erus BioSciences(CHRS) - 2025 FY - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has transitioned from a biosimilars focus to an innovative immuno-oncology (IO) company, indicating a significant strategic shift [1] - The launch of Lactorsi as a preferred therapy in NCCN guidelines is a notable development, with the team reportedly hitting their stride in Q2 after overcoming earlier disruptions [33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company presented encouraging data for its CCRA antibody, CHS 114, showing a partial response in a patient with advanced refractory disease, highlighting the potential of targeted therapies [2][5] - The combination of CHS 114 with toripalumab has shown marked depletion of T regulatory cells, leading to significant immune cell infiltration, which is a positive indicator for its efficacy [10][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is aware of the looming loss of exclusivity (LOE) for Keytruda in 2028 and is strategically positioning Lactorsi to differentiate itself in the market [15][16] - The competitive landscape is evolving, with the company focusing on novel mechanisms and combinations that could provide advantages over existing PD-1 therapies [17][29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to develop both CHS 114 and casdosakitug in combination with toripalumab, seeking to maximize the potential of its pipeline [17][24] - The strategy includes forming partnerships that focus on novel mechanisms of action while maintaining a capital-efficient approach [24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the ongoing clinical data flow and the potential for upcoming collaborations, particularly in liver cancer, head and neck, and lung cancer [22][24] - The company is excited about the differentiated mechanism of action of Lactorsi, which has shown activity in PD-L1 low patients, setting it apart from competitors [28][30] Other Important Information - The company has divested from its biosimilar business to focus on innovative oncology, which is seen as a space with greater potential for value creation [40][41] - The safety profile of castosakitug has been well tolerated, with promising early results in lung and liver cancers, indicating a strong potential for future studies [36][38] Q&A Session Summary Question: What was encouraging about the data for the CCRA antibody? - The data showed a partial response in a patient with advanced refractory disease, which is significant given the patient's history of treatment failures [2] Question: How does the company view the competition with Keytruda? - The company is aware of the LOE for Keytruda and believes that their differentiated therapies will maintain a competitive edge despite the upcoming biosimilars [15][16] Question: What is the strategy for partnerships moving forward? - The company is focusing on collaborations that will yield interesting clinical data and is prioritizing partnerships that involve novel mechanisms of action [24][22]