Idera Pharmaceuticals Reports First Quarter 2017 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update
Since
• Completed enrollment in the dose escalation cohorts of the ipilimumab combination arm of the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of intratumoral IMO-2125 in PD-1 refractory metastatic melanoma;
- No dose-limiting toxicity reported in studied dose levels; MTD not reached; and
- Durable responses of over a year have been observed;
• Commenced enrollment of the Phase 2 portion of the clinical trial of 8mg intratumoral IMO-2125 in combination with ipilimumab in PD-1 refractory melanoma;
- 21 patients planned for evaluation, with 9 already enrolled; and
- Overall Response Rate (ORR) data expected to be available in first quarter of 2018;
• Continued enrollment into the dose escalation cohorts of the pembrolizumab combination arm of the Phase 1/2 clinical trial of intratumoral IMO-2125 in PD-1 refractory metastatic melanoma;
• Commenced and will continue to engage in discussions with global regulatory authorities regarding the path to registration for IMO-2125 in combination with ipilimumab in PD-1 refractory metastatic melanoma;
• Activated first site for Phase 1 clinical trial of intratumoral IMO-2125 monotherapy in multiple tumor types;
• Continued accruing patients into the IMO-8400 Phase 2 clinical trial in dermatomyositis which is being conducted at 22 sites both in the U.S. and abroad and is expected to complete enrollment in 2017 with data planned for the first half of 2018; and
• Continued all pre-clinical and IND-enabling activities for IDRA 008, Idera’s first clinical candidate from the Third Generation Antisense (3GA) technology platform, with expected IND filing and initiation of human proof-of-concept clinical trial in the first half of 2018.
“We are very focused on bringing the first treatment option to PD1 refractory metastatic melanoma patients. Having selected our phase 2 dose earlier than we planned is good example of this focus,” stated
Research and Development Program Updates
IMO-2125 and IMO-8400 are the Company’s lead clinical development drug candidates. IMO-2125 is an oligonucleotide-based agonist of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9. IMO-8400 is an oligonucleotide-based antagonist of TLRs 7, 8, and 9. The Company also announced, in early 2017, the selection of the first development target from its proprietary 3GA technology platform. The company plans to disclose the specific target, disease and clinical pathway in the second half of 2017. The Company plans to take the first 3GA candidate into human proof of concept studies in 2018.
Toll-like Receptor (TLR) Agonism
Immuno-Oncology Program
Idera’s development program in immuno-oncology is based on the rationale that intra-tumoral injections of IMO-2125, a TLR9 agonist, will activate dendritic cells and modulate the tumor microenvironment to potentiate the anti-tumor activity of checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapies. This rationale is supported by pre-clinical data in multiple tumor types.
Idera is currently conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial of intratumoral IMO-2125 in combination with ipilimumab, a CTLA4 antibody, and in a separate arm exploration of the combination of intratumoral IMO-2125 with pembrolizumab, an anti-PD1 antibody. The Phase 1 dose exploration portion of the trial was conducted at the
Additionally, the company has begun and will continue to engage in discussions with regulatory authorities regarding the path to registration for IMO-2125 in combination with ipilimumab in PD-1 refractory metastatic melanoma patients.
Also during the first quarter of 2017, the phase 1 trial of intratumoral IMO-2125 monotherapy in multiple tumor types has been activated and the first patient is expected to enroll early in the second quarter of 2017.
At the 2017 ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium held
At the 2017
Additionally, on the same day,
Third Generation Antisense Platform (3GA)
Idera’s proprietary third-generation antisense (3GA) platform technology is focused on silencing the mRNA associated with disease causing genes. Idera has designed 3GA oligonucleotides to overcome specific challenges associated with earlier generation antisense technologies and RNAi technologies such as immunotoxicities and less than optimal therapeutic index.
Over the past two years, Idera has generated 22 unique compounds developed to target specific genes across a wide variety of therapeutic areas such as rare diseases, oncology, autoimmune disorders, metabolic conditions and diseases driven by a single point mutation. The company is currently conducting activities ranging from cell culture through IND-enabling toxicology. The current portfolio is designed to create both internal development candidates as well as partnering opportunities for disease areas outside of Idera’s stated focus.
The first partnering endeavor is demonstrated through Idera’s collaboration with GSK developing an undisclosed 3GA gene target for renal conditions. Idera and GSK entered into the collaboration in late 2015 and GSK’s stated goal is to achieve selection of clinical development candidate in the first quarter of 2018.
Additionally, in January of 2017, Idera announced selection of its first internal candidate to enter clinical development. For strategic and competitive purposes, Idera is withholding naming the specific target until the second half of 2017. Idera has selected a well-established liver target, with available, validated pre-clinical animal models, well-understood clinical endpoints, which has the potential for both rare and broader disease applications. Idera is currently conducting the IND-enabling toxicology for this program and expects to file and IND and enter the clinic in 2018.
Toll-like Receptor (TLR) Antagonism
Dermatomyositis Clinical Development Program
In late 2015, Idera announced the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial of IMO-8400 in patients with dermatomyositis, a rare auto-immune condition, which negatively affects skin and may result in debilitating muscle weakness. TLRs have been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. This randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled Phase 2 trial is expected to enroll 36 patients and is being conducted at 22 clinical sites worldwide. The Company plans to complete enrollment of this trial by the end of 2017 and have clinical data available in 2018.
Financial Results
First Quarter Results
Net loss applicable to common stockholders for the three months ended
As of
About
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included or incorporated in this press release, including statements regarding the Company's strategy, future operations, collaborations, intellectual property, cash resources, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, clinical trials, plans, and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. The words "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "may," "could," "should," "potential," "likely," "projects," "continue," "will," and "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Idera cannot guarantee that it will actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in its forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Idera's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by its forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include: whether the Company’s cash resources will be sufficient to fund the Company’s continuing operations and the further development of the Company’s programs for the period anticipated; whether interim results from a clinical trial, such as the preliminary results reported in this release, will be predictive of the final results of the trial; whether results obtained in preclinical studies and clinical trials such as the results described in this release will be indicative of the results that will be generated in future clinical trials, including in clinical trials in different disease indications; whether products based on Idera's technology will advance into or through the clinical trial process when anticipated or at all or warrant submission for regulatory approval; whether such products will receive approval from the
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Condensed Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share data) |
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Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||
Alliance Revenue | $ | 378 | $ | 294 | ||||
Operating Expenses | ||||||||
Research & Development | 11,485 | 9,296 | ||||||
General & Administrative | 4,081 | 3,916 | ||||||
Total Operating Expenses | 15,566 | 13,212 | ||||||
Loss from Operations | (15,188 | ) | (12,918 | ) | ||||
Other Income (Expense), Net | 131 | 95 | ||||||
Net Loss | $ | (15,057 | ) | $ | (12,823 | ) | ||
Basic and diluted net loss per common share applicable to common stockholders | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | ||
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per common share applicable to common stockholders | 149,100 | 121,284 | ||||||
Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Condensed Balance Sheet Data (In thousands) |
||||||||
At March 31 | At December 31, | |||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||
Cash, Cash Equivalents & Investments | $ | 91,262 | $ | 109,014 | ||||
Other Assets | 6,311 | 4,217 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 97,573 | $ | 113,231 | ||||
Total Liabilities | $ | 7,382 | $ | 9,882 | ||||
Total Stockholders' Equity | 90,191 | 103,349 | ||||||
Total Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity | $ | 97,573 | $ | 113,231 |
IDERA PHARMACEUTICALS Contact:Robert A. Doody, Jr. VP, Investor Relations& Communications Phone (617) 679-5515 RDOODY@IDERAPHARMA.COM