BerGenBio — No surprises as bemcentinib strategy progresses

BerGenBio (NO: BGBIO)

Last close As at 24/04/2024

6.12

−0.38 (−5.95%)

Market capitalisation

NOK532m

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Research: Healthcare

BerGenBio — No surprises as bemcentinib strategy progresses

BerGenBio’s (BGBIO’s) Q122 results are generally in line with recent trends, with a Q122 operating loss of NOK78.6m (-6% y-o-y). The reduction was largely due to lower clinical trial expenses as the company is now preparing for its next studies on lead candidate bemcentinib. Operating cash outflows increased year-on-year to NOK74.2m (vs NOK70.8m in Q121) primarily due to working capital movements, resulting in the company finishing the quarter with NOK367m in net cash, which, at current burn rates, should provide operating funding into Q223. Earlier in May, the company communicated an updated business strategy to focus bemcentinib, an oral AXL inhibitor, on first-line (1L) non-squamous non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) carrying the STK11 mutation and on hospitalised COVID-19 patients. The company expects to report key value drivers for these programmes over the next 18–24 months. Our forecasts remain under review.

Written by

Pooya Hemami

Analyst - Healthcare

Healthcare

BerGenBio

No surprises as bemcentinib strategy progresses

Q122 update

Healthcare and biotech

25 May 2022

Price

NOK15.6

Market cap

NOK1.4bn

Net cash (NOKm) at 31 March 2022

367

Shares in issue

88.7m

Free float

61.6%

Code

BGBIO

Primary exchange

Oslo Stock Exchange

Secondary exchange

N/A

Share price performance

Business description

BerGenBio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative drugs for aggressive diseases, including immune-evasive cancers and COVID-19. It focuses on AXL inhibitors bemcentinib (small molecule) and tilvestamab (mAb).

Analysts

Dr Pooya Hemami, CFA

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Dr Harry Shrives

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

BerGenBio is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

BerGenBio’s (BGBIO’s) Q122 results are generally in line with recent trends, with a Q122 operating loss of NOK78.6m (-6% y-o-y). The reduction was largely due to lower clinical trial expenses as the company is now preparing for its next studies on lead candidate bemcentinib. Operating cash outflows increased year-on-year to NOK74.2m (vs NOK70.8m in Q121) primarily due to working capital movements, resulting in the company finishing the quarter with NOK367m in net cash, which, at current burn rates, should provide operating funding into Q223. Earlier in May, the company communicated an updated business strategy to focus bemcentinib, an oral AXL inhibitor, on first-line (1L) non-squamous non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) carrying the STK11 mutation and on hospitalised COVID-19 patients. The company expects to report key value drivers for these programmes over the next 18–24 months. Our forecasts remain under review.

Year end

Revenue (NOKm)

PBT*
(NOKm)

EPS*
(NOK)

DPS
(NOK)

P/E
(x)

Yield
(%)

12/20

0.6

(257.0)

(3.43)

0.0

N/A

N/A

12/21

0.8

(309.4)

(3.52)

0.0

N/A

N/A

Note: *PBT and EPS are normalised, excluding amortisation of acquired intangibles, exceptional items and share-based payments.

BerGenBio sees significant opportunity for bemcentinib in non-squamous NSCLCs with STK11 loss-of-function mutations (STK11m). Approximately 20% of such cancers carry this mutation, which we estimate would lead to a potential target market of c 30,000 new patients per year. Patients with STK11m are associated with impaired patient responses to PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapies and poor outcomes. Preclinical data showed systemic inhibition of AXL by bemcentinib restored therapeutic response to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment.

The company believes bemcentinib has a unique mechanism of action that can increase Type I interferon secretion from dendritic immune cells, thereby generating new tumour-specific CD8+ immune T cells, that can restore therapeutic response to PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. The company’s Phase II BGB008 study in 2L NSCLC has already shown some efficacy in STK11m patients when combined with pembrolizumab. BerGenBio expects to start a Phase 1b/IIa study in 1L NSCLC with STK11m in late 2022.

In the nearer term, bemcentinib’s next study in the treatment of hospitalised COVID-19 patients is scheduled to begin recruitment in Q322, within the EU-SolidAct platform trial, in a sub-protocol arm designed to enrol 500 patients across European sites. This comes after recently reported data analysis from its Phase II ACCORD2 study. In this, 90% (26 of 29) of patients experienced a clinical response by day 29 (median 7 days) when treated with bemcentinib + standard of care, compared to only 69% on standard of care alone. These results suggest bemcentinib provides broad inhibition across COVID-19 variants due to its unique mode of action.

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This report has been commissioned by BerGenBio and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by BerGenBio. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

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Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by BerGenBio and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by BerGenBio. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2022 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

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Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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