OREANDA-NEWS. Affimed N.V. (Nasdaq:AFMD), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing highly targeted cancer immunotherapies, today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

"IO combination therapies, like our lead drug AFM13 in combination with our partner Merck's Keytruda, may offer a similarly high efficacy with significantly less toxicity compared to current frontline treatments of Hodgkin lymphoma patients. According to the KOLs, this would represent a significant advancement over chemotherapy, which causes life-long debilitating side effects," said Dr. Adi Hoess, CEO of Affimed. "Based on our compelling preclinical data and deep expertise in NK-cell-based immunotherapy, we plan to expand the preclinical and clinical activities of our NK-cell TandAb platform in both hematologic and solid tumors."

Pipeline Updates

Clinical programs

  • Affimed is developing its lead candidate AFM13, a bispecific CD30/CD16A NK-cell-engaging TandAb as both mono- and combination therapy to treat hematological malignancies such as HL. The Company's IND application for a Phase1b AFM13/ KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) combination study in HL patients relapsed or refractory to chemotherapy, including Adcetris™, has recently been accepted by the FDA and is now active. The first sites have been opened and the study is recruiting. Under its recently signed collaboration agreement with Merck, Affimed will sponsor the study and Merck will supply KEYTRUDA® for the clinical trial. The Company anticipates providing a first update on the study by the end of 2016 or in the first quarter of 2017.
  • Due to delays in opening additional trial sites and the earlier availability of anti PD-1 antibodies for the treatment of relapsed/refractory HL patients, Affimed is experiencing slower recruitment into the ongoing Phase 2a monotherapy study of AFM13 sponsored by the German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG). The Company will provide an update on timelines and status once more information on the enrollment trend becomes available.
  • Affimed is also supporting a translational Phase 1b/2a trial in CD30-positive lymphoma with cutaneous manifestation sponsored by Columbia University for which Columbia submitted an IND to the FDA that has since become effective.
  • Patient enrollment is ongoing into a Phase 1 study in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) for Affimed's second clinical candidate, AFM11, a bispecific CD19/CD3 T-cell-engaging TandAb, with first data expected to be reported by the end of 2016. The Company will also investigate AFM11 in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) with a Phase 1 study now anticipated to be initiated in the third quarter of 2016, versus the previous guidance of first half of 2016, due to additional administrative efforts to initiate trial sites.

Preclinical and partnered programs

  • Affimed has presented two posters demonstrating the Company's progress in developing NK- and T-cell-engaging TandAbs for the treatment of solid tumors at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2016 Annual Meeting. AFM21, an EGFRvIII/CD3-targeting T-cell TandAb and AFM22, an EGFRvIII/CD16A-targeting NK-cell TandAb as well as AFM24, an EGFRwt/CD16A-targeting NK-cell TandAb, have shown high specificity and cytotoxic potency in vitro.
  • In a third poster at AACR, Affimed, together with its collaboration partner Stanford University, provided further evidence for synergy between AFM13 and an anti-PD-1 antibody. The data presented at AACR indicate that AFM13-mediated tumor infiltration and activation of different immune cell subpopulations is the molecular basis for the higher efficacy observed for AFM13 in combination with anti-PD-1 treatment.

Corporate Highlights

  • Affimed hosted a KOL Day in New York with four world-renowned experts in the fields of Hodgkin lymphoma, immunotherapy and NK-cell biology, discussing current status and future options of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) treatment. The experts, Dr. Andreas Engert (University Hospital Cologne), Dr. Andrew Evens (Tufts Medical Center), Dr. Michael Caligiuri (The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center) and Dr. Holbrook Kohrt (†; Stanford University Medical Center) outlined the existing need for novel HL therapeutics, including in relapsed and refractory patients, with strong efficacy but significantly lower toxicity and fewer mid- and long-term side-effects. They highlighted the potential of immunotherapies to meet this need, particularly in combination therapies with checkpoint modulators such as Affimed's NK-cell engager AFM13 with the anti PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab.
  • The Company made important additions to its Management, Supervisory Board and Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Joerg Windisch, former CSO of Sandoz Biopharmaceuticals, joined Affimed as Chief Operating Officer to support the Company's expanding clinical pipeline. Dr. Windisch is an expert in regulatory affairs, quality control and project management with a proven track record in the development and manufacturing of marketed biologics. The Company expanded its Supervisory Board with the addition of Dr. Bernhard Ehmer, a seasoned expert in the industry with extensive international general management and clinical development experience in biopharmaceuticals. Dr. Andrew Evens, Professor of Medicine, Chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology and Director of the Tufts Cancer Center at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, joined Affimed's Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Evens is an expert in the field of hematological malignancies, with particular focus on translational aspects and clinical trial design.

Financial Highlights

(Figures for the first quarter of 2016 and 2015 represent unaudited figures)

Cash and cash equivalents and financial assets totaled €66.8 million as of March 31, 2016 compared to €76.7 million as of December 31, 2015. The decrease was primarily attributable to Affimed's operational expenses.

Net cash used in operating activities for the first quarter of 2016 was €8.5 million compared to €3.9 million for the first quarter of 2015. The increase was primarily related to higher cash expenditure for research and development (R&D) in connection with our development and collaboration programs.

Revenue for the first quarter of 2016 was €1.9 million compared to €2.5 million for the first quarter of 2015. Revenue in both periods was primarily derived from Affimed's collaboration with Amphivena and from third party services rendered by AbCheck.

R&D expenses for the first quarter of 2016 were €7.1 million compared to €2.9 million for the first quarter of 2015. The increase was primarily related to higher expenses for AFM13, preclinical programs and infrastructure. G&A expenses for the first quarter of 2016 were €2.1 million compared to €1.8 million for the first quarter of 2015. The increase was primarily related to higher share-based payment expenses.

Net loss for the first quarter of 2016 was €8.5 million, or €0.25 per common share, compared to a net loss of €1.5 million, or €0.06 per common share, for the first quarter of 2015. The increase in net loss is primarily related to increased spending on R&D for AFM13, preclinical programs and infrastructure. In addition, net loss was affected by finance costs of €1.3 million in the first quarter of 2016, whereas finance income of €0.5 was shown in the first quarter of 2015.

Note on IFRS Reporting Standards

Affimed prepares and reports the consolidated financial statements and financial information in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). None of the financial statements were prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States. Affimed maintains its books and records in Euro.

About Affimed N.V.

Affimed (Nasdaq:AFMD) engineers targeted immunotherapies, seeking to cure patients by harnessing the power of innate and adaptive immunity (NK- and T-cells). We are developing single and combination therapies to treat cancers and other life-threatening diseases.

AFFIMED N.V.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
     
Affimed N.V.
Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive loss (in € thousand)
     
  For the three months ended March 31
  2015 2016
     
     
Revenue 2,538 1,936
     
Other income – net 229 86
Research and development expenses (2,921) (7,068)
General and administrative expenses (1,848) (2,093)
     
Operating loss (2,002) (7,139)
     
Finance income / (costs) - net 518 (1,322)
     
Loss before tax (1,484) (8,461)
     
Income taxes 0 (1)
     
Loss for the period (1,484) (8,462)
     
Total comprehensive loss (1,484) (8,462)
     
     
Loss per share in € per share (0.06) (0.25)
(undiluted = diluted)    
 
 
Affimed N.V.
Condensed consolidated statement of financial position (in € thousand)
     
  December 31, 2015 March 31, 2016
    (unaudited)
     
ASSETS    
Non-current assets    
     
Intangible assets 72 73
Leasehold improvements and equipment 915 932
  987 1,005
Current assets    
Inventories 228 242
Trade and other receivables 915 1,923
Other assets 452 682
Financial assets 0 17,567
Cash and cash equivalents 76,740 49,181
  78,335 69,595
     
TOTAL ASSETS 79,322 70,600
     
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES    
Equity    
Issued capital 333 333
Capital reserves 187,169 188,116
Accumulated deficit (120,228) (128,690)
Total equity 67,274 59,759
     
Non-current liabilities    
Borrowings 3,104 2,509
Total non-current liabilities 3,104 2,509
     
Current liabilities    
Trade and other payables 4,444 4,711
Borrowings 1,472 1,920
Deferred revenue 3,028 1,701
Total current liabilities 8,944 8,332
     
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 79,322 70,600
 
 
Affimed N.V.
Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows (in € thousand)
     
  For the three months ended March 31
  2015 2016
Cash flow from operating activities    
Loss for the period (1,484) (8,462)
Adjustments for the period:    
- Income taxes 0 1
- Depreciation and amortization 84 105
- Share based payments 342 947
- Finance income / costs – net (518) 1,322
     
  (1,576) (6,087)
Change in trade and other receivables (118) (999)
Change in inventories (2) (14)
Change in other assets 0 (230)
Change in trade and other payables (2,090) (1,060)
     
Cash used in operating activities (3,786) (8,390)
Interest received 2 0
Paid interest (140) (125)
     
Net cash used in operating activities (3,924) (8,515)
     
Cash flow from investing activities    
Purchase of intangible assets (5) (10)
Purchase of leasehold improvements and equipment (32) (113)
Cash paid for investments in current financial assets 0 (18,128)
     
Net cash used for investing activities (37) (18,251)
     
Cash flow from financing activities 0 0
     
Net changes to cash and cash equivalents (3,961) (26,766)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 39,725 76,740
Exchange-rate related changes of cash and cash equivalents 1,269 (793)
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period* 37,033 49,181
 
*Total cash and cash equivalents and financial assets as of March 31, 2016: 66,748 (March 31, 2015: 37,033)
 
 
Affimed N.V.
Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity (in € thousand)
         
  Issued
capital		 Capital
reserves		 Accumulated
deficit		  Total
equity
         
Balance as of January 1, 2015 240 131,544 (99,989) 31,795
         
Equity-settled share based payment awards   342   342
Loss for the period     (1,484) (1,484)
         
Balance as of March 31, 2015 240 131,886 (101,473) 30,653
         
Balance as of January 1, 2016 333 187,169 (120,228) 67,274
         
Equity-settled share based payment awards   947   947
Loss for the period     (8,462) (8,462)
         
Balance as of March 31, 2016 333 188,116 (128,690) 59,759