On August 11, 2022 Celcuity Inc. (Nasdaq: CELC), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on development of targeted therapies for a number of different cancers, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022 and other recent business developments (Press release, Celcuity, AUG 11, 2022, View Source [SID1234618121]).
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"We made progress on a variety of fronts in the second quarter of 2022. The Breakthrough Therapy Designation recently granted to gedatolisib by the FDA will facilitate close collaboration with the agency as we seek to advance this therapy to the clinic as quickly as possible. Our early phase study evaluating gedatolisib in combination with palbociclib and fulvestrant in patients with advanced breast cancer whose disease progressed on a CDK4/6 inhibitor, reported promising efficacy, with high response rates, and tolerability, with low discontinuation rates due to adverse events. We are now excited to take the next step in the development of this potential first-in-class PI3K/mTOR inhibitor. Our Phase 3 clinical trial, VIKTORIA-1, remains on track to dose the first patient in the next few months," said Brian Sullivan, CEO and Co-Founder of Celcuity.
"We also made great progress strengthening our balance sheet over the past few months to support the clinical development of gedatolisib. The $100 million private placement we signed in May and the amendment we signed just this week increasing our debt financing facility to $75 million is expected to provide the capital we need to fund operations through 2025."
Second Quarter 2022 Business Highlights and Other Recent Developments
●In May, Celcuity entered into a definitive securities purchase agreement with certain institutional and other accredited investors in a private placement for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock that may be convertible into common stock and warrants initially exercisable for preferred stock that is expected to result in aggregate proceeds to the Company of $100 million before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. Investors included Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, Commodore Capital, New Enterprise Associates (NEA), RA Capital Management, Soleus Capital, and Brian Sullivan, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The closing of the private placement is expected to occur shortly after the first patient in VIKTORIA-1 receives their first dose of treatment at a clinical site located in the United States, provided that such date must occur on or before December 31, 2022.
●In July, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to Celcuity’s lead drug product candidate gedatolisib, an investigational pan-PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, for the treatment of HR+/HER2- locally advanced, inoperable or metastatic breast cancer that has progressed after treatment with a CDK4/6 inhibitor in combination with a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor. This designation allows for more intensive guidance from the FDA and a potentially accelerated review time if relevant criteria are met. Gedatolisib previously received Fast Track designation from the FDA in January 2022.
●This week, Celcuity amended its existing debt financing agreement with an affiliate of Innovatus Capital Partners, LLC ("Innovatus") to provide Celcuity with up to $75 million in term loans, a $50 million increase from the original debt financing agreement. Celcuity received $15 million at the closing of the original agreement in April 2021. Celcuity will be able to draw an additional $20 million tranche following the closing of the $100 million private placement. Celcuity will be able to draw on two additional tranches of $10 million each and one additional tranche of $20 million upon achievement of certain clinical trial and financing milestones. Celcuity is entitled to make interest only payments for the 48-month period from the original agreement date or for the 60-month period from the original agreement date if certain conditions are met. The loans will mature on the sixth anniversary of the initial funding date. Innovatus has the right to convert outstanding principal into shares of Celcuity common stock until the third anniversary of the loan amendment date, with such amount limited to an aggregate of up to $6.6 million assuming all tranches are funded. The loan is secured by all of Celcuity’s assets. Armentum Partners LLC acted as sole advisor to Celcuity for this transaction.
●The VIKTORIA-1 Phase 3 clinical trial remains on track to dose the first patient in the next few months. The operational activities required to initiate the clinical trial at a study site are completed. The clinical trial protocol was updated to include an additional study arm (Arm F) to evaluate gedatolisib plus fulvestrant in 50 patients who have PIK3CA mutations. This update was made in response to a recommendation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) that the study arms for PIK3CA mutated patients mirror the same study arms for PIK3CA non-mutated patients. No changes were made to the primary endpoints. VIKTORIA-1 will evaluate the safety and efficacy of gedatolisib in combination with fulvestrant with or without palbociclib in adults with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer whose disease progressed while receiving prior CDK4/6 therapy.
●Enrollment remains ongoing in the FACT-1 and FACT-2 trials for CELsignia selected patients who have early-stage HR+/HER2- breast cancer with interim results expected in mid-2023.
Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results
Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons are for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022, compared to the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes on Form 10-Q for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022. Total operating expenses were $9.6 million for the second quarter of 2022, compared to $13.6 million for the second quarter of 2021.
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $8.4 million for the second quarter of 2022, compared to $13.1 million for the second quarter of 2021. The approximately $4.7 million decrease during the second quarter of 2022, compared to the second quarter of 2021, reflected a $10 million reduction in gedatolisib licensing related expenses, partially offset by increases of $5.3 million in other research and development expenses. Of the $5.3 million increase in research and development expenses, $1.5 million was related to increased employee and consulting expenses, of which $0.5 million was in the form of non-cash stock-based compensation. The remaining $3.8 million increase in research and development expenses is primarily related to costs for existing clinical trials and for activities supporting the initiation of the VIKTORIA-1 pivotal trial.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $1.2 million for the second quarter of 2022, compared to $0.6 million for the second quarter of 2021. The approximately $0.6 million increase in G&A expenses during the second quarter of 2022, compared to the second quarter of 2021, arose primarily from approximately $0.5 million in non-cash stock-based compensation.
Net loss for the second quarter of 2022 was $10.0 million, or $0.67 loss per share, compared to a net loss of $14.0 million, or $1.11 loss per share, for the second quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss for the second quarter of 2022 was $8.3 million, or $0.55 loss per share, compared to non-GAAP adjusted net loss of $8.3 million, or $0.66 loss per share, for the second quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss excludes stock-based compensation expense, issuance of common stock and non-cash interest. Because these items have no impact on Celcuity’s cash position, management believes non-GAAP adjusted net loss better enables Celcuity to focus on cash used in operations. For a reconciliation of financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) to non-GAAP financial measures, please see the financial tables at the end of this press release.
Net cash used in operating activities for the second quarter of 2022 was $11.3 million, compared to $7.6 million for the second quarter of 2021. At June 30, 2022, Celcuity had cash and cash equivalents of $66.9 million, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $84.3 million at December 31, 2021.
Webcast and Conference Call Information
The Celcuity management team will host a webcast/conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET today to discuss the second quarter 2022 financial results and provide a corporate update. To participate in the teleconference, domestic callers should dial 1-877-407-0784 and international callers should dial 1-201-689-8560 and reference conference ID: 13731012. A live webcast presentation can also be accessed using this weblink: View Source;tp_key=2043138d9a. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Celcuity website following the live event.