– ONC201 ACTION Study Progressing; Reiterate Interim OS Data Expected in 2025, Final OS Data Expected in 2026 –
– Phase 2 ONC201 Data Published in Peer-Reviewed Journal of Clinical Oncology –
– $204 Million in Cash and Equivalents at December 31, 2023 –
– Conference Call at 8:30 a.m. ET Today –
DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Chimerix (NASDAQ:CMRX), a biopharmaceutical company whose mission it is to develop medicines that meaningfully improve and extend the lives of patients facing deadly diseases, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2023 and provided an operational update.
“Following strong clinical development in 2023, we remain very focused on advancing the ONC201 ACTION study, completing ONC206 dose escalation this year and strengthening our executive team as we prepare for potential commercialization of ONC201,” said Mike Andriole, Chief Executive Officer of Chimerix. “We are making good progress enrolling our global Phase 3 ACTION study and are excited about the prospect of having interim overall survival data next year. In addition, we are pleased to share that the ONC201 Phase 2 data was recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology which further elucidates key characteristics of response and detailed patient-level data.”
“During the fourth quarter, we were delighted to strengthen our Board of Directors with the addition of Lisa Decker, Ph.D., as well as strengthen the management team with the promotion of Michelle LaSpaluto to Chief Financial Officer and the additions of Tom Riga as Chief Operating and Commercial Officer and Pablo Lee, MD, as Vice President of Medical Affairs. We are confident their collective expertise will be invaluable assets to Chimerix as we seek to maximize our future growth potential for patients and shareholders,” added Mr. Andriole.
ONC201
Journal of Clinical Oncology Publication
In February 2024, “ONC201 (dordaviprone) in Recurrent H3 K27M-mutant Diffuse Midline Glioma,” was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO), a peer reviewed journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The manuscript reports in detail the results of 50 patients with recurrent H3 K27M-DMG treated with monotherapy ONC201 who were evaluable for objective response by Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) high grade glioma (HGG) criteria. ONC201 demonstrated a median overall survival (mOS) of 13.7 months (95% CI: 8.0 – 20.3), with an overall two-year rate of survival of 35% (95% CI: 21-49) from the start of ONC201 treatment post-recurrence. Chimerix previously conducted a natural disease history study (n=43) in the recurrent setting evaluating patients who did not receive ONC201 which showed a mOS of 5.1 months (95% CI: 3.9 – 7.7) with an overall two-year survival rate of 11% (95% CI:3.3-24.2).The top-line data from this JCO publication were previously disclosed by Chimerix. The journal can be accessed here.
The Phase 3 ACTION trial is currently enrolling patients at over 130 sites in 13 countries. The trial enrolls patients shortly after completion of front-line radiation therapy that is the standard of care. The study is designed to enroll 450 patients randomized 1:1:1 to receive ONC201 at one of two dosing frequencies or placebo. Participants are randomized to receive 625mg of ONC201 once per week (the Phase 2 dosing regimen), 625mg twice per week on two consecutive days or placebo. The dose will be scaled by body weight for patients <52.5kg. For more information, please visit clinicaltrials.gov
ONC206
ONC206 is a second generation ClpP agonist and DRD2 antagonist that has demonstrated monotherapy anti-cancer activity in pre-clinical models in primary CNS tumors and solid tumors outside of the CNS. Phase I dose escalation trials continue at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC) in adult and pediatric CNS tumor patients, respectively. To date, ONC206 has been generally well tolerated with no dose limiting toxicities. The dose escalation trials are currently dosing at more frequent dose schedules, which are expected to increase the duration of therapeutic exposure. Chimerix expects to report preliminary safety and pharmacokinetic data from these trials beginning in mid-2024.
Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results
Chimerix’s balance sheet at December 31, 2023 included $204.5 million of capital available to fund operations, no debt, and approximately 88.9 million outstanding shares of common stock.
Chimerix reported a net loss of $18.2 million, or $0.20 per basic and diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to a net loss of $21.0 million, or $0.24 per basic and diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2022.
Research and development expenses decreased to $15.6 million for the three-month period ended December 31, 2023, compared to $19.3 million for the same period in 2022. This decrease was primarily driven by one-time costs associated with a reduction in force related to the TEMBEXA divestiture in the comparable 2022 period.
General and administrative expenses decreased to $5.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $5.3 million for the same period in 2022.
Full Year 2023 Financial Results
Chimerix reported a net loss of $82.1 million, or $0.93 per basic and diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2023. For the year ended December 31, 2022, Chimerix recorded net income of $172.2 million, or $1.97 per basic and $1.94 per diluted share. The decrease was primarily driven by the gain on sale of TEMBEXA to Emergent BioSolutions in 2022.
Revenues for 2023 decreased to $0.3 million, compared to $33.8 million in 2022. The decrease was primarily related to deliveries under international TEMBEXA procurement agreements in the comparable 2022 period.
Research and development expenses decreased to $68.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $71.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
General and administrative expenses increased to $24.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $22.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Conference Call and Webcast
Chimerix will host a conference call and live audio webcast to discuss fourth quarter and full-year 2023 financial results and provide a business update today at 8:30 a.m. ET. To access the live conference call, please dial 646-307-1963 (domestic) or 800-715-9871 (international) at least five minutes prior to the start time and refer to conference ID 6933453. A live audio webcast of the call will also be available on the Investors section of Chimerix’s website, www.chimerix.com. An archived webcast will be available on the Chimerix website approximately two hours after the event.
About Chimerix
Chimerix is a biopharmaceutical company with a mission to develop medicines that meaningfully improve and extend the lives of patients facing deadly diseases. The Company’s most advanced clinical-stage development program, ONC201, is in development for H3 K27M-mutant glioma.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements include those relating to, among other things, enrollment and timing of data for the Phase 3 ACTION study, the results of dose escalation trials of ONC206, and the impact of recent changes to the Board of Directors and management team. Among the factors and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements are risks related to the timing, completion and outcome of the Phase 3 ACTION study of ONC201; risks associated with repeating positive results obtained in prior preclinical or clinical studies in future studies; risks related to the clinical development of ONC206; and additional risks set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s judgment as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACT:
Will O’Connor
Stern Investor Relations
212-362-1200
will@sternir.com
CHIMERIX, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
December 31,
December 31,
2023
2022
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
27,661
$
25,842
Short-term investments, available-for-sale
155,174
191,492
Accounts receivable
4
1,040
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
6,271
9,764
Total current assets
189,110
228,138
Long-term investments
21,657
48,626
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
224
227
Operating lease right-of-use assets
1,482
1,964
Other long-term assets
301
386
Total assets
$
212,774
$
279,341
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
2,851
$
3,034
Accrued liabilities
15,592
17,381
Total current liabilities
18,443
20,415
Loan Fees
125
250
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