On November 12, 2024 Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. ("Checkpoint") (Nasdaq: CKPT), a clinical-stage immunotherapy and targeted oncology company, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, and recent corporate updates (Press release, Checkpoint Therapeutics, NOV 12, 2024, View Source [SID1234648162]).

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"With the Prescription Drug User Fee Act ("PDUFA") goal date set for next month, we await the decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") on our Biologics License Application ("BLA") resubmission for cosibelimab, our anti-programmed death ligand-1 ("PD-L1") antibody," said James Oliviero, President and Chief Executive Officer of Checkpoint. "The $9.2 million in cash proceeds received this month from the exercise of existing warrants has strengthened our balance sheet to extend beyond our PDUFA date and into 2025. We are now fully focused on preparing for the potential approval of cosibelimab and look forward to potentially offering oncologists a new, differentiated treatment option for patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma ("cSCC")."

Recent Corporate Updates:

In July 2024, Checkpoint announced that the FDA accepted for review the resubmission of its BLA for cosibelimab as a complete response to the complete response letter ("CRL") issued in December 2023 and set a PDUFA goal date of December 28, 2024.
Also in July 2024, Checkpoint announced a collaboration to explore the combined therapeutic potential of cosibelimab, its anti-PD-L1 antibody with dual mechanism of action, with GC Cell’s Immuncell-LC, an innovative autologous Cytokine Induced Killer T cell therapy composed of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer T cells.
Also in July 2024, Checkpoint completed a registered direct offering priced At-the-Market under Nasdaq rules and a concurrent private placement of warrants to purchase Checkpoint common stock, for total gross proceeds of approximately $12.0 million.
In September 2024, Checkpoint presented longer-term data from its pivotal trial of cosibelimab in locally advanced and metastatic cSCC during the European Society for Medical Oncology ("ESMO") Congress 2024. Longer-term results for cosibelimab presented at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress demonstrate a deepening of response over time, with higher objective response and complete response rates than initially observed at the primary analyses. A copy of the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) poster can be found on the Publications page of Checkpoint’s website.
In November 2024, Checkpoint received $9.2 million in cash proceeds through the exercise of existing warrants.
Financial Results:

Cash Position: As of September 30, 2024, Checkpoint’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $4.7 million, compared to $5.0 million at June 30, 2024 and $4.9 million at December 31, 2023, a decrease of $0.3 million for the quarter and a decrease of $0.2 million, year-to-date. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, in November 2024, Checkpoint received $9.2 million in cash proceeds through the exercise of existing warrants.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2024 were $6.4 million, compared to $5.5 million for the third quarter of 2023, an increase of $0.9 million. Research and development expenses for the third quarter of 2024 included $0.5 million of non-cash stock expenses, compared to $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2023.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2024 were $3.4 million, compared to $2.2 million for the third quarter of 2023, an increase of $1.2 million. General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2024 included $1.4 million of non-cash stock expenses, compared to $0.6 million for the third quarter of 2023.

Net Loss: Net loss attributable to common stockholders for the third quarter of 2024 was $9.7 million, or $0.23 per share, compared to a net loss of $5.7 million, or $0.29 per share, in the third quarter of 2023. Net loss for the third quarter of 2024 included $1.9 million of non-cash stock expenses, compared to $0.9 million for the third quarter of 2023.