On November 19, 2019 Cellect Biotechnology Ltd. (NASDAQ: APOP), a developer of innovative technology which enables the functional selection of stem cells, reported financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019 and provided a corporate update (Press release, Cellect Biotechnology, NOV 19, 2019, View Source [SID1234551503]).
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Recent Highlights
Received an Investigational New Drug (IND) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the commencement of a clinical trial to determine the safety and tolerability of the ApoGraft technology for haploidentical bone marrow transplantations. This development represents the Company’s first-ever clinical trial approval in the U.S. using its ApoGraft stem cell selection technology, which is designed to significantly reduce acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) following bone marrow transplantation.
Successfully validated the Company’s technology in collaboration with a regenerative medicine company. The study, when combined with others and internal findings increase the body of evidence supporting the Company’s technology and add further proof to support Cellect ASCs derived stem cells program. Biocompatibility with certain collagen-based matrixes successfully demonstrated that cells grown utilizing the Company’s protocol can be incorporated into matrixes for expansion, transplantation and tissue regeneration.
"Our clinical and regulatory teams remained focused during the third quarter and the more recent positive developments position us to achieve our goals, both in the U.S. and Israel," commented Dr. Shai Yarkoni, Chief Executive Officer. "In the U.S., the IND approval is a significant achievement and represents our first-ever FDA IND in the U.S., with Washington University School of Medicine. In Israel, our Phase 1/2 clinical study of ApoGraft is progressing slowly and we expect to complete the recruitment around the end of the year."
"With our prudent use of cash during the third quarter and the anticipated cash usage needs over the coming quarters, we continue to believe we have the resources to execute our clinical and regulatory plans for the foreseeable future," said Eyal Leibovitz, Chief Financial Officer.
Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results:
Research and development (R&D) expenses for the third quarter of 2019 were $0.71 million compared to $1.18 million in the third quarter of 2018. The Company remains committed to the ongoing clinical trials in Israel as well as pursuing the regulatory approval from the FDA to commence its US-based trial.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the third quarter of 2019 were $0.80 million compared to $1.13 million in the third quarter of 2018. The decrease reflects the cost cutting initiatives implemented by the Company during the third quarter of 2019.
Finance income for the third quarter of 2019 were $0.12 million compared to finance income of $0.36 million in the third quarter of 2018. The decrease was primarily due to changes related to fair value of the tradable and non-tradable warrants issued in prior fundraising.
Net loss for the third quarter of 2019 was $1.4 million, or $0.01 per share and $0.12 per ADS, compared to $1.9 million, or $0.014 per share and $0.29 per ADS, in the third quarter of 2018.
Cash and cash equivalents, $6.27 million as of September 30, 2019.
*For the convenience of the reader, the amounts above have been translated from NIS into U.S. dollars, at the representative rate of exchange on September 30, 2019 (U.S. $1 = NIS 3.482).
Strategic Review Progress Update
On May 16, 2019, the Company disclosed that it commenced plans to explore strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value. Potential strategic alternatives that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, an acquisition, merger, business combination, including in other business fields than the Company’s in-licensing, or other strategic transaction involving the Company or its assets. The Company continues to evaluate business development opportunities and will keep investors informed as they mature or warrant investor disclosure.