Aura Biosciences Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Provides Clinical Development and Operational Highlights

Rhea-AI Summary

Aura Biosciences (NASDAQ: AURA) reported significant advancements in its clinical pipeline for belzupacap sarotalocan, aiming to treat non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and early-stage choroidal melanoma. The company is set to dose the first patient in the Phase 1 trial for NMIBC in Q3 2022 and initiate a pivotal trial for choroidal melanoma in Q4 2022. Aura received FDA Fast Track designation for NMIBC, enhancing its development strategy. Financially, the company reported a net loss of $13.5 million for Q2 2022, with cash reserves expected to fund operations into 2024.

Positive

• FDA Fast Track designation for belzupacap sarotalocan in NMIBC.
• Projected initiation of pivotal trial for early-stage choroidal melanoma in Q4 2022.
• Sufficient cash reserves of $122.1 million to fund operations into 2024.

Negative

• Net loss increased to $13.5 million in Q2 2022 from $8.9 million in Q2 2021.
• Increased research and development expenses of $9.5 million in Q2 2022.

On Track to Dose the First Patient in the Phase 1 Study Evaluating Belzupacap Sarotalocan (AU‑011) for the Treatment of Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer in Q3 2022

On Track to Initiate Pivotal Trial in Early-Stage Choroidal Melanoma in Q4 2022

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aura Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ: AURA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a novel class of virus-like drug conjugate (VDC) therapies for multiple oncology indications, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022, and provided clinical development and operational highlights.

“We have made significant progress in advancing the clinical development of belzupacap sarotalocan and remain on track to dose the first patient this quarter in the Phase 1 trial in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), which represents our second indication in the clinic,” said Elisabet de los Pinos, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Aura. “Current treatments leave patients with a high risk of recurrence and progression, which in many cases leads to cystectomy (the entire removal of the bladder and some surrounding tissues). We look forward to further developing a potential targeted treatment option for patients with this high unmet medical need. Notably, we recently received FDA Fast Track designation in NMIBC, which will further support our development efforts. Beyond NMIBC, we remain on track to initiate our pivotal trial of belzupacap sarotalocan in early-stage choroidal melanoma and file an Investigational New Drug application (IND) for choroidal metastases, our second ocular oncology indication, in Q4 of this year.”

Recent Pipeline Developments

• Belzupacap sarotalocan (AU-011) is being developed for the treatment of early-stage choroidal melanoma (CM), a life-threatening rare disease with no approved therapies. Aura plans to select the route of administration and treatment regimen to initiate the pivotal program in Q4 of 2022.
  
  
  • Multiple clinical studies of belzupacap sarotalocan were presented at the International Society of Ocular Oncology (ISOO) 2022 Bi-Annual Meeting, the largest global ocular oncology meeting. The presentations included updated safety data from the Phase 2 trial using suprachoroidal (SC) administration, final safety and efficacy data from the Phase 1b/2 trial using intravitreal (IVT) administration, as well as top-line data from the Retrospective Match Case Control study comparing the long-term visual acuity outcomes following treatment with belzupacap sarotalocan versus treatment with plaque brachytherapy, the current standard of care. Collectively, these studies support the value of a vision-preserving therapy for the treatment of patients with early-stage choroidal melanoma.
    
    
• Aura plans to dose the first patient in a Phase 1 clinical trial of belzupacap sarotalocan for the treatment of NMIBC in Q3 2022.
  
  
  • NMIBC is an area of high unmet need with no approved targeted therapies. The Phase 1 trial will evaluate safety and early proof of mechanism, exploring distribution, local necrosis and evidence of immune activation of belzupacap sarotalocan. Aura expects to report initial Phase 1 data in 2023.
    
    
  • FDA (Division of Oncology) granted Fast Track designation for belzupacap sarotalocan for the treatment of NMIBC.
    
    
• Beyond early-stage CM, we continue to build our ocular oncology franchise, with choroidal metastases being the second potential ocular indication. Aura plans to file an IND for choroidal metastases, an unmet medical need with no approved therapies, with the FDA in Q4 of 2022.
  
  
• Recent presentations in both choroidal metastases and in broader oncology indications include:
  
  
  • Preclinical data highlighting belzupacap sarotalocan’s anti-tumor activity were presented at the 2022 Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting. Preclinical results highlighted belzupacap sarotalocan’s targeted cytotoxicity in tumor cells derived from the most common cancer types known to metastasize to the choroid in the eye. Belzupacap sarotalocan showed dose dependent activity in vivo using cognate tumor models. These results support further evaluation of belzupacap sarotalocan as a potential treatment for choroidal metastases, the most common type of intraocular malignancy in adults.
    
    
  • Abstract highlighting belzupacap sarotalocan’s activity as a single agent and as a combination therapy with checkpoint inhibitors was selected for publication at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. The published data showed that belzupacap sarotalocan, in combination with immune checkpoint inhibition, had anti-tumor activity against both primary tumors and distant untreated lesions by an abscopal effect in a preclinical model, demonstrating its clinical potential for the treatment of both early-stage tumors and also metastatic cancers.

Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

• As of June 30, 2022, Aura had cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities totaling $122.1 million. Aura believes its current cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities are sufficient to fund its operations into 2024.
  
  
• Research and development expenses increased to $9.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $6.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, primarily due to ongoing preclinical costs, clinical costs for belzupacap sarotalocan, and higher personnel expenses from growing headcount.
  
  
• General and administrative expenses increased to $4.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 from $2.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. General and administrative expenses include $0.8 million and $0.2 million of stock-based compensation for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase was primarily driven by personnel expenses, as well as increases in general corporate expenses related to operating as a public company.
  
  
• Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $13.5 million compared to $8.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

About Aura Biosciences

Aura Biosciences, Inc., is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing virus-like drug conjugates (VDCs), a novel class of therapies, for the treatment of multiple oncology indications. Aura’s lead VDC candidate, belzupacap sarotalocan (AU-011), consists of a virus-like particle conjugated with an anti-cancer agent. Belzupacap sarotalocan is designed to selectively target and destroy cancer cells and activate the immune system with the potential to create long-lasting anti-tumor immunity. Belzupacap sarotalocan is currently in development for ocular cancers, with an ongoing Phase 2 dose escalation clinical trial evaluating it as a first-line treatment of early-stage choroidal melanoma, a vision- and life-threatening form of eye cancer where standard of care with radiotherapy leaves patients with severe comorbidities, including major vision loss. Aura plans to pursue development of belzupacap sarotalocan across its ocular oncology franchise including for the treatment of patients with choroidal metastases. In addition, leveraging Aura’s technology platform, Aura is developing belzupacap sarotalocan more broadly across multiple cancers, starting with a Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Aura is headquartered in Boston, MA.

For more information, visit aurabiosciences.com, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and other federal securities laws. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward looking statements. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could”, “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “endeavor,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of such words or other similar expressions that can be used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements include express or implied statements regarding Aura’s future expectations, plans and prospects, including, without limitation, statements regarding the therapeutic potential of belzupacap sarotalocan (AU-011) for the treatment of cancers including NMIBC and choroidal melanoma, expectations with respect to the clinical development of belzupacap sarotalocan in NMIBC, including expectations regarding the timing for enrollment of the first patient for the Phase 1 trial and anticipated initial data, the potential for belzupacap sarotalocan to provide a therapeutic option for patients with NMIBC, and potential benefits conferred by Fast Track designation, expectations with respect to the timing of an anticipated IND application for choroidal metastases with belzupacap sarotalocan, and Aura’s anticipated cash runway.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are neither promises nor guarantees, and investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond Aura’s control and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, uncertainties inherent in clinical trials and in the availability and timing of data from ongoing clinical trials; the expected timing for submissions for regulatory approval or review by governmental authorities; the risk that the results of Aura’s clinical trials may not be predictive of future results in connection with future clinical trials; whether Aura will receive regulatory approvals to conduct trials or to market products; whether Aura’s cash resources will be sufficient to fund its foreseeable and unforeseeable operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements; risks, assumptions and uncertainties regarding the impact of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, market uncertainty and inflation on Aura’s business, operations, strategy, goals and anticipated development and review timelines; Aura’s ongoing and planned preclinical activities; and Aura’s ability to initiate, enroll, conduct or complete ongoing and planned clinical trials. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include those risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Aura’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in subsequent filings made by Aura with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as required by law, Aura disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this press release in the event of new information, future developments or otherwise. These forward-looking statements are based on Aura’s current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof and no representations or warranties (express or implied) are made about the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements.

Aura Biosciences, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
		Three Months Ended June 30,									Six Months Ended June 30,
		2022				2021					2022				2021
Operating Expenses:
Research and development		$	9,510			$	6,632				$	17,786			$	10,817
General and administrative			4,306			$	2,169					8,841				3,911
Total operating expenses			13,816				8,801					26,627				14,728
Total operating loss			(13,816	)			(8,801	)				(26,627	)			(14,728	)
Other income (expense):
Change in fair value of warrant liability			61				(3	)				16				1
Change in fair value of derivative liability			—				(52	)				—				(52	)
Interest income, including amortization and accretion income			292				4					319				3
Other expense			(5	)			—					(11	)			(3	)
Total other income (expense)			348				(51	)				324				(51	)
Net loss			(13,468	)			(8,852	)				(26,303	)			(14,779	)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted			(13,468	)			(12,480	)				(26,303	)			(20,738	)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted			(0.46	)			(28.53	)				(0.90	)			(49.49	)
Weighted average common stock outstanding—basic and diluted			29,251,480				437,464					29,232,661				419,059
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss		$	(13,468	)		$	(8,852	)			$	(26,303	)		$	(14,779	)
Other comprehensive items:
Unrealized loss on marketable securities			(123	)			—					(128	)			—
Total other comprehensive loss			(123	)			—					(128	)			—
Total comprehensive loss		$	(13,591	)		$	(8,852	)			$	(26,431	)		$	(14,779	)

Aura Biosciences, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
		June 30, 2022				December 31, 2021
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	53,849			$	149,063
Marketable securities			68,282				—
Restricted cash and deposits			28				23
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			5,510				4,618
Total current assets			127,669				153,704
Restricted cash and deposits, net of current portion			893				125
Right of use assets - operating lease			656				950
Property and equipment, net			5,803				5,251
Total Assets		$	135,021			$	160,030
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable			1,198				2,401
Short-term operating lease liability			633				615
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			3,981				4,256
Total current liabilities			5,812				7,272
Long-term operating lease liability			51				360
Warrant liability			67				83
Total Liabilities			5,930				7,715
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock, $0.00001 par value, 150,000,000 authorized at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, and 29,266,848 and 29,211,643 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively			—				—
Additional paid-in capital			307,659				304,452
Accumulated deficit			(178,440	)			(152,137	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(128	)			—
Total Stockholders’ Equity			129,091				152,315
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity		$	135,021			$	160,030

 

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Investor and Media Contact:

Matthew DeYoung

Argot Partners

212-600-1902 | aura@argotpartners.com

Source: Aura Biosciences Inc.

FAQ

What is the latest update on Aura Biosciences' clinical trials for belzupacap sarotalocan (AURA)?

Aura Biosciences is set to dose the first patient in the Phase 1 trial for NMIBC in Q3 2022 and initiate a pivotal trial for early-stage choroidal melanoma in Q4 2022.

What financial results did Aura Biosciences report for Q2 2022?

Aura reported a net loss of $13.5 million for Q2 2022, an increase from $8.9 million in Q2 2021.

How much cash does Aura Biosciences have for its operations?

As of June 30, 2022, Aura had cash and cash equivalents totaling $122.1 million, sufficient to fund operations into 2024.

What is the significance of the FDA Fast Track designation for Aura Biosciences?

The FDA Fast Track designation for belzupacap sarotalocan in NMIBC accelerates development efforts and supports the potential for expedited approval.