ARCA biopharma Announces Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

ARCA biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABIO) reported Q2 2022 financial results, revealing cash reserves of $46.4 million. The company is undergoing a strategic review to enhance shareholder value, possibly exploring mergers, acquisitions, or partnerships, as advised by Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. R&D expenses decreased to $1.5 million, while G&A expenses rose to $1.7 million. Total operating expenses fell to $3.2 million. The net loss was $3.1 million, or $0.22 per share, an improvement from a $4.8 million loss at $0.34 per share in Q2 2021.

Positive

• Cash reserves of $46.4 million to fund operations through at least the end of 2023.
• R&D expenses decreased significantly by $2.1 million compared to Q2 2021.

Negative

• G&A expenses increased by $0.5 million due to professional fees and consulting costs.
• Net loss remains substantial at $3.1 million, indicating ongoing financial challenges.

• Company is currently engaged in a strategic review process, evaluating additional development of its assets, collaborations and other strategic options

WESTMINSTER, Colo., Aug. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARCA biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABIO), a biopharmaceutical company applying a precision medicine approach to developing genetically targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases, today reported second quarter 2022 financial results and provided a corporate update.

Dr. Michael Bristow, ARCA’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are in the process of evaluating options for creating stockholder value, including potential development of our assets, partnering and other strategic options.”

In May 2022, the Company retained Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. to act as its financial advisor to explore and evaluate strategic options for maximizing stockholder value. Potential strategic alternatives that may be explored or evaluated as part of this process include the potential for an acquisition, merger, business combination or other strategic transaction involving the Company. The Board has not set a timetable for the conclusion of this review, nor has it made any decisions related to any further actions or potential strategic options at this time. There can be no assurance, however, that this process will result in any such transaction.

Second Quarter 2022 Summary Financial Results

Cash and cash equivalents were $46.4 million as of June 30, 2022, compared to $53.4 million as of December 31, 2021. ARCA believes that its current cash and cash equivalents, will be sufficient to fund its operations at the current levels through at least the end of 2023. The Company’s review of its strategic options may impact this projection.

Research and development (R&D) expenses were $1.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, compared to $3.6 million for the corresponding period in 2021. The $2.1 million decrease in R&D expenses in the second quarter was primarily related to the completion of enrollment in the rNAPc2 Phase 2b clinical trial in the fourth quarter of 2021. R&D expenses in 2022 are expected to be lower than 2021.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $1.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, compared to $1.3 million for the corresponding period in 2021. The $0.5 million increase in G&A expenses was primarily a result of increases in professional fees and consulting costs. G&A expenses in 2022 are expected to be consistent with those in 2021 as the Company maintains administrative activities to support its ongoing operations.

Total operating expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 were $3.2 million compared to $4.8 million for the second quarter of 2021.

Net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 was $3.1 million, or $0.22 per basic and diluted share, compared to $4.8 million, or $0.34 per basic and diluted share in the second quarter of 2021.

About ARCA biopharma
ARCA biopharma is dedicated to developing genetically and other targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases through a precision medicine approach to drug development. At present, ARCA is evaluating options for development of its assets, including partnering and other strategic options. For more information, please visit www.arcabio.com or follow the Company on LinkedIn.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding potential future development plans for Gencaro and rNAPc2, if any, the Company’s review of strategic options. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties associated with: ARCA’s financial resources and whether they will be sufficient to meet its business objectives and operational requirements; ARCA may not be able to raise sufficient capital on acceptable terms, or at all, to continue development of rNAPc2 or Gencaro or to otherwise continue operations in the future; results of earlier clinical trials may not be confirmed in future clinical trials; the protection and market exclusivity provided by ARCA’s intellectual property; risks related to the drug discovery and the regulatory approval processes; the Company’s ability to complete a strategic transaction, and, the impact of competitive products and technological changes. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in ARCA’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation ARCA’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and subsequent filings. ARCA disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Investor & Media Contact:
Jeff Dekker
720.940.2122
ir@arcabio.com

(Tables follow)

ARCA BIOPHARMA, INC.
BALANCE SHEET DATA (in thousands) (unaudited)
	June 30, 2022			December 31, 2021
Cash and cash equivalents	$	46,437		$	53,359
Working capital	$	44,846		$	50,923
Total assets	$	48,101		$	54,924
Total stockholders’ equity	$	44,963		$	51,043

ARCA BIOPHARMA, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,
		2022				2021				2022				2021
		(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Costs and expenses:
Research and development		$	1,485			$	3,577			$	3,664			$	6,453
General and administrative			1,734				1,260				2,832				2,486
Total costs and expenses			3,219				4,837				6,496				8,939
Loss from operations			(3,219	)			(4,837	)			(6,496	)			(8,939	)
Interest and other income			72				3				79				5
Other loss			—				—				(2	)			—
Net loss		$	(3,147	)		$	(4,834	)		$	(6,419	)		$	(8,934	)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted		$	(0.22	)		$	(0.34	)		$	(0.45	)		$	(0.67	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted			14,410,143				14,410,143				14,410,143				13,389,207

FAQ

What were ARCA biopharma's cash reserves at the end of Q2 2022?

ARCA biopharma reported cash reserves of $46.4 million at the end of Q2 2022.

What is the strategic review process ARCA biopharma is undergoing?

ARCA biopharma is evaluating options for maximizing shareholder value, including potential mergers, acquisitions, or partnerships.

How did ARCA biopharma's R&D expenses change in Q2 2022?

R&D expenses decreased to $1.5 million in Q2 2022, down from $3.6 million in Q2 2021.

What was ARCA biopharma's net loss for Q2 2022?

The net loss for Q2 2022 was $3.1 million, or $0.22 per share, an improvement from the $4.8 million loss in Q2 2021.

Who is advising ARCA biopharma on its strategic options?

ARCA biopharma has retained Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. as its financial advisor for the strategic review process.