On May 14, 2019 Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT), a clinical-stage immunotherapeutics company, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 and provided a business update (Press release, Altimmune, MAY 14, 2019, View Source [SID1234536296]).
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"We made great progress in the first quarter, as we executed on our strategy and worked to build long-term shareholder value," said Vipin K. Garg, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are diligently exploring opportunities to expand our pipeline via acquisition and in-licensing opportunities in both immuno-oncology and liver disease indications. We continue to advance the development of our current key assets, HepTCell and ALT-702, and anticipate achieving significant milestones in both these programs during the next 12 to 18 months. In addition, we have made important advances in both our NasoVAX and NasoShield programs."
Recent Highlights
HepTcell Phase 1 Clinical Trial Data Presented at International Liver Congress
The Company presented results of its HepTcell Phase 1 clinical trial at The International Liver CongressTM sponsored by The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL). Mark Thursz, MBBS, MD, FRCP, Professor of Hepatology at Imperial College, London, presented HepTcell Phase 1 data in the session entitled "Hepatitis B – Drug Development." As previously announced, the successful clinical trial met its primary endpoint of safety and showed that HepTcell treatment was associated with increased HBV-specific cellular immune responses. The Company is preparing to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study in the U.S. in 2020.
ALT-702 Preclinical Development Initiated
Recently initiated preclinical development of its immunostimulant product candidate, ALT-702. ALT-702 is based on a new synthetic peptide conjugate technology platform that allows localized immune stimulation without the safety risk of systemic inflammation. ALT-702 represents a new approach in immuno-oncology that can act alone or improve the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors, oncolytic viruses and other approaches in immuno-oncology. The Company expects to provide an update on the progress of ALT-702 later this year.
NasoVAX Phase 2 Extension Study Completed Showing Durable Immune Response
The Company presented results of its NasoVAX Phase 2 study and the recently completed extension study at the World Vaccine Congress. As previously announced, the Phase 2 data showed that NasoVAX was well-tolerated and highly immunogenic, demonstrating 100% seroprotection at two of the three dose levels studied. Data from the extension study showed that the immunogenic responses were durable with 100% of the evaluated subjects remaining seroprotected with no decrease in seroconversion rate more than one year after vaccination. Durable responses on the order of one year are not expected from current injected influenza vaccines and suggest that the immune response induced by NasoVAX could be protective for the duration of a long flu season. The Company is actively looking for a strategic partner to further develop and commercialize NasoVAX.
NasoShield Investigation Completed with Potential Path Forward in the Clinic
Completed the investigations of potential causes that may have contributed to the lower than expected immune response in the Phase I study of NasoShield funded through a contract (HHSO100201600008C) with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority ("BARDA"). The results of these investigations are very encouraging and clearly show that while the vaccine product used in the clinical study continues to meet all manufacturing standards, the immune response to NasoShield is strongly affected by the intranasal administration method. Based on these findings, the Company believes that a simple adjustment to the intranasal dosing procedure may allow NasoShield to elicit a full immune response in humans.
Completed Registered Direct Offering Raising Gross Proceeds of $14 Million
Completed a Registered Direct Offering in March 2019 that raised gross proceeds of $14 million, which brings total gross proceeds received from equity offerings since September 2018 to $56 million. These financings provide the Company with the necessary resources to further develop its programs and position itself for potential acquisitions.
Financial Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2019
The Company had cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents of $44.9 million at March 31, 2019. This was an increase of $10.6 million since the prior year end due to the receipt of net proceeds of $12.7 million through the Registered Direct Offering offset by operating cash burn of $2.1 million.
Revenue in the first quarter was $2.96 million compared to $2.69 million in the prior year period. The increase was due primarily to billings under the Company’s NasoShield contract with BARDA.
Research and development expenses in the first quarter were $3.22 million compared to $5.75 million in the prior year period. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower spending on its NasoVAX and HepTcell programs.
General and administrative expenses in the first quarter were $2.07 million compared to $2.45 million in the prior year period. The decrease was due primarily to a reduction in legal and professional costs.
Net loss attributed to common stockholders for the first quarter was $2.55 million, or ($0.27) per share, compared to $5.06 million, or ($7.49) per share in the same period of 2018.
Conference Call Details
Date:
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Time:
8:30am Eastern Time
Domestic:
877-423-9813
International:
201-689-8573
Conference ID:
13690295
Webcast:
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