On May 16, 2022 Exicure, Inc. (NASDAQ: XCUR), an early-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of next generation nucleic acid therapies targeting RNA to address both genetic and non-genetic neurological disorders and hair loss disorders, reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and provided an update on its business strategy and corporate progress (Press release, Exicure, MAY 16, 2022, View Source [SID1234614704]).
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"Exicure is off to a promising start in 2022 as we have made progress with our preclinical SCN9A program for the treatment of pain with several potential therapeutic candidates identified and we are conducting initial in vivo animal studies to support candidate selection in 2023," commented Matthias Schroff, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Exicure. "We continue to advance our partnered programs with Ipsen and AbbVie, and the recently announced private placement investment led by CBI USA, Inc. ("CBI USA") is expected to provide us with additional resources as we continue our mission to pursue treatments for patients with unmet medical needs," concluded Dr. Schroff.
Corporate Progress
Recent highlights include:
On May 10, 2022, Exicure announced a $5.0 million raise in a private placement transaction priced at market premium
Agreed to sell an aggregate of 26,021,011 shares of the Company’s common stock to certain accredited investors in a private placement in public equity ("PIPE") financing at a purchase price of $0.1937 per share, representing an approximately 45% premium to the 10-day volume weighted-average share price from May 9, 2022.
New investor CBI USA led the transaction; existing investor, Abingworth LLP, also participated.
Transaction is expected to close on or about May 19, 2022, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
In connection with the PIPE, CBI USA received the right to nominate a member to the Company’s board of directors (the "Board"), effective as of the closing date. CBI USA will also have the right to designate one individual to attend all meetings of the Board in a nonvoting observer capacity.
Net proceeds from the transaction expected to support the Company’s advancement of its preclinical program, including the development of its SCN9A product candidate, as well as other working capital and general corporate purposes.
Corporate highlights for the first quarter of 2022 include:
Repaid in full all outstanding indebtedness and other obligations under the Company’s credit facility with MidCap, effective March 15, 2022.
Continued to advance the Company’s SCN9A preclinical discovery program. Exicure anticipates results from initial in vivo animal studies by year-end 2022, with the goal of therapeutic candidate selection in the second half of 2023.
Progressed work with partnered programs towards potential pre-clinical milestones in 2023.
Actively pursuing out-license opportunities for the Company’s clinical asset, cavrotolimod.
Continuing to pursue near-term partnering opportunities for pain and other neuroscience programs.
First Quarter 2022 Financial Results
Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $27.6 million as of March 31, 2022, as compared to $48.3 million as of December 31, 2021. The Company expects that its cash and cash equivalents, together with the expected $5.0 million gross proceeds from the PIPE transaction in May 2022, will enable it to fund its current operations into the first quarter of 2023.
Revenue: Revenue was $2.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, reflecting an increase of $1.6 million from revenue of $1.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The increase in revenue of $1.6 million is mostly due to the recognition of non-cash revenue of $2.1 million associated with the Company’s collaboration with Ipsen Biopharm Limited, partially offset by a decrease in revenue of $0.5 million associated with the Company’s collaboration with AbbVie Inc.
Research and Development (R&D) Expense: Research and development expenses were $7.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, as compared to $10.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The decrease in R&D expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 of $3.1 million reflects a reduction in employee headcount and fewer discovery, preclinical, and clinical program activities resulting from the restructuring activities that the Company announced in December 2021.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expense: General and administrative expenses were $3.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, as compared to $2.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The increase in G&A expense of $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was mostly due to higher legal costs and retention award expense for current employees, partially offset by a decrease in recruiting costs, investor relations costs, and stock-based compensation.
Net Loss: The Company had a net loss of $8.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, as compared to a net loss of $12.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The decrease in net loss was primarily driven by lower R&D expense and higher non-cash revenue during the period.
Going Concern: Given the Company’s current cash position, operating plans and forecasted negative cash flows from operating activities over the next twelve months, management believes there is substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 are issued. The Company will require substantial additional financing to address the Company’s working capital and other financing needs to pursue its business strategy.