On May 12, 2021 Marker Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:MRKR), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company specializing in the development of next-generation T cell-based immunotherapies for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumor indications, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021 (Press release, TapImmune, MAY 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234579880]).
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"We had a productive first quarter supported by our recently completed financing, strengthening our overall cash position and enabling continued growth and expansion of our Multi-TAA pipeline," said Peter L. Hoang, President & CEO of Marker Therapeutics. "In addition, we continue to make strong progress on both the clinical and manufacturing fronts. In March, we dosed the first patient in the safety lead-in portion of our Phase 2 trial in post-transplant acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, and continue to activate clinical sites. In parallel, we continue to optimize the MT-401 cell therapy manufacturing process, which we believe could result in an increase in the number of T cells available for patient administration—among other benefits—as we prepare to operationalize our new in-house cGMP facility in the first half of the year."
PROGRAM UPDATES
In March 2021, Marker dosed the first patient in the safety lead-in portion of its Phase 2 trial in AML, which is expected to enroll a total of six patients: three of which will be treated with MT-401 manufactured with a legacy reagent, and the remaining three to be treated with study drug manufactured with a new reagent from an alternate supplier.
The clinical operations team has made considerable progress in opening sites to enroll patients for the safety lead-in portion of the AML trial. The Company has also received commitments from additional clinical sites to participate in the Phase 2 AML trial following the safety lead-in phase and anticipates activating a total of approximately 20 sites.
Marker continues to streamline and simplify the MT-401 manufacturing process, which could potentially result in a product with a superior T cell phenotype and improved antigen specificity as compared to the original process. The new process improvements have been updated in the CMC section of the IND and will be used for all patients in the Marker AML Phase 2 clinical trial.
Marker presented early results of robotic automation of T cell generation for the treatment of AML at the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy 24th Annual Meeting on May 11, 2021. The results will also be presented at the upcoming International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy 2021 Annual Meeting, taking place virtually May 26-28, 2021.
BUSINESS UPDATES
In March, Marker closed an underwritten public offering of 32,282,857 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $1.75 per share. The gross proceeds to Marker from the offering, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, were approximately $56.5 million.
The Company is preparing to open its new cGMP manufacturing facility in Houston, TX, which will be used to manufacture study drug for Marker’s Phase 2 AML trial (MT-401) and for future hematological and solid tumor trials, in addition to the potential commercialization of any approved products. Marker initiated the technology transfer from Baylor College of Medicine to the cGMP facility in Q1 2021 and expects the facility to be fully operational in the first half of 2021.
ANTICIPATED PROGRAM MILESTONES
AML Trial Milestones
Complete safety lead-in (6 patients) in Q2 2021
Initiate main portion of Phase 2 trial in Q3 2021
Complete enrollment of 20 patients in main portion of Phase 2 trial in Q4 2021
Topline readout of Group 2 (active disease) in Q1 2022
Manufacturing Milestones
Receive regulatory approval for Marker cGMP in Q2 2021
Manufacture MT-401 at Marker cGMP for Phase 2 AML trial in Q3 2021
FIRST QUARTER 2021 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Cash Position and Guidance: At March 31, 2021, Marker had cash and cash equivalents of $64.5 million. The Company believes that its existing cash and cash equivalents will fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into Q1 2023.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $5.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 compared to $3.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in headcount-related expenses and infrastructure expenses due to growth of research and development operations.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $3.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 compared to $2.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.
Net Loss: Marker reported a net loss of $8.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, compared to a net loss of $6.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.
Conference Call and Webcast
The Company will host a webcast and conference call to discuss its first quarter 2021 financial results and provide a corporate update today at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The webcast will be accessible in the Investors section of the Company’s website at markertherapeutics.com. Individuals can participate in the conference call by dialing 877-407-8913 (domestic) or 201-689-8201 (international) and referring to the "Marker Therapeutics First Quarter 2021 Earnings Call."