On August 8, 2022 Prothena Corporation plc (NASDAQ:PRTA), a late-stage clinical biotechnology company with a robust pipeline of investigational therapeutics built on protein dysregulation expertise, reported financial results and provided business highlights for the second quarter and first six months of 2022 (Press release, Prothena, AUG 8, 2022, View Source [SID1234617847]).
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"We are closing the first half of 2022 from a position of strength, with multiple clinical programs advancing and a solid cash position supporting a robust set of milestones anticipated in 2022 and beyond. We are grateful for the opportunity to quickly progress the development of PRX012, a next-generation anti-Aβ antibody, under FDA’s Fast Track designation, further reinforcing our commitment to Alzheimer’s disease patients and their families," said Gene Kinney, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Prothena. "We believe our anticipated progress in the second half of the year will continue to validate our biology-directed R&D strategy, with antibodies that have been engineered to target pathogenic proteins in a manner we believe will be most impactful for the treatment of disease. We expect to achieve multiple milestones, including topline Phase 1 data for PRX005, the initiation of a Phase 1 multiple ascending dose study of PRX012 and the continued advancement of the Phase 2 study of PRX004 by Novo Nordisk. Additionally, we remain focused on our confirmatory Phase 3 AFFIRM-AL study of birtamimab, the first potential therapy to show survival benefit in Mayo Stage IV patients with AL amyloidosis."
Second Quarter and Recent Business Highlights and Upcoming Milestones
Neurodegenerative Diseases Portfolio
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
PRX012, a potential best-in-class, next-generation treatment for AD, is an investigational monoclonal antibody targeting a key epitope at the N-terminus of amyloid beta (Aβ) with high binding potency supporting subcutaneous administration
In April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation for PRX012 for the treatment of AD
Phase 1 multiple ascending dose (MAD) study initiation expected by year-end 2022
Topline data from Phase 1 study expected in 2023
PRX005, a potential best-in-class treatment for AD, is an investigational antibody that specifically targets a key epitope within the microtubule binding region (MTBR) of tau, a protein implicated in diseases including AD, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and other tauopathies. PRX005 is part of the global neuroscience research and development collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb
Topline data from Phase 1 study expected in 2022
PRX123, a potential first-in-class dual Aβ/tau vaccine treatment and prevention therapy for AD, is a dual-target vaccine targeting key epitopes within the Aβ and tau proteins to promote amyloid clearance and blockade of pathogenic tau
IND filing expected in 2023
Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
Prasinezumab, a potential first-in-class treatment for PD, is a humanized monoclonal antibody designed to target key epitopes within the C-terminus of alpha-synuclein and is the focus of the worldwide collaboration with Roche
Phase 2b PADOVA study results expected in 2024
Rare Peripheral Amyloid Diseases Portfolio
AL Amyloidosis
Birtamimab, a potential best-in-class amyloid depleter treatment for AL amyloidosis, is an investigational humanized monoclonal antibody designed to directly neutralize soluble toxic aggregates and promote clearance of amyloid that causes organ dysfunction and failure
Abstract accepted for poster presentation on Monday September 5, 2022 at the XVIII International Symposium on Amyloidosis (ISA) titled: Birtamimab in Patients with Mayo Stage IV AL Amyloidosis: Rationale for Confirmatory AFFIRM-AL Phase 3 Study (Poster P040)
Confirmatory Phase 3 AFFIRM-AL study results expected in 2024
ATTR Amyloidosis
NNC6019 (previously PRX004), a potential first-in-class treatment for ATTR amyloidosis, is a humanized monoclonal antibody designed to deplete the pathogenic, non-native forms of the transthyretin (TTR) protein, that is being developed by Novo Nordisk for the treatment of ATTR cardiomyopathy
Phase 2 trial of NNC6019 in patients with ATTR cardiomyopathy is being conducted by Novo Nordisk (NCT05442047)
Second Quarter and First Six Months of 2022 Financial Results
For the second quarter and first six months of 2022, Prothena reported a net loss of $41.2 million and $77.5 million, as compared to a net income of $27.6 million and a net loss of $9.1 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2021. Net loss per share for the second quarter of 2022 and first six months of 2022 was $0.88, and $1.66, respectively, as compared to net income per share on a diluted basis of $0.58 and net loss per share of $0.21 for the second quarter and first six months of 2021, respectively.
Prothena reported total revenue of $1.3 million and $2.5 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2022, respectively, primarily from collaboration revenue from BMS. As compared to total revenue of $60.1 million and $60.2 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2021, from collaboration and license revenue from Roche.
Research and development (R&D) expenses totaled $31.6 million and $58.8 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2022, respectively, as compared to $21.1 million and $42.2 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2021, respectively. The increase in R&D expense for the second quarter and first six months of 2022 compared to the same periods in the prior year was primarily due to higher personnel related expenses, higher clinical trial expenses primarily related to the PRX012 and birtamimab programs, higher manufacturing costs primarily related to the birtamimab, PRX019 and PRX123 programs, and higher other R&D expense; offset in part by lower collaboration expenses related to the prasinezumab program with Roche as a result of the cost share opt-out exercised in May 2021 and lower manufacturing expenses related to the NNC6019/PRX004 and PRX005 programs. R&D expenses included non-cash share-based compensation expense of $3.8 million and $7.1 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2022, respectively, as compared to $2.2 million and $4.2 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2021, respectively.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses totaled $13.0 million and $24.8 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2022, respectively, as compared to $11.0 million and $22.2 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2021, respectively. The increase in G&A expenses for the second quarter and first six months of 2022 compared to the same periods in the prior year was primarily related to higher personnel related expenses and higher consulting expenses; offset in part by lower legal expenses. G&A expenses included non-cash share-based compensation expense of $4.5 million and $8.8 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2022, respectively, as compared to $3.3 million and $7.5 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2021, respectively.
Total non-cash share-based compensation expense was $8.3 million and $15.9 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2022, respectively, as compared to $5.5 million and $11.7 million for the second quarter and first six months of 2021, respectively.
As of June 30, 2022, Prothena had $510.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, and no debt.
As of July 29, 2022, Prothena had approximately 46.9 million ordinary shares outstanding.
2022 Financial Guidance
The Company continues to expect the full year 2022 net cash used in operating and investing activities to be $120 to $132 million, which includes an expected $40 million clinical milestone payment from Novo Nordisk and expects to end the year with approximately $454 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (midpoint). The estimated full year 2022 net cash used in operating and investing activities is primarily driven by an estimated net loss of $154 to $170 million, which includes an estimated $32 million of non-cash share-based compensation expense.