1stOncology™: Cancer Intelligence Service – Page 3777 – 1stOncology is recognized as a Top 10 Global Pharma Analytic Provider

Fresh Tracks Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

On March 30, 2023 Fresh Tracks Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Company" or "Fresh Tracks") (Nasdaq: FRTX), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company striving to transform patient lives by developing innovative and differentiated prescription therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune, inflammatory, and other debilitating diseases, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022 and provided a corporate update (Press release, Vical, MAR 30, 2023, View Source [SID1234629616]).

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!

"We are pleased with the progress made in advancing our development of FRTX-02 over the past year. The results from Part 1 of our first-in-human Phase 1 study demonstrate the potential of FRTX-02 as a generally safe and well-tolerated, once-daily oral treatment for a broad range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases," commented Andrew Sklawer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Tracks. "We believe the Phase 1 topline results support the continued development of FRTX-02. As we plan out our path forward, we have initiated the comprehensive process previously disclosed, to explore and evaluate strategic options to progress the development of our novel pipeline of potential treatments for autoimmune, inflammatory, and other diseases, including FRTX-02, with the goal of maximizing shareholder value."
Research and Development Highlights
FRTX-02: a potential first-in-class DYRK1A inhibitor for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
•Announced in early March 2023 positive topline results from Part 1 of the Phase 1 clinical trial of FRTX-02, which is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of FRTX-02 capsules in healthy subjects, which included single and multiple ascending dose assessments of FRTX-02 or placebo in healthy adult subjects.
•Topline results support the continued development of FRTX-02 as a potential first-in-class, once-daily oral treatment for atopic dermatitis and/or other autoimmune diseases.
FRTX-10: a covalent Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) inhibitor candidate for the potential treatment of autoimmune, inflammatory, and rare genetic diseases
•Continued to progress the preclinical IND-enabling development activities of FRTX-10.
Recent Corporate Highlights
Evaluation of Strategic Options
As previously announced on March 7, 2023, the Company’s board of directors ("Board") and executive management team have approved and are conducting a comprehensive process to explore and evaluate strategic options to progress the development of its novel pipeline of potential treatments for autoimmune, inflammatory, and other diseases with the goal of maximizing shareholder value. Potential strategic options to be explored or evaluated as part of this process may include, but are not limited to, a financing, sale or licensing of assets, acquisition, merger, business combination, and/or other strategic transaction or series of related transactions involving the Company. Fresh Tracks does not expect to disclose developments with respect to this process until the evaluation of strategic options has been completed or until the Board has concluded disclosure is appropriate

or legally required. MTS Health Partners, LP has been retained as the Company’s exclusive financial advisor to assist in this review process.
Sales of Common Stock
In March 2023, the Company sold 2,887,535 shares of its common stock under an at-the-market equity offering program ("ATM") at a weighted-average price of $2.34 per share, for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $6.6 million.
Sofpironium Bromide
In the second quarter of 2022, Fresh Tracks entered into an asset purchase agreement ("APA") with Botanix SB Inc., a subsidiary of Botanix Pharmaceuticals Limited ("Botanix"). Under the terms of the APA, Botanix acquired and assumed control of rights, title, and interests to assets primarily related to the proprietary compound sofpironium bromide that were owned and/or licensed by us or Brickell Subsidiary, Inc. in exchange for an upfront payment, near-term regulatory milestone payments, and sales-based milestone payments, as well as tiered earnout payments on net sales of sofpironium bromide gel. In connection with the sale of sofpironium bromide, Fresh Tracks and Botanix entered into a transition services agreement ("TSA") whereby Fresh Tracks provides consulting services as an independent contractor to Botanix in support of and through filing and approval of the U.S. new drug application ("NDA") for sofpironium bromide gel, 15%.
In December 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") accepted the NDA submission by Botanix for sofpironium bromide gel, 15%, which was a milestone upon which Fresh Tracks received a milestone payment of $2.0 million from Botanix. In November 2022, Fresh Tracks paid its former licensor of sofpironium bromide $1.0 million in cash in lieu of issuing $1.0 million in shares of its common stock as originally provided for under a license agreement. In March 2023, Botanix reported that the FDA’s mid-cycle review is expected to be completed soon and that it expects the FDA’s decision on the NDA submission in the third quarter of 2023.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results
The Company reported cash and cash equivalents of $8.7 million as of December 31, 2022, compared to $26.9 million as of December 31, 2021. The Company expects its cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2022, combined with $6.6 million in net proceeds received in March 2023 from sales of the Company’s common stock under its ATM program, will be sufficient to fund its operations for at least the next 12 months.
Revenue was $2.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to $0.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2021. Revenue was $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Revenue in 2022 primarily consisted of contract revenue recognized under the APA and TSA with Botanix, while revenue in 2021 was driven by royalty revenue earned on a percentage of net sales of ECCLOCK (sofpironium bromide gel, 5%) in Japan under a licensing agreement with Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Contract revenue in 2022 consisted of upfront payment of $3.0 million, a milestone payment of $2.0 million, fees for consulting services the Company provided to Botanix of $0.8 million, reimbursed development expenditures of $0.6 million, and sublicense income of $0.4 million.
Research and development expenses were $2.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to $3.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2021. Research and development expenses were $14.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $28.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, which was driven primarily by lower clinical expenses of $16.6 million related to sofpironium bromide and lower personnel and other unallocated expenses of $0.5 million, partially offset by increased costs related to our STING inhibitor platform of $2.2 million and increased costs related to our DYRK1A inhibitor program of $0.7 million.
General and administrative expenses were $4.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to $3.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2021. General and administrative expenses were $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $12.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The annual increase of $2.0 million was primarily related to increased expenses in 2022 of $1.9 million in payments to a former licensor and higher legal and compliance fees of $0.4 million, partially offset by lower compensation-related expenses of $0.2 million and lower other general administrative expenses of $0.1 million.
The Company’s net loss was $4.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to $6.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2021. Net loss was $21.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $39.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

No Quarterly Conference Call
In consideration of the Board and management team’s ongoing process of exploring and evaluating strategic options to progress the development of the Company’s novel pipeline, Fresh Tracks’ management has decided not to host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2022 financial results. Additional details regarding the financial results for the full year 2022 and corporate update can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Selvita with record results in 2022, builds a base for further dynamic growth in upcoming periods

On March 30, 2023 Selvita S.A. [WSE: SLV] – one of the largest CRO (Contract Research Organization) companies in Europe reported that it has published a full-year report for 2022* (Press release, Selvita, MAR 30, 2023, View Source [SID1234629615]). The Group reported record results for 2022, in excess of meeting the objectives of its ambitious development strategy for 2022-2025. In 2023 the Company is strengthening the base for further dynamic growth of its business scale.

In 2022 Selvita (excl. Ardigen) generated EUR 75.4 million in revenue from commercial services, marking an increase of 29% y/y. EBITDA profit reached EUR 22.7 million, 41% higher than in 2021 (EBITDA margin reached 30.0%, 2.6 p.p. higher y/y).
At the end of March, Selvita announced that it had completed construction of its new research space in Krakow, to which it is moving part of its high-margin drug discovery services business. Selvita’s new research center is capable of providing workspace for approximately 250 scientists, marking a significant milestone in the Company’s development and laying the foundation for the Company’s continued organic growth.
Selvita’s backlog for 2023 reached EUR 43.3 million (as of March 28, 2023) and is 7% higher than the value reported a year earlier (as of March 24, 2022), despite a very high base. There are many indications that in 2023 the dynamics of contracting between quarters will be different than usual. The company is observing an increased caution from its customers, resulting in contracting for shorter periods, which makes it possible to count on extensions in subsequent quarters of 2023.
Due to investments in infrastructure and team development, the Company entered 2023 with a higher cost base, which taking into account slowing growth rates, is putting pressure on margins. Today, Selvita is fundamentally positioned for continued strong growth, and the Management Board’s priority is to return to high revenue growth and margin levels.
Selvita is actively responding to this situation, focusing on identifying markets and customers with the largest research budgets, significantly intensifying sales activities in selected areas – primarily in the US market and towards big pharma. The Company is already observing the first effects of these activities and expects further positive results from the tactics adopted in the coming months.
In parallel, the Company is taking advantage of this more challenging period to identify areas where optimizations can be made, and is improving its savings policies, which should have a positive impact on margins both in the coming quarters and in the long term.

Boguslaw Sieczkowski, co-founder, major shareholder and Chief Executive Officer at Selvita, comments:

– 2022 was a record year for us. We made good use of several years of excellent economic conditions, growing more than three times faster than our environment and more than quadrupling the scale of the business between 2019 and 2022. At the same time, we have built a solid base for further dynamic growth and are now focusing on increasing and diversifying our revenue base. There are many indications that this year the distribution of backlog between quarters will be different than usual. Thus, we expect growth rates to increase and margins to improve in the second half of 2023. Returning to the high dynamics of revenues and margin levels that we got our investors accustomed to is our top priority at the moment.

Both biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies have high cash reserves and are gradually increasing their R&D spending, outsourcing an increasing portion of its activities. At the same time, access to new capital has been difficult for several quarters, making our clients more cautious with their budgets. This situation allows us to hope that as market sentiment improves, our clients will quickly return to bolder investments in R&D. In the long term, we operate in an attractive market, which gives us excellent prospects for growth.

While funding for the global biopharmaceutical sector more than doubled in the pandemic years – 2020-2021 – in 2022 it dropped to the 2019 levels, with the largest amount of capital (more than 70%) going to companies in the U.S. market. In Europe, the U.K. market stands out positively. Selvita is very active in both these markets, based on its local sales offices in major biotech centers.

Dr. Milosz Gruca, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Selvita, said:

– We are trying to play on our numerous competitive advantages and focus on the most attractive markets and customers at the moment. We took the first steps towards strengthening sales back in 2022, and since the beginning of this year we have significantly intensified these activities.

In 2022 Selvita completed the integration of Fidelta, the Croatian company, acquired in early 2021. Selvita has strengthened its market position, significantly increased its customer portfolio and introduced new high-margin services. At the same time, the Company continued to invest in team and infrastructure development. In March 2023, Selvita announced the completion of its new headquarters in Krakow, which constitutes nearly 4 000 sq. m. of new research space and can provide workspace for approximately 250 scientists.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND MARKET ENVIRONMENT

In 2022, Selvita’s drug discovery services generated EUR 63.7 million (up by 24% y/y) and accounted for 84% of Selvita’s commercial services revenue. Services in the area of regulatory research constituted the remaining part of commercial services revenues and amounted to EUR 11.7 million (up by 61% y/y).

Dr. Milosz Gruca adds:

– We are continuing very strong business development activities. While in 2022 we participated in more than 80 events, this year we plan to take part in more than 110 shows and conferences. We are working hard to strengthen our visibility and scientific recognition.

The bioinformatics segment (Ardigen) generated in 2022 EUR 10.2 million in external revenues, indicating a 51% year-on-year increase. EBITDA in this segment of the business amounted to EUR 1.3 million. The company continues its intensive development investments. Starting in 2023, Ardigen will not be consolidated in Selvita’s results.

For the full year 2022, Selvita Group generated EUR 88.8 million in revenue, showing an increase of 31% year-on-year. EBITDA amounted to EUR 24.0 million (stable profitability at 27.0%), a result which is 32% higher than a year earlier. Net profit reached EUR 13.5 million (up by 28% y/y, profitability of 15.2%).

In Q4 2022 alone, the Group generated EUR 23.1 million in revenue, up by 16% year-on-year. EBITDA amounted to EUR 5.6 million, and due to Ardigen’s intensive investments, remained at a similar level to a year earlier.

There are numerous indications that in 2023 the dynamics of contracting between quarters will be different than usual. Selvita’s backlog for 2023 reached EUR 43.3 million (as of March 28, 2023) and is 7% higher than the value reported a year earlier (as of March 24, 2022), despite a demanding market environment and a high base. The Company expects intensified contracting in the second part of the year.

The market in which Selvita operates is at the advanced stages of the longest and deepest cycle of restrictions on access to new financing seen in the last 15 years. Both biotech and pharma companies have high cash reserves, but due to heightened uncertainty, they are investing in R&D activities more cautiously, and what follows R&D outsourcing is also handled more cautiously. Selvita is expecting this situation to improve swiftly once market sentiment improves.

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On March 30, 2023 SCYNEXIS, Inc. reported that it has entered into a license agreement (the "License Agreement") with GlaxoSmithKline Intellectual Property (No. 3) Limited ("GSK") (Filing, 8-K, Scynexis, MAR 30, 2023, View Source [SID1234629614]). Pursuant to the terms of the License Agreement, SCYNEXIS granted GSK an exclusive (even as to SCYNEXIS and its affiliates), royalty-bearing, sublicensable license for the development, manufacture, and commercialization of ibrexafungerp, including the approved product BREXAFEMME, for all indications, in all countries other than Greater China and certain other countries already licensed to third parties (the "GSK Territory"). If the existing licenses granted to or agreements with third parties are terminated with respect to any country, GSK will have an exclusive first right to negotiate with SCYNEXIS to add those additional countries to the GSK Territory.

SCYNEXIS retains rights to all other assets, with GSK receiving a right of first negotiation ("ROFN") to any other enfumafungin-derived compounds or products that SCYNEXIS may control.

Under the terms of the License Agreement, SCYNEXIS will receive an upfront payment of $90 million. SCYNEXIS is also eligible to receive potential:

–
regulatory approval milestone payments of up to $70 million;
–
commercial milestone payments of up to $115 million based on first commercial sale in invasive candidiasis (U.S./EU);
–
and sales milestone payments of up to $242.5 million based on annual net sales, with a total of $77.5 million to be paid upon achievement of multiple thresholds up through $200 million; a total of $65 million to be paid upon achievement of multiple thresholds between $300 million and $500 million; and $50 million to be paid at each threshold of $750 million and $1 billion.

SCYNEXIS will be responsible for the execution and costs of the ongoing clinical studies of ibrexafungerp but will have the potential to receive up to $75.5 million in success-based development milestones, which are comprised of up to $65 million for the achievement of three interim milestones associated with SCYNEXIS’s continued performance of the ongoing MARIO Study and $10.5 million for the successful completion of the MARIO Study.

In the case of each of the above milestones, such milestone events are defined in the License Agreement.

GSK will also pay royalties based on cumulative annual sales to SCYNEXIS in the mid-single digit to mid-teen range. These royalty rates are subject to reduction, including in the event of third-party licenses, entry of a generic product, or the expiration of licensed patents.

A joint development committee will be established between GSK and SCYNEXIS to coordinate and review ongoing development activities of ibrexafungerp.

Unless earlier terminated, the License Agreement will expire on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis at the end of the royalty term for such product in such country.

SCYNEXIS has the right to terminate the License Agreement upon an uncured material breach by, or bankruptcy of, GSK. GSK has the right to terminate the License Agreement at any time for convenience in its entirety or on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis, upon an uncured material breach by, or bankruptcy of, SCYNEXIS, or for safety reasons.

The consummation of the transactions under the License Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"); provided, that either SCYNEXIS or GSK may terminate the License Agreement if expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act has not occurred within nine months of the signing of the License Agreement. The parties expect the transactions contemplated by the License Agreement to close in the second quarter of 2023.

The foregoing is only a summary of the material terms of the License Agreement and does not purport to be a complete description of the rights and obligations of the parties thereunder and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the License Agreement, copies of which SCYNEXIS intends to file with its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2023, requesting confidential treatment for certain portions thereof.

Loan Agreement Amendment

SCYNEXIS, Hercules Capital, Inc. ("Hercules Capital") and Silicon Valley Bridge Bank, N.A. ("SVB") are party to a Loan and Security Agreement dated as of May 13, 2021 (the "Loan Agreement"), pursuant to which Hercules Capital, SVB and each of the other lenders from time-to-time party to the Loan and Security Agreement (collectively, the "Lenders") loaned to SCYNEXIS $35 million.

In connection with the entering into of the License Agreement, SCYNEXIS entered into a First Amendment and Consent to Loan and Security Agreement with the Lenders pursuant to which the Lenders consented to SCYNEXIS entering into the License Agreement and SCYNEXIS agreed to pay to the Lenders an amount equal to the sum of (i) all outstanding principal plus all accrued and unpaid interest with respect to the amounts loaned under the Loan Agreement (approximately $35.4 million), (ii) the prepayment fee payable under Loan Agreement ($262,500), (iii) the final payment payable under Loan Agreement ($1,382,500), and (iv) all other sums, if any, that shall have become due and payable with respect to loan advances under the Loan Agreement. These payments by SCYNEXIS will become due upon the earliest of (A) one business day following receipt by SCYNEXIS of the $90 million upfront payment payable to SCYNEXIS under the License Agreement, (B) June 1, 2023, or (C) the termination of the License Agreement.

Ocuphire Pharma Announces Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Year Ended 2022 and Provides Corporate Update

On March 30, 2023 Ocuphire Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: OCUP), a clinical-stage ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for the treatment of refractive and retinal eye disorders, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2022 and provided a corporate update (Press release, Ocuphire Pharma, MAR 30, 2023, View Source [SID1234629612]).

"2022 proved to be a year of significant clinical, regulatory, patent, and strategic partner milestones, positioning the company for further success in 2023," said Mina Sooch, MBA, founder and CEO of Ocuphire Pharma. "Our first NDA for Nyxol in the reversal of pharmacologically-induced mydriasis has a PDUFA action date the FDA this September, and we look forward to working with the FDA through the regulatory review process. For APX3330, our oral candidate for diabetic eye disease, the ZETA-1 Phase 2 trial achieved statistical significance on a potential registration endpoint of slowing progression of diabetic retinopathy, and we are preparing for an End-of-Phase 2 meeting. Across the Nyxol and APX3330 programs, we are poised for potential late-stage clinical, regulatory, and product approval catalysts in 2023."

Cam Gallagher, Ocuphire’s Chairman of the Board added, "Our collaboration with Viatris is transformative for the company, and we are excited with Viatris having selected the Nyxol portfolio of indications as one of the key elements of its plan to create a global eye care leader. The partnership provides an externally financed pathway to completing development and regulatory activities for Nyxol and to executing successful US and global commercial launches, if approved. The financial elements of the agreement have greatly strengthened the balance sheet and provides capital to advance the APX3330 program to a pivotal stage.

Key Anticipated Future Milestones

Partner or
OCUP
Name
Study
Milestone
Anticipated
Indication
1H 2023
2H
2023
APX3330
ZETA-1
End of Phase 2 FDA meeting
Diabetic Retinopathy

•
MR-140
(Nyxol)
MIRA program
PDUFA date Sept 28, 2023
Reversal of
Pharmacologically-
induced Mydriasis

•
MR-141
(Nyxol and Nyxol+LDP)
VEGA-3
Initiate 2nd Phase 3 trial
Presbyopia
•
VEGA-2
Report 1st Phase 3 topline data
Presbyopia

•
MR-142
(Nyxol)
LYNX-2
Initiate 2nd Phase 3 trial
Night Vision or Dim
Light Disturbances
(DLD)
•
MR-141 and MR-142
(Nyxol)
LYRA-1
Initiate long-term safety trial
Presbyopia and DLD
•

Recent Business Highlights

Advances in Clinical and Regulatory Development

•
In February 2023, the Company announced that U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review a New Drug Application (NDA) for Nyxol in RM and set a PDUFA date of September 28, 2023. The NDA was submitted in November 2022 and was supported by positive results from the comprehensive MIRA clinical programs (MIRA-1, MIRA-2, MIRA-3 and MIRA-4) collectively involving over 600 subjects, including pediatric subjects over 3 years old.

•
In January 2023, the Company announced topline results from the ZETA-1 Phase 2 trial of oral APX3330 for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Oral APX3330 achieved statistical significance on a key pre-specified secondary endpoint of binocular ≥ 3-step worsening of DRSS and demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability after 24 weeks of treatment. This binocular secondary endpoint is a potential Phase 3 registration endpoint which the Company plans a meeting with the FDA to formally agree on this endpoint and Phase 3 development in an End-of-Phase 2 meeting in 2H 2023. The safety and tolerability of APX3330 were favorable in diabetic patients and consistent with prior trials in non-ophthalmic indications. Prevention of progression is a clinically meaningful outcome that may change the treatment paradigm for a large number of diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients.

•
In January 2023, the Company announced the initiation of the VEGA-2 Phase 3 pivotal trial, with the first patient enrolled in late December. VEGA-2 is evaluating treatment efficacy and safety for two labels for presbyopia: Nyxol alone and Nyxol with adjunctive Low Dose Pilocarpine (LDP) therapy. The Company plans to initiate a second Phase 3 pivotal trial in presbyopia (VEGA-3), and a one-year safety study (LYRA-1) in 2023.

Presentations, Publications, and Conferences

•
From January 2022 through March 2023, more than 20 papers, posters, and panel talks were presented at over 30 medical and industry conferences with updates on Nyxol in RM by Justin Schweitzer, OD, Leslie O’Dell, OD and Shane Foster, OD, presbyopia by Mitch Jackson, MD and Mitch Ibach, OD, and night vision disturbances by Shane Kannarr, OD and on APX3330 in DR by Douglas Devries, OD, Peter Kaiser, MD and Rishi Singh, MD.

•
In November 2022, the Company announced publication of an earlier Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with severe night vision disturbances in the BMC Ophthalmology peer-reviewed journal. The publication can be accessed here.

•
In October 2022, the Company held a key opinion leader (KOL) webinar on oral APX3330 featuring presentations by KOLs Peter Kaiser, MD, from the Cleveland Clinic, Caroline Baumal, MD, from Tufts Medical Center, and David Lally, MD, from New England Retina Consultants. A replay of the event, including slides, can be found on the corporate website here.

Intellectual Property

•
For the Nyxol Program:

o
The United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) issued U.S. Patent No. 11,400,077 in August 2022 with claims directed to methods for treating mydriasis using phentolamine mesylate, which has a term extending into year 2039.

o
The USPTO issued U.S. Patent No. 11,566,005 in January 2023 with claims directed polymorphic forms of phentolamine mesylate and methods using and preparing the same, which has a term extending into year 2042.

•
For the APX3330 Program:

o
The USPTO issued U.S. Patent No. 11,351,130 in June 2022 with claims directed to methods of treating inflammation and chronic pain using APX3330 in combination with certain additional therapeutic agents, which has a term extending into year 2038, not including any patent term extension.

o
The European Patent Office issued European Patent No. 3725309 in November 2022 with claims directed to APX3330 for use in inhibiting advanced macular degeneration, which has a term extending to year 2028, not including any supplementary protection certificate.

Corporate

•
In November, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with FamyGen Life Sciences, Inc. (Famy), which was subsequently acquired by Viatris Inc. (Nasdaq: VTRS), for the development and commercialization of Nyxol across three indications in US, Europe, Japan, India, China and other global markets. Viatris, a leading global healthcare company will be responsible for the commercialization of Nyxol following each regulatory approval. Under the terms of the agreement, Ocuphire received an upfront payment of $35 million. Ocuphire has the potential to receive a $10 million milestone payment upon FDA approval for the RM indication later in 2023 and thereafter to receive additional regulatory milestone payments for presbyopia and night vision disturbances indications. Upon commercialization, Ocuphire will receive tiered double-digit royalties on worldwide net sales through 2040 and is eligible to receive sales milestone payments upon achievement of certain annual sales thresholds.

Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, 2022 Financial Highlights

As of December 31, 2022, Ocuphire had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $42.6 million. The Company has no debt. Based on current projections, management believes the present cash on hand will be sufficient to fund operations into 2025.

License and collaborations revenue was $39.9 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022, compared to zero and $0.6 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021, respectively. Revenue during 2022 was derived from the Nyxol License Agreement signed with Famy in the fourth quarter of the year.

General and administrative expenses for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022 were $2.1 million and $7.3 million, respectively, compared to $1.4 million and $8.1 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021, respectively. The decrease in the year over year period was primarily attributable to a non-cash settlement cost in 2021, decreases in stock-based compensation and other operating expenses. Partially offsetting the expense decreases from the prior year were increases in administrative employee headcount costs, legal fees and professional service costs. General and administrative expenses included $1.1 million in stock-based compensation expense in each of the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021.

Research and development expenses for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022 were $3.6 million and $14.4 million, respectively, compared to $4.7 million and $15.2 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021, respectively. The decrease in the year over year period was primarily attributable to decreases in contract research organization expenses along with an associated decrease in manufacturing activities, offset in part by cost increases attributable to staff headcount and consulting services, as well as increases attributable to regulatory and other research and development efforts. Research and development expenses also included $0.7 million and $0.8 million in stock-based compensation expense during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Net income for year ended December 31, 2022 was $17.9 million compared to a net loss of $56.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The $56.7 million net loss in 2021 included a non-cash expense of $33.8 million related to the fair value change in warrant liabilities. Net income for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2022 was $33.9 million compared with a net loss of $6.3 million in the comparable period of 2021.

Basic net income per share for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022 was $1.63 and $0.90 per share, respectively, compared to a basic and diluted net loss per share of ($0.35) and ($3.82) per share, respectively, for the comparable periods in 2021. Diluted net income per share for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2022 was $1.58 and $0.87 per share, respectively.

For further details on Ocuphire’s financial results, refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Pulse Biosciences Reports Fourth Quarter & Full Year 2022 Financial Results

On March 30, 2023 Pulse Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLSE), a company leveraging its novel and proprietary nanosecond pulsed field ablation (nsPFA) technology for electrophysiology and the treatment of atrial fibrillation, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022 (Press release, Pulse Biosciences, MAR 30, 2023, View Source [SID1234629610]).

Company Updates

●

Announced the progression of its corporate strategy elevating the focus on the development of nsPFA delivery devices, including a clamp and catheter, for cardiac ablation to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) in both the surgical and electrophysiology lab settings. Current company focus:
○ Develop and advance the cardiac clamp through the appropriate FDA regulatory path
○ Complete all catheter product and regulatory milestones required to treat patients

●

Completed cardiac ablation clamp commercial design. Pre-submission meeting with FDA planned for 2Q23 to discuss the regulatory requirements.

●

Advanced development of the nsPFA cardiac ablation catheter system intending to pursue a first-in-human safety feasibility study.

●

AF Symposium poster presentation demonstrated the ability of the Company’s nsPFA catheter system to perform cardiac ablation and mapping with a single catheter in preclinical studies.

●

Reduced fourth quarter 2022 cash usage to $8.0 million dollars, a reduction of $2.6 million compared to the third quarter of 2022 and in-line with prior guidance, and cash on hand is expected to be sufficient to fund planned operations into the third quarter of 2024.

● Extended the maturity date of the loan facility from Robert Duggan to September 2024.

"As a bioelectric medicine company committed to health innovation, shifting our focus to the treatment of atrial fibrillation is intended to maximize the benefit our technology can provide patients and the value we can create as a company. Based on our preclinical evidence, we believe the delivery of nsPFA utilizing the CellFX System with our clamp and catheter devices will offer a differentiated and improved safety and efficacy profile for cardiac ablation," said Kevin Danahy, Chief Executive Officer of Pulse Biosciences. "In 2023 we will remain laser focused on advancing the development and regulatory progress for both devices."

Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

As a result of the discontinuation of commercial dermatology activity there was no revenue recognized in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Total GAAP cost and expenses, representing cost of revenues, research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses, for the three months ended December 31, 2022 were $8.7 million, compared to $16.3 million for the prior year period. Non-GAAP cost and expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2022 were $7.7 million compared to $12.3 million in the prior year period.

GAAP net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2022 was ($9.2) million compared to ($15.4) million for the three months ended December 31, 2021. Non-GAAP net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2022 was ($8.1) million compared to ($11.5) million for the three months ended December 31, 2021.

Full Year 2022 Results

Revenue for 2022 was $700 thousand driven mainly by commercial dermatology activity in the first half of the year.

Total GAAP costs and expenses, representing cost of revenues, research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses, for 2022 were $58.8 million, compared to $64.4 million in 2021. Non-GAAP cost and expenses for 2022 were $51.3 million compared to $48.7 million in the prior year.

GAAP net loss for the full year of 2022 was ($58.5) million compared to ($63.7) million for 2021. Non-GAAP net loss for 2022 was ($51.1) million compared to ($47.9) million in 2021.

Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $61.1 million as of December 31, 2022 compared to $28.6 million as of December 31, 2021 and $69.2 million as of September 30, 2022. Cash used in the fourth quarter of 2022 totaled $8.0 million compared to $13.4 million used in the same period in the prior year and $10.6 million used in the third quarter of 2022. Excluding net proceeds from financing, cash used in the full year of 2022 totaled $47.3 compared to $52.9 million used in 2021.

Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP cost and expenses and net loss have been provided in the tables following the financial statements in this press release. An explanation of these measures is also included below under the heading "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Webcast and Conference Call Information

Pulse Biosciences’ management will host a conference call today, March 30, 2022, beginning at 1:30pm PT. Investors interested in listening to the conference call may do so by dialing 1-877-704-4453 for domestic callers or 1-201-389-0920 for international callers. A live and recorded webcast of the event will be available at View Source