MacroGenics Provides Update on Corporate Progress and 2024 Financial Results
-- Fully enrolled LORIKEET, a randomized 150-patient Phase 2 study of lorigerlimab in combination with docetaxel in patients with mCRPC -- Initiating new LINNET Phase 2 study of lorigerlimab in ovarian cancer -- Advancing multiple novel topoisomerase 1 inhibitor-based ADCs, including MGC026, MGC028 and MGC030 -- Discontinuing further internal clinical development of vobra duo; exploring potential partnering -- Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $201.7 million as of December 31, 2024; cash runway extended into the second half of 2026 -- Conference call scheduled for today at 4:30 p.m. ET
ROCKVILLE, Md., March 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MacroGenics, Inc. $(MGNX)$, a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing and commercializing innovative antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, today provided an update on its recent corporate progress and reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024.
"We concluded 2024 with the achievement of multiple clinical development milestones, including the completion of enrollment in the LORIKEET Phase 2 study evaluating lorigerlimab in combination with docetaxel in patients with mCRPC. We look forward to building upon this momentum in 2025 as we work to advance our novel pipeline of clinical product candidates, including lorigerlimab, MGC026 and MGC028," said Scott Koenig, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of MacroGenics. "Finally, we have determined that the results of the TAMARACK Phase 2 study of vobra duo in mCRPC do not support additional financial investment by MacroGenics. We believe the B7-H3 target continues to have potential and are pleased with the progress being made with our alternate anti-B7-H3 ADC, MGC026."
Updates on Proprietary Investigational Programs
Lorigerlimab is a bispecific, tetravalent PD-1 × CTLA-4 DART$(R)$ molecule designed to enhance CTLA-4 blockade on dual-expressing, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes compared to a PD-1/CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) combination therapy, while maintaining maximal PD-1 blockade on all PD-1-expressing cells.
-- Enrollment is now complete in the ongoing LORIKEET Phase 2 trial, a 150 patient randomized study of lorigerlimab in combination with docetaxel vs. docetaxel alone in second-line, chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The Company expects to provide a clinical update in the second half of 2025. -- Based on MacroGenics' cumulative experience to date from its Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies of lorigerlimab, including in mCRPC -- a tumor setting historically insensitive to checkpoint inhibition -- the Company plans to conduct the LINNET Phase 2 study. This clinical trial will evaluate lorigerlimab as monotherapy in patients with either platinum-resistant ovarian cancer $(PROC)$ or clear cell gynecologic cancer (CCGC); both represent areas of unmet need and historically have been relatively insensitive to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. The study's primary endpoint is ORR, with multiple secondary endpoints to be explored. The Company anticipates enrolling up to 40 patients with PROC and up to 20 patients with CCGC in LINNET, which is expected to commence by mid-2025.
Emerging ADC Pipeline. MacroGenics is developing two clinical and one preclinical antibody-drug conjugate $(ADC)$ molecules that each incorporate a novel, glycan-linked topoisomerase I inhibitor (TOP1i)-based payload developed by the Company's collaboration partner, Synaffix (a Lonza company). These three candidates are described below.
-- MGC026 is a TOP1i-based ADC that targets B7-H3, an antigen with broad expression across multiple solid tumors and a member of the B7 family of molecules involved in immune regulation. MGC026 shares the same variable domain as that of vobra duo. MGC026 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 dose escalation study in patients with advanced solid tumors, with dose expansion in selected indications expected to initiate in 2025. -- MGC028 is a TOP1i-based ADC that targets ADAM9, a member of the ADAM family of multifunctional type 1 transmembrane proteins that play a role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression and is overexpressed in multiple cancers. The Company previously presented preclinical data showing antitumor activity of MGC028 in in vivo models. Also, in a non-human primate study, MGC028 was well tolerated at high dose levels with mild, reversible side effects and no ocular toxicity, which is often a concern with tubulin-inhibitor-based ADCs. The first patient was recently dosed in a Phase 1 study of MGC028 in patients with advanced solid tumors. -- MGC030 is a preclinical TOP1i-based ADC that targets an undisclosed antigen expressed across several solid tumors. There are currently no approved therapeutics to this target. An Investigational New Drug $(IND.AU)$ application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for MGC030 is planned for 2026.
Updates on Selected Partnered Programs
-- MGD024 is a next-generation CD123 × CD3 DART molecule. Under an October 2022 exclusive option and collaboration agreement with Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead), MacroGenics continues to enroll patients in a Phase 1 dose escalation study of MGD024 in patients with CD123-positive neoplasms, including acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. Gilead has the option to license MGD024 at predefined decision points during the Phase 1 study. -- ZYNYZ(R) (retifanlimab-dlwr) is a monoclonal antibody targeting PD-1 that the Company licensed to Incyte Corporation (Incyte) in 2017. In July 2024, Incyte announced positive Phase 3 top-line results for its registrational studies of retifanlimab in squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCAC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and continues to conduct global studies of retifanlimab across multiple indications. In February 2025, Incyte disclosed that its supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for retifanlimab in advanced/metastatic SCAC was filed with the FDA in December 2024, with approval anticipated in the second half of 2025. To date, MacroGenics has received $365.0 million in upfront and milestone payments from Incyte under the agreement and remains eligible for up to $540.0 million in additional development, regulatory and commercial milestones. -- MARGENZA(R) (margetuximab-cmkb) global rights were sold to TerSera Therapeutics LLC (TerSera), a privately-held biopharmaceutical company with a focus on oncology and non-opioid pain management, pursuant to an agreement previously announced. TerSera made a payment of $40.0 million to MacroGenics at closing in November 2024 and MacroGenics may receive additional sales milestone payments of up to an aggregate of $35.0 million. MacroGenics subsequently paid an $8.0 million amendment fee to its former commercialization partner during the fourth quarter of 2024. MacroGenics will manufacture MARGENZA drug substance on behalf of TerSera going forward.
Update on Vobramitamab Duocarmazine
Vobramitamab duocarmazine (vobra duo) is an ADC with a cleavable peptide linker designed to deliver a DNA-alkylating duocarmycin payload to solid tumors that express B7-H3.
-- Results for the concluded TAMARACK Phase 2 study included, based on a February 21, 2025 data cut-off, mature median radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) of 9.5 months for the 2.0 mg/kg cohort (95% CI, 8.5-11.2) and 10.0 months for the 2.7 mg/kg cohort (95% CI, 7.4-11.4) in patients with mCRPC. Safety data from the study remained consistent with prior data disclosures. -- Based on its assessment of the vobra duo safety and efficacy profile and an internal resource and portfolio review, MacroGenics has decided not to pursue further internal development of vobra duo and will instead explore potential alternatives for partnering this program.
2024 Financial Results
-- Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance as of December 31, 2024, was $201.7 million, compared to $229.8 million as of December 31, 2023. -- Revenue: Total revenue was $150.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to total revenue of $58.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to a net increase of $85.0 million in revenue recognized from milestones achieved under the Incyte License Agreement. -- R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $177.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $166.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to increased research, development, manufacturing and clinical costs related to MGC028, the Company's preclinical ADC pipeline and lorigerlimab, offset by decreased development and clinical trial costs related to the Company's discontinued projects and margetuximab. -- SG&A Expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $71.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $52.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was due to an amendment fee paid by MacroGenics to its former commercial partner pursuant to the sale of MARGENZA and increased non-cash stock-based compensation and accrued severance expenses related to the separation agreement with the Company's Chief Executive Officer.
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