On March 8, 2018 Coherus BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:CHRS), reviewed corporate events and reported financial results for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017 (Press release, Coherus Biosciences, MAR 8, 2018, View Source/phoenix.zhtml?c=253655&" target="_blank" title="View Source/phoenix.zhtml?c=253655&" rel="nofollow">View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2337143 [SID1234524558]).

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Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Financial Results:

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $31.5 million compared to $59.0 million for the same period in 2016. R&D expenses for the fiscal year 2017 were $162.4 million, as compared to $254.4 million for the same period in 2016. The decrease in R&D expenses in the fourth quarter over the same period in 2016 was mainly due to the reduction in manufacturing, analytical and clinical costs associated with the CHS-0214 (etanercept (Enbrel) biosimilar candidate) and CHS-1420 (adalimumab (Humira) biosimilar candidate) programs. The decrease in R&D expenses in the fiscal year ended 2017 over the same period in 2016 was mainly attributable to a decrease in clinical development costs associated with the CHS-0214 and CHS-1420 programs. General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $15.0 million, compared to $15.3 million for the same period in 2016. G&A expenses for the fiscal year 2017 were $71.3 million, as compared to $51.6 million for the same period in 2016. The increase in G&A expenses in 2017 were mainly attributable to salary and stock compensation costs associated with the hiring of personnel in the first half of 2017 to support the CHS-1701 (pegfilgrastim (Neulasta) biosimilar candidate) pre-commercial activities and costs related to legal and other professional services. Net loss attributable to Coherus for the fourth quarter of 2017 was ($49.1) million, or ($0.84) per share, compared to a net loss of ($75.9) million, or ($1.71) per share, for the same period in 2016. Net loss attributable to Coherus for 2017 was ($238.2) million, or ($4.48) per share, compared to a net loss of ($127.3) million, or ($3.04) per share, for 2016. Cash and cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities – short term totaled $126.9 million as of December 31, 2017, compared to $150.1 million as of September 30, 2017.
Guidance for 2018:
CHS-1701 (pegfilgrastim (Neulasta) biosimilar)

Anticipate resubmitting the biologics license application (BLA) directly after receipt of minutes post completion of FDA meetings concerning the complete response letter, completion of immunogenicity sample processing and integration of such data into the resubmission. Anticipate European approval opinion in the second half of 2018. Commercial partnering discussions are projected to continue for certain ex-U.S. territories. Anticipate U.S. commercial launch in the second half of 2018, dependent on regulatory review and approval timing.
CHS-3351 (ranibizumab (Lucentis) biosimilar) and CHS-2020 (Eylea biosimilar)

Initiate clinical development of CHS-3351. Continue preclinical development of CHS-2020.
CHS-1420 (adalimumab (Humira) biosimilar)

Pursue manufacturing objectives in support of a BLA. Prepare for partnering pursuant to a 2022 launch.
CHS-0214 (etanercept (Enbrel) biosimilar)

Expect the Patent Trial and Appeal Board of the USPTO to enter institution decisions with respect to two Inter Partes Review filings, by March 13, 2018 for patent 8,163,522, and by March 15, 2018 for the patent 8,063,182.
CHS-131 central nervous system anti-inflammatory asset

Anticipate a potential global license, dependent on outcome of certain preclinical studies.
Cash flow

Anticipate cash use in operations of approximately $30 – $35 million per quarter in the first half of 2018.

Conference Call Information
When: Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. ET
Dial-in: (844) 452-6826 (toll free) or (765) 507-2587 (International)
Conference ID: 7098068
Webcast: View Source
Please join the conference call at least 10 minutes early to register. The webcast will be archived on the Coherus website.

On March 8, 2018 Cerus Corporation (Nasdaq: CERS) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017 (Press release, Cerus, MAR 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234524557]).

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Recent developments and highlights include:

Reported record fourth quarter product revenue of $16.2 million, an increase of 60% compared to the same period in the year prior.
Established 2018 annual product revenue guidance of $51 million to $53 million, which would represent a 17% to 22% increase over 2017 reported product revenue.
Successfully met primary safety and efficacy endpoints in SPARC, Cerus’ European Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating INTERCEPT red cell transfusions in thalassemia patients.
Completed an underwritten public offering of common stock raising gross proceeds of $57.5 million.
Advanced release assay for commercial manufacturing of the S303 compound used in the INTERCEPT red blood cell system to enable H2 2018 CE Mark submission.
"As we reported in our January 8, 2018 press release, we experienced a strong finish to 2017 with fourth quarter results exceeding our expectations. We saw robust sales activity in multiple geographies including France, the U.S., and the Middle East. In addition, we continue to make progress on the final CMC activities needed for the planned INTERCEPT red blood cell system CE Mark submission which will include data from the SPARC clinical study. In the U.S. we received IDE approval from the FDA to initiate our second Phase 3 RBC study," said William ‘Obi’ Greenman, Cerus’ president and chief executive officer. "With the $57.5 million of gross proceeds and the remaining borrowing availability under our growth capital facility, combined with BARDA funding, we believe we are now well capitalized to focus on commercial execution and on progressing our pipeline opportunities from late stage development to potential market launch."

Revenue

Product revenue for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $16.2 million, compared to $10.1 million during the same period in 2016. Product revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $43.6 million, compared to $37.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increases in reported product revenue were driven by year-over-year increases in platelet kit demand, both in international and domestic markets, partially offset by declines in plasma kits and illuminator sales. Growth in sales from France and the U.S. were the primary drivers of the increased platelet kit sales in both periods. Demand for platelet kits was up more than 100% when comparing the fourth quarter of 2017 to the same period in 2016, and up almost 40% for the full year 2017 compared to 2016.

Government contract revenue from our Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) agreement was $2.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $1.8 million during the same period in 2016. Government contract revenue from our BARDA agreement for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $7.8 million, compared to $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Gross Margins

Gross margins on product revenue for the fourth quarter of 2017 were 44%, compared to 45% for the fourth quarter of 2016. Gross margins for the year ended December 31, 2017 were 48%, compared to 45% in the same period in 2016.

Despite the more than a 100% increase in demand for platelet kits, gross margins on product revenue for the fourth quarter of 2017 was relatively consistent compared to the same period in 2016 due to fewer illuminator sales in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, as well as the impact of pricing from higher volume platelet contracts. Gross margin on product revenue for the full-year 2017 increased due to the increase in demand for higher margin platelet disposable kits and favorable foreign exchange rates. Going forward, the Company expects to continue to realize economies of scale and lower cost of goods sold from its primary kit manufacturing agreement due to tiered pricing, which declines as production volume tiers are achieved.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses were $20.3 million and $86.3 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $21.5 million and $80.4 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2016, respectively.

Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $12.5 million compared to $12.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. SG&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $52.4 million compared to $48.8 million in the same period in 2016. The increase in SG&A expenses was due largely to increased commercial activity in the U.S.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $7.8 million compared to $8.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. R&D expenses in the quarter declined primarily due to the timing of activities related to the BARDA agreement. R&D expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $33.7 million compared to $31.3 million in the same period in 2016. The increase in R&D expenses was primarily tied to increased headcount costs and costs tied to the clinical development of our INTERCEPT red blood cell program, the pursuit of supplemental approvals for the platelet and plasma systems, and activities related to our BARDA agreement.

Operating and Net Loss

Operating losses during the fourth quarter of 2017 were $10.9 million, compared to $15.1 million during the fourth quarter of 2016, and $57.5 million compared to $61.4 million for years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $11.5 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $13.5 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2016. Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017, was $60.6 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $62.9 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, for the same period of 2016.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments

At December 31, 2017, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $60.7 million compared to $71.6 million at December 31, 2016.

At December 31, 2017, 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 an extension of the interest only period upon the Company achieving pre-determined revenue levels.

In January 2018, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of its common stock for gross proceeds of $57.5 million, before deducting offering expenses payable by the Company.

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 3395359. The replay will be available approximately three hours after the call through March 22, 2018

On March 8, 2018 Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: CALA), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel small molecule drugs directed against tumor metabolism and tumor immunology targets for the treatment of cancer, reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017 (Press release, Calithera Biosciences, MAR 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234524555]). As of December 31, 2017, cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $186.2 million.

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"2017 was a transformative year for Calithera as we advanced each of our internally discovered first-in-class, small molecule onco-metabolism clinical candidates into broad clinical programs and announced a partnership with Incyte." said Susan Molineaux, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Calithera. "In 2018, we will be enrolling two randomized placebo-controlled trials of our oral glutaminase inhibitor for the treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma and a Phase 2 trial for the treatment of patients with triple negative breast cancer. INCB001158, an inhibitor of arginase, will be in evaluated in three broad clinical trials for the treatment of patients with solid tumors in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor, chemotherapy, and epacadostat/PD-1 inhibitor, respectively."

Fourth Quarter 2017 and Recent Highlights

CB-839

• Presented Results of CB-839 in Combination with Cabozantinib in Renal Cell Carcinoma; Randomized Phase 2 Trial Planned. In February 2018, we presented preliminary results of the Phase Ib trial of CB-839 in combination with cabozantinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor at the 2018 Genitourinary Cancer Symposium. Preliminary results showed the combination demonstrated 40% overall response rate in advanced clear cell RCC patients, and 100% disease control with the safety profile of CB-839 plus cabozantinib generally consistent with that of cabozantinib monotherapy. On the basis of this efficacy and safety data, we plan to initiate a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial in approximate 300 clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients who have previously received one or two prior lines of therapy. The Phase 2 trial, known as CANTATA, is planned to begin in the second quarter of 2018 and it is expected to take approximately two years to reach the primary endpoint analysis of progression free survival.

• Presented Results of CB-839 in Combination with Nivolumab. In November 2017, we announced initial data from the ongoing trial of CB-839 in combination with nivolumab, in patients with melanoma, renal cell carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Responses were observed in three melanoma patients who were progressing on a checkpoint inhibitor at study entry, and disease stabilization was observed in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and renal cell carcinoma patients that had disease progression on a checkpoint inhibitor immediately prior to starting the CB-839/nivolumab combination. The collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb was expanded, and a joint development committee was established to guide the development and regulatory strategy.

• Presented Results of CB-839 in Combination with Paclitaxel for the Treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer. In December 2017, we presented updated clinical data from a Phase 2 expansion cohort of patients with triple negative breast cancer receiving CB-839 in combination with paclitaxel. Among all evaluable patients treated with CB-839 doses of at least 600 mg bid (n=37), there were 8 partial responses (22%) and disease control in 22 patients (59%). Exploratory biomarker analysis showed a trend for the strongest clinical benefit occurring in patients with desmoplastic stromal gene expression signatures. We plan to present an update on our TNBC development program in the fourth quarter of 2018.
INCB001158

• INCB001158 Initiated Combination Dosing. In October 2017, the first patient was treated in the Phase I cohort of INCB001158 dosed in combination with Keytruda (pembrolizumab), an anti-PD1 immune checkpoint inhibitor. INCB001158 is currently being evaluated in two Phase 1/2 clinical trials and a third trial is expected to begin in the first half of 2018.
Corporate

• Augmented Board of Directors and Management Team. In September 2017, Calithera appointed Blake Wise, President and Chief Operating Officer of Achaogen, to the company’s Board of Directors, and Sumita Ray as General Counsel.
Selected Fourth Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $186.2 million at December 31, 2017.

Collaboration revenue for the full year 2017 was $26.0 million, compared with zero in the prior year, and represents the portion of deferred revenue recognized from the Company’s collaboration and license agreement with Incyte. Collaboration revenue for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $7.3 million.

Research and development expenses for the full year 2017 were $43.1 million, compared with $27.7 million in the prior year. The increase of $15.4 million in 2017 was due to an increase in the CB-839 program to support our new and ongoing clinical trials, including our two Phase 2 trials, as well as investment in our early stage research programs, offset by a decrease in the INCB001158 program, primarily due to Incyte’s co-funding of development costs. Research and development expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $15.5 million, compared to $6.6 million for the same period last year.

General and administrative expenses for the full year 2017 were $12.5 million, compared with $10.6 million in the prior year. The increase of $1.9 million in 2017 was primarily due an increase in professional services, including activities to support our collaboration and license agreements and Phase 2 clinical trials, and higher personnel-related costs. General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $3.3 million, compared to $3.0 million for the same period last year.

Net loss from operations for the three months and year ended December 31, 2017 was $11.0 million and $27.8 million, respectively.

Financial Guidance for 2018

Calithera expects its cash, cash equivalents and investments will be between $105 and $115 million at the end of 2018, and be sufficient to meet its current operating plan through 2020, exclusive of any new collaborations or partnerships, milestone payments, additional equity financings or other new sources.

Conference Call Information

Calithera will webcast a clinical update on CB-839 on Thursday, March 8th at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time/ 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. The call may be accessed by dialing (855) 783-2599 (domestic) or (631) 485-4877 (international), and referring to conference ID 3398144. To access the live audio webcast or the subsequent archived recording, visit the Investors section of the Calithera website at www.calithera.com. The webcast will be recorded and available for replay on Calithera’s website for 30 days.

On March 8, 2018 Audentes Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BOLD), a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing innovative gene therapy products for patients living with serious, life-threatening rare diseases, reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017 and provided an update on the company’s recent achievements and anticipated upcoming milestones (Press release, Audentes Therapeutics, MAR 8, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2337152 [SID1234524554]).

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"2017 was a transformational year marked by significant achievements across our portfolio of gene therapy product candidates," stated Matthew R. Patterson, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Among our many accomplishments, we are particularly pleased to have recently reported positive interim data from the first dose cohort of patients in ASPIRO, the Phase 1 / 2 clinical study of our product candidate AT132 to treat XLMTM. These promising initial data add to the growing body of evidence of the utility of AAV-based gene therapy to treat rare neuromuscular diseases, and we are optimistic that they signal a turning point in our ability to bring meaningful benefit to patients and families living with XLMTM."

Mr. Patterson continued, "As we look forward to the year ahead, we are excited by our many anticipated upcoming pipeline catalysts, including sharing additional data from our ASPIRO study in XLMTM, new data from our VALENS study in Crigler-Najjar, and advancing additional product candidates into the clinic for Pompe disease and CASQ2-CPVT. With our recently completed follow-on offering, we are well capitalized to continue our mission to develop transformative gene therapy products for patients living with serious, life-threatening rare diseases."

Recent Achievements & Upcoming Key Events

AT132 for X-Linked Myotubular Myopathy (XLMTM):
Announced positive interim data in the first three patients dosed in ASPIRO, the Phase 1 / 2 clinical study of AT132 to treat XLMTM. Plan to dose three additional patients in the first cohort of ASPIRO and to report additional interim data in the second quarter of 2018
Received Rare Pediatric Disease and Fast Track designations for AT132 from FDA
AT342 for Crigler-Najjar Syndrome:
Initiated dosing in the first cohort of patients in VALENS, the Phase 1 / 2 clinical study of AT342 to treat Crigler-Najjar Syndrome, in the first quarter of 2018 and plan to report preliminary data from VALENS in the second quarter of 2018
Received Rare Pediatric Disease and Fast Track designations for AT342 from FDA
AT982 for Pompe Disease:
Announced selection of the clinical development candidate, AT982, a novel AAV8 vector designed to express GAA in tissues relevant to Pompe disease, including skeletal muscle, the heart and the nervous system, and to reduce immunogenicity, thereby addressing the key limitations of existing ERT therapy for Pompe
Plan to file IND in mid-2018 and to initiate a Phase 1 / 2 clinical study in the fourth quarter of 2018
AT307 for CASQ2-CPVT:
Completed IND-enabling preclinical studies of AT307
Plan to file IND in the first quarter of 2018 and to initiate a Phase 1 / 2 clinical study in the fourth quarter of 2018
Initiated activities to identify CASQ2-CPVT patients and further characterize the disease burden and unmet medical need for patients living with CPVT
Manufacturing:
Completed manufacturing campaigns of all product candidates in our state-of-the-art, 2x500L bioreactor-scale cGMP facility, designed to support global commercial licensure
Continued optimization of our serum-free suspension mammalian cell culture manufacturing process, which we expect will support commercial production for all of our product candidates
Built a world-class scientific team to support manufacturing and development operations, including expertise in novel product design, process and assay development, and AAV immunology
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Financial Results

Cash Position: At December 31, 2017, Audentes had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $133.6 million. In January 2018, Audentes further strengthened its balance sheet with the completion of a follow-on financing, issuing 6,612,500 shares of common stock at an offering price of $35.00 per share, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $217.2 million after the deduction of underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses. Current cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are planned to fund operations into the second half of 2020.
Research and Development Expenses: Research and development expenses were $21.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 and $75.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $16.6 million and $48.8 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2016. The increase in research and development expenses was primarily attributable to an increase in research and development headcount and related facility costs, increased internal manufacturing costs, an increase in preclinical and clinical study costs for our development programs, and an increase in expenses related to expanded internal research activities.
General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $5.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 and $17.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $3.2 million and $11.3 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2016. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to increased general and administrative headcount and related facility costs, increased professional service and audit fees, and higher insurance costs.
Net Loss: Net loss was $24.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2017 and $90.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $19.7 million and $59.7 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2016.
Conference Call
At 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today, Audentes management will host a conference call and a simultaneous webcast to discuss its fourth quarter 2017 financial results and provide a corporate update. To access a live webcast of the conference call, please visit the Events & Presentations page within the Investors + Media section of the Audentes website at www.audentestx.com. Alternatively, please call 1-833-659-8620 (U.S.) or 1-409-767-9247 (international) and dial the conference ID 5890848 to access the call.

A replay of the webcast will be available on the Audentes website for approximately 30 days.

On March 8, 2018 Stemline Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:STML), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for difficult to treat cancers, reported that Ivan Bergstein, M.D., Stemline’s CEO, will present at two upcoming investor conferences (Press release, Stemline Therapeutics, MAR 8, 2018, View Source [SID1234524545]):

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The 30th Annual ROTH Conference on Monday, March 12, at 4:00 PM PT (7:00 PM ET), which is being held at The Ritz-Carlton, Orange County in Dana Point, California.

The Cowen and Company 38th Annual Health Care Conference 2018 on Wednesday, March 14, at 8:00 AM ET, which is being held at the Boston Marriott Copley Place in Boston, MA.
A live webcast of each presentation can be viewed on the company’s website at www.stemline.com.