BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Announces Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

Rhea-AI Summary

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: BCLI) announced Q2 2024 financial results and provided a corporate update. Key highlights include:

1. Alignment with FDA on CMC aspects for planned Phase 3b NurOwn® trial in ALS

2. Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement in place for the trial

3. Appointment of new EVP and COO, and promotion of new EVP and CMO

4. Q2 2024 financial results: Cash position of $3.65 million, R&D expenses of $0.9 million, G&A expenses of $2.0 million, net loss of $2.5 million ($0.04 per share)

5. Successful registered direct offering raising $4.0 million

The company is progressing with preparations for the Phase 3b trial, including CRO selection and engagement with ALS centers for trial sites.

Positive

• Alignment with FDA on CMC aspects for Phase 3b NurOwn® trial in ALS
• Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement in place for Phase 3b trial
• Successful registered direct offering raising $4.0 million
• Reduced net loss to $2.5 million in Q2 2024 compared to $5.3 million in Q2 2023
• Decreased R&D expenses to $0.9 million in Q2 2024 from $2.8 million in Q2 2023

Negative

• Cash position of only $3.65 million as of June 30, 2024
• Continued net loss of $2.5 million in Q2 2024

Financial Analyst

BrainStorm's Q2 2024 results show mixed signals. On the positive side, the company has made significant progress on the regulatory front for its NurOwn® ALS therapy, securing FDA alignment on CMC aspects and an SPA agreement for the Phase 3b trial. This derisks the regulatory pathway considerably.

However, financials remain concerning. With only $3.65 million in cash as of June 30, 2024, even after a $4 million offering in June, liquidity is tight. The 68% reduction in R&D expenses to $0.9 million may impact development progress. While net loss narrowed to $2.5 million from $5.3 million YoY, this was largely due to cost-cutting rather than revenue growth.

Investors should closely monitor cash burn and potential dilution risks going forward, while weighing these against the promising regulatory progress for NurOwn®.

Medical Research Analyst

The alignment with FDA on CMC aspects and the SPA agreement for NurOwn's Phase 3b trial in ALS are significant milestones. These developments substantially reduce regulatory uncertainty and validate the trial design. The selection of a leading CRO and engagement with 12+ ALS centers further strengthens the trial's potential.

The biomarker data presented at the ALS Drug Development Summit, suggesting continued benefits with extended NurOwn treatment, is intriguing. However, it's important to note that this data comes from a previous Phase 3 study and an Expanded Access Program, not the upcoming trial. The publication in Muscle and Nerve adds credibility but doesn't guarantee Phase 3b success.

While these developments are promising, the ultimate proof will lie in the Phase 3b results. Investors should remain cautiously optimistic, recognizing the high-risk nature of ALS drug development.

- Company reached alignment with the U.S. FDA on the Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) aspects of its planned Phase 3b clinical trial for NurOwn® in ALS

- SPA in place for Phase 3b NurOwn® trial in ALS

- Enhanced leadership team with appointment of  Hartoun Hartounian Ph.D. as EVP and Chief Operating Officer, and promotion of Dr. Bob Dagher to EVP and Chief Medical Officer

- Conference call and webcast at 8.30am ET today

NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced financial results for the Second Quarter ended June 30, 2023 and provided a corporate update.

"We continue to make excellent progress in our preparations for the planned Phase 3b trial of NurOwn in ALS, with important recent developments on regulatory and operational fronts," said Chaim Lebovits, President and CEO of BrainStorm. "We believe that the regulatory aspects of the program have been substantially derisked, having secured agreement with the FDA on a Special Protocol Assessment and also reached alignment on the CMC aspects. We have selected a leading Clinical Research Organization and are actively working to establish multiple trial sites. If successful, this trial has the potential to significantly improve the lives of ALS patients by providing a much-needed therapeutic option."

Second Quarter 2024 and Recent Highlights

Clinical and regulatory

• In June 2024, BrainStorm reached alignment with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) aspects of its planned Phase 3b clinical trial for NurOwn®, its investigational therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This followed the announcement, in April 2024, that the FDA had granted BrainStorm a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement for the Phase 3b trial. The SPA agreement validates the clinical trial protocol and statistical analysis of the trial, demonstrating their adequacy for addressing objectives that support a future BLA (Biologics License Application) in ALS.
  
  
• The Company has selected a leading Clinical Research Organization (CRO) to support the initiation and execution of the Phase 3b trial. We are actively engaging with over 12 leading ALS centers of excellence to establish trial sites. Manufacturing processes are well-advanced and on track to meet production timelines.
  
  
• In May 2024, new biomarker data on NurOwn from the prior Phase 3 study and Expanded Access Program (EAP) were featured in a presentation at the 3rd Annual ALS Drug Development Summit, which took place in Boston MA. The data suggested that patients who received extended treatment with NurOwn continued to see benefits. The summit was attended by advocacy groups, physicians, research organizations, industry representatives, key thought leaders and decision makers dedicated to ALS research.
  
  
• In April 2024, Phase 3 biomarker data on NurOwn in ALS were published in Muscle and Nerve in a paper entitled "Debamestrocel multimodal effects on biomarker pathways in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are linked to clinical outcomes". 

Corporate

• In June 2024, BrainStorm completed a successful registered direct offering, with a single institutional investor, raising gross proceeds of $4.0 million.
  
  
• In June 2024, appointed Hartoun Hartounian Ph.D. as EVP and Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Hartounian brings a distinguished track record with over 32 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with a focus on cell and gene therapy.
  
  
• In April 2024, promoted Dr. Bob Dagher to Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Dagher has over 20 years' of experience in clinical research and development, with a proven track record of leading successful clinical trials and fostering innovation in drug development.

Financial Results for the Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2024

• Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash amounted to approximately $3.65 million, as of June 30, 2024.
  
  
• Research and development expenses, net, in the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 were $0.9 million, compared to $2.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.
  
  
• General and administrative expenses for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 were $2.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively.
  
  
• Net loss for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 was $2.5 million as compared to a net loss of $5.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.
  
  
• Net loss per share for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023 was $0.04 and $0.13, respectively.

Conference Call and Webcast

BrainStorm management will discuss the second quarter results and recent progress in a conference call and webcast for the investment community at 830am ET today. Investors may participate by dialing the following numbers:

Toll Free: 877-545-0523
International: 973-528-0016
Participant Access Code: 308245           
Webcast URL: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2354/51009  

The replay of the conference call can be accessed by dialing the numbers below and will be available for 14 days.

Replay Numbers
Toll Free: 877-481-4010
International: 919-882-2331
Replay Passcode: 51009

About BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.              
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. is a leading developer of innovative autologous adult stem cell therapeutics for debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. BrainStorm holds the rights to clinical development and commercialization of the NurOwn® technology platform used to produce autologous MSC-NTF cells through an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement. Autologous MSC-NTF cells have received Orphan Drug designation status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). BrainStorm has completed a Phase 3 trial in ALS (NCT03280056); this trial investigated the safety and efficacy of repeat-administration of autologous MSC-NTF cells and was supported by a grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM CLIN2-0989), and another grant from the ALS Association and I AM ALS. BrainStorm completed under an investigational new drug application a Phase 2 open-label multicenter trial (NCT03799718) of autologous MSC-NTF cells in progressive MS and was supported by a grant from the National MS Society (NMSS).

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements   
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding meetings with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Special Protocol Assessment (SPA), ADCOM meeting related to NurOwn, the timing of a PDUFA action date for the BLA for NurOwn, the clinical development of NurOwn as a therapy for the treatment of ALS, the future availability of NurOwn to patients, and the future success of BrainStorm. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "contemplate," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "seek," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "target," "aim," "should," "will" "would," or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on BrainStorm's current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. These potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, management's ability to successfully achieve its goals, BrainStorm's ability to raise additional capital, BrainStorm's ability to continue as a going concern, prospects for future regulatory approval of NurOwn, whether BrainStorm's future interactions with the FDA will have productive outcomes, and other factors detailed in BrainStorm's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q available at http://www.sec.gov. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on BrainStorm's forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on the beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management as of the date of this press release. We do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or assumptions if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, unless otherwise required by law. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements.

CONTACTS

Media: 
Lisa Guiterman
Phone: +1 202-330-3431
lisa.guiterman@gmail.com 

IR:
Michael Wood
Phone: +1 646-597-6983
mwood@lifesciadvisors.com 

 

BRAINSTORM CELL THERAPEUTICS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS U.S. dollars in thousands
						June 30,				December 31,
						2024				2023
						Unaudited				Audited
						U.S. $ in thousands
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents						$	3,469			$	1,300
Other accounts receivable							33				51
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Note 4)							314				548
Total current assets						$	3,816			$	1,899
Long-Term Assets:
Prepaid expenses and other long-term assets						$	20			$	22
Restricted Cash							179				185
Operating lease right of use asset (Note 5)							1,110				1,416
Property and Equipment, Net							558				686
Total Long-Term Assets						$	1,867			$	2,309
Total assets						$	5,683			$	4,208
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payables						$	5,340			$	4,954
Accrued expenses							718				1,240
Operating lease liability (Note 5)							566				603
Employees related liability							1,067				1,003
Total current liabilities						$	7,691			$	7,800
Long-Term Liabilities:
Operating lease liability (Note 5)							396				672
Warrants liability (Note 6)							1,123				594
Total long-term liabilities						$	1,519			$	1,266
Total liabilities						$	9,210			$	9,066
Stockholders' Deficit:
Stock capital: (Note 7)							14				13
Common Stock of $0.00005 par value - Authorized: 100,000,000 shares at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 respectively; Issued and outstanding: 79,646,942 and 60,489,208 shares at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 respectively.
Additional paid-in-capital							217,530				210,258
Treasury stocks							(116)				(116)
Accumulated deficit							(220,955)				(215,013)
Total stockholders' deficit						$	(3,527)			$	(4,858)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit						$	5,683			$	4,208

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

BRAINSTORM CELL THERAPEUTICS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (UNAUDITED) U.S. dollars in thousands (Except share data)
		Six months ended						Three months ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2024			2023			2024			2023
		Unaudited						Unaudited
Operating expenses:
Research and development, net		$	1,883		$	5,718		$	922		$	2,794
General and administrative			3,573			4,882			2,060			2,655
Operating loss			(5,456)			(10,600)			(2,982)			(5,449)
Financial income, net			43			212			30			120
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of Warrants liability (Note 6)			529			-			(411)			-
Net loss		$	(5,942)		$	(10,388)		$	(2,541)		$	(5,329)
Basic and diluted net loss per share from continuing operations		$	(0.09)		$	(0.27)		$	(0.04)		$	(0.13)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share			67,977,012			38,224,230			71,215,481			39,696,665

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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SOURCE BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.

FAQ

What were BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics' (BCLI) key financial results for Q2 2024?

BrainStorm reported a cash position of $3.65 million, R&D expenses of $0.9 million, G&A expenses of $2.0 million, and a net loss of $2.5 million ($0.04 per share) for Q2 2024.

What progress has BCLI made with the FDA for its NurOwn® ALS trial?

BCLI reached alignment with the FDA on Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) aspects for the planned Phase 3b NurOwn® trial in ALS. The company also secured a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement for the trial.

How much did BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI) raise in its recent offering?

BrainStorm completed a registered direct offering with a single institutional investor, raising gross proceeds of $4.0 million in June 2024.

What key appointments did BCLI make to its leadership team in 2024?

BCLI appointed Hartoun Hartounian Ph.D. as EVP and Chief Operating Officer in June 2024, and promoted Dr. Bob Dagher to Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer in April 2024.