On March 25, 2021 Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. (Nasdaq: PHIO), a biotechnology company developing the next generation of immuno-oncology therapeutics based on its proprietary self-delivering RNAi (INTASYL) therapeutic platform, reported its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2020 and provided a business update (Press release, Phio Pharmaceuticals, MAR 25, 2021, View Source [SID1234577147]).

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"Over the past year, we established steady momentum across our development programs and expanded our pipeline, including our new collaboration with AgonOx, Inc. to develop T cell-based cancer immunotherapies using PH-762. This progress has resulted in a steady stream of preclinical data, which we plan to present for several programs throughout 2021. Also, we are on track to initiate two clinical studies for our lead asset, PH-762, later this year," said Dr. Gerrit Dispersyn, President and CEO of Phio. "In support of the planned initiation of two clinical programs for different applications of PH-762, and of the advancement of our broader development pipeline, we recently completed two equity financings for additional gross proceeds of $21.7 million. Our stronger financial footing is expected to fund our current programs for the next two years, including clinical studies on the safety and efficacy of PH-762 in adoptive cell therapy and with direct drug therapy."

Quarter in Review and Recent Corporate Updates

Presented data at SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) 2020 showing that the antitumoral efficacy of our PH-762, PH-790 and PH-804 INTASYL compounds can be further improved by combining them in a single drug treatment.
Presented data resulting from our collaborations with AgonOx, Inc. and the Helmholtz Zentrum München, including poster presentations at SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) 2020.
Announced a collaboration for the clinical development of novel T cell-based cancer immunotherapies using PH-762 and AgonOx, Inc.’s "double positive" (DP) tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) technology. Data developed in collaboration with AgonOx, Inc. showed PH-762 can improve the tumor cell killing activity of DP TILs two-fold.
Bolstered the balance sheet with two financings in Q1 2021 for gross proceeds of $21.7 million in additional capital.
Completed a $7.7 million registered direct offering of common stock priced at-the-market.
Completed a $14.0 million private placement of common stock and warrants priced at-the-market.
Upcoming Pipeline Milestones for 2021

Scheduled to present new study data regarding direct drug therapy with PH-762 at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2021.
Additional data publications on the Company’s pipeline programs, expected during Q2-Q3 2021.
Start of a first-in-human clinical study, on the use of PH-762 in adoptive cell therapy with TILs, namely, to enhance the therapeutic responses in cancer patients. The study, to be executed in collaboration with Agonox, Inc., is expected to be initiated in Q3 2021.
Start of a first-in-human clinical study on the use of PH-762 as directly administered drug in patients with advanced melanoma. The study is expected to be initiated in Q4 2021.
Financial Results

Cash Position

At December 31, 2020, the Company had cash of $14.2 million as compared with $6.9 million at December 31, 2019. Subsequent to the end of the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company raised an additional $21.7 million in gross proceeds through a registered direct offering and a private placement offering. The Company expects its current cash will be sufficient to fund currently planned operations to the second quarter of 2023.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses were approximately $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to approximately $4.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase is primarily due to an increase in the use of sponsored research organizations to support the development of the Company’s pipeline programs as compared to the prior year period.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were approximately $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to approximately $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease is primarily due to decreases in legal-related expenses and recruiting fees to support employee hiring activities as compared to the prior year period.

Net Loss

Net loss was $8.8 million, or $1.92 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared with $8.9 million, or $19.33 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in net loss was primarily attributable to the decrease in general and administrative expenses, as described above. The change in net loss per share was primarily due to an increase in the number of shares outstanding as a result of our capital raise activities as compared to the prior year period.