On September 10, 2021 Omega Therapeutics Inc., a development-stage biotechnology company pioneering the first systematic approach to use mRNA therapeutics as programmable epigenetic medicines by leveraging its OMEGA Epigenomic Programing platform, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 (Filing, 8-K, Omega Therapeutics, SEP 10, 2021, View Source [SID1234587521]).
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"Our recent successful IPO reinforces our commitment to bring potentially transformative programmable mRNA therapeutics that target the epigenetic basis of disease to precisely control gene expression to patients across a wide range of diseases. We are thrilled to bring in new investors through our IPO and to have the continued support of our existing stockholders," said Mahesh Karande, President and Chief Executive Officer of Omega Therapeutics. "The funding provides the necessary financial resources to advance our lead Omega Epigenomic Controller (OEC) candidate, OTX-2002, for the treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma through an Investigational New Drug (IND) filing and initial clinical readouts, as well as to continue pre-clinical and IND-enabling studies for several additional OEC development candidates."
Recent Business Highlights and Corporate Update
Financial and Corporate
In August 2021, Omega completed a successful IPO, including shares sold pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, raising $141.1 million in aggregate gross proceeds, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, and listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market. The IPO followed the closing of a Series C crossover financing of $126 million in gross proceeds in March 2021.
In May 2021, Luke Beshar was appointed to the Omega Board of Directors and currently serves as the Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr. Beshar is an industry and corporate finance veteran who currently serves on the Board of Directors of Trillium Therapeutics and Protara Therapeutics, and most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., through its acquisition by Shire PLC.
In March 2021, Elliott M. Levy, M.D., was appointed to the Omega Board of Directors and currently serves on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Dr. Levy is an industry veteran with over 20 years of senior leadership roles in research and development at global pharmaceutical companies, including Amgen and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Development Pipeline and Platform
OTX-2002: IND-enabling studies are ongoing for Omega’s lead OEC candidate OTX-2002, a novel, engineered, and programmable mRNA therapeutic being developed for the downregulation of c-Myc oncogene expression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. In preclinical studies, OTX-2002 demonstrated its ability to potently down-regulate c-Myc oncogene expression. The Company continues to be on track to file an IND for OTX-2002 in the first half of 2022.
OMEGA Epigenomic Programming Platform: Omega is creating a new generation of programmable mRNA therapeutics, one that is designed to enable control of fundamental epigenetic processes to correct the root cause of disease by returning aberrant gene expression to a normal range without altering native nucleic acid sequences. Omega has developed a highly rational and deterministic approach to drug design that enables the Company to rapidly develop and optimize novel OECs engineered for highly specific targeting and controlled tunability and durability of gene expression. Omega is advancing multiple pre-clinical development programs in regenerative medicine, multigenic diseases including immunology, oncology and select monogenic diseases.
Milestones and Key Priorities
Complete IND-enabling studies for OTX-2002 and successfully file IND application to FDA during the first half of 2022.
Nominate additional OEC development candidates in the first half of 2022.
File a second IND application targeted for second half of 2022.
Continue to develop the OMEGA Epigenomic Programming platform and investigate additional development programs to expand pipeline.
Publish relevant pre-clinical and early clinical data supporting our programs and platform development.
Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results
As of June 30, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents totaling $122.4 million, which does not include the gross proceeds of $141.1 million from the Company’s IPO.
Research and development (R&D) expenses for the second quarter of 2021 were $11.2 million, compared with $4.9 million for the second quarter of 2020. The $6.3 million increase in R&D expenses was primarily due to an increase in discovery and preclinical development costs, related laboratory materials and supplies, and personnel and related expenses as the Company continues to advance its development pipeline.
General and administrative expenses (G&A) for the second quarter of 2021 were $3.6 million, compared with $1.0 million for the second quarter of 2020. The $2.6 million increase in G&A expense was primarily due to higher personnel and related expenses and an increase in professional fees to support business growth.
Net loss for the second quarter of 2021 was $15.4 million, compared with $6.3 million for the second quarter of 2020. The increase in net loss for the second quarter was primarily due to increased research and development and G&A expenses to support the Company’s growth.