On July 26, 2018 Cytokinetics, Incorporated (Nasdaq:CYTK) reported financial results for the second quarter of 2018 (Press release, Cytokinetics, JUL 26, 2018, View Source [SID1234527900]). Net loss for the second quarter was $27.5 million, or $0.51 per share, compared to a net loss for the second quarter of 2017 of $29.1 million, or $0.60 per share. Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $232.0 million at June 30, 2018.

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"We made substantial progress in the second quarter of 2018 advancing programs in both our cardiac and skeletal muscle verticals," said Robert I. Blum, Cytokinetics’ President and Chief Executive Officer. "Following the recent presentation of positive data from our Phase 2 study of reldesemtiv in patients with SMA, we are now working with our partner, Astellas, as well as advocacy partners and clinical advisors, to consider a potential path forward in this indication, and potentially others, as we expect additional results this year. In the past quarter, we also received feedback from FDA regarding the planned second Phase 3 clinical trial of omecamtiv mecarbil in patients with heart failure, under our collaboration with Amgen; we are working toward the objective of initiating this trial before the end of the year. Finally, we continued the preclinical development of several new compounds, independently and within our collaborations, and we expect to move one or more potential drug candidates into Phase 1 clinical studies later this year."

Recent Highlights and Upcoming Milestones

Cardiac Muscle Program

omecamtiv mecarbil (cardiac myosin activator)

Continued patient enrollment in GALACTIC-HF (Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac Outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure), the Phase 3 cardiovascular outcomes clinical trial of omecamtiv mecarbil. Enrollment has surpassed 50 percent completion with over 4,000 patients randomized to date having a risk profile consistent with the trial design. We expect completion of patient enrollment into GALACTIC-HF to occur during the first half of 2019.

Conducted further interactions with FDA and finalized the protocol for a second Phase 3 clinical trial of omecamtiv mecarbil. This trial is intended to evaluate the potential effect of omecamtiv mecarbil on exercise performance in patients with heart failure and will be conducted by Cytokinetics in collaboration with Amgen. We continue to work toward the objective of beginning this clinical trial by the end of the year.
Skeletal Muscle Program

reldesemtiv (next-generation FSTA)

Announced that data from the Phase 2 clinical study of reldesemtiv in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) were presented by John W. Day, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics (Genetics), Stanford University, at the 2018 Annual Cure SMA Conference in Dallas. The study showed dose- and concentration-dependent increases in time to muscle fatigue as measured by changes from baseline in Six Minute Walk Distance, a sub-maximal exercise test of aerobic capacity and endurance, and Maximal Expiratory Pressure, a measure of strength of respiratory muscles, after eight weeks of treatment with reldesemtiv.

Continued site activation and patient enrollment in FORTITUDE-ALS (Functional Outcomes in a Randomized Trial of Investigational Treatment with CK-2127107 to Understand Decline in Endpoints – in ALS), the Phase 2 clinical trial of reldesemtiv which is designed to assess the change from baseline in percent predicted slow vital capacity and other measures of skeletal muscle function after 12 weeks of treatment with reldesemtiv in patients with ALS. This trial has enrolled over 250 patients toward the objective of 445 patients in the trial and is being conducted by Cytokinetics in collaboration with Astellas. We expect to complete enrollment in FORTITUDE-ALS in Q4 2018 with results from this clinical trial now expected in the first half of 2019.

Completed patient enrollment in the Phase 2 clinical trial of reldesemtiv in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which is designed to assess its effect on physical function. This trial is being conducted by Astellas in collaboration with Cytokinetics. We expect results from this clinical trial in Q3 2018.

Continued patient enrollment in the Phase 1b clinical trial of reldesemtiv in elderly subjects with limited mobility which is designed to assess its effect on measures of physical function. This trial is being conducted by Astellas in collaboration with Cytokinetics. We expect Astellas will conduct an interim analysis of data from this clinical trial in Q3 2018.
Pre-Clinical Research and Development

Continued research in collaboration with Astellas directed to the discovery of next-generation skeletal muscle activators; jointly advanced a potential drug candidate into IND-enabling studies.

Continued pre-clinical development of a next-generation cardiac muscle activator in collaboration with Amgen; we expect to submit an IND in 2018 and plan to initiate Phase 1 studies for this potential drug candidate by year-end or in early 2019.

Continued IND-enabling studies with an unpartnered cardiac sarcomere directed compound and engaged FDA in preparation for potential advancement to Phase 1 studies expected in Q4 2018.

Continued independent research activities directed to our other muscle biology research programs.
Corporate

Announced the continuation of our partnership with The ALS Association in the fight against ALS with renewal of Gold Level Sponsorship of the National Walks to Defeat ALS and Premier Level National ALS Advocacy Conference Sponsorship as well as Platinum Level Sponsorship for initiatives led by The ALS Association Golden West Chapter, including grant funding for care services for people living with ALS in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Announced an expanded partnership with Cure SMA to increase education, awareness and fundraising for SMA. As a National Platinum Partner for 2018, Cytokinetics will lend support to several of Cure SMA’s initiatives at both the local and national level to advance understanding of, and research toward potential treatments for SMA.
Financials

Revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 were $6.2 million and $11.5 million, respectively, compared to $3.1 million and $7.2 million for the corresponding periods in 2017. Revenues for the first six months of 2018 stemmed from our strategic alliance with Astellas.

Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 increased to $21.6 million and $43.7 million, respectively from $19.8 million and $39.1 million for the same periods in 2017, respectively, primarily due to increases in clinical trial expenses for reldesemtiv and preclinical expenses for our cardiac sarcomere directed program, offset in part by lower clinical trial and other development expenses for tirasemtiv.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 decreased to $8.0 million from $8.4 million in 2017 primarily because of reduced precommercial and general outside services and increased to $17.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $16.6 million for the same period in 2017, primarily due to increased general facilities-related costs.

Financial Guidance

The Company also updated financial guidance for 2018. The Company has reduced spending and revenue guidance by $5 million because of a delay in enrollment of FORTITUDE-ALS, with a corresponding reduction in cash revenues as the cost of that trial is being reimbursed by Astellas. The Company does not anticipate any change in net cash utilization. The Company estimates cash revenue will be in the range of $12 to $18 million, operating expenses will be in the range of $100 to $110 million, and net cash utilization will be approximately $100 million.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

Members of Cytokinetics’ senior management team will review the company’s second quarter results via a webcast and conference call today at 4:30 PM Eastern Time. The webcast can be accessed through the Investors & Media section of the Cytokinetics website at www.cytokinetics.com. The live audio of the conference call can also be accessed by telephone by dialing either (866) 999-CYTK (2985) (United States and Canada) or (706) 679-3078 (international) and typing in the passcode 9599438.

An archived replay of the webcast will be available via Cytokinetics’ website until August 2, 2018. The replay will also be available via telephone by dialing (855) 859-2056 (United States and Canada) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and typing in the passcode 9599438 from July 26, 2018 at 7:30 PM Eastern Time until August 2, 2018.