Aprea Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results and Provides Update on Business Operations

Rhea-AI Summary

Aprea Therapeutics (Nasdaq: APRE) reported its financial results for the year ending December 31, 2021, showing a cash balance of $53.1 million, down from $89 million in 2020. The company anticipates a cash burn of $25-$30 million in 2022, expected to fund operations into 2023. Fourth-quarter R&D expenses decreased to $4.5 million from $9.3 million a year prior, while net loss improved to $7.8 million ($0.36 per share) from $13.1 million ($0.73 per share) in Q4 2020. Aprea has received FDA clearance for new trials in myeloid malignancies and continues to advance its drug pipeline.

Positive

• Improved net loss of $7.8 million, a decrease from $13.1 million in Q4 2020.
• R&D expenses decreased significantly, reflecting reduced clinical trial costs.
• FDA clearance received for new clinical trials in myeloid malignancies.

Negative

• Cash and cash equivalents decreased from $89 million in 2020 to $53.1 million in 2021.
• Partial clinical holds on multiple trials by the FDA during 2021.

BOSTON, March 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: APRE), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel cancer therapeutics that reactivate the mutant tumor suppressor protein, p53, today reported financial results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2021 and provided a business update.

Fourth Quarter Financial Results

• Cash and cash equivalents:  As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $53.1 million of cash and cash equivalents compared to $89.0 million of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2020. The Company expects cash burn for the full year 2022 to be between $25.0 million and $30.0 million. The Company believes its cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2021 will be sufficient to meet its current projected operating requirements into 2023.  
  
  
• Research and Development (R&D) expenses:  R&D expenses were $4.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared to $9.3 million for the comparable period in 2020. The decrease in R&D expenses was primarily due to decreases in clinical trial costs for the Company’s pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of eprenetapopt with azacitidine for the frontline treatment of TP53 mutant MDS and the Company’s Phase 2 post-transplant MDS/AML clinical trial. These decreases were partially offset by increases in clinical trial costs for other ongoing clinical trials.
  
  
• General and Administrative (G&A) expenses:  G&A expenses were $3.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared to $4.9 million for the comparable period in 2020.  The decrease in G&A expenses was primarily due to a decrease in pre-commercialization development activities which was partially offset by increased non-cash stock-based compensation.
  
  
• Net loss:  Net loss was $7.8 million, or $0.36 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared to a net loss of $13.1 million, or $0.73 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2020. The Company had 21,859,413 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2021.

Business Operations Update: 

Myeloid Malignancy Program

The Company’s myeloid malignancy program includes fully enrolled and completed clinical trials in MDS, AML and post-transplant maintenance therapy in MDS/AML. In August 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed a partial clinical hold on the clinical trials of eprenetapopt in combination with azacitidine in the Company’s Phase 3 frontline MDS clinical trial, the Company’s Phase 2 MDS/AML Post-Transplant clinical trial and the Company’s Phase 1/2 AML clinical trial. In December 2021 the Company discussed with FDA the requested data and analyses from the Phase 3 frontline MDS clinical trial and reached agreement on the Company’s proposals for new clinical trials in myeloid malignancies. In the first quarter of 2022 the Company received clearance from FDA to proceed under its existing myeloid malignancy IND with a new clinical trial in relapsed/refractory MDS and AML.

Lymphoid Malignancy Program

The Company’s lymphoid malignancy program includes a clinical trial evaluating eprenetapopt in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). In August 2021, FDA placed a clinical hold on this trial. In October 2021, the Company discussed with FDA the requested data and analyses from the Phase 3 frontline MDS clinical trial and proposed amendments for clinical trials to proceed in its lymphoid malignancy program. Following interaction with the FDA, the clinical hold was lifted in December 2021.

The Company is in the planning phase for new clinical trials in both myeloid and lymphoid malignancies and is continuing to evaluate other development opportunities. The Company plans to provide updates on progress on all programs throughout 2022.

APR-548 Phase I Trial

The Company’s second product candidate, APR-548, is a next generation p53 reactivator that is being developed in an oral dosage form. The Company initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial testing APR-548 in relapsed/refractory MDS and AML. Enrollment in the first dosing cohort was completed and pharmacokinetic and adverse event data will be collected and analyzed. The Company does not plan to enroll additional patients into the trial.

Solid Tumor Program

The Company’s solid tumor program includes its clinical trial evaluating eprenetapopt with anti-PD-1 therapy in advanced solid tumors. The Company completed enrollment in its Phase 1/2 clinical trial in relapsed/refractory gastric, bladder and non-small cell lung cancers assessing eprenetapopt with anti-PD-1 therapy. The Company is in the planning phase for a future clinical trial to further evaluate orally-administered eprenetapopt with immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors.

About Aprea Therapeutics, Inc.

Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with research facilities in Stockholm, Sweden, focused on developing and commercializing novel cancer therapeutics that reactivate mutant tumor suppressor protein, p53. The Company’s lead product candidate is eprenetapopt (APR-246), a small molecule in clinical development for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. A pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of eprenetapopt and azacitidine for frontline treatment of TP53 mutant MDS has been completed and failed to meet the primary endpoint of complete remission. Eprenetapopt has received Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), Orphan Drug and Fast Track designation from the FDA for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Orphan Drug designation from the European Commission for MDS and AML. APR-548, a next generation small molecule reactivator of mutant p53, is being developed for oral administration. For more information, please visit the company website at www.aprea.com.

The Company may use, and intends to use, its investor relations website at https://ir.aprea.com/ as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

About p53, eprenetapopt and APR-548

The p53 tumor suppressor gene is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer, occurring in approximately 50% of all human tumors. These mutations are often associated with resistance to anti-cancer drugs and poor overall survival, representing a major unmet medical need in the treatment of cancer.

Eprenetapopt (APR-246) is a small molecule that has demonstrated reactivation of mutant and inactivated p53 protein – by restoring wild-type p53 conformation and function – thereby inducing programmed cell death in human cancer cells. Pre-clinical anti-tumor activity has been observed with eprenetapopt in a wide variety of solid and hematological cancers, including MDS, AML, and ovarian cancer, among others. Additionally, strong synergy has been seen with both traditional anti-cancer agents, such as chemotherapy, as well as newer mechanism-based anti-cancer drugs and immuno-oncology checkpoint inhibitors.

APR-548 is a next-generation small molecule p53 reactivator. APR-548 has demonstrated high oral bioavailability, enhanced potency relative to eprenetapopt in TP53 mutant cancer cell lines and has demonstrated in vivo tumor growth inhibition following oral dosing of tumor-bearing mice.

Forward-Looking Statement
Certain information contained in this press release includes “forward-looking statements”, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, related to our study analyses, clinical trials, regulatory submissions, and projected cash position. We may, in some cases use terms such as “future,” “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “targeting,” “confidence,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “likely,” “will,” “should” or other words that convey uncertainty of the future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of our management team that involve risks, potential changes in circumstances, assumptions, and uncertainties.  Any or all of the forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong or be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties including risks related to the success and timing of our clinical trials or other studies, risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic and the other risks set forth in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  For all these reasons, actual results and developments could be materially different from those expressed in or implied by our forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Source:  Aprea Therapeutics, Inc.

Corporate Contacts:

Scott M. Coiante
Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
617-463-9385

Gregory A. Korbel
Sr. Vice President and Chief Business Officer
617-463-9385

Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
	December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	53,076,052			$	89,017,686
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		3,508,358				3,399,019
Total current assets		56,584,410				92,416,705
Property and equipment, net		23,870				38,515
Right of use lease and other noncurrent assets		215,183				349,999
Total assets	$	56,823,463			$	92,805,219
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,773,032			$	4,503,619
Accrued expenses		5,352,996				10,571,237
Lease liability—current		190,471				256,309
Total current liabilities		7,316,499				15,331,165
Lease liability—noncurrent		--				78,847
Total liabilities		7,316,499				15,410,012
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value $0.001; 21,859,413 and 21,186,827,
shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.		21,859				21,187
Additional paid-in capital		240,978,439				231,418,356
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(10,358,956	)			(10,037,261	)
Accumulated deficit		(181,134,378	)			(144,007,075	)
Total stockholders’ equity		49,506,964				77,395,207
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	56,823,463			$	92,805,219

Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended December 31,								Year Ended December 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
Operating expenses:
Research and development		$	4,462,154			$	9,328,079			$	23,895,875			$	37,879,325
General and administrative			3,366,525				4,895,323				13,550,478				14,931,887
Total operating expenses			7,828,679				14,223,402				37,446,353				52,811,212
Other income (expense):
Interest income			3,326				4,744				1,648				222,652
Foreign currency gain (loss)			70,169				(1,173,888	)			317,402				(890,252	)
Total other income (expense)			73,495				(1,169,144	)			319,050				(667,600	)
Net loss		$	(7,755,184	)		$	(15,392,546	)		$	(37,127,303	)		$	(53,478,812	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation			95,743				2,333,369				(321,695	)			1,496,517
Total comprehensive loss			(7,659,441	)			(13,059,177	)			(37,448,998	)			(51,982,295	)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted		$	(0.36	)		$	(0.73	)		$	(1.74	)		$	(2.53	)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted			21,538,800				21,186,827				21,286,547				21,133,651

FAQ

What were Aprea Therapeutics' Q4 2021 financial results?

Aprea reported a net loss of $7.8 million for Q4 2021, with R&D expenses at $4.5 million, down from $9.3 million in Q4 2020.

What is Aprea Therapeutics' cash burn forecast for 2022?

Aprea expects a cash burn of $25 million to $30 million for the year 2022.

Did Aprea receive FDA approval for any new clinical trials?

Yes, Aprea received FDA clearance to proceed with new clinical trials in myeloid malignancies.

How much cash did Aprea have by the end of 2021?

As of December 31, 2021, Aprea had $53.1 million in cash and cash equivalents.

What impact did the FDA have on Aprea's clinical trials in 2021?

The FDA placed partial clinical holds on several of Aprea's trials in 2021, affecting their progress.