On May 11, 2022 Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLUE), a biotechnology company developing novel molecular glue degrader (MGD)-based medicines, reported business highlights and financial results for the first quarter, ended March 31, 2022 (Press release, Monte Rosa Therapeutics, MAY 11, 2022, View Source [SID1234614227]).
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"Our first quarter was marked by exciting progress across our pipeline of molecular glue degraders and our proprietary QuEEN platform," said Markus Warmuth, M.D., CEO of Monte Rosa. "Last month, we presented compelling preclinical data underscoring the therapeutic potential of MRT-2359 as a potent inducer of degradation of GSPT1 in Myc-driven solid tumors, and we look forward to submitting our IND for MRT-2359 in mid-2022. We are also thrilled to work with Professor Bruno Correia and the world experts at EPFL to further realize the potential of our proprietary AI engine to identify next-generation molecular glue degraders that can eliminate therapeutically relevant proteins previously considered undruggable."
FIRST QUARTER 2022 & RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
Presented preclinical data highlighting potential of GSPT1-directed molecular glue degrader MRT-2359 to target Myc-driven cancers. The data were featured in a poster presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2022 in New Orleans. Collectively, the data support the clinical development of MRT-2359 in Myc-driven solid tumors, with an initial focus in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Initiated research collaboration with Dr. Correia and the Laboratory of Protein Design & Immunoengineering at EPFL. The collaboration integrates Monte Rosa’s AI engine with EPFL’s MaSIF (Molecular Surface Interaction Fingerprinting) technology. This combination will uniquely accelerate Monte Rosa’s ability to identify both novel cereblon-based MGDs and novel E3 ligases to target therapeutically relevant proteins.
UPCOMING MILESTONES & DATA PRESENTATIONS
Submission of IND application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for MRT-2359 expected in mid-2022
Initiation of at least one additional lead optimization program expected in 2022
UPCOMING INVESTOR EVENTS
Monte Rosa will be participating in the following upcoming investor conferences:
UBS Global Healthcare Conference, May 23-25
Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference, June 8-10
Wells Fargo Healthcare Conference, Sept. 7-9
FIRST QUARTER 2022 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Research and Development (R&D) Expenses: R&D expenses for the first quarter of 2022 were $17.9 million, compared to $9.3 million for the first quarter of 2021. These increases were due to the expansion of research and development activities, including the advancement of MRT-2359 toward clinical development, the development the company’s QuEEN platform and discovery and lead optimization efforts of its preclinical programs, as well as increased headcount and laboratory-related expenses due to the company’s continued growth as a research and development organization. R&D expenses included non-cash stock-based compensation of $1.2 million for the first quarter of 2022, compared to $0.1 million for the same period in 2021.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses for the first quarter of 2022 were $6.4 million compared to $2.2 million for the first quarter of 2021. The increase in G&A expenses was a result of increased headcount and expenses in support of the company’s growth and operations as a public company. G&A expenses included non-cash stock-based compensation of $1.1 million for the first quarter of 2022, compared to $0.2 million for the same period in 2021.
Net Loss: Net loss for the first quarter of 2022 was $23.9 million, compared to $12.3 million for the first quarter of 2021.
Cash Position and Financial Guidance: Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities as of March 31, 2022, were $322.5 million, compared to cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $351.4 million as of December 31, 2021. The decrease primarily related to cash used to fund operations of $27.4 million and cash used to purchase laboratory equipment of $1.7 million, partially off-set by proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $0.2 million. The company expects that its cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund planned operations and capital expenditures into late 2024.