Keros Therapeutics Reports Recent Business Highlights and Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Keros Therapeutics, Inc. (KROS) reported a net loss of $20.3 million for Q3 2021, up from $12.0 million in Q3 2020, primarily due to heightened research and development efforts. R&D expenses soared to $14.8 million, reflecting aggressive pipeline advancement. The company is progressing with a Phase 2 trial of KER-050 for myelodysplastic syndromes and has initiated a Phase 1 trial for KER-012. Keros has $221.3 million in cash, expected to support operations through Q4 2023. A clinical data update will be provided at the 63rd ASH Annual Meeting in December.

Positive

• Initiation of dosing for Cohort 4 in Phase 2 trial of KER-050.
• Entering a new lease for expanded headquarters to support growth.
• Strong cash position of $221.3 million expected to fund operations into Q4 2023.

Negative

• Net loss increased significantly by $8.3 million year-over-year.
• R&D expenses rose by $6.4 million due to expanded efforts and infrastructure expenses.

LEXINGTON, Mass., Nov. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Keros Therapeutics, Inc. (“Keros” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: KROS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel treatments for patients suffering from hematological and musculoskeletal disorders with high unmet medical need, today provided a business update and reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

“As we enter the last quarter of the year, we are approaching the conclusion of Part 1 of our Phase 2 clinical trial of KER-050 in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (“MDS”). In preparation for Part 2 of this trial, we are excited to bring on additional clinical sites to increase patient recruitment, and look forward to providing a clinical data update at the 63rd American Society of Hematology (“ASH”) Annual Meeting and Exposition held December 11 through 14,” said Jasbir S. Seehra, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. “As we look to the remainder of 2021 and into 2022, I am very excited by the potential of the company as we continue to advance and expand our pipeline across a wide range of serious hematological and musculoskeletal disorders.”

Recent Corporate Highlights:

• Entrance into lease for new headquarters: In September 2021, the Company announced that it entered into an indenture of lease with Revolution Labs Owner, LLC, pursuant to which the Company will lease approximately 35,662 square feet of office and laboratory space located at 1050 Waltham Street, Lexington, Massachusetts for its new principal executive office. The Company expects to move into its new headquarters in the fourth quarter of 2022.
  

Recent Program Highlights:

• KER-050 for the treatment of ineffective hematopoiesis to address cytopenias
  • Keros will present an abstract announcing additional preliminary results from Keros’ Phase 2 clinical trial of KER-050 in patients with very low-, low-, or intermediate-risk MDS at the 63rd ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition, to be held both in person and virtually from December 11 through 14, 2021.
  • Keros has initiated dosing for Cohort 4 of its Phase 2 clinical trial of KER-050 at 3.75 mg/kg of KER-050, to be administered once every four weeks for 12 weeks, following Safety Review Committee recommendation.
    
    
• KER-012 for the treatment of disorders associated with bone loss and for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension
  
  
  • In September 2021, the Company commenced a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-part Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate single and multiple ascending doses of KER-012 in healthy volunteers. Keros expects to report initial data from Part 1 of this trial in the first half of 2022 and additional data from Part 2 of this trial in the second half of 2022.

Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Keros reported a net loss of $20.3 million in the third quarter of 2021 as compared to a net loss of $12.0 million in the third quarter of 2020. The increase in net loss for the third quarter was largely due to increased research and development efforts as well as additional infrastructure expenses to support the achievement of Keros' corporate goals.

Research and development expenses were $14.8 million for the third quarter of 2021 as compared to $8.4 million for the same period in 2020. The increase of $6.4 million was primarily due to additional research and development efforts, manufacturing activities, and personnel expenses to support the advancement of Keros' pipeline.

General and administrative expenses were $5.4 million for the third quarter of 2021 as compared to $3.6 million for the same period in 2020. The increase of $1.8 million was primarily due to increase in personnel expenses and other external expenses to support Keros' organizational growth.

Keros’ cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2021 was $221.3 million compared to $265.9 million as of December 31, 2020. Keros expects that the cash and cash equivalents it had on hand at September 30, 2021 will fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into the fourth quarter of 2023.

About Keros Therapeutics, Inc.

Keros is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel treatments for patients suffering from hematologic and musculoskeletal disorders with high unmet medical need. Keros is a leader in understanding the role of the Transforming Growth Factor-Beta family of proteins, which are master regulators of red blood cell and platelet production as well as of the growth, repair and maintenance of muscle and bone. Keros’ lead protein therapeutic product candidate, KER-050, is being developed for the treatment of low blood cell counts, or cytopenias, including anemia and thrombocytopenia, in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and in patients with myelofibrosis. Keros’ lead small molecule product candidate, KER-047, is being developed for the treatment of anemia resulting from iron imbalance, as well as for the treatment of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. Keros’ third product candidate, KER-012, is being developed for the treatment of disorders associated with bone loss, such as osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta, and for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," “plans,” “potential,” "projects,” “would” and "future" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning: Keros’ expectations regarding its growth, strategy, progress and timing of its preclinical studies and clinical trials for KER-050, KER-047 and KER-012; the potential impact of COVID-19 on Keros’ ongoing and planned preclinical studies, clinical trials, business and operations; and Keros’ expected cash runway. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: Keros’ limited operating history and historical losses; Keros’ ability to raise additional funding to complete the development and any commercialization of its product candidates; Keros’ dependence on the success of its lead product candidates, KER-050 and KER-047; that Keros may be delayed in initiating, enrolling or completing any clinical trials; competition from third parties that are developing products for similar uses; Keros’ ability to obtain, maintain and protect its intellectual property; Keros’ dependence on third parties in connection with manufacturing, clinical trials and preclinical studies; and risks relating to the impact on Keros' business of the COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises.

These and other risks are described more fully in Keros’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on August 5, 2021, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, Keros undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

Investor Contact:

Mike Biega
mbiega@soleburytrout.com
617-921-966

KEROS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)

	THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,								NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
REVENUE:
License revenue	$	—			$	—			$	100			$	—
Total revenue	—				—				100				—
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Research and development	(14,832		)		(8,395		)		(36,310		)		(24,186		)
General and administrative	(5,365		)		(3,553		)		(15,297		)		(9,180		)
Total operating expenses	(20,197		)		(11,948		)		(51,607		)		(33,366		)
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	(20,197		)		(11,948		)		(51,507		)		(33,366		)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
Interest expense, net	(1		)		(2		)		(3		)		(5		)
Change in fair value of preferred stock tranche obligation	—				—				—				(1,490		)
Other income (expense), net	(137		)		(86		)		(282		)		4
Total other expense, net	(138		)		(88		)		(285		)		(1,491		)
Loss before income taxes	(20,335		)		(12,036		)		(51,792		)		(34,857		)
Income tax (provision) benefit	38				—				(12		)		172
Net loss	$	(20,297	)		$	(12,036	)		$	(51,804	)		$	(34,685	)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted	$	(20,297	)		$	(12,036	)		$	(51,804	)		$	(35,697	)
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted	$	(0.87	)		$	(0.60	)		$	(2.22	)		$	(2.65	)
Weighted-average common stock outstanding—basic and diluted	23,362,237				20,175,883				23,299,720				13,452,606

KEROS THERAPEUTICS, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)

	SEPTEMBER 30, 2021			DECEMBER 31, 2020
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	221,349			265,876
Accounts receivable	—			—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,725			1,850
Total current assets	226,074			267,726
Operating lease right-of-use assets	1,265			878
Property and equipment, net	1,295			724
Restricted cash	1,328			115
TOTAL ASSETS	229,962			269,443
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	2,811			2,149
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	843			423
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	7,361			4,612
Total current liabilities	11,015			7,184
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion	453			476
Other liabilities	16			62
Total liabilities	11,484			7,722
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share; 200,000,000 authorized as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively; 23,396,793 and 23,192,866 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively	2			2
Additional paid-in capital	335,291			326,730
Accumulated deficit	(116,815	)		(65,011	)
Total stockholders' equity	218,478			261,721
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	229,962			269,443

 

FAQ

What were Keros Therapeutics' Q3 financial results for 2021?

Keros reported a net loss of $20.3 million, an increase from $12.0 million in Q3 2020.

What is the current status of KER-050 clinical trials?

The company is nearing the end of Part 1 of its Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

When will Keros provide updates on its clinical trials?

Keros plans to present preliminary results at the 63rd ASH Annual Meeting from December 11-14, 2021.

How much cash does Keros have as of September 30, 2021?

Keros has $221.3 million in cash and cash equivalents.

What are the expectations for Keros' financial position moving forward?

The cash on hand is expected to support operations through Q4 2023.