Welcome to Agenus First Quarter 2022 Financial Results Conference Call. My name is James and I'll be your operator for today's call. [Operator Instructions] And I'd now like to turn the call over to Ethan Lovell, Chief External Affairs and Communications Officer. Mr. Lovell, you may begin.

Thank you, James and thank you all for joining us today. Today's call is being webcast and will be available on our website for replay. I'd like to remind you that this call will contain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our clinical development, regulatory and commercial plans, and timelines, as well as timelines for data release and partnership opportunities. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and we refer you to our SEC filings for more details on these risks. Joining me today on the call are Dr. Garo Armen, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer; Dr Steven O'Day, Chief Medical Officer; Dr Dhan Chand, Head of Drug Discovery; Christine Klaskin, Vice President of Finance and Dr Jennifer Buell, Chief Executive Officer of MiNK Therapeutics. Now, I'd like to turn the call over to Garo to highlight our progress and speak to our outlook for the remainder of the year. Garo?

Thank you, Ethan and thank you all for being with us today. As we all have witnessed the biotech sentiment is the most negative we've seen in decades. Given the current climate, I'd like to begin today's call by indicating that we are aware of this reality and are putting on hold the old programs, which are not critical for near-term value generation. Wireless and importantly we are marching ahead with programs which we believe have the prospects of generating significant near-term value. Overall, we expect these steps will result in significant cost reduction for the balance of this year. Ironically despite recent trends, scientific and medical innovation is at an all-time peak. However, it appears that irrational exuberance, coupled with recent regulatory uncertainty, I'm mumbling my words here by even talking about regulatory uncertainty, but particularly this is happening in the West of course, has made it more difficult for investors to differentiate between the good, the bad, and the ugly. Still some companies will continue to innovate and achieve success, several like us have already started restructuring their operations and curtailing their ambitions to adjust to current realities. While this shifting environment has led to a discouraging financial requirement for biotech, we believe companies like Agenus with integrated capabilities and importantly platforms, which can drive continuous innovation will emerge in the forefront. If you will be able to build significant value while advancing profoundly effective treatments and cures. At Agenus, we expected our portfolio of innovative discoveries and our steadfast commitment will trump all hurdles and deliver life-changing medicines to patients whilst creating significant value for all stakeholders, thus Agenus strategy is to continue to drive innovation in today's shifting environment. Now, I will outline our highest priority programs. Starting with botensilimab, our most advanced fully-owned program represents…

Thank you, Garo. We ended our first quarter 2022 with a cash and short-term investment balance of $263 million as compared to $307 million on December 31, 2021. We recognized revenue of $26 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, which represents an increase of $14 million from the $12 million reported for the same quarter in 2021. Both amounts include revenue related to non-cash royalties earned revenue recognized under our collaboration agreements, and 2022 milestones received. The loss for the quarter ended March 31-2022 with $51 million, which includes non-cash expenses of $21 million compared to a net loss for the same period of 2021 of $54 million, which includes non-cash expenses of $20 million. Per share losses were $0.19 per share in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to per share losses of $0.27 in the first quarter of 2021. Cash used in operations for the 3 months ended March 31, 2022 with $52 million, up from the $43 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. As Garo mentioned, the company has initiated cost containment measures with expected reductions in operating expenses in the coming quarters. I now turn the call back to Garo.

Thank you very much Christine. To summarize despite the stressful external landscape, we continue to make important advances in a field, which is in need. We have a number of important developments, including near term data disclosures initiation of Phase 2 botensilimab programs. We're delivering on our promise of building a company with a diverse pipeline and moving swiftly to address areas of high unmet patient need. By the end of 2022, we expect to have initiated several new clinical studies, including the 3 Phase 2 studies for botensilimab that we spoke about, a Phase 1 monotherapy study for AGN1571. We also expect to complete enrollment in the relapsed/refractory melanoma cohort of our combination study involving botensilimab and AGEN2373. In addition, there's of course a potential of corporate collaborations and additional cash infusions from them during the course of this year. Thank you again for your attention, and we will now open the call for questions

[Operator Instructions] Our first question comes from Mayank Mamtani from B. Riley Securities.

And helpful biotech sector specific commentary there, Garo so maybe just to kick start things with your recent prioritization of ILT2 as an important target and myeloid checkpoint inhibitor. So was just curious what was the rationale for that and sort of your history in that space? And also, if you could talk to how might Sanofi's development and I think some data coming at ASCO inform your development and sort of the basket of initial solid tumors you might prioritize? And then I have a follow-up.

Let me first turn it to Dr. Dhan Chand to address at least a part of this question.

As you are aware, Agenus is well familiar with the LT space. In fact, we built Merck ILT4 antibody MK-4830, which is progressing in the clinic, showing activity in patients that are refractory to PD-1 therapies as by design by Agenus. With that knowledge and experience that we built in the space, we've also retained ILT2 and progress ILT2 to the clinic where we have demonstrated, as you can see at AACR, the potential for ILT2 activity and not only complementary to PD-1, but also extending activity to colder tumors where PD-1 is not active. We have also demonstrated broad activity of AGEN1571, which includes activity that goes beyond just myeloid activation, which includes T cell, NK and NKT activation. You also notice from our poster at AACR that we demonstrate best-in-class activity compared to other ILT2 targeting agents, which includes the most advanced clinical asset, biogas [ph]. We have demonstrated in head-to-head studies that AGEN1571 has not only monotherapy potential, but it's a superior activator of both myeloid activation and T and NK activation.

And great -- and then the second part of the question is what tumors will we study? And I think maybe Dhan could start and Dr. O'Day could finish that.

Sure. And I'll turn it over to Dr. O'Day shortly. So as you saw from our poster, we demonstrated that HLAG which is the milligan file T2 [ph] are expressed in tumor types that are independent of PD-L1 expression. So we see this as complementary. Of course, we will be exploring this retrospectively in the clinic. We've also identified as part of our preclinical development potential biomarker of response to AGEN157, which will also be applied to our trial. Steven? Steven O’Day: Obviously, you can see our excitement around the ILT2/ILT4 field. Obviously, the myeloid space has been a challenge, but we really feel this is an important space the ILT2 that we have put forward with the AACR as Dhan said, has both myeloid as well as lymphoid feet activation features, which may bring it best-in-class. And obviously, the ILT4 that our molecule that Merck is advancing is looking -- is showing some early promise. So in terms of tumor types I think, obviously, we're going to do the Phase 1 broadly and look because obviously, ovarian cancer other tumors even liver metastasis may very much be myeloid dependent pancreas and others. So what's really great about our pipeline right now is botensilimab obviously looks like as the next-generation CTLA-4 is really broader than CTLA-4 in terms of its innate adaptive sort of synapse in the FC-enhanced region, really, we think bringing broader T cell repertoire recognition of weak neoantigens. And I think so that innate adaptive space that botensilimab brings and then bringing the myeloid active drug that has lymphoid coverage also may be very exciting. So we couldn't be more excited about sort of the areas of the pipeline that we're going to bring forward and then have combinational potential.

Understood. And then on botensilimab, how might you be thinking of second half or all medical conferences for incremental data disclosures? And if you are able to comment relative to what you have said before, obviously, melanoma landscape, very different than pancreatic and with CRC, you do have a specific trial design in place, a competitive study, but any incremental thoughts on melanoma and pancreatic for development and registration would be helpful?

So let me just tell you regarding the conference. So we have not disclosed the conference that we're going to be presenting at yet. But it is an important medical conference cancer conference, but stay tuned and that disclosure will make shortly. But now let me turn it to Dr. O'Day about the trial design. One of the reasons our Phase 2 trials have taken a little bit of time to comment [ph] related to the fact that the regulatory environment has gotten to be somewhat all over the place. And we've had to make sure that we consult with the appropriate parties to design the kinds of trials that are going to be meaningful for the next steps in product registration. Now with that, it's important to note and Dr. O'Day will elaborate on this, that all of the trials in the Phase 2 setting, particularly given the regulatory environment that we're in right now will be randomized in one way or another okay. Randomized to either standard of care or randomized within the drug that we're studying. So Dr. O'Day, please take it from here. Steven O’Day: So what I would say as Garo has said, we are laser-focused on our botensilimab program because the Phase 1, which is now an extended Phase 1 program is showing really remarkable activity in a number of solid tumors, and the data continues to be encouraging. Because of this, we see it as a potential foundational partner. And the development plan, which has taken some time to really be very strategic, is really going to ask 3 fundamental questions. One, as a single agent, is it differentiated and powerful. And obviously, melanoma is the disease to test that with a clear benchmark for ipilimumab, which we think we can beat. The second is colorectal, where combination therapy with our PD-1 is showing significant activity. And so this will be an area where we can see it how botensilimab combines with a PD-1. And then finally, a very cold tumor like pancreas given our preclinical data showing very powerful combination potential of botensilimab with chemotherapy in a mouse model and some early signal in the clinic with response to pancreas with botensilimab. We think this is an excellent experiment to look at botensilimab in combination with chemotherapy. So the 3 registrational pathways melanoma, colorectal and pancreas are really asking 3 fundamental scientific questions, single-agent activity, combination with chemo and combination with PD-1. And so, we look forward to following that data and seeing if it can become a real new asset to the IO community in terms of target and most importantly, clinical performance in unmet needs.

Great. And my final question was on the OpEx savings that you guys are working on, obviously very astute and makes a lot of sense in this environment to prioritize as much as you can. So are you able to quantify any of that or is that sort of work in progress? And maybe also comment on since a majority of the work will be on botensilimab development and potential combination regimens in the tumor types we talked about and beyond? How might you be thinking of -- some of that P&L burden that's to come starting next year?

Okay. So we haven't quantified the savings yet. But let me tell you that it's got on to be 5% or 10%. We are talking about significant savings associated with the measures that we're taking. And -- but as I said earlier, all these savings are taking place without compromising the delivery of our highest priority programs, which includes 1181. So there's no way we're going to compromise the advancements of 1181 because it is the most advanced, the most promising, potentially blockbuster compound in our portfolio. That doesn't mean, we're not excited about the rest of the compounds in our portfolio. It's just the fact that this is the most advanced makes it much more compelling to support near term. And as I talked about some of the other compounds are also advancing. For example, the expenses associated with 1571 through Phase 1 clinical trials is, relatively modest and compounds such as our CD137 are also advancing rapidly with the potential of the option holder exercising the option, which will -- when it happens, which will bring in significant additional cash resources into the company. And 1777 on the other hand, is being advanced entirely with Bristol-Myers' support. So a lot of these compounds, other than 1181 are either representing minor expenditures going forward or are entirely underwritten by our collaborators.

Great.

Our next question comes from [indiscernible] of Jefferies.

I'm asking questions on behalf of [indiscernible]. I do have 2 quick questions; number one, for the Phase 2 trials for botensilimab. I just want to clarify you said the trial were about to launch. Is that most likely starting Q2 or Q3? And second is that previously, you said in colorectal cancer or cervical cancer, the response rate is very low? Could you maybe give a rough number, like what is likely the response rate that would clear the regulatory hurdle that's question number one. And for question number two, I just want to follow-up on the operating cash expenses. Besides the cost containment is there any other measures you're currently considering that will potentially raise cash or putting it out the way, what is the expected milestone payments that you're likely to receive in the next few quarters?

Okay. So let me start out with the trials, timing of the trials. All 3 trials that we spoke about, Phase 2 trials are expected to commence starting in the third quarter of this year, starting in the third quarter of this year. And as I mentioned, one of the reasons it's taken so long is for us to be able to confirm with the appropriate advisers, authorities and so on and so forth to make sure that we have considered everything and that's one of the reasons for each trial having multiple arms, including randomization in some cases to the standard of care. And all of this means that trial design has been finalized. So the only hurdle between now and initiation of these trials is simple operations. So we are clear on the kinds of trials that are going to be the subject of our Phase 2 undertakings. Now with regard to expenses, I think your question, if I understand it correctly, is how -- did you have a question on the expenses?

Yes. I just want to understand, besides the cost containment, is there any other plans to risk, yes?

Oh, I see, right. So -- and then you also wanted to know if there are any additional milestones that we will receive this year. The answer is yes, we expect additional milestones to be received for the balance of this year. We haven't disclosed what they are but stay tuned. And with regard to additional cash resources, as you know, we've been very, very resourceful in doing collaborations with companies and other creative transactions. We haven't tapped the -- I mean this is the horrible time to do that. We have no plans of any marketed stock issuance, if that is the question that you're asking, and it's a horrible environment to do that in any way. But we've been very creative in transactions, and I don't want to elaborate on what we have in active consideration right now. But everything you do is, of course, has some element of dilution, including partnerships because you're giving up part of the upside of your compounds. But what we plan on doing is to be as creative as possible, including potential royalty transactions that will support our needs in coming years.

Our next question comes from Matt Phipps of William Blair.

Dr. O'Day, I was wondering for your Phase 2 melanoma trial and relapsed refractory melanoma. Obviously, the first-line market is changing a bit with the recent approval with PD-1, LAG-3. So just wondering if you're going to enroll patients who have just failed the PD-1, failed PD-1 plus LAG-3 or would you even enroll patients who failed [indiscernible]? Steven O’Day: Yes Matt yes, obviously, the frontline setting in melanoma now involves 3 options, single-agent PD-1 combinations with CTLA-4 ipi/nivo and then obviously, the new LAG-3 PD-1 combination. So we will be looking at all of those groups. Obviously, the space is sort of divided between ipi/nivo frontline and then PD-1 monotherapy. We expected some patients will now be failing. We know that we'll be failing the LAG-3 combination 2, and we'll be looking at all 3 of those. We think we have a -- not just a CTLA-4 drug, but potentially a broader drug with 1181, and we certainly want to understand whether it can rescue any of those scenarios.

Okay, great. And then, just to help clarify for what to expect in the third quarter. Is this just a combination? Is there also additional monotherapy update that what you guys showed at SITC? And then is this all tumor types or was it focusing on some of these ones that you're going into Phase 2 for additional patients beyond what we saw at SITC? Steven O’Day: Sorry, Matt. I guess I don't understand the question.

You said some botensilimab updates coming in Q3, some additional clinical data you guys now show data at SITC. Is this just -- is it the patients across both monotherapy and the combination is it just a combination is it? Steven O’Day: Yes so as Garo said, we are continuing to expand the Phase 1 trial in a number of different areas, particularly around the diseases like melanoma colorectal pancreas that we plan to open Phase 2 trials. And so we will be bringing data forward at important medical conferences later this year, and we haven't announced where. But the additional data around those diseases will be updated at conferences later this year.

So Matt, to be clear on that note, as you remarked, we had done a Phase 1 study with over 100 patients enrolled. And then we were getting set up to start our Phase 2 studies late last year. And so for a while, these Phase 1 enrollments have slowed down. But because of the longer time lines required for our initiation of Phase 2 studies, we made a deliberate effort and executed on it in enrolling patients in specific cohorts that would be the subject of our Phase 2 studies. And since that decision was made earlier this year, enrollment in those cohorts that will be the subject of Phase 2 studies is actually exploded. And so, we have considerably more patients in those cohorts that have generated data, which will be the subject of our upcoming presentation with additional data disclosure. Does that?

Yes, no, that's great for the additional clarity on that. I look forward to.

[Operator Instructions] And we have no more questions.

Thank you very much, everybody, and thank you very much for your attention in these very busy times. We look forward to fielding your questions and don't hesitate to contact us as required.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. This concludes today's conference. Thank you for participating. You may now disconnect.