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CytomX Therapeutics Announces Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

On November 4, 2021 CytomX Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTMX), a leader in the field of conditionally activated therapeutics, reported third quarter 2021 financial results and provided a business update (Press release, CytomX Therapeutics, NOV 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234594431]).

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"With intense focus on execution, the CytomX team made significant progress with clinical site initiation and patient enrollment during the past quarter. As a result, we remain on track to announce initial data by year end from our ongoing Phase 2 expansion study evaluating CX-2029 in defined cancer types," said Sean McCarthy, D.Phil., president, chief executive officer and chairman of CytomX Therapeutics. "We also remain on track for initial data from the praluzatamab ravtansine Phase 2 breast cancer clinical program in 2022. In addition, we are expanding the reach of our versatile platform with anticipated fourth quarter IND filing for our first conditionally activated T-cell bispecific antibody, CX-904, and with the presentation at SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) 2021 of our emerging drug discovery work in the field of conditional cytokines," added Dr. McCarthy.

Third Quarter Business Highlights and Recent Developments

Clinical site activation and patient enrollment for the ongoing Phase 2 study of CytomX’s wholly owned conditional antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), praluzatamab ravtansine (CX-2009), made substantial progress, including opening additional sites in U.S., Europe, and Asia, as well as partnering with patient advocacy groups to encourage enrollment from underrepresented populations. Praluzatamab ravtansine is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 study as monotherapy in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-non-amplified breast cancer and, in combination with pacmilimab (CX-072), in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Initial data from this study is on track for 2022.
Patient enrollment into the expansion cohorts continued for the Phase 2 study of CX-2029, evaluating the CD71-directed conditionally activated ADC co-developed by CytomX and AbbVie in four cancer indications: squamous non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, esophageal and gastro-esophageal junction cancers, and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Initial data from this study is on track for the fourth quarter of 2021.
BMS-986249, a Probody version of ipilimumab, continued to be studied by Bristol Myers Squibb, CytomX’s collaboration partner, in combination with nivolumab, the anti-PD-1 antibody, across four different advanced malignancies: melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, castration-resistant prostate cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer. Bristol Myers Squibb is also evaluating BMS-986288, a Probody version of non-fucosylated ipilimumab, as monotherapy or in combination with nivolumab, in a Phase 1 study.
CytomX expects to submit an investigational new drug application for CX-904 to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in late 2021. CX-904 is a conditionally activated T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody candidate against the epidermal growth factor receptor on tumor cells and CD3 on T cells and is partnered with Amgen.
A CytomX abstract highlighting company progress in the field of conditionally active cytokines has been accepted for poster presentation at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 36th Annual Meeting (SITC 2021), which will be held from November 12-14, 2021 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC. This presentation will detail the preclinical characterization and improved therapeutic index of a masked interferon alpha-2b (IFN-a2b) leveraging CytomX proprietary conditional activation technologies.
CytomX published a preclinical study in Cancer Immunology Research showing that systemic administration of conditionally activated anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (anti-PD-L1) and anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) antibodies to tumor-bearing mice elicited antitumor activity similar to that of traditional PD-1/PD-L1-targeted antibodies, but with reduced systemic immune-mediated toxicity. These data provide further preclinical rationale to support the ongoing development of pacmilimab (CX-072), currently in a Phase 2 study in combination with praluzatamab ravtansine in patients with TNBC. The preclinical article can be accessed at View Source
CytomX appointed Alan Ashworth, Ph.D., FRS, a world-renowned expert in cancer research and a global leader in cancer therapy development, to its board of directors.
Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments totaled $336 million as of September 30, 2021, compared to $316 million as of December 31, 2020.

Revenue was $18 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, relatively flat when compared to the corresponding period in 2020.

Research and development expenses increased $5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021 to $29 million compared to the corresponding period in 2020. The increase was driven mainly by personnel, clinical trial, and consulting and contract service expenses primarily related to praluzatamab ravtansine and CX-2029.

General and administrative expenses increased $2.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021 to $11 million compared to the corresponding period in 2020. The increase was attributable to personnel related and recruiting expenses as well as professional services.

Conference Call & Webcast
CytomX management will host a conference call and a simultaneous webcast today at 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT) to discuss the financial results and provide a business update. To join the conference call, please dial (877) 809-6037 (domestic) or (615) 247-0221 (international) and reference the conference ID 3886792. A live webcast of the call can be accessed at the Events and Presentations page of CytomX’s website at View Source An archived replay of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website until November 11, 2021.

Cardinal Health Board of Directors Approves Quarterly Dividend

On November 4, 2021 Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) reported that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.4908 per share (Press release, Cardinal Health, NOV 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234594430]). The dividend will be payable on January 15, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 3, 2022.

Aprea Therapeutics to Present Data from Clinical Trials Evaluating Eprenetapopt at 63rd American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting

On November 4, 2021 Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: APRE), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel cancer therapeutics that reactivate mutant tumor suppressor protein p53, reported that investigators will present data from clinical trials evaluating eprenetapopt at the 63rd American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) (Press release, Aprea, NOV 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234594429]).

Oral presentations are as follows:

Title: Long-Term Follow-up and Combined Phase 2 Results of Eprenetapopt (APR-246) and Azacitidine (AZA) in Patients with TP53 Mutant Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) and Oligoblastic Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Date & Time: Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 3:15 pm ET
Oral Abstract Session: 637. Myelodysplastic Syndromes—Clinical and Epidemiological: Treatment of High Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Abstract: 246
Location: Georgia World Congress Center, B207-B208
Presenter: David Sallman, M.D., H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida

Title: Phase II Trial of Eprenetapopt (APR-246) in Combination with Azacitidine (AZA) As Maintenance Therapy for TP53 Mutated AML or MDS Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (SCT)
Date & Time: Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 9:30 am ET
Oral Abstract Session: 723. Allogeneic Transplantation: Long-term Follow-up and Disease Recurrence
Abstract: 409
Location: Georgia World Congress Center, B304-B305
Presenter: Asmita Mishra, M.D., H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute Tampa, Florida

Poster presentation is as follows:

Title: Phase I and Expansion Study of Eprenetapopt (APR-246) in Combination with Venetoclax (VEN) and Azacitidine (AZA) in TP53-Mutant Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
Date & Time: Monday, December 13, 2021, 6:00 – 8:00 pm ET
Poster Abstract Session: 616. Acute Myeloid Leukemias: Investigational Therapies, Excluding Transplantation and Cellular Immunotherapies: Poster III
Abstract: 3409
Location: Georgia World Congress Center, Hall B5
Presenter: Guillermo Garcia-Manero, M.D., The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

Allogene Therapeutics Reports Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Business Update

On November 4, 2021 Allogene Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALLO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of allogeneic CAR T (AlloCAR T) therapies for cancer, reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 (Press release, Allogene, NOV 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234594427]).

"While our clinical studies are on hold, our work to bring AlloCAR T products to patients continues with a strong sense of urgency. We remain confident in our platform and the potential of our AlloCAR T candidates to meaningfully improve the lives of patients living with cancer," said David Chang, M.D., Ph.D., President, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Allogene. "Our teams are busy progressing our preclinical programs, advancing production at our Cell Forge 1 manufacturing facility, and preparing for data presentations at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in December. In the meantime, we continue to work closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the review of the end of Phase 1 materials in support of a pivotal trial for ALLO-501A as well as to resolve the clinical hold and we look forward to providing an update after further interaction with the agency."

Pipeline Updates
The FDA placed a hold on the Company’s AlloCAR T clinical trials (ALPHA, ALPHA2, IGNITE, TRAVERSE, UNIVERSAL) following a report of a chromosomal abnormality in a single patient treated in the ALPHA2 study. Allogene is working with the FDA to address next steps to resolve the hold.

In parallel with the clinical hold investigation, the FDA is actively reviewing the end of Phase 1 materials the Company submitted in support of the pivotal trial for ALLO-501A.
Anti-CD19 Program: ALPHA and ALPHA2 Trials

Abstracts from the ALPHA (poster session) and ALPHA2 (oral session) trials were selected for presentation at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) meeting in early December. The data contained in the abstracts continue to show the utility of AlloCAR T therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Updated results will be presented at the meeting.

In the ALPHA2 trial, consolidation dosing appeared to be well tolerated with the potential for enhanced efficacy compared to a single dose of ALLO-501A. In the consolidation cohort, both the overall response rate (ORR) and complete response (CR) rate were 67% with all three partial responses (PRs) converting to CR following consolidation. All four consolidation patients who achieved a CR remained in CR as of the July 2021 data cut-off. The safety profile of ALLO-501A was manageable in both single dose and consolidation cohorts. Events of interest in the single dose cohort were previously reported at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. In the consolidation cohort, there was no cytokine release syndrome (CRS), no graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), no immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), no dose reductions, no Grade 3+ infections and infusion-related reactions were Grade 2. Among all treated patients, cytopenias were the most common adverse event and occurred in 72% of patients.

In the ALPHA trial as of the July data cutoff for the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) abstract, five additional patients were treated relative to the data previously reported at the 2021 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. ORR and CR rates remain at 75% and 50%, respectively. In patients with LBCL (n=13), the ORR was 62% and the CR rate was 46%. In patients with FL (n=23), the ORR was 83% and the CR rate was 52%. Four of the seven patients (all FL) enrolled in the consolidation cohort were evaluable for assessment after consolidation dosing at the time of the data cutoff with an ORR and CR rate of 100% and 75%, respectively. The percent of patients remaining in CR at six months following a single infusion was 36% in LBCL, which is similar to 6-month CR rates reported in the pivotal trials of autologous CAR T therapies, with the longest ongoing CR at 15+ months, as of the data cut-off. The 6-month CR rate in FL was 28%. No cases of GvHD or DLTs were observed. As noted previously, one case of Grade 3 ICANS was reported. Grade 1/2 CRS occurred in 22% of patients with one case of Grade 3 CRS. All were managed with standard protocols. Cytopenias were the most common adverse event and occurred in 83% of patients. Infection rates remained similar to those observed in autologous CAR T trials.
Anti-BCMA AlloCAR T Program: UNIVERSAL Trial

In August, ALLO-715 received Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from the FDA for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM).

Updated results from the UNIVERSAL trial investigating ALLO-715 as a monotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory MM will be presented at an oral session at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper). Findings from the UNIVERSAL trial indicate an allogeneic CAR T therapy can be delivered rapidly without the need for bridging therapy to patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, with single dose of therapy capable of inducing deep responses. The ORR was 62% with a very good partial response or better (VGPR+) rate of 39% in the 26 patients treated at the highest two dose levels (320 and 480 x 106 CAR+ cells). Median follow-up for these patients was 7.4 months with a median duration of response of 8.3 months. Of the 10 patients with a best response of VGPR+, eight were found to be minimal residual disease (MRD) negative. No GvHD was observed. The most common Grade 3+ adverse events included anemia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, and thrombocytopenia. CRS was reported in 52% of patients, in all cases Grade 1/2 except for one patient with Grade 3. One patient with Grade 2 CRS experienced Grade 1 neurotoxicity that resolved. Grade 3+ infections occurred in 13% of patients, including two previously reported Grade 5 events (fungal pneumonia and adenovirus hepatitis).
Third Quarter Financial Results

Research and development expenses were $58.7 million for the third quarter of 2021, which includes $10.1 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense.

General and administrative expenses were $19.0 million for the third quarter of 2021, which includes $10.8 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense.

Net loss for the third quarter of 2021 was $78.2 million, or $0.57 per share, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $20.9 million.

The Company had $861.7 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments as of September 30, 2021.
2021 Financial Guidance

Allogene continues to expect full year GAAP Operating Expenses to be between $300 and $330 million including estimated non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $80 to $90 million and excluding any impact from potential business development activities.
Conference Call and Webcast Details
Allogene will host a live conference call and webcast today at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time / 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss financial results and provide a business update. To access the live conference call by telephone, please dial 1 (866) 940-5062 (U.S.) or 1 (409) 216-0618 (International). The conference ID number for the live call is 1924859. The webcast will be made available on the Company’s website at www.allogene.com under the Investors tab in the News and Events section. Following the live audio webcast, a replay will be available on the Company’s website for approximately 30 days.

Illumina Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2021 Raises Fiscal Year 2021 Revenue Guidance

On November 4, 2021 Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) reported its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, which include the consolidated financial results of GRAIL (Press release, Illumina, NOV 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234594426]).

Third quarter consolidated results:

Revenue of $1,108 million, a 40% increase compared to the prior year period
GAAP net income for the quarter of $317 million, or $2.08 per diluted share, which included a $900 million gain from our previously held investment in GRAIL and $654 million in day one compensation expense related to the GRAIL acquisition. This compared to $179 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, for the prior year period
Non-GAAP net income for the quarter of $221 million, or $1.45 per diluted share, which included dilution from GRAIL non-GAAP operating loss of $0.19 per diluted share and incremental dilution from the 9.8 million shares issued to fund the GRAIL acquisition of $0.06 per diluted share. This compared to $150 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, for the prior year period. Non-GAAP net income excludes gain on previously held investment in GRAIL, day one compensation related expense and other acquisition-related expenses (see the "Reconciliation Between GAAP and Non-GAAP Net Income" table for a reconciliation of these GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures)
Cash flow from operations of $(272) million compared to $153 million in the prior year period
Free cash flow (cash flow from operations less capital expenditures) of $(324) million for the quarter compared to $105 million in the prior year period
"Illumina’s financial results again exceeded expectations in the third quarter led by record shipments for both clinical and research," said Francis deSouza, Chief Executive Officer. "Clinical market expansion is driving momentum in the core business, including significant demand in testing for therapy selection in oncology as we continue to advance genomics as a standard of care in the clinic. Our teams’ continued execution to meet this robust demand will enable a strong finish to an exceptional 2021."

Gross margin in the third quarter of 2021 was 69.5% compared to 66.2% in the prior year period. Excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets, non-GAAP gross margin was 71.2% for the third quarter of 2021 compared to 67.4% in the prior year period.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the third quarter of 2021 were $436 million compared to $172 million in the prior year period. Excluding acquisition-related compensation expense, non-GAAP R&D expenses as a percentage of revenue were 21.7% compared to 21.2% in the prior year period.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the third quarter of 2021 were $879 million compared to $192 million in the prior year period. Excluding day one compensation related expense and other acquisition-related expenses, and fair value adjustments on contingent consideration liabilities, non-GAAP SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue were 26.0% compared to 24.8% in the prior year period.

Depreciation and amortization expenses were $65 million and capital expenditures for free cash flow purposes were $52 million during the third quarter of 2021. At the close of the quarter, the company held $1.3 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, compared to $3.5 billion as of January 3, 2021.

Third quarter segment results:

Following the acquisition of GRAIL on August 18, 2021, we have two reportable segments, Core Illumina and GRAIL. GRAIL financial results are reflected for the period after the acquisition.

Updates since our last earnings release:

Closed the GRAIL acquisition to accelerate patient access to life-saving, multi-cancer early-detection tests; we are holding GRAIL as a separate entity pending EU regulatory review of the merger
Announced TSO 500 partnership with Merck to develop and commercialize tests that identify genetic mutations used in the assessment of homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)
Co-authored study published in JAMA Pediatrics reporting findings from the NICUSeq Randomized Time-Delayed Trial, demonstrating whole genome sequencing outperforms usual care by two-fold in diagnostic efficacy and clinical management of acutely-ill newborns with suspected genetic disease
Announced an agreement with Israel’s Ministry of Health for a pilot program to implement the use of whole-genome sequencing in critically-ill infants suspected of having a genetic disorder in neonatal intensive care units
Expanded presence in Latin America with the creation of Illumina Colombia S.A.S. and Illumina México Productos de Biotecnología to advance clinical business in the region and increase support for local customers and partners
Announced net zero global greenhouse gas emissions commitment by 2050, including milestone targets of 46% reduction in emissions and 100% renewable electricity by 2030
GRAIL announced Galleri was approved for prescription by the New York State Department of Health, making the test commercially available in New York, and marking a significant regulatory milestone.
NHS launched UK trial of Galleri under a commercial partnership program that aims to confirm Galleri’s clinical and economic performance in the NHS system as a precursor to its routine use by the NHS
Appointed Robert Ragusa, former Chief Operations Officer of Illumina, as Chief Executive Officer of GRAIL
Financial outlook and guidance

The non-GAAP financial guidance discussed below reflects certain pro forma adjustments to assist in analyzing and assessing our core operational performance, including our Core Illumina and GRAIL segments. Please see our Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Guidance included in this release for a reconciliation of the GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures.

For fiscal 2021, the company now expects both consolidated and Core Illumina revenue growth of approximately 36%. The company now expects GAAP earnings per diluted share of $4.41 to $4.51, and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share of $5.50 to $5.60, which includes dilution from GRAIL non-GAAP operating loss of approximately $1.00 and incremental dilution from the 9.8 million shares issued to fund the GRAIL acquisition of $0.15.

Conference call information

The conference call will begin at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on Thursday, November 4, 2021. Interested parties may access the live teleconference through the Investor Info section of Illumina’s website under the "Company" tab at www.illumina.com. Alternatively, individuals can access the call by dialing 1 (844) 200-6205 or 1 (929) 526-1599 outside North America, both using conference ID 808648.

A replay of the conference call will be posted on Illumina’s website after the event and will be available for at least 30 days following.

Statement regarding use of non-GAAP financial measures

The company reports non-GAAP results for diluted net income per share, net income, gross margins, operating expenses, including research and development expenses and selling general and administrative expenses, operating income (loss), operating margins, gross profit, other income, and free cash flow (on a consolidated and as applicable, segment basis for our Core Illumina and GRAIL segments) in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The company’s financial measures under GAAP include substantial charges such as amortization of acquired intangible assets, non-cash interest expense associated with the company’s convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash, and others that are listed in the itemized reconciliations between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release. Management has excluded the effects of these items in non-GAAP measures to assist investors in analyzing and assessing past and future operating performance, including in the non-GAAP measures relating to our Core Illumina and GRAIL segments. Additionally, non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share are key components of the financial metrics utilized by the company’s board of directors to measure, in part, management’s performance and determine significant elements of management’s compensation.

The company encourages investors to carefully consider its results under GAAP, as well as its supplemental non-GAAP information and the reconciliation between these presentations, to more fully understand its business. Reconciliations between GAAP and non-GAAP results are presented in the tables of this release.