Fulcrum Therapeutics Announces Recent Business Highlights and Financial Results for Second Quarter 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

Fulcrum Therapeutics (NASDAQ: FULC) reported its Q2 2024 financial results and business highlights. Key points include:

1. The company is on track to report topline data for the Phase 3 REACH trial of losmapimod in FSHD by end of October 2024.

2. Fulcrum entered a collaboration and ex-U.S. license agreement with Sanofi for losmapimod development and commercialization.

3. Q2 2024 financials: $273.8 million in cash and equivalents, $80 million in collaboration revenue, and net income of $55.4 million.

4. The Phase 1b PIONEER trial of pociredir for sickle cell disease is progressing.

5. Fulcrum expects its current cash position to fund operations into 2027.

Positive

• Entered into a collaboration and ex-U.S. license agreement with Sanofi for losmapimod, receiving an $80 million upfront payment
• Reported net income of $55.4 million for Q2 2024, compared to a net loss of $23.8 million in Q2 2023
• Cash position increased to $273.8 million as of June 30, 2024, from $236.2 million at the end of 2023
• On track to report topline data for Phase 3 REACH trial of losmapimod in FSHD by end of October 2024
• 234 out of 260 patients completed the Part A 48-week treatment phase of the REACH trial, with 232 enrolling in Part B Open Label Extension
• Cash runway expected to fund operating requirements into 2027

Negative

• Expects to be in a loss position for the foreseeable future, including for the year ended December 31, 2024, excluding potential future milestone payments from Sanofi collaboration

Insights

Financial Analyst

Fulcrum Therapeutics' Q2 2024 results reveal a significant financial turnaround, primarily driven by the $80 million upfront payment from Sanofi. This collaboration has transformed the company's financial position, resulting in a net income of $55.4 million compared to a $23.8 million loss in Q2 2023. The cash position has strengthened to $273.8 million, up from $236.2 million at the end of 2023.

However, it's important to note that this profitability is likely temporary. The company expects to return to a loss position in the foreseeable future, including for the full year 2024. This underscores the importance of milestone payments from the Sanofi collaboration for future financial stability.

The extended cash runway into 2027 provides a solid financial foundation for Fulcrum's ongoing clinical trials and potential commercialization efforts. This runway is particularly important given the anticipated topline data from the Phase 3 REACH trial for losmapimod in FSHD by October 2024, a potential catalyst for the stock.

Investors should closely monitor R&D expenses, which decreased slightly to $17.3 million due to cost-sharing with Sanofi. This partnership could lead to more efficient capital allocation in the future, potentially improving the company's financial outlook.

Medical Research Analyst

Fulcrum Therapeutics is approaching a critical juncture with its lead candidate, losmapimod for FSHD. The impending topline data from the Phase 3 REACH trial, expected by the end of October 2024, represents a significant milestone. With 260 patients enrolled and 234 completing the 48-week treatment phase, the trial's robust design enhances the reliability of upcoming results.

The high retention rate, with 232 out of 234 patients choosing to enroll in the open-label extension, suggests a positive safety profile and potentially encouraging efficacy signals. This level of patient engagement is particularly noteworthy in rare disease trials.

The company's efforts to define the clinical meaningfulness of the Reachable Workspace (RWS) endpoint in collaboration with the FDA is crucial. This proactive approach could streamline the regulatory process if the trial meets its primary endpoint.

For the sickle cell disease program, pociredir's progress to higher doses (12 mg and 20 mg) in the Phase 1b trial is encouraging. The focus on HbF levels as a key biomarker aligns with current understanding of disease modification in SCD. However, investors should remain cautious as early-stage data, while promising, requires validation in larger trials.

Market Research Analyst

Fulcrum Therapeutics' strategic positioning in the rare disease space, particularly in FSHD and sickle cell disease, presents significant market opportunities. The absence of approved treatments for FSHD underscores the potential first-mover advantage for losmapimod, should the Phase 3 REACH trial yield positive results.

The collaboration with Sanofi for ex-U.S. rights to losmapimod is a strong vote of confidence from a major pharmaceutical player. This partnership not only provides immediate financial benefits but also leverages Sanofi's global commercial infrastructure, potentially accelerating market penetration if approved.

In the competitive sickle cell disease market, pociredir's oral administration could be a key differentiator. With several gene therapies and other advanced treatments in development, an effective oral therapy could capture a significant market share, especially among patients hesitant about more invasive treatments.

Investors should consider the broader implications of success in these indications. Positive results could validate Fulcrum's small molecule approach to genetic diseases, potentially opening doors to additional rare disease markets. However, the risk remains high, as failure in the Phase 3 FSHD trial could significantly impact the company's valuation and future prospects.

The extended cash runway into 2027 provides a buffer for navigating potential setbacks and supports ongoing R&D efforts, which is important for maintaining a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving rare disease therapeutics landscape.

― On track to report topline data for Phase 3 REACH trial of losmapimod in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) by the end of October 2024 ―

― Entered into a collaboration and ex-U.S. license agreement with Sanofi for the development and commercialization
of losmapimod ―

― Conference call and webcast scheduled for 8:00 a.m. ET today ―

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.^® (Fulcrum) (Nasdaq: FULC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing small molecules to improve the lives of patients with genetically defined rare diseases, today reported financial results for the second quarter of 2024 as well as a business update.

“We are on track to report topline results for the Phase 3 REACH trial by the end of October 2024, and as we advance towards this important inflection point, we continue to prepare for the potential NDA filing and the U.S. launch of losmapimod. In parallel, we are working with Sanofi in preparation for regulatory filings and the launch of losmapimod outside of the U.S.,” said Alex C. Sapir, Fulcrum’s president and chief executive officer. “Our Phase 1b PIONEER trial of pociredir, currently in development as a highly differentiated oral treatment option for sickle cell disease, continues to make progress. Our excitement for this program is based on the initial data generated in the Phase 1b trial, which suggests that pociredir has potential to raise HbF to levels that could ameliorate symptoms of the disease.”

Recent Business Highlights

• REACH, the Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating losmapimod in patients with FSHD, continues to progress, and Fulcrum expects to report topline data by the end of October 2024. The trial enrolled 260 patients across sites in the United States, Canada, and Europe. There are currently no approved treatments for FSHD.
  • As of June 30, 2024, 234 patients had completed the Part A 48-week treatment phase of the clinical trial, of which 232 chose to enroll in the Part B Open Label Extension phase.
  • Fulcrum is on track to complete the activities agreed-upon with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to define the clinical meaningfulness of RWS, the primary endpoint of the REACH trial, at the time of reporting topline data. 
  • Presented multiple abstracts at the 31st Annual FSHD Society International Research Congress held June 13-14, 2024, in Denver, Colorado, including one outlining the baseline characteristics of patients enrolled in the Phase 3 REACH trial of losmapimod. The presentations and posters are available on the publications page of the Fulcrum website here.
• Continue to make progress in the Phase 1b trial evaluating pociredir in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Cohort 3 of the Phase 1b trial will evaluate pociredir at the 12 mg once daily dose, followed by Cohort 4 at the 20 mg once daily dose. Each cohort is expected to enroll approximately 10 patients.
• Presented interim results of the Phase 1b trial at the European Hematology Association 2024 (EHA24) Hybrid Congress, on June 14, 2024. The presentation is available on the publications page of the Fulcrum website here.

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

• Cash Position: As of June 30, 2024, cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities were $273.8 million, as compared to $236.2 million as of December 31, 2023. The increase in our cash position is due to the $80.0 million upfront payment received from Sanofi in the second quarter of 2024, partially offset by cash used to fund our operating activities in 2024.
• Collaboration Revenue: Collaboration revenue was $80.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $0.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The increase of $79.1 million was primarily due to the recognition of the $80.0 million upfront license payment received from Sanofi during the second quarter of 2024.
• R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $17.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $17.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease of $0.5 million was primarily due to the reimbursement from the global development cost sharing under our collaboration with Sanofi for losmapimod, partially offset by increased costs related to the advancement of REACH.
• G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $10.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to $10.3 million for three months ended June 30, 2023. The decrease of $0.1 million was primarily due to decreased employee compensation costs.
• Net Income (Loss): Net income was $55.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, as compared to a net loss of $23.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2023. The net income during the quarter was primarily attributable to the upfront payment of $80.0 million from Sanofi. Excluding the potential for future milestone payments under our Sanofi collaboration, Fulcrum expects to be in a loss position for the foreseeable future, including for the year ended December 31, 2024. 
  

Cash Runway Guidance

Based on its current operating plans, Fulcrum continues to expect that its cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of June 30, 2024 will be sufficient to fund its operating requirements into 2027.

Conference Call and Webcast

Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc. will host a conference call and webcast today at 8:00 a.m. ET to review the second quarter 2024 financial results and recent business highlights. Individuals may register for the conference call by clicking the link here. Once registered, participants will receive dial-in details and unique PIN which will allow them to access the call. An audio webcast will be accessible through the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at www.fulcrumtx.com or by clicking here. Following the live webcast, an archived replay will also be available.

About Fulcrum Therapeutics
Fulcrum Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing small molecules to improve the lives of patients with genetically defined rare diseases in areas of high unmet medical need. Fulcrum’s two lead programs in clinical development are losmapimod, a small molecule in development for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), and pociredir, a small molecule designed to increase expression of fetal hemoglobin and in development for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD). Fulcrum uses proprietary technology to identify drug targets that can modulate gene expression to treat the known root cause of gene mis-expression. For more information, visit www.fulcrumtx.com and follow us on Twitter/X (@FulcrumTx) and LinkedIn.

About Losmapimod
Losmapimod is a selective p38α/β mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor. Fulcrum exclusively in-licensed losmapimod from GSK following Fulcrum’s discovery of the role of p38α/β inhibitors in the reduction of DUX4 expression and an extensive review of known compounds. Results reported from the Phase 2b ReDUX4 trial demonstrated slower disease progression and improved function, including positive impacts on upper extremity strength and functional measures supporting losmapimod’s potential to be a transformative therapy for the treatment of FSHD. Although losmapimod had never previously been explored in muscular dystrophies, it had been evaluated in more than 3,600 subjects in clinical trials across multiple other indications with no safety signals attributed to losmapimod. Losmapimod has been granted FDA Fast Track designation and Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of FSHD. Losmapimod is currently being evaluated in a Phase 3 multi-center randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 48-week parallel-group study in people with FSHD (NCT05397470).

About FSHD
FSHD is a serious, rare, progressive, and debilitating disease for which there are no approved treatments. It is characterized by fat infiltration of skeletal muscle leading to muscular atrophy involving primarily the face, scapula and shoulders, upper arms, and abdomen. Impact on patients includes relentless and accumulating muscle and functional loss impacting their ability to perform activities of daily living, loss of upper limb function, loss of mobility and independence, and chronic pain. FSHD is one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy and has an estimated patient population of 30,000 in the United States alone.

About Pociredir
Pociredir is an investigational oral small-molecule inhibitor of Embryonic Ectoderm Development (EED) that was discovered using Fulcrum’s proprietary discovery technology. Inhibition of EED leads to potent downregulation of key fetal globin repressors, including BCL11A, thereby causing an increase in fetal hemoglobin (HbF). Pociredir is being developed for the treatment of SCD. Initial data in SCD demonstrated proof-of-concept and achieved absolute levels of HbF increases associated with potential overall patient benefit. In clinical trials conducted prior to the clinical hold, which was lifted by the FDA in August 2023, pociredir was generally well-tolerated in people with SCD with up to three months of exposure, with no serious treatment-related adverse events reported. Pociredir has been granted FDA Fast Track designation and Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of SCD. To learn more about these trials please visit ClinicalTrials.gov.

About Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder of the red blood cells caused by a mutation in the HBB gene. This gene encodes a protein that is a key component of hemoglobin, a protein complex whose function is to transport oxygen in the body. The result of the mutation is less efficient oxygen transport and the formation of red blood cells that have a sickle shape. These sickle shaped cells are much less flexible than healthy cells and can block blood vessels or rupture cells. People with SCD typically suffer from serious clinical consequences, which may include anemia, pain, infections, stroke, heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, kidney failure, liver disease, and reduced life expectancy.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, including express or implied statements regarding Fulcrum’s clinical trials, including timing of topline data for the Phase 3 REACH trial of losmapimod, definition of the clinical relevance of RWS and ability to complete activities in connection therewith; Fulcrum’s collaboration and license agreement with Sanofi; its ability to receive the milestone and royalty payments thereunder and achieve benefits therefrom; reinitiation of the Phase 1b trial of pociredir and number of enrollees in each cohort; and Fulcrum’s ability to deliver an FDA-approved therapy for FSHD patients; and its cash runway, among others. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any forward-looking statements 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, risks associated with Fulcrum’s ability to continue to advance its product candidates in clinical trials; initiating and enrolling clinical trials on the timeline expected or at all; obtaining and maintaining necessary approvals from the FDA and other regulatory authorities; replicating in clinical trials positive results found in preclinical studies and/or earlier-stage clinical trials of losmapimod, pociredir and any other product candidates; obtaining, maintaining or protecting intellectual property rights related to its product candidates; managing expenses; managing executive and employee turnover, including integrating a new CMO; and raising the substantial additional capital needed to achieve its business objectives, among others. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause Fulcrum’s actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the “Risk Factors” section, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors, in Fulcrum’s most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Fulcrum’s views as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing Fulcrum’s views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. Fulcrum anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Fulcrum’s views to change. However, while Fulcrum may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Fulcrum specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.

Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc. Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (In thousands) (Unaudited)
		June 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities		$	273,778			$	236,221
Working capital(1)			267,587				228,524
Total assets			294,256				257,694
Total stockholders’ equity			273,790				235,193

(1)    Fulcrum defines working capital as current assets minus current liabilities.

Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Collaboration revenue		$	80,000			$	880			$	80,000			$	1,175
Operating expenses:
Research and development			17,261				17,849				37,034				34,564
General and administrative			10,247				10,323				20,308				21,843
Total operating expenses			27,508				28,172				57,342				56,407
Income (loss) from operations			52,492				(27,292	)			22,658				(55,232	)
Other income, net			2,917				3,509				5,881				6,670
Net income (loss)		$	55,409			$	(23,783	)		$	28,539			$	(48,562	)
Net income (loss) per share, basic		$	0.89			$	(0.38	)		$	0.46			$	(0.80	)
Net income (loss) per share, diluted		$	0.87			$	(0.38	)		$	0.45			$	(0.80	)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic			62,205				61,794				62,095				60,764
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted			63,587				61,794				63,684				60,764

Contact:

Chris Calabrese
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
ccalabrese@lifesciadvisors.com
917-680-5608

FAQ

When will Fulcrum Therapeutics (FULC) report topline data for the Phase 3 REACH trial of losmapimod?

Fulcrum Therapeutics expects to report topline data for the Phase 3 REACH trial of losmapimod in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) by the end of October 2024.

What was Fulcrum Therapeutics' (FULC) collaboration revenue in Q2 2024?

Fulcrum Therapeutics reported collaboration revenue of $80.0 million for the second quarter of 2024, primarily due to the recognition of the upfront license payment received from Sanofi.

How much cash does Fulcrum Therapeutics (FULC) have as of June 30, 2024?

As of June 30, 2024, Fulcrum Therapeutics had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling $273.8 million.

What is the cash runway guidance for Fulcrum Therapeutics (FULC)?

Fulcrum Therapeutics expects its current cash position as of June 30, 2024, to be sufficient to fund its operating requirements into 2027.