Zai Lab Announces Financial Results and Corporate Progress for the Six Months ended June 30, 2018
“The first half of 2018 has been a period of tremendous progress for
Recent Clinical Highlights
ZL-2306 (niraparib)
- In
August 2018 ,Zai Lab announced the early completion of an open-label study to evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of ZL-2306 (niraparib) made inChina in Chinese ovarian cancer patients. The study demonstrated a comparable PK profile of Chinese patients who were administered ZL-2306 to the PK profile of patients evaluated in Tesaro’s clinical trials using product manufactured outside ofChina . These results support the regulatory review of ZL-2306 (niraparib) inChina .
- In
August 2018 ,Zai Lab enrolled the first patient in its Phase III registration trial of ZL-2306 (niraparib) as a first-line maintenance therapy in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) inChina . This will be the first clinical trial of ZL-2306 (niraparib) in this type of cancer.
- In
June 2018 ,Zai Lab dosed the first patient in its Phase III China registration trial of ZL-2306 (niraparib) for first-line maintenance therapy of patients with platinum-responsive ovarian cancer.
FPA144 (bemarituzumab)
- In
May 2018 ,Zai Lab received clinical trial application (CTA) approval from China’sNational Drug Administration (CNDA) to enroll Chinese patients in the Phase I/III FIGHT (FGFR2b Inhibition in Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer Treatment) global registrational trial, evaluating FPA144 (bemarituzumab) in combination with a modified FOLFOX chemotherapy regimen.Zai Lab received CTA approval three months ahead of schedule.
ZL-2401 (omadacycline)
- In
April 2018 , Zai Lab’s bridging approach leveraging the Phase III ZL-2401 (omadacycline) studies conducted abroad was accepted by China’sCenter for Drug Evaluation (CDE). An agreement was reached with CDE for the Company’s proposal to conduct a truncated clinical program for approval inChina .Zai Lab obtained CTA approval from CNDA within three and a half months of submitting its application and is ready to implement the requestedChina studies in the fourth quarter of 2018.
ZL-3101 (Fugan)
- In
August 2018 , results of a Phase II study evaluating ZL-3101 (Fugan), a natural product in patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, received four months ahead of schedule, showed ZL-3101 was safe and well-tolerated, but did not show signs of efficacy over placebo. The Company elected to discontinue further development of ZL-3101 (Fugan) based on these findings and shift related resources to other programs.
Recent Business & Corporate Developments
- In
August 2018 ,Zai Lab appointedYong-Jiang Hei , M.D., Ph.D., as its CMO, Oncology. Dr. Hei is a seasoned industry expert with over 20 years of experience in clinical development in oncology and will support the strategic development and expansion of the Company’s growing oncology clinical pipeline. Most notably, he served atAmgen, Inc. for approximately 10 years in multiple roles of increasing responsibility in oncology global development. Dr. Qi Liu will transition to an advisory role.
- In
August 2018 ,Zai Lab appointed Kai-Xian Chen, Ph.D., to its Board of Directors. Professor Chen is a globally recognized scientist and widely regarded as a pioneer in the field of interdisciplinary healthcare research. In connection with Professor Chen’s appointment,Marietta Wu , Ph.D. retired from the Board of Directors.
- In
June 2018 ,Zai Lab appointedWilliam Liang as Chief Commercial Officer. William brings more than two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with expertise in commercial launch, strategy and operations. Prior to joiningZai Lab , William served as Vice President atAstraZeneca heading up the Oncology Business Unit inChina .
- In
June 2018 ,Zai Lab completed construction of a biologics pilot facility using GE Healthcare’sFlex Factory platform technology. The facility is capable of supporting biologics drug products for clinical and non-clinical development of Zai Lab’s drug candidates.
- In
May 2018 ,Zai Lab entered into an exclusive worldwide agreement with Crescendo Biologics for ZL-1102, a topical, innovative antibody for potential application in inflammatory indications, including psoriasis.
- In
April 2018 ,Zai Lab entered into an exclusive license agreement inAsia-Pacific , and a global development agreement, withEntasis Therapeutics (Entasis) for ETX2514, a novel broad-spectrum intravenous inhibitor of β-lactamases, for the treatment of a variety of serious multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections. In combination with sulbactam, ETX2514 is particularly active against MDR Acinetobacter baumannii infections.
Zai Lab continues to expand its platform and human resources. As ofJune 30, 2018 ,Zai Lab employed 182 full-time employees, including 37 employees with M.D. or Ph.D. degrees. Currently, approximately 85% of the Company’s employees are engaged in R&D activities. Employee mix is projected to change as the Company continues to build out its commercial team.
Zai Lab has, from time to time, evaluated partnership opportunities and may, in the future, make acquisitions of, or investments in, companies thatZai Lab believes have products or capabilities that are a strategic or commercial fit with Zai Lab’s current drug candidates and business or otherwise offer opportunities for the Company.
Upcoming Milestones
ZL-2306 (niraparib)
- On
September 23, 2018 , the design of the Phase III study of ZL-2306 (niraparib) as maintenance therapy in first line platinum-responsive small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients will be presented at theInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) 19thWorld Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC).
- On
September 21, 2018 , results from a Phase I PK and safety study of ZL-2306 (niraparib) in Chinese patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (OC) will be presented at the 21st Annual Meeting ofChinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO).
Zai Lab plans to begin commercializing ZL-2306 (niraparib) as a second-line maintenance therapy in patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer inHong Kong during the fourth quarter of 2018, and inMacau thereafter.
ZL-2401 (omadacycline)
Zai Lab expects to initiate a bioequivalence and PK bridging study inChina to demonstrate comparability in the PK profile of Chinese patients administered with ZL-2401 (omadacycline) to non-Chinese patients, in preparation for its New Drug Application (NDA) submission inChina . This program is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Paratek Pharmaceuticals has a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date set inOctober 2018 for its NDA for once-daily oral and intravenous formulations of omadacycline for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) and acute skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). OnAugust 8, 2018 ,Antimicrobials Drug Advisory Committee of the U.S. FDA voted in favor of the approval of IV and oral omadacycline.
FPA144 (bemarituzumab)
- In collaboration with Five Prime,
Zai Lab plans to initiate patient dosing in theChina portion of the randomized, controlled Phase III portion of the Phase I/III FIGHT global registration trial in the fourth quarter of 2018.
ETX2514
- In collaboration with Entasis,
Zai Lab plans to initiate patient dosing in theAsia-Pacific portion of the Phase III global registration trial of ETX2514 for MDR Acinetobacter pneumonia and bloodstream infections in 2019.
ZL-2301 (brivanib)
- Data from a Phase II trial of ZL-2301 (brivanib) as a second-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular cancer patients in
China are expected in the second half of 2018.
- On
September 22, 2018 , preliminary study results from the Phase II trial of ZL-2301 (brivanib) in advanced HCC patients with systemic treatment failure or intolerance will be presented at the 21st Annual Meeting ofChinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO).
ZL-2302
- In the fourth quarter of 2018,
Zai Lab plans to initiate Phase I clinical trials inChina of ZL-2302 for the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have ALK mutations and developed crizotinib resistance and/or brain metastasis.
Financial Results for the Six Months Ended
- As of
June 30, 2018 , cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled$177.7 million .
- Research and development expenses were
$34.6 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2018 compared to$20.9 million for the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to higher clinical and preclinical costs from the advancement of the Company’s expanded pipeline, and expansion of research efforts to support internal programs.
- General and administrative expenses were
$6.4 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2018 compared to$4.0 million for the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to the increase in payroll and payroll-related expenses as a result of the increased headcount from expanded operations, and increased costs associated with operating as a public company.
- For the six months ended
June 30, 2018 ,Zai Lab reported a net loss of$41.5 million , or basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of$0.83 , compared to a net loss of$24.4 million , or basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of$2.30 , for the same period in 2017.
About Zai Lab
Zai Lab Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain disclosures which contain “forward-looking statements,” including, without limitation, statements regarding the timing of the initiation, progress and scope of the clinical trials of ZL-2306, ZL-2401, FPA144, ETX2514, ZL-2301 and ZL-2302, the commercial plans for ZL-2306, the timing of results from clinical studies of our product candidates and the ability to obtain regulatory approval for Zai Lab’s product candidates. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “anticipate” and “expected.” Forward-looking statements are based on Zai Lab’s current expectations and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in
ZAI LAB CONTACTS:
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Consolidated balance sheets (U.S. GAAP)
(In U.S. dollars ("$") except for number of shares)
As of June 30, 2018 |
As of December 31, 2017 |
|||||
$ | $ | |||||
Assets | ||||||
Current assets: | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 127,715,473 | 229,660,148 | ||||
Short term investment | 50,000,000 | — | ||||
Prepayments and other current assets | 4,690,984 | 954,506 | ||||
Total current assets | 182,406,457 | 230,614,654 | ||||
Investments in equity investees | 3,500,600 | 1,650,348 | ||||
Prepayments for equipment | 927,154 | 126,411 | ||||
Property and equipment | 19,466,017 | 11,853,764 | ||||
Other non-current assets | 4,512,146 | 5,389,051 | ||||
Total assets | 210,812,374 | 249,634,228 | ||||
Liabilities and shareholders' equity | ||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||
Short term borrowing | 755,675 | — | ||||
Accounts payable | 5,726,571 | 8,967,685 | ||||
Other payables | 3,776,643 | 3,101,459 | ||||
Total current liabilities | 10,258,889 | 12,069,144 | ||||
Deferred income | 1,622,225 | 2,394,124 | ||||
Total liabilities | 11,881,114 | 14,463,268 | ||||
Total shareholders' equity | 198,931,260 | 235,170,960 | ||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | 210,812,374 | 249,634,228 | ||||
Consolidated statements of operations (U.S. GAAP)
(In U.S. dollars ("$") except for number of shares)
For the six months ended June 30, | ||||||
2018 | 2017 | |||||
$ | $ | |||||
Operating expenses: | ||||||
Research and development | (34,632,256 | ) | (20,873,605 | ) | ||
General and administrative | (6,364,088 | ) | (4,040,996 | ) | ||
Loss from operations | (40,996,344 | ) | (24,914,601 | ) | ||
Interest income | 407,977 | 285,466 | ||||
Changes in fair value of warrants | — | 200,000 | ||||
Other income (expenses), net | (695,618 | ) | 9,652 | |||
Loss before income tax and share of loss from equity method investment | (41,283,985 | ) | (24,419,483 | ) | ||
Income tax expense | — | — | ||||
Share of loss from equity method investment | (206,443 | ) | — | |||
Net loss | (41,490,428 | ) | (24,419,483 | ) | ||
Loss per share - basic and diluted | (0.83 | ) | (2.30 | ) | ||
Weighted-average shares used in calculating net loss per ordinary share - basic and diluted |
50,041,670 | 10,630,041 | ||||
Consolidated statements of comprehensive loss (U.S. GAAP)
(In U.S. dollars ("$") except for number of shares)
For the six months ended June 30, | ||||||
2018 | 2017 | |||||
$ | $ | |||||
Net loss | (41,490,428 | ) | (24,419,483 | ) | ||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax of nil: | ||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | 418,389 | 376,574 | ||||
Comprehensive loss | (41,072,039 | ) | (24,042,909 | ) | ||