On August 1, 2018 Clovis Oncology, Inc. (NASDAQ:CLVS) reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, and provided an update on the Company’s clinical development programs and regulatory and commercial outlook for the second half of 2018 (Press release, Clovis Oncology, AUG 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234528301]).
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"We are pleased with the launch of Rubraca in the broader maintenance indication in the U.S. and are preparing for the planned launch in the EU early next year," said Patrick J. Mahaffy, CEO and President of Clovis Oncology. "We look forward to the presentation of the initial data for rucaparib in patients with germline or somatic BRCA mutation-positive metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) in October, and we are actively advancing multiple combination studies for each of rucaparib and lucitanib."
Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results
Clovis reported net product revenue for Rubraca of $23.8 million for the second quarter of 2018 following the label expansion to include the earlier-line and all-comers ovarian cancer maintenance treatment indication on April 6. The supply of free drug distributed to eligible patients through the Rubraca patient assistance program for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was an additional approximately 25 percent of the overall commercial supply, or the equivalent of $7.9 million in commercial value. In the six months ended June 30, 2018, the supply of this free drug was an additional approximately 24 percent of the overall commercial supply, or the equivalent of $13.4 million in commercial value. The Company expects the free product percentage to continue in the mid to high 20-percent range for the remainder of 2018. Net product revenue for the first quarter of 2018 was $18.5 million, for a total of $42.3 million for the first six months of 2018. Net product revenue for the quarter and first half ended June 30, 2017 was $14.6 million and $21.7 million, following the initial approval and launch of Rubraca in the treatment setting on December 19, 2016.
Clovis had $682.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities as of June 30, 2018. Cash used in operating activities was $110.2 million for the second quarter of 2018 and $210.8 million for the first half of 2018, compared with $69.1 million for the second quarter of 2017 and $149.5 million for the first half of 2017. This includes product supply costs of $44.6 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $76.1 million in the first half of 2018 related to Clovis’ previously-described plan to build additional inventory in advance of the transition to a new manufacturing facility for Rubraca. Product supply costs are expected to be approximately $10 million for the remainder of 2018. The Company also expects to incur final capital costs for the new manufacturing facility of approximately $8 million in late 2018. Additionally, and also as previously described, Clovis made one-time milestone payments to Pfizer of $58 million in the second quarter of 2018 related to U.S. product approvals in December 2016 and April 2018 and European product approval in May 2018.
Clovis reported a net loss for the second quarter of 2018 of $101.2 million, or ($1.94) per share, and $178.9 million, or a net loss of ($3.48) per share for the first half of 2018. Net loss was $175.4 million, or a net loss of ($3.88) per share for the second quarter of 2017, and $233.8 million, or a net loss of ($5.24) per share for the first half of 2017.
During the second quarter of 2018, Clovis recorded a one-time charge of $20.0 million related to an agreement in principle reached with the S.E.C. that, if approved by the S.E.C. and the U.S. District Court where the settlement is to be filed, would resolve the S.E.C.’s investigation related to rociletinib.
Additionally, the net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2018 also includes a charge of $8.0 million in the first quarter related to a legal settlement. The net loss for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2017 included a charge of $117.0 million related to a legal settlement.
The adjusted net loss excluding these items was $81.2 million, or ($1.55) per share for the second quarter, and $150.9 million, or ($2.93) per share for the first half of 2018, compared to an adjusted net loss of $58.4 million, or ($1.29) per share for the second quarter, and $116.8 million, or ($2.62) per share for the first half of 2017. Net loss for the second quarter and first half of 2018 included share-based compensation expense of $14.9 million and $26.8 million, compared to $10.7 million and $19.6 million for the comparable periods of 2017.
Clovis had approximately 52.6 million shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2018.
Research and development expenses totaled $52.7 million for the second quarter of 2018 and $96.3 million for the first half of 2018, compared to $33.1 million and $65.6 million for the comparable periods in 2017. Research and development expenses will continue to increase compared to last year as planned Rubraca studies progress.
Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $44.9 million for the second quarter of 2018 and $84.1 million for the first half of 2018, compared to $36.1 million and $65.4 million for the comparable periods in 2017. Selling, general and administrative expenses will continue to increase compared to last year in support of administrative and commercial activities related to Rubraca in the United States and Europe.
Key Milestones and Objectives for Rubraca
U.S. Approval for Ovarian Cancer Maintenance Treatment Indication
On April 6, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Rubraca (rucaparib) tablets for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. FDA granted regular approval for Rubraca in this second, broader and earlier-line indication on a priority review timeline based on positive data from the phase 3 ARIEL3 clinical trial. Biomarker testing is not required for patients to be prescribed Rubraca in this maintenance treatment indication. In addition to granting Rubraca approval in this second indication, the FDA converted the approval of the initial treatment indication from an accelerated to a regular approval.
European Union (EU) Authorization Granted for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Treatment Indication and Maintenance Treatment Variation Under Review
In late May, the Company announced that the European Commission authorized Rubraca as monotherapy treatment of adult patients with platinum sensitive, relapsed or progressive, BRCA mutated (germline and/or somatic), high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, who have been treated with two or more prior lines of platinum-based chemotherapy, and who are unable to tolerate further platinum-based chemotherapy.
Following the receipt of the initial Marketing Authorization for Rubraca, Clovis submitted a variation to include the maintenance indication, which was validated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in early July. The review is underway and an opinion for the maintenance indication from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) is anticipated by the end of 2018. Clovis continues to establish its EU organization to support the planned launch of Rubraca in Europe.
Rubraca Clinical Development
Clovis has a robust clinical development program underway in multiple tumor types, including Clovis-sponsored, partner-sponsored and investigator-initiated trials. The following clinical studies are open for enrollment or are anticipated to open during the next several months:
The Clovis-sponsored ARIEL4 confirmatory study in the treatment setting is a Phase 3 multicenter, randomized study of Rubraca versus chemotherapy in relapsed ovarian cancer patients with BRCA mutations who have failed two prior lines of therapy. This study is currently enrolling patients.
The Clovis-sponsored Phase 3 ATHENA study in advanced ovarian cancer in the first-line maintenance treatment setting evaluating Rubraca plus Opdivo (PD-1 inhibitor), Rubraca, Opdivo and placebo in newly-diagnosed patients who have completed platinum-based chemotherapy. This study, as part of a broad clinical collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb, is currently open for enrollment.
The Clovis-sponsored TRITON3 study, a Phase 3 comparative study in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) enrolling BRCA mutant and ATM mutant (both inclusive of germline and somatic) patients who have progressed on androgen-receptor (AR)-targeted therapy and who have not yet received chemotherapy in the castrate-resistant setting. TRITON3 compares Rubraca to physician’s choice of AR-targeted therapy or chemotherapy in these patients. This study is currently enrolling patients.
The Clovis-sponsored TRITON2 study in mCRPC, a Phase 2 single-arm study in patients with BRCA mutations (inclusive of germline and somatic) and also enrolling patients with deleterious mutations of other homologous recombination (HR) repair genes, including ATM. All patients will have progressed after receiving one line of taxane-based chemotherapy and one or two lines of AR-targeted therapy. This study is currently enrolling patients. The Company plans to present initial data from the ongoing TRITON2 study in a poster discussion session and host an investor/analyst event at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) on Sunday, October 21, 2018.
The Clovis-sponsored single-arm Phase 2 open-label monotherapy study of Rubraca in recurrent, metastatic bladder cancer titled ATLAS: A Study of Rucaparib in Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma. This study is currently enrolling patients.
The Phase 1 RUCA-J study, sponsored by Clovis, is a Phase 1 study to identify the recommended dose of rucaparib in Japanese patients, which will enable development of a bridging strategy and potential inclusion of Japanese sites in planned or ongoing global studies. This study is currently enrolling patients.
The Phase 2, open-label, multi-cohort study evaluating the combination of Rubraca and Opdivo in patients with relapsed, BRCA wild-type ovarian cancer and in patients with locally advanced or metastatic bladder carcinoma. This study is sponsored by Clovis and is expected to begin in the second half of 2018.
The Phase 3 pivotal study in advanced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) to evaluate Opdivo and Rubraca in combination. This study is sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb.
The Phase 2 combination study of Opdivo with Rubraca for the treatment of mCRPC. This study, sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb, is being conducted as an arm of a larger sponsored prostate cancer study. This study is currently enrolling patients.
The Phase 1b combination study of the cancer immunotherapy Tecentriq (atezolizumab; anti-PDL1) and Rubraca for the treatment of ovarian and triple-negative breast cancers. This study is sponsored by Roche and is currently enrolling patients.
Exploratory studies in other tumor types are also underway.
Additionally, in June, the Company announced a planned clinical collaboration with Immunomedics to evaluate the combination of Rubraca and sacituzumab govitecan as a treatment for advanced metastatic triple-negative breast and metastatic urothelial cancers.
Lucitanib Clinical Development
Lucitanib is an oral, potent inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 through 3 (VEGFR1-3), platelet-derived growth factor receptors alpha and beta (PDGFRα/β) and fibroblast growth factor receptors 1 through 3 (FGFR1-3), which was previously evaluated in breast and lung cancers in partnership with Servier. Clovis has received notice from Servier that they will return their ex-US rights (excluding China) for lucitanib later in 2018. Clovis therefore will own global rights (excluding China) to lucitanib. There are no payments from Clovis to Servier related to the return of these ex-US rights.
Lucitanib was originally developed by Clovis and Servier with the hypothesis of activity in FGFR driven tumors; data in breast and lung cancer were insufficient to move the program forward. Recent data for a similar drug that inhibits these same three pathways – when combined with a PD-1 inhibitor – are extremely encouraging and represent a validated and alternative hypothesis for the development of lucitanib in combination with a PD-(L)1 inhibitor, and a Clovis-sponsored combination study is now being planned. Clovis also intends to initiate a study of lucitanib in combination with rucaparib, based on encouraging data of VEGF and PARP inhibitors in combination. Each of these studies is expected to initiate before the end of Q1 2019.
Conference Call Details
Clovis will hold a conference call to discuss Q2 2018 results this afternoon, August 1, at 4:30pm ET. The conference call will be simultaneously webcast on the Company’s web site at www.clovisoncology.com, and archived for future review. Dial-in numbers for the conference call are as follows: US participants 866.489.9022, International participants 678.509.7575, conference ID: 9289064.
About Rubraca (rucaparib)
Rubraca is an oral, small molecule inhibitor of PARP1, PARP2 and PARP3 being developed in ovarian cancer as well as several additional solid tumor indications. Studies open for enrollment or under consideration include ovarian, prostate, breast, gastroesophageal, pancreatic, lung and bladder cancers. Clovis holds worldwide rights for Rubraca.
In the United States, Rubraca is approved for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Rubraca is also approved in the United States for the treatment of adult patients with deleterious BRCA mutation (germline and/or somatic) associated epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who have been treated with two or more chemotherapies and selected for therapy based on an FDA-approved companion diagnostic for Rubraca.
Rubraca is an unlicensed medical product outside of the U.S. and EU.