On May 15, 2023 NightHawk Biosciences (NYSE American: NHWK), a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company specializing in the end-to-end development, manufacturing, and commercialization of innovative medical countermeasures that combat unmet and emerging biothreats, reported strategic, financial, and operational updates for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 (Press release, NightHawk Biosciences, MAY 15, 2023, View Source [SID1234631734]).
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Jeff Wolf, Chief Executive Officer of NightHawk, commented, "We continue to invest in and advance our research and biomanufacturing efforts, including our San Antonio and Manhattan, Kansas biologics manufacturing facilities. We are making steady progress and look forward to providing further updates."
2023 Financial Results
For the three months ended March 31, 2023 we recognized $0.1 million of revenue from a licensing agreement with Shattuck Labs and $0.7 million of revenue from Scorpius biomanufacturing services. For the three months ended March 31, 2022 we recognized $0.2 million of grant revenue for qualified expenditures under the CPRIT grant. The decrease in grant revenue in the current-year period is due to the fact that we have recognized all $15.2 million of CPRIT grant revenue. As of March 31, 2023, we had a grants receivable balance of $1.5 million for the final CPRIT tranche, and received those funds in April 2023. . We continue our efforts to secure future non-dilutive grant funding to subsidize ongoing research and development costs.
Research and development expenses increased approximately 79.5% to $7.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The components of R&D expense are as follows: HS-110 expense decreased $0.1 million primarily due to a decrease in consultants and contract labor expense; HS-130 expense decreased to $0 from $0.5 million due to the deprioritization of the oncology assets; PTX-35 expense increased by $0.3 million primarily due to the expensing of prepaid expenses associated with the discontinued clinical trials and development of the product candidate in the third quarter of 2022;
ANTHIM (obiltoxaximab) was not acquired until the second quarter of 2022 and the 2023 expense primarily relates to fill finish; other programs expense increased by $0.4 million primarily due to increase in laboratory supplies expense related to preclinical R&D expenses and the operations of the CDMO facility; Unallocated research expenses increased by $2.7 million primarily due to increased personnel costs, including stock-based compensation from stock awards, contractor expense and supplies purchased for discovery projects;
Cost of revenues were $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. These expenses primarily reflect direct cost of labor, overhead and material costs for Scorpius biomanufacturing services. There was no cost of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as the Scorpius facility was not operational.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $6.8 million and $3.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $1.9 million for consulting and other professional expenses to manage the business and increased personnel costs of $1.0 million, and to a lesser extent, an increase in rent expense of $0.3 million, offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation expense of $0.1 million.
Net loss attributable to NightHawk Biosciences was approximately $12.8 million, or ($0.49) per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to approximately $8.1 million, or ($0.32) per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
As of March 31, 2023, the Company had approximately $28.6 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments.
About ANTHIM
Anthrax is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. Cases of inhalational anthrax in humans can occur through intentional spread of B. anthracis spores as a biowarfare or bioterrorism agent. B. anthracis spores introduced through the lungs lead to inhalational anthrax, which is deadly in humans.
ANTHIM is a monoclonal antibody that binds to the protective antigen (PA) component of anthrax toxin. ANTHIM’s toxin neutralizing activity prevents entry of anthrax toxin into susceptible cells, avoiding further spread of the toxin throughout the body and the ensuing tissue damage that leads to death. ANTHIM is supplied as single-dose vials for IV infusion.
Indications and Usage
ANTHIM is indicated in adult and pediatric patients for the treatment of inhalational anthrax due to Bacillus anthracis in combination with appropriate antibacterial drugs, and for prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax when alternative therapies are not available or are not appropriate. ANTHIM should only be used for prophylaxis when its benefit for prevention of inhalational anthrax outweighs the risk of hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis. The effectiveness of ANTHIM is based solely on efficacy studies in animal models of inhalational anthrax. There have been no studies of the safety or pharmacokinetics (PK) of ANTHIM in the pediatric population. Dosing in pediatric patients was derived using a population PK approach. ANTHIM does not have direct antibacterial activity. ANTHIM should be used in combination with appropriate antibacterial drugs. ANTHIM is not expected to cross the blood-brain barrier and does not prevent or treat meningitis.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Including BOXED WARNING
WARNING: HYPERSENSITIVITY and ANAPHYLAXIS
Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported during ANTHIM infusion. ANTHIM should be administered in monitored settings by personnel trained and equipped to manage anaphylaxis. Stop ANTHIM infusion immediately and treat appropriately if hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis occurs.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis have been reported during the IV infusion of ANTHIM. Due to the risk of hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis, ANTHIM should be administered in monitored settings by personnel trained and equipped to manage anaphylaxis. Monitor individuals who receive ANTHIM closely for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions throughout the infusion and for a period of time after administration. Stop ANTHIM infusion immediately and treat appropriately if hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis occurs. Pre-medication with diphenhydramine is recommended prior to administration of ANTHIM. Diphenhydramine pre-medication does not prevent anaphylaxis and may mask or delay onset of symptoms of hypersensitivity.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
The safety of ANTHIM has been studied only in healthy volunteers. It has not been studied in patients with inhalational anthrax. The most frequently reported adverse reactions were headache, pruritus, infections of the upper respiratory tract, cough, vessel puncture site bruise, infusion site swelling, urticaria, nasal congestion, infusion site pain, and pain in extremity.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
Pediatric Use: There have been no studies of the safety or PK of ANTHIM in the pediatric population.
To see the complete prescribing information for ANTHIM, click here.