DiaMedica Therapeutics Provides a Business Update and Announces First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: DMAC) provided a business update and financial results for Q1 2021, emphasizing its ongoing clinical trials for DM199.

The company submitted an IND application for a Phase 2/3 trial of DM199 targeting acute ischemic stroke, expecting FDA review completion by mid-May 2021.

Despite slower enrollment in ongoing studies due to COVID-19, preliminary results from the chronic kidney disease cohort are anticipated in Q2 2021. Q1 2021 R&D expenses rose to $2.4 million from $1.4 million year-over-year, while cash reserves stood at $23.4 million.

Positive

• IND application submitted for DM199 with potential FDA approval in May 2021.
• Anticipated preliminary results from chronic kidney disease cohort in Q2 2021.

Negative

• Q1 2021 R&D expenses increased to $2.4 million, raising concerns over spending.
• Slow enrollment in Phase 2 REDUX trial due to COVID-19, potentially delaying results.

DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: DMAC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for neurological disorders and kidney diseases, today provided a business update and financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. DiaMedica will host a conference call Thursday, May 6, 2021, at 7:00 a.m. Central Time to discuss its business update and first quarter financial results.

Clinical Developments

DM199 for the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke

• IND Submitted
• Initiation of Phase 2/3 Trial of DM199 in AIS in Summer 2021

DiaMedica has submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an adaptive Phase 2/3 clinical trial of DM199, the Company’s recombinant form of human tissue kallikrein-1 being developed as a treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. The proposed trial of DM199 is for AIS patients who do not receive tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and do not have large vessel occlusions, a group that represents up to 80% of all AIS patients. DiaMedica believes that the proposed trial has the potential to serve as a pivotal registration study of DM199 in this patient population.

The FDA has confirmed its receipt of the IND and DiaMedica expects the FDA to complete its regulatory review of the IND by mid-May. If authorized by the FDA, the Company anticipates initiating the study this summer. DiaMedica has selected a contract research organization to assist with the conduct of the study and is actively working to identify, qualify and engage clinical study sites—the expected pacing item for initiation of the study.

The clinical trial is proposed to be a double blinded, placebo controlled, randomized study of approximately 350 participants, based on a 90% powering for statistical significance on the primary endpoint of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at day 90. Secondary endpoints will include stroke recurrence, mRS shift, NIHSS and Barthel Index, deaths, safety and tolerability measures, and biomarkers relating to KLK1. Independent of this study, the Company plans to discuss with the FDA a second study for the evaluation of the efficacy of DM199 in reducing stroke recurrence based upon the statistically significant reduction in severe recurrent strokes observed in its ReMEDy Phase 2 AIS trial.

“We are pleased with the overall progress of our AIS program,” commented Rick Pauls, Chief Executive Officer of DiaMedica. “We look forward to initiation of this trial and moving closer to potentially providing stroke patients and physicians a much-needed new treatment option for AIS.”

DM199 for the Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease

• Data Read-out Expected in Q2 2021 on CKD Caused by Type II Diabetes Cohort
• Enrollment Continues in IgA Nephropathy and CKD in African Americans with Hypertension

DiaMedica’s Phase 2 REDUX trial is a multi-center, open-label, investigation to assess the safety and efficacy of multiple doses of DM199, administered over 90 days, in participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (Stage 2 or 3) targeting enrollment of approximately 90 participants in three equal Cohorts. Cohort 1 of the study is focused on non-diabetic African Americans with hypertension, a group that is at greater risk for CKD than Caucasians. Additionally, the study is designed to identify African American participants with the APOL1 gene mutation as an exploratory biomarker as these individuals have an even higher risk of developing CKD. Cohort 2 of the study is focused on participants with IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) which is found more commonly in Asians, Caucasians and people of Eastern Europe and is very rare in Blacks and people of African descent and Cohort 3 includes participants with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) which is defined by elevated urine albumin excretion and/or reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) – is a serious complication that occurs in 20% to 40% of all diabetics.

As of April 30, 2021, DiaMedica had enrolled a total of 70 subjects, including a fully enrolled DKD Cohort, and approximately 70% of the IgAN and 60% of the African American Cohorts. The Company has continued to experience slower than expected enrollment in the first two Cohorts of the REDUX trial due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the significant declines in new COVID-19 cases and the anticipated availability and effectiveness of vaccines, the Company currently anticipates completion of Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 in the second half of 2021. Preliminary topline results from the DKD Cohort are expected to be available in the second quarter of 2021.

Financial Results

Research and development (R&D) expenses were $2.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared with $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of $1.0 million. The increase was due to a number of factors including a year-over-year increase in costs incurred for the REDUX Phase 2 CKD study, and costs associated with an increase in staff levels, consulting services and non-clinical testing required to support preparation for the ReMEDy2 Phase 2/3 stroke study. These increases were partially offset by a year-over-year decrease in costs incurred for the ReMEDy Phase 2 stroke study which completed during 2020.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, up from $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase in G&A expenses resulted primarily from increased directors and officers liability insurance, personnel and non-cash share-based compensation costs.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

The Company had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $23.4 million, current liabilities of $1.2 million and working capital of $23.0 million as of March 31, 2021, compared to $27.5 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, $2.0 million in current liabilities and $25.9 million in working capital as of December 31, 2020. The decreases in combined cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and in working capital are due primarily to increased clinical study costs related to the REDUX Phase 2 CKD study and costs associated with preparing for the ReMEDy2 Phase 2/3 stroke study.

Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $4.3 million compared to $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. This increase relates primarily to the increase in the net loss, partially offset by the effects of the changes in operating assets and liabilities.

Conference Call Information

DiaMedica Management will host a conference call to discuss its business update and first quarter 2021 financial results on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at 7:00 a.m. Central Time:

Date:	Thursday, May 6, 2021
Time:	7:00 AM CT / 8:00 AM ET
Web access:	https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/3081283/E7DD7636B9914C65BD79123196FDA60B
Dial In:	(866) 393-4306 (domestic)
	(734) 385-2616 (international)
Conference ID:	2966016

Interested parties may access the conference call by dialing in or listening to the simultaneous webcast. Listeners should log on to the website or dial in 15 minutes prior to the call. The webcast will remain available for play back on DiaMedica’s website, under investor relations - events and presentations, following the earnings call and for 12 months thereafter. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until May 13, 2021, by dialing (855) 859-2056 (US Toll Free), (404) 537-3406 (International), and entering the replay passcode: 2966016.

About DM199

DM199 is a recombinant (synthetic) form of human tissue kallikrein-1 (KLK1). KLK1 is a serine protease (protein) that plays an important role in the regulation of diverse physiological processes including blood flow, inflammation, fibrosis, oxidative stress and neurogenesis via a molecular mechanism that increases production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin. KLK1 deficiency may play a role in multiple vascular and fibrotic diseases such as chronic kidney disease, retinopathy, stroke, vascular dementia, and resistant hypertension where current treatment options are limited or ineffective. DiaMedica is the first company to have developed a recombinant form of the KLK1 protein. The KLK1 protein, produced from porcine pancreas and human urine, has been used to treat patients in Japan, China and Korea for decades. DM199 is currently being studied in patients with chronic kidney disease and patients with acute ischemic stroke.

About DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc.

DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: DMAC) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments to improve the lives of patients with neurological and chronic kidney diseases. To learn more about DiaMedica, visit www.diamedica.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect management’s current expectations. When used in this press release, the words “estimate,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” “continue,” “look forward,” “will,” “may” or “should,” the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology and the use of future dates are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include statements regarding the anticipated clinical benefits and success of DM199, the timing and requirements of its clinical programs, including its anticipated Phase 2/3 trial for DM199 in patients with AIS, which DiaMedica believes will commence in Summer 2021 after an FDA review completion in mid-May and has the potential to serve as a pivotal registration study of DM199 in that patient population, and enrollment, clinical results and ability to achieve clinical milestones, including the timing of completion of enrollment and readout of results in its REDUX trial, and cash runway timing. Such statements and information reflect management’s current view and DiaMedica undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of these statements or information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Applicable risks and uncertainties include, among others, the possibility of unfavorable results from DiaMedica’s ongoing or future clinical trials of DM199; the risk that existing preclinical and clinical data may not be predictive of the results of ongoing or later clinical trials; DiaMedica’s plans to develop, obtain regulatory approval for and commercialize its DM199 product candidate for the treatment of AIS and CKD and its expectations regarding the benefits of DM199; DiaMedica’s ability to conduct successful clinical testing of DM199 and within its anticipated parameters, costs and timeframes; the perceived benefits of DM199 over existing treatment options; the potential direct or indirect impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on DiaMedica’s business; DiaMedica’s reliance on collaboration with third parties to conduct clinical trials; DiaMedica’s ability to continue to obtain funding for its operations, including funding necessary to complete planned clinical trials and obtain regulatory approvals for DM199 for AIS and CKD, and the risks identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in DiaMedica’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of DiaMedica as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While DiaMedica may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021				2020
Operating expenses:
Research and development		2,406				1,349
General and administrative		1,213				1,055
Operating loss		(3,619	)			(2,404	)
Other (income) expense:
Governmental assistance - research incentives		—				(115	)
Other (income) expense, net		(4	)			127
Total other (income) expense, net		(4	)			12
Loss before income tax expense		(3,615	)			(2,416	)
Income tax expense		7				9
Net loss		(3,622	)			(2,425	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities		(2	)			40
Net loss and comprehensive loss	$	(3,624	)		$	(2,385	)
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.19	)		$	(0.19	)
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted		18,766,656				13,107,725

DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except share amounts)
			March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	3,329			$	7,409
	Marketable securities			20,072				20,098
	Amounts receivable			337				340
	Prepaid expenses and other assets			457				74
	Total current assets			24,195				27,921
Non-current assets:
	Operating lease right-of-use asset			86				100
	Property and equipment, net			75				74
	Total non-current assets			161				174
	Total assets		$	24,356			$	28,095
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable		$	689			$	1,099
	Accrued liabilities			420				864
	Finance lease obligation			6				6
	Operating lease obligation			63				59
	Total current liabilities			1,178				2,028
Non-current liabilities:
	Finance lease obligation, non-current			5				7
	Operating lease obligation, non-current			28				46
	Total non-current liabilities			33				53
Shareholders’ equity:
	Common shares, no par value; unlimited authorized; 18,786,157 and 18,746,157 shares issued and outstanding, as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively			—				—
	Paid-in capital			95,680				94,925
	Accumulated other comprehensive income			(4	)			(2	)
	Accumulated deficit			(72,531	)			(68,909	)
	Total shareholders’ equity			23,145				26,014
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity			$	24,356			$	28,095

DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2021						2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss		$	(3,622	)		$		(2,425	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Share-based compensation			511					393
Amortization of discount on marketable securities			26					(14	)
Non-cash lease expense			14					13
Depreciation			6					6
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Amounts receivable			3					(162	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			(383	)				(397	)
Accounts payable			(410	)				262
Accrued liabilities			(458	)				(654	)
Net cash used in operating activities			(4,313	)				(2,978	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of marketable securities			(11,923	)				(8,799	)
Maturities of marketable securities			11,921					3,500
Purchases of property and equipment			(9	)				(2)
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment			2					—
Net cash used in investing activities			(9	)				(5,301	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net of offering costs			—					7,682
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options			244					16
Principal payments on finance lease obligations			(2	)				(2	)
Net cash provided by financing activities			242					7,696
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(4,080	)				(583	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			7,409					3,883
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	3,329			$		3,300

 

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FAQ

What is the latest update on DiaMedica's clinical trials for DM199?

DiaMedica submitted an IND application for a Phase 2/3 trial of DM199 targeting acute ischemic stroke, with expected FDA review completion by mid-May 2021.

What are the financial results for DiaMedica for Q1 2021?

DiaMedica reported Q1 2021 R&D expenses of $2.4 million and cash reserves of $23.4 million.

When will DiaMedica announce results from the chronic kidney disease trial?

Preliminary topline results from the chronic kidney disease cohort are expected in Q2 2021.

What impact did COVID-19 have on DiaMedica's clinical trials?

COVID-19 caused slower than expected enrollment in the REDUX trial, impacting timelines.