On May 9, 2022 FibroGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: FGEN) reported financial results for the first quarter 2022 and provided an update on the company’s recent developments (Press release, FibroGen, MAY 9, 2022, View Source [SID1234613912]).
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
"We continue our progress in advancing pamrevlumab in three high value indications and are delighted to have completed enrollment of the ZEPHYRUS-1 Phase 3 study in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis," said Enrique Conterno, Chief Executive Officer, FibroGen. "In addition, roxadustat is off to a strong start in 2022 in China with significant year over year volume growth."
Recent Developments:
Completed enrollment of the ZEPHYRUS-1 Phase 3 clinical trial of pamrevlumab in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
Completed enrollment of the LELANTOS-1 Phase 3 clinical trial of pamrevlumab in non-ambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
Our partner Astellas received approval for roxadustat in Russia for the treatment of adult patients with symptomatic anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), which triggered a $25 million milestone payable to FibroGen.
China Performance:
FibroGen’s net product revenue under U.S. GAAP from sale of roxadustat in China was $18.9 million compared to $15.4 million in the first quarter of 2021. Increase driven mainly due to release of deferred revenue.
First quarter total roxadustat net sales in China1 by FibroGen and the distribution entity (JDE) jointly owned by FibroGen and AstraZeneca was $43.5 million, flat as compared to the first quarter of 2021. This result was driven by an increase in volume of over 70% offset by the recent National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) price reduction.
Roxadustat continues to be the number one brand based on value share in the anemia of CKD market in China.
Upcoming Milestones:
Interim analysis of event free survival of the LAPIS Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) to be conducted in 2Q 2022.
Topline data from the LELANTOS-1 Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in DMD expected 1H 2023.
Expect to complete enrollment in the LELANTOS-2 Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in ambulatory patients with DMD in 2Q 2022.
Topline data from the ZEPHYRUS-1 Phase 3 study of pamrevlumab in IPF expected mid-2023.
Topline data from the MATTERHORN Phase 3 study of roxadustat in anemia of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) expected 1H 2023.
Financial:
Total revenue for the first quarter of 2022 was $60.8 million, as compared to $38.4 million for the first quarter of 2021.
Net loss for the first quarter of 2022 was $63.2 million, or $0.68 net loss per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $71.8 million, or $0.78 net loss per basic and diluted share one year ago.
At March 31, 2022, FibroGen had $565.4 million in cash – defined as cash, cash equivalents, investments, and accounts receivable.
Based on our latest forecast, we estimate a 2022 ending cash balance of $310-340 million.
________________
1 Total roxadustat net sales in China includes sales made by the distribution entity as well as FibroGen China’s direct sales, each to its own distributors. The distribution entity jointly owned by AstraZeneca and FibroGen is not consolidated into FibroGen’s financial statements.
Conference Call and Webcast Details
FibroGen will host a conference call and webcast today, Monday, May 9, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) to discuss financial results and provide a business update. A live audio webcast of the call may be accessed in the investor section of the Company’s website, www.fibrogen.com. To participate in the conference call by telephone, please dial 1 (877) 658-9081 (U.S. and Canada) or 1 (602) 563-8732 (international), reference the FibroGen first quarter 2022 financial results conference call, and use confirmation number 2487763. A replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call for a period of 7 days. To access the replay, please dial 1 (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or 1 (404) 537-3406 (international) and use passcode 2487763.
About Pamrevlumab
Pamrevlumab is a potential first-in-class antibody being developed by FibroGen that inhibits the activity of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), an important biological mediator in fibrotic and proliferative disorders. Pamrevlumab is in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC), and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Pamrevlumab is an investigational drug and not approved for marketing by any regulatory authority. For information about pamrevlumab studies currently recruiting patients, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About Roxadustat
Roxadustat, an oral medication, is the first in a new class of medicines comprising HIF-PH inhibitors that promote erythropoiesis, or red blood cell production, through increased endogenous production of erythropoietin, improved iron absorption and mobilization, and downregulation of hepcidin. Roxadustat is in clinical development for anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and for chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA).
Roxadustat is approved in European Union (EU) member states, including the European Economic Area (EEA) countries, as well as in Japan, China, Chile, South Korea, Russia, and the UK for the treatment of anemia of CKD in adult patients on dialysis (DD) and not on dialysis (NDD). Several other licensing applications for roxadustat have been submitted by partners, Astellas and AstraZeneca to regulatory authorities across the globe, and are currently under review.
Astellas and FibroGen are collaborating on the development and commercialization of roxadustat for the potential treatment of anemia in territories including Japan, Europe, Turkey, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Middle East, and South Africa. FibroGen and AstraZeneca are collaborating on the development and commercialization of roxadustat for the potential treatment of anemia in the U.S., China, other markets not licensed to Astellas.