U.S. FDA Grants BeiGene’s BRUKINSA™ (zanubrutinib) Accelerated Approval to Treat Adult Patients with Mantle Cell Lymphoma Who Received at Least One Prior Therapy

On November 14, 2019 BeiGene, Ltd. (NASDAQ: BGNE; HKEX: 06160), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative molecularly-targeted and immuno-oncology drugs for the treatment of cancer, reported that BRUKINSA (zanubrutinib) has received accelerated approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in adult patients who have received at least one prior therapy (Press release, BeiGene, NOV 14, 2019, View Source [SID1234551283]).1 BRUKINSA is the first BeiGene-discovered product to be approved, an important milestone toward the company’s goal of transforming treatment for cancer patients around the world.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

This accelerated approval is based on overall response rate (ORR). Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.

"We are working to improve outcomes for people with cancer worldwide and this approval brings us closer to realizing our mission of bringing the highest quality therapies to patients globally," said John V. Oyler, Chairman, Co-Founder, and CEO of BeiGene. "Today’s FDA approval of BRUKINSA, following the previously granted Breakthrough Therapy designation in this indication, validates it as an important treatment option for people with relapsed or refractory MCL. We hope this is the first of many approvals for BRUKINSA as we continue to evaluate its potential in other hematologic cancers."

"BRUKINSA is a BTK inhibitor that was designed to maximize target occupancy and minimize off-target binding. It entered the clinic in 2014 and since that time our broad development program has enrolled more than 1,600 patients globally," said Jane Huang, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Hematology at BeiGene. "Today’s accelerated approval is the culmination of many years of effort by the BeiGene team, the dedicated investigators involved in these trials and, most importantly, the patients who participated by enrolling in the clinical trials. We are humbled by the opportunity to develop this therapy and launch it as our first internally discovered and approved cancer treatment."

"BTK inhibition is an established mode of treatment for patients with MCL, but many patients treated with previously approved BTK inhibitors do not fully respond to BTK therapy or are forced to discontinue treatment early due to side effects. Today we have a new option for our adult patients who have received one prior systemic or targeted therapy and are living with MCL, an aggressive blood cancer that’s often diagnosed at a more advanced stage," said Luhua (Michael) Wang, M.D., Professor, Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and clinical trial investigator.

"The approval of BRUKINSA as a second line therapy represents an important advancement for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma," said Meghan Gutierrez, Chief Executive Officer for the Lymphoma Research Foundation. "Expanded treatment options can transform the patient experience and provide hope to people living with a mantle cell diagnosis."

The FDA’s approval of BRUKINSA is based on efficacy results from two single-arm clinical trials, with independent review committee (IRC)-assessed ORR per 2014 Lugano Classification as the primary endpoint. Across both trials, BRUKINSA achieved an ORR, which is the sum of complete responses and partial responses, of 84%.

In the multicenter Phase 2 trial of zanubrutinib in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) MCL BGB-3111-206 (NCT03206970), the ORR was 84% (95% CI: 74%, 91%), including 59% complete response (FDG-PET scan required) and 24% partial response. In this study, the median duration of response (DOR) was 19.5 months (95%CI: 16.6, NE) and median follow-up time on study was 18.4 months. In the global Phase 1/2 trial BGB-3111-AU-003 (NCT02343120), the ORR was 84% (95% CI: 67%, 95%), including 22% complete response (FDG-PET scan not required) and 62% partial response. In this study, the median DOR was 18.5 months1 (95% CI:12.6, NE) and median follow-up time on study was 18.8 months.

The most common adverse reactions (> 10%) with BRUKINSA were decreased neutrophil count, decreased platelet count, upper respiratory tract infection, decreased white blood cell count, decreased hemoglobin, rash, bruising, diarrhea, cough, musculoskeletal pain, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, blood in the urine (hematuria), fatigue, constipation, and hemorrhage. The most frequent serious adverse reactions were pneumonia (11%) and hemorrhage (5%).

Of the 118 patients with MCL treated with BRUKINSA, eight (7%) patients discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions in the trials. The most frequent adverse reaction leading to treatment discontinuation was pneumonia (3.4%). One (0.8%) patient experienced an adverse reaction leading to dose reduction (hepatitis B).

The recommended dose of BRUKINSA is 320 mg, taken orally 160 mg twice daily or 320 mg once daily with or without food. The dose may be adjusted for adverse reactions, and reduced for patients with severe hepatic impairment and certain drug interactions.1

BRUKINSA is expected to be available to people in the United States in the coming weeks.

myBeiGene Patient Support Program

BeiGene is committed to ensuring that people have access to the medicine and the support needed to have the best possible outcomes and experiences. Coinciding with today’s approval, BeiGene is launching myBeiGene in the United States to support patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers with access to BRUKINSA. The myBeiGene program goes beyond financial assistance support to provide patients and caregivers with education about their disease and treatment with BRUKINSA, as well provide practical and emotional support by connecting them to third-party resources that can address their individual unique needs. For more information on myBeiGene, please call 1-833-234-4363 or visit BRUKINSA.com.

About Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL)

Lymphoma is a diverse group of cancers that originate from B-, T- or NK- cells. MCL is typically an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) that arises from B-cells originating in the "mantle zone."2 In the United States, about 74,200 people will be diagnosed with NHL in 2019,3 with MCL representing about six percent (about 4,452 cases) of all new cases of NHL.2 MCL usually has a poor prognosis, with a median survival of three to four years,4 and it often diagnosed at a later stage of disease.

About BRUKINSA (zanubrutinib)

BRUKINSA is a small molecule inhibitor of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), discovered by BeiGene scientists, that is currently being evaluated globally in a broad pivotal clinical program as a monotherapy and in combination with other therapies to treat various B-cell malignancies. BRUKINSA was approved by the U.S. FDA to treat adult patients with MCL who have received at least one prior therapy on November 14, 2019.

New Drug Applications (NDAs) in China for relapsed refractory (R/R) MCL and R/R chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) have been accepted by the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and granted priority review and are pending approval.

BRUKINSA is not approved for use outside the United States.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR BRUKINSA (ZANUBRUTINIB)

Warnings and Precautions

Hemorrhage

Fatal and serious hemorrhagic events have occurred in patients with hematological malignancies treated with BRUKINSA monotherapy. Grade 3 or higher bleeding events including intracranial and gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hematuria and hemothorax have been reported in 2% of patients treated with BRUKINSA monotherapy. Bleeding events of any grade, including purpura and petechiae, occurred in 50% of patients treated with BRUKINSA monotherapy.

Bleeding events have occurred in patients with and without concomitant antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy. Co-administration of BRUKINSA with antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications may further increase the risk of hemorrhage.

Monitor for signs and symptoms of bleeding. Discontinue BRUKINSA if intracranial hemorrhage of any grade occurs. Consider the benefit-risk of withholding BRUKINSA for 3-7 days pre- and post-surgery depending upon the type of surgery and the risk of bleeding.

Infections

Fatal and serious infections (including bacterial, viral, or fungal) and opportunistic infections have occurred in patients with hematological malignancies treated with BRUKINSA monotherapy. Grade 3 or higher infections occurred in 23% of patients treated with BRUKINSA monotherapy. The most common Grade 3 or higher infection was pneumonia. Infections due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation have occurred.

Consider prophylaxis for herpes simplex virus, pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia and other infections according to standard of care in patients who are at increased risk for infections. Monitor and evaluate patients for fever or other signs and symptoms of infection and treat appropriately.

Cytopenias

Grade 3 or 4 cytopenias, including neutropenia (27%), thrombocytopenia (10%) and anemia (8%) based on laboratory measurements, were reported in patients treated with BRUKINSA monotherapy.

Monitor complete blood counts during treatment and treat using growth factor or transfusions, as needed.

Second Primary Malignancies

Second primary malignancies, including non-skin carcinoma, have occurred in 9% of patients treated with BRUKINSA monotherapy. The most frequent second primary malignancy was skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of skin), reported in 6% of patients. Advise patients to use sun protection.

Cardiac Arrhythmias

Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter have occurred in 2% of patients treated with BRUKINSA monotherapy. Patients with cardiac risk factors, hypertension, and acute infections may be at increased risk. Grade 3 or higher events were reported in 0.6% of patients treated with BRUKINSA monotherapy. Monitor signs and symptoms for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter and manage as appropriate.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on findings in animals, BRUKINSA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Administration of zanubrutinib to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis caused embryo-fetal toxicity, including malformations at exposures that were 5 times higher than those reported in patients at the recommended dose of 160 mg twice daily. Advise women to avoid becoming pregnant while taking BRUKINSA and for at least 1 week after the last dose. Advise men to avoid fathering a child during treatment and for at least 1 week after the last dose. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to a fetus.

Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reactions in > 10% of patients who received BRUKINSA were neutrophil count decreased (53%), platelet count decreased (39%), upper respiratory tract infection (38%), white blood cell count decreased (30%), hemoglobin decreased (29%), rash (25%), bruising (23%), diarrhea (20%), cough (20%), musculoskeletal pain (19%), pneumonia (18%), urinary tract infection (13%), hematuria (12%), fatigue (11%), constipation (11%), and hemorrhage (10%). The most frequent serious adverse reactions were pneumonia (11%) and hemorrhage (5%).

Drug Interactions

CYP3A Inhibitors: When BRUKINSA is co-administered with a strong CYP3A inhibitor, reduce BRUKINSA dose to 80 mg once daily. For coadministration with a moderate CYP3A inhibitor, reduce BRUKINSA dose to 80 mg twice daily.

CYP3A Inducers: Avoid coadministration with moderate or strong CYP3A inducers.

Specific Populations

Hepatic Impairment: The recommended dose of BRUKINSA for patients with severe hepatic impairment is 80 mg orally twice daily.

INDICATION

BRUKINSA is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy.

This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.

Please see full Prescribing Information at beigene.com/PDF/BRUKINSAUSPI.pdf and Patient Information at beigene.com/PDF/BRUKINSAUSPPI.pdf

About the Zanubrutinib Clinical Trial Program

Clinical trials of zanubrutinib include:

Fully-enrolled Phase 3 ASPEN clinical trial in patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) comparing zanubrutinib to ibrutinib (NCT03053440), currently the only approved BTK inhibitor for WM;
Phase 3 SEQUOIA trial comparing zanubrutinib with bendamustine plus rituximab in patients with treatment-naive (TN) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) (NCT03336333);
Phase 3 ALPINE trial comparing zanubrutinib to ibrutinib in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) CLL/SLL (NCT03734016);
Phase 2 trial in combination with GAZYVA (obinutuzumab) in patients with R/R follicular lymphoma (FL) (NCT03332017);
Phase 3 trial comparing zanubrutinib and rituximab to bendamustine and rituximab in patients with untreated MCL (NCT04002297);
Phase 2 MAGNOLIA trial in patients with R/R marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) (NCT03846427);
Phase 2 ROSEWOOD trial (NCT03332017) in China comparing obinutuzumab and zanubrutinib vs obinutuzumab alone in treating patients with R/R FL;
Completed Phase 2 trials in patients with R/R MCL (NCT03206970) and R/R CLL/SLL (NCT03206918); and
Completed enrollment in Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with WM (NCT03332173).

Trovagene Presents Positive Data in Metastatic Prostate Cancer Phase 2 Trial Showing Clinical Response in Patients Resistant to Zytiga®

On November 14, 2019 Trovagene, Inc. (Nasdaq: TROV), a clinical-stage, Precision Cancer Medicine oncology therapeutics company developing drugs that target cell division (mitosis), for the treatment of various cancers including prostate, colorectal and leukemia, reported new positive data from its Phase 2 trial evaluating onvansertib in combination with Zytiga (abiraterone acetate – Johnson & Johnson)/prednisone in patients with metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) (Press release, Trovagene, NOV 14, 2019, View Source [SID1234551282]). The data are being presented today at the European Multidisciplinary Congress on Urological Cancers (EMUC) in Vienna, Austria.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"The new data shared today builds upon the encouraging clinical response seen to date when onvansertib is added to treatment in patients who have developed resistance to androgen receptor signaling inhibitor (ARSi), Zytiga," said Dr. Mark Erlander, Chief Scientific Officer of Trovagene. "Of particular significance are the positive results we are observing in patients who harbor the highly aggressive, resistant variant of the androgen receptor (AR-V7). These patients are resistant to ARS inhibitors including Zytiga and Xtandi (enzalutamide – Pfizer) and their therapeutic options are not only limited, but often ineffective. We believe the addition of onvansertib has the potential to deliver transformative benefit to patients with mCRPC by extending the duration of response to treatment with ARS inhibitors."

Data Summary

The newly reported data include efficacy and safety assessments as of the October 28, 2019 data cut-off date for 15 patients that completed 3 months of treatment and were eligible for evaluation of the primary efficacy endpoint of disease control. Response to treatment was evaluated based on a decrease or stabilization in prostate specific antigen (PSA) values (primary endpoint) and confirmed by radiographic scans.

Efficacy
Overall, across both arms (A and B), a 60% response (SD + PR) was observed in patients who were evaluable for efficacy (completed 3 months of treatment); 72% of patients had a decrease in PSA following one cycle of treatment with onvansertib; 6 patients remain on treatment for ≥4 months.

Trovagene Inc. | 11055 Flintkote Avenue | San Diego | CA 92121 | Tel.: USA [+1] 888-391-7992

All 5 patients who tested positive for the highly-aggressive, resistant AR-V7 variant had decreases in PSA following one cycle of treatment with onvansertib; the primary efficacy endpoint (SD + PR) was achieved in 3 out of 4 evaluable patients (completing 12 weeks of treatment).
Safety
In both arms (A and B) onvansertib in combination with abiraterone was safe and well-tolerated. The most frequent adverse events (AEs) were expected, on-target (based on mechanism of action of onvansertib) hematologic (anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and white blood cell (WBC) decrease). All hematologic AEs were easily and effectively managed and resolved by delaying or reducing the dose and/or adding growth factor support. No unexpected or off-target AEs have been reported to-date.

About the Phase 2 Trial of Onvansertib in mCRPC
The trial is a Phase 2 open-label multi-center study of onvansertib in combination with Zytiga (abiraterone acetate)/prednisone in patients with mCRPC, showing signs of disease progression and resistance to Zytiga demonstrated by two rising PSA values separated by at least one week, while on Zytiga(NCT03414034). The primary efficacy endpoint is the proportion of patients achieving disease control after 12 weeks of study treatment, as defined by lack of prostate specific antigen (PSA) progression. The trial is being conducted by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Dana-Farber), and Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center (MGH). David Einstein, MD, Genitourinary Oncology Program at BIDMC, is the principal investigator for the trial.
About Onvansertib
Onvansertib is a first-in-class, third-generation, oral and highly-selective adenosine triphosphate (ATP) competitive inhibitor of the serine/threonine polo-like-kinase 1 (PLK1) enzyme, which is over-expressed in multiple cancers including leukemias, lymphomas and solid tumors. Onvansertib targets the PLK1 isoform only (not PLK2 or PLK3), is orally administered and has a 24-hour half-life with only mild-to-moderate side effects reported. Trovagene believes that targeting only PLK1 and having a favorable safety and tolerability profile, along with an improved dose/scheduling regimen will significantly improve on the outcome observed in previous studies with a former panPLK inhibitor in AML.
Onvansertib has demonstrated synergy in preclinical studies with numerous chemotherapies and targeted therapeutics used to treat leukemias, lymphomas and solid tumor cancers, including irinotecan, FLT3 and HDAC inhibitors, taxanes and cytotoxins. Trovagene believes the combination of onvansertib with other compounds has the potential to improve clinical efficacy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), colorectal cancer and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), as well as other types of cancer.
Trovagene has three ongoing clinical trials of onvansertib: A Phase 2 trial of onvansertib in combination with Zytiga (abiraterone acetate)/prednisone in patients with mCRPC who are showing signs of early progressive disease (rise in PSA but minimally symptomatic or

asymptomatic) while currently receiving Zytiga (NCT03414034); a Phase 1b/2 Study of onvansertib in combination with FOLFIRI and Avastin for second-line treatment in patients with mCRC with a KRAS mutation (NCT03829410); and a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of onvansertib in combination with low-dose cytarabine or decitabine in patients with relapsed or refractory AML (NCT03303339). Onvansertib has been granted orphan drug designation by the FDA in the U.S. and by the EC in the European Union for the treatment of patients with AML.
Trovagene licensed onvansertib (also known as NMS-1286937 and PCM-075) from Nerviano Medical Sciences (NMS), the largest oncology-focused research and development company in Italy, and a leader in protein kinase drug development. NMS has an excellent track record of licensing innovative drugs to pharma/biotech companies, including Array (recently acquired by Pfizer), Ignyta (acquired by Roche) and Genentech.

Alector to Present at the Jefferies 2019 London Healthcare Conference

On November 14, 2019 Alector, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALEC), a clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering immuno-neurology, reported that Sabah Oney, Ph.D., chief business officer of Alector, will present at the Jefferies 2019 London Healthcare Conference on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 8:00 a.m. local time (GMT) in London (Press release, Alector, NOV 14, 2019, View Source [SID1234551281]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

To access the live webcast of the presentation, please visit the "Events & Presentations" page within the Investors section of the Alector website at View Source A replay will be available on the Alector website for 90 days following the conference.

Rubius Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results and Operational Progress

On November 14, 2019 Rubius Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:RUBY), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is genetically engineering red blood cells to create an entirely new class of cellular medicines, reported third quarter 2019 financial results and provided an overview of operational progress (Press release, Rubius Therapeutics, NOV 14, 2019, View Source [SID1234551280]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Over the last quarter, our team has successfully manufactured RTX-134 for our Phase 1b trial for the treatment of patients with phenylketonuria. Our clinical sites are actively recruiting patients, and we plan to announce when we have treated the first patient. In order for us to share follow up data from the first patients treated in the study, we expect to report initial clinical results during the first quarter of 2020," said Pablo J. Cagnoni, M.D., chief executive officer of Rubius Therapeutics. "We continue to make good progress with our entire pipeline, having presented preclinical oncology data showcasing the versatility and potential power of the RED PLATFORM. We remain on track to file our first oncology Investigational New Drug application for RTX-240 by early 2020."

Recent Highlights and Upcoming Milestones

·Over the third quarter, Rubius Therapeutics successfully manufactured RTX-134 for our Phase 1b trial for the treatment patients with phenylketonuria (PKU).

·Rubius has clinical sites actively recruiting patients and plans to announce when the first patient has been treated.

· In order for Rubius to share follow up data from the first patients treated in the study, the Company expects to report initial clinical results during the first quarter of 2020, including:

·Preliminary safety;

· Longevity of RTX-134 in circulation; and

· Proof-of-mechanism as measured by production of trans-cinnamic acid, a metabolite of phenylalanine when degraded by phenylalanine ammonia lyase, or PAL.

·On November 8, 2019, Rubius presented preclinical data at the SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, supporting its lead artificial antigen presenting cell program, RTX-321, for the treatment of HPV 16-positive tumors.

· RTX-321 is an allogeneic artificial antigen presenting cell engineered to express, on the cell surface, an HPV peptide antigen, 4-1BBL and IL-12 to mimic human T cell-APC interactions. RTX-321 is currently in IND-enabling studies.

·Proof-of-concept data generated in a B16-F10 melanoma mouse model demonstrated successful engineering of artificial antigen presenting cells against a melanoma tumor-associated antigen, gp100, that significantly expanded antigen-specific T cells and eliminated lung metastases with limited, reversible toxicity.

·On October 29, 2019, Rubius Therapeutics was issued U.S. Patent No. 10,456,421 covering Red Cell Therapeutic (RCT) compositions comprising 4-1BBL and their use for the treatment of cancer. 4-1BBL is expressed on the cell surface of each of the Company’s lead oncology product candidates: RTX-240, RTX-224 and RTX-321.

·Today, in total, Rubius Therapeutics has nine issued U.S. patents, including five composition of matter patents, 32 patent families and more than 150 pending patent applications worldwide.

·On October 27, 2019, Rubius Therapeutics presented preclinical data at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper)-NCI-EORTC, demonstrating the ability to engineer RCTs to create loadable artificial antigen presenting cells for personal neoantigens.

RTX-aAPCs with peptide-loaded MHC constructs functionally engaged TCRs and achieved robust expansion of primary cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T cells in healthy donor PBMCs with prior exposure to CMV.

Rubius Therapeutics’ loadable aAPC system has the potential to generate aAPCs containing multiple neoantigens in a single therapeutic.

·The Company continued to strengthen its leadership team by appointing Maiken Keson-Brookes as chief legal officer and corporate secretary.

Third Quarter Financial Results

Net loss for the third quarter of 2019 was $47.0 million or $0.59 per common share, compared to $26.4 million or $0.42 per common share in the third quarter of 2018.

In the third quarter of 2019, Rubius invested $33.5 million in research and development (R&D) related to its novel RED PLATFORM and towards expanding and advancing its product pipeline, as compared to $14.4 million in the third quarter of 2018. This year-over-year increase was driven primarily by $8.6 million in incremental R&D program spending in preparation for the Company’s Phase 1b clinical trial for RTX-134 and towards preclinical activities for Rubius’ lead oncology programs, including RTX-240. In addition, $7.8 million in incremental R&D spending was driven by increased R&D headcount, a move into larger facilities and purchasing lab supplies to support Rubius’ goal of delivering four to five INDs across 2019 and 2020. Contract research costs increased by $1.9 million and R&D stock-based compensation also increased by $0.8 million.

G&A expenses were $15.0 million during the second quarter of 2019, as compared to $13.2 million for the third quarter of 2018. The higher costs were primarily driven by a $2.1 million increase in personnel and facility costs due to increased headcount in the general and administrative function, as well as increases in professional fees and infrastructure costs to support the Company’s growth.

Nine Month Financial Results

Net loss for the first nine months of 2019 was $119.0 million or $1.52 per common share, compared to $62.0 million or $2.33 per common share in the first nine months of 2018.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2019, Rubius invested $81.9 million in R&D related to its novel RED PLATFORM and towards expanding and advancing its product pipeline, as compared to $35.2 million in the first nine months of 2018. This year-over-year increase was largely due to an additional $22.4 million in R&D personnel, external research and facilities and lab supplies to support the Company’s pipeline expansion in 2019 and 2020 and $19.8 million in R&D program spending, including preparing for the RTX-134 Phase 1b clinical trial and preclinical activities for Rubius’ lead oncology programs, including RTX-240. R&D stock-based compensation also increased by $4.5 million.

G&A expenses were $42.3 million during the first nine months of 2019, as compared to $27.3 million for the same period in 2018. The higher costs were primarily driven by a $7.6 million increase in stock-based compensation and a $7.4 million increase in personnel costs and facility costs due to increased headcount in our general and administrative function, as well as increases in professional fees and infrastructure costs to support the Company’s growth.

Cash Position

As of September 30, 2019, cash, cash equivalents and investments were $324.7 million as compared to $404.1 million as of December 31, 2018, providing Rubius with a cash runway into 2021. During the year, the Company used $81.5 million of cash to fund operations and $27.4 million to fund capital expenditures, including work related to the buildout of Rubius’ manufacturing facility. In addition, during the year, the Company drew down a second tranche of $25.0 million from its $75.0 million loan agreement with Solar Capital in June 2019, which leaves a third tranche of $25.0 million that can be drawn through June 2020, subject to the satisfaction of certain financial covenants.

CymaBay Therapeutics to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences

On November 14, 2019 CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBAY), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and providing access to innovative therapies for patients with liver and other chronic diseases with high unmet medical need, reported that management will participate in two investor conferences including the Stifel 2019 Healthcare Conference taking place November 19-20, 2019 in New York City and the Evercore ISI 2nd Annual HEALTHCONx Conference in Boston, MA – December 3-5, 2019 (Press release, CymaBay Therapeutics, NOV 14, 2019, View Source [SID1234551279]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Stifel 2019 Healthcare Conference
Date: Tuesday, November 19
Time: 8:00am Eastern Time
Webcast: View Source

Evercore ISI 2nd Annual HEALTHCONx Conference
Date: Tuesday, December 3
Time: 11:45am Eastern Time
Webcast: View Source