On November 2, 2018 CytRx Corporation (Nasdaq: CYTR), a biopharmaceutical research and development company specializing in oncology, reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, and provided an overview of recent accomplishments and plans for its research and development programs (Press release, CytRx, NOV 2, 2018, View Source [SID1234530692]).
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"The third quarter of 2018 was highlighted by the filing of a provisional patent by Centurion BioPharma for the breakthrough albumin companion diagnostic (ACDx) for use alongside our innovative LADR (Linker Activated Drug Release) assets," said Eric Curtis, CytRx’s President and Chief Operating Officer. "This new intellectual property is an important component of the overall LADR value proposition and will enhance our efforts to secure a strategic partnership to further advance these unique, promising assets, with the overarching goal of bringing these albumin binding ultra-high potency drug candidates to the physicians and patients who need them."
"Also during the quarter, we were pleased to make the final payment under our long-term loan agreement, and thereby extinguishing all of our outstanding debt. We also saw the expiration of approximately 3.2 million outstanding warrants for shares of our common stock, improving our overall capital structure."
Third Quarter 2018 and Recent Highlights
Centurion BioPharma Corporation
Breakthrough Personalized Medicine Companion Diagnostic Filed for Albumin-Binding LADR Drug Candidates. In July 2018, Centurion filed a provisional patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office covering its unique albumin companion diagnostic (ACDx) for use alongside its albumin binding ultra-high potency LADR drug candidates. The goal of ACDx is to identify patients with cancer who are most likely to benefit from the treatment with the Company’s lead assets, LADR-7, LADR-8, LADR-9 and LADR-10 and any albumin-binding drugs the Company may generate in the future.
CytRx Corporation
Receipt of Milestone Payment from Orphazyme A/S. In September 2018, CytRx announced receipt of a milestone payment totaling $250,000 (USD) from Orphazyme A/S (CPH: ORPHA). The payment was a result of Orphazyme dosing the first patient in their Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating arimoclomol in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Orphazyme, a public company trading on the Nasdaq Copenhagen exchange, is testing arimoclomol in three additional indications beyond ALS, including Niemann-Pick disease Type C, Gaucher disease and sporadic Inclusion Body Myositis. Should arimoclomol be approved for NPC in Europe, CytRx will receive a $4 million milestone payment, plus royalties. Additional arimoclomol milestones include $6 million upon approval in the U.S. and $2 million upon approval in Japan, plus royalties on net sales in all territories.
Paid Off Long-Term Loan. In August 2018, CytRx announced that it made the final payment under a long-term loan agreement. As of August 1, 2018, the loan was paid in full, which extinguished all of CytRx’s outstanding debt.
Expiration of the Majority of Outstanding Warrants. In July 2018, CytRx announced the expiration of warrants for approximately 3.2 million shares of its common stock. CytRx believes the expiration of these warrants, the majority of which were associated with a public offering in December 2016, eliminates overhang and provides additional common share float stability.
Participated in Three Institutional Investor Conferences. During the third quarter, CytRx participated in three institutional investor conferences in New York City, including the H.C. Wainwright & Co. 20th Annual Global Investment Conference, the 2018 MicroCap Conference and the Singular Research Summer Solstice 2018 Conference. At each conference, CytRx executive management made a formal presentation and had one-on-one meetings with institutional investors.
Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results
CytRx reported cash and cash equivalents of $24.7 million as of September 30, 2018.
Net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, was $3.3 million, or $(0.10) per share, compared with a net loss of $5.1 million, or $(0.19) per share, for the comparative 2017 period, a reduction of $1.8 million, or approximately 36 percent. The comparative 2017 quarter included a non-cash gain of $3.8 million on the fair value adjustment of warrant derivative liabilities related to warrants issued in 2016, compared to no gain during the current third quarter related to these now expired warrants.
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $0.9 million for the third quarter of 2018, which represents primarily expenses for the development of the albumin companion diagnostic (ACDx). In the third quarter of 2017, R&D expenses of $4.8 million included $3.7 million related to our aldoxorubicin program and its clinical support and $1.0 million for pre-clinical development of new albumin-binding, ultra-high potency cancer drugs.
General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $2.4 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared with $3.4 million for the third quarter of 2017. G&A expenses decreased by approximately 31 percent primarily due to a decrease in professional fees.
Based on our currently projected expenditures for the next 13 months our monthly burn rate is estimated at approximately $700,000 per month.
Conference Call and Webcast
CytRx will be hosting a conference call and webcast today beginning at 11:00 am Eastern Time (8:00 am Pacific Time). To access the conference call, dial (+1) 844-358-6753 (U.S. and Canada) or (+1) 216-562-0397 (international callers) and enter the conference ID number: 4382473. A live and archived webcast will be available in the News and Events/Events Calendar section of the Company’s website, www.cytrx.com. A replay of the call and webcast will begin approximately two hours after the live call has ended. To access the replay, dial (+1) 855-859-2056 (U.S. and Canada) or (+1) 404-537-3406 (international callers) and enter the conference ID number: 4382473.