KALA BIO Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

Rhea-AI Summary

KALA BIO reported Q3 2024 financial results and provided updates on its Phase 2b CHASE trial of KPI-012 for Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defect (PCED). The company reported cash and equivalents of $49.2 million as of September 30, 2024, expecting to fund operations into Q4 2025. Q3 net loss was $9.0 million ($1.93 per share), compared to $8.7 million in Q3 2023. The company initiated five clinical trial sites in Argentina and expects topline results from the CHASE trial in Q2 2025. KPI-012 aims to be a first-in-class treatment for PCED, targeting an estimated U.S. market of 100,000 patients.

Positive

• Cash position of $49.2 million sufficient to fund operations into Q4 2025
• Reduction in G&A expenses to $4.4 million from $5.0 million YoY
• Expansion of clinical trial sites to Argentina

Negative

• Net loss increased to $9.0 million in Q3 2024 from $8.7 million in Q3 2023
• R&D expenses increased to $16.8 million for nine months vs $13.9 million YoY
• Operating loss increased to $31.5 million for nine months vs $30.0 million YoY

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q3 results reveal concerning financial metrics for KALA BIO. The company reported a $9.0 million net loss ($1.93 per share), with cash reserves declining to $49.2 million from $54.2 million in Q2. While R&D expenses decreased slightly to $5.2 million, the operating loss widened to $10.0 million compared to $8.8 million in the same period last year.

The current cash runway extends into Q4 2025, which provides some breathing room for the Phase 2b CHASE trial results expected in Q2 2025. However, with a small market cap of $32.9 million and increasing losses, additional funding may be needed, potentially leading to dilution. The 43% reduction in loss per share year-over-year is primarily due to an increased share count rather than operational improvements.

Medical Research Analyst

The CHASE trial for KPI-012 represents a significant opportunity in the PCED market, targeting an estimated 100,000 patients in the U.S. with no FDA-approved broad-spectrum treatments available. The expansion to Argentina clinical sites and potential positioning as the first of two pivotal trials for BLA submission is strategically sound.

The company's MSC-S platform shows promise beyond PCED, with potential applications in LSCD and inherited retinal diseases through KPI-014. However, the extended timeline to topline results in Q2 2025 means a considerable wait before efficacy validation. The gene-agnostic approach for retinal diseases could provide a competitive advantage, but it's still in preclinical stages, making it a longer-term value proposition.

-- Ongoing patient enrollment in Phase 2b CHASE trial of KPI-012 in Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defect (PCED); topline results expected in 2Q 2025 --

-- Initiated five clinical trial sites for the CHASE trial in Argentina; additional sites in Latin America in process, subject to regulatory clearance --

ARLINGTON, Mass., Nov. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KALA BIO, Inc. (NASDAQ:KALA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for rare and severe diseases of the eye, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024 and provided a corporate update.

“We remain focused on advancing patient enrollment in our Phase 2b CHASE trial evaluating KPI-012 for the treatment of PCED and are targeting topline results in the second quarter of 2025,” said Mark Iwicki, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of KALA BIO. “We believe KPI-012 has the potential to be a first-in-class treatment for PCED with the potential to address all underlying etiologies of this debilitating condition and provide a treatment option for a broad population of PCED patients. If successful, this trial may serve as the first of two pivotal trials in support of a BLA submission that could potentially revolutionize treatment options for patients with PCED.”

Third Quarter and Recent Business Highlights:

KALA’s innovative pipeline is based on its proprietary mesenchymal stem cell secretome (MSC-S) platform. KALA believes the multifactorial mechanism of action of its MSC-S platform technology may enable it to generate product candidates for a range of ocular orphan diseases and is evaluating the potential development of this technology for multiple rare, front- and back-of-the-eye diseases.

KALA’s lead product candidate, KPI-012 contains growth factors, protease inhibitors, matrix proteins and neurotrophic factors to potentially correct the impaired corneal healing that is an underlying etiology of multiple severe ocular diseases.

KALA is initially developing KPI-012 for the treatment of PCED, a persistent, non-healing corneal defect or wound that is refractory to conventional treatments which, if left untreated, can lead to significant complications, including infection, corneal perforation/scarring and vision loss. PCED has an estimated incidence of approximately 100,000 patients in the U.S., representing a potentially sizeable market opportunity as there are currently no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved prescription products with a broad indication covering all underlying etiologies of PCED.

• KALA continues to enroll patients in the CHASE (Corneal Healing After SEcretome therapy) Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating KPI-012 for the treatment of PCED and plans to report topline data in the second quarter of 2025. The Company has also initiated five clinical trial sites in Argentina with initiation of additional sites in Latin America in progress, subject to regulatory clearance. Contingent on positive results and subject to discussion with regulatory authorities, the Company believes the CHASE Phase 2b trial could potentially serve as the first of two pivotal studies required to support the submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the FDA.
• KALA is also exploring the potential of KPI-012 for additional rare, front-of-the-eye diseases, including Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD) and other corneal diseases. LSCD is characterized by the loss or deficiency of limbal epithelial stem cells, which can result in recurrent epithelial breakdown, conjunctivalization, inflammation, neovascularization and other sequalae that can lead to significant symptomology and a loss of corneal clarity and vision impairment. Like PCED, LSCD represents a potentially substantial market opportunity, with an estimated incidence of 100,000 patients in the U.S.

KPI-014, KALA’s preclinical program to evaluate the utility of its MSC-S platform for inherited retinal degenerative diseases, contains neurotrophic factors, growth factors, anti-inflammatory or immune-modulatory factors and antioxidant inhibitors with the potential to protect and preserve retinal cell function. Secretomes have demonstrated a neuroprotective effect in both in vitro and in vivo models of retinal degeneration. KALA believes KPI-014 could offer a gene-agnostic approach for the treatment of rare inherited retinal diseases and has initiated preclinical studies to evaluate the utility of KPI-014 for conditions such as Retinitis Pigmentosa and Stargardt Disease.

Financial Results:

Cash Position: As of September 30, 2024, KALA had cash and cash equivalents of $49.2 million, compared to $54.2 million as of June 30, 2024. This decrease reflects cash used in operations, partially offset by the $3.2 million of funds received under the CIRM award in August 2024. Based on its current plans, KALA anticipates that its cash resources as of September 30, 2024, and anticipated additional funding under the CIRM award, will enable it to fund operations into the fourth quarter of 2025.

Financial Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024:

• G&A Expenses: For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, general and administrative (G&A) expenses were $4.4 million, compared to $5.0 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in stock-based compensation and employee-related costs.
• R&D Expenses: For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, research and development (R&D) expenses were $5.2 million, compared to $5.6 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to the timing of manufacturing costs related to KPI-012 development.
• Loss / (Gain) on Fair Value Remeasurement of Contingent Consideration: For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the loss on fair value remeasurement of contingent consideration, in connection with the acquisition of Combangio, was $0.4 million, compared to a gain of $1.7 million for the same period in 2023, primarily due to changes in discount rates, the passage of time and changes in the expected timing of payment.
• Operating Loss: For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, loss from operations was $10.0 million, compared to $8.8 million for the same period in 2023.
• Net Loss: For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, net loss was $9.0 million, or $1.93 per share, compared to a net loss of $8.7 million, or $3.41 per share, for the same period in 2023. The weighted average number of shares used to calculate net loss per share was 4.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 and 2.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.
  

Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024:

• G&A Expenses: For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, G&A expenses were $14.1 million, compared to $15.9 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in administrative and professional service fees and in employee-related costs.
• R&D Expenses: For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, R&D expenses were $16.8 million, compared to $13.9 million for the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily related to an increase in KPI-012 development costs, as we advance the clinical development of KPI-012, an increase in employee-related costs and an increase in other research and development costs.
• Gain on Fair Value Remeasurement of Deferred Purchase Consideration: For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, there was no gain or loss on fair value remeasurement of deferred purchase consideration due to the final settlement of the liability in March 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the gain on fair value remeasurement of deferred purchase consideration was $0.2 million.
• Loss on Fair Value Remeasurement of Contingent Consideration: For each of the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the loss on fair value remeasurement of continent consideration, in connection with the Combangio acquisition, was $0.5 million, primarily due to changes in discount rates, the passage of time and changes in the expected timing and probability of payment.
• Operating Loss: For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, loss from operations was $31.5 million, compared to a loss of $30.0 million for the same period in 2023.
• Net Loss: For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net loss was $30.3 million, or $8.68 per share, compared to a net loss of $33.6 million, or $14.36 per share, for the same period in 2023. The weighted average number of shares used to calculate net loss per share was 3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

About KALA BIO, Inc.

KALA is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for rare and severe diseases of the eye. KALA’s biologics-based investigational therapies utilize KALA’s proprietary mesenchymal stem cell secretome (MSC-S) platform. KALA’s lead product candidate, KPI-012, is a human MSC-S, which contains numerous human-derived biofactors, such as growth factors, protease inhibitors, matrix proteins and neurotrophic factors that can potentially correct the impaired corneal healing that is an underlying etiology of multiple severe ocular diseases. KPI-012 is currently in clinical development for the treatment of persistent corneal epithelial defect (PCED), a rare disease of impaired corneal healing, for which it has received Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. KALA is also targeting the potential development of KPI-012 for the treatment of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency and other rare corneal diseases that threaten vision and has initiated preclinical studies to evaluate the potential utility of its MSC-S platform for retinal degenerative diseases, such as Retinitis Pigmentosa and Stargardt Disease. For more information on KALA, please visit www.kalarx.com.

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. Any statements in this press release about KALA’s future expectations, plans and prospects, including but not limited to statements about KALA’s expectations with respect to potential advantages of KPI-012 and its MSC-S platform; the clinical utility of KPI-012 for PCED; anticipated timelines to report topline data for the CHASE Phase 2b clinical trial of KPI-012; KALA’s belief that the Chase Phase 2b trial could serve as the first of two pivotal trials required to support the submission of a BLA to the FDA; KALA’s plans to pursue research and development of KPI-012 and its MSC-S platform for other indications; expectations about the potential benefits and future operation of the CIRM award; KALA’s ability to achieve the specified milestones and obtain the full funding under the CIRM award; the sufficiency of KALA’s existing cash resources for the period anticipated; and other statements containing the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: KALA’s ability to comply with the requirements under the CIRM award; uncertainties inherent in the initiation and conduct of preclinical studies and clinical trials; uncertainties regarding availability and timing of data from clinical trials; whether results of early clinical trials or trials in different disease indications will be indicative of the results of ongoing or future trials; whether results of the Phase 1b clinical trial of KPI-012 will be indicative of results for any future clinical trials and studies of KPI-012, including the CHASE Phase 2b clinical trial; whether interim data from a clinical trial will be predictive of the results of the trial; uncertainties associated with regulatory review of clinical trials and applications for marketing approvals; KALA’s ability to retain and hire key personnel; KALA’s ability to comply with the covenants under its loan agreement, including the requirement that its common stock continue to be listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market; the sufficiency of cash resources and need for additional financing and other important factors, any of which could cause KALA’s actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of KALA’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other filings KALA makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent KALA’s views as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as representing KALA’s views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. KALA does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Financial Tables:

KALA BIO, Inc. Balance Sheet Data (in thousands) (unaudited)
	September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
Cash and cash equivalents	$	49,202		$	50,895
Total assets		54,079			55,949
Working capital (1)		27,412			44,524
Current portion of long-term debt		17,977			—
Long-term debt, net of discounts		17,162			34,190
Other long-term liabilities		6,191			5,909
Total stockholders’ equity		6,859			7,504

(1) The Company defines working capital as current assets less current liabilities. See the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further information regarding its current assets and current liabilities.

KALA BIO, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Operations (In thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Costs and expenses:
General and administrative	$	4,400			$	4,952			$	14,139			$	15,944
Research and development		5,168				5,554				16,836				13,868
Gain on fair value remeasurement of deferred purchase consideration		—				—				—				(230	)
Loss (gain) on fair value remeasurement of contingent consideration		420				(1,744	)			549				462
Total costs and expenses		9,988				8,762				31,524				30,044
Loss from operations		(9,988	)			(8,762	)			(31,524	)			(30,044	)
Other income (expense):
Interest income		570				708				1,578				2,101
Interest expense		(1,478	)			(1,459	)			(4,391	)			(4,346	)
Grant income		1,946				2,970				4,001				2,970
Other expense, net		—				(2,161	)			—				(4,253	)
Total other income (expense)		1,038				(58	)			1,188				(3,528	)
Net loss	$	(8,950	)		$	(8,704	)		$	(30,336	)		$	(33,572	)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted	$	(1.93	)		$	(3.41	)		$	(8.68	)		$	(14.36	)
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic and diluted		4,627,578				2,550,210				3,494,339				2,337,492

Investor Contact:
Taylor Steiner
taylor.steiner@precisionaq.com
212-362-1200

FAQ

What are the Q3 2024 financial results for KALA stock?

KALA reported a net loss of $9.0 million ($1.93 per share) in Q3 2024, with cash and equivalents of $49.2 million as of September 30, 2024.

When will KALA's Phase 2b CHASE trial results be released?

KALA expects to report topline results from the Phase 2b CHASE trial in the second quarter of 2025.

What is the market potential for KALA's KPI-012 PCED treatment?

The estimated U.S. market for PCED treatment includes approximately 100,000 patients, with no current FDA-approved prescription products covering all underlying etiologies.

How long will KALA's current cash position last?

KALA expects its current cash position of $49.2 million to fund operations into the fourth quarter of 2025.