Black Diamond Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

On May 11, 2022 Black Diamond Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BDTX), a precision oncology medicine company pioneering the discovery and development of MasterKey therapies, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 and provided a corporate update (Press release, Black Diamond Therapeutics, MAY 11, 2022, View Source [SID1234614260]).

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"We continue to build a pipeline of novel MasterKey therapies with our product candidates, including BDTX-1535 and BDTX-4933, and we are focused on delivering development candidates generated from our MAP drug discovery engine as we work to address major unmet needs of oncology patients. With our recently announced pipeline prioritization and realignment of resources to strengthen our financial position, we believe Black Diamond is well-positioned for strong execution across our upcoming clinical and preclinical milestones into the third quarter of 2024," said David Epstein, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Black Diamond Therapeutics. "We are incredibly pleased with the pace at which our BDTX-1535 Phase 1 study has been advancing with the recently announced first patient dosed. This next generation brain-penetrant inhibitor of oncogenic EGFR represents a unique opportunity to potentially address existing gaps in the treatment landscape for patients with EGFR mutant NSCLC and GBM and we look forward to providing a clinical update for the program in 2023."

Recent Developments

BDTX-1535:

BDTX-1535 is designed as a potent, selective, irreversible and brain-penetrant MasterKey inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations expressed in GBM and of intrinsic and acquired resistance EGFR mutations to third generation EGFR inhibitors in NSCLC.
In April 2022, the first patient was dosed in the Phase 1, global study of BDTX-1535.
The Company expects to provide a clinical update on BDTX-1535 in 2023.
BDTX-4933:

BDTX-4933 is a brain-penetrant BRAF inhibitor against families of Class I, II, III canonical and non-canonical mutations being developed for the treatment of patients with or without brain tumors. BDTX-4933 is designed to be highly selective and potent, with the ability to avoid paradoxical activation.
Black Diamond initiated investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies in the first quarter of 2022 and expects to submit an IND application for BDTX-4933 with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the first half of 2023.
Discovery-Stage Pipeline:

Black Diamond continues to leverage its Mutation-Allostery-Pharmacology, or MAP, drug discovery engine to advance its discovery-stage pipeline and anticipates progressing its fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) program towards a development candidate nomination in 2022, in addition to disclosing a development candidate against a new target in 2023.
Corporate:

In April 2022, Black Diamond announced plans to realign its resources to prioritize research and development programs for BDTX-1535, BDTX-4933 and discovery efforts, and decided to discontinue the development of BDTX-189 and reduce its workforce by approximately 30% to extend its cash runway into the third quarter of 2024.
In March 2022, Black Diamond appointed Wendy L. Dixon, Ph.D. to its Board of Directors, who joined the Board with over 40 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience, including service as a member of the board of several publicly traded biopharmaceutical companies.
In February 2022, Black Diamond appointed Elizabeth Montgomery as its Chief People Officer, who joined the Company with nearly 20 years of expertise and experience in developing strong corporate culture at a number of life sciences organizations.
Financial Highlights

Cash Position: Black Diamond ended the first quarter of 2022 with approximately $179.7 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments compared to $209.8 million as of December 31, 2021. Net cash used in operations was $28.6 million for the first quarter of 2022 compared to $100.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Research and Development Expenses: Research and development (R&D) expenses were $17.8 million for the first quarter of 2022 compared to $22.8 million for the first quarter of 2021. The decrease in R&D expenses was primarily due to reduced activities on the BDTX-189 program and reduced spending on early discovery projects.
General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $7.9 million for the first quarter of both 2022 and 2021.
Net Loss: Net loss for the first quarter of 2022 was $25.5 million, as compared to $30.3 million for the same period in 2021.
Financial Guidance

Following the Company’s pipeline prioritization and workforce realignment announcement in April 2022, Black Diamond has extended its cash runway which is expected to be sufficient to fund its anticipated operating expenses and expenditure requirements into the third quarter of 2024.

TRACON Pharmaceuticals Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

On May 11, 2022 TRACON Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:TCON), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel targeted cancer therapeutics and utilizing a cost efficient, CRO-independent product development platform to partner with companies to develop and commercialize innovative products in the U.S., reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 (Press release, Tracon Pharmaceuticals, MAY 11, 2022, View Source [SID1234614259]). The Company will host a conference call and webcast today at 4:30 PM Eastern Time / 1:30 PM Pacific Time.

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"We are pleased with the pace of enrollment under the amended ENVASARC protocol and remain on track to deliver interim efficacy data in the second half of this year," said Charles Theuer, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of TRACON. "Additionally, with the arbitration hearing now completed we look forward to the outcome of the binding arbitration for the TJ4309 and Bispecific Antibody agreements during the second half of this year. We also continue preparations to initiate dosing of the Phase 1/2 clinical trial of envafolimab with our potential best-in-class CTLA-4 antibody, YH001, as well as doxorubicin chemotherapy in the second half of 2022."

Recent Corporate Highlights

In March, we announced the amended ENVASARC protocol using a higher dose of envafolimab was approved by the FDA.

In April, we announced the amended ENVASARC protocol was approved by internal review boards or ethic committees at each of the 30 clinical sites in the U.S. and U.K. and that all sites were open for enrolment, with more than 10 patients enrolled.
Expected Key Upcoming Milestones

Two interim safety reviews and the interim efficacy data review by the ENVASARC Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) in the second half of 2022.

Initiate dosing of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of envafolimab with our potential best in class CTLA-4 antibody YH001 as well as with doxorubicin chemotherapy in the second half of 2022.

Report the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Arbitration Panel’s binding decisions on the legal disputes involving the TJ4309 and bispecific antibody agreements with I-Mab this year.

Complete the TJ4309 Phase 1 trial permitting I-Mab the opportunity to terminate the license for $9M this year.

Initiate dosing of a randomized Phase 2 trial of TRC102 in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer sponsored and funded by the National Cancer Institute this year.
First Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $16.6 million at March 31, 2022, compared to $24.1 million at December 31, 2021. The Company expects that its current cash and cash equivalents will fund operations into 2023.

Research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2022 were $3.0 million, compared to $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2021.

General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2022 were $6.5 million, compared to $2.7 million for the first quarter of 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to legal expenses incurred due to the arbitration hearing held in February 2022 with I-Mab related to the TJ4309 and bispecific antibody agreements, and the Company expects general and administrative expenses to decrease significantly for the remainder of the year.

Net loss for the first quarter of 2022 was $9.5 million, compared to $5.1 million for the first quarter of 2021.
Conference Call Details

A live webcast of the conference call will be available online from the Investor/Events and Presentation page of the Company’s website at www.traconpharma.com.

After the live webcast, a replay will remain available on TRACON’s website for 60 days.

About Envafolimab

Envafolimab (KN035), a single-domain antibody against PD-L1 invented by Alphamab Oncology, is the first approved subcutaneously injected PD-(L)1 inhibitor. Envafolimab was approved by the Chinese NMPA in November 2021 in adult patients with MSI-H/dMMR advanced solid tumors who failed systemic treatment and have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. In December 2019, Alphamab Oncology, 3D Medicines and TRACON entered into a collaboration whereby TRACON has the right to develop and commercialize envafolimab in soft tissue sarcoma in North America. Envafolimab is currently being studied in the pivotal ENVASARC Phase 2 trial in the United States sponsored by TRACON and a Phase 3 pivotal trial in combination with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in advanced biliary tract cancer patients in China sponsored by TRACON’s corporate partners, Alphamab Oncology and 3D Medicines.

About ENVASARC (NCT04480502)

The ENVASARC pivotal trial is a multicenter, open label, randomized, non-comparative, parallel cohort study at 30 top cancer centers in the United States and the United Kingdom that began dosing in December 2020. TRACON expects the trial to enroll more than 160 patients with UPS or MFS who have progressed following one or two lines of prior treatment and have not received an immune checkpoint inhibitor, with 80 patients enrolled into a cohort of treatment with single agent envafolimab at 600 mg every three weeks and 80 patients enrolled into a cohort of treatment with envafolimab at 600 mg every three weeks with Yervoy. The primary endpoint is objective response rate by central review with duration of response a key secondary endpoint.

About YH001

YH001 is an IgG1 antibody against CTLA-4 that has shown enhanced antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) in vitro. In preclinical studies YH001 demonstrated superior T cell activation and superior tumor growth inhibition activity compared to ipilimumab. YH001 also demonstrated superior activity compared to ipilimumab in human transgenic mouse tumor models when combined with a PD-(L)1 antibody. In these models, single agent YH001 depleted regulatory T cells and increased CD8+ T cells in tumor tissue. YH001 is being dosed as a single agent in a Phase 1 trial in China (NCT04699929) and in combination with the PD-1 antibody toripalimab in a Phase 1 trial in Australia (NCT04357756).

About TRC102

TRC102 (methoxyamine) is a novel, small molecule inhibitor of the DNA base excision repair pathway, which is a pathway that causes resistance to alkylating and antimetabolite chemotherapeutics. TRC102 is currently being studied in multiple Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) and has orphan drug designation from the FDA in malignant glioma, including glioblastoma.

About TJ004309

TJ004309 is a novel, humanized antibody against CD73, an ecto-enzyme expressed on stromal cells and tumors that converts extracellular adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to adenosine, which is highly immunosuppressive. TJ004309 is currently being studied in an ongoing Phase 1 trial to assess safety and preliminary efficacy as a single agent and when combined with the PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor Tecentriq in patients with advanced solid tumors.

IceCure Medical to Report Q1 2022 Results and Conduct Conference Call May 18, 2022

On May 11, 2022 IceCure Medical Ltd. (NASDAQ: ICCM) (TASE: ICCM) ("IceCure" or the "Company"), developer of minimally-invasive cryoablation technology, the ProSense System, that destroys tumors by freezing as an alternative to surgical tumor removal ("ProSense"), reported it will report its business and financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 with a press release issued at 7:00 am ET (Press release, IceCure Medical, MAY 11, 2022, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/icecure-medical-to-report-q1-2022-results-and-conduct-conference-call-may-18-2022-301545359.html [SID1234614249]). IceCure’s management team, joined by Dr. Richard Fine, will host a conference call that morning at 8:30 am ET.

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Dr. Richard E. Fine, MD, past President of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, an ICE3 trial investigator, Program Director of the Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship, and Director of Research and Education at the West Comprehensive Breast Center in Germantown, Tennessee, will be on the call to discuss ProSense as a potential treatment for early stage breast cancer and will be available for Q&A with investors.

Viracta Therapeutics to Present at Upcoming May Investor Conferences

On May 11, 2022 Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIRX), a precision oncology company targeting virus-associated malignancies, reported that company management will present and participate in one-on-one meetings at the following investor conferences in May (Press release, Viracta Therapeutics, MAY 11, 2022, View Source [SID1234614248]):

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

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RBC Capital Markets 2022 Global Healthcare Conference
Presentation Date: May 18, 2022
Presentation Time: 9:00 a.m. EDT
Format: Fireside chat

H.C. Wainwright Global Investment Conference
Presentation Date: May 24, 2022
Presentation Time: 11:30 a.m. EDT
Format: Fireside chat

A live webcast of each presentation will be available on the Investors section of the Viracta website under "Events and Webcasts" at View Source The webcasts will be archived for 30 days.

Fusion Pharmaceuticals to Present at the Guggenheim Securities Radiopharmaceuticals Day

On May 11, 2022 Fusion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: FUSN), a clinical-stage oncology company focused on developing next-generation radiopharmaceuticals as precision medicines, reported that the Company will participate in a fireside chat at the Guggenheim Securities Radiopharmaceuticals Day in New York, New York on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Presenting on behalf of Fusion will be Chief Executive Officer John Valliant, Ph.D (Press release, Fusion Pharmaceuticals, MAY 11, 2022, View Source [SID1234614247]).

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

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A live webcast of the event will be available on the "Events and Presentations" page in the "Investors & Media" section of the Company’s website at View Source A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Company’s website for 60 days following the presentation.