Adverum Reports First Quarter 2021 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Adverum Biotechnologies (Nasdaq: ADVM) reported its Q1 2021 financial results on May 6, highlighting a net loss of $28.4 million, or $0.29 per share. License revenue reached $7.5 million, a significant increase from zero in Q1 2020. Research and development expenses rose to $20 million due to heightened clinical trial costs. The company is reviewing safety data linked to its ADVM-022 gene therapy program following a serious adverse event. As of March 31, 2021, cash reserves totaled $404 million, down from $429.7 million at year-end 2020, prompting a reassessment of timelines and funding priorities.

Positive

• License revenue of $7.5 million in Q1 2021 compared to $0 in Q1 2020.
• Long-term OPTIC trial data indicate ADVM-022 may reduce anti-VEGF injection burdens for wet AMD patients.

Negative

• Net loss increased to $28.4 million in Q1 2021 from $22.9 million in Q1 2020.
• Research and development expenses rose to $20 million, indicating higher costs.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADVM), a clinical-stage gene therapy company targeting unmet medical needs in ocular and rare diseases, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

“Our management team and Board are focused on conducting a thorough review of patient safety data from the ADVM-022 program to inform our next steps,” said Laurent Fischer, M.D., chief executive officer at Adverum Biotechnologies. “At ARVO last weekend, long-term data from the OPTIC trial were presented, demonstrating ADVM-022’s durability in patients with treatment-experienced neovascular or wet age-related macular degeneration. As part of our broader mission to advance the field of gene therapy, we are committed to the work our team is doing on behalf of patients who need new treatment options for ocular diseases.”

Recent Developments

• On April 28, 2021, Adverum announced a Suspected Unexpected Serious Adverse Reaction (SUSAR) of hypotony (clinically-relevant decrease in ocular pressure), with panuveitis and loss of vision in the treated eye, in its INFINITY clinical trial evaluating ADVM-022 for the treatment of diabetic patients with macular edema. The company has unmasked the study and is assessing and monitoring this patient and all patients treated with ADVM-022 and is working closely with investigators, the data monitoring committee (DMC), the scientific advisory board, and healthcare authorities. The patient impacted by the SUSAR event is undergoing in-person assessments with leading retina specialists across the U.S. who are working with Adverum to gain an understanding of the causes of the SUSAR and to develop a treatment plan for the patient. In addition, all patients who have received ADVM-022 have been requested to see their treating physician for an evaluation, including ophthalmic and advanced imaging assessments to collect additional data. Adverum, working with its expert advisors, is conducting a thorough review of data from the ADVM-022 program, taking into account learnings from the SUSAR, and plans to report its findings as the analysis progresses.
• At ARVO in May 2021, long-term OPTIC clinical data were presented (March 10, 2021 cutoff date, n=30) that continue to demonstrate the potential of ADVM-022 to greatly reduce the anti-VEGF injection burden for patients with wet AMD. All ADVM-022-related ocular adverse events (AE) were mild (80%) to moderate (20%) in OPTIC patients with wet AMD. No clinical or fluorescein evidence of posterior inflammation and no vasculitis, retinitis, choroiditis, vascular occlusions, or endophthalmitis were observed. The OPTIC data presentation is available on the Publications section of Adverum’s website.
• In light of the announced SUSAR, the company is evaluating its timelines and capital allocation priorities with an aim to extend its cash runway beyond prior guidance.
  

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

• Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $404.0 million as of March 31, 2021, compared to $429.7 million as of December 31, 2020.
• License revenue was $7.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to no revenue for the same period in 2020. License revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was due to an upfront payment received on a license agreement.
• Research and development expenses were $20.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $14.8 million for the same period in 2020. Research and development expenses increased primarily due to higher personnel-associated costs, material production costs, and clinical trial expenses. Stock-based compensation expense included in research and development expenses was $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2021.
• General and administrative expenses were $16.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $9.0 million for the same period in 2020. General and administrative expenses increased primarily due to higher personnel-associated costs, professional services costs, and depreciation expense for Adverum’s Redwood City facility. Stock-based compensation expense included in general and administrative expenses was $4.9 million for the first quarter of 2021.
• Net loss was $28.4 million, or $0.29 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $22.9 million, or $0.31 per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2020.
  

COVID-19
To date, Adverum has experienced limited impact from COVID-19 on its operations and ongoing clinical programs, including the OPTIC and INFINITY clinical trials. The company is continuing to monitor and attempt to address or limit the potential impacts of COVID-19 on its employees and operations, patient safety, continued participation of patients enrolled in the company’s clinical studies, protocol compliance, data quality, and overall study integrity.

About Adverum Biotechnologies
Adverum Biotechnologies (Nasdaq: ADVM) is a clinical-stage gene therapy company targeting unmet medical needs in serious ocular and rare diseases. Adverum is advancing the clinical development of its novel gene therapy candidate, ADVM-022, as a one-time, intravitreal injection for the treatment of patients with wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. For more information, please visit www.adverum.com.

Forward-looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding the 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 potential efficacy and safety of ADVM-022 in wet AMD and diabetic macular edema (DME). Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include risks inherent to, without limitation: Adverum’s novel technology, which makes it difficult to predict the time and cost of product candidate development and obtaining regulatory approval; the results of early clinical trials not always being predictive of future results; and the potential for Adverum’s recent announcement of a SUSAR of hypotony with panuveitis and loss of vision in the treated eye, in its INFINITY clinical trial evaluating ADVM-022 gene therapy for the treatment of DME and any future complications or side effects in connection with use of ADVM-022 to delay or prevent regulatory advancement or approval for ADVM-022. Risks and uncertainties facing Adverum are described more fully in Adverum’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, Adverum’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, and any subsequent filings with the SEC, especially under the heading “Risk Factors.” 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.

Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
		March 31				December 31,
			2021				2020
		(Unaudited)					(1)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	45,422			$	62,424
Short-term investments			358,596				367,305
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			5,837				4,709
Total current assets			409,855				434,438
Property and equipment, net			28,379				27,725
Operating lease right-of-use asset			19,044				19,376
Restricted cash			3,780				999
Deposit and other long-term assets			493				29
Total assets		$	461,551			$	482,567
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable			2,056				2,810
Lease liability, current portion			4,512				4,473
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			13,355				13,588
Total current liabilities			19,923				20,871
Lease liability, net of current portion			25,694				26,235
Other noncurrent liabilities			1,114				1,114
Total liabilities			46,731				48,220
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock			10				10
Additional paid-in capital			946,098				937,134
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(316	)			(261	)
Accumulated deficit			(530,972	)			(502,536	)
Total stockholders' equity			414,820				434,347
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	461,551			$	482,567

(1) Derived from Adverum’s annual audited consolidated financial statements.

Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)
		Three months ended March 31,
			2021				2020
License revenue		$	7,500			$	-
Operating expenses:
Research and development			19,980				14,751
General and administrative			16,163				9,040
Total operating expenses			36,143				23,791
Operating loss			(28,643	)			(23,791	)
Other income, net			207				885
Net loss			(28,436	)			(22,906	)
Net loss per share — basic and diluted		$	(0.29	)		$	(0.31	)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted			97,750				73,797

 

 

FAQ

What were Adverum Biotechnologies' financial results for Q1 2021?

Adverum reported a net loss of $28.4 million, with license revenue of $7.5 million.

What is the status of the ADVM-022 program?

The company is reviewing safety data from the ADVM-022 program after a serious adverse event.

How did Adverum's cash reserves change in Q1 2021?

As of March 31, 2021, cash reserves totaled $404 million, down from $429.7 million at year-end 2020.

What were the R&D expenses reported by Adverum for Q1 2021?

Research and development expenses increased to $20 million in Q1 2021.

What clinical trial data was shared at ARVO regarding ADVM-022?

Long-term OPTIC trial data indicated potential benefits of ADVM-022 for wet AMD patients.