Iterum Therapeutics Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Iterum Therapeutics (ITRM) reported its fourth quarter and full year 2021 financial results, emphasizing progress in its NDA resubmission for oral sulopenem. The firm plans to start a Phase 3 trial for uUTI in H2 2022, aided by a 180-day Nasdaq compliance extension granted on March 9, 2022. Iterum's cash reserves total $81.3 million, sufficient to fund operations into 2024. The net loss narrowed to $4.2 million for Q4 2021, with a full-year loss of $91.6 million. R&D expenses rose to $10.7 million, while G&A expenses reached $13.8 million, reflecting increased pre-commercial activities.

Positive

• Progress towards NDA resubmission for oral sulopenem in uUTI.
• Cash reserves of $81.3 million sufficient to fund operations into 2024.
• Reduced outstanding debt with repayment of term loan.

Negative

• Net loss of $91.6 million for the full year 2021.
• Increased R&D expenses to $10.7 million, higher than previous year.

--Registration Trial for uUTI Planned in Second Half of 2022--
--Cash Runway into 2024--

--Company to host conference call today at 8:30am ET--

DUBLIN, Ireland and CHICAGO, March 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Iterum Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: ITRM), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing next generation oral and IV antibiotics to treat infections caused by multi-drug resistant pathogens in both community and hospital settings, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2021.

“Based on several recent interactions with the FDA, we believe that we have made progress towards an agreement on the additional Phase 3 trial design required to support the resubmission of our NDA for oral sulopenem in uUTI. Subject to finalization of the clinical program, we expect to start the study in the second half of 2022,” said Corey Fishman, Iterum’s Chief Executive Officer. “Based on the current operating plan, which includes an additional Phase 3 study, we believe that we are well positioned financially to fund operations into 2024 with our existing cash resources.”

Highlights and Recent Events

• Reduced outstanding debt: We completed the repayment of our term loan with Silicon Valley Bank in March 2022.
• Received 180-day extension of Nasdaq listing deficiency: On March 9, 2022, we received written notification from Nasdaq that a 180-day extension to regain compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement was granted. We now have until September 5, 2022 to meet this requirement.
• Published two articles in scientific journals: In February 2022, we published two articles highlighting anti-bacterial resistance and the unmet medical need for new oral agents for urinary tract infections. The articles can be accessed under “Scientific Publications” in the Our Science section of the Company’s website at www.iterumtx.com.
  
  

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments was $81.3 million at December 31, 2021. Based on the current operating plan and subject to final determination of the design and planned conduct of potential additional clinical and non-clinical development of sulopenem, Iterum expects that its current cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund its operations into 2024. As of February 28, 2022, we had approximately 182.8 million ordinary shares outstanding.

Research and development (R&D) expenses for the fourth quarter and full year 2021 were $3.7 million and $10.7 million, respectively, compared to $2.4 million and $21.1 million for the same periods in 2020. The increase for the three-month period was primarily due to the non-cash amortization of an intangible asset in 2021. The decrease in R&D expenses for the full year was primarily due to the completion of Iterum’s Phase 3 trials in 2020.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the fourth quarter and full year 2021 were $3.1 million and $13.8 million, respectively, compared to $2.3 million and $11.1 million for the same periods in 2020. The increase for three-month period was primarily due to an increase in share-based compensation, and the increase in G&A expense for the full year was primarily due to higher spend on pre-commercialization activities in the first half of 2021 and higher share-based compensation expense, partially offset by lower G&A headcount.

Adjustments to the fair value of derivatives for the fourth quarter and full year 2021 were $3.6 million and ($61.0) million, compared to ($2.7) million and ($1.7) million for the same periods in 2020. The non-cash adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2021 primarily related to a decrease in the value of the derivative components associated with Iterum’s 6.500% Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Notes due 2025 (the Exchangeable Notes) as a result of a decrease in the price of its ordinary shares and market capitalization during the period. The non-cash adjustment for the full year was largely due to the fair value adjustments recorded at the time of conversion of $39.2 million of the Exchangeable Notes in 2021.

Net loss for the fourth quarter and full year 2021 was $4.2 million and $91.6 million, respectively, compared to a net loss of $11.2 million and $52.0 million for the same periods in 2020. Non-GAAP¹ net loss for the fourth quarter and full year 2021 of $3.3 million and $19.4 million, respectively, compared to a non-GAAP¹ net loss of $4.4 million and $30.9 million for the same periods in 2020.

Upcoming Investor Presentations

• Corporate presentation at the 2022 H.C. Wainwright Global Investment Conference to be held May 23-25, 2022
  
  

Conference Call Details

• Iterum will host a conference call today, Monday, March 28, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The dial-in information for the call is as follows: United States: 1 844 200 6205; International: 1 929 526 1599; Access code: 096194
  
  

¹ Reconciliations of applicable GAAP reported to non-GAAP adjusted information are included at the end of this press release

About Iterum Therapeutics plc

Iterum Therapeutics plc is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing differentiated anti-infectives aimed at combatting the global crisis of multi-drug resistant pathogens to significantly improve the lives of people affected by serious and life-threatening diseases around the world. Iterum is currently advancing its first compound, sulopenem, a novel penem anti-infective compound, in Phase 3 clinical development with an oral formulation. Sulopenem also has an IV formulation. Sulopenem has demonstrated potent in vitro activity against a wide variety of gram-negative, gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria resistant to other antibiotics. Iterum has received Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) and Fast Track designations for its oral and IV formulations of sulopenem in seven indications. For more information, please visit http://www.iterumtx.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement Iterum’s financial results presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), Iterum presents non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share to exclude from reported GAAP net loss and GAAP net loss per share, intangible asset amortization ($1.7 million and $1.7 million); share-based compensation expense ($2.0 million and $4.3 million); the interest expense associated with accrued interest on the Exchangeable Notes, payable in cash, shares or a combination of both upon exchange, redemption or at January 31, 2025 (“the Maturity Date”), whichever is earlier ($0.2 million and $1.1 million); the non-cash amortization of the Exchangeable Notes and Royalty-Linked Notes ($0.6 million and $4.1 million); and the non-cash adjustments to the fair value of derivatives ($3.6 million and $61.0 million) for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021, respectively, and share-based compensation expense ($0.1 million and $2.8 million); the interest expense associated with accrued interest on the Exchangeable Notes payable in cash, shares or a combination of both upon exchange, redemption or at the Maturity Date, whichever is earlier ($0.8 million and $3.2 million); the non-cash amortization of the Exchangeable Notes and Royalty-Linked Notes ($3.1 million and $10.5 million); one-time, non-capitalized financing transaction costs ($0.0 million and $2.8 million); and the non-cash adjustments to the fair value of derivatives ($2.8 million and $1.7 million) for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020, respectively.

Iterum believes that the presentation of non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share, when viewed with its results under GAAP and the accompanying reconciliation, provides useful supplementary information to, and facilitates additional analysis by, investors, analysts, and Iterum’s management in assessing Iterum’s performance and results from period to period. These non-GAAP financial measures closely align with the way management measures and evaluates Iterum’s performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not a substitute for, or superior to, net loss or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share are not based on any standardized methodology prescribed by GAAP and represents GAAP net loss, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure, adjusted to exclude intangible asset amortization; share-based compensation expense; the interest expense associated with accrued interest on the Exchangeable Notes payable in cash, shares or a combination of both upon exchange, redemption or at the Maturity Date, whichever is earlier; the non-cash amortization of the Exchangeable Notes and Royalty-Linked Notes; one-time, non-capitalized financing transaction costs and the non-cash adjustments to the fair value of derivatives for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. Because of the non-standardized definitions of non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share used by Iterum Therapeutics in this press release and accompanying tables has limits in its usefulness to investors and may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be directly comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies. A reconciliation of non-GAAP net loss to GAAP net loss and non-GAAP net loss per share to GAAP net loss per share have been provided in the tables included in this press release.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding Iterum’s plans, strategies and prospects for its business, including with respect to planned interactions and communications with the FDA and Iterum’s ability to reach agreement with the FDA on the design of any potential future clinical trials, Iterum’s expectations with regard to its ability to resolve the matters set forth in the complete response letter (CRL) received by Iterum in July 2021 and obtain approval for oral sulopenem, the timing and conduct of potential future clinical and non-clinical development of sulopenem, and the sufficiency of Iterum’s cash resources. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “may,” “believes,” “intends,” “seeks,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “expects,” “should,” “assumes,” “continues,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “future,” “potential” or the negative of these or similar terms and phrases. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Iterum’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. Actual future results may be materially different from what is expected due to factors largely outside Iterum’s control, including uncertainties inherent in the initiation and conduct of clinical and non-clinical development, including any potential additional clinical trials and non-clinical development that may be conducted in response to the CRL, availability and timing of data from such potential clinical and non-clinical development, changes in regulatory requirements or decisions of regulatory authorities, the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, including any potential resubmission of the NDA for oral sulopenem, changes in public policy or legislation, commercialization plans and timelines, if oral sulopenem is approved, the actions of third-party clinical research organizations, suppliers and manufacturers, the accuracy of Iterum’s expectations regarding how far into the future Iterum’s cash on hand will fund Iterum’s ongoing operations including completing potential additional clinical and non-clinical development of oral sulopenem, the impact of COVID-19 and related responsive measures thereto, Iterum’s ability to maintain its listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market, risks and uncertainties concerning the outcome, impact, effects and results of Iterum’s evaluation of corporate, strategic, financial and financing alternatives, including the terms, timing, structure, value, benefits and costs of any corporate, strategic, financial or financing alternative and Iterum’s ability to complete one at all and other factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 28, 2022, and other documents filed with the SEC from time to time. Forward-looking statements represent Iterum’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, Iterum assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

Investor Contact:
Judy Matthews
Chief Financial Officer
312-778-6073
IR@iterumtx.com

ITERUM THERAPEUTICS PLC
Consolidated Statement of Operations
(In thousands except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
		Three months ended December 31,								Year ended December 31,
			2021				2020				2021				2020
Operating expenses:
Research and development		$	(3,702	)		$	(2,351	)		$	(10,712	)		$	(21,074	)
General and administrative			(3,127	)			(2,293	)			(13,825	)			(11,052	)
Total operating expenses			(6,829	)			(4,644	)			(24,537	)			(32,126	)
Operating loss			(6,829	)			(4,644	)			(24,537	)			(32,126	)
Interest expense, net			(772	)			(4,243	)			(5,553	)			(15,097	)
Financing transaction costs			—				(33	)			—				(2,848	)
Adjustments to fair value of derivatives			3,562				(2,768	)			(60,964	)			(1,745	)
Extinguishment of debt			—				340				—				340
Other income, net			28				186				195				213
Income tax expense			(171	)			(24	)			(705	)			(743	)
Net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders		$	(4,182	)		$	(11,186	)		$	(91,564	)		$	(52,006	)
Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders – basic		$	(0.02	)		$	(0.28	)		$	(0.56	)		$	(2.17	)
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding – basic			182,775,282				40,645,864				163,367,681				24,009,818
Reconciliation of non-GAAP net loss to GAAP net loss
Net loss - GAAP		$	(4,182	)		$	(11,186	)		$	(91,564	)		$	(52,006	)
Intangible asset amortization			1,713				—				1,713				—
Share-based compensation expense			1,967				126				4,319				2,759
Interest expense - accrued interest and amortization on Exchangeable Notes and Royalty-Linked Notes			796				3,877				5,175				13,706
Financing transaction costs - not capitalized			—				(33	)			—				2,848
Adjustments to fair value of derivatives			(3,562	)			2,768				60,964				1,745
Non-GAAP net loss		$	(3,268	)		$	(4,448	)		$	(19,393	)		$	(30,948	)
Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders – basic and diluted		$	(0.02	)		$	(0.28	)		$	(0.56	)		$	(2.17	)
Non-GAAP net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders – basic and diluted		$	(0.02	)		$	(0.11	)		$	(0.12	)		$	(1.29	)
ITERUM THERAPEUTICS PLC
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
		As of				As of
		December 31,				December 31,
			2021				2020
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments		$	81,344			$	14,508
Other assets			10,165				18,284
Total assets		$	91,509			$	32,792
Long-term debt, less current portion		$	6,930			$	22,462
Royalty-linked notes, less current portion			17,968				13,389
Derivative liabilities			6,058				28,865
Other liabilities			10,319				18,635
Total liabilities			41,275				83,351
Total shareholders' equity / (deficit )			50,234				(50,559	)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity / (deficit)		$	91,509			$	32,792

FAQ

What were Iterum Therapeutics' financial results for Q4 2021?

Iterum reported a net loss of $4.2 million for Q4 2021.

What is the cash runway for Iterum Therapeutics?

Iterum has sufficient cash to fund operations into 2024, totaling $81.3 million as of December 31, 2021.

What upcoming trial is Iterum planning for oral sulopenem?

Iterum plans to start a Phase 3 trial for uUTI in the second half of 2022.

What challenges does Iterum face regarding Nasdaq compliance?

Iterum received a 180-day extension to regain compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement, due by September 5, 2022.

How have Iterum's research and development expenses changed?

R&D expenses increased to $10.7 million for the full year 2021, compared to $21.1 million in 2020.