On August 8, 2019 Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (NYSE American: SYN), a late-stage clinical company developing therapeutics that preserve the microbiome to protect and restore the health of patients, reported financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2019 (Press release, Synthetic Biologics, AUG 8, 2019, View Source [SID1234538465]). The Company also announced today a clinical trial agreement with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis ("Washington University") to conduct a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase), with enrollment expected to begin in the first quarter of 2020.

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"Our clinical trial collaboration with Washington University is an important step in our pursuit of a more cost-effective development strategy for SYN-004 targeting a more specialized patient population," stated Steven A. Shallcross, Chief Executive and Financial Officer. "SYN-004’s unique mechanism of action designed to degrade intravenous (IV) beta-lactam antibiotics and prevent dysbiosis of the gut microbiome has the potential to significantly improve outcomes for patients who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), an area of significant unmet medical need."

"Prompt initiation of broad-spectrum IV beta-lactam antibiotics at onset of fever after conditioning chemotherapy for allogenic HCT is a life-saving intervention. However, this causes significant disruption of the microbiome, which places these patients at very high risk for infection due to some of our greatest antibiotic resistant threats, such as Clostridioides difficile, vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE), and multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. We are seeking to determine if coadministration of SYN-004 while the patient is receiving IV beta-lactam antibiotics will preserve the microbiome and thus mitigate the risk from these threats," said Dr. Erik R. Dubberke Professor of Medicine and Clinical Director, Transplant Infectious Diseases at Washington University. "There are data to suggest preservation of the microbiome in allogeneic HCT recipients results in improved immune function after HCT as well. This would further enhance these patients’ outcomes and quality of life."

Mr. Shallcross continued, "During the second quarter, we remained focused on executing our strategy to advance our portfolio of gastrointestinal (GI) and microbiome-focused clinical programs. We held a highly informative pre-IND meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for our SYN-020 intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) program and clarified the parameters for IND-enabling toxicology studies. These activities are ongoing and will support our anticipated Investigational New Drug (IND) application which we intend to file promptly during the first quarter of 2020." Mr. Shallcross concluded, "Interest from prospective patients in our investigator-sponsored Phase 2b clinical trial of SYN-010 in breath-methane positive irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) patients remains strong. However, after consulting with the investigators at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the study sponsor, enrollment has been extended to accommodate higher than anticipated screen-fail rates. This is, in part, due to errant laxative use during the screening period that adversely impacts baseline measurements of IBS-C symptoms and breath-methane levels. Rigorous screening and reliable baseline parameters are critical to all IBS-C clinical trials in order to ensure the possibility of generating a meaningful data set of the highest quality. At this time, we are discussing with Cedars-Sinai the opportunity for a data read out in the first half of 2020, extending our previous guidance from the fourth quarter of 2019. We look forward to sharing important updates and progress for this and all our GI and microbiome-focused clinical programs."

Clinical Development and Operational Update

Entered into a Clinical Trial Agreement with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis to conduct a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase)
Under the terms of this agreement, Synthetic Biologics will serve as the sponsor of the study and supply SYN-004 (ribaxamase) and Dr. Dubberke will serve as the principal investigator along with his Washington University colleague Dr. Mark A. Schroeder, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplantation and Leukemia,
Enrollment is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2020, contingent upon review by the FDA and approval of the clinical study protocol by Washington University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB),
The proposed study is a Phase 1b/2a single-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of oral SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in up to 36 adult allogeneic HCT recipients,
Study participants will be enrolled into three sequential cohorts that will be administered a different study-assigned IV beta-lactam antibiotic. Eight participants in each cohort will receive SYN-004 (ribaxamase) and four will receive placebo,
Safety and pharmacokinetic data for each cohort will be reviewed by an independent Data and Safety Monitoring Committee, which will make a recommendation on whether to proceed to the next IV beta-lactam antibiotic,
The proposed study will also evaluate potential protective effects of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) on the gut microbiome as well as generate preliminary information on potential therapeutic benefits and patient outcomes of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic HCT recipients;
Enrollment is ongoing in the Phase 2b investigator-sponsored clinical study of SYN-010, for the treatment of IBS-C
The Phase 2b clinical study is being conducted by the Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and is a 12-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial evaluating two dose strengths of oral SYN-010 (21 mg and 42 mg) in approximately 150 patients diagnosed with IBS-C,
The primary objective for the study will be to determine the efficacy of SYN-010, measured as an improvement from baseline in the weekly average number of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) during the 12-week treatment period for SYN-010 21 mg and 42 mg daily doses relative to placebo,
Secondary efficacy endpoints for both dose strengths of SYN-010 will measure changes from baseline in abdominal pain, bloating, stool frequency as well as the use of rescue medication relative to placebo,
A data readout is anticipated in 1H 2020,
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Synthetic Biologics are co-funding the study. The patent rights covering the use of SYN-010 are owned by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and are exclusively licensed by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to Synthetic Biologics;
Evaluated potential clinical development strategies to advance SYN-020 (intestinal alkaline phosphatase) to and through clinical trials targeting areas of significant unmet medical need, including enterocolitis associated with radiation therapy for cancer
Held Pre-IND meeting with FDA and clarified the requirements for IND-enabling toxicology studies
Exploratory study found SYN-020 enhanced 5-FU tumor treatment in a mouse ectopic colon cancer tumor model. A confirmatory study is ongoing with larger cohort sizes and additional mechanistic endpoints which, if repeated, may allow for further broadening of the clinical development strategy for this program,
Anticipate filing a US IND application in Q1 2020;
Continued to exercise prudent cash management and financial stewardship
Further reduced cash burn, extending projected cash runway to fund operations through at least the end of Q3 2020;
Quarter Ended June 30, 2019 Financial Results

General and administrative expenses decreased by 27% to $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, from $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018. This decrease is primarily due to decreased stock-based compensation expense related to forfeitures and decreased options grants, along with the reduction of investor relations and consulting costs. The charge related to stock-based compensation expense was $59,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $264,000 the three months ended June 30, 2018.

Research and development expenses decreased by 27% to $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, from $3.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018. This decrease is primarily the result of lower SYN-004 (ribaxamase) indirect program costs for the three months ended June 30, 2019, including salary and related expense reductions resulting from the 2018 restructuring and the fact that no clinical trial activity for SYN-004 (ribaxamase) was ongoing during the quarter, offset by an increase in manufacturing costs for SYN-020. The research and development costs incurred during the quarter were primarily related to the investigator-sponsored Phase 2b clinical study of SYN-010, a potential Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of SYN-004 (ribaxamase) in allogeneic HCT recipients, and the continued development of SYN-020. Research and development expenses also include a charge relating to stock-based compensation expense of $31,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $293,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2018.

Other income was $80,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to other income of $789,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2018. Other income for the three months ended June 30, 2019 is primarily comprised of interest income while the three months ended June 30, 2018 is comprised of non-cash income of $783,000 from the change in fair value of warrants. The decrease in the fair value of the warrants was due to the decrease in our stock price.

Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2019 was $21.7 million, a decrease of $7.2 million from December 31, 2018.

Conference Call

Synthetic Biologics will hold a conference call today, Thursday, August 8, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. (ET). The dial-in information for the call is as follows, U.S. toll free: +1 888-347-5280 or International: +1 412-902-4280. Participants are asked to dial in 15 minutes before the start of the call to register. The call will also be webcast over the Internet at View Source." target="_blank" title="View Source." rel="nofollow">View Source An archive of the call will be available for replay at the same URL, View Source, for 90 days after the call.

On August 8, 2019 Dynavax Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: DVAX), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel vaccines, reported the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 18,525,000 shares of its common stock, 4,840 shares of its newly designated non-voting Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (Series B stock), and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 5,841,250 shares of its common stock (Press release, Dynavax Technologies, AUG 8, 2019, View Source [SID1234538497]). Each share of common stock is being sold together with a warrant to purchase 0.25 of a share of common stock, at a combined price to the public of $3.00 per share of common stock and accompanying warrant. Each share of Series B stock is being sold together with warrants to purchase 250 shares of common stock, at a combined price to the public of $3,000.00 per share of Series B stock and accompanying warrants. Each share of Series B stock will be convertible into 1,000 shares of common stock at the holder’s option, subject to beneficial ownership limitations. All of the warrants being sold in the offering will have an exercise price of $4.50 per share of common stock, will be immediately exercisable upon issuance and will expire on the 30-month anniversary of the date of issuance. The offering is expected to close on or about August 12, 2019, subject to customary closing conditions. The gross proceeds to Dynavax from the offering are expected to be $70.1 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by Dynavax.

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Cowen and William Blair are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

Dynavax anticipates using the net proceeds from the offering to fund activities associated with ongoing commercialization of HEPLISAV-B and for general corporate purposes, including working capital.

The securities described above are being offered by Dynavax pursuant to a shelf registration statement that automatically became effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on August 8, 2017. A final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus related to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website located at View Source Copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to this offering, when available, may be obtained by contacting: Cowen and Company, LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by telephone at (631) 274-2806; or William Blair & Company, L.L.C., Attention: Prospectus Department, 150 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606, by telephone at (800) 621-0687 or by email at [email protected].

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.

On August 8, 2019 Diffusion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: DFFN), a cutting-edge biotechnology company developing new treatments for life-threatening medical conditions by improving the body’s ability to bring oxygen to the areas where it is needed most, reported financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and provided a business update (Press release, Diffusion Pharmaceuticals, AUG 8, 2019, View Source [SID1234538539]).

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During the second quarter of 2019, the Company completed a public offering of 1,317,060 shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock") and a private placement of warrants to purchase 1,317,060 shares of Common Stock. The shares of Common Stock and warrants were sold for a combined purchase price of $4.895 per unit for total net proceeds of $5.6 million. The warrants are exercisable beginning on the date of their issuance until November 29, 2024 at an initial exercise price equal to $5.00.

Also during the second quarter, Diffusion announced that based on favorable safety data in a 19-patient dose-escalation run-in study, the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) has recommended the continuation of the Company’s Phase 3 clinical trial with trans sodium crocetinate (TSC) in inoperable glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. The DSMB has recommended that the highest dose administered, 1.5 mg/kg of TSC, be used during the adjuvant treatment period of the Phase 3 INTACT trial. The INTACT (INvestigating Tsc Against Cancerous Tumors) trial is comparing standard of care (SOC) radiation therapy and chemotherapy plus TSC against SOC alone. In Phase 2 testing, TSC demonstrated a nearly four-fold improvement in overall survival at two years for the subset of inoperable GBM patients compared with the control group of GBM patients. Diffusion is seeking a partner to continue development of TSC in GBM.

The Company completed preparations to commence enrollment in its on-ambulance Phase 2 clinical trial testing TSC for the treatment of acute stroke. Enrollment is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2019. With close cooperation of researchers at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Virginia (UVA), the 160-patient trial, named PHAST-TSC (Pre-Hospital Administration of Stroke Therapy-TSC), will involve 23 hospitals across urban, suburban and rural areas in Los Angeles County and Central Virginia. Results from the trial may be available in just under two years.

The Company continued to enhance its intellectual property position during the quarter, with receipt from the European Patent Office of a Notice of Intention to Grant a patent related to the use of TSC in combination with the leading thrombolytic, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), in the treatment of ischemic stroke. The patent claim covers administration of TSC within three or four hours of the onset of stroke symptoms in combination with tPA administered within nine to 12 hours of the onset of stroke symptoms. The European Patent Office has also granted two additional patents to Diffusion related to the uses of TSC and methods of synthesizing the compound.

"The imminent commencement of enrollment in our PHAST-TSC Phase 2 study comes after extensive preparation," said David Kalergis, chairman and chief executive officer of Diffusion. "It represents an exciting possibility to safely mitigate some of the devastating effects of a stroke through immediate, in-ambulance treatment. The Notice of Intention to Grant a patent from the European Patent Office for the use of TSC in combination with tPA – the only currently available drug for the treatment of ischemic stroke – further supports the commercial prospects of TSC.

"We were also pleased to complete a registered direct equity financing in May, at the market price, raising net proceeds of $5.6 million. These funds will largely be used to advance our clinical programs," Mr. Kalergis added.

Second Quarter Financial Results

Research and development expenses were $1.5 million for the second quarter of 2019, compared with $1.4 million for the second quarter of 2018. The increase was mainly attributable to a $0.6 million increase related to the commencement of the Phase 2 stroke trial and a $0.1 million increase in salary and manufacturing, offset by a $0.6 million decrease in expenses related to the Company’s Phase 3 GBM trial.

General and administrative expenses were $1.1 million for the second quarter of 2019, compared with $1.7 million for the second quarter of 2018. The decline was due to lower salary and wages and stock-compensation expense.

Net cash used in operating activities during the first half of 2019 was $5.3 million, compared with $5.8 million used during the prior-year period.

Diffusion had cash and cash equivalents of $8.4 million as of June 30, 2019, compared with $8.0 million at December 31, 2018. During the quarter, the Company raised $5.6 million net proceeds from an offering of 1,317,060 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to 1,317,060 shares of common stocks.

On August 8, 2019 Agenus Inc. (NASDAQ: AGEN), an immuno-oncology (I-O) company with a pipeline of immune checkpoint antibodies, adoptive cell therapies1, and cancer vaccines provided corporate updates and reported financial results for the second quarter of 2019 (Press release, Agenus, AUG 8, 2019, View Source [SID1234538379]).

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"In the second quarter our progress continued at a rapid pace," said Garo H. Armen, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO of Agenus. "This year we delivered 2 INDs, initiated the interim analysis in our CTLA-4 & PD-1 trials, triggered cash milestones in our Gilead collaboration, advanced our next generation CTLA-4 in the clinic, and brought on board our head of commercial operations. We look forward to discussing all of these in more detail during our call and at our global R&D days in the next few months."

Achievements
Delivered on partnership programs; triggering additional cash milestones
Triggered $15 million from Gilead as milestone payment for IND acceptance of AGEN1423 (now GS-1423) & AGEN2373
CTLA-4 and PD-1 trials advancing – interim analysis underway
Trials in 2L cervical cancer designed to support BLA via accelerated pathway
Interim analysis underway; data readouts expected 2H2019
PD-1 market expansion planned through project-based financing
Enrollment proceeding in next-gen CTLA-4 trial
Clinical trial underway; combinations and early data expected this year
Advanced new discoveries towards the clinic
AGEN2373 IND accepted by FDA
Off-the shelf phosphorylated neoantigen vaccine advanced to IND
QS-21 Updates
Sales of Shingrix, containing our QS-21 Stimulon, continue to increase; GSK projects 2019 sales will exceed $1.3Bn
AgenTus Cell Therapy Business:
IND for allogeneic cell therapy on track for 2H2019
IND for autologous NYESO-1 planned for 2H2019; proprietary combinations with Agenus check point antibodies planned in 1H2020
Partnership and private financing discussions are underway
Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results

We ended the second quarter of 2019 with a cash balance of $122 million as compared to $53 million at December 31, 2018.

For the six months ended June 30, 2019, we reported a net loss of $34 million or $0.24 per share compared to a net loss for the same period in 2018 of $79 million or $0.76 per share. During the first half of the year we recognized revenue of $96 million which includes revenue from our transaction with Gilead and non-cash royalties earned and recorded $20 million of non-cash interest expense due to our liability related to the sale of future royalties. Our operating expenses for the first half of 2019 increased by $29 million as a result of the advancement of our programs.

For the second quarter ended June 30, 2019, we reported net loss of $52 million or $0.38 per share compared to a net loss for same period in 2018 of $25 million, or $0.24 per share.

Both periods results include one time and non-cash items.

Conference Call, Webcast and Prepared Statement Information

Date: Thursday, August 8, 2019
Time: 8:30 a.m. ET
Domestic Dial-in Number: (844) 492-3727
International Dial-in Number: (412) 317-5118
Conference ID: Agenus

Live Webcast: accessible from the Company’s website at View Source or with this link View Source

A replay will be available on the Company’s website approximately two hours after the call and will remain available for 90 days.

On August 8, 2019 Regulus Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: RGLS), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs (the "Company" or "Regulus"), reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2019 and provided a summary of recent events (Press release, Regulus, AUG 8, 2019, View Source [SID1234538466]).

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"With the completed financing and restructuring of our term loan, we believe we are in a good position to work expeditiously to address the clear requirements outlined by FDA to reinitiate the MAD clinical study for RGLS4326," said Jay Hagan, CEO of Regulus. "We will also be evaluating potential options to initiate single dose studies in order to further characterize the molecule."

Second Quarter 2019 Corporate Highlights and Recent Updates

Private Financing: In May 2019, the Company closed the first tranche of its $41.8 million private placement of equity (the "Private Placement"). The Company received net proceeds of approximately $15.7 million from the first tranche, after deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. Subject to the Company’s public announcement on or before December 31, 2019 of its plan to recommence the Phase 1 multiple ascending dose ("MAD") clinical trial for RGLS4326 based upon correspondence from the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), the investors who purchased securities in the first tranche of the Private Placement have agreed to purchase shares of non-voting convertible preferred stock and accompanying warrants to purchase shares of common stock in a second closing (the "Milestone Closing"). If the Milestone Closing occurs, the gross proceeds to the Company from that closing will be approximately $25.1 million. The Company expects to use the proceeds from the Private Placement primarily to advance RGLS4326 for the treatment of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease ("ADPKD"), to advance select programs from its pipeline of microRNA therapies and for general corporate purposes. Excluding any potential proceeds from the Milestone Closing, the Company believes it has sufficient cash to fund operations into mid-2020.
Term Loan Amendments: In May 2019, and concurrently with the Private Placement, the Company amended its Term Loan with Oxford Finance to provide a new twelve-month period of interest-only payments, commencing May 2019, and a two-year extension of its maturity date from June 2020 to May 2022. Upon the closing of the second tranche of the Company’s Private Placement, the Company will receive an additional twelve-month period of interest-only payments, commencing May 2020.
RG-012 Transition to Sanofi: In November 2018, the Company and Sanofi agreed to transition further development activities of the miR-21 programs, including the Company’s RG-012 program, to Sanofi who will be responsible for all costs incurred in the development of these miR-21 programs (the "2018 Sanofi Amendment"). As of June 30, 2019, the transition activities, including the transfer of the investigational new drug application ("IND"), were complete. The Company received a total of $6.8 million in upfront and material transfer-related payments, which were recognized as revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2019. Regulus is also eligible to receive up to $40 million in clinical milestone payments.
Lease Agreement: In June 2019, the Company entered into an amendment of its lease (the "Lease Amendment") of 24,562 square feet located at 10628 Science Center Drive Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121. Under the terms of the Lease Amendment, the expiration of the lease was accelerated from June 30, 2023 to June 30, 2019, and the lease terminated on July 1, 2019. Concurrently with the Lease Amendment, the Company entered into a new lease agreement (the "New Lease") for 8,727 square feet located at 10628 Science Center Drive, Suite 225, San Diego, California, 92121, which it uses as its new principal offices and laboratory for research and development. This relocation reduced the Company’s facility size by approximately 65% and reduced its future contractual lease obligations by approximately 78%.
Management Transition: In July 2019, the Company appointed Cris Calsada as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective August 30, 2019. Ms. Calsada joins Regulus from Sanifit where she has served as Chief Financial Officer since December 2017. Ms. Calsada brings to Regulus’ senior management team a unique combination of financial, operational and managerial experience. She has over 20 years of leadership experience in the life sciences and technology industries. Prior to her employment with Sanifit, Ms. Calsada was self-employed as a finance consultant to various life sciences companies. From 2004 until its acquisition in 2015, she served in positions of increasing responsibility with Ambrx, most recently serving as its Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Finance. Prior to Ambrx, she worked for Sony Online Entertainment as its Executive Director of Finance and Controller. Earlier in her career, she practiced as a certified public accountant. Ms. Calsada received a B.S. in Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting from San Diego State University and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business. Ms. Calsada’s appointment follows the resignation of the Company’s previous Chief Financial Officer, Dan Chevallard, in July 2019.
Program Updates

RGLS4326 for ADPKD: In January 2019, the Company announced data from a planned interim analysis of a new mouse chronic toxicity study after 13 weeks of dosing in which no adverse or other significant findings across the range of doses tested were shown. In January 2019, the Company submitted a comprehensive data package for RGLS4326 to FDA that included the results from the planned 13-week interim analysis of the repeat mouse chronic toxicity study, as well as results from additional investigations, analytical testing, additional data from the previously terminated mouse chronic toxicity study, data from the completed Phase I single ascending dose ("SAD") study and data from the first cohort of the Phase I MAD study, to support its plan to resume the Phase I MAD study. After review of the requested submission, FDA notified the Company of additional nonclinical data requirements and placed the IND on a partial clinical hold, formalizing the specific requirements to initiate the MAD study and further proceed into chronic dosing in ADPKD patients. The additional data requirements have been outlined in two parts. In order to resume the MAD study, FDA has requested the final reports from the chronic toxicity studies in both mice and non-human primates and satisfactory related analyses to ensure subjects can be safely dosed. Additional data and analyses from new nonclinical studies, planned to be generated over the next several quarters, will be required for chronic dosing, and may also be used to support the resumption of the MAD study. Regulus is allowed to proceed with additional SAD clinical studies as part of the process to gather additional supporting information to guide the future development of the program.
Anti-miR-132 for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH): In April 2019, Regulus presented a late breaker poster at the EASL International Liver Congress describing the development of its lead anti-miR-132 for the treatment of NASH. Across multiple animal models of NASH, the lead candidate demonstrated improvement in key endpoints, including NAFLD Activity Score (NAS), liver transaminases, hyperglycemia, and disease-related gene expression. In the diet-induced NASH mouse model (Amylin model) after two to four weekly doses, early onset of improvement across multiple disease parameters including liver triglycerides and blood levels of transaminases was observed. After nine weeks of treatment, there was evidence of sustained benefit with significant improvement of liver fibrosis and hyperglycemia compared to control-treated animals. The Company believes that targeting dysregulated microRNA in a complex disease like NASH may offer a unique mechanism of action from other programs in development. The Company plans to seek a partner to further advance the development of this program.
Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results

Cash Position: As of June 30, 2019, Regulus had $19.6 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Revenue: Revenue was less than $0.1 million and $6.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to less than $0.1 million for each the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase for the six months ended June 30, 2019 was attributable to revenue recognition of the upfront payments received under the 2018 Sanofi Amendment related to the transfer of RG-012.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses were $1.8 million and $7.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $10.0 million and $21.8 million for the same periods in 2018. The decreases were driven by decreases in external development expenses, primarily attributable to the voluntary pause of the RGLS4326 Phase 1 MAD clinical study in the third quarter of 2018 and commencement of the transfer of the RG-012 program to Sanofi in the fourth quarter of 2018. Additionally, the decreases were driven by reductions in personnel and internal expenses, primarily attributable to a reduction in costs subsequent to our corporate restructuring in the third quarter of 2018.

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $2.9 million and $6.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $3.3 million and $7.1 million for the same periods in 2018. These amounts reflect personnel-related and ongoing general business operating costs.

Net Loss: Net loss was $5.0 million, or $0.30 per share (basic and diluted), and $8.3 million, or $0.61 per share (basic and diluted), for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $13.8 million, or $1.59 per share (basic and diluted), and $29.9 million, or $3.44 per share (basic and diluted), for the same periods in 2018. Historical and current period net loss per share values have been retroactively adjusted to reflect our October 2018 reverse stock split.

About Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD)

ADPKD, caused by the mutations in the PKD1 or PKD2 genes, is among the most common human monogenic disorders and a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. The disease is characterized by the development of multiple fluid filled cysts primarily in the kidneys, and to a lesser extent in the liver and other organs. Excessive kidney cyst cell proliferation, a central pathological feature, ultimately leads to end-stage renal disease in approximately 50% of ADPKD patients by age 60.

About RGLS4326

RGLS4326 is a novel oligonucleotide designed to inhibit miR-17 and designed to preferentially target the kidney. Preclinical studies with RGLS4326 have demonstrated direct regulation of PKD1 and PKD2 in human ADPKD cyst cells, a reduction in kidney cyst formation, improved kidney weight/body weight ratio, decreased cyst cell proliferation, and preserved kidney function in mouse models of ADPKD.