On May 11, 2020 AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAG) reported unaudited consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020 (Press release, AMAG Pharmaceuticals, MAY 11, 2020, View Source [SID1234557455]). The company reported total revenues for the first quarter of 2020 of $68.7 million, including revenue of $44.4 million from Feraheme and revenue of $21.8 million from Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection), as well as expense reductions across the business. The company also reported an operating loss of $19.6 million and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $5.5 million in the first quarter of 2020.1

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Despite strong first quarter results, AMAG’s products are being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as patient visits have declined during this period. Given the planned divestiture of Intrarosa (prasterone) and Vyleesi (bremelanotide injection) and the impact of COVID-19, AMAG has implemented a company-wide restructuring, which will reduce the workforce by approximately 30 percent. AMAG is withdrawing its 2020 financial guidance due to the uncertainty surrounding the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are sharpening our focus on our priorities of maximizing Feraheme’s value, retaining patient access to Makena and continuing to efficiently develop innovative therapies, namely ciraparantag," said Scott Myers, AMAG’s president and chief executive officer. "As we look to the future, it is difficult to estimate the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve seen signs of stabilization and remain confident in the underlying demand for our products; however, we cannot speculate on the subsequent speed of recovery and the overall impact on our business."

"Based upon the extraordinary dynamics across the industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to withdraw our 2020 financial guidance," said Ted Myles, AMAG’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer. "We remain committed to our previously stated goal of reducing total operating expenses by more than $100 million in 2020, as compared to 2019, and we are on track to achieve this objective. Furthermore, we continue to strive towards returning to profitability this year. The work force reduction that we announced today is an important step towards achieving these corporate objectives. While it was a difficult decision, we believe the organization is now the right size to support our long-term goals. We’d like to thank our colleagues who are leaving AMAG for their many contributions to our organization."

OTHER KEY UPDATES
Leadership Transition: AMAG announced in April that its Board of Directors appointed Scott Myers as AMAG’s president and chief executive officer, and a member of the Board, effective immediately. Mr. Myers is a proven executive who brings nearly three decades of global pharmaceutical and medical technology experience to AMAG. Mr. Myers succeeds William Heiden who stepped down upon Mr. Myers’ appointment.

1

Supply Chain: At this time, all of the company’s products remain available and the supply chain has not been materially affected by COVID-19. AMAG continues to closely monitor suppliers and supply levels. The company has risk mitigation plans in place to minimize potential supply interruptions, including redundant drug substance manufacturing and inventory safety stock, and will continue to work diligently with its suppliers to maintain continuous supply as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.

Regulatory: In response to the company’s request to the FDA for a meeting to discuss the future of Makena, the FDA indicated that it was premature to meet at this time as it was still reviewing the matter. AMAG remains committed to working collaboratively with the FDA to maintain access to Makena for eligible pregnant women.

Clinical Trials: The COVID-19 pandemic is an evolving situation and is having a serious impact on clinical trials globally. The AMAG-423 Phase 2b/3a clinical trial is a hospital-based trial and all sites have paused new patient enrollment. The company has had to pause initiation of new sites due to the pandemic, significantly impacting recruitment and enrollment. AMAG continues to work with the FDA to initiate the ciraparantag Phase 2b trial in healthy volunteers in the U.S. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the clinical trial sites where the company expected to conduct the trial to close.

FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31
Revenue
First quarter revenue totaled $68.7 million, compared to $75.8 million for the same period in 2019. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in sales of Makena stemming from the unfavorable FDA Advisory Committee recommendation for Makena in October 2019. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in sales of Feraheme.
•Feraheme achieved first quarter revenue of $44.4 million, an increase of 11 percent over the same period last year. Feraheme’s average quarterly market share was 17.2 percent in the first quarter of 2020, compared to 16.2 percent in the first quarter of 2019.
•Makena first quarter revenue totaled $21.8 million, compared to $31.3 million in the first quarter of last year.
•Intrarosa revenue in the first quarter of 2020 totaled $3.2 million, compared to $4.4 million in the same period last year.

($M) Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 2019 Total revenues $68.7 $75.8 Feraheme 44.4 40.0 Makena 21.8 31.3 Intrarosa 3.2 4.4 Other (0.7) 0.1

Operating Expenses
Total costs and expenses decreased by $105.3 million to $88.2 million in the first quarter of 2020, as compared to the first quarter of 2019. In the first quarter of last year, the company recorded $74.9 million of acquired in-process research and development (IPR&D) expense in connection with the acquisition of Perosphere Pharmaceuticals for the development asset, ciraparantag. Also recorded in the first quarter of last year was a one-time restructuring charge of $7.4 million related to combining the company’s maternal health and women’s health sales forces in February 2019.
•Cost of products sales in the first quarter of 2020 increased by $5.9 million, as compared with the first quarter of last year, driven by an increase in amortization expense associated with the Makena, Intrarosa and Vyleesi intangible assets.
•Research and development (R&D) expenses totaled $11.2 million, compared to $18.1 million in the first quarter of last year. This decrease was primarily related to lower costs for Vyleesi following its FDA approval in June 2019.
2

•Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased by approximately $22.0 million, or 29 percent, in the first quarter of 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.

($M) Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 2019 Amortization of intangible assets $9.8 $3.9 Direct cost of product sales 14.5 14.5 Total cost of product sales 24.3 18.4 Research and development expenses 11.2 18.1 Acquired in-process research and development — 74.9 Selling, general and administrative expenses 52.7 74.7 Restructuring expenses — 7.4 Total costs and expenses $88.2 $193.5

Balance Sheet
•As of March 31, 2020, the company’s cash and investments totaled $124.7 million.
•Long-term debt totaled $320.0 million (representing the principal amounts outstanding of the 2022 convertible notes).

Operating Loss and Adjusted EBITDA
•The company reported an operating loss of $19.6 million in the first quarter of 2020, compared to an operating loss of $117.7 million in the same period last year.
•The company reported a loss in adjusted EBITDA of $5.5 million in the first quarter of 2020, compared to a loss in adjusted EBITDA of $26.6 million in the same period last year.

($M) Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 2019 Operating loss $(19.6) $(117.7)
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA1
$(5.5) $(26.6)
1 See reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP adjustments at the conclusion of this press release.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST ACCESS
AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss the company’s first quarter 2020 financial results and recent business updates.

DIAL-IN NUMBERS
U.S./Canada Dial-in Number: (877) 412-6083
International Dial-in Number: (702) 495-1202
Conference ID: 4948155

Replay Dial-in Number: (855) 859-2056
Replay International Dial-in Number: (404) 537-3406
Conference ID: 4948155

A telephone replay will be available from approximately 11:00 a.m. ET on May 11, 2020 through midnight on May 18, 2020.

On May 11, 2020 Applied Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: APLT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of novel drug candidates against validated molecular targets in indications of high unmet medical need, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020 (Press release, Applied Therapeutics, MAY 11, 2020, View Source [SID1234557454]).

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"The first quarter was a period of tremendous growth and advancement across our clinical programs," said Shoshana Shendelman, PhD, Founder, CEO and Chair of the Board of Applied Therapeutics. "We also began building out our commercial infrastructure in preparation for future launches, including Galactosemia. The company remains well capitalized as a result of the financing in January, and we look forward to continuing our momentum throughout the rest of this year – launching our pediatric study in Galactosemia, continuing enrollment on the DbCM ARISE-HF study, and advancing additional new programs forward into the clinic."

Recent Highlights

·Announced Full Data and Scientific Presentations from the Pivotal Phase 2 ACTION-Galactosemia Trial. In April 2020, we announced new data and scientific presentations from the pivotal Phase 2 ACTION-Galactosemia trial. The topline data from the trial was originally announced in early January. The full study data, originally planned to be presented at the Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders conference, showed that once-daily 20mg/kg AT-007 rapidly and sustainably reduced toxic galactitol levels with no accompanying increase in galactose. Additionally, positive trends on MRI outcomes were shown, including indirect measures of edema, neuronal health and brain galactitol levels in AT-007-treated patients. As no drug-related adverse events were seen at the once-daily 20mg/kg dose, a once-daily 40mg/kg dose was subsequently studied in healthy volunteers, and was also shown to be safe and well-tolerated. Evaluation of the 40 mg/kg dose in Galactosemia patients remains ongoing.
·Announced IND and Investigator-Initiated Studies of AT-001 in Critical COVID-19 Patients. In April 2020, we announced that a COVID-19 IND has been opened with the FDA for AT-001, a novel potent Aldose Reductase inhibitor. Multiple AT-001 investigator-initiated trials are currently underway to address acute lung inflammation and cardiomyopathy in critical COVID-19 patients. Several New York City hospitals have initiated Emergency Investigational Drug applications for AT-001 use in critical COVID-19 patients. Additional data is being gathered through studies on the effect of AT-001 therapy in critical COVID-19 patients.
·Appointed Adam Hansard as Chief Commercial Officer. In March 2020, we announced the appointment of Adam Hansard as Chief Commercial Officer. Mr. Hansard brings extensive commercial and leadership experience across the biotech and pharmaceutical industry to Applied Therapeutics.
·Closed $143.4 Million Underwritten Public Offering. In January 2020, we completed an underwritten public offering of common stock at a price to the public of $45.50 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $143.4 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.

Financial Results

·Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $154.3 million as of March 31, 2020, compared with $38.9 million at December 31, 2019.
·Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $7.3 million, compared to $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase of approximately $0.4 million was primarily related to the increase in clinical and pre-clinical expenses of $0.8 million for the advancement of clinical trials, increase in personnel-related costs of $0.2 million and $0.5 million increase in stock-based compensation expense due to an increase in headcount, which were offset by the decrease in drug manufacturing and formulation expenses of $1.0 million and decrease in regulatory and other expenses of $0.1 million.
·General and administrative expenses were $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase of approximately $3.3 million was primarily related to the increase in personnel expenses and stock-based compensation of $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively, due to the increase in headcount, including the hiring of the chief financial officer and chief accounting officer, $1.3 million related to an increase in legal and professional fees due to increased costs associated with being a public company, and $1.2 million in other expenses relating to increased costs of insurance, rent, and other office expenses.
·Net loss for the first quarter of 2020 was $12.4 million, or $0.59 per basic and diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $8.7 million, or $1.58 per basic and diluted common share, for the first quarter 2019.

On May 11, 2020 Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: EGRX) ("Eagle" or the "Company") reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (Press release, Eagle Pharmaceuticals, MAY 11, 2020, View Source [SID1234557453]).

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Business and Recent Highlights:

·Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has not experienced any impact to its supply chain to date, and believes it has sufficient supply chain inventory to continue manufacturing and to provide product without interruption consistent with its current business plan;

·Advanced pilot work on proprietary formulation of fulvestrant product candidate, EA-114, for HR-positive advanced breast cancer, met internal objectives, and requested additional meeting with U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") to discuss regulatory path forward;

·Submitted Investigational New Drug ("IND") application to FDA for a Phase 2 clinical trial in partnership with Hackensack University Medical Center to evaluate the efficacy of RYANODEX (dantrolene sodium) in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic;

·Favorable patent litigation decision issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware for Eagle and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. for BENDEKA upholding the asserted patent claims as valid and infringed by the defendants’ proposed ANDA products. Defendants will be enjoined from launching their ANDA products before 2031;

·Received United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit affirmation of district court decision requiring FDA to recognize seven years of orphan drug exclusivity for BENDEKA. Accordingly, the Company does not believe other bendamustine products to treat the same indication, unless clinically superior to BENDEKA, will enter the market before 2022;

·July 8, 2020 Prescription Drug User Fee Act ("PDUFA") date for the Company’s resubmitted New Drug Application ("NDA") for RYANODEX for the treatment of exertional heat stroke ("EHS"), in conjunction with body cooling;

Page 2: Eagle Pharmaceuticals Reports First Quarter 2020 Results

·Letter requesting summary judgment of non-infringement related to vasopressin filed with the United States District Court for the District of Delaware on April 17, after May trial date was postponed due to the COVID pandemic. Eagle is the first to file an ANDA referencing VASOSTRICT, 20 units/1mL;

·SymBio, the Company’s Japanese licensing partner, announced completion of patient enrollment in its clinical trial for TREAKISYM Rapid Infusion ("RI"), a liquid bendamustine injection with a ten-minute administration time, with expected regulatory approval in the second half of 2022. Eagle is entitled to a $5 million milestone payment upon approval of either TREAKISYM Ready-to-Dilute, filed on October 7, 2019, or RI, as well as royalties and milestones that could total $10 to $25 million per year if SymBio first launches TREAKISYM RTD and then its RI product;

·Received final approval from FDA for PEMFEXY, a branded alternative to ALIMTA, following settlement of patent litigation with Eli Lilly and Company. This allows for initial market entry (equivalent to approximately a three-week supply of current ALIMTA utilization) on February 1, 2022, and a subsequent uncapped entry on April 1, 2022;

·Announced collaboration and agreement on terms for an exclusive worldwide license with the University of Pennsylvania to develop dantrolene sodium for the potential treatment of people living with Alzheimer’s disease;

·Entered into strategic collaboration with Tyme Technologies Inc. ("Tyme") to advance SM-88, a modified tyrosine derivative, for the treatment of cancer patients. Eagle made an initial investment of $20 million and will be responsible for 25% of the promotional sales efforts of SM-88 and will receive 15% royalty on net revenues of SM-88 in the United States. Tyme retains all commercial rights to SM-88 outside the U.S. and reserves the right to repurchase Eagle’s U.S. co-promotion right for $200 million; and

·Entered into a research agreement with NorthShore University HealthSystem to study RYANODEX for the treatment of traumatic brain injury, including concussion, for which there are currently no drug treatments.

Financial Highlights

·Total revenue for Q1 2020 was $46.0 million, compared to $49.8 million in Q1 2019, primarily reflecting lower product sales of BENDEKA, partially offset by higher product sales of RYANODEX and BELRAPZO.

·Net loss for Q1 2020 was $2.9 million, or ($0.21) per basic and diluted share, compared to net income for Q1 2019 of $9.0 million, or $0.64 per basic and $0.62 per diluted share.

·Adjusted non-GAAP net income for Q1 2020 was $11.7 million, or $0.86 per basic and $0.84 per diluted share, compared to adjusted non-GAAP net income for Q1 2019 of $14.6 million, or $1.05 per basic and $1.01 per diluted share.

·Cash and cash equivalents were $202.0 million, net accounts receivable was $54.5 million, and debt was $148.0 million as of March 31, 2020.

·Approved a new share repurchase program, which replaced the Company’s existing share repurchase program, providing for the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $160.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

"The momentum from late last year has continued into the first quarter of 2020, including advancing fulvestrant, receiving extended patent protection and orphan drug exclusivity affirmation for BENDEKA, and proceeding with other initiatives for RYANODEX. We believe that we are well positioned to realize the full potential of our robust portfolio of oncology and CNS/metabolic critical care products and pipeline candidates, given our strong cash flow and several potential near-term catalysts," stated Scott Tarriff, Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Pharmaceuticals.

Page 3: Eagle Pharmaceuticals Reports First Quarter 2020 Results

First Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Total revenue for Q1 2020 was $46.0 million, as compared to $49.8 million for Q1 2019.

Q1 2020 BELRAPZO product sales were $4.6 million, compared to $3.2 million in Q1 2019.

Q1 2020 RYANODEX product sales were $11.4 million, compared to $4.0 million in Q1 2019.

Royalty revenue was $28.3 million in the first quarter of 2020, compared to $26.3 million in the first quarter of 2019. BENDEKA royalties were $28.0 million in the first quarter of 2020, compared to $26.0 million in the first quarter of 2019. A summary of total revenue is outlined below:

Gross margin was 83% during the first quarter of 2020, as compared to 74% in the first quarter of 2019. The expansion in gross margin in the first quarter of 2020 was driven by an increase in RYANODEX product sales, lower BENDEKA product sales in the period to the Company’s marketing partner, on which Eagle earns no profit, and the increase in BENDEKA royalty revenue.

R&D expense was $9.4 million for the first quarter of 2020, compared to $6.4 million in the first quarter of 2019. The year-over-year increase is largely attributable to spending related to its fulvestrant product candidate as well as payroll expenses. Excluding stock-based compensation and other non-cash and non-recurring items, R&D expense during the first quarter of 2020 was $7.8 million.

SG&A expense in the first quarter of 2020 increased to $24.8 million compared to $18.1 million in the first quarter of 2019. External legal spend, external sales and marketing spend, and stock-based compensation expense, as well as a $2.5 million expense related to the collaboration with Tyme, account for most of the year-over-year increase. Excluding stock-based compensation and other non-cash and non-recurring items, first quarter 2020 SG&A expense was $15.5 million.

Net loss for the first quarter of 2020 was $2.9 million, or ($0.21) per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $9.0 million, or $0.64 per basic and $0.62 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2019.

Adjusted non-GAAP net income for the first quarter of 2020 was $11.7 million, or $0.86 per basic and $0.84 per diluted share, compared to adjusted non-GAAP net income of $14.6 million or $1.05 per basic and $1.01 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2019. For a full reconciliation of adjusted non-GAAP net income to the most comparable GAAP financial measures, please see the tables at the end of this press release.

Page 4: Eagle Pharmaceuticals Reports First Quarter 2020 Results

2020 Expense Guidance

·R&D spend in 2020, on a non-GAAP basis, is expected to be $46-$50 million, as compared to $31 million in 2019.

·SG&A spend in 2020, on a non-GAAP basis, is expected to be $61-$64 million, as compared to $56 million in 2019.

The guidance provided in this section represents forward-looking information, and actual results may vary. Please see the risks and assumptions referred to in the Forward-Looking Statements section of this press release.

Liquidity

As of March 31, 2020, the Company had $202.0 million in cash and cash equivalents plus $54.5 million in net accounts receivable, $34.5 million of which was due from Teva. The Company had $148 million in outstanding debt, including $110.0 million drawn on its revolving credit facility. Therefore, at March 31, 2020, the Company had net cash plus receivables of $108.5 million. Since March 31, the Company has re-paid the full $110.0 million drawn under its revolving credit facility.

On March 17, 2020, the Company announced that Eagle’s Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program, which replaced the Company’s existing share repurchase program providing for the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $160.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. In the first quarter of 2020, the Company repurchased $1.0 million of Eagle’s common stock as part of the share repurchase program. From August 2016 through March 31, 2020, the Company repurchased $172.9 million of its common stock.

Conference Call

As previously announced, Eagle management will host its first quarter 2020 conference call as follows:

Date Monday, May 11, 2020
Time 8:30 A.M. ET
Toll free (U.S.) 877-876-9173
International 785-424-1667
Webcast (live and replay) www.eagleus.com, under the "Investor + News" section

Participants should dial in 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to ensure timely access.

A replay of the conference call will be available for one week after the call’s completion by dialing 800-839-6803 (US) or 402-220-6056 (International) and entering conference call ID EGRXQ120. The webcast will be archived for 30 days at the aforementioned URL.

On May 11, 2020 Sesen Bio (Nasdaq: SESN), a late-stage clinical company developing targeted fusion protein therapeutics for the treatment of patients with cancer, reported operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020 (Press release, Sesen Bio, MAY 11, 2020, View Source [SID1234557452]). The Company also provided an update on the progress of manufacturing activities related to demonstrating analytical comparability between clinical batches of Vicinium and validation batches of Vicinium intended for potential future commercial use. The Company’s lead program, Vicinium, also known as VB4-845, is currently in the follow-up stage of a Phase 3 registration trial for the treatment of high-risk, BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). In December 2019, the Company initiated the BLA submission for Vicinium to the FDA under Rolling Review.

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"In the first quarter of 2020, we successfully completed manufacturing of the pre-PPQ batch at Fujifilm," said Dr. Thomas Cannell, president and chief executive officer of Sesen Bio. "We believe the commercial-scale cGMP batches of Vicinium manufactured to date at our CMOs are comparable to Vicinium previously manufactured by Sesen for use in our clinical trials. This reinforces our confidence in the upcoming PPQ campaign and our ability to demonstrate analytical comparability between clinical and commercial drug supply. The Company’s focus for 2020 remains the flawless execution of the PPQ campaign and the finalization of Module 3 to complete the Vicinium BLA submission."

Manufacturing Update

In February 2020, manufacturing of the pre-PPQ bulk drug substance batch was completed at Fujifilm. In April, quality release testing of the bulk drug substance from this batch was completed and all quality acceptance criteria were met. The Company believes these data de-risk the PPQ campaign and increase the likelihood of demonstrating analytical comparability. In addition, in April 2020, this batch from Fujifilm was used to manufacture the first PPQ drug product batch at Baxter and release testing is currently underway. The Company remains on track to complete the Vicinium BLA submission in the second half of 2020 and anticipates potential approval in first half of 2021. At this time, the Company does not expect any impact to the manufacturing activities or regulatory processes related to Vicinium due to COVID-19.
CHMP Scientific Advice Update

On May 7, 2020 the Company received clinical Scientific Advice from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) stating that the Committee agreed that the Company’s nonclinical, clinical pharmacology and safety database are all sufficient to support a marketing authorization application (MAA). Furthermore, additional clinical trials were not requested by the CHMP in support of the MAA submission for Vicinium. Based on the guidance received, the Company expects to submit the MAA for Vicinium to the EMA in early 2021, with potential approval anticipated in early 2022.
Commercial Opportunity

In the first quarter of 2020, the Company conducted 30-minute interviews with 34 randomly selected, high-prescribing Urologists to assess their views of a blinded clinical profile of Vicinium as well as an unblinded profile of Keytruda, which was recently approved by the FDA for BCG-unresponsive NMIBC patients with carcinoma in situ (CIS) with or without papillary tumors who are ineligible for or have elected not to undergo cystectomy. The research revealed that, when prescribing a branded agent, Urologists would prescribe Vicinium to 83% of their patients compared to 17% for Keytruda. The overall preference for Vicinium was driven by comparable efficacy data to Keytruda with a favorable safety profile and mode of administration that would allow physicians to easily integrate Vicinium into their practices. We believe these data support the potential for a successful launch characterized by rapid uptake and growth of Vicinium.
First Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents were $42.5 million as of March 31, 2020, compared to $48.1 million as of December 31, 2019.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2020 were $8.9 million compared to $4.7 million for the same period in 2019. The first quarter increase was due primarily to costs related to the ongoing technology transfer process as we scale-up for commercial manufacturing, in addition to increased regulatory costs partially offset by lower employee compensation and lower clinical expenses related to the Phase 3 VISTA trial for Vicinium.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2020 were $3.4 million compared to $3.1 million for the same period in 2019. The first quarter increase was due primarily to increases in professional fees and employee compensation, offset by reduced market research costs.
Net Income (Loss): Net income was $41.6 million, or $0.31 per basic share and $0.31 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to a net loss of $6.5 million, or $0.08 per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2019. The change was primarily the result of the non-cash change in fair value of contingent consideration due to significantly higher discount rates associated with current market conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conference Call and Webcast Information

Members of the Sesen Bio management team will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:00 AM ET to review the Company’s financial results and provide a general business update. To participate in the conference call, please dial (844) 831-3025 (domestic) or (315) 625-6887 (international) and refer to conference ID 3780957. The webcast can be accessed in the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at www.sesenbio.com. The replay of the webcast will be available in the investor section of the company’s website at www.sesenbio.com for 60 days following the call.

About the VISTA Clinical Trial

The VISTA trial is an open-label, multicenter, single-arm Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of Vicinium as a monotherapy in patients with high-risk, bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The primary endpoints of the trial are the complete response rate and the duration of response in patients with carcinoma in situ with or without papillary disease. Patients in the trial received locally administered Vicinium twice a week for six weeks, followed by once-weekly treatment for another six weeks, then treatment every other week for up to two years. To learn more about the Phase 3 VISTA trial, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov and search the identifier NCT02449239.

About Vicinium

Vicinium, a locally administered fusion protein, is Sesen Bio’s lead product candidate being developed for the treatment of high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Vicinium is comprised of a recombinant fusion protein that targets epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antigens on the surface of tumor cells to deliver a potent protein payload, Pseudomonas Exotoxin A. Vicinium is constructed with a stable, genetically engineered peptide tether to ensure the payload remains attached until it is internalized by the cancer cell, which is believed to decrease the risk of toxicity to healthy tissues, thereby improving its safety. In prior clinical trials conducted by Sesen Bio, EpCAM has been shown to be overexpressed in NMIBC cells with minimal to no EpCAM expression observed on normal bladder cells. Sesen Bio is currently conducting the Phase 3 VISTA trial, designed to support the registration of Vicinium for the treatment of high-risk NMIBC in patients who have previously received a minimum of two courses of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and whose disease is now BCG-unresponsive. Additionally, Sesen Bio believes that cancer cell-killing properties of Vicinium promote an anti-tumor immune response that may potentially combine well with immuno-oncology drugs, such as checkpoint inhibitors. The activity of Vicinium in BCG-unresponsive NMIBC is also being explored at the US National Cancer Institute in combination with AstraZeneca’s immune checkpoint inhibitor durvalumab.

On May 11, 2020 Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:PIRS), a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing novel biotherapeutics through its proprietary Anticalin technology platform for respiratory diseases, cancer, and other indications, reported financial results for the first quarter of 2020 ended March 31, 2020 and provided an update on the Company’s recent and future developments (Press release, Pieris Pharmaceuticals, MAY 11, 2020, View Source [SID1234557451]).

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"We continue to stay the course with regard to the advancement of our lead assets, PRS-060 and PRS-343, despite the general disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. We have been preparing for the start of the phase 2a trial of PRS-060 with AstraZeneca, which we still anticipate initiating in the second half of this year. Additionally, we have seen further clinical benefit in the monotherapy study of PRS-343, and we will be advancing that asset into a phase 2 study in combination with ramucirumab and paclitaxel in second-line gastric cancer in the second half of this year," said Stephen S. Yoder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pieris. "I am very proud of the diligence and resolve of our team during these trying times."

PRS-060: Pieris and AstraZeneca are preparing to initiate the phase 2a study of PRS-060/AZD1402 in moderate-to-severe asthmatics in the second half of 2020. The study will be sponsored, funded, and delivered by AstraZeneca and upon completion of that study, Pieris will have the options to co-develop and, subsequently, co-commercialize PRS-060/AZD1402 in the United States.
PRS-343: Based on the totality of the data in the phase 1 dose-escalation monotherapy study of PRS-343, a 4-1BB/HER2 bispecific for HER2-positive solid tumors, Pieris will initiate a phase 2 single-arm study of PRS-343 in combination with ramucirumab and paclitaxel in the second-line of treatment for gastric cancer in the second half of this year. At the active dose levels for which the Company presented interim data last year in cohorts 9 (2.5 mg/kg Q3W) through 11b (8 m/kg Q2W), a partial response was observed in three patients and stable disease was observed in 11 patients as best response out of 21 evaluable patients, translating to an objective response rate (ORR) of 14% and a disease control rate (DCR) of 67%. All three objective responses in these cohorts were observed in cohort 11b, in which disease stabilization was also observed in three patients out of seven evaluable patients, translating to an ORR of 43% and a DCR of 86%. Additional clinical benefit, including complete response, was also observed in the higher dose cohorts, which are still open for enrollment to generate a larger data set. Pieris plans to present detailed data from both the monotherapy study and atezolizumab combination study at a medical meeting in the second half of this year.
Immuno-oncology Pipeline: Pieris and Servier have been working on furthering the development of PRS-344 and PRS-352. Due to scale-up challenges recently encountered with the manufacture of drug product for PRS-344, a 4-1BB/PD-L1 bispecific, Pieris and Servier have jointly decided to invest in additional CMC activities, given the strategic importance of this program. As a result, Pieris now anticipates filing an IND application for PRS-344 next year. The Company holds exclusive commercialization rights for PRS-344 in the United States and will receive royalties on ex-U.S. sales for this program. Pieris is also focused completing the non-GLP work for PRS-352, a preclinical stage program addressing undisclosed targets, and expects to hand it over to Servier this year. Pieris continues to make progress in the Seattle Genetics collaboration.
Preclinical Respiratory Pipeline: Beyond PRS-060, Pieris continues to advance three discovery programs in its five-program respiratory collaboration with AstraZeneca. Pieris expects AstraZeneca will initiate the fourth discovery program in the collaboration later this year. The Company also continues to advance several proprietary discovery-stage respiratory programs. Pieris expects to share data and rationale for advancement of one of its proprietary programs in the second half of this year.
Board of Directors Transition: Jean-Pierre Bizzari, M.D. transitioned from the Board of Directors to serve as an advisor to the Company on oncology development strategies.
Fiscal Year Financial Update:

Cash Position – Cash, cash equivalents, and investments totaled $86.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, compared to a cash, cash equivalents, and investments balance of $104.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was due to operating cash expenses, annual bonus payments, and both capital and one-time expenditures associated with the move to a new facility in Hallbergmoos.

R&D Expense – R&D expenses were $12.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, compared to $14.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. The decrease in research and development expenses reflects lower manufacturing spending on PRS-344. Partially offsetting this decrease were higher personnel expenses due to an overall increase in R&D headcount and an increase in allocated facility costs due to the new Hallbergmoos site, both associated with the advancement of our preclinical and clinical programs.

G&A Expense – G&A expenses were $4.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, compared to $4.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. The decrease in G&A expenses reflects lower personnel costs and a reduction in audit and tax professional fees.

Net Loss – Net loss was $3.6 million or $(0.07) per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, compared to a net loss of $10.3 million or $(0.20) per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

Conference Call:

Pieris management will host a conference call beginning at 8:00 AM EDT on Monday, May 11, 2020, to discuss the first quarter financial results and provide a corporate update. Individuals can join the call by dialing +1-877-407-8920 (US & Canada) or +1-412-902-1010 (International). An archived replay of the call will be available by dialing +1-877-660-6853 (US & Canada) or +1-201-612-7415 (International) and providing the Conference ID #: 13661472.