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Protalix BioTherapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2023 Financial and Business Results

On November 6, 2023 Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American: PLX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, production and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins produced by its proprietary ProCellEx plant cell-based protein expression system, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023 and provided a business update on recent regulatory, clinical and corporate developments (Press release, Protalix, NOV 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234637045]).

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"We continued our efforts this quarter towards turning Protalix into a fully-sustainable biopharmaceutical company with a growing pipeline of differentiated proprietary assets. With the approval of Elfabrio by the U.S. FDA and the European Medicines Agency earlier this year, we are pleased to see our commercial partner Chiesi Global Rare Diseases hit the ground, both in the United States and the European Union. Additionally, Chiesi is continuing to position Elfabrio for future growth with additional approvals worldwide," said Dror Bashan, Protalix’s President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our strong balance sheet coupled with our growing revenue stream allows us to focus on the continued development of our growing pipeline of assets, including PRX-115, our recombinant PEGylated uricase in development for the potential treatment of severe gout. We are continuing to enroll patients in our Phase I clinical trial evaluating the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and immunogenicity of PRX-115, and look forward to continuing to progress this product candidate forward, Mr. Bashan continued. "We are proud of our achievements and look forward to an exciting future as a company with a proven platform and two approved drugs, a rich pipeline of product candidates in lucrative markets, a world-class team of dedicated employees, strong financial support with a solid balance sheet and an increasing stream of revenues."

2023 Third Quarter and Recent Business Highlights

Regulatory Advancements

The Company, together with its development and commercialization partner, Chiesi Global Rare Diseases (Chiesi), a business unit of the Chiesi Group, continued to attain marketing authorizations around the world for Elfabrio (pegunigalsidase alfa) for the treatment of adult patients with Fabry disease. Elfabrio, a PEGylated enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), is a recombinant human α-Galactosidase-A enzyme expressed in plant-cell culture that is designed to provide a long half-life.

On August 15, 2023, Chiesi announced that the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) granted marketing authorization for Elfabrio in Great Britain for long-term enzyme replacement therapy in adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Fabry disease.

On September 11, 2023, Swissmedic, the national authorization and supervisory authority for drugs and medical products in Switzerland, announced the approval of Elfabrio in Switzerland for long-term enzyme replacement therapy in adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Fabry disease.

Clinical Developments

The Company continued to advance its First in Human (FIH) phase I clinical trial of PRX–115, a recombinant PEGylated uricase product candidate under development as a potential treatment for severe gout. To date, 32 patients have been dosed in the trial. The FIH trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose study designed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and immunogenicity of PRX-115

in up to 56 patients with elevated uric acid levels (>6.0 mg/dL) and no previous exposure to PEGylated uricase. The study is being conducted at New Zealand Clinical Research (NZCR) under the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (MedSafe) and the Health and Disability Ethics Committee (HDEC) guidelines. We expect to announce top-line results from this study in mid-2024.

Corporate Developments

On September 14, 2023, Eliot Richard Forster, Ph.D. joined the Company’s Board of Directors as its Chairman, replacing former Chairman Zeev Bronfeld, who retired for personal reasons. In addition to his role as Chairman, Dr. Forster is serving as an independent director on the Company’s Nominating Committee.

Third Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights

The Company recorded revenues from selling goods of $10.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $1.4 million, or 16%, compared to revenues of $8.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase resulted primarily from an increase of $3.0 million in sales to Chiesi, following the approvals by the FDA and the EMA of Elfabrio, and of $0.6 million in sales to Brazil, partially offset by a $2.2 million decrease in sales to Pfizer.

The Company recorded revenues from license and R&D services of $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $5.2 million, or 96%, compared to revenues of $5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Revenues from license and R&D services are comprised primarily of revenues we recognized in connection with the Chiesi Agreements. As of March 1, 2023, sponsorship of the extension studies was transferred to Chiesi, and Chiesi is now administering all open label extension studies.

Cost of goods sold was $4.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, a decrease of $2.2 million, or 31%, from cost of goods sold of $7.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in cost of goods sold was primarily the result of the decrease in sales to Pfizer, partially offset by an increase in sales of Elfabrio to Chiesi and of Elelyso to Brazil.

For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company’s total research and development expenses were approximately $3.7 million comprised of approximately $1.0 million of subcontractor-related expenses, approximately $1.9 million of salary and related expenses, approximately $0.2 million of materials-related expenses and approximately $0.6 million of other expenses. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, our total research and development expenses were approximately $7.4 million comprised of approximately $4.9 million in subcontractor-related expenses, approximately $1.7 million of salary and related expenses, approximately $0.2 million of materials-related expenses and approximately $0.6 million of other expenses. Total decrease in research and developments expenses was $3.7 million, or 50%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in research and development expenses primarily resulted from the completion of our Fabry clinical program and the regulatory processes related to the Biologics License Application (BLA) and Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) review of Elfabrio by the applicable regulatory agencies.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of $0.9 million, or 32%, compared to $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase resulted primarily from an increase of approximately $0.6 million in salary and related expenses due to one-time cash bonuses and an increase in share-based compensation.

Financial income, net was $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to financial expenses, net of $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The change resulted primarily from an increase of $0.3 million in interest income.

In the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded income taxes of approximately $0.1 million which were primarily the result of the provision for current taxes in respect of Section 174 of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was enacted in December 2017.

Cash, cash equivalents and short term bank deposits were approximately $41.0 million at September 30, 2023.

Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was approximately $1.9 million, or $0.03 per share, basic, and $0.04 per share, diluted, compared to a net loss of $3.6 million, or $0.07 per share, basic and diluted, for the same period in 2022.

Conference Call and Webcast Information
The Company will host a conference call today, November 6, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. EST, to review the regulatory, clinical and corporate developments, which will also be available by webcast. To participate in the conference call, please dial the following numbers prior to the start of the call:

PharmaMar receives US$10 million milestone payment from Janssen

On November 6, 2023 PharmaMar (MSE:PHM) has reported receipt of a payment of $10 million from Janssen Products LP after reaching a commercial milestone for Yondelis (trabectedin) in the United States as defined in the licensing agreement (Press release, PharmaMar, NOV 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234637044]).

In August 2019, PharmaMar entered into a new licensing agreement with Janssen, which replaced a 2001 licensing agreement, under which Janssen retained the right to sell and distribute, on an exclusive basis, Yondelis in the USA.

Today, Yondelis is approved in more than 70 countries for the treatment of Soft Tissue Sarcoma and in some of these countries for ovarian cancer as well.

Orum Therapeutics Announces Acquisition of ORM-6151 Program by Bristol Myers Squibb

On November 6, 2023 Orum Therapeutics ("Orum"), a clinical-stage private biotechnology company pioneering Dual-Precision Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD² ) and Targeted Protein Stabilization (TPS² ), reported that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Bristol Myers Squibb has acquired Orum’s ORM-6151 program (Press release, Orum Therapeutics, NOV 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234637043]). ORM-6151 is a first-in-class, anti-CD33 antibody-enabled GSPT1 degrader that has received the FDA’s clearance for Phase 1 for the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes.

"We believe this agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb, a global leader in cancer with a strong legacy in protein degradation, validates Orum’s unique Dual-Precision Targeted Protein Degradation approach, which we pioneered to improve the therapeutic window and realize the full potential of targeted protein degraders through precision delivery to cancer cells via antibody drug conjugates," said Sung Joo Lee, Ph.D., CEO of Orum Therapeutics. "We are excited that Bristol Myers Squibb has acquired our ORM-6151 program with proprietary GSPT1 degraders, first-in-class targeted protein degraders with the potential to make an impact for patients with cancer."

Under this transaction, Bristol Myers Squibb has acquired Orum’s ORM-6151 program for an upfront payment of $100 million, and Orum Therapeutics is eligible to receive milestone payments for a total deal value of $180 million. Further details were not disclosed.

Perella Weinberg Partners acted as financial advisor, and Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP served as legal advisor to Orum Therapeutics.

About Orum’s GSPT1 Platform Using the TPD² Approach

Orum’s GSPT1 platform uses the company’s unique Dual-Precision Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD²) approach to build novel targeted protein degraders combined with the precise tumor cell delivery mechanisms of antibodies to generate innovative, first-in-class, tumor-selective TPDs for the treatment of cancer. Orum has developed new molecular glue degrader payloads to specifically degrade an intracellular target protein within cancer cells via the E3 ubiquitin ligase pathway. Conjugated to antibodies, the payloads are designed to be delivered specifically to cancer cells and degrade the intracellular target protein GSPT1 and cause tumor cell death.

ORIC Pharmaceuticals Reports Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results and Operational Updates

On November 6, 2023 ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ORIC), a clinical stage oncology company focused on developing treatments that address mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, reported financial results and operational updates for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 (Press release, ORIC Pharmaceuticals, NOV 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234637042]).

"We continued making strong progress across our pipeline in the third quarter of 2023 with steady enrollment across our three clinical trials and the first presentation of clinical data for ORIC-114," said Jacob M. Chacko, MD, chief executive officer. "Initial data for ORIC-114 demonstrated clinical activity across multiple dose levels, including the first reported CNS complete response by an EGFR exon 20 inhibitor in a patient with untreated brain metastases, and a favorable safety profile. We are eager to continue advancing ORIC-114, and we also look forward to presenting initial clinical data for ORIC-533 in multiple myeloma and for ORIC-944 in prostate cancer over the coming quarters."

Third Quarter 2023 and Other Recent Highlights:

ORIC-114: a brain penetrant, orally bioavailable, irreversible EGFR/HER2 inhibitor

Presented initial data from the ongoing Phase 1b dose escalation trial for patients with EGFR or HER2 exon 20 mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2023.
CNS activity was observed at multiple dose levels, including the first reported CNS complete response by an EGFR exon 20 inhibitor in a patient with documented untreated brain metastases.
Systemic responses were observed at multiple dose levels in heavily pre-treated NSCLC patients, characterized by 81% having received prior EGFR exon 20 targeted agents and 86% having CNS metastases at baseline.
At the potential RP2D of 75 mg QD, responses were observed in 2 of 3 EGFR exon 20 patients previously treated with amivantamab, including a confirmed complete response.
Responses were observed at multiple dose levels in HER2 exon 20 patients, including a confirmed partial response with 100% regression of all target lesions.
ORIC-114 demonstrated a favorable safety profile with mainly Grade 1 and 2 treatment related adverse events.
Presented preclinical data for ORIC-114 at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2023 demonstrating potent activity across atypical mutations in EGFR.
The Phase 1b trial of ORIC-114 is ongoing to determine the candidate RP2Ds for dose optimization and the selection of the final RP2D. Expansion cohorts will enroll patients with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations that are EGFR exon 20 inhibitor-naïve and that have been previously treated with amivantamab, as well as patients with HER2 exon 20 insertion mutations and atypical EGFR mutations. The company expects to report updated Phase 1b data in the first half of 2025.
ORIC-533: a highly potent, orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of CD73

Ongoing enrollment in a Phase 1b trial of ORIC-533 in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.
The company will report initial safety, PK/PD, and preliminary antitumor activity data at the 65th ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting taking place December 9-12, 2023, in San Diego, CA.
ORIC-944: a potent and selective allosteric inhibitor of PRC2

Ongoing enrollment in a Phase 1b trial of ORIC-944 in patients with advanced prostate cancer.
Expect to report initial safety, PK/PD, and preliminary antitumor activity data in the first quarter of 2024.
Third Quarter 2023 Financial Results

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments: Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $256.2 million as of September 30, 2023, which the company expects will be sufficient to fund its current operating plan into late 2025.
R&D Expenses: Research and development (R&D) expenses were $22.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $14.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $7.7 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, R&D expenses were $60.7 million, compared to $45.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $15.3 million. The increases were due to a net increase in external expenses related to the advancement of product candidates and discovery programs, as well as higher personnel costs.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $6.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $6.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $0.3 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, G&A expenses were $18.7 million, compared to $19.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease of $0.6 million. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in professional fees.

IPR&D Expenses: Acquired in-process research and development (IPR&D) expenses of $5.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, were due to a development milestone payment related to ORIC-114. There were no such expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.

OPKO Health Reports Third Quarter 2023 Business Highlights and Financial Results

On November 6, 2023 OPKO Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPK) reported business highlights and financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 (Press release, Opko Health, NOV 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234637041]).

Business highlights from the third quarter and subsequent weeks included the following:

ModeX Therapeutics Inc. (ModeX) was awarded a contract from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to develop novel multispecific antibodies against viral infectious disease threats. BARDA awarded a contract to ModeX to advance a platform and specific therapeutic candidates designed to address a range of public health threats in viral infectious diseases. The BARDA contract includes an initial $59 million award for the development, manufacturing and execution of a Phase 1 clinical trial for a next-generation MSTAR multispecific antibody with broad neutralizing activity against known variants of SARS-CoV-2. ModeX may be eligible to receive up to an additional $109 million from BARDA upon achieving milestones to develop multispecific antibodies targeting other viral pathogens, such as influenza.
ModeX advanced its antiviral and immune-oncology product pipeline. ModeX advanced its pipeline of antiviral and immune-oncology programs utilizing its next-generation multispecific antibodies. ModeX’s oncology programs are in the preclinical stage and at least one program is expected to enter the clinic in 2024. ModeX’s collaboration with Merck to develop MDX-2201, its vaccine for Epstein-Barr virus, is advancing. ModeX’s antiviral program is focused on developing multiple indications, including HIV, as well as other potential viral pathogens funded by BARDA.
NGENLA has now been approved in 48 markets including the U.S., Japan, EU Member States, Canada and Australia; sales are underway by Pfizer in over 23 countries including all priority global markets. NGENLA is the first once-weekly product approved for the treatment of pediatric growth hormone deficiency in Japan, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates and Brazil. OPKO is entitled to gross profit sharing in all global markets based on regional, tiered gross profit for both NGENLA and Genotropin. The U.S. region commenced gross profit sharing in August 2023.
New clinical data on RAYALDEE presented at Kidney Week 2023. OPKO Health presented late-breaking clinical data on RAYALDEE extended-release calcifediol in a poster presentation at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week. The data indicate that early, sustained and effective treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) with RAYALDEE is associated with significantly slower progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in pre-dialysis patients. Data presented in an additional poster demonstrated that effective control of SHPT was achieved with RAYALDEE in both randomized clinical trials and in a real-world clinical experience trial.
OPKO Biologics entered into a research collaboration agreement with Entera Bio Ltd. to develop oral peptide tablet formulations for obesity and intestinal malabsorption syndromes. Under the agreement, OPKO will supply its long-acting GLP-2 peptide and certain oxyntomodulin (OXM) analogs for the development of oral tablet formulations using Entera’s proprietary oral delivery technology. Treatment with glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analogs has been shown to improve the absorption of nutrients in patients with short bowel syndrome and to reduce parenteral support requirements. OXM is a naturally occurring peptide hormone found in the colon, with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucagon dual agonist activity that suppresses appetite and induces weight loss. OPKO has developed several proprietary, modified OXM analogs as potential candidates for treating obesity, including an injectable pegylated peptide that demonstrated significant reductions in weight loss and decreased plasma triglyceride levels in a 420-patient Phase 2b study.
BioReference Health continued executing its plan to improve operational efficiencies and enhance productivity, and is on track to return to profitability. BioReference continued to implement initiatives to reduce costs and rationalize its business in line with current testing volumes. Additionally, BioReference is focused on improving productivity and enhancing innovation of its higher-value specialty testing segments. Other efforts to return this business to profitability include expanding into new market segments, such as providing information for the pharmaceutical market.
Third Quarter Financial Results

Pharmaceuticals: Revenue from products in the third quarter of 2023 increased to $40.7 million from $32.4 million in the third quarter of 2022, driven by higher sales in OPKO’s international operating companies positively impacted by foreign currency exchange fluctuations of $2.9 million, and by an increase in sales of RAYALDEE to $7.3 million from $6.9 million in the prior-year period. Revenue from the transfer of intellectual property was $6.2 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared with $4.5 million in the 2022 period, which included revenue of $4.9 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of gross profit share for NGENLA in Europe and Japan and does not include an estimate from gross profit in the U.S. as our partner has not yet provided details post their launch in August 2023. Total costs and expenses were $72.3 million in the third quarter of 2023, up from $65.2 million in the prior-year period. The increase was mainly from the cost of revenue due to higher sales in OPKO’s international operating companies, higher inventory costs compared with the 2022 third quarter and unfavorable foreign currency exchange fluctuations of $2.2 million. Operating loss was $25.4 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared with $28.3 million in the third quarter of 2022.
Diagnostics: Revenue from services in the third quarter of 2023 was $131.7 million compared with $142.9 million in the prior-year period. Revenue decreased $10.0 million due to lower COVID-19 testing volume and reimbursement. Furthermore, clinical test reimbursement decreased by $6.6 million due to the mix of testing ordered, partially offset by a $5.4 million increase in clinical test volume. Total costs and expenses were $160.8 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared with $192.3 million in the third quarter of 2022, resulting in an operating loss of $29.1 million compared with an operating loss of $49.5 million in the 2022 period, an improvement of 41%. Operating loss improved primarily due to continued cost-reduction initiatives at BioReference as we strive to return to profitability.
Consolidated: Consolidated total revenues for the third quarter of 2023 were $178.6 million compared with $179.7 million for the comparable 2022 period. Operating loss for the third quarter of 2023 was $64.4 million compared with an operating loss of $87.8 million for the 2022 quarter. Net loss for the third quarter of 2023 included a mark-to-market adjustment of $8.3 million compared with $30.6 million in the 2022 period related to the decrease in the share price of GeneDx, resulting in a net loss of $84.5 million, or $0.11 per share, compared with a net loss of $86.1 million, or $0.11 per share, for the 2022 quarter.
Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents were $138.6 million as of September 30, 2023.
Conference Call and Webcast Information

OPKO’s senior management will provide a business update, discuss third quarter financial results, provide financial guidance and answer questions during a conference call and audio webcast today beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Participants are encouraged to pre-register for the conference call using this link. Callers who pre-register will receive a unique PIN to gain immediate access to the call and bypass the live operator. Participants may register at any time, including up to and after the call start time. Those unable to pre-register can participate by dialing 833-630-0584 (U.S.) or 412-317-1815 (International). A webcast of the call can also be accessed at OPKO’s Investor Relations page and here.

A telephone replay will be available until November 13, 2023 by dialing 877-344-7529 (U.S.) or 412-317-0088 (International) and providing the passcode 8299382. A webcast replay will be available beginning approximately one hour after the completion of the live conference call here.