Mersana Therapeutics Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Financial Results and Provides Business Updates
Enrollment on Track for Phase 1 Trial of XMT-1522 Patients with Advanced Tumors Expressing HER2
Progressing Phase 1 Trial of XMT-1536, First-in-Class Dolaflexin® Antibody Drug Conjugate Targeting NaPi2b
Appointed
Conference Call to be Held Today at
“Our achievements in 2017 demonstrate our ability to build a transformative ADC pipeline of innovative oncology product candidates. Our two lead ADC product candidates, XMT-1522 and XMT-1536, have progressed through significant clinical milestones,” said Anna Protopapas, President and CEO of
Recent Highlights and Updates
Clinical Programs
- Currently dosing the seventh cohort in the ongoing Phase 1 dose escalation study of XMT-1522. XMT-1522 is a Dolaflexin ADC targeting all types of HER2-expressing breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and gastric cancer. The trial design comprises two parts: a dose escalation phase to determine a maximum tolerated dose (MTD); followed by the enrollment of expansion cohorts to establish efficacy in five distinct patient populations. Dose escalation is ongoing, and a MTD has not yet been reached. The Company has submitted an abstract for disclosure of preliminary clinical data from the dose escalation study at the 2018
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO ) Annual Meeting in June of this year.
- Initiated a Phase 1 dose escalation study of XMT-1536 and completed enrollment of three dose cohorts. XMT-1536 is a first-in-class Dolaflexin ADC targeting NaPi2b, a clinically validated ADC target broadly expressed in epithelial ovarian cancer and non-squamous NSCLC, as well as several other rare tumor types. The trial design comprises two parts: a dose escalation phase; followed by the enrollment of expansion cohorts. The Company expects to disclose initial results from the dose escalation study at a medical meeting upon establishing MTD.
- Presented XMT-1536 efficacy data in a panel of ovarian patient derived xenograft mouse studies at
AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics . The data presented support the potential for XMT-1536 to have broad activity in epithelial ovarian cancer.
Discovery & Platform Progress
- Advanced the characterization of the Dolalock technology. The Company plans to present preclinical data at the 2018
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in October showing that the novel AF-HPA payload used in the Dolaflexin platform allows for a controlled bystander effect that has the potential to contribute enhanced efficacy and tolerability of Dolaflexin-based ADCs.
- Continued development of new molecules and novel platforms, strengthening Mersana’s ADC leadership. The Company is leveraging Dolaflexin as well as new platforms to develop additional ADCs with the potential to address significant unmet medical need in new therapeutic areas. The additional platforms incorporate new payloads designed to expand therapeutic benefit and new linkers designed to allow for exact Drug to Antibody ratios (DARs).
- Supported our partner Takeda in advancing its first Dolaflexin ADC development candidate to preclinical IND-enabling studies.
Corporate Highlights
- Appointed
David A. Spellman , previously ofVertex Pharmaceuticals , as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Spellman’s extensive strategic and operational finance experience in fast-growing life sciences companies will support Mersana’s ambitious growth and expansion plans.
- Appointed Willard H. Dere, M.D., Professor at the
University of Utah and retired Chief Medical Officer ofAmgen , to Board of Directors. Dr. Dere brings more than 30 years of research, clinical and regulatory experience in biopharmaceutical leadership.
- In
December 2017 , Mersana was added to the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (NBI). This is a result of meeting eligibility requirements, which include minimum market capitalization and average daily trading volume, among other criteria.
2018 Goals
Mersana presented the following 2018 Corporate Goals in January at the 36th Annual
- Continue XMT-1522 dose escalation study to establish MTD and present the dose escalation data at a scientific conference.
- Select Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) of XMT-1522 and substantially enroll dose expansion cohorts.
- Continue XMT-1536 dose escalation study to establish MTD. If MTD is established, select RP2D and initiate enrollment of expansion cohorts with data expected at a future medical meeting.
- Select the next ADC clinical candidate and disclose pre-clinical data at a scientific meeting.
- Disclose new proprietary platform technologies at a scientific meeting.
- Continue to recruit top talent and maintain a culture of scientific excellence, focused execution, and prioritization of patient needs.
Upcoming Events
- The Company plans to give a presentation at the
American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018 fromApril 14-18 inChicago - The Company plans to give a corporate presentation at the
Deutsche Bank Securities 43rd AnnualHealth Care Conference fromMay 8-9 inBoston
Financial Results
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of
Fourth Quarter 2017
- Collaboration revenue for the fourth quarter 2017 was approximately
$3.3 million , compared to$12.0 million for the same period in 2016. The decrease was largely the result of timing of activities performed under the XMT-1522 agreement with Takeda that drives deferred revenue. - Research and development expenses for the fourth quarter 2017 were approximately
$14.6 million , compared to$8.8 million for the same period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to increased personnel costs as well as external R&D and manufacturing activities for our two lead clinical programs. - General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter 2017 were approximately
$3.1 million , compared to$1.9 million for the same period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to increased personnel costs to support the growth of the research and development organization as well as increased professional fees to support operations as a public company. - Net loss for the fourth quarter 2017 was
$14.0 million , or$0.61 per share, compared to a net income of$1.3 million , or$0.07 per share, for the same period in 2016. Weighted average common shares outstanding for the years endedDecember 31, 2017 andDecember 31, 2016 , were 22,750,425 and 1,290,224, respectively.
Full Year 2017
- Collaboration revenue for the full year 2017 was approximately
$17.5 million , compared to$25.2 million for the full year 2016. The decrease was largely the result of timing of activities performed under the XMT-1522 agreement with Takeda, partially offset by an increase in revenue due to the impact of changes in estimates of the total costs to complete the research services under the XMT-1522 and platform target Takeda agreements. - Research and development expenses for the full year 2017 were approximately
$46.7 million , compared to$32.0 million for the full year 2016. The increase was primarily due to higher personnel costs as well as external R&D and manufacturing activities for our two lead programs as they progressed into Phase 1 dose escalation. - General and administrative expenses for the full year 2017 were approximately
$10.5 million , compared to$7.0 million for the full year 2016. The increase was primarily due to higher personnel costs to support the growth of the research and development organization as well as increase professional fees to support operations as a public company. - Net loss for the full year 2017 was
$38.7 million , or$3.22 per share, compared to a net loss of$13.7 million , or$10.82 per share, for the full year 2016. Weighted average common shares outstanding for the periods endedDecember 31, 2017 andDecember 31, 2016 , were 12,022,733 and 1,266,758, respectively.
Conference Call
About the Dolaflexin Platform
Mersana’s lead platform, Dolaflexin, is designed to increase the potency and efficacy of ADCs while simultaneously increasing the safety and tolerability. The backbone of Dolaflexin is Fleximer®, a biodegradable, biocompatible, highly water-soluble polymer, to which are attached multiple molecules of Mersana’s proprietary auristatin drug payload. Because of the excellent physicochemical properties provided by the polymer, ADCs can be created with drug-antibody ratios of 10-15, significantly higher than what is achieved with traditional ADC approaches. More drugs per antibody has resulted in preclinical trials in more efficient payload delivery to the tumor cell, particularly for targets with low expression levels, leading to greater potency and efficacy. In addition, Mersana’s proprietary auristatin payload contained in Dolaflexin has been designed with DolaLock technology, a controlled bystander effect, thereby increasing tolerability. The initial release product upon internalization of the ADC is a form of auristatin which is freely cell permeable and can kill adjacent cells. However, a metabolic “trigger” has been incorporated into the auristatin payload such that as it diffuses in the tumor environment it is converted into a highly active payload, which is no longer freely cell permeable, resulting in its becoming “locked” into the cell in which it is formed, thereby increasing tolerability.
About
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts and are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the availability of clinical data and the design of the Company’s clinical trials. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by terms such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “should,” “will,” “would” or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. The Company’s operations involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside its control, and any one of which, or combination of which, could materially affect its results of operations and whether the forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be correct. Factors that may materially affect the Company’s results of operations include, among other things, that preclinical testing may not be predictive of the results or success of ongoing or later preclinical or clinical trials and that the development of the Company’s product candidates will take longer and/or cost more than planned, as well as those listed in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on
Copies of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other SEC filings are available by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov.
Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
| December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | ||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities | $ | 125,216 | $ | 100,297 | |||||||
| Working capital (1) | 85,662 | 73,787 | |||||||||
| Total Assets | 130,715 | 105,087 | |||||||||
| Convertible preferred stock | — | 94,450 | |||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity (deficit) | 69,994 | (55,619 | ) | ||||||||
| (1) The Company defines working capital as current assets less current liabilities. See the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for further detail regarding its current assets and current liabilities. | |||||||||||
Consolidated Statement of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
| Three months ended | Year ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | ||||||||||||
| Collaboration revenue | $ | 3,261 | $ | 11,997 | $ | 17,545 | $ | 25,171 | |||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 14,555 | 8,846 | 46,700 | 32,008 | |||||||||||
| General and administrative | 3,057 | 1,939 | 10,462 | 6,984 | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 17,612 | 10,785 | 57,162 | 38,992 | |||||||||||
| Other income | 383 | 47 | 910 | 121 | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (13,968 | ) | $ | 1,259 | $ | (38,707 | ) | $ | (13,700 | ) | ||||
| Net income attributable to participating securities |
$ | — | $ | (1,166 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders |
$ | (13,968 | ) | $ | 93 | $ | (38,707 | ) | $ | (13,700 | ) | ||||
| Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders — basic |
$ | (0.61 | ) | $ | 0.07 | $ | (3.22 | ) | $ | (10.82 | ) | ||||
| Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders — diluted |
$ | (0.61 | ) | $ | 0.07 | $ | (3.22 | ) | $ | (10.82 | ) | ||||
| Weighted-average number of common shares used in net loss per share attributable to common stockholders — basic |
22,750,425 | 1,290,224 | 12,022,733 | 1,266,758 | |||||||||||
| Weighted-average number of common shares used in net loss per share attributable to common stockholders — diluted |
22,750,425 | 2,647,181 | 12,022,733 | 1,266,758 | |||||||||||
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Source: Mersana Therapeutics, Inc.