On November 7, 2019 Pfenex Inc. (NYSE American: PFNX) is a development and licensing biotechnology company focused on leveraging its Pfēnex Expression Technology to develop and improve protein therapies for unmet patient needs (Press release, Pfenex, NOV 7, 2019, View Source [SID1234550636]). Using the patented Pfēnex Expression Technology platform, the Company has developed the FDA-approved PF708 product indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis in certain patients at high risk of fracture and created an advanced pipeline of therapeutic equivalents, biologics and vaccines. Pfenex Inc. reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019 and provided a business update.

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"The Pfenex team is very excited and proud of our FDA approval for PF708, the first approved drug developed in our proprietary platform. It signifies an important milestone for the company, and we believe sets us up for continued success. In addition, we continue to execute on our plan and achieved several key milestones in the third quarter, including successful completion of the PF708 comparative use HF study, supporting Alvogen in advancing PF708 regulatory and commercial activities outside of the U.S., and process development activities for PF745, a recombinant crisantaspase with half-life extension technology under our Jazz collaboration. As a result, we earned $13.5 million in milestone payments during the third quarter of 2019. Most importantly, all of these milestones continue to validate the company’s unique expression technology, as well as our ability to execute successfully," said Eef Schimmelpennink, Chief Executive Officer of Pfenex.

Business Review and Update

FDA-approved PF708 product and proposed therapeutic equivalent to Forteo

On October 7, 2019, Pfenex announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the new drug application (NDA) for PF708 submitted under the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway, with Forteo (teriparatide injection) as the reference drug. Like Forteo, the FDA-approved PF708 product is indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis in certain patients at high risk of fracture. Pfenex believes PF708 has the potential to significantly enhance patient access to an important therapy as a cost-effective alternative to Forteo, which had $1.6 billion in global sales in 2018. In October, Pfenex earned a $2.5 million milestone payment from Alvogen for U.S. approval of PF708 and is eligible to earn another $20 million milestone payment if the FDA grants an "A" therapeutic equivalence rating to PF708.

Pfenex is seeking FDA designation of the recently-approved PF708 product as therapeutically equivalent ("A" rated) to Forteo, which would permit PF708 to be automatically substituted for Forteo in many states. To further support an "A" rating, Pfenex recently submitted a comparative use human factors study report, as requested by FDA. Pfenex believes that this completes the information package required by the FDA to evaluate the therapeutic equivalence of PF708. Pfenex currently expects its U.S. commercial partner, Alvogen, to launch PF708 upon an FDA decision on the therapeutic equivalence rating.

Alvogen, which also has exclusive development and commercialization rights for PF708 in the European Union (EU), Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the Rest-of-World territories (except those licensed to NT Pharma), has in the third quarter entered into additional exclusive commercialization agreements for PF708 with PharmBio Korea in South Korea, JAMP Pharma in Canada and Kamada Ltd. in Israel. Furthermore, Alvogen’s partner in the MENA region, SAJA, submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). Additionally, the accepted MAA for PF708 under review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) continues to make progress, and Pfenex believes PF708 could receive regulatory approval in the EU as early as the second half of 2020, subject to granting of a marketing authorization by the European Commission under the EU centralized procedure and other factors. If approved, PF708 would receive marketing authorization in all 28 member states of the EU, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and be commercialized by Alvogen’s partner Theramex. The MAA for PF708 was submitted by Alvogen to the EMA as a biosimilar to Forsteo, which achieved $289 million sales in the E.U. and $1.6 billion in global product sales in 2018.

Jazz Collaboration Agreement

Pfenex announced in the third quarter that it earned an $11 million development milestone payment under its development and license agreement with Jazz Pharmaceuticals (Jazz) and received the milestone payment in October 2019. The milestone is associated with process development activities for PF745 (JZP-341), a long-acting Erwinia asparaginase. Jazz announced in its third quarter earnings that they expect to initiate a Phase 2/3 pivotal study for PF743 (JZP-458), a recombinant Erwinia asparaginase, later this year and anticipates completing enrollment by fourth quarter 2020. The study is expected to enroll approximately 100 patients with a planned interim analysis at approximately 50 patients. Jazz also announced receiving fast track designation for PF743.

Under the terms of the development and license agreement, Pfenex is eligible to receive an aggregate total of up to $224.5 million in development and sales milestone fees, of which $177.5 million is still eligible to be received by Pfenex. Of this $177.5 million, $18.5 million are development milestones, $34 million are regulatory milestones, and $125 million are sales milestones. Pfenex is also eligible to receive tiered royalties on worldwide sales of any products resulting from the collaboration.

CRM197

CRM197 is a non-toxic mutant of diphtheria toxin. It is a well characterized protein and functions as a carrier for polysaccharides and haptens, making them immunogenic. CRM197 is currently being used by Pfenex’s vaccine development focused pharmaceutical partners, including in multiple Phase 3 clinical studies by Merck and the Serum Institute of India Private Ltd. (SIIPL) for such diseases as pneumococcal and meningitis bacterial infections.

Merck is using Pfenex’s CRM197 in its vaccines including PCV-15 (V114), an investigational 15-valent polyvalent conjugate vaccine for the prevention of pneumococcal disease, currently in 15 Phase 3 studies. Merck stated in their second quarter 2019 earnings results that Phase 3 data from their PCV-15 comprehensive development program may become available by the end of 2019.

SIIPL is using Pfenex’s CRM197 in multiple programs. SIIPL announced that it expects that its most advanced product, Pneumosil, could complete the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification process and subsequently be launched in the first quarter of 2020. A second product being developed by SIIPL is a thermostable Pentavalent Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine for which SIIPL initiated a Phase 3 study in the third quarter of 2019. Both of these products are targeting markets in developing countries. Pfenex is eligible to receive a tiered royalty payment based upon net sales for both products, subject to regulatory approval.

Arcellx – sparX Protein Development Agreement

In August, Pfenex announced its development, evaluation and license agreement with Arcellx which provides access to the Pfēnex Expression Technology platform to advance Arcellx’s proprietary sparX proteins that activate, silence and reprogram antigen-receptor complex T cell-based therapies. Under the terms of the agreement, Pfenex is eligible to receive development funding in addition to development, regulatory and commercial milestones ranging from $2.6 million to $18 million for each product incorporating a sparX protein expressed using the Pfēnex Expression Technology, as well as royalties on worldwide sales of any such products.

Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory

Board In August, Pfenex welcomed Dr. Lorianne Masuoka to the Pfenex Board of Directors. Her appointment further aligns the Board with the Company’s strategy to build a new R&D capability and Pfenex believes Dr. Masuoka’s extensive experience successfully expanding the development pipelines of several biotech companies makes her a valuable counselor to the Pfenex executive team. Dr. Masuoka has more than 20 years of experience building and expanding high value pipelines in the biopharmaceutical industry that have resulted in drug approvals and strategic alliances. She is a board-certified neurologist who has successfully created and overseen high performing teams to lead the clinical development of new medicines, with a focus in neurology, CNS, and pain. Dr. Masuoka served as chief medical officer of InVivo Therapeutics, Cubist Pharmaceuticals (now Merck), and Nektar Therapeutics where, as a member of executive management, she oversaw and managed teams in the areas of clinical research, drug safety, biostatistics and data management, regulatory affairs, reimbursement and clinical operations.

In September, Pfenex announced the appointment of Steve Kay, Ph.D., to its Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Kay is a highly regarded biologist who brings a wealth of research experience to the Scientific Advisory Board and complements the existing board in support of the Pfenex scientific strategy. Dr. Kay is one of the world’s top experts on the genetics and genomics of circadian rhythms. Having published more than 200 papers, he was named by Thomson Reuters as one of "The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds" from 2014 to 2019. Dr. Kay currently serves as the Director of the University of Southern California (USC) MESH (Medicine, Engineering, Sciences, and Humanities) Academy, the Director of the USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, and is a Provost Professor of Neurology, Biomedical Engineering and Biological Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Financial Highlights for the Third Quarter 2019

Total Revenue increased by $11.6 million, or 327%, to $15.2 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, compared to $3.6 million in the same period in 2018. The increase in revenue was primarily due to an $11 million development milestone reached during the quarter related to the Jazz collaboration agreement.

Cost of Revenue decreased by approximately $0.4 million, or (23%), to $1.1 million in the three- month period ended September 30, 2019, compared to $1.5 million in the same period in 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the decreased activity related to our BARDA program.

Research and development expenses decreased by approximately $2.1 million, or (23%), to $6.9 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, compared to $9.0 million in same period in 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the reduction of labor and subcontractor costs as the majority of the work performed to support the PF708 NDA filing was completed in late 2018.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $0.3 million, or 8%, to $4.1 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2019, compared to $3.8 million in the same period in 2018. The increases were primarily due to an increase in expenses related to IP legal, consulting, and the expansion of business development efforts.

Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2019, were $32.7 million. This balance excludes $13.5 million of development and regulatory milestones that were earned in September and October 2019. Pfenex believes that its existing cash and cash equivalents and cash inflow from operations will be sufficient to meet Pfenex’s anticipated cash needs for at least the next 12 months.

Conference Call Information

The Pfenex management will host a conference call and webcast today at 4:30 PM Eastern Time. Participants may access the call by dialing 866-376-8058 (Domestic) or 412-542-4131 (International). The call will also be webcast and can be accessed from the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.pfenex.com or View Source

A replay of the call will also be available through November 14th. Participants may access the replay of the call by dialing 877-344-7529 (Domestic) or 412-317-0088 (International) and providing the conference ID number: 10136405.

About PF708

PF708 was approved in the U.S. under the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway, with Forteo (teriparatide injection) as the reference drug. The FDA-approved PF708 product is indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis in certain patients at high risk of fracture. Pursuant to the Development and License Agreement with Alvogen, Alvogen is responsible for commercializing and manufacturing PF708 in the U.S. and for fulfilling all regulatory requirements associated with maintaining the PF708 NDA. Alvogen also has exclusive rights to commercialize and manufacture PF708 in the EU, certain countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and the Rest of World (ROW) territories (the latter defined as all countries outside of the EU, U.S. and MENA, excluding Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand). A marketing authorization application for PF708 has been filed and accepted with the EMA using the biosimilar pathway with Forsteo as the reference medicinal product and has been filed with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). Pursuant to the Development and License Agreement with NT Pharma Group Company Ltd. (NT Pharma) we granted an exclusive license to NT Pharma to commercialize PF708 in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand and a non-exclusive license to conduct development activities in such territories with respect to PF708. Forteo and Forsteo are approved and marketed by Eli Lilly companies for the treatment of osteoporosis in certain patients with a high risk of fracture. Forteo and Forsteo achieved $1.6 billion in global product sales in 2018.

On November 7, 2019 CytomX Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTMX), a clinical-stage oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company pioneering a novel class of investigational antibody therapeutics based on its Probody therapeutic technology platform, reported third quarter 2019 financial results (Press release, CytomX Therapeutics, NOV 7, 2019, View Source/news-releases/news-release-details/cytomx-therapeutics-announces-third-quarter-2019-financial" target="_blank" title="View Source/news-releases/news-release-details/cytomx-therapeutics-announces-third-quarter-2019-financial" rel="nofollow">View Source [SID1234550635]).

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As of September 30, 2019, CytomX had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $325.7 million.

"The CytomX clinical pipeline made excellent progress in Q3 as we continued to advance multiple Probody therapeutic programs across the portfolio," said Sean McCarthy, D.Phil., president, chief executive officer and chairman of CytomX Therapeutics. "The initiation of a Phase 2 trial of our anti-PD-L1 Probody CX-072 in combination with ipilimumab in patients with relapsed refractory melanoma marks our ongoing evolution into a product-focused company seeking to realize the full potential of our novel technology platform. Our first in class Probody Drug Conjugate programs, CX-2009 and CX-2029, also continued to move forward and our pipeline overall is positioned for significant data updates in 2020."

Business Highlights and Recent Developments

CX-072 Anti-PD-L1 Probody Therapeutic Clinical Program

In October, CytomX announced the initiation of the PROCLAIM (Probody Clinical Assessment In Man) CX-072-002 Phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of the anti-PD-L1 Probody CX-072, in combination with the anti-CTLA-4 antibody, ipilimumab, in patients with relapsed or refractory melanoma. The study utilizes a Simon Two-Stage design with approximately 40 patients being enrolled into Stage 1. CytomX anticipates initial data from Stage 1 in 2020. Additional information on this trial is available at ClinicalTrials.gov using the identifier NCT03993379.
The Company also announced in October updated clinical data from the Phase 1 PROCLAIM-CX-072-001 dose-finding study of CX-072 in combination with ipilimumab. With enrollment complete, 27 evaluable patients had received ipilimumab (3, 6 or 10 mg/kg) combined with CX-072 (0.3, 1, 3 or 10 mg/kg), with the study achieving a disease control rate (stable disease or better) of 37%. 5 patients achieved confirmed objective responses by RECIST v1.1, including one complete response, for an overall response rate (ORR) of 19% in this heavily pretreated patient population. The median duration of response was 14.6 months (1.9 – 21.2 months) with 4 of the 5 responders still on treatment as of the latest data snapshot. Of the 27 patients treated across all doses, Grade 3/4 treatment related adverse events (TRAEs) were reported in 9 (33%) patients. Grade 3/4 immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were reported in 3 (15%) patients.
Enrollment within the monotherapy cohorts of the PROCLAIM-CX-072-001 study is complete with evaluation of the activity and tolerability of CX-072 monotherapy continuing with ongoing treatment in select cohorts. Additional information on this trial is available at ClinicalTrials.gov using the identifier NCT03013491.
CX-2009 Anti-CD166 Probody Drug Conjugate Clinical Program

CytomX anticipates announcing next steps for the PROCLAIM-CX-2009 clinical program by the end of 2019.
BMS-986249 Anti-CTLA-4 Probody Therapeutic Clinical Program

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) is conducting a Phase 1/2a dose escalation clinical study evaluating BMS-986249 alone and in combination with OPDIVO (nivolumab) in advanced solid tumors.
BMS is preparing to initiate the Phase 2 portion of this clinical trial, upon which CytomX is entitled to a $10 million milestone payment. Additional information on this trial is available at ClinicalTrials.gov using the Identifier NCT03369223.
CX-2029 Anti-CD71 Probody Drug Conjugate Clinical Program

CytomX continued enrollment of patients in the PROCLAIM-CX-2029 Phase 1/2 study, which is partnered with AbbVie, evaluating CX-2029 as monotherapy in patients with solid tumors or lymphomas. Additional information on this trial is available at ClinicalTrials.gov using the Identifier NCT003543813.
Additional Corporate Highlights

In October, the Company announced the appointment of Amy C. Peterson, M.D., as executive vice president and chief development officer. In this new role, Dr. Peterson will have oversight of a multi-disciplinary team focused on advancing all aspects of CytomX’s clinical development activities.
In July, the Company announced that its partner AbbVie selected a second target under the companies’ 2016 Discovery Collaboration and Licensing Agreement to discover and develop Probody drug conjugates. The target selection triggered a $10 million payment to CytomX from AbbVie.
Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $325.7 million as of September 30, 2019, compared to $436.1 million as of December 31, 2018.

Revenue was $10.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to $12.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The decrease in revenue of $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the corresponding period in 2018 was primarily due to a $1.7 million decrease in revenue recognition under the CD71 Agreement with AbbVie due to ongoing dose escalation.

Research and development expenses increased $0.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the corresponding period in 2018. The increase was attributable to an increase of $1.3 million in personnel-related expenses primarily due to an increase in headcount; an increase of $0.7 million in consulting expenses resulting from increased clinical trial activities and an increase of $0.8 million in the allocation of information technology and facilities related expenses driven partly from an increase in headcount; which amounts were offset by a decrease of $2.4 million in laboratory contracts and services and laboratory supplies as a result of timing of manufacturing activities as well as reduced costs relating to CX-188 which is not presently being advanced.

General and administrative expenses increased by $0.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the corresponding period in 2018. The increase was attributable to an increase of $0.4 million in consulting expenses primarily related to IT, software implementation and finance services; an increase of $0.5 million in dues and subscriptions primarily related to software and other IT services; an increase of $0.2 million in building maintenance charges; which amounts were partially offset by a decrease of $0.8 million of information technology and facilities-related expenses allocated to the general and administrative functions.

Teleconference Scheduled Today at 5:00 p.m. ET
Conference Call/Webcast Information

CytomX management will host a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. ET. Interested parties may access the live audio webcast of the teleconference through the "Investor & News" section of CytomX’s website at View Source or by dialing 1-877-809-6037 (U.S. and Canada) or 1-615-247-0221 (International) and using the passcode 9449326. An archive of the webcast will be available on the CytomX website from November 7, 2019, until November 14, 2019.

On November 7, 2019 Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated (NASDAQ: CORT), a commercial-stage company engaged in the discovery and development of drugs to treat severe metabolic, oncologic and psychiatric disorders by modulating the effects of the stress hormone cortisol, reported its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 (Press release, Corcept Therapeutics, NOV 7, 2019, View Source [SID1234550634]).

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Financial Highlights

Revenue of $81.5 million, a 26 percent increase from third quarter 2018

GAAP diluted net income of $0.22 per share, compared to $0.14 per share in third quarter 2018

Non-GAAP diluted net income of $0.31 per share, compared to $0.22 per share in third quarter 2018

Cash and investments of $266.9 million, compared to $225.7 million in second quarter 2019

2019 revenue guidance narrowed to $300 – $315 million
Corcept reported quarterly revenue of $81.5 million in the third quarter, compared to $64.4 million in the third quarter of 2018. Third quarter GAAP net income was $26.3 million, compared to $17.7 million in the same period last year. Excluding non-cash expenses related to stock-based compensation and the utilization of deferred tax assets, together with related income tax effects, non-GAAP net income in the third quarter was $37.8 million, compared to $27.9 million in the third quarter of 2018. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net income is included below.
The company narrowed 2019 revenue guidance to $300 – $315 million. Guidance had previously been $285 – $315 million.
Third quarter operating expenses were $48.5 million, compared to $41.5 million in the third quarter of 2018, primarily due to increased spending to recruit and compensate additional personnel and discover and develop new selective cortisol modulators, as well as increased legal expense. Cash and investments were $266.9 million at September 30, 2019, an increase of $41.2 million from June 30, 2019.
"Our Cushing’s syndrome business had an excellent quarter," said Joseph K. Belanoff, MD, Corcept’s Chief Executive Officer. "We expect the number of patients receiving Korlym and physicians prescribing the medication to continue to increase. To reach more doctors, we are expanding our sales force. We expect the clinical specialists we are hiring now to begin contributing to our results next year.
"I am also pleased to announce an important advance in our program to treat serious metabolic disorders. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy subjects, our selective cortisol modulator miricorilant significantly reduced the weight gain caused by the commonly prescribed antipsychotic medication olanzapine (Eli Lily’s drug, Zyprexa). We have already initiated one of two planned Phase 2 trials to further test miricorilant’s activity in this indication."
Cushing’s Syndrome

European sites begin dosing patients in Phase 3 trial ("GRACE") of relacorilant to treat patients with Cushing’s syndrome

Double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 trial of relacorilant in patients whose Cushing’s syndrome is caused by adrenal adenomas to start in the first quarter of next year
"As of today, 42 of 62 planned sites are recruiting patients for GRACE," said Andreas Grauer, MD, Corcept’s Chief Medical Officer. "We expect to open an additional 13 sites by the end of the year. The activation pace of ex-US sites, which we expect will provide the majority of enrollments, has refined our estimate of the trial’s completion date. Our plan is to submit our NDA in the fourth quarter of 2021.
We spent substantial time in Europe in the past quarter helping clinical site activation and speaking to investigators. Most important, our investigators are highly enthusiastic about GRACE1, because of relacorilant’s positive Phase 2 efficacy and side effect profile."

Patients in relacorilant’s Phase 2 trial exhibited meaningful improvements in glucose control and hypertension – two of Cushing’s syndrome’s most common and pernicious symptoms. The trial also met a wide range of secondary endpoints, including weight loss, liver function, coagulopathy, insulin resistance, cognitive function, mood and quality of life. These results were achieved without relacorilant causing Korlym’s significant off-target effects – vaginal bleeding, endometrial thickening and low potassium2.
In addition to GRACE, Corcept plans to start a Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of relacorilant in patients whose Cushing’s syndrome is caused by an adrenal adenoma – a population that has not been rigorously studied. Patients with adrenal Cushing’s syndrome typically experience a slower onset of symptoms, but their ultimate health outcomes are poor. Corcept expects to enroll 130 patients at sites in the United States and Europe in the study. Most of the planned investigators and sites are also participating in GRACE.
1For more about GRACE, go to cushingresearch.com.
2For more data, see our poster from the 2019 American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists’ 28th Annual Congress, available at the Investors/Events tab of our website.
Metabolic Disease

Positive top-line results from double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 1b trial of miricorilant to reduce antipsychotic-induced weight gain

Recruiting underway in double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 trial of miricorilant to reverse recent antipsychotic-induced weight gain
"Our program to develop miricorilant as a treatment for metabolic disorders is off to an excellent start," said Dr. Grauer. "Antipsychotic medications such as olanzapine are essential to the health of millions of patients, but the weight gain and other metabolic side effects they cause are life-threatening and often lead patients to discontinue treatment. At the first dose level tested in our Phase 1b trial, healthy subjects given olanzapine plus miricorilant gained less weight than subjects receiving olanzapine plus placebo (see Figure 1). In addition, markers of liver damage that often rise temporarily at the start of olanzapine therapy increased less sharply in subjects receiving miricorilant, suggesting that miricorilant may have protective effects in the liver (see Figure 2). Five subjects in the olanzapine alone group were unable to complete the study due to elevated liver enzymes, while one patient in the miricorilant group experienced this problem.
avgbodyweightlivera01.jpg
The Phase 1b trial’s first part enrolled 66 healthy subjects, each of whom received olanzapine (10 mg) and either miricorilant (600 mg) or placebo daily. The trial’s duration was two weeks. The second part of the trial, which is planned to start in December, will test a higher dose of miricorilant (900 mg) in 30 healthy subjects. The study’s full results will be presented at a scientific meeting in 2020.

"These preliminary results are especially encouraging given the short duration of treatment and the low dose of miricorilant. They are consistent with the effects we had previously seen in animal studies. Our plan is to confirm these findings and explore the full breadth of miricorilant’s activity," said Dr. Grauer.
In addition to the second part of its Phase 1b trial, Corcept plans to conduct two double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trials of miricorilant for the treatment of patients with antipsychotic-induced weight gain. The first trial, which is underway, will test miricorilant’s activity in reversing recent weight gain. It is expected to enroll 100 patients with schizophrenia at 20 sites in the United States. Patients will continue to receive their established antipsychotic medication and will have either miricorilant or placebo added to their regimen for 12 weeks. A second Phase 2 trial is planned to start next year. It will enroll patients with long-standing weight gain. A third Phase 2 trial, testing miricorilant’s activity in preventing antipsychotic-induced weight gain, is under consideration.
Next year, Corcept also plans to start a double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 trial of miricorilant as a treatment for patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a serious liver disorder that afflicts millions of people.
Solid Tumor

European Commission designates relacorilant orphan drug for treatment of pancreatic cancer

Phase 3 trial of relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer to start upon completion of consultations with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
"We are pleased the European Commission (EC) has joined the FDA in designating relacorilant an orphan drug for the treatment of pancreatic cancer," said Dr. Grauer. "The EC based its decision on the European Medicines Agency’s finding that relacorilant has the potential to significantly benefit patients.
"We presented the clinical data reviewed by the EMA at last year’s ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) meeting and it was indeed promising," said Dr. Grauer. "Seven of 25 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer treated with relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel (Celgene’s drug, Abraxane) achieved durable disease control, meaning their tumors either shrank or ceased growing for 16 weeks or longer. Tumor response in two patients lasted more than 50 weeks3. All of these patients’ tumors had progressed during multiple lines of prior therapy, including treatments with nab-paclitaxel or another taxane. That any of them responded is remarkable. We have sought FDA guidance as to the optimum development path in pancreatic cancer and plan to start a Phase 3 trial promptly upon the conclusion of our discussions."
Corcept’s 180-patient, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial of relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel in ovarian cancer continues to enroll patients at sites in the United States and the European Union. Dosing also continues in the company’s Phase 1/2 study of exicorilant plus enzalutamide in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.
3For more data, see our ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) poster at the Investors/Past Events tab of our website.
Conference Call
We will hold a conference call on November 7, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time). To participate, dial 1-877-260-1479 from the United States or 1-334-323-0522 internationally approximately ten minutes before the start of the call (passcode 8532239). A replay will be available through November 21, 2019 at 1-888-203-1112 in the United States and 1-719-457-0820 internationally (passcode 8532239).
Hypercortisolism
Hypercortisolism, often referred to as Cushing’s syndrome, is caused by excessive activity of the hormone cortisol. Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome is an orphan disease that most often affects adults aged 20-50. In the United States, an estimated 20,000 patients have Cushing’s syndrome, with about 3,000 new patients diagnosed each year. Symptoms vary, but most patients experience one or more of the following manifestations: high blood sugar, diabetes, high blood pressure, upper-body obesity, rounded face, increased fat around the neck, thinning arms and legs, severe fatigue and weak muscles. Irritability, anxiety, cognitive disturbances and depression are also common. Hypercortisolism can affect every organ system in the body and can be lethal if not treated effectively.

On November 7, 2019 Sophiris Bio Inc. (NASDAQ: SPHS), a biopharmaceutical company studying topsalysin (PRX302), a first-in-class, pore-forming protein, in late-stage clinical trials for the treatment of patients with urological diseases, reported financial results for the third quarter 2019 and provided an overview of recent corporate highlights (Press release, Sophiris Bio, NOV 7, 2019, View Source [SID1234550633]).

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"We took a significant step forward with the agreement of a Phase 3 trial design with the FDA for our localized prostate cancer program, a step that advances discussions around potential strategic agreements necessary to help fund the development of topsalysin", said Randall E. Woods, president and CEO of Sophiris. "The design agreed to with the FDA aligns with the design previously approved by the EMA which will allow us to complete a global Phase 3 program for the potential approval of topsalyin for treating patients with intermediate risk localized prostate cancer in both the US and Europe."

Recent Corporate Highlights:

On August 30, 2019, the Company announced the closing of a registered offering in which the Company raised net proceeds of $3.6 million. This support from a new investor provides the company additional financial resources to execute on a funding strategy for the Phase 3 localized prostate cancer study. The company estimates that the cash and cash equivalents currently on hand will fund the Company through at least March 31, 2020.

On October 21, 2019, the Company announced that following an End of Phase 2/ Pre-Phase 3 meeting with the United States Food and Drug Administration there is agreement regarding the design of a single Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the potential of topsalysin as a targeted focal therapy to treat patients with intermediate risk localized prostate cancer. The Phase 3 study design agreed upon with the FDA is consistent with the design previously agreed upon with the EMA. In addition, the FDA has indicated that in order to receive approval, we will need to evaluate all patients that progress to alternative treatments for an additional 12 months, for a total of 24 months of data, post the administration of the study drug. The Company believes that a single Phase 3 trial, if successful, will provide the clinical data necessary for approval in both the United States and Europe.

From November 10-13, 2019, Sophiris CEO Randall E. Woods will attend the 25th Annual International Partnering Conference Bio-Europe 2019.

Financial Results:

At September 30, 2019, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale of $6.3 million and working capital of $3.1 million. The Company expects that its cash and cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale will be sufficient to fund its operations and debt service through March 2020, assuming no new clinical trials are initiated and the Company continues operating as a going concern. The Company will require significant funding to advance topsalysin in clinical development and to continue its operations. As of September 30, 2019, the outstanding principal balance of the Company’s term loan was $5.6 million. The Company began making principal payments on its term loan in April 2019.

For the three months ended September 30, 2019

The Company reported a net loss of $1.0 million or ($0.03) per share for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to net loss of $2.9 million or ($0.10) per share for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses were $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The decrease in research and development costs is primarily attributable to decreases in the costs associated with manufacturing activities for topsalysin and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in clinical costs associated with the Company’s completed Phase 2b clinical trial of topsalysin for localized prostate cancer.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses were $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. Included as a component of general and administrative expense for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was $0.4 million of offering costs which were allocated to the common share purchase warrants issued in its August 2019 financing. These offering costs were allocated to general and administrative expense as the common share purchase warrants were classified as liabilities. General and administrative expenses included non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Gain on revaluation of the warrant liability

Gain on revaluation of the warrant liability was $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. As the Company’s warrants may require the Company to pay the warrant holders cash under certain provisions of the warrants, the Company accounts for the warrants as a liability, and the Company is required to calculate the fair value of these warrants each reporting date. Certain inputs utilized in the Company’s Black-Scholes fair value calculation may fluctuate in future periods based upon factors which are outside of the Company’s control. A significant change in one or more of these inputs used in the calculation of the fair value may cause a significant change to the fair value of the Company’s warrant liability, which could also result in a material non-cash gain or loss being reported in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019

The Company reported a net loss of $5.5 million or ($0.18) per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to a net loss of $12.3 million or ($0.41) per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses were $3.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $8.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The decrease in research and development costs was primarily attributable to decreases in the costs associated with manufacturing activities for topsalysin, and to a lesser extent, a decrease in clinical costs associated with the Company’s completed Phase 2b clinical trial of topsalysin for localized prostate cancer.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses were $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Included as a component of general and administrative expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $0.4 million of offering costs which were allocated to the common share purchase warrants issued in its August 2019 financing. These offering costs were allocated to general and administrative expense as the common share purchase warrants were classified as liabilities. General and administrative expenses included non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Gain on revaluation of the warrant liability

Gain on revaluation of the warrant liability was $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

On November 7, 2019 Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated (NASDAQ: CORT), a commercial-stage company engaged in the discovery and development of drugs to treat severe metabolic, oncologic and psychiatric disorders by modulating the effects of the stress hormone cortisol, reported its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 (Press release, Corcept Therapeutics, NOV 7, 2019, https://ir.corcept.com/news-releases/news-release-details/corcept-therapeutics-announces-third-quarter-2019-financial [SID1234550631]).

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Financial Highlights

Revenue of $81.5 million, a 26 percent increase from third quarter 2018
GAAP diluted net income of $0.22 per share, compared to $0.14 per share in third quarter 2018
Non-GAAP diluted net income of $0.31 per share, compared to $0.22 per share in third quarter 2018
Cash and investments of $266.9 million, compared to $225.7 million in second quarter 2019
2019 revenue guidance narrowed to $300 – $315 million
Corcept reported quarterly revenue of $81.5 million in the third quarter, compared to $64.4 million in the third quarter of 2018. Third quarter GAAP net income was $26.3 million, compared to $17.7 million in the same period last year. Excluding non-cash expenses related to stock-based compensation and the utilization of deferred tax assets, together with related income tax effects, non-GAAP net income in the third quarter was $37.8 million, compared to $27.9 million in the third quarter of 2018. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net income is included below.

The company narrowed 2019 revenue guidance to $300 – $315 million. Guidance had previously been
$285 – $315 million.

Third quarter operating expenses were $48.5 million, compared to $41.5 million in the third quarter of 2018, primarily due to increased spending to recruit and compensate additional personnel and discover and develop new selective cortisol modulators, as well as increased legal expense. Cash and investments were $266.9 million at September 30, 2019, an increase of $41.2 million from June 30, 2019.

"Our Cushing’s syndrome business had an excellent quarter," said Joseph K. Belanoff, MD, Corcept’s Chief Executive Officer. "We expect the number of patients receiving Korlym and physicians prescribing the medication to continue to increase. To reach more doctors, we are expanding our sales force. We expect the clinical specialists we are hiring now to begin contributing to our results next year.

"I am also pleased to announce an important advance in our program to treat serious metabolic disorders. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy subjects, our selective cortisol modulator miricorilant significantly reduced the weight gain caused by the commonly prescribed antipsychotic medication olanzapine (Eli Lily’s drug, Zyprexa). We have already initiated one of two planned Phase 2 trials to further test miricorilant’s activity in this indication."

Cushing’s Syndrome

European sites begin dosing patients in Phase 3 trial ("GRACE") of relacorilant to treat patients with Cushing’s syndrome
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 trial of relacorilant in patients whose Cushing’s syndrome is caused by adrenal adenomas to start in the first quarter of next year
"As of today, 42 of 62 planned sites are recruiting patients for GRACE," said Andreas Grauer, MD, Corcept’s Chief Medical Officer. "We expect to open an additional 13 sites by the end of the year. The activation pace of ex-US sites, which we expect will provide the majority of enrollments, has refined our estimate of the trial’s completion date. Our plan is to submit our NDA in the fourth quarter of 2021.

We spent substantial time in Europe in the past quarter helping clinical site activation and speaking to investigators. Most important, our investigators are highly enthusiastic about GRACE1, because of relacorilant’s positive Phase 2 efficacy and side effect profile."

Patients in relacorilant’s Phase 2 trial exhibited meaningful improvements in glucose control and hypertension – two of Cushing’s syndrome’s most common and pernicious symptoms. The trial also met a wide range of secondary endpoints, including weight loss, liver function, coagulopathy, insulin resistance, cognitive function, mood and quality of life. These results were achieved without relacorilant causing Korlym’s significant off-target effects – vaginal bleeding, endometrial thickening and low potassium.2

In addition to GRACE, Corcept plans to start a Phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of relacorilant in patients whose Cushing’s syndrome is caused by an adrenal adenoma – a population that has not been rigorously studied. Patients with adrenal Cushing’s syndrome typically experience a slower onset of symptoms, but their ultimate health outcomes are poor. Corcept expects to enroll 130 patients at sites in the United States and Europe in the study. Most of the planned investigators and sites are also participating in GRACE.

Metabolic Disease

Positive top-line results from double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 1b trial of miricorilant to reduce antipsychotic-induced weight gain
Recruiting underway in double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 trial of miricorilant to reverse recent antipsychotic-induced weight gain
"Our program to develop miricorilant as a treatment for metabolic disorders is off to an excellent start," said Dr. Grauer. "Antipsychotic medications such as olanzapine are essential to the health of millions of patients, but the weight gain and other metabolic side effects they cause are life-threatening and often lead patients to discontinue treatment. At the first dose level tested in our Phase 1b trial, healthy subjects given olanzapine plus miricorilant gained less weight than subjects receiving olanzapine plus placebo (see Figure 1). In addition, markers of liver damage that often rise temporarily at the start of olanzapine therapy increased less sharply in subjects receiving miricorilant, suggesting that miricorilant may have protective effects in the liver (see Figure 2). Five subjects in the olanzapine alone group were unable to complete the study due to elevated liver enzymes, while one patient in the miricorilant group experienced this problem."

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at View Source

The Phase 1b trial’s first part enrolled 66 healthy subjects, each of whom received olanzapine (10 mg) and either miricorilant (600 mg) or placebo daily. The trial’s duration was two weeks. The second part of the trial, which is planned to start in December, will test a higher dose of miricorilant (900 mg) in 30 healthy subjects. The study’s full results will be presented at a scientific meeting in 2020.

"These preliminary results are especially encouraging given the short duration of treatment and the low dose of miricorilant. They are consistent with the effects we had previously seen in animal studies. Our plan is to confirm these findings and explore the full breadth of miricorilant’s activity," said Dr. Grauer.

In addition to the second part of its Phase 1b trial, Corcept plans to conduct two double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trials of miricorilant for the treatment of patients with antipsychotic-induced weight gain. The first trial, which is underway, will test miricorilant’s activity in reversing recent weight gain. It is expected to enroll 100 patients with schizophrenia at 20 sites in the United States. Patients will continue to receive their established antipsychotic medication and will have either miricorilant or placebo added to their regimen for 12 weeks. A second Phase 2 trial is planned to start next year. It will enroll patients with long-standing weight gain. A third Phase 2 trial, testing miricorilant’s activity in preventing antipsychotic-induced weight gain, is under consideration.

Next year, Corcept also plans to start a double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2 trial of miricorilant as a treatment for patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a serious liver disorder that afflicts millions of people.

Solid Tumors

European Commission designates relacorilant orphan drug for treatment of pancreatic cancer
Phase 3 trial of relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer to start upon completion of consultations with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
"We are pleased the European Commission (EC) has joined the FDA in designating relacorilant an orphan drug for the treatment of pancreatic cancer," said Dr. Grauer. "The EC based its decision on the European Medicines Agency’s finding that relacorilant has the potential to significantly benefit patients.

"We presented the clinical data reviewed by the EMA at last year’s ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) meeting and it was indeed promising," said Dr. Grauer. "Seven of 25 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer treated with relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel (Celgene’s drug, Abraxane) achieved durable disease control, meaning their tumors either shrank or ceased growing for 16 weeks or longer. Tumor response in two patients lasted more than 50 weeks.3 All of these patients’ tumors had progressed during multiple lines of prior therapy, including treatments with nab-paclitaxel or another taxane. That any of them responded is remarkable. We have sought FDA guidance as to the optimum development path in pancreatic cancer and plan to start a Phase 3 trial promptly upon the conclusion of our discussions."

Corcept’s 180-patient, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial of relacorilant plus nab-paclitaxel in ovarian cancer continues to enroll patients at sites in the United States and the European Union. Dosing also continues in the company’s Phase 1/2 study of exicorilant plus enzalutamide in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Conference Call

We will hold a conference call on November 7, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time). To participate, dial 1-877-260-1479 from the United States or 1-334-323-0522 internationally approximately ten minutes before the start of the call (passcode 8532239). A replay will be available through November 21, 2019 at 1-888-203-1112 in the United States and 1-719-457-0820 internationally (passcode 8532239).

Hypercortisolism

Hypercortisolism, often referred to as Cushing’s syndrome, is caused by excessive activity of the hormone cortisol. Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome is an orphan disease that most often affects adults aged 20-50. In the United States, an estimated 20,000 patients have Cushing’s syndrome, with about 3,000 new patients diagnosed each year. Symptoms vary, but most patients experience one or more of the following manifestations: high blood sugar, diabetes, high blood pressure, upper-body obesity, rounded face, increased fat around the neck, thinning arms and legs, severe fatigue and weak muscles. Irritability, anxiety, cognitive disturbances and depression are also common. Hypercortisolism can affect every organ system in the body and can be lethal if not treated effectively.