MacroGenics(MGNX) - 2024 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - MacroGenics reported total revenue of $150 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $58.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, representing a significant increase primarily due to a net increase of $85 million in revenue recognized from milestones achieved under the Incyte License Agreement [24][25] - Research and development expenses were $177.2 million for the year ending December 31, 2024, compared to $166.6 million for the year ending December 31, 2023, reflecting increased costs related to MGC028 and lorigerlimab [25][26] - The net loss was $67 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to a net loss of $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 [27] - Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balance as of December 31, 2024, was $201.7 million, down from $229.8 million as of December 31, 2023, with an anticipated cash runway extending into the second half of 2026 [27][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue from collaborative and other agreements was $118.9 million, with net sales contributing $16.4 million and contract manufacturing revenue at $13.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 [25] - The company plans to initiate the LINNET Phase 2 study for lorigerlimab, targeting unmet needs in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and clear cell gynecologic cancer, with enrollment expected to commence by mid-2025 [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The ongoing LORIKEET Phase 2 trial for lorigerlimab has completed enrollment, with a primary endpoint of radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) [10] - The TAMARACK Phase 2 study results for vobramitamab duocarmazine (vobra duo) showed a median rPFS of 9.5 months for the 2.0 mg/kg cohort and 10.0 months for the 2.7 mg/kg cohort in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) [21][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - MacroGenics aims to advance its diverse clinical portfolio, focusing on antibody-based cancer treatments, with significant milestones achieved in 2024 and plans for continued progress in 2025 [7][29] - The company is exploring potential alternatives for partnering the vobra duo program while continuing to develop the anti-B7-H3 ADC MGC026 [22][31] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's innovative pipeline and the potential for lorigerlimab in previously untreated areas of ovarian cancer and clear cell gynecologic cancers [42][44] - The board is actively searching for a successor to the CEO, with a commitment to support the company during the transition [31] Other Important Information - The company completed the sale of MARGENZA to TerSera Therapeutics in the fourth quarter, providing non-dilutive capital to support clinical pipeline investments [31] - The anticipated funding requirements reflect expected expenditures related to ongoing clinical studies, including the LORIKEET study [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the gating factors to starting the LINNET study? - Management indicated that the standard-of-care for later-line ovarian cancer is low, with overall response rates of 10% to 15% for anti-PD-1 therapies, and they are optimistic about the potential of lorigerlimab in this setting [35] Question: Can you discuss the rationale behind developing lorigerlimab in ovarian and clear cell gynecologic cancers? - The management highlighted that lorigerlimab targets T-cells in the tumor microenvironment, which may lead to better outcomes compared to existing checkpoint inhibitors [42][44] Question: How does the rPFS data for vobra duo clarify the path forward for MGC026? - Management noted that MGC026 is different from vobra duo, with a different linker and payload, and they believe it has the potential for activity beyond what was observed with vobra duo [49][50] Question: What are the expectations for the discontinuation rate in the LORIKEET study? - Management expects better tolerability with lorigerlimab compared to prior checkpoint inhibitors, anticipating a lower discontinuation rate [82] Question: How far along is the Phase 1 study for MGC028? - The Phase 1 study for MGC028 has just begun, and while they are not pre-selecting patients based on ADAM9 expression, they are focusing on tumor types known for upregulation [87][88]