Afimkibart

A Teva Pharmaceuticals drug being developed in partnership with Sanofi to hit a promising but competitive target for inflammation now has positive data from a clinical test in the two most common types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), results the companies say support the antibody’s best-in-class potential. The preliminary results announced Tuesday are from a placebo-controlled Phase 2b test that enrolled 240 patients with either ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. The experimental drug, duvakitug, was administered as a subcutaneous injection every two weeks for 14 weeks. In ulcerative colitis, 36.2% of those treated with the low dose and 47.8 of those treated with the high dose achieved clinical remission compared to 20.45% of those given a placebo. In Crohn’s disease, endoscopic response was achieved by 26.1% of those in the low-dose group and 47.8% in the high-dose group. Just 13% of those in the placebo arm met that mark. Teva said these responses to duvakitug were both statistically significant and clinically meaningful. presented by Market Trends to Watch for Health Systems and Their Specialty Pharmacies The future looks bright for the integrated specialty pharmacy model – for health systems, providers, and most importantly, for patients. By Jake Gaffey, MBA, Chief Strategy Officer at Shields Health Solutions On measures of safety, the companies said duvakitug was well tolerated in both the ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s cohorts. They added that rates of adverse events were similar between the study drug arms and the placebo groups. The companies plan to present more Phase 2b details at an upcoming scientific meeting in 2025. But with these encouraging preliminary results in hand, the companies are now preparing for a longer and larger IBD Phase 3 study, which will be led by Sanofi. Duvakitug goes after a target called tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like ligand 1A, or TL1A. Signaling of this protein is believed to drive inflammation and fibrosis associated with IBD. TL1A binds to two receptors, one that maintains homeostasis and the other which promotes pro-inflammatory signaling, Teva said in an investor presentation. By selectively binding to DR3, the pro-inflammatory receptor, duvakitug is intended to mitigate the signaling that drives IBD. The drug was initially discovered and developed by Teva, which is better known as a maker of generic and biosimilar medicines. But the company has also been devoting resources to the R&D of novel drugs that offer the potential for stronger revenue growth. Last year, Sanofi signed on as a partner in the development of duvakitug, formerly known as TEV-48574. The pharma giant paid €469 million (about $500 million) up front, and committed to up to €940 million (about $1 billion) in milestone payments. It’s one of several deals in what has become a hot area of inflammatory drug research. Merck’s TL1A-targeting drug, tulisokibart, came via an acquisition, as did Roche’s contender, RO7790121. Both are in mid-stage clinical development. Further behind but still in the hunt is AbbVie, which struck a deal earlier this year that brought a preclinical drug candidate that targets TL1A. In a note sent to investors, Leerink Partners analyst David Risinger characterized the duvakitug results as “surprisingly compelling.” In both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s, the drug’s data appear stronger than its competitors. Cross-trial comparisons come with caveats due to differences in study designs, but Risinger said duvakitug is showing greater placebo-adjusted efficacy versus its competitors in the TL1A class. However, he also noted that duvakitug’s study tested dosing every two weeks while rival drug candidates were tested with dosing every four weeks. Consumer / Employer Health Executives on Digital Transformation in Healthcare Hear executives from Quantum Health, Surescripts, EY, Clinical Architecture and Personify Health share their views on digital transformation in healthcare. By MedCity News Teva and Sanofi are gathering data for the longer dosing interval. Participants who completed the 14-week Phase 2b test could continue receiving treatment in a long-term extension study lasting 44 weeks. Dosing in this study is every four weeks. Following the positive preliminary Phase 2b results, the next steps include discussions with regulators about Phase 3. “These unprecedented results show that duvakitug could represent the next frontier in treating ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease,” Houman Ashrafian, executive vice president, head of R&D at Sanofi, said in a prepared statement. “If the magnitude of effect persists in the Phase 3 program, we believe we will have a differentiated medicine for IBD patients who are in urgent need of new options.”

BASEL, Switzerland and LONDON and NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Roivant (Nasdaq: ROIV) today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, and provided a business update. Brepocitinib 52-week data from the Phase 2 NEPTUNE study in non-infectious uveitis (NIU) showed potential best-in-indication efficacy sustained to one year; first patients enrolled in Phase 3 NIU program IMVT-1402 cleared five Investigational New Drug (IND) applications across a range of therapeutic areas and FDA divisions, including the potentially registrational trial for difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2T RA) expected to initiate by March 31, 2025Batoclimab proof of concept data in Graves’ disease (GD) demonstrate potential of deeper IgG reduction with potent FcRn inhibition to transform treatment for GD patients who are not well controlled on antithyroid drugs (ATDs); initiation of potentially registrational trial to evaluate IMVT-1402 in GD expected by year endMosliciguat, a once-daily inhaled soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activator, unveiled as new pipeline program. Mosliciguat Phase 1b data in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients demonstrated some of the highest pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) reductions (~38%) in PH trials to date. The global Phase 2 PHocus trial for mosliciguat has been initiated in patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD)Roivant continued to return capital through share repurchases with $106M purchased for the quarter, resulting in $754M cumulative share repurchases (inclusive of Sumitomo) through September 30, 2024Dermavant transaction with Organon closed on October 28, 2024. At closing, Roivant received $184M in cash, and Organon took on all of Dermavant’s remaining outstanding long-term debt, which, inclusive of Dermavant’s senior credit facility repaid at closing, had a carrying value of $336M as of September 30, 2024. In addition, Organon will pay Roivant a $75M milestone upon FDA approval for VTAMA in atopic dermatitis, with a target action date in Q1 2025Roivant reported consolidated cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of approximately $5.4B at September 30, 2024 “I am pleased to finish out another quarter with continued clinical execution, including positive data in Graves’ Disease and FDA’s clearance of INDs in 5 indications at Immunovant,” said Matt Gline, CEO of Roivant. “I am also excited today to present the 52-week data from our Phase 2 study of brepocitinib in NIU. The sustained treatment benefits observed further our belief that brepocitinib is a potentially compelling and durable agent for a disease that is poorly treated today. We have a busy year ahead with major data expected in 2025 from Immunovant and Priovant, along with continued execution across other programs.” Recent Developments Immunovant: Endocrinology ProgramIn September 2024, Immunovant reported additional positive results from the Phase 2a trial of batoclimab in Graves’ Disease. Participants in the trial received 12 weeks of high dose batoclimab, 680 mg weekly by subcutaneous injection (SC) followed by 12 weeks of lower dose batoclimab, 340 mg weekly SC. At the end of the first 12 weeks, participants experienced a mean IgG reduction of 77% leading to a 76% Response rate. In addition, by the end of 12 weeks of higher dose batoclimab, 56% achieved an ATD-Free Response. During Weeks 13 to 24, the lower 340mg dose of batoclimab resulted in mean IgG reduction of 65% (vs. 77% on 680mg dose) with a correspondingly lower responder rate of 68%. In addition, a lower ATD-Free Response rate of 36% was also observed in the second 12 weeks. Patients who achieved at least a 70% IgG reduction at the end of the trial had nearly a threefold higher ATD-Free Response rate than those who did not (60% vs. 23%). Batoclimab was well tolerated with no new safety signals identified.In November 2024, additional data on the efficacy and safety of batoclimab in Graves’ thyroidal and extrathyroidal disease were presented in an oral presentation at the American Thyroid Association (ATA) 2024 Annual Meeting. These data showed that a 60% response rate (defined as T3 and T4 falling below the upper limit of normal (ULN) without increasing the ATD dose) was achieved by Week 2, demonstrating the rapidity of response to batoclimab 680mg dosed weekly. Meaningful improvements in proptosis and lid aperture were also observed at both Week 12 and Week 24. Pronounced improvements in multiple Thyroid-Related Patient-Reported Outcomes (ThyPRO-39) measurement scales were also observed, with ATD-Free Responders (defined as T3 and T4 falling below the ULN and ceasing all ATD medications) reporting greater improvements than other participants.Neurology ProgramIn November 2024, Immunovant announced completion of enrollment for patients included in Period 1 of the Phase 2b trial of batoclimab in CIDP, with data expected by March 31, 2025, to inform the trial design for a potentially registrational program with IMVT-1402.Rheumatology ProgramIn November 2024, Immunovant also announced FDA clearance of the IND for IMVT-1402 in D2T RA and expects to initiate a potentially registrational trial by March 31, 2025. Priovant: In September 2024, Priovant announced receipt of Fast Track designation from FDA for brepocitinib in NIU and enrolled the first patients in the Phase 3 program. New 52-week data from the Phase 2 NEPTUNE study of brepocitinib in NIU showed potential best-in-indication efficacy sustained to one year. Treatment failure rate in the 45 mg dose arm was 35% at week 52 vs. 29% at week 24. Treatment failure rate in the 15 mg dose arm was 56% vs. 44% at week 24. In each treatment arm only one additional patient failed from week 24 to 52. Other important efficacy measurements at week 52 were consistent with the week 24 data, including measurements of retinal vascular leakage and prevention and treatment of macular edema. Safety and tolerability were consistent with prior clinical studies of brepocitinib, with no new safety or tolerability signals identified. Brepocitinib has been dosed in over 1,400 subjects and patients with a safety profile that appears consistent with approved and widely prescribed JAK inhibitors. Pulmovant: In September 2024, Roivant unveiled mosliciguat, a potential first-in-class and best-in-category inhaled once-daily sGC activator. Mosliciguat is being developed for PH-ILD, which affects ~200,000 patients in the U.S. and Europe with limited or no treatment options. In September 2024, Pulmovant also presented data from the Phase 1b ATMOS study showing a single dose of inhaled mosliciguat in PH patients (N=38) led to sustained, clinically meaningful mean-max reductions in PVR of up to ~38%, one of the highest reductions seen in PH trials to date. Mosliciguat was generally well-tolerated, with low rates of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).Pulmovant initiated the global Phase 2 PHocus trial of mosliciguat in patients with PH-ILD. Roivant: In October 2024, Roivant reported the close of Organon’s acquisition of Dermavant. At closing, Roivant received $184M in cash and Organon took on all of Dermavant’s remaining outstanding long-term debt, which, inclusive of Dermavant’s senior credit facility repaid at closing, had a carrying value of $336M as of September 30, 2024. In addition, Organon will pay Roivant a $75M milestone upon FDA approval for VTAMA in atopic dermatitis, with a target action date in the first quarter of calendar year 2025. The transaction also includes payments of up to $950 million for the achievements of certain commercial milestones, in addition to the tiered royalties on net sales that Organon will pay Dermavant shareholders.Roivant continued to return capital through share repurchases with $106M purchased for the quarter ending September 30, 2024, resulting in $754M cumulative share repurchases (inclusive of the repurchase of Sumitomo’s stake in April 2024) through September 30, 2024.Roivant reported consolidated cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of approximately $5.4B at September 30, 2024. Major Upcoming Milestones Kinevant plans to report topline data from the ongoing Phase 2 trial of namilumab for the treatment of sarcoidosis in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2024. Immunovant plans to have initiated 4-5 potentially registrational programs by March 31, 2025, and plans to have initiated studies in a total of 10 indications by March 31, 2026, for IMVT-1402. In pursuit of this goal, Immunovant now has active INDs in Graves’ Disease and difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis and expects to initiate potentially registrational trials in these indications by December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025 respectively. Topline data from the batoclimab trial in MG is expected by March 31, 2025. Results from this trial are expected to inform a decision regarding next steps for batoclimab in MG and the design of the MG program for IMVT-1402, which is expected to initiate by March 31, 2025. Data from the batoclimab trial in CIDP is expected by March 31, 2025 and will be used to inform the trial design for a potentially registrational program for IMVT-1402. Topline data from the current pivotal program evaluating batoclimab in thyroid eye disease (TED) now expected in the second half of calendar year 2025. Priovant plans to report topline data from the ongoing Phase 3 trial of brepocitinib in DM in the second half of calendar year 2025.Genevant Markman hearing in Pfizer / BioNTech action scheduled for December 2024. Summary judgment phase of Moderna action scheduled for second and third quarter of calendar year 2025; Moderna trial scheduled for September 2025. Second Quarter Ended September 30, 2024 Financial Summary Cash and Marketable Securities As of September 30, 2024, the Company had consolidated cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities of approximately $5.4 billion. Research and Development Expenses Research and development (R&D) expenses increased by $28.3 million to $143.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $114.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily driven by increases in program-specific costs of $19.2 million, personnel-related expenses of $7.2 million, and share-based compensation of $1.6 million. Within program-specific costs, the increase of $19.2 million was primarily driven by an increase in expense of $34.2 million related to the anti-FcRn franchise, partially offset by a decrease in expense of $18.6 million related to RVT-3101, which was sold to Roche in December 2023. Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $132.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $105.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative (G&A) expenses increased by $114.3 million to $202.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $88.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily due to an increase in personnel-related expenses of $87.0 million, of which $79.1 million related to the one-time cash retention awards approved in July 2024 for each of Matthew Gline, Chief Executive Officer; Mayukh Sukhatme, President and Chief Investment Officer; and Eric Venker, President and Chief Operating Officer (the "2024 Senior Executive Compensation Program") and $6.6 million related to the special one-time cash retention bonus award granted to employees, following approval in December 2023. The increase was also driven by an increase in share-based compensation expense of $21.7 million, primarily due to the long-term equity incentive awards granted in July 2024 pursuant to the 2024 Senior Executive Compensation Program. Non-GAAP G&A expenses were $142.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $49.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Loss from continuing operations, net of tax Loss from continuing operations, net of tax was $236.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to a loss from continuing operations, net of tax of $244.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. On a basic and diluted per common share basis, loss from continuing operation was $0.25 and $0.28, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023. Non-GAAP loss from continuing operations, net of tax was $218.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $154.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. ROIVANT SCIENCES LTD.Selected Balance Sheet Data(unaudited, in thousands) September 30, 2024 March 31, 2024 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$1,969,914 $6,506,189 Marketable securities 3,428,021 — Total assets 6,206,028 7,222,482 Total liabilities 625,986 773,953 Total shareholders’ equity 5,580,042 6,448,529 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 6,206,028 7,222,482 ROIVANT SCIENCES LTD.Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts) Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenue, net$4,475 $3,648 $12,465 $8,131 Operating expenses: Cost of revenues 234 223 447 1,206 Research and development (includes $9,911 and $8,309 of share-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and $20,443 and $15,726 for the six months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively) 143,073 114,790 263,580 224,206 Acquired in-process research and development — 13,950 — 26,450 General and administrative (includes $59,443 and $37,755 of share-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and $96,284 and $76,472 for the six months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively) 202,881 88,576 302,773 179,858 Total operating expenses 346,188 217,539 566,800 431,720 Gain on sale of Telavant net assets — — 110,387 — Loss from operations (341,713) (213,891) (443,948) (423,589)Change in fair value of investments (48,375) 45,849 (63,601) 53,413 Change in fair value of liability instruments (635) 11,789 515 51,967 Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries — (17,354) — (17,354)Interest income (69,773) (14,299) (141,900) (31,014)Other expense, net 1,453 1,530 5,061 4,357 Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (224,383) (241,406) (244,023) (484,958)Income tax expense 12,458 3,236 24,421 4,911 Loss from continuing operations, net of tax (236,841) (244,642) (268,444) (489,869)(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax (43,083) (86,476) 46,010 (169,094)Net loss (279,924) (331,118) (222,434) (658,963)Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (49,740) (26,791) (87,547) (62,820)Net loss attributable to Roivant Sciences Ltd.$(230,184) $(304,327) $(134,887) $(596,143)Amounts attributable to Roivant Sciences Ltd.: Loss from continuing operations, net of tax$(187,101) $(218,226) $(181,052) $(427,784)(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax (43,083) (86,101) 46,165 (168,359)Net loss attributable to Roivant Sciences Ltd.$(230,184) $(304,327) $(134,887) $(596,143) Basic and diluted net (loss) income per common share:Basic and diluted loss from continuing operations$(0.25) $(0.28) $(0.25) $(0.56)Basic and diluted (loss) income from discontinued operations$(0.06) $(0.11) $0.06 $(0.22)Basic and diluted net loss per common share$(0.31) $(0.40) $(0.18) $(0.78) Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 735,470,796 770,227,849 735,642,721 764,780,630 Diluted 735,470,796 770,227,849 735,642,721 764,780,630 ROIVANT SCIENCES LTD.Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures(unaudited, in thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30, Note 2024 2023 2024 2023 Loss from continuing operations, net of tax $(236,841) $(244,642) $(268,444) $(489,869)Adjustments: Research and development: Share-based compensation(1) 9,911 8,309 20,443 15,726 Depreciation and amortization(2) 724 1,205 1,419 2,694 General and administrative: Share-based compensation(1) 59,443 37,755 96,284 76,472 Depreciation and amortization(2) 1,094 1,235 2,184 2,485 Gain on sale of Telavant net assets(3) — — (110,387) — Other: Change in fair value of investments(4) (48,375) 45,849 (63,601) 53,413 Change in fair value of liability instruments(5) (635) 11,789 515 51,967 Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries(6) — (17,354) — (17,354)Estimated income tax impact from adjustments(7) (3,986) 1,100 (4,190) 369 Adjusted loss from continuing operations, net of tax (Non-GAAP) $(218,665) $(154,754) $(325,777) $(304,097) Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30, Note 2024 2023 2024 2023 Research and development expenses $143,073 $114,790 $263,580 $224,206 Adjustments: Share-based compensation(1) 9,911 8,309 20,443 15,726 Depreciation and amortization(2) 724 1,205 1,419 2,694 Adjusted research and development expenses (Non-GAAP) $132,438 $105,276 $241,718 $205,786 Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30, Note 2024 2023 2024 2023 General and administrative expenses $202,881 $88,576 $302,773 $179,858 Adjustments: Share-based compensation(1) 59,443 37,755 96,284 76,472 Depreciation and amortization(2) 1,094 1,235 2,184 2,485 Adjusted general and administrative expenses (Non-GAAP) $142,344 $49,586 $204,305 $100,901 Notes to non-GAAP financial measures:(1) Represents non-cash share-based compensation expense.(2) Represents non-cash depreciation and amortization expense.(3) Represents a gain on the sale of Telavant net assets to Roche due to achievement of a one-time milestone in June 2024.(4) Represents the unrealized (gain) loss on equity investments in unconsolidated entities that are accounted for at fair value with changes in value reported in earnings.(5) Represents the change in fair value of liability instruments, which is non-cash and primarily includes the unrealized (gain) loss relating to the measurement and recognition of fair value on a recurring basis of certain liabilities.(6) Represents the one-time gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries.(7) Represents the estimated tax effect of the adjustments. Investor Conference Call Information Roivant will host a live conference call and webcast at 8:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, to report its financial results for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, and provide a corporate update. To access the conference call by phone, please register online using this registration link. The presentation and webcast details will also be available under “Events & Presentations” in the Investors section of the Roivant website at https://investor.roivant.com/news-events/events. The archived webcast will be available on Roivant’s website after the conference call. About Roivant Roivant is a biopharmaceutical company that aims to improve the lives of patients by accelerating the development and commercialization of medicines that matter. Roivant’s pipeline includes IMVT-1402 and batoclimab, fully human monoclonal antibodies targeting FcRn in development across several IgG-mediated autoimmune indications; brepocitinib, a potent small molecule inhibitor of TYK2 and JAK1 in development for the treatment of dermatomyositis and non-infectious uveitis; mosliciguat, an inhaled sGC activator in development for pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease; and namilumab, an anti-GM-CSF monoclonal antibody in development for the treatment of pulmonary sarcoidosis. We advance our pipeline by creating nimble subsidiaries or “Vants” to develop and commercialize our medicines and technologies. Beyond therapeutics, Roivant also incubates discovery-stage companies and health technology startups complementary to its biopharmaceutical business. For more information, www.roivant.com. Roivant Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. Statements in this press release may include statements that are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which are usually identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and variations of such words or similar expressions. The words may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future, and statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the clinical and therapeutic potential of our product candidates, the availability and success of topline results from our ongoing clinical trials and any commercial potential of our product candidates following applicable regulatory approvals. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events, results or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated in these statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Although we believe that our plans, intentions, expectations and strategies as reflected in or suggested by those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that the plans, intentions, expectations or strategies will be attained or achieved. Furthermore, actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements and will be affected by a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, those risks set forth in the Risk Factors section of our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment in which new risks emerge from time to time. These forward-looking statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of our management as of the date of this press release, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we assume no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contacts:InvestorsKeyur Parekh keyur.parekh@roivant.com MediaStephanie Leestephanie.lee@roivant.com