On August 14, 2019 Onconova Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ONTX), a Phase 3 stage biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing novel products to treat cancer, with a focus on Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), provided a corporate update and reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2019 (Press release, Onconova, AUG 14, 2019, View Source [SID1234538737]).

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Steven M. Fruchtman, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Enrollment in our global Phase 3 INSPIRE Trial with IV rigosertib in second-line, higher-risk MDS patients is progressing. Our goal is to complete enrollment by the end of 2019 and we anticipate reporting top-line data in the first half of 2020 following full enrollment and 288 death events. If the INSPIRE Trial is successful, we believe rigosertib could be the first new treatment for higher-risk MDS in more than 15 years, and based on its unique mechanism of action, has the potential to provide clinical benefit in other Ras mutated cancers."

Dr. Fruchtman continued, "In addition to advancing the INSPIRE Trial, our Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) request to the FDA for a Phase 3 combination trial of oral rigosertib plus azacitidine in first-line higher-risk MDS patients is being pursued. We also have plans to target cancers driven by mutated Ras genes. Ras-mutated cancers represent about a third of all human cancers, and a Phase 1 study of rigosertib in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor for patients with progressive K-Ras mutated non-small cell lung cancer is expected to commence in 2019 as an investigator-initiated study. We are also working toward filing an IND for a Phase 1 trial of ON 123300, our investigational, first-in-class, dual inhibitor of CDK4/6 + ARK5, which we believe has the potential to treat various cancers including refractory metastatic breast cancer."

Second Quarter 2019 and Recent Highlights

On March 25, the Company announced that it had passed the 75 percent enrollment mark in the Phase 3 INSPIRE Trial. Onconova remains focused on our primary goal of completing enrollment by the end of 2019 and expects to report top-line survival data following full enrollment and 288 death events.

• More than 140 trial sites in 24 countries across four continents are open, including 21 sites in Japan. The Company opened new clinical trial sites in already participating countries. Additional geographies, including Brazil, are being opened during the coming months to add approximately 25 more sites. This strategy is designed to support the goal of achieving full accrual to the INSPIRE Trial in 2019. The Company anticipates reporting top-line data in the first half of 2020 following full enrollment and 288 death events.
The Company entered into a license agreement with HanX Biopharmaceuticals (HanX) for the development and commercialization of rigosertib in Greater China. The agreement provides for $4 million of upfront payments to Onconova, including a $2 million cash upfront fee and an investment totaling $2 million in shares purchased at a premium to market. In addition, HanX agreed to place $2 million in escrow in local currency for rigosertib clinical development expenses in Greater China. HanX will make additional regulatory, developmental, and sales-based milestone payments to Onconova of up to $45.5 million and will pay Onconova tiered royalties up to double digits on net sales in Greater China. If approval is received, Onconova will supply rigosertib to HanX for development and commercialization. HanX also will support Onconova’s other clinical trial initiatives in Greater China.
Onconova and Mission Bio have entered into a collaboration to utilize the Mission Bio Tapestri Platform for targeted single-cell DNA analysis to study rigosertib as part of planned clinical trials. Single-cell genomics may identify mutations with far better resolution than that of traditional sequencing methods, allowing a view into each patient’s disease at a level never before achieved. Tapestri will be utilized to identify mutations, including those of the Ras pathway, to monitor a patient’s response in clinical trials, supporting the advancement of rigosertib. By adding the Tapestri Platform to its research and development program, Onconova is including the opportunity to study single cell clones in MDS and determine the sequence of genetic events and the influence of rigosertib on these events along with clinical outcomes.

In December 2018, Onconova applied to the FDA for a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) for a Phase 3 trial of oral rigosertib in combination with azacitidine for treatment of first-line higher-risk MDS patients. The Company expects completion of the FDA’s SPA decision before the end of 2019.

Results from the Phase 2 trial were reported in December 2018 in an oral presentation at the 2018 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting and updated at the 2019 European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) Meeting.
Additional Progress for Rigosertib and Pipeline Products

ON 123300, an investigational first-in-class dual inhibitor of CDK4/6 + ARK5 with the potential to treat a variety of cancers, continues to make progress toward clinical development in the U.S. and China in partnership with HanX. HanX has conducted toxicology studies to support an IND filing in the U.S.

The collaboration with the National Cancer Institute as well as one with a Center of Excellence in Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia, or JMML, for preclinical studies of rigosertib for treatment of pediatric cancer associated RASopathies are ongoing.

Onconova continues to participate in important medical and investment conferences. During the second quarter, presentations related to rigosertib development and clinical trials were made at:
• 15th Annual International Symposium on MDS/Copenhagen
• Acute Leukemia Forum/Shanghai
• BIO International Forum/Philadelphia
• European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper)/Amsterdam
Upcoming 2019 conferences include:

RAS-Targeted Drug Discovery Summit (Boston, September 17-19)
Brazilian Association of Hematology, Hemotherapy and Cellular Therapy Congress (Rio de Janeiro, November 6-9)
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Conference in (Orlando, December 7-10)
Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results

Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2019, totaled $5.9 million compared to $17.0 million at December 31, 2018. The Company believes that cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2019, along with additional funds to be received from the HanX license in the third quarter, will be sufficient to fund ongoing trials and operations late into the fourth quarter of 2019. The Company was notified by Nasdaq on July 26 that Nasdaq has accepted the Company’s plan to regain compliance with the stockholders’ equity listing requirement by November 18, 2019.

Net loss was $3.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, compared to $4.3 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018. Research and development expenses were $3.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, and $4.1 million for the comparable period in 2018. General and administrative expenses were $1.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2019, and $2.1 million for the comparable period in 2018.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

The Company will host a conference call today, August 14, 2019, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time, to provide a corporate update and discuss second quarter 2019 financial results. Interested parties may access the call by dialing toll-free (855) 428-5741 from the U.S., or internationally (210) 229-8823 and using conference ID 90141175. The call will also be webcast live. Please click here to access the webcast. A replay will be available following the live webcast.

About Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are conditions that can occur when the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow become dysfunctional and thus produce an inadequate number of circulating blood cells. It is frequently associated with the presence of blasts or leukemic cells in the marrow. This leads to low numbers of one or more types of circulating blood cells, and to the need for blood transfusions. In MDS, some of the cells in the bone marrow are abnormal (dysplastic) and may have genetic abnormalities associated with them. Different cell types can be affected, although the most common finding in MDS is a shortage of red blood cells (anemia). Patients with higher-risk MDS may progress to the development of acute leukemia.

On August 14, 2019 AC Immune SA (NASDAQ: ACIU), a Swiss-based, biopharmaceutical company with a broad clinical-stage pipeline focused on neurodegenerative diseases, reported its business and clinical plan and strategy, reported consolidated financial results for the second quarter of 2019 and its revised cash guidance (Press release, AC Immune, AUG 14, 2019, View Source [SID1234538736]).

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Prof. Andrea Pfeifer, Ph.D., CEO of AC Immune, commented: "Our business strategy is based on a three-pillar approach in the development of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, NeuroOrphan therapeutics and diagnostics. Our Roadmap to Successful Therapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases is based on treating earlier, targeting Tau, incorporating homogeneous populations, applying precision medicine and targeting neuroinflammation."

There is a growing body of clinical evidence that Tau drives disease progression. AC Immune has one of the broadest anti-Tau pipelines with antibodies, small molecules, vaccines and diagnostics, covering five clinical trials and partnerships with four major pharmaceutical companies.

"SupraAntigenTM and MorphomerTM, our proprietary discovery platforms are the foundation for multiple product candidates," added Dr. Pfeifer. "The productivity of these platforms has recently demonstrated significant clinical, value-creating milestones."

Research & Development Highlights Q2 2019 and Beyond

Dosing of the first subject in a Phase 1 study of ACI-3024, a first-in-class investigational oral small molecule Tau Morphomer inhibitor that will be studied in neurodegenerative diseases that are characterized by the presence of pathological Tau aggregates. This is the first significant advancement in AC Immune’s collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company
Initiation of a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial to evaluate ACI-35.030, a clinically advanced anti-phospho-Tau designed to reduce and to prevent the spread and development of Tau pathology to treat early and moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
Initial interim data from an ongoing Phase 1b trial of AC Immune’s ACI-24 anti-Abeta vaccine, to treat AD like symptoms in subjects with Down syndrome (DS), demonstrated strong safety and preliminary immunogenicity results
Hosted a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) event, where presentations underscored the significant need and opportunity for studying AD-like symptoms in DS, a high-risk and genetically homogeneous population
Initiation of a substudy by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the ongoing Phase 2 Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative (API) trial of AC Immune’s investigational candidate, crenezumab. The substudy, which measures Tau burden using Positron Emission Tomography (PET), aims to increase the understanding of disease progression in the preclinical stage of autosomal dominantly inherited, or familiar, AD
Initiation of a research partnership with leading scientists in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) focused on studying the pathological mechanisms of TDP-43 misfolding and aggregation
Anticipated Near-Term Milestones

H2:2019: Proof-of-concept data from three NeuroOrphan indications from our SupraAntigen platform
H2:2020: Read out from a Phase 2 clinical trial in prodromal/mild AD patients from the SupraAntigen platform
Multiple clinical trial readouts from collaboration partners in 2020/2021 confirming Tau antibodies as a viable approach to halting the progression of AD and other neurodegenerative conditions
Analysis of Financial Statements for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

Cash Position: The Company had a total cash balance of CHF 285.7 million, comprised of CHF 205.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and CHF 80.0 million in short-term financial assets. This compares to a total cash balance of CHF 186.5 million as of December 31, 2018. The increase of CHF 99.2 million is principally due to the CHF 80 million upfront payment and USD 50 million convertible equity note related to the agreement with Lilly. Further details are available in our Statements of Cash Flows in the accompanying Form 6-K.
The total shareholders’ equity position increased from December 31, 2018 to CHF 273.3 million from CHF 177.6 million. Further details are available in our corresponding Financial Statements filed on the accompanying Form 6-K.
Revenues: Revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 totaled CHF 1.5 million and CHF 76.6 million, respectively. This represents a decrease of CHF 0.5 million and increase of CHF 73.1 million compared to the respective periods in 2018. The decrease for the three-month period relates to 2018 Biogen revenues not repeated in 2019, as this contract concluded in April. The increase for the six-month period is driven by the recognition of CHF 74.3 million from the right-of-use license and research and development activities linked to the 2018 Lilly agreement. Revenues fluctuate as a result of payments associated with our collaborations with current and potential new partners, the timing of milestone achievements and the size of each milestone payment.
R&D Expenditures: R&D expenditures increased by CHF 2.2 million (+21%) and CHF 3.7 million (+18%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the comparable periods in 2018, respectively. The Company largely increased its investments in AD, non-AD and new discovery programs. For AD, the Company prepared activities for its Phase 1b/2a and Phase 2 studies for ACI-35 and ACI-24 AD, respectively. For non-AD, the Company increased investment in its MorphomerTM alpha-synuclein programs and continued to advance ACI-24 DS through clinical development. Finally, in new discovery, the Company continues to focus on its neuroinflammation discovery programs.
G&A Expenses: For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, G&A increased CHF 0.5 million (+17%) and CHF 1.1 million (+19%) to CHF 3.6 million and CHF 6.9 million, respectively. Increases are driven by rental, personnel and IT expenses.
IFRS Income/(Loss) for the period: The Company incurred net loss and net income after taxes of CHF 16.9 million and CHF 46.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared with net losses of CHF 11.1 million and CHF 22.8 million for the comparable periods in 2018.

On August 14, 2019 BioInvent International AB (OMXS: BINV) reported that it will issue its interim report for the second quarter 2019 on Thursday August 22 at 8.30 a.m. CEST, followed by an audiocast with teleconference at 11.00 a.m. CEST, hosted by Martin Welschof, CEO and members of the management team (Press release, BioInvent, AUG 14, 2019, View Source [SID1234538735]). The presentation will be held in English.

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To participate, please call any of the following phone numbers from:
Sweden: +46-8-566-426-92
UK: +44-333-300-9272
US: +1-833-526-8383

Webcast: View Source

On August 14, 2019 Sutro Biopharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: STRO), a clinical-stage drug discovery, development and manufacturing company focused on the application of precise protein engineering and rational design to create next-generation oncology therapeutics, reported its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 (Press release, Sutro Biopharma, AUG 14, 2019, View Source [SID1234538728]).

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"During the second quarter of 2019, we presented encouraging interim safety data from our Phase 1 trial for STRO-001 at the EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) Congress and continued to advance our pipeline of product candidates and programs," said Bill Newell, Sutro’s Chief Executive Officer. "We believe our proprietary technology allows us to rapidly and precisely create optimally designed, next-generation protein therapeutics candidates for cancer and autoimmune disorders. At Sutro, we hold ourselves to the highest standards and set ambitious goals for ourselves which we have been meeting and exceeding."

Recent Business Highlights and Developments

STRO-001 Clinical Program

Potential first-in-class and best-in-class Antibody Drug Conjugate ("ADC") directed against CD74, which is highly expressed in many B cell malignancies
Phase 1 dose-escalation, with dose expansion, clinical trial enrolling patients with multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with initial safety data presented at the EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) Congress on June 15, 2019 and initial efficacy data expected by year end 2019
STRO-002 Clinical Program

Potential best-in-class ADC directed against folate receptor-alpha, which is highly expressed in ovarian cancer
Phase 1 dose-escalation, with dose expansion, clinical trial enrolling women with advanced ovarian and endometrial cancers, with initial safety data expected by year end 2019
BCMA ADC Clinical Program and Celgene Collaboration

Celgene received FDA clearance on its IND application for an ADC targeting B-cell maturation antigen ("BCMA") for the treatment of multiple myeloma. This is the third product candidate to originate from Sutro’s proprietary discovery and manufacturing platform to enter clinical development since early 2018, and for which Celgene has worldwide development and commercialization rights. Sutro is entitled to development and regulatory milestone payments and tiered royalties ranging from mid to high single digit percentages from Celgene for this BCMA ADC.
Existing pipeline was bolstered as Sutro gained back rights to three bispecific assets from the collaboration with Celgene. Sutro holds U.S. development and commercialization rights targeting BCMA-CD3, PD1-LAG3 and PD1-TIM3. For any products resulting from these three programs, Celgene will own ex-U.S. development and commercialization rights and will be obligated to pay Sutro development and regulatory milestone payments and tiered royalties.
Second Quarter 2019 Financial Highlights

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

As of June 30, 2019, Sutro had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $168.2 million, as compared to $204.5 million as of December 31, 2018, which represents net cash usage of $36.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019.

Revenue

Revenue was $10.5 million and $19.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $5.7 million and $11.5 million for the same periods in 2018. The 2019 periods included collaboration revenue from Celgene, Merck and EMD Serono. On January 1, 2019, Sutro adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606). For more information on the impact of the adoption of the new revenue standard, see "Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements" contained in Part I, Item 1 of Sutro’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2019. Future collaboration revenue from Celgene, Merck and EMD Serono, and from any future collaboration partners, will fluctuate as a result of the amount and timing of revenue recognition of upfront, milestones and other collaboration agreement payments.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, were $24.2 million and $47.1 million, respectively, compared to $17.8 million and $35.3 million for the same periods in 2018, including non-cash stock-based compensation of $2.5 million and $0.2 million, and depreciation and amortization expense of $1.2 million and $1.1 million, in the 2019 and 2018 second quarters, respectively. Total operating expenses for second quarter 2019 were comprised of research and development expenses of $16.1 million and general and administrative expenses of $8.1 million, with both expense types expected to increase in 2019 as Sutro’s internal product candidates advance in clinical development and additional general and administrative expenses are incurred as a public company.

On August 14, 2019 Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ:ONCY) (TSX:ONC) (the "Company"), currently developing pelareorep, an intravenously delivered immuno-oncolytic virus, reported the pricing of its previously announced underwritten public offering (the "Offering") of 4,619,773 common shares and warrants to purchase up to 4,619,773 common shares at a combined public offering price of $0.81 per share and warrant, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately USD 3.7M (Press release, Oncolytics Biotech, AUG 14, 2019, View Source [SID1234538727]). Each warrant has an exercise price of $0.90 per common share, is exercisable immediately and will expire 5 years from the date of issuance. The common shares and the accompanying warrants can only be purchased together in this Offering but will be issued separately.

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The Offering is expected to close on or about August 16, 2019, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Oncolytics has also granted to the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 692,965 common shares and/or warrants to purchase up to 692,965 common shares, at the public offering price per common share and warrant, less underwriter discounts and commissions. The Offering is subject to customary closing conditions, including Nasdaq and TSX approvals.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of this Offering for research and development activities and working capital purposes.

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (NYSE American:LTS), is acting as the sole book-running manager in connection with the Offering.

The Offering is being made pursuant to a U.S. registration statement on Form F-10, declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 7, 2018 (the "Registration Statement"), and the Company’s existing Canadian short form base shelf prospectus (the "Base Shelf Prospectus") dated May 4, 2018. The prospectus supplements relating to the Offering (together with the Base Shelf Prospectus and the Registration Statement, the "Offering Documents") have been filed with the Alberta Securities Commission in Canada, and with the SEC in the United States. No common shares or warrants will be offered or sold to Canadian purchasers. The Offering Documents will contain important detailed information about the securities being offered. Before you invest, you should read the Offering Documents and the other documents the Company has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and the Offering. Copies of the Offering Documents will be available for free by visiting the Company’s profiles on the SEDAR website maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators at www.sedar.com or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, when available, copies of the final prospectus supplement can also be obtained from Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., Attn: Prospectus Department, 277 Park Avenue, 26th Floor, New York, New York 10172 or by email at [email protected].

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, nor will there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.