Aptorum Group Limited Reports Financial Results and Business Update for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022

Rhea-AI Summary

Aptorum Group Limited (NASDAQ: APM) provided a business update and financial results for the six months ending June 30, 2022. The company reported a net loss of $2.7 million, a substantial decrease from $17.1 million in the same period in 2021. Key highlights include successful Phase I trial completions for ALS-4 and SACT-1, alongside progress in the RPIDD program. The commercialization of the NativusWell® nutraceutical targeting women's health has commenced in Hong Kong. The company expects its current cash reserves will support operations for the next 12 months.

Positive

• Net loss decreased to $2.7 million from $17.1 million year-over-year.
• Phase I clinical trials for ALS-4 and SACT-1 were successfully completed.
• Commercialization of NativusWell® targeting women's health initiated in Hong Kong.
• Cash and restricted cash total approximately $7.2 million, expected to fund operations for 12 months.

Negative

• General and administrative fees decreased by only $0.2 million, indicating potential operational inefficiencies.
• Legal and professional fees rose to $1.4 million due to increased share-based compensation.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Aptorum Group Limited (NASDAQ: APM, Euronext Paris: APM) (“Aptorum Group” or the “Company”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to meeting unmet medical needs in oncology, autoimmune and infectious diseases, today provided a business update and announced financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2022.

“During the first half of 2022, we remained focused on advancing the development of our therapeutic programs. As announced in early 2022, both our SACT-1 program (targeting neuroblastoma) and ALS-4 program (targeting MRSA), has announced the completion and positive Phase I clinical trial results. Our RPIDD program (liquid biopsy based approach to infectious disease rapid molecular diagnostics) are also progressing well into its clinical validation studies. We are excited to work towards the commencement of the relevant phase II clinical trials for our ALS-4 and SACT-1 programs and the continuation of the clinical validation of our RPIDD program. Finally, we are also pleased to have announced the commercialization of our NativusWell^® nutraceutical product, a novel supplement targeting woman’s health including menopausal symptoms, commencing in Hong Kong initially and to be followed into the European and US markets in due course,” said Mr. Darren Lui, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Aptorum Group Limited.

Clinical Pipeline Update and Upcoming Milestones

In January 2022, Aptorum Group announced the completion of the Phase I clinical trial for ALS-4,, a small molecule drug targeting methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus related infections. The Phase I clinical trial of ALS-4 was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, single and multiple ascending dose study designed to evaluate safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics or orally administered ALS-4 in healthy male and female adult volunteers. Currently, the Company is preparing the relevant submission to the US FDA to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trials for skin and soft tissue infections and/or bacteraemia. The study treatments were well tolerated and no serious adverse events were observed and no relevant clinical changes in respect of vital signs and clinical laboratory test results.

In May 2022, Aptorum Group announced the finalized data from the Phase I clinical trial of SACT-1, a repurposed small molecule drug targeting Neuroblastoma and potentially other cancer types. The Phase I clinical trial of SACT-1 was an open-label, randomized, 3-period, 3-sequence, single-dose crossover bioavailability and food effect study of SACT-1 (oral suspension) in healthy adult volunteers. The study treatments were well tolerated and no subjects were discontinued from study participation because of adverse events. No serious adverse events were reported during the study. SACT-1 also received Orphan Drug Designation from the US FDA.

In September 2022, Aptorum Group announced further results and updates from its RPIDD’s analytical and clinical validations in patient samples. It was further announced the company has taken steps to initiate the set up of a clinical laboratory in the state of California, which is targeted to require relevant CLIA certification.

In September 2022, Aptorum Group announced the commencement of sale of its NativusWell^® nutraceutical product targeting woman’s health and the launch of it’s initial sales launch in Hong Kong, to be followed in Europe and United States.

Corporate Highlights

In May 2022, Mr. Darren Lui has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Lui was previously the Aptorum Group Limited’s President, successfully brought two small molecule drugs (ALS-4 and SACT-1) from discovery to their respective completion of two phase I clinical trials and currently in preparation for their next phase of clinical trials in human patients, as well as conducting ongoing clinical validations of the Company’s RPIDD program, a liquid biopsy based molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases.

In July 2022, Mr. Martin Siu has been appointed as the Head of Finance. Mr. Siu has over 19 years’ experience in the field of audit and regulatory consultancy and has supported a number of listed companies over the years.

Financial Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022

Aptorum Group reported a net loss of $2.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $17.1 million for the same period in 2021. The decrease in net loss in the current period was driven by an decrease of loss on investments in marketable securities, net of $7.5 million, and there was a gain on non-marketable investment of $5.6 million in 2022 while there was no such gain in the same period in 2021.

Research and development expenses were $4.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $5.5 million for the same period in 2021. The decrease in research and development expenses was mainly due to the decrease in services provided by contracted research organizations as we are in a planning process for Phase 2 of our lead projects which does not require many services from contracted research organizations.

General and administrative fees were $2.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $2.6 million for the same period in 2021. The decrease in general and administrative fees was primary due to the decrease in number of employees.

Legal and professional fees were $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2021. The increase in legal and professional fees was mainly due to more share based compensation awards was granted for consultancy services when compared to the same period in 2021.

As of June 30, 2022, cash and restricted cash totalled approximately $7.2 million and total equity was approximately $15.6 million.

Aptorum Group expects that its existing cash and restricted cash together with undrawn line of credit facility from related parties, will enable it to fund its operating and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months.

APTORUM GROUP LIMITED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
		June 30, 2022				December 31, 2021
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash		$	4,065,788			$	8,131,217
Restricted cash			3,130,270				130,270
Accounts receivable			71,814				78,722
Inventories			29,704				35,775
Marketable securities, at fair value			153,905				236,615
Amounts due from related parties			141,457				47,754
Due from brokers			76,330				76,380
Loan receivable from a related party			657,404				3,358,089
Other receivables and prepayments			997,900				593,478
Total current assets			9,324,572				12,688,300
Property, plant and equipment, net			3,331,498				3,731,116
Operating lease right-of-use assets			495,415				154,439
Long-term investments			9,744,985				4,156,907
Intangible assets, net			826,184				880,256
Long-term deposits			295,891				296,225
Total Assets		$	24,018,545			$	21,907,243
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Amounts due to related parties		$	46			$	11,389
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			4,843,862				4,172,565
Finance lease liabilities, current			22,106				47,923
Operating lease liabilities, current			339,649				145,391
Loan payables			3,000,000				-
Total current liabilities			8,205,663				4,377,268
Operating lease liabilities, non-current			163,906				23,853
Total Liabilities		$	8,369,569			$	4,401,121
Commitments and contingencies			-				-
EQUITY
Class A Ordinary Shares ($1.00 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized, 13,265,503 and 13,202,408 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively)		$	13,265,503			$	13,202,408
Class B Ordinary Shares ($1.00 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized, 22,437,754 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021)			22,437,754				22,437,754
Additional paid-in capital			44,336,942				43,506,717
Accumulated other comprehensive income (deficit)			29,327				(2,019	)
Accumulated deficit			(57,422,767	)			(55,537,515	)
Total equity attributable to the shareholders of Aptorum Group Limited			22,646,759				23,607,345
Non-controlling interests			(6,997,783	)			(6,101,223	)
Total equity			15,648,976				17,506,122
Total Liabilities and Equity		$	24,018,545			$	21,907,243

APTORUM GROUP LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
		For the six months ended June 30,
		2022				2021
		(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
Revenue
Healthcare services income		$	527,462			$	637,784
Operating expenses
Costs of healthcare services			(529,991	)			(629,987	)
Research and development expenses			(4,509,303	)			(5,508,356	)
General and administrative fees			(2,400,418	)			(2,564,117	)
Legal and professional fees			(1,356,164	)			(1,240,512	)
Other operating expenses			(183,104	)			(189,125	)
Total operating expenses			(8,978,980	)			(10,132,097	)
Other income (loss)
Loss on investments in marketable securities, net			(82,710	)			(7,565,273	)
Gain on non-marketable investment, net			5,588,078				-
Loss on investments in derivatives, net			-				(4,289	)
Gain on use of digital currencies			-				4,918
Interest income (expense), net			149,734				(126,102	)
Sundry income			66,628				82,652
Total other income (loss), net			5,721,730				(7,608,094	)
Net loss		$	(2,729,788	)		$	(17,102,407	)
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interests			(844,536	)			(1,020,983	)
Net loss attributable to Aptorum Group Limited		$	(1,885,252	)		$	(16,081,424	)
Net loss per share – basic and diluted		$	(0.05	)		$	(0.47	)
Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic and diluted			35,682,652				34,280,137
Net loss		$	(2,729,788	)		$	(17,102,407	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations			31,346				(25,029	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			31,346				(25,029	)
Comprehensive loss			(2,698,442	)			(17,127,436	)
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests			(844,536	)			(1,020,983	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to the shareholders of Aptorum Group Limited			(1,853,906	)			(16,106,453	)

About Aptorum Group

Aptorum Group Limited (Nasdaq: APM, Euronext Paris: APM) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic assets to treat diseases with unmet medical needs, particularly in oncology (including orphan oncology indications), autoimmune and infectious diseases. Aptorum has completed two phase I clinical trials for its ALS-4 (MRSA) and orphan drug designated SACT-1 (Neuroblastoma) small molecule drugs and commercializing its NLS-2 NativusWell^® nutraceutical (menopause). The pipeline of Aptorum is also enriched through (i) the establishment of drug discovery platforms that enable the discovery of new therapeutics assets through, e.g. systematic screening of existing approved drug molecules, and microbiome-based research platform for treatments of metabolic diseases; and (ii) the co-development and ongoing clinical validation of its novel molecular-based rapid pathogen identification and detection diagnostics technology with Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research.

For more information about the Company, please visit www.aptorumgroup.com.

Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Statements

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of offers to buy any securities of Aptorum Group.

This press release includes statements concerning Aptorum Group Limited and its future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Aptorum Group has based these forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding projected timelines for application submissions and trials, largely on its current expectations and projections about future events and trends that it believes may affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, without limitation, risks related to its announced management and organizational changes, the continued service and availability of key personnel, its ability to expand its product assortments by offering additional products for additional consumer segments, development results, the company’s anticipated growth strategies, anticipated trends and challenges in its business, and its expectations regarding, and the stability of, its supply chain, and the risks more fully described in Aptorum Group’s Form 20-F and other filings that Aptorum Group may make with the SEC in the future, as well as the prospectus that received the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers visa n°20-352 on 16 July 2020. As a result, the projections included in such forward-looking statements are subject to change and actual results may differ materially from those described herein.

Aptorum Group assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This announcement is not a prospectus within the meaning of the Regulation (EU) n°2017/1129 of 14 June 2017 as amended by Regulations Delegated (EU) n°2019/980 of 14 March 2019 and n°2019/979 of 14 March 2019.

This press release is provided “as is” without any representation or warranty of any kind.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005654/en/

Aptorum Group Limited

Investor Relations Department

investor.relations@aptorumgroup.com

+44 20 80929299

Redchip – Financial Communications United States

Investor relations

Craig Brelsford

craig@redchip.com

+1 407 571 0902

Actifin – Financial Communications Europe

Investor relations

Ghislaine Gasparetto

ggasparetto@actifin.fr

+33 1 56 88 11 22

Source: Aptorum Group Limited

FAQ

What were Aptorum Group's financial results for the first half of 2022?

Aptorum Group reported a net loss of $2.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022, down from $17.1 million in the same period in 2021.

What clinical trials did Aptorum Group complete recently?

Aptorum Group completed successful Phase I clinical trials for its ALS-4 and SACT-1 programs.

What is the expected cash runway for Aptorum Group?

The company expects its cash and restricted cash reserves to fund operations for at least the next 12 months.

What is the NativusWell® product launched by Aptorum Group?

NativusWell® is a nutraceutical targeting women's health, including menopausal symptoms, launched initially in Hong Kong.

What are the upcoming milestones for Aptorum Group?

Aptorum Group plans to commence Phase II clinical trials for ALS-4 and SACT-1 programs and continue clinical validation for the RPIDD program.