TCR2 Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2019 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

979 Days ago

Initiated Phase 1/2 clinical trial for TC-210, TCR²’s lead product candidate targeting mesothelin expressing solid tumors
On track to file an IND for TCR²’s lead hematology product candidate, TC-110, in patients with CD19+ non-Hodgkin lymphomas and leukemias in 2H 2019
Recent publication in Nature Communications and scientific presentations highlight advantages of the Company’s TRuC™-T cell platform
Established occupancy of manufacturing suite at Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult in the UK

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TCR² Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: TCRR), a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing the next generation of novel T cell therapies for patients suffering from cancer, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 and provided a corporate update.

"In our first quarter as a public company, TCR²has continued to execute our vision and objectives," said Garry Menzel, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of TCR² Therapeutics. "During the quarter, we initiated our Phase 1/2 trial for TC-210, progressed TC-110 toward IND submission in the second half of 2019, and highlighted the differentiation of our novel TRuC-T cells in scientific presentations at Keystone Symposia on Cancer Immunotherapy, AACR, and CAR-T Congress USA. These preclinical studies underscore TRuC-T cells’ greater anti-tumor activity, longer persistence, and less cytokine release compared to CAR-T cells."

Recent Developments

In January 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the the investigational new drug (IND) application for TC-210. TCR² initiated its Phase 1/2 trial to treat patients with mesothelin-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ovarian cancer, malignant pleural/peritoneal mesothelioma, and cholangiocarcinoma. TCR² anticipates providing an update on the trial before the end of 2019.
In February 2019, TCR² completed an initial public offering pursuant to which it issued and sold 5,750,000 shares of common stock, including full exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option, resulting in net proceeds of $80.2 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions.
In February 2019, the FDA granted orphan drug designation to TC-210 for the treatment of mesothelioma.
In February 2019, TCR² held a pre-IND meeting with the FDA and remains on track to submit an IND for TC-110 in patients with CD19+ non-Hodgkin lymphomas and leukemias in the second half of 2019.
In February 2019, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued U.S. Patent No.: 10,208,285, with claims covering TCR²’s T cell receptor (TCR) Fusion Construct T cells (TRuC™-T cells) that express anti-mesothelin TCR fusion proteins, including TC-210.
In March 2019, TCR² presented two poster presentations at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2019 featuring preclinical data for TC-110 and TC-210.
In March 2019, TCR²established occupancy of its manufacturing suite at Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult in the UK.
In May 2019, TCR² published preclinical data in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications demonstrating the advantages of TRuC-T cells compared to chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells). In the paper entitled, "Synthetic TRuC receptors engaging the complete T cell receptor for potent anti-tumor response," the findings, consistent with the Company’s previously reported preclinical data, support the Company’s belief that its product candidates could improve the observed efficacy and safety of other adoptive T-cell therapies in development.

TC-210 Clinical Trial Design

The Phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT03907852) is evaluating the safety and efficacy of TC-210, TCR²’s T-cell receptor fusion construct against mesothelin. The trial is enrolling patients with mesothelin expressing NSCLC, ovarian cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, and malignant pleural/peritoneal mesothelioma.
The Phase 1 portion of the clinical trial utilizes a 3+3 design with four escalating dose levels for TC-210. At each dose level, TC-210 will be first tested without lymphodepletion and then following lymphodepleting chemotherapy. The primary objective for the study is patient safety with a key secondary objective to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D). In addition to standard measures of safety and efficacy, translational work includes assessment of patients’ tissues for expansion, trafficking, and persistence of TC-210 T cells.
In the Phase 2 portion of the clinical trial, approximately 50 patients are planned to receive TC-210 at the RP2D in four distinct cohorts according to their cancer diagnosis: NSCLC, ovarian cancer, malignant pleural/peritoneal mesothelioma and cholangiocarcinoma. Each cohort includes ten patients, except the NSCLC cohort which includes 20 patients with eight patients to receive TC-210 as single agent and 12 to receive TC-210 in combination with a programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) blocking antibody.

Summary of Recent Presentations and Publications

Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology: Cancer Immunotherapy
- Robert Hofmeister, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, delivered an oral presentation, "Preclinical Evaluation of TC-210, a Mesothelin-Specific T Cell Receptor (TCR) Fusion Construct (TRuC™) T Cells for the Treatment of Solid Tumors."
AACR Annual Meeting 2019
- The Company presented two posters on the preclinical evaluation of TC-210 and TC-110 demonstrating superior in vivo anti-tumor activity compared to CAR-T cells with the same binders, including evidence that the anti-tumor activity of TRuC-T cells, both in vitro and in vivo, does not require added co-stimulatory signals.
CAR-T Congress USA 2019
- Robert Hofmeister, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, delivered an oral presentation on the features of the TRuC-T cell platform, "Utilizing the Entire T Cell Receptor Independent of HLA for a Broad and Controlled Anti-Tumor Response."
Nature Communications
- The Company published preclinical data demonstrating the advantages of TRuC-T cells compared to CAR-T cells. In the paper entitled, "Synthetic TRuC receptors engaging the complete T cell receptor for potent anti-tumor response," the findings, consistent with the TCR²’s previously reported preclinical data, support the Company’s belief that its product candidates could improve the observed efficacy and safety of other adoptive T-cell therapies in development.

Financial Highlights

Cash Position: TCR² ended 1Q 2019 with $191.7 million in cash, cash equivalents, and investments compared to $123.2 million as of December 31, 2018. Net cash from the Company’s initial public offering in 1Q 2019 was $80.2 million. Net cash used in operations was $10.8 million for 1Q 2019 compared to $3.0 million in 1Q 2018. TCR² projects net cash use of $45-55 million in 2019.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $7.9 million for the first quarter of 2019 compared to $2.9 million for the first quarter of 2018. The increase in R&D expenses is primarily related to increase in headcount and activities related to the start of the Phase 1/2 clinical trial of the Company’s lead solid tumor product candidate, TC-210.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $2.9 million for the first quarter of 2019 compared to $1.2 million for the first quarter of 2018. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase in personnel costs and cost associated with operations as a public company.
Net loss: Net loss was $9.9 million for the first quarter of 2019 compared to $4.0 million for the first quarter of 2018, driven predominantly by increased R&D expense in the quarter.

Upcoming Events

TCR²Therapeutics management are scheduled to present at the following upcoming conferences.

Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference: Alfonso Quintás Cardama, M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Ian Somaiya, Chief Financial Officer, will present on Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 at 10:30am ET in New York, NY.
BMO 2019 Prescriptions for Success Healthcare Conference: Robert Hofmeister, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, will present on Thursday, June 25, 2019 at 3:40pm ET in New York, NY.

Conference Call Details

TCR² will host a conference call and live audio webcast to discuss results and provide a corporate update at 5:00 PM ET today. The live call may be accessed by dialing (866) 220-8062 for domestic calls or (470) 495-9169 for international calls and referencing conference ID 2063908. A live audio webcast for the conference call will be available on the Investors page of the Company’s website at investors.tcr2.com. Following the conclusion of the call, the webcast will be available for replay for 30 days.

About TCR² Therapeutics

TCR² Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing the next generation of novel T cell therapies for patients suffering from cancer. TCR²’s proprietary T cell receptor (TCR) Fusion Construct T cells (TRuC^TM-T cells) specifically recognize and kill cancer cells by harnessing signaling from the entire TCR, independent of human leukocyte antigens (HLA). In preclinical studies, TRuC-T cells have demonstrated superior anti-tumor activity compared to chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells), while exhibiting lower levels of cytokine release. The Company’s lead TRuC-T cell product candidate, TC-210, is currently being studied in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial to treat patients with mesothelin-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ovarian cancer, malignant pleural/peritoneal mesothelioma, and cholangiocarcinoma. For more information about TCR², please visit www.tcr2.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. The use of words such as "may," "will," "could", "should," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "projects," "seeks," "endeavor," "potential," "continue" or the negative of such words or other similar expressions can be used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, express or implied statements regarding TCR²’s plans to submit an IND for TC-110 in the second half of 2019; the anticipation of an update for TC-210 in the fourth quarter of 2019; expectations for the initiation of operations at TCR²’s Catapult facility; planned dosing cohorts and the number of patients to be treated in TCR²’s Phase 1/2 clinical trial for TC-210 and related effects on TCR²’s manufacturing capacity in the future; and TCR²’s plans to advance its first three TRuC-T cell product candidates into clinical trials by the first half of 2020.

The expressed or implied forward-looking statements included in this press release are only predictions and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation: uncertainties inherent in clinical studies and in the availability and timing of data from ongoing clinical studies; whether interim results from a clinical trial will be predictive of the final results of the trial; whether results from preclinical studies or earlier clinical studies will be predictive of the results of future trials; the expected timing of submissions for regulatory approval or review by governmental authorities, including review under accelerated approval processes; orphan drug designation eligibility; regulatory approvals to conduct trials or to market products; TCR²’s ability to maintain sufficient manufacturing capabilities to support its research, development and commercialization efforts, whether TCR²'s cash resources will be sufficient to fund TCR²'s foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements; and other risks set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in TCR²’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although TCR² believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur.

Moreover, except as required by law, neither TCR² nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements included in this press release. Any forward-looking statement included in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it was made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Media:
Kathy Vincent
(310) 403-8951
kathy@kathyvincent.com

Investors:
Carl Mauch
Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
(617) 949-5667
carl.mauch@tcr2.com

TCR² THERAPEUTICS INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in thousands, except share data)

	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	46,405		$	47,674
Investments	115,251			75,493
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,929			2,326
Total current assets	165,585			125,493

Property and equipment, net	1,936			1,638
Investments, non-current	30,048			—
Restricted cash	290			290
Deferred offering costs	—			2,012
Total assets	$	197,859		$	129,433

Liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
Accounts payable	$	2,830		$	2,663
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	2,527			2,802
Total current liabilities	5,357			5,465

Other liabilities	455			434
Total liabilities	5,812			5,899

Redeemable convertible preferred stock
Series A preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; no shares and 45,000,000 authorized at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; no shares and 44,500,001 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.	—			72,980
Series B preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; no shares and 62,500,000 authorized at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively; no shares and 62,500,000 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.	—			136,250
Total redeemable convertible preferred stock	—			209,230

Stockholders' equity (deficit)
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value. 10,000,000 and no shares authorized, issued or outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.	—			—
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 150,000,000 and 20,988,730 shares authorized at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively; 23,940,025 and 914,602 shares issued at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively; 23,792,193 and 726,994 shares outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.	2			—
Additional paid-in capital	336,939			—
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1			(106		)
Accumulated deficit	(144,895		)	(85,590		)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)	192,047			(85,696		)
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and stockholders’ equity (deficit)	$	197,859		$	129,433

TCR² THERAPEUTICS INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019			2018
Operating expenses
Research and development	$	7,889		$	2,893
General and administrative	2,886			1,220
Total operating expenses	10,775			4,113
Loss from operations	(10,775		)	(4,113		)

Interest income, net	872			127
Net loss	(9,903		)	(3,986		)

Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred stock to redemption value	(49,900		)	(10,833		)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(59,803	)	$	(14,819	)

Per share information
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted	$	(4.85	)	$	(28.90	)

Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted	12,328,805			512,685

TCR² THERAPEUTICS INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(amounts in thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019			2018
Operating activities:
Net loss	$	(9,903	)	$	(3,986	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	135			76
Stock-based compensation expense	1,141			283
Accretion on investments	(131		)	(18		)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Interest receivable on investments	(157		)	(51		)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(1,207		)	583
Accounts payable	(401		)	221
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(310		)	(120		)
Cash used in operating activities	(10,833		)	(3,012		)

Investing activities:
Purchase of investments	(86,626		)	(13,369		)
Proceeds from maturity of investments	16,819			—
Purchases of equipment	(188		)	(368		)
Cash used in investing activities	(69,995		)	(13,737		)

Financing activities:
Proceeds from the sale of Series B preferred stock	—			120,000
Proceeds from initial public offering, net of issuance costs	80,213			—
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	—			219
Deferred offering costs	(654		)	(3		)
Payment of issuance costs	—			(150		)
Cash provided by financing activities	79,559			120,066

Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(1,269		)	103,317
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year	47,964			20,101
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	$	46,695		$	123,418