BOSTON, March 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ziopharm Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZIOP), a biotechnology company focused on development of next
generation immunotherapies utilizing gene- and cell-based therapies to treat patients with cancer, today announced its financial
results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017, and provided an update on the Company’s recent activities.
“This is an exciting year for Ziopharm and the clinical development of our two platform technologies, Controlled
IL-12 and Sleeping Beauty,” said Laurence Cooper, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Ziopharm. “With Sleeping
Beauty, we achieved major milestones in 2017 and are looking forward to what is ahead in 2018. We plan to move our
point-of-care technology into the clinic and, for the first time ever, we intend to infuse patients with T cells genetically
modified and manufactured without virus using the Sleeping Beauty platform within two days from harvesting the T cells
from patients. Also, Sleeping-Beauty-modified T-cell receptors targeting neoantigens – the very mutations that cause solid
tumors – will enter the clinic with Dr. Steven Rosenberg’s team at the National Cancer Institute.”
Dr. Cooper continued, “With Controlled IL-12, in addition to investigating this cytokine as a monotherapy, we
look forward to seeing data from our first combination of IL-12 and an immune checkpoint inhibitor, and exploring its impact on the
care options for the treatment of patients with brain cancer. We believe Controlled IL-12 is a powerful platform that can turn cold
tumors hot and has the potential for broad applicability across oncology.”
Program Updates
Controlled IL-12
Ziopharm is advancing Ad-RTS-hIL-12 plus veledimex as a gene therapy product candidate to treat patients with
recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM). Ad-RTS-hIL-12 is an adenoviral vector administered via a single injection into the tumor and
engineered to conditionally express human IL-12, a powerful cytokine that has demonstrated a targeted, anti-tumor immune response.
The expression of hIL-12 is controlled and modulated with the RheoSwitch Therapeutic System® (RTS®) by the
small molecule veledimex, an activator ligand which crosses the blood-brain barrier.
Combination Trial with Checkpoint Inhibitor in rGBM Initiated. As announced earlier this year
in January, Ziopharm has initiated a trial of adult patients with rGBM to evaluate a single dose of Ad-RTS-hIL-12 plus veledimex in
combination with OPDIVO® (nivolumab), an immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting programmed death-1 (PD-1).
Plans to Initiate Pivotal Trial in rGBM in Second Half of 2018. Ziopharm plans to initiate a
pivotal trial for Ad-RTS-hIL-12 plus veledimex for the treatment of patients with rGBM in the second half of 2018. As previously
disclosed, Ziopharm is currently in the process of completing Chemistry Manufacturing and Control technical requirements for a
planned Phase 3 clinical trial, subject to regulatory approval.
Phase 1 Trial for Pediatric Brain Tumors Ongoing. Ziopharm is enrolling pediatric patients in
its Phase 1 trial of Ad-RTS-hIL-12 with veledimex for the treatment of brain tumors.
Fourth Quarter Highlights
In November 2017, Ziopharm presented updated data from its Phase 1 trial of Ad-RTS-hIl-12 plus veledimex to
treat patients with rGBM that supports a survival benefit and the underlying immune system mechanism at the
22nd Annual Meeting and Education Day of the Society for Neuro-Oncology.
The data showed median overall survival (mOS) of 12.5 months sustained for patients treated with Ad-RTS-hIL-12
plus 20 mg of veledimex (n=15) at a mean follow-up time of 11.1 months as of October 18, 2017. This mOS compares favorably to the 5
to 8 months survival established in historical controls for patients with rGBM. Additional highlights observed included:
- An anti-tumor effect evident with centralized review of magnetic resonance imaging showing decreasing size of brain tumor
lesions in patients;
- Immunohistochemistry analyses from three of three patient biopsies greater than four months after completion of veledimex
demonstrated that IL-12 results in an extensive infiltration of CD8+ T cells within the tumor;
- These same biopsies showed sustained production of interferon-gamma, a cytokine crucial to arming an immune response in the
tumor microenvironment;
- Interferon-gamma was undetectable in the peripheral blood at the time of biopsies providing further evidence of an on-target
T-cell response;
- These same biopsies demonstrated evidence of an anti-tumor response;
- These same biopsies showed upregulation of both PD-1 and PD-L1, which suggests added potential efficacy for combining
Ad-RTS-hIL-12 plus veledimex with an immune checkpoint inhibitor;
- Ratio of circulating killer CD8+ T cells to suppressor FOXP3+ T cells correlates with overall
survival;
- Patients in the trial who received low-dose systemic corticosteroids for peri-operative management have a much better
survival rate than those who received higher doses of corticosteroids, as the latter presumably interferes with immune
activation;
- Ad-RTS-hIL-12 plus veledimex continues to be well tolerated, as adverse events (AE) in the trial were predictable and
reversible, neurologic AEs were relatively mild and transient, and there were no drug-related deaths.
Adoptive Cell Therapies
Using Ziopharm’s non-viral approach leveraging Sleeping Beauty to genetically modify cells, the Company is
developing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell (CAR+ T) and T-cell receptor (TCR) T-cell
(TCR+ T) therapies. These programs are being advanced in collaboration with Precigen Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Intrexon Corporation, and with MD Anderson Cancer Center, the National Cancer Institute and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
Germany. This non-viral approach to genetically modifying T cells has the potential to reduce the costs of and expand access
to this immunotherapy based on very rapid production and thus avoiding the need for centralized manufacturing.
Initiation of First Point-of-Care Clinical Trial Expected in 2018. Ziopharm is advancing
the Sleeping Beauty platform towards point-of-care manufacturing for the very rapid manufacturing of genetically modified
CAR+ T cells, with Ziopharm’s first clinical trial utilizing this approach expected to begin in the second half of
2018. Ziopharm’s third-generation point-of-care trial intends to use the Sleeping Beauty platform to manufacture
CAR+ T cells co-expressing membrane-bound interleukin-15, or mbIL15, within two days after harvesting T cells from
the patient.
Phase 1 Trial of Sleeping Beauty-Modified TCRs
to Treat Solid Tumors to Initiate in Second Half of 2018. The NCI anticipates initiation of a Phase 1 trial in the
second half of 2018 to evaluate adoptive cell transfer (ACT)-based immunotherapies genetically modified using the Sleeping
Beauty transposon/transposase system to express TCRs for the treatment of solid tumors. Ziopharm, Intrexon, and the NCI last
year entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement to develop and evaluate ACT for patients with advanced cancers
using autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes genetically modified using the Sleeping Beauty system to express TCRs that
recognize specific immunogenic mutations, or neoantigens, expressed within a patient's cancer.
Phase 1 Trial of CD33-specific CAR+ T Therapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
(AML). Enrollment is underway at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Phase 1 adoptive cellular therapy clinical trial of
CAR+ T-cell therapy in patients with refractory/recurrent AML that express CD33. This trial infuses autologous T
cells genetically modified with lentivirus to express a CD33-specific CAR and a cetuximab-activated kill switch for elimination of
genetically modified cells. Data from this trial are expected to serve as the basis for evaluating CD33 as a potential target for
further development using non-viral manufacturing of T cells with Ziopharm’s point-of-care technology.
Fourth Quarter Update
Data supporting the third-generation point-of-care technology were presented at the
59th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in December 2017, where first- and second-generation
Sleeping Beauty clinical trial data demonstrated tolerability, disease response including long-term survival, and
sustained persistence of infused CD19-specific CAR+ T cells. Ziopharm also presented at ASH preclinical data
demonstrating that Sleeping Beauty can manufacture CAR+ T cells co-expressing mbIL15 in less than two
days. In addition, preclinical data were also presented last month at the 2018 Keystone Symposia Emerging Cellular Therapies: T Cells and Beyond. These data further
demonstrated that T cells expressing CD19-specific CAR with mbIL15 could be generated with the Sleeping Beauty system in
less than two days and did not require ex vivo activation or propagation. Ziopharm observed in these trials that
T cells designed to express mbIL15 showed greater persistence and more potent antitumor activity than comparator T cells without
mbIL15.
Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD) Update
Following an in-depth review of Ziopharm’s research and development portfolio, management made the strategic decision to focus
resources on developing Controlled IL-12 and Sleeping Beauty platforms for oncology indications and to stop development of
engineered cell therapies for the treatment of GvHD. Ziopharm reverted its rights to the GvHD program to Precigen and is winding
down its final clinical activities.
Fourth Quarter 2017 Financial Results
- Net loss applicable to the common stockholders for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $18.3 million, or $(0.13) per share,
compared to a net loss of $14.8 million, or $(0.11) per share, for the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase is primarily due to
an increase in operating expenses of $2.3 million and an increase of $1.5 million related to the value of preferred stock
dividends.
- Research and development expenses were $11.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $9.4 million for the fourth
quarter of 2016. The increase in research and development expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2017 is primarily due
to expanded development in Ziopharm’s gene and cell therapy programs.
- General and administrative expenses were $3.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $3.3 million for the fourth
quarter of 2016.
- Ziopharm ended the quarter with unrestricted cash resources of approximately $70.9 million.
- As part of Ziopharm’s strategic co-development activities at MD Anderson Cancer Center, a prepayment of approximately $31.9
million remains available for programs to be conducted by the Company at MD Anderson Cancer Center under the current Research and
Development Agreement.
- Ziopharm believes its current resources will be sufficient to fund its currently planned operations into the fourth quarter
of 2018.
| ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. |
| Statements of Operations |
| (in thousands except share and per share
data) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Three Months Ended |
Year Ended |
| |
|
|
December 31, |
December 31, |
| |
|
|
(unaudited) |
|
(audited) |
| |
|
|
|
2017 |
|
|
|
2016 |
|
|
|
2017 |
|
|
|
2016 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Collaboration revenue |
|
|
$ |
1,597 |
|
|
$ |
1,597 |
|
|
$ |
6,389 |
|
|
$ |
6,861 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Research and development |
|
|
|
11,181 |
|
|
|
9,389 |
|
|
|
45,084 |
|
|
|
157,791 |
|
| General and administrative |
|
|
|
3,852 |
|
|
|
3,319 |
|
|
|
14,798 |
|
|
|
14,377 |
|
| Total operating expenses |
|
|
|
15,033 |
|
|
|
12,708 |
|
|
|
59,882 |
|
|
|
172,168 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Loss from operations |
|
|
|
(13,436 |
) |
|
|
(11,111 |
) |
|
|
(53,493 |
) |
|
|
(165,307 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Other income (expense), net |
|
|
|
166 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
465 |
|
|
|
134 |
|
| Change in fair value of derivative liabilities |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(145 |
) |
|
|
(1,295 |
) |
|
|
(124 |
) |
| Net loss |
|
|
|
(13,273 |
) |
|
|
(11,224 |
) |
|
|
(54,323 |
) |
|
|
(165,297 |
) |
| Preferred stock dividends |
|
|
|
(4,999 |
) |
|
|
(3,532 |
) |
|
|
(18,938 |
) |
|
|
(7,123 |
) |
| Net loss applicable to common stockholders |
|
$ |
(18,272 |
) |
|
$ |
(14,756 |
) |
|
$ |
(73,261 |
) |
|
$ |
(172,420 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Basic and diluted net loss per share |
|
|
$ |
(0.13 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.11 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.53 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.32 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Weighted average common shares outstanding used |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| to compute basic and diluted net loss per share |
|
|
140,644,238 |
|
|
|
130,524,204 |
|
|
|
136,938,264 |
|
|
|
130,391,463 |
|
| ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. |
| Balance Sheet Data |
| (in thousands) |
| (audited) |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, |
|
December 31, |
| |
|
2017 |
|
2016 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Cash and cash equivalents |
|
70,946 |
|
|
81,053 |
|
| Working capital |
|
69,927 |
|
|
89,075 |
|
| Total assets |
|
105,606 |
|
|
106,348 |
|
| Total stockholders' (deficit) |
|
(96,806 |
) |
|
(77,298 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conference Call and Slide Webcast
Ziopharm will host a conference call and webcast slide presentation today, March 1, at 4:30 p.m. ET. The call
can be accessed by dialing 1-844-309-0618 (U.S. and Canada) or 1-661-378-9465 (international). The passcode for the conference call
is 3782628. To access the slides and live audio webcast, or the subsequent archived recording, visit the "Investors & Media"
section of the Ziopharm website at www.ziopharm.com. The webcast will be recorded and available for replay on Ziopharm's website
for two weeks.
About Ziopharm Oncology, Inc.
Ziopharm Oncology is a Boston-based biotechnology company focused on development of next-generation
immunotherapies utilizing gene- and cell-based therapies to treat patients with cancer. In partnership with Precigen Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Intrexon Corporation (NYSE:XON), Ziopharm is focused on the development of two platform technologies
designed to deliver safe, effective and scalable cell- and viral-based therapies for the treatment of multiple cancer types:
Controlled IL-12 and Sleeping Beauty for genetically modifying T cells. The Company’s lead gene therapy product candidate,
Ad-RTS-hIL-12 plus veledimex, has demonstrated in clinical trials the potential to control interleukin-12, leading to an
infiltration of T cells that fight brain cancer. The Company also is advancing therapies using Sleeping Beauty, a
non-viral approach to genetically modify chimeric antigen receptor (CAR+) and T-cell receptor (TCR+) T cells,
which target specific antigens in blood cancers and neoantigens solid tumors. Sleeping Beauty is designed using the
Company’s point-of-care technology, a shortened manufacturing process which potentially can be developed as a decentralized
manufacturing process based in hospitals. These programs are being advanced in collaboration with Precigen and with MD Anderson
Cancer Center, the National Cancer Institute and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
Forward-Looking Disclaimer
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. The words “anticipate,” “believe,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “would,” “could,” “potential,” “possible,” “hope” and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these
identifying words. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the statements regarding the Company’s
financial condition and results of operations; the advancement of, and anticipated development and regulatory milestones and plans
related to the Company’s product candidates and clinical studies including the Company’s research, clinical development and
manufacturing plans for its Ad-RTS-hIL-12 plus veledimex gene therapy product candidate; the application of the Company’s platforms
for the treatment of oncology and the progress and timing of the development of its research and development programs; plans
related to the Company’s collaborations, particularly with Precigen and National Cancer Institute; and the Company’s ability to
establish a commercially-viable manufacturing approach and its expected outcomes. All such statements are subject to certain risks
and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of the Company, that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to: changes in the Company’s financial condition and cash needs, funding or other strategic
opportunities that become available to the Company, the Company's ability to finance its operations and business initiatives and
obtain funding for such activities; whether chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) approaches, Ad-RTS-hIL-12, TCR and NK
cell-based therapies, or any of other product candidates will advance further in the preclinical research or clinical trial process
and whether and when, if at all, they will receive final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign
regulatory agencies and for which indications; whether chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) approaches, Ad-RTS-hIL-12, TCR and
NK cell-based therapies, and the Company's other therapeutic products it develops will be successfully marketed if approved; the
strength and enforceability of the Company's intellectual property rights; competition from other pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies; as well as other risk factors contained in the Company's periodic and interim reports filed from time to time with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties set forth in the "Risk Factors"
section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2017 and subsequent reports that
the Company may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to revise and
disseminate forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of or
non-occurrence of any events.
Contact:
David Connolly
ZIOPHARM Oncology
617-502-1881
dconnolly@ziopharm.com
