On May 12, 2022 vTv Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:VTVT) reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, and provided an update on the progress of its clinical programs (Press release, vTv Therapeutics, MAY 12, 2022, View Source [SID1234614377]).

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Recent Achievements and Outlook

Corporate

Strategic Focus. We are prioritizing the development of our lead program TTP399, a novel, oral liver selective glucokinase activator, as a potential treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes ("T1D"), as well as continuing to support our currently partnered programs. Given the strategic focus on these programs, we have paused our development activities in the United States on HPP737 while we evaluate strategic options for it. As part of this planned strategic focus, the Company has reduced its workforce. We are actively seeking to raise capital through licensing TTP399 in regions outside of North America and Europe and are also actively seeking licensing deals for HPP737 and other assets. We are currently in active discussions with respect to financing, partnering, and licensing transactions for the further development of TTP399.
Type 1 Diabetes

Mechanistic Study of Ketoacidosis with TTP399. In October 2021, we announced positive results from the Mechanistic study indicating no increased risk of ketoacidosis with TTP399 during acute insulin withdrawal in patients with T1D. Patients with type 1 diabetes taking TTP399 experienced no increase in ketone levels relative to placebo during a period of acute insulin withdrawal, indicating that treatment with TTP399 presents no increased risk of ketoacidosis. In addition, patients taking TTP399 had improved fasting plasma glucose levels and experienced fewer hypoglycemic events relative to those taking placebo, consistent and supportive of the previously announced phase 2 Simplici-T1 Study results. Full study results will be published in the Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism journal in conjunction with the 82nd American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions on June 6th, 2022.

Pivotal Study Planning. The Company is planning two pivotal, placebo-controlled clinical trials of TTP399 in subjects withT1D and has engaged with the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") on the optimal clinical trial designs for these studies. The studies will recruit a total of approximately 1000 patients and at least one of the studies will be one year of treatment. The FDA and the company have agreed on the primary endpoint for the studies as the difference between placebo and TTP399-treated group in number of hypoglycemia events. These pivotal studies are expected to start in 3Q 2022.
First Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Cash Position: The Company’s cash position as of March 31, 2022, was $12.1 million compared to $13.4 million as of December 31, 2021.

Revenue: Revenue in first quarter of 2022 was $2.0 million and relates to an increase in the transaction price for a license performance obligation, that was fully recognized due to the satisfaction of a development milestone under the amended license agreement with Huadong. The revenue for the fourth quarter of 2021 was immaterial.

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $3.1 million and $5.4 million in each of the three months ended March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The changes are attributable to (i) decreases of $2.0 million for a license payment to Novo Nordisk for the completion of TTP399 phase 2 studies in Q4 2021, (ii) decreased severance costs of $0.7 million and payroll costs of $0.1 million in connection with the Company’s restructuring plan that occurred in Q4 2021, (iii) decreased spending of $0.5 million related to the multiple ascending dose study for HPP737 offset by (iv) increases of $1.3 million due to manufacturing and analytical work related to chemistry manufacturing and control "CMC" for pivotal TTP399 studies, and the progression of TTP399 toxicology studies in Q1 2022.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were consistent between periods at $5.3 million and $5.7 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021. However, individual changes in the quarters are attributable to (i) lower payroll costs of $0.4 million and lower severance costs of $0.7 million due to the Company’s restructuring plan that occurred in December 2021 and separation agreement with the Company’s former CEO in Q1 2022, (ii) lower shared-based expense of $0.6 million due to the modification of awards related to the retirement and separation agreements with several key employees that occurred in Q4 2021, offset by (iii) higher other G&A operating costs of $0.2 million and (iv) increases of $1.1 million in legal expense.

Other Income/(Expense): Other expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022, was $2.7 million and was driven by an unrealized loss related to the Company’s investment in Reneo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Reneo"), as well as gains related to a reduction in the fair value of the outstanding warrants to purchase shares of our own stock issued to a related party ("Related Party Warrants"). Other income for the three months ended December 31, 2021, was $1.6 million and was driven by changes in the fair value of our investment in Reneo, as well as the gains related to a reduction in fair value of the Related Party Warrants.
Net Loss Before Non-Controlling Interest: Net loss before non-controlling interest was $9.4 million for the first quarter of 2022 compared to net loss before non-controlling interest of $9.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2021. The decrease in net loss before Non-Controlling Interest was attributable to (i) increases in other expense of $4.3 million driven by changes in the fair value of our investment in Reneo, as well as the gains related to a reduction in the fair value of the outstanding warrants to purchase shares of our own stock issued to a related party, offset by (ii) lower R&D expenses of $2.3 million, and (iii) higher revenue of $2.0 million due to an increase in the transaction price for a license performance obligation, that was fully recognized due to the satisfaction of a development milestone under the amended license agreement with Huadong.
Net Loss Per Share: Diluted net loss per share was ($0.10) for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to diluted net loss per share of ($0.11) for the three months ended December 31, 2021, based on weighted-average diluted shares of 66.9 million and 66.8 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.

On May 12, 2022 Purple Biotech Ltd. ("Purple Biotech", or the "Company") (NASDAQ/TASE: PPBT), a clinical-stage company developing first-in-class, effective and durable therapies by overcoming tumor immune evasion and drug resistance, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 (Press release, Purple Biotech, MAY 12, 2022, View Source [SID1234614394]).

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"We were focused in the clinical advancement of our promising first in class oncology drug candidates during this quarter," said Gil Efron, President and Chief Financial Officer of Purple Biotech. "For NT219, we completed enrollment in the fourth dose level of the monotherapy arm of the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial and will soon start the last dose level planned in the dose escalation part of the monotherapy arm. For CM24, we will soon initiate the expansion arms of the study. We had $42.2 million in cash, cash equivalent, short and long-term deposits at the end of the first quarter this year and we are well positioned to execute our plans."

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

Research and Development Expenses were $6.0 million, an increase of $1.1 million, or 22%, compared to $4.9 million in the same period of 2021. The increase was mainly due to CMC expenses in support of our clinical studies.

Sales, General and Administrative Expenses were $1.4 million, compared to $1.7 million in the same period of 2021, a decrease of $0.3 million. The decrease was mainly due to a decrease in employee equity-based compensation (ESOP) costs.

Operating Loss from continuing operations was $7.3 million, an increase of $0.8 million, or 12%, compared to $6.5 million in the same period of 2021.

On a non-IFRS basis (as reconciled below), adjusted operating loss was $7.0 million, an increase of $1.2 million, compared to $5.8 million in the same period of 2021, mainly due to a decrease in Selling, General and Administrative expenses offset by an increase in R&D expenses.

Net Loss for the first three months ended March 31, 2022 was $7.3 million, or $0.41 per basic and diluted ADS, compared to a net loss of $6.6 million, or $0.38 per basic and diluted ADS, in the same period of 2021. The increase in net loss was mainly due to an increase of $0.8 million in operating expenses. Adjusted net loss for the first three months ended March 31, 2022 was $7.0 million, an increase from $5.8 million in the first three months ended March 31, 2021.

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company sold, under the Open Market Sale Agreementsm with Jefferies LLC, approximately 59 thousand ADSs, at an average price of $3.932 per ADS. Net proceeds to the Company, were approximately $0.22 million, net of issuance expenses.

On May 12, 2022 Mustang Bio, Inc. ("Mustang") (NASDAQ: MBIO), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on translating today’s medical breakthroughs in cell and gene therapies into potential cures for hematologic cancers, solid tumors and rare genetic diseases, reported that results from the follicular lymphoma ("FL") cohort of the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of MB-106, a CD20-targeted, autologous CAR T cell therapy, in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas ("B-NHLs") and chronic lymphocytic leukemia ("CLL") were selected for an oral presentation at the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2022 Hybrid Congress ("EHA2022") taking place June 9-12, 2022, both virtually and in Vienna, Austria (Press release, Mustang Bio, MAY 12, 2022, View Source [SID1234614413]).

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The on-site presentation by Mazyar Shadman, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Professor and physician at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center ("Fred Hutch") and University of Washington will provide updated data on patients with FL beyond what is available in the abstract published today on the EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper)2022 website and what was presented at the recent Tandem meetings. MB-106 is being developed in a collaboration between Mustang and Fred Hutch.

"Acceptance for oral presentation at major international meetings such as EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper)2022 is a prestigious accomplishment, and we’re pleased that the Scientific Program Committee has granted Dr. Shadman this highly visible opportunity to present Fred Hutch’s compelling data on patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma in the ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of MB-106," said Manuel Litchman, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Mustang. "Furthermore, as we present our data to more investigators at peer-reviewed meetings, we are encouraged by the enthusiasm of these investigators for the durability of the responses and for the expansion of enrollment at Fred Hutch from CAR T naïve follicular lymphoma patients to patients previously treated with CAR Ts and to patients with other CD20-positive histologies such as diffuse large B cell lymphoma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia and CLL. Finally, as Mustang continues to advance our CD20-targeted CAR T cell therapy program, we look forward to the planned dosing of the first patient in a multicenter Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of MB-106 for relapsed or refractory B-NHL and CLL under Mustang’s IND this quarter."

Details of the presentation are as follows:

Title: Efficacy and Safety of a Third Generation CD20 CART (MB-106) for Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Follicular Lymphoma (FL)
Session: Indolent and mantle-cell lymphoma
Session Date and Time: Saturday, June 11, 11:30 am – 12:45 pm Central European Time
Session room: Hall C1
Abstract Code: S207

For more information about EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper)2022, please visit: View Source

Scientists at Fred Hutch played a role in developing these discoveries, and Fred Hutch and certain of its scientists may benefit financially from this work in the future.

About MB-106 (CD20-targeted autologous CAR T Cell Therapy)
CD20 is a membrane-embedded surface molecule which plays a role in the differentiation of B-cells into plasma cells. The CAR T was developed by Mustang’s research collaborator, Fred Hutch, in the laboratories of the late Oliver Press, M.D., Ph.D., and Brian Till, M.D., Associate Professor in the Clinical Research Division at Fred Hutch, and exclusively licensed to Mustang in 2017. The lentiviral vector drug substance used to transduce patients’ cells to create the MB-106 drug product produced at Fred Hutch has been optimized as a third-generation CAR derived from a fully human antibody, and MB-106 is currently in a Phase 1/2 open-label, dose-escalation trial at Fred Hutch in patients with B-NHLs and CLL. The same lentiviral vector drug substance produced at Fred Hutch will be used to transduce patients’ cells to create the MB-106 drug product produced at Mustang Bio’s Worcester, MA, cell processing facility for administration in the planned multicenter Phase 1/2 clinical trial to be initiated shortly under Mustang Bio’s IND. It should be noted that Mustang Bio has introduced minor improvements to its cell processing to facilitate eventual commercial launch of the product. In addition, prior to commercial launch, Mustang Bio will replace the Fred Hutch lentiviral vector drug substance with vector produced at a commercial manufacturer. Additional information on the trial can be found at View Source using the identifier NCT03277729.

On May 12, 2022 Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Citius" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CTXR), a late-stage biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing first-in-class critical care products, reported business and financial results for the second fiscal quarter of 2022 ended March 31, 2022 (Press release, Citius Pharmaceuticals, MAY 12, 2022, View Source [SID1234614432]).

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Fiscal Q2 2022 Business Highlights and Subsequent Developments

Engaged global clinical research organization (CRO) to expand Mino-Lok Phase 3 trial to include additional trial sites outside the U.S.;
Reported topline results of Phase 3 trial of I/ONTAK (E7777) with no new safety signals and consistent with prior formulation (ONTAK); biologics license application (BLA) submission on track for the second half of 2022; and,
Initiated Halo-Lido Phase 2b trial with first patient dosed in April 2022 and anticipated enrollment completion by end of 2022.
Financial Highlights

Cash and cash equivalents of $55.8 million as of March 31, 2022;
R&D expenses were $3.5 million and $8.9 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022, respectively, compared to $1.6 million and $7.7 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, respectively;
G&A expenses were $3.1 million and $6.0 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022, respectively, compared to $2.3 million and $ 4.0 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, respectively;
Stock-based compensation expense was $1.0 million and $1.9 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022, respectively, compared to $0.3 million and $0.6 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, respectively; and,
Net loss was $7.6 million and $16.8 million, or ($0.05) and ($0.11) per share for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022, respectively, compared to a net loss of $4.1 million and $12.3 million, or ($0.04) and ($0.16) per share for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, respectively.
"We continue to make significant progress with our three clinical development programs. To date in 2022, we actively engaged with our U.S. Mino-Lok trial sites to drive increased enrollment as COVID-19 infections waned, engaged an additional CRO to expand Mino-Lok patient recruitment to sites outside the U.S., announced topline results for the Phase 3 trial of I/ONTAK that were consistent with the prior FDA-approved formulation (ONTAK), and initiated a Phase 2b study of Halo-Lido for patients suffering from hemorrhoids. Moreover, we expect additional important catalysts from these programs in the second half of the calendar year as we remain on track with a BLA submission for I/ONTAK in the second half of 2022, and expect to complete enrollment in the Mino-Lok and Halo-Lido trials by the end of the year," stated Leonard Mazur, Chairman and CEO of Citius.

"Covid-19 remains an enduring challenge worldwide. Although our Mino-Lok trial has been impacted, we are actively engaging with existing sites to drive enrollment during periods of waning infection, and expanding recruitment sites outside the U.S. to mitigate the risk of future Covid-19 waves. Our aim is to achieve the events required to complete the Mino-Lok trial this year," added Mr. Mazur.

"The Citius balance sheet remains healthy with $55.8 million in cash available to execute our near-term plans. As stewards of Citius shareholders’ capital, we focus on creating long-term value in the business and will continue to evaluate all strategic and financial options available to us. These may include non-equity financing, out-licensing agreements, asset sales or other strategic arrangements that would support the commercialization of our two late-Phase 3 assets," concluded Mr. Mazur.

SECOND QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2022 Financial Results:

Liquidity

As of March 31, 2022, the Company had $55.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and no debt.

As of March 31, 2022, the Company had 146,129,630 common shares issued and outstanding.

The Company estimates that its available cash resources will be sufficient to fund its operations through March 2023.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses

R&D expenses were $3.5 million and $8.9 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022, respectively, compared to $1.6 million and $7.7 million for the comparable periods ended March 31, 2021. The increase during the quarter is primarily due to additional R&D expenses related to I/ONTAK which Citius in-licensed in September 2021, and start-up costs associated with the Halo-Lido Phase 2b trial, offset by decreases in Mino-Lok R&D expenses.

During the six months ended March 31, 2022, ARDS-related R&D expenses decreased by $4.7 million compared to $5.3 million during the prior year period. R&D expense for the six months ended March 31, 2021 reflected a $5.0 million license fee paid to Novellus.

We expect that research and development expenses will increase in fiscal 2022 as we continue to focus on our Phase 3 trials for Mino-Lok and I/ONTAK, progress the Halo-Lido product candidate, and continue our research and development efforts related to ARDS and Mino-Wrap.

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses

G&A expenses were $3.1 million and $6.0 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2022, respectively, compared to $2.3 million and $4.0 million for the comparable periods ended March 31, 2021. The increase is primarily due to additional compensation costs for new employees, increased investor relations costs and additional insurance expense. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation costs, professional fees for legal, regulatory, accounting, and corporate development services, and investor relations expenses.

Stock-based Compensation Expense

For the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2022, stock-based compensation expense was $1.0 million as compared to $0.3 million for the prior year period. For the six months ended March 31, 2022, stock-based compensation expense was $1.9 million as compared to $0.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2021. The increase primarily reflects expenses related to new grants made by Citius to employees (including new hires), directors and consultants.

Net loss

Net loss was $7.6 million, or ($0.05) per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to a net loss of $4.1 million, or ($0.04) per share for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Net loss was $16.0 million, or ($0.11) per share for the six months ended March 31, 2022, compared to a net loss of $12.2 million, or ($0.16) for the six months ended March 31, 2021.

The increase in net loss is primarily due to an increase in research and development and general and administrative expenses.

On May 12, 2022 Histogen Inc. (NASDAQ: HSTO), a clinical-stage therapeutics company focused on developing both restorative therapeutics and pan-caspase and caspase selective inhibitors focused on treatments for infectious and inflammatory diseases, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 and provided an update on its clinical pipeline and other corporate developments (Press release, Conatus Pharmaceuticals, MAY 12, 2022, View Source [SID1234614478]).

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"We continue to focus on clinical execution of HST-003 in knee cartilage repair, IND enabling activities for HST-004 in spinal disk regeneration, exploration of testing emricasan in animal studies for methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus infections ("MRSA"), and evaluating our caspase-1 inhibitors that impact the inflammasome pathway," said Steven J. Mento, Ph.D., Interim President and Chief Executive Officer.

Highlights from the First Quarter 2022 and Business Updates

HST-003 – Our Phase 1/2 clinical study of HST-003 to evaluate the safety and efficacy of human extracellular matrix (hECM) implanted within microfracture interstices and the cartilage defect in the knee to regenerate hyaline cartilage in combination with a microfracture procedure is on-going. In the first quarter of 2022, we added three additional clinical sites to help supplement enrollment of patients due to the recruitment challenges we have experienced related to both the specific nature of the study inclusion criteria and the impact of COVID-19 on the elective surgery environment. We continue to anticipate top line results in the first half of 2023, assuming we complete enrollment in the fourth quarter of 2022.

HST-004 – Our initial preclinical research has shown that HST-004 stimulates stem cells from the spinal disc to proliferate and secrete aggrecan and collagen II, regenerate normal matrix and cell tissue structure and restores disc height. HST-004 was also shown to reduce inflammation and protease activity and upregulate aggrecan production in an ex vivo spinal disc model. We have initiated IND enabling activities for HST-004 and anticipate filing IND for HST-004 in the second half of 2023.

Emricasan COVID-19 Amerimmune Collaboration Agreement – On March 3, 2022, we filed our demand for arbitration as we believe that Amerimmune has failed to undertake commercially reasonable efforts toward conducting and completing the Phase 2 study as required by the Collaborative Development and Commercialization Agreement that we previously entered into with Amerimmune in October of 2020.

Emricasan MRSA – We continue to make progress on exploring the feasibility of testing emricasan in animal studies for MRSA. We expect to complete our feasibility assessment in the second half of 2022 and, subject to the outcome of the arbitration with Amerimmune, explore further development of emricasan for MRSA.

$3.75 Million Allergan Payment – In March 2022, we received a one-time $3.75 million payment from Allergan pursuant to execution of a letter agreement entered into on March 18, 2022. The payment represents a full and final satisfaction of all monies due to the Company pursuant to the Allergan License Agreement.

First Quarter Ended March 31, 2022 Financial Highlights

Product, License, and Grant Revenues

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, we recognized product revenues of $0 and $0.3 million, respectively. The revenue for the first quarter of 2021 was related to the additional supply of CCM to Allergan. As of March 31, 2021, all obligations of the Company related to the additional supply of CCM to Allergan under the Allergan Agreements have been completed.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, we recognized license revenue of $3.8 million and $12 thousand, respectively. The increase in the current period is due to a one-time payment of $3.8 million received in March 2022 as consideration for execution of the Allergan letter agreement.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, we recognized grant revenue of $0 and $0.1 million, respectively. The related revenue is associated with a research and development grant awarded to the Company from the NSF. As of March 31, 2021, all work required by the Company under the grant has been completed.

Cost of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, we recognized $0 and $0.2 million, respectively, for cost of product sold to Allergan under the Allergan Agreements.

Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were $1.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively. The decrease of $0.2 million was primarily due to decreases in development costs of our clinical and pre-clinical product candidates and personnel related expenses, partially offset by facility rent increases.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were $2.5 million and $2.3 million, respectively. The increase of $0.2 million was primarily due to increases in royalty expenses and legal fees, offset by reductions in personnel related expenses.

Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2022 were $17.8 million. Histogen believes that its existing cash and cash equivalents and cash inflow from operations will be sufficient to meet Histogen’s anticipated cash needs into the third quarter of 2023.