Edesa Biotech Reports Fiscal Year 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Edesa Biotech (NASDAQ:EDSA) reported fiscal year 2024 results, highlighting a strategic pivot of its anti-TLR4 drug candidate (EB05) to a U.S. government-funded study for ARDS treatment. The company reduced operating expenses by over 20%, with total expenses decreasing to $7.0 million from $9.2 million year-over-year. Research and development expenses fell to $2.9 million from $4.8 million.

The company reported a net loss of $6.2 million ($1.93 per share) compared to $8.4 million ($2.93 per share) in the previous year. As of September 30, 2024, Edesa had $1.0 million in cash and negative working capital of $0.2 million. Post-fiscal year, the company secured $1.5 million from its CEO-affiliated entity and $0.6 million through an at-the-market offering.

Positive

• 20% reduction in operating expenses from $9.2M to $7.0M
• Secured U.S. government funding for EB05 development
• Decreased net loss from $8.4M to $6.2M
• Post-fiscal year funding of $2.1M secured

Negative

• Negative working capital of $0.2M as of September 30, 2024
• Low cash position of $1.0M at fiscal year-end
• EB06 clinical trial progression dependent on additional funding
• Continued net losses despite cost reductions

Insights

Financial Analyst

The fiscal year 2024 results show mixed signals for Edesa Biotech. While the company achieved a 20% reduction in operating expenses to $7.0 million, bringing net losses down to $6.2 million from $8.4 million, the working capital position remains concerning with only $1.0 million in cash and negative working capital of $0.2 million. The post-period financing of $2.1 million provides some breathing room, but the company's ability to fund future operations remains uncertain. The pivot to government-funded studies for EB05 helps preserve capital but indicates a strategic shift possibly driven by financial constraints. The advancement of EB06 is explicitly noted as "subject to funding," highlighting ongoing capital needs.

Medical Research Analyst

The strategic pivot of EB05 (paridiprubart) to government-funded studies for ARDS represents a significant development, leveraging both U.S. and Canadian government support. This dual-government backing validates the potential of the TLR4 technology platform. For the EB06 anti-CXCL10 program, while IND preparation is progressing, the timeline to potential results (12-18 months post-regulatory clearance) remains dependent on securing adequate funding for manufacturing and enrollment. The company's ability to maintain development momentum despite sector headwinds and secure a third government award demonstrates scientific merit, though execution risks remain high due to financial constraints.

TORONTO, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Edesa Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq:EDSA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing host-directed therapeutics for immuno-inflammatory diseases, today reported financial results for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and provided an update on its business.

During the fiscal year, the company pivoted the in-house development of its anti-TLR4 drug candidate, EB05 (paridiprubart), to a U.S. government-funded study investigating novel threat-agnostic host-directed therapeutics in patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Given this opportunity, Edesa is also amending a development and drug manufacturing project for the same asset that is supported by the Government of Canada. The company said that the goal is to maximize synergies between the two government-funded projects. For its anti-CXCL10 program, Edesa intends to manufacture EB06 and submit related data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as part of an investigational new drug (IND) application. The manufacturing of clinical-grade drug batches and initiation of the patient enrollment is subject to funding. Edesa anticipates topline results for this Phase 2 study could be available within as few as 12 to 18 months following regulatory clearance in the U.S. The study is currently approved in Canada.

“This year, Edesa maintained its momentum despite the headwinds in the drug development sector, and we once again validated our TLR4 technology with a third competitive government award,” said Par Nijhawan, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Edesa Biotech. “I have maintained my strategic support financially and I believe that our team can continue to advance and expand our development pipeline and partnerships.”

Edesa's Chief Financial Officer Stephen Lemieux reported that financial results for the fiscal year benefited from prudent use of working capital and effective financial management, including a more than 20% decrease in operating expenses. “Following the end of the fiscal year, we strengthened our balance sheet, and with two governments now funding the advancement of our anti-TLR4 technology, we have improved our position for future financing, potential strategic arrangements as well as other opportunities to advance our pipeline.”

Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2024

Total operating expenses decreased by $2.2 million to $7.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2024 compared to $9.2 million for the prior year:

• Research and development expenses decreased by $1.9 million to $2.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2024 compared to $4.8 million for the prior year primarily due to decreased external research expenses related to the company’s completed dermatitis study and a reduction in labor costs and noncash share-based compensation, which were partially offset by an increase in expenses related to manufacturing of paridiprubart.
  
  
• General and administrative expenses decreased by $0.3 million to $4.1 million for year ended September 30, 2024 compared to $4.4 million for the prior year primarily due to a decrease in noncash share-based compensation, which was partially offset by an increase salaries and related costs.
  

Total other income was unchanged at $0.8 million for the years ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 as a $0.1 million increase in reimbursement funding from the Canadian government's Strategic Innovation Fund was offset by a $0.1 million decrease in interest income.

For the year ended September 30, 2024, Edesa reported a net loss of $6.2 million, or $1.93 per common share, compared to a net loss of $8.4 million, or $2.93 per common share, for the year ended September 30, 2023.

Working Capital

At September 30, 2024, Edesa had cash and cash equivalents of $1.0 million and negative working capital of $0.2 million. Subsequent to the fiscal year end, the company received $1.5 million in gross proceeds under a securities purchase agreement with an entity affiliated with Edesa’s Chief Executive Officer and Founder, and $0.6 million in net proceeds, after deducting sales agent commissions, from common shares sold under an at-the-market offering program.

Calendar

Edesa management plans to participate in one-on-one meetings during JP Morgan week, which begins on January 13, 2025, in San Francisco, California. Attendees interested in meeting with management can request meetings through the conference organizers or by contacting Edesa directly at investors@edesabiotech.com.

About Edesa Biotech, Inc.

Edesa Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq: EDSA) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative ways to treat inflammatory and immune-related diseases. Its clinical pipeline is focused on two therapeutic areas: Medical Dermatology and Respiratory. In Medical Dermatology, Edesa is developing EB06, an anti-CXCL10 monoclonal antibody candidate, as therapy for vitiligo, a common autoimmune disorder that causes skin to lose its color in patches. Its medical dermatology assets also include EB01 (1.0% daniluromer cream), a Phase 3-ready asset developed for use as a potential therapy for moderate-to-severe chronic Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD), a common occupational skin condition. The company’s most advanced Respiratory drug candidate is EB05 (paridiprubart), which is being evaluated in a U.S. government-funded platform study as a treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a life-threatening form of respiratory failure. The EB05 program has been the recipient of two funding awards from the Government of Canada to support the further development of this asset. In addition to EB05, Edesa is preparing an investigational new drug application (IND) in the United States for EB07 (paridiprubart) to conduct a future Phase 2 study in patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Sign up for news alerts. Connect with us on X and LinkedIn.

Edesa Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "might," "potential," or "continue" and variations or similar expressions, including statements related to: Edesa’s ability to pivot the in-house development of its anti-TLR4 drug candidate; the company’s plans to amend its contribution agreement with the Government of Canada; the company’s goal to maximize synergies between two government-funded projects; Edesa plans to manufacture EB06 and submit related data to the FDA as part of an IND application; the company’s plans to manufacture clinical-grade drug and initiate patient enrollment; the company’s plans to finance clinical and manufacturing activities; the company’s estimate that topline results for its Phase 2 vitiligo study could be available within as few as 12 to 18 months following regulatory clearance; the company’s belief that in 2024 it maintained its momentum despite the headwinds in the drug development sector and once again validated its TLR4 technology with a third competitive government award; the company’s belief that its team can continue to advance and expand its development pipeline and partnerships; the company’s belief that its fiscal year financial results benefited from prudent use of working capital and effective financial management; the company’s belief that with two governments funding the advancement of its anti-TLR4 technology, it has improved its position for future financing, potential strategic arrangements and alternatives as well as other opportunities to advance its pipeline; and the company's timing and plans regarding its clinical studies in general. Readers should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as all such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results or future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Such risks include: the ability of Edesa to obtain regulatory approval for or successfully commercialize any of its product candidates, the risk that access to sufficient capital to fund Edesa's operations may not be available or may be available on terms that are not commercially favorable to Edesa, the risk that Edesa's product candidates may not be effective against the diseases tested in its clinical trials, the risk that Edesa fails to comply with the terms of license agreements with third parties and as a result loses the right to use key intellectual property in its business, Edesa's ability to protect its intellectual property, the timing and success of submission, acceptance and approval of regulatory filings, and the impacts of public health crises. Many of these factors that will determine actual results are beyond the company's ability to control or predict. For a discussion of further risks and uncertainties related to Edesa's business, please refer to Edesa's public company reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the British Columbia Securities Commission. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and are subject to change. Except as required by law, Edesa assumes no obligation to update such statements.

Consolidated Statements of Operations
	Years Ended
	September 30, 2024				September 30, 2023
Expenses:
Research and development	$	2,881,967			$	4,794,549
General and administrative		4,132,777				4,428,209
Loss from operations		(7,014,744	)			(9,222,758	)
Other Income (Loss):
Reimbursement grant income		698,277				581,039
Other income (loss)		147,222				268,104
Income tax expense		800				800
Net loss		(6,170,045	)			(8,374,415	)
Exchange differences on translation		(27,965	)			(1,046	)
Net comprehensive loss	$	(6,198,010	)		$	(8,375,461	)
Weighted average number of common shares		3,197,423				2,858,929
Loss per common share - basic and diluted	$	(1.93	)		$	(2.93	)

Consolidated Balance Sheets
	September 30, 2024			September 30, 2023
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,037,320		$	5,361,397
Other current assets		638,302			1,075,455
Non-current assets		2,138,360			2,453,585
Total Assets	$	3,813,982		$	8,890,437
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
Current liabilities	$	1,832,827		$	1,821,864
Non-current liabilities		-			19,773
Shareholders' equity		1,981,155			7,048,800
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	3,813,982		$	8,890,437

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	Years Ended
	September 30, 2024				September 30, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(6,170,045	)		$	(8,374,415	)
Adjustments for non-cash items		708,775				1,429,928
Change in working capital items		571,065				308,004
Net cash used in operating activities		(4,890,205	)			(6,636,483	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		592,031				4,830,111
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(25,903	)			76,850
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(4,324,077	)			(1,729,522	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		5,361,397				7,090,919
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	1,037,320			$	5,361,397

FAQ

What were Edesa Biotech's (EDSA) fiscal year 2024 financial results?

Edesa reported a net loss of $6.2 million ($1.93 per share) for fiscal year 2024, with total operating expenses of $7.0 million, down from $9.2 million in the previous year.

How much cash does EDSA have as of September 30, 2024?

Edesa had $1.0 million in cash and cash equivalents with negative working capital of $0.2 million as of September 30, 2024.

What funding did EDSA secure after the 2024 fiscal year end?

After fiscal year end, Edesa secured $1.5 million from a CEO-affiliated entity and $0.6 million through an at-the-market offering.

What is the timeline for EDSA's EB06 Phase 2 study results?

Edesa anticipates topline results within 12 to 18 months following U.S. regulatory clearance, though the study initiation is subject to funding.

How much did EDSA reduce its research and development expenses in FY 2024?

Research and development expenses decreased by $1.9 million, from $4.8 million to $2.9 million in fiscal year 2024.