On November 12, 2020 Pulmatrix, Inc. (NASDAQ: PULM), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative inhaled therapies to address serious pulmonary and non-pulmonary disease using its patented iSPERSE technology, reported its Q3 2020 financial results and provides a business update (Press release, Pulmatrix, NOV 12, 2020, View Source [SID1234570742]).
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"Our efforts this quarter have enabled Pulmatrix to emerge with a focused clinical strategy that leverages our iSPERSE formulated candidates to address both respiratory and non-respiratory indications," said Ted Raad, Chief Executive Officer of Pulmatrix. "We look forward to 2021 as we plan to progress all of our programs. PUR1800 is planned to begin a clinical trial in early 2021, moving us closer to a potential licensing agreement with J&J for development and commercialization in lung cancer. We are also pleased to advance our first non-respiratory program in acute migraine and believe our inhaled iSPERSE formulation may be uniquely suited to address the significant unmet need in the growing migraine market. In addition, after a planned Type-C meeting with the FDA in early 2021, we plan to finalize the protocol for a more impactful Pulmazole Phase 2b study in asthma patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis that will include a longer study duration and potential Phase 3 enabling efficacy endpoints."
Key Highlights and Development Updates
Announced in October the commercial launch of FEND with our partner Sensory Cloud. FEND is an OTC nasal hygiene product that is comprised of proprietary Pulmatrix NasoCalm formulations (PUR003 and PUR006) of sodium chloride and calcium chloride salts licensed from Pulmatrix. It is designed to provide, among other potential benefits, an ability to suppress the exhalation of droplets of airway lining fluid, which can transmit airborne infection. Commercial launch provided immediate, broad availability of FEND, with Pulmatrix to receive escalating royalties from worldwide revenues on product sales.
Pulmatrix anticipates initiating its Phase 1b study evaluating PUR1800, its iSPERSE enabled narrow spectrum kinase inhibitor (NSKI), in patients with stable COPD in the first half of 2021. This safety and biomarker study, designed to bridge the lactose formulation to the iSPERSE formulation, is expected to be a randomized, double-blind, 3-way crossover study with safety and tolerability endpoints, as well as additional endpoints for pulmonary function, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and target engagement.
Pulmatrix is advancing PUR3100, its inhaled candidate for acute migraine and is on-track to identify its lead formulation for non-clinical PK studies by the end of 2020. The Company intends to complete a 14-day GLP toxicology study in 2021, and based on clinical and regulatory precedents, intends to initiate Phase 1 and Phase 1b studies in the first quarter of 2022, targeting a registration enabling Phase 3 study in 2023.
Pulmatrix and Cipla intend to initiate a Phase 2b study designed with a longer treatment duration and key phase 3 enabling efficacy endpoints when the potential risk to both patient safety and to patient enrollment, presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, is reduced to an acceptable level for patients with this serious respiratory condition.
Corporate Updates
Appointed Todd Bazemore, a biopharmaceutical executive with significant experience in respiratory diseases, rare diseases, business development, and capital markets, to its Board of Directors, effective October 1, 2020.
Strengthened balance sheet with a warrant exercise transaction raising gross proceeds of $13.6 million in July which will support ongoing preclinical and clinical programs for Pulmazole, PUR1800, other pipeline assets and general working capital needs.
Third Fiscal Quarter Financial Summary
As of September 30, 2020, Pulmatrix had $34.5 million in cash compared to $23.4 million as of December 31, 2019.
Pulmatrix generated $4.4 million of revenue in the third quarter of 2020, compared to $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2019. The revenue for the second quarter of 2020 was the result of the collaboration and licensing agreements with Cipla and JJEI, respectively.
Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2020 and 2019 were $3.9 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Included in the third quarter 2020 costs were pre-clinical toxicology and Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls costs for the PUR1800 program and clinical study costs incurred for the Phase 2 Pulmazole study.
General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2020 and 2019 were $1.8 million. Included in the third quarter 2020 costs were general operating expenses such as employment, lab and office lease, legal, patent and audit fees.
Net loss was $10.6 million for the third quarter of 2020 and $3.6 million for the third quarter of 2019. The net loss for the third quarter 2020 was primarily due to warrant inducement expense of $9.3 million and manufacturing costs for the upcoming PUR1800 Phase 1b clinical study and the recently terminated Pulmazole Phase 2 study. The net loss for the third quarter of 2019 was due to spend on the Pulmazole Phase 2 study.