On February 28, 2017 TESARO, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSRO), an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, reported operating results for fourth-quarter 2016 and provided an update on the Company’s development programs (Press release, TESARO, FEB 28, 2017, View Source [SID1234517988]).
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"2017 is poised to be an eventful year for TESARO as we prepare for four product launches across the United States and Europe," said Lonnie Moulder, CEO of TESARO. "2016 was an important year for the Company, highlighted by the landmark NOVA trial results for niraparib, which were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented in a presidential session at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) annual meeting. We intend to build upon these successes in 2017 with the planned launch of niraparib in the U.S. during the first half of this year and in Europe by year end. Looking beyond ovarian and breast cancer, we aim to finalize our registration program for niraparib in lung cancer in the first half of this year. Lastly, we are excited about the progress in our immuno-oncology pipeline, and expect to initiate a registrational program for TSR-042 in the coming months."
Recent Business Highlights
The U.S. launch of VARUBI continues, with sequential unit volume growth for the fourth quarter of 2016. For the month of December, VARUBI achieved greater than 40% market share in the oral NK-1 market in the U.S., which represents the market-leading position in the category.
The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) rendered a positive opinion for the marketing authorization application (MAA) for VARUBY for the prevention of delayed nausea and vomiting associated with highly and moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy in adults.
In January, TESARO received a Complete Response Letter regarding the rolapitant IV New Drug Application (NDA) for the prevention of delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. TESARO expects to be able to address the questions from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and resubmit the NDA to enable approval in the first half of 2017.
The NDA for niraparib was accepted for review by the FDA for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer following response to platinum-based chemotherapy. The FDA granted priority review for the niraparib NDA and established a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date of June 30, 2017.
An expanded access program (EAP) for niraparib opened in the U.S. in January, through which niraparib is being made available for eligible women with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer following a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. An EAP for niraparib is planned to open in Europe in the first half of 2017, and will be initiated on a country-by-country basis.
Enrollment continues in the Phase 3 PRIMA trial of niraparib for patients with first-line ovarian cancer, the Phase 3 BRAVO trial for patients with germline BRCA-mutated, metastatic breast cancer, and in the QUADRA trial of niraparib for the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer who have received three or more prior lines of chemotherapy.
Based upon the anti-tumor activity observed in Phase 1 of the TOPACIO trial of niraparib plus KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in patients with ovarian cancer or with triple negative breast cancer, the trial has expanded to Phase 2 and is enrolling patients. Initial data are expected at an upcoming medical meeting.
Following the presentation of data at ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) in 2016, the Phase 2 portion of the AVANOVA trial of niraparib plus bevacizumab in patients with ovarian cancer continues to enroll, and updated data are expected in 2H 2017.
Dose escalation and identification of a fixed dose and schedule was completed for the Phase 1 trial of TSR-042, an anti-PD-1 antibody candidate, and a registration trial is planned to begin in 1H 2017.
Enrollment continues in the Phase 1 dose escalation study of TSR-022, an anti-TIM-3 antibody candidate.
A lead PD-1/LAG-3 bi-specific antibody candidate was identified.
Fourth Quarter 2016 Financial Results
TESARO reported revenue of $4.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to revenue of $0.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. Net product revenue for the fourth quarter of 2016 totaled $2.5 million and included sales of VARUBI from specialty pharmacy customers to patients and from specialty distributors to providers that were made during the fourth quarter. License, collaboration and other revenue for the fourth quarter of 2016 totaled $1.8 million and included amortization of up-front payments and shipments of clinical materials under our license agreements with Hengrui and Janssen.
Research and development expenses increased to $71.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $42.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, driven primarily by higher costs related to the ongoing registration trials of niraparib, manufacturing and other research and development costs related to niraparib, advancement of our immuno-oncology portfolio, and increased headcount.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $54.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $27.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, primarily due to commercial activities in support of the launch of VARUBI, pre-launch activities related to niraparib, expansion of the European commercial organization, increased headcount and higher professional service fees.
Acquired in-process research and development expenses totaled $9.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 and included milestone payments related to niraparib, compared to $1.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2015, which included a milestone payment related to our immuno-oncology portfolio.
Operating expenses, as described above, include total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense of $14.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $8.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2015.
Net loss totaled $136.9 million, or ($2.60) per share, for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to a net loss of $75.8 million, or ($1.89) per share, for the fourth quarter of 2015.
As of December 31, 2016, TESARO had approximately $785.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and approximately 53.6 million outstanding shares of common stock. Excluding the proceeds from the November 2016 financing, our cash and cash equivalents balance declined $95.7 million in the fourth quarter.
Full-Year 2016 Financial Results
TESARO reported revenue of $44.8 million for 2016, compared to revenue of $0.3 million for 2015. Net product revenue for 2016 totaled $6.9 million and included sales of VARUBI from specialty pharmacy customers to patients and from specialty distributors to providers through December 31, 2016. License, collaboration and other revenue for 2016 totaled $37.9 million and included amortization of up-front payments and shipments of clinical materials under our license agreements with Hengrui and Janssen.
Research and development expenses increased to $235.1 million for 2016, compared to $155.4 million for 2015, driven primarily by three ongoing registration trials of niraparib, increased headcount, and advancement of our immuno-oncology portfolio.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $158.6 million for 2016, compared to $78.7 million for 2015, primarily due to increased headcount, commercial and pre-launch activities in support of VARUBI and niraparib, expansion of the European commercial organization, and higher professional service fees.
Acquired in-process research and development expenses totaled $18.9 million for 2016 and included milestone payments related to niraparib and our immuno-oncology portfolio, compared to $2.0 million for 2015, which included milestone payments related to our immuno-oncology portfolio.
Operating expenses, as described above, include total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense of $48.5 million for 2016, compared to $25.9 million for 2015.
Net loss totaled $387.5 million, or ($8.13) per share, for 2016, compared to a net loss of $251.4 million, or ($6.38) per share, for 2015.
In anticipation of four product launches in 2017, TESARO will continue to invest in pre-launch inventory manufacturing and development of supply chain capabilities and capacity, in addition to making milestone payments for regulatory submissions. TESARO expects its cash and cash equivalents balance to decline by approximately $110 to $120 million on average, per quarter, during the first half of 2017, excluding one-time regulatory milestones of $35 million expected to be paid at the time of the first commercial sale of VARUBY oral in Europe and approval of niraparib in the U.S.
2017 Corporate Objectives
TESARO anticipates achieving the following key objectives:
VARUBI (rolapitant):
Launch VARUBI IV into the U.S. market in mid-2017, pending FDA approval; and
Launch VARUBY oral in Europe in 2Q 2017, pending EMA approval.
Niraparib:
Continue commercial preparations in support of the launches of niraparib in the U.S. in 1H 2017 and Europe by year-end 2017, pending regulatory approvals;
Report initial data from TOPACIO trial at upcoming medical meeting;
Report QUADRA data in 2H 2017;
Report Phase 3 BRAVO data in 2H 2017;
Continue to enroll the Phase 3 PRIMA trial throughout 2017;
Finalize a potential lung cancer registration strategy in 1H 2017 and initiate the development program;
Update AVANOVA data in 2H 2017; and
Describe the potential registration strategy for niraparib plus TSR-042 in ovarian and other cancers in 2H 2017.
Immuno-Oncology Portfolio:
Identify a dose and schedule for TSR-022 (anti-TIM-3 antibody) by mid-2017;
Submit an IND for TSR-033 (anti-LAG-3 antibody) in 2Q 2017;
Finalize the TSR-042 registration strategy and initiate a registration program in 1H 2017;
Identify the first clinical candidate within the MD Anderson collaboration in 1H 2017; and
Initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial of TSR-022 in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody in mid-2017.