On May 17, 2021 GT Biopharma, Inc. ("GT Biopharma" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: GTBP), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company focused on developing innovative therapeutics based on the Company’s proprietary natural killer (NK) cell engager (TriKE) protein biologic technology platform reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021 and provided a general business update (Press release, GT Biopharma, MAY 17, 2021, View Source [SID1234580170]).
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"In the first quarter of 2021, and in the weeks since, we were very pleased to report exciting and encouraging data from our ongoing Phase I/II clinical trial of GTB-3550 in MDS and AML," said Anthony J. Cataldo, GT Biopharma’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Both from efficacy and safety perspectives, our GTB-3350 TriKE program appears to be delivering the TriKE’s unique therapeutic potential which has been well tolerated in all of our patients. Our differentiated approach stimulating NK cell activity, reinforces our rationale to proceed with additional programs in solid tumor and hematologic cancers. In addition, with our $28.7M financing completed and a key strategic manufacturing partnership in place, we are well equipped and positioned to capitalize on the potential we are already seeing from these innovative new therapies. We again thank the patients and their families for their contribution, as we advance towards the prospect of an off-the-shelf monotherapy cancer therapeutic that can be therapeutically effective without supplemental engineered NK cells or the need for any combination drugs."
Clinical Highlights
Updated Interim Results from First-in-Human GTB-3550 TriKE Phase I/II Clinical Trial for the Treatment of High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) and Refractory/Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): In March and April 2021, GT Biopharma announced updated interim results from the Phase I dose-escalation portion of the Phase I/II expansion clinical trial of GTB-3550 TriKE from 9 patients with MDS and AML. Results demonstrated up to 63.7% reduction in bone marrow blast levels, restoration of endogenous NK cell function, proliferation and immune surveillance. All patients treated displayed no signs of any grade of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) across all dose cohorts. GTB-3550 TriKE is currently being administered to patients at doses significantly higher than the reported maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for continuous infusion of recombinant human interleukin-15 (IL-15).
Enrollment in Phase I Portion of GTB-3550 TriKE Phase I/II Clinical Trial in MDS and AML Continues: In April 2021, GT Biopharma announced the enrollment of patient 10 in its GTB-3550 TriKE Phase I/II Clinical Trial in high-risk MDS and AML patients. The patient was dosed at 100mcg/kg/day.
Additional New Findings Supporting GTB-3550 TriKE Monotherapy: In April 2021, GT Biopharma announced additional interim results demonstrating that GTB-3550 TriKE monotherapy is able to rescue the patient’s otherwise exhausted/inhibited/non-functional endogenous NK cell population, and target direct killing of the patient’s AML and MDS cancer cells without the need for the co-administration addition of supplemental progenitor-derived or autologous/allogenic engineered NK cells.
Announced Preliminary Phase II Clinical Trial Design: In May 2021, GT Biopharma announced updates to the Phase 2 design of the ongoing Phase I/II clinical trial of GTB-3550 TriKE monotherapy. The Phase II portion intends to enroll patients with CD33 expression ≥50% in independent cohorts (higher-risk MDS and AML); treat patients with two cycles of GTB-3550 therapy with a rest period between cycles as opposed to the single-cycle used during Phase 1; enroll patients with fewer prior treatment lines; and, (evaluate the potential use of minimal residual disease (MRD) based endpoints that may allow for accelerated approval.
Corporate Highlights
Closed $28.7 Million Public Offering and Successful Nasdaq Listing: In February 2021, GT Biopharma announced the closing of an underwritten public offering extending GT Biopharma’s cash runway through 2022. The Company also retired over $32 million in debt and consolidated capital structure to 28,637,000 shares issued and outstanding.
Strengthened Leadership Team with Key Appointments: In April 2021, GT Biopharma announced the appointment of Gregory Berk, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer and the transition of Jeffrey S. Miller, M.D., from Consulting Chief Medical Officer to Consulting Chief Scientific Officer. Additionally, in January 2021, GT Biopharma announced the appointments of Michael Breen and Rajesh Shrotriya, M.D., as independent directors to the Company’s Board of Directors.
Expanded GMP Manufacturing Agreement with Cytovance Biologics: In February 2021, GT Biopharma announced that it signed an expanded GMP manufacturing agreement with Cytovance Biologics for the manufacturing of all TriKE product candidates.
First Quarter 2021 Financial Results:
Cash Position: As of March 31, 2021, cash, cash equivalents and investments were $27.6 million, compared to $5.3 million as of December 31, 2020. The increase in cash, cash equivalents and investments was primarily due to the completed public offering of 4,945,000 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $24,679,000 after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and other direct offering expenses. As of May 14th, current cash position of $35,000,000.
Research and Development Expenses: Research and development expenses were $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $.3 million for the same period in 2020. The increase in research and development expenses for the first quarter 2021 was primarily due to the issuance of 189,753 shares of common stock as payment of a fee valued at $1,355,000. We anticipate our direct clinical costs to increase in the remainder of 2021 upon the continuation of a phase one/two clinical trial of our most advanced TriKE product candidate, GTB-3550.
General Administrative Expenses: General administrative expenses were $27.3 million for first quarter 2021, compared to $.7 million for the same period in 2020. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily attributable the increase in stock-based compensation. In the period ended March 31, 2021 we incurred $21,535,000 of stock-based compensation, we incurred no such expenses during 2020.
Net Loss: Net loss was $29.7million for the first quarter of 2021, resulting in basic and diluted net loss per share of $1.83. Net loss was $1.7 million for the same period in 2020, resulting in basic and diluted net loss per share of $0.41.
About GTB-3550 TriKE
GTB-3550 is the Company’s first TriKE product candidate being initially developed for the treatment AML. GTB-3550 is a single-chain, tri-specific scFv recombinant fusion protein conjugate composed of the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of anti-CD16 and anti-CD33 antibodies and a modified form of IL-15. The natural killer (NK) cell stimulating cytokine human IL-15 portion of the molecule provides a self-sustaining signal that activates NK cells and enhances their ability to kill. We intend to study GTB-3550 in CD33 positive leukemias such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and other CD33+ hematopoietic malignancies.