Atossa Therapeutics Announces Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

Rhea-AI Summary

Atossa Therapeutics (Nasdaq: ATOS) reported its financial results for Q3 2022, showing no revenue but a notable increase in operating expenses of 59% year-over-year, totaling $8,205, driven mainly by a 134% rise in R&D expenses. The company received FDA authorization for a Phase 2 study of (Z)-endoxifen for premenopausal women with ER+/HER2- breast cancer and is pursuing new immuno-oncology opportunities. As of September 30, 2022, Atossa had approximately $117,477 in cash. The total operating expenses for the first nine months of 2022 were $19,553, a 25% increase compared to 2021.

Positive

• FDA authorization to initiate Phase 2 study of (Z)-endoxifen for breast cancer.
• Investment in Dynamic Cell Therapies to diversify into CAR-T therapies.
• Progress in clinical trials for AT-H201 targeting lung function impairment.

Negative

• No revenue generated in Q3 2022, maintaining a trend of no revenue.
• Operating expenses increased by 59% year-over-year for Q3 2022.
• R&D expenses increased significantly, raising concerns over financial sustainability.

SEATTLE, Nov. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atossa Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATOS), today announces financial results for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2022, and provides an update on recent company developments. Atossa is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company seeking to develop innovative medicines in areas of significant unmet medical need in oncology with a current focus on breast cancer and lung injury caused by cancer treatments.

Key developments from Q3 2022 and to date include:

• Received FDA authorization from FDA to initiate its Phase 2 study of neoadjuvant (Z)-endoxifen in premenopausal women with ER+/HER2- breast cancer.
  

• Invested in a privately-held Dynamic Cell Therapies, a company focused on CAR-T therapies as an important step in pursuing its strategy to develop CAR-T therapies or adjacent opportunities within the immuno-oncology space.
  

• Completed dosing in both Part B and Part C (of four parts) of Phase 1/2a Clinical Trial of AT-H201 in healthy volunteers, which the Company is now developing for patients with compromised lung function due to the damaging effects of cancer treatment.
  

“We continue to make progress with our (Z)-endoxifen programs. In particular, our Phase 2 study of neoadjuvant (Z)-endoxifen for pre-menopausal women with ER+/HER2- breast cancer was authorized by FDA to begin in the United States, and we plan to initiate the study during the fourth quarter of this year. We are re-aligning our strategy to address new avenues in the field of oncology. We have altered our approach to the development of AT-H201 in cancer patients with compromised lung-function resulting from cancer treatment, and are beginning to explore the possibility of pursuing immune-oncology programs. In the meantime, we will continue our current programs and will provide progress updates as they become available,” commented Dr. Steven Quay, Atossa’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Quarter Ended September 30, 2022 Financial Results (in thousands): 

As of September 30, 2022, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of approximately $117,477.

Revenue and Cost of Revenue: For the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, we had no source of revenue and no associated cost of revenue.

Operating Expenses: Total operating expenses were $8,205 for the three months ended September 30, 2022, which is an increase of $3,047 or 59% from operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021 of $5,158. Operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 consisted of research and development (R&D) expenses of $5,160 and general and administrative (G&A) expenses of $3,045. Operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2021 consisted of R&D expenses of $2,206, and G&A expenses of $2,952. The basis for factors contributing to the increased operating expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2022 are explained below.

Research and Development Expenses: R&D expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 were $5,160, an increase of $2,954 or 134% from total R&D expenses for the same period in 2021 of $2,206. The increase in R&D expenses was primarily driven by increases in clinical and non-clinical trial costs as well as drug formulation and analysis costs of $2,475. Stock-based compensation expense also increased $62 compared to the prior year period, and other R&D compensation expense increased $85 due to salary, bonus, and benefit increases.

General and Administrative Expenses: G&A expenses were $3,045 for the three months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $93 or 3% from the total G&A expenses of $2,952 for the three months ended September 30, 2021. The increase in G&A expenses was primarily driven by an increase in legal fees, professional fees and other expenses of $159 for the three months ended September 30, 2022. G&A expenses also increased in part due to an increase in salary, bonus, and benefits of $123, which was offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation expense of $190. 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 Financial Results (in thousands): 

Revenue and Cost of Revenue: For the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, we had no source of revenue and no associated cost of revenue.

Operating Expenses: Total operating expenses were $19,553 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, which is an increase of $3,860 or 25% from operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 of $15,693. Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 consisted of R&D expenses of $10,097 and G&A expenses of $9,456. Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 consisted of R&D expenses of $7,383 and G&A expenses of $8,310. The basis for factors contributing to the increased operating expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 are explained below.

Research and Development Expenses: R&D expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were $10,097, an increase of $2,714 or 37% from total R&D expenses for the same period in 2021 of $7,383. R&D expenses increased due to an increase in spending on clinical and non-clinical trials of $2,910. Compared to the prior year period, stock-based compensation expense also increased $763, and other R&D compensation expense increased $288 due to salary, bonus, and benefit increases in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Professional expenses also increased $430 during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the same period in 2021. The increases in R&D expenses were offset in part by a refund of $1,000 from the research institution with which the Company had an exclusive right to negotiate for the acquisition of the world-wide rights to two oncology R&D programs in February 2022. In the nine months ended September 30, 2021, R&D expenses included $1,000 attributable the same one-time fee, which was paid in June 2021. Finally, on June 27, 2022, we paid $300 for the exclusive right to negotiate with a CAR-T Company.

General and Administrative Expenses: G&A expenses were $9,456 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $1,146 or 14% from the total G&A expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 of $8,310. The increase in G&A expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was primarily due to the increase in stock-based compensation expense of $832. Compensation expense also increased $554 due to salary, bonus, and benefit increases related to the addition of employees in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Legal fees also increased $321 compared to the prior year period due to increased patent prosecution activity. These increases are offset in part by a decrease in professional fees and other expenses of $562 due primarily to the reduction of proxy solicitation costs compared to the prior year period. 

About Atossa Therapeutics

Atossa Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company seeking to develop innovative medicines in areas of significant unmet medical need in oncology with a current focus on breast cancer and lung injury caused by cancer treatments. For more information, please visit www.atossatherapeutics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this press release, which Atossa undertakes no obligation to update, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated or estimated future results, including the risks and uncertainties associated with any variation between interim and final clinical results, actions and inactions by the FDA, the outcome or timing of regulatory approvals needed by Atossa including those needed to commence studies of AT-H201 and (Z)-endoxifen, lower than anticipated rate of patient enrollment, estimated market size of drugs under development, the safety and efficacy of Atossa’s products, performance of clinical research organizations and investigators, obstacles resulting from proprietary rights held by others such as patent rights, whether reduction in breast density, Ki-67 or any other result from a neoadjuvant study is an approvable endpoint for (Z)-endoxifen, whether Atossa can complete acquisitions, and other risks detailed from time to time in Atossa’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation its periodic reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q, each as amended and supplemented from time to time.

Company Contact:
Atossa Therapeutics, Inc.
Kyle Guse CFO and General Counsel
Office: (866) 893-4927
kyle.guse@atossainc.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Core IR
Office: (516) 222-2560
ir@atossainc.com

Source: Atossa Therapeutics, Inc.

ATOSSA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(amounts in thousands, except for par value)

		As of September 30,
		2022				As of December 31,
			(Unaudited)				2021
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	117,367			$	136,377
Restricted cash			110				110
Prepaid expenses			5,107				2,488
Research and development rebate receivable			610				1,072
Other current assets			201				1,193
Total current assets			123,395				141,240
Deposit on investment in equity securities			2,700				-
Other assets			629				22
Total Assets		$	126,724			$	141,262
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable		$	1,653			$	1,717
Accrued expenses			117				204
Payroll liabilities			1,071				1,184
Other current liabilities			27				21
Total current liabilities			2,868				3,126
Total Liabilities			2,868				3,126
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Series B convertible preferred stock - $0.001 par value; 10,000 shares authorized; 1 share issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021			-				-
Additional paid-in capital - Series B convertible preferred stock			582				582
Common stock - $0.18 par value; 175,000 shares authorized; 126,624 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021			22,792				22,792
Additional paid-in capital - common stock			249,239				243,996
Accumulated deficit			(148,703	)			(129,234	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(54	)			-
Total Stockholders' Equity			123,856				138,136
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity		$	126,724			$	141,262

ATOSSA THERAPEUTICS, INC. 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(UNAUDITED)
(amounts in thousands, except for per share amounts)

		For the Three Months Ended September 30,								For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2022				2021				2022				2021
Operating expenses
Research and development		$	5,160			$	2,206			$	10,097			$	7,383
General and administrative			3,045				2,952				9,456				8,310
Total operating expenses			8,205				5,158				19,553				15,693
Operating loss			(8,205	)			(5,158	)			(19,553	)			(15,693	)
Other income (expense), net			194				(39	)			84				(81	)
Loss before income taxes			(8,011	)			(5,197	)			(19,469	)			(15,774	)
Income taxes			-				-				-				-
Net loss			(8,011	)			(5,197	)			(19,469	)			(15,774	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(54	)			-				(54	)			-
Comprehensive loss		$	(8,065	)		$	(5,197	)		$	(19,523	)		$	(15,774	)
Loss per share of common stock - basic and diluted		$	(0.06	)		$	(0.04	)		$	(0.15	)		$	(0.14	)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted			126,624				126,538				126,624				113,690

 

FAQ

What were Atossa Therapeutics' financial results for Q3 2022?

Atossa reported no revenue for Q3 2022 with operating expenses of $8,205, marking a 59% increase from the previous year.

What recent developments did Atossa announce?

Atossa received FDA authorization for a Phase 2 study of (Z)-endoxifen and invested in Dynamic Cell Therapies.

How much cash did Atossa have as of September 30, 2022?

Atossa had approximately $117,477 in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as of September 30, 2022.

What are the key focuses of Atossa Therapeutics?

Atossa focuses on developing treatments for breast cancer and lung injuries caused by cancer treatments.

What is the outlook for Atossa's clinical trials?

Atossa plans to initiate the Phase 2 study of (Z)-endoxifen in Q4 2022 and continue its current programs.