Initiated rolling NDA submission for
avutometinib and defactinib combination in recurrent low-grade
serous ovarian cancer in Q2 2024 with plans to complete the
submission with mature data from all patients in RAMP 201 trial in
H2 2024
Presented positive initial interim safety and
efficacy results from the RAMP 205 trial of avutometinib and
defactinib in combination with current standard of care in
first-line metastatic pancreatic cancer at the 2024 ASCO Annual
Meeting
Company cash, cash equivalents, and investments
of $83.4 million as of June 30, 2024; pro forma $144.5 million
including the sale of common stock, pre-funded warrants, and
warrants, and achievement of COPIKTRA net sales milestone by
Secura
Verastem Oncology (Nasdaq: VSTM), a biopharmaceutical company
committed to advancing new medicines for patients with cancer,
today announced business updates and reported financial results for
the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.
“We have made tremendous progress in the second quarter as we
initiated our rolling NDA submission for avutometinib and
defactinib combination in recurrent KRAS mutant low-grade serous
ovarian cancer, shared updated topline results from our RAMP 201
trial with a minimum of five months of follow-up, and presented
positive initial interim results from our ongoing first-line
metastatic pancreatic cancer trial,” said Dan Paterson, president
and chief executive officer of Verastem Oncology. “In the second
half of the year, we plan to present mature data from RAMP 201,
complete our rolling NDA submission with the mature data from RAMP
201 trial, and share interim topline data from our lung cancer
programs.”
Second Quarter 2024 and Recent Updates
Avutometinib and Defactinib Combination in Low-Grade Serous
Ovarian Cancer (LGSOC)
- Announced the initiation of a rolling New Drug Application
(NDA) submission seeking accelerated approval of the combination of
avutometinib and defactinib for adult patients with recurrent KRAS
mutant LGSOC who received at least one prior systemic therapy. Read
the press release here.
- Announced topline interim data from the RAMP 201 trial, with a
February 2024 data cutoff, that continued to show robust overall
response rates and durable responses with low discontinuation rates
due to adverse events in patients with KRAS mutant or KRAS
wild-type LGSOC who had a minimum follow-up of five months, in May
2024.
- Expect to complete the rolling NDA submission after obtaining
and submitting to the FDA the mature safety and efficacy data from
the RAMP 201 trial, including 12 months of follow-up, to inform the
final indication in the second half of 2024.
- Enrollment and site activations are underway in the U.S.,
Australia, Europe, and the UK, for the international confirmatory
Phase 3 RAMP 301 trial evaluating the avutometinib and defactinib
combination versus standard of care chemotherapy or hormonal
therapy for the treatment of recurrent LGSOC.
- Preparations for a potential U.S. commercial launch in 2025 are
ongoing and plans to initiate discussions with European and
Japanese regulatory authorities to address patient needs outside
the U.S. continue to advance.
Avutometinib in Combination with KRAS G12C Inhibitors in
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
- In the RAMP 203 trial, patients who previously progressed on
KRAS G12C inhibitors were initiated on the triplet combination of
avutometinib, defactinib and sotorasib.
- Expect to report updated interim data from patients with KRAS
G12C-mutant NSCLC in the Phase 1/2 RAMP 203 trial evaluating
avutometinib plus defactinib and sotorasib are planned for H2
2024.
- Expect to report initial interim data from patients with KRAS
G12C-mutant NSCLC in the Phase 1/2 RAMP 204 trial evaluating
avutometinib and adagrasib are planned for H2 2024.
Avutometinib and Defactinib Combination in First-Line
Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer
- Presented initial interim safety and efficacy results from the
ongoing RAMP 205 trial of avutometinib and defactinib in
combination with current standard of care gemcitabine and
nab-paclitaxel in first-line metastatic pancreatic cancer on June
1, 2024, at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual
Meeting. As of May 14, 2024, 41 patients had been treated in one of
four dose cohort regimens and only patients in dose cohort 1 had a
minimum follow up of six months. In the dose level 1 cohort, 83%
(5/6) of patients achieved a confirmed partial response with more
than six months of follow up at the time of data cutoff. One
dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed in the dose level 1
cohort, and the dose level was subsequently cleared after
additional patients were enrolled. Of the 26 patients in all
cohorts who have had the opportunity to have their first scan while
on treatment, 21 have experienced a reduction of the change in
target lesion sum of diameters. Read the press release here.
- FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation to avutometinib and
defactinib combination for the treatment of pancreatic cancer in
July 2024.
- Expect to report updated data from the ongoing RAMP 205 trial
in Q1 2025.
GFH375 (VS-7375): Oral KRAS G12D (ON/OFF) Inhibitor
- GenFleet Therapeutics investigational new drug (IND)
application for GFH375 (VS-7375) in China was cleared in June
2024.
- GenFleet dosed the first patient in the Phase 1/2 trial for
GFH375 (VS-7375) in China in patients with KRAS G12D-mutated
advanced solid tumors in July 2024.
- Plan to initiate development studies outside of China after
evaluating initial dose escalation data from the Phase 1 study of
GFH375 (VS-7375) in China to accelerate a path forward in the U.S.
and rest of world.
- Discovery/lead optimization continues for second and third
programs with GenFleet collaboration.
Corporate Updates
- Verastem strengthened its executive team with the appointment
of John Hayslip, M.D., as chief medical officer in April 2024 and
the promotion of Nate Sanburn to chief business officer in June
2024.
- In July 2024, Verastem strengthened its balance sheet by
raising net proceeds of approximately $51.1 million in a public
offering of 13.3 million shares of its common stock and
accompanying warrants to purchase up to 13.3 million shares of its
common stock, and pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 5.0 million
shares of its common and accompany warrants to purchase up to 5.0
million shares of its common stock.
- Secura Bio, Inc. (“Secura”) achieved $100 million of cumulative
worldwide net sales of COPIKTRA during Q2 2024, entitling Verastem
to a $10 million milestone payment. Verastem received the $10
million milestone payment in July 2024.
Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Verastem Oncology ended the second quarter of 2024 with cash,
cash equivalents and investments of $83.4 million. On a pro forma
basis, inclusive of the $51.1 million net proceeds raised through
issuance of common stock, pre-funded warrants, and warrants in July
2024, and the $10 million net sales milestone from Secura, cash,
cash equivalents and investments were $144.5 million as of June 30,
2024. These additional sources of capital along with the existing
cash, cash equivalents, and investments through the second quarter
of 2024 provides an expected cash runway through the potential
approval of avutometinib and defactinib for recurrent LGSOC in the
first half of 2025.
Total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2024 (the
“2024 Quarter”) was $10.0 million, compared to $0.0 million for the
three months ended June 30, 2023 (the “2023 Quarter”). Revenue for
the 2024 Quarter was comprised of one sales milestone payment of
$10.0 million due upon Secura achieving total worldwide net sales
of COPIKTRA exceeding $100.0 million during the 2024 Quarter. The
$10.0 million milestone payment was received by Verastem in July
2024.
Total operating expenses for the 2024 Quarter were $28.3
million, compared to $20.3 million for the three months ended June
30, 2023.
Research & development expenses for the 2024 Quarter were
$18.1 million, compared to $12.9 million for the 2023 Quarter. The
increase of $5.2 million, or 40.3%, was primarily related to
increased contract research organization costs, increased
consulting costs, and increased investigator fees.
Selling, general & administrative expenses for the 2024
Quarter were $10.2 million, compared to $7.4 million for the 2023
Quarter. The increase of $2.8 million, or 37.8%, was primarily
related to additional costs in anticipation of a potential launch
of avutometinib and defactinib in LGSOC, and increased personnel
costs, including non-cash stock compensation.
Net loss for the 2024 Quarter was $8.3 million, or $0.31 per
share (basic and diluted), compared to $24.3 million, or $1.37 per
share (basic and diluted, each as adjusted for the Company’s
reverse stock split) for the 2023 Quarter.
For the 2024 Quarter, non-GAAP adjusted net loss was $16.5
million, or $0.61 per share (diluted) compared to non-GAAP adjusted
net loss of $18.8 million, or $1.06 per share (diluted, as adjusted
for the Company’s reverse stock split), for the 2023 Quarter.
Please refer to the GAAP to non-GAAP Reconciliation attached to
this press release.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement Verastem Oncology’s condensed consolidated
financial statements, which are prepared and presented in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States (GAAP), the Company uses the following non-GAAP
financial measures in this press release: non-GAAP adjusted net
loss and non-GAAP net loss per share. These non-GAAP financial
measures exclude certain amounts or expenses from the corresponding
financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Management
believes this non-GAAP information is useful for investors, taken
in conjunction with the Company’s GAAP financial statements,
because it provides greater transparency and period-over- period
comparability with respect to the Company’s operating performance
and can enhance investors’ ability to identify operating trends in
the Company’s business. Management uses these measures, among other
factors, to assess and analyze operational results and trends and
to make financial and operational decisions. Non-GAAP information
is not prepared under a comprehensive set of accounting rules and
should only be used to supplement an understanding of the Company’s
operating results as reported under GAAP, not in isolation or as a
substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and
presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP
financial measures are unlikely to be comparable with non-GAAP
information provided by other companies. The determination of the
amounts that are excluded from non-GAAP financial measures is a
matter of management judgment and depends upon, among other
factors, the nature of the underlying expense or income amounts.
Reconciliations between these non-GAAP financial measures and the
most comparable GAAP financial measures for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 are included in the tables
accompanying this press release after the unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements.
About the Avutometinib and Defactinib Combination
Avutometinib is a RAF/MEK clamp that induces inactive complexes
of MEK with ARAF, BRAF and CRAF potentially creating a more
complete and durable anti-tumor response through maximal RAS/MAPK
pathway inhibition. In contrast to currently available MEK-only
inhibitors, avutometinib blocks both MEK kinase activity and the
ability of RAF to phosphorylate MEK. This unique mechanism allows
avutometinib to block MEK signaling without the compensatory
activation of MEK that appears to limit the efficacy of other
MEK-only inhibitors. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation of the investigational
combination of avutometinib and defactinib, a selective FAK
inhibitor, for the treatment of all patients with recurrent
low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) regardless of KRAS status
after one or more prior lines of therapy, including platinum-based
chemotherapy. Avutometinib alone or in combination with defactinib
was also granted Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA for the
treatment of LGSOC.
Verastem Oncology is currently conducting clinical trials with
avutometinib in RAS/MAPK driven tumors as part of its Raf
And Mek Program or RAMP. RAMP 301
(NCT06072781) is an international Phase 3 confirmatory trial
evaluating the combination of avutometinib and defactinib versus
standard chemotherapy or hormonal therapy for the treatment of
recurrent LGSOC. RAMP 201 (NCT04625270) is a Phase 2
registration-directed trial of avutometinib in combination with
defactinib in patients with recurrent LGSOC and enrollment has been
completed in each of the dose optimization and expansion phases and
the low-dose evaluation. Verastem has initiated a rolling NDA
submission for avutometinib and defactinib combination in adults
with recurrent LGSOC and expects to complete its NDA submission in
the second half of 2024 with a potential FDA decision in the first
half of 2025.
Verastem Oncology has established clinical collaborations with
Amgen and Mirati to evaluate LUMAKRAS™ (sotorasib) in combination
with avutometinib and defactinib and KRAZATI™ (adagrasib) in
combination with avutometinib in KRAS G12C mutant NSCLC as part of
the RAMP 203 (NCT05074810) and RAMP 204 (NCT05375994) trials,
respectively. The RAMP 205 (NCT05669482), a Phase 1b/2 clinical
trial evaluating avutometinib and defactinib with
gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in patients with front-line metastatic
pancreatic cancer, is supported by the PanCAN Therapeutic
Accelerator Award. FDA granted Orphan Drug Designation to
avutometinib and defactinib combination for the treatment of
pancreatic cancer.
About GFH375 (VS-7375)
GFH375/VS-7375 is a potential best-in-class, potent and
selective oral KRAS G12D (ON/OFF) inhibitor, identified as the lead
discovery program from the Verastem Oncology discovery and
development collaboration with GenFleet Therapeutics. GenFleet’s
IND for GFH375/VS-7375 was approved in China in June 2024 and the
Phase 1/2 trial in KRAS G12D-mutant solid tumors was subsequently
initiated and the first patient has been dosed in July 2024. The
collaboration includes three discovery programs, the first being
the KRAS G12D inhibitor, and provides Verastem Oncology with
exclusive options to license three compounds selected for
collaboration after successful completion of pre-determined
milestones in Phase 1 trials. The licenses would give Verastem
Oncology development and commercialization rights outside of the
GenFleet territories of mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and
Taiwan.
About Verastem Oncology
Verastem Oncology (Nasdaq: VSTM) is a late-stage development
biopharmaceutical company committed to the development and
commercialization of new medicines to improve the lives of patients
diagnosed with cancer. Our pipeline is focused on RAS/MAPK-driven
cancers, specifically novel small molecule drugs that inhibit
critical signaling pathways in cancer that promote cancer cell
survival and tumor growth, including RAF/MEK inhibition and FAK
inhibition. For more information, please visit www.verastem.com and
follow us on LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements about,
among other things, Verastem Oncology’s programs and product
candidates, strategy, future plans and prospects, including
statements related to the timing, scope and progress of the rolling
NDA submission for the avutometinib and defactinib combination in
LGSOC, the structure of our planned and pending clinical trials,
the potential clinical value of various of the Company’s clinical
trials, including the RAMP 201, 205 and 301 trials, the timing of
commencing and completing trials, including topline data reports,
interactions with regulators, the timeline and indications for
clinical development, regulatory submissions and the potential for
and timing of commercialization of product candidates and potential
for additional development programs involving Verastem Oncology’s
lead compound, the expected outcome and benefits of our
collaboration with GenFleet Therapeutics and the estimated
addressable markets of our drug candidates. The words "anticipate,"
"believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan,"
"predict," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "would,"
"could," "should," "continue," “can,” “promising” and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements,
although not all forward-looking statements contain these
identifying words.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could
cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed
or implied in the forward-looking statements we make. Applicable
risks and uncertainties include the risks and uncertainties, among
other things, regarding: the success in the development and
potential commercialization of our product candidates, including
avutometinib in combination with other compounds, including
defactinib, LUMAKRAS™ and others; the uncertainties inherent in
research and development, such as negative or unexpected results of
clinical trials, the occurrence or timing of applications for our
product candidates that may be filed with regulatory authorities in
any jurisdictions; whether and when regulatory authorities in any
jurisdictions may approve any such applications that may be filed
for our product candidates, and, if approved, whether our product
candidates will be commercially successful in such jurisdictions;
our ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other
intellectual property protection for our product candidates; the
scope, timing, and outcome of any legal proceedings; decisions by
regulatory authorities regarding trial design, labeling and other
matters that could affect the timing, availability or commercial
potential of our product candidates; whether preclinical testing of
our product candidates and preliminary or interim data from
clinical trials will be predictive of the results or success of
ongoing or later clinical trials; that the timing, scope and rate
of reimbursement for our product candidates is uncertain; that the
market opportunities of our drug candidates are based on internal
and third-party estimates which may prove to be incorrect; that
third-party payors (including government agencies) may not
reimburse; that there may be competitive developments affecting our
product candidates; that data may not be available when expected;
that enrollment of clinical trials may take longer than expected,
which may delay our development programs, including delays in
submission or review by the FDA of our NDA submission in recurrent
KRAS mutant LGSOC if enrollment in our confirmatory trial is not
well underway at the time of submission, or that the FDA may
require the Company to enroll additional patients in the Company’s
ongoing RAMP-301 confirmatory Phase 3 clinical trial prior to
Verastem submitting or the FDA taking action on our NDA seeking
accelerated approval; risks associated with preliminary and interim
data, which may not be representative of more mature data,
including with respect to interim duration of therapy data; that
our product candidates will cause adverse safety events and/or
unexpected concerns may arise from additional data or analysis, or
result in unmanageable safety profiles as compared to their levels
of efficacy; that we may be unable to successfully validate,
develop and obtain regulatory approval for companion diagnostic
tests for our product candidates that require or would commercially
benefit from such tests, or experience significant delays in doing
so; that the mature RAMP 201 data and associated discussions with
the FDA may not support the scope of our rolling NDA submission for
the avutometinib and defactinib combination in LGSOC, including
with respect to KRAS wild type LGSOC; that our product candidates
may experience manufacturing or supply interruptions or failures;
that any of our third party contract research organizations,
contract manufacturing organizations, clinical sites, or
contractors, among others, who we rely on fail to fully perform;
that we face substantial competition, which may result in others
developing or commercializing products before or more successfully
than we do which could result in reduced market share or market
potential for our product candidates; that we will be unable to
successfully initiate or complete the clinical development and
eventual commercialization of our product candidates; that the
development and commercialization of our product candidates will
take longer or cost more than planned, including as a result of
conducting additional studies or our decisions regarding execution
of such commercialization; that we may not have sufficient cash to
fund our contemplated operations, including certain of our product
development programs; that we may not attract and retain high
quality personnel; that we or Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. will
fail to fully perform under the avutometinib license agreement;
that the total addressable and target markets for our product
candidates might be smaller than we are presently estimating; that
we or Secura Bio, Inc. (Secura) will fail to fully perform under
the asset purchase agreement with Secura, including in relation to
milestone payments; that we will not see a return on investment on
the payments we have and may continue to make pursuant to the
collaboration and option agreement with GenFleet Therapeutics
(Shanghai), Inc. (GenFleet), or that GenFleet will fail to fully
perform under the agreement; that we may be unable to obtain
adequate financing in the future through product licensing,
co-promotional arrangements, public or private equity, debt
financing or otherwise; that we will not pursue or submit
regulatory filings for our product candidates; and that our product
candidates will not receive regulatory approval, become
commercially successful products, or result in new treatment
options being offered to patients.
Other risks and uncertainties include those identified under the
heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2023 as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 14, 2024 and in any
subsequent filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements
contained in this press release reflect Verastem Oncology’s views
as of the date hereof, and the Company does not assume and
specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, except as required by law.
Verastem Oncology
Condensed Consolidated Balance
Sheets
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
June 30, 2024
December 31,
2023
Cash, cash equivalents, &
investments
$
83,371
$
137,129
Accounts receivable, net
10,000
—
Grant receivable
825
—
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets
5,450
6,553
Property and equipment, net
46
37
Right-of-use asset, net
816
1,171
Restricted cash and other assets
5,239
4,828
Total assets
$
105,747
$
149,718
Current Liabilities
$
30,347
$
26,380
Long term debt
35,390
40,086
Lease liability, long-term
—
530
Preferred stock tranche liability
—
4,189
Convertible preferred stock
21,159
21,159
Stockholders’ equity
18,851
57,374
Total liabilities, convertible
preferred stock and stockholders’ equity
$
105,747
$
149,718
Verastem Oncology
Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share
amounts)
(unaudited)
Three months ended June
30,
Six months ended June
30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Revenue
Sale of COPIKTRA license and related
assets
$
10,000
$
—
$
10,000
$
—
Total revenue
10,000
—
10,000
—
Operating expenses:
Research and development
18,062
12,893
35,769
24,908
Selling, general and administrative
10,215
7,399
20,567
14,728
Total operating expenses
28,277
20,292
56,336
39,636
Loss from operations
(18,277
)
(20,292
)
(46,336
)
(39,636
)
Other expense
(24
)
(40
)
(54
)
(47
)
Interest income
983
1,122
2,350
2,098
Interest expense
(1,138
)
(1,121
)
(2,268
)
(1,890
)
Change in fair value of preferred stock
tranche liability
10,200
(3,950
)
4,189
(520
)
Net loss
$
(8,256
)
$
(24,281
)
$
(42,119
)
$
(39,995
)
Net loss per share—basic and diluted
$
(0.31
)
$
(1.37)(1
)
$
(1.57
)
$
(2.32)(1
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding
used in computing:
Net loss per share – basic and diluted
26,861
17,732(1
)
26,846
17,231(1
)
(1)
Amounts have been retroactively restated
to reflect the 1-for-12 reverse stock split effected on May 31,
2023
Verastem Oncology
Reconciliation of GAAP to
Non-GAAP Financial Information
(in thousands, except per share
amounts)
(unaudited)
Three months ended June
30,
Six months ended June
30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Net loss reconciliation
Net loss (GAAP basis)
$
(8,256
)
$
(24,281
)
$
(42,119
)
$
(39,995
)
Adjust:
Stock-based compensation expense
1,905
1,432
3,388
2,745
Non-cash interest, net
6
112
(413
)
76
Change in fair value of preferred stock
tranche liability
(10,200
)
3,950
(4,189
)
520
Severance and Other
56
—
609
38
Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP
basis)
$
(16,489
)
$
(18,787
)
$
(42,724
)
$
(36,616
)
Reconciliation of net loss per
share
Net loss per share – diluted (GAAP
Basis)
(0.31
)
(1.37)(1
)
(1.57
)
(2.32)(1
)
Adjust per diluted share:
Stock-based compensation expense
0.08
0.08(1
)
0.13
0.16(1
)
Non-cash interest, net
—
0.01(1
)
(0.01
)
—
Change in fair value of preferred stock
tranche liability
(0.38
)
0.22(1
)
(0.16
)
0.03(1
)
Severance and Other
—
—
0.02
—
Adjusted net loss per share –
diluted
(non-GAAP basis)
$
(0.61
)
$
(1.06)(1
)
$
(1.59
)
$
(2.13)(1
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding
used in computing net loss per share—diluted
26,861
17,732(1
)
26,846
17,231(1
)
(1)
Amounts have been retroactively restated
to reflect the 1-for-12 reverse stock split effected on May 31,
2023
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240808951114/en/
For Investor and Media Inquiries: Julissa Viana Vice
President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
investors@verastem.com or media@verastem.com
Verastem (NASDAQ:VSTM)
Historical Stock Chart
From Oct 2024 to Nov 2024
Verastem (NASDAQ:VSTM)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2023 to Nov 2024