Entasis Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2021 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

Rhea-AI Summary

Entasis Therapeutics (NASDAQ: ETTX) reported first-quarter 2021 financial results and provided a business update. The company is on track for its Phase 3 ATTACK trial focused on multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter infections, expecting to complete enrollment soon and deliver topline data later in 2021. Notably, Entasis secured $20 million through a private placement, enhancing its cash runway into Q2 2022. The net loss for Q1 2021 was $10.7 million, a decrease from $15.3 million in Q1 2020, attributed to reduced operating expenses.

Positive

• Phase 3 ATTACK trial is approximately 90% enrolled with topline data expected in the second half of 2021.
• Successfully closed the first tranche of a $20 million financing.
• Net loss reduced to $10.7 million in Q1 2021 from $15.3 million in Q1 2020.

Negative

• Cash decreased from $53.2 million at year-end 2020 to $44.9 million by March 31, 2021.

– ATTACK Phase 3 topline data readout remains on track for second half of 2021 –
            – Strengthened balance sheet with $20M financing –

WALTHAM, Mass., May 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Entasis Therapeutics Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ETTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel antibacterial products, announced today its first quarter 2021 financial results and provided a business update.

“Through the dedication of our employees and partners, we have maintained momentum in our Phase 3 registrational trials addressing multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter infections and uncomplicated gonorrhea,” commented Manos Perros, President and Chief Executive Officer of Entasis Therapeutics. “We are especially encouraged by the progress achieved in ATTACK, our Phase 3 trial for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter infections where we now have a clear line of sight to enrolling 120 evaluable patients with carbapenem-resistant infections. Given this progress, we remain confident ATTACK is on-track to complete enrollment in the coming weeks and for topline data readout during the second half of 2021. While advancing SUL-DUR remains our top-priority, we are also excited by the progression of our pipeline, including the Phase 3 trial for zoliflodacin, which we believe has the potential to provide a solution for the millions of annual cases of gonorrhea around the world. We are also pleased to recently announce the closing of the first tranche of a $20 million private placement transaction. The second tranche of the financing will occur upon shareholder approval, which is anticipated in June 2021. As a result of the first tranche of the offering, we now anticipate that our cash runway will be sufficient to fund our operations into the second quarter of 2022. 2021 is poised to be a transformative year for Entasis as we conclude our Phase 3 ATTACK registration trial and initiate preparations to become a commercial stage company.”

First Quarter 2021 and Recent Highlights

• Business Highlights
  The Company, along with our partner Zai Lab (Nasdaq: ZLAB), has enrolled 108 patients with confirmed carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter infections in the ATTACK trial. The Company estimates that the ATTACK trial is approximately 90% enrolled and expects to complete enrollment in the coming weeks and remains on-track for top-line data readout in the second half of 2021.

• The Company recently announced that it had entered into a private placement agreement to sell Entasis common stock and warrant securities to a subsidiary of Innoviva, Inc. (Nasdaq: INVA) ("Innoviva"), Entasis’ largest shareholder. The gross proceeds to the Company from the transaction after both closings are expected to be approximately $20 million, before deducting estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The closing of the first tranche of the financing, consisting of approximately $7.5 million, occurred on May 3, 2021. The closing of the second tranche, consisting of approximately $12.5 million, is expected to occur in early June, assuming approval of the financing at a special meeting of stockholders. The Company intends to use the net proceeds for the continued support of the ongoing ATTACK trial, NDA filing preparation as well as working capital and other general corporate purposes.
  

SUL-DUR

• As of May 1, 2021, 167 patients have been enrolled in the ATTACK trial across approximately 90 clinical trial sites in 17 countries, including China. ATTACK is our single Phase 3 registrational trial that will evaluate SUL-DUR in patients with confirmed carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter pneumonia and/or bloodstream infections. Entasis currently estimates the trial is approximately 90% enrolled, as microbiological analyses have confirmed 108 carbapenem-resistant evaluable patients out of the target of 120 evaluable patients necessary for completion of the trial, with another 16 enrolled patients pending confirmation. The Company expects to complete enrollment in the ATTACK trial in the coming weeks with a top-line data readout in the second half of 2021.

Zoliflodacin

• The Company continues to support the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), and the Phase 3 registration trial of zoliflodacin for the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea. The trial, designed to assess the safety and efficacy of oral zoliflodacin versus the current standard of care combination of intramuscular ceftriaxone plus oral azithromycin, is actively enrolling patients with uncomplicated gonorrhea, including infections potentially caused by multidrug-resistant strains of N. gonorrhoeae. In Q1, GARDP activated additional clinical trial sites in the US, Thailand, and South Africa, and plans to activate up to 16 additional clinical trial sites across these countries and the Netherlands during the first half of 2021. Due to the unique challenges to site activation and enrollment precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company remains unable to provide guidance for completion of the trial. The Company will continue to monitor and consult with GARDP and will provide updates on guidance when appropriate.

First Quarter 2021 Financial Results

The Company reported a net loss of $10.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to a net loss of $15.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease in net loss was primarily related to a decrease in operating expenses during the first quarter of 2021 versus the prior year.

Research and development expenses were $9.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $11.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease of $2.3 million was primarily due to a decrease of $3.4 million in expenses related to our SUL-DUR product candidate attributable to decreases in clinical trial costs, manufacturing costs, spending related to commercial readiness and NDA support. These decreases were offset by increases in expenses related to our ETX0462 product candidate, other preclinical expenses and personnel expenses associated with higher headcount.

General and administrative expenses were $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $3.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The decrease of $0.5 million was driven primarily by decreases in legal expenses and personnel related expenses, and was offset by an increase in insurance related costs.

As of March 31, 2021, cash and cash equivalents were $44.9 million, compared to $53.2 million as of December 31, 2020. Based on our current operating plan, we believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents, including amounts received from the first tranche of the most recent private offering, will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the second quarter of 2022.

About Entasis
Entasis is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel antibacterial products to treat serious infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Entasis’ pathogen-targeted design platform has produced a pipeline of product candidates, including sulbactam-durlobactam (targeting Acinetobacter baumannii infections), zoliflodacin (targeting Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections), ETX0282CPDP (targeting Enterobacteriaceae infections) and ETX0462 (targeting Pseudomonas infections). For more information, visit www.entasistx.com.

Entasis Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Entasis’ expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during non-clinical or clinical studies, clinical site activation rates or clinical trial enrollment rates that are lower than expected and changes in expected or existing competition, changes in the regulatory environment, failure of Entasis’ collaborators to support or advance collaborations or product candidates and unexpected litigation or other disputes. Many of these factors are beyond Entasis’ control. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the Entasis’ filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the section titled “Risk Factors” contained therein. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and except as required by law, Entasis assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.

Company Contact         
Kyle Dow
Entasis Therapeutics
(781) 810-0114
kyle.dow@entasistx.com

Investor Relations Contacts
James Salierno
The Ruth Group
(646) 536-7028
jsalierno@theruthgroup.com

Media Contact
Annika Parrish
The Ruth Group
(720)-412-9042
aparrish@theruthgroup.com

Entasis Therapeutics Holdings Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Unaudited
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
									Three Months Ended March 31,
									2021				2020
Operating expenses:
Research and development								$	9,370			$	11,623
General and administrative									3,307				3,780
Total operating expenses									12,677				15,403
Loss from operations									(12,677	)			(15,403	)
Other income:
Grant income									1,972				13
Interest income									4				124
Total other income									1,976				137
Net loss								$	(10,701	)		$	(15,266	)
Net loss per share—basic and diluted								$	(0.29	)		$	(1.15	)
Weighted average common stock outstanding—basic and diluted									37,078,478				13,291,563

Entasis Therapeutics Holdings Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Unaudited
(in thousands)
										March 31,			December 31,
										2021			2020
Cash and cash equivalents									$	44,937		$	53,247
Other assets										7,888			8,311
Total assets									$	52,825		$	61,558
Total liabilities									$	8,568		$	9,269
Total stockholders' equity										44,257			52,289
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity									$	52,825		$	61,558

FAQ

What are the key highlights from Entasis Therapeutics' Q1 2021 report?

Key highlights include the near completion of enrollment in the Phase 3 ATTACK trial and a $20 million financing.

What is the current status of the ATTACK Phase 3 trial for ETTX?

The ATTACK trial is approximately 90% enrolled and expected to have topline data by the second half of 2021.

How much was the reported net loss for Q1 2021 by Entasis Therapeutics?

Entasis reported a net loss of $10.7 million for Q1 2021, reduced from $15.3 million in the same quarter last year.

What financial support did Entasis receive for its operations?

Entasis closed a $20 million private placement financing, improving its cash runway into the second quarter of 2022.