On May 5, 2022 Codiak BioSciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDAK), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on pioneering the development of exosome-based therapeutics as a new class of medicines, reported first quarter 2022 financial results and operational progress (Press release, Codiak Biosciences, MAY 5, 2022, View Source [SID1234613842]).
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"We are making exciting progress with our clinical and preclinical programs, which continue to generate further confirmatory evidence that our engEx Platform can harness exosomes for potent and selective delivery of therapeutics, not only in immuno-oncology, but in vaccines and gene therapy as well," said Douglas E. Williams, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Codiak. "We remain on track to deliver on several key milestones by the end of this quarter, including results from all five dose cohorts in our exoSTING trial, initial CTCL patient data from the exoIL-12 program, and commencement of dosing in the Phase 1 study of our third candidate to enter the clinic, exoASO-STAT6."
First Quarter 2022 and Recent Highlights
Completed enrollment and dose escalation in cohorts 4 and 5 in the Phase 1/2 clinical trial of exoSTING (CDK-002) for the treatment of advanced/metastatic, recurrent and injectable solid tumors; patient follow-up continues in all dose cohorts, as well as enrollment of enrichment cohorts
Advanced cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) portion of Phase 1 trial of exoIL-12 (CDK-003); implemented plans for protocol amendment to include a broader range of CTCL patients, and developed plans to enroll patients with additional cutaneous malignancies responsive to rIL-12
Activated sites for Phase 1 trial of exoASO-STAT6 (CDK-004) for the intravenous treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in preparation for patient dosing
Presented new preclinical data from the exoVACC pan-beta coronavirus vaccine program, as part of Codiak’s collaboration with the Ragon Institute, at the World Vaccine Congress 2022
Presented preclinical data for exoASO-C/EBPb, a proprietary engineered exosome loaded with antisense oligonucleotides targeting C/EBPβ, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting
Published a manuscript describing the full exoASO-STAT6 preclinical program in the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s journal, Science Advances
Named industry veteran oncology drug developer David Mauro, M.D., Ph.D. as Chief Medical Officer
Anticipated Milestones and Events
First patients dosed in exoASO-STAT6 Phase 1 clinical trial in hepatocellular carcinomas anticipated during 1H 2022
Safety, PK, PD, objective response rate (ORR), and efficacy data in injected and non-injected tumors from dose escalation cohorts 1-5 in the Phase 1/2 trial of exoSTING and recommended Phase 2 dose expected in late 1H 2022
Initial safety, PK/PD and efficacy data from at least the first cohort of CTCL patients in the Phase 1 clinical trial of exoIL-12 anticipated in late 1H 2022
Presentation of new data from engEx-AAV discovery program describing the generation of potent and high-yield exosome-associated AAV constructs as a strategy for improving gene therapy delivery at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Annual Meeting to be held May 16-19, 2022
Dr. Williams added, "As we have noted in prior quarters, enrollment in the exoIL-12 study at trial sites in the UK has been challenging, and we have worked to pursue options for expediting enrollment. We’re looking forward to the positive impact of protocol enhancements for this trial to include a broader CTCL population (stage IIIa) and the potential to enroll patients with cutaneous malignancies responsive to rIL-12 in past studies – including Kaposi’s sarcoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and Squamous cell carcinoma – each orphan cutaneous diseases treated by the same physicians, where local treatment is common."
First Quarter 2022 Financial Results
Total revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, were $12.7 million, compared to $13.2 million for the same period in 2021. These results reflect deferred revenue recognized under the Company’s collaboration with Jazz Pharmaceuticals.
Net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, was $8.0 million, compared to a net loss of $10.3 million for the same period in 2021. The decrease in net loss for the quarter was driven primarily by a reduction in research and development expenses, some of which were in connection with the Company’s agreement with Lonza.
Research and development expenses were $14.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to $16.6 million for the same period in 2021. The decrease in research and development expenses was driven primarily by decreases in lab expenses and personnel-related costs in connection with our agreement with Lonza.
General and administrative expenses were $6.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to $6.6 million for the same period in 2021. The increase was driven primarily by an increase in personnel expenses.
As of March 31, 2022, Codiak had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of approximately $56.5 million.