Molecular Templates, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Corporate Update
Molecular Templates (Nasdaq: MTEM) reported its first-quarter 2024 financial results. The company presented promising clinical data for MT-6402 at the AACR Annual Meeting, showing a tolerable safety profile and efficacy in relapsed/refractory HNSCC patients. Financially, MTEM had a net income of $0.6M, or $0.11 per basic share, a significant drop from $10.8M in the same period last year. Revenue declined to $11.1M from $36.6M. R&D expenses decreased to $7.4M from $19.0M, and G&A expenses fell to $3.7M from $5.8M. Cash and cash equivalents were $6.8M as of March 31, 2024. The company completed a $9.5M financing in April and expects to sustain operations into Q4 2024.
- MT-6402 clinical data showed promising efficacy and tolerable safety in relapsed/refractory HNSCC patients.
- MT-6402 monotherapy showed partial response in 2 out of 7 heavily pretreated patients with ongoing responses at 10 and 20 months.
- MTEM completed a $9.5M financing in April 2024.
- R&D expenses reduced to $7.4M from $19.0M YoY, indicating cost control.
- G&A expenses decreased to $3.7M from $5.8M YoY.
- Net income of $0.6M, indicating profitability despite lower revenues.
- Revenue dropped significantly to $11.1M from $36.6M YoY.
- Net income plummeted to $0.6M from $10.8M YoY.
- Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $6.8M from $11.5M.
- Total liabilities remain high at $21.2M, compared to $31.1M previously.
- Continued dependence on financing, with a recent $9.5M raise.
Insights
The first quarter financial results for Molecular Templates, Inc. show a significant decline in both revenue and net income compared to the same period in 2023. Revenues dropped from
On the expense side, both research and development (R&D) and general and administrative expenses have decreased, which appears to be in response to the lower revenue. R&D expenses dropped from
Despite the lower revenues, the company still reported a small net income of
Molecular Templates has cash and cash equivalents totaling
In summary, while the company has managed to remain profitable within the quarter, the sharp decline in revenue and limited cash reserves pose risks that shareholders and potential investors need to monitor closely. The company must secure additional financing or significantly increase revenue to ensure long-term viability.
The clinical data presented at the 2024 AACR Annual Meeting showcases MT-6402 and its efficacy in relapsed/refractory head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Notably, 2 out of 7 patients achieved a partial response (PR) and 4 patients had stable disease (SD) with tumor reduction in two cases. These results are promising, given the heavily pretreated status of the patients, which includes prior checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
The ongoing expansion cohort for MT-6402 aims to provide more robust data by year-end, which could significantly impact the therapeutic landscape for HNSCC if the results remain positive. Additionally, the enrollment of a second cohort targeting solid tumor patients with high PD-L1 expression further underscores the potential versatility of MT-6402.
Meanwhile, the MT-8421 Phase 1 dose escalation trial continues to show a unique pharmacodynamic profile, particularly in the depletion of T regulatory cells (Tregs) in both peripheral blood and the tumor microenvironment (TME). This mechanism could offer a novel approach to enhancing immune response against tumors.
For stakeholders, these clinical advancements are encouraging and may translate into future revenue streams if the therapies progress successfully through clinical trials and obtain regulatory approval. However, it remains essential to keep an eye on the evolving clinical data to fully understand the efficacy and safety profile of these compounds.
AUSTIN, Texas, May 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Molecular Templates, Inc. (Nasdaq: MTEM, “Molecular Templates,” or “MTEM”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of proprietary targeted biologic therapeutics, engineered toxin bodies (“ETBs”), to create novel therapies with potent differentiated mechanisms of action, today reported financial results and business updates for the first quarter of 2024.
Recent Company Highlights
- MTEM presented clinical data at the 2024 AACR Annual Meeting that demonstrated MT-6402's tolerable safety and promising efficacy profile in relapsed/refractory HNSCC patients. As monotherapy in 7 evaluable HNSCC patients (all heavily pretreated and checkpoint experienced), 2 confirmed PRs (ongoing at 10 and 20 months, respectively) and 4 SDs (two of whom showed tumor reduction) were observed. An expansion cohort in relapsed/refractory HNSCC with MT-6402 monotherapy is underway with data expected by year-end. A second monotherapy MT-6402 expansion cohort is enrolling for solid tumor patients with high PD-L1 (≥
50% ). - The MT-8421 Phase 1 dose escalation is ongoing with continued observation of unique pharmacodynamic profile (peripheral and TME Treg depletion)
- In April, MTEM completed the second closing of the July 2023 financing with gross proceeds of approximately
$9.5M
Eric Poma, PhD., Chief Executive and Chief Scientific Officer of MTEM, stated, “MT-6402 and MT-8421 represent novel approaches to validated immuno-oncology targets. Monotherapy activity with MT-6402 in patients that have progressed on available therapy, including checkpoint therapy, demonstrates the potential of our technology. We look forward to expanding on these promising data.”
Conferences and Upcoming Meetings
MTEM will participate at the BIO International conference taking place at the San Diego Convention Center from June 3 – 6, 2024. One-on-one meetings may be scheduled by directly contacting Molecular Templates.
First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
The net income attributable to common shareholders for the first quarter of 2024 was
Revenues for the first quarter of 2024 were
Total research and development expenses for the first quarter of 2024 were
As of March 31, 2024, MTEM’s cash and cash equivalents totaled
| Molecular Templates, Inc. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except share and per share data) (unaudited) | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Research and development revenue | $ | 10,924 | $ | 33,627 | ||||
| Grant revenue | 162 | 3,002 | ||||||
| Total revenue | 11,086 | 36,629 | ||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Research and development | 7,405 | 19,042 | ||||||
| General and administrative | 3,731 | 5,802 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 11,136 | 24,844 | ||||||
| Income/(loss) from operations | (50 | ) | 11,785 | |||||
| Interest and other income, net | 109 | 455 | ||||||
| Interest and other expense, net | (31 | ) | (1,395 | ) | ||||
| Change in valuation of contingent value right | 544 | — | ||||||
| Net income attributable to common stockholders | $ | 572 | $ | 10,845 | ||||
| Net income per share attributable to common stockholders: | ||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.11 | $ | 2.89 | ||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.08 | $ | 2.89 | ||||
| Weighted average number of shares used in net income per share calculations: | ||||||||
| Basic | 5,374,268 | 3,756,711 | ||||||
| Diluted | 7,015,864 | 3,756,711 | ||||||
| Molecular Templates, Inc. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||||||
| March 31, 2024 (unaudited) | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 6,779 | $ | 11,523 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses | 1,200 | 2,195 | ||||||
| Grants revenue receivable | 412 | 250 | ||||||
| Other current assets | 2,299 | 2,804 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 10,690 | 16,772 | ||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 8,647 | 9,161 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 6,284 | 7,393 | ||||||
| Other assets | 1,498 | 2,057 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 27,119 | $ | 35,383 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 2,681 | $ | 1,523 | ||||
| Accrued liabilities | 2,748 | 4,279 | ||||||
| Deferred revenue, current | — | 9,031 | ||||||
| Other current liabilities | 3,152 | 2,488 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 8,581 | 17,321 | ||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, long term portion | 9,075 | 9,742 | ||||||
| Contingent value right liability | 2,158 | 2,702 | ||||||
| Other liabilities | 1,435 | 1,406 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 21,249 | 31,171 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, | ||||||||
| Authorized: 2,000,000 shares as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023; Issued and outstanding: 250 shares as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | — | — | ||||||
| Common stock, | ||||||||
| Authorized: 150,000,000 shares as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023; Issued and outstanding: 5,374,268 shares as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | 5 | 5 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 458,185 | 457,099 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (452,320 | ) | (452,892 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 5,870 | 4,212 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 27,119 | $ | 35,383 | ||||
About Molecular Templates
Molecular Templates is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of next-generation ADCs. Our drug platform technology, known as Engineered Toxin Bodies (ETBs), leverages the resident biology of a genetically engineered toxin payload to create novel therapies with potent and differentiated mechanisms of action for cancer and various disease indications.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). Molecular Templates disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements and claims the protection of the Act’s Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release, including, but not limited to those regarding strategy, future operations, the Company’s ability to execute on its objectives, prospects, plans, future clinical development of the Company’s product candidates, any implication that the preliminary results, interim results, or the results of earlier clinical trials or ongoing clinical trials will be representative of the results of future or later clinical trials or final results, the potential benefits, safety or efficacy and any evaluations or judgments regarding the Company’s product candidates, and future execution of corporate goals. In addition, when or if used in this press release, the words “may,” “could,” “should,” “continue”, “anticipate,” “potential”, “believe,” “estimate,” “appears”, “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict” and similar expressions and their variants, as they relate to Molecular Templates may identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including, but not limited to the following: the continued availability of financing on commercially reasonable terms, whether Molecular Templates’ cash resources will be sufficient to fund its continuing operations; the results of MTEM’s ongoing clinical studies and the ability to effectively operate MTEM, and those risks identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in Molecular Templates’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including its Form 10-Q for the first quarter year ended March 31, 2024 and any subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Molecular Templates specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contacts:
Grace Kim
grace.kim@mtem.com
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