On November 5, 2020 Ardelyx, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARDX), a specialized biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative first-in-class medicines to improve treatment for people with kidney and cardiovascular diseases, reported business highlights and financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 (Press release, Ardelyx, NOV 5, 2020, View Source [SID1234570235]).
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"The FDA’s acceptance of our New Drug Application for tenapanor is a major milestone that continues our progress toward the potential launch of this novel therapeutic for the many dialysis patients who struggle with controlling hyperphosphatemia," said Mike Raab, president and chief executive officer of Ardelyx. "Our commitment to this field was further highlighted in clinical data presented at ASN Kidney Week 2020 generated by Ardelyx and our Japanese partner KKC, supporting the clinical safety and efficacy of tenapanor and reinforcing its potential to transform the treatment landscape for patients."
Recent Business and Pipeline Updates
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted the New Drug Application (NDA) for tenapanor to control serum phosphorus in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act ("PDUFA") goal date of April 29, 2021. The filing was supported by three successful Phase 3 studies demonstrating tenapanor’s ability to reduce phosphate levels, with two trials evaluating tenapanor as a monotherapy and the third evaluating tenapanor as part of a dual mechanism approach with phosphate binders.
Presented new clinical data supporting the clinical safety and efficacy of tenapanor at ASN Kidney Week 2020. Three poster presentations highlighted data from Phase 3 trials conducted by Ardelyx, including the BLOCK, AMPLIFY and PHREEDOM studies. Additionally, the company’s partner for tenapanor in Japan, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., presented the results from two Phase 2 studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of tenapanor in Japanese patients on hemodialysis.
Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results
Cash Position: As of September 30, 2020, Ardelyx had total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $185.5 million, as compared to total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $247.5 million as of December 31, 2019.
Revenue: The company generated $2.7 million in revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2020, which primarily represents collaborative development revenue and sales of tenapanor for clinical supply to KKC.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $12.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, a decrease of approximately $5.4 million, or 30 percent, compared to $17.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease was primarily due to the completion of the Phase 3 PHREEDOM and AMPLIFY clinical trials evaluating tenapanor for the control of hyperphosphatemia.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $7.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, an increase of $0.7 million, or approximately 10 percent, compared to $6.9 million for the three months September 30, 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase in costs associated with building and staffing our commercial infrastructure and teams as we prepare for the anticipated U.S. launch of tenapanor for the control of serum phosphorus in CKD patients on dialysis.
Net Loss: Net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 was $18.1 million, or ($0.20) per common share, as compared to $23.5 million, or ($0.37) per common share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2019.