Dermata Therapeutics Provides Corporate Update and Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Dermata Therapeutics (Nasdaq: DRMA) has provided a corporate update and reported Q2 2024 financial results. Key highlights include:

1. Over 50% enrollment in DMT310 Phase 3 STAR-1 acne trial
2. Ongoing discussions for DMT410 botulinum toxin partnerships
3. $2.3 million raised in Q2 2024 financing
4. $4.9 million cash on hand as of June 30, 2024
5. R&D expenses increased to $2.0 million in Q2 2024
6. G&A expenses remained stable at $0.9 million

The company expects topline results from STAR-1 in Q1 2025 and anticipates its current cash resources to fund operations into Q4 2024.

Positive

• Over 50% enrollment achieved in DMT310 Phase 3 STAR-1 acne trial
• Raised $2.3 million in net proceeds from financing in Q2 2024
• Progress in partnership discussions for DMT410 botulinum toxin program

Negative

• Cash and cash equivalents decreased from $7.4 million to $4.9 million in H1 2024
• R&D expenses increased to $2.0 million in Q2 2024 compared to $0.8 million in Q2 2023
• Current cash resources only expected to fund operations into Q4 2024

Insights

Financial Analyst

Dermata's Q2 2024 results reveal a mixed financial picture. The company's cash position decreased from $7.4 million to $4.9 million, primarily due to $4.8 million used in operations. However, this was partially offset by a $2.3 million capital raise. R&D expenses increased significantly to $2.0 million, up from $0.8 million in Q2 2023, reflecting increased clinical trial costs. The current cash runway extends only into Q4 2024, which may necessitate additional financing to complete the Phase 3 trials. The 150% increase in R&D spending signals a strong commitment to advancing DMT310, but also accelerates cash burn. Investors should monitor the company's ability to secure partnerships or additional funding to support its clinical programs.

Medical Research Analyst

The 50% enrollment milestone in the DMT310 Phase 3 STAR-1 trial for moderate-to-severe acne is a significant achievement. This progress suggests strong interest from both clinicians and patients, potentially indicating a market need for this once-weekly, natural topical treatment. The anticipated topline results in Q1 2025 could be a major catalyst for Dermata. However, investors should note that this is just the first of two required Phase 3 trials, with a long-term extension study still needed before NDA filing. The ongoing discussions for DMT410 partnerships are promising, especially given its potential as a first-in-class topical botulinum toxin delivery system. This could open up new markets in acne, hyperhidrosis and facial aesthetics, diversifying Dermata's portfolio beyond DMT310.

- DMT310 Phase 3 Spongilla Treatment of Acne Research (STAR-1) clinical trial has enrolled over 50% of patients

- Dermata continues discussions with potential botulinum toxin partners for DMT410

- Raised $2.3 million in net proceeds from financing completed in 2Q 2024

SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 7, 2024 / Dermata Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq:DRMA, DRMAW)("Dermata," or the "Company"), a late-stage biotechnology company focused on the treatment of medical and aesthetic skin diseases and conditions, today highlighted recent corporate progress and reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

"We are excited to have enrolled over 50% of patients in our DMT310 Phase 3 STAR-1 trial, and we look forward to the second half of 2024 as our team continues to work diligently to complete enrollment of the DMT310 STAR-1 trial," commented Gerry Proehl, Dermata's Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. "We still believe that patient compliance is a considerable issue with current acne treatments and, if approved, DMT310 as a once-weekly, natural, topical product candidate with an acceptable tolerability profile could provide these patients with a unique product to potentially meet their treatment needs," concluded Mr. Proehl.

Anticipated Upcoming Milestones

• Complete DMT310 Phase 3 STAR-1 clinical trial in moderate-to-severe acne. After achieving the 50% enrollment milestone in July 2024, Dermata still expects to receive topline results from STAR-1 in the first quarter of 2025. STAR-1 is the first of two Phase 3 clinical trials, including a long-term extension study, which the Company will need to complete prior to filing a new drug application.
• DMT410 Partnership Discussions. The Company continues to make progress on partnership discussions for its DMT410 program for the topical delivery of botulinum toxin. DMT410 is the Company's combination treatment regimen that uses the unique mechanical features of the Company's Spongilla technology to facilitate the intradermal delivery of botulinum toxin by topical application rather than through multiple injections with a needle. The Company believes DMT410 has the potential be to a first-in-class treatment for acne, hyperhidrosis, and facial aesthetics.

Upcoming Conference Participation

• H.C. Wainwright 26th Annual Global Investment Conference September 9-11, 2024.Mr. Gerald Proehl, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dermata, will present anupdate on the Company's ongoing DMT310 Phase 3 program and corporate updates.

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had $4.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared to $7.4 million as of December 31, 2023. The $2.5 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents for the six months ended June 30, 2024, resulted from $4.8 million of cash used in operations offset by $2.3 million in net proceeds from the May 2024 warrant inducement financing. The Company expects its current cash resources to be sufficient to fund operations into the fourth quarter of 2024.

Research and development expenses were $2.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $0.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The increase in research and development expense was the result of increased clinical trial expenses from the Company's STAR-1 clinical study, offset by decreased non-clinical and chemistry, manufacturing, and control expenses during the second quarter of 2024.

General and administrative expenses were $0.9 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2023.

About Dermata Therapeutics

Dermata Therapeutics, Inc. is a late-stage biotechnology company focusing on the treatment of medical and aesthetic skin diseases and conditions. The Company's lead product candidate, DMT310, is the Company's first product candidate being developed from its Spongillatechnology platform and is currently being evaluated in a Phase 3 program. DMT310 is a once-weekly topical product candidate derived from a naturally sourced freshwater sponge with multiple unique mechanisms of action. DMT310 has been studied for the treatment of acne, rosacea, and psoriasis. The Company's second product candidate, DMT410, uses its Spongillatechnology as a new method for topical intradermal delivery of botulinum toxin for the treatment of hyperhidrosis and multiple aesthetic skin conditions. Dermata is headquartered in San Diego, California. For more information, please visit http://www.dermatarx.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Company's current beliefs and expectations and new risks may emerge from time to time. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors including, but are not limited to, statements related to: expectations with regard to the timing of meetings and/or responses from submissions with regulatory bodies; expectations with regard to the timing of submission of an NDA; the uncertainties inherent in clinical trials including enrolling an adequate number of patients on time or be completed on schedule, if at all; timing and ability to generate clinical data; expectations with regard to any potential partnership opportunities for any of the Company's product candidates; the Company's expectations with regard to current cash and cash equivalents and the amount of time it will fund operations; the success, cost, and timing of its product candidates DMT310 and DMT410 development activities and ongoing and planned clinical trials; and whether the results of any ongoing or planned clinical trials of DMT310 or DMT410 will lead to future product development. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the risks and uncertainties inherent in drug development, approval, and commercialization, and the fact that past results of clinical trials may not be indicative of future trial results. For a discussion of these and other factors, please refer to Dermata's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Dermata undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law.

DERMATA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Balance Sheets

		June 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
In thousands USD		(unaudited)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	4,947			$	7,438
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			289				541
Total assets			5,236				7,979
Liabilities
Accounts payable			1,327				866
Accrued liabilities			591				757
Total liabilities			1,918				1,623
Equity			3,318				6,356
Total liabilities and equity		$	5,236			$	7,979

DERMATA THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Statements of Operations
(unaudited)

		Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024			2023			2024			2023
In thousands, except share and per share data
Operating expenses
Research and development (1)		$	2,009		$	839		$	3,610		$	2,032
General and administrative (1)			875			893			2,477			1,979
Total operating expenses			2,884			1,732			6,087			4,011
Loss from operations			(2,884	)		(1,732	)		(6,087	)		(4,011	)
Interest income, net			55			31			124			69
Net loss		$	(2,829	)	$	(1,701	)	$	(5,963	)	$	(3,942	)
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted		$	(4.18	)	$	(9.43	)	$	(10.64	)	$	(31.96	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted			676,567			180,332			560,282			123,344
(1) Includes the following stock-based compensation expense
Research and development		$	5		$	48		$	242		$	97
General and administrative		$	15		$	83		$	365		$	166

Investors:
Sean Proehl
Associate General Counsel
info@dermatarx.com

SOURCE: Dermata Therapeutics

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What is the current status of Dermata's DMT310 Phase 3 STAR-1 clinical trial for acne?

Dermata has enrolled over 50% of patients in the DMT310 Phase 3 STAR-1 clinical trial for moderate-to-severe acne. The company expects to receive topline results from STAR-1 in the first quarter of 2025.

How much cash does Dermata (DRMA) have as of June 30, 2024?

As of June 30, 2024, Dermata Therapeutics (DRMA) had $4.9 million in cash and cash equivalents.

What was Dermata's (DRMA) research and development expense for Q2 2024?

Dermata's research and development expenses were $2.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $0.8 million for the same quarter in 2023.

How long does Dermata (DRMA) expect its current cash resources to last?

Dermata expects its current cash resources to be sufficient to fund operations into the fourth quarter of 2024.