On November 4, 2021 Prothena Corporation plc (NASDAQ:PRTA), a late-stage clinical company with a robust pipeline of novel investigational therapeutics built on protein dysregulation expertise, reported financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2021 (Press release, Prothena, NOV 4, 2021, View Source [SID1234594599]). In addition, the Company provided business highlights and updated 2021 financial guidance.
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"Prothena made significant progress across our portfolio in the third quarter. We presented scientific findings highlighting two of our potentially best-in-class Alzheimer’s disease programs and advanced our ongoing confirmatory Phase 3 trial of birtamimab in Mayo Stage IV patients with AL amyloidosis. Additionally, we announced the acquisition of our ATTR amyloidosis program by Novo Nordisk and executed the U.S. license agreement for our anti-tau targeting clinical candidate, PRX005, with Bristol Myers Squibb. Our strategic collaborations have continued to deliver value, contributing $140 million in partner payments this quarter," said Gene Kinney, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Prothena. "As we look ahead, we will continue to focus on driving meaningful growth across our broad portfolio to deliver transformational treatments for patients."
Third Quarter and Recent Business Highlights:
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
Confirmatory Phase 3 AFFIRM-AL study of birtamimab in Mayo Stage IV patients with AL amyloidosis is ongoing (NCT#04973137)
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 TTR protein, and is being developed by Novo Nordisk for the treatment of ATTR cardiomyopathy
Announced Novo Nordisk acquisition of ATTR amyloidosis business; Prothena is eligible to receive a total aggregate of up to $1.23 billion
Received $60 million upfront payment from Novo Nordisk to date
PRX005, a potential best-in-class treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (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
Received $80 million option payment from Bristol Myers Squibb for execution of U.S. license agreement
PRX012, a potential best-in-class treatment for AD, is an investigational high-potency monoclonal antibody targeting a key epitope at the N-terminus of amyloid beta (Aβ)
Presented preclinical results at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2021 (AAIC) demonstrating that PRX012 significantly cleared both pyroglutamate-modified and -unmodified Aβ plaque in post-mortem brain tissue of late-stage AD patients
Dual Aβ-tau vaccine, a potential first-in-class prevention and treatment 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
AAIC presentation showcased preclinical data demonstrating that Prothena’s dual Aβ-tau vaccine generated appropriate and balanced antibody titers promoting both phagocytosis of Aβ plaque and blockade of tau transmission in vitro
Corporate
In October, the Company announced two executive appointments to support its transition to a fully integrated biotechnology company. Chief Financial Officer Tran Nguyen was appointed to the additional and newly created role of Chief Strategy Officer and Brandon Smith was appointed the role of Chief Operating Officer.
Key Upcoming Milestones:
PRX004
$40 million near-term clinical milestone payment from Novo Nordisk
PRX005
Potential $55 million option payment from Bristol Myers Squibb for global rights at the end of the ongoing Phase 1 study
PRX012
Investigational New Drug Application (IND) expected 1Q 2022
Dual Aβ-Tau vaccine
IND expected 2023
Upcoming Investor Conferences
Members of the senior management team will present and participate in investor meetings at the following upcoming investor conferences:
Stifel 2021 Virtual Healthcare Conference, November 16, 2021, at 2:00 PM ET
Jefferies London Healthcare Conference, on demand presentations available starting November 18, 2021, at 8:00 AM GMT/3:00 AM ET
Piper Sandler 33rd Annual Healthcare Conference, on demand presentations available starting November 22 at 10:00 AM ET
Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2021 Financial Results and Updated 2021 Financial Guidance
For the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, Prothena reported a net income of $109.2 million and $100.2 million, respectively, as compared to a net loss of $30.6 million and $80.4 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively. Net income per share on a diluted basis for the third quarter of 2021 and first nine months of 2021, was $2.13 and $2.12, respectively, as compared to net loss per share of $0.77 and $2.02 for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively.
Prothena reported total revenue of $139.2 million and $199.4 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively. Revenue for the third quarter included collaboration revenue of $78.5 million from Bristol Meyer Squibb for the option exercise and US license for PRX005 and intellectual property revenue of $60.7 million from the sale of the intellectual property and related rights to the Company’s ATTR amyloidosis business and pipeline to Novo Nordisk. In addition to third quarter 2021 revenue, the first nine months revenue included collaboration revenue of $60 million in clinical milestone payment from Roche for dosing of first patient in the global Phase 2b PADOVA study for prasinezumab and license revenue from Roche. This compares to total revenue of $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, primarily from collaboration revenue from Roche.
Research and development (R&D) expenses totaled $18.0 million and $60.2 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively, as compared to $21.6 million and $54.1 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively. The decrease in R&D expense for the third quarter, compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily due to lower manufacturing costs primarily related to PRX005 and birtamimab programs, lower collaboration expenses related to the prasinezumab program with Roche as a result of the cost share opt-out exercised in May 2021; offset in part by higher personnel related expenses and higher clinical trial expenses primarily related to birtamimab AFFIRM-AL trial and PRX005 program. The increase for the first nine months of 2021, compared to the same period the prior year was primarily due to higher personnel expenses, higher clinical trial expense primarily related to birtamimab AFFIRM-AL trial and PRX005 program (offset in part by lower PRX004 clinical trial expense) and higher R&D consulting expenses; 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 202l and lower manufacturing expenses primary related to PRX005 and birtamimab programs.
R&D expenses included non-cash share-based compensation expense of $2.5 million and $6.6 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively, as compared to $2.1 million and $6.2 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses totaled $12.0 million and $34.1 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively, as compared to $9.4 million and $28.8 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively. The increase in G&A expenses for the third quarter and first nine months of 2021 compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily related to higher personnel expense, higher legal expenses, higher consulting and higher expense for our director and officer insurance premium. G&A expenses included non-cash share-based compensation expense of $3.6 million and $11.1 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively, as compared to $3.5 million and $10.6 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively.
Total non-cash share-based compensation expense was $6.1 million and $17.8 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively, as compared to $5.6 million and $16.8 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020.
As of September 30, 2021, Prothena had $601.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and no debt.
As of October 28, 2021, Prothena had approximately 46.6 million ordinary shares outstanding.
The Company continues to expect the full year 2021 net cash provided by operating and investing activities to be $85 to $95 million. The Company is updating its projected year end cash balance to approximately $575 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (midpoint) (versus prior guidance of $491 million) to include net financing proceeds received in the third quarter of 2021. The estimated full year 2021 net cash provided by operating and investing activities is primarily driven by an estimated net income of $50 to $60 million, which includes an estimated $25 million of non-cash share-based compensation expense.