MEIP reports 1st quarter (fiscal year) results. Stock down 14%
No timetable given for when to expect results from the Phase III of Pracinostat in AML. I thought we would get something in 1Q18. Doesn't look like it. Another delay in the trial? Slow enrollment? Mr. Street doesn't like it.
November 8, 2017 9:00 AM
MEI Pharma Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2018 Results
Quarter highlighted by dosing of first patient in pivotal Phase 3 study of pracinostat and exclusive license agreement for voruciclib Multiple key milestones lined up for year ahead
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MEI Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: MEIP), an oncology company focused on the clinical development of novel therapies for cancer, today reported results for its first quarter ended September 30, 2017.
"In this first quarter of the new fiscal year we announced an important milestone with the dosing of the first patient in the pivotal Phase 3 study of pracinostat in combination with azacitidine in adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are unfit to receive intensive induction chemotherapy. In addition, we announced that we had further strengthened our oncology clinical pipeline with the addition of the clinical-stage cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor voruciclib," said Daniel P. Gold, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of MEI Pharma. "We are well positioned for a momentous year ahead, with a healthy cash balance and a series of key milestones in each of our clinical programs."
Upcoming Milestones
Pracinostat
Expecting results from Stage 1 of a Phase 2 dose-optimization study in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in the first half of 2018. (What about the Phase III in AML?)
ME-401
Expecting to initiate combination study with Rituxan® in indolent lymphoma & diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Expecting results from proof-of-concept study in relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and follicular lymphoma to be presented at a scientific meeting in the first half of 2018.
Voruciclib
Expecting to initiate Phase1/2 single-agent study in relapsed/refractory B lymphocyte malignancies and subsequently in a combination study with venetoclax (marketed as Venclexta™) in the second quarter of 2018.
ME-344
Expecting interim results from the proof-of-concept study in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative breast cancer in combination with bevacizumab (marketed as Avastin®) in the first half of 2018.
Financial Highlights
As of September 30, 2017, MEI Pharma had $47.0 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, with no outstanding debt. The Company believes its cash position will be sufficient to fund operations into calendar year 2019.
Cash used in operating activities was $6.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $8.8 million for 2016. Included in cash expenditures for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $1.9 million cash paid for the voruciclib acquisition. Included in the cash provided by operating activities in 2016 is the $15 million upfront payment from Helsinn for pracinostat.
Research and development expenses, including cost of research and development revenue, were $6.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $2.7 million for 2016. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of voruciclib and increased costs for ME-401, offset by a reduction in expenses related to pracinostat.
General and administrative expenses were $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $2.7 million for 2016. The decrease was primarily due to professional service costs incurred in 2016 related to the Helsinn license agreement.
Revenues were $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $1.1 million in 2016. The decrease is related to activities performed pursuant to the Helsinn license agreement.
Net loss was $8.8 million, or $0.24 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to a net loss of $4.3 million, or $0.12 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2016.
About MEI Pharma
MEI Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: MEIP) is a San Diego-based oncology company focused on the clinical development of novel therapies for cancer. The Company's portfolio of drug candidates includes pracinostat, an oral HDAC inhibitor that is partnered with Helsinn Healthcare, SA. Pracinostat has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in combination with azacitidine for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are unfit for intensive chemotherapy. Pracinostat is also being developed in combination with azacitidine for the treatment of patients with high and very high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). MEI Pharma's clinical development pipeline also includes ME-401, a highly differentiated oral PI3K delta inhibitor currently in a Phase Ib study in patients with relapsed/refractory CLL or follicular lymphoma, and voruciclib, an oral, selective CDK inhibitor shown to suppress MCL1, a known mechanism of resistance to BCL2 inhibitors. The Company is also developing ME-344, a novel mitochondrial inhibitor currently in an investigator-sponsored study in combination with bevacizumab for the treatment of HER2-negative breast cancer. Pracinostat, ME-401, ME-344 and voruciclib are investigational agents and are not approved for use in the U.S. For more information, please visit www.meipharma.com.
Bladerunner
