On November 8, 2018 Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:INO), a late-stage biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of DNA immunotherapies targeted against cancers and infectious diseases, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Inovio, NOV 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234531047]). 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.

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Inovio Highlights

VGX-3100 – HPV-related Precancers
Phase 3 trial enrollment remains ongoing and on track for REVEAL 1, with REVEAL 2 expected to begin in early 2019. To date, REVEAL 1 has opened sites across 19 countries, actively recruiting patients. Recruitment for Phase 2 studies in vulvar dysplasia and anal dysplasia is also underway. In August, Inovio entered into a partnership with the AIDS Malignancy Consortium to evaluate VGX-3100 in a multi-site Phase 2 study in HIV-positive adult men and women. Interim efficacy data from all these Phase 2 studies are expected in 2019.
MEDI0457 (formerly INO-3112, licensed to MedImmune)
The October issue of Clinical Cancer Research detailed results of a patient with head and neck cancer treated with MEDI0457 who achieved a sustained complete response (full remission) following subsequent treatment with a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor. In the Inovio-sponsored study of 22 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, 91% of patients (20/22) showed T cell activity in the blood or tissue. MEDI0457 is currently in a Phase 2 study to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of MEDI0457 in combination with durvalumab in patients with recurrent/metastatic HPV 16- or 18- associated head and neck cancer. MedImmune is also expected to begin another Phase 2 study in the fourth quarter to evaluate the anti-tumor activity of MEDI0457 in combination with durvalumab in patients with recurrent/metastatic HPV 16- or 18- associated cancers (other than head and neck). The commencement of this study will trigger a milestone payment to Inovio under the terms of the parties’ collaboration agreement.
INO-5150 – Prostate cancer
Presented prostate cancer data from Inovio’s Phase 1 study at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2018 conference in which a slowing of Prostate-Specific Antigen Doubling Time (PSADT) was observed in men with prostate cancer, with 86% of patients remaining progression-free at week 72.
INO-5401 – Cancer Combination Trials
Enrollment is going as planned and is on target to report interim Phase 2 data for both glioblastoma (GBM) and bladder cancer in 2019. In both trials INO-5401 is combined with a checkpoint inhibitor – for GBM with Regeneron (PD-1); for bladder cancer with Genentech (PD-L1).
PENNVAX-GP – HIV
In August, first patient was dosed with PENNVAX-GP in a randomized clinical trial that will evaluate its ability to drive remission of HIV infection. Enrollment remains on track. The trial is part of a previously reported multi-year $6.95 million grant from the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to develop a single or combination therapy using Inovio’s PENNVAX-GP with the goal of attaining long-term HIV remission. Inovio anticipates interim results in 2019.
INO-4700 (GLS-5300) – MERS
First patient was dosed with vaccine to prevent infection from the deadly MERS virus (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) in a Phase 1/2a study to evaluate INO-4700 (or GLS-5300). The trial is ongoing in South Korea, sponsored by Inovio’s Korean development partner GeneOne Life Science (KSE: 011000) with full funding from the International Vaccine Institute. Inovio anticipates interim results in 2019.
DNA-Encoded Monoclonal Antibody (dMAb)
In October, Inovio received the first two U.S. patents for its DNA-encoded monoclonal antibody technology (dMAb) from the USPTO and was awarded a $2.2 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to advance its dMAb platform and new clinical delivery devices. In addition, Inovio announced an important milestone in the field of dMAb immunotherapies where Inovio was the first to report evidence on the use of dMAb technology to develop novel monoclonal antibody-based therapies targeting checkpoint inhibitors.
Cash Position
As of September 30, 2018, cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $85.5 million compared to $95.6 million as of June 30, 2018.
Dr. J. Joseph Kim, Inovio’s President & CEO said, "Utilizing ample resources, Inovio is making significant advancements on many fronts. The Phase 3 REVEAL 1 study for our lead VGX-3100 program is on track to fully enroll in 2019 and our three separate immuno-oncology, checkpoint combination Phase 2 trials, being executed with top partners and collaborators, MedImmune, Genentech, and Regeneron, are also advancing well. In fact, we saw a potential preview of what could come from the ongoing cancer efficacy studies in a new publication in Clinical Cancer Research which showcased the first complete responder from our Phase 1 MEDI0457 head & neck cancer trial. Also progressing well are our externally funded vaccine programs including the CEPI-funded Lassa vaccine program as well as IVI-funded MERS and GeneOne-funded Zika vaccine trials. Overall, these clinical trial advancements ensure that we will have multiple, meaningful data catalysts in the coming months."

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Total revenue was $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $2.6 million for the same period in 2017. Total operating expenses were $28.6 million compared to $31.8 million for the same period in 2017.

As a result of the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, beginning on January 1, 2018, all contributions received from current grant agreements have been recorded as a contra-expense as opposed to revenue on the consolidated statement of operations. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, $2.6 million was recorded as contra-research and development expense, which amount would have been classified as grant revenue in the prior year. Had this change in presentation not occurred, total revenue would have been $4.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $2.6 million for the same period in 2017. Total operating expenses would have been $31.2 million compared to $31.8 million for the same period in 2017.

Inovio’s net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 was $25.0 million, or $0.27 per basic and diluted share, compared to $34.1 million, or $0.39 per basic and $0.40 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

Revenue

The increase in comparable revenue and grant agreement recognition for the third quarter of 2018 compared to 2017 was primarily due to increases from Inovio’s MedImmune collaboration and its CEPI grant of $1.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively. These increases were offset by a decrease in grant funding recognized from Inovio’s DARPA Ebola grant of $1.2 million, among other variances.

Operating Expenses

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 were $21.9 million compared to $25.5 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease in R&D expenses was primarily due to the $2.6 million contra-research and development expense recorded from grant agreements as discussed above, as well as a decrease of $2.4 million in expenses related to Inovio’s DARPA Ebola grant. These decreases were slightly offset by an increase of $1.4 million for drug manufacturing related to Inovio’s collaboration with MedImmune and an increase of $746,000 related to employee headcount to support clinical trials and partnerships, among other variances.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $6.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 versus $6.3 million for the same period in 2017.

Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2018, cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $85.5 million compared to $95.6 million as of June 30, 2018. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had 94.5 million common shares outstanding and 105.1 million common shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis, after giving effect to outstanding options, restricted stock units and convertible preferred stock.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 the Company sold 2,967,480 shares of common stock under its current and prior ATM common stock sales agreements for aggregate net proceeds of $14.9 million.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, stock options and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 713,944 shares of common stock were exercised for aggregate net proceeds of $2.3 million.

Inovio’s balance sheet and statement of operations are provided below. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 providing the complete 2018 third quarter financial report can be found 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 the Company’s website at View Source Telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the call at 877-481-4010 (domestic) or 919-882-2331 (international) using replay ID 39603.