Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this report and the audited financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on March 5, 2024. Our financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of results that may occur in future interim periods or for the full fiscal year.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements indicating expectations about future performance and other forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties. We usually use words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “might,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “intend,” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements appear throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and are statements regarding our current expectations, beliefs or intent, primarily with respect to our operations and related industry developments. Examples of these statements include, but are not limited to: our business and scientific strategies; risks and uncertainties associated with the commercialization, distribution and marketing of our products in the US and outside the US; risks that the FDA, EMA, the Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) or other regulatory authorities may make adverse decisions regarding our products; the progress of our and our collaborators’ product development programs, including clinical testing, and the timing of results thereof; our corporate collaborations and revenues that may be received from our collaborations and the timing of those potential payments; our expectations with respect to timing of recognizing product sales; our expectations with respect to regulatory submissions and approvals; our drug discovery technologies; our research and development expense; protection of our intellectual property and our intention to vigorously enforce our intellectual property rights; the availability and sufficiency of our cash and capital resources and the need for additional capital; our ability to successfully identify and acquire or in-license products or companies, and to successfully transition assets to operate acquisitions; our operations and legal risks; the effectiveness of our cybersecurity risk management process; and our acquisition of certain assets comprising rights to GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in the US. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including as a result of the risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which factors will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements .
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Overview
We are a biotechnology company dedicated to developing and providing novel therapies that significantly improve the lives of patients with hematologic disorders and cancer. We focus on products that address signaling pathways that are critical to disease mechanisms.
Our first product approved by the FDA is TAVALISSE (fostamatinib disodium hexahydrate) tablets, the only approved oral SYK inhibitor for the treatment of adult patients with chronic ITP who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment. The product is also commercially available in Europe and the UK (as TAVLESSE), and in Canada, Israel and Japan (as TAVALISSE) for the treatment of chronic ITP in adult patients.
Our second FDA-approved product is REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) capsules for the treatment of adult patients with R/R AML with a susceptible IDH1 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. We began our commercialization of REZLIDHIA in December 2022. W e in-licensed olutasidenib from Forma, with exclusive, worldwide rights for its development, manufacturing and commercialization.
In February 2024, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Blueprint to purchase certain assets comprising the right to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in the US. GAVRETO (pralsetinib) is a once daily, small molecule, oral, kinase inhibitor of wild-type RET and oncogenic RET fusions. GAVRETO is approved by the FDA for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC as detected by an FDA-approved test. GAVRETO is also approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration response rate, for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate). We intend to distribute and market GAVRETO for approved indications in RET fusion-positive NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancers, and we expect to complete the transition of the asset and start recognizing product sales in July of 2024.
We continue to advance the development of our IRAK1/4 inhibitor program, in an open-label, Phase 1b trial to determine the tolerability and preliminary efficacy of the drug in patients with lower-risk MDS who are refractory or resistant to prior therapies.
We have strategic development collaborations with MDACC to expand our evaluation of REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in AML and other hematologic cancers, and with CONNECT to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in combination with temozolomide in patients with HGG harboring an IDH1 mutation.
We have a RIPK1 inhibitor program in clinical development with our partner Lilly. We also have product candidates in clinical development with partners BerGenBio and Daiichi.
Business Updates
TAVALISSE IN ITP
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net product sales of TAVALISSE were $21.1 million, decreased by $1.2 million or 5% compared to $22.3 million net product sales in the same period in 2023. The decrease was driven partly by a decrease in number of bottles remaining in distributors channels, and partly due to the increase in revenue reserves driven by higher government and private payor rebates. These decreases were partially offset by the increase in price per bottle of TAVALISSE. Typically, our first quarter net sales are impacted by the first quarter reimbursement issues such as the resetting of co-pays and the Medicare donut hole.
REZLIDHIA in R/R AML with mIDHI
For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net product sales of REZLIDHIA were $4.9 million, increased by $3.4 million compared to $1.5 million net product sales in the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to increased quantities sold primarily driven by increased number of patients under therapy, partially offset by the increase in revenue reserves primarily due to higher government rebates.
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W e in-licensed olutasidenib from Forma, with exclusive, worldwide rights for development, manufacturing and commercialization of olutasidenib for any uses, including for the treatment of AML and other malignancies. In accordance with the terms of the license and transition services agreement, we paid an upfront fee of $2.0 million, with the potential to pay up to $67.5 million additional payments upon achievement of specified development and regulatory milestones and up to $165.5 million additional payments upon achievement of certain commercial milestones. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions of the license and transition services agreement, Forma would be entitled to tiered royalty payments on net sales of licensed products at percentages ranging from low-teens to mid-thirties, as well as certain portions of our sublicensing revenue, subject to certain standard reductions and offsets. In 2022, certain milestones were met which entitled Forma to receive a $17.5 million milestone payments. No new milestone was met in 2023 and during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancers
On February 22, 2024, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Blueprint to purchase certain assets comprising the right to research, develop, manufacture and commercialize GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in the US. Under the terms of the agreement, we agreed to pay Blueprint a purchase price of $15.0 million, $10.0 million of which is payable upon our first commercial sale of GAVRETO (pralsetinib) and an additional $5.0 million of which is payable on the first anniversary of the closing date of the agreement, subject to certain conditions. Blueprint is also eligible to receive up to $97.5 million in future commercial milestone payments and up to $5.0 million in future regulatory milestone payments, in addition to tiered royalties ranging from 10% to 30%.
Simultaneously and in conjunction with entering into the Asset Purchase Agreement, we also entered into certain supporting agreements, including a customary transition agreement, pursuant to which, during the transition period, Blueprint will transition regulatory and distribution responsibility for GAVRETO (pralsetinib) to us. We also agreed to purchase certain drug product inventories from Blueprint amounting to approximately $7.0 million under a Material Transfer Agreement. As of March 31, 2024, we received inventories amounting to approximately $3.1 million, and the remaining inventories are expected to be delivered to us in the second quarter of 2024.
We believe GAVRETO will be highly synergistic with our current product portfolio, and we expect to leverage our existing commercial infrastructure to ensure current and newly prescribed GAVRETO patients have continued access to this important treatment option. We intend to distribute and market GAVRETO for approved indications in RET fusion-positive NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancers, and we expect to complete the transition of the asset and start recognizing product sales in July of 2024.
GAVRETO (pralsetinib) is a once daily, small molecule, oral, kinase inhibitor of wild-type RET and oncogenic RET fusions. Currently, GAVRETO (pralsetinib) is one of only two approved RET inhibitors on the market for patients. GAVRETO is approved by the FDA for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC as detected by an FDA-approved test. GAVRETO is also approved for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate). This indication was approved by the FDA under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trial. Discussions with the FDA regarding confirmatory requirements are ongoing.
GAVRETO has been co-marketed by Blueprint and Genentech, a member of Roche Group (Roche), to patients in the US since September 2020 pursuant to a collaboration agreement between Blueprint and Roche, which was terminated effective in February 2024.
The patent portfolio covering pralsetinib contains patents and patent applications directed to compositions of matter for pralsetinib, including solid forms, formulations, and methods of use and manufacture. Pralsitenib is covered as a composition of matter in a US issued patent that has an expiration date in November 2036 and subject to potential extensions. Patents that have been issued or are expected to be issued covering pralsetinib will have statutory expiration dates between 2036 and 2041. Patent term adjustments, patent term extensions, and supplementary protection certificates could result in later expiration dates. The FDA granted GAVRETO (pralsetinib) new chemical entity exclusivity until September 2025 and orphan drug exclusivity until September 2027 with respect to the approval for treatment of adult
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patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC as detected by an FDA-approved test. The FDA also granted GAVRETO (pralsetinib) two orphan drug exclusivities until December 2027 with respect to FDA approval for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET fusion-positive thyroid cancer who require systemic therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory (if radioactive iodine is appropriate), and for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with advanced or metastatic RET-mutant medullary thyroid carcinoma who require systemic therapy.
RET is involved in the physiological development of some organ systems. RET is a receptor tyrosine kinase that activates multiple downstream pathways involved in cell proliferation and survival. RET can be activated by mutation or when a portion of the RET gene that encodes the kinase domain is joined to part of another gene creating a fusion gene that encodes an aberrantly activated RET fusion protein. RET alterations, such as fusions or mutations, drive the growth of multiple tumor types. It is estimated that over 230,000 adult patients in the US will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2024. NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer in the US accounting for 80-85% of all lung cancer diagnoses. RET activating fusions are key disease drivers in NSCLC. RET fusions are implicated in approximately 1-2% of patents with NSCLC.
GAVRETO (pralsetinib) faces competition for RET fusion-positive NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancers from Lilly’s selpercatinib. In addition, other commercially available therapies used to treat RET fusion-positive NSCLC include cabozantanib and platinum-based chemotherapy regimens with or without pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, nivolumab/ipilumumab, cemiplimab or tremelimumab-durvalumab. Pralsetinib may also face competition from other drug candidates in development for RET-altered cancers, as well as multi-kinase inhibitors with RET activity being evaluated in clinical trials.
R289, an Oral IRAK1/4 Inhibitor for Hematology-Oncology, Autoimmune, and Inflammatory Diseases
We advanced the development of our IRAK 1/4 inhibitor program, following further evaluation of single and multiple ascending doses of R289 in healthy subjects. The Phase 1b open-label, multicentrial trial evaluates the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of R289 in patients with R/R lower-risk MDS. This Phase 1b trial is expected to enroll approximately 40 patients (up to 30 participants in the dose escalation phase, and up to 10 participants in the dose expansion phase). The primary objective of the trial is safety, with secondary and exploratory objectives to assess preliminary efficacy and characterize the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of R289. The safety and efficacy data from this Phase 1b trial is intended to inform the recommended dose of R289 for further clinical evaluation in lower-risk MDS. To date, enrollment in the third cohort of the trial has been completed and we are planning to include two additional cohorts with twice daily dosing regimens. Preliminary data are expected by the end of 2024.
REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in AML, Other Hematologic Cancers and HGG
In December 2023, we entered into a Strategic Collaboration Agreement with MDACC, a comprehensive cancer research, treatment, and prevention center. The collaboration will expand our evaluation of REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in AML and other hematologic cancers with IDH1 mutations. Under the Strategic Collaboration Agreement, we will jointly lead the clinical development efforts with MDACC to evaluate the potential of olutasidenib to treat newly diagnosed and R/R patients with AML, higher-risk MDS, and advanced myeloproliferative neoplasms, in combination with other agents. The collaboration will also support the evaluation of olutasidenib as monotherapy in patients with IDH1 mutated clonal cytopenia of undermined significance and lower-risk MDS, as well as maintenance therapy following hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Under the Strategic Collaboration Agreement, we will provide MDACC the study materials and $15.0 million in time-based milestone payments as compensation for services to be provided for the studies, over the five-year collaboration term, unless terminated earlier as provided for in the agreement. Through March 31, 2024, we provided $2.0 million funding to MDACC.
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In January 2024, we announced our collaboration with Collaborative Network for Neuro-Oncology Clinical Trials (CONNECT), an international collaborative network of pediatric cancer centers, to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) in combination with temozolomide in patients with HGG harboring an IDH1 mutation. Under the collaboration, CONNECT will include olutasidenib in CONNECT’s TarGet-D, a molecularly guided Phase 2 umbrella clinical trial for HGG. Our sponsored arm, adolescents and young adult patients (<39 years old) with newly-diagnosed IDH1-mutation positive HGG will receive maintenance therapy with of olutasidenib in combination with temozolomide for the first year after radiotherapy, followed by olutasidenib monotherapy for the second year. Under the collaboration, we will provide CONNECT with a funding up to $3.0 million and study material over the four-year collaboration.
Global Strategic Partnership with Lilly
Lilly is continuing to advance R552, an investigational, potent and selective RIPK1 inhibitor. Lilly has initiated the Phase 2a trial studying R552 in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. The trial plans to enroll 100 patients globally. RIPK1 is implicated in a broad range of key inflammatory cellular processes and plays a key role in tumor necrosis factor signaling, especially in the induction of pro-inflammatory necroptosis. The program also includes RIPK1 compounds that cross the blood-brain barrier (CNS-penetrants) to address neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Under the Lilly Agreement, we are responsible for 20% of the development costs for R552 in the US, Europe, and Japan, up to a specified cap. Lilly is responsible for funding the remainder of all development activities for R552 and other non-CNS disease development candidates. Under the Lilly Agreement, we have the right to opt-out of co-funding the R552 development activities in the US, Europe and Japan at two different specified times and as a result receive lesser royalties from sales. Prior to us providing our first opt-out notice as discussed below, we were required to fund our share of the R552 development activities in the US, Europe, and Japan up to a maximum funding commitment of $65.0 million through April 1, 2024. On September 28, 2023, we entered into an amendment to the Lilly Agreement which provides, among other things, that if we exercise our first opt-out right, we have the right to opt-in to co-funding of R552 development, upon us providing notice to Lilly within 30 days of certain events, as specified in the Lilly Agreement. Following the amendment to the Lilly Agreement, in September 2023, we provided the first opt-out notice to Lilly. We continue to fund our share of the R552 development activities up to $22.6 million through April 1, 2024 as provided for in the amended Lilly Agreement. Through March 31, 2024, Lilly billed us $20.3 million of the funding development costs incurred as of the fourth quarter of 2023. If we decide to exercise our opt-in right, we will be required to continue to share in global development costs, and if we later exercise our second opt-out right (no later than April 1, 2025), our share in global development costs will be up to a specified cap through December 31, 2025, as provided for in the Lilly Agreement.
Patent Infringement Lawsuit
In June 2022, we received a notice letter regarding an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) submitted to the FDA by Annora Pharma Private Limited (Annora) requesting approval to market a generic version of TAVALISSE. In July 2022, we filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey against Annora and its subsidiaries for infringement of certain of our US patents. Litigation continues, and no trial date is currently set. For a more detailed discussion of this litigation matter, see Part II, Item 1, “Legal Proceedings” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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Our Product Portfolio
The following table summarizes our portfolio:
Commercial Products
TAVALISSE/Fostamatinib in ITP
Chronic ITP affects an estimated 81,300 adult patients in the US. In patients with ITP, the immune system attacks and destroys the body’s own blood platelets, which play an active role in blood clotting and healing. ITP patients can suffer extraordinary bruising, bleeding and fatigue as a result of low platelet counts. Current therapies for ITP include steroids, blood platelet production boosters that imitate thrombopoietin (TPO) and splenectomy.
Taken in tablet form, fostamatinib blocks the activation of SYK inside immune cells. ITP is typically characterized by the body producing antibodies that attach to healthy platelets in the blood stream. Immune cells recognize these antibodies and affix to them, which activates the SYK enzyme inside the immune cell, and triggers the destruction of the antibody and the attached platelet. When SYK is inhibited by fostamatinib, it interrupts this immune cell function and allows the platelets to escape destruction. The results of our Phase 2 clinical trial, in which fostamatinib was orally administered to 16 adults with chronic ITP, published in Blood , showed that fostamatinib significantly increased the platelet counts of certain ITP patients, including those who had failed other currently available agents.
Our Fostamatinib for Immune Thrombocytopenia (FIT) Phase 3 clinical program had a total of 150 ITP patients which were randomized into two identical multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. The patients were diagnosed with persistent or chronic ITP, and had blood platelet counts consistently below 30,000 per microliter of blood. Two-thirds of the subjects received fostamatinib orally at 100 mg twice daily (bid) and the other third received placebo on the same schedule. Subjects were expected to remain on treatment for up to 24 weeks. At week four of treatment, subjects who failed to meet certain platelet counts and met certain tolerability thresholds could have their dosage of fostamatinib (or corresponding placebo) increased to 150 mg bid. The primary efficacy endpoint of this program was a stable platelet response by week 24 with platelet counts at or above 50,000 per microliter of blood for at least four of the final six qualifying blood draws. In August 2016, we announced the results of the first FIT study, reporting that fostamatinib met the study’s primary efficacy endpoint. The study showed that 18% of patients receiving fostamatinib achieved a stable platelet response compared to none receiving a placebo control. In October 2016, we announced the results of the second FIT study, reporting that the response rate (16% in the treatment group, versus 4% in the placebo group) was consistent with the first study, although the difference was not statistically significant. In the ITP double-blind studies, the most commonly reported adverse reactions occurring in at least 5% of patients treated with TAVALISSE were diarrhea, hypertension, nausea, dizziness, increased alanine aminotransferase, increased aspartate
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aminotransferase, respiratory infection, rash, abdominal pain, fatigue, chest pain, and neutropenia. Serious adverse drug reactions occurring in at least 1% of patients treated with TAVALISSE in the ITP double-blind studies were febrile neutropenia, diarrhea, pneumonia, and hypertensive crisis. A post-hoc analysis from our Phase 3 clinical program in adult patients with chronic ITP, highlighting the potential benefit of using TAVALISSE in earlier lines of therapy, was published in the British Journal of Haematology in July 2020. In addition, a report describing the long-term safety and durable efficacy of TAVALISSE with up to five years of treatment was published in Therapeutic Advances in Hematology in 2021.
The FDA granted our request for orphan drug designation for fostamatinib for the treatment of ITP in August 2015. TAVALISSE was approved by the FDA in April 2018 for the treatment of ITP in adult patients who have had an insufficient response to a previous treatment, and successfully launched in the US in May 2018.
In January 2020, the European Commission (EC) granted a centralized MA for fostamatinib (TAVLESSE) valid throughout the European Union (EU) and in the UK, after the departure of the UK from the EU, for the treatment of chronic ITP in adult patients who are refractory to other treatments. In December 2022, Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) approved the NDA for fostamatinib in chronic ITP.
Competitive landscape for TAVALISSE
Our industry is intensely competitive and subject to rapid and significant technological change. TAVALISSE is competing with other existing therapies. In addition, a number of companies are pursuing the development of pharmaceuticals that target the same diseases and conditions that we are targeting. For example, there are existing therapies and drug candidates in development for the treatment of ITP that may be alternative therapies to TAVALISSE.
Currently, corticosteroids remain the most common first line therapy for ITP, occasionally in conjunction with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) or anti-Rh(D) to help further augment platelet count recovery, particularly in emergency situations. However, it has been estimated that frontline agents lead to durable remissions in only a small percentage of newly diagnosed adults with ITP. Moreover, concerns with steroid-related side effects often restrict therapy to approximately four weeks. As such, many patients progress to persistent or chronic ITP, requiring other forms of therapeutic intervention. In long-term treatment of chronic ITP, patients are often cycled through several therapies over time in order to maintain a sufficient response to the disease.
Other approaches to treat ITP are varied in their mechanism of action, and there is no consensus about the sequence of their use. Options include splenectomy, thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-Ras) and various immunosuppressants (such as rituximab). The response rate criteria of the above-mentioned options vary, precluding a comparison of response rates for individual therapies.
Even with the above treatment options, a significant number of patients remain severely thrombocytopenic for long durations and are subject to risk of spontaneous or trauma-induced hemorrhage. The addition of fostamatinib to the currently available treatment options could be beneficial because it has a different mechanism of action than any of the therapies that are currently available. Fostamatinib is a potent and relatively selective SYK inhibitor, and its inhibition of Fc receptors and B-cell receptors of signaling pathways make it a potentially broad immunomodulatory agent.
Other products in the US that are approved by the FDA to increase platelet production through binding to TPO receptors on megakaryocyte precursors include PROMACTA ® (Novartis International AG (Novartis)), Nplate ® (Amgen, Inc.) and DOPTELET ® (Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB). In the longer term, we may eventually face competition from potential manufacturers of generic versions of our marketed products, including the proposed generic version of TAVALISSE that is the subject of an ANDA submitted to the FDA by Annora, which, if approved and allowed to enter the market, it could result in significant decreases in the revenue derived from sale of TAVALISSE and thereby materially harm our business and financial condition.
Commercial activities, including sales and marketing
Our marketing and sales efforts are focused on hematologists and hematologist-oncologists in the US who manage chronic adult ITP patients. We have a fully integrated commercial team consisting of sales, marketing, market access, and commercial operations functions. Our sales team promotes our products in the US using customary
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pharmaceutical company practices, and we concentrate our efforts on hematologists and hematologist-oncologists. Our products are sold initially through third-party wholesale distribution and specialty pharmacy channels and group purchasing organizations before being ultimately prescribed to patients. To facilitate our commercial activities in the US, we also enter into arrangements with various third parties, including advertising agencies, market research firms and other sales-support-related services as needed. We believe that our commercial team and distribution practices are adequate to ensure that our marketing efforts reach relevant customers and deliver our products to patients in a timely and compliant fashion. Also, to help ensure that all eligible patients in the US have appropriate access to our products, we have established a reimbursement and patient support program called Rigel OneCare (ROC). Through ROC, we provide co-pay assistance to qualified, commercially insured patients to help minimize out-of-pocket costs and provide free product to uninsured or under-insured patients who meet certain established clinical and financial eligibility criteria. In addition, ROC is designed to provide reimbursement support, such as information related to prior authorizations, benefits investigations and appeals.
We have entered into various license and commercial agreements to commercialize fostamatinib globally, but we retain the global rights to fostamatinib outside of the respective territories under such license and commercial agreements. Our collaborative partner Grifols S.A. (Grifols) launched TAVLESSE in the UK and certain countries in Europe including Germany, France, Italy and Spain, and continues a phased rollout across the rest of Europe. Our collaborative partner Medison Pharma Trading AG (Medison Canada) and Medison Pharma Ltd. (Medison Israel, and together with Medison Canada, Medison) launched TAVALISSE in Canada and Israel. Further, our collaborative partner Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Kissei) launched TAVALISSE in Japan.
Fostamatinib in Europe
We have a commercialization license agreement with Grifols entered in January 2019, for exclusive rights to commercialize fostamatinib for human diseases, and non-exclusive rights to develop, fostamatinib in their territory. Grifols territory includes Europe, the UK, Turkey, the Middle East, North Africa and Russia (including Commonwealth of Independent States).
Under the terms of the agreement, we received an upfront cash payment of $30.0 million and will be eligible to receive regulatory and commercial milestones of up to $297.5 million. In January 2020, the EC granted a MA for fostamatinib for the treatment of chronic ITP in adult patients who are refractory to other treatments. With this approval, we received a $20.0 million non-refundable milestone payment, consisted of a $17.5 million payment due upon Market Authorization Application (MAA) approval by the EMA of fostamatinib for the first indication and a $2.5 million creditable advance royalty payment due upon EMA approval of fostamatinib in the first indication. We are also entitled to receive stepped double-digit royalty payments based on tiered net sales which may reach 30% of net sales of fostamatinib in the Grifols territory.
Fostamatinib in Asia
We have an exclusive license and supply agreement with Kissei entered in October 2018, to develop and commercialize fostamatinib in all current and potential indications in Kissei’s territory, which includes Japan, China, Taiwan and the Republic of Korea. Kissei is a Japan-based pharmaceutical company addressing patients’ unmet medical needs through its research, development and commercialization efforts, as well as through collaborations with partners.
Under the terms of the agreement, we received an upfront cash payment of $33.0 million, with the potential for an additional $147.0 million in development and commercial milestone payments, and will receive product transfer price payments in the mid to upper twenty percent range based on tiered net sales for the exclusive supply of fostamatinib. Kissei receives exclusive rights to fostamatinib in ITP and all future indications in Kissei’s territory.
In September 2019, Kissei initiated a Phase 3 trial in Japan of fostamatinib in adult Japanese patients with chronic ITP. The efficacy and safety of orally administered fostamatinib was assessed by comparing it with placebo in a randomized, double-blind study. Japan has the third highest prevalence of chronic ITP in the world behind the US and Europe. In February 2020, Kissei was granted orphan drug designation from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for R788 (fostamatinib) in chronic ITP. In December 2021, Kissei reported positive top-line results for a Phase 3 clinical trial, meeting its primary endpoint. The Phase 3 clinical trial showed that patients receiving fostamatinib achieved a stable platelet response significantly higher than patients receiving a placebo control. Based on the positive
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Phase 3 results, in April 2022, Kissei submitted an NDA to Japan’s PMDA for fostamatinib in chronic ITP. With this milestone event, we received $5.0 million non-refundable and non-creditable payment from Kissei. In December 2022, Japan’s PMDA approved TAVALISSE for the treatment of chronic ITP. With this milestone event, we received $20.0 million non-refundable and non-creditable payment from Kissei based on the terms of our collaboration agreement. In April 2023, Kissei launched TAVALISSE for chronic ITP in Japan.
Fostamatinib in Canada/Israel
We have two exclusive commercial and license agreements with Medison entered in October 2019, to commercialize fostamatinib in all potential indications in Canada and Israel. Under the terms of the agreements, we received an upfront payment of $5.0 million with the potential for approximately $35.0 million in regulatory and commercial milestones. In addition, we will receive royalty payments beginning at 30% of net sales. Under our agreement with Medison for the Canada territory, we have the option to buy back all rights to the product upon regulatory approval in Canada for the indication of AIHA. The buyback provision, if exercised, would require both parties to mutually agree on commercially reasonable terms for us to purchase back the rights, taking into account Medison’s investment and the value of the rights, among others. Pursuant to this exclusive commercialization license agreement, in August 2020, we entered into a commercial supply agreement with Medison.
In November 2020, Health Canada approved the New Drug Submission for TAVALISSE for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in adult patients with chronic ITP who have had an insufficient response to other treatments. In August 2021, Medison Israel received the licenses for registrational approval from the Ministry of Health, which event entitled us to receive $0.1 million of non-refundable milestone payment. In November 2022, Medison Israel made its first commercial sale of TAVALISSE and obtained its national reimbursement in February 2023.
Fostamatinib in Latin America
In May 2022, we entered into commercial license agreement with Knight Therapeutics International SA ( Knight) for the commercialization of fostamatinib for approved indications in Latin America, consisting of Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean (Knight territory). Pursuant to such commercial license agreement, we received a $2.0 million one-time, non-refundable, and non-creditable upfront payment, with potential for up to an additional $20.0 million in regulatory and sales-based commercial milestone payments, and will receive twenty- to mid-thirty percent, tiered, escalated net-sales based royalty payments for products sold in the Knight territory. We are also responsible for the exclusive manufacture and supply of fostamatinib for all future development and commercialization activities under a Commercial and Supply Agreement. In August 2023, Knight submitted the MAA for regulatory approval in Mexico, Colombia and Brazil for fostamatinib for the treatment of adult patients with ITP who had insufficient response to a previous treatment.
REZLIDHIA in R/R AML with mIDH1
mIDH1 alterations are seen in AML, MDS, glioma, chondrosarcoma, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. It is estimated that there are approximately 1,000 adult patients, a well-identified patient population, with mIDH1 R/R AML, part of an AML market estimated to have an incidence of approximately 20,000 cases in the US and an estimated 120,000 cases globally. Despite having approved treatment options for R/R AML patients who are mIDH1 positive, an unmet need remains.
Olutasidenib, an oral, small molecule drug designed to selectively bind to and inhibit mIDH1, is a treatment option with durable remissions, reduced QTc potential, and a stable pharmacokinetics profile that enables a consistent drug exposure over time. This targeted agent has the potential to provide therapeutic benefit by reducing 2-hydroxyglutarate levels and restoring normal cellular differentiation. IDH1 is a natural enzyme that is part of the normal metabolism of all cells. When mutated, IDH1 activity can promote blood malignancies and solid tumors. Olutasidenib was designated by the FDA as an orphan drug for the treatment of AML, which provides orphan drug market exclusivity from the time of marketing approval on December 1, 2022.
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REZLIDHIA (olutasidenib) is designed to bind to and inhibit mIDH1 to reduce 2-hydroxyglutarate levels and restore normal cellular differentiation of myeloid cells. REZLIDHIA is a novel, non-intensive monotherapy treatment in the R/R AML setting demonstrating a CR+CRh rate of 35% in patients with over 90% of those responders in complete remission.
On December 1, 2022, the FDA has approved REZLIDHIA capsules for the treatment of adult patients with R/R AML with IDH1 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test. On December 22, 2022, we began the commercialization of REZLIDHIA and made it available to patients. The recommended dosage of REZLIDHIA is 150 mg taken orally twice daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The FDA approval was based on the NDA for olutasidenib for the treatment of m1DH1 R/R AML submitted by Forma , that had a PDUFA action date for the application of February 15, 2023. The NDA application was supported with a Phase 2 registrational trial for olutasidenib in mIDH1 R/R AML. Interim results from the Phase 2 registrational trial were reported at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in June 2021. The interim results of this trial of 153 patients showed that olutasidenib demonstrated a favorable tolerability profile as a monotherapy in patients with R/R AML who have a susceptible mIDH1, and achieved a complete remission (CR) plus CR with partial hematologic recovery (CRh) rate of 33.3% (30% CR and 3% CRh), the primary efficacy endpoint. While a median duration of CR/CRh was not yet reached, a sensitivity analysis (with a hematopoietic stem cell transplant, as the end of a response) indicated the median duration of CR/CRh was 13.8 months . The overall response rate, comprised CR, CRh, Cri, partial response, and morphologic leukemia-free state (MLFS), was 46% and the median duration of overall response rate (ORR) was 11.7 months. The median overall survival was 10.5 months. For patients with CR/CRh, the median overall survival was not reached, but the estimated 18-month survival was 87%. The most frequently reported treatment emergent adverse events were nausea, constipation, increased white blood cell count, decreased red blood cell count, pyrexia, febrile neutropenia, and fatigue.
In November 2022, we announced the presentation of five posters highlighting data from our commercial and clinical hematology-oncology portfolio at the 64 th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition which was held in December 2022. An updated interim analysis from the Phase 2 registrational trial of olutasidenib in patients with R/R AML demonstrated robust efficacy and safety results. The registrational cohort of the Phase 2 trial enrolled 153 patients with mIDH1 R/R AML who received olutasidenib monotherapy 150 mg twice daily. The efficacy evaluable population was 147 patients who received their first dose at least six months prior to the interim analysis cutoff date of June 18, 2021. The primary endpoint was a CR/CRh defined as less than 5% blasts in the bone marrow, no evidence of disease, and partial recovery of peripheral blood counts (platelets >50,000/microliter and absolute neutrophil count >500/microliter). The results from the updated interim analysis of patients with mIDH1 R/R AML demonstrated a 35% CR+CRh rate with a median duration of 25.9 months. The ORR a secondary end point, was 48%, and was defined as the rate of CR, CRh, CR with incomplete blood count recovery (Cri), partial remission (which required recovery of neutrophil and platelet counts consistent with a CR), or MLFS. Olutasidenib was effective in a broad range of patients including those with prior high-intensity chemotherapy and/or post-venetoclax. The abstract concluded that the observed activity is clinically meaningful and represents a therapeutic advance in the treatment of this patient population. In this pivotal cohort, olutasidenib was well tolerated with an adverse event profile largely characteristic of symptoms or conditions experienced by patients undergoing treatment for AML or of the underlying disease itself.
In November 2022, we also announced the publication of data in The Lancet Haematology, which summarizes the Phase 1 results of the Phase 1/2 trial of olutasidenib . The objectives of the first phase of the multi-center, open-label Phase 1/2 trial were to assess the safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile, and clinical activity of olutasidenib, both as monotherapy and in combination with azacitidine, in patients with treatment-naïve or R/R AML or MDS harboring IDH1 mutations. The published data suggest that olutasidenib, with or without azacitidine, was well-tolerated and was associated with improvements in clinical efficacy endpoints in patients with mIDH1 AML. This trial showed that olutasidenib has the potential to provide an additional treatment option for mIDH1 AML.
In January 2023, we announced that REZLIDHIA has been added by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) to the latest NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for AML. REZLIDHIA is now included as a recommended targeted therapy for adult patients with R/R AML with IDH1 mutation.
In February 2023, we announced peer-reviewed publication data in Blood Advances , which summarize clinical results from the Phase 2 registrational trial of REZLIDHIA in patients with mIDH1 R/R AML. The published data
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demonstrate that REZLIDHIA induced durable remissions and transfusion independence with a well-characterized safety profile. The observed efficacy is clinically meaningful and represents a therapeutic advance in this poor prognosis patient population with limited treatment options. REZLIDHIA demonstrated both a high rate of response and an extended median duration of complete response of 28.1 months, which is more than a year longer than what is reported with the standard of care. In June 2023, we announced the second REZLIDHIA publication in Blood Advances , a review article examining the preclinical and clinical development, and the positioning of olutasidenib in the mIDH1 AML treatment landscape. The review concluded that the approval of REZLIDHIA is a critical addition to the mIDH1 AML treatment landscape. Further, the available data support the use of REZLIDHIA as monotherapy in R/R AML patients who have failed intensive chemotherapy or venetoclax plus hypomethylating agents combination therapy.
In June 2023, we announced presentation of data from an analysis from the Phase 2 study of REZLIDHIA in patients with mIDH1 AML who were previously treated with venetoclax. Data was featured in a poster presentation at the European Hematology Association 2023 Hybrid Congress. The data support REZLIDHIA induced durable remissions in patients with mIDH1 AML in this poor-prognosis patient population who were R/R to venetoclax-based treatment.
In April 2024, we announced a peer-reviewed publication in Leukemia & Lymphoma on data from an analysis of the Phase 2 study evaluating REZLIDHIA in patients with mIDH1 AML who are R/R to prior venetoclax-based regimens. The findings from these analyses suggest that REZLIDHIA alone in combination with azacitidine demonstrated potential efficacy in patients with AML following failure of venetoclax combination therapy.
Competitive landscape for REZLIDHIA
There is currently one other product approved in the US for patients with IDH1 mutation. The FDA granted approval to TIBSOVO ® (ivosidenib), an oral targeted IDH1 mutation inhibitor, (i) in July 2018, for adult patients with R/R AML with a susceptible IDH1 mutation, (ii) in May 2019, for newly diagnosed AML with a susceptible IDH1 mutation who are at least 75 years old or who have comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy, (iii) in August 2021, for adult patients with previously treated, locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma with an IDH1 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test, (iv) in May 2022, in combination with azacitidine (azacitidine for injection) for newly diagnosed AML with a susceptible IDH1 mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test in adults 75 years or older, or who have comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy, and (v) in October 2023, for adult patients with R/R MDS with a susceptible IDH1 mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test. In addition, some clinicians may utilize non-targeted treatments for patients with mIDH1 R/R AML, including use of venetoclax combinations, hypomethylating agents, other chemotherapy regimens, or investigational agents that may be available to them.
Commercial activities, including sales and marketing
We believe REZLIDHIA is highly synergistic with our existing hematology-oncology focused commercial and medical affairs infrastructure. Our commercial effort focuses on growing awareness of REZLIDHIA within key institutions, and among targeted HCPs who manage patients with R/R AML with mIDH1. We plan to enter collaborations with third parties to commercialize REZLIDHIA outside of US.
GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancers
Please refer to related discussions above under “Business Updates”, titled “GAVRETO (pralsetinib) in metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC and advanced thyroid cancers” in this Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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Clinical Stage Programs
R289, an Oral IRAK 1/4 Inhibitor for Hematology-Oncology, Autoimmune, and Inflammatory Diseases
During the second quarter of 2018, we selected R835, a proprietary molecule from our IRAK1/4 inhibitor program, for human clinical trials. This investigational candidate is an orally administered, potent and selective inhibitor of IRAK1 and IRAK4 that blocks inflammatory cytokine production in response to toll-like receptor (TLR) and the interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) family signaling. TLRs and IL-1Rs play a critical role in the innate immune response and dysregulation of these pathways can lead to a variety of inflammatory conditions. R835 prevents cytokine release in response to TLR and IL-1R activation in vitro, and is active in multiple rodent models of inflammatory disease including psoriasis, arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and gout. Preclinical studies show that R835 inhibits both the IRAK1 and IRAK4 signaling pathways, which play a key role in inflammation and immune responses to tissue damage. Dual inhibition of IRAK1 and IRAK4 allows for more complete suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine release than inhibition of either one individually.
In October 2019, we announced results from a Phase 1 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics of R835 in 91 healthy adult subjects. The Phase 1 trial showed that R835 had a favorable safety, tolerability and PK profile and established proof-of-mechanism by demonstrating the inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production in response to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge.
We advanced the development of our IRAK 1/4 inhibitor program, following further evaluation of single and multiple ascending doses of R289, a new pro-drug formulation of R835 in healthy subjects. In January 2022, we received clearance from the FDA to initiate a Phase 1 open-label, multicenter trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of R289 in patients with R/R lower-risk MDS. In December 2022, we announced the dosing of the first patient. This Phase 1b trial is expected to enroll approximately 40 patients (up to 30 participants in the dose escalation phase, and up to 10 participants in the dose expansion phase). The primary objective of the trial is safety, with secondary and exploratory objectives to assess preliminary efficacy and characterize the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of R289. The safety and efficacy data from this Phase 1b trial is intended to inform the recommended dose of R289 for further clinical evaluation in lower-risk MDS. To date, enrollment in the third cohort of the trial has been completed and we are planning to include two additional cohorts with twice daily dosing regimens. Preliminary data are expected by the end of 2024.
Fostamatinib in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
We had a Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fostamatinib in hospitalized COVID-19 patients without respiratory failure that have certain high-risk prognostic factors. The DOD’s Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense awarded us grants to support this trial. The trial completed with 280 patients. We previously announced in November 2022 the top-line results from the trial did not meet statistical significance in the primary efficacy endpoint, which is the number of days the patient on oxygen through Day 29. Upon further analysis, we discovered an error by the biostatistical CRO in the application of a statistical stratification factor. The biostatistical CRO misinterpreted receipt of prior COVID-19 treatment of interest 14 days before randomization (regardless of continuation post randomization), as those medications taken 14 days before the date of randomization and ended prior to the day of randomization. After correcting for this statistical error, the primary endpoint of the study was met; those who received fostamatinib had lower mean days on oxygen than those who received placebo. Further, fostamatinib showed significance or trend towards significance in all secondary endpoints of reducing mortality and morbidity compared to placebo after correcting for the error. Given the end of the federal COVID-19 PHE in May 2023 , and based on feedback from the FDA, DOD and other advisors regarding the program’s regulatory requirements, costs, timeline, and potential for success, we decided not to submit an EUA or sNDA.
Fostamatinib had been selected for the Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Inventions and Vaccines Phase 2/3 trial (ACTIV-4 Host Tissue Trial), conducted and sponsored by the National Institute of Health (NIH)/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) . The ACTIV-4 Host Tissue Trial is a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of therapies, including fostamatinib, targeting the host response to COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. In September 2023, the DSMB recommended that the fostamatinib study arm of the ACTIV-4 Host Tissue Trial platform cease enrollment. Based on the DSMB’s review of a conditional power analysis, the DSMB determined that there was an extremely low
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likelihood of fostamatinib providing benefits related to the primary outcome (oxygen free days) or other secondary outcomes in patients hospitalized and on oxygen therapy for COVID-19. No safety concerns were identified. The NIH/NHLBI concurs with the DSMB’s recommendation and has asked the trial investigators to cease enrollment, complete follow-up for participants already enrolled, and complete study closeout.
Partnered Clinical Programs
R552 – Lilly
Lilly is continuing to advance R552 and has initiated the Phase 2a trial studying R552 in adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis. The trial plans to enroll 100 patients globally. RIPK1 is implicated in a broad range of key inflammatory cellular processes and plays a key role in tumor necrosis factor signaling, especially in the induction of pro-inflammatory necroptosis. The program also includes RIPK1 compounds that cross the blood-brain barrier (CNS-penetrants) to address neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
BGB324 – BerGenBio
We have an exclusive, worldwide research, development and commercialization agreement with BerGenBio for our investigational AXL receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, R428 (now referred to as bemcentinib (BGB324)). In February 2023, BerGenBio announced positive data from the Phase 2 trial of bemcentinib in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with second-line NSCLC. The treatment with bemcentinib in combination with pembrolizumab demonstrated long survival benefit and sustained disease control, particularly in patients with AXL TPS > 5, substantiating the relevance of AXL as a target and bemcentinib’s selective inhibition capabilities in NSCLC. Also in March 2023, BerGenBio announced its first patient dosed in a Phase 1B/2A trial evaluating bemcentinib in first-line NSCLC patients harboring STK11 mutations .
DS-3032 – Daiichi
DS-3032 is an investigational oral selective inhibitor of the MDM2 protein investigated by Daiichi in three Phase 1 clinical trials for solid and hematological malignancies including AML, acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia in blast phase, lymphoma and MDS. Preliminary safety and efficacy data from a Phase 1 trial of DS-3032 suggests that DS-3032 may be a promising treatment for hematological malignancies including R/R AML and high-risk MDS. In September 2020, worldwide rights to DS-3032 (milademetan) were out-licensed from Daiichi to Rain Oncology Inc., formerly Rain Therapeutics Inc. (Rain). In January 2024, Phatos Al, Inc. (Pathos) completed the acquisition of Rain. Pathos indicated that it has continued interest in further developing milademetan for cancer patients using its propriety PathOS Platform.
Research, Preclinical and Clinical Development Programs
We have retained a selected team of experts in drug discovery and preclinical development to leverage our existing proprietary collection of inhibitors, small-molecule compound libraries and large database of associated phenotypic and biochemical assay results of therapeutic interest. We maintain leading expertise on specific areas of operation such as inhibition of SYK, IRAK1/4, RIPK1 and mIDH1 kinases to assist clinical development and commercial affairs, as well as to expand and explore additional opportunities for such inhibitors in the clinical space. Our preclinical operations involve collaborations with clinical research organizations, leading investigators from universities and research organizations around the world, and strategic collaborations with other pharmaceutical companies.
We have assembled a team of experts in drug development to design and implement clinical trials and to analyze the data derived from these trials. The clinical development group possesses expertise in project management and regulatory affairs. We work with external clinical research organizations with expertise in managing clinical trials, drug formulation, and the manufacture of clinical trial supplies to support our drug development efforts.
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We also have strategic development collaborations with MDACC and CONNECT to conduct evaluation of REZLIDHIA (oluatasidenib) in AML, other hematologic cancers and glioma.
Commercialization and Sponsored Research and License Agreements
See “Note 4 - Sponsored Research, License Agreements and Government Contracts” and “Note 5 – In-licensing and Acquisition” to our “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements” contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for related discussions.
Results of Operations
Revenues
Three Months Ended March 31,
Aggregate
2024
2023
Change
(in thousands)
Product sales, net
$
26,003
$
23,745
$
2,258
Contract revenues from collaborations
3,531
2,325
1,206
Total revenues
$
29,534
$
26,070
$
3,464
The following table summarizes the percentages of revenues from each of our customers who individually accounted for 10% or more of the total net product sales and revenues from collaborations:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2024
2023
McKesson Specialty Care Distribution Corporation
42%
45%
Cardinal Healthcare
23%
24%
Cencora Inc. (formerly ASD Healthcare)
23%
22%
Revenue from product sales is related to our sale of our products in the US, net of chargebacks, discounts and fees, government and other rebates and returns. TAVALISSE net product sales in the three months ended March 31, 2024 of $21.1 million decreased by $1.2 million or 5% compared to $22.3 million in the same period in 2023. The decrease was driven partly by a decrease in number of bottles remaining in distributors channels, and partly due to the increase in revenue reserves driven by higher government and private payor rebates. These decreases were partially offset by the increase in price per bottle of TAVALISSE. REZLIDHIA net product sales in the three months ended March 31, 2024 of $4.9 million increased by $3.4 million compared to $1.5 million in the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily due to increased quantities sold primarily driven by increased number of patients under therapy, partially offset by the increase in revenue reserves primarily due to higher government rebates.
Contract revenues from collaborations in the three months ended March 31, 2024 consisted of revenue from Kissei of $2.3 million related to the delivery of drug supplies, revenue from Grifols of $1.1 million related to earned royalty, and revenue from Medison of $0.1 million related to the delivery of drug supplies and earned royalty. In the three months ended March 31, 2023, contract revenues from collaborations consisted of revenue from Grifols of $2.3 million related to the delivery of drug supplies and earned royalty, and $0.1 million of revenue from Medison related to the delivery of drug supplies.
We expect that our future revenues to include product sales of our existing commercial products, TAVALISSE and REZLIDHIA, product sales from our upcoming commercialization later this year of GAVRETO, and product sales from new commercial products we may have in the future. Our net product sales may be impacted by the demand from our customers, changes to government and private payor rebate programs, chargeback and discount programs, co-payment assistance programs, and any other rebate and discount programs we may enter in the future. In addition, our future revenues may include payments from our existing and new collaboration partners and government grants. As of March 31, 2024, we had $1.4 million of deferred revenue relating to our collaboration agreement with Kissei which we will recognize as revenue upon satisfaction of our remaining performance obligations.
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Cost of Product Sales
Three Months Ended March 31,
Aggregate
2024
2023
Change
(in thousands)
Cost of product sales
$
2,025
$
977
$
1,048
The cost of product sales includes the cost of inventories sold to specialty distributors and to our collaborative partners. Inventories sold for the periods presented include inventory quantities acquired or produced prior to the FDA approval of the product, and do not reflect the full cost of the inventories sold, since such costs incurred prior to FDA approval were previously expensed and charged to research and development expense. In particular, we still utilize active pharmaceutical ingredient with zero cost for our TAVALISSE inventories, which we expect to make use of for the next 2 to 3 years. As such, we recognize lower cost of product sales in the periods where we sell inventory quantities acquired or produced prior to the FDA approval of the product. As we acquire or produce more FDA approved inventory quantities in the future, our inventory cost in the balance sheet and cost of product sales will reflect the full cost of acquiring or producing such products. Cost of product sales may also include reserves for potential excess, dated or obsolete inventories, estimated based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions as well as product shelf lives. We recognize amortization of intangible assets acquired from in-licensing or acquisition of commercialized products as well as royalty expense within cost of sales.
The increase in cost of product sales in the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily due to increased royalty from sale of REZLIDHIA and due to increased delivery of drug supplies pursuant to our supply agreements with our collaborative partners.
Research and Development Expense
Three Months Ended March 31,
Aggregate
2024
2023
Change
(in thousands)
Research and development expense
$
6,026
$
10,089
$
(4,063)
Stock-based compensation expense included in research and development expense
$
650
$
1,023
$
(373)
Stock-based compensation expense in the three months ended March 31, 2024 above include an incremental charge of approximately $0.5 million from stock option modifications recorded in the first quarter of 2023 related to the acceleration of vesting and extension of exercise period of vested stock option grants made to a former officer whose employment ended in March 2023.
The decrease in research and development expense in three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 was partly due decreased in clinical trial related expenses of $1.1 million due to timing of trial activities of our IRAK 1/4 inhibitor program, as well as decreased clinical trial activities of $1.0 million due to timing of trial completion activities of our Phase 3 clinical trials of fostamatinib for the treatment of hospitalized high-risk patients with COVID-19 and wAIHA. Further, personnel-related costs and stock-based compensation expense decreased by $1.0 million and other research and development expense including allocated facilities and laboratory costs decreased by $1.0 million.
Our research and development expenditures include costs related to preclinical and clinical trials, scientific personnel, supplies, equipment, consultants, sponsored research, stock-based compensation, and allocated facility costs. W e expect to continue to incur significant research and development expense as we continue our activities in our clinical studies including our IRAK1/4 inhibitor program; our collaborative partnerships with MDACC and CONNECT to evaluate REZLDHIA (olutasidenib) in AML, other hematologic cancers and glioma; and any other clinical programs we may pursue in the future.
We do not track fully burdened research and development costs separately for each of our drug candidates. We review our research and development expense by focusing on three categories: research, development, and other. Our research team is focused on identifying and evaluating product candidates in our focused range of therapeutic indications
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that can be developed into small molecule therapeutics in our own proprietary programs or with potential collaborative partners. “Research” expenses relate primarily to personnel expenses, lab supplies, fees to third-party research consultants and compounds. Our development group leads the implementation of our clinical and regulatory strategies and prioritizes disease indications in which our compounds may be studied in clinical trials. “Development” expenses relate primarily to clinical trials, personnel expenses, costs related to our regulatory filings, lab supplies and fees to third-party research consultants. “Other” expenses primarily consist of allocated facilities costs and allocated stock-based compensation expense relating to personnel in research and development groups.
In addition to reviewing the three categories of research and development expense described in the preceding paragraph, we principally consider qualitative factors in making decisions regarding our research and development programs, which include enrollment in clinical trials and the results thereof, the clinical and commercial potential for our drug candidates and competitive dynamics. We also make our research and development decisions in the context of our overall business strategy, which includes the evaluation of potential collaborations for the development of our drug candidates.
Preclinical testing and clinical development are long, expensive and uncertain processes, and we cannot reliably predict the timing of such clinical trial activities. In general, biopharmaceutical development involves a series of steps, beginning with identification of a potential target and including, among others, proof of concept in animals and Phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials in humans. Significant delays in clinical testing could materially impact our product development costs and timing of completion of the clinical trials. We do not know whether planned clinical trials will begin on time, will need to be halted or revamped or will be completed on schedule, or at all. Clinical trials can be delayed for a variety of reasons, including delays in obtaining regulatory approval to commence a trial, delays from scale up, delays in reaching agreement on acceptable clinical trial agreement terms with prospective clinical sites, delays in obtaining institutional review board approval to conduct a clinical trial at a prospective clinical site or delays in recruiting subjects to participate in a clinical trial.
We currently do not have reliable estimates of total costs for a particular drug candidate to reach the market. Our potential products are subject to a lengthy and uncertain regulatory process that may involve unanticipated additional clinical trials and may not result in receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals. Failure to receive the necessary regulatory approvals would prevent us from commercializing the product candidates affected. In addition, clinical trials of our potential products may fail to demonstrate safety and efficacy, which could prevent or significantly delay regulatory approval.
The following table presents our total research and development expense by category (in thousands).
Three Months Ended March 31,
From January 1, 2007*
2024
2023
to March 31, 2024
Categories:
Research
$
455
$
503
$
269,511
Development
4,803
7,940
567,278
Other
768
1,646
278,018
$
6,026
$
10,089
$
1,114,807
* We started tracking research and development expense by category on January 1, 2007.
“Other” expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 consisted of allocated facilities costs of $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and allocated stock-based compensation expense of $0.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively. The major portion of our total research and development expense in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was associated with our IRAK 1/4 inhibitor program.
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Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Three Months Ended March 31,
Aggregate
2024
2023
Change
(in thousands)
Selling, general and administrative expense
$
28,449
$
27,729
$
720
Stock-based compensation expense included in selling, general and administrative expense
$
4,484
$
1,735
$
2,749
The increase in selling, general and administrative expense in the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily due to the increase of $2.7 million in stock-based compensation expense primarily from our performance-based stock awards. This was partially offset by the $0.7 million decrease in consulting and other third-party services, decrease of $0.5 million in commercial related expenses primarily driven by the timing of commercialization activities for our new products, and decrease of $0.8 million in other various sales, general and administrative costs primarily due to lower facilities cost.
We expect to incur significant selling, general and administrative expenses, as we expect our commercial related expenses to increase as we continue to expand our commercial activities of our existing products, TAVALISSE and REZLIDHIA, and our upcoming commercialization later this year of GAVRETO. We continue to deploy resources to enable our field-based employees to engage with healthcare providers. These engagements have enabled our field team to cover existing prescribers, as well as develop relationships with new prescribers to identify appropriate patients for our products.
Interest Income and Interest Expense
Three Months Ended March 31,
Aggregate
2024
2023
Change
(in thousands)
Interest income
$
593
$
393
$
200
Interest expense
$
(1,874)
$
(1,204)
$
(670)
Interest income is related to our interest-bearing cash and investment balances. The increase interest income in the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily driven by higher interest rates.
Interest expense comprised primarily of interest on the outstanding term loan with MidCap. The increase in interest expense in the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily due to higher interest expense on our term loan with Midcap driven by higher loan balance outstanding throughout the period, as the $20.0 million (Tranche 5) was funded in March 2023.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
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Our critical accounting estimates and significant accounting policies are described in “Note 1 – Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our “Notes to Financial Statements” contained in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. There have been no material changes to these accounting policies except for the accounting consideration related to the Asset Purchase Agreement with Blueprint as discussed in “Note 5 – In-licensing and Acquisition” to our “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements” contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See related discussions of recently issued accounting standards in “Note 1 – Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements” contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We continue to evaluate accounting standards that were recently issued but not yet adopted, as applicable.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had approximately $49.6 million and $56.9 million, respectively, in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. We continue to maintain investment portfolios primarily in money market funds, US treasury bills, government-sponsored enterprise securities, and corporate bonds and commercial paper. Cash in excess of immediate requirements is invested with regard to liquidity and capital preservation. We view our investments portfolio as available-for-sale and are available for use in current operations. Wherever possible, we seek to minimize the potential effects of concentration and degrees of risk. We continue to monitor the impact of the changes in the conditions of the credit and financial markets to our investment portfolio and assess if future changes in our investment strategy are necessary.
Following summarizes our cash flow activity for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2024
2023
(in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities
$
(5,013)
$
(4,074)
Investing activities
313
777
Financing activities
(2,512)
19,123
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
$
(7,212)
$
15,826
Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were primarily due to payments of our operating expenses, partially offset by proceeds received from sales of our existing commercial products, and cash received from our collaboration partners. Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 include $20.0 million regulatory milestone payment from Kissei received in January 2023.
Net cash provided by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 comprised net maturities of short-term investments of $0.5 million, partially offset by a payment for capitalized intangible asset related to the Asset Purchase Agreement with Blueprint of $0.1 million. Net cash provided by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 comprised maturities of short-term investments of $15.7 million and proceeds from sale of property and equipment of $0.1 million, partially offset by the payment of milestone obligations to Forma recorded as intangible assets of $15.0 million.
Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 comprised cost share payments to a collaboration partner of $2.6 million, partially offset by the net proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options. Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was primarily due to the net cash proceeds from term loan financing (Tranche 5) of $20.0 million, partially offset by our cost share payments to Lilly of $0.8 million.
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We believe that our existing capital resources will be sufficient to support our current and projected funding requirements, including the continued commercialization of our products, through at least the next 12 months from the Form 10-Q filing date. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could utilize our available capital resources sooner than we currently expect. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with commercializing a product, the development of our product candidates and other research and development activities, we are unable to estimate with certainty our future product revenues, our revenues from our current and future collaborative partners, the amounts of increased capital outlays and operating expenditures associated with our current and anticipated clinical trials and other research and development activities.
Capital Resources
Since inception, we have financed our operations primarily through sales of equity securities, debt financing, from sales of our products, and contract payments under our collaboration agreements.
Under our existing collaboration agreements that we entered in the ordinary course of business, we received or may be entitled to receive upfront cash payments, payments contingent upon specified events achieved by such partners and royalties on any net sales of products sold by such partners under the agreements. As of March 31, 2024, total future contingent payments to us under our existing agreements, excluding terminated agreements, could exceed $1.3 billion if all potential product candidates achieved all of the payment triggering events under all of our current agreements. This estimated future contingent amount does not include any estimated royalties that could be due to us if the partners successfully commercialize any of the licensed products. Future events that may trigger payments to us under the agreements are based solely on our partners’ future efforts and achievements of specified development, regulatory and/or commercial events. See further discussion in “Note 4 – Sponsored Research, License Agreements and Government Contracts” to our “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements” contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
In August 2020, we entered into an Open Market Sale Agreement with Jefferies LLC (Jefferies), as a sole agent, pursuant to which we may sell from time to time, through Jefferies, shares of our common stock in sales deemed to be “at-the-market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, subject to conditions specified in the Open Market Sale Agreement, including maintaining an effective registration statement covering the sale of shares under the Open Market Sale Agreement. We have a shelf registration statement filed with the SEC that was declared effective on May 3, 2022, which registered, among other securities, a base prospectus which covers the offering, issuance, and sale by us of up to $250.0 million in the aggregate of the securities identified from time to time in one or more offerings, which include the $100.0 million of shares of our common stock that may be offered, issued and sold under the Open Market Sale Agreement. As of March 31, 2024, we have not sold any shares of common stock under such Open Market Sale Agreement.
We have a Credit Agreement with MidCap that provides for $60.0 million term loan credit facility, which was fully funded as of March 31, 2024. See also “Note 12 – Subsequent Events” to our “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements” contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional details of the recent amendment to the Credit Agreement.
Our operations will require significant additional funding in the foreseeable future. Unless and until we can generate sufficient cash from our operating activities, we may choose to raise additional funds through public and/or private offerings of equity securities, debt financings, or from other sources. However, certain external factors such as global pandemics, the global tensions arising from the Russia-Ukraine war and Hamas-Israel war, political and economic legislations, and other factors may continue to rapidly evolve which could significantly disrupt the global financial markets. Our ability to raise additional funds may be adversely impacted by potential worsening of global economic conditions and volatility in the credit and financial markets in the US and worldwide. We could experience an inability to access additional funds, which could in the future negatively affect our capacity for certain corporate development transactions or our ability to make important, opportunistic investments. To the extent that we raise additional funds through the sale of equity, our shareholders’ ownership interest may experience substantial dilution . Our current credit facility with MidCap and any debt financing that we can obtain in the future may involve operating covenants that may restrict our business. To the extent that we raise additional funds through collaboration and licensing arrangements, we may be required to relinquish some of our rights to our technologies or product candidates or grant licenses on terms that are not favorable to us.
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Our future funding requirements will depend upon many factors, including, but not limited to:
● the ongoing costs to commercialize our products, or any other future product candidates, if any such candidate receives regulatory approval for commercial sale;
● our ability to generate expected revenue from our commercialization efforts;
● the progress and success of our clinical trials and preclinical activities (including studies and manufacture of materials) of our product candidates conducted by us;
● our ability to secure and maintain our patent protection and regulatory rights;
● our ability to meet operating covenants under our current and future credit facilities, if any;
● our ability to enter into partnering opportunities across our pipeline within and outside the US;
● the costs and timing of regulatory filings and approvals by us and our collaborators;
● the progress of research and development programs carried out by us and our collaborative partners;
● any changes in the breadth of our research and development programs;
● the ability to achieve the events identified in our collaborative agreements that may trigger payments to us from our collaboration partners;
● our ability to acquire or license other technologies or compounds that we may seek to pursue;
● our ability to manage our growth;
● competing technological and market developments;
● the costs and timing of obtaining, enforcing and defending our patent and other intellectual property rights, including regulatory rights such as regulatory data exclusivities; and
● expenses associated with any unforeseen litigation, including any arbitration and securities class action lawsuits.
Insufficient funds may require us to delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of our commercial efforts and/or research or development programs, to lose rights under existing licenses or to relinquish greater or all rights to product candidates at an earlier stage of development or on less favorable terms than we would otherwise choose or may adversely affect our ability to operate as a going concern.
Material Cash Requirements
We conduct our commercial activities and research and development programs internally and through third parties that include, among others, arrangements with vendors, consultants, contract research organizations (CROs) and universities. We have contractual arrangements with these parties, however our contracts with them are cancelable generally on reasonable notice within one year and our obligations under these contracts are primarily based on services performed. We do not have any purchase commitments under any collaboration arrangements.
We have agreements with certain clinical research organizations to conduct our clinical trials including our recent strategic development collaborations with MDACC and CONNECT, as well as with third parties relative to our commercialization of our products. The timing of payments for any amounts owed under the respective agreements will depend on various factors including, but not limited to, patient enrollment and other progress of the clinical trials, and various activities related to commercialization. We expect that we will continue to enter into contracts in the normal course of business with various third parties who support our clinical trials, support our preclinical research studies, and provide other services related to our operating purposes as well as our commercialization of our products. We can terminate these agreements at any time, and if terminated, we would not be liable for the full amount of the respective agreements. Instead, we will be liable for services provided through the termination date plus certain cancellation charges, if any, as defined in each of the respective agreements. In addition, these agreements may, from time to time, be subjected to amendments as a result of any change orders executed by the parties.
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As discussed in detail in “Note 4 – Sponsored Research, License Agreements and Government Contracts” of our “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements” contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, pursuant to the amended Lilly Agreement, and us providing the first opt-out notice to Lilly on September 29, 2023, we are responsible for funding the development costs for R552 in the US, Europe, and Japan, up to $22.6 million through April 1, 2024. Through March 31, 2024, Lilly billed us $20.3 million of the funding development costs incurred as of the fourth quarter of 2023, and the amount was fully paid as of March 31, 2024. The amended Lilly Agreement, however, provides us the right to opt-in to co-funding the R552 development, upon us providing notice to Lilly within 30 days of certain events, as specified in the Lilly Agreement. If we decide to exercise our opt-in right, we will be required to continue to share in global development costs, and if we later exercise our second opt-out right (no later than April 1, 2025), our share in global development costs will be up to a specified cap through December 31, 2025, as provided for in the Lilly Agreement.
As discussed in detail in “Note 5 – In-licensing and Acquisition” of our “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements” contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement with Blueprint entered in February 2024, we agreed to pay Blueprint a purchase price of $15.0 million, $10.0 million of which is payable upon our first commercial sale of GAVRETO (pralsetinib) and an additional $5.0 million of which is payable on the first anniversary of the closing date of the agreement, subject to certain conditions. Blueprint is also eligible to receive up to $97.5 million in future commercial milestone payments and up to $5.0 million in future regulatory milestone payments, in addition to tiered royalties ranging from 10% to 30%. Simultaneously and in conjunction with entering into the Asset Purchase Agreement, we also entered into certain supporting agreements, including a customary transition agreement, pursuant to which, during the transition period, Blueprint will transition regulatory and distribution responsibility for GAVRETO (pralsetinib) to us. We also agreed to purchase certain drug product inventories from Blueprint amounting to approximately $7.0 million under a Material Transfer Agreement. As of March 31, 2024, we received inventories amounting to approximately $3.1 million, and the remaining inventories are expected to be delivered to us in the second quarter of 2024.
Additionally, as discussed in detail in “Note 5 – In-licensing and Acquisition” of our “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements” contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, pursuant to our license and transition services agreement, Forma is entitled to potential development and regulatory milestone payments of up to $67.5 million, commercial milestone payments of up to $165.5 million, and tiered royalty payments. In 2022, certain milestones were met which entitled Forma to receive $17.5 million milestone payments, of which, $2.5 million was paid in the fourth quarter of 2022 and $15.0 million was paid in the first quarter of 2023. No new milestone was met in 2023 and during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
As of March 31, 2024, we have a contractual commitment related to our leased facilities of $0.9 million, with approximately $0.7 million payable within 12 months. See “Note 11 – Leases” to our “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements” contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further discussions of our leases.
As discussed above, we have a contractual commitment with respect to our credit facility with MidCap, and as of March 31, 2024, the outstanding principal amount of the loan was $60.0 million. As discussed in detail in “Note 12 – Subsequent Events” to our “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements” contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in April 2024, we entered into Fourth Amendment to the Credit Agreement with MidCap, which among other things, (i) extended the maturity date for the term loans to September 1, 2027, (ii) extended the interest only period for the term loans to October 1, 2025, (iii) revised the interest rate payable on the term loans to SOFR plus an adjustment of 0.11448%, subject to 4.00% applicable floor, plus applicable margin of 6.50%, (iv) reset the prepayment fee applicable to the term loans, (v) increased the exit fee payable on the term loans to 4.25% and (vi) updated certain financial covenants in connection with the new maturity date. Following the Amended Credit Agreement which extended the interest only period for the term loans to October 1, 2025, no principal payments is due within 12 months. Further, as of March 31, 2024, future interest including final fee calculated following the Fourth Amendment to the Credit Agreement amounted to $19.3 million, of which, approximately $6.6 million is payable within 12 months.
We are also subject to claims related to the patent protection of certain of our technologies, as well as purported securities class action lawsuit, other litigations, and other contractual agreements. We are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is made after careful analysis of each
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individual matter. We do not have other material contractual commitments with respect to matters discussed above.