On November 7, 2023 Replimune Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: REPL), a clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of a novel portfolio of oncolytic immunotherapies, reported financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended September 30, 2023 and provided a business update (Press release, Replimune, NOV 7, 2023, View Source [SID1234637159]).

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"We look forward to presenting the topline data from our registration-directed CERPASS clinical trial of RP1 in combination with Libtayo in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) as well as sharing an initial snapshot from the full patient population in the IGNYTE clinical trial cohort of RP1 combined with Opdivo in anti-PD1 failed melanoma at an investor call in a few weeks time," said Philip Astley-Sparke, CEO of Replimune. "We are also excited to present the design of a confirmatory study agreed with the FDA to support a potential approval of RP1 in anti-PD1 failed melanoma via the accelerated approval pathway. For RP2 and RP3, we are continuing to see anti-tumor activity in our Phase 1 program and look forward to providing a full update in early 2024."

Program Highlights & Milestones

RP1

CERPASS clinical trial of RP1 combined with Libtayo (cemiplimab-rwlc) in CSCC
The trigger for the primary analysis from the registration-directed CERPASS clinical trial occurred in late June and data collection activities are now complete. The independent review process is expected to complete shortly, triggering a defined process timeline to disclosure in early December.
Assuming positive data demonstrating overall clinical benefit, the Company plans to submit a Biologics License Application (BLA) for RP1 in Q2 2024.
RP1 combined with Opdivo (nivolumab) in anti-PD1 failed melanoma
The Company will present initial snapshot data for all patients on its conference call in early December by which point all patients will have had at least 6 months follow up. The Company also plans to provide a regulatory update including the design of the intended confirmatory clinical trial to support a potential approval under the accelerated pathway. Planning for the confirmatory study is underway to ensure it has commenced ahead of any BLA submission. The per protocol primary analysis will take place 12 months post the last patient enrolled. Accordingly, the Company plans to submit the BLA in Q3 2024.
RP1 combined with Opdivo in anti-PD1 failed non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC)
Recruitment remains ongoing into the cohort of patients with anti-PD1 failed NMSC, including CSCC. The Company plans to provide a data update of the first 30 patients with at least 6 months follow up on its conference call in early December.

RP1 in solid organ transplant recipients with skin cancers
Presented initial data from the ARTACUS clinical trial of RP1 monotherapy in solid organ transplant recipients with skin cancers at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper)’s (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 38th Annual Meeting in November 2023. The data included 23 evaluable patients with CSCC (n=20) and Merkel cell carcinoma (n=3).
The data demonstrated an overall response rate (ORR) of 34.5% and a confirmed complete response (CR) rate of 21%.
RP1 monotherapy was well tolerated, and the safety profile was similar to non-immunocompromised patients with advanced skin cancers (i.e. from the IGNYTE study). No immune-mediated adverse events or evidence of allograft rejection were observed.
RP2 and RP3

RP2 and RP3 Phase 1 program
Accrual in the Phase 1 program is now substantially complete. Any additional Phase 2 development programs not already announced which are driven by data from the full Phase 1 data and other opportunistic considerations are expected to be announced in early 2024.
The Company will present updated data from a cohort of metastatic uveal melanoma patients enrolled in the open-label, multicenter Phase 1 study of RP2 as a single agent and in combination with nivolumab during a Plenary Session at the 20th Annual International Society for Melanoma Research Congress on November 8, 2023.
RP2 and RP3 Phase 2 program
RP2 and RP3 in combination with atezolizumab and bevacizumab in third-line colorectal cancer (CRC)
Two signal finding cohorts of 30 patients each are being enrolled in collaboration with Roche. Patients in the first cohort will be treated with atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab and RP2 and the second cohort with atezolizumab and bevacizumab and RP3. This clinical trial is ongoing.
RP2 and RP3 in combination with atezolizumab and bevacizumab in second-line (2L) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
Two signal finding cohorts of 15 patients each will be enrolled in collaboration with Roche. The first cohort will enroll 2L patients treated with standard of care atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab and RP3, and the second cohort will enroll 2L patients treated with atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab and RP2. This clinical trial has recently initiated.
RP3 in combination with standard of care therapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN)
Initiation has been delayed due to the global shortage of cisplatin and carboplatin.
Corporate Update

Announced the appointment of Emily Hill as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Ms. Hill was most recently CFO of the commercial stage biotech company PTC Therapeutics and has more than 15 years of experience in the biotechnology and life sciences industry having held senior financial management and investor relations roles at several leading public biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
Due to the timing of expected data, the company will commence a quiet period on November 13, 2023 that will remain in effect until the planned conference call in early December.
Financial Highlights

Cash Position: As of September 30, 2023, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $496.8 million, as compared to $583.4 million as of March 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily related to cash utilized in operating activities in advancing the Company’s expended clinical development plans.

Based on the current operating plan, the Company believes that existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, as of September 30, 2023, will enable the Company to fund operations into the second half of calendar year 2025.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $49.1 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $28.8 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2022. This increase was primarily due to increased clinical and manufacturing expenses driven by the Company’s lead programs and increased personnel expenses. Research and development expenses included $4.4 million in stock-based compensation expenses for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023.
S,G&A Expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $14.7 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023, as compared to $12.7 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2022. The increase was primarily driven by personnel related costs, including sales and marketing personnel associated with pre-launch planning and build of the Company’s commercial infrastructure. Selling, general and administrative expenses included $4.7 million in stock-based compensation expenses for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023.
Net Loss: Net loss was $60.0 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023, as compared to a net loss of $43.1 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2022.
About CERPASS
CERPASS is Replimune’s registration-directed randomized, global Phase 2 clinical trial to compare the effects of Libtayo (cemiplimab-rwlc) alone versus a combination of Libtayo and Replimune’s investigational oncolytic immunotherapy RP1. The clinical trial enrolled 211 patients with locally advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma who are naïve to anti-PD-1 therapy. The clinical trial will evaluate complete response rate and overall response rate as its two independent primary efficacy endpoints as assessed by independent review, as well as secondary endpoints including duration of response, progression-free survival, and overall survival. The clinical trial is being conducted under a clinical trial collaboration agreement with Regeneron and full commercial rights retained by Replimune. Libtayo is a registered trademark of Regeneron.

About IGNYTE
IGNYTE is Replimune’s multi-cohort Phase 1/2 clinical trial of RP1 in combination with Opdivo (nivolumab). There are 3 tumor specific cohorts in this clinical trial including a cohort in anti-PD1 failed melanoma with registrational intent that has completed enrollment with 140 patients enrolled. This cohort was initiated after completing enrollment in a prior Phase 2 cohort in the same clinical trial of approximately 30 patients with melanoma. The additional cohorts currently enrolling and are in non-melanoma skin cancers which includes both naïve and anti-PD1 failed CSCC, and in anti-PD1 failed microsatellite instability high, or MSI-H/dMMR tumors. This trial is being conducted under a collaboration and supply agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb. Opdivo is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb.

About RP1
RP1 is Replimune’s lead product candidate and is based on a proprietary new strain of herpes simplex virus engineered and genetically armed with a fusogenic protein (GALV-GP R-) and GM-CSF intended to maximize tumor killing potency, the immunogenicity of tumor cell death, and the activation of a systemic anti-tumor immune response.

About RP2 & RP3
RP2 and RP3 are derivatives of RP1 that express additional immune-activating proteins. RP2 expresses an anti-CTLA-4 antibody-like molecule and RP3 additionally expresses the immune co-stimulatory pathway activating proteins CD40L and 4-1BBL, but does not express GM-CSF. RP2 and RP3 are intended to provide targeted and potent delivery of these proteins to the sites of immune response initiation in the tumor and draining lymph nodes, with the goal of focusing systemic immune-based efficacy on tumors and limiting off-target toxicity.