On May 10, 2022 Athenex, Inc., (NASDAQ: ATNX), a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies for the treatment of cancer and related conditions, reported a corporate and financial update for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 (Press release, Athenex, MAY 10, 2022, View Source [SID1234614091]).
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"Our focus for 2022 continues to be on transforming Athenex into a robust, well-positioned cell therapy company with a solid balance sheet. We are proud of the progress we have made since announcing our strategic pivot and remain committed to delivering on cutting operating expenses and executing on additional monetization of noncore assets," said Johnson Lau, Chief Executive Officer of Athenex. "Our cell therapy programs continue to generate exciting data, which we are looking forward to presenting throughout the year. We believe our NKT cell therapy platform will be the main driver of future growth and will position us to be a differentiated leader in cell therapy space. Our corporate initiatives continue to set us up for successful value creation and allow us to further execute on our ultimate mission of bringing innovative treatments to cancer patients."
Corporate Developments
Business Updates
Lowered operating expenses in the first quarter of 2022 by 34% versus the prior year period, with additional cost-cutting underway
APD/APS division delivered four new product launches and generated 42% growth in product revenues during the first quarter of 2022 versus the prior year period
Plan to monetize non-core assets to support development of cell therapy pipeline
Key Anticipated Milestones
Oral presentation of interim analysis of Phase 1 GINAKIT2 study of KUR-501, our autologous GD2 CAR NKT program in pediatric relapsed/refractory high-risk neuroblastoma, at the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) annual meeting on May 16, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. ET
Online presentation of KUR-503 preclinical data, our allogeneic GPC3 CAR-NKT cell program in liver cancer, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) on June 3-7, 2022
Multi-center expansion of CD19 CAR-NKT ANCHOR study of KUR-502 permitted under the newly allowed IND
Data update from ANCHOR study evaluating allogeneic CD19 CAR NKT therapy KUR-502 at American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) expected in December 2022
Regulatory interactions with MHRA for Oral Paclitaxel in advanced breast cancer in UK
Phase 2 data from I-SPY 2 trial of Oral Paclitaxel in combination with dostarlimab in neoadjuvant breast cancer expected in 2H 2022
IND filing for KUR-503, our allogeneic CAR-NKT program in liver cancer planned in 2023
First Quarter 2022 and Recent Business Highlights
Clinical Programs
Cell Therapy
Presented interim analysis from ANCHOR study of KUR-502 at the American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT). Reported 60% ORR and 6-month CR rate of 40% in five patients of the NHL cohort, including 1 ongoing CR at 34 weeks. Allogeneic CD19 CAR-NKT cells well tolerated with no cases of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in the NHL cohort, no immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) and no graft versus host disease (GvHD)
Upcoming presentation of abstract from interim analysis of Phase 1 GINAKIT2 study of KUR-501, an autologous GD2 CAR-NKT cell therapy for relapsed/refractory high risk neuroblastoma at ASGCT (Free ASGCT Whitepaper). Data presented shows dose response at low doses of 1×108 cells/m2, including a durable complete response persisting 12 months. Analysis of results found that response correlates with CD62L+ NKT frequency as well as CAR-NKT area under the curve (AUC). Treatment remains well-tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicity, no ICANS, and one case of grade 2 CRS.
Commercial Update
Klisyri (tirbanibulin)
Commercial partner Almirall reported 3.6% market share in the U.S.
Klisyri was granted Medicare coverage and now has 40% coverage
Uptake remains strong in German market, and pre-launch activities in place to support the continued rollout in Europe
American Academy of Dermatology guidelines for the management of actinic keratosis included Klisyri receiving the strongest recommendation
Specialty Pharmaceutical Business
Athenex Pharmaceutical Division (APD) currently markets a total of 29 products with 54 SKUs.
Athenex Pharma Solutions (APS) currently markets 6 products with 16 SKUs
First Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights
Revenues from product sales increased to $29.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, from $20.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, an increase of $8.6 million or 42%. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in APD specialty product sales, which increased by $9.5 million as the result of increases in shortage product sales and product launches during 2022.
License fees and other revenue for three months ended March 31, 2022 was $0.8 million, compared to $20.7 million for the same period in 2021, a decrease of $19.9 million. This decrease was primarily due to the recognition of $20.0 million of license revenue pursuant to the 2017 Almirall License Agreement upon the launch of Klisyri in the U.S. during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2022 totaled $23.3 million, an increase of $6.9 million, or 42%, as compared to $16.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase in our cost of specialty product sales was primarily due to an increase in cost of APD and 503B product sales, of $5.7 million and $2.5 million, respectively. These were partially offset by a $1.3 million decrease in cost of API product sales.
R&D expenses totaled $14.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, a decrease of $9.1 million, or 39%, as compared to $23.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in Oral Paclitaxel product development and medical affairs costs, costs of clinical and regulatory operations, and costs of preclinical operations.
SG&A expenses totaled $14.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, a decrease of 28% as compared to $20.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to a $6.7 million decrease of costs for preparing to commercialize Oral Paclitaxel as significant pre-launch activities occurred in 2020, partially offset by a $1.3 million increase in operating costs.
Interest income and interest expense totaled $0.1 million and $4.5 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Interest income and interest expense for three months ended March 31, 2021 totaled less than $0.1 million and $4.9 million, respectively. Interest expense in both periods was incurred from the Senior Credit Agreement with Oaktree.
Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 amounted to less than $0.1 million, compared to $0.2 million for the same period in 2021. We did not record a provision for U.S. federal income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2022, because we expect to generate a loss for the year ending December 31, 2022.
Net loss attributable to Athenex for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $17.4 million, or ($0.16) per diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $25.1 million, or ($0.27) per diluted share, for the same period in 2021.
For further details on the Company’s financial results, including the results for the three months ended March 31, 2022, refer to the Form 10Q filed with the SEC.
2022 Financial Guidance
Athenex now expects product sales growth to be in the range of 20-25% over the prior year period, versus the prior range of 15-20% growth, year-over-year, due to the strong performance of Athenex’s APD/APS division, earlier than expected NY State license, and the robust pipeline of launches planned for the remainder of 2022.
Cash Conservation Update
As of March 31, 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $27.2 million, restricted cash of $13.8 million, and short-term investments of $10.2 million, for a total of $51.2 million. The Company is implementing cost savings programs and monetizing non-core assets, and as the Company completes such activities, the Company plans to extend its cash runway into next year.
Conference Call and Webcast Information
Athenex will host a conference call and live audio webcast today, Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the financial results and provide a business update.
To participate in the call, dial either the domestic or international number fifteen minutes before the conference call begins:
The live conference call and replay can also be accessed via audio webcast here and on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website under "Events and Presentations", located at View Source