Fate Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results and Business Updates
- Awarded $7.9 million CIRM grant for FT819 CAR T-cell program in systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Initiated Phase 1 study of FT825 / ONO-8250 CAR T-cell program for solid tumors incorporating novel cancer-specific CAR targeting HER2.
- Treated first patient in Phase 1 study of FT522 ADR-armed, CD19-targeted CAR NK cell program.
- Cash, cash equivalents, and investments totaled $316 million as of December 31, 2023.
- None.
Insights
The financial health of Fate Therapeutics is a critical aspect for stakeholders to consider. With $316 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments, the company appears to have a robust runway to fund its ongoing clinical programs. However, the reported revenue of $1.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, derived primarily from preclinical development activities, is relatively modest compared to the GAAP operating expenses of $49.8 million for the same period. This significant burn rate emphasizes the importance of the clinical outcomes of their pipeline products to secure future funding or partnerships. The non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $9.5 million is also notable as it can be indicative of how the company incentivizes its employees amidst its growth phase.
The advancement of Fate Therapeutics' off-the-shelf iPSC-derived cellular immunotherapies represents a notable development in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disorders. The FT819 and FT825 / ONO-8250 CAR T-cell programs, alongside the FT522 CAR NK cell program, are pioneering efforts in the field of regenerative medicine. The initiation of Phase 1 studies and the CIRM grant for the FT819 program in SLE patients demonstrate both the innovative approach of the company and the external confidence in its scientific premise. The potential to reduce or eliminate chemotherapy conditioning with ADR technology could be a game-changer in terms of patient safety and comfort. The preclinical data suggesting robust killing of CD19+ target cells by FT522 indicates a promising avenue for treatment without intense chemotherapy, which could significantly impact patient outcomes if translated successfully in clinical trials.
From an oncological perspective, the initiation of a Phase 1 study targeting HER2 in advanced solid tumors with FT825 / ONO-8250 is particularly significant. HER2 is a well-established target in oncology and the novel HER2-targeted antigen-binding domain's unique profile could offer a differentiated therapeutic option compared to existing treatments like trastuzumab. In B-cell malignancies, the reported anti-tumor activity and favorable safety profile of FT819, including complete and partial responses, are encouraging. The absence of severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector-cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) in reported cases is noteworthy, as these are common and serious side effects associated with CAR T-cell therapies. The ongoing dose escalation for the FT576 program in multiple myeloma is also of interest, as BCMA is a critical target in this disease and the safety profile at higher doses will be crucial to determine the therapy's viability.
CIRM Grant Awarded to Support Phase 1 Autoimmunity Study of FT819 CD19-targeted CAR T-cell Program for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus; Study Start-up Ongoing at Multiple Clinical Sites
First Patient Treated in Phase 1 Study of FT522 ADR-armed, CD19-targeted CAR NK Cell Program; Dose Escalation Designed to Assess 3-dose Treatment Schedule with and without Chemotherapy Conditioning
Phase 1 Study Initiated of FT825 / ONO-8250 CAR T-cell Program for Solid Tumors; Incorporates Seven Synthetic Controls including Novel Cancer-specific CAR Targeting HER2
SAN DIEGO, Feb. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fate Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FATE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing a first-in-class pipeline of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cellular immunotherapies to patients with cancer and autoimmune disorders, today reported business highlights and financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.
“We have started the year with strong momentum across our iPSC product platform in oncology and autoimmunity, including the award of a grant by the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine to support Phase 1 clinical investigation of our off-the-shelf FT819 CAR T-cell program in systemic lupus erythematosus,” said Scott Wolchko, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fate Therapeutics. “We have also treated the first patient with FT522, our off-the-shelf CAR NK cell program targeting CD19+ B cells, which is our first product candidate to incorporate our proprietary Alloimmune Defense Receptor technology that is designed to reduce or eliminate the need for administration of intense chemotherapy conditioning to patients. In addition, we have initiated the Phase 1 study of our FT825 / ONO-8250 CAR T-cell program in solid tumors, which incorporates seven synthetic controls of cell function including a novel cancer-specific binding domain targeting HER2. We are well positioned to generate initial clinical data across these off-the-shelf programs during 2024.”
FT819 iPSC-derived CAR T-cell Program
- CLIN2 Grant Awarded by CIRM to Fund FT819 Phase 1 Autoimmunity Study in SLE. In February, the Company was awarded
$7.9 million by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to support clinical investigation of FT819 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). FT819 is the Company’s off-the-shelf CAR T-cell product candidate that incorporates several novel synthetic controls of cell function, including the integration of a novel CD19-targeted 1XX chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) construct into the T-cell receptor alpha constant (TRAC) locus that is intended to promote uniform CAR expression, enhance T-cell potency, and prevent graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). The multi-center, Phase 1 clinical trial for SLE is designed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and anti-B-cell activity of a single dose of FT819 administered following a standard three-day chemotherapy conditioning regimen. The Company is currently conducting study start-up activities at multiple U.S. clinical sites. - Dose Escalation Ongoing in Phase 1 Study for B-cell Lymphoma. The Company’s landmark clinical trial of FT819 for the treatment of relapsed / refractory B-cell malignancies is the first-ever clinical investigation of a T-cell product candidate manufactured from a clonal master iPSC line. The Company is currently enrolling patients in single-dose treatment cohorts at 540 million cells and at 1.08 billion cells using a standard three-day chemotherapy conditioning regimen. Any further clinical development of FT819 for the treatment of B-cell malignancies will be determined by the Company based on safety and activity at these higher dose levels. Clinical data previously presented by the Company from the first 11 patients with relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphoma treated with a single dose of FT819 at up to 360 million cells showed anti-tumor activity including three complete responses and one partial response, CAR T-cell expansion that peaked in the peripheral blood between Days 8 and 11, and a favorable safety profile with no dose-limiting toxicities, no events of any grade of immune effector-cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) or GvHD, and no events of Grade 3 or greater cytokine release syndrome (CRS).
FT825 / ONO-8250 iPSC-derived CAR T-cell Program
- Phase 1 Study Initiated with HER2-targeted CAR T-cell for Advanced Solid Tumors. In January, the Company initiated enrollment of a multi-center, Phase 1 clinical trial of FT825 / ONO-8250 under its collaboration with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Ono). Designed using the Company’s iPSC product platform, FT825 / ONO-8250 incorporates seven synthetic controls of cell function including a novel cancer-specific H2CasMab-2 CAR targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Preclinical data of FT825 / ONO-8250 presented at the 2023 Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Annual Meeting demonstrated that the profile of its novel HER2-targeted antigen binding domain is unique and differentiated from that of trastuzumab, exhibiting similar potency with greater specificity for cancer cells expressing HER2. The Phase 1 study is designed to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and activity of a single dose of FT825 / ONO-8250 as monotherapy and in combination with monoclonal antibody therapy in patients with advanced solid tumors.
FT522 iPSC-derived CAR NK Cell Program
- First Patient Treated with ADR-armed, CD19-targeted CAR NK Cell Product Candidate. FT522 is the Company’s first product candidate incorporating its proprietary Alloimmune Defense Receptor (ADR) technology, which is designed to reduce or eliminate the need for administration of intense chemotherapy conditioning to patients receiving cell therapies. The multi-center, Phase 1 clinical trial of FT522 in patients with relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphoma is currently enrolling patients in the first three-dose cohort at 300 million cells per dose of Regimen A, which includes administration of chemotherapy conditioning. Subject to clearance of dose-limiting toxicities at this first dose level of Regimen A, enrollment is expected to commence in the first three-dose cohort at 300 million cells per dose of Regimen B without administration of chemotherapy conditioning.
- Preclinical Studies Ongoing to Support Expansion into Autoimmunity. The Company is conducting a preclinical assessment of the potential for FT522 to induce CD19+ B-cell depletion across a range of autoimmune diseases, including without administration of intense chemotherapy conditioning to patients. In a disseminated Nalm6 leukemia model comprised of CD19+ target cells resistant to T-cell killing, ADR-armed, CD19-targeted CAR NK cells exhibited robust killing in vivo of CD19+ target cells in the presence of alloreactive T cells, suggesting that FT522 has the potential to deplete CD19+ B cells without administration of intense chemotherapy conditioning to patients. Additional preclinical studies are ongoing with FT522 in combination with monoclonal antibody therapy to assess the potential depletion of both CD19+ B-cell and CD38+ plasma-cell autoantibody-producing lineages.
FT576 iPSC-derived CAR NK Cell Program
- Dose Escalation Ongoing in Phase 1 Multiple Myeloma Study. The Company’s multi-center, Phase 1 clinical trial of FT576, its BCMA-targeted CAR NK cell product candidate, is currently accruing patients with relapsed / refractory multiple myeloma in three-dose treatment cohorts as monotherapy as well as in combination with CD38-targeted monoclonal antibody. Using a standard three-day chemotherapy conditioning regimen, the Company has treated six patients at 1 billion cells per dose, with no dose-limiting toxicities and no reports of any grade of CRS, ICANS or GvHD. The study is currently enrolling patients at 2.5 billion cells per dose. Any further clinical development of FT576 for the treatment of multiple myeloma will be determined by the Company based on safety and activity at these higher dose levels.
Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results
- Cash & Investment Position: Cash, cash equivalents and investments as of December 31, 2023 were
$316.2 million . - Total Revenue: Revenue was
$1.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, which was derived from the Company’s conduct of preclinical development activities for a second collaboration candidate targeting an undisclosed solid tumor antigen under its collaboration with Ono. - Total Operating Expenses: For the fourth quarter of 2023, GAAP operating expenses were
$49.8 million , including research and development expenses of$31.8 million and general and administrative expenses of$17.9 million . Such amounts included$9.5 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense. - Shares Outstanding: Common shares outstanding were 98.6 million, and preferred shares outstanding were 2.8 million, as of December 31, 2023. Each preferred share is convertible into five common shares.
Today's Conference Call and Webcast
The Company will conduct a conference call today, Monday, February 26, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. ET to review financial and operating results for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023. In order to participate in the conference call, please register using the conference link here. The live webcast can be accessed under "Events & Presentations" in the Investors section of the Company's website at www.fatetherapeutics.com. The archived webcast will be available on the Company's website beginning approximately two hours after the event.
About Fate Therapeutics’ iPSC Product Platform
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) possess the unique dual properties of unlimited self-renewal and differentiation potential into all cell types of the body. The Company’s proprietary iPSC product platform combines multiplexed-engineering of human iPSCs with single-cell selection to create clonal master iPSC lines. Analogous to master cell lines used to mass produce biopharmaceutical drug products such as monoclonal antibodies, the Company utilizes its clonal master iPSC lines as a starting cell source to manufacture engineered cell products which are well-defined and uniform in composition, can be stored in inventory for off-the-shelf availability, can be combined and administered with other therapies, and can potentially reach a broad patient population. As a result, the Company’s platform is uniquely designed to overcome numerous limitations associated with the manufacture of cell therapies using patient- or donor-sourced cells. Fate Therapeutics’ iPSC product platform is supported by an intellectual property portfolio of over 500 issued patents and 500 pending patent applications.
About Fate Therapeutics, Inc.
Fate Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to bringing a first-in-class pipeline of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cellular immunotherapies to patients with cancer and autoimmune disorders. Using its proprietary iPSC product platform, the Company has established a leadership position in creating multiplexed-engineered master iPSC lines and in the manufacture and clinical development of off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived cell products. The Company’s pipeline includes iPSC-derived natural killer (NK) cell and T-cell product candidates, which are selectively designed, incorporate novel synthetic controls of cell function, and are intended to deliver multiple therapeutic mechanisms to patients. Fate Therapeutics is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information, please visit www.fatetherapeutics.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including statements regarding the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, anticipated operating expenses and cash runway, and sufficiency of its cash and cash equivalents to fund its operations, as well as statements regarding the advancement of and plans related to the Company's product candidates, clinical studies and preclinical research and development programs, the Company’s progress, plans and timelines for the clinical investigation of its product candidates, including the initiation and continuation of enrollment in the Company’s clinical trials, the initiation of additional clinical trials and additional dose cohorts in ongoing clinical trials of the Company’s product candidates, the availability of data from the Company’s clinical trials, the therapeutic and market potential of the Company’s research and development programs and product candidates, the Company’s clinical and product development strategy, and the Company’s expectations regarding progress and timelines, and the objectives, plans and goals of its collaboration with Ono. These and any other forward-looking statements in this release are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that the Company’s research and development programs and product candidates, including those product candidates in clinical investigation, may not demonstrate the requisite safety, efficacy, or other attributes to warrant further development or to achieve regulatory approval, the risk that results observed in prior studies of the Company’s product candidates, including preclinical studies and clinical trials, will not be observed in ongoing or future studies involving these product candidates, the risk of a delay or difficulties in the manufacturing of the Company’s product candidates or in the initiation and conduct of, or enrollment of patients in, any clinical trials, the risk that the Company may cease or delay preclinical or clinical development of any of its product candidates for a variety of reasons (including requirements that may be imposed by regulatory authorities on the initiation or conduct of clinical trials, changes in the therapeutic, regulatory, or competitive landscape for which the Company’s product candidates are being developed, the amount and type of data to be generated or otherwise to support regulatory approval, difficulties or delays in patient enrollment and continuation in the Company’s ongoing and planned clinical trials, difficulties in manufacturing or supplying the Company’s product candidates for clinical testing, failure to demonstrate that a product candidate has the requisite safety, efficacy, or other attributes to warrant further development, and any adverse events or other negative results that may be observed during preclinical or clinical development), the risk that its product candidates may not produce therapeutic benefits or may cause other unanticipated adverse effects, the risk that the Company may not comply with its obligations under and otherwise maintain its collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical, Ltd. or other parties with which the Company may enter into future collaborations on the agreed upon terms, the risk that research funding and milestone payments received by the Company under its collaboration may be less than expected, and the risk that the Company may incur operating expenses in amounts greater than anticipated. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause the Company’s actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company’s most recently filed periodic report, and from time to time in the Company’s press releases and other investor communications. Fate Therapeutics is providing the information in this release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (in thousands, except share and per share data) (unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Year Ended | ||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Collaboration revenue | $ | 1,676 | $ | 44,356 | $ | 63,533 | $ | 96,300 | |||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 31,816 | 87,191 | 172,596 | 320,454 | |||||||||||
| General and administrative | 17,935 | 21,584 | 81,448 | 84,232 | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 49,751 | 108,775 | 254,044 | 404,686 | |||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (48,075 | ) | (64,419 | ) | (190,511 | ) | (308,386 | ) | |||||||
| Other income (expense): | |||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 4,414 | 2,880 | 17,186 | 5,842 | |||||||||||
| Change in fair value of stock price appreciation milestones | (645 | ) | 5,176 | 2,515 | 20,307 | ||||||||||
| Other income | 184 | — | 9,882 | 516 | |||||||||||
| Total other income (expense), net | 3,953 | 8,056 | 29,583 | 26,665 | |||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (44,122 | ) | $ | (56,363 | ) | $ | (160,928 | ) | $ | (281,721 | ) | |||
| Other comprehensive gain (loss): | |||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net | 514 | 1,399 | 1,869 | (1,092 | ) | ||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss | $ | (43,608 | ) | $ | (54,964 | ) | $ | (159,059 | ) | $ | (282,813 | ) | |||
| Net loss per common share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.45 | ) | $ | (0.58 | ) | $ | (1.64 | ) | $ | (2.91 | ) | |||
| Weighted-average common shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share | 98,613,726 | 97,220,972 | 98,411,162 | 96,826,058 | |||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 41,870 | $ | 61,333 | ||||
| Accounts receivable | 1,826 | 38,480 | ||||||
| Short-term investments | 273,305 | 374,894 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 14,539 | 27,367 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 331,540 | 502,074 | ||||||
| Long-term investments | 980 | 4,942 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use asset | 61,675 | 66,069 | ||||||
| Other long-term assets | 112,022 | 132,476 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 506,217 | $ | 705,561 | ||||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 32,233 | $ | 62,197 | ||||
| Deferred revenue | 685 | 42,226 | ||||||
| CIRM award liability | — | 4,000 | ||||||
| Operating lease liability, current portion | 6,176 | 5,628 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 39,094 | 114,051 | ||||||
| Operating lease liability, net of current portion | 97,360 | 103,710 | ||||||
| Stock price appreciation milestones | 1,346 | 3,861 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 368,417 | 483,939 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 506,217 | $ | 705,561 | ||||
Contact:
Christina Tartaglia
Stern Investor Relations, Inc.
212.362.1200
christina.tartaglia@sternir.com
FAQ
What grant was awarded to Fate Therapeutics for clinical investigation in systemic lupus erythematosus?
What is the focus of the Phase 1 study of FT825 / ONO-8250 CAR T-cell program?
What is the purpose of the Phase 1 study of FT522 ADR-armed, CD19-targeted CAR NK cell program?
What was the total cash, cash equivalents, and investments for Fate Therapeutics as of December 31, 2023?
