On August 12, 2021 Humanigen, Inc. (Nasdaq: HGEN) ("Humanigen"), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on preventing and treating an immune hyper-response called "cytokine storm’" with its lead drug candidate, lenzilumab, reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2021 (Press release, Humanigen, AUG 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234586479]).

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Update on Status of Emergency Use Authorization ("EUA") Application

On May 28, 2021, Humanigen submitted an EUA application for lenzilumab in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Since that time, the company has responded to several requests from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") regarding the application. No formal timelines exist for the FDA to complete their review of our EUA application and as a result the company is unable to give guidance on the timing of a decision by the FDA.

"We remain firm in our belief the results of our LIVE-AIR Phase 3 study warrant lenzilumab being granted emergency use authorization. The achievement of the primary endpoint for the overall patient population, and the recent supplemental subset analysis which showed significant response to treatment by Black and African-American patients in the study, support our view of the potential benefit lenzilumab could bring to patient care if authorization were to be granted," said Cameron Durrant, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Humanigen.

Timothy Morris, CFO and COO, Humanigen, noted, "While the review of the EUA application continues, we are preparing for potential launch in the U.S., and simultaneously working to complete, before the end of the third quarter 2021, the submission of the Marketing Authorization Application ("MAA") to the Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ("MHRA") in the U.K. We have initiated the MAA process to the European Medicines Agency ("EMA") and anticipate the appointment of rapporteurs in the near term."

Second Quarter and Recent Highlights:

Lenzilumab in hospitalized COVID-19

Submitted an application to the FDA for an EUA for lenzilumab for the treatment of patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
Initiated filing and received acknowledgement the UK submission for Marketing Authorization for lenzilumab in COVID-19 has been accepted for expedited COVID-related rolling review by the MHRA. The submission is expected to be completed by September 30, 2021.
Initiated the process to make a submission to the European Medicines Agency for Marketing Authorization of lenzilumab in COVID-19.
The company’s commercial partners in South Korea and the Philippines, KPM Tech and Telcon RF Pharmaceutical, received approval from South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the South Korean equivalent of FDA, to conduct a Phase 1 clinical study of lenzilumab, to enable submission and potential approval in South Korea.
Announced analysis of results from our Phase 3 LIVE-AIR study of lenzilumab in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 suggesting Black and African-American patients having a CRP<150 mg/L may be the highest responders to treatment, with a nearly 9-fold increase in likelihood of survival without ventilation ("SWOV") [n=51, p-value=0.0418]. In the overall population with CRP<150 mg/L, LIVE-AIR Phase 3 results show patients treated with lenzilumab demonstrated a 2.5-fold increased likelihood of SWOV [mITT, n=351, p-value=0.0009].
Entered into manufacturing agreement with Chime Biologics to produce lenzilumab bulk drug substance and drug product to be sold, with requisite regulatory authorization, in regions outside the United States.
Corporate

Completed underwritten public offering of common stock, raising net proceeds of $94.2 million.
The company was added to the Russell 3000 Index in June 2021.
Ken Trbovich was appointed to the newly-created role of SVP Investor Relations.
ACTIV-5 Update

In August 2021, the National Institutes of Health ("NIH") announced the expansion of the Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines ("ACTIV-5") and Big Effect Trial, in the "B" arm of the trial ("BET-B"), referred to as ACTIV-5/BET-B. Following feedback from and consultation with the company, the NIH advanced the study to a Phase 2/3 study with target enrollment of at least 400 patients and amended the protocol for ACTIV-5/BET-B in a manner that aligns with the design of the company’s LIVE-AIR trial. As a result of the advancement to a Phase 2/3 and amended protocol, the company anticipates that ACTIV-5/BET-B may serve as a second confirmatory study required for submission to FDA as part of a Biologics License Application ("BLA") that the company would submit if the ACTIV-5/BET-B data further validate the benefits of lenzilumab in COVID-19 patients.

Second Quarter and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Financial Results

Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was $70.8 million or $1.20 per share as compared to $24.0 million or $0.79 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $136.4 million or $2.45 per share as compared to $26.5 million or $1.00 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in net loss for both periods was largely due to an increase in total expenses, mainly Research and Development ("R&D") expense which rose significantly as the company accelerated its efforts to manufacture lenzilumab for potential commercialization upon a regulatory authorization. R&D expense increased $41.9 million from $21.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, to $63.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, and increased $101.1 million from $21.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020, to $122.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The manufacturing expense included in R&D was $57.1 million for the second quarter of 2021 as compared to $17.1 million for the prior year quarter, and $107.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to $17.4 million for the prior year period. The costs incurred to produce lenzilumab will continue to be included in R&D expense until lenzilumab is authorized or approved for commercial use, at which point the amounts expended for production would be reclassified as inventory. A meaningful portion of these expenses are associated with initiation of manufacturing processes on a site-by-site basis.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Net cash used in operating activities, net of balance sheet changes, was $103.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021. During the same period, the company raised net proceeds of $36.1 million from the sale of shares of common stock under its At-the-Market offering program, drew the first tranche of $25.0 million under its credit facility with Hercules Capital, providing net proceeds of $24.4 million, and completed a public offering of common stock with net proceeds of $94.2 million. As of June 30, 2021, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $120.5 million. The company expects to continue to use its funds on the manufacturing of lenzilumab in anticipation of its potential commercialization under EUA in the US or conditional marketing authorization in the UK. For the third quarter of 2021 the company anticipates the R&D expense related to lenzilumab production will be same level as the second quarter of 2021. If an EUA or CMA for lenzilumab is not received in the third quarter of 2021, the company would seek to decrease its spending on lenzilumab production.

A summary of key financial highlights as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 is as follows ($ in thousands):

On August 12, 2021 Selecta Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: SELB), a biotechnology company leveraging its clinically validated ImmTOR platform to develop tolerogenic therapies that selectively mitigate unwanted immune responses, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 and provided a business update (Press release, Selecta Biosciences, AUG 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234586413]).

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"We are very pleased about our continued progress across all aspects of the company," said Carsten Brunn, Ph.D., president, and chief executive officer of Selecta. "Building on our ongoing empty AAV8 capsid study, we are rapidly advancing our two proprietary gene therapy programs into the clinic and as we enter a critical inflection point in development, we are honored to have gene therapy pioneer, Jude Samulski, Ph.D., join as a special advisor. The recently published preclinical data is encouraging and further supports the advancement of our lead candidate in methylmalonic acidemia (MMA), SEL-302. We will build on this momentum and expect to file an IND in MMA during the third quarter of 2021, bringing us one step closer to addressing immunogenicity constraints in AAV-driven gene therapy and ultimately, providing patients with potentially transformative treatment options. Additionally, we are steadily executing across our enzyme and autoimmune development program. We have a well-defined work plan ahead of us and the financial resources to maximize the value of our innovative ImmTOR platform."

Recent Highlights and Anticipated Upcoming Milestones:

Enzyme Therapies:

SEL-212 for chronic refractory gout: Enrollment for the Phase 3 DISSOLVE clinical program for the treatment of chronic refractory gout, which was licensed to Sobi, is progressing as planned.
Topline data is expected in the second half of 2022.
Investigational New Drug, or IND, enabling studies are underway for a novel therapeutic approach that combines ImmTOR with an enzyme, IgA1 protease for the treatment of IgA nephropathy.
Selecta expects to file an IND in IgA nephropathy in 2022 and will provide additional updates later in the year.
Gene Therapies:

First-in-human trial of SEL-399: In collaboration with AskBio, Selecta initiated the first-in-human, dose-escalation trial of SEL-399, an adeno-associated viral serotype 8 (AAV8) empty vector capsid (EMC-101) containing no DNA combined with ImmTOR. The trial aims to determine the dose regimen of ImmTOR to mitigate the formation of antibodies to AAV8 capsids used in gene therapies.
Topline data is expected in the fourth quarter of 2021.
SEL-302 for methylmalonic acidemia (MMA): Selecta announced publication in the journal Molecular Therapy Methods & Clinical Development demonstrating that ImmTOR enhances transgene expression after both initial and repeat dosing of AAV in a mouse model of MMA. The publication further validates use of ImmTOR in Selecta’s gene therapy pipeline, including its lead candidate, SEL-302 (MMA-101 in combination with ImmTOR), for the treatment of MMA, a rare metabolic disease in which the body cannot break down certain proteins and fats.
The previously disclosed MMA-101 manufacturing issue was resolved. Manufacturing of a new lot has been completed and is currently undergoing final release testing.
Selecta expects to file an IND for SEL-302 during the third quarter of 2021.
SEL-313 for ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTC deficiency): Selecta’s proprietary gene therapy product candidate, SEL-313, is being developed to treat OTC deficiency, a rare genetic urea cycle disorder that causes ammonia to accumulate in the blood due to mutations in the OTC gene.
SEL-313 is currently in preclinical development and a clinical trial application, or CTA and/or IND filing are expected in 2022.
Sarepta Therapeutics program in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and certain Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophies (LGMD) subtypes: Selecta has achieved a $3 million milestone payment related to the completion of a preclinical study under the Research License and Option Agreement.
Restoring Self-Tolerance in Autoimmune Diseases:

Selecta announced Frontiers in Immunology publication showcasing the enhanced hepatic tolerogenic potential of ImmTOR. Data demonstrate that ImmTOR enhances the tolerogenic environment in the liver, shows induction of a tolerogenic phenotype in all major hepatic antigen presenting cell populations and is protective in an acute model of autoimmune hepatitis. The publication further supports development of Selecta’s ImmTOR platform for the treatment of liver-specific autoimmune diseases, including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).
Selecta continues IND-enabling work on an ImmTOR-based approach to treating PBC and expects to file an IND in PBC in the second half of 2022.
Corporate Updates:

Jude Samulski, Ph.D., was appointed as a special advisor to help guide Selecta’s gene therapy programs into the clinic. Dr. Samulski is a professor of pharmacology and has been the director of the University of North Carolina Gene Therapy Center for over two decades. He was awarded the first patent for AAV as a viral vector and was the first recipient of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy Outstanding Achievement Award for lifetime achievements in gene therapy. Dr. Samulski has advanced gene therapies into human clinical trials for hemophilia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, giant axonal neuropathy, Pompe disease and heart failure, and is the president, chief scientific officer and co-founder of Asklepios BioPharmaceutical Inc. (AskBio), a biotechnology company focused on AAV-driven gene therapy.

Nishan de Silva, M.D. was appointed to Selecta’s Board of Directors. Dr. de Silva has extensive leadership experience, most relevantly in gene therapy development, manufacturing, and regulatory activities. Dr. de Silva brings over 20 years of experience in biotechnology operations, biopharmaceutical venture capital and healthcare management consulting. He is currently chief executive officer and director of AFYX Therapeutics, a private venture-backed biotechnology company focused on addressing unmet needs in mucosal diseases. Previously Dr. de Silva served as president, chief operating officer and director of Poseida Therapeutics, a cell and gene therapy-focused biopharmaceutical company, where he oversaw clinical development, regulatory, manufacturing, finance, and business development activities.
Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results:

Cash Position: Selecta had $151.5 million in cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, and restricted cash as of June 30, 2021, which compares to cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash of $149.2 million as of March 31, 2021. Selecta believes its available cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, and restricted cash will be sufficient to meet its operating requirements into the third quarter of 2023.

Net cash used in operating activities was $18.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to $23.5 million for the same period in 2020.
Revenue: Revenue recognition for the second quarter of 2021 was $19.7 million, compared to no revenue recognition for the same period in 2020. Revenue was recognized under the license agreement with Sobi which began in July 2020 resulting from the shipment of clinical supply and the reimbursement of costs incurred for the Phase 3 DISSOLVE clinical program. Additionally, during the second quarter, Selecta recognized less than $0.1 million for shipments under the license agreement with Sarepta and $0.1 million resulting from the expiration of the contractual audit term under the Skolkovo Foundation grant.

Research and Development Expenses: Research and development expenses for the second quarter 2021 were $14.5 million, which compares with $10.7 million for the same period in 2020. During the quarter ended June 30, 2021, there was an increase in expenses incurred for consulting, salaries, and the discovery and preclinical programs, offset by a decrease of AskBio collaboration costs.

General and Administrative Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the second quarter 2021 were $4.7 million, which compares with $5.6 million for the same period in 2020. The decrease in costs was primarily the result of reduced expense for salaries, professional fees and patent expense, offset by increased consulting and stock compensation expenses.

Net Income (loss): For the second quarter 2021, Selecta reported net income of $4.6 million, or basic net income per share of $0.04, compared to a net loss of $24.1 million, or basic net loss per share of $0.25 for the same period in 2020.

Conference Call and Webcast Reminder:
Selecta management will host a conference call at 8:30 AM ET today to provide a corporate update and review the company’s second quarter 2021 financial results. Individuals may participate in the live call via telephone by dialing (844) 845-4170 (domestic) or (412) 717-9621 (international) and may access a teleconference replay for one week by dialing (877) 344-7529 (domestic) or (412) 317-0088 (international) and using confirmation code 10147802. Investors and the public can access the live and archived webcast of this call and a copy of the presentation via the Investors & Media section of the company’s website, www.selectabio.com.

On August 12, 2021 Nkarta, Inc. (Nasdaq: NKTX), a biopharmaceutical company developing engineered natural killer (NK) cell therapies to treat cancer, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 (Press release, Nkarta, AUG 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234586429]).

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"Nkarta continues to set the pace for NK cell therapy as we build on the strengths of our next generation platform and advance our two co-lead clinical programs," said Paul J. Hastings, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nkarta. "During the period, we initiated collaboration activities with CRISPR Therapeutics, added new platform capabilities for rapid innovation, and expanded our manufacturing footprint – all designed to stay ahead of the technology curve and transform the scientific insights of cell therapy into meaningful medicines for cancer patients. Nkarta remains on track to report initial clinical data from our Phase 1 study of NKX101 by the end of this year."

RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND FUTURE MILESTONES

NKX101

Nkarta aims to present initial clinical data from its ongoing clinical trial of NKX101 by year end 2021. In the Phase 1 study, patients receive multiple doses of NKX101 during a 28-day treatment cycle and are eligible to receive subsequent cycles of treatment upon evidence of tolerability and disease response.
NKX019

Nkarta expects patient dosing in a Phase 1 clinical trial of NKX019 to initiate in the second half of 2021 and has begun manufacturing of clinical supply of NKX019 at its in-house cGMP clinical manufacturing facility in South San Francisco, California.
Manufacturing

Nkarta entered a lease agreement to establish a combined manufacturing facility and company headquarters. The manufacturing facility will produce materials for potential pivotal trials and commercial launch of multiple engineered NK cell therapy products. The expanded manufacturing footprint, centered in South San Francisco, California, builds upon Nkarta’s existing 2,700 square foot cGMP clinical manufacturing facility.
Pipeline and Platform

In May 2021, Nkarta and CRISPR Therapeutics announced a research and development collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize two chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) NK cell product candidates, one targeting CD70, and one combining NK and T cells (NK+T), each enhanced with genome engineering. The collaboration also gives Nkarta a license to CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology for use in its own engineered NK cell therapy products.

Nkarta continues to integrate important scientific insights, processes and breakthroughs into its next generation platform. Platform capabilities include:

Multiplexed CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering
"Armored" cells with membrane-bound IL-15 for persistence
Enhanced expansion, persistence and activity against tumor microenvironment inhibition via CISH deletion
Cytokine activation using IL-12, -15 and -18 to enhance anti-tumor activity persistence and memory-like properties
No requirement for cytokine support
Multi-dose and multi-cycle clinical trial designs
SECOND QUARTER 2021 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Cash and Cash Equivalents: As of June 30, 2021, Nkarta had cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments of $280.3 million.

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $16.0 million for the second quarter of 2021. Non-cash stock-based compensation expense included in R&D expense was $1.7 million for the second quarter of 2021.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $5.7 million for the second quarter of 2021. Non-cash stock-based compensation expense included in G&A expense was $1.9 million for the second quarter of 2021.

Net Loss. Net loss was $21.5 million, or $0.66 per basic and diluted share, for the second quarter of 2021.
FINANCIAL GUIDANCE

Nkarta expects its current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its current operating plan into at least the second half of 2023.
About NKX101
NKX101 is an investigational, off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapy that uses natural killer (NK) cells derived from the peripheral blood of healthy donors and engineered with membrane-bound IL15 and a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting NKG2D ligands on tumor cells. NKG2D, a key activating receptor found on naturally occurring NK cells, induces a cell-killing immune response through the detection of stress ligands that are widely expressed on cancer cells. By engineering NKX101 with the proprietary NKG2D-based CAR, the ability of NK cells to recognize and kill tumor cells in pre-clinical models is increased significantly compared to non-engineered NK cells. The addition of membrane-bound IL15, a proprietary version of a cytokine for activating NK cell growth, has been shown in pre-clinical models to enhance the proliferation, persistence and sustained activity of NK cells. A multi-center Phase 1 clinical trial of NKX101 in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or higher risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is currently enrolling. Additional information about the clinical trial is available on ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04623944.

About NKX019
NKX019 is an investigational, off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapy that uses natural killer (NK) cells derived from the peripheral blood of healthy donors and engineered with a CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and a proprietary, membrane-bound form of interleukin 15 (IL-15). CD19 is a biomarker for normal and malignant B cells, and it is a validated target for B cell cancer therapies. Via its CAR, NKX019 targets and binds to CD19 and eliminates CD19-expressing cells via a robust immune response in preclinical studies. Preclinical models also demonstrate enhanced proliferation, persistence and activity of NK cells with the membrane-bound IL-15, an important cytokine for NK cell survival. Initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial of NKX019 in patients with relapsed/refractory B cell malignancies in multiple centers in the United States and Australia is planned for the second half of 2021.

About Nkarta’s Platform and Natural Starting Materials
Nkarta’s engineering platform utilizes healthy adult donors as the source for NK cells. By enlisting this natural source of NK cells, Nkarta starts with bona fide NK cells endowed with inherent tumor-recognizing ability and potent cytotoxic function. Healthy donor-derived NK cells are also available in abundance, providing a large quantity of cells with which to begin the efficient two-week manufacturing process. Finally, healthy donor-derived adult cells consist of a diverse repertoire of NK cells, providing Nkarta with the potential to capitalize on the inherent diversity of the innate immune system in selecting donors or NK cell populations with optimal characteristics.

About Nkarta’s NK Cell Technologies
Nkarta has pioneered a novel discovery and development platform for the engineering and efficient production of allogeneic, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell therapy candidates. The approach harnesses the innate ability of NK cells to recognize and kill tumor cells. To enhance the inherent biological activity of NK cells, Nkarta genetically engineers the cells with a targeting receptor designed to recognize and bind to specific proteins on the surface of cancerous cells. This receptor is fused to co-stimulatory and signaling domains to amplify cell signaling and NK cell cytotoxicity. Upon binding the target, NK cells become activated and release cytokines that enhance the immune response and cytotoxic granules that lead to killing of the target cell. All of Nkarta’s NK current cell therapy candidates are also engineered with a membrane-bound IL15, a proprietary version of a cytokine known for activating NK cell growth, to enhance the persistence and activity of the NK cells.

Nkarta’s manufacturing process generates an abundant supply of NK cells that, at commercial scale, is expected to be significantly lower in cost than other current allogeneic and autologous cell therapies. Key to this efficiency is the rapid expansion of donor-derived NK cells using a proprietary NKSTIM cell line, leading to the production of hundreds of individual doses from a single manufacturing run. The platform also features the ability to freeze and store CAR NK cells for an extended period of time and is designed to enable immediate, off-the-shelf administration to patients at the point of care.

On August 12, 2021 Silverback Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBTX) ("Silverback"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary ImmunoTAC technology platform to develop systemically delivered, tissue targeted therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, chronic viral infections, and other serious diseases, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 and provided a business update (Press release, Silverback Therapeutics, AUG 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234586445]).

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"The second quarter was notable for the significant progress we made across our entire pipeline of tissue-targeted therapies, with SBT6050, our HER2-TLR8 ImmunoTAC leading the way with continued robust enrollment in our Phase 1/1b study," said Laura Shawver, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Silverback. "We are deeply appreciative of the patients, their families, and our clinical investigators who continue to contribute to the SBT6050-101 clinical trial, and we look forward to providing the first update of the clinical data at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) conference in September."

Recent Highlights

SBT6050 (HER2-TL8 ImmunoTAC) clinical abstract accepted for poster presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology ("ESMO") 2021 Annual Meeting. The presentation will provide an update on the monotherapy dose-escalation arm (Part 1) and the pembrolizumab combination dose-escalation arm (Part 3) of the SBT6050-101 Phase 1/1b study. Details of the upcoming ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) poster presentation are as follows:

Title: "Interim results of a Phase 1/1b study of SBT6050 monotherapy and pembrolizumab combination in patients with advanced HER2-expressing or amplified solid tumors" Klempner, S., et al.
Poster Number: 209P
Session Date and Time: The ePoster will be released virtually on Thursday, September 16th at 8:30 AM Central European Summer Time / 2:30 AM Eastern Standard Time
Announced a clinical supply agreement with Regeneron to evaluate SBT6050 in combination with Libtayo (cemiplimab), a PD-1 inhibitor. Under the terms of the agreement, Silverback will expand the ongoing Phase 1/1b trial to evaluate the combination of SBT6050 and Libtayo in tumor-specific dose expansion cohorts, initially in HER2-expressing non-small cell lung and gastric cancers.
GLP toxicology study for SBT6290 (Nectin4-TLR8 ImmunoTAC) is nearing completion, with IND filing on track for the fourth quarter of 2021. Dosing was initiated in the GLP toxicology study in the second quarter and cGMP manufacturing of the drug product for Phase 1 clinical supply has been completed, with release testing in progress.
SBT8230 (ASGR1-TLR8 ImmunoTAC for chronic HBV) continues to advance through preclinical development with early CMC activities initiated including selection of the clone and creation of a master cell bank. The GLP toxicology study is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2022.
Second Quarter Financial Results

For the second quarter ended June 30, 2021, Silverback reported a net loss of $24.5 million, compared to a net loss of $6.5 million for the comparable period in 2020. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, Silverback reported a net loss of $43.4 million, compared to a net loss of $11.7 million for the comparable period in 2020. Included in the net losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 were $4.7 million and $9.0 million of non-cash stock-based compensation compared to $128,000 and $175,000 for the same periods in 2020.

Research and development expenses for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 were $17.7 million, compared to $5.1 million for the same period in 2020. Research and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $30.0 million compared to $9.5 million for the same period in 2020. The increases in the Company’s research and development expenses in 2021 were primarily attributable to the advancement of pipeline programs, including SBT6290 and SBT8230, through preclinical development and the continued clinical development of SBT6050. Silverback also incurred additional personnel-related expenses as operations grew in support of program advancements.

General and administrative expenses for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 were $6.8 million, compared to $1.3 million for the same period in 2020. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $13.4 million, compared to $2.2 million for the same period in 2020. The increases in general and administrative expenses were primarily attributable to an increase in personnel-related expenses due to increased headcount in 2021, including new executives, as well as increases in salaries, bonuses, and stock-based compensation. The increases in general and administrative expenses were also due to an increase in legal fees, professional fees, and other various general and administrative expenses as we now operate as a public company.

As of June 30, 2021, Silverback reported cash and cash equivalents of $359.7 million, compared to $386.6 million at December 31, 2020, which is expected to fund operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 24 months.

On August 12, 2021 Moleculin Biotech, Inc., (Nasdaq: MBRX) (Moleculin or the Company), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company with a broad portfolio of drug candidates targeting highly resistant tumors and viruses, reported its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 (Press release, Moleculin, AUG 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234586464]). The Company also provided an update on its portfolio of oncology drug candidates for the treatment of highly resistant tumors and viruses.

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"I am pleased with the progress made over the course of the past quarter, of particular note, in the clinical development program for Annamycin, our next-generation anthracycline. We are committed to advancing our three core technologies to meet the needs in a number of oncology and viral indications. We believe the next 18 months hold a number of key inflection points and value drivers for the Company. We believe Moleculin is well-positioned to continue building momentum and drive shareholder value in the near- and long-term," commented Walter Klemp, Chairman and CEO of Moleculin.

Recent Highlights

Received approval to extend dose escalation in Phase 1/2 European clinical trial evaluating Annamycin for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Commenced enrollment and dosed the first subject in its U.S. Phase 1b/2 clinical trial evaluating Annamycin for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) lung metastases.
Held further meetings with the MHRA in the UK regarding a healthy volunteer trial with WP1122 for the treatment of COVID-19.
Programs Update

Next Generation Anthracycline – Annamycin

Annamycin, the Company’s next-generation anthracycline was designed to be noncardiotoxic (unlike all currently approved anthracyclines) and has demonstrated its lack of cardiotoxicity in recently conducted human clinical trials for the treatment of AML. The Company believes that, because of this unique improvement in safety, the use of Annamycin may not face the same usage limitations imposed on doxorubicin. Additionally, Annamycin has been shown in animal models to accumulate in the lungs at up to 30-fold the level of doxorubicin. Annamycin is currently in development for the treatment of AML and STS lung metastases. For more information about the Phase 1b/2 study evaluating Annamycin for the treatment of STS lung metastases, please visit clinicaltrials.gov and reference identifier NCT04887298.

Upcoming Milestones Expectations

H2 2021: Report cohort topline results from the ongoing Phase 1/2 study for treatment of AML and report the study’s topline results.
H2 2021: Commence Phase 1/2 study in Europe for the treatment of AML evaluating combination therapy of Annamycin + AraC.
H2 2021: Commencement of an investigator-funded, second Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of Annamycin in sarcoma lung metastases in Europe
First-in-class p-STAT3 Inhibitors – WP1066 and WP1220

WP1066 is one of several Immune/Transcription Modulators, designed to stimulate the immune response to tumors by inhibiting the errant activity of Regulatory T-Cells (TRegs) while also inhibiting key oncogenic transcription factors, including p-STAT3 (phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), c-Myc (a cellular signal transducer named after a homologous avian virus called Myelocytomatosis) and HIF-1α (hypoxia inducible factor 1α). These transcription factors are widely sought targets that are believed to contribute to an increase in cell survival and proliferation, and the angiogenesis (coopting vasculature for blood supply), invasion, metastasis and inflammation associated with tumors. They may also play a role in the inability of immune checkpoint inhibitors to affect more resistant tumors. WP1220 is a close analog to WP1066 that the Company has developed as a potential topical therapy for skin-related diseases.

WP1220 was evaluated for the treatment of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) and, based on those results, we are seeking collaborators for future development. WP1066 is currently being evaluated for the treatment of pediatric brain tumors, including Diffuse Interstitial Pontine Glioma (DIPG). Additionally, WP1066 + radiation is being evaluated, pre-clinically, in the treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM).

Upcoming Milestones Expectations

H2 2021: File a US Investigative New Drug application (IND) for the treatment of certain adult cancer(s) with WP1066 and identify an institution to commence an associated investigator-funded Phase 1a/1B study.
H2 2021: Continue support of the physician-sponsored pediatric brain tumor clinical trial
H1 2022: Facilitate launch of physician-sponsored Phase 2 study of WP1066 for the treatment of pediatric brain tumors including DIPG.
Actively seek collaboration with a strategic partner in the near term for external funding for the continued development of WP1220 in a Phase 2 clinical trial as a topical therapy for CTCL.
Infectious Disease and Metabolism/Glycosylation Inhibitors- WP1122, WP1096 and WP1097 Portfolio

Moleculin has new compounds designed to target the roles of glycolysis and glycosylation in both cancer and viral diseases. The Company’s lead Metabolism/Glycosylation Inhibitor, WP1122, is a prodrug of 2-DG that appears to improve the drug-like properties of 2-DG by increasing its circulation time and improving tissue/organ distribution. Recent published research has identified that 2-DG has antiviral potential against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and, based on publicly available information, a recently completed Phase 2 clinical trial by an unrelated company in India has reported efficacy in COVID-19 patients, resulting in the Emergency Use Authorization of 2-DG by the Drugs Controller General of India. Moleculin believes WP1122 has the potential to become an important drug to potentiate existing therapies, including checkpoint inhibitors. The Company recently engaged in discussions with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom (UK) regarding the potential for beginning clinical trials of WP1122 without the need for additional preclinical animal efficacy models. Based on their initial discussions with the MHRA, the Company believes that a COVID-19 animal model will not be required in order to submit a clinical trial application (CTA) for a Phase 1 clinical trial beginning with healthy volunteers in that country, although no final determination has been made by the MHRA. During the second quarter these discussions continued. Additionally, the Company is in the process of identifying countries where potential future Phase 2 clinical studies could occur. The Company is also engaged in preclinical development of additional antimetabolites (WP1096 and WP1097) targeting glycolysis and glycosylation.

Upcoming Milestones Expectations

H2 2021: Seek to initiate Phase 1a/1b study of WP1122 for the treatment of COVID-19 in the UK.
H2 2021: Potential to launch Phase 2 pivotal study of WP1122 for the treatment of COVID-19 outside the U.S.
H2 2021: File an IND in the U.S. for the treatment of certain cancers such as GBM and pancreatic cancer, with WP1122.
Ongoing preclinical development work in anti-viral indications such as HIV, Zika, and Dengue. IND targeted for 2022.
Summary of Financial Results for Second Quarter 2021

Research and development (R&D) expense was $3.0 million and $3.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease of $0.3 million is mainly related to the timing of costs incurred in 2020 of producing additional drug product for Annamycin clinical trials.

General and administrative expense was $2.4 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase of $0.7 million is mainly related to an increase in consulting and advisory fees and an increase in the Company’s corporate insurance.

For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company incurred net losses of $8.7 million and $11.3 million, respectively, and had net cash flows used in operating activities of $10.4 million and $9.3 million, respectively.

The Company ended the quarter with approximately $79.5 million of cash. The Company believes that this cash is sufficient to meet its projected operating requirements, which include a forecasted increase over its current R&D rate of expenditures, into 2024.