Galectin Therapeutics Reports Fiscal 2020 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

On March 31, 2021 Galectin Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: GALT), the leading developer of therapeutics that target galectin proteins,reported financial results and provided a business update for the year ended December 31, 2020 (Press release, Galectin Therapeutics, MAR 31, 2021, View Source [SID1234577441]). These results are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and is available at www.sec.gov.

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Joel Lewis, Chief Executive Officer and President of Galectin Therapeutics, said, "I am very encouraged by the progress achieved in fiscal 2020, and remain extremely optimistic for 2021. Given the current challenging environment, I am proud of our success, highlighted by site activations and ongoing enrollment of our innovative NAVIGATE study. This global program continues to be the only active late-stage trial of patients with compensated NASH cirrhosis, where the medical need is greatest and with a clinically meaningful endpoint. Our concurrent hepatic impairment study will also provide important information on belapectin tolerance, safety and exposure in advanced cirrhotic patients.

Over the course of the last year at the Board’s direction we have taken aggressive steps to strengthen our organization, adding Pol Boudes as Chief Medical Officer, as well as Mr. Richard Zordani and Dr. Elissa Schwartz to our Board of Directors. These changes informed my decision to accept the role of Chief Executive Officer, and they afforded me the confidence to receive 80% of my compensation in the

form of Galectin stock. Additionally, I believe this breadth of talent reinvigorated Galectin and placed the Company in a position to monetize our assets. This has served to strengthen my commitment to my compensation strategy, which aligns my interests with all shareholders.

More recently, the peer-reviewed publication of a well-recognized mouse model has shown that the combination of belapectin, a galectin-3 inhibitor, with immunotherapy reprograms the tumor microenvironment. This favors anti-tumor immunity, results in better anti-tumor activity, and most importantly, brings further rationale for our ongoing cancer trial combining belapectin with Keytruda, a potent PD-1 inhibitor. Providence Cancer Institute is currently conducting the study and preliminary results suggest improved activity and, potentially, improved tolerance of this regimen.

I am extremely confident in our science, our team, and our progress," concluded Lewis. The upcoming year will be dedicated to advancing our trial in NASH cirrhosis and supporting investigations of belapectin’s safety and efficacy in other indications, such as the ongoing cancer trial in conjunction with the Providence Cancer Institute. I also want to recognize the outstanding efforts of our entire team, who persevered through the challenges precipitated by COVID-19 in the interest of developing a therapy for NASH cirrhosis, a critical, unmet medical need. Let me once again thank the investigators and patients participating in our NAVIGATE trial, where a positive outcome would be very clinically relevant for patients with NASH cirrhosis."

Richard E. Uihlein, Chairman of the Board, added, "I want to echo Joel’s sentiment and thank Pol, Jack and our entire team for their dedication throughout

this past year, especially their commitment to initiating our exciting NAVIGATE trial under less than optimal circumstances due to the global pandemic. Joel has proven to be the leader we all expected, and I am pleased with the progress he has achieved since assuming the role and confident in his ability to unlock the value of our proprietary compound, belapectin. Peer-reviewed research, such as that recently published in OncoImmunology, clearly confirms our basic scientific premise regarding belapectin’s anti-inflammatory characteristics in a broad range of fibrosis as well as its ability to potentially enhance the efficacy of cancer therapies. As such, the NAVIGATE trial represents an opportunity to further demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activity of belapectin, which would open up vast new opportunities to investigate other indications and establish our compound as a foundation for a platform technology."

NAVIGATE Trial Update

The NAVIGATE trial uses a seamless, adaptive design to confirm dose selection and reaffirm the observed efficacy of belapectin to prevent the development of esophageal varices in the NASH-CX trial. Pre-planned adaptations will inform the larger Phase 3 trial component.

Key clinical study milestones:

First patient randomized August 2020

130+ sites, 12 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia

Phase 2b part to Interim Analysis will be ~315 patients

Recruiting period for phase 2b portion now expected to conclude around the end of 2021 due to COVID-19 impact on recruitment

Key inclusion criteria – NASH cirrhosis (baseline or historical liver biopsy), clinical sign of portal hypertension, no esophageal varices (esophago-gastro endoscopy)

Interim analysis expected late 2023

Peer-reviewed publication, Scientific Presentations and Conferences

OncoImmunology published a peer-reviewed article describing how belapectin, a potent galectin-3 inhibitor, in combination with an anti-OX40 (CD134) monoclonal antibody, reduces tumor progression compared to either agent alone. The paper, titled "Galectin-3 inhibition with belapectin combined with anti-OX40 therapy reprograms the tumor microenvironment to favor anti-tumor immunity," describes results from a collaboration between Galectin Therapeutics and Providence Cancer Institute highlighting the mechanism of action of the combination which is explained by a reduction in myeloid-derived suppressor cell infiltration and function coupled to an increase in T-cell effector function. For many years, galectin-3 has been known to play a key role in the control of tumor-induced immunosuppression. Galectin-3 acts to maintain tumor growth, in part, by supporting the generation of suppressive macrophages and inhibiting T cell function. This creates an attractive rationale for the use of a galectin-3 inhibitor, such as belapectin, to improve anti-tumor activities of multiple cancer therapies.

Financial Results

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company reported a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $23.6 million, or ($0.41) per share, compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $20.2 million, or ($0.39) per share for the full year 2019. The increase is largely due to an increase in research and development expenses related to our NAVIGATE clinical trial, partially offset by a non-cash, one-time warrant modification charge of $6.6 million in 2019.

Research and development expense for 2020 was $18.0 million compared with $7.5 million for 2019. The increase was primarily due to costs related to our NAVIGATE clinical trial, along with preparations and some preclinical activities incurred in support of the clinical program, such as development and reproductive toxicity studies, clinical supplies and other supportive activities. General and administrative expenses for 2020 were $5.5 million, down from $6.0 million for the full year 2019, primarily due to decreases in legal, investor relations and non-cash stock-based compensation expenses partially offset by an increase in insurance expenses.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $27.1 million of cash and cash equivalents. The Company also has a $10 million unsecured line of credit, under which no borrowings have been made to date. The Company believes it has sufficient cash, including availability under the line of credit, to fund currently planned operations and research and development activities through at least March 31, 2022.

The Company expects that it will require more cash to fund operations after March 31, 2022, and believes it will be able to obtain additional financing as needed. The currently planned operations include costs related to our adaptively designed NAVIGATE Phase 2b/3 clinical trial. Currently, we expect to require an additional approximately $45-$50 million to cover costs of the trial to reach the planned interim analysis estimated to occur in the second half of 2023 along with drug manufacturing and other scientific support activities and general and administrative costs and further amounts to complete the Phase 3 portion of the trial. However, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining such new financing or, if available, that such financing will be on terms favorable to us.

BridgeBio Pharma’s Affiliate QED Therapeutics and Helsinn Group Announce Strategic Collaboration to Co-Develop and Commercialize Infigratinib in Oncology

On March 31, 2021 BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: BBIO), through its affiliate QED Therapeutics, Inc., and Helsinn Group reported a global collaboration and licensing agreement (the "Agreement") to further develop and commercialize QED Therapeutics’ FGFR1-3 inhibitor, infigratinib, in oncology and all other indications except for skeletal dysplasias (including achondroplasia) (Press release, BridgeBio, MAR 31, 2021, View Source [SID1234577440]). Completion of the Agreement is subject to regulatory review and customary closing conditions, which are expected to occur in the second quarter of 2021.

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Infigratinib is an orally administered, ATP-competitive, tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is designed to inhibit FGFR, and being investigated for treatment of individuals with FGFR-driven conditions, including cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), urothelial carcinoma (urinary tract and bladder cancer), and other FGFR-driven cancers.

Under the terms of the Agreement, BridgeBio will retain all rights to infigratinib in skeletal dysplasia, including achondroplasia. Subject to U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") approval, QED and Helsinn will co-commercialize infigratinib in oncology indications in the U.S. and will share profits and losses on a 50:50 basis. Helsinn will have exclusive commercialization rights and lead commercialization for infigratinib in non-skeletal dysplasia indications outside of the U.S., excluding China, Hong Kong and Macau, which are covered by BridgeBio’s strategic development and commercialization collaboration with LianBio. Under the Agreement, BridgeBio will be eligible to receive more than $2 billion in upfront, regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as tiered royalties on adjusted net sales from Helsinn Group.

"We are privileged to partner with Helsinn as we strive to unlock the full potential of infigratinib for patients with FGFR-driven cancers," said BridgeBio CEO and founder Neil Kumar, Ph.D. "Helsinn has an impressive track record of advancing and commercializing oncology therapies around the globe. Our hope is that partnering with Helsinn will significantly strengthen our anticipated upcoming launch of infigratinib and our ongoing research into infigratinib’s potential across other cancer indications."

Riccardo Braglia, Helsinn Group Vice Chairman and CEO, commented, "As a leader in oncology therapeutics and supportive care, Helsinn is always looking to partner with high quality companies. The combination of BridgeBio and its lead oncology product candidate, infigratinib, fall into the strategic sweet spot of a quality company and product with which we look to work. We are highly excited by the potential positive impact this collaboration can deliver for patients around the world."

BridgeBio and Helsinn Group intend to pursue an ambitious co-development plan in oncology indications, including clinical investigation underway in first-line cholangiocarcinoma and adjuvant urothelial cancer. This plan will be underpinned by close collaboration among the parties, with the aim of developing new treatments for patients with FGFR-driven cancers. As infigratinib heads toward potential approval and commercialization in a range of oncology indications, Helsinn’s unique integrated licensing business model will enable its distribution to reach patients globally.

The FDA has accepted the New Drug Application ("NDA") for infigratinib for patients with previously-treated advanced cholangiocarcinoma ("CCA") harboring an FGFR2 gene fusion or rearrangement. The NDA has been granted Priority Review designation and is being reviewed under the Real-Time Oncology Review ("RTOR") pilot program, an initiative of the FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence designed to expedite the delivery of safe and effective cancer treatments to patients. Additionally, infigratinib is currently under review in Australia and Canada under Project Orbis, an initiative of the FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence that allows for concurrent submission and review of oncology drugs among participating international regulatory agencies.

ProMIS Neurosciences Announces Fiscal Year 2020 Results

On March 31, 2021 ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. (TSX: PMN) (OTCQB: ARFXF) ("ProMIS or the Company"), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, reported its operational and financial results for the year ended December 31, 2020 (Press release, ProMIS Neurosciences, MAR 31, 2021, View Source [SID1234577439]).

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"Despite the many challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and over the course of the past year, the value of our unique discovery and development platform was further evidenced as ProMIS made considerable progress in expanding its portfolio of opportunities across multiple neurodegenerative diseases", stated Eugene Williams, ProMIS’ Executive Chairman.

Corporate Highlights

During 2020, we received proceeds from the exercise of warrants in the amount of $2,197,245. In March 2021, the Company completed a US$7.0 million (CDN$8.75 million) private placement of debentures. The debentures are convertible into common shares at the option of the holder at a conversion price of US$0.10 per share and accrue interest at 1% per annum, which is payable annually.

In May 2020, ProMIS announced it had identified novel antagonists against the receptor for activated protein kinase C1 (RACK1) that prevent the formation of dysfunctional protein aggregates and act to restore normal function. Evidence indicates that targeting RACK1 is a promising new strategy to address the complex mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

In July 2020, the Company entered into two joint venture business arrangements (JV) with BC Neuroimmunology Lab, Inc. (BCNI). The first JV (JV1) will develop and market highly accurate, objective tests for the detection, diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). JV1 will offer existing blood-based assays for NfL (neurofilament light chain) and P-tau181 (phosphorylated tau181). Further assays will be developed, potentially incorporating our proprietary peptide antigens and tests for additional neurodegenerative diseases. The second JV (JV2) is a collaboration to develop a high-throughput, highly specific serological assay to accurately detect the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company and BCNI each own 50% of JV1 and JV2.

In July 2020, the Company announced the voting results of the Corporation’s annual meeting of shareholders held in Vancouver, BC. All of the resolutions announced in the Management Proxy Circular and placed before the Meeting were approved by the shareholders. All Directors were elected, with each nominee receiving more than 75% of the votes cast.

In September 2020, ProMIS announced initiation of a program to construct and test a multivalent peptide vaccine for AD. The critical first steps in vaccine development will be carried out at the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), a global leader in vaccine research and development.

In November 2020, the Company closed on a special warrant financing. The Company issued 16,219,581 special warrant certificates for gross proceeds of $1,946,350 ($1,636,590 net of issuance costs). Each special warrant will be exercisable, without payment of any additional consideration by the holder, into one common share and one transferrable common share purchase warrant (Warrant).

In March 2021, the special warrant financing converted into 16,219,581 common shares and 16,219,581 warrants. Each warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share at an exercise price at $0.20 per warrant share for 60 months until November 2025.

People

In October 2020, Dr. David Wishart, Distinguished University Professor in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Computing Science at the University of Alberta, was appointed to the Company’s Scientific Advisory Board.

Financial Results

Annual Results of Operations

The Company’s net loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $5,662,392 compared to a net loss of $7,396,259 year ended December 31, 2019. Included in the net loss amount for the year ended December 31, 2020 were non-cash expenses of $430,242 representing share-based compensation, warrant modification and valuation and amortization of an intangible asset, compared to $655,954 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in the net loss for the year ended December 31, 2020 reflects decreased costs associated with external contract research organizations for internal programs, patent costs, share-based compensation, consultant salaries and associated costs and general corporate expenditures.

Research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $3,183,149, as compared to $4,735,317 in the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in research and development expense for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to the same period ended December 31, 2019 reflects the conservation of existing cash resources and decreased spending on external contract research organizations for internal programs, reduced patent expense, share-based compensation, contracted research salaries and associated costs and external consulting expense.

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $2,481,030, as compared to $2,662,144 in the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease for the years ended December 31,2020, compared to the same period in 2019, is primarily attributable to a reduction in consulting and professional fees and a decrease in foreign exchange losses offset by warrant modification and valuation expense.

Outlook

Following on from the completion of a US$7M (CDN$8.75M) financing in March 2021, we plan to advance progress toward our priority programs:

Advance the PMN310 monoclonal antibody, our potential "best in class" next generation Alzheimer’s treatment, into clinical testing;
Enhance our partnering prospects by allowing us to invest in additional validation data for key R&D programs;
Expand our portfolio of products and intellectual property into new target areas, using our proprietary discovery platform;
Advance our diagnostic programs in partnership with BCNI;
Achieve NASDAQ listing;
Expand our Board of Directors and our management team, to support a growing and ambitious scope of activity.

NexImmune Reports Fiscal Year 2020 Financial Results and Recent Updates

On March 31, 2021 NexImmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: NEXI), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a novel approach to immunotherapy designed to orchestrate a targeted immune response by directing the function of antigen-specific T cells, reported its financial results for 2020 and highlighted recent corporate accomplishments (Press release, NexImmune, MAR 31, 2021, View Source [SID1234577438]).

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"2020 was a transformational year for NexImmune," said Scott Carmer, Chief Executive Officer. "Our first two programs, NEXI-001 and NEXI-002, entered Phase 1/2 clinical trials and successfully enrolled patients throughout the year despite the COVID-19 pandemic. We were very pleased to have initial data from our first cohort of patients in the NEXI-001 trial accepted for oral presentation at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) annual meeting in December. In addition, we strengthened our management team, scientific advisory board and Board of Directors with the addition of several industry-leading scientists and executives. All of these advancements contributed to our successful IPO in February, 2021."

Mr. Carmer added, "With a strong cash position from the completion of our IPO, we are focused on driving our current clinical trials toward completion, and to accelerating ongoing development of our AIM ACT product pipeline and platform technology. This work will concentrate on clinical programs targeting solid tumors and IND-enabling pre-clinical experiments to support the initial application of our ‘AIM Injectable’ formulation, respectively. In developing our proprietary AIM nanoparticle technology, our mission is to transform cell-mediated immunotherapy for the benefit of patients facing a number of difficult-to-treat diseases."

Select corporate highlights

On February 17, 2021, NexImmune completed a successful IPO and raised gross proceeds of $126M. The IPO was oversubscribed and priced at the top of the range.

During January 2021, NexImmune announced the appointments of Robert Knight, MD as Chief Medical Officer; Jerome Zeldis, MD, PhD as Executive Vice President, Research and Devopment; Jeffery Weber, MD, PhD as Chief Scientific Advisor and Scientific Advisory Board Chair; and Grant Verstandig as a member of the Board of Directors.

On December 7, 2020, lead investigators for the Company’s ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating NEXI-001 provided an oral presentation at the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting and Exposition that highlighted initial results from the first five patients treated. Initial data demonstrated early signs of safety, tolerability and robust immune responses in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with relapsed disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

On October 6, 2020, NexImmmune announced dosing of the first patient in its Phase 1/2 trial of NEXI-002 for the treatment of patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma that had failed at least three lines of prior therapy.

NEXI-001 and NEXI-002 are both in Phase 1/2 clincal trials. The company expects to share preliminary data from the initial safety cohorts of each trial at a conference in Q2 2021, with more complete results for each trial at the end of Q4 2021.

Select financial highlights

Cash and cash equivalents for the company as of December 31, 2020 were $5.0M, compared to $9.1M at December 31, 2019. Based upon its current operating plans and cash and cash equivalents, including the net proceeds from the IPO, the Company expects to have sufficient capital to fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through the second quarter of 2022.

Research and development expenses were $17.8M in 2020, compared to $15.2M in 2019. The increase in R&D expenses were mainly attributable to costs for the two clinical trials as well as personnel-related expenses driven by increased headcount, offset partially by reduced preclinical and regulatory-related spending.

General and administrative expenses were $10.0M and $5.7M in 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase was due primarily to increases in headcount and fees related to professional and consulting services.

Net loss in 2020 was $29.9M, compared to $20.5M in 2019.

Fortress Biotech Reports Record 2020 Financial Results and Recent Corporate Highlights

On March 31, 2021 Fortress Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ: FBIO) ("Fortress"), an innovative biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing or monetizing promising biopharmaceutical products and product candidates cost-effectively, reported financial results and recent corporate highlights for the full-year ended December 31, 2020 (Press release, Fortress Biotech, MAR 31, 2021, View Source [SID1234577437]).

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Lindsay A. Rosenwald, M.D., Fortress’ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are delighted with our continued progress, and achievement of significant milestones throughout 2020 and in recent months. Notably, our partner company, Cyprium Therapeutics ("Cyprium"), and Sentynl Therapeutics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Zydus Group, signed a Development and Asset Purchase Agreement for CUTX-101 for the treatment of Menkes disease, in February 2021. Also, our full-year 28% revenue growth during the pandemic shows the resilience of the Fortress business model. Since the company’s management took over in 2014, Fortress and our partner companies have built a growing portfolio of six marketed dermatologic pharmaceutical products and more than 25 product candidates in our pipeline across multiple therapeutic categories, including oncology, gene therapy, dermatology, and rare diseases. We are on track to submit our second New Drug Application ("NDA") to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") later this year."

Dr. Rosenwald continued, "As we look ahead to 2021, Fortress expects to deliver further top-line growth through a diversified, long-term revenue stream, and we and our partner companies anticipate multiple key value-creating milestones throughout the year. We have four product candidates in five ongoing pivotal clinical trials, with multiple other earlier-stage clinical trials progressing as well. Additionally, we intend to continue to in-license promising drugs and drug candidates, and to seek partners for late-stage programs to maximize each opportunity to its full potential. We continue to demonstrate the ability of our business model to generate meaningful value creation opportunities with the potential to produce life-changing therapies for people in need."

2020 and Recent Corporate Highlights1:

Marketed Dermatology Products

·Our six dermatology products are marketed by our partner company, Journey Medical Corporation ("Journey").

1 Includes product candidates in development at Fortress, majority-owned and controlled partners and partners in which Fortress holds significant minority ownership positions. As used herein, the words "we", "us" and "our" may refer to Fortress individually or together with our affiliates and partners, as dictated by context.

·Our products generated net revenues of $44.5 million for full-year 2020, compared to full-year 2019 net revenues of $34.9 million, representing growth of 28%. Our products generated $13.7 million in revenues in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $11.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, representing growth of 23%. While we generated revenue growth year-over-year in 2020, sales of our products were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a temporary supply shortage and impacted the ability of our sales force to make in person calls, due to states slowly re-opening.
· We in-licensed and recently launched our sixth prescription dermatology product.
·We intend to launch up to two additional new prescription products this year and expect to generate further sales growth in 2021.
·We currently have 42 sales representatives dedicated to the dermatology product portfolio and we expect that number to continue to grow this year.

CUTX-101 (Copper Histidinate for Menkes disease)

·In January 2020, the FDA granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation to CUTX-101 for the treatment of Menkes disease.
·In June 2020, we announced the publication of a study, "Estimated birth prevalence of Menkes disease and ATP7A-related disorders based on the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD)," in Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports. Assuming Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium, the allelic frequency of loss-of-function variants suggests a minimum birth prevalence for Menkes disease of 1 in 34,810 males, higher than previously recognized. If likely pathogenic missense variants are included, the estimated birth prevalence could potentially be as high as 1 in 8,664 live male births. The study can be accessed here.
·In July 2020, we announced the publication of a study, "Targeted Next Generation Sequencing for Newborn Screening of Menkes Disease" in Molecular Genetics and Metabolism Reports. The study assessed the analytic validity of an ATP7A targeted next generation DNA sequencing assay as a potential newborn screen for Menkes disease. The study can be accessed here.
·In July 2020, we announced that the European Medicines Agency ("EMA") Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products issued a positive opinion on our application for Orphan Drug Designation for CUTX-101 for the treatment of Menkes disease. In August 2020, the European Commission granted Orphan Drug Designation to CUTX-101. EMA Orphan Drug Designation provides companies with certain benefits and incentives, including clinical protocol assistance, differentiated evaluation procedures for Health Technology Assessments in certain countries, access to a centralized marketing authorization procedure valid in all EU member states, reduced regulatory fees and 10 years of market exclusivity.
·In August 2020, we reported positive top-line clinical efficacy results for CUTX-101. The study demonstrated statistically significant improvement in overall survival for Menkes disease subjects who received early treatment (ET) with CUTX-101, compared to an untreated historical control (HC) cohort, with a nearly 80% reduction in the risk of death (Hazard Ratio = 0.21, p<0.0001). Median survival for the ET cohort was 14.8 years (177.1 months), compared to 1.3 years (15.9 months) for the untreated HC cohort.
·In September 2020, we raised net proceeds of approximately $7.1 million in a private offering of Cyprium’s 9.375% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock.
·In December 2020, the FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to CUTX-101 for the treatment of Menkes disease.
·In February 2021, our partner company, Cyprium, and Sentynl Therapeutics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Zydus Group, signed a Development and Asset Purchase Agreement for CUTX-101 for the treatment of Menkes disease. Under the terms of the agreement, Cyprium received $8 million upfront to fund the development of CUTX-101 and could receive up to $12 million in regulatory milestone payments through NDA approval, and is eligible to receive sales milestones plus royalties. Royalties start from mid-single digits, scaling up to 25% on sales exceeding $100 million annually. Cyprium will retain 100% ownership over any FDA priority review voucher that may be issued at NDA approval for CUTX-101.
·We intend to begin the rolling submission of the NDA for CUTX-101 to the FDA in the second half of 2021.
·CUTX-101 is currently in development at our partner company, Cyprium Therapeutics, Inc.

CAEL-101 (Light Chain Fibril-reactive Monoclonal Antibody for AL Amyloidosis)

·In 2020, Caelum Biosciences, Inc.’s ("Caelum") Phase 2 dose selection clinical trial of CAEL-101, a light chain fibril-reactive monoclonal antibody for the treatment of AL amyloidosis, met its primary objective, supporting the initiation of two parallel Phase 3 studies that will enroll approximately 370 AL amyloidosis patients.
·In September 2020, Caelum announced the initiation of two Phase 3 studies of CAEL-101 for AL amyloidosis.
·Also in September 2020, positive long-term Phase 1a/1b data were presented at the International Symposium on Amyloidosis (ISA) 2020. The data demonstrated prolonged overall survival (78% at 37 months) and durable organ response.
·In December 2020, CAEL-101 Phase 2 data were selected for oral and poster presentations at the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, which was held virtually in December 2020. Links to the abstracts can be found here: oral presentation and poster presentation.
·Caelum formed a collaboration with Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 2019, which includes an option to acquire Caelum. AstraZeneca announced the execution of a definitive agreement to purchase Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; in event of the closing of such transaction, the timeline for a potential exercise of the option to purchase Caelum will be accelerated to six months following the date of acquisition closing.
·CAEL-101 is currently in development at Caelum Biosciences, Inc., a company founded by Fortress in 2017 and in which Fortress maintains a minority position.

Cosibelimab (formerly CK-301, an anti-PD-L1 antibody)

·In January 2020, we announced confirmation of the registration path for cosibelimab in metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma ("mCSCC"). FDA feedback supports the plan to submit a Biologics License Application ("BLA") based on data from the ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial.
·In April 2020, we announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a composition of matter patent for cosibelimab. U.S. Patent No. 10,590,199 specifically covers the antibody, cosibelimab, or a fragment thereof, providing protection through at least May 2038, exclusive of any additional patent-term extensions that might become available.
·In September 2020, at the European Society for Medical Oncology Virtual Congress 2020, we announced updated interim results from the ongoing global, open-label, multicohort, Phase 1 clinical trial of cosibelimab in patients with advanced cancers, including the registration-enabling cohort of patients with mCSCC. Cosibelimab demonstrated a 51.4% objective response rate ("ORR") and 13.5% complete response rate, which is nearly double the complete response rate observed at the time of previous analysis.
·The registration-enabling study in mCSCC is approximately 90% enrolled and we are on track to report full top-line results in the second half of 2021. With a potentially favorable safety profile and a plan to commercialize at a substantially lower price, we believe cosibelimab has the potential to be a market disruptive product in the $25 billion and growing PD-(L)1 class.
·In November 2020, we announced the expansion of a long-term manufacturing partnership for cosibelimab with Samsung Biologics. Building upon an existing contract manufacturing agreement entered into in 2017, Samsung Biologics will provide additional commercial-scale drug substance manufacturing for cosibelimab.
·Also in November 2020, we announced updated interim results from the ongoing global, open-label, multicohort Phase 1 clinical trial of cosibelimab in patients with advanced cancers, including a cohort of patients with previously untreated high PD-L1 expressing advanced non-small cell lung cancer ("NSCLC"). The updated interim results were presented in a poster presentation at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 35th Anniversary Annual Meeting. Cosibelimab demonstrated a 44.0% objective response rate and 10.3-month median progression-free survival in the NSCLC cohort. A Phase 3 registration-enabling trial is planned to begin in first-line metastatic NSCLC in mid-2021.
·Cosibelimab is currently in development at our partner company, Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. ("Checkpoint").

CK-101 (Third-generation Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor ("EGFR") Inhibitor)

·In November 2020, Checkpoint’s collaboration partner in Asia for CK-101, Neupharma Inc., initiated a Phase 3, registration-enabling study of CK-101 in first-line, EGFR mutation-positive locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. We plan to meet with the FDA to discuss the ongoing Phase 3 study design and its potential use, upon a successful study, to support a new drug application submission in the United States.
·CK-101 is currently in development at our partner company, Checkpoint.

MB-107 and MB-207 (Lentiviral Gene Therapies for XSCIDIn April 2020, we announced that the EMA granted Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product classification to MB-107, a lentiviral gene therapy for the treatment of newly diagnosed infants with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency ("XSCID"), also known as bubble boy disease.
·In the second quarter of 2020, we submitted an IND application with the FDA to initiate a multi-center pivotal Phase 2 trial of MB-107 in newly diagnosed infants with XSCID who are under the age of two. The trial is expected to enroll 10 patients who, together with patients enrolled in the current multicenter trial led by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, will be compared with 25 matched historical control patients who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplant ("HSCT"). The primary efficacy endpoint will be event-free survival. On January 28, 2021, the FDA removed a CMC hold on the MB-107 Phase 2 clinical trial IND application after reviewing a comprehensive CMC package that was submitted in December 2020. We expect to enroll the first patient in this pivotal multicenter trial in the second quarter of 2021 and are targeting top-line data from the trial in the second half of 2022.
·We further expect to file an IND in the second quarter of 2021 for a pivotal multi-center Phase 2 clinical trial of MB-207, our lentiviral gene therapy in previously transplanted XSCID patients who received prior treatment with HSCT and for whom re-treatment is indicated. We anticipate enrolling 20 patients and we are targeting topline data for this trial in the first half of 2023.
·In August 2020, we announced that the FDA granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designations to MB-107 for the treatment of XSCID in newly diagnosed infants and to MB-207 for the treatment of XSCID in patients who were previously treated with HSCT and for whom re-treatment is indicated.
·In September 2020, we announced that the FDA granted Orphan Drug Designations to MB-107 for the treatment of XSCID in newly diagnosed infants and to MB-207 for the treatment of XSCID in patients who were previously treated with HSCT and for whom re-treatment is indicated.
·In October 2020, we in-licensed LentiBOOST technology from SIRION Biotech GmbH for the development of MB-207.
·In November 2020, we signed an agreement with Minaris Regenerative Medicine GmbH to enable technology transfer and GMP clinical manufacturing of the MB-107 lentiviral gene therapy program for the treatment of XSCID in Europe.
·Also in November 2020, we announced that the European Commission issued a positive opinion on our application for Orphan Drug Designation for the MB-107 lentiviral gene therapy for the treatment of XSCID.
·MB-107 and MB-207 are currently in development at our partner company, Mustang Bio, Inc. ("Mustang Bio").

MB-106 (CD20-targeted CAR T Cell Therapy)

·In February 2020, we announced that the first subject treated with the modified MB-106 (CD20-targeted, autologous CAR T cell therapy) manufacturing process, developed in a collaboration between Mustang Bio and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center ("Fred Hutch"), achieved a complete response at the lowest starting dose in an ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial. The trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of MB-106 in subjects with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas ("NHL") and chronic lymphocytic leukemia ("CLL").
·In December 2020, we announced positive interim Phase 1/2 data on MB-106 for patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas, which were presented at the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. Data presented showed a favorable safety profile and clinical activity with an 89% ORR and 44% complete response rate over 4 dose levels in 9 patients treated with the modified cell manufacturing process.
·In the second quarter of 2021, we expect to announce follow up data from the Fred Hutch trial in NHL and initial data in CLL.
·MB-106 is currently in development at our partner company, Mustang Bio.

MB-102 (CD123-targeted CAR T Cell Therapy)

·In October 2020, we announced that the first patient was dosed in a Mustang Bio-sponsored, open-label, multicenter Phase 1/2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MB-102 (CD123-targeted CAR T cell therapy) in patients with relapsed or refractory blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm.
·MB-102 is currently in development at our partner company, Mustang Bio.

MB-101 (IL13Rα2-targeted CAR T Cell Therapy)

·In December 2020, we announced that a Phase 1 single-center, two-arm clinical trial was initiated to establish the safety and feasibility of administering MB-101 to patients with leptomeningeal brain tumors (e.g., glioblastoma, ependymoma or medulloblastoma).
·MB-101 is currently in development at our partner company, Mustang Bio.

MB-105 (PSCA-targeted CAR T Cell Therapy)

·In October 2020, we announced that initial Phase 1 data on MB-105, a PSCA-targeted CAR T administered systemically to patients with PSCA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), were presented by City of Hope at the virtual 27th Annual Prostate Cancer Foundation Scientific Retreat. A 73-year-old male patient with PSCA-positive mCRPC was treated with MB-105 and lymphodepletion (a standard CAR T pre-conditioning regimen) after failing eight prior therapies. On day 28 of the patient’s treatment, MB-105 demonstrated a 94% reduction in prostate-specific antigen, near complete reduction of measurable soft tissue metastasis by computerized tomography, and improvement in bone metastases by magnetic resonance imaging.
·MB-105 is currently in development at our partner company, Mustang Bio.

MB-104 (CS1-targeted CAR T Cell Therapy In May 2020, City of Hope presented two posters pertaining to MB-104, an innovative CS1 CAR T cell therapy, at the virtual 23rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy.
·MB-104 is currently in development at our partner company, Mustang Bio.

IV Tramadol

·In October 2020, Avenue Therapeutics ("Avenue") announced that it had received a Complete Response Letter ("CRL") from the FDA regarding Avenue’s NDA for IV tramadol. The FDA held a Type A meeting with Avenue in November 2020 to discuss the issues outlined in the CRL. On February 12, 2021, Avenue resubmitted its NDA to the FDA for IV tramadol. The NDA resubmission followed the receipt of the official minutes from Avenue’s Type A meeting with the FDA. The NDA resubmission included revised language relating to the proposed product label and a report relating to terminal sterilization validation. On February 26, 2021, Avenue received an acknowledgement letter from the FDA that Avenue’s resubmission of its NDA is a complete, class 1 response to the CRL, and a PDUFA goal date was set for April 12, 2021.
·Also in October 2020, Invagen Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("InvaGen") communicated to Avenue that it believes a Material Adverse Event (as defined in the Stock Purchase and Merger Agreement entered into on November 12, 2018 between Avenue, InvaGen and Madison Pharmaceuticals Inc., a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of InvaGen) has occurred due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on potential commercialization and projected sales of IV tramadol. Additionally, in connection with the resubmission of Avenue’s NDA in February 2021, InvaGen communicated to Avenue that it believes the proposed label for IV tramadol would also constitute a Material Adverse Event on the purported basis that the proposed label under certain circumstances would make the product commercially unviable, and in addition that the indication that the FDA approves may fail to satisfy a condition precedent to InvaGen’s obligation to consummate the second stage closing of the Avenue SPMA. While Avenue disagrees with InvaGen’s assertions, it is possible InvaGen could attempt to avoid its obligation to consummate the merger, terminate the Stock Purchase and Merger Agreement, and/or pursue monetary claims against Avenue and/or Fortress.
·IV tramadol is currently in development at our partner company, Avenue.

ONCOlogues (proprietary platform technology using PNA oligonucleotides)

·In May 2020, we entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Columbia University to develop novel oligonucleotides for the treatment of genetically driven cancers. The proprietary platform produces oligomers, known as "ONCOlogues," which are capable of binding gene sequences 1,000 times more effectively than complementary native DNA.
·In addition, we are exploring the potential of the platform to treat novel coronaviruses, such as COVID-19. We are also evaluating the platform to treat Huntington’s disease and myotonic dystrophy.
·The ONCOlogues platform is currently in development at our partner company, Oncogenuity, Inc.

General Corporate

·From February to August 2020, we closed on a gross total of approximately $39 million in underwritten public offerings of our 9.375% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (FBIOP).
·In June 2020, Fortress and Avenue were added to the Russell 3000 index.
·Also in August 2020, we announced a $60 million long-term debt refinancing agreement with Oaktree Capital Management, replacing $60 million of existing debt that was due over the subsequent seven quarters, with the debt now due in August 2025.
· November 2020, Fortress ranked in Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 for the second year in a row. Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 is an annual ranking of the fastest-growing North American companies in the technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech sectors. Fortress’ 874 percent revenue growth based on the increase in net product sales from 2016 to 2019 secured its spot in the rankings.

Financial Results:

To assist our stockholders in understanding our company, we have prepared non-GAAP financial results for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. These results exclude the operations of our three public partner companies: Avenue Therapeutics, Inc. ("Avenue"), Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. ("Checkpoint") and Mustang Bio, Inc. ("Mustang"), as well as any one-time, non-recurring, non-cash transactions, such as the gain of $18.4 million we recorded in the first quarter of 2019 resulting from the deconsolidation of Caelum Biosciences, Inc. ("Caelum"). The goal in providing these non-GAAP financial metrics is to highlight the financial results of Fortress’ core operations, which are comprised of our commercial-stage business, our privately held development-stage entities, as well as our business development and finance functions.

·As of December 31, 2020, Fortress’ consolidated cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments (certificates of deposit) and restricted cash totaled $235.0 million, compared to $220.0 million as of September 30, 2020, and $153.4 million as of December 31, 2019, an increase of $15.0 million for the fourth quarter and an increase of $81.6 million for the full year.
·On a GAAP basis, Fortress’ net revenue totaled $45.6 million for the full year ended December 31, 2020, which included $44.5 million in net revenue generated from our marketed dermatology products. This compares to net revenue totaling $36.6 million for the full year ended 2019, which included $34.9 million in net revenue generated from our marketed dermatology products. Fortress expects to achieve year-over-year revenue growth in 2021; however, it continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and assess the impact it may have on 2021 revenues.

·On a GAAP basis, consolidated research and development expenses including license acquisitions totaled $64.1 million for the full year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $81.3 million for the full year ended December 31, 2019. On a non-GAAP basis, research and development expenses including research and development license acquisitions totaled $10.0 million for the full year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $11.2 million for the full year ended December 31, 2019.
·On a GAAP basis, consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses were $61.2 million for the full year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $55.6 million for the full year ended December 31, 2019. On a non-GAAP basis, selling, general and administrative expenses were $45.5 million, of which $22.1 million is attributed to Journey, for the full year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $38.9 million, of which $19.7 million is attributed to Journey, for the full year ended December 31, 2019.
·On a GAAP basis, consolidated net loss attributable to common stockholders was $46.5 million, or $0.65 per share, for the full year ended December 31, 2020, compared to net loss attributable to common stockholders of $40.0 million, or $0.73 per share for the full year ended December 31, 2019.
·Fortress’ non-GAAP loss attributable to common stockholders was $13.3 million, or $0.18 per share, for the full year ended December 31, 2020, compared to Fortress’ non-GAAP loss attributable to common stockholders of $14.7 million, or $0.27 per share, for the full year ended December 31, 2019.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures:

In addition to the GAAP financial measures as presented in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 31, 2021, the Company, in this press release, has included certain non-GAAP measurements. The non-GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders is defined by the Company as GAAP net loss attributable to common stockholders, less net losses attributable to common stockholders from our public partner companies Avenue, Checkpoint, and Mustang, as well as Caelum. In addition, the Company has also provided a Fortress non-GAAP loss attributable to common stockholders which is a modified EBITDA calculation that starts with the non-GAAP loss attributable to common stockholders and removes stock-based compensation expense, non-cash interest expense, amortization of licenses and debt discount, changes in fair values of investment, changes in fair value of derivative liability, and depreciation expense.

Management believes these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s performance because (i) it allows for greater transparency with respect to key measures used by management in its financial and operational decision-making; (ii) it excludes the impact of non-cash or, when specified, non-recurring items that are not directly attributable to the Company’s core operating performance and that may obscure trends in the Company’s core operating performance; and (iii) it is used by institutional investors and the analyst community to help analyze the Company’s results. However, non-GAAP loss attributable to common stockholders and any other non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the corresponding measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Further, non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company and the manner in which they are calculated may differ from the non-GAAP financial measures or the calculations of the same non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, including the Company’s competitors.
1.Avenue net loss from their external SEC report for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 of $5.2 million and $25.9 million, respectively, net of non-controlling interest of $4.0 million and $19.0 million, respectively.

2.Checkpoint net loss from their external SEC report of $23.1 million net of non-controlling interest of $13.3 million, PIK dividend of $4.6 million, MSA fee to Fortress of $0.5 million and financing fee to Fortress of $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020; and net loss of $24.7 million net of non-controlling interest of $14.7 million, PIK dividend of $2.5 million, MSA fee to Fortress of $0.5 million and financing fee to Fortress of $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

3.Mustang net loss from their external SEC report of $60.0 million net of non-controlling interest of $36.4 million, PIK dividend of $7.6 million, MSA fee to Fortress of $0.5 million and financing fee to Fortress of $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020; and net loss of $46.4 million net of non-controlling interest of $25.7 million, PIK dividend of $4.9 million, MSA fee to Fortress of $0.5 million and financing fee to Fortress of $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

4.Increase in fair value of investment in Caelum Biosciences for the year ended December 31, 2020.

5.Related to issuance of Cyprium warrant in connection with 2018 Venture Debt for the year ended December 31, 2020.

1.Includes Research and development expense and Research and development – licenses acquired expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

2.Excludes $4.6 million and $2.5 million PIK Dividend for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

3.Excludes $0.3 million for Fortress MSA and $7.6 million PIK Dividend for the year ended December 31, 2020; excludes $0.3 million for Fortress MSA and $4.9 million PIK dividend for the year ended December 31, 2019.

4.Excludes $0.5 million of Fortress MSA expense and $0.9 million Fortress financing fee for the year ended December 31, 2020; and $0.5 million of Fortress MSA expense and $0.7 million Fortress financing fee for the year ended December 31, 2019.

5.Excludes $0.3 million of Fortress MSA expense and $2.4 million Fortress financing fee for the year ended December 31, 2020; and $0.3 million of Fortress MSA expense and $1.7 million Fortress financing fee for the year ended December 31, 2019.