Forma Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2021 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

Rhea-AI Summary

Forma Therapeutics, focused on rare hematologic diseases, announced its financial results for 2021, reporting a net loss of $173 million compared to $70.4 million the previous year. The company successfully completed a Phase I trial of etavopivat for sickle cell disease, showing improved hematologic biomarkers and tolerability. Initial results from FT-7051 in metastatic prostate cancer demonstrate safety and clinical activity. With nearly $490 million in cash, Forma has a financial runway through Q3 2024, enabling ongoing and upcoming clinical trials in SCD and prostate cancer.

Positive

• Completed Phase I etavopivat trial with positive hematologic biomarker results.
• Initial Phase I results for FT-7051 indicate safety and signs of clinical activity.
• Cash position of $490 million provides runway through Q3 2024.

Negative

• Net loss increased to $173 million in 2021, up from $70.4 million in 2020.
• R&D expenses rose to $125.7 million, reflecting increased trial costs.
• G&A expenses also increased to $48.3 million, primarily due to personnel costs.

Clinical stage programs focused on rare hematologic diseases and cancers

Comprehensive etavopivat Phase I SCD trial completed with results supporting tolerability and benefits in hematologic biomarkers and red blood cell health; pivotal Phase II/III trial enrolling

Initial FT-7051 Phase I results in mCRPC showed tolerability/safety and signs of pharmacodynamic and clinical activity; escalating dose results expected mid-2022

Well-capitalized with nearly $500 million in cash providing runway through the third quarter of 2024

WATERTOWN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Forma Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on sickle cell disease, prostate cancer and other rare hematologic diseases and cancers, today reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021. The company also highlighted recent progress and upcoming milestones for its pipeline programs.

“2021 was a year of continued growth for Forma as we completed our comprehensive Phase 1 etavopivat trial, and further advanced the importance of assessing red blood cell health,” said Frank Lee, president and chief executive officer of Forma. “2022 represents a year of expansion for Forma, expanding the breadth of the etavopivat development plan into new indications, proof of concept readout for FT-7051 in metastatic prostate cancer and a new development candidate emerging from our research pipeline.”

Key Business and Clinical Highlights

Pyruvate Kinase-R (PKR) Program in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD):

• Comprehensive etavopivat Phase I trial completed. Open label extension (OLE) results for 15 patients administered etavopivat 400 mg once daily for up to 12 weeks with a data cutoff as of November 23, 2021 were presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in December 2021. Improvements were observed in measures of hematologic and hemolytic response, and biomarkers of red blood cell (RBC) health, including oxygenation and deformability, as well as systemic biomarkers of SCD. Etavopivat administered for up to 12 weeks reduced anemia by significantly raising and sustaining hemoglobin levels and also significantly increased the lifespan of RBCs with decreased hemolysis. In addition, an analysis of all patients in the 12-week open label cohort showed a decreasing trend in vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) requiring hospitalization when compared to the rate 12 months prior to trial entry. Etavopivat was well tolerated in the trial and safety was consistent with underlying SCD.

CBP/p300 Program in metastatic Castration- Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC):

• FT-7051 well tolerated with signs of clinical activity in initial Phase I clinical trial results. Initial results from eight men in the trial were presented at the NCI/AACR/EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics in October 2021. Pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis of FT-7051 documented rapid absorption, with drug concentrations that approached the predicted efficacious dose based on estimates from preclinical models. In addition, skin biopsies demonstrated a reduction in a marker of activity in the CBP/p300 pathway. The majority of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) observed were mild or moderate with no events leading to treatment discontinuation. The first evaluable patient completing 12 weeks of treatment demonstrated a >80% decline in prostate-specific antigen (PSA80) from baseline at 16 weeks with stable disease.

IDH1 Program in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

• First Phase II results of olutasidenib used in combination with a chemotherapy were presented at the ASH annual meeting in December 2021. The trial included patients who had not yet received therapy and were candidates for azacitidine as a first-line treatment, and also patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML that had prior therapy with a hypomethylating agent (HMA) or an IDH1 inhibitor. The results support the potential of olutasidenib as the basis of combination therapy in patients with AML who have not achieved a durable response from prior therapy. Olutasidenib was well tolerated in the trial in combination with azacitidine and the combination had a safety profile largely consistent with that of olutasidenib alone. Forma is progressing a new drug application (NDA) for the treatment of R/R AML.

Corporate

• Appointed Ifeyinwa (Ify) Osunkwo, MD, MPH, as the company’s inaugural chief patient officer and senior vice president. Dr. Osunkwo will be responsible for realizing Forma’s vision to transform the lives of patients, including improving access and care through partnerships with global patient and community stakeholders.
• Launched formabridge and grants program. Through formabridge grants, Forma has committed $1 million in funding for promising and innovative initiatives that address unmet needs in transition from pediatric to adult care in SCD.
• Upcoming investor conference participation. Forma will participate in the Oppenheimer Healthcare Conference taking place March 15-16, 2022. The presentation webcast will be available in the “News & Investors” section of Forma’s website at www.FormaTherapeutics.com.
• Virtual Research and Development (R&D) review to be held in May, 2022. The company will provide an overview of its internal research pipeline strategy and review compounds in clinical and pre-clinical development. The live webcast will be available in the “News & Investors” section of Forma’s website www.FormaTherapeutics.com.

Upcoming Milestones

• Patient enrollment in global pivotal Phase II/III trial of etavopivat for the treatment of SCD, the Hibiscus Study. The first interim analysis (IA1) in the Hibiscus Study is expected to be reached by the end of 2022, with dose selection for the Phase III portion of the trial.
• Etavopivat development plans expanding. Forma began a Phase 2 trial in transfusion dependent SCD and both transfusion dependent and non-transfusion dependent thalassemia in late 2021, with initial results expected in late 2022. During 2022, Forma plans to begin clinical trials in pediatric SCD and low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
• Additional FT-7051 clinical trial results in mCRPC. Men with mCRPC continue to be enrolled in the dose escalation portion of the Phase I trial. Forma plans to present updated results from the trial in mid-2022.
• Possibility of COVID-19 impact remains. The COVID-19 pandemic remains a factor in the successful completion of these milestones and ongoing clinical trials. Many clinical trials across the biopharma industry, including Forma’s, have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical trial sites implementing new policies in response to COVID-19 have impacted enrollment of clinical trials or and the ability to access sites participating in clinical trials.

Financial Results

• Cash Position: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were $490.3 million as of December 31, 2021, as compared to $645.6 million as of December 31, 2020. Current cash runway is projected through the third quarter of 2024.
• R&D Expenses: R&D expenses were $37.0 million and $125.7 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $24.9 million and $93.4 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to the conduct of etavopivat Phase II/III and Phase I trials in SCD patients, as well as start-up costs related to the thalassemia trial, manufacturing activities, and increases in research and development staff, equity-based compensation and investment in preclinical programs.
• General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses: G&A expenses were $13.2 million and $48.3 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $7.9 million and $30.8 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in an equity-based compensation, personnel-related costs related to executive and staff hiring, professional fees, and insurance related expenses.
• Net Loss: Net loss was $50.1 million and $173.0 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2021, compared to net loss of $28.6 million and $70.4 million for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2020.

Forma will conduct a conference call and webcast March 1, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) to discuss year end 2021 results and business updates. The call can be accessed by dialing (833) 301-1146 in the U.S., and (914) 987-7386 internationally, with conference ID 3322907.

The live webcast will be available in the “News & Investors” section of Forma’s website www.FormaTherapeutics.com.

About Forma Therapeutics

Forma Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics to transform the lives of patients with rare hematologic diseases and cancers. Our R&D engine combines deep biology insight, chemistry expertise and clinical development capabilities to create drug candidates with differentiated mechanisms of action focused on indications with high unmet need. Our work has generated a broad proprietary portfolio of programs with the potential to provide profound patient benefit. For more information, please visit www.FormaTherapeutics.com or follow us on Twitter @FORMAInc and LinkedIn.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, express or implied statements regarding the company’s beliefs and expectations regarding its: business plans and objectives; future plans for etavopivat, FT-7051 and olutasidenib, including expectations regarding potential development expansion plans as well as the timing, success and data announcements of planned and ongoing clinical trials; therapeutic potential, clinical benefits, mechanisms of action and safety of our product candidates; planned regulatory submissions; upcoming milestones and planned additional trials for the company’s product candidates; growth as a company; presentation of additional data at upcoming scientific conferences, and other preclinical data and potential data publications in 2022; uses and need of capital, expenses and other financial results currently or in the future; and the potential impact of COVID-19 on patient retention and enrollment, future operations or clinical trials. The words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “target” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.

Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and important factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties associated with the following: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company’s business, operations, supply chain patient enrollment and retention, strategy, goals and anticipated milestones, as well as global economies and financial markets; the therapeutic potential of our product candidates and the timing and completion of our clinical trials and related data analyses; positive results from a clinical study may not necessarily be predictive of the results of future or ongoing clinical studies; any one or more of our product candidates may not be successfully developed and commercialized; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; our ability to protect and maintain our intellectual property position; and our ability to fund operations; as well as those risks and uncertainties set forth more fully under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and subsequent filings with the SEC. We disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent our views only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date.

Selected Financial Information (in thousands except share and per share data) (unaudited)

Statement of Operations Items:



For the Three Months Ended December 31,





For the Year Ended December 31,







2021





2020





2021





2020



Collaboration revenue



$

—





$

—





$

—





$

—



Operating expenses:

























Research and development





37,047







24,866







125,661







93,367



General and administrative





13,238







7,941







48,325







30,782



Restructuring charges





—







—







—







63



Total operating expenses





50,285







32,807







173,986







124,212



Loss from operations





(50,285

)





(32,807

)





(173,986

)





(124,212

)

Other income:

























Gain on Hit Discovery divestiture





—







—







—







23,312



Interest income





284







1,022







1,054







3,428



Other income (expense), net





(93

)





7







122







(2,661

)

Total other income, net





191







1,029







1,176







24,079



Loss before taxes





(50,094

)





(31,778

)





(172,810

)





(100,133

)

Income tax expense (benefit)





31







(3,190

)





154







(29,719

)

Net loss and comprehensive loss



$

(50,125

)



$

(28,588

)



$

(172,964

)



$

(70,414

)

Accretion of cumulative dividends and issuance costs on Series D redeemable convertible preferred stock





—







—







—







(3,736

)

Net loss allocable to shares of common stock, basic and diluted



$

(50,125

)



$

(28,588

)



$

(172,964

)



$

(74,150

)

Net loss per share of common stock, basic and diluted



$

(1.06

)



$

(0.68

)



$

(3.65

)



$

(3.22

)

Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic and diluted





47,387,969







42,239,451







47,347,343







23,056,975



Selected Balance Sheet Items:								
		December 31, 2021				December 31, 2020		
Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities		$	490,273			$	645,588	
Total assets		$	561,061			$	680,971	
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities		$	35,018			$	31,399	
Total stockholders’ equity		$	498,356			$	648,244	

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220301005392/en/

Media Contact:

Adam Silverstein, +1 917-697-9313

Porter Novelli

adam.silverstein@porternovelli.com

Investor Contact:

Mario Corso, +1 781-366-5726

Forma Therapeutics

mcorso@formatherapeutics.com

Source: Forma Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

FAQ

What were the financial results of Forma Therapeutics for 2021?

Forma Therapeutics reported a net loss of $173 million for the year 2021, significantly higher than the $70.4 million loss in 2020.

What are the upcoming milestones for Forma Therapeutics in 2022?

Forma plans to enroll patients in a pivotal Phase II/III trial for etavopivat and present further results from FT-7051 in metastatic prostate cancer.

What was the cash position of Forma Therapeutics as of December 31, 2021?

Forma Therapeutics reported a cash position of $490.3 million, which provides a runway through the third quarter of 2024.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact Forma Therapeutics?

The COVID-19 pandemic remains a factor affecting the enrollment and completion of clinical trials for Forma Therapeutics.