On May 5, 2020 Aptose Biosciences Inc. ("Aptose" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: APTO, TSX: APS), a clinical-stage company developing highly differentiated agents that target the underlying mechanisms of cancer, reported financial results and corporate update for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and reported on corporate developments (Press release, Aptose Biosciences, MAY 5, 2020, View Source [SID1234557034]).
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The net loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 was $11.5 million ($0.15 per share) compared with $5.5 million ($0.14 per share) for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. Total cash and cash equivalents and investments as of March 31, 2020 were $90.0 million. Based on current operations, we expect that cash on hand and available capital provide the Company with sufficient resources to fund all planned Company operations including research and development into 2022.
Key Corporate Highlights
Aptose COVID-19 Update — Because treatment of critically ill patients with hematologic cancers is not elective, Aptose’s Phase 1 clinical trials for CG-806 and APTO-253 have continued to enroll and treat patients, despite recent events. The company is continually adapting to COVID-19-driven disruptions at clinical sites, but thus far experienced no material delays. Although headwinds may be felt in the coming days, Aptose has introduced adaptive and precautionary measures and safeguards such as virtual monitoring for the safety of the patients and clinical teams as a top priority.
CG-806 Phase 1 a/b B-cell Malignancy Clinical Study –- During the quarter, Aptose successfully completed dose level three (450 mg dose cohort) of the CG-806 trial. The safety review monitoring committee then reviewed all data and unanimously agreed to advance to the 600 mg dose level. Currently, patient treatment has ongoing in this fourth dose cohort. To date, CG-806 continues to be well-tolerated, and initial indications of desired pharmacologic activity have been observed starting at the second dose level, including strong inhibition of several oncogenic driver kinases and a robust increase in peripheral blood lymphocytes – or lymphocytosis – classically ascribed as a response to the inhibition of BTK. Currently, 21 U.S. sites are open for screening and enrolling patients for the study, with additional sites scheduled to come on board. More information is available at www.clinicaltrials.gov.
CG-806 Proposed AML Study — CG-806 is the only BTK inhibitor that also possesses strong FLT3 inhibitory activity, giving it broad therapeutic potential across hematology in both lymphoid and myeloid malignancies. Based on safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data from patients in the ongoing Phase 1 a/b study in B cell malignancies, we now have identified what we believe may be a therapeutic starting dose for the treatment of AML patients, and are finalizing our efforts to submit the IND application to proceed into a parallel study in this new indication. In due course, this initiative will be designed to treat AML and MDS patients with CG-806 as a stand alone treatment and in combination with other agents.
APTO-253 Phase 1b Clinical Study –- APTO-253 is the only known clinical-stage molecule that can directly target and inhibit expression of the MYC oncogene, shown to reprogram survival signaling pathways and contribute to drug resistance in many malignancies, including AML and B cell malignancies. In the ongoing Phase 1b trial, Aptose has observed MYC suppression at all dose levels to date, and plans to continue dose escalation to higher dose levels that may deliver responses for AML and MDS patients and will inform decisions on how to move forward with development of the molecule. Other therapies directed at MYC suppression are limited by severe toxicities, drug resistance and myelosuppression of the healthy bone marrow, which has not been observed in extensive preclinical testing of APTO-253 and is being borne out in clinical testing to date. More information is available at www.clinicaltrials.gov.
A summary of the results of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is presented below:
The net loss for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 increased by $6.0 million to $11.5 million as compared with $5.5 million for the comparable period in 2019 primarily as a result of an increase of $3.7 million in stock-based compensation in the current period, a combined increased in program costs and related labor costs of approximately $1.9 million on our CG-806 and APTO-253 development programs, and higher cash-based general and administrative expenses of $569 thousand. These expenses were partially offset by higher net finance income of $308 thousand in the current period, which increased by $214 thousand compared to the comparative period, mostly as a result of higher interest earned on larger balances of cash equivalents and investments held during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020.
Research and Development
The research and development expenses for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Research and development expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 were $5.9 million as compared with $3.3 million for the comparative period in 2019, an increase of approximately $2.6 million. Changes to the components of our research and development expenses presented in the table above were primarily as a result of the following events:
In the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, program costs for our CG-806 program consisted mostly of manufacturing costs, including costs to scale up manufacturing and research costs associated with optimizing the formulation, and clinical trial costs. In the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, program costs for our CG-806 program consisted mostly of costs to complete the preclinical studies and prepare regulatory filings in support of an IND filing and the manufacturing of drug product for the Phase I clinical trial.
In the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, program costs for our APTO-253 program consisted mostly of costs related to the Phase Ib clinical trial, and manufacturing costs for a second GMP. In the comparative period in 2019, the Company completed production of a GMP batch of drug product, and initiated necessary studies to present to the FDA in support of removing the clinical hold.
An increase in personnel expenses mostly related to seven new positions, including a Chief Medical Officer, hired since the second quarter of 2019 to support two Phase I clinical trials.
Stock-based compensation increased by approximately $682 thousand in the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2019 mostly related to an increase in the number of options granted in the current period and a higher grant date fair value of options. In the current period, 1,322,500 stock options were granted to employees working in research and development with an average grant date fair value of $4.40. In the comparative period, 390,050 stock options were granted to employees in research and development with a grant date fair value of $1.29.
General and Administrative
The general and administrative expenses for the three-month periods ending March 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
General and administrative expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 were $5.9 million as compared with $2.3 million for the comparative period, an increase of approximately $3.6 million. The increase was primarily as a result of the following:
General and administrative expenses, other than stock-based compensation and depreciation of equipment, increased by approximately $569 thousand in the three months ended March 31, 2020, primarily as a result of higher personnel related costs mostly related to two additional hires, including a Chief Business Officer, in the second quarter of 2019, higher insurance and professional and regulatory costs, and higher office administrative costs.
Stock-based compensation increased by approximately $3.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2019 mostly related to an increase in the number of options granted in the current period, and a higher grant date fair value of options. In the current period, 4,786,334 stock options were granted to directors, executive offices and general and administrative employees with an average grant date fair value of $4.66 and we issued 645,000 restricted stock units (RSUs) with an average grant date fair value of $7.32. In the comparative period, 1,024,000 stock options were granted to directors, executive officers and general and administrative employees with a grant date fair value of $1.29.
Conference Call and Webcast
Aptose will host a conference call to discuss results for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 today, Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 5:00 PM ET. Participants can access the conference call by dialing 1-844-882-7834 (North American toll free number) and 1-574-990-9707 (international/toll number) and using conference ID # 6470926. The conference call can be accessed here and will also be available through a link on the Investor Relations section of Aptose’s website at View Source An archived version of the webcast along with a transcript will be available on the Company’s website for 30 days. An audio replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call for seven days by dialing 1-855-859-2056 (toll free number) and 1-404-537-3406 (international/toll number), using the conference ID # 6470926.