Metacrine Reports Third-Quarter 2021 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Metacrine, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical firm, released its Q3 2021 financial results on November 11, 2021. The company has decided to halt the FXR program in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) due to high capital demands, redirecting focus to advancing MET642 into Phase 2 trials for ulcerative colitis. While MET642 showed promising interim results in reducing liver fat, the net loss for Q3 was $18.3 million, up from $9.1 million year-over-year. Cash reserves stand at $61.7 million, sufficient for upcoming clinical developments.

Positive

• MET642 demonstrated significant liver fat reduction: 26.9% in the 3 mg cohort and 9.3% in the 6 mg cohort.
• The company is reallocating resources to prioritize MET642 for ulcerative colitis Phase 2 trials.

Negative

• Net loss increased to $18.3 million in Q3 2021, compared to $9.1 million in Q3 2020.
• Halting the FXR program in NASH may impact long-term growth potential.

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Metacrine, Inc. (NASDAQ:MTCR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering differentiated therapies for patients with gastrointestinal and liver diseases, today reported its third-quarter 2021 financial results.

“Our recent monotherapy and combination trial results demonstrate the strong therapeutic profile of our FXR program in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), while also highlighting the potential of these agents as an important part of combination therapy,” said Preston Klassen, M.D., MHS, CEO, Metacrine. “Primarily because of the significant capital required to continue advancing our product candidates, we’ve halted future clinical development of our FXR program in NASH and will focus our financial resources and clinical development effort on moving MET642 into a Phase 2 trial in ulcerative colitis in the first half of 2022. In addition, we continue to advance our HSD discovery program as an exciting target in NASH and other liver diseases.”

Recent Clinical Development Milestones & Outlook

• A strategic re-prioritization of the Company’s clinical development programs – After a rigorous assessment of its NASH and inflammatory bowel disease programs, including the significant capital required to progress these large clinical development programs, the Company recently announced it is prioritizing its financial resources and clinical development effort to advance MET642 into a Phase 2 trial in ulcerative colitis in the first half of 2022. Metacrine has halted future development of its FXR program in NASH.
• MET642 Phase 2a monotherapy trial interim results – Metacrine reported interim results from its Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of MET642 in approximately 60 NASH patients after 16 weeks of treatment. MET642 lowered liver fat content, with mean relative reductions of 26.9±27.8 percent in the 3 mg cohort and 9.3±55.8 percent in the 6 mg cohort, compared with 7.5±21.0 percent in the placebo arm. MET642 was generally well-tolerated, with no treatment-related serious adverse events (AEs). Mild-moderate pruritus was reported in one patient in the 3 mg cohort and one patient in the 6 mg cohort. No pruritus-related treatment discontinuations occurred. The Company expects to report completed topline study results in the first half of 2022.
• MET409 Phase 2a combination trial results – Metacrine reported topline results from its Phase 2a trial evaluating MET409 in combination with empagliflozin (Jardiance^®), a sodium-glucose cotransport-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, in patients with type 2 diabetes and NASH. All regimens had favorable safety profiles and were generally well-tolerated, with no treatment-related serious AEs. Mild-moderate pruritus was reported in 0%-6% of patients across all groups. No pruritus-related treatment discontinuations occurred in any of the cohorts. Secondary assessment of liver fat content at 12 weeks indicated reduction in liver fat, as measured by MRI-PDFF, in both monotherapy arms and demonstrated additive effects in the combination regimen.
  

Third-Quarter 2021 Financial Results

• Cash Balance – Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $61.7 million as of September 30, 2021.
• R&D Expenses – Research and development expenses were $14.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $6.2 million for the prior-year period. The increase was primarily driven by higher clinical development costs related to the advancement of the Company’s MET409 and MET642 programs.
• G&A Expenses – General and administrative expenses were $4.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $2.7 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase was attributable to higher employee-related costs and expenses associated with operating as a publicly traded company.
• Net Loss – Net loss was $18.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, as compared to $9.1 million for prior-year quarter.

About Metacrine

Metacrine, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company building a pipeline of differentiated therapies to treat gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Metacrine has developed a proprietary farnesoid X receptor (FXR) platform utilizing a unique chemical scaffold. To learn more, visit www.metacrine.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about the design, progress, timing, scope and results of clinical trials; the anticipated timing of disclosure of results of clinical trials; plans for initiating future clinical trials and studies; statements regarding the therapeutic potential of MET409 and MET642; and plans for advancing the clinical development of Metacrine’s FXR program. Words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “plan,” “aim,” “projected,” “likely,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “potential,” “prepare,” “perceived,” “believes” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Metacrine’s expectations and assumptions that may never materialize or prove to be incorrect. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: risks and uncertainties regarding regulatory approvals for MET409 or MET642; potential delays in initiating, enrolling or completing any clinical trials; potential adverse side effects or other safety risks associated with Metacrine’s product candidates; competition from third parties that are developing products for similar uses; and Metacrine’s ability to obtain, maintain and protect its intellectual property. Information regarding the foregoing and additional risks may be found in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Metacrine’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 12, 2021, and in Metacrine’s other filings with the SEC. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except as required by law, Metacrine assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.

Metacrine, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(In thousands)
	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,								September 30,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
Operating expenses:
Research and development	$	14,072			$	6,217			$	36,297			$	19,973
General and administrative		4,007				2,693				11,695				6,087
Total operating expenses		18,079				8,910				47,992				26,060
Loss from operations		(18,079	)			(8,910	)			(47,992	)			(26,060	)
Total other income (expense)		(249	)			(144	)			(689	)			(428	)
Net loss	$	(18,328	)		$	(9,054	)		$	(48,681	)		$	(26,488	)

Metacrine, Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
	September 30,				December 31,
		2021				2020
Assets
Current assets:
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments	$	61,728			$	96,176
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		3,852				5,847
Total current assets		65,580				102,023
Property and equipment, net		415				634
Operating lease right-of-use asset		1,077				1,579
Other non-current assets		438				-
Total assets	$	67,510			$	104,236
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	323			$	334
Accrued and other current liabilities		9,574				3,692
Current portion of long-term debt		459				-
Total current liabilities		10,356				4,026
Long-term debt, net of debt discount		9,106				9,372
Other long-term liabilities		926				1,559
Stockholders’ equity		47,122				89,279
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	67,510			$	104,236

FAQ

What were Metacrine's third-quarter 2021 financial results?

Metacrine reported a net loss of $18.3 million for Q3 2021, up from $9.1 million in the same quarter last year.

What is the status of Metacrine's FXR program for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)?

Metacrine has halted future development of its FXR program in NASH due to high capital requirements.

What are the interim results for MET642 in NASH patients?

In the Phase 2a trial, MET642 showed a mean liver fat reduction of 26.9% in the 3 mg cohort after 16 weeks.

What is the cash balance for Metacrine as of September 30, 2021?

Metacrine reported cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $61.7 million.

What clinical trial is Metacrine focusing on moving forward?

Metacrine is prioritizing the advancement of MET642 into a Phase 2 trial for ulcerative colitis in the first half of 2022.