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BioLineRx Reports Year-End 2020 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

On February 23, 2021 BioLineRx Ltd. (NASDAQ: BLRX) (TASE: BLRX), a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology, reported its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2020 and provides a corporate update (Press release, BioLineRx, FEB 23, 2021, View Source [SID1234575475]).

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Significant events and achievements during the fourth quarter 2020 and subsequent period:

Announced positive results from an interim analysis of its GENESIS Phase 3 trial of motixafortide in stem-cell mobilization (SCM). The interim analysis found statistically significant evidence for the primary endpoint favoring treatment with motixafortide. Based on a recommendation from the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC), enrollment was ceased early at 122 patients (instead of 177 originally planned), and top-line data, including full primary and secondary efficacy endpoints, is anticipated in early second quarter of 2021. In parallel, the Company is proceeding with all activities in support of an NDA submission in this indication anticipated in the first half of 2022, including a pre-NDA meeting with the FDA planned for the second half of 2021.
Reported positive final results from the triple combination arm of the Company’s COMBAT/KEYNOTE-202 study evaluating motixafortide in combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) and chemotherapy in patients with second-line stage IV pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The results of the study showed substantial improvement as compared to historical results across all study endpoints. The Company is currently planning next development steps for this program, including discussions with potential collaboration partners and development of a protocol for a randomized controlled study.
Announced initiation of a Phase 2 investigator-initiated clinical trial evaluating motixafortide in combination with LIBTAYO and chemotherapy in first-line metastatic PDAC. The study is led by Columbia University.
Announced initiation of a Phase 1b investigator-initiated clinical trial evaluating motixafortide in patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to COVID-19 and other respiratory viral infections.
Completed underwritten public offering with gross proceeds of $34.5 million.
"The fourth quarter 2020 was perhaps our most significant so far, having achieved positive data milestones in two programs with significant unmet medical needs – stem-cell mobilization and PDAC," stated Philip Serlin, Chief Executive Officer of BioLineRx. "The Phase 3 SCM interim data that we reported in October were overwhelmingly positive, and based on the DMC’s recommendation, we ceased enrollment at 122 out of the originally planned 177 patients. We now look forward to presenting full top-line results from the study, including data related to 100 days of post-transplantation follow-up, by early second quarter of this year. SCM remains our most expeditious path to registration, and we therefore view these data as potentially transformational for our company. In parallel, we are moving forward very aggressively with all activities in support of an NDA submission, which we expect in the first half of next year.

"We are equally excited about the final results from our Phase 2a COMBAT/KEYNOTE-202 PDAC study that we announced in December last year. The data demonstrated that the triple combination of motixafortide, KEYTRUDA and chemotherapy outperformed historical data across all endpoints, including median overall survival, median progression free survival, confirmed and overall response rates and disease control rate. In a cancer population as difficult to treat as second-line metastatic PDAC, and even more specifically those patients initially diagnosed with unresectable stage IV disease, we view these results as highly encouraging and are planning our next development steps forward in this program, likely in collaboration with a biopharmaceutical partner.

"Finally, subsequent to the end of the year, we strengthened our balance sheet through a financing that resulted in gross proceeds of $34.5 million. These funds will allow us to continue to execute on our strategy for motixafortide in both SCM and PDAC, while in parallel advancing our second clinical candidate, the anti-cancer immunotherapy AGI-134, through clinical development. In summary, we exited 2020 on a very positive note, with two data sets that demonstrate both the effectiveness and versatility of motixafortide across multiple indications, and we plan to build upon these successes this year," concluded Mr. Serlin.

Upcoming Significant Expected Milestones

Top-line results from the Phase 3 GENESIS trial in SCM in early Q2 2021.
Initial results from Part 2 of the Phase 1/2a trial of AGI-134 in solid tumors in the second half of 2021.
Pre-NDA meeting with the FDA for SCM in the second half of 2021
NDA submission for SCM in the first half of 2022
Financial Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2020

Research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $18.2 million, a decrease of $5.2 million, or 22.5%, compared to $23.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease resulted primarily from termination of the BATTLE clinical study for motixafortide in 2019, from lower expenses associated with the motixafortide COMBAT clinical trial and from lower expenses associated with the AGI-134 study, as well as a decrease in share-based compensation and payroll due to a company-wide salary reduction related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sales and marketing expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $0.8 million, similar to sales and marketing expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019.

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $3.9 million, an increase of $0.1 million, or 2.6% compared to $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase resulted primarily from an increase in D&O insurance expenses and share-based compensation, offset by small decreases in a number of G&A expenses.

The Company’s operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 amounted to $22.9 million, compared to an operating loss of $28.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Non-operating expenses amounted to $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to non-operating income of $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Non-operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily relate to fair-value adjustments of warrant liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet, warrant offering expenses and ATM issuance expenses. Non-operating income for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily relates to fair-value adjustments of warrant liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet, offset by warrant offering expenses.

Net financial expenses amounted to $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to net ﬁnancial expenses of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Net financial expenses for both periods primarily relate to interest paid on loans, offset by investment income earned on bank deposits.

The Company’s net loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 amounted to $30.0 million, compared with a net loss of $25.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

The Company held $22.6 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits as of December 31, 2020. Subsequent to year end, the Company raised gross proceeds of $34.5 million in an underwritten public offering, and received another $9.8 million in gross proceeds from the exercise of outstanding warrants.

Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $23.2 million, compared to $22.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The $0.5 million increase in 2020 was primarily the result of a decrease in accounts payable and accruals.

Net cash provided by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $16.7 million, compared to $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The changes in cash flows from investing activities relate primarily to investments in, and maturities of, short-term bank deposits.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $17.9 million, compared to $19.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The cash flows in 2020 primarily reflect the registered direct offerings of the Company’s ADSs in May and June 2020, as well as net proceeds from the ATM program, offset by repayments of the loan from Kreos Capital. The cash flows in 2019 primarily reflect the underwritten public offering of the Company’s ADSs in February 2019, as well as net proceeds from the ATM program.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

BioLineRx will hold a conference call today, Thursday, February 23, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. EST. To access the conference call, please dial +1-866-744-5399 from the US or +972-3-918-0610 internationally. The call will also be available via webcast and can be accessed through the Investor Relations page of BioLineRx’s website. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download any necessary software to listen to the live broadcast.

A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after completion of the live conference call on the Investor Relations page of BioLineRx’s website. A dial-in replay of the call will be available until February 25, 2021; please dial +1-888-782-4291 from the US or +972-3-925-5904 internationally.

Agios to Present at March Investor Conferences

On February 23, 2021 Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:AGIO), a leader in the field of cellular metabolism to treat cancer and genetically defined diseases, reported that the company is scheduled to present at the following March investor conferences (Press release, Agios Pharmaceuticals, FEB 23, 2021, View Source [SID1234575474]):

Cowen 41st Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference on Monday, March 1, 2021 at 11:40 a.m. ET; and
Oppenheimer 31st Annual Virtual Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 9:20 a.m. ET.
Live webcasts of the presentations can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investors section of the company’s website at www.agios.com. Replays of the webcasts will be archived on the Agios website for at least two weeks following each presentation.

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Announces Two Presentations at Upcoming ESMO TAT Virtual Congress 2021

On February 23, 2021 Spectrum Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGS: SPPI), a biopharmaceutical company focused on novel and targeted oncology therapies, reported two presentations, one oral and one eposter, at the upcoming European Society for Medical Oncology Targeted Anticancer Therapies (ESMO TAT) Virtual Congress 2021 (Press release, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, FEB 23, 2021, View Source [SID1234575473]). The oral presentation will provide some initial safety and efficacy data for poziotinib from the twice daily dosing cohort. The meeting takes place on March 1 – 2, 2021. Details of the presentations are as follows:

Title: IGN002 (antiCD20-IFNα2b) intravenously administered tumor targeted delivery of IFNα2b and its effects in non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Speaker: Sribalaji Lakshmikanthan, Ph.D.
Session: Immunotherapy (ID 361)
Date and Time: March 1, 2021, 9:41 a.m. CET / 3:41 a.m. ET
Presentation Number: #20P (poster)

Title: Safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of poziotinib with twice daily strategy in EGFR/HER2 Exon 20 mutant non-small cell lung cancer
Speaker: Adrian Sacher, M.D.
Session: Mini Oral Session (ID 17) Channel 1
Date and Time: March 2, 2021, 17:25 CET / 11:25 a.m. ET
Presentation Number: 36MO (mini-oral)

Access to the presentations is available to members of ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) and can be found here: View Source;module=attendee#signin

Bristol Myers Squibb to Participate in Raymond James Virtual 42nd Annual Institutional Investors Conference

On February 23, 2021 Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) reported that the company will take part in a fireside chat at Raymond James’ Virtual 42nd Annual Institutional Investors Conference, which will be webcast on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 (Press release, Bristol-Myers Squibb, FEB 23, 2021, View Source [SID1234575472]). David Elkins, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer will answer questions about the company at 8:20 a.m. ET.

Investors and the general public are invited to listen to a live webcast of the session at View Source Material related to the company’s presentation will be available at the same website at the start of the live webcast. An archived edition of the session will be available later that day.

Epizyme Provides Business Update and Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Financial Results

On February 23, 2021 Epizyme (Nasdaq: EPZM), a fully integrated, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company developing and delivering novel epigenetic therapies, reported fourth quarter and full year 2020 financial results (Press release, Epizyme, FEB 23, 2021, View Source [SID1234575471]).

"Epizyme cemented its position as a leader in epigenetics in 2020, with back-to-back accelerated approvals for TAZVERIK, the first and only FDA-approved EZH2 inhibitor. Following the approvals, we quickly reached epithelioid sarcoma and follicular lymphoma patients in need, adapting our physician and patient outreach efforts to meet the unique challenges presented by the evolving COVID-19 pandemic," said Robert Bazemore, President and Chief Executive Officer of Epizyme. "While the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the fourth quarter extended many of these challenges, the adoption of TAZVERIK in both ES and FL continued to expand, with net revenue increasing 31% in the fourth quarter from the third quarter. Importantly, our sales and medical affairs teams continue to make progress reaching and educating physicians, reflected in the more than 50% increase in new accounts prescribing TAZVERIK during the fourth quarter. In addition to launch execution, we are encouraged by our clinical progress throughout 2020, during which we achieved all trial milestones on or ahead of schedule. Armed with sufficient capital to support our planned commercial and clinical execution, we believe Epizyme is well-positioned for success in 2021 and beyond."

Recent Progress

Commercial Execution: TAZVERIK generated net product revenue in Epithelioid Sarcoma (ES) and Follicular Lymphoma (FL) of $4.5 million in the fourth quarter and $11.5 million for the full year 2020. Epizyme reported a month-over-month increase in new prescriptions for TAZVERIK throughout the fourth quarter, despite the resurgence of COVID-19 cases that continued to negatively impact ES and FL patient visits to physicians, new patient starts across all lines of treatment as well as the ability of our field-based teams to fully access ES and FL prescribers. New accounts prescribing increased 50%, compared to the third quarter, including broader adoption among community practices.
NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines Update Supports TAZVERIK: In February 2021, the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology were amended to recommend TAZVERIK for relapsed/refractory FL patients with no satisfactory treatment options and whose EZH2 status is unknown. This revised recommendation reinforces the lack of requirement for EZH2 testing in the decision to prescribe TAZVERIK, consistent with the current TAZVERIK label and Epizyme’s physician education efforts.
ES and FL Confirmatory Trials: The safety run-in portions of both the ES and FL confirmatory trials with TAZVERIK are both fully enrolled and the efficacy expansion portions of both trials remain on track for initiation in early 2021. The ES confirmatory trial is evaluating TAZVERIK in combination with doxorubicin compared with doxorubicin plus placebo as a front-line treatment for ES. The FL confirmatory trial is evaluating TAZVERIK in combination with "R2" (Revlimid plus Rituxan) compared with R2 plus placebo in the second-line treatment setting in patients with FL.
Tazemetostat Program Expansion: Progress around the clinical development of tazemetostat to investigate therapeutic potential in earlier lines of therapy for FL and opportunities in new solid tumor indications, including prostate cancer, continues. Patient enrollment also continues in several collaborative studies, including the Lymphoma Study Association (LYSA) trial in front-line Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and FL, and in investigator sponsored trials.
Presented Four Posters from the FL Development Program at the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting & Exposition, including: tazemetostat versus PI3-Kinases in patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma, tazemetostat or placebo plus lenalidomide and rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma, single-agent tazemetostat as third-line therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma to identify predictors of response and tazemetostat in combination with rituximab for the treatment of relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma.
Leadership Update: In February 2021, Dr. Shefali Agarwal was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Medical and Development Officer of Epizyme. This move expands Dr. Agarwal’s breadth of leadership in all stages of development and in the regulatory advancement of tazemetostat and Epizyme’s early clinical-stage and emerging research-stage compounds.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Financial Results

Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $373.6 million as of December 31, 2020, as compared to $381.1 million as of December 31, 2019.
Revenue: Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $8.4 million, compared to $4.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2019. Total revenue for the full year ended December 31, 2020 was $15.8 million, comprised of $11.5 million in net sales of TAZVERIK in the U.S. and $4.3 million in collaboration revenue, of which $3.9 million relates to deferred revenue that was recognized as a result of termination of a collaboration agreement with Celgene. This is compared to total revenue of $23.8 million for the full year ended December 31, 2019, all of which was collaboration revenue.
Operating Expenses: Total GAAP operating expenses were $70.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and $241.2 million for the full year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $61.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 and $200.9 million for the full year ended December 31, 2019. Total non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses were $62.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and $209.6 million for the full year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $55.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 and $162.2 million for the full year ended December 31, 2019.
Cost of product revenue: GAAP cost of product revenue was $1.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and $5.1 million for the full year ended December 31, 2020, which reflects the costs of TAZVERIK units sold, amortization of intangible assets and third-party royalties on net product revenue. Non-GAAP adjusted cost of product revenue was $0.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and $2.1 million for the full year ended December 31, 2020.
R&D expenses: GAAP R&D expenses were $33.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and $110.9 million for the full year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $38.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 and $132.6 million for the full year ended December 31, 2019. Non-GAAP adjusted R&D expenses were $31.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and $101.3 million for the full year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $35.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 and $105.8 million for the full year ended December 31, 2019.
SG&A expenses: GAAP SG&A expenses were $35.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and $125.2 million for the full year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $23.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 and $68.3 million for the full year ended December 31, 2019. Non-GAAP adjusted SG&A expenses were $30.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2020 and $106.2 million for the full year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $19.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 and $56.4 million for the full year ended December 31, 2019.
Net Loss (GAAP): Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $66.2 million, or $0.65 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2020 and $231.7 million, or $2.29 per share, for the full year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $56.4 million, or $0.59 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2019 and $173.2 million, or $1.93 per share, for the full year ended December 31, 2019.
2021 Financial Guidance

Based on its current operating plans, Epizyme expects its current cash runway to extend into 2023. Additionally, the Company expects its non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses for 2021 to be between $235 and $255 million.
A reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted financial measures directly comparable to GAAP financial measures is presented in the table attached to this press release.
Conference Call Information

Epizyme will host a conference call today, February 23, at 8:00 a.m. ET. To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 844-6886 (domestic) or (970) 315-0315 (international) and refer to conference ID 3719819. A webcast, as well as supplemental slides to support the webcast, will be available in the investor section of the Company’s website at www.epizyme.com, and will be archived for 60 days following the call.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to financial information prepared in accordance with the U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this press release includes the following non-GAAP financial measures: total non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses on a historical and projected basis, non-GAAP adjusted R&D expenses on a historical basis and non-GAAP adjusted SG&A expenses on a historical basis. Epizyme derives these non-GAAP financial measures by excluding certain expenses and other items from the respective GAAP financial measure, that is most directly comparable to each non-GAAP financial measure. Specifically, the non-GAAP financial measures exclude stock-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization of intangibles and milestone payments related to TAZVERIK that are payable under the company’s collaboration agreement with Eisai Pharmaceuticals. The company’s management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to both management and investors in analyzing its ongoing business and operating performance. Management does not intend the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but as a complement to provide greater transparency. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similarly named measures used by other companies. A quantitative reconciliation of projected non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses to total operating expenses is not available without unreasonable effort primarily due to the company’s inability to predict with reasonable certainty the amount of future stock-based compensation expense.

About TAZVERIK

TAZVERIK is a methyltransferase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of:

Adults and pediatric patients aged 16 years and older with metastatic or locally advanced epithelioid sarcoma not eligible for complete resection.
Adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma whose tumors are positive for an EZH2 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test and who have received at least two prior systemic therapies.
Adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
These indications are approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.

The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions in patients with epithelioid sarcoma are pain, fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting and constipation. The most common (≥20%) adverse reactions in patients with follicular lymphoma are fatigue, upper respiratory tract infection, musculoskeletal pain, nausea and abdominal pain.