Acumen Pharmaceuticals Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Business Highlights
Acumen Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ABOS) reported its Q1 2024 financial results and business highlights. The company announced the initiation of ALTITUDE-AD, a Phase 2 study of sabirnetug (ACU193) for early Alzheimer's disease, with the first patient dosed in May 2024. A Phase 1 study for a subcutaneous form of sabirnetug is expected in mid-2024. As of March 31, 2024, Acumen had $296.6 million in cash and equivalents, projected to fund operations into H1 2027. Financial results showed a net loss of $14.9 million, up from $11.3 million YoY. R&D expenses rose to $12.4 million from $8.7 million, while G&A expenses increased to $5.3 million from $4.4 million.
- Initiation of Phase 2 study ALTITUDE-AD for early Alzheimer's disease in May 2024.
- Projected cash runway into the first half of 2027 with $296.6 million in cash and equivalents.
- Phase 1 study for subcutaneous dosing of sabirnetug expected mid-2024.
- Collaboration agreement with Lonza for clinical development and potential commercialization of sabirnetug.
- Net loss increased to $14.9 million from $11.3 million YoY.
- R&D expenses rose to $12.4 million from $8.7 million, indicating higher operational costs.
- G&A expenses increased to $5.3 million from $4.4 million, adding to overall financial burden.
- Decrease in cash and equivalents from $306.1 million to $296.6 million over the quarter.
Insights
Acumen Pharmaceuticals' Q1 2024 financial results reflect a moderate increase in expenses and operational loss compared to the same period last year. Specifically, the rise in R&D expenses by
Having
The initiation of the Phase 2 ALTITUDE-AD study for sabirnetug (ACU193), targeting early Alzheimer’s disease, is significant. This drug’s selective targeting of synaptotoxic amyloid beta oligomers differentiates it from other treatments, potentially offering a new therapeutic avenue that could meet an unmet need in Alzheimer's care.
Additionally, the planned Phase 1 study for a subcutaneous dosing option offers patient-centric benefits, including more convenient administration methods, which can improve compliance and quality of life for patients. This approach is aligned with current trends in making treatments more accessible and manageable for patients.
However, it’s important to recognize the inherent risks of clinical trials, particularly in the complex field of Alzheimer’s research, where many past efforts have failed. Early data are promising, but further results will be needed to confirm efficacy and safety.
The agreement with Lonza for manufacturing is a strategic move that can enhance Acumen’s production scalability and regulatory compliance. Leveraging Lonza’s global manufacturing network positions Acumen well to meet potential future demand efficiently if sabirnetug receives regulatory approval.
This partnership could also accelerate commercialization timelines, allowing Acumen to be more agile in responding to market needs. Importantly, Lonza’s extensive experience in antibody manufacturing provides a layer of reliability and expertise that can bolster investor confidence in Acumen’s ability to deliver a high-quality product.
However, investors should monitor any potential delays or issues in scaling up production, as these could impact timelines and costs.
- Announced initiation of ALTITUDE-AD, a Phase 2 study to investigate sabirnetug (ACU193) for the treatment of early Alzheimer’s disease, in May 2024
- Initiation of a Phase 1 study to support a subcutaneous dosing option of sabirnetug expected in mid-2024
- Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of
$296.6 million as of Mar. 31, 2024, expected to support current clinical and operational activities into the first half of 2027 - Company to host conference call and webcast today at 8:00 a.m. ET
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., May 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABOS) (“Acumen” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel therapeutic that targets toxic soluble amyloid beta oligomers (AβOs) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2024 and provided a business update.
“In the first quarter, our team remained laser-focused on the initiation of ALTITUDE-AD, our Phase 2 study investigating the efficacy and safety of sabirnetug for the treatment of early AD. We announced the first patient dosed in this study just last week. We are encouraged by the level of investigator interest in the potential of sabirnetug to offer a best-in-class therapeutic profile for patients, which is a testament to our strong Phase 1 data package and the relationships our team has built with clinical sites,” Daniel O’Connell, Chief Executive Officer of Acumen. “We continue to expect to initiate a Phase 1 study with a subcutaneous form of sabirnetug in mid-2024 in an effort to extend the product profile and offer administration optionality for patients. We remain committed to delivering on our strategic priority to advance the clinical development of sabirnetug efficiently and thoughtfully.”
Recent Highlights and Anticipated Milestones
Sabirnetug (ACU193) Clinical Development
- In May 2024, the Company announced the first patient dosed in ALTITUDE-AD, a Phase 2 study to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of sabirnetug for the treatment of early AD.
- In April 2024, the Company presented biomarker, safety and target engagement analyses from the Phase 1 INTERCEPT-AD study in AD at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.
- The results build upon Acumen’s prior presentations at the AD/PD™ 2024 Annual Meeting and positive topline data first announced in July 2023, highlighting sabirnetug as the first humanized monoclonal antibody to clinically demonstrate selective target engagement of synaptotoxic AβOs. Additional information can be found here.
- In April 2024, the Company announced a collaboration agreement with Lonza, a global partner to the pharmaceutical, biotech and nutraceutical markets.
- The agreement covers the manufacture of sabirnetug for clinical development and commercialization, if approved. Acumen will leverage Lonza’s regulatory expertise, extensive experience in antibody manufacturing, and global manufacturing network from 2,000L to 20,000L.
- The Company expects to initiate a Phase 1 study to support a subcutaneous dosing option of sabirnetug in mid-2024.
First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
- Cash Balance. As of March 31, 2024, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled
$296.6 million , compared to cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of$306.1 million as of December 31, 2023. The decrease in cash is related to funding ongoing operations. Cash is expected to support current clinical and operational activities into the first half of 2027. - Research and Development (R&D) Expenses. R&D expenses were
$12.4 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2024, compared to$8.7 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2023. The increase in R&D expenses was primarily due to increased costs related to personnel, manufacturing and materials costs, consulting, and other costs. - General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses. G&A were
$5.3 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2024, compared to$4.4 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2023. The increase in G&A expenses was primarily due to increased costs related to personnel. - Loss from Operations. Losses from operations were
$17.8 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2024, compared to$13.1 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2023. This increase was due to the increased R&D and G&A expenses over the prior year period. - Net Loss. Net loss was
$14.9 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, compared to$11.3 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2023.
Conference Call Details
Acumen will host a conference call and live audio webcast today, May 14, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. ET.
To participate in the live conference call, please register using this link. After registration, you will be informed of the dial-in numbers including PIN. Please register at least one day in advance.
The webcast audio will be available via this link.
An archived version of the webcast will be available for at least 30 days in the Investors section of the Company's website at www.acumenpharm.com.
About Sabirnetug (ACU193)
Sabirnetug (ACU193) is a humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) discovered and developed based on its selectivity for soluble amyloid beta oligomers (AβOs), which are a highly toxic and pathogenic form of Aβ, relative to Aβ monomers and amyloid plaques. Soluble AβOs have been observed to be potent neurotoxins that bind to neurons, inhibit synaptic function and induce neurodegeneration. By selectively targeting toxic soluble AβOs, sabirnetug aims to address the hypothesis that soluble AβOs are an early and persistent underlying cause of the neurodegenerative process in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Sabirnetug has been granted Fast Track designation for the treatment of early AD by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and was previously evaluated in a Phase 1 study in patients with early AD.
About ALTITUDE-AD (Phase 2)
Initiated in 2024, ALTITUDE-AD is a Phase 2, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sabirnetug (ACU193) infusions administered once every four weeks in slowing cognitive and functional decline as compared to placebo in participants with early Alzheimer's disease. The study will enroll approximately 540 individuals with early Alzheimer’s disease (mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to AD). The global study is currently enrolling at multiple investigative sites located in the United States and Canada with plans for additional sites in Europe and the UK. More information can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT identifier NCT06335173.
About INTERCEPT-AD (Phase 1)
Completed in 2023, INTERCEPT-AD was a Phase 1, U.S.-based, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating the safety and tolerability, and establishing clinical proof of mechanism, of sabirnetug in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Sixty-five individuals with early AD (mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to AD) enrolled in this first-in-human study of sabirnetug. The INTERCEPT-AD study consisted of single-ascending-dose (SAD) and multiple-ascending-dose (MAD) cohorts and was designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and target engagement of intravenous doses of sabirnetug. More information can be found on www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT identifier NCT04931459.
About Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Acumen, headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with additional offices in Indianapolis, IN and Newton, MA, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel therapeutic that targets toxic soluble amyloid beta oligomers (AβOs) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Acumen’s scientific founders pioneered research on AβOs, which a growing body of evidence indicates are early and persistent triggers of Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Acumen is currently focused on advancing its investigational product candidate, sabirnetug (ACU193), a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively targets toxic soluble AβOs, following positive results in INTERCEPT-AD, a Phase 1 clinical trial involving early Alzheimer’s disease patients. For more information, visit www.acumenpharm.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statement describing Acumen’s goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions or beliefs is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “seeks,” “aims,” “plans,” “potential,” “will,” “milestone” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning Acumen’s business, and Acumen’s ability to achieve its strategic and financial goals, including its projected use of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and the expected sufficiency of its cash resources into the first half of 2027, the therapeutic potential of Acumen’s product candidate, sabirnetug (ACU193), including against other antibodies, the anticipated timeline for initiating a Phase 1 trial to support a subcutaneous dosing option of sabirnetug, and the expected use of proceeds from a credit facility. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Acumen management, and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties, particularly those inherent in the process of discovering, developing and commercializing safe and effective human therapeutics. Such risks may be amplified by the impacts of geopolitical events and macroeconomic conditions, such as rising inflation and interest rates, supply disruptions and uncertainty of credit and financial markets. These and other risks concerning Acumen’s programs are described in additional detail in Acumen’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including in Acumen’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in subsequent filings with the SEC. Copies of these and other documents are available from Acumen. Additional information will be made available in other filings that Acumen makes from time to time with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and Acumen expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as otherwise required by law, whether, as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
CONTACTS:
Investors:
Alex Braun
abraun@acumenpharm.com
Media: AcumenPR@westwicke.com
| Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ||||||||
| Condensed Balance Sheets | ||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||||||
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 46,930 | $ | 66,886 | ||||
| Marketable securities, short-term | 205,582 | 176,636 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 3,319 | 3,093 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 255,831 | 246,615 | ||||||
| Marketable securities, long-term | 44,108 | 62,553 | ||||||
| Right-of-use asset | 353 | 381 | ||||||
| Restricted cash | 234 | 233 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 117 | 122 | ||||||
| Other assets | 324 | 221 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 300,967 | $ | 310,125 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 3,079 | $ | 1,379 | ||||
| Accrued clinical trial expenses | 2,367 | 4,387 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 2,905 | 6,339 | ||||||
| Finance lease liability, short-term | - | 756 | ||||||
| Operating lease liability, short-term | 121 | 110 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 8,472 | 12,971 | ||||||
| Operating lease liability, long-term | 252 | 284 | ||||||
| Debt, long-term | 30,209 | 29,897 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 38,933 | 43,152 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, | - | - | ||||||
| Common stock, | 6 | 6 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 499,843 | 489,453 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (237,671 | ) | (222,798 | ) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (144 | ) | 312 | |||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 262,034 | 266,973 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 300,967 | $ | 310,125 | ||||
| Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss | ||||||||
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 12,449 | $ | 8,713 | ||||
| General and administrative | 5,325 | 4,422 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 17,774 | 13,135 | ||||||
| Loss from operations | (17,774 | ) | (13,135 | ) | ||||
| Other income (expense) | ||||||||
| Interest income | 4,005 | 1,832 | ||||||
| Interest expense | (1,000 | ) | - | |||||
| Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | (50 | ) | - | |||||
| Other expense, net | (54 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||
| Total other income | 2,901 | 1,828 | ||||||
| Net loss | (14,873 | ) | (11,307 | ) | ||||
| Other comprehensive gain (loss) | ||||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities | (456 | ) | 227 | |||||
| Comprehensive loss | $ | (15,329 | ) | $ | (11,080 | ) | ||
| Net loss per common share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.25 | ) | $ | (0.28 | ) | ||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 59,812,000 | 41,025,062 | ||||||
| Condensed Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (14,873 | ) | $ | (11,307 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation | 16 | 14 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 2,484 | 1,390 | ||||||
| Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on marketable securities, net | (1,763 | ) | (334 | ) | ||||
| Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 50 | - | ||||||
| Amortization of right-of-use asset | 28 | 38 | ||||||
| Realized gain on marketable securities | (2 | ) | - | |||||
| Non-cash interest expense | 268 | - | ||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (226 | ) | (899 | ) | ||||
| Other assets | 35 | (44 | ) | |||||
| Accounts payable | 1,700 | (878 | ) | |||||
| Accrued clinical trial expenses | (2,020 | ) | 2,486 | |||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | (3,512 | ) | (38 | ) | ||||
| Finance lease liability | (23 | ) | - | |||||
| Operating lease liability | (21 | ) | (603 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (17,859 | ) | (10,175 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
| Purchases of marketable securities | (45,292 | ) | (52,131 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from maturities and sales of marketable securities | 36,100 | 10,204 | ||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (11 | ) | - | |||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (9,203 | ) | (41,927 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs | 7,938 | - | ||||||
| Payment for financing lease | (739 | ) | - | |||||
| Payments for deferred offering costs | (60 | ) | - | |||||
| Repurchase of common shares to pay employee withholding taxes | (32 | ) | - | |||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 7,107 | - | ||||||
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | (19,955 | ) | (52,102 | ) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the period | 67,119 | 130,101 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period | $ | 47,164 | $ | 77,999 | ||||
FAQ
What is the significance of ALTITUDE-AD for Acumen Pharmaceuticals' stock (ABOS)?
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What are the future plans for sabirnetug (ACU193) by Acumen Pharmaceuticals?
What were Acumen Pharmaceuticals' (ABOS) R&D expenses in Q1 2024?
What is the net loss reported by Acumen Pharmaceuticals (ABOS) for Q1 2024?
