Monopar Therapeutics Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Recent Program Developments

Rhea-AI Summary

Monopar Therapeutics (MNPR) reported first-quarter 2022 financial results, posting a net loss of $2.5 million, or $0.19 per share, compared to $1.9 million, or $0.16 per share in Q1 2021. Cash and equivalents stand at $17.8 million, expected to fund ongoing clinical trials through at least June 2023. The company is actively enrolling patients in its Phase 2b/3 VOICE trial and advancing its camsirubicin Phase 1b dose-escalation trial, which has shown early signs of clinical benefit.

Positive

• Early signs of clinical benefit observed with camsirubicin.
• Phase 2b/3 VOICE trial continuing to enroll patients.
• Cash reserves of $17.8 million expected to fund operations through June 2023.

Negative

• Net loss increased to $2.5 million in Q1 2022 from $1.9 million in Q1 2021.
• R&D expenses rose to $1.68 million, indicating higher costs without immediate revenue generation.

Validive^® Phase 2b/3 VOICE Trial Continues Enrolling Patients Toward Interim
Camsirubicin Phase 1b Dose-Escalation Trial Clears 3^rd Dose Level, Now Enrolling 4^th

WILMETTE, Ill., May 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monopar Therapeutics Inc. (Monopar or the Company) (Nasdaq: MNPR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing proprietary therapeutics designed to extend life or improve the quality of life for cancer patients, today announced first quarter 2022 financial results and summarized recent program developments.

Recent Program Developments

Validive – International Phase 2b/3 VOICE Clinical Trial, Actively Recruiting

• The VOICE trial continues to enroll patients and add additional clinical sites, with the interim analysis anticipated to occur in 2H-2022.
  

Camsirubicin – Phase 1b Dose-Escalation Trial, Actively Recruiting

• Monopar has cleared the third dose-level and is currently enrolling the fourth dose-level cohort. The fourth dose-level is approximately double the highest dose of camsirubicin ever tested in a prior trial.
  
• Early signs of clinical benefit have been observed with camsirubicin in this Phase 1b trial.
  

MNPR-101 Radioimmunotherapeutic (“RIT”)

• Monopar is currently evaluating pathways to initiate a first-in-human study with the MNPR-101-PCTA radioimmunotherapeutic/radiodiagnostic candidate that Monopar generated with its partner NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes, LLC.
  

MNPR-202

• Monopar’s collaborator, the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore at the National University of Singapore, is testing MNPR-202 in preclinical cancer models and the Company is awaiting initial results.
  

Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2022, Compared to the First Quarter Ended
March 31, 2021

Cash and Net Loss

Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2022 were $17.8 million. Monopar anticipates that its current cash and cash equivalents will fund: the Phase 2b portion of the VOICE clinical trial; the commencement of the Phase 3 portion of the VOICE clinical trial; and the Phase 1b camsirubicin clinical trial through at least June 2023. The Company plans to raise additional funds and/or engage a partner within the next 12 months to complete the VOICE clinical program and continue camsirubicin clinical development through and beyond the ongoing open-label, dose escalation Phase 1b clinical trial. 

Net loss for the first quarter of 2022 was $2.5 million or $0.19 per share compared to net loss of $1.9 million or $0.16 per share for the first quarter of 2021.

Research and Development (R&D) Expenses

R&D expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $1,678,000, compared to $1,207,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase of $471,000 is attributed to (1) an increase of $244,000 in Validive clinical trial-related and clinical material manufacturing-related expenses, (2) an increase of $193,000 in R&D personnel expenses and (3) a $34,000 net increase of other R&D expenses.

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses

G&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $779,000, compared to $688,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase of $91,000 is primarily attributed to an increase in G&A personnel expenses.

About Monopar Therapeutics

Monopar Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing proprietary therapeutics designed to extend life or improve the quality of life for cancer patients. The Company's pipeline consists of Validive for the prevention of chemoradiotherapy-induced severe oral mucositis in oropharyngeal cancer patients; camsirubicin for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma; a late-stage preclinical antibody, MNPR-101, for advanced cancers and severe COVID-19; and an early-stage camsirubicin analog, MNPR-202, for various cancers. For more information, and links to SEC filings that contain detailed financial information, visit: https://ir.monopartx.com/quarterly-reports

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. The words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “target” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Examples of these forward-looking statements include statements concerning: Monopar’s plans to continue to enroll patients and add additional Validive clinical sites; that the VOICE trial is on track for reaching interim in 2H-2022; and that Monopar anticipates its current cash and cash equivalents will fund the Phase 2b portion of the VOICE clinical trial, the commencement of the Phase 3 portion of the VOICE clinical trial, and the Phase 1b camsirubicin clinical trial at least through June 2023. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to: not successfully recruiting patients and opening additional clinical trial sites for the VOICE clinical trial or the camsirubicin Phase 1b clinical trial within expected timeframes, if at all; the Company’s inability to raise sufficient funds or engage a partner to complete the Phase 3 portion of the VOICE clinical trial and continue the camsirubicin clinical program through and beyond the Phase 1b clinical trial; whether early signs of clinical benefit observed with camsirubicin in this Phase 1b trial will continue; and the significant general risks and uncertainties surrounding the research, development, regulatory approval, and commercialization of therapeutics. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks are described more fully in Monopar's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Monopar undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent Monopar’s views only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date.

Contact

Kim R. Tsuchimoto
Chief Financial Officer
kimtsu@monopartx.com

Follow Monopar on social media for updates: 
@MonoparTx
Monopar Therapeutics

FAQ

What are the latest financial results for Monopar Therapeutics (MNPR)?

Monopar reported a net loss of $2.5 million for Q1 2022, compared to $1.9 million in Q1 2021.

What developments are happening in the VOICE trial for MNPR?

The VOICE trial is actively enrolling patients, with an interim analysis expected in the second half of 2022.

What is the current cash position of Monopar Therapeutics (MNPR)?

As of March 31, 2022, Monopar has $17.8 million in cash and cash equivalents.

How is the camsirubicin trial progressing for Monopar (MNPR)?

The camsirubicin Phase 1b trial has cleared the third dose level and is now enrolling at the fourth dose level, showing early clinical benefit.