On May 15, 2025 Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. (Nasdaq: PHIO) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics that use its INTASYL siRNA gene silencing technology designed to make the body’s immune cells more effective in killing cancer cells, reported its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 and provided a business update (Press release, Phio Pharmaceuticals, MAY 15, 2025, View Source [SID1234653179]).

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Recent Corporate Updates

PH-762 Clinical Progress

Phio’s ongoing Phase 1b dose escalation clinical trial (NCT 06014086) is designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of neoadjuvant use of intratumoral PH-762 in Stages 1, 2 and 4 cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), Stage 4 melanoma, and Stage 4 Merkel cell carcinoma.

To date, a total of 10 patients with cutaneous carcinomas have been treated in Cohorts 1, 2 and 3. These cohorts included 9 patients with cSCC and 1 patient with metastatic melanoma. At Day 36 (planned tumor excision), of the 9 patients with cSCC, 4 patients had a pathologic complete response (100% tumor clearance). One patient had a near complete response (>90% clearance) and 1 patient had a partial response (>50% clearance). The other 3 cSCC and one metastatic melanoma patient had a pathologic non-response (< 50% clearance). Patients with a pathologic complete response (100% tumor clearance) may have visual signs of residual scar or subdermal inflammation prior to resection. No patients, however, exhibited clinical progression of disease.

To date, there were no dose-limiting toxicities or clinically relevant treatment-emergent adverse effects in the patients receiving intratumoral PH-762 in this trial. Moreover, PH-762 has been well tolerated in all enrolled patients in each escalating dose cohort.

The fourth cohort is currently enrolling and treating patients; Phio expects to complete enrollment in the trial in the third quarter of 2025.

Scientific News

During the three months ended March 31, 2025, Phio was awarded podium presentations for its INTASYL self-delivering siRNA technology at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and at the Society of Investigative Dermatology (SID). The Company presented its phase 1b clinical trial results to date. The Company also presented data on INTASYL compounds PH-762 and PH-894 at the 11th Annual Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) (ITOC 11) conference in Munich, Germany.

The Company’s INTASYL compound RXI-231 was highlighted in the peer reviewed journal, Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. The article presented proof-of-concept data for RXI-231, an INTASYL compound designed to target and reduce tyrosinase (TYR) gene expression. While further characterization and clinical testing is needed, RXI-231 shows promise in treating hyperpigmentation disorders.

Capital Sourcing

In December 2024 and January 2025, Phio raised an aggregate of approximately $9.2 million in registered direct offerings and concurrent private placements, before deduction of commissions and other expenses. Additional gross proceeds of approximately $2.9 million were raised from the exercise of warrants previously issued on July 12, 2024. With these proceeds, the Company now believes it has sufficient capital to complete the treatment phase of the Phase 1b trial.

Cost Rationalization

From April 2014 to March 2024, the Company leased space that was utilized as its corporate headquarters and primary laboratory. The lease expired on March 31, 2024. On March 1, 2024, the Company commenced a lease for a laboratory facility located at 17 Briden Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. The lease had an original expiration date of August 31, 2024, and was subsequently extended through February 28, 2025. The Company continues to lease the space on a month-to-month basis. Monthly rent is approximately $2,500. In March 2025, the Company contracted with LifeSciences PA located at 411 Swedeland Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406 for access to full working space for normal hours of operations at a fee of $300 per month, which can be cancelled at any time.

In May 2024, the Company terminated the Clinical Co-Development Agreement with AgonOx, Inc. (AgonOx) effective immediately. The Company paid AgonOx all payment obligations that accrued prior to the termination of the Clinical Co-Development Agreement. The Company made the remaining payment of $34,320, which primarily related to accrued obligations for patient fees and other miscellaneous costs as of the date of termination to AgonOx on March 21, 2025. This settled all future obligations to AgonOx.

Financial Results

Cash Position

At March 31, 2025, the Company had cash of approximately $13.3 million as compared with approximately $5.4 million at December 31, 2024.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was approximately $9.2 million as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024 where net cash used in financing activities was approximately $4,000. The increase in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to the issuance of common stock and warrants, and the exercise of warrants.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses were $0.886 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 as compared with $1.148 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of 23%. The decrease in research and development expenses was primarily driven by decreases in salary-related costs and in consulting expense.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were approximately $0.986 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2025 as compared with approximately $1.061 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of 7%. The Company considers this to be an immaterial fluctuation.

Net Loss

Net loss was $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025 as compared with $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease in net loss was due to the reductions in research and development and general and administrative expenses cited above.