DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chimerix (NASDAQ:CMRX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on accelerating the development of medicines to treat cancer and other serious diseases, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2020 and provided an operational update.

“Our execution during the last several months has positioned Chimerix to capitalize on several significant milestones in 2021 and our recent financing strengthens our balance sheet which allows us to support our pipeline through key data readouts,” said Mike Sherman, Chief Executive Officer of Chimerix. “Following our recent acquisition of Oncoceutics, we have integrated the complementary capabilities of the organizations to accelerate development of the imipridone pipeline. As a single agent, ONC201 has demonstrated compelling, durable responses in clinical trials for recurrent H3 K27M-mutant glioma, one of the most difficult to treat and life-limiting cancers that affects both children and adults. We look forward to the confirmatory response rate assessment later this year which, if positive, sets the stage for a pre-New Drug Application (NDA) meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“We received notification from the FDA that the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date for review of brincidofovir (BCV) as a medical countermeasure for smallpox has been extended three months to July 7, 2021. The FDA previously requested we provide data supporting a dose recommendation for infants up to three months of age. In response, we submitted to the FDA the requested modelled analyses, which resulted in the same weight-based dosing recommendation previously proposed for older pediatric patients. The ability to dose across all pediatric age groups with a convenient oral suspension formulation is a unique aspect of the BCV smallpox treatment. The FDA required an additional three months to review this information. We do not expect a later FDA action date will impact the timing of the BARDA request for proposal, which is expected this quarter, nor the potential timing of first shipments of BCV to the strategic national stockpile, expected in the second half of this year.

“Chimerix enters 2021 in a strong position as we approach the updated PDUFA date for BCV, advance ONC201 toward a key data readout, continue enrollment of our Phase 3 trial of dociparstat sodium (DSTAT) for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and look forward to additional data from DSTAT in COVID-19 patients with Acute Lung Injury trial,” continued Mr. Sherman.

Recent Highlights

Acquisition of Oncoceutics

In January, Chimerix announced the acquisition of Oncoceutics, Inc., a privately-held, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing imipridones, a novel class of compounds. Oncoceutics’ lead product candidate, ONC201, has been shown in clinical testing to selectively induce cell death in multiple cancer types. Final analysis of results from the registration cohort of 50 patients in clinical trials for recurrent H3 K27M-mutant glioma and a confirmatory response rate assessment is expected in 2021. In addition, Phase 1 clinical trials for ONC206, the second product candidate in Oncoceutics’ pipeline, were recently initiated and IND-enabling work for ONC212 is ongoing.

Strengthened Balance Sheet

In January, Chimerix closed an underwritten public offering of 13.5 million shares of common stock. The gross proceeds to Chimerix from the offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, was $115.0 million.

BCV for Smallpox

In December 2020, Chimerix announced that the FDA accepted the filing of an NDA for BCV as a medical countermeasure for smallpox. The FDA granted Priority Review and in February 2021, revised the PDUFA date to July 7, 2021.

DSTAT for AML

Chimerix recently opened clinical trial sites and is ready to begin screening patients for its 570-subject Phase 3 Dociparstat in AML with Standard Chemotherapy (DASH AML) study of DSTAT for the treatment of AML. The multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of DSTAT in combination with standard intensive induction and consolidation chemotherapy for the treatment of newly-diagnosed AML patients. Chimerix expects to unblind data following enrollment of the first 80 evaluable patients in this study to assess complete response rates and minimal residual disease rates between the study arm and the control arm. This analysis is expected to take place in 2022.

DSTAT for Acute Lung Injury Patients with COVID-19

In a separate release issued today, Chimerix announced results from the first cohort of patients in the randomized, blinded trial of DSTAT in patients with acute lung injury hospitalized with COVID-19. Of the 12 patients enrolled in the first cohort, six received a 4mg/kg bolus dose of DSTAT followed by a continuous infusion of 0.25mg/kg/hour and six received placebo. Although in a small number of patients, subject to demographic imbalances, early indications suggest a possible clinical benefit for patients on DSTAT compared to patients on placebo. Chimerix has also completed enrollment of the second cohort of patients randomized 2:1 to receive a 4mg/kg bolus dose of DSTAT followed by a continuous infusion of 0.325mg/kg/hour versus placebo. Based on the safety assessment of the independent safety monitoring committee after these patients have completed treatment, Chimerix will consider advancing to the third cohort of 50 patients at the selected dose. Results from the second cohort are expected to be announced in the second quarter.

Expected 2021 Milestones

• FDA PDUFA action date set for July 7, 2021 for BCV smallpox NDA.
• Potential procurement agreement for BCV around the time of FDA decision on smallpox NDA, if favorable.
• Completion of Phase 2 trial of DSTAT in COVID-19 related ALI.
• Completion of BCV drug product manufacturing to support potential shipments to the SNS of up to $100 million.
• Confirmatory response rate assessment of 50-subject registration cohort of ONC201 in recurrent H3 K27M-mutant glioma by blinded independent central review (BICR).

Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Chimerix's balance sheet at December 31, 2020 included $79.0 million of capital available to fund operations, no debt, and approximately 62.8 million outstanding shares of common stock. Capital available to fund operations as of January 31, 2021, taking into consideration the cash associated with the acquisition of Oncoceutics including closing statement adjustments, the subsequent follow-on financing and operating expenses for January, was approximately $159.8 million. Current shares outstanding as of February 25, 2021, which includes upfront consideration associated with the acquisition of Oncoceutics and the subsequent follow-on financing, is approximately 85.7 million shares.

Chimerix reported a net loss of $11.7 million, or $0.19 per basic and diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2020. During the same period in 2019, Chimerix recorded a net loss of $3.5 million, or $0.06 per basic and diluted share.

Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2020 decreased to $1.1 million, compared to $6.8 million for the same period in 2019 due to the out-license of BCV to SymBio for indications other than orthopox in 2019.

Research and development expenses increased to $8.7 million for the three-month period ended December 31, 2020, compared to $7.5 million for the same period in 2019.

General and administrative expenses increased to $4.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $3.1 million for the same period in 2019.

Loss from operations was $11.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to a loss from operations of $3.9 million for the same period in 2019.

Full Year 2020 Financial Results

Chimerix reported a net loss of $43.5 million, or $0.70 per basic and diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2019, Chimerix recorded a net loss of $112.6 million, or $2.03 per basic and diluted share.

Revenues for 2020 decreased to $5.4 million, compared to $12.5 million in 2019.

Research and development expenses decreased to $36.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $42.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

General and administrative expenses decreased to $13.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $21.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease is related to restructuring charges which occurred in 2019.

Chimerix recorded acquired in-process research and development expenses of $65.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 related to the in-license of DSTAT from Cantex Pharmaceuticals in 2019.

Loss from operations was $44.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to a loss from operations of $116.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

About Chimerix

Chimerix is a development-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to accelerating the advancement of innovative medicines that make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients living with cancer and other serious diseases. Our three most advanced clinical-stage development programs are BCV, ONC201 and DSTAT. BCV is an antiviral drug candidate developed as a potential medical countermeasure for smallpox and is currently under review for regulatory approval in the United States. ONC201 is currently in a registrational clinical program for recurrent H3 K27M-mutant glioma and a confirmatory response rate assessment is expected later this year. DSTAT is in development as a potential first-line therapy in acute myeloid leukemia and as a potential treatment for acute lung injury in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.