On August 9, 2019 Sophiris Bio Inc. (NASDAQ: SPHS) (the "Company" or "Sophiris"), a biopharmaceutical company studying topsalysin (PRX302), a first-in-class, pore-forming protein, in late-stage clinical trials for the treatment of patients with urological diseases, reported financial results for the second quarter 2019 and recent corporate highlights (Press release, Sophiris Bio, AUG 9, 2019, View Source [SID1234538520]).

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"During the second quarter of 2019, we received positive feedback from the EMA regarding the design of our Phase 3 clinical trial for localized prostate cancer which was a significant step forward in our development of topsalysin," said Randall E. Woods, president and CEO of Sophiris. "We are now focused on our plan to fund this study and the Company going forward. We continue to believe that the ideal funding option will either be a potential development partnership or other strategic transaction and we are currently in discussions with multiple parties capable of funding the continued development of topsalysin."

Second Quarter Corporate Highlights:

The Company received formal scientific advice from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) regarding a proposed design of a Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the potential of topsalysin as a targeted focal therapy to treat patients with intermediate risk localized prostate cancer. The Phase 3 study design, agreed upon by the EMA, will enroll patients with a confirmed diagnosis of intermediate risk disease. Approximately 700 men who meet the eligibility criteria will be equally randomized to receive a single administration of either topsalysin or placebo.

The company is now actively engaged in discussions with the FDA on the design of the proposed Phase 3 clinical trial. The goal is to conduct a single Phase 3 trial, which if successful, will provide the clinical data for approval in both the US and Europe.

The Company participated at both the H.C. Wainwright Global Life Sciences Conference and the 18th Annual Needham Healthcare Conference.

Financial Results:

At June 30, 2019, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale of $6.0 million and working capital of $1.8 million. The Company expects that its cash and cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale will be sufficient to fund its operations through November 2019, assuming no new clinical trials are initiated and the Company continues operating as a going concern. The Company will require significant funding to advance topsalysin in clinical development and to continue its operations As of June 30, 2019, the outstanding principal balance of the Company’s term loan was $6.3 million. The Company began making principal payments on its term loan in April 2019.

For the three months ended June 30, 2019

The Company reported a net loss of $2.2 million or ($0.07) per share for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to net loss of $6.1 million or ($0.20) per share for the three months ended June 30, 2018.

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses were $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $3.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The decrease in research and development costs is primarily attributable to decreases in the costs associated with manufacturing activities for topsalysin and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in clinical costs associated with the Company’s completed Phase 2b clinical trial of topsalysin for localized prostate cancer.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses were relatively consistent at $1.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018.

Gain (loss) on revaluation of the warrant liability

Gain on revaluation of the warrant liability was $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to a loss of $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018. As the Company’s warrants may require the Company to pay the warrant holder cash under certain provisions of the warrant, the Company accounts for the warrants as a liability, and the Company is required to calculate the fair value of these warrants each reporting date. Certain inputs utilized in the Company’s Black-Scholes fair value calculation may fluctuate in future periods based upon factors which are outside of the Company’s control. A significant change in one or more of these inputs used in the calculation of the fair value may cause a significant change to the fair value of the Company’s warrant liability, which could also result in a material non-cash gain or loss being reported in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

For the six months ended June 30, 2019

The Company reported a net loss of $4.5 million or ($0.15) per share for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to a net loss of $9.4 million or ($0.31) per share for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses were $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to $6.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The decrease in research and development costs was primarily attributable to decreases in the costs associated with manufacturing activities for topsalysin, and to a lesser extent, a decrease in clinical costs associated with the Company’s completed Phase 2b clinical trial of topsalysin for localized prostate cancer.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses were relatively consistent at $2.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to $2.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Gain (loss) on revaluation of the warrant liability

Gain on revaluation of the warrant liability was $0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to a loss of $10,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2018.