EyePoint Pharmaceuticals Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2018 Results

On May 8, 2018 EyePoint Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:EYPT), a specialty biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing innovative ophthalmic products, reported operating and financial results for its fiscal 2018 third quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2018 and provided a company update (Press release, pSivida, MAY 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234526250]).

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"The acquisition of Icon Bioscience, Inc. and its FDA approved product, DEXYCU, significantly increases EyePoint Pharmaceuticals’ revenue potential and accelerates our planned transformation to a sustainable growth company," said Nancy Lurker, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The combination of experienced executives leading our commercial team and the additional capital from EW Healthcare and SWK positions EyePoint to successfully execute on the launch of two new products in the first half of 2019, pending favorable regulatory review of YUTIQ. In addition, we anticipate the annual revenue potential for DEXYCU to be $150 – $200 million by the end of the third year on the market."

Key Recent Accomplishments

Acquired privately-held Icon Bioscience, Inc. and its FDA approved product, DEXYCU.

DEXYCU was approved by the FDA on February 9, 2018, for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and is administered as a single intraocular injection at the end of surgery.

EyePoint has expanded the DEXYCU global IP portfolio with Notices of Allowance for two additional patents, including potential claims relating to a method of treating inflammation of an eye following cataract surgery by delivering extremely small (4-6µL) amounts of dexamethasone in acetyl triethyl citrate. These two additional patents, once allowed, will extend to 2032 and 2034.

A New Drug Application (NDA) for YUTIQ (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant) 0.18 mg three-year treatment for noninfectious posterior segment uveitis was submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January and was accepted for filing in March with a November 5, 2018 PDUFA date.

EyePoint has enhanced the healthcare and capital markets expertise of the Board of Directors with the appointment of Ron Eastman, a Managing Director at EW Healthcare Partners with over 40 years of experience in building healthcare companies.

EyePoint has hired experienced executives to lead the Company’s commercial team and to ensure successful execution of the launches of DEXYCU and YUTIQ

EyePoint presented data on YUTIQ at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2018 Annual Meeting.

EyePoint delisted from the Australian Securities Exchange effective as of May 7, 2018.
Strengthened Balance Sheet

The Company had cash and cash equivalents totaling $16.3 million at March 31, 2018 and, subject to stockholder approval at a special meeting of shareholders scheduled for June 22, 2018, has capital commitments of an additional $30.5 million from EW Healthcare, a third-party investor and SWK. Therefore, the Company is currently projecting a cash balance of approximately $38.0 million at June 30, 2018, the end of its current fiscal year.

The Company expects these proceeds will provide the financial resources to commence the launch of DEXYCU and YUTIQ.
Near-Term Goals and Upcoming Milestones

Gain approval of the second tranche investment by EW Healthcare at the June 22, 2018 special meeting of stockholders.

Implement the Company’s four-pillar commercialization plan:
— Complete the build out of the sales organization;
— Implement the marketing plan;
— Continue to progress market access programs; and
— Initiate medical education initiatives.

Secure pass-through reimbursement for DEXYCU.

Receive FDA approval for YUTIQ based on the PDUFA action date of November 5, 2018.

Present data at leading medical congresses, including for YUTIQ at the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) annual meeting being held in Vancouver from July 20-25.

Launch DEXYCU and YUTIQ (subject to FDA approval) in the first half of calendar 2019.
Fiscal Third Quarter and Nine-Month Results

Revenue for the third fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018, totaled $928,000 compared to $590,000 for the prior year quarter. Revenues in both periods were derived from feasibility study agreements and royalty income. Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 decreased slightly to $5.6 million from $5.8 million a year earlier, due primarily to lower clinical trial costs and stock-based compensation expense, partially offset by higher regulatory and clinical consulting services in support of YUTIQ and higher personnel and related expenses. Net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 was $7.0 million, or $0.15 per share, compared to a net loss of $5.1 million, or $0.15 per share, for the prior year quarter.

Revenue for the nine months ended March 31, 2018 was $2.2 million compared to $6.8 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2017. The prior year period included the recognition of deferred collaborative research and development revenue totaling $5.6 million resulting from the termination of the Pfizer collaboration agreement. Excluding Pfizer, revenues from feasibility study agreements and royalty income increased to $2.2 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $1.2 million in the prior year period. Operating expenses for the first nine months of fiscal 2018 were $18.7 million compared to $19.3 million a year earlier. Net loss for the nine months ended March 31, 2018 was $18.7 million, or $0.43 per share, compared to a net loss of $12.4 million, or $0.36 per share for the corresponding fiscal 2017 year-to-date period. There are currently 54,029,917 common shares outstanding.

In connection with the first tranche EW Healthcare investment, and subject to stockholder approval, the Company agreed to issue units to EW Healthcare and a participating third-party investor, with each unit consisting of the right to purchase (a) one share of Common Stock and (b) one warrant to purchase a share of Common Stock. The purchase price of the common stock and the exercise price of the warrant are both subject to price collars that provide for either a premium or discount to the original price paid in the first tranche investment by EW Healthcare. Because of the collar, the number of units to be issued will be subject to some variability. This second tranche investment will be voted upon at a special meeting of stockholders to be held on June 22, 2018. Accounting guidance required that the future obligation to issue units in the second tranche transaction be recorded as a derivative liability and to be re-measured to fair value at each balance sheet date. As a result of the initial re-measurement, the Company recorded a non-cash charge to non-operating expense of $2.3 million as change in fair value of derivative liability for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2018.

Conference Call Information

The conference call may be accessed by dialing (877) 312-7507 from the U.S. and Canada, or (631) 813-4828 from international locations. The conference ID is 1758647. A live webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of the corporate website at View Source

A replay of the call will be available beginning May 8, 2018, at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET and ending on May 15, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The replay may be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 within the U.S. and Canada or (404) 537-3406 from international locations, Conference ID Number: 1758647. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the corporate website during that time.

Cerus Corporation Reports First Quarter 2018 Results

On may 8, 2018 Cerus Corporation (Nasdaq: CERS) reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018, and raised its full year guidance for product revenue (Press release, Cerus, MAY 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234526249]).

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First Quarter Highlights and Recent Events

First quarter product revenue of $13.6 million

Year-over-year Q1 worldwide disposable kit volume up over 100%

Raising full year product revenue guidance range to $53 million to $55 million from $51 million to $53 million

Cash and cash equivalents balance of $105.9 million at March 31, 2018

Received Canadian regulatory approval for INTERCEPT Blood Systems for platelets

Expanded enrollment sites for the phase 3 RedeS clinical trial of INTERCEPT-treated red blood cells into Texas and Florida
"The commercial momentum we experienced exiting 2017 continued into 2018 with first quarter product revenue of $13.6 million, exceeding our expectations. Global demand for platelet kits continued to be robust with first quarter platelet kit sales volumes more than doubling compared to the prior year, led by increased shipments in France and in the U.S.," said William ‘Obi’ Greenman, Cerus’ president and chief executive officer. "Given the strong first quarter results and the current visibility into our commercial pipeline, we are raising our full year product revenue guidance range to $53 million to $55 million compared to our previous range of $51 million to $53 million."

"We continue to push forward with our mission to establish INTERCEPT as the global standard of care for transfused blood components," continued Greenman. "In the U.S., blood centers are continuing to increase production of INTERCEPT platelets to meet the ever growing hospital demand for pathogen-reduced platelets. In France, we gained additional regulatory approvals on our dual storage processing set for INTERCEPT platelets and shelf-life extension from five to seven days which should allow for increased blood center operational efficiencies and lower product wastage."

During the quarter, the Company’s development programs continued to progress with the Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) lot release assay achieving validation to support its anticipated CE Mark submission for INTERCEPT red cells, and the INTERCEPT cryoprecipitate program advancing the required stability studies for its planned premarket approval (PMA) supplement submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Revenue

Product revenue for the first quarter of 2018 was $13.6 million, compared to $7.0 million during the same period in 2017. The increase in product revenue was driven by quarter-over-quarter increases in platelet kit demand, partially offset by declines in plasma kits and illuminator sales. Reported product revenue in the quarter also benefitted from favorable foreign currency exchange rates.

Government contract revenue from the Company’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) agreement was $3.5 million in the first quarter of 2018 compared to $1.4 million during the same period in 2017 as a result of increasing INTERCEPT red cell clinical and development activities. BARDA is part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Gross Margins

Gross margins on product revenue for the first quarter of 2018 were 46%, compared to 47% for the first quarter of 2017. Gross margins on product sales remained relatively stable due to a variety of factors including economies of scale and lower costs due to increased platelet production, pricing for high volume customers, and foreign exchange rates.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were $23.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to $22.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2018 remained relatively flat at $13.6 million, compared to $13.7 million for the first quarter of 2017 as the Company continued to leverage its existing commercial and back-office infrastructure.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the first quarter of 2018 were $9.4 million compared to $9.2 million for the first quarter of 2017. Expenses associated with the clinical development of the Company’s INTERCEPT red blood cell program increased while non-BARDA related R&D expenses declined as the Company re-allocated R&D personnel to the BARDA activities.

Operating and Net Loss

Operating losses during the first quarter of 2018 were $13.4 million, compared to $18.1 million during the first quarter of 2017.

Net loss for the first quarter of 2018 was $13.9 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $18.6 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2017.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments

At March 31, 2018, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $105.9 million compared to $60.7 million at December 31, 2017.

At March 31, 2018, the Company had approximately $29.8 million in outstanding debt under its loan agreement with Oxford Finance. The loan agreement provides for an additional $10 million term loan (and, if drawn, an extension of the interest only period) upon the Company achieving pre-determined revenue levels. The Company achieved the pre-determined revenue levels as of March 31, 2018, but has not currently exercised its option on the additional $10 million term loan and interest only extension. The option expires on May 14, 2018.

QUARTERLY CONFERENCE CALL

The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 4:15 p.m. Eastern time today to discuss its financial results and provide a general business overview and outlook. To access the live webcast, please visit the Investor Relations page of the Cerus website at View Source Alternatively, you may access the live conference call by dialing (866) 235-9006 (U.S.) or (631) 291-4549 (international).

A replay will be available on the Company’s website, or by dialing (855) 859-2056 (U.S.) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and entering conference ID number 2366225. The replay will be available approximately three hours after the call through May 22, 2018.

Exelixis to Present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Health Care Conference on May 15, 2018

On May 8, 2018 Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL) reported that Michael M. Morrissey, Ph.D., the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will provide an overview of the company at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Health Care Conference taking place May 15-17 in Las Vegas, NV (Press release, Exelixis, MAY 8, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2347810 [SID1234526248]). The Exelixis presentation is scheduled for 10:00 AM PDT / 1:00 PM EDT on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.

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To access the webcast link, log onto www.exelixis.com and proceed to the News & Events / Event Calendar page under the Investors & Media heading. Please connect to the company’s website at least 15 minutes prior to the presentation to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to listen to the webcast. A replay will also be available at the same location for 14 days.

CytRx Reports First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

On May 8, 2018 CytRx Corporation (NASDAQ: CYTR), a biopharmaceutical research and development company specializing in oncology, reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, and provided an overview of recent accomplishments and plans for its research and development programs (Press release, CytRx, MAY 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234526247]).

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"We’ve had a strong start to 2018, highlighted by the presentation of statistically significant breakthrough data for our four new albumin binding ultra high potency LADR (Linker Activated Drug Release) drug candidates at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2018," said Eric Curtis, CytRx’s President and Chief Operating Officer. "The potential competitive advantages of the LADR assets over antibody-drug conjugates are significant, including broader therapeutic utility and patient populations, lower risk of immune responses, lower cost of goods, simpler manufacturing, and no requirement for antibody receptors. Looking ahead to the remainder of 2018, we are laser-focused on securing a strategic alliance for the innovative LADR technology, with the goal of closing a transaction during the fourth quarter of 2018."

First Quarter 2018 and Recent Highlights

Eric L. Curtis is Named President and Chief Operating Officer. In early May 2018, CytRx announced that its Board of Directors had affirmed the appointment of Mr. Curtis to be the President and Chief Operating Officer of CytRx. Mr. Curtis will be part of CytRx’s executive management team and will utilize his significant development and operational expertise to partner the Company’s LADR technology and assets, as well as maximize the success of CytRx’s scientific programs. He had previously served as an independent consultant for the Company’s internal development efforts and external partner relationships. Mr. Curtis, who holds an M.B.A., brings more than 25 years of life science leadership experience to CytRx, with a proven track record in oncology and orphan diseases.
NantCell Inc.’s Aldoxorubicin Abstract Selected for Presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018 Annual Meeting. In April 2018, CytRx highlighted that an abstract submitted by aldoxorubicin licensee NantCell, Inc., a private subsidiary of NantWorks, LLC, entitled Lack of cardiac toxicity in patients treated with aldoxorubicin with doxorubicin equivalent doses beyond 1000mg/m2 was selected for a poster presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) 2018 Annual meeting, to be held June 1 – 5 in Chicago. Dr. Sant Chawla, Principal Investigator and Director of the Sarcoma Oncology Center in Santa Monica, California, will be the presenter. CytRx out-licensed global development, manufacturing, and commercialization rights for aldoxorubicin to NantCell, Inc. in July 2017.
Presented Statistically Significant Breakthrough LADR Candidate Data at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2018 Annual Meeting. In April 2018, CytRx presented three posters highlighting breakthrough data relating to its LADR drug candidates at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2018 Annual Meeting in Chicago. The posters describe the positive scientific findings that led to the Company’s decision to select auristatin E (AE) derivatives LADR-7 and LADR-8, and maytansine derivatives LADR-9 and LADR-10, as the LADR candidates eligible to advance toward IND-enabling studies. The compounds demonstrated excellent, long-term antitumor activity across a wide range of human solid tumor cancer types, including lung, breast, ovarian, head and neck, renal cell, and melanoma. PDF copies of the presented posters (abstracts #1657, #2661, and #3703) can be accessed here.
Exh 99 – Page 1
Selected Four LADR Candidates Eligible for IND-Enabling Clinical Studies. In March 2018, CytRx announced that four LADR candidates are eligible for advancement into IND-enabling studies. These candidates, named LADR-7, LADR-8, LADR-9 and LADR-10 were chosen from two distinct classes of highly cytotoxic drugs, auristatins and maytansinoids.
Patterson Derivative Action is Dismissed. In March 2018, the Vice-Chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery ruled that CytRx’s motion to dismiss was granted, with prejudice. Patterson v. Kriegsman et al., C.A. No. 2017-0636-TMR.
Initiation of Pharma Partnering Activities for the LADR Ultra-High Potency Drug Candidates. In February and March 2018, CytRx made two announcements that highlighted efforts to strengthen its strategic alliance team. First, CytRx announced that it had entered into an exclusive agreement with Destum Partners, Inc., a leading strategic advisory firm serving companies in the life sciences industry, to assist in executing a strategic alliance for CytRx’s LADR drug candidates. CytRx also announced that Mr. Eric L. Curtis, MBA, joined its team to provide strategic counsel to the Chairman and CEO for the Company’s ongoing programs, including its LADR discovery platform and the ultra-high potency drug candidates. Mr. Curtis will foster introductions to strategic partners from his extensive network of big pharma and biotech companies. He brings a wealth of drug development and commercialization experience to CytRx, and he, along with Destum Partners, made introductions at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper).
Partner NantCell Dosed First Patient in Clinical Trial Investigating Cell-Based Therapy in Combination with Multiple Anti-Cancer Agents, including Aldoxorubicin, in Patients with Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer. In January 2018, CytRx announced that aldoxorubicin licensee NantCell, Inc. (a private subsidiary of NantWorks, LLC) dosed the first patient in the Phase 1b portion of a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. The trial will investigate high-affinity natural killer (haNK) cell therapy in combination with several anti-cancer agents, including aldoxorubicin, in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer whose cancer has progressed on or following standard-of-care chemotherapy. This trial is a single-center, open-label, Phase 1b/2 clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the various combination therapies with enrollment expected to be approximately 173 patients. The primary endpoint for the Phase 1b portion of the trial is safety and the primary endpoint for the Phase 2 portion of the trial is objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST.
Partner NantCell Dosed First Patient in Clinical Trial Evaluating Aldoxorubicin in Combination with Immuno-Oncology Agents and Cell-Based Therapies in Patients with Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma. In February 2018, CytRx announced that NantCell dosed the first patient in the Phase 1b portion of a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial for patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of either the head and neck or non-small cell lung cancer, the second trial conducted by NantCell to investigate haNK cell therapy in combination with several anti-cancer agents, including aldoxorubicin, in certain high unmet need cancer indications. This single-center, open-label, Phase 1b/2 clinical trial is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the various combination therapies, including combinations with aldoxorubicin, in subjects with SCC who have progressed on or after platinum-based chemotherapy and anti-PD1/PD-L1 therapy. Approximately 65 patients are expected to be enrolled. The primary endpoint for the Phase 1b portion of the trial is safety and the primary endpoint for the Phase 2 portion of the trial is objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST.
Exh 99 – Page 2
First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

CytRx reported cash and cash equivalents of $35.1 million as of March 31, 2018.

Net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, was $4.1 million, or $(0.15) per share, compared with a net loss of $11.0 million, or $(0.60) per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, a reduction of $6.9 million. Net loss decreased by approximately 63% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. During the first quarter of 2018, the Company recognized a non-cash gain of $0.45 million on the fair value adjustment of warrant derivative liabilities related to warrants issued in 2016, compared to a non-cash loss of $32,000 during the first quarter of 2017 related to now expired warrants.
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2018, which were primarily incurred for preclinical development of the new LADR albumin-binding, ultra-high potency drug candidates in the Company’s Freiburg, Germany lab. This is a reduction of approximately $5.3 million compared to R&D expenses of $6.8 million for the first quarter of 2017, which included clinical development expenses for aldoxorubicin.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $2.5 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared with $3.0 million for the first quarter of 2017, including non-cash stock-compensation expense of $0.4 million for the first quarter of 2018 as compared to 0.6 million for the first quarter of 2017. G&A expenses decreased by approximately 17 percent primarily due to a decrease in legal fees.
About the LADR Technology Platform
CytRx’s innovative LADR (Linker Activated Drug Release) technology employs a broad portfolio of novel linker molecules that selectively bind to circulating albumin and can be linked to a wide variety of anti-cancer payloads. The Company’s research efforts currently center on creating new molecules from the combination of ultra-high potency cytotoxic payloads with tunable linkers. The molecules that CytRx is currently evaluating concentrate at the tumor site providing targeted delivery of the cell killing payloads.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF OVARIAN CANCER OFTEN OVERLOOKED, BUT CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON PATIENTS – NEW EUROPEAN LITERATURE REVIEW REVEALS

On May 8, 2018 TESARO, Inc., an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, reported results from a TESARO-sponsored Europe-wide literature review examining the views of both patients and physicians on the communication and treatment needs in the care of women with ovarian cancer (Press release, TESARO, MAY 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234526246]). The comprehensive review confirms that the psychosocial effects of ovarian cancer play a significant part in a woman’s quality of life. The review, ‘Our Way Forward – Ovarian Cancer in Europe’ draws data from approximately 65 publications and patient surveys, spanning the last 15 years.

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The ‘Our Way Forward – Ovarian Cancer in Europe’ literature review is part of TESARO’s commitment to ovarian cancer as exemplified by the Our Way Forward program, an initiative that was launched in the U.S. last year. The review is the first step towards supporting the development of patient-focused information tools and bringing the debate in ovarian cancer higher up the medical and political agenda. The review was conducted with guidance and input from European and global patient advocacy organizations, with support by TESARO, under its Our Way Forwardprogram. Our Way Forward was created by TESARO, Inc. with input from the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance (OCRFA). The program was launched in June of 2017 and is a call-to-action for ovarian cancer patients, their loved ones and healthcare providers to rethink how they talk about advanced ovarian cancer and ways to partner together to navigate the physical and emotional challenges that the disease brings.

Orlando Oliveira, Senior Vice President and General Manager, TESARO International, explains "TESARO is committed to offering resources to educate, empower and support those affected by ovarian cancer. There is clearly a need for better information and enhanced dialogue around the care of women with ovarian cancer in Europe, as well as new treatments that don’t impair quality of life. Through Our Way Forward and strong collaboration with the patient advocacy community, we aim to help support women with ovarian cancer to speak out and bring their needs to the attention of those that can make a difference, so both their psychological and physical needs can be met, every step of the way."

According to the findings from the literature review, ovarian cancer is frequently diagnosed late,3 leading to urgency in treatment and little time for healthcare professionals (HCPs) to consider the psychological aspects of care.4 The psychological impact of cancer can have a significant impact on treatment outcomes as 80% of women experienced poor mental health2 and patients with depression and anxiety are at a significantly greater risk of mortality, hospitalization and poorer treatment outcomes.5

Despite this, women feel they receive information about the tangible and practical aspects of treatment, but much less so for the psychosocial aspects of the disease and how to cope.4 Women are also less likely to bring the topic up with their HCPs as most women feel uncomfortable raising psychological and emotional concerns during their appointment as they are concerned about taking up too much time.1 As a result, women with ovarian cancer feel isolated, with little support, and feel the need for more information.4

Elisabeth Baugh, Chair, World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, explains that "As the leading global ovarian cancer patient advocacy organization, the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition is pleased to support the release today of this important research undertaken as part of TESARO’s Our Way Forward program. The focus of this work on improving both physical and psychological outcomes for women with ovarian cancer, in Europe and around the world is welcomed, especially as it complements our own World Ovarian Cancer Coalition’s Every Woman Study findings. As we celebrate World Ovarian Cancer Day 2018, the Coalition is pleased to work with all partners on this important day to highlight the struggles that ovarian cancer patients face."

The review also revealed that the ovarian cancer patient journey is fragmented and unpredictable, leading to considerable fear for disease recurrence. Ovarian cancer recurs in approximately 85% of women with advanced ovarian cancer6 and this is at the very top of mind for ovarian cancer survivors. The review also revealed women with recurrent ovarian cancer are not receiving the same level of support as those who are newly diagnosed, with one study showing that for 53% of patients, no one had discussed symptoms of recurrence, and 63% of nurses claim they don’t have the time do so.2

Recurrence of ovarian cancer also takes a psychological toll with 60% of women with recurrence reporting they can do less than they wanted to do because of their emotional status (versus 16% of women without recurrence) and 66% of women with recurrence reporting having trouble concentrating (versus 26% of women without recurrence).7

An important psychological aspect of treatment in relation to allaying fears of recurrence is a discussion around treatment options. Patients need to make a critical trade-off between efficacy and quality of life. This, however, is often under-addressed by their healthcare team. The review revealed that 86% of patients said they would be willing to try a drug that could improve the quality of their life even if it may not prolong it.8

This is the first phase of the ‘Our Way Forward – Ovarian Cancer in Europe’ review, with a second-phase review of the literature planned with healthcare providers to provide a 360-degree picture of the current treatment journey. The full review will offer fresh insights that will support advocacy groups in amplifying the voice of women with ovarian cancer by helping in the development of resources and tools for these women.