Corbus Pharmaceuticals Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2020 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Corbus Pharmaceuticals (CRBP) announced progress in its clinical studies and a robust financial position with $127M cash on hand, expected to sustain operations into 2024. The Phase 3 DETERMINE study of lenabasum for dermatomyositis is on track for topline data in Q2 2021. While lenabasum did not meet primary endpoints in previous studies for systemic sclerosis and cystic fibrosis, the company is focusing on new drug development targeting metabolic diseases and cancer, with clinical studies anticipated in 2022.

Positive

• Cash on hand of $127M, funding operations into Q1 2024.
• Phase 3 DETERMINE study of lenabasum on schedule for topline data in Q2 2021.
• Plans to initiate new clinical studies for metabolic diseases and cancer in 2022.

Negative

• Revenue decreased to $700,000 in Q4 2020 from $2.6M in Q4 2019.
• Net loss for the year increased to $111.3M in 2020 from $71.5M in 2019.
• Lenabasum failed to meet primary endpoints in systemic sclerosis and cystic fibrosis studies.

	●	Phase 3 study of lenabasum in dermatomyositis on schedule for topline data in Q2 2021
	●	Company focused on advancing in-house programs in metabolic diseases, fibrotic disorders, and cancer with clinical studies projected for 2022
	●	Corbus is actively engaging with potential partners to expand its pipeline through acquisition of external assets
	●	Cash on hand of $127M, projected runway into 2024
	●	Company to host conference call and webcast today, Monday, March 15th at 8:30 a.m. ET

Norwood, MA, March 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRBP) (“Corbus” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage drug development company pioneering transformative medicines that target the endocannabinoid system, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year-end 2020. The Company also provided clinical and pipeline updates.

Yuval Cohen, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer said, “We are making progress on our plans to advance development of our internal compounds and expand our pipeline. We look forward to topline results from our DETERMINE Phase 3 study of lenabasum in dermatomyositis in the second quarter. Our CB1 inverse agonist program focusing on metabolic diseases and our CB2 agonist program focusing on oncology continue to progress pre-clinically, and we project to initiate clinical studies next year. We are determined to expand our pipeline and are evaluating a number of potential assets.”

Dr. Cohen continued, “We are fortunate to be in a strong financial position with approximately $127M of cash on hand, which is expected to fund the Company into the first quarter of 2024.”

Clinical Program Updates:

Lenabasum: a novel, oral, selective cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) agonist

	●	Dermatomyositis – The Phase 3 “DETERMINE” study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, international study of safety and efficacy of lenabasum in adult dermatomyositis patients. This study enrolled 176 subjects, and all subjects are expected to complete Week 28 of the study this month. The primary efficacy endpoint is Total Improvement Score at Week 28, comparing lenabasum 20 mg twice per day and placebo groups. Topline data are on schedule for Q2 2021.
		Dermatomyositis is a rare and life-threatening autoimmune disease characterized by skin and muscle inflammation. Dermatomyositis affects approximately 80,000 people in North America, EU, and Japan. There is a significant unmet need for safer and more effective treatments in dermatomyositis because of the limitations of current treatment options.
	●	Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – This Phase 2b study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, U.S.-based study of safety and efficacy of lenabasum in adult systemic lupus erythematosus patients. The ongoing study is expected to dose 100 subjects at 15 sites. Enrollment is expected to be completed in Q2 2021, and topline results are expected in the second half of 2021. The primary efficacy endpoint is change in maximum daily pain numerical rating score at Week 12, comparing lenabasum groups to placebo. The secondary endpoints include change from baseline in Active Lupus Musculoskeletal Disease Activity (BILAG-2004) and Change from baseline in Lupus Disease Activity (SELENA-SLEDAI Score). The National Institutes of Health is funding and managing this trial.
	●	Systemic Sclerosis – In 2020, lenabasum did not meet the primary endpoint in the RESOLVE-1 Phase 3 study of lenabasum in systemic sclerosis. Currently no systemic sclerosis patients are being treated with lenabasum. The Company is preparing the data from the RESOLVE-1 study for publication and will decide on the next steps in the development process pending the outcome of the DETERMINE study.
	●	Cystic Fibrosis – In 2020, lenabasum did not meet the primary endpoint in the Phase 2b study of lenabasum in cystic fibrosis. Corbus is preparing the cystic fibrosis study data for publication, but currently it does not have plans for additional clinical studies.

Pipeline Updates:

	●	The cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) inverse agonist program is in preclinical development for potential treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Several compounds have demonstrated positive data in preclinical models of diet-induced obesity. These data were presented at the New York Academy of Sciences webinar in January 2020. Corbus is moving toward candidate selection and IND-enabling studies, and intends to initiate clinical studies in 2022.
	●	The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) agonist program is in preclinical development for potential treatment of cancer, investigating single agent activity and in combination with other cancer therapies such as checkpoint inhibitors. Several compounds have demonstrated positive data in preclinical models of solid tumors. These data were presented at the New York Academy of Sciences webinar in January 2020. The Company is moving toward candidate selection and IND-enabling studies, and intends to initiate clinical studies in 2022.
	●	Corbus is actively engaging with potential partners to expand its pipeline through acquisition of external assets. The Company is focusing on biology beyond the endocannabinoid system and new indications that will still leverage its expertise and capabilities within immunology.

Financial Results for Fourth Quarter and Year-End December 31, 2020:

Revenue from awards and licenses was $700,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to $2.6 million in the comparable period in 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020, revenue from awards and licenses was $3.9 million, compared to $36.1 million in the comparable period in 2019. Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 included a $27 million upfront payment received from Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for a license to commercialize and market lenabasum in Japan.

Operating expenses were $21.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to $29.8 million in the comparable period in the prior year. For the year ended December 31, 2020, operating expenses were $126.7 million, compared to $113.2 million in the comparable period in the prior year. Increased expenses for the year were attributable to increased compensation costs, increased clinical trial costs and restructuring costs. Decreased operating expenses quarter over quarter were attributable to the completion of systemic sclerosis and cystic fibrosis in September and October of 2020, respectively. The Company expects expenses to decline in 2021 as a result of the completion in 2020 of clinical trials in systemic sclerosis and cystic fibrosis.

The Company reported a net loss of approximately $8.6 million or a net loss per diluted share of $0.10, for the three months ended December 31, 2020, compared to a net loss of approximately $26.6 million, or a net loss per diluted share of $0.41, for the same period in 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company reported a net loss of approximately $111.3 million, or a net loss per diluted share of $1.42, compared to a net loss of approximately $71.5 million, or a net loss per diluted share of $1.12, for the same period in 2019.

Cash and cash equivalents were $85.4 million at December 31, 2020. During the fourth quarter of 2020 the Company raised $20.8 million in net proceeds from the Company’s ATM facility, and in 2021 to date, the Company has raised $58.9 million in net proceeds from the Company’s ATM facility. The $127 million of cash on hand at March 15, 2021 is expected to fund operations into the first quarter of 2024 based on the current planned expenditures.

Conference Call and Webcast Information:

Corbus management will host a conference call and webcast presentation for investors, analysts, and other interested parties today, Monday, March 15, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. ET.

To participate on the call, please dial (877) 407-3978 (domestic) or (412) 902-0039 (international). The live webcast will be accessible on the Events page of the Investors section of the Corbus website, www.corbuspharma.com, and will be archived for 90 days.

About Corbus

Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. is a clinical-stage company focused on the development and commercialization of novel medicines designed to target the endocannabinoid system. The Company’s lead product candidate, lenabasum, is a novel, oral, selective cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) agonist designed to provide an alternative to immunosuppressive medications in the treatment of chronic inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. Lenabasum is currently being evaluated in dermatomyositis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Corbus is also developing a pipeline of other preclinical drug candidates from its endocannabinoid system platform.

Lenabasum is not approved for the treatment of any indication. For more information on Corbus’ clinical programs, please visit here.

For more information, visit http://www.corbuspharma.com/, and connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, as amended, including those relating to the Company’s restructuring, trial results, product development, clinical and regulatory timelines, market opportunity, competitive position, possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, potential growth opportunities and other statement that are predictive in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which we operate and management’s current beliefs and assumptions.

These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking expressions, including, but not limited to, “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. These statements relate to future events or our financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including the potential impact of the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the potential impact of sustained social distancing efforts, on our operations, clinical development plans and timelines, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include those set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

		December 31,				December 31,
		2020				2019
			(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	85,433,441			$	31,748,686
Restricted cash		$	350,000				—
Stock subscriptions receivable		$	960,033				—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		$	3,712,861				3,724,932
Contract asset		$	1,618,296				2,681,065
Total current assets			92,074,631				38,154,683
Restricted cash			669,900				—
Property and equipment, net			4,067,837				5,083,865
Operating lease right of use asset			5,248,525				5,818,983
Other assets			234,038				84,968
Total assets		$	102,294,931			$	49,142,499
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Notes payable		$	710,158			$	752,659
Accounts payable			7,381,183				11,091,363
Accrued expenses			22,005,432				22,447,939
Derivative liability			797,000				—
Operating lease liabilities, current			1,004,063				595,745
Total current liabilities			31,897,836				34,887,706
Long-term debt, net of debt discount			18,029,005				—
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent			7,093,165				8,097,228
Total liabilities			57,020,006				42,984,934
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred Stock $0.0001 par value:10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019			—				—
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized, 98,088,253 and 64,672,893 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively			9,885				6,467
Additional paid-in capital			349,358,378				198,975,056
Accumulated deficit			(304,093,338	)			(192,823,958	)
Total stockholders’ equity			45,274,925				6,157,565
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	102,294,931			$	49,142,499

Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)

		For the Three Months Ended								For the Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2020				2019				2020				2019
Revenue from awards and licenses		$	658,204			$	2,573,519				3,937,230			$	36,143,568
Operating expenses:
Research and development			16,110,287				23,487,675				98,267,213				89,604,790
General and administrative			5,360,231				6,276,155				28,480,250				23,643,357
Total operating expenses			21,470,518				29,763,830				126,747,463				113,248,147
Operating loss			(20,812,314	)			(27,190,310	)			(122,810,233	)			(77,104,579	)
Other income (expense), net:
Other income (expense), net			13,266,206				472,500				13,270,211				4,581,838
Interest income (expense), net			(679,704	)			151,477				(1,028,359	)			1,227,643
Change in fair value of derivative liability			(40,000	)			-				(251,000	)			-
Foreign currency exchange loss, net			(346,058	)			(14,428	)			(449,999	)			(158,620	)
Other income (expense), net			12,200,444				609,549				11,540,853				5,650,861
Net loss		$	(8,611,870	)		$	(26,580,761	)			(111,269,380	)		$	(71,453,718	)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted		$	(0.10	)		$	(0.41	)			(1.42	)		$	(1.12	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted			87,207,293				64,660,017				78,133,289				63,899,184

Corbus Pharmaceuticals Contacts:
Ted Jenkins, Senior Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Phone: +1 (617) 415-7745
Email: ir@corbuspharma.com

Lindsey Smith, Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Phone: +1 (617) 415-7749
Email: mediainfo@corbuspharma.com

FAQ

What are the latest financial results for Corbus Pharmaceuticals (CRBP)?

Corbus reported a revenue of $700,000 in Q4 2020, down from $2.6 million in Q4 2019, with a net loss of approximately $8.6 million.

When will Corbus release topline results from its Phase 3 study of lenabasum?

Topline results from the Phase 3 DETERMINE study of lenabasum in dermatomyositis are expected in Q2 2021.

What is the cash position of Corbus Pharmaceuticals (CRBP)?

As of March 15, 2021, Corbus has $127M in cash, which is projected to fund operations into the first quarter of 2024.

What are Corbus's future plans for clinical studies?

Corbus intends to initiate clinical studies for its cannabinoid receptor programs targeting metabolic diseases and cancer in 2022.