Dynavax (DVAX) Reports DV1179 Did Not Meet Endpoints in Phase 1b/2a

Dynavax (Nasdaq: DVAX) reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2014 and pharmacodynamic and safety results from clinical studies of its asthma drug candidate partnered with AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) and its systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) drug candidate partnered with GlaxoSmithKline.

Second quarter 2014 financial results

Dynavax had $154.3 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of June 30, 2014. Total operating expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 of $27.9 million increased by $10.4 million compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2014 as a result of the initiation of HBV-23 and significant subject enrollment in this pivotal phase 3 trial during the quarter.

"We are very pleased with our progress on HBV-23," said Eddie Gray, Chief Executive Officer of Dynavax. "HEPLISAV-B will, if approved, provide patients a valuable alternative to currently available vaccines, and we are committed to bringing this important product to the market. In parallel, we are developing our pipeline to take full advantage of our platform and expertise in TLR immune modulation."

In April 2014, Dynavax initiated HBV-23, a large safety and immunogenicity study of its investigational adult hepatitis B vaccine. The study was designed to provide a sufficiently-sized safety database for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to complete its review of the HEPLISAV-B Biologics License Application. It is being conducted at 40 sites in the U.S. and will include approximately 8,250 subjects. Dynavax expects that all HBV-23 study subjects will be enrolled by the end of 2014 and all follow-up visits will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2015.

Safety and pharmacodynamic results for asthma and SLE drug candidates

In a Phase 1 study, 4 weekly doses of a TLR9 agonist, AZD1419, or placebo were delivered by inhalation to 45 healthy volunteers. Ascending doses up to 15.4 mg/week for 4 weeks were well tolerated and no serious adverse events were observed in treated subjects. Secondary endpoints assessing pharmacodynamics were met, with dose-dependent induction of interferon-regulated genes in sputum and blood cells. Based on these results, Dynavax and its collaboration partner, AstraZeneca, are evaluating protocols for a clinical trial in patients with asthma.

In a Phase 1b/2a study, the safety and pharmacodynamics of a bifunctional TLR7 and TLR9 inhibitor, DV1179, were assessed in 52 SLE patients screened for elevated expression of interferon-regulated genes. DV1179 did not meet the primary or secondary pharmacodynamic endpoints related to reduction in interferon alpha-regulated genes. Doses up to 60 mg/week for 8 weeks were well tolerated. The most common adverse events were injection site reactions. GlaxoSmithKline will review the data package and determine whether to exercise its option to license DV1179.

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