Bolt Biotherapeutics Reports First Quarter 2024 Results, Announces Strategic Pipeline Prioritization and Changes to Leadership Team
Bolt Biotherapeutics (Nasdaq: BOLT) announced its Q1 2024 financial results, revealing a strategic pipeline prioritization and leadership changes. The company will focus on its Phase 1 Dectin-2 agonist antibody BDC-3042 and its next-gen Boltbody™ ISAC platform, including the new clinical candidate BDC-4182 targeting Claudin 18.2. Development of trastuzumab imbotolimod (BDC-1001) will halt, and the workforce will be cut by approximately 50% to extend the cash runway into the second half of 2026.
Willie Quinn replaces Randall Schatzman as CEO, with other leadership promotions announced. Financially, Bolt reported collaboration revenue of $5.3 million, up from $1.8 million in Q1 2023, and a loss from operations of $17.1 million, down from $18.4 million the previous year. R&D expenses increased to $16.5 million, driven by higher clinical trial costs. G&A expenses rose slightly to $5.8 million. The company will host a webcast to discuss these changes.
- Refocusing on promising BDC-3042 and BDC-4182 candidates.
- Cash runway extended to the second half of 2026.
- Collaboration revenue increased to $5.3 million from $1.8 million YoY.
- Leadership team realigned with experienced professionals.
- BDC-3042 Phase 1 trial progressing without dose-limiting toxicities.
- BDC-4182 showing potent anti-tumor activity in preclinical models.
- Discontinuation of trastuzumab imbotolimod (BDC-1001).
- Workforce reduction by approximately 50%.
- Increased R&D expenses to $16.5 million from $14.6 million YoY.
- Slight increase in G&A expenses to $5.8 million.
- Ongoing loss from operations at $17.1 million.
Insights
From a financial perspective, Bolt Biotherapeutics' decision to focus on its next-generation ISAC platforms and discontinue the BDC-1001 program is key. This strategic refocusing could help the company allocate resources more effectively, aiming to generate higher returns from its more promising candidates, BDC-3042 and BDC-4182. It is notable that the company has a
The workforce reduction by 50% is a major move, likely intended to streamline operations and reduce costs. While such cuts can impact morale and operational effectiveness in the short term, they are often necessary for financial health and strategic realignment. Investors should consider the $16.5 million R&D expenses, which have increased year-over-year, reflecting the high cost of advancing clinical trials and development. Conversely, the reduced loss from operations to
Overall, this restructuring, alongside improved revenue from collaborations, positions Bolt for a more focused and potentially lucrative future, though it carries the risk inherent in early-stage biopharma ventures.
From a medical research standpoint, the prioritization of BDC-3042 and BDC-4182 reflects a strategic pivot to the most promising areas of Bolt's pipeline. The Dectin-2 agonist BDC-3042, which 'reawakens' myeloid cells to attack tumor cells, shows promise in early trials with no dose-limiting toxicities observed in Phase 1. This early safety profile is crucial, as it sets the stage for further development and potential clinical success.
BDC-4182, targeting Claudin 18.2, a clinically validated cancer antigen, marks an exciting development. Claudin 18.2 has shown potential in treating various aggressive cancers like gastric and pancreatic cancers. The transition of BDC-4182 into IND-enabling studies, backed by robust preclinical data, is a positive step. The specificity of Claudin 18.2 reduces off-target effects, potentially leading to better safety and efficacy profiles compared to conventional therapies.
However, the discontinuation of BDC-1001, despite its initial promise, highlights the high-risk nature of drug development in oncology. This decision frees up resources to advance more promising candidates but also underscores the uncertainties and challenges in this field.
The market impact of these announcements could be substantial. Bolt's shift to prioritize its more promising drug candidates, coupled with a significant workforce reduction, sends a clear message of strategic realignment aimed at potential long-term gains. The partnerships with Genmab and Toray remain intact, providing some level of external validation and financial support through collaboration revenues.
The increase in collaboration revenue to
The decision to host a webcast to discuss these changes also indicates transparency and a proactive approach to investor relations, which can help maintain or build investor confidence during this period of change.
- Refocusing pipeline to Phase 1 Dectin-2 agonist antibody BDC-3042 and next-generation Boltbody™ ISAC platform including new clinical candidate BDC- 4182 targeting Claudin 18.2
- Bolt to cease further development of trastuzumab imbotolimod (BDC-1001) and reduce workforce by approximately
50% - Willie Quinn, Chief Financial Officer, is being appointed as Chief Executive Officer; Randall Schatzman moving to an advisory role
- Dawn Colburn, Pharm.D., is being promoted to Senior Vice President of Clinical Development to oversee all clinical activities; Edith Perez moving to an advisory role
- Cash balance of
$112.8 million now expected to fund the Company into second half 2026, including generation of clinical data for BDC-4182 - Company to host conference call and webcast today at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bolt Biotherapeutics (Nasdaq: BOLT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 and announced a strategic prioritization as well as changes to its leadership team. The company will focus its pipeline on its first-in-class proprietary agonist antibody targeting Dectin-2 and its next-generation Boltbody™ ISAC programs, continue to support its collaborations with Genmab and Toray, and reduce its workforce by approximately
As part of this refocusing, Willie Quinn has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Grant Yonehiro has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, Dawn Colburn, Pharm.D. has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Clinical Development. Michael Alonso, Ph.D. has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Research and Sarah Nemec is being appointed Principal Accounting Officer.
“At Bolt, we set a high bar for advancing our programs, and while BDC-1001 provided clinical validation for the ISAC mechanism, it did not meet our high bar for advancement. With limited resources, we want to focus those resources on the best product candidates. Our Boltbody™ ISAC technology platform continues to improve and our next-gen ISACs have outperformed cytotoxic ADCs in our preclinical studies. The increased activity of the next-gen Boltbody™ ISACs is opening the door to tumor targets with lower expression, while maintaining design choices that prioritize safety. With this in mind, we have decided to discontinue all BDC-1001 development and focus resources on BDC-3042 and BDC-4182, our next-gen ISAC targeting the clinically validated cancer antigen Claudin 18.2,” said Willie Quinn, Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that BDC-3042, a first-in-class agonist antibody that reawakens myeloid cells to attack tumor cells, has broad potential across many tumor types. We’ve seen encouraging safety to date in our Phase 1 dose escalation study of BDC-3042 and are excited about the very strong preclinical data for BDC-4182. We believe focusing on these programs will deliver significant value to shareholders. In conjunction, we are streamlining our operations to align resources and extend our cash runway to support these programs through key value inflection points.”
“Over the last several years, Bolt has leveraged our expertise to create Boltbody™ ISACs with optimized tumor-targeting antibodies and stronger payloads that have the potential to deliver superior efficacy while maintaining an acceptable safety profile,” said Michael Alonso, Senior Vice President, Research. “We are excited to advance our first next-generation Boltbody™ ISAC, BDC-4182, as Bolt’s next clinical candidate and to unveil Claudin 18.2 as the target antigen for this agent. BDC-4182 has advanced into IND-enabling studies and we look forward to sharing more details soon.”
Recent Highlights and Anticipated Milestones
- BDC-3042 Phase 1 dose escalation continues to advance. BDC-3042, a proprietary agonist antibody that targets Dectin-2, an immune activating receptor expressed by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), has advanced through the first 3 dose escalation cohorts of the Phase 1 trial without any dose-limiting toxicities, and the fourth dose level cohort is fully enrolled. BDC-3042 has been well tolerated in each of the cohorts to date. Bolt anticipates providing an update on enrollment and safety in the second half of the year.
- Announced BDC-4182 as Bolt’s next-generation Boltbody™ ISAC clinical candidate targeting Claudin 18.2. Claudin 18.2 is a novel, clinically validated target in oncology with programs in development for the treatment of gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other tumor types. BDC-4182 has advanced into IND-enabling activities, supported by in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrating potent anti-tumor activity in multiple preclinical models, some of which were presented at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer’s (SITC) 2023 Annual Meeting in October.
Corporate Updates
- Discontinued development of trastuzumab imbotolimod (BDC-1001). Following a strategic review, Bolt has determined that the program will not meet its pre-defined success criteria, and Bolt will therefore be focusing resources on its next-generation ISAC programs.
- Leadership changes. Willie Quinn is being appointed Chief Executive Officer. Former officers Randall Schatzman, Ph.D. and Edith Perez, M.D. are moving into advisory roles with Bolt. Grant Yonehiro, currently Chief Business Officer, is being promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Sarah Nemec, Vice President Finance, is being appointed Principal Accounting Officer and Michael Alonso, Ph.D., a co-founder of the company, is being promoted to Senior Vice President, Research. Dawn Colburn, Pharm.D. is being promoted to Senior Vice President of Clinical Development. Dr. Colburn joined Bolt in 2023, bringing over two decades of experience in oncology clinical development. Prior to joining Bolt, she was Vice President of Clinical Science for Agenus and Arcus Biosciences, where she built and led the clinical science organization and the non-small cell lung cancer clinical development strategy at both organizations.
- Workforce reduction. In conjunction with this strategic refocusing, the Company will be reducing its workforce by approximately
50% . As a result of these actions, Bolt expects to extend its cash runway into the second half 2026, funding the completion of the BDC-3042 Phase 1 trial and also enabling the delivery of clinical data for next-generation ISAC BDC-4182.
Mr. Quinn commented, “We sincerely thank our dedicated and talented employees, as well as the BDC-1001 investigators and patients, for all they’ve done to advance our mission to leverage the immune system for a better way to treat cancer. To our colleagues who will be leaving Bolt as part of this realignment, we wish you all the best in your future endeavors and thank you for your contributions in leading Bolt to where we are today."
First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
- Collaboration Revenue – Collaboration revenue was
$5.3 million and$1.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively. The increase in revenue for the comparative periods was due to increased activity in collaborations with Genmab and Toray Industries, Inc. as the Company fulfills its performance obligations, and the conclusion of its performance obligations for the Innovent collaboration. Bolt also recognized$4.7 million in Other Income as a result of concluding its collaboration with Innovent.
- Research and Development (R&D) Expenses – R&D expenses were
$16.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to$14.6 million for the same quarter in 2023. The increase in R&D expenses was due to higher clinical trial expenses due to continued progress in our clinical trials for product candidates, higher research and development contract service expenses, and higher salary and related expenses, partially offset by lower manufacturing expenses related to timing of batch production of our product candidates.
- General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses – G&A expenses were
$5.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to$5.6 million for the same quarter in 2023. The increase in G&A expenses was due to higher salary and related expenses and higher consulting and professional services expenses.
- Loss from Operations – Loss from operations was
$17.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to$18.4 million for the same quarter in 2023.
Conference Call and Webcast Details
Bolt will host a conference call and webcast today, May 14, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss its strategic restructuring. The webcast can be accessed by clicking the link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/im7tcsw2, and will be available on the “Events and Presentations” page in the “Investors” section of the Company’s website. A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Company’s website for up to 30 days following the presentation. A more detailed presentation of the results will be made available on the Company’s website at www.boltbio.com.
About the Boltbody™ Immune-Stimulating Antibody Conjugate (ISAC) Platform
Bolt Biotherapeutics’ Boltbody ISAC platform harnesses the precision of antibodies with the power of the innate and adaptive immune system to reprogram the tumor microenvironment to generate a productive anti-cancer response. Each Boltbody ISAC candidate comprises a tumor-targeting antibody, a non-cleavable linker, and a proprietary immune stimulant. The antibody is designed to target one or more markers on the surface of a tumor cell and the immune stimulant is designed to recruit and activate myeloid cells. Activated myeloid cells initiate a positive feedback loop by releasing cytokines and chemokines, chemical signals that attract other immune cells and lower the activation threshold for an immune response. This increases the population of activated immune system cells in the tumor microenvironment and promotes a robust immune response with the goal of generating durable therapeutic responses for patients with cancer.
About Bolt Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Bolt Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. Bolt Biotherapeutics’ pipeline candidates are built on the Company’s deep expertise in myeloid biology and cancer drug development. The Company’s pipeline includes BDC-3042, a first-in-class agonist antibody that activates macrophages by targeting Dectin-2, and BDC-4182, a next-generation Boltbody™ Immune Stimulating Antibody Conjugate (ISAC) clinical candidate targeting Claudin 18.2. BDC-3042 is currently in a Phase 1 dose escalation trial that includes patients with any of 6 different solid tumor types. BDC-4182 is supported by strong in vitro and in vivo data demonstrating potent anti-tumor activity, and activities are underway to support the initiation of clinical trials in 2025. Bolt Biotherapeutics is also developing additional Boltbody™ ISACs in strategic collaborations with leading biopharmaceutical companies. For more information, please visit https://www.boltbio.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties and are based on our beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to us. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding the advancement and success of our BDC-3042 clinical trial, the initiation of future clinical trials, the potential value of collaborations, and the duration of our cash runway, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “on track,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” or “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements represent our current beliefs, estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release and information contained in this press release should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. These statements, and related risks, uncertainties, factors and assumptions, include, but are not limited to: the potential product candidates that we develop may not progress through clinical development or receive required regulatory approvals within expected timelines or at all; clinical trials may not confirm any safety, potency or other product characteristics described or assumed in this press release; such product candidates may not be beneficial to patients or become commercialized; and our ability to maintain our current collaborations and establish further collaborations. These risks are not exhaustive. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Further information on factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by our forward-looking statements is included in the reports we have filed or will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. These filings, when available, are available on the investor relations section of our website at investors.boltbio.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Investor Relations and Media Contact:
Matthew DeYoung
Argot Partners
(212) 600-1902
boltbio@argotpartners.com
| BOLT BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts) | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Collaboration revenue | $ | 5,274 | $ | 1,826 | ||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 16,529 | 14,625 | ||||||
| General and administrative | 5,837 | 5,616 | ||||||
| Total operating expense | 22,366 | 20,241 | ||||||
| Loss from operations | (17,092 | ) | (18,415 | ) | ||||
| Other income, net | ||||||||
| Interest income, net | 1,606 | 1,435 | ||||||
| Other income | 4,675 | — | ||||||
| Total other income, net | 6,281 | 1,435 | ||||||
| Net loss | (10,811 | ) | (16,980 | ) | ||||
| Net unrealized (loss) gain on marketable securities | (73 | ) | 684 | |||||
| Comprehensive loss | $ | (10,884 | ) | $ | (16,296 | ) | ||
| Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.28 | ) | $ | (0.45 | ) | ||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 38,068,424 | 37,684,023 | ||||||
| BOLT BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited, in thousands) | ||||||||
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 4,262 | $ | 10,810 | ||||
| Short-term investments | 87,088 | 91,379 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 3,705 | 3,519 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 95,055 | 105,708 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 4,499 | 4,957 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 18,347 | 19,120 | ||||||
| Restricted cash | 1,765 | 1,765 | ||||||
| Long-term investments | 21,461 | 26,413 | ||||||
| Other assets | 1,765 | 1,821 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 142,892 | $ | 159,784 | ||||
| Liabilities and stockholders' equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 2,219 | $ | 2,987 | ||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 9,710 | 12,486 | ||||||
| Deferred revenue | 1,907 | 2,201 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 2,887 | 2,782 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 16,723 | 20,456 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion | 16,680 | 17,437 | ||||||
| Deferred revenue, non-current | 5,330 | 9,107 | ||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | - | 43 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 38,733 | 47,043 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
| Stockholders' equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock | — | — | ||||||
| Common stock | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 479,290 | 476,988 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) gain | (36 | ) | 37 | |||||
| Accumulated deficit | (375,096 | ) | (364,285 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders' equity: | 104,159 | 112,741 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 142,892 | $ | 159,784 | ||||
| BOLT BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited, in thousands) | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (10,811 | ) | $ | (16,980 | ) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 458 | 467 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 2,302 | 2,476 | ||||||
| Accretion of discount on marketable securities | (1,033 | ) | (852 | ) | ||||
| Non-cash lease expense | 773 | 719 | ||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | (130 | ) | (1,377 | ) | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | (3,544 | ) | (6,611 | ) | ||||
| Operating lease liabilities | (652 | ) | (559 | ) | ||||
| Deferred revenue | (4,071 | ) | (683 | ) | ||||
| Other long-term liabilities | (43 | ) | 1 | |||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (16,751 | ) | (23,399 | ) | ||||
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
| Purchase of property and equipment | — | (3 | ) | |||||
| Purchases of marketable securities | (23,058 | ) | (42,883 | ) | ||||
| Maturities of marketable securities | 33,261 | 71,877 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by investing activities | 10,203 | 28,991 | ||||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash | (6,548 | ) | 5,592 | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year | 12,575 | 10,809 | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 6,027 | $ | 16,401 | ||||
| Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 4,262 | $ | 14,836 | ||||
| Restricted cash | 1,765 | 1,565 | ||||||
| Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 6,027 | $ | 16,401 | ||||
| Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | — | $ | 46 | ||||
| Deferred offering costs in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 102 | $ | 102 | ||||
FAQ
What are Bolt Biotherapeutics' key focus areas in Q1 2024?
What strategic changes did Bolt Biotherapeutics announce in Q1 2024?
Who is the new CEO of Bolt Biotherapeutics as of Q1 2024?
How did Bolt Biotherapeutics perform financially in Q1 2024?
What is the cash runway for Bolt Biotherapeutics after the Q1 2024 changes?
What are the upcoming milestones for Bolt Biotherapeutics' BDC-3042?
What are the anticipated developments for Bolt Biotherapeutics' BDC-4182?
What was the change in R&D expenses for Bolt Biotherapeutics in Q1 2024?
How did Bolt Biotherapeutics' G&A expenses change in Q1 2024?
What is the significance of the workforce reduction at Bolt Biotherapeutics?
