On May 13, 2019 Molecular Templates, Inc. (Nasdaq: MTEM, "Molecular" or "Molecular Templates"), a clinical-stage oncology company focused on the discovery and development of the company’s proprietary engineered toxin bodies (ETBs), which are differentiated, targeted, biologic therapeutics for cancer, reported financial results for the first quarter of 2019 (Press release, Molecular Templates, MAY 13, 2019, View Source [SID1234536215]). As of March 31, 2019, Molecular’s cash and investments totaled $84 million, and is expected to fund operations into the first half of 2021.

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"So far in 2019, we have made substantial progress in advancing our pipeline and platform. We now have three Phase II studies open for our lead program, MT-3724, and our HER2 ETB, MT-5111, now has an open IND and Phase I dosing will begin in 3Q," said Eric Poma, Ph.D., Molecular Templates’ Chief Executive and Scientific Officer. "At the recent American Association of Cancer Research ("AACR") Annual Meeting, preclinical data was presented that showed that our second-generation ETBs utilizing our de-immunized scaffold have improved potency, greatly improved tolerability, and potential for less frequent dosing. These improvements have been demonstrated in preclinical studies with our ETBs targeting CD38, HER2, and PD-L1, all of which are expected to generate clinical data in the next 12 months."

Company Highlights and Upcoming Milestones

Corporate

Molecular presented new data on its pipeline programs and technology platform in four posters at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2019, March 29 – Apr 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Presentations featured data on 1) CD38-targeted ETB TAK-169, 2) CD20-targeted ETB MT-3724 in combination with chemotherapy or IMiDs, 3) PD-L1-targeted ETB for direct cell kill approach to PD-L1 expressing cancers, 4) bispecific ETBs for targeted cancer treatment.
TAK-169

Takeda and Molecular expect to file an IND and start a Phase I multiple myeloma trial in 2019 for TAK-169 (CD38 targeted ETB).
MT-3724

Molecular is conducting a Phase II monotherapy study of MT-3724 in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This study has the potential to be pivotal. Molecular expects to provide an update on this study in 2H19.
Molecular is also conducting two Phase II studies in earlier lines of DLBCL; one with MT-3724 in combination chemotherapy (GemOx) and the other with MT-3724 in combination with Revlimid. Molecular expects to report an update on both MT-3724 combination studies with MT-3724 in 2H19.
MT-5111

Molecular announced the acceptance of its IND filing for MT-5111, its ETB targeting HER2, in April 2019. The Phase I study in patients with HER2 positive solid tumors is expected to start dosing in 3Q19. Molecular expects to report an update on this study in 2H19.
Research

Molecular expects to file an IND application for MT-6035, its ETB targeting PD-L1 (with antigen seeding), in 2H19.
Several other ETB candidates are in preclinical development, targeting both solid and hematological cancers.
Takeda Multi-Target Collaboration

Takeda and Molecular are conducting lead optimization for ETBs against two undisclosed targets selected by Takeda under the collaboration. Should Takeda exercise its option to license ETBs for both targets, Molecular would receive $25 million and would be eligible to receive up to $547 million in milestone payments and tiered royalties on sales.
Financial Results

The net loss attributable to common shareholders for the first quarter of 2019 was $6.2 million, or $0.17 per basic and diluted share. This compares with a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $8.7 million, or $0.32 per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2018.

Revenues for the first quarter of 2019 were $7.0 million, compared to $0.5 million for the same period in 2018. Revenues for the first quarter of 2019 were comprised of revenues from collaborative research and development agreements with Takeda, and grant revenue from CPRIT. Total research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2019 were $8.5 million, compared with $6.7 million for the same period in 2018. Total general and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2019 were $4.9 million, compared with $2.9 million for the same period in 2018.