On May 9, 2018 Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: NBIX) reported that it will present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2018 Healthcare Conference at 8:40 a.m. PT (11:40 a.m. ET) on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kevin Gorman, CEO of Neurocrine Biosciences, will present at the conference (Press release, Neurocrine Biosciences, MAY 9, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2348202 [SID1234526381]).

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The live presentation will be webcast and may be accessed on the Company’s website under Investors at View Source A replay of the presentation will be available on the website approximately one hour after the conclusion of the event and will be archived for one month.

On May 9, 2018 NantHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ-GS: NH), a next-generation, evidence-based, personalized healthcare company, reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2018 (Press release, NantHealth, MAY 9, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2348273 [SID1234526380]).

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

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Molecular Analysis – Highlights

Expanded Molecular Analysis Portfolio: Molecular Analysis portfolio expanded to include proprietary blood-based tumor profiling services, with beta launch of 26-analyte profiling test.
In-Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Filing with FDA for circulating free DNA (cfDNA) Liquid Biopsy Platform: In Q1 2018, the company submitted a medical device application with the FDA for its proprietary cfDNA liquid biopsy platform.
Commenced Beta Launch of GPS Ordering and Results Portal enabling ordering physicians to electronically receive GPS results and request molecular tumor board and Medical Affairs consultations.
Test Growth: The company reported 677 GPS Cancer commercial tests were ordered in Q1 2018, up from 606 in Q4 2017.
Key Publication: In Q2 2018, results of a company sponsored study were published in Oncotarget, a peer-reviewed bio-medical journal. The study results demonstrate the significant gains in accuracy by performing tumor/normal DNA and RNA sequencing and the risks associated with high error rates of tumor only sequencing. View Source Publication
New National GPS Cancer Payer: In Q1 2018, as previously announced, the company signed a new GPS Cancer reimbursement contract with a large, national healthcare IT company.
New Lab Services Arrangement: In Q1 2018, as previously announced, the company signed a laboratory services agreement with a 20+ facility hospital system for the availability of GPS Cancer testing to its patient community.
Expanded International Adoption: In Q1 2018, as previously announced, the company signed a strategic reseller agreement with a partner in the United Kingdom for the provision of molecular analysis services for clinical studies and other research initiatives.
FDA Submission: In Q1 2018, as previously announced, the company submitted a 510(k) premarket notification application to the FDA for tumor/normal DNA sequencing.
"We are excited about the opportunity to feature GPS Cancer and our new liquid biopsy platform in 11 presentations at next month’s American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, a significant and auspicious milestone for NantHealth," said Sandeep (Bobby) Reddy, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of NantHealth. "In conjunction with these presentations, we plan to unveil to the oncology community at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and commence the commercial launch of our liquid biopsy test, a 26 analyte test for circulating-free DNA (cfDNA) and RNA (cfRNA) extracted from patient blood permits non-invasive detection of expressed biomarkers and monitoring of response to immunotherapies such as Keytruda or Opdivo or resistance to anti-androgens such as Xtandi."

Software and Services Highlights:

Payer Engagement (NaviNet):
In Q1 2018, NantHealth’s industry leading Document Exchange solution was upgraded to include an enhanced document viewer and the ability for payers to tag and categorize documents.
In Q1 2018, as previously announced, the company signed a three-year renewal contract with a total contract value of approximately $17 million.
Clinical Decision Support (Eviti):
In Q1 2018, introduced new dual eligibility features, enabling payers to concurrently manage dual membership patients covered under Medicare and Medicaid, and drug shortage configuration features that provide improved management of high cost drugs.
Connected Care:
In Q1 2018, released DeviceConX5.14 (MDE), the first MDI solution to adopt the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard.
In Q1 2018, released VitalsConX2.1, with support for offline mode, enabling clinicians to continue nurse rounding when connectivity is lost and to submit data to the EMR once connectivity is restored.
In Q2 2018, completed first CE Mark submission for the DeviceConX software platform.
"Our 2018 first quarter performance reflects a 17% increase in consolidated revenue and a substantially improved gross margin over the prior year period," said Paul Holt, Chief Financial Officer of NantHealth. "We were delighted to see continued growth of our SaaS business, with revenue increasing 9% over the same quarter last year. Our year over year improvement in operating results was positively impacted by our revenue growth and the restructuring program, implemented late last year."

Business and Financial Highlights

In August 2017, NantHealth sold its provider/patient engagement assets to Allscripts to focus on core competencies and accelerate the plan to achieve profitability. As a result, the company has classified the current and prior period operating results of its provider/patient engagement business as discontinued operations. All results presented below represent the company’s continuing operations.

The company adopted a new revenue recognition standard on January 1, 2018. Please note that the financial results presented below include both amounts "as presented," which reflect implementation of the new revenue recognition standard, as well as amounts prior to the impact of the new revenue recognition standard to allow for comparability against historical results. Starting in fiscal year 2019, the company will no longer present its GAAP and Non-GAAP financial results under the previous revenue recognition standard. For additional information and reconciliations of our financial results between the new and previous revenue recognition standard, see the additional tables included in this press release and in the company’s Form 10-Q to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For the 2018 first quarter, total net revenue as presented was $22.3 million. Total 2018 first quarter net revenue prior to the impact of the new revenue recognition standard increased 14% to $21.7 million from $19.1 million in 2017 first quarter. Gross profit as presented was $11.2 million, or 50% of total net revenue. Gross profit prior to the impact of the new revenue recognition standard was $10.7 million, or 49% of total net revenue, compared with $7.6 million, or 40% of total net revenue, for the prior-year first quarter. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses as presented were $20.7 million. SG&A prior to the impact of the new revenue recognition standard was $21.2 million compared with $17.4 million. Research and development (R&D) expenses as presented was $5.2 million decreased from $8.9 million; the new revenue recognition standard did not impact R&D expenses.

Net loss from continuing operations, net of tax, as presented was $22.0 million, or $0.20 per share. Net loss from continuing operations, net of tax, prior to the impact of the new revenue recognition standard narrowed to $22.8 million, or $0.21 per share, from $28.1 million, or $0.23 per share for the 2017 first quarter. Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, as presented was $193,000, or breakeven on per share basis, compared with $13.0 million, or $0.11 per share; the new revenue recognition standard did not impact loss from discontinued operations. Net loss as presented was $22.2 million, or $0.20 per share. Net loss prior to the impact of the new revenue recognition standard was $23.0 million, or $0.21 per share, compared with $41.1 million, or $0.34 per share, for 2017 first quarter.

Financial results for the 2018 first quarter included approximately $3.3 million loss from related party equity method investment including impairment loss, $2.7 million of stock-based compensation expense, $2.2 million of intangible amortization, and $1.2 million of non-cash interest expense related to convertible notes, totaling $0.09 per share. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net loss from continuing operations as presented was $13.5 million, or $0.12 per share, for the 2018 first quarter. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net loss from continuing operations prior to the impact of the new revenue recognition standard was $14.3 million, or $0.13 per share, compared with $18.8 million, or $0.15 per share, for the 2017 first quarter.

Conference Call Information and Forward-Looking Statements

Later today, the company will host a conference call at 1:30 p.m. PT (4:30 p.m. ET) to review its results of operations for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018. The conference call will be available to interested parties by dialing 844-309-3709 from the U.S. or Canada, or 281-962-4864 from international locations, passcode 8963439. The call will be broadcast via the Internet at www.nanthealth.com. Listeners are encouraged to visit the website at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the scheduled presentation to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A playback of the call will be archived and accessible on the same website for at least three months.

Discussion during the conference call may include forward-looking statements regarding topics such as the company’s financial status and performance, regulatory and operational developments, and other comments the company may make about its future plans or prospects in response to questions from participants on the conference call.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release contains references to Non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share, which are financial measures that are not prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP). The Company’s management believes that the presentation of Non-GAAP financial measures provides useful supplementary information regarding operational performance, because it enhances an investor’s overall understanding of the financial results for the Company’s core business. Additionally, it provides a basis for the comparison of the financial results for the Company’s core business between current, past and future periods. Other companies may define these measures in different ways. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered only as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for or as a superior measure to, financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP per share numbers are calculated based on one class of common stock and do not incorporate the effects, if any, of using the two-class method.

On May 9, 2018 NantHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ-GS: NH), a next-generation, evidence-based, personalized healthcare company, reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2018 (Press release, NantHealth, MAY 9, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2348335 [SID1234526379]).

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

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

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

Molecular Analysis – Highlights

Expanded Molecular Analysis Portfolio: Molecular Analysis portfolio expanded to include proprietary blood-based tumor profiling services, with beta launch of 26-analyte profiling test.
In-Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Filing with FDA for circulating free DNA (cfDNA) Liquid Biopsy Platform: In Q1 2018, the company submitted a medical device application with the FDA for its proprietary cfDNA liquid biopsy platform.
Commenced Beta Launch of GPS Ordering and Results Portal enabling ordering physicians to electronically receive GPS results and request molecular tumor board and Medical Affairs consultations.
Test Growth: The company reported 677 GPS Cancer commercial tests were ordered in Q1 2018, up from 606 in Q4 2017.
Key Publication: In Q2 2018, results of a company sponsored study were published in Oncotarget, a peer-reviewed bio-medical journal. The study results demonstrate the significant gains in accuracy by performing tumor/normal DNA and RNA sequencing and the risks associated with high error rates of tumor only sequencing. View Source Publication
New National GPS Cancer Payer: In Q1 2018, as previously announced, the company signed a new GPS Cancer reimbursement contract with a large, national healthcare IT company.
New Lab Services Arrangement: In Q1 2018, as previously announced, the company signed a laboratory services agreement with a 20+ facility hospital system for the availability of GPS Cancer testing to its patient community.
Expanded International Adoption: In Q1 2018, as previously announced, the company signed a strategic reseller agreement with a partner in the United Kingdom for the provision of molecular analysis services for clinical studies and other research initiatives.
FDA Submission: In Q1 2018, as previously announced, the company submitted a 510(k) premarket notification application to the FDA for tumor/normal DNA sequencing.
"We are excited about the opportunity to feature GPS Cancer and our new liquid biopsy platform in 11 presentations at next month’s American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, a significant and auspicious milestone for NantHealth," said Sandeep (Bobby) Reddy, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of NantHealth. "In conjunction with these presentations, we plan to unveil to the oncology community at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and commence the commercial launch of our liquid biopsy test, a 26 analyte test for circulating-free DNA (cfDNA) and RNA (cfRNA) extracted from patient blood permits non-invasive detection of expressed biomarkers and monitoring of response to immunotherapies such as Keytruda or Opdivo or resistance to anti-androgens such as Xtandi."

Software and Services Highlights:

Payer Engagement (NaviNet):
In Q1 2018, NantHealth’s industry leading Document Exchange solution was upgraded to include an enhanced document viewer and the ability for payers to tag and categorize documents.
In Q1 2018, as previously announced, the company signed a three-year renewal contract with a total contract value of approximately $17 million.
Clinical Decision Support (Eviti):
In Q1 2018, introduced new dual eligibility features, enabling payers to concurrently manage dual membership patients covered under Medicare and Medicaid, and drug shortage configuration features that provide improved management of high cost drugs.
Connected Care:
In Q1 2018, released DeviceConX5.14 (MDE), the first MDI solution to adopt the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard.
In Q1 2018, released VitalsConX2.1, with support for offline mode, enabling clinicians to continue nurse rounding when connectivity is lost and to submit data to the EMR once connectivity is restored.
In Q2 2018, completed first CE Mark submission for the DeviceConX software platform.
"Our 2018 first quarter performance reflects a 17% increase in consolidated revenue and a substantially improved gross margin over the prior year period," said Paul Holt, Chief Financial Officer of NantHealth. "We were delighted to see continued growth of our SaaS business, with revenue increasing 9% over the same quarter last year. Our year over year improvement in operating results was positively impacted by our revenue growth and the restructuring program, implemented late last year."

Business and Financial Highlights

In August 2017, NantHealth sold its provider/patient engagement assets to Allscripts to focus on core competencies and accelerate the plan to achieve profitability. As a result, the company has classified the current and prior period operating results of its provider/patient engagement business as discontinued operations. All results presented below represent the company’s continuing operations.

The company adopted a new revenue recognition standard on January 1, 2018. Please note that the financial results presented below include both amounts "as presented," which reflect implementation of the new revenue recognition standard, as well as amounts prior to the impact of the new revenue recognition standard to allow for comparability against historical results. Starting in fiscal year 2019, the company will no longer present its GAAP and Non-GAAP financial results under the previous revenue recognition standard. For additional information and reconciliations of our financial results between the new and previous revenue recognition standard, see the additional tables included in this press release and in the company’s Form 10-Q to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For the 2018 first quarter, total net revenue as presented was $22.3 million. Total 2018 first quarter net revenue prior to the impact of the new revenue recognition standard increased 14% to $21.7 million from $19.1 million in 2017 first quarter. Gross profit as presented was $11.2 million, or 50% of total net revenue. Gross profit prior to the impact of the new revenue recognition standard was $10.7 million, or 49% of total net revenue, compared with $7.6 million, or 40% of total net revenue, for the prior-year first quarter. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses as presented were $20.7 million. SG&A prior to the impact of the new revenue recognition standard was $21.2 million compared with $17.4 million. Research and development (R&D) expenses as presented was $5.2 million decreased from $8.9 million; the new revenue recognition standard did not impact R&D expenses.

Net loss from continuing operations, net of tax, as presented was $22.0 million, or $0.20 per share. Net loss from continuing operations, net of tax, prior to the impact of the new revenue recognition standard narrowed to $22.8 million, or $0.21 per share, from $28.1 million, or $0.23 per share for the 2017 first quarter. Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, as presented was $193,000, or breakeven on per share basis, compared with $13.0 million, or $0.11 per share; the new revenue recognition standard did not impact loss from discontinued operations. Net loss as presented was $22.2 million, or $0.20 per share. Net loss prior to the impact of the new revenue recognition standard was $23.0 million, or $0.21 per share, compared with $41.1 million, or $0.34 per share, for 2017 first quarter.

Financial results for the 2018 first quarter included approximately $3.3 million loss from related party equity method investment including impairment loss, $2.7 million of stock-based compensation expense, $2.2 million of intangible amortization, and $1.2 million of non-cash interest expense related to convertible notes, totaling $0.09 per share. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net loss from continuing operations as presented was $13.5 million, or $0.12 per share, for the 2018 first quarter. On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted net loss from continuing operations prior to the impact of the new revenue recognition standard was $14.3 million, or $0.13 per share, compared with $18.8 million, or $0.15 per share, for the 2017 first quarter.

Conference Call Information and Forward-Looking Statements

Later today, the company will host a conference call at 1:30 p.m. PT (4:30 p.m. ET) to review its results of operations for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018. The conference call will be available to interested parties by dialing 844-309-3709 from the U.S. or Canada, or 281-962-4864 from international locations, passcode 8963439. The call will be broadcast via the Internet at www.nanthealth.com. Listeners are encouraged to visit the website at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the scheduled presentation to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A playback of the call will be archived and accessible on the same website for at least three months.

Discussion during the conference call may include forward-looking statements regarding topics such as the company’s financial status and performance, regulatory and operational developments, and other comments the company may make about its future plans or prospects in response to questions from participants on the conference call.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release contains references to Non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share, which are financial measures that are not prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP). The Company’s management believes that the presentation of Non-GAAP financial measures provides useful supplementary information regarding operational performance, because it enhances an investor’s overall understanding of the financial results for the Company’s core business. Additionally, it provides a basis for the comparison of the financial results for the Company’s core business between current, past and future periods. Other companies may define these measures in different ways. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered only as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for or as a superior measure to, financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP per share numbers are calculated based on one class of common stock and do not incorporate the effects, if any, of using the two-class method.

On May 9, 2018 MEI Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: MEIP), a pharmaceutical company focused on leveraging its extensive development and oncology expertise to identify and advance new therapies for cancer, reported results for its third quarter ended March 31, 2018 (Press release, MEI Pharma, MAY 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234526378]).

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

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"Over the past quarter we continued making key advances in each of our four clinical programs, as we look forward to important data readouts before mid-year in three of the four programs," said Daniel P. Gold, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of MEI Pharma. "In particular, we will be presenting data at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018 from our study evaluating ME-401, an orally administered PI3K delta inhibitor demonstrating potential class leading efficacy in follicular lymphoma. Based on the data in this program, we anticipate progressing into a single-agent registration study later in 2018. In addition, we will present data at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018 from an investigator-initiated study of ME-344 in HER2-negative breast cancer."

Dr. Gold added: "We also look forward to initiating our Phase 1 study of voruciclib, a selective and orally administered CDK inhibitor differentiated by potent inhibition of CDK9, in relapsed/refractory B lymphocyte malignancies. Finally, we are looking forward to an interim analysis this quarter from the Phase 2 pracinostat study in MDS and the potential to continue advancing the study together with our partner Helsinn."

Recent Program Highlights and Upcoming Milestones

ME-401

An abstract with results from a Phase 1b study in relapsed/refractory CLL and FL has been accepted and will be presented at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting to be held June 1-5 in Chicago, IL.
Pracinostat (partnered with Helsinn Healthcare, SA)

In January 2018, the European Medicines Agency granted Orphan Drug Designation to pracinostat, currently in a Phase 3 study in combination with azacitidine for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adult patients unfit for induction chemotherapy.
The Company anticipates results from stage 1 of a Phase 2 dose-optimization study in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in the first half of 2018.
Voruciclib

In January 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the Company’s Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for voruciclib.
The Company expects to initiate a Phase 1 single-agent study in relapsed/refractory B cell malignancies in the first half of 2018.
ME-344

In February 2018, the Company announced that a planned interim review of data supports the continuation of its multicenter, investigator-initiated, study evaluating ME-344 in patients with HER2-negative breast cancer. The interim study data show that ME-344 was generally well-tolerated and, consistent with previous preclinical data, demonstrate the potential to reverse resistance to antiangiogenic therapy.
An abstract featuring interim results from the Phase 1 study in HER2 negative breast cancer in combination with bevacizumab (marketed as Avastin) has been accepted and will be presented at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting to be held June 1-5 in Chicago, IL.
Corporate

In February 2018, the Company announced the appointment of industry veteran Frederick W. Driscoll to its board of directors, who will also serve on the audit committee.
Financial Highlights

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had $36.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, with no outstanding debt. The Company believes its cash position will be sufficient to fund operations into through the first half of calendar year 2019.
Research and development expenses, including cost of research and development revenue, were $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to increased drug manufacturing expenses for ME-401, expenses related to voruciclib, and increased costs related to salaries, share-based compensation, and other internal costs.
General and administrative expenses were $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to professional services expenses and share-based compensation.
Revenues were $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The decrease was related to lower levels of research and development activities associated with the Helsinn license agreement and $3.8 of upfront license fee revenue recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2017.
Net loss was $5.9 million, or $0.16 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to net loss of $0.6 million, or $0.02 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

On May 9, 2018 MediciNova, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ:MNOV) and the JASDAQ Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Code Number:4875), reported that the Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for MN-166 (ibudilast) for treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) has been accepted and is now open with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Press release, MediciNova, MAY 9, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2348327 [SID1234526377]). MediciNova was informed by the FDA that the proposed clinical investigation of MN-166 (ibudilast) in combination with temozolomide (TMZ) for treatment of GBM may proceed.

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

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"We are very pleased that this important regulatory step is now completed, as we can now pursue clinical development of MN-166 in GBM, a devastating type of cancer with a high recurrence rate and very poor prognosis. As we previously reported, combination treatment of MN-166 (ibudilast) and TMZ improved survival compared to TMZ-only treatment in a GBM animal model study," commented Yuichi Iwaki, MD, PhD, President and CEO of MediciNova, Inc.

About GBM (glioblastoma)

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive, extremely lethal form of brain malignancy that develops from glial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) and rapidly grows and commonly spreads into nearby brain tissue. GBM is classified as Grade IV, the highest grade, in the World Health Organization (WHO) brain tumor grading system. The American Brain Tumor Association reports that GBM represents 15% of all brain tumors and 56% of all gliomas and has the highest number of cases of all malignant tumors, with an estimated 12,760 new cases predicted for 2018. Despite decades of advancements in neuroimaging, neurosurgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, only modest improvements have been achieved and the prognosis has not improved for individuals diagnosed with GBM. Median survival is 14.6 months and two-year survival is 30%. Only approximately 5% of GBM patients survive longer than 36 months.

About MN-166

MN-166 (ibudilast) has been marketed in Japan and Korea since 1989 to treat post-stroke complications and bronchial asthma. MN-166 (ibudilast) is a first-in-class, orally bioavailable, small molecule phosphodiesterases (PDE) 4 and 10 inhibitor and a macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) inhibitor that suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines and promotes neurotrophic factors. It attenuates activated glia cells, which play a major role in certain neurological conditions. Ibudilast’s anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective actions have been demonstrated in preclinical and clinical study results and provide the rationale for its therapeutic utility in substance use disorders, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., ALS and progressive MS), and chronic neuropathic pain. MediciNova is developing MN-166 for various neurological conditions such as progressive MS, ALS and substance abuse/addiction.