Adverum Biotechnologies Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results, Provides Corporate Highlights and Updates Anticipated Milestones

Rhea-AI Summary

Adverum Biotechnologies (NASDAQ: ADVM) reported Q3 2024 financial results and corporate updates. The company ended the quarter with $153.2 million in cash and investments, expected to fund operations into late 2025. Net loss was $27.1 million ($1.30 per share), compared to $32.9 million in Q3 2023. Research and development expenses were $20.4 million, while general and administrative expenses decreased to $9.8 million.

The company appointed Jason Mitchell as Chief Commercial Officer and remains on track to initiate its Phase 3 program in 1H 2025. Key upcoming milestones include LUNA 52-week data, OPTIC 4-year clinical data, and Phase 3 pivotal trial design updates in Q4 2024.

Positive

• Cash position strengthened to $153.2 million from $96.5 million at end of 2023
• Reduced net loss to $27.1 million from $32.9 million year-over-year
• Decreased general and administrative expenses by $4 million year-over-year

Negative

• Continued operational losses of $27.1 million in Q3 2024

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q3 results reveal a mixed financial picture. While the $153.2M cash position represents a significant improvement from year-end 2023's $96.5M, the quarterly net loss of $27.1M remains substantial. The reduction in net loss from $32.9M year-over-year shows improved cost management, with notable decreases in both R&D and G&A expenses.

The cash runway extending into late 2025 provides adequate coverage for the planned Phase 3 trial initiation in H1 2025. However, investors should note that gene therapy development typically requires substantial capital and additional funding may be needed as the company approaches potential commercialization. The 24.9% reduction in G&A expenses indicates effective cost control measures, though R&D expenses remained relatively stable, reflecting continued investment in core development programs.

Medical Research Analyst

The upcoming data readouts for LUNA (52-week) and OPTIC (4-year) in Q4 2024 represent important milestones for Ixo-vec's development in wet AMD. The emphasis on durability of effect is particularly significant, as current standard treatments require frequent intravitreal injections. Previous LUNA data has suggested potential best-in-class efficacy and the longer-term OPTIC data will be essential to validate the safety profile and treatment durability.

The addition of Jason Mitchell as CCO, with his experience launching SYFOVRE for geographic atrophy, brings valuable commercial expertise in the retinal disease space. The planned Phase 3 trial initiation in H1 2025 indicates confidence in the clinical data package, though success will depend heavily on the upcoming Q4 data readouts and trial design details.

- 52-week LUNA and 4-year OPTIC data, alongside Phase 3 trial design updates, anticipated in Q4 2024

- Appointed Jason Mitchell as chief commercial officer

- On track to initiate pivotal program in 1H 2025

- $153.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments expected to fund operations into late 2025

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADVM), a clinical-stage company pioneering the use of gene therapy as a new standard of care for highly prevalent ocular diseases, today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2024 and provided updates to anticipated milestones.

“We remain laser focused on initiating our Phase 3 program and progressing Ixo-vec toward approval and commercialization,” stated Laurent Fischer, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Adverum Biotechnologies. “Over the past year we’ve presented LUNA clinical data supporting what I believe to be the best-in-class product candidate for wet AMD patients. These data echo, and even improve upon, Ixo-vec’s robust and durable efficacy and favorable long-term safety profile, which have been demonstrated out to 3 years. Later this quarter we look forward to presenting the LUNA 52-week data alongside the 4-year OPTIC data. We are closing in on our goal to bring a potentially transformational gene therapy to wet AMD patients, who suffer from a life-long disease that, even with the best available agents, requires frequent injections into the eye.”

Corporate Highlights

• Appointed Jason Mitchell as Chief Commercial Officer
  • In October 2024, we announced the appointment of Jason L. Mitchell as chief commercial officer. Mr. Mitchell brings to Adverum over 20 years of commercial experience, including most recently in retinal disease, where he oversaw the successful launch of SYFOVRE^®, the first treatment approved for geographic atrophy (GA). In his new role, Mr. Mitchell will be responsible for setting the launch strategy and building the commercial infrastructure for Ixo-vec, Adverum’s one-time intravitreal injection for the treatment of neovascular or wet AMD.

Upcoming Anticipated Milestones

• 4Q 2024: LUNA 52-week data update, including all-available safety follow-up
• 4Q 2024: OPTIC 4-year clinical data update
• 4Q 2024: Phase 3 pivotal trial design update
• H1 2025: Planned initiation of Phase 3 trial

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024

• Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $153.2 million as of September 30, 2024, compared to $96.5 million as of December 31, 2023. Adverum expects its cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments to fund operations into late 2025.
• Research and development expenses were $20.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $20.7 million for the same period in 2023. Research and development expenses decreased due to lower facilities related expenses partially offset by higher spending on Ixo-vec clinical development and higher compensation expenses. Stock-based compensation expense included in research and development expenses was $1.1 million for the third quarter of 2024.
• General and administrative expenses were $9.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $13.8 million for the same period in 2023. General and administrative expenses decreased due to lower facilities related expenses, lower depreciation expense, and lower compensation expenses due lower stock-based compensation expense. Stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses was $1.9 million for the third quarter of 2024.
• Net loss was $27.1 million, or $1.30 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $32.9 million, or $3.26 per basic and diluted share for the same period in 2023.

About Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Wet AMD, also known as neovascular AMD or nAMD, is a VEGF-driven advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) associated with the build-up of fluid in the macula and the retina. Wet AMD is a leading cause of blindness in people over 65 years of age, with approximately 20 million individuals worldwide living with this condition. New cases of wet AMD are expected to grow significantly worldwide as populations age. AMD is expected to impact 288 million people worldwide by 2040, with wet AMD accounting for approximately 10% of those cases. Additionally, wet AMD is a bilateral disease, and incidence of nAMD in the second eye is up to 42% in the first two to three years. The current standard of care requires frequent life-long bolus injections of anti-VEGF in the eye. Intravitreal (IVT) gene therapy has the promise to preserve vision and reduce most or all injections for the life of the patient by delivering stable therapeutic levels of anti-VEGF to control fluid associated with the disease.

About Ixo-vec in Wet AMD

Adverum is developing ixoberogene soroparvovec (Ixo-vec, formerly referred to as ADVM-022), its clinical-stage gene therapy product candidate, for the treatment of wet AMD. Ixo-vec utilizes a proprietary vector capsid, AAV.7m8, carrying an aflibercept coding sequence under the control of a proprietary expression cassette. Unlike other ophthalmic gene therapies that require surgery to administer the gene therapy under the retina (sub-retinal approach), Ixo-vec is designed to be administered as a one-time IVT injection in the physician’s office, deliver long-term efficacy, reduce the burden of frequent anti-VEGF injections into the eye, optimize patient compliance and improve vision outcomes for patients with wet AMD. Ixo-vec is currently being evaluated for the treatment of neovascular or wet AMD in the ongoing LUNA Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT05536973) and the OPTIC Phase 1 extension study (NCT04645212). In recognition of the need for new treatment options for wet AMD, FDA has granted Fast Track and RMAT designations for Ixo-vec for the treatment of wet AMD. Ixo-vec has also received PRIME designation from the European Medicines Agency and the Innovation Passport from the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for the treatment of wet AMD.

About Adverum Biotechnologies
Adverum Biotechnologies (NASDAQ: ADVM) is a clinical-stage company that aims to establish gene therapy as a new standard of care for highly prevalent ocular diseases with the aspiration of developing functional cures to restore vision and prevent blindness. Leveraging the capabilities of its proprietary intravitreal (IVT) platform, Adverum is developing durable, single-administration therapies, designed to be delivered in physicians’ offices, to eliminate the need for frequent ocular injections to treat these diseases. Adverum is evaluating its novel gene therapy candidate, ixoberogene soroparvovec (Ixo-vec, formerly referred to as ADVM-022), as a one-time, IVT injection for patients with neovascular or wet age-related macular degeneration. Additionally, by overcoming the challenges associated with current treatment paradigms for debilitating ocular diseases, Adverum aspires to transform the standard of care, preserve vision, and create a profound societal impact around the globe. For more information, please visit www.adverum.com.

Forward-looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding events or results that may occur in the future are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include but are not limited to statements regarding the anticipated timing of clinical data and trial design update for the Phase 3 LUNA trial and initiation of a Phase 3 trial, the Company’s cash sufficiency and runway, expectations concerning the decisions of regulatory bodies, the therapeutic and commercial potential of Ixo-vec, and the favorable safety profile and potential best-in-class product profile of Ixo-vec. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, including risks inherent to, without limitation: Adverum’s novel technology, which makes it difficult to predict the timing of commencement and completion of clinical trials; regulatory uncertainties; enrollment uncertainties; the results of early clinical trials not always being predictive of future clinical trials and results; the potential for future complications or side effects in connection with use of Ixo-vec; and risks associated with market conditions. Additional risks and uncertainties facing Adverum are set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in Adverum’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings and reports, including Adverum’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, as updated by any subsequent reports on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Adverum undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

Corporate, Investor and Media Inquiries
Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc.
E: ir@adverum.com

Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc.
Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(In thousands)
	September 30			December 31
	2024			2023
	(Unaudited)			(1)
Cash and cash equivalents , and marketable securities	$	153,241		$	96,526
Total assets		234,375			173,010
Total current liabilities		27,657			24,914
Total stockholders' equity		144,116			83,469
(1) Derived from Adverum's annual audited consolidated financial statements.

Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands except per share data)
	Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
	2024				2023				2024				2023
	(Unaudited)
License revenue	$	1,000			$	-			$	1,000			$	3,600
Operating expenses:
Research and development		20,439				20,740				52,946				62,398
General and administrative		9,782				13,789				24,996				39,035
Total operating expenses		30,221				34,529				77,942				101,433
Operating loss		(29,221	)			(34,529	)			(76,942	)			(97,833	)
Other income, net		2,087				1,661				6,545				4,437
Net loss before income taxes		(27,134	)			(32,868	)			(70,397	)			(93,396	)
Income tax provision		—				(17	)			—				(55	)
Net loss		(27,134	)			(32,885	)			(70,397	)			(93,451	)
Net loss per share — basic and diluted	$	(1.30	)		$	(3.26	)		$	(3.63	)		$	(9.28	)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted		20,876				10,100				19,408				10,069

FAQ

What is Adverum's (ADVM) cash position as of Q3 2024?

Adverum reported $153.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of September 30, 2024, which is expected to fund operations into late 2025.

What was Adverum's (ADVM) net loss in Q3 2024?

Adverum reported a net loss of $27.1 million, or $1.30 per basic and diluted share, for Q3 2024.

When will Adverum (ADVM) initiate its Phase 3 trial?

Adverum plans to initiate its Phase 3 trial in the first half of 2025.

What key milestones does Adverum (ADVM) expect in Q4 2024?

Adverum expects to present LUNA 52-week data, OPTIC 4-year clinical data, and Phase 3 pivotal trial design updates in Q4 2024.