused by HPV-16 and/or HPV-18, for safety and durability of response for 18 months following the last administration. INOVIO expects to present its findings at a scientific meeting later this year and anticipates full subject-level unblinding for REVEAL 1 in the second half of 2021, which is expected to facilitate better analysis of individual, patient-level data.

Additionally, INOVIO is continuing its partnership with QIAGEN to co-develop an in-vitro diagnostic based on RNA sequencing technology to guide clinical decision-making for the use of VGX-3100 in cervical HSIL. INOVIO expects to report QIAGEN’s findings later this year.

REVEAL 2 continues to enroll across 48 sites globally, with projected total enrollment of approximately 198 adult women with histologically confirmed cervical HSIL. Participants will be evaluated for evidence of cervical HSIL on histology as well as evidence of HPV-16 and/or HPV-18 in cervical samples by type-specific HPV testing at the Week 36 visit accompanied with a one-month safety follow-up.

Immuno-oncology

INO-5401

Glioblastoma Multiforme

INOVIO, along with Regeneron, continues to evaluate its findings from the Phase 1/2 novel combination trial of DNA medicines INO-5401 and INO-9012 in combination with PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo (cemiplimab) – which is being jointly developed by Regeneron and Sanofi – for the treatment of newly diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme ("GBM"). The companies anticipate sharing two-year (24 months) overall survival data, including correlative immunology and tissue data, at an oncology conference in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Breast Cancer

Separately, the University of Pennsylvania enrolled its first patient in a Phase 1b investigator-sponsored study of INO-5401 alone or INO-5401 in combination with INO-9012 delivered with INOVIO’s CELLECTRA smart device in adult cancer and non-cancer patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. This study, which is being conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, will enroll approximately 44 subjects and will test INO-5401, which contains genes that are active in human cancers (hTERT, PSMA, and WT1) and are believed to be good targets for the immune system for both individuals with cancer or at increased risk of getting cancer. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04367675

Manufacturing

Update on Global Manufacturing Consortium

Thermo Fisher, a member of INOVIO’s global manufacturing consortium, announced in July that it opened a new cGMP plasmid DNA manufacturing facility in Carlsbad, California with INOVIO as its first client. The new facility enables Thermo Fisher and its partners to meet anticipated demand for plasmid DNA and other nucleic-acid based therapies.

Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Total revenue was $273,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $267,000 for the same period in 2020. Total operating expenses were $83.5 million compared to $33.4 million for the same period in 2020.

INOVIO’s net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was $82.1 million, or $0.39 per basic and diluted share, compared to net loss of $128.7 million, or $0.83 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2020.

Operating Expenses

Research and development ("R&D") expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021, were $70.8 million compared to $22.4 million for the same period in 2020. The increase in R&D expenses was primarily attributable to manufacturing scale-up activities for INO-4800. These INO-4800 activities included the acquisition and installation of manufacturing equipment, drug manufacturing, outside services and clinical study expenses. Other increases included engineering services and expensed equipment related to our CELLECTRA 3PSP device array automation project, employee and contractor compensation and drug manufacturing expenses related to our RRP trial. These increases were offset by an increase in contra-research and development expense recorded from grant agreements of $8.1 million, among other variances.

General and administrative ("G&A") expenses were $12.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, compared to $11.1 million for the same period in 2020. The increase in G&A expenses was primarily related to an increase in employee compensation, including non-cash stock-based compensation, partially offset by lower expenses for work performed related to corporate marketing and communications, among other variances.

Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2021, cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $443.7 million compared to $411.6 million as of December 31, 2020. As of June 30, 2021, INOVIO had 210.1 million common shares outstanding and 226.7 million common shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis, after giving effect to the exercise, vesting and conversion, as applicable, of its outstanding options, restricted stock units, convertible preferred stock and convertible debt.

INOVIO’s balance sheet and statement of operations are provided below. Additional information is included in INOVIO’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2021, which can be accessed at: View Source

Conference Call / Webcast Information

INOVIO’s management will host a live conference call and webcast at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss INOVIO’s financial results and provide a general business update.

The live webcast and a replay may be accessed by visiting INOVIO’s website at View Source

About INOVIO’s DNA Medicines Platform

INOVIO has 15 DNA medicine clinical programs currently in development focused on HPV-associated diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, including coronaviruses associated with COVID-19 and MERS. DNA medicines are composed of optimized DNA plasmids, which are small circles of double-stranded DNA that are synthesized or reorganized by a computer sequencing technology and designed to produce a specific immune response in the body.

INOVIO’s DNA medicines deliver optimized plasmids directly into cells intramuscularly or intradermally using INOVIO’s proprietary hand-held smart device called CELLECTRA. The CELLECTRA device uses a brief electrical pulse to reversibly open small pores in the cell to allow the plasmids to enter, which is designed to overcome a key limitation of other DNA and other nucleic acid approaches, such as mRNA. Once inside the cell, the DNA plasmids enable the cell to produce the targeted antigen. The antigen is processed naturally in the cell and triggers the desired T cell and antibody-mediated immune responses. Administration with the CELLECTRA device is designed to ensure that the DNA medicine is efficiently delivered directly into the body’s cells, where it can go to work to drive an immune response. INOVIO’s DNA medicines do not interfere with or change in any way an individual’s own DNA. The advantages of INOVIO’s DNA medicine platform are how fast DNA medicines can be designed and manufactured; the stability of the products, which do not require freezing in storage and transport; and the robust immune response, safety profile, and tolerability that have been observed in clinical trials.

With more than 3,000 patients receiving INOVIO investigational DNA medicines in more than 7,000 applications across a range of clinical trials, INOVIO has a strong track record of rapidly generating DNA medicine candidates with potential to meet urgent global health needs.