Merck to Participate in the UBS Global Healthcare Conference

On November 6, 2024 Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, reported that Jannie Oosthuizen, president, Human Health U.S., and Dr. Joerg Koglin, senior vice president and head of general medicine, global clinical development, Merck Research Laboratories, are scheduled to participate in a fireside chat at the UBS Global Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. EST / 9:30 a.m. PST (Press release, Merck & Co, NOV 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234647822]).

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MaxCyte Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Updates Full Year 2024 Guidance

On November 6, 2024 MaxCyte, Inc. (NASDAQ: MXCT; LSE: MXCT), a leading, cell-engineering focused company providing enabling platform technologies to advance the discovery, development, and commercialization of next-generation cell therapeutics, reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, and updated its 2024 guidance (Press release, MaxCyte, NOV 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234647821]).

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Third Quarter and Recent Highlights

● Total revenue of $8.2 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 2% over the third quarter of 2023.
● Core business revenue of $8.1 million in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 23% over the third quarter of 2023.
● No material Strategic Platform License (SPL) Program-related revenue was recorded in the third quarter of 2024, consistent with the Company’s expectations which reflected $6.0 million in SPL program-related revenue received during the first two quarters of 2024.
● Six new SPL clients signed year-to-date. Kamau Therapeutics signed in September, Legend Biotech signed in May, Be Biopharma signed in March, and Wugen, Imugene, and Lion TCR signed in January. The total number of SPL partners now stands at 29.
● Total cash, cash equivalents and investments were $196.6 million as of September 30, 2024.
"I am pleased with MaxCyte’s financial performance in the third quarter, and confident in our outlook for the remainder of 2024. We believe our strong core revenue growth and increasing demand for our platform was driven by exceptional commercial execution, and the value proposition that MaxCyte holds within the cell therapy industry. Coming out of a difficult 2023, this year we have consistently delivered with three strong quarters of core revenue, along with disciplined operational execution allowing us to maintain our healthy cash balance sheet," said Maher Masoud, President and CEO at MaxCyte.

"So far in 2024, we have signed 6 new SPLs, which represents a record number of new SPL clients in a single year for MaxCyte. Our most recently signed SPL, Kamau Therapeutics, brings our total number of SPLs to 29. We are very excited by our customers’ progress on their programs and remain focused on providing them with the best support possible in their development efforts. As we expand our technology to more customers and programs, the ExPERT Platform supports a growing number of technologies requiring multiple edits and steps, as well as therapies in a range of new indications."

In addition to growing revenue, MaxCyte continues to prioritize its investments towards those that it believes will provide the best return on investment and long-term growth. The Company is also continuously evaluating and executing on opportunities to reduce its cost structure and improve operational focus and efficiency. As part of these efforts, the Company is considering the costs and benefits of maintaining dual listings on AIM and Nasdaq. A potential cancellation of the admission of its common stock from trading on AIM would allow the Company to concentrate its efforts exclusively on the NASDAQ exchange, where the vast majority of its trading volume now occurs. Concentrating trading on a single exchange is expected to improve liquidity and reduce the administrative costs associated with maintaining dual listings. The Board is contemplating requesting shareholder approval to implement this strategy at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, although no decision has been taken by the Board at this time in respect of any such cancellation from admission to trading on AIM. The Company anticipates that the 2025 Annual Meeting will be held between May and July 2025, subject to the filing of a proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Keros Therapeutics Reports Recent Business Highlights and Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

On November 6, 2024 Keros Therapeutics, Inc. ("Keros" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: KROS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics to treat a wide range of patients with disorders that are linked to dysfunctional signaling of the transforming growth factor-beta ("TGF-ß") family of proteins, reported a business update and announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 (Press release, Keros Therapeutics, NOV 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234647820]).

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"This continues to be a year of clinical execution for Keros. In the third quarter, we completed enrollment ahead of schedule in our Phase 2 TROPOS trial of cibotercept (KER-012) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension," said Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D., Chair and Chief Executive Officer. "This has set the stage for upcoming clinical data updates from our three clinical assets, which are expected over the next nine months."

Recent Corporate Highlights

•Executive leadership update: In October 2024, the Company announced that Yung H. Chyung, M.D., has been appointed to serve as the Company’s Chief Medical Officer, effective as of November 1, 2024.
•Cash position strengthened: The Company has utilized its existing at-the-market offering ("ATM") to sell additional shares of common stock, which strengthened its cash position. The Company expects that its cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2024, together with the net proceeds from the ATM through October 31, 2024, will enable the Company to fund its planned operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the third quarter of 2027.

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Keros reported a net loss of $53.0 million in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to a net loss of $39.4 million in the third quarter of 2023. The increase of $13.5 million for the third quarter was largely due to increased research and development efforts as well as additional investments to support the achievement of Keros’ clinical and corporate goals.

Research and development expenses were $49.2 million for the third quarter of 2024 as compared to $34.1 million for the same period in 2023. The increase of $15.1 million was primarily due to additional research and development efforts, manufacturing activities and personnel expenses to support the advancement of Keros’ pipeline.

General and administrative expenses were $9.8 million for the third quarter of 2024 as compared to $9.1 million for the same period in 2023. The increase of $0.7 million was primarily due to increase in personnel expenses and other external expenses to support Keros’ organizational growth.

Keros’ cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2024 was $530.7 million compared to $331.1 million as of December 31, 2023. Keros expects that its cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2024, together with the net proceeds from the ATM through October 31, 2024, will enable Keros to fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the third quarter of 2027.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals Announces Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

On November 6, 2024 Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) reported financial results for the third quarter of 2024 and updated guidance for 2024 (Press release, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, NOV 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234647819]).

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"Jazz once again delivered record revenues of more than $1.05 billion and a 14% year-over-year increase in revenue from our key growth drivers combined. We continue to see robust patient demand for Xywav with approximately 400 net patient additions in the third quarter, supported by physician and patient appreciation of a low-sodium treatment option. Strong sleep1 performance coupled with continued Epidiolex performance gives us confidence in maintaining our total revenue guidance of $4.0 to $4.1 billion for 2024," said Bruce Cozadd, chairman and chief executive officer, Jazz Pharmaceuticals. "We’re preparing for the anticipated launch of zanidatamab in the fourth quarter in 2L BTC, where there remains a high unmet medical need. We expect to provide the first chemotherapy-free dual HER2-targeted bispecific antibody indicated for BTC as well as an opportunity for HCPs to gain important experience ahead of future indications. In addition, results from the Phase 3 IMforte trial were highly encouraging, and we plan to submit an sNDA for Zepzelca in the first half of 2025 to support expansion into the 1L maintenance setting in ES-SCLC."

Key Highlights

•Key growth drivers grew 14% combined year-over-year.
•Combination of Zepzelca and atezolizumab demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in OS and PFS primary endpoints, demonstrating the potential of the regimen to delay disease progression in ES-SCLC and extend survival for patients.
•Zanidatamab:
◦PDUFA date of November 29; expect 2L BTC commercial launch in 4Q24, following approval.
◦Top-line PFS data from zanidatamab in Phase 3 1L GEA estimated to be 2Q25.
◦Initiated a Phase 2 pan-tumor trial to evaluate HER2-positive solid tumors.
•2024 Financial Guidance:
◦Affirming 2024 total revenue guidance of $4.0 to $4.1 billion.
◦Affirming neuroscience revenue guidance of $2.825 to $2.925 billion.
◦Lowering oncology revenue guidance to $1.08 to $1.13 billion.
◦Lowering GAAP R&D expense guidance to $862 to $908 million and non-GAAP R&D expense guidance to $790 to $830 million,2 primarily driven by strategic pipeline prioritization.
◦Raising GAAP EPS guidance range to $6.70 to $8.50 and non-GAAP EPS guidance range to $19.50 to $20.60.

Business Updates

Commercial Updates
Xywav (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxybates) oral solution:
•Xywav net product sales were $388.5 million in 3Q24, an increase of 17% compared to the same period in 2023.
•There were approximately 400 net patient adds for a total of approximately 13,625 active Xywav patients exiting 3Q24 comprised of:
◦Approximately 10,075 narcolepsy patients.
◦Approximately 3,550 idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) patients, with 250 net patient adds.
•As the only low-sodium oxybate and the only therapy approved to treat IH, expect Xywav to remain the oxybate of choice.
•Presented top-line results from the Phase 4 DUET (Develop hypersomnia Understanding by Evaluating low-sodium oxybate Treatment) trial at the Psych Congress 2024, which demonstrated efficacy and safety consistent with narcolepsy and IH Phase 3 data. The prospective trial assesses the effect of Xywav treatment on excessive daytime sleepiness, polysomnography parameters and functional outcomes in adults with narcolepsy or IH.

Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution and high-sodium oxybate authorized generic (AG) royalties:
•Xyrem net product sales were $58.1 million in 3Q24, a decrease of 54% compared to the same period in 2023.
•Royalties from high-sodium oxybate AGs were $58.2 million in 3Q24, an increase of $29.2 million compared to the same period in 2023.

Epidiolex/Epidyolex (cannabidiol):
•Epidiolex/Epidyolex net product sales were $251.6 million in 3Q24, an increase of 18% compared to the same period in 2023.
•Outside of the U.S., Epidyolex is approved in more than 35 countries.
•Presented data at the European Epilepsy Congress 2024 demonstrating clinically meaningful reductions in drop seizures in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and subgroup analyses from the BECOME Caregiver Survey showing most caregivers reported patient improvements in seizure and non-seizure outcomes.
•Ongoing data generation of the seizure and non-seizure benefits of Epidiolex, including from the EpiCom study in tuberous sclerosis complex, to be presented at American Epilepsy Society 2024.

Rylaze/Enrylaze (asparaginase erwinia chrysanthemi (recombinant)-rywn):
•Rylaze/Enrylaze net product sales were $98.8 million in 3Q24, a decrease of 6% compared to the same period in 2023.
•There is a temporary impact to Rylaze revenue due to a recent update to pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) protocols regarding timing of asparaginase administration. The Company does not expect this impact will affect ongoing demand and expects revenue will normalize by early 2025.

Zepzelca (lurbinectedin):
•Zepzelca net product sales were $85.8 million in 3Q24, an increase of 10% compared to the same period in 2023.
•The Company announced statistically significant and clinically meaningful overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) results from the Phase 3 clinical trial, conducted in partnership with Roche, evaluating Zepzelca in combination with Tecentriq (atezolizumab) in first-line (1L) extensive-stage (ES) small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Based on positive results from the trial, the Company plans to submit a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Zepzelca in 1L ES-SCLC in the first half of 2025.

Key Pipeline Highlights
Zanidatamab:
•In 2Q24, the U.S. FDA accepted and granted Priority Review of the Biologics License Application for zanidatamab with a target action date of November 29, 2024. If approved, zanidatamab would be the first HER2-targeted treatment specifically approved for biliary tract cancer (BTC) in the U.S. A confirmatory trial in 1L metastatic BTC is ongoing.
•The pivotal HERIZON-GEA-01 trial, evaluating zanidatamab in 1L gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA), is expected to read out in 2Q25.
•Data presented at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2024 demonstrated sustained clinical antitumor activity in HER2-positive metastatic GEA. Updated results from the Phase 2 trial included a confirmed objective response rate of 84%, duration of response of 18.7 months, median PFS of 15.2 months and a Kaplan-Meier–estimated OS of 59% at 30 months.
•The Phase 3 EmpowHER-BC-303 trial to evaluate zanidatamab plus chemotherapy or trastuzumab plus chemotherapy in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer whose disease has progressed on previous trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) treatment is enrolling patients.
•The Company initiated a Phase 2 DiscovHER-Pan-206 pan-tumor trial in HER2-positive solid tumors.

Senior Notes Offering and Concurrent Share Repurchases
In the third quarter of 2024, the Company completed a private placement of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.125% exchangeable senior notes due 2030, or 2030 Notes. The Company intends to use a portion of the proceeds from the private placement to make a payment on the Term Loan B following the mid-January 2025 expiration of the 1% prepayment premium period in place after the recent repricing. Concurrently with this transaction, the Company repurchased approximately $150.0 million of its ordinary shares. The Company paid for such repurchases with existing cash on hand, and such share repurchases were effected as part of the Company’s share repurchase program announced in July 2024.

Financial Highlights
Three Months Ended
September 30, Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts) 2024 2023 2024 2023
Total revenues $ 1,054,969 $ 972,140 $ 2,980,777 $ 2,822,269
GAAP net income $ 215,055 $ 146,820 $ 369,005 $ 320,678
Non-GAAP adjusted net income $ 416,924 $ 340,148 $ 963,866 $ 950,538
GAAP earnings per share $ 3.42 $ 2.14 $ 5.63 $ 4.67
Non-GAAP adjusted EPS $ 6.61 $ 4.84 $ 14.42 $ 13.29

GAAP net income for 3Q24 was $215.1 million, or $3.42 per diluted share, compared to $146.8 million, or $2.14 per diluted share, for 3Q23.
Non-GAAP adjusted net income for 3Q24 was $416.9 million, or $6.61 per diluted share, compared to $340.1 million, or $4.84 per diluted share, for 3Q23.
Reconciliations of applicable GAAP reported to non-GAAP adjusted information are included at the end of this press release.
Total Revenues
Three Months Ended
September 30, Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(In thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023
Xywav $ 388,466 $ 331,633 $ 1,072,238 $ 935,958
Xyrem 58,114 125,110 184,526 463,009
Epidiolex/Epidyolex 251,558 213,711 697,376 604,846
Sativex 4,586 4,627 13,704 14,531
Total Neuroscience 702,724 675,081 1,967,844 2,018,344
Rylaze/Enrylaze 98,780 104,859 309,359 292,479
Zepzelca 85,843 77,994 241,990 215,523
Defitelio/defibrotide 65,818 47,730 158,915 132,917
Vyxeos 34,313 29,827 109,348 100,583
Total Oncology 284,754 260,410 819,612 741,502
Other 2,229 2,907 8,497 9,758
Product sales, net 989,707 938,398 2,795,953 2,769,604
High-sodium oxybate AG royalty revenue 58,157 28,921 162,268 36,531
Other royalty and contract revenues 7,105 4,821 22,556 16,134
Total revenues $ 1,054,969 $ 972,140 $ 2,980,777 $ 2,822,269

Total revenues increased 9% in 3Q24 compared to the same period in 2023.
Total neuroscience revenue, including high-sodium oxybate AG royalty revenue, was $760.9 million in 3Q24, an increase of 8% compared to $704.0 million in 3Q23, primarily due to increased Xywav and Epidiolex/Epidyolex net product sales and increased high-sodium oxybate AG royalty revenue partially offset by decreased Xyrem revenues.
Oncology net product sales were $284.8 million in 3Q24, an increase of 9% compared to the same period in 2023, and included higher net product sales from Defitelio/defibrotide which increased 38% to $65.8 million primarily due to timing of orders and Zepzelca which increased 10% to $85.8 million. In 3Q24, Rylaze net product sales were negatively affected by a recent update to pediatric ALL protocols regarding timing of asparaginase administration.

Janux Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Business Highlights

On November 6, 2024 Janux Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: JANX) (Janux), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a broad pipeline of novel immunotherapies by applying its proprietary technology to its Tumor Activated T Cell Engager (TRACTr) and Tumor Activated Immunomodulator (TRACIr) platforms, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, and provided a business update (Press release, Janux Therapeutics, NOV 6, 2024, View Source [SID1234647818]).

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"Our efforts remain focused on enrolling participants in the PSMA-TRACTr (JANX007) and EGFR-TRACTr (JANX008) clinical trials, and we are encouraged by our continued progress," said David Campbell, Ph.D., President and CEO of Janux Therapeutics. "We look forward to providing an update on our JANX007 program by year end."

RECENT BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS AND FUTURE MILESTONES:


The company continues to enroll patients in the first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trials of JANX007 in mCRPC (NCT05519449) and JANX008 in advanced or metastatic solid tumors (NCT05783622). Janux anticipates providing an update on JANX007 data and doses selected for expansion cohorts in 2024. An update on JANX008 data is expected in 2025.

THIRD QUARTER 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS:


Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments: As of September 30, 2024, Janux reported cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $658.0 million compared to $344.0 million at December 31, 2023.


Research and development expenses: Research and development expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, were $18.6 million compared to $11.9 million for the comparable period in 2023.


General and administrative expenses: General and administrative expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, were $17.7 million compared to $6.4 million for the comparable period in 2023. With respect to the quarter ended September 30, 2024, $9.5 million of the general and administrative expense incurred was due to stock-based compensation expense associated with equity modifications.


Net loss: For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, Janux reported a net loss of $28.1 million compared to a net loss of $11.6 million for the comparable period in 2023.

Janux’s TRACTr and TRACIr Pipeline

Janux’s first clinical candidate, JANX007, is a TRACTr that targets PSMA and is being investigated in a Phase 1 clinical trial in adult subjects with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Janux’s second clinical candidate, JANX008, is a TRACTr that targets EGFR and is being studied in a Phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of multiple solid cancers including colorectal carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, small cell lung cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and triple-negative breast cancer. We are also generating a number of additional TRACTr and TRACIr programs for potential future development, some of which are at development candidate stage or later. We are currently assessing priorities in our preclinical pipeline.