On August 18, 2021 BioLineRx Ltd. (NASDAQ: BLRX) (TASE: BLRX), a late clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology, reported its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 and provides a corporate update (Press release, BioLineRx, AUG 18, 2021, View Source [SID1234586716]).

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Significant events and achievements during the second quarter 2021 and subsequent period:

Announced positive topline results from GENESIS Phase 3 trial of Motixafortide in stem-cell mobilization (SCM). The data demonstrate that the study successfully met all primary and secondary endpoints with an exceptionally high level of statistical significance (p<0.0001), including approximately 90% of patients who mobilized enough cells for transplantation with only one administration of Motixafortide and in only one apheresis session.
Based on the positive results from the GENESIS study, the Company is aggressively proceeding with activities in support of an NDA submission in stem cell mobilization anticipated in the first half of 2022, including a pre-NDA meeting with the FDA planned for the second half of this year. This is consistent with prior guidance.
Continued to advance a pharmacoeconomic cost effectiveness study of Motixafortide in SCM to establish Motixafortide as the new standard-of-care mobilization agent (in combination with G-CSF). The aim of the study is to demonstrate the cost benefits related to the use of Motixafortide, due to a reduction in the number of doses of G-CSF and apheresis sessions required, a reduction in the number of rescue therapies required, higher rates of transplantation, and quality-of-life benefits in Motixafortide-treated patients; initial data on track to be announced in the second half of this year.
Ended the second quarter on a solid financial footing, with cash and cash equivalents of $66 million.
"Following the overwhelmingly positive results from our Phase 3 GENESIS trial of Motixafortide in stem-cell mobilization that we announced in May, we are working vigorously to submit an NDA in the first half of next year," stated Philip Serlin, Chief Executive Officer of BioLineRx. "If approved, this would be transformative for BioLineRx as we would have a commercial-stage molecule in stem cell mobilization for transplantation in multiple myeloma, the standard of treatment for this disease, along with significant potential clinical utility in other cancer indications, most notably pancreatic cancer."

Mr. Serlin continued, "GENESIS has shown the ability of Motixafortide to mobilize substantially more than the target number of stem cells necessary for transplantation – in approximately 90% of cases with only one dose of Motixafortide and in one apheresis session – potentially resulting in significant clinical benefits for patients and cost savings for payers. We believe there is a compelling clinical and pharmacoeconomic case to be made for the use of Motixafortide as the new standard-of-care for all multiple myeloma patients. To that end, we are advancing a pharmacoeconomic cost effectiveness study that we believe will strongly support our case for the use of Motixafortide as the backbone of a new SCM treatment paradigm.

"In parallel with these activities, the versatility of Motixafortide demonstrated in studies to date has attracted interest from potential partners, and we continue to engage in productive discussions.

"We are very well financed with $66 million of cash, sufficient to bring Motixafortide through potential FDA approval in stem-cell mobilization, while continuing to advance our other clinical programs, including our second asset, AGI-134, a novel agent in immunotherapy currently being investigated in a Phase 1/2a study, with initial results expected by the end of this year," concluded Mr. Serlin.

Upcoming Significant Expected Milestones:

Results from pharmacoeconomic cost effectiveness study of Motixafortide in SCM in the second half of 2021;
Pre-NDA meeting with the FDA for SCM in the second half of 2021;
Initial results from Part 2 of the Phase 1/2a trial of AGI-134 in solid tumors in the second half of 2021;
NDA submission for SCM in the first half of 2022;
Presentation of additional data and analyses from Phase 3 GENESIS study at future medical meetings to be determined.
Financial Results for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2021

Research and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $5.1 million, an increase of $0.5 million, or 10.8%, compared to $4.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase resulted primarily from higher expenses related to NDA supporting activities for Motixafortide, an increase in payroll and related-expenses due to a company-wide salary reduction in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2020 comparable period, and an increase in expenses associated with the AGI-134 study; offset by a decrease in expenses related to the GENESIS and COMBAT clinical trials for Motixafortide, and a timing difference related to a tax credit received in respect of AGI-134. Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $9.4 million, a decrease of $0.6 million, or 6.4%, compared to $10.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease resulted primarily from lower expenses associated with the Motixafortide GENESIS and COMBAT clinical trials and a timing difference related to a tax credit received in respect of AGI-134; offset by higher expenses related to Motixafortide NDA supporting activities and by an increase in payroll and related-expenses due to a company-wide salary reduction in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2020 comparable period.

Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $0.3 million, an increase of $0.1 million, or 81.3%, compared to $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase resulted primarily from consultancy services related to Motixafortide. Sales and marketing expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $0.5 million, an increase of $0.1 million, or 35.6%, compared to $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The reason for the increase is similar to the aforementioned increase in the three-month period.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $1.0 million, an increase of $0.3 million, or 40.3%, compared to $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The increase resulted primarily from an increase in directors’ and officers’ insurance. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $2.1 million, an increase of $0.1 million, or 3.7%, compared to $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The reason for the increase is similar to the aforementioned increase in the three-month period.

The Company’s operating loss for the three months ended June 30, 2021 amounted to $6.5 million, compared to an operating loss of $5.6 million for the comparable period in 2020. The Company’s operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $12.0 million, compared to $12.4 million for the comparable period in 2020.

Non-operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 primarily relate to fair-value adjustments of warrant liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet.

Net financial expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2021 amounted to $0.1 million compared to net financial expenses of $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020. Net financial expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 amounted to $0.3 million compared to net financial expenses of $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. Net financial expenses for all periods primarily relate to interest paid on loans, offset by investment income earned on bank deposits.

The Company’s net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2021 amounted to $6.8 million, similar to the comparable period in 2020. The Company’s net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2021 amounted to $17.0 million, compared with a net loss of $13.4 million for the comparable period in 2020. The increase in net loss between the six-month periods results from an increase in 2021 non-operating expenses in connection with fair-value adjustments of warrant liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet.

The Company held $66 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits as of June 30, 2021.

Net cash used in operating activities was $13.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared with net cash used in operating activities of $12.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The $0.8 million increase in net cash used in operating activities between the two periods was primarily the result of changes in operating asset and liability items in the two periods, i.e., a larger increase in prepaid expenses and other receivables in 2021 versus 2020, as well as a larger decrease in accounts payable and accruals in 2021 versus 2020.

Net cash used in investing activities was $42.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The changes in cash flows from investing activities relate primarily to investments in, and maturities of, short-term bank deposits.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $56.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $12.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The cash flows in 2021 primarily reflect an underwritten public offering of the Company’s ADSs in January 2021, warrant exercises, and net proceeds from an ATM facility, offset by repayments of a loan from Kreos Capital. The cash flows in 2020 primarily reflect two registered direct offerings to institutional investors, net proceeds from the ATM facility, offset by repayments of the loan from Kreos Capital.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

BioLineRx will hold a conference call today, Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. To access the conference call, please dial +1-866-744-5399 from the US or +972-3-918-0644 internationally. The call will also be available via webcast and can be accessed through the Investor Relations page of BioLineRx’s website. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download any necessary software to listen to the live broadcast.

A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after completion of the live conference call on the Investor Relations page of BioLineRx’s website. A dial-in replay of the call will be available until August 20, 2021; please dial +1-888-295-2634 from the US or +972-3-925-5904 internationally.