Syros to Present Initial Clinical Data from Combination Cohorts in Its Ongoing Phase 2 Trial of SY-1425 at ASH Annual Meeting

On November 1, 2018 Syros Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: SYRS), a leader in the development of medicines that control the expression of genes, reported that the Company will present initial clinical data from both combination cohorts in its ongoing Phase 2 trial of SY-1425, its first-in-class selective retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) agonist, in genomically defined subsets of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) at the 60th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition taking place December 1-4 in San Diego (Press release, Syros Pharmaceuticals, NOV 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234530479]).

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The data will include initial assessments of safety and efficacy of SY-1425 in combination with azacitidine in RARA and IRF8 biomarker-positive patients with newly diagnosed AML who are not suitable candidates for standard chemotherapy, and in combination with daratumumab in biomarker-positive patients with relapsed or refractory AML and higher-risk MDS. Additionally, for the daratumumab cohort, the presentation will include data on the level of CD38 induction observed in patients.

The abstract for the presentation is now available online on the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) conference website at View Source

Details on the presentation are as follows:

Presentation Title: Early Results from a Biomarker-Directed Phase 2 Trial of SY-1425 in Combination with Azacitidine or Daratumumab in Non-APL Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
Date & Time: Sunday, December 2, 6:00-8:00 p.m. PT (9:00-11:00 p.m. ET)
Session Title: Poster Session II
Session Category: 616. Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Novel Therapy Excluding Transplantation
Presenter: Rachel J. Cook, M.D., Oregon Health Science University
Abstract Number: 2735
Location: Hall GH, San Diego Convention Center

Alpine Immune Sciences Announces Scientific Presentations at 60th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition

On November 1, 2018 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALPN), a leading immunotherapy company focused on developing innovative treatments for cancer, autoimmune/inflammatory, and other diseases, reported two upcoming poster presentations at the 60th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition to be held December 1-4, 2018 in San Diego, CA (Press release, Alpine Immune Sciences, NOV 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234530478]).

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60th ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition

Abstract Title: Therapeutic Candidate ALPN-101, a Dual ICOS/CD28 Antagonist, Potently Suppresses Human/NSG Mouse Xenograft Graft Vs. Host Disease (GvHD) in a Dose Ranging Study and Reduces Disease Activity in a Mouse Model of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
Session Name: 701. Experimental Transplantation: Basic Biology, Pre-Clinical Models: Poster I
Publication Number: 2037
Abstract Title: "Switch" Transmembrane Immunomodulatory Proteins (TIPs) Consisting of High-Affinity PD-1 Extracellular Domains (PD-1 vIgDs) and Costimulatory Intracellular Domains Potently Enhance the Activity of TCR-Engineered T Cells
Session Name: 703. Adoptive Immunotherapy: Poster I
Publication Number: 2052
Both posters will be available in Hall GH of the San Diego Convention Center on Saturday, December 1, 2018 from 6:15 p.m. PT – 8:15 p.m. PT.

MannKind Corporation Reports 2018 Third Quarter Financial Results

On November 1, 2018 MannKind Corporation (NASDAQ:MNKD) reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 (Press release, Mannkind, NOV 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234530468]).

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"In 3Q 2018, we executed on both of our corporate value drivers, Afrezza and Technosphere Platform, by signing a global licensing and collaboration agreement for Treprostinil Technosphere and a research agreement for an undisclosed Technosphere formulation with upfront payments from these deals received in the last two months. Our sales and marketing efforts continue to show progress in growing Afrezza sales as the 3Q revenues have more than doubled from 3Q 2017," said Michael Castagna, Chief Executive Officer of MannKind Corporation.

Third Quarter Results

For the third quarter of 2018, Afrezza net revenue was $4.4 million, an increase of 121% compared to $2.0 million for the third quarter of 2017, reflecting increased product demand and pricing as well as a more favorable mix of cartridges.

Cost of goods sold was $5.3 million for the third quarter of 2018, an increase of 16% compared to $4.6 million for the same period in 2017, which was driven by an increased write-off of expiring inventory in the amount of $0.7 million.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $2.0 million compared to $4.4 million for the third quarter of 2017, a decrease of $2.4 million or 53%, reflecting $1.0 million in lower salary related expenses (for personnel who were engaged in research and development activities in 2017 but who have transitioned to Afrezza commercial support activities), lower clinical trial expense of $0.9 million, a decrease in headcount of $0.4 million and lower research and development supply costs of $0.2 million. These decreases were offset by increases in stock compensation expense and in travel expenses of $0.2 million.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $19.4 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared to $17.7 million for the third quarter of 2017. The $1.7 million or 9% increase was primarily due to a marketing and advertising cost increase of $1.2 million, an increase in commercial operations headcount of $0.9 million, an increase in sample spending of $0.3 million which were offset by lower facility costs of $0.5 million and a decrease in general and administrative personnel severance costs of $0.4 million.

Interest expense on notes was $1.0 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared to $2.3 million for the third quarter of 2017. The $1.3 million or 57% decrease was primarily due to a reduction in the principal debt balances.

The net loss for the third quarter of 2018 was $24.2 million, or $0.16 per share, compared to the $32.9 million net loss in the third quarter of 2017 or $0.31 per share. The lower loss per share is attributable to an increase in revenues, lower expenses and an increase in shares used to compute the basic and diluted net loss per share.

Nine Months Ended Results

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Afrezza net revenue was $11.5 million, an increase of 144% compared to $4.7 million for the same period in 2017, reflecting increased product demand and pricing as well as a more favorable mix of cartridges.

Cost of goods sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $14.4 million compared to $12.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. This increase of $2.2 million or 18% was primarily attributable to a $1.2 million increase resulting from higher Afrezza sales, an increase of $0.9 million of excess capacity costs and a $0.4 million realized currency loss from insulin purchases which were offset by a $0.3 million settlement of a credit related to a purchase of insulin. Inventory write-offs of $1.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 remained flat compared to 2017.

R&D expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $7.7 million compared to $10.6 million for the same period in 2017. This $3.0 million or 28% decrease was primarily attributable to a $2.2 million decrease in salary-related expenses (for personnel who were engaged in research and development activities in 2017 but who have transitioned to Afrezza commercial support activities), a decrease in headcount of $0.7 million, a decrease in research and development supply costs of $0.5 million, and a decrease in salary related expenses for personnel supporting manufacturing and production activities of $0.4 million. These decreases were offset by an increase in relocation and recruiting fees of $0.6 million plus an increase in consulting services costs of $0.4 million in connection with international regulatory activities.

SG&A expenses were $61.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $51.7 million for the same period in 2017. The $10.0 million or 19% increase was primarily due to an increase in headcount-related expenses associated with commercial operations of $3.5 million and general and administration personnel of $2.5 million, a $2.2 million increase in salary-related expenses (for personnel who were engaged in research and development activities in 2017 but who have transitioned to Afrezza commercial support activities), an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $1.9 million, a $1.1 million increase in the cost of transitioning corporate support functions from Connecticut to our headquarters in California and an increase in consulting fees in connection with corporate strategies of $0.9 million, which were offset by lower marketing expenses of $1.6 million and a decrease in facility expenses of $0.7 million.

Interest expense on notes was $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $7.4 million for the same period in 2017. The $2.9 million or 40% decrease was primarily due to a reduction in the principal debt balances.

The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $77.2 million, or $0.56 per share, compared to $84.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, or $0.84 per share. The lower net loss per share is attributable to an increase in revenues, a decrease in expenses and an increase in shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at September 30, 2018 was $11.0 million compared to $48.4 million at December 31, 2017, primarily due to net cash used in operating activities of $62.7 million, inclusive of $10.0 million received from United Therapeutics in September 2018, primarily offset by $26.4 million of net proceeds from a registered direct offering of 14 million shares of common stock and warrants at a purchase price of $2.00 per share and accompanying warrant.

Conference Call

MannKind will host a conference call and presentation webcast to discuss these results today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To view and listen to the earnings call webcast live via the Internet, visit the Company’s website at www.mannkindcorp.com and click on the "Q3 2018 MannKind Earnings Conference Call" link in the Webcasts section of News & Events. To participate in the live call by telephone, please dial (888) 394-8218 toll-free or (323) 701-0225 toll/international and use the conference passcode: 5666425.

A telephone replay of the call will be accessible for approximately 14 days following completion of the call by dialing (844) 512-2921 toll-free or (412) 317-6671 toll/international and use the replay passcode: 5666425. A replay will also be available on MannKind’s website for 14 days.

West Announces Participation in Upcoming November Investor Conferences

On November 1, 2018 West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST), a global leader in innovative solutions for injectable drug administration, reported that its Management Team will present an overview of the Company’s business at two investor conferences in November (Press release, West Pharmaceutical Services, NOV 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234530467]). Management will present at the Stephens Investment Conference in New York, New York on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, and the Jefferies 2018 London Healthcare Conference in London, United Kingdom on Thursday, November 15, 2018.

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Unum Therapeutics to Present Preliminary Results from Ongoing Phase 1 Studies ATTCK-20-03 and ATTCK-17-01 at the 2018 ASH Annual Meeting

On November 1, 2018 Unum Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: UMRX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of cellular immunotherapies based on its novel, universal Antibody-Coupled T cell Receptor (ACTR) technology platform, reported that the Company will present preliminary results from the ongoing Phase 1 ATTCK-20-03 study, testing ACTR707 in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory CD20+ B cell lymphoma (r/r/ NHL), and the ongoing Phase 1 ATTCK-17-01 study, testing ACTR087 in combination with SEA-BCMA in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (r/r MM), at the upcoming American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting taking place December 1-4, 2018, in San Diego, CA (Press release, Unum Therapeutics, NOV 1, 2018, View Source [SID1234530466]).

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"Preliminary data from these two trials demonstrate ACTR T cell activity and a well-tolerated safety profile of both ACTR707 and ACTR087 product candidates in their respective patient populations," said Michael Vasconcelles, Chief Medical Officer of Unum. "We remain encouraged by the emerging potential best-in-class profile of ACTR707 in combination with rituximab in patients with r/r NHL and the early safety data of ACTR087 in combination with the novel antibody, SEA-BCMA, in patients with r/r MM."

Data from the first dose level in the multicenter Phase 1 study, ATTCK-20-03, testing ACTR707 in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory CD20+ B cell lymphoma, was presented in September 2018 at the Fourth Annual CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference (CIMT) (Free CIMT Whitepaper). Three of the six patients treated at the first dose level in the study achieved a complete response, two of which remained ongoing at the time of the September 4, 2018 data cut off. No dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were observed in any of the four DLT-evaluable patients, and no serious or severe adverse events of cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity were observed in any patients. Updated data from this cohort, along with data on the subsequent dose cohort will be presented at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting.

In addition, first-in-human dosing of single agent SEA-BCMA, and of ACTR087 in combination with SEA-BCMA, in the ATTCK-17-01 multi-center Phase 1 dose-escalation study was well tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities in the first two single-subject cohorts. Following infusion, ACTR+ T cells were detectable in these patients and demonstrated expansion post infusion. These data have supported the continued dose escalation of ACTR087 in combination with SEA-BCMA. Updated data from the first three dose cohorts of the trial will be presented at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting, with subsequent updates anticipated in 2019.

Details on the presentations are as follows:

Presentation Title: Preliminary Clinical Results of a Phase 1 Study Evaluating the Safety and Anti-tumor activity of ACTR707 in Combination with Rituximab in Subjects with Relapsed or Refractory CD20+ B-cell Lymphoma
Session Title: 626. Aggressive Lymphoma (Diffuse Large B-Cell and Other Aggressive B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas) – Results from Prospective Clinical Trials: Poster II
Date & Time: Sunday, 2 December, 2018 from 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location:San Diego Convention Center, Hall GH

Presentation Title: A Phase 1 Study of Two Investigational Agents, ACTR087, an Autologous T Cell Product Expressing an Antibody-Coupled T cell Receptor, in Combination With SEA-BCMA, a Novel Non-fucosylated Monoclonal Antibody, in Subjects with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Session Title: 653. Myeloma: Therapy, excluding Transplantation: Poster I
Date & Time:Saturday, December 1, 2018 from 6:15 – 8:15pm
Location:San Diego Convention Center, Hall GH