Altimmune Announces First Quarter 2020 Financial Results and Provides a Business Update
“Throughout 2020 we have put significant effort into developing our pipeline; from advancing our vaccine candidates, AdCOVID and Nasoshield, to IND enabling studies and manufacturing for ALT-801 and HepTcell,” said
Recent Highlights
- Preclinical testing commences on COVID-19 vaccine candidate, AdCOVID
In collaboration with theUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), we have commenced preclinical testing of candidates for our COVID-19 vaccine, AdCOVID. AdCOVID is being developed as a single dose, intranasal vaccine that is designed to activate multiple arms of the immune system including humoral (antibodies), cellular (T-cell) and mucosal immunity.
Our platform vaccine technology is ideally suited for pandemic use and based on Phase 2 clinical data obtained with our influenza vaccine candidate, NasoVAX, AdCOVID is expected to meet or exceed key attributes of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) preferred Target Product Profile (TPP) for a COVID-19 vaccine:
WHO Preferred Attribute (TPP)1 | AdCOVID Expected Attribute (based on NasoVAX data) |
|
Single dose | Seroprotection with single dose administration | |
Rapid onset of protection | Strong serological response at 2 weeks | |
Immunity lasting at least 1 year | Serological response unchanged at 400 days | |
Non-injected | Intranasal administration | |
Temperature stability | At least 3 months at 25oC in a liquid formulation | |
Ability to provide at low cost | High yield, scalable manufacturing process | |
1https://www.who.int/blueprint/priority-diseases/key-action/WHO_Target_Product_Profiles_for_COVID-19_web.pdf |
||
It is expected that the studies at UAB will confirm the broad and robust immune response of the vaccine technology and identify the best vaccine candidate for clinical development. The Company is finalizing manufacturing plans, and intends to conduct a Phase 1 clinical trial of AdCOVID in Q4 of this year. |
- NasoShield Phase 1b trial expected to begin in June
The Phase 1b clinical trial of Nasoshield, our single-dose intranasal anthrax vaccine candidate, is expected to commence in June of this year. A data readout is expected inNovember 2020 and will inform BARDA’s decision to exercise the remaining options on the contract. The NasoShield program is funded through a contract with BARDA (HHSO100201600008C), with a total potential value of$133.7 million if all options in the contact are exercised. NasoShield is the only single dose vaccine candidate for anthrax currently funded by BARDA. NasoShield’s intranasal route of administration allows for administration without injections and its stability at room temperature may permit distribution without cold chain.
- ALT-801 manufacturing commences
We have commenced manufacturing of the clinical trial material for ALT-801, our dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The combination of GLP-1 and glucagon agonism within the same molecule is ideal for treating obesity, the basic underlying cause of NASH. In animal studies, ALT-801 resulted in more than twice the weight loss of semaglutide and greater improvement in histologic measures of fatty liver, liver inflammation, and fibrosis. The Company is currently completing toxicology studies that will enable the commencement of clinical trials in Q4 2020.
- HepTcell manufacturing completed, IND filing expected next week
We have completed manufacturing for HepTcell, our synthetic peptide immunotherapeutic candidate designed to break immune tolerance in patients with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection. The completion of this activity enables the filing of our IND, which is expected next week. The planned Phase 2 trial is a 6-month course of treatment in chronically infected HBV patients in bothNorth America andEurope . Considering this is a multi-site, multi-national study with a long duration of treatment, the Company is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will determine the actual start date of this trial once more information becomes available.
- Diane Jorkosky, M.D. joins Altimmune Board of Directors
Former Pfizer and GSK executive,Diane Jorkasky , M.D., joined Altimmune’s Board of Directors onMay 11, 2020 . Dr. Jorkasky’s experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, academia and as a physician bring valuable experience to Altimmune.
Financial Results for the Quarter Ended
- The Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of
$33 million atMarch 31, 2020 . - The Company’s income tax receivable increased
$3.4 million primarily due to an expected cash tax refund claim of$2.9 million with theInternal Revenue Service reflecting a partial refund of its 2016 tax liability by carrying back its 2019 and 2018 net operating losses. Additionally, the Company estimates it will claim$0.36 million related to net operating losses arising during the three months endedMarch 31, 2020 . The expected refund claims are due to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) passed onMarch 27, 2020 which made temporary changes regarding the utilization and carry back of net operating losses. - Revenue was
$2.2 million for the quarter endedMarch 31, 2020 compared to$3 million in the prior year period. The change was due primarily to a decrease in billings under the Company’sU.S. government contracts due to timing of manufacturing and clinical trials for the NasoShield program. - Research and development expenses were
$7.2 million for the quarter endedMarch 31, 2020 compared to$3.2 million in the prior year period. The increase was primarily attributable to development costs for IND-enabling preclinical studies for ALT-801; an increase in the contingent liability for stock-based milestone payments associated with the acquisition of ALT-801; and an increase in employee compensation and professional services. These increases were offset by decreased spend for NasoShield. - General and administrative expenses were
$2.3 million for the quarter endedMarch 31, 2020 compared to$2.1 million in the prior year period. The increase is attributable to higher employee compensation and legal costs. - Other income (expense) was
$0.2 million for the quarter endedMarch 31, 2020 compared to$0.2 million in the prior year. Income for both periods is primarily attributable to interest earned on cash and investment balances. - Income tax benefit was
$3.2 million for the three months endedMarch 31, 2020 , as compared to zero for the same period in 2019. The increase is attributable to the income tax refund claims described above related to the “CARES Act”. - Net loss attributed to common stockholders for the quarter ended
March 31, 2020 was$3.9 million , or ($0.26 ) per share, compared to$2.6 million in the prior year, or ($0.27 ) per share. The difference in net loss is primarily attributable to higher research and development expenses, lower revenue, offset by an increase to income tax benefit.
Conference Call Information
Altimmune will host a conference call to discuss the company’s first quarter results and other business information.
Date: | |
Time: | |
Domestic: | 855-327-6837 |
International: | 631-891-4304 |
Conference ID: | 10009533 |
Webcast: | http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=139687 |
Following the conclusion of the call, the webcast will be available for replay on the Investor Relations page of the Company’s website at www.altimmune.com. The company has used, and intends to continue to use, the investor relations portion of its website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.
About Altimmune
Altimmune is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for liver disease, immune modulating therapies and vaccines. Our diverse pipeline of product candidates includes next generation peptide therapeutics for NASH (ALT-801) and chronic hepatitis B (HepTcell™), conjugated immunostimulants for the treatment of cancer (ALT-702) and intranasal vaccines (NasoVAX™, NasoShield™ and AdCOVIDTM). For more information on Altimmune, please visit www.altimmune.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
Any statements made in this press release relating to future financial or business performance, conditions, plans, prospects, trends, or strategies and other financial and business matters, including without limitation, statements regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our business operations, clinical trials and results of operations, the timing of key milestones for our clinical assets, the development of our AdCOVID vaccine product candidate and initiation of animal testing in Q2 2020 and a Phase 1 clinical study in Q4 2020 for AdCOVID, the filing of the IND for ALT-801 in 2020, the initiation of a Phase 1 clinical study in Q4 2020 and receipt of data from this clinical study in 2021, the initiation of a NasoShield Phase 1b clinical study in
Contacts: | |
Will Brown | |
Chief Financial Officer | |
Phone: 240-654-1450 | 617-430-7577 |
wbrown@altimmune.com | arr@lifesciadvisors.com |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||
(unaudited) | |||||||
ASSETS | |||||||
Current assets: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 11,275,214 | $ | 8,962,686 | |||
Restricted cash | 34,174 | 34,174 | |||||
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 11,309,388 | 8,996,860 | |||||
Short-term investments | 21,644,214 | 28,277,386 | |||||
Accounts receivable | 1,994,736 | 1,021,179 | |||||
Tax refund receivable | 3,989,728 | 629,096 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 698,905 | 470,228 | |||||
Total current assets | 39,636,971 | 39,394,749 | |||||
Property and equipment, net | 1,062,834 | 1,104,208 | |||||
Right of use asset | 680,826 | 698,321 | |||||
Intangible assets, net | 12,737,735 | 12,732,195 | |||||
Other assets | 114,764 | 128,547 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 54,233,130 | $ | 54,058,020 | |||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 929,629 | $ | 18,232 | |||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 5,115,694 | 3,904,767 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 6,045,323 | 3,922,999 | |||||
Contingent consideration | 4,500,000 | 2,750,000 | |||||
Other long-term liabilities | 1,791,190 | 1,864,875 | |||||
Total liabilities | 12,336,513 | 8,537,874 | |||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13) | |||||||
Stockholders’ equity: | |||||||
Common stock, 15,359,644 and 15,312,381 shares issued; 15,359,502 and 15,312,167 shares outstanding at 31, 2019, respectively |
1,514 | 1,508 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 188,209,465 | 187,914,916 | |||||
Accumulated deficit | (141,261,771 | ) | (137,376,122 | ) | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net | (5,052,591 | ) | (5,020,156 | ) | |||
Total stockholders’ equity | 41,896,617 | 45,520,146 | |||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 54,233,130 | $ | 54,058,020 | |||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | |||||||
(unaudited) | |||||||
For the Three Months Ended |
|||||||
2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Revenue | $ | 2,212,694 | $ | 2,955,592 | |||
Operating expenses: | |||||||
Research and development | 7,187,531 | 3,217,671 | |||||
General and administrative | 2,331,917 | 2,066,482 | |||||
Total operating expenses | 9,519,448 | 5,284,153 | |||||
Loss from operations | (7,306,754 | ) | (2,328,561 | ) | |||
Other income (expense): | |||||||
Interest expense | (1,885 | ) | (740 | ) | |||
Interest income | 151,569 | 185,246 | |||||
Other income, net | 25,542 | 46,749 | |||||
Total other income, net | 175,226 | 231,255 | |||||
Net loss before income tax benefit | (7,131,528 | ) | (2,097,306 | ) | |||
Income tax benefit | 3,245,879 | — | |||||
Net loss | (3,885,649 | ) | (2,097,306 | ) | |||
Other comprehensive loss – unrealized loss on investments | (32,435 | ) | — | ||||
Comprehensive loss | $ | (3,918,084 | ) | $ | (2,097,306 | ) | |
Net loss | $ | (3,885,649 | ) | $ | (2,097,306 | ) | |
Deemed dividends | — | (452,925 | ) | ||||
Net loss attributed to common stockholders | $ | (3,885,649 | ) | $ | (2,550,231 | ) | |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 15,110,585 | 9,489,765 | |||||
Net loss per share attributed to common stockholders, basic and diluted | $ | (0.26 | ) | $ | (0.27 | ) | |
Source: Altimmune, Inc.