On March 25, 2019 AmpliPhi Biosciences Corporation (NYSE American: APHB), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on precisely targeted bacteriophage therapeutics for antibiotic-resistant infections, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2018 (Press release, AmpliPhi Biosciences, MAR 25, 2019, View Source [SID1234534598]). AmpliPhi Biosciences will not be conducting a conference call in conjunction with this financial results release.
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"I am pleased with the strong progress AmpliPhi achieved in 2018, capped off by the announcement of the pending merger with C3J at the beginning of 2019," said Paul C. Grint, M.D., CEO of AmpliPhi Biosciences. "Leading up to the closing of the merger, which is expected in May 2019, we remain on track to initiate a clinical trial of AB-SA01 for the treatment of S. aureus bacteremia later in 2019. The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections has become a global public health crisis, and we believe precisely targeted bacteriophage therapeutics, with their novel mechanism of action, could be an important therapeutic option where currently-available antibiotic treatments have become ineffective."
Recent Business Highlights
In January 2019, AmpliPhi and C3J Therapeutics, Inc., a private clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel synthetically engineered bacteriophage products, announced they had entered into a definitive agreement under which a wholly owned subsidiary of AmpliPhi will merge with C3J in an all-stock transaction, subject to shareholder approval. Certain existing C3J shareholders have agreed to purchase $10.0 million of common stock of the combined company immediately following the closing of the merger, subject to customary conditions. The financing will help fund further development of the combined company’s preclinical and clinical programs, and is expected to close immediately following the completion of the merger. Management expects the merger will close in May 2019.
Presented clinical case data from the expanded access program at the ID Week 2018 Conference in October 2018. Thirteen patients with serious and life-threatening S. aureus infections were treated with AB-SA01 at the Westmead Hospital in Sydney. Eighty-three percent (10 out of 12) patients in the modified intent-to-treat (mITT) population achieved treatment success at the end of therapy as reported by treating physicians. Bacteriophage treatment was well tolerated, with no adverse events attributable to the therapy.
Completed treatment of 21 patients at 7 hospitals with serious or life-threatening infections not responding to antibiotics with AmpliPhi’s bacteriophage product candidates, AB-SA01 and AB-PA01. Following administration of 1,000+ doses, a treatment success rate of 84% was observed at the end of therapy, and treatment was generally well tolerated.
Completed an underwritten public offering in October 2018 generating net proceeds of $5.8 million.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year Ended December 31, 2018 Financial Results
Research and development (R&D) expenses for the fourth quarter of 2018 were $1.4 million compared to $1.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. The increase of $0.3 million was primarily attributable to an increase in clinical costs and related professional services.
R&D expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $4.9 million compared to $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase in 2018 was impacted by a $1.2 million tax incentive payment received in 2018 from the Australian tax authority, compared to a $2.0 million tax incentive payment from the Australian tax authority received in 2017. Excluding any benefit from tax incentive payments, R&D expenses were $6.1 million and $4.9 million, respectively. The increase of $1.2 million in 2018 was primarily related to an increase in clinical activities and related professional and consulting expenses.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $1.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2018 compared to $1.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2017. The increase of $0.2 million was primarily due to higher legal and professional fees in the fourth quarter of 2018.
G&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $5.7 million compared to $7.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The $1.9 million decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in severance costs, legal and professional fees and lower non-cash charges in 2018.
Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2018 included a non-cash charge of $1.9 million for the impairment of intangible assets for the excess of book value over the computed fair value of those assets as of December 31, 2018. The impaired assets were recorded in connection with acquisitions of a predecessor company in 2011.
Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $9.4 million, as compared to $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2018 totaled $8.2 million.
As of March 8, 2019, there were approximately 32.3 million shares of common stock outstanding.
The audit opinion included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 contains a going concern explanatory paragraph.