On March 28, 2019 InflaRx (Nasdaq: IFRX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing anti-inflammatory therapeutics by targeting the complement system, reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2018 (Press release, InflaRx, MAR 28, 2019, View Source [SID1234534756]).
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"2018 was marked by significant progress for InflaRx in both our business and clinical operations," said Prof. Niels C. Riedemann, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of InflaRx. "Importantly, we completed enrollment of our Phase IIb trial with IFX-1 in Hidradenitis Suppurativa, from which we will report top-line results in the second quarter of 2019, and also initiated a Phase II trial in ANCA-associated vasculitis. We are continuing to execute our clinical development plans in 2019 as well, as evidenced by the recent initiation of our Phase IIa study in Pyoderma Gangraenosum."
Prof. Riedemann continued, "In addition to our pipeline progress, the Company experienced significant corporate growth in the past year by recruiting highly qualified directors to our board, opening our new R&D facility in the U.S. to support future innovation, and recruiting experienced executives to help us take InflaRx forward through 2019 and beyond. I am quite pleased with our team’s ability to execute on our core milestones of the past year and look forward to reporting on this continued progress in the months to come."
Corporate and drug development highlights – 2018 through early 2019
Corporate
Closed a primary and secondary offering in May 2018 for total gross proceeds of $117.3 million ($62.9 million to InflaRx and $54.4 million to selling shareholders), including the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.
Appointed highly experienced executives to the Board of Directors: Tony Gibney, CBO of Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Jens Holstein, CFO of MorphoSys AG. Richard Brudnick, CBO of Codiak BioSciences, appointed as Non-Executive Director, subject to shareholder approval at our annual general meeting (currently serving as a Non-Voting Observer).
Expanded U.S. operations with opening of two U.S. sites – R&D facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan and corporate offices in New York City.
Hired senior executives for key positions – Jason Marks (formerly of Bausch Health) as Chief Legal Officer/General Counsel and Jordan Silverstein (formerly of Advanced Accelerator Applications) as Head of Corporate Strategy/Development.
Expanding research and development activities supported by growth in number of employees to 38 as of December 31, 2018 (2017: 21).
Lead product candidate, IFX-1, first-in-class anti-human complement factor C5a antibody
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)
First patient enrolled in March 2018 in Phase IIb SHINE trial in moderate or severe HS and enrollment completed in November 2018. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study is being conducted at 38 sites in North America and Europe. Topline results are expected in the second quarter of 2019.
New long-term retrospective data from completed Phase IIa trial presented in February 2019 at the 8th Conference of the European Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation. The data showed sustained remissions and median time to first flare of almost seven months, after only eight weeks of treatment.
ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV).
Received FDA clearance of an IND application for U.S. Phase II study in patients with AAV in June 2018 and dosed the first patient in October 2018. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II study is planned to enroll approximately 36 patients at approximately 20 sites in the U.S.
Investigational Medicinal Product Dossier (IMPD) approved in December 2018 by European regulatory authorities, to initiate a Phase II study in Europe in patients with AAV. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is planned to enroll approximately 80 patients at about 60 sites in Europe.
2018 financial highlights
Cash and cash equivalents plus securities and other investments. As of December 31, 2018, InflaRx had cash and cash equivalents and securities and other investments of €156.6 million, compared to €123.3 million at the end of 2017. This increase in funds of approximately €33.3 million was primarily attributable to the completion of InflaRx’s follow-on offering of common shares in May 2018. Cash and cash equivalents totaled €55.4 million as of December 31, 2018 (December 31, 2017: €123.3 million). Additionally, current financial assets totaled €101.2 million compared to €0 as of December 31, 2017.
Net cash used in operating activities increased to €23.7 million in 2018, from €12.2 million in 2017, mainly due to higher cash expenses for research and development, such as third-party expenses for manufacturing and clinical trials attributable to InflaRx’ lead program IFX-1 and personnel expenses.
Research and development expenses increased by €10.6 million to €25.0 million in 2018, compared to €14.4 million in 2017. This increase is primarily attributable to a €7.1 million increase in CRO and CMO expenses for IFX-1 in connection with preparation to commence the clinical trial Phase IIb in patients with HS and the Phase II clinical program in patients with AAV, as well as with the ongoing manufacturing activities for clinical trial material for these clinical trials with IFRX-1 and to a €3.4 million increase in employee-related costs associated with salaries, bonus, benefits and non-cash share-based compensation.
General and administrative expenses amounted to €12.8 million in 2018, an increase of €7.7 million from €5.1 million in 2017. This was primarily attributable to a €6.2 million increase in employee-related costs associated with salaries, bonus, benefits and non-cash share-based compensation. Legal, consulting and audit fees and other expenses increased by €0.5 million, which is mainly attributable to expenses incurred in connection with the follow on offering of common shares in May 2018.
Net financial result was €7.7 million, up by €12.5 million compared to a net financial loss of €4.8 million in 2017, mainly due to net foreign exchange gains. Large portions of InflaRx’ funds are held in U.S. dollars and the dollar improved compared to the euro during 2018.
Loss for the period 2018 was €29.8 million or €1.2 per common share (basic and diluted), compared to €24.2 million or €2.6 per common share (basic and diluted) for 2017.
Additional information regarding these results is included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 and "ITEM 18. Financial statements", which will be included in InflaRx’ Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
About IFX-1:
IFX-1 is a first-in-class monoclonal anti-human complement factor C5a antibody, which highly and effectively blocks the biological activity of C5a and demonstrates high selectivity towards its target in human blood. Thus, IFX-1 leaves the formation of the membrane attack complex (C5b-9) intact as an important defense mechanism, which is not the case for molecules blocking the cleavage of C5. IFX-1 has been demonstrated to control the inflammatory response driven tissue and organ damage by specifically blocking C5a as a key "amplifier" of this response in pre-clinical studies. IFX-1 is believed to be the first monoclonal anti-C5a antibody introduced into clinical development and has, to date, successfully completed three clinical Phase II studies. More than 150 people have been treated with IFX-1 in these completed clinical trials, and the antibody has been shown to be well tolerated. IFX-1 is currently being developed for various inflammatory indications, including Hidradenitis Suppurativa and ANCA-associated vasculitis.