Greg Demopulos
Analyst · WBB. Your line is now open
Thank you, Jennifer, and good afternoon, everyone. We appreciate you joining us for today's update. We hope that all of you and your families are safe and healthy and we would like to start by acknowledging and thanking all those on the front lines in this global battle against SARS-CoV-2. Every day first responders and healthcare providers are risking their lives and the lives of their loved ones to help patients with COVID-19 and to protect the rest of us from this disease. We recognize and greatly appreciate their efforts and selflessness. At Omeros, our employees have remained safe and healthy consistent with our Governor's guidelines. Most of our team members are working and functioning productively from home. Our researchers who primarily work in the labs continue to do so, implementing appropriate precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of their coworkers. The distillate of all this is that the Omeros team has been able to continue advancing our programs. We'll begin with an update on narsoplimab and our progress toward the drug's planned commercialization. Narsoplimab is our fully human antibody targeting the lectin pathway of compliment and specifically MASP-2. Omeros exclusively controlled MASP-2 and all therapeutics targeting the enzyme. Our lead indication for narsoplimab is hematopoietic stem cell transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy or Transplant TMA, which is caused by endothelial injury. Endothelial injury on cellular damage broadly activate the lectin pathway of compliment by blocking MASP-2, which is the lectin pathways effector enzyme, narsoplimab inhibits the lectin pathway. We resolve the historical data collection issue that we referenced during our last earnings call and we continued driving toward completing the submission of our rolling biologics license application or BLA for narsoplimab and Transplant TMA next quarter. At the end of last year, we began our rolling BLA with the submission of the non-clinical sections. We just submitted on schedule the first components of our chemistry, manufacturing and controls or CMC sections. These include data on manufacturing, analytical procedures and associated method validations. As we reported during our last earnings call, we successfully completed manufacturing of all drug substance, process validation lots that FDA requires for the BLA and now we also have successfully completed manufacturing of all of the required drug product process validation lots. The remaining CMC information and clinical sections are underway, and constitute the final sections of our BLA. Given our breakthrough therapy designation, we expect that FDA will grant our BLA priority review, which could further shorten the time to approval. We are also pulling together the information for our European marketing authorization application, which will be submitted after, we expect FDA approval. Narsoplimab continues to increase its visibility and standing within the stem-cell transplant community. In February at the transplant and cellular therapy or TCT Annual Meetings in Orlando. Omeros sponsored a continuing medical education session on Thrombotic Microangiopathy chaired by Dr. Samer Khaled, Medical Director of hematology and stem-cell transplant collectable operations at City of Hope. The speaker panel included Dr. Sergio Giralt, Deputy Head of the Division of Hematologic Malignancies at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Sonata Jodele, Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Bone Marrow Transplantation and immune deficiency at Cincinnati Children's Hospital; and Dr. Chris Dandoy, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and a Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist, also at Cincinnati Children's. The symposium was well attended and focused on transplant TMA and potential therapies. In mid-June, data from the narsoplimab pivotal trial and transplant TMA will be presented at the annual and now also virtual meeting of the European Hematology Association or EHA. Selected by conference leadership for a podium presentation, the data will be discussed by Professor Alessandro Rambaldi of the University of Milan and Director of the Department of Hematology Oncology at Papa Giovanni XXIII hospital. Our interactions with opinion leaders continue to strengthen through advisory boards and our support of educational activities around transplant TMA. Omeros is also providing support for a working group of the nation's leading transplanters who are developing for the first time guidelines for the diagnosis of transplant TMA. Commercial preparations continue as our rolling BLA submission nearest completion. We've developed the narsoplimab value story and are conducting market research with transplant physicians, administrators and payers. We're finalizing our distribution and pricing strategies as well as our profiling activities to ensure a well designed and executed launch for narsoplimab and transplant TMA. As part of those efforts, we recently hired our National Sales Head from Jazz Pharmaceuticals, our National Director of Medical Science Liaison from Amgen, and our advocacy lead who joined us as a practicing Health Law Attorney and was previously at Amgen and Fred Hutchinson, Cancer Research Center. As we did for Omidria, these new leaders are helping us build a top Tier season team to launch narsoplimab. In addition to transplant TMA, we're also assessing expansion of narsoplimab into other endothelial injury syndrome; such as diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, Graft-versus-host disease and others. Our efforts here are supported by our opinion leader advisors and the recent focus on endothelial injury associated with COVID-19 has underscored the importance of MASP-2 and the lectin pathway in the pathophysiology of diseases caused by endothelial injury. Well we're focused on obtaining approval for narsoplimab and transplant TMA. We also have two Phase III programs for narsoplimab. One in IgA nephropathy and the other in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome or aHUS. Consistent with FDA guidelines and with recommendations of the independent data safety monitoring committee for Omeros regarding ongoing clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic, study sites are conducting trials in a manner consistent with local guidelines and/or regulations to maintain safety of study patients and investigators. As a result, at some sites new patient enrollment has slowed, while previously enrolled patients are continuing the trials. For our ARTEMIS-IGAN Phase III trial, we had already implemented procedures for home infusion of narsoplimab and are expanding this capability across additional sites. Other measures to protect the safety of our clinical trial participants such as remote monitoring visits and access to local laboratory facilities are also in place that a good number of these sites. The primary endpoint in the ARTEMIS-IGAN trial is change in proteinuria at 36 weeks. Based on discussions with FDA, we have the ability to receive full regulatory approval for narsoplimab and IgA nephropathy based on assessing proteinuria rather than also needing to wait one to two years longer to assess a change in glomerular filtration rate. We also are able and the protocol is written to assess the proteinuria end point in each of two different populations. In the overall patient population with more than 1 gram of proteinuria per day, and in the subset of patients with at least 2 grams of proteinuria per day; either population can yield accelerated or fall approval. To the best of our knowledge, narsoplimab is singularly unique among the drugs in development for IgA nephropathy and its ability to receive full approval on proteinuria alone. We continue to target data readout on the proteinuria primary endpoint from the ARTEMIS-IGAN trial next year. A manuscript authored by Professor John Barrett and others at the University of Leicester describing the beneficial effects of narsoplimab and IgA vasculitis-associated nephritis, a rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis was accepted for peer reviewed publication and will soon be published. A second manuscript has also undergone review and is expected to be published soon. Authored by Omeros’s IgA nephropathy academic leadership committee members comprised of international thought leaders. The manuscript presents our Phase II clinical data. Turning now to our commercial product, Omidria. Net sales in the first quarter were $23.5 million. This is below our historical run rate and is due to the nationwide hiatus in elective surgery such as cataract surgery as part of the COVID-19 related public health emergency. The net effect of the COVID-19 elective surgery shutdown on first quarter or mid-year revenues is that of the five weeks of potential sales in March, we were able to recognize sales from only one of those five weeks. For context, March typically accounts for about 45% of total first quarter revenues. As a result, our net loss for the first quarter of 2019 was $29 million or $0.53 per share; this includes non-cash expenses of $6.4 million or $0.12 per share. As of March 31, 2020 we had $54 million of cash and investments available for general operations. We also have an accounts receivable base line of credit with Silicon Valley Bank. The line of credit enables us to borrow up to the lesser of 85% of our outstanding eligible accounts receivable balance or $50 million. We have not borrowed under this line of credit. Historically, Q1 is the slowest quarter of the year for cataract surgery. Omidria sales traditionally ramp up significantly in March and as I just noted, typically account for about 45% of total first quarter revenues. Given the first quarter effects of COVID-19 on cataract surgery, we’re pleased with the Q1 revenue performance by Omidria. Further good news is that COVID-19 related restrictions on elective surgery have begun lifting. So far, hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers in 36 States have already resumed ordering Omidria from the wholesalers. Most centers are beginning with a limited number of procedures and will continue expanding to meet the substantial backlog of patients waiting for surgery. In the States where COVID-19 related restrictions have not yet been lifted, elective surgery is expected to be among the first activities reinstated. We've been working closely with our accounts to prepare for the impending increase in cataract surgery and the anticipated increase in demand for Omidria. Our conversations with top opinion leaders and surgeons indicate that as soon as possible, they will lengthen their surgical days to operate into evenings and that they will also expand the number of weekly operating days to include weekends. To manage the backlog and the pent up demand of patients awaiting surgery, which we expect could surpass historical levels. Prior to the COVID-19 related shutdown of cataract surgery, physicians and facility adoption of Omidria remained on its upward trajectory. In Q1, there were 62 first-time Omidria buyers evenly split between hospitals and AFCs. This represents a 17% quarter over quarter increase in the number of new Omidria accounts. We also are expanding our customer base to include large private equity groups as consolidation of surgical practices and facilities continues. In Q1 alone, we signed two large private equity groups to new contracts representing more than 55,000 cataract procedures annually and we're currently working to secure Omidria use across several other large ASC groups as well. The growth in our customer base has also been helped by our recently received HCPCS J-code for Omidria, which is now fully implemented. Our J-code has improved reimbursement, standardizing payment across Medicare, Medicare advantage, Medicaid and commercial insurance plans. Under pass through Medicare Part B is uniformly reimbursed at ASP plus 6% by CMS and in addition, we continue expanding reimbursement across Medicare advantage and commercial payers. The increasing uptake of Omidria by surgeons and facilities has been further accelerated by the growing volume of peer reviewed publications, documenting the expanding benefits of Omidria. Compelling clinical data continue to drive physician adoption as the value story for Omidria strengthened and solidifies. Omidria is the only FDA approved product that prevents meiosis and reduces postoperative pain. Its prevention of interpretative floppy, Iris syndrome, reduction and complication rates and avoidance of the need for steroids, add to the many reasons that surgeons are increasingly using Omidria for their patients. Two additional studies demonstrating the benefits and safety profile of Omidria or published in the peer reviewed journal of cataract and refractive surgery. The first article detailed the results of a retrospective study that found that patients who received Omidria had significantly lower incidences of sight-threatening cystoid macular edema, breakthrough iritis and pain compared to a control group receiving conventional perioperative steroids. The second presented the data by which FDA concluded that Omidria is safety use in children. Expanding the FDA approved label to all cataract surgery patients. This randomized double-blind [ph] study in 72 pediatric patients showed that Omidria was not only safe in children ages zero to three years undergoing cataract surgery, but also resulted in statistically significant lower pain scores. As we previously discussed, another recent publication in the journal of cataract and refractive surgery demonstrated that Omidria reduces the need for fentanyl, a highly potent and addictive opioid. During cataract surgery, while simultaneously delivering improved outcomes. Lower validated pain scores, and fewer complications. To assess the effect of Omidria on postoperative opioid use, an analysis of claims data over a three year period was performed by IBM Watson Health. Claims data were evaluated from 219,000 patients, 65 years of age or older who underwent cataract surgery; two avoid potential confounding by recent opioid use or dependence. All patients were required to have no opioids use during the six months prior to surgery filled opioid prescriptions in the Omidria treated group were compared to those in the non-Omidria treated group. The findings were remarkable. Patients who received Omidria during surgery received fewer Opioid pills during the two days and seven days post-surgery than patients who did not receive Omidria. The median reduction seen was 56% specifically 20 pills versus 45 pills at two days with a P value of 0.015 and 33% 40 pills versus 60 pills, that’s seven days with a P value of 0.029. Sensitivity analysis yielded similar outcomes underscoring the strength of the results. These data provide further evidence that Omidria not only reduces the need for intra operative fentanyl but also decreases the use of postoperative opioids. The value proposition and clinical need for Omidria are two of the reasons why we remain optimistic about continued separate payment for Omidria beyond September 30th of this year, which applies specifically and only to Medicare part B beneficiaries. The published data and physician experience with the product support/. Our ongoing legislative and administrative efforts. The lockdowns in response to COVIT-19 have created a number of hardships for families across the nation, not the least of which has been increasing Opioid addiction. The non-opioids prevent addiction in the nation or the NOPAIN Act is a bill introduced in both chambers of Congress with increasingly strong bipartisan support. If an enact, it would provide separate payment for Opioid sparing treatments such as Omidria for at least five years and would fix the disincentives that keep practitioners from prescribing non-Opiate treatment alternatives in surgical settings. Just last Friday, a bipartisan letter signed by 16 members of the House of Representatives, many of whom serve on energy and commerce. A committee of jurisdiction over CMS was submitted to the House Democrat and Republican leadership requesting the inclusion of the NOPAIN Act in the upcoming Cares 2.0 legislation. Other administrative and legislative efforts are also progressing. While we remain optimistic that separate payment will continue, we are also working through scenarios to ensure that Omidria will be a viable product that improves patient outcomes regardless of insurance payer, and that returns value to our shareholders even without separate payment from CMS for Medicare Part B beneficiaries. Let's now turn to the rest of our pipeline, starting with our compliment related development programs beyond narsoplimab. OMS906 is our fully human antibody targeting MASP-2, the enzyme believed to be the key activator and premiere drug target in the alternative pathway. Together with narsoplimab or OMS906 is a major part of our compliment franchise. Among the broad range of alternative pathway disorders that are potential indications for 906, our initial focus is on Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria or PNH. We've completed the human dose enabled toxicology studies, which show no adverse effects even at the highest doses tested. The manufacturing scale up process to support the remainder of the development program is well underway. We remain on track to submit a clinical trial application this quarter and expect to dose the first subjects in our phase one trial in the first part of next quarter. Rounding out our compliment franchise are our longer acting second generation MASP-2 antibody, as well as orally available small molecule inhibitors of MASP-2 and MASP-3. These are all part of our strategy for lifecycle management of our compliment franchise. We're targeting the initiation of clinical trials in 2022 for the longer acting second generation MASP-2 antibody, OMS1029. OMS527 are phosphodiesterase or PDA7 inhibitor program is also advancing. We're planning the Phase II program for OMS527, which is currently focused on nicotine addiction. In addition, we continue to make progress on our other development programs. We're increasingly excited about our GPCR program in GPR174 in particular, which we're working to bring to the clinic as soon as possible. We've shown the GPR174 controls a new cancer immunity axis that the receptor is linked to the tumor microenvironment and that GPR174 can suppress the body's antitumor response. A tumor's ability to protect itself from the body's tumor killing mechanisms is directly linked to the tumor microenvironment and is proven to be a major hurdle for cancer therapies to date, including checkpoint inhibitors. Despite this limitation, sales of checkpoint inhibitors exceeded $20 billion last year. We're developing inhibitors of GPR174, which represent a wholly new immunotherapy approach to overcoming the challenges inherent in the tumor microenvironment. In an ex vivo and in vivo animal studies or GPR174 inhibitors show substantial promise in doing just that. They also act synergistically with inhibitors of the adenosine pathway, another important immune-oncology target. We expect that our GPR174 inhibitors could be administered as single agents or in combination with adenosine pathway and/or checkpoint inhibitors to enhance the efficacy of those other agents. With that, I'll turn the call over to Mike for an overview of our first quarter financial results. Mike?