Ensysce Biosciences Reports Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Recent Corporate Updates

Rhea-AI Summary

Ensysce Biosciences (NASDAQ: ENSC) reported its Q3 2021 financial results on November 15, 2021. The company completed a $15 million convertible note financing, enhancing its cash position to $6.8 million pre-financing. Key highlights include an increase in federal grants to $1.2 million and a rise in R&D expenses to $1.7 million due to clinical activities related to PF614. However, the company reported a net loss of $17.2 million, contrasting with a net income of $1.6 million in Q3 2020. Ensysce continues to develop opioid abuse deterrents and appointed Dr. Linda Pestano as Chief Development Officer.

Positive

• Completed $15 million convertible note financing, strengthening financial position.
• Increased federal grants from $0.8 million in Q3 2020 to $1.2 million in Q3 2021.
• Progressing on PF614 clinical trials, aiming for a correlation with OxyContin.

Negative

• Net loss for Q3 2021 was $17.2 million compared to net income of $1.6 million in Q3 2020.
• General and administrative expenses soared to $16.4 million, primarily due to non-cash expenses.

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ensysce Biosciences, Inc. (“Ensysce” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ENSC, OTC: ENSCW), a clinical-stage biotech company with proprietary technology platforms to reduce the economic and social burden of prescription drug abuse and overdose, today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2021 and recent corporate updates.

“In the third quarter, we successfully completed our convertible note financing of $15 million that provided us with the necessary proceeds to continue our advancement of our lead clinical trial programs,” said Dr. Lynn Kirkpatrick, CEO of Ensysce. “As previously announced, we commenced our second study of our TAAP opioid, PF614, in early September, and through this study, we aim to demonstrate the correlation between PF614 to Oxycontin, and how Ensysce can begin to make this solution readily available for public use. Additionally, we appointed Dr. Linda Pestano as our Chief Development Officer. Linda’s extensive expertise in the preclinical drug development area makes her a perfect addition to our team as we work towards commercializing our next-generation opioid products.”

Dr. Kirkpatrick concluded, “We’re continuing to develop the next generation of innovative solutions to combat the potential for opioid abuse, and we’re pleased with our progress to date. We believe we have the necessary resources and bandwidth to continue to progress on our important mission.”

Program Updates

    TAAP – opioid abuse deterrent program:

• On September 7, 2021, Ensysce enrolled the first cohort of subjects in a clinical study PF614-102 entitled “A Phase 1b, Randomized, 2-Part Single-Center Study to Evaluate the Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Multiple-Ascending Oral Doses of PF614 and the Food Effect and Bioavailability/Bioequivalence of Single Oral Doses of PF614 Relative to OxyContin in Healthy Adult Subjects.”

• This study builds on the results of the initial Phase 1 study and is designed to help us understand how PF614 compares to currently available commercial products.
  

Other Business Highlights

• Ensysce completed a $15 million convertible note financing, receiving the second tranche of $10 million on November 5, 2021 after receiving the first tranche of $5 million on September 24, 2021.

• Total gross proceeds from the convertible note financing will be used for general working capital purposes, allowing for advancement of lead clinical trial programs including the completion of the PF614-102 bioequivalence study, as well as continuing the clinical development of the overdose protection platform with our lead product PF614-MPAR.
  

Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

• Cash – Cash and cash equivalents were $6.8 million as of September 30, 2021. On November 5, 2021, Ensysce received additional funding of $10 million under the convertible note financing.

• Federal Grants – Funding under federal grants was $1.2 million for the third quarter of 2021 compared to $0.8 million for the third quarter of 2020. The increase is attributable to increased clinical development activity with our PF614-MPAR overdose protection product.

• R&D Expenses – Research and development expenses were $1.7 million for the third quarter of 2021 compared to $0.9 million for the same period in 2020. The increase primarily resulted from increased clinical development activity with our PF614 abuse protection product and combination product PF614-MPAR for overdose protection.

• G&A Expenses – General and administrative expenses were $16.4 million for the third quarter of 2021 compared to $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily a result of $11.6 million of non-cash expenses for warrants issued under a December 2020 share subscription facility following the Company’s listing on Nasdaq in July 2021 and $2.3 million of non-cash expenses related to equity for consultants.

• Net Loss – Net loss for the third quarter of 2021 was $17.2 million compared to net income of $1.6 million for the same period in 2020.
  

About Ensysce Biosciences (NASDAQ: ENSC)
Ensysce Biosciences, San Diego, CA is a clinical-stage biotech company using its proprietary technology platforms to develop safer prescription drugs. Leveraging its Trypsin-Activated Abuse Protection (TAAP) and Multi-Pill Abuse Resistance (MPAR™) platforms, the Company is developing a new class of powerful, tamper-proof opioids that prevent both drug abuse and overdoses. Ensysce’s products are anticipated to provide safer options to treat severe pain and assist in preventing deaths caused by opioid abuse, reducing the human and economic cost. The platforms are covered by an extensive worldwide intellectual property portfolio for a wide array of prescription drug compositions. For more information, please visit www.ensysce.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this communication. Such factors can be found in Ensysce’s most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, which are available, free of charge, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect the Company. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and Ensysce undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, changes in expectations, future events or otherwise.

Investor Relations Contact:
Gateway Investor Relations
Matt Glover, Alex Thompson
(949) 574-3860
Ensysce@gatewayir.com

Ensysce Biosciences, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
Federal grants		$	1,200,816			$	827,639			$	1,895,907			$	3,514,720
Operating expenses:
Research and development			1,714,635				892,991				2,502,232				3,136,207
General and administrative			16,372,976				339,422				17,257,361				898,470
Total operating expenses			18,087,611				1,232,413				19,759,593				4,034,677
Loss from operations			(16,886,795	)			(404,774	)			(17,863,686	)			(519,957	)
Total other income (expense), net			(312,679	)			1,955,280				(1,245,091	)			340,742
Net income (loss)		$	(17,199,474	)		$	1,550,506			$	(19,108,777	)		$	(179,215	)

Ensysce Biosciences, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

		September 30,				December 31,
		2021				2020
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	6,845,672			$	194,214
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			2,075,636				153,662
Total current assets			8,921,308				347,876
Other assets			796,423				3,931
Total assets		$	9,717,731			$	351,807
Liabilities and stockholders’ deficit
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	471,858			$	1,724,598
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			3,762,429				370,292
Notes payable and accrued interest			2,797,181				4,245,082
Embedded derivative on convertible notes			—				670,262
Total current liabilities			7,031,468				7,010,234
Long-term liabilities			3,071,550				—
Total liabilities			10,103,018				7,010,234
Stockholders’ deficit			(385,287	)			(6,658,427	)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit		$	9,717,731			$	351,807

FAQ

What were the financial results reported by Ensysce Biosciences for Q3 2021?

Ensysce reported a net loss of $17.2 million for Q3 2021, compared to a net income of $1.6 million for the same period in 2020.

How much funding did Ensysce Biosciences raise in its recent financing?

Ensysce completed a $15 million convertible note financing to advance its clinical trial programs.

What is the focus of Ensysce's clinical trials mentioned in the press release?

The clinical trials focus on PF614, an opioid designed to reduce abuse potential, aiming for bioequivalence to OxyContin.

Did Ensysce report an increase in federal grants in Q3 2021?

Yes, Ensysce's federal grants increased to $1.2 million in Q3 2021, up from $0.8 million in Q3 2020.

Who was appointed as the Chief Development Officer at Ensysce?

Dr. Linda Pestano was appointed as the Chief Development Officer, bringing extensive expertise in preclinical drug development.