RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- G1 Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: GTHX), a clinical-stage oncology company, today reported financial results and provided an update on its corporate activities and product pipeline for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018.

“Data from our randomized Phase 2 clinical trial of trilaciclib and chemotherapy in first-line small cell lung cancer showed robust myelopreservation benefits. By the end of the year, we will report data from three additional randomized Phase 2 trials in a variety of indications. Collectively these trials will provide preliminary data on the potential anti-tumor efficacy and myelopreservation benefits of trilaciclib across different indications, lines of therapy, and chemotherapy regimens,” said Raj Malik, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, R&D. “We plan to request meetings with U.S. and European regulatory authorities in early 2019 to discuss data from more than three hundred participants who received trilaciclib across multiple clinical trials.”

“Enrollment remains on track for our lerociclib clinical trials in ER+, HER2- breast cancer and EGFRm non-small cell lung cancer, as well as our G1T48 trial in ER+, HER2- breast cancer, and we plan to report data on each of these programs in 2019,” said Mark Velleca, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer. “Our strong balance sheet enables us to advance our three product candidates and begin investment in pre-commercialization activities for trilaciclib.”

Corporate Highlights

• Presented additional data from randomized Phase 2 trial of trilaciclib in combination with etoposide/carboplatin for treatment of first-line small cell lung cancer (SCLC): In October, new data analyses presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2018 Congress demonstrated improvements in neutrophil, red blood cell and lymphocyte measures in patients treated with trilaciclib compared to placebo. With regard to lymphocytes, trilaciclib preserved or improved B cell and T cell subset counts, including activated CD8+ cells, and increased CD8+/regulatory T cell and activated CD8+/regulatory T cell ratios in peripheral blood compared to placebo. The poster titled “Trilaciclib preserves and enhances immune system function in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients receiving first-line chemotherapy” was recognized as a “Best Poster” at ESMO.
• Expediting analyses of myelopreservation data from the randomized Phase 2 trial of trilaciclib/chemotherapy/Tecentriq^® (atezolizumab) in SCLC; data to be reported by year end 2018: As disclosed on September 17, the company elected to make myelopreservation the primary outcome measure and overall survival a secondary outcome measure of the trilaciclib/chemotherapy/Tecentriq trial in first-line SCLC. This protocol amendment was made to provide earlier access to myelopreservation data that has the potential to confirm the myelopreservation results observed in the company’s randomized Phase 2 trial of trilaciclib in combination with chemotherapy. Both trials evaluated trilaciclib in first-line SCLC using the same chemotherapy backbone of etoposide and carboplatin.
• Appointed Garry Nicholson to the board of directors: Mr. Nicholson previously led the global oncology franchise at Pfizer in the role of President, Pfizer Oncology. During his tenure, he oversaw the development and commercialization of the CDK4/6 inhibitor Ibrance^® (palbociclib). Mr. Nicholson currently serves on the boards of directors of Five Prime Therapeutics, Inc., TESARO, Inc., and SQZ Biotechnologies.

Anticipated Milestones for Fourth Quarter 2018

• Report preliminary data from the randomized Phase 2 clinical trial of trilaciclib/chemotherapy/Tecentriq in first-line SCLC.
• Report preliminary data from the randomized Phase 2 clinical trial of trilaciclib/chemotherapy in second-/third-line SCLC.
• Present preliminary data from the randomized Phase 2 clinical trial of trilaciclib/chemotherapy in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) in a poster discussion Spotlight Session at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium on December 5, 2018.
• Present preclinical data on trilaciclib/chemotherapy combinations in CDK4/6-dependent tumor models at the 30^th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on November 13, 2018.
• Complete enrollment of the Phase 2a trial of lerociclib/Faslodex^® (fulvestrant) in ER+, HER2- breast cancer.

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Highlights

• Completed offering of common stock: The company completed an underwritten public offering of 3,450,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $60.00 per share, including 450,000 shares sold pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, in September. G1 received approximately $194.9 million in proceeds from the offering, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by G1.
• Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $390.5 million as of September 30, 2018, compared to $103.8 million as of December 31, 2017. This increase results from the receipt of $107.9 million in net proceeds from a secondary offering in March, $36.1 million in net proceeds from “at the market offerings” between June 18 and August 2, 2018, and $194.9 million in net proceeds from a follow-on offering in September, partially offset by $53.1 million of cash used for operating activities.
• Operating Expenses: Operating expenses were $20.8 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared to $15.9 million for the third quarter of 2017. GAAP operating expenses include stock-based compensation expense of $3.3 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared to $1.0 million for the third quarter of 2017.
• Research and Development Expenses: Research and development (R&D) expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $15.9 million, compared to $14.1 million for the third quarter of 2017. The increase in expense was due to an increase of $3.6 million in clinical program costs, offset by a decrease of $1.0 million in drug manufacturing costs and a decrease of $0.8 million in preclinical expenses.
• General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were $4.9 million, compared to $1.9 million for the third quarter of 2017. The increase in expense was largely driven by personnel-related costs due to an increase in headcount and non-cash stock compensation expense charges.
• Net Loss: G1 reported a net loss of $19.9 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared to $15.6 million for the third quarter of 2017.

About G1 Therapeutics

G1 Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and delivery of innovative therapies that improve the lives of those affected by cancer. The company is advancing three clinical-stage programs, trilaciclib, lerociclib and G1T48, that are designed to enable more effective combination treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes across multiple oncology indications.