On November 12, 2020 Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALPN), a leading clinical-stage immunotherapy company focused on developing innovative treatments for cancer and autoimmune / inflammatory diseases, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 (Press release, Alpine Immune Sciences, NOV 12, 2020, View Source [SID1234570786]).

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"Over the last quarter, we built upon the strong momentum created from our option and license agreement with AbbVie for worldwide rights to ALPN-101, by completing an additional private financing with top-tier biotech investors led by Omega Funds, among others," said Mitch Gold, executive chair and chief executive officer. "These transformative deals have provided us the capital to continue progressing our multiple product candidates through clinical trials."

Third Quarter 2020 and Subsequent Updates

Raised $60 Million in a Private Placement. In July, Alpine raised $60 million in gross proceeds through a private placement led by Omega Funds with participation from Avidity Partners, EcoR1 Capital, LLC, Invus Public Equities, L.P., and Samsara BioCapital, among others. Alpine intends to use the net proceeds to fund the development of its clinical and preclinical pipeline as well as for general corporate purposes.
Preparation for a Phase 2 study of ALPN-101 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Alpine and AbbVie have agreed on the design of an international Phase 2 study of ALPN-101 in adults with active lupus, anticipated to commence enrollment in the first half of 2021. SLE is a potentially life-threatening, multi-system, chronic autoimmune disease with few approved treatment options. As previously announced, ALPN-101 is the subject of an option and licensing agreement with AbbVie.
Continued enrollment in NEON-1, a Phase 1 study of ALPN-202 in advanced malignancies. Enrollment is ongoing in the dose escalation portion of NEON-1, a Phase 1, first-in-human monotherapy study of ALPN-202, a first-in-class conditional CD28 costimulator and dual checkpoint inhibitor.
Financial Highlights

As of September 30, 2020, Alpine had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments totaling $141.3 million.
Revenue was $1.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 compared to $0.3 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2019.
Research and development expenses for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 were $6.2 million compared to $9.5 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019.
General and administrative expenses for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 were $2.7 million compared to $2.5 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019.
Alpine recorded a net loss of $6.1 million and $11.5 million for the third quarters ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
As of September 30, 2020, Alpine had $141.3 million in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments. Alpine expects that its current cash resources, combined with the potential $75 million in pre-option exercise milestones payable under its option and license agreement with AbbVie, for the development and commercialization of ALPN-101, are sufficient to fund Alpine’s planned operations into 2024, including a planned Phase 2 study of ALPN-101 in systemic lupus erythematosus and the further development of ALPN-202 and ALPN-303.

For additional information regarding Alpine’s planned operations, please refer to "Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation – Liquidity and Capital Resources" in Alpine’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, which Alpine anticipates filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about November 12, 2020.

Conference Call

Individuals interested in listening to the conference call may do so by dialing (800) 816-3005 for domestic callers, or (857) 770-0069 for international callers, and using the conference ID: 4382628; or from the webcast link in the investor relations section of the company’s website at: www.alpineimmunesciences.com. The recorded webcast will be available for replay for approximately 30 days following the call.