On May 11, 2017 Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: AST), a biotechnology company pioneering the field of regenerative medicine, reported financial and operational results for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, as well as recent corporate progress (Press release, BioTime, MAY 11, 2017, View Source [SID1234519026]).

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"We are making good progress so far in 2017," said Steve Cartt, President and Chief Executive Officer. "In January and March, we reported positive clinical results from the SCiStar study for the AIS-A patients who received 10 million AST-OPC1 cells (Cohort 2), highlighting the potential of AST-OPC1 to help patients with complete paralysis regain arm, hand and finger function, and thus greater independence. We also recently reported encouraging MRI results from the study that indicated no spinal cord lesion cavities were forming in any patient treated with AST-OPC1." Mr. Cartt continued, "Our clinical team continues to enroll patients in our SCiStar study, and we expect to complete enrollment in 2017 as well as initiate discussions with the FDA around mid-year to determine the next stage of this important clinical program. Finally, we look forward to reporting 12-month efficacy and safety data from Cohort 2, as well as additional data from other cohorts, later this year."

First Quarter 2017 and Recent Key Achievements

Reported efficacy results in January for the first five AIS-A spinal cord injury patients in Cohort 2. The results showed that each of the patients in this cohort, who had previously shown improvement in upper extremity motor function at 3-months following administration of AST-OPC1, maintained or showed additional motor function improvement as of their most recent follow-up (6-months or 9-months following administration of AST-OPC1). Asterias subsequently reported that the sixth, and final, patient in Cohort 2 showed additional motor function improvement at 6-months following administration of AST-OPC1. The results suggest a meaningful and favorable improvement to date in recovery of arm, hand and finger function in patients treated with the 10 million cell dose of AST-OPC1 compared to the level of expected rates of spontaneous recovery based on the historical control data of a closely matched patient population.
Reported new MRI data from the SCiStar study that indicates AST-OPC1 cells have durably engrafted in patients post-implantation, and have the potential to prevent lesion cavity formation, possibly reducing spinal cord tissue deterioration after spinal cord injury.
Received recommendation from the Data Monitoring Committee for the SCiStar clinical trial to continue enrollment for the 10 million cell and 20 million cell dose cohorts in the SCiStar study, as planned.
Successfully completed the validation and start-up of its internal current Good Manufacturing Practices manufacturing facility in preparation for late-stage clinical trials of AST-OPC1.
Published positive AST-VAC1 Phase 2 clinical data in Acute Myeloid Leukemia in ‘Cancer,’ a leading peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.
Presented a clinical update on the SCiStar study during the American Spinal Cord Association 2017 Annual Scientific Meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Asterias’ President of Research and Development and Chief Scientific Officer will be presenting a clinical update on AST-OPC1 during the Presidential Symposium at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy 20th Annual Meeting on May 12, 2017.
Financial Results

Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2017 were $18.1 million, while available-for-sale securities were $14.4 million. The combined total of cash, cash equivalents, and available-for-sale securities totaled $32.5 million.

Total revenues were $2.0 million for the first quarter. Revenues were comprised of grant income as well as royalty revenues on product sales by licensees. Research and development expenses were $6.6 million in the first quarter, with the primary driver being expenses associated with the Company’s AST-OPC1 program. General and administrative expenses were $4.5 million in the first quarter.

Net loss was $6.3 million, or $0.13 per share, for the first quarter. For the quarter ended March 31, 2017, net cash used in operating activities was $7.2 million and net cash provided from financing activities was $5.4 million.a