4SC : provides Q3 and 9M 2017 update

4SC provides Q3 and 9M 2017 update
 

Planegg-Martinsried, Germany, 26 October 2017 - 4SC AG (4SC, FSE Prime Standard: VSC) today published an interim communication on the nine months ended 30 September 2017 that presents all material developments with a focus on Q3 2017 and provides the Company's current outlook. The full communication is available for download on 4SC's website.

Jason Loveridge, Ph.D., CEO of 4SC, commented:

"With the conclusion of a successful capital increase generating gross proceeds of ca. EUR 41 million we are now well positioned to reach our stated goals over the next few years: to create significant value for our shareholders by executing on accelerated routes to market for our core cancer products resminostat, 4SC-202 and 4SC-208.

We will continue to enroll patients in our pivotal RESMAIN study of resminostat in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and are looking forward to the initiation of a Phase II study of resminostat in patients with biliary tract cancer by our Japanese development partner Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. (Yakult Honsha).

After opening the first clinical center within our SENSITIZE study of 4SC-202 in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor in melanoma patients in Q3 2017, we are anticipating to enroll the first patient in Q4 2017. Furthermore, we are expecting the investigator-initiated Phase II EMERGE study of 4SC-202 in combination with another checkpoint inhibitor in patients with microsatellite-stable gastrointestinal tumors to be initiated in Q1 2018.

Formal preclinical testing of 4SC-208 in order to initiate Phase I clinical evaluation is ongoing according to plan.

Finally, we aim to continue to enhance the value of 4SC and to add to our funds through signing deals with the right industry partners to pursue further development of our non-core assets as we did with the Kv1.3 inhibitors which we recently licensed to Maruho Co., Ltd. (Maruho)."

Key highlights of Q3 2017 and beyond

• Ca. EUR 41 million secured from successful capital increase; proceeds forecast to be sufficient to finance 4SC's accelerated development strategy into 2020
• Patient enrollment and opening of study centers well on track for the ongoing pivotal RESMAIN study, which examines the potential of resminostat as maintenance therapy in patients with advanced CTCL
• Preclinical data presented on resminostat's potential to significantly alleviate itching in CTCL patients - one of the major disease burdens
• Promising results of a Phase I study of resminostat in combination with S-1 chemotherapy in Japanese patients with biliary tract or pancreatic cancer presented by Yakult Honsha, 4SC's development partner for resminostat in Japan
• Phase Ib/II study SENSITIZE of 4SC-202 in combination with the anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab (Keytruda^(R), Merck) in patients with advanced-stage melanoma initiated with the opening of the first study centers
• US composition of matter patent secured for structurally related compounds including 4SC-208; preclinical testing ongoing
• Preclinical inhibitors of the Kv1.3 ion channel out-licensed to Maruho in return for up to EUR 208 million in upfront, development and commercial milestones plus single-digit royalties

Business outlook

• Continue patient enrollment in the pivotal RESMAIN study of resminostat in CTCL
• Yakult Honsha to initiate Phase II study of resminostat in Japanese patients with biliary tract cancer
• Enroll patients in the Phase Ib/II study SENSITIZE of 4SC-202 in melanoma
• Initiate Phase II investigator-initiated study EMERGE of 4SC-202 in patients with microsatellite-stable gastrointestinal tumors
• Continue preclinical testing of 4SC-208 to initiate a Phase I clinical study immediately thereafter
• Pursue further licensing deals for non-core assets and continue evaluating potential partnering opportunities with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to progress the clinical development of 4SC's core pipeline assets

Development of cash balance in Q3 2017 and financial forecast

As of 30 September 2017, 4SC holds cash balance/funds of EUR 43,353 thousand as compared to EUR 4,638 thousand as of 30 June 2017. The increase results from a successful cash capital increase in July with gross proceeds of ca. EUR 41 million. The monthly use of cash from operations was within the range forecasted for 2017 amounting to EUR 739 thousand on average in the first nine months of 2017 (9M 2016 EUR 857 thousand). The decrease in 2017 was mainly driven by the upfront payment from the licensing agreement with Maruho offset by an increase in expenses for the preparation of the Phase Ib/II clinical study SENSITIZE of 4SC-202. The Management Board of 4SC confirms that the proceeds of the capital raise will finance 4SC's stated goals into 2020.

Conference Call

4SC will not hold a telephone conference along with today's Q3 2017 Interim Communication. According to 4SC's policy, the Company will only hold conference calls when there is significant or material newsflow.

- Press release ends -

Further information

About resminostat

Resminostat is orally administered and potentially offers a novel approach to treating a wide variety of cancers, both as monotherapy and in combination therapy with other anti-cancer drugs. Resminostat inhibits tumor growth and proliferation, causes tumor regression, and strengthens the body's immune response to cancer.

Resminostat has been shown to be well tolerated in several clinical trials. Resminostat is currently being investigated in a Phase II pivotal study in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) by 4SC. A Phase II study in biliary tract cancer is planned by 4SC's development partner Yakult Honsha in Japan. Amongst others, resminostat has previously been investigated in biliary tract or pancreatic cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

About 4SC-202

4SC-202 is an orally administered small molecule with a unique mode of action that was designed to strengthen the body's own anti-tumor immune response, open the tumor microenvironment and encourage infiltration of immune cells into the tumor.

4SC-202 has been investigated in a Phase I study with 24 mostly heavily pretreated patients with several types of highly advanced hematologic cancers, and was proven to be tolerated. Positive signs of anti-tumor efficacy were observed with one complete remission for 28 months and one partial responder for 8 months.

In addition to its therapeutic potential in cancer monotherapy, 4SC is evaluating 4SC-202's capacity as a partner in combination therapies, specifically in the immuno-oncology area. In this respect, 4SC initiated a Phase Ib/II study of 4SC-202 in combination with the anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab in patients with advanced-stage melanoma. A second Phase II study of 4SC-202 in combination with the anti-PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor avelumab, which will be conducted by an academic partner in gastrointestinal cancers, is expected to start soon.

As soon as results from the aforementioned trials will be available, 4SC plans to advance 4SC-202 into a pivotal study in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor in PD-(L)1 refractory patients with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).

About 4SC-208

Data from several preclinical in vivo models has established the efficacy of 4SC-208 in inhibiting the Hedgehog/GLI signaling. Inhibition of this signaling pathway has emerged as a highly effective strategy in obstructing the tumorigenic capacity of cancer stem cells, as well as tumor development, proliferation and survival.

Available inhibitors of Hedgehog signaling target the pathway upstream of the transcription factor GLI, whereas 4SC-208 inhibits at the level of GLI and is thus potentially able to avoid the tumor recurrence and relapse observed in response to currently available inhibitors.

4SC believes that 4SC-208 is a promising drug candidate and expects to complete formal preclinical testing in 2018 and to enter into a Phase I/II clinical study immediately thereafter. Cancer indications that are particularly promising are those where resistance to therapies targeting the Hedgehog/GLI pathway are emerging, such as in basal cell carcinoma.

About 4SC

4SC AG is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing small-molecule drugs that can target key indications in cancer with high unmet medical needs. Such drugs are intended to provide patients with innovative treatment options that are more tolerable and efficacious than existing therapies and provide a better quality of life. 4SC's pipeline is protected by a comprehensive portfolio of patents and comprises promising products that are in various stages of preclinical and clinical development. The 4SC product pipeline currently comprises three key drug candidates: resminostat, 4SC-202 and 4SC-208.

4SC aims to generate future growth and enhance its enterprise value by entering into partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies and/or the eventual marketing and sales of approved drugs in select territories by 4SC itself. 4SC had 47 employees as of 30 September 2017 and is listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE Prime Standard: VSC; ISIN: DE000A14KL72).

Forward-looking information

Information set forth in this press release contains forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the judgement of 4SC as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond 4SC's control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. 4SC expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Contact

Anna Niedl, Ph.D.
Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
anna.niedl@4sc.com
+49 89 700763-66