On May 13, 2019 Diamedica Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: DMAC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for kidney diseases and neurological disorders, reported its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2019 (Press release, DiaMedica, MAY 13, 2019, View Source [SID1234536220]).
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
Clinical Developments
DM199 for the Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease
Phase Ib Clinical Study in Patients with CKD Nearing Full Enrollment
As previously announced, DiaMedica initiated a Phase Ib clinical trial of DM199 in patients with moderate or severe Chronic Kidney Disease ("CKD") caused by Type I or Type II diabetes mellitus. Enrollment of patients in this Phase Ib study began in February 2019 at three U.S. sites and the Company anticipates dosing the last patients in the coming weeks. Enrollment to-date has progressed slightly ahead of the original plan and the Company expects to report top-line clinical results in June 2019. "We are pleased with the safety and tolerability of DM199 observed thus far in this trial, which included three dosage levels up to 8 µg/kg," commented Harry Alcorn, DiaMedica’s Chief Medical Officer. "The lack of any significant adverse events is consistent with prior studies and gives us confidence as we prepare for our upcoming Phase II CKD studies."
The Phase Ib CKD study is an open label clinical trial evaluating three dose levels of DM199, administered in a single subcutaneous ("SC") dose, in 32 patients with moderate or severe CKD. Endpoints include safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, change in KLK1 levels, pharmacodynamics and biomarkers of kidney function measured over a 12-day period. This study is intended to evaluate the safety and tolerability of DM199 in CKD patients and assist in identifying dose levels for use in subsequent Phase II trials.
The Company continues to plan its Phase II study in patients with CKD caused by rare underlying diseases. This study is anticipated to start in the second half of 2019. The Company expects to provide updates on the targeted rare form diseases that will be studied in Phase II and other details in May or June 2019.
DM199 for the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke
DM199 Acute Ischemic Stroke Phase II "REMEDY" Trial Update.
As previously disclosed, targeted enrollment for the REMEDY trial was increased from 60 to approximately 100 patients in order to provide additional data to support the design of a robust and efficient Phase III study. Enrollment is continuing at 12 sites and the Company expects to complete this trial in the fourth quarter of 2019 or first quarter of 2020.
In the REMEDY trial, study drug (DM199 or placebo) is administered as an intravenous ("IV") infusion within 24 hours of stroke symptom onset, followed by SC injections later that day and once every 3 days for 21 days (8 SC doses). Multiple plasma-based biomarkers (e.g. C-reactive protein), the Modified Rankin Scale, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and the Barthel Index are assessed at multiple points throughout the study, including 90 days post-stroke. This study also includes additional tests to further investigate DM199’s therapeutic potential.
"We are very pleased with the enrollment in our REMEDY Phase II study and our Phase Ib study in CKD patients and building upon the results of the CKD study, we plan to provide an update shortly on the targeted rare form diseases that we will study in Phase II." stated Rick Pauls, DiaMedica’s President and CEO. "We also wish to thank the study sites, physician investigators and patients for their support in advancing the study of DM199 for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease and acute ischemic stroke."
Completion of New cGMP Manufacturing Run for DM199
DiaMedica has completed a new 250 liter cGMP manufacturing run of DM199 active pharmaceutical ingredient, or drug substance. This manufacturing run follows previous manufacturing runs of 100 and 200 liters. The successful completion of this run further demonstrates DiaMedica’s technical abilities to consistently generate large quantities of high quality DM199 drug substance rapidly and efficiently to meet the needs of the development program and eventually the marketplace.
Financial Results
Research and development expenses were $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of $1.8 million, or 230%, from $791,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. This increase was due to costs incurred of approximately $1.0 million related to the initiation of a new production run of the DM199 drug substance, as well as costs incurred in conjunction with the Phase Ib clinical study in CKD patients and increased year over year costs for the REMEDY Phase II stroke study. Increased personnel costs also contributed slightly to the increase.
General and administrative expenses were $814,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of $299,000, or 63.3%, from $515,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. This increase was primarily due to increased costs associated with the Company’s status as a Nasdaq-listed U.S. public reporting company, which commenced in December 2018. Increased personnel costs also contributed to the increase.
Total other income decreased 72.9% to $178,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 down from $657,000 for three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease is primarily related to the initial recognition of R&D incentives from the Australian Government, paid for qualifying research work performed by DiaMedica Australia, during the three months ended March 31, 2018. This decrease was partially offset by increased interest income earned on marketable securities during the three months ended March 31, 2019.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2.8 million, marketable securities of $11.0 million, current liabilities of $1.4 million and working capital of $13.5 million as of March 31, 2019, compared to $16.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, $1.3 million in current liabilities and $16.7 million in working capital as of December 31, 2018. The decreases in combined cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities and in working capital are due primarily to the Company’s operating loss incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2019.
Net cash used in operating activities was $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $935,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The net cash used in each of these periods primarily reflects the net loss for these periods, and was partially offset by non-cash charges for stock-based compensation and the net effects of changes in operating assets and liabilities.
Conference Call Information
DiaMedica management will host a conference call to discuss these results on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at 7:00 a.m. Central Time:
Date:
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Time:
7:00 AM CT
Web access:
Dial In:
(866) 962-3583 (domestic)
(630) 652-5857 (international)
Conference ID:
8177137
Listeners should log on to the website or dial in 15 minutes prior to the call. The webcast will remain available for play back on DiaMedica’s website, under investor events and presentations, following the earnings call and for 12 months thereafter. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until May 21, 2019, by dialing 1(855) 859-2056 (US Toll Free Dial In), (404) 537-3406 (international), replay passcode 8177137.
About DM199
DM199 is a recombinant (synthetic) form of the human serine protease, KLK1. The KLK1 protein plays an important role in the regulation of diverse physiological processes including blood flow, inflammation, fibrosis, oxidative stress and neurogenesis via a molecular mechanism that increases production of nitric oxide and prostacyclin. KLK1 deficiency may play a role in multiple vascular and fibrotic diseases such as chronic kidney disease, retinopathy, stroke, vascular dementia, and resistant hypertension where current treatment options are limited or ineffective. DiaMedica is the first company to have developed a recombinant form of the KLK1 protein. The KLK1 protein, produced from porcine pancreas and human urine, has been used to treat patients in Japan, China and Korea for decades. DM199 is currently being studied in patients with acute ischemic stroke and patients with chronic kidney disease.