On May 13, 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 quarter ended March 31, 2021 and provided a business update (Press release, Phio Pharmaceuticals, MAY 13, 2021, View Source [SID1234579938]).

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"This year has started out with great momentum across our pipeline, as we continue to present a steady flow of positive data that further demonstrate the value of direct therapy with INTASYL compounds, as well as their application in improving the efficacy of cell-based immunotherapy products. Results from various animal studies, including data presented at the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) conference last month, show how INTASYL compounds directly delivered to the tumor can activate the immune response resulting in strong anti-tumor effects. We also presented additional compelling data showing improvements of T cell immunotherapy products by reprogramming them with INTASYL compounds, and their resulting increased in vivo efficacy. For example, at the ASGCT (Free ASGCT Whitepaper) conference this week, we announced data showing how PH-762 can unlock the potential of CAR-T cell therapy in solid tumors. These data provide proof-of-concept for the application of PH-762 mediated PD-1 checkpoint silencing in CAR-T cells prior to adoptive cell therapy to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy. This is tremendous data for our program, especially when considering a recently published clinical study showing that similar strategies using CRISPR-Cas9 mediated PD-1 disruption in T cells is much less efficient," said Dr. Gerrit Dispersyn, President and CEO of Phio.

"As a result of the overwhelmingly positive data we’ve collected across our pipeline, we have moved to initiate a clinical study using intra-tumoral administration of PH-762 in patients with advanced melanoma, which is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2021. The clinical trial will be conducted at the Gustave Roussy Institute, which is one of the leading anti-cancer centers in Europe, with Dr. Caroline Robert as our lead principal investigator. This is an exciting next step in the development of innovative therapeutics based on our INTASYL platform and we look forward to keeping you posted as we move closer towards initiation of the study," concluded Dr. Dispersyn.

Quarter in Review and Recent Corporate Updates

Presented positive data from a study assessing the potential of PH-762, a PD-1 targeting INTASYL compound, to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of HER2-targeted CAR-T cells (HER2CART) in solid tumors, namely a subcutaneous HER2-expressing SKOV3 model of human ovarian cancer in mice. Compared to untreated HER2CART cells, HER2CART cells treated with PH-762 showed a statistically significant and durable inhibition of in vivo tumor growth. These data were included in a poster presentation during the 24th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) (Free ASGCT Whitepaper).
Announced new in vivo data showing intratumoral (IT) treatment with PD-1 targeting INTASYL (mPH-762) inhibits tumor growth in a dose dependent fashion in both PD-1 responsive and refractory models. These data were included in a poster presentation during the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2021.
Further bolstered the balance sheet to a total of $32.7 million in cash, following the completion of 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 in-vivo data regarding dual targeting INTASYL drug therapy (BRD4 and PD-1) at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.
Initiate a first-in-human clinical study on the use of PH-762 in adoptive cell therapy with tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in patients with metastatic melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SSCHN).
Initiate a first-in-human clinical study on the use of PH-762 direct drug therapy (intratumoral injection) in patients with advanced melanoma.
Additional data publications on the Company’s pipeline programs.
Financial Results

Cash Position

At March 31, 2021, the Company had cash of $32.7 million as compared with $14.2 million at December 31, 2020. 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 $2.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, compared to approximately $1.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The increase is primarily due to manufacturing costs and fees for the required preclinical studies in support of the Company’s planned clinical trials for PH-762 as compared to the same period in the prior year.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were approximately $1.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, compared to approximately $1.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in legal fees as compared to the same period in the prior year.

Net Loss

Net loss was $3.4 million, or $0.32 per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, compared with $2.4 million, or $1.33 per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The increase in net loss was primarily attributable to the increase in research and development 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 the Company’s capital raise activities as compared to the prior year period.