On November 7, 2019 Aduro Biotech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADRO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies targeting the Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) and A Proliferation Inducing Ligand (APRIL) pathways for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019 (Press release, Aduro Biotech, NOV 7, 2019, View Source [SID1234550708]).

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Cash, cash equivalents and short term and long term marketable securities totaled $235.4 million at September 30, 2019, compared to $277.9 million at December 31, 2018.

"We remain highly focused on the development of our STING and APRIL programs, with the initiation of our Phase 2 study of ADU-S100 in combination with pembrolizumab in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and continued progress of our Phase 1 study of BION-1301 in IgA nephropathy," said Stephen T. Isaacs, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Aduro. "Our strong cash position of $235.4 million at the end of the third quarter enables us to continue investing in our STING and APRIL programs with the ultimate goal of providing therapeutic benefit to patients."

Recent Highlights

Cleared four healthy volunteer dose cohorts in the single ascending dose portion and one healthy volunteer dose cohort in the multiple ascending dose portion of the Phase 1 clinical trial of BION-1301 for the treatment of IgA nephropathy.

First patient dosed in Phase 2 clinical trial of ADU-S100 (MIW815) in combination with Keytruda (pembrolizumab), an approved anti-PD-1 antibody, as a first-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Financial Results

Revenue – Revenue was $4.8 million for the third quarter of 2019 and $13.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to $3.1 million and $12.3 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2018. The increase in revenue for the quarter and the year to date was primarily due to ratable recognition of the upfront payment received from Eli Lilly in the first quarter of 2019.

Expenses –

Research and development expenses were $15.5 million for the third quarter of 2019 and $51.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to $18.7 million and $58.2 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2018. The quarter and year to date costs decreased primarily due our strategic reset in January 2019, which resulted in reduced headcount and stock-based compensation expense. The reset also resulted in reduced spending towards deprioritized programs partially offset by higher spending towards our STING and APRIL programs.

General and administrative expenses were $8.7 million for the third quarter of 2019 and $25.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to $9.1 million and $27.0 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2018. The quarter and year to date costs decreased primarily due to our strategic reset in January 2019, which resulted in reduced headcount and stock-based compensation expense.

Loss on impairment of intangible assets was $5.0 million for the third quarter of 2019. This expense was recorded due to the discontinuation of one of our acquired early research programs.

Net Loss – Net loss for the third quarter of 2019 was $21.0 million or $0.26 per share and $63.0 million or $0.79 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared to net loss of $23.1 million or $0.29 per share and $69.0 million or $0.88 per share, respectively, for the same periods in 2018.