On November 9, 2020 Cogent Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: COGT), a biotechnology company focused on developing precision therapies for genetically defined diseases, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 and provided several corporate updates (Press release, Cogent Biosciences, NOV 9, 2020, View Source [SID1234570334]).
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
"Over the past quarter, Cogent Biosciences has made tremendous progress establishing a clear strategy and focus that positions us as an emerging leader in the field of precision medicines for patients with genetically driven diseases," said Andrew Robbins, President and CEO of Cogent Biosciences. "We are excited by the potential of our lead program, PLX9486, and look forward to presenting final clinical data from its Phase 1/2 study in GIST patients at CTOS 2020. We look forward to initiating new clinical trials of PLX9486 in patients with systemic mastocytosis and GIST in 2021, beginning in 1H 2021 with a trial of PLX9486 in advanced systemic mastocytosis (ASM) patients."
Recent Program and Corporate Highlights
Andrew Robbins appointed President, CEO and Director
Mr. Robbins is an accomplished executive with extensive commercial, development, and strategic leadership experience during a 20-year career in the pharmaceutical industry, with a specific focus on oncology and hematology products. Most recently, as COO of Array Biopharma, he led the successful launch of MEKTOVI (binimetinib) and BRAFTOVI (encorafenib) for BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma patients.
PLX9486 + sunitinib GIST Phase 1/2 trial selected for CTOS 2020 oral presentation
Title: The Potent and Selective Kit Inhibitor PLX9486 Dosed in Combination with Sunitinib Demonstrates Promising Progression Free Survival (PFS) in Patients with Advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST): Final Results of a Phase 1/2 Study
Date: Friday, November 20, 2020 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET
Presenter: Jonathan Trent, M.D., Ph.D., University of Miami Health System, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Cogent Biosciences positioned as an emerging leader in the field of precision medicine for patients with genetically driven diseases
Completed Kiq LLC acquisition: On July 6, 2020, Cogent Biosciences (previously Unum Therapeutics) announced the sign and close of the Kiq LLC ("Kiq") acquisition including global rights to PLX9486, a selective and potent KIT inhibitor.
Completed $104.4M Series A preferred stock private placement: Concurrent with the acquisition of Kiq, Cogent Biosciences completed the sale of Series A non-voting convertible Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred Stock") in exchange for gross proceeds of $104.4 million.
Announced new company as Cogent Biosciences: The new name reflects our mission to design rational precision therapies that treat the underlying cause of disease in order to improve patients’ lives.
Out licensed BOXR programs to SOTIO: On August 31, Cogent Biosciences announced the sale of its cell based BOXR programs to SOTIO, a clinical stage immuno-oncology company owned by PPF Group. Under the terms of the agreement, SOTIO made an upfront payment of $8.1 million, and certain Cogent Biosciences stockholders of record (as of July 6, 2020) were granted a non-tradeable contingent value right (CVR). Holders of the CVR will be entitled to receive certain stock and/or cash payments from net proceeds received by Cogent Biosciences.
Reverse Stock Split Enabling Preferred Share Conversion
At a special shareholder meeting held on November 6, 2020, Cogent Biosciences’ stockholders approved a reverse stock split. With this authority, Cogent Biosciences’ board of directors approved the reverse stock split at a ratio of 1-for-4, effective November 6, 2020. This ensured that sufficient common shares were authorized and issuable to allow for full conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock. Cogent Biosciences’ common stock will begin trading on a split-adjusted basis upon market open on November 9, 2020. Immediately following the Reverse Stock Split and assuming full conversion of the Series A preferred stock, Cogent Biosciences would have approximately 52.2 million shares of Common Stock outstanding.
The reverse stock split impacts all holders of Cogent Biosciences stock proportionally and will not impact any stockholder’s percentage ownership of common stock.
Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results
Collaboration Revenue: Collaboration revenue recognized during the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 of $0.3 million compared to $1.0 million in the same period of 2019.
R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses of $5.0 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 compared to $10.3 million for the same period of 2019. This decrease is primarily related to the reduction in clinical activity of legacy cell-therapy clinical trials.
G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 were $5.6 million, compared to $2.7 million for the same period of 2019. The increase is primarily related to higher professional fees and stock compensation.
Acquired In-Process R&D Expense: Acquired in-process R&D expense of $46.9 million during the current quarter was a result of the accounting treatment related to the asset acquisition of Kiq LLC, including PLX9486, on July 6, 2020.
Other Income (expense): Other income (expense) for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 was $7.2 million, compared to $0.1 million for the same period of 2019. The increase is primarily related to the gain on the sale of the BOXR platform to SOTIO.
Net Loss: Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $50.0 million, or $5.07 per share, for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 compared with a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $11.9 million, or $1.56 per share, for the same period of 2019.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: As of September 30, 2020, Cogent Biosciences had cash and cash equivalents of $129.4 million.