NeuroSense Announces First Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

Rhea-AI Summary

NeuroSense Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NRSN) reported Q1 2022 financial results, revealing a cash position of $13.74 million, up from $11.06 million in Q4 2021. The net loss increased to $2.71 million from $2.12 million in Q1 2021, primarily due to heightened general and administrative expenses. Notably, the company initiated biomarker studies for ALS and Alzheimer's, received FDA clearance for its IND application for PrimeC, and commenced a pharmacokinetic study. Looking ahead, a Phase IIb ALS clinical trial is set to begin in Q2 2022, with results anticipated in Q3.

Positive

• Cash position increased to $13.74 million from $11.06 million in Q4 2021.
• Initiated biomarker studies for ALS and Alzheimer's diseases.
• FDA cleared IND application for PrimeC, facilitating further drug development.
• Commenced enrollment in a pharmacokinetic study for PrimeC with results expected in Q3 2022.
• Planning to initiate Phase IIb clinical trial for ALS in Q2 2022.

Negative

• Net loss increased to $2.71 million from $2.12 million in Q1 2021.
• General and administrative expenses soared by 2,089% to $1.97 million due to increased operational costs.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NeuroSense Therapeutics Ltd. (NASDAQ: NRSN) ("NeuroSense"), a company developing treatments for severe neurodegenerative diseases, today reported its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 and provided a business update.

Business Update

Initiated Biomarker Studies for ALS and Alzheimer's disease

Throughout Q1 2022, NeuroSense has been working vigorously to meet key drug development milestones. As an integral part of its clinical program, NeuroSense is pioneering the identification and use of novel disease related biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases. During Q1 2022, the 3^rd stage of the Company's amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) biomarker study was initiated in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, and a new study on Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers also commenced. Results from both studies are expected in Q2 2022.

Received FDA Clearance of IND for PrimeC in Treatment of ALS

NeuroSense continues to advance its regulatory strategy via the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In Q1 2022, the FDA cleared NeuroSense's Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate a pharmacokinetic (PK) study of PrimeC, its lead combination drug candidate developed for the treatment of ALS. In addition, a Fast Track application was submitted to the FDA and not granted at this time. The Company is planning to resubmit the application upon further generation of data. PrimeC was previously granted Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA and EMA. 

Commenced Enrollment and Dosing in U.S. PK Study of PrimeC for ALS

In April 2022, NeuroSense enrolled and dosed the first healthy volunteer in its PK study (NCT05232461) of PrimeC. The PK open-label, randomized, single-dose, three-treatment, three-period crossover study is evaluating the effect of food on the bioavailability of PrimeC as compared to the bioavailability of co-administered ciprofloxacin tablets and celecoxib capsules in 12 healthy adult subjects in the U.S. under an FDA cleared IND protocol. Data are expected in Q3 2022. The combined data from both this PK study and the Company's upcoming Phase IIb ALS study will assist in designing a pivotal Phase III trial of PrimeC for the treatment of ALS in alignment with FDA requirements.

On Track to Initiate Phase IIb PrimeC Study for ALS

In Q2 2022, NeuroSense expects to commence its double blind, placebo controlled, multicenter Phase IIb clinical trial using a unique upgraded formulation of PrimeC which maximizes the synergistic effect between the compounds in its combination drug. The clinical trial endpoints include assessment of ALS-biomarkers, evaluation of clinical efficacy, and improvement in quality of life to demonstrate an attenuation in disease progression. Elucidation of the mechanism of action of PrimeC utilizing statistically significant biomarker data from the upcoming Phase IIb trial may enable patient stratification and increased likelihood of success in a pivotal trial.

Patents Granted for PrimeC in Australia and Canada

NeuroSense continues to bolster its intellectual property estate, with patents granted for PrimeC, during Q1 2022 in Australia and Canada. The same patent, titled "Compositions comprising an anti-inflammatory drug and DICER activator for treatment of neuronal diseases" was previously granted in the U.S.

Collaborations & Strategic Partnerships

In expanding its business development objectives, NeuroSense is discussing potential partnerships with pharmaceutical companies devoted to rare and central nervous system diseases. NeuroSense is currently establishing new scientific collaborations, as well as strengthening existing connections. 

"The upcoming initiation of our Phase IIb ALS study is a major milestone for NeuroSense. We move forward in a strong financial position, poised to execute our clinical development plans for the benefit of patients and shareholders. With our current cash position, we expect to complete preclinical studies for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and, most importantly complete our ALS Phase IIb study, leading to a potential inflection point in value for our Company," stated NeuroSense's CEO, Alon Ben-Noon.

Financial Summary

As of March 31, 2022, NeuroSense had cash and short-term deposits in a total amount of $13.74 million, compared to $11.06 million as of December 31, 2021. The increase was due to proceeds received from the exercise of warrants in the amount of $3.87 million, partly offset by ongoing expenses.

Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $1.29 million, a decrease of $0.73 million, or 36.14%, compared to $2.02 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The decrease is primarily due to the reduction in share-based compensation expenses, offset by an increase in expenses to subcontractors and consultants as a result of preparations to commence a Phase IIb ALS clinical study in Q2 2022. NeuroSense expects research and development expenses will continue to increase through 2022 and beyond.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $1.97 million an increase of $1.88 million, or 2,089%, compared to $0.09 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. This increase is primarily due to the increase in salaries and professional services, director's and officer's insurance expenses, and share-based compensation related to the costs of being a public company. NeuroSense expects that general and administrative expenses will remain at the same level through 2022.

Financing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $23,000 an increase of $10,000, or 77%, compared to $13,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase was mainly due to higher exchange rate expenses.

Financing income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $0.57 million an increase of $0.57 million, compared to $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2021.  The increase in financing income was mainly due to the devaluation of the Company's liability with respect to warrants which were issued at the end of 2021 as part of NeuroSense's initial public offering.

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $2.71 million an increase of $0.59 million, compared with a net loss of $2.12 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase was primarily due to an increase in general and administrative expenses, partly offset by a decrease in research and development expenses and an increase in financing income.

A summary of Company's unaudited financial results is included in the tables below.

 

Condensed Interim Unaudited Statements of Financial Position
U.S. dollars in thousands
	March 31,		December 31,
	2022		2021
Assets
Current assets:
Cash	8,735		11,063
Short term deposits	5,004		-
Other receivables	225		310
Restricted deposits	64		39
Total current assets	14,028		11,412
Non-current assets:
Right of use assets	287		-
Property, plant and equipment, net	42		19
Total non-current assets	329		19
Total assets	14,357		11,431
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Trade payables	180		39
Other payables	1,048		558
Total current liabilities	1,228		597
Non-current liabilities:
Long term lease liability	207		-
Liability in respect of warrants	816		1,828
	1,023		1,828
Total liabilities	2,251		2,425
Shareholders' equity:
Ordinary shares	-		-
Share premium and capital reserve	23,267		17,452
Accumulated deficit	(11,161)		(8,446)
Total Shareholders' equity	12,106		9,006
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	14,357		11,431

 

 

 

Condensed Interim Unaudited Statements of Income and Comprehensive Loss
U.S. dollars in thousands except share and per share data
	Note		Three months ended		Three months ended		For the year ended
			March 31,		March 31,		December 31,
			2022		2021		2021
Research and development expenses	5		(1,296)		(2,019)		(3,082)
General and administrative expenses	6		(1,968)		(92)		(2,505)
Operating loss			(3,264)		(2,111)		(5,587)
Financing expenses			(23)		(13)		(1,186)
Financing income			572		-		2,732
Financing income (expenses), net			549		(13)		1,546
Net loss and comprehensive loss			(2,715)		(2,124)		(4,041)
Basic and diluted net loss per share			(0.24)		(0.38)		(0.65)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used in     computing basic and diluted net loss per share			10,994,264		5,582,922		6,243,411

 

 

 

Condensed Interim Unaudited Statements of Changes in Equity
U.S. dollars in thousands
	Ordinary Shares		Share Premium And Capital Reserve		Accumulated deficit		Total Equity
Three months ended March 31, 2022:
Balance as of January 1, 2022	-		17,452		(8,446)		9,006
Share-based compensation	-		1,597		-		1,597
Net loss and comprehensive loss	-		-		(2,715)		(2,715)
Cancelation of options	-		(96)		-		(96)
Exercise of warrants	-		4,314		-		4,314
Balance as of March 31, 2022	-		23,267		(11,161)		12,106
Three months ended March 31, 2021:
Balance as of January 1, 2021	-		5,064		(4,405)		659
Share-based compensation	-		1,975		-		1,975
Net loss and comprehensive loss	-		-		(2,124)		(2,124)
Issuance of SAFE instrument	-		100		-		100
Balance as of March 31, 2021	-		7,139		(6,529)		610
For the year ended December 31, 2021:
Balance as of January 1, 2021	-		5,064		(4,405)		659
Issuance of SAFE instrument	-		800		-		800
Exercise of warrants and options	-		1,311		-		1,311
Share-based compensation	-		4,716		-		4,716
Issuance of ordinary shares, net upon IPO	-		5,561		-		5,561
Net loss and comprehensive loss	-		-		(4,041)		(4,041)
Balance as of December 31, 2021	-		17,452		(8,446)		9,006

 

 

About NeuroSense

NeuroSense Therapeutics, Ltd. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing treatments for patients suffering from debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. NeuroSense believes that these diseases, which include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, among others, represent one of the most significant unmet medical needs of our time, with limited effective therapeutic options available for patients to date. Due to the complexity of neurodegenerative diseases and based on strong scientific research on a large panel of related biomarkers, NeuroSense's strategy is to develop combined therapies targeting multiple pathways associated with these diseases.

For additional information, we invite you to visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "contemplate," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "seek," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "target," "aim," "should," "will" "would," or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on NeuroSense Therapeutics' current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict and include statements regarding patent applications; the company's PrimeC development program; the potential for PrimeC to safely and effectively target ALS; preclinical and clinical data for PrimeC; the timing of current and future clinical trials; the nature, strategy and focus of the company and further updates with respect thereto; and the development and commercial potential of any product candidates of the company. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and NeuroSense Therapeutics Ltd. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

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SOURCE NeuroSense

FAQ

What are the financial results of NeuroSense (NRSN) for Q1 2022?

NeuroSense reported a net loss of $2.71 million for Q1 2022, an increase from $2.12 million in the same quarter of 2021, with total cash reaching $13.74 million.

What is the status of NeuroSense's drug development for ALS?

NeuroSense initiated a pharmacokinetic study for its lead drug candidate, PrimeC, and plans to begin a Phase IIb clinical trial for ALS in Q2 2022.

When will NeuroSense (NRSN) release results from its ongoing studies?

Results from the pharmacokinetic study and the biomarker studies for ALS and Alzheimer's are expected in Q3 2022.

What recent regulatory progress has NeuroSense made?

NeuroSense received FDA clearance for its Investigational New Drug application for PrimeC, which is crucial for advancing its ALS treatment.