Attached files

file filename
8-K - FORM 8-K - CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc.d884055d8k.htm
Cowen Health Care
Conference
March 4, 2015
Boston, MA
Harold Van Wart, Ph.D.
President and CEO
Exhibit 99.1


2
Safe Harbor Statement
This presentation contains "forward-looking" statements that involve risks, uncertainties
and assumptions, and actual results may differ substantially from those projected or
expected in the forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements include, but are
not limited to: any projections of financial information; any statements about future
development, clinical or regulatory events; any statements concerning CymaBay's plans,
strategies or objectives; and any other statements of expectation or belief regarding future
events. These statements are based on estimates and information available to CymaBay at
the time of this presentation and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results
could differ materially from CymaBay's current expectations as a result of many factors
including, but not limited to: CymaBay's ability to obtain additional financing to fund its
operations; unexpected delays or results in clinical trials; uncertainties regarding obtaining
regulatory approvals; uncertainties regarding the ability to protect CymaBay's intellectual
property; uncertainties regarding market acceptance of any products for which CymaBay is
able to obtain regulatory approval; the effects of competition; and other market and general
economic conditions. You should read CymaBay's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with
the SEC on November 14, 2014, especially under the caption “Risk Factors,” which is
available on the SEC web site at http://www.sec.gov, for a fuller discussion of these and
other risks relating to an investment in CymaBay’s common stock.  CymaBay assumes no
obligation for and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as
required by law.


3
CymaBay Highlights
Arhalofenate
is
the
first
drug
in
the
Urate
Lowering
Anti-Flare
Therapy
(ULAFT)
class for the treatment of gout
Reduces gout flares and lowers serum uric acid (sUA)
Refined product profile established in recently completed Phase 2 studies
Good overall and renal safety data in over 1,000 subjects
MBX-8025 is a potential novel treatment for rare or serious lipid and liver
disorders, including homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)
Positive effects on lipids and markers of liver health demonstrated in mixed
dyslipidemia Phase 2 trial
Focusing further development in rare or orphan diseases
Near-term, value-driving catalysts
Arhalofenate  End-of-Phase 2 meeting with FDA in 3Q 2015
Phase 2 trial initiation for MBX-8025 in HoFH expected in 1H 2015


Key Features of Gout
Hyperuricemia, urate crystal deposits and flares
Hyperuricemia
Serum Uric
Acid (sUA)
Mono Sodium
Urate (MSU)
crystal deposits
Inflammatory
response
IL-1
Painful flare
Therapeutic
targets
Joint
erosion
4


5
Current Treatment of Gout
Uric acid Lowering Therapies (ULTs) and anti-inflammatories
Treatment paradigm (ACR Guidelines)
Anti-inflammatory to treat the flare
ULT
is
initiated
to
address
the
hyperuricemia
with
a
goal
of
sUA
<
6
mg/dL
to
debulk offending MSU burden
Initiation
of
ULT
increases
flare
risk,
requiring
dose
titration
and
colchicine
prophylaxis
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Colchicine (Colcrys)
NSAIDs, steroids
Ilaris (anti-IL-1  biologic) approved in EU
ULTs
Xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitors (allopurinol, febuxostat)
Uricosurics (probenecid, lesinurad in development)
Pegloticase (for severe treatment failure gout)


6
Gout Patients Are Poorly Served by Available Drugs
Need for more sUA lowering and better control of flares
More sUA lowering
~2
million
patients
do
not
reach
their
sUA
goal
on
their
current
ULT
<6 mg/dL for patients without tophi
<5 mg/dL for patients with tophi
~300 thousand patients are allopurinol intolerant
Inadequate responders to ULT continue to increase their MSU burden and
the disease continues to progress
Better flare control
~1 million patients experience    3 flares/year
Patients care about the pain, suffering and medical costs of flares
Colchicine,
NSAIDs
and
steroids
are
“strongly
contraindicated”
in
>40%
of
gout patients due to their comorbidities
Colchicine non-compliance is estimated to be ~40%


7
Arhalofenate
The First Urate Lowering Anti-Flare Therapy (ULAFT)
Lowers sUA by improving uric acid excretion in
the kidney (uricosuric effect)
Blocks urate reabsorption by URAT1
Same target as lesinurad
Very favorable PK for a uricosuric drug
50 hour half-life produces gradual
changes in serum and urinary UA with
small intraday fluctuations
Avoids “hyperuricosuria”
Reduces flares through anti-inflammatory                       
properties and long plasma half-life                                                      
Suppresses MSU crystal-induced
IL-1  in gouty joints
No systemic suppression of IL-1   and no
infection risk
Human
URAT1
Arhalofenate Acid (M)
10
-6
10
-5
10
-4
10
-3
0
20
40
60
80
100
IC
50
=
92
M


* NHANES 2008
** Source Healthcare  2012
Gout Population Segregated by sUA Status
Treating inadequate responders with a uricosuric drug
Uricosuric drug
Uricosuric drug
Uricosurics in Development:
Lesinurad (ULT)
Arhalofenate (ULAFT)
The original positioning of
arhalofenate was for the ~1M
patients flaring >3 times/year
Allopurinol
Intolerant
~300 K
Diagnosed
Gout*
8.3 M
ULT Treated**
>90% Allopurinol
~3.3 M
Inadequate
Responders
~2 M
Responders
~1.3 M
8


9
Arhalofenate Phase 2 Clinical Program for Gout
Five Phase 2 studies completed
Monotherapy with and without colchicine
Combination with febuxostat and allopurinol
Arhalofenate doses of 400, 600 and 800 mg
Summary of results
Very effective sUA lowering in combination with febuxostat (40 or 80 mg)
Arhalofenate monotherapy is an alternative for the XOI intolerant patients
Arhalofenate has anti-flare activity
Provides the symptomatic relief that patients really want
Helps patients in which colchicine is contraindicated or not tolerated
Does not require dose titration
Refined product positioning
Recent arhalofenate Phase 2 data and lesinurad news has shifted
positioning to address the larger sUA inadequate responder segment


10
Arhalofenate Febuxostat Phase 2 Study
Objectives
Assess sUA reductions of different dose combinations
Measure the interday and intraday fractional excretion of UA (FEUA)
Assess if there is a drug-drug interaction
Additional safety data for arhalofenate/febuxostat combination
N = 16 per cohort ; PK from cohort 2 at Weeks 2, 4 and 6
All patients received colchicine for flare prophylaxis
Cohort 1
Cohort 2
Weeks 1-2
Week 3
Week 4
Weeks 5-6
Arhalofenate 600
Febuxostat 80 +
Arhalofenate 600
Febuxostat 40 +
Arhalofenate 600
Febuxostat 40
Arhalofenate 800
Febuxostat 40 +
Arhalofenate 800
Febuxostat 80 +
Arhalofenate 800
Febuxostat 80


Arhalofenate Febuxostat Phase 2 Study
Changes in sUA for treatment phases
sUA = -33%
RR = 43%
sUA = -24%
RR = 100%
Arhalofenate decrease sUA
by an additional 24% and
increases the Responder
Rate from 43 to 100%
Baseline
Fbx (40 mg)
Fbx (40 mg) +
Arhalo (800 mg)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
11


12
Arhalofenate Febuxostat Phase 2 PK/PD Study
sUA responder rate for febuxostat 40 mg treatments
< 6.0 mg/dL            < 5.0 mg/dL              < 4.0 mg/dL    
< 3.0 mg/dL  
Febuxostat (40 mg) +
Arhalofenate (800 mg)
Febuxostat (40 mg) +
Arhalofenate (600 mg)
Febuxostat (40 mg)
N                 15                                            14
15
p-values reflect comparisons vs. febuxostat 40 mg. McNemar’s exact  test and Fischer’s
exact test were used for comparisons within and between cohorts,
respectively.
* p < .05   ** p < .01  *** p < .001
*
**
***
0
20
40
60
80
100


13
< 6.0 mg/dL            < 5.0 mg/dL              < 4.0 mg/dL    
< 3.0 mg/dL  
Febuxostat (80 mg) +
Arhalofenate (800 mg)
Febuxostat (80 mg) +
Arhalofenate (600 mg)
Febuxostat (80 mg)
N                    14                                         
16                                               14
Arhalofenate Febuxostat Phase 2 PK/PD Study
sUA responder rate for febuxostat 80 mg treatments
*
* p < .05  for comparison vs. febuxostat 80 mg; McNemar’s exact  test
0
20
40
60
80
100


14
Time Period
*** p < 0.001
Matched pairs
t-test
Fractional Excretion of Uric Acid (FEUA)
Normal Range*
* Perez-Ruiz et al.,
Arthr. Rheum. 47, 610
(2002)
Day 0   (n = 8)
Day 14 (n = 8)
Mean ±
SE
9 am to
3 pm
3 pm to
9 pm
9 pm to
9 am
***
***
***
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Arhalofenate Febuxostat Phase 2 PK/PD Study
Intraday and interday variation in FEUA for arhalofenate (800 mg)
14


Design
Randomized double blind placebo-
and active-controlled study
12-week duration
248 gout patients who had  >3 flares in prior year
Goal for arhalofenate
Establish statistically significant reduction in gout flares
Show anti-flare effect in the absence of colchicine
Primary end point
Mean flares/patient
Secondary end point
Reduction in sUA
Arhalofenate Phase 2b Flare Study
Arhalofenate flare study
Electronic diary
for patient flare
reporting


16
Arhalofenate Phase 2b Study Design
Primary Endpoint:
Reduction in flare
rate for arhalofenate
compared to allopurinol
n = 25
n = 50
n = 50
n = 50
n = 50
Allopurinol  300 mg + Colchicine
Allopurinol 300 mg
Arhalofenate 600 mg
Placebo
Flare Rescue
3 Month Treatment Phase
2 Week
Follw-up
Arhalofenate 800 mg


Arhalofenate Phase 2b Flare Study
Most frequent adverse events and safety summary
Placebo
Arhalofenate
600 mg
Arhalofenate
800 mg
Allopurinol
300 mg + COL
Allopurinol
300 mg
N
28
53
51
53
54
AEs
17 (60.7%)
24 (45.3%)
21 (41.2%)
24 (45.3%)
22 (40.7%)
SAEs
0
1
0
1
3
Discon due to
AE or Lab
1
1
1
5
3
CK increased
0
3 (5.7%)
2 (3.9%)
3 (5.7%)
3 (5.6%)
URT
Infection
2 (7.1%)
3 (5.7%)
2 (3.9%)
2 (3.8%)
0
Headache
1 (3.6%)
3 (5.7%)
2 (3.9%)
0
2 (3.7%)
Hypertension
2 (7.1%)
1 (1.9%)
2 (3.9%)
2 (3.8%)
1 (1.9%)
Creatinine 
>1.5X and
>ULN
0
0
0
0
0
17


Arhalofenate Phase 2b Flare Study
Arhaolfenate 800 mg dose met the primary flare end point
Arhalofenate (800 mg)
vs.  allopurinol (300 mg) + colchicine
were not statistically different
(p = .091)
-46%
p= 0.0056
Arhalofenate
(600 mg)
Allopurinol
(300 mg)
Placebo
Allopurinol
(300 mg) +
Colchicine
Arhalofenate
(800 mg)
-68%
p < 0.0001
-41%
p = 0.049
0.00
0.25
0.50
0.75
1.00
1.25
1.50
N       53            51               53              54      
28
1.13
1.04
0.66
1.24
0.40
18


Arhalofenate Phase 2b Flare Study
Mean lowering of serum uric acid
8 weeks
p < .01 vs. Pbo
for all changes
12 weeks
Arhalofenate
(600 mg)
Allopurinol
(300 mg)
Placebo
Allopurinol
(300 mg) +
Colchicine
Arhalofenate
(800 mg)
Baseline sUA        9.1               9.0                   9.1
9.2                    9.1  
16-20% drop in sUA
projected to give RR = 100%
in combo with Fbx
(40 mg)
-30
-20
-10
0
19
N                     28               53                     51
53                    54


20
Allopurinol
Intolerant
~300 K
Inadequate
Responders
~2 M
Arhalofenate (800 mg)
+ Febuxostat (80 mg)
Arhalofenate
(800 mg)
Arhalofenate Target Population
Major target is inadequate responders on current ULT
Patients
w/o Tophi
~1.6 M
Patients
with Tophi
~ 0.4 M
Arhalofenate (800 mg)
+ Febuxostat (40 mg)
Great majority reach their sUA goal
Experience fewer flares
Don’t need colchicine prophylaxis
No need for dose titration
A fixed dose combination
pill is in development for
patient convenience
Benefits to Patient


21
Comparison of Arhalofenate with Lesinurad
Arhalofenate (800 mg)
Lesinurad (200 mg)
sUA lowering                                   16-24% (Ph 2)
Monotherapy for                                    
allopurinol intolerant
Responder Rate (< 6 mg/dL)                                     
increase with XOI             
On top of Allo (300 mg)
On top of Fbx (40 mg)                 
Flare benefit                                            
Colchicine
Prophylaxis needed                               
Renal safety                                        
* Ardea presentation materials  **ACR presentation, 2014
No signal
No
Yes
57% (Ph 2)
Yes
No**
38% (Ph 2)*; 25% (Ph 3)**
No**
16% (Ph 2)*


22
Arhalofenate Clinical Studies
Safety summary
Completed 9 Phase 2 clinical studies (200-800 mg)
More than 1,000 subjects exposed to arhalofenate for up to 6 months
General safety
Adverse events similar to placebo and balanced across dose groups
Low incidence of asymptomatic liver transaminase elevations
No change in neutrophils or increase in infections
Renal safety
No kidney stones or decrease in urine pH
No creatinine signal
No dose-limiting toxicity has been identified


23
Arhalofenate Nonclinical Studies
Non-clinical
development status
Drug materials
Economical, proprietary synthesis
Tablet formulations developed
Fixed dose formulation with febuxostat in development
Completed preclinical safety package
Sub-chronic and chronic toxicology
Safety pharmacology and reproductive toxicology
Two-year carcinogenicity studies
Carcinogenicity and CV safety review by FDA completed
All results support further development


24
Non-tophaceous gout (n = 1,000) in allopurinol inadequate responders
Febuxostat (40 mg) + colchicine vs. febuxostat (40 mg) + arhalofenate (800 mg)
for 6 months + 6 month safety extension
Primary endpoint: sUA responder rate (< 6 mg/dL) at 6 months
Secondary end point: average flares/patient at 6 months
Tophaceous gout (n = 300) in allopurinol inadequate responders
Febuxostat (80 mg) + colchicine vs. febuxostat (80 mg) + arhalofenate (800 mg)
for 6 months
Primary endpoint: sUA responder rate (< 5 mg/dL) at 6 months
Secondary endpoints: flare rate and tophi resolution at 12 months
Patients intolerant to allopurinol (n = 200)
Placebo and arhalofenate (800 mg) for 6 months with 6-month safety extension
Primary endpoint: average flares per patient at 6 months
Secondary end point: sUA responder rate (< 6 mg/dL) at 6 months
Phase 3 Program for Arhalofenate
Preliminary study design


25
MBX-8025
MBX-8025
Potent selective PPAR-
agonist
Once daily orally administered
Status 
Originally in development for mixed dyslipidemia
Phase
2
study
demonstrated
favorable
effects
on
lipids
and
liver
biomarkers
FDA now requiring a preapproval CV outcome study for this indication
Redirecting  program to higher unmet need indications
Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)
Severe refractory hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG)
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
O
HO
O
S
O
O
CF
3
(R)


26
Orphan disease affecting 1 in 1 million
Markedly elevated LDL-C (>500 mg/dL) caused by                                       
loss-of-function mutations in LDL receptor (LDL-R)
Cardiovascular disease (MI, stroke, CAD) before the age of 20
Mean age of death is in the 30s
Current therapy is focused on lowering LDL-C
Therapies that raise LDL-R activity are minimally effective
Statins, bile acid sequestrants, cholesterol absorption        
inhibitors, PCSK9 inhibitors
Current therapeutic options
LDL apheresis
Juxtapid (lomitapide)
Kynamro (mipomersen)
28 year-old female with
cutaneous xanthoma
Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH)
Rare disease of impaired cholesterol metabolism


27
Unmet Medical Need in HoFH Remains High
Patients need more effective and better tolerated  therapies
LDL apheresis is inconvenient and has many complications
Juxtapid (Microsomal Transfer Protein Inhibitor)
Only 28% of patients achieve LDL < 100 mg/dL
Dose limiting GI tolerability
Risk of hepatotoxicity due to increase in hepatic fat
Black box and REMs requiring monthly liver testing 
Kynamro (oligonucleotide inhibitor of apo-B synthesis)
Risk of hepatotoxicity due to increase in hepatic fat
Black box and REMs requiring monthly liver testing
Flu-like symptoms and injection site reactions


28
MBX-8025 Phase 2 Mixed Dyslipidemia Study
Change in LDL-C as a function of baseline LDL-C
-60
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
Placebo
MBX-8025 (50 mg)
MBX-8025 (100 mg)
LDL-C range
83-242
175
180
190
195
Mean LDL-C
159-169
186-197
189-205
195-207
197-215
N
28,27,32
8,10,11
6,9,10
3,7,9
2,5,6


29
Effect of MBX-8025 in the WHHL Rabbit Model of HoFH
Significant and sustained reductions in LDL-C
The Watanabe
Heritable
Hyperlipidemic
(WHHL) rabbit
has low (<5%)
LDL-R activity
LDL-C
(Mean
±
SD, n = 5)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
-60
-40
-20
0
20
MBX-8025
Time (weeks)
Washout


30
MBX-8025 for the Treatment of HoFH
Rationale and pilot study design
Rationale
MBX-8025 exhibited a strong anti-atherogenic profile in patients with
mixed dyslipidemia including reductions in LDL-C
Data from the WHHL rabbit model suggest that the decreases in
LDL-C would be retained in the setting of low LDL-R activity
characteristic of HoFH
Pilot study design
Open label dose escalation study in up to 8 patients
Doses are 50, 100 and 200 mg
Study duration of 3 months
Study to be conducted in 2-3 countries in Europe
Start of study planned for 1H 2015


31
CymaBay Projected Milestones
Arhalofenate
Dose first patient in Phase 2b study
1H 2014
Phase 2 febuxostat combo headline data
1Q 2015
Phase 2b flare study headline data
2Q 2015
End-of-Phase 2 meeting
2H 2015
Start Phase 3
1H 2016
MBX-8025
Select indication for proof-of-concept
2H 2014
Start pilot study in HoFH
1H 2015