On November 12, 2020 PDS Biotechnology Corporation (Nasdaq: PDSB), a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing novel cancer therapies and infectious disease vaccines based on the Company’s proprietary Versamune T-cell activating technology, reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 and provided a business update (Press release, PDS Biotechnology, NOV 12, 2020, View Source [SID1234570808]).

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Third Quarter 2020 and Recent Business Highlights

Successfully raised approximately $19 million via a public offering of common stock.
Initiated VERSATILE-002, a Phase 2 trial of PDS0101, our investigational drug candidate, in combination with standard of care KEYTRUDA for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic or recurrent HPV-positive head and neck cancer.
Initiated a Phase 2 study of PDS0101 in combination with standard of care chemoradiotherapy at the MD Anderson Cancer Center for treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer.
Continued development of PDS0103 in partnership with the National Cancer Institute.
Advanced co-development program with Farmacore with plans to move the PDS0203 COVID-19 vaccine into clinical development with the support of the Brazilian government.
Expanded Board of Directors with appointment of preeminent oncologist, Otis Brawley, M.D.
"As a result of our team’s dedicated efforts during the third quarter and our clinical partnerships with leading institutions in immuno-oncology, today PDS0101 is being evaluated in three phase 2 clinical trials for multiple HPV-associated cancers," commented Dr. Frank Bedu-Addo, President and Chief Executive Officer of PDS Biotechnology. "Furthermore, the successful equity raise we completed in August strengthened our balance sheet, ensuring we can continue to progress the clinical development of our oncology programs as well as expand both our oncology and infectious disease programs despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic."

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Review

For the third quarter of 2020, net loss was approximately $3.9 million, or $0.23 per basic share and diluted share, compared to a net loss of approximately $5.8 million, or $1.10 per basic share and diluted share for the third quarter of 2019.

Research and development expenses totaled approximately $2.1 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared to approximately $1.8 million for the same period in 2019, an increase of 12%. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $0.1 million in technical operations (manufacturing) and $0.3 million in clinical studies, offset by a decrease of $0.1 million in professional fees and $0.1 million in regulatory expenses.

For the third quarter of 2020, general and administrative expenses were approximately $1.8 million compared with approximately $3.0 million during the third quarter of 2019, a decrease of 40%. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $0.2 million in salary and benefits, $0.1 million in facilities and office expense, $0.3 million in insurance expense, $0.6 million in professional fees, and $0.1 million in legal fees offset by an increase of $0.1 million in licenses, taxes and fees.

Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2020 were approximately $3.9 million, compared to total operating expenses of approximately $5.8 million during the same period of 2019, a decrease of 33%.

As of September 30, 2020, the Company’s cash balance was approximately $33.5 million.

Conference Call and Webcast

The conference call is scheduled to begin at 8:00 am ET on Thursday, November 12, 2020. Participants should dial 877-407-3088 (United States) or 201-389-0927 (International) and mention PDS Biotechnology. A live webcast of the conference call will also be available on the investor relations page of the Company’s corporate website at www.pdsbiotech.com.

After the live webcast, the event will be archived on PDS Biotech’s website for 6 months. In addition, a telephonic replay of the call will be available for 6 months. The replay can be accessed by dialing 877-660-6853 (United States) or 201-612-7415 (International) with confirmation code 13712632.