Celcuity Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

Rhea-AI Summary

Celcuity Inc. (NASDAQ: CELC) reported its Q4 and full year 2024 financial results, highlighting several upcoming clinical milestones. The company's VIKTORIA-1 Phase 3 trial's PIK3CA wild-type cohort is set to report topline data in Q2 2025, while the VIKTORIA-2 Phase 3 trial's first patient enrollment is expected in Q2 2025.

Financial highlights include:

• Q4 2024 net loss of $36.7 million ($0.85 per share)
• Full year 2024 net loss of $111.8 million ($2.83 per share)
• R&D expenses increased to $33.5 million in Q4 2024
• Cash position of $235.1 million expected to fund operations through 2026

The company presented encouraging preliminary overall survival data from their Phase 1b study of gedatolisib combination therapy at the 2024 SABCS, showing median overall survival of 77.3 months in treatment-naïve patients and 33.9 months in previously treated patients.

Positive

• Strong cash position of $235.1M providing runway through 2026
• Promising Phase 1b survival data with 77.3 months median OS in treatment-naïve patients
• VIKTORIA-1 Phase 3 trial PIK3CA wild-type cohort fully enrolled
• Multiple clinical data readouts expected throughout 2025

Negative

• Increased net loss to $36.7M in Q4 2024 vs $18.8M in Q4 2023
• R&D expenses significantly increased to $33.5M in Q4 2024 from $18.1M year-over-year
• Operating expenses rose to $113.3M for full year 2024 from $66.2M in 2023

Insights

Biotechnology Clinical Analyst

Celcuity's Q4 and full year 2024 report shows steady advancement of its oncology pipeline with several upcoming catalysts. The PIK3CA wild-type cohort of the VIKTORIA-1 Phase 3 trial is fully enrolled with topline data expected in Q2 2025, positioning this as the nearest potential value inflection point. Additional readouts for the prostate cancer trial (late Q2) and PIK3CA mutant cohort (Q4) provide a staggered series of clinical catalysts throughout 2025.

The preliminary overall survival data presented at SABCS 2024 (77.3 months for treatment-naïve patients; 33.9 months for previously treated patients) appears encouraging compared to current standards of care, though these results come from earlier-stage studies and require validation in the ongoing Phase 3 trials.

Financially, Celcuity's $235.1 million cash position provides runway through 2026, covering the company through its multiple data readouts. However, the accelerating cash burn ($83.5 million for full year 2024 vs $53.8 million in 2023) reflects the company's expanded clinical program, with R&D expenses rising to $104.2 million from $60.6 million year-over-year as it advances multiple simultaneous late-stage trials.

The 100% enrollment completion for the wild-type cohort and on-track progress for VIKTORIA-2 demonstrate operational execution, though the planned safety run-in for 12-36 participants before the Phase 3 portion of VIKTORIA-2 indicates appropriate caution with the novel combination of gedatolisib, ribociclib, and fulvestrant.

Financial Research Analyst

Celcuity's financial results reflect its transition deeper into late-stage clinical development with widening losses as expected for a pre-revenue biotech. Net loss increased to $36.7 million ($0.85 per share) in Q4 2024 from $18.8 million ($0.65 per share) in Q4 2023, while full-year losses grew to $111.8 million from $63.8 million.

The 72% increase in R&D expenses (to $104.2 million for 2024) demonstrates the significant investment in the gedatolisib program, with $30.7 million directly related to clinical trial activities. G&A expenses also rose 62.5% to $9.1 million, reflecting the organizational scaling needed to support advanced clinical programs.

With $235.1 million in cash and investments against a market cap of approximately $394 million, Celcuity trades at roughly 1.7x cash. This relatively modest premium to cash suggests the market is taking a cautious view of the clinical programs despite the encouraging preliminary data. The projected runway through 2026 provides sufficient capital to reach multiple clinical readouts without immediate financing pressure.

The accelerating burn rate ($27.8 million in Q4 alone) warrants monitoring, as it represents approximately 11.8% of current cash resources consumed in a single quarter. If this pace continues or accelerates further with the initiation of VIKTORIA-2, the company's runway projection may need reassessment. However, the current cash position remains strong relative to near-term operational needs through the critical data readouts in 2025.

• The PIK3CA wild-type cohort of the VIKTORIA-1 Phase 3 trial is on track to report topline data in Q2 2025
• VIKTORIA-2 Phase 3 remains on track to enroll its first patient in Q2 2025
• Presented encouraging preliminary overall survival data from the Phase 1b study evaluating gedatolisib in combination with palbociclib and endocrine therapy at the 2024 SABCS
• Approximately $235.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at end of Q4 2024 expected to fund current clinical development program activities through 2026
• Management to host webcast and conference call today, March 31, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. ET
  

MINNEAPOLIS, March 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Celcuity Inc. (Nasdaq: CELC), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pursuing development of targeted therapies for oncology, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024 and other recent business developments.

“We expect 2025 to be a transformational year for Celcuity as we anticipate reporting several clinical data readouts, including primary analysis for the PIK3CA wild-type cohort of the VIKTORIA-1 trial. We expect to share topline data in Q2 2025,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO and co-founder of Celcuity. “In addition, we anticipate reporting topline data for the Phase 1b/2 trial in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer in late Q2 2025, and topline data for the PIK3CA mutant-type cohort of the VIKTORIA-1 trial in Q4 2025. We also remain on track to enroll the first patient for our VIKTORIA-2 Phase 3 trial in Q2 2025.”

Fourth Quarter 2024 Business Highlights and Other Recent Developments

• The VIKTORIA-1 Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating gedatolisib in combination with fulvestrant with and without palbociclib in adults with HR+, HER2- advanced breast cancer who have received prior treatment with a CDK4/6 inhibitor is 100% enrolled for the PIK3CA wild-type cohort. We expect to provide topline data in Q2 2025.
  • Enrollment for the PIK3CA mutant cohort remains on track and topline data is expected in Q4 of 2025.
• The VIKTORIA-2 Phase 3 open-label randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety of gedatolisib in combination with fulvestrant plus a CDK4/6 inhibitor, either ribociclib or palbociclib, in comparison to fulvestrant plus a CDK4/6 inhibitor as a first-line treatment for patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer who are endocrine therapy resistant remains on track to enroll its first patient in Q2 2025.
  • A safety run-in study preceding the initiation of the Phase 3 portion of the study will be conducted in 12-36 participants to assess the safety profile of gedatolisib in combination with ribociclib and fulvestrant.
  • Site selection activities are completed. We expect to activate approximately 200 sites across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.
  • The Phase 3 portion of the study is expected to enroll approximately 638 patients.
• The Phase 1b/2 clinical trial, evaluating gedatolisib in combination with darolutamide for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (“mCRPC”), is ongoing and remains on track to report preliminary data in late Q2 2025.
  • The study is expected to enroll up to 54 patients with mCRPC whose disease progressed while on or after treatment with an androgen receptor signaling inhibitor.

• In December 2024, Celcuity presented overall survival data from a Phase 1b trial, which evaluated gedatolisib in combination with palbociclib and either letrozole or fulvestrant, in patients with HR+, HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer during a poster session at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). Median overall survival was 77.3 months among patients with HR+, HER2- advanced breast cancer who were treatment-naïve in the advanced setting and 33.9 months among patients previously treated with a CDK4/6 inhibitor.
  • Results compare favorably to published data for currently available first- or second-line standard-of-care treatment regimens for patients with HR+, HER2- advanced breast cancer and highlight the promising clinical development strategy of simultaneously inhibiting the ER, CDK4/6, and PAM (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) signaling pathways.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results

Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons are for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

Total operating expenses were $36.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $19.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Operating expenses for the full year 2024 were $113.3 million, compared to $66.2 million for the full year 2023.

Research and development (“R&D”) expenses were $33.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $18.1 million for the prior-year period. Of the approximately $15.4 million increase in R&D expenses, $9.9 million primarily related to costs supporting ongoing activities for the VIKTORIA-1 Phase 3 trial and the CELC-G-201 Phase 1b/2 trial, along with the commencement of the VIKTORIA-2 Phase 3 trial. The remaining $5.5 million primarily relates to increased employee and consulting expenses.

R&D expenses for the full year 2024 were $104.2 million, compared to $60.6 million for the prior year. Of the approximately $43.6 million increase in R&D expenses, $30.7 million was related to costs supporting ongoing activities for the VIKTORIA-1 Phase 3 trial and the CELC-G-201 Phase 1b/2 clinical trial, along with the commencement of the VIKTORIA-2 Phase 3 trial. The remaining $12.9 million increase in R&D expenses was primarily related to increased employee and consulting expenses.

General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses were $3.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to $1.6 million for the prior year period. Of the approximately $1.4 million increase, $1.1 million was related to increased employee-related expenses, and $0.3 million was related to professional fees, expanding infrastructure costs and other administrative expenses.

G&A expenses for the full year 2024 were $9.1 million, compared to $5.6 million for the prior year. Of the approximately $3.4 million increase in G&A expenses, $2.6 million was related to increased employee-related expenses, and $0.8 million was related to professional fees, expanding infrastructure costs, and other administrative expenses.

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $36.7 million, or $0.85 loss per share, compared to a net loss of $18.8 million, or $0.65 loss per share, for the fourth quarter of 2023. Net loss for the full year 2024 was $111.8 million, or $2.83 loss per share, compared to a net loss of $63.8 million, or $2.69 loss per share, in 2023. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $32.3 million, or $0.75 loss per share, compared to non-GAAP adjusted net loss of $17.6 million, or $0.61 loss per share, for the fourth quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss for the full year 2024 was $101.9 million, or $2.58 loss per share, compared to non-GAAP adjusted net loss of $57.8 million, or $2.44 loss per share, for 2023. Non-GAAP adjusted net loss excludes stock-based compensation expense, non-cash interest expense, and non-cash interest income. Because these items have no impact on Celcuity’s cash position, management believes non-GAAP adjusted net loss better enables Celcuity to focus on cash used in operations. For a reconciliation of financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) to non-GAAP financial measures, please see the financial tables at the end of this press release.

Net cash used in operating activities for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $27.8 million, compared to $18.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2023. Net cash used in operating activities for the full year 2024 was $83.5 million, compared to $53.8 million for the full year 2023. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were approximately $235.1 million at the end of fiscal year 2024 and are expected to fund current clinical development program activities through 2026.

Webcast and Conference Call Information

The Celcuity management team will host a webcast/conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET today to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results and provide a corporate update. To participate in the teleconference, domestic callers should dial 1-800-717-1738 and international callers should dial 1-646-307-1865. A live webcast presentation can also be accessed using this weblink: https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1704367&tp_key=f99d4186f3. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Celcuity website following the live event.

About Celcuity

Celcuity is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pursuing development of targeted therapies for treatment of multiple solid tumor indications. The company's lead therapeutic candidate is gedatolisib, a potent, pan-PI3K and mTORC1/2 inhibitor that comprehensively blockades the PI3K/AKT/mTOR (“PAM”) pathway. Its mechanism of action and pharmacokinetic properties are differentiated from other currently approved and investigational therapies that target PI3Kα, AKT, or mTORC1 alone or together. A Phase 3 clinical trial, VIKTORIA-1, evaluating gedatolisib in combination with fulvestrant with or without palbociclib in patients with HR+, HER2- advanced breast cancer is currently enrolling patients. More detailed information about the VIKTORIA-1 study can be found at ClinicalTrials.gov . A Phase 1b/2 clinical trial, CELC-G-201, evaluating gedatolisib in combination with darolutamide in patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer, is ongoing. A Phase 3 clinical trial, VIKTORIA-2, evaluating gedatolisib plus a CDK4/6 inhibitor and fulvestrant as first-line treatment for patients with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer is currently recruiting patients. Celcuity is headquartered in Minneapolis. Further information about Celcuity can be found at www.celcuity.com . Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" including, but not limited to, the design of our clinical trials; the timing of initiating and enrolling patients in, and receiving results and data from, our clinical trials; the costs and expected results from any ongoing or planned clinical trials; the market opportunity for gedatolisib; revenue expectations; our strategy, marketing and commercialization plans, including the benefits of strategic decisions regarding studies and trials; other expectations with respect to Celcuity's lead product candidate, gedatolisib, and its CELsignia platform; our anticipated use of cash; and the strength of our balance sheet. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "intends" or "continue," and other similar expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, and conditions, many of which are beyond the control of Celcuity. These include, but are not limited to, unforeseen delays in our clinical trials, our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals to commercialize our products, and the market acceptance of such products, the development of therapies and tools competitive with our products, our ability to access capital upon favorable terms or at all, and those risks set forth in the Risk Factors section in Celcuity's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2025. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Celcuity undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this press release, except as required by law.

View source version of release on GlobeNewswire.com

Contacts: 

Celcuity Inc. 
Brian Sullivan, bsullivan@celcuity.com 
Vicky Hahne, vhahne@celcuity.com 
(763) 392-0123 

ICR Healthcare
Patti Bank, patti.bank@icrhealthcare.com
(415) 513-1284

Celcuity Inc.
Balance Sheets
	December 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	22,514,823		$	30,662,774
Investments		212,588,960			149,919,974
Other current assets		9,467,247			10,007,849
Total current assets		244,571,030			190,590,597
Property and equipment, net		336,515			228,782
Operating lease right-of-use assets		215,502			400,019
Total Assets	$	245,123,047		$	191,219,398
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	9,366,007		$	5,076,699
Operating lease liabilities		171,952			184,950
Accrued expenses		22,184,948			8,927,094
Total current liabilities		31,722,907			14,188,743
Operating lease liabilities		53,969			225,922
Note payable, non-current		97,727,136			37,035,411
Total Liabilities		129,504,012			51,450,076
Total Stockholders' Equity		115,619,035			139,769,322
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	245,123,047		$	191,219,398

Celcuity Inc.
Statements of Operations
	Three Months Ended December 31,										Twelve Months Ended December 31,
		2024				2023						2024				2023
Operating expenses:
Research and development	$	33,471,213			$	18,081,194					$	104,203,230			$	60,594,005
General and administrative		2,958,918				1,648,079						9,063,721				5,636,326
Total operating expenses		36,430,131				19,729,273						113,266,951				66,230,331
Loss from operations		(36,430,131)				(19,729,273)						(113,266,951)				(66,230,331)
Other (expense) income
Interest expense		(3,275,161)				(1,397,247)						(10,280,445)				(5,326,387)
Interest income		3,052,251				2,278,048						11,768,291				7,777,602
Other (expense) income, net		(222,910)				880,801						1,487,846				2,451,215
Net loss before income taxes		(36,653,041)				(18,848,472)						(111,779,105)				(63,779,116)
Income tax benefits		-				-						-				-
Net loss	$	(36,653,041)			$	(18,848,472)					$	(111,779,105)			$	(63,779,116)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted	$	(0.85)			$	(0.65)					$	(2.83)			$	(2.69)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted		42,873,934				28,900,075						39,449,393				23,679,472

Cautionary Statement Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains references to non-GAAP adjusted net loss and non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful supplemental measures for planning, monitoring, and evaluating operational performance as they exclude stock-based compensation expense, non-cash interest expense, and non-cash interest income from net loss and net loss per share. Management excludes these items because they do not impact Celcuity’s cash position, which management believes better enables Celcuity to focus on cash used in operations. However, non-GAAP adjusted net loss and non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share are not recognized measures under GAAP and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. As a result, management’s method of calculating non-GAAP adjusted net loss and non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share may differ materially from the method used by other companies. Therefore, non-GAAP adjusted net loss and non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Investors are cautioned that non-GAAP adjusted net loss and non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share should not be construed as alternatives to net loss, net loss per share or other statements of operations data (which are determined in accordance with GAAP) as an indicator of Celcuity’s performance or as a measure of liquidity and cash flows.

Celcuity Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Loss to Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Loss and
GAAP Net Loss Per Share to Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Loss Per Share
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Years Ended
		2024				2023				2024				2023
GAAP net loss	$	(36,653,041)			$	(18,848,472)			$	(111,779,105)			$	(63,779,116)
Adjustments:
Stock-based compensation
Research and development (1)		1,403,877				745,629				4,404,518				2,700,318
General and administrative (2)		911,404				496,904				2,583,823				2,201,116
Non-cash interest expense (3)		803,222				528,637				2,694,361				2,052,336
Non-cash interest income (4)		1,262,841				(554,126)				150,421				(993,457)
Non-GAAP adjusted net loss	$	(32,271,697)			$	(17,631,428)			$	(101,945,982)			$	(57,818,803)
GAAP net loss per share - basic and diluted	$	(0.85)			$	(0.65)			$	(2.83)			$	(2.69)
Adjustment to net loss (as detailed above)		0.10				0.04				0.25				0.25
Non-GAAP adjusted net loss per share	$	(0.75)			$	(0.61)			$	(2.58)			$	(2.44)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted		42,873,934				28,900,075				39,449,393				23,679,472

(1) To reflect a non-cash charge to operating expense for Research and Development stock-based compensation.

(2) To reflect a non-cash charge to operating expense for General and Administrative stock-based compensation.

(3) To reflect a non-cash charge to other expense for amortization of debt issuance and discount costs and PIK interest related to the issuance of a note payable.

(4) To reflect a non-cash adjustment to other income for accretion on investments.

FAQ

When will Celcuity (CELC) report VIKTORIA-1 Phase 3 trial results?

Celcuity will report topline data for the PIK3CA wild-type cohort in Q2 2025 and the PIK3CA mutant cohort in Q4 2025.

What is CELC's current cash runway?

Celcuity has $235.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, expected to fund clinical development through 2026.

What were Celcuity's (CELC) Q4 2024 financial results?

Celcuity reported a Q4 2024 net loss of $36.7 million ($0.85 per share) with R&D expenses of $33.5 million.

What survival data did CELC report at SABCS 2024 for gedatolisib?

The Phase 1b trial showed 77.3 months median survival in treatment-naïve patients and 33.9 months in previously treated patients.

How many patients will the VIKTORIA-2 Phase 3 trial enroll?

The Phase 3 portion is expected to enroll approximately 638 patients across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.