Moderna and Merck Expand mRNA Cancer Vaccines Collaboration

On May 3, 2018 Moderna Therapeutics and Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, reported an expansion of their 2016 collaboration to develop and commercialize novel personalized messenger RNA (mRNA) cancer vaccines to now include shared antigen mRNA cancer vaccines including mRNA-5671, Moderna’s mRNA KRAS cancer vaccine (Press release, Merck & Co, MAR 3, 2018, View Source [SID1234526097]).

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!

Moderna developed mRNA-5671 starting in 2017. The two companies will now advance jointly mRNA-5671 in human studies, and plan to conduct combination studies with additional immuno-oncology therapies.

"Augmentation of immune responses offers great promise in cancer therapy, as our work with the PD-1-specific antibody KEYTRUDA has shown," said Dr. Roger M. Perlmutter, President, Merck Research Laboratories. "We now look forward to expanding our exploration of mRNA cancer vaccines, working in concert with our colleagues at Moderna."

Under the expanded agreement, Merck will be responsible for clinical development of mRNA-5671 and associated costs while Moderna will be responsible for clinical supply and associated costs. Following the completion of human proof-of-concept (hPOC) studies, Merck may opt-in on further development and commercialization of mRNA-5671 upon payment of an undisclosed fee to Moderna. Following opt-in, the parties will share equally the global net profits and costs associated with mRNA-5671. As part of this agreement, the parties may also initiate and collaborate on other shared antigen mRNA cancer vaccines programs. In addition, Merck will make a $125 million investment in Moderna in newly priced series H preferred equity. Moderna closed a series G round earlier this year.

"We are excited to build upon our productive relationship with Merck and to rapidly advance our novel mRNA-based KRAS cancer vaccine into the clinic," said Stephane Bancel, Moderna’s Chief Executive Officer. "While KRAS has long been a challenging target, we believe our mRNA platform offers a novel approach designed to generate and specifically present KRAS mutations to the immune system, potentially allowing the patient’s own immune system to attack and eradicate cancers that harbor these mutations."

KRAS is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes in human cancer, occurring in approximately 90 percent of pancreatic cancers and 30 percent of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), where they are associated with worse outcomes. Presentation of epitopes containing KRAS mutations to the immune system may elicit an anti-tumor response. mRNA-5671 encodes for the four most commonly found KRAS mutations, and is designed to target most of the KRAS mutations that occur in NSCLC, colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer.

The Moderna KRAS mRNA program utilizes tumor sequencing to identify suitable patients with specific mutations in KRAS in order to personalize their therapy, and complements the other personalized mRNA cancer vaccines in the collaboration.

About the Updated Collaboration

This is the fourth collaboration between Merck and Moderna in the past three years. The oncology alliance builds upon an initial June 2016 agreement to jointly develop personalized mRNA cancer vaccines, combining Merck’s established leadership in immuno-oncology with Moderna’s pioneering mRNA vaccine platform and GMP manufacturing capabilities. Under the 2016 personal cancer vaccine (PCV) agreement, Merck made an upfront cash payment to Moderna of $200 million to discover and develop individually tailored cancer vaccines for patients across a spectrum of cancers through proof of concept.

In November, 2017 the companies announced a key milestone with the first-in-human dosing of mRNA-4157, an mRNA PCV. The Phase 1 open-label, dose escalation, multicenter study in the United States (KEYNOTE-603) will assess the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of mRNA-4157 alone in subjects with resected solid tumors and in combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) an anti-PD-1 therapy, in subjects with unresectable solid tumors.

About KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) Injection 100mg

KEYTRUDA is an anti-PD-1 therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. KEYTRUDA is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.

Merck has the industry’s largest immuno-oncology clinical research program, which currently involves more than 750 trials studying KEYTRUDA across a wide variety of cancers and treatment settings. The KEYTRUDA clinical program seeks to understand the role of KEYTRUDA across cancers and the factors that may predict a patient’s likelihood of benefitting from treatment with KEYTRUDA, including exploring several different biomarkers.

KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) Indications and Dosing

Melanoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma at a fixed dose of 200 mg every three weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Lung Cancer

KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression [tumor proportion score (TPS) ≥50%] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations.

KEYTRUDA, as a single agent, is also indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors express PD-L1 (TPS ≥1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving KEYTRUDA.

KEYTRUDA, in combination with pemetrexed and carboplatin, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and progression-free survival. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

In metastatic NSCLC, KEYTRUDA is administered at a fixed dose of 200 mg every three weeks until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months in patients without disease progression.

When administering KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy, KEYTRUDA should be administered prior to chemotherapy when given on the same day. See also the Prescribing Information for pemetrexed and carboplatin.

Head and Neck Cancer

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. In HNSCC, KEYTRUDA is administered at a fixed dose of 200 mg every three weeks until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months in patients without disease progression.

Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), or who have relapsed after three or more prior lines of therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. In adults with cHL, KEYTRUDA is administered at a fixed dose of 200 mg every three weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months in patients without disease progression. In pediatric patients with cHL, KEYTRUDA is administered at a dose of 2 mg/kg (up to a maximum of 200 mg) every three weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months in patients without disease progression.

Urothelial Carcinoma

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials.

KEYTRUDA is also indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.

In locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, KEYTRUDA is administered at a fixed dose of 200 mg every three weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months in patients without disease progression.

Microsatellite Instability-High (MSI-H) Cancer

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with unresectable or metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)

solid tumors that have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options, or
colorectal cancer that has progressed following treatment with fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan.
This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The safety and effectiveness of KEYTRUDA in pediatric patients with MSI-H central nervous system cancers have not been established.

In adult patients with MSI-H cancer, KEYTRUDA is administered at a fixed dose of 200 mg every three weeks until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months in patients without disease progression. In children with MSI-H cancer, KEYTRUDA is administered at a dose of 2 mg/kg (up to a maximum of 200 mg) every three weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months in patients without disease progression.

Gastric Cancer

KEYTRUDA is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma whose tumors express PD-L1 [Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥1] as determined by an FDA-approved test, with disease progression on or after two or more prior lines of therapy including fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy and if appropriate, HER2/neu-targeted therapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. The recommended dose of KEYTRUDA is 200 mg every three weeks until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or up to 24 months in patients without disease progression.

Selected Important Safety Information for KEYTRUDA

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis, including fatal cases. Pneumonitis occurred in 94 (3.4%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 1 (0.8%), 2 (1.3%), 3 (0.9%), 4 (0.3%), and 5 (0.1%) pneumonitis, and occurred more frequently in patients with a history of prior thoracic radiation (6.9%) compared to those without (2.9%). Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of pneumonitis. Evaluate suspected pneumonitis with radiographic imaging. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater pneumonitis. Withhold KEYTRUDA for Grade 2; permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA for Grade 3 or 4 or recurrent Grade 2 pneumonitis.

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated colitis. Colitis occurred in 48 (1.7%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.4%), 3 (1.1%), and 4 (<0.1%) colitis. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of colitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater colitis. Withhold KEYTRUDA for Grade 2 or 3; permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA for Grade 4 colitis.

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated hepatitis. Hepatitis occurred in 19 (0.7%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.1%), 3 (0.4%), and 4 (<0.1%) hepatitis. Monitor patients for changes in liver function. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater hepatitis and, based on severity of liver enzyme elevations, withhold or discontinue KEYTRUDA.

KEYTRUDA can cause hypophysitis. Hypophysitis occurred in 17 (0.6%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.2%), 3 (0.3%), and 4 (<0.1%) hypophysitis. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypophysitis (including hypopituitarism and adrenal insufficiency). Administer corticosteroids and hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold KEYTRUDA for Grade 2; withhold or discontinue for Grade 3 or 4 hypophysitis.

KEYTRUDA can cause thyroid disorders, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and thyroiditis. Hyperthyroidism occurred in 96 (3.4%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.8%) and 3 (0.1%) hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism occurred in 237 (8.5%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (6.2%) and 3 (0.1%) hypothyroidism. The incidence of new or worsening hypothyroidism was higher in patients with HNSCC, occurring in 28 (15%) of 192 patients with HNSCC, including Grade 3 (0.5%) hypothyroidism. Thyroiditis occurred in 16 (0.6%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.3%) thyroiditis. Monitor patients for changes in thyroid function (at the start of treatment, periodically during treatment, and as indicated based on clinical evaluation) and for clinical signs and symptoms of thyroid disorders. Administer replacement hormones for hypothyroidism and manage hyperthyroidism with thionamides and beta-blockers as appropriate. Withhold or discontinue KEYTRUDA for Grade 3 or 4 hyperthyroidism.

KEYTRUDA can cause type 1 diabetes mellitus, including diabetic ketoacidosis, which have been reported in 6 (0.2%) of 2799 patients. Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Administer insulin for type 1 diabetes, and withhold KEYTRUDA and administer antihyperglycemics in patients with severe hyperglycemia.

KEYTRUDA can cause immune-mediated nephritis. Nephritis occurred in 9 (0.3%) of 2799 patients receiving KEYTRUDA, including Grade 2 (0.1%), 3 (0.1%), and 4 (<0.1%) nephritis. Monitor patients for changes in renal function. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater nephritis. Withhold KEYTRUDA for Grade 2; permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA for Grade 3 or 4 nephritis.

Immune-mediated rashes, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) (some cases with fatal outcome), exfoliative dermatitis, and bullous pemphigoid, can occur. Monitor patients for suspected severe skin reactions and based on the severity of the adverse reaction, withhold or permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA and administer corticosteroids. For signs or symptoms of SJS or TEN, withhold KEYTRUDA and refer the patient for specialized care for assessment and treatment. If SJS or TEN is confirmed, permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA.

KEYTRUDA can cause other clinically important immune-mediated adverse reactions. These immune-mediated reactions may occur in any organ system. For suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, ensure adequate evaluation to confirm etiology or exclude other causes. Based on the severity of the adverse reaction, withhold KEYTRUDA and administer corticosteroids. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at least 1 month. Based on limited data from clinical studies in patients whose immune-related adverse reactions could not be controlled with corticosteroid use, administration of other systemic immunosuppressants can be considered. Resume KEYTRUDA when the adverse reaction remains at Grade 1 or less following corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA for any Grade 3 immune-mediated adverse reaction that recurs and for any life-threatening immune-mediated adverse reaction.

The following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred in less than 1% (unless otherwise indicated) of 2799 patients: arthritis (1.5%), uveitis, myositis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis, vasculitis, pancreatitis, hemolytic anemia, and partial seizures arising in a patient with inflammatory foci in brain parenchyma. In addition, myelitis and myocarditis were reported in other clinical trials, including classical Hodgkin lymphoma, and postmarketing use.

Solid organ transplant rejection has been reported in postmarketing use of KEYTRUDA. Treatment with KEYTRUDA may increase the risk of rejection in solid organ transplant recipients. Consider the benefit of treatment with KEYTRUDA vs the risk of possible organ rejection in these patients.

KEYTRUDA can cause severe or life-threatening infusion-related reactions, including hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis, which have been reported in 6 (0.2%) of 2799 patients. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infusion-related reactions, including rigors, chills, wheezing, pruritus, flushing, rash, hypotension, hypoxemia, and fever. For Grade 3 or 4 reactions, stop infusion and permanently discontinue KEYTRUDA.

Immune-mediated complications, including fatal events, occurred in patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after being treated with KEYTRUDA. Of 23 patients with cHL who proceeded to allogeneic HSCT after treatment with KEYTRUDA on any trial, 6 patients (26%) developed graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), one of which was fatal, and 2 patients (9%) developed severe hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) after reduced-intensity conditioning, one of which was fatal. Cases of fatal hyperacute GVHD after allogeneic HSCT have also been reported in patients with lymphoma who received a PD-1 receptor–blocking antibody before transplantation.

These complications may occur despite intervening therapy between PD-1 blockade and allogeneic HSCT. Follow patients closely for early evidence of transplant-related complications such as hyperacute GVHD, severe (Grade 3 to 4) acute GVHD, steroid-requiring febrile syndrome, hepatic VOD, and other immune-mediated adverse reactions, and intervene promptly.

In clinical trials in patients with multiple myeloma, the addition of KEYTRUDA to a thalidomide analogue plus dexamethasone resulted in increased mortality. Treatment of these patients with a PD-1 or PD-L1 blocking antibody in this combination is not recommended outside of controlled clinical trials.

Based on its mechanism of action, KEYTRUDA can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant during treatment, apprise the patient of the potential hazard to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use highly effective contraception during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose of KEYTRUDA.

In KEYNOTE-006, KEYTRUDA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 9% of 555 patients with advanced melanoma; adverse reactions leading to discontinuation in more than one patient were colitis (1.4%), autoimmune hepatitis (0.7%), allergic reaction (0.4%), polyneuropathy (0.4%), and cardiac failure (0.4%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 21% of patients; the most common (≥1%) was diarrhea (2.5%). The most common adverse reactions with KEYTRUDA vs ipilimumab were fatigue (28% vs 28%), diarrhea (26% with KEYTRUDA), rash (24% vs 23%), and nausea (21% with KEYTRUDA). Corresponding incidence rates are listed for ipilimumab only for those adverse reactions that occurred at the same or lower rate than with KEYTRUDA.

In KEYNOTE-010, KEYTRUDA monotherapy was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 8% of 682 patients with metastatic NSCLC. The most common adverse event resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA was pneumonitis (1.8%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 23% of patients; the most common (≥1%) were diarrhea (1%), fatigue (1.3%), pneumonia (1%), liver enzyme elevation (1.2%), decreased appetite (1.3%), and pneumonitis (1%). The most common adverse reactions (occurring in at least 20% of patients and at a higher incidence than with docetaxel) were decreased appetite (25% vs 23%), dyspnea (23% vs 20%), and nausea (20% vs 18%).

In KEYNOTE-021(G1), when KEYTRUDA was administered in combination with carboplatin and pemetrexed (carbo/pem) in advanced nonsquamous NSCLC, KEYTRUDA was discontinued in 10% of 59 patients. The most common adverse reaction resulting in discontinuation of KEYTRUDA (≥2%) was acute kidney injury (3.4%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 39% of patients; the most common (≥2%) were fatigue (8%), neutrophil count decreased (8%), anemia (5%), dyspnea (3.4%), and pneumonitis (3.4%). The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) with KEYTRUDA compared to carbo/pem alone were fatigue (71% vs 50%), nausea (68% vs 56%), constipation (51% vs 37%), rash (42% vs 21%), vomiting (39% vs 27%), dyspnea (39% vs 21%), diarrhea (37% vs 23%), decreased appetite (31% vs 23%), headache (31% vs 16%), cough (24% vs 18%), dizziness (24% vs 16%), insomnia (24% vs 15%), pruritus (24% vs 4.8%), peripheral edema (22% vs 18%), dysgeusia (20% vs 11%), alopecia (20% vs 3.2%), upper respiratory tract infection (20% vs 3.2%), and arthralgia (15% vs 24%). This study was not designed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference in adverse reaction rates for KEYTRUDA as compared to carbo/pem alone for any specified adverse reaction.

In KEYNOTE-012, KEYTRUDA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 17% of 192 patients with HNSCC. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 45% of patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of patients were pneumonia, dyspnea, confusional state, vomiting, pleural effusion, and respiratory failure. The most common adverse reactions (reported in at least 20% of patients) were fatigue, decreased appetite, and dyspnea. Adverse reactions occurring in patients with HNSCC were generally similar to those occurring in patients with melanoma or NSCLC, with the exception of increased incidences of facial edema (10% all Grades; 2.1% Grades 3 or 4) and new or worsening hypothyroidism.

In KEYNOTE-087, KEYTRUDA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 5% of 210 patients with cHL, and treatment was interrupted due to adverse reactions in 26% of patients. Fifteen percent (15%) of patients had an adverse reaction requiring systemic corticosteroid therapy. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 16% of patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (³1%) included pneumonia, pneumonitis, pyrexia, dyspnea, GVHD, and herpes zoster. Two patients died from causes other than disease progression; one from GVHD after subsequent allogeneic HSCT and one from septic shock. The most common adverse reactions (occurring in ³20% of patients) were fatigue (26%), pyrexia (24%), cough (24%), musculoskeletal pain (21%), diarrhea (20%), and rash (20%).

In KEYNOTE-052, KEYTRUDA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 11% of 370 patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. The most common adverse reactions (in ³20% of patients) were fatigue (38%), musculoskeletal pain (24%), decreased appetite (22%), constipation (21%), rash (21%), and diarrhea (20%). Eighteen patients (5%) died from causes other than disease progression. Five patients (1.4%) who were treated with KEYTRUDA experienced sepsis which led to death, and 3 patients (0.8%) experienced pneumonia which led to death. Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 22% of patients; the most common (≥1%) were liver enzyme increase, diarrhea, urinary tract infection, acute kidney injury, fatigue, joint pain, and pneumonia. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 42% of patients, the most frequent (≥2%) of which were urinary tract infection, hematuria, acute kidney injury, pneumonia, and urosepsis.

In KEYNOTE-045, KEYTRUDA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 8% of 266 patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. The most common adverse reaction resulting in permanent discontinuation of KEYTRUDA was pneumonitis (1.9%). Adverse reactions leading to interruption of KEYTRUDA occurred in 20% of patients; the most common (≥1%) were urinary tract infection (1.5%), diarrhea (1.5%), and colitis (1.1%). The most common adverse reactions (³20%) in patients who received KEYTRUDA vs those who received chemotherapy were fatigue (38% vs 56%), musculoskeletal pain (32% vs 27%), pruritus (23% vs 6%), decreased appetite (21% vs 21%), nausea (21% vs 29%), and rash (20% vs 13%). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 39% of KEYTRUDA-treated patients, the most frequent (≥2%) of which were urinary tract infection, pneumonia, anemia, and pneumonitis.

It is not known whether KEYTRUDA is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, instruct women to discontinue nursing during treatment with KEYTRUDA and for 4 months after the final dose.

There is limited experience in pediatric patients. In a study, 40 pediatric patients (16 children aged 2 years to younger than 12 years and 24 adolescents aged 12 years to 18 years) with advanced melanoma, lymphoma, or PD-L1–positive advanced, relapsed, or refractory solid tumors were administered KEYTRUDA 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks. Patients received KEYTRUDA for a median of 3 doses (range 1–17 doses), with 34 patients (85%) receiving KEYTRUDA for 2 doses or more. The safety profile in these pediatric patients was similar to that seen in adults treated with KEYTRUDA. Toxicities that occurred at a higher rate (³15% difference) in these patients when compared to adults under 65 years of age were fatigue (45%), vomiting (38%), abdominal pain (28%), hypertransaminasemia (28%), and hyponatremia (18%).

Verastem Oncology Reports First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

On May 3, 2018 Verastem, Inc. (NASDAQ:VSTM) (Verastem Oncology or the Company), focused on developing and commercializing drugs to improve the survival and quality of life of cancer patients, reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and provided an overview of certain corporate developments (Press release, Verastem, MAY 3, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2346916 [SID1234526096]).

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!

"We’ve had a strong start to 2018, highlighted foremost by the acceptance of our duvelisib New Drug Application (NDA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including the receipt of Priority Review with an assigned target action date of October 5, 2018. This is exciting news for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) and follicular lymphoma (FL)," said Robert Forrester, President and Chief Executive Officer of Verastem Oncology. "As we await the upcoming FDA review decision for duvelisib, we are building our U.S. commercial capabilities for our potential product launch in 2018. We are assembling a world-class commercial team, led by our Chief Commercial Officer, Joseph Lobacki, the former Chief Commercial Officer of Medivation, who has demonstrated success in commercializing oncology drugs."

Mr. Forrester added, "Yesterday, at our Analyst and Investor Day event in New York City, several key opinion leaders in the hematologic oncology field, including Drs. Jennifer Brown, Ian Flinn, Steven Horwitz, Brian Koffman and Lori Kunkel, joined Mr. Lobacki for an in-depth discussion regarding the unmet need among CLL/SLL and FL patients, where phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors fit into the treatment paradigm, and the growing opportunity for duvelisib in CLL/SLL and FL, and beyond."

First Quarter 2018 and Recent Highlights:

Duvelisib

Duvelisib NDA Accepted by FDA with Priority Review – In April 2018, Verastem Oncology announced that the FDA accepted the duvelisib NDA for filing with Priority Review, with a target action date of October 5, 2018. In the accepted NDA, the Company is seeking full approval for duvelisib, its first-in-class investigational oral dual inhibitor of PI3K-delta and PI3K-gamma, for the treatment of relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL and accelerated approval for the treatment of relapsed or refractory FL. The duvelisib NDA is supported by clinical data from the randomized Phase 3 DUO study evaluating duvelisib as a monotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL, as well as the Phase 2 DYNAMO study evaluating patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma that are double-refractory to both rituximab and chemotherapy or radioimmunotherapy. Both DUO and DYNAMO achieved their primary endpoints.
Hosted Analyst and Investor Day Highlighting Commercial Potential of Duvelisib – In early May 2018, Verastem Oncology hosted an Analyst and Investor Day in New York City titled, "Duvelisib: Harnessing the Power of Dual PI3K Inhibition." Several key opinion leaders in the hematologic oncology field joined the Verastem Oncology executive leadership team for an in-depth discussion regarding the unmet need among CLL/SLL and FL patients, where PI3K-delta and PI3K-gamma inhibitors fit into the treatment paradigm, and the growing opportunity for duvelisib in CLL/SLL and FL, and beyond. The Company also provided an overview of its duvelisib commercial strategy and initiatives. An archived webcast of the event is available on the "Events & Presentations" page in the "Investors" section of the Company’s website at www.verastem.com.
Preclinical Duvelisib Data in Combination with Immunotherapy Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium (ASCO-SITC) – In January 2018, the Company presented a poster at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)-SITC entitled "Dual PI3K-δ,γ Inhibitor Duvelisib Reduces Immunosuppressive Tregs and Myeloid Cells, Enhancing Efficacy of Checkpoint and Co-Stimulatory Antibodies in a B Cell Lymphoma Model," which highlighted the potential synergistic effects of duvelisib in combination with immune checkpoint or co-stimulatory antibodies in B-cell lymphoma. The poster is available on the "Publications" page in the "Media" section of the Company’s website at www.verastem.com.
Corporate and Financial

"Verastem Oncology" – In May 2018, the Company announced that it had changed its name to "Verastem Oncology" to reinforce its commitment to developing and commercializing treatment options for patients battling cancer.
Joseph Lobacki Appointed as Chief Commercial Officer – In January 2018, Joseph Lobacki was appointed as Verastem Oncology’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. Mr. Lobacki most recently served as the Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Council Member at Medivation and has previously held senior-level commercial positions at Micromet Inc. and Genzyme Corporation. Mr. Lobacki will lead Verastem Oncology’s commercial strategy and preparation for the potential launch of duvelisib.
Key Leadership Roles Filled – During the first quarter of 2018, Verastem Oncology hired key senior leadership team members in medical affairs, market access and sales management, including the appointment of Dr. Nadeem Mirza, as Vice President of Medical Affairs. Dr. Mirza most recently served as the Global Head Hematology, Global Medical Affairs at AbbVie Oncology.
Increased Debt Facility to up to $50.0 Million – In January 2018, Verastem Oncology amended its loan and security agreement with Hercules Capital, Inc., increasing its existing potential borrowing limit under the loan facility from up to $25.0 million to up to $50.0 million, subject to certain conditions of funding. Any additional proceeds received under the increased loan facility will be used to support the Company’s ongoing development programs, including regulatory and commercialization activities for duvelisib, and for general corporate purposes.
First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (2018 Quarter) was $21.1 million, or $0.41 per share, as compared to a net loss of $13.0 million, or $0.35 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 (2017 Quarter). Net loss includes non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $1.3 million and $1.2 million for the 2018 Quarter and 2017 Quarter, respectively.

Research and development expense for the 2018 Quarter was $10.9 million compared to $8.4 million for the 2017 Quarter. The $2.5 million increase from the 2017 Quarter to the 2018 Quarter was primarily related to an increase of $1.1 million in contract research organization expense for outsourced biology, development and clinical services, which includes our clinical trial costs, an increase of $0.9 million in personnel related costs, an increase of $0.2 million in stock-based compensation expense, and an increase in consulting fees of $0.2 million.

General and administrative expense for the 2018 Quarter was $9.8 million compared to $4.8 million for the 2017 Quarter. The increase of $5.0 million from the 2017 Quarter to the 2018 Quarter primarily resulted from increases in consulting and professional fees of $2.5 million, including $1.8 million related to commercial launch preparation, and personnel related costs of $2.0 million.

As of March 31, 2018, Verastem Oncology had cash and cash equivalents of $64.2 million compared to $86.7 million of cash, cash equivalents and investments as of December 31, 2017. From April 1, 2018 to May 3, 2018, the Company sold 5,903,073 shares of common stock under its at-the-market equity offering program (ATM) for net proceeds of approximately $21.9 million (after deducting commissions and other offering expenses). Giving effect to these sales under the ATM, the Company’s pro forma cash and cash equivalents balance at March 31, 2018 is approximately $86.1 million.

The number of outstanding common shares as of March 31, 2018, was 50,967,973.

Financial Guidance

Based on the Company’s current operating plans, it expects to have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to fund operations into 2019.

About Duvelisib

Duvelisib is a first-in-class investigational oral, dual inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-delta and PI3K-gamma, two enzymes known to help support the growth and survival of malignant B-cells and T-cells. PI3K signaling may lead to the proliferation of malignant B- and T-cells and is thought to play a role in the formation and maintenance of the supportive tumor microenvironment.1,2,3 Duvelisib was evaluated in late- and mid-stage extension trials, including DUO, a randomized, Phase 3 monotherapy study in patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL),4 and DYNAMO, a single-arm, Phase 2 monotherapy study in patients with refractory indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL).5 Both DUO and DYNAMO achieved their primary endpoints. Verastem Oncology’s New Drug Application (NDA) requesting the full approval of duvelisib for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory CLL/SLL, and accelerated approval for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) was accepted for filing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), granted Priority Review and assigned a target action date of October 5, 2018. Duvelisib is also being developed by Verastem Oncology for the treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), and is being investigated in combination with other agents through investigator-sponsored studies.6 Information about duvelisib clinical trials can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About Defactinib

Defactinib is an investigational inhibitor of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that mediates oncogenic signaling in response to cellular adhesion and growth factors.7 Based on the multi-faceted roles of FAK, defactinib is used to treat cancer through modulation of the tumor microenvironment and enhancement of anti-tumor immunity.8,9 Defactinib is currently being evaluated in three separate clinical collaborations in combination with immunotherapeutic agents for the treatment of several different cancer types including pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and mesothelioma. These studies are combination clinical trials with pembrolizumab and avelumab from Merck & Co. and Pfizer/Merck KGaA, respectively.10,11,12 Information about these and additional clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of defactinib can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Tocagen to Report First Quarter 2018 Financial Results on Thursday, May 10

On May 3, 2018 Tocagen Inc. (Nasdaq: TOCA), a clinical-stage, cancer-selective gene therapy company, reported it will report its first quarter 2018 financial results and business progress on Thursday, May 10, 2018, after the close of the U.S. financial markets (Press release, Tocagen, MAY 3, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2346929 [SID1234526095]).

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!

To receive Tocagen’s press releases and other investor information, please visit the Investor Relations page of the company’s website and register for email alerts.

Teva Reports First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

On May 3, 2018 Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA, TASE: TEVA) reported results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 (Press release, Teva, MAY 3, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2346698 [SID1234526094]).

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!

Mr. Kåre Schultz, Teva’s President and CEO, said "2018 is off to a solid start. Our restructuring program is proceeding well, and we are on track to meet our cost reduction targets of $1.5 billion in 2018 and $3.0 billion by the end of 2019. During this quarter, our strong cash flow allowed us to continue to reduce our outstanding debt, and together with our recent debt issuance and covenant amendment, has placed Teva on a more stable financial footing. We have also benefited this quarter from the durability of COPAXONE and a steady flow of generic launches in the U.S. Our strong first quarter performance, along with our confidence in executing the restructuring program, gives us a solid foundation to raise our guidance for the year."

First Quarter 2018 Consolidated Results

Revenues in the first quarter of 2018 were $5.1 billion, a decrease of 10%, or 15% in local currency terms, compared to the first quarter of 2017, mainly due to adverse market dynamics in the U.S. generics market, generic competition to COPAXONE and loss of revenues following our divestment of certain products and discontinuation of certain activities.

Exchange rate differences between the first quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2017 positively impacted our revenues by $240 million, our GAAP operating income by $37 million and our non-GAAP operating income by $46 million.

GAAP gross profit was $2.3 billion in the first quarter of 2018, down 17% compared to the first quarter of 2017. GAAP gross profit margin was 46.4% in the first quarter of 2018, compared to 50.2% in the first quarter of 2017.

Non-GAAP gross profit was $2.7 billion in the first quarter of 2018, a decline of 18% from the first quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP gross profit margin was 52.3% in the first quarter of 2018, compared to 56.9% in the first quarter of 2017. The decrease in gross profit margin, on both a GAAP and a non-GAAP basis, was mainly the result of lower profitability in our North America segment due to lower COPAXONE sales and adverse market dynamics in the U.S. generics market.

Research and Development (R&D) expenses for the first quarter of 2018 were $317 million, down 27% compared to the first quarter of 2017. R&D expenses excluding equity compensation expenses and other R&D expenses were $289 million, or 5.7% of quarterly revenues in the first quarter of 2018, compared to $420 million, or 7.4%, in the first quarter of 2017. The decrease in R&D expenses primarily resulted from pipeline optimization, project terminations, phase 3 studies that ended and related headcount reductions.

Selling and Marketing (S&M) expenses in the first quarter of 2018 were $771 million, a decrease of 20% compared to the first quarter of 2017. S&M expenses excluding amortization of purchased intangible assets and equity compensation expenses were $715 million, or 14.1% of revenues, in the first quarter of 2018, compared to $894 million, or 15.8% of revenues, in the first quarter of 2017. The decrease was mainly due to cost reduction and efficiency measures as part of the restructuring plan.

General and Administrative (G&A) expenses in the first quarter of 2018 were $329 million, a decrease of 10% compared to the first quarter of 2017. G&A expenses excluding equity compensation expenses and other items were $322 million in the first quarter of 2018, or 6.4% of quarterly revenues, compared to $353 million, or 6.2% in the first quarter of 2017. The decrease was mainly due to cost reduction and efficiency measures as part of the restructuring plan.

GAAP other income in the first quarter of 2018 was $203 million, an increase of 182% compared to $72 million in the first quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP other income in the first quarter of 2018 was $110 million, an increase of 53% compared to $72 million in the first quarter of 2017. The increase in other income was primarily the result of higher Section 8 recoveries in Canada and a $93 million net gain related to the divestment of our women’s health business, which was excluded from our non-GAAP results.

GAAP operating income in the first quarter of 2018 was $1.5 billion, compared to $895 million in the first quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP operating income in the first quarter of 2018 was $1.4 billion, a decrease of 11% compared to the first quarter of 2017. GAAP operating margin was 30.0% in the first quarter of 2018 compared to 15.8% in the first quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP operating margin was 28.3% in the first quarter of 2018 compared to 28.7% in the first quarter of 2017.

EBITDA (non-GAAP operating income, which excludes amortization and certain other items, as well as excluding depreciation expenses) was $1.6 billion in the first quarter of 2018, down 10% compared to $1.8 billion in the first quarter of 2017.

GAAP financial expenses for the first quarter of 2018 were $271 million, compared to $207 million in the first quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP financial expenses were $203 million in the first quarter of 2018, compared to $235 million in the first quarter of 2017. The decrease in our non-GAAP financial expenses was mainly due to an increased gain in our hedging and derivatives activities and lower interest expenses resulting from reduced overall debt, partially offset by an increase in interest and foreign exchange rates.

GAAP income taxes for the first quarter of 2018 were $46 million, or 4%, on pre-tax income of $1.3 billion. In the first quarter of 2017, GAAP income taxes were $54 million, or 8%, on pre-tax income of $688 million. Our tax rate for the first quarter of 2018 was mainly affected by one-time legal settlements and divestments that had a low corresponding tax effect. Non-GAAP income taxes for the first quarter of 2018 were $211 million on pre-tax non-GAAP income of $1.2 billion, for a quarterly tax rate of 17%. Non-GAAP income taxes in the first quarter of 2017 were $240 million on pre-tax non-GAAP income of $1.4 billion, for a quarterly tax rate of 17%.

GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and GAAP diluted EPS in the first quarter of 2018 were $1.1 billion and $1.03, respectively, compared to $580 million and $0.57, respectively, in the first quarter of 2017. Non-GAAP net income attributable to ordinary shareholders and non-GAAP diluted EPS in the first quarter of 2018 were $954 million and $0.94, respectively, compared to $1.1 billion and $1.06 in the first quarter of 2017.

For the first quarter of 2018, the weighted average outstanding shares for the fully diluted EPS calculation on both a GAAP and a non-GAAP basis was 1,020 million, compared to 1,017 million on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis for the first quarter of 2017. Additionally, no account was taken of the potential dilution by the mandatory convertible preferred shares, amounting to 64 million (including shares that may be issued due to unpaid dividends to date) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 59 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as well as for the convertible senior debentures for the respective periods, since both had an anti-dilutive effect on EPS.

Non-GAAP information: Net non-GAAP adjustments in the first quarter of 2018 were positive $101 million. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP EPS for the quarter were adjusted to exclude the following items:

Impairments of $612 million, mainly a goodwill impairment related to Rimsa, impairment of intangible assets of product rights and IPR&D assets related to the Actavis Generics acquisition, as well as impairment for closure of manufacturing sites and other fixed assets. The impairment also includes $56 million related to a plant located in India in connection with the termination of PGT Healthcare joint venture.
Impairments of equity investments of $94 million due to termination of PGT Healthcare joint venture.
Amortization of purchased intangible assets totaling $310 million, of which $264 million is included in cost of goods sold and the remaining $46 million in S&M expenses;
Restructuring expenses of $247 million;
Financial expenses of $68 million mainly related to early redemption fees;
Other non-GAAP items of $104 million;
Divestment benefit of $93 million related to capital gain from the sales of our women health business;
Tax benefit of $165 million; and
Benefits from legal settlements of $1.3 billion mainly related to the Allergan working capital adjustments, the Rimsa settlement and the reversal of the carvedilol judgement against Teva.
Teva believes that excluding such items facilitates investors’ understanding of its business. See the attached tables for a reconciliation of the GAAP results to the adjusted non-GAAP figures. Investors should consider non-GAAP financial measures in addition to, and not as replacement for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Cash flow generated from operations during the first quarter of 2018 was $1.5 billion, compared to $0.1 billion in the first quarter of 2017. The increase was mainly due to proceeds from the working capital adjustment with Allergan and the legal settlement with Rimsa, compared to payments made to the SEC and DOJ in connection with the FCPA resolution in the first quarter of 2017.

Free cash flow, excluding net capital expenditures and beneficial interest collected in exchange for securitized trade receivables, was $1.9 billion in the first quarter of 2018, compared to $0.3 billion in the first quarter of 2017. The increase was mainly due to the increase in cash flow from operations as well as lower net capital expenditures investments and higher securitized account receivables.

As of March 31, 2018, our total gross debt was $30.8 billion, compared to $32.5 billion as of December 31, 2017. The decrease was mainly due to $6.5 billion in debt prepayments, partially offset by our March 2018 issuance of an aggregate principal amount of $4.4 billion of senior notes, as well as exchange rate fluctuations. The portion of total debt classified as short-term as of March 31, 2018 was 4%, compared to 11% as of December 31, 2017.

Segment Results for the First Quarter 2018

Due to the organizational changes announced in November 2017, our financial results are now being reported under new segments. Our new reportable segments are:

a) North America segment, which includes the United States and Canada.

b) Europe segment, which includes the European Union and certain other European countries.

c) Growth Markets segment, which includes all countries other than those in our North America and Europe segments.

In addition to these three segments, we have other activities, primarily our API third party manufacturing business and certain contract manufacturing services.

Segment profit is comprised of gross profit for the segment, less R&D, S&M, G&A expenses and other income related to each segment. Segment profit does not include amortization and certain other items.

North America Segment

Our North America segment includes the United States and Canada.

The following table presents revenues, expenses and profit for our North America segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

Generic products revenues in our North America segment in the first quarter of 2018 decreased by 23% to $1.1 billion, compared to the first quarter of 2017, mainly due to lower volumes and price erosion.

In the first quarter of 2018, we led the U.S. generics market in total prescriptions and new prescriptions, with approximately 584 million total prescriptions, representing 15% of total U.S. generic prescriptions according to IQVIA data.

COPAXONE revenues in our North America segment in the first quarter of 2018 decreased by 40% to $476 million compared to the first quarter of 2017, mainly due to generic competition in the United States. COPAXONE revenues in the United States were $462 million in the first quarter of 2018.

BENDEKA and TREANDA combined revenues in our North America segment in the first quarter of 2018 increased by 16% to $181 million, compared to the first quarter of 2017, mainly due to higher volumes resulting from supply stabilization.

ProAir revenues in our North America segment in the first quarter of 2018 increased by 7% to $130 million, compared to the first quarter of 2017, mainly due to higher volumes.

QVAR revenues in our North America segment in the first quarter of 2018 increased by 27% to $107 million, compared to the first quarter of 2017. We launched QVAR RediHaler in the first quarter of 2018. The increase in sales in the first quarter of 2018 was mainly due to slightly higher wholesaler stocking for all QVAR family products in connection with the launch. QVAR maintained its second-place position in the inhaled corticosteroids category in the United States.

AUSTEDO revenues in our North America segment in the first quarter of 2018 were $30 million. AUSTEDO was approved by the FDA for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington disease and was launched in the United States in April 2017. In August 2017, the FDA approved AUSTEDO for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia.

Distribution revenues in our North America segment which are generated by Anda increased by 12% to $331 million in the first quarter of 2018, compared to the first quarter of 2017, mainly due to the severe cold, cough and influenza season in the first quarter of 2018, which increased demand for certain medicines.

North America Gross Profit

Gross profit from our North America segment in the first quarter of 2018 was $1.4 billion, a decrease of 31% compared to $2.1 billion in the first quarter of 2017. The decrease was mainly due to lower revenues from COPAXONE and generic products.

Gross profit margin for our North America segment in the first quarter of 2018 decreased to 56.6%, compared to 64.2% in the first quarter of 2017. This decrease was mainly due to lower COPAXONE revenues and continued price erosion of generic products.

North America Profit

Profit from our North America segment in the first quarter of 2018 was $915 million, a decrease of 30% compared to $1.3 billion in the first quarter of 2017. The decrease was mainly due to lower revenues due to generic competition for COPAXONE and continued price erosion in the U.S. generics market, partially offset by cost reduction and higher other income.

Europe Segment

Our Europe segment includes the European Union and certain other European countries.

Segment profit does not include amortization and certain other items. The data presented for prior periods have

been conformed to reflect the changes to our segment reporting commencing in the first quarter of 2018.

Revenues from our Europe segment in the first quarter of 2018 were $1.4 billion, an increase of $101 million or 8%, compared to the first quarter of 2017. In local currency terms, revenues decreased by 6%, mainly due to the loss of revenues from the closure of our distribution business in Hungary and the sale of our women’s health business, partially offset by new generic product launches.

Revenues by Major Products and Activities

Generic products revenues in our Europe segment in the first quarter of 2018, including OTC products, increased by 17% to $997 million, compared to the first quarter of 2017. In local currency terms, revenues increased by 2%, mainly due to new product launches and volume growth in OTC, partially offset by price reductions.

COPAXONE revenues in our Europe segment in the first quarter of 2018 increased by 1% to $153 million, compared to the first quarter of 2017. In local currency terms, revenues decreased by 13%, mainly due to price reductions resulting from the entry of generic competition.

Respiratory products revenues in our Europe segment in the first quarter of 2018 increased by 35% to $113 million, compared to the first quarter of 2017. In local currency terms, revenues increased by 18%, mainly due to the launch of BRALTUS in 2017.

Europe Gross Profit

Gross profit from our Europe segment in the first quarter of 2018 was $797 million, an increase of 9% compared to $734 million in the first quarter of 2017. The increase was mainly due to the positive impact of currency fluctuations, partially offset by the loss of revenues from the sale of our women’s health business.

Gross profit margin for our Europe segment in the first quarter of 2018 increased to 55.3%, compared to 54.7% in the first quarter of 2017. This increase was mainly due to the closure of our distribution business in Hungary, partially offset by other production costs.

Europe Profit

Profit from our Europe segment in the first quarter of 2018 was $377 million, an increase of 41% compared to $268 million in the first quarter of 2017. The increase was mainly due to higher revenues as well as cost reductions and efficiency measures as part of the restructuring plan.

Growth Markets Segment

Our Growth Markets segment includes all countries other than those in our North America and Europe segments. The key markets in this segment are Japan, Russia and Israel.

Segment profit does not include amortization and certain other items. The data presented for prior periods have

been conformed to reflect the changes to our segment reporting commencing in the first quarter of 2018.

Revenues from our Growth Markets segment in the first quarter of 2018 were $750 million, an increase of $32 million, or 4%, compared to the first quarter of 2017. In local currency terms, revenues were flat compared to the first quarter of 2017, mainly due to higher sales in Israel, Japan and Russia, partially offset by the effect of the deconsolidation of our subsidiaries in Venezuela and the loss of revenues from the sale of our women’s health business.

Revenues by Major Products and Activities

Generic products revenues in our Growth Markets segment in the first quarter of 2018, which includes OTC products, were flat compared to the first quarter of 2017. In local currency terms, revenues decreased by 3%, mainly due to the effect of the deconsolidation of our subsidiaries in Venezuela.

COPAXONE revenues in our Growth Markets segment in the first quarter of 2018 decreased by 24% to $16 million, compared to the first quarter of 2017. In local currency terms, revenues decreased by 20%.

Distribution revenues in our Growth Markets segment in the first quarter of 2018 increased by 22%, compared to the first quarter of 2017. In local currency terms, revenues increased by 13%.

Growth Markets Gross Profit

Gross profit from our Growth Markets segment in the first quarter of 2018 was $313 million, an increase of 7% compared to $292 million in the first quarter of 2017. The increase was mainly due to higher revenues in Japan, including Azilect approval payment from Takeda, and Israel, partially offset by the deconsolidation of our subsidiaries in Venezuela and the loss of revenues from the sale of our women’s health business.

Gross profit margin for our Growth Markets segment in the first quarter of 2018 increased to 41.7%, compared to 40.7% in the first quarter of 2017. This increase was mainly due to higher gross profit in Japan, partially offset by the deconsolidation of our subsidiaries in Venezuela.

Growth Markets Profit

Profit from our Growth Markets segment in the first quarter of 2018 was $122 million, compared to $40 million in the first quarter of 2017. The increase was mainly due to higher revenues, as well as cost reductions and efficiency measures as part of the restructuring plan.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, we deconsolidated our subsidiaries in Venezuela from our financial results. Consequently, results of operations of our subsidiaries in Venezuela are not included in our financial results for the first quarter of 2018.

Other Activities

We have other sources of revenues, primarily our API manufacturing business and certain contract manufacturing services. These other activities are not included in our North America, Europe or Growth Markets segments.

Our revenues from other activities in the first quarter of 2018 decreased by 2.6% to $342 million. In local currency terms, revenues decreased by 8%, mainly due to lower API sales to third parties.

API sales to third parties in the first quarter of 2018 decreased by 9% to $179 million. In local currency terms, revenues decreased by 10%, mainly due to the timing of certain shipments in the first quarter of 2018.

R&D Pipeline Update

fremanezumab – We do not expect to receive FDA approval on our Biologics License Applications (BLA) for fremanezumab on the mid-June PDUFA date. We are engaged in a constructive dialogue with the FDA in close collaboration with our partner Celltrion, Inc. We expect an FDA pre-approval inspection to take place in the coming months and to receive FDA approval and launch before the end of 2018.

These estimates reflect management’s current expectations for Teva’s performance in 2018. Actual results may vary, whether as a result of exchange rate differences, market conditions or other factors. In addition, the non-GAAP measures exclude the amortization of purchased intangible assets, costs related to certain regulatory actions, inventory step-up, legal settlements and reserves, impairments and related tax effects.

See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.

Conference Call

Teva will host a conference call and live webcast along with a slide presentation on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss its first quarter 2018 results and overall business environment. A question & answer session will follow.

In order to participate, please dial the following numbers (at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time):

United States 1-866-254-0808

International 44 (0) 1452 541003

for a list of other international toll-free numbers, click here.

Passcode: 9496209

A live webcast of the call will also be available on Teva’s website at: www.ir.tevapharm.com. Please log in at least 10 minutes prior to the conference call in order to download the applicable audio software.

Following the conclusion of the call, a replay of the webcast will be available within 24 hours on Teva’s website. The replay can also be accessed until May 31, 2018, 9:00 a.m. ET by calling United States 1-866-247-4222 or International 44(0)1452550000; passcode: 9496209.

TESARO Announces First-Quarter 2018 Operating Results

On May 3, 2018 TESARO, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSRO), an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, reported operating results for first-quarter 2018, and provided an update on the Company’s commercial products and development programs (Press release, TESARO, MAY 3, 2018, View Source [SID1234526093]).

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!

"2018 is off to an excellent start for TESARO, as ZEJULA continues to penetrate the recurrent ovarian cancer market," said Lonnie Moulder, CEO of TESARO. "We expect to expand the market for ZEJULA to the front-line setting with PRIMA, our Phase 3 trial for patients with first-line ovarian cancer regardless of biomarker status, with data expected late next year. In March, data presented from our TOPACIO trial of ZEJULA in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody surpassed historical monotherapy benchmarks in difficult-to-treat platinum-resistant and refractory ovarian cancer patients, and we look forward to presentations from both the ovarian and triple-negative breast cancer cohorts of TOPACIO at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper). Our immuno-oncology pipeline is advancing quickly and we are on track to submit a biologic license application for TSR-042, our anti-PD-1 antibody, for patients with MSI-high tumors in 2019. Enrollment continues in our AMBER trial of TSR-022, our anti-TIM-3 antibody, in combination with TSR-042, and data from this trial in tumor-specific expansion cohorts are expected to be presented at a medical meeting later this year."

Recent Business Highlights

ZEJULA is the most utilized PARP inhibitor among ovarian cancer patients in the U.S., with more than 5,000 patients treated since launch in April 2017. The European launch of ZEJULA continues in Germany.
Enrollment was completed in the Phase 3 PRIMA trial for patients with first-line ovarian cancer regardless of biomarker status. Data from this study are anticipated in late 2019.
Data were presented from the ovarian cancer cohort of the TOPACIO trial of ZEJULA in combination with an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody at the Society for Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Annual Meeting in March. Data demonstrated activity of ZEJULA in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody in difficult-to-treat types of ovarian cancer.
Results from a retrospective analysis of the NOVA trial were presented at the SGO Annual Meeting, which identified two characteristics, patient body weight and platelet counts, to be predictors of dose modification.
In April, preliminary Phase 1 data from expansion cohorts of the GARNET trial of TSR-042 were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. Activity of TSR-042 monotherapy was demonstrated in patients with MSI-high endometrial cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with a well-tolerated safety profile comparable to other anti-PD-1 antibodies.
Top-line results from the QUADRA study of ZEJULA monotherapy in fourth-line plus treatment of ovarian cancer were announced in April. This trial successfully achieved its pre-specified primary endpoint and demonstrated activity in patients with fourth or fifth-line HRD-positive ovarian cancer who were PARP inhibitor naïve and platinum sensitive. Additional QUADRA data will be presented at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) in June.
Phase 2 data from the TOPACIO trial of ZEJULA with an anti-PD-1 for patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer or triple-negative breast cancer were accepted for two separate oral presentations at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper).
TSR-042 is in a registration trial (GARNET) for MSI-high tumors. Data are being generated to demonstrate the activity of TSR-042 in multiple tumor types, including lung, breast and ovarian cancer.
Clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate TSR-022 (anti-TIM-3 antibody) and TSR-033 (anti-LAG-3 antibody) in combination with TSR-042.
AMBER: Phase 1 trial of TSR-022 in combination with TSR-042 is enrolling three tumor specific cohorts.
CITRINO: Phase 1 dose-escalation trial of TSR-033 is ongoing to determine dose and schedule for combination with TSR-042.
First Quarter 2018 Financial Results

TESARO reported net product revenue of $50.2 million for the first quarter of 2018, including ZEJULA sales of $48.9 million, compared to $2.1 million for the first quarter of 2017.

Research and development expenses increased to $96.8 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared to $66.1 million for the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to higher manufacturing and clinical development costs associated with ZEJULA, TSR-042, and TSR-022, increased headcount, and research collaborations.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $93.6 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared to $69.3 million for the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to increased sales and marketing headcount and activities to support sales of ZEJULA in the U.S. and launches in Europe.

Operating expenses as described above include total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense of $26.1 million for the first quarter of 2018, compared to $18.4 million for the first quarter of 2017.

Net loss totaled $162.8 million, or ($2.98) per share, for the first quarter of 2018, compared to a net loss of $136.7 million, or ($2.55) per share, for the first quarter of 2017.

As of March 31, 2018, TESARO had approximately $499.0 million in cash and cash equivalents and approximately 54.8 million outstanding shares of common stock.

In the first quarter, TESARO’s cash and cash equivalents balance declined by approximately $144 million. The Company plans to draw $200 million in the second half of 2018 from its available term loan facility, and quarterly declines in cash and cash equivalents are expected to moderate over the course of 2018. TESARO anticipates year-end 2018 cash and cash equivalents to be approximately $400 million.

Key Development Milestones

TESARO intends to achieve the following development milestones:

Ovarian Cancer Franchise:

Report TOPACIO platinum-resistant ovarian cancer data at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and confirm with FDA the intended strategy for registering ZEJULA in combination with TSR-042 in platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer in mid-2018
Initiate FIRST, a Phase 3 clinical trial of ZEJULA in combination with TSR-042 in first-line ovarian cancer, in Q2 2018
Report QUADRA data at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) and define biomarker-focused regulatory strategy in 2H 2018
Report PRIMA data in first-line ovarian cancer maintenance in late 2019
Breast Cancer:

Report TOPACIO triple-negative breast cancer data at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)
Publish BRAVO data in 2H 2018
Confirm intended registration path for ZEJULA in breast cancer with FDA in mid-2018
Lung Cancer:

Report additional data from lung cancer cohort of the GARNET trial of TSR-042 in NSCLC in 2H 2018
Initial data from Phase 2 JASPER study of ZEJULA in combination with an anti-PD-1 inhibitor to be available in 2H 2018
Prostate Cancer:

Janssen anticipates advancing trials of ZEJULA in prostate cancer to support U.S. and EU regulatory filings in 2019
Immuno-oncology Portfolio:

Complete enrollment in the MSI-high cohort of the GARNET trial of TSR-042 to support a biologics license application (BLA) submission to FDA in 2019
Report initial data for the AMBER trial of TSR-022 in combination with TSR-042 in 2H 2018
Initiate assessment of the combination of TSR-033 plus TSR-042 in the CITRINO trial in Q2 2018 and report Phase 1 monotherapy dose-escalation data for TSR-033 in 2H 2018
Advance IND-enabling studies of PD-1/LAG-3 bi-specific antibody (TSR-075)
Today’s Conference Call and Webcast
TESARO will host a conference call to discuss first quarter operating results and provide an update on its commercial products and development programs today at 4:15 P.M. Eastern time. The accompanying slide presentation and live webcast of the conference call can be accessed by visiting the TESARO website at www.tesarobio.com. The call can be accessed by dialing (877) 853-5334 (U.S. and Canada) or (970) 315-0307 (international). A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Company’s website for 30 days following the call.

About ZEJULA (Niraparib)
ZEJULA (niraparib) is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated 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. In preclinical studies, ZEJULA concentrates in the tumor relative to plasma, delivering greater than 90% durable inhibition of PARP 1/2 and a persistent antitumor effect. Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia (MDS/AML), including some fatal cases, was reported in patients treated with ZEJULA. Discontinue ZEJULA if MDS/AML is confirmed. Hematologic adverse reactions (thrombocytopenia, anemia and neutropenia), as well as cardiovascular effects (hypertension and hypertensive crisis) have been reported in patients treated with ZEJULA. Monitor complete blood counts to detect hematologic adverse reactions, as well as to detect cardiovascular disorders, during treatment. ZEJULA can cause fetal harm and females of reproductive potential should use effective contraception. Please see full prescribing information, including additional important safety information, available at www.zejula.com