On July 31, 2018 NewLink Genetics Corporation (NASDAQ:NLNK) reported its consolidated financial results for the second quarter of 2018, and revised its cash guidance (Press release, NewLink Genetics, JUL 31, 2018, View Source [SID1234528421]).
Update on Clinical Programs

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In early April, the Company announced a review of its clinical programs involving its lead immuno-oncology candidate, indoximod. This extensive review included an evaluation of available data from clinical trials sponsored by other companies, potential combination therapies with indoximod, and unmet medical need. Based on these key criteria, NewLink Genetics has focused its indoximod clinical programs on recurrent pediatric brain tumors, front-line treatment of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), and front-line treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In addition, the company will continue to advance NLG802, the prodrug of indoximod with significantly higher pharmacokinetic exposure seen in preclinical research.

"Indoximod’s unique mechanism of action has shown promising activity against multiple cancers and in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, radiation, chemotherapy, and vaccines," said Dr. Charles J. Link, Jr., MD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We intend to focus on near-term opportunities where additional data can validate the importance of indoximod in areas of high unmet need."
Recent Key Presentations

Presented abstract 10973 entitled, Front-line therapy of DIPG using the IDO pathway inhibitor indoximod in combination with radiation and chemotherapy, during a plenary session at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2018 Annual Meeting in April, reporting on six newly diagnosed DIPG patients all of whom had completed induction radio-immunotherapy. Treatment was well tolerated with symptomatic improvement in all 6 patients. Site-reported radiographic review indicated near resolution of tumor in one patient at the end of radiotherapy and observable improvement in 5 out of 6 patients overall. A seventh patient with progressive DIPG received reirradiation combined with indoximod, which was well tolerated with symptomatic improvement and objective tumor reduction per site-reported assessment on post-treatment MRI.

Presented abstract 3753 entitled, Indoximod modulates AhR-driven transcription of genes that control immune function, at the 2018 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in April. Reported data show indoximod reverses the effects of low tryptophan by increasing proliferation of effector T cells, directly reprograms T regulatory cells into helper T cells and also downregulates IDO expression in dendritic cells, further supporting indoximod’s differentiated mechanism of action.

Presented abstract 9512 entitled, Phase 2 trial of the IDO pathway inhibitor indoximod plus checkpoint inhibition for the treatment of patients with advanced melanoma, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018 Annual Meeting in June, demonstrating an Overall Response Rate (ORR) of 55.7% and a Complete Response (CR) of 18.6% which compares favorably to historical PD-1 monotherapy data.

Presented abstract 4015 entitled, Phase 2 trial of the IDO pathway inhibitor indoximod plus gemcitabine / nab-paclitaxel for the treatment of patients with metastatic pancreas cancer, at the 2018 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting

Exhibit 99.1

in June, demonstrating a median Overall Survival (mOS) of 10.9 months and an Overall Response Rate (ORR) of 46.1%. The combination demonstrated potentially promising activity that correlated with a measurable immune response.

Presented a poster entitled, Radio-immunotherapy using the IDO pathway inhibitor indoximod for children with newly-diagnosed DIPG at the International Symposium of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology (ISPNO) 2018 Annual Meeting in July. The updated Phase 1 data showed that all (10/10) front-line treatment DIPG patients, including the 6 patients previously presented at 2018 AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, demonstrated initial symptomatic improvement, and eight of ten had completed radiation, with the remaining 2 of 10 patients continuing radiotherapy. Currently, 9/10 patients remain on study, with the longest time on study of 8.5 months at the time of the report.

Anticipated Near-Term Milestones

2H 2018: Updated results from Phase 1b trial of indoximod plus standard-of-care chemotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed AML expected to be presented

2H 2018: Initial Phase 1 data from NLG802 expected to be presented

1H 2019: Updated results from Phase 1 trial of indoximod plus radio-chemotherapy for pediatric patients with recurrent malignant brain tumors including initial survival data expected to be presented

Organizational Changes
The company has completed an organizational realignment that will support these clinical development efforts within its current financial capacity, substantially cut future expenses, and extend its cash runway into the second half of 2021.
The organizational changes include a reduction in headcount of approximately 30%, and include the following changes to senior leadership, effective immediately:

Jack Henneman has been appointed Chief Administrative Officer for a transition period to end with his retirement from NewLink in November 2018

Carl Langren has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer

Lori Lawley has been promoted to Vice President, Finance and Controller

Brad Powers has been promoted to General Counsel

"We are grateful for the service and contributions made by Jack and all of those who have been a part of the NewLink team. This necessary transition is difficult for our company and our people, and we don’t take these changes lightly. That said, our company will focus its energies on clinical programs in the indications where patients are in the most need and with the best opportunity for clinical success," said Nicholas Vahanian, MD, President.
Revised Cash Guidance
As a result of these measures, the company anticipates its current cash runway to extend into the second half of 2021, excluding any additional financings, proceeds from strategic alliances, the potential receipt of the priority review voucher, or expenditures related to external opportunities. The Company expects to use approximately $10 million per quarter after completing the restructuring.
Financial Results for the Three-Month Period Ended June 30, 2018
Cash Position: NewLink Genetics ended the quarter on June 30, 2018, with cash and cash equivalents totaling $137.1 million compared to $158.7 million for the year ending December 31, 2017.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses for the second quarter of 2018 were $12.1 million, a decrease of $6.1 million from $18.2 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease was due primarily to a decrease of $5.6 million in contract research and manufacturing spend, a decrease of $1.1 million in personnel-related and stock

Exhibit 99.1

compensation expense, a $311,000 decrease in supplies, offset by an increase of $741,000 in clinical trial expense and an increase of $128,000 in legal and consulting expense.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2018 were $7.9 million, a decrease of $1.0 million from $8.9 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease was due to a decrease of $313,000 of legal and consulting expense, a decrease of $787,000 in personnel-related and stock compensation expense offset by an increase of $182,000 in supplies and other expense.
Net Loss: NewLink Genetics reported a net loss of $17.3 million or ($0.47) per diluted share for the second quarter of 2018 compared to a net loss of $16.7 million or ($0.57) per diluted share for the second quarter of 2017.
NewLink Genetics ended the quarter with 37,198,100 shares outstanding.
Conference Call and Webcast Details
The Company has scheduled a conference call and webcast for 4:30 p.m. ET today to discuss the results and to give an update on clinical and business development activities. NewLink Genetics’ senior management team will host the call, which will be open to all listeners. There will also be a question and answer session following the prepared remarks.
Access to the live conference call is available by dialing (855) 469-0612 (U.S.) or (484) 756-4268 (international) five minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call will be webcast live and a link to the webcast can be accessed through the NewLink Genetics website at www.NewLinkGenetics.com in the "Investors & Media" section under "Events and Presentations" or by clicking here. To ensure a timely connection, it is recommended that users register at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled webcast. A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the call and can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 (U.S.) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and using the passcode 4478527. The replay will be available for two weeks from the date of the call.
About Indoximod
Indoximod is an investigational, orally available small molecule targeting the IDO pathway. The IDO pathway is a key immuno-oncology target, suppressing immune response and allowing for immune escape by degrading tryptophan with the resultant production of kynurenine. We hypothesize that immune activation using indoximod based combination immunotherapy can allow responsiveness to chemotherapy and radiation in patients who may otherwise be refractory or have limited benefit. The immuno-stimulatory effects of indoximod impact four main cell types: CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T helper cells, T regulatory cells, and dendritic cells. Indoximod reverses the effects of low tryptophan by increasing the proliferation of CD8+ effector T cells, drives differentiation into CD4+ T helper cells rather than regulatory T cells, and downregulates IDO expression in dendritic cells. Indoximod is being evaluated in combination with treatment regimens including chemotherapy, radiation, checkpoint blockade and cancer vaccines across multiple indications including recurrent pediatric brain tumors, DIPG, and AML.