Karuna Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results and Provides General Business Updates

Rhea-AI Summary

Karuna Therapeutics announces positive topline data from Phase 3 trial of KarXT in schizophrenia and provides general business update

Positive

• Karuna Therapeutics announces positive topline data from Phase 3 trial of KarXT in schizophrenia
• On track to submit New Drug Application (NDA) for KarXT in schizophrenia with the U.S. FDA in Q3 2023
• Launch of KarXT in schizophrenia expected in H2 2024, if approved
• Phase 3 trials of KarXT in psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease to initiate in H2 2023
• $1.5 billion in cash expected to fund operations through 2026

Negative

• None.

Announced positive topline data from the Phase 3 EMERGENT-3 trial of KarXT in schizophrenia in the first quarter of 2023

On track to submit New Drug Application (NDA) for KarXT in schizophrenia with the U.S. FDA in the third quarter of 2023, with a launch in the second half of 2024, if approved

Phase 3 ADEPT-2 and ADEPT-3 trials of KarXT in psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease to initiate in the second half of 2023

$1.5 billion in cash expected to fund operations through 2026

Conference call and webcast to take place today at 8:00 a.m. ET

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KRTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company driven to create and deliver transformative medicines for people living with psychiatric and neurological conditions, today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2023 and provided a general business update.

“We’ve had a very strong start to the year,” said Bill Meury, president and chief executive officer of Karuna Therapeutics. “We announced positive data from EMERGENT-3, our third consecutive registrational trial of KarXT in schizophrenia, which further reinforces KarXT’s potential to be a completely novel and differentiated treatment for people living with schizophrenia. On the regulatory front, we remain on track to submit our NDA mid-year – specifically the third quarter – following an encouraging pre-NDA meeting with the FDA last month. We’ve also made significant progress advancing EMERGENT-4 and 5, our Phase 3 open-label trials evaluating the long-term safety of KarXT in schizophrenia, which will provide valuable information for both the NDA and medical education pre- and post-launch, with data to share next year.”

“As we continue to build the infrastructure to support the potential commercialization of KarXT in schizophrenia, we maintain a sharp focus on the execution of our ARISE program evaluating KarXT as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia, with anticipated topline data from the Phase 3 ARISE trial in the second half of 2024, as we activate additional sites to support recruitment in the study. We remain on track for the ADEPT program evaluating KarXT in psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease and expect topline data from the Phase 3 ADEPT-1 & 2 trials in 2025,” Mr. Meury added. “Beyond KarXT, we continue to grow our pipeline both organically and inorganically, most notably with our exclusive global in-license agreement for TRPC4/5 inhibitors for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders announced in February, and we look forward to sharing next steps in the program later this year.”

KEY PIPELINE HIGHLIGHTS
Karuna is advancing a pipeline of novel drug candidates for the treatment of various psychiatric and neurological conditions led by KarXT (xanomeline-trospium), an oral, investigational M1/M4-preferring muscarinic agonist.

KarXT
KarXT is being evaluated in Phase 3 clinical trials as a potential treatment for schizophrenia as a monotherapy and adjunctive therapy, as well as for psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease.

• Schizophrenia
  • Announced positive results from the Phase 3 EMERGENT-3 trial in schizophrenia in the first quarter of 2023. The trial met its primary endpoint, with KarXT demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 8.4-point reduction in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score compared to placebo (-20.6 KarXT vs. -12.2 placebo; p<0.0001) at week 5. KarXT was generally well tolerated, with a side effect profile substantially consistent with prior trials of KarXT.
  • Additional data analyses from the EMERGENT-2 and EMERGENT-3 trials to be presented at upcoming medical congresses in the second quarter of 2023. Presentations will highlight additional new efficacy and safety data from EMERGENT-3 and data from the cognitive exploratory endpoint analyses from EMERGENT-2 and EMERGENT-3.
  • Topline data from the EMERGENT-4 and EMERGENT-5 trials evaluating the long-term safety of KarXT in schizophrenia are anticipated in 2024. EMERGENT-4 completed enrollment in the fourth quarter of 2022, and EMERGENT-5 is estimated to complete enrollment in the second quarter of 2023.
  • The Phase 1b trial evaluating the effect of KarXT on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure in adults with schizophrenia initiated in the second quarter of 2023. Topline data from the trial is expected in the fourth quarter of 2023.
  • The Company remains on track to submit an NDA for KarXT in schizophrenia with the FDA in the third quarter of 2023 following the completion of a pre-NDA meeting in the second quarter of 2023.
• Adjunctive treatment in schizophrenia
  • The Company now anticipates topline data from the Phase 3 ARISE trial in the second half of 2024. The Company is increasing the number of sites in the trial, including additional clinical trial sites in Europe, to support recruitment.
• Psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease
  • Topline data from the Phase 3 ADEPT-1 trial is anticipated in 2025.
  • The Company is on track to initiate the Phase 3 ADEPT-2 and ADEPT-3 trials in the second half of 2023. Topline data from the Phase 3 ADEPT-2 trial is anticipated in 2025.

Early-stage and discovery programs
The Karuna pipeline also includes clinical-stage candidate KAR-2618, a TRPC4/5 inhibitor for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, as well as pre-clinical muscarinic, TRPC4/5, and target-agnostic compounds for the treatment of psychiatric and neurological conditions.

• Announced exclusive global license of TRPC4/5 inhibitors, including lead clinical-stage candidate KAR-2618, in the first quarter of 2023. The Company plans to share next steps on the development of KAR-2618 for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders in the second half of 2023.

ANTICIPATED UPCOMING MILESTONES

• NDA submission of KarXT in schizophrenia (3Q 2023)
• Initiation of the Phase 3 ADEPT-2 trial (2H 2023)
• Initiation of the Phase 3 ADEPT-3 trial (2H 2023)
• Topline data from the Phase 3 EMERGENT-4 trial (2024)
• Topline data from the Phase 3 EMERGENT-5 trial (2024)
• Launch of KarXT in schizophrenia, if approved (2H 2024)
• Topline data from the Phase 3 ARISE trial (2H 2024)
• Topline data from the Phase 3 ADEPT-1 trial (2025)
• Topline data from the Phase 3 ADEPT-2 trial (2025)

FIRST QUARTER 2023 FINANCIAL RESULTS
The Company reported a net loss of $97.6 million for the first quarter of 2023, as compared to $58.2 million for the prior year period. The increase in net loss for the quarter was primarily attributable to higher operating expenses of $109.7 million compared to $58.6 million for the prior year period, driven by expenses related to the EMERGENT, ARISE and ADEPT clinical programs, NDA-supporting activities, the $15.0 million upfront license payment for Goldfinch Bio’s TRPC4/5 channel candidates, increased employee headcount across the organization, and higher stock-based compensation expense. Operating expenses were slightly offset by higher interest income driven by the increase in cash equivalents and short-term investments, as well as higher interest rates. The Company recognized licensing revenue of $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2023 associated with sales of clinical drug supply to Zai Lab (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. No license revenue was recognized for the prior year period.

Research and development expenses were $85.5 million for the first quarter of 2023, as compared to $43.8 million for the prior year period. The increase in research and development expenses for the quarter was primarily driven by the EMERGENT, ARISE and ADEPT clinical programs, NDA-supporting activities, the upfront license payment for Goldfinch Bio’s TRPC4/5 channel candidates, personnel-related costs due to the increase in employee headcount, and higher stock-based compensation expense.

General and administrative expenses were $24.3 million for the first quarter of 2023, as compared to $14.8 million for the prior year period. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the quarter was primarily driven by an increase in pre-commercialization activities, professional fees, employee headcount, and higher stock-based compensation expense.

The Company ended the quarter with $1.5 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and available-for-sale investment securities compared to $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2022. The increase was primarily the result of the completion of the Company’s follow-on public offering in March 2023, which resulted in net proceeds of $436.7 million. The Company expects that current cash, cash equivalents, and available-for-sale investment securities as of March 31, 2023 will enable the Company to fund its operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements through the end of 2026.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST DETAILS
The first quarter 2023 financial results and business update will be discussed during a conference call and webcast today at 8:00 a.m. ET. A webcast of the live call may be accessed on the Investors section of the Karuna website at investors.karunatx.com. A replay of the webcast will be available for up to 30 days following the event.

About Karuna Therapeutics
Karuna Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company driven to create and deliver transformative medicines for people living with psychiatric and neurological conditions. At Karuna, we understand there is a need for differentiated and more effective treatments that can help patients navigate the challenges presented by these severe and disabling disorders. Utilizing our extensive knowledge of neuroscience, we are harnessing the untapped potential of the brain in pursuit of novel pathways to develop medicines that make meaningful differences in peoples’ lives. For more information, please visit www.karunatx.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding our expectations about the timing of our ongoing and planned clinical trials and regulatory filings, our goals to develop and commercialize our product candidates, our liquidity and capital resources and other statements identified by words such as “could,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. Forward looking statements are not promises or guarantees of future performance, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. These factors include risks related to our limited operating history, our ability to obtain necessary funding, our ability to generate positive clinical trial results for our product candidates and other risks inherent in clinical development, the timing and scope of regulatory approvals, changes in laws and regulations to which we are subject, competitive pressures, our ability to identify additional product candidates, risks relating to business interruptions resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and other risks set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and in our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our actual results could differ materially from the results described in or implied by such forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements.

 

Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2023			2022
License and other revenue	$	654		$	—
Operating expenses:
Research and development		85,467			43,806
General and administrative		24,253			14,788
Total operating expenses		109,720			58,594
Loss from operations		(109,066	)		(58,594	)
Other income, net:
Interest income		11,345			237
Sublease income		147			139
Total other income, net		11,492			376
Net loss before income taxes		(97,574	)		(58,218	)
Income tax provision		—			—
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(97,574	)	$	(58,218	)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted	$	(2.80	)	$	(1.95	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted		34,800,643			29,805,961

 

Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (in thousands)
		March 31, 2023				December 31, 2022
Cash, cash equivalents and investments		$	1,474,454			$	1,124,044
Working capital			1,482,522				1,120,823
Total assets			1,516,168				1,163,334
Total stockholders’ equity		$	1,488,135			$	1,126,238

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230504005451/en/

Investors:

Alexis Smith

+1 (518) 338-8990

asmith@karunatx.com

Media:

Bob Josefsberg

+1 (646) 734-3584

bjosefsberg@karunatx.com

Source: Karuna Therapeutics, Inc.

FAQ

What is the latest update from Karuna Therapeutics?

Karuna Therapeutics announced positive topline data from the Phase 3 trial of KarXT in schizophrenia.

When does Karuna Therapeutics plan to submit the NDA for KarXT in schizophrenia?

Karuna Therapeutics plans to submit the NDA for KarXT in schizophrenia in Q3 2023.

When is the expected launch of KarXT in schizophrenia?

The expected launch of KarXT in schizophrenia is in H2 2024, if approved.

What are the upcoming milestones for Karuna Therapeutics?

The upcoming milestones include initiation of Phase 3 trials of KarXT in psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease in H2 2023 and topline data from the Phase 3 ADEPT-1 trial in 2025.

How much cash does Karuna Therapeutics have?

Karuna Therapeutics has $1.5 billion in cash, expected to fund operations through 2026.