On November 9, 2021 Avalo Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVTX), a leading clinical-stage precision medicine company that discovers, develops, and commercializes targeted therapeutics for patients with significant unmet clinical need in immunology, immuno-oncology, and rare genetic diseases reported that business updates and third quarter 2021 financial results (Press release, Avalo Therapeutics, NOV 9, 2021, View Source [SID1234594906]).
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"The third quarter was focused on execution ahead of a number of data readouts in multiple key pipeline programs anticipated in the coming months," said Mike Cola, Chief Executive Officer of Avalo Therapeutics. "We further solidified our balance sheet with a successful public offering in September that puts the Company in a position to support the development of our pipeline through multiple catalysts."
Business Updates:
In July 2021, the Company reported positive initial results for the low-dose cohort (1.0 mg/kg) of its Phase 1b proof-of-concept study of AVTX-002, an investigational first-in-class fully human anti-LIGHT (tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 14 (TNFSF14)) monoclonal antibody (mAb), in adult patients with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease.
Completed rebranding to Avalo Therapeutics, Inc. from Cerecor Inc., accentuating the Company’s transition to developing innovative targeted therapies in immunology, immuno-oncology, and rare genetic diseases.
In September 2021, the Company raised gross proceeds of approximately $31.5 million through a public offering of common stock, which strengthens and extends the Company’s financial resources to advance its clinical pipeline towards key development milestones. Avalo had cash and cash equivalents of $71.5 million as of September 30, 2021.
During the third quarter of 2021, the Company completed its second drawdown of $10 million and third drawdown of $5 million under its previously announced $35 million venture debt financing agreement with Horizon Technology Finance Corporation. With the closing of the second and third tranches, the Company has received the full $35 million of gross proceeds under its debt financing agreement.
Program Updates and Milestones:
AVTX-002: Anti-LIGHT mAb targeting immune-inflammatory diseases including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis).
The Company has completed enrollment in Cohort 2 (3.0 mg/kg) of its Phase 1b proof-of-concept trial of AVTX-002 in moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease and anticipates top-line data in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Based on the positive data from Cohort 1 (1.0 mg/kg) of its Phase 1b trial of AVTX-002 in moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease, the Company has expanded the IBD program to include patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis who are refractory to anti-TNF alpha therapies.
The Company remains in dialogue with the FDA and is working through feedback to determine the trial design for a registrational study of AVTX-002 in COVID-19 ARDS and accompanying timelines, including the potential expansion to a larger patient population in broader ARDS.
AVTX-007: Anti-IL-18 mAb targeting immuno-oncology and immune-inflammatory diseases including multiple myeloma (MM) and adult onset Still’s disease (AOSD).
The Company anticipates top-line data from the Phase 1b clinical trial in relapsed or refractory MM patients in the fourth quarter of 2021.
The Company anticipates initial data from the Phase 1b clinical trial in AOSD patients in the first quarter of 2022.
AVTX-006: Dual mTORc1/c2 small molecule inhibitor for complex lymphatic malformations.
The Company anticipates initial data from the Phase 1b proof-of-concept clinical trial in the first quarter of 2022.
AVTX-800 programs (AVTX-801, AVTX-802, and AVTX-803): Therapeutic doses of monosaccharide therapies for congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs).
AVTX-801 – In collaboration with the Frontiers in Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation Consortium clinical program, data from the pivotal trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of D-galactose in Phosphoglucomutase-1 deficiency related CDG (PGM1-CDG) patients are anticipated in 2022.
AVTX-802 – Data from the pivotal trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of D-mannose in Mannose phosphate isomerase deficiency related CDG (MPI-CDG) patients are anticipated in 2022.
AVTX-803 – Data from the pivotal trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of L-fucose in Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency II (LAD II) patients are anticipated in the first half of 2022.
Third Quarter 2021 Financial Update:
As of September 30, 2021, Avalo had $71.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, representing a $52.6 million increase as compared to December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily driven by gross proceeds of $31.5 million from an underwritten public offering completed in September 2021, $35 million from a debt financing agreement entered into in June 2021 ($20 million funded in the second quarter and remaining $15 million funded in the third quarter), and gross proceeds of $40.7 million from an underwritten public offering completed in January 2021. Such increases were partially offset by operating expenditures, the majority of which related to pipeline development.
Net product revenue of the Company’s non-core commercialized product was $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, which was largely consistent with the net product revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2020 of $1.1 million.
Total operating expenses increased $3.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020, which was the largest driver of the increase in net loss period over period. The increased operating expenses were largely driven by a $1.7 million increase in research and development expenses due to Avalo’s continued advancement of its maturing pipeline.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(a) The unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 have been derived from the reviewed financial statements but do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.