On August 9, 2021 Athersys, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHX) reported its financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and provided a corporate update (Press release, Athersys, AUG 9, 2021, View Source [SID1234586126]).
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"We are happy about the positive topline results for the ONE-BRIDGE ARDS study in Japan reported by Healios last week," stated Mr. William (B.J.) Lehmann, Jr., Interim Chief Executive Officer of Athersys. "The results are consistent with results from our previous MUST-ARDS trial in the United States and the United Kingdom and provide further support for the potential therapeutic benefit for ARDS patients treated with MultiStem cell therapy."
"Additionally, we were pleased to announce new agreements with Healios to improve our collaboration as the MultiStem therapy approaches commercialization following potential regulatory approvals in Japan," added Mr. Lehmann. "Healios will take on greater responsibility and investment with respect to product supply in Japan, which we will continue to support, while we deepen our focus on advanced manufacturing technologies and higher volume manufacturing. In addition, by expanding the scope of the license in Japan, we have created opportunities for both parties to realize additional returns on their investments in this innovative therapy."
Highlights of the second quarter of 2021 and recent events include:
Partner HEALIOS K.K. (Healios) announced positive topline data from its ONE-BRIDGE clinical trial in Japan evaluating the safety and efficacy of MultiStem cell therapy (HLCM051; invimestrocel) in patients with pneumonia-induced and COVID-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS);
Expanded our partnership with Healios to optimize and better align the collaboration structure to drive the commercial success and therapeutic reach for MultiStem therapy in Japan;
Published in Scientific Reports important new data about the relevance of MultiStem’s mechanism of action in critical care applications – specifically, the role of these cells in promoting regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation and proliferation and modulation of immune response;
Advanced our large-scale bioreactor manufacturing platform and initiated efforts to establish GMP production capacity including necessary supply chain and support capabilities;
Continued to build an experienced, world-class team with important hires in regulatory, supply chain, and operations, including the addition of Mr. James Glover as Senior Vice President of Commercial Manufacturing;
Recognized net loss of $22.6 million, or $0.10 net loss per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2021; and
Ended the second quarter with $56.7 million of cash and cash equivalents.
"We continue to advance our clinical programs with a priority focus on our MASTERS-2 ischemic stroke trial and on the establishment of core capabilities and partnerships necessary for driving commercial success following approval. With important read-outs ahead of us, including Healios’ TREASURE stroke study and our MASTERS-2 study, we are planning and preparing for success," concluded Mr. Lehmann.
Second Quarter Results
There were no revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Our collaboration revenues currently fluctuate from period to period based on the delivery of goods and services under our arrangement with Healios.
Research and development expenses increased to $17.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 from $13.8 million for the comparable period in 2020. The $3.9 million increase is associated with increases in clinical trial and manufacturing process development costs of $2.6 million, personnel costs of $0.8 million, facilities costs of $0.3 million and other costs of $0.2 million. Our clinical development, clinical manufacturing and manufacturing process development expenses vary over time based on the timing and stage of clinical trials underway, manufacturing campaigns for clinical trials and manufacturing process development projects.
General and administrative expenses decreased slightly to $4.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 from $4.4 million in the comparable period in 2020. The $0.2 million decrease was primarily related to decreased stock compensation expense.
Net loss for the second quarter of 2021 was $22.6 million compared to a net loss of $18.4 million in the second quarter of 2020. The difference primarily results from the above variances.
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, net cash used in operating activities was $37.2 million compared to $24.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2020. At June 30, 2021, we had $56.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared to $51.5 million at December 31, 2020.
Conference Call
Members of the management will host a conference call today to review the results as follows:
We encourage shareholders to listen using the webcast link above. If you would like to dial in using the phone to ask a question, please register for the conference call ahead of time using the call registration link above. Once registered, you will receive the toll-free number, a direct entry passcode and a registrant ID.
A replay of the event will be available on the webcast link at www.athersys.com under the investors’ section approximately two hours after the call has ended. Shareholders may also call in for on-demand listening approximately three hours after the completion of the call until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on August 16, 2021, by dialing (800) 585-8367 or (416) 621-4642 and entering the conference code 5972392.