Breda, the Netherlands / Ghent, Belgium – argenx N.V. (Euronext Brussels: ARGX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on creating and developing differentiated therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of cancer and severe autoimmune diseases, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2016.
"On the strategic side we were very pleased to announce our collaboration with AbbVie last month for the exclusive opt-in right to ARGX-115 which targets the novel immune checkpoint GARP. The collaboration not only provides an upfront payment of $40 million further strengthening our financial position but also provides validation from a global oncology player of our first immuno-oncology asset from our Innovative Access program (IAP), which has quickly generated novel and valuable compounds, said Tim Van Hauwermeiren, Chief Executive Officer of argenx.
We remain very focused on advancing our pipeline programs and on driving forward our ongoing studies in cancer and autoimmune diseases including several upcoming milestones. We have defined the doses for our multiple ascending dose escalation study for ARGX-113; we expect data from this study by the end of July of this year and to announce our Phase 2 plan in the second half of 2016. We will also have data from our two lead oncology programs this year with top-line Phase 1 data of ARGX-110 in T-cell lymphoma in the third quarter of 2016 and top-line data from the Phase 1 safety expansion cohort of ARGX-111 by mid-2016.
FIRST QUARTER 2016 AND RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
In the first quarter of 2016, the Company
- Announced initial results from a Phase 1 single ascending dose (SAD) study of ARGX-113, a potential breakthrough therapy for severe autoimmune diseases. Results showed compound to be safe and well-tolerated across all doses in healthy volunteers. Additionally, observed promising pharmacodynamic (PD) effects for speed, depth and duration of IgG reduction.
- Launched three clinical sites in South Korea to recruit MET-amplified cancer patients for Phase 1 safety expansion cohort of ARGX-111.
- Received milestone payment from LEO Pharma collaboration (initiated in May 2015) to develop antibody-based treatments for inflammatory skin conditions.
- Received EUR 16 million investment by U.S. funds advised by subsidiaries of Federated Investors.
- argenx partner, Bird Rock Bio (formerly RuiYi), a company focused on the discovery and development of novel biologic therapies, announced that gerilimzumab, a novel SIMPLE AntibodyTM equipped with argenx’s proprietary NHance® technology neutralizing the IL-6 cytokine, demonstrated safety and pharmacokinetics that support low, infrequent dosing and the potential for favorable pricing.
More recently, the Company
- Initiated a collaboration with AbbVie to develop and commercialize ARGX-115. ARGX-115, a preclinical-stage human antibody program targeting the novel immuno-oncology target GARP, is a protein that is believed to contribute to immunosuppressive effects of T-cells. argenx will receive an upfront payment of $40 million and near-term preclinical milestones of $20 million from AbbVie in return for the exclusive option to license ARGX-115. argenx is also eligible to receive additional development, regulatory and commercial payments up to $625 million upon achievement of pre-determined milestones as well as tiered, up to double-digit royalties on net sales upon commercialization.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (as of 31 March 2016) (compared to financial highlights as of 31 March 2015)
- Operating income of EUR 2.8 million (31 March 2015: EUR 1.8 million).
- Net loss of EUR 3.0 million (31 March 2015: EUR 3.0 million).
- Cash position of EUR 53.8 million (cash, cash-equivalents and financial assets) (31 March 2015: EUR 52.2 million) allowing Company to pursue development of its productportfolio in line with its communicated business plan.
