Check-Cap Reports First Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Corporate Update

Rhea-AI Summary

Check-Cap Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHEK) announced Q1 2021 results, revealing a net loss of $3.6 million, matching the previous year's loss. The FDA approved the Investigational Device Exemption for its C-Scan® device, allowing it to start a pivotal study in the U.S., now projected for Q1 2022 due to manufacturing delays from a single-source supplier. Despite these delays, the company raised $19.2 million from warrant exercises, boosting cash and equivalents to $34 million as of March 31, 2021. R&D expenses slightly decreased to $2.4 million, while general and administrative expenses rose to $1.2 million.

Positive

• FDA approval of Investigational Device Exemption for C-Scan.
• Raised $19.2 million from warrant exercises.
• Cash balance increased to $34 million.

Negative

• Net loss remained unchanged at $3.6 million.
• Anticipated delay in the initiation of the U.S. pivotal trial now projected for March 2022.

ISFIYA, Israel, May 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Check-Cap Ltd. (the "Company" or "Check-Cap") (NASDAQ: CHEK), (NASDAQ: CHEKZ), a clinical stage medical diagnostics company advancing the development of C-Scan®, the first and only patient-friendly, preparation-free screening test, to detect polyps before they may transform into colorectal cancer(CRC), today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021 and provided a corporate update.

Q1 2021 and Recent Highlights:

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Company's Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) application permitting Check-Cap to begin a pivotal study of C-Scan in the U.S.
• The FDA has granted the Company Breakthrough Device Designation for C-Scan.
• The Company continues to scale up manufacturing to support upcoming clinical trials, primarily the Company's U.S. pivotal study.
• Due to technical issues associated with a single source supplier, the Company has recently experienced some manufacturing delays, but continues to expand its entire production process to meet its target manufacturing capacity. The Company expects a delay in its clinical trials, including the initiation of the U.S. pivotal trial, which is now projected to begin by the end of the first quarter of 2022.
• Strengthened balance sheet during the first quarter of 2021 through a total of $19.2 million proceeds from warrant exercises. Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term bank deposits as of March 31, 2021 were $34.0 million.

"We met a crucial milestone this quarter with the FDA approval of the IDE to begin the pivotal trial of C-Scan in the U.S.," said Alex Ovadia, chief executive officer of Check-Cap. "While we anticipate a slight delay in our clinical trials, including the U.S. pivotal trial initiation, now projected for March 2022, we are laser-focused on advancing manufacturing activities to ensure a successful trial launch. We look forward to continuing to advance C-Scan as a colorectal cancer screening patient-friendly solution that has potential to enable early intervention and cancer prevention."

Financial Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2021

Research and development expenses were $2.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $2.5 million for the same period in 2020.  The decrease is primarily due to a $0.3 million grant received from the Israel Innovation Authority, which amount is reduced from research and development expenses, and $0.2 million decrease in other expenses and clinical-related expenses, offset in part by a $0.2 million increase in material and subcontractors' expenses and $0.2 million increase in salary and related expense.

General and administrative expenses were $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $1.0 million for the same period in 2020. The increase is primarily due to a $0.2 million increase in professional services and other expenses.

Operating loss was $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $3.4 million for the same period in 2020.

Finance expense was $9,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $12,000 for the same period in 2020.

Net loss was $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $3.4 million for the same period in 2020.

Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term bank deposits as of March 31, 2021 were $34.0 million as compared to $18.1 million as of December 31, 2020. During the first quarter of 2021, certain warrant holders exercised warrants to purchase an aggregate 24,204,682 ordinary shares, which had been issued in 2020, at exercise prices ranging from $0.75-$0.80, which generated total gross proceeds of approximately $19.2 million to the Company.

The number of outstanding ordinary shares as of March 31, 2021 was 70,468,260. As of May 10, 2021, the number of our outstanding ordinary shares was 70,472,316.

About Check-Cap

Check-Cap is a clinical stage medical diagnostics company aiming to redefine colorectal cancer (CRC) screening through the introduction of C-Scan®, the first and only patient-friendly preparation-free screening test to detect polyps before they may transform into colorectal cancer to enable early intervention and cancer prevention. The Company's disruptive capsule-based screening technology aims to significantly increase screening adherence worldwide and help millions of people to stay healthy through preventive CRC screening. C-Scan uses an ultra-low dose X-ray capsule, an integrated positioning, control and recording system, as well as proprietary software to generate a 3D map of the inner lining of the colon as it travels naturally along the gastrointestinal tract. C-Scan is non-invasive and requires no sedation. Unlike other capsule technologies, it requires no bowel preparation, allowing the patients to continue their daily routine with no interruption. C-Scan is not intended to replace colonoscopy. A positive C-Scan result should be followed by colonoscopy.

Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Words such as "may," "should," "could," "would," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, often signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and may not be accurate indications of when such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information that the Company has when those statements are made or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of these and other risks that could cause such differences and that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements, please refer to the "Forward-looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contacts

Irina Koffler
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
646.970.4681
ikoffler@lifesciadvisors.com

Meirav Gomeh-Bauer
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
+972(0)-54-476-4979
Meirav@lifesciadvisors.com

 

CHECK CAP LTD.
CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEETS
(U.S. dollars in thousands except share and per share data)
						March 31,			December 31,
						2 0 2 1				2 0 2 0
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents							15,194				7,703
Restricted cash							350				350
Short-term bank deposit							18,470				10,079
Prepaid expenses and other current assets							440				285
Total current assets							34,454				18,417
Non-current assets
Property and equipment, net							847				823
Operating lease							1,223				398
Total non-current assets							2,070				1,221
Total assets							36,524				19,638
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accruals
Trade							1,028				862
Other							295				345
Employees and payroll accruals							1,718				1,510
Operating lease liabilities							327				264
Total current liabilities							3,368				2,981
Non-current liabilities
Royalties provision							196				154
Operating lease liabilities							856				125
Total non-current liabilities							1,052				279
Shareholders' equity
Share capital, Ordinary shares, 2.4 NIS par value (360,000,000 authorized shares as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 70,468,260 and 46,239,183 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)							49,763				31,646
Additional paid-in capital							76,890				75,715
Accumulated deficit							(94,549)				(90,983)
Total shareholders' equity							32,104				6,234
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity							36,524				19,638

 

CHECK CAP LTD.
CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Three months ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Research and development expenses, net	2,406				2,462
General and administrative expenses	1,151				957
Operating loss	3,557				3,419
Finance loss, net	9				12
Loss before income tax	3,566				3,431
Net loss for the period	3,566			3,431
Comprehensive loss	3,566			3,431
Loss per share:
Net loss per ordinary share basic and diluted	0.05			0.34
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding - basic and diluted	68,071,059				9,971,098

CHECK CAP LTD.
CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

		Number of ordinary shares			Amount			Additional paid-in capital			Accumulated deficit			Total shareholders' equity
Balance as of January 1, 2021		46,239,183		$	31,646		$	75,715		$	(90,983)		$	16,378
Exercise of warrants, net of issuance expenses in an amount of $22		24,204,682			18,099			1,120			-			19,219
RSU's vesting		24,395			18			(18)						-
Share-based compensation		-			-			73			-			73
Net loss		-			-			-			(3,566)			(3,566)
Balance as of March 31, 2021		70,468,260		$	49,763		$	76,890		$	(94,549)		$	32,104

 

	Number of ordinary shares			Amount			Additional paid-in capital			Accumulated deficit				Total shareholders' equity
Balance as of January 1, 2020		8,272,908		$	5,407		$	77,964		$	(77,137)				$	6,234
Issuance of ordinary shares in private placement, net of issuance expenses in an amount of $30		2,720,178			1,894			2,837			-					4,731
RSU's vesting		6,633			4			(4)								-
Share-based compensation		-			-			123			-					123
Net loss		-			-			-			(3,431)					(3,431)
Balance as of March 31, 2020		10,999,719		$	7,305		$	80,920		$	(80,568)				$	7,657

 

CHECK-CAP LTD.
CONSOLIDATED  UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
				Three months ended
				March 31,
				2021			2020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss				(3,566)			(3,431)
Adjustments required to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation				43			34
Share-based compensation				73			123
Financial income, net				(57)			(15)
Changes in assets and liabilities items:
Decrease (increase) in prepaid and other current assets and non-current assets				(142)			101
Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable, accruals and other current liabilities				85			(325)
Increase in employees and payroll accruals				208			78
Increase in royalties provision				42			2
Net cash used in operating activities				(3,314)			(3,433)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property and equipment				(33)			(57)
Investment in short-term bank and other deposits				(8,381)			(2,258)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities				(8,414)			(2,315)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Exercise of warrants into ordinary shares, net of issuance expenses	19,219						-
Issuance of ordinary shares in private placement, net of issuance expenses				-			4,731
Net cash provided by financing activities				19,219			4,731
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	7,491						(1,017)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the period				8,053			8,035
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period				15,544			7,018
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash flow information:
Purchase of property and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued expenses				32			59
Assets acquired under operating leases				916			-
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

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SOURCE Check-Cap Ltd.

FAQ

What are the recent financial results for Check-Cap (CHEK)?

Check-Cap reported a net loss of $3.6 million for Q1 2021, similar to the previous year.

What is the status of Check-Cap's C-Scan trials?

The FDA approved Check-Cap's Investigational Device Exemption, allowing trials to start in Q1 2022 after delays.

How much cash does Check-Cap currently have?

As of March 31, 2021, Check-Cap had cash and equivalents of $34 million.

What are Check-Cap's research and development expenses for Q1 2021?

R&D expenses were $2.4 million in Q1 2021, slightly down from $2.5 million in Q1 2020.