On May 12, 2021 Avidity Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: RNA), a biopharmaceutical company pioneering a new class of oligonucleotide-based therapies called Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs), reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021 and highlighted recent corporate progress (Press release, Avidity Biosciences, MAY 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234579767]).
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"AOC 1001, the first program from our AOC platform, is advancing toward the clinic and is on track to begin a Phase 1/2 study in adults with DM1 in the second half of this year. Our skeletal muscle pipeline is also progressing as planned while we continue to expand our discovery efforts to other indications," said Sarah Boyce, president and chief executive officer. "We are proud to be at the forefront of RNA innovation by delivering on the promise of our AOC platform and pipeline."
Mike MacLean, chief financial officer, added, "We are off to a great start this year with a strong financial position of over $300 million at the end of the first quarter. This allows us to progress AOC 1001 while continuing to invest in our other pipeline programs and our AOC platform, which we believe is a sustainable engine with the potential to have a broad impact across both rare and other serious diseases."
AOC Platform and Pipeline Highlights
Advanced Lead Program, AOC 1001 for DM1, and Broad Pipeline for Untreated Rare Muscle Diseases.
In April 2021, Avidity presented preclinical data for AOC 1001 for myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) in an oral presentation as part of the Emerging Science Session at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting. Avidity scientists have demonstrated activity and potency of siRNAs against the dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) gene in muscle cells derived from patients with DM1. These data demonstrated activity in the nucleus and cytoplasm. The presentation also showed that single doses of AOC 1001 produced 75% reductions in DMPK mRNA expression in preclinical studies that were maintained for months post-dosing. Following regulatory clearance, Avidity remains on track with plans to begin a Phase 1/2 clinical study of AOC 1001 in adults with DM1 in the second half of 2021.
Avidity also advanced additional programs in its muscle franchise including a program for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and three programs for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The AOC FSHD program and the lead AOC DMD program targeting Exon 44 are the most advanced. Avidity remains on track with plans to commence clinical trials for both programs in 2022, following additional preparatory preclinical studies and regulatory clearance.
Upcoming Events
Avidity’s Virtual Investor & Analyst Event Series – Volume 1. Recently, Avidity launched its Virtual Investor and Analyst Event Series. The first virtual event entitled "Engineering Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates" will be held on Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 at 8am PT/11am ET.
The virtual event will feature a panel discussion with leading RNA therapeutics key opinion leaders Phillip D. Zamore, Ph.D., Chair, RNA Therapeutics Institute at UMASS and Steven F. Dowdy, Ph.D., Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at UCSD. To register for the event or for more information, please email [email protected].
First Quarter 2021 Financial Results
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $307.9 million as of March 31, 2021, compared to $328.1 million as of December 31, 2020.
Collaboration Revenue: Collaboration revenue, including reimbursable expenses, primarily relates to Avidity’s partnership with Eli Lilly and Company and totaled $2.7 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared with $1.4 million for the first quarter of 2020.
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses, including external and internal costs associated with research activities, primarily relate to the progression of the company’s research on AOC 1001 and other muscle programs. These expenses were $20.7 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared with $5.5 million for the first quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily driven by the progression of AOC 1001 toward the clinic, as well as research for other programs.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses primarily consist of employee-related expenses, professional fees, insurance costs, and patent filing and maintenance fees. These expenses were $5.9 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared with $2.0 million for the first quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily due to higher personnel costs (including noncash stock-based compensation), professional fees and insurance costs related to being a public company.